Hi Frugalistas! While my generic packing list is easily adapted for Europe (or anywhere else cold for that matter) if you are struggling with that winter packing list for Europe and keeping it to one carry on bag, help is at hand! Here is my detailed packing list for a Europe winter: Winter Packing List […]
Reasons Why You Should Move to Malaysia
The culture The Malaysian people are a warm and friendly bunch, welcoming foreigners with open arms and even gifts at times. Even in the rural areas, there is a high level of English speakers, making it easy to socialize. A number of international sports competitions are hosted in Malaysia, from golf to athletic events. But […]
What to expect in a three star hotel in Europe
Hi Frugalistas! You’ve decided to take your first trip to Europe – how exciting! Now you need to make decisions. What airline to book, what to do, and most importantly where to stay! It’s very tempting to stick with the familiar and stay at a chain hotel. You know what to expect, what the room […]
Sagrada Familia tips: Sagrada Familia inside visit
Hi Frugalistas! I first saw the Sagrada Familia, Antonio Gaudi’s fantasy basilica in Barcelona, Spain, as a much younger traveller in the early 1990s. In those days it was not possible to book Sagrada Familia – it was just a building site. By 2012 visiting Sagrada Familia was possible. I spent an amazing morning enjoying […]
How to make a day trip to Reims
Hi Frugalistas! Reims (pronouned “rance” as in France) is an easy and convenient day trip from Paris, being only 45minutes away by TGV. What most visitors will find surprising is that a day trip to Reims is about more than champagne. Here’s my take on things to do in Reims on a day trip from […]
5 Ways to Make the Most Out of Your Traveling Experience
Traveling is exciting, but when it’s over, many of us find ourselves wondering what we could have done to make more out of it. Although there’s no way to go back and change it, each of these ideas is something you can do to shape the way you travel in the future. Take a Social […]
How to choose a hotel frugal first class travel style
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 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 the […]
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 […]