11 Things to Do in Beautiful Bolzano, Italy
Of all the places my husband and I visited when we lived in Europe, one that has always remained foremost… [more]
Israel Offers History, Waterfront Fun, Nature Experiences and Pilgrimage Opportunities
It’s no secret to those who know me that I’m a huge fan of Middle East travel. While it’s true I’ve spent… [more]
The Nazca Lines, Juanita the Ice Maiden and Other Cool Things to See in Peru
Touring Peru is a life’s dream for many travelers, and no small feat for those who actually manage to… [more]
Photo Feature
Photo Feature: Hilton Head, South Carolina
For a beachy getaway in North America, try Hilton Head, South Carolina. Family friendly, great for Rover and filled with fun things to do for the whole family, this is a vacation destination sought after by many. Golf, kayaking, sand and surf are all on the agenda, along with tennis, spas and a fun shopping [...]
Featured Posts
Culinary Tourism Offers Alternative to Typically Hectic Vacations
A cooking class taken with a friend while traveling in Chiang Mai, Thailand took place in a serene nature setting. Slowly grinding spices for curry under the instruction of a well-known local chef was a nice break from the traditional tourist scene. It’s possible to embark on a global food tour without spending a fortune [...]
Green Travel Tips for Family Getaways
On a weekend getaway to Orlando, we nearly hit a snag in our eco travel agenda when a trip to Whole Foods resulted in plastic produce bags being provided as the only storage option. Fortunately, we were prepared with mesh drawstring bags – four for a buck at the dollar store – and a stash [...]
Cost-Effective Camping Puts Travel Accommodations in Financial Reach
It may be getting a bit cold in northern climes, but camping is still a comfortable option in many parts of the world. When paired with bargain air fares, it can make an extremely affordable accommodation option for independent travelers. As with most vacation options, organization and infrastructure can each play a critical role. Here [...]
Frugal Family Camping Tips
Camping ranks high on the list of low-cost vacations. With smart planning, camping becomes even more cost-effective. Here are a few favored money-saving strategies. Cost-sharing: Workingtolive.com’s Julie Rains, a professional blogger with two kids, partners with other families to share costs on meals, supplies and site rentals. This is a strategy my family has used [...]
Boat Travel Possible for Budget Travelers
You may think that traveling by boat is only for the wealthy, but the truth is many budget travelers have embraced this lifestyle full time. Here are a few suggestions for spending more time on the water during your next extended trip or during retirement in general. (See also: Beach Travel on a Budget) Salvage: [...]
Step Back in Time with a Trip to Mackinac Island
Free of automobiles and reachable by Shepler’s Ferry for a mere $22 per round-trip ticket, Michigan’s Mackinac Island is the epitome of time travel on a budget. Horse-drawn carriage taxis and delivery carts, picture-perfect period buildings and bicycle liveries abound, making for a couple’s or multigenerational family getaway you won’t soon forget. Fun: The island’s [...]
Bike Your Way Around the World: Budget Tips for Two-Wheeled Adventures
Bicycles are an affordable way to see the world in an up close and personal way. Syndicated television personality Judge Alex E. Ferrer agrees, pointing to wildlife spotting on a bike ride through Shark Valley in Everglades National Park as a favorite way to get back to nature while affordably enjoying Miami. Nancy Sathre-Vogel and [...]
British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley Takes Wine Tourism to a New Level
A hidden gem of the British Columbia tourism experience lies in a picturesque wonderland known as the Okanagan Valley. A myriad of boutique wineries and charming bed and breakfast establishments, combined with a noteworthy culinary scene make this a travel destination to take seriously. Here are just some of the ways this Canadian travel pearl [...]
Athletic Travel Combines Fitness and Fan Fun with Other Travel Agendas
Whether you’re training for the London Olympics or getting ready for a regional ski competition, serious athletes often resort to RV rentals or short-term apartments to keep accommodation costs under control. You can use the same strategies to stay on budget during your own athletic travel adventures, whether they are participatory or to simply enjoy [...]
Nature, Dining Part of Paradise Coast Travel Experience
Collier County, Florida’s Paradise Coast, including the communities of Naples and Marco Island, has more than 80 percent of its acreage dedicated to parks, preserves and nature sanctuaries. With direct flights available from cities such as Toronto, Chicago, Dallas and Baltimore, it’s a popular getaway for eco travelers looking to enjoy water and wildlife while [...]
Affordable Wardrobe Adjustments for Trips to Holy Land, Sacred Sites
Many of the world’s popular leisure destinations are also home to sites which are spiritually significant to people of certain faiths. For example, Mount Carmel National Park in Haifa, Israel is within relatively easy access of the world headquarters of the Baha’i faith, which allows free public tours of its elaborate hillside gardens. Similarly, those [...]
Affordable Tips for Embracing the RV Lifestyle
After months of shopping for an affordable tow-behind recreational vehicle to use for family camping and North American exploration, a manufacturer of custom cargo trailers caught our eye. When David and I pulled in to see if the cargo trailers could be modified for RV use, the business owner gave us a bargain tour. The [...]
Family-Friendly Adventure Travel a Hit with Kids
It’s no secret that children love adventure. Including activities with wow factor on your next family getaway is a sure bet against boredom. Here are a handful of tips for doing just that. Flexibility: Mike and Catrell Cooney of Cooney World Adventure took their three teenage boys on a world tour. When the family missed [...]
Checked Luggage: Yay or Nay?
We’ve all been there. Worried over the possible loss of a critical piece of luggage that just couldn’t meet carry-on requirements, or waiting patiently for the airlines to find it when it didn’t come. Even when things go as smoothly as possible, it is still a chore to run down to baggage claim between flight [...]
World-Class Walking Tours
While it’s no secret that wandering the world by foot is a great way for travelers to save money, many are unaware of the world-class walking tours available around the globe. Many of them are bucket-list worthy and free of charge. These categories represent some of my favorite ways to select walking tours when I [...]
Where to Find Great Grub for Less
With food costs playing a large role in vacation budgets, it pays to know where you can get great grub for less. Portugal for example, is currently the cheapest place to eat out in Europe, according to a recent price survey. Specifically, in the Algarve region, a succulent seafood soup can ring in at only [...]
Traveling with Dogs Takes Patience, Preparation
On a multi-state drive with our mischief-prone Labrador, I shuffled back to our vehicle with two fresh cups of gourmet coffee. While my husband filled the gas tank, I opened the passenger door to set down my travel bag and organize our beverages. Having missed the perky poodle in the next vehicle, I was completely [...]
Top Tips for Navigating Hotel Power Outages
On a recent business trip, an early-morning power outage kicked my wakeup call to the curb. With a looming flight departure and several colleagues in the same boat, prompt problem solving was a must. While showering in the dark proved challenging to say the least, other hurdles proved equally interesting. After navigating to the front [...]
Top Tips for Flying with Children
When it comes to family vacations, flying with children is likely one of the largest logistical dragons you’ll slay. From toddler tantrums and teen boredom to infant ear pain and stroller storage the list of potential issues is long indeed. I talked to some of my favorite family travel gurus for inspiration. Here’s what they [...]
Top Tips for Eating Healthy on the Road
Staying fit and trim while traveling is no small feat. With fast food options being the first thing you see on many street corners, it takes a fair amount of strategic discipline to navigate the food scene of virtually any destination. A few things however, are under your control. Here are my favorite ways to [...]
Smart Fabric Choices Aid Frugal, One-Bag Travel Efforts
The type of fabric you choose to vacation with can greatly impact how little you are able to fly with, and how well your wardrobe functions once you get where you’re going. Since packing light has become a priority for nearly all travelers these days, every tip helps. Here are a few things to consider [...]
Simple Tips for Saving on Summer Vacations
Afraid that recent price increases in critical budget areas will cramp your warm-weather travel style? Relax. With these simple saving strategies, your summer fun is in the bag. Weekends: If taking a few weeks off isn’t in your work schedule, cheer up. Chances are you can have a wider range of travel opportunities by taking [...]
Savvy Smart Phone Apps for Travelers
Traveling independently means you’re typically without a tour coordinator. Doing it on a budget means there’s a good chance you won’t have a concierge either. Getting where you’re going and finding your way around once you get there requires a fair bit of research. Cut down on the size of your tourist information packet by [...]
8 Solid Reasons Why Travel Gifts Make Perfect Presents
Let’s face it. Gift-giving obligations don’t just occur during the holidays. Birthdays, graduations, spiritual holidays and anniversaries are just a few of the additional reasons we feel present pressure throughout the year. If you’re looking for a catch-all category of practicality from which to draw inspiration, travel gifts are a great place to start. Why? [...]
Managed Vacation Rentals Provide Superior Value
While peer-to-peer vacation rentals may provide a rock-bottom price point and the ability to whip up a bargain breakfast, their distance from main attractions and lack of amenities can sometimes result in additional costs such as mid-day restaurant tabs and rental car fees. At sought-after theme parks and world-class adventure destinations, the extra expenses tend [...]
Making the Most of Family Vacations
After handling the logistical hurdles of flying with children, perfecting your family packing system and searching out the best bargains available, the main objective is to start having fun once you get where you’re going. From transportation to activity access, these tips represent some of my favorite ways to maximize family vacation getaways. Parks: National [...]
Location-Independent Career Options
Many beginning excursionists think that in order to embrace their travel dreams full time, they will be required to have all of their money up front. The truth is, with a location-independent career, you can live on the road for as long as you want. Here are a handful of career choices that provide flexibility [...]
Implement Extreme Packing Measures to Save on Baggage Fees
With budget airlines beginning to charge for carry-on bags, the need to pack light has reached critical mass. Factor in technical gear such as laptops, camera lenses and power packs, and it becomes obvious that more extreme packing strategies are in order. A three-pronged approach generally serves me well. Clothing: Items that store flat and [...]
Cool Travel Gifts for Dads and Grads
Let’s face it. New college students typically live in small spaces with a limited number of belongings. And man bags? They can only hold so much. This makes compact, business and adventure travel gifts perfect for the dads and grads on your gift list. Here are some of my top choices for Father’s Day and [...]
Canadian Man Cans Corporate Career and Hits the Road
Man on the Lam founder Raymond Walsh was living the Canadian dream. A great paying job, cool car and a hefty mortgage, along with a yearly vacation or two pretty much paints the picture. Walsh began to wonder if there was more to life, however. So in July of 2011, Raymond made the jump. He [...]
Adaptive Travel Opens Vacation Options for Travelers with Unique Needs
The need for alternative equipment or accessible accommodations should by no means prevent travelers with disabilities from enjoying fulfilling vacation experiences. With thorough research and the selection of the proper venues, affordable adaptive travel is possible. Transportation: Savings coupons for rental cars are just as applicable for adaptive travel as they are at any other [...]
Theme Park Activities for Grownups
Children aren’t the only ones who can have a good time while vacationing at the world’s theme parks. Many of the larger venues around the world offer a multitude of entertainment options that adults can enjoy too. Indulgence: Many theme parks offer spa access. For example, Hershey Park in Pennsylvania boasts a chocolate spa with [...]
Maintaining a Business Wardrobe on the Road
On a business trip to Miami, a pair of sleek boots became a multitasking fashion tool. The boots were worn with jeans, dress pants, a knee-length dress and a long skirt, taking functional footwear to the next level. On that same trip, a faulty hotel iron and rumpled blouse — a clearance special — taught [...]
Luxury Travel on a Shoestring
While we were itching to try a spa getaway at the world-famous hot springs at the Tabacon resort in Costa Rica, we were not eager to pay hundreds of dollars per night for a hotel room on that property. Instead, for less than $50, we purchased day passes to the exotic landscaped pool and hot [...]
Daytripping with Fido
On the road and at home, pets are an integral part of our lives. Nearly 40 percent of U.S. households own at least one dog, according to the Humane Society. Our pets often accompany us on the road, including one-day road trips. Fortunately, it’s possible to save money and save your sanity while traveling with [...]
Luxury for Less in Luxor
Living like a Pharaoh on a serf’s budget may seem as distant a possibility as the Sphinx hopping off her pedestal and talking in ancient Egyptian, but a discounted luxury holiday in Egypt doesn’t have to be a pipe dream. The Nile: Open Again For Business For around fifteen years, cruises on the Nile were [...]
Cruises: More Fun than You Might Think
When most people think of cruises, they imagine shuffling between the bar and the buffet, sleeping in a deck chair, and traveling without engaging in any local culture. While this may be paradise for some, adventurous travelers may turn their noses up at the idea of this type of experience. However, there are many misconceptions [...]
Work-Juggling Tips for Road Warriors
Meeting deadlines during a month-long trip to Quito, Ecuador was supposed to be a breeze. But a local energy-saving strategy of scheduled power outages caught my husband and I by surprise and short-circuited our workday. Unplugged, we relied on extended-use laptop batteries, advanced planning and a restructured mix of work and sightseeing to handle professional [...]
Voluntourism on a Budget
After a typhoon on Guam, I struck up a conversation with a fellow world traveler on the beach. Her itinerary? Disaster recovery as a volunteer with the Red Cross. Retired and liberated from traditional employment, she was able to respond to international disasters quickly. In exchange for assisting locals with relief paperwork every morning, her transportation [...]
How to Make Long-Term Travel Affordable
When I asked professional hobo Nora Dunn how she’s stayed on the road since 2006, she revealed her biggest golden egg: Bartering. By exchanging light work for lodging, she eliminates a large portion of her expenses. On an all-expense paid trip to Spain, which included three-course meals and wine, Dunn exchanged English conversation sessions with [...]
