FrugalMonkey Discount Travel News

Tag: attractions

  • Venice for Less – Save Money in Italy’s Floating City

    Venice has a reputation as one of Italy’s most expensive cities, but frugal travelers needn’t steer clear of The Floating City. With a little research you needn’t bust your budget in this European hotspot.

    Firstly you’ll need to find a place to rest your head. You’ll discover some great travel deals if you visit Venice during the off season, from November to the start of Carnevale in around February or March. The weather is a chillier at this time of year, but it shouldn’t put a dampener on your stay. Groups may find renting an apartment is a cheaper option than staying in a hotel room, particularly as you’ll have a kitchen and laundry facilities. If you’re willing to step away from the main drag you can also find reasonable rooms at suburban bed and breakfasts including Ca Del Pozzo B&B at Campo San Maurizio, the B&B Villa Elisabetta at Lido di Venezia Island, and B&B Biennale Venezia on the island of Sant’Elena.

    Like most Italian cities, Venice has a reputation for fine food. But to see value for your dollar you’ll need to avoid the tourist traps and dine like a local. It’s easy to spot the restaurants hoping to lure the tourist dollars. They’ll have menus printed in a variety of languages or with pictures accompanying the dishes. Instead keep your eyes peeled for places that forgo the fancy linen and have local dogs curled up underneath the tables. The friendly waiters will help you if your Italian is rusty, or you could always trust your gut and pick a dish at random! Antica Birreria La Corte has excellent and affordable pizza and pasta, Rosticceria San Bartolomeo specializes in comfort food, and the all-you-can-eat buffet at Taverna del Campiello Remer is ideal when you’re hungry.

    Most local bars also serve up cicheti, the Venetian equivalent of Spanish tapas or Greek mezze. It’s a great way to indulge in a variety of dishes, and you can eat as much or as little as you like.

    And finally make sure you avoid those hotel breakfasts. They’re never as good as the pastries and coffee at the local cafes and you’ll pay much more for them!

    Some say you haven’t seen Venice unless you’ve been on a gondola, but with rides costing more than $100 a piece the cash-strapped traveler should consider other options. A one-hour ride across the Grand Canal on the vaporetto, or water taxi, will cost you less than $10. There are also gondola ferries called traghetto which take visitors across the canal for just a couple of dollars. You’ll have to stand up so the experience isn’t quite as luxurious as those tourist trips, but you can at least say you’ve been on a gondola!

    St Marks Square is another must for tourists, but many are surprised by the surcharges that come from watching the bands from the tables. Clued in locals know you can simply loiter at the back and enjoy the live entertainment without paying a cent.

    A view of Venice from Ponte Vecchio
    A view of Venice from Ponte Vecchio

    And never underestimate the appeal of setting off without a plan and discovering the city around you. Veer off the well worn tourist path and explore the neighborhoods of Cannaregio, Dorsoduro, and Castello. After all, soaking up the atmosphere of Venice is completely free!

  • Skateboarding in Sydney at Monster Skatepark

    Ten years ago, Sydney Olympic Park was a hive of activity as elite athletes from around the world competed for gold and glory.

    The Olympics may be long gone, but the Australian park has barely slowed down. These days it's home to a variety of events and activities designed to get your blood pumping. One of the best is the Monster Skatepark, which is the only international standard indoor and outdoor skateboarding venue in Oz. You don't have to be the next Tony Hawk to appreciate this place, which has more jumps and ramps than any other in the Southern Hemisphere. It was built by riders, for riders, so it knows just what board enthusiasts of all skill levels want. There's an international competition sized vert ramp, two adjacent mini ramps connected by spines and a roll through, and a 1000 square meter indoor street course. If you're a beginner on a board, don't let that scare you. The Monster Academy runs development clinics to help everyone from novices to aspiring pros hone their skills. Academy classes are divided into iSkate levels to ensure all participants are challenged and nurtured. The Monster Skatepark is open daily from 10 am until 10 pm, although these times may vary when the park hosts events or other special sessions. It costs $10 for a four-hour skate session or $19 for a day pass.

  • Get Sexy in South Korea at Loveland Theme Park

    Asian culture might seem reserved, but a visit to Loveland in South Korea should correct that misconception. This very wicked destination is the country’s very own erotic theme park!

    Sculptures at Loveland
    Sculptures at Loveland

    The park features 140 permanent sexy sculptures alongside rotating monthly exhibitions. You could see a display of sex toys, some nude models, or some blue movies!

    Just like any good theme park, Loveland also has its mascots. You’ll meet the walking phallus Bulkkeuni and his lady love, the hat wearing vagina Ssaekkeuni. They’ll want to make your acquaintance, so make sure you say hello.

    Loveland is located on Jeju-do Island at the southern tip of South Korea. The tropical island is so popular with newlyweds that it’s been known as the Honeymoon Isle since the end of the Korean War.

    With so many South Koreans entering into arranged marriages and using their time on the island to discover their sexuality, Loveland couldn’t have found a better home. A visit is certainly an educational experience! Loveland is a 10-minute taxi ride from Jeju-do International Airport. Visitors should allow an hour to view the exhibits, although when films are showing it can easily take longer. It should go without saying that a visit to Loveland is no family outing, although there is a play area for children outside the park. It's also no place for modesty, so if you're shy about matters of the flesh I suggest you steer clear. But if you can see the silly side and embrace it, an hour or two spent at Loveland is a lot of fun.

    [Image Source: Sunxez/Flickr]

  • Fun Vacations for the Family in Tropical Fiji

    If you want to treat your whole family to a South Pacific vacation, make sure you consider Fiji.

    While many island locations cater for couples, this is one country whose tourism industry puts family first. Many of the island's resorts have child-friendly clubs and activities designed to give mom and dad as much private time as they wish. The Shangri-La Fijian is one of the oldest resorts in Fiji, and one of the largest. The Shangri-La has its own island with a sheltered lagoon for safe swimming. There is also a children’s pool open during daylight hours, and a games room equipped with arcade games and snooker and table tennis tables. The biggest drawcard is the Children’s Stay and Eat for Free program. Under this scheme, up to two children under the age of 12 can stay and eat in selected restaurants within the resort for free. Another complimentary service is The Little Chief's Club. This program amuses children aged between two and 12 with a host of activities including sports, games, and lessons in Fijian culture. [caption id="attachment_3479" align="alignright" width="150" caption="The Lagoon Pool at the Shangri-La Fijian"]The Lagoon Pool at the Shangri-La Fijian[/caption] Not far from the Shangri-La you'll find the Hideaway Resort. There are some great family-friendly facilities here, including a waterslide, putt-putt golf course, and traditional craft classes. Its Hermit Kids Club offers personalized attention, with one staff member for every three children. The club leads children in a host of cultural activities, including rainforest walks, excursions to local villages, and fancy dress parades. A day trip on the Coral Coast Scenic Railway is great fun for the entire family. The revamped steam train runs from Cuvu Station, outside the Shangri-La, to Natadola Beach. Along the way you'll enjoy throwing precious candy to the village children who line the tracks. Once at the beach your guides will treat you to a barbeque lunch and Fiji's famous kava. You'll have time for a swim in the ocean before catching the train home. Another family favorite is Kulu Eco Park, Fiji’s only wildlife sanctuary. The park is home to many endangered animals, including the crested iguana and peregrine falcon. And of course, families vacationing in Fiji can also make their own fun enjoying the country's beautiful beaches and tropical weather.