Mid-range travel might be just the type of travel lifestyle you’re looking for, if you look at ‘budget travel’ and think ‘yeah, I’m not gonna be booking me and my kids into a hostel with some scoddy 20-something year old on a spiritual journey’. By blending a little bit of luxury with some excellent budgeting, you can embark on an unforgettable family trip without compromising comfort or blowing your savings.
Mid-Range Travel is becoming a growing and popular niche, as more families discover a balance between affordability and comfort. While a 5-star hotel might be nice for a couple of nights, you’re ok to mix it up for a couple of nights at a decent 3-star motel if it means you’ll get more bang for your buck.
Mid-range travel is travel that strikes a balance between luxury and affordable. It’s all about prioritising value over the ultimate extravagance or dirt-cheap budget. It generally encapsulates enjoying a good mix of popular tourists attractions, with some local adventures in between. This category seems to have gained some significant interest on social media, especially with the resurgence of travel post-COVID.
With more competition in the travel market for flights, accommodation, activities and countries encouraging a visit, seeking experiences that offer both comfort and authenticity without breaking the bank are becoming an option for plenty of families looking for a family getaway. As parents to an active kid, we squarely fit into the mid-range category and let me tell you why its the best.
As a parent, mid-range travelling probably comes pretty natural to you. Let’s be honest, it’s highly unlikely you’ll be dragging your kids to a stay in a budget hostel with shared rooms and drunk, barely 20-year-olds. (If you do, more power to you!) While budget hostels were once all the rage pre-kids, many families (including us) now prefer family-friendly accommodations, flights, and attractions.
This shit means swapping scummy bars for days spent at Disneyland, and maybe paying a little extra for a better timed flight.
Mid-range travellers are strategic in their spending. They might splurge on a direct flight to avoid long layovers and cranky kids but choose a mid-range hotel with great reviews over a five-star resort. Dining at a fancy restaurant might be reserved for special nights, while local street food becomes a staple. This approach ensures that every dollar spent enhances the travel experience without unnecessary extravagance.
As a mid-range traveller, we love to give our kid the best experience and value for the best price. We also choose to do a couple of long trips over a lot of short trips, making the most of being able to fully explore a destination and take in both the tourist attractions and local delights.
On our most recent trip to Japan, we did include an all-inclusive resort at the end of our trip but chose a mid-range one over the usual, pricier Club Med. It meant we got to relax, our daughter got to spend some time with kids her own age after spending 4 weeks with adults and we stayed in some pretty lush accommodation. It wasn’t top tier, so it didn’t break the bank and it offered what we thought was a decent all-inclusive package. Prior to staying at this resort, we had stayed at some reasonably priced Air BNB, opting for 2 nights as the Disney Resort while we visited the park. This was a perfect mix of reasonable and value.
Finding the right place to stay is crucial for mid-range travellers. Look for accommodation that offers comfort, cleanliness, and good service without the hefty price tag. Websites like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com provide a plethora of options ranging from budget-friendly to luxurious. Many of these platforms also allow you to filter by family-friendly amenities, ensuring that your stay is both enjoyable and convenient.
Some destinations naturally lend themselves to the mid-range traveller lifestyle. Here are a few that offer a blend of luxury and budget-friendly options:
Embracing the mid-range traveller mindset means seeking out authentic experiences and valuing quality over quantity. It’s about finding joy in the journey, not just the destination. By balancing luxury and budget, you can create memorable travel experiences without compromising on comfort or breaking the bank.
As the travel landscape evolves, more people are discovering the benefits of mid-range travelling. It offers a practical and enjoyable way to explore the world, blending the best of both luxury and budget travel. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or planning your first family vacation, adopting the mid-range traveller approach can help you make the most of your adventures. So, pack your bags, plan your itinerary, and get ready to enjoy the best of both worlds!
Where’s your favourite mid-range travel destination? Let me know via email at nicola@prettyfarfromhome.com or checkout our Youtube for more videos on the same topic.
Until next time,
Nic x
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