A resource for independent travelers
For folks planning on going to the 2012 London Olympics on a budget, beyond air travel and accommodations, the next important consideration is ground travel. First, check with the local vistor’s and convention bureau for London maps. Then get familiar with the options for public transportation. Finally, consider taxis or more costly ground travel options. [...]
If you want to have a familiar place to return to that doesn’t involve an inconvenient monthly commitment AND you want to be mobile, there are several housing options that help make it possible. The yurt is a lesson learned in the Middle East and Asia. There are several American yurt manufacturers who build them [...]
Who doesn’t bring a camera on vacation? A few travel photography tips can help make the most of taking vacation pictures. Whether you’re traveling to New England in autumn, or going to Peru to visit the spiritual heights of Machu Picchu, your pictures will provide best memories and souvenirs — for yourself and others — [...]
The smart budget traveler knows the advantages of hotel room meals. The reasons for staying in my vary, but the point is that not every meal needs to be a restaurant experience. The humble ramen noodle, for example, is not just for soup. Pretty delictable meals can start from a packet of ramen noodles. Or [...]
Ah, the life of the businessperson. Travel is inevitable, in some form or another. Keeping the business trip on budget is always a concern and never as cut and dried as one would thing. Even trade shows and conferences with rooms and meals included can offer budgetary challenges. The savvy traveler, however, can always rise [...]
Nothing says romance like Romeo and Juliet. A trip to Italy, specifically, Verona — home to star crossed lovers, would be an incredibly romantic choice. However, most of us would be more likely to take a little more affordable romantic getaway. And it’s not too difficult to decrease the cost while increasing the romance by [...]
An unexpectedly interesting and budget friendly travel destination is Southeast Asia. Cambodia is a wealth of ancient temples and statuary, and you can do an awful lot for a very little. Angkor Wat is the most notable destination, but there is much much more to see. Thailand is another country with a lot to offer [...]
The great thing about Olympic venues is that they are available to the public after the Olympics have gone. The upcoming 2012 London Olympics offers a fresh venue to England travelers. The home of the 1972 Olympics, Munich, Germany, is another great venue that can be included on your tour of that country. Domestically, the [...]
If your vacation takes you near a body of water, it’s almost mandatory to enjoy it in some way. Affordable beach travel is very available with a bit of planning. If something physical helps you appreciate your travel destination more, consider kayaking. It can be done on lakes or oceans and, even including some training, [...]
Have you ever considered a travel destination specifically for it’s historical value, but shied away because of cost? If history is your gig, you can get to historical destinations on a budget. That includes foreign and domestic destinations. Take a walking tour of Tarpon Springs, Florida, for example, to see some unexpected history right on [...]
Many, many people consider the availability of a nice golf course when planning a vacation. The trick is making a golf getaway affordable. It can be done, even if that get away is to Scotland. Domestically, Florida and Arizona are very popular golf destinations. A little further, but not so far as Scotland, Bermuda has [...]
Many people include hiking in their travel agendas when they come to New England. Because of a National Park, a National Forest, several state parks and other preserved land, there are a lot of hiking trails in the 5-state area. What people may not know is how many of those trails include waterfalls. Over 400 [...]
The White Mountain National Forest is wonderfully conducive to sight seeing. Cruising the Kancamagus Highway, specifically, is a repeatable trip. It just doesn’t get old. Two of my favorite spots are Lower Falls, where the pools and falls make for a great day of water play, and Bear Notch Rd., which is a byway that [...]
Photo credit: nealaus New England is a great place to visit year round, depending on whether the tourist is looking for beach, skiing, sightseeing, history, or whatever. Autumn, however, is the natural tour de force up here. We do it really well, in many ways, and not like anywhere else. FOLIAGE Viewing autumn foliage in [...]
My sister Regina and I always spend a day together for our birthdays. Since mine is in July, the options are better for play. Hers is in January, and the best options — those involving sun and warmth — also involve substantial planning and cost. So, this year, she decided she wanted just to go [...]
A trip to Boston, for me, necessarily includes a trip to the North End. It’s a flashback both to my childhood and my college years in Cleveland, Ohio. Listening to the residents interacting, walking through the close streets, smelling the amazing aromas that abound in the North End all bring me back to very happy [...]
Here’s the rub. The best thing about showshoeing is that, as long as there’s snow, you can shoe there. That being said, I do have some favorite spots. I put on my winter gear, grab my shoes and poles, and here’s where I go. The first spot, and the most used by me, is out [...]
Tahoe’s early snowfall has blanketed South Lake Tahoe with nearly 4 feet of snow at lake level, and 5-6 feet on the mountains. The winter season is looking good. Snow enthusiasts anxious to visit Tahoe and book their winter trips should take a look at Zephyr Cove Resort. Unlike the hectic and almost urban ski [...]
Olympic National Park and surroundings set the stage for a relaxing winter getaway. This year, that getaway is more affordable than ever. For November or December travel with the End 2010 with $20.10 Deal, visitors to the area can stay one night at Lake Quinault Lodge (pictured above) or Kalaloch Lodge for $99 and get [...]
There are several traditional Christmas events in Portland. I’ve been to all of them several times, but generally not all in the same year. They are all well done and worth the time to pursue.
I had never heard of this restaurant ’til a recent visit to Phoenix. I had been hearing from a friend about an amazing salmon dish included on their menu. He couldn’t use enough positive words to describe it. So, when I was in Phoenix, we included dinner at Charleston’s, and being a big fan of [...]
Portable Tripod Sometimes you just want to be in front of the camera, instead of never in a pic because you’re the one behind the camera. If only you had a tripod. A traditional tripod just is not practical for most people. It’s large, cumbersome, and not always convenient to have on hand. This is [...]
It’s been awhile since I’ve been to Phoenix. When it comes to food, first thoughts lean toward Tex-Mex or Mexican. Decisions are not easy. However, having a local help with the picking makes all the difference. My first meal in Phoenix was at Manuel’s on Cave Creek. Manuel’s is a mid-priced restaurant, has 7 locations [...]
When I’m out for a ride, sometimes I like to go to a destination and return the same route. Sometimes I like to ride a loop. From where I live, my favorite loop (which happens to go through the White Mountains) is through Evans Notch to Gorham, New Hampshire, and back through Pinkham Notch to [...]
Who would think that northeast Ohio is a grape haven? There are more wineries than you can shake a grapevine at. And the last weekend in September every year, in celebration of the grape harvest, is the Grape Jamboree in Geneva, Ohio. The festivities include a Miss Grapette pageant, a grape stomping contest, a pie [...]
I grew up in Ohio, which has a surprising number of summer amusements. My favorite, of course, was and is Cedar Point, home to some of the finest roller coasters in the world! As with most amusements, proximity is the best solution to money saving. There are options available that include or exclude parking, for [...]
There are several Highland Games in Northern New England. The games at Loon Mountain are a personal favorite. These are known as the most diverse games in the country! First, Loon Mountain and surrounding area is a beautiful area. Getting there is big fun. Coming from Maine or the Mt. Washington Valley, the ride must [...]
I am a sucker for a fair of any kind. This fair, however, knocks my socks off. The Common Ground Fair is sponsored by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) and is always held the third weekend after Labor Day. MOFGA is the voice of organic farming in Maine, and the Common Ground [...]
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (ISGM) is the most amazing and odd little museum I’ve ever visited…and I’ve been to a few. First, its setting. It’s near the famous Boston Fens and within walking distance of the Museum of Fine Art. It has an inner courtyard that is always in bloom and lovely. The museum’s [...]
Located in University Circle in Cleveland, the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum houses a collection of the Western Reserve Historical Society. It contains historically significant automobiles (over 200 vehicles from Model T to contemporary Jaguar), bicycles, aircraft, spacecraft, motorcycles and even a boat, Tinkerbelle. It’s fascinating. If history is your thing, and even if it isn’t, a [...]
Hiking Mt. Washington is a popular thing to do for outdoor enthusiasts visiting the Mt. Washington Valley. Getting to that summit is an attainable goal and the view from the summit is an apt reward. If, however, you happen not to want to execute that climb to get those views, there is an alternative. The [...]
As a person who lives near the White Mountains, I frequently like to combine a trip to Conway/No. Conway with a ride on the Kancamagus Highway (aka “The Kanc”). There are a few ways to do this for those ‘in the know’ without backtracking. My favorite is to connect from Rte. 302 in Bartlett to [...]
What a great way to finish a great day in Maine! Because of the more rural nature of Maine, the skies are dark and the fireworks are brilliant as a result. We love our fireworks up here, and there are many displays planned throughout the summer. The State Fire Marshall has conveniently provided a listing [...]
Of all the science museums I’ve visited, I’m most familiar with the Boston Museum of Science. Relatively speaking, it’s right next door to me. When I visit, I plan to be there for the day, and I’m never bored. This is not an inexpensive day, but it is riveting. My favorite things include the Butterfly [...]
This view was photographed from a castle wall near Bolzano, Italy. There are many castles in the area, as well as wineries, farm stays, ecological experiences and cultural performances. The area is also a popular destination for ski holidays in the winter.
|
|
|
|
|
This Andean woman takes a break from selling her wares to socialize with tourists in Peru's Sacred Valley.
The ancient Nabatean city of Petra, Jordan provides a peek into ancient civilization and also into the local Bedouin culture, which values the social experience of drinking tea highly.
This stand of palm trees against a blue sky is located in Florida's Longboat Key, one of the islands of Sarasota. It's a popular getaway with tourists and Florida residents alike, when one wants a taste of forgotten Florida.
Exploring the world-famous archeological site of Machu Picchu takes some time. In order to make the most of your visit, it's best to arrive at Aguas Calientes an afternoon ahead of schedule and head up the mountain first thing the next morning.
This command module is part of the Saturn V rocket display at the Kennedy Space Center, which is a must-see exhibit if you only have one day at the KSC. The entire venue is right down the road from the Astronaut Hall of Fame, another fun family attraction on Florida's space coast.
This abandoned mosque in Israel lies along the shores of Lake Tiberius, otherwise known as the sea of Galilea. The view of the ancient stones and overgrown plants struck me as sort of an Indiana Jones image with a bit of Middle Eastern flair.
This resort cottage photograph was taken at the thermal hot springs resort of Papallacta, located in the mountains of Ecuador. The mist rising off of the thermal pools brings a bit of a mystical quality to the image.
