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Is there such a thing as cheap travel these days?

That depends on how you travel. Check out these tips to see if any help you save a few dollars on your next trip.

Did you know there is a 24 hour booking window for flights? Let’s say you’ve booked a flight and you come across a cheaper one in a couple of hours. Make use of the 24 hour window and cancel the first one.

That window gets larger when booking rental cars and hotels. Most rental cars are totally refundable up to the day of picking up the car. It would be a good idea to check their policy when booking.

As for hotels, ask what their refund policy is when you book the hotel. Some sites will tell you what their policy is…but always ask when booking directly through the hotel.

Want cheaper fares, rooms, etc.? Travel in off peak or shoulder season. If summer is the busiest, most traveled time…think about going in spring, fall, or winter.

Walk. Get an idea of where you want to go, have a map or an app, or just set out to wander the city. Walking is cheaper than taxis and public transportation.

Think about renting an apartment or vacation home instead of staying in hotels. Many times the price is a whole lot cheaper. You can also eat some meals in…stop and get pastries and fruit to have with your coffee for breakfast. Most times you can do laundry in the apartment, which means you can travel lighter. Ask if they have any specials or perks when renting. The vacation home we rented in Monterey comes with passes to the aquarium, saving us some money.

Did you ever think how the custom of raising your glass and toasting another person came about? Or do you just hold up your glass and say ‘cheers’ or ‘salute’ or some other phrase or word?

Here are some things, some etiquette, and some strange facts I read from a couple of other posts…

Toasting apparently came from the Latin word tostus, which means parched or roasted. The Roman custom was to throw a piece of charred and spiced bread into the vessel of wine to improve the taste of the wine. Hmmm…

At a party, the host or hostess is supposed to be the first one to toast the guest of honor. If, of course, there is a guest of honor.

If you are the guest of honor, you aren’t supposed to drink to yourself.

When you toast another person, always look them in the eye. Otherwise you might gain seven years of bad luck.

Since I’m of Norwegian heritage I thought maybe I’d learn why the Scandinavians say skol when toasting. Apparently, it comes from the word for skull. And, at one time that was a popular drinking vessel. Yuk…

The Greeks would have the host drink from the communal pitcher first to show it was good wine.

Clinking glasses means scaring away evil spirits, according to some legends. Others say it is to offer a personal touch.

Use the best wine for toasting…when everyone still can taste the quality.

Cheers!

If you’re traveling to Paris and want to visit the newly reopened Musee Picasso Paris, be prepared to wait at least an hour to get in.

Don’t want to wait that long…yet you really want to see it? Think about becoming a member online ahead of time. It’s more expensive. The daily admission is only $12 USD and the membership is $34 USD. But, if time is important to you or if you only have a few days and don’t want to spend precious time in line, it might be worth it. You won’t have to stand in the queue. Since your membership is good for a year, you can always go back and visit again.

Pack for the worst case scenario? Pack in case the weather turns bad? What if you run out of clothes? What if you need all your gadgets?

With a little pre-planning, this doesn’t have to be you. Check the weather report and look at weather on the Internet before you pack. Sure, it doesn’t hurt to throw in an umbrella if rain might happen in May in Paris. Or, you could buy one on the street. If the weather forecast for Rome in June is high 80s…you could probably only pack one long sleeved shirt or light jacket. No need to have two sweatshirts, a long sleeved fleece, and a jacket.

What if you get somewhere and you find you really do need something you left at home? There’s a good chance you can find a shop and buy whatever it is you need.

Laundry issues? Pack a small bag of laundry soap or use your hair shampoo and wash out some clothes in the hotel sink. Or, check before you rent a vacation home or apartment to see if there is a washer. Pack clothes that wash and dry easily.

As for gadgets, we are all addicted to our favorite ones. They can be useful when traveling. Check the website of the hotel or vacation home to see what they have included. You may not need to bring your hair dryer, chargers, adapters, or converters.

Do any of these sound like you?

I must plan for the worst case scenario.

I must take all types of clothes in case the weather changes.

I must take plenty of clothes in case things get dirty.

I must take all my gadgets.

I don’t have time to plan, so I must take everything.

If you answered YES to any of these…read the next post to see what you can do.

You may have heard from me on this blog or from another travel site about drinking water in countries where you wonder if it’s safe.

If so, you already know that if you have any concern…it’s best not to drink it. Therefore, it’s also best not to have ice cubes in your drinks or eat foods that are soaked in water. Keep your mouth closed when you shower and use bottled water when you brush your teeth. Have trouble keeping your mouth closed when you shower? Try this trick…

Cover your lips with lip balm before you shower. This will help repel water from your lips. Put some mouthwash in your mouth before you shower. The alcohol in the mouthwash will help counteract any water that accidentally makes it past your lips. No mouthwash? Try a sip of tequila!

When you’re approaching the security line at the airport are you all prepared with your ID and boarding pass ready, your shoes easy to remove, the bag with any liquids handy, your computer case unzipped and ready to place in a separate bin, and your jacket already removed?

Or, do you fumble around with everything at the last minute?

Recently, I watched a couple in the line next to me create a mess for security and the people in line behind them. I’m not sure if they don’t travel much or what…but it was painful to watch. And, I can’t even imagine being behind someone like that. It’s so much easier for everyone, including yourself, if you do a little pre-planning and getting ready. Security is the same at all airports.

Thank goodness I only had to watch from a distance! Since I am a member of the trusted traveler program, I go through the TSA Pre line where everything is easier. That works for me.

Do you frequent the bars, coffee shops, or restaurants recommended by a guide book? Or, do you seek out the places where the locals go for their morning coffee?

If you’re in a local spot, ask questions. Where is the best place for lunch? Do they have any tips for visiting an interesting part of the city?

Who knows…you may find things you didn’t know existed.

Do you have a travel bag with essentials packed and ready to go? If you travel very much, it’s a good idea.

While I use a packing list, I also have my essentials already in a bag and ready to throw in my suitcase. I refill any containers that may be getting empty after I get home from the last trip.