| We got cheap tickets to Verona last year and went north. Found cheap-ish accommodations around Lake Garda and up north in Dolomites - it was stunning, and, compared to Switzerland or Amalfi coast, relatively affordable. |
| Also consider Albania. |
Wow, do you realize you are being a huge snob? |
Snobbish and out of touch. Must be nice to have unlimitedp funds, no work responsibilities (unlimited leave too), and kids that have absolutely nothing else going on 🙄 |
I haven’t ever heard any good things about Albania. |
Did your family prefer Portugal or Italy? |
Yes I do. It’s still true though. |
Both are basic. |
I’m a different poster, but we travel to both countries. They’re both great, it really depends on personal preference. I prefer certain regions over others in each country. |
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E Europe will in general be cheaper. Depends also what you are seeking.
I do think though on the whole Europe as a destination is not cheap. But you can always decide to travel modestly. I say not cheap because when I go I want to embrace the ultimate beauty and max my experience and joys of traveling and to really see/eat the best. It's a rich place from that perspective. I mean if you're willing to stay in a bare room with a bed and be outside all day climbing the mountain that's fine but so much of the culture and cities are kind of where it's at. I think personally Airbnb will be better than a lot of hotel prices esp for families. I don't find in general the food to break the bank on a daily basis but eating at a few nice restaurants would really be to your advantage from an experience perspective. Trains are the way to travel and they are really affordable and easy. You really have to go to town in planning when you do Europe on the cheap and it can be done but I would manage expectations if for cheap you want to go to get the most out of the trip. I just don't want to be that uncomfortable on holiday getting from place to place personally. While you arrrive us how you cut down costs but it's going to cost you back and forth to W Europe. |
Not as basic as trying to be original and go “off the beaten path.” I feel like that’s the new basic. |
Nice try but no. |
I'm the OP and this is what I would say as well. I really love the Dolomites. Wife and daughter really love the Algarve. We're mountain and beach and cafe people more than we are museum and architecture people. |
What do you do there with kids? Any particular hotels you like to stay in there? Also how is the food? |
| Spain posters, which areas of the country did you visit, and how did you like them during the summer? Was it super hot, and did your lodging have a/c? |