Travel Fun and Adventure

In this episode of the Travel Fun and Adventure Podcast, we review two hotels.

The first one is the Brunswick Inn in Brunswick, Maine.

The other is the Cobblestone Inn & Suites Main Street in Marquette, Iowa.

Good Points:

The Brunswick Inn:
 
A good check-in experience; the rooms were well maintained, the future was keeping with the status of the hotel, the public areas were very nice, including a fireplace, there was available parking, it was across the street from the Amtrak Station, is pet friendly, and the hotel had a tone of the character being a home from the 1700s.

The Cobblestone Inn & Suites Main Street:
 
Updated rooms with plenty of power sockets and USB points; it was walkable, is pet friendly, had a very convenient location being across the street from the Mississippi River and across the river from Pierre Du Chein, Wisconsin, and friendly check out. 

 Not so Good Points:

The Brunswick Inn:

The shower was not clean (someone's long hair was all over the shower), and the employees were not empowered to wow the customer to try to make up for it, would not consider this a family-friendly hotel, poor value for the dollar.

The Cobblestone Inn & Suites Main Street: 

The slowest internet speeds I have encountered at a hotel in years, a very rude check-in person, the bed was worn out, and there were repairs in the bathroom to fix the shower rod but the repairs had not been repainted. 

Grades: 

The Brunswick Inn: The final grade for the Brunswick Inn is a B-, C+. If they would have done something to make up for the hair in the shower it would have probably helped their grade.

The Cobblestone Inn & Suites Main Street:  The final grade for the Cobblestone Inn and Suites Main Street was a C, 

Let's talk about this episode on our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter page where we post airfare specials we see or articles important to those looking to travel now or in the future.

Our website can be found at Travel Fun and Adventure.

Travel Fun and Adventure
PO Box 842
Hudson, IA 50643
[email protected]

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Our tips for having a great trip to Las Vegas: 

Be sure to set a good budget for the trip if you want to gamble, set aside a fund for gambling that you know you will spend, and not worry if you lose it all. Know that everything could cost more in Las Vegas. 

Check your dates - Make sure there is no major event such as SEMA, Formula 1, NASCAR, or the Superbowl happening during your stay. 

Look for deals - Your best bet on the weekends for a good deal is off of the strip, but you can find deals on the strip during the week. 

When Comparing prices, make sure you are adding the resort fee. 

The Leisure or "Low Cost" Rental Car companies are not always the lowest price. 

If you can avoid renting a car at the airport and avoid all the airport taxes. Your hotel may have a rental car counter in it, or there will probably be one nearby. 

When traveling up and down the strip, consider using the "Duece" double-decker buses that travel the strip. 

Avoid Las Vegas Blvd, especially on weekends. There are parallel roads that will get you to where you are going a lot faster. 

The SMUT pedlers will be everywhere; they may even try to throw stuff at you. 

Beware the people dressed in costumes, as they will allow you to take a picture with them but then want a tip, and recently they have been getting really aggressive about wanting bigger tips. 

Beware of the con games that will be along the sidewalks and walkways. They are only there to separate you from your money, and if you see people winning, they are part of the con and are there to make you think you have a chance. 

You will encounter homeless in Las Vegas, and beware of the storm sewer tunnels where they often live and try to avoid contact with them. 

Remember if you are in Las Vegas during the winter, despite the fact you are in the desert, the nights can get really cold. 

Get away from the strip or downtown to find the real Las Vegas and find great locally-owned eateries. 

If going to the swimming pool is important to you, be sure to check with the hotel you are planning to stay at to ensure that their pools when be open when you come. 

Let's talk about this episode on our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter page where we post airfare specials we see or articles important to those looking to travel now or in the future.

Our website can be found at Travel Fun and Adventure.

Travel Fun and Adventure
PO Box 842
Hudson, IA 50643
[email protected]

Music provided by:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
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In this episode of the Travel Fun and Adventure podcast, we go over our favorite restaurants in Las Vegas. These restaurants are independent and not in casinos. 

Back to the 80's Cafe                                  4755 Maryland Parkway

Chicago Guys Pizza                                      6640 North Durango Drive                             

My Garage Restaurant                                5770 Centennial Center Boulevard

Two Sisters Broasted Chicken &Ribs  9750 W. Skye Canyon Park Dr. Ste. 130

Chikiliquis Taco Stand                                  5081 North Rainbow Boulevard

50's Dinner Omlett House                        3050 East Desert Inn Road Suite 140

Blueberry Hill Family Restaurant          4 Locations in Las Vegas

Great Wall Chinese                                        2202 West Charleston

R Burgers                                                              7215 South Eastern Avenue

Locale Italian Kitchen                                   7995 Blue Diamond Road 

Let's talk about this episode on our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter page where we post airfare specials we see or articles important to those looking to travel now or in the future.

Our website can be found at Travel Fun and Adventure.

Travel Fun and Adventure
PO Box 842
Hudson, IA 50643
[email protected]

Music provided by:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone
License code: JSMBIKZBIADTYR

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
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In this episode of the Travel Fun and Adventure Podcast, we explore our favorite attractions in Las Vegas.  Sadly too many people never venture away from the strip to see what all of Las Vegas has to offer. There is loads of attractions to see and interesting neighborhoods. Here is our list of our favorite attractions in Las Vegas and none of them are on the strip.  

Fremont Street Experience - and it's free!

Hoover Dam

Neon Museum

Red Rock Canyon

Pinball Hall Of Fame

Welcome To Vegas Sign (Feeling Vegas Website) - it's free!

Shelby Heritage Center - it's also free!

Springs Preserve

Atomic Testing Museum

Las Vegas Monorail

Las Vegas Natural History Museum

Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Park

Nevada State Railroad Museum - Boulder City

Hemenway Park

Tom Devlins Monster Museum

Ethel M. Chocolate Factory

Bonnie Springs

Let's talk about this episode on our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter page where we post airfare specials we see or articles important to those looking to travel now or in the future.

Our website can be found at Travel Fun and Adventure.

Travel Fun and Adventure
PO Box 842
Hudson, IA 50643
[email protected]

Music provided by:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone
License code: JSMBIKZBIADTYR

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In this episode of the Travel Fun and Adventure Podcast, we go over a list of the remaining buffets in the Las Vegas area. While buffets used to be an inexpensive way to eat in Las Vegas, with the casinos enticing you in with really cheap buffets, those days are now long gone.

While there was a time that every casino in the Las Vegas area would have a buffet, many of them closed, and the pandemic was the final nail in the coffin at many of the casinos.

In their place, the casinos are putting in food courts which helps them make additional money from rent and food provided by someone other than the casino, which also saves the casino money. Some of the food courts have the same fast food you can get anywhere else at a lower price, while others have quick-serve restaurants from celebrity chefs, and you pay a steep price because of there fame. I am not saying the food is good because some celebrity restaurants have great food, but the value for the dollar is very low as you can get comparable food at a place without a celebrity's name attached to it.

I need to thank the following for the information in this week's episode:

Las Vegas How Too Guide for the list of active buffets.

Mental Floss for some of the information on the history of all-you-can-eat buffets.

Vinepair for additional information on the history of all-you-can-eat buffets.

VOX

Las Vegas Weekly

Let's talk about this episode on our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter page where we post airfare specials we see or articles important to those looking to travel now or in the future.

Our website can be found at Travel Fun and Adventure.

Travel Fun and Adventure
PO Box 842
Hudson, IA 50643
[email protected]

Music provided by:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone
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In the last podcast, we reviewed some Las Vegas hotels and resorts that do not charge you a resort fee. In this episode, we go over hotels and resorts with low resort fees. When we started the list, we tried to stay under $30 per night, but in a couple of weeks, we were making the list, and some places increased their prices! As we say in the episode, by the time you can listen to this episode, all of the resort fees could have changed and probably will. 

Once again, we thank the Feeling Vegas website for the initial list of hotels and resorts.

Mardi Gras Hotel

Westgate Flamingo Bay 

Oasis at Gold Spike

El Cortez

Hilton Vacation Club Desert Retreat Las Vegas

Arizona Charles Decatur

Boulder Station

 Market Street

Sam's Town

Plaza Hotel

California Hotel

Fremont 

South Point

Santa Fe Station

Platinum Hotel 

D Hotel

Golden Gate Hotel

M Resort

Sunset Station

Let's talk about this episode on our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter page where we post airfare specials we see or articles important to those looking to travel now or in the future.

Our website can be found at Travel Fun and Adventure.

Travel Fun and Adventure
PO Box 842
Hudson, IA 50643
[email protected]

Music provided by:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone
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There was a time not too long ago when Las Vegas was a cheap place to go. There were plenty of low-cost rooms to be found, inexpensive buffets/restaurants,  and parking was free. Well, those days are gone.

Today the prices of rooms at the hotels and resorts in Las Vegas continue to rise into the stratosphere, most of the buffets are gone, and those that are left, for the most part, are high-end ones (there is a couple of exceptions with we will talk about in a couple of weeks), there is a few inexpensive restaurants hanging around, the resorts and hotels are now charging for parking, and we have seen the rise of an invasive species called the resort fee.

The resort fee is supposed to provide you with amenities, but it is not to benefit you as the customer, only the pocketbooks of the companies that own the hotels and resorts. If the fee was truly for amenities, would you be able to opt out of it if you were not needing those amenities? In theory, yes, but in reality, no. The resort fee is designed to allow the hotels and resorts to show lower prices to lure people in and for the hotels and resorts to be able to pay lower commissions to online booking sites and to travel agents. 

However, some hotels and resorts that don't charge resort fees, and this week we will give you a list of properties not only do not have a resort fee but also have free parking and free Wi-Fi. These may not be the big-name resorts, but they may offer a good value for the dollar, however.

Also, please note that this information could change by the time this podcast goes live, so be sure to do due diligence and check for yourself.

First, thanks to the Feeling Vegas website for helping with this list.

The hotels that currently have no resort fees:

Binions Hotel Apache

Bluegreen Club 36

Casino Royale Best Western Plus

Courtyard by Marriott Convention Center

Desert Rose Resort

Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham

Hilton Garden Inn Las Vegas Strip

Jockey Club

Let's talk about this episode on our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter page where we post airfare specials we see or articles important to those looking to travel now or in the future.

Our website can be found at Travel Fun and Adventure.

Travel Fun and Adventure
PO Box 842
Hudson, IA 50643
[email protected]

Music provided by:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone
License code: JSMBIKZBIADTYR

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/dixieland-strut
License code: 6BME73BXSUHQOKIO

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If you have ever flown, you probably have some pet peeves when it comes to flying. The Upgraded Points website did a survey of passengers to see the biggest pet peeves of the respondents. I have used this list along with looking at blogs and comments, along with some of my own pet peeves. 

Here are some of the biggest pet peeves: 

*Flight Cancellations 

*Flight Delays

*Mishandled Baggage

*Long Wait Times for Luggage

*Additional Fees

*Gate Changes (especially last-minute changes). 
 
*The pain of rebooking flights 

*TSA Lines

*People crowding the gate before boarding starts 

*People reclining seats 

*When people are asked to stay seated until those with tight connections are allowed to get off, but everyone gets up anyway 

*People trying to take on too much in carry-ons 

*Rude people 

*Loud people

*Customer service 

Let's talk about this episode on our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter page where we post airfare specials we see or articles important to those looking to travel now or in the future.

Our website can be found at Travel Fun and Adventure.

Travel Fun and Adventure
PO Box 842
Hudson, IA 50643
[email protected]

Music provided by:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone
License code: JSMBIKZBIADTYR

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
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Everything was planned, my wife and daughter applied for their Passports on December 27th and the passport office received them on January 3rd or so their computer says. But the passports never came and we had to cancel the trip. 

We go over what led up to our trip being cancelled and what steps you should take to protect yourself should a trip have to be cancelled especially at the last minute. 

Let's talk about this episode on our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter page where we post airfare specials we see or articles important to those looking to travel now or in the future.

Our website can be found at Travel Fun and Adventure.

Travel Fun and Adventure
PO Box 842
Hudson, IA 50643
[email protected]

Music provided by:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone
License code: JSMBIKZBIADTYR

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
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One of the easiest ways to get around Europe is by riding trains, as they cover a large portion of Europe.

Mentioned in the podcast is a website and youtube channel that we highly recommend for more information about traveling in Europe:

Wolters World

Wolters World is not only a great website for information but also a great youtube channel.

A great source of train travel is:

The Man in Seat Sixty-One

The big question is, do you need a rail pass or not? The best way to answer this question is to figure out where you want to go on your trip.

Will you be staying in a major city such as Paris or Amsterdam and only make a couple of train trips during the trip? Then probably just buying individual tickets will make the best bet.

A good source for individual tickets is:

Rail Europe 

Please note that they do charge a fee for each ticket bought, which is not refundable, so if you can purchase directly from the operator, that is the best bet, but some sites, such as the SNCF (French) website, has so many issues trying to buy tickets it might just be easier to pay the fee depending on the price of the ticket (You can also buy tickets from ticket machines or ticket counters at the rail stations). 

However, if you plan to go to multiple cities or even use a place as a hub and go every day to someplace different, this most likely a rail pass will be your best option. 

Figure out the cost of the rail tickets individually and see if a pass will be a better value which usually starts at a pass for 3 days and can go up a month at a time. You will also want to determine if you will be staying in one country or traveling to multiple countries. 

If you are going to be primarily in one country, you will want to explore if the country has a country pass, such as the Swiss Pass. However, maybe you want to do a couple of side trips, say into Germany or Austria. You can buy individual tickets for those trips but still have a country rail pass for the majority of your travels. 

Some country-specific rail passes can also have other benefits, such as the Swiss Pass, which offers not only rail travel but also most transit lines, bus lines, and admissions to more than 500 museums. 

Also, be sure to see if you can afford 1st class tickets, as the 1st class section of the train will often be quieter than the 2nd class section. There were times when the 2nd class section would be completely full, but the 1st class was not that packed. 

Be sure to check out rail maps to see the best way to get where you are going. The Swiss Rail Network has a great map that is in PDF format; however, you want to do a good search to find the map as it is only available on the Swiss Rail website by buying a wall map

Let's talk about this episode on our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter page where we post airfare specials we see or articles important to those looking to travel now or in the future.

Our website can be found at Travel Fun and Adventure.

Travel Fun and Adventure
PO Box 842
Hudson, IA 50643
[email protected]

Music provided by:

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone
License code: JSMBIKZBIADTYR

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/dixieland-strut
License code: 6BME73BXSUHQOKIO

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/danger-lion-x/spring-mornings-in-chicago
License code: EAXHQTLXUZ0AMC5Y