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, facts about France, planning a Paris itinerary, how to get around Paris, you name it, we get asked it. In this post I’ve gathered together […]
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 […]
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 […]
Europe itinerary 101: How to plan a trip to Europe
Hi Frugalistas! While some of us can’t travel to Europe at the moment, the optimists among us know that means one thing – more time to save the money and plan that perfect Europe itinerary. This post is a reworking of some (very) old blog posts on how to plan a trip to Europe, that […]
What not to do in Paris: how to avoid mistakes in Paris made by Emily in Paris
Hi Frugalistas! Did you enjoy Emily in Paris on Netflix? It was very popular with members of my France Travel Planning Facebook group (you can join here for free if you aren’t a member). It generated much discussion, especially about what not to do in Paris. Poor Emily makes so many Paris mistakes – mistakes […]