Posts Tagged ‘Chic’

I love to shop in Paris. I found some awesome pashminas on the cheap. The ultimate bargain hunter’s dream is the Soldes de Paris. It happens January 9th to 20th, and again in July. Every store has a sale that lasts about 3 weeks. Most stores begin with 25% to 30% markdowns, but towards the end of the sales period, you can find deals with up to 70% off. Check Printemps or the Galeries Lafayette websites for updates. These are two of my favorite French department stores. If any readers have shopping suggestions, please email me or leave a comment.

Everyone has pre-conceived notions about hostels. Yes, you do sleep on a twin bed, for a total of 8 - 12 people per room on bunk beds. There is usually one bathroom for every 4 people in the suite. Sometimes they are dorm-style rooms where bathrooms are down the hall. The establishments in the US are not on the same level of quality and comfort as the ones in Europe. On my second vacation in London, I stayed at a wonderful hostel. The Meininger Baden Powell is conveniently located in the posh neighborhood of Kensington. There were several bus stops in front of the building and two tube stops within walking distance. Also, the hostel was in walking distance to the Museum of Natural History, Kensington Gardens and Kensington Palace. The rooms were clean and large, with single, double, and shared rooms available. I chose a shared room and paid just $23 per night. Meininger has hostels in Germany, and just opened a place in Vienna, so check them out.

On my flight from England, I was reading a magazine article that had excerpts from a travel guide. The article was funny because a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, went on weekend getaways, romantic jaunts and generally flee from mundane life to fabulous hotels or bed and breakfasts. Their writing was delightful and witty, while giving concise descriptions of what you can get for your money. Check the website for discount cards, books, CDs and hotel offers.