10 Luxury Vacations You Can Take For $1,000 Or Less
Champagne taste on a LaCroix budget? These 10 luxe vacations prove you don’t need a trust fund to travel like an heiress.
Luxury isn’t always about five-figure price tags or champagne-soaked suites. True luxury lies in the experience: waking up to the Adriatic Sea, eating seafood caught just that morning, wandering cobblestone streets untouched by time. With the right eye and a willingness to skip tourist traps, $1,000 USD can easily buy you a dreamy, decadent escape. These 10 destinations offer postcard beauty, world-class dining, and rich culture at a price that won’t derail your savings. Whether you’re chasing sun, history, or serenity, these luxe-on-a-budget spots deliver indulgence at a reasonable price.
The $1,000 budget covers the essentials: food and lodging. But because I’m committed to bringing you a truly affordable luxury vacation, I recommend taking a deep dive into this Evie piece on how to book flights for free using credit card points. At first, it all felt overwhelming to me too, but after visiting my bank the old-fashioned way (in person!) and explaining what I was hoping to do, I’m now planning a trip to Europe with zero dollars spent on airfare.
Below I listed luxury and mid-luxury hotels and restaurants that are must-sees in each city, but I highly encourage you to do a deeper dive if you plan to visit. Most of these places are made affordable due to the low cost of living and exchange rates with the US dollar, so museum entrances and shows also come down to affordable rates. And don’t forget to check AirBnbs! These can often be even cheaper than the four and five stars hotels on this list and can offer unique experiences, like this windmill turned apartment in the Azores Islands of Portugal, known as the Hawaii of Europe. More on that below!
1. Šibenik and/or Split, Croatia
I visited Croatia for the first time last year, and I can honestly say I fell head over heels for this stunning country. It’s one of Europe’s best-kept luxury secrets. Split enchants with its Roman ruins and seaside promenades, while nearby Šibenik offers a quieter charm, with UNESCO-listed cathedrals and fortress views overlooking turquoise waters. Both cities capture the elegance of the Amalfi Coast, but at a fraction of the price of their more touristy neighbors.
And if you're a Game of Thrones or Mamma Mia fan, Croatia is definitely for you as the film and show were filmed in Croatia’s iconic ruins.
Where to stay:
Hotel Marul (Split) : boutique, walkable, and under $120/night.
Heritage Hotel Life Palace (Šibenik): a 15th-century palace turned stylish stay.
Where to eat:
Bokeria Kitchen & Wine Bar (Split): for Croatian cuisine with flair.
Pelegrini (Šibenik): a Michelin-star experience with prix fixe menus under $80.
2. Setúbal, Portugal
A short train ride from Lisbon, Setúbal gives you golden beaches, dolphin-watching tours, and seafood so fresh it feels poetic. It’s a working-class port town reimagined with wine bars, art galleries, and slow Mediterranean elegance. Perfect for travelers who crave authenticity with ambiance and incredible food.
Where to stay:
Hotel Casa Palmela: a romantic manor with vineyard views (often under $150/night off-season).
Where to eat:
Taberna do Largo: for traditional fare.
O Miguel: for grilled cuttlefish and cold white wine on the terrace.
3. Cartagena, Colombia
I am biased since Cartagena is home to me, but this is undoubtedly the place where colonial elegance meets Caribbean ease. Behind candy-colored walls and flowers-draped balconies lies a world of rich history, sultry nights, and decadent ceviche. The cost of luxury here is refreshingly low, especially if you visit between May and October.
Where to stay:
Casa San Agustin: for a splurge under $200/night (on off-peak deals).
Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia: for budget-friendly colonial charm.
Where to eat:
La Cevichería: made famous by Anthony Bourdain.
Carmen Cartagena: for a multi-course tasting menu that’s still affordable.
4. Malta
Malta feels like a Mediterranean fairytale: sandstone cities, secret swimming coves, and a fusion of Italian, Arab, and British influences. Its public ferries feel like private cruises, and history is etched into every corner, from the Knights of St. John to World War II bunkers.
Where to stay:
The Coleridge in Valletta: for quiet elegance.
115 The Strand Hotel by NEU Collective: for budget-friendly harbor views.
Where to eat:
Legligin: for rustic Maltese tasting menus.
Guzé Bistro: for candlelit romance inside a 16th-century house.
5. Otranto, Italy
This under-the-radar gem in Puglia offers everything you love about Italy without the Tuscany price tag. Think olive groves, cliffs over aquamarine seas, ancient cathedrals, and slow, soul-satisfying food. It’s where Italian grandparents still ride bicycles to the fish market and you can too!
Where to stay:
Hotel Palazzo Papaleo: a baroque boutique stay near the sea.
Masseria Bandino: for a countryside feel with spa amenities.
Where to eat:
L'altro Baffo: for elegant seafood dishes.
Ristorante Peccato di Vino: for local wine and handmade pasta.
6. Kotor, Montenegro
Kotor is like a more affordable version of Dubrovnik, but without the crowds. Nestled in a fjord-like bay, the old town is framed by mountains and filled with Venetian architecture, medieval churches, and breezy cafes. It’s perfect for a quiet, romantic getaway on a writer’s budget.
Where to stay:
Hotel Monte Cristo: inside a 13th-century building.
Apartments Dukic: great views at bargain rates.
Where to eat:
Konoba Scala Santa: for Montenegrin classics.
Galion: for waterfront fine dining without the fine-dining price.
7. Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Skip Punta Cana and head north to Puerto Plata, where pastel Victorian buildings and palm-fringed beaches offer a laid-back, affordable slice of Caribbean heaven. Boutique resorts and cultural sites like the Amber Museum and the cable car to Mount Isabel make it more than just sunbathing.
Where to stay:
Casa Colonial Beach & Spa: for colonial luxury under $200/night in low season.
The Crown Villas at Lifestyle Holidays: for all-inclusive indulgence.
Where to eat:
Casa 40: this colorful eatery offers contemporary twists on Dominican classics like chivo guisado.
Los Tres Cocos: for grilled meats and local rum cocktails.
8. Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
This Afro-Caribbean beach town on Costa Rica’s southern coast is pure paradise with a wild edge. Think surfing, sloths, reggae, and organic cacao tours. Luxury here is barefoot, and barefoot feels just right. Pro tip: don’t skip the black beach!
Where to stay:
Le Cameleon: Boutique Hotel for sleek jungle-meets-beach vibes.
The Lotus Garden: for a zen, affordable stay near the water.
Where to eat:
Stashu’s Con Fusion: for eclectic, flavorful plates.
Bread & Chocolate: for breakfast that turns into brunch and back again.
9. Azore Islands
The Azores are Europe’s Hawaii, only more untouched, affordable, and geothermal. Located in the middle of the Atlantic, they offer crater lakes, volcanic hot springs, tea plantations, and a pace of life that feels like exhaling. São Miguel is the most accessible and offers the perfect balance of adventure and stillness.
Where to stay:
Furnas Boutique Hotel: for thermal spa indulgence.
Hotel do Colégio: a charming old-school mansion in Ponta Delgada.
Where to eat:
A Tasca: for traditional Azorean petiscos.
O Miroma to try Cozido das Furnas: a stew slow-cooked underground by volcanic heat. Need I say more?
10. Hoi An, Vietnam
Hoi An looks like a living watercolor: glowing lanterns, golden temples, and ancient walls and waterways guiding your path. Once a major trading port, this UNESCO World Heritage site blends French colonial architecture with Vietnamese soul. Tailor shops, rice paddies, and river cruises offer quiet luxury for a fraction of what you’d pay elsewhere. It’s also one of the most budget-friendly places to eat like royalty and stay like a queen.
Where to stay:
La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa: Tranquil gardens, multiple pools, and 4-star service often under $100/night.
Almanity Hoi An Wellness Resort: Includes daily spa treatments and yoga for incredible value.
Where to eat:
Morning Glory Original: for upscale Vietnamese classics like white rose dumplings and cao lầu noodles.
Miss Ly Cafeteria for a cozy, flavorful take on Hoi An’s traditional dishes.
Luxury is about the experience, not what you spend. From Europe’s sun-kissed coasts to Latin America’s colorful corners, these destinations prove that you don’t need to go broke to experience something beautiful, romantic, or deeply restorative. With smart planning and off-peak travel, $1,000 becomes more than a budget, it becomes a passport to the kind of richness money can’t always buy.