What's cheap? Expensive?
 

I am new to the web site but I enjoy the different views about places to stay and eat. Tours versus go alone's and what's dangerous and what's not. I've been to Europe many times in the last 5 years and spent 2 years there in the service in the late 60's, so I feel very comfortable traveling throughout. I think dangerous places or fear of pickpockets would depend largerly on where you come from in the U.S. People from small town America might be more apprehensive than a person from Chicago, New York, etc. and the feedback you get is quite a bit different from each individual. How much do you have or want to spend and what is expensive is a matter of income,taste and again where you live. So staying in hotels at a 100.00 per and 25.00 per meal may seem reasonable to some and expensive to others. Tours are favorites of people who like to lay back and let others plan and feel vacation planning is someone else job and their there for the ride. No problem for them. The rest of us enjoy planning our own trips of dreams. Remember when we do plan we are using the thoughts of others, hoping they match ours. I don't know what the thoughts of the many are but I thought it would be of some interest.

Actually, I don't use the thoughts of others and hope they match mine. I think a lot of people hear find it informative to hear what others saw or ate or bought and if it does match my own interest, or others reading it, then it may be incorporated in the itinerary. I also think that everyone reading these post are very aware of the diversity in income etc.. if you'll notice on most posts when someone asks for a "cheap" hotel it is usually followed by questions about the budget for the trip. Most everyone tries to respond in such a way that it provides some help to the one who's asking the question. Readers are smart enough to weed through the info and pick out the parts that suit them the best.

Mike <BR>I live in a small town, and to me staying in a decent hotel $100 is cheap. if it's less and nice I'm happy even in my home state. We stayed in fine hotels in Europe for the same price as in Minneapolis, and in Minneapolis and didn't get (free) breakfast. I have a family member who likes to go "cheap" I will never travel with her. It's no fun, if you can't afford it, don't go. I want enough to have a good room, a good occasionally great meal and nice wines. I don't buy souveniors so I don't care about shopping. That's how I go.

<BR>Dana : I do understand that it's "to each its own", but I disagree with your general statement "It's no fun, if you can't afford it, don't go" <BR> <BR>What is fun or not is highly dependant on your tastes. As long as there's a bed to sleep on and a shower (even down the hall), it's fine for me, and it'll certainly not spoil my vacations. I couldn't afford pricey rooms, sure, but even if I could, it would probably be the last thing I would spend money in (with the possible exception of an occasionnal night in some historical building, like spanish paradores...for the building, not for the service, breafast, or things like that) <BR> <BR> A lot of things are fun in vacations, but for me, the hotel is only a roof you have to sleep under once a day. The only costly thing I can really appreciate is a good meal. But some people don't care about the quality of food, either. So, vacations can be at the same time cheap and fun. Depends on your priorities.

If you come to Ireland a Bed and Breakfast is a cheap way to stay as well as offering you an insight into the people of the country which you will be unlikely to get in a hotel.It costs about $20-30 per night and breakfast is usually good to excellent.You will find many references to good ones in the Ireland section of Fodors.

Hi In reponding to your questiuon let me begin my saying I grew up in NYC and lived in the Boston area for many years, so when hotel prices are mentioned, it doesn't mean that I don't cringe, I refuse to acept the fact of spending $100 a night and I assume $25 a person for a meal IS a lot especially when on vacation. The past few years we have been traveling to central and eastern Europe. Our costs for hotels and meals range from $20-70 and meals from $3-15 person. Mind that it depends on the country that you are in. A few years ago I became ill in Slovakia and was hospitalized at home. The next year being rather afraid to go back to that part of Europe we went to Switzerland. It was beautiful But I never spent so much on a vacation. We swore off Switzerland aand went back east, which is our preference anyway. Two years ago we went to Czech Rep for 2 weeks and spent less than $1000 not including our rental car which is always paid for in advance and not included. It is easy to find 2-3 star hotels, some with tv's, eat in local restaurants or pizza places. Buy deli and rolls for lunch or maybe a quick fast lunch at an outdoor stand. Thanks for you question, it provokes me to think. I have travel to Europe yearly and always search for bargain hotels and can count the times we have stayed at luxury hotels. I even know a hotel near the Frankfurt airport that was $65 last year with free rt transportation . I can't see the need for spending that much and then complaining how expensive Europe is. Also stay at an independent hotel rather than a chain. <BR>alan

It is an interesting discussion for sure, and I enjoyed reading all the responses. Which is why it is interesting, people's tastes and priorities are totally different. Although, I don't impose my 'way' of doing things on others, so I DO keep other people's thoughts in mind when giving suggestions. <BR>I personally can't do hostels and dive hotels...but I won't do deluxe either! I DO spend more money on great food and cultural experiences than I do a hotel room. I need all the basic necessities and a little luxury, but not over the top. I'm out and about, I'm not spending hours in my room! But when I come in, a soft bed, feather pillows and french soap in the bathroom are very nice. <BR>Wendy