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The Best Breakfast in Toronto?
Whether you’re a local or just visiting Toronto, if you’re looking for a solid breakfast place with great service, selection, and pricing, Boom Breakfast & Co. is the place to be. The selection alone will keep you wanting to go back over and over, while their Monday to Thursday $5.99 special will keep your wallet healthy.
The City of Microbreweries and Food Trucks
It goes without saying, travel and cold suds go hand in hand. It’s a great way to unwind after a long day of sight-seeing or bond with friends old and new.
Portland’s reputation for beer is legendary with more than 80 (yes 80!) breweries within the greater Portland area. With this many breweries, it’s impossible to leave a pallet unsatisfied no matter what your taste. Best of all, since Portland law states that all alcoholic establishments must offer food, many breweries have invested in the full experience by offering great meal pairings to their beers.
48 Hours in Portland – Things to Do
If you’re short on time while visiting Portland Oregon, below is a list of some great options (some not so obvious). For each day that you have in Portland, mix one item from the ‘A’ list with one or two from the ‘B’ list below.
Brazil
The most favorite Brazilian destinations are chosen for their great weather, amazing beaches (or hotel pools), awesome exploring, and outstanding dining and drinking experiences. But what to pack for all these activities?
Proper Packing for Brazil
The humid climate makes lightweight, breathable clothing absolutely necessary, regardless your destination and endeavors.
Adaptors and surge protectors will be needed if you plan to travel with electronics. Most places in use 110 Volt AC electricity, just like the US and Canada but sometimes round pin sockets have 220 volts. To avoid destroying your hair dryer, laptop, or phone, it is best to use a power adaptor.
Toiletries in Brazil will be twice as expensive as at home, so be sure to bring your favorites with you. Remember to pack aloe vera in case you burn, and strong sunscreen to try and avoid it.
The law in Brazil demands that foreigners carry identification at all times, so be sure to pack an ID Card or copy of your passport to carry with you, even at the beach.
For Exploring:
Solid, comfortable shoes are necessary for long hours of sightseeing, and the bumpy trails of hiking paths.
A small backpack or daybag can store your necessities, including a camera, map, and water, which you shouldn’t skip as dehydration comes easily.
For Dining and Drinking:
Brazilians dress well, and casual yet elegant clothing will be a better choice than beachwear for anything fancier than a beachside kiosk. When in doubt, overdressing is better than underdressing.
A nice pair of shoes will be needed if you plan to visit any clubs in Brazil’s major cities (Havainas will not cut it).
For Beaching:
The sun in Brazil is especially intense. Even if you usually forego them, be sure to pack sunglasses and a hat to avoid heat exhaustion and sun-sickness.
Feel free to forget many necessary beach-related items, as they are cheaper and of good quality in Brazil:
Beach coverups are sold on the beach and in many beach-side shops, and are great souvenirs.
A canga does double duty as a beach coverup and a beach blanket, and are extremely popular and available everywhere, and also great as souvenirs.
Bikinis in Brazil are cheaper (and skimpier, if you want to try it out!) than at home, and this goes for men’s swimsuits as well!
The popular Brazilian sandals called Havaianas are extremely good quality, one third the price in Brazil as compared to abroad, and with shops everywhere (even the airport).
Every beach will have kiosks renting beach umbrellas and beach chairs for a tiny fee, so don’t waste valuable packing space by including those either.
Remember
Brazil is a vast and varied country, with 26 states of differing climates, cultures, and charms so be sure to check the weather of your destination before finalizing your packing list. Don’t assume that the seasons are the same in Brazil as at home. What is summer in your country may be “winter” in Brazil! Brazilian winter in some regions will require a jacket, at least at night. Winter can be rainy, as well as some other seasons in a few of the regions, so it may be wise to pack a raincoat or portable umbrella if applicable.
Brazil
Brazil is an enormous country with widely varying cultures and customs. Regardless of which region you are going, however, there are a few commonalities between all of Brazil.
The language is Portuguese.
Not Spanish. While this is a common misconception, as Brazil is the only country in South America that doesn’t speak Spanish, mistaking the national language can be offensive to some Brazilians. Portuguese and Spanish are quite similar languages in some ways, and many Brazilians can understand Spanish. English is not widely spoken, so try learning a few words and phrases in Portuguese – it is fun, and appreciated by Brazilians!
A buyer always carries change and small bills.
Vendors rarely have a lot of change, especially in the morning. If you want to avoid paying extra, or having to forego a really wanted purchase, do yourself a favor and carry a lot of small bills and change.
This also applies to supermarkets and stores. Cashiers are not allowed to have large amounts of cash, and are not properly stocked with change as would be the norm in most other countries. In order to change your large bill, they will need to either receive help from a supervisor, or take the bill to the help desk like at Zona Sul and Princesa markets. Avoid the hassle, the long waiting times, and the inconvenience by preparing yourself for this, or by paying with credit card.
Everyone is always late.
If you invite new Brazilian friends to meet you for a drink at 7pm, it is likely they won’t show up for at least a half hour late, most likely an hour or more.
In the same way, if you are invited to a party that begins at 9pm, it is best not to arrive on time. Otherwise, you will likely be the only one there, and the host may not even be ready for you and will certainly not expect you. If arriving to a dinner, it is best to be 30 minutes late. If arriving to a party or less formal gathering, plan on one hour tardy.
Greetings are touchy.
Men usually shake hands when greeting, while maintaining eye contact. Women usually kiss each other, starting with the left cheek and then alternating, even when first meeting. In some regions, and Rio de Janeiro especially, kissing cheeks is more common than handshakes, including when first meeting.
A question is the most popular way to say “Hello!”
When you greet someone, you ask “Tudo bem?” (sounds like toodoo bayne) or “Tudo bom?”
It literally means “All well?” or “All good?”
The proper response is Tudo (tuuu-do) or Tudo bem (tuuu-do bem, said affirmatively) or Tudo bom
You should eat, drink, and dance to fully experience Brazil.
Some cultural aspects are special and original to Brazil, and to experience the culture you should be sure to try them.
Brazil’s national dish is feijoada, a type of bean stew made with pork, beef, and vegetables. Churrascarias (grilled meat restaurants) are extremely popular and feature a style of serving known as rodizio, where waiters circle the dining room offering cuts of meat.
The national drink is the caipirinha, a boozy Brazilian cocktail made with the national cane liquor cachaça, sugar, and lime.
The most popular Brazilian dance and music is samba, which is seen throughout the country. Other popular styles unique to Brazil include capoeira (a mix of martial arts) and bossa nova.
Finding Hotel Deals
Balancing quality and cost can be like walking a tightrope, especially when planning your trip.
After flight costs, accommodation prices tend to eat up most of a traveler’s budget. By saving on your guest house or hotel room night after night, it can make a huge impact on your spending. Especially important for vacations longer than a week, saving even 10% per night can keep hundreds of dollars in your pocket.
But how do you book a great place, at a cheap price?
Use online tools
Price comparison sites like Booking.com, Kayak.com (also for flights), and many more can help you establish a baseline for price and find a great deal.
Agoda.com is one of the best cost comparison sites, for both service and helpfulness. Agoda offers reward points that will eventually earn you free stays, and often lowest price guarantees. Their customer service is also available via phone and email, speaks English, and is outstanding internationally.
Contact the hotel directly
If you see a hotel that you really like on one of the above price comparison sites, you should try contacting the hotel directly. Mention the price you viewed on the comparison site, and see if the hotel can do better if you book direct with them. Most hotels will be willing to at least match the deal and throw in a free amenity (like breakfast, parking, airport transfer, or an upgrade) if not beat the deal completely.
Consider staying in a home
Airbnb.com is growing in popularity and scope. With a wide range of options in most cities, Airbnb offers the advantage of staying in a more authentic location and having a host who can provide suggestions and help if needed.
The price savings can be substantial. In some major cities, an excellent Airbnb with full amenities can be less than half the cost of a comparable hotel room.
Use points
If you prefer staying in large, international chain hotels, it is very much in your interest to sign up for the rewards programs. In addition to earning points (which will eventually equal free stays), many reward programs offer discount stays, free upgrades and special deals.
Can you be flexible in your travel dates?
Use Google Hotel Finder
Google Hotel Finder will tell you the cheapest time to visit a location, and will consider your inputs, such as budget, preferred dates, and location limits.
Travel during low or shoulder season
Big city prices quadruple during peak season, especially around popular holidays like New Year’s Eve.
In popular traveler cities (like Rio de Janeiro or Rome) you can save an average of $100 per night or more by traveling in a shoulder season. On Airbnb, rooms quintuple in the peak month, as compared to low season
Groupon and LivingSocial
If you are a bit flexible in your travel times and locations, these sites can be extremely worthwhile. Amazing hotel and flight combo deals are available every day, but not for every locations. The most prolific deals are in the US, Mediterranean, Mexico, and Central America.
Finding Cheap Flights
Whether vacationing in Mexico or trekking through Thailand, the biggest expenditure on any trip tends to be the same- flight tickets.
By decreasing your flight ticket cost, you can have a substantial impact on your budget, allowing you to use that money towards enjoying your trip, rather than just getting there.
Always cost-compare
Always utilize cost comparison sites for the best ticket deals.
Kayak.com and Skyscanner.com are two of the best, as they search through thousands of carriers around the world, including national airlines and some low cost carriers. As a bonus, neither of these two sites charge fees.
Check out local low cost carriers
Some airlines do not list on Kayak.com and Skyscanner.com, because they are too small and too local. If you are traveling domestically within a country, researching the local carriers and going directly to their website can yield super cheap flights that you wouldn’t otherwise find on a cost-comparison site.
Be mindful of the day you buy
On the weekends, especially Saturdays, flight costs tend to shoot upwards. More people are searching for and buying flights on their days off, and airlines take advantage of it.
For the cheapest flight, Mondays and Tuesdays tend to be the best day to buy, but it is recommendable to check out flights daily over the course of the week.
Buy ahead
International flights should be booked between 150 and 230 days ahead of time. Flights in advance of this tend to be a bit more expensive.
Waiting to the last minute is almost certain way to increase your cost, sometimes up to double.
Refresh your browser
Most airlines and cost-comparison sites use cookies when determining the quote. Basically, this means the site can “sense” when you are interested in a flight, and the price may raise because of this.
To avoid this, you have several options. You can do all of your flight searches from a “private” browser window that does not store cookies. Or, you can erase your search history and cookies before, during, and after price searching. Always delete your history before booking a flight.
Trim your baggage
Always check with your carrier to determine your baggage allowance. Staying within the allowance allows you to avoid baggage fees.
Low cost carriers especially have strict guidelines for carry-on baggage, and most do not give a free checked bag allowance. Traveling carry-on only, if possible, will save the sometimes steep baggage fee.
Can you be flexible with your travel dates? If so, even more tips below.
Avoid peak season
Peak season flights can be significantly more expensive than low season. Traveling around a major national holiday can even double your flight price.
Avoid the busy season and holidays, and travel during low or off season if possible.
Don’t travel on weekends
For international flights, leaving on a Thursday and coming back on a Monday can reduce your costs by more than 20%. Traveling on Fridays and Sundays tend to be the most expensive.
Groupon and LivingSocial
Check these sites regularly when in the beginning stages of planning your vacation. Every now and then, an amazing hotel and flight combo deal will pop up. This is especially applicable if your destination is the US, Mediterranean, Mexico, or Central America.
Rain’s Guide to Surviving Las Vegas!
See a list of 50% off deals here.
So you’ve decided to take on Las Vegas! Here’s quick summary and checklist of what to expect and how to survive.
As you’re probably aware, Vegas has many layers. Everything from a family friendly layer to the absolutely ‘can’t tell anyone this happened’ layer. It’s all what you make of it. In general, Las Vegas is very safe, especially on the main strip, and very well lit at night as one would expect.
Things you should know:
1. Dress shoes and dress shirt are mandatory to get into most nightclubs. Heels are a must for ladies. This is of course assuming you’re not spending thousands on bottle service in which case you can wear whatever you want. Expect to pay anywhere from $14 to $20 per drink (excluding tip).
2. Along with the above, ladies get preferential treatment at the clubs. Many even offer free cover and free drinks until a specified time. In many cases, guys can get in faster/cheaper if the ratio of the group is 1:1 guy to girl.
3. Try to book a hotel close to a McDonald’s and Walgreens. As you will quickly learn, food gets very expensive in Vegas and purchasing food at McDonald’s and Walgreens can help keep your wallet in check. Planet Hollywood is great for this as it’s practically attached to Walgreens, McDonald’s, Subway, and a mall with many other options.
4. Pools parties are a great place to meet people. Most of the hotels have daily pool parties, so be sure to check these out (you will have to pay cover if you aren’t staying at the hotel).
5. Fremont Street is a great alternative to the main strip with its own flavour of restaurants, bars, and casinos.
6. Drinking on the street is 100% legal.
7. There are two outlet malls. One at the south, and one at the north. Both offer great discounts on brand name merchandise.
8. It is almost impossible to hail a taxi on the main strip (too busy). Taxis are available at all valet areas of the main casinos/resorts. For the most part, you will never have to wait for a taxi as the valet is where they all line up to pickup passengers.
Safe Travels Everyone!
Travelling with Contiki*
Thinking of travelling with Contiki? Here’s the low-down on what to expect. If you’re looking for a comparison between Contiki and other tour companies like G Adventures, see here.
Before the Trip
You can expect a small welcome package, which includes a padded passport holder and luggage tag. The passport holder includes all the required documents for the trip, including a strict luggage size/weight restrictions leaflet (you are only allowed one suitcase). Be sure to adhere to the weight restrictions as Contiki does weigh your luggage before boarding its buses. As for the passport holder, it tends to be a bit bulky (how much padded protection does your passport need?) so it’s probably not needed for the trip, but if you do take it with you be sure to remove the bulky Contiki marketing documents to save on weight.
Another import thing to consider is whether your tour starts on ‘Day 1’ or if the first day is considered a travel day to get to the starting destination. Depending on tour, it might be required for you to arrive a day earlier (and stay an extra night). Same goes for at the end of the tour if you plan on leaving right away. Ensure that you have plenty of time to get to the airport from the final dropoff point.
If you’re interested in meeting other travellers from your group beforehand, be sure to sign-up online for Contiki’s ‘Meetup’ forum. You will need your tour code to get into the group and it will allow you to message others and post pictures. There is also a handy iOS and Android app available.
Arrival and Pre-Depature Meeting
Depending on the tour, there will be a pre-departure meeting. Although not mandatory, it is highly recommended. Plus you get the chance to meet everyone and even grab a drink after.
As mentioned above, before leaving the Contiki staff will weight your non-carry-on luggage. The good thing is, it only has to meet the weight restriction at the beginning so if you’re worried that you might be slightly over, stuff all your heavy items into your carry-on (batteries, chargers, carmera, laptop, etc.) then reallocate later. Be sure to take some water and snacks on with you as the departures are usually early and some locations don’t have convenient breakfast options.
During the Tour
The coaches are clean and well maintained. Alcohol and dairy drinks are not allowed as it can start to smell if it spills or spoils. To be considerate to others, water is probably best (there will be plenty of time later for other ‘beverages’). As nice as the coaches are, germs can spread fast in a confined area so proper sanitation (alcohol wipes) is highly recommended. Be proactive by eating properly, hydrating, and taking ‘immune boosters’ like ColdFx throughout the whole trip (regardless of how you feel).
Expect a good amount of interaction where you will get to meet the other travellers. The tour leader will lead a lot of these, but they are always open to recommendations. If you want to be a hero, bring stick-on name tags for the group.
The departure times at each stop are strictly enforced and the coach will not hesitate to leave without you. Punctuality is very important regardless of how hard you partied the night before. If you miss the coach, it will be up to you to catch-up on your own dime.
As great as the main attractions are, plan and make time for the more local experiences. Goes without saying, the main tourist areas are overpriced for everything so taking the time to do the research to find areas away form the ‘beaten path’ is well worthwhile.
Near the End
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. Be sure to setup a Facebook group to share pictures and keep in touch with everyone. There’s plenty of time on the coach throughout the trip to share contact info and plan ways to share photos and videos. Also, be sure to ask around to see who’s sticking around after the tour. Depending on how proactive you are, you might be able to split costs like hotel rooms, taxis, local tours, and meals.
Safe Travels Everyone!
*This post contains affiliate links.