Courtesy of the Daily Meal
Travel is broadening, they say, but it’s also expensive. After gas and lodging, few have cash left for food and fine dining. While we all want to experience the local cuisine, there are several easy ways to bring down total costs. Here are eight ideas that should get your frugal juices going…
1. Rent a Kitchen
Book a place with a kitchen or kitchenette to cook your own food. Before you go, research local cuisine and download a few recipes that require readily available regional ingredients. Not only will you have fun shopping at local markets, but it’ll also give you an opportunity to interact with residents willing to share their cooking tips. You can save on non-exotic ingredients by using the CouponSherpa app for a grocery store in your travel destination.
2. Ditch the Extras
Appetizers, desserts, and drinks jack up a tab faster than you can say “entrée only, please.” If you really want the full experience, order the whole spread and split the single servings. Many restaurants serve too much food per plate, anyway. (Photo courtesy of Flickr/besopha)
3. Use Restaurant.com
There’s a really nifty way to save while still eating out, and it won’t limit your choice of restaurants all that much. Restaurant.com sells gift certificates for more than 18,000 restaurants in the U.S. at gigantic savings... like $3 for a $25 certificate! You can search by city and state, then choose the place that suits your tastes. Granted, some certificates are for chains, but you’ll still find plenty of local restaurants listed.
4. Get Hostel
Hostels aren’t just for college students and seniors these days. They can be a unique travel experience for all ages, and many offer a free breakfast, which you can sometimes stretch into a picnic lunch. Look for hostels that serve a full buffet, rather than just coffee and a couple crusty croissants. You can do your research at sites like Hostels.com, where you can compare prices and amenities, or join Hostelling International for information and member discounts.
5. In Vino Veritas
Wine may be fine, but it can get pretty expensive when eating out. Some restaurants allow you to bring your own bottle and charge just a minimal corking fee. Or you might combine entertainment with tasting by attending a vineyard tour and checking out their sample room. Some even offer concerts and free events for a romantic afternoon out. Don’t forget to pick up a bottle from the vineyard before you leave. It’s usually cheaper that way, as there are no distributor and store mark-ups. Most microbreweries also have tasting rooms that are either free or very reasonable, and again, you’d save on the final product. (Photo courtesy of Flickr/PhilipGreen-NZ)
If you’re planning a long-term trip and will have kitchen facilities, buy from Wine.com and have your purchase shipped to the vacation spot. The web site offers a $49 deal on unlimited shipping for one year with this Wine.com coupon.
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