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Whenever I ask readers what the number one thing holding them back from traveling is, I almost always get the same answer: money.

This problem — and how to overcome it — is my most asked question. “Matt, I don’t know how to afford travel. Help!”

I have answered this question in a plethora of posts, emails, tweets, and Facebook posts. Long-term readers might even be getting sick of me discussing this subject because it is one I talk about so much.

But I know no matter how often I address this question, it will come up again.

Since this question comes up so often, I like to constantly remind people of this fact: You do not need to be rich to travel.

There are plenty of ways to travel on a budget (and for free) — you just need to be willing to get creative.

Traveling the world with little or no money sounds like an impossible dream. But it is possible. It’s not glamorous, but it’s possible.

It should be said that there are some expenses you shouldn’t compromise on (like travel insurance) but there are tons of ways you can travel the world on a budget — including plenty of ways you can actually travel for free.

In this post, I’m going to show you two things:

1. How to travel cheap
2. How to travel for free

With the right budget and the right mindset, you can make your travel dreams a reality. Even if you don’t earn a lot or you have debt, there are still plenty of ways to go overseas (I still had debt when I went on my first trip around the world). They may not be fancy or luxurious, but if travel is your priority then you can definitely make it happen!

Ready to kick-start your budget travels and save money? Just click on either of the links below to jump directly to that section!

1. Get a Job Overseas

Not making enough money at your job? Working at a job you hate? Why not get a job overseas? There are plenty of opportunities in the world as long as you aren’t picky. After all, this isn’t a career you are starting — it’s just a way to earn money for travel. Here are some popular (and easy to find) jobs you can get when you travel:

1. Au pair – An au pair is a live-in caregiver who helps a host family look after their kids. In exchange, you get free room and board and a small salary. You can read this post for more info on being an au pair.
2. Bartender – It’s always 5 o’clock somewhere, so if you have the skills then this is an easy job to move overseas. It’s also an easy job to get under the table if you decide to go that route. If you don’t have the skills to tend bar, consider being a dishwasher or busser.
3. Hostel worker – Hostel workers rarely stick around for long, which means there is always a demand for new help. It’s a great way to meet other travelers while adjusting to a new location. Three websites that can help you find hostels to volunteer at are Worldpackers, Workaway, and HelpX.
4. Waitress/waiter – There are tons of seasonal restaurants around the world (and around the US) that need extra help during the busy tourist months. If you have experience, this is an easy job to find abroad.
5. Dive instructor – If you have your certification, this is an easy job to travel with as dive instructors are needed everywhere. Best of all, these jobs are usually in picturesque tropical locations!
6. Tour guide – If you’ve got a knack for history and don’t mind speaking in front of groups, this is the perfect job for you. It’s also usually a cash job, which means you get your tips directly.
7. Cruise ship worker – This is a much more formal position than the ones above, but it’s a great way to travel. The hours are long, but there’s something to be said about living at sea!
8. Seasonal worker at ski resorts – Instructors, restaurant staff, hotel staff, lifeguards — ski resorts need all sorts of staff to keep things moving, making this a goldmine for the overseas traveler (as long as you don’t mind the snow!).
9. Yacht worker – While the hours can be long, you can make great money working for the rich and famous on their yachts. Best of all, you’re usually in some pretty amazing destinations!
10. Yoga instructor – If you have the skills (and certification), teaching yoga abroad is an easy way to make some spending money. While you might need to know the language, there are yoga studios in pretty much every city in the world.

Working overseas often gets discounted as an option because it seems hard to do. It’s not. Just be open. These jobs don’t require advanced degrees or a lot of work experience either.

Are you going to get a high-paying office job? No.

Will you get a shitty, low-wage job that will pay all your travel bills? Yep!

I’ve met people from all walks of life, both from Western and non-Western countries, funding their travels this way. It’s an easy, fun way to lengthen your travels, deepen your experience, and make a little money so you can keep on traveling.

READ MORE ABOUT WORKING OVERSEAS: 15 Ways to Find a Job and Work Overseas

2. Teach English Overseas

One of the best ways to make money for travel is to teach English overseas. You can make a lot of money teaching — I replenished my travel funds while teaching in Thailand, and I have had friends leave South Korea with tens of thousands of dollars in the bank.

All you need is the ability to speak English fluently and a TEFL degree, depending on the country you work in. If you have a college or university degree, you’ll be able to make more money and apply for better positions though it’s not necessary for many countries.

Additionally, there are many websites and services out there that allow you to teach virtually. As long as you have a great Wi-Fi connection, you can help people learn English from anywhere in the world! Italki is one of the most popular online platforms.

READ MORE ABOUT TEACHING OVERSEAS:

• The Best TEFL Courses for Teaching English Abroad
• The 9 Best Places to Teach English Overseas
• Can You Teach English Abroad Without a TEFL?

3. Go WWOOFing and Work on a Farm

WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. It’s a platform that allows you to work on a farm in exchange for free room and board. It’s a great way to see a destination in-depth while allowing you to commune with the great outdoors. You have to pay to get to the farm, but once you are there, everything else is covered! It definitely will help you travel cheap as well as have a unique experience and meet lots of cool people.

WWOOF has opportunities available in 130 countries around the world, with over 12,000 hosts and 100,000 WWOOFers. Some of the most popular destinations for WWOOFers are Portugal, France, Italy, Costa Rica, Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii.

This post can give the complete low down on how to travel and work around the world with WWOOF.

 

4. Use the Sharing Economy

Use the sharing economy to find cheaper accommodation, quirky tour guides, rideshare options, and home-cooked meals with local chefs. You can bypass the traditional travel industry with sharing economy websites and gain access to locals using their own assets and skills to become small tourism companies with cheaper prices. Moreover, locals know where to find deals. They know which supermarket is cheapest, which stores offer the best sales, and where to find the hole-in-the-wall restaurants and bars with the tastiest food at the lowest prices. Talking directly to them gives you access to that knowledge.

Here are some of my favorite websites:

• BlaBlaCar – A ride-sharing app that connects you with drivers who have extra seats in their car (primarily for medium and long distances, and mainly in Europe).
• EatWith – Platform that connects you with local cooks serving private meals.
• RVShare – This website lets you rent RVs and camper vans directly from locals.
• Turo – A car sharing marketplace that lets you rent vehicles from locals.
• Campspace – This platform lets you camp on private property. Properties range from basic tent plots to luxurious glamping and RV stays.
• Trusted Housesitters – Connects you with locals with whom you exchange pet and house sitting services for free accommodation.

 

5. Cook Your Own Meals

The best way to save money on the road is to cook all your own meals. While in Stockholm, I spent $60 USD for a week’s worth of groceries instead of an average of $15 USD per meal eating out! That’s a savings of $150 USD!

I’ve done the same thing in dozens of countries all around the world — especially in expensive destinations like Iceland where eating out can really destroy your budget.

If you are staying in hostels, book accommodation that has a kitchen so you have space to cook. If you’re Couchsurfing or using Airbnb, your host will probably have a kitchen.

No kitchen? Pack your own container and cutlery and make some sandwiches and salads on the go. Not every meal requires a stove, right?

Just because you are traveling doesn’t mean you need to eat out every meal. You won’t ruin your trip to Paris if you decide not to eat out one day! There’s simply no reason to be spending lots of money on food on your trip!

READ MORE ABOUT SAVING MONEY ON FOOD WHEN YOU TRAVEL:

• How to Eat Cheap Around the World
• How to Eat Around the World on a Vegan Diet

 

6. Get Rail Passes

Rail passes (like the Eurail Pass in Europe or the JR Pass in Japan) are a great way to save money when it comes to train travel. If you’re traveling around the region for a while, rail passes will likely be much cheaper than just booking individual trips.

If you are booking individual trips, booking ahead of time can usually save you about 50% of the cost of a train ticket. However, that fixes you to a set timeline. If you don’t want to be tied into a fixed schedule, rail passes can save you a lot of money while giving you the flexibility you need. I’ve saved hundreds of dollars in Europe doing this!

READ MORE ABOUT RAIL PASSES:

• A Complete Guide To The Eurail Global Pass
• A Complete Guide to the Japan Rail Pass

 

7. Sleep in Large Dorms

Large hostel dorm rooms are the cheapest paid accommodation out there. The bigger the dorm, the cheaper it will be. While a 4-6 bed dorm might give you more privacy, a 12-18 bed dorm is going to be a bit cheaper. In the long run, this will add up. As long as you’ve got earplugs and a sleeping mask, opt for the bigger dorm to keep your budget intact!

In a large dorm, you’re almost guaranteed to have some snorers. If earplugs don’t quite do the trick, download an app like Rain Rain, which plays rain sounds on a loop. You can set a timer so they stop playing after an hour or two, helping you ignore the noises of the dorm while you try to fall asleep. Spotify also has all kinds of rain and white noise playlists too.

For discounts on hostels in Europe, check out HostelPass. This card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and am glad it finally exists! (Use code NOMADICMATT for 25% off your membership.)

READ MORE ABOUT HOSTELS:

• 11 Expert Tips on Picking a Good Hostel
• 6 Ways to Avoid a Bad Hostel
• My Favorite Hostels Around the World

8. Use Student and Other Discount Cards

Are you a student, teacher, or under 26? Welcome to the world of 50%-off attractions and a plethora of discounts! Get a student/teacher/youth card and save big while you’re abroad. Even if you’ve recently graduated, chances are you can still get by with your expired ID card (as long as it doesn’t have an expiry date). Always ask if there are discounts available for students or youth as this is an easy way to save tons of cash as you travel around!

Museums, galleries, and other major tourist attractions usually have discounts (especially in Europe). It never hurts to ask! (There are also often discounts for senior travelers and veterans as well, so always ask!)

9. Get City Tourist Cards

If you plan on seeing a lot of sights in a city, you should get a city tourism card. These will offer you discounted and/or free access to the major attractions and museums, as well as free public transportation. I saved over $100 USD with the London pass, $80 USD with the Paris Museum card, $50 USD with a Helsinki card, and tons more with other city tourism cards.

They are an amazing way to save money on attractions that not enough people use. Just head to the local tourism office to find out what cards are available. They can help answer all your questions and make sure you save as much money as possible. Not every city has them, but most major destinations do and you’ll save a lot of money if you plan on seeing the major sights.

10. Capitalize on Your Skills

Need some cash? Use Craigslist (operates in 70 countries), TaskRabbit (mainly in the US and Canada, though also in Italy and Spain), or Gumtree (UK-based) to find paid odd jobs, like assisting people who need a few things done around the house. It’s a way to make money when you travel without committing to a long-term job.

Additionally, if you have a skill, sell it. Offer haircuts to other travelers, busk for money, provide online services like editing, graphic design, or consulting. It’s never been easier to work online. As long as you have Wi-Fi you can make money. The sky is the limit here — get creative!

11. Get Free Flights!

Collecting points and miles is the #1 way I’ve been able to afford so many flights and hotels over the years. By using a travel credit card for regular spending on groceries, restaurants, and shopping, I’ve been able to earn free flights and hotel stays — all by spending money I was going to spend anyway!

These days, there are tons of ways to earn free flights. Simply sign up for a few travel credit cards, collect miles, and then fly for free.

Most cards offer sign-up bonuses of 50,000 points (or more) — which is often enough for a free round-trip flight right there. And if you sign up for both an airline card (e.g., a United credit card) and a general rewards card, you can combine the two point balances and get a cheap flight faster. There’s even a card now — The Bilt Mastercard®– that lets you earn points on your rent!

Collecting points and miles isn’t only for Americans either (though US residents have the best options). Canadians can collect points too, as can folks from Australia and New Zealand and the UK.

READ MORE ABOUT POINTS & MILES:

• Points & Miles 101: A Beginner’s Guide
• The Ultimate Guide to Points & Miles
• How I Earn 1 Million Frequent Flier Miles Each Year
• The Best Travel Credit Cards

 

12. Stay for Free

There are many services that connect travelers with locals who are willing to let them stay with them for free. Using these sites, you will never have to pay for accommodation. I’ve used this service dozens of times over the years and always meet amazing people. Sometimes you get a room, sometimes a couch, sometimes an air mattress, but it’s always free. These websites not only save you a TON of money but also get you off the tourist track and into the local life. Win-win! Here is a list of websites to use for free accommodation:

• Couchsurfing
• Servas
• BeWelcome
• Warmshowers

13. Hitchhike

Hitchhiking is a free way to get around that is relatively safe and quite common in many parts of the world, including Central America, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

I’ve hitchhiked in more than a handful of countries (and I know solo female travelers who have done the same!). Sure, it has a bad reputation in North America, but with some common sense and a bit of patience, you can hitchhike almost anywhere — saving you tons of money in the process!

Here are a few basic tips to help you get started:

• Use a sign – Make a clear sign that lets people know where you’re heading. That will help drivers decide if they can help.
• Look presentable – Wear clean clothing, smile, and don’t obscure your face with something like sunglasses. People want to see who they are picking up.
• Check the laws – Hitchhiking is illegal in some places. Always check the laws to make sure it’s ok to do where you are.
• Take precautions – Note the license plate of anyone who picks you up and text it to a friend. Chances are you won’t need it but it’s better to be safe than sorry!
• Keep your valuables on you – Don’t leave any valuables in your bag if it goes in the trunk in case it gets left in the car (or stolen).
• Consult Hitchwiki – Hitchwiki is the #1 hitchhiking resource there is. Always consult it before you hitchhike to pick up tips and ensure you’re hitchhiking in a safe place.

READ MORE ABOUT HITCHHIKING:

• 14 Ways to Safely Hitchhike Across the United States
• What I Learned Hitchhiking Around China
• A Lesson in Kindness While Hitchhiking through Iceland

 

14. Take Free Walking Tours

Want to learn about the city, get your bearings, and see the major sights? Take a free walking tour. You can find them in most major cities — just ask the local tourist office, your hostel staff, or Google “free walking tour (city name).”

You’ll get a solid introduction to the city while also getting access to a local guide you can ask questions to. I always start my visits to a new city with one. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end (that’s how they get paid).

This page has a list of all my favorite walking tours around the world broken down by city.
 

15. House Sitting & Pet Sitting

If you’re on a tight budget, you can pet and house sit for fellow travel lovers when they go on their own vacations! In exchange, you’ll get free accommodation while you’re watching their home and pets (animal care is involved 99% of the time).

You can sign up for one of the sites below to start house sitting, allowing you to stay in one destination for a while without having to pay for accommodation. Everyone’s account is verified and has reviews so you know you won’t get cheated.

This is a great way to travel long-term, with an important added bonus: you get a kitchen to cook your food (which saves you even more money!).

You will also often get access to a vehicle and sometimes will be left a tip or free groceries. It’s generally people who are well enough off that they can afford multi-month vacations, so you’re usually in pretty nice homes and apartments too!

The best website for this is Trusted Housesitters.

You can read this post to learn more about how to start house sitting.
 

16. Use Your Social Network

Does your colleague have a relative in Spain? Or maybe you have a distant cousin who lives in New Zealand. Or maybe a childhood friend of yours is working down in Brazil.

These days, we have a vast social network of friends and family that stretches across the globe. Don’t hesitate to use that! Ask your co-workers and friends if they know anyone where you’re going. Get your mom to ask her co-workers and friends, too.

Using your social network can be hugely helpful in traveling the world. You never know who knows who!

***By implementing a variety of these tips, you’ll be able to travel for relatively little money. With a little planning and some creativity, you can travel the world for cheap.

Because if I can do it, you can do it too!

Whether it’s two months, two years, or just a two-week vacation, travel doesn’t need to cost a ton. The key is to get out of the mindset that you must travel in the typical manner of simply booking a flight and a hotel. Using out-of-the-box, nontraditional ways to travel can lead to big savings.

But it all starts with a change in mindset. From there, with some patience and practice, you’ll be able to make your travel dreams a reality — without breaking the bank!

The post How to Travel Cheap: 16 Ways to Travel for Cheap or Free appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Today… everyone needs a good grooming.  Fluff everywhere.  Itchy horses.

HERE WE GO!

First off, I received a few more pics of the horses (young mini mules Jingle and Belle, plus the older white geldings, Snowball and Snowman) we helped save in December.  I thought they looked adorable so here are those pics (Lifesavers has them, if you wish to inquire about adoption):

SATURDAY PHOBLOG!

KEEP THEM OFF THE TRUCK FUND.

The KEEP THEM OFF THE TRUCK FUND will go on all day, all the time. It will always be here.  Slaughter bound horses are in dire need daily in the US.  The pipeline is real.  If you want to save a horse or donkey from slaughter, know that this fund exclusively goes towards slaughter bound horses.  If you donate (through this link) to the KEEP THEM OFF THE TRUCK FUND, all donations will be used on the next save.  All of it, every cent.

All donations are 100% tax deductible!  Thank you!

  click here to donate!

YOUR DONATION HAS MEANT EVERYTHING TO THESE HORSES:

So far, the KEEP THEM OFF THE TRUCK FUND has saved POWDER PUFF 2/7/22 ($800),  EDDIE 2/9/22 ($1200), SURSHA 3/16/22 ($780),  BABY FRED 4/7/22 ($650), “CC” Close Call  5/17/22 ($550), PACIFICA  5/22/22 ($780), DONNA 7/25/22 ($600), MAXIMILLIAN 11/8/22 ($1300), “TJ” 1/8/23 ($1000), SWEETIE 1/8/23 ($700), MAMA and BABY 5/9/23 ($500), SHANGHAI  8/23/23 ($1200),  VICTORIA AND PIXIE  10/8/23 ($1000). DIESEL, DEXTER AND DEWEY  12/23/23. ($1875)   MAMA AND BABY  5/4/24  ($500)    ALICIA, PETE AND RAY. 5/21/24  ($2200),  EQUINE VICTIMS OF HURRICANE HELENE  10/04/2024  ($6910.65)  JINGLE AND BELLE AND SNOWMAN AND SNOWBALL. 12/11/24  ($5740).

 

THANK YOU!

 

The post SATURDAY IS PHOBLOG DAY! appeared first on Horse and Man.

HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!

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Your purchase with R.W. through this link helps the Bucket Fund!

So many of you have been with me for years, back when I was living in Birmingham and I first introduced you all to my parents. You’ve been so supportive all these years and really fell in love with my parents. I can’t blame you, they are such loveable people. When mom passed away last year, there was such an outpouring of love for her and I appreciated all your tender and sweet words as we lost our matriarch. She was a woman of faith with big shoes to fill and we still miss her greatly. It is with great sadness that I share that our dear daddy, Albert, passed away this past week, on February 6th. This is not the post I thought I would be writing this weekend, but here we are. It came as a surprise to all of us and much faster than we anticipated, but God’s grace is sufficient and we are grateful he didn’t suffer long.

The post In Memory of Daddy appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Thank you all so much for the outpouring of love for our dad. The kind words, thoughts and prayers were definitely felt this week as we will be having his celebration service this weekend. Thank you so much for loving my parents so much. They will forever be loved and missed by so many people. Today on Style Showcase, we have how to make a moss bowl, watercolor Valentine hearts, The Rock Garden, and beautiful blue homes curb appeal. Enjoy these shares today! 

The post Style Showcase 279 appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

While many trails in and around Asheville offer stunning views and serene environments, accessibility for all ensures everyone can enjoy these natural wonders. Here are seven accessible trails and outside spaces that cater to outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities.

The French Broad Greenway

With paved walkways and ADA parking, the French Broad Greenway — spanning 2.4 miles out-and-back — offers easy travel from its beginning at Hominy Park in West Asheville through the western banks of the French Broad River and into Carrier Park.

Lake Julian

A rider who won the Pony Club national tetrathlon championship in 2022 is to represent Britain in the modern pentathlon at the Paris Olympics.

Charlie Brown, a former member of the Ludlow Hunt branch of the Pony Club, has been called up to Team GB after Myles Pillage withdrew on medical grounds.

Myles sustained a calf injury at the World Championships in June and “despite intensive rehabilitation he re-injured his calf upon return to training”, and there was not enough time for him to recover before Paris.

Team GB modern pentathlon team leader Georgina Harland said: “For Myles to have his dream of competing at the Olympic Games taken away from him due to injury is devastating. He has been such a valued member of the performance squad throughout his career and fully deserved his place in Paris. We all wish him well in his recovery and will do all we can to support him through this.

“This has given Charlie an incredible opportunity which I know he will grasp. He is a great athlete with so much potential and has been preparing alongside the team, so we are confident he is ready to perform.”

Charlie, who trains at the University of Bath where he is studying sports management and coaching, said he is “incredibly grateful for this opportunity”.

“To compete at an Olympic Games this early on in my career is something I am very proud of,” he said. “I am extremely gutted for my teammate and friend, Myles. He is an incredible athlete, who works exceptionally hard, and I wish him all the best with his recovery.

“I have worked really hard over the last few years leading up to Paris, with the aim to compete for Team GB for the Los Angeles 2028 Games. My results have really accelerated since my senior debut, 18 months ago, and I am so excited to represent Team GB and give it all I’ve got for the team.”

Pony Club CEO Marcus Capel said the organisation is very proud, adding: “Charlie’s dedication, hard work, and exceptional talent have led to this remarkable achievement.”

The modern pentathlon starts tomorrow (8 August). This is the last Olympics that will include showjumping, which is to be replaced with an obstacle race, and athletes will also compete in swimming, cross-country running, fencing and shooting.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Olympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You might also be interested in:

Paris Olympics to mark riding’s final appearance in modern pentathlon

‘Never give up’: rider who was partially paralysed in a fall takes Olympic rowing gold

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access throughout the Olympics and more

How to watch modern pentathlon at the Paris Olympics live from around the world

Mexico City is a vibrant metropolis filled with great food, fun nightlife, amazing art, sprawling parks, and cool neighborhoods. I was late to visit (I just went for the first time a few years ago), and I can’t believe I hadn’t made the trip sooner. It’s an amazing city.

Colloquially known as CDMX (Ciudad de Mexico), Mexico City is a world-class destination that’s absolutely worth a visit. But it’s also a massive, sprawling city. There are a ton of hotels here, and choosing the right one is essential for ensuring that you have a safe and enjoyable stay.

Having been to the city a handful of times (and having even led tours there), I know what hotels are worth your money. Here’s my list of what I think are the best hotels in Mexico City:

1. Zócalo Central Mexico City

Housed in a late-19th-century building right on the Zócalo (the city’s main square), you can’t get any more centrally located than this four-star hotel. The rooftop bar has absolutely incredible views over the square, and I love that the complimentary breakfast is served up here every morning (you can get both Mexican dishes and continental breakfast staples like yogurt and granola). There are also free bicycles for guests, a fitness center, and a steam room. A really unique perk they offer is the 24/7 café in the lobby where everything is complimentary for guests (it serves items like coffee, tea, pastries, fruit, sandwiches, and other snacks). There are also fridges of free water and fruit on every floor. (If only all hotels had amenities like this!)

The guest rooms have a historic, moody feel, with stormy grey walls, dark hardwood floors, wood-beamed ceilings, and even chandeliers. Even though you’re right on the square, you can’t hear a thing once you close the double-glazed windows, allowing for a great night’s sleep. All rooms feature a desk, plus-sized TV, AC, safe, and a coffee machine. The bathrooms are a bit small but feature showers with excellent water pressure as well as complimentary toiletries. This is an excellent choice if you want to be close to many of the city’s main sights.

Book here!
 

2. Hotel Villa Condesa

This boutique property in Condesa is as leafy and stylish as the surrounding neighborhood. It’s housed in a 19th-century mansion and boasts a really cool interior courtyard that’s a calm oasis in the big city. A complimentary breakfast is served here every morning too (definitely try the chilaquiles and the huevos rancheros)!

Every one of the fifteen spacious and comfortable suites is different. Some are brightly decorated with colorful walls and couches, while others have a stately feel, with antique furniture and hardwood floors. Some rooms even have balconies, but all rooms come with a flatscreen TV and a desk. The bathrooms are a bit small but include complimentary toiletries and plush bathrobes. Since there are only a few rooms here, it feels really homey (the staff is really friendly and welcoming too), making it ideal for a quiet stay in one of the best neighborhoods of Mexico City.

Book here!
 

3. Gran Hotel Ciudad de México

This historic Art Nouveau hotel was built as a department store in 1899 and converted into a hotel for the 1968 Olympics. Featured in several James Bond films, this five-star property has an impressive interior lobby with a beautiful Tiffany stained-glass ceiling as well as wrought-iron elevators and balustrades. It’s right on the Zócalo, with two restaurants that serve Mexican cuisine as well as a fitness center. I especially like that you can take in views over the Zócalo while enjoying the expansive breakfast buffet. The only drawback of being right on the main square is that it can get a bit noisy if your room faces the square. (I personally prefer a quieter stay, so you can request an interior room if that’s the case for you as well.)

The huge rooms include classic wooden furniture that’s befitting of the hotel’s history (suites even have four-poster beds with curtains). Whether you choose a room or a suite, you’ll have a large TV, big work desk, a seating area, safe, coffee maker, and a mini bar. The marble bathrooms are spacious too, with bathrobes, slippers, and complimentary toiletries. Some even have both bathtubs and walk-in showers. Overall, this is the best choice for history lovers that are going to be focused on seeing the sites around the Zócalo.

Book here!
 

4. Green Park Hotel

Housed in a gorgeous Art Deco building, The Green Park Hotel is directly across from the sprawling green oasis that is Chapultepec Park (the city’s largest park). It’s also in the middle of Polanco, a posh district known as the “Beverly Hills of Mexico.” The rooftop bar is a fun place to hang out, and there’s a complimentary breakfast too (though I personally don’t think it’s anything to write home about).

All rooms are large suites that are decorated in an aristocratic English style, with elegant wood furnishings, hardwood floors, and paintings on the walls. I really love the arched floor-to ceiling windows that offer views of either the adjacent park or the courtyard. The luxurious suites have nice desks, a seating area, and a smart TV. The large marble bathrooms feature both a jacuzzi and walk-in shower as well as complimentary toiletries and plush bathrobes. It’s a nice choice for a refined stay in a classy neighborhood.

Book here!
 

5. Ágata Hotel

If you’re looking for something in a totally different area of the city, this super stylish hotel is in bohemian Coyoacán, the area made famous by Frida Kahlo (her home, now a museum, is less than a ten-minute walk away). This boutique property only has four rooms, and the staff really goes out of their way to ensure a personalized stay. The complimentary healthy breakfast is cooked to order, and you can choose from a variety of options, including chia seed pudding, freshly made eggs, and heaps of fresh fruit. I love that it’s served on the terrace too.

The spacious rooms are decorated in soft neutral tones, with wooden accenting and interesting ceiling lights that look like cool upside-down woven baskets. All rooms have a seating area, Nespresso machine, safe, plus-sized TVs while selected rooms also offer a balcony. The bathrooms are stunning, with exposed brick walls, deep soaking tubs, walk-in showers, plush robes, and luxurious toiletries. This hotel feels almost like a wellness retreat, making it a great place for a tranquil and intimate stay.

Book here!

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I love Mexico City. There’s a never-ending number of museums, great restaurants, and excellent mezcal bars to explore here. I think it’s one of the most fascinating cultural destinations in the world and a city more travelers to Mexico need to visit. Just make sure that you choose a hotel from the list above to ensure you have a great stay in this vibrant destination!

The post The 5 Best Hotels in Mexico City appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

A man who was spending his final days in a hospice was reunited on his birthday with the beloved pony he had hoped to see one last time.

Staff at the Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice in Keighley “pulled out all the stops” so Peter could spend time with 15.2hh Dales mare Faith last month. He had moved to the hospice in May having spent some weeks in hospital.

“While Peter was in hospital he was desperate to get home and see his pony one last time but once we realised quite how ill he was, we knew he would be going to the hospice,” Peter’s wife Heather said.

“His sister was adamant that she was going to take Faith to see him and when we mentioned it to the staff they just said ‘That’s no problem’.”

The staff moved Peter into a room with a door to the garden and moved the furniture so he could spend time with eight-year-old Faith, whom he bought as a two-year-old, as well as his close family.

“It was lovely to be able to get together for his birthday at the hospice,” Heather said.

“It was a lovely sunny day so we were all able to be in the garden outside his room. Nothing was too much trouble for the hospice staff. They had swapped his room which meant it was much easier to get to his room from the outside, they moved all the furniture round in his room so that he could have the bed near the door, they even took the blind off the door so it would open a little bit further and he could actually get close to Faith.

“He was in tears to be honest. He fed her carrot after carrot and spoilt her rotten which he always said never to do but it meant such a lot to him.”

Peter died at the hospice a few days later, aged 58.

“Our team are so grateful that they could help Peter and his family share this special time together at the end of his life,” a Sue Ryder spokesperson said.

You might also be interested in:

‘For that hour, I was me again’: Hospice patient enjoys visit from her ‘heart horse’

“I haven’t done the things I enjoy for so long, and to see the horse I love so much when

‘When I got on, I was howling’: rider given 48 hours to live in 2018 returns to the saddle

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