So behind!

Hey Travelers,
I am so behind and very sorry if you've been waiting on me. It seems like every day is something more challenging. Good news in my quest for travel is that I've got my tax return back so I'll be able to go to Italy after all! My friend would have killed me if I missed her wedding.
Life moves ever forward and last night I stayed in my very first Deluxe Disney Resort: Wilderness Lodge! A friend of mine owns a Disney Vacation Club membership and we had a lovely girls night in a 5th floor deluxe studio. I highly recommend it!
So here's the skinny: I'm soooooo broke! And I'm sure many of you are in the same situation. But being broke doesn't mean you can't travel. Why just this morning I found a flight from Orlando to Bogota, Columbia for $379 rt!? Sure it was for two weeks from now, but when you're poor you have to be flexible. With that in mind, here are some brilliant ideas on keeping busy while keeping your money in the bank account.

1. Design your own walking tour.
     So your planning a vacation on the cheap, you have so much you want to see but you can't afford one of the hop-on-and-off trolleys! So go to the library or use your google and design your own tour. I promise you'll see so much more of the city- maybe even stumble upon a great find!

2. Create a travel play list.
     Set the mood and jump into a culture. Design a play list that will help you relax and maybe bring some of your destinations spice to you day. It will be a nice way to jam through a long flight!

3. Pair up your outfits.
     I own more clothes then I will ever where, but unfortunately every day I travel it looks like I've gotten dressed in the dark! ...And sometimes I have, because if your in a multi-bed hostel you do NOT want to be that person diggin' around with the lights on at 7am! So plan ahead and build your wardrobe. Then once you've started packing you'll know exactly which pieces you need.
     Note: This can also help you condense your luggage. If you have 3 outfits that use the same pair of jeans, you just save yourself some major space!

4. Build a bucket list.
     Don't have your next destination picked out yet? Well that's not my style, but I did say be flexible. By having a general idea of where you'd like to go you can book as soon as you see the flight drop in price!

5. Smash something!
     Now don't go all Hulk on your house or anything! I'm talking about Smashbooks. They're like scrap booking from dummies, which is something I need! They don't take all the crazy supplies like a homemade scrapbook and it's still a great way to store all your memories of that trip: plane tickets, museum brochures, a napkin or menu...

6. Pin project.
     Make those pins a reality. Pinterest is an addiction, but all those ideas are just that if you don't follow through. Build a camping kit, or make a piece of art. Nothing is more inspiring then someone else's imagination ;)

Well I hope that's enough to get you off the couch... or on the couch if you're just making a play list. I'll write again soon. This whole once a month thing is just not going to work out for me!
Travel on, and remember:

Places for Travelrs Who like to Feel at Home: B&B or an Inn

The idea of staying at a bed and breakfast tends to elicit strong reactions among travelers. Many are decorated in a certain "ye old time-y" style or  a L.L. Bean catalog. It is for this reason, that many of these establishments are going to great efforts to avoid the title of B&B. They have take to preferring terms like, lodge, guest house, or inn. Outside of the U.S., the same type of accommodation might be called something else entirely: In France- chambre d'hote, In Italy- pensione or agriturismo
So basically, what we are talking about here is a smaller lodging establishment where the owner is involved in day-to-day operations and breakfast is served to guests. This usually involves some amount of mingling with other travelers and closer quarters then you'll find in a hotel.
The problem is that these places don't necessarily show up on Web sites that list bigger hotels and resorts, so here's how you go about finding them... and finding the right one for you!

Where to look:
For the traditionalism, start at BedandBreakfast.com, a site that claims to list more that 25,000 establishments around the World... however, most are in the U.S. Another web site, BBOnline.com, smaller selection and slightly less polished but great to cross reference a potential booking.
Another strategy is to do an Internet search for your destination and "bed and breakfast" or "inn", which often turns up direct links to local establishments. The Professional Association of Innkeepers International also has links to state associations. Also, reference your guidebook. Those are well researched and trustworthy.
Questions you should be asking:
How many guest rooms are there?
Will you have to share a bathroom?
What's for breakfast?
What time can you eat?
Can you get Internet access?
What's the cancellation policy?
Are extra guests allowed?
Are there any common areas besides the dining room?
Is there a curfew?
Is the rate negotiable?
 Depending on what's most important to you will direct your decision.

Rental Cars

I've rented cars in both Europe and Central America. Neither has been an enjoyable process, but to get the most experiences out of certain locations you sometimes can't void the pains. OR if you're traveling in a larger party, it is sometimes more economical to rent a car. Just beware, there are so many hidden fees with car rental. Budget Travel posted a great article about it, but those are just a few. Here are the ones that I had to learn the hard way!
Filling the Tank: In the U.S. we sure complain about the price of fuel, but let me assure you that we are better off than our European counterparts! On my Euro-Road Trip this past summer we spent more that 800EUROS in gas. It was unexpected and in the end, we wished we would have saved the money and each bought a rail-pass instead.
G.S.P Fee: This is the same everywhere, but in the U.S. I would never have thought of NEEDING a GSP. I'm pretty handy with a map, so I'm usually replying on those skills. However, in countries where I can't read the road signage as well, I have splurged on a G.P.S.- splurged being the operative word!
Like I previously stated, sometimes the need for a car is unavoidable, but here are some interesting alternatives. No matter where you travel, local or abroad beware of the hidden fees of the rental car!

pARTing keepsakes

Like most travelers, when you visit a new and exciting place you want to take a piece of it home with you. Jade statues from China, a pair of wooden shoes from the Netherlands, mini Eiffel towers sold in Paris... NICKNACKS! Or as my mom calls them: Clutter. Over time and many new apartments and cities, I have come to hate my junk. It looses it's meaning and just becomes one more thing to dust. I mean, I seriously own a hammock from Brazil when I spent my entire 3.5week trip sleeping in one... I haven't had a YARD in 4 years, why did I buy a hammock?!?!?! Oh the mistakes I've made.
Finally, I have discovered a new approach. After establishing that I want something different, even one of a kind that really speaks from the heart of a destination, I was offered this advice: buy the something that grows with you. Buy Art. Over time, you'll learn more about your style and taste.
In 2008 I went to Prague and on the Charles Bridge the street vendors fill the sides of the path with their paintings, drawings, and photography. The choices were overwhelming and every piece was beautiful. Finally, I found two that spoke to me. 5"X7" Water colors of the bridge. They were perfect and easy to carry around for the remainder of the trip. Upon returning home, I had them frame and they have decorated my various apartments ever since!

Art! The perfect keepsake. It varies from affordable to priceless. It's easy to transport... for the most part. Oil paintings are the exception, the canvas can't easily be rolled and they are sensitive to temperature. The best part, is that every place you travel becomes a part of your home as much as its be become a part of you!

Happy Travels!

Back in October this article was published : 9 Travel Apps Every Traveler Should Use

1. Travel App Box: It is made up of a collection of 15 tools which includes a tip calculator, country calling codes, offline maps, flight status and more.
2. Tripit: The app organizes all of your travel details in one place. I love it! Use it all the time now.
3. Around Me: Lists your options while telling you how far it is along with directions to get there.
4. Weather Channel App: Self explanitory
5. Camera+: MAC only- This app enhances the zoom, timer and stabilizer of your photos among other functions on your iPhone or iPad.
6. Evernote: Take pictures of receipts and other paperwork as well as taking notes on the go.
7. Wikitude Location Guide: It draws in helpful information about your surroundings and displays annotations of nearby points of interest.
8. FlightAware: You can check on flight status, gate information and changes, delays and cancellations.
9. Google Translate: Save yourself the time of learning the language and spare yourself some embarrassment!

~ Greet

Walking Tours

Something I always suggest to my fellow travelers is taking a walking tour around your destination. Either with a company or just following one outline by your travel guide. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with not only the city, but the direction of things. It's easy to know North, East, South, West; but it's another to know "Oh the subway always exits on this side of an intersection!"
Also, walking tours can help you weed out some of the less necessary attractions, especially if it's guided by a local! They can tell you what's over priced and what is a great hidden treasure. If you're lucky, they may even make suggestions for dining.
I'm a huge fan of Sandman's and they seem to be adding new cities every year. If there is one at your vacation destination, take it! You won't regret it.
If you think you're going to wing it on your own with your travel guide book, then I suggest looking to see if your city has a Spy Map, they are just as good as a local guide with finding hip cafes or good restaurants. I'll be using on in Budapest, but I've used them before in Barcelona, Prague, and Dublin.
In the end, no matter where you go, walking your destination can be very rewarding. So next time you see one of those red double decker buses, just think how much they miss out from up there.

Thanks for the tip O' Mighty Travel Gods!

Being such a travel activist, I subscribe to several different periodicals. As a result I sometimes receive some fairly interesting inserts in my mailbox. The most recent was a bookmark sized flyer with the "Top 5 Secrets To Savvy Travel" on it. Most of the tips I already follow, but I thought I'd share them with you.

1. Time It Right. Fly on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday. Traveling on off-peak days- and at off-peak times- means lower fares, a less crowded cabin, and a greater change of snagging those elusive mileage-award seats.  Taking two days off for a long weekend? Instead of traveling Thursday and Sunday or Friday and Monday, save money by flying Saturday and Tuesday.

2. Buy Airline Tickets Midday on Tuesdays. When I purchase a domestic ticket, I usually do it on a Tuesday between noon and 3p.m. Airlines tend to announce fare sales on Monday nights, and other airlines match those sales on Tuesday mornings, which means that by 3p.m. on the East Coast and by noon Pacific time, the greatest number of tickets has hit the system.

3. Stay Over Sunday. Many hotels get Friday and Saturday night bookings from leisure travelers and Monday through Friday traffic from Business Travelers, so there's a void on Sunday night- which increases your changes of an upgrade. See tip 1 for more savings ;)

4. Carry Credit Cards That Earn You Elite Status. Play your travel-rewards credit cards right and you'll receive special rates and perks. Carry one airline-branded card and one hotel-branded card that help you attain and maintain elite status- and make sure that at least one of those cards charges no foreign-purchase fee.

5. Book Through "Top Producers." The travel agent who sends the most travelers to a leading hotel or cruise line will be able to get you the most perks. These usually come in the form of resort credits, complimentary meals, and/or free upgrades. Ask an agent whether he is on any travel companies' advisory boards.

Cruise: It's popular for a reason!

Cruises have really made an impact in the last fifteen years or so, with all the major cruise lines adding new ships to their fleets. But what makes cruises so popular and why might you consider choosing one for a vacation? Well, let's take a look at what all they offer:
Worry-free multiple destination travel.
     Wouldn't it be wonderful to go to bed in one place and wake up somewhere new and exotic? Of course it would! Well that's what cruises offer. Long gone are the days of dad driving while everyone sleeps through the night. Dad, you need a vacation too!
No cooking, cleaning or even reservations. 
     The all-inclusive nature of cruising is very attractive in this economical climate. With all your main requirements (food, lodging, and the cruise itself) included in the ticket price, you won't have a heap of expenditures to worry about once you're on board.
A cruise for everyone.
    In the early days, cruises tended to be most popular with the retired and the wealthy, or as I refer to them: Gray-hair cruises. While many of those folks still enjoy cruising today, there really are no stereotypes about your average cruiser any more. There are cruises that are great for families with children, others that cater go couples, some with special events for singles or gay and lesbian passengers, some that are perfect for active adventurers, and some that are low-key and cater to those who just want to relax. While demographics vary from ship to ship, there really are cruises for any kind of person who's looking to see the world and have a good time. If you're not sure you want, try one of the mainstream lines. They are known for having a Vegas vibe, where there are entertainment options for just about everyone. If you prefer peace and relaxation to constant entertainment, choose a small ship or a luxury line.

So you're interested, but how do you get started? Well take some advice. It's highly unlikely that you don't know someone who has cruised before. Your friends are the best critics out there! However, if you are one of the unicorns our there, try Cruise Critic. They'll help you find the perfect cruise for you. 

International Gateways

So traveling aboard is expensive, right? Well, DUH! And that's not going to change any time soon, but you can dampen the cost by know some important tips. Tips like it's cheaper to fly into some airports than others. Today's blog is all about the importance of International Gateways.

Dublin- The capital and most populous city of Ireland.The English name for the city is derived from the Irish name Dubhlinn, meaning "black pool". Dublin is situated near the midpoint of Ireland's east coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey and the center of the Dublin Region. It is also one of the most affordable airports in the EU. It's a great access point to the UK and Western Europe. There is this wonderful little gem of an airline called Aer Lingus who travels from major US cities to Dublin for a decent rate.
              Another great thing about DUB is that they also service the smaller, cheaper airlines that are great for traveling around Europe. Airlines like Ryan Air and Jet Blue, often use smaller, more remote airports to save on taxes and fees so you the traveler will save as well, but Dublin is one of the few LARGE hubs. This makes it very easy to fly in on an affordable roundtrip ticket and then hop to your final destination for a steal.

Barcelona- the capital of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain. I have NO IDEA why it is so affordable to fly here. It's a city filled with amazing art and architecture. Plus some beautiful beaches! Either way, it's the traveler's gain, so take advantage. Especially if you're looking to hop down to Morocco, which can easily be done.
                Now BCN is as large of a hub, but it does offer another alternative: Rail access. If you have always dreamed of roaming the trains of Europe, this is a great jumping point. From Barcelona it is just an overnight trail to amazing destinations like Paris or Roma.

Frankfurt am Main- I know what your thinking ("WHAT?! How?? and No way!"), but read me out! While it is only the 5th largest city in Germany, Frankfurt is the economical mecca of this strong EU nation. With all this financial business going on, it makes sense that flights are easier to find and may cost a little less. The airport connects directly to the rail system and the city is a great launching area for the romantic countryside.

San José- The capital of Costa Rica is a great link into the Central American jungles. Travel through central and south America can be spotty at best, but by flying over some of the more hostile areas you can easily link up with a more reliable bus system. Flights here can very throughout the year, but most affordable is during rainy season. Don't let a few sprinkles dampen your thirst for adventure!

As far as Asia goes, it gets a little more tricky. The single largest market for Asia-USA service is to/from/via Tokyo/Narita, followed by Hong Kong. Depending on time and cost, you can also price out travel to  Canada. Air Canada has an extensive network of Asia-Canada service including numerous Toronto non-stops aside from their Asia gateway city of Vancouver. Taipei also offer some attractive carriers who are generally seen as budget friendly: China Airlines and EVA Airlines.

Please add comments if you have related tips of your own!