Help me pick a travel destination with these parameters(xp)

[sam_gordon]

You can do an 8/9 day trip to London for 4 for that price or under, depending on your lodging.

I also think the "danger" of Mexico is mainly hype to get clicks/eyeballs. It's like anyplace else where you do some research and exercise some common sense.

Really? I picked a random city in the midwest (St. Louis) to London for 8 days in June (since OP didn't say when the trip would be). Airfare is roughly $1500pp. * 4 = $6k. That leaves $4k. 7 nights @ $200/night is another $1400.

You're down to $2600. Divide by 4 (number of people), that's $650pp. Divide by 8 (number of days), $80pp/pd for food and souvenirs. Haven't included any transportation, museums, shows, etc.

Now, I didn't look hard, maybe you can get airfare for cheaper, and the rooms.

 

[Praying Colonel]

Really? I picked a random city in the midwest (St. Louis) to London for 8 days in June (since OP didn't say when the trip would be). Airfare is roughly $1500pp. * 4 = $6k. That leaves $4k. 7 nights @ $200/night is another $1400.

You're down to $2600. Divide by 4 (number of people), that's $650pp. Divide by 8 (number of days), $80pp/pd for food and souvenirs. Haven't included any transportation, museums, shows, etc.

Now, I didn't look hard, maybe you can get airfare for cheaper, and the rooms.

DW and I spent 10 days in London in shoulder season (late Sep-early Oct). Nonstop flights from Orlando to London via British Airways (economy) was $1600 after picking our seats (would've been less if we'd just taken the seats they gave us).

We did some looking on Air BnB and got one in the East End about 6 minutes from the nearest Tube station, was $1190.

Got a deal on a 10-day London Pass for 2, $400 total.

West End show through the Half Price ticket booth at Leicester Square, $80 total.

Churchill War Rooms X 2, about $70 total.

Transportation (train to/from Gatwick and Oyster card for Tube transit card X2) about $150 total.

We had breakfast every day and ate a couple of dinners in our our Air BnB, and had snacks and a meal out every day. Food was about $60/day for the 2 of us, about $600.

DW reined it in some on shopping. About $100.

So total was about $4200 for the 2 of us, but we did some planning for it to be that. If we'd gone in high season, stayed in a hotel, eaten out/shopped more, etc., it could've been a lot more. YMMV, but we liked our trip quite a bit.

 

[sam_gordon]

DW and I spent 10 days in London in shoulder season (late Sep-early Oct). Nonstop flights from Orlando to London via British Airways (economy) was $1600 after picking our seats (would've been less if we'd just taken the seats they gave us).

We did some looking on Air BnB and got one in the East End about 6 minutes from the nearest Tube station, was $1190.

Got a deal on a 10-day London Pass for 2, $400 total.

West End show through the Half Price ticket booth at Leicester Square, $80 total.

Churchill War Rooms X 2, about $70 total.

Transportation (train to/from Gatwick and Oyster card for Tube transit card X2) about $150 total.

We had breakfast every day and ate a couple of dinners in our our Air BnB, and had snacks and a meal out every day. Food was about $60/day for the 2 of us, about $600.

DW reined it in some on shopping. About $100.

So total was about $4200 for the 2 of us, but we did some planning for it to be that. If we'd gone in high season, stayed in a hotel, eaten out/shopped more, etc., it could've been a lot more. YMMV, but we liked our trip quite a bit.

Well, you cut the number of people in half. So double everything BUT the AirBnB, ($4200 - $1200 = $3000 * 2 = $6000 + $1200 = $7200). Flying out of Orlando vs the midwest changes things too. WHEN you go makes a big difference. Those are two variables the OP didn't give us.

 

[Praying Colonel]

Well, you cut the number of people in half. So double everything BUT the AirBnB, ($4200 - $1200 = $3000 * 2 = $6000 + $1200 = $7200). Flying out of Orlando vs the midwest changes things too. WHEN you go makes a big difference. Those are two variables the OP didn't give us.

Yep, I figured double (for 4) would be $8400, but that was for 10 days, too.

There are sites like Going that advertise international flight deals, or you can look at Kayak or Google Flights to track flight deals.

It's like flying to WDW & staying in a deluxe during high season vs driving & staying off site at a non-peak time. You choose your own adventure, but it can be done.

 

[EllieJedi]

My kids and I are flying to London in February from Minneapolis nonstop and our flights in premium economy were $1700. Economy would have been around $920. I’ve also visited in the fall with my mom and our flights were around $1000 from here. Avoiding June-August can make a big difference.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

Similarly, it might be possible to find some cheap flights to Paris. Could spend a couple days at Disney, a day at Versailles, a couple days kicking around Paris. Although last year when we were looking flights to London was much cheaper than Paris.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

Similarly, it might be possible to find some cheap flights to Paris. Could spend a couple days at Disney, a day at Versailles, a couple days kicking around Paris. Although last year when we were looking flights to London was much cheaper than Paris.

Wait. Forgot about Olympics. 2024 not the year to go to Paris.

 

[cedricandsophie]

Not sure why you’re eliminating Mexico. Puerto valleta is beautiful. Safe. And the people and food are fantastic.
Also recommend a dude ranch in Colorado or Wyoming. Great family vacation. All inclusive once there.

 

[Genie+]

Yep, I figured double (for 4) would be $8400, but that was for 10 days, too.

There are sites like Going that advertise international flight deals, or you can look at Kayak or Google Flights to track flight deals.

It's like flying to WDW & staying in a deluxe during high season vs driving & staying off site at a non-peak time. You choose your own adventure, but it can be done.

Thanks, I figured there are ways to accomplish a fun yet budget friendly trip.

OP, I’d try searching for people posting recent trip itineraries with budgets and seeing if any appeal to you. Many love sharing this info. Then watch flight deals and try to match something up. You have flexibility in your favor here with no specific dates or destination. Goodluck!

 

[2SLM]

Eliminating Mexico, because it happened to us. We had issue. We were separated and hassled by the "police" who took our id and wanted money. It was incredibly scary. We had no where to go for help, because they were suppose to be the help. Never want that feeling again. We like to explore on vacation and won't just sit, even at an all inclusive. We don't feel comfortable doing that there. We've been back on cruise ports, it wasn't fun for us. We want to be somewhere we can exhale, even if we are being ridiculous in ruling it out.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

Not sure why you’re eliminating Mexico. Puerto valleta is beautiful. Safe. And the people and food are fantastic.
Also recommend a dude ranch in Colorado or Wyoming. Great family vacation. All inclusive once there.

My President is in Puerto Vallarta now and my aunt lives there. It's not bad, you just need a little extra caution. Now the border towns like Reynosa? Don't even think about it, but no tourist would go there.

EDIT: I just saw your reply. I get it now.

 

[NotUrsula]

Really? I picked a random city in the midwest (St. Louis) to London for 8 days in June (since OP didn't say when the trip would be). Airfare is roughly $1500pp. * 4 = $6k. That leaves $4k. 7 nights @ $200/night is another $1400.

You're down to $2600. Divide by 4 (number of people), that's $650pp. Divide by 8 (number of days), $80pp/pd for food and souvenirs. Haven't included any transportation, museums, shows, etc.

Now, I didn't look hard, maybe you can get airfare for cheaper, and the rooms.

Part of the problem with your random airfare pick is that you picked STL, which has no non-stop foreign destinations these days other than Mexico and the DR (charters).

The best prices for overseas destinations are almost always going to be from airports that have more than one airline offering a non-stop, so that there is competition. If I were starting from STL with this kind of wish list, I'd suggest taking a domestic flight to an airport with good competition for foreign fares.
(The only choice for interlining overseas from STL is AA, not the best these days. We usually build in time and take SWA to an airport in Florida or the Tri-State area and continue from there on a foreign flag carrier.)

OP, Tropical for that many people at that price is going to be tough; I don't suppose sailing bareboat is an option?

 

[AgentMama]

I think international is totally doable on that budget as long as you are willing to stay at clean, but economical hotels. I bet you could even cover the hotels and airfare through a moderate tour company that offers an independent tour to the place you want to go to, so you'll get a reasonable deal on airfare/hotel and can then fill in the details.

 

[ronandannette]

We're trying for Costa Rica this year, with a company called CostSaver Tours (a division of Trafalgar, and very reputable). Three locations, including transfers, accommodations, tours and some meals = about $1,200/pp USD. Even with airfare this is doable on your budget.
https://www.costsavertour.com/en-us/tours/costa-rica-adventure

 

[MICKIMINI]

Madrid Spain. Stay at Hotel Europa in Puerta del Sol. You can walk to the Prado, Royal Palace and endless squares, fountains, historic sites and gardens. Walk the via at night with all the sharply dressed locals. Eat at the local deli's. Daytime is safe if you protect your documents and money and are not distracted by begger scams (all over Europe) like dumping soda on you or suggesting you dropped something. It has been awhile since we've been, but our DIL and her Mom did a girl's trip earlier this year and had no issues. Madrid is a gorgeous and inexpensive city.

Rick Steve's has written great books/videos on Europe. We stayed at Hotel Europa on his suggestion and it is in the heart of the old city. Not big or fancy but impeccably clean and there is a lift.

Day trips to Toledo, Segovia, Avila etc are worth the time and expense! Buy textiles (tablecloths etc), leather goods and pottery. It is amazing! Good luck wherever you go!

 

[sam_gordon]

Part of the problem with your random airfare pick is that you picked STL, which has no non-stop foreign destinations these days other than Mexico and the DR (charters).

The best prices for overseas destinations are almost always going to be from airports that have more than one airline offering a non-stop, so that there is competition. If I were starting from STL with this kind of wish list, I'd suggest taking a domestic flight to an airport with good competition for foreign fares.
(The only choice for interlining overseas from STL is AA, not the best these days. We usually build in time and take SWA to an airport in Florida or the Tri-State area and continue from there on a foreign flag carrier.)

OP, Tropical for that many people at that price is going to be tough; I don't suppose sailing bareboat is an option?

Well, "midwest" (the only location the OP gave) was pretty vague. So pick a random airport in the midwest and look for flights.

It really doesn't matter what airports you can get the best rates from if you don't live near those airports.

 

[Skippy918]

I think the question to ask is what you like doing when on vacation.
do you like to:
relax and go to the beach
visit historical sites
visit museums
city travel
hiking and scenic travel
adventure travel
experience local culture and cuisine

 

[White Cat]

We're trying for Costa Rica this year, with a company called CostSaver Tours (a division of Trafalgar, and very reputable). Three locations, including transfers, accommodations, tours and some meals = about $1,200/pp USD. Even with airfare this is doable on your budget.
https://www.costsavertour.com/en-us/tours/costa-rica-adventure

I have done the San Jose, Arenel, Monteverde one with a stop to the pacific and back to San Jose. It was very nice. Not much to do in San Jose I wouldn’t recommend signing up for much there. It must be the worst capital city in America other than Port Au Prince. Watch what time of year you go. They have a rainy season. It’s also not a cheap country. CAD$ won’t go far there. Things are mostly priced for what things cost in the US for US$, Or more.

 

[AustinTink]

Another vote for London. We have been many times and can’t wait to go again. Hopefully, in 2024! So much to see and do in the city and everything outside the city is just a train ride away. We love taking the train for day excursions.

Yes, hotels are very expensive. We’ve stayed in hoity toity hotels in Mayfair and they were very stuffy and not the best for families. My husband booked the Park Plaza hotel on the South Bank during a work trip and now it’s our go to. It’s reasonably priced and literally at the base of the Westminster Bridge. Our room had a view of Big Ben!

Their one bedroom suites are very spacious and would fit a family of four perfectly. Park Plaza has many hotels in London. We’ve stayed at the Park Plaza Westminster and the Park Plaza Riverbank. Both in the South Bank area and both walking distance to so many sights!

We took our kiddo for the first time when he was 7. He loved it so much we returned again not long after. He’s been five times now and the last trip he went with his girlfriend and not us. It was her first trip out of the country and she fell in love with England. Your kids will get so much out of this trip. There is history around every corner.

Our first trip to London we took the Chunnel and did a week in Paris. It’s a super easy hop from London to Paris via the underwater high speed train. It was just over 2 hours and such a fun adventure. You could split your trip between London and Paris and have a really nice European family trip.

 

[Chili327]

I have done the San Jose, Arenel, Monteverde one with a stop to the pacific and back to San Jose. It was very nice. Not much to do in San Jose I wouldn’t recommend signing up for much there. It must be the worst capital city in America other than Port Au Prince. Watch what time of year you go. They have a rainy season. It’s also not a cheap country. CAD$ won’t go far there. Things are mostly priced for what things cost in the US for US$, Or more.

We did a coffee plantation tour, it was pretty cool. The coast was a much more enjoyable part of the trip though.