We live for a few days of relaxation, exploration, and adventure every year. Whether just taking in the sun, spending hours of non-stop fun, or discovering new foods and cultures, now, more than ever, is the time to find a value vacation. Timing makes all the difference. Here are a few ways you can squeeze those dollars and still get a great getaway package.
Plan Early– If you want to save money and get a good deal, you have to plan early. Now is the time to investigate the places you are considering spending the vacation time you worked so hard to earn. Cruise ships, like Carnival Cruise Lines, offer Early Saver, that lets you sail for about $60 per day on their 3-day cruise to Nassau, Bahamas, starting in January, if you book now. A 3 day sail can cost as little as $179 per person. And, Carnival’s 7 day Mexican Riviera cruise starts at $429 per person if you book with AAA, one of my favorite places to find a great bargain on a trip. Sailing is a wonderful way to get an all-inclusive package for meals (drinks are usually extra), a room, and see one or more destinations at one time. Plus, you can enjoy all the amenities the ship has to offer. Some may cost extra, so spend as much, or as little as you like. Cruises give you a lot for your dollar.
Travel During the Off-Season– Many seasoned travelers know that prices drop during the off-season, when hotels and airlines reduce their rates significantly. Cut out the middle man and do the work yourself. I go directly to the hotels, airlines, and official websites of the locations I am considering. I also use the Internet to find my own deals, like this one I found in Costa Rica at the Allegro Playacar, an all-inclusive hotel, where you save up to 48%. All-inclusive is the best way to go on when you are on a budget. It’s the only way I travel. At the Allegro Playacar, kids eat, play, and stay FREE! If you go to the Dominican Republic, you get a fantastic deal. All-inclusive deals in Puerto Plata can start at as little as $41 per person, per night; Punta Cana starts at $58 per person, per night. Both resorts offer hotel plans where kids stay, eat, and play FREE. Then, just book your airfare online. For more deals on all-inclusive vacations, visit this great website here.
Spend Time Off the Beaten Track– Consider discovering a place that has local appeal. I like to vacation in the fall, and this year I decided to save money and drive just a few short hours to see the autumn foliage in Wisconsin. There are several lakes and rivers that display beautiful colors in autumn when the leaves are turning, but won’t turn your budget into a tail spin. Elkhart Lake has a deal: stay 2 nights in October for $105 or $115.50, and get the third night FREE. This price includes a Continental breakfast, and you can have a traditional room or luxury king-size accommodations. Shop at the Christmas Market, hit the spa, play golf, kayak on the river, go apple picking, or do the Harvest Moon Ball weekend package where you dance the nights away to fabulous orchestras under the stars. You can also save by planning your own road trip itinerary with AAA; just click here.
No matter if it’s the off-season, off with the crowds on a cruise, or off the beaten track, planning early, booking early, looking for all-inclusive deals, reduced rates, and other freebies will take some of the zeroes off the grand total when its time to add up the fun. After that, you can take the family and hit the road to an awesome adventure that is waiting just for you! Happy trails!