A friend and I are planning a trip this summer for early August to London, Edinburgh, and Dublin. We're looking at flights, hostel stays, and food/entertainment for a 1.5-2 week trip, and hoping to do it somewhat cheaply.
All the flights we've found are in the $1700-$1900 range, so that would be most of our budget for the trip, leaving not much left for anything else. (We were originally hoping to spend less than $2500 each)
Is there some secret we just don't know? A site for finding the deals? We've looked at travelzoo.com and expedia, but what's the best way to find cheap flights? (is it a travel agent?)
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posted by lockstitch
on May 20, 2013 -
7 answers
I'll be spending a few days on the Gulf Coast in lower Alabama in mid-October for a family reunion. Looks like we'll be staying in one of the delightfully cheesy resort condos in either Gulf Shores or Orange Beach. While I plan to spend a lot of time enjoying the gulf and the pool, I know I'll need to get away from that occasionally. So what cool stuff is there to do? The Shrimp Festival is already on the itinerary.
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posted by rhiannonstone
on May 20, 2013 -
10 answers
My roommates and I are going abroad for the month of July. We're American college students; we'd like to go somewhere warm and cheap for a month. The thing is, we're not necessarily looking to go backpacking the whole time. I'm searching for a place that's super cheap, warm, and close to the ocean where we can write/relax/make music for a month. Shoestring budget here, and we don't mind dumpster diving. In the past I've sublet an apartment in Paris for two months for really cheap and just lived there to explore the city. Does anything spring to mind that's coastal and doable?
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posted by Shasta
on May 19, 2013 -
13 answers
My sister left on an international trip (from the US), without getting a chance to inform her bank of her trip (apparently they're closed on weekends). Since she won't be able to easily make phonecalls while abroad, she's asked me to do that for her when the bank reopens on Monday. I have her card number, PIN, security question, etc. Which of these options is best: 1) call the bank, and identify myself as her, even though I don't sound like a woman and my sister has an unambiguously female name 2) call the bank, and tell them the truth - that I am calling on behalf of my sister, or 3) enlist a trusted female friend to make the call, identifying herself as my sister using information I provide.
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posted by anonymous
on May 18, 2013 -
41 answers
I currently have a
Samsung Guru E1081T. It is a very simple phone, and I can use it in Australia and Europe. However, it does not work in the USA. What is the simplest phone that uses SIM cards that I can use in all three places? No smartphones please; battery life is the paramount consideration. I don't care about features, apart from phone and texting.
posted by Philosopher Dirtbike
on May 18, 2013 -
5 answers
Heading to Cleveland in Early June to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and then on to Niagara Falls. Help me plan my vacation.
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posted by Lizlemondrop
on May 17, 2013 -
18 answers
My girlfriend and I have our great AZ/NM road trip this month, and we'll be looping around and through the Navajo nation on our way to the Chaco Canyon UNESCO site. What should we know, what should we make side-trips for, and where can we get a good bowl of lamb stew?
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posted by ormondsacker
on May 16, 2013 -
20 answers
I have the first week of June to travel, now in need of suggestions as to a place that might fit my strange requirements.
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posted by tooloudinhere
on May 15, 2013 -
9 answers
My brother left for Rome, Italy on Monday to do a summer job for a lab there and we (his friends and family) still haven't had any contact from him.
I'm worried that something might have happened to him and his wife and kids are worried sick. Is there any good routes to trying to find him in case he's been in an accident?
I don't have the name of the lab he's working for or I'd just call them :(
posted by Ikazuchi
on May 15, 2013 -
20 answers
Our daughter is going to a
dance intensive program in Guinea, Africa. While my wife and I have traveled quite a bit in Europe and Asia, Africa is new to us.
She will be getting all necessary shots, travel insurance, etc., but we're more interested in the less than obvious. While she will be in and out of Conakry, from our understanding she will also be helping to build a school and traveling around other parts of Guinea. Does anyone have any advice for our daughter about Guinea, travel to Africa, cultural dos and don'ts or logistical information about communications, phones, or anything else?
Thanks!
posted by BillW
on May 14, 2013 -
8 answers
In a few weeks I'll be flying into NYC around 9:00 AM and flying out around 9:00 PM, and I'd like to take a shower somewhere and maybe even leave my bag for the day so I can wander the city. So far the only options I've found are to pay about $50 for access to an airline lounge, which seems too pricey for what I want, or to book a hotel room. Surely there are cheaper options? I'm not too picky about location, but somewhere in Lower Manhattan would probably be best. Please help me out, New Yorkers!
posted by reductiondesign
on May 13, 2013 -
20 answers
My fella and I will be in Estes Park and Golden, Colorado for the week of May 26th-June 1st. We planned on doing a lot of hiking. We've had our fingers crossed for good weather, but it's starting to look like we may have to have some backup plans. Help!
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posted by Elly Vortex
on May 13, 2013 -
6 answers
We're road-tripping from Sacramento to Salt Lake City to Denver with our five-year-old, and are looking for tips on routes and places to stop.
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posted by DakotaPaul
on May 13, 2013 -
8 answers
I have a new work schedule (Tuesday-Saturday) which, after taking care of chores on Sunday, leaves me with Monday off. I also have discounted access to most of the cultural institutions of NYC. I'd like to use my Mondays well. Please suggest things to do on Mondays in NYC.
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posted by sciencegeek
on May 13, 2013 -
12 answers
I'll be in Montreal and Longueuil, Quebec, Canada for two weeks. What budget-friendly things should I do there?
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posted by GlassHeart
on May 12, 2013 -
17 answers
Can anyone recommend a group tour that takes you from Seattle to Mount Ranier and back all in one day?
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posted by modoriculous
on May 12, 2013 -
9 answers
I am an AT&T Customer with an iPhone 5. I am traveling to London, Paris, and Dusseldorf this summer and don't want to get killed with international data and cell charges. Plus I want good apps for translation, maps, etc. What's the best way to do this, and would I be better or worse off with an Android phone (Galaxy S4 or HTC One)? Any first-hand experience would be awesome.
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posted by bodgy
on May 12, 2013 -
7 answers
I'm going to be flying cross-country at the end of June. I haven't been on an airplane in about 11 years. What should I do to make my trip as comfortable and stress-free as possible, both on the ground and in the air?
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posted by SansPoint
on May 10, 2013 -
42 answers
Girlfriend and I are looking to get away this August, and we're looking for destinations. We want to spend ~10 days relaxing, experiencing some natural beauty, being warm, eating delicious food (both of the restaurant variety and the pick-up-bread-and-cheese-from-the-local-vendor variety) and generally unplugging from day-to-day life. Not big partiers, but we'd frequent the local cafe/pub. Something like a little cottage in the south of France would be our dream, but we're working with a budget of ~$4000 all-inclusive, so France may have to wait. We're 30ish and live in Boston. Idea us please!
posted by violinflu
on May 10, 2013 -
28 answers
I'm going to Chaudes-Aigues (France) in early July and I currently live in England (York). What are my (best) options for getting there? Would like to fly out of Manchester if at all possible, but I'm having a hard time figuring out what airlines and airports I should be looking into at the France end and how feasible train/bus travel is to/from places there. Thanks!
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posted by iamkimiam
on May 10, 2013 -
9 answers
Hi CT mefites. I'm looking for help locating sunflowers in grocery/box stores between Windsor Locks and Storrs before I travel there next week.
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posted by ovenmitt
on May 9, 2013 -
5 answers
Is it common in your academic workplace for people to share hotel rooms at conferences with colleagues?
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posted by aabbbiee
on May 9, 2013 -
60 answers
The problem: Boyfriend has been living in Central America for several years--he's not a permanent resident or citizen, but gets his passport stamped every 3 months (just takes a quick trip across the border). This seems typical of lots of expats in the area, and there are no problems with the host country so far. Boyfriend has an Italian passport. He's currently visiting me in the States. He also visited last October, and when we were at the airport for his return flight, the nice lady at United told us he couldn't fly back to Central American country without a ticket showing that he would leave this country within 3 months
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posted by namemeansgazelle
on May 9, 2013 -
16 answers
I'm road trippin' with friends. They are driving from Boston to Deleware. I'm in NYC.
I need to meet them somewhere along the 1-95 route in the NYC area, So they don't have to go out of their way to pick me up.
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posted by thatgirld
on May 9, 2013 -
10 answers
What are the most fun things to do in Melbourne on holiday? I've got 4 days as a solo female traveller in my 30s. I'm not into footy but open to shopping, good places to eat (cheaply), cultural things and tourist attractions. Inspire me!
posted by EatMyHat
on May 8, 2013 -
16 answers
I've never worked in any hospitality industry, so I'm just wondering as a casual consumer/observer. How come people are supposed to tip their valets and bellhops at hotels, and they are always only men while there's no rule that you tip the housekeeping, and they are always female?
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posted by KimikoPi
on May 8, 2013 -
34 answers
Melatonin supposedly works for jetlag. Fasting supposedly works for jetlag. Can I use both of these together, and if so, how?
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posted by gallusgallus
on May 8, 2013 -
11 answers
I'm a confident solo traveller in Europe (Eastern and Western) and am pondering a trip to Morocco in the near future. I've seen
this thread and the numerous ones suggesting that Marrakech and Fez are better choices than Casablanca, but I'm wondering if anyone has specific advice for a solo female traveller in Morocco?
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posted by SymphonyNumberNine
on May 8, 2013 -
7 answers
We are getting married towards the end of September near Bath, Maine. We want to go on a fairly short, cheap honeymoon in or around that area. We've thought about PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, even Quebec City--where have you been in this area that's romantic? Am missing a cute New England town that would be closer/cheaper/still an adventure?
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posted by chaiminda
on May 6, 2013 -
8 answers
I finally saved up enough flyer miles for a flight to Europe and I am super excited since I've never been. I'm planning on a week in London and then a week in Paris, advice for things to do while I'm there would be much appreciated.
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posted by xtine
on May 6, 2013 -
21 answers
I'd like to travel the world for a few years and work on some iOS app ideas at the same time, with the hope that if one of 'em makes enough money I can keep doing it forever! However, I reckon hostels probably aren't the most productive places in the world. Have any of you ever done something like this? What's the best approach for getting in the zone and being productive when you're on the go and surrounded by people? Are coffeehouse programmers as common in Europe as they are in the Silicon Valley? What about work-life balance -- is it possible to maintain a healthy hostel social life while also getting stuff done? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you!
posted by anonymous
on May 5, 2013 -
10 answers
I'm planning on taking a solo trip to Berlin for a week. As a general guideline, if I stick to cafes (and the occasional doner kebab) how much should I expect to spend on food?
posted by GenericUser
on May 5, 2013 -
7 answers
My mom and I both really like water parks, and are from the East Coast. Therefore we've never been to Wisconsin Dells, we'd like to go, and know nothing about it except that there's water parks. We'd like to go there for a few days this June - driving up from Chicago on a Wednesday and driving back home on Friday. Any advice you can give is welcomed.
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posted by bleep
on May 4, 2013 -
10 answers
I have several good friends who will be traveling abroad this summer to work with elephants in Thailand and wildlife in Zimbabwe. I wanted to get them each something that would be thoughtful, useful or fun, especially in a foreign land. I have never traveled abroad, so I am having a hard time deciding what is needed or wanted when one is in Thailand or Africa.
So, I am looking for something small and not terribly expensive. What would you have wanted on your trip to Thailand and/or Africa?
posted by Seppaku
on May 4, 2013 -
11 answers
My 18-year old stepson is supposed to be travelling from France to the Netherlands tonight and he has just realized that his passport is one month past its expiry. He is a French citizen, but he can't find his ID card (eighteen) ... is there any way around this. Or is it one of those life lessons?
posted by bwonder2
on May 3, 2013 -
9 answers
Should I stay in the job I've always wanted (at the expense of a dream) or go on the trip that I've always wanted (at the expense of stability)?
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posted by liquorice
on May 2, 2013 -
25 answers
I'm visiting Denver later this month and am curious about what the city has to offer that is unique and offbeat in a specific way.
I like the kitschy/cheesy, I love the weird/slightly spooky. My best trips to strange cities have involved: antique fairs and curio shops, museums centered around one niche concept, rambly old graveyards, outsider art in all forms, graffitied ruins and abandoned spaces, anything historical that focuses on the everyday experiences of common people.
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posted by erstwhile ungulate
on May 2, 2013 -
15 answers
I'm traveling (US Airways San Francisco to New Orleans, US Airways New Orleans to Wilmington NC, Delta from Wilmington to San Francisco) to play music at my sister's wedding. I'm hoping you can tell me how to fly with my guitar (including what to say, who to talk to) without it getting crushed.
What I've already been told is inside.
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posted by verbyournouns
on Apr 30, 2013 -
12 answers
My boyfriend and I will be in South Africa for around three weeks in August, and would love suggestions for things to do.
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posted by odayoday
on Apr 30, 2013 -
7 answers
My love takes great pleasure in wind blowing through trees, preferably rustling, leafy, big trees. Looking for vacation spots where 1) there are guaranteed trees and highly likely wind, and 2) we can get a warm, toasty room with a great view of said trees.
Other than those two criteria, it can be anywhere, any time of year. Where and when would this be?
posted by quarterframer
on Apr 30, 2013 -
18 answers
There are a bunch of trips I'd like to take. I read about these places for years. I want to be able to save the addresses of places I'm interested in, as I read about them. I want to, eventually, be able to create a customized map of my destination; and ideally have this map integrate with an iphone app that will display the map and help me navigate among my destinations. Is this a thing?
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posted by fingersandtoes
on Apr 30, 2013 -
10 answers
What to see during a spare week in August between leaving Hyannis on a Friday (having had a few days there and before that Boston) and need to be in NYC the following Friday for a long weekend of sightseeing?
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posted by brettski
on Apr 30, 2013 -
26 answers
I'm probably going to meet up with some friends to Ibiza in June, but I'm not much of a beach person, so if I get antsy, what else could I do with a few free days in southern Spain? I was thinking of spending a few days in Barcelona, but what are some other options that are relatively accessible from Ibiza?
Also, advice for finding less expensive flights from the east coast of the US to Ibiza would be amazing.
posted by empath
on Apr 30, 2013 -
18 answers
I reply to a fair number of L.A. travel questions here and many of the answers (including mine) often contain dire warnings about traffic. This happens even if traffic isn't directly related to the question being asked.
So, visitors to our fair city, how bad was the traffic
really, and what information/advice can I give to newbie LA tourists who drive?
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posted by Room 641-A
on Apr 29, 2013 -
60 answers
We're going to Portland for a week-long vacation (and maybe a moving trial run) in a few days.
We've visited before, but this time we're taking our 2-year-old daughter, and I wanted to ask if there are any great toddler friendly destinations or day trips that we shouldn't miss. Any tips on kid-friendly restaurants and organic grocery shopping in NW Portland are also appreciated.
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posted by mmc
on Apr 29, 2013 -
16 answers
I've saved up about $80,000 over the past few years, with no debts, loans, or mortgages. It's always been my dream to travel the world, and I've been planning to take my money and run off for the next few years, hopefully figuring out how to run an independent software business in the process. However, I don't know much about investing, and for all I know there might be a better use of my savings right around the corner. (Two questions about investing inside.)
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posted by anonymous
on Apr 29, 2013 -
20 answers
Two of my friends and I want to get out of Brooklyn for a night or two this spring for a vacation/artistic retreat/fun time. We would like to go someplace with the following amenities:
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posted by Charity Garfein
on Apr 28, 2013 -
14 answers
I will be doing 2 months of archaeological field work in South Africa this summer. It's my first time in the field abroad, and I'm interested in travel insurance since field work is potentially riskier than regular travel.
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posted by TungstenChef
on Apr 27, 2013 -
3 answers
