Vacation Planning

Low Or No Cost Summer Fun!

As you know, Dave has been home for three months unpaid, with his shoulder replacement and my position ended with Norwalk Community College. It’s summer time, there is so much we wanted to do and we need to do this on the frugal side.

Summer is perfect here in CT. We have access to great beaches, parks and entertainment. So this is the place we want to be.

So this is what we have done so far.

We have gone to the Stamford Museum for free, the Connecticut Beardsley Zoo for $5 each (66% discount over the regular pricing) and walked at the Audubon Center (free). All this thanks to our local library which offers free or discounted admission to many local attractions. That’s a great budget saver for us and could be for you too.

One thing we crossed off our bucket list was the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat. On one of those hot days, we took the train ride from the shoreline into CT, then took the Riverboat from Deep River, CT and back on the train to were we began. It was a great day trip and a surprisingly cool way to spend a half day.

We have gone to our local beaches. One of our beaches (an island) requires a 20 minute ferry ride and we brought a picnic to the island. It was a beautiful day so we rode the ferry an extra trip – love the sunshine and the salt water! This is a minimal cost as a resident.

One of my favorite things to do in the summer months, is to watch a movie in the park. Our town, as well as other towns in the area, do this. We bring a picnic dinner or take out, sometimes the dog and watch a movie under the stars.

We have dinners outside at home with the vegetables from our garden. There is nothing better than growing your own, picking it and having it right away – just delicious. Salad is always from the garden. Our tomatoes are starting to turn red and the string beans are there for the picking. All for the minimum cost of a packet of organic seeds.

We are exploring our area and doing some of the stay-cation things in town and across the state. With more nice weather weekends ahead, there is so much more on our list of places to explore so stay tuned. What are you doing this summer?

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Our Travel Favorites

According to US News & World Report Travel here are their top 25 places to travel to. We’ve been to 11 of the places. Also, we were recently asked what our favorite place was and it got us thinking that we couldn’t just name one. So here is the list that we compiled. We like specific things about many places. So here’s our favorite list (so far) and this will change as we see more places around the world:

Favorite Pool – You know one of our favorite things are sun, beaches and pools, here are two pools we love – Aruba Marriott Surf Club’s Lazy River Pool and the Bahama’s Atlantis water slides.

Favorite Beach – Sometimes we just want to go somewhere and lie on the beach to relax without technology and here are our favorites. Horseshoe Bay Beach – the gentle surf for being in the Atlantic Ocean. This is a must do anytime we are in Bermuda. On the other side of the country, you can’t beat Ka’anapali Beach, in Maui, Hawaii – just a relaxing experience with a tropical breeze (although a long flight for us).

Favorite European City – There is still much more to explore but our two favorites are London – lots of music history to be explored and easy to get around, a very walkable big city. Barcelona, a great walking city with lots of history and on the Mediterranean. We still remember from almost 7 years ago, arriving at our hotel and seeing the Red Bull planes flying their obstacle course out our window. What an unexpected thrill for Dave.

Favorite Public Transportation – St. Petersburg, Russia subway is so clean and it’s like traveling through and art gallery all underground – way underground (it’s the longest escalator we’ve ever been on). According to Wikipedia, the deepest station is over 280’. We also love the Hop On Hop Off Buses throughout Europe. It makes getting around cities really easy to go from one place to another even if there is a language barrier. We used them in Oslo, London, Tallin, Barcelona, and more.

Favorite Hotel – Hotel Arts in Barcelona – great ocean front hotel with excellent service and within walking distance from town and Las Ramblas (Main Street). Hyatt Regency Maui – terrific beachfront hotel that we spent our first anniversary at when it opened and my favorite penguins (Oreo and George) in the lobby.

Favorite Cruise Line – Royal Caribbean has itineraries all over the world with ships of all sizes and a great loyalty program that is easy to understand and you can move up the levels pretty easily. You know that we love those perks and benefits that comes with the reward programs.

Favorite Airline – American Airlines – hands down the best airline for us. They have excellent service and it’s easy to travel on award miles (we never had a time we couldn’t use our miles for where and when we wanted to go). The online shopping and dining rewards are so easy to use to earn miles and keep your accounts active. Our recent flight was delayed and they provided food and drinks to all for the inconvenience.

Favorite Restaurant – Flying Fishbone, Aruba (See Top Picture), you actual hang your shoes on a shoe tree as your table is actually in the ocean. Sonz Maui at Swan Court, a tranquil restaurant by the ocean. Another great restaurant experience, was the restaurant in Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark. We had a great traditional Danish meal with our friends.

There are so many places we have been and it’s hard to just pick one, but this is partial list. It will change and be updated as we travel more, so keep reading my newsletter for updates.

Save Money By Packing Light

Saving money is all about packing right and light. First, I have several packing lists – one for clothing, one for a vacation that includes cooking and one for cruises. Then I select a color theme, so that all can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits.

First you want to know your airlines regulations – do you have to pay for checked luggage, what are the dimensions and weight limit that you are allowed? Not knowing this can cost you money. So packing within the rules always helps my wallet and it’s the way clothing can be mixed and matched to make more outfits out of less. For example, the red sweater can go over an outfit and/or be a top. The black pants can be casual with a golf shirt and can be dressed up with a blouse for an evening. Everything in my suitcase does double duty and that way I can carry less.

If I buy souvenirs / gifts, I have two different ways to do this. If we are in the US, I stop at a post office and use a flat rate mailing box and ship the items home, so that I don’t have to do a lot added carrying. We did this while in Alaska and shipped items home before we boarded the cruise ship. If I know I am going to be buying gifts, I pack a small collapsible suitcase inside my suitcase and then I have an additional suitcase to carry those new items home.

My actual clothing packing involves the color theme. I select pieces with these colors so that all can go together to make multiple outfits. Those black pants can be paired with a t-shirt by day for exploring and at night with a dressier top for dinner. A beach cover up can get from the pool in the day to an evening with the right accessories. That’s how I can pack in one suitcase even for two week trips.

All this starts with planning what you will be doing and buying before you leave for vacation.

Ways To Save While Traveling

You know that one of our passions is to travel, and we do this as much as we can. I wanted to share with you ways that we are able to save money while traveling. This is in addition to using discounts, points, miles and other known ways.

Here are some things that we do:

Food / Drinks – at hotels, we always stay in a room with a fridge and coffee maker. This saves lots, we can buy our own healthy beverage and food choices at a grocery store vs. the hotel gift shop. If we are driving, then we bring everything from home. If we are flying, it’s a little research before you go to find a store near where we are going to be. While at the store, we pick up fruit and snacks for the trip. On some cruise lines, you are able to bring small quantities of non-alcoholic beverages – yes we do this too.

Exploring / Tours – do your research ahead of time. When we travel, I do a lot of research before we leave. When going to a new city, I check out guide books with suggested itineraries, search the internet for free tours, some libraries offer passes to attractions. If you have to pay for something, do a search for cost too – look for coupons and discount codes. Yes, this takes time but it can benefit your wallet. If we are cruising, we use a website that connects us with other travelers on the same cruise. Many times we have shared rides and tours with people we met online. We shared car service from Southampton, England to the airport with two other couples, we’ve split the cost of a cab in Bruges, Belgium with two other couples – all prearranged online ahead of time.

Dining Out – think about mixing things up – have your big meal at lunch instead of dinner (prices are usually less expensive on the lunch menu compared to the dinner one and the portions can be smaller). Check for discounts and coupons to reduce your cost. Also, think about smaller meals such as stopping at a bakery for breakfast or street or farmers market for snacks. Think outside the box and it may save your wallet.

These are some of the ways we save when we travel. Let me know what you do to save money while you are away.

The Power of Vacation

Thought you might find this interesting: These are the Top 10 Dream Trips according to Trip Advisor. We’ve only done 2.5 of these, so the rest will have to go on our bucket list. I can’t wait.

The power of vacation. Yes, there is such a thing.

According to Fox news, 1 in 4 Americans don’t get paid time off. By contrast, France and Italy top the list with employees getting 31 days off each year and Canada giving 19 days. Even of the people in the US who get paid time off, 75% don’t use it.

We are lacking, and all of our hard work is actually hurting our bottom line.

According to Business Insider, the vacationing worker is:

More productive when they return
Relaxed upon their return – I would agree with this one.
Refreshed and rejuvenated – possibly better able to solve problems and come up with answers / ideas. This has happened to me several times. When I step away from something and turn my thoughts to something else a solution or new idea pops into my mind.
Have better relationships with their partners – time away will do this.
Live longer lives

You don’t have to travel far to get the benefits. Time away from work (think stay-cation) will work wonders.

Remember: taking a vacation does not mean working remotely from your laptop or phone. You need to disconnect from email and technology to relax. If I can do this being self-employed, so can you.

Avoid extra cruise fees (and still have a great time)

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Now that you know how to prepare for the airport, I want to help you get the most out of your cruise.

As you know we enjoy cruising and do it often. They seem like an inexpensive way to travel – you have one flat fee for your room, meals and entertainment. But there are extra fees, some of them unexpected, and that’s where the cruise lines make their money.

Here are some of the fees you might incur and how to get around them.

Beverage Fees

Not just alcohol, but soda and bottled water come with a fee too.

How to get around it: Some cruise lines let you bring a small quantity on board with you at embarkation. We routinely bring bottled water and soda, and have even brought on a bottle a wine in the past. Don’t forget your corkscrew, or they’ll charge an uncorking fee to open it for you.

Fitness Fees

You may have a full access to the gym aboard the ship, but the exercise classes come with a fee.

How to get around it: I have to admit, I love water aerobics and have paid a fee for that class. But I typically abstain from classes, and instead start my day with a walk on the jogging track. On days were the weather isn’t cooperating, I use the machines in the gym. I love the smell of salt water and the quietness of the early morning, getting my exercise in as the sun rises.

Dining Fees

Most of your food is included when you eat in main dining room and at the buffet. But you’ll find they offer some high end, very tempting options for a fee: like expensive meal choices, specialty restaurants, premium coffee and ice cream, and some brand name restaurants.

How to get around it: Cruises have food, food and more food. Check out what free options are available before you even think about exploring the fee options. For example, you’ll have to pay for the premium ice cream at the Ben & Jerry’s on board, but the soft serve from the self-serve ice cream machines are free.

Shore Excursion Fees

The cruise line will offer tours of each port and beyond – for an additional fee. The fee applies if you’re just using their transportation service to get to the city so you can explore on your own.

How to get around it: There is ease and peace of mind with the cruise directed shore excursions, but lots of times you don’t need them. We have used outside companies and/or toured on our own for a fraction of the cost. Yes, it takes research and planning but it can be well worth it. We’ve even booked shared transportation with others on board ahead of time, so we could see exactly what we want in a much smaller group – and for a fraction of the cost.

This has been our experience. Check with the cruise line you’re using because they may have different rules than the line we use. Nothing is worse than purchasing a case of water to bring on the cruise and having to leave it on the pier because it’s not allowed. If want to get around an extra fee, and you can’t find details on it in your cruise contract, then call the travel agent or cruise line and ask ahead of time.

Bon voyage!

How to get through the airport and on the plane

As you know we just got back from an amazing European cruise vacation. I want all of you to try it, but I know that some of you won’t because you’d have to fly to London.

You can get around the expense, but you can’t get around the new security rules. What if you say the wrong thing and get thrown off the plane? What if you bring the wrong thing and get taken to security in front of everyone? What if they won’t allow you to get on the plane with something you need or want, and your choice is to throw it away or miss your flight?

Because we’re experienced travelers, we don’t worry about that at all.

If you want to get through the airport and onto that plane without stress, do what we do.

1. Make parking reservations – I can’t stress this enough. What if you planned on leaving your car at the airport only to get there and find the airport lots are full – now what? We park offsite with a reservation – no hassle. They even have a frequent stayer program and we get one night free for every 7 we pay for. The best perks? They have a shuttle to the terminal and if it’s cold outside, they warm up car when we arrive.

2. Sign up for text or email alerts – They’ll offer it when you make your reservation. We set up a text alert for 4 hours before the flight so we can avoid waiting at the airport for a plane that’s been cancelled or delayed. If you didn’t do this when you bought your tickets, I am sure you can add it now.

3. Weigh and measure your luggage – there are so many rules and regulations. Here’s what you should know before you go: What is the size limitation of carry ons and checked luggage? What are the maximum weight restrictions? There is nothing worse than having to repack at the airport to avoid fees. Measure your suitcase before you start to pack, and weigh it after you’re done. Don’t waste your money on a luggage scale, you can use your bathroom scale.

4. Plan your carry on bag – Are you checking your luggage or carrying it on the plane? Checked luggage goes in the cargo hold, so you can pack any size toiletries. Carry ons stay with you, either at your feet or in the overhead bin. If you are carrying any luggage on, pack your toiletries according to the TSA regulations and place them in an easy to access area (i.e. on top of your clothes or in an outside pocket). This makes the security check point so much easier. Check out the TSA website for the complete rules and regulations

5. Charging electronics – not all seats in a plane have power ports. Check your seat details by going to SeatGuru.com and looking up your airline, flight number and date of flight. Sometimes airlines will change planes and you won’t have the power port you expected, so make sure all your electronics are fully charged before you leave home.

6. Check in online – You should do it before you leave home. Our airline lets us check in 24 hours in advance. I do this to the minute to possibly snag an upgrade. Some airlines make you wait until check in to select your seat assignment.

7. Preplan your layover activities – If you know you are going to have a layover, check out the airport in advance (many have apps). When flying British Airway into or out of Heathrow, you can schedule a massage during your layover. You can purchase a day pass to an airline club. We’ve done this and had a great experience with good healthy food choices, free Wi-Fi, and a comfortable place to relax.

These simple plan-ahead tips make flying easier, so relax and make those reservations.

What do you do to make your trip less stressful?

The Best Pre-Travel To-Do List

Before we travel, we check off a pre-travel to-do list. Today, I am going to share all the steps we take before leaving on vacation.

Home

Stop the mail and newspaper delivery
Set timers on electronics to turn on and off at natural times
Unplug or turn off all other electronics – it will save you a lot of money
Clean out the fridge and take out the trash
Water the plants
Tell your local police that you will be away so they can check your house when patrolling

Finances

Pay bills ahead or set up automatic payments to avoid late payment fees
Notify your credit card companies of your whereabouts and how to reach you
Clean out your wallet and remove anything you don’t need

Packing

Charge the electronics that are traveling with you
Pack chargers in your luggage
Use plastic bags. Put jars, tubes, and dispensers in sealed plastic bags (if they break your other items will be fine). I put my clothing in huge bags, so if my luggage is out in the rain on the tarmac, my clothing will stay dry.
If you are traveling with a passport, remember to make a copy to take with you. It makes getting a replacement so much easier.

I hope these tips will help you have a safer and happier vacation.

Lessons in Cheap Travel from an Expert: Me! (Rerun)

We just returned from an amazing trip to Northern Europe and, surprise, surprise – it didn’t break our bank account. How did we do it?

Transferable frequent flier miles

When we fly, we usually use one airline so our frequent flier miles are easy to use. But, our first destination was Copenhagen and our favorite airline doesn’t fly to Denmark. Lucky for us, the airline was in the One World Alliance so we were able to transfer our miles to another airline to receive free flights – we only paid the taxes.

We earned extra miles just by eating out and shopping

Our airline has a dinning program so you can eat out at participating restaurants to earn miles. The program is free. You just need to register your credit or debit cards. The shopping program works great for us. When we shop online, we start at their shopping website. Then use their links to access popular retailers. Between flying, eating out, and ordering online our frequent flier miles really add up.

We used our hotel points

Our flight got us in to Copenhagen a day early, so we had time to explore and meet up with a good friend. We stayed at a hotel and our lodging points covered the cost of both nights. Even better, we used extra points to upgrade to a room with access to a hospitality suite that served breakfast and late afternoon snacks.

We used timeshare points for the cruise

As some of you know, we like to take cruises. So, when we found a cruise that visited the Baltic regions of Northern Europe, we were really excited. Neither of us had been, so it was a first. We were so happy to find that we could trade our timeshare points for the cruise. All we paid were the taxes and port fees. We sailed to Tallinn, Estonia; St Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden.

Yes, it took a lot of coordination and advanced planning…

But, our travel, lodging and cruise were covered – we only paid taxes (which were minimal). Of course we spent money for some of our food, entrance fees to museums, the tours themselves and souvenirs. But we saved money by walking, taking public transport, or tour transports where the only cost was the tip for the guide.

So, that’s my experience and my expert advice. You can travel without killing your budget!

That’s several more countries checked off our bucket list. Where would you like to go?

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Cards Declined in Copenhagen: Lessons in Travel

In the last edition of my newsletter, you heard about our amazing trip and how we were able to pay for almost everything with points and some smart pre-planning. (You’ll see photos today).

Now, you will hear what didn’t work. This was big lesson for me.

To stay on budget, we used mainly cash. We even bought foreign currency before leaving home. We were able to purchase Crown, Kroner, Euro and Rubles at our local exchange in Connecticut.

But we knew we would want to use credit occasionally, so we called our credit and debit card companies to let them know where we’d be travelling and on what dates (as I’ve told you to do many times).

Imagine our surprise when our cards were declined in Copenhagen. We had dinner with friends and asked the restaurant split the bill between us – half on their card and half on ours. Ours was declined. We knew it wasn’t the machine because they processed our friends’ card first. We could see that theirs worked because the staff at the restaurant actually processes the credit card at your table using a portable machine.

We wondered if it was because we were using our US debit card with a pin. So we ask them to do it again as a credit card. It still didn’t work. The staff said that a lot of US credit cards are declined for some reason.

And, it wasn’t just the restaurant. We tried using the credit card when we checked out of the hotel. Again, declined! It was very embarrassing.

When we returned, I called the credit card company to ask why they wouldn’t accept our transactions. After a lengthy conversation, and several people, they realized that they couldn’t see any of the attempted transactions in their system. Fortunately, I kept the receipt as proof, but even with the evidence right in front of them, they still couldn’t give me an answer.

The mystery continues. Thank goodness for our American Express card. It saved the day.

Remember, no matter how prepared you are. Things can go wrong. Make sure you have a back-up plan when you travel.

Update: A big thanks to Heidi for giving us an explanation! Apparently, their credit card machines are programmed to accept cards originating from countries in the European Union – and nowhere else. I guess that makes things easier for Denmark, but not for tourists! Read her full comment below.