Free Travel for Teachers

Teaching and travel are my two passions in life. A few years back, I discovered a way to travel and become a better teacher, for almost no cost! The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) offers free summer courses just for teachers around the United States and World. Even though the programs are free, the cost of travel would still prevent many teachers from participating, which is why the NEH offers a stipend to all teachers that complete the courses. The stipends (which are taxable income) range from $1200 for week-long courses, to $3,900 for five-week courses.  Though you certainly won't make money earning an NEH Summer Program grant, you may be able to get pretty close to breaking even. 

What to Expect
I participated in a short NEH program in April 2010 called American Visions: NEH Picturing America held at the Newark Museum. The program focused on how to use Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) in the classroom, and was taught by experts in the field. That program remains, hands down, the best training for education that I have ever attended. As a travel enthusiast, it was great to be in Newark, New Jersey because I took a few tris in Manhattan once our sessions for the day were over.

This June, I will again be participating in an NEH Summer Program. I will be traveling to Gettysburg Pennsylvania, to be participate in On Hallowed Ground: Gettysburg in History and Memory. The workshop will be taught by the faculty of Gettysburg College and will hopefully open new way for me to teach the Battle of Gettysburg to my students. I fill in details on this blog when I return.

How to Apply
Check out the NEH summer program website at http://www.neh.gov/divisions/education/summer-programs. The summer 2014 programs are closed for applications, but you'll get a good sense of the variety and scope of programs offered. Keep checking back in the fall or winter to see when the new programs are announced. You can apply for up to two programs, but may only participate in one. I applied for two programs this past year, and was lucky enough to be accepted to both. Applications are usually due in early March. My advice would be to find a program that fits your passions and interests in teaching, not the location of the program. 

If you have participated in a NEH Program for Educators, I'd love to hear about your experience! In the comment section, please share your experience and any advice you have for teachers thinking about applying for a NEH grant! 

Cheap Breakfast on the Las Vegas Strip

La Salsa Cantina

Food is not cheap on the Las Vegas Strip, which is why I am always on the lookout for a good deal. La Salsa Cantina, located across Las Vegas Boulevard from the New York New York, has the best breakfast deal on the Strip. For $3.95, they serve up a full hot breakfast which is also a perfect hangover cure. 

What to Expect
The $3.95 breakfast includes two eggs, breakfast potatoes, two tortillas, and bacon, sausage, or ham. For $.99 you can add a (small) bloody mary. Las Salsa can get crowded during the late morning, so it is best to try to arrive early for immediate service.

La Salsa is also a great place to stop for margaritas or a Mexican dinner (menu). It's location makes it an easy pit stop for those casino hopping the strip. Late at night, the restaurant transforms into a (21+) dance club and bar.

Just the Basics

• Cost: $3.95 breakfast
• Website: http://lasalsacantinalv.com
• Location: Showcase Mall, Las Vegas Strip (between MGM and Planet Hollywood) 

Suite Hotels on the Las Vegas Strip

Las Vegas is a tough city to fully experience on a budget. It is easy to get an affordable hotel on the strip, but eating, drinking, transportation, and gambling can quickly spiral your budget out of control. One great way to save money in Las Vegas is to book a suite hotel room that includes a kitchen. Though the suite will cost more than most budget hotels on the strip, you'll more than make up the saving in food and drink.  Each of the following hotels include a kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave, stove, cookware, and dishes. Each option is less than $150 a night (on weeknights).

Hilton Grand Vacations on the Las Vegas Strip

• PROS: The suites are gigantic and include two flat screen TV's, a kitchen, shower, a whirlpool, a comfy king bed, and wall-to-wall windows. The entire hotel is impeccably clean and the staff are welcoming. The hotel also includes a nice workout room and cafe. 
• CONS: The pool is tiny when compared to most on the strip. Additionally, the Hilton Grand Vacations is located away from the action, at the northern end of the strip, close to Circus Circus and Riviera.

Advice: Instead of purchasing food and beverages in the over-priced hotel shop, go to the CVS located next to the Hilton to save money. 

Hilton Grand Vacations Las Vegas Kitchen

Hilton Grand Vacations Las Vegas bedroom

MGM Signature

• PROS: The MGM Signature suites has all of the same amenities as the Hilton (whirlpool, shower, kitchen, workout room) but everything is a bit more posh. Guests at the Signature have access the Signature's pool and the gigantic pool at the MGM, which is a major bonus.  
• CONS: The MGM Signature is not located directly on the strip. It is connected by a series of walkways to the MGM that take about 5 minutes to walk. 

MGM Signature

Other Options to Consider: PH Towers, THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, Palms Place (off strip) 

Italian Alps vs. Swiss Alps

Dorf Tirol, Ialy

The Italian Alps have everything that the Swiss, French, and Austrian Alps offer; hiking, mountain huts, and breathtaking views, but at a more affordable price.  Zurich is often the most affordable airport to fly into in central Europe.  Do not be fooled.  Once you land, Switzerland is among the most expensive countries in the world for travelers.  While not exactly "budget travel," transportation, lodging, and dining are more affordable in Italy when compared to Switzerland, Austria, and France.  If you are planning a trip to the Italian Alps, there are two regions that I would consider, the Lakes and the Dolomites.

The Lakes 
The Lakes region of Italy is a picturesque meeting of the Alps, nature, and Italian culture. Lake Como and Lake Maggiore are both located only an hour north of the Milan, making them convenient get-aways.   Flights to Milan are among the most affordable in Europe, making it the Lakes an affordable way to experience the Alps. The city of Varenna is the best base to explore Lake Como, while Stresa is an excellent base for Lake Maggiore. Regardless of where you stay, be sure to take time to explore the region by ferries that serve the area.

Dolomites 

Alpe Di Siusi, Italy

The Dolomites  are saw-toothed mountains in Northwestern Italy popular with skiers and hikers alike. They are tied with New Zealand's South Island as my favorite place in the world. Located in the Tirol/Tyrol region of Italy, the area is dominated by the Austrian culture and German language. Bolzano, known as the "gateway to the Dolomites" serves as a great base to explore the region. Those who want to stay off the beaten path should also consider the charming and beautiful mountainside village of Dorf Tirol. Be sure your itinerary includes hiking in Alpe Di Siusi to fully experience the beauty the Dolomites.  

Carnival Magic Stateroom Review

Below are pictures of stateroom #1212 on the Carnival Magic, cruise dates April 1-8, 2012.  My wife and I booked this stateroom because it was the cheapest cabin available on the cruise.  The stateroom met all of our basic needs; it was clean (with twice a day cleaning service), cheap, and had surprisingly comfortable beds. 

Carnival Magic Stateroom 1212

 With that in mind, the stateroom offered some challenges.  The bathroom was cramped and made with cheap finishes.  The TV was small.  The room was long and narrow which meant the two twin beds couldn't be converted into a single full/queen which is possible in many other staterooms.  Instead, the beds could be set up either as bunk beds, or the couch could be converted to a bed.  The biggest downside of this room was wave noise.  By wave noise, I don't mean the soothing splashing that will lull you to sleep.  Because this cabin is positioned in the front and bottom of the ship (called "Forward" and "Riviera Deck" when booking), loud booming sounds from waves hitting the hull could be heard whenever the ship was at sea.  Though the noise was not constant, we heard it often enough to rattle our nerves. 

Carnival Magic Stateroom 1212

If we could do it all over again, we would book the same room again because we didn't spend much time in the room.  We spent most of our time on the cruise exploring the ship, basking in the sun, or out on shore excursions.  For the money we saved by booking this stateroom (we paid only $499 a person) instead of a balcony room (at least $200 more per person), we were able to budget more money for shore excursions.  
 

Carnival Magic Stateroom 1212

Advice: When booking Carnival Magic cruises from the Carnival website, choose "Interior Room" when you first start the room selection process.  From there, you will be able to also choose rooms that have porthole views. 

Spend less than $75 on hotel for a New York City visit

Room at the Meadowlands Plaza Hotel

I have tried a variety of ways to save money on lodgings when I have visited New York--from hostels in Manhattan to crashing with friends.  The best value for the dollar that I have found (and most enjoyable) has been to stay in New Jersey.   Jersey hasn't always had the best reputation (insert your favorite Jersey joke here).  But seriously, I have enjoyed lodging across the Hudson River for a variety of reasons. 

• It is usually cheaper to fly into Newark than JFK or Laguardia. 
• By using websites such as priceline.com, you can stay in 3 to 4 star hotels for around $75 a night.  Try finding a better deal anywhere in Manhattan! 
• Traveling on New Jersey Transit system buses from Secaucus, New Jersey (where I usually stay) to Port Authority terminal in Manhattan only costs $2.55 and takes about 20 minutes!
• Secaucus itself has many great options for food and entertainment.  

What to Expect
I have stayed at a couple of different hotels in Secaucus.  On my last stay, I stayed at the Meadowlands Plaza Hotel.  By booking through priceline.com, I was able to get a Thursday-Sunday stay for less than $70 at night--that's including taxes and fees!   Once I had made the reservation on Priceline, I called the Meadowlands Plaza to reserve a non-smoking room.

The hotel met all of the needs that my wife and I were looking for; it was safe, clean, quite, offered free shuttle to the bus stop/train station, and was within walking distance to Secaucus's main restaurant district.  The staff was friendly and helped answer questions we had about the area.  Check out their website at  http://www.meadowlandsplazahotel.com/.

I have also stayed at the nearby and similarly named Crowne Plaza Hotel in Secauacus.  Though the hotel itself was a bit fancier the Meadowlands Plaza, it was also more costly and located on a less-frequented bus stop.

The Basics 

• Location: Both hotels I have stayed in have been just off of Meadowlands Parkway in Secaucus. 

• Cost: Usually less that $100 per night through Priceline or Hotwire. 

• Advice: Call hotels before arriving to try to secure a non-smoking (or smoking) room.  You should also ask about complimentary shuttles from the train or bus stations.

•   Lodging Recommendation: Meadowlands Plaza Hotel http://www.meadowlandsplazahotel.com/

• Money Saving Tip: Eat lunch in New York City during the day, but come back to enjoy some of the neighborhood dining options in Secaucus.  Two of my favorite restaraunts were Fifth and Front (located at the corner of Fifth and Front and Natoli's. 

• Fifth and Front is a great local bar complete with an extensive burger and sandwich menu, cheap drinks, and occasional live entertainment.  Filthy-mouthed and thick-accented patrons come at no charge.  It is located at the corner of Fifth and Front Street in Secaucus. 
• Just a few blocks away at 300 Clarendon Street is Natoli's, a yummy Italian Eatery.  Space to eat is limited, so I would suggest ordering take-out or delivery. Phone: 201-864-2243 Website: http://www.natolis.com