1. Get off the beaten path.

Tourist areas are the most expensive to stay at. Therefore, the best idea is to stay outside busy city centres, a few kilometres away from all hotspots. You will not only be able to negotiate much cheaper price for your room, but you will also have an opportunity to get to know some locals, discover local areas and see what other holiday makers will not see. If you feel like going to the city centre, rent a bike for $1 or $2 per day and go there by bike – healthy, eco-friendly and affordable.

2. Go couchsurfing, accept invitations to stay with locals or go for dorms.

Once you get to Cambodia, you will realize how hospitable locals can be. Some of them will treat you like a family member, let you stay at their place overnight and treat you with some nice food. If you don’t trust randomly met people in the street, try to use couchsurfing. There are plenty of Khmer people who will be more than happy to host you and show you around telling some interesting stories. More often than not they will want to take you to their village and introduce you to people who never or rarely have met foreigners. If you go for couchsurfing (couchsurfing.org) make sure you start looking for a host at least 7 days before your arrival so that you have enough time to find an appropriate person, and allow them to read your messages and make the necessary arrangements. If you are not a big fan of couchsurfing, try to go for dorms and share a room with at least 8-10 other people. It’s extremely cheap and you can make new friends with fellow travellers. Dorm prices can be as low as $1 per night.

3. Try local food and avoid Western style restaurants.

Cambodia, especially Siem Reap, is full of really expensive Western restaurants where you can get a cheeseburger, pizza, fries and coke. You can treat yourself with amazing Khmer food instead. It is going to save you a lot of money as Western food costs up to 5 times more than traditional Khmer dishes. Would you fancy a plate of rice and vegetables topped with spicy sauce for less than $1 or a takeaway cheeseburger and coke for $5? Besides, what kind of traveller would you be to go to Cambodia and stick to Western food?

4. Keep your partying in check.

You are on your holiday and you obviously want to have fun. However, the alcohol in Cambodia might cost an Earth especially when you are out off limits. It all starts with a $0.5 draft and by the end of the night you find yourself broke. Going clubbing every night is not the cheapest entertainment option so you should always keep your partying in check. Some locals can take advantage of you being tipsy or drunk and rip you off. If you feel like you might overspent on alcoholic, take a friend or two with you to keep an eye on your tap.

5. Avoid guided tours.

Do you want to see Angkor Wat or ride an elephant? Do it on the cheap and avoid all guided tours which are way too expensive. You can rent a bike and go to Angkor Wat on your own terms saving $20+ per day, get a local bus to take you o elephant orphanage saving at least $15. If you insist on travelling with a guide, find some other travellers happy to share the bill. Guides charge per day ($20-$25), regardless of the group size. If they say otherwise, go and look for another guide.

Moreover, in the tourist areas, make sure to haggle and not to set on the initial price. You will probably notice right away everything in Cambodia is negotiable. The first price you hear from locals is most likely up to 5 times higher than the typical price so don’t be shy and push yourself to get some bargains.

After a week you will see how much less money you have spent in comparison to other fellow backpackers and tourists you meet on the road!

Author Bio: Agness is a Polish vagabond who, after graduation, left her comfort zone and set off for a journey of her lifetime to China in 2011. She has been constantly travelling the world since then (slowly, but surely as she says), living like a local for less than $25 a day. She became a photography passionate and adventure blogger sharing her life enthusiasm and travel experience with everyone around.

Website: eTramping
Twitter: @Agnesstramp
Facebook: eTramping
 

These heartly filled cakes would be perfect as one of the Valentine gifts, even if they are displayed upsidedown here. They do looks like bum’s, don’t they? Hm…

If you wonder over the words "Bums Mums" they actually also are Swedish words meaning something like "Right Away Yummy".

Go out there and create your own romance now lovely peeps and have yourself the Happiest Valentine Day ever!

©Lifecruiser Love Valentine

Other Valentine related posts at Lifecruiser:

Surprise Her This Year Like Never Before
Love messages all over
Happy Valentine Life Kissers
Affordable Romantic Valentine Trips Tips
Tenereffic Romantic Sunset
With Love on Valentine Day
 

Whether you prefer to save the city jaunt until a suitable celebration, or you feel like treating yourself and your loved ones to a post-Christmas dinner, you can. Staying in London doesn’t have to add that much to the bill either, with cheap London hotels being centrally located and within close proximity to many of the restaurants on offer.

With eclectic menus and first class fare, here’s some of the best celebrity chef led restaurants for you to choose from in the city:

With its owner being one of the most popular and familiar chefs on TV today, it’d be rude not to include the flagship Fifteen in a list of top celebrity chef restaurants. Famous since its inclusion in his show in 2002, this restaurant is one of the pinnacle dining experiences from the very capable hands of Jamie Oliver. With a trendy and chic atmosphere, not only does this place provide sumptuous Mediterranean delights but 15% of your bill goes towards training fifteen apprentice chefs in the kitchens, helping to ensure world class cuisine continues to flourish.

Located on Royal Hospital Road and boasting three Michelin stars for its high standard of French cuisine, you can’t get much more prolific than Gordon Ramsey’s Chelsea restaurant. Having received the highest of accolades within the field, you’d expect the best quality service, food and professionalism here and you won’t be disappointed. As one of the ultimate treats for anyone visiting the city and with an eye for fine dining, Chelsea is an absolute must. Be sure to book in advance as it’s incredibly popular, but it’ll be well worth the wait.

Situated in Tower 42 in the heart of London, Gary Rhodes’ Rhodes Twenty Four not only provides you with Michelin starred food but also gives you stunning panoramas across London. Offering traditional British fare, but with a classic Rhodes twist, you can enjoy an array of sumptuous delights including the Rhodes signature pudding plate – perfect to satiate the sweet tooth.

With one of the most experimental of cuisine techniques, and a continued ambition to make jaw-dropping creations, no list is complete without the scientific genius of Heston Blumenthal. Although his primary restaurant isn’t in London, his new addition aptly named, Dinner is. Found in the heart of Knightsbridge, near Hyde Park, there’s no better location for this ultimate dining experience.

With many of the restaurants mentioned, their weekend service is often booked well in advance. To guarantee your table, book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment and look forward to a truly memorable experience.

Lifecruiser Love London

Other posts about London at Lifecruiser:

UK Travel: Swedes Love London
Stay in an ‘unhotel’ in London
What to do in London during a short weekend
A Thames tour of London
 

#1: Cook Dinner for Her

If your wife’s a housewife who usually spends the time in the kitchen cooking for the family, then why not surprise her by preparing a sumptuous meal this Valentine’s day? She will love you for taking out the time and put in the effort to cook for her.

However, do make sure you find a good recipe to work with if you want to her to fall in love with what you cook. Once you’re done with the cooking you can make the surprise even more surprising by setting up a beautiful candlelight dinner right at in the living room!

#2: Give Her the ‘Spa at Home’ Treatment

Want to make your gift really special? Then don’t give her the traditional gift certificate to the local spa. Instead, give her the same treatment at home. In other words, pamper her yourself and give her the best massage. Let her have the spa experience in the comfort of your home.

If you don’t think you’re good with bare hands then you can always buy oils along with massagers at a lifestyle store near you. Also, don’t forget to create the perfect ambience if you truly want her to enjoy the experience. Put on some slow, romantic music and make sure your room is dimly lit to make it more relaxing.

#3: Have Flowers Delivered

We all know that flowers will not last forever, but they still make up to be one of the most romantic gifts that you can give your wife on Valentine’s Day. The idea here is to surprise her, so don’t leave any hints beforehand. Whether she’s at home or at work, surprise her by having a beautiful flower arrangement delivered to her from Proplants.

While red roses happen to the most common choice when it comes to Valentine’s Day, you don’t have to stick to them. If your wife likes certain flowers, then it makes more sense to have them delivered instead. When she gets such a flowery surprise from you, it will not only make her smile but also make her feel very special.

It doesn’t matter how new or old your marriage is – the above Valentine’s Day surprise ideas work perfectly well for all couples. So go ahead and make your wife feel mega special, because she deserves it!

Lifecruiser Love Valentine Surprises

Some earlier Valentine related posts at Lifecruiser:

Love messages all over
Happy Valentine Life Kissers
Affordable Romantic Valentine Trips Tips
Tenereffic Romantic Sunset
With Love on Valentine Day
 

Tailgate parties allow fans to bond and have a good time before a game. Football players spend time in a locker room getting excited for the game, and tailgate parties are a similar activity for football fanatics. Although you may come as strangers, you can leave with new friends and stories to last a lifetime.

Preparing

The preparation for a tailgate is very important. Showing up to this pre-game event without anything prepared can put a downer on the party. To make your tailgate party a big hit it is important to have enough food, drinks and games. A great tailgate party also includes a tent. It can be a great resource if it is hot outside and you need a place to cool down. These tents can also be every helpful on colder days. Many individuals use these shelters as a center for the games or to keep the food out of the elements. If you are a supportive and consistent fan of your team and go to these types of parties frequently, a good tent can be a great investment.

Showing Support

Showing support before the game is important. It is just as important as showing it during the game. Places like Team Tailgate Shop offer many products, but not just any kind of product. Most of them are custom-made specifically for your college team. They offer all of the essentials such as tents, coolers and games. The tents can be made with the symbol of your favorite team. There will be no question of what team you support. With these products you will be able to canvas your area with your teams colors and logo.

Before a game fans come together to have a good time. The excitement of attending a game does not have to start when the first whistle is blown. Showing up before the game can allow you to share your excitement with other fans. As you wait for the game to start, you can share laughs and food. You can make the entire game day fun and exciting. From the beginning of the tailgate party until the end of the game you will be able to show support for your team.

Lifecruiser Love Tailgate Parties
 

For us, the most important choice for New Years Eve (or birthdays), is the one and only: what Champagne to drink…? Below you see three different choices, from a cheaper Crémant to expensive Champagne.

Lachèze 2009 Crémant du Jura, Moët Chandon Grand Vintage 2004 and our very favorite Champagne, the Rolls Royce of Champagne: Dom Pérignon Vintage 2003, which we brought home after visiting the Champagne district in France at our Europe trip in August 2012.

As you have noticed, so far we prefer French, real Champagne – we yet have to taste more Cavas when we go to Spain later to have something to compare with – or what do you say…?

We wish for you all another very special, fantastic Happy New Travel Year of 2013, together with friends, family and filled with lots of love, passion – and Champagne of course…

©Lifecruiser Love Champagne
 

Some other New Years posts by Lifecruiser:

Happy Bubbly New Year 2012
Happy New Year Champagne Sweden 2010
Stockholm: Happy New Year (2009)
 

You will notice many scenes from Disney films, that is because it’s an old tradition in Sweden to show Kalle Anka (Donald Duck in Swedish) at 3 o’clock in the afternoon at the Christmas Eve day.

Enjoy the peace and happiness of the holidays, where ever in the world you are. We spend this Christmas in Stockholm, Sweden this year. Next year it will be somewhere else!

©Lifecruiser Love Swedish Christmas
 

Earlier Swedish Christmas posts by Lifecruiser:

Christmas Tree Gifts 2011
Swedish Heart Pepparkakor for Christmas
Santa Travel Speed Need
Merry Christmas 2009
Christmas Dinner Delights 2008
Swedish Christmas Dinner Preparations 2008
Different Christmas 2007
Merry Christmas All Bloggers 2007
Some Swedish Christmas Gifts
Christmas Street Market Stockholm 2007
Wordless Christmas
Swedish Christmas Traditions
Christmas Eve is here (2006)
Christmas Preparations (2006)
Lucia with Glögg & Lussekatter (2006)
Lighten Up Christmas (2005)
 

Explore Uluru

Also known as Ayres Rock, Uluru is one of the most recognisable sights in Australia. Located in the Northern Territory, Uluru can be reached by plane from most Australian cities, or if you’re feeling brave, head off on a 4WD adventure. Accommodation in the area ranges from budget to luxury, so you will have no problems booking a stay at any number of great hotels. Take a guided tour of Uluru, Kata Tjuta, and the National Park, and learn more about the Aboriginal cultural significance of the area. Get your camera ready at sunrise and sunset – you’ll need it!

Dive the Great Barrier Reef

One of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef stretches over 3000km along the Queensland coast. Containing more than 400 kinds of coral, the reef is home to over 1500 species of tropical fish, more than 200 types of birds, around 20 types of reptiles, and an array of other sea creatures. Stay in any of the coastal towns running parallel to the reef, where you can take a boat tour, snorkel or scuba dive to explore this natural wonder.

Drive the Great Ocean Road

Stretching from Geelong to Port Fairy, the Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives. Driving along this beautiful stretch of road, you can see the iconic Twelve Apostles, say hello to furry koalas in Cape Otway National Park, and find out more about Aboriginal heritage and the colonial settlers. Stay overnight in any of the pretty coastal villages along the way, and enjoy a few rounds of golf, a pampering session in a day spa, boutique shopping, and explore the stunning natural surroundings.

Explore Wine Country

Australia produces some truly excellent wine, which means the country’s wine regions are a must-visit for all wine connoisseurs, or even for those who just like a tipple! Most wine growing and production is concentrated on the country’s south-east, in New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria, and further west on the southern coast of Western Australia.

Many regions are famous for certain wine varieties, such as Semillon in the Hunter Valley, Sauvignon Blanc in Margaret River and the Adelaide Hills, Pinot Noir In Tasmania and the Mornington Peninsula, and so on. A trip to wine country makes the perfect relaxing weekend trip, with overnight stays available in hostels, B&Bs, affordable hotels and luxury resorts.

Sail the Whitsundays

Made up of 74 tropical islands, the Whitsundays offer the perfect getaway for those who want to explore the natural beauty of area, or those who just want to take some time out to relax. There are dozens of cruises offering day tours and longer trips around the islands, catering to families, seniors, backpackers, and everyone in between. Travel the Whitsunday Coast to discover secluded beaches, sunny seaside villages, and spectacular wildlife.

Lifecruiser Love Top Travel Tips
 

Beer and dart definitely belongs together, perhaps not when drinking too much beer, but it definitely demands some beer drinking…

A Guinness anyone…? Cheers!

©Lifecruiser Love Guinness Signs
 

The number two birthday present for this Champagne lover was of course the Moet Chandon Grand Vintage 2004 Champagne. Makes memories pop up from our trip to the Champagne district in August, when we visited their unbelievable huge wine cellars in France and their beautiful vineyards!

©Lifecruiser Love Travel Goodies