It can be tough to travel on a budget if you aren’t used to it. But there is no reason why you should stay home just because you don’t have scads of money! So, grab that battered, second hand Lonely Planet Guide and get going with these useful budget travel tips!
- Stay close to home. Instead of a family vacation to Disney World, why not scout out a fun location closer to where you live? There are plenty of other theme parks to consider that won’t require airfare and staying in some of the country’s more expensive hotels.
- Do your research. Start looking online for travel deals at least three months ahead of time if possible. That’s how you find special deals. Also, booking ahead saves you money since airlines and hotels charge premium rates for last minute travelers. You can often find deals for entrance tickets to places like Disney World and other popular attractions online.
- Be flexible and book extra time off are two very good travel tips. If you don’t necessarily have to go to Acapulco, why not check out airfare to other parts of Mexico? Also, being flexible with travel dates is ideal since certain days tend to be cheaper to fly on (like Tuesdays).
- Eat in travel tips: Find a hotel that includes breakfast and you save at least $6-15 per person on food a day! If you are traveling near home, try packing your own food. Or ask for a kitchenette and hit the local supermarket once you arrive. Preparing meals in your hotel room can drastically cut costs.
- To save money, follow these travel tips. If you are driving across the country, why not check out that free opal museum in Arizona or the World’s Largest Ball of String? These sights are free, but they are still interesting and can provide topics of conversation on the long drive to the real destination!
- Look online for coupons for anything. There are coupons for just about everything if you really look. Print some out for shows in Las Vegas or to get 2 for 1 entry to a museum. You can also find travel tips online.
- Don’t rent a car. If you are going somewhere like New York, just ask your hotel desk clerk about the subways or buses. And if you happen to be in California, check that the hotel you are thinking of booking offers a free shuttle to Disneyland or anywhere else. Most hotels offer free or cheap shuttle service to and from the airport as well.
- Some good food travel tips: when eating out, eat a big meal for lunch and go small for dinner. Lunch menus tend to be just as filling as dinner, but far cheaper in most restaurants. Look for a menu of the day, as well. These can be special offers that include an entire meal, soup, entrée, drink and dessert for a set price. For supper, split an entrée between two people or just order appetizers as your meal. Asking for just water is a good way to knock about $5-6 off each person’s tab!
You can travel on the cheap, and it is worth a try, even if you do have a bit of cash to spend. Just follow the travel tips above!
Budget Travel Tips
Hot International Travel Destinations
Looking for a great vacation destination this year? There are several hot ones around the world that are luring new visitors as well as repeat vacationers. Why not try a new destination for your next vacation?
Thailand is a great international destination that suffered greatly after the big tsunami, but it is back and thriving! Since the number of tourist has drastically gone down, prices are better than ever and the beaches won’t be as crowded. Thailand is full of fascinating culture and great food, plus it is super economical!
Japan is another Asian hot spot. It might surprise you to learn that this hard-working country features some of the best ski slopes in the world! But that’s why they have twice been the location of the Winter Olympics. They are attracting ski buffs everywhere and rapidly becoming a popular place to vacation. For spouses who aren’t interested in snow and cold, there is hot springs to relax in.
London is the perfect place for party animals. The city features world-famous night clubs that go all night long, as well as some great historical sights if you aren’t too hung over the next morning! This British destination is also home to some of the world’s best restaurants as well. The great thing is that you can almost always find incredible discounts to fly to England.
Athens is yet another famous destination if you enjoy night life, on a more relaxed level. Greece has a lot to offer besides clubs and pubs, so even if you prefer history over drinking, you will be right at home. Try renting a motor scooter to tour the countryside and enjoy the amazing food that Greece has to offer, along with the historical sites.
Mexico has always been a hot destination for tourists looking for some heat. These days, Cancun is the place to be. Featuring stereotypical white sandy beaches, perfect blue water and a variety of water activities like swimming and jet skiing, this resort town is Mexico bumped up a notch. Since it is so close to the US, if you are American, you can travel easily enough by plane or car, for a decent price.
Italy is another European destination that has become popular after the incredible fame of Dan Brown’s books “The DaVinci Code” and “Angels and Demons”. Set in Rome, the books and resulting movie have peaked an interest in this religious city. The ruins and historical value of this country is astounding and well worth a visit. It can be romantic whether you travel alone or with a partner.
Our last international hot spot destination is Brazil. This South American country is best known for its shameless beaches featuring topless women, but it offers a lot more! There is a wild nightlife for those who like to party and a very strong mixed culture that features foods with influences from around the world. You can also check out the Amazon River and go for a hike into the rainforest.
International destinations are in right now and it is the moment to take advantage. Book your airplane tickets ahead of time to avoid problems and to get the lowest fares possible, pack some sunscreen, and enjoy!
Cruises for Families
If you have always dreamed of retiring and going on a cruise, why are you waiting? Cruises are not just for retirees, they are also perfect for the family, no matter what age your children are!
Family cruises are designed specifically for relaxation for the parents and non-stop activities for kids. That means there are things going on until one am that your children can participate in, fully monitored by trained staff so you can hit the dance floor or the pool without having to worry about your children.
Cruises for families can be found through any major cruise line, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and, of course, Disney! Each one offers a unique experience for the kids while giving parents exactly what they want, time alone by the pool, full five course meals and relaxing spas.
For example, Disney, one of the most popular family cruises, offers live shows that kids love, as well as ongoing activities for all age groups. They even have a “nightclub” for teens where parents are banned, but the fun is supervised!
Carnival features the Camp Carnival cruises where activities are provided for 4 different age groups, from 2-15. Parties and pools for kids abound and everything is supervised. If parents want to go out to dinner in the evening, they can hire a babysitter to stay in the stateroom with the kids.
Norwegian Cruises has developed a family cruise called Kid’s Crew and they feature spas for parents, with treasure hunts, pajama parties, cookouts and sleepovers keeping the little ones busy. They also offer face painting, T-shirt decorating among many other activities. The whole family can get in on activities like sand castle competitions!
Royal Caribbean has the Adventure Ocean cruises for families where the entertainment for kids is actually educational at the same time. There are special play areas and plenty of opportunities for the whole family to have fun together, not just separated into groups.
Princess Cruises features special Love Boat cruises for kids. They have several ships for this program and each one offer different, but very fun activities. There is a special Teen Club that allows older children to dance the night away in a teen night club, participate in talent and karaoke shows and have pizza and movie parties.
For the most part, family-oriented cruises won’t break the bank. They run anywhere from $600 - $1,250, which is not a very high price, considering the amount of fun and everything included.
Finding the best family cruise for your family takes a bit of research. You need to figure out which activities your kids will enjoy the most, whether you want to spend most of your time on the actual ship, or if shore leaves will figure into the activity plan. It is a good idea to sit down with older children and some brochures and discuss which cruise they think would be best.
With a bit of planning, your family cruises can be a lot of fun and have you coming back again and again.
