A step ahead of the stomach ache

Posted: November 5, 2012 | Contents: Chapter 4 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Chapter 4 offers brief advice on how to stay healthy while traveling. Budgettravel.com‘s Fran Golden offers similar advice coaching travelers on how to keep their stomach safe while traveling. Golden offers a few tips every traveler can remember to avoid being apart of the 50 percent of travelers that receive some type of stomach sickness while abroad, he advises:

  • One easy rule of thumb: If your lodgings don’t allow you to flush toilet paper, don’t drink the water. It’s a sign you’re visiting a region with an unsafe water supply.
  • As for food, “Boil it, peel it, or forget it” has been the standard recommendation. Make sure food is served piping hot. If it’s been left out to cool, it could be harboring a growing colony of bacteria.
  • Fly from flies. Never eat food that isn’t protected from insects, which can contaminate even freshly cooked…

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From layaway to house swapping: Options for self funding

Posted: September 30, 2012 | Contents: Chapter 7 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

“How much will it cost?” Is often the first question following an idea to travel. Chapter 7 discusses the funding opportunities for the travel journalist and like Chapter 7, BudgetTravel.com’s Fran Golden investigates unique methods to saving money as a traveler.

The first method is a form of self funding:

Layaway. It’s not just for buying those expensive Christmas gifts anymore. Travelers are able to put down a deposit on a trip and pay continuously until the trip is paid for. Sites like Searsvacations.com, elayaway.com and Gate 1 Travel offer these types of services.

Golden also offers advice on obtaining lodging fairly inexpensively. Sites like homeexchange.com and digsville.com allow travelers to swap homes with a local resident of the desired destination who is also planning a trip to the journalist’s home.