{"id":6297,"date":"2015-05-14T07:00:32","date_gmt":"2015-05-14T13:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/?p=6297"},"modified":"2015-07-23T17:04:10","modified_gmt":"2015-07-23T23:04:10","slug":"guess-much-10-day-european-adventure-cost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/?p=6297","title":{"rendered":"Guess How Much My 10 Day European Adventure Cost&#8230;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>This post is dedicated to all of the accountants out there. \u00a0I also dedicate it those who meticulously track their out-of-pocket expenses. \u00a0I was one of these dorks who manually kept track of all expenses for years with a basic spreadsheet before I discovered <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mint.com\">Mint.com<\/a>. This website has really helped me when trying to manage 20+ credit cards, which would be a daunting task without its help.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_6299\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6299\" data-attachment-id=\"6299\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/?attachment_id=6299\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Pictures-e1431490577111.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"600,400\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Pictures\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Learn How to Save Money on your Next Trip&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Pictures-300x200.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Pictures-1024x683.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-6299 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Pictures-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"European Adventure\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-6299\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Learn How to Save Money on your Next Trip<\/p><\/div>\n<p>It&#8217;s been about a month ago that my wife and I returned from an amazing European adventure. \u00a0We spent 10 days away from work, kids, cell phone service, and most importantly my Mountain Dew (wink, wink). \u00a0Our trip was full of adventure, history, fights with my wife, and delicious food. \u00a0You&#8217;ll see me post more about the trip later to get the specifics, but first I figured you would like a detailed accounting of our trip along with its estimated costs.<\/p>\n<h2>10 Day European Vacation Cost Breakdown<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Clothing: $101.07<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_6300\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6300\" data-attachment-id=\"6300\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/?attachment_id=6300\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/10-Keukenhof-108.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"960,960\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 5s&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1428238501&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;2.15&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;64&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00833333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"10 Keukenhof (108)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/10-Keukenhof-108-300x300.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/10-Keukenhof-108.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-6300 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/10-Keukenhof-108-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"10 Keukenhof (108)\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/10-Keukenhof-108-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/10-Keukenhof-108-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/10-Keukenhof-108.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-6300\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">I bought this sweater at H&amp;M<\/p><\/div>\n<p>On almost all trips we end up buying clothes. \u00a0This time we were both freezing as we had expected warmer weather.<\/p>\n<p>This turned into a few trips to H&amp;M to buy sweaters, scarves, hats, and a few other items. \u00a0My wife picked out a pair of really tight pants from Zara, which I struggled with initially, but after window watching for 20 minutes I realized that it would help me to fit in better.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Entertainment: $506.75<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This is a broad category that included museums, Eiffel Tower, Medieval Castles, flower gardens, and\u00a0more cool stuff.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Food: $608.17<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We tried eating from grocery stores <strong>(I love spending time in grocery stores in foreign countries)<\/strong> as often as possible to keep these costs down. \u00a0Shopping like a local gives you healthier choices as you eat a more local fare this way. \u00a0On various occasions our lunch was comprised of meat, cheese, fruit, french bread (WOW), chocolate, and water. \u00a0It can take a serious hack from your budget when traveling if you can eat like this.<\/p>\n<p>On a couple of occasions we spent over $50 on meals, and once we dang near spent $75 on a three-course meal in Paris. \u00a0It lasted two hours, and was a great way to relax and reminisce our last night in Paris. \u00a0We talked about life, kids, goals, and so much more. \u00a0It is nice to sit down to a meal every once in a while when you&#8217;re not forced to leave because the server kicks you out of your seat.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Hotels: $324.95<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_6301\" style=\"width: 235px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6301\" data-attachment-id=\"6301\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/?attachment_id=6301\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/4.2-Paris-Night-2-31-e1431490977397.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"2448,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.2&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 5s&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1427998640&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;4.15&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;160&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;6&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"4.2 Paris Night 2 (31)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Park Hyatt Vendome&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/4.2-Paris-Night-2-31-e1431490977397-225x300.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/4.2-Paris-Night-2-31-e1431490977397-768x1024.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-6301\" src=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/4.2-Paris-Night-2-31-e1431490977397-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"European Trip\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/4.2-Paris-Night-2-31-e1431490977397-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/4.2-Paris-Night-2-31-e1431490977397-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-6301\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Park Hyatt Vendome-This place would have cost $700 per night<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Our most expensive hotel was $100. \u00a0That means we spent $224 on the other 9 nights of the trip. \u00a0We stayed in some of the most luxurious hotels I&#8217;ve ever seen and <strong>paid less than most people pay at Motel 6.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Most hotels didn&#8217;t include a continental breakfast, but we usually would grab a <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pain_au_chocolat\">pan au chocolat<\/a> on the run to our first stop of the day and grab a Nutella crepe before noon. \u00a0Did I mention we ate stuff with <strong>chocolate<\/strong>?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Souvenirs: $140.84<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You&#8217;ve got to spend a few dollars in this category. \u00a0We aren&#8217;t huge souvenir people, but it is nice to have something special to sit on the shelf. \u00a0I prefer pictures and memories the most, but will occasionally spring for something sweet that sits on my shelf.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Travel Expenses: $803.15<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Here includes train tickets, car rental, airfare, metro, parking fees, and tolls.<\/p>\n<h2>Grand Total: $2,484.93<\/h2>\n<p>But wait, it gets even better from here. \u00a0We&#8217;ve talked about the power of the Barclaycard Arrival in the past in a number of posts. \u00a0Check a couple of them out here:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a title=\"Reasons to Get the Barclaycard Arrival\" href=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/2013\/05\/24\/reasons-to-get-the-barclaycard-arrival\/\">\u00a0Reasons to Get the Barclaycard Arrival<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"Eight Great Uses for the Barclaycard Arrival\" href=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/2013\/05\/29\/top-8-best-uses-for-the-barclaycard-arrival\/\">Eight Great Uses for the Barclaycard Arrival<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"How to Redeem your Barclaycard Arrival Plus Points\" href=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/2014\/05\/22\/redeem-barclaycard-arrival-plus-points\/\">How to Redeem Points From Your Barclaycard Arrival<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>I picked up this card about a year ago and had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to spend these points to basically erase some of the travel expenses. \u00a0The card comes with a bonus that will erase up to $400 in expenses. \u00a0Somehow over the year I was able to accrue enough points to offset an additional $210.19, which saved me a total of $610.19.<\/p>\n<h3>$2,484 (Total Expenses)<\/h3>\n<h3>($610.19) Barclaycard Arrival Credits<\/h3>\n<h3><strong>$1,874.74 Net Cost for the\u00a0European Adventure<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_6302\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6302\" data-attachment-id=\"6302\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/?attachment_id=6302\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/4.2-Paris-Night-2-9-e1440458886831.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"4608,1140\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D3100&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1427981424&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;55&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;3200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"4.2 Paris Night 2 (9)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;You&#8217;ve got to love the Eiffel Tower&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/4.2-Paris-Night-2-9-e1440458886831-300x74.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/4.2-Paris-Night-2-9-e1440458886831-1024x253.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-6302\" src=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/4.2-Paris-Night-2-9-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Paris\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-6302\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">You&#8217;ve got to love the Eiffel Tower<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>How Much Did I Really Save?<\/h2>\n<p>Honestly, it is hard to tell, but realistically I probably would have shelled out the following in addition to my measly $1800.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Arrival $610<\/li>\n<li>Airfare $2000<\/li>\n<li>Hotel \u00a0 \u00a0$1200<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3><strong>Total \u00a0 \u00a0 $3810<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Saving dang near 2\/3 of the cost on a vacation is awesome!! \u00a0I&#8217;m here to tell you that you can enjoy the vacation WAY more when\u00a0you know you&#8217;re not going broke.<\/p>\n<p>The BEST part about this is you can replicate almost exactly what I did. \u00a0Oh, so you don&#8217;t dream of Parisian Nutella Crepes? Fine. \u00a0You can use these same principles to take you to the top of Machu Picchu. Oh, you hate mountain climbing? \u00a0No worries, spend a week on a warm beach somewhere with a Pina colada.<\/p>\n<p>Wait for an upcoming post that details how I was able to swing deals like this, and how you can do the same.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This post is dedicated to all of the accountants out there. \u00a0I also dedicate it those who meticulously track their out-of-pocket expenses. \u00a0I was one of these dorks who manually kept track of all expenses for years with a basic &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/?p=6297\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6302,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[1051,601,16,603],"tags":[1858,1296,480,1857,1538,1856,1801,1861,1295,1860,80,1859,220],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/4.2-Paris-Night-2-9-e1440458886831.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1DhXV-1Dz","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6297"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6297"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6297\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6302"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6297"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6297"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6297"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}