If Money Grew on Trees...ICEHOTEL

It's Friday!  

So I have never been much of a beach bum...I am not the girl who dreams of a warm tropical place by the ocean.  In fact, as the weather turns chilly in Ohio I am dreaming of this year's ICEHOTEL.  An intriguing blend of art, ice, and lodging - I hope to someday stay in this glamorous igloo!

Today's location:  ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden


This photo of ICEHOTEL is courtesy of TripAdvisor
2011 Main Hall Artists: Sofi Ruotsalainen, Mats Nille Nilsson & Lena Kriström, Sweden

Every year they construct an entire hotel made of snow and ice (and some steel for support).  Each room is unique and designed by a different artist.  Guests can stay in the ICEHOTEL and sleep on "beds" (blocks of ice) with reindeer hides and sleeping bags.  Their website states:

"Inside ICEHOTEL, the temperature is never colder than -5 °C to -8 °C, regardless of how cold it may be outside.
Dress in warm thermal underwear, put on a hat and slip into the cozy sleeping bag. You are awakened in the morning with a cup of hot lingonberry juice at your bedside."

This photo of ICEHOTEL is courtesy of TripAdvisor
2011 Art Deco Suite Artists: Tomasz Czajkowski & Eryk Marks, Poland

  If you are thinking that is a little too extreme for you, they do offer warm accommodations so you can still enjoy the beauty without sleeping in it.  The list of activities at the hotel includes dog sledding, snowmobile tours, ice carving classes, and Northern Lights tours.  Couples can even get married in the The Ice Church during their visit.  For more pictures and reviews on this unique hotel, check out travelers' posts on TripAdvisor!

You can even follow their blog (ICEHOTEL blog) to see concept drawings of the rooms for this upcoming year!

Challenge: Washington, D.C.

I just got back from a weekend in Washington DC visiting family, so I felt inspired to use the nation's capital as this week's challenge.  

Washington DC is a great place to visit for multiple reasons with one of the best (travel) reasons being FREE ADMISSION to many of the museums and monuments!  (This site lists 100 things!)  There is so much to see and do in the DC area, and this week's challenge shows what you can afford with three different budgets.  For more ideas beyond those listed here, check out washington.org and thedistrict.com. 

Criteria 

Needs/Wants:  We are looking for a place with easy access to monuments and museums, either by walking or public transportation.   

Time Frame:  3 nights / 4 days - Leaving early on Day 1 in order to arrive during mid afternoon.  Departing around lunchtime on Day 4 in order to arrive home in the evening.  I have picked October 21-24, 2012 (Friday-Monday) for pricing estimates. 

Budget:  There are three different trip budgets: $750, $1,000 and $1,500.  This includes transportation, lodging, food, and activities for two people.  Please note that prices are TOTAL (not per person).  Since most of the activities are free, these plans could be adjusted to a family of 4 - two adults and two kids.  Most of the budget adjustments would be in Food, Metro Passes, and Airfare (if flying).

Option #1: $750 Total Trip Budget

Hotel:  Hilton Garden Inn Arlington/Shirlington - 1K @ Advanced Purchase (non-refundable)-rate (no breakfast); Complimentary shuttle to the Pentagon City metro stop (Check out the great reviews on TripAdvisor)  $340.67 TL

Car/Gas: 417mile each way (~7.5hr); round trip 834 miles with 22mpg at $3.50/gal  $132.68 TL

Parking:  Hilton Garden Self Park  $0

Transportation:  DC Metro - Calculate exact metro lines (ex: Blue Line Pentagon City to Smithsonian $4.80pp round trip  ~$30.00 TL

Food: Breakfast (B): $6/day (3); Lunch (L): $20/day(4); Dinner (D): $40/day(3); Drinks (Dr): $10/day(3)  ~$248TL (for two people)
Based on Day 1 (L/D/Dr), Day 2 (B/L/D/Dr), Day 3 (B/L/D/Dr), Day 4 (B/L)
To save money, buy food at a local grocery or market.  For a cheap yet filling breakfast, I recommend a protein bar or shake.  Groupon, Living Social, and other discount websites can help you find restaurant deals so you can get more for you money.

Activities: Smithsonian Museums & Zoo $0pp; White House $0pp (must set up tour with your congressman at least 21 days in advanced!); US Capital Building $0pp; Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson Monument $0pp; Holocaust Museum $0pp; Arlington National Cemetery $0pp; Walk around Georgetown $0pp  $0 
(Please note that while all of these museums are free, many do require a ticket!  Free tickets can usually be picked up on a first-come first-served basis at each museum but check their web pages for more details.)

Trip Total:  $751.35 TL

Option #2: $1,000 Total Trip Budget

Hotel:  Renaissance Arlington Capital View - 1K @ AAA-rate (no breakfast); Complimentary shuttle to the Crystal City metro stop (Check out their reviews on TripAdvisor)  $310.90 TL
(This hotel is cheaper than option #1, but charges a minimum of $16/day for parking making it more expensive.)

Car/Gas: 417mile each way (~7.5hr); round trip 834 miles with 22mpg at $3.50/gal  $132.68

Parking:  Renaissance off-site Parking $16/day $48 TL

Transportation:  DC Metro - One Day MetroRail Pass: $9pp/day - $54 TL

Food: Breakfast (B): $15/day(3); Lunch (L): $30/day(4); Dinner (D): $60/day(3); Drinks (Dr): $30/day(3)  ~$435TL (for two people)
Based on Day 1 (L/D/Dr), Day 2 (B/L/D/Dr), Day 3 (B/L/D/Dr), Day 4 (B/L)

Activities: Smithsonian Museums & Zoo $0pp; White House $0pp (must set up tour with your congressman at least 21 days in advanced!); US Capital Building $0pp; Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson Monument $0pp; Holocaust Museum $0pp; Arlington National Cemetery $0pp; Walk around Georgetown $0pp  $0  
Trip Total:  $980.58 TL
(Please see notes from trip option #1.)

Option #3: $1,500 Total Trip Budget

Hotel:  Hotel George, a Kimpton Hotel - 1Q @ AAA Advanced Purchase (non-refundable)-rate; $10 Starbucks giftcard per night; Walking distance to the sites (just north of Capital Hill) and Union metro/train stop (Check out glowing reviews on TripAdvisor)   $491.22 

Residence Inn Washington, DC /Capitol - 1K @ AAA-rate;  Full breakfast buffet; Walking distance to the sites (just south of National Mall) and Federal Center SW metro stop (Check out their good reviews on TripAdvisor)   $553.03   (Same hotel on washington.org is $475.27; I would call to see if they would match the price without booking through a third-party site.)
Airfare: US Airways Columbus (CMH) to Washington DC (DCA) Direct Flights - $440 TL

Transportation:  Estimated taxi fare ~$20 each way  ~$40 TL
DC Metro - One Day MetroRail Pass: $9pp/day - $54 TL

Food: Breakfast (B): Included (or use Starbucks card); Lunch (L): $30/day(4); Dinner (D): $60/day(3); Drinks (Dr): $30/day(3)  ~$390 TL (for two people)
Based on Day 1 (L/D/Dr), Day 2 (B/L/D/Dr), Day 3 (B/L/D/Dr), Day 4 (B/L)

Activities: Smithsonian Museums & Zoo $0pp; White House $0pp (must set up tour with your congressman at least 21 days in advanced!); US Capital Building $0pp; Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson Monument $0pp; Holocaust Museum $0pp; Arlington National Cemetery $0pp; Walk around Georgetown $0pp  $0 

Trip Total:  $1415.22 (Hotel George) OR $1477.03 (Residence Inn)

(Please see notes from trip option #1.)
 

Please note that prices were accurate at the time of posting but can change quickly.  Feel free to post any questions or comments!

If Money Grew On Trees...

HAPPY FRIDAY!  

What better way to start off a weekend than dreaming of someplace exotic!  Since there is usually a difference between where I dream of visiting and where I can actually afford to visit, I am calling this my "If Money Grew On Trees" post.  This is where I would LOVE to visit if I money were no object, and I could travel without worrying about a budget!  Hey, a girl can dream! 

Today's location:  Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur, India 

Picture from Orbitz.com

This hotel was a TripAdvisor Travel's Choice 2011 Winner!  It is located in the western region of India.  The hotel-palace is literally in the lake; visitors take a boat from shore to the hotel.  The courtyard in the center looks stunning!  For more pictures and traveler reviews on what makes this place so spectacular, check out the posts on TripAdvisor!

Picture from Orbitz.com

Challenge: Girls' Getaway

While having dinner last weekend with two of my friends, we decided it was time that we take a trip together.  We discussed several options for our Girls' Getaway...here are our choices:

Criteria 

Needs/Wants:  We are looking for a place with shopping, activities, and good food & drinks.   

Time Frame:  We are trying to make the trip around 3-4 days, spanning over a weekend.  (We all work and this helps maximize our vacation days.)  I have picked January 2012 for pricing estimates and will give the exact dates for each trip below. 

Budget:  The goal is to keep the trip around $500 per person.  This includes transportation, lodging, food, and activities.

Option #1: Bahama Cruise

During January it would be nice to enjoy the sunshine since Ohio is usually pretty dreary this time of year.  A cruise is a nice option because it is mostly all-inclusive (except for soda and alcohol).  Unfortunately, this is at the higher end of our price range.  And the big question - is it worth $50pp for an extra day??

Option #1a (1/26/12-1/30/12)

Cruise: Carnival - 4 Day Bahamas from Port Canaveral (Orlando), FL - Interior Cabin  $233.44pp

Airfare: Southwest Airlines - Columbus (CMH) to Orlando (MCO) Nonstop Flights  $263.40pp

Transportation to/from Port: AAA SuperRide for round trip transfers  $38.00pp+tax

Food:  Included with cruise $0pp

Activities:  Included with cruise $0pp

Trip Total:  $534.84pp  (Please note this per person total does include known taxes but not gratuity or alcoholic beverages...realistically, it would probably be closer to $600pp with those items factored in.)

Option #1b (1/20/12-1/23/12)

Cruise: Carnival - 3 Day Bahamas from Miami, FL  $228.26pp

Airfare: AirTran - Columbus (CMH) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL)  $218.10pp

Transportation to/from Port: SAS Transportation $15pp each way (mixed/good YELP reviews)  $30pp
Food:  Included with cruise $0pp

Activities:  Included with cruise $0pp

Trip Total:  $476.36pp  (Please note this per person total does include known taxes but not gratuity or alcoholic beverages...realistically, it would probably be closer to $550pp with those items factored in.)

Option #2: Chicago, IL (1/12/12-1/15/12)

Chicago is a beautiful city!  There is plenty of shopping on the Magnificent Mile, several museums, good food (think Chicago deep dish pizza and Garrett's popcorn!), and several theaters.  One downside to this choice is the chilly weather that can be unpredictable during the winter.

Hotel:  Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown - 2D @ AAA-rate Breakfast Included  Plus, great reviews on TripAdvisor - always a nice thing!  $113.21pp 
(We could get a slightly cheaper rate at $106.92pp, but it would be non-refundable. Given that we are traveling in January it is worth it to have the option of canceling in case of bad weather.)

Car/Gas: 713 miles (~6hr) round trip with 22mpg at $3.50/gal  $37.81pp

Parking:  North Clark Street Parking Garage - $23 for 24hr  $23pp
(Use Chicago Parking Map and Chicago Central Parking to help find a parking garage and prices.)

OR 
Transportation:  MegaBus (Estimated price since you can not book that far in advanced.) $36pp 
(Save even more by selecting the overnight bus to arrive on Friday morning - saves $37.74pp on hotel costs!)

Food: Breakfast: Included; Lunch: $15/day; Dinner: $30/day; Drinks: $20/day  ~$200pp

Activities: Willis Tower (formerly known as The Sears Tower) $17pp; Art Institute of Chicago $18pp; Millennium Park $0pp  $35pp
(Check Chicago Office of Tourism for discounts and coupons.  Hot Tix has half off on day-of tickets for plays and musicals.)

Trip Total:  $409pp (Drive & Park) OR $384.21pp (MegaBus)

Option #3: Nashville, TN (1/12/12-1/15/12)

Nashville is the heart of country music.  It is just far enough south to feel "southern" but still an easy drive from Columbus.  Plus, a large outlet mall beside the Grand Ole Opry (note that the outlet mall is still being redone after the flooding, but some stores are supposed to be open by the end of 2011.)

Hotel:  Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville-Downtown - 2Q @ AAA-rate Breakfast included  $174.32pp 
(Rated #6 on TripAdvisor for Nashville Hotels plus walking distance to the downtown nightlife.)

Car/Gas: 762 miles (~6hr 15min) round trip with 22mpg at $3.50/gal  $40.41pp

Parking:  329 4th Avenue South Downtown Lot (right beside the Hampton Inn) with coupon $5pp

Food:  Breakfast: Included; Lunch: $15/day; Dinner: $30/day; Drinks: $20/day  ~$200pp

Activities:  Ryman Auditorium; Grand Ole Opry ~$50pp

Trip Total:  $469.75pp 

Alternative Nashville Hotel Option: Alexis Inn & Suites Nashville Airport Opryland Hotel - 2Q @ 15% off with Continental Breakfast  $93.61pp  

(This is not the best options for us because we plan to enjoy the downtown nightlife and would have to take a cab at ~$28 each way, otherwise good reviews on TripAdvisor especially for the great price!)

Please note that prices were accurate at the time of posting but can change quickly.

Introduction

I have always enjoyed traveling.
I enjoy everything related to traveling, even planning for it...yes, PLANNING.  I will create itineraries and budgets for trips that I have no intentions to take anytime soon.  (I always plan to go eventually, but vacation days and budget limit the number of adventures I can take.)  I am already spending hours doing research for fun, so I thought I would share my findings so that other people can be inspired to travel, too!  I do not base my travel on budget alone.  I think of it more as value travel - getting the best experience for the best price!

Since I live in Columbus, OH all of my trips will be based from Columbus as the starting point unless stated otherwise.  I am always looking for new ideas on where to go.  I would love to hear other people's thoughts, suggestions, or questions.  If you are a local to one of my destinations, please comment and share some insight about great things to do while there! 

If you have a location or type of trip you are curious about then send me a message, and it may be the travel challenge for the week!

My Abbreviations:

 TL = Total (usually includes tax unless otherwise stated)

pp =  per person

/nt = per night for a room (usually based on double occupancy)

tx = tax 

 ~ = approximately 

(example: ~6hr means approximately 6 hours)

Hotels: T = Twin bed / D = Double bed / Q = Queen bed / K = King bed

(example: 2D means two double beds)

Breakfast (B) / Lunch (L) / Dinner (D) / Drinks (Dr)