If you know any great travel stories or tips we all should read, please send it to me and I will put an acknowledgment of your contribution in the posting.

Love hotel business zooms despite downturn

Someone I met at the hostel in Tokyo stayed in a love hotel. Said it was cool for a night, but not for an extended stay. The prices quotes in the article were a little high compared to the ones I saw when I was there. Another reason I love Japan and all its ‘quirkiness.’

Thailand’s “Banana Pancake Trail” and 5 Insider Tips for Escaping it

Everyone is reading the same guidebook you are. Then you get all the tourists in the same spot because it was highly recommended by the guidebook. Meanwhile you don’t see any locals and all the prices are raised because tourists frequent the spot. Get off the beaten path, not just in Thailand, but anywhere you go.

Pamplona: Spain’s morning run

Some great pics and video on the running of the bulls. The article gives the historical significance of the festival. Oh, you thought it was just men and women running for the lives every year and that was it? Nope there is actually some meaning behind all of it. This year someone was gored and killed, but that didn’t stop people from running in front of and behind ‘Los Toros’ the next day.

Crash survivors need counseling more than their luggage

USAirways went above and beyond to recover the personal items lost in the Hudson. But some are saying what is more important is the psychological and emotional trauma of the flight. I’m going to stick up for the airlines now: When does their responsibility end to the passenger, especially when the accident was not caused by anything USAirways did or did not do?

Blog Your Way to Antarctica

Another contest, this time submit your photo and you can be selected to go on a cruise to Antarctica.

Ready to ditch Your Credit Card? Not So Fast

The news reporters who have on combat helmet and body armor in a war zone for a living would probably have some great ideas on travel.

Travel News and Deals – July 14, 2009 – Free Trip to Antarctica, Tokyo Love Hotels, Running With the Bulls, Budget Paris is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

One of NoDebtWorldTravel.com’s loyal readers, TJ, took off on a trip to Europe in the last few weeks. Using some of the information he found here, he had a great time.

Here is his field report from London and Paris.

Where did you go and how did you decide to go there?

Me and a friend took a week and went to London and Paris. Our planned trip to Egypt was called off due to the kidnapping of several tourists there. We started kicking around ideas and decided on London and Paris. Neither of us had ever been to Europe and we figured those two cities would be a great place to start our European adventures.

Prior to this trip, the only time I left the country was to go to the Caribbean or Mexico. Oh I did journey to Kiribati once, but that’s another story.

How long was your trip?

8 days and 7 nights

Did you use hostels? What were your criteria for choosing the ones you stayed at?

We chose to stay in semi- budget hotels instead of hostels. Melody made it clear she had to have at least three star accommodations. We compromised. I chose a two star Holiday Inn Express in London, and a supposed three star regular Holiday Inn in Paris. We established a lodging budget and pretty much met it.

What are two MUST see sights that everyone reading this should visit?

The MUST see sights of the trip were the Eiffel Tower, a Seine River Cruise and standing in the middle of the Champs Elysee looking towards the Arc de Triomphe. A West End theatre experience and the free museums of London should not be missed.

Any funny, interesting people you met along the way? In the airport, on the streets, cab drivers, at the museums, etc?

We met an Australian backpacker named Kylie in Paris. She was traveling Europe for a year before going home to work and save money for her next sojourn. While backpacking she had managed to drop almost eighty pounds!! For her next trip she plans on backpacking all the way to Alaska.

We also met a crepe vendor on the street. He loved Obama and actually talked us to death about politics and anything else he could.

There was a hotel clerk who demanded we speak French. So I spoke English with a French accent to him.

I wanted to speak with a runner who “hit the wall” during the London marathon. He was in distress and I didn’t think it would be in proper taste to ask him what happened.

Anything people should be wary of, warned about, stay away from?

London appeared to be very clean and safe. We chose the tube or bus for all transportation. I felt safe the whole time.

The Wimbledon tour and museum were nice but should have been a lot better. It’s a private club, so gift shop prices are high and access to the club is very limited. Unless you are a tennis fan (I am) it can be skipped.

In Paris just beware. We again chose the subway for all our transportation needs. I never felt threatened. However, a cab driver wanted to charge us 80 Euro to go from Gare du Nord to Gare de L’est. It was less than a mile and only one stop on the subway for 1,60 Euro.

Beware of the Gypsy woman. If she asks do you speak English, just keep walking. If you say yes, she starts begging for money. If you say no, she starts begging for money.

Beware of the friendship bracelet. If someone offers to tie some string around your wrist because you are a friend……u really are a friend because they will demand money. Actually, this scam is interesting and I should have tried to speak with one of the purveyors.

Final words of advice?

If you have a desire to travel, plan your trip and just do it. The internet is marvelous for planning. Don’t let your excuses overtake you. It is true where there is a will, there is a way. The world doesn’t begin and end in the US. It begins and ends in NYC. LOL….just playing.

Every year for the past umpteen years I have wanted to go to Europe. For the record I am the de facto travel agent for my friends. They are always calling me to book trips and find fares for them. However, I never would plan the trip I wanted to take to Europe. I always found a reason not to go. The exchange rate is bad. I have no travel companion. I don’t speak the language. I wouldn’t know what to do. I am scared. My momma is scared for me. My daddy said I was forbidden to go. Yeah he said it, and I am very grown!!!

Finally, this was the year I was going to make it happen. When Africa got canceled, I knew I was still going to take a trip and Las Vegas and another Caribbean cruise was not on my agenda this time.

I don’t know what is in store for a major trip next year. Some friends have asked me to plan a group trip to Hawaii. Melody wants to go to Rio and Bahia. Our African connection is planning two journeys to the continent. All of those are good and I may do one or more of them. If they don’t work out, they just don’t. I have a bucket list of places to visit and I will just pick one or two and travel there. If a friend comes along, cool. If not, so be it. London and Paris stoked the fire of desire for travel. I have no intention on letting that flame extinguish.

Paris and London Field Report from a Loyal Reader is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Before we get full on into Amsterdam, a few things about Paris…

The French are not THAT rude. There are a few among them that give them a bad name.

The French need to curb their dogs more. There were all these little doogie landmines all over the streets of Paris. Apparently they don’t like to pick it up.

Hey Parisians, you can pick up your dog’s poop. It will not kill you.

One thing that surprised me: How antiquated the subway system is. On doors on certain lines of the Metro, the PASSENGERS have to open the doors themselves at every stop. Before I realized this I would be waiting at the door, wondering why it doesn’t open and then someone would push past me and open the door by pushing a green button or lifting a latch.

They are so used to it, I saw some people opening the door while the train was still moving coming into the station.

But beyond all the little stuff had a great time in Paris and would go back again. Tracy, if you see my cell number on your phone you know why!

I went to the Louvre and totally forget the Mona Lisa was there. Here is it!

Kind of disappointing isn’t it? It is much smaller in person. The TV always makes the Mona Lisa seem like a huge, 5 foot tall painting. Certainly not the case. It sits behind protective glass because no matter how many times they tell people not to take pictures, they still do. So the glass blocks the camera flashes that could degrade the paint.

Crowds looking at the Mona Lisa. I think it’s funny. Why is this painting so famous? You don’t even know do you? I’m still not sure myself, and I was there.

But don’t go to the Louvre for the Mona Lisa. It has 35,000 pieces of art and antiquities on display so there is something for everyone. You can spend two weeks there and still not see everything. Amazing! I spent 3 hours in there and I was done. I focused the Egyptian and Greek items. I always find that stuff fascinating.

Also went to the Rodin Museum, where I saw the ORIGINAL 2 foot tall “The Thinker” statue and the much larger version that sits outside the museum. Even took a picture with it.

Don’t worry, the baby in the stroller and the toddler wandering into my shot were both claimed by their respective parents…

Last Thoughts on Paris – And See the Mona Lisa is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

The Eiffel Tower, for 10 minutes at the start of every hour, has flashing bulbs that sparkles all along the length of the tower.

A view of the Eiffel Tower from the Arc de Triomphe, another famous Parisian landmark.

And if you never heard of the Arc de Triomphe, that’s OK. Got a picture right here for you. It was commissioned to be built by Napoleon Bonaparte (NOT Dynamite) in 1806 after the French victory at Austerlitz. Notice the intricate carvings in the sides of the structure. It is much more impressive in person than a picture can portray.

How do you save money in Paris? Buy your baguette like all Parisians, and have some cheese and meat with it.

More From Paris is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

The best thing about this trip is the people. Not just the new people, but the ‘old’ people you haven’t seen in years.

The Eiffel Tower is the quintessential landmark in Paris. You CAN’T come here and not see it. People would think you are crazy.

Combine those two elements and you get:

My trip to the Eiffel Tower was spent with Tracy, a person I had not seen since we went to college together waaaaay back when. Thru the magic of the Internet we reconnected and it just so happens that Tracy is working on her degree and doing a semester abroad. She just got here LAST WEEK. Isn’t that convenient? So I contacted Tracy and we made plans to go see the Eiffel Tower at night.

The Tower at night, at least for me, is way better than the daytime.

Every hour after sundown the whole tower lights up and there are huge lights beams that project out from the tower’s top, almost like a light house beacon, or the Star Wars Death Star. It can be seen from miles around, and I actually saw it first from the Basilica when taking the Montmarte tour with Phillip..

We went straight to the top of the tower and while one side of the open deck tower is serene with no wind, the other side feels like you’ve stepped into tropical storm winds. Tracy and I had a hard time taking pictures. Tracy’s career as a brain surgeon is not going to fly since she could not keep her hands steady! At least I got one good shot of her…

That’s what we do at nodebtworldtravel.com – Bring smiles to people all over the world

After the tower we went to a local cafe and shared a crepe. A crepe is a thin pancake, similar to the injera of Ethiopia.

Before she dug into it, she realized that I take pictures of everything and stopped herself before destroying this French culinary masterpiece. All I remember was that it had ice cream, coconut and chocolate.

Death Star beams from the Eiffel Tower

Thanks Tracy for making this part of my trip that much more fun!

Tracy and the Eiffel Tower Death Rays! is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

I sat in my hostel for 7 hours straight, (no potty breaks!) watching Barack Hussein Obama on CNN International become the 44th President of the United States of America.

There were a few other Americans here, and we had a toast when Obama officially became President and we actually stood up for the Pledge of Allegiance.

But what would President Obama say today:

Yesterday we celebrated. But now back to work.

Yes Mr. President, I hear you….I’m getting back to “work”….

Phillip the tour guide offered another tour later on that night in the Montmarte section of Paris. This tour was only about 15 people so it was much more manageable for Phillip and didn’t require him to yell as much. We met at the real Moulin Rouge, the one the movie and play are based on. This tour was 10 Euros ($13US) and lasted about 2 1/2 hours.

Basilica Sacre Couer (Sacred Heart) – This church has one of the best views of Paris

One of the few last windmills in Paris. It does not work anymore but still a pretty sight in a metropolitan city

Lapin Agile, the cafe where Picasso, as a starving artist, traded paintings for food from the owner. When Picasso became famous, the owner was able to retire very rich, because he had a huge collection of Picasso paintings.

A full list of sights on the Montmarte Tour is here

You see sights and take pictures, but you really don’t start to FEEL them until you understand their interesting stories and circumstances that bring them into prominence. That why when I go back to London I’ll take the Free Tour, even though I’ve seen most of the sights on my own already.

Again great fun. Afterward the Phillip buys everyone on tour a drink…and I was the only one who took him up on it. So he and I had sat in a cafe, drank a beer and traded travel stories. I can do that now!

Down a side street in Montmarte

What Barack Obama Told Me to Do is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Paris cards are going out by Wednesday. The Brits are super efficient. I dropped those cards in the mailbox at Trafalagar Sqaure last Monday and folks were getting them by Saturday. Nice!

So who wants to join the legion of postcard receivers?

Hit “GET A *REAL* POSTCARD” at the top of the blog page, send me your physical address and a card from France will be on the way.

I know the people who got their London cards got an unexpected, yet fun surprise.

Don’t you want to be part of the fun too?

Postcard Update – Paris is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

My first full day in Paris I spent on the Free Tour of Paris @ http://neweuropetours.eu. As soon as I saw free I got excited but the axiom you get what you pay for was ringing in my ears.

Not in this case.

Our tour guide was Phillip, an New Zealand ex-pat now living in Paris. We actually met at the hostel I’m staying at with about 10 others taking the tour. Then we traveled via subway, (Parisians called it the Metro) to where the total on the tour swelled to 50 people.

Phillip the tour guide dropping science

We saw off in the distance or went directly to a bunch of locations including

The Louvre Museum
The Eiffel Tower
Notre Dame
Arc de Triomphe
Tuileries Gardens
Much, more more.

The tour was about 4 hours including lunch so it wasn’t time to go in and visit every place. You could spend a week in The Louvre alone and not see everything. But the tour does give you an idea of what you want to spend more time on and gives you a feel of where everything is in Paris.

Overall a great value. Phillip was enthusiastic and knowledgeable, two things you want from any tour guide.

After the tour, Phillip handed out more instructions about places to go and took tips, since this was a free tour. I’m sure he did extremely well if the other people were as happy as me.

In fact they have tours in London and other cities so when I go back to London I’m going to do this tour. Why not, it’s free!

Brian, apparently getting kicked in the head by a statute playing a musical instrument!

More photos coming up…

Walking the Street of Paris is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

I arrived in Paris at the train station in Gare du Nord, right in the middle of the city.

I get off the EuroStar train from London’s St. Pancras and I start walking toward the middle of the train station. I can see the street traffic and pedestrians of Paris go by…

Something is missing here.

There is no Immigration/Border Agency to stamp my passport!

My little blue book wuz robbed! Where is my France stamp?!

Because the United Kingdon and France are part of the European Union (EU), when you travel from one EU country to another, there is no immigration waiting for you when get off the train. They share the same currency now with the euro. They are still separate countries still but have alot more connections and sharing relationships. Almost like the members of the EU are one big country onto themselves.

No one questioning what you are doing there when you arrive from an EU member country. More important, no one to stamp you as officially allowed to enter a country and send you on your way.

I would assume the same thing happens when you fly between EU countries and that was confirmed by someone I talked to today.

I take great joy in racking up the countries in my little blue passport. I feel kinda robbed…

Feeling Robbed by the EU is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Quick note: I’m leaving London for a few days and waiting right now at St. Pancras Station for a EuroStar train to Paris.

3 hour trip. The damage – 59 pounds (~$90US). Excellent value.

Touch base when I get settled there!

Off to Paris! is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel