A resource for independent travelers
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Beach vacations are popular with travelers at any time of year, but often come with a prohibitive price tag. Snorkeling, shelling and reading are some of my favorite ways to unwind at the seashore, and I always make sure I’m getting the best rate for my getaway. Enjoy frugal waterfront fun with these simple strategies. [...]
This temple in rural Cambodia is located near the French colonial town of Battambang. Nearby is another facility where young monks train, and other Khmer ruins available for touring for those who take the time to explore this part of the country.
When winter sets in and your soul craves sand and surf, booking a trip to the Bahamas might be just what the doctor ordered. These travel tips will help keep budget concerns at bay while still allowing you to enjoy a bit of luxury. Experiences: Dinner guests at Graycliff – an antique Bahamian mansion that’s [...]
If you’re looking for something more than your typical community pool excursions to fulfill your family fun goals this summer, consider the celebration of science. Numerous affordable options are available. These are some of my favorites. Freebies: LIGO, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory in Livingston, Louisiana offers free group fieldtrips to their facility and [...]
When Nora Dunn sold her financial planning practice, along with everything else she owned in 2007 to follow her dream of full-time travel, she knew she wanted to share her adventure. Theprofessionalhobo.com, Dunn’s web site, chronicles how she’s managed to travel full time in a financially-sustainable manner for over four years. In addition to freelance [...]
Lost luggage, changes in temperature and misplaced items can all create unexpected travel expenses in the form of replacement costs. Creative shopping strategies and a bit of research can help alleviate the burden. Here are my top tips for handling incidental vacation expenses affordably. Activities: Forgotten beach towels and misplaced shower shoes are replaced for [...]
When my tour of Slovenia’s Postojna Cave started with an underground train ride, I knew it had to be massive. After witnessing the impressive formations, I immediately wanted to see more of the same. For many, experiencing the world’s notable cave systems involves a hefty price tag. However, there are several ways to handle cost [...]
This simple street scene was photographed on the islet of Sirmione, along the shores of Italy’s Lake Garda. It’s a popular destination for tourists to take a boat ride, go for a swim, tour ancient Roman ruins and catch a romantic Italian dinner.
Known for bling and Beyoncé sightings, Miami isn’t usually celebrated for its affordability. So how do you have a financially-feasible getaway in this city filled with glitz and glamour? Enjoy it like a local. According to the Miami Downtown Development Authority, it’s one of the fastest-growing urban centers in the United States, boasting an 85 [...]
Golf’s lush greens and scenic courses lure wealthy celebrities and world leaders to some of the most expensive vacation destinations in the world. So it isn’t surprising that typical households find the prices prohibitive when it comes to finding the family travel funds. Follow these tips for an affordable golf getaway. Packages: A pretty penny [...]
Birding requires minimal equipment and suits a variety of travel budgets. From back yard viewing to international excursions, here are several tips for birding on a budget. Destinations: Choose a place that’s rich in bird life with affordable day-to-day expenses to maximize your money. For example, Uganda is home to half the bird species in [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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. [...]
The folks at Tilley have included several fun and functional travel hats in this year’s winter line. In this article, I’ll take a look at three of them. This Canadian travel gear company has been making road warrior products for some time now, and all three of the hats I’m reviewing in this piece feature [...]
This giraffe at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa is a classic example of the type of travel photography possible during a visit to the zoo. Exotic animal images are extremely helpful in marketing your travel writing, and just plain fun to frame and display. Other fun places to photograph animals are Peru’s Sacred Valley, [...]
On a networking trip to Georgia, I leisurely strolled through Underground Atlanta – a revitalized historical shopping venue – sampling pralines, and shopping for such treats as peach syrup and Vidalia onion dressing. Food products are among my favorite frugal souvenirs. While it’s possible to spend a fortune, there is in fact a wide variety [...]
This image of the White Oak Lavender Farm exemplifies what agritourism is all about. A giant hay bale behind a well-maintained fence with a pasture in the background is iconic in its own right. Factor in the lavender bushes in the foreground, and you have a scene that you simply can’t resist. This charming farm [...]
This image of the Tel Aviv skyline was photographed from the ancient city of Jaffa. The two locations are located close enough together that one can easily be reached from the other by a pleasant stroll on the beach. Tel Aviv is one of several cities worth including on a national tour of Israel, and [...]
With the recent hubbub over debit card fees, I thought it might be time to start reviewing credit card programs and what they can offer the budget traveler. First up? The Discover Card® .
Old Jaffa is a pleasant daytrip from nearby Tel Aviv, and a popular tourist excursion.
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 [...]
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 [...]