We clearly like eating out... why not do it for less?!

I’m a notoriously ruthless deal monger, but even Boat Shoe Boy was proud of me for this one (and that’s seriously saying something). For anyone out there that likes saving money (who doesn’t?), you’re probably already familiar with restaurant.com as any self-respecting deal-huntress should be. Normally, you can get $25 gift certificates for a mere $10 through their site and there are a number of awesome restaurants, lounges and bars that participate in the scheme. Yes, there are stipulations but they’re clearly laid out by the merchant (e.g. must spend at least $35, must purchase 2 entrees, valid for food only, valid for dinner only, etc.). Not all merchants have the same restrictions, but there is usually something in fine print worth noting.

Regardless, I’ve just scored such an incredible deal through this site that I had to share! I have $250 worth of gift certificates to 10 restaurants in SF that I’ve been wanting to try + a $50 gift certificate to restaurants.com itself to purchase future deals with. My grand total? $37.50. No, seriously.

Here’s the deal: Find the restaurant you want, add the $25 gift certificate to your basket and use promo code ‘NEW’ when ordering. All of your $25 certificates (normally $10 each) will be reduced to $3. I actually added two $25 gift cards that were normally $20 each through the site and they were still marked down to the promo price. Such an incredible deal and such a great way to try new restaurants in your city or on your travels! Who wants to spend more money dining out than they have to?

Get online and get shopping! I’m not sure how long the promo lasts since it’s not really being advertised. Leave me a comment if you end up purchasing, though — I’d love to hear where you’re all going with your (nearly) free dining bucks!

Happy deal hunting!

xoxo,

Flying into Vegas

I left sunny Sacramento at around 9A on Thursday and jetted down to the airport to start my early weekend in Vegas! Boat Shoes was already in Vegas making his rounds for the IMEX conference, so I was all set to link up with him at the Palazzo when I arrived early that afternoon.

Boat Shoes & I lunching at FIRST.

After a quickie $7 shuttle ride to the hotel, I got settled in to our stellar suite (side note for those not wanting to throw money away, the shuttle is a mere $7, a cab is around $30 + tip). We quickly changed into comfy clothing and made our way to one of the hotel’s restaurants, FIRST Food & Bar. I was more than a little excited to see a ‘skinny’ drink (the DIY ‘Skinny Bitch’ made with Crystal Light) on their menu so I had to test it out. Imagine my surprise when it came out looking like this:

FIRST's Skinny Bitch

I love that they put the Crystal Light on the side! While the packaging looks a bit questionable (read: like you’re harboring illegal substances), I thought it was clever Vegas-inspired packaging. After re-fueling (note: the blackened mahi fish wrap is a winner!), we headed out to explore the Strip for my first time ever! 

Boat Shoes and I exploring.

There’s no doubt about it – Vegas is totally Disneyland for grown-ups. Much more expensive and debaucherous, but equally mesmerizing. You know the way you feel when you stumble upon Adventureland in Disneyland at 5-years-old and are awe-struck by everything around you as you try to take it all in? Yeah, same thing as a 25-year-old in Vegas. I was immediately mesmerized with the Palazzo as we walked through it: fake blue skies, waterways, gondoliers and a replica of St. Mark’s Square? Who thinks up these things?

Gondoliers inside the Palazzo.

We spent a few hours walking down the Strip, exploring hotels and sipping on some suspiciously delicious margaritas from Margaritaville {margaritas were definitely a trend during this trip}. 

After running around in the Vegas heat, we got cleaned up and made our way out for the evening. There is certainly no shortage of amazing restaurants in Vegas and while it’s great to have such incredible options, it also makes choosing really difficult! After much deliberation we decided to eat at SUSHISAMBA, right inside the Palazzo.

Heading out for the evening!

With a 45 minute wait at 9PM, we decided to kill some time at Double Helix Wine and Whiskey Bar(also in the Palazzo). We each grabbed a drink before making our way back to SUSHISAMBA for dinner. (Deal mongers: If you’re a foursquare user, check in at Double Helix to get a ‘buy one, get one 50% off’ deal!)

At Double Helix for drinks!

I’ll admit, I wasn’t 100% sure about SUSHISAMBA before we sat down. Sushi’s always great in my book, but I didn’t get the full concept behind the restaurant. It ended up being a very cool mix of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine and our meal was absolutely stellar. Sushi, sashimi, ahi tacos, chilean sea bass, Alaskan king crab… the list goes on and nothing disappointed.

SUSHISAMBA.

After our SUSHISAMBA run-in, we made our way to Wynn and the Encore to explore the neighboring hotels. Being big piano bar fans, we stopped into the dueling piano bar at the Encore (open from 9P on) and spent the rest of the evening lounging and doing a bit of people-watching.

All in all, an amazingly jam-packed first day in Vegas! Check back tomorrow as I re-cap delicious day two with our continued exploration of the Strip, some crazy good food and some more piano loving.

xoxo,

Wanna see more pictures of Sin City? Click here to peruse my album.

I can hardly believe it, but Vegas is right around the corner! I’ll be leaving Thursday and jetting off to Nevada for a long-awaited reunion with Boat Shoe Boy. Like I’d mentioned before, I’ve never actually been to Vegas so I’m beginning to draw up a mental packing list for the trip. Now, I’m only going to be in the city for three days and three nights and while I know the benefits of packing lightly, I have a feeling that I’ll be overpacking for this excursion (the curse of two X chromosomes). Obviously daywear is going to be vastly different from nightwear; plus, with a Jimmy Buffett concert on our agenda, my grass skirt, oversized hats and leis have to make the packing list.

The smaller of the two hats I have to pack! :)

So, for Vegas-ites, or those who visit frequently, what am I missing?! I always feel like I’m overpacking and then realize that I’ve actually just packed incorrectly — too much of the wrong thing and too little of what I actually need/want. The weather’s supposed to be between 86 and 90 degrees this weekend so I assume shorts, wedges and tank tops are appropriate for day time; dresses and heels for at night; bathing suit for poolside lounging.

I still have no idea what restaurants we’re planning on hitting up, but I’m beginning to think about our daytime plans. I feel like every conversation I have about Vegas revolves around nighttime activities, but I know there’s a ton of stuff to do and see during the day.  For anyone else that’s in the same boat (looking for inexpensive daytime activites), I found some fun suggestions but would love some more:

- Bellagio Conservatory– free admission and it’s open 24/7!
- Gallery of Fine Arts  – $15, $10 for students
- Shopping at Caesar’s Forum Shops, at the Grand Canal Shoppes or the shops at Mandalay Bay
- Drive to Red Rock Canyon, take the scenic loop — not on our agenda since we don’t have a car

Also, check out this site (Las Vegas Review Journal) for info on what to see and do during your excursion. As an aside, has anyone seen Blue Man Group? I can’t lie — my interest is piqued!

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOL8-qIYemg]

Love from CA,

Contribution By: Ashyia Hill

A vacation in Thailand is great for people who are truly interested in connecting with the local culture. However, such a vacation can also be great for those who want to save on resort-style accommodations. Because of the exchange rate, if you can get to Thailand cheaply, you can stay there very inexpensively, as well. In fact, Thailand has growing popularity as a honeymoon destination for this very reason!

Thailand -- Courtesy of ADR

If you’re planning a vacation to exotic Thailand, here are just a few ways that you can save money on such a trip.

1.     Prioritize Your Spending

The best way to save money on any vacation is to make sure you prioritize your spending. This means that you decide what’s most important to you – not what’s most important in the travel guides. Once you know what’s important to you, you’ll know what you can cut back on.

If, for instance, you want to experience as much of the Thai culture as possible when you’re on vacation, you might budget more money for local food and events and less money for accommodations. If you’re honeymooning, on the other hand, you might want to splurge a bit more on your room or resort.

2.     Save on Airfare

One of the most expensive parts of a vacation to somewhere far away like Thailand is inevitably airfare, so cutting back on airfare spending can cut back on your vacation spending altogether. The best way to save on airfare is to shop around and to shop early. Booking your airline tickets about six months before your trip is a great idea! Plus, you can use sites like Kayak and Travelocity to compare airline prices and even to track prices for a few weeks so you can snap up your tickets when they’re cheapest.

Another way to save on airfare is to get a credit card with airline miles rewards well before your trip. Start using this card for everyday basics and paying it off each month. Then you’ll be able to use your airline miles to offset the cost of your plane tickets, making your trip to Thailand much cheaper.

3.     Travel Off Season

One of the best ways to save on any vacation is to travel in the shoulder seasons or off-season. Because of the weather, the peak tourist season in Thailand is November through February. Traveling in October or March will leave you relatively good weather but will also save you money on everything from accommodations to food.

In the off season, expect hot, humid, and rainy weather. You may be able to save even more money, but make sure that you double check that the attractions you want to see are actually open.

4.     Talk to a Specialized Travel Agent

Talking to a travel agent might seem counterintuitive when it comes to saving money on your vacation. However, for a big trip, travel agents can actually save you more money than you might expect. They can often get you good deals on accommodations and plane tickets, among other things.

If you decide to work with a travel agent – or if you even think you might – then finding an agent who specializes in Thailand or Asian travel will help you save even more. You’ll be amazed at how much more you can learn about traveling to Thailand from someone who specializes in it!

5.     Get to Know the Locals

Understanding local culture is a must before you travel to Thailand. As long as you can get around without offending anyone, you’ll probably find the locals to be very warm and hospitable. Knowing the locals can help you figure out how to avoid tourist destinations with marked-up prices. Instead, you can spend more wisely on the restaurants and shops that the locals use, which can save you a fortune in the long run.

6.     Stay in Less Touristy Locations

While you’ll probably want to end up in Bangkok at some point during your trip to Thailand, spending all your time in large cities or touristy areas will definitely cost you more money on your vacation. Instead, research some of the back woods areas of Thailand, where you’re more likely to get good deals and to really experience local culture.

Some places you might want to check out that are more off the beaten track include Loei and Koh Samed. If you’re looking for a Thai beach vacation, check out Koh Jum, Koh Phayam and Bang Saphan.

—-

Ashyia Hill from CreditDonkey says traveling in Thailand can be a unique cultural experience, and you don’t have to spend a fortune to make a vacation like this happen. With these six pieces of advice, you can save on your dream Thai vacation!

Delivery!

I loooove getting mail: postcards, letters, parcels; anything that’s not a bill just takes my happiness level through the roof. Well, yesterday I received an entire parcel from San Francisco Travel and was over the moon when I opened it up! My favorite Luxembourger, Frank, competed in a San Francisco-based contest and after getting second place (way to go, Frank!) was awarded a sweet prize package. Since he lives in Luxembourg, he was kind enough to have the package sent my way so I could enjoy a few goodies in the city!

So many goodies!

 In addition to a Zagat Guide (which I’m thrilled about!), the package also included an SF MOMA gift bag, two tickets to the San Francisco Symphony, two tickets for high-speed boat rides, two passes to the Wax Museum and a gift card to 1300 on Fillmore!

SF Symphony

I’m so excited to get down to the city and put all of these tickets to use. So much San Francisco to explore!

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQXrfOCDvPU]

Has anyone been to the San Francisco Symphony?
This will be a first for me and I’m thrilled!

Lots of love from California,

Want to check out more of Frank’s awesome videos?
Click here and explore his portfolio.

Not a bad place to be cooped up in the rain!

When I asked Boat Shoes about weather in the Caribbean prior to our trip, he nonchalantly noted the following, ‘Well, technically hurricane season starts in July, but there aren’t really any hurricanes this time of year.’ Hmm. Comforting. Well, we didn’t witness any full-fledged hurricanes, but the sky began falling on Tuesday sometime in the middle of the night. We woke up in the morning to discover dark grey skies and a rather unappealing beach. Fortunately we had stocked up on snacks and breakfast food the day before so we were prepared to stay indoors and entertain ourselves.

With no cards, no boardgames and an utter lack of interest in television watching whilst on vacation, we ended up spending the morning playing the ‘Guess Who I Am Game’. I’m sure the game has an actual name, but I can’t be sure. For anyone that doesn’t inherently know what this game entails, I should preface it with the following blissful observation: it’s incredibly simple and curiously fun. We each wrote down a noun on a small piece of paper, typically the name of a random person (think: Justin Bieber, JaRule, Princess Jasmine, etc.), folded the papers up and threw them in a pile in the middle of a table. One by one, we’d draw from the center, place the paper to our forehead and ask questions to figure out who/what we were. It’s kind of an incredibly bizarre version of twenty questions. Except there aren’t just twenty questions. And the questions can be open-ended. And people can volunteer information…. so not really like twenty questions at all, but just as fun. In any case, we ended up playing a couple of rounds before deciding to head down to Straw Hat yet again for a mid-day meal.

Straw Hat

The view from Straw Hat on a sunshine-y day :)

Despite the rain, it ended up being a relaxing afternoon. Post-lunch deliciousness (side note: the fish sandwich is a solid lunchtime bet), we took a nap and prepped for the evening.

Boat Shoes -- Freshly Shaven!

Prom photo shoot!

As I mentioned before, Boat Shoe Boy lived on the island previously and definitely knows the ins and outs of local happenings. That being the case, we were alerted to the fact that it was Wednesday night which means one very important thing: $1 wing night at Ferry Boat Inn. With an uneven ratio of testosterone to estrogen, missing out on wing night was not a possibility in the slightest. With five hungry boys in tow, we made our way to the restaurant and snagged a good five dozen wings, fries + regular food for the ladies. I have rarely seen so many guys in a state of pure bliss, but I imagine that wing night at most places elicits the same reaction: that finger-licking, I’m-immersed-in-what-I’m-eating state of mind that seems to take guys to a new level of manhood.

Elvis' Beach Bar

After the guys had their fill of wings, we made our way to Elvis’ for more drinks, dancing, and a worm off. If only we had video of the epicly ridiculous venture that was a worm/acrobatics off (read: a competition based on who can worm the best, cartwheel the best or compete in some other acrobatic way), it would be pure entertainment. Pictures can’t really do it justice. We have a couple of good wormers in the group, but generally there were lots of belly flops and, I would imagine, some minor torso bruising. Admittedly, I need to work on my worming skills. One of our group members is a pretty incredible wormer, but I was genuinely suprised when Boat Shoes showed me up! How can a boyfriend keep a skill set like that a secret?! Can you say ‘selling point’?!

C. trying out his worm!

And there I go... #fail.

Huddling up for some Flip Cup strategizing.

Flip Cup Champions!

The night escalated and ended with a Flip Cup competition between some veteran Flip Cuppers and some miscellaneous Canadians. As expected, our team (I use ‘our’ loosely, since I wasn’t competing) held it down! After securing their spots as champions, we all headed home to finish up the evening. Another awesome day in Anguilla!

xoxo from the Frangipani,

Courtesy of WWOOF Website

While I was perusing Frommer’s Budget Travel yesterday, I ran across a small article on WWOOF, World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. WWOOF combines two things that I absolutely love: freebies and organic goodies. Honestly, I’m rather surprised I hadn’t run across this organization before. The basic premise? In exchange for volunteer work (usually 4 – 6 hours a day) on a farm, the hosts offer room and board. The tasks — like the farms — are quite varied and you can gain some incredible knowledge on various facets of the organic farming industry. The best part is that it’s a worldwide organization. In addition to an opportunity to travel, I could see this being hugely educational in a number of ways: in addition to organic farming or agritourism education, it could certainly act as a minor cultural and language immersion program if you pick your country wisely.

There are farms in North America that are in need of volunteers, but you can also find farms in Nepal, Australia, Sierra Leone, Chile, Costa Rica, the UK and Israel (in addition to tons of other cool locations). While some locations are focused on animal husbandry or fish farming others are focused on fruit, vegetable, coffee or flower cultivation…. definitely something for everyone and an awesome opportunity to learn and live for free! I have to say, my interest is piqued a bit — maybe a 3-week excursion to Israel is in order?

Has anyone out there volunteered with WWOOF or explored opportunities in voluntourism?

Happy farming,

April 2011

I was recently perusing Frommer’s Budget Travel Magazine from April 2011 and loved their focus on ‘Iconic America’. As you already know, I’ve begun focusing on US destinations now that I’m back on American soil. New York, San Francisco, DC and other great American cities aside, there are many smaller cities worth exploring and many national parks and greenery to see.

If you haven’t taken the time to check out some of our national parks, you can easily make it happen from April 16 through April 24th. The United States is celebrating National Park Week during that period and is granting free (yes, free!) entry into each and every national park including Yosemite and Yellowstone. With 394 National Parks sprinkled throughout the US, there’s bound to be one near you. {Click here to locate a park.}

Half Dome - Yosemite National Park

Many of the parks never charge a fee anyway, but even the ones that do make the fee very modest. After my experiences with Yosemite, I’m definitely tempted to take advantage of National Park Week and head to Redwood National Park for a mini excursion!

Gorgeous Yosemite <3

See more pictures of Yosemite and other California destinations here.

Happy (Inexpensive) Travels,

Ahh... New York.

To make a long answer incredible short: I travel on the cheap. I’m a deal finder. I believe in never paying full price for anything and am pretty disciplined when it comes to spending. I know what I like to spend money on and what I find to be a waste and budget accordingly. While traveling Europe, I frequently traveled with at least one other person and shared a hotel room. The hotels we stayed in were quaint (read: run-down and questionable) rarely costing over 40 euros a night total (15 – 20 euros per person per night). Public transportation is pretty affordable and I would regularly find flights on EasyJet for 100 pounds or less round trip. Now, it’s a bit more difficult to travel cheaply within the US (accommodation is a bit pricier and flights across the country get pricey), but it can be done. Here’s a quick run-down of how I managed to check out DC and NY for under $500 including flights, accommodation, sightseeing, food… everything!

I nabbed my flight through Delta for $240 roundtrip. It sounds too good to be true but it definitely isn’t! I had one layover in Minneapolis and a decent enough trip with Delta. As a side note, you now have to pay for luggage — even the first bag — which ended up costing $46 round trip ($50 if you pay at the airport).

Total so far? $286.

While in DC, I didn’t pay to see a single thing. Every single museum I ventured into and every monument I visited was 100% free. For this reason, DC makes an amazing place to visit. {Read about my experiences with the Smithsonian and other museums here.} Of course, food also adds to the bill, right? Grand total spent on food in DC: about $80. My first stop once I get settled in the city was Trader Joe’s. I grabbed apples, carrots, pre-made salads, Luna bars, etc. and munched on those most of the time, which saved quite a bit of cash. I did grab coffee at Starbucks and other local coffee shops while I was there and the occasional wrap while I was out, but even adding those into the equation, it was still under $80. It helps that A. and I aren’t big drinkers since drinks do add up really quickly. New York was a bit pricier, but even there I spent about $60 on food and drinks.

Total so far? $426.

Gotta love public transport!

Then, let’s add in transportation. Roundtrip from DC to NY was $43 on the Washington Deluxe. Plus, I spent around $30 getting around with NY and DC’s underground systems (click here to read more about NY’s Subway and DC’s Metro systems).

Grand Total: $499.

Of course, accommodation does add to the costs, doesn’t it? Fortunately, I was able to stay with an amazing friend in DC and we spent our weekend in New York staying with her family. That would have brought up the costs significantly, but their hospitality made it a very feasible trip. Admittedly, I did spend around $75 on extras: a pair of shoes, sunglasses, some earrings, etc., but even that I thought was pretty awesome considering the temptation that is New York City!

The main things I’ve learned about trying to keep costs of traveling down:

1) Take advantage of every flight discount available. Search, search, search! There are deals to be had. If you’re a student (or under 26), check out STA. I’ve been known to find a deal or two on there. They’re not always the best but it’s worth a look. I once got a non-stop flight from SF to London for $250 including taxes! Also, if you’re flexible, book on Tuesdays since the deals are always best then. Weekend trips are always going to cost you more.

2) Grocery shop! You do it at home, why not do it when you’re away? Eating out gets expensive. Very expensive. You’re $4 morning latte, $3 breakfast sandwich, $8 lunch wrap, $15 dinner… it adds up really quickly. Instead find a local grocery store when you get in and stock up on some basics. (I snagged Luna bars at Trader Joe’s for $0.99 and kept them in my purse in case I got hungry while I was out!) If you want a taste of local flavor, plan on hitting up happy hour one night to cut down on costs!

3) Save on accommodation. Accommodation is arguably the most expensive part of travel. It adds up very quickly and I honestly find it to be a bit of a waste. Sure, I like being comfortable, but isn’t the point of traveling to explore? Accommodation serves two purposes for me: it provides a place to sleep and a place to clean up. You can do both of those things and a hostel or a super cheap-o hotel. Travel with a group and it cuts down on costs significantly.

Another option? Try CouchSurfing! I’ve never tried it personally, but friends who’ve experienced it have nothing but good things to say. If anyone has tried it, I’d love to hear about your experiences!

So much to see for FREE!

4) Do your homework. For me, this is a big one. I tend to think that half the fun of traveling is planning anyway, so this just adds to the experience for me. Do a bit of research on the area you’re visiting and find out what there is to do for free. Some cities (like DC) are more conducive to free sightseeing, but most cities have things going on that are free or incredibly inexpensive. Try to find out what’s going on and where you can save cash.

Anyone else have other great tips on saving cash while traveling? Saving money is one of my most favorite things ever.

xoxo,

Refueling in Times Square

Sunday provided us with just a few hours of sightseeing in New York. We decided to explore as much as possible, leaving enough time to make it back to Penn Station for our bus ride back to DC. We jumped on the train downtown and exited 42nd Street to check out Times Square. Yes, it’s touristy, but seeing as how we are tourists, we found it only fitting that we check it out. We grabbed coffee from Starbucks while I pondered the price of real estate in the area. (Seriously, how much does Hard Rock pay for that location?!!)

Times Square

Radio City Music Hall

Rockefeller Center

Pretty flags at Rockefeller Center

From Times Square, we headed to the Rockefeller Center to scope out the area and watch the ice skaters. By the way, how gorgeous is the Rockefeller Center this time of year?! From there, we headed up to the MoMA en route to Central Park. Now, I’m sure the MoMA would have been cool, but seeing as how they charge for entry ($20 for adults, $12 for students), we opted out. After seeing so many amazing museums in London and DC (for free!), the idea of paying for a museum seemed a bit lame. Instead of spending time (and money) there, we headed to Central Park to catch a glimpse before parting ways with New York.

We headed back uptown quite early, grabbed our stuff and made our way back to Penn Station to say farewell to the city. It was an incredibly (incredibly!) quick trip, but so amazing. Even in the short time we had there, the energy in the city was palpable. It’s really a unique mix of posh, fast-paced Type A personalities and a grittiness that adds an inexplicable level of charm. I’ll definitely be heading back there in the future, but with more time to explore and with more money to spend. Not only is there incredible shopping, but there are so many amazing plays and musicals going on at any given time plus an unrivaled array of eateries and lounges; in short, too many ways to spend a lot of money very quickly. As a budget traveler, though, I’m proud to say that we spent very little money on this trip. Despite temptation, I spent a grand total of $50 on accessories and goodies and we kept food and coffee spending to a minimum. NY is hard to do on the cheap, but it can be done!

See more pictures from New York and DC or explore my photo gallery to see pictures from other amazing adventures.

xoxo,