Super Useful Travel Links 9.14.12

I’m counting down the days to my vacation to Anaheim (and Los Angeles, Carlsbad, Hollywood and Santa Monica). I’m squeezing everything in I’ve never done in the area and some stuff I want to do again. There will be a flurry of review and destination posts when I come back, too. In the meantime, I’ve been devouring all kinds of travel suggestions and news and figure I might learn a new trick along the way. Either way, I am passing on the most interesting to you today, so I hope any of this comes in handy! (Don’t forget, if you came across something fun, interesting or informative in the travel realm, please share in the comments!)

While I like to slow down and take my time with a city, there are times I want to see as much as possible in the few days I have. If this is you, then you might like Lonely Planet’s Europe in a Hurry guides online. Cram in London|Paris, Vienna|Bratislava, Helsinki|Tallinn, Dresden|Prague, Brussels|Amsterdam and Zurich|Vaduz. Maybe you hadn’t thought of some of these for a vacation, but it will change your mind. LP will tell you what to do on a whirlwind trip.

This photo of New York Public Library is courtesy of TripAdvisor

New York is never a cheap trip. The hotel rates are high, the food costs a fortune and shopping and other entertainment can downright break your budget. Lonely Planet has also found you 40 FREE things to do in New York City, so you don’t max out your credit cards or sit in your hotel room all day after visiting the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building. I’m really interested in going to Governor’s Island when I make it to the Big Apple, but there are 39 other equally remarkable things on the list.

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Sadness! As if cruising wasn’t expensive enough (unless you are one of those lucky people who can book last-minute, save a ton and also able to get off work with no problem), there are more fees being applied to them. I guess they don’t want to be outdone by the airlines… Of course, if you didn’t know about all the hidden fees before, this will give you some highlights of the fees they have been tacking on for years.

There are so many travel myths, that it’s sometimes hard to know which is real and which is BS. And generally people are throwing out tips to you left and right to make your trip better or cheaper. Yes, I do this too, but my tips are based on facts! Gadling gives you 10 travel tips to ignore. If I don’t like something, I will tell you, but I won’t tell you not to go there unless it’s truly horrible. I like to do lots of things that are touristy or random, so obviously I don’t listen to those “experts” either.

This photo of Valle de la Luna is courtesy of TripAdvisor

So, in my quest to find amazing, yet affordable vacation destinations for you, I came across this article on Bolivia and why it should be on your travel wish list. South America is known for its money-saving destinations and Bolivia is no exception, plus it offers a whole lot more!

Who’s looking forward to another packing tutorial?!

There’s a Chill in the Air 9.12.12

I woke up this morning and my house was freezing. Even the dog was reluctant to come out from under the covers. Then I went to my car to drive to work and I could see my breath and had to use my heater to defrost my windows. I don’t like it at all, but I will have to admit pretty soon that Fall is on its way. I’m sad, because it took until the middle of July for Portland to get real Summer weather and now it’s over so quickly, or at least it isn’t warm when the sun goes down.

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There is one thing good that comes with Fall, besides piles of golden leaves and pumpkin picking, and that’s oodles of vacation deals. 75% of travelers already went in Summer, so now that the weather is cooling off, airfares, cruise costs and hotel rates are dropping to entice people out of their houses and to a variety of destinations. So, where can you get some of the best deals for October and November travels?

This photo of Cloud Gate is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Chicago, Illinois – Get yourself a CityPASS to gain entry to Chicago’s 5 best attractions: Shedd Aquarium, The Field Musem, Skydeck Chicago, John Hancock Observatory or Museum of Science and Industry and Adler Planetarium or Art Institute of Chicago. Go take your picture in front of the giant silver bean and don’t forget to pack a warm coat for those windy Chicago days and nights.

Rhode Island – Fun for the whole family awaits you in this New England state. If you love the outdoors, you can be busy for weeks hiking, boating, fishing, golfing, biking, paddling, bird watching, drinking wine and visiting farms and gardens. If that doesn’t sound all that appealing to you, there are spas, museums, scenic tours, sports and art galore to keep you all entertained.

This photo of Denali State Park is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Denali, Alaska – Another great place to travel for outdoor enthusiasts. The national park has wildlife galore, beautiful scenery and the Junior Ranger program to get kids involved, having fun and secretly learning!

Vermont – It may be small and maybe all you know about it is people go there and Connecticut to watch the leaves turn, but there is so much to do in this state. Winter sports abound here, but what about when there isn’t snow? So much! Apple festivals, Halloween celebrations, corn mazes, scenic drives, plus museums, food artisans – cheese, sugar, beer and wine! – fairs, shopping and more.

Hawaii – Hawaii is usually on everyone’s travel wish list, but fall is their low season, which means fewer crowds at the beach and everywhere else! I’ve also seen super cheap airfare – starting around $300 – and hotel rates as low as $78 per night. Plus, if you’re looking for something truly unique to do, the Ironman Triathlon finals competition happens in Kailua Kona in November. Need more ideas? Here are ways to stretch your dollar in Honolulu.

Washington DC – There are so many things to do in Washington, D.C. Museums, parks, the National Mall. Here’s a previous post on how to spend 48 hours in the capital and do it on a budget!

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Bangladesh – Why yes, there are foreign countries on this list! Hopping nightlife, lovely beaches (where you can lay out, snorkel, swim or scuba dive), huge bazaars and interesting new food come together to create a unique vacation experience that will fit into whatever budget you have.

Nicaragua – Beaches surrounded with forests? You’ll find it here. As well as amazing restaurants, food tours, great surfing, sea turtles laying their eggs, island-hopping, historical architecture, hiking, petroglyph tours, ziplining and open-air markets. All this in beautiful landscapes, full of lovely people and affordable prices? Why aren’t you planning this trip already?!

This photo of Santa Fe Balloon Company is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Santa Fe, New Mexico – If you are an art-lover or foodie, then October and November is the time to travel to this Southwestern state. In just those two months you can experience the Santa Fe Gourmet Classic, the Harvest Festival, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Santa Fe Independent Film Festival, Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, Dia de los Muertos, Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival and the SWAIA Winter Indian Market. That’s not even a complete list of awesome things to do!

Cyprus – So, Hawaii wasn’t quite exotic enough for you in terms of beaches? Why not hop over to Greece’s little sister? Here you can dive, swim, snorkel and catch some rays all while eating delicious, delicious food. Don’t spend all your time in your bathing suit though, because there are gorgeous buildings and museums full of history all over Cyprus. Of course, all the money you save on airfare and lodging is bound to be sucked up in all the fab things they have to see and do on the island. Plan ahead.

What do you think about these Autumn travel suggestions? Do any of them make your list for must-visit this year?

48 Fun Hours on a Budget in Stockholm 9.8.12

In this blog series I show you how easy it is to budget travel anywhere and I also give you a quick overview of a new city each time in a brief 48-hour itinerary.

My lovely friend Naomi lives in Sweden and she gave me some great suggestions – and photos – for visiting Stockholm over a short break. The city is super easy to walk and is great for couples, solos and those with children. Naomi has three kids of varying ages and they took a day trip into Stockholm and had a wonderful time. Not only does the city exude a historical feel, but there is a quiet beauty that many European cities have. Here are our ideas melded together to spend 48 hours in Sweden’s capital.

Photo credit: Naomi Olofs-son

Day 1

You aren’t going to get away with dining super cheap in Stockholm, so start your day off with a fika fix. Fika is coffee and the Swedes drink it by the barrel. Stop in at Grillska Husets Konditori for a strong cup of Joe and a pastry to get you going for the day. Head to the first-floor terrace for a lovely spot to relax before heading on your way. The café works with a homeless organization, so proceeds go to fund good things!

Photo credit: Naomi Olofs-son

Tour medieval Stockholm. Gamla Stan is Stockholm’s heart and the buildings still stand from the 1200s. Wander the historical streets early in the day to avoid large crowds. This is a great place to take photos, since everywhere you turn there is something to marvel at – churches, the Royal Palace, tiny walkways. When you’ve done your own touring head to the Museum of Medieval Stockholm and learn the history behind the city you just explored. Admission is just around $10 per person and those under the age of 19 are free!

Walk up the hill from Slussen to Herman’s Trädgårdcafé for lunch and an amazing view. You can see all the major landmarks and ships while enjoying a delicious vegetarian buffet. The average price per person is right around $25.

If you like museums, then the Moderna Museet is where you’ll want to visit next. This art museum that debuted some of the greats like Andy Warhol and Robert Rauschenberg now delights visitor with works of art from Dali, Picasso and Pollock, among many others. Admission runs around $16 per person, but every day you can get in on a guided tour in English and those 18 and under are free! Plus, if you’re visiting with a baby (or several), you can also get a special guided tour specifically for those with infants traveling with them. Tours are included in price of admission, so bonus!

This photo of Pontus! is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Not sure what sounds good for dinner? Head to Pontus! for three different choices in one restaurant. It’s a three-floor eatery that features an oyster bar, a modern brasserie and a seafood/sushi bar. There is something for every taste and every budget. From baked cod to juicy lamb, you won’t leave disappointed in the selection. Depending on what you’re in the mood for, you could plan to spend about $35 per person.

This photo of Djurgarden is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Day 2

Today is a great day to spend on Djurgården, the The Royal Game Park, so pack some snacks for breakfast to enjoy in one of the many green spaces there. You can get to Djurgården several ways. You can walk, take the tram from Sergels Torg or a boat from Nybroplan, Skeppsholmen or Slussen. There are so many things to do on the island, so make sure you wear your walking shoes and possibly a backup battery for your camera. Eat your breakfast fare near Isbladskärret, a beautiful lake where you can bird-watch if you desire.

Now that you are fortified for your day, head over to Skansen. It’s the world’s oldest open-air museum that also contains Stockholm’s only zoo. The object of the museum is to show the different parts of Sweden and the founder, Artur Hazelius, bought 150 houses from across the country and had them shipped piece-by-piece to the island and reassembled. Each house is open to the public and you can watch craftsmen demonstrating traditional occupations, such as tanning, shoemaking and baking in a village setting. Admission is $10-16 per adult, depending on the season and children are $4-8.  

This photo of Djurgarden is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Explore a piece of Swedish history at the Vasa Museet. The Vasa was Sweden’s largest warship, built in the 1620s to go to war with Poland. It unfortunately sank within 20 minutes of its maiden voyage due to the top-heavy cannon and gun decks. It dipped to one side, filled with water and about a third of the sailors on board died. Luckily, it wasn’t carrying its full load of soldiers, so the immediate defeat was not as big a blow as it could have been. The ship was recovered and now resides in the Vasa Museet where you can view the ship from many different levels and even view the skeletons of some of the men who died, which is highly unusual. This is a great exhibit for boat enthusiasts and small children. The museum has daily guided tours and also offers more than just the Vasa and its history. Admission is just $16 per person and free for 18 and under.

Don’t leave the museum for lunch. Instead, enjoy some fabulous Swedish lunch specialties made from fresh, local ingredients in the on-site restaurant. It offers fun maritime décor – in honor of its best exhibit, the Vasa – and views of the sea. Expect to pay around $15 per person for a full lunch.

This photo of Grona Lunds Tivoli is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Time to explore more of the island!

If you like theme parks, check out Gröna Lund, an amusement park built in 1883 with more than 30 attractions. It is a popular place for summer music concerts and also features lovely 19th century houses that the park was built around. You may appreciate the old-school rides like the Tunnel of Love and the funhouse in between thrill rides. Admission is fairly affordable at $14 per person. It’s free for 6 and unders, but you may pay more if concerts are going on.

If you have little ones with you or just like fairy tales and still have time before dinner to check it out, then you’ll want to visit Junibacken, a children’s museum that revolves around story book characters and a very popular tourist attraction. The museum features different Swedish children’s authors and has a railway station, which you can board and ride through Astrid Lindgren’s tales, ending in Pippi Longstocking’s hometown, Villa Villekulla. Junibacken also contains the largest children’s bookstore in Sweden. You’ll pay a hefty $21 | $18 for admission, but kids absolutely love it.

This photo of Bistro Bestick is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Make reservations ahead of time for the cozy Bistro Bestick and choose from the ever-changing seasonal menu. There are less than a dozen tables, so don’t just show up and expect to get a seat. Previous diners claim this to be a true hidden gem of the city and consistently go back. That’s how you know a restaurant is worth your time and money! Dining here is on the affordable side. Look to spend about $20 per plate.

Go back to the hotel and rest your feet before you head out tomorrow!

Photo credit: Naomi Olofs-son

This two-day break would set you back $200 per adult and much less for children. If you wanted to pack a bit more in, you could always invest in a Stockholm Card. A two-day pass will cost you $92 and gives you access to all of the above attractions and more. You could purchase it to use for the above itinerary and save a whopping dollar and have all your activities paid for, skip the ticket queues and only have to worry about one card per person and not a bunch of cash or credit card receipts. Hey, a dollar is a dollar!

Do you think this sounds like a fun way to spend two days?