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) 

Is the New York New York Coaster Good?

New York New York Coaster

Las Vegas is filled with thrills for both adults and kids. A popular attraction for kids of all ages is the  roller coaster at the New York New York Hotel and Casino. The coaster is visible to anyone walking by the casino on Las Vegas Boulevard. Like everything in Las Vegas, riding the roller coaster comes at an inflated price. The New York New York roller coaster costs $14 for one ride!  Is it worth the price of admission?

What to Expect
The entrance to the roller coaster is located on the second floor, in the back corner of New York New York. Follow the signs through New York New York's casino, food court, and arcade. Once there, you have to leave bags and loose articles in lockers ($.50) located at the coaster entrance. I shelled out $14 for one ride, but found out later that it is easy to find 2 for 1 roller coaster coupons online. 

The ride itself takes about two minutes and has all the elements of a good roller coaster; steep drops, an upside down loop, and wild curves. The best part of the experience is the view of the Las Vegas Strip from the top of the first drop. I felt safe the entire ride, and unlike some poorly designed coasters, there weren't any turns that left me with a feeling of whiplash. Would I ride the coaster again? Probably not? Is it worth the $14 for one ride? I'd say it's a safer bet for fun than most of the table games.

Just the Basics

• Location: New York New York Casino--access through second floor arcade
• Cost: $14 for one ride (repeat rides cost $7)
• Advice: Look for 2 for 1 coupons online. 

Ride the Las Vegas Strip Bus

Las Vegas Deuce Bus

The Deuce and the SDX Strip and Downtown Express are the cheapest and easiest way to travel the Las Vegas Strip. The Las Vegas Strip is over four miles long, which makes walking difficult. Cabs are expensive. The monorail only travels one side of the strip and is more expensive than the Deuce. Make the most of your time and money in Las Vegas by buying a pass for the Deuce and SDX Express.      

What to Expect

It is easy to catch the Deuce or SDX Express. Easy-to-spot bus stops are located outside every major casino on both sides of Las Vegas Boulevard. The Deuce runs from the Four Seasons Hotel to Fremont Street. The SDX Express makes fewer stops and runs all the way from the South Strip Transfer Terminal to the Las Vegas Premium Outlets. Make sure to review route maps (links below) to know where each bus picks up and stops. The Deuce is a double-decker bus with "Deuce" clearly displayed while the SDX is a one level stretch bus. Unfortunately, the Deuce or SDX Express DO NOT stop at the Las Vegas airport. 

Deuce Ticket Kiosk

You can purchase tickets on board or at ticket kiosks at each stop. An $8 day pass allows you to hop-on and hop-off either bus as many times as you like in a 24 hour period. For $20 you can buy a three day pass. The buses do get crowded during peak hours, from midday to evening.

Just the Basics

• Cost
• 2 hour pass: $6
• 24 hour pass: $8
• 3 day pass: $20
• 30 day pass: $65
• Hours: Operates 24 Hours Daily
• 7am to 2am-approximately every 15 minutes
• 2am to 7am-approximately every 20 minutes
• Link: DEUCE Route and Schedule
• Link:  SDX Strip and Downtown Express Schedule

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.  

Light Rail to the Mall of America

It is easy to get to the Mall of America (MOA) from downtown Minneapolis by taking the light rail train. The Mall of America is located about 10 miles south of downtown Minneapolis (in Bloomington, Minnesota).  A ride on the light rail is cheap, quick, and brings you directly to the east parking ramp at the Mall of America. 

What to Expect

Transit station Mall of America

All trains leaving downtown Minneapolis on the Hiawatha Line go to the Mall of America.  If you are going to the mall from the airport, you will take the same rail line. It will take about 30-40 minutes to travel from downtown to the Mall of America.  There are several points in downtown to catch the train, from Target Field to the Metrodome (Mall of America Field).  Click here for a schedule of pickup points on the Hiawatha Line. 

NOTE: Unlike metro buses, you must pay for light rail passes before boarding the train from one of the fare boxes located at each platform.      

Metro Transit Fare Ticket Box

Just the Basics

• Cost: $1.75 ($2.25 during rush hour)
• Time: 30-40 minutes
• Advice: If you are going to be in town for more than a couple of days, consider buying the 7 day unlimited "go pass" that you can use on all metro-area buses and trains 

One Day Itinerary for Florence

Do you only have one day to spend in Florence, Italy?  Are you planning a cruise excursion of Florence?  The major sites can be experienced in one well-planned day because Florence is the most compact big city in Italy.  Here my suggested itinerary for what to see in one day in Florence.  

Gallery Accademia (David)
Michaelangelo's David is does not disappoint, and is well worth all the hubbub.  There isn't much  to see beyond David and Michaelangelo's Prisoners, so it will take you less than an hour to view the gallery.

• If you have not made reservations or own the Florence Card (see below), begin your day at the Accademia.  The line to enter the Accademia forms well before it opens at 8:15am.  I would suggest being in line by 7:30am so that you are one of the first groups to enter.  If you plan it right, this should be the only significant line you encounter during the day.   

Ponte Vecchio

Ponte Vecchio 
Ponte Vecchio, Florence's most famous bridge, is an easy site to tackle in just a few minutes.  The picturesque bridge's charm is mitigated by the jewelry shops, street vendors, and tourists that cover the area.  However, it is a great place to snap photos of the Arno River.

Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi is filled with works from Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and countless other Italian masters.  The gallery's most famous piece is Botticellis's Birth of Venus.  The gallery can be tackled in two hours, making it a great for a one-day blitz of Florence.

• If you do not have reservations for the Uffizi or have the Florence Card, stop by the Uffizi reserved ticket window before Ponti Vechio to buy reserved tickets to avoid standing in line for entry.  On our visit, we were able buy reserved tickets for entry an hour later, thus avoiding the line!

Climb the Duomo

View from the top of the Duomo

I enjoyed the experience of climbing Florence's famous Duomo much more than taking the traditional tour of "ground level" of the cathedral.  On your way up, you will get an up close look at the fresco painted by Andrea di Bonaiuto on the interior of the dome.  Once outside, you will have the best view in the city of Florence and Tuscany.

• Plan to climb the Duomo later in the afternoon when lines have died down, around 3:30pm or 4:00pm.  

Gelato Break
A visit to the Florence is not complete without a scoop or two of Italian ice cream. Florence claims to make the world's best gelato, and I cannot disagree.  You will have no trouble finding gelato in Florence as every street is dotted with gelato shops.

Palazzo Vecchio

Piazza della Signoria
The Piazza della Signoria is the center of politics, past and present, in Florence.  It is also the best place to take a break and people watch in Florence.  Overlooking the square is Palazzo Vecchio, the impressive town hall of Florence.  The square is also surrounded by several impressive statues, including a life sized copy of the David.

Travel Advice

• Rick Steves has created podcast audio tours of Europe that can be downloaded  in iTunes.  The free podcasts can replace the audio tours that you pay for in museums and galleries.  For Florence, the Accademia/David (21 minutes) and Uffizi (49 minutes) podcasts are especially helpful.  If you have  time in the morning, I would also take his 46 minute "Florence: Renaissance Walk Audio Tour," as a way to orientate yourself to the city.  
• It is possible to reserve tickets ahead of time for the Academia and Uffizi online.  Unfortunately, the official site for both Academia and Uffizi tickets http://www.firenzemusei.it/ is unreliable and charges a 4 EURO reservation fee.  Other sites that broker tickets charge considerably more, but they might be worth it if your time is limited in Florence.  
• If you fail to make reservations online at the Uffizi or Accadamia, you can still avoid lines by purchasing the Florence Card for 50 EURO.  The card is pricey, but it grants admission to most major museums in Florence, and allows you to skip lines.  The card be bought online http://www.firenzecard.it or in person at Uffizi Gallery door #2.  

Best Sites for Travel Out of Minneapolis

I have an obsession with finding great travel deals.  Unfortunately, Minneapolis is not a major market for airlines, and it can be hard to find "rock bottom" deals out of the Twin Cities.  The major travel booking sites such as Priceline, Kayak, and Orbitz are good for finding deals, but they don't catch everything.  If you live in Twin Cities metro area, or are traveling to Minnesota, take a look at these sites to find a great travel deal.  To visit each site, simply click on the heading! 

Sun Country Airlines "Wing It" Tuesdays

Sun Country is a Minnesota based airline with flights to warm-weather destinations and tourist meccas like New York City.  They are my favorite airline because all flights out of Minneapolis are direct to the final destination and depart from MSP Terminal 2 (which is much less chaotic compared to Terminal 1).  Every Tuesday they post "wing it" fares, which are last minute flight deals.  The "Wing It" fares are only available on Tuesday and sell out quickly.

Visit Duluth "Hot Deals"

The north shore of Lake Superior is the favorite getaway for many Minnesotans. However, lodging can be expensive, especially for properties located directly on the shore of Lake Superior.  The website visitduluth.com has a "hot deals" page that is constantly updated with lodging deals for the entire north shore area.  There are often deals posted for resorts that do not work with the major booking sites.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airline flights can only be searched from their webpage (and not sites such as Orbitz).  It takes a little bit of time to search for flights but you can often find a great deal.  While looking for a spring break flight to New Orleans, I found that Southwest's tickets were over $100 cheaper than any other airline.  Unfortunately, most destinations out of Minneapolis require at least one connection.  They also have a downloadable "Ding" app that sends alerts of travel deals to your smartphone.

Rovia

Rovia is operates much like other travel booking sites, with a few significant advantages.  If you sign up as a preferred member (which is free), you get access to some members only deals.  I have booked both flights and vacation packages through Rovia that were hundred's of dollars cheaper than rates published on competitor sites.  

One Great Day in San Francisco

Golden Gate under fog

Do you only have one day to spend in San Francisco?  Need help planning your itinerary? Take a look at my suggestions for what to see and what to skip on a quick trip to San Francisco. 

• Golden Gate Bridge- As I mentioned in a previous post, the Golden Gate Bridge has become the symbol of San Francisco.  Even with all the hype, the Golden Gate Bridge doesn't disappoint.  It is beautiful, powerful, and inviting.  It will only take about an hour to explore the areas around the bridge, making it an easy stop for those on a tight schedule.

• Golden Gate Park- Larger than New York City's Central Park, Golden Gate Park has a bit of everything; tulip and rose gardens, fly fishing, windmills, lakes, trails, bison, and much more. You could spend your entire day exploring the park and not be disappointed.  If you only want to spend a couple of hours in Golden Gate Park, I'd suggest renting a bike to see as much of the park as possible.   FYI, Golden Gate Park is NOT located next to the Golden Gate Bridge. 

Harvey Milk Plaza

• The Castro- I realize that the Castro neighborhood might not be everyone's cup of tea.  However, it is a LGBT neighborhood unlike any other in the United States.  There is nothing that you have to see or visit in the Castro, simply take time to explore the area.  Stop for a coffee or lunch to experience San Francisco's most vibrant community.  My second choice for a neighborhood to visit would be Haight-Ashbury.  

What to Visit on a Second Day...

• Muir Woods National Monument- Explore the wonder of the giant old growth redwoods trees without having to travel across the state. Muir Woods is only a twenty to thirty minute drive from the Golden Gate Bridge.  My advice would be to arrive early to avoid crowds, and if you are really feeling adventurous, continue your journey to Napa Valley.   



Muir Woods

• Alcatraz- Visiting the old prison is a memorable and chilling experience.  Be sure to reserve tickets ahead of time!

Not Worth Your Time...

• Fisherman's Wharf- Touristy...in the worst way.  Avoid it like the plague.  
• Chinatown- While the architecture is very cool, too much of the neighborhood has been taken over by tourist-trap shops.  I think there is much below the surface to discover, but you'll have to work hard to find it.  

What to Pack for Italy

Too often I've see a red-faced tourist haul huge pieces of luggage around the uneven streets of Italy.  They ruined their vacation through a common mistake made by novice travelers; over-packing.  Packing is an art that can make or break a trip.  If you are planning a trip to Italy (or anywhere in Europe) please heed the following simple tips to make the most of your trip.

1. Pack only one carry-on sized backpack.  

Any travel guru worth their salt espouses the virtues of traveling with one small backpack.  Less is more, especially for Italy.  Most people visit Italy during the summer which makes packing light especially vital.  Italy is HOT from June to September, and everything you bring will have to be lugged around airports, train train stations, stairs, and hilly streets.

I've traveled overseas for months at a time with only one backpack and never felt under-packed.  Personally, I would pack three to four shirts, one pair of shorts, one pair of light pants, a sturdy pair of walking shoes, and flip-flops for a summer trip to Italy.  Leave any item you  might need at home; it's easy to purchase necessities as you travel.

2.  Pack a Rick Steves Italy Guidebook.  

No, I'm not being paid by Rick.  His guidebooks are simply the best.  I have used other guidebooks when traveling Europe (such as Let's Go, Lonely Planet, and Eyewitness) but they were not as helpful.  In my experience, Rick is spot-on in using simple language to describe hotels, restaurants, and attractions.  The best dining and accommodation experiences we had in Italy all came from Rick Steves suggestions.  We also found his Italian phrasebook helpful, but isn't always necessary considering most Italians in tourist areas speak English.  If you are interested in buying one, Amazon usually has the best price.

3.  Pack a small Point-and-Shoot Camera

Unless you are a professional photographer, there is no need bring a SLR camera with all the fixings (lenses, tripod, case) on your trip.  For one, you will look like a ridiculous tourist with the thing hanging around your neck.  Second, most name brand point-and-shoot digital cameras are small, easy to carry, and take quality pictures.  My wife insisted on bringing her SLR camera to Italy this past summer, but ended up leaving it behind during our day trips because it was a pain to lug around.  In fact, our best pictures (including every photo on this blog) were all taken with my $100 camera.

Ten Italian Train Tips

The easiest and least expensive way to travel in Italy is by rail.   Italy is more chaotic compared to the rest of Western Europe, and rail service is no exception.  Through trial and error and listening to advice from locals, my wife and I were able to navigate Italy by rail with no major mishaps.  Before you book your next trip to Italy, follow these ten tips for hassle-free and money-saving train travel in Italy.

1. For most trips, point-to-point tickets are cheaper than the Italy Rail Pass.  My wife and I traveled four days on our last trip to Italy and purchased point-to-point tickets for each destination.  In the end, we saved about 100 EURO per person over the Italy Rail Pass.

Italian Automatic Rail Ticket Machine

2. Use the red, white, and green automated ticket machines marked "Biglietto Veloce/Fast Ticket to buy tickets or look up schedules.  These machines will not work for international tickets and some local destinations. For nearby destinations, you'll want to use the smaller blue and gray machines that say "Rete Regionale" and accept only cash.

3. Write down each transfer location and train number of your itinerary.  An itinerary may not be printed with tickets from the kiosk and you'll want to write this information down.  If your trip requires a transfer at any point, you need to know where to transfer and to what train.  If you forget to write it down when you buy your tickets--don't panic.  Use the automated ticket machine to look up the schedule--just repeat the process you used to buy the tickets without actually completing the purchase. 

4. Not all itineraries can be purchased using the automated machines--some have to be purchased from a ticket window.  International tickets and some regional destinations need to be purchased from the ticket window.  If the automated machines say that no tickets are available for your destination, check at a ticket window before giving up!

Don't rely on the printed schedules like this one!

5. Never rely on printed schedules for train departures and arrivals.  They often differ from the actual schedule of trains which can be found using the automated ticket machines.  On our last trip to Italy, we wasted two hour at a train station waiting for a train that didn't exist, but was printed on a schedule hanging on the wall.


6. Write down where and when you want to go for ticket clerks.  Do not assume that the employees will understand English or your attempts to speak Italian.  Writing the information down is the best way to assure you get the right ticket.  Remember that in Europe dates are written in day/month/year format.

Look here for Italian Rail Arrival and Departures

8.  To find the track number for where to board your train, look for the train number and not your destination on the electronic departure board.  The destination displayed by each train number "Treno" is the final destination of the train, much like labels used on subways.  There is a good chance you'll be getting off before the final destination, so you must rely on the number to find your train.  When using the electronic board, make sure you are looking at departures labeled "treni in partenza" and not arrivals labeled "arrivo."

9. Validate your ticket in one of the machines located next to the tracks.  

Watch the video to see how easy it is to validate a ticket.  The ticket I'm validating is a small regional ticket in the Cinque Terre, but the process is exactly the same for the larger tickets you get for destinations farther away.

10.  When boarding the train, sit in the car and seat assigned on your ticket.  On your ticket, this will be labeled as "carrozza" car and "posti" for seat.  Don't be surprised if someone is sitting in your seat.  Either politely ask them to move or find another seat in the same car.

Subway and Bus from LaGuardia

The cheapest way to get from LaGuardia Airport to Manhattan is to take the M60 bus to the subway, and then ride the subway into the city.  Unfortunately, there is no subway or rail line that services Laguardia Airport (LGA). That doesn't mean you are stuck paying $25 or more for a one way cab ride into Manhattan--just take advantage of the city's excellent public transportation system.  

Step One 

MTA Metrocard Vending Machine

Purchase a metrocard from a Metro Transit Authority (MTA) vending machine.  There is a MTA vending machine at every terminal at LaGuardia.  More information on MTA metrocards can be found here. 

Tip: If you are staying in New York City for more than a couple of days, the best value is to buy a 7-day unlimited ride metrocard for $29 that can be used on all buses, subways, and even the Roosevelt Island Tram.

Step Two

Look for signs for ground transportation/M60 bus, or ask any airport employee and they'll be able to point you in the right direction.  Once the M60 bus arrives, step on and swipe your metrocard in the machine located next to the driver.  

Note: Many people are scared to take subways or buses New York City because they worry about getting lost or feel they are unsafe.  I have visited NYC nearly every year for the past decade and I have never worried about my safety on buses or the subway.  Furthermore, don't be scared to ask for help; I've had overwhelming positive experiences in asking for help in NYC. 

Step Three

It's easy to catch the subway from the M60

Get off the bus at Astoria/31st Street, which is where the subway station is located.  You will have to swipe your metro card again to enter the station.  Once inside, find the platform for a Manhattan bound N or Q train.  The N and Q lines will take you all the way into Times Square!  A map of the subway can be found here.

Note: Rather than getting off at Astoria/31st Street, you could also ride the bus into Harlem to transfer to one of several subway lines located along 125th Street.  See link above for a map of subway lines.  

Tips for a First Cruise

Celebrity Eclipse

Over Christmas, I went on my first cruise with my wife and her family.  We traveled on a week-long Celebrity Cruise through the Eastern Caribbean.   I was not sure what to expect.  Most of my travels have been self guided with an open itinerary...exactly the opposite of cruise travel.  I loved the experience but will do a few things differently on my next cruise.  Here are some cruise ship tips that might help you if you are set to embark on your first cruise. 

1. Do not book shore excursions until you are on the cruise.  We didn't have any problem with excursions booking up, and many excursions would not have been fun had the weather been raining or cold.
2. Bring sufficient cash to avoid outrageous ATM fees. Our ship's ATM carried a fee of $6!   I would suggest at least $200 per person if you plan on doing any shopping--remember, you don't have to spend it all. 
3. Do not pack beach towels, hair dryers, or an umbrella.  I wasn't sure what to pack on my cruise.  I found out that most cruise ships will provide these items.  Check your cruise line's website for specifics. 
4. Talk to cruise staff for tips specific to your ship and ports.  
5. Bring several formal outfits and shoes for dinners.  Most cruise ships have a dress code for dinners, again, check your ship's website for specifics.  Men often must have a tie and/or jacket. 
6. Visit websites such as www.cruisecritic.com before disembarking for advice specific to each vessel and port.
7. Bring walkie talkies if traveling in a group.  Cell phones do not work at sea and it can be difficult to locate people because of the size of the ships. 
8. Read your ship's daily newsletter.  We used the newsletter to identify free entertainment, drink specials, and the evening dinner menu.  
9. Prioritize and budget before leaving. What would you most like to spend your budget on?  Excursions? Shopping? Drinks?  Daily fees can add up quickly.  Visit your cruise's website so that you are aware of the cost of daily gratuities, soda/alcohol, excursions, etc.      
10. Take advantage of free 24 room service.  Nearly every vessel offers the service!



Formal Dinner Table