Some Hints:                                                    Back

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1. Quite a few hotels have amenities that may be used by non-guests. So staying in a less expensive place may not preclude you from enjoying the ambiance that these places offer. Example: While our guest house in Kuta Beach, Bali was cleaning our pool, we simply went down the street and swam in a beautiful pool in a larger hotel that had a bar at one end of the pool. Thought we didn't have to, we sat on bar stools that were built into the pool and enjoyed a Bailey's.

2.  Many large city art galleries offer free receptions as a promotion for exhibitions. These may include anything from: wine & cheese to full buffets. When arriving in a large city, look in local newspapers for art gallery announcements that include "free reception."

Thanks to Budget travel by Arthur Frommer

2a. Buying that paper can also lead you to other savings, even travelers can use coupons or go places that have specials running.

2b. Every once in awhile a city will be having a celebration with free music or as our 4th of July, Fireworks etc. By checking with locals or buying that paper you can find out.

3.   Have a long waits between flights? Go to the curb and grab the first shuttle to any major airport area hotel. The food and the atmosphere will be better and since you'll be having a better time the wait won't seem as long.

4.   Check on the price of your prescription medications at your destination you may save quite a bit by buying them after you get where your going. Just make sure you have enough to last till you get a chance to fill your prescription.

Thanks again to Budget Travel & Arthur Frommer

5.   Don't sit at a table at the low-cost cafes in Europe stand with the locals. If you sit you'll be charged for the use of the table as well as a service charge. Why do you think the locals are standing.

6.   When shopping the best buys will usually be in the large chain stores.

7.   Keep in mind that auto rentals are cheaper at the weekly rate so if your renting a car for four or five days it may be cheaper to rent it for a week. Also check to see if you can get a reduced rate by having the mileage use restricted.

8.   You can probable save on lodging by renting a property with friends, not only will you be getting a home but cooking facilities and at a less expense then renting a room at a hotel. check Resort Quest.

9.   To fit in more naturally, keep your eyes open. Different countries have different customs. While having dinner at the home of my driver I noticed that even though we were given silverware everyone was eating their rice with their fingers as we would Fries French so the next time I was in a restaurant I watched other Indonesians and low and behold they were also using their fingers on the rice. So keep your eyes & ears and mind open.

10. A growing number of hotels & motels are supplying microwave ovens, available to their guests upon request. Ask when you register. (Great for a hot snack or heating water for a late night cup of tea or instant coffee.)

11.  You don't have to eat every meal in a restaurant. How about a nice picnic? Just stop in a local liquor store & buy a bottle of wine, a local market for some bread, meats, cheese, etc. & eat in a local park, your room, etc. You'll be getting a good meal at a much better price then you'd get in a restaurant. (for breakfast, a local bakery will probably have donuts or pastries cheaper then Dunkin Donuts & most places have coffee to go.)

12.   Eat your main meal at lunch. Most restaurants have a lunch menu & a dinner menu & the prices on the lunch menu are less expensive (Even for the same items). Later you can have a light dinner, maybe that picnic I mentioned above. Wouldn't it be nice to watch the sun set from a blanket on a beach, while dining on cheese & sipping wine.