EcoXplorer is a founding member of Living on the Cheap, a network of websites published by professional journalists and consumer advocates. Find practical advice on saving money on travel and cars, groceries and shopping, plus tips from our experts on how to live the good life for less at Living on the Cheap.

ecoXplorer is your award-winning guide to green travel, green cars, and saving the green in your wallet on both.

ecoXplorer is edited by Evelyn Kanter, a professional journalist with more than two decades of experience as magazine and newspaper writer and photographer, radio and television news producer and reporter, and guidebook author and editor -- all focusing on travel, automotive, lifestyle, the environment, and your rights as a consumer.

Translation

    Translate to:

Great drives: new $330 million road across Florida Keys is green, safe and scenic

A new $330 million road connecting the South Florida mainland with the Florida Keys is finished, with built-in safety and environmental features to make drivers, local wildlife and conservationists happy.

Florida Keys Highway 1 is scenic, safe and enviroronmentally friendly

Marker at the southenmost point in the US, in Key West

The [...]

Share

Germany’s other Oktoberfest, in Stuttgart, home of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche

Dirndls and lederhosen at the Stuttgart Oktoberfest

The Canstatter Volksfest in Stuttgart is a smaller version of Munich’s gigantic Oktoberfest, although the suds-fueled merry-making is just as raucuous. When some 5,000 people get together in a tent with mountains of food, rivers of foamy brews and a band encouraging sing-a-longs, it is just [...]

Share

Celebrate final Harry Potter film by visiting movie hot spots in Scotland

Visit Harry Potter movie locations in Scotland

The release this month of the final film in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, is awaited eagerly by fans around the world.  Scotland is making the most of it, too since many Scottish spots may have been the inspiration [...]

Share

Win a free vacation with these free contests and sweepstakes

Rafael Nadal with Wimbledon tennis trophy

Stretch your travel budget with these free vacation deals.  No purchase required — just sign up on the website of the country, city, product or travel company offering the getaway prize, keep your fingers crossed.

London Callling – The Wimbledon tennis championships already are underway, but you [...]

Share

Budget travel deals for June to save you vacation dollars

Angkor Wat, Cambodia, just before sunset

Gas prices and airline tickets are not wallet friendly these days.  But don’t despair, there are plenty of budget travel deals and bargains — if you know where to look.

Southeast Asia — Save $1,00o or more on a 12-day tour of Thailand, Cambodia and [...]

Share

Contests and sweepstakes for free vacations to enter now

Bo, the Obama family dog

by Evelyn Kanter

Gas prices are up about $1 per gallon from last year, and according to the AAA annual leisure travel survey, that’s cramping our travel plans.  Airfares cost more, and it’s tougher than ever to use your frequent flyer miles.  But you still want [...]

Share

Family travel deals and discounts to extend your vacation budget

Current travel deals for couples and families include cruises and all-inclusive resorts

Hotel prices and airline and cruise fares usually go up as the peak summer vacation months approach.  But there are plenty of travel deals to book now to help you stretch your family travel budget for now through fall 2011.

Cruise [...]

Share

Fuel-efficient diesel vehicles are alternative to hybrids and electric cars

2011 VW Jetta TDI clean diesel is more fuel efficient than gas. Evelyn Kanter photograph

With gas prices approaching $4 a gallon in many states, interest and demand is increasing for fuel-efficient diesel vehicles, including certified pre-owned models from diesel leaders Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW and Volkswagen.

The Mercedes E350 Bluetec has the [...]

Share