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Exactly... The "they must not have researched" or "they must have only gone to tourist traps" comments are kind of surprising to me...
I assume that I would bring about $5K with me if I went to Europe for say two weeks. And I'm thinking that's just money for food, shopping, tourist stuff, not including airfare & lodging. Which is why I won't be going to Europe anytime soon, lol. I spent about $700 when I went to Nicaragua for 10 days.
I assume that I would bring about $5K with me if I went to Europe for say two weeks. And I'm thinking that's just money for food, shopping, tourist stuff, not including airfare & lodging. Which is why I won't be going to Europe anytime soon, lol. I spent about $700 when I went to Nicaragua for 10 days.
But as I said before, you could spend that and more, or you could spend a fraction of that, depending on where and when you went, and what you did.
But as I said before, you could spend that and more, or you could spend a fraction of that, depending on where and when you went, and what you did.
Yes, I know. Obviously, I didn't spend anywhere near that in Nicaragua. However, if I ever go to Europe, I have already assumed that I will be bringing the equivalent of about $5K for the trip.
Exactly... The "they must not have researched" or "they must have only gone to tourist traps" comments are kind of surprising to me...
I am surprised that you find the comments surprising. Let's put it this way - the OP set the tone by saying middle class and "comfort inn" style accommodations. The prices paid were not middle class or comfort inn style prices, and there is no indication of any comfort or extravagant splurges. If they said they had an anniversary and spent three nights at the Zurich Ritz-Carlton suite along with the Comfort Inns then I could understand.
You can pay as much or as little as you want in Europe, as you can for anywhere, but that's not the point. The point is that you get your money's worth. It appears that those travelers did not.
I only recommend travel agents for those extremely novice or lazy travelers - those would qualify, and next time they may save some money and/or gain more value from there vacation.
We spent about $9,000 for 19 days last year- Edinburgh, London, Alps, Paris. Most expensive hotel was £129/night (old manor house converted to Marriott in Scotland); cheapest was €89 (Ibis in Munich). Hotels were generally 10 minutes out from center city by mass transit than in the middle of tourist haunts because I prefer a calmer, more neighborhood environment for that. We are not breakfast people, so that was generally bought at a supermarket or bakery near the hotel. Lunch/dinner was usually a pub/biergarten/pizza/museum cafe affair. Getting around was a mix of public transportation, some intra-Europe flights, first class rail between Munich and Paris, and a couple of rental cars including a nice Mercedes in Germany because we didn't go to the land of autobahns so DH could drive a VW Polo. One cab ride between our Montmarte hotel and CDG on the way out because it was only about €20 more than trying to get there by commuter train, and we figured it was worth it. No day tours, but we did pay for London and Paris museum passes and the cable car in the Alps.
We actually spent less on food than expected because one or both of us was moderately sick for most of the trip, and yet another chain pub, Wagamama, or Pizza Express seemed to be less effort than trying to find something a little fancier.
I'm trying to talk DH into going back to London because we've got enough airline miles and hotel points for 8-9 days there with only paying Heathrow departure tax, but he wants Yosemite this spring/summer.
Check the website for Comfort Inn or Best Western and see what places in the historic areas of Paris cost in the summer. About $300 a night for a place that would cost $80 in Memphis TN.
We actually spent less on food than expected because one or both of us was moderately sick for most of the trip, and yet another chain pub, Wagamama, or Pizza Express seemed to be less effort than trying to find something a little fancier.
Love Wagamama and pizza express!
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