Let's Connect!

...

Saturday, November 18, 2023

Splurge and Save Gift List 2023

The holidays are fast approaching and the Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales will be coming soon, if they aren't already here. I wanted to give you some alternatives to expensive items that may not be in your budget or you may just rather spend more money on your actual trip than just getting there. Get ready for your holiday travel or get a jump on your gift list.


The holidays are coming and I wanted to give you some alternatives to expensive travel items that may not be in your budget.

If an Away bag has been on your list, or you want to get a great piece of luggage as a gift and this is out of your price range, never fear. Yes, the Away carry-on is a luxury travel accessory, but there's not much that makes it worth the high price tag. Instead, check out these 3 alternatives, that also have a USB port, nice organization, those coveted spinner wheels, and the hardside body that is great for keeping your belongings safe and to keep you from overpacking. 

The Mixi 20" has the added bonus of having a cup holder and phone shelf. It's $100 cheaper at $189.99.

The Luggex 20" has a front pocket for your laptop and an expandable body, in case you find you've purchased too much on your trip.

The Kroser 20" is also expandable and has extra organization in the zipper divider, which makes packing so much easier.

Sure, you could pay to fly first-class, but then you won't have that money to spend on your trip. Instead, these gadgets give you a little more luxury in your economy seat, and even if you upgrade to an extra legroom seat, you'll still save a ton of money.



Just want to get on the plane and crash? You're not alone. We all want to be comfy, but most of us don't want to roll up in our pjs, even if we're going to spend much of our plane time sleeping. Look put together and feel like you're in your pjs with a coordinated lounge set.

Block out all the noise of others, and any light, with a bluetooth headphones mask. Fall asleep to your favorite podcast or music or a Ted Talk you downloaded. One thing's for sure, nobody will try to talk to you with this on.

Always have a bevvy handy when you bring your own with this insulated bottle from Brita. It filters out 99% of impurities in the water wherever you go, so you never have an excuse for not hydrating. The filter fits in the straw, so if you decide to fill your bottle with another cold liquid, you can take it out until you empty and clean it and use it for water again. 

You may not have a bunch of extra space at your non-first class seat, but that doesn't mean you can't make extra room. Keep everything you want right within reach without keeping your tray table down in order to do it. You won't even need to put everything away when someone needs to get up to use the restroom. Airplane Pockets are the handiest things we own for flights of all lengths. It is anti-bacterial and fits over the tray table (one of the grossest surfaces of a plane) and has a bunch of pockets - small ones for your phone, glasses, pen, book, and a big one for magazines, your coat or travel blanket, and your headphones. 

Sleep like a baby and save your neck and back from the dreaded airplane seat scrunch. The Face Cradle is the best pillow I've ever used for travel. You attach it to the headrest behind you, open it as much as you want, adjust the straps and then lean right into it and fall asleep. You can also use it for "side" sleeping. Either adjust from the regular position and rest it at your shoulder, or you can attach it to the armrest instead. See us using it both ways. You might think it sounds expensive, but you can't put a price on good sleep + this will last you years, making it worth every penny.

When you need a soft place to put your feet on a plane, you don't really have many options, unless you try to use your underseat bag, which is always awkward. Get yourself a padded foot hammock and then you don't have to put your feet on the dirty floor either. The strap fits over the tray, then you close it up and voila! Use it other places, too, including the train, bus, ferry boats, the airport, and even your office or car backseat. 

This is not the end of my travel gift list, I'll have an official one up just in time for Black Friday sales, even though they have already started and seem to start earlier every year. 

What are some of the things you are hoping to find sales on this year?

Saturday, November 11, 2023

A Safe and Fun Thanksgiving

Are you getting ready to travel over Thanksgiving? A lot of people will be hitting the roads, so make sure you're prepared and you stay safe. Here's an infographic with some fun facts, things to look out for, some holiday history, and what people say they're thankful for. 

A lot of people will be hitting the roads for the Thanksgiving holiday, so make sure you're prepared and you stay safe.
photo credit

I hope you have a lot to be thankful for and you travel safe to your destination. 

Where will you be spending Thanksgiving? We always stay close to home and have dinner at a local restaurant.



Wednesday, November 8, 2023

8 Budget-Friendly International Destinations for December

Are you looking to spend winter or the holidays on vacay? Or just looking to get away from the cold. We tend to do that in January. If you missed the last post and want to travel stateside, or somewhere closer, then go check that out, but if you want to travel farther away and still have good weather and save money, read on.

The world is full of budget-friendly destinations, whether you're looking for warm weather or not. Here are 8 budget-international destinations.

I have traveled over Christmas some years and it's been pretty great. We didn't go that far away, but I'd love to visit some Christmas markets in the future. There are some in the US, but how wonderful to spend that time in an international destination. Aside from that, here are 8 affordable destinations to go next month:

International

Got the funds to go a little bit further? While much of Europe is cold and gross, just like at home, but there are some places that have lovely winter weather all over the globe. Here are some of those destinations that are also affordable.


Lima, Peru - It's summer in Lima, which means it'll be very busy at this time, but you can get amazing deals on accommodations, enjoy dry, warm (but not hot) weather, and cheap delicious foods, even in the touristy areas. This is not the time to visit Cusco, as it is the start of the rainy season there and trails may be cut off due to that. 

Santiago, Chile - While most people don't consider Santiago an ideal travel destination, it has perfect weather in December, has lovely museums, and gorgeous street art. It's also a good home base for day trips to historical cities like Valparaiso. 

Buenos Aires, Argentina - Though you may get rained on here, as you would the entire rest of the year, Buenos Aires has so many indoor tourist attractions - museums, shops, cafes - that you definitely don't have to endure it for long. If you are the outdoorsy sort, head to Patagonia, Iguazu waterfalls, or even the Mendocino wine region. Make sure the bring USD and exchange them once you arrive to get a much better deal on everything. 

Canary Islands, Spain - While the rest of Europe is cold and dreary, Tenerife, and the rest of the Canary Islands, are the exception. It's not summer weather, but you'll be looking at lows in the 60s and highs in the low 70s. Sounds very comfortable to me. Tenerife is just one of the islands, and you can often find better deals on Gran Canary, Lanzarote, and La Palma. Wherever you go, food is very budget-friendly and you can find chill things to do. Tenerife boasts a volcano with a cable car ride to the top and a hop-on hop-off bus tour around the capital of Santa Cruz.

Photo by Ramon Kagie on Unsplash

Boracay Island, Phillipines - If you just want to relax on the beach, this is your spot. Basically, every hotel is on the beach, since the island is so skinny, but there's also water activities like snorkeling, kayaking, parasailing, paddleboarding, and diving. If you want to do something more sightsee-y, check out Ariel's Point, the observation deck on Mount Luho, the Montag Living Museum, D'Mall, or a sunset cruise.

Photo by Kelvin Han on Unsplash

Bangkok, Thailand - December is the ideal destination for those looking for great weather and massive shopping excursions. You'll be able to use modern transportation here, including an elevated metro system. If you aren't into shopping, there are also tons of shrines to visit and amazing foods to try. Make sure to do your research on accommodations, because there is a wide range of quality in similar price ranges. 

Hanoi, Vietnam - December is part of the dry season in Hanoi, though it may be chilly in the evenings, the weather can be pretty pleasant. Most people do Hanoi as part of a tour, but you'll find so much to do and explore there if you spend all your time in this city. It's one of the cheapest tourist cities and is known for its historical architecture and a rich culture with Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences. There are temples to visit, markets, and awesome street food.

Auckland, New Zealand - This was a shock for me, because I always think New Zealand is as expensive as Australia. While most people find the city too crowded and busy, you can definitely head out to some smaller cities to seek quieter, slower travel. Take a tour to Hobbiton, kayak to an extinct volcano, go on a whale safari, stargaze on an island, shop at the farmers' market, explore an island vineyard, or go glamping or campervanning. There's so much to do once you get there, that you may wish you had a lot more time.

The world is full of budget-friendly destinations, whether you're looking for warm weather or not. You just need to know where to look. Including the last post, these are just a few you can visit. Have fun planning your winter travels.

Where have you traveled that was very affordable and worth a visit? I always recommend Quito, Ecuador.

Pin It button on image hover