Heres how we did it.
Creating the Vacation Budget
Megan and I have long been motivated to travel.
Separately, weve adventured all around North America.
To do so, Megan and I have given up a fair amount.
While they bought new electronics and clothes, we made do with less.
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
Eventually, we had each set aside $4,000 for the trip of a lifetime.
We used sites like TripAdvisor to discover cant-miss attractions and locations.
Friends and family who had previously visited the countries offered insights on their favorite memories.
We made to sure to balance the trip well with historic sites, museums, beaches and hikes.
Likewise, too many hiking days in a row can be draining if youre not in peak physical condition.
We also applied this to driving time.
This method worked for us.
Otherwise, our careful planning and time estimation ensured we never missed a thing.
Prices had been dropping steadily until then and started to climb back up shortly after we booked.
(Note:The study has been updated for 2018.)
We also thoroughly researched lodging for each city we intended to stay in.
To save money, we spent most nights at hostels.
However, hostels are significantly cheaper than hotels and bed-and-breakfasts.
By using our Capital One Venture card, we earned a couple free nights of lodging.
Packing for a Three-Week Trip
Perhaps more daunting than planning a three-week trip is packing for one.
Megan and I managed with one duffel bag each and a couple backpacks.
Anddont be afraid to rewear clothes a lot.
Just bring long-lasting body spray or Febreeze, and voila!
My biggest mistake on the trip was overpacking.
Money-Saving Tips
Megan and I did not plan our trip perfectly.
We made some money mistakes along the way, and at times we felt a little rushed.
However, we also did a lot of things right.
However, many reviewers online lamented that the maps were not always up-to-date.
Most hostels also offer free breakfasts and discounts on day tours or overnight tours out of the cities.
Request a Hybrid
Petrol is more expensive in Europe, and I have a lead foot.
It was immensely helpful to our wallets to drive a hybrid in each location.
Howd we swing that?
We simply asked when making the reservation, and it came at no extra cost.
The country roads of Scotland were rough, particularly in the Highlands.
on the trip, despite stuffing my face with potatoes every meal.
But when I say walk, I dont just mean walk from the car park to your destination.
I also mean you should make walking your actual activity.
We simply divided that number over 21 days and determined how much we had for ourdaily allowance.
Prices for Guinness ran the gamut, but pints were most expensive in the most touristy places.
No Interest Til Almost 2027?
Balance Transfer = Credit Card Cheat Code
