Travel Fun and Adventure

In this episode of the Travel Fun and Adventure Podcast, we give you our reviews of two hotels. Unlike previous reviews, we are not comparing the hotels side by side but instead are doing two individual reviews of the hotels.

The two hotels reviewed:

Baymont by Wyndham LeMars, Iowa 

The Baymont Inn ended up with a final grade of B-/C+.

The hotel is somewhat upgraded, having both additional plug outlets and USB ports; however, they only have one available plug at the desk where you are supposed to do your work.

The Baymont Inn also had excellent Wi-Fi that allowed the streaming of youtube videos with no buffering.

The hotel is also pet friendly.

However, the bed was very worn out, and the toilet was plugged.

Overall we did not rate the motel as having a good value for the dollar.

Holiday Inn Express Rumlang, Zurich, Switzerland

When rating European hotels, there is going to be a change from hotels in the United States. For one, lodging rooms in Europe are much smaller, much like rooms were in the United States back in, say, the 1950s. Also, European hotels are going to be held to a higher standard for walkability. 

Overall the Holiday Inn Express rated very high in such areas as Check-In, all aspects of the room, wi-fi was excellent, public areas, check-out, and overall value for the dollar. 

The only downside for the hotel was the restaurant which got a bad grade. While you expect slower service in Europe than you get in the United States but the service here was pathetically slow despite the fact there were never more than two other tables having customers in the two and a half hours I was there. Also, there were very few Swiss items on the menu as they primarily cater to people from the United States. 

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

Does the thought of flying into a European airport make you nervous? In this episode of the Travel Fun and Adventure Podcast, we tell you what is going to be different and what will not be different when you fly into a European airport when compared to an airport in the United States. 

1. The first thing you will notice about airports in Europe is that almost all of the major airports have airport hotels attached to them. While some US airports have on-site airport hotels, such as Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago, and Dallas, many airports do not. 
2. You will find much better transit and rail connections at European airports compared to the pathetic connections in the United States. With such good connections, there is less of a need for a rental car than in the United States. 
3. Rental car rates can be as unpredictable as they can be in the United States but in general, rates appear to be overall lower. 
4. In my experience, security people tend to be more friendly than TSA agents in the United States. In fact, in Switzerland, a majority of the ones I encountered were very friendly. 
5. Duty-Free shops are much more in your face than they are in the United States. In fact the majority of European airports, after going through security, you have to go through a duty-free shop to get to your gate, and in some airports, you have to walk through a duty-free shop after baggage claim. 
6. You will find more landside shops than in the United States. Landside is a pre-security screening, and at many airports, there are many shops on both sides of the security screening. 
7. You are more likely in Europe to have to board your plane by bus instead of directly on a jet bridge. 
8. European airports have places where you can store your baggage. 

What is similar: 

1. Border patrol agents are about the same as the United States. Don't expect them to be very friendly but efficient. 
2. Airports can be a nightmare in Europe as they are in the United States, although in general is better. 

Also to note: 

Each country does its own Air Traffic Control, which can lead to problems such as in France right now with the Air Traffic Controllers on strike causing many flyover flights to be canceled. I flew from Zurich to Paris and back and both flights were delayed but still flew most likely because they are on Air France. 

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

Attractions can cost a lot of money, and if you are not careful, you will spend much more than you can afford. However, there are ways to save money on your trip when it comes to booking attractions. 

Here are our tips for saving money on attractions: 

-Set a budget 

-Decide where you are going 

-Create a list of what you want to do 

-Look for ideas on the websites such as Orbitz or Tripadvisor and see what catches your attention. 

-Once you have a list of attractions you want to experience, look for coupons and other deals online. 

-Check for coupons. 

-Go to the provider's website as you will often find the best prices directly with the vendor. 

-Have alternative days and times when you will go to the attraction. Many places are now using dynamic pricing, where busy days are going to be more expensive than other days of the week because if you can go on a Tuesday or a Wednesday, or during the off-peak season, so much the better. 

-Check for free activities in the area. You can mix some expensive attractions with some free activities to save money. 

-Check on alternatives to the expensive activities that you and the family will enjoy just as much. 

-Buy tickets in advance. 

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

Spokane may not be a hot tourist mecca, but that can be a good thing as less-known places tend to be less crowded with visitors and more pleasant to stay. Here is our top picks for things to do in the Spokane area:

Riverfront Park

Manito Park

Gonzaga University

The Davenport Hotel

Churches
                  St. Aloyhisius 
                  Cathedral of St. John
                  Cathedral of our Lady of Lourdes

Bing Crosby Theater

Centennial Trail 

Green Bluff 

Historic Flight Museum

Mobius Discovery Center

Spokane Public Library - Downtown Branch

Fort Spokane

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

The Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex is home to plenty of good restaurants serving a wide variety of foods. While you probably think of barbeque, steak, and Tex-Mex when it comes to food, there are plenty of different types of food, and here are our favorite restaurants in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

Clown Burger
5020 Stanley Keller Road, Haltom City
(817) 782-9961

Asian Buffet
944 East Copeland, Arlington
(817) 460-8885

Original Market Diner
4434 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas
(214)521-0992

Pioneer Restaurant
306 109th Street (north of East Division Street), Arlington
(817)633-4433

Smokey John's BBQ
1820 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas
(214)352-2752

Catleman's Steak House
2458 North Main Street, Fort Worth

Margarita's Mexican
2414 North Fitzhugh Avenue, Dallas
(214) 821-9366

Bugatti Ristorante
3802 W. Northwest Hwy, Dallas
(214)350-2470

Fortune House
8150 N MacArthur Blvd, Suite 190, Irving
(972) 831-9888

Las Palmas Tex-Mex
2708 Routh, Dallas
(972)863-7900

Keller's Hamburgers
10226 Garland Rd., Dallas

Burger House
6248 East Mockingbird Lane, Dallas
(214)828-2732

Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse
1251 West Campbell, Richardson

Be sure to visit these restaurants and tell them the Travel Fun and Adventure Podcast sent you. 

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

Looking for a great Youtube Channel that talks about travel? We recommend:
Wolters World YouTube Channel

Want a great passport holder that will also hold debit/credit cards, cash, and a vaccine card? Here is a great one that we are using: 
Passport Holder from Amazon (not an affiliate link).

Here are our tips for planning a trip to Europe or many other overseas destinations: 

1. Order your passport months in advance. 
2. Book your reservations early - however, do not prepay unless you have to as you might find lower prices later on. 
3. Don't travel in Europe during August, as that is when most Europeans do their summer travel. 
4. If you're not used to walking a lot, start doing some walking because you will do a lot of it in most of the world. 
5. Check your phone plan. 
6. Don't rent a car unless you have to. 
7. Don't plan too much on your trip or see too much in one trip. 
8. If you fly to, say, Europe from North America, have a full day planned on your day of arrival. 
9.  Remember that hotel/motel rooms are much smaller in Europe so if you have a bigger family, you may want to look at apartment rentals. 
10. Don't forget to buy a converter. 
11. Look at buying rail passes, and if you can afford it purchase 1st class rail passes. 

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

This week we put two economy hotels to the test to see which one is the best. The Motel 6 is, of course, the low-price leader and is going up against a Howard Johnson by Wyndham which has a historic name but the brand has no the same one that many people thought of through the late '50s through the 1970s.

Here is information on the two motels that will be battling:

Motel 6
2881 Touhy Avenue
Elk Grove Village, IL
847-803-9400

Howard Johnson by Wyndham
1925 East Higgens Road
Elk Grove Village, IL
847-495-9165

Both hotels are actually on the same street as Touhy becomes East Higgens Road at the intersection just to the west of Motel 6.

Some good points from the Motel 6: Check-In, Room Maintenance, Cleanliness, and Pet Friendly.

Some bad points from the Motel 6: are the neighborhood the hotel is in as it is not family-friendly, and the thin walls that cause you to hear the slightest noises.

Some good points from the Howard Johnson:  Better character than the average motel, room up to date in some ways, and maintenance.

Some bad points from the Howard Johnson: Check-in experience, room size, cleanliness, noise, and check-out. 

When it is all said and done, both motels earn a very low D- just barely above an F and we would not recommend either motel. 

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

As I recorded this podcast, I had just returned from a trip that included nights in Chicago, sometime in Boston, a night in Brunswick, Maine, and flights to Zurich, and back on Lufthansa. 

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

We take a look at the top rental companies that are the dominant ones at airports to see which one is the best. 

                                                                          Hertz    National   Budget/Avis  Sixt
 Website                                                         D                     A                  D                 C
 Customer Service                                    A                      B                  B                 C
 Loyalty Program                                      B                      A                 C                   F
 Ease of Rental                                            B                      A                 C                  D
 Customer Problems Solved              B                       D                 A                 D
 Pushy Sales                                                 B                       A                  A                D

 Final Grade                                                 B-                     B+               B-                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]

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

Whether your rent cars regularly or just occasionally, you probably have a list of pet peeves when it comes to car rentals. If traveling by airplane is not enough, then you get to the car rental center, and you have even more headaches. In this episode, we go over some pet peeves when it comes to renting a car and also tries to explain some things that might happen.

Among the pet peeves of people renting cars:

Taxes- Yes, you have to pay many taxes when renting a car, and sometimes the taxes have nothing to do with the infrastructure you use in the area.

Finding a gas station near the car rental center - Well, at least with GPS, this is easier than it used to be, but it can be frustrating when there is no gas stations near the airport.

Long Lines - it can be annoying when you have to wait in long lines after a long flight, and you want to get to your hotel and crash however, there is a solution to this problem.

Cars Not Properly Maintained - You expect to get a car in good condition, but what if the person who rented the car before you did not tell the car rental employees of a problem or they don't do something they're supposed to do?

Fees for bringing the car back late - Yes, if you return your rental late, they will charge you.

Not having your reserved car - You get to the car rental counter, and you find out that instead of the compact car you reserved, they are giving you a 15-passenger van. Sometimes it's good when you get a free upgrade but others not.

Pushy Sales - Do you want coverage? Do you want an upgrade for only twice what you reserved? How about a GPS?

No Help with the features of the car - Today's cars have more electronics than ever, and some of it is very confusing. Don't expect any help from the car rental company, as they rarely provide assistance with the features of the car, not even a piece of paper to help you with the basics.

The radios turned up full blast - Ever get into a rental and start it only to find out the radio volume is set to the maximum setting?

No Ice Scraper in Winter or Washer Fluid - I rented a car recently with no ice scraper, and it had no washer fluid in it. Oh, and by the way, there was white stuff was falling from the skies.

Inconsistent policies between offices - Very frustrating when car rental offices, even from the same company and run by corporate, have different policies, whether that will be for debit cars or how you return the car.

Cars not cleaned properly - Ever wait 40 minutes for a rental car while they clean it, and when you get in it, the car is still dirty? 

Are there any other pet peeves that we missed? Get on our facebook group and let us know your frustrations with car rentals. 

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