FrugalMonkey Discount Travel News

Tag: travel articles

  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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 @ SoulTravelers3A 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

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • Frugal Monkey’s Web Wrap – 15 March 2013

    With the working week winding down, it’s the perfect time to look back at the travel articles and budget blogs that have caught our eyes over the last two weeks. Read on to see Frugal Monkey’s latest online highlights.

        • Go, See, Write – Michael Hodson set off in 2008 with aims of circling the world without ever leaving the ground. Sixteen months later he achieved his goal, but that doesn’t mean he put away his suitcases. Well and truly bitten by the travel bug, Hodson continues to log his adventures in Go, See, Write. It’s better written than many sites in the blogosphere, and its mix of exciting photographers and videos beautifully complement the words.
        • Road Trips – The Ultimate Planning Guide @ Y Travel Blog – When Caz and Craig Makepeace say they’ve compiled the ultimate guide to planning road trips, they mean it. The couple have a young family, so they know how to save money on the road. The packing and pre-departure checklists are also invaluable. Make sure you download our top 10 free road trip apps before you set off!
        • Tourist 2 Townie – In 2009, Gareth was a well-paid marketing director living the American Dream in sunny Southern California. But on one fateful afternoon, “the beer lost its taste and the view lost its inspiration”, so Gareth booked a one-way ticket to Buenos Aires. His travel blog follows his attempts to go from tourist to townie, or to make the transition from ordinary vacationer to part of the Latin American communities he visits. Plenty of videos and frequent updates make this blog worth bookmarking.
        • Maybe This Groupon Deal Wasn’t a Deal at All @ Christopher Elliott – Before you jump on that too-good-to-be-true vacation package, perhaps you’d better read this article. It shines a light on the downsides of popular group buying websites and their deals.
        • Mommy Poppins – New York City can sap your finances, but this great family-friendly blog showcases the Big Apple’s budget-friendly side. It’s targeted at locals, but families visiting the area will find its information invaluable. We particularly like the regular weekend guides crammed with free and fun things to do across the five boroughs.

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  • Frugal Monkey’s Web Wrap

    You read Frugal Monkey because you know it’s a great source of information about traveling on a budget. So we thought you may be interested in some of the other websites who provide valuable information about frugal tourism. Feast your eyes on the following online gems we’ve recently found.

    • The Goldilocks Number: Why $50 a Day is Just Right @ Nomadic Matt – Spending just $50 a day on a vacation that doesn’t cut corners sounds like a pipe dream, but blogger Nomadic Matt assures us it can be done. He explains his budget, which includes travel insurance and a decent backpack, in his new book How to Travel the World on $50 a Day. This blog article gives you a taste of his frugal travel philosophy.
    • Johnny Vagabond – He began his life as Wes Nations, a mild-mannered American who’d turned 39 more times than anyone should. But now he’s Johnny Vagabond, a gray nomad who’s decided you’re never too old to see the world. The blog documents Johnny’s adventures as he circles the globe until his money runs out. We love Johnny’s informative product reviews and his colourful and crazy travel stories!
    • Dealing with Long Flights @ The Aussie Nomad – As he hails from the land Down Under, The Aussie Nomad knows a thing or two about long flights. Even if you aren’t strapping in for a 24-hour journey, you’ll find his tips for dealing with air travel useful. From selecting the right seat to sorting your entertainment, this guide has some great advice for jetsetters.
    • 2 Backpackers – If you’re heading to South America, make sure you stop by 2 Backpackers first. This informative site tells us that Rio isn’t the only place to celebrate Carnival and that some of the tastiest drinks in Latin America are non-alcoholic. Who knew?
    • Rerunaround – Shawn serves up travel advice with a social conscience in his blog Rerunaround. You don’t need to have an interest in volunteering to appreciate the site, but his fascinating stories of helping communities in The Philippines and Haiti give his blog a real point of difference.

    Neon internet cafeWe’d love to know your opinion of these great travel websites. Feel free to suggest any other online destinations you think we need to visit!