A resource for independent travelers
Relocating for family or employment is something we all do at some point. While it is tax deductible under certain circumstances, it is also a huge financial burden if tackled without forethought. Having moved across the world and continent more times than I can remember, I have picked up a few tips to help avoid [...]
Anniversaries, birthdays, Christmas holidays and special accomplishments still need to be celebrated regardless of where you are in the world. Particularly if there are children involved. So how do you handle the logistics while still traveling light? Purchase Presents at Your Location: You can pick up warm scarves with matching gloves in Berlin, perfume in [...]
We’ve all been there. Staying with friends and family during vacations, for long-distance medical care or even during family reunions can bring about a fair amount of drama, no matter how grateful everyone is to see each other. Space can be tight and agendas will most assuredly differ, resulting in the need for extra care [...]
While summer is the favored season for family reunions, they can be held successfully at any time of year. While people have always searched for strategies to keep them affordable, current gas prices are making frugality an even greater family travel priority. Follow these money-saving tips to maintain tradition while enjoying affordable family-reunion fun this [...]
Looking good on the road is no small feat. Traffic jams, flight delays and extreme weather patterns can all wreak havoc on a road warrior’s appearance. Lost hair bling, broken nails and spilled sauces bring additional appearance stress, and take you from dreamy to dumpy in a hurry. So how do you look your best [...]
When visitors arrive to take up residence in your guest room, it pays to know how to be a tourist in your own hometown. Older relations, expat friends, college students and younger couples with toddlers have all made their way to our home at one time or another. As tourists with an address, we’re prepared [...]
With excess baggage fees spiraling out of control, learning how to pack light is becoming a serious survival skill for perpetual road warriors. Here are several one-bag travel tips to help you keep costs under control. Use them for short excursions, international vacations, train travel and road trips when you want to reduce luggage weight [...]
After departing the California coast for a several-month stint in East Asia and the Middle East, we were confident our cold weather gear would no longer be needed. Shivering temperatures and shin-deep slush in Amman, Jordan proved us wrong. Fortunately, Amman offers my favorite Middle East problem solving solution – the souk. A quick shopping [...]
Airline tickets comprise a large portion of the cost for any vacation getaway or business trip. If you want to be able to pay the cost in full when that credit card bill rolls around, you’ll need some strategies for getting the best price possible. Use these savvy shopping tips to score airline tickets at [...]
Holiday travel has its share of obstacles, including overstuffed baggage, delicate gifts to transport, family expectations and flight delay drama. It’s enough to sap anybody’s holiday spirit. Factor in missed connections, irritable customs agents and wonky weather and things can get downright stressful. Follow these stress-busting tips to survive holiday travel and enjoy the season. [...]
The blocks of downtime that come with business trips, long stretches of independent travel without access to movies and living abroad away from your favorite magazine stand can leave even the most enthusiastic traveler bored beyond belief. When I’m feeling the need for fresh entertainment, these are some of my favorite strategies. Tablet Devices: Tablet [...]
I obtain travel supplies for as little as 20 cents per item for the basics, and at significant discounts for more substantial items. Here are some of my favorite sources for scoring affordable travel supplies. Special Ops Catalogs I covered this somewhat in my travel bag solutions post for Wise Bread a while back. People [...]
If the idea of a luxury camping experience – glamping – appeals to you, but the higher end price tag isn’t something you can necessarily afford right now, considering cobbling together a more budget friendly experience with these money-saving strategies. Menus: As long as you have access to a single burner stove and a water [...]
We all like to bring home mementos from our travels. The key to not ending up with buyers remorse is to select those souvenirs that we can actually use and enjoy after each trip. Here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy some typical travel finds. Decorating I’m a huge fan of travel [...]
On a free tour of Florence by foot, I marveled at the bronze- relief doors of the city’s historic baptistry, gazed in awe at the architecture of the duomo and leisurely strolled along the Ponte Vecchio. While traveling, your love of antiquity doesn’t have to bust your vacation budget. Here are four fun tips for [...]
I usually manage to eat well for less wherever I go. While this is definitely easier at some destinations than others, a few standard strategies typically serve me well. Hit the Streets: The old souk in Kuwait City is one of my favorite places in the Middle East to score great shawarma, seasoned nuts and [...]
Airline tickets and hotel accommodations are two of the main expenses when planning a typical getaway, but ground transport can certainly add significantly to the cost as well. There are ways to save, however. Here are a few of my favorite travel tips for saving money on ground transportation. Share a Chauffer: When stuck overnight [...]
When you’re trying to pack light and keep things simple for family road trips, remember that access to cold tap water is free in many circumstances. It allows you to mix up a number of beverages, swallow an aspirin to help you over that airport delay headache and generally keeps you hydrated for the long [...]
After navigating two international airports in less than 12 hours on a recent business trip, it became obvious that my chosen messenger bag was falling short of functionality expectations. Well-designed luggage can mean the difference between a fabulous or frustrating travel experience. Follow these frugal tips to get the luggage you need while spending less. [...]
Traveling solo brings challenges from luggage logistics to long-distance navigation. Whether it comes naturally or not, most people could use a few tips when it comes to on-your-own vacations. Solotravelgirl.com’s Jennifer Huber has traveled on her own through Afghanistan, Cuba and the United States. Huber took the plunge after realizing how many adventures she was [...]
Between security hurdles and checked baggage fees, limiting luggage has become less of an extreme travel choice and more of a survival strategy. After living for six months out of one small backpack, I learned a thing or two about traveling light. Here are my top tips for traveling with less luggage. Storage: Choose luggage [...]
Nobody enjoys hanging out in the public seating area by the departure gate. Noisy sound systems, uncomfortable chairs and overpriced sundries and snacks are your constant companions. And if you arrive with only thirty minutes to spare, there really isn’t any way out of it. However, if you’ve got a few hours on your hands, [...]
Those new to a plant-based diet may still be inexperienced when it comes to vegan travel. Having to roll with the meal punches after a long day on the road trouble shooting travel problems isn’t always easy. Having a few tricks in your repertoire is critical to a successful vegan travel experience.
Food allergies can be tricky enough from day to day in your own environment, but actually traveling with food allergies is another kettle of shellfish altogether. If you’re looking to make your family road trips smoother, or simply have more strategies in your own travel repertoire, then this article is for you.
If you think receiving mail is a big thrill for kids, check out the look on their faces when you bring them back a gift from an overseas vacation.
Once you’ve done the travel circuit for a while, you’ll notice that it isn’t all kitschy crap at some of those street stalls and tourist shops. We’ve found elegant pieces of Czech crystal, fun Polish pottery, unique Middle Eastern carpets and hand-blown Egyptian glass holiday ornaments to name just a few items. We’ve also been [...]
Are you tired of the conventional wisdom that says that you have to spend a lot of money to travel the world?
Planning a vacation is a lot of work. Family road trips tend to be even more complicated. One long stretch of limited restrooms and lagging entertainment can turn the inside of your automobile from heaven to hellish. That’s where travel apps can be exceptionally handy.
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 [...]
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 [...]
Let’s face it, ladies. When we’re backpacking for adventure, some of the first things to get cut when we’re trying to pack light are those little girly bits that make us feel like . . . well, girls. Fortunately, it is possible to glam things up affordably, even when traveling in the developing world. Here [...]
L.L. Bean offers a pair of pants that I feel is perfect for traveling. They are called ‘Perfect Fit Pants’, and there is a style to fit most women’s shapes as they are available in misses’ and women’s sizes. They come in traditional pants, cropped, straight leg, boot cut, and slim. What makes them perfect [...]
This is one of a two part series on driving in Turkey. Traveling to Turkey is fantastic. Visitors have the opportunity for many cultural and historic experiences. One adventure I wasn’t expecting in Turkey was my time behind the wheel of our rental car. Turkish drivers live on the edge with their death defying driving maneuvers. I will [...]
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.
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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.
Tenba Messenger Bag Review
At roughly $110, Tenba’s large engravable messenger bag might seem a bit steep. Until you compare it to other pro gear bags on the market. There are a number of reasons why I dished out the dough for this particular Tenba bag. What follows is my complete Tenba messenger bag review, along with the several [...]