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Can you actually do New York on a budget?! š½
Make your money go further in The Big Apple, how to BID on a Eurostar upgrade and all the costs from my Ā£200 ski challenge so you can do it too ā·ļø
Chelsea Dickenson
March 07, 2025
Your must read travel round up š
Well how about this sunshine eh?!
James and I just got home from Lanzarote, which was our first trip to the Canary Islands - as some of you guessed from last newsletterās hints. We had a blast - almost literally - as I drove us into a volcanoā¦ donāt worry we both came out unscathed (and you can see a photo of us at the bottom!)
This week Iāve got a shedload of cheap tips for you, from saving on a New York city break to bagging a Eurostar upgrade for less, not forgetting my ski challenge that saw me head for the slopes with just Ā£200 in my pocket!
Plus, this weekās Passports Please! episode is out now - James and I are talking whether you can trust cheap package holiday providers, hire car hacks, and that time when Chelsea got given up for lentā¦ so give it a listen if you havenāt already!
Right, letās dive in to this weekās newsletter for you:
The best things to do in New York for every budget šļø
10 ways to save money on your New York trip š
How to get a Eurostar upgrade for less š
My ski trip challenge to Zakopane in Poland ā·ļø
An epic viral vacay š¦
New York, New York š
The next city to get our attention in our city guides section is New York. Now The Big Apple is SUCH an iconic place, it has a great energy and vibe BUT itās known for NOT being very cheap at allā¦ so thatās right where our guides come in!
 The best things to do in New York for every budget Famous sights, delicious bagels, jazz shows and world-class museums - thereās loads of things to choose from, no matter what your budget is! |  10 ways to save money on your New York trip Planning your own New York Trip? These tips will help your budget go further, from which neighbourhoods to stay in to attractions passes and free shows. |
Viral Vacayš²
Where we track down the accommodation thatās gone viral, find out how much it actually costs and if needs be, suggest a cheaper alternative šµļøāāļø
 | What is it? No biggie just a whole LION outside your bedroom window right here in the UK! How viral? This video has more than 4M views on TikTok. How much? This one has a pretty hefty price tag - you can stay in the Lion Lodge at Port Lympne in Kent from Ā£1450 per night. I guess itās cheaper than an actual safari? There is a similar set-up at West Midlands Safari Lodges - they have a Lion Lodge too but thatās still coming in at a punchy Ā£830 per night. |
Cheaper alternative? James and I stayed at a gorgeous nature reserve for his birthday last year and it was super wholesome - we woke up to see the sunrise and spotted barn owls swooping over the landscape! Prices for at Elmley Nature Reserve in Kent start at Ā£163 per night to stay in a Shepherdās hut, but a cabin with the big viewing window will be around Ā£250 per night. |  |
Fancy another? I also have to include this stable I found in the Lake District, where you can be nuzzled awake by a horse! Yes really!!! Honestly, I feel a video coming on for this oneā¦ ššš |  |
Cheaper still? Stay at Hideaway in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and meet the on-site furry family that includes donkeys, alpacas, pygmy goats and ponies. Pitch your tent here from just Ā£20 per night. |  |
Seen a viral video you want me to do this for? Reply with it to this email! š§
Not just for the elite š
Whether youāre off on a ski trip of your own, or whisking away on the Eurostar, Iāve got some great budget tips this week for you! Because did you realise you can now bid for a seat upgrade on Eurostar?! Plus, how did I get on in my ski challenge to Zakopane in Poland? Yep, skiing holidays are not just for the rich and wealthy!!
 How to bag a seat upgrade with Eurostar for less You can now name your price and get a better seat on Eurostar for less, with more room and some refreshments too. We tested it out! |  My 3 day Zakopane ski holiday for under Ā£200 Can you get flights, accommodation, ski pass, equipment and activities included for Ā£200?! Well, I gave it a good try and hereās all my costs. |
My deal of the week
Todayās deal is a little bit different, as I thought I would introduce @holidayexpertshop!
I realised we havenāt spoken about this in the newsletter before, but back in January we launched this new account which is our new home for honest travel gadget and luggage reviews!
The rules are: thereās no adverts and we buy everything ourselves.
This means we can give you an honest opinion on whether that thing that keeps coming up in your social feed is actually worth spending your cash on!!
We may earn some money if you decide to buy from one of our links, but we definitely are not afraid to tell you when we think something isnāt very good. Soz to that bag, I am truly a hater.
Weāve already posted about vacuum bags, coffee cup holders and sleep masks, and I thought Iād use this space to highlight 3 items that are on sale this week and what we actually think about them.
 | This lil gadget is for plugging into the aeroplaneās headphone jack, so you can use your own Bluetooth wireless earphones for the in-flight entertainment. I tested this out against two more expensive alternatives and this actually did the job really well! I think the faux-leather look makes it look a lot fancier and it's currently 25% off. |
 | Itās been a fave for a long while and itās because this cabin bag doubles as a 2-in-1, as it fits Ryanair's small cabin bag dimensions perfectly, but also expands to fit easyJet's dimensions too! Itās often in and out of the sale, but under Ā£15 is a really great price for what you get. My sister bought this bag when I first reviewed it, and itās still going strong! |
 | I never travel without my AirTags now - and they actually were a lifesaver when my luggage got lost in India last year! Pop one of these in your suitcase and you can track it on the Find My app on iPhone to always make sure you know where it is. The video we posted about this the other week has had over 1.7 million views! |
Look mum, Iām on the telly!
Last week I was live in Zakopane on This Morning, and I really embraced it let me tell youā¦ Letās just say Iāve never had so many people tell me I remind them of Bridget Jonesā¦
What the teamās been loving this week!
When weāve not been working really hard - ahem - hereās some of the things that weāve been enjoying over on socials.
Joe: Iāve been booking trains for various exciting weekend things in spring, and this reel feels like an accurate representation of the experience.
Anna: I found this guy on a waterslide pretty funnyā¦ and so have 60 million other people.
Katie: Iāve been living through my phone screen and watching videos of carnival in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. Thatās some serious party goals!
Chelsea: Iāve seen this couples/friends photo idea done a few times before but the execution on this version is SO CUTE and I wanna give it a go on my next trip. I like a social media trend that feels low effort š
And thatās a wrap!
Thatās all for this week ā thanks if you made it this far and why not let me know you did so by answering the poll below ā¬ļø
If you have a mate or family member who you think would love this newsletter too, theyāll just need to sign up here.
How much extra would you pay for an upgrade to Eurostar Plus?Tap to answer! |
Speak to you soon!
Chelsea x
I drove James for OVER ONE HOUR in this buggy on ACTUAL ROADS and we didn't die. Well done me.
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