Vienna - panic attack over booking it - $$$$
 

I have been wanting to go to Vienna for years (cancelled or postponed a few times). I have it all planned and have the exact flights/hotel but I get in a panic over hitting that submit button and the $1624 price tag for air and 4 nights hotel (5 total). As I get older I get more anxious about trips even though it is what I live for. Does anyone else get that way and how do you overcome it. The money is there form my IRS refund but it is an unusually expensive trip. The cheaper hotels are not well located and I dont' want to be stuck in a hotel room at night because it isn't right where the action is. I am thinking of the Ambassador which is right on Kartnerstrasse.

But I have not had a raise in 4 years and am remodeling the kitchen and updating the house (with plans to sell) and I know this money would pay for a new front door, new windows, so even though it was earmarked for a trip, that price tag just makes it hard for me to pull the trigger. Can you talk me into it?

$1624 price tag for air and 4 nights hotel is a fantastic price. The airfare alone could be at least a grand.

I can't comment on your finances, although it seems to me that if you are viewing this as a door or window upgrade, can you do something cheaper to both to spiff them up? Why spend money on new stuff for the next person to live in your house UNLESS what you currently have is dangerous or an absolute shambles. Will you get dollar for dollar on a new door and windows?

De cluttering the house and painting everything white will be a better use of the time

The house is gorgeous and uncluttered so that's not an issue. And I have other money set aside for the projects. It's more of that nameless anxiety that I never used to have when I was younger...

Just go for it . There will always be reasons not to go; if you wait for the perfect time when there are no other demands on your money or time, it just isn't going to happen.

I too get a little anxious about hitting that submit button, but I have learned not to second guess my decision once it is made. I've never regretted any trip I've taken, even though there were always other pressing uses for the money spent. You've earned the money, you've saved it, you've earmarked it. It's yours to choose how to spend it, so spend it on what you really want.

To paraphrase Rick ion Casablanca:

"If that plane leaves the ground for Vienna and you're not on it, you'll regret it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life."

Hope that helps.

((H))

Tom that is so beautiful...

Thanks guys, I booked it! I purchased the Vacation Waiver from Expedia $53(which I normally don't do as I buy separate trip insurance) - it gives me some security should something happen between now and a month from now. You can cancel once for any reason.

Vicky,

I love Vienna and hope you have a wonderful time.

The Ambassador is a great choice for a short trip, you'll be able to walk almost everyhere.

I love planning and usually booking my trips but I have noticed increasing anxiety in the last few weeks before leaving as I have gotten older. Often at least once in the first 24 hours after arrival I get VERY anxious (maybe has to do with jet-lag)but then the joy of being there sets in. At the end of the trip I am always thinking, how long until I can travel again. So for now, I travel on and try to tolerate the anxiety as a pesty travel companion that will leave me once the trip gets underway.

Have a piece of chocolate cake at Demel and then go over and say "hi" to the Lipizzaners for us.

((H))

I'm also thinking of Vienna in the fall... initial pricing of flights is scary, the cheapest right now from NB, Canada (have to backtrack to Toronto to get on an overseas flight) is about $1,500... for flight only!

Good for you for booking!

Congrats on booking your trip! You'll enjoy Vienna, one of my favorite cities! Do something musical while you're there!

Have you been to Vienna before? What are your interests?

Tom - I booked a performance of the Lippizaners and will definitely be going to Demel!
Easytraveler: I have been all over the world but not to Vienna which I have been researching for a long long time (I usually end up going to a spot on my list if a particularly good deal comes up so Veinna was delayed.
My interests are coffee and pastry(!), art, architecture, performing arts and poking about shops (I dont' buy all that much but I love to poke) The ballet Anna Karenina is on while I am there; thinking of getting a ticke to that or to a concert.

Vienna is such a beautiful place. Buy LOTS of Mamer's and have a Sacre Torte with coffee. So delicious. Also, I took in a concert at the main Music Hall. It was wonderful. Don't do the touristy one at Mozart's Hall but the actual concert hall if you can get tickets.

Also, I will give you a wonderful place to. The place is called Loden Plankl. They sell the most beautiful clothes. Very expensive but gorgeous. I could not afford them so I bought these little change purses that they sell. I think I have purchased 15 of them to give as gifts. They are the NICEST people... Tell Sigrid - Catherine from Florida says "hi". She will know me from ordering all those purses.

Poking around shops - then you'll love Mariahilferstrasse!

I usually recommend the yellow Ring tram (not the yellow bus, which is a private company) for a quick, getting to know all the major sights along the Ring road. Depending on the type of ticket, you can hop-on and off, or you coul stay on the tram as long as you like on one ticket and go round and round. headphones available with a choice of multiple languages to describe each major sight.

http://www.wienerlinien.at/eportal/e...rogramId/19580

Definitely Demel's, maybe even the Hotel Sacher for the "original" sachertorte.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachertorte

Lots of places for coffee and pastry. Try the Cafe Mozart behind the Opera House, a favorite of celebrities and common folk.

http://www.cafe-mozart.at/en/history-press-info/

One more food recommendation :)
Zanoni & Zanoni's for their gelato:

http://www.zanoni.co.at/

Have a great trip! Wish I were in Vienna right now!

Go go go. The house will be there when you get back.

I just spent over $1500 for a round trip ticket to Paris from Minneapolis and NO hotels. So your price sounds good to me!

I think it was a pretty good deal for Vienna - the hotel is 5 star, location cant' be beat, and I have a double, not a single room, at no extra cost. The flights have only one connection and the flight to Washington DC is only 20 minutes.
I can't wait to try all the coffees!! I like whipped cream in mine!
Does anyone know if there are many Klimts in the Leopold Museum? (I will be going to Belvedere to see The Kiss).