Discount Vacations
Below are some of the tips and idea you can use if you are low on budget.
Don't just cancel you vacation because of a light pocket.
KID'S STAY FREE
You can often find bargains where kids stay free in your room. Be careful,
most hotels limit you to five people in a standard room, due to fire codes.
Some will let you put your kids on the floor in sleeping bags. I usually
say this, "Do you have a room that will accommodate two adults and
five children ages 4 - 17?"
That way there are no misunderstandings. Hotels often insist on you having
two rooms and charge you the full rate for each. Try to negotiate a lower
price for the second room. Some hotels have a room or two for large families.
KITCHENS
Ask for rooms with kitchens, or at least a microwave and refrigerator,
even if you have to pay a little more. The savings over eating out will
more than compensate. Some hotels even offer a free continental breakfast.
There are other ways to save on meals even if you don't have a kitchen.
Bring a cooler and fill it up with jelly, cream cheese, milk, mustard,
mayonnaise, luncheon meats, and cheeses. Pack Bagels, bread, beverages,
peanut butter,
crackers, cereal, paper plates, paper cups, napkins, and plastic utensils.
With these staples, you will be pretty much set for breakfast and lunch.
OFF SEASON VACATION HOME RENTALS
If you can, vacation off-season.. go! For e.g if you rent a three-
bedroom beach house for one week for $375. This same house goes for $1500
for a week in August.
YOUTH HOSTELS
These accommodations are inexpensive, especially for singles. There are
however, some hostels that offer family rooms. Check the Hostelling International's
website at http://www.hiayh.org/home.shtml.
GUEST HOUSES
Some guesthouses are family friendly and have good rates. Watch out,
some guesthouses are like Bed and Breakfasts and can be fancy and pricy.
RELATIVES HOUSES
Are grandma and grandpa going away? What about staying at their house?
Chances are there is much to do near their house that is different than
home. Just make sure you leave it cleaner than you found it. The rates
are great.
CAMPING/CABINS
State or county campgrounds are the cheapest. Resort style private campgrounds
have it all. The amenities can include: swimming, tennis courts, activities,
camp store, and much more. But I must caution you here, they can be pricy,
but they are still cheaper than a hotel.
If camping in not your bag, check campgrounds for cabins, rental houses,
and trailer rentals.
OWN BACKYARD
Camp in your own backyard. Combine this with day trips for a budget vacation.
DAY TRIPS
Get a guidebook for your own area and plan day trips as if you were vacationing
in the area. Hiking, swimming, picnicking, museums, and theme parks. The
choices are endless.
HAVE A NICE TRIP!
The quest for the inexpensive family vacation can stretch a Mom and Dad
to their limits. Don't give up, be creative, the memories are priceless.
Discount Vacation Links / Discount Vacation Resources
About's Budget Travel
http://budgettravel.about.com/
Tips and suggestions for budget travel including an airfare search, coupons
and freebies, homestays and consolidators.
Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door
http://www.ricksteves.com/
Phrase and guidebooks for Europe. Site includes travel tips and links,
a travel gear shop and tour information.
Rough Guide
http://travel.roughguides.com/
Guidebooks with coverage of cities and countries around the world. Travel
Talk forum, newsletter and destination guide online.
Art Of European and World Travel Backpacking
http://www.artoftravel.com/
"How to See the World On $25 a Day or Less" is the full-text
version of a 25 chapter book including over eight low-budget tours, backpacking
tips and commentary.
Fabulous Travel
http://www.fabuloustravel.com
Editorial travel site and community specializing in budget travel
with tips, advice, articles, trips and destinations.
Travelers
http://sela-v.com/
Budget minded information and travelogues for journeys across the world.
Destination, practical and online information.
E-Team
http://www.e-team.org.uk
Group European travel organised by volunteer team mainly for local authority
workers, their family and friends. No membership fee, no joining fee.
Travel-Around.com
http://www.travel-around.com
World travel search engine for budget travel. Forum, chat, travel partner
search and home exchanges. Free membership required in order to use.
Travel Pete
http://travelpete.com
Budget travel assistance for Europe. Includes intinary planning, money
and guide books and various articles.
Donna McSherry's Resources
http://www3.sympatico.ca/donna.mcsherry/
A glimpse at the budget travel lifestyle through the eyes of Donna McSherry,
self-professed cheapskate, and founder of the "Cheap Like Me Travel
Society."
Travel on the Really Cheap
http://pleth.tripod.com
Advice on how to travel around the world cheaply. How to eat, how to meet
locals, health, safety and attitude.
Europe on Pocket Change
http://home.earthlink.net/~dsretiel
Budget travel advice for those traveling to Europe. Includes
how to get around, what to bring, where to sleep, how to sustain yourself
and things to do.
Discountr.com
http://discountr.com
Membership club offering discounts on accommodations and travel.
Discount Vacation Tips and Discount Vacation Ideas
Discount Vacation Tips
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