We first met Jodi many moons ago in New York at our favorite after-work watering hole, Botanica, where she happened to be attending a MeetUp for Gothamist.com. A member of our happy hour clan happened to be wearing a t-shirt from the travel website Gadling, which Jodi spotted and—shazam!—a new relationship was born.

Since then we’ve enjoyed chatting it up with Jodi at the TBEX conferences and various events here in New York. We love her story and think you will, too.

Question 1: You have a very interesting, non-traditional career arc, to put it mildly. Can you let us know how you developed your plan to stop lawyering and start travel blogging? Was it part of your personal “master plan” or one day did it just become an apparent, obvious change you wanted to make?

It was a very gradual, very planned out change, though I thought I would just be traveling for one year and then return to lawyer once more. As you’ve seen, what happened is that I kept going and going, and the one year trip turned into a multi-year, sprawling adventure that led me to discover the world through food.

I always loved to travel, but the plan to quit and do so full-time can be traced back to a documentary I saw in high school, about the Trans-Siberian trains. I started thinking about going there myself, and taking the trains out to Mongolia and into China. Over the years, this idea sat below the surface and by the time I took my job offer in New York, I was dreaming of a full year of travel that would, of course, include these trains.

It was wonderful to finally get there and take my time crossing Russia, Siberia and Mongolia. Coming into China from Erlian, I was excited for a new continent but superbly satisfied to have done what I set out to do and enjoyed it so thoroughly too.

Question 2. You’ve been traveling all over the place the past 5 years. We’re talking South America, Russia, China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Turkey, England and Scotland, to name a few. Do you have a personal strategy for keeping it cheap while on the road? We’d love to hear some of the tips you’ve picked up along the way.

I think a good part of keeping costs down comes from the food. I don’t tend to splurge on meals, but rather find the market stalls and the street food carts that are popular. For lunch in Asia or South America, seeking the town’s university is a surefire way to locate fresh and cheap food – students are hungry, so demand is high and turnover is quick. While the food might not be gourmet, it is usually very good and authentically local.

In Europe, I tend to find greenmarkets or buy on-the-go building blocks for dinner at supermarkets – fresh cheese, bread (in my case, gluten-free crackers), fresh fruit, and more. Then, I’ll have my bigger meal at lunch (not dinner). Many restaurants have set courses at lunch that are very cost-effective. For finding them, I rely on sites like eGullet, Chowhound or on the suggestions of other travelers.

Question 3. We have a lot of travel friends in the industry who are big-time foodies. But you’re the only one we know who wrote a book about relying on food as a means to discover the world. How’d you wind up writing it? Give us the scoop.

It’s a fair question because I certainly didn’t start out with the intention of writing about food. What happened was that I figured out somewhere between Mongolia and China that I cared more about meals and food ingredients than most people, and with an intensity some found strange.

I wanted to know not just what people at for dinner, but why. And how did those ingredients end up in those countries? Why did people focus on certain spices versus others, or how did tea ceremonies or food etiquette come about? And as I started researching and asking questions, I saw that this would clearly become the primary focus for my future travels, because food was at the core of what fascinated me. It was as though my whole philosophy shifted to placing food in the center, with all the other interesting things – history, culture, landscapes – related, but separate.

So I started to travel for food. I went to towns specifically in search of a soup someone recommended, I tracked down an herb used in soup that tasted like nothing I had tried prior. I tried to learn the stories of the people behind the food too, and how their expertise had formed over the years. Concurrently, I started to write more about food and my site’s readers started sharing their own stories and questions. They also wanted to know how they could eat as I did without dying of dysentery…

When Shannon from A Little Adrift wrote to say she was joining a project started by Janice Waugh, and she suggested I come on board for the food book. And the rest is history! The book is part of a series of five called The Traveler’s Handbooks, and each follows a similar model – practical tips and inspirational stories, with lots of quotes from seasoned travelers and many photographs. I’m very excited to see the paperback up on Amazon, with digital versions to follow this week. I can’t believe it’s actually out there in the world!

Question 4. Last questions and it’s a loaded one: What’s the single best travel advice you’ve ever received? 

Don’t eat yellow snow? Oh, wait – no….that was my dad’s advice when he taught me how to ski.

I think the best advice would be from a quote from the book “A Fortune Teller Told Me” by Tiziano Terzani. I like the quote because it addresses what I truly believe about food: that it doesn’t need to be fancy or complicated. Instead, you only need to take a closer look or dig under the surface for what makes that ingredient, dish or meal special.

“Every place is a goldmine. You have only to give yourself time, sit in a teahouse watching the passers-by, stand in a corner of the market, go for a haircut. You pick up a thread – a word, a meeting, a friend of a friend of someone you have just met – and soon the most insipid, most insignificant place becomes a mirror of the world, a window on life, a theatre of humanity.”

So true. Thanks, Jodi!

The post 4 Cheapo Questions for Jodi Ettenberg of LegalNomads.com appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Today we continue our “4 Cheapo Questions” interview series by catching up with Darren Cronian, founder and editor of the Leeds-based website Travel Rants.  

We first came across Darren’s site several years ago when Travel Rants received the “Best Consumer Website” award from Travolution, a trade magazine and website that covers the movers and shakers in online travel.

Since then, we’ve been avid readers of Travel Rants and appreciate the direct, uncompromising manner it approaches the challenges facing consumer travel. A sampling of recent headlines include “Should alcohol be banned on airports and flights?,” “Thinking about long term travel,” and one of our faves, “Hotel star ratings are useless to consumers.”

But enough with the intro, let’s meet Travel Rants.

1. Tell us about yourself. What led to the creation of Travel Rants? Did you have a particular experience that triggered your blog’s creation?

Hello from England! I’m the man behind Travel Rants, a blog I started writing in April 2005, after poor customer service at a High Street travel agency. I needed a place to rant about my issues with travel, and I had read a few weeks earlier about this thing called a blog that you could create and publish your own content.

Over the following months the blog became a popular place for travel consumer discussions, and led me to be interviewed on TV, newspapers and radio about the types of issues consumers have with travel.

2. What are some of the most popular rants you’ve written to date? Are there any recurring topics that tend to pop up more frequently than others?

People love when I write controversial posts–usually it’s a topic that people want to write about but because they are so close to the subject, it’s just something they cannot publish.

I wrote a post about banning travel agency familiarization trips, which was picked up by the media and while most people disagreed, it was a fascinating discussion, and the first time I’ve seen tour operators and travel agencies join in a discussion online.

Another post was about how the travel associations have their annual conferences abroad, in sunny destinations, and that it wasn’t good for the environment. I had travel industry people emailing me and agreeing with what I wrote, but didn’t want to comment publically!

One of the most recurring rants that I receive from consumers are usually about airline extra charges, single person supplements, and companies who profiteer from situations like the volcano ash cloud incidents earlier this year.

Behind the scenes, the Ask Mr. Rants feature I run generates 30-50 emails a week from consumers who have questions about travel. Anything from best places to book holidays to how to complain about a holiday company. People just assume I sit here thinking about what I can rant about the travel industry next, but a lot goes on in the background that people are not aware of. Only this week I opened up communication between a cruise line and a consumer who had a complaint and could not get a response from them direct.

3. If you could change one particular thing about the travel industry, what would it be?

I think the industry needs to collaborate more on dealing with industry issues. I know associations like ABTA lobby the government, but I do wonder if some of the issues like Air Passenger Duty (APD) would be better fought as a group. I don’t just mean travel agencies and tour operators, but everyone including the travel media and blogs like Travel Rants.

At the end of the day we all have consumers’ interests at heart, and the increase in air passenger duty in November 2010 will only make flying more expensive for people travelling out of the UK.

How often do you travel? What planning tips do you use to minimize costs?

It differs every year, I usually prefer short breaks rather than one big two-week holiday. I want to see as much of the world as possible, so usually two to four trips a year. This year I went to New York and the Hague – a trip to Paris was planned, but due to the volcano ash cloud that had to be cancelled.

I am the type of consumer that does not like paying huge amounts of money for a hotel. At the end of the day, I spend very little time in a hotel room, and want to be out exploring the destination. I usually travel off-peak, with budget airlines, and use comparison sites like Eurocheapo to find the best priced hotels.  I am usually quite organized, so would do plenty of research beforehand.

I use Twitter, Facebook to ask for friends’ recommendations, which helps. I also try and find a hotel that isn’t in the center of the destination, but might be a 10-minute walk or bus ride away. I saved 40% when I stayed in Venice because I booked a hotel not on the main islands, but, it was only a 10-minute bus trip away. You pay for the location a lot of the time.

Bonus round: What is the best travel advice you’ve ever received?

Good question – over the years I have received a lot of travel advice, but I remember Jessica from WhyGo Italy telling me to get lost in Venice, and she was right. You find out so much about a destination if you just take a few hours to wander around without a map. I found restaurants and bars that were considerably cheaper, that the locals used, and despite Venice and Italy being a notoriously expensive destination, it turned out to be a great budget short break.

I cannot remember who told me this piece of advice, but I was warned about pickpockets in Prague, so I was very wary of people around me in groups – a traveller at my hotel, was robbed of his money, cards and passport.

Thanks for chatting with us, Darren. And best of luck with Travel Rants!

The post 4 Cheapo Questions for Darren Cronian from Travel Rants appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Pauline is a one-stop shop for budget travel insight and advice, offering tips for “spending less and seeing more” on Frommers.com and in her “Pauline Frommer” guidebook series. In addition to her travel writing and editing, Pauline hosts a nationally syndicated radio show, makes frequent appearances on national TV, and is a regular speaker at travel events, sometimes alongside her father, Arthur Frommer.

1. Tell us about your travels. How often do you travel? Where are you heading to next?

Well, I just spent the last week going over my travel receipts for my taxes and discovered that in 2009, I was on the road for part or all of every month except September. I guess that’s pretty standard for me. My next trip is to Guatemala!

2. That’s a pretty busy schedule! Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your guidebook series, and your radio show?

Yes, I’m always busy, but in a good way. I think it was Justice Sandra Day O’Conner who said that the key to happiness is finding work worth doing. Though I would never claim to have had as much of an impact as she has (for better and for worse, I might add), I do have work that I love, and that I hope helps would-be travelers.

I’m the founder and managing editor of the Pauline Frommer guidebooks. We now have 14 in the series, from “Pauline Frommer’s Paris” to “Pauline Frommer’s Costa Rica” to “Pauline Frommer’s Italy“. (You can see the complete list at www.frommers.com/pauline.) Most are now in their second editions; I wrote four of the guides and edited the other 10.

The Pauline Frommer guides have the tagline: Spend Less, See More. And that’s what they’re all about: doing budget travel but in a smart way. They’re for travelers who want to save loads of money when they travel, but do so without sacrificing comfort. So while we do list hostels, we’re more likely to give people ideas about alternative accommodations such as farm stays, private B&B’s (where you stay in a local’s apartment and pay for a private room what you’d usually pay at a hostel), condo rentals, etc. We have the largest focus and have done the most research on alternative accommodations than any of the mainstream travel publications. Of course, we also talk extensively about affordable eating options, transportation, sightseeing, etc.

3. We dig the focus on alternative accommodations. What else sets your guidebooks apart from the others out there?

We also differ from the other series in a section we feature called “The Other.” This will be either a chapter or a section of a chapter on experiences one can have when traveling that allow the visitor to experience the country as the locals do.

So we’ll tell you about a great roving party that takes place in NYC (sometimes on the subways; people bring boom boxes onto a train after midnight and everyone dances). In Hawaii, we’ll alert you to opportunities to help scientists with the yearly whale count or with the sea turtles that nest there (this usually will take just a day from your vacation). In Las Vegas, we tell you how you can audit a class for dealers for an hour or two (it’s fascinating to watch them learn how to take gamblers) or attend a magicians “karaoke” night at a local bar, where they try out their tricks on one another. We’ll also tell you about chefs in Paris who hold small cooking classes in their homes; and the cafes in the City of Light, where you can attend a philosophical evening, as locals gather to discuss life’s great questions (in English), while quaffing wine.

These are just a few examples, but it’s a section of these guidebooks that have really struck a chord among our users.

4. What’s the best budget travel advice you’ve ever received?

I’m not sure if I “received” this, but I guess the advice I’d give from my long years of traveling is to never be shy about saving money. Often getting a discount simply means asking for one, or seeing if changing your travel plans slightly will garner you a discount.

Saving money is all about doing your research (so you know what the possibilities are for savings), being pushy (in a polite way!) and being flexible.

Bonus round! What are you most willing to splurge on when exploring a new city?

I guess my go-to splurge is on admission charges. I once had a writer I was editing tell me he hadn’t gone to a very well-known historic house because he was so disgusted by the entrance charge. I immediately replaced him (we needed that write up!). But I also didn’t like his attitude, which I thought was penny-wise and pound foolish. While I’d never splurge on a hotel, I think seeing great works of art or architecture are definitely worth paying a bit extra for.

Final question: What’s the best meal you’ve had for under €15 and where was it?

Can one count many, many scoops of gelato as a meal? If so, I’d recommend La Palma in Rome. If not, I’d have to say the wonderful liver and onion tacos I had recently in Mexico City, which cost about $2 total for the complete meal. Sorry that’s not in Europe, but that’s what’s on my mind right now.

Oh, and I also had an AMAZING pizza at DiMatteo in Naples. For the pie, we paid about $8, if I’m remembering correctly, but that fed my whole family (2 adults, 2 kids).

Thanks for taking the time to talk to us, Pauline! We’ll be taking a special look at “The Other” sections when we check out your upcoming editions. We wish we had known about the wine-and-philosophy chat during our last trip to Paris. Alas, there’s always next year… Happy travels!

The post 4 Cheapo Questions for Pauline Frommer appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

We’ve been big fans of Mike’s website for a long time, both for its thoughtful articles and talented writing, as well as its eye-catching photography and snazzy design.

But enough about us! Read on to learn a little more about Mike and the story behind Vagabondish.

1. Can you tell us about yourself and your website, Vagabondish.com?

As a web geek with a real passion for travel, I needed a way to chronicle my travels online. Naturally, a blog was the way to go. So, three years ago this month (October 2006), Vagabondish.com was born.

It was nothing more than a personal playground at the time – a place to post travel-related photos, articles, advice and links that I enjoyed. I had no intention at the time of making it a full-time gig. Three years on, we’re still posting great travel tips, news and advice, but with a fantastic crew of writers, regular contributors and avid readers.

2. What’s the best travel advice you’ve ever received?

Well, there are two bits really. Both could well be applied to life as a whole, but served me well as motivation to follow my passion for travel. The first is paraphrased from Tim Ferriss:

“The traffic lights of life are never going to all be green.”

The “location independent” lifestyle niche has grown tremendously in the past three years and really exploded in the past twelve months. More and more “wage slaves” and corporate 9-to-5’ers are wondering if a life of perpetual travel is possible. Many question whether it’s a viable long-term lifestyle path.

The fact is: if you’re passionate about travel and seeing the world, do it! Like deciding to buy a house or have a child, there’s never going to be a perfect time when all the planets align just right for you to take the plunge.

… and also from Tim:

“People will choose unhappiness over uncertainty.”

It’s sad, but often true. I’ve corresponded with literally thousands of travelers – many are perpetual vagabonds with no real place to call “home” – during my years as editor of Vagabondish. Not a single one has ever expressed regret for leaving their previous trappings – work, house, fiancé, etc. – behind. Not one.

Incidentally, it’s part of the reason that this post – Just Dive In! How to Travel (and Live) Without Regret – was one of our all-time reader favorites.

3. Tell us about your favorite place to stay in Europe. Where is it and what made it special?

My favorite stays have always been with locals. Earlier this year, I scored a fantastic private loft space with a couple in Berlin’s Mitte borough via Craigslist. The entire 10-night stay cost less than two nights at a mid-range hotel. And of course, the best way to interact with locals and get an authentic taste of your surroundings is to live with them.

4. When and where is your next trip, and how are you doing it on the cheap?

My girlfriend and I are headed to Key West for the New Year’s celebration. We’ll be staying with family and a few friends to keep it on the cheap.

This of course isn’t always a possibility. But I’ve realized just how easy it is to make new friendships online. If you know you’ll be traveling to a specific destination, check out Couchsurfing and even Twitter (use http://search.twitter.com and search for folks Twittering about your destination). Even if you can’t find someone to host you, you’ll no doubt make the acquaintance of great, knowledgeable and friendly locals who are often much obliged to share a drink and show you around their hometown.

Now get ready for the “speed round”:

Favorite airport – Right here in Providence, Rhode Island. It’s small, but it’s home.

Aisle or window – Always the window.

Chicken, fish, meat or veggie – Gotta be fish! If it’s from the sea, it’s for me.

1 item you can’t travel without – Laptop. C’mon, I’m a travel website editor.

Most under-rated landmark in Europe – Glendalough in County Wicklow, Ireland. It’s staggeringly beautiful – a quintessential Irish landscape.

Thanks for chatting with us, Mike! And keep up the good work with Vagabondish!

The post “4 Cheapo Questions” for Mike Richard of Vagabondish.com appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.