Honeymoon on a Budget

Old Dec 7th, 2016, 10:42 AM
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Honeymoon on a Budget

My finance and I are planning our honeymoon for end of June/early July of next year (2017). We took a big trip to Scotland in September (where we got engaged!), so are looking for a more budget friendly trip with a little less planning for our honeymoon. We are planning on another large Europe trip for 2018. Does anyone have any ideas they could share? A few bits of information:

- We would like to keep the trip under $3k, and are flexible on the length. A two week vacation would be amazing. but possibly not with that budget
- We are both willing (and would love to) go back to Europe, but are not sure of a decently priced area in the middle of summer
- We want a mixture of relaxing and sightseeing/outdoor activities

Please let me know if you need anymore information, and I appreciate any and all suggestions!
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 10:53 AM
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Yes the ideas are endless- cheaper places are central Europe except Austria- Poland, Czech, etc and places like Portugal and the UK itself with the Pound so low.

Going by car or train?

If moving around a lot and going mainly to cities take the train.If into say meandering thru rural France drive.

For lots of trains and where to go on them: www.ricksteves.com; www.seat61.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com (check their online European Planning & Rail Guide for lots of itinerary suggestions.

Big tourist cities are the most expensive but also what most people want to see- Paris - Venice - Florence- Rome, etc. But they are crowded in summer and yes expensive.

So looking for more info - big tourist cities or rural places like the Dordogne or Provence - mode of travel, etc.
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 11:31 AM
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Where are you coming from?

Does the $3k (in what dollar currency?) include airfare? If so, it's a no-go unless it's a long weekend.

How will you travel around?

What do you want to see and do?

There aren't very many places that are more "decently priced,"whatever that means (care to explain?) in June/July. It's prime tourist season. If you want cheap prices, travel in February.
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 11:42 AM
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You really are on a budget if you come with your fiNance.

That said, some countries are less expensive than others in Europe.

High prices :
Scandinavia and Switzerland
Lowe prices : Bulgaria, Poland, globally eastern Europe.
In western Europe, Spain and Portugal are cheaper than France, and Germany is very cheap for accomodations.

The full list is here and corresponds to my perceptions.
I wouldn't have put Ireland in the expensive countries yet.

http://www.7sur7.be/7s7/fr/1536/Econ...d-Europe.dhtml
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 12:34 PM
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>

Seriously? If no dollar currency is specified, it's American dollars. Canadians, Kiwis and Aussies on this board all know to specify their own copies of the original because the default thought process is American dollars.

___

And to the OP: if you only have 3k for the whole trip, including airfare, lodging and meals, then save up for 2018. That's way low for ONE week in the summer (high season), never mind two.
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 12:37 PM
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Oh Big Russ, so sorry I asked. It must have spoiled your evening.
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 01:00 PM
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If coming from the States, take a look at Turkish Airlines and choose an Eastern European country, such as Bulgaria and Romania. You might want to take a look at my trip report that includes Bulgaria; click on my name to find it. We did not go the cheapest way and I am sure that cheaper, acceptable hotels are to be found as an alternative to the moderately priced hotels we used.
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 01:44 PM
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Is that $ (Can, Oz or Kiwi?) 3000 for both or for each - sounds like for both which yes in western Europe is hardly possible save biking/camping or hostels= maybe.

The earlier in June you go the more the cheaper places will be available.
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 01:56 PM
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Any interest in a tropical vacation? The Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii??

Without knowing where these folks are flying from, it's impossible to help with a European destination. I know from the west coast USA tickets are at least $1000 each, so $3000 total budget isn't going to cut it for Europe for a week in the summer-time (high season).
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 02:42 PM
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Thank you everyone for the posts! Im beginning to come to terms with the fact that saving for 2018 will give us a more eventful trip. The $3k is in US dollars, and we are flying from the Midwest so tickets are more expensive.

I have contemplated Mexico, but we don't want to simply do a resort, lay on the beach all day kind of trip. Any suggestions?
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 02:56 PM
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>

Belize.
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 03:22 PM
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We took a 2 week trip to the Yucatan a couple years ago. We didn't stay at any resorts and we only spent a few days on the beach. There is a lot to do in Mexico.
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 03:43 PM
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ALl those guys reduced to copying USD.
Fortunately most of the USD are actually RMB's since most of US debt is held by chinese.

Ah... pecunia non olet said the ancients.
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 03:57 PM
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There was just a great sale on airfare, I could have flown to Italy for $450 round trip (from San Diego.) Start watching for these sale fares, because if you can get them and rent an apartment somewhere you can live pretty cheaply.

You can sign up for the Flight deal and get daily emails with good deals.

http://www.theflightdeal.com/

If you can get a good deal, then stay put in one area and don't move around too much, you can keep it under $3000.
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 05:00 PM
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If you are going to have to pay $2,000 for air fare you won;t get much of a vacation for $1000 - even a cheap country and using hostels and picnics. I would do a staycation - or a nearby one on a budget and put this money towards making 2018 a much better trip. Also, if possible go in May - weather is generally better and there are more deals to be have on hotels.
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 09:18 PM
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I have contemplated Mexico, but we don't want to simply do a resort, lay on the beach all day kind of trip.

Oaxaca, although it is better as a winter destination:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca...882801271/show
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Old Dec 8th, 2016, 04:22 AM
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Portugal and Spain are relatively cheap locations in western Europe. Belgium and the Baltic countries are inexpensive destinations in northern Europe. I would suggest keeping it down to a week if you really want to stay under $3000, including airfare. If airfare isn't included, or if you can stretch the budget a bit, two weeks would be realistic. Your biggest cost will probably be the air fare, which is the same whether you spend one week or two, so stretching the budget just a bit could get you an extra week in one of the cheaper locations.

Many parts of Spain can be very hot in the summer, and the Baltic countries are sometimes rather rainy in the summer, so you might want to look into historical weather archives before deciding on a destination.
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Old Dec 8th, 2016, 04:55 AM
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Go to Quebec and pretend it's Europe. Or something like Europe and definitely not like home. Save the trans-Atlantic costs until the next trip.
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Old Dec 8th, 2016, 07:48 AM
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Mexico City and Cuernavaca. Mexico City is one of the great cities of the world and has great food. Cuernavaca is charming and has great food. They're both safe if you exercise normal precautions.

Quebec City is also a great suggestion.
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Old Dec 8th, 2016, 07:51 AM
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Oaxaca, Mexico City, Montreal and Quebec...I love all these ideas, but weather argues in favor of Canada over Mexico.
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