Some of you know that I just got back a few weeks ago from two and a half weeks in Europe. I am blessed!!! The photo above was taken at a music venue in Barcelona, which was stunning!

We try to take a couple of trips a year, and there are some tips and tricks that may come in handy for you, too.

So far, we have not subscribed to the ‘carry on only’ when traveling to Europe, because most of the time your bags fly free on international flights. But we do take a carry on. For me, it’s just a tote. Inside the tote I have a small zippered pouch with anything that I may want during the flight, earbuds, gum, etc. I take the zippered pouch out at the beginning of the flight, stow the larger tote, and then I don’t have to get up and down out of the overhead baggage hold several times.

I keep certain extras in my bag at all times – mini hairspray, brush, toothbrush, etc. They never get unpacked. If I forget on the next trip, I have the essentials.

Sometimes when we visit another country (or Napa Valley!) we’ll bring home a bottle or two of wine. We slip it inside one of Mr. Coupondipity’s socks, then put a running shoe on both top and bottom of the bottle. This way it’s fairly secure and packaged for the flight home. We’ve never had a bottle break.

Pack a small bottle of Downy Wrinkle Releaser. Enough said.

Pack your heavier items closest to the wheels of your rolling bag. This will help to distribute the heavier weight towards the bottom and make your bag easier to roll.

I always pack a few different sizes of Ziploc bags. These come in handy for a variety of purposes, but mostly for food that may be leftover. Extra rolls and ham leftover from a breakfast buffet? This will make a great sandwich for later. We typically stay in vacation apartments, so we pack picnic lunches on some days. The ziplocs come in really handy.

Pack liquids (shampoo, body wash, etc.) in a large ziploc bag. Additionally, remove the lid of the bottle, put a small square of Saran wrap over the opening and then screw the top back on. This way, if the top accidentally flips open, the plastic wrap won’t let any liquid out.

What are your favorite packing and/or travel tips? Share them with us!

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Prague is one of our very favorite cities. We love traveling to Europe, and a lot of people had told us to give Prague a try. To be honest, we thought, “No big deal. It’s just another big European city. We’ve been to Paris, Rome, London and many more.”

But three years ago, we decided to take everyone’s advice and visit Prague. We fell in love with it (so much so that we’ve gone three years in a row now).

Why?

1. The food! Prague was under communist rule until the late 1980’s. All restaurants were government owned and had the same bland, boring food. Prague is coming into its own as a great foodie town. And it’s inexpensive. A huge meal including drinks may run about $25 for two people.

2. The architecture. Much of it stayed intact throughout the wars. There are beautiful things to see everywhere, including the Prague castle complex.

3. The markets. We adore markets! Prague’s are particularly good; especially the flea markets. Why? Because you can find super cool treasures at phenomenal prices. I bought a sterling silver antique cigarette case to hold business cards for about $5.

4. The prices. Prague is super cheap to visit. We have stayed in 2-bedroom Airbnb apartments there for about $70 per night…for the entire apartment. We go to the grocery store to load up on staples (milk, juice, pastries, etc.) and walk out with several bags having spent about $9.

5. The people. The Czech people are fantastic. They are welcoming and love to share their culture with you.

Visit Prague – you’ll be glad you did!

Italy remains one of the world’s most iconic and romantic vacation destinations in the world.

I have been lucky and blessed enough to visit this stunning country on several occasions, and words don’t do it justice. Actually, the photos don’t really do it justice, either. Italy has to be experienced!

Each of these photos was taken on one of our trips to Italy, and we just can’t get enough of this country, her people or the food!

The very top photo was taken at Paestum, an area in southern Italy with Greek Temple ruins. It’s pretty amazing.

The photo directly above was taken in the crypt in the Salerno Duomo. We didn’t even know it was there. We saw a church and wandered in. Then we saw a sign for stairs basically saying, “Crypt…this way.” We figured we’d just take a peek. We couldn’t believe the awe-inspiring beauty of this place, and there was hardly anyone in there.

And the food…I did mention the food, right?

You do not have to bust the budget to get an absolutely incredible meal in Italy. One of our favorite restaurants offers several courses and wine for about $50 for two people. And it’s worthy of any Michelin star. Take a look at my reviews on Tripadvisor from our two faves, Il Cavaliere dei Conti in Vietri sul Mare and Cicirinella in Salerno.

Every area of Italy has its own personality and character, from La Serenissima (Venice), to the hustle and bustle of Rome, to the laid back atmosphere of the Amalfi Coast.

Everywhere you turn, there’s something incredible to see and experience. Stay in a little villa in Lubriano, visit the hill town of Orvieto, or have lunch next to the river in Bassano del Grappa.

Maybe you’re into ruins? We’ve already mentioned Paestum, but a visit to Herculaneum (think Pompeii’s little sister) is worth a day trip.

A visit to Italy doesn’t have to break the bank, and is worth every cent. You can find spacious Airbnb accommodations for less than half of what you’d pay for a hotel. Sightseeing is inexpensive or free, and we’ve already said the meals are scrumptious. Maybe you have to save for five years to pay for your dream trip. Do it. See it. Experience it. Life is short…

Here’s a tip! Want to make your own Italian dinner? We like Barilla pasta the best. Check out their page for recipes and ideas.

As a blogger, I have a lot of great opportunities to go places and see things in order to share my experiences and thoughts with you! Several weeks ago, we headed to Orlando to experience the plethora of fun things to do there!

There were going to be 3 or 4 of us. Could we fit in one hotel room? Of course. Would it be crowded? Absolutely. Luckily, if you know where to look, you can make your money go a lot further on accommodations. For instance, would you believe that you can get a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath condo only minutes from Disney for $85 per night?????

My wish list for accommodations is usually:

• Clean (this one is non negotiable)
• Roomy
• Great prices
• Convenient

So normally I’ll get to pick two of those out of the four. It will be clean, roomy and expensive, or clean with great prices and small or inconvenient. But I went on the website VRBO (this stands for Vacation Rental By Owner) to see what I could find. And would you believe that I found a property that ticked ALL FOUR of the boxes on my wishlist, and it even had something that I hadn’t  thought to add – a private, outdoor hot tub!

So let me tell you about this fantastic find. It had 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, and we paid about the same price that we would pay for a decent hotel (you can count on paying about $85 per night!). Click here to see the listing for yourself.But…unlike a hotel room, this place will easily accommodate 10 people with room to spare. How much would you spend on hotel rooms to accommodate 10 people comfortably? You’d need 3 or 4 hotel rooms at least…and you wouldn’t get a kitchen!

It was super clean and roomy. The living room area has a comfy sofa and the same area has a dining table that will seat four. There’s a TV/DVD player in the living area as well. The half bath is off this area, as is the laundry room with a full size washer and dryer, iron and ironing board.

More about amenities later…

Let’s talk about the bedrooms. The master bedroom is spacious, beautifully appointed and has a big closet. There is a ceiling fan (we get hot weather here in Florida!), bedside tables with an alarm clock and a nice, big, bureau with several drawers. The en suite bathroom has an oversized shower.

Each of the two remaining rooms will comfortably sleep three people each, with a double bed/loft bed combo. The 3rd bathroom is here on the second floor and has a nice tub for soaking after a long day at the theme park!

Everything is very easy…after you book your stay with the owner of the property, you are emailed with check in details and instructions. There is a guard gate so you are well protected. One of the great things about this property is that you are staying in a private condo, but there is a welcome/reception area much like you would find at a hotel so that you can ask questions, get restaurant recommendations, directions, etc.

It only took us 10 minutes to get to Disney, and about 15 minutes to get to Universal. The complex is very close to shopping, super markets and some great restaurants. You will easily be able to cook full sized meals in the kitchen, which has a large refrigerator/ice maker, oven, microwave and dishwasher. This is especially convenient if you want to save money. Rather than spending extra on breakfast out, stock the kitchen with fresh fruit, yogurt, cereal and pastries, and spend the extra money on a great lunch or dinner. And when the kids want a snack, you’re not stuck with just a vending machine, which is usually what you get in a hotel. You can whip up some microwave popcorn or other favorite snack and save money at the same time. 

And let’s not forget that hot tub! After walking around Disney all day, it is heaven on earth! And you don’t have to share it with anyone!

Award winning Terra Verde Resort features the finest amenities, including heated pool, community hot tub, spa offering massages, facials, manicures and pedicures by appointment, concierge service, sauna, exercise facility, poolside Tiki Bar with snack and beverage service, cyber cafe, children’s playground with rock climbing wall, game room, sand volleyball court, basketball court, beach area with hammocks, 3 acre spring fed fishing lake and more.

One of the whole reasons that I started this blog was to help my friends save some hard earned money.

I have Champagne Tastes on a Beer Budget…how about you?

For years now, we have chosen either Homeaway, Airbnb or VRBO for accommodations, and we have never, ever had a bad experience. You get so much more for your money. For the place you’ll see below, we paid less than we would pay for a reasonably-priced tiny hotel room. 

We just got back from Europe a few weeks ago, and I want to share with you what your money will do for you on one of these websites!

Check out this villa…it was about $150 per night. You aren’t going to believe it. You will see some of the people we were with, but I’m not in the video since I was shooting it.

I’m not exactly sure why the “cover” photo on the video is of the bidet…

Usually the photos you see on apartment listings are a bit better than the “real life” stay. But with this place? This photos didn’t come close to doing it justice. When we walked in, we thought we were being punked. I mean, really, a huge Italian Villa overlooking the Bay of Naples on the Amalfi Coast with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, FIVE sitting rooms, huge kitchen, several balconies, etc. for $150? No way. 

There are a few things you need to be aware of when booking accommodations with one of these sites:

1. Only book listings that have several reviews. No reviews…stay away!

2. Make sure that it has the amenities that you want/need. For us, we require Wifi, air conditioning if in a warm month, and an elevator if it’s above the 2nd floor. Will you have a car? Does it have parking? Is there a fee? Do you need a washer/dryer? 

3. Make sure if it says “one bedroom” that they don’t actually mean that it’s a studio with a futon. In Paris, you’ll see “one bedroom” a lot when it’s actually a studio. 

I can’t stress enough that traveling this way not only saves you money, but gives you incredible places to stay and people to meet. Just this past December, we rented a brownstone in Harlem, New York. The owners lived in the top four floors and our apartment was on the bottom. It just happened to be over Hanukkuh, and they invited us for a Hanukkuh dinner. It was fabulous. Although we aren’t Jewish, it was wonderful to get a glimpse into their beliefs and culture. 

So how about it? You ready to give it try? Maybe rent that Italian villa up there? Where will you go???

Getting your suitcase together is often the hardest part of traveling abroad. The overwhelming need to prepare for every contingency has travelers filling up every inch of luggage with stuff. Preparing your packing list doesn’t need to be a hassle, though. Traveling in style is easier than ever before with travel tools like these.

Travel Pillows

Image via Flickr by theglobalpanorama

Overseas travel means long flights, and any pillows that the airline provides will be less than comfortable in comparison to your personal stock. Bringing along a high-quality ergonomic travel pillow makes plane and train rides more bearable. Travel pillows also ensure that you have a comfortable sleeping surface if your accommodations prove to have pillows that are less than ideal.

Wallet Ninja

It’s difficult to fit an entire toolkit into an overnight bag, and many airlines have banned passengers from packing the classic Swiss Army knife. The Wallet Ninja looks to solve that dilemma with an elegant solution. This flat multi-tool is the size of a credit card and boasts surfaces that perform an astounding list of functions. The Wallet Ninja is a smartphone stand, a screwdriver, a box and letter opener, a can opener, a ruler, and so much more.

Shake Bag

Shopping trips in overseas markets are fun, but they can also be stressful if you arrive underprepared. The cheap plastic and paper bags that most shops provide can’t hold up under the pressure of all-day use, and most disintegrate before you return to your hotel. This becomes especially problematic if you’re spending a day lounging on the beach, an environment where you’re sure to get all over your newest purchases.

To keep your purchases clean and secure, invest in a Shake Bag. This sturdy tote bag can stand up to the abuse of the day, and thanks to a bottom flap and mesh lining, it’s ideally suited to keeping sand and grit out of your stuff.

Quality Smartphone

Smartphones are perhaps the most essential piece of technology, especially when you’re on the road. A mobile device and access to communication tools across a wide spectrum are a potent combination, whatever the brand on the phone. When you’re traveling overseas, you need both a reliable device and a fast network, like the Galaxy S7 Edge with T-Mobile’s international data plan.

With this combination, you’ll get both a smartphone that will make your trip less stressful and a network that keeps you connected almost anywhere. T-Mobile’s international data plan is ideally suited for travel, especially when you’re going overseas. The carrier’s robust international network means that you can stay in touch wherever you roam, and the unlimited international plan prevents you from racking up costly overages.

Travel Apps

Although your smartphone itself is a vital travel tool, it’s only as helpful as the apps you’ve installed on it. With the right programs, your smartphone can serve not only as a communication hub, but also as a map, a guide to shops and restaurants, a payment method, and a means of booking flights and hotel reservations. Add big-name apps like Uber and Airbnb, but don’t forget to search around for other lesser-known apps that will make your next trip a breeze.

Cord Winders

Many of the devices that you travel with come with a hazard of their own: cord loss. It’s all too easy to forget your laptop power supply or a smartphone charger when packing up your room at the end of a stay. The tangling that results when you throw a pile of cables into a suitcase can also be a hassle to unwind. Cord winders solve this problem by providing retractable lengths of cable on a spool. To tidy up the cables, simply press a button to pull in the excess length. Just make sure you have the right adapters for the local power grid.

While you can’t prepare for every contingency, you can certainly prepare for the most common events if you take the time to plan out your luggage. Find clever, multi-use items like these, and you’ll ensure a better traveling experience.

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So you’re probably at the point where the kids are back in school after Christmas, and you aren’t even thinking yet about summer vacation! Have you considered a trip to Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida?

We just took a trip there this past Christmas, and we were simply delighted by all of the beautiful (and fun!) Christmas decorations that are abundant in both parks! This just threw us headfirst into the Christmas Spirit!

We actually visited Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure all in one day, plus took in the Blue Man Group at the end of the day. Whew! It was tiring, but oh-so-fun! There’s also Universal CityWalk, which is right in front of the parks and offer some of the hottest and most popular restaurants and shops around.

The rides are based on hit movies and television shows. Some are thrill rides and some are more ‘kid-friendly’. But all are loads of fun. There were many times throughout the day when you felt as though YOU were the star! We loved the Despicable Me show and the Shrek 3D show was super!

Did you know that Universal Studios actually has a movie production studio inside? After all, that’s how it all originally started. And they do film movies and shows there. In fact, just by virtue of you being in the park, you are agreeing to be an extra and maybe on film in one of their movies! Now THAT is cool!

We had an express pass that allowed us to skip most of the lines, and I have to tell you, it is worth every penny! You have to remember, Florida (even in December) is hot! Waiting in line is no fun when the temps are moderate, but pretty miserable when it’s hot. It was in the high 80’s when we were there and with all of the pavement, HOT! But our express pass gave us access to (in most cases) walk right in to a ride or attraction. And when you have little kids, it’s worth it just to cut down on the whining that you might hear otherwise. We are very blessed that our little guy is very patient and waits in line like a champ, but I have to say, it was pure bliss to bypass the long lines!

We were also impressed to see many child swap areas. If you have kids that are too small to go on a ride, or they simply don’t want to, one adult can wait with the kids in (usually) a nice cool room while the other rides, then you switch out. Plus this gives the kids a little bit of rest time, too.

When is the best time to go? Probably around September after school starts. Expect it to pick back up around the holidays. But again, just because it’s September, don’t expect cool temperatures. Bring and apply sunscreen!

In this photo, our little guy looks wet…yeah, he is. We had just gotten off a raft ride that soaked us all to the bone. Really. But you know what? The cold water felt kinda good on that hot day! And speaking of cooling down, we loved that there were so many water elements and misters throughout the park. Nothing cools you off better and makes for happy smiles from the kids!

So, moving on. In our house, we love the Grinch. Not sure why…maybe his overall grouchiness and grumpiness resonates with us. Or maybe we just love the fact that we realize that he ultimately figures out what Christmas is all about (after he steals the gifts, eats the roastbeast and generally terrorizes Whoville, including cute little Cindy-Lou Who). We love the Grinch so much that we actually have a life-sized (if you’re only 5 feet tall…like me) animatronic Grinch that comes out at Christmas. He turns his head and sings, too. When our little guy was real small, the Grinch used to scare him to death, especially since I would move it from one place to the next, so he’d never know when he rounded a corner if the Grinch would be standing there staring at him. Poor thing. Now he loves Grinch, too! And he was thrilled to visit the Grinch in person at Grinchmas! There are several character meet and greets that occur throughout the park.  There’s a schedule inside the park maps.  The meet and greets can change depending on when you’re there, but usually you’ll find SpongeBob Squarepants, Shrek and Donkey, Star Toons (Including Woody Woodpecker, Shaggy and Scooby and others), Madagascar Characters, and Hollywood Characters, including classics like Marilyn Monroe. Each of the characters will also sign autographs.

Some extra tips that I love:

1. If you’re going to eat at least two meals inside the park, consider purchasing a meal plan. This will absolutely save you some money (as long as you were planning on two meals!) and you’ll have a huge selection of restaurants and food choices. This is not just simple hamburger and hot dog fare – you can get everything from fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, Cornish pasties, turkey legs and fresh vegetables to fresh seafood, pasta and salads. And you absolutely must try the ButterBeer (available in the Harry Potter area). This non-alcoholic beverage comes frozen or not, and is just like having dessert in a cup. It is soooo good!

2. Don’t fret if you forgot to bring something for the baby. You’ll be able to purchase diapers, wipes and all sorts of baby items.

3. Worried about the kids getting too wet? Towels are available for purchase, or take advantage of the ‘full body dryer’. Or consider taking your own ponchos and hand towels.

4. Bargain? Buy the refillable pop corn tub. It’s around $5.50 or so, and you get refills all day for only $.99. Well worth it for a snack! And water is free. They will fill your water bottle for you if you ask.

At the end of the day, we still had some super fun to look forward to…the Blue Man Group show! It’s right at CityWalk and this is a must see show. It’s almost impossible to describe – I will just say that you’ll see things that are indescribably cool!

Sorry this picture is poor quality – the light was low in there, but our little guy was still amazed and impressed!

Fast forward to later that evening, back in the condo. We were all spent. But in a good way, you know? So our little guy was kind of wrapped up in a Christmas movie and asked if he could stay up to watch it. Hey…it’s vacation…I’ll let him stay up. So I told him he could stay up, but to make sure to turn the TV off when the movie was over and go to bed. He’s usually very responsible for a six year old. The next morning when I got up and went into the living room area…this is what I saw. Yep…that’s where he slept. All night.

For the last several weeks, everything in our house has been about Knights in Shining Armor, jousting and the like. When the boys found out that we were going to Medieval Times, they watched a few videos and got super excited!

The entire evening was a rousing success.

When you approach the castle, you enter and are immediately checked in. You’ll then have time to take a look in the gift shop or have a beverage while you’re waiting to enter the arena. You can also have a photo taken with the princess or the king. Each guest is assigned a Knight to cheer on. Ours was the Black and White knight. You are allowed to enter the arena as you are called by color. The process goes smoothly and quickly.

Guests sit in bleacher style seating with long tables in front of them. (Tip: go to the bathroom before the show starts – it could be hard to get out if you’re in the center of a row…plus you don’t want to miss one exciting minute of the action!).

You will have a dedicated server and you’ll eat everything with your hands! The boys thought this was too cool. Our menu consisted of:

Tomato bisque
Roasted chicken (an entire half a chicken!)
Freshly baked bread
Herb crusted roast potato
Sweet corn on the cob
Lemon pound cake
Unlimited soft drinks

As soon as the food is being served, the show begins. There are knights and kings and princesses and horses! The show starts with beautiful pageantry and the introduction of the knights, to which there is wild roaring and cheering throughout the arena. The knights participate in contests both on and off their horses, and our boys were simply entranced. There’s even a bad guy.

Finally, the winning knight fights the bad guy to the death. But don’t worry – it’s not gory or scary. Our knight, the Black and White Knight, won the day and the boys cheered until they were hoarse.

After the show we toured the castle grounds and the medieval village displays. We homeschool, so this was a perfect time for some education.

All in all we had a wonderful time and we can’t wait to go back. If you’d like to visit, you can check out this link to find a location near you.

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There is no better way to discover a city, neighborhood or culture than by the food! And taking a food tour is one of our musts when we travel. We learn about history, culture, taste fabulous food and drinks, meet friends and find those hidden, off the beaten path places that you wouldn’t find on your own.

This one is in Prague, (Taste of Prague) and it’s one of the best days we had. We have enjoyed this particular food tour so much that we have taken it three years in a row and sent several friends and family members.

Meet Jan, our tour guide. Born and raised in Prague, he is a self proclaimed foodie and has a passion for sharing Prague’s food culture with visitors, who end up being friends.

We would be hard-pressed to say which part of the tour was our favorite – but we will say that it’s one of the best tours that we have ever experienced. We are thrilled that we got to know Jan and we would highly recommend you take this tour at the beginning of your Prague visit, because Jan is a great resource, and you’ll likely want to visit some of these restaurants again before you leave. Can’t wait to come back to Prague and do this one all over again!

Visit their website here, and tell him we sent you!

One of the very first things that we do when visiting a city either here in the USA or abroad, is to take a food tour (or two!). We have found that we learn so much about the culture of the city, and really, the food is simply a vehicle to share a story.

The very first time we took a tour with Secret Food Tours, it was in Paris. It was incredible. So incredible, in fact, that we took the very same tour back in May, one year later. So when we were invited to take Secret Food Tours’ tour of San Francisco’s Mission District, we were excited. We knew that the food would be good and the tour would be a ton of fun. And we were right!

What makes it secret? There’s always one secret stop and secret food that you don’t know about in advance. You can search their website, but you won’t find it, and I’m not telling. But I will tell you this – the secret food on both the San Francisco and the Paris tour was fabulous!

The groups with Secret Food Tours are small – so you get personalized attention and really get to know and interact with your guide.

From the very beginning, it felt just as if our guide, Charlotte, was a good friend. Her passion for sharing the Mission District was obvious, and the food was superb. You need to make sure that you come hungry – we skipped breakfast for this very reason.  These are not tiny little bites – you will NOT go away hungry!

We started with a brief description of the Mission District, then joined the line waiting to get into La Taqueria. We didn’t have to wait in line for a table – we just had to wait until they opened the doors. Inside, we enjoyed a delicious burrito (best we’ve ever had) with a glass of red wine. You wouldn’t think that red wine and burritos go together, but I’m here to tell you, it worked! And got all five tour guests in a great mood for the rest of the tour! Charlotte gave us some inside info about what’s special about this burrito, and what’s special about the owners.

As you can see, you get a lot more than just food. You meet great people, see really cool features in the city, and create a wonderful memory.

The meeting point was easy to find, but keep in mind that parking can be a challenge, so give yourself time. You will not end up at the same place you started, and there is a lot of walking involved, so if you have a hard time with that, bear it in mind. There are plenty of stops, though, so it wasn’t tiring, but when we were done, we were ready for a nap! Charlotte gave us some great info about the area and was simply delightful to spend time with. We would absolutely do this tour again and will recommend it highly to our friends. Thanks for a great time, Charlotte!

Secret Food Tours has several tours in Europe, one in South America and now several here the the United States.

You can book your tour here, and use promo code SFT10 for a 10% discount! Go visit their page on Facebook for some fantastic photos, and connect with them on Twitter here.

 Now…where will we go next???