Late-booking could be the key to saving money on travel this holiday season. Here are 5 best practices for late booking. I am providing the shortened version of each point. Click on the link for the full text.
1.Check alternate airports. Major cities have smaller hubs that often provide lower fares, the usual trade-off being a longer drive from the airport.
2.Consider flying on the holiday. Christmas fares might be cheaper, so you might want to travel on an early morning flight. If you’re an experienced traveler, you probably already know that Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year.
3.If you see a good fare, book it right then. If you don’t, it might not be there when you go back.
4.Time your purchase right. While there is no consensus in the travel industry as a whole as to when to book your flight, Hotwire suggests you book it on a Tuesday afternoon, since some airlines will lower their airfares on Monday, and others on Tuesday to compete.
5.Consider varying travel dates. One or two days before or after peak travel time often give you a break on fares.
Most travelers love to get gadgets that make travelling easier. Here are my top picks in the Under $25, Under $50, and Under $100 categories. Click on the links for the full product description and specifications.
How many times has a typical traveler eyed their suitcase in the corner of their hotel room thinking, “Did I buy so much that my suitcase is now over my weight limit? It might cost as much to send things home as it does to pay an overage fee, but do I really need to do either?” With the Balanzza Mini Digital Luggage Scale, you can get an easy answer to those questions. The price is right, and weighing in (pardon the pun) at 3 oz., it won’t take much space in your suitcase.
With the 4-Source Portable Power Supply, you have four ways to charge your phone — and you can charge two phones at once. The reason I love this is because two of the sources of power come from batteries: two AA batteries or a 9 volt battery — which you can purchase anywhere. (The other two sources of power are AC power [American wall socket] and DC power [car charger]). If you like this, see the All-in-One Adapter, Converter & USB Charger (described below).
RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification Devices. Newly-issued passports and credit cards have them, ostensibly to speed up transactions. Unfortunately, you also become a walking target: you can be a victim of identity theft without your wallet or credit card ever leaving your pocket or purse; all a thief has to do is scan your person from up to 30 feet away. With an RFID Blocking Passport Case, your passport and credit cards are safe, as well as nicely organized. It comes in black ballistic nylon and is also available in black leather for $19.95.
As a seasoned traveler, I believe the Water Bottle Belt Clip is one of the most practical items for travelers, ever. If you’re traveling to France, you probably won’t want to spend 2-4 euros every time you want water, but if you want to reuse a bottle, where do you keep it? The Water Bottle Belt Clip is the answer. It adjusts to fit nearly any bottle or can, and has a metal spring-loaded clip that keeps it securely at your hip or waist (or on a handbag or gym bag), keeping your hands free.
The lock allows you to lock your zippers together and secure the suitcase to an unmovable object while allowing the TSA access. You can also secure another suitcase to the handle.
How many times have you been in a hotel room where the air was drier than sandpaper? With the Portable Travel Humidifier you no longer need to suffer. The device fits on most bottles and automatically shuts off after 8 hours.
I already published a post on this: you pull the string of the Screaming Personal Safety Alarm and let it scream for you when you feel threatened. It hangs on a handbag or belt loop for easy reach. (Don’t worry, you can turn it off and reuse it.)
From a woman’s perspective, this belt looks smart (attractive). Bills are secured inside the fold of the belt. The belt comes in black and brown and adjusts to a 44-inch waist.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh…….a travel pillow and blanket in one. I wish I had this on my most recent flight to Paris: it was an overnight flight, and while the service by the flight attendants was impressive, I was freezing in the cabin, even wearing a long-sleeved shirt, a cashmere sweater, and a heavy blazer. The blanket is stored inside the pillow; once the blanket is removed, you inflate the pillow. The Travel Billow comes in black, blue, and olive.
I love this handbag! Let me count the ways: RFID blocking pockets for credit cards and passports; two front flap pockets and a locking zipper pocket; an adjustable cut-proof shoulder strap; a rear zip pocket; a locking main compartment; a removable LED light; all in an eye-pleasing design. It comes in 7 colors: black, blue, stone, chocolate, purple, cranberry and olive. See the video for a complete explanation.
The name says it all: The device automatically detects in-bound voltage and converts it to 110 volts, and is safe to use for hair dryers, irons, and other small electrical products. It has a USB charger to charge your cell phone or iPad. It’s compatible in more than 150 countries: the only adapter configuration it doesn’t work with is the 3 round-pin used mainly in South Africa and India.
Seasoned travelers often advise not to take anything with you when you travel that you would hate to lose, but sometimes it cannot be avoided. The Pacsafe Travelsafe 12L GII Portable Safe is sized to fit a 15-inch laptop; you can also use it to secure jewelry, cameras and documents. Just secure it to something that cannot be removed. It packs flat. Its patented system of a tightly woven, high-tensile, 1 1/2 inch flexible stainless steel wire mesh between two pieces of waterproof nylon (with an inner canvas layer for added protection) thwarts most slash-and-run thieves. A TSA accepted 3-dial combination lock is included.
The Ogon Original RFID Blocking Aluminum Wallet is suitable for men and women, but since it’s pocket-sized and sleek, I’m calling it a gift for men. Comes in three colors — black, turquoise blue, and silver, and you can’t beat the price.
Au revoir!
All images from CorporateTravelSafety.com, used with permission.
In need of a good laugh? Enjoy this tongue-in-cheek article about 17 things French people do better than Americans. I personally believe they’re #1 and we’re #2 (or lower) in culture superiority. But no one asked me my opinion.
If you want to have lunch after a visit to Sacre-Coeur or simply want an oasis from crowds in the 18th arrondissement, La Maison Rose offers authentic French food in a beautiful setting.
La Maison Rose (“The Pink House”) has carved out its own space in the 18th arrondissement. Located at the corner of rue des Saules & rue de l’Abreuvoir, its pink exterior set against a block of white buildings is hard to miss. You can sit outside, on both sides of the street — just look for the pink tables — or inside: either way, you’ll enjoy an authentic French meal in relative quiet.
If you sit inside and enjoy the stucco walls with vintage artwork and lighting, don’t be surprised if you hear voices of the past whisper in your ear: the restaurant has been frequented by many artists over the years such as Pablo Picasso, Gertrude Stein, and Maurice Utrillo, who painted La Maison Rose before the second story was added.
La Maison Rose in Montmartre, painted by Maurice Utrillo before the second story was added.
There is something for everyone at La Maison Rose. Their offerings to savor include: Magret de canard (Duck breast), Escargot, Pork Tenderloin, Salmon, Roast Chicken with Rice, French Onion Soup, Spaghetti Bolognese, Nicoise Salad and Caesar Salad. Remember that Les Entrees are the American version of appetizers, so expect small portions. (Les Plats are Main Courses.) The restaurant also offers options suitable for children, such as a Cheeseburger with Frites (French Fries). Finish your meal with a sweet crepe, such as Creme Caramel, Mousse au Chocolat (Chocolate Mousse), au Nutella (Nutella), or avec Fraises (with Strawberries). If you want only a glass of wine with your meal, ask for un verre de vin (a glass of wine). Otherwise, you might get a pichet (pitcher) of wine.
One oddity: La Maison Rose does not take credit cards of any kind, only cash. There is an ATM not too far away.
Paris is pricey, and La Maison Rose is a respite from the crowds in the middle of a very touristy area. You’re paying not only for authentic French food, but for the haven of quiet. After walking all day, La Maison Rose is just the place to recharge before going on your next adventure — perhaps taking in a cabaret show at the nearby Lapin Agile.
La Maison Rose
2 rue de l’Abreuvoir
75018 Paris
01 42 57 66 75
Closest metros: Lamarck-Caulaincourt or Abbesses
Bon Appetit!
Photograph of La Maison Rose by CanStockPhoto. Image of Maurice Utrillo’s La Maison Rose painting found on Pinterest, CCBY 2.0.
Have you ever thought of going to Paris for Christmas or a weekend? Check out these accommodation deals from France.com (from $275.00 per person/double occupancy for a weekend in Paris!) and find your flight separately.
Two deals that caught my eye are the 3-Day Christmas Package and Paris Weekend Budget Package. Here are the details for both.
3-Day Christmas Package -Round trip shared shuttle from airport to hotel.
-2 nights at a 3-star hotel with breakfast included, your choice of La Regence Etoile, Royal Magda, or Hotel de Sevigne.
-Eiffel Tower lunch with skip-the-line entrance ticket to ET.
-Seine River Christmas Eve dinner with drinks.
-1 evening pass on Paris hop-on, hop-off bus.
-Price (from $495.00 per person) based on 2 people traveling together. Single supplement of $215.00 for 1 person booking alone. Find your flight separately on TripAdvisor.com or Kayak (or on your own).
The cafe inside La Regence Etoile, one of the hotel choices for the 3-Day Christmas Package in Paris.
Paris Weekend Budget Package (Available on weekends only) -Round trip shared shuttle from airport to hotel.
-2 nights at a 3-star hotel with breakfast included, your choice of three hotel selections (selections offered at time of booking).
-Louvre skip-the-line entrance ticket.
-Seine River Cruise ticket.
-3 Paris metro tickets (per person).
-Price (from $275 per person) based on 2 people traveling together. Single supplement of $175.00 for 1 person booking alone. Find your flight separately on TripAdvisor.com or Kayak (or on your own).
In an effort to support Paris in getting back to normal, I am featuring Cafe Bonne Biere today. While some Parisians are understandably hesitant about going back, they also understand that if they don’t, the terrorists will have won. As the French fearlessly guard their culture and way of life, Americans and others should support Paris in its effort to heal, and supporting the businesses that were affected by the attacks is the best way to start. In another life, I might have thought it odd to discuss a bistro’s food and alcohol selections that had been the victim of a terrorist attack. But not today.
The interior of Cafe Bonne Biere is as welcoming as its service.
Cafe Bonne Biere (“Good Beer Cafe”) is a beautiful, if not elegant, bistro at the corner of rue du Faubourg du Temple & rue de la Fontaine du Roi in the 11th arrondissement. It is loved by locals and tourists alike for its welcoming service and great food. A chef might even come out and talk to you about how they serve local products made by traditional French methods. Or simply to say hello.
Along with beer, wine, and a cocktail menu, they offer a selection of French food as well as burgers. French selections include Nicoise Salad, Bream (a type of fish), Salmon Tataki with Wasabi Cream, Croque Monsieur/Madame (Ham & Cheese Sandwich/Madame with Egg on top), and Poached Egg with Sauteed Mushrooms. Try the Plat du Jour (“Today’s Special”). Or go for Sunday brunch which includes baked goods, homemade preserves, eggs, and freshly squeezed juices.
Cafe Bonne Biere is good for more than just a beer. It will feed your soul.
Cafe Bonne Biere
32 rue du Faubourg du Temple
75011 Paris
The citizens of Paris are going back to the cafes. Rick Steves says Americans should join them.
Parisians are going back to the cafes and museums. Americans should join them.
Here are two articles from The Washington Post on Paris in the wake of the attacks on November 13. The first shows the citizens of Paris are not giving in to terror — they’re going back to the cafes and museums and going on with the business of living — even laughing at a defiant comedian who compared the Islamic State’s war on French culture to bringing a “philosophy of rigorous self-abnegation to a pastry fight.” The second article offers advice from my favorite travel guide, Rick Steves, on why Americans should travel to Paris after the attacks. One point worth mentioning: He says that if Americans stay home because 130 people were killed in Paris (with a population of 2 million), they’ll be staying in a country where over 30,000 people per year (or nearly 100 per day, out of 320 million) are killed each year due to gun violence.
Paris (and France as a whole) has increased security to keep their citizens and tourists safe. Let’s not give in to terror or to terrorists and stop traveling. If we do, the terrorists will have won.
