Vacation | 17 May - Affordable Travel Tips

Halfway Around the World for Under $1000

“I need to get away.”

We all say this, some more often than others. Vacations help us, a lot. They give us time to relax, see new sites, and not do the same things we do everyday. So where do you take off to?

Granted, vacations can be pricey. Airfare, hotel, and car: they all add up. But there are a few little-know spots on the world that are dynamite places to vacation, and off the map enough to stay cheap. Iceland is one of these.

Go ahead, reach for a map. It’s near the top, by Greenland. The population is 318,000, give or take, and the capital city is Reykjavik. Iceland is amazing. Simply incredible. The nicest people in the world. The winters are…well, the winter’s are the worst thing you’ll ever experience on the planet Earth, but the summers are beautiful. Because of Iceland’s high latitude, the sun never fully goes down, so midnight is just a nice shade of blue. There’s skiing, horseback riding, swimming (all the natural hot water you could ever want) hiking, and enough culture to keep you busy for a lifetime.

You just need to go. It’s the only way to fully understand how really, really cool Iceland is. And it’s cheap to get there too. From Europe it’s a breeze, just a quick ferry-ride or flight across the North Sea. From America, the deal gets even sweeter. $550 roundtrip from Boston to Reykjavik. Seattle to Reykjavik? Same price. Now, those are off-season prices, but boy: halfway around the world for that kind of airfare is a sweet deal. Besides, it’s Iceland!

Filed Under: Travel, Vacation Tagged With: Greenland, Iceland, Reykjavík

How to Plan a Cheap and Romantic Honeymoon

Image via Wikipedia

A honeymoon is a vacation that will be memorable for years to come, and it is a big part of the new life as a married couple. Having time to spend with just each other in a relaxed atmosphere can lead to good communication and enjoying the company of the partner. However, planning a honeymoon can be very expensive, especially if choosing a tropical location or somewhere that is quite far away.

Taking an inexpensive honeymoon doesn’t have to mean cutting back on luxury, however. Once engaged, couples can immediately start browsing websites or meeting with travel agents, because booking early can mean big savings. Some resorts offer all-inclusive packages, which can end up being much cheaper than budgeting for multiple meals in different restaurants, plus airfare, transportation to and from the airport, and lodging. Many hotels and restaurants will also offer extras to couples on their honeymoons, such as free drinks or desserts, or even a free upgrade to the honeymoon suite. Talking to travel agents can be a way to save, since these individuals often have access to discounts that can’t be found online. They are often able to score perks as well.

Some people choose to register for their honeymoon expenses, so that friends and family members can contribute to the cost instead of purchasing a gift. This can help to alleviate the burden of paying for a dream honeymoon, while still enjoying a wonderful vacation with a brand new spouse. Some people might argue that a honeymoon isn’t necessary, but it is one of the best ways to begin life together in a stress-free and enjoyable atmosphere for both parties.

Filed Under: Tips and Tricks, Travel, Vacation Tagged With: Honeymoon, Marriage, Travel

Saving Money while Enjoying Family

Image via Wikipedia

Family vacations can get expensive, especially for those who have multiple children or other family members that will want to be included in the trip. Parents can consider a few tips and tricks when planning a cheap and relaxing getaway. There are many methods of transportation, although a lot of people only consider flying or driving. With strict policies on what can be brought onto an aircraft, and rising prices on gasoline, both of these options might break the bank. Bus or train travel can be an inexpensive and fun way to spend time together while letting someone else worry about the drive. If families do decide to drive, packing a cooler with meals and snacks can help save over buying expensive convenience store treats or fast food.

When deciding where to stay on a family vacation, consider booking a few months in advance or using an online site that offers discounts on hotel rooms. Some hotels have suites available, which can allow families to stay together in one location without having to pay for multiple rooms, several floors apart. Buying toiletries or clothing when on vacation can get very expensive, so parents can help children to make a list when packing to be sure not to forget a toothbrush or favorite pair of jeans.

Eating out for every meal on vacation isn’t cheap, so choosing a room that offers a fridge allows families to stock up on inexpensive groceries and save money that way. Budgeting can allow for extra to spend on museums, amusement park tickets, and more, so every penny saved is worth the fun it will bring in the family travel experience.

Filed Under: Family Travel, Travel, Vacation Tagged With: Family, Hotel, Travel

Summer Vacation Destinations in India

Summer holidays are the best time for most of the Indian families as the kids get a long holiday after the end of the old academic session. Most of the places in India have hot and wet summers so people normally want to get away to a cooler place to enjoy themselves during the summer vacation. India from the days of the British rule is attracting visitors with many cool and beautiful destinations during the summer. Though most of the people like to visit mountain or hill areas during the summer, the cool beaches, crystal clear water and the refreshing breeze do attract tourists around seas also.
Tourists can plan for these vacation destinations on their own or they can also avail the ready tour packages from any of the tour operator as India has numerous such operators some being local or others working Nationally or Internationally. Coorg in the Karnataka state is a famous summer destinations with its natural surroundings, an exotic past to spend your time with. The place gives you teak wood forests, coffee plantations, orange plants and food delicacies of the state itself. The place is also called Kodagu.
Ootacamund or Udhagamandalam which is ideally called Ooty in short is situated in Nilgiri Hills at a height of 2,240 mts. Located among the Blue Mountains or Nilgiri Hills, Ooty is covered with green forests and valleys, steams, mountains and the coffee plantations. Numerous luxurious hotels have made the stay of the tourist’s very relaxing ones. Though not very known to the people still Kodaikanal or Kodai is another popular summer destination in south. It is a serene hill station at a height of 2,195 m on the south most edge of the Palani Hills in the state of Tamil Nadu. The locals and the visitors call it with a name Princess of Hill Stations and thats what is its right name.

Filed Under: Family Travel, Vacation Tagged With: India, Tamil Nadu, Tourism

Famous Summer Destinations In India

Want to cool down during the summer holidays. India houses many places during the summer for the locals and the tourists around the India and around the world. From the North to South and from the East to West of India, these are some of the popular summer destinations in India which you can visit with your family and kids or with your friends. Though most of the places are being mountains and hills, sea beaches also attract people with its waves, crystal clear water and long sandy shores.
In the south of India, popular summer destinations being Ooty, Kodaikanal and Coorg.Kodaikanal are also called the princess of Hill stations. It is in Tamil Nadu better known as Kodai is a very quiet hill station at an altitude of 2,195 m on the southern edge of Palani Hills. Coorg is another destination during the summer popularly known as Kodagu. It offers picturesque natural surroundings, mesmerizing past, aromatic coffee plantations to its visitors. Ooty being a very popular tourist spot in the south is located in the Nilgiri Hills. It has streams, tea plantations and stretched out green forest.
Manali and Shimla in Himachal Pradesh are also very popular summer destinations. Shimla was the capital of India in summer during the British rule. Srinagar with its magnificent houseboats in the Dal Lake can take your summer holidays to heights. The alpine weather makes the summer mild and the winter cold here. Matheran and Mahabaleswar in the West of India are popular among many tourists. Mahabaleshwar is located in the lap of Sahyadri Hills in the Western Ghats. It is famous for its historical and religious importance. Matheran is also in the Sahyadri hills. In the eastern India Darjiling, Lava Lolegao and various places in the state of Sikkim are flooded with tourists during the summer because of the bracing climate and the scenic views.

Filed Under: Photography, Vacation Tagged With: Himachal Pradesh, India, Western Ghats

Floating Sun and Spring Break Fun

Spring break is meant to be a time of family and fun, but people often find themselves arguing about the best travel destination for their plans. The kids want a theme park, and mom and dad want fine dining. Finding a compromise seems like a tall order, until you consider taking the family on a cruise for spring break. Cruises can be fun and exciting, they can provide the whole family with what everyone is looking for, and they can give everyone the chance to get away. Taking some time to find the best deals and deciding on just where to go is all it takes to plan a successful cruise.

Look at some of the popular cruises that are offered today. You will likely find that many of the ships are floating citadels of fun. Swimming pools, musicals, rock climbing, gourmet meals and more are available to suit even the pickiest of travelers. Cruise ships are a perfect alternative to expensive vacations for families looking to take a trip together.

Finding great deals on cruise lines is often a sticky point – they can be expensive if vacationers don’t take the time to search for spring break deals. There are several excellent websites that offer travelers huge discounts on trips. Checking these sites on a regular basis is a great way to save a “boat load” of cash.

Truly, the most difficult part of planning a floating spring break holiday is deciding where to go. While there are trips to just about every part of the world, there are some that are more popular. Consider traveling to one of the following exotic destinations for your next spring break:

Cancun

Miami

Puerto Vallarta

Acapulco

Hawaii

Alaska

Each of these beautiful places has a lot to offer, and cruises to these areas always involve side trips and stops at other ports. When it comes to cruising, it really is matter of personal choice and taste.

Filed Under: Vacation Tagged With: Spring break