How Do You Do It?

by tressastraveltips, posted in budget travel

I am asked this question quite regularly.  A question imposed by the curious and caring when they hear about my last, or next trip.

Yes, I live in the real world, with bills, car insurance, kids to feed, utilities, etc. I make the travel thing happen, almost by chance.  That may sound contradictory, but it is true. I make it happen by being flexible, considering the many variables that are in play, such as school breaks, costs, public transport at the destination and how much time is allotted. It is by chance because I am flexible to destinations, time of year and accommodations.

Be Flexible

Sounds generic?  It is not in this case.  Back to the “How do you do it?”  I don’t do it by having expectations and wanting the airlines, hotels or attractions to meet my schedule.

If you are dead set on visiting London in the summer, good luck.  If, however, you are willing to forego the summer vacation in London and will consider a fall vacation in Italy, you may be in luck.   Here is an example: Airfare from Chicago to London in the summer is around $1200 roundtrip.  The fall of 2016 I took my daughter to Northern Italy, we flew into Bologna, trained it to Milan, took the train to Lucern, Switzerland and then took the train to Geneva, Switzerland.  We flew out of Geneva, our airfare to/from Chicago was $730 roundtrip per person. You may also need to be willing to travel in / out of airports that are not your home airport.  I live 3 hours from O’hare.  The drive is not fun, especially coming off of an international flight, the tolls are ridiculous, (without an Illinois Toll Road Pass/Ipass).  I have to pay for parking (I would at my home airport too). However, I save $200-$400 per ticket traveling out of Chicago.  Of course this depends on the type of travel.

Southwest Airlines (www.southwest.com), for example, recently started non stop flights from my home airport to New Yorks, La Guardia airport.  I was able to land a roundtrip, non stop flight for $143.  I have heard of others getting flights to Washington D. C. for $50 each way.

If you insist on having pre assigned seats, however, the low fare carriers, Frontier, Southwest and Allegant, to name a few will be out of your market.  Flexibility is the only way to fly from Indianapolis to Atlanta for $19 each way, but probably not on a weekend.

Many international carriers are, unfortunately, providing a base fare and you pay for everything a la carte.  I recently noticed Air France’s pay in advance for your meal option. On the one hand it probably saves a great deal of food waste.  On the other hand, it feels substandard by an airline that has had a reputation for taking good care of their passengers. http://www.airfrance.us/US/en/common/resainfovol/achat/menu_a_la_carte.htm

Stay tuned for tips on how to choose a place to sleep and learn the culture of where you visit.

The Hilton Budapest is a juxtaposition of ancient and modern

Istanbul, 2015

by tressastraveltips, posted in Istanbul

I have always been a traveler.  It started with a book about airplanes, continued with my 4th grade teacher guiding us through Egypt, Japan, Holland and Alaska.  When I was 15 I went on a 10 week summer missions trip to Mexico with Teen Missions. While working as a gate/ticket agent for American Airlines I used my travel benefits and visited some 20 countries.

In January of 2015 my then 11 year old son frequent asked me to take him to Nate Robinson’s chicken and waffle restaurant in Seattle, WA.  After checking the airfare from our home airport and accommodations in Seattle and finding that it would cost nearly $500 per person just to get there my brain went into adventure mode.  Where else can we go for $500.  I found out that Turkish Airlines had a special to Istanbul.  I had never been to Istanbul.  I must go to Turkey.  That was the beginning of what has become a year and a half of “where to next”?  I quickly learned that Turkish Airlines is Europe’s number airline.  Indeed, with Turkish delight served to EVERY passenger prior to take off, every passenger receives a “care package”, or amenity kit with lip balm, an eye cover, socks, slippers, ear phones, tooth paste and a tooth brush.  This type of service is unheard of in coach on any American carrier these days.

Istanbul was amazing.  The rich history, the beautiful Bosphorous, the great and easy transportation, hospitality that truly made us feel like we belonged.  I found Istanbul to be affordable and easy to walk around in.  I live for the “you can only do that here” type of experiences.  Taking the train from Europe to Asia for lunch was one such,” this is so cool” moment.

If you have an opportunity to visit Istanbul, here are some travel tips.

  1. Where to stay: there are the typical chain hotels, the Hyatt, The Marriott and The Sheraton.  If you want to save a little cash and experience true Turkish ambiance, stay with my friends at the Hanriye Hanim Konagi hotel.  If you book 3 or more nights they will pick you up at the airport. The rooms are lavish with marble and ultra comfortable.  They often offer Turkish tea or coffee upon arrival.  The breakfast room overlooks the Bosphorous and as the sun rises and the ships begin coming into port the view steps back in time. Breakfast includes fresh fruit, breads, jams, cheeses, sausage and eggs.     http://www.hhkhotel.com -Please tell them I sent you
  2. Most likely you will need a visa. US citizens need a visa and it costs $30 USD.
  3. There is a train right from the airport into the city.  Depending on where your budget, you may find it helpful to take the subway into the city.  It is about $2USD per person.
  4. The Grand Bazaar is a tourist trap.  Buses stop there and send the tourists in for their wares.  If you are not on a tour bus, walk through it, but buy your souvenirs outside the Grand Bazaar.
  5. Turkish is the language.  People are ultra friendly and will help you as much as they can, but do not expect there to be English signs, menus, etc everywhere.  This is the adventure of international travel .  The hotel, restaurant and shop staff are really easy going, they will do their best to communicate, even with the language barrier.  I found the police to double as tourist guides and were great when I asked for directions, one even handed me a map.
  6. You will hear the call to prayer throughout the day.  It is a bit loud, it is also part of the culture and it is rather enlightening to see the many parishioners on their way to pray.
  7. Istanbul is an open city.  In other words, you are not required to dress in a particular way.  You will see women in full Muslim attire, just as you may see nuns in full habit in Rome.  You will also see women dressed casually in trousers or long skirts.  As a visitor they respect your choice of attire as well.
  8. This is IMPORTANT!  Get a Turkish Bath!
  9. he Istanbul airport was the tightest, most secure airport I have ever been in.  Everyone and their luggage go through security prior to entering the actual airport.  There have been recent attacks in Istanbul, but they were outside the airport. When visiting the city, be alert, do not panic and try to visit tourist areas, such as palaces during low visiting times, midweek, for example.