[ChisaChi]

I managed to pay for my holiday to Japan without too much trouble or panicked saving... but I guess I'm lucky in that I live with my parents so don't have to pay for rent, food, bills etc, and as a contractor my work is fairly flexible (although no paid holidays).

I definitely think checking the place out before moving there is a good idea though - as much as a holiday costs, the cost of moving to another country, deciding you don't like it and moving home again is more.