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5 Handy Hotel Hacks With Ironing Boards

12/6/2020

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There's an easy way to make your hotel room feel more organized and homey. Here's why your ironing board is a travel hero. 

​​​This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

Grey ironing board and a white iron, with an white shirt on the board.
Ironing boards are hotel heros! Photo by Filip Mroz on Unsplash
Have you seen the movie “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”? There’s a great scene in which the lovelorn Peter gets some unusual advice. Family members tell him to iron his shirts—even his t-shirts!—in order to feel better. I won’t spoil the ending, but let’s just say it takes more than sharp creases to turn Peter’s vacation around. 

Though their advice didn’t help Peter, it has worked for me—albeit under less dramatic circumstances. 

Whenever I’m feeling a bit rundown on the road, I know that some serious laundering and even the occasional ironing session will help put a spring in my step. Since those occasions are few and far between, I usually ignore hotel room ironing boards. However, a recent podcast had me rethinking ironing boards in general—and how handy they can be for travellers. 

Here are five great reasons to set up your hotel ironing board on each and every trip, even if you’re not trying to rebound from a broken love affair! 

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How To Cancel Non-Refundable Hotel Reservations

17/3/2020

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Here's how to cancel your non-refundable hotel reservation if you're affected by COVID-19 or another crisis.

​This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

How to cancel a non-refundable hotel reservation during COVID 19: Vanessa looking out of a hotel balcony in Hawaii Picture
Happy travel times: At a hotel in Hawaii
So you rolled the dice and took a chance on a non-refundable hotel reservation. We see these kinds of tempting promotions all the time. They're usually $5 to $25 cheaper than their counterparts, the "book now, pay later" deal. Sometimes the price difference isn't enough to tempt you but other times the savings really add up so you throw caution to the wind and click "pay now!" After all, it's just not feasible that you'd *ever* miss your trip, right?

No one expects to be caught up in a global pandemic like COVID-19. Or to get stuck a thousand miles away by a hurricane or blizzard. Who anticipates that their surgical appointment will suddenly be moved up? And hey, it's not like anyone expected the groom to runaway with the bridesmaid a week before the wedding, did they? Yet here you are. Hotel booked and paid for. And you're not going to be there. Gotta kiss that money goodbye, right? Your coronavirus hotel booking is a disaster, is it not? Maybe not.

This is my totally-not-guaranteed-but-not-exactly-hopeless-either guide to finding a financial solution when you've booked a non-refundable hotel reservation you need to bail on.

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Orvieto Wine, Food, and Family

8/8/2019

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In search of the ultimate travel coziness in Italy, we fell in love with Orvieto - oh, and Orvieto wine too!

​Media accommodations were provided to us by Hotel Duomo at no charge. All research, writing, and opinions are our own. Some links in this post may be affiliate links, which means we are paid a small commission should you make a purchase.

Orvieto wine bar, Italy
Is there anything cozier than stumbling into a delightfully snug wine bar with a full roaring fire at the end of a long travel day? Perhaps the only thing better is when said wine bar also doubles as a spectacular restaurant - and is owned by one of the kindest families you've ever met. This very scenario was our introduction to Orvieto wine, food, and family - and it set a new bar for hospitality, not just for all other Italian towns but indeed everywhere we travel.

​Here's what made Orvieto such a wonderfully cozy destination for us, including our beloved wine bar and our new favourite hotel, lovingly decorated by local artists.

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Where To Stay In Zurich: Our Favourite Hotels In Zurich Old Town

24/6/2019

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Wondering where to stay in Zurich? These are our favourite hotels in Zurich Old Town and there's something for everyone.

My trip to Zurich was part of a hosted media visit. All research, writing, and opinions are my own.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through said link we are paid a small commission.

Where to stay in Zurich - lounging in bed
Lounging around in bed when you could be out exploring Zurich's streets and lane ways? Say it ain't so! Never fear - I walked A LOT while I was in Zurich. This restful moment was just a brief interlude of downtime. I just couldn't resist trying out my super cozy bed for just a few moments! And I was so lucky that I was staying in the heart of the old town so I could easily pop back home for a rest. As a sleep enthusiast, I know that there are a lot of options on where to stay in Zurich and for my money, the best choice is one of the hotels in Zurich Old Town. Here are my favourite places to stay, some great alternative options with different styles and price points, and a few things that I love about Zurich's old town.

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I Heart Lake Simcoe Resorts: Inside Briars Resort and Spa at Jacksons Point, Ontario

1/2/2019

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A review of Briars Resort and Spa at Jacksons Point, Ontario - my favourite of all the Lake Simcoe Resorts.

My visit to the Briars was sponsored the Central Counties Tourism and I thank them for their support. Note some links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I am paid a small commission should you make a purchase.

Lake Simcoe Resorts at Jacksons Point Ontario - Briars resort review. Picture
It sometimes takes a lot to bust out of a Canadian winter rut but a weekend at the Briars Resort and Spa on Lake Simcoe, in Jacksons Point, Ontario (just an hour north of Toronto) was just the thing to make winter exciting again! The beauty of all the Lake Simcoe resorts is something I had long heard about but never had the chance to explore - but I knew just the people to take along on my adventure. Arriving on a Friday night with three of my best blogging friends in tow, I was excited to dive into the first offering of their “Blah Busters” package – local wine and a delicious selection of cheeses. It was the perfect way to kick off a girls’ weekend and get into the outdoors spirit.

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Where To Stay in Budapest: Hotel Moments Budapest Review

13/2/2018

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Wondering where to stay in Budapest? Read our Hotel Moments Budapest review to see why it makes great travel memories.

Our Budapest accommodations were sponsored by the local tourism board. This post may contain affiliate links, which pay us a small commission should you click on them and then make a purchase. 

Where to stay in Budapest Hotel Moments Budapest review - headboard and light. Picture
Deciding where to stay in Budapest? I think this incredible headboard is going to make you curious about Hotel Moments Budapest!
If you wondering where to stay in Budapest, we have a great suggestion and it comes from the heart. Hotel Moments Budapest is an ideal mix of everything we look for in a hotel - unique, memorable, comfortable, well thought out, and well positioned to explore. There are abundant architectural features from centuries past which remind you with every turn that you're in one of the world's most beautiful cities  - but the hotel doesn't skimp on modern touches that make even the fussiest of travelers feel at home. If that isn't enough, it's also just steps away from the incomparable Hungarian State Opera House. In short, it's the perfect hotel to make the most of a first time visit to Budapest. 

​Read our Hotel Moments Budapest review to see what our experience was really like... 

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Where To Stay In Bagan: Hotels, Guesthouses, and Hostels

23/10/2017

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Looking for the best hotels in Bagan? We asked top travel writers for their recommendations for the best hotels, guesthouses, inns, and hostels that Bagan has to offer. 

Picture
Bagan is synonymous with magic. This small community in Myanmar was once the capital of a mighty kingdom. Between the 11th and 13th centuries, over 10,000 pagodas, temples, and monasteries were built. Today, some 2,200 structures remain, the greatest concentration of religious sites in the world. It is an absolutely essential stop for all travelers in Myanmar and you'll never regret adding an extra day or two onto your Bagan itinerary. 

Since our visit in 2013, the travel industry has grown exponentially in Bagan, with hostels, hotels, and guesthouses springing up seemingly overnight. Eager for my readers to have the best possible experience in Bagan, I asked my fellow travel writers to weigh in. Here you'll find their reviews of different properties - from $20 to $200 + a night - to help you make the best possible decision based on your travel style. It's time to pack your bags!

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Layover Luxury: The Free Hotel Trick We Just Discovered.

16/5/2017

24 Comments

 

It's not a hoax or a hack. It's a helpful hint that will change all my future travel plans.

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Who doesn't like a sweet treat when they travel?
I've said it a hundred times: The great thing about travel is how you're always learning. But today I'm not talking about learning history or geography or languages. Nope, I've been schooled in a whole new way and it changes EVERYTHING!

It all started with my friend Andrea, who blogs at WanderingiPhone. She's an all round lovely gal who appreciates a savvy bargain as much as the next person. Andrea was telling me about an amazing trip she took to South Africa, "hacking" her points to get free layovers and stopovers in Ethiopia, Israel, and Poland along the way (much like we did in 2013 - seriously, we flew around the world for $350.) 

And then Andrea told me that Ethiopian Airlines gave her a free night's accommodation at a Hilton in Addis Ababa, plus meal vouchers and ground transportation. Uh, WHAT?!?!

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Exploring Charles Bridge and Discovering Prague's Enduring Charm

28/2/2017

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Discover the secrets of the centuries-old Charles Bridge in the timeless city of Prague.

Charles Bridge and Gothic Bridge Tower
The view from the middle of the bridge. You can see one of the Gothic bridge towers in the background.
We've adapted a new mantra when we're asked for travel advice these days and it goes something like this. When people say that they want to visit Paris, we always pause and ask if they're sure they don't mean Prague. It's no slight against Paris, but I think when it comes to  European beauty, charm, romance, and cobblestones, most would-be visitors are craving Prague (and they don't even know it!)

The city is home to fine bakeries, delightful public squares, and, of course, is no stranger to beautiful bridges. Plan your trip to Paris all the same. Just consider adding Prague onto that itinerary! We were fortunate to spend 4 days in the heart of the city, next to the legendary Charles Bridge, and we found reason after reason to starting recommending "The Golden City" along with "The City of Lights". 

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