Is eating at “American” fast food restaurants while traveling abroad cheating the foreign experience?

Is sticking to restaurants that you know, such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Subway, while traveling abroad taking away from the whole point of experiencing a new place?

Yes, and no.

International fast food chains, such as McDonald’s, have had to revamp their concept and menus in order to suit the wants and needs of the market they are going into. My point? These chains differ greatly around the world from the ones you see in the U.S. You’ll be surprised at their extensive menus. In Germany, McDonald’s serves shrimp. In Australia, the McCafe selection is similar to a gourmet pastry shop. In Jamaica (when McDonald’s was there), they served fried chicken.

Take a look at these interesting articles & slideshows: 20 Exotic McDonald’s Sandwiches , Wendy’s Foie Gras Burger in Japan & Fast Food Around the Globe

I got very annoyed when the people I was traveling with got on my case about eating at a restaurant that was back in the States: “We’re in Europe, why do you want to eat at an American restaurant”. I agree, I’m in a foreign country and I should be trying everything new, BUT! From a marketing standpoint, it is fascinating. I don’t care for eating a Big Mac, I just want to look at the menu and the layout of the restaurant.

Dining at American fast food chains is unacceptable when: you are going there everyday for every meal. I’m not exaggerating. People do this. When I was in Germany with some classmates, the highlight of one girl’s day was going to McDonald’s.

You’re traveling to experience somewhere new (I assume), so step out of your comfort zone and be a little daring at least. At the same time, you will learn to appreciate what you have back home when you see how different places are abroad. If you do feel culture shocked, or homesick while traveling, which happens very often, don’t feel guilty for wanting something that is familiar or from back home. But if you do find that you’re eating at familiar restaurants a bit too often, stage a self-intervention, and try something new to get out of that rut.

🙂

Holiday Travel Post: No wrapped gifts through security checkpoints!

Just a quick reminder to my fellow travelers….

The Transportation Security Administration (T.S.A.) does not allow wrapped gifts through airport checkpoints. To be on the safe side, wrap gifts when you get to your destination.

“Do not pack wrapped gifts and do not bring wrapped gifts to the checkpoint. Wrap on arrival or ship your gifts prior to your departure.  TSA may have to unwrap packages for security reasons”.

Read more: TSA’s Key Travel Tips

TSA has found yet another way to make traveling a joy-kill, but I guess it is a security threat… *roll eyes*…

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays Everyone! Safe travels!

Waiting to buy a plane ticket will come back and bite you in butt!

I made the huge mistake of waiting to buy my return plane ticket from Orlando, where I plan to spend New Years with my beau. I found the wonderful unbeatable fare of $45 (incl. taxes and fees) with Spirit from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale. At the time, my Orlando plans were not yet concrete and I didn’t want spend the money and not end up going. Now that I’ve made up my mind and finalized plans, one week later, the fare is now a whopping $96!!! FML! I could seriously kick myself in the ass if my leg could reach it. *Cries out loud*

Now I’m left with the challenge of finding an alternate way home….. I usually use a shuttle service that picks me up from my house and drops me to wherever I need to go in Orlando or visa versa for $45. BUT, this past Thanksgiving, they were nice enough to leave me without any notice –  the night before Thanksgiving, may I add! But that’s a whole other long story. With that being said, I’d rather not waste my money on such an unprofessional service.

But all is not lost, or so I hope. I’ve found a bus company that offers one way transportation to and from Orlando for just $25! Mark you, it takes me 4-5 hours to get there due to stops, pick ups and restroom breaks, but hey, $25 is significantly cheaper than $96! I pray they have availability when I call! Now I just need to find out if my roommate would like to pick me up in Pompano Beach in the middle of the night when they get in… :s

Any way, the moral of the story is….. Don’t procrastinate when it comes to buying airfare!!! If you see a good deal, grab it and go – especially at this time of year! You can run the risk of waiting and hoping that it remains the same, but if it’s your only way home…. don’t risk it!

That’s just my 2 cents…. If you’ve gotten a great last minute fare or had a similar experience to mine, please share! (“Misery likes company”).

Happy Holidays!!

♥

Stef

Coming Soon….

Hi all!

I have lots of great topics and destination guides to post, I just haven’t had enough hours in the day to do so – *blush* story of my life…. but anyway, just a taste of what to come in the next few weeks:

“Airlines’ Hidden Fees”

“Traveling in Europe – Do’s & Don’ts”

Destination Guides: Montego Bay, Negril, Kingston, Jamaica; Brugge, Belgium; and many more….

Video Diaries: Australia, Germany, Beligum

Please stay tuned! Follow Me or Subscribe…. The buttons are around here somewhere…

Thanks!!

♥ Stef

True words from a true traveler

I stumbled upon this quote while on a friend’s blog. I agree with every single word!

(I wish Anthony Bourdain would adopt me!)

“If you’re twenty-two, physically fit, hungry to learn and be better, I urge you to travel— as far and as widely as possible. Sleep on floors if you have to. Find out how other people live and eat and cook. Learn from them— wherever you go”

– Anthony Bourdain

❤

Stef