Affordable Summer Travel?

[skymama 37]

I want to celebrate my 40th birthday this summer by traveling overseas. I've been poking around travel sites and it seems the summer is the most expensive time to travel across the pond (just my luck!). Does anyone know of any good travel bargains for the summertime or have a suggestion for an interesting place to go? I've been mostly looking at European locals, but I'm open to most anything that's interesting and fun. Skydiving won't be a part of this trip and I want to find a place that has plenty to do and see. I don't just want to lie around on a beach somewhere, I can do that here in FL!

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[usskydiver 0]

I heard on the news that Delta was cutting their prices. I don't know if it applies to intl travel though. You may want to wait a week or 2 and see if it does.

Tim

[freeflir29 0]

One of the regular jumpers at SD Atlanta is headed to Costa Rica to work at an Adventure Vacation resort. They'll have LOTS to do there. You can see the rain forest and some of the other natural wonders down there. Fairly cheap too considering the price of the Euro these days.

[tigra 0]

Will you be spending a couple of weeks? Personally, I don't think Europe is worth it for less than 2 weeks since you literally lose a day or more each way for travel between the time difference and length of the flight(s). That said, look at a couple of different airlines and more than one destination. It might be cheaper to fly into Switzerland even if you want to go to Germany or France- enough of a difference to make it worthwhile to rent a car or take a train where you really want to go. (just tossing that out there- I haven't priced it out.....)

Just as an example, when I went to Europe many years ago, I got a good deal flying Iceland air into Luxenburg with a short stop in Rekjavik. From Luxenburg, I took a small plane into Paris and if I remember correctly, it was a lot cheaper to go that way than flying directly into Paris.

Keep reading the travel section of your local paper- you'll find some place that intrigues you!

[mouth 0]

So, are you wanting to go with someone (planned group) or solo?

--
Hot Mama
At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit.

[racer42 0]

Alaska or the Canadian Maritime Provinces.

How bout south? I hear Chile is a real adventure spot...course it will be winter during summer.

L.A.S.T. #24
Co-Founder Biscuit Brothers Freefly Team
Electric Toaster #3
Co-Founder Team Non Sequitor
Co-Founder Team Happy Sock

[pimpin8ez 0]

If you can stand the heat, the Mayan Riviera in Mexico is beautiful, interesting and affordable...Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, and yes...Cancun.

"I poop too much...and then I get tired." -Beavis

[mailin 0]

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the Mayan Riviera in Mexico is beautiful, interesting and affordable...Tulum, Playa del Carmen,

I second this! And since its a resort type of area, they have specials running ALL the time.

Good luck

Jen

Arianna Frances

[tigra 0]

It would be easy to find a deal for Mexico that time of year, but Andrea said she didn't really want a beach vacation!

[Deuce 1]

My England/Scotland trip wasn't all that bad. The Britrail pass was pretty cheap, and there's no need for a car at all in London.

Of course, I spent the first week with my family in hotels I got discounts on from a generous british skydiver, and the second week I stayed on Skreamer's couch and ate his peanut butter while watching "Big Brother".

I still can't believe the Portuguese, uh, contestant won.



Just go to South Africa and make Sangiro sleep on his couch while you take the pile of animal furs in the trophy room he usually sleep on.

[Stacy 0]

go to venice. if i could go anywhere, that's where i'd go. take pictures for me.

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[skymama 37]

Thanks for all the suggestions! Hmmm...

Italy is very high up on my list of places I'd want to go, but I think I'd be traveling at the most expensive time to go. I mean, isn't the summer the best time to go to Europe so they raise the prices on everything?

Costa Rica...now, that's an interesting suggestion. I never would have considered it before until so many people on here said it's a great vacation. I'll have to read that other thread again.

Canada...I guess I'm not familiar with the Maritime region enough to know I'd want to go there. What's good about it?

Mexico...nah, I think I'll pass on the hot beaches. Like I said, I have that here!

England is definitely still on the list but I'm not sure about Skreamer's couch!

Mouth...my boyfriend did say he would go with me. But, I also want to do something with my skydiving friends on my actual birthday weekend (June 11-12). Got any suggestions? Do any women want to get together for a fun chick weekend?

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[wmw999 2,537]

It's not really what you were looking for necessarily, but a Windjammer Barefoot Cruise might be just the ticket.

You sail from port to port (these ships are small, so they go lots of places that the bigger ones can't) at night, then go to little islands in the Caribbean during the daytime and look at stuff, or go snorkeling, or whatever.

Free swizzlers (rum drink) during happy hour on the boat. Plenty of food, "formal night" means a clean T-shirt. You get to watch all the well-built men handle the sails. If you're traveling with a guy, he can help handle the sails so you can admire him too. Or you can help handle them yourself if you want to...

I went on one during the solar eclipse in 1998. It was one of the best vacations of my life. I got to see an erupting volcano, a whale, an eclipse, Carnival on St. Barths, a nude beach, a batik factory, one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen, and a whole lotta other stuff.

You have to fly to one of the islands to get on the shp in the first place, so there is that cost. But, again, you're going to islands that the bigger ships never even touch. You can even dive off the gangplank sometimes...

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[tigra 0]

I actually think spring or early fall are the best times to go to Europe. Italy can get awfully hot in the summer. My girlfriends went last October, however, and it was cold, but I don't think that's typical. When I was in Europe it was almost 20 years ago, and I found most of Italy to be hot and dirty! But I was young and broke and we saw 3 cities in 3 days- not exactly ideal travel conditions. (Plus it was August!) I've always wanted to give it another chance, but I wouldn't go back in the summer.

What about the Netherlands? Amsterdam? Great weather in the summertime, very clean and friendly, and you won't have any problems finding people who speak English.

England/Ireland/ Scotland? If you don't mind it being cold and rainy most of the time, they're fine. Great affordable theatre in London too!

[Jib 0]

I wandered around Europe from August to November.
late August was nice in Scotland
few tourists around in the fall, which was nice

--------------------------------------------------
the depth of his depravity sickens me.
-- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt

[mouth 0]

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I also want to do something with my skydiving friends on my actual birthday weekend (June 11-12). Got any suggestions? Do any women want to get together for a fun chick weekend?

I'll play just tell me when and where. I'll evn pull out the FF suit. All I can do is sit but I'll sit and fly video from outside.

--
Hot Mama
At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit.

[VanillaSkyGirl 6]

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But, I also want to do something with my skydiving friends on my actual birthday weekend (June 11-12). Got any suggestions? Do any women want to get together for a fun chick weekend?

Andrea, I'd love to get together with you on your birthday weekend. (My birthday is close ~ the 19th of June.) We don't have to skydive, if you'd rather travel and explore new places. Let me know what you'd like to do.
Edited: YAY, Mouth is also going!!!

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[gordy 0]

Put Scotland into that list, the weather would definetly be different for you, there is loads to see, castles etc.....oh and the pubs are great! .....and if you really want you can head down south to visit the other half, if you really want

[skymama 37]

I would love to celebrate with you and Rosa and whoever else wants to come play! Do we want to skydive or take a little trip somewhere and have fun and try to stay out of jail?

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[mouth 0]

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I would love to celebrate with you and Rosa and whoever else wants to come play! Do we want to skydive or take a little trip somewhere and have fun and try to stay out of jail?

I'm game for anything. Any ideas for a spa/winery? Oh, and we may should have people on call to bail us out just in case.

--
Hot Mama
At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit.

[VanillaSkyGirl 6]

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I would love to celebrate with you and Rosa and whoever else wants to come play! Do we want to skydive or take a little trip somewhere and have fun and try to stay out of jail?

I'm game for anything. Any ideas for a spa/winery? Oh, and we may should have people on call to bail us out just in case.

[mouth 0]

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I would love to celebrate with you and Rosa and whoever else wants to come play! Do we want to skydive or take a little trip somewhere and have fun and try to stay out of jail?

I'm game for anything. Any ideas for a spa/winery? Oh, and we may should have people on call to bail us out just in case.

You girls are scaring me! Lil ole us...get into trouble?

[Remster 30]

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I would love to celebrate with you and Rosa and whoever else wants to come play! Do we want to skydive or take a little trip somewhere and have fun and try to stay out of jail?

I'm game for anything. Any ideas for a spa/winery? Oh, and we may should have people on call to bail us out just in case.

You girls are scaring me! Lil ole us...get into trouble?

Only on days that end with a "y"

[AggieDave 6]

You could save a little bit of money by driving to France instead of flying, but it adds a couple of days travel to your trip.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[skymama 37]

I've been looking at the Euro train that you can take to different countries. Has anyone gone on that? Pros or cons? I've never gone on a train before.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon