Just curious to know from those that travel overseas, is it all worth it.

Wife and I are talking about going of to the USA and also Canada next year. The more we look, the more its going to cost. I have now also said whilst we are away we should stop in at Hawaii on the way home.

I have never traveled OS and have great difficulty in justifying $20-25,000 for 4 or 5 weeks. I think, for that kind of money we could buy her a new car and have it for a lot longer than 5 weeks and you will always get something back when you sell it. No matter how long you have it for.

Please tell me your thoughts, Kev

Why waste money on an overseas trip, when you could waste money on a VW, Kev?

[Sorry mate, hope your wife doesn't read this!]

we spent 2 weeks in Hawaii and It was cheaper then going to the Gold coast, The people in Hawaii were great.
next year we may go to the USA in June when all the big VW shows are on .
My friends have been to Canada and it cost them a packet but they loved the place.

it is cheaper now than it has been in a LONG time

Depends what you want in life

If it is something that your wife REALLY wants to do (with you) then do it
Forget the money and enjoy the moment

We are planning a trip soon as well
Not really my cuppa but I reckon I will enjoy when I am there

I think any wife that lets you build your dream car without too much hassle DESERVES a holiday. Just make a list of what you want to see and what she wants to see and mix them together. The thing about holidays is the shared adventure and all the "remember when" stories you will have together. Its not all about the dollar value. I went at 55c to the USD and do not regret a moment. My2c

We (my family) has been everywhere in aus eccept WA and NT, and we have been overseas 3 times..

We honestly prefer to go overseas, its generaly cheaper, and nicer people who appreciate life (singapore, thailand, vietnam etc). My Aunty got back from Canada around 2 months ago, spent upwards of 20g's.... over 4/5 weeks, and said she and her partner wanted to go back anyday. Bang for buck OS is better i think.

jeremy

Kevin I used to think the same way but since I retired I have been on a cruise from Auckland down the coast (before it all fell to pieces)and into the sounds over to Tassie,Melbourne and back to Sydney and we really enjoyed it,i reckon my wife has put up with a lot following the sailing circuit,Nationals,states,touring trophies etc. Organising accommodation,meals,equipment,us reprobates,beers etc was a great feat and she does it well.So I weakened and went with her and really enjoyed ourselves and are going to Canada in 2013,again she has organised this and I will just go along with it and enjoy myself.There are a lot of Very rich people in the cemetery. Just do it mate.

Kev, do it. Definitely do it. And while you are there see everything you can and do everything you can do. Traveling os is well worth it. If you can afford it, do it and do oz later on when os becomes more difficult. Just do your research before you go.

I love travelling overseas but I usually go to Europe or Asia to experience the different way of life there and to look at all of the beautiful buildings they have. Spending that amount for a country that is so similar to ours in so many ways would probably not be top of my list unless I could combine it with some VW shows at the same time. It is all experience though and there will probably be things you love and some other things that you could have happily missed. We had one of our worst experiences ever while travelling at a hotel we stayed at in Milan but we look back now and, while not wanting to do it again, it has become part of our memories and experiences and we are the richer for it.

Yogie

Kev,

A new car will be worth nothing within 5 years but family memories last a lifetime, we did the exact trip with the kids in 99 and we loved it.

Lynn and i off to Europe in April can't wait oh and if you don't take the wife to America how will she ever let you go with Mick and i when we decide to go to bugin in LA one year

My two overseas trips, 5 weeks in Laos, Cambodia and Thailand, came back with more money than I left with! Whilst I stayed in cheap accomodation I did a lot of diving, guided motorcycle tour, drinking and eating good etc. Places up there I was paying less than $10 per night for a basic 2 bed room to myself, other times I stayed in backpackers. A lot of backpackers places also have private rooms as well which can be a good budget option when travelling with a partner.

Our trip to USA came to about $5000 each for 3 weeks inc airfares and accom and food. Shopping money on top of that!!

We save money by staying in cheaper accomodation, never stayed in anywhere that was bad yet, just basic. It's only somewhere to leave your baggage and sleep, the rest of the time you'll be out exploring.

My wife and i did 3.5weeks in the states for around 10k, As others have said, the memories are worth it. Big eye openers when you go to places like dubai and europe, so full of religion and history. I have been to USA, Scotland,Uk and europe... i wouldn't trade it for anything. we had the time of our lives and met some great people. I'd do it all again and spend twice as much if i had the cash.

Cost can depend on how you want to travel too. I have done two round the world flight ticket tours, with 20 stops, and just a backpack and hostels. $100 for both of us per day budget will get you some amazing things to see. We were able to do two month trips for $6000. Plus flight tickets of course.

Well the majority (100%) have spoken and I really appreciate all the replies. Some of the comments were very close to home eg "I think any wife that lets you build your dream car without too much hassle DESERVES a holiday" well said and very true. My wife has been excellent throughout the whole build process.

Also "A new car will be worth nothing within 5 years but family memories last a lifetime" I know you are all correct with your thoughts, its just me getting my head around that amount of money gone in such a short time.

We never know what's around the corner and as said, it will give us many years of conversation pieces and great memories.

Thank everyone, Kev

Its only money

We've been fortunate to travel a lot in our time as we have always made it a priority.....although it is hard to justify from an accounting perspective, the life experience and memories of a trip overseas (or even within Australia of course) will outweigh any pros of a new car. With all the cars we've owned, I don't remember any of them as fondly as the trips we've been on (except when its been part of a travelling road trip!).

Good luck with the decision
Al

Each to their own, so I'm no help, my lady loves going to Europe I have just spent about 2 1/2 months touring across NSW, SA and WA, had a ball and can't wait to do it again though I'll use a different car and take a companion, hopefully my lady if I can convince her.

Tell her she can have the trip only if you can have one more toy.

touring to different places in the world is one of the best things one could do.....once you go you will be bitten by the other bug "the travelling bug"...but 25g's wow.wont need to spend that sort of cash to enjoy overseas......good luck and have fun....

Kev,

Go for it! Travelling and experiencing other cultures is one of the best things in life. Yes holidays can be expensive but are defiantly worth it. Shop around for better deals, they are out there and remember some of the best times can be had not in the 5* places but when you are both together enjoying the adventure.

I toured the US before moving to Sydney and had an amazing time. I'd lived in New York for a year a few years back but seeing the rest of america over the course of a month or two was amazing. I didn't really have the money to do it but i wouldn't have missed it for the world and at the end of the day its only money.

I've only been to canada for a few weeks but it is stunning and the people are amazing. If you go in Winter (northern hemisphere winter) you have to drive to Jasper from Banff......one of the most amazing drives i have ever done. We did not see another car for 6 hours and its just stunning view after stunning view......tip if you do.....get snow chains and clean out your wheel arches every 100K or so or your brakes won't work when you need them!

I honestly couldn't think of a better thing than travelling. As others have said - memories last a life time x

Go create some
Kaz
x

u never never know if u never never go................ great experience. there are ways of doin it cheaper depending on when u go and wot u want. check return rental motor homes etc... la to san fran to vegas sometimes 1$ per day u got u accom n u transport. internal flights can be cheap also check expedia.com and sign up to get the emails great internal deals dependin on u times

we just got back from 6 weeks in Usa and canada,we went last year and will go again next year,fantastic, i can tell you it didnt cost us anywhere near 25k ,just be a bit selective where you stay and what times you do it,PM me if you need a few tips,