SmileDarling

I consider my entire upcoming vacation a splurge. I've spent the last year working in Iraq and I'm sick and tired of having to hike through piles of gravel every day to go to the bathroom instead of having one in my 15x15 room with a single bed.

So, my main splurges for this vacation will be a king size bed and a private bathroom. And shopping for the latest fashion trends since I've worn maybe two pairs of jeans out here the entire time.

Okay, done with rant. Back to planning for my Eurotrip! Countdown - one week and one day. Yay!

travelgourmet

I probably approach it the other way. There are certain things that I pay close attention to, in order to keep costs down.

In particular, I really, really shop around for airfare. I also use points for the really long trips to save money, and to go business class. Similarly, I am careful with hotels, using Priceline a lot, and making judicious use of loyalty points in high-rent cities.

Once I nail that down, I can spend what I want on food, can take cabs when practical, etc.

SoundDiva

Our splurges are taxis (if we're tired of walking or taking public transport during the day) and tickets to concert performances. We're not "foodies" so fancy meals usually aren't important. We've cut out ALL unnecessary spending and we put a predetermined amount into our "travel only" account every month. We may not travel as often, but we sure don't want to give up travel entirely.

Carrybean

I forgot to mention that I tend to splurge on lunches at really great restaurants since I'm usually in my flat with take-away or some good cheeses for dinner. Lunch is usually a lot less expensive than dinners in the same place.

Rhea58

Good idea Doug:

Ironically, in this down market
where folks have no jobs OR homes,
travel is cheaper than it has been
in a while.

BUT...what about our perception?

Today begins the NY Travel Show @
Javits (foe the trade) & wk-end for
reg. folks as I am sure you know.

I have attended the past few years
& did not immed. buy a ticket this year.

So what happens? The New York Times
sent me an invite for TWO free tix.

Could it be that they need to 'paper the house" as folks perceive travel as frivolous?
And, of course, I note that there
are fewer exhibitors too.

And to really answer your question,
my splurge is just to be able to get over the big pond.

iowagirl

We have a timeshare in Maui and go for a week every year. While I shop for the cheapest plane tickets (coach) and rental car, we really only splurge on the "little" luxuries while there. $7.50 for a strawberry smoothie by the pool? Sure, it's a ridiculous price, but we only do this once a year. I never get manicures at home, but I'll splurge on one while in Hawaii. We stock up on our own groceries for the week, but will have one or two really nice meals out. It's those little things that make a nice vacation for us.

LuvToRoam

When we travel we consider our "splurge" to be rooms with outdoor space more or less adjacent (balcony/patio/rooftop/etc.). We feel like we are bargain shoppers and watch our pennies when we plan for and ultimately travel. Several years ago we decided no more gifts between us at Christmas and birthdays, our presents would be something really special while on vacation. We have done a balloon ride, dined at a spectacular place where the waiter chose our meal, rafted, purchased special jewelry in Florence, hired a special guide, etc. We save and plan for the vacations so really have a year to decide what will be feasible and what we will have to forgo.

soogies

Hi Doug

We can no longer be happy in a Motel 6 type room! That's probably the biggest cost for our travels. But, we also don't care much for hotels in general (hubby travels a lot for work).

So we stay in apartments as often as we can. My splurge is to get one large enough so I have a "snore" room away from the noise, as well as two bathrooms. And a great location, too.

We like to have simple things on hand to eat - no fancy meals for us. This way we can make up for an expensive accomodation. I like my tea first thing in the morning and a casual dinner is a baguette, cheese and some good wine. It all tastes better on the balcony overlooking a beautiful city (another typical splurge for us).

We rent cars when necessary in the countryside, but in the city we love to walk and use public transport. If we're too tired at the end of the day, a taxi is well deserved, IMO.

We don't scrimp on museums, castles, cathedrals - and almost never buy a "pass" - I just can't be pinned down to a certain day. I guess you could say that we'll splurge to have more flexibility.

We don't buy much in the way of souvenirs, but I usually like to pick up a couple of fabulous things to remind me of the trip - often a really nice handbag.

I also tend to splurge a bit in European pharmacies for all the wonderful beauty products I cannot get here. Of course, I have to buy enough to last until our next trip

We do spend a little more on a nice car service to and from the airports as it saves us frazzled nerves. Sooo nice to arrive and have someone waiting to collect your bags and bring the car to you.

monicapileggi

I've always been a budget traveler. Since my European travels began in 1990, I have stayed in 1-2 star hotels (with private bathroom). These last few years, I have 'splurged' by going with 2-3 star hotels. I too enjoy booking a room with a verandah on a cruise, and instead of taking the local bus from the airport or train station, I'll splurge for a taxi.

I'll eat inexpensively at breakfast and lunch to enjoy a really nice and special dinner.

Like sassy_cat, I'll pay more for an airline ticket to fly non-stop. It just makes things so much easier than having to change planes and waiting at airports.

Monica

monicapileggi

PS: Here's my budget information: http://luvtotravel.homestead.com/tips.html

Monica

seetheworld

Taking a car service to and from the airport is definitely our biggest splurge. DH always uses a service for business, and we have found ourselves using it more and more for vacation travel.

This year, when we arrive in Paris, we are going to rough it and try and figure out how to use the metro from the airport to our hotel. If a person is to get lost, may as well get lost in Paris!

toedtoes

I'm cheap. I admit it. I find the cheapest car rental. I don't stay in hostels, but I would rather spend 45 minutes on public transit getting into a downtown area, then spend an extra $50-200 per night on downtown hotels. I'm not a foodie, so I pick simple inexpensive restaurants for my meals. I don't want inroom massages, or chocolates, or gyms, etc., I just want a bed to sleep in and a private bath. I fly economy.

However, I always make sure I have enough money to visit all the sights that interest me, and I don't skimp on my souvenirs/gifts.

If I can't see what I want to see, then I don't go to that destination.

joysakura

we try to save money on airfare & hotels, using priceline & other sites, as long as hotel is clean & decent

no shared toilets. oh, we do splurge on getting suites when possible so kids can be in living room & we have a bedroom.

we love eating at small inexpensive places or casual places unique to the area.

willing to pay extra for wonderful food, tea, coffee,

willing to pay extra for castle tours, coffee plantation tours, or where the money is going to support worthwhile things & not just augmenting hawkers, etc

spend extra money on something special for our teens if they really like something a lot---something that they (or occasionally me) will have special memories as they remember our vacation

splurging on surfing lessons, pina coladas in hot springs by volcano, musicals, buying tickets in advance for plays & shows, & not worrying about the money if we're fascinated/excited by something

repeating mantra to myself, it's only money, when spending a lot for good tickets, etc.

pleasure ranks high, & totally happy to spend whatever if it brings a kid or spouse or myself a high amount of pleasure

rafting in costa rica. expensive. fabulous. loved it. never looked back on the money.

laurie_ann

Hi Doug, You also asked for topics to cover. How about out of the way places that are less expensive just because they are off the beaten tourist path. It could be a small village in Paris or Italy that is a good base for other sightseeing in Europe, a smaller town near a big US city where you might be on a business trip anyway and stay the weekend or maybe someplace in Asia or Africa that just no one would know why it is so interesting to go there but it is so cheap.

frogoutofwater

I'm not sure I call it a splurge, but I don't consider price when deciding which dive shop to book on holiday. Safety, equipment quality, how the boat is kitted out and full service are critical. I have a back injury and a shoulder injury, so I only dive with "full-service" shops (where they carry your gear and help you in and out of the water) that use larger, stable boats.

I also splurge on premium economy for long-haul trips or use airline miles to fly in business class.

I sometimes splurge on taxis on arrival in a new destination, especially if I'm arriving on a red eye. Usually, though, I'll return to the airport using a less expensive option, now that I know my way around.

flygirl

I will happily pay a few hundred more for direct flights.. however 1000 extra per ticket for the convenience is over the top, so instead of flying United direct to Paris this coming spring and summer... I opted for a connecting flight which literally is saving a grand a ticket.

I'll happily pay more for a hotel with a great view or great location. For instance, 250E in Venice will get you a Bacino di San Marco view right out your window. I'm finding though that paying more will sometimes merely save you the time of research. I know of some travelers who have found really stellar locations and views (and less spendy to boot) by dint of really researching heavily. I guess that makes me lazy!

I also have been known to splurge on shopping in general. Oh, Florence... city of beautiful shoes and handbags... Many trips will see me come home with a new suitcase just for the loot.

Elainee

My favorite "extra" is having pre-arranged transportation after a longhaul flight. The man with a sign with my name on it ready to take me to my hotel without any directions, discussion from me is lovely. He also shows me the ATM and anyother needs I might have.

nonstop

I love to buy cheap air fares and then upgrade to Business Class.

Because cheap air fares sometimes require longer layovers, I purchase an Admiral's Club membership every year and lounge in luxury during the layovers. If my wife is traveling by herself I tell her to buy a "day pass" to a private airline club if she has a layover of more than 3 hours. I save that much money in keeping her out of the airport shops!!

I will pay extra for a private tour guide if I think I will get a lot of value out of it in regards to seeing things that I wouldn't see with a large travel group.

I like a nice breakfast and sometimes that means paying a little more for a very nice breakfast buffet in a nice hotel.

Other than those, I am a cheapskate!!

BetsyG

Splurge - hotel, resort through priceline or at least 2 rooms,one for kids, one for adults. We do enjoy nice dinners, skimp on breakfast or lunch.

The real skimping comes in at home -no beauty salon, no nails!!, 8 yr old vehicles, nice restuarants for birthdays or special events only, fast food & Starbucks once/wk at most. Clothes are basic, we like Kohls & Target.

Carrybean

Read your story, Doug & had to laugh at this:

<i>and why the worst time (but most expensive time) to travel to the Caribbean is Christmas.</i>

It's known down here as hell week for good reason.