Why I hate resort vacations

Dear Resort Vacation, we need to talk.  I’ve loved you since my first stay in Bali in 1989.  Mr Frugalfirstclass and I have had many wonderful experiences with you – including our wedding in Mauritius.  I even took MissG on her first mother-daughter trip on a resort vacation.  And we loved it.  But you are making […]

How not to gain weight on a resort or cruise vacation

Hi Frugalistas!  While I love heading to Europe and being on the go, there are times when a resort holiday is just the thing I need.  An opportunity to sit in the sun, be still and enjoy the balmy weather.  Recharge the batteries, and have fun relaxing as a family.  While resort or cruise vacations (holidays) […]

8 things to do on a mother-daughter trip

Hi Frugalistas!  Sometimes I travel alone.  Sometimes we travel as a family.  But what I love to do is take mother-daughter holidays (vacations) with my daughter MissG.  Heer are my top tips for making your mother-daughter trip a successful, memorable and meaningful experience for you both: Do something luxurious Going to the spa is a […]

2013 – my favorite travel moments

Hi Frugalistas! Well, another year draws to a close.  I have to say that for me it’s been a bit of mixed bag – health-wise I’ve been severely challenged (I almost didn’t make my big trip in October) and work is always a bit of challenge for those of us who dream of places far […]

The frugalfirstclasstravel Friday files – 4 October 2013

Hi Frugalistas! This week’s Friday files is an eclectic mix of some of my favorite things – Paris, travel hacking and insider travel tips. First, it’s off to Paris with Annalisa of City Girl Turned Suburban Mum who takes us on a journey to Paris with her children and lives to tell the tale!  Annalisa […]

Beyond Bondi Beach – an insider’s guide to Sydney

Hi Frugalistas! My idea for the “beyond” series began with a guest post on the fantastic Turnipseed Travel website.  While Vanessa’s blog talks about different activities, and has a different vibe to mine, we share a common love of great value for money, and experiencing wonderful moments when we travel.  So, here, I proudly present […]

Real life one bag travel – man’s packing list for Europe

Hi Frugalistas! Here at frugalfirstclasstravel Central my husband, Mr frugalfirstclass, is definitely the chief baggage handler when we travel together.  So like MissG and I, he appreciates the value of packing just one carry on bag. Here is Mr frugalfirstclass’ generic packing list for Europe, also guaranteed to fit into just one carry on bag! […]

What I’ve been doing this week – visiting the pandas in Adelaide, South Australia

Hi Frugalistas! Regular readers will know I tend not to write about life here in Australia.  I do travel regularly with my family at home, but don’t write about it.  This week though I’m making an exception – MissG and I visited Adelaide, capital of South Australia for a hot date with two VIPs – […]

Should you take your children to every tourist site?

Hi Frugalistas! I’ve been thinking long and hard about this post.  It’s a topic I’ve wanted to write about for a while, but acknowledge it may polarise my readers.  It is an important topic though.  One of the great things about traveling is seeing, learning and understanding history – some of that history is sad, […]

Itinerary planning 101: Part 3 – the finishing touches to your travel plan

Hi Frugalistas! How are you going with your plans for your latest itinerary?  Have you got a good outline of where you are going, your budget and how you are planning on getting about?  In the final installment of this short series we fill in the blanks with all the special moments that will make […]