The greatest secret to affordable air travel or accommodation discounts is to know your budget and what you really want. Additionally, you should shop and compare deals until you’ve looked at all your options and choose the best among them. And importantly, always plan ahead. Nothing is too early when it comes to vacation planning. This will give you ample time to search and choose.

Whether you’re a business traveler or planning a family vacation, here are some air travel tips to help you save money and choose the best deal:

1. Buy your ticket directly. Travel agents usually charge between $15 and $35 per ticket, so you can save a bit by buying direct. If the holiday you’re planning has a number of different components to it – air travel to your cruise departure point and hotels before and after, for example – then simplifying things by going through an agent might be worth the added cost. That’s your choice.

2. Make all your purchases/reservations at once for these mutli faceted trips instead of buying one at a time. Discounts may be available on booking fees this way.

3. Booking for a package tour that includes air travel, accommodation and any other expense could be a wise choice for some destinations.

4. Compare prices online for the best discounts. There are websites that help travelers to shop and compare. Some also provide travel tips and guidelines.

5. Play the seasons. Some travel destinations are cheapest at certain times or seasons of the year. Booking for an off-peak season also would give you the best deal.

For both air travel and driving, avoid the crowds by traveling during the week, especially from Tuesday through Thursday. An added bonus is that airfares for travel Tuesday through Thursday are usually cheaper.

Mid-morning and late afternoon flights tend to be less crowded, plus you can really avoid commute traffic during this time. Travel sites also offer the low down on late-night flights (also known as red-eye flights for obvious reasons): these flights can help you avoid traffic but it’s only effective if you can sleep sitting up-right on a plane!

And did you know that traveling off-peak means traveling during holidays (not before or after) when airfares are lower and there’s less road traffic?

Some of the most affordable air travel deals of the year can be found in the fall. If you find super off-peak dates that fall between major holidays, strike while the iron is hot. Book immediately with your discount travel broker. Never hesitate!

6. Be flexible with travel dates and times. Some airlines and hotels offer substantial discounts if you book one or two days earlier.

7. Smaller airlines often have smaller fares. Additionally, small airlines don’t necessarily mean smaller airplanes.

8. Using an alternative airport also could provide you with substantial discounts. Ask your travel agent about it.

9. Plan ahead. The earlier you book, the better deal you will have.

10. Buy trip insurance. Insurance will not only save your life but also could save you money. If you end up being sick in foreign country, your insurance back home might not cover it. Thus you might end up using your vacation budget on hospitalization.

11. Sign up for hotel and airline awards programs. Chain hotels usually have award programs; take advantage of it especially if you are a frequent business traveler. Finally, never stop bargaining, always explore the possibility of lower airfare, lower hotel rates.

However, it is important to weigh and compare all options, since not all cheap travel deals will give you the travel value you deserve. Travel will be more enjoyable if you get the most for your hard earned vacation budget, and some hotels aren’t fit to stay in no matter how cheap they are. You do want to remember your trip for the right reasons!

James Yee

http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/best-travel-deals-for-your-holiday-137030.html

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Technorati Tags: Air Travel, budget, cheap travel, deals, discounts, red-eye flights, tips, travel destinations, vacation planning

Cruise Travel Budgeting Advice

If you think you won’t be paying extra for anything during your cruise vacation, think again. With most cruises, you’ll have to budget carefully in order to keep your on-board spending low. Here are some simple tips and things to watch out for when budgeting for your cruise.

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Technorati Tags: advice, budget, budgeting, cruise travel, onboard spending

No matter where you want to go or what you want to do, you’re likely to find travel auctions available to help make the trek easier on your wallet. The auctions that handle travel are found online in a number of places and will range from auctions for airline tickets to all-inclusive outings…

As you look for the best travel auction deals, remember that there are a multitude of sites that provide these auctions. Which one you’re most comfortable with is up to you, but it does pay to check out the different sites before diving in with a big bid on a travel auction offering. If you’re in the market and want to look at travel auction bargains, here are some types of sites to seek out:

* Larger auction sites. These often have a number of travel auction listings going at once. With offerings varying from international trips, complete with airfare, to those that involve more modest destinations, they can all be found online.

* Time share sites. These often have mechanisms for property owners to create some buzz for renting out their timeshares. Sites that cater to timeshare owners very often have their own auctions going to help owners get the most for their property’s rental.

* Ticket sites. Sometimes online sites that cater to ticket sales will have areas especially designed for travel auctions.

As you look for a discount travel auction online, there are some things to consider before making bids. These include:

* Exactly what kind of trip you’re looking for. Travel auction discounts can be found for just about any kind of trip to any destination. If you’re picky on location, dates and so on, make these determinations before you start trying to hunt for auctions.

* Prices. While travel deals can be found via auctions, it’s still a good idea to set a budget. Sometimes a hot commodity might be available that, due to bidding wars, ends up being anything but discount. If you allow yourself to go too far over budget, you won’t be getting a bargain even if it is a travel auction venue!

* Mode of transportation desired. Travel auctions can be found that include everything from cruises to helicopter flights to remote locations in the wilderness. Decide how you want to travel and where before looking for auction deals.

Once you’ve set a few parameters for you travel auction search, it’s a good idea to remember to check out the auctions closely before bidding. Remember that not everyone that offers auction items is reputable, but many are.

Vacations can be expensive, but travel auction bargains can make them more affordable. When people book trips and find out they can’t take them, they’re often willing to let them go for very reasonable prices. Or, sometimes timeshare owners want to rent out their weeks in luxury accommodations for a profit. Whatever the case, online auctions can provide real savings for travelers. The key is knowing where and how to look for the savings.

Tom Sample

http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/shop-discount-auctions-for-travel-bargains-113351.html

Technorati Tags: affordable, airline, all inclusive, auctions, bargains, budget, deals, discount, holidays, online, prices, search, sites, tickets, time share, transportation, travel, vacations

It’s one thing to say that you are going to take a cruise, choose the perfect cruise travel package and even get prices for your dream vacation, but it is a whole different thing to actually save up the money to pay for it and hand it over to your booking agent. It’s during this part of the vacation planning process that most people give up on taking a sea voyage and end up taking a short holiday on land…

When asked, many people admit that cruise travel has always been their dream vacation, but they have not been able to quite pull it off. Why? While some simply just can’t get the time away from work and responsibilities, most people are locked out of taking a sea vacation because they cannot afford to pay for it.

If this sounds like you, don’t worry. Cruise travel is more affordable than you think if you know how to save money on it, and for it. And there are ways that you can pay for the vacation of your dreams without maxing out your credit cards or taking out a second mortgage.

The first thing to consider is the actual cost for the cruise. Many people take one look at the fare pricing and view it the same way that they would hotel pricing. In their mind, they are visualizing this as the base cost of the vacation with extras like food, entertainment, and other expenses added on. But most cruise packages include all of these costs. This means that the vacation that you have always wanted could be just as affordable as, or even more affordable than, the land-based vacations that you have always taken.

And if that’s not enough, you can cut the cost of cruise travel even further by cashing in on special promotions, booking and paying for your trip well in advance, and taking your cruise during the off-season.

Booking passage on a smaller ship rather than the largest, most luxurious ship will also save you a great deal of money. You can even cut costs by choosing a smaller stateroom located on the inside of the ship over a room that faces outward and has a terrace or other amenities.

Even after you take off all of the possible savings, you will still have to come up with something to pay for your cruise. And just how will you do that? Well, the key to saving for anything is early planning. If you save throughout the year rather than just for a few weeks or months before your trip, you will be better able to put something away toward your trip without having to let other financial obligations slide.

You should never finance a holiday with credit. No matter whether or not you get a great interest rate, funding vacations with credit is never a good idea. This is because you will end up paying much more for your vacation over a longer period of time than you would have if you would have saved for your trip before hand.

Financing a vacation often makes it impossible to take future vacations until the financed holiday is paid for, and it may even create financial hardships. This can lead to resentment and hard feelings over a time that was supposed to only generate happy memories.

So unless you have a very generous aunt, paying for your cruise is going to be all up to you. Don’t worry, though. Paying for a vacation is possible even on the stingiest income if you know how to save.

The key to saving up for anything is consistency. You can’t simply say “I’m going to put back any extra money that I have until I have enough saved up to take a cruise”. If you go about it in this way, you will never save anything. When’s the last time you had “extra” money? And if you did have it, how long did it stay in your pocket? To save you need a plan, and you need discipline to stick to that plan.

The first step is to decide when you will be taking your cruise vacation and how much it will cost. Divide the amount of the vacation by the number of weeks you have until you have to have your cruise passage paid in full. This will tell you how much money you will have to put back each week in order to pay for the holiday. If you cannot possibly afford the amount that you need to tuck away each week, you may have to postpone the date of your vacation or make some adjustments to your living expenses.

Next, look at your budget. If you don’t have one, make one. Include everything that you spend money on each week. Don’t leave out extras. You would be surprised by how much income slips through your fingers only to be spent on frivolous purchases. Look for areas where you can cut expenses to free up some income to put toward your trip. Do you stop for a latte every morning or eat out frequently? By simply cutting out these extras, you could free up enough income to pay for your trip and then some.

Now that you have figured out where the money is going to come from, you will need to decide on a safe place to put it. This should be a place that you cannot raid if you feel the need to splurge. A savings account is a great idea if you can deposit money into it and forget about it. You and your significant other can check up on each other.

If you think that you may be tempted to make withdraws from the account, you may want to have a trusted friend or relative open an account for you with the stipulations that they are not to withdraw any money for you for any reason. If your vacation is going to be well into the future, savings bonds are also a great idea.

Here’s a simple saving tip: At the end of every day any change PLUS any one dollar bills you have go into a jar for the cruise fund. That’s it, just be disciplined about it. $3 dollars a day for a year is more than $1,000.

If you don’t buy something everyday then step it up a notch and ‘create’ extra change you can put aside when you do spend. Never pay for anything with dollar bills so you will accumulate them throughout the day. If something is $2.50, than you have to pay with a $5 or $10 and get $2.50 in coin change and one dollar bill change that you will save. So now every single purchase will contribute to your cruise fund!

But no matter where you decide to keep your holiday savings, be sure that you make weekly deposits and stick to your savings plan. Don’t give up. The cruise vacation of a lifetime is within your grasp. It’s up to you. Make the dream a reality!

Jacqueline Michaels

http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/asking-yourself-how-could-i-possibly-pay-for-a-cruise-well-99123.html

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Technorati Tags: affordable, budget, cost, cruise, cruise travel, financing, package, planning, pricing, promotions, saving, strategies, vacation

Of course, New York holidays have an allure that most U.S. cities simply can’t match, yet most people cannot tell you what it is that is so magical and mysterious about NYC. One of the most enticing things about going to Manhattan is the idea of walking up and down Broadway and, of course, seeing a show or two.

While some people go to Manhattan to see the museums and to go shopping, many travelers want to go in order to see what really happens on the “Great White Way”…

New York hotels are somewhat more expensive than hotels in the rest of the U.S., but most travelers going to the city are prepared to pay more for their accommodations. Most travelers, even those going to NYC for the first time, realize that finding a place to stay in the city can be a daunting task. However, finding affordable accommodations is possible, even in Manhattan.

If there is an area of the city where you prefer to find your accommodations, it is still possible to find something on the more affordable end of the price range that is within that location.

There are plenty of large New York hotels that are situated near major attractions such as Broadway and Lincoln Center. These larger hotels are often listed at prices that match their high-end addresses in Manhattan. On the other hand, there are a few smaller establishments within this area of the city that offer rooms at much more affordable prices than the larger corporate names.

The key to finding holiday accommodations in these smaller establishments is to plan your trip early by choosing your dates and then searching online to choose your accommodations.

When it comes to finding accommodations in NYC, the option of sorting New York hotels according to their locations is an important one for a lot of travelers. If you would like to be near the theater district, you will notice that the big corporate hotels are very expensive.

If you are trying to meet a specific travel budget, you will want to look for smaller, boutique hotels with fewer guestrooms and, in most cases, without an elevator. If these features sound okay to you, choosing one of the small, privately run establishments will help you to meet your set travel budget while letting you enjoy all that the city has to offer.

Essen Travel, at www.essentravel.com, offers comprehensive searches for New York hotels. The website allows searches by price to find everything from cheap hostels to more luxurious hotels. A drop-down menu for lodgings near major landmarks narrows the search even further. Airfare and rental car arrangements are also offered on the site.

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Technorati Tags: accomodations, affordable, boutique, broadway, budget, cheap, holidays, hostels, hotels, luxurious, Luxury, manhattan, new york, theater, travel, travelers

Getting married? There are plenty of wonderful destinations for your honeymoon. But how are you going to get there? Did you ever think of cruise travel as a start to your honeymoon? Believe me – it’s the best way to start your honeymoon. In fact it is the best way to start your marriage!

Every year, thousands of couples get married. If you’re planning your wedding, it is likely that you’ll plan a honeymoon as well. Honeymoons are often looked upon as vacations. In a sense, they are. But there are two major differences. Number one: romance is in the air. Number two: no kids. The bride, the groom and plenty of time. That makes honeymoons fun, exciting and memorable.

As previously mentioned, you have a number of different options when it comes to planning your honeymoon. Many newlyweds schedule their honeymoons at popular beaches, ski resorts, or other secluded areas. Did you know that you can also have a honeymoon aboard a cruise ship? Cruise travel is increasing in popularity, but still many individuals do not consider it as a vacation option. And that’s a shame.

You’ll be amazed!

One of the reasons why cruise travel is rarely thought about when selecting a vacation destination, let alone a honeymoon, is because of its perceived cost. A cruise is considered to be expensive. Well, I´ll let you in on a little secret. They don´t have to be. The competition in the cruise line industry is killing. If you play your cards right, you can be the one that benefits. Do a Google search on discount cruise ship tickets and you´ll be amazed at what you’ll find!

Those discount tickets are usually sold fast. So, here is the rule. First of all decide where you want to go and set your budget. Then sit down and do your homework on the computer (or with the help of a travel agent). Once you see an offer that fits your needs, do not hesitate. Jump on it and celebrate. You just made a dream reality!

Take it from a pro…

Let me raise another question…is cruise travel actually pricey? It is important to examine the activities available onboard and the length of the cruise. The longer the cruise and the more services available, the more expensive tickets are likely to be. If you take the time to figure out all the services that are included and the cost of overnight accommodations, you may see that cruises aren’t all that expensive after all. Do the math and – again – you’ll be surprised.

Once you’ve made the decision to spend your honeymoon onboard a cruise liner, you’ll have to book reservations. When examining cruise ship destinations, look for the possibility for romance. As your honeymoon is supposed to be a romantic and relaxing time, you’ll want to select destinations that will keep that spirit alive.

Those destinations are all over the world, but take it from a pro: for newlyweds the Caribbean is the place to go. There are over 7,000 islands. Pick a couple. No matter what islands you’ll be sailing to, there will be sandy white beaches, the friendliest people you can think of and lots of rum. You can’t go wrong here.

Amorous and intimate…

Before I forget: take a close look at the type of cruise you select. Most cruise lines have ships that are targeted to seniors, risk seekers or families. Stay away from the last two mentioned. Remember: you are searching for a private, amorous and intimate setting. Hard to find with kids all over the swimming pool or adventure junkies bungee jumping from the upper decks…

Capt. Jack Storms

http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/honeymooning-on-a-cruise-ship-98684.html

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Technorati Tags: budget, Caribbean, cruise, cruise travel, destinations, discount cruise ship tickets, getting married, honeymoon, lines, plan, reservations, ship, vacations, wedding

Far from the maddening crowds, Dude Ranch holidays offer a great escape from your office and work. The vast outdoors, cool air of the mountains, horses which offer you a stable mount all go towards making a Dude Ranch vacation one of the best times that you have had along with your family. You must however consider some things while getting ready for this vacation…

Dude Ranches were born to cater to the Eastern tourists who wanted to experience the life of the Wild West. The ranch owners soon realized that in addition to the scenic beauty, the tourists wanted something more from their ranch vacations. This led the owners to build lodges, and customize guest programs so that more tourists would come.

In planning your ranch holiday, you must first identify the location of the Dude Ranch that you want to visit. The activities offered by the Dude Ranch depend to an extent on its location. So keep this in mind. Also consider the financial aspect and choose according to your budget from the wide range of accommodations that Dude Ranches offer.

Most of the activities offered on Dude Ranch holidays are fairly standard. However there are some activities that are particular to each. For instance, some of the ranches are near fly fishing rivers and in such places fishing is a very popular activity. Hiking is another well liked but not anticipated Dude Ranch activity that is enjoyed by tourists.

Taking this outdoor vacation on a Dude Ranch also gives you an opportunity to learn about nature and land formations. You may even find some great relics like arrow heads and bones while out there.

Last but not the least; you can revel in four star comfort of the Dude Ranch. Good accommodations with hot tubs and pools are to be found on most Ranches. Kids can play in the pool while you just lounge about reading and relaxing.

Peter J. Mason

http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/fantastic-farm-holidays-140016.html

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Looking for a cheap vacation? All-inclusive holidays vary greatly but truly “all inclusive” should consist of your airfare, hotel, taxis between airport and hotel, as well as meals and drinks. These vacations can be very appealing to a family looking to get away on the cheap. Particularly, the meals come in handy so you don’t have to be concerned with the added expense of keeping the kids fed…

These travel bundles may include some extras such as a free tour or other land based adventure. The packages will vary greatly from deal to deal so be sure to read all the fine print outlining what is and is not included.

Some of the biggest advantages of all-inclusive holidays are the hassle-free atmosphere and not having to worry about having cash or how much cash you are spending. One price takes care of your whole vacation so you know how much it cost you up front. The budget concerns are gone.

The food on all-inclusive holidays is typically buffet style which can be a big plus when it comes to variety. Buffets on all-inclusive vacations are typically catering to a wide range of people so the choices may seem endless at times.

Another major benefit to these packages is the amount of activities for the family, particularly if you are visiting a large theme park like Disney. There are typically many choices for children and adults to keep the whole family very busy. Be sure to book activities in advance if you can, for many of them will fill up before you even arrive!

One of the biggest caveats to booking an all-inclusive holiday is to know exactly what you are getting into. The sales pitch on the website is meant to do just that – sell you on it. Be sure to check all the details before paying for anything. Keep your eye on deals that may demand you go to a seminar to buy a time-share or something similar. They may say that it will be a quick presentation, but you can be sure it will take more time than you expected. Not all cheap vacations are good deals!

Another issue to be concerned with is tipping. Although some places may claim that tips are included, many service workers will expect tips and your service will suffer if you don’t come through. This is particularly common on cruise ships.

Be sure you are comfortable with the amount of holiday activities that are available at the resort. Keep in mind that once you step foot out of the resort you will be paying for everything. If you want to explore other areas, everything from transportation to tips will cost you.

The bottom line is to do your research in advance of paying for this or any cheap vacation. Read all the fine print, understand exactly what is included, and seek advice from others that have experienced the same all inclusive holiday.

Mike Batta

http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/allinclusive-vacations-the-good-and-the-bad-29797.html

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Technorati Tags: activities, airfare, all inclusive, budget, buffet, cheap, cruise, deal, drinks, Family, holidays, hotel, meals, packages, resort, ships, taxis, tipping, tour, travel bundles, vacation

Holidays in Germany continue to gain popularity among vacationers around the world. Germany’s unique culture, friendly people, and distinctive destinations are just a few of the distinctions that have made this beautiful country one of Europe’s hottest tourist vacation spots since 2000. Each year, the number of overnight visitors grows. In fact, Germany attracted over 2.2 million visitors from the United States alone within the first six months of 2006!

Traveling to and from Germany with ease and in style can be a relaxing and pleasant experience in and of itself. Depending on where the visitor is coming from, Germany can be reached by boat, airline, automobile, or train. With all of these options available, there is a safe, convenient, and affordable option accessible for travel to Germany for every one!

Air Travel to Germany

Air travel affords the world traveler speed and convenience. Germany can be reached as an air destination through major airlines located across the globe. The most accessible German cities by air include Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt. Germany’s own airline, Lufthansa, accesses over 75 countries, reaching more than 175 cities. No matter what continent the would-be German visitor is located on, there is a flight headed to Germany nearby.

For a German holiday on a budget, there are a variety of no-frills air fare packages available. Some of the airlines to consider when flying affordably are Air Berlin, Ryanair, Germanwings, and Easyjet. For the most recent and up-to-date deals on airfare to Germany near you, contact your local favorite airline.

Travel to Germany on an Ocean Liner

For the traveler that isn’t in as much of hurry, or wants to combine their German vacation with another unique and memorable experience, visiting Germany by way of a cruise can be the perfect choice for relaxation and fun. The benefits of a cruise to Germany include avoiding the hustle and bustle that can be associated with flying and another option to reaching Germany from an overseas destination than via a plane.

Rates vary substantially with packages, but cruise ship lines typically offer great deals on packages for the traveler that are available on a flexible schedule. In fact, some cruise lines can offer rates that come out to be pennies on the dollar when compared to premium air line rates! Popular cruise lines that port in Germany are Norwegian Cruise Lines and Sea Cloud cruises.

Visit Germany by Train

European rail transportation is world famous for its efficiency, speed, and affordability. So for the budget-minded traveler, catching a train to Germany is an option that the traveler can’t afford not to look into!

But don’t discount the amenities available aboard trains! Packages offered by German rail travel can vary from the no-frills to the extravagant. There is truly something available for everyone.

Trains allow tourists taking a holiday in Germany to relax and enjoy the countryside without the added stress that can come with airline travel. Meeting new people and sharing the experience is a traditional aspect of vacationing in Europe and traveling by train affords the vacationer a unique opportunity to have the option of mingling with their fellow passengers if they want or to ride in privacy if they wish – something no long flights in a plane can present.

Puripong Koomsin

http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/travel-to-germany-66904.html

Technorati Tags: air, airfare, budget, cruise, destination, europe, Germany, holidays, liner, lufthansa, ocean, packages, rail, tourist, train, transportation, travel