All PostThoughts from recent conversations in my travel circles.
Lately, I’ve been having a version of this conversation with several people in my travel community. I’ve noticed that when people see the total cost of a trip package, some react with a bit of sticker shock. But those same travelers often end up booking their own trips—choosing a hotel, signing up for activities, and dining out—and spending something close to the packaged price or even more by the time the trip is over.
So, is $4,500 a lot for a 10-day trip? The honest answer: it depends. And not just on the destination or what’s included—but on the traveler: their budget, travel style, priorities, and even their level of experience planning or purchasing trips.
For someone on a tight budget, this number would undoubtedly be high and they should seek other options. For another who is not so budget-constrained but is used to traveling solo, staying in lower-cost accommodations, and mapping out their own itinerary, the number might still seem high. But for a traveler who plans a discretionary budget for travel each year and who values comfort, quality, and a well-organized experience with some built-in structure and support, $4,500 is often seen as a very good value.
Then there are the seasoned travelers who regularly purchase higher-end packaged trips who are pleasantly surprised and see $4,500 as a fantastic value for what’s included.
What Is Included in a $4,500+ Trip?
Of course, this depends too – on the provider, the destination and other factors. Here’s an example from my world: the small-group women’s trips I organize typically range from $3,800 (shared room) to $5,800 (single room) for a 10-day itinerary in Europe, excluding airfare. These trips include:
- 6 to 8 women maximum
- Accommodation in centrally-located 4- and 5-star hotels which I personally select
- All transportation between cities or towns in comfortable private vans (not buses)
- Daily breakfast and several group meals, such as a vineyard lunch or farewell dinner
- Curated experiences like guided walking tours, food tours, cooking classes, sunset cruises, or wine tastings
- Advance reservations and logistics handled for you
- A relaxed, supportive atmosphere—everyone fits around one dinner table
- A host (me!) who keeps the itinerary on track, facilitates spontaneous requests or experiences, manages any issues, and joins as part of the group
It’s a premium experience—but not an extravagant one. The goal of these trips is to create a meaningful balance of connection, culture, comfort, and ease… and FUN! They’re designed for women who want an elevated travel experience without the stress of planning every detail themselves.
Why The Cost Seems High (Even If It’s Not)
Seeing a single price tag like $4,500 can seem high—especially if you’re used to spreading travel expenses across months of planning. But I always suggest adding it up.
Add up what you’d spend on similar hotels, transfers, guided tours, and a few special meals. Then factor in the time you’d spend researching, booking, adjusting logistics, and solving any hiccups along the way. Consider that $4,500 for 10 days is $450 per day on average and a nice 4 or 5 star hotel might cost $500-600 per night in the high season in a desirable location. Split that in two and add transportation, activities, meals, and such.
Suddenly, that group trip doesn’t seem so expensive. In fact, many travelers who’ve built similar trips on their own tell me afterward that they spent just as much—sometimes more—but with more effort and less peace of mind.
A Note About Single Rooms
One key factor in the pricing is whether you’re sharing a room or choosing to have your own. Some will share a room to reduce their costs. If a private room is important to you, expect to pay more. Hotels charge by the room, not per person—so if you’re not splitting that cost, you will cover it on your own.
Final Thoughts
So—is $4,500 plus airfare a lot for a 10-day trip? For some, yes. For others, not at all. It really depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for and how you define value.
My advice: don’t look only at the package price. Compare apples to apples. Think about what’s included, how much time and energy you want to spend organizing your own trip, and how much more present you can be when someone else is handling the details.
For many women who’ve joined me on these journeys, that sense of ease, connection, and discovery has been worth every penny.
