Paddling Pinellas: Kayaks Provide Affordable Entertainment, Fitness
If rising gas prices and the still-tired economy have you feeling stir crazy with no cash, consider the… [more]
6 Fun Things to Do in Quito, Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador is arguably one of the most impressive cultural capitals in South America. With a complete… [more]
Phenomenally Fun Things to Do in Sarasota, Florida
For those who enjoy a little more than beach combing during their vacation time, it’s nice to know that… [more]
Photo Feature
Photo Feature: Double Decker Bus, London
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. [...]
Featured Posts
5 Surprising Pieces of Travel Gear
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
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. [...]
Hiking to Waterfalls in New England
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 [...]
Wales Offers Visually Striking, Affordable European Vacation
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: 2012 London Olympics Anticipation
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
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 [...]
Affordable Ways to Experience Las Vegas, Nevada
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 [...]
Road Food: The Trek Hound Guide to Eating on the Road
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 [...]
Journey Woman Evelyn Hannon Shows Seniors How Budget Travel is Done
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
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 [...]
Affordable Ideas for Romantic Travel
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
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
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, [...]
Domestic Travel on a Dime
According to a recent data study by American Express Travel, domestic excursions are on the rise. Of the 54 percent of Americans who are planning to travel in 2012, more than eight in ten of them plan to dish out more dollars on travel this year than they previously spent in 2011. And more than [...]
Work Travel: Bike to Work for Cash Savings and Health Benefits
Developing a plan to bike to work certainly sounds simple enough in the beginning. And the fuel-saving potential is tempting indeed, particularly in this economy. Then there are the health benefits, which are significant. So why don’t more people try it? Well, the reasons vary but typically include logistical hurdles such as carrying a change [...]
How to Pack for Special Events
Sporting competitions, weddings and other special-event trips can be challenging to pack for, particularly when items like designer gowns, tuxedos, mountain bikes and kayaks need to come along. The right packing strategies can save you money on everything from shipping to checked baggage and more. Here are my top tips for precision packing. Rent: If [...]
How to Learn Any Language for Cheap
On a girls’ getaway to Beirut, the Arabic highway signs proved challenging. My saving grace however, was the fact that French is also widely spoken throughout Lebanon. Between their bilingual street signage and my vague memories of high school foreign language class, I managed to get where I was going. Years later when my husband [...]
How to Make Money While Traveling
To enjoy as much time as possible traveling in the Middle East, I opted for an international teaching position in Kuwait. With paid utilities, complimentary housing, tax-free compensation and annual roundtrip airfare, it was a job that allowed for regional travel opportunities and additional freelance tutoring gigs for extra cash. It’s possible to make money [...]
Budget Traveler’s Guide to Hotel Room Meals
We left the hotel room with plans for an affordable romantic dinner for two. Unfortunately, our spastic, but lovable Labrador had another agenda. When affection, toys and treats failed to stop her barking, we knew it was time to regroup. Our solution? Even more affordable in-room dining. But pet travel isn’t the only reason hotel [...]
How to Save Money on Parking Fees
It’s no secret that incidental vacation expenses can seriously sink a travel budget. One of the biggest culprits? Parking fees. Whether you drive your own vehicle or rely exclusively on rental cars, they comprise a significant portion of ground transportation costs, and deserve full consideration when it comes to looking for ways to reduce travel [...]
Have a Fabulously-Frugal Vacation with These Hotel Freebies
When trying to get the best bang for your vacation buck, it may pay to bear in mind that the biggest value may not come with the lowest bargain-basement price. If the lowest room rate available will still require you to dish out an additional $350 per day to cover meals, cocktails, activity fees and [...]
Photo from the Road: Greenery and a Carved Roman Ruin
This architectural image represents many such photo opportunities in Amman, Jordan. The city is home to several sets of Roman ruins, as well a handful of notable restaurants, such as the Blue Fig.
Travel Tips for Navigating the Teen Sports Circuit
Whether you’re driving the kids to games yourself, or sending them on a bus provided by the school, coordinating sports-related teen travel itineraries can be a logistical exercise requiring military precision. Factor in frugality concerns, and you may find yourself in need of serious assistance. Use these shoestring travel tips to successfully navigate the school [...]
Making the Most of Your Destination’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
My husband and I made the changing of the guard one of our top things to do in Quito, Ecuador. Afterward, when trying to decide what to do next, we found our guide book lacking in ideas. A stop at the South American city’s convention and visitor’s bureau solved the problem. They provided more detailed [...]
Money-Saving Spring Break Ideas
College students and parents of school children alike must annually consider which spring break ideas they’d like to take advantage of. Needless to say that with both categories of vacation planners, budget is an issue. Here are my top picks for money-saving spring break ideas. Pitch a tent. If you’re looking to visit someplace warm, [...]
Top Tips for Keeping Your Business Trip on Budget
A business trip can be as expensive as it is productive. Read on for tips on how you can control the costs while building your net worth and increasing your bottom line. Make paperwork a priority. Lost opportunities for reimbursement can derail a business trip taken in order to increase commission earnings. The costs you [...]
Consider Off-Peak Travel for the Best Vacation Deals
Seasoned vacation veterans know that the sweetest getaway deals can be obtained by planning for off-peak travel experiences. For example, my husband and I traveled from Lake Garda to Slovenia’s Lake Bled one year during what would have been Labor Day weekend back in the States. We chose this particular weekend because it allowed us [...]
Making the Most of Family Resorts
It’s a common scene for those traveling with children. Parents trying to tempt their kids away from the perfectly-picturesque pool at their chosen family resort with tickets to an over-priced theme park just down the street. A theme park that may offer only slightly more in the way of water-based fun. Toss in a toddler [...]
Travel Photography Tips for Beginners
Travel photography isn’t just big business in its own right, it’s a great way to collect free souvenirs, embrace the travel decorating scheme at home and begin to attract even more visitors to your travel blog. It’s also true that travel pictures can help you sell quite a bit more of your work if you’re [...]
Fun Picnic Lunch Ideas for Travelers
We all know that developing a list of fun picnic lunch ideas is the key to using this travel food strategy to save money on the road. The problem is it can be difficult to come up with a list of picnic or tailgating menus that will be suitable for any given situation. Varying grocery [...]
9 Wild Animal Encounters Worth the Trip
This guest post was written by Tiffany Karabaich. Our love for the many creatures of this Earth may have been ignited by our local zoos and aquariums, showing us the many different species that share our planet. But as we become older, we want more. We want to see more, do more, and really live [...]
Bermuda on a Budget
With direct flights from a number of cities and a unique blend of European and Caribbean-style charm, Bermuda beckons its fair share of visitors. Here’s how to experience Bermuda beach travel on a budget. Activities: Free activities abound throughout Bermuda, including the skirling ceremony performed by authentically-kilted bagpipers, hiking the Railway Trail, and guided walking [...]
How to Get the Best Value for Your Spa Getaway
Hectic schedules and stressful careers make spa vacations a sought-after commodity for many travelers. Hot stone massages, seaweed wraps and sugar scrubs are among the more popular choices for vacationers, but facials and foot rubs receive high marks as well. With rates reaching as high as $500 or more for certain treatments however, it pays [...]
Thrifty Tips for Vegan Road Trips
Vegan road trips can be challenging for those new to the lifestyle. Ordering meals with meat-eating friends, avoiding hidden milk products and finding healthy snacks at remote gas stations are just a few of the hurdles you’ll need to handle. Here are a few frugal tips for successfully navigating the experience. Snacks: For car trips, [...]
7 Savvy Ways to Reduce Your Accommodation Costs While Traveling
Let’s face it. One of the most expensive line items in any vacation budget – after air fare – is nightly accommodation. Finding easy and trusted ways to reduce costs in this area is literally the ticket to being able to afford long term travel. Here are seven of my personal favorites. Home Exchanges Got [...]
Business Travel Tips for Trade Shows and Conferences
Trade show travel and industry conferences may be your ticket to networking success, but the behind-the-scenes logistics can mean large expenses and tons of travel stress. Here’s how to come out on top. Planning: Early booking can score savings on everything from airline tickets and ground transportation to hotel accommodation expenses. According to human resources [...]
Boston on a Budget
Sports enthusiasts, food fans and culture lovers flock to Boston for fun, excitement and fabulous dining. Failing to plan however, can result in serious sticker shock. Follow these thrifty travel tips to experience Beantown on a budget. Fees: Driving in Boston can be tedious to say the least, and relying on taxis can rapidly run [...]
Snowshoeing Offers Active, Affordable Vacation Options
We packed up our snowshoe equipment along with our energetic Labrador, and drove off from our cabin on St. Froid Lake to enjoy the free community trails at the 10th Mountain Ski Club in Fort Kent, Maine. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other ideas and the previous day’s snowfall was still clogging the roads. As it [...]
Fido-Friendly Getaways for Winter
With the holidays over, vacationers are looking for active getaways to burn off those extra pounds. For those who want to bring their furry family members along, options do exist. Here are a handful of Fido-friendly ways to enjoy a winter getaway with the entire family. Cross-Country Skiing: While following you on a downhill run [...]
4 Fun Las Vegas Experiences
Vegas, baby. Two words that inspire many to hop a last-minute plane ride to a world-famous mecca of luxury and decadence and toss their cares to the wind. While there are countless experiences in Las Vegas worth your tourist time. These four represent a few of my favorites. Blue Man Group Performing live at the [...]
