How I Find the Best Flight Deals

I am the queen of finding fantastic, almost unheard of flight deals. My best score so far was probably our flights from Boston to Bergen, Norway: two roundtrip tickets for under $500 total. I am going to share with you my tips for procuring such excellent deals.

Subscribe to many different airlines' email lists and follow them on social media.

By doing so, you will frequently receive announcements about sale fares and sometimes discount codes you can use as well. Being subscribed to and following along with various airlines helps you to learn which airlines tend to offer the best deals. For example, I recently received a 40% off discount code from WOWair via email which brought one-way flights from Boston to multiple destinations in Europe to under $100. These sales and discount codes always have time period restrictions, but are usually for travel in the next 3-6 months. 

An email from wow air containing a discount code

Southwest promoting a good deal on twitter

Search for low fares using travel booking websites such as Kayak, Skyscanner, or Momondo.

I suggest doing your searches on a few of these all-encompassing websites to get an idea of who is offering the best rates to your chosen location. If you are flexible with destination or travel dates, they provide you the option of inputting your destination as “Anywhere,” and some allow you to check a “flexible dates” box in the search field. IMPORTANTLY, though, I highly recommend making your actual booking directly through the airline's website. In the case that your flight needs to be changed or rescheduled, it is significantly easier to be able to speak directly to the airline than to be given the go-around by a third party. In fact, I will even pay slightly more if necessary to book directly through an airline for this reason.

Download the Hopper app on your phone.

This app analyzes data from billions of flights to help you find the very best deals. It predicts the cheapest time of year to travel, which it displays on its calendars in color coding. It also suggests when it is most beneficial to make your flight purchase by telling you to "wait to buy" or "buy now," with information on how the prices might change in the future. You can save multiple destination searches and the app will notify you when the prices are ideal. I would still recommend booking the flight directly through the airline, though, once you’ve found a good deal on Hopper.

Check out Secret Flying.

This is a free website that doesn't even require you to sign up to view amazing travel deals. Its homepage highlights the best deals all over the world, but you can filter it to show deals solely out of your home airport. This site also displays error fares, which is when the airline enters a way-lower-than-usual fare for a route by accident and hasn't fixed it yet. This is especially good for when you haven't chosen a specific destination, but are open to wherever the best deal might be.

A selection of secret flying’s current deals

Search all the time.

I have become extremely familiar with flight prices to all different areas of the world from my home airport. I search flights to various destinations multiple times per week. Doing this has provided me with reliable knowledge about typical flight costs versus great deals. For example, I know that roundtrip flights from Boston to Seattle typically average anywhere from $330-550, but there are times when they will go down as low as $237.

Pull the trigger when the price is low.

I have to say that I have missed out a couple of times on the best deals by not following this rule. Sometimes I hold off because I'm either not quite ready to make the purchase or because I think there's a chance that the price could get a little lower. You don't want that feeling of regret when you see the prices go up and know that you just missed out on the best deal! By being familiar with prices as I mentioned above, you can avoid this.

Are there any other ways you find great deals? I would love to know!

Reykjavik
in One Day

These days, Iceland's capital city is a very popular stopover location for flights headed to Europe. Airlines like Iceland Air and WOW offer free stopovers of up to 7 days, but if you don't have that much vacation time to spare, I want to show you how you can see the best of Reykjavik in a single day. There is certainly a lot to see, so prepare for a whirlwind tour!

stop #1: Coffee & Breakfast

Chances are your flight will land in Reykjavik early in the morning and, if you're anything like me, you won't have had the most restful sleep on the plane. You're going to have to power through though, because you only have one day to see this whole city! Before you leave the airport, swing by Joe & the Juice to grab a coffee, smoothie, and/or sandwich to fuel up. Then board the bus (book your ticket in advance) and head towards downtown Reykjavik. 

Stop #2: Kex Hostel

Kex Hostel has to be one of my favorite accommodations at which I have stayed. The building is an old biscuit factory with an industrial and trendy feel. As with some hostels, you can stay in a private room if you prefer (with shared bathroom - many of them, just down the hall). The industrial design carries over to the rooms, yet they still feel perfectly cozy. There are a variety of common areas of which my favorite is the bar/lounge with a comfy red leather couch next to a window and massive bookshelf. Kex has a "multifunctional hall" which often hosts concerts and the like, there is a salon/barbershop, and they have full-service tour guides to plan and lead you on Icelandic expeditions straight from their door. I know you only have 24 hours this visit, but there is so much to take advantage of at this place! Also, the breakfast is divine. But we will get there later.

I strayed slightly off-topic, but I just really like this place, if you couldn't tell. The point of this section was really to say - if you spend your one night at Kex, they will store your luggage for you if it's too early to check in and you want to go out and explore right away. 

Stop #3: Sun Voyager

Across the street from Kex, towards the harbor, is a unique statue. The Sun Voyager is a steel sculpture created by Jón Gunnar Arnason. It appears to be a Viking ship, but is actually described as a dream boat and an ode to the sun. Beyond the boat, you see the ocean and the distant mountains. This serves as a beautiful introduction to Reykjavik.

Stop #4: Harpa 

Harpa is a concert hall and conference center and is a landmark in the city, most likely not only because of the events it hosts, but also due to its distinct architecture. The building's facade is made up of colored rectangles of glass, meant to bear a resemblance to the basalt landscapes of Iceland. Head inside and take a walk around - it is even more beautiful from the inside.

Stop #5: Lunch at Kaffi Vinyl

While it has been on my to-try list for a while, I have not yet visited Kaffi Vinyl. However, I've read so many good reviews that I am going to recommend it for lunch (my favorite café in the city closed earlier this year, so I'll be trying this one first on my next visit). It's a vegan café with a variety of tasty-looking food options as well as coffee, beer, and vinyl records! 

Stop #6: Hallgrimskirkja

Hallgrimskirkja is a giant church in the center of Reykjavik. It is impressive on both the outside and inside. The sanctuary is free to enter, however, if you'd like to go up to the tower at the top, you must purchase a ticket. Tickets cost between $9-10 (USD) and you will get a fantastic perspective of the colorful city from above. Do be aware of the church's opening hours that change by the day and season. Don't miss the Leif Eriksson statue out front.

Stop #7: Shopping & Exploring

From the church, stroll down Laugavegur and the surrounding streets, the city's main shopping area. Even if you don't intend to buy anything, it's always fun to take a look. The streets themselves are also a sight; there is quite a bit of animated street art to enjoy.

Stop #8: Mikkeller & Friends

I have a deep love for craft beer and one of my favorite breweries of all time is Mikkeller. Originally out of Denmark, they have greatly expanded in the past few years to include locations all over the world. Thankfully, they decided to have a tasting room in Iceland, called Mikkeller & Friends. Consume delicious brews and admire the fun and vibrant artwork of Keith Shore, the artist behind the Mikkeller brand.

Stop #9: Dinner at Hverfisgata 12

Stay in the building and head downstairs where you will find Hverfisgata 12, a restaurant and bar serving up mouthwatering pizza and more. They also have a selection of Icelandic beers if you are inclined to sip something brewed locally.

Stop #10: Kex Hostel

If you want to go out on the town, Reykjavik is known to have a bustling late night scene. If you are ready to chill, head on back to the hostel where you can catch a concert if they are hosting one that evening or just lounge a bit before hitting the hay. In the morning, I hope your flight out isn't too early, because you don't want to miss the breakfast buffet! It's without a doubt the freshest hotel buffet I have encountered, offering freshly baked bread with local jams and cheeses, eggs, yogurt, porridge, fruits, vegetables, and more. It's a delightful way to end your 24 hours in Reykjavik. Now head off back to the airport and onto whatever adventure is next!

If you're fortunate enough to have more than one day in Iceland, click HERE to see my other Iceland guides!

Quick City Guide: Edinburgh, Scotland

To end our glorious Scotland road trip, we spent a couple of days taking in the wonder that is Edinburgh. I immediately found Edinburgh to be one of my favorite European cities. It felt like a fairytale setting, with its colorful buildings and the sound of bagpipe buskers a perfect balance for its typically gloomy weather. A giant castle perched on a hilltop looms over the city - it doesn't get much more magical than that.

We actually got really lucky with the weather and saw a lot of blue sky during our visit and therefore did almost all of our exploring on foot (the one exception was our trusty go-to hop-on-hop-off bus).

What to See & DO

Wander along Grassmarket and up Victoria Street. This stretch of vibrant buildings and cobblestone is often compared to Diagon Alley (from the Harry Potter books, which are said to have been written in Edinburgh). 

Lining the street above, many restaurants have outdoor patios that offer a unique vantage point and comfortable spot to rest and enjoy lunch.

Get up close to Edinburgh Castle. This historic fortress can usually be seen from anywhere in the city due to its location high on the hill, but seeing it up close is a must-do. We opted not to buy tickets to enter the castle due to it being extremely crowded when we went up. The views looking down on the city from the castle are also not to be missed.

The Scotch Whisky Experience. I personally found this to be a slightly hokey experience, but all in all, am glad we did it. It is comprised of a Disney-esque short ride through the whisky-making process, an introduction to the aromas of whiskies from different regions of Scotland, a walk through the world's largest collection of whiskies, and a dram (we chose the Silver Tour & Tasting, which I found to be more than adequate - no need to upgrade to one of their higher-level experiences).

Walk the Royal Mile. This is the main series of streets that comprise the Old Town area of Edinburgh. It's lined with shops, restaurants, and pubs - I recommend stopping into a pub for a pint and some live music! 

Pay a visit to Greyfriars Kirkyard Cemetery, another stop for Harry Potter fans, where you can see Thomas Riddell's gravestone. Nearby is a statue of Greyfriars Bobby, a dog who is said to have spent fourteen years guarding the grave of his owner until his own death. 

Eat & Drink

While you're walking the Royal Mile, make sure to stop into Brew Lab for specialty coffee and a doughnut from nearby Baba Budan.

One day, we happened upon the lunch spot Let Me Eat Too and had a fabulous meal with even better service (apparently I was too hungry to take photos at this spot!). I would recommend this especially on a rainy day, as it has a very cozy vibe.

My favorite meal in Edinburgh was breakfast on our last morning in town. We walked through the university district (a lovely morning walk) over to Press Coffee. The coffee was tasty and I still think about my meal sometimes...poached eggs on potato pancakes with asparagus, arugula, and the slightest amount of hollandaise. Must recreate.

Where To Stay

We decided on a centrally located Airbnb for our stay in Edinburgh. There are plenty to choose from depending on your own personal preference (see my guide on Choosing the Perfect Airbnb here), but I highly recommend staying in Old Town near Grassmarket Square. It's the perfect location from which to explore all the main sights. By the way, it is definitely not necessary to have a car in Edinburgh. We did have one, but only because we were at the end of our Scotland road trip and had to wait to return the car at the Glasgow airport after our stay in Edinburgh.

We love Scotland! To see the rest of our road trip adventure, check out my other Scotland posts: Quick City Guide: Glasgow, Scotland  & The Ultimate Scotland Road Trip

Taste of Northern Vietnam: A 5-Day Itinerary

When my dad and I decided to go visit my sister who was living in Thailand, we almost immediately decided that we would add on a stop in Vietnam. He had been interested in visiting the country for a while and I honestly didn't know too much about it, but it looked beautiful and the more adventures the better! If we were going all that way, why not try to see as much as possible? 

Since the main goal of our trip was to spend time with my sister in Thailand, we decided to spend just five days in Vietnam. We would fly into Hanoi and take a couple of side trips from there. It turned out to be a fantastic decision and I honestly can't believe how much we saw in such a short time! If you are traveling to Southeast Asia and have a little bit of time to spare, I highly recommend a stop in Hanoi.

I am going to share our jam-packed five-day itinerary with you. Firstly, though, a bit about the planning process: I found our hotel in Hanoi first; I liked it for its location as well as the fact that it had add-on options for day trips and tours. We decided to add on an overnight stay on a boat in Ha Long Bay and a day trip to the mountains of Ninh Binh. Since both additions (including transportation) were reserved through the hotel, the booking process was streamlined and simple. They also shuttled us to and from the airport. Alright, now onto the trip.

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi, get settled at the hotel & walk around the old quarter

We hopped in the hotel shuttle and rode from the airport, through the fields, over the river, and into the city of Hanoi. We were in Vietnam! Despite the near 24 hours of travel, it was incredibly exciting to be in Asia for the first time. We reached the Old Quarter, where our hotel was, got checked in, cleaned up, and headed out to explore the surrounding blocks on foot.

Busy open-air restaurants with colorful miniature stools and tiny tables line the streets. Between them, coffee shops and stores of all kinds. The streets are full of the most insane traffic I've ever witnessed; stop signs are meaningless, motorcycles and scooters are extremely abundant and weave between cars and people. Crossing the street is an act of confidence - you have no choice but to step out into the constant stream and hope that the next vehicle will slow enough for you to get across safely. Walking through Hanoi is a shocking, overwhelming sensory overload, but in the best possible way.

view from the hotel

view of the streets from cong coffee shop

walking the busy streets

bikes everywhere

all lit up at night

Day 2: Explore Hanoi

After a much-needed night of sleep, we headed out again into the city. This time, we ventured a bit further. We walked to Hoan Kiem Lake (translates epically as Lake of the Returned Sword) in the historical center and main downtown area of the city. There is a beautiful, park-like path that entirely encircles the lake. From the northern shore stretches a long red bridge that leads to Temple of the Jade Mountain that sits on an island in the middle of the lake. 

We decided to hop in a tuk tuk (a pedaled rickshaw and very common mode of transportation) that took us across the city to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place of the Vietnamese Revolutionary leader. We also saw One Pillar Pagoda, a historic Buddhist temple. Then, we found a really cool floating coffee shop on a boat where we sat with a coffee, taking in the sights and sounds.  

Then it was back to the Old Quarter to grab dinner and a local beer.

Days 3-4: Travel to and stay overnight on a boat in Ha Long Bay

Our overnight bags were packed and we met our bus driver bright and early in the hotel lobby. We boarded the coach and were off to Ha Long Bay! It was about a four hour drive over to the coast during which our awesome tour guide intermittently stood and filled us in about our surroundings, cultural Vietnamese traditions, language, thoughts on history and modern times, and more. When we arrived at the bay, we boarded a small boat that took us out to our overnight boat. Our cabin window looked directly out toward the bay and the awe-inspiring views were limitless. 

We were fed local meals, taught how to make traditional foods, socialized with other travelers on the rooftop deck, and went on an off-boat adventure into the enormous Hang Sung Sot cave. We were constantly, slowly moving throughout Ha Long Bay's 600 square miles. I had seen many photos of this place before visiting, but never dreamed it was so huge! It is filled with tall limestone islands (about 2000 of them) that have rainforests on top - so dreamy. If you have a chance to visit this magical place, I highly encourage it. It was mentioned that they may not be able to offer overnight boat tours after the next couple of years due to tourism monopolization in the area.

On the afternoon of our second day there, we boarded the coach once again and headed back to Hanoi.

our boat - the view from outside of our cabin

bay views

taking a small boat over to walk inside a cave

hang sung sot cave

incredible views outside the cave

Day 5: Day trip to Hoa Lu & Tam Coc in the Ninh Binh province

We woke up back in our original hotel ready to board another tour bus. We were again met by an outgoing, informative guide who gave us more history lessons along the way. We arrived in the Ninh Binh province and I was once again astonished by the scenery. This area is known as "Ha Long Bay on land" and it is clear why. We were surrounded by more mountains, this time towering above expansive rice fields instead of water. 

Our first stop was to visit two ancient temples in Hoa Lu. We learned the differences between temples and pagodas: temples are for worshipping kings and pagodas are for worshipping Buddha. You must take your shoes off in pagodas because, if not, your feet will clomp and you might be reincarnated as a horse or goat. Men are in charge of taking care of temples and women of pagodas. People bring gifts of vegetarian food to Buddha but all foods and alcohol to kings. There are thresholds you must step over when entering temples that cause you to look down as you step in - a naturally forced bow of respect. I learned all of this from our wise guide.

We then made our way to the river in Tam Coc where we boarded boats paddled by locals and were brought down the winding river and back, a wonderfully unique way of seeing the sights. After our boat tour, we mounted bicycles and were led on a guided tour along bumpy dirt roads through the rice fields.

It was another superb day of learning and observing Vietnamese culture and nature. We spent one last night back in our hotel before our flight to Thailand early the next morning.

arriving in ninh binh to this beautiful landscape

visiting a temple

the locals

boat ride down the river

amazing way to see this part of the country

bike ride through rice fields

rice fields for miles

On most of my travels, I tend to be my own guide. However, I am so thankful that we decided to take multiple guided group tours while in Vietnam, as I was able to learn so much history and culture that I otherwise probably would not have. As you can see, we were able to fit so much into our few days in Northern Vietnam. If anyone ever tries to discourage you from a short trip, don't listen! You, of course, will not be able to see it all (I know I have to go back to see Sapa, Hoi An, and much more), but a sizable taste can be gained from a short visit. Now I know that I must return!

Have you dreamed of visiting Vietnam? If you created your own Southeast Asia itinerary, what would you include?

5 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Airbnb

Chris and I first started using Airbnb on our honeymoon in 2015. Since then, we have stayed in Airbnbs in 11 countries and 5 states! I love it not only because it's usually a more affordable option, but also because it gives you the experience of really feeling like you live in the place in which you're traveling. I tend to choose Airbnbs over hotels, especially if I know we will want to cook our own meals some days or are traveling with friends and would like multiple bedrooms in the same house.

I would like to share a few of my top tips for choosing the perfect Airbnb - take a look and let me know what you think!
 

1. Location, location, location

The detail that I always assign the most importance to when looking at Airbnbs is location. Many times when visiting new cities, I plan on getting around on foot, so finding a home that's walkable to the major sights and to some restaurants and cafés is highest on my list. While browsing Airbnbs, you aren't able to see the exact address (until you make the booking), but it does show you a pretty specific area in which the residence lies. I usually pull up Google Maps alongside the Airbnb map so I can make sure it's in the area in which I'm hoping to stay. The Airbnb hosts have the option to write a little bit about the neighborhood as well, which is quite helpful.

TIP: If you're unsure about which area in a city would be a good place for you to stay, try googling "which neighborhood to stay in in Paris (or wherever you're going)." You can usually find an article that describes each neighborhood; this will help you get an idea of which would best suit your desires.

Helpful info & map from the airbnb listing

2. Read the reviews!

Reviews are so important on Airbnb. Positive reviews are helpful in confirming the ease of the check-in process, the response rate of the host leading up to and during the stay, the comfort of the accommodation, the walkability, and more. Pay attention to things that are mentioned more than once, especially if they are negative. For example, if multiple people mention that they had trouble with the WiFi and you're planning on needing internet to get some work done on your travels, that may not be the place for you. Additionally, if I find that more than one person mentions that they felt that the area was sketchy, I usually automatically discard that option.

3. Host's response rate

The host's response rate is a crucial indicator on how helpful the host will be in general. If you have questions prior to booking, about transportation to and from the Airbnb, last minute changes in your arrival time, etc., knowing that the host will get back to you quickly is a huge advantage.

4. Plug in your dates

You can browse Airbnb all day and find dozens of homes you're dying stay in, but you won't know for sure if they are available during your needed dates unless you plug those dates in, of course. Another significant reason for doing this is that the price of a home often changes for different months or days of the week, so you'll want to make sure that the price you're seeing is accurate for your dates of stay. 

Additionally, pay attention to any added fees associated with the rental. Some hosts charge fees for cleaning or additional guests while others do not; depending on the fees, this can sometimes result in a surprising total cost and can influence my decision about which to book. See below for an example of the same Airbnb before & after plugging in my dates:

Before plugging any dates in

After putting dates in - price went up & fees added

5. Personal preferences

The most fun aspect of Airbnb is that there are SO many homes with SO many different styles and amenities and I find it very satisfying to find one that perfectly fits what I'm looking for. Personally, one of my favorite features is a balcony (I love views and outdoor dining!). Another necessary amenity for me, particularly when traveling overseas because I don't purchase an international phone plan, is WiFi. Depending on where you're traveling, making sure the residence has air conditioning could be a very key factor. You may also need parking or laundry facilities.

Airbnb gives you the option to choose to rent a private room in a house or an entire house/apartment. I personally enjoy my privacy while traveling and have only reserved "entire house" Airbnbs. However, if you're looking to save on cost, booking a private room in a shared house can be a great option if you don't mind a shared living space! 

Lastly, the style of the home can have an influence on my decision to book. I tend to prefer someplace either modern and bright or designed to reflect the traditional style of that city/country (a village house in Tuscany, for example). But the best part about this whole process is that you get to choose what YOU like best.

Here are just a few amazing airbnbs we've stayed in:

my favorite balcony ever in our paris airbnb

in london - the coolest window

the view from our copenhagen airbnb patio

sunset in cortona, tuscany from our airbnb's outdoor space

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What is the BEST Airbnb you've ever stayed in? Tell me about it!

*If you're interested in trying out Airbnb for the first time, click HERE to sign up with my referral code and receive $40 off your first stay!*