I actually am fairly wealthy, but I still set priorities to make travel happen (and contrary to what others above have said, I use this site instead of a travel agent because I, too, like a good deal). I want my money to be available for family and the social and humanitarian causes in which I believe. That said, I find the best deals just take a little extra time and research and flexibilty on the part of the traveler. <BR> <BR>I receive emails from all of the major airlines that tell me when there is a sale. I watch for sales in the travel section of my paper. I read about good deals on this and other travel sites. I am registered to get frequent flier miles with each credit card and flier program. And I read everything I can get my hands on before I travel to make the most of my trips. <BR> <BR>Just thought at least one of us money bags should answer this one.

Wow! This and the what car do you own thread are enlightening to say the least. No wonder there is such a huge cultural gap between the urban centers, especially on the coasts, and flyover country, within the USA. Makes me wonder what would happen if these wealthy individuals had to grow their own food, or perform hard physical labor as their ancestors did. She doesn't consider herself wealthy with 2 six figure incomes. There is a point where relative is no longer the operative word. Makes me glad that I have lived my life with people who have working class values and realistic perceptions.

Rolling change for the year will take care of our meals on our ONE vacation to Europe this year - our first ever. Brown bagging it helps. Doing it before sending the kids off to college is wise. Waiting to travel after one feels he/she can afford it but anticipates being too decrepit to enjoy it means some of us are spending a little beyond our means now. We probably won't be able to afford another trip to Europe for years, but I can hope that we will find a way to pull it off.

Short answer to title question: NO

The special trick I employ is working 340 days per year. That is why I can afford a 2 week trip to europe every year costing 10-20000 dollars, I can also afford college tuition, a 6000 sq. ft. house on 3 acres. Everyone should stop pinching pennies and work.

Why would I buy a 6,000 sq. ft. house with 3 acres if I work 340 days a year? I wouldn't have any time to spend at home. <BR> <BR>I prefer my lovely 2,500 sq. ft. townhouse. I worked 37.5 hours per week, live 2 miles from work, and go to Europe 2-3 times a year and take a trip to some other location at least once a year. This is interspersed with long weekends away.

The real secret here, as has been stated before, is the air ticket. If you get the ticket at the price you want, you're in like Flin. Everything else cost about the same, a little more in the UK and a lot less in Italy. Plus there are tricks to saving money while on the road too. <BR> <BR>Example: <BR>I went to the UK last year. Paid $250 for the airplane ticket. (Let's hear it for Priceline!!) I then rented a car for nine days and found a deal that gave free upgrades for like AAA members. But you need to shop around. You don't often just "get" good deals but they are there if you look for them. I did all of this about three months before I wanted to go. This saves major bucks and headaches. <BR> <BR>Those were the two biggest expenses. By buying early, and finding good prices (but not going so cheap as to be with an unknown company) I had that part paid for before I left! <BR> <BR>Then stay in B&B's while you're gone and eat at the local hot spots. Not only is the food more traditional, but you get the REAL feel of where you are. Not some drummed up, tourist infested, overpriced restaurant. B&B's are generally cheap, clean, and plentiful. <BR> <BR>My final trip...10 days in England and Scotland for $1500. That includes, food, gas, rentals, lodging, air fare, souvenirs....everything. <BR> <BR>That's cheaper than a weekend in Orlando!! <BR> <BR>So see, it can be done. A little effort but it's worth it! I hope this helps!

I am in my late 20's. I am single, own my condo, and don't really have any extra money for big trips, but I am comfortable. <BR> <BR>I have not seen anyone mention this... I was fortunate to receive some money from my poor grandpa who needed to give his estate away before he goes into a nursing home and the gov't takes it all. <BR> <BR>So it is with a little guilt I get to go to Europe for 10 days.

I really don't understand this thread. When I want to take a nice trip, I buy a nice hotel for the weekend. Doesn't everybody here do that?

Girl, <BR>Don't feel even a little guilty. <BR>If you and your grandpa have/had a good <BR>relationship, I am sure he is very happy for you. <BR>

Rich people don't ask that sort of question, you peon. Go back to grape picking.

Just a quick aside to Harry's post above: I'm truly glad that you've been successful (and I'm not being flip, really), but some people I know could work the 340 days each year that you recommend and still only make 16K - 25K. That's when the penny pinching comes in. Youth, education (or lack thereof), and other factors can tip those scales. When we acheive success through work, luck, or some combination of both, that doesn't give us license to be smug. You must know that 20K vacations are far beyond the reach of most folks. Congratulations on your success, and until we can all be in your position, here's to travel bargains.

Great topic! At age 8 I had a neighbor from Norway.Her customs and traditions fascinated me and there's where the seed was planted.I dreamed of going to to another country----one day.Finally 5 years ago I took my first trip-to Iceland and England and I was hooked.We are leaving in a few weeks for Germany and Austria and a newer car or sofa does not compare to the experience and joy that this trip will bring me and the memory that I can re-live over and over for the rest of my life.

Yes, I do agree with Sherry.A trip to another country is an experience that never leaves you. It does get in your blood doesn't it? It was interesting to hear where your interest of traveling began. Anyone else have an idea where your "seed" or love of traveling began? I think mine was from reading over and over one of the old Childcraft Encyclopedias called "The World and Its Countries.! Remember that? I was "hooked" on the pictures of the Laplanders and the children from Holland.

My "seed" or passion for travel started after my dad passed away 2 years ago and my mom became very ill. They always thought dad would retire and then they would see the world. Best laid plans. I worked parttime and my husband owns his own business, so it was hard to get away. No vacation pay for him when hes gone, and he makes way more then I did. But my kids were out of the house in college and with what happened to my parents, I just decided there is no time like the present and off we went. No, we aren't rich, far from it, but we're smart. In the last 2 years we've been to Israel, Paris, London, Rome, Florence and Venice, Amsterdam and this summer we're going to Turkey. We never are gone for more then 12 days,he doesn't like to leave the store without him more then 1 Saturday. This is how we've travelled so much without going broke. Study and prepare! Buy travel magazines, guidebooks, call the airlines (all of them)Use frequent flyer miles as much as you can , go when the weathers good, but before high season, consider fly and hotel packages and extend the return home . Make your hotel reservations from home and get confirmation. Be a tourist, see all the things you've read or heard about and once you're there do not worry about the money, you're coming back home -to your job, you'll always make more. You'll have great memories,probably some mementos and you will be hooked.

I have another "secret tip" for those who are TRULY bitten by the travel bug - living abroad as an expatriate. I'm an American who has lived in Geneva, Paris, and am currently living in Shanghai China. Expat salaries (particularly in developing countries) are considerably higher than for equivalent jobs in the home country, and typically also include housing and a TRAVEL ALLOWANCE. Life as an expat is full of challenges and sacrifices, and requires an immense amount of work and dedication, but does have its rewards. In addition to getting to LIVE in a foreign country, we have also been able to travel quite a bit (several trips to Europe and within Asia every year). I personally think it's the world's best kept secret.

I didn't read all the above postings, but more then a few, and I didn't see anyone who was ready to admit that they were what most people call wealthy. According to my accountant, I certainly fall well into that category. My wife and I have vacationed in various countries for four, five and six months on several occasions, but that is not why I am responding to the opriginal question. We've stayed at many expensive hotels in many countries, but generally we stay at bed and breakfasts locations, sometimes great guest houses. I agree with an earlier poster who said, "how much time do you spend in the hotel room?" Any hotel, even the most expensive one is still just a bed and space. We much prefer to meet the people who of each country, and staying in someones house is one heck of a way to get to know them. If they have been exceptionally great in going out of their way to make us feel comfortable, we give them an extra large tip in appreciation, sometimes having them look at us as if it is we who are crazy. Actually, we are just appreciative and that is our way of expressing it. On one vacation for five months, we rented a small cottage out in the country, bought a second hand car and throughly enjoyed ourselves, giving the car to an old couple we got to know during our stay in their country. Here is one of our favorite ways to travel. We ask the host of the bed and breakfast or Guest House in the morning where the closest grocery store is, and we go there to buy some sandwich makings which we toss into our shoulder bags, then later we flip up the train tray and spread-out our "fixings" and eat while the world speeds by our train window. On a few occasions, the conductor has even sat down with us and had "a bite," and we had great conversation about his country, and again, throughly enjoyed it all. No one need know that we have a certain "worth" in dollars, in fact when people do find out, their attitude towards us seems to change, not always for the better. I also want to agree with an earlier posting, who said, they are very rich in memories. That's really the most important thing after all. My wife and I have so many memories of places, happenings, sights and smells and sounds, like the sound of a train wheels when they first start at the begining of your next trip. You can't buy that at any price. You can only experience and enjoy it, then later remember it and share it together. Not meaning to wax to poetic, but wasn't it Confucius who said that "the hardest part of any journey is simply taking the first step?" Just go, enjoy, and know that the people who are sitting across from you at the dinner table at the next bed and breakfast may be worth a few bucks, but they are simply having a great trip, just like you. I know, because that other couple may be my wife and I. Enjoy your next trip. <BR>Sorry, I can't use my name or I'll end up with a great deal of unwanted mail and totally superfulous telephone calls.

Yes I am very rich and I read this website! I would love to spend more money travelling but I just don't have the time. Honest!

Originally, this was a great thread. Too bad some jerks have spoiled the intent.

I think being able to afford to travel is largely a matter of priorities. If one want to travel bad enough, one can usually (though, of course, not always) cut down on spending in other areas. <BR> <BR>And I think that traveling to Europe -- depending on when you go and where you stay (two of the biggest expenses) -- can be surprisingly affordable. For example, my girlfriend & I just went to Rome for 10 days at the beginning of April. We purchased roundtrip Seattle-to-Rome tickets about a month ahead of time on Northwest for only $465 (plus tax), stayed for four nights at a pensione near the Spanish Steps for only $60/night, and then seven nights at a B&B in the Prati district for only $70/night. So, that's roundtrip airfare and eleven night's lodging for two people for a total of only approx. $1,800.