Thursday, April 25, 2013

Are YOU Traveling to Spain On A Budget?

What a coincidence, so am I!  Here are the websites I used to book my accommodation and transits.

Booking.com
It was easy to search within each city I was staying in, set the number people per room, and find the best deal. It was also helpful using the map function to see what was nearby. I always paid the extra 1 to 5 euros for cancellation rights, because plans change and I didn't want to take the risk! Most listings on booking.com have free cancellation.

Renfe
Renfe is the train service in Spain. If the website is in Spanish when you navigate to it, make sure to click "welcome" on the top right of the page:

This site is pretty straight forward. For Americans, it's very similar to booking a plane ticket. Make sure you buy your tickets ahead of time if your traveling in peak season (June - August). They do fill up during holidays and tourist season.

ALSA
ALSA is a bus service that operates throughout Spain. Again, if it's in Spanish, be sure to click on the itty bitty British flag in the middle top of the screen.

ALSA is also a straight forward booking site, similar to Renfe. Definitely check both sites before booking. Buses are a little bit slower, but sometimes can save you a lot of money.

Veulling
Veulling is very similar to EasyJet in terms of price and availability, but they did seem to offer flights in some locations of Spain that were more affordable than EasyJet (i.e. Seville to Barcelona). So compare the two sites before booking a flight.

If any more websites come to mind, I will be sure to share them with you.

Safe travels,

Danielle

Friday, April 12, 2013

Oh Money, Where Art Thou?

FRONT
This is the exact question I asked Chase Bank earlier this week, but without the Shakespearean flare. You have quite a few options for exchanging currency. You can do it at your local bank branch, at airports, and at many hotels and hostels. However, if you know ahead of time what you're planning to spend, you're better off doing it before your trip at your bank.

Here's how it works at Chase. You call the number on the back of your debit card and tell them that you would like to obtain currency from the following countries [where ever you are traveling to] and the amounts in USD. They will order the money to your local branch, who will then call you once it arrives. You go pick up your money, pay for it in USD at the current exchange rates, and then you're set.
BACK

Well, hey now, what are you going to do with all that cash?

Put it in a nifty little money belt, but of course. I decided to go with a simple design by Eagle Creek Travel Gear. Basically, you should only have the currency you need for the day in your wallet, and then place the rest in this money belt. You wear this underneath your clothing during the day. That way if you get pick pocketed or purse snatched, you still have the rest of your money. As per the point of the money belt, you want to wear it ninja style. That means don't advertise that you're wearing it by going into it multiple times a day, especially in public. Be discrete. Be a ninja.

CLICK HERE for a completely unrelated article on how to be stealthy like a ninja.