logos999

Oops, don't know about Europe! We were talking about Egypt?

dwzemens

I have not been on their ships in Egypt, but the GCT website says you will be accompanied only by other American tourists. Let's agree to disagree on this one!

Dave

logos999

No, you're right, they actually own an Egytian ship the "M/S River Anuket" capacity 138 people. No "foreigners" to be seen on this ship ;-)

logos999

Just checked their site , you could save a lot of money not doing these tours. Sends shivers down my spine, somehow . This actually IS strange...

Joe18

Good thread. We took the GCT "M/S River Anuket" tour in December 2003. We got an especially good price because lots of Americans were staying away from the Middle East at the time. While the Cairo based part of the trip was what I expect of tours--staying in the shoddier rooms of a fancy hotel, the boat was great. Very nice, and cruising the Nile is fascinating. It's a biblical life style.

As for bargain tavelling, we've been doing it for ca. 20 years. We used to set a max of $100 per day for hotels--now $150--and using guide books to find good inexpensive restaurants. Sandra Gustafson's books (formerly Cheap Eats in ____________)are reliable, and we have had success with the starred restaurants in the Fodor's guides. We also pay for groceries, gas, etc. with a FF credit card, and pay off the balance each month. We flew business class to Spain in 2004 and now have enough to fly business class to Russia.

Good luck.

Seamus

Dave - you might want to talk to someone at the airline. Former clients of mine who are FA's told me that often there is a premium placed on those with specialized skills - as might come from a law enforcement career - and such folks get an early crack at better assignments, especially international routes. If you have any foreign language skill that also adds to your value.

P.S. I am envious, can't wait until I can identify as a retired government employee.

dwzemens

Seamus,

It's great being retired, at least the first week! Hopefully you will be in a position where you will not have to "change the lifestyle to which you have become accustomed"

I may regret it later, but at the moment I am glad I am no longer employed!

SuQue

I second the renting of apartments or cottages to save money and to have a better experience. Greece and Portugal
are much more economical than the rest of Europe. We never stay less than a month.

Underhill

Did someone already mention ElderHostel? My tired eyes are baulking at re-reading the entire thread to find out.

dwzemens

Underhill,
Yes, someone metioned it, but said that I am too young for it, but it could be of use to others reading the thread.

Remember, you can search the thread for that keyword and don't have to read it again!

bilboburgler

Looks like some really intresting threads so I thought I could offer the following

Plan well so you can book trains ahead. Consider using chains like Logis in France rather than Best Western. Eat big at lunch hat the locals eat. If you follow the builders at 12 exactly in Italy, Spain France you will the find the "Meal of the Day" always good value (we use it biking). Keep to low season. research school holidays in European countries (they vary all over the place so avoid where the kids go). Choose second cities not first cities ie Lyon not Paris, Baden. Manchester not London.

Recognise that UK, Nordic countries and Switzerland are very expensive.

bigtyke

I know that this is the Europe forum, but you might also want to consider seasonal work at national parks. A friend of mine in her 70's spent several summers at the Grand Canyon.

just_do_it

i've had great experiences with two paris/ny apt swaps, one for 10 days and one for 10 weeks. www.shei.com (hope that's right! will check and come back if not) i also had a great apt rental-by-owner experience in paris through www.vrbo.com. VERY economical, and most listings have a user-friendly calendar for showing available dates, so there's not a lot of annoying, time-consuming back-and-forth just to get availqability info.

congratutlations on your retirement! (from another govt employee)

dwzemens

just do it,

Thanks for the tip. I wish I lived somewhere interesting like NYC and I could try the swap routine!

Thanks for the good wishes, too.

pjoneslake

I'm sure you'll love retirement. I am somewhat retired. I take the winters off and have been renting winter apartments with my husband. The first year we went to France: one month in the south, one month in Paris and a week in Normandy. Then I was hooked. We spent two winters in a San Clemente Ca. apartment and took day trips throughout the southern Cal'll'. This year, we are going to Sicily, Spain and Portugal. We will be staying in apartments, B&B's and small inns. Click on my screen name and you'll find the research that was done for me by our fellow Fedorites. I would like to try Buenas Aires next year but it will take a lot of research. I have also used www.vrbo.com for our housing and have been quite pleased. This is a large savings when you rent one month. Another site is www.greatrentals.com. I also have my house listed on some of the home exchange sites but have not done an exchange yet. I can't wait to hear what you decide. Good Luck!

pantelia

I know someone has already mentioned it...but I second the idea of substitute teaching! I did this when we lived in PA, and it was great! When the phone rang, I made the decision if I wanted to work that day or not. The area I was in also had subs for office help and cafeteria help as well. How about a part time school resource officer?

I know my kids would hate it, but, the school would probably love someone recently retired from law enforcement as a sub!!!

Good luck and happy travels!

ronin

enjoy, and be happy you got out when you did! I'm simpatico, being a government schlub myself...

flanneruk gave a flip response, but in a way he might have an excellent suggestion - even without a pedigree in education, you may be able to teach english, or vocationally instruct in your former speciality with the gub'mint. My wife & I have met several colorful "retired" folks, who - other than not going to a job every day - were living much as the locals do... my dream vacation! A modest apartment, most meals taken at home, it wouldn't be tremendously more expensive than your life as you know it, presuming your pad back home is paid-for and cared-for in your absence.

I would've said freighter passage before reading in my local paper's travel section that maritime law prohibits disembarking at stops along the way unless you're a dock-worker ;-)

and my favorite fantasy... R-T-W airfare and not returning home for 6 months - we met an Australian couple in Florence that was starting a 6-month trip. And, with the exception of staying with family in the UK, were managing to do the trip on about $100 US a day, plus incidentals & ala-carte travel (trains, etc)! That got under my skin and has me looking at the airline alliances.

Also, look at slow travel and other extended trip travelogues to see how others have set a village as a hub and travelled out from there. Wouldn't it be nice to be waved-at & greeted by the locals? I don't kid myself, I'll never truly fit in, but it's nice to be welcomed vs. the 3-days-and-gone style I've been doing lately.

DiG

Dave:
Congratulations on your retirement!

Sorry we miss you and your wife in Paris.

I'll catch up with you later.

Um---- I know trip reports are challenging.

I'm slowly posting mine. Wonderful to give everyone here a holiday gift since they are sooooo good to us.

Di

djkbooks

We have retired friends who are brilliantly expert at finding well priced, excellent lodging all over, with generous cancellation policies, getting bumped off flights, and finding amazing last minute deals on the web. Meanwhile, they both work (one part-time, one from home) just to enhance their travel budget.