10 Ways to Visit Europe and Save Money

There is no question that a holiday in Europe can be expensive.  Transportation, accommodation, food and souvenirs add up each day.  However, there are a number of ways that you can save money yet still have a wonderful and memorable experience. 

1.      Travel During the Off-Season.   Summer (June – August) and the holiday season (December) are the most popular times to visit Europe and therefore the rates are highest.  Choose to travel during the spring and autumn months when crowds are thinner, the weather is nicer and prices on airfare and room rates drop 20 – 50%. It is often less expensive to fly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to boot. 

2.      Visit a Country or City Off the Beaten Track.  Paris, Rome, London, Prague…if you haven’t visited these cites, one day you certainly need to go.  But if traveling on a budget is your current focus then these are not the cities to visit now.  There are dozens of places that are quite remarkable that are not nearly as expensive.  The Eastern European countries and Portugal tend to be the most cost-effective.  If you prefer to visit Western Europe, simply travel to places that are less popular and less expensive.  For example, the Loire Valley just outside of Paris is stunning, covered in ancient castles in the middle of wine country.  Or visit Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic which is known as a “pocket-sized” Prague with half the tourists and a fraction of the cost.

3.      Holiday Apartment Rentals.  Instead of pricey hotels, seek out holiday apartment rentals.  The best resources online are Craigslist or Vacation Rentals By Owner (VRBO).  Both websites offer photos and information on thousands of independently owned apartments in cities all over Europe.  During the off-season, remember to negotiate the price and you’ll be surprised how many rentals bite.  Think about it: it’s better for them to rent to you for a lower price than have their rental go empty for a week or weekend.  Remember that most apartments will have a kitchen, so go to the local supermarket and cook and save even more!

4.      Picnic.  All over Europe there are thousands of beautiful plazas and parks to relax in with a picnic lunch.  Shop at the local markets for bread, cheese, salami, fresh fruit and a bottle of wine.  Ask the shopkeepers for the local specialty and try it.  The price is right, the taste is delicious and the memory unforgettable.

5.      Buy Local  Beverages.  Each region in every country in Europe is known for a special wine, beer, liqueur or other beverage.  Reference your tour book, an information center or simply read a menu outside for an idea of what the local specialty is and there is no doubt that you can get a delicious mug of beer or bottle of wine for a just a few dollars.  Remember that soda is often very expensive.  Also, the tap water is fine to drink (and free).   Refill and reuse your water bottles.

6.      Seek Out Discounts and Free Activities.  There are a number of free activities in Europe.  During warmer months there are plenty of complimentary outdoor festivals and other events. Wine tasting is generally free as well.  If you are an outdoor enthusiast, hiking trails are at your fingertips all over the continent.  Some cities even offer city tours with the sole expectation of just a few Euros for a tip.   Museums in London are free.  Check museum websites in advance to find out which days and times discounts are offered.  Often there are group, student, senior and child discounts and if you don’t see it mentioned, just ask.

7.      Package Ticket Purchases.  If you love museums, cities such as Paris and Amsterdam offer a “Museum Pass” that allows entry into multiple museums with a discount.  You can do the same thing in many cities with a subway and a train.  If you are planning to visit multiple countries, check out the Eurail website see if a bundled train tickets are right for you – there is a potential to save you hundreds of dollars!

8.      Use Public Transportation.  The European Union invests quite a bit of money into its infrastructure.  The end result is public transportation that is quick, efficient and cost-effective.  We all know how pricey taxis can be.  Instead, spend 5 minutes and figure out how take the subway, bus and/or train.  It’s much more relaxing, too!

9.      Eat and Shop Away From the Main Tourist Trail.  There is no doubt that in European cities the shopkeepers know where the tourists go.  Just venture off the main streets a block or two and pop your head into a restaurant to see if they are speaking English or the local language.  Chances are if you hear locals, the prices will be lower and the food much better.   With regards to shopping, you will find better prices on many of the same items if you walk a few blocks away from a main tourist street or attraction.  In some places, bartering is acceptable so if you do not see a price posted, name a price and negotiate from there.

10.  Volunteer or Couch Surf.  There are a handful of volunteer organizations that exchange work for room and board.  For example, World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) an organization that promotes organic farming .  A traveler works for 4 hours a day on an organic farm in exchange for a place to sleep and eat.  Another way to sleep for free (and not work) is Couch Surfing.  Check out their website for details.  

With these tips in mind, you can visit and thoroughly enjoy a holiday in Europe and save money.  Simply create a budget and stick to it and you will have a vacation filled with memorable experiences – and Euros left in your pocket.

Gap Year Travel

A gap year is defined as a 12 month period between school and higher education, which is usually spent working, travelling, or a combination of the two. A gap year will provide an opportunity for developing valuable skills, both socially and personally.

Deciding to take a gap year can be difficult. If you decide to travel, you may need to save up for a time first to finance the trip and arrange for money to be available while you’re away. There are many ways to do this, but a credit card or international debit card are the most common. Also consider how you’ll keep in contact with family and friends back home; most countries have internet cafes and phonecards so you can se these, or you may decide to take a laptop and use wireless internet points which are usually available in hostels and guesthouses.

One of the biggest considerations for any gap-year student is insurance. Each country you visit will have its own hazards, so it’s essential you plan your trip carefully and know exactly which dangers you could encounter. Be aware that some insurers may not cover for certain countries so it’s worth doing a quote first, to get an idea of countries you will be covered for. A policy covering personal belongings and medical expenses is the bare minimum you should take out; one which will reimburse you for cancelled flights or other modes of transport is also a good idea. If you plan on taking part in any sports on your trip, it’s best to get personal accident cover added on too.

Most “gappers” travel alone, occasionally meeting up with pre-arranged travelling companions for parts of the journey. There are many websites dedicated to helping you find a companion, and it’s always best if you can meet them beforehand, for safety’s sake. When you are alone on your trip, observe some simple safety rules; don’t walk around on your own after dark, be cautious at ATM machines, don’t wear expensive jewellery – leave it at home if you can – and keep an eye on your drinks when visiting a bar.

It’s good practice to carry copies of important documents such as visas, passports and medical records in a different place to the originals. Give copies to family and friends before you leave, and even email them to yourself. Carry contact numbers and addresses for the British Embassies in each country you visit. Research local customs before you go, to make sure you won’t run into any unnecessary trouble with the locals.

When packing for a gap year trip the key word is ‘light’. You’ll be tempted to take along every little thing you think you may need, but in fact most things will be available for purchase along the way. A good rule of thumb is to take enough for the first month and stock up during that time. The most important things to pack are your passport and other documents, credit/debit cards or travellers cheques, change of clothes and suncream/insect repellent. Toiletries are available in handy travel-sized bottles so take a few of these with you, but refrain from taking razors and aerosols without checking with the airlines first. It may be easier to just buy some disposable razors in each country than trying to argue with an airline. If you’re taking any electrical equipment with you it’s a good idea to buy a worldwide travel adapter plug, which is lightweight and can be used in most countries.

Finally, before you go, see your doctor or pharmacist about vaccinations. Take a list of all the countries you plan to visit so they will be able to tell you if there are risks present, and how much treatment you’ll need for the whole trip.

The best way to find cheap travel insurance for your Gap Year is to shop around online. While holiday insurance isn’t mandatory, it’s always wise to take out a policy. The one time you go on holiday without travel insurance could be the one time you need it.

Airline Travel Tips – Tips for Flying With Children

An airplane trip is very exciting for kids, especially if they don’t often get to fly. If it’s been a while since you’ve traveled with your children, these tips should help you have a smooth flight. If you are bringing a stroller along, you’ll have to remove the child and fold it up (the stroller, not the child!) to go through x-ray. Everyone’s shoes will need to come off as well. If you are trying to manage several kids at once, enlist the help of the oldest and let them know in advance what is expected of them. Airport employees are usually happy to help if it gets too much to handle, and often the people in line with you will offer to help. If you have a baby on formula, take a dry powder form if possible, and add water later. You can buy some water after you go through security. If you have a very small child that can sit on your lap you won’t need to buy an extra seat. However, it might be worth the extra money just to have your hands free. If it’s a long flight, holding a small child on your lap will get fatiguing. If your kids are bringing carry-ons with games and such to occupy them, let them know that you expect them to be responsible and keep up with their stuff. It’s real easy to set it down in the waiting area and forget it, or leave it on the plane when disembarking. If you have an infant, be sure to bring a change of clothes, diapers (bring plenty!), wipes, favorite toys, and maybe a book or two to read to them or, if they are old enough, for them to look through. For the problem of ear popping, give the kids a piece of gum to chew to help relieve the pressure. Some children are not bothered by it at all. If you plan to use a car seat on the plane, make sure yours is airline approved (check for a label on the seat). Be sure to check in early at the airport. It is said that there is never a “too early” at the airport, only a “too late.” Consider a bribe. Dubious but yes it works! Buy each child a new toy and let them know they can’t play with it until they are on board the plane. This will occupy them for quite some time!Let your kids know that while flying they must remain seated with their seatbelt on at all times unless they need to use the restroom. If they already expect this rule, it won’t be so hard to enforce once you are on the plane. Keep your sense of humor! Relax and enjoy the flight and the excitement of your kids.

Vacation Travel Tips – Tips for Safely Carrying Money and Avoiding Pickpockets

If you are planning a vacation, the easiest and safest method for carrying your money is simply to leave it in the bank and use your credit or debit card instead. This way you don’t have to worry about losing your money or having it stolen. However, keep in mind that if you are traveling out of the country without cash, there is always the possibility that the ATM machine will “eat” the card and fail to return it to you. Another problem one international traveler had was withdrawing several hundred dollars from her account and not having the money come out of the machine. This could be a real problem if you are out of the country and without any ready cash. It is common for thieves to hang out by the ATM machines waiting for a “tourist” to withdraw money. They then follow the person for a few blocks and rob them. So if you will be in a foreign country making use of the ATM machines be sure to exercise caution. Remember that some countries have the art of pickpocketing down to a science with purposeful and timed distractions, using fake falls by elderly people, cutting open purses, and other such things so be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are many people who don’t carry any plastic, and they prefer to have their money with them. That’s fine, no problem, but you should take some precautions to be sure you don’t find yourself devoid of any money in the middle of your trip.Traveler’s checks are always a good idea. You have a record of each check in case of problems. If you are traveling with your family, a good idea is to divide the money up between all of you. I don’t recommend keeping it all in one place just to be on the safe side. That way if somehow someone becomes separated from their money, all of it is not lost. Another fairly safe method is to use a neck pouch. These are sold in travel stores and online, and as you would probably imagine, you just hang the money pouch around your neck. You could then tuck it inside your shirt or jacket to keep it out of sight. Another idea is to place your cash in a plastic bag and keep it inside of your shoe. I read about someone using this method successfully and apparently you do get used to the feel of the plastic bag inside your shoe. A money belt is another option. Keep the majority of the cash in the belt and leave some in your wallet so that you are not constantly having to go to the belt and alerting people as to the location of your money.When waiting in line to board your plane, leave your passport, ID, wallet, money, et cetera inside your pocket or purse until you are asked to present your boarding pass at the end of the line. With all the distractions it would be easy for someone to snatch your stuff if you are just standing and holding everything in your hand.

Spend a Vacation Backpacking Through Costa Rica

If you really love scenic locations with plenty of wildlife, then you should plan to spend your vacation backpacking through Costa Rica. The best time of year to visit depends on whether or not you like crowds. From December to April is peak tourist season in this country with crowded beaches and attractions and higher prices. The rainy season during the months of June to September, which is also hurricane season is not a good time to visit because the roads often become impassable. The best time to plan your backpacking trip is from mid-October to mid-December because the temperatures are just right and you still have sunny weather.

You do have to plan your trip carefully because it is not an easy task to find your way around Costa Rica unless you have some idea of the layout of the country. The road system is very poorly maintained. Even though it is only 100 miles wide at the widest point, this journey can take a very long time. The country is made up of five regions, so the best advice is to choose two of these regions for your first visit and them make plans to return for another backpacking vacation to see the others.

It will take you about two days to backpack through San Jose and the Central Valley. This region is home to the majority of the population of Costa Rica. In this area you can visit a volcano, hike through a cloud forest and engage in whitewater rafting on rivers classified as Class 1v. Some of the Olympic kayaking teams actually train on the rapids in the rivers of this region.

In order to backpack through the Alajuela And Northern Guanacaste Region, you need to allow yourself four or five days. This region is located inland from the Pacific and contains one of the last dry tropical forests in Central America located in an inland area. Here you will find clear areas where there are scattered umbrella-shaped conacaste trees standing alone, under which the Brahman cows seek shade from the sun. Climb up the Monteverde Range to backpack through the Cloud Forest Biological Reserve of Puntarenas. You can also take a four-hour drive from San Jose to reach this forest.

The Nicoya Peninsula and Quepos will take you about four-to six days depending on how much time you want to spend in the various locations. This area is the domain of surfers, international tourists that own houses here and the tico farmers of the country. You can spend time on the beaches and trekking inland to see the wide variety of wildlife and birds. As a side trip you can take the ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya to visit Manuel Antonio National Park, where you will meet other backpackers resting on the beach.

The Osa Peninsula is located in the Southern part of Costa Rica. Allow yourself at least five days for backpacking in this region. This area has one of the most biologically dense rainforests on the planet and was one of the first ecological reserves to be built in the world. Here you will glimpse many of the elusive animals that inhabit the rainforest, such as howler monkeys and scarlet macaws. There are many public and private reserves in this area.

The accommodations you choose when backpacking in Costa Rica depend on your finances. There are cheap hostels and hotels as well as expensive resorts in all regions.

Top Five Activities in Costa Rica

Most people choose Costa Rica as a vacation destination for the warm sunny weather and the elegant beaches. However, there are numerous other activities in Costa Rica that will provide you with the vacation of a lifetime. This is a country rish in scenery, wildlife, ecology and more.

1. Canopy Tour. Take a canopy tour of the Monteverde rainforest.on Sky Trek. This is a canopy tour with a difference because it is on a larger scale than other tours of this nature in other countries. There are more zip lines, platforms and suspension bridges. You don’t need any specific athletic ability to take this tour as the guides will make sure you have the equipment on properly and get you started from each platform. You can also spend more time at each stop than the rest of the people taking the tour, which allows you to customize your activity to your needs.

2. Coffee Plantation Tour. Since coffee is a big business in Costa Rica, you can’t leave without taking a tour of a working plantation and tasting the great coffee. You can easily arrange a day tour from San Jose to the coffee growing region of the Central Valley, but such tours are available anywhere that coffee is grown in the country. The tour starts with a walk around the plantation with a guide explaining the process of production. You can taste the coffee at the plantation and buy samples to take back home with you.

3. Culinary Tours. Get an insight into the culinary tastes of Costa Rica with one of several tours. At the Monteverde Cheese Factory you will learn about the history of the Quaker’s in the country and dairy farming. See the cheese being made and then taste some of the delights. If you want to learn about the growing of macadamia nuts, then you can take a tour of Finca La Anita in Miravalles, Guanacaste, where you will enjoy a lunch and a canopy tour. Just outside Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, you can take a tour of a chocolate plantation and see how the beans are still harvested in the traditional manner.

4. Surfing and Windsurfing. The breaks off the beaches of Costa Rica are known all over the world and draw thousands of surfers. Even if you don’t surf, you will have an enjoyable time watching those that do. In the inland region, Lake Arenal has calm waters and wind speeds of about 40 kph, which makes for exquisite windsurfing conditions.

5. Volcano Watching. At Arenal Volcano National Park, you will have the opportunity to watch the most spectacular volcano in the country. Night time is the best time for viewing the red hot ash and cinders that spew from the mouth of the volcano. Eruptions are the main attraction, but it is possible that you won’t see any if there is a lot of cloud cover. There are observatory type lodges that offer accommodation so that you can get the best view and have the best chance of seeing the sight of a lifetime on your vacation.

Vacation Travel Tips – Underrated and Overrated Travel Destinations

Looking for a new vacation travel destination? Wondering which holiday spots don’t get the credit they deserve, and which ones receive too much? Here are some tips on a few of the most over- and underrated places.Underrated: South Dakota/Black Hills. Beautiful oasis of pine and mountains, and plenty to do with Mount Rushmore, Native American sights, Hiking, scenic drives, waterfalls, tons of wildlife to view, national parks,camping, fishing, and even wild horses and bison roaming free. Idaho Upstate New YorkTennesseeNational parks in Southern Utah. South CarolinaGulf Coast of FloridaWashington DC. A wonderful city with lots of places to explore. Northern WisconsinThe city of Athens Oslo, NorwayLouisville, Kentucky. Not just for horse racing, this city has lots of small-town charm, a diverse art scene, a theme park for coaster lovers, lots of great restaurants, and much more. Portland, Oregon. Overrated: Miami/South Florida. Hot, humid, crowded. Good shopping though for sure. The beach is fun but there are much better beaches in Florida. Los Angeles. Too crowded on the highways, terrible smog, obstructed views of the surrounding scenery, unimpressive downtown surrounded by graffiti-covered neighborhoods. Costa RicaStonehengeDisney World at Christmas. Way too crowded to be able to enjoy yourself.Yosemite National Park. You need to hike to enjoy the beauty of this park. Otherwise you may be disappointed.Isle of CapriThe Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Cloudy water, no fish, not much to see. Bali. Open sewers run under the sidewalks.Atlanta Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Visitors agree it is interesting but say it is not worth the time. Sante Fe, New Mexico Blarney Stone in Ireland. Although these places have been called underrated or overrated by some, one can usually find things to like and appreciate no matter where you go. Use this list of travel destinations as a guide and be sure to thoroughly research your vacation plans so that you won’t ultimately be disappointed. What one traveler finds to dislike, others may find to be the best part of their trip.

Use The Internet To Find Cheap Flights In Greece

If you are planning a trip to Greece for a vacation or if you are feeling a little homesick and would love to go home for a while but cannot really afford the trip take heart, it is possible to find cheap flights in Greece by Internet surfing.
Obviously there have been great strides made in technology so why not use that to your advantage by booting up the computer and checking out the thousands of offers that are available through the Internet. You can always start out with a basic search such as “cheap flights to Greece” or even “finding cheap flights to Greece”. There is no doubt that this search will yield a great deal of results, but as you start sifting through them it may get a little easier to figure out which would be right for you.
If you have nerves of steel and can be ready at the drop of a hat then you may want to consider going online to find some of those great last-minute deals. Why nerves of steel? Well, let’s face it, if you have been planning to take this trip for a while it can be a little nerve racking to keep your fingers crossed and hope that a cancellation will happen right when you need it. Or, you are on stand-by, again hoping that it will come through now when you need it. While you are at the airport you may be able to get a discount or even a voucher for future travel if the flight is over-booked and you offer to wait for another one.
However, you do not have to literally hold your breath and hope that you can get a seat on the plane. There are many discount sites on the Internet and you have probably heard of most of them, Orbitz, Travelocity, etc. where you can still find deals a little further in advance. Some of these work by you placing a bid, or you just enter the price that you want to spend on the flight and hope that you are able get it. You can also do something similar by going to EBay and looking over all the trips and placing a bid on one of those.
Many times you can get a great combination rate, meaning if you also include a car rental or hotel stay, they may offer a good discount on the whole package. You can also find cheap flights in Greece by Internet when you check out the different airlines websites looking at their scheduled stops and transfers. Many airlines offer reduced prices depending on the number of transfers involved as many people want a flight that goes straight through without stops. So, if you do not mind having to make a few plane changes or if you do not have a problem having to wait a while at an airport during layovers, then you should be able to get a great deal.
In order to find cheap flights in Greece by Internet you only need to have Internet access, a little patience and perhaps a little luck.