Hi there! I made a crazy decision a few days ago and instead of taking a short trip to the US in September, like I said was part of my financial goals for 2013, I’ll cross the ocean for the second time this year, and spend a couple of months in Europe!
I often randomly browse for flights and had been comparing the cost of going to Miami or NY to the cost of a last minute flight to Europe, when I saw a $150 flight from Cancún, Mexico to Madrid, Spain. There was just a slight problem… it was less than 48 hours from that moment, and I need 24 hours to go to Cancún without stress. You have to take a microbus to the Belizean border, cross Belize, cross the Mexican border and take a 6 hours bus to Cancún.
It was doable, but when I told BF who hates last minute surprises, he was not really happy. And in retrospect he was right, that was not enough time to leave arrangements for the house to be watched, the animals to be fed, and most importantly, a substitute to go check with my bureaucrat friends if there is any advancement on my attempt to subdivide our 90 acres land in 100. So I let the offer go, knowing there would be another flight a few days later.
When I saw another one 5 days later I tried to book it, for some reason my credit card didn’t work and the flight disappeared again! Now I don’t have a flight, but like last time may pay the high price and travel from Guatemala City.
Update: I made it to Paris! how and how much is for another post!
Going to Cancún costs about $120 round trip. You have to cross two borders which is the worst part of traveling but otherwise it’s not that much longer than going to Guatemala City. Then a $150 flight to Spain, and a $150 flight to Paris, $300. It is as expensive to go from Madrid to Paris as it is to cross the ocean from Madrid to Mexico because it is a last minute flights and European low cost companies have really high rates at the last minute. Assuming that on the way back you get the same deal, $600. Or a total of $720.
BF paid $1,250 to fly from Guatemala City to Paris, with a stopover in Miami on the way out, and Madrid on the way back, plus $100 to go to Guatemala City, $1,350.
BF is joining me mid September and we are driving my motorcycle to Morocco!!!!! I am so excited I can barely stand myself! He is coming for 6 weeks, landing in Paris, we go off to the South of France directly, visit Bordeaux, the Basque Country, cross over to Spain, go to Santiago de Compostela on the North coast, go South to Portugal, put the bike on a ferry to Morocco, check out the Sahara and the amazing imperial cities, then go back to Spain on the other coast all the way to Barcelona, and up to Paris by the end of October.
As my usual disorganized self I have almost no posts in queue but still have two weeks before BF arrives to find something to talk about during that time, and you can expect some travel updates as well. If you would like to guest post here, on Make Money Your Way, or host the carnival of Financial Independence, just let me know, info at this domain dot com. See you!
What was the last crazy decision you made?
This post was featured on the Lifestyle Carnival, Savvy Scot, Lifestyle Carnival, thank you!
In a lifetime long long ago, I would have done the same thing. In fact traveling overseas at last minute was one of my favorite things. Reading this post brought back a memory of riding mopeds in Cozumel at sunset dodging monster crabs as they crossed the road to the ocean. Enjoy Paris.
Thank you! I used to do that all the time too, now with being a “responsible” adult not so much, it has some fun parts, and the adventure, but I am getting more comfortable with time.
How great! I can´t believe the cheap ticket from Cancun to Spain! only $150?? That´s what I pay just for a domestic flight in Norway! your motorcycle trip sounds absolutely amazing, hope that you´ll take loads of photos to share with us readers:-) Have a wonderful time in France:-)
yep, found it on but it is very last minute so you can’t schedule anything or even be sure you’ll come back for the same price!
My wife and I took a trip to London a few years ago, but it was only for a week. I would LOVE two months to tour around, hope you enjoy your time!
Thank you! Yes it should be lots of fun.
I with the BF on this one I hate last minute surprises especially if it means I have to go somewhere or do something. Cant wait to hear more about that bike trip I know you mentioned to me about you doing this. A couple months in Europe sounds great! Have a great time Pauline!
I know, I could have prepared the thing more, but we toured Europe for 6 months last year with no more plan than “we go to Turkey then North Cape”, and made the road as we went. He is sorta getting used to it…
i was in Morocco in July and it was 48 degrees Celsius – Scorchio !
Make sure you visit places like Essaouira, Marrakech, Fez, and the blue city of Chefchouen – they are al amazing.
The big cities like Tangiers, Casablanca, Rabat are all a bit grubby and best avoided.
Have a blast, Pauline!
Those are insanely cheap flights! I am pricing a round trip to Hong Kong right now and it’s at least double!
I have a window open, working on a post for you!
Who is crazy enough and trustworthy enough to want to deal with the bureaucrats in your absence?
Are you worried the development will be delayed further without your constant attention? Maybe you are just not a worrier.
Sounds like a fun adventure, Pauline! That’s the kind of stuff I would love to do….if I didn’t have kids! =)
Wow, that’s awesome Pauline! I think I’d be tempted to do the same exact thing, especially with a good price. These days, with little ones, we really can’t go all that crazy. Some day, we’ll be able to again though. 😉
I think all of this sounds awesome. I am so jealous!
The craziest decision I made was my decision to move from Florida to Oregon. We came to Oregon on a 2 week vacation and didn’t want to go home. We were calling our friends asking them if they could pack a truck and drive it to us if we paid them, unfortunately there were no takers. Anyway, we went back to Florida for a month and moved. Now, here we are in the great northwest!
Wow, sounds nice, Pauline. I hope you and your BF have a blast (I’m sure we’ll hear lots about the trip)!
Only $150 for the trip from Cancun to Spain is crazy. Great find there Pauline. I hope you enjoy yourself and from your itinerary, I am sure you will.
I don’t think I’ve ever been that adventurous. Every trip we take is planned for a long time. Maybe someday I’ll be more spontaneous!
We decided to go to Ireland with about 3 weeks lead time with a 1 year old. This may not sound like too much of a last minute trip, except we had to get him a passport. We tried to tack on a side trip to Munich to visit some friends (it is a bonus it is also Oktoberfest), but we couldn’t get it done for a price we were willing to pay.
Your motorcycle trip sounds awesome! You better share some pictars on here
Wow, what an adventure! Sounds like you will have a great time! I can’t wait to be able to take last-minute trips around the world. 🙂
Ahhh!! So jealous of your travels. Sounds amazing. Keep us posted with lots of details. I found a flight for $384 from LA to Rio and booked it immediately. Your flight is even better!
Wow! Pauline, that sounds awesome!
Bordeaux is pretty much the only French city in the South that we haven’t visited since moving to Marseille.
Have you been there before? If not, you’ll have let me know if you like it after you’ve been.
6 weeks! Amazing!
You are crazy Pauline, in a good way! Have fun! 🙂
That sounds so awesome, especially the bike trip to Morocco! What an adventure!! I can honestly say that I have not made any crazy decisions in the last year…which really has been good for me because I’ve made too many bad/crazy decisions in the past. Right now I need to be more of a planner when it comes to travel. Super jealous!
Have a great time in Europe! I look forward to your travel updates and I bet it’s nice to get away from all the bureaucracy of Guatemala for a bit 😉
I love the spontaneity Pauline!! I hope you have a great time. I was once like your boyfriend – I hated things being sprung on me at the last second, but lately I’ve found myself enjoying spur of the moment trips. Maybe he will grow to love it eventually. I don’t really have flexibility with work, but maybe someday I will be able to travel like you! Can’t wait for updates and pictures.
Have a great time, Pauline! Sounds like a wonderful trip and I love that you take a spur of moment trip, sort of! Those days are behind me now with the girls but once we retire and the girls are on their own, I look forward to taking advantage of cheap flights, etc. Looking forward to hearing about your trip!
“Hi girls, enjoy your graduation, we are off to Hawaii! We’ve been waiting 18 years for that one so we hope you’ll forgive us! Love, Mom and Dad” Just kidding, I know you’ll wait 🙂
My grandparents used to take my dad and siblings on their small sail boat, around the Mediterranean or along the Atlantic shore for a full month in summer. Kids and improvisation can go together, but it is indeed a bit more challenging.
Very cool! I’m excited to hear about Morocco. I think I mentioned that we were briefly planning a trip there a few years back that feel through, but it’s still one of our top choices for future destinations.
yes, I am excited too! I’ll make another installment of my travel tips 🙂
Trade me places , I beg you!!! Wow!
lol
I\m on holidays right now as well but I’m not travelling this year but next we will go home. The craziest thing I did was fall in love with a Canadian, sold everything I owned including my house, got married and moved to Canada to be with her. It’s been one hell of a ride but I love her to bits and it was worth it.
awww always the romantic! she is one lucky lady and you sure are one lucky guy.
I am off to Paris in four hours and will be in France till Sunday evening. John is joining me for the weekend. Enjoy and we may meet in a bar somewhere; now wouldn’t this be a great co-incidence :).
just PM’ed you!
My wife and I spend three days holiday without kids. We enjoy swimming in the best beach in the Philippines, Boracay. We planned it secretly and we only revealed to my mother-in-law two day before our flight. Because she will looks for our children.
that sounds amazing and incredibly romantic! hope you had a lovely time.
LOL, I can’t remember the last time I made a crazy decision. It’s been WAY too long. Hubby’s not much for surprises either and needs to have some notice before doing stuff. 🙂
crazy and kids don’t go too well either, although sometimes they are more resilient and flexible than adults.
Wow that now is really last minute and you are not going for one week. Have fun. And paying $150 to cross the Atlantic is a big steal. I have done some last minute trips here in the US but when I travel to Kenya I buy my tickets at least 2 months in advance.
Pauline! These travels sound unimaginably fantastic and the subsequent posts ought to be a real treat! Looking forward to it;) Have a perfect parabola Wednesday!!!
Have a good time 😀
so jealous of the cheap price! We must have some outrageous airline taxes because I never see anything that cheap here in the States…
Have lots of fun and remember to post some pics! 🙂
Have a great time! 🙂
You crazy cat! You’re already there. I was so picturing you in Guatemala, and you’re not. Ok, now that I’ve adjusted. The craziest decision I’ve made as of late…um, I need to go do something crazy. I’m on it this weekend, and then I’ll report back.
Hope you’re having a blast!
Hope it was not too crazy! Yes France is a lot of fun, we are off to Mont Saint Michel tomorrow, seafood and rugged landscapes, can’t wait. Hope you are having a great one too.