Ha! I love this! Great story to illustrate my marshmallow and money article. (Thanks for linking, by the way.)

I haven’t been to either DC or Egypt yet, either. But I know what I’d do…

I’d satisfy my “sweet” tooth with a little snack now, but hold off for the delicious Eygptian pyramid of marshmallows next year.

Since Egypt sounds awesome, I’d delay gratification. BUT, I’d take a little cheap getaway now, too– close to home. I’d pick a place I could drive to, or I’d even act as a tourist in my own hometown.

Whatever you decide, have a blast!

This is making me laugh, because I am from Wash DC and am living now in Israel. It was my dream to go to Egypt and see the pyramids, but I have put it off and may not get to go before leaving again for the US. I did see Petra in Jordan (and the Sinai in Egypt). I know a lot of people who have been to Cairo and the pyramids (I’m a student here at an international school) so have mixed feelings. Some of my friends who have gone have really hated it. You have to bargain all the time, and then the price is changed on you anyway, it’s noisy, dirty, and the romantic image you may have of the pyramids won’t quite be fulfilled.

On the other hand, your trip plan sounds like a lot of fun. That is what I would like to do, go with a group to get some shield from all the arguing with taxi drivers and tour guides, and have a guide to understand all the sights. Unfortunately my husband is only prepared for a more frugal version. Since he is usually really stressed out from his job, it is hard to get enthused for a stressful vacation.

If you decide to go to Egypt, you might want to add an extra week in the Sinai. It is beautiful and very cheap for the English. You won’t find a place more relaxing (okay there is sometimes terrorism there). You can stay right on the beach and snorkel and see all kinds of fish right outside your door. It is very cheap. If you were to go, you should plan to do any sightseeing like Santa Caterina first, otherwise you won’t want to leave the beach.

As for DC, I’m from there, so of course I think it’s worth a visit. But I have no idea what it is that draws you there. Are you an American history buff? The museums are free but I imagine you would have comparable museums in London. There are neat opportunities to view American history in DC and also in the surrounding areas, like Virginia, but for some of that you would need time and a rental car.

Good luck!

I am sure this comment isn’t going to help, but many of the tourist attractions in DC are free. Completely and absolutely free. The US taxpayer supports the Smithsonian institutions. You could spend a week here going to each of those museums and be very satisfied with your visit.

But since the Federal government isn’t going to go bankrupt any time soon, (because they can print more money! LOL!) you can wait to visit DC. Who knows? Maybe a DC area pf blogger will volunteer you their apartment as a trade… (Never been to England myself…)

Mapgirl brings up a great point about the attractions in DC. Many are free. If you can swing inexpensive lodging, then you should go for it. However, if lodging and food will cost a lot of money, then you will easily exceed your vacation budget for the year.

Maybe it’s because I am from the US, but I look at Egypt as a once in a lifetime type vacation, whereas I look at DC as something I can do anytime (mostly because many Americans eventually make a business trip out to DC. It’s almost mandatory!).

I’ve heard that DC is good for museums and US history, one of my friends raved about it, and I’m interested in any place’s history.

I’d quite like to go to the US now because the exchange rate is so good (last time I went it was terrible), and I’m sure that’s not going to last. The hostels that I looked up would be about $25 a night so that’s pretty cheap.

Egypt isn’t that far away and I’d like to see the pyramids, but its not on my (very long) list of places to see before I die.

It doesn’t sound like you’re terribly enthusiastic about Egypt, and you’re right - you probably won’t ever find a better time money-wise to visit the US. I say that as an American whose hopes to going to Europe on vacation are being crushed by our weenie currency’s exchange rate right now, by the way.

As a New Yorker, I personally don’t care too much for DC, but I will admit that it’s a lot cheaper than our little island. If you can bundle all of those cheap flight/lodging/attractions together, now may be a ‘perfect storm’ of sorts to visit DC.

I live in DC, and I can’t say that I recommend it unless you’re really into history (or you want to take a side trip into VA for hiking/ foliage/ kayaking)… *but* if you decide to go, I’ll buy you a drink to make it a little cheaper.