May 23, 2012

Photo Feature: Old North Church

Old-North-Church

If you’re a history buff on a budget, there is no place more loaded with readily accessible and inexpensive-to-see  American history than Boston, Massachusetts, and environs. Summer or winter in Boston is an adventure, although winter doings will likely be more the indoor kind. Walking Boston is a cinch, especially with the Freedom Trail to [...]

5 Surprising Pieces of Travel Gear

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Rolling luggage and hanging toiletry bags are fairly predictable purchases for frequent travelers, but these five items make my personal short list of must-have gear. What they are just might surprise you. S Hooks: When you travel light, it usually means you end up carrying most of your belongings near or on your person. A [...]

Chrysler Museum of Art a True Treasure for Norfolk

Chrysler Museum 2

On a recent business trip to Norfolk, I had the opportunity to spend a morning visiting an East Coast treasure I never knew existed. The Chrysler Museum of Art, a venue housing tens of thousands of works exemplifying a number of styles and artists, represents a significant cultural resource for the city of Norfolk, Virginia. [...]

Photo Feature: Family Travel

Family-Travel

Traveling as a family can be an intimidating pile of logistics.  What type of trip do we take? Do we make it an educational trip? Maybe one for science geeks?  Or maybe we should make our destination a one-stop shop. A family resort of some type. There’s bound to be something for everyone in that [...]

Photo Feature: Women’s Travel Gear

Womens-Gear

Try though we might to minimize what we take with us when we travel, as women, we just require most stuff.  Like ways to deal with menstrual issues while traveling. Then there are the issues of hair care, in general, and dressing up face and clothing for nights out.  All these can be managed with [...]

Photo Feature: Traveling with a Dog

Pet-travel

We’ve been traveling with canine friends for nearly a decade — short trips and several trips that crossed numerous state lines. One learns things along the way. The biggest thing, for any length trip, is what we call the doggie diaper bag — a bag that carries stuff to cover just about every eventuality, including [...]

Photo Feature: London Tourist Sites

London-Sites

While you’re in England checking out the 2012 London Olympics, be sure to consider the city and environs, too. You may know the standard tourist destinations — Big Ben, Picadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace — but to get tips on lesser known, maybe less crowded, but just as interesting sites, check with London’s version of a [...]

Wales Offers Visually Striking, Affordable European Vacation

Wales Castle

Searching for a scenic and unusual vacation? Wales is a winner. Accessible countryside, commanding castles and numerous archaeological attractions make this European destination worthy of your tourist time. It’s also the birthplace of poet Dylan Thomas, and home to the quirky yet notable World Bog Snorkeling Championship. Here’s how to make the most of your [...]

Photo Feature: Airport Terminal

Airport-Terminal

If you travel by air at all, you will encounter delays and forced time spent at the airport.  There are ways to turn that to delay to your advantage.  Frequent flyers know that this time can be spent productively, like reading Priority Pass Lounges or putting that knowledge to use and visiting one.  How to [...]

Photo Feature: Travel Gear

Travel-Gear

As well-seasoned travelers, my husband and I have all the necessary gear for time on the road. We’ve discovered a couple unexpected and useful additions and resources over the years.  We go nowhere without a sarong or bandana, for example.  Both are useful far beyond the expected. As far as where we shop, an amazing [...]

Photo Feature: Roman Ruins in Jordan

Roman-ruins

Of course, one finds Roman ruins in Rome, but they are also prevalent in Jordan, Syria, Israel and other Middle Eastern destinations.  Planning a vacation to include some of these ruins is fun, fascinating and educational for tourists of all ages.  In Rome, for example, ancient ruins are in the city proper. Buildings have been [...]

Photo Feature: Food for Road Travel

Road-food

Saving money by driving doesn’t mean spending money by buying food on the road.  Bringing food with you is a savvy way to increase road travel savings.  Picnicking or tailgating while on the road can be fun!  If that’s just not an option, there are plenty of clever ways to save a buck on food [...]

Photo Feature: 2012 London Olympics Anticipation

London-Olympics

All eyes will soon be turning to England for the 2012 Summer Olympics. For the budget conscious, reducing accommodation costs and looking for other ways to keep expenses low while planning to visit the Olympics will help make a visit memorable but not bank busting. Photo courtesy Andy Roberts Photos

Can the Finer Things Be Frugal? Food and Beverage Tips for Frequent Travelers

sushi

If you’d rather not worry about coupons and restaurant specials, these elegant food and beverage choices are almost always a safe money-saving bet. Sushi: Chic, sophisticated and downright sexy, sushi bars represent a remarkably affordable culinary indulgence. One example? The Buddha Sky Bar in Delray Beach, Florida. The hip urban atmosphere makes a fabulous backdrop [...]

Photo Feature: Green Tourism

Segway

While walking tours are still popular with green travelers, and biking tours for the more physical traveler, Segway touring is fast becoming the green way to see big cities.  There is a learning curve, but it’s a worthy green way to see a city. Photo courtesy Sean MacEntee

Affordable Ways to Experience Las Vegas, Nevada

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Known for its glitz, glamour and cha-ching price tag, Las Vegas tempts many a traveler to its world-famous collection of dinner shows, spas, restaurants and shopping venues. Hoping to experience Sin City on the cheap? Try these tips. Food: Happy hour deals offer a source of cheap eats for Vegas visitors. Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria and [...]

Photo Feature: The Old City

THPF 30 Israel 022 from Art Explosion

The old city portion of Jerusalem is one of many interesting places to visit on a national tour of Israel.

Photo Feature: Market in Israel

THPF 29 Israel 009 from Art Explosion

Market experiences are among the many fun things to do in Israel, including spending time in Tel Aviv, exploring the cultural scene in Haifa and hanging out along Lake Tiberius.

Photo Feature: Snow Machine

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Snowmobiling is a great preliminary activity for winter destination weddings and can be a fun thing to do before you wind up your ski vacation. Typical adventure tours allow participants to experience phenomenal scenery and wildlife encounters which can be popular with travel photography enthusiasts.

Photo Feature: Sporty Road Trip Vehicle

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Depending on how many people need to come along on your family road trips, you may be able to get by with a smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicle. These days, it’s important to choose a few travel apps to make your trip as easy as possible.

Photo Feature: Vintage Car Close-Up

THPF 26 Transportation 0252 from Art Explosion

Vintage may be enjoyable for history buffs, but they are also fun to take on scenic drives with a special someone. Consider one the next time you are booking a rental car.

Road Food: The Trek Hound Guide to Eating on the Road

road food

For last-minute emergency road trips, time for restaurant stops is usually limited. In these situations, eating on the road means incorporating a few survival strategies. Swapping out driving sessions in order to grab meals in the passenger’s seat, stopping at rest areas for on-the-fly meal prep and smart packing in advance are all on my [...]

Photo Feature: Scenic Train Ride

THPF 25 Transportation 0251 from Art Explosion

This image of a scenic train ride reminds me of the one I used to take frequently between Verona, Italy and Lake Garda.

Journey Woman Evelyn Hannon Shows Seniors How Budget Travel is Done

JourneyWoman

Journeywoman.com founder Evelyn Hannon has been traveling solo for 30 years, and has learned a thing or two about senior travel. Seventy-two years young, she tackles travel adventures many would hesitate to embrace. In three decades, Hannon has weathered a three-month Semester at Sea voyage with 750 students, performed as a film extra in Hong [...]

Thrifty Ways to Travel Green

Eco Travel

Ecologically-minded travelers hoping to keep it green on the road are often concerned about a potentially out-of-control price tag. Fortunately, it’s getting more affordable than ever to maintain your environmental priorities while on vacation. Here are a few of my favorite frugal tips. Food: Breakfast is one of the most affordable meals to enjoy while [...]

Photo Feature: Luxury Car Rental

THPF 24 Transportation 0239 from Art Explosion

The POTUS may have the ultimate private car, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy similar comfort in your own rental cars.

Photo Feature: German Folk Performance

THPF 23 Germany 004 from Art Explosion

There are many fun and interesting things to experience throughout Germany, including Oktoberfest in Munich, beautiful castles and the museums of Berlin.

Affordable Ideas for Romantic Travel

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Hoping for a hot getaway with your boo? While it’s fine to splurge on a luxury vacation if you want to, the truth is grabbing some quality time away from the hustle and bustle might cost far less than you think. Here are a few suggestions for romantic travel that don’t cost a mint. Cabin [...]

Get an Affordable Taste of Olympic Adventure in Utah’s Park City

Downtown Park City by Myscha Theriault

The upcoming London Olympics have many searching for sportier vacations. Park City, Utah, home to numerous high-altitude competitions during the Salt Lake games, offers a world-class getaway with an authentic Olympic vibe. Activities: Ready to relax? Align Spa’s atmosphere is part Zen garden, part Bohemian loft. Their $35 Ski Boot Revenge treatment includes a foot [...]

The Big Apple on a Budget: Affordable Ways to Experience New York City

New York City Scape rszd

The Big Apple is one of the most expensive places in the world, but Lauren Fairbanks of Life Styler Mag, a New York City budget blog, knows how to tour NYC on a shoestring. Her first tip? Check out Prospect Park in Brooklyn, which has free music and dance acts during summer months. For comedy, [...]

Photo Feature: Couple on Paris Bench

THPF 22 Paris 101 from Art Explosion

This picture is a fun example of travel photography because it leaves no doubt as to the subject of the image. Two people having an intimate moment before a picnic lunch is something many people think of when they think about visiting Paris.

Photo Feature: New York City at Night

THPF 21 New York City 008 from Art Explosion

The Big Apple is a fun place to visit, but the price tag can be more than a little cha-ching if you want to do your vacation up right. It pays to research ways to save money on things like ground transportation and hotel accommodations ahead of time.

Photo Feature: Winter Mountain Vista

THPF 20 Winter Scene 102 from Art Explosion

When travelers want a great ski vacation, they head for mountains similar to the one shown in this photo. Locations like this are also fantastic for winter destination weddings and snowshoeing.

Photo Feature: Arlington Ceremony

THPF 19 Washington D.C. 025 from Art Explosion

Arlington National Cemetery is a popular stop for tourists visiting Washington, D.C. and parts of Virginia. Other nearby vacation options include Shenandoah National Park and Harrisonburg, Virginia.