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Vacation tips for those on a budget
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Just about every vacationer is interesting in keeping the cost of his or her adventures low. Most people work all year just to be able to enjoy a one or two week vacation from the cares of the world. Unless you are independently wealthy and money is no object, chances are you will be interested in the following tips for squeezing the most value out of your limited vacation dollars.
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- When planning for a particular destination, especially a popular one like Orlando, Europe or the Caribbean, it pays to plan ahead. Be sure to spend some time researching the local attractions, and comparing various lodging options. Be sure to look for discounts that are available, and see if it is possible to buy things like theme park tickets or museum admissions prior to arrival. Doing so can save you both time and money.
- Try taking your holiday in the off season or shoulder season. Avoiding the high season can provide many benefits, including lower prices and fewer crowds. Prices on airline tickets, car rentals, hates and cruises often drop significantly after the high season has gone.
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If you have friends or relatives near your chosen destination, consider asking them for a place to say. It can be fun for many people to show visitors around their town, and they may enjoy having the company. When taking this approach, however, be sure to chip in by doing chores, paying for groceries, filling the gas tank on the family car, etc.
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Try to plan flying vacations for the times of year when airfares are generally the cheapest. For most destinations, this period runs from February through May and September through December. The one exception to this rule is the week before Thanksgiving and the two weeks leading up to Christmas, when prices shoot back up. If you must fly during the high season, be sure to research the fares on low cost airlines.
- When traveling by car, be sure to pack lots of ready to eat food in the car to avoid expensive restaurant meals.
- When eating in restaurants, try to avoid those that obviously cater to the tourist crowd. Eating where the locals do will allow you to enjoy better food at lower prices.
- When planning your hotel stays, try to strike a balance between a convenient location and a low price. Hotels closer to a given attraction are generally more expensive, while those in suburbs and outlying areas tend to be less costly.
- Compare the amenities of the hotels carefully. Decide what is important to you, and use those priorities as a guide when choosing from among comparably priced hotels.
- For a low cost alternative to expensive hotels, consider renting an RV for your next vacation. There are a number of rental agencies that offer rentals, and an RV can often be a low cost alternative. RV campgrounds are generally much less expensive than traditional hotel rooms.
- When renting a car, choose the smallest, most fuel efficient vehicle you can find. Not only are compact and subcompact cars cheaper to rent, but they are cheaper to operate as well.
- If traveling in your own car, be sure it is up for the trip. A good pre vacation checkup or tune-up can save a lot of problems. Car repairs on the road can be both inconvenient and expensive.
- If the destination you are traveling to has good public transportation options, you may not need your own car, or a rental car, at all. Many large cities in the United States and Europe have such good bus, subway and train systems that a personal car is unnecessary.
- Camping can be an excellent, and very low cost vacation for nature lovers of all ages and interests. Campgrounds are easy to find and inexpensive. In addition, many campgrounds offer great amenities, such as swimming pools, sports and every movie nights.
- Planning activities that do not need a lot of money to enjoy, such as hiking and swimming, is a good way to maximize value and minimize vacation spending. In addition, museums and historical sites generally have very low priced admissions and can be fun for the entire family.
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