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!