The Art of Smart Splurging: Where to Invest (and Where to Save) on Your Family Vacation

I've learned that the secret to an incredible trip isn't about spending the most money, it's about spending it wisely. Some experiences are absolutely worth the investment, while others deliver just as much joy at a fraction of the cost. The trick is knowing which is which.

That's where I come in as your family travel advisor. I've seen families spend their budget on things that didn't matter to them, while missing out on experiences that would have created lifelong memories. Let me walk you through some strategic splurges and smart saves that can transform your next family adventure.

Splurge: Private Tours | Save: Street Food Adventures

When you're traveling with kids of different ages, a private tour is often worth every penny. You move at your own pace, take bathroom breaks when needed, and your guide tailors the experience to what actually interests your family—not a bus full of strangers. I've watched families turn a potentially cranky museum visit into an engaging treasure hunt with the right private guides that we know and trust.

But when it comes to meals? Some of the most memorable family moments happen gathered around a street food stall, trying something new together. The kids love the adventure of it, the food is usually excellent, and you're experiencing authentic local culture. Save those dining dollars for one special restaurant splurge, but embrace the vibrant street food scene for lunch.

Splurge: Beachfront Accommodations | Save: Beach Day Activities

Waking up to the ocean view, stepping directly onto the sand from your room, avoiding the schlep with beach gear and tired kids—a beachfront stay fundamentally changes your vacation rhythm. You can pop back for naps, forgotten sunscreen, or just a break from the sun without the ordeal of packing up and trekking back.

However, you don't need to spend hundreds on jet ski rentals or organized beach activities. Kids are often happiest with a $15 boogie board, a bucket, and some snacks. The beach itself is free entertainment. Splurge on the location, save on the activities.

Splurge: The Right Hotel (Especially Preferred Partners) | Save: Low-Key Days on Property

Here's where my role as a travel advisor really matters: not all boutique hotels are created equal for families, and how you book can be just as important as where you book. I work with preferred hotel partners, which means when I book your stay, you receive exclusive amenities you wouldn't get booking directly online—complimentary breakfast, room upgrades when available, resort credits, early check-in, or late checkout.

But the real value goes beyond the perks. When you book through me at a preferred partner property, I have a direct relationship with the hotel. If something goes wrong—your room isn't ready, there's an issue with your reservation, you need a last-minute change—I can pick up the phone and get it resolved. I've helped families navigate everything from unexpected room changes to emergency re-bookings, and having that direct line makes all the difference when you're traveling with kids and stress levels are high.

I help you find properties with thoughtful amenities—a great pool, welcoming common spaces, maybe a kids' club that doesn't feel like an afterthought. These places understand that families need room to breathe.

Once you're there? You don't need to fill every hour with expensive outings. Some of our clients' favorite vacation memories are lazy mornings by the pool, afternoon card games on the terrace, or sunset walks around the property. When you splurge on the right hotel with the right booking, simply being there becomes the activity—and you have the peace of mind knowing someone has your back if anything comes up.

Splurge: Direct Flights | Save: Ground Transportation

I cannot overstate this: when traveling with kids, direct flights are worth the premium. Layovers multiply opportunities for meltdowns, lost luggage, and missed connections. That extra money per ticket for a direct flight saves you hours of stress and often a night's accommodation if connections go wrong.

But once you land? This is where knowing your destination matters. In major cities with reliable infrastructure; larger cities, public transportation or rideshares are perfectly fine and can save you significant money.

However, I often recommend splurging on private transfers when you're headed to remote areas, destinations with unpaved roads, or places where the drive from airport to hotel is particularly long. I've seen families arrive exhausted in Costa Rica, trying to navigate a two-hour drive through winding mountain roads in the dark after a delayed flight. That's not the time to figure out confusing directions or crowd into a shared shuttle with strangers when your kids are melting down.

Private transfers in these situations mean someone is waiting for you no matter what time you arrive to the airport, they know the roads, they can make stops if needed, and you can relax.

But that quick 20-minute airport run in a well-connected city? Save your money.

Splurge: One Signature Experience | Save: Generic Attractions

Every destination has that one incredible, unique experience. Swimming with whale sharks in Mexico. A sunrise balloon ride in Cappadocia. A private cooking class in Tuscany. These are the stories your kids will tell for years. For these signature moments, I recommend splurging on tour guides and companies I've personally vetted or have trusted relationships with.

Here's why it matters: I know which tour actually limits group sizes. I know which cooking class instructor is magical with kids. I know which guides will keep your teenagers engaged instead of bored. These aren't random internet reviews, these are providers I've worked with, whose quality I can vouch for, and who I can contact directly if something goes wrong.

However, for simpler activities like a basic city walking tour, a standard museum visit, or a straightforward boat ride, platforms like Viator can be perfectly fine and save you money. The key is understanding the difference. If it's a commodity experience where quality doesn't vary much between providers, save your money. If it's an experience where the guide makes or breaks it, that's where you want my vetted connections.

The same logic applies to skip-the-line passes. For major attractions like the Colosseum, Vatican, or Eiffel Tower, I can arrange skip-the-line access with guides who bring the history to life for families. Yes, you could buy a basic skip-the-line ticket cheaper elsewhere, but you're just avoiding the queue, you're not getting the expertise that transforms the experience. When you're investing time and money to travel across the world, spending a bit more to actually understand and appreciate what you're seeing is worth it. But for smaller attractions where the crowds are manageable? Save that money and explore on your own.

A Few More Splurge vs. Save Strategies to Consider

Splurge: Connecting Rooms or Suites | Save: Standard Double Room — The extra space transforms family dynamics on longer trips. Parents get privacy, kids have room to spread out, and everyone experiences fewer meltdowns from being on top of each other.

Splurge: Breakfast Included | Save: Dinners Out — Hotel breakfast (especially through preferred partner perks) means one less daily decision, kids eat on their schedule, and you start the day stress-free. Save your dining budget for exploring local restaurants and night markets at dinner.

Splurge: Overscheduling Every Day | Save: Built-in Downtime — Here's a counterintuitive one: sometimes the real splurge is packing your itinerary with expensive activities when what your family actually needs are rest days. Save money and sanity by building in downtime. Not every day needs a paid activity, and your family will actually enjoy the trip more.

Why Professional Guidance Matters

Every family values different things. Some families live for adventure activities, while others want pure relaxation. Some kids need constant stimulation, others need downtime. The splurges that matter for one family are wastes of money for another.

That's exactly why working with a family travel advisor makes such a difference. I spend time understanding what actually matters to your family. I know which experiences deliver exceptional value and which sound good on paper but disappoint in reality. I can tell you that the overpriced dolphin encounter in that Caribbean port isn't worth it, but the small-group snorkeling trip with the local guide absolutely is.

I help you build a budget that puts money where it creates joy and memories, while cutting costs in areas you won't even miss. Because the goal isn't to spend less or spend more; it's to spend right.

Ready to plan a trip that splurges smart and saves smarter? Let's talk about where your family's next adventure should take you, and more importantly, how to make every dollar count. Reach out for a complimentary planning consultation.