Tag Archive for tips

How to enjoy Ottawa on a budget

May 13, 2019 Canada, North America No comments
Ottawa Canada

Ottawa is Canada’s capital city and because of that we can expect things to be slightly pricier than we would in other cities. However, many people do not want to miss out on this part of Canada when they come to visit. The beautiful Victorian architecture and the stunning Rideau Canal are not to be missed; especially when the latter freezes over in winter! If you are thinking of visiting Ottawa with a strict budget in mind, here are some tips and tricks to help you stay on course financially.

 

How to enjoy Ottawa on a budget

 

Start with Planning

You can save a massive amount of money during your planning and booking stage. The advantage of this is it then gives you more money to play with when you get there. Would you rather stay in a hostel and eat well or would you rather have a nice hotel room but scrape and save on food and activities? These are the sorts of questions you need to be asking yourselves.

One of the best places where you could save a little money is with your flights to Ottawa. You can often save money by splitting up your trip by flying into different cities instead of direct, or you could go for an airline with lower prices but a commitment to delivering a great service. If you would like to know more about the latter, you can check out the link here: https://www.flyporter.com/en-ca/book-flights/where-we-fly/canada/ottawa

 

Get Around Town on the Bus

You should always aim to travel on public transport instead of getting taxis in a new city and Ottawa has made sure that this is easy for you to do. If you want to use a bus to see more of the city, you can buy a DayPass. This allows you unlimited same-day travel on the bus system in the city; perfect if you are going to be going here, there and everywhere.

 

Get a Bike

Ottawa has plenty of cycling trails and bike lanes, making it a very safe city for cyclists. Even if you are not the most confident of cyclists, you are bound to get around with little difficulty. There are plenty of places where you can rent a bike to get about. Whether you want it for just a day or a little longer, you will be able to find the perfect rental for you.

Head out to Petrie island from Rideau Hall for a longer day trip but a beautiful ride. You will hug the Ottawa river all the way down the coast. If you are in the mood for something a little more challenging, head up into Gatineau Park.

 

Ottawa Canada

 

Know Where the Free Attractions Are

Luckily, many of the attractions in Ottawa are either free or have certain times when they are free to the public. For example, Parliament Hill is open for free tours every day. If you are interested in finding out more about the government of Canada, you should definitely swing by here. The tours can change or reschedule due to events happening in the government but there is no reason why you should not be able to have a look around at some point.

Many of the museums in Ottawa are paid admission but they also run certain nights where it is free to enter. On Thursdays between 5 and 8 PM, you can enter the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Museum of History, and the Canadian War Museum for free. These are just some of the places you can get into if you know where to look.

 

Eat How the Locals Eat

There are plenty of restaurants in Ottawa which cater to tourists but these places may be on the pricier side because of this. Never be afraid to eat how the locals want to eat! One great way to save some money is to book accommodation which is self-catering. This might be out in the suburbs, meaning it would be cheaper anyway, and then it would also have access to a local supermarket or two.

Here you can pick up all the food you could want for much less than what a restaurant might offer. You can even attempt to make some of Canada’s national dishes for yourself this way, in the comfort of your rented accommodation. The DIY attitude can also extend to lunches. Why spend a fortune on lunch in a fancy restaurant when you can just as easily pick up a picnic to have in one of Ottawa’s many beautiful parks? Small changes like this are bound to save you money in the long term; money which you can easily spend on another part of your holiday.

 

Grab Some Yoga on Parliament Hill

Had a flight which has put a crick in your neck? Been travelling for weeks on end and just need a moment to relax? You should check out the yoga on Parliament Hill. This is a free session run on Wednesdays which allows the population of Ottawa to come out and have a stretch. It is not unknown for the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to also pop out with his yoga mat every now and then. I did not know about it at first until I was inside the Parliament building and noticed people practicing yoga below on the grass. So cool, right?

These sessions are completely free and are sponsored by the Canadian brand Lululemon. If you feel the need to let go and stretch out your muscles a little then you should definitely consider stopping by one of these sessions in the sun.

 

Head Over in Winter

The temperatures might drop but Ottawa comes alive in winter. The Rideau Canal completely freezes over and turns into the world’s largest outdoor skating rink at a staggering 7.8km! It could form the perfect way for you to get around the city if you are visiting in winter. Skate rentals are everywhere up and down the length of the canal so you can always grab a pair.

In February, Winterlude comes to Ottawa. This is a special festival which is all about the beauty and majesty of winter. With three weeks of frozen fun, the city might not be the cheapest to visit but you don’t want to miss out. Consider staying in one of the nearby towns and hopping into Ottawa on the local commuter transport so you can enjoy everything Winterlude has to offer without breaking the bank. These are just two of the events on offer in Ottawa over winter, proving it is as fun to visit as it is in summer.

 

Know You Can’t Do Anything

Unless you are in Ottawa for a short-term residency, there is no way you would be able to do everything the city has to offer. Even then, unless you go through one full year you will miss out on either the summer or winter activities this amazing place can provide. We think it is therefore important that you take the time to work out which of the attractions in Ottawa sound the most appealing to you.

You can always return to the city (it certainly isn’t going anywhere) which will allow you to explore more and more each time. Decide what is most important for you to see and make sure that you do that each trip. Ottawa might be a capital city but that doesn’t mean that you have to blow your budget each and every time you visit.

 

 

TIP: Here’s 34 interesting facts about Ottawa I learned there when I visited. Ottawa is full of surprises!

TIP 2: You might know that I was born in Slovakia, in Central Europe. You have no idea how surprised I was to see that Canada and Slovakia are similar in so many ways. What do I mean? Have a read 😉

5 Fun Ways to Save on Airfare

December 13, 2018 tips, transport No comments

Traveling can be stressful, especially when you’re flying with kids or a whole family. From finding the best deals to getting to the airport on time, flying doesn’t have to break the bank or wreak havoc. Follow these five fun tips to save on airfare and enjoy a great vacation.

 

5 Fun Ways to Save on Airfare

 

1. Shop Around on Different Sites

Shopping for airfare is a lot like shopping for jeans. It could take a couple of stores and plenty of different styles before you find the one that works. Flyers can get the best deals on airfare by following the same practice. Metasearch engines such as Kayak, Expedia and Orbitz will display the lowest fares every day. Check these engines first, then go to individual airlines’ sites to see if they’re the same or even less.

 

 

2. Be a Little Spontaneous

Flight prices can drastically change in a matter of a day. While some flyers might want to travel on a Sunday, even waiting until Tuesday could yield better results. Try keeping a loose timeline of travel dates that work for the whole family. Shoulder season or off-season flights are cheaper depending on where the flight is going. Check the destination ahead of time to see which times of the year are peak travel times and which are the off-season.

Flying at off-peak days of the week such as Tuesday through Thursday will also cut costs. Tuesday afternoon is one of the best times to find a flight. Set a reminder to look then, and book within minutes if a cheap flight pops up. Many airlines offer a 24-hour cancelation policy, which can help ease some of the anxiety that comes with booking a flight immediately.

 

3. Follow Some Favorite Bloggers

Another fun way to save on airfare is through following different bloggers. Watching blogs and airlines’ sites for deals can lead to steals through social media. Flyers can also set alerts for price drops on metasearch engines and other sites to get notified when a flight falls into their price range. If someone flies frequently, they can also join reward programs with a certain airline such as Southwest, American, United and more.

 

4. Use a Credit Card for Travel Points

It’s hard not to gulp when you’re booking a family vacation abroad and seeing the price for the first time. It’s often even more stressful to put that amount on a credit card. However, some credit cards offer travel miles or other travel rewards with each purchase. Putting flights — or even just a dinner out — on that card can help flyers pay for their next vacation or flight abroad.

 

5. Explore During a Long Layover

A layover isn’t the worst thing in the world. Choosing a flight with a layover gives families and solo travelers a chance to explore a new city or destination away from the final vacation spot. In addition, many airports today have quiet lounge areas and places to sit and grab a cup of coffee, making it the perfect spot for business people to work between flights.

It also pays to book one leg of the trip at a time. Although flexible traveling doesn’t work for everyone, travelers can sometimes find cheaper flights on one airline and connecting flights that are cheaper on another. Check different airports, and look for layovers with cheaper connecting flights before booking one airline the whole way through.

Always Find the Deals

There’s no reason to pay the sticker price on a flight. Be patient, and watch numerous sites to find the best deal. Travelers without kids or a set schedule can also benefit from flexible dates and different flights, including layovers and booking one leg at a time. Through following these five tips, flyers can save on travel and have fun doing it.

 

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by PSECU, a Pennsylvania-based credit union.

 

5 reasons to visit Australia

March 1, 2016 Australia, tips, travel No comments

Australia and Antarctica are so far the only contintents I have not been to. Why you wonder? Well, because I want to spend loads of time exploring Australia, at least 3 to 6 months, but until now I have always had some plans pretty much every month.

So I keep postponing my Australia visit year by year and just keep telling myself all the reasons why I do have to go. Maybe before I finally book a flight, I should win some money so I have enough saved for the not so cheap continent… I already that what is important when choosing online casino games – choose a safe casino with reliable banking which at the same time has games that I like to play. It’s necessary to pick a casino where you can cash out your winnings without any trouble, right? And after years of playing, my friends have taught me some tricks I can use.

 

What are my 5 personal reasons to visit Australia?

1. Attractive people

Each Australian person I’ve ever met when traveling was super beautiful. Curly hair, suntanned ripped body, light-coloured eyes and sexy accent? I bet you agree with me that it’s not possible to say no to these very charming people.

 

2. Beaches

Have you ever seen a photo of any Australian beach? If you have, then you know it doesn’t need any more comments. Australia offers a few crowded beaches, e.g. abundant white sandy Sydney beaches, but the majority of the beaches around the country could be find super empty most of the time. Who would not like to have one of the 10,000 beaches just to themselves?

 

Australian beaches

3. Landscapes

Deserted landscapes with very few people, if any, some wild animals, and national parks famous for their waterfalls, mountains, rivers and cliffs sound like a plan. This vaste country is perfect for road trips so get a full car tank and grab a couple of friends to get some unforgettable fun. There’s so many natural wonders all around the country. If you happen to run out of ideas (which I doubt), what about taking one of the top 4 East Coast tours?

 

4. Weather

If you have been following my blogs for some time, then you must know I am not a cold weather person and do not enjoy wearing anything more than bikini with a sarong around. Warm climate for most of the year in many Australian territories makes it ideal for a visit. Escaping Northern hemisphere cold temperatures is definitely on my bucket list.

 

5. Sports

I am personally not much into one of the Australian’s most known sports – surfing, and prefer calm beaches, but it’s definitely worth observing the skilful guys surfing the huge waves. If not surfing, then I would for sure like to try snorkeling and scuba diving in the biggest world coral reef – the Great Barrier Reef where all level divers can enjoy the colorful underwater beauty. Once there, check out other exciting things to do in Queensland territory.

 

As you can see, there’s many benefits of traveling to Australia and staying there for a couple of weeks, if not months or years. Have you visited? If so, do you agree with my reasons or would you add some more?

Top tips to save your cash while shopping abroad

July 21, 2015 tips, travel No comments

Shopping while traveling is fun, but it’s worth making sure you have enough money saved to continue enjoying your trip, as well as avoiding crippling debts or credit problems when you get back home.

Take a look at the do’s and don’ts below to help you stay out of financial trouble on your travels.

 

Do:

 

  • Check the currency exchange rate – it may be favorable for you, or it may be prohibitively expensive, so check before you buy.
  • Buy your local currency before traveling – this is cheaper than buying in your hotel or a local bank.
  • Set a realistic budget and stick to it – save your cash for the essentials and emergency funds.
  • Look for savings on every aspect of your trip – whether it’s clothes, souvenirs, food or entertainment, always look for offers and discounts.
  • Buy in the sales – in some countries, like the USA and France, these happen at certain times of the year, so check for dates. Try ‘outlet’ stores too where goods are permanently sold at a discount. If you’re looking for quirky bargains, vintage shops may also be worth looking at.
  • Buy locally produced goods – handcrafts, foods and in some cases even big brand names may be cheaper in their country of origin.
  • Buy away from the big cities – it can be tempting to stick to cities like New York or London to shop. However, out of town shopping centers, such as the on-site shopping center at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard in the UK, can also have a lot to offer and be much less
  • Negotiate the price – in some countries, such as Morocco, Egypt and India, haggling over a price is perfectly acceptable, even expected. Just make sure this is usual practice in the country you’re visiting.
  • Claim a tax refund – some countries, like the USA and UK, allow visitors to reclaim at least some of the local taxes paid on goods. Usually there is a minimum spend applicable, but it’s still worth finding out if your spending qualifies.
  • Use your Student ID card – if you have one, take it with you, as a number of vendors offer student discounts on anything from stationery, to clothing, to food. (I have managed to use my student ISIC card a few times to get some discounts even though it has not been valid for a couple of years already but they do not check it properly everywhere.)
  • Pack your bags carefully – rolling clothes and neatly packing items can save you space which could mean savings on excess baggage.

 

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Don’t:

 

  • Shop in tourist areas – wherever possible, aim for locally used shops and vendors as they won’t have hiked up tourist prices.
  • Make too many ‘impulse’ buys – if you’d be stretching your traveling cash too far and it’s not essential, simply walk away from buying it.
  • Use your credit card – keep this to a minimum, for essentials and emergencies, as the interest added can make the full cost exorbitant.
  • Stick to your budget and seek out savings wherever possible to help ensure you’re in a healthy financial state when you get home. You’ll be very glad you did.

5 Ways to Reduce the Effects of Jet Lag

April 16, 2015 tips, travel No comments

Jet lag is an inevitable part of travelling, especially if you are travelling long distances across the world. It usually occurs when crossing two or more time zones, as the rapid travel throws off your circadian rhythm and causes it to be somewhat unstable. Some people may feel the effects of jet lag more than others, and this may be attributed to age and how often they travel this way. Jet lag can never be eliminated, but there are some ways to reduce its effects once you arrive at your destination.

Adjust your schedule

If you change up your schedule a little to match the time zone you are travelling to, this will help you greatly in combatting jet lag. These don’t have to be massive changes – just try going to bed earlier if you are travelling east and later if you are travelling west. If you can eat your meals according to your destination’s times, this will also help you out.

Stopover

Try and plan a stopover if you can, as this will give you some time to adjust to the difference in time. When I had to fly from Bangkok to Divi hotel in Aruba, I stayed in Miami for 2 nights. Flying can be a tiring exercise in itself, so take this opportunity to take a nap and have some food. If you have an extended period of time in your stopover, you might even want to take a shower before lying down for some rest.

Sleep!

Getting enough sleep before, during and after your flight is extremely important in ensuring you are as unaffected by jet lag as possible. Before you leave, make sure you get a decent night’s sleep. Don’t make the mistake of trying to stay awake so you can get to sleep better on the plane – it is better to be well rested at all times. During the flight, try and get as much sleep as you can. This might mean using eyeshades, bringing your most comfortable pillow, or playing music that helps you sleep – pharmacies, department stores and luggage specialists such as Luggage Direct often have a range of pillows, ear plugs and eye masks to choose from.

 

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Keep hydrated

When you aren’t sleeping on the plane, try and drink as much water as possible. Dehydration will be your enemy, so avoid caffeine and alcohol, as tempting as they may be.

Exposure to Daylight

Get as much sun as you can once you arrive at your destination. The light will make you feel better and less lethargic, and will allow you to adapt to the time change with more ease. If you really want to kick it up a notch, you might even want to go for a run to get your endorphins going.

These are five different ways to reduce the effects of jet lag if you are travelling across many time zones. Sleeping well is one of the best ways to combat jet lag, but different people may have different strategies, so find something that works for you and stick to it. Happy travelling!

Do you travel often? Do you have a list of things you do to combat jet lag? Do you agree with the tips above? Leave your thoughts and advice down below.

 

If you need more tips on how to stay fit when traveling which might help you fighting jet lag, visit my other blog 🙂