I like this topic! It is fun to read what everyone's MO is for traveling.

While I scrimp and save in some of the same spots as everyone else, I haven't seen...

SHOES - never scrimp when I know they're going to be taken on my trip for extended walking. I don't go out and buy new shoes for the trip, but whenever I do buy shoes I consider if they'll be travellers or not. If so, I make sure they are all that and more.

CASE BY CASE - If one of us really wants to go to/see/visit/eat something particular, and the trip will not be complete without that, we'll splurge. If it's something we would go home wishing we had done, we do it.

As a graduate student, I don't have much money to spend on trips. So I need to be careful on what I splurge on. For me, I enjoy doing a combination of dormintory style hostels and private rooms with ensuite bath. As far as hostels, I look for female (max 6 to a room) rooms, that offer breakfast, have lockers, and are in a great central location. I am a sound sleeper and like to be able to walk to places easily. You also have the opportunety to meet new people and its easy to walk to places.

I do not splurge on food. If I eat out, its usually no more than 10 euros. Now and then, I may spend 15 euros. I try to find the most economical way to get there. I will spend weeks searching for flights.

However, if there is a place I want to see or do, I have no problem spending money on it (within reason). On my next trip to Italy, I would love to do a hot air balloon ride .

I also have no problem spending money on art or a beautiful souvenier. Again within reason. I probably would not spend more than 100 euros on art or souveniers. And I would need to make some painful decisions on what it purchase. But when you are traveling on a budget, you are forced to make these decisions.

I guess the bottom line is, what are your priorities? What do you need to make a trip memorable?

Andrea

Very interesting topic!!

We will scrimp on hotel/apartment since we feel like we really just need someplace clean with a comfortable bed and a reasonable amount of hot water. We spend very little time in the room so why pay for something upscale, with a view, etc.

We absolutely do not scrimp on food/wine. That's not to say we eat at over-the-top restaurants, it's just when we eat we tend to get the works -- antipasti through dolci. Then there is the wine... we live in a small town and don't have access to some of the wines we can get in Umbria. So while we are there, I'll spend the extra money for that sagrantino (and often).

As far as sightseeing, we do spend $$ to go into museums, but we aren't tour-takers so we save money there. I prefer to just walk around on my own schedule and at my own pace to discover the off-the-beaten path places.

If truth be told, eating is really our "entertainment" in Italy as we enjoy the long lunches and dinners. What can I say???!!! It's one of the primary reasons we go there!!

Thanks, everyone, for all the interesting input. This is great!

OMG, the Coke stories are hysterical. And I admit that I pack a couple of 20oz bottles of Diet Coke in my suitcase so I'll have a stash with me in case I can't get to a store. I'm not a coffee drinker, so Diet Coke is my morning caffeine.

I have to admit, I'm cost-conscious, but not much of a scrimper. To me, anything below a 4* hotel is slumming it (and I realize admitting that on this board is akin to internet suicide ). But I pretty much travel for a living, so I'm used to upgrades and travel industry perks, what's left of them.

But... that said, when I'm on my own, I've been known to have PopTarts for lunch (yeah, I pack those along with the Diet Coke ) so that I can splurge on something else. I have a pair of beautiful opal earrings I bought on a recent trip, and I like to think that I bought them with my PopTart savings (yeah, I can justify anything)!

Ok - here's another one. I bought an Armani suit at The Mall (factory outlets) outside of Florence.

I took the public bus to get there. When I remarked to my friend that it was funny to take the cheapest public transit to buy an Armani suit, she pointed out that that's why we could afford to buy the stuff! So it's all a matter of your own priorities.