Planning for retirement travel
Discussion
Afternoon all,
I still have several years to go before I retire, but that's not stopping me from musing about the sort of travel I'd like to do!
My first thought was to take a chunk of my pension lump sum to buy a "luxury" 2 berth camper (probably second hand) so that we can trundle around the whole of Europe, moving on as and when we fancy it, but my initial research is suggesting that space enough for luxury on the inside may well not be compatible with small enough for little lanes in European countryside (and even worse, some of the cities) on the inside. It would also be a large chunk of cash up front, and I've no idea how we'll these things retain their value, cost to maintain, etc?
Has anyone done the maths on taking this sort of approach over 5-10 years for a month or two at a time vs doing it in a comfy Grand Tourer and using something like Expedia to book hotels a couple of nights ahead?
I'm thinking not only that hotels will be more costly per night, but also that picnics aside, we'd be limited to eating out the whole time, which is a whole extra layer of cost, although Airbnb for some of it is also an option, I guess.
I still have several years to go before I retire, but that's not stopping me from musing about the sort of travel I'd like to do!
My first thought was to take a chunk of my pension lump sum to buy a "luxury" 2 berth camper (probably second hand) so that we can trundle around the whole of Europe, moving on as and when we fancy it, but my initial research is suggesting that space enough for luxury on the inside may well not be compatible with small enough for little lanes in European countryside (and even worse, some of the cities) on the inside. It would also be a large chunk of cash up front, and I've no idea how we'll these things retain their value, cost to maintain, etc?
Has anyone done the maths on taking this sort of approach over 5-10 years for a month or two at a time vs doing it in a comfy Grand Tourer and using something like Expedia to book hotels a couple of nights ahead?
I'm thinking not only that hotels will be more costly per night, but also that picnics aside, we'd be limited to eating out the whole time, which is a whole extra layer of cost, although Airbnb for some of it is also an option, I guess.
Edited by Kermit power on Sunday 21st August 15:47
Kermit power said:
Afternoon all,
I still have several years to go before I retire, but that's not stopping me from musing about the sort of travel I'd like to do!
My first thought was to take a chunk of my pension lump sum to buy a "luxury" 2 berth camper (probably second hand) so that we can trundle around the whole of Europe, moving on as and when we fancy it, but my initial research is suggesting that space enough for luxury on the inside may well not be compatible with small enough for little lanes in European countryside (and even worse, some of the cities) on the inside. It would also be a large chunk of cash up front, and I've no idea how we'll these things retain their value, cost to maintain, etc?
Has anyone done the maths on taking this sort of approach over 5-10 years for a month or two at a time vs doing it in a comfy Grand Tourer and using something like Expedia to book hotels a couple of nights ahead?
I'm thinking not only that hotels will be more costly per night, but also that picnics aside, we'd be limited to eating out the whole time, which is a whole extra layer of cost, although Airbnb for some of it is also an option, I guess.
Have you thought about an inter rail card?I still have several years to go before I retire, but that's not stopping me from musing about the sort of travel I'd like to do!
My first thought was to take a chunk of my pension lump sum to buy a "luxury" 2 berth camper (probably second hand) so that we can trundle around the whole of Europe, moving on as and when we fancy it, but my initial research is suggesting that space enough for luxury on the inside may well not be compatible with small enough for little lanes in European countryside (and even worse, some of the cities) on the inside. It would also be a large chunk of cash up front, and I've no idea how we'll these things retain their value, cost to maintain, etc?
Has anyone done the maths on taking this sort of approach over 5-10 years for a month or two at a time vs doing it in a comfy Grand Tourer and using something like Expedia to book hotels a couple of nights ahead?
I'm thinking not only that hotels will be more costly per night, but also that picnics aside, we'd be limited to eating out the whole time, which is a whole extra layer of cost, although Airbnb for some of it is also an option, I guess.
Edited by Kermit power on Sunday 21st August 15:47
Overnight sleepers + hotels.
PositronicRay said:
Have you thought about an inter rail card?
Overnight sleepers + hotels.
That's definitely on the cards, especially having experienced Spanish AVE trains recently, but thinking it may not lend itself brilliantly to lugging around a month's worth of luggage in your Sixties? Overnight sleepers + hotels.
When I retired, I looked at buying an apartment but frankly, flights and apartment rental are so cheap that you can have several holidays a year and still not run out. I book flight, apartment and hire car and eat out every night and all for well under £1000, substantially less if you know where to look.
Granted, a cold Europe is not really on my list, I'll stick with the sun
Granted, a cold Europe is not really on my list, I'll stick with the sun
Kermit power said:
PositronicRay said:
Have you thought about an inter rail card?
Overnight sleepers + hotels.
That's definitely on the cards, especially having experienced Spanish AVE trains recently, but thinking it may not lend itself brilliantly to lugging around a month's worth of luggage in your Sixties? Overnight sleepers + hotels.
LuS1fer said:
When I retired, I looked at buying an apartment but frankly, flights and apartment rental are so cheap that you can have several holidays a year and still not run out. I book flight, apartment and hire car and eat out every night and all for well under £1000, substantially less if you know where to look.
Granted, a cold Europe is not really on my list, I'll stick with the sun
Whereabouts are you going?Granted, a cold Europe is not really on my list, I'll stick with the sun
Kermit power said:
LuS1fer said:
When I retired, I looked at buying an apartment but frankly, flights and apartment rental are so cheap that you can have several holidays a year and still not run out. I book flight, apartment and hire car and eat out every night and all for well under £1000, substantially less if you know where to look.
Granted, a cold Europe is not really on my list, I'll stick with the sun
Whereabouts are you going?Granted, a cold Europe is not really on my list, I'll stick with the sun
PositronicRay said:
Kermit power said:
PositronicRay said:
Have you thought about an inter rail card?
Overnight sleepers + hotels.
That's definitely on the cards, especially having experienced Spanish AVE trains recently, but thinking it may not lend itself brilliantly to lugging around a month's worth of luggage in your Sixties? Overnight sleepers + hotels.
We had considered a campervan for quite some years, but every time we investigate (including attending the Camping and Caravan Expo!), we draw the conclusion we would rather drive in XC60 comfort and either hotel/B&B or indeed camp....I know 'vans may hold their value, but that up-front cost can pay for a lot of accomodation!
BUT....we have booked 2 months for Interrail next spring....we will travel light(ish), plan to book a few places along the way (for a few days) - they will be opportunities to wash things. Not yet done the deep dive on our plan, or overnight trains (we have a first class ticket - helped by a half-price sale last May!), but we will also consider having some nights in hostels to keep costs down (some have 'private' rooms that ought to suit the *cough* more mature traveller ;-))
We have also booked to head to skiing for a month in January.
Still doing a couple of UK festivals and some time at our holiday cottage (when the guests aren't using it), so that's a broad plan for the next 12-18 months here.
We have just back from interailing. Much recommended. We only did 3 weeks, so had to be very structured. Would love to do to it for 3 months do it free style.
I was very dubious, however pleasantly surprised.
Things to note, seat reservations are an additional cost. German trains are hectic at the moment, however I suspect out of the summer season you'd be fine. High speed trains generally need mandatory seat reservations. Regional trains do not.
I'm sure you could do it cheaper, but it cost us £3.5k for 3 weeks inclusive of all costs. We stayed in capital city's predominantly, however if we did it again, we would stay more rural which I'm sure would lower costs too.
In 3 weeks we did London, Brussels (and Brugges), Berlin, Dresden, Prague, Venice, Florence and Rome. We flew home from Milan.
I'd recommend, especially if time is not a constraint.
I was very dubious, however pleasantly surprised.
Things to note, seat reservations are an additional cost. German trains are hectic at the moment, however I suspect out of the summer season you'd be fine. High speed trains generally need mandatory seat reservations. Regional trains do not.
I'm sure you could do it cheaper, but it cost us £3.5k for 3 weeks inclusive of all costs. We stayed in capital city's predominantly, however if we did it again, we would stay more rural which I'm sure would lower costs too.
In 3 weeks we did London, Brussels (and Brugges), Berlin, Dresden, Prague, Venice, Florence and Rome. We flew home from Milan.
I'd recommend, especially if time is not a constraint.
Kermit power said:
Afternoon all,
I still have several years to go before I retire, but that's not stopping me from musing about the sort of travel I'd like to do!
My first thought was to take a chunk of my pension lump sum to buy a "luxury" 2 berth camper (probably second hand) so that we can trundle around the whole of Europe, moving on as and when we fancy it,
First issue with this idea is that unless you or your spouse has an EU passport you cannot remain within the Schengen area for more than 90 days before you must leave and then not return for another 90 days :-(I still have several years to go before I retire, but that's not stopping me from musing about the sort of travel I'd like to do!
My first thought was to take a chunk of my pension lump sum to buy a "luxury" 2 berth camper (probably second hand) so that we can trundle around the whole of Europe, moving on as and when we fancy it,
Rushjob said:
Kermit power said:
Afternoon all,
I still have several years to go before I retire, but that's not stopping me from musing about the sort of travel I'd like to do!
My first thought was to take a chunk of my pension lump sum to buy a "luxury" 2 berth camper (probably second hand) so that we can trundle around the whole of Europe, moving on as and when we fancy it,
First issue with this idea is that unless you or your spouse has an EU passport you cannot remain within the Schengen area for more than 90 days before you must leave and then not return for another 90 days :-(I still have several years to go before I retire, but that's not stopping me from musing about the sort of travel I'd like to do!
My first thought was to take a chunk of my pension lump sum to buy a "luxury" 2 berth camper (probably second hand) so that we can trundle around the whole of Europe, moving on as and when we fancy it,
Rushjob said:
First issue with this idea is that unless you or your spouse has an EU passport you cannot remain within the Schengen area for more than 90 days before you must leave and then not return for another 90 days :-(
Fortunately it's highly unlikely that we'd consider more than three months away in one go, although it is indeed another of the many and wondrous Brexit benefits to keep in mind. 
We bimble around in one of these:
https://www.hymer.com/gb/en/models/hymer-grand-can...
Small enough to take anywhere in the UK and Europe. Pretty comfortable and drives like a big car. We can do a couple of weeks at a time but often do a hotel every five nights or so for a bit of extra luxury. We've clocked up 9000 miles and about 60 nights in it in the last 6 months.
Good on fuel at around 33 mpg and they hardly depreciate at the moment. We had a big A class motorhome before which was slightly better comfort-wise but was often a bit cumbersome in tight places like Cornwall.
https://www.hymer.com/gb/en/models/hymer-grand-can...
Small enough to take anywhere in the UK and Europe. Pretty comfortable and drives like a big car. We can do a couple of weeks at a time but often do a hotel every five nights or so for a bit of extra luxury. We've clocked up 9000 miles and about 60 nights in it in the last 6 months.
Good on fuel at around 33 mpg and they hardly depreciate at the moment. We had a big A class motorhome before which was slightly better comfort-wise but was often a bit cumbersome in tight places like Cornwall.
While I understand we are all different, I’d rather not go on holiday than drive my accommodation. When we travel as a family, we stay in Airbnbs with washing machines. Most of my friends can’t believe I do washing on holiday, I think they just haven’t been enlightened. I can go for one week, or 100 weeks with the same luggage.
If we are on a tour, we rent a car when needed. We never lug our luggage anywhere. One way rentals are not that bad most of the time. I flew in to Cannes and out of Geneva and the additional cost was fractional.
I just drove to Montreal for a week and parking was $75 for the week in an underground secure car park. The Sonder apartment had 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a balcony that wrapped around the building. I’m not going back to hotels, for more than 2 nights, for holidays.
Having said all that, I do plan on buying a catamaran when I retire (early) and becoming a massive hypocrite.
If we are on a tour, we rent a car when needed. We never lug our luggage anywhere. One way rentals are not that bad most of the time. I flew in to Cannes and out of Geneva and the additional cost was fractional.
I just drove to Montreal for a week and parking was $75 for the week in an underground secure car park. The Sonder apartment had 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a balcony that wrapped around the building. I’m not going back to hotels, for more than 2 nights, for holidays.
Having said all that, I do plan on buying a catamaran when I retire (early) and becoming a massive hypocrite.
Rushjob said:
First issue with this idea is that unless you or your spouse has an EU passport you cannot remain within the Schengen area for more than 90 days before you must leave and then not return for another 90 days :-(
True but you could also get a VISA for more than 90 days. Not particularly difficult for most EU countries. The other aspect I would look at is travel insurance, mostly for medical costs and repatriation.
h0b0 said:
While I understand we are all different, I’d rather not go on holiday than drive my accommodation. When we travel as a family, we stay in Airbnbs with washing machines. Most of my friends can’t believe I do washing on holiday, I think they just haven’t been enlightened. I can go for one week, or 100 weeks with the same luggage.
If we are on a tour, we rent a car when needed. We never lug our luggage anywhere. One way rentals are not that bad most of the time. I flew in to Cannes and out of Geneva and the additional cost was fractional.
I just drove to Montreal for a week and parking was $75 for the week in an underground secure car park. The Sonder apartment had 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a balcony that wrapped around the building. I’m not going back to hotels, for more than 2 nights, for holidays.
Having said all that, I do plan on buying a catamaran when I retire (early) and becoming a massive hypocrite.
I'm confused.If we are on a tour, we rent a car when needed. We never lug our luggage anywhere. One way rentals are not that bad most of the time. I flew in to Cannes and out of Geneva and the additional cost was fractional.
I just drove to Montreal for a week and parking was $75 for the week in an underground secure car park. The Sonder apartment had 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a balcony that wrapped around the building. I’m not going back to hotels, for more than 2 nights, for holidays.
Having said all that, I do plan on buying a catamaran when I retire (early) and becoming a massive hypocrite.
You'd prefer not to go on holiday than to drive to your accommodation, but you drove to Montreal.
There's also stuff about laundries and rentals (cars?). Sorry to seem confrontational, but I genuinely have no clue what you're trying to tell us.
Doofus said:
h0b0 said:
While I understand we are all different, I’d rather not go on holiday than drive my accommodation. When we travel as a family, we stay in Airbnbs with washing machines. Most of my friends can’t believe I do washing on holiday, I think they just haven’t been enlightened. I can go for one week, or 100 weeks with the same luggage.
If we are on a tour, we rent a car when needed. We never lug our luggage anywhere. One way rentals are not that bad most of the time. I flew in to Cannes and out of Geneva and the additional cost was fractional.
I just drove to Montreal for a week and parking was $75 for the week in an underground secure car park. The Sonder apartment had 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a balcony that wrapped around the building. I’m not going back to hotels, for more than 2 nights, for holidays.
Having said all that, I do plan on buying a catamaran when I retire (early) and becoming a massive hypocrite.
I'm confused.If we are on a tour, we rent a car when needed. We never lug our luggage anywhere. One way rentals are not that bad most of the time. I flew in to Cannes and out of Geneva and the additional cost was fractional.
I just drove to Montreal for a week and parking was $75 for the week in an underground secure car park. The Sonder apartment had 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a balcony that wrapped around the building. I’m not going back to hotels, for more than 2 nights, for holidays.
Having said all that, I do plan on buying a catamaran when I retire (early) and becoming a massive hypocrite.
You'd prefer not to go on holiday than to drive to your accommodation, but you drove to Montreal.
There's also stuff about laundries and rentals (cars?). Sorry to seem confrontational, but I genuinely have no clue what you're trying to tell us.
Doofus said:
h0b0 said:
While I understand we are all different, I’d rather not go on holiday than drive my accommodation. When we travel as a family, we stay in Airbnbs with washing machines. Most of my friends can’t believe I do washing on holiday, I think they just haven’t been enlightened. I can go for one week, or 100 weeks with the same luggage.
If we are on a tour, we rent a car when needed. We never lug our luggage anywhere. One way rentals are not that bad most of the time. I flew in to Cannes and out of Geneva and the additional cost was fractional.
I just drove to Montreal for a week and parking was $75 for the week in an underground secure car park. The Sonder apartment had 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a balcony that wrapped around the building. I’m not going back to hotels, for more than 2 nights, for holidays.
Having said all that, I do plan on buying a catamaran when I retire (early) and becoming a massive hypocrite.
I'm confused.If we are on a tour, we rent a car when needed. We never lug our luggage anywhere. One way rentals are not that bad most of the time. I flew in to Cannes and out of Geneva and the additional cost was fractional.
I just drove to Montreal for a week and parking was $75 for the week in an underground secure car park. The Sonder apartment had 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a balcony that wrapped around the building. I’m not going back to hotels, for more than 2 nights, for holidays.
Having said all that, I do plan on buying a catamaran when I retire (early) and becoming a massive hypocrite.
You'd prefer not to go on holiday than to drive to your accommodation, but you drove to Montreal.
There's also stuff about laundries and rentals (cars?). Sorry to seem confrontational, but I genuinely have no clue what you're trying to tell us.
Someone else mentioned luggage, to which I said I pack light and use laundry.
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