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Dump the Trap Part 2 – The Market!!!!

Okay, let’s talk the BEST way to travel cheaply, do a free activity, try some new foods, and experience a new culture.

We give you: The Market. 

Markets are possibly the best way to immerse yourself in a nw culture when you’re traveling on your first trip. Not only do they have a wide variety of local foods and wares, but they’re also a great way to converse with locals and get a feel for how communities actually work.

We know that brunch is super instagrammable and fun, but why not consider the real experience?

That’s how to have an awesome first trip. 

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Dump The Traps – Follow the Freebies!

So. You booked the flights, got your accommodations in order, picked a good weekend to travel, have a restaurant plan. Now, there’s only one thing remaining. Picking what to do with your actual days in your new locale! While many tourist websites and unknowing tour groups may tell you that the only way to see Paris is by spending $100 to get to the top of the Eiffel Tower, they are mistaken. Finding free activities to do during traveling is both a lot of fun and much easier than you think.

Let’s focus on museums to start – Most major museums have a free or discounted day, usually on an off-peak day or time. Take advantage of this! These places have so many treasures to see, and being able to see them for free makes the experience of travel all the more fun as you make memories that will last a lifetime. 

Museums aren’t for you? How about a free walking tour? Most city tourism offices offer brochures on activities, but one of our favorite to pursue is the free self-guided walking tour. Many cities offer marked historic, cultural, or architectural routes for you to follow!

You’re only a step away from your adventure – all you have to do is make a plan!

PC:Unsplash

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Eat Cheap Part Two – Weird? Maybe. Worth It? Of course.

We talked earlier in the week about saving money on food when traveling on your first big trip. Some tips sound a little weird (volunteer for a free meal, working a few hours for a meal), but there are lots of options that aren’t as weird and provide for steep savings and a totally good experience.

For example, we talked about hostels and alternate accommodations, right? Take your hostel experience to the next level! Many hostels have communal kitchens that travelers can use to cook meals for the day. Not only is this a cheaper option, but it also allows for you to explore the grocery store! Grocery stores vary greatly by region, country, and continent – and exploring them gives you a great chance to see how cultures shop and what people eat. 

Not for you? Maybe you need something even smaller scale. Consider buying a Brita filtered water bottle! It allows for water to come from almost anywhere, and you’ll save money on buying drinks!

Savings don’t have to be sweeping or massive changes – it’s okay to start small! And at The First Trip, we’re here to help you do it.

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Let’s Eat – Cheap!

So, you made it to London on your cost-saving flight, you checked in to your hostel for a cheap weekly stay, and now it’s time to enjoy your first great meal. You see a beautiful restaurant from the street, look at the menu, notice there aren’t any prices listed, and say what the hell. You have a great meal, enjoy the wine, and then the bill arrives.

You’re down $300. Oh.

OKAY, so how do we avoid this as we look into planning the perfect first trip? Well, have no fear. There are TONS of ways to save money on food when you’re traveling – all you need to do is plan ahead and be prepared.

If you’re looking to save a buck on food while traveling, think of these easy but smart tips for saving money. First, DITCH the unhealthy food when traveling. While it might cost a little more to fill up on fruits and nuts for breakfast as opposed to a cheap cereal, it will keep you full far longer than any unhealthy snack.

Go to the best places during off-peak times! Many restaurants offer deals on meals during the week as opposed to the weekend, so if you know that you’ll be somewhere during the week, go on a weekday in lieu of the weekend price.

Those are just a few options in a world of tips for eating cheap. We’ll be back later with some more :)

PC: Unsplash

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Still not Sold on Hostels? Try This Alternative

So we told you about hostels – how do we feel? Do you think this is the right fit for you? For some people, hostels just aren’t the bread and butter they prefer for breakfast. Have no fear though! For the eager and price-conscious traveler who’s ready to be a little adventurous and save money on a traditional hotel, there’s another answer – religious housing.

Religious housing? HUH? What does that mean? Am I going to have to join the nunnery just for a few nights of sleep? No, you’re not. Religious housing is actually a great alternative for travelers looking to be adventurous and engage with their curiosity, but might not be as wild as the student/hostel crowd. Religious housing – rooms for overnight stays in religious buildings like monasteries – are basic but clean accommodations that are available to many travelers.

While each religious housing option has its own rules, you can expect a few things. 

1. It will be clean! Unlike some low-end hotels, you can rest assured knowing that religious accommodations are usually very clean spaces.

2. There might be some problems with certain groups: Some housing only offers shared rooms for couples who are married. Keep this in mind and look up the specific place before you book.

3. There are usually curfews! Don’t get locked out for the night – make sure you know the place’s curfew and get in the door before it.

Feel like this might be right for you? Take a look at all the options at https://www.monasterystays.com/. Maybe we’ll see you there!

PC: Unsplash

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Ditch the Hotel – Add an ‘s’ for Sensibility

PC:Congrats, you’ve booked your first trip – Paris, here you come! Not so fast, though..... you scored the cheap flight (with a lovely two day layover in Iceland on the way there), but where the hell are you going to stay? Sure, you want to stay at the Ritz and have champagne brought to you by a Butler when you wake up in the morning BUT.... that’s not the case. It’s time to save money, and one of the easiest ways to do that is to ditch the chain hotel and get a little more adventurous in your lodging pursuits.

Hostel. You’ve heard the word before, probably muttered to you by a terrified parent under their breath when they talk about your neighbor’s study abroad plans. What do you actually know about them though. Do you really think hostels are gross, unsafe places? Hint: Some are. But the good news? Most are completely amazing! Hostels are advertised as places for youth to stay, and in many ways they are. Many spaces are communal (including bathrooms) but they offer private rooms as well!

First, use a site like Hostelworld to make sure the hostel you reserve is clean, safe, and in a good neighborhood of the city you’re traveling to. After that, you’re set! You’ve just saved a ton of money – and newsflash, you’ll really like the hostel experience. Maybe you’ll meet a gorgeous solo traveler when you’re there? Who knows... it’s always an adventure :)

PC: Unsplash

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Flight, Not Fright – Flight Tips Part Two for Eager Travelers

We promised you we’d be back with more tips on how to get the best flights to jumpstart your incredible first trip with your friends or significant others. And...here we are! Earlier this week we shared alternative flight dates and budget airlines. This time around, we’re back with extended layovers and mix and match airlines. 

Okay, we know what you’re thinking – why would I ever want to have a longer layover than what is absolutely necessary for me to make my connecting flight? Doesn’t the airport terminal, devoid of any joy or good food or outlets for your charger, sound like a secret entrance to hell? 

Well the answer is, of course it’s the secret gate to hell! So we’re not going to keep you there – your layover isn’t happening in the airport at all!

When it comes to staying cheap with your flights, booking separate flights with separate airlines and agreeing to an extended layover may be your best move. Ever consider a three day layover? Experts say it’s the best thing you can do if you’re looking to save a quick buck. Better yet, if you book with two separate airlines you avoid the fees of an easier roll-together flight under one airline.

So, why not take a 3 day lover? Enjoy a new city, relax while breaking up long distance travel, and kick up your feet. It’s your first trip – who wouldn’t want that?

PC: Unsplash

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wildtrail | instagram

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The best and most motivational photography, to calm your hearth and free your mind. Check the best at: http://the-wanderlust.info

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Let’s fly! Tips and Tricks for Saving Money on Flights

For many people, the most stressful part of getting a trip together actually comes at the beginning. Biting the bullet and deciding that yes, you want to go somewhere and yes, you know when it’s going to be is hard to do, especially because it sets into motion the rest of the sometimes-difficult travel planning. But, if you know where you want to go and when, here are some tips for getting the best bang for your buck on the first leg of the trip – the flight there.

When it comes to booking flights, here’s the bottom line. If you know you want to go somewhere and when, book it as soon as possible. The best time to book flights was yesterday, but booking as soon as you know (preferably months ahead) allows for you to get the lowest baseline price, and not the rising costs that are seen when flights begin to fill up.

If it’s your first trip, think about the things that are most important to you. Do you want to eat good food? Do you want to splurge a little and stay at a nicer hotel? Do you want to do activities that cost a lot of money? If you do, going for the cheaper flights might be the best option for saving money. You don’t need to be first class on a fancy airline to get to an awesome destination. Instead, consider a budget airline! Yes, there’s a little less legroom, but hey, if you can go to a fancy dinner in exchange for a few hours in some cramped quarters, isn’t it worth it?

We’ll be back later this week with more flight tips!

PC: Unsplash

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Katsushika, Tokyo. May 2019. 9626

(via 2019-08 - Sandman-KK)