Tips For Vacationing On A Budget
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 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 thru May and September thru 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.
Traveling: The Little Things You Need To Pack Before Leaving
So, you’re finally going away for your well-deserved vacation. Don’t let careless packing spoil a great holiday. Airport security systems have changed and has become much tighter. You might want to think about leaving some items at home and there are also some items that you might want to think about taking along. Here are some items to think about taking with you for a smoother trip and holiday:
Bottled water: many people are afraid of causing delays at the security checkpoint and some may insist that you finish it in front of the guards. Sipping water regularly while you fly can alleviate much of the discomfort that flying can cause. Also, depending on your destination – it can be very useful to have a bottle to fill with drinking water.
If you are diabetic it goes without saying; but even non-diabetic travelers will benefit from having some small food items on hand. Food wouldn’t usually bother security guards. Keep some small sugary and high protein snacks on hand to curb low blood sugar levels.
Baby Wipes will most likely be needed as well even if you don’t have a baby. If you eat something sticky and can’t get up to go to the bathroom these will help.
No matter where you are going you will need to find some secure way to carry your money and valuables. Your passports and credit cards will cause a vacation ruining mess for you and your family. If you travel often then it might be worth your while to invest a bit in something special and practical. Money belts are one way to carry around your valuables but they sometimes look bulky and obvious. A fanny pack is another idea. It depends on where you are going. You don’t want to draw attention to yourself or to your nerdy lime green fanny pack. Depending on where you are going you may want to leave jewelry at home. Foreign criminals are just looking for unsuspecting Americans.
Some kind of portable entertainment system is essential if you are traveling alone for long periods of time. It isn’t only techno junkies that can benefit from one of the many portable entertainment systems. Delays can be expected if you fly and you will be glad for something to keep you amused. Load an iPod with some of your favorite music and you have an instant mood lift wherever you are.
Another item that could be useful is a first aid kit. Even if you don’t need one – it will be reassuring that you are equipped for any emergency. Include headache tablets, some Mylanta is a must and anti-inflammatory. There are some excellent small travel first aid kits available nowadays.
Packing a plastic bag or two into your bag is a good idea. It will be a handy at some stage of your trip. Plastic bags have an uncanny way of being both useful and hard to find when you need one. Roll it up – won’t take any space and you will find a use for it at some stage of your trip. Otherwise you might land up having to pack your wet shoes in with your clothes.These are just a few tips to ease your trip stress. Since 9/11 air travel has changed and it’s important to keep this in mind when traveling. Plan ahead, be prepared and most importantly – have a great trip!
Smart And Safe Travel Tips For The Business Woman
Women today travel constantly and that too all over the world. Most manage to successfully juggle a professional life with a private one. Statistics reveal that almost 50% of business travelers are women and the number continues to grow each day. Travel at short notice means being organized and ready to go. Be smart and plan well ahead.
1. Keep on tab a list of baby sitters who would be willing to pitch in, even overnight if required. Keep a small book handy in which you jot down things like what the kids eat, their schedules, important phone numbers, likes and dislikes, as well as numbers of the doctors and list of medications including known allergies.
2. Keep a travel bag always packed and ready to go. Pack a combination of clothes so that they will tide you over irrespective of the weather in your destination. Wear easy to maintain and dark colors on trips. They don’t show stains, are wrinkle free and will drape well.
3. Always eat lightly and foods that are cooked avoid raw salads and water as well as ice. It is wise to snack before a flight and also to try and sleep during flight. This way you will arrive at your destination refreshed. Be sure to drink plenty of bottled water during travel.
4. Set up a schedule to call home at time zones that work for you and your loved ones. Make it a point to get mementoes for your family members as also the baby sitter and others who pick up the slack while you are away. It shows them that you care.
5. Put safety first always place a “do not disturb sign on your hotel door and if nervous place a chair under the door knob like they do in movies. Keep your cell phone on and fully charged by you at all times and carry protection in the form of pepper spray, an alarm, or if you are trained and licensed a small weapon with its safety on. In most cities the police organize training classes for women to learn how to protect themselves and what one must do in an emergency. Try and make time to attend these.
6. Avoid dark lanes and abandoned roads. Never talk to strangers or accept food or drink from someone you don’t know. While traveling never leave food or drink unattended. Be vigilant at all times.
7. Choose a hotel with care. Choose to stay at well established hotels or small inns and B&B where the proprietors are generally family people. Always e-mail and fax details of your staying arrangements and travel plans to your home as well as office.
8. Always carry important documents, money, traveler’s checks, and passport in a money belt worn around your waist.
9. Always act confident and move around in groups there is always safety in numbers.
10. If unwell go to a state run hospital. Never to a private clinic.
11. Never travel with valuables like jewelry and always carry a small flashlight and medical kit with you.
12. For safety reasons arrange with your family to take appropriate action if you do not get in touch with them as planned.
Avoid room service and eat in the hotel dinning room. Also never reveal details of where you come from or your travel plans to anyone.
Be vigilant and smart and you will be able to travel often and safely.
Too Tired to Enjoy your Vacation?
Perhaps jet lag is the culprit. Crossing time zones while you travel is just one of the causes. Some advance knowledge and preparation can result in a more enjoyable trip.
PRIMARY CAUSES OF JET LAG
* Crossing two or more time zones: This is worse on eastbound flights because you have to adjust to an earlier schedule.
* Lack of sleep before you travel.
* Physical exhaustion from doing too much too quickly just before you leave.
* Dehydration: Aircraft air is very dry. Drink plenty of water (not soda, coffee or tea). Some people take their own bottled water with them.
* Disruption of the body’s normal wake/sleep schedule (circadian rhythm).
* Alcohol consumption: Alcohol contributes to dehydration. At altitude, affects of alcohol are magnified several times.
* Stale air: Aircraft air is not as oxygenated as outside air. It also contains odors and minute particles emanating from passengers, crew, luggage and the aircraft.
* Inactivity and lack of exercise.
* Climate change.
POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS OF JET LAG
* Slow reflexes – especially dangerous while driving
* Sluggish thought processes – resulting in poor decisions
* Sleep disturbances
* Poor appetite
* Headaches
* Sinus irritation
* Gastrointestinal upset caused by unfamiliar food and water
* Fatigue
* Anxiety
* Disorientation
* Irritability
* Swollen extremities (especially feet and lower legs)
* Sweating
COPING WITH JET LAG
* Acclimate yourself before you leave. If practical and possible, schedule your alarm clock and meals for the new time zone a day or two ahead of time.
* Don’t leave all your packing until the last minute.
* Make sure you get a good night’s sleep before your departure.
* Choose appropriate flights so that you can arrive well in advance for activities like business meetings. Aim for daytime flying (in both directions).
* Set your watch to the new time zone as soon as you board the plane.
* Stay on schedule with medications.
* Drink plenty of bottled (not local) water.
* Avoid salad or foods that may have been rinsed in local water. This will help to prevent diarrhea – which can contribute to dehydration.
* Get up and move around instead of sitting in your seat for long periods of time.
* Wear shoes a half size larger to accommodate swelling feet.
* Once you arrive, don’t spend all day cooped up indoors. Get out in the sun and fresh air.
* Take a hot shower before going to bed. This helps to retune your body’s circadian temperature rhythm. The drop in temperature after you get out of the shower will make you start to feel drowsy.
* Schedule appointments when you are most likely to be rested.
EVERYBODY IS DIFFERENT
* Recovery time, as a rule of thumb, takes about one day per time zone crossed.
* Some people are more adaptable than others and exhibit very few jet lag symptoms. Children almost always fare better than adults.
* The more ‘laid back’ you are about schedules and daily routines, the more likely you are to cope well with jet lag.
With a little advance planning, your next plane trip could be the best ever!
The Benefits Of Traveling Off-Peak
The European Environment Information and Observation Network (EIONET) defines traveling off-peak as “traveling outside rush-hours to avoid overcrowding in public means of transport.” This sounds all too simple and as we might expect – easier said than done.
For both air and car travel, avoid the crowds by traveling during the week, especially from Tuesday through Thursday. An added bonus is that airfares for travel Tuesday through Thursday are usually cheaper.
Mid-morning and late afternoon flights tend to be less crowded, plus you can really avoid commute traffic during this time. This site also offers the load on late-night flights (also known as red-eye flights for obvious reasons): these flights can help you avoid traffic but it’s only effective if you can sleep sitting up-right on a plane!
And did you know that traveling off-peak means traveling during holidays (not before or after) when airfares are lower and there’s less road traffic?
Some of the most affordable travel deals of the year can be found in the fall. If you find super off-peak dates that fall between major holidays, strike while the iron is hot. Book immediately with your discount travel broker. Never hesitate!
One great example of saving money by traveling off-peak is flying to the Caribbean during the North American winter months rather than during summer. You might say what’s the point in going to the Caribbean in winter when you’re going there to savor the beaches? But the fact is, there is hardly such a thing as winter in the Caribbean as it stays warm most of the year. In fact, it’s not a good idea to fly there during the peak season (I.e., summer months) as this is the period when the hurricanes usually come.
By traveling off-peak, not only will you get cheaper flights and accommodations. You will also gain a difference perspective on travel – especially the added advantage of enjoying your dream destinations without huddling with the masses of tourists during holidays.
It also helps to subscribe to online newsletters of discount air travel brokers such as Jestgo or WesJet. By having yourself included in these companies’ mailing list, you can get your hands on off-peak travel promotions faster than those who didn’t. So you see, it’s not just the air miles!
Finally, book your flight early to secure the most gains from traveling off-peak. One year’s planning can certainly help you reap the reward of the cheapest airfares possible! On the other hand, booking last minute can also have its rewards. If you’re the kind who can leave at a moment’s notice, you can save a lot from last-minute flights and accommodations. After all, airlines and hotels would rather greatly discount their seats and rooms than leave them empty!
