Super Useful Travel Links

Who's over the snow and cold? I know it's not just me. Well, if you're like me, you're thinking ahead to your next vacation so you can at least have something to look forward to. This week I found you a bunch of posts for that upcoming trip, along with a story about a lady who probably is done with winter more than the rest of us. Enjoy!

Well, winter has gripped most of America and while there's not way to make it disappear, there is a way to embrace it. Travel + Leisure brings you the best American cities for winter travel. If you are hating on snow and sweaters right now, then you are not alone. Get some sun, value for your money and possibly even a tan with this list. 

It's probably warmer underground right now than a lot of places across the country. Sad maybe, but I love seeing unique attractions and am fascinated by what goes on beneath cities, because there is often some cool history there. If that's you, too, then Travel + Leisure also has the coolest underground attractions for you to visit.

I saw this post on Viral Nova (it was posted on Facebook) and it immediately took me back to my childhood. There is a house modeled after the Flintstones's house. Although it isn't quite the same, though we didn't see some parts of their house and there's no wooly mammoth shower, it is still an incredible piece of architecture carved into the side of a mountain out of rock. If I could afford it or they let you rent it out for vacations, I would certainly see if I could get some friends to scrape together the money to stay there. Cool, right?

If you need to wash that man right out of your hair or just want to go to an amazing exotic location, then check out the South Pacific. Yes, yes. You probably think it costs a fortune and I'm just being mean even suggesting it, but it turns out that it's not as expensive as you think and you maybe just can afford it.

Even if you can't make to the South Pacific, you can probably go somewhere. What would make that trip better? An upgrade, you say? Budget Travel agrees and gives you some tips on how to score an upgrade to give you a more luxurious trip.

Now, I've never been in first class, and I'm pretty sure if I ever was, I would be spoiled for life. Some agree, some disagree. Airfare Watchdog wanted to play devil's advocate and brings you the pros and cons of first class so you know why it is and isn't worth it. Maybe it will make you think twice about paying extra for the upgrade at the gate.

Airfare Watchdog knows that the majority of us are stuck in coach, which isn't always a bad thing. I mean, you don't know what you're missing up in first class if you never get to sit there. It can be said, though, that not all economy seats are created equal. If you don't believe me, they have found the best coach seats on airplanes and you can try to snag one for yourself to see the difference.

Flying can sometimes be stressful. At the very least, it can be totally unfun for many people. I tend to make the most of it and view it part of my adventure. Seriously! I am one of the few people I know that loves the airport and can't wait to get there. 3 hour layover? Fab! More time to look at everything there is there. You're probably not like me and, if you aren't, here are 5 ways to make flying easier. I totally do want in on Pre-Check.

Just trying to sneak in a weekend getaway? Aren't we all? Don't you hate it when you end up wasting time and then your escape tends to be cut short in some way? I hate it when that happens on a regular vacation, but when you only have 2-4 days to get in some fun and relaxation, you want to make the most of it. Here are 8 ways to ruin your weekend getaway, so take note and don't do them.

Have you ever wanted to get away so bad that you were willing to do just about anything? Well, me neither, but this lady in San Francisco is obviously dying to get out and planned to make it to Hawaii, for free. She wanted to go there so bad, she tried to sneak onto the plane not once, not twice, but three times. She got her getaway, in jail. Personally, I think if she's willing to go through that much effort, she almost deserves to lay on the beach in Hawaii.

Budget Spring Break with Kids

My new favorite word this year is Winter-vention. I'll tell you why: I am so darn sick of winter, I can't even stand it. Next week I'll be spending two days in Phoenix. It doesn't seem like a long trip, but I'm going to the Travel Goods Show to check out all the new gear and gadgets and soak up some sun, as it is 80 degrees there right now. I'm hoping those two days will get me through to Spring, or at least until we have more than one day in a week that isn't 50 or below. Heck, even 65 might feel downright balmy right now. So, if you too are ready for a Winter-vention, and with 49 of the 50 states having snow, I'd be shocked if you weren't, then here are some ways to make your Spring Break more affordable with the kiddos.

Use your zoo membership. Almost every family I know has invested in a zoo membership, because for one price, they can go to the zoo and aquarium all year long. This helps when money is tight and they have to get out of the house, and I don’t know any kid that doesn’t love fish and other animals. If you have a membership, you can use it to visit other zoos and aquariums across the country and, in some cases, in other parts of the world. It can be fun for kids to feel like the day is totally about them and they can learn about new animals in different parts of the world that your zoo might not have. See the zoos that participate by going toAZA.org.

Visit State and National Parks. Hiking, running, jumping and climbing are great ways to entertain (and tire out) your kids for a very nominal cost. Sometimes it’s free and sometimes you pay per carload. You get to enjoy some nature and wildlife and your kids get fresh air and exercise. Turn it into a bit of an educational trip by giving them cameras and having them take pictures of the different things they see along the way (i.e. trees, flowers, animals) and then print them out later for identification. Many parks have education centers where they do talks and have exhibits that explain about the plants and animals of the region. Make time to stop in and have your kids ask the rangers questions about their visit.

Shop the farmer’s market. If you can find an open farmer’s market where you are traveling, you can spend some time finding new and unusual foods, interacting with locals and then you can buy a nice selection of foods for lunch and find a spot in a local green space to enjoy your new fare and the fresh air. If a farmer’s market isn’t available, it’s likely you can seek out street carts with local cuisine. You’ll save money by not paying sit-down meal prices and tipping isn’t required. Don’t forget your reusable shoppers from home, because they are green and convenient for more than just groceries.

Dine at food carts. Kids seem to have endless energy and don’t always like to sit still for very long. They can also be picky eaters. Food carts are perfect for family meals, because usually where there is one, there is many, meaning you can find a variety of foods in one area. Food carts are much cheaper than traditional sit-down dining and you can eat on-the-go or find a nice park to enjoy your dishes in…and then kids can burn off their energy by running around and playing for a bit. Bring your own sets of reusable utensils and be ready for anything…and save some plastic from the landfills. I love the bamboo ones from To-Go Ware.

Visit developing countries. I think this is one of the best tips for everyone, not just those with families, because developing countries have lower economies and come with super affordable price tags for your entire vacation. You don’t have to cut costs if you don’t want to, because accommodations, dining and entertainment are all so much cheaper than at home. You’re also helping a country that depends on tourism to survive and finding an entirely new vacation experience. Countries like Ecuador, Belize and Peru are great examples, and if you want to go further, India or Morocco can be budget-friendly destinations, too.  These trips can be a total immersion for you and your family. This is a nice option if you have kids who like to try new things and meet people. Learn Spanish with Nintendo’s My Spanish Coach for your DS (or French, Japanese, Chinese or English). It’s the perfect way for kids to build their language skills while also having fun. It’s great for adults, too.

Bring snacks and games. While this may not save you much money, unless your children are always complaining that they’re hungry, it can keep them entertained between activities. If you’re waiting in line or taking a break from walking, having a small snack you can dig out of your day bag or a game to play for a few minutes can alleviate boredom and keep kids happy when nothing’s going on. I find that games are a fantastic way to pass time on the airplane and snacks can save you money on the airline food menu. Have smarty-pants toddlers or kids over 5? Try Fluxx card game. It’s the game of ever-changing rules that is fun for hours, even if games last just 10-30 minutes. You might also like Zigity. It’s a fantastic game from the makers of Cranium that asks players to spell, add, complete a picture and match objects. The cards are plastic coated, so they are pretty much child-proof. Spills and spit wipe right off!

Pack light. I know that with kids it’s hard to do this, but it’s not impossible. Each of your children can bring their own carry-on for the plane and help spread around the weight. Whether it’s a small rolling bag that can fit under the seat or a backpack they can wear, they can share the load. While their clothes can be fairly lightweight, everything they want to take from home may not be. Pack as much of their clothes as you can in your own carry-on (Spacebags or Pack-It cubes may help) and then have them carry any spillover and a few things from home in their own bag. This might be some small toys, a coloring book and some snacks. Anything that will make traveling less of a chore and keep the whining at bay.

If there is more than one adult in your party, this may be done more easily, and you will have everything with you when you land, saving you checked baggage fees and time waiting for your bags on the carrousel. Check out the Trunki ride-on carry-on from Melissa and Doug. It’s fun and functional, plus you can accessorize it, giving your kids another activity to do when waiting around and getting border and border. I want one for ME.  

Where will you be taking your Spring Break Winter-vention? 

Visit Your Local Farmer

The farmers market is a fantastic destination for travelers. A farmers market can be the ultimate for the budget traveler, because you can get affordable local foods, beverages, flowers and more! Find everything from cheese and breads to jams and local crafts. Most markets are in or next to city parks – perfect locations to enjoy a picnic lunch on a bench. I never leave one without a bag full of local yummy foods. Generally, I shop the market down the street from my house, but I always like to hit up ones when I travel. You can easily buy food to eat on-site or to make in a hotel room that has a kitchen.

How delicious does a hand pie sound? Or a fresh bagel with cream cheese and a side of fruit? You could even pick up a bottle of wine or some beer to go with your other goodies. Imagine spending around $20 for your lunch and food for later or the next day? Our farmers market not only had the regular things you would expect to find, but also mixed salad greens and even fresh meat from local farms. You could have grilled up some grass-fed lamb steaks with a side of organic veggies and amazing salad greens and then had a gluten-free cupcake or flavorful gelato for dessert. Many markets I’ve been to also sell spices, too, so you can make even more native dishes, while still saving money.

One of the things I like to take home as a souvenir is local foods and spices from other parts of the world. While you can’t bring back fruits, veggies or plants from many places, you can bring back jarred sauces, jams, coffees, candies and more. Not only are you helping out the local farmers and merchants by shopping the markets, you can get something homemade, home grown and/or unique to your vacation destination.

Often, you can get other handmade products at the farmers market, like clothing, décor, soaps and beauty products. While the packaging may not be totally professional looking, you know it was made with care and you are getting high-quality items, because the vendors don’t have factories full of employees. Even if the products are a little more expensive than you were expecting, it can still save you money over traditional stores and the food will certainly save you over eating in a restaurant, even if you get something ready-to-eat.

A farmers market is also a fantastic place to shop if you are a vegetarian, have food allergies or travel with children. Save money on healthy snacks and know exactly what your food contains, because you can speak to the makers and growers and they are made with as few natural ingredients as possible. If nothing else, you can check out all the fabulous local produce that a city has to offer and you will get to interact with the people of your trip destination, which can always be a rewarding experience and teach you more about where you are visiting. Plus, the markets are a great place to people-watch and even listen to some local musicians.

Do you frequent your local farmers market(s) or make it a point to visit ones when you go on vacation?