Budget Travel

How to visit France on a budget: Thirteen cost-cutting tips for travel in France

May 25, 2019 by Steve Ertrachter 12 Comments

If you’re visiting France, you might be wondering how you can afford your trip between the food, the hotels, and the attractions. However, it’s definitely possible to visit France on a budget.

These are tips that I’ve perfected via my time living in Paris, traveling in France, and my dad’s recent trip around France. Traveling on a budget isn’t always about surviving on a shoestring, but cutting back on unnecessary expenses to splurge on the experiences that matter to you. I wrote this blog post together with my dad based on his recent trip to Provence and my travel around France. This post has been recently updated based on a recent trip. (April 2019).

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20+ Things to Know Before You Travel By Bus in the USA

February 21, 2018 by Karen Turner 10 Comments

I have many talents, but driving is not one of them. I’ve never been given a driver’s license, so I’ve been forced to travel by bus in the USA. Although it’s maybe not “cool” to travel by buses around the United States, taking Greyhound buses and Megabus is often a good cheap way to travel around the USA.

Keep reading for my recommendations for the bus companies in the United States, reviews of different bus companies in the US, what to know about bus travel in the United States, and what to bring on long bus trips in the United States.

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Austria on a budget: 15 cost-cutting tips for budget travel in Austria

September 11, 2018 by Karen Turner 3 Comments

One of the biggest shocks of planning our trip to Austria was how expensive Austria is… After spending three weeks this past August in Austria, I hope that I can help you better plan your travel in Austria to cut costs. Fifteen tips for budget travel in Austria are included in this article!

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Where to find authentic and cheap food in Amsterdam by a local

June 1, 2020 by Karen Turner 19 Comments

Finding the best places to eat in Amsterdam where you’re on a tight budget can be tricky as eating in Amsterdam seems expensive. As a resident of 2+ years of Amsterdam, I wrote this guide to where to eat in Amsterdam on a budget for anyone looking for cheap restaurants in Amsterdam who want to also eat at non-chains that provide some healthy options! It’s possible to stay on a budget while eating in Amsterdam, so keep reading for the best cheap eats in Amsterdam.

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One day in Haarlem: A perfect itinerary of things to do in Haarlem

December 1, 2018 by Karen Turner 7 Comments

If you’re visiting the Netherlands, you must head from Amsterdam to Haarlem, a typically “Dutch” city. Haarlem is a very easy day trip from Amsterdam, only fifteen minutes on the train. This iconic Dutch city with pretty canals, fewer tourists, a laid-back vibe, and gorgeous architecture is a must-see for people who have limited time in the Netherlands. Keep reading for what to do in Haarlem with a complete one day in Haarlem itinerary (and map). At the bottom, there’s a more complete list of things to do in Haarlem.

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Photos of the abandoned Roze Kasteel in the Land van Ooit

July 29, 2018 by Karen Turner Leave a Comment

After living here in the Netherlands for a couple of years, I can tell you that I’m quite surprised when I read about something truly abandoned in the Netherlands. After reading about the Roze Kasteel (Kasteel D’Oultremont) in Drunen, I was curious about this abandoned amusement park and castle in the Netherlands. This post will discuss how to visit the now-closed Land van Ooit, now known as the Poort van Heusden, and what it is for my readers who aren’t familiar with 2000s Dutch television. Note, this castle has now been renovated, so the pink color is gone.

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One day in Salzburg with the best things to do in Salzburg, Austria

August 30, 2018 by Karen Turner 1 Comment

Although Salzburg is famous for the Sound of Music, there’s a lot more to this stunning Austrian city with Baroque architecture. On a recent trip to Salzburg with a friend and her charming Austrian beau, we had a lovely day in Salzburg covering the major attractions of the city. Follow this self-guided walking itinerary for one day in Salzburg covering the best things to do in Salzburg.

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How to ride the NYC subway: Essential subway tips by a New Yorker

April 18, 2018 by Karen Turner 21 Comments

I grew up in New York City, so it perplexes me when visiting friends tell me they don’t understand the New York City public transportation system. Let’s fix this now.

In this NYC subway guide by a native New Yorker, you’ll find essential tips on how to ride the New York City subway, how not to get on the wrong subway, what not to do on the New York City subway, how to get from JFK to Manhattan by subway, and other insider tips for the New York city subway by a New Yorker.

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How to visit Rhine Valley on a budget

May 22, 2016 by Karen Turner 14 Comments

Most people think of luxury when they think of Rhine Valley, however it’s possible to visit Rhine Valley on a budget . I absolutely love castles and vineyards, however I don’t have the money for a Viking River Cruise through Germany (I wish!).

This is a guide to the Rhine Valley region visiting the beautiful UNESCO heritage sites of the Upper Rhine Valley without sacrificing thousands of euros for a river cruise.

This is simple: castles, wine, charming towns, and nature. Your trip has gone horribly wrong if you don’t end up seeing at minimum 2 castles while in Rhine Valley.

For wine lovers, the famous German Riesling from close-by Mosel & Rhine Valley is cheap and easily available. The beauty of the region surprised me, and there’s plenty to do outdoors. Lastly, find out how to save money while staying in a castle.

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2 glimpse: The new way to meet locals abroad

August 31, 2018 by Karen Turner Leave a Comment

One of the hardest things to do is to meet locals in a new place. I write this as someone who has traveled extensively, but not always found someone that I’ve clicked with. I recently tried out a new website called 2 glimpse. I’ll be discussing how I made a friend while traveling using this great alternative to Couchsurfing! This is a review of the 2 glimpse website.

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