Posted by admin on June 26, 2010
Cheap Weekend Getaway
Trips in USA
Cheap weekend getaway trips are a magnificent way to work the kinks out of your work week; they aren’t long enough to be stressful (unless you have four children) and offer you the chance to unwind. Here are my four top cheap weekend getaways in the USA.
Las Vegas. Without a doubt one of the more famous weekend getaways, probably because very few people can handle the City of Sin for more than a few days (my record is four). While Vegas has claimed more money than its visitors would like, there are still many ways to see this city without breaking the bank. My advice is to visit lasvegas.com and search for hotel deals. There are also tons of coupon books lining the Strip, and you can score some great deals (free massage, half off burgers, you name it).
Yosemite. Far and away by favorite weekend getaway. Entry into the park costs twenty dollars, and camping is about the same per night. In a weekend you can hike Half Dome, drive up to Glacier Pass, or spend time in Tuolumne Meadows. Key West, Florida. Make sure to hit up the market downtown at sunset. Booze cruises and/or snorkel day trips are relatively cheap (less than fifty bucks) and you can always sit by the beach and contemplate your navel. Word to the wise: there are bars where clothing is optional; be prepared!
Redwood National Park. Located in Northern California, this gem is constantly overlooked by tourists, which makes it that much better. You can camp next to the ocean and the redwoods for fifteen bucks a night, and take a day hike through Fern Canyon, one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve ever been on.
There you have it: my four favorite cheap weekend getaway trips in the US.
Posted by admin on June 24, 2010
How to Stretch Your Travel Dollar
Exclusive summary by Stephanie Sam Larkin
stretch travel dollar
Even if you are on a budget, traveling is possible. Vacationing when your funds are limited can be a challenge, but there still many locations that you can visit. Here are some tips to stretch your travel dollar:
Tip #1: Schedule your vacation during the off-season.
When is the off-season? That depends on your destination. For a ski resort, you can get a cheaper price if you travel there during the summer, while a beach house in New Jersey is usually cheaper during the winter months. Even tropical locations have off-seasons, which usually occur during rainy times of the year. When you travel during the off-season, you may have to deal with less than perfect weather, but that does not affect indoor activities like visiting museums and going to the spa, and you may end up saving hundreds of dollars.
Tip #2: Fly on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Even if you do not have flexibility with your month of travel, making it possible to travel during the off-season, try to have a little flexibility with your specific dates. Flights are always more expensive on weekends, because that is when most people want to travel. If you can switch your dates, you can save $50 to $100 on most tickets – and sometimes even more, depending on the airline.
Tip #3: Skip the car rental and purchase a bus pass.
When planning your vacation, do a little research to avoid a rental car if possible. At the very least, pay a car service to take you from the airport to your hotel instead of renting a car for an entire week or two, which can cost hundreds of dollars.
Tip #4: Take advantage of age discounts.
Did you know that in many locations, kids get in free? Some airlines even provide children with free flights! There are many options available to save your family money, and you can find restaurants – especially buffets – that are extremely inexpensive and in some cases, free for children. Along with children, senior citizens can get discounts in many travel areas. Restaurants are not the only places that give seniors a price break.
Tip #5: Travel as a group.
If you are travelling with a large group, you can get group discounts on everything from hotel rooms to amusement park tickets to flights. If you organize a trip through a travel agency, you might even be able to travel for free or at a very low price. If you put in the time to plan everything, you can find a great price for your next vacation.
