Taking an Affordable Las Vegas Vacation

So, I'm totally going to Vegas next month. NBA Summer League is happening and we are going to hit up some games, do some sightseeing, visit family and eat so much food. It's going to be a billion degrees, but whatever. I'll be working with Smart Destinations and their new Las Vegas GoCard, which is very exciting, because I'll be bringing you cool reviews of things I probably wouldn't get to do otherwise, and certainly not at such a discounted rate if purchased on it's own. Did you know that a trip to Sin City doesn't have to break the bank? Thank goodness, because we still have a big trip to Orlando on deck.

There is no shortage of things to do in Las Vegas, but without proper planning, you can easily go overboard with your spending. Between the expensive buffets, Broadway-style shows and gambling, your money can quickly vanish. Luckily, it is just as easy to find free and inexpensive experiences in Sin City that can make your trip much more budget-friendly.

All You Can Eat

Many of the major buffets can be a big blow to your wallet, even for breakfast. If you’re willing to get a bit off the Strip, you can find affordable food in other hotels. The following buffets will satisfy your hunger and your budget: 

• The Fantasy Market Buffet at the Palms 
• Circus Buffet at Circus Circus 
• Studio B Buffet at M Resort 
• French Market Buffet at Orleans 
• Ports O’ Call Buffet at Gold Coast 
• Any of the Fremont Street casinos offer cheap buffet prices

Sit down to a real meal with some of these great deals:

·         Ellis Island, behind the Paris, has an inexpensive and hearty breakfast.

·      Get a table at Mr. Lucky’s in the Hard Rock Hotel. Ask for the “Gambler’s Special”, which is not on the menu, and receive an 8oz flatiron steak, three jumbo shrimp, salad and mashed potatoes for just $7.77. 

·         Linger over a Parisian lunch at JJ’s Boulangerie at the Paris Hotel and Casino. 

·    Find dinner at the Four Queens Hotel and Casino’s Magnolia’s Veranda and get a prime rib dinner for just $8.95.

Go Sightseeing

Just because you’re in Vegas doesn’t mean you have to stay there. In fact, you can visit several other cities while you’re there without ever living the Strip. 

• Stroll past sidewalk cafés and Paris sights at the Paris Hotel and Casino. Take advantage of discounted rates at the Eiffel Tower if you visit before the dark of evening sets in. 
• Experience the streets of New York City, with an amazing skyline inside and a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge outside at New York New York Hotel and Casino. Unfortunately, they've taken out Central Park and some other fun things to make space for more slot machines.
• Walk along the canals of Venice at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. 
• Explore the ancient glittering city of Rome at Caesars Palace. 

Free Attractions

Your budget can stretch much further when you mix free activities with paid ones. If you know where to look, you can enjoy a lot of totally gratis in Las Vegas.

• Make your way to the Bellagio and wander the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Like the rest of Las Vegas, it’s open 24 hours a day. 
• Behind Caesars Palace in the forum shops you can watch The Fall of Atlantis. This animatronic show that happens every hour that shows the struggles between the Gods and how Atlantis ended up on the ocean floor. 
• See flamingos and other pretty birds and animals in the habitat at The Flamingo. 
• After the sun goes down, several hotels offer nightly shows, including the fountains of Bellagio, the volcano at the Mirage and the Fremont Street Experience – a lighted canopy that plays designs and videos to music.

With just a bit of planning and knowing where the deals are found, you can make what would usually be a spendy trip into one that fits your budget and allows you to do more with the money you have. With so many things to do in Sin City, it’s definitely fun to see a different side of Vegas that doesn’t always include the clanging of slots, although, I'm going to be spending a few dollars there, too. What are your favorite ways to spend the days (and nights) in Vegas?

14 Ways to Stay Healthy When You Travel

This week I've been really sick with a disgusting stomach flu. I'll spare you the details, but it reminded me of how I used to get horribly sick every time I traveled anywhere. It's a total bummer, but I've finally gotten over that and learned to take care of myself before leaving, while flying and during my trip, so that I can make the most of my time and not be all gross and sickly when I'm away from home. If you worry about getting a bug or picking up all those foreign germs everywhere you go, here are some of my top tips to keep healthy so you can enjoy yourself.

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Get enough sleep

Getting enough sleep is one of the first rules of travel. If you are constantly on the go, you are going to get tired and your body won’t have the chance to recharge itself. What to hate everyone and everything on your trip? Then sleep as little as possible and try pack as much as you can into the time you have. 

Lay off the alcohol

Drinking too much can affect your sleep cycle and also dehydrate you and make you more tired, leave you open to getting sick and sometimes cause you to have bad judgment that results in even worse consequences. Don’t waste your money at the bar. Limit your drinking to a few glasses of whatever you find interesting that day and you’ll see a big difference in your health and happiness…and you’ll get out of bed before noon and probably not wake up at the police station or some stranger’s bed.

Drink more water

Instead of alcohol, carry around a bottle of water and drink as much as possible. A hydrated body is a happy body. At least drink as much as you would if you were at home, if not more. Travel has a way of sucking all the moisture from you, especially on long plane rides, so if you don’t like plain water, do what I do and load up on those ice tea packets from Lipton or Crystal Light.

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Get enough exercise

So, you just want to lounge around by the pool and get tan and eat yummy food and do nothing for a week or two? As exciting as that sounds, you COULD, in fact, do the same things at home and not pay hundreds (or thousands) on airfare and hotel. Sure, soaking up some sun and doing absolutely nothing is fine, but make sure you get up and get some exercise, otherwise you’re going to notice that your pants don’t fit very well and you might start to feel sniffly. Exercise is good for you and you’ll be eating a lot more calories on vacation than you would at home, so offsetting those potential LBs is always a good thing. Take a walk to the shops and you won’t even notice you’re getting a workout.

Halls Defense! 

I love these things. I keep some in my travel bag all the time, just in CASE I start to feel a bit tired or a sniffle starts making itself present. They come in tasty flavors and are like candy, so pop 3 or 4 throughout the day when you start to feel a bit run-down and overload your body with Vitamin C. Your immune system will jump-start, especially if you make time for a nap of some kind. If you don’t give your body enough time to rest, it will make sure you do it when it is needed, so head it off early if you get a little too excited about seeing everything there is to see on vacation in one day. These are also a good alternative to Emergen-C and Airborne, because they are cheaper and don’t require water to make them work.

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Charcoal Tabs

Going to a country that has questionable food or you have a weak stomach for new foods and bacteria? Bring along some charcoal tablets and take them before you eat. The charcoal filters bacteria and keeps you from getting sick. These are particularly good if you plan on eating a lot of street food in foreign countries.

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Olive Leaf capsules

I swear by these and take them all year round. Olive leaf is a natural supplement that raises your immune system and keeps you from picking up every little bug there is. You can find them at natural food stores and GNC stores. Make sure if you only want them for vacation that you start taking them one-two weeks before you leave, so they have a chance to start working for you. 

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Papaya Enzyme

Sometimes you eat too much, or you eat something that your tummy really isn’t sure is the best food of the day. Digestive problems can happen on the road, but papaya can really help. It’s found all over and is a natural supplement made from actual papaya that settles the stomach and minimizes bloating. It can also stave off mild heartburn. They are fruity tasting and chewable, so they are an easy take along in your day bag. Just take 2 or 3 when you start to feel icky and they help to work the problem out. Even my dog likes these, which is great when I see her go out to eat grass when she isn’t feeling well.

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Allergy pills & other meds

Do you have allergies? You never know how they will react in a different climate, so make sure you bring extra pills along with you while you’re out and about. The same goes for medications. Keep them in your carry-on when you fly and make sure you have enough for your whole trip. If you don’t, call your doctor or pharmacy to get more before you travel. If you are dependent on medication each day, it will suck to be without them for a day or more. Being prepared will always pay off.

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Antibacterial wipes, spray or gel

When you travel, I can guarantee you that germs are everywhere! From the escalator handrail to the airplane tray table. You can’t always get to a place to wash your hands, or you may want to wipe something down, so bringing any of these is a good idea. I opt for wipes, because you can use them on anything and they can just go in your carry-on instead of your 3-1-1 bag.

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Wash your hands

When you ARE within the vicinity of a sink with running water, make sure you wash your hands. Often. Beat those germs at their own game and also keep from transferring them to your face and making yourself sick.

Plan for downtime

A combination of downtime and getting enough sleep will surely keep you on top of your game when traveling. You’ll feel better and you’ll have more energy. I know it’s exciting to do as much as possible. I pack my days full of fun things to do, but I also make sure we have time to relax. Traveling in the fall and winter forces you to slow down, because the hours for shops and attractions are shorter. If everything closes at 6pm, you really only have a choice of late-night bars or dinner and laundry before bed. I always opt for going back to my hotel/apartment and chilling for a bit, then changing clothes, going to eat and coming back to do email, read a book or play a game. You will notice how much more rested you feel and when you get up the next morning – NOT at the crack of dawn, because things don’t open until 9 or 10am – you’ll be more ready to start your day.

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Bring healthy snacks

Snacks are important. You’re burning more energy than usual (or I hope you are), so you need to keep it up with nutritious snacks in between meals. I keep granola bars and nuts in my bag that are protein-packed and won’t slow me down. Fruit is also a good travel companion, but they don’t all survive rolling around in your day bag or carry-on, so choose wisely. Oranges, bananas and apples do pretty well and are somewhat easy to eat on-the-go, as are celery and carrot sticks.

Don't forget to eat

Sometimes you’re having such a great time you just plain forget to eat. Not me. I’m hungry all the time on vacation. But if you’re not like me – like my husband – you will be so engrossed in what you are seeing/doing, you totally don’t eat until you are so hungry you could eat your own foot. Plan meals into your schedule and go even if you don’t feel like eating. A regular schedule is important and even if you don’t eat much, it’s better than skipping a meal altogether. It also helps if you don’t overeat, which I am likely to do on vacation. If I know I’m not starving, then I get Eric to split something with me, because we can always grab a nibble later if we get hungry again.

Have you had a trip spoiled by sickness?

Dad and Grad Travel Gift Guide

So Mother's Day has come and gone {Did you get your mom something awesome? Did ya?} and now we're looking at high school and college graduation and Father's Day celebrations. If the dad(s) or grad(s) on your list is into travel - I mean, who isn't? - then something fun and travel-related that will last them on many vacations is way better than, say, that engraved pen, briefcase or tie you were thinking about getting. You know one of those was on your list. Wouldn't you rather have them equate your gift with fun, worldly memories than signing documents and going to work and being a grown up? I know I would, so here's a round-up of kick ass stuff to present them with this year and be a winner + a genius. 

Is your recent grad thinking about backpacking through Europe or taking the summer to "find themselves" while they're off gallivanting the globe? That likely means a lot of trains and buses, and maybe even hostels, so aside from physical things, make sure they stay safe online and in real life.

eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender Convertible Junior

This bag will come in handy on a weekend trip to Vegas, a week-long trip to visit Grandma or months in Europe. It doesn't seem like it's that large, but if you mix and match your wardrobe, then you can fit 20+ outfits in here. Perfect for when you need to carry everything with you at all times, including your laptop and other electronics. It can be carried like a backpack, briefcase or a shoulder bag. It fits under the seat on the plane, too, so that's pretty awesome. The bag expands for extra purchases along the way and has a ton of pockets to keep stuff organized. Get it on Amazon for around $70. If you need more reasons why it's cool, check out my review.

Skyroll Spinner Suitcase

This is a great bag for a recent grad and the dad that likes to jetset. It has a removable wrap-around garment bag to allow you to bring suits and other formal clothes without having them get all wrinkly in your bag. The main bag has a top pocket for your laptop (a must, right?) and a top compartment for things you need to get at easily. There's still quite a bit of room in the largest compartment for shoes, your toiletries and more. We took this bag to Europe and it was amazing. Super easy to wheel along and I knew all my belongings were safe, because it had the garment bag wrapped around it. It's a bit of an investment at $299, but it's well made and awesome, so it'll get a lot of use.

Travelon RFID-Blocking Trifold Wallet

There are so many thieves out there looking to steal your money, your identity, your credit card numbers. Protect all that stuff that's in your pocket with a stylish and RFID-blocking wallet. It fits all your cards, money, receipts and more and never gets all bulky. It's real leather and only $30. 

Insulated Stainless Steel Bottles by Laken

Let them carry their favorite beverage, kept hot or cold for many hours. The Laken thermoses are lightweight, but can keep things cold, with ice, for an entire 24-hour period, and keep things hot for an average of 8 hours. They're perfect for road trips, hiking and even just walking around the city. I've got two that will be traveling with me everywhere. With a price range of $12-65, depending on size and color, there's one for every budget.

Chloe Hoodie from SCOTTeVEST

This hoodie has so many functions...and pockets! So many pockets! Your lady grad will never take another jacket with them on trips to the laundromat or to Spain. For real. I love this hoodie so much, I wish it were cooler now, so I could put it on. It's stylish, cozy and lets you walk around without a purse if you want. At $90, it isn't cheap, but the construction is rugged, it's flattering and they are going to wear it all the time. If you don't have a girl on your list, SCOTTeVEST has similar ones for men, including the 10-pocket cotton hoodie, the 10-pocket microfleece hoodie and the 13-pocket Knowmadic hoodie.

Foldable Flats from Butterfly Twists

Help your girly grad pack more shoes or just look more stylish while packing light with these fab foldable flats. I wear mine all the time and my feet don't hate me. With a ton of styles, there is something for everyone, whether they are into these sweet peep-toes or are more into the a more sturdy loafer. They run an average of $50-65 and they pack super small, making them great for travel or for days at the office when you just can't take heels anymore.

Traveling Scarf by Napper

Does your dad or grad travel a lot at night or on buses or trains? I think the Napper is a must for those that need to sleep up against windows, walls or such and also like to block out the light and some noise. With this on, your head stays warm, your ears are protected and people won't ever think you want to chat with them when you so clearly don't. With its length and softness, you can use it to stay warm in winter climates once you reach your destination, too. At $58, it's affordable and really unique. 

Travel HoodiePillow

Speaking of unique, the teens will love this one, especially if they spend a lot of time commuting or roadtripping with friends. The hoodie blocks light, is fun an keeps the a/c from giving your a headache and the travel pillow part lets you sleep comfortably in the car or in that dreaded middle seat. It's so soft, and it folds up small. The price tag is totally reasonable at just $19.95.

Travelon Anti-Theft Urban Tour Bag

My husband adores this bag and we kind of fight over who's going to carry it when we travel. It fits everything we need in it, whether on the plane or just out sightseeing. It adjusts to everyone and I even took it on a bike ride at one point. It's stylish and has pockets to keep you organized and it's unisex. You can't really ask for more than that, can you? The $75 price point is a bit high for a bag, but it's theft-proof and can take you from the office to everywhere else in the world. We've taken it on countless trips and it still looks like brand new.

Tracks Air Wireless Headphones from Sol Republic & Motorola

If you have a music lover on your list, they will loooooove these headphones. I mean, they work wirelessly, have a long range, long battery life, look great, fit snugly and adjust to fit even the biggest and smallest heads. Really, you'll never have to buy another pair of headphones again, unless you need some for someone else in your house. At $199, that's as good a promise as you can get.

Of course there are lots of other fun gifts for the traveling dad and grad if you are looking for something more versatile. Peep this list from the holidays with gifts for all budgets. Do you have a successful travel gift you like to give for big milestones?