Expensive Holiday

I spend an extraordinarily high percentage of my disposable income (and free time) travelling. Even though I travel a lot for work also.

And I am mightily glad that I do!

Travel - the only thing you spend money on that makes you richer*

At least one trip per year which is worthy of making a photobook about

2012 - Chile / Easter Island 

2013 - Greenland

2014 - Kilimanjaro / Serengeti

2015 - Beijing/Xi-an/Guangzhou/Shanghai, (I work a lot in China - at least four times per year, but this time I did the tourist stuff for 2 weeks extra) and Madeira

2016 - Madagascar, and Georgia (wine/work, but fascinating. Tbilisi - one of the world's great cities)

2017 - Australia / Dubai - more China

2018 - Argentina and Patagonia (February - can't wait)

2019 - Buhtan, Nepal, Tibet, other Far East. Already planning. 

Also on list in head : Peru/Ecuador/Bolivia, Svalbard, more Far East (inexhaustible), Alaska, Antarctica. New Zealand

Plus, I live somewhere other people come on holiday.

Rather do this than exchange the small flat for a big(ger) house, which seems to be the alternative. I have no regrets, but also no children (which might help!)

*Although also books, music, wine and lots of other things, but it's a good aphorism

winkyincanada posted:

count.d posted:

Kevin Richardson posted:

count.d posted:

Given that we're all relatively average here (no Branson's lurking in the background), 15,000 euro is a ludicrous amount of money for 20 days entertaining imo. 750 euro per day? I'd want to be flying in a Spitfire for that amount. I'd sooner enjoy every day of my life rather than waste it in one blast. Las Vegas is a dump and to spend money just to say "I've seen it" is not my cuppa.

Kind of sad worldview. Many of my fondest memories of my youth relate to trips taken with my family. Some of the best memories I have with my kids are the trips we've taken together.

Many of my fondest memories relate to trips with my family, but they didn't (or need to) cost 15,000 euro. As Winky has said, there are many ways to properly experience the world without forking out loads of dosh to superficially enjoy yourself.

My comments had nothing to do with the cost, but rather the notion that a significant portion of the trip would be spent driving.

"experiences can be diminished by the "opportunity cost". A fabulous meal in a great restaurant can be less-than-enjoyable if the cost is too high"

Nothing to do with cost? 

count.d posted:

winkyincanada posted:

count.d posted:

Kevin Richardson posted:

count.d posted:

Given that we're all relatively average here (no Branson's lurking in the background), 15,000 euro is a ludicrous amount of money for 20 days entertaining imo. 750 euro per day? I'd want to be flying in a Spitfire for that amount. I'd sooner enjoy every day of my life rather than waste it in one blast. Las Vegas is a dump and to spend money just to say "I've seen it" is not my cuppa.

Kind of sad worldview. Many of my fondest memories of my youth relate to trips taken with my family. Some of the best memories I have with my kids are the trips we've taken together.

Many of my fondest memories relate to trips with my family, but they didn't (or need to) cost 15,000 euro. As Winky has said, there are many ways to properly experience the world without forking out loads of dosh to superficially enjoy yourself.

My comments had nothing to do with the cost, but rather the notion that a significant portion of the trip would be spent driving.

"experiences can be diminished by the "opportunity cost". A fabulous meal in a great restaurant can be less-than-enjoyable if the cost is too high"

Nothing to do with cost? 

At one time I lived near an extremely good restaurant, but also very expensive. The price, to me, was totally worth it because the food was exemplary, as were the surroundings, the atmosphere, the service, the (unseen) attention - detail and everything else. I never regretted a single moment or penny of the rather large number it had cost going there. My worst ever restaurant experience was at a restaurant  that was rated locally as the best restaurant in town (a different town). It was all snazz and high fashion, the food was pleasant enough, but not special, and though the cost was similar, the whole experience made me feel they were milking the customers for all they could get, and I wished we’d gone to the old Italian round the corner that was a fifth of the price - instead of remembering a superb time, all I remember is feeling ripped off. The first place I went to at least a dozen times over a few years. The other one I never went back to, and have taken care since to avoid another restaurant opened by the same people.

So, indeed, cost does not come into it directly - too high is simply relative. And the same goes for holidays.

count.d posted:

winkyincanada posted:

count.d posted:

Kevin Richardson posted:

count.d posted:

Given that we're all relatively average here (no Branson's lurking in the background), 15,000 euro is a ludicrous amount of money for 20 days entertaining imo. 750 euro per day? I'd want to be flying in a Spitfire for that amount. I'd sooner enjoy every day of my life rather than waste it in one blast. Las Vegas is a dump and to spend money just to say "I've seen it" is not my cuppa.

Kind of sad worldview. Many of my fondest memories of my youth relate to trips taken with my family. Some of the best memories I have with my kids are the trips we've taken together.

Many of my fondest memories relate to trips with my family, but they didn't (or need to) cost 15,000 euro. As Winky has said, there are many ways to properly experience the world without forking out loads of dosh to superficially enjoy yourself.

My comments had nothing to do with the cost, but rather the notion that a significant portion of the trip would be spent driving.

"experiences can be diminished by the "opportunity cost". A fabulous meal in a great restaurant can be less-than-enjoyable if the cost is too high"

Nothing to do with cost? 

You're conflating two different posts. My preference to not drive has nothing to do with the cost of driving. But cost matters, whether buying stuff, or buying experiences.

"You're conflating two different posts"

Yes I can do that, it shows I'm diverse. Richard likes that on his forum.

rodwsmith posted:

I spend an extraordinarily high percentage of my disposable income (and free time) travelling. Even though I travel a lot for work also.

And I am mightily glad that I do!

Travel - the only thing you spend money on that makes you richer*

At least one trip per year which is worthy of making a photobook about

2012 - Chile / Easter Island 

2013 - Greenland

2014 - Kilimanjaro / Serengeti

2015 - Beijing/Xi-an/Guangzhou/Shanghai, (I work a lot in China - at least four times per year, but this time I did the tourist stuff for 2 weeks extra) and Madeira

2016 - Madagascar, and Georgia (wine/work, but fascinating. Tbilisi - one of the world's great cities)

2017 - Australia / Dubai - more China

2018 - Argentina and Patagonia (February - can't wait)

2019 - Buhtan, Nepal, Tibet, other Far East. Already planning. 

Also on list in head : Peru/Ecuador/Bolivia, Svalbard, more Far East (inexhaustible), Alaska, Antarctica. New Zealand

Plus, I live somewhere other people come on holiday.

Rather do this than exchange the small flat for a big(ger) house, which seems to be the alternative. I have no regrets, but also no children (which might help!)

 

*Although also books, music, wine and lots of other things, but it's a good aphorism

 

Excellent post. 100% Agree.

One of the nice things about travel is once you buy it, it can never be repossessed; the experiences are yours forever.

And I know more than a few "house poor" people, which as Rod points out is often the trade off.

rodwsmith posted:

I spend an extraordinarily high percentage of my disposable income (and free time) travelling. Even though I travel a lot for work also.

And I am mightily glad that I do!

Travel - the only thing you spend money on that makes you richer*

At least one trip per year which is worthy of making a photobook about

2012 - Chile / Easter Island 

2013 - Greenland

2014 - Kilimanjaro / Serengeti

2015 - Beijing/Xi-an/Guangzhou/Shanghai, (I work a lot in China - at least four times per year, but this time I did the tourist stuff for 2 weeks extra) and Madeira

2016 - Madagascar, and Georgia (wine/work, but fascinating. Tbilisi - one of the world's great cities)

2017 - Australia / Dubai - more China

2018 - Argentina and Patagonia (February - can't wait)

2019 - Buhtan, Nepal, Tibet, other Far East. Already planning. 

Also on list in head : Peru/Ecuador/Bolivia, Svalbard, more Far East (inexhaustible), Alaska, Antarctica. New Zealand

Plus, I live somewhere other people come on holiday.

Rather do this than exchange the small flat for a big(ger) house, which seems to be the alternative. I have no regrets, but also no children (which might help!)

 

*Although also books, music, wine and lots of other things, but it's a good aphorism

 

My wife and I spent a week on Easter Island. Hands down the coolest place I've ever visited. if it were possible, I'd sell everything and live out the rest of my life on that tiny island. Unfortunately (for me but good for them)  only Rapanui are allowed to own land on the island.

Maybe I can do one of those 99 year land leases. ????

Kevin Richardson posted:

 

My wife and I spent a week on Easter Island. Hands down the coolest place I've ever visited. if it were possible, I'd sell everything and live out the rest of my life on that tiny island. Unfortunately (for me but good for them)  only Rapanui are allowed to own land on the island.

Try holidaying further from the tropics - Alaska perhaps, or Iceland, etc: very cool in winter 

Innocent Bystander posted:

Kevin Richardson posted:

 

My wife and I spent a week on Easter Island. Hands down the coolest place I've ever visited. if it were possible, I'd sell everything and live out the rest of my life on that tiny island. Unfortunately (for me but good for them)  only Rapanui are allowed to own land on the island.

Try holidaying further from the tropics - Alaska perhaps, or Iceland, etc: very cool in winter 

I spent six months in Alaska after I finished school. Iceland is on our bucket list.