
Love to travel, but hate tours? This blog offers insight on how to go it alone, from safe accommodations to seeing the best, and maybe the worst. After all, independent travel is an adventure. Flexibility and traveling on a budget are critical. No five-stars or all-inclusives. So hop aboard. Learn to enjoy travel at your own pace and price. Meet other adventurers like yourself and mingle with the locals. Remember: You may travel alone, but you wonʼt be lonely. gloria.independenttraveler@gmail.com
Gloria Maschmeyer
I've been a traveler since I can remember. I spread my wings as a flight attendant at age 20, then married a traveling man and we've never stopped. While based in Anchorage, we've ventured to India, Peru, Bali, Morocco, Burma, Tunisia Singapore and Ecuador. I love ferreting out places off the beaten path. And when things don't go quite as planned, that's just part of the adventure.
Gloria's videos
Plan your trip
BEST TIME OF YEAR
www.myforecast.com
Click on "almanac," then on "historical climate" and plug in the city you wish to check.
CURRENCY RATES
www.oanda.com
For more information on currency exchanges and helpful hints, read my blogs, "Should I change" and "I've decided to change."
TRAVEL WARNINGS
www.travel.state.gov/travel
This site can help you determine the type of crime that goes on in foreign countries against visitors. It also will tell you areas of the country you should avoid.
WORLD TIMES
www.worldtimeserver.com/
Features the current time anywhere and weather. Helpful when you need to call for reservations or want to call back home while away.
WHAT TRAVELERS SAY
www.tripadvisor.com
A favorite sites to see what other travelers have to say about places to stay and visit worldwide
CAR RENTAL
www.hotwire.com
A good site for finding the best deals on renting cars anywhere in the world
TRAVEL INSURANCE
www.squaremouth.com
Web site that compares costs of travel insurance between companies.
All that glitters is gold in Rangoon, Burma, site of the world famous Shwedagon Paya (temple)...
- 2/8/2012 3:23 am
Unique waterfalls outside of Luang Prabang, Laos...
- 2/4/2012 7:41 pm
Buddhism and Laos, religion first and foremost...
- 2/3/2012 1:34 am
Luang Prabang, Laos, a respite in Southeast Asia...
- 1/28/2012 7:46 pm
Thailand is synonyms with Temples...
- 1/23/2012 5:21 am
Bangkok street food, I gave it a try!
- 1/21/2012 1:51 am
Check these travel spots for your 2012 Travel Bucket List…
- 1/1/2012 4:53 pm
Merry Christmas...
- 12/24/2011 9:28 pm
full archive »
TravelFlash: Hawaii hotels at record low prices
Posted by indietraveler
Posted: September 12, 2009 - 12:33 pm
If you have a hankering to visit Hawaii, now is the time. Hotel rates are at record low prices. In Honolulu the average room rate in July was $149.11.
All islands are effected by the slowdown in the economy. Bargains are to be had throughout.
The drop in rates is an opportunity to book higher end hotels at lesser prices, a trend travel researchers are seeing.
For me, I booked a three star hotel for my ten day visit in Honolulu. I booked directly with the hotel. When I found a smokin' deal at a five-star (only ten dollars a night more) two days before my departure, I was able to cancel my booking at the other hotel with no penalty. Had I not booked directly, I might have been stuck with a high cancellation fee.
I recommend surfing the web and then calling the hotel directly to see what kind of deal you can make. I was also able to negotiate a beach front room on the 33rd floor at no extra charge.
Questions? Drop me an e-mail at gloria.independenttraveler@gmail.com
Gloria