For those who have traveled in all these countries, which one would be the cheapest vacation destination?? I would be going in June from NYC.

Without a doubt, and having been to all three, Turkey is the cheapest. One week on a cabin-charter gulet (traditional wooden boat) with all meals included = under $500. Three/four course dinner for two at a modest but excellent restaurant = hard to go over $20. Trinkets, fluffy towels, fake Louis Vuitton bags, etc. etc. = less than $15. Excellent, clean boutique hotels = 50-100 a night. You can ofcourse stay for a lot less but we thought we could splurge. I just got back from Turkey for the first time and I'm passionate about this country -- and I don't know a word of Turkish!

I am not one to give into "fear," but, are people re-thinking traveling to Turkey because of the possible war with Iraq? Please no useless comments. I would just think it's hard to plan for Turkey because you just do not know what's going to happen with all this. then again, do we ever know what's going to go on in the world?

Ana - sorry to hog your message board. You're right that we do not know what can happen in the world...the truth is, anything can happen anywhere. But I'll be back next year - war or no war. I also refuse to give in to fear, and maybe we went at a good time (last month), but I really would like to emphasize that we found the people to be extremely friendly and non-threatening. That is good news for us Americans, but it is that very same attitude that may make them a target of crazy old Saddam. The chances of anything happening are minimal, but it is worth a thought. The sad thing is that Turkish people are overwhelmingly secular and despise intolerance. They also sadly understand and fear the consequences that an impending war will have on their flourishing tourism industry. But to finish, I found a huge amount of European tourists in Turkey, and I just have a very hard time thinking any war will keep those travel-crazy Europeans away from those Turquoise waters!

I took a tour of Turkey with Pacha Tours in July 1996 and it was excellent. The cost was about $1600 (from California), including airfare, meals, hotels, and sites. No additional costs excepts tips to driver and tour guide. I believe their tours today are the same price. Been to Spain & Portugal and while the trip was a good price, it couldn't beat Turkey and Turkey is the most fascinating country I've been to. If you would like my trip report, please e-mail me directly.

Depends on where you are - resort towns charge twice the price for food, drink & accom, you have a bigger difference there than between countries.<BR>Small resorts charge less than big ones.<BR>Tourist capitals are expensive.<BR> On average, Portugal is slightly cheaper than Spain & Turkey is much cheaper than both.<BR>Small fishing villages are cheapest.