Travel and Food

You’ll never cut a trip short because of finances again   Whenever you get the opportunity to go on a vacation, you want to take advantage of it. Take the time to relax and unwind and do everything you never would have had the time to otherwise. Don’t let anything like finances get in the way of it either—especially if there are ways around it.   When looking for a place to stay Once upon a time, there were only hotels to stay in. They’re a safe and convenient option to take, but they can get really expensive. Fortunately, new options have since been made available. Checking out Airbnb won’t get the same type of treatment, but the money you save will make up for it. Besides, it’ll feel like you’re living like a local. There are also hostels to consider, which will allow you and your family to interact with other travelers. But because hotels really do give a different level of relaxation, maybe you can splurge on your vacation's last night. Lounge by the pool, get in a workout and dig in to their breakfast buffet. Just remember to check out the best deals on  Agoda  so you're still getting the most out of your money.        When figuring out how to stay connected Growing up in the age of technology has made us dependent on smartphones, internet and other gadgets. There’s no way around it and there’s no use denying it. And while getting disconnected can be a good thing, it’s always best to be safe — especially if you're in a different country.   When choosing how to stay connected, there are several options available. You can buy a local sim or you can just hope that there's Wi-Fi wherever you go. Then again, you could just skip the unpleasantness of these options and just enroll to a reliable roaming service. Globe Roam Surf* allows you to stay connected for as low as P299.97/day and allows you to save the longer that you stay.    When considering what and where to eat As Filipinos, we tend to get excited over food more than most anything, which is why a #FoodTrip is always part of the itinerary. But when seeking out what spots to check out, make sure you include some street food places, too. A hotdog bought on the street is definitely going to cost you less than one you buy in a restaurant—and, let’s be honest, it’ll probably taste better. But if you do want to eat at more renowned places, do compare the lunch and dinner rates of Michilin star restaurants. The difference is often times significant, but the dishes are generally the same.    You should keep an eye out for restaurants that offer deals for bigger groups, like a set meal or other promo rates online. And if you really want to save on money, check out supermarkets just as they're about to close as the ready-to-eat is sure to be discounted by then.        When thinking of your activities Tourist spots are tourist spots for a reason, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend your entire vacation going to these places. Set some time aside to just walk around and enjoy the different surroundings. Talk to the locals and see what they do and where they go on the weekends. Check out which spots you can hit for free, or even score free walking tours set up by the local government.   But, of course, you’ll still want to hit those standard places . And when you do, check out an agency that will take you to most of them. You can always arrange a better deal when you’re going to more than one place with the same service. And if you can't find one, do use your negotiating powers and the number of your family members to your advantage! Remember, bigger groups get to save more — you might even want to consider getting some fellow tourists in on the deal.     And if you want to catch some Broadway action, here's a little tip: Book them last minute and don't be picky. Empty middle seats usually sell for cheap when it's closer to the night of the performance. And if you're worried about how to get there, check out local ride-sharing options.     When you want to go shopping Remember: As a tourist, you are allowed to shop without taxes. Do not let the slight inconvenience hassle you, so just wait for the computation and your change even if it takes an extra ten minutes. Otherwise, you can just avail of the shopping tax refund once you hit the airport. Also, keep your eyes out for outlet stores and don’t forget the power of a sale.     Save on roaming. Spend on memories. Go travel with Globe Roam Surf*. Available for  prepaid  and  postpaid subscribers.   *Available in Australia, South Korea and the United States.