http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1aYHDS/:EwxORg!_:mRfp92E3/www.mint.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/110302-MINT-TIPSa.png/
Saturday, November 2, 2013
A Tip For Tipping...
I'm not the creator/owner of this awesome map/chart, I just came across it on Stumbleupon, originally from Mint.com. However, I think it is a great help for those wondering about tipping abroad, since it's clearly different in every country. If the it's not large enough, visit the original image here:
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1aYHDS/:EwxORg!_:mRfp92E3/www.mint.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/110302-MINT-TIPSa.png/
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1aYHDS/:EwxORg!_:mRfp92E3/www.mint.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/110302-MINT-TIPSa.png/
Rome: Under 25 Euros per day
If someone were to tell you that you could spend a week in Rome without spending more than $175 for food, activity, and transportation throughout the city, you would probably think they were loony. Well guess what...they aren't!! As someone who spent three months in Rome, I speak from experience when I say that this is very much possible. There are a few things to keep in mind when trying to budget in Rome:
1) Don't order water from restaurants! If your plan to save money is to drink water -rather than wine- when out...you should know that a glass of water is no cheaper than a glass of wine. Instead, utilize the drinking fountains! Rome is known for having some of the purest tap water around. You can find a drinking fountain on almost every corner, which has water constantly flowing out of the side. You stick a finger in the side hole and the water than comes out of the top, at a perfect height for you to drink out of. My recommendation would be to keep one water bottle and keep refilling it at the free-of-charge fountains.
2) A bus/metro ticket, good for 75 minutes of unlimited bus and metro travel, costs one euro. It is the law that as soon as you hop on your first bus, you must validate this ticket in the validation machine. While it is the law to buy a ticket and validate it yourself...it should be known that I have never actually bought nor validated a ticket to use the bus in Rome, and have never gotten fined. That being said...unless you are staying near Termini Station or going out clubbing in Testaccio, there is really no reason to use public transportation. If you are staying in the city center, everything is within a mile walk from your hotel. If you are on the outer-center, the farthest you will walk is a mile and a half. And with the countless unique shops and sights, walking is the best choice in my opinion.
3) Pre-gaming: Unless you are a girl, willing to do bodyshots or show a Drunken Ship bartender your boobs, drinks at bars and clubs can get expensive. However, there are always little cafes and random hole-in-the-wall shops that offer one euro shots of certain liquors, like Jager. Take advantage of these, or else you'll be paying 5 times as much at the pub next door.
Here are some cheap eats in Rome:
Outdoor market in Campo di Fiori- Fresh fruits and vegetables...great for breakfast where you can buy enough fruit to fill yourself up on for under 3 euros.
-Aristocampo, a panini cafe with locations in both Trastevere, by Santa Maria de la Scala, and also in Campo di Fiori, is basically the Subway of Rome. With dozens of different paninis and also a build your own panini, most of which are under 2.50 euro.
-Carlomenta is a great place for a real Roman dinner, off of Viali di Trastevere, where you can get an entire pizza Margherita, and glass for wine for under 6 euro. There are also quite a few pasta dishes, such as gnocchi and carbonara, under 5 euro.
-Blue Ice, which can be found on almost every corner in Rome, is like the Baskin Robbins of Rome. You can get gelato for 2 euro, as well as delicious Nutella crepes, and they are usually open into the late hours of the night.
-There are also little pizza cafes that serve pizza by the slice, for 2 euros, which is great for a quick lunch or a snack as you explore the charming neighborhoods of Rome.
Try not to eat in the ultra-touristy areas, as you'll pay double, if not more, than you should for a meal. Anywhere along Via del Corso is going to be almost three times as expensive as a non-tourist area. Also, keep in mind that most restaurants will add on a service charge to your bill. This is considered the tip. You can leave a few euros extra if you'd like, but it's not expected.
As for sight seeing; try to plan your trip around the last Sunday of the month, when you can enter the Vatican for free. When it comes to the Colosseum, most people say that going inside is a waste. Don't pay for a tour of anything. View it all on your own.
To me, the best part about Rome is the beauty and charm of the city. It costs nothing to take in the beauty, so wander the streets, it's free! I guarantee you won't be bored by the character of Rome!
Speaking of it's beauty and Charm, I shall leave you with some of my favorite photos of the city.
1) Don't order water from restaurants! If your plan to save money is to drink water -rather than wine- when out...you should know that a glass of water is no cheaper than a glass of wine. Instead, utilize the drinking fountains! Rome is known for having some of the purest tap water around. You can find a drinking fountain on almost every corner, which has water constantly flowing out of the side. You stick a finger in the side hole and the water than comes out of the top, at a perfect height for you to drink out of. My recommendation would be to keep one water bottle and keep refilling it at the free-of-charge fountains.
2) A bus/metro ticket, good for 75 minutes of unlimited bus and metro travel, costs one euro. It is the law that as soon as you hop on your first bus, you must validate this ticket in the validation machine. While it is the law to buy a ticket and validate it yourself...it should be known that I have never actually bought nor validated a ticket to use the bus in Rome, and have never gotten fined. That being said...unless you are staying near Termini Station or going out clubbing in Testaccio, there is really no reason to use public transportation. If you are staying in the city center, everything is within a mile walk from your hotel. If you are on the outer-center, the farthest you will walk is a mile and a half. And with the countless unique shops and sights, walking is the best choice in my opinion.
3) Pre-gaming: Unless you are a girl, willing to do bodyshots or show a Drunken Ship bartender your boobs, drinks at bars and clubs can get expensive. However, there are always little cafes and random hole-in-the-wall shops that offer one euro shots of certain liquors, like Jager. Take advantage of these, or else you'll be paying 5 times as much at the pub next door.
Here are some cheap eats in Rome:
Outdoor market in Campo di Fiori- Fresh fruits and vegetables...great for breakfast where you can buy enough fruit to fill yourself up on for under 3 euros.
-Aristocampo, a panini cafe with locations in both Trastevere, by Santa Maria de la Scala, and also in Campo di Fiori, is basically the Subway of Rome. With dozens of different paninis and also a build your own panini, most of which are under 2.50 euro.
-Carlomenta is a great place for a real Roman dinner, off of Viali di Trastevere, where you can get an entire pizza Margherita, and glass for wine for under 6 euro. There are also quite a few pasta dishes, such as gnocchi and carbonara, under 5 euro.
-Blue Ice, which can be found on almost every corner in Rome, is like the Baskin Robbins of Rome. You can get gelato for 2 euro, as well as delicious Nutella crepes, and they are usually open into the late hours of the night.
-There are also little pizza cafes that serve pizza by the slice, for 2 euros, which is great for a quick lunch or a snack as you explore the charming neighborhoods of Rome.
Try not to eat in the ultra-touristy areas, as you'll pay double, if not more, than you should for a meal. Anywhere along Via del Corso is going to be almost three times as expensive as a non-tourist area. Also, keep in mind that most restaurants will add on a service charge to your bill. This is considered the tip. You can leave a few euros extra if you'd like, but it's not expected.
As for sight seeing; try to plan your trip around the last Sunday of the month, when you can enter the Vatican for free. When it comes to the Colosseum, most people say that going inside is a waste. Don't pay for a tour of anything. View it all on your own.
To me, the best part about Rome is the beauty and charm of the city. It costs nothing to take in the beauty, so wander the streets, it's free! I guarantee you won't be bored by the character of Rome!
Speaking of it's beauty and Charm, I shall leave you with some of my favorite photos of the city.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Ten Natural Beauties You MUST See In Your Lifetime.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
CROATIA
Good Lord I can't even handle the beauty of this place. There are some awesome bungalows in the park, if you want to stay in the middle of everything. It's difficult to reach by public transportation, so rent a car for easier travel.
Fairy Pools
ISLE OF SKYE-SCOTTLAND
These beautiful pools can be reached a couple of miles before Glen Brittle Beach. Best to go on a cloudy day...the colors are much prettier!
Aurora Borealis
ALASKA
There is no specific time of year when you have the best chance of viewing one, but they typically occur during the solar maximum.
Amazon Rainforest
SOUTH AMERICA
It's always been my dream to volunteer in the Amazonian Rainforests for a year. Maybe one day I'll make it out here.
Ballynoe
IRELAND
Can you not just imagine strolling though, holding hands with your significant other?
Blue Lagoon
ICELAND
This Geothermal spa is one of Iceland's best known attractions. The minerals in the water, which cause the icy-clue color, are said to contain cures for all sorts of skin problems.
Kawasan Falls
PHILIPPINES
This lesser-traveled country has SO much beauty hidden inside of it, that's often overlooked.
Red Beach
PANJIN, CHINA
This beach is like no other. Can you imagine running through these fields?
Valley of the Mills
SORRENTO, ITALY
It kills me to say it, but I've spent time IN SORRENTO, and did I even know this existed? NO. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!?!
Watkins Glen State Park
New York
It's hard to imagine this type of nature can be hosted by the state known for Times Square and subways.
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