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Five Secret Spots to See on a Walk Around Brooklyn

2/25/2016

The Brooklyn Heights Promenade offers a beautiful view over to Manhattan.

By John Roberts

Away from all that glitters and rises into the sky is a more serene part of New York.
Welcome to Brooklyn.

Here, at the western part of Long Island, you'll find peace and quiet and plenty to see and do, all just a 10-minute subway ride from Midtown Manhattan. I like taking day trips to Brooklyn to try the restaurants and visit the parks on the less-crowded side of the East River. No squeezing through the masses on crammed sidewalks around Times Square or dodging bikers and bladers in Central Park.

If you want a quick getaway during your visit to New York City, try a side trip to Brooklyn, where you can stroll brownstone-lined streets and casually mix in with residents going about their days walking pooches, pushing strollers and getting in a jog.

Try these five unique and under-visited secret locations to visit when you're in Brooklyn.

The Mosaic House of artist Susan Gardner is located in a normal neighborhood. The home, at 108 Wyckoff Street, stands out from all the rest, though. Just after 9/11, Gardner began decorating the exterior of her Boerum Hill home with a fantastic array of mosaics.

Artist Susan Gardner's stunning mosaic home in Brooklyn

Artist Susan Gardner's stunning mosaic home will grab your attention.

A "Greek Revival subway ventilator" is hidden behind a facade of a townhouse at 58 Joralemon Street in Brooklyn Heights. The property was built in 1847 and served as a residence until 1908 when it was bought by a transit company and converted into a ventilator. It's also an emergency exit for the subway's No. 4 and No. 5 trains. The faÃ§ade blends in well with the neighboring red-brick townhouses, but look closely and you'll spot it. You can peek through the crack in the doors and see the bend of a track.

Greek Revival subway ventilator at 58 Joralemon Street in Brroklyn

The subway ventilator is cleverly hidden as a townhouse at 58 Joralemon Street in Brooklyn.

The Brooklyn Heights Promenade (pictured at top) looks across the East River toward Manhattan's skyline. This park is the place to be to talk a walk or jog along the river. Scan the horizon and you'll spot all sorts of icons, from the Freedom Tower to the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges.

â€‹Love Lane, a tiny mews in Brooklyn Heights, owns a fairly rich history. The one-block street that had been part of an Indian trail that led to the East River became a popular stretch for romantic strolls by the Dutch settlers. Today, you can take a walk with your sweetheart on the charming little alley that runs between Hicks Street and Henry Street.

Love Lane is a cute little lane with an interesting history in Brooklyn.

Head to the DUMBO neighborhood to grab coffee or a lunch and do some shopping. The quaint region Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass also is filled with shops, artist studios, bookstores, bakeries and clothing boutiques alongside luxe residences. All within shouting distance of the waterfront.

DUMBO neighborhood near the Manhattan Bridge

The DUMBO neighborhood sits in the shadow of the Manhattan Bridge.

Enjoy your hidden treats around Brooklyn, which also is home to an NBA team, the Nets, and a bridge you might have heard about. Put it all together, and you can fill your visit with plenty to do before you head back to the hustle and bustle of Manhattan.

Thanks for reading and Travel happy!
JR

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Traveling With Friends and Family: The Good, Bad and Ugly

2/22/2016

2 Comments

I always have fun traveling with family and friends, but you have to anticipate problems before they occur.

By John Roberts

The snoring!

I always forget about the snoring, dammit.

Across the tiny room, a KOA camping cabin in South Dakota, my brother was sawing logs like he was in a rush to fell the entire forest. That's what happens I suppose after a night of drinking whisky. Bart and I had stayed up late after another long day hiking and exploring the Badlands and Custer State Park with our spouses.

So, a good night's rest was desperately needed. Bart was going to get it, and I was not.

Neither was Mrs. In The Loop, though Bart's wife, Natalie, seemed to be dozing right along with my brother, years of practice sleeping alongside that noise (it sounded at times like a five geese were sucked into a jet engine) apparently numbing her to the ruckus.

And Colleen and I were without our handy earplugs. Ugh!

Of course we had a wonderful time traveling together that week and knocking another destination off our list, but such are the perils of traveling with friends and family. We often fail to consider the possible downfalls in our excitement of planning an adventure.

I love to travel with friends and always ask who can join Colleen and me on our trips. We enjoy exploring new places with loved ones and creating lasting memories. Plus, you can divvy up the costs of lodging and the duties involved with planning, cooking, cleaning, driving, etc.
Colleen's brother Ryan and his girlfriend Kelly joined us on a cruise several years ago. It was their first sailing. It was wonderful to have the company, playing games and going on excursions together. In St. Kitts, we went on a hike and a tour of an old plantation and sugar mill.

Later in the day, Ryan and Kelly disappeared for a bit from our group. We found them moments later alone under a huge old tree, with Kelly having some sort of emotional reaction.
We had known Ryan was going to pop the question during our cruise, and we had anticipated being nearby to witness it. Well, he had other plans and secreted his woman off to a special spot and got the task done in private. But we were delighted to be able to celebrate their engagement immediately afterward and for the rest of the cruise.

Now, Ryan and Kelly join us often in our travels, with another couple cruises already in the books and adventures in Mexico, too.

Big occasions are a good excuse to try to get people together for a trip. Colleen and I got married in Las Vegas so that we could sell it to our friends and family as a destination wedding and ease our minds about having to provide too much of the entertainment. Celebrate on a trip, and people can find plenty to do on their own.

We had a big group of friends on a Panama Canal cruise last year to celebrate our 10-year wedding anniversary and Colleen's latest milestone birthday. Next year, we'll sail the Caribbean for my 50th birthday party -- again with a group of friends.

From left, me, Matt and Bart in Cancun. At right, Ryan, me, Colleen and Kelly on a hike in St. Kitts.

See, the planning and anticipation of a trip with friends and family is exciting. As well as Colleen and I do together traveling as a couple, it's always exciting to have other people to talk to, play games with and learn from.

By now, though, we know that hiccups and bumps in the road always creep up because not everything works out perfectly, and you shouldn't expect it to. But there are ways to deal with problems so they don't ruin a trip -- or a friendship.

Know who you are traveling with. If you know a friend extremely well, you probably know whether they will make a good travel partner. But if you are considering a trip with casual acquaintances, be careful. Perhaps you shouldn't get a room together. (At least get a suite with separation and doors between rooms.) You don't know many of their habits that might not mesh well with yours.

Discuss money before you go. Maybe you like to go to expensive restaurants. Your friends or family might be on a tighter budget. You don't want the stress from a dispute right before meal time. Also, make sure you all agree how you will split up any expenses for groceries, lodging, tours, etc., before you're in the middle of your vacation.

Be honest and communicate. Have a quick and light chat about how you are excited to be on the adventure together. But also state that you know something might come up that you didn't consider and if anyone has an issue, please speak up. Ensure that all input is welcome and expected because it's everyone's vacation to enjoy, and it's not worth jeopardizing friendships for a short-term problem that can be easily resolved by talking it out.

Be flexible and relaxed. There is absolutely no need to get tied to one idea of how the trip will go. Sometimes it rains, people run late, attractions are too crowded or closed or don't live up to the hype. Remember how lucky you all are to be together -- "It's better than being back at work!" -- then grab a few beers and make the best of it.

Planning prevents paralysis. Do your best to set out a general daily plan by communicating well ahead of time (by emails, etc.) to discuss what everyone would like to do on the trip. Once a consensus is met, you can work out a daily schedule to try to do and see all that you want. But remember to be flexible because it will rarely go exactly as planned. Planning, though, helps you avoid that awkward and frustrating discussion we've all had when in larger groups.

"What do you want to do today?"

"I don't know."

"I don't care, whatever you guys want."

Five minutes of this type of back and forth, and someone finally yells, exasperated. "Let's just do SOMETHING!"

Yeah, ain't nobody got time for that nonsense.

Back to my brother Bart. He and my friend Matt and I spent a week together in Cancun in a tiny two-bed studio at a resort last year. Yes, two beds. Three big guys. We know!

This should be a recipe for disaster if there ever was one.

But we all get along well and have for 35 years, so we were certain we could make it work. We just had to flip a coin to see who would be sharing a bed with Bart each night. We could deal with the cramped quarters -- and snoring -- just fine. Because we were having a blast, reunited in Mexico!

Happy travels to you with your friends and family.

Thanks for reading,
JR

You might also like: Couples Fight When They Travel. Deal With It! â€‹

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25 Ways to Save Money to Travel More

2/16/2016

6 Comments

By John Roberts

I make money in the travel industry by writing blogs and articles to sell and creating videos for my YouTube channel.

This work is fun because I am doing something I enjoy very much. It allows me to see parts of the world I never would have imagined and in ever new and fascinating ways. This job is not lucrative, however.

Not even close.

Therefore, I am always on the lookout for new ways to save money. We constantly evaluate even the most mundane purchase to assess whether we are better off saying no instead keep the money set aside for travel. For example, I have a couple pairs of sneakers that have been in use for five years or more (I won't run in these, of course, but they get the job done for walking around in). Some of my pants and shirts that -- while holding up as far as wear and tear -- have long ago been ruled un-fashionable.

Guess what? I don't care.

I'm all about experiences, not things. Travel brings me happiness. So, I gladly make sacrifices of creature comforts so I can get that next plane ticket.

Toward that end, I want to share with you 25 ways I save money so that I can travel more.

25. Cut the cord. If you subscribe to cable TV, you know how expensive it can be, and the cost rises every year. Watch TV shows on the Internet via the network websites or Hulu's free service. Netflix packages are significantly less costly than cable packages, too.

24. Use the library. Check out books, movies and CDs for your entertainment. Libraries also offer free computer use and adult education and enrichment classes.

23. Coupons clipping. We use coupons and Internet coupon codes for almost all big purchases, like clothes and electronics. Sites like Ebates are awesome for this, and it sends a rebate check periodically. Grocery stores and restaurants also regularly offers coupon deals.

22. Smart shopping. Check the weekly flyers from your grocery stores. I stock up on items that I know I need when they are on sale. I don't wait until I run out to go get our essentials. That way, we are never forced to pay full price for staples like Diet Coke, Powerade, meats, soups, sauces, cheeses, frozen veggies and frozen fruits, etc.

21. Combine driving trips. When you're hopping into the car to go to the store, try to combine the trip with a couple other tasks, like getting gas, a lunch or dinner outing, etc.

20. Latch on to loyalty. Being regular drinkers of Diet Coke and Powerade (for workout sessions), we enter our Coke codes online and regularly score free movies tickets so we can treat ourselves to a movie at a theater occasionally. Other companies and products that you are loyal to might have similar programs that reward you. Look for them.

19. Free food. Speaking of loyalty programs, you can score free meals at fast-casual restaurants like Subway, Qdoba, Moe's Southwest Grill and dozens of others by signing up for their frequent-diner clubs and using their swipe cards or punch cards.

18. Share alike. Dining out with a loved one? Do you like the same beverages? Are they fountain drinks with free refills? Pay for one cup instead of two.

17. Waste not! While we're talking about meals away from home (we prefer healthy fast-casual fare when we go out, with a coupon and loyalty card, of course), make sure you take home any leftovers that you can later re-purpose into a meal or snack.

16. Do without. I mentioned my wardrobe. We don't go shopping as a recreational activity, and I only buy clothing, shoes and other items when I truly need them. I have more than I need after years of accumulation via birthday and Christmas gifts. I also look around the home, even after years of frugal living, and see things that I just don't use anymore.

15. New options. The sharing economy has given rise to money-saving options. Try Uber for transportation instead of a traditional taxi or Airbnb instead of a motel or hotel stay. These services can help save a bundle!

14. Yours to take. Hotels provide complimentary toiletries for you during your stay. Often the soaps, lotions and shampoos are quite good products, too. Grab those little bottles and take them home. I have a nice collection and will never have to buy soap, lotion or body wash again.

13. Bike to work. If at all possible where you live and work, consider hopping on your bike for your daily commute. You'll save on gas, keep miles off the vehicle and love the health benefits. Mrs. In The Loop looks forward to her daily two-mile ride to work when the weather cooperates.

12. Hair care. I am bald. Well, I long ago began balding, and now my hairstyle is a simple clean-shaven style. You know, like Mr. Clean. I maintain it myself. No problem. Others don't get off so easily, but if you can cut back on the cuts and styles at upscale salons, you'll have more money for travel.

11. Batch cooking. We eat out a few times a week, but as I listed here, we search out deals and opt for places that don't ring up huge tabs for our meals. But our typical meal plan involves preparing dishes at home. Pack your lunches and cook up your own dinners. This represents a huuuuge savings. Also, you can easily make this a social activity by hosting friends for meals in which everyone brings a dish to pass. Leftovers from crock pot cuisine or casseroles can set you up for a week's worth of meals.

10. Tax time. If your taxes are not at all complicated, do them yourself. Keep decent financial records throughout the year and use any of the number of reputable online tax software packages available for free.

9. De-consumerize celebrations. Can you get your family to agree to low-key holiday and birthday celebrations? You know, by only giving one present that would really be needed or utilized. Our families a few years ago decided to draw names so that each person only buys one gift for one other person.

8. Lights out! If you're not using them, turn them off. Same goes for unplugging appliances that are used infrequently. Don't let those electric vampires suck at your savings.

7. Dial it down. Set your home's thermostat at a reasonable temperature. Add a few layers to keep warm when it's chilly season. Remember to turn down the temp when you're away from home and before climbing under the covers at night, too.

6. Care for that car. Change the oil, rotate the tires and get new tires at appropriate intervals for your vehicle. The long-term cost savings add up when your car is reliable and long-lasting because of proper maintenance.

5. Pack snacks. Instead of getting caught hungry during your travels and being trapped into making desperation purchases at overpriced airport shops or eateries, pack fresh fruit, almonds, sandwiches, etc., to take along with you.

4. Insurance check-up. Check at least every other year with your insurance carriers to see whether they can lower your premiums. Shop around for better pricing from competitors and be ready to switch if your company balks at giving you a rate you deserve.

3. Reward yourself. You're using credit cards, right? Everyone has at least one or two these days. Make sure you are getting the full benefits of your purchases by signing up for cards that give you perks. Our Delta Skymiles American Express cards accumulate points for free flights, allow us to check a bag free and entitle us to economy-plus seating (more leg room) as well as early boarding. Our Starwood American Express cards pile up points that can be redeemed for free hotel stays or flights. We have enjoyed free week-long vacations with these benefits.

2. Carry on. You can save big money by avoiding the checked-bag fees on flights if you can limit your luggage to carry-on only. I know this can be nearly impossible for some trips, but it really makes you evaluate every item you are sticking into your bag. This way, you also travel more efficiently and don't face delays waiting to get your bags at your destination (if they don't get lost).

1. Monitor pricing, be flexible on flights. Airfare often is the biggest expense in travel. So, we try to be as flexible as possible. If we see a price we like, we consider pouncing on it and planning an impromptu trip. If we know we have an upcoming trip locked in to a certain date, we monitor pricing for months in advance to get the best price possible.

I want to be clear. These daily sacrifices add up over time. It's not like we don't have any money in the bank and are scrimping and saving so that we can go to a beach resort or on a cruise. I think that would be irresponsible. A solid emergency fund is essential. You should have savings that can cover your expenses for at least one year if you suddenly had no income. We prefer a much larger buffer than that, so we built one up while we worked other jobs long before working full time as travelers. Consider emergency medical expenses, too.

If you have children, you have even more to think about as far as long-term costs.

You begin to realize that making priorities for your expenditures is vital if you want to travel more.

If you haven't already, start now! You won't regret it. What extra tips or tricks do you have to save for travel? Help everybody out by commenting below.

Thanks for reading, and happy travels!
JR

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Five Secret Spots to See on a Walk Around Brooklyn

Traveling With Friends and Family: The Good, Bad and Ugly

25 Ways to Save Money to Travel More

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