FrugalMonkey Discount Travel News

Category: Travel News

  • Frugal Monkey’s Web Wrap

    We might be past Hump Day, but the weekend still feels like it’s a lifetime away. You might not have a great getaway planned to escape the real world, but you can fantasize about one with these awesome travel blogs and excellent tourism articles.

    • A Little Story … The Origins of Chocolate and Effects of Grassroots Tourism @ A Little Adrift – In this incredible post blogger Shannon O’Donnell shares the story of her recent stay in Silico Creek, Panama. To many it’s a small speck on a map, but for Shannon it represented an opportunity to learn about the indigenous culture and the cacao beans that sustain them. Her post reveals a very different side of Panama than the one that spring breakers see!
    • Budget Travelers Sandbox – When she left the corporate world at the turn of the century, Nancie intended to take a year-long sabbatical. She’s been traveling ever since. She recounts her adventures in her blog posts, which include her weekly visual postcards on Travel Photo Thursdays.
    • An Adventurer’s Guide to Turkey @ Maiden Voyage – Turkey’s beaches might encourage you to kick back and relax, but the country also has an adventurous. This blog article profiles some of the country’s best sites, including the hot springs of Pamukkale and the ruins of Ephesus.
    • Wandering Trader – Marcello Arrambide has travelled the world for the last four years. It’s given him the chance to visit all seven continents and around 80 countries. All those adventures give him plenty to draw from when crafting his blog posts, which jump around the world showcasing its best attractions, from the Colosseum in Rome to the pier at Nantucket Island.
    • Tips for Visiting Thermal Pools in Iceland @ Kaleidoscope Wanderings – When the mercury dips in Iceland, a swim in its thermal pools is a great way to thaw out. This post details how to find a thermal pool near you, what to bring, and how to get the most from your visit.

    Neon_Internet_Cafe_open_24_hoursYou’re not the only one who deserves a mental vacation though. Remember to share the great travel resources in our latest web wrap with your friends using our social networking buttons below!

  • Frugal Monkey’s Web Wrap

    Are you sick of staring out the window and seeing the same old thing? Maybe it’s time that you planned a getaway! The world is your oyster, but frugal travelers know they can’t see everything at once. These travel blogs and recent online articles should help you settle on your next dream destination.

    • Unique Places to Drink in Milwaukee @ Art of Adventuring – Michael Tieso showcases the best watering holes in Wisconsin’s largest city in this informative post. He also reminds us that drinking in Milwaukee is pretty inexpensive, so even frugal travelers can afford to indulge in a few bar brewskies while they’re visiting.
    • My Beautiful Adventures – Chinese medicine and travel photojournalism are a curious mix, but Andi Perullo de Ledesma seems to make them work on her blog. Her photos are top notch, especially the snaps she recently posted from her trip to Miami. But it’s her personal touch, whether she’s sharing stories about her other career or answering reader questions, that sets Andi’s blog apart.
    • Poolside in Provence: Relaxing at the Gorgeous Infinity Pool at Terre Blanche @ Travelogged – Reading through this blog post has made us so envious. We’d be thrilled to just visit this stunning pool overlooking Provence as Liz Borod Wright did, let alone score a free stay at the five-star Terre Blanche resort! We’re sure drooling over the photos rates a very distant second to swimming in this picturesque pool.
    • Travel Cuts – The Travel Cuts blog might be targeted at student travelers making the most of their gap years, but there’s plenty of articles here to interest frugal travelers of any age. The blog is an offshoot of the Travel Cuts business, which looks to get young Canadians out seeing the world without breaking the bank. It offers details of exciting events and youth-focused attractions, as well as general travel tips for anyone on a budget.
    • Visiting Australia as Single Travelers @ Australia Rocky Travel – A solo trip to Australia can sound daunting, but the team from Australia Rocky Travel insists you don’t need to wait until you’re coupled up to discover Down Under. This post encourages singles to step outside their comfort zone and stay in Australia without breaking the bank or letting loneliness set in.

    Australia globeIf you know a friend or loved one that’s feeling stir-crazy too, why not share this article with them? We make it easy with our convenient social networking buttons!

  • Frugal Monkey’s Web Wrap

    It’s Hump Day, so chances are you’re mindlessly surfing the internet looking for anything more interesting than the work you’re supposed to be doing. Never fear, Frugal Monkey’s latest web wrap is here! Read on to discover the travel blogs and articles that are well worth reading!

    • The Wonders of Ravenna @ Velvet Escape – Before we read this article, the tiny Italian town of Ravenna wasn’t even on our radar. After seeing pictures of its stunning mosaics and delicious food, we’re desperate to witness it for ourselves. This article gives a fascinating insight into this largely unknown gem.
    • Adventurous Kate – Adventurous Kate certainly lives up to her name. She’s been shipwrecked in Indonesia, got naked in Instanbul’s baths, and become an extra in a terrible German film. Her focus on affordable accommodation, food, and attractions should appeal to other frugal jetsetters. With her plans to visit Dubai and Japan in coming weeks, we can expect more exciting tales from this full-time traveler.
    • “Who Goes There?” You Asked, I Answered: Five Not-So-Popular Travel Destinations @ Runaway Juno – Are you sick of reading about the same old tourist hotspots? If you answered yes, this post is for you. It offers new travel inspiration in unlikely places like the Spanish city of Figures and New York’s capital, Albany. The “must visit” list is a handy resource if you do decide to take the path less traveled.
    • Vagabondish – Vagabondish is so crammed with useful information that it’s impossible to pick just one post. Articles like “9 Tips to Make Sure Museums and Galleries are Never Boring” and “Surviving the Suburbs: An Unconventional Travel Guide” offer useable information with a sense of humor.
    • Breakfasts in Nepal – Best in the World? @ The Longest Way Home – They might not have the reputation of English fry-ups, but Dave at The Longest Way Home insists the breakfasts in Nepal are amongst the world’s best. Looking at the photos, it’s hard to disagree with him. His post explains where to find great breakfasts, what to order, and how to enjoy it.

    Hand with laptopWhy not brighten your friends’ Wednesday and share these great travel websites and articles via the social networking buttons below?

  • Frugal Monkey’s Web Wrap

    When the slog of the working week gets you down, it’s easy to fantasize about getting away from it all by browsing When the slog of the working week gets you down, it’s easy to fantasize about getting away from it all by browsing through some of the best travel websites online. That’s definitely what we’ve been doing! Here are the most recent articles and blogs that have us itching to pack our bags.

    • 6 Destinations Made More Popular By Celebrities @ Gadler – You wear details of their lives in the gossip rags, now you can stay where they stay! Gadler profiles six locales that have become holiday hot spots thanks to your favorite celebrities. We can’t promise you’ll see any stars when you visit these celebrity hideaways, but it might be the closest you’ll come to living the life of George Clooney or Jay-Z!
    • Travel with a Mate – Travel bloggers and writers from all over the world come together on Travel with a Mate. The range of contributors means the post quality does vary, but it also ensures there’s a steady stream of new travel articles to enjoy.
    • Sand Boarding Namibia: Chicks Dig Scars … Right? @ Brendan’s Adventures – Call us crazy, but sand boarding in Namibia is now officially on our to-do list. Sure, blogging Brendan ended up with a row of stitches after his African adventure, but he was still keen to repeat the experience. Perhaps minus the pain!
    • Do It While You’re Young – If you’re looking for travel inspiration, this blog deserved to be bookmarked. It’s all about those dream vacations, from hitting the casinos of Las Vegas to the castles of Ireland. It’s also pretty realistic about what the Average Joe can afford too. A recent post called “Make Your Dream Vacation a Reality” is essential reading for anyone on a budget.
    • Balancing Technology and Social Experiences While Traveling Abroad @ Traveldudes – Okay, so this isn’t a post that inspires us to get away, but it’s so thought-provoking that it had to make our web roundup. As the face of travel continues to change in the digital age, this article makes some insightful points about getting the balance right.

    Girl Taking a Photo on Cell PhoneIf someone you know could use a vacation, make sure you share this post with them using our social networking buttons below!

  • Frugal Monkey’s Web Wrap

    With the United States celebrating its independence today, it makes sense to look at the great travel destinations in our own backyard with our latest Web Wrap. It’s often most affordable to travel interstate rather than venturing abroad after all! Read on to discover the local blogs and homegrown stories we’ve loved online in the last two weeks.

    • Technomadia – Cherie and Chris are living the dream as self-proclaimed technomads, a couple who works from their RV as they travel across the United States with their faithful cat Kiki. Read about the places they visit and the ways they make their nomadic lifestyle work.
    • SeaWorld Orlando’s Newest Attraction Opens @ What a Trip! Nancy D. Brown recently visited SeaWorld Orlando to check out one of its biggest new attractions in years, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin. Nancy describes all the features of this new icy exhibition and offers tips for making the most of your visit.
    • The Q Family Adventures – After traveling to Thailand last year, the Q family has decided to tighten its belt and opt for an old-fashioned road trip across America. Over the next few weeks they’re traveling from their home in Georgia to Indianapolis, Niagara Falls, Toronto, New York City, and Philadelphia. They recently posted about their trip to Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave National Park, and they assure us there are more virtual postcards from the road to come.
    • Space Acorn @ Atlas Obscura – Atlas Obscura is worth bookmarking if you want to discover a country’s oddities. Kecksburg, Pennsylvania doesn’t have a lot to entice tourists, except for its Space Acorn. This unusual monument was erected in honor of a UFO that locals swear crashed in the local woods way back in 1965.
    • Alaska TravelGram – Alaska is arguably one of the most beautiful parts of the United States. Scott McMurren is an Anchorage resident with 30 years’ experience in the travel business, most of it in his home state. Log on to read his posts and listen to his podcasts about this stunning state.

    alaskatravelIf you can pull yourself away from your barbecues and fireworks displays, make sure you share these great blogs and posts with your friends using our social networking buttons below!

  • Frugal Monkey’s Web Wrap

    Tired of sweltering under your ineffective ceiling fan? You might not be able to afford the time to take a tropical getaway, but these great travel articles and websites can help you beat the heat.

    • Europe a la Carte – Karen Bryan created Europe a la Carte back in 2002 to highlight the best of Europe. We love that it doesn’t just concentrate on the popular tourist haunts, but instead focuses on what’s truly the best about the continent. The article about a seaside holiday in Montenegro makes us long for a getaway!
    • Reflecting on Broken Relationships – A Unique Museum Experience @ LandLopers – Until we came across this article, we’d never heard of Croatia’s Museum of Broken Relationships. Located in the capital Zagreb, this moving museum is the brainchild of former Croatian lovebirds and artists. It features tokens from their own relationship and others gone awry.
    • Practical Travel Gear – So many of us buy travel gear one season, only to see it pushed to the back of our closets the next. So it’s exciting to find a blog like Practical Travel Gear which steers us in the right direction. Its impartial reviews will help you decide what’s worth the splurge.
    • Vegetarian Survival Guide to Mexico @ Never Ending Voyage – We’re committed meat-eaters, but we’re rethinking our stance after drooling over the pictures in this article. It proves that a Mexican diet isn’t all about chicken and ground beef!
    • Beat of Hawaii – When the mercury soars, so many of us want to pack our bags for Hawaii. Before you jet off, make sure you check out the many Hawaiian travel resources on this blog. The Top 5 Hawaii Travel Tips article, which proves it’s possible to get to Hawaii without breaking the bank, is a must-see for frugal travelers. And if you’re just dreaming of a vacation, the pictures of the tropical islands are inspiring!

    Hand with laptopIf you know someone else who would enjoy a virtual vacation, make sure you share this article with them using our nifty social networking buttons!

  • Frugal Monkey’s Web Wrap

    Have we really passed the half-way point of the year already? 2013 might be flying by, but it’s worth pausing to take a look at some of the great travel articles and blogs that have turned our heads recently.

    • Best Tips Camping Paris @ SoulTravelers3 – A stay in Paris needn’t cost you a fortune if you follow the advice of the SoulTravelers3, a family of three from California. They swear that camping’s cheaper than renting a hostel room, and you can even enjoy a view of the Seine!
    • Mother of All Trips – Mothers know a thing or two about saving money on vacation, so it stands to reason to Mother of All Trips has some handy advice all frugal travelers could use. It’s the brainchild of Mara, a mother of two whose children have done nothing to curb her urge to see the world.
    • Saying Goodbye to Seasickness @ SoloFriendly – We love the way cruising makes budgeting easy. But while they’re easy on the finances, as almost everything is included, they can become downright unpleasant if the swell picks up! Find out what Gray Cargill does to curb the nausea in this light-hearted blog post.
    • Isabelle’s Travel Guide – Isabelle has some really useful travel insights on her blog, but it’s her photos that have sealed the deal. From majestic images of Germany’s castles to clear shots of Australia’s most beautiful vistas, this blogger has us hooked.
    • Homage to Hoary Marmots @ Travel Wonders of the World – What better way to end the week than seeing something cute? These gorgeous rodents are regularly spotted on trips through the Rockies and Alaska. Don’t the adorable pictures make you want to pack your bags?
    Photo credit: Glenn Fleishman
    Photo credit: Glenn Fleishman

    Remember to share this post with your loved ones via our social networking buttons if you love what we post!

  • Frugal Monkey’s Web Wrap – 23 May 2013

    As we haul ourselves through to the year’s halfway point, vacation season seems dauntingly far away. Thank goodness for these great travel blogs and online articles that encourage us to take little getaways in our minds even when we can’t take time off!

    • Complete Guide to Family Volunteer Vacations @ Go Green Travel Green – We all know volunteering is a great way to see the world and really immerse yourself in another culture. But have you ever thought of taking the kids along? This article details the questions you need to ask to decide whether a volunteering vacation is right for your family, and some great volunteer organizations that can help you make it happen.
    • Virtual Wayfarer – Everything on this travel blog is first rate, but the weekly travel photo is our favorite feature. The most recent shows an unfortunate looking street performer caught in a downpour in the historic part of Perugia. While everyone else is huddled under umbrellas, he has no choice but to wait until the storm passes! The image captures a quirky moment in time so beautifully.
    • Photo Essay: Faces of Bhutan @ LL World Travel – They say the best way to understand a place is by learning about its people. So it makes sense that travel blogger Lisa has chosen to capture images of the children of Bhutan, rather than the desination’s landmarks, for this moving photo essay.
    • The Professional Hobo – Travel needn’t be an occasional thing if you follow the philosophy of Nora Dunn, who’s also known as the Professional Hobo. In 2006 she decided to sell her financial planning business and all her worldly goods to fund global travel. In 2007 she started to explore the world, and she’s been doing it ever since. Learn how she travels full-time in a financially sustainable way in this insightful blog.

    Hand with laptopIf you love these articles and travel sites as much as we do, make sure you share them with your friends using the social networking buttons below!

  • Frugal Monkey’s Web Wrap – 9 May 2013

    With the weather warming up, we’re all spending less time online and more time enjoying the sunshine. But that’s no excuse for failing to check in with some of the best travel blogs and articles online. So you don’t need to spend hours wading through them, we’ve rounded up some of the best.

    • Hostelling with Kids in Germany @ Travel Mamas – Farrah Ritter reminds us that backpacking isn’t just for college kids on gap years and aging hippies with this informative article. Read about her experiences staying at hostels in Germany with her brood in tow. Her tips for finding the right hostel for your family are priceless for frugal travelers. Who would have thought backpackers’ hostels could be so family-friendly?
    • Migrationology – Get your tastebuds watering at Migrationology, a blog which focuses on the best street food from around the globe. Creator Mark Wiens is based in Thailand so the blog features many dishes from this nation, but it also touches on other local delicacies from Asia and the rest of the world. A recent post about catfish curry made us salivate, but we’re not so sure about the fried tongue!
    • Travel Taiwan: Shalun Beach in Danshui, Taipei @ My Several Worlds – We love a story about a hidden vacation gem. Veering off the tourist path is a great way to save cash and avoid the crowds. After reading Carrie Kellenberger’s article, we can’t wait to catch some waves at this local Thai secret.
    • MomsMinivan – Laurel Smith bills herself as the Road Trip Mom, a frugal traveler who loves hitting the road with her kids in tow. Of course, taking the brood on vacation isn’t always easy, but her travel games, activities, and tips should make your next journey run a little smoother!
    • Budget Travel for Girlfriends – Traveling on the Cheap @ Traveling Mamas – Julia Rosien of GoGirlfriend.com recently wrote a guest post for Traveling Mamas to promote GoGirlfriend.com’s budget travel month of April. It’s so convenient to have these great posts rounded up in one handy entry. We particularly liked the information on staying cash positive on vacation and the hidden costs of cruising.

    piggy bank worldDo you want to save your friends some time and share these great articles with them? Simply click on the social networking buttons below!

  • Frugal Monkey’s Web Wrap – 26 April 2013

    May is almost upon us, but we’ve still got time for one more Web Wrap! Read on to discover the great travel blogs and frugal vacation articles that revved us in the last two weeks.

    • FoXnoMad – The diversity of this travel site is what makes it extra special. Anil Polat’s striving to visit every country in the world, and writing about his adventures along the way. But this blog is more than simply a travelog. We love the thought-provoking articles, including a recent entry profiling travel books that transformed the writers’ lives, and will do the same for you.
    • Ramen Yushoken: Great Ramen, Best Gyoza! @ Calvin’s Hub – Few meals offer as much bang for your buck as ramen. If you’re ever in The Philippines, the noodles at Ramen Yushoken sound like the ones to try. Calvin tells us that sharing your portion will leave space for the eatery’s excellent gyoza.
    • Plum Deluxe – Plum Deluxe isn’t strictly a travel blog, but its philosophy of slowing down and experiencing all life has to offer should appeal to frugal travelers. A recent article which celebrates San Francisco’s tourist highlights beyond the Golden Gate Bridge is a great example of this blog’s commitment to unearthing great experiences.
    • A Guide to Boston’s Out of the Box Festival @ As We Travel Blog – With all the sadness surrounding Boston in the wake of the city’s recent bombings, it’s refreshing to see a more positive piece. This article shines a light on the annual Out of the Box Festival, a celebration of music, dance, theatre, and more cultural pursuits. Best of all, the events are all free or close to it!
    • Twenty-Something Travel – Stephanie Yoder doesn’t think you should wait to see the world. As a twenty-something blogger she doesn’t exactly have a lot of cash, but she makes it work for her as she explores the globe. Her solo travel adventures on the cheap should inspire jetsetters of any age.

    Girl Taking a Photo on Cell PhoneIf you think someone you know would love these travel titbits, make sure you share our Web Wrap using the social networking buttons below!