Whatever

Wait a minute , I thought PJ was a pompous , self serving ass. Am I confused here? Oh right , PJ is a pompous, self serving , CONDESENDING , ass. How could I have made that mistake? How could anyone have taken any of his posts to be criticizing or insulting? What is this place coming to?

owen hater

No, you're not confused: You're just Owen. Nuff said.

PJ

If anyone still cares (since this has turned into a vicious post-sorry you got attacked on my account, Owen), I do not consider myself superior just because I choose to spend more on something special during my vacation. If you feel inferior because you don't, get some help. I am self-employed & do not get a 'paid vacation'. Therefore, I have to save all year to take just one or two weeks off for one trip. Just because I don't want to waste an hour that I could be in a museum waiting for a bus rather than spending a few more bucks on a cab doesn't make me a pompous person. I don't care if people eat at McDonalds or LeCirque on their vacation. Doesn't affect my life at all. I was just interested in finding out how all these 'well-travelled' Fodors people manage to take 6 trips per year & whether or not they find such tight budgeting parameters more satisfying than taking just one luxurious trip. Wasn't planning on bashing their opinions, why do you feel the need to bash mine?

Tony Hughes

With me it depends on how loing I will be there for. A trip lasting a week will be no problem and I wouldnt particularly think about economising however a trip of considerably longer (ie 3 months etc) would make for re-examination of funds and budgets. Splash the cash occasionally but keep a running total. If you stay in an expensive hotel for a couple of nights, think about staying somewhere more modest for the next night (ok so I know this only applies if you are moving around).

PJ

Thank you Tony, that is exactly what I am looking for. I wish I had 3 months to travel. When you travel for that long, where do you find you are able to cut back the most--on the actual travel or activities? Have you found much difference between the two star hotels versus a three star hotel? If you cut back on the activities, do you have any regrets about missing something that you should have splurged on? I still regret not spending the money on a Gondola ride in Venice & not buying tickets in advance Spanish Riding School in Vienna. So, this is why I cut back on the many trips per year in favor of one 'see it all, go for the gusto' trip.

Tony Hughes

Depends on personal circumstances, who you are travelling with, what mode of travel etc. I wouldnt pare anything down to the bone, PJ, or else it can take the shine off the trip.

I can put up with less than excellent accomadation every now and then but not all the time.

that's too bad

I wish I could afford one see it all go for the gusto trip to Venice or Vienna...