tanking economy & trip planning

Though things economically right now are in the tank worldwide, one thing positive is if you book months in advance, sometimes you can get deals on flights and hotels. So already we booked flights (within Canada) for September.

I managed to find and book a luxury (not that I was actively looking for this quality) hotel in Portland that was offering a bewilderingly good price over a holiday weekend. And just 1 wk. later the pricing went up by $100.00. :o

Can't even imagine our bikes in this lovely turquoise satin draped environment with white accents. Probaby have bike storage facilities down stairs..

SilverSon and SilverDaughter are going to Europe this summer - on their own:eek: - but I'm amazed at how inexpensive the "peak season" airplane tickets are - about $1,100. Makes me want to go...

Oh, I don't think that $1100 is so cheap to go to Europe, at least not from the east coast of the US. I paid $1200 last May and that's the most by far I've ever to go. It was hard to swallow.

I hope the SilverKids have a great time, though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tulip

Oh, I don't think that $1100 is so cheap to go to Europe, at least not from the east coast of the US. I paid $1200 last May and that's the most by far I've ever to go. It was hard to swallow.

I hope the SilverKids have a great time, though.

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Well if $1,100 is 2 round-trip tickets for 2 people to Paris/continental Europe, that's not bad, even if flying out from east coast. I noticed for anyone visiting Vancouver here now, there are some great hotel deals for next few months. Nice hotels. But don't count on tons of snow up in Whistler right now.

I flew to Europe for free.
Well, kinda free.
I bartered with the Army.
It was worth it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tulip

Oh, I don't think that $1100 is so cheap to go to Europe, at least not from the east coast of the US. I paid $1200 last May and that's the most by far I've ever to go. It was hard to swallow.

I hope the SilverKids have a great time, though.

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I agree. I used to fly to Europe for around $700--at most $800--even at peak times.

Hmmm, our last trip, the kids were kids and were $1,100 each on season:eek:

Ahhh, must be the difference between a booming market and a falling market!

DH and I are currently doing the round-the-world thing, seeing as we are both "in transition." When else will we have this kind of time?

Agree with others that flights are not too steeply discounted, but there are definitely vacancies at hotels, at all levels. We are currently at a very nice place in central Java, and there are only a few other guests . . . feels like we have it all to ourselves!

I flew to Scotland between Christmas and New Year's for about $625 roundtrip. That's usually a peak time.

Jackson HOle is running this special, which is pretty incredible considering their lift tickets are $90

http://www.jacksonhole.com/email07/L.../composite.jpg

Jocelyn-are you guys coming to Australia?

If we want to fly back to NZ, it'll cost each of us $900. If we want to go to Europe, i believe we'd be looking at $2k. Now, if we want to go shopping in Singapore..:cool:

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Originally Posted by crazycanuck

Jocelyn-are you guys coming to Australia?

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Only briefly; we will be in Melbourne this Saturday through Tuesday. We figured Oz might be it's own trip someday, but it turns out that there is a Melbourne company that wants to interview DH, so they are flying us down from Singapore.

Where are you?

I'm over here in Perth but like Melbourne for the shopping!!

Melbourne..shopping..mmmmm :cool: Do you like coffee? If so, i'm happy to ask my fave cafe owners (Melbournians) for their recommendations for Melbourne. Oh, also, visit the MCG, if not the most famous sports ground in Aust.

If the bushfire situation in Vic wasn't as bad as it is at the moment, Í would have suggested driving to Ballarat/Bendigo for some Australian history. Same goes for the Healsville wildlife sanctuary.

Good luck to your DH & his interview!

Love coffee, and any recommendations for places to visit. It'll be a quick one, so we'd like to make the most of it!

I think the main objective is to figure out if we'd be willing to relocate.

The bush fire story gets worse every time I read something new. I hope they're able to contain the damage and take care of people.

Thanks for the well-wishes!

k, I asked my friend for suggestions & here's the lowdown.

1-For things to see-The "G" as many know it by. (the MCG) & drive the Great Ocean road. I completely forgot about that one!

2-Coffee-The Brother Buba Budan is the best place (friend is my fave cafe owner & barista plus originally from the Melb area). Others are: Journal, Cantina, Guiseppe Analdi & Sons, Cumulus, Gills Diner & Bar Lourinha.

Thanks for the recommendations! Will report back. :D