Taking a frugal European Vacation
Taking a vacation is paramount to your wellbeing whether it be a trip overseas or just lounging around your favourite summer retreat. Downtime for humans is just as important as it is for machinery.
I once read a fable about two woodcutters. One wouldn't sharpen his axe as it became unusably blunt the more he chopped with it while the other would regularly stop for breaks and rehone his blade. At the end of the day, the woodcutter who stopped regularly to maintain his axe had cut considerably more wood then the one who just kept going.
We can often think it's easier to just keep going but downtime is valuable as it helps us reset our focus and gives us more motivation to do the things we do.
Deb and I plan to take a month of and walk, or cycle, our way around Italy (this won't happen until the family is off our hands - long-term goal!). While it's a way off I still like to dream and think how this vacation could work and what are the resources we will need to achieve it.
So I figured that if it could be done on the cheap then we should try and calculate ways to do it now. I read this article at About.com where the author, James Martin, presented a list of 12 frugal tips for vacationing around Europe. These are all good tips but I thought there were a few more that could be made so I've included his 12 and added a few of my own.
- Don't plan a vacation during the World Cup - [My tip] It could be any major sporting or cultural event but at the moment the World Cup held in Germany is probably a good place to start. Unless you want your holiday to coincide with the event it's a good idea to steer clear of the host country if you want to save money.
Economic theory predicts that when supply is surpassed by demand prices increase. When the world decides to land on a particular doorstep prices will always increase.
- Tickets: Save Transportation Cost with Open Jaws - [James' tip] Want to see a lot of Europe? Plan you trip in one direction, say from London to Rome. Then buy an Open Jaw Ticket, say landing in London and returning from Rome.
- Plan to Visit the Cheaper Countries - [James' tip] Cheapest countries in Western Europe: Portugal and Greece, although the Euro and European monetary policies are tending toward equalizing the price differential in these poorer countries.
- When in Rome do as the Romans do! - [My tip] If you only do tourist activities you miss a lot of what the culture is really about. Take a trip off the beaten track and get amongst the people in whatever way this is possible. It may include some less comfortable options for accomodation but it will enrich your experience and allow you to save considerably.
- Transportation: Where to find Cheap(er) Gasoline - [James' tip] Last year it was Spain, where gasoline was frequently found at less than 80 Euro cents per liter.
Compare this with a cost over 1 Euro for many other destinations. (3.79 liters = 1 gallon, so .80 Euros per liter = 2.99 per gallon.) Gasoline in Europe is expensive, but the automobiles in Europe are generally more efficient, so a balance is achieved.
Interesting tidbit: "Compare the price of gasoline ($1.75/gal) with Coca Cola (~$2.50/gal). Gasoline first requires crude oil to be explored and found, than extracted from the ground, shipped to a refinery, refined, then distributed and ultimately pumped into your tank. Meanwhile, Coca Cola is essentially colored, sugared tap water."
- Buy your souvenirs at the markets - [My tip] Specialty souvenir shops expect that you will spend more than you need when purchasing souvenirs for friends and family. If you want genuine reminders of your trip take the time to browse the many open marketplaces that Europe has to offer.
- Cheap Transportation: Train - [James' tip] Italy is still known for its extensive rail network and low ticket prices. If you are traveling around Italy, a rail pass may not net you much savings. Just buy your tickets as you need them at the ticket window or the ticketing kiosks.
- Admissions: Card it! - [James' tip] Most large cities in Europe have discount cards that allow you to visit many museums at a discounted price. Check them out when you go to the local tourist information center--and remember that many have a time limit which may make them less useful to folks who don't want to see lots of museums in a couple days.
- Trains: Trolling for Bargains - [James' tip] When you go up to the ticket window in a European train station, be ready to spout off your destination, whether you want a one-way or round trip, and the departure time of the train you've selected. If you're getting your tickets in advance, ask at the window if there are other trains that might be cheaper that day--you never know. I've saved up to 60% of the price of a ticket just by taking a slightly slower train an hour later than the one I'd originally chosen.
- Renting Cars: Rent or lease a Diesel - [James' tip] Specify a Diesel car when you rent or lease. In many countries, diesel fuel is subsidized, and costs far less than gasoline. It is also widely available, no need to worry about finding it. Many turbo diesels get great gas mileage as well, sweetening the deal. Leasing, or buy-back deals, can also save you money if you're renting for more than 17 days.
- Renting Cars: Rent or lease a Diesel - [James' tip] Vacation rentals are becoming more popular. You'll get room to stretch out and a kitchen to cook in, saving tons of cash over eating out all the time.
- Hotels: Share a bath. - [James' tip] No, I don't mean bathe with someone else, although that can save you money too. There are still some one and two star hotels in Europe with bathrooms down the hall. In many countries, especially expensive ones like Switzerland, sharing a bath can cut the price of a room almost in half. Look for small, locally owned, one and two star hotels or a family hostel. Most of them won't have an Internet presence, so you might have to hoof it a bit to find one, or ask at the tourist information point in or near a train station.
- Eating: Picnic with the help of an Open Air Market - [James' tip] At least once a week most towns in Europe feature a traveling market. Even if you don't have cooking facilities, you can usually buy cured meats, olives, cheeses, roast chicken and pork, and bread, enough for a great picnic and a good way to try the local cuisine.
- Eating: Have your "big" meal at mid day - [James' tip] In countries like Spain, restaurants offer full three course meals, often with wine or beer and coffee, for a set price at lunch time, often for less than 10 Euros. You'll see the notice on restaurant windows. And remember, that price is all inclusive; nobody's gonna add tax, and service is included.
[My Tip] - I would actually advise that you eat the most for breakfast as many accommodation venues include this as part of your standard room rate. Pack a medium sized lunch to carry with you as you tour the countryside and limit your evening meals to cheese and crackers or soup and fresh bread.
- Eating: Follow the Workers - [James' tip] Those guys in the paint-splattered overalls know where to get a bargain. Don't look just for a restaurant, look for these guys wolfing down huge amounts of food--they know where to get it cheap. Don't count on dainty and delectable gourmet tidbits--you're more likely to come away with great mounds of mama's pasta with tomato sauce and a slab o' roast beef.
[My tip] - many "people's" restaurants offer a cheap bottle of wine to go with the meal as well.
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Comments
With regards to point 9 about trains - if you are planning to travel Europe you may want to consider a Eurail pass... Helps you save heaps in train travel!
http://www.eurail.com/
Posted by: Marco - Stock Trading | June 17, 2006 11:44 AM
Another great tip Marco.
Posted by: Stu | June 17, 2006 8:48 PM