I've always believed in travelling young. So I've been going off by myself since I turned 18. 10 countries down, 670 more to go. Maybe I'll hit 20 countries by the time I turn 21 yrs old!

"I don't think I fit into the group of people who travel a lot (certainly wish I did), but I manage to fit in about four trips per year, even with two kids, college loans (will they ever go away?), and just over two weeks of vacation." ????????????????????????????
ARE YOU SURE THIS POST ISN'T SOME KIND OF TORTURE FOR "regular" PEOPLE ?

Some people spend alot of money on cars, clothes, houses, etc....the older I get I like to spend more on "experiences". I think about what if my house burned down...what do I really have left ? Memories and thoughts that cannot be taken nor replaced...Also- I knew I would not be able to travel as much lately so I made sure my new place to live had many elements I like about traveling...a lake, a nice breeze, a big yard, peace and quiet, etc. This way I don't feel the need to escape so much. I was able to travel so much by being on top of deals, being in the travel industry, and being flexible to go on a moment's notice. I used to travel almost every weekend, certainly every month at minimum.

Wednesday,
if house burns down - Insurance will get you a new one. You can then will it to your kids.
Memories are gone with you.
So, I preffer to have 50/50.
Some for me, some for kids.
This is why I am taking whole family togeather everywhere, so no one left out. And we keeping the house, ofcourse.

TAT:

It's all about priorities, and if you're young you've got time to work on that. I decided very early in life I needed to spend a LOT of time traveling, so I configured my life to make that happen. I run my own business and take as much time as I want, and can afford, to travel. Often the laptop and cell phone come along with me, but it's a lot more fun working on the road than at my desk at home! I shop for bargain flights, don't spend much money on souvenirs, and don't stay in luxury hotels or eat in starred restaurants. My teenage kids have jobs; my car's paid for; and I'm not much of a shopper for anything other than food.
If you want something badly enough, you find a way to get it. I want travel that badly.

By the way, your budget is odd: museums in Europe are expensive, but not $60 for three people including two kids. More like $12-$15. On the other hand, I doubt you could find a good sweater in Europe for $15. Also, in most European cities it wouldn't make sense to travel around by taxi. But I don't think $100 a day for three people for sites and transportation and souvenirs is way off target. Sounds about right to me.

Tat, how are you spending $20 a day for taxis? How about taking public transportation or walking? I went to Buenos Aires this summer and I spent $1.50 on a taxi for my entire 7 days in the city. I walked everywhere because I made a point of finding a hotel within walking distance of the major attractions/activities. Also, you can find museums that don't charge an entrance fee. (National Gallery London i.e.) If your breakfast is included with hotel room, eat a big one and skip lunch. This means you will only have to spend money on dinner. These are just some of the ways to cuts costs whilst on holiday.

Besides, your budget is more expensive because it is for 3. But, you have 3 incomes contributing towards the budget, don't you? Or a you paying for the others out of your own pocket?

Thanks StCirg !
I didn't even know how much what cost.
I was just trying to "budget"...
$100 sounds just right to me ...
I am getting back to be exited !

Tat,
We just did our first European family trip last summer. We were able to pay for 4 airline tickets with our points accumulated by using an airline credit card over many years. (With your shopping habit, this may take you less time than you think!) Clothes we bought for the trip were clothes we are continuing to wear at home. My children did not attend the summer camps, art classes, etc. they usually do during the summer so that saved money there. I saved all my vacation days to use at one time and took a one weak leave of absence (without pay) to be able to go. We did eat out on our trip at least one meal a day but grabbed delicious picnic lunches many days. We stayed at modest hotels and one apartment. We kept our shopping to a minimum - one souvenier each and a gift for our cat sitter. We had a great time, the kids learned so much, and we are determined to return in a few years. And, yes, we are saving for college, paying a hefty mortgage, working, etc.but life is too short to put off for many years what you really want to do.

ThinGorjus ??? Brilliant ! Name I mean.
I have 2 incomes (my kid is 9 y/old).
I am going to Germany-Paris, so Buenos might be slightely cheaper I think.
In Paris it is most convenient to use Taxi. Conveniency is what makes trip pleasant, isn't it ? Not expensive, just comfy. If there were cheap and expensive Taxis - I would take a cheap one. But going by with Taxi you can see more in one day. Am I right ?

Tat -
use AMEX to pay for everything you can think of - the points are convertable to miles, hotels, rental cars.

Next, check for specials - pay for 3 nts hotel & get 1 or 2 free, that sort of thing.
Try to book a hotel that includes breakfast. That way a snack at lunch time will suffice. Skip appetizers, or each order apps and share an entree.

Look for deals on museum admissions, like a city pass. Travel on the shoulder or off season, not peak.

Visit cities where the sites are free. For example, there is no charge to enter most churches in Italy, including the Vatican. In Washington DC the museums are free--not even a suggested donation.

And lastly, remember that the best souvenier is a good memory of your trip. Put back the $30 sweater and take a great photo instead. Enlarge it, frame it, and voila! An original souvenier.

Happy Trails

No, Tat. You are completely wrong about taxis in Paris. They are neither cheap nor convenient. You can only find them at taxi stands (can't hail one from the streetcorner). The taxi stands are never anywhere near where you need a taxi. Traffic is bad in the city, so moving around town via taxi can be unbearably slow. And they're FAR more expensive than the absolutely fabulous métro and bus system.
Also, when I'm in Paris I usually just end up walking everywhere - miles and miles a day.It's not a large city, geographically, so walking is actually a good option if the weather's not bad. And it costs absolutely nothing.

See,
I've just read that if you are using subway in Paris - it is a nightmare of dark mazes and very confusing to navigate. Buses though I've read are good, you said it too.
I am only operating with info I've read here. Most of it in "Paris Trip Report" thread.
Guess people has different tastes in riding too, ha ?

Note that when I said four trips per year, I did not say four foreign excursions. I make the limited time off and budget (daycare, mortgage, car payment, college loans, camera equipment, etc. etc.) work by letting work pay for one trip (minus my own sightseeing and film costs). I use budget hotels nearly always. How about a central location in Florence for $65 a night? We stayed in downtown Cancun for a fraction of a beachfront hotel and used it as a base to explore the Yucatan. I use public transportation as much as possible (subways, buses, ferries, etc.). Where I splurge is on experiences (opera tickets in NYC, Jungfrau excursion in Switzerland,) and on photography. I consider meals an experience too, so I mix in moderate and inexpensive places. Now, I might become even more regular once I start buying four tickets to Europe and have to travel during the busiest months of the year due to kids in school. My parents didn't travel much, and I didn't have the money during a long stint in college, so I am making up for it now as much as possible. Again, it is all about priorities. We eat out, but inexpensively and only 1-2 times per week, I nearly always eat in the office at work, drive good but relatively inexpensive cars, and have a house that is just big enough.

First of all that is our top priority as far as expendable income. I have 6 weeks vacation & my wife works P/T out of the house. Part of the thing that helps us is flexibility. We know in the winter months there will be deals to Europe. When they pop up, you go. We are also in close proximity to the beach & mountains so we spend several long weekends each year in each of those places. For example we just went to the beach over Thanksgiving for 5 days. For our 3 BDRM/2Bth house , on the beach, we spent $85/night. We travel almost exclusively out of season as well. All told we probably travel 9 months out of 12 & typically include our 18 month old. SRS is correct, if you can get to Europe cheaply, the rest of your vacation may actually be cheaper than many vacations in the states.

We have no kids and I have my own business. This allows me to come and go when I need to because I have no set number of vacation days per year. I don't even count them and could not tell you how many I take each year. If business is good, you take a lot. If business is bad, you sweat at night, don't sleep and stay home. I left a major corporation after 20 years to take a shot at my own business and it paid off! Best thing I ever did.

Now we travel as much as we can, either mixed with business or on our own or as trips we win through my business. Been to Europe over 25 times in last 15 years. Did the Asia area last year. If you enjoy the different areas as much as we do, you make it a priority.

We have friends in same situation as us and they never go anywhere. Just too lazy to go out and see the world. I do not think they even have a passport and have never been out of the US.

Just keep on doing what you are doing and enjoying the experiences. It will not take too long and you will be giving this board a lot of advice.

The Metro in Paris is one of the easiest systems in the world to navigate. Where do some of these people get this info... ?

Yes, Tat, Buenos Aires is dirt cheap compared to Paris, but that is the point. There are many places in the world that you can visit very inexpensively--Argentina, Morocco, Vietnam, India, Nepal, Cambodia, etc. Years ago, I travelled to Sri Lanka and stayed at one of the world's most exclusive hotels for $95 a night for a suite! I hired a private car and driver for $20 a day! There is absolutely no one holding a gun to your head and forcing you to go to expensive Berlin, is there?

I think you have to be willing to challenge some assumptions. Yes, taxis sometimes are more convenient in small places where public transport is sporadic, but in the major cities you can see a LOT using public transport (sometimes more; metro/subway trains don't get stuck in traffic jams.)

If shopping is a passion for you, it's quite possible you can indulge your passion far more cheaply and just as enjoyably in Florida. You must have the courage to do as YOU want, not do what others make you think you should be wanting to do. Good luck with your plans.

There is !
I mean are ...
Or is ? My childhood friend who is holding that gun because we haven't seen each other for 11 years now.

Plus, I do not like 3rd world countries.
I've lived in one for 26 years.

Thanks

Tat -

It sounds like you do an awful lot of shopping. Why no go somewhere or do something instead of buy something. I remember places/events from 5 and 10 years ago that are irreplaceable. Can you say the same for the things you buy?
(Maybe this is easy for me because I've always found shopping really boring.)

(Naturally I don't mean not to get people birthday presents or anything - but don't you find they prefer it if you take them somewhere - even if just to a ball game?)