Visiting Shakespeare’s Globe

To go or not to go, that should not be a question. If you are a fan of the Bard, then the Globe should be on your list of attractions to visit whilst in London. Though the original Globe burnt down, the pallets that were undamaged were used to help build the one that stands today. Not only do they give amazing tours, but in the warmer months you can actually take in one of Shakespeare’s plays and view it just as they did in his time. Of course, the seating may be a bit more comfortable and you would actually be able to afford to sit on something, so probably not exactly the same, but similar.

Learn the ins and outs of the different levels of the stage and where royalty sat during performances. You will also be educated on the history of the theater and be shown things that were changed as safety regulations have come into play. Within the attached building, you can check out the exhibition. See a timeline of Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets as well as paintings, books and a gift shop (because every good attraction needs one).

Once you exit the exhibition and tour, take a trip around the corner to the Swan and grab a bite to eat – either from the café menu or take in afternoon tea. If your plans include watching a production, make reservations for pre- or post-theatre dining and enjoy some very affordable and delicious dishes.

To The Dungeons with You!

If you are easily amused, like cheesy attractions, want to learn a bit of history and find bad lighting either creepy or hilarious, then The Dungeons are your cup of tea! If you haven’t had the opportunity to check out even one of the six Dungeons, you need to put it on your travel list to do when you visit London, Edinburgh, York, Blackpool, Hamburg or Amsterdam. While in London, close to Halloween, I was dying to visit the London Dungeon and my husband, Eric, was only too happy to oblige. He’s not afraid of anything and I’m afraid of everything. I had heard from a friend that it was kitschy, but I’m totally into that sort of thing.

Hokey, right? Ha!

We strolled up on a Saturday evening and were surprised to find a long line out the door. We waited a good hour to get in, but we were not disappointed once we made it to the front of the line. First, we had the chance to take the obligatory tourist photo with Eric in the stocks and me wielding the axe to cut off his head! Lame? Maybe. Fun? Definitely. You’re taken though the streets of London, showed various torture devices, taught about the dungeons of London, sent into the hall of mirrors and then you meet the judge that sends you to the executioner, who will be your host on the boat ride to Hell.

Think it’s over yet? No! You take a seat in one of Sweeney Todd’s chairs and hear the disturbing story of his business with Mrs. Lovett. I thought this part was really fun, even though it was totally in the dark. Eric told me that it freaked him out. So, the dungeon really has something for everyone and, for the price of admission, you sure get your money’s worth on this 90 minute tour. Make sure to get the best deal on your tickets by purchasing them from The Dungeons’ website. Save even more if you plan to visit mid-week. You probably won’t have to wait in such a long queue then either.

Have you visited any of The Dungeons? Did you find it fun and scary, too?

The Little (Hotel Search) Engines That Could

This was a guest post by me that originally ran on The Savalots.

I love to travel and I love saving money. With so many travel sites claiming they have The Best Deal, you want to make sure that’s really what you’re getting. Why bother searching multiple sites if they all claim this? Simple – because there are some sites that can actually get you better deals and incentives for future travel. If you’re on a budget, like many of us are, it’s important that your dollar stretch and you get the most you can out of it. Just because your budget is tight, doesn’t mean your vacations have to suffer. You can still save money without sacrificing destination or comfort, so try some of these lesser-known sites when booking your next trip:

Venere.com – This fast-growing site is UK-based and has a vast selection of hotels, bed & breakfasts and apartments worldwide. They have just started branching out to include American accommodations, but they do have listings for most of the big tourist cities, like Orlando, New York City and Los Angeles. What makes this site great is that the reviews are very candid, there are enough photos and information to know if it’s the accommodation for you and most of the listings don’t require you to pay up front. Some ask for a deposit, but many you just pay when you get there. I love this approach, because if you’re like me, you like to reserve as far out as possible, which isn’t always an option if you don’t have enough money in your bank account to tie up in a hotel reservation at the time.

HotelClub.com – With a free membership to their rewards program, HotelClub works a bit like your local grocery store rewards card, except the more reservations you complete, the more you can earn. A great resource for accommodations across the globe, you’ll find photos, guest reviews and a wealth of information about each property. Each time you book through them and complete a stay, you’ll bank 4% “cash back” in your account for use on future stays. After two stays you reach “Gold Club Member” status which can earn you 5% cash back, and after six stays, you’ll move up to “Platinum Club Member” status and earn up to 6% cash back. All last-minute bookings only get you 2% cash back, but a discount is a discount, and because this site is powered by Orbitz, you know you’ll have a wide selection of accommodations to choose from.

Enjoying our deck at our last vacation rental

FlipKey.com – Run by TripAdvisor, this site has over 100,000 vacation rentals by owner. What does this mean for you? Usually, you save over the price of hotels, you don’t have to worry about other noisy guests and you have all the comforts of home, including a kitchen, so you can save more money by limiting meals out and making as many as you want yourself. The site is super informative and includes detailed information about each property, previous renter reviews, many pictures and a nice calendar that shows you availability. You contact the owner safely through the site to ask any questions, request more pictures and to make your reservation.

Superbreak.com – If you’re planning a trip to Europe or the UK, this site is for you. Their motto is “London for Less” and they really deliver. While they have listings for other countries, they have amazing deals particularly for England. Book a “short break” with them and you could be looking at a package that includes accommodation and an activity, theater, concert tickets, dining or theme park admission for a huge discount. If you plan to stay longer, you can add more hotel days as well. I’ve found that Superbreak has some of the best deals on UK hotels on the Internet and flying there is very affordable in the fall and winter months.

If you do a bit of comparison-shopping for lodgings, you can easily save on convenient and comfortable accommodations wherever you go. The sites above have many other options than your traditional hotel websites, including smaller local hotels. Finding a hidden gem among big hotel chains is now easier than ever.

Calling All Science and Astronomy Lovers

If you get excited about the stars and the science of space, then the Royal Observatory Edinburgh should definitely be on your travel list. They have a vast collection of telescopes and specialize in technology and space science. The Fall season bring a series of writers talks that will only set you back £3 per person (£1.50 for children). If you’re really into the mysteries of the galaxy and everything related. You can purchase a season pass and attend any and all lectures for just £20/£10.

The Royal Observatory offers individual admission on Public Astronomy Evenings, where you can learn about the history of the Observatory and observe the night sky with your naked eye and with the use of their telescopes. You’ll also go on a tour of the Victorian telescope dome, learn a bit about meteorites and find out what is currently happening at the Observatory. There are year-round Astronomy Evenings held on Friday evenings where you will observe the Moon with their telescopes and the sun with the solar scope in the Summer and observe the stars and constellations in the Winter. You must book in advance and admission is quite affordable at £4/£3.