FI had just started planning our awesome European HM last week when he found out that the HVAC in his condo needs to be completely replaced. That took a big chunk out of the HM budget (womp womp) so now we need to come up with other options. I would love to hear some suggestions from you ladies!
Our budget is about $3k for everything. We're going in early May 2015, departing from Atlanta, and we'd like to be there for a week. We aren't particularly interested in island or beach resort destinations except maybe Hawaii, but I don't think we can afford that. Any ideas for what might be available in this price range?
Re: Ideas for a $3k HM in May?
For $3k, you're probably going to need to stay in the country unless you want to try an AI in Mexico or the Caribbean, which it doesn't sound like you want to do. But international airfare for two anywhere else will eat up most of the budget.
What are your interests? Do you like to hike? If so, maybe Lake Tahoe or Jackson Hole, both of which are beautiful in the summer. Or maybe wine country in northern California if that interests you? It's an off-chance, but you may be able to get to Costa Rica or Belize that time of year, at a mid-range AI - that's more like Hawaii than the Caribbean because of the rain forests, etc. Luckily, there are a lot of direct flight options out of ATL on Delta, so that will help. Hawaii will be impossible for a full week for two people on $3k - flights will eat up between $1500-2000 and then hotels and food are pricey once you're there. But you do have more than a year to save up - if you can find a way to save a little bit more than normal you may be able to swing it.
I love cities, and I do like the beach, just not enough to spend the whole HM there. I love nature, especially the mountains, although I'm not a very outdoorsy person. Wine country did come up when we first talked about it, and sounds great, I just haven't gotten around to pricing it yet. Also, that's good to know about Costa Rica and Belize. Thanks!
How about a cruise? I'm going on a 7-day Caribbean cruise for my HM and the price for a cabin with a balcony (before any excursions or other extras) is under $2,000. There seems to be a lot of different activities on board and types of excursions, depending on where you go and the cruiseline.
How long ago were you in college? I went to London and Paris with my mom last year in November, and flew your exact itinerary: NYC to London and then Paris to NYC. The cheapest tickets available were over $1100 each. When we went to Italy a few years before our flights were only $600. Flights have gone up a LOT in the past few years. Eurostar between the two cities was about $125 each, and we booked that more than 3 months in advance.
Also, she wants to go in May - if OP can find flights to/from Europe for $800 in May, I'd like her to let me know, because i want to get in on that. It is POSSIBLE to do Europe for a week in May for under $3k probably - but it won't be easy. I think OP's plan is to save that trip for a time when she has more to spend.
Cruises are most inclusive. Extras are sodas and alcohol (You can usually bring a bottle or two of wine on board with you.) tips for the crew (about $22 per day for the two of you) and excursions, which are the big cost. You can have the experience of a foreign country without the expensive flight.
May is usually a bargain month. Talk to a travel agent, or PM me, and I will share mine.
I have been on 17 cruises, and we love them!
http://vacationstogo.com/fastdeal.cfm?deal=35126
http://vacationstogo.com/fastdeal.cfm?deal=13224
http://vacationstogo.com/fastdeal.cfm?deal=35144
http://vacationstogo.com/fastdeal.cfm?deal=37475
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