Cruising | Living Radically

Tips and Tricks for Cruising

On February 3, 2010, In Fun, Living More for Less, Other Destinations, Travel, By Vanessa

Cruising is an awesome way to see the world and can be very cost effective. We have found amazing deals and ideas to make our cruising experience optimal, whether you are on Carnival Cruise or Azamara. Here are some tips:

Cruising Tips:

1. Always Research Alternative Cruise Excursions

If you want to travel well, and not pay a fortune you should always consider booking off ship for your shore tours. Ship tours are usually expensive, slow and packed with buses not fun.

2. Check Your Luggage Tags

At the end and beginning of the cruise you are often assigned colors or tags for your bags to be brought to your room. Check these thoroughly. Ask what your color means. We were assigned a color that meant “airport” when we were driving on to another city from the port!

3. Bring Your Own Liquor

It is worth it to bring your favorite wine or drink with you.

4. Talk to Your Room Attendant

You room attendants are on your side. If you have something special you want like an extra chocolate or pillows or having ice morning and night, just ask it makes it easier for all of you!

5. Ask Ahead on Tables

If you know you want the early seating or a table for 2 do not wait until you get on board, call ahead.

6. Bring Tupperwear

If you like to snack and do not want to have to always go up to the buffet for fresh fruit or veggies bring some ziplocs or a tupperwear and take them down to the room with you.

7. Pack Right

Besides the usual packlist, there are a few things I always bring when I cruise:

-Slippers

-Headphones (for the gym TVs)

-Seasickeness medication (for rocky nights)

-Ear plugs (rocking and creaking)

-Ziplocs and tupperwear for the buffet

-Poolside bag

-Hat with a string on it so it does not blow off

8. Bring Locks

Lock your bags when they are taken from you. Even if you are coming from the airport, slapping some locks on your bags insures everything stays inside them!

9. Get a Netbook

I know many people cruise without computers, but if you want to write home it might be worth your time to invest in a minicomputer (netbook) and you can write emails offline, journal and then sync up for a minute or two and thats it! Much faster than using their computers and starting from scratch.

10. Bring A Mini DVD Player

There is usually a lot to do, but in room movies are expensive! Bring your own DVD player and DVDs and you will save money and fill those sometimes rainy afternoons.

These are our insider tips, we hope to see you on your next cruise!

Tagged with: Cruising • Travel

Top Things to Do in Puerto Montt, Chile: Tips for Tourists Traveling to Puerto Varas, Frutillar and Osorno

On January 17, 2010, In Fun, Other Destinations, Travel, By Vanessa

The Puerto Montt region is a great place to visit whether on a drive through Chile or on a cruise. There are a bunch of things you can do in the surrounding areas while you are visiting the Puerto Montt area.

1. Puerto Montt Waterfront

Puerto Montt itself is a bit industrial, but it has a great waterfront with shops and a view of the port area.

2. Puerto Varas

This is like Chile’s Aspen. It is a beautiful little town that overlooks Lake Llanquihue (which is the second largest lake in Chile). The lodges, hotels and wine bistros are fabulous.

3. Frutillar

This is a quaint German town outside of Puerto Montt that is totally worth the visit. Also on the shore of Lake Llanquihue, the German cottages are protected by the historical society, cafes and little shops are adorable.

4. Petrohue Waterfalls

You definitely want to take a visit to the Petrohue Waterfalls that are a stunning blue coming off of the volcano. You also get an amazing view of Osorno.

5. Vicente Perez Rosales National Park

Taking a drive through this national park is wonderful. It is extremely green and you can drive along the Petrohue river and do some white water rafting!

6. Chiloe Island

This is a 30 minute ferry ride from Puerto Montt and you can see how the Island has developed it’s own style and culture.

7. Nueva Braunau

This is another tiny German town from the 1800’s. The museum is also sweet and all of the houses have wonderful rose gardens and flowers.

8. Alerce Andino National Park

This is a beautiful reserve overlooking the Reloncavi Sanctuary. The lagoons and large trees make for some great pictures.

9. Osorno Volcano

You can’t miss it, but you might want to drive up to take some pictures. Also along the Lake you can get fresh salmon lunch and gaze up at the snowy peaks.

10. Lahuen nadi Park

This forest has some of the oldest trees in the world! It is a great spot to hike and see the old protected species of Pine.

If You Are Cruising to Puerto Montt, Argentina

You can do A LOT in a day if you so desire. The shore excursions in Puerto Montt NEVER cover everything because you cannot move fast enough with 60 people in a large bus. We highly recommend going on your own in a cab or getting a tour. We loved GV tours: www.gvtours.com. They actually have a test for their tour guides and pack in the day so you are moving and shaking, but not exhausted.

Tagged with: Chile • Cruising • destination • Frutillar • Osorno • Puerto Montt • Puerto Varas • Tourism • Travel

10 Things to Do in Ushuaia, Argentina: Tips for Tourists

On January 17, 2010, In Fun, Other Destinations, Travel, By Vanessa

Background of Ushuaia, Argentina: Ushuaia is the gateway to Argentina’s Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego and very near Cape Horn. At the very base of Chile and Argentina this city of 70,000 is only about 450 miles from Antartica!

There are tons of things for tourists to do in Ushuaia, Argentina. Here are a few things to do for tourists:

1. Artisan Fairs

Right at the base of the port there are a few artisan fairs with homemade penguin chess sets, knit wool caps and more.

2. Prison Museum

Ushuaia used to be a prison compound. Now their old barracks are a museum for tourists.

3. Maritime Museum

This is also in the military prison and exhibits the story of Ushuaia and how the Argentine navy played a huge part in its development.

4. End of the World Museum

This is a pretty cool tshirt. You can also see how the indigenous people lived and eventually perished in the Ushuaia area.

5. Sea Wolves Island

You can get a boat to sail around the Beagle Channel to see the lobos, or Sea Wolves on Sea Wolves Island.

6. Beagle Channel

We highly recommend getting a catamaran on a clear day and seeing the channel as well as some of the Tierra del Fuego.

7. Bird Island

You can also stop and see bird island to see some national birds and penguins in the area.

8. Tierra Del Fuego National Park

This is a stunning reserve with native rabbits, birds and wilderness. You can go camping or take a tour around the park.

9. The Martial Glacier

This is a bit outside of Ushuaia but the chairlift can take you from the base to the top.

10. Ushuaia Center

Ushuaia is an adorable town with great little houses and restaurants known for very very fresh seafood. Take a drive or walk around town if you can.

Traveling Tips for Ushuaia, Argentina:

*Currency in Ushuaia is the Argentinian Peso

*Yerba Mate is famous in Ushuaia

*10% tip is customary at restaurants

*Ushuaia is famous for their chocolate!

*Ushuaia is a tax free zone for tourists…great for gifts!

Tourists Cruising to Ushuaia, Argentina

If you are cruising to Ushuaia, the shore excursions can be a little pricey. As long as there are not a ton of cruise liners in port, there are always taxi driver tour guides waiting at the port entrance that you can take for much cheaper and on your own time.

Tagged with: Argentina • Cruising • destination • Tourism • Travel • Ushuaia

Top 10 Things to Do in Punta Arenas, Chile: Tips for Tourists

On January 17, 2010, In Other Destinations, Travel, By Vanessa

Punta Arenas, one of the harshest environments to live in on earth is an amazing place to visit—especially if you are into the outdoors. Punta Arenas is a great place for tourists and is located in the Patagonia region of Chile on the shore of the Straits of Magellan.

There are tons of great things to do for tourists in this region:

1. La Cruz Hill

The center square is adorable and La Cruz hill is a great vantage point for tourists to see the valley, port and city.

2. Plaza de Armas

Plaza de Armas is a beautiful square surrounded by old buildings, trees and a handicraft market for tourists to explore and buy local treasures.

3. Patagonian Institute

Patagonia is a tourist naturalist’s dream! The institute has a botanical garden and a museum and you can see some of the history of the area.

4. Magellanes Nature Reserve

We highly recommend going up to the top of Punta Arenas and doing some hiking around the area. You can climb to the top of the mountain (super windy!) and see the whole area.

5. Salesian Church

This church is in the center of the city and you can see all kinds of documents and photographs of the history of the region.

6. Otway Bay

Here you can see the Patagonian penguins in their natural habitat! It is a bit out of the city, but worth the drive.

7. Magdalena Island

You can see the Island from various vantage points within Punta Arenas but you can take a 2 hour ferry ride out to the Island and also see one of the largest penguin colonies.

8. Fort Bulnes

South of Punta Arenas, tourists can visit this recreated fort from the original settlers of the region.

9. Kayaking

You can kayak all over Punta Arenas and the Patagonian region this is a great way to see the natural area.

10. Laguna Parrillar Forest Reserve

This is about 75 miles outside of Punta Arenas but a great park to hike and bike in.

Cruising to Punta Arenas, Chile

It is relatively easy to book your own tours instead of going on shore excursions. We recommend doing research and getting a guide to take you to some of the natural forests. Or better yet, Punta Arenas is filled with taxis. You can walk the town and then hire a taxi to take you the Magallanes National Reserve for a hike and view.

Tagged with: Chile • Cruising • Punta Arenas • Tourism • Travel

Buenos Aires 101: An Online Handbook for Tourists

On December 31, 2009, In Fun, Other Destinations, Travel, By Vanessa

For every destination we go to we write the following three articles, which you should check out if you are going to Buenos Aires!

__Things to Do in Buenos Aires

__Tips to Travel to Buenos Aires

__Buenos Aires 101: An Online Handbook for Tourists

If you are traveling to Buenos Aires there are a few things you should know.

Background to Buenos Aires:

Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina. Many call it the Paris of South America because it has European style architecture and streets. It is located on the western shore of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent. It is a very fun and romantic city with a population that tends to stay up all night, eat three hour meals and spend a ton of time in cafes.

Airport (EZE)

(0)11 5480 6111

The Buenos Aires airport is about an hour outside of the city (depending on traffic which can be a bear!). There are two terminals, but you can easily walk between them. The airport has parking spaces available in a multi-storey covered parking garage and an open-air parking lot, next to Terminal A. There is no distinction between long- and short-term parking at the airport. Spaces are subject to availability; reservations are cannot be made. You can also rent a car from Alamo, Avis, Hertz and Localiza, located in Terminal A Arrivals. Telephone and Internet access is available in Terminal A Departures and Terminal B Arrivals. Mobile phone hire and services are available in Terminal A Arrivals and Departures.

Airlines

Delta, American, Air Italia, LAN Chile and of course, Argentinian air all come to Argentina.

Accommodation Locations

There are a few different areas you can stay in Buenos Aires:

1. Puerto Madera

This is a very business area. There are a ton of restaurants, but not much shopping. You can walk to historical landmarks, but this is a business and tourist area so there is not much nightlife or local culture.

2. Palermo Soho

Pricey, but awesome. This area is filled with shops, restaurants and parks. It is hip and young but can be a bit noisy at night and you will no see any historic landmarks or churches.

3. Avenida De Mayo

There are a good number of restaurants and sites in this area. It is an exciting street with subways connecting pretty much everywhere. Can be a bit trafficy.

4. Recolleta

This is a great area with some nice outdoor antique markets. Highly recommend it although not much to do at night.

We do not recommend staying in: La Boca, San Telmo or Palermo Hollywood.

Type of Accommodations

Hotels

There are some nice, decently priced hotels in Buenos Aires, the Hilton in Puerto Madera is beautiful, but Buenos Aires is not known for its service.

Boutique Hotels

We would not recommend highly staying in some of the smaller boutique hotels, they are not as charming as they look, often do not have a concierge or breakfast and you need a key to get in the front door at night.

Apartments

We stayed in an apartment and loved it. Make sure you are going with a company not Craigslist. You want to make sure that there is a contract and a cleaning crew before you arrive. Our apartment (in one of the best areas, kitchen, dining room, bed, fold out couch, internet and bathroom) was $400 US per week to give you an idea.

Couch Surfing

Argentinians are wonderful and we have heard some great things about couchsurfers here in Buenos Aires. Make sure that they come endorsed and certified and they are in a central area otherwise you will spend a lot of money on cabs.

Buenos Aires Location Handguide:

Local Cuisine: Meat, Pasta and Pizza abound! You also have many sweets featuring Dulce de Leche. You must try some empanadas.

Drink Specialties: Yerba Mate is all over and Argentina has a great signature red wine called Malbec. Torrontes is also a signature white wine only grown in Argentina.

Currency: The Argentinean Peso.

Useful Words and Phrases when Traveling in Argentina:

Che-informal hello

Chau- informal goodbye

Chorro- Thief

Tacho- another word for taxi

Tagged with: Argentina • Buenos Aires • Cruising • Tourism

The Ultimate Pre-Travel Checklist

On December 31, 2009, In Other Destinations, Travel, By Vanessa

We travel to a ton of new places. Here is a list we have made of the things we MUST research before traveling to a new destination:

1. What is the currency?

2. Do you need a Visa?

3. Can you drink the water?

4. What is the time difference?

5. What is my address and local number for when I arrive?

6. What is the tipping policy?

7. What is the best way to get from the airport into the city?

8. What is the weather for my time there?

9. Do I need any vaccinations?

10. Any safety concerns or warnings by the embassy?

11. Do I need to bring cash, credit card, ATM or travelers checks?

12. What are the plugs in that country/ Do I need an adapter?

Tagged with: Cruising • Packlist • Tourism • Travel