quick_thinkfast

You were in Turkey mate.

A long way off from Paris and Oslo.

And why we're you paying with Euros in Turkey?

Always have booked my international flights 1-3 weeks out. Usually sub $700 including taxes and fees.

This is when I used to live on NYC and usually flew to either Munich, London or Amsterdam.

Cheapest all time international flight I booked was during the height of the financial scare in December 2008. Munich to Dubai roundtrip for $235 including taxes.

Get excellent fairs out of Munich as well nowadays. As a rule I generally will not pay more than €600 for intercontinental travel. Last minute has always worked out well, especially if you really do not care where you go on vacation.

When I take two weeks in August the wife and I will go to one of the last minute travel services in town, pick up their daily printed deals, have a bottle of wine, and book. On the plane within 12-24 hours.

Once had a 7 day all inclusive trip to a 5 star hotel in Turkey including flight and transfers for €380 per person

There are very few places in the world, well desirable places to travel at least, where Americans need visa in advance. However some countries do a "visa" cash grab at the border where thy charge you for the entrance stamp. Turkey and Thailand come to mind.