When you think of luxury holidays or vacations, it evokes different feelings and expectations for different people. Luxury holiday travel can be self-indulgent, allowing you to enjoy things you have craved for a long time. Luxury holidays spark images such as a luxurious silk sheeted 4 poster bed, enjoying a relaxing massage or a pedicure or manicure or simply doing nothing at all on the shores of a tropical paradise. The pleasures of the candlelit bath, the luxury of a holiday trip with your partner or friends can make you feel alive and healthy.

Many people comment on return from their travels that they may need a "vacation to recover from their luxury vacation". That's because traveling, despite all its pleasures, can be a hairy business - what with communication issues, making sure your belongings are safe and trying to make the most of the time you have left to sightsee. Luxury hotels can really take the stressful edge off your vacation as you'll have everything you need right on your doorstep. Laundry services and daily housekeeping will take care of the basics, while the opportunity to be served three-course meals in the comfort of your hotel suite means you won't have to trawl the streets to look for somewhere to eat.

In fact, treating yourself to a luxury break is no longer considered an extravagance but rather a welcome antidote to backpacking - especially among older travelers who have spent one too many nights in grubby hostels with just the basic essentials, and who can now afford to splash out a bit when booking travel accommodation.

There are a number of ways to indulge while on vacation - from eating at the most lavish restaurants to visiting truly extravagant spas. At the centre of a deluxe holiday is undoubtedly luxurious accommodation; it does, after all, determine how you'll begin and end each day, in addition to the quality of hospitality and service you'll receive.

What's more, many luxury hotels are situated near or host their own first-class golf courses; so if you're hoping to enjoy a peaceful golf vacation, staying at a luxury hotel could be your best possible choice if you want to play on the finest greens.

It's true that luxury hotels can cost a lot of money, but enjoying the comforts of a luxury hotel break doesn't have to follow suit. Planning to go backpacking in Europe for a few months this summer? Scrimp and save by staying in youth hostels during your trip so that at the end of your vacation, you'll be able to afford a few nights at a sumptuous luxury hotel in a cosmopolitan city like London or Paris.

A popular misconception is that a Luxury Breaks
can cost you the earth. If you plan ahead and hire the services of a reputable travel company, you may be pleasantly surprised at the end results in terms of cost when weighed against the quality of your holiday. Careful planning and sensible management of your budget provides you with a great platform to be able to relax and enjoy that once in a lifetime luxury holiday trip.