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

[Frwinkley]

How about the Canadian Rockies?? Banff, Jasper, etc. Breathtaking scenery, so much to see and do. One of our best trips ever!

 

[LuvOrlando]

We really liked Aruba, there are two Marriotts there side by side with tons of add on things to do. I also liked the look of the Hyatt. Haven't been there for a while but driving out on the trail to see the rocks was fun and snorkeling was easy peasy with mostly calm water. Tons of other timeshares for cheaper trips. I'd go back, it felt like a safe controlled place.

 

[GAN]

You can definitely do 8-days in Europe on $10k. Whether you’d want to is another thing. You’d really need 2-weeks to fully enjoy continental Europe. As others have mentioned -I really think London is a solid option for a week and very doable. If you shop I’m sure you can get some decent flights. There is SO much to do there …London, Bath, Cotswolds.

 

[tvguy]

You might look at an all inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic. That might meet your price point.

EDIT: Sorry just noticed your excluded list. Not sure many options exist in your price range.

 

[Magical2017]

My vote would b e for Costa Rica if you are looking for a tropical vacation.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

For 4 adults going overseas to Europe will be likely cost prohibitive. I understand some posters are discussing flight pricing but in reality it's going to take such a large chunk of their budget away you won't find a huge amount of things to fill the time for 4 adults with the leftover money especially discussing food and any souvenirs.

Granted the cost has gone down since last year but when we booked our flights in fall of 2022 for summer 2023 to Venice via Paris from Chicago and Chicago via Heathrow from Athens for 2 people Economy was $5K-$6K cash value.

We're flying back to Europe in early May but going from JFK. However, we've booked a flight from our home city in the Midwest to LaGuardia and will be staying overnight in JFK before our flight and doing the reverse on the way home from Copenhagen.

$10K is more reasonable for 2 people total for a trip to Europe, 4 adults not so much. And I get it that people are talking about AirBNB's but consider that if you booked that because of the price vs a hotel it's not necessarily reflective of the actual costs involved.

As far as safety Europe is safer overall than many places but there's been a lot recently going on. One of our cities we'll be visiting is Ghent, Belgium but even we would have to reconsider that had it been right around the terrorist attack in Brussels. Multiple places in Europe were on heightened awareness near Christmas due to credible suspected threats. While this is always the possibility it's something to keep in mind.

But at the end of the day I would vote for tropics for 1 primary reason: time. With 8/9 days that's not nearly enough time to go to Europe due to time it takes to get there and back. We did our honeymoon in St. Lucia in 2013 and at that time at least it was not a place you'd venture off from your resort. Guided tour was okay. We stayed at a Sandals resort which had transportation included to the other two on the island. If that's still the case that would be a nice way to get varied areas of the island without having to worry so much about safety. We did an excursion to Soufriere via boat then a private guide that took us through the mountains. But the per cost per night of Sandals (or similar) may be quite pricey too.

Virgin Islands (U.S. or British) have been places I've liked to go to although they can be pricey (accommodations) as well.

 

[sam_gordon]

You can definitely do 8-days in Europe on $10k.

For four? As mentioned, airfare will probably suck up half of that budget.

 

[GAN]

For four? As mentioned, airfare will probably suck up half of that budget.

Random search from Chicago-Rome(Milan or Florence) you’d be looking at roughly $700 so call it $3000. That leaves $7000 for lodging, food/drinks, transportation, site seeing. That should be no problem at all. Three nights in Florence at apartment directly across from the Accademia(the David) = $1,200. Four nights in Rome on Piazza Della Rotunda(Pantheon) = $2,400. That should leave no less than $3,000 for travel/siteseeing and food …great restaurants are not that expensive in Italy. Buon Viaggio!

 

[EllieJedi]

For four? As mentioned, airfare will probably suck up half of that budget.

As I had posted earlier, it is definitely possible to spend less than the $1250 per person you are quoting on airfare. Strategies I use to travel to Europe:

1. Travel outside of the peak months of June - August.
2. Set Google flight alerts for destinations I’m interested in.
3. Compare using Miles vs. Cash is you have a credit card that gives miles. I once booked an open jaw ticket to Europe for 30K miles.
4. Use Multiple Search Engines and check regularly. For our trip in February, I rebooked and saved $200 per person when the prices dropped. We will use the flight credits for Disney. Win Win.

 

[sam_gordon]

Random search from Chicago-Rome(Milan or Florence) you’d be looking at roughly $700 so call it $3000. That leaves $7000 for lodging, food/drinks, transportation, site seeing. That should be no problem at all. Three nights in Florence at apartment directly across from the Accademia(the David) = $1,200. Four nights in Rome on Piazza Della Rotunda(Pantheon) = $2,400. That should leave no less than $3,000 for travel/siteseeing and food …great restaurants are not that expensive in Italy. Buon Viaggio!

Thats if you're close to Chicago. I still think budgeting $1200-1500 for flight is more realistic. So $4800-6000. Add the $3600 you include for lodging, and you're down to $1500 for meals and sightseeing. Less than $50pppd.

 

[sam_gordon]

As I had posted earlier, it is definitely possible to spend less than the $1250 per person you are quoting on airfare. Strategies I use to travel to Europe:

1. Travel outside of the peak months of June - August.
2. Set Google flight alerts for destinations I’m interested in.
3. Compare using Miles vs. Cash is you have a credit card that gives miles. I once booked an open jaw ticket to Europe for 30K miles.
4. Use Multiple Search Engines and check regularly. For our trip in February, I rebooked and saved $200 per person when the prices dropped. We will use the flight credits for Disney. Win Win.

We don't know whether travel outside of summer is an option. Obviously the time of year, where you fly from and where you fly to all have a HUGE impact in flight prices.

I'm sure it's POSSIBLE to spend less than $1250pp, you can even do sub $1000. How LIKELY it is is a different story IMO.

ETA: Is it worth looking at? Absolutely. I'd definitely consider Europe as a vacation destination. Is it a "sure thing" that four adults can do 8-9 days, including flights for $10k? I'd say no.

 

[EllieJedi]

Thats if you're close to Chicago. I still think budgeting $1200-1500 for flight is more realistic. So $4800-6000. Add the $3600 you include for lodging, and you're down to $1500 for meals and sightseeing. Less than $50pppd.

I could do it from Minneapolis

We don't know whether travel outside of summer is an option. Obviously the time of year, where you fly from and where you fly to all have a HUGE impact in flight prices.

I'm sure it's POSSIBLE to spend less than $1250pp, you can even do sub $1000. How LIKELY it is is a different story IMO.

ETA: Is it worth looking at? Absolutely. I'd definitely consider Europe as a vacation destination. Is it a "sure thing" that four adults can do 8-9 days, including flights for $10k? I'd say no.

The OP stated that they were 4 adults, so even assuming that 2 of them were college students they would likely have longer breaks than HS students so traveling outside of peak season should likely be an option.

As to your previous post, that it was only possible to fly from Chicago to Italy for under $1000, I am seeing open jaw flights on Delta to Rome / Florence in late October and November from Minneapolis for $747 and from Kansas City for $797. I if you stick to the main cities and avoid the peak season, it’s much MORE LIKELY than you seem to think. I have done it for many years.

 

[GAN]

Thats if you're close to Chicago. I still think budgeting $1200-1500 for flight is more realistic. So $4800-6000. Add the $3600 you include for lodging, and you're down to $1500 for meals and sightseeing. Less than $50pppd.

I thought they mentioned the Midwest so I used Chicago… obviously, they'd have to use their own search

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

People can spout airline pricing all day long but you need to keep in mind things like what class you're talking about, luggage costs and additional fees. Not every airline is the best either for flying. No one wants to book Basic Economy. We paid extra for exit row seats in Economy because my husband is tall. While Air France was reasonable in that added cost British Airways was not.

We flew out of Chicago but had to drive from KC to get there which was an 8 hour drive. We did this because that extra flight from KC to Chicago (which is one of the main connections to get to Europe) was risky. We had just had a friend that had a nightmare situation due to storms between KC and Chicago canceling their flight, delaying another one making it impossible for them to get there when they should have and they missed their first day in France.

Flights out of KC to get to Europe will require a stop somewhere usually Chicago, sometimes STL, sometimes in PA, FL is also a connection point.

 

[GAN]

ETA: Is it worth looking at? Absolutely. I'd definitely consider Europe as a vacation destination. Is it a "sure thing" that four adults can do 8-9 days, including flights for $10k? I'd say no.

Hey you know…no $1000/night English speaking hotels in Italy for this guy!

 

[sam_gordon]

I could do it from Minneapolis

The OP stated that they were 4 adults, so even assuming that 2 of them were college students they would likely have longer breaks than HS students so traveling outside of peak season should likely be an option.

As to your previous post, that it was only possible to fly from Chicago to Italy for under $1000, I am seeing open jaw flights on Delta to Rome / Florence in late October and November from Minneapolis for $747 and from Kansas City for $797. I if you stick to the main cities and avoid the peak season, it’s much MORE LIKELY than you seem to think. I have done it for many years.

Wasn't trying to say it's only possible from Chicago. But the city you're flying from makes a big difference. Can you find the same prices from Cedar Rapids? What about Wichita? Oklahoma City? Little Rock?

Sure you can say "stick to the main cities", which is great, if you're close to a "main city".

We got the opportunity to go to Europe in 2016(?). Ended up getting tickets for $850pp from our home airport. That was a 36 hour sale the airline had. So yes, I know it CAN be done. I just wouldn't count on it.

ETA: Cedar Rapids to Rome RT *IS* <$800 the end of October-Middle November. Hopefully that time frame works for the OP.

 

[EllieJedi]

People can spout airline pricing all day long but you need to keep in mind things like what class you're talking about, luggage costs and additional fees. Not every airline is the best either for flying. No one wants to book Basic Economy. We paid extra for exit row seats in Economy because my husband is tall. While Air France was reasonable in that added cost British Airways was not.

We flew out of Chicago but had to drive from KC to get there which was an 8 hour drive. We did this because that extra flight from KC to Chicago (which is one of the main connections to get to Europe) was risky. We had just had a friend that had a nightmare situation due to storms between KC and Chicago canceling their flight, delaying another one making it impossible for them to get there when they should have and they missed their first day in France.

Flights out of KC to get to Europe will require a stop somewhere usually Chicago, sometimes STL, sometimes in PA, FL is also a connection point.

I didn’t price basic economy flights as I would never book those personally, and I only checked a maximum of 1 stop flights. Stick with main cabin as a minimum so you can select your seats especially when traveling as a group so you can sit together. I agree it may be worth the extra fee for an exit row.

Minneapolis to Rome and Florence will be one stop as well, options are generally Amsterdam, Atlanta or New York. From here there are nonstop options to London, Paris, Amsterdam and seasonally Dublin.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I didn’t price basic economy flights as I would never book those personally, and I only checked a maximum of 1 stop flights. Stick with main cabin as a minimum so you can select your seats especially when traveling as a group so you can sit together. I agree it may be worth the extra fee for an exit row.

Minneapolis to Rome and Florence will be one stop as well, options are generally Amsterdam, Atlanta or New York. From here there are nonstop options to London, Paris, Amsterdam and seasonally Dublin.

I get it We don't know where the OP lives. The Midwest is many states. Nor do we know the time they are wanting to travel. It's more realistic overall to say it's going to eat up a large portion of their budget for airfare for only a 8 to 9 day trip than it is to find all the ways you can possibly do for a cheap airfare. They could luck out on cheaper airfare sure and hey maybe they'll find a great deal so it's not impossible but maybe not as easy as google flight searching for the cheapest option out there without knowing any actual details.

Flight times can make a big difference in not only cost (because cheaper may have really bad times) but also impacts to your actual trip as in the amount of time you actually have. If a cheap flight to a place takes 1 1/2 days out of your trip because of the flight times it may not be the best choice.

Some options I ran for Delta to Florence for MN for that $737-ish range you mentioned even though I know you also included Rome were Basic Economy for early November with Main being over $900 and it was poor flight times, just to get to Florence was a day and a half due to a long layover in Atlanta for example (nearly 24 hours of actual travel time but a day and a half of travel time based on time zone adjustment).

Domestic, South America, Caribbean, etc are generally much more reasonable in both time commitment in flights (including time zones) and costs overall for an 8 to 9 day trip from the U.S. Someone's idea of Canada isn't bad but will depend on the place. A DISer I know just booked tickets to Montreal at a steep price for next year (and they live in the East Coast).

 

[EllieJedi]

I get it We don't know where the OP lives. The Midwest is many states. Nor do we know the time they are wanting to travel. It's more realistic overall to say it's going to eat up a large portion of their budget for airfare for only a 8 to 9 day trip than it is to find all the ways you can possibly do for a cheap airfare. They could luck out on cheaper airfare sure and hey maybe they'll find a great deal so it's not impossible but maybe not as easy as google flight searching for the cheapest option out there without knowing any actual details.

Flight times can make a big difference in not only cost (because cheaper may have really bad times) but also impacts to your actual trip as in the amount of time you actually have. If a cheap flight to a place takes 1 1/2 days out of your trip because of the flight times it may not be the best choice.

Some options I ran for Delta to Florence for MN for that $737-ish range you mentioned even though I know you also included Rome were Basic Economy for early November with Main being over $900 and it was poor flight times, just to get to Florence was a day and a half due to a long layover in Atlanta for example (nearly 24 hours of actual travel time but a day and a half of travel time based on time zone adjustment).

Domestic, South America, Caribbean, etc are generally much more reasonable in both time commitment in flights (including time zones) and costs overall for an 8 to 9 day trip from the U.S. Someone's idea of Canada isn't bad but will depend on the place. A DISer I know just booked tickets to Montreal at a steep price for next year (and they live in the East Coast).

i’m not looking for all of the ways to do it for cheap airfare, as there are many compromises I am not willing to make. I did not say that airfare wasn’t going to be a large portion of their budget but I think it could be done for $4000, so $1000 per person instead of the $1200 -$1500 that was being used earlier. I limit my total travel time to 15 hours as an example. To travel from here to Florence using your example, most of the flights I’m seeing have layovers under 3 hours. I plan my travel, it is not luck but it does require the ability to book the flights when I see my target price.

As another option, if you find a deal on a RT ticket to Rome there is also a direct train from Fiumico Airport to Florence 2X a day that takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes and costs around $40 pp. I can assure you I was not checking basic economy flights but apparently you don’t believe me.

I’m not against travel to the Caribbean, Mexico, South America or Hawaii but the idea that Europe is automatically going to be more expensive is simply false. Costs are going to be specific to the season for each destination, the type of lodging selected, and whether they are visiting fine restaurants or local eateries.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

i’m not looking for all of the ways to do it for cheap airfare, as there are many compromises I am not willing to make. I did not say that airfare wasn’t going to be a large portion of their budget but I think it could be done for $4000, so $1000 per person instead of the $1200 -$1500 that was being used earlier. I limit my total travel time to 15 hours as an example. To travel from here to Florence using your example, most of the flights I’m seeing have layovers under 3 hours. I plan my travel, it is not luck but it does require the ability to book the flights when I see my target price.

As another option, if you find a deal on a RT ticket to Rome there is also a direct train from Fiumico Airport to Florence 2X a day that takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes and costs around $40 pp. I can assure you I was not checking basic economy flights but apparently you don’t believe me.

I’m not against travel to the Caribbean, Mexico, South America or Hawaii but the idea that Europe is automatically going to be more expensive is simply false. Costs are going to be specific to the season for each destination, the type of lodging selected, and whether they are visiting fine restaurants or local eateries.

A 3 hour layover is a recipe for disaster for international especially in the last year to two years. An 11 hour layover is too long IMO from a time wasted standpoint however it allows for more issues to pop up but I wouldn't take a 3 hour layover trying to get to Europe. There's just simply too much at stake.

When people were talking about Europe they are talking about airfare for the most part as that's less inflexible in what you choose. There are 365 days in the year and endless cities the OP could be coming from and endless cities they could be flying to but overall Europe is still an expensive place to fly to from the U.S.

I used the vague information you gave me to look up options and peeked into it so that I could see what you're seeing. At the end of the day I'm trying to say you or anyone else (because my original comment wasn't aimed specifically at you, you just quoted me afterwards) giving these random numbers, for random dates, for random cities in both the U.S. and Europe won't help the OP out because they are too specific to defined information that the OP hasn't supplied us. And we don't know what they have in mind for airlines.

Mostly what posters have been saying is for 4 people for $10K for 8-9 days might be hard to realistically stick with to go overseas especially to Europe. Maybe you prefer Europe, that's okay, unless I'm wanting a beach vacation I'd probably prefer Europe too. But I wouldn't choose to go there for only an 8-9 day trip unless that excludes transit time to get there and it would be really stretching it quite thin to do it with 4 adults in $10K. Hawaii is pushing it IMO on ease of getting there, just because it's domestic doesn't mean it's not still hard to get to. And Hawaii isn't overall cheap either. We almost went there this past April but overall was just too expensive but primarily we were wanting an all-inclusive which Hawaii doesn't really have much of. You can do the other destinations for more than Europe no doubt but overall they will be more economical generally speaking and easier to get to and from. Or put it this way, they may be easier to budget down to $10K than Europe for 4 adults.