jenhong98

Thanks so much, everyone, for all your wonderful posts and ideas! I was very pleasantly surprised that there were so many responses after just one day!

As for what's "affordable" to us, I mentioned our Machu Picchu/Buenos Aires trip last year. Other than the airfare (approx. $1250pp for SFO-Lima-Cusco-BsAs-SFO), the trip was extremely affordable, which made it all the more enjoyable. We understand that Europe will most-likely be more pricey than South America, though, but I know it'll be worth it.

JeanneB, your post was particularly helpful. Thank you!

After considering everyone's advice, I think we're leaning toward going to Paris/Rome or Paris/Venice and try to save money by staying in and eating at more affordable places. We were definitely spoiled by the wonderful Art Hotel in BsAs, where we stayed for $70/night and eating like kings for less than $20/day/pp.

I will sort through all of the message boards to get more ideas...

isabel

jenhong - just so you know, while the prices listed in the posts above are not unreasonable, a wonderful European vacation can be had for less than that, and without staying in youth hostels or slumming it. I would say I've averaged about $100 a night for a double room, and rarely needed to go higher than $125 even in the more expensive cities.That is staying in 2-3 star hotels in central locations. Although September is the most expensive time, even more so than the summer months. I also do not spend $60 a day per person on food and sights, although that certainly is not an unreasonable amount. But it can be done for less. Most places breakfast is included in the hotel price (France being the major expection to that). My husband and I have done numerous trips for about $30 per day per person for food/admissions, although $40 would be more comfortable if you require eating in actual restaurants for both lunch and dinner. We like street food/picnicking. Since you put affordable in caps in your original post I just thought you might like a more budget traveler perspective.

I'm also still unclear about how you came up with the 3 places your originally suggested. I know very little about them other than that Stockholm is very expensive. I have found that the less popular destinations are not any less expensive really than the "biggies". I find Paris and most of Italy very easy to do well on a budget. England more expensive but worth it. People also suggest staying in some small towns as oppossed to large cities to keep costs down but I don't find that it's significantly cheaper since the larger cities have more varried ranges and types of both eating and hotels.