Travel to Europe

Bri · 01-05-2008, 07:40 AM

I did not think I would ever get to Italy. I met a teacher who explained that if you purchased your tickets to almost anywhere in Europe in February/March or September/October - and traveled during those same time periods you could go for less than half of the cost any other time of the year. It worked - I bought my ticket with income tax refund money ($500 round trip to Rome from DFW) in early March for a flight in October. Saved my money from March to October and traveled w/tips found on Rick Steves' Graffiti board - 11 days, $1300 total (really!), including all transportation, food, housing, souveniers, and photo processing. I saw Rome, Florence, Sienna and Pisa, stayed at good rooming found on the Graffiti Board. The weather is very good during these time periods and there are no crowds. It was amazingly easy to do with the internet resources available today. Only take one bag and make sure it weighs less than 15 lbs. - getting on and off trains in Europe very quickly is essential and you cannot do it with excessive luggage. I've been back to Europe 3 more times and my trips have all been under $2000 total. One of the real benefits of going to Europe is finding how green Europeans generally are, living much more simply than we do in the States, and enjoying very satisfying lives. That alone is worth the trip.

jaimekristen · 01-05-2008, 07:53 AM

Wow 1300 to Italy! How warm is the weather there in the off months?

I went to Ireland and England on vacation during the first week of February. The flight was only $280 round trip to get to Ireland. Then we took a flight to London for about $80 per person. We were going to go on a cruise but the flights to Ireland were cheaper than the flights to Miami! (Flying out of Boston's Logan airport). It was pretty chilly but the grass was so green! Not like the Northeast in February. It was worth it.

Jess · 01-05-2008, 11:29 AM

Those sound like awesome deals and vacations. I think it was ~$2000 to go to Spain when I went in 2005, but I went with a tour group. But that included airfare, in-country transportation, and most meals.

My next big traveling adventure will hopefully be study abroad

jaimekristen, how on earth did you find round-trip airfare to Ireland for $280?

VaranusK · 01-07-2008, 04:39 PM

Yep, there are good offers nowadays... however, september is becoming more expensive as many people chooses it for this same reason. Still good weather and much cheaper than august.
Most of the times, travelling cheap is a matter of research and not having a fixed destination/time. You may want to go to Rome, but find a good offer for France...

01-05-2008, 07:40 AM	#1
Bri Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Austin TX Posts: 1 Reputation: (10)	Travel to Europe I did not think I would ever get to Italy. I met a teacher who explained that if you purchased your tickets to almost anywhere in Europe in February/March or September/October - and traveled during those same time periods you could go for less than half of the cost any other time of the year. It worked - I bought my ticket with income tax refund money ($500 round trip to Rome from DFW) in early March for a flight in October. Saved my money from March to October and traveled w/tips found on Rick Steves' Graffiti board - 11 days, $1300 total (really!), including all transportation, food, housing, souveniers, and photo processing. I saw Rome, Florence, Sienna and Pisa, stayed at good rooming found on the Graffiti Board. The weather is very good during these time periods and there are no crowds. It was amazingly easy to do with the internet resources available today. Only take one bag and make sure it weighs less than 15 lbs. - getting on and off trains in Europe very quickly is essential and you cannot do it with excessive luggage. I've been back to Europe 3 more times and my trips have all been under $2000 total. One of the real benefits of going to Europe is finding how green Europeans generally are, living much more simply than we do in the States, and enjoying very satisfying lives. That alone is worth the trip.

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01-05-2008, 07:53 AM	#2
jaimekristen Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 8 Reputation: (10)	Wow 1300 to Italy! How warm is the weather there in the off months? I went to Ireland and England on vacation during the first week of February. The flight was only $280 round trip to get to Ireland. Then we took a flight to London for about $80 per person. We were going to go on a cruise but the flights to Ireland were cheaper than the flights to Miami! (Flying out of Boston's Logan airport). It was pretty chilly but the grass was so green! Not like the Northeast in February. It was worth it.

01-05-2008, 11:29 AM	#3
Jess Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 82 Reputation: (20)	Those sound like awesome deals and vacations. I think it was ~$2000 to go to Spain when I went in 2005, but I went with a tour group. But that included airfare, in-country transportation, and most meals. My next big traveling adventure will hopefully be study abroad jaimekristen, how on earth did you find round-trip airfare to Ireland for $280?

01-07-2008, 04:39 PM	#4
VaranusK Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 66 Reputation: (10)	Yep, there are good offers nowadays... however, september is becoming more expensive as many people chooses it for this same reason. Still good weather and much cheaper than august. Most of the times, travelling cheap is a matter of research and not having a fixed destination/time. You may want to go to Rome, but find a good offer for France...