Dine from the Menu del Dia in Spain – Dining out tip

by Gadling Staff on

The Menu del Dia (menu of the day) in Spain will not only keep some extra Euros in your pocket, it will introduce you to authentic Spanish dishes and local fare.

This dining-on-the-cheap option is offered by many restaurants throughout Spain and is a great, penny-pinching way to fill up on a big lunch, then send you right into a proper afternoon siesta!

A typical ‘menu’ is three to four courses showcasing fresh, local specialties and comes with a glass or a bottle of “house” wine. Suggested use for the cash you save: a shopping spree along Las Ramblas.

Stop carrying all your luggage – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

When hitting the road for a long stretch, pack your clothes in a large laundry basket in the car and keep just your pj’s, toiletries, and valuables in an overnight bag. Each night, put your next day’s clothes in the overnight bag to take into your hotel or tent.

It’s a lot less to lug in and out of the car than a full suitcase or duffel.

Discover the pleasures of slow food – Dining out tip

by Gadling Staff on

Food is the soul of every city. So when traveling, try to dine at least one restaurant that celebrates slow food – a grassroots movement that marries the pleasure of eating with a commitment to the community and the environment.

Slow food restaurants use fresh, local, seasonal ingredients to craft their dishes. So as you dine, you’re not only pleasing your palate, but you’re supporting local farmers and fisherman as well.

For the lowdown on slow food, visit slowfoodusa.org. The site allows visitors to search for restaurants by state. It also includes information on local farmers markets, farm tours, cooking classes and events.

Looking for cheap lodging? Check on campus – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

Looking for cheap lodging alternatives? Check on campus.

Most colleges and universities offer dorm rooms to rent for next to nothing to non-students during the summer. The price usually includes meals.

Or, if you don’t mind conjugating verbs while on your European vacation, check into an independent language-immersion program. A weeklong stay at a host home with classes can cost the equivalent of a night’s stay at an upscale hotel in the US. Bonus: you’ll get smarter on vacation! Now, who can make that claim?!

Get a mascot! – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

The best advice for anyone taking a road trip: get a mascot.

This doesn’t need to be complicated. On one cross-country trip, my friend and I took a small stuffed goat. Over the course of 3000 miles we told many stupid stories about that goat and photographed him with us in places ranging from the Hoover Dam to the Amish Country of Pennsylvania. A family member recently took a small stuffed Sponge Bob on her trip cross-country.

It’s not what the mascot is that counts. It’s that you have one. It will be the glue that holds the trip together.