Real life one bag travel: choosing a camera for one bag travel

Hi Frugalistas!  Regular readers will know that I recently upgraded my camera. Choosing a new one left me with a dilemma – how do I buy a camera with the functionality I was craving, without foregoing one bag travel? I knew it was a difficult balancing act. Numerous readers had posted on my packing posts […]

The Endless Charm of Buenos Aires: the Paris of South America

Hi Frugalistas! I’m really excited about this guest post from Anda Galffy of Travel Notes & Beyond.  I’ve never been to South America, and while it’s not a continent I’m especially interested in, I am fascinated with Buenos Aires and its very Parisian air.  Whether you imagine tango, Evita, soccer, fabulous steak or amazing architecture, […]

Your first trip to Europe: what to expect in a 3 star hotel

Hi Frugalistas!  You’ve decided to take your first trip to Europe – how exciting!  Now you need to make decisions.  What airline to book, what to do, and most importantly where to stay!  It’s very tempting to stick with the familiar and stay at a chain hotel.  You know what to expect, what the room […]

frugalfirstclasstravel guides: a short guide to Istanbul

Hi Frugalistas!  I didn’t write my guide to Istanbul after my first visit in October.  Istanbul was too big, and just too much to write about after a single visit.  Vibrant, energetic and with always something to see and do, Istanbul is now a firm favorite with me.  From your comments, I know it is one of yours too.  […]

Australia Post travel SIM: the frugalfirstclasstravel review

Hi Frugalistas!  Do you always struggle with what to do about phone costs when you travel?  International roaming on your domestic mobile (cell) phone causes a very nasty surprise for the unwary.  Not everyone is confident to buy a local SIM card when they are overseas.  If you are travelling to multiple countries, that means multiple […]

Beyond the Soviets: an insider’s guide to Warsaw

Hi Frugalistas!  This edition of my insider guide series is special.  We’re off to Warsaw, Poland, a place I’ve been interested in, but like most travellers, have not had the opportunity to visit.  Being part of the “new Europe” it’s a perfect destination for frugalfirstclasstravellers (you don’t need to look any further than Kami’s restaurant […]

The frugalfirstclasstravel guide to the Blue Mosque

Hi Frugalistas! Staying in Sultanahmet, the call to prayer from the Blue Mosque is a real feature.  Stay close enough, and it wakes you every morning.  Walking around Sultanahmet, its minarets form a landmark and help you guide your way.  I was fortunate enough to have a hotel room overlooking the mosque – I loved […]

Visiting the three most popular tourist sites in Istanbul

Hi Frugalistas! Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace.  The “big three” tourist sites in Istanbul.  Before I arrived in Istanbul I was worried that perhaps these sites would fall into what I call the “too loved by tourists” category.  Well, I’m happy to announce that no, in my experience they aren’t.  But, like visiting […]

Beyond sachertorte and Strauss: an Insider’s Guide to Vienna

Hi Frugalistas! I have only visited Vienna once, and it was many years ago.  I am therefore delighted to have the opportunity to feature Vienna in the latest Insider Guide.  Enrique Manzano of Hardcore Viajero takes us on a journey past sachertorte (although I’m sure we’d all enjoy some anyway!) into a different, yet still satisfying […]

Beyond the CN Tower – an insider’s guide to Toronto

Hi Frugalistas! I don’t know about you, but Toronto and Canada more generally is high on my list of places to visit.  It’s a country I’ve never been to, but it looks so beautiful and I’ve never met a Canadian I didn’t like.   I’m therefore thrilled to be able to present Toronto as my […]