MelJ

I used to go to Paris twice a year (sometimes once and another country the other time). With winding down our work, finances are winding down, as well.

This year I planned to only go for two weeks in September, sharing an apartment with two friends, instead of the DH, which cuts costs considerably, of course. I've done this in the past and it's a wonderful way to spend time with friends, eat well, see everything, live comfortably and cut a lot of costs--I highly recommend it.

Tonight my primary fellow-traveler and I talked on the phone and I told her I had real concerns about airline fares--already too high--getting worse. Plus the euro to dollar is reaching $1.50. She agreed (the third will, for various reasons, have no problem giving the trip up), so we're canceling the apartment and I'll reimburse her my portion of the small down payment (which we won't have to pay if he rents it).

I've never canceled a trip before and I am so bummed. What started out with a feeling of "good for me, I've done something fiscally unselfish. I can deal." And now I just feel like I have nothing to look forward to. More than that, I don't have PARIS to look forward to.

We did agree to continue to watch flights and, if all the planets align and we catch a break we'll go on the spur of the moment, but we all know that's not likely.

I know there are terrible tragedies in the world and there are people struggling with the loss of their homes and families due to tornadoes right here in the U.S. This is a truly self-indulgent post. But this forum IS for travel-related discussions, so I'm seeking out like-minded people and I hope that's understood and taken in the right spirit.

Have you cancelled a trip? How did you pull yourself out of the funk?

spaarne

<i>This is a truly self-indulgent post.</i>
Yes it truly is. Summer air fares are back up to the levels of 10 years ago, before 9/11. The airlines have figured out how to make money again, or at least cover their fuel bill. Go in late winter or early spring to save money.

Hez

Bummer! I definitely feel for you.

Have you been to Quebec? Just a thought.

Heather

spaarne

Do you want to go to Paris or die with your money in the bank?

txhomes

Instead of cancelling comletely, why not, just make it a one week trip. One week in Paris with friends sounds like fun to me.

Sassafrass

We have had to cancel at least six trips in recent years, all due to illness, a family situation and "have to" repairs on the house: everything from me having a stroke to DD losing a baby. We had to cancel one this past month because of a need in the family, and I don't know if we will manage the money for another soon. It is always upsetting, and the older I get, the more I realize there are fewer trips for me. I will take what I can still get though, and keep precious the memories of past trips. I feel very lucky to have had the travel I have had.

MelJ, when you love to travel, you can't help feeling down when you can't. I don't think it is that self indulgent. Some people crave time alone in their own home or garden. Others really need the stimulation of change. It isn't always about seeing things. You may need more variety in your life than other people do. I do.

One thing DH and I do is pretend we are visiting our own area and give ourselves a project as if we are new to it. This pretending stuff really works. A couple of years ago, we spent several weekends trying out crab cake places, hoping to find the perfect place to take friends when they visit.

We also have some good friends that we visit as house guests - or they visit us. When we are together, going out, etc. that seems like a vacation. We sometimes visit family we don't see often or ask them to visit us. That gives some variety and renews old ties. One more thing we have done is figure out a new activity, or one we have not done in awhile, like canoeing or going to a lot of plays or concerts. DH hasn't grown a vegetable garden in over 25 years. He planted one last week and is so excited. We've also had travel related parties.

So, don't know where you live, but is a there a beach you haven't been to within driving distance? Take a kite and fly it on the beach. Any great museums nearby? Find all the French art in it. Throw a Parsian themed party and dance the Can Can. Visit a US city and try to really see it as an outsider. With help/suggestions from all the Fodorites here, I bet you can find an interesting place to make you feel you've been to a different country.

Hope this helps, or at least, makes you smile.

madgicsh

I still remember 1985 with horror! Our dollar was at $1.25 against the greenback (pegged) and I had a tour of the USA planned. Our Prime Minister got the bright idea of floating our dollar and within a couple of months it was 52 cents US.

It took 26 years to become a good idea and I could see the logic, but Bob Hawke owes me a trip!

We've been to the USA several times but I still miss the first trip I canceled.

MelJ

Thank you for your comments--all are excellent food for thought.
Spaarne - We're planning to leave very little behind, but we need to live (hopefully) for many more years :0

txhomes - the real problem is the airfare, and that's the same regardless of the length of time I stay.

Sassafrass - we do the same (pretending we're on vacation). We are in the mid-west, so our opportunities are limited in this area, but we have a Harley and most definitely will be doing more weekend travel on it this summer! Yes, you made me smile. xoxo

GoodLuckGirl

Dear MelJ,
I know how you feel. Six years ago, with the help of our city's French ambassador, my husband and a friend were going to participate in the Paris Marathon, held every year in April. We are from the U.S., so this was also being covered by local community papers. Unfortunately, the week prior to the event, our friend's spouse became very ill, and we, of course, cancelled. Sometimes, things are not meant to be.
However, we rescheduled the trip and went in mid November. The airfare was less expensive, the crowds were not as thick, and the weather was pleasant.
While the trip was bittersweet, it was, none the less, Paris.
Do yourself a favor, and book for another time. It will make you feel much better, and give you the lift you need.
And while I do agree that, yes, this travel forum concentrates on enjoyable experiences, most of us work very hard to be able to afford these indulgences and should not feel guilty.

Fodorite018

I get what you are saying. I am headed to Paris this summer to meet DD at the end of her study abroad session. My closest girlfriend was to come with us. She got her ticket, and literally 2 days later her youngest child was diagnosed with a rare terminal disease. He will pass before we would have left. I am still going, but obviously she is not. She and I both said in due time, we will go together.

cg09

Yes, I once had a planned travel with friends. When we found that we can't fit it in our schedule, we had no choice but to cancel it. I felt so awful since I was already very excited and giddy about it. But we had no choice. We just wished we could find another time to travel together.

avalon

Girlfriend, you must have some BA miles in that family account! Fly to London and take the Eurostar, I just bought tickets 45 US dollars each way. You can use miles plus money on BA. I actually switched to Virgin because their fares are always less than BA.

Do you mean BA is also canceling? You could both come in Nov when fares will be cheaper and attend the Bastille brocante with D and me

nz101

I feel your pain too. Fortunately I've not had to cancel a trip yet, but from the moment I book it, I begin to worry 'something' may happen - car accident, kids getting sick, losing a job, etc etc. Crazy stuff. Do other people think like this too or is it just me????

Unfortunately I cannot travel to Europe often as I live in the middle of nowhere and the airfare alone costs around $2,500 and to get just One Euro, I need 1.96 NZ dollars. Almost double. Its tragic.

I last went at Christmas time and coming home I was very depressed (still am actually) Now its May already and I'm thinking, well maybe it isn't so bad, just another 18 months and I can go again (hopefully). Sometimes I feel really selfish and greedy, but travel is what makes me happy - its what I live for.

mms - thats very sad about your friend and her son. I don't know how I would be able to cope with news like that. It certainly puts the important things into perspective.

Judy

This won't help for your current trip but we use a credit card which gives us 2% cash back on every purchase for everything we buy. It adds up quickly and we put it towards airfare. It doesn't cover our transportation for the year but does make it more reasonable.

Gretchen

You might look at an air fare + hotel. Sometimes when air fare is expensive this is a good option. And go for a shorter time. When travelling as a couple it makes the room cost "double", but since another person is paying her share of that, it would work better.

Ozarksbill

Yes, a disappointment. We too had to cancel a trip to Paris. This was due to a legal dispute with a subpoema. Luckily had trip insurance so just out that cost. Indeed the airfares and euro are going up. Was just in Paris last month.
Bill in Boston

avalon

I'm finding $800.00 from CLO. to London vs 1300. to Paris plus $100 for the train..still saves $400.00

Michel_Paris

In times like this, need to think out of the box. As Avalon said, look at flying anywhere in Europe for cheap fare, then taking train or a discount airline to Paris.

What is you budget? If you are renting an appartment, what if you decided to not eat out at a restaurant as often and buy food from market.

Look at your daily budget and calculate how much the delta in exchange rates from last trip really works out to. Is it $20 a day, $50?

Consider a cheaper appartment in a further out arrondissements, near a Metro/RER station.

PatrickLondon

Have you looked into home exchange? Would that be practicable?

MelJ

You guys are terrific!!!

Avalon, I use my BA miles to upgrade and the flight from LHR to CDG is always cheaper than the Eurostar (when I figure in the transportation to St. Pancreas, as well). My BA miles are pretty low right now.

Michel_Paris, I really do try to think outside the box. In fact, I pride myself on getting the best possible deals, which is why I'm a bit distressed that it's not happening right now. Our apartment is ALWAYS cheap--in this case it was only $75 a night (my share).

Avalon, I'm going to take another look at going into LHR and taking the Eurostar (your fares are for senior, I'm sure, which I don't QUITE qualify for--I've usually paid $100 each way). I talked to BA tonight and we're also going to look at November. Somehow Paris wouldn't be the same without seeing you and D there anyway

Thanks for all the thoughtful responses. I guess I'm not ready to give up!!