Travel Archives - Page 2 of 2 - The Unsettled Settler

Travel December 18, 2016

L’viv orchestra at National Hall for $2.00 / champagne and hot dogs

Would you like to live high class at a low price? Look no further than L’viv, Ukraine.

I had the honor of visiting there a few times in the past couple years. I will write more about other amazing and interesting things I saw there in other posts but this particular experience really stood out to me! Near the center of L’viv, you will find The National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet. This building is beautiful inside and out. Click HERE for a 360-degree virtual tour. My story is written below.

I was enjoying some time with friends in L’viv when they suggested we go to the National theater that evening. I know how costly these “high brow” events can be in other parts of Europe, but what a surprise I had when we got to the ticket counter.

There were tickets available from 50 UAH (less than $2) or the BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE for 300 UAH ($12). These professional productions included the Nutcracker among others and certainly offer a treat for the eyes and ears. Not only was the performance excellent, but the architecture as well. In keeping with high society I indulged myself in the finer offerings of L’viv. Champagne and hot dogs. Yes, it’s real, click HERE. Only 5-minutes walk from the National Theater.

L’vivs’ National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet is a MUST for anyone with even the most basic interest in the arts. You can also experience a part of local culture for a fraction of the cost in most other European countries.

There are a variety of clever, amusing and beautiful sights as well as activities waiting for you visit in L’viv. I have yet to visit the other major Ukrainian cities of Odessa and Kiev, but the word on the street is they are equally as enchanting.

Photo of Lviv Opera house from Alex Yurko

Money December 16, 2016

Tricks for traveling cheap

Want to hear how I got to Europe and back for the cost of a pack of gum? Here are some tricks for traveling cheap!

Tricks.

CREDIT CARD SIGN UP BONUS’S

This is a great way to rack up a pile of miles without spending much more money than you would typically. From time to time credit cards would grant you 40-50k bonus miles after your first purchase made on the credit card. I remember a few years ago literally buying a pack of gum as my first purchase on one of these cards and getting 40k bonus miles. This was enough to fly to USA to Europe and back during off season. I believe I paid 50 cents for the pack of gum and around $5.00 in taxes and fees when I booked my ticket from my local (very expensive) airport here in Michigan to Krakow, Poland.

Although these small-spend huge bonus cards are harder and harder to find some of the best promotions can be found at http://thepointsguy.com/ The “hot deals” section at the top of the page gives a pretty good overview of what is out there. There are many creative ways to get to the “3k spent within the first 3 months” threshold including paying income taxes on the card for a small fee, or property tax or car and house insurance. Get creative!

BE FLEXIBLE AND FIND ALMOST FREE AIRFARE

There are many, many low-cost carriers these days, especially in Europe. If you are willing to be flexible with your days of travel you can find flights as low as 1 cent tax and fees may be 5 bucks. But you get the idea. If you have an open mind and let the lowest cost flights guide your next travel move you will be more likely to explore new places and be surprisingly satisfied as you may have NO expectations about the place your low cost flight is taking you. Also this often leads to a focus more on the locals and their culture, and less emphasis on tourist attractions. A spontaneous and engaging conversation in Lviv can be more memorable than a 1000 paintings in the Louvre. For some guidance about low cost airlines see below

Europe

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/budget-flights

USA

http://www.hopper.com/articles/2120/5-best-budget-airlines-in-the-united-states

Asia

http://www.hopper.com/articles/2110/the-10-best-budget-airlines-in-asia

Lifestyle December 9, 2016

Borderland (standing on the edge)

You can see the walls and wire in the distance; heavy defenses with the threat of injury if you choose to go further into the borderland.

the unknown.

Your friends told you “don’t go”. Your parents say “it’s dangerous” but you know that the only wrong move would be to “make no move at all”. The consequence of staying put equals death to your soul, the consequence of leaving into the unknown is a definite resistance from many around you who tell you they have your best interest in mind. You are in the borderland.

This choice to shift places or “step across the border” in your life may never take place geographically. It doesn’t have to.

There are so many daily “uphill battle” choices to make that require a movement of mind more than of location. Maybe it’s the choice to quit your day job and start your own business, or the choice to end an unhealthy but familiar relationship. Maybe it’s choosing to forgive and put justice second, or a choice to shake up your daily routine, leave the familiar behind and find more fulfilling and purpose orientated ways to spend your time.

No doubt if you manage to live a few decades more you will likely come to regret things you did NOT do far more than things you did. This process can involve reaching out to your inner child and listening to why you may not have the confidence to take these important next steps. You can click HERE for a brief overview of the “inner child” concept.

Money November 18, 2016

Travel savings with deal sites like Groupon

Who doesn’t like to save money while traveling and having a great time? I use Groupon or sites like it for huge savings during my trips. Groupon and LivingSocial, among others, are available in nearly every country in the world now. Although there may be strict terms to follow, spending a short amount time on one of these sites before I travel has saved me quite a bit of money or raised the standard of food I eat or experiences I can afford. Here are a few tips

better food-lower prices

When I plan trips I try to arrange at least one meal a day through deal sites. This way I still leave room in my schedule for spontaneity with eating choices, but also know I have paid appx. 50% of what I would’ve spent buying this meal without any discount. This is especially useful if I’m only in a town for a few days and may not have a chance to find my favorite corner cafe at an affordable price before I leave.

A variety of tours and experiences may be discounted as well. These tours are often overpriced in the first place. But when I factor in the “deals” discount it’s often still LESS than choosing a tour I would find walking down the street.

The map view of Groupon is particularly useful if I know what area of the town I”ll be staying in. If the “deal” I want is on the opposite side of town, I usually reconsider.

I try to buy only deals I know will be convenient to use. Watch closely as some deals terms only allow use on certain days of the week or only with a reservation.

When I’m using discount sites in a foreign language I can easily translate the entire page inside of Google Chrome. I can simply right-click on the page and choose “translate to English”. I use Paypal to pay whenever possible to avoid paying any foreign transaction fees.

*note, each Groupon site requires a separate username and password

Click HERE for a handy link to sign up for Groupon USA
Click HERE for a handy link to sign up for Groupon Poland
Click HERE for a handy link to sign up for Groupon U.K.
Click HERE for a handy link to sign up for LivingSocial USA