travel

Editor’s Note: Here at Dispatches, we are always looking for ways to help our readers do things. For some of our readers, that means helping navigate the working world, for others, it means assisting in the ever challenging question, “what’s for dinner?” For still others, it means figuring out how to balance family life with everything else. In an effort to aid in all of these endeavors, we have collaborated on this article written specifically for our readers.

Traveling on a budget can be hard. Especially if you know you’ll be visiting a notoriously expensive city. In theory, you may know all the travel hacks and steps to take to ensure you keep to a strict spending amount. Yet in practice, all your careful planning and money-saving tricks may go out of the window. Resulting in you in an expensive city, way over your original budget and trying to decide how to remedy the situation quickly.

A New York travel company AllTheRooms the world’s first vacation rental search engine has some suggestions for ways you can travel on a budget in expensive cities. Whether you’re spending a fortnight in London exploring all the sights, learning the difference between good coffee and bad coffee in Melbourne, or shopping in the bustling city of Seoul, the tips below are ones that should keep you from scrambling, just remember to stay safe.

1. Stay in cheap accommodation
   Accommodation is usually a big expense when you’re traveling, and a great way to pinch the pennies is to choose a budget option when looking where to stay. If you’re traveling solo, a dorm room may be the best option for you, as they start at very low prices and are great for socializing. If you’re traveling in a group, getting a vacation rental may be the cheapest and most convenient option, plus, you’ll be splitting the price between everyone, so might just work out more cost-effective.
2. Cook for yourself
   It may not sound like the most fun option, but if you are really looking to stick to your budget, cook some meals for yourself. Eating out is a huge expense whilst traveling, so opting to go without a few brunches or fancy dinners will save you money. Of course, cooking depends on your accommodation situation, but most hostels nowadays, and most vacation rentals, have kitchens and prep areas to store food. Whether you rustle up every meal yourself or just make breakfast and a packed lunch for the day, you’ll be amazed how much you save. Not to mention, you’ll also get to improve your culinary chef skills!
   
3. Take public transport (or walk)
   Using the city’s public transport is a great way to see the city and keep within your budget at the same time. If you’re in a location for a while, look into purchasing a weekly or monthly travel pass. Most cities have these passes as an option for using across the train, bus, and tram services. Better yet, if possible, skip transport altogether and walk or cycle around the city. Some places offer city bikes, where you pay a deposit and small fee to explore on two wheels — great exercise and fun! Remember to avoid taxis in general, as they tend to be more expensive and can sometimes overcharge people who are notably tourists.
4. Book in advance
   If you know the main attractions you want to see in your chosen city, think ahead and book entry tickets before your trip. Booking in advance is generally cheaper than purchasing on the door, and you won’t have to worry about long lines. It’s also worth noting to keep an eye out for joint tickets and tourist passes. These include entrance to a number of key attractions in cities, such as museum and art galleries, and are available at a discounted price.

Using these simple tricks will help keep your spending limited without compromising your vacation experience. Luxury doesn’t have to mean big $$, just remember to do your research, plan ahead, and be realistic with what you can afford.

Editor’s Note: Here at Dispatches, we are always looking for ways to help our readers do things. For some of our readers, that means helping navigate the working world, for others, it means assisting in the ever challenging question, “what’s for dinner?” For still others, it means figuring out how to balance family life with everything else. In an effort to aid in all of these endeavors, we have collaborated on this article written specifically for our readers.

Florida is one of the most visited states in the USA, and it’s easy enough to see why. The state offers a wealth of delightful experiences, from huge theme parks to sandy beaches so beautiful you’ll never want to leave. We particularly loved our visit to Destin when our daughter was about six months old and our trek to Key West years before.

However, Florida is also a state that you have to negotiate carefully when booking a trip. If you get it right, your vacation memories will last a lifetime. But if you get wrong, you could be in for one of the worst kinds of memorable trips, one with horror stories. 

“Summer” is not necessarily the best time to visit
When most of us are planning a vacation, we plan for the summertime. Students are out of school and the annual summer vacation is something the vast majority of families plan the year around. However, summer is not a particularly great time to visit Florida.

The reason for this is simple: hurricanes. July through to September is generally considered to be the hurricane season, so it’s best to avoid the state during these times. While the chances of getting caught in a massive category 5 storm like Hurricane Irma are low, you could still find yourself vacationing during lower-category hurricanes and tropical storms. These might not be life-threatening but will prevent you from enjoying your vacation to the best of your ability. 

So when should you visit? May or October are considered the best times to visit Florida, so keep this in mind when booking your trip.

There’s more to Florida than Miami and Orlando
Miami and Orlando are the choice destinations for most family visits to the Sunshine State. To an extent, that makes sense— Miami is a vibrant, wonderful city that is hard to overlook, and Orlando is the home of Disney World. However, there’s more to Florida than these two cities.

If you want to avoid the worst of the crowds, then it’s worth considering a change of destination. Spend a couple of nights at a hotel in Tallahassee, taking the time to explore the local museums or visit the beautiful St. Mark’s Lighthouse during the day. Alternatively, head further north for a stay at the Jacksonville Marriott, giving you the opportunity to visit the wonderful Museum of Science and History. Florida is filled with alternative cities whether you prefer a beach vacation, a museum-centric vacation or a little bit of both!

Be prepared for the humidity
The Sunshine State promises plenty of sunshine, but you also need to be prepared for the humidity. Due to its near-tropical climate, Florida is easily the most humid state in the USA. The humidity can make the air feel much warmer than the actual temperature, and many visitors struggle during the hottest points of the day.

There’s relatively little you can do about the humidity itself, but you can follow these tips for dealing with high humidity to ensure you stay as comfortable as possible.

If you’re looking to book a vacation to Florida soon, keeping the above in mind can help improve your holiday, and ensure you and your family have an experience you’ll remember for all the right reasons!

Editor’s Note: Here at Dispatches, we are always looking for ways to help our readers do things. For some of our readers, that means helping navigate the working world, for others, it means assisting in the ever challenging question, “what’s for dinner?” For still others, it means figuring out how to balance family life with everything else. In an effort to aid in all of these endeavors, we have collaborated on this article written specifically for our readers.

Vacations are few and far between, so you don’t want to waste one when you get the chance. There is nothing like taking time away from the office and seeing the world. Not only does it broaden your horizons, but it also de-stresses you and can force you to relax. Below are a few tips to help make sure you set your vacation up for success. 

Pack Everything You Need: Lots of people use the “we’ll get it when you get there” policy and it backfires. Yes, it is a good way to save space and time, but only if you get to your destination early. No one wants to find themselves in a position where they have to wait hours before they can start to enjoy their vacation. With that in mind, pack everything from battery chargers to your favorite water bottle. Consider looking into glass bottle supplies. Glass also doesn’t affect the taste. Whatever you need for your vacation, take it with you to make the transition easier.

Pick A Different Place Each Year: It goes without saying that Hawaii, New York and New Orleans are two unbelievable holiday destinations. However, if you go there every year, at least try to go at different times of the year. But also don’t be afraid to try a new location. Changing up where you go is also a great way to discover some of the best vacation destinations on the planet. A vacation should be about experiencing new environments and cultures, and you can’t do that in the same location.

Go More Than Once: Most Americans bank their vacation days and spend them all at once. You might find taking smaller mini vacations can save you time and money versus taking a longer vacation. A mini vacation doesn’t have to be an exotic, expensive retreat. It can be as simple as vacationing in the same country state or even your neighboring town.

Open Your Mind: Undoubtedly everything will seem different when you travel. It is part and parcel of leaving your comfort zone. The trick is not to see it as a problem, but to see it as an opportunity. Sure, the food might not be the same and the customs different, but that is a good thing. Dive in head first and enjoy everything that comes your way.