Shereen Travels Cheap UK Edition

Self-Catering Holidays

2012-09-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

When I travel to London, one of my “musts” is an apartment or a hotel with a kitchen. The city is one of the most expensive in the world and the easiest way to save is by cooking some of our own meals. We always eat in for breakfast, because a bagel or cereal will keep us full until lunchtime and will also save us £30 or more. We can eat while getting ready and not have to get up earlier in order to rush out the door to grab food and get on with sightseeing. It can be hard to find affordable apartments or hotels with useful amenities, but Robert and Polly Arnold have gathered them all in one website for you. They are native Londoners and know the city inside and out.

Using their extensive knowledge of London and its sights and attractions, the Arnolds have conveniently located accommodations for any traveler, whether you are a solo traveler, business traveler or bring your whole family. The personally inspect and choose the lodgings that they offer for rent, which gives you peace of mind when booking.

Jump online and choose from the long list of suitable London apartments. Not only will they keep you in the middle of the action, but you can find one that will also be far enough away from the action that you won’t be kept up all night by revelers. Postings have all the relevant information you need to choose the best apartment for you: plenty of photos to show you what the units look like, amenities of each room, what there is see and do nearby, the closest transportation stops and the overall features of the hotel. If you have a specific part of London you want to stay in, you can sort by neighborhood, too!

Apartment-Hotels has a separate section for corporate travelers. Need to find things to do when you aren’t working? They have that covered. Need a longer rental? No problem. Robert or Polly will help you choose the best London apartment for you by going with you on viewing appointments. Who else gives you that kind of personal service?

I’ll be traveling back to London next fall and you can bet I’ll be staying in an apartment again, just like I did before. Our first day always finds us at the local Sainsbury, gathering supplies for breakfast, snacks to take with us and even some dinner staples. It makes travel so much more affordable and gives us a reason to enjoy our room more often. It’s the perfect choice for the budget traveler and gives you an excuse to buy interesting new food items that you don’t have where you live.

Are you looking to travel to London? If so, have you decided to rent an apartment for your stay?

A Library in Your Travel Bag

2012-09-12T08:00:00.002-07:00

Nobody likes to be bored when they travel. No matter where I go, I bring along some form of entertainment, whether it’s reading material, a game or a puzzle book. Sitting on the airplane, train or in the car, you can’t always pass the time sleeping or shooting the breeze with your fellow companions. Also, sometimes you just want some time to yourself. In anticipation of the Shereen Travels Cheap book coming out in the next week, I’ve been thinking more and more about ebook readers and what great travel companions they make. While I LOVE a good book, I also love saving space in my luggage. Before Kindle came along, I always took up too much room in my packing with physical books. With one book that I was in the middle of and another as backup for when I finished in the middle of my vacation.

Are you a lover or books and reading? If so, this may still be your problem. While you can leave books in many hotel lobbies for other avid trip readers, books still take up room in your bags. Whether they are travel books, reference books, novels, journals or text books. Now, I carry 80% of the books I own with me, as well as blogs and newspapers I read often. I take notes on my device, too. The space I save by owning a Kindle is invaluable, because I have a wealth of information at my disposal, infinite reading material as well as Internet access, should I need it.

You rarely see me go anywhere without my Kindle and anytime anyone asks me about it, I am singing its praises. I love, love, love my Kindle, though I know it’s not the right ebook reader for everyone. There are new and improved models, but you can also choose from Nook, the Sony ereader and numerous others. There is certainly one for everyone now. While they may get smaller, the font size is always adjustable. Great for your little sister or your grandma!

Ebook readers can be super useful, as many have Wi-Fi now and can be used as tablets on-the-go. Plus, if you own an iPad, you already have a book reader. With free reading apps, they do double duty. Take pictures, write notes, check email, pay bills, Skype with friends and family, update your blog and read all the books you want. In the same space of a regular size novel, you can take every book you own (or at least the ones you downloaded). Kindle books run cheaper than actual books and you save paper and space at home and on the road. You can find most books for around $9.99, though some are more if they are new releases and many are cheaper to entice you more. In fact, there are many free and $.99 books for download and this is true on other services that are not on Amazon. Order with the credit card you have on file and get it wirelessly in under a minute. Lend books to friends, upload your own books and even listen to audio books or MP3s.

Here I am enjoying my own Kindle.

I prefer my Kindle with the 3G, because I don’t have to find a Wi-Fi connection to download a new book. As long as there is cell service, I can read something new. If you spend a lot of time in coffee shops and other places that are Wi-Fi hotspots, then you may wish to save money on your ereader and get one that has Wi-Fi only. As long as you aren’t continually using the wireless function, your battery will last much longer than you would have thought. When I’m not on vacation, I read on my lunch break at work. I have been able to read for 8+ hours on one battery charge, which is more than I can say for the battery life of any other electronic device I own. So, whether you’re on a 2 hour plane ride or a 15 hour train trip, your ereader can make the journey with you without needing recharging for a long time, making it one of the best travel companions you could own.

Vegetarian Traveling

2012-09-10T08:00:00.001-07:00

Being a traveler on a specific diet can be difficult, but you can always make it work by going to destinations that are more accepting to your needs. Everyone knows that the U.S. is fairly easy to travel in when you are a vegetarian, but are you looking for somewhere "exotic" to travel that is vegan- and eco-friendly? Here’s a list of international destinations for you:

Bahamas – Nassau is very popular, but affordable. For a less touristy location, check out Exuma Cays. Perfect for snorkeling and diving and avoiding hoards of people.
Belize – Beautiful and lush, you will find many eco-lodges here and locally grown produce everywhere you go.
Berlin, Germany – Berlin has become a mecca for so many things. Not only is it becoming the hot new vacation destination for families, but now for vegans, too! VegNews recommends visiting Vöner, Chipps, and Lucky Leek.
British Columbia – The Pacific Northwest is chock full of vegan dining spots and BC is no exception. VegNews recommends visiting Gorilla Food,Edible Flours, and Grub.
Costa Rica – South America has so many amazing fruits and veggies that grow on the land that you almost can’t avoid eating some vegetarian meals.
Ecuador/Galapagos – Another South American treasure. Try those yummy potato balls and other delicious produce that they grow everywhere while you’re observing the colorful wildlife.
Greece – The economy is in ruins – just like many of the tourist attractions, ha! – so your dollar will go pretty far. Make sure you carry plenty of small bills, since if you pay in larger bills, you may not enough change back and could end up paying twice as much.
India – Did you know that about a third of the country is vegetarian? Now you do! Make sure you ask about ghee, creams and cheeses in dishes before ordering.
Kenya – Even though you’re surrounded by wildlife, it’s still easy to find eco-lodges that specialize in vegetarian food. It would be hard to go on safari if you ate all the animals!
London – Hotel rates are slipping and it’s always more convenient to explain your food preferences when people speak your language. VegNews recommends visiting Saf, Inspiral, and Manna Cuisine.
Thailand – Like India, Thailand is super easy to find non-meat cuisine.
Vietnam – Pack your lightest clothes, because it is hot and humid here. The economy lends itself to a meat-free diet, so you won’t have any problem finding a place to dine here.

Do you have a favorite vegan food destination that you’ve found on your travels?

Air New Zealand Infographic and Giveaway

2012-09-07T08:00:00.001-07:00

Air New Zealand is celebrating 30 years of flying from London to New Zealand via Los Angeles. Check out this fun infographic and then enter their giveaway to win a trip for two to London from Los Angeles.

Sailing on the Cheap

2012-09-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

Going on a cruise can be downright expensive, but here are some tips to make it more affordable for you:

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Sail on big ships. The bigger the ship, the more cabins to fill and the more deals to be found. Think of it as Las Vegas on the ocean. Those huge hotels have so many rooms to fill that even with some of them going for half price the regular rate, they are still making a ton of money...at least much more than they would make if those rooms were empty.
Turn to Cruise Critic if you have ANY kind of questions about cruising or ships. They tell you everything from how to pick the right cabin for you to what kind of entertainment you'll look forward to on each ship. I love reading all the cruiser reviews of the ship I'll be sailing on and what they thought was good and not so good, plus what they thought of the excursions that were offered. Sadly, I also found more information on my ship here than I did on the actual cruiseline's website.

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Get the most out of your cruise, by not spending the whole time laying around by the pool. Your rate is mostly-inclusive, so the more you do, the further your money goes. See the shows, play mini-golf, go to the clubs and use the workout room. If it's included, try it out. You need to work off your buffet meals somehow. Besides, you went on vacation to see and do new things...and you can sit at home for free!
Did you know that cabins located on different decks on cruise ships have different prices even though the room is exactly the same? You could save hundreds of pounds by just moving up or down a "floor"! Make sure you price compare cabins before making your final decision.
Cruise in the off-season instead of peak times. There may be fewer choices of cruises to your desired destination, but there will also be fewer travelers, which means lower prices and less crowded ships. You might also be able to get some extra perks by booking when the cruise companies are not as busy and really want to fill cabins. Everyone likes freebies, like spa credits and drink coupons.

What are some of your tips for cruising on the cheap?

Get a Job Teaching in the UK to Travel in Europe

2012-09-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

Traveling is almost never cheap, even when you don’t stray far from home. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to travel for extended periods of time and still be able to pay your bills? You can enjoy sightseeing and meeting new people and trying local foods and know that that your credit cards and cable will be taken care of while you’re gone. No, it’s not some new insurance plan, but a great website called TeacherHit.com that helps you find teaching jobs in Europe in order to travel and make money at the same time!

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I know I would love to get paid to travel and, essentially, that is how it works. You apply for jobs teaching English (and sometimes other subjects) in foreign countries. If hired, you will teach immersion classes like ESL for locals that want to learn English, so they can travel to the UK and North America or even be able to use it for business deals and more. English is a widely spoken language and can be very beneficial for people everywhere to know how to speak it.

Can I teach in my own country?

If you don’t feel comfortable just moving off to a foreign country to teach a language students don’t understand, that’s okay. You can get a job in the UK to get your feet wet first. Once you have more experience, you can apply for jobs all over Europe, including France, Germany, Italy and Turkey. Many jobs require you to have your teaching certificate (i.e TEFL, ESL or TESOL) but many don’t. They only ask that you have great communication skills, are reliable and have a flexible schedule.

ESL classes are usually held in the evening hours or on weekends, which means you have plenty of time to go out during the day to see your destination city. Not only that, but your students will gain just as much knowledge from you as you do them. There’s no better way to learn a new language than by totally immersing yourself in a different culture. In no time you’ll be learning new words and phrases, too!

Choose your own destination!

Have you been dying to learn Russian or German? Then apply for jobs that you could qualify for in those countries. If you already have teaching experience, great! You’ll have a lot more listings to choose from. If you don’t, you will still find plenty to send your resume/CV to. Spend your free time exploring Red Square and the rest of Moscow with money you earned teaching your native language to others hoping to learn it. You’ll benefit twice, because you’ll have the luxury of travel and learning how to speak a new language from those that have spoken it their whole life. They benefit the same. No one knows how to pronounce words and create sentences better than someone who is native to the country of the language spoken.

TeacherHit allows you to upload your resume or CV to your profile to let employers find YOU! If you want to actively search the open jobs, you can do so with no ads or annoying pop-ups and you can even be notified of new jobs by email. If you find a job posting that wouldn’t be a fit for you, but could be for a friend, you can easily share listings on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or by email. They have made it super simple to use and I highly recommend using TeacherHit to find teaching jobs in the UK and Europe, especially if you have a love of travel and want to meet, interact with and learn from foreigners. It’s definitely one of the best ways to gain life experience and job experience at the same time and a have fun doing it!

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post brought to you by TeacherHit.com. If you’re interested in teaching abroad to travel also find them on Twitter and Google+.

Be Your Own Tour Guide

2012-08-27T08:00:00.001-07:00

One of the best ways to see a city is by walking around it, but walking tours can be spendy. You can still take a guided tour without having to book a tour or go with a bunch of strangers. With Stray Boots, you can take tours in the UK or US at your own pace and when you can fit it into your schedule. You don’t need to be on someone else’s time. Not only do you learn interesting things about the city you’re visiting, but it combines education and history with a cool scavenger hunt feel. You play your tour by cell phone text messages. You don’t need a fancy smartphone either.

Right now, you can play in Covent Garden, City of London, Westminster and Oxford. Soon, you will also be able to tour Windsor, Edinburgh and a lot more destinations. Through clues and fun facts, you can see the city from a unique perspective. This is the perfect way to go on a tour without all the structure and it’s great for kids and adults alike. Each tour can last two to three hours, even more if you choose to spend more time at any of the stops along the way.

This photo of Covent Garden is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Want your children to get a fun educational experience while you’re on vacation, then you’ll definitely all think Stray Boots’ treasure hunt walking tours are awesome. Put your heads together to come up with answers to questions texted to you and earn points that you can redeem for more fun facts! It doesn’t matter if there are two or ten of you, you can all work on one phone and even switch phones to make someone else “captain”. Each tour is just £12 per person and £6 for kids, though I’m not sure how they regulate how many are in your team.

This photo of Covent Garden is courtesy of TripAdvisor

You have a year to use your voucher, so if something comes up, you can do it some other time. It’s all up to you! Check out Stray Boots now to get started!

How To Fit In with Foreigners

2012-08-24T09:57:00.001-07:00

When you’re in a country where you don’t speak the language, things can easily get lost in translation. If you’re just sightseeing, that’s not such a bad thing, but if you’re trying to make a deal or a business transaction, it can certainly make things very complicated. With Rosetta Translation, you can make sure you completely understand those documents you’re signing or can offer several different copies for those that don’t speak your language. Rosetta is a translation agency that offers worldwide translation services to anyone who needs them.

You may not be a business traveler, but that doesn’t mean their services can’t be beneficial to you. Say you find yourself hospitalized in a foreign country and are asked to read or sign a document that you can’t understand. You can use Rosetta to translate these papers for you in your native language before you do anything. Of course, you may not have the luxury of having any paperwork and find yourself trying to communicate with no chance of understanding the other person or them you. Make it easier on yourself by using Rosetta’s interpreting services, where they can help you lower the language barrier and get your message across as well as that of who you are speaking to.

Maybe you’re trying to rent a house in a country where English isn’t spoken and your contract is written in that local language. Before you sign anything, have it looked over by a professional translator. The same goes for renting out your properties for foreign travelers. Not only will you be able to easily cater to those that come from all over the world, but you will know that you are not being misunderstood and you won’t lose rental fees because you can’t communicate with worldwide travelers. This is the perfect time to use Rosetta’s translation services for your personal gain. You’ll be known as someone who is easy to deal with and could possibly gain more business because of your use of a translation company.

These interpretive services can also be used in a business setting, for meetings, one-on-one dealings and more. An interpreter can come to you location and help make your transaction go as smoothly as possible. International business dealings are not uncommon in this day and age and it’s helpful to have a translation agency on your side that can give you accurate information. If you’re in need of such services, make sure you visit Rosetta Translation’s website to see how they can help you.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post for which I received compensation, but all opinions are my own.

Guest Post: Top Travel Insurance Tips

2012-08-22T08:00:00.001-07:00

Today's guest post comes from Joe Johnson, aka Backpack Joe. (this post originally ran on ShereenTravelsCheap)

Going on holiday is invariably one of the highlights of the year, unless of course you’re a wealthy oil tycoon and your whole year is one big holiday, but since you’re reading this, I’d wager that you’re not (what oil tycoon needs travel insurance?!). Everything about going on holiday is exciting, planning which restaurants to go to, flip-flop shopping, frantically scrabbling to locate your passport in the ‘safe’ draw, getting travel insurance… Oh wait.

Ok, almost everything about preparing for a holiday is exciting, and while travel insurance may be an unwelcome aside, it is nevertheless necessary, if only to give you piece of mind. Getting injured, falling ill or having your laptop pilfered is inconvenient in the outskirts of Coventry, but when you’re in an unfamiliar country where you don’t speak the language, it can be more than distressing. Best shell out for travel insurance then. Here are some tips for ensuring you get the right type of insurance, and getting the most out of it should you need to use it.

1. Get Insurance

Sounds obvious right? Maybe, but so many people make the mistake of not taking out travel insurance and regretting it afterwards when they end up with hospitals bills for thousands of pounds/dollars. You wouldn’t take to the road without car insurance, so don’t take a holiday without travel insurance.

2. Get the right Type of Insurance

Travel insurance covers many different things: injury, illness, delayed flights, loss or theft of possessions, and while you don’t want to go away without any kind of insurance you need to get the type that will suit your trip. If you’re going backpacking for example, you won’t need the same kind of insurance that would be suitable for, say, a business trip.

3. Abide by the Rules

As we all know, insurance policies are riddled with loop holes, so make sure you tick all the boxes by obeying the rules. This means checking in on time so you can claim if your flight is delayed.

4. Report Theft Immediately

If you are unfortunate enough to have your possessions stolen on holiday (or carelessly lose them), you must report to the local police in order to record the loss or theft. A crime reference number will usually be given. Failure to do this may mean you cannot claim on your policy.

5. Take Notes

If you do claim, your insurance company will want to know the precise details of what happened. Make sure you note every last detail down – what happened, when it happened, where it happened and why it happened. Make sure your story is water-tight or you’ll get caught out!

6. Get Luggage Insurance

We all know how heavy-handed ground staff at the airport can be. Not a problem if you have suitcases full of clothes, but a real risk of you have prized items in tow like a snowboard, guitar or canoe. Make sure any, large fragile, valuable items are insured. Oh, and always padlock your suitcase. Use TSA approved locks.

7. Keep Your Insurers Abreast of Changes

If you make any changes ahead of your holiday, be that changes to your schedule, holiday dates, hotel, car rental details or anything even mildly significant , be sure to inform your insurers so your policy can be adjusted accordingly.

8. Buy in Bulk

If you are travelling as a couple or a family, get group coverage. It’ll work out a lot cheaper than buying individual policies.

9. Think Long-term

The reason travel insurance can sometimes seem very expensive can simply be because you’re unprepared and disorganised. If you think you’ll be going away multiple times through the course of a year (lucky you) then buy a year's coverage since it’ll work out cheaper than buying many short-term policies. Consider what kind of holidays you’ll be going on, too. Skiing holidays require a different type of coverage than beach holidays.

10. Be Persistent with Claims

By their very nature, insurance companies don’t want to pay out for claims. They’ll try every trick in the book in an attempt to refute a claim. For this reason, you need to be persistent when claiming or insurance companies will brush you aside with legal jargon.

Joe is a travel blogger from the UK who always takes out insurance before going away! You can follow Joe on Twitter @joe__johnson__ or his blog.

Three Great Travel Apps for the UK

2012-08-17T08:00:00.001-07:00

Even though Britain is not huge, it can still be tough to find your way around or plan a holiday without some help.

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What better help than Britain’s favorite footballer, David Beckham? Okay, there’s probably a lot more qualified travel advisors, but he’s a traveler and knows what he likes. He also loves his country enough to tell the Olympic coordinators that they should let an actual Olympian carry the torch instead of him. Imagine that! Beautiful and humble. Anyway, The Best of Britain App is a great download for those that want valuable information and also a peek at what Beckham loves most about it. His top 10 is only a small part of a very awesome app.

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Want to visit London without missing a thing? Then you’ll want to go download the free London Official City Guide App. Not only will it show you the best of the best in town, you’ll also get alerts on deals, special events and secret happenings going on. It’s like you’re totally in the know!

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Not specifically for the UK, the Arounder Touch App allows you to sightsee without getting off the couch! Of course, seeing the amazing places you COULD be going will be motivation enough with this app that gives you 360 degree views of famous visitor attractions. See museums, cathedrals, views from mountaintops and more, then start planning your own trip to go there or somewhere new that you can take your own videos of.

Do you have a favorite travel app that you’d like to share?

Products We Love: Stila Convertible Color

2012-08-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

I’m a huge fan of multiuse items, so I was overjoyed when I walked into my local Sephora, looking for cheek stain, and stumbled up on Stila’s Convertible Color. It solves two issues at once and also gives you a healthy glow. Convertible color compacts come in a variety of hues and serve as both a blusher and moisturizing tint. The colors are vibrant and easy to apply. You don’t have to put them in your bag of liquids when you fly, either, which is a huge plus, as it saves you space in there and also does the job of two products.

You can purchase Convertible Color in the following hues: Fuschia, Gladiola, Gerbera, Lillium, Peony, Petunia, Poppy and Rose. With a just a few taps of your finger, you can get that exact shade on both your cheeks and lips. I have had a compact for a few months and it is still practically full, so you know it will last a long time and give you the bang for your buck you need to keep one in your travel bag at all times. Check out this video below to see how amazing it is.

Stila Cosmetics are available worldwide and can be purchased from a variety of sources. Asos.com gives customers around the globe free shipping or you can pay £14.95 once and get unlimited next day shipping for the whole year. That’s a bargain, yeah? You’re definitely going to find this to be a beauty product you don’t want to leave home without.

Do you have a favorite product that is dual purpose?

5 Places to View the London Skyline for Less

2012-08-13T08:00:00.005-07:00

So, everyone knows that they can get an amazing view of the skyline of England’s capital from the famous London Eye, but queues can be long and admission is a bit expensive. Why not check out amazing views for less from some of these places?

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1. Tower Bridge Exhibition. The walkways above the bridge give a great view of London from both directions. See the Tower of London, boats on the Thames and so much more including the London Eye.

2. National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. Go to the top and see amazing views over Westminster. It’s also FREE.

3. OXO Tower. The 8th floor viewing platform is a fab place to get some photos of the London scenery. If you’re ready to hang out and relax, you can grab a bite to eat in the restaurant or a drink at the bar.

4. Lewisham’s Telegraph Hill. Another freebie. Climb to the top of Telegraph Hill for panoramic views of London. This is the perfect place to bring a picnic and your camera.

5. London Zoo. If you’re going there anyway, on a clear day you can get some nice views of Central London…and a collection of lovely animals.

Do you have a favorite place to see the London landscape?

Let Me Plan Your Trips!

2012-08-10T11:03:00.001-07:00

Do you hate planning your vacations (like what you will do, where to eat and where to go) or just don’t have the time to research anything other than airfare? Why not let me do it for you. You choose how much you want to do, give me a budget you have to work with, tell me what dates you are traveling and what kinds of things you like to do and I’ll come up with a bunch of options for you to approve or deny that I can work around to come up with more things to add to your selections and then build you a custom itinerary. All you have to do is buy tickets or make reservations and go do it! Simple, right? I can even help you find a hotel!

Need budget ideas for where or when to go, I can definitely help you out there, too. Here are the things I can do for you:

· Give you great hotel recommendations – if you need or want one – based on your budget and

· Create an awesome list of things to see and do, including tours, activities, festivals and not-to-miss attractions.

· You choose what sounds good and what doesn’t from the ideas I give you.

· Build you a totally amazing customized itinerary for your whole trip based on what you choose from my list of great finds and ideas. (Have specific stores you want to visit, too? Let me know, so you don’t waste time going back when you were in the neighborhood doing something else on another day!)

· Give you dining recommendations for each day out built into your itinerary, because you’re gonna want to eat and you’re gonna want a plan for wherever you are when you get hungry. (Don’t worry, I’ll give you some budget dining tips and you can tell me what kinds of food you like!)

· Send you full instructions on how to get the best deal on the amazing things you chose, so you can quickly buy tickets and book reservations for your trip without wasting time researching it all. Yup, I’m wonderful like that!

Your custom itinerary will be be delivered within 2 weeks of final emails confirming which type of activities you (and your family/travel companion) like and dislike. (Approximate prices in GBP is £5 | £16 | £32)

Does £32 seem like a lot of money for having someone plan your trip? Between the money and time I will save you, that will be a drop in the bucket! Got questions on how this all works? Send me an email.

London Bargains Abound

2012-08-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

Right about now everyone is either at the Olympic games or staying far away, because the talk of huge crowds and crap traffic has kept them out of the city when possible. Amazingly, it worked so well that now tourists have changed all their plans and avoided London altogether, too. Of course, the airfare taxes have not helped. If you were hoping to make a trip into London, now is the time to do it. The city is like a ghost town outside the Olympic Stadium and merchants and hotels are suffering. Snap up deals where you can and also have a lot of the capital to yourself. Perfect for sightseeing and shopping!

View of Tower of London from Tower Bridge.

· If you’ll actually be traveling for the games, make sure to use your included travel card to save money on transportation. It’s good for zones 1-9 on the day of your event.

· If you won’t be traveling for the games, then buy an Oyster card or Travelcard or a pack of passes for travel on public transportation. It will save you quite a bit over paying each time you need to use the underground or bus.

· Hit up free attractions, like Tate Modern, the Victoria & Albert, Imperial War Museum, the British Library, National Portrait Gallery, the Changing of the Guard and more.

· Want stellar views of the city without spending big bucks? Skip the London Eye and head for Tower Bridge. You can get the same views for much less from the historic walkways.

· Staying for a while? Think about purchasing a London Pass and save substantially on a long list of attractions, including St. Paul’s Cathedral, London Bridge, Tower of London and Shakespeare’s Globe.

· Bring your own snacks into the Olympic Stadium if you’ll be going. You can also bring an empty bottle and fill up once inside. Pack a few of those handy ice tea packets and you can mix it in and have a tastier beverage.

For those that don’t live in Britain and need a primer on British slang, here’s a handy guide.

Do you have any other last-minute tips for visiting London during the Olympics?

Lake Como Budget Activities

2012-08-01T08:00:00.001-07:00

On Monday, we looked at what makes Lake Como so amazing. If you're interested in planning your own trip, here are just a few budget activities you may like to include:

Villa Balbianello - True Star Wars fans make the pilgrimage to Lenno to view the famous wedding spot. Heck, it's even available for weddings, but that's not the budget part. For only a few euro per person, you can take a water taxi over to Lenno and for €5 you can view gardens of the villa and for €11 you can gain entry into the villa and gardens.

Funicular Railway - Want to see the best views of Como? Well, for just € 5.10 you can get a round-trip ticket on the railway, built in 1894, to Brunate. Amazing views of the Alps and Como. Make sure you bring your walking shoes, or else catch the bus to the lookout and lighthouse. For €20 you can get a return ticket and dinner. Choose from a variety of restaurants participating in the promotion. Allow for enough time to explore the village of Brunate and take pictures.

Villa Carlotta - Love plants and flowers? Then this is a fun place for you to visit. See over 500 varieties for €9 at this luxurious palace build in the 1600's. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the gardens or have a quick bite at the coffee house.

Jungle Raider Park - Starting at just €10, you can choose one of five courses (or a combination of them) and zip line, traverse rope bridges and other awesome outdoor amusements that test your skills and get you out in the fresh air.

The Jewel Of Northern Italy: Lake Como

2012-07-30T14:38:00.000-07:00

Today's guest post comes to us from Shane Mcc from NationalRVParks. Doesn't this make you want to visit Italy?

Any trip to Northern Italy should include a visit to Lake Como. It is a popular tourist destination because of its fresh air, water, mountains and great weather. This lake is so beautiful that many celebrities like George Clooney, Madonna, Sylvester Stallone and Gianni Versace have purchased property there. It has also served as the setting for movies including the Stars Wars. Its appeal is truly legendary.

This photo of Como is courtesy of TripAdvisor

My family, which includes my mother, father, brother and I, traveled to this pristine area of Northern Italy in October 2011 as a side trip while we were visitng Milan. Lake Como is in close proximity to Milan, Italy. It is easily accessed by train from Stazione Centrale in downtown Milan. It takes about 45 minutes to arrive. We left on a quiet Sunday afternoon in mid October.

St. Marks

After a short walk from the main train station called San Giovanni, we gazed open-mouthed at a vast expanse of clear, glass-like, calm water and almost in unison, a smile appeared on our faces. We all knew immediately why this area of Northern ltaly is so popular.

Santa Maria Dellfiore

The town of Como was our starting point to tour the lake. It has various docks where boats are available for transportation to other towns on the lake. The lake itself, is shaped like an inverted "Y", and is rimmed by small village-like towns that each have a dock for easy boarding and unboarding.

Statue of David

These towns are rustic and quaint. A visit to any of them is the quintessential Lake Como experience. Towns like Tremezzo, where the gorgeous Villa Carlotta is a must see attraction, Mennaggio, with its small wine bars, gelatarias, and cafes, and, Bellagio, the "pearl of the lake" are all worthy of a visit.

Bellagio, in particular, was the most appealing for us. We had lunch at a small trattoria situated along the lakeside. I particularly remember a gentle breeze, soft sunshine and a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains accompanying our bottle of Pinot Grigio and bruschetta. A pleasant lago di Como memory that i will always treasure. An interesting note is that the little town of Bellagio was Steve Wynn's, the well known Las Vegas impresario, inspiration for the Bellagio Hotel, the centerpiece of the famous Las Vegas Strip. The essence of an old Italian villagio comes to life in its buccolic surroundings. Bellagio is known as the "Pearl" of the Lake. Our visit to Bellagio will be incentive enough for us to come back.

This photo of Villa del Balbienella is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Bellagio also is the home of another must see attraction; the Villa Balbienello (the location of the famous Star Wars wedding scene). Its meticulously maintained grounds and its old world Italian architecture are of particular note.

There are many other sleepy little towns and villages worthy of a visit on the Lake. If you are fortunate enough to spend a few days there, you can really get a chance to explore and enjoy Lago di Como . The only mistake that you can make about visiting Lake Como is not making plans to return. Please, take some time to view some photos taken of our perfect lake Como sojourn.

Make sure to visit Shane at NationalRVParks, follow him on Twitter or join him on Facebook. [All photos above are courtesy of Shane Mcc, unless otherwise noted.]

5 Ways to Pack Light and Save Money

2012-07-27T10:06:00.000-07:00

We all want to take half our closet with us when we go on vacation in case we might need something. Guess what? You probably won’t need it. Just remember: the less you bring, the less you have to carry. With this in mind, start with a packing list and only add essentials to it. A packing list can help save you from over-packing and having to pay overweight baggage fees. In fact, traveling with only a carry-on can save you checked-bag fees as well. Think of the things you can spend that money on during your vacation when you’re putting back that sparkly party dress that you might wear.

Find stylish pieces that work together to extend your travel wardrobe and pack less. Bring neutral bottoms, so all your tops will match your bottoms and you can mix and match outfits. This allows you to take half as many articles with you. If you can find great looking travel clothing, this is even better, because they are lighter weight for more efficient packing and are made with quick-drying, moisture-wicking fabrics.

Take only two pair of shoes. Wear one on the plane and pack the second pair. There are so many fashionable walking shoes now that can double as dress shoes for a night on the town. Stick to the first rule and find travel shoes that match everything in your luggage. That way you won't feel like you need to take up your limited space with more options. It’s always good to give your shoes a test run before you go, too. Wear them to a variety of activities to see if they can stand up to vacation stress.

Use accessories to dress up an outfit. Sometimes you want to go out for a nice dinner, bar-hopping or a night of theater. Add a funky belt, cute jewelry pieces or a scarf to add pizzazz to something even as basic as a pair of jeans and a black tank. You'll be surprised what a few strategic pieces can do to make an outfit look completely different.

Bring products that do double (and triple) duty. Travel gadgets are one of my biggest weaknesses. If I can find an item that has multiple uses and saves space in my travel bag, it goes on my wish list. Something like an iPod Touch can eliminate the need to bring a DVD player and a handheld gaming device.

Pack only travel-sized toiletries. There's no way you need a full-size shampoo, conditioner and hair spray for a five-day vacation, or even a two-week one. Look for these items in travel sizes or purchase small bottles that you can refill with your own product and put labels on them. This won't require you to check your bag and more than you think will fit in the 3-1-1 bag you're allowed to take through airport security. You can even buy travel hairdryers, flat irons, electric razors and curling irons. They can take up only half the space as your full-sized items, work just as well and are easy on your wallet.

New Things to Do in New Forest

2012-07-25T08:00:00.003-07:00

Shakespeare’s play As You Like It takes place primarily in the Forest of Arden. When I think of New Forest, I feel like it must have the same atmosphere. Where those that want to get away from it all go to camp under the stars among the social outcasts, the trees and wildlife. I am aware that it’s probably not at all like the play, but in many ways, it actually is. Obviously, New Forest is a place to relax and get away from it all. You aren’t forced to camp or defend yourself from wild animals though.

Things to do for every budget and plenty to do for those who wish to save:

Cycling
Hiking
Canoeing

Gardens

Beaulieu Gardens – Explore the lush gardens, palace house, abbey, motor museum and more for £19/11.25 or £49.75 for a family. The palace was home to the Montagu family and also includes an on-site vineyard.
Lepe Country Park – Bring your swimsuit and towel to take advantage of over one mile of beach with amazing views. There is also a play area for the kids, D-Day remains and picnic facilities. Admission to the park is free.
Braxton Gardens – Free to enter, the gardens feature over 450 roses in 100 varieties, a gift shop and tea rooms.

Animals

Liberty’s Owl Raptor and Reptile Centre – Marvel at a huge assortment of birds of prey and amazing reptiles. This is a great outing for little ones, because it is educational and fun. Admission is £7.95/£4.95.
Longdown Activity Farm – Another fab activity for kids and adults alike. Get up close and personal with friendly farm animals, where you might get to bottle feed goats or calves. There are also indoor play areas and the farm shop where you can load up on fresh local foods, including meat and dairy products to take back and prepare in your holiday rental. Get in for just £7.95/£6.95.
Marwell Wildlife – This zoo is over 140 acres and houses more than 250 exotic and endangered species, like giraffe-nosed catfishes and bat-eared foxes. Admission costs depend on the time of year: £14-18/£10-14.

New Forest Tour Bus – Want to see all of New Forest without having to hike there? The hop-on, hop-off bus runs two separate routes that can take you all over to experience all New Forest has to offer. Choose from 1, 2 or 5 day passes starting at £10/£4.

Museums

Ringwood Town and Country Experience – Vintage cars, a replica railway platform, olde shops and a smuggler’s display. This is sure to be a fun museum for everyone in the family. £12.50 for your whole family, or £4.75/£3.95 for adults and children.
Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum – Love to jump on a bike and feel the wind in your hair? With over 350 motorcycles on display, you’re bound to be in “hog” heaven. There are also tea rooms and shops on-site. Get in for just £6.90/£3.
St. Barbe Museum and Gallery – Learn about the people and culture of the New Forest coast through hands-on displays, talks, workshops and more, then head to the gift shop and the art galleries. Affordable entry fees at £4/£2 or £10 for a family of six.

Have you ever gone to New Forest?

Live and Learn in London

2012-07-18T08:00:00.001-07:00

Live and Learn is a series from Shereen Travels Cheap where I share my travel snafus with you in order that you may learn from them and not repeat them.

I feel like there will always be a learning opportunity whenever I travel, but this was my first time abroad, so maybe it was just easier to find things I didn't know about. London is a beautiful city and it's easy to just assume it's the same as any other big city. With a giant park, an underground I really didn't know much about and packing mistakes, it may have been amazing that our trip went so well. Luckily, they speak English there. For the most part. That helped a lot, unlike when we went to Paris…But that’s another post altogether.

Carry a compass – Even when you’re in the middle of a city, you never know when this might come in handy. We had a map, but trying to cross Hyde Park to get from our hotel to Harrod’s wasn’t as easy as it looked, especially when you take the sidewalks and then end up in the middle of the park and can’t figure out which way you were headed in the first place. Amazingly, I remembered the compass and we were on our way – in the right direction, at that – in no time. We even made it to Harrod’s on time to meet my uncles.

Dress in layers – So, going on the knowledge that London and the Pacific Northwest have similar weather, we packed for cold weather, since we were traveling late October to early November. Well, we didn’t plan on it being unseasonably warm for the first four days we were there. How I wish I had packed a few t-shirts and cardigans instead of full-on sweaters and long sleeved tops. I could take off my coat, but couldn’t do much else about my too-warm clothes. Now, I always pack in layers: tank tops and tees that can go under something with long sleeves, like a ¾ zip fleece or similar. Columbia and ExOfficio have become my go-to online stores for great looking travelwear.

Never wear boots on a long plane ride – While this seems to be logical, I didn’t really think about it. I had some fantastically comfortable boots and left them on the entire flight from Portland to Dallas to London Gatwick. My feet swelled on the plane and by the time we got to our hotel room I had to peel them off my legs. They went back in the suitcase and never came back out until we came home. I simply could not get them back on. Luckily, I also brought along some great walking shoes, which I proceeded to wear everyday for the rest of the trip. Ideally, having two pair of walking shoes would get you by: One for casual outings and one for dressing up a little.

Cold weather travel clothes are a must – Do you know how long jeans take to dry after you wash them? Forever, might be an appropriate response. Had I known then what I know now, I would have bought and packed an array of travel clothing, instead of normal every-day clothes. This would have eliminated the need to spend almost $20 at the Laundromat down the street and we could have easily washed our clothes in the bathroom sink and hung them to dry. Even if we didn’t hand wash, we wouldn’t have needed to use the dryer three or four times in order to get everything dry enough to take back to the room, because it would have easily dried overnight.

Figure out how to get to your lodging from the airport before you leave – I’ve since learned this is smart. We didn’t do any research before we left on how to get from Point A to Point B and Day 1 turned into the day that we both hated each other and needed a break. Great way to start a honeymoon. I threatened to heave my bags into the street and get a cab, while my husband insisted the hotel was “right down the street”. It was NOT right down the street. The problem started when we got on the Underground and only had one plan on where to get off. That stop ended up being under construction, so instead of figuring out we could go one stop further, we stopped at the one before our intended station and walked a few miles before we finally did make it to our hotel. I was cranky and starving and I think the folks at the front desk could tell, because they kindly offered to hold our bags and gave us directions toward food. Halfway around the block, we saw an underground station that was fully-functional and would have been perfect to get off at. We used it for the rest of the trip to get to and from our hotel. A little bit of research would have been helpful in this situation.

When you see something being filmed, stop and see what it is – You’ve heard me complain about this before. Leaving Waterloo Station with our newly purchased London Passes to go to the aquarium, we saw an entire film crew and some very familiar looking people. We assumed it was for some commercial that we would never see and then months later found out they were filming the Bourne Supremacy and Matt Damon himself was on set and we walked right past him. Crazy!

Look at Eric savoring the experience

If you want a drink with ice in it, head to The Hard Rock – Seriously, Europe has some aversion to ice cubes. You order an ice tea and you get 3 cubes that have all but melted by the time it makes it to your table. You order a soda and you get a bottle (no refills!) from the cooler and a warm glass. If you want a refill, you order another bottle and pay another $4 for it. It’s better just order bottled water everywhere you go. Ask for still water if you don’t want it carbonated. On one of our last nights in the city, we made the pilgrimage to the very first Hard Rock Café. We took a chance and ordered sodas, since they claimed to be bottomless. When the waiter came back, we couldn’t believe our eyes. Giant glasses filled to the brim with ice and super cold diet beverage! I think this visit gave us a soft spot for HRC and we seek them out wherever we travel.

Don’t bring your whole closet – This is something that I’ve learned since traveling abroad. You’ll likely be traveling to your accommodation via public transportation. Be advised that these usually come with massive amounts of stairs. If you can’t lift your own luggage with ease, you have too much stuff in your bag. This was the first time I had ever even ridden the subway, so at the very least I had wheels on my bags, but that doesn’t help if you have to run up and down three or four flights of steps. My husband can’t be expected to carry 2 large bags like a mule. Pack light, carry-on and everyone will be so much happier. If you forgot to pack it, either you don’t need it or you can get it at your destination. Also, unless you use the space under your hotel bed, there’s no place to put full-size suitcases in your room. They’ll just take up valuable floor space that you need for standing and walking.

There are so many things to see and do in London and I can't wait to go back with all my new travel techniques and enjoy it even more. This time I hope to hit up the zoo, Wimbledon, Windsor and Stratford-Upon-Avon.

What are some of your biggest travel mistakes?

Products We Love: Foldable Flats

2012-07-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

Packing light has started to become the new norm for many travelers, so it’s a must to be able to find items that can travel well and still be useful and/or stylish. When I first came upon foldable flats, I wondered how comfortable they would be, especially after wearing torturous high heels for a long time. Of course, anything is better once you take those heels off. I decided to purchase a pair for wearing around the house and on the plane – because if you’re like me, you immediately want to take off your shoes to get comfortable, but you don’t want to go barefoot.

Obviously, you have to make the most of your limited carry-on space and foldable flats are great, because they fit into their own little pouch and can slip into a carry-on pocket or your purse. You can now find them in a bunch of different colors and styles and are the perfect option for slipping on in the morning and browsing the continental breakfast or buffet. Wear them out to dinner when you want to dress up, but you still don’t want to wear “real shoes”. Ballet flats are very on-trend right now, so foldable flats will always make you look stylish and go with almost everything you own.

Another plus? They are pretty affordable. While I wouldn't suggest wearing them to go sightseeing or hiking, these are an option for wearing with your dress-up clothes and saving space in your travel bag. Several pair can fit in the space of one pair of regular shoes, too, so if you have issues with wanting to bring a bunch of shoes, then these could be your answer. I’m loving mine so far and I think you will as well.

Guest Post: Exploring the Isle of Wight on a Budget

2012-07-13T08:00:00.002-07:00

Today's guest post was brought to you by Kit at WightLink. Please go check out her page.

Nowadays, so many of us spend our holiday time abroad that the beauty and splendour of destinations around the UK are never seen by many. It’s not just Spain that has sun-kissed beaches, France that has good wine, nor Italy that has quaint villages – you can find all these without leaving the country, without the hassle of hours at the airport; and without breaking the bank.

The Isle of Wight is one of the UK’s best kept holiday secrets. It’s only a 30 minute journey from Yarmouth on the Lymington ferry, and if you take your car you won’t even need to worry about having to hire transport when you get there.

The island is a great getaway for those on a budget, with loads of attractions available at cheap or even free entry, accommodation available for much less than the big cities, and restaurants that really are hidden gems.

Sleep somewhere different

Ever fancied finding out what it’s like to spend the night in a Tipi? In the east coast resort of Ryde, you might be lucky enough to stumble across the island’s Tipi Holiday Park. These are brilliant if you’re looking for accommodation on a budget, but still want interesting lodgings.

Alternatively, have a look at Compton Farm: a camping experience with a difference. There’s ducks to feed, eggs to collect, tractors to play on…and even a dinosaur footprint to discover!

Staying entertained

Throughout the year, the island makes sure to provide visitors with plenty of events – the biggest of course, being the upcoming Bestival music festival in September. Aside from this, there’s something for everyone: from a whole host of other musical extravaganzas, to sporting events, food festivals, and even historical recreations.

Ever wanted to see Beyonce, The Beatles, and Take That playing live in one place? You can – sort of – at the Isle of Wight’s ‘FauxFest’, which showcases the UK’s best tribute acts at a charity event. Or you could follow the Wight History Trail, which takes visitors on a tour of the island - and even better, most of the sights are free.

Family fun

Keeping young children entertained on holiday can often be difficult – and especially if you’re trying to stick to a budget. Carisbrooke Castle has the solution, with Spy Training days in early August as part of their Time Travellers Go series of events. You can get entrance to the experience, along with travel to the island, at a reduced rate through Wightlink Ferries.

With plenty to see and do and some great places to stay, the Isle of Wight is the perfect option for those looking for a break on a budget. Whether it’s family entertainment or fun with friends, the island has something for everyone.

Thanks again to Kit for this fun post. You can find her on her website | Facebook | Twitter

Two-Day Breaks for Less

2012-07-11T09:14:00.001-07:00

If you're looking for a new travel bag, go check out my review of Travelon's Anti-Theft React Weekender bag. With its slash-proof construction, it is both stylish and secure - it's also sold worldwide!

On the main Shereen Travels Cheap blog, I try to mix it up with some awesome deals when I find them. Though I often post things that can be affordable here, I liked the idea of bringing that over, so today you are getting some awesome break deals that are going to go fast, but affordable enough that you will be able to snap them up if you want to take advantage of them.

Choose from a few different getaways at the Burn Hall Hotel in Yorkshire: One night for £49, two nights for £99 or two nights with dinner for £119. This is a couples break that includes breakfast and a bottle of wine (if you take dinner in the restaurant). the Burn Hall Hotel is just a short drive from York, is a Green Tourism award-winner and is near many amazing dining venues and shopping opportunities. You can even bring your dog and enjoy exploring the grounds with him and your significant other.

Get a 2-night stay for two in Staffordshire for just £59, which includes breakfast and a stay at The Garden House in Cheddleton. You're just a short drive to the Peak District, is close to the train station and is private and quiet. A great place to get away from your harried life and just relax and be pampered.

Spend two nights in Edinburgh on a city break at the Western Manor Hotel for just £69 for one or two people, so get away with a loved one or just relax on your own. Either way, breakfast is included. Western Manor is located in Murrayfield and is just 2 miles from Edinburgh city centre. You can walk or drive and see some of the city's best sites.

Enjoy a short city break to get away from the daily grind and engage in some quality rest and relaxation.

Cut Your Dining Costs by Half!

2012-07-09T12:06:00.000-07:00

Find delicious places to eat on a budget! Food can really add up, which can really make you mad if you spend money on a crap meal. Don’t assume there will be amazing food everywhere you turn. Find and book tables at dining venues in the UK and Europe and save money while doing it!

With TopTable.com, not only can you make reservations online, but you can see diner reviews, menus, get big discounts and accrue points for each reservation you complete to earn your way to a free dining certificate. Even if you’re already in the city and want to have lunch in an hour, make your reservation just to get the points credited to your account when you check in. You can do it on your smart phone via mobile web or their free phone and iPad apps!

It’s one of the best ways to check out those Michelin-starred restaurants run by celebrity chefs, too. Deep discounts on some of the best food in the world? Count me in. I’m totally using TopTable to eat at one of Gordon Ramsay’s London restaurants for less when I return. In the meantime, I will use their sister site, OpenTable.com, to make my reservations for Ramsay's Los Angeles restaurant.

Review: Runnur Mini Backpack

2012-07-06T11:28:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel weighted down with bags just about everywhere you go? You need to carry stuff with you, but purses are for girls, bum bags are uncool and you can only put so much in your pockets before your pants start falling off. I often carry a small handbag on trips - and more often larger ones - but there are so many places we go that I just wish I were hands-free, but still had my essentials. You probably go to many of these places, too: the dog park, the airport, biking, hiking, theme parks, anywhere you have a baby with you... The list goes on and on. This is why I was so thrilled to find the Runnur. They market it as a mini backpack, but it's way more awesome than any backpack I've ever owned. It's also more comfortable and doesn't give you nasty pre-calculus flashbacks.

Testing out this fancy new gadget was a no-brainer. I like the design for both men and women, because it's so functional and has a simple look. I, personally, wouldn't try to wear it out to a 5-star restaurant, but I can see it working for some men. I chose the Runnur in medium, so Eric and I could both try it on and give thoughts. As you can see, it works much better for me than him. I was happy with the size, but certainly could have gotten a small and had it work, too. If I planned to do a lot of activities like hiking, the small would fit more snugly and been a better choice. Eric is excited to get a Runnur in large before our next trip.

Let's get to why this product is so great and what's going to make you rush to the website to get one. Obviously, the Runnur was designed for runners, right? I suppose you could use it for running, but this convenient sling that fits like a seatbelt was designed for those on-the-go. The nylon strap makes use of every inch of space, with pockets and loops and a carabiner as well as easy velcro and zipper closure. Eric says it’s effortless to wear and thinks it’s pretty cool and manly. I think the pockets are perfect for carrying everything you need, and then some. I packed mine for an on-the-go gadget geek – like with what I would want to take on a plane. Surprisingly, I would not have been able to get the same items into a similarly sized handbag.

How did I get it all in there? It was easy with all the pockets and slots and holders. The Runnur has a great ID card holder, so you don't have to fumble around for it. It also has a built-in wallet with card slots and separate sections for money and receipts, two velcro pockets for electronics, a bigger velcro pocket with a thick front to keep glasses, or any number of other things from getting crushed, a larger zipper pocket that has room for snacks, your camera, change and makeup. This pouch has a nice reflective strip on it for being seen in the dark. You also have a carabiner to hold keys, pen holders and a mesh pouch for your water bottle. Above you can see what I stuffed in there and following you can see where I put them all.

As you can see, your money and your ID are kept right next to you in highly convenient compartments. Carry all your important things in this wallet pocket, like cash, credit cards, gift cards (for anyone who saves them for vacation), your boarding pass and your passport - or you can use the secret pocket on the inside for your passport. Sneaky! Having them right there will eliminate thievery and since you are keeping everything in the Runnur, you can save time emptying your pockets at airport security and just place it right into a bin and put it right back on when you exit. Simple!

These two pockets are great sizes and can easily fit a point and shoot digital camera and my smartphone with case that makes it even fatter than usual. I didn't even have to wrestle it out when I wanted to use it - my favorite part! The nylon fabric makes sure things don't stick and will slide easily in and out.

Like to carry keys or one of those tiny flashlights or even a reusable grocery tote that packs into itself? This carabiner is pretty handy. I will admit that walking around with keys jangling can be sort of annoying, but you certainly won't lose them and will always know where they are. If you'd rather, you can put them in the zippered pouch.

Eric loves taking his DS with him everywhere he goes, and would totally use the Runnur to carry it around. He'd also be able to carry extra games and a spare stylus, but I generally have one puzzle game that I'm playing, so I filled my larger pouch with a healthy snack, pressed powder and tinted lip balm. I don't like to be shiny, hungry or chapped. I also don't like to be thirsty, so this mesh bottle holder is a perfect addition!

Now, as convenient as I think this would be for travel, it would also be awesome for physical activities. Fill it with a bottle of sports beverage, snacks and first aid supplies. My first thought when I saw the Runnur was that it was amazing for theme park travel. Now, I didn't jump up and down and stand on my head to test out whether or not items would fall out if I did, but the closures are so well made, I wouldn't be worried that they would fail. Leave it on while on rides or put it in the pocket in front of your seat. I like to hold on to my stuff so I don't forget it, so another option is to wear it around your waist during crazy rides and then wear it normally again once you get off. You always want to keep a bottle of water with you to stay hydrated, your camera to capture memories, sunscreen to keep from getting scorched and snacks to hold you over until mealtimes.

The Runnur is lightweight and foam-filled, to make it comfortable to wear against your body. It also features a non-slip shoulder strap that is contoured to fit your curves. Eric can't wait to get his to wear while out bike riding. I wish I had one over Memorial Weekend when we were hiking the lava cave, because it would have been so much more comfortable than my usual cross-body bag, and I would have had somewhere to put my water bottle. Have I convinced you yet? If not, maybe this video from Runnur will help:

Additional information

Where you can buy it: On the GoRunner website

How much it costs: $39 - and they ship internationally!

Colors it comes in: Canvas, Plum, Black w/ Red Stitching, Silver (the one I have on) and Solid Black.

Sizes it comes in: S, M, L, XL

Pack for a Week in a Carry-On

2012-07-04T08:00:00.001-07:00

For some people, carry-on travel is really difficult. I have to admit that it took some time and practice for it to become second nature to me, but I refuse to pay the outrageous fees for checking a bag, so I have perfected packing light and now advise others on how to do it more easily.

Coordinating colors – Bring clothing that all fit within a main color scheme. Plan for all your bottoms or all your tops to stay in one color range, like tan or black, so that all your pieces will mix and match with each other and allow you to make the maximum amount of outfits with fewer key pieces.

Less shoes equals more space – I generally suggest bringing two pair of shoes – one walking pair and one comfortable, but dressier pair – as well as a pair of flip flops. If you’ve followed rule number one, then it should be simple to keep your shoe choices to a minimum. Look to bring a nice pair of sandals or ballet flats for women and a pair of loafers or similar for men as your extra pair. These will go with any less casual outfit choice and ready you for a night out or even a business meeting.

Bring layers – You never know what the weather might be where you go, unless you’ll be traveling to the Equator. Layers are essential and also give you more combination choices. For my upcoming trip to California, which will be mostly summer weather, but with some cooler nights, I chose 3 tank tops (in the same colors), a sleeveless cream and gold top for afternoon tea and a fancy dinner, a cream-colored cardigan, a pair of khaki shorts, a pair of khaki capris, a pair of lightweight jeans, a dress, a bathing suit, a pair of wedge sandals, a pair of flip flops and a pair of folding gold ballet flats. Yes, I will have to do laundry, but that is a small price to pay to be able to pack in less space. Quick drying fabrics, like bamboo, soy or polyester, are ideal for this.

Accessorize – Turn a boring tank top or plain dress into a fun going out look by adding statement pieces like necklaces, belts or scarves. They take up little space and can give you totally different looks. Men just need to bring a nice dress shirt and several different ties. They are easy to pack and different patterns can make the same shirt seem completely like a whole new outfit.

Eyeshadow palette, lip/cheek stain, tinted moisturizer and powder base.

Double Up – When making your packing list, look for things that do double- or triple-duty. Shampoo can be used as shower gel (like philosophy’s 3-1-1 gels), tinted moisturizer can double as lightweight foundation and sunscreen if it has SPF in it and your iPod can work as a video player, e-reader, laptop and handheld gaming device.

With these tips, you can easily fit everything you need for a week or more in just a weekender-size bag like I did. I even had room for all my toiletries, netbook, Kindle, snacks, camera, mini straightening iron and my travel blanket. Just remember that the clothing you wear on the plane will also figure into your travel wardrobe. Notice that the outfit I'm wearing will easily coordinate with other other pieces I'm taking. Now, get started on your packing list!