Budget accommodation at Hotel Lucia, Marseille

In Autumn 2013, I visited Marseille with my family to explore the French coastal city whilst also taking advantage of an opportunity to explore the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship.

Travelling in a group of four and seeking an affordable way to stay relatively central to the city, we opted for accommodation at Hotel Lucia, a budget 2-star hotel that feels more like a 3-star.

Located on a main road that’s also home to a clothes and accessories market, it’s very easy to locate (directly opposite Vapiano) and is a short walk from the nearest metro station.

Tips for sourcing last-minute accommodation

Accommodation is one of the biggest fixed costs of travelling regardless of your tastes. Fact is, nobody wants to pay a fortune for a roof over their head and reducing this cost can save you a lot of money on the total cost of your trip. Short of finding a cheap flight, inexpensive lodging can massively impact your budget.

If you’re still planning a trip overseas this summer but haven’t booked just yet, there are some tips for shaving the cost of your accommodation. Travel during the holidays is never cheap, but it is still possible to getaway and stay in comfort for less.

Hostel, Hotel, Pousada or Apartment? Accommodation in Brazil

On a recent trip to Brazil, I spent some time travelling around with friends exploring Rio, Sao Paulo, Paraty and Ilha Grande. As part of the trip, we would not only be travelling around a lot but also needing to shift between different types of accommodation.

We stayed in everything from hostels and apartments to four-star hotels and pousadas. All of which gave me a good, all-round idea of the types of accommodation available in the country. Take a look at my experiences below outlining each of the places where we stayed.

Definition of a Pousada: According to Hidden Pousadas Brazil,they are always small with up to 40 rooms and the typical amenities that would be expected from a B&B or Inn, just at a more charming level.

A 5-star stay at Eurostars Hotel, Berlin #byExpedia

Entrance of Eurostars Hotel

As part of the #byExpedia Berlin Bloggers competition, I had to choose a hotel to accommodate my boyfriend and I for the duration of our stay. Having perused a selection of hotels on the Expedia website, I settled on the Eurostars Hotel, a five-star complex located on Friedrichstrasse; the heart of Berlin and a perfect base from which to explore the city.

Upon arrival at the hotel, we received a warm welcome by the Receptionist who confirmed that our room was ready and all facilities were available except for the hotel pool. Unfortunately it was having its annual service but an alternative pool was available in a nearby hotel. To be honest we didn’t miss it as Berlin is jam-packed with activities to keep you occupied.

A short stay at the Bedford Hotel, Brussels, Belgium

On my latest visit to Belgium, I arranged for my friend and I to stay at the Bedford Hotel & Congress Centre, just a short walk from Grand Place and the many sights to be seen around the local area. We were only staying for one night, so easy access to attractions from a central location was the priority.

First impressions of the hotel were good; we took the metro to the hotel which was a short trip and just a few minutes walk from there to the Bedford Hotel. Despite having limited access to the map on my phone (thanks to T-Mobile deactivating the roaming function), we found the hotel with ease running parallel to the main road, Boulevard Anspach.

As we had arrived earlier than scheduled, we arranged to store our bags whilst we started our sightseeing, returning later to check out our accommodation.

Travel planning for the year ahead: It’s all in the preparation

I was recently leaving work, when I noticed the first signs of the autumn season kicking in. An overcast sky, rain in the distance and needing to put on the car headlights at 5.30pm. Darkness had settled in for the night before I had even arrived home!

Yes, it’s that time of the year again. Until it reaches the Christmas holidays, it becomes a mix of dark mornings and even darker evenings. But, there is always a silver lining – making travel arrangements for the coming months, ideally with an escape to a brighter, sunny climate for my necessary dose of Vitamin C.

So, that kick-started my evening, consulting a range of different websites to start shopping around to plan flights and accommodation.

Hotel Ariane Montparnasse, Paris

On a recent trip to Paris, I chose to stay at the Hotel Ariane Montparnasse for a boutique style hotel experience. Located in Montparnasse and a few minutes walking distance from Pernety and Alecia metro stations, it was an ideal place to spend a night. The ease of the location meant that it was an easy ride on the metro into the centre of Paris. Not only this, but the hotel also included breakfast, which was much needed after spending the previous day wandering endlessly around the beautiful streets of Paris. An added bonus was in the free WiFi which worked well, even for us on the 4th floor of the hotel.

Staying in the Medina at Riad Maison Rouge, Marrakech

My boyfriend and I stayed at Riad Maison Rouge as part of a break to Marrakech in search of sunny weather and good food to maximise the bank holiday break in the UK.

On first impressions, the Riad is tucked away in the back streets of the Medina, making it a little tricky to find but the locals or a good taxi driver can happily show you the way in exchange for small change.

Once inside you’re in a completely different world to the humid exterior. A cool inner-courtyard with lemon trees will welcome you with an open styled roof where we were seated whilst the Manager ran through our booking and served us mint tea which is absolutely delicious.