Yeah, Bongo it's the airfare over that's the killer. You can do alot of research ahead of time to find fairly reasonable rates if you don't insist on first class travel and lodgings. There are perfectly nice places off the beaten path. Take trains and public transport and be adventurous. OMG so much history and sooo many WONDERFUL PEOPLE there
I've paid off my trip from a few years ago but I will never regret going. It was incredible (Stewart was the icing on the cake).