Travelling Studies

The key to budget travel is to plan ahead. When it comes to
family trips, globetrotting, well-deserved vacations and/or
going to see new places we have never been before, the
reality of cost and budgeting is always in the back of our
minds.

Planning and spending our travel dollar wisely is a priority
for most families. Curbing spending and costs, while still
enjoying your vacation to its fullest, is the key to
guaranteed success and fiscal responsibility. Your
pocketbook and family will thank you!

The reasoning behind saving money while traveling is simple:
Even if your personal budget is extremely tight, you can
still take a break and enjoy life! Simply put, life is just
too short to never step out of the door or leaving the
homestead!

Also remembering that while traveling, whether on a budget
or not, even the smallest of things can all add op to a
large vacation or travel bill!

For example, all those hotel extra’s, cab-fares, tips,
restaurants, car rentals, gas for your own vehicle if on a
road trip, tickets for special attractions or events,
beach-and-pool-side drinks (if not at an all-inclusive
resort or cruise) and more, adds on and piles up!

This brings us to the some of the rhyme and reason behind
budgeting for travel and planning well. This also applies
monetarily, to ensure your trip is a success, enjoyable and
memorable. Your outlook could be a balance between
replenishing your resources and not breaking the bank in the
process!

How to make “SMART” travel goals that are achievable.

(You may find yourself at the resort of your dreams if you follow
these steps) .

Like anything else in life, travel needs to be planned for
somewhat. It is almost like setting a short-time ‘SMART’
goal for leisure and vacationing. Marketers of time-share
and destination vacations, often refer to this as an
argument to invest in a travel solution.

People often suggest that we treat travel or vacationing,
like any other planned financial decision in life. This is
all irrespective of whether this includes house, car,
tuition, health, insurance or other life-expense. Travel and
vacation is justified and ’sold’, as just another important
item on the list to think about and budget for.

Setting goals is described and accepted as a powerful tool
to achieve success and keeps people motivated.

Out of the list of dream destinations you just made or have
in mind, you cannot possibly achieve reaching all of them,
and nor should you perhaps. One can but wish and dream …
Going after these dreams in a planned fashion, will mean a
significant investment of time, money, energy, talent, and
opportunities. You will need to prioritize.

Prioritizing should include travel items, trips, goals and
destinations that you really desire to visit, see, conquer,
treasure, explore and would love to achieve in your
lifetime.

Realizing of course that these ‘dreams’ though, might not
all be achievable immediately, or at all. You need to view
this as a wish list, shortlist eventually becoming
checklist! Then, move on to making at least the first goal
or location visit on the list happen this year!
(Alternatively, as soon as funds allow and you are able to
make it happen).

Hands-on work, defining and planning for travel in such a
way that it will convey an actual goal or goals,
destinations, budgets and periods.

A goal, in order to be effective and drive people towards
it, should have the following characteristics. The goal
should be Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic,
and Time-constrained. In other words, it must be a SMART
goal, (as referred to earlier).

SPECIFIC: The travel goal(s) should be specific. Detail is
what matters here. Avoid generalizations; get to the point
and crux of the matter. Specify your immediate travel needs
and means. Then plan to go after it pro-actively.

For example, take that tropical island, destination dream
vacation: “I have always wanted to …” seems a little
general when compared to ‘I will travel, with my family to
Hawaii for a vacation of two weeks within the next six
months.’

MEASURABLE: The SMART travel goal must be measurable. This
goes along with being specific. A goal defined specifically
might already be measurable. The abovementioned goal stated
intention, involved parties, location, purpose and a
timeframe – all measurable elements.

A measurable travel goal, like going to Hawaii, with a
family of four, including two children under the age of
five, within the next six months helps you identify, plan,
execute and track more efficiently and increase your odds of
actually making it there! Considering the logistics in this
fashion, makes it that more realistic to enable your family
to take the planned trip of a lifetime, as opposed to just
dreaming about it!

ACTION-ORIENTED: A SMART goal must also be action oriented.
It cannot merely be stated. You must relate the goal to
doing something, to indicate what needs to be done. An
action verb will indicate what needs to be accomplished. “I
will travel” is a good example of an action statement,
stated intent and implies preparation and planning, will and
persistence.

REALISTIC: For any goal to be motivational and get you
committed to reaching it, it must be realistic. When a goal
is not realistic and the person does not really believe it
can be reached, then the commitment is lacking and the
effort will not be there to permit the goal to be realized.

Choosing realistic goals are based on your present status.
What jumps to mind right away in our example, is whether and
how you can afford it and make it happen! (Hopefully this
guide can also offer some tips to get your there).

TIME-CONSTRAINED: In order for a goal to move people towards
it, it must be time-constrained. A timeline needs to be
associated with it. It will entice people to move towards
the goal. The timeline set, will be based on the goal itself
and the present status. Six months is stated here as a
realistic timeline, leaving enough time to save for, plan,
book and take your well-deserved vacation to Hawaii (as in
our stated example),OR anywhere else YOU have chosen to go!

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Looking for some vacation money saving ideas? There’s nothing wrong with vacationing on a budget. Hey, we all can’t travel like the rich and famous.

You save all year to get the money for a well earned vacation. You want to stretch your vacation budget but still enjoy yourself. Sounds like a good plan. To help you out I’ve put together some vacation money saving ideas that I hope you will find useful.

If you have a particular destination in mind it pays to plan ahead. Research the attractions and facilities. Find out what specials or discounts they may have going. Look for other things to do or see nearby so that you can make good use of your time and cut down on the running from place to place.

Plan your vacation for the off season. You can usually get better deals on lots of things like plane tickets, hotels, car rentals, cruises and lots of other things.

If you have friends or relatives nearby your destination consider asking them if you can stay with them. Don’t be a freeloader though. Even though you help pay for the groceries and other expenses your host incurs, it’s still a good vacation money saving idea.

If you are flying try to plan your trip for when tickets are traditionally cheapest. That would be Feb through May and September through December (except the week before Thanksgiving and the two week period before Christmas). Try to avoid flying on Friday afternoons as this is often the busiest time of the week for airlines.

Meals can be expensive at restaurants so you can save some money by packing food for the road.

When eating out try to avoid the places that obviously cater to tourists. Find out where the locals eat. Ask around. The smaller family owned places usually have better food at better prices. You may have to go a little out of your way but it is usually worth it for some vacation money savings.

Hotels are typically more expensive the closer you get to a major attraction. With a little planning you can find a good balance between price and distance.

When picking hotels don’t just go by the ratings. Compare the amenities they offer. Often you will find that you really don’t need everything offered by that 4 star hotel and you can do very nicely at the 3 star…with a better price!

Consider buying or renting an RV. You travel at your own pace. Cooking and bathrooms are always close by. You can meet a lot of other friendly RVers who will usually be glad to point out the best places to go.

When traveling by car you can save fuel by renting a smaller fuel efficient model. Packing light, reducing your speed and maintaining proper tire air pressure will also cut the gas costs.

Make sure that your car is ready for the trip. Good tires, oil change, tune-up and all that good stuff. It’s a heck of a lot cheaper and more convenient to deal with these things before you go rather than on the road somewhere.

Check out the local transportation system of buses, trains or trolleys. These can be considerably cheaper than using taxis.

Camping is a great vacation money saving idea. There are lots of campgrounds around. They are cheap and you may end up with an experience that outshines anything you can get a fancy hotel.

Plan activities that don’t require a lot of money. Hiking, and swimming are good ones. Local Museums and historical sites are often very reasonably priced as well as being quite educational and fun. The big theme parks have their appeal but you can really go through the cash at those places.

Plan picnics. These can be excellent vacation money saving opportunities as well as a chance to really relax and enjoy the local area.

Avoid buying souvenirs. It’s easy to get caught up and blow a bundle on these overpriced goodies. Set some mental rules ahead of time about how much you will spend on souvenirs and it will be easier to stick to it when the time comes.

I hope that you find some of these vacation money saving ideas helpful. Make a plan and stick to it. There’s no reason why you can’t have a great vacation without emptying the bank account.

Everyone loves to travel (almost everyone). I certainly do. Believe it or not, doing it right and doing it on a budget takes a little skill, knowledge and practice. But the required skills are not difficult, the knowledge required is easy to obtain, and the fun is in the practice!

This past spring my wife and I were lucky enough to be able to
spend 10 days in Italy. We didn’t spend a fortune, we scrimped on a few things and spent on others, and the net result was a very pleasing travel experience. Planning, of course, is key. We had agreed to our general itinerary and had a limited amount of time to spend, so the general outline of the trip was pretty clear from the start. We flew to Rome, spent a few days taking care of the biggies like St. Peter’s, and the Vatican Museum, and did lots of strolling around the city.

Where did we stay? At a “budget” hotel. How did we find it?
The Internet. There are so many choices of reasonably-priced hotels, that the biggest problem is narrowing down the list. If you have even minimal Web-surfing skills, finding your accomodations this way is really pretty easy to do. Many establishments even offer a discount for reservations made online. Oh, by the way, when we paid the bill on the way out, we paid in cash – another discount!

How did we get from the airport in Rome to the hotel? (Hint: not by taxi.) We took the train! Much cheaper, more fun, and in fact, easier. Even if you can’t actually read the signs in the airport, finding the station is very easy. How did we really know it was so easy to get to the city from the airport on the train? We cheated. We read a travel guide before we left! I’m not pitching a travel book here, and I honestly
don’t remember which one it was, but the point is, a little research in advance can save you a lot of money, time, aggravation, fear, uncertainty and all those other negative emotions brought on by arriving in a foreign place and
suddenly realizing you have no idea what to do next. And finally, from the train station in the city to our hotel was a short walk because we planned it that way – no taxi fare. The walk to the hotel was made even more pleasant by the fact that we were not over-burdened with luggage, which brings us to the next practical tip – packing.

Ten days in Europe (or anywhere else) doesn’t require a mountain of baggage – at least not for two adults. Bags with handles and wheels are essential. Walking to the hotel with our luggage was a breeze. Packing, like the other parts of a trip, requires a little planning. If you’re careful, and are clear about your plans for touring and socializing, you can get by with less than you think.

Keeping your travel documents and money secure is always a concern. I learned an important lesson a few years ago during a trip to Europe. Having done a lot of business travel all over the world, I made the mistake of thinking I was immune from pick pockets. I won’t mention the city the event took place in, but afterwards I was stunned at the skill demonstrated by the “team” that got my wallet – out of a jacket pocket that was zipped closed! It happened in a revolving door – and
thinking back on the episode, I realize that I was expertly sized up for the “hit” beforehand. In short, realize that anyone can be “fooled” even if you think you’re an expert. Lesson – I NEVER travel now without a money belt. On our last trip to Italy, all valuables were in the money belt at all times, and there were no incidents. Even the “gypsy kids” at
the Coliseum were not a threat (if you go to Rome, be sure to read about the area around the Coliseum – you must see it, but it’s prime territory for expert young thieves).

In summary, a little thought and some careful planning can make a huge difference in the level of pleasure you derive from your next trip – whether it’s a European jaunt or a car trip with your whole family to the mountains. I think letting someone else do it all and spending your days sealed up in a tour bus or following someone else around all day deprives you of half the fun. So plan your next trip carefully and you’ll enjoy it a lot more.

When you’re traveling it can be difficult to find good food at reasonable prices
especially if you happen to be staying in a big city that has an established food and
restaurant culture. When you’re faced with a budget, you want to try and maximize
your enjoyment per buck. If you want to eat well and sample the local cuisine for a
budget price, you’ll need to do a little research to find that perfect restaurant that
offers a balance between quality and price.

First, check with your hotel or hostel and inquire whether breakfast is included in
your stay. In Europe many hotels provide breakfast. If you’re hotel does provide
breakfast, don’t skip it in favor for paying for food elsewhere. Some of my most
memorable meals were hostel breakfasts that were nothing more that a roll, butter,
jam and some coffee with milk. Hotel and hostel breakfasts are also a great way to
get to know other guests.

One option for budget eating is to eat at a chain restaurant that you a familiar with,
such as McDonald’s, Burger King or Kentucky Fried Chicken. You can find a
McDonald’s about anywhere world-wide. I made my way through Rome using a free
McDonald’s map that in addition to indicating all the tourist attractions had a mark
for every McDonald’s in Rome. However, if you want to become familiar with the
culture of the country you are visiting, eating at a fast food restaurant is not a good
option.

Another option is to buy groceries and make your own food. If you don’t have a
fridge or hot plate in your hotel room, this option may not be very feasible. Still, you
can buy items that don’t need to be heated and make a meal out of those. When I
was in Florence, a loaf of bread, parma ham and cheese coupled with a Chianti
made a very nice picnic that I enjoyed thoroughly. Make sure you try to sample
items from the local cuisine.

Eating one or two meals a day from a street vendor or take-out restaurant may also
be a good way to still eat great, but save some money. In Paris, I got great ham and
cheese sandwiches from a street vendor for lunch. They were delicious, kept me
going and didn’t break the budget. When I was at a conference in Washington D.C., I
discovered a little convenience store that made fresh egg and cheese sandwiches on
toast to order. They sold them for only $2.00 and I ate there every morning.

In Rome, I discovered a little take-out pizza shop around the corner from the
Pantheon. The restaurant made pizzas on huge rectangular sheet pans and put
them in a deli case with a clear glass window. You could order by pointing to the
kind you wanted, motioning for how big you wanted your piece (they charge by
weight), and asking for it to be heated. Then you happily take your piece of pizza
over to the square, sit on the steps and enjoy.

Being friendly with other guests in the hotel, the concierge and the locals, is another
great way to discover good food that won’t break the budget. Ask a local if they
know any good restaurants that aren’t too expensive. They should be able to come
up with a few good options for you. Make sure you indicate that you want to sample
some local cooking. I’ve even known friends that have gotten themselves invited
over to dinner (not that this should be your objective).

Another good way to find inexpensive restaurants is to always be looking for a good
place to eat. If you’re out visiting a tourist site, stop by a few restaurants and read
their menus (usually posted in the window). Even if you are not hungry, you may
decide to come back later. I’ve had better luck with this technique when I’m in an
area of the city that is not your standard tourist destination.

Eating in a sit-down full service restaurant is the most expensive dining option, so if
you are really on a budget, you may want to limit the number of full service meals
you eat. Also, in some countries eating at the counter is less expensive that sitting
at a table. By listening to recommendations and doing a little research, you can
avoid the expensive restaurants that cater to tourists.

If you’re on a budget, you can still eat great during your travels, you just need to be
aware of all your food options. Ask around with locals for recommendations. Make
sure you know the price before you eat. Most important of all, try new things.
Stretch your boundaries and try something that you would never eat at home. After
all isn’t the reason you travel is to discover something different.

If your spirit of adventure is larger than your travel budget, these money-saving tips might just put your next vacation within reach.

1. Swap homes with other vacationers If you prefer to mingle with the locals rather than other tourists, look into a home exchange vacation. One couple spent their eight-week honeymoon touring Europe without ever staying in a hotel; instead, they stayed in private homes while their European hosts stayed in their New York City apartment. Sound risky? Maybe—but tens of thousands of people have exchanged homes since the 1950s. For an annual membership fee (usually around $50), home exchange clubs help members arrange exchanges, as well as offering tips to make the exchange go smoothly. According to ExchangeHomes.com, a home exchange can cut travel costs by as much as half. More importantly, though, a home exchange vacation makes it possible for you to live like the locals, and perhaps make some life-long friends.

2. Rely on the hospitality of others In a slight twist on the home exchange idea, look into joining a hospitality club that will hook you up with people willing to host you on your next vacation. The largest hospitality club has more than 23,000 members in 148 countries. Membership is usually free, although members are asked to provide hospitality to others (on a voluntary basis) in return sometime in the future. In addition to saving money, staying with others is a great way to meet locals who can give an insider’s perspective on your destination.

3. Stay in a monastery or convent Monasteries and convents have a long tradition of providing hospitality to travelers. Aside from being a lot more interesting (and affordable) than the local Holiday Inn, a monastery can be a great place to explore your spiritual landscape. Many monasteries and convents ask for a donation of $40 to $80 per night; others only ask for a free-will offering. In addition to simple accommodations, monasteries and convents often offer their guests simple meals as well as opportunities to participate in daily prayer and work. Reservations may be required in advance. You can research this vacation idea by looking up individual monasteries or convents online. Or get a guidebook such as “Europe’s Monastery and Convent Guesthouses: A Pilgrim’s Travel Guide” or “Sanctuaries: The Complete United States: A Guide to Lodgings in Monasteries, Abbeys, and Retreats.”

4. Win a free vacation Nothing in life is free, the old adage goes, but the vacations many companies are giving away as part of promotional sweepstakes and contests come close. True, the odds of winning a free vacation are remote, but if you’ve ever played the lottery, you may as well spend a few minutes searching the web for “vacation contest” and related terms. The only cost of entering will probably be the time it takes to fill out online entry forms. (Be forewarned, though, that providing your e-mail address virtually guarantees unsolicited e-mail in the future.)

5. Sleep under the stars Hoping to vacation in Hawaii or the U.S. Virgin Islands? Rather than spending a fortune on hotels or resorts, why not slash the cost of your accommodations by camping on the beach? Both destinations have parks that offer beachside camping for about $20 per night. Camping is an affordable alternative at virtually any destination, in fact. And camping doesn’t necessarily mean “roughing it.” Modern camping equipment can keep you as warm and comfortable as if you were sleeping at home (decent sleeping bags and sleeping pads are a must), and many campgrounds offer conveniences such as showers and running water. Some even rent basic but comfortable cabins.

6. Travel in the off season It may be obvious to seasoned travelers, but those with less experience may not be aware of how affordable it can be to vacation in the “off season”—basically, any time other than when most people travel to your destination. Certain destinations’ accommodation and airfare prices may be slashed by 30 percent or more during the off-season compared to the peak travel season.

7. Consider your airline alternatives When booking airfare online, don’t overlook discount and international airlines—some are not listed on the big travel portal websites, even though they might have a lower fare to your destination. Also be sure to compare rates for alternate airports within a reasonable traveling distance. You might live half an hour from a major airport, but the smaller airport a couple hours away might have substantially lower fares. Check for alternate airports near your destination, too. Finally, be flexible about your arrival and departure dates; the major travel portals all have options to search for the cheapest flights within a range of dates. Any one of these alternatives could potentially save you hundreds of dollars.

Generally people deem traveling to be one amongst the most expensive event in their lives. But this can be proved wrong. A little judicious and cautious planning can save tremendous expenditure without compromising significantly on the fun and joy of your trip. There are various ways to do this.

1. What you first need to do is to prepare your budget-how much maximum you can spend on your outing and what is the minimum that you would want to consume.

2. The second best thing would be to choose the season to go. If it is an off-season, don’t be reluctant to pack your bags. For during off-season, not much people are traveling to that place. Like winter and rainy seasons are believed to be off seasons for the beach locations. At this time the costs of the hotels, the availability of rooms and reservations etc. all will be conveniently available and that too at remarkably less price.

3. If you traveling domestically, for instance if you are a student willing to enjoy a good and cheap vacation and looking forward for accommodation, the best you can do is to opt for a hostel or pitching up your tent. Tents can be pitched on those recreational grounds that welcome such stays. This saves the huge amount you would have to expend for your stay in a hotel room.

4. Even if you are traveling domestically don’t be shy in looking for discounts. There are many off-season discounts available. These are meant to lure customers even in the off-season. Various travel agencies (that offer excellent cheap package tours), hotels, restaurants, shopping malls etc. facilitate such discounts. If you plan to go through a travel agency, ask them about these beneficial discounts and do avail them.

5. If you think that distance can be commuted by a car and you do not require any travel agency then prefer to take your own car. Rented car can be a little more expensive. Try to work upon and minimize the consumption of gasoline (like less of air conditioner and excess speed etc.). For gasoline is costly and the cost varies from state to state. However, the best means to travel domestically is to catch up a bus or train. For that saves you from the weariness of driving and the expense of gasoline as well as the one for the wear and tear of your car.

6. If you propose to make a move internationally i.e. to take a destination abroad, the finest thing would be have a travel agent. An agent can help you in many ways. Ask your agent to go for those airlines that offer a good discount and offers like booking your lodging etc. Try not to make any last minute reservations for they are most often costly and you may not even find a seat.

7. You can also search the Internet for various airfares once you decide upon the dates to travel. Internet search can be very valuable in finding a suitable accommodation and eating joints that fit in your budget. Also try to know something about the domestic life of the place you are heading to. This can save you from many troubles later. Like if you have an idea of some restaurant that is hogged by the local residents, you have made your trip somewhat free of expenditure on food.

8. Last but not the least make sure you go with a travel insurance done. This insurance can make up for your cancelled fights, medical expenses, lost luggage etc. Travel insurance companies too provide various concessions especially when you are traveling internationally. Travel insurance is the best for your safety and happiness during your trip.

Remember, a little travel strategy and research will have a wonderful journey within your pocket.

10. You are a budget traveler if all your credit cards are at their limit BEFORE you leave on your vacation.

9. You are a budget traveler if the cost of travel insurance will hurt your travel budget.

8. You are a budget traveler if you dream of going around the world, but you purchase a round trip ticket to Hawaii.

7. You are a budget traveler when you purchase a double occupancy vacation instead of paying the single supplement and you sale the other half of the vacation to a friend of a friend.

6. You are a budget traveler when you order water with lemon and put sugar in the glass to make your own lemon aid.

5. You hate the motion of the ocean, yet you go on a cruise every year because your food, accommodations and entertainment are included in the price.

4. You are a budget traveler if you purchase a fifth of Bourbon, and try to hide it in your carry on luggage before boarding a cruise ship.

3. You are a budget traveler if while on vacation you eat a light breakfast, skip lunch and have a early dinner in order to save money.

2. If when you travel, the first thing you do after you check into your hotel room is look for the local grocery store, then you are a budget traveler.

1. You know you are a budget traveler when you don’t have enough money to pay the departure tax when leaving a foreign country. (Don’t laugh – it happens all the time!)

We all want to travel Europe on a cheap budget these days.

Budget and discount price airlines have sprung up in almost every European country in the last few years – all of them fighting furiously with each other to offer the best value cheap airfare deals. But do we really benefit from these discount European travel prices or do the drawbacks of trying to travel Europe cheaply outweigh the advantages? Do the budget low price airfares blind us to the extra hassle that the cheap price might be hiding? Lets look at some current cheap European travel deals and see what we find.

Almost every European country now has at least one no frills budget airline. Easy Jet and Ryan Air are becoming well known and popular in Great Britain and in Ireland. Germany has four or five low cost airlines and cheap airfare specialists. Meanwhile, in Sweden, SAS have just launched their own budget offshoot called Snowflake.

At first glance the fares that these airlines charge can seem ridiculously low; Ryan Air have given their flights away almost for free in the past – although you still have to pay the airport tax of around twenty UK pounds. But where’s the catch? Is there a catch? Can you really travel Europe by air without spending a fortune?

Here’s the deal if you want to travel Europe on a cheap budget:

Firstly, the low fares airlines in Europe nearly always use out of town provincial airports – often about forty or fifty miles from the respective city centres. This can add up to two hours of travel time to your journey at each end. You also have to pay for the bus or train connection to get from your airport to the city centre. Make sure you add this price in to the cost of your ticket when comparing prices between cheap airfare deals and the prices charged by the mainstream airlines. In most cases the main airlines fly you into the city centre airport and thus cut your travel time and the cost of any extra transport.

If you’re unlucky enough to miss a flight then you could literally be stuck in a very rural airport overnight with all the food outlets closed down and no way to get back to the town or the city.

Secondly, you only get what you pay for. The European budget airlines may offer no in-flight service for food and drinks. Or, if they do, they will charge you for it at a premium rate. Coffee, sandwiches and beer may be very pricey indeed. To be fair, many of the flights are only of an hour or two’s duration so snacks and drinks may not be such a big deal.

Thirdly – figure out the total travel time and compare that to the costs. For example: it takes five hours to go from the very centre of Glasgow in Scotland to the very centre of London by train and it costs around twenty five UK pounds each way.

Now – you might pick up a cheap flight from Glasgow to London, only to find that both of your airports are forty miles from the city centre. That immediately adds three hours to your travel time, not counting the waiting around at the airports, baggage handling and all the extra hassle that goes with it. You will also have to pay separately for the bus or train journey from airport to city centre and vice versa. Unless your airfare is extremely cheap you might well spend more money in the long run for a less comfortable journey. Check it all out carefully in advance if you can.

Fourthly, the quoted cheap airfare ticket prices are only for APEX travellers. You might have to pay a lot extra if you need to change your flight time. Cheap airfare prices are also usually only available if you buy well in advance – buying the day before or on the day will add a big premium to the price. The baggage allowance is also on the mean side – often no more than 15kg or 20kg per person. Any more than that and you will face a very hefty premium on your cheap price ticket.

In summary – you can travel Europe cheaply by choosing your discount airline package carefully. But do try to weigh up all the extra hidden costs as you compare flight ticket prices. You should also factor in the extra travel time that arriving at a provincial airport may bring.

Please remember: Don’t get too hung up on it all!

Travel in Europe is fun – however you do it.

Five Affordable World Travel Destinations

Locations That Offer More But Cost Less

So you want to travel the world but you have a tight budget? Are you tired of reading about everyone else’s exotic adventures and ready to have some of your own? Have you always wanted to take an international vacation but thought you couldn’t afford it? There are numerous travel destinations across the world that are both exciting and affordable. Five of them are described here to give you ideas and get you started planning your own getaway.

There are two ways to approach affordable vacations to distant destinations. Either you will save money getting there or the savings will occur once you arrive at your selected spot. If you want the trip there to be affordable, many travel consolidators recommend choosing well-known destinations that are served by numerous airlines and receive millions of travelers each year. The competition for customers usually drives costs down for everything from lodging to tour packages. Airfares between major hubs tend to be more affordable and there are often plenty of discounts and last minute travel deals.

London

In Europe, London is a top pick for affordable vacation destinations, for these exact reasons. Not only do you have more flights to choose from, they are cheaper than if you flew to a more remote location. On average, staying in London may be a bit more expensive than other European destinations, but the seemingly endless choices in hotels, restaurants, transportation, tours, and other travel essentials gives travels opportunities to mold their vacation to fit their budgets. And you can use London as your home base to set out on day trips to other more exotic locations or buy a Eurorail pass and see those more remote countries without the expense of flying there.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

This theory also works well for traveling in the Caribbean. Belize is an appealing destination, with wonderful Caribbean beaches and a lush tropic setting, but since it has only recently emerged as a popular travel destination, it is more expensive than Cancun, Jamaica or other well-traveled locations along the Mayan Riviera. With fewer flights, getting there is more expensive, and there are few moderate lodging options. Development of larger luxury resorts have begun to boom, but the only real alternative for those on a budget is staying in local facilities that may be hard to locate from home and may be more rustic than most travelers are willing to try.

Although there are many options for affordable vacations in the Caribbean, an excellent pick is Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Accessible via flights to Cancun, which are often some of the cheapest in the region, Playa is just a half hour away. It is filled with a multitude of lodging choices, from expansive luxury resorts on the ocean to quaint but clean hotels downtown. From Playa, travelers can branch out and visit Tulum and other locations on the Mayan Riviera or take the ferry across to the island of Cozumel where snorkeling is prime and the attractions are many.

For Asian destinations, travelers often do better to focus on saving money once they get to their destination. Depending on your country of origin, getting to just about any spot in Asia is going to be a sizable chunk of your travel budget. The difference will come from the cost of lodging, food, entertainment and other travel expenditures once you arrive. By choosing destinations where you get the most for your money, you can save a great deal on your international vacation. A drink or dinner in Tokyo will costs you many times more than what it would in Saigon. The key here is to go where you dollars buy you more and where the local cost of living is low.

Tioman Island

An affordable yet exotic choice for Asia is Malaysia and specifically Tioman Island, knows as the mythical ‘Bali Hai’ from the film ‘South Pacific.’ Tioman Island is located at the southern end of the east coast of Malaysia on the South China Sea. It’s sandy beaches, bordered by lush jungles and stunning mountains make it a relaxing yet intriguing destination, ideal for sun lovers, snorkelers and divers. The island also has many villages for exploring and shopping. English is widely spoken and the rates are amazingly affordable, with a two night lodging package for a suite at a lovely oceanside resort averaging around 100 U.S. dollars. Typically visitors reach the island via the speed ferry from the mainland. Although the trip can take over two hours, it is enjoyable and provides opportunities for dolphin watching along the way.

Buenos Aires

South American also has many destinations that are affordable because of the savings once you arrive. Locales like Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, the areas top destination, are coming down in price but are still more expensive than cities such as Buenos Aires in Argentina, where the rates are lower and the U.S. dollar goes further.

A huge metropolis that is more European than South American, the city has much to offer including cultural events, thriving nightlife, shopping, local sports, and a host of tours and excursions. La Boca, with its street performers, shops, and unique architecture is a big tourist draw. The large number of choices for lodging, restaurants, and activities provides opportunities for budget travel and savings. Airfare to the city is relatively reasonable for an international destination, with discount fares from the U.S. averaging around $500 round trip. Buenos Aires might not be one of the most exotic or inspiring destinations in South America, but it is a city that everyone should see at least once, and with some of the most affordable rates and fares around, it makes the list as a top South American destination.

Las Vegas

The list would not be complete without a North American destination, and the champ of all affordable locales is Las Vegas. It too is a city that should be seen at least once, and many world travelers return again and again for the gaming, art, shows and people watching that just can’t be found anywhere else. Close enough to other top U.S. attractions like the Grand Canyon, Vegas provides other options for those who have had their fill of casinos.

The city has long been known for its cheap vacation packages with hotels and resorts that offer discount rates for rooms, meals and entertainment in hopes of attracting people to their gaming tables. Airfare rates into Vegas are some of the most reasonable in the United States, no matter the origination destination. And with more than 100,000 hotel rooms to choose from, there is sure to be a lodging choice that fits your budget.

The world provides hundreds of affordable travel destinations. With all the options available, there is no excuse to put off that life-long desire to travel to exotic places at the far ends of the earth. Destinations can be researched on the Internet or your travel consolidator can make recommendations and help with locating discount flights and hotel deals that fit your budget. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and explore the world.

Fun and Frugal

Perfect Vacations for Teens That Won’t Blow Your Budget

What makes a perfect vacation for teens? That depends on your family; what they like to do, where they like to go, the ages of your children, even your parenting style. But most teens will agree that a perfect vacation needs to be relaxing and fun with something for everyone. There is a seemingly endless list of resorts in the United States that fit that description. But for many parents, there is one more essential aspect of the perfect family vacation. It needs to be affordable.

Again, the term affordable is a relative concept, but for many teens, a resort that costs more than $350 per night takes the fun out of the vacation. Parents on a budget are too busy worrying about how they will fund the trip and are unable to relax and enjoy themselves. Or limited funds means that a more expensive resort results in less to spend on tours, attractions, and food. Many families end up staying in cheap hotels with no kid-friendly amenities rather than spend all their vacation money on lodging. But by searching for discount resorts or obtaining the services of a knowledgeable travel consolidator, it is possible to find many affordable family resorts across the U.S. that won’t blow your budget. Here are some examples.

The Criteria

- U.S. resort under $350/night

- Structured activities for kids of all ages

- Family friendly atmosphere

- Wide range of activities to accommodate different interests

Disneyland

Disneyland is one of the world’s all time favorite teen vacation destinations. Anyone who has traveled there with children knows that it meets our criteria of a wide range of family friendly activities. Known to be one of the more expensive family vacation destinations, there are affordable lodging options that provide easy access to Disneyland and help keep costs down. The All Star Music Resort is one of Disney’s most affordable resorts. As the name implies, it has a music theme, with different areas decorated to reflect various music genres including jazz, rock, country, and Broadway. The resort’s two pools are shaped like a piano and a guitar. Kids love the playground and arcade. Parents love the baby-sitting service.

The basic amenities are in keeping with a budget resort but are more numerous than those of a standard hotel. Most rooms sleep four with two double beds. Dining facilities are limited to a mall style food court, but the wide variety of choices is sure to please everyone. Rates for a family of four at this 2000-room, Disney resort start at just over $100 per night. Because it is part of the group of Disney resorts, there are often vacation specials and packages available.

Rocky Mountains

Many parents are familiar with the family-oriented mission of the YMCA programs. Located in urban areas internationally, this kid friendly organization offers many educational, sports, and social opportunities. The YMCA of the Rockies, Colorado also operates two budget vacation resorts that help families get out and enjoy the legendary beauty of the Rocky Mountains.

Snow Mountain Ranch and Estes Park Center are nondenominational programs open to any guest. However, members receive a slight rate discount and have their reservations processed first. In addition to opportunities to enjoy the mountains, summer children’s programs operate daily for ages three through 16. Age appropriate activities include hiking, hayrides, roller skating arts and crafts, campfire cooking, orienteering and archery. In winter, families can spend the day cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on 125 miles of groomed trails, and return to the resort to warm up in the indoor pool. Estes Park and other prominent winter activity destinations are nearby.

Lodging options include cabins and lodge rooms. Cabins range from two to five bedroom and include a fireplace and fully equipped kitchen. Rates begin at $138/night. Lodge rooms have two queen beds and a set of bunk beds. Rates begin at $64 during off-peak times. Accommodations are not luxurious but then you are on a budget, right?

Northwood’s Getaway

Some of America’s original family resorts focused on simple accommodations that provided easy access to the great outdoors. Nitschke’s Northern Resort, in Minocqua, Wisconsin has carried on the fine example of the original resort, with its tidy accommodations, coupled with the pristine setting on the edge of a lake, surrounded by forest.

Activities include fishing, hiking, boating, jet skiing, or simply relaxing on the porch of your cabin. The beach and playground provide additional play opportunities for children. Icefishing and snowmobiling trails provide winter entertainment options. Despite the secluded, natural setting of this family resort, the town is within boating, walking, and driving distance when you need groceries or a change of scenery.

Cabins accommodate up to eight people easily and rates start at an amazingly affordable $180 per night.

Award-winning Resort

Many of the award winning family resorts are beyond the means of those on a budget, but Woodloch Pines Resort in Hawley, Pennsylvania offers the amenities of a luxury resort for under $350 per night. Located on a private lake in the Northern Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania, this family owned resort was voted Favorite Family Vacation Spot by the readers of Better Homes and Gardens. Open year-round, the resort offers an amazing feast of activities from waterskiing, sailboating, and bumper boats in summer to snow tubing, ice skating and snowmobiling in the winter.

Kids of all ages love the go carts, batting cages, pool water slide and hayrides. Parents enjoy the Jacuzzis, massages for themselves and the all-inclusive rates that are difficult to find at U.S. resorts. Prices vary depending on room selection, time of year and number of people, but a family of four can purchase a four-night package that includes room and 12 meals for under $350 per night.

Another All-inclusive

The family-friendly, all-inclusive pricing draws hundreds of families south of the border to Mexico each year. But families don’t have to leave the country to find all-inclusive deals. Tyler Place Family Resort on Lake Champlain in Vermont also offers this pricing that includes meals, snacks, lodging, and most activities.

Tyler Place’s eight different kid’s programs offer structured nature and outdoor programs for children of all ages. Family water activities include sailing, canoeing, kayaking, waterskiing, paddleboats, bumper tube rides, banana boats, and lots more. Other entertainment includes tennis, mountain biking, indoor and outdoor pools, and group sports. Newborn and infant care is provided for parents who want to take art, yoga and aerobics classes, or visit vineyards in Quebec.

Discount, off-peak rates for a family of four are just under $300 per night and include lodging with separate children’s rooms, all meals and access to services and activities.

This list of affordable family resorts is just a taste of what’s available out there for perfect vacations for teens if you are willing to sacrifice some of the luxurious accommodations in lieu of a more family friendly atmosphere. As with many vacation destinations, traveling during off peak seasons will cut costs, and watching out for vacation specials, discount flights, and discount car rental can also help keep costs down. Vacation planners who work with a variety of destinations and packages are often able to locate great vacation deals for you and your family. The perfect vacation for teens doesn’t have to blow your budget. It just takes a little planning and research.