How to Take France by Train

Train travel is often less costly than air travel. Once you arrive in France, you can save money and time by avoiding airports and taxis all together. Simple trains run the entire length of the French Riviera. The key is to plan ahead for this type of travel. If you treat a train trip like any other, you will be overwhelmed. Know what you are getting into.

Step 1: Pick the Right Luggage

• Durable with solid sides – When you are traveling, you will likely have to load your bad into the cargo containers on the bottom of trains and buses. Most of the time, guests will do this themselves. This means the bags will be poorly stacked, and you could end up on bottom. Pick a bag that will not tear and has some structure in the sides to protect your belongings.
• Easily carried – You can walk from the train to many locations to save money as long as you can carry your baggage. The best choices have straps like a back pack or shoulder bag.
• Well-hidden pockets – You should carry valuables on your person at all times. However, you may have a few valuables or souvenirs to hide away in your luggage. Make sure your bag has a few hidden pockets for this type of thing.
• Bag within a bag – Having a smaller bag within your suitcase will allow you to leave your luggage behind if you get to a safe hotel. Look for a small bag that can be easily folded into a pocket then brought out for day trips.

Step 2: Pack Wisely

• Consider the weather – You will be covering a lot of distance from the north of France to the Mediterranean. Check the weather in each location you will be visiting. If you are traveling in spring or fall, the weather can be unpredictable.
• Layer your clothes – The key to dressing for all temperatures is to pack layers. Bring clothes than can be easily folded away or tied around your waist. A good windbreaker is an essential in some towns.
• Simplify cosmetics and toiletries – You are on vacation, give the hair dryer a break. The more you can cut down on your beauty routine, the easier your trip will be.

Step 3: Travel in Small Groups

• Break up for day trips – Even if you are traveling as a family, breaking into small groups can make your traveling easier. You will be visiting a lot of cities that could be explored for weeks. It may be necessary to take separate day trips order to make sure everyone sees what they want to see.
• Small groups are best for museums – Traveling through crowded sites like the Louvre, Versailles or historical ruins can be cumbersome for large groups. It can also lead to a chance of one person getting lost. Take on museums in teams of 2-4. Visit different exhibits at your own pace.

Tags: France, Train tickets

Housing Swap: Just the Facts

In an effort to conserve resources on summer vacations, the popularity of housing swaps has grown tremendously. Families and couples have been using Craigslist and eBay to list their homes available during certain portions of the year. The concept is not entirely new. Timeshares are a tested and popular way to enjoy vacationing. In timeshare properties, individuals split ownership in properties. These properties are generally part of a greater network. The owners place their home up for “lease” the weeks they technically own it, and they have the option of trading with another family in the network. Housing swaps are different on a few levels, however. The biggest difference is you are offering your primary residence to another group.

You Must Live in a Desirable Place

Housing swaps typically occur between two groups who each live in a desirable location. For example, one group may live in New York City, one in downtown Chicago. Both of these are vacation spots; you do not need to live near the beach. If you live close to a major attraction, such as Disney World or the Super Bowl Destination, you may also consider a swap. In fact, families come from all over the world to attend these attractions. To swap your coastal home, you will need to consider which times of year are attractive based on weather where you live.

You Need a Contract

Protect yourself legally while you are staying in another person’s home and visa versa. You should have written proof you were given permission to reside there. The contract should also explain any damages already present in the residence you will inhabit. Likewise, document the condition of your home. Should you need to recover damages from your tenant in the future, you will need evidence they caused the damage. You will also protect yourself by naming an exact time the tenant must vacate by.

You Should Consider Insurance

Your homeowners insurance may not cover any damages that occur when tenants are staying in your home. Ask your insurance company what will occur if, say, a fire starts in your home while you are not there. If the fire is the fault of the tenant, it may not be covered. Similarly, you will want to make sure the tenants are responsible for any liability suits that may be caused by their actions on your property. If they leave a garden hose out and a neighbor trips on it, for example, you do not want to be sued.

It Takes a Certain Type

Not everyone will be happy with a housing swap. You may have a difficult time if you are particular about your belongings and personal space. You can set rules as to which rooms and closets the tenants are allowed in. For example, a rental property usually has an “owners closet” where valuables are locked away. However, the tenant will still be sleeping in your bed, cooking in your kitchen, parking in your garage and using your bathroom. If the thought of this bothers you, you are probably not a good candidate for a housing swap.

Tags: Housing swap, Vacation home rental

4 No-Hassle Budget Vacation Tips

The popularity of “staycations,” a term for staying home during a vacation, shows just how much people are cutting back luxury spending. If you are one of the hundreds of thousand couples or families cutting back this summer, you can still take a vacation. Implement simple, budget-conscious strategies to make your trip enjoyable but inexpensive. The simple rule to follow: spend when you want to, save when you can. When you are following this rule, you will save money on the day-to-day essentials while still splurging on the fun memories. Try these simple strategies:

1. Shop Around Online

If you are planning on calling a hotel or airline to ask for best rates, you shouldn’t expect to truly get the best rates. Many websites offer market comparables to help you find the truly best deal. Try checking back regularly. If a hotel is not booked leading up to the weekend you are looking to stay there, prices may go down. Remember: renting someone else’s time share is also a great option. Check sites like Craigslist to see what may be available.

2. Go in the Off-Season

Price discrimination is a common practice for both hotels and airlines. If you are not flexible with your travel dates, you can expect to pay more. Instead of heading to Washington DC for the Fourth of July, try going on a fall weekend. Most vacation spots have off seasons. Check the rates over a six-month time period to get a feel for which dates are less popular. One warning: if you are travelling for good weather, check the weather in the off season. For example, many Caribbean locations are cheap in the off season because it is hurricane season.

3. Avoid Expensive Hotels

If you aren’t afraid of the outdoors, consider camping. You can rent a camper, RV, or tent at a camp site for relatively little. There are some campgrounds which will charge you very high rates each evening. Instead, seek out local, state or national parks where camping is permitted. Crystal Cove State Park in Orange County, California, for example, offers a great mix of beach, mountain terrain, the luxury of Laguna Beach and the busy nightlife of nearby Newport Beach. There are just over 30 campsites. Rather than staying in a luxury hotel in the area, and there are plenty, choose the campgrounds to save money.

4. Make Your Own Breakfast and Lunch

Eating out is one of the pleasures of vacation. Avoiding dish duty, grocery shopping and the hassles of planning what to eat each night is very relaxing. You don’t have to give up this experience all together to save money. Try eating out for dinner but making your own breakfast and lunch – including coffee. By drinking coffee in your room and eating in two meals a day, a couple can save on average $50 a day. That $50 can be used to buy the nice bottle of wine over dinner, rent the jet ski or simply have a little left over when the vacation is over.

Tags: hotel deals, off-season travel

Los Angeles on a Budget

If you are looking for good weather, lots of culture, diverse food and lots of day-trips, then heading to Los Angeles is a great option without leaving the country. Los Angeles sits in between the mountains and the ocean, providing for a unique landscape that is very conducive to outdoor activities. Combine this location with its Mediterranean climate, a very rare combination of moderate temperatures and very little rain, and the city makes for a charming summer destination. But be careful: Los Angeles is not cheap. You have to select activities wisely to truly save money by staying in the country. Some suggestions:

Tour Venice Beach

Many tourists flock to Santa Monica beach’s pier for daytime activities. This pier is among the most expensive and crowded in Los Angeles. Try renting a bike at the pier for approximately $15 to ride the “Strand.” This will take you through Venice Beach, a virtual carnival lined with vendors, performers and sidewalk cafes. A bite to eat here will save you versus eating on the Santa Monica Pier.

Walk Crystal Cove State Park

If you can get to the Corona Del Mar area for a day, take the chance. Touring Newport Beach, the stately Balboa Island and the surrounding neighborhoods brings a fairytale charm to the day. Go early with a cup of coffee and walk through the miles of Crystal Cove State Park. You will find houses preserved in time since the early beach town of the 1940s. If you are lucky, you will see a lot of wildlife in this abundant natural habitat.

Hike to the Hollywood Sign

Don’t be embarrassed to take this iconic trip – thousands of Angelenos do it every year. The hike is five miles round-trip. Start with a tour of Griffith Park, a scenic location and planetarium near Hollywood. Take the Brush Canyon Trail through the natural landscape. You will enjoy the natural streams, trees and bushes that cover the trail. The trail dead-ends about 20 feet behind the sign. You cannot actually touch the sign for risk of citation. However, you will be afforded an excellent photo opportunity of the city from a unique viewpoint.

Aquarium of the Pacific

Long Beach is one of the best kept secrets in Los Angeles. Heading down to Long Beach for the day allows visitors the opportunity to see the Queen Mary where it is permanently docked. Driving across the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach is a breath-taking view of the shipping containers and cranes bringing in goods from Asia. While you are there, splurge on the $7-$15 to see the Aquarium of the Pacific. The exhibits are very interactive. The aquarium boasts unique exhibits such as the river otters and shark tank.

Visit the Getty Museum

It is hard to believe that such a beautiful day can be spent at the Getty free of charge. The museum is managed by an endowment that keeps the grounds impeccably clean while allowing visitors to browse the gardens and exhibits totally free. The tram ride will show a unique view of the city, and the architecture is well situated in the hills for viewing sweeping skylines.

Tags: aquarium of the pacific, crystal cove state park, getty museum, hollywood, venice beach

Vegas on a Budget

Few areas in the country have suffered worse from the recent recession than the Las Vegas area. Las Vegas saw a boom that lasted nearly 40 years where hotels became more lavish, parties became more out of control, shows became more awe-inspiring and trips, ultimately, became budget-breakers. The bubble finally burst, and consumers are the benefactors of the crisis. It is not uncommon to find hotel rooms for 50% off when the location is not fully booked. Additionally, Las Vegas has become more family-friendly, offering daytime activities to rival long nights out on the Strip. If you’re not careful, though, you may end up spending equal to pre-recession rates. Know how to save on the basics, and you will find more change to put in the slot machines.

Best Time to Go

Las Vegas does not see a huge off season. The summer months see a high degree of traffic, but they can be too hot for many guests. If you choose to travel in the fall or winter, check to see if the pools will be open at your hotel. They are not open year round traditionally. Holidays such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July or even Halloween can create a Vegas-rush. Guests from nearby towns like Los Angeles hop over for the three-day weekends. Big gambling days, such as the NCAA basketball finals or Kentucky Derby weekend, can raise prices. Choose a weekend when there are not other activities going on.

Best Places to Eat

Buffets can be a budget-friendly way for a couple or a family to eat. Be sure to inquire about buffets at your selected hotel. If you are looking to save money, it is best to avoid the signature restaurants at lavish hotels. Consider asking a concierge about off-the-strip dining. You may also use restaurant guides and search for lesser-known locations. Consider saving money by visiting a local grocery to stock up on snacks and lunches. You my also be able to save on alcohol if you purchase it outside of a hotel.

Best Places to Stay

Location is key when you are choosing where you will stay in Las Vegas. If you will be visiting the strip with frequency, it may make sense to stay at a hotel on the strip. This will save you money on cab rides. If you are touring the hiking and scenery, which is an excellent way to save a few pennies, you may consider staying just off the strip. Many hotels that are not in the heat of action offer complimentary shuttles to popular destinations during certain hours of the day.

Best Shows to See

Vegas is home to dozens of free shows. Take a trip to the Bellagio to see the water show, which runs every 15 minutes and is totally free. You can also visit the Mirage to see the animals on location. The casino floors themselves are often a sight to see. Consider taking a tour around to view the Wynn blown glass gardens, the landscapes at New York New York and the Mediterranean facades at Paris.

Tags: discount vegas hotels, Las vegas

Travel by Train

Train travel was once considered an elite experience, surrounded in luxury, intrigue and romance. Today, few trains offer the types of comfort and first-class traveling as they did in the early 1900s. However, if your travel dates are flexible and you do not mind the close quarters, a train trip can still offer a unique opportunity to see new sites. Best of all, train tickets are likely to be less expensive than airplane and car rental fees. Even if you are only traveling a short distance, say city-to-city, you may be recognize strong cost savings and a little adventure in purchasing the ticket.

Popular Train Routes

Most train travel in the United States is carried out through Amtrak. The Amtrak routes spread wide across the US, and tickets are typically easy to purchase on the company website. Specials, such as trains during off-hours or off-seasons, are almost always available. Amtrak spans the entire East Coast, from Washington D.C. to Orlando, Florida. Once unique feature is the opportunity to bring your car with you on the train. You can ride on the train’s passenger car while you car rides on a carrier. On the west coast, you can travel from San Diego all the way up to Seattle on the train. You can opt to pass through popular spots such as Los Angeles and San Francisco. The countryside along the California coast floats in and out of view during the scenic trip. Other popular trips include:

• Southwest Chief – This is a trip through the areas of New Mexico and Arizona. Stop at a few destinations along the way for dune buggie rides, mountain hikes and nights spent beneath the stars.
• Crescent – This train runs from New York to New Orleans every single day. Make sure you have enough time to spend a few days in New Orleans once you reach the destination. You may opt for a one-way plane ticket home. Popular times to travel are before Mardi Gras and the Sugar Bowl. Go during an off-time for cheaper rates.
• Silver Line – This line runs from New York to Miami. The trip can take several days, so again be sure to give yourself plenty of time.
• Ethan Allen Express – This trip is not named for the furniture store but for Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain boys. It runs from New York to Vermont over the hills and brooks. Many visitors take this train to see the leaves changing colors. Even in the winter, the landscapes can be breathtaking, and the trips can be cheaper.

Train Travel Tips

Be prepared for a lack of privacy. If you’re the type of person who requires hours in the bathroom preparing for a dinner, this may not be for you. Pack light, and be ready to keep it low key. If you want to be comfortable, dress comfortable. Be sure to buy travel insurance in case of cancellations or missed connections. Though increment weather is not as large a factor in train travel as in air travel, delays still do occur. Your train trip can recapture the adventure of the turn of the century if you have the right attitude and come prepared.

Tags: ethan allen express, southwest chief, train routes, train ticket

Top US Destinations for Low Budget Travelers

This summer, most travelers will be taking off with a budget in mind. Trips to Mexico, Hawaii and Europe have been traded in for vacations closer to home. The good news is there is a lot to explore right here in the United States for families and couples alike. And you don’t have to go to New York or Los Angeles to find the goods. Many budget-friendly destinations have added attractions, luxury hotels, dining and shopping to lure travelers. A one-week trip to a middle market city within the US will offer as much to do as trips to major metropolitan areas. Just do your research first. Know what you are getting into and schedule time for the attractions that will appeal to your group.

Denver, Colorado

While ski passes and rentals can make Denver and the surrounding mountains and expensive trip in the winter, the summer offers a great opportunity to stay at a lower cost. Enjoy the landscape on long hikes around the lush Rockies. Trips to Vail, Copper Mountain or Aspen can make each day a separate adventure. Denver offers a fairly central location, making most flights reasonable in price and time.

Memphis, Tennessee

Like good blues and jazz music? How about hometown barbeque? Interested in visiting Graceland? A trip to Memphis puts you in the center of both the Mississippi jazz culture and the Midwest barbeque belt. Local shows, such as a Cirque de Soleil spectacular, can be booked at a lower than average rate. The Peabody hotel offers a historic, world-class feel at a rate much lower than similar experiences in New Orleans or San Francisco.

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston delivers on the all the charm of an antebellum town. From “Rainbow Row,” featuring brightly colored southern-Victorian row homes, to quaint bed and breakfasts, you will find a town preserved in time. Day trips can be arranged to Fort Sumner, a historic military site reached by a ferry. It is not uncommon to see dolphins playing in the waves surrounding the Fort or the ferry. Couples seeking romance will enjoy carriage ride tours of the historic buildings. Families will enjoy trips to farmer’s markets to keep meal costs low.

Nashville, Tennessee

Though just a quick hop over the state of Tennessee away from Memphis, Nashville offers a unique combination of quaint Southern town mixed with up-and-coming business center. You will find many newer buildings, restaurants and shops while you tour the downtown area. At the same time, a tour of the Vanderbilt campus reveals one of the most beautiful academic settings in the country. The Country Music Hall of Fame offers a day full of music and reminiscing.

Niagara Falls

Okay, so this one may involve travelling just beyond US borders. Whether you are driving or flying, though, getting to Niagara Falls is relatively easy, particularly from the Northeast. Seeing the falls is in itself a reason to travel there. Couples seeking adventure will also find casinos and dining at easy access. There are many surrounding communities on Lake Erie that offer quaint summer getaways and county fairs.

Tags: Charleston, Colorado, Denver, Memphis, Nashville, Niagara Falls, South Carolina, summer travel, Tennessee

Wine Country on a Budget

The northern California areas of Napa and Sonoma are known around the world for fine wine, fine dining and world-class romance. Wine country is an excellent destination for everything from a honeymoon to a 25^th anniversary trip. Whether you are 24 or 44, though, you be left hurting from more than just a hangover. The area boasts some of the most expensive and lush activities in the entire country. The good news is there are some wineries you can tour regardless of budget. If you are smart, you can live like a king and spend like a peasant.

V. Sattui Winery

Tasting of eight wines is complimentary with a self-guided tour all day at V. Sattui. The winery boasts beautiful grounds, particularly in the fall, when the foliage is vibrant and the vines are still full before the annual crush. Aging cellars are open to the public, and you will find a fresh market of meats, cheeses and oils inside. Enjoy your picnic lunch at the complimentary tables in the courtyard. The winery is in St. Helena and opens at 9:00 AM.

Sutter Home

The wine may not be rated highly, but the grounds at Sutter Home are well kept and historic. All tastings are free. The estate showcases extensive gardens which are yours to tour additionally free of cost. Be sure to catch the White Zinfandel garden with its 125 species of roses for your enjoyment. The winery is additionally in St. Helena.

The Silverado Museum

This museum is specifically dedicated to the life of Robert Louis Stevenson. The over 8,000 preserved artifacts from wineries include photos, memoirs and copies of his famous books. Admission is completely free. The museum is in the town of St. Helena.

COPIA

A stroll through downtown Napa will not be complete without a stop at its main attraction. The most expensive admission is $5 to tour the vast facility sponsored by Robert Mondavi. You will be able to see the exhibits, tour the famed Edible Gardens and experience mini-tastings meant to teach even novice wine drinkers to learn more about the art of wine making. The schedule for COPIA’s events is listed on its website. You will find cooking demonstrations, classes and some special tastings. All cost break downs are listed on the website.

Cine Cellars

Cine Cellars offers a few daily free tours, typically at 1 and 3PM. You may avail yourself of the darling grounds by touring the ponds, gardens and the popular museum. The museum has free admission and has dioramas of the California missions. The farmhouse hosts free tastings. Check with your innkeeper of the Cine Cellars website to learn when the tastings will occur. The winery is in Sonoma.

Kenwood Vineyards

While Kenwood is not known for fine wines, the sheer volume of its output is something to be seen. The winery puts out nearly 500,000 cases of wine each year. You can taste a number of the varietals for free such as the sauvignon blanc.

Tags: Cine Cellars, COPIA, Kenwood Vineyards, Nappa Valley, Silverado Museum, Sutter Home, V. Sattui Winery, Wine Country