Europe 4 weeks $30,000 budget
Jun 1st, 2011, 07:57 PM
#21
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Matt - look at some of the interesting fares Qantas have ex Perth - we used one that gave us economy to Singapore, business to London (or Frankfurt) and then the same on the return.
That way we were able to sleep well on the long haul night flight - and the cost was about half a full business ticket.
Otherwise look for some of the business specials from Singapore or Malaysian Airlines if you want to have a restful flight.
These fares do take up a big chunk of budget but for a special trip enjoy it!
Maybe for a honeymoon you might spend a night or two on a stopover in each direction?
That way we were able to sleep well on the long haul night flight - and the cost was about half a full business ticket.
Otherwise look for some of the business specials from Singapore or Malaysian Airlines if you want to have a restful flight.
These fares do take up a big chunk of budget but for a special trip enjoy it!
Maybe for a honeymoon you might spend a night or two on a stopover in each direction?
Jun 1st, 2011, 08:01 PM
#22
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Thank you all for the great input and great ideas, something I left out is that we will be flying over in early December.
In response to.
Matt_Newton: Are you and your fiance very well off and you normally spend thousands on vacations and fly in first? Or is it that you think AUS$30,000 is how much you need to spend to go posh/high quality?
We are comfortable now that we both work and can now afford to stay in some nicer places but we usually fly economy class, we where thinking about going premium economy maybe!
This is our honeymoon so I thought spending the $30000 would give us a few nice options to stay in some nice hotels and not have to worry about not being able to afford things when we are there.
In response to.
An interesting screen name to use, considering another Matthew Newton went to London with his girlfriend and beat her up.
No I'm not that Matt Newton ( the actor ), that guy is giving the good Matt Newton's a bad name.
Shame on him!!!
In response to.
Why Germany?
I thought it might be a nice place to visit in the winter but Spain, Greece, Italy and France are all options for sure!
Thanks again and please keep your options coming!
In response to.
Matt_Newton: Are you and your fiance very well off and you normally spend thousands on vacations and fly in first? Or is it that you think AUS$30,000 is how much you need to spend to go posh/high quality?
We are comfortable now that we both work and can now afford to stay in some nicer places but we usually fly economy class, we where thinking about going premium economy maybe!
This is our honeymoon so I thought spending the $30000 would give us a few nice options to stay in some nice hotels and not have to worry about not being able to afford things when we are there.
In response to.
An interesting screen name to use, considering another Matthew Newton went to London with his girlfriend and beat her up.
No I'm not that Matt Newton ( the actor ), that guy is giving the good Matt Newton's a bad name.
Shame on him!!!
In response to.
Why Germany?
I thought it might be a nice place to visit in the winter but Spain, Greece, Italy and France are all options for sure!
Thanks again and please keep your options coming!
Jun 1st, 2011, 08:58 PM
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What a beautiful puzzle!
Do you want to spend your money on the travel part (i.e., do you want to visit many countries?), or do you want to spend your money on the hotel/experience part? or both? I could imagine an itinerary that takes you through Spain, Italy, Paris, London - but that might require a lot of transfers, including air, which gets expensive.
Alternatively, you could fly to one big city (Rome?) and take trains from there to another big city (e.g., Rome, Naples, Florence, Venice, Munich, Paris, London), spending more money on hotels rather than flights, but maybe also spending more time on trains. Any thoughts on what kinds of experiences you want to have, and what your tolerance is for train travel?
Do you want to spend your money on the travel part (i.e., do you want to visit many countries?), or do you want to spend your money on the hotel/experience part? or both? I could imagine an itinerary that takes you through Spain, Italy, Paris, London - but that might require a lot of transfers, including air, which gets expensive.
Alternatively, you could fly to one big city (Rome?) and take trains from there to another big city (e.g., Rome, Naples, Florence, Venice, Munich, Paris, London), spending more money on hotels rather than flights, but maybe also spending more time on trains. Any thoughts on what kinds of experiences you want to have, and what your tolerance is for train travel?
Jun 1st, 2011, 09:06 PM
#26
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In reply to.
What a beautiful puzzle!
Do you want to spend your money on the travel part (i.e., do you want to visit many countries?), or do you want to spend your money on the hotel/experience part? or both? I could imagine an itinerary that takes you through Spain, Italy, Paris, London - but that might require a lot of transfers, including air, which gets expensive.
Alternatively, you could fly to one big city (Rome?) and take trains from there to another big city (e.g., Rome, Naples, Florence, Venice, Munich, Paris, London), spending more money on hotels rather than flights, but maybe also spending more time on trains. Any thoughts on what kinds of experiences you want to have, and what your tolerance is for train travel?
Trains could be fun never been on one for a journey longer than 30 mins and I like the idea of Rome, Naples, Florence, Venice, Munich, Paris, London and also I like the idea of spending more money on nice hotels than flights.
Thanks for your input.
What a beautiful puzzle!
Do you want to spend your money on the travel part (i.e., do you want to visit many countries?), or do you want to spend your money on the hotel/experience part? or both? I could imagine an itinerary that takes you through Spain, Italy, Paris, London - but that might require a lot of transfers, including air, which gets expensive.
Alternatively, you could fly to one big city (Rome?) and take trains from there to another big city (e.g., Rome, Naples, Florence, Venice, Munich, Paris, London), spending more money on hotels rather than flights, but maybe also spending more time on trains. Any thoughts on what kinds of experiences you want to have, and what your tolerance is for train travel?
Trains could be fun never been on one for a journey longer than 30 mins and I like the idea of Rome, Naples, Florence, Venice, Munich, Paris, London and also I like the idea of spending more money on nice hotels than flights.
Thanks for your input.
Jun 2nd, 2011, 12:49 AM
#29
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I could imagine an itinerary that takes you through Spain, Italy, Paris, London - but that might require a lot of transfers, including air, which gets expensive.
You could so a lot of this my train, which would be pretty cool and rather romantic. Check out http://www.seat61.com/ for help and info
You could so a lot of this my train, which would be pretty cool and rather romantic. Check out http://www.seat61.com/ for help and info
Jun 2nd, 2011, 01:44 AM
#30
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Matt - Getting to Europe (say CDG) is a 20+ hour trip for you. My trips back home are roughly the same and are unpleasant in economy to say the least. With this in mind, I would advise you to buy a better class of ticket than economy on your outbound and return.
Just doing the most basic search on Expedia shows an economy ticket around $1700, premium economy $3-4000 and business class $6-7,000. With your budget I would recommend moving to the prem economy or business class. The comfort level of business is far superior to coach class and since you've got a nice budget, this is where I'd splurge.
I realize this takes a big chunk of the budget on the front end, but I honestly belive you will appreciate it when you get off the plane and still feel partially alive. You'll probably still have major jet lag but after a day you should get into the swing of things.
Just doing the most basic search on Expedia shows an economy ticket around $1700, premium economy $3-4000 and business class $6-7,000. With your budget I would recommend moving to the prem economy or business class. The comfort level of business is far superior to coach class and since you've got a nice budget, this is where I'd splurge.
I realize this takes a big chunk of the budget on the front end, but I honestly belive you will appreciate it when you get off the plane and still feel partially alive. You'll probably still have major jet lag but after a day you should get into the swing of things.
Jun 2nd, 2011, 01:57 AM
#31
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A few suggestions for some quite spectacular places to stay in Spain.
Roughly North:
- Hotel Marqués de Riscal in the middle of the Rioja wine country. Designed by Frank Gehry (Guggenheim): http://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury...ropertyID=1539
- Hotel María Cristina in San Sebastián on the Atlantic coast, the food capital of Spain, if not all of Europe: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/mari...westin.en.html
About San Sebastián: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/mari...westin.en.html
"Is San Sebastián the best place to eat in Europe?"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandsty...rink.shopping2
Fabulous views from three Michelin star (several of them in town) Restaurante Akelarre: http://gastronomyblog.com/2010/06/04...san-sebastian/
Roughly South:
- The Parador inside the 13th century Moorish Alhambra Palace (Granada), the most famous sight in all of Spain. It's built on the premises of, and partly based on, the San Francisco convent where queen Isabel la Católica on her own wish initially were buried in a humble grave in December 1504. She and her husband Fernando were the conquerors of Granada (1492) which completed the unification of Spain. She was also the sponsor of Columbus first journey to the Américas, also in 1492, which led to the creation of the Spanish empire. Immediately after the conquest of Granada, she and king Fernando ordered the expulsion of the Jews and eventually the Moors from Spain. Few other monarchs have made such an imprint on the course of history.
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/gran...ranada.en.html
- Casa 1800 Granada would be another great option, located in the center of the city: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/casa...4be40f3ac58544
- The Parador of Carmona in a 14th century Moorish fortress. Just outside Sevilla, the queen of the Andalusian cities. http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/carm...armona.en.html
- Or stay inside Sevilla itself in Hotel Alfonso XIII. When it was built in the 1920's, it was set out to be the most luxcurious hotel in all of Europe: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/sevi...lfonso.en.html
- Casa 1800 would be another excellent option in Sevilla: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/casa...fab2976ce554X2
- Somewhat more remote, but the Parador de Jaén is among the most spectacular of them all: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/jaen...e-jaen.en.html
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/sevi...lfonso.en.html
On the Southern coast, I will recommend the Cádiz area. Great beaches, lots of history and not that crowded with tourists:
http://www.justspain.org/spain/cadiz/cadiz-beaches.asp
http://www.whatcadiz.com/cadiz-beach.html
The Cádiz state of mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33JUrGwZQLY
And I have a very soft spot for small Nerja (pop. 20 000), just east of fabulous Málaga city on the Costa del Sol. Stay at small Hotel Carabeo in the oldest street in town, right on the cliffs overlooking some of the nine small and large beaches. http://www.hotelcarabeo.com/
Photo of Nerja, Hotel Carabeo will be almost in the middle of this picture: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2622/...de6a8146_o.jpg
Overview of all the paradors: http://www.parador.es/es/portal.do?IDM=51&NM=1
Maribels guides give great suggestions for Madrid, Toledo, Segovia, Barcelona, San Sebastián, Hondarribia, Bilbao, Granada and Sevilla: http://maribelsguides.com/
Great transportation system in Spain, buses and trains are high quality and will take you to almost every little village. The high speed AVE train take you direct between major city centers in no time.
Roughly North:
- Hotel Marqués de Riscal in the middle of the Rioja wine country. Designed by Frank Gehry (Guggenheim): http://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury...ropertyID=1539
- Hotel María Cristina in San Sebastián on the Atlantic coast, the food capital of Spain, if not all of Europe: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/mari...westin.en.html
About San Sebastián: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/mari...westin.en.html
"Is San Sebastián the best place to eat in Europe?"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandsty...rink.shopping2
Fabulous views from three Michelin star (several of them in town) Restaurante Akelarre: http://gastronomyblog.com/2010/06/04...san-sebastian/
Roughly South:
- The Parador inside the 13th century Moorish Alhambra Palace (Granada), the most famous sight in all of Spain. It's built on the premises of, and partly based on, the San Francisco convent where queen Isabel la Católica on her own wish initially were buried in a humble grave in December 1504. She and her husband Fernando were the conquerors of Granada (1492) which completed the unification of Spain. She was also the sponsor of Columbus first journey to the Américas, also in 1492, which led to the creation of the Spanish empire. Immediately after the conquest of Granada, she and king Fernando ordered the expulsion of the Jews and eventually the Moors from Spain. Few other monarchs have made such an imprint on the course of history.
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/gran...ranada.en.html
- Casa 1800 Granada would be another great option, located in the center of the city: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/casa...4be40f3ac58544
- The Parador of Carmona in a 14th century Moorish fortress. Just outside Sevilla, the queen of the Andalusian cities. http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/carm...armona.en.html
- Or stay inside Sevilla itself in Hotel Alfonso XIII. When it was built in the 1920's, it was set out to be the most luxcurious hotel in all of Europe: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/sevi...lfonso.en.html
- Casa 1800 would be another excellent option in Sevilla: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/casa...fab2976ce554X2
- Somewhat more remote, but the Parador de Jaén is among the most spectacular of them all: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/jaen...e-jaen.en.html
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/sevi...lfonso.en.html
On the Southern coast, I will recommend the Cádiz area. Great beaches, lots of history and not that crowded with tourists:
http://www.justspain.org/spain/cadiz/cadiz-beaches.asp
http://www.whatcadiz.com/cadiz-beach.html
The Cádiz state of mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33JUrGwZQLY
And I have a very soft spot for small Nerja (pop. 20 000), just east of fabulous Málaga city on the Costa del Sol. Stay at small Hotel Carabeo in the oldest street in town, right on the cliffs overlooking some of the nine small and large beaches. http://www.hotelcarabeo.com/
Photo of Nerja, Hotel Carabeo will be almost in the middle of this picture: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2622/...de6a8146_o.jpg
Overview of all the paradors: http://www.parador.es/es/portal.do?IDM=51&NM=1
Maribels guides give great suggestions for Madrid, Toledo, Segovia, Barcelona, San Sebastián, Hondarribia, Bilbao, Granada and Sevilla: http://maribelsguides.com/
Great transportation system in Spain, buses and trains are high quality and will take you to almost every little village. The high speed AVE train take you direct between major city centers in no time.
Jun 2nd, 2011, 02:30 AM
#32
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... the correct link to presentation of wonderful Donostia/San Sebastián: http://marshlands.blogstream.com/
Jun 2nd, 2011, 03:23 AM
#33
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Hey Matt Congrats got you on Oz
By the time u get to Europe from Perth
just do a Biz class RTW with stops
Asia Turkey/Egypt Europe/UK US/SA
(Galapagos,Machu Picchu,Iguazu)
back to Oz out of Buenos Aires.
airbrokers.com aietreks.com 2 good sites for this
DIY
Luxury Hotels Otel.com(5% cash back plus 10% Facebook DC)
Marriott.com
Intercontinental
spg.com
zicasso.com good agents who will bid this
Congrats!
By the time u get to Europe from Perth
just do a Biz class RTW with stops
Asia Turkey/Egypt Europe/UK US/SA
(Galapagos,Machu Picchu,Iguazu)
back to Oz out of Buenos Aires.
airbrokers.com aietreks.com 2 good sites for this
DIY
Luxury Hotels Otel.com(5% cash back plus 10% Facebook DC)
Marriott.com
Intercontinental
spg.com
zicasso.com good agents who will bid this
Congrats!
Jun 2nd, 2011, 03:28 AM
#34
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Airasia.com Awesome values from Perth to Europe
Best way to get there for me via KL will save u a tonne.
Malaysian-based AirAsia is selling seats from Melbourne, the Gold Coast or Perth to Kuala Lumpur (KL) from $129. ... taken a major step towards low-cost flights to Europe ...
http://www.theage.com.au/travel/trav...london-for-378...
Best way to get there for me via KL will save u a tonne.
Malaysian-based AirAsia is selling seats from Melbourne, the Gold Coast or Perth to Kuala Lumpur (KL) from $129. ... taken a major step towards low-cost flights to Europe ...
http://www.theage.com.au/travel/trav...london-for-378...
Jun 2nd, 2011, 03:37 AM
#35
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I think we should ask what you most value. $30k is a lot of money, but it isn't f-it money. You will have to make some compromises. How would you prioritize the following?
- 5-star Hotels
- High-End Wining and Dining
- Shopping
- Luxury Air Travel
- Tours/Experiences
I think you would be able to afford some combination of these, but not all in the same day. Business class airfare would likely chew up roughly half of your $30k. A meal at a top place in London or Paris would be (minimum) maybe $500 or so for two people, with wine.
Personally, I'd go with Spain, France, and London. Scrap Germany.
- 5-star Hotels
- High-End Wining and Dining
- Shopping
- Luxury Air Travel
- Tours/Experiences
I think you would be able to afford some combination of these, but not all in the same day. Business class airfare would likely chew up roughly half of your $30k. A meal at a top place in London or Paris would be (minimum) maybe $500 or so for two people, with wine.
Personally, I'd go with Spain, France, and London. Scrap Germany.
Jun 2nd, 2011, 08:54 AM
#37
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I love Germany - going back fro my third visit this summer 
I think it is a great choice.
Anyway, just to give you an idea of costs, my husband and I average about 250 euro/day for the 2 of us in Europe. This includes lodging, food, transportation, and activities. We are careful with our money on these trips, but definitely not backpacker level budgeting. We eat well and research hotels ahead of time to find good places at good prices.
At this rate, a month would run you about 7500 euro or $10,500. It would be easy to spend more, of course, but even with airfare, you would need to go pretty lux to spend $30K.
I think it is a great choice. Anyway, just to give you an idea of costs, my husband and I average about 250 euro/day for the 2 of us in Europe. This includes lodging, food, transportation, and activities. We are careful with our money on these trips, but definitely not backpacker level budgeting. We eat well and research hotels ahead of time to find good places at good prices.
At this rate, a month would run you about 7500 euro or $10,500. It would be easy to spend more, of course, but even with airfare, you would need to go pretty lux to spend $30K.
Jun 2nd, 2011, 09:31 AM
#38
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And if you go to Sevilla in Spain, a perfect honeymoon "pasatiempo" would perhaps be going to the Arab bath-house Aire de Sevilla. Open til 1.30 in the night, roof-top terrace with views of the Cathedral, all kinds of teas etc. A friend of mine went five times in a week...
http://www.airedesevilla.com/
http://www.airedesevilla.com/
Jun 2nd, 2011, 12:15 PM
#39
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Matt: your first instinct was better than most posters on this board. Stick with London/Paris and part of Spain. Don't go to Naples. Don't do too much city-to-city hopping, you're going in winter and will need the clothes for it, which means you'll pack heavier than if you were just traveling around the Red Centre for a couple of weeks back home at the same time of year.
Jun 2nd, 2011, 01:31 PM
#40
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With that type of budget strongly look at some kind of Eurailpass and first class as they all are if over 25 - a pass lets you in most, but not all countries, hop on any train anytime - even though in like Italy you must reserve a seat before boarding it is easily done IME - first class is in many ways much much more relaxed than 2nd class and a no brainer if budget is not an issue.
