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.  

Photo of the Week: Dawn Transformation

Dawn and dusk are magical times. What is ugly by day is beautiful at sunrise and sunset.  

Minneapolis at dawn

This photo of Minneapolis's industrial park was taken just as the sun began to rise over the Mississippi.  Ugly by day with smokestacks, power lines, and grime, the area seems vibrant in the early morning light.  

Photo of the week is part of "Photo Thursday" at the Budget Travelers Sandbox.  Please visit to check out other amazing photos! 

Best Coffee in the Twin Cities

J Arthur's authentic Italian Cappuccino

I haven driven to the far ends of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area to spend a few hours at my favorite coffee shops.  After scouring dozens of popular Twin Cities coffee houses, I can announce the clear-cut favorite.  The best coffee in the Twin Cities can be found at J Arthur's Coffee in Roseville.  J Arthur's serves up authentic Italian style coffee that is rarely made in the metro area.  

What to Expect
The secret to J Arthur's success is not a secret at all; it is in their authentic Italian artisan coffee.  Order a cappuccino, and you will not get the large fluffy creation created by the corporate chain coffee shops. J Arthur's cappuccino is small, intensely flavorful, and nearly identical to cappuccino I've had in Italy. J Arthur's even serves their espresso drinks with a side of mineral water to complete the Italian experience.  Besides coffee, espresso, and tea, J Arthur's also serves up soups, sandwiches and baked goods. You can also feel good about your purchase; J Arthur's strives to offer sustainable, organic, fair-trade, and/or local products.  

J Arthur's Coffee

Most weekends J Arthur's has live music and plenty of seating, making it a great alternative to the bar scene. They have over a dozen tables, a comfortable lounge area around a fireplace, and a wall devoted to showcasing work from local artists. There are also two meeting rooms perfect for  business meetings, showers, or church groups.  The rooms can be reserved by purchasing a gift card ($25 for the smaller room, $50 for the larger). There is also a great patio out front (when Minnesota weather decides to cooperate).  For those on the go, J Arthur's has a drive up window (located on the back of the building).

Just the Basics

• Locations: 2441 Rice Street, Roseville, MN 
• Hours:
• Monday-Thursday 6:30am-9pm
• Friday-Saturday 6:30am-10pm
• Sunday 8am-8pm 
• Website: http://jarthurscoffee.com/ 
• Advice: For an authentic taste of Italy, order the cappuccino.

Photo of the Week: Loch Ard Gorge

The Loch Ard Gorge, located on Australia's southeastern coast, has a tragic history. In 1878, the ship Loch Ard ran aground killing all but two of the 54 passengers aboard. Those two, teenagers Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael, washed ashore in the gorge and climbed their way to safety. Sadly, Tom Pearce drown years later in another ocean disaster.   

Loch Ard Gorge, Australia

The Loch Ard Gorge is located off of the Great Ocean Road, only 10 minutes from the popular 12 Apostles. Though the site of past tragedy, the gorge's beauty also hints of the hope found by the shipwreck survivors. 

What site of tragedy has left the greatest impact on you? 

Photo of the week is part of "Photo Thursday" at the Budget Travelers Sandbox.  Please visit to check out other amazing photos! 

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 

Photo of the Week: Gioto's Campanile

Florence's Cathedral is one of Europe's best.  Completed in 1436, it is more commonly known as "the Duomo" in reference to it's enormous dome designed byFilippo Brunelleschid .  I am not sure what I think about the colorful, but odd, facade that was added in the 1800's, but it certainly makes the Duomo unique.   

Gioto's Campanile

Pictured above is Gioto's Campanile, or bell tower, that rises 85 meters above Florence. Visitors can climb the 414 steps of the bell tower for a great view of Florence.  I chose to climb to the top of the Duomo (seen in the background) for an equally impressive view.

Photo of the week is part of "Photo Thursday" at the Budget Travelers Sandbox.  Please visit to check out other amazing photos!