The Newest Hot Vacation Spot!

Would you believe it if I told you that the newest vacation spot was in your very own backyard?
Would you believe it if I told you that the newest vacation spot was literally in your very own backyard!

I'm sure you've heard before "a staycation is the new vacation". Well guess what-
it's true!
Talk about budget friendly!

A lot of people tend to be redoing their backyards this season in order to make home more enjoyable by putting in pools and ponds, building fancy decks, getting better BBQ's, putting in fire pits and things like that.
But where's the cost saving in that?!

The May 2-4 weekend just passed, and I couldn't go anywhere due to my illness, but did that get me down- oh no!
I went on a fantastic staycation!

Picture this: Tent, Air Mattress, Sleeping Bags, Outdoors, All My Clothes, A Dry Location if it Rains, Clean Perfect Bathrooms, Lots of Food, and it didn't cost me a dime!

Not only could I cook marshmallows over our backyard fire pit, but I was able to sleep in the sounds of nature, I could look up and see the stars, and I could change in my house, or run in really quickly if I forgot to put on bug spray or needed extra socks! I could even have my food cold without running out of ice and dealing with a drippy cooler (although I did use the cooler- just for effect).

My question to you is,
Why not go camping this weekend?
It could be a romantic getaway for two, or just something silly to do as a family.

Happy [at home] Travels!!

Green Sweep: Earth Friendly Travel tips.

Lately the world has gone green! Here are some simple tips that will help you stay green anywhere you travel!

• When you are at your destination, see if you can't rent bikes instead of a car! Not only are they eco-friendly, but you can get a tan and exercise at the same time!
  
• If a bike isn't an option, how about an electric or hybrid car? Or public transit?
  
• Buy your food at the grocery store, there will be a lot less waste than at a restaurant!
  
• Bring some reusable bags to the grocery store- eco-friendly, and eco-chic!
  
• Turn off the water when you're brushing your teeth, shaving, washing your face, etc.
  
• Save water by bringing along dry shampoo or a bottle of baby powder. It'll limit your showers you need (unless you sweat a lot. Then you should shower)
  
• If you choose not to bring dry shampoo, what about solid/bar shampoo? There's no plastic waste!
  
• Unplug appliances when not in use. You'd be surprised how much power they draw just by staying plugged in! (Hair Appliances, Electric Shavers, Mobile Phone Chargers etc.) Don't forget to unplug what you can before you leave (like computers). It'll help keep your electrical bill down!
  
• If you see garbage on the ground, is it really all that difficult to pick it up?
  
• Bring along stainless steel water bottles to reuse during your stay.
  
• Using plastic kitchen cups are reusable and washable- much better than the ones in hotel rooms!
  
• See if your hotel or accommodations have recycling programs! If they don't, maybe see if any local business have some that you could use at the end of your stay!
  
• When booking your flight, try to fly direct. It may cost more, but it uses less fuel!
  
• Put a note on your bed when you travel for the day saying that you don't need your sheets or towels changed. It'll save a lot of water and hydro!
  

Here are some links for things I have mentioned above:

Eco-friendly Bags:
http://www.ae.com/web/browse/category_no_fashion_guide.jsp?catId=cat90086
http://www.aeropostale.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=1988359&cp=2284058

Water Bottles:
http://www.mysigg.com/index.asp

Dry Shampoo (unscented baby powder is more cost friendly and uses less packaging!)
http://sephora.com/browse/section.jhtml?view=all&categoryId=C17780

Solid Shampoo:
http://www.lush.ca/shop/products/hair/solid-shampoos

Here are some links for other articles I have found about eco-friendly travel tips!
http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/BusinessTravel/Story?id=4454257&page=1

http://www.granvilleonline.ca/gr/blogs/home-economics/2009/04/09/sustainable-travel-tips-more-eco-friendly-vacation

http://greenliving.suite101.com/article.cfm/ecofriendly_travel_tips

Happy [green] Travels!

Travel Tip of the day!

If you're going on a flight,
double check the website a week before, and the day before you leave just to be sure that nothing has been cancelled, or unexpected fees pop up!

Always make sure you read the baggage restrictions, as well as airline's restrictions and policies (ie. no liquids, no eyelash curlers, no nail clippers etc.) BEFORE you book!
Some airlines are different than others with their policies!

Happy Travels!

Flights: To go direct, or through "deal" sites?

My last post was on hotels, and if you read that, you'd know that we have busted those bargain sites!
We're going to try again, and see if those sites really are good for something- except this time we're doing flights!
*For this trip, we'll be flying from Toronto Pearson Intl. (YYZ) to San Antonio ( SAT).
*Prices will be based on round trip (Wednesday June 10th-Thursday June 18th) for 1 adult.
*Prices are without taxes, and without booking fees and currency will be listed beside the price.
* The flight will be on American Airlines, and will be cheapest possible WITHOUT discounts!
* Number of stop-overs will be listed.
* **These prices are for round-trip, not one-way***

American Airlines- $340.80 USD- One stop-over both ways
(http://www.aa.com/)

Orbitz- $321 USD- One stop-over both ways
(http://www.orbitz.com/)

Expedia- $433 USD- One stop-over both ways
(http://www.expedia.com/)

Travel Hero- $440 USD- One stop-over both ways
(http://www.travelhero.com/)

Hotwire- $472.04 USD- One stop-over both ways
(http://www.hotwire.com/)

Travelocity- $433 USD- One stop-over both ways
(http://www.travelocity.com/)

What is up with this?!
We've busted those deal sites YET AGAIN!
The only deal was Orbitz.com and it was only a $19 savings!
You're probably going to end up spending that on baggage fees!
It's really up to you now,
Are you going to book with the company and choose your seats, or book with the deal sites and hope you're not stuck with a wing!

Happy Travels!

Hotels: To go direct, or through "deal" sites.

Travelling is costly- no doubt about it,
and there are plenty of sites that claim to offer you better deals.
Are these sites worth it? Let's check it out!
Here I'm going to show you different rates for the same hotel on different sites!
*Lets say we are going to stay in San Antonio, Texas for one night (Wed June 10th- Thurs June 11th).
*I will be using 1 room for 2 adults.
*The hotel of choice is the Howard Johnson Express Inn.
*The rooms will all be based off having 2 Queen sized beds.
*I will not be using any sort of discount (CAA, AAA etc.) for these prices, and prices will have currency listed beside them.
*Prices are without taxes!

Howard Johnson- $63.20 USD
(http://www.hojo.com/HowardJohnson/control/home)

Orbitz- $63.21 USD
(http://www.orbitz.com/)

Expedia- $63.20 USD
(http://www.expedia.com/)

Travel Hero- $63.20 USD
(http://www.travelhero.com/)

Hotwire- I don't even know! Hotwire is tough to use. Review coming up.
(http://www.hotwire.com/)

Travelocity- Usually $79.00 but on sale currently for $63.20 USD
(http://www.travelocity.com/)

Hotels.com- $63.00 USD
(http://www.hotels.com/)

Well,
What deals we have here!
It's now all up to you- do you want to advance book, or just book the day of?
These bargain sites are busted!

Happy Travels!