How to Take a Cheap Vacation

I can't think of many people that don't like traveling. Most of the people that I run across are planning vacations, enjoying their down time, and exploring the world. That's how I am. I love exploring new places and getting around to different places.

What I don't like is paying for the experience. Regardless of where you travel, vacations are going to be a huge financial commitment. No matter what you do, you're almost always going to spend more than you originally plan.

There's really no such thing as a cheap vacation but, there's nothing wrong with taking steps to reduce the price. Here are some of the things that you can do to get the most inexpensive vacation possible.

Be Flexible With Your Dates

There's a huge benefit to being flexible with your dates. If you're looking at getting an airline ticket, then the prices are going to fluctuate depending on the season. However, if you're just looking at a hotel it can benefit you as well. If you're flexible with your days you'll be more open to different discounts that hotels might offer. They might offer a discount for certain days, or give lower unpublished rates. Either way, it creates more opportunities to save money.

Plan Something Close

The farther you travel, the more expensive your vacation becomes. If you plan a weekend getaway a couple of hours from where you live, then you'll end up paying a lot less than what you would have paid otherwise. Look for something a couple of hours away that you've either enjoyed in the past, or never done before.

Avoid Heavily Visited Areas

Heavily visited areas usually cost more. When you're planning your trip you should try to find something that people don't usually do. Look for something that's going to be fun for your family, yet cheap at the same time,

Get Creative

Think about the things that your family enjoys that you've never really tried before. Maybe you've never gone horseback riding, or hiking, or windsurfing. Look for something fun that you can plan a vacation around.

Plan With a Coupon Book

Coupon books can be great vacation planners. Why? Because they give you different ideas for fun activities, and a lower price at the same time. You can also try using a website like Groupon to get even better deals. Groupon is a great website for finding fun things to do because so many companies use it to announce discounts.

Follow the Tips in the "Money Saving Travel Guide"

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7135828

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Discover Europe's secret hot spots

Sergio Padura

The Matarranya region in Southern Aragon is Spain's answer to Tuscany, striped with vineyards and rivers, and dotted with olive groves and tree-lined peaks.

Americans can’t get enough of Paris, as becomes painfully clear each summer, when it swarms with tourists. Relief waits a train ride away in Île de Noirmoutier: You’ll be greeted by the scent of mimosa and the sight of bobbing yachts and families picnicking on the beach.

Slideshow: See the secret hot spots

Thankfully, Europe is still full of under-the-radar gems like this French retreat. And we can’t resist spreading the word about the latest emerging hot spots, from Eastern Europe’s hippest art scene to a sleepy district of lakes and castles.

The continent is so varied that even with 17 countries sharing the euro currency, it can barely keep from splintering into thousands of microcultures. While this complicates the financial markets, it has an upside for travelers: continued opportunities for discovery. You’ll never walk into a beach bar in Bergen, Holland, and one on the Aegean Islands and have the same experience.

So while the hunt is always on for the next Tuscany, you’ll find that Spain’s answer — the little-touristed northeast Matarranya region — has its own distinctive accent. Its patchwork of vineyards, rivers and olive groves lies at the confluence of the ancient Aragon, Valencia and Catalonia kingdoms. The feeling is still a bit regal, especially at the Hotel Torre del Visco, a surprisingly affordable 15th-century palace in Fuentespalda (population: 368).

Farther afield, in Estonia, there’s a secret island of juniper forests, fishing villages and small farms that was the last stronghold of Estonian pagans until the 13th century. Looking for a windmill? You’ll get your photo-op with the country’s last working wooden version here.

For more of a scene, look to the Netherlands and a beach town that’s recently made waves. Like the Hamptons, but with clogs, Bergen is becoming a second-home haven for newly monied Germans and Dutch who prefer bike rides and outdoor cafés to power lunches.

It takes extra effort, sure, to reach these European spots, but the reward comes with that sense of being let in on a fantastic secret — and the opportunity to experience a place rooted in local tradition before it’s really discovered and altered.

And if you just can’t forget Paris, consider you’ll probably get to transit through one such glittering European hub along the way.

resource:http://itineraries.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/21/12342178-europes-secret-hot-spots?lite

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How to Budget for a Backpacking Holiday Around the World

So your thinking of doing your yearlong round the world flight and leave the 9 to 5 life behind are you? Well that is great, there are lots of people how think of going and never make it. Thinking and worrying about what could go wrong, and the what if's in life that paralyze them in to doing nothing, like a deer in the head lights. I personally thing you should be worrying my about missing out on your chance, your opportunity, your dream; a lot more than the unlikely worst case scenarios that could happen if you ever went. But that's me. Your here now reading this which I hope it will help give you that information, the help and advice that you need to move forward in to booking the fight and just saying; "What the hell this will be great!" But who am I? What do I know? I'm just some guy at the other end of the world why should you listen to me? You have a point.

I am just a guy, there is nothing special about me but the places I have been, the things I have done, and the people I have met sure are. At 24 I left my home town of Hull in the UK to go find out what there is in the world. I'm 30 now and in them years I have been to over 30 different countries worked about 2 and a half years of it to keep me funded. I've been home to the UK a few times but never for long. At 24 I thought I couldn't do it but I did it anyway. What was there to lose? There are always jobs if you really want one. But if you're going to work to live and not live to work who cares, go and find life not the job that supports your weekend but the life that's supports your happiness.. If all goes wrong you can go back to your old career, back home, and back to the 9 to 5, and be a more interesting person, with some great stories, and a renewed loved for life. So where to start?

Have you picked where you would like to go? There are many option and not just round the world flights. They're many companies out there offering around the world flights and multi stop flight but also I would look into the normal charter and schedule flights on engines like Kayak.com and SkyScanner.net where the compare the cheapest flights. If you wanted to spend a year in South America, or Asia then this is the best way, you could easy spend a year in both if you have the budget, South East Asia being a lot cheaper. So have a look and get an idea of the cost of flights and when you want to go. I personally go where I have never been before. There is a great place on TripAdvisor.com where you can get inspiration.

Next there are the things you're going to need. How much of this stuff do you need to buy? How much are you going to spend? You could spend as little as $200 on this stuff and as much as $2000 and upwards. Check out the cost for your insurance too. For backpackers insurance check out comparethemarket.com and other comparison sites as well. Now you know about how much the flight is, how long and where you want to go. You can work out how much money you going to need what you need to make your dream come true. You could be going to multiple countries in multiple months. How do you find the cost of each country? Ask Google, the lonely planet books give you a daily budget for each place too. Now add to the totals you have the insurance, flights, any big trips (e.g. Galapagos Islands, Machu Picchu... ), and add the cost of any new gear you will be needed to take with you. Now you have a cost for your holiday. Too easy I'll give an example of a typical round the world trip from the UK.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7016273

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Expedia reports more travelers dream Dominican this year

Expedia.com data shows the Dominican Republic is increasingly popular while remaining a good deal, shares deals and tips for planning the perfect Dominican Republic getaway.

Expedia.com has found that the Dominican Republic is an increasingly popular destination for US travel, up 30%, making it the 2nd most popular destination for Americans to travel in Latin America and the Caribbean.

As the largest and most diverse Caribbean destination, the Dominican Republic is an easy trip from Miami, New York City, Atlanta and even some European destinations. Known for its warm and hospitable people, the Dominican Republic is a destination like no other, featuring astounding nature, intriguing history and rich culture.

In additional to identifying the best deals, activities and tips for travelers planning a vacation to the Dominican Republic, Miriam Hernandez, head of the Dominic Republic market for Expedia.com, shared that, "The Dominican Republic has never been more popular for US travelers, especially those from the east coast, but surprisingly, room night costs have remained mostly flat, making it one of the best deals for getting to the beach this summer." A recent survey known as the Expedia Flip Flop report shows that beach travel is the number one type of trip most Americans prefer.

Dominican Republic travel trends at a glance

• Travelers on Expedia usually book their trips to the Dominican Republic 52 days in advance and come from these top 5 feeder cities: New York,Miami,Boston,Philadelphia, Chicago
• Close to 70% of those booking trips to the Dominican Republic book a package on Expedia.com which saves them an average of roughly $200 per booking. In addition, 72% book all-inclusive lodging.
• The percentage of bookings for just two adults and no kids: 66%. The percentage of bookings with kids: 14%.
• Punta Cana is very popular with more than 50% of bookings while Santo Domingo, the capital, draws roughly 13% of the bookings.
• Hotel occupancy levels vary by season in Punta Cana:
  January through March feature 90% – 95% occupancy.
  April through June feature an 80% occupancy in April and 70% from May through June.
  From July through August the average occupancy is 75% and should be stronger this year.
  September through December features a 60% – 75% occupancy with a peak over the December holiday season.

Where to stay in the Dominican Republic
For travelers looking for a romantic all-inclusive getaway, the Sanctuary Cap Cana, Zoetry Agua Punta Cana and Majestic Elegance Punta Cana all offer fantastic all-inclusive and romantic options. For families, the Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real, Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe and Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana Luxury all offer affordable and family friendly all-inclusive options. For travelers interested in trying their luck at a casino they should visit the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana featuring the largest gaming area in the country.

What to do in the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic has many of the most magnificent golf courses in the Caribbean and Latin America. From the mountains to the beaches, the golf courses there are uniquely designed and distinct. Sports champions and golf enthusiasts alike cannot resist playing the island's challenging courses.

The Dominican Republic also features some of the world's most beautiful beaches. Families, couples and friends can enjoy the fine beach lifestyle in Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, La Romana, Samana, Montecristi and Puerto Plata.
Read more:http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/49679--Expedia-reports-more-travelers-dream-Dominican-this-year

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Tourism in the UK contributes more to GDP than automotive manufacturing

The Travel & Tourism industry in the UK is nearly five times the size of automotive manufacturing and supports almost as many jobs as the financial sector.

This is according to new research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) sponsored by American Express.
The research, undertaken by Oxford Economics, shows that the sector’s direct contribution to the UK GDP is £35 million which is almost five times the GDP of automotive manufacturing and larger than chemical manufacturing and the mining sector.

Travel & Tourism’s total contribution to GDP in the UK was £101 billion in 2011, or 6.7% of total GDP. This compares 2.3% for automotive manufacturing, 1.9% for mining and 4.1% for chemicals.With 2.3 million direct, indirect and induced sustained jobs in the UK, Travel & Tourism directly supports nearly as many jobs as the financial service sector in the UK.

The new research also showed that Travel & Tourism’s contribution to GDP is faster than most other sectors in the UK. It will grow by 4.1% over the next ten years, a faster growth rate than the total economy and all other industries presented in this study.It also highlights that Travel & Tourism is a significant source of exports for revenue for the UK. In 2011, visitor exports totaled £25 billion which was 13.2% of all service exports and 5.1% of all exports including goods and services.

The study compared the effect of Travel & Tourism spending on GDP and the wider economy.Every £640,000 (US$1 million) of Travel & Tourism spending:

• Generates £830,000 (US$1.3 million) in GDP which is roughly the same impact as the financial services and communications sector
• Generates £76,000 (US$119,000) of gross value added in the real estate sector and the wholesale and retail sector gains £86,000 (US$135,000)
• Supports 18 jobs, compared to 13 jobs in the financial sector, 12 jobs in the communications sector and 11 jobs in automotive manufacturing.

David Scowsill, President & CEO, WTTC said: “These numbers are extremely significant. For over 20 years, the World Travel & Tourism Council has spearheaded global and regional analysis of the economic impact of Travel & Tourism. WTTC has now taken this research one step further and assessed the role Travel & Tourism plays in the economy of the UK in comparison to other economic sectors and also how this looks like on a regional level.
The results are extraordinary. Within our industry we have always known that Travel & Tourism is a vast contributor to economic growth and job creation. These figures bear out just how significant our industry is for the UK.

2012 is an important year for the UK’s tourism industry. The Golden Jubilee and Olympics are a prime opportunity to showcase the country’s tourism product and capacity to host major events. However, government support after 2012 will be equally important to ensure that the industry can build on the legacy of these events, and continue to create jobs and growth around the UK. Air passenger duty and high rates of VAT on hotel stays are making tourism in the UK uncompetitive, and costing the economy jobs and GDP. Now is the time for the government to sit up and take notice of the industry and its potential.”

Bill Glenn, President Global Corporate Payments and Business Travel, American Express said: "With each release of regional data from the latest WTTC research, we continue to see the value that travel can bring to GDP, job creation and other economic factors. We are pleased to sponsor this research and provide the industry with another valuable asset to use to promote the benefits of travel."

At WTTC’s Global Summit in Tokyo in April, WTTC’s research revealed that Travel & Tourism’s direct contribution to world GDP US$2 trillion or 2.8% is more than double the GDP of automotive manufacturing and one-third larger than the global chemicals industry. Travel & Tourism generates roughly the same GDP as the global education and communications sectors, and about half that of the global banking and financial services industry.

read more: http://travelandtourworld.com/news/newsTour.asp?newsID=12086

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