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 […]
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. […]
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 keep 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 loves sharing some of her experiences of living in a Loire Valley village. One of her most popular posts […]
Interlaken: things to do for the unadventurous
Hi Frugalistas! I’m definitely not an adventure traveller. This can be a problem when you visit a place like Interlaken, Switzerland, where so many Switzerland things to do seem to involve heights or adventure. So what to do in Interlaken? I found Interlaken things to do that keep you on the ground and that are […]
Etihad Business Class review: Etihad Business Class 2020
Hi Frugalistas! Towards the end of last year I had the opportunity to fly Etihad Airways Business Class Sydney to Europe on two separate occasions: initially on a solo trip Sydney to Zurich, and then later on a family trip Sydney to Madrid, and London to Sydney. I’ve reviewed Etihad Business Class a number of […]
Big Island Hawaii: hotels, Kona and Hilo things to do and daytrips
Hi Frugalistas! The second island we visited on our Hawaii trip was the Big Island, Hawaii. Arriving in Kona and departing from Hilo we experienced some of the best Kona and Hilo things to do and day trips. Kona Activities We elected to stay at the Sheraton Kona resort (now an Outrigger) on the recommendation […]
Paris food tour: best Marais food tour with The Tour Guy
Hi Frugalistas! Regular readers will know how much I love a good food tour. I do them regularly when I travel to Europe. Food tours in Europe are a great to see the city, experience food you wouldn’t try otherwise and spend time with a friendly local. But I had never done a food tour […]
Paris Tour Guide: best Seine River cruise and Eiffel Tower visit with the Tour Guy
Hi Frugalistas and France Travel Planners! This is the first post written for both Frugalistas and France Travel Planners, because I know you will all want to read this post. I’ve been recommending The Tour Guy for some time now, based on others’ feedback, but on my recent trip to France we had the opportunity […]
Versailles Day Trip: Plan your day trip to Versailles from Paris
Hi France Travel Planners! With nearly 10 million visitors every year, the Palace of Versailles is one of the most visited historic sites in the world. Featuring near the top of many Paris day trip list of must dos, questions about taking a day trip to Versailles from Paris fill online forums such as the France […]