2014/2015 New Years Trip

Plotting my travel plans for New Years 2014/2015 . . .

I like this travel group, Contiki, and I plan on purchasing my ticket through them. The trip will look something like this:

• Day 1 (12/29/14): Meet in London. Take a ferry past the White Cliffs of Dover. Evening Tour of Illumination and see the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, the Champs-Elysees, and Notre Dame Cathedral. Includes Hotel.
• Day 2 (12/30/14): Cruise down the River Seine. The rest of the day is yours. Optional Cabaret show (80 Euro). Includes Hotel, breakfast, and dinner.
• Day 3 (12/31/14): The day is yours. Includes Hotel and breakfast.
• Day 4 (1/1/15): Catch the ferry back to London; tour ends on arrival. Includes breakfast.

I think I'll fly into London the day after Christmas, arrive on the 27th and wander around for two days until the 29th. After I get back on the 1st, I'd like to stay another two days in the UK and wander some more. Back state-side on the 4th. Three days in France, four days in the UK. When I'm in the UK, I'll stay in hostels. I've used Hostel International before when I went to Hawaii and I was pleasantly surprised with my accommodations. I'll have to put $200 down with Contiki to reserve my place but after I only have to pay in-full 45 days before my trip. So make sure I have all my plans paid for before November 14th. I'll just round and say my deadline to pay is November 1. I will want to reserve my rooms, though ASAP. Hello, tax return!

Me like-y.

Here's the breakdown:

• $515 -- Contiki tour
• $1,500 -- airfare, approximately (if I buy early, there's a greater chance of it being cheaper!)
• $110-$270 ($55-$135/night) -- hostel in London, first trip, 2 days (dorm vs. private room)
• $110-$270 ($55-$135/night) -- hostel in London, second trip, 2 days (dorm vs. private room)
• $84+$105+$140=$329 -- Food: breakfast (~$12x7), lunch (~$15x7), dinner (~$20x7)
• $200 -- Souvenirs and extras

Grand Total: $3,084 (erring on the more expensive private room)

I can swing that in a year, I think. I'll start looking for plane tickets in May and keep my eyes peeled for great deals. I especially like using SkyScanner. They're a great resource for finding relatively good deals. And they send you emails whenever the trip you've got your heart set on goes up or down in price. And they have a phone app. 'Nuff said!

Enough investigating for one night!

Cheers!
LC