Since when is this cheap?

[LisaR]

I have been searching different vacation destinations to take with teens. One of my criteria that I always enter is the word "affordable." I can not tell you how many sites have come up with anything but affordable ideas. However, the articles always go on to say that these trips are great values. Almost all of the trips are overseas to places like London, Ireland, France, etc. It would cost the four of us a minimum of $4,000 just to fly there. I guess I am missing how this would be considered affordable? Maybe there is some special airfare that allows one to fly from the US to Europe for $200-300 round trip? If anyone knows where I can find that price, please point me in the right direction. In the meantime, I think I will go refine my searches.

 

[StitchBuddy]

What type of vacation are you interested? My teenage DD likes the beach, mountains, and big city vacations. We try to keep our cost down to. We can usually get by on 1000-1500 for a week if we drive. Still not cheap, but better than $4000!

 

[LisaR]

What type of vacation are you interested? My teenage DD likes the beach, mountains, and big city vacations. We try to keep our cost down to. We can usually get by on 1000-1500 for a week if we drive. Still not cheap, but better than $4000!

The $4000 is just to get there! Really not a clue what I am looking for. I have a cold and am too stuffy to sleep so I thought I would look around. No biggie but I just can't figure out why so many sites seem to think that going to Europe is affordable. I would love to go there and understand that it will cost me a lot more than it would to drive someplace nearby but "affordable" is just the word I would use.

 

[karice2]

I am a huge fan of Europe. Love, Love, Love it there. Can you tell I love Europe.

Anyway, the costs of tickets to Europe have increased over the past years. I went to London, two years ago and stayed for 6 nights and only spent about $1400, including airfare, hotel, and tube fare.

It depends on the time of year that you are wanting to go as well. The spring and summer months are really expensive times to go. I find that between October and April airfare is much cheaper.

If you have kids it is worth it to pull them out of school. Every street that you walk down in Europe is a part of history.

 

[Mom21]

What do you consider affordable? Last Sept my dd and I went for 8 days to an all inclusive in Dominican Republic for under $1300 including trip insurance and flight from Ft Lauderdale. Try Cheap Caribbean. I've used them several times including the DR trip and a trip to Aruba for my sis and me last year. Now Aruba isn't really cheap. One week all inclusive for my sis and me was $4000, but she paid Love my sis.

 

[J3nn78]

That is because affordable is relative. What might be expensive to you is considered cheap to someone else. No way to measure affordability on a grand scale. It is all individual. You are better off trying to search for vacations within a price range, such as "vacation for family of 4 under $2000"

 

[shortbun]

Europe is being call affordable right now because the dollar is stronger than it's been in a long time. If you can travel midweek, in the spring instead of late summer and use alternative airports otcheck/compare prices. For instance, we are in Combus, Ohio but I'd check Cincinnati, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Detroit and even Chicago looking for a better price. I'd also check various airports in Europe- Amsterdam, Paris, London, Brussels, Luxembourg, Glasgow and so forth with all of the originating points.
Good luck!!!

 

[DawnM]

Just pick where you think you would like to go and research that. Letting the computer decide what is affordable isn't likely to be the best idea.

If you need to travel during peak seasons though, you will be looking at a higher price tag. Summer, Spring Breaks, Christmas, etc....any time the kids are out of school, you will have to pay more.

Dawn

 

[mrodgers]

I am on a UK/Europe based forum for gaming and recently there was a thread about travel. The comment and soon following "American" flaming was made about how surprising it was that statistics say 80% of "Americans" do not have a passport. You try to tell them how much it would cost or mention how our country is nearly as big as their entire continent and there is also plenty to see over here and it gets nasty.

I would love to travel and see Europe, but judging by the attitude on the internet (yeah, I know you can't judge by that...) I wouldn't want to meet anyone over there. I sometimes wonder if they teach "American hate" in schools over there.

 

[DawnM]

That sounds a bit nasty on both sides.....I find that anytime one "group" feels the need to get defensive, it will turn nasty. Just look at any of the teacher threads on the DIS!

I love Europeans, but I love traveling and different cultures and people groups and grew up overseas until I was 18. I was an American citizen but my parents work overseas, or did until they retired.

Dawn

I am on a UK/Europe based forum for gaming and recently there was a thread about travel. The comment and soon following "American" flaming was made about how surprising it was that statistics say 80% of "Americans" do not have a passport. You try to tell them how much it would cost or mention how our country is nearly as big as their entire continent and there is also plenty to see over here and it gets nasty.

I would love to travel and see Europe, but judging by the attitude on the internet (yeah, I know you can't judge by that...) I wouldn't want to meet anyone over there. I sometimes wonder if they teach "American hate" in schools over there.

 

[crisi]

I am on a UK/Europe based forum for gaming and recently there was a thread about travel. The comment and soon following "American" flaming was made about how surprising it was that statistics say 80% of "Americans" do not have a passport. You try to tell them how much it would cost or mention how our country is nearly as big as their entire continent and there is also plenty to see over here and it gets nasty.

I would love to travel and see Europe, but judging by the attitude on the internet (yeah, I know you can't judge by that...) I wouldn't want to meet anyone over there. I sometimes wonder if they teach "American hate" in schools over there.

I've been to Europe several times and have been treated very well - with one exception in Paris 30 years ago (and I was also treated among the best in Paris - a young woman who got off the Metro with me to help me find my destination - even though it wasn't really "on her way.").

So, yeah, you can't judge by that and its probably feeding the fire to mention it. Especially on a thread that has nothing to do with European attitudes towards Americans.

As to affordable vacations, I have to agree that everything is relative. Also, you CAN frequently get to Europe pretty cheap from the East coast. We went to Germany last year for $600 a person - not bad when I consider my last Orlando airfare was $300. We just went on an absolutely lovely cheap vacation to a house on the North Shore of Lake Superior - very cheap because we know the owners - but places like that can be rented for a few hundred dollars for a week and are driving distance from locations all over the country.

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

We're leaving for Italy on Wednesday for 2 1/2 months (my husband is currently stationed there without us). We got flights a couple months ago for under $800/pp. I read an article recently that prices for flights are going up because people are starting to buy them again and they don't need to be so low. Sorry you're getting hit hard with prices. Best thing I've learned in booking international flights (and I've flown at least 10 R/T over the last few years) is to book as soon as you see a decent deal. They're saying flights are going up $5/day or so.

I've only encountered a rude European once and it was on Bastille Day in Paris on the subway when things were just crazy and chaotic. I do find it weird that more Americans don't have passports though. They are a great form of identification and just the norm in Europe which is probably why they think its so weird we don't have them. Also think about how many American's act and feel about so many foreigners coming over... I hear all the time at Disney about the crowds of Europeans etc etc. It very much goes both ways.

 

[mdsoccermom]

In 1998, DH and I went to Spain in June; our flights were a mere $295pp. Then a few years ago, we took our kids. At the time, it cost $2500 for the airfare to 4 of us. We're dying to go back, but now the fares for when we can go are significantly more than that. It kills me because my kids are now 8 and 11 and are really aware of the countries they want to see. DD wants to go to Amsterdam to see the Anne Frank house (which DH and I seen already). We so desperately want to take them and will just have to find a way to afford it because those experiences are invaluable.

 

[pennymom]

I am hoping to get back to Ireland sometime in the next few years, and have seen some trips that are to me 'affordable' through Sceptre Tours. Travel Zoo also emails a Top 20 list of travel deals that has some good deals.... You can sign up for emails newsletters for both of them, and many include air, car and hotel. HTH!

 

[eliza61]

I have been searching different vacation destinations to take with teens. One of my criteria that I always enter is the word "affordable." I can not tell you how many sites have come up with anything but affordable ideas. However, the articles always go on to say that these trips are great values. Almost all of the trips are overseas to places like London, Ireland, France, etc. It would cost the four of us a minimum of $4,000 just to fly there. I guess I am missing how this would be considered affordable? Maybe there is some special airfare that allows one to fly from the US to Europe for $200-300 round trip? If anyone knows where I can find that price, please point me in the right direction. In the meantime, I think I will go refine my searches.

I do think you have to be a bit realistic. You can't get a flight to California for much less than 300 (from the east coast) more less Europe. So $1000 a person to France during the summer is a pretty good price.

I would start with narrowing down what you would like to do. If Europe is in, start searching for prices. I like tripadvisors becasue it gives reviews and prices.

Research it just as you would a disney trip. Once you get a destination in mind you can then start thinking of ways to budget.

 

[eliza61]

I am on a UK/Europe based forum for gaming and recently there was a thread about travel. The comment and soon following "American" flaming was made about how surprising it was that statistics say 80% of "Americans" do not have a passport. You try to tell them how much it would cost or mention how our country is nearly as big as their entire continent and there is also plenty to see over here and it gets nasty.

I would love to travel and see Europe, but judging by the attitude on the internet (yeah, I know you can't judge by that...) I wouldn't want to meet anyone over there. I sometimes wonder if they teach "American hate" in schools over there.

No more than we teach "foriegner hate" over here. Both sides are guilty. Have you ever heard the term "Ugly American"? There is a reason that phrase is popular. Some of us can go over and give "uncle sam" a huge black eye.

I was in Lisbon last summer with my inlaws where a lovely (and I use that term loosely) young couple were literally screaming at the waitress for moving to slow and not speaking English. When I mentioned that they were in Portugal and that the national language is Portugese, they said "Well if they want my money, they should learn some english". Oh yeah, darlin' you are definitely endearing them to Americans. Had they read a guide book they would have found out that meals are very leisurely in Portugal. people take their time eating so a waitress/waiter generally will not stop every 5-7 minutes to check on you like they do here, that is seen as intruding or "rushing" you.

I also think that we go to other countries ignorant of the customs. Every one talks about rude Parisians but I find that they are not rude but very, very formal. they don't speak loud in public and speaking loud on cell phones is a big faux pas, some thing we yanks do all the time especially in inappropriate places (museums).

So buy a guide book and travel Europe, it is absolutely stunning.

P.S. I am by no means an expert, these are just my thoughts after a few trips.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I fly to London this Sunday *YAY* my airfare was purchase on 9/30 *so basically a month out* My total purchase price *incl. tax & fees* was $990 - it's ok my DBF paid he must really love me

 

[LisaR]

I just want to clarify a few things. I am NOT looking to take a trip overseas. Heck, I am really not even looking to take a trip anytime soon. I was bored and sick and decided to google affordable family vacations with teens. I was just surprised that website after website came up with trips to Europe. They continually mentioned how one could score airfare for just under $1000 per person. I thought it was humorous and a bit insane that that would be considered affordable. I know affordability is subjective and I am not arguing the value of a European vacation. I simply find it entertaining that these were the top sites that continually came up. I hope to take our kids to Europe in the next three years. It is definitely something we are planning for and I am sure it will be a fantastic experience. However, I am almost certain I will not say that it was a great deal. YMMV.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

What about some National Parks ~ Arches, Canyon Lands, Bryce, Zion, the Grand Canyon are all really close to each other. You could also head N to Yellowstone on that same trip....

 

[crisi]

I just want to clarify a few things. I am NOT looking to take a trip overseas. Heck, I am really not even looking to take a trip anytime soon. I was bored and sick and decided to google affordable family vacations with teens. I was just surprised that website after website came up with trips to Europe. They continually mentioned how one could score airfare for just under $1000 per person. I thought it was humorous and a bit insane that that would be considered affordable. I know affordability is subjective and I am not arguing the value of a European vacation. I simply find it entertaining that these were the top sites that continually came up. I hope to take our kids to Europe in the next three years. It is definitely something we are planning for and I am sure it will be a fantastic experience. However, I am almost certain I will not say that it was a great deal. YMMV.

As you said, YMMV - for a lot of people who travel regularly $1000 in airfare IS affordable. Affordable is SUCH a relative concept.