OK, this being the Friday before Christmas with the first snowstorm of the season just hours away, Tammie Dooley of Solo Road Trip (god love her little soul) tapped me in a game of cyber travel tag. Well, since I’m going to be snowed in anyway and since I was always one of those girlie girls who figured chain letters were a must, cyber tag kinda falls into that category, doesn’t it?
As part of Tammie’s game I have to share three travel secrets and in turn tap five other travel related bloggers and request they do the same on their blogs (they’re just gonna love me!). “My 3 Best Kept Travel Secrets,” organized by Katie of Tripbase.com states “the aim of this game is to unite travel bloggers in a joint endeavor to create an amazing list of top travel recommendations across the globe to share with the entire travel community.”
Now, I’m Italian; we don’t give up secrets easily; yet, in this spirit of giving I will share with you 3 insider tips in 3 separate countries. How’s that?
* Not-so-secret #1 – London – The best currency exchange rate in this expensive city is generally inside Marks and Spencer’s big Oxford Street store at Marble Arch. It’s usually better than any bank or bureau de change and if you carry your receipt with you, almost anyone else in and around London will match their rate, if you find yourself needing more pounds during the day. (Good thing they didn’t unite in the Euro, huh?)
* Not-so-secret #2 – Italy/Greece – plan your visit to these countries during a religious holiday such as Christmas or Easter and you will save hundreds of dollars on admission fees to the archaeological sites and national museums. For several days leading up to these holidays, admission is free for everyone. The savings are tremendous and there is a lot you can do in these countries in three days.
* Not-so-secret #3 – United States – Avoid Chicago’s O’Hare airport if you can and wander through that city’s Midway Airport instead. O’Hare is smack dab in the middle of the country and as such it is the third busiest airport in the world. Midway, on the other hand, is like the Windy City’s poor step-sister but it’s efficient and has one of the best on-time rates in the country.
Not-so-secret bonus – go visit Tammie’s site – she’s one of the most inspirational photographers around.
Then go visit these guys as well…………..tag, they’re it:
Now, these folks I’ve tapped should realize that Santa is watching and will know if they’re naughty or nice, so start spilling those secrets!
Super secrets, thaks for sharing!
Could you send me your email?
Thanks,
Katie
Thanks Lisa for the Savory Adventures Shoutout! I recently posted 5 (secret) restaurants in Venice (and kept another one secret!).
Ciao Lisa! Oh thanks for the tag! Now you have me thinking. What a fun idea! Stay tuned at Ciao Amalfi for my top 3 best kept travel secrets for the Amalfi Coast!
How do you say “snappy” in Italian?! I would NOT have wanted to play “TAG” with you in school. You were one of those sprightly, quick as lightning, tag-happy, skinny girls. I just know it. LOL Great tips – especially the one about Marks and Spencer’s currency exchange service. That sort of information appeals to my geeky, CPA self (in a past life, but still…). Thanks for making this post! And thank you for all the kindnesses extended to me/my blog over the past year. Someday we must meet. – Happy Holidays, Tammie
Believe it or not – Tag – was one game I didn’t play. LOL Dodge Ball, Softball, Baseball.