Well, I am squeezing one last trip out of the summer – this coming long weekend, I am headed to Tofino! I haven’t been there in a few years, so I’m really looking forward to it – even if we’re only going to be spending one night camping We also plan on heading down to Victoria to spend a night in the city. It will probably be my last time home until Christmas.
It won’t be a cheap vacation – trips to the island never are. But, we will be staying with relatives one night in Nanaimo, camping in Tofino, and then staying at my parents house in Victoria for the other night, so at least our accommodation expenses will be kept to a minimum.
Here’s the breakdown I’m expecting:
Travel expenses:
$76 ferry & 2 passengers (one way)
$60 gas
Tofino:
$25 food & miscellaneous
$10 camping fee
Victoria:
$100 Wild Play ($48.15 x2)
$100 miscellaneous
TOTAL: $371
Wild Play is a high ropes course that we will be doing with Cupcakes and Cash. I budgeted paying for Nic too, since it was my idea. I did it last summer, and it was a blast, so I’m really excited to attempt it again. Other than that, we have a few meals planned with my friends, and a bunch of wandering around the city. Fingers crossed for good weather!
After this trip, I’m kind of excited for my travel schedule to calm down a bit, and to just settle into a more normal routine – with much less spending. To be honest, I expected the summer to be really laid back and inexpensive, but it ended up kind of being the opposite.
Thankfully, the next trip planned isn’t until the end of September for the Financial Blogger Conference in Chicago. I finally booked my flight for $515, which in my opinion, is a pretty decent price. But, it’s still expensive. There were roundtrip tickets for about $375, but all of the flight times were ridiculous and inconvenient. At least the hotel room was cheap – only $82/night, and right at the convention centre. And I can write all of the expenses off because it’s related to my freelance business.
Also, I’m already taking 2 vacation days for the Chicago trip, but part of me wants to take another day off. That way, I can spend an extra day in the city (I only have one full day to explore the city as it is). Because, really, when am I ever going to go back to Chicago?
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Eesh, we just dropped about $400 on what was basically an overnight weekend trip! But so worth it. Gluttony, sightseeing and general indulgence.
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The Island trip sounds like it will be a great getaway. I have been to Victoria few times and love it. Will be a great long weekend. And the Blogger Conference also sounds like a blast!
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Some of the museums in Chicago have free days – I know the Chicago Art Institute is free after 5 PM on Thursdays – so you might check and see which ones are free on the day(s) you have to explore.
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Ahhh, so jealous that you're going on a daytrip with CnC!!! Have fun :)
P.S. $76 for a ferry??? WOW!
Yeah, the ferry is what prevents me from going home often! I think it's about $47 for the car, and then $14 per person. :(
I was wanting to spend an extra day or two in Chicago since, like you said, when will I be there again? I guess it will just be a business trip, but I think it will still be fun. I'm looking forward to it.
$515 seems a little on the expensive side for a plane ticket, but to be honest I've paid more for a last minute Christmas trip. So it's pretty reasonable unless you can go at a crazy time or live closer. I'm willing to pay more for convenience (that saves time) since I view my time as pretty valuable.
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$515 was flying out of Bellingham too, so I still have to drive across the U.S. border. Flights out of Vancouver were between $600-700. Not happy. :( But, am looking forward to meeting you and all of the other PF bloggers! It's going to be an awesome time.
The girl over at Homeowner by 30 (http://homeownerby30.blogspot.com) just posted about "Free stuff in Chicago" if you want ideas on a free extra day and enjoying the Windy city.
Thanks Kiwi Girl, that's me! Chicago was AWESOME! I totally recommend spending an extra day there if you can.
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Awesome! I'm definitely going to check out your post, and I'm definitely considering that extra day. I don't think one day is enough to explore the city!
No worries mate, I always keep up with your blog but my comments are anonymous. Perhaps I'm your only follower from New Zealand?
Chicago? Maybe you should go to Alinea :)
Probably not in your acceptable budget range, but it's on my list. In fact, it's the only thing I know of in Chicago!
*DEAD* That's an expensive restaurant! But the menu looks amazing… maybe one day… :)
I know what I'm going to be doing this weekend: relishing the remaining handful of days until I start spending the next seven years becoming a CA. At least Victoria has the sense to be sunny, despite the fact that it is a wee bit windy at this very moment!
the ferry is so expensive :( even walking on costs a lot.
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Can you believe that I've lived my entire life in BC and have never stepped foot in Tofino?
Yeah, that's just wrong. You need to get out there immediately. It's so pretty! :)
I'd love if you could do a post on personal finance blogs YOU follow … (if you haven't already!). I didn't know there was a Financial Blogger Conference… (I'm a bit new to the game so that makes sense) but it reminds there's a whole community out there!
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Have fun in Tofino! I've always meant to go, it's so close to Van City, but I always thought that it was really expensive. I guess I should've done a little research before coming to those conclusions… It seems that you've found camping at a really good rate. Maybe I should plan my trip :)
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Well I think camping is closer to $20/night there (which is expensive!), but I just put 50% of the cost since I'll be splitting it with my boyfriend. Tofino itself isn't what's expensive, it's that darn ferry! But if you've never been, it's totally worth it. So gorgeous. I love it there!
I camped at Tofino.. it was expensive! But it was amazing! I think I was on Mackenzie Beach. I like Tofino- are you going to be doing any surfing there? I find it overrated. I like Sooke and the surrounding area/ Juan De Fuca area much more instead :)
have you ever camped at Sombrio beach?
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Yeah I camped at Sombrio when I hiked the Juan de Fuca trail last year (or was it the year before?) … anywhere from Sooke up to Port Renfrew is beautiful, but I find a bit too crowded. At least in Tofino, because it's harder to get to, it's a little less crowded. We're not going to do any surfing – it's so expensive to rent!
Jealousy! I loved living in Victoria for a few months, and so sad I didn't make it to Tofino! Also, the ferry from Vancouver to the island was possibly my favourite thing about living in BC. Sounds amazing, have fun!
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Wild Play looks like it would be a ton of fun. Too bad it's only in Canada. :-( I'm sure there's gotta be something similar in WA or OR though. Anybody know?
Jen
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