Embracing the Art of Mindful Travel
As I reflect on my recent adventures to Portugal and New York City, I’m reminded of the importance of intention and flexibility when it comes to traveling. With a dream vacation fund in place, I embarked on two incredible journeys with my loved ones, exceeding my expectations in every way. But as I delved into the numbers, I was surprised to discover that my average daily spending in NYC was significantly higher than my international trip.
Breaking Down the Costs
To put things into perspective, I spent 14 days in Portugal and 8 days in New York City, with total costs of $2,776.50 and $2,257.00, respectively. This translates to a daily average of $198.32 in Portugal and $282.12 in NYC.
Getting There
When it comes to flights, I was fortunate to snag some amazing deals. For my Portugal trip, I booked a round-trip airfare from San Francisco to Barcelona, Spain, for $571, followed by a one-way airfare from Barcelona to Lisbon, Portugal, for $89. My return journey from Porto, Portugal, to Barcelona, Spain, cost $93. In contrast, my one-way airfare from Oakland, California, to New York City was $108, and my return journey from New York City to San Jose, California, was $110.
Getting Around
Transportation costs varied significantly between the two trips. In Portugal, I spent $114.50 on taxis, trains, and a hop-on hop-off bus tour. In NYC, I forked out $164 for a JFK Air Train ticket, a 7-Day Metro Card, and a Lyft ride to the airport.
Lodging
Accommodation costs were a significant factor in both trips. In Portugal, I paid $897 for a hotel in Lisbon and an apartment rental in Porto. In NYC, I spent $545 on an Airbnb studio in the Upper West Side.
Food for Thought
When it comes to food, I was surprised by how little I spent in Portugal – a total of $615 for 14 days of eating. In contrast, I spent $560 on food in NYC over 8 days. While I indulged in some expensive meals in NYC, I also made some budget-friendly choices in Portugal, opting for cafes and traditional eateries.
Entertainment and Activities
This is where my NYC trip really took a hit. I spent a whopping $770 on entertainment, including Broadway tickets, a drag show, and a CityPass. In Portugal, I spent $397 on walking tours, private tours, and entrance fees to various attractions.
Lessons Learned
As I reflect on my travels, I realize that my motivations and intentions greatly influence my spending habits. With Portugal, I was driven by a desire to share a new experience with my mom and explore our heritage. In NYC, I felt pressure to make my vacation the best trip ever, leading to unnecessary expenses.
Mindful Travel for the Future
Moving forward, I plan to approach travel with a greater sense of intention and flexibility. I’ll focus on developing a clearer sense of what I want to achieve from my travels, rather than trying to check off every box. By structuring my budget with upper and lower limits for each category, I hope to strike a better balance between enjoying myself and staying within my means.
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