If you are going to Europe, be prepared for sticker shock on everything, but especially food. I am not saying that every country is expensive, and I suspect that some in east that I haven't visited may be cheaper. But France, Germany and Britain and particularly Switzerland, are a cut above in food prices. Again, cooking your own reduces that cost considerably.

Switzerland was a real shock for us. McDonald-type meals that we would pay $7 or $8 at home for were the equivalent of $15. I'm using it just as an example, because we did try it as a treat once. Staple foods in the supermarkets were OK, but still more than what we would pay at home.

Transport by trains also can be a bit expensive, but is a pretty efficient way of getting from one good cycling location to another.