Casa Casa — Page 2

Xlapak, a Mayan Ruin

by Lauren on March 12, 2010

There are over 30 Mayan ruin sites that can be visited by travelers to the Yucatan Peninsula, though most visitors only make it to one or two of the big ones–Chichen Itza, Tulum, Coba or Uxmal. A few years ago, my husband and I spent a couple of weeks in a rented car exploring the more lightly-visited Mayan ruins of the Yucatan Peninsula. Like this one, Xlapak.

Compared to nearby Uxmal, which we’d spent half a day exploring just the day prior, Xlapak was tiny. It’s star attraction is it’s restored el palacio, or palace, roughly the size of a house in the US. In classic Puuc style, the upper half of the building has ornate decoration. The palace is covered with images of the god Chaac. It’s a late Mayan site; the height of its occupation was 600 – 1000 A.D.

Here is a close-up of the palace’s corner decoration.

Xlapak was one of a handful of ruin sites we visited where we were the only people there at the time, and our solitude offered us a deeply unique experience. We were able to really take our time here, though we spent a lot of that time searching the trees nearby for colorful birds, of which there were many.

For more travel photos, browse Photo Friday at deliciousbaby.com.

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Images of Vancouver, B.C.

by Lauren on February 12, 2010

Today marks the beginning of the The Winter Olympics 2010 in Vancouver, B.C. And what a city it is. In honor of Vancouver, I’ve decided to post some of my favorite images from my own travels there. In the past, I’ve always been lucky to find great affordable places to stay in Vancouver (and I talked about some of them here). Now, with Casa Casa members to host me in Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo and elsewhere in B.C., I look forward to staying with them!

First, Gastown.

The Gastown neighborhood of Vancouver is just to the north and east of downtown. It’s a historic neighborhood and it an eclectic mix, with cobblestone streets, upscale boutiques, restaurants and nightclubs, and housing for the homeless. It’s also home to Vancouver’s only steam-powered clock, pictured above.

Across False Creek from downtown is Granville Island, home to the Granville Island Public Market.

It’s much smaller than Pike Place Market in Seattle where I live, and it’s intimacy gives it quite a different feel. I love strolling for fresh produce, baked goods, and fresh-caught wild salmon.

To get to Granville Island from downtown, you can take these adorable foot ferries.

One of my favorite areas of Vancouver is Stanley Park, one of the most dynamic, beautiful urban parks I’ve ever experienced.

Stanley Park has it all – waterfront, a pool, hiking trails, totem poles, lots of birds to watch and little lakes to sit by, and even bikes to rent. It’s like a big backyard for residents of Vancouver, and I think one of the reasons Vancouver’s intense density is so palatable. And Vancouver is dense. Look at these apartments buildings!

The truth is, I’d live in one of those apartment buildings in a heartbeat. Vancouver is truly a livable city. It’s also a terrific place to visit, for a weekend or for a week along with mini excursions to Vancouver Island and the mountains. And at the end of the day, you’ve got this.

For more great travel photos, check out the Photo Friday gallery at Delicious Baby.

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Hospitality Exchange is Here to Stay

by Lauren on February 9, 2010

When I am talking about Casa Casa to folks who are familiar with hospitality exchange, they immediately get it. “Oh, it’s like Couchsurfing for grownups!” one travel blogger observed. “I love staying in B&Bs, but they’re so expensive. This is a great alternative,” said a friend in Chicago who joined Casa Casa on the spot.

Even if you haven’t yet experienced it for yourself, there is something you should know: hospitality exchange has gone mainstream, and is clearly here to stay!

In fact, this great way of traveling is not exactly new; hospitality exchange is as old as leisure travel itself. Yet over the past decade, thanks to clubs like the Affordable Travel Club and online networks like Couchsurfing, this budget, community-oriented way to travel has found many new followers.

And now with Casa Casa, I hope to help bring hospitality exchange to thousands more.

What makes hospitality exchange with Casa Casa unique? Travelers with discerning tastes enjoy that Casa Casa homestays are much like staying in a bed and breakfast, on a budget. Others will appreciate that the club is supported by a staffperson (me!) who is available to assist members if they need any help with the process of arranging a homestay, or just have a question or concern.

How it works is simple. As a traveler with Casa Casa, you stay in guest rooms in private homes of friendly members and pay your hosts a small gratuity. When you host travelers in your home, you provide your guest room, some warm hospitality, and share a favorite breakfast recipe.

What’s the draw? It’s not just about budget travel (though paying a mere $15 gratuity to your host per night through Casa Casa is certainly a primary benefit.) Hospitality exchange is also about growing your community and making new friends. It connects you with real people from the places you visit, adding value your travel experiences and making them more unique.

Check out the frequently asked questions for more information.

It’s just $20 to join. So, what are you waiting for? Give it a try! Join Casa Casa now.

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Packing Smart is Packing Light

by Lauren on February 1, 2010

As if airfare weren’t expensive enough, it’s now the norm for airlines to charge for checked bags, and the fees just keep going up, up and away.

Airfare Watchdog recently assembled this handy dandy chart of baggage fees for major US airlines, airline by airline. How do they stack up? Airfare Watchdog offers this conclusion:

“If you’re a heavy packer, you’ll want to fly with Airtran, Alaska, Frontier and Southwest, even if there’s a cheaper fare on another airline.”

A woman picks up her checked luggage at Delta baggage claim at LAX. Delta now charges $23 for the first checked bag and $32 for the second. Photo by Eileen Mansoorian, via Flickr Creative Commons.

Where can you still check two bags for free? That would be Southwest, which now stands as the sole airline to offer two free checked bags and is doing a good deal of marketing around this distinction.

Don’t feel like shelling out an additional $25 to check a bag next time you fly? You have options. One is to pack light. Another is to take a chance and try gaming the system. Let’s take a closer look at both of these options, shall we?

Pack it all in one bag. Doug Dyment is a one-bag evangelist, and his website (www.onebag.com) just may persuade you. He suggests the solution is to always use a packing list, and states that if it’s not on your list, it shouldn’t be in your bag. Fair enough. An added bonus of a list is that it ensures you won’t forget any essential item, either. He says to resist the temptation to add non-essentials. “If you’re thinking ‘I might need this,’ you’re likely mistaken; if it’s ‘I can’t survive without this,’ you may be right. But consider it carefully and dispassionately.” He goes on to say “I have yet to hear of someone returning from an extended trip who vows to take more stuff the next time!” Me, neither.

For more info on packing light, check out this article on Packing for Portability at MSNBC.com. Also see What? You’re Still Paying the Airlines to Carry your Bags? at Frommer’s.

Game the Luggage System. I read this New York Times’ Practical Traveler column with interest this week as it confirmed something I’ve taken note of myself. There are so many carry-on bags on overfull flights right now that late boarders often have no choice but to check their bags at the gate – for free. So, one way to possibly avoid the lines at baggage check, checked bag fees, and long wait at baggage claim is to spend a little extra time at the duty -free shop while the rest of your fellow passengers are boarding the airplane. Then, show up at the gate for the final boarding call and ask the gate attendant if your bag can be checked. Evidently this works a good part of the time. But it doesn’t work all the time–you may end up paying for that checked bag, or worse, searching in vain for space among the jam-packed overhead bins as you board.

How are you dealing with the increase in checked baggage fees by airlines?

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Holiday Hosting Tips

by Lauren on December 20, 2009

Hosting guests for the holidays? Here are some fun ideas for making their stay with you extra warm and festive.

1. Spice up the morning coffee. Trader Joe’s holiday coffee blend is Gingerbread Coffee, and I’m loving it every morning right now. The blend mixes 100% Arabica ground coffee with real pieces of ginger, cinnamon and cloves for a brewed cup that packs the taste of the holidays with the caffeine you need to start your day.

2. Give your guests a festive task. As a holiday host, you will likely have your hands full. I think it’s a great time of year to ask your guests to help out a little here and there, particularly if it is to do something festive and fun. Pour some eggnog and let the fun begin! Ask tall guests to help hang lights or top trees. Children will love making paper snowflakes to decorate your windows. If your festive task involves shoveling snow, though, I’d be sure to have some brandy on hand to add to that eggnog!

3. Serve dessert for breakfast. Nothing says “holidays” like copious amounts of sugar and butter. The trick is to make sure your extra sugar is really worth it. I pass on the milk chocolate Santas and candy canes, and save my holiday calories for delicious homemade treats. Sunset magazine’s December issue features an amazing Apple Oven Cake is as easy as it is delicious and that tastes great any time of day, but is most special when served alongside a cup of gingerbread coffee for breakfast.

4. Deck the guest room and bathroom. If your guests are spending the holidays away from their own home, it’s such a nice gesture to create a holiday atmosphere in their temporary home – your guest bedroom. This takes very little effort, but your effort will be appreciated. Consider getting a mini tabletop tree for the guest room, and set it on a dresser or small desk. Set out cinnamon-scented candles. In the bathroom, replace regular soaps with peppermint-scented soaps.

5. Share your guest’s holiday traditions. Try to find out your guest’s favorite holiday traditions in advance so that you can incorporate some of them into your holiday festivities. What holiday songs do they love to sing? What is their favorite holiday cocktail? This is a great way to start some new traditions of your own, too. When I hosted a Jewish friend over Hanukkah, we made latkes together and this delicious meal is now a regular on my holiday menu.

Happy Holidays from Casa Casa!

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Staying Healthy While Traveling

by Lauren on November 1, 2009

It seems a sneeze is no longer just a sneeze.

Notice what happens the next time you hear someone sneeze in line at the store on an airplane. Suddenly everyone around them is digging in their bags for the hand sanitizer!

The emergence of the H1N1 flu strain (aka “swine flu”) has a lot of travelers concerned about preventing the spread of viruses in public places like airports and airplanes. It’s a fast-spreading virus because very few people have any prior immunity to it. But the truth is, it is transmitted from person to person much like the regular flu and the common cold, and the basic preventative measures we take to stop the spread of the common cold work just as well with the swine flu. In short–wash your hands often in hot, soapy water. Pack some hand sanitizer (at least 70% alcohol) for those times when hand washing just isn’t possible (like in line or on an airplane).

These and other great tips for staying healthy while traveling can be found on Budget Travel’s 7 Ways Doctors Stay Healthy on Vacation. You’ll also read how to avoid getting seasick on your next cruise, minimize your chances of foodborne illness and deep-vein thrombosis, and battle jet lag.

My naturopathic doctor is big on taking extra vitamin D and probiotics like acidophilus to keep your immunity boosted during cold and flu season. Also, to prevent transmitting a virus to your body that may be on your hands from a doorknob or a handshake, avoid touching your face, nose, eyes and mouth until your hands are washed or sanitized. I’ve found that taking probiotics before a trip to Mexico has helped prevent digestive upset, too.

Photo by Caribb.

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Hidden Greece

by Lauren on September 26, 2009

Headed to Greece?

Travel blogger Jeanine Barone (blogging at J The Travel Authority) has a piece on her recent travels to Greece called Greece Beyond its Isles that you really must check out. She skipped the isle-hopping by sailboat and tanning on the beach for a totally different side of Greece that few tourists experience: bicycling for several weeks in mountainous Central Greece and the Peloponnese peninsula.

Her trip sounds divine, and as I read her post I became quite convinced that she’s onto something! I could practically feel the sweat pouring down my neck as I read her post (sweat -that’s what happens when you peddle up Greek mountainsides!), and almost taste the plumpness of fresh local figs from a roadside vendor she encountered. The roads she peddled were grapevine-lined, shaded by pomegranate trees, and she found herself dodging large herds of sheep a time or two. Whether Jeanine was peddling through mountain villages or through coastal towns, throughout it all ran a common thread — delicious, fresh local food.

Be sure to read it here.

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Booking a Flight? Do it Now.

by Lauren on September 17, 2009

I’m a procrastinator, and booking airline tickets is no exception. I recently booked a flight to Southern California for $100 more round trip than the fare had been a few weeks prior when I first started looking around. Of course, sometimes fares go down over time rather than up. So how does one know if the best time to purchase an airline ticket is now… or later?

According to a post I saw on Budget Travel this morning, it is right now.

The recession has led to a decrease in travel, prompting many airlines to significantly reduce the number of flights available this fall and winter. So, the flights they do keep can be expected to be full. That means airfares are unlikely to drop between now and the holidays.

Budget Travel’s Sean O’Neill reports in this month’s Budget Travel:

Most fliers don’t know that major U.S. airlines have policies that qualify you for a refund if the fare goes down after you book. Of course, they don’t tell you when your fare changes—and who actually keeps track of these things?—so travelers rarely see the money.

Enter Yapta. Two years ago, the site introduced its free airfare-tracking service, which e-mails you the moment your fare dips. For $15, Yapta will file the pesky money-back paperwork with your airline. Last summer, Orbitz got in on the business, with its Price Assurance program. If another Orbitz customer books the same itinerary for less than what you paid, you automatically get a check for the difference (up to $250 per ticket). No paperwork required.

So there is really no reason not to go ahead and book your holiday airline tickets right now. If the price drops before your flight, you will be able to get the difference back in most cases. Good to know.

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Right at Home

by Lauren on August 26, 2009

I remember the first time I stayed in a bed and breakfast. It was run out of a single woman’s home in Winthrop, Washington, set in a field of tall grasses. Her home was small, but her kitchen was huge — perhaps taking up half the house — and the breakfasts she created for her guests there were divine. Her daughter, about twelve years old, showed us to our room when we arrived, and then promptly went outside to play ball with the dog, but not before asking us if we’d like to join her. Clearly, she was used to the company.

photo by OiMax

Like many B&Bs (as I would later discover), this house had a certain decor that was all its own; our hostess had a doll collection in the living room that spilled out into every corner of the house, including our bedroom. I remember a feeling I had at breakfast that first morning, nibbling on a flaky buttermilk biscuit and sipping strong coffee as we talked with our hostess about Winthrop’s history and beautiful landscape. The feeling took me quite by surprise. Here I was, in a stranger’s house, and I felt right at home.

It seems that many people either love B&Bs, or don’t care for them at all. I am definitely in the “love them” camp. And the reason is quite simple: warm hospitality. The kind you get meeting real people, in their homes, around their breakfast table. That first morning, I left that Winthrop B&B with a map of downtown and suggestions for lunch, directions to great hiking trails, a full belly, and a warm heart.

For years now, my travels both at home in North America and abroad have included B&Bs and homestays. Hospitality has become my travel partner. Unfortunately, in many places, the cost of rooming in a B&B is prohibitive, and arranging a homestay is often time consuming and difficult, if not impossible.

That’s why Casa Casa was started. Casa Casa is a new hospitality club for folks who see travel as more than just a destination. It’s about connecting with other people, making new friends and learning about the world together.

What role does hospitality play in your travels? Would you trade an expensive, boring hotel room for a cozy guest room where you feel right at home? Then sign up for a membership with Casa Casa today, and join a community of travelers and hosts that feel the same way you do about traveling. Out of this warm exchange of hospitality may come new friendships, local knowledge of the best places to visit and things to do, and an overall stronger experience of community through travel. At our $20 introductory membership rate, what do you have to lose?

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