Ranting and Reviewing - Four Seasons Hotel

Hey Travel Gurus!

I've come to realize that I haven't been posting many personal blog posts lately and in sharing, some of my own experiences, I might inspire you to goo out and make your own. I also realized that it would be helpful to share my honest opinion on some of my experiences to help you get an idea of what to avoid and what to go for in your traveling future. Today my topic of rave reviewing, is the Four Season hotel.

I was reminded of a family trip to Orlando in a dream last night. It was an amazingly vivid - and random - vision in which I remembered my unforgettable stay at the Four Seasons hotel. 

This trip was planned for the bonding and re-Americanizing the family after our 10-month stay in Tunisia. My dad was super excited to see the family and planned the venture as a surprise for us. He decided to take us to Florida, with the majority of the trip to be spent in Disneyworld. 

For the first few days, we spent the trip in Miami enjoying the eccentric and vibrant culture while visiting great eateries and landmarks, while getting a feel for the state.

Then, the highlight of the trip came, as we drove to Orlando to spend a week in Disneyworld, every person's secret dream - though as a 6th grader, I was in a phase where pretending that these things were too childish for my liking was cool. Of course the theme parks were utterly indescribable. The extent to which every nook and cranny of the humongous park is detailed from names of restaurants to mini recreations of classic movies as shops was what truly amazed me. As amazing as the location was, the hotel stay still sticks in my mind more than any other.

We were lucky enough to be able to stay at the Four Seasons resort in Disneyworld. The service was simply amazing, and you can feel, from the second that you enter the gorgeous building. Despite the thousands of guests  in the building, every employee is completely invested in your comfort and enjoyment. Though a bellhop a offered to take up our things, is kids were too enamel red by the team that holds the suitcases and plenty happy pushing it ourselves. After a hassle of entering the elevator and arguing about who got to press the elevator button, we got to our room. My parents wanted to be able to enjoy the trip as much us loud kids did, and so my dad had reserved a breathtaking and huge suite next door to a smaller room where the kids could sleep. We spent most of the time in the suite as a family and went to our room to sleep. The rooms were so beautiful yet still set up in a way where you felt the comfort of home. Everything was spotless and we had a great view of the gorgeous exterior pools and areas of the resort. 

The food offered in the hotel restaurant only proved why the Four Seasons was successful elsewhere as purely a restaurant. While my brothers couldn't value this as two typical boys who just scarfed down their burgers and mac&cheese, I was old enough to take in the environment and to this day remeber their delicious penne pasta I ate as the family gathered around the table. Their breakfast and dinner buffet down in the lobby did not fail to impress either.

As amazing as the food was and as great as th venue was, the Four Seasons would not be as memorable in my mind if is wasn't for the great staff and mentality everyone there has. One example of this was on the topic of my brother's birthday. Having heard my dad discuss my brother Awwab's birthday coming up soon after the trip, they asked if they could do something for him before we left. When we woke on our scheduled day of departure, we were surprised with a small cake customized just for my brother's birthday, who was elated that he would be able to celebrate his birthday in some way while in Disneyworld. With the beautiful hotel, the professionalism, and hospitality the Four Seasons truly made us feel like we were in the most magical place on Earth. To this day, we be sure to check if there's a Four Seasons wherever we're heading and know that if we plan on staying there again, we're sure to be in for a treat.

Taz

How to Look Like a Local Series

Hey Travel Gurus!

I was recently reminiscing on some of my previous travels in an effort to think of a new blog topic. I revisited old and dear memories and found old photos that reminded of the physical beauty that surrounds us. I noticed not only was every setting different because of the geography but also in the culture and people - particularly in the differences of clothing. I decided that it would be fun and educational to introduce a new series on how to look like a local in different places I've been lucky enough to visit.

Hope you enjoy reading the next few blog posts as much as I had writing them! Thanks for tuning in again gurus.

Taz

Traveling With Your Furry Friend

Hey Travel Gurus!

Animals are the best - even better than people in some cases- so it's understandable why millions of people a year bring their beloved pets with them on their expeditions. As great as pets are, they are often unpredictable and harder to manage in a foreign situation. The thought of hassling an animal on already exhausting venture scares many people into leaving their pets in the care of others back home. But this fear shouldn't stop you from sharing an amazing life experience with your favorite furry companion as I'm here to show how to effectively get through a travel experience with your pet, without ending up howling in agony. (See what I did there? I'm sorry.)

If your best furry-iend is tagging along with you on a plane, the most important preparation method is getting informed. Call airport services or check out their procedures online as to how they handle transporting animals. You want to make sure that your pet is mentally and physically capable of making the trip. Make an appointment with you vet  beforehand and get an assessment done to determine how much, if at all, motion sickness medicine will need to be administered to your animal prior to take off. Ifyou need any personal accommodations for your pet, checking the policies ahead of time will give you enough time to talk to and negotiate with the staff so that they can help make you pet's trip as enjoyable as possible.

If you are bringing along your pet in your personal vehicle, you'll also want to plan ahead of time to make sure you won't want to tear your hair out by the end. Make sure to prepare pet-friendly snacks for your pet to munch on and make sure that there is a designated spot in the car for them. If you can't fit an animal bed, blankets work just fine. Make sure to purchase an animal friendly seat belt for your pet if needed. And make sure to listen to your pet to see what they need whether that's motion sickness medication or a restroom break. The important thing is to not forget the small technicalities that come along with bringing your pet along for your trip.

I hope this helped ease your mind about bringing your pet along for your upcoming ventures or aided in convincing you to bring them in the future. To have your best friend on four legs with you for the best times of your life is definitely worth the slight hassle.

Until the next post!

Taz 

Handling Homesickness

While being abroad is a generally exciting and positive experience, it can sometimes leave you yearning for home, especially if you're not a frequent traveler. This isn't a surprise as human beings are generally homebodies and like the feelings of stability and security, which can be compromised while traveling to new and unknown locations. If you ever find yourself down in the dumps while traveling or filled with nostalgia about home, just read on to find some helpful tips on how to reduce the effects of homesickness.

1.) Bring a sentimental item with you. If you know that you might be uncomfortable with the prospects of traveling ahead of time, bring something meaningful with you. Chances are you aren't still reliant on a security blanket, but you probably still have a meaningful item that will help bring a piece of home with you. Bring along a picture of meaningful people, your favorite book or even the pillow that you usually sleep on every night, to ease the nerves of sleeping on a foreign bed. The simplest things can sometimes help the most.

2.) Keep a constant. We all have habits that we are used to carrying out at home, and continuing those while away can help your brain feel more secure in the environment you're in and make you still feel at home. If you're used to watching a certain show before bed, try to watch it before going to sleep, and sleep on the same side of the bed you usually do at home. If you drink a certain beverage in the morning, try to keep that habitual action going. If you like listening to music, play your favorite artist's work when you can. Doing things you do at home and you'll feel a lot less uneasy about being placed in a new situation.

3.) Keep yourself busy. Keeping your mind off the fact that you're not home will help you not stress about it so much. Immerse yourself in local activities and options for entertainment. Go out to eat and have fun. Try exercising if your hotel has an indoor gym and just try to keep yourself busy and your mind off of your troubles.

4.) Journaling. Sometimes the best way to release steam or negative emotions is to physically confront them and let them go. Keeping a diary for the period that you're abroad will serve both as an emotional outlet but also make it easier to look back on and remember your trip later on.

5.) Talk it out. Whether your friends are with or back home, keep in contact with them while your gone. Friends and family are usually great listeners believe or not and care about how you're feeling. Even if you aren't ranting about how sad and lonely you're feeling, sometimes hearing loved ones' voices and joking around can be a great way to make you feel more at home even while away from home.

Thanks for reading gurus!

Taz

Brooke's Wonderful Weekend

Hey Travel Gurus!

As I've said several times before, the simplest trips can be the most fun and least stressful, and road trips are no exception. My fellow blogger Brooke McNeal is here to prove it to you and show you how to prepare for a road trip that can create some awesome memories and experiences. She is planning on visiting Chicago over the weekend and is sharing her preparation process with us. You can check out Brooke's banging blog by clicking this link: http://www.beazyy.blogspot.com/

T: Hey Brooke how are you today?
B: Good. I'm really excited for this weekend's trip.
T: Yeah I heard about that where you going?
B: Chicago Illinois for a college visit
T: Wow! Are you gonna be doing anything else while you're there
B: Yeah I plan on doing a lot of shopping
T: How long are you staying in Chicago
B: Saturday, but I'm staying overnight
T: Where do plan on staying?
B: Embassy Suites
T: How did you come across this hotel and what intrigued you about it?
B: My mom really likes this hotel chain and she recommended it to me. It has really good breakfast!
T: That's the most important thing to look for right?
B: Of course
T: What else drew you to this hotel?
B: It has a really cool pool
T: Did use any money-saving methods to book your hotel?
B: Yeah, actually my mom has a membership with the hotel company so every certain amount of times we stay, we earn a free night. It just so happens that the night I'm staying is a free night.
T: Nice. How are you packing for your trip?
B: I have a medium sized purple suitcase. I bring it with me everywhere I go, it's my good luck charm!
T: What contents do you plan to bring along with you
B: Nice clothes like a dress and heels, with boots to change out. I also packed a swimsuit, pajamas and a casual outfit. You know, the essentials!
T: What other things do you plan on taking with you?
B: I out my makeup in a Victoria's Secret cosmetic bag. It's really useful for travel. I'm also packing my phone charger and headphones, because you obviously need that?
T: How long did it take you to pack, and how stressed were you?
B: Not stressed at all! I was really looking forward to this all week so I packed with plenty of time left, just in case I remembered something before I leave.
T: How getting there, transportation wise.
B: My mom's driving me and my friend Grace in her car. We all hope to bond and make some funny inside jokes to remember for a lifetime.
T: That's great! So are you hoping to get something out of the trip other than the college visit.
B: Oh yeah definitely. I've read your blogs and I agree that being laid back about the whole thing is gonna let me have a lot of fun. I just hope it turns out to be a spontaneous road trip I can add to the books. Hopefully I'll be able to create some great memories with great people.
T: I'm glad, I mean that's what traveling is all about right?
B: Of course!
T: Alright thanks for taking some time to talk with me about your trip I hope you have a great time.

B: Thanks, I'm sure I will!

As you can see, by confronting her task with a positive attitude and with the necessary preparation, Brooke has set up her venture to be a success and hopefully you can learn a thing or two about how make sure you have a great time on your road trip.

Fall Time Treks

Hey Travel Gurus!

We're in that wonderful time of year again where crisp and fresh air meets colorful foliage meets snuggling under blankets to watch movies. The marvelous time of fall can be an enchanting time of the year and can deceivingly make cozying inside all day a more tempting way to spend your day. As a big sufferer of this, I've decided to help you get out of the house with five alternative adventures to take during fall, as in real adventures that aren't watched through a TV screen. 

1.) Sports Games. No, this does not mean watching ESPN in your living room. This means getting off your lazy butt to buy tickets to your local football game and enjoying a day or evening on the bleachers. Once you do it you'll agree, no fancy pan shots of a team you don't even know can beat watching the game while sipping hot chocolate and cozying close next to your favorite people on freezing cold seats. Friday night lights man.

2.) Haunted Houses. Yes Halloween is a ways behind us which can detract from the spooky spirit that makes haunted houses so fun, but going to haunted houses can still ensure a fun yet terrifying night out. If your local haunted house is still open, go there and enjoy the scary spirits before holiday spirit takes over your life (See what I did there? Hilarious I know).

3.) Apple picking. Cheesy I know, but apple orchards make a profit off of tourism for a reason. Orchards often offer an all encompassing fall experience. You'll be able to see mills where apples are made into apple cider and maybe get to try cinnamon and apple flavored baked goods. If the food wasn't motivation enough to convince you to go hayrides are also usually available. If not having a significant other you hold your hand even while you're plucking off the fruit, invite a good friend. You'll have twice the fun and will be able to make fun of the couples taking puke worthy pictures under the trees.

4.) Cabins and Campgrounds. This is the bat time of year to do this as you'll be able to enjoy decent weather without the side effects of bugs. While it'll probably be too cold to do anything in the water, you can still enjoy other outdoor activities such as hiking and barbecuing. You might find a hot tub amenity at your central campground building, and if not, you'll still be able to end the night with a cozy bonfire and cabin beds which are notoriously comfortable.

5.) Get a spa treatment. I don't think I need to do much convincing on this one, but I'll still remind you of how much you're missing out by not being at a spa right now. Deep tissue massages. Hot baths. Facials. Hand rubs. Scented bath salts. Sauna steam showers. Just stop reading and book a day now, you know you want to.

Hope you'll take the advice and come out of your blanket cocoon and be more of a functioning person. If not, I still understand and to each his own...method of dealing with the fleeting moment known as fall weather. 

See ya soon gurus,

Taz

Stereotype Stamp Out - Mo Money Mo Better

Hey Travel Gurus!

Though it may seem that I bring up this point of discussion quite often, it's only because emphasizing will hopefully convince you of its validity. When people think of people who travel, they either picture extremely rich people taking a private plane to the Madives or people who spend their all their lives and money to be able to travel all the time. Though, I'm sure no one would object to those options, the truth is, you don't need to break your bank account to be able to travel. Part of this misconception come from the fact that most people believe that to "travel" one must be venturing out in foreign countries  sipping on foreign tea while overlooking the foreign ocean. This however isn't the case. If planned correctly, a weekend at your local campground or lake can be just as valid and fun as an exotic trip. Traveling is just an act that allows people to have fun and experience new things in new places, and that looks different from person to person. As long as you have a positive attitude and a mindset that will allow you to learn and grow from whatever venture you plan on taking, you can be assured that you will have a wonderful travel experience and will leave you with the same emotions as any other big time trip. This isn't to negate larger scale trips, as it is obvious that nothing is the same as seeing the sights in Europe, but you can easily find local alternatives that will leave you with a similar sense of fulfillment. If you're interested in the art scene, and looking at pretty things in general, check out your local newspaper for art gallery exhibitions and art festivals. If you're a food contadseur, chances are you'll be able to taste the plates of France locally without traveling across the globe. You can also stay on the look out for food festivals and restaurant openings that with leave you with a cultures tongue and full stomach. If you're a history geek,  you'll be able to find plenty of museums tang may enlighten you on something that makes your boring little town a little less boring. Whatever it is you're looking for out of an extravagant trip( you can always find a closer version and although you may not be sipping pho in the Philippines, you'll be left with the same amount of satisfaction and happiness.

Hope this helped encourage you guys to venture out and explore more. And always remeber that money shouldn't be the deciding factor on whether or not you  get to experience an amazing travel adventure.

Thanks again for keeping up!

Taz

Stereotype Stamp Out - Annoying Aviation

Hey Travel Gurus!

On average, over 80,000 passengers board on commercial planes each day, in hopes to get to their destinations. And of those 80,000, I'm sure the majority would tell you that traveling in the big metal bird on the sky is not the highlight of their venture. I being one of those few select people that love to travel by air will never understand but can empathize with those  who are anti-air travel. Being that my mom is a huge opposer to this type of travel, I have heard many of the reasons why air travel isn't enjoyable. While some of them are liable excuses, others are just plain outrageous and I'm here to help you deal with both and help you enjoy your air travel better.

1.) The plane could crash - Yes the plane could crash. But you could have also choked on a sandwich and ended your life  while waiting in the gate area. You could have tripped and hit your head just right to have brain hemorrhage and die. You could have crashed while driving to the airport. There is likelihood in dying from even everyday situations, an to stress about all of them would be mentally crippling. One of the biggest reasons people fear riding an airplane is due to a phenomenon called the availability heuristic. It is the human tendency to draw judgement from what we have been repeatedly exposed to, therefore drawing from those memories when assessing a situation. It's no secret that plane crashes make huge headlines and catch your attention each time, but this does not change the fact that plane crashes are extremely rare! Car accidents kill exponentially more people each day than plane crashes, but since we don't hear about every crash in the news, we don't see driving as a bigger threat. The same goes for getting eaten by a shark or struck by lightning. Possible yes, but much less likely than many of the things we do on a daily basis. Even in the nearly impossible chance that you were to crash, your airplane is equipped to deal with the pressure of crashing and supplying you with the necessary supplies to survive in every situation. And remeber that the technology of aviation has been under study for centuries, and if it wasn't safe for citizens, it wouldn't be in effect today, especially on the scale it takes place in today. 

2.) Kids. Just kids. Understandable. As adorable as they can be, you can sometimes be left dumbfounded at how much sound can be produced from such a little creature. Although there is no way to practically predict and prevent staying near a child during your flight, there are still easy ways to deal with sitting next to a loud child. First of all, don't project your anger towards the parent. They're probably just as bothered if not more by the child and are aware that other passengers are annoyed by their child. It isn't fair to blame them for a situation they can't control and are already stressed by. The amazing invention of earbuds are extremely useful for this situation, and playing some soothing music can help cancel out the sleep preventing noise eminating from the child. Try to to ignore the noise and put your exhausted self to sleep. But if you're the one with children, that's a whole different blog post. 

3.) Airplane food is gross. Let me introduce this tip by pointing out that I don't believe airplane food is as bad as everyone makes it out to be. I can honestly never remember a meal I've eaten on flight that made me lose my appetite. In fact getting to eat an optionally diverse tray of food on a convenient and cute little mini table that opens in front of you, while flight attendants attend to your every need IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SKY has always been one of my favorite quirks about air traveling. I realize however that most everyone inhabiting this planet disagrees with me and that food preferences differ from person to person. What people tend to forget when complaining about food in air travel is that airports are virtually mini cities, in that you can find most of the stores you see in your hometown mall within the complex and food stores are no exception. After your security screening, you are free to purchase and consume from any of the mini restaurants and are allowed to take anything you want with you on flight.As long as you set aside some time to wait in line and get your food, you can board your plane confidently knowing that if you happen to find the food served on the plane not so good, you'll always have the McDonald's/Panera/Starbucks to turn to in your time of need.

Hope your nerves have settled a bit about traveling via airplane and also hope I helped you get excited about getting on the plane and enjoying the journey as much as your destination. 

Thanks for reading!

Taz

Stereotype Stamp Out

Hey Travel Gurus!

Stereotypes although convenient mental shortcuts for our judgement, generalize a large subject and can give us false conceptions of about a topic. Different facets of travel are no exceptions to this. Through this series I hope to enlighten you through raising awareness of different traveling stereotypes, and why sometimes, they're just plain wrong.

Enjoy your reading gurus,

Taz 

Stereotype Stamp Out - Visiting Developing Countries

Hey Travel Gurus!

As the daughter of first generation immigrants, it's only expected that my family values our connection with the country my parents were brought up in. For me that means a lot trips to Tunisia. Tunisia is a North African country that resembles countries in the Middle East, due to its proximity to the region. The economy there values the touristic industry, which conveniently correlates with the many beautiful locations throughout the country. The country is very ethnically diverse, but not so much so religiously. Despite all of this, Tunisia is still considered a developing country, on the premise that their government is not very stable due to their recent revolution rand the fact that the economic situations of citizens is split drastically between the rich, middle class, and the poor. However, unlike what most people believe, traveling to a developing country does not usually involve walking through dusty streets where beggars tug at you every step of the way. In fact, this couldn't be farther from the truth in the case of Tunisia. In fact, it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish places in Tunisia, from places here in America (except for the fact that there are palm trees and beaches virtually everywhere). My cultural background has made me lucky enough to be able to visit the majority of the attractions there and even be able to stay at out family house there. Though some areas of the country can shed light on why Tunisia is still a developing country, this simply isn't true for the majority of the country. Just like in America there are economic zones, and as long as you're planning to spend most of your time outside of the ghettos, you'll feel like you're just at an exotic version of home. I personally believe that Tunisia is one of the best possible destinations for vacationing because of the versatility in trip options. What I love is that every city is known for a certain trade and attraction which allows you to mold your vacation around that premise. For example, Hammamat is known for its water parks, resorts, and clear beaches - a great option for family stays - while Jerba is known for its historic sites, themed hotels, and amazing cultural markets - perfect for a couple. The diversity in places and people makes for a great and mind broadening experience, which is why I recommend thinking twice before crossing off a destination based solely on the prejudice you might hold against developing countries. The most important part, like in any foreign travel, is to do your research beforehand and come up with a genral game plan. As long as you've got the knowledge about your whereabouts, you'll be guaranteed to have a splendid time during your trip

I hope you learned something new today!

Taz

Traveling on a Budget - Hotel Mania

Hey Travel Gurus!
Finding a place to stay while abroad is one of the most vital necessities of traveling, but unfortunately it is also one of the most expensive aspect of travel. Even some of the most basic hotel's night stay can cost the same as an average month's rent. I'm here to help you avoid the economic pitfalls of of hotel choosing with three simple tips to keep in mind.

1.) Be pragmatic about the process. While choosing  a fancy hotel that takes up the majority of your travel expenses can be rewarding in certain ways, it can still be a pointless waste of money. Chances are the bulk of your stay will be spent outdoors, enjoying the local activities, and not in your hotel room. This idea is to be used in moderation however as you still want to be able to come back to a nice room to relax and unwind in after a long day of venturing. This is just one of the reasons why it would be wise to spend plenty of money on your hotel in certain situations. If your trip is based around the attractions of your hotel or if you personally prefer spending the bulk of your vacation in the hotel room, then investing in a nicer hotel can be worth it.  The most important thing to consider is your economic abilities and constraints and what situations would constitute for  needing to book a nicer hotel. 

2.) Book through an online hotel website - Hotel websites are designed to offer you with the easiest and most affordable options for booking your hotel. These websites work by comparing different hotel rooms within your interested area of stay and offer a list of available rooms within your preferred price range. These websites help by doing the "scouring the internet for hours to find the best hotel option" process for you. Many of these websites also come with a lowest price guarantee which allows you to remain at ease that one way or another, you will get the cheapest option for your stay.

3.) Make a membership - Next time you're at your hotel check-in, take the extra five minutes to join their loyalty rewards program. This simple transaction can pay off in spades. These memberships often cost nothing to join and offer many perks for doing so. Even the cheapest memebership options comes with benefits such as reduced room rates and in-hotel services. Who knows, the next time you unknowingly book at the Sheraton again, you may be surprised with a few commodities to make your stay easier in your mind and wallet.

Ho(tel)pe this helped gurus!

Taz 

Traveling on a Budget - Frugal Food Ventures

Hey Travel Gurus,

Food is probably the most pleasurable part of any experience and this is an indisputable fact. Even though you probably won’t remember what you had for dinner in Hawaii a week after you get home, food is just an integral and beautiful part of life and should be enjoyed to its fullest potential - especially in a situation where there are different food options from what is offered back home. However every good thing in life comes with a price and when it comes to food, it can be a pretty high one. So how does one balance the desire to try new amazing foods in an amazing new city while still managing to stay smart about your expenses? That's where I come in with the three best ways to save money on food while still eating food other than gas station Cheetos.

First off, avoid eating in touristic areas. Of  the many inconveniences of tourist zones within a city, food and commodities in general is a big one. Businesses take advantage of visitors' willingness to give up money left and right just to have a more comfortable experience. What many don't realize that 2 miles outside of the city hub probably has amazing and more culturally accurate restaurants for half the price. While it can be fun to experience a place in a tourist world, it is very limiting and expensive. Try eating out  away from the tourist zone at least once a day during your stay and your effort will pay off in spades - green paper spades.

Another way to save on eating while traveling is to cook your own food. And I know the last thing you probably want to do on vacation is more domestic tasks but this can be a great way to reduce your spending and allow you to use the money for something fun on your trip. Go  to a local grocery store and pick up some simple ingredients and make a basic meal. As long as it fills you up and tastes good, you'll be good to go for the rest of your day. Cooking your own food can also help you keep up with any dietary restrictions you might have and will give you the chance to have a healthier meal. This isn't to say that you should cook every meal while traveling and miss out on local delicacies but you should remeber that your hotel room kitchenette is there for a reason.

Lastly,

Traveling on a Budget - Transportation

Hey Travel Gurus!

One of the biggest areas of concern when traveling is how you’ll be able to get to your destination in the most practical yet cost effective way possible. I say practical because it’s also important to keep in mind that a more expensive method of transportation would be necessary in certain situation – i.e.) Traveling by car from New York to Venezuela is more hassle than the amount of money you will save. Just remember that different methods of transportation are available because they are suitable for different types of traveling and destinations. So here are ways to save on traveling by the most popular means of travel in the U.S. – car and airplane.

Car – Taking a road trip can sometimes be the best way to reach your journey’s end and if done and planned out right, can be just as fun as the actual vacation spot itself. Obviously, the biggest expense in road tripping is the fuel and while there may not be any direct way to reduce gas prices, you can work your way around this by choosing the least expensive route to your destination. A couple days before your scheduled departure, try looking at road maps to where you’re going and figure out the shortest possible traveling distance possible to get where you’re going. This can also easily be done using software on your computer or software as there a plethora of satellite-based apps that can help you find the shortest travel course for your personal road trip. There are also plenty of apps such as GasBuddy that help locate gas stations with the lowest gas price rates – a very useful tool for a trip that relies heavily on the consumption of gas. Another major point to consider is the state of your car. You’ll save a lot of money and unneeded stress by preparing for a flat tire with the necessary tools and checking for your car’s motor and oil condition will help prevent mechanical problems that will cost more money and time later on if something were to go wrong. An additional money saver on road trips is food. Being bored for hours at a time in a car will only help your eating tendency and so it’s important to prepare for this ahead of time. If you already have good food at home bring some along with you and save money on buying food from outside. Also try to restrict your food stops to the necessary three eating times of the day. If you’re really longing for a snack in between, gas stations are a great resource for cheap grub and will also provide you with other necessary amenities such as bathrooms and gas.

Airplane - Aviation can be a great way to get from point A to pint B especially if point A is ridiculously far from point B. Though many find traveling by air can be the most unpleasurable part of a trip, approaching it with a positive attitude can make it one of the most exciting part of the trip. The main problem with traveling via airplane however is that most people with a strict budget can't afford it. Traveling is a big emotional and financial commitment and although you won't be able travel an empty airplane for free, you find some great life hacks for chopping the price it takes to the ride the big metal bird in the sky. Firstly, traveling during the low season can dramatically decrease the price for your plane ticket. Airfare companies take advantage of patterns of passenger flow and what times air travel is used more than other times. During this high season, airfare companies higher plane tickets as there is an opportunity for a large profit. Inversely, there is also a low season in which plane tickets are considerably cheaper. This is usually during the winter excluding of course the sharp increase in plane purchases around Christmas time. It is important to keeping mind where in the world you're headed as the weather-related decrease often refers to your destination. There are also trends within this time and as a general rule traveling within the middle of the week - mainly Tuesday and Wednesday - often results in a cheaper ticket. Another way to save money is to fly an indirect route which can be very useful if your concern with money trumps your concern with what time you get to your travel spot. To travel an indirect route means to travel with the same flight number but unlike nonstop flights, there is a break between both destinations. Although slower than nonstop flights, they are often cheaper, so be sure to look up which method is suitable to your situation. Mixing and matching flight numbers and companies can also be a great way to find the cheapest possible airplane route to your destination. By mixing different flight routes to a destination that requires a stop in between, you have the ability to choose which option offers the cheapest flight to each portion of the trip which can help maximize the money you save on airfare. Other than the actual plane fare itself there are many ways to save money in the airport. Pre-booking parking in an understated way to save money yet doing so can save more money than trying to park the day of. Luggage wise, be sure to weigh your suitcases beforehand to avoid having to pay extra fees for added weight or extra suitcases. Try to avoid shopping while in the airport as most of the stores are ridiculously overpriced and offer products that  can be easily found for less elsewhere,

Hope this post helped you guys figure out ways to travel while still keeping your wallet intact and remember that the journey is just as important as the trip. Stay groovy gurus.

Taz

Traveling on a Budget - Introduction

Hey Travel Gurus!

Arguably the biggest turn off to traveling people have is the monetary expense. Not everyone can afford a deluxe mind boggling vacation and that’s alright because there are countless ways to have fun a trip while letting your bank account have a great time as well. This three part blog series should help you reduce costs in the biggest three monetary areas of traveling – transportation, eating, and your stay. Hopefully with my help you’ll be able to take more initiative in taking that trip you’ve been debating about for a while and be able to enjoy yourself without having the stress of possible bankruptcy on the back of your mind the whole time.

Let’s get budgeting gurus,

Taz