Travel Resources
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Flights
I’ve been using CheapO Air, a discount flight search tool, since the early 2000s. It’s my secret weapon when friends ask me things like “Can you keep an eye out for cheap flights to Ireland?” There's nothing like finding a bargain!
I’ve been using CheapO Air, a discount flight search tool, since the early 2000s. It’s my secret weapon when friends ask me things like “Can you keep an eye out for cheap flights to Ireland?” There's nothing like finding a bargain!
Accommodations
One of our very first blog posts talked about how we rented the coziest ohana imaginable in Lahaina, Maui, for less than $100 a night and it’s all thanks to VRBO (that’s “Vacation Rental By Owner”). We always check VRBO (or the companion Canadian VRBO) for deals before our long term travels - especially when we want to be by the beach.
Hotel fans can compare prices and package deals at Expedia (.com for my American friends and .ca for all the Canadians!)
One of our very first blog posts talked about how we rented the coziest ohana imaginable in Lahaina, Maui, for less than $100 a night and it’s all thanks to VRBO (that’s “Vacation Rental By Owner”). We always check VRBO (or the companion Canadian VRBO) for deals before our long term travels - especially when we want to be by the beach.
Hotel fans can compare prices and package deals at Expedia (.com for my American friends and .ca for all the Canadians!)
Safety and Insurance
We know just how scary it is to be stranded on a roadtrip - and it can happen no matter what you're driving. You can save on AAA auto club's membership with this link.
We know just how scary it is to be stranded on a roadtrip - and it can happen no matter what you're driving. You can save on AAA auto club's membership with this link.
Attractions
I get *very* excited when I find a travel bargain - like saving big bucks on attractions that are on my bucket list. CityPass is a great program that lets travelers save up to 50% on events and activities. It’s especially frugal-tastic for pricier cities where there aren’t many free museums and galleries. Bonus: Tickets through CityPass help you skip long lines too.
I get *very* excited when I find a travel bargain - like saving big bucks on attractions that are on my bucket list. CityPass is a great program that lets travelers save up to 50% on events and activities. It’s especially frugal-tastic for pricier cities where there aren’t many free museums and galleries. Bonus: Tickets through CityPass help you skip long lines too.
Group Tours
I’m thanking my friend Janice for this recommendation. She traveled to the Galapagos with G Adventures and loved their small group tour so much she is already planning her next adventure to Peru. I love her enthusiasm - and the fact that G Adventures puts a strong emphasis on supporting the economic independence of the communities they visit and minimizing their environmental impact. You can find their last minute sales page here.
I’m thanking my friend Janice for this recommendation. She traveled to the Galapagos with G Adventures and loved their small group tour so much she is already planning her next adventure to Peru. I love her enthusiasm - and the fact that G Adventures puts a strong emphasis on supporting the economic independence of the communities they visit and minimizing their environmental impact. You can find their last minute sales page here.
Audiobooks
Blog readers know two key things about me: I love to read and I get really, really motionsick. Listening to books instead of reading them is key for me when traveling by car, bus, train, plane, boat….. You get the picture. Get two free audiobooks with this link.
Blog readers know two key things about me: I love to read and I get really, really motionsick. Listening to books instead of reading them is key for me when traveling by car, bus, train, plane, boat….. You get the picture. Get two free audiobooks with this link.
Travel Gear
Carry-on Luggage, Backpacks, and Bags
Our go-to backpack is the trusty, affordable, just-won’t-quit Osprey Porter 46. No other piece of gear has taken such a beating as these dynamic packs and both of our bags are still going strong.
When I want to change things up, I go for the Eagle Creek Global Companion. Its carrying capacity is just a wee bit smaller than the Osprey but it has pockets, compartments, and organizational features that the Osprey lacks.
I’ve been using PacSafe Metrosafe cross body messenger bags as my go-to day pack for seven years now. I love all the security features and how it keeps all my gear well organized.
No matter the bag, we use Eagle Creek’s “Specter” line of Pack-It Cubes. The Specter line is made out of ultra-thin parachute style fabric. Unlike other cubes, you aren’t losing space or weight due to bulky fabric. We also use Eagle Creek’s classic “Wallaby” style toiletry kit in the Specter line. And, yes, we do have the eye-watering, bright lime green one!
Our go-to backpack is the trusty, affordable, just-won’t-quit Osprey Porter 46. No other piece of gear has taken such a beating as these dynamic packs and both of our bags are still going strong.
When I want to change things up, I go for the Eagle Creek Global Companion. Its carrying capacity is just a wee bit smaller than the Osprey but it has pockets, compartments, and organizational features that the Osprey lacks.
I’ve been using PacSafe Metrosafe cross body messenger bags as my go-to day pack for seven years now. I love all the security features and how it keeps all my gear well organized.
No matter the bag, we use Eagle Creek’s “Specter” line of Pack-It Cubes. The Specter line is made out of ultra-thin parachute style fabric. Unlike other cubes, you aren’t losing space or weight due to bulky fabric. We also use Eagle Creek’s classic “Wallaby” style toiletry kit in the Specter line. And, yes, we do have the eye-watering, bright lime green one!
Guidebooks
We never travel without a guidebook. In fact, some trips demand several of them! In our experience, the relatively small cost a guidebook pays for itself several times over, giving you the information you need to take public transportation and find value-priced restaurants.
I am a big fan of finding the right guidebook for your travel style and for reading more than one guidebook brand to get a well rounded sense of your destination. You can find multiple titles and good sales at eBooks.
My Canadian readers in particular will love Chapters/Indigo - you can find a curated list of their best travel books here, along with other best sellers Fun fact: I used to work part time at Chapters - and I LOVED organizing the travel section!
We never travel without a guidebook. In fact, some trips demand several of them! In our experience, the relatively small cost a guidebook pays for itself several times over, giving you the information you need to take public transportation and find value-priced restaurants.
I am a big fan of finding the right guidebook for your travel style and for reading more than one guidebook brand to get a well rounded sense of your destination. You can find multiple titles and good sales at eBooks.
My Canadian readers in particular will love Chapters/Indigo - you can find a curated list of their best travel books here, along with other best sellers Fun fact: I used to work part time at Chapters - and I LOVED organizing the travel section!
Cameras
Cameras come and go in our world but we’ve been using the Olympus Tough for years. And it is TOUGH. Waterproof, dust-proof, shatter-proof, freeze-proof - it’s what we use when we take a hot air balloon ride, hang out at a winter festival, or head out on a city bike tour.
Cameras come and go in our world but we’ve been using the Olympus Tough for years. And it is TOUGH. Waterproof, dust-proof, shatter-proof, freeze-proof - it’s what we use when we take a hot air balloon ride, hang out at a winter festival, or head out on a city bike tour.
Blogging and Business Resources
Website Domains
If you’re thinking of coming over to the dark side and joining the nefarious underworld which is travel blogging, you’re going to need a website. And to have a website, you’re going to need a domain name. You can save up to 30% at GoDaddy with this link.
Travel Writing Resource Books
I highly recommend Gabi Logan’s The Six Figure Travel Writing Road Map. Budding bloggers and freelance writers alike will find it very helpful.
Improving Your Travel Photography
If you want to feel more creative and confident capturing your travel memories, this excellent online class for budding photographers, Sara McConnell's class on learning to use your DSLR camera is an affordable place to start.
Bookkeeping
I have been using Quickbooks to track my travel expenses and blogging income since my first month of blogging back in 2012. With this link, you can get 50% off your monthly costs for your first three months (sometimes more!)
GDPR Resources
If you’re thinking of coming over to the dark side and joining the nefarious underworld which is travel blogging, you’re going to need a website. And to have a website, you’re going to need a domain name. You can save up to 30% at GoDaddy with this link.
Travel Writing Resource Books
I highly recommend Gabi Logan’s The Six Figure Travel Writing Road Map. Budding bloggers and freelance writers alike will find it very helpful.
Improving Your Travel Photography
If you want to feel more creative and confident capturing your travel memories, this excellent online class for budding photographers, Sara McConnell's class on learning to use your DSLR camera is an affordable place to start.
Bookkeeping
I have been using Quickbooks to track my travel expenses and blogging income since my first month of blogging back in 2012. With this link, you can get 50% off your monthly costs for your first three months (sometimes more!)
GDPR Resources
- I wrote a book on GDPR and Compliance for Canadian Small Business Owners and Bloggers available on Amazon.
