TPAYT

The most expensive part of a European trip is the air fare and hotels. Day to day"on the ground" costs in Paris don't have to be high. Take the Metro(very easy), walk(very beautiful and good for you), chow down at your included breakfast at your hotel, eat in the numerous bistros and order tap water--not bottled. We figured we saved $100+ when we were there in Sept. on water, and it's very good--you don't see any Parisians drinking bottled water.

Also check for all the free things. One Sunday a month, all the museums are free, etc.

julies

I don't know where you live, but have you looked at the difference in airfare to Paris and Buenos Aires. We are long time European travelers who have temporarily given up on the idea of Europe because of the poor state of the dollar. I too had thought about Buenos Aires after hearing all the glowing reviews. Then, Ilooked at airfare from MSP where we live. It will cost me muchmore to get there than to Paris.

Another thoughe no one has mentioned for Paris. You can stay in a very nice apartment and have fun and save money by getting take out foods at local markets. To us, shopping int he local markets is one of the pleaseure of Paris. The suggestions for small towns are also right on. They are way more inexpensive and just as enjoyable.

julies

I don't know where you live, but have you looked at the difference in airfare to Paris and Buenos Aires. We are long time European travelers who have temporarily given up on the idea of Europe because of the poor state of the dollar. I too had thought about Buenos Aires after hearing all the glowing reviews. Then, I looked at airfare from MSP where we live. It will cost me much more to get there than to Paris.

Another thought no one has mentioned for Paris. You can stay in a very nice apartment and have fun and save money by getting take out foods at local markets. To us, shopping in the local markets is one of the pleasures of Paris. The suggestions for small towns are also right on. They are way more inexpensive and just as enjoyable.

Cowboy1968

It seems to be a growing fashion here to tell people a problem, and when ideas for solutions are posted the OP leaves in a huff. As if they were indulging in their "drama" and don't want anybody else to tell them that there are ways to solve the problem.

Earlier it had been calculated that the potential loss of the dollar could be up to $200 until the trip will be finally due.

$200 divided by (if I understood it correctly 13 nights) means that the OP needs to "save" $16 per day to stay within the limits. Sounds almost impossible to accomplish to me ;-)

tomassocroccante

Well - don't we all know someone (surely none of us are that someone) who reveals their woe over coffee or a drink and really is interested more in commiseration than sound advice?!

There are 1001 good tips on saving anywher from $1 to $100 a day offered here on Fodor's - but sometimes the medicine is too bitter to swallow. For one that means "I will not give up my taxis", for another it's the elevator, for a third it's fine vintages that are non-negotiable.

I love the full range of travelers I "meet" here: from those who would stay home rather than give up their room with a view, to those who will gladly share a bath and sit up all night in a third class car if it means adding a day or two.

Vive la difference. But truthfully, asking an open forum for advice means you better toughen up a bit - ignore what you don't like, but put up with it. This is no place for sissies!

luvtotravel

I believe the original poster has disappeared, but for others who are reading this post I am repeating my earlier comment about air conditioning. May weather is unpredictable. We were there in May 2006 during a heat wave with temperatures in the 90s and high humidity. It was so unbearable one afternoon that we returned to our air-conditioned room and read books until evening when we could once again go out. I felt very sorry for the shop keepers who were stuck in their stifling-hot shops with no escape, as well as people stuck in unair-conditioned homes and hotel rooms. It was truly miserable. And then, we were just there this past May when we had temps in the 50s during the day and needed warmth. I for one would not travel to Paris in May without an air-conditioned room.

bettyk

mah1980, sorry you considered my response "snarky".

BUT, you seemed SOOOO concerned with the "terrible USD and what it is going to do to our expenditures" that my recommendation to not go was legitimate. If it is going to be that worrisome for you, then you shouldn't go to Europe. You can't enjoy yourself if finances are that much of a concern.

You also did not seem to want to negotiate on the one area that would save you some money (your 4* hotels with nice bathrooms and AC), so what else was there for me to say??

copain1

You might want to buy your Euros now. You might save money.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/market...llar-fri_N.htm

Anywho, I wouldn't go to Paris in May without A/C. I have done that and it CAN be dreadful. Even if it is in the 80's the humidity can be bad. Same thing with Italy (Florence and southwards).

But if you really want to save money, don't go to Paris. The rest of France is so much more reasonable.

travel2live2

Many people have suggested what I would do as well. Why not try to stay in a rural B&B? You can get a 4 or 5 star with en suite bath and A/C for well under $100. Easy. Or you can save some money by doing bakeries for lunches or markets as someone suggested. I agree - if it is just a matter of a few hundred dollars it can be so easily compensated! I would rather give up something at home or whatever rather than giving up on a trip if I had to.

In Canada our dollar had been so weak for so many years that I find this concern re the USD to be rather interesting. Please do not misunderstand me - I am not bashing or being offensive. Just matter of fact. We've lived with it for ages. Guess we've been used to it! At one point the pound was 2.6 to our dollar. We still went to the UK as travel is priority in our lives. We've always had a very weak dollar compared to the euro up until just very recently (and it's dropping like crazy now) - just a fact of life.

I really and truly feel that if you want something - I mean, REALLY want something you can and will find a way to make it happen.

tomassocroccante

It doesn't seem too wild to suggest that our long-held notions about when AC will be desired are changing. AC is so prevalent in some lives and environments, those who live with it will be more dependent. And both weather and climate patterns are changing.

I hope European cities can resist becoming over-conditioned: AC kills street life and communication. Sealed buildings don't give up their scents and sounds to the outside, and their occupants gradually live with the "personalities" on TV rather than the "people" who are their neighbors. Cities and towns in spring, summer and fall become as insulated as they are in the dead of winter, with everyone passing from air conditioned houses to air-conditioned cars, to air-conditioned offices, etc. It becomes "the dead of summer"!

WillTravel

If you want a nice 4* hotel for an economical price in Paris, another option that often works is to use Priceline or Hotwire, although then you will likely compromise on location.

If the idea is to find the cheapest Four Seasons hotel, based on the mentions of Four Seasons in South America, I noticed recently that rooms are available at the Four Seasons in Mexico City for under $200 USD per night. And airfare to Mexico City can be quite cheap also.

ekscrunchy

Mah: I am not even sure I understand your question. Are you asking if $2,000 is enough for a week after hotels are paid? Well that is about $300 US per day for the two of you.

And you say you need "fine dining" "only 2 nights or so."

If fine dining means a 3-star Michelin restaurant, then I would guess that you have to allow a minimum of about 400 Euro for dinner, provided you are circumspect about your wine. So 2 dinners will eat up much of your week's budget. Are you planning to shop at all? Have you included the price of the RT train tickets to Reims?

So I would guess that you will need more than $2,000, unless you are willing to scale back your plans. No one knows now what the exchange rate will be... Now, maybe I misunderstood the fine dining part of the equation....

One thing is for certain, you can live like a king and queen in BA for $2,000 a week!

Sue4

I agree with luvtotravel and copain about the AC. I was there in May a few years ago, and was SO grateful to have AC! Even if it's not terribly hot (which it was) the noise factor in Paris at night can be a problem. Admittedly, I'm a light sleeper, but the closed windows definitly helped me sleep better.

As much as I like Paris, I also love the smaller towns in the provinces, and they are WAY cheaper. I think my favorite trips to France have been driving around in areas outside Paris. Of course, then you have the expense of a car! I've stayed in various 4* hotels and chateaux outside Paris, which were quite affordable. I stay in 3*'s in Paris and they are fine for me. HOwever, if the original poster is still here, the Luxembourg Parc looks lovely! I've stayed near there a couple of times and was quite impressed (with the outside and the lobby). I would probably stay at that hotel if I wanted to spend the extra money (which I don't!), as I love the area.

copain1

I agree Tomass! But Florence at 101F and 75% humidity I don't want to smell the scents. Between the Arno and the garbage on the streets. Yikes! Now I know why the Pope has a summer palace in the Dolomites.

tomassocroccante

copain, it's certainly true that there are days - weeks - in some of our favorite cities thatwould send anyone with a choice to the mountains or shore - and do!

I live in NYC, and though I keep my AC use to a minimum, sometimes the minimum is pretty constant. Though I have learned some good ways to cool down enough to sleep: for one, a cool shower just before bed, and an electric fan.

Unfortunately, so many work or live in 65 degree temps inside all summer long that they are acclimatized to suffer in any heat.

(How is it that the same people who heat the house to 70 or more in winter cool it to 64 in summer?!)

copain1

(How is it that the same people who heat the house to 70 or more in winter cool it to 64 in summer?!)

Because energy is cheap, but not for long.

Back to the original money concern.

Has anyone checked airfare for the summer lately. OMG...Air France must be serving caviar and vintage Dom in Temp for those prices.

tomassocroccante

Energy WAS cheap.

But the "cooled to 64 and heated to 73" conundrum is this: these energy profligates cool the house until they need a sweater in summer, and heat it in winter to the point where you can go lounge in a t-shirt and bare feet. (And it's not only a waste of energy/natural resources/money: it's unhealthy!)

Apologies for the "Lounge-y" tone!

copain1

You know when Jay-Z starts waving around Euros instead of dollars its just a matter of time.

"Analysts are predicting that it will head to $1.50-$1.60 in the coming months."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/to...cle2935804.ece

At least the security lines will be shorter.

tomassocroccante

Remarkably, in spite of the powerful Euro, European tourism to the US has not recovered to the pre 9/11 level. Some experts say it's the customs and immigration hassles at US entry that is to blame. And if you ever look around when arriving in the US, you've seen that tourists coming here suffer a measure more than we do going there.

Though a determined visitor to Europe won't let the x rate keep them away, it must be admitted that it's fun to go somewhere where your money goes far and you can be less watchful.

suze

I'm sorry the OP left. This problem is such an easy one to solve. I don't know what's wrong with the suggestions of a slightly lesser hotel and skip one of those "two or so" high end dinners & she'll be good to go!