Hi Frugalistas! This week I’m returning to Athens and looking at what to eat and drink. Yes, there is souvlaki, yes, there is fetta cheese, baklava and ouzo. But there’s so much more to Greek food and drink. So join me on a culinary journey around the restaurants, tavernas and street side stalls of Athens […]

Eating in Athens on a Culinary Backstreets walk
Hi Frugalistas! I’ve already written about our infamous visit to the Athens Central Market, but there was far more to our Culinary Backstreets walk in central Athens. Starting with breakfast, we ate, walked, talked, photographed and ate even more around central Athens with our guide, the lovely Despina. Join me on a feast of food […]

The Athens meat and fish market
Hi Frugalistas! Armed with my new camera, and some wonderful photos from Athens I’m bringing Friday fotos back for a new series. First up, the Athens meat and fish market. A word of warning though – the meat market is very, well, meaty. A far cry from shopping in your local supermarket. So if you don’t like meat […]

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) […]

6 foods you must try in Istanbul
Hi Frugalistas! My recent post on the Culinary Backstreets Istanbul Eats walk I took in Istanbul really struck a chord with readers. So many comments and so much discussion! The food and drink I’ve featured on my Instagram account (you can catch up with frugalfirstclasstravel on Istagram at the right hand side of this screen) […]

Istanbul: eating my way round the New District
Hi Frugalistas! Regular readers will know that one of the key philosophies of frugalfirstclasstravel is enjoying being a temporary local. Eating, lots of walking and mixing with the locals is a key part of that. Regular readers will also know how much I love my food. I was therefore delighted to discover the Culinary Backstreets […]

Eating and drinking in Alsace
Hi Frugalistas! Friday fotos is a little late this week – but I’m sure it’s still Friday somewhere! This week I’m off to Alsace, to finish my series on Colmar and the Route de Vins. Alsace has a very specific traditional cuisine, and of course white wine (typically riesling) rules! So join me on a […]

Eating in Reims
Hi Frugalistas! Reims, and the Champagne region generally is, of course, synonymous with Champagne. But Reims is also a mecca for foodies generally, with great food and drink on offer. More than just champagne, here is my guide to eating well in Reims: What to eat in Reims While there is no really distinctive Champagnoise […]

The frugalfirstclasstravel Friday files 29 November 2013
Hi Frugalistas! This week’s Friday files packs a backpack, avoids some common travel scams, and eats an Australian pavlova. What’s not to love? First up, Ron at Active Planet Travel has got some great backpack packing tips. I may be the Queen of the one bag trip, but I don’t profess to be an expert […]

Beyond the Forbidden City – an insider guide to Beijing
Hi Frugalistas! The latest addition to my Insider Guide series is very special. This time we’re off to Beijing courtesy of Agness Walewinder of etramping. Agness has been living and teaching in China for the past two years, so I jumped at the opportunity for her to contribute to this series. Despite being one of […]