I didn’t grow up believing luxury travel was meant for people like me—or families like mine. Traveling the world as a family of five required more than desire; it required strategy, patience, and a willingness to learn what wasn’t openly taught.

Every tip in this book was earned through research, persistence, and lived experience. I learned early on that timing matters more than income, and knowledge often outweighs access. Traveling during off-peak seasons, understanding cruise cycles, and choosing value over appearances allowed my family to experience places we once thought were out of reach.

Travel became our classroom, our reset, and our reminder that the world is larger than any single zip code. My children learned geography by standing in it, culture by engaging with it, and confidence by navigating unfamiliar spaces. These experiences didn’t replace education—they enriched it.

This book is not about shortcuts or excess. It’s about intention. It’s about learning how to move differently, plan smarter, and redefine what luxury truly means. Luxury is not about price tags—it’s about access, peace, and the freedom to experience life fully.

If you’ve ever felt that travel was something you’d do “one day,” I hope this book shows you that one day can start now—with the right tools, timing, and mindset.

Welcome to Luxury Travel on a Budget. You belong here.

— Cheurlie Pierre-Russell