Hi Frugalistas! An important part of my travel philosophy is choosing the right hotel. I know that for some people a hotel is just somewhere to sleep and leave their bags. But not me. I like to make my hotel an integral part of my experience anywhere I visit. I also want the best quality […]
Advice for first time visitors to France
Hi France Travel Planners! Many of the questions in the France Travel Planning Facebook group are first time visitors as asking for advice. Advice on what to wear, where to go, planning a Paris itinerary, how to get around Paris, you name it, we get asked it. In this post I’ve gathered together some of […]
Do it Yourself Free Madrid Walking Tour
Hi Frugalistas! It was a hot day when we arrived in Madrid. Just 24 hours in Madrid before we headed from Madrid to Barcelona by train. Despite the heat and our jetlag after the 24 hour flight we wanted to do a Madrid walk. Our do it yourself free Madrid walking tour took us through […]
Guidebooks about France: best books on Paris & France
Hi France Travel Planners! Are you enthusiastic about planning a trip to France? While France travel planning can be done online, and there’s always great advice in the France Travel Planning Facebook group, I must admit I do like a hard copy guidebook, both to plan and to travel with. So I’ve gathered together the […]
Things to do in Montreux: how to spend 48 hours in Montreux, Switzerland
Hi Frugalistas! Most people who visit western Switzerland tend to stick to Geneva then head to the mountains. But Geneva to Montreux is a mere 60 km around Lake Geneva (Lac Leman in French), so I’m surprised more people don’t visit Montreux. On my trip to Switzerland in 2019 I travelled from Interlaken to Montreux […]
Afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason: Fortnum and Mason afternoon tea review
Hi Frugalistas! I first reviewed the afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Room in an early frugal first class travel blog post, not long after the Diamond Jubilee Tea Room opened. It was very special, and so very English. In fact it was so good, I forgot to take photos. […]
The Charlie Chaplin Museum: a visit to the Musée Chaplin in Vevey Switzerland
Hi Frugalistas! I must admit I have never been a great fan of Charlie Chaplin, but when I was looking for day trips from Montreux on my trip to Switzerland last year I came across the Charlie Chaplin Museum (Chaplin World) in nearby Vevey. The Musée Chaplin is located in the Charlie Chaplin house just […]
VAT Refunds In Europe: What You Need To Know
Hi Frugalistas! Even though I don’t like to waste my money when traveling, once I get to Europe, like many of us I love to shop. Even though I don’t necessarily buy a lot (I only ever take one carry on bag) I have been known to drop some serious cash (or plastic as the […]
10 Christmas Specialities on a Loire Valley Christmas Table
Hi France Travel Planners If you are keeping up with activities in our Facebook group (you can sign up here if you aren’t a member) you will know that Loire Valley resident and group member Susan Walter has been sharing some of her experiences of living in a Loire Valley village. Recently Susan posted about […]
Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals 2020
Hi Frugalistas! Happy Thanksgiving for those who celebrate this holiday. Thanksgiving in the US means one thing for savvy travel planners – Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. With the travel industry still in disarray, opportunities for big savings are a bit thin on the ground this year, but I’ve left it till the last […]