Destinations On A Dime

The Concrete Jungle

Ever since my days of living in the Long Island suburbs, I have had a deep, undying love and fascination for New York City, especially Manhattan.

It all started when my dad took me to Manhattan for my 12th birthday along with three of my favorite cousins. My eyes were instantly opened to a new and exciting world. Everywhere I turned there was something to entice my senses. The bright lights of Time Square; the smell of hot dogs cooking on the street corner; the taste of a real slice of New York pizza and the symphony of cars, subway trains and millions of people speaking at once. It all left me in awe and I have been in love ever since.

I am hopelessly in love with New York City. Here are just a few of the many reasons why this city is so near and dear to my heart.


1) The Attitude

Confident. Cool. Calm. Collected. New Yorkers may seem cold-shouldered to some, but they just know where they’re going and what they want to do, and no one can get in the way of that. They can be warm and friendly as long as you don’t get in the way of their fast-paced world.

2) The Style

According to my rough estimate, four out of five New Yorkers know how to dress well. From indie and punk rock to preppy and gangster or even a combination of all these styles, you can see the best of all these looks on the backs of New Yorkers.

3) The Pizza

If a pizza shop has an advertisement outside that reads, “New York Pizza”… STAY AWAY! You will be disappointed. Many have attempted to imitate the glory of the New York style pizza, but nothing can compare to the real deal of a perfectly thin crust and the right ratio of cheese and tomato sauce. In New York there is no false advertising. Every pizza is New York style pizza, and it’s all amazing.

4) The Late Nights

Among its many nicknames, New York City is known as “The City That Never Sleeps” and rightfully so. Nothing seems to close in the city. Even in the wee hours of the morning people are out and about shopping, bar hopping, going to restaurants or finding other ways to entertain themselves. For a late-night person such as myself, this is perfect.

5) The Attractions

Between the historical sites, the hundreds of museums, the shopping, the tourist attractions, the plays and much more, you will never get bored in New York City.

6) The People 

Whether they’re New Yorkers or not, I just love to be surrounded by people. With a population of over 8 million, it’s quite easy to find people in New York City. It’s a people-person’s dream.

7) The Hustlers

Those people on every street corner trying to sell watered down perfumes, fake Gucci purses and bootleg DVDs just add to the character of New York. They’re the real hustlers of the city. The fact that they allow the average folk to afford Coach products is just an added benefit. Thank you Canal St!

8) The Public Transportati on

A Metrocard is as good as gold in New York City. It will get you a ride on the subway and the bus. Public transportation in the city is fast, reliable, cheap and convenient. Cars are basically unnecessary. They are actually more of a hassle than they are helpful.

9) The Diversity

New York is home to immigrants from all over the world and when these people arrive to the melting pot, their cultures don’t die out. They keep their cultures alive with pride and share their traditions and ways of life with anyone willing to soak it in. Through Little Italy, Chinatown, Little India and all the other towns within the city that represent a country, you can experience the world in New York.

10) The Champions

New York practically breeds winners:

· The New York Yankees
· Jay- Z
· Woody Allen
· Lucille Ball
· Robert De Niro
· Lady Gaga
· Michael Jordan
· Ralph Lauren
· Colin Powell 

Need I go on?

BONUS:

The Christmas Spirit!

There is a reason why so many people flock to New York City for the holiday season. The city is chock full of Christmas spirit! On every corner bright, Christmas lights illuminate the buildings. Carolers can be found scattered throughout the city spreading holiday cheer. The storefronts are elaborately decorated with odd Christmas decorations. The  crown jewel of holiday spirit in New York City is the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Each year a tree with a minimum height and width of 65 feet and 35 feet, respectively, is decorated with 30,000 lights attached to over five miles of wire and put on display above a beautiful ice skating rink. The Christmas spirit is so infectious even the Scrooges and Grinches of the world could feel it. 

No Need For A Window Seat

          If you’re a fan of staring outside of airplane windows when you fly, chances are you’ve had your view blocked by the head of another passenger. Those windows are small and it’s difficult for more than one person at a time to enjoy the view.

          Well what if there was a plane without windows?

          What if those tiny oval openings were replaced and instead you could look up and see the stars, look down and see the city below and look to the side of the plane and see nothing but sky? What if the walls, ceiling and floor of this airplane could become completely transparent with the push of a button?

          The engineers at the European aircraft maker, Airbus, think they can make this a reality.

          They believe that by the year 2050 the correct materials will be available to make a fully functional and safe airplane that could become transparent on command.

A model of the Airbus transparent plane of the future. Photo courtesy of latimes.com

          A few months ago, the company released a document, “The Future by Airbus,” that detailed all the new innovations that they are working towards including in their planes in the future. Some of the other ideas they plan to implement include creating a private cabin with holographic images that can make passengers feel like they are in a Japanese Zen garden or sitting by the beach. They also hope to create self-cleaning head rests and seats that mold to fit the body shape of the specific passenger sitting there.

These plans are far from possible at this point, but the company is still trying to figure out the big question: Will passengers be willing to fly in a transparent airplane?

Bring On The Holidays

          Halloween is over and that means the beginning of two months of back-to-back holidays. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, New Years and anything else I missed, they are coming, and they are coming fast.

          The holidays mean that millions of Americans will empty out their pockets to travel and see their loved ones. 

          There are ways to travel for the holidays without breaking the bank, but you have to know a few tricks. Here are some tips from the experts at www.about.com along with a few of my own. 

1)      Avoid Peak Travel Days – Certain days are obviously peak days: the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the day after Christmas etc. Some days, however, may not come to mind when thinking of peak travel days. If you can stretch your days off from work or catch an early flight, travelling on a Monday is always much cheaper than flying on Saturday or Sunday. Very early morning flights or very late night flights are also often cheaper.

2)      Combine Airlines – Sometimes it may be cheaper to depart with one airline and come back home with another. It may be more time consuming, but the discount you may find by checking each airline’s website carefully and trying different combinations of flights is worth it.

3)      Travel Unconventionally – If you have an extra day or two to spare, consider some travel options other than flying. People often only look to airplanes because it is faster and more convenient, but there are several other feasible options as well. Check out buses, trains or a combination of these transportation modes and you may end up saving money.

4)      Book EARLY – Booking your travel plans early is key to saving money.  As a matter of fact, you should’ve booked yesterday. In all seriousness, if you haven’t already finalized your plans and bought your tickets, start NOW! The holidays are approaching quickly and the sooner you set your plans, the better.

5)      Pack Light – The airport, other than the mall, can be the most frustrating place during the holiday season. It’s crowded and the lines never seem to end. Well, packing light may save you some trouble and money. More airlines now charge for the first suitcase and overweight fees are dished out freely for bags only one pound over the limit. This may be tough, especially for my female readers, but if you can manage to narrow down your packing to a carry-on bag, you will save time and money by skipping the lines.

Will Work for Travel

          About half a year ago, I read an article in National Geographic Traveler magazine that changed everything I had ever planned for my life. I have always loved to travel, and I always knew I would somehow make sure that my future career choice included a great deal of travel. This article inspired me to really go after my travel dreams and not put them on hold to pursue a nine-to-five office job.

          The article was about a reality web show series called “Jet Set Zero” that follows a cast of about four young adults as they quit their jobs at home, pack their things and move to a new country. Before embarking on their journey, the cast of twenty-something-year-olds work in their home countries to save up enough money for air travel and a few months of rent.

          Upon arrival to their new home country, the real work and adventure begins. The cast members work together to find a place to live and to find full-time jobs to support themselves.  Their journeys are documented by a video crew that films their every moment.

          One of the many factors that makes this show quite a few steps up from MTV’s “Real World” is the web show’s form of a “confessional room.” Each of the cast members of “Jet Set Zero” gives viewers more insight on their new life and feelings through blog posts and their own videos and photography. After three months, the cast packs their bags and makes a decision. They will either continue to travel and live together or they will go their separate ways.

          This show has all the drama of any good reality TV series, but it has inspired many of its viewers to give this new lifestyle a try. After reading that article and looking into some of the resources that “Jet Set Zero” uses to help its cast find jobs and get visas, I now have a better idea of what I want to do in life. I would love to be a cast member on the web show, but if that doesn’t happen I still want to travel the world by working in different countries.

          Whether you’re reading this as a college student or as an already successful business man or woman, anyone can live abroad and experience different lifestyles and cultures firsthand. Don’t be afraid to travel. Don’t be afraid to drop everything, go to a new place and start a new life.  

          You don’t have to be rich to have a jet set life of travelling the globe. You just have to be willing to take a risk and get to work.

Experience The Local Life

          When I travel, I avoid tourists as much as possible. Am I tourist? Obviously. Do I want to look or feel like one? Definitely not. I try to blend in as much as possible and get a real taste for the place I’m visiting. Immersing yourself in the culture and lifestyle of a new city or town, and experiencing life like a local is a huge part of what makes travelling a worthwhile experience.

          If you spend most of your vacation time soaking up the sun by the resort pool, then what makes one place different from another? If you never leave the confines of your hotel’s walls, can you really say you visited that place?

          Going from one hotel to the next won’t satisfy a curious traveler looking to discover new parts of the world. For a long time, not much else was available and renting an apartment through a travel agency could get expensive. A few years ago, “couch surfing” became a popular alternative.  Through several websites like couchsurfing.org, users offer up their spare couch for travelers to stay at their home for free in hopes that their visitor will return the favor one day.

            Well, a new option has entered the travel scene and it offers a more comfortable, reliable and sometimes more private way to live in a local’s home and experience their lifestyle and culture without breaking your back on their couch. Websites such as AirBnB.com, iStopOver.com, and Crashpadder.com allow users to post listings for people around the world to either stay in a private room in their home or to rent the whole place.

            Several factors make these websites unique. First of all, dealing directly with the owner of the apartment or house allows for more freedom and flexibility. As opposed to couch surfing where travelers will often sleep in a spare room or on a couch, many users on these new websites offer the option of renting their entire residence. Most listings on these websites also allow visitors to bring as many people as they like and stay for as few or as many days as they like.

            These websites allow travelers to live like a local (and sometimes even live with one) without breaking the bank. For big, expensive cities like New York, Paris, London and many others, these websites are perfect. I found great opportunities to stay in beautiful New York City apartments for as little as $80 per night. That price can’t be beat and returning to a real home is often more relaxing than sleeping in a hotel.  With listings available in thousands of cities in hundreds of countries, chances are you will find what you’re looking for.

            AirBnB.com is my personal favorite of the websites I mentioned. It’s incredibly easy to navigate and includes a lot of photos and useful information. I’ve already picked out a few apartments and homes across the world I want to visit.

            To read about the experiences of one New York Times writer using these websites to travel around Europe, click here.

One of the many beautiful homes I would love to rent. This gorgeous home is in the rainforest of Costa Rica. To see more photos, click here.

Photo courtesy of Airbnb.com

Start Your Engine

          There is something about the open road that draws so many people towards it. Few feelings in the world compare to driving down a long stretch of road with the windows down, music blasting and nothing ahead except the infinite possibilities of what you might find. It’s so liberating and refreshing to get away from everything and go on a little adventure.

          I can’t listen to “Where The Streets Have No Name” by U2 without wanting to hop in my car and just drive to see where I end up. For those who may want a little more direction for their journey, “The Best Scenic Drives in America,” a coffee table book by Melissa Arnold, is the perfect tool.

          Throughout the book, Arnold highlights various highways, byways and back roads in every state of the U.S. that would take travelers on a multifaceted journey. The intrinsic beauty of the natural landscapes that surround these roads make each trip worthwhile. These roads will take you through everywhere from the beautiful Florida coast to the winding mountainous highways in Colorado. Each state has its own beautiful backdrop waiting to be discovered.

                            Photo courtesy of barnesandnoble.com

          Arnold takes things a step further by providing a comprehensive description of the different attractions for each trip. The archaeological, cultural, historical, natural, recreational and scenic features of each route are highlighted. Arnold also includes a helpful guide for how long you will need to truly enjoy each drive, which makes the planning for a mini vacation much easier. Some of the trips only require a few hours, while others may take a few days. With a great deal of options for each outing, Arnold leaves it up to the individual traveler to decide how they will spend their time.

          I suggest leaving enough time to get lost and explore. With a flexible schedule and an adventurer’s heart, you never know what nooks and crannies you will discover for yourself along these drives. I can attest to this fact because some of my best travel memories start off with getting lost (more on that later).

          “The Best Scenic Drives in America” only costs between $3 and $13 depending on if you buy it used or new from barnesandnoble.com. It’s an excellent investment for anyone looking for a low-cost adventure in their own state or anywhere else in the U.S.

          In the end, even if you can’t find the time to go on one of these journeys, (although I highly suggest you make time) “The Best Scenic Drives in America” makes for a great coffee table book. You’ll seem to be highly sophisticated and well travelled with this book next to your mug.

What It’s All About

          Destinations On A Dime is for the traveler who has champagne taste but lives on a beer budget… A.K.A the typical college student. At this age we want to have fun, explore the world, see everything for ourselves and experience all that life has to offer. Unfortunately these things usually cost a pretty penny. And let’s face it. At this age many of us are waist-deep in debt and our minimum wage jobs are not making our wallets any heavier.

          So what’s a college student with a thirst for adventure supposed to do? That’s where I come in. I am by no means an expert. As a matter of fact, although I’ve traveled quite a bit (thank you mommy and daddy), I wish I had more experiences to write about. I am, however, an extremely dedicated, aspiring travel writer and like you I’m a broke college student who wants to see the world.

          This is my way of contributing to our cause. Through this blog, I’ll give you tips based on my past experiences and the experiences of friends, family and the experts who write my favorite travel magazines. Hopefully I’ll have new trips to write about soon. I’ll give you ideas on where to go and how to save money. I’ll scour those magazines I love and the internet for the best deals and destinations and of course pass them along to you. We don’t have to go far to find adventure so I’ll probably start with fabulous “staycations” and weekend getaways that are right here in the good ol’ U.S.A.

           Although this blog is geared towards people in their 20s, I don’t want to totally shun my elders. The tips and deals found here will work for anyone, so stay tuned!

          Ready, get set… Travel!