Budget Travel Archives - Top Spot Travel

May 9, 2020 by Jeremy

Find Deals When You Hit the Road

If you like to travel, the last thing you want is feeling bad about your trip because money became an issue.

With that in mind, can you save some money when you next hit the road?

Yes, you can do so if you put your mind to it.

With some good planning and finding deals, you could see leftover money in your wallet once back from a trip.

So, how best to plan for savings?

Are You Good at Tracking Down Savings?

In coming up with deals when you plan to hit the road, remember a few keys:

Locating discounts with brands – Some fret that using brand names will cost them too much. In fact, the savings are there with even the top names in the travel business if you look hard enough. For example, are you looking to go about getting Disneyland discount tickets? Given the popularity of the iconic theme park, countless guests visit there each year. That said some of them save money during their visits. This is from finding discounted tickets through the brand or approved ticket resellers. A little homework on your end could lead to such savings. Since the top brands are rather easy to find online, tracking them down is not hard. Visit such online sites and see what deals they have to offer you.
Being a rewards member – Are you a rewards member when it comes to any brands in travel and entertainment? If so, you can save some money through those connections. Many brands offer their top customers savings given they tend to use them a lot. As such, you could see the savings pile up over time. Most rewards programs only need one to sign up and become a member. As the points grow, you could be rewarded with savings.
Planning far enough ahead – Another way to save during your time on the road is when you plan far enough in advance. As an example, say you have the desire to travel somewhere warm for spring break. The worst thing you could do would be to wait until the last minute to start making plans. This is especially true if you are looking at airlines, hotels, rental cars and more. By planning far enough in advance, you can lock-in savings. You also don’t have to sweat that they will have no reservations left for you by the time you start shopping around.
Rewards for categories – Also save if you or those in your travel party fall into categories. For example, do you have any young children as part of your travels? If so, they could qualify for free stays in hotel rooms, discounts at restaurants and more. If you are a senior citizen, this is another way to scoop up some savings when away from home. Still another way to save is if you are a current or former member of the military.

When you want to secure deals in hitting the road, plan ahead and do your homework.

December 15, 2019 by Jeremy

Best Travel Products You Need to Buy in 2020 Review

Travelling with friends or family to new and unknown places is a fun filled experience for every person. The excitement of visiting foreign places, witnessing foreign culture, and checking out new cuisines can be a great experience. Just like you spend time finding the best hotels and flight tickets for the trip, it is also important that you take some time and make a list of all the importance travel accessories that you need to carry in order to make the trip more memorable and exciting. Whether you talk about items that help you stay organized or items that help you maintain a good health and follow a good hygiene or even those items that keep you safe and comfortable, it is good to carry them with you.

List of Some of the Best and Most Essential Travel Products

The list of some of the best and most essential travel accessories or products can be rather lengthy. However, the list discussed below includes just the most essential of all travel accessories so that you do not get bogged down by heavy travel bags.

Document Organizer: When you travel to new places or even countries, you need to carry a lot of important documents that help you gain access to and also leave foreign countries. These include passports, visas, your personal id cards, and much more. If you lose any document, it can mean trouble for you and your group. If you carry a document organizer, it will help you keep all your documents safe and secure in one place within reach.
Travel Bottles: There are several countries where you may be asked to show your gut for security purposes. This is why you may also be asked to keep liquids to tiny amounts. If you are one of them who often like to have water, then you may be better off with a good quality travel bottle with you. Keeping a water bottle handy will help you in several occasions as shown on TrueTop5Review.com.
Duffel Bag: Most of the passengers prefer to carry suitcases with caster wheels or trolley bags while travelling. Although these are rather convenient while travelling with a family or a group of friends, it can often prove to be a big problem. Imagine having to pull your heavy suitcase behind you while walking uphill where cars are not allowed. This is why it is often said to use duffel bags instead. In many scenarios, it can be rather convenient, comfortable, and also rather efficient as a luggage.
International Travel Adapter: Planning to travel abroad, are you? It will be a good thing for you to know that the shape of the power plugs in many countries are different. As a result of this, their power sockets are also differently shaped. Some countries use round shaped power sockets, and some have flat shaped ones. Whenever you decide to travel abroad, it is always a good idea to carry an international travel adapter with you. A good quality adapter will provide you with multiple outlets at the same time.
Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot: There are many people who normally travel with a lot of gadgets and in groups. For such people, getting all the different devices properly connected can be a major problem in many countries of the world. In such cases, a mobile router that is unlocked to all types of networks can be a big boon for you. These are rather reliable and pretty simple to use. Using a mobile router or hotspot can also help you save a lot of money. It is important for you to remember the list of frequencies that the device can support. Different mobile operators in different countries have their own SIM cards that normally work within their frequency range.
Hand Sanitizer: Although it may sound a bit silly to some of you, it is rather important for you to carry a hand sanitizer with you all the time while travelling. The positive effects of hand sanitization is rather huge. You will be surprised to know that some cases of food poisoning are caused by dirty hands rather than the food. With the help of a hand sanitizer, you can easily keep your hands free from germs. When you travel, you actually touch a lot of things unconsciously. With the help of a hand sanitizer, you can actually provide a first layer of protection to yourself from bacteria and viruses.
Melatonin: In case you didn’t know, melatonin helps to regulate your day and sleep cycle. The level of melatonin in your blood helps to determine when you are ready to sleep. When you travel to new places, this level can easily get disrupted. When you have to travel to a different continent, melatonin can easily help you minimize jet lag and adjust to a different time zone. It is important for travelers of all age groups.
GoPro Camera: When you travel to a new place, you will spend a lot of time exploring new places and adventuring in different ways. With the help of a GoPro camera, you can easily capture these moments as it happens. This action camera can prove to be rather creative and versatile. The small and compact size of the camera can also help you create extra ordinary videos of standard vacations. Whether you go skiing or kayaking, visit new monuments or do any other activity, a GoPro camera can prove to be rather helpful.
Padlocks: This is probably one of the most overlooked items that is needed while travelling. The problem is that you do not understand its importance when you actually need one. Finding a padlock can be rather tricky to find depending upon the place where you wish to spend your holidays. Padlocks are an added layer of safety when you are away from your stuffs.
Packing Cubes: Not everybody is a master at packing stuffs. Finding a chaotic pile of items when you open your luggage is a common sight for most of you. Add to that the fact that you often have to spend a lot of time trying to find the item you need the most. In such matters, the best solution is to use packing cubes. This helps packing and unpacking become a simple task. It also makes your luggage appear neat and tidy and finding any item becomes rather simple for you.
Multi USB Charger: If you do not have an international travel adapter, you should use a multi USB charger instead. In this modern era, where gadgets rule the world, not finding enough charging spots for your gadgets can be a rather frustrating thing. There are also several hotels that have limited charging points for their customers. Using a multi USB charger is also rather useful when you travel in groups.
Power Bank: With so many smartphones doing the job of a good quality camera and handy cam, it is quite obvious that you will require some extra juice while exploring a new city. Thus, the best solution is to use a power bank that can help you charge up your phones even while clicking photos with it. Opt for a power bank with a minimum power of 10000 mAh. It is important for you to remember that power banks tend to lose power over time.

September 5, 2019 by Jeremy

Bacolod for the Budget Traveler: 4 Thrifty Ways to Enjoy the City of Smiles

Tourists heading for Bacolod with the expectation that it is a sleepy and underdeveloped city will find themselves in for a surprise; the capital of Negros Occidental is lively and thriving, highly urbanized and densely populated. It was named Best Place to Live in the Philippines by MoneySense magazine in 2008, and Top Philippine Model City by The Manila Times in 2017.

The accolades alone make it a place worthy of a visit, though “highly urbanized” doesn’t mean that you’ll have to shell out a significant amount of money to enjoy yourself. Thrifty travelers will find Bacolod a budget-friendly holiday destination. Below are our tips for a worthwhile trip to the City of Smiles without breaking the bank:

Stay in a Pension House

Instead of spending a good chunk of change on a hotel room, look towards pension houses instead. Many of them are centrally located at the heart of the city, and rooms typically won’t cost an arm and a leg. These affordable options are a great way to save on costs and keep within your budget; and though the on-site facilities and amenities are more basic than what you’d typically find in a full-fledged hotel, you still will be coming back to clean and comfortable rooms after a day of sightseeing. Ong Bun Pension House is one of our recommendations for no-frills accommodations that don’t skimp on quality service, though there are many other options in Bacolod City.

Dine at Manokan Country

Bacolod is famous throughout the country for 3 things: the vibrant Masskara Festival, held annually every October; the local sweet delicacy known as piaya, an unleavened piece of flatbread filled with muscovado sugar; and chicken inasal. You would do yourself a disservice if you didn’t have this local grilled favorite where it originated from, meaning that a visit to Manokan Country is a must for any trip to Bacolod.

Manokan Country is the local government’s way of consolidating dozens of inasal stalls previously operating out on the sidewalks into a single complex, for public safety and to legitimize businesses. Each stall has a unique take on the dish, and there is heated debate on which stall makes the best inasal, but it’s safe to say that no matter which one you head into, you’ll be well fed. Begin the meal with a plateful of grilled oysters, a popular appetizer in Manokan Country, and then dig into your chicken—most stalls allow you to choose which part of the bird you’d like to dine on.

For the complete experience, try isaw or atay, skewers of chicken intestine and liver basted with special seasonings and grilled over charcoal. Best of all, the food is cheap—plates typically cost less than a hundred pesos, exclusive of rice and drinks.

Visit Mambukal Springs Resort

These hot sulfur springs are now under government management, making them one of the cheapest attractions in Bacolod, with a pay-per-use system of the facilities after a 50-peso entrance fee. Picnic huts are either 300 or 600 pesos depending on the size. Use of the swimming and warm sulfur dipping pools is 50 pesos. Zipline and canopy walk are both priced at 50 pesos. The resort was built by a Japanese man in 1927, which means that there is an ofuro or Japanese bathtub on the premises, as well as a bathhouse built in the neo-classical style that is over 90 years old.

Use of both facilities start at a hundred pesos. Families and large groups can opt to stay on-site at one of the many accommodation options—there are family cottages and villas available for rent, as well as a tourist lodge. LGU cottages are by far the most cost-effective option, with available airconditioned rooms for couples, 4 persons, and 6 persons that start at 900 pesos. It is believed that a warm soak can relieve muscle tension and promote clear-headedness; the sulfur in the water is also known to have healing benefits for irritated and infected skin, such as in the case of eczema and rashes.

See The Ruins

What was once an impressive mansion built in the Italianate style of architecture is now a tourist destination that draws hundreds of visitors every year. Built in the early 1900s by a wealthy sugar baron named Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson in memory of his late first wife, only the façade remains standing today after Filipino guerrillas burned the structure down in order to prevent its use by the invading Japanese in the Second World War.

Now privately owned by the Don’s great grandchildren, the grounds and gardens have since been restored and are fastidiously maintained, making it an excellent location for photos and video shoots. For an entrance fee of 100 pesos, you are free to explore the area, though you may also hire a tour guide to tell you more about the mansion’s history.

Some of the most iconic dishes and sights one can find in Bacolod don’t come with a steep price. Here, you’ll find a lot of things to do, see, and taste without compromising your budget or the quality of your holiday.

July 31, 2019 by Jeremy

Things You May Not Have Considered to Research Before Traveling

Anyone who has been on vacation before knows the main elements that go into planning. You need a destination, hotel, transportation (plane, train, or bus tickets or car rental), and of course, some idea of what you’ll do once you arrive. While all of these elements are necessary for a great escape, there are some things travelers should research ahead of time. Forgetting to do so could ruin your entire vacation.

Travel Bans

With the increase of war in foreign countries and health outbreaks, travel bans are being placed on certain destinations. What this means is that individuals from the US are prohibited from traveling to a particular location. If you book an international trip without checking into that first, you could end up wasting a lot of money and being turned away before your trip even gets started.

Travel Warnings

Just as serious as travel bans are travel warnings. If there are reports of wars, natural disasters, health outbreaks, increased crime, or other health and safety risks in a particular region, the federal government will provide a warning to travelers. While a warning doesn’t mean you cannot go on your trip, it does mean that there is an increased risk of something going wrong.

Airport Security Rules

Before you start packing your bags for your trip be sure that you’re not bringing something along that could have you stuck at airport security. Due to increased terrorist attacks, the federal government has strengthened its regulations on what travelers can and cannot bring onboard. While something may seem harmless to you, if found, it could get you in some trouble.

Local Laws

Beyond the airport security regulations you also want to consider where you’re traveling to and any laws they may have there. For instance, if you enjoy smoking a cigar, vaping, or sipping on your favorite bottle of champagne, you may want to first look to see if where you’re traveling to has bans on drinking on the premises or vaping regulations. It would seriously be a pain if you spend all that money and can’t even indulge.

Weather

On a lighter note, you’d be surprised to learn how many people plan a vacation without checking the weather. Imagine thinking you’re going to be on a tropical island basking in the sun only to learn once you arrive that you’re right in the middle of hurricane season? Today’s weather reports are very accurate giving you updates in real-time and really close predictions for future plans.

Passports

If you’re traveling internationally, you’ll need a passport to get through airport security. If you don’t have one, it is imperative to apply for one well in advance. It can take weeks to retrieve a passport and that’s if there aren’t any hiccups along the way. The same is true if your passport is lost or out of date. Have this corrected before departing.

Health Insurance, Credit Cards, and Cell Coverage

Last on the list of things to research before you travel are your health insurance, credit card, and cell phone coverage. You don’t want to get out of town to find out that you don’t have health coverage, your credit cards don’t work, or your phone plan sucks. Do your homework beforehand making sure that you have identified a doctor and hospital in your health insurance provider network where you’re traveling to. You should also contact your credit card company to let them know you’re traveling and make sure your cards will work. Lastly, check with your mobile provider to ensure you have solid coverage. If not, make backup plans for communicating.

The very idea of getting away is so exciting it can cause you to forget some details. Be that as it may, if you haven’t done research on the things discussed above, your trip could be a disaster. Don’t end up unable to travel, stuck at an airport, stuck in due to bad weather, or without proper health or cell phone coverage. Taking these steps ahead of time will ensure that you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your vacation.

January 1, 2019 by Jeremy

Essential NYC Restaurants for a Group Food Crawl

The city of New York is known as one of the fine cuisine capitals of the world. Some of the best chefs are situated here and people fly from all around the world to come to specific restaurants in the city. It doesn’t matter what type of food, New York City has a great restaurants serving that style of food. They also have great cafeterias, diners and even street food that is also world class. The food joints are spread out through the entire city and in each of the borough’s so if you want to visit any of these amazing places to eat on a group crawl, getting to all of them can be a challenge.

Hire group transportation

The best way to get you a group around the city any time of day or night on your food crawl, is on a private bus. Renting an NYC tour bus or minibus is simple and can get your group focused on your activities rather than the road. Leave the driving to a professional and let him deal with traffic, traffic tickets, and parking. Now that this part is settled oh, back to the amazing food in New York City.

Here are a few of the most treasured restaurants in New York City that you should consider frequenting on a group food crawl.

Red Rooster

One of Harlem’s most famous eateries because of its Chicken & Waffle plate which features a cornbread waffle sitting beside the most perfectly prepared chicken you have ever had. The honey chili sauce completes the meal.

Mario’s

This NYC tradition is turning 100 years old and is still going strong. Pizza, Linguine with red clam sauce and Veal Marsala have been on their menu the entire time and continue to please. Enjoy their lush interior with great paintings and statues and the complimentary anisette.

Frankie & Johnnie’s Steakhouse

From a speakeasy in 1926 tis NYC icon has become a classic steakhouse serving the juiciest steaks in the city. Frank Sinatra called it his favorite meat joint in the city and you will too.

To set up your tour and get to these and other amazing New York City restaurants, here is a plan for you to follow.

Use an online mapping program

Because of his size and complexity, New York City can be a difficult place to navigate. For this reason you need to map out where you plan to go, the distance between places, and how long it will likely take for you to get from one place to another. You can use software like Google Maps and Waze to give you a turn by turn map of you best route around the city. You should also play an alternative routes because New York has constant traffic jams and car accidents that can bring traffic to a standstill.

Plan some rest breaks

Traveling in a group means that you have to plan out some stops to make sure the people are comfortable. The mapping programs have locations where there are restrooms, and other places where you can stop and stretch your legs. Take advantage of these places because they might be hours at a time when your group is in the bus.

Make some cool stops

One of the great things about being in New York City is that there are many amazing and cool things that you can see almost on every street. When you make your door what is some stops where your group can going to visit some of these amazing locations. There are museums, art galleries and other attractions that anyone will fall in love with. Stop frequently and it will add to the fun of your food crawl.

Plan out Your Accommodations Early

Is your plan to stay in New York City overnight or over several nights? If you notice in advance you really need to book your hotels before you get to the city. New York City is famous for his hotels and also for those hotels being completely. Don’t have your group sleep in the bus, instead book your hotel rooms before you get to the city.

Help fight boredom

One way to you keep your group occupied when they’re on the bus is to bring along some games for them to play. You can also bring cards, and perhaps tablet computers for them to do some online gaming will check their email.