Just a few words for Jay & Jaqui....
COME ON THE BOYS!!
Its ours this year.....
cymru am byth
Frugal living in the Portuguese countryside,Eco-tourism, Agri tourism, recipes,family life, self sufficency, eco living, vegetable growing, tips and self help ideas for country living.
Monday, 10 October 2011
Cheaper Car Hire.
As you may well have gathered by now, Livingthedreamportugal .com has made friends with the lovely people at http://www.economycarhire.com/ and through that friendship we are happy to now be able to offer all our guests who book with us a 10% discount off the standard rate for car hire .
So there is no better time to come and visit the beautiful' Green Heart of Portugal' flights are very cheap to either Lisbon or Porto, our rentals are on winter offer of half price. And now you can get cheaper car hire.... how great is that! Plus.... at the moment the weather is gorgeous, still in the high 20s everyday... pool weather in October!!
So to qualify for your discounted car hire, you must book with us, then I will forward you a link and an access code.
Booking now for Mara's Cottage for late October & November!
So there is no better time to come and visit the beautiful' Green Heart of Portugal' flights are very cheap to either Lisbon or Porto, our rentals are on winter offer of half price. And now you can get cheaper car hire.... how great is that! Plus.... at the moment the weather is gorgeous, still in the high 20s everyday... pool weather in October!!
So to qualify for your discounted car hire, you must book with us, then I will forward you a link and an access code.
Booking now for Mara's Cottage for late October & November!
Guest Post.
Kerri Ware from Economy Car Hire posts for us...
Some Tips for a Frugal Trip to Portugal
The cost of everything seems is always on the rise with no mercy. Even the price of everyday essentials like bread, milk and veggies make your eyes pop lately. But even with the cost of living at an all-time high, none of us seem willing to sacrifice our break away; that one period of the year when we can escape the daily grind and forget our worries. The dark side of a relaxing break is usually the price tag though. The good news is that it doesn't have to be that way; your holiday doesn't have to cost a fortune. We have put together some tips to help you have a frugal trip to Portugal so that you won't have to sacrifice your highly anticipated holiday and you can still have a great time without squeezing the living daylights out of your pennies!
Where to rest your head
Where you rest your head on holiday is usually a pretty big part of a trip away. Some yearn for a 5* luxury hotel but they are not only outrageously expensive; they can on occasion be a disappointing experience too. Plus, will you even use the amenities or wear the bath robe provided? Why not consider some cheaper accommodation options such as a hostel or camping or caravans. After all, isn't the essence of a holiday the new experiences you get to encounter and the new people you can meet along the way? You can tick both of these off the list by staying somewhere that maybe you wouldn't normally consider. Not only will the bill be
considerably cheaper, it will give a better feel for the area in Portugal that you choose to visit. Camping is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and you will have the benefits of a kitchen if you stay at a hostel. You'll note the word 'youth' has been dropped from the title these days - the majority are totally family friendly!
Another very worthy option to consider is a home swap holiday. With some research you can find some great places to stay for free with the all the comforts of home, except in somebody else's house. In turn, they stay at your home and look after it whilst you are away! This is the ultimate way to be frugal when it comes to accommodation.
Satisfying a rumbling tum
Eating tends to be the next big expense on your trip to Portugal. On the plus side, this expense is one that is easily reduced. Wonderful weather, beautiful backdrops and delicious local delicacies equal one thing, the perfect combination for a picnic. Bypass the café lunches, head to the local supermarket and load up on some cheap local food to eat outside at lunchtime.You can also keep your eyes peeled for the fruits of nature during your excursions and get your foraging fingers at the ready. You may be lucky enough to spot some wild fruit growing, like berries or figs but maybe more. Be sure to check you're not on private land before picking though. They can be a yummy addition to your picnic, or make for a tasty breakfast the next day. The local produce is delicious and you can probably throw together a delicious meal together in the hostel kitchen just as well as at that overpriced restaurant down the road. light up a candle and create your perfect ambience. Eating well is usually one of the best parts of a trip away for most of us so by all means, do treat yourself, but try to eat like you do at home with some occasional treats and you won't break the bank.
Getting from A to B
The best and cheapest way to get around is of course on your own two feet and a great way to see sights that you may not have otherwise seen. Sometimes that isn't always practical though. On holiday, lift sharing isn't going to be an option either. Taxis or transfers can be costly and if you anticipate several journeys having your own transport could work out more cost effective for you. Car hire in Portugal is worth considering but be sure to research what's included, book in advance and go for the smallest vehicle you can to get the most from your money.
Out and About
There's plenty to see all over Portugal but the cost of entry tickets can add up, especially for a family. With that in mind, your first stop should always be the tourist information centre where you might find leaflets with money off coupons or multi attraction passes which will knock a percentage of the price off. Avoid the souvenir shops and opt for something a bit more authentic to remember your time here; pick a shell from the beach or get that stunning sunset photograph blown up when you get home.
Don't go overboard and scrimp on every inch of your holiday in Portugal, after all it's the one trip of the year we all look forward to but at the same time, a little frugal living can go a long way and help to save some pennies without sacrificing on your enjoyment.
Some Tips for a Frugal Trip to Portugal
The cost of everything seems is always on the rise with no mercy. Even the price of everyday essentials like bread, milk and veggies make your eyes pop lately. But even with the cost of living at an all-time high, none of us seem willing to sacrifice our break away; that one period of the year when we can escape the daily grind and forget our worries. The dark side of a relaxing break is usually the price tag though. The good news is that it doesn't have to be that way; your holiday doesn't have to cost a fortune. We have put together some tips to help you have a frugal trip to Portugal so that you won't have to sacrifice your highly anticipated holiday and you can still have a great time without squeezing the living daylights out of your pennies!
Where to rest your head
Where you rest your head on holiday is usually a pretty big part of a trip away. Some yearn for a 5* luxury hotel but they are not only outrageously expensive; they can on occasion be a disappointing experience too. Plus, will you even use the amenities or wear the bath robe provided? Why not consider some cheaper accommodation options such as a hostel or camping or caravans. After all, isn't the essence of a holiday the new experiences you get to encounter and the new people you can meet along the way? You can tick both of these off the list by staying somewhere that maybe you wouldn't normally consider. Not only will the bill be
considerably cheaper, it will give a better feel for the area in Portugal that you choose to visit. Camping is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and you will have the benefits of a kitchen if you stay at a hostel. You'll note the word 'youth' has been dropped from the title these days - the majority are totally family friendly!
Another very worthy option to consider is a home swap holiday. With some research you can find some great places to stay for free with the all the comforts of home, except in somebody else's house. In turn, they stay at your home and look after it whilst you are away! This is the ultimate way to be frugal when it comes to accommodation.
Satisfying a rumbling tum
Eating tends to be the next big expense on your trip to Portugal. On the plus side, this expense is one that is easily reduced. Wonderful weather, beautiful backdrops and delicious local delicacies equal one thing, the perfect combination for a picnic. Bypass the café lunches, head to the local supermarket and load up on some cheap local food to eat outside at lunchtime.You can also keep your eyes peeled for the fruits of nature during your excursions and get your foraging fingers at the ready. You may be lucky enough to spot some wild fruit growing, like berries or figs but maybe more. Be sure to check you're not on private land before picking though. They can be a yummy addition to your picnic, or make for a tasty breakfast the next day. The local produce is delicious and you can probably throw together a delicious meal together in the hostel kitchen just as well as at that overpriced restaurant down the road. light up a candle and create your perfect ambience. Eating well is usually one of the best parts of a trip away for most of us so by all means, do treat yourself, but try to eat like you do at home with some occasional treats and you won't break the bank.
Getting from A to B
The best and cheapest way to get around is of course on your own two feet and a great way to see sights that you may not have otherwise seen. Sometimes that isn't always practical though. On holiday, lift sharing isn't going to be an option either. Taxis or transfers can be costly and if you anticipate several journeys having your own transport could work out more cost effective for you. Car hire in Portugal is worth considering but be sure to research what's included, book in advance and go for the smallest vehicle you can to get the most from your money.
Out and About
There's plenty to see all over Portugal but the cost of entry tickets can add up, especially for a family. With that in mind, your first stop should always be the tourist information centre where you might find leaflets with money off coupons or multi attraction passes which will knock a percentage of the price off. Avoid the souvenir shops and opt for something a bit more authentic to remember your time here; pick a shell from the beach or get that stunning sunset photograph blown up when you get home.
Don't go overboard and scrimp on every inch of your holiday in Portugal, after all it's the one trip of the year we all look forward to but at the same time, a little frugal living can go a long way and help to save some pennies without sacrificing on your enjoyment.
Friday, 7 October 2011
General Update & Discounted Car Hire
Gosh... where do the days go...
I cant believe its been almost a month since I updated this blog. We've been very busy as usual, quite a few guests in the caravan and Cottage, although its slowed now and November looks to be very quite. The weather has been lovely, much hotter than normal, generally by this time of the year, although its still lovely and warm, the mornings are often cooler and the evenings the same... up till now thats not happened, but this morning was a tad fresher, which was very welcome..
At some point over the next few days I will post a nice guest post, from Economy Car Hire. They are a company a lot of our guests use reguarly, they always seem efficient and reliable. And of course, excellent value or we wouldnt be recomending them. I have also been lucky enough to organise a good 10% discount offer for our guests booking via us... more on that in a few days. Today I have guests arriving, a cottage to prepare and a evening meal to produce for them.
The garden has wound itself down nicely, we still have a huge glut of aubergines, generally picking 20-30 a week... yep... honest. The peppers are still producing tons too... As is my last crop of green beans...
We have cabbage left, and the new crop we planted up a few weeks ago is going great guns.. We'll have plenty for Christmas time... plus caulis...
The race is on at the mo to get everywhere clean tidy and strimmed for winter. Plus of course the weekly struggle to collect wood...
Hopefully we have a couple of welsh lads arriving about the 14th for a few weeks to help us with all this...
So i'll be busy working in the kitchen feeding three hungry blokes . Luckily, although as normal we dont have any money, we have tons of food put by, this year has been excellent for growing and I have food stashed and stored everywhere...
I cant believe its been almost a month since I updated this blog. We've been very busy as usual, quite a few guests in the caravan and Cottage, although its slowed now and November looks to be very quite. The weather has been lovely, much hotter than normal, generally by this time of the year, although its still lovely and warm, the mornings are often cooler and the evenings the same... up till now thats not happened, but this morning was a tad fresher, which was very welcome..
At some point over the next few days I will post a nice guest post, from Economy Car Hire. They are a company a lot of our guests use reguarly, they always seem efficient and reliable. And of course, excellent value or we wouldnt be recomending them. I have also been lucky enough to organise a good 10% discount offer for our guests booking via us... more on that in a few days. Today I have guests arriving, a cottage to prepare and a evening meal to produce for them.
The garden has wound itself down nicely, we still have a huge glut of aubergines, generally picking 20-30 a week... yep... honest. The peppers are still producing tons too... As is my last crop of green beans...
We have cabbage left, and the new crop we planted up a few weeks ago is going great guns.. We'll have plenty for Christmas time... plus caulis...
The race is on at the mo to get everywhere clean tidy and strimmed for winter. Plus of course the weekly struggle to collect wood...
Hopefully we have a couple of welsh lads arriving about the 14th for a few weeks to help us with all this...
So i'll be busy working in the kitchen feeding three hungry blokes . Luckily, although as normal we dont have any money, we have tons of food put by, this year has been excellent for growing and I have food stashed and stored everywhere...
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