Just wondering if anyone has actually ever won a holiday overseas and how did it rate?

Mi girlfriend once won a trip to Jamaika but refused it since the dates were not adjustable.

A few years ago I won a trip to the Canary Islands. For me it is not really overseas, since I live in Belgium BUT it was a great holiday. We stayed in a luxury hotel, almost all our meals were paid, we made several free excursions, etc. I'd love to do it all over!

I once win a trip for two, and I could choose one of two different destinations, so I choose a remot country\island in africa named São Tomé and Principe. It was one of those destinations that I would´t go, if I had to pay, because it´s very expensive, due to it´s isollation. <BR>I went with my wife and it was simply fantastic

What ever happened with the trip for the woman who has a rabid Duke basketball fan for a husband? Anyone ever hear if she went?

My husband won a trip to Hawaii (Maui) in a drawing at work. We had a great time. Then I won a trip to Cabo San Lucas by answering a question on a radio program. That was a great trip too. Both were several years ago, though.

I guess we want to stand near Betsy!!!

LOL, Myer. I'd be "beside myself" if I won another trip, but guess the odds are fairly long.

We returned a few weeks ago from the Salzburg Music Festival... a trip I won from radio station KMozart for 8 nights. It was fabulous! Airfare, hotel Altstadt (gorgeous, charming) and three concerts...one at the Festspielhaus and two at the at the Mozarteum. The music was superb! The Mozarteum is a gorgeous, beautiful, baroque and gilded hall! If you can't get to a performance there, try to see the Mozarteum Concert Hall.<BR><BR>We were able to buy a digital camcorder with some cash we received as part of the prize.<BR><BR>I can't stop thinking about it and talking about it.<BR><BR>Lynlor

I won a trip for two to London in 1984. My husband (then my boyfriend) was estatic because his hobby is minature wargaming. I won airfare and hotel for 5 nights. We extended our trip for a few more days and took the train to Paris! Wonderfully romantic trip that we still talk about. <BR>(I won entering my name in a ballot box at a travel expo.)

If you win a trip, are the taxes on it exorbitant? I have always been afraid that winning a really lux vacation would end up costing me more than my normal "plan your own" trip.

...not that I have ever come close to winning such a trip!

You never can tell, Marty, if I can win a trip, so can you! We paid no taxes on either trip. If the organization from which you win it doesn't issue you a 1066 form, I think you're safe. Maybe someone else who can be more legally precise, will respond.

I got a free BA trip to anywhere in the world and went to join my best friend on her business trip to South Africa. One of the best holidays I have ever had.

My sister won a trip to Tahiti, by calling in to a radio station in Boston. Craziest thing ever! Airfare for ONE, and not hotels, just the flight inself. I ended up paying and going with her, and we stayed in Moorea, and had a great time.

The first question that radio station KMozart asked me after telling me that I was the Grand prize winner was...Can you pay the taxes. I was in shock, so said "Yes". I still think it was one of the best trips we ever to took to Europe, if not the best.<BR><BR>lynlor

My Husband and I feel that it is worth it to pay the taxes, as those Festival Tickets are practially impossible to get at any price. Also I do believe that the Austrian Government helped subsidize the trip for publicity purposes. We were invited to many other activites. We did go to a few lectures.<BR><BR>lynlor

Marty,<BR>Regarding tax, for USA, the simple answer is that it is at least a line number 21 item of the 1040 form. For a large amount, the tax can get to 50% depending on your bracket and which state you live in. The difficulty I see is that the stated value of these these trips are outrageous, prize value $xxxx, well beyond what one has to pay unless one is talking about full fare air, rack rate hotel rooms, etc. Considering that the large portion of the prize goes to paying the tax, unless one can recategorize it some other way or in a tax bracket where you get to keep most of the of win, there is not much difference in how much one pays between winning the prize and paying it for yourself after all the expenses are accounted for.

Mr Accountant, Please remind me never to use you as my tax accountant. I suppose you tell your lottery winner clients to refuse the prize, becase the tax can be as high as 50%.