"Heads Carolina, Tails California"

It stands to reason that you learn to crawl before you walk, walk before you run, and all of the above before you sign yourself up for the Boston Marathon.  So before you book your flight to the Andes, the Alps, or the Aleutians, you probably ought to have some experience in traveling locally, regionally, or domestically!

Planning a weekend getaway or a week-long vacation regionally requires the same ingredients as planning an international vacation, but with the added bonus that it's generally cheaper to vacation closer to home.  Be a tourist in your own state!  If someone were visiting your state from another country, what sites or activities would they see?  Have you done or seen those things yet?  If not, here's your chance to do it and gain some traveling experience along the way.

Kilmarnock, Virginia
© Thrifty Gypsy

For those of us in the Mid-Atlantic states, there are many historical, cultural, outdoorsy, and "foodie" things to do and see.  Virginia is arguably the birthplace of our nation with the founding of Jamestown in 1607, many Revolutionary War battlegrounds, Civil War history, and former residences of many U.S. Presidents.  The Chesapeake Bay and the coast lines of Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and the Outer Banks in North Carolina are a mecca for beach lovers and outdoors-men alike.  The Appalachians are the backbone for these states as well, providing winter sport activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and tubing, and is also a playground for campers, hikers, and kayakers in the summer.  Prefer to spend quality time in a museum?  The Smithsonian museums in Washington D.C. are world-class and free, and there are many beautiful, iconic monuments to enjoy in the district, too.  Washington D.C. can also offer your palate nearly any kind of international food you could possibly desire.  Richmond, VA, is also emerging as a destination for foodies, and both Asheville and Chapel Hill in North Carolina appeared on Livability's 2014 "Top 10 Foodie Cities" at the number two and seven spots, respectively (http://livability.com/top-10/top-10-foodie-cities).  Virginia's wine industry is growing in quality and popularity, and Delaware's wine and ale trail is a fun weekend event (http://www.visitdelaware.com/wineandale/) for couples or groups.

What I've mentioned above is just a small sampling of things to do and see in a handful of states in the Mid-Atlantic.  Take a look at your region to see what captures your interest for a short vacation.  Once you've settled on what you want to do and see, think about what it'll take to make it happen.  How are you going to get there?  Where are you going to stay?  What are you going to eat?  Do you need reservations for any of the activities?  How much money do you need?

Even for experienced travelers, a local or regional weekend getaway can often take the edge off your hunger to see new places and do new things.  The United States is a wonderful place to live and visit; don't become so inured to the beauty of our country that you forget to see it through the eyes of a tourist!

In my next post I'll go into more details of how to find the best deals for a regional trip by drawing on my personal experience planning a girls weekend from Richmond, Virginia, to Atlantic City, New Jersey.

But until then, keep pinching your pennies and enjoy being a tourist in your own backyard!

~ Just A Thrifty Gypsy 

Live Within Your Means & Travel Beyond Your Dreams

Before you begin to feverishly list all the places you want to visit in your lifetime, you need to put your financial house in order. I know that doesn't sound very glamorous, but without a solid grip on your finances, you'll never leave home!

This blog focuses primarily on those of us with limited disposable income -- not dirt floor poor, but not rolling in the Ritz either.  If after paying rent, utilities, groceries, gas, debt, and other monthly expenses, you're left with between $100 and $300 per month (or even better, per paycheck!), then you fall in my target audience.  If you have more remaining than that, you'll reach optimum budget goals faster; if less, just remember that slow and steady wins the race!

The first step for those of us without a lot of disposable income is to realize that traveling is a lifestyle commitment.  That is, every single day you're not traveling, you must commit yourself to living frugally.  In other words: live within your means so you can travel beyond your dreams!  You must consciously structure your every day life to better accommodate your travel goals. 

For some, living large for two to four-weeks of glorious vacation travels per year and numerous weekend trips closer to home is not worth living on a "shoe-string budget" the rest of the year.  If that's true for you, then maybe you need to rethink your traveling goals.  As for me, I would rather forego weekly dinners out, drinks at the bar every weekend, going to movies, or buying new clothes every day, and instead exchange it for fabulous trips at home and abroad.  Preparing a steak dinner at home is much more cost efficient (and healthier!) than going to a restaurant; sipping mimosas at a friend's house is more enjoyable (and easier on my wallet!) than going downtown; waiting to watch a movie on Netflix is preferable to spending a fortune at the theater.  My life is just as fulfilling now - and in some ways, even more so - than it was when I was constantly spending my money on those entertainment venues.  Every time I save money by not doing those things, I'm envisioning buying a wonderful dinner in Prague or enjoying gelato by the Trevi Fountain in Rome.  If you make the commitment to trim down your "luxury" expenditures in every day life, you'll find that you have more money to put aside for traveling!



©Thrifty Gypsy

I don't know about you, but seeing the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn in Prague, Czech Republic, on a crisp September night (shown above) is more than worth the "sacrifice" of not buying a second pair of black peep-toes!

Establishing a working budget is good sense for everyone, but it's absolutely essential for travel planning.  Set reasonable savings goals, eliminate waste, do more with less, and remember that the best memories you can buy come with plane tickets and a destination!

~ Just a Thrifty Gypsy

Traveling Is Not Just for Millionaires

I am a travel junkie.  While there are many other things you may learn about me in the process of following this blog, the primary emphasis here is showcasing my love for travel - internationally and domestically - and the processes by which I plan my next adventure!

When I'm not currently on a trip, I am actively planning the next one and counting down the days until departure.  As a young twenty-something, I seek out budget-friendly ways to enjoy the world without rendering myself completely destitute.  "Thrifty Gypsy" sums up my travel persona perfectly; I want to wander the world, see its sites, take in its beauty, and do it without breaking the bank.  That's not too much to ask, right?

Millionaires can afford to pay agents to plan their trips and stay in posh resorts across the globe.  Until I win the lottery, I don't have that luxury!  But I have discovered that the countless hours researching online and poring over travel guides make the actual trip that much more enjoyable, so at this point I don't think I'd ever want someone else to plan my trip!

Translating the beautiful places and activities from your tv screen into the nuts and bolts of your own trip, however, can result in sticker shock for those of us non-millionaires.  Whether it's the astronomical price of tickets to Africa, the cost of food in London, or the bill for a hotel stay in Rome, there are some aspects of traveling which can be terribly expensive.  However, there are ways to save money if you're willing to put the time and effort into it.

This blog is geared primarily towards young adults, with or without kids, who want to travel but don't want to bankrupt themselves in the process.  Where there's a will, there's a way, and I aim to share the tips I've acquired in the process of planning our own trips!

Along the way I'll showcase some of our own travels, past and future trips, focusing on culture, history, food, how not to stand out as a tourist, or even how to pick out the right clothing to wear for your destination.  Anything travel-related is bound to be discussed eventually.

Traveling is one of the few things in life that you can buy that makes you richer, and I hope this blog inspires you to enrich your own life by broadening your horizons. 

So thanks for stopping by!  Let's pinch some pennies and see the world!

~Just A Thrifty Gypsy