Recently, I picked up a copy of Travel & Leisure Magazine to pass some time as I was waiting for an appointment. In it, there was an article that examplifies what the Queen of Cheap Travel preaches: How to get five-start hotel services on a Queen of Cheap Travel budget.
And no need to maximize a credit card limit to achieve it! The author of the article - and I wish I had taken down the information to relay it back to you - explained that she does not stay at expensive hotels, she uses their services, namely the concierge.
Concierge of high-end hotels are extremely well connected as they often need to attain the unattainable to satisfy their exclusive clientele. Her tip is to utilize concierge services at exclusive hotels. But beware! The author mentioned that she never took advantage of the concierge by deceiving them. She tells them that she is not staying on the property but mentions that a friend, who does stay there often, recommended them.
The author said she ensures that paying guests have priority over her - meaning, she waits until the concierge is not busy to ask questions. By applying this rule, think of the possibilties! The concierge can be a source of inside information - where does he or she entertain his/her guests? Which restaurant does he/she like to eat at? Is it possible to obtain tickets to the hottest show in town?
In conclusion, the author said that she tiped the concierge very well and that she also took down his/her work schedule in case she needed additonal information.
I am eager to try this tip on my next trip!
Friday, February 23, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Visit Your Friends - But in Moderation...
The first time I went to France, I thought I had done everything and could die happy! Little did I know how it would actually start a quest of visiting other places and never wanting the quest of discovery to end!
One of the wonderful things about (cheap) travel, is that you can include visiting friends as part of the trip. That is what my friend Nathalie and I did when we met up in Paris. I was coming in from Albuquerque, NM, she was flying in from Montreal. The lucky girl even got there a day ahead of me!
We spent a few days in Paris, at a two-star hotel (Rule #4) that had en suite bathrooms (meaning, in the room!), which was a priority for us - no trips down the hallway in our pyjamas, however thick they might have been!
Then, we headed out to the Juras, which is where my friends Annie and Jean-Luc had moved to from New Mexico. French, they lived in the Southwest for a few years and decided to go back to Europe. So, I arranged for us to visit them for a few days. Their region, bordering the Geneva area in Switzerland and a couple of hours drive from Chamonix in the Haute-Savoie, it was perfectly located to discover the French and Swiss countryside.
When we arrived, Nathalie and I rented a car at the train station so that we would not be imposing too much on our hosts. We rekindled our friendship (Nathalie made new ones!), caught up on old times and were lucky enough to have Annie be our guide for a couple of days. She made us discover the "old" Geneva, and took us to a wonderful little town on the side of the Lake Léman called Hermance. Hermance is actually one of my best memories of that trip (Rule #5).
Moreover, we were able to stay in a quaint little French town, visit the boulangerie and other specialty stores, just like the French do as part of their daily routine. It was a wonderful option that definitely met the requirements of cheap travel.
A word of caution on this: Always be the guest that you want to welcome in your home. The requirements on this can change depending on the level of friendship but the bottom line is that it is very important to realize when it is time to go. Using a friend as a base for a two-week vacation can be pushing the envelope...
One of the wonderful things about (cheap) travel, is that you can include visiting friends as part of the trip. That is what my friend Nathalie and I did when we met up in Paris. I was coming in from Albuquerque, NM, she was flying in from Montreal. The lucky girl even got there a day ahead of me!
We spent a few days in Paris, at a two-star hotel (Rule #4) that had en suite bathrooms (meaning, in the room!), which was a priority for us - no trips down the hallway in our pyjamas, however thick they might have been!
Then, we headed out to the Juras, which is where my friends Annie and Jean-Luc had moved to from New Mexico. French, they lived in the Southwest for a few years and decided to go back to Europe. So, I arranged for us to visit them for a few days. Their region, bordering the Geneva area in Switzerland and a couple of hours drive from Chamonix in the Haute-Savoie, it was perfectly located to discover the French and Swiss countryside.
When we arrived, Nathalie and I rented a car at the train station so that we would not be imposing too much on our hosts. We rekindled our friendship (Nathalie made new ones!), caught up on old times and were lucky enough to have Annie be our guide for a couple of days. She made us discover the "old" Geneva, and took us to a wonderful little town on the side of the Lake Léman called Hermance. Hermance is actually one of my best memories of that trip (Rule #5).
Moreover, we were able to stay in a quaint little French town, visit the boulangerie and other specialty stores, just like the French do as part of their daily routine. It was a wonderful option that definitely met the requirements of cheap travel.
A word of caution on this: Always be the guest that you want to welcome in your home. The requirements on this can change depending on the level of friendship but the bottom line is that it is very important to realize when it is time to go. Using a friend as a base for a two-week vacation can be pushing the envelope...
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Nearby Urban Centers Can Make Wonderful Destinations!
In my last posting, I discussed how we can discover our own backyards by being tourists in our immediate city or region and using our home as a base for the traveling. This post takes this to another level: discovering nearby urban centers.
If you live in a large city, you can visit a neighborhing larger city - for example, if you live in New York City, you can easily travel to Philadelphia. For those who live in suburbia, you can use the nearby metropolitan area as your base and if you are in a rural area, you can travel to the nearest metropolitan area.
This is more expensive than being a tourist in your own town or region because in some cases, it will mean an overnight stay somewhere but it does bring a flair of escape that brings excitement! Because this is a bit more involving in planning, it is important to refer back to the Queen of Cheap Travel's 10 tips of cheap travel.
Again, and I will stress it over and over again, if you plan to travel, it is because you can afford it. Credit cards can be used for reservations, etc., but must be paid in full upon returning. Otherwise, that would defeat the purpose. That is Rule #1.
Second, and that is Rule #2, the Internet is your best friend. You can use this great tool to compare prices, locations for accommodations. One of the tip that I have to find affordable accommodations in metropolitan areas is to stay outside the downtown area. Typically, downtowns are the place to be: they are close to attractions, shopping, restaurants, and the likes. Because of their popular location, they can also be expensive. That is Rule #4: No Hiltons allowed!
Staying off the beaten path is a great way to discover the soul of a city. That is because you are more likely to find the accommodation in a neighborhood which means that you will be interacting with locals.
In a future posting, I will take you step by step on how I plan a getaway to an urban center close to my house.
If you live in a large city, you can visit a neighborhing larger city - for example, if you live in New York City, you can easily travel to Philadelphia. For those who live in suburbia, you can use the nearby metropolitan area as your base and if you are in a rural area, you can travel to the nearest metropolitan area.
This is more expensive than being a tourist in your own town or region because in some cases, it will mean an overnight stay somewhere but it does bring a flair of escape that brings excitement! Because this is a bit more involving in planning, it is important to refer back to the Queen of Cheap Travel's 10 tips of cheap travel.
Again, and I will stress it over and over again, if you plan to travel, it is because you can afford it. Credit cards can be used for reservations, etc., but must be paid in full upon returning. Otherwise, that would defeat the purpose. That is Rule #1.
Second, and that is Rule #2, the Internet is your best friend. You can use this great tool to compare prices, locations for accommodations. One of the tip that I have to find affordable accommodations in metropolitan areas is to stay outside the downtown area. Typically, downtowns are the place to be: they are close to attractions, shopping, restaurants, and the likes. Because of their popular location, they can also be expensive. That is Rule #4: No Hiltons allowed!
Staying off the beaten path is a great way to discover the soul of a city. That is because you are more likely to find the accommodation in a neighborhood which means that you will be interacting with locals.
In a future posting, I will take you step by step on how I plan a getaway to an urban center close to my house.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Use Your Backyard as a Vacation Spot
Travel does not necessarily mean going across the globe to an exotic - and expensive - faraway place. The Queen of Cheap Travel's Rule #1: Credit is not your travel friend, says it all. The reality we sometimes face is that we might have to stick closer to home versus jet-setting across the ocean. There is nothing wrong with that.
As a society we are sometimes compelled to compete with the Jones' but we must keep in mind that this so-called competition, is created by marketing and in reality, we do not need it. Each should plan according to his or her situation. This makes for Queen of Cheap Travel travelling!
The idea of travel is to discover and immerse yourself with the culture, people, history, culture, and geography of a place. Being a traveler in your own backyard can bring rewards at an affordable price.
Our family lives in a touristic area - New York State's Adirondack Park. It's a place prized for its natural beauty, art, quaint villages and friendly people. Yet, as residents, we sometimes overlook what our region has to offer. For example, we have two historical forts (Fort Ticonderoga and Fort Henry) close to our home. Their significance is important to the history not only of the region but of the United States and Canada. Yet, many people in our community have never set foot there.
The point is this: sometimes, when the budget is tighter than we would like it, we can still enjoy travel by discovering our own backyard.
Plan a day or two, using your home as a base and play tourist in your area. Highlight places that visitors enjoy, bring a picnic to enjoy in a park, and don't forget to bring your camera to capture wonderful memories. Just treat the experience with the eyes of a newcomer, it will yield endless pleasures and perhaps, a side trip off the beaten path to share with your neighbors.
As a society we are sometimes compelled to compete with the Jones' but we must keep in mind that this so-called competition, is created by marketing and in reality, we do not need it. Each should plan according to his or her situation. This makes for Queen of Cheap Travel travelling!
The idea of travel is to discover and immerse yourself with the culture, people, history, culture, and geography of a place. Being a traveler in your own backyard can bring rewards at an affordable price.
Our family lives in a touristic area - New York State's Adirondack Park. It's a place prized for its natural beauty, art, quaint villages and friendly people. Yet, as residents, we sometimes overlook what our region has to offer. For example, we have two historical forts (Fort Ticonderoga and Fort Henry) close to our home. Their significance is important to the history not only of the region but of the United States and Canada. Yet, many people in our community have never set foot there.
The point is this: sometimes, when the budget is tighter than we would like it, we can still enjoy travel by discovering our own backyard.
Plan a day or two, using your home as a base and play tourist in your area. Highlight places that visitors enjoy, bring a picnic to enjoy in a park, and don't forget to bring your camera to capture wonderful memories. Just treat the experience with the eyes of a newcomer, it will yield endless pleasures and perhaps, a side trip off the beaten path to share with your neighbors.
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