Option A is excessive and wasteful. How many massages, manicures and pedicures can one get in a week?
Option B is the other extreme, a little too basic. I'd prefer 5 trips in the US, rather than 10, but staying in nicer places than a Super 8 - someplace with more charm and atmosphere.
The first part of Options C and D sounds like the way I travel now - nice places, reasonably priced, but not "budget". And the second part - the budget part isn't very enticing, either in the US or abroad.

So I guess I'd go for Option A, but skip some of the spa treatments and spend more time exploring in the Rolls. I'd probably choose some exotic place in Asia or Africa.

I'm with jayne1973, option D would be the way to go! For the budget Europe portion I would do Greece and for the luxurious domestic part I'd have to go with NY.

This is totally a pipe dream and mostly based on the three trips we're planning for the next year---Seattle in September where we'll be pretty comfortable splitting time in the city and staying with family on the lake. October in New York, where I'm already getting frustrated with hotel rates and where it would be fabulous not to worry about money! And Greece in May where we'll be traveling with a couple friend and thus splitting some of the costs.

Since I'm OK going middle of the road for Greece, I'd stay with that sort of "budget" feel there and then go all out in NY :)

But suze, I'm intrigued with your $2000 price tag on Mexico or Hawaii. Do tell more details, I may just have to squeeze another trip in between NY and Greece ;)

I would probably choose option B as I love to travel, and don't really need all of the over-the-top luxury. But I would have to upgrade the car and food options a little. A Hyundai accent, Kia Spectra, or Ford Focus are just too small. Normally my brother and I rent something like a Mercury Grand Marquis. We are big guys and want to drive around comfortably. Also, the Grand Marquis has enough room for two hard side suitcases in the trunk. These others more than likely would not.

Also, while Denny's and IHOPs are not bad, I would want to try some of the local joints and maybe just a little higher in price range places. Not talking $$$$ here, but maybe something a little higher priced than fast food.

Option D. I agree with Jayne that "budget travel is much more fun in Europe." I would much rather stay in budget lodging and eat budget food abroad then stay in Super 8s and eat McDonald's.

I'm thinking Switzerland and back to Hawaii. You have my answer, now when do I leave? :)

I'm with Patrick. None of the choices appeal to me. Keep in mind that even though I get a reasonable amount of vacation time off work, my days off are precious. I wouldn't waste them on any of the options.

Fly to Europe for 6 nights? I don't think so.

Stay at Super 8 and Comfort Inn? Hey, I'm not a snob, and I have stayed in those hotels when I need a quick cheap night on a road trip, but they are not my idea of a week long vacation spot.

If there isn't a happy medium between the options - I'd take none of them.

I would choose option B if I could upgrade the lodging and food options a bit. Not talking luxury, but like Amerisuites, Holiday Inn Express, or something along those lines and for food, how about picnics from the grocery deli section, local hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and taquerias. I am not a foodie either, but I just can't stomach fast food and Dennys more than occasionally. If I wanted to stretch my money, I would rather camp and cook out than stay in some dive motel and eat fast food for a week.

I think it would be really neat to have 7 weeks to tour different places in the US.

My second choice would be the moderate European trip followed by the budget US trip.

I'd take option A, eliminating all the mani/pedi/massage nonsense and would rent an amazing apartment in Paris for the month (car *and* driver included -- and for $15k, toss in a cook). *That's* a vacation! For one week, $15k will buy you a pretty obnoxious trip to Dubai.

I would choose option B, albeit if I could slightly upgrade the car rental and food selections to more local places without going over budget. Reasons for picking this option? Easy. I like the idea of taking lots of mini-vacations during the year, there is just so much to see and do in the US (and with air travel such a hassel nowadays, who wants to fly longer than absolutely necessary?), and while I get 3 weeks a year off for vacation, my sweetie only gets half that time and I love traveling with him!

Let's see a week's vacation or
10 weeks of vacation...a no brainer... option b for sure. Of course I'd have to make a different plan for the food. I'd be going to grocery stores and getting food there instead of IHOP, McDonalds etc....make no mistake, they aren't really cheap for what you get. I can eat better and cheaper that that from a well stocked American supermarket if need be.

I don't care about the car or room as long as they work and aren't disgusting.

I don't need much to amuse myself as long as I'm able to hike in scenic areas and indulge in my photography.

If I were on that game show, I would pick Option C. We've had some great budget domestic trips, so I know we would enjoy that. Having a bit more to spend on a trip to Europe would be nice.
Although, in this fantasy world game show we are participating in, if I had 10 weeks of vacation from work, option B would be very tempting. Even a "budget" vacation is better than work!

With 15 grand, I would fly to Paris on Air France--Business Class, stay at Crillon for 7 days, and have just enough left over to order two bottles of Krug and some beluga caviar from room service.

Thingorjus

I agree with "none of the above."

At the very least, you identify two VERY different extremes of travel. I think that many pepole travel somewhere in between, e.g. not as bare-bones as Motel 6, but not the "ultimate experience" of choice A. That is, the choices offered are not those that many people seriously consider if they really want to enjoy a trip.

I love to travel, and have been fortuante to do a fair amount of it, but there are so many good alternatives to the ones you outline above, and I think that many manage to do.

None of the trips as stated appeals.

What I would do is a revise the B option of 10 int'l trips & 1 Domestic to 5 Int'l so they are no longer and
the 1 domestic.

None of the above.

My vacations have been a mix of luxury and budget. I'd want an option that continued to offer a mix. I've been almost everywhere I want to go in the US and there's a lot yet I want to see in Europe.

I think your point is "splurge with less time" vs "budget with more time". A mix works for me - especially given your food ideas.

Your stated budget = $800 - $1500/ week/ domestic trip Is that supposed to include food, airfare, car rental, and sightseeing - in addiiton to lodging?

I agree with a lot of the posters here...downsize the luxury of Option A and allow either (a) more time on an international trip (like an updated "Grand Tour") or (b) reduce the weeks for domestic trips to allow for more than "bare bones". Option (c) would be to do both but on a modest (vice barebones) budget.

I choose E also. A three week moderate trip to Europe.

From just the above choices I would choose "C". I also would prefer budget travel overseas to budget USA.

I think all these responses have made one thing crystal clear. It's pretty hard to say to a group who pride themselves on expert "self planned" travel -- pick which of these pre-arranged plans you would do. The answer clearly seems to be -- none -- let us plan our own trip.

As Patrick said, except be sure to give us the cash up front. :)

If I had to choose, I'd go with option B, but upgrade the food. I don't mind staying in Motel 6 or Comfort Inn, but I do mind getting tummy aches.

Honestly, if I chose option A, I would liquidate much of the luxuries since the full body massages 3 times a day would eat up all my roaming time! To me, luxury is roaming around a city and having memorable experiences - good or bad.

But like the others have said, give me the money up front. In my case, I'd live large for a month in Italy, AND spend part of the money learning Italian in school.

Is 500 count considered luxury these days? I hear it's up to 1000... ;)