Posts tagged travel
$328 flight LAX to Seoul on Kayak.com/buzz LAX-ICN from Dec 12 to Jan 11 - if you fancy spending the holidays in Korea, jump on it now. Stay in a chic flat in Seoul while wining and dining your way through the bustling Asian capital. Need a breather? Take a side trip to Jeju island, the South Korean version of Hawaii, popular with honeymooners who wear matching outfits. Visit the DMZ and catch a brief glimpse of life in North Korea…at least what they want you to see. Devour Korean BBQ every night and get more than your fill of kimchi - you can definitely afford it with a flight this cheap!

$328 flight LAX to Seoul on Kayak.com/buzz

LAX-ICN from Dec 12 to Jan 11 - if you fancy spending the holidays in Korea, jump on it now. Stay in a chic flat in Seoul while wining and dining your way through the bustling Asian capital.

Need a breather? Take a side trip to Jeju island, the South Korean version of Hawaii, popular with honeymooners who wear matching outfits.

Visit the DMZ and catch a brief glimpse of life in North Korea…at least what they want you to see.

Devour Korean BBQ every night and get more than your fill of kimchi - you can definitely afford it with a flight this cheap!

8 notes

#Cheap Flights

#Kayak

#travel

#lax

#seoul

#korea
Date

3 months ago

Travel networking site Triptrotting mentioned my entry for their Ultimate Triptrotter competition on their Facebook page. Sweet! The prize: a summer of paid travel around the world. It’s like Christmas in July. VOTE FOR ME on Facebook! Just type “Jenna Meister” in the blank field and hit enter. You’ll see my shining face smiling at you because you’re voting. The top 50 people with the most votes will make a brief video about why they should be chosen. Then I’ll really have to get creative. Any great ideas?

Travel networking site Triptrotting mentioned my entry for their Ultimate Triptrotter competition on their Facebook page. Sweet!

The prize: a summer of paid travel around the world. It’s like Christmas in July.

VOTE FOR ME on Facebook! Just type “Jenna Meister” in the blank field and hit enter. You’ll see my shining face smiling at you because you’re voting.

The top 50 people with the most votes will make a brief video about why they should be chosen. Then I’ll really have to get creative. Any great ideas?

#triptrotting

#ultimate triptrotter

#travel

#summer
Date

9 months ago

GET A ROOM: ABODE OF THE WEEK

Since my mind has been a little Ecuador-oriented lately with our season of Jet Set Zero’s Webby nomination, I thought I’d share one of my favorite places to stay in Ecuador. The moment we pulled up to this place (riding in the back of a truck, no less), I knew I wouldn’t want to leave.

Chilcabamba was a romantic, rustic paradise that appeared out of nowhere as we bumped along a dirt road circling the base of Cotopaxi volcano. With stunning views of the volcano, cozy fireplaces in our room, and mouth-watering meals, it was the perfect weekend getaway. The thatched roof and earth tones blended with charming details like wool ponchos provided for extra warmth and a saddle perched high on a beam in one room. A telescope offered incredible glimpses of trekkers who were climbing the volcano. How can you not love a place that has a baby horse in the front yard and an alpaca roaming the grounds?

The crisp air sharpened our senses as my friend Amy and I rode horses into Cotopaxi national park one afternoon. We rode alongside a cliff that dropped into a deep gorge below, spotted wild horses in the park, and felt like the only people in the world.

In the evening, the caretaker Diomedus (yes, he’s part Greek) prepared us a hearty meal of locally-sourced pork chops, chicken, and trout, topped by the most incredible dessert. It was like eating a cloud with the subtle flavor of naranjilla, a fruit native to Ecuador with a citrusy orange flavor. My friend Freddie is a fast eater and usually devours his food before anyone else finishes, but this time, Freddie lingered over the naranjilla mousse longer than any of us, relishing every morsel of flavor.

Which is exactly how I felt about Chilcabamba overall - I wanted to linger as long as possible and savor every moment of it.

Photos by Amy Cao

#chilcabamba

#ecuador

#travel

#quito

#getaway

#weekend

#hacienda

#hosteria

#cotopaxi

#horseback riding

#tambopaxi
Date

9 months ago

Story of a startup: pinching pennies but plenty of passion.

This is my tireless producer and cameraman who was there with us in Quito every step of the way. From bumpy dirt roads in the back of a truck to climbing mountains and ducking under waterfalls, he did everything we did- walking backward with a video camera.

All of that footage became Jet Set Zero’s Season 6: Quito. And now we’re nominated for a Webby award! Voting ends in 2 days so hurry up and get your vote on.

2 notes

#ecuador

#jet set zero

#quito

#startup

#travel

#webby

#webbys
Date

10 months ago

We are up for a Webby! My season of Jet Set Zero in Quito is nominated for a Webby Award - Best Travel and Adventure show in the Online Film/Video category.

Want to know how to quit your job and live abroad? We’ll show you. Climbing mountains, shamans in the jungle, salsa dancing, eating guinea pig, getting robbed - it’s all here.  

If you like what you see, lend your support and vote for us here.

#jet set zero

#quito

#ecuador

#webby

#travel
Date

10 months ago

GET A ROOM: ABODE OF THE WEEK

This palatial Italian villa is fresh off the heels of a 5-year renovation that has restored it to its former Florentine glory. Villa Le Maschere lies in the scenic Mugello valley of Tuscany, a 45-minute drive from Florence. A leisurely drive through the countryside reveals bountiful vineyards and farms- think Eat Pray Love meets Under the Tuscan Sun. Back at the ranch, take a dip in one of the two stone pools or wander among the grounds - a mere 44-acre park.

The villa’s architectural details have been carefully restored to a bygone era when popes and royalty were guests. But this 16th century villa isn’t your (great-great-great) grandfather’s house. All of the 65 rooms and suites boast LCD TVs, air conditioning, and free internet. The rooms are tastefully decorated, revealing elegant furnishings paired with bold color schemes and modern lines.

Best of all, Travelzoo is featuring a sale on this property for over 50% off, including summer dates. Regular rates start at over $450. Save some euros and buy a Travelzoo voucher now for about $200-260 (which includes breakfast and a $40 resort credit) and call to reserve your dates later.

If that’s not la dolce vita, I don’t know what is.

1 note

#deal

#florence

#hotel of the week

#hotels

#italy

#spring

#summer

#travel

#travel

#travelzoo

#tuscany

#eat pray love

#under the tuscan sun

#Mugello
Date

10 months ago

$398 fare from LAX to London via Kayak’s fare alert emails. Looks like this super cheap fare is gone now, but there are some fares in the $500 range if you’re flexible on dates, which is still not bad for anyone looking to cross the Pond. Example: Fly from LAX to London on April 5-12 for $564. Make sure to check for +/- 3 days around your travel dates to find the cheapest fares. The idea of London in April doesn’t send you skipping down the street? Who says you have to stay there? When you find a cheap flight to anywhere in Europe it opens all kinds of possibilities. Do as the Europeans and snag a $30 Ryanair flight to Morocco or Estonia for a less expensive, more exotic adventure.

$398 fare from LAX to London via Kayak’s fare alert emails. Looks like this super cheap fare is gone now, but there are some fares in the $500 range if you’re flexible on dates, which is still not bad for anyone looking to cross the Pond. Example: Fly from LAX to London on April 5-12 for $564. Make sure to check for +/- 3 days around your travel dates to find the cheapest fares.

The idea of London in April doesn’t send you skipping down the street? Who says you have to stay there? When you find a cheap flight to anywhere in Europe it opens all kinds of possibilities. Do as the Europeans and snag a $30 Ryanair flight to Morocco or Estonia for a less expensive, more exotic adventure.

#Cheap Flights

#flight

#london

#europe

#travel
Date

11 months ago

GET A ROOM: ABODE OF THE WEEK

Rubbing noses with giraffes during breakfast? Yes please. I’ve been drooling over Giraffe Manor since I saw it mentioned by Airfare Watchdog a few weeks ago. Is this place everyone’s dream? Or just mine? Gah, I ache just looking at the photos. Who needs a pony when you can have a giraffe?

Yes, you have to go to Kenya. But hello! You can’t put a price on hugging a giraffe.

#giraffe manor

#hotel

#hotel of the week

#travel

#africa

#kenya

#safari
Date

11 months ago

Mysterious $100 flight to Costa Rica arrives in my inbox via Kayak’s Price Alerts. Unfortunately it is no longer available so I hope whoever found that $100 fare jumped on it. Wish that whoever was me.

Mysterious $100 flight to Costa Rica arrives in my inbox via Kayak’s Price Alerts. Unfortunately it is no longer available so I hope whoever found that $100 fare jumped on it. Wish that whoever was me.

4 notes

#costa rica

#travel

#airfare

#flight

#kayak

#spring break
Date

11 months ago

37 Asian Odysseys ›

I am loving this NY Times list of must-sees in Asia.

Taking a slow boat ride on the Tonle Sap river in Cambodia reminds me of the families who live on - and during the rainy season, in the lake on stilted houses. I remember little babies floating in barrels who learn to swim before they walk and kids taking a boat to get to school.

Ubud, made famous by Eat Pray Love, brings back memories of waking up beside rice terraces and learning how to make batik prints from a local artist.

And everything about Japan, made more poignant by recent events, make me nostalgic for a faraway place that somehow feels very much like home.

(Article found via @kressie42)

3 notes

#asia

#asian odysseys

#travel

#nyt

#ny times

#must-see

#asian travel
Date

11 months ago

GET A ROOM: ABODE OF THE WEEK

Quirky Chic: the only thing more playful than a treehouse is a tree hotel. This is serious fun- you can sleep in the woods among deer and moose at the Treehotel in the Lapland region in northern Sweden. Each mini-treehouse was designed by a different architect and throws you out of the box into your own lofted bird’s nest or spaceship. I’m digging the MirrorCube- the outside is made of mirrors that reflect the forest around it. Scandinavian, stylish, AND stealth! When you’re not ice fishing, you can learn about the local Sami people with a reindeer herder named…Lars. Yes, it’s all true.

It’s not much notice, but in the event that you’ve fallen in love with Treehotel like I have and are ready to run away to Lapland, Jetsetter is featuring a discounted rate of $245 (sleeping in trees ain’t cheap!) that ends today. If you’re not signed up with Jetsetter (different hotels on sale each week), here’s a free referral link.

1 note

#treehotel

#sweden

#hotel of the week

#hotel

#hotels

#tree hotel

#lapland

#jetsetter

#travel
Date

11 months ago

Make Cheap Flights Come to You

I know I sound like a Kayak junkie, and honestly, I am. (If Kayak is reading this, no thanks necessary.. but I wouldn’t turn down a free flight). It’s because I’ve done my research so you don’t have to and know what works. If it’s a website and has to do with flights, I’ve been there.

The easiest way to find cheap flights is to keep an eye on airfares on a regular basis. You can set up fare alerts with most flight search engine websites these days (the pic below is of my fare alerts on FareCompare.com). You usually need to register for a free account to do this.

Fare Alerts set up on FareCompare.com

Back to Kayak: I set up ongoing alerts for every continent (because I like to go everywhere) so I’ll get an email whenever someone finds a flight that fits within my preset dollar amount. Here’s what my current alerts are set at (I intentionally set the alerts to low prices so I only get notified of a flight that I truly consider a deal).

Once you set the alert, you can forget about it until a happy little email drops into your Inbox telling you that someone found a $200 flight to Costa Rica.

The second way to utilize fare alerts is to set an alert for your specific dates. If you look at the above screenshot under ‘Expired Alerts’ you can see that I set some alerts over Thanksgiving weekend for a few different places. That way I don’t put all my eggs in one basket in terms of destinations - if I’m leaning toward Kenya but fares spike suddenly or I decide I don’t want to brave the 20-hour travel time, I can easily turn to my other options.

Anyone else use airfare alerts to stay on top of flight prices? What other websites make it easier to find cheap flights? I’d love to hear.

1 note

#travel

#kayak

#buzz

#explore

#flight

#flights

#website

#track flights

#airfare

#fare alert
Date

11 months ago

First Stop: Kayak

My first stop when travel dreaming is usually Kayak’s Buzz webpage. 

Buzz tells you what fares other people have found in the past several days. I love it because you can search by continent: Simply plug in your home airport and choose which continent you want to check fares for. Then, start imagining: Grenada for $440? Santa Cruz, Bolivia for $618? Tel Aviv for $900?

Or if you know where you want to go, switch to the “Lowest Fare” option, enter your destination airport, and find recent fares.

A newer, repackaged version of Buzz is Kayak’s Explore map. Explore’s tagline says it all: See where you can go for how much. It’s quite satisfying to move the slider back and forth and see where you can go for $300, $600, $1000.

The downside is that just because that $200 fare from LAX to Guatemala City on March 25-April 3 was found a few days ago, doesn’t mean it’s still available. Fares change constantly and if your dates are fixed, that will usually drive up your fare. But it’s useful to know what current fares are so you know when you’ve found a deal..or when you’re overpaying.

This is one of those times when it pays to be flexible. And to act quickly. Two years ago I saw a flight from LAX to South Africa for $428 round trip. I still lament that I could have gone elephant-spotting for the same price as flying to the East Coast.

Because Buzz and Explore are so useful, these are my first stops when researching destinations that are within my budget. And since my definition of fun is knowing what current flight prices are to any given world city, I stop by often. Geez. Kayak should pay me for this.

1 note

#cheap flights

#travel

#budget travel

#trip advice

#trip planning

#kayak buzz

#kayak explore
Date

11 months ago

GET A ROOM: ABODE OF THE WEEK

I’ve been stumbling across drool-worthy villas, hotels, and castles lately and thought I’d share the goods rather than just drool all over myself. If there’s a place you’d kill to rest your head, share it with me and I just might share it with the world Internet. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, it just has to make you drool.

I haven’t been to the Middle East yet but when I do, the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort will be on my dream list of places to stay. Private beach backed by desert landscape, check. Stunning Arabian design, check. 82 degree weather in March, check.

If it’s anything like the other Shangri-Las, and from the looks of it, it is(!), then I’ll see you in a looong while.

9 notes

#travel

#hotels

#hotel

#muscat

#oman

#shangri la
Date

11 months ago