3 Ways to Book a Last-Minute Valentine’s Day Hotel Escape

Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching—do you have a game plan in mind?

If you don’t, you’re in luck. I’m full of romantic ideas and travel wisdom, which is just the combination you need to put together a quick, intimate getaway with your boo.

Even if you can’t get a reservation at a restaurant with a special Valentine’s Day menu or missed out on the chance to book a romance-centric spa treatment or can’t wrap your head around spending over $100 for a basic bouquet of flowers, you can still nail a simple-but-effective date night.

All you need is a hotel room that guarantees you some privacy. From there, a few little extras like a bottle of bubbly, a sweet treat, and a heartfelt card can go a long way in curating a lover’s escape.

After all, what couple isn’t in need of a little downtime and TLC?

If you’ve put off your Valentine’s Day date night, here’s how you can book a last-minute hotel without draining your bank account.

Book a last-minute Valentine’s Day retreat with these four companies

There are three last-minute hotel deal websites that you should have on your radar. Given the popularity of Valentine’s Day, you won’t be short on options for last-minute steals.

Hotwire

Hotwire is one of the most well-known hotel deal sites out there—and for good reason. The company has been around since 2000 and has helped travelers save a whopping $3 billion during that time period.

It’s a solid choice if you want to find slashed prices for more luxurious hotels. If you’re willing to download the app, you can find even cheaper room rates.

LastMinute

Looking for more comprehensive Valentine’s Day offers? LastMinute has a bundled flight and hotel offer for lovers around February 14^th.

Like Hotwire, you can shop around for four-star hotel deals—and even five-star selections. Just keep in mind that LastMinute is a UK-based company, so you’ll need to root around a little bit for US deals.

HotelTonight

HotelTonight makes it easy for you to explore deals city by city—which is a little more convenient than other platforms.

Similar to Hotwire, you can find even better deals by downloading the company’s app. And it’s highly rated on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, in case you need any convincing.

Need a Hail Mary? Call the hotel directly

Don’t forget that most hotels (especially boutiques) usually offer special deals for visitors. If you have a certain hotel in mind but can’t find any deals, then call directly.

Sometimes, booking directly with a hotel is cheaper than online. On top of that, speaking with a hotel agent or concierge is the best way to learn more about any special Valentine’s Day packages.

Comparing the US’s 7 Budget Airlines—Which Low-Cost Option is Right for You?

Budget airlines come and go, especially in the United States.

In fact, you might have noticed a few newcomers over the last few years. Breeze Airways took to the skies in 2021, along with Avelo Airlines.

Meanwhile, Spirit Airlines filed for bankruptcy in November 2024. Though it seems ready to claw its way out of the red, there’s still plenty of uncertainty around the company’s future.

Though the US is also home to stalwart low-cost airlines like Southwest, Frontier, and JetBlue, it’s an ever-shifting landscape. (Or skyscape, I guess.)

Can’t figure out which low-cost airline you should book with? Take a short-cut here with this comparison of the US’s most popular low-cost option.

Budget airlines at a glance

Allegiant: Top pick for domestic flights
Avelo: Most convenient features & very reliable
Breeze Airways: Great for flexibility
Frontier: Cheapest low-cost carrier
JetBlue: Classiest pick—with the biggest seats, too
Southwest: Best loyalty program
Spirit: Best no-frills choice

Comparison of budget airlines

Allegiant: Top pick for domestic flights

Allegiant is ideal for anyone who flies out of smaller regional airports. And with truly remarkable low prices, you can fly around the country for less than $100—roundtrip, in some cases.

On top of that, Allegiant lets you purchase an affordable Trip Flex feature, which allows you to change your flight details at no added cost.

Avelo: Most convenient features

Buying a low-cost airline ticket is a tricky decision; you’ll usually end up paying a premium for basic things like a carry-on suitcase, seat selection, and more.

I can’t promise that Avelo Airlines is perfect, but they’ve clearly thought about the types of features that flyers usually want—and they don’t charge out the wazoo for them.

For example, families who fly with Avelo are automatically given seats together. They also waive all online booking fees. Most importantly, they don’t oversell flights. That’s helped contribute to Avelo being one of the most reliable airlines in the US. In 2023, they had the fewest number of canceled flights of any domestic airline.

Breeze Airways: Great for flexibility

Breeze Airways has a pretty limited scope—but it excels with one high-flexibility feature: the company doesn’t charge passengers for changing their flights or canceling them.

While Allegiant has a similar feature, you have to pay for its Trip Flex option. That’s not the case with Breeze, letting you book in peace.

Frontier: Cheapest low-cost carrier

The data is in—Frontier Airlines is officially the cheapest US airline. That means that you’re better off booking with Frontier for shorter domestic flights.

Though it’s cheap, you’ll be saving at the expense of a bit of comfort. That being said, its central hub at Denver Airport goes a long way in making the entire travel experience pleasant.

JetBlue: Best customer service & biggest seats

Despite being a low-cost airline, JetBlue stands out in a few ways. It’s known for its tough-to-beat customer service and excellent in-flight amenities.

My favorite feature is those extra-large seats. Of all US airlines—including non-low-cost providers like United—JetBlue has the largest economy seats.

Southwest: Best loyalty program

To be blunt, I’m surprised to see Southwest Airlines listed as a low-cost airline. There’s not too much low-cost about flying with Southwest, from the ticket seats to the add-ons. (Though you get a checked bag for free, which is highly unique.)

That being said, they’ve got a stellar loyalty program. My dad has been a loyalty member for close to twenty years, which means he saves big on domestic flights—assuming he pays at all.

Again, just don’t expect to see cheap deals from this carrier. And be aware that they love to fly out of smaller hubs, which can be harder to get to.

Spirit: Best no-frills choice

I’m tired of all the Spirit Airlines slander. This airline has saved the day for me a few times—when larger carriers (I won’t name any names) left me stranded.

When all I needed was a seat to get me where I needed to go, Spirit’s Bare Fare was up for the task. This extremely basic setup might not be extra-comfortable, but it has its place in the travel world.

Plus, Spirit flies to the Caribbean and Latin America, which lets you ride that no-frills pony out to paradise.

Tex-Mex in Tucson: Top 6 Restaurants

Tex-Mex cuisine is an American staple.

San Antonio is usually credited as the hometown of Tex-Mex thanks to the Chili Queens of the 1880s. Savvy businesswomen sold chilis that were roasted over mesquite fires, introducing the flavors of Mexico to locals and, increasingly, out-of-towners who wanted a taste.

Since then, the city’s famous spin on Mexican fare has become one of the US’s most recognizable staples. (You might see it billed as Southwestern food in some places.)

Aside from San Antonio, cities like Austin, Houston, and Dallas. But let’s not forget about New Mexico and Arizona—or even Southern California. If you want quality Tex-Mex like fajitas and enchiladas, you can find great eats in all four states.

For now, let’s zero in on Tucson, Arizona’s iconic mountain town located 60 miles north of the Mexican Border.

Nestled in the Sonoran Desert, this city is known for its blend of American, Mexican, and Native American cultures—which can be tasted in its world-class Tex-Mex dishes.

If you want to eat well in Tucson, here’s where to go to taste the cultural legacy of the Chili Queens of San Antonio—amongst other culinary influences, of course.

First up—what is Tex-Mex, exactly?

At its simplest, Tex-Mex is a style of food that comes from Tejano people.

Tejanos are Texans with Mexican heritage, meaning this type of food blends elements from both cultures. You can probably already name a few famous Tex-Mex dishes, including flour tortilla quesadillas, fajitas, and cheese-centric dishes like chile con queso and nachos.

Tex-Mex differs from traditional dishes from Northern Mexico in that it uses a lot of cumin spice, yellow cheese (especially shredded) instead of fresh cheese, and flour tortillas instead of corn tortillas.

Usually, Mexican restaurants in the United States serve up at least a few Tex-Mex dishes. (That’s not always the case—so check the menu before you make a reservation!)

In Tucson, you can find dozens of top-notch Mexican restaurants, especially when it comes to Sonoran Mexican specialties. My list includes Mexican restaurants that offer Tex-Mex dishes alongside more traditional Mexican offers—the best of both worlds!

Top 6 Restaurants: Best Tex-Mex in Tucson

Guadalajara Original Grill

Want a few Guadalajaran specialties with your Tex-Mex? This Tucson pick has all the standard fare that you’d expect from a Tex-Mex-style restaurant.

There are gorgeous murals on the walls, along with live mariachi performances. But let’s not forget about its delicious menu, which includes Guadalajaran specialties like molcajete along with Tex-Mex favorites like tostadas and quesadillas.

Tumerico

Once again, you’ve got options at Tumerico. Along with traditional Mexican dishes and Tex-Mex favorites, you can find more imaginative takes—like potato tacos and the turmeric lemonade, for example.

On top of that, Tumerico specializes in vegan and vegetarian options. Think of it like an innovative new project that’s modernizing Tex-Mex… while also nailing all those well-known dishes.

Guillermo’s Double L

This restaurant’s top-notch atmosphere has kept it high on locals’ best eats lists since it opened in 1948—even if it’s still a hidden gem by most standards. At Guillermo’s Double L, you can try out some of the most beloved Tex-Mex dishes in the Southwest, from gorditas to jalapeno cheese crisps.

Just don’t miss out on the carne asada—it’s famous.

Mi Nidito Restaurant

Mi Nidito is a famous Tucson establishment, largely thanks to the fact that Bill Clinton ate a chicken chimichanga here back in the 90s. Since then, it’s been a staple in Tucson offering up Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes.

Just be warned that management recently changed—the dishes and ambiance might be a little different nowadays.

Theresa’s Mosaic Café

This is another staple that’s been around for years—one that recently reopened for business following a fire. Like the name suggests, its tables are covered in beautiful mosaics.

But the real magic is the menu, which includes favorites for fans of Tex-Mex and traditional Mexican fare. Apparently, its margaritas are also top-notch.

El Güero Canelo

Sonoran Hotdogs, image courtesy of TripAdvisor

I’m rounding off this list with a suggestion on where to find a Tucson hotdog, aka a Sonoran Hotdog. (In fact, this is one of the restaurants that helped put the Sonoran Hotdog on the map!)

Hotdogs are wrapped in bacon, then set inside a soft Mexican bun and filled with fixins. That being said, you can find just about any Southwestern dish on the menu—come hungry!

Expert Tips for Duty-Free Airport Shopping: Wine & Spirits Edition

Once upon a time, I used to blow by the duty-free shopping section in airports.

As a budget traveler, I usually headed to my gate and kept my head down. Once in a while, I’d splurge on a celebrity gossip magazine or a sugary treat.

That’s started to change over the last few years.

With a slowly intensifying skincare routine, I’ve started to save on upscale brands in the duty-free section. I also take a closer look at the wine and spirits section, bringing home little bottles of soplica from Poland and limoncello from Italy.

Although I knew duty-free shops normally exclude local and national taxes, I didn’t realize that some brands funnel their steepest discounts toward duty-free shops. In some cases, products might only be released for duty-free sales.

In other words, there’s a lot out there that I didn’t know about duty-free shopping.

If you want to get more out of your duty-free shopping experience, especially when buying alcohol, you might want a little expert advice.

This week, I’m highlighting the industry expertise of Leila Stansfield, head of Bacardi’s Travel Retail sector. Here’s what Leila has to say about duty-free shopping, especially when it comes to alcohol purchases.

Tips on duty-free shopping from a Bacardi expert

You can find brand exclusives in the duty-free shop.

According to Leila, you can find never-before-sold offers in the duty-free section. If you like to drink a certain brand of spirits or wine, you could find a secret gem that you never knew the company released.

For any connoisseur, that’s a pretty unmatched offer—one that you might have passed up by rushing through the airport. If you’re a whiskey fan, make sure to look for bourbon and scotch products. They’re some of the most popular picks for duty-free exclusives.

Duty-free pop-ups are a thing.

With more passengers in airports than ever before, major spirits and wine retailers are taking note. To cater to travelers, they’re rolling out meaningful brand experiences for customers.

Leila has noticed a rise in duty-free pop-ups over the last few years—so take a look at your airport’s directory. There might be a mini-duty-free shop worth checking out on your five-hour layover.

Savings are actually high-value.

Along with exclusive offers, you’ll also find high-value deals at duty-free shops—and I’m not just talking about saving on taxes. According to Leila, duty-free shops offer savings worth up to 20%, which includes luxury brands.

If you usually avoid shopping for higher-end brands, you might be surprised by the deals you can find at the duty-free shop. What’s normally out of your budget might be affordable at the airport.

If you’re spending big, know that there are limitations.

Duty-free is only duty-free up to a certain price point. If you’re going to shop from more upscale brands, don’t forget to think about that tax-free cap.

For example, US duty-free stores are tax-free until you hit the $800 price range. After that, your next $1,000 in spending is taxed at a rate of 3%. Before you go wild in the duty-free shop, take a quick look at how much you can spend before Uncle Sam creeps back into the picture.

Don’t be shy about asking questions.

I’m rounding off this list with my favorite travel tip from Leila: the fact that duty-free staff sometimes have samples on hand. While it might just seem like just another brightly lit store, there’s a lot more skill and finesse going on than we think.

Most duty-free employees are very knowledgeable about the products sold in their store. In certain cases, they might even have samples in stock so that you can try out a drink before buying. Just remember that you might need to find a staff member who works in the wine and spirits section of the shop.

How to Use the Roadtrippers App for a Perfect Road Trip

When you think of difficult-to-plan trips, what comes to mind?

Usually, international trips with multiple border crossings and forms of transportation come to mind. From submitting visas to leaving enough time to catch a connecting flight, every little detail needs to be considered.

That being said, road trips are also up there—at least, in my opinion.

I’ve taken two off-the-cuff road trips; one from Saint Louis, Missouri to the Grand Canyon, and another from Saint Louis to New Orleans then back up through Appalachia.

I didn’t plan a thing for either—and I paid the price, usually by finding last-minute accommodations and meals. Most notable was a night spent at a roadside motel in Tennessee called the Plantation Inn where only bad things happened after dark. Very noisy, bad things.

I imagine few people set out on the open road with so few plans. (I was in my early twenties, okay?) That being said, putting together a solid road trip itinerary is a lot of work—and it quickly becomes more complicated as you add on roadside attractions, can’t-miss meals, and last-minute visits to friends in the area.

But this is 2025—which means there’s an app that’ll do that work for you.

Welcome to Roadtrippers, a road trip planning tool that’s been around for almost fifteen years.

What is Roadtrippers?

Launched in 2011, Roadtrippers is a browser and mobile-based tool that lets you plan road trips. Sounds pretty basic—but this tool is robust. You start out by planning your road trip via the browser webpage, then you send your itinerary to the mobile app.

Using your smartphone, you let Roadtrippers guide you on your way. It’ll sync to any device, so you don’t need to worry about losing your trip plans.

Think of it like a dual-threat road trip planning tool. One that first organizes and plans your trip and then hits the road with you.

How can you use Roadtrippers?

The basic introduction above doesn’t quite do this platform justice. With almost fifteen years of experience, the Roadtrippers crew has put together a pretty flawless setup.

Here’s how you can use the tool.

The most basic feature is creating a route based on your starting point and destination. (If you’re not sure where you want to go, you can also use Roadtrippers’ ‘explore destinations’ tool.)

You’ll then see a proposed route, which includes short detours, notable landmarks, places to camp, fuel and rest stops, unique hotels, and even shopping.

What I love about Roadtrippers is its visual design. The map is adorable, with icons for hotspots that catch your eye and get you excited about planning the trip.

I’ve found it to be pretty endlessly fascinating; every time you zoom in, you see something else that catches your attention.

If you don’t mind paying for a premium account, you can also use Roadtrippers’ Autopilot feature. This tool puts together an itinerary that includes things to do, places to stay, and restaurants.

What makes Roadtrippers perfect for road trips?

Aside from its visual appeal and multi-device functionality, Roadtrippers has a high-value premium membership.

I’m not usually a fan of paying for these types of services because they’re a little one-note, but Roadtrippers comes with serious premium deals from other road trip-adjacent companies.

A premium membership gets you perks like KOA camping discounts, 5 cents off every gallon at Flying J gas stations, free audio stories and books, and more.

If you’re an RVer, you can also take advantage of Roadtrippers’ RV-specific routes, suggestions, and camping guides. And speaking of guides, you can also explore the platform’s classic road trip guides, which cover some of the best routes in the United States.

3 Balkan Beaches for a Unique European Getaway

The Balkans are having a bit of a heyday.

This Balkans includes several countries in Europe’s southeastern region. You’re probably very familiar with the most well-known state: Greece.

The same is true for Croatia, which joined the European Union in 2013 and has since quietly become one of Europe’s more luxurious but laidback coastal destinations.

What about other Balkan countries, though? I’m talking about Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, and Serbia.

They’re definitely on my radar, and not just as an alternative summer destination. In addition to rolling out some accessible digital nomad visas, these countries are also rolling out tourism infrastructure along the coastlines.

In case you’re new to the Balkans, the region is known for its rugged beauty, delicious food, welcoming culture (seriously—hospitality is very important in Balkan culture), and absolutely gorgeous coastlines.

(Except for Serbia, Kosovo, and North Macedonia—they don’t have any coastlines.)

As Mediterranean hotspots like Italy, Greece, and Croatia become more congested and pricey, Balkan beaches offer an escape from your usual escape. For now, let’s focus on the countries with coastlines.

I’m excluding Croatia for now; you’ve probably heard enough about its coastlines over the last decade.

3 Balkan beaches for summer travel

Albania

Known for its affordable prices, low crime index, ancient history, and rugged, wild coastlines, it’s hard to go wrong in Albania. Fly into the capital city of Tirana, then take a bus or private transportation to the coast.

Check out these beaches:

Bay of Grama: This famous bay is accessible only by boat, sheltering you in a cove smack in the heart of the Albanian Riviera. Just make sure you schedule transportation to and from Grama Bay beforehand—you’ll need a life by boat.
Saranda: Along with an unspoiled stretch of beach (plus a few more outside town), this coastal town also includes activities like castle tours, stone-cobbled streets, and wildlife tours.
Drymades: Delve into the wonders of the Ionian Sea while you lounge on golden sand at Drymades, near the town of Dhemi. Beware that it’ll fill up during high season—but that might be a plus if you like vibrant nightlife and plenty of #vibes.

Montenegro

Forget the Ionian Sea—Montenegro gives you the best of the Adriatic. You may have already heard of the Bay of Kotor, but keep in mind that this tiny country is also well-known for its inland wonders, including canyons, medieval towns, and a surprisingly rare set of indigenous plants.

If you head to Montenegro, explore these beaches:

Jaz Beach: Part of the Bay of Kotor, this cove offers a gorgeous, small-pebble beach with dramatic views. Prepare for crowds in the high season.
Becici Beach: Despite being close to the coastal town of Budva, Becici isn’t overcrowded. That’s partly thanks to its large size. Even with a promenade and a few resorts around, you’ll still feel awed by the crystal waters and towering mountains. Like Jaz Beach, this is a pebble beach.

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Neum Beaches in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Getty)

If you look at Bosnia and Herzegovina on a map, you’ll notice that Croatia’s coastline landlocks much of this country—but there are a few seaside towns with Balkan beaches that you might want to explore. I’ve picked my favorite, below.

I also want to point out that you need to do some research before heading into Bosnia and Herzegovina; some mountainous and rural areas are still dealing with landmines from the war in the 1990s.

On the coast, focus on this area:

Neum Beaches: This is the country’s official seaside resort town—but you’ll mostly notice locals hanging out. (That’s always a huge plus for me.) This area includes a few beaches to choose from, which are usually calm.