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Stretch Your Travel Dollar Abroad

Fall is one of the cheapest seasons to travel abroad. If you have always dreamed of exploring London, Paris or Rome, but were afraid booking a trip would drain your bank account, now is the time to act. Vacations to European destinations drop substantially once kids head back to school. According to Expedia.com, round-trip airfare to London during October and November is running about $80 cheaper than just a month ago. Meanwhile, perennial fan favorites, Paris and Rome can be visited for rock-bottom prices starting the second week in November. However, the cheapest destinations of Europe remain in Germany, Ireland … Continue reading →

Europe: Know Before You Go

Whether you are traveling to London for the 2012 Summer Olympics or you’re jetting off on an Italian holiday while the kids are out of school, it’s wise to do some research first. After all, it doesn’t pay to perpetuate the “dumb American” stereotype when you are traveling overseas. While smartphones are helpful and very convenient, they don’t provide you with the same organized information featured in guidebooks. Many people shy away from purchasing the highly informative books because they feel they can obtain the same information via the Internet. On the contrary, guidebooks are priceless, especially if you are … Continue reading →

Remembering Titanic: What Would You Have Done?

Back in November when Wayne and I went to visit our families for Thanksgiving, we had the opportunity to see “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition” at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Being a fan of the 1997 movie, I was very psyched to see this exhibit. I’d heard nothing but raves about it from others who’d seen it when it’d been in Florida. It proved as amazing as everyone said. From the recreated passenger cabins (both first class and third) to the grand staircase to the many artifacts recovered from the bottom of the North Atlantic I couldn’t help … Continue reading →

What to Know Before You Go—San Francisco Part 2

Now that you know that the home of the Golden Gate Bridge is not made of Rice-a-Roni and that you should never utter the words “Frisco” or “San Fran” in the presence of locals let’s review some other helpful tips that will ensure your next visit to San Francisco is a pleasant one. No Smoking. If haven’t kicked the bad habit before you visit the Bay area you are going to have a hard time keeping your cancer sticks lit. Finding a legal place to light up a cigarette in San Francisco is next to impossible. Smoking is banned in … Continue reading →

What to Know Before You Go—San Francisco

Now that you know where to go when you arrive in San Francisco it’s helpful to know what NOT to do while you are visiting the northern California hot spot. First and foremost never, ever (no matter how tempting it is) call the city “Frisco” or “San Fran.” This is a lesson my neighbor in Hawaii learned the hard way when she was waiting in line at the Honolulu International Airport. She referred to the city as “San Fran” and got an earful from a resident of the area telling her that the cutesy abbreviated version of San Francisco was … Continue reading →

Saving Money on Your Vacation—-The CityPass

I am all about the CityPass. I’ve sung its praises in previous blogs and I still maintain that for most families the special discount card (which is available in major cities) offers big savings if you plan to visit popular attractions on your trip of a lifetime. CityPasses allow tourists to gain “free” admission or across-the-board discounts to multiple attractions in a specific metropolitan area. Whether they are the best deal for every family is something I will delve into in my next blog. For now I wanted to detail some of the world’s most popular CityPasses. New York CityPass. … Continue reading →

Visiting Paris on a Budget

If you love Paris in the springtime… or anytime, but don’t want to mortgage your house to pay for the trip you are in luck. Hotels across the City of Lights are offering unbelievable bargains right now. However, there are a few catches: Rates are available on a first-come, first-serve basis; the offers is only good through February and space is limited. Still, the deals exist if you are willing to make the trip across the pond. Hotel du Louvre This four-star property is not only dripping with history; its amenities and location cannot be beat. I’m not exaggerating about … Continue reading →

What To Know Before You Visit—AUSTRIA, SPAIN and PORTUGAL

Continuing my series detailing the social conventions practiced in foreign lands (things you should know BEFORE you leave on your trip abroad) this blog highlights the social norms Austria, Spain and Portugal. AUSTRIA Residents in Austria tend to be quite formal in both their social and business dealings. Which means they do not use first names when being introduced. Handshaking is expected when greeting local Austrians. Also, it is considered impolite to enter a restaurant or shop without saying “Guten Tag” or “Grüss Gott.” Similarly, it is considered rude to leave without saying “Auf Wiedersehen.” Social pleasantries and some exchange … Continue reading →

What To Know Before You Visit–IRELAND, SWITZERLAND and POLAND

Continuing my series about learning the social conventions practiced in foreign lands BEFORE you leave on your trip abroad, this blog highlights social norms you should be aware of before you travel to Ireland, Switzerland or Poland. IRELAND The Irish have a reputation for being easy-going people who love to party and eagerly embrace visitors. In Ireland strangers are treated like friends (especially in pubs and restaurants) and it is not uncommon for locals to chat up tourists for hours at a time. Pubs are the center of social interaction in Ireland, especially in smaller communities throughout the country. It … Continue reading →

What To Know Before You Visit—FRANCE

Ticket. Check. Passport. Check. French dictionary. Check… Those are of course the essentials you’ll need when you travel abroad, but many visitors jetting off to foreign countries overlook researching the social conventions practiced in the lands they plan to spend time. And in some cases the end results are not pleasant. For instance, many people don’t realize there are dress codes in place at a number of religious landmarks in Rome and France. In a series of blogs I am calling “What To Know Before You Visit…” I will provide information on the social conventions practiced in some of the … Continue reading →