What Is Your Travel SPLURGE...Or, Is Travel Your Splurge?
 

I am planning a couple of trips and in the course of conversation I have said something like:

* "Oh, now THAT hotel is our SPLURGE"

* "THAT restaurant is our restaurant SPLURGE"

* "When we go on that excursion, That is the excursion SPLURGE"...

I have several other designated travel SPLURGES such as a specific shopping day, spa day, special event or other named SPLURGE(S).

I believe that travel is a blessing yet, I have been informed during more than one conversation that TRAVEL is the splurge.

How is it for you? What is your travel splurge(s) or is travel the splurge?

Curious,
Oaktown Traveler

Travel is my big splurge unless you count the NY sundaes in Paris :-) I don't care about spending big bucks on hotels or even meals - I live to see the sites, people, history, culture. The more places I can go, the better. I don't think you can appreciate the world and people without travel.

I am not sure. When I splurge, I travel and when I travel, I splurge.
But carefully. Otherwise I go broke splurging.

I am sometimes like the guy on the psychiatrist's couch who said that he had a yacht, flew first class to Europe every year, stayed in the best hotels, ate only at the best restaurants, etc. The psychiatrist listened to him and then said, "I see. But what is the problem?" The guy on the couch said, "I only make $35,000 a year."

I think it differs from trip to trip, but when we were in London last October, our big splurge was to get wonderful (and expensive) seats at the Royal Opera House to see Madame Butterfly...worth every penny!

My big splurge on my last trip to Paris was on makeup. My mom and I saved enough money by buying Chanel skin care stuff in Paris instead of at home that we cover the cost of one round trip ticket from RDU to Paris... Come to think of it, maybe that was to practical to be a splurge :) I also like to save by eating kind of cheap so I can have at least one very nice meal.

We tend to like to go inexpensively. Probably should say "simply", as we still like a good comfortable place to stay and such. Something like 2*'s or 3*'s and B&Bs. I'm usually sorrier for things not done, than for money left unspent, but you can't take it with you either.

Our splurge usually is that one justification where a hotel, usually due to an outstanding view or location will cause us to rationalize paying more than the rest of the trip. A special meal for some sort of event, like an anniversary or birthday would be cause for a splurge meal, but there doesn't really have to be a reason.

Our splurge differs with the location. In London, it's the best seats possible for the shows we wish to see. In Paris, it's for a special dinner or two. Same in Italy. Haven't found anything specific to splurge on in Ireland or Germany yet, but we also hunt for favored antiques in all countries and will more easily purchase then we sometimes would at home.

Our hotel budget has been creeping up steadily, and I'm finding more and more that I enjoy staying at nicer hotels.

Our other splurges are often tickets to performances, unique souveniers (typically home decor things - antiques, original prints, etc.), and I always insist on a guided tour of someplace like the Kremlin or Pompeii, almost regardless of price - I just personally find that a private tour guide brings the area/objects to life in a way that highlights what I read on my own.

I splurge on things that make travel
easier. For example, taking a taxi from the airport to the hotel instead of saving money and taking the bus or train. I would spend more on a hotel that has the perfect location. I would spend the money on a tour guide if it meant I didn't have to wait in line. I want more time, less hassle.

the burj al arab hotel in dubai.

I usually use the "counter splurge technique".
When my 2 friends and I travelled for 4 weeks in Italy in 2001.....we stayed at a convent in Rome for $35AU each a night...we counterbalanced that with a stay in a fantastic villa for a week which cost us $1100AU each.
My next trip to Italy in July, has no evidence of the "counter splurge technique"..yet
but I am planning my first trip to New York for 2005...and was thinking of the Waldof Astoria??

KIMERLEY: I would reconsider the waldorf astroia. try the PLAZA OR THE RITZ CARLTON AT CENTRAL PARK.

Yes, for me travel IS the splurge. When I'm in Europe, I'm always on a budget. But since I've had to postpone my trip to Paris from May to September, I've decided to treat myself a little - so I'm staying in a 2 star hotel instead of a 1 star, going to have 12 full days (too good to be true!) and will probably take a day trip out of town using the TGV, which will cost a fortune. But I can't wait. Less than 6 months to go. :)

The trip is really the splurge,
but I do like to occasionally "splurge" on the hotel/apartment.
for me, having a rooftop terrace and a view while in Rome is worth every extra penny.

shopping for gold while in rome is a necessity :)

I never splurge on accomations (though I insist on best location) since I'm rarely there to appreciate it. I ALWAYS splurge on meals. It's important to have a least one meal that cost more than a nights room/apt. I tend to remember these meals long after I remember what nice furniture or paintings a room had.

Travel is my splurge. In that major "splurge" I have to add in all the books I buy before I go (Note to self...LIBRARY! so that I could afford to go again or stay longer...) But the weirdest thing I like to do for me is hire a car from home to the airport and the return. Sets my feet and feelings and mood right off in a positive splurgish manner...not a stretch, mind you, just a nice dark colored towne car...

we usually try to stay in a lesser hotel so we can extend our stay. we usually really splurge on food and wine. there is nothing like a really nice bottle of wine.

I splurge by dressing up and having a drink at a beautiful hotel bar, like the Ritz Paris. This is a hotel that is completely out of my reach but I can pretend a little this way.

I splurge by using my FF miles for first class tickets.

While departing Venice for the airport, we splurged on a water taxi. If you have to leave Venice, what a way to go.

Travel is the splurge for me but with clearly defined minimums. Can't afford 3* hotels but will spent inordinate (I am possessed!) amounts of time searching out a 2* that meets the usual concerns of quiet, safe neighbourhood, etc. but with loads of charm. Good food and pre-bought museum entrance passes are musts. I'm in my 40's and I think, for most of us, age reflects a changed attitude towards expenses - I'd rather wait a couple of months to save extra money in order to enjoy a trip the way I want. But what a dilemma! Cheers, Linda

If I did splurge. I wouldn't admit it after reading these definitions.

splurge: an ostentatious effort, display, or expenditure

ostentatious: marked by or fond of conspicuous or vainglorious and sometimes pretentious display

I much prefer to call them extravagances.

extravagance: an excessive outlay of money

Wow! What great responses. Thanks!

I think because we are right in the middle of T-A-X season I will delete SPLURGE from my discussions with my hubby as relates to travel at this time.

I do indulge in some pre-travel splurges such as a "big" trip to my hairdreser...and I do a splurge on a new bathing suit, some new pieces of lingere and I do splurge on a good journal!

I do want a new camera lens for my "old faithful" Pentax...not a splurge...right?

Please, keep sharing...
Oaktown Traveler

Travel is our Splurge, but we do lots of research so we can get "splurge" places at value prices. Everything is relative. I'll chose hotels based on location, not necessarily price, and while we stay at lots of 2 star places, we "splash out" (as Kavey says!) once in a while as a treat. Most of the time, we splurge on food and wine.

So jsmith...what are your travel extravagances?

Oaktown Traveler

Shopping is my splurge, and sometimes an upscale hotel if I can get it for a really reasonable price (I LOVE sorting through hotels and getting a great price on a good hotel). I also do the counterbalancing trick - 2 nights in a cheaper hotel followed by a couple in a more elegant hotel. On my trip to Florence last week our one food splurge was on bistecca ala fiorentina - 29 euros for 2 (with potatoes). My brother saw this big hunk of rare steak and almost had a cow that it wasn't more cooked!!

..my splurge is travel...Never splurge on an expensive hotel in a big city (I find a quiet clean hotel which is centrally located) as i am never in my room...(unless I am on business as I have to work in the evenings ..oh well at least i am not footing the bill). If a resort, I almost always upgrade as most activities are based in the resort. re food, I will skip (or skimp on lunch) to save up on one evening meal which will be part of the "cultural experience". I never skimp on museum fees or the odd cab to an out of the way attraction which i might otherwise not have a chance to visit..

I am not a wealthy person, therefore I can never justify splurging on a hotel room.

As my friend said, "Whether it is a $400 room or a $100 room, they all look the same when your eyes are closed."

For me, staying at a $100/night hotel instead of $200/n for a 1-week trip equals saving enough $ for another plane ticket to Europe. I had lots of time off in my last job, so I went to Europe as often as I could. However, I can understand that for people who only have time for 1 trip/year, they probably prefer staying at a nicer hotel instead.

My only splurge is the same as jame. I make an effort to attend operas at cities that have world-class opera companies.

I love hotel spas--that's my splurge

OaktownT, sorry, can't think of any travel extravagances. Do have a couple of internet stocks that were an excessive outlay of money.

We have a couple of things ome may regard as "splurges" when we travel, but they are really comfort and sanity realted. First, if we're flying Air Transat, we upgrade to Club class for the leg room and seat comfort. I have a chronic back condition and my boyfriend has a bad knee, so that really helps make the flight more bearable. Then, since we have vastly differing sleep habits and sleep needs, we take separate rooms - makes our trip a pleasure instead of an ordeal. Spending all that money to go somewhere and then spending the whole trip sleep-lagged, resentful, and sniping at one another just didn't make sense.

Once again, it is just so interesting to me how we are all so different.

Travel is our ONLY splurge in life and that includes first or business class airline tickets and rooms/suites in upscale hotels.

But in all our travels we have never, ever shopped (both dislike it) or spent a lot of money in fancy restaurants, clubs or bars.

To us, the hotel IS the experience, especially because the 5-star ones tend to have the best locations and best amenities. Living in a very small, remote town, it is a big deal for us to order Room Service, get our clothes dry-cleaned and have a gym/health spa/pool just an elevator ride away.

At home, we live very, very simply. On trips, we get a kick out of the difference in the way we live and the way we travel!

Luxury hotels, spas, and the like are completely out of my reach financially. The fact that I'm able to travel at all on my income is a minor miracle, so that in and of itself is my splurge.

When the dollar was stronger, I was finally upgrading to double rooms for single use, and a few 3-star hotels instead of my usual 2-stars. I am now back to single rooms in well-located, but more modest accomodations.

Some of which still add greatly to my enjoyment of my trips - due not to the ammenities, but the warmth and charm of the staff. And sometimes even the decor.

I love good food and wine and do lots of research on where to find memorable places in which to enjoy it that are still reasonable. I'll usually "splurge" on one special meal in each location, as those experiences are as important to me as the sites I've seen.

And if there's a ballet or concert or play being performed that I think I'd enjoy, I will spend the money for tickets. Seeing the interior of an historic theater, as well as the people-watching to be had, are part of the entertainment and make for special memories.

Since I ride public transit at home, I do so when abroad, if practical. I actually enjoy being part of the local fabric, rather than in a cab by myself.

OH! A splurge "at home" is a massage...last year I had one scheduled in monthly. But my masseuse left the salon and her replacement isn't nearly as good :( Guess that's now another $120/month to plow into the old travel fund.

Mine is wine . . I cultivated a taste for wine over 35 years of internation travel on business . . gave me the chance to try many wines while on expense account.

'twas both a blessing and a curse . . now that I am retired, the taste for fine wine is still there . . but alas . . the expense account is not!

I still splurge for a nice bottle most dinners.

Rich

I have no problem spurging, whether it's a great meal, or a fine hotel room. I treat myself to the best I can afford because I never know if I will have the chance to travel in the future.

Some people have huge houses or expensive autos. Myself, I have many photo albums and priceless memories!

I guess you could call it a splurge. I usually buy lots of books. Alot of the places we go don't always have Fodor's or Frommer's, but what ever is available, I usually get. Another splurge is my Bose headphones for the flight over and back. Expensive but worth it.

Almost forgot....another splurge is on good shoes for walking alot on the cobblestone streets.

Travel is my main splurge. It is something that I consider very important to my well-being and development overall. It not only renews me but also stimulates the mind in so many ways. I learn more about people and even geo-politics through traveling than reading papers or listening to the news. Travel helps shatter many preconceived notions. More than anything, it helps to reinforce the notion that most people, no matter where they are, are at their cores, good people.
When I travel, I have only a rough budget & won't sacrifice an experience to pinch pennies. I once traveled with someone who was intent on going as cheaply as possible. We missed a lot because she refused to take taxis. In one instant, the monetary cost was about double compared to a bus but it cost us 4 hours in travel time vs 45 minutes because we had to adhere to the bus schedule. As a result we only got to spend 30 minutes at a highly recommended place and really saw nothing since the gondola ride up and back took 15 min! After that, I decided no more (traveling with that person or pinching pennies while traveling)! I save for 2 things: retirement and travel!

We are are so diverse...excellent!

I enjoyed reading the responses. Adds to the perspectives an practices.

My Best,
Oaktown Traveler

...thats AND practices...gotta get that cocktail!