Land Of Marvels

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5 Trips to Take If You’re on a Budget

I often get asked, “Your trips look amazing but if I’m on a budget, where would you recommend?”  My first question back is always, what sort of budget?  Because in all truth, Nick and I travel on a budget too, it just might be different than yours.  And while it may look like we splurge on amazing hotels and incredible experiences often, more often than not it’s because we’ve used points or found an amazing deal.  But regardless, let’s say you have a fairly small budget for a week long trip out of the US… if that’s the case, then here are 5 trips to take if you’re on a budget to save the most money while at your destination.

1. Thailand

We flew through Bangkok and spent a few nights passing through en route to Cambodia a couple years ago and left saying we wished we had more time there.  Not only is Thailand home to some of the friendliest people on Earth and some of the best food in the world, it’s also incredibly cheap to travel to.  The biggest cost will be your airfare to get there, but once there, you can eat super cheap (like a huge bowl of pad thai for $1.50 cheap) and explore the culture for hardly any money.  Even really nice hotels (we stayed at the Metropolitan by Como for around only $100/night) and if you’re willing to downgrade a little, you can find a lot for not very much money in Thailand in terms of accommodation.

2. Cambodia

On the same trip that we visited Thailand, we also spent a few days in Siem Reap, Cambodia.  I was blown away by how cheap Cambodia was, even in regards to just coming from Thailand!  The food here was some of the best we’ve ever had traveling anywhere, the people so friendly and the temples, out of this world.  With tuk tuk drivers offering to take us around all day for $10 or incredible street food being served for $2, we left Cambodia with money left over and an incredible experience as well.

3. Portugal

Want to head to Europe but don’t want the expensive price tag of the major spots like London, Paris or Rome?  Look at Portugal as an option.  Our few days in Lisbon this past Spring left us wanting more and in shock at how affordable everything was.  Food, transportation, hotels, Lisbon is a big European city with everything necessary for a great trip with great price tags.  One trick here, be sure to get out of the main tourist areas so you don’t pay way more for food!

4.  Spain

Another great spot to head in Europe for a low price tag?  Spain fits that bill for sure.  Particularly Andalusia and cities like Granada and Seville.  Taxis are super cheap, food is incredible and you can eat really inexpensively tapas style, plus many restaurants throw in free dishes when you order certain items.  Even hotels were really well priced for what you get in Spain.  We stayed in Barcelona with a view of Sagrada Familia from our hotel room for only around $100/night!

5. India

For a trip you’ll never forget and one that’s easy on your wallet, India is a fantastic place to head to.  Transportation is cheap, even when hiring private drivers, you can get a lot of bang for your buck on hotels and the food, well it’s out of this world.  It’s also a place where just wandering and exploring you see so much, so you don’t have to pay a lot on activities!

How to be a Traveler at Home!

how to be a traveler at home

While I often head off on adventures near and far, I also love spending time close to home and exploring my own backyard.  Whether you don’t have the resources or the time to head off to an exotic land, you can still be a traveler…at home!  All you need to do is find a place in your own area to have an adventure and take it all in.  So here’s how to be a traveler in your own backyard.

Research your own area like you would if you were traveling there.

Before we travel to some place new, I do a ton of research.  Why not do that for your own area?  I bet you’ll find all sorts of things you never even knew were there and activities that would be great to try.  Take the time to look into your area how you would if you were a tourist and you’ll find things you never expected to.

Read blogs or buy a guidebook on your home city.

A great way to add to that internet research on your home area, buy a guidebook on your home city or scour blogs for info on people that do travel there as tourists.  You’ll see your city from the perspective of a tourist this way and be able to get yourself into that mind set to explore your area with fresh eyes.

Wake up early or stay up late.

One thing Nick and I do a lot when traveling (and hardly ever when home), is to get up for the sunrise or stay up for the sunset.  In the scope of our daily lives, we’re too busy to schedule around that, but why not take a weekend and get up to see the sunrise over your home city or stay up to see the sunset over the horizon.  It will make you see your home in an entirely new way.

Try a restaurant you’ve never tried.

One thing we do a lot to get out of the rut of routine at home, try a new restaurant.  Whether it’s in a new neighborhood you don’t go to often or just a new kind of food you’re not used to, give it a try and you’ll feel like you’re on an exotic adventure.

Photograph your hometown or area.

Nick and I are terrible about really photographing Portland.  When we travel, we always have cameras with us, but we rarely do when out and about in Portland because it’s home, we’ve seen everything a million and one times and it’s not new anymore.  But a great way to feel like you’re traveling even when at home, take your camera with you and snap as you would if you were traveling.  You’ll walk away seeing a totally new side of your own city.

5 Simple Ways to Save for Travel

simple ways to save for travel

Travel costs money, there’s really no way around that.  Even when using credit card points or miles to your advantage (which is fantastic), you still have to have money to spend at your location or on other travel related items.  The key to traveling often is being able to save for those trips you want to take and having the cash to pay for them.  So if you want to travel more and you’re not sure where to start in terms of saving money, here are 5 simples ways to save for travel to get you going!

Eat at home.

The first thing I look at when I need to save money are my food expenses.  Most of the time you can save a lot of money by cooking and eating at home instead of going out to restaurants.  Take a look at your schedule and your habits and try to be economical in what types of food you buy at the grocery store and how you eat.  This can actually cut a huge amount of money out of your normal budget which can help you save long term.

Share meals or do happy hour when you go out.

One of the things that Nick and I do often when we do end up going out to teat is sharing meals or working it into our schedule to make happy hour where food is a lot cheaper.  This saves us a lot of money instead of both ordering full meals.

Sell clothes or extra items.

I’m adamant about going through my closet and apartment every month or two and selling anything laying around that we don’t need or use.  I sell clothes almost monthly if I haven’t worn them lately or extra technology that isn’t being used any more.  I know this doesn’t sound like you’ll make a ton of extra cash, but you’d be amazed how fast it adds up.

Cut out Coffee.

A huge one for many of us, think about how much money you’re spending on Starbucks or whatever place you frequent for your daily fix.  I don’t even have coffee every day (maybe 2-3 times per week) and even that really adds up.  Your $4 drink every day ends up being around $20 per week, which ends up being $80 per month, which ends up being almost $1000 per year!!!  There’s your airfare right there.

Cut out Alcohol/Desserts.

We have friends that complain a lot about not being able to travel but then will spend $30 at dinner on alcohol and extra things like dessert.  If you drink alcohol, look at the cost that is adding to your grocery and restaurant bills.  It ends up being a huge amount and something that we spend hardly any money on.  It’s all about what’s a priority!

The Best Meals with a View in Honolulu

 meals with a view in Honolulu

With back to back trips to Hawaii these last couple weeks for work (and a little exploring), I thought we’d do a couple consolidated Hawaii weeks on Land of Marvels!  So look forward to finding out all the inside tips you need to know before a trip to the Islands this week!

When you’re heading to Hawaii, one of the things most people look for when picking restaurants is the view.  Does it have an ocean view or a marina view or a perfect perch to watch the sun set?  There are so many restaurants to choose from in Honolulu, but some are better than other for the view and general ambience of authentic Hawaii.  Here’s some of my favorite spots for the best meals with a view in Honolulu!

The Beach House at the Moana Hotel

This spot is a great place for dinner with a view of the Waikiki Beach.  It’s also in the Moana Hotel which is designed like an old plantation house, so you sit out on the veranda looking over a giant old tree in the center of the hotel’s courtyard with the beach just yards away.

places to eat in Honolulu

Mariposa at Ala Moana Shopping Center

For a view out over the Marina and Ala Moana Park, sit on the lanai and enjoy lunch at Mariposa at the Ala Moana mall.  The food is outstanding, the view lovely and the ambience, very aloha.

ala Moana

House Without a Key at the Halekulani

One of my favorite spots for dinner, House Without a Key offers a true “Hawaiian” feel.  You sit outside, yards from the hotel pool with views out over the ocean.  It feels exactly like dining in Waikiki should feel.

House without a Key

Headed to Hawaii?

Check out our Oahu Travel Guide in the Land of Marvels Shop for only $5!

How to Experience Hawaii like a Local

 hawaii as a local

With back to back trips to Hawaii these last couple weeks for work (and a little exploring), I thought we’d do a couple consolidated Hawaii weeks on Land of Marvels!  So look forward to finding out all the inside tips you need to know before a trip to the Islands all this week!

Hawaii is one of those places where being a local and a tourist are really different.  The tourists spend most of their time on crowded beaches in crowded tourist areas paying high dollar prices for food and entertainment.  The locals live a different existence, trying to stay away from the tourist spots and embracing the rest of the island.  So if you want to experience the Hawaiian Islands as a local, here’s exactly how to experience Hawaii as a local.

Taste the local food.

From ramen to plate lunches, taste the real local food of the island.  Whether you find a plate lunch place serving chicken katsu and mac salad or indulging in local ramen or udon, find a spot away from the tourist areas to try the local flavors.  You’ll also pay a lot less than in the tourist spots.

Find a secluded beach.

To really experience the true beauty of Hawaii’s beaches, you’ll want to get out of the tourist spots and head around the island to the various beaches.  Sitting on a secluded beach all to yourself is a pretty amazing feeling and you’ll enjoy the experience that much more.  I like going early before everyone wakes up which makes you feel even more secluded.

Venture out of Waikiki.

This is hard to do if you don’t have a car, but on Oahu, if you can, venture out of Waikiki.  You’ll get a much better sense of the local culture and see the vast landscapes of the island, instead of just the beach and Diamond Head.  You’ll get a taste of what Hawaii is really about and you’ll experience the local feel even more.

Get on Island time.

Island time is legitly a real thing.  Everything moves slower in Hawaii, due dates are more flexible and people really do go surfing before work.  Realize that things don’t move as fast here as they do on the Mainland, so embrace is and just get on Island time when you arrive.

Understand local culture.

Hawaiian culture is vast and there is so much behind the history of the Hawaiian Islands.  Do some research before heading to Hawaii to understand the social and political views there so you’re ready to start exploring and honoring the local culture!

Appreciate the beauty of the Islands.

One thing no one can contest is the natural beauty of the Hawaii Islands.  Even though I’m not a real beach person and don’t love the heat, can’t say the Hawaiian Islands aren’t beautiful.  From mountains to rainforests to coves and lava fields, the Hawaiian Island chain should be appreciated.  The locals know their home is beautiful, so be sure to appreciate it while you visit.

Headed to Hawaii?

Check out our Oahu Travel Guide in the Land of Marvels Shop for only $5!

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