5 Tips on How to Buy Cheap Airline Tickets

An important aspect of planning a vacation is the procurement of flight tickets. This is especially made challenging if you are on a tight budget. To help you purchase the cheapest air tickets, read the following tips:

1. Be updated on promotional fares from major airlines. Watch out for their ads and act quickly since these promos mostly run on a limited-time basis. Start up airline companies sometimes have their own promos so keep tabs on them as well.

2. Schedule your flight on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. These are the days when it’s cheapest to fly so make sure that you plan your flight flexibly.

3. Look for airlines that offer travel packages. Ask airline representatives if their package includes a rental car or hotel reservation along with the airline ticket.

4. Compare air ticket prices. If you are doing your research online, check more than one site and compare their rates.

5. Book early. Especially for holiday flights (around November-December), take advantage of advance-ticket discounts by making a reservation 21 days ahead.

Buying the cheapest air tickets saves you enough money which you can otherwise spend on other things during your trip. The trick is you have to play it smart and familiarize yourself with the system of some airlines.

Viva Las Vegas!

Las Vegas is actually one of my favorite cities. For some it may be gaudy, corny, and loud, but I still see it as a glittery place that’s really fascinating for everyone, not just those that are over 21 years of age. I first went to Las Vegas as a child, so I know that it’s possible to take children there. Not everyone who goes to Las Vegas are big rollers but still enjoy themselves. There is no need to break the bank to have a wonderful time in Las Vegas. Sometimes it all comes down to knowing where the best deals are and being smart about where to stay.

Hotels located directly on the famed Las Vegas Strip are of course going to be more pricey than the ones located just a little off it. Not staying on the Strip doesn’t negate from your Las Vegas experience, and you can still visit the famous hotels and casinos and gamble there, enjoy the food and other facilities even if you’re not actually staying there. These non-Strip hotels are just as good as some of the ones on it. Visit travel sites and see how hotels rank with real-life travelers.

And because Las Vegas is such a tourist hub, getting there could be easier than you once thought. Peak seasons will likely have an increase with regards to ticket and accommodations. The best way to get the best deals in Las Vegas is to go during the off season. Las Vegas doesn’t really have an off season per se, but it surely beats going there when everyone else is. The off season we’re referring to are those times when people aren’t likely to be flocking there. In short, it’s NOT summer, spring break, or winter holidays.

Keep these in mind, and have a fabulous Vegas time!

Top 10 Must-See European Vacation Destinations

Europe is such a vast and diverse place that reducing all its wonders in order to come up with a list of its top 10 vacation destinations seems to difficult. What criteria will you use exactly? How do you include one and exclude others? I might as well list them all down, but that’s quite impossible.

As a vacation destination, Europe has countless places to offer no matter what your vacation preferences are. A European vacation doesn’t mean you have to spend big bucks to fully enjoy a city or country. For this list, I decided to go the way of must-see destinations in Europe. If you haven’t been to Europe yet, it’s a great way to start in these places.

London, England - A perfect springboard for any European vacation. Its historic locations, backstreets, and castles are something that most of us have only previously read in books. Culture and great entertainment are also big draws for London. From London you can also visit other English cities such as Bristol, which is known as an art hub, or spend a day at the English or Welsh countryside.

Paris, France – Paris is one of those places that is just so quintessentially European. The architecture, the food, the people, and the way of life are just so European that you just know that you’re in this very different yet very special place. Paris is home to fashion, art, and good food in Europe so expect a beautiful good time exploring the sites and absorbing as much of the city as you can.

Amsterdam, Holland - I have a feeling that Amsterdam would most likely appeal to the younger set because of its liberal reputation, but I have to say that Amsterdam is a very beautiful place to visit no matter what age you are. The cheeses alone are worth a visit, as well as walking around the city so flat it won’t be so tiring. You can also make Amsterdam a starting point for seeing the rest of Holland where you can see tulip fields and the famous windmills.

Venice, Italy – the City of Canals is one unusual city. First of all, there are no motor vehicles and trucks. Second of all, water covers almost every part of the city and transportation mostly takes on gondolas and ferries. Visiting Venice is truly an experience, couple that with breathtaking architecture and good food and wine, and you have yourself a memorable European vacation.

Barcelona, Spain – Barcelona lies by the sea, so expect a lot of great seafood meals during your stay there, as well as some fun in the sun. Take time to drop by the street markets and don’t forget to check out the Sagrada Familia, that still unfinished church in the city. The city itself is also home to a lot of street art and unusual architecture so be sure not to miss that.

Rome, Italy – Another Italian city makes it on the list. Rome is one of Europe’s largest cities, a culturally rich one that has a lot of historical sites for visitors to enjoy. Tucked in the middle of Rome is Vatican City, technically another country, and the seat of the Roman Catholic Church. Even if you’re not the religious type, be sure to check the art and architecture around you.

Berlin, Germany – A modern yet cultured city, Berlin offers you historical palaces, museums, and a fantastic nightlife. Another great reason to visit Berlin is to see where the Berlin wall once stood, a reminder of the issues that once split the country in half.

Vienna, Austria – the Austrian capital has plenty to offer in terms of history, culture, culinary delights, and even shopping. Classical music fans will love visiting Beethoven’s various residences, as well as Mozart’s memorial. It has consistently ranked surveys with regards to the quality of life, and a visit to the city will surely allow you to have a taste of it.

Athens, Greece – even if you go to Athens to see the ruins of the ancient Acropolis alone, the trip would be all worth it. But it isn’t the only thing that Athens has to offer. Great food and friendly people are nothing short of willing in helping you explore the city see its riches.

Brussels, Belgium – Brussels used to be overshadowed by Europe’s bigger, better-known cities but it is now starting to emerge as a top European vacation destination. Rich architecture, fabulous culture, a great night life, sumptuous food, and friendly people all make Brussels a top destination.

Planning a Cheap International Weekend Getaway

There are just some days that I feel like getting out of here, even for a weekend. Yes, a weekend getaway sounds nice, somewhere very far, somewhere where a passport is required. One of these days I just might.

Now if you’re like me and want to have that weekend getaway like right now, fret not, because it is possible even if it’s last minute or don’t have much of a budget. Believe it or not, it is possible to plan a last minute thing and it would actually be better to do so.

The internet is your savior when it comes to things like this, as you may well know. Everything from cheap international flights to deals and inexpensive hotels, the internet can help you plan your last minute weekend getaway. Certain airlines offer cheap international tickets at regular intervals and mostly these are offered to people who subscribe to their newsletters and such, so it would help to be part of these groups if only to be the first to know about ticket sales.

As for your accommodations, travel sites such as TripAdvisor.com have chockfull of information coming from travelers themselves, including lesser-known deals and which inexpensive hotels are best. And since these are coming from unpaid sources, the reviews on this site are some of the most honest and helpful I have seen. They also tell you the must-see attractions in certain locations and will tell you in all honesty what each place or attraction is like. That site is definitely worth a visit.

Wherever you plan to go this weekend, or if you’re just planning that trip for someday, keep in mind the resources that are available online and you could really have that cheap international weekend getaway you have been dreaming of.

A Family Vacation for ALL

“You’re going on a vacation with your little children? Are you insane?”

That’s probably one of the things you’re going to hear when you start asking about good family vacation spots and activities. You can’t blame them, as traveling with children can be quite a challenging feat. The good news, however, is that it’s not impossible and your options are many and varied.

My family traveled a lot when my siblings and I were little, so there were like three children to look after and keep entertained. I believe the secret to having a family vacation that both kids and adults can enjoy is to find places where activities appeal to both parties. My parents achieved that. Among places I can suggest (it’s a pretty unusual list) are:

Disneyland/Disneyworld
Even if you are a cynical adult, you have to admit that you have a soft spot for the Magic Kingdom. It’s because the memories you forged there as a child were so good it’s ingrained in you forever. Why not do it for your kids? You can ride the teacups, the cable cars, Magic Mountain, among others. The “It’s A Small World” ride still appeals to me even as an adult. Older children may like the thrill (or mini heart attack) that the Twilight Zone ride gives. You can watch the parade on Main Street and then the light and fireworks show later on. It’s reliving your childhood while sharing it with your children. Win-win.

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Universal Studios
I’d go have a future family vacation in Universal if only to hear E.T. say my name once again (note: The E.T. ride is now only available in Universal Studios Florida). Any of the Universal Studios locations are good picks. You can interact with your children and explain to them what that talking car was about or why there is a giant shark with its mouth open. If you are a movie-watching family, this place will really keep kids entertained.

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Las Vegas
Yes, you read that right. As a child, I loved Las Vegas. I loved seeing the lights. I loved eating as much mashed potatoes as I wanted. I loved winning tickets and exchanging them for prizes. My parents utilized the Midway to keep kids happy while they sat on slots. Of course it wasn’t all about fun and games. Las Vegas has a lot of shows and I’ve watched many great magic shows and circus acts as a child. Cirque du Soleil is breathtaking to watch no matter what age you are.

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Historic Places
Personally I think these are great places for kids to visit because they’ll actually be in places most people would only read about in books. It also helps that you are interested in things like that because children will ask questions. My parents took us to the Statue of Liberty and I never saw it the same way again. My parents took us to see the pyramids up close, which would mean I was horseback riding in the Sahara. How many children can say they’ve been to Egypt? These kinds of places are a great way to teach your kids something else aside from the usual school stuff.

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The Beach
Come on, you’re going on a vacation, might as well go to the beach right? The beach is all kinds of perfect, and resorts have all sorts of activities planned for both adults and kids, or even the family as a whole. The children can play on the sand while you relax and sip your drink. You can try something new and get surfing lessons and what-not.

See? A family vacation isn’t that hard to plan. You don’t need to stress about it. Just remember, enjoy yourself and take photos. Take lots of photos.

I Will Travel To Mexico… Soon

Why would anyone not want to go to Mexico? It has beaches, it has art, it has historical sites, it has great food, the people are fun, and the list goes on and on and on. I’ve long been planning a visit to our neighbors to the south, and several travel shows, travel books, and reading about traveling to Mexico all this time, I think I have figured out my itinerary.

I’m going to be alone and it’s going to be my first time there so I know I’m bound to go to some known tourist destinations. I don’t mind this at all. And besides, I want to somehow “discover” the country. It’s going to be like The Amazing Race minus the stress of racing. Get ready, because this is gonna be grand (at least in my head it is).

Since I’m gonna be landing in Mexico City, my first days will be spent exploring the city on foot, eating authentic, authentic, authentic Mexican food, people watch at their enormous plazas, and visit the Catedral Metropolitana (the largest church in Latin America). I also want to see the Templo Mayor, which is a remnant of Aztec architecture right smack in the middle of the city. And of course I have to go to the Frida Kahlo museum. I have to admit I primarily wanted to go to Mexico for that.

Next stop on my itinerary is Oaxaca. Ah, Oaxaca. I once watched a feature on the state and it featured Oaxaca’s finest product: Chocolate! All the more reason to travel to Mexico, right? I’d want to go to a chocolate tour, eat mole perhaps, then settle down and enjoy the laidback vibe, the architecture, maybe do a bit of shopping if I hadn’t already done so back in the big city. And then go back and have another hot chocolate. I can feel it. Oaxaca’s gonna be divine.

After spending my first days exploring decidedly urban places (well, Oaxaca can’t really be described as urban but they have a lot of people so you get what I mean?) I think it would be time to head to the beach now. The beach is where I’m going to spend the few days I have left on the country and will probably take over my budget because I booked myself on a 3-day, 2 night stay in Puerto Vallarta. I really meant to end my travel to Mexico big time and by the time those 3 days are over, I’ll probably be itching to start my vacation again.

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Vacationing in Paris during the off season

You’ve seen the pictures. You’ve dreamed of Paris. So now that you’ve decided that you want to do it, what are the steps to making your Parisian wishes come true?

First of all, realize that from the first of November through the end of March, Paris is slow therefore there aren’t a lot of things going on. Many attractions and tours are either closed or have limited times and hours. The only real busy times are the holidays like Easter and Christmas. So if you’re planning a Christmas vacation to Paris, book your airlines and hotels as far in advance as possible.

It’s a good idea to check with a travel agent to find out their recommendations but another popular option is to search online to find the most up to date information for booking your off season Paris vacation.

One of the huge benefits about visiting Paris during the winter times are the lack of visitors – so, many times you can visit monuments and attractions in Paris that would otherwise be so crowded that you might not enjoy it as much as you could.

There are a number of very unique Paris attractions that you might enjoy. For instance, the Conciergeries.

The Conciergeries is the prison in Paris. It is located over the waters around Paris and has a fascinating history. The Conciergeries was originally the palace where the French kings lived. They then relocated to the Palace Louvre, and the, in the late 1300’s, the palace became Paris’ first (and only) prison. The conciergeries is located on the Island Cité, near Notre Dame (another place well worth visiting, along with the Sainte-Chapelle).

The Conciergeries became notoriously popular in the 1700’s during the French Revolution where many men and women were put to death in the prison.

The Conciergeries is part of the Palais de Justice which is still used today for much of Paris’ judicial business. The Palais de Justice also played a crucial role during the French Revolution because prisoners were detained here as they left the Concorde Squares before they were beheaded.

Paris has a wide array of attractions. During Christmas however, most of the activities are relaxed with the exception of Christmas activities. During this time, you will enjoy shopping, and strolling the beautiful city of Paris. To learn more visit your travel agent or go online to check out travel services.

Traveling with Teenagers & Kids

He rolls his eyes. She pouts. And you wonder whatever happened to the kid who couldn’t wait to go on vacation. What happened is that child turned into a teenager. Teens are often difficult to please and as a parent you probably understand this. Heading out on a vacation with teens can be an experience that you don’t want to remember. Many times a teen will become bored and unhappy. This is why it’s important to pick a destination that your teenager will enjoy.

When you’re selecting a destination, see if it’s geared toward your teenager. Perhaps there are video games – but make sure that your teen enjoys the activities that are there. Also, will your teen enjoy the available activities?

Amusement and theme parks are perhaps a good destination for your teenager. Some possibilities are Disneyland, Six Flags and Orlando Studios. Some of these resorts even offer onsite camping (which will reduce the cost of the vacation.)

Some teens might enjoy such adventures as white water rafting or mountain biking. There are white water rafting vacations offered in Colorado, Idaho, Utah and West Virginia. If you’re interested in a white water rafting vacation, take a look at your child’s age, athletic ability and age. If your family is inexperienced, then book a guided white water rafting tour.

Another vacation possibility for teenagers is a cruise ship. Since cruises are offered all over the world, this gives you the ability to vacation throughout the world in a safe, carefree way. Many cruises are geared and emphasize families and offer onboard activities that appeal especially to teenagers. There are video games, movies, swimming, dancing and even rock climbing.

There are cities throughout the world who cater to tourists and have a lot of available activities. These cities include Hollywood, Paris, New York and London. Often there are events and attractions that might be appealing to your teen.

When planning your vacation with your teenager, it’s important to figure out what your teen and your family enjoys. Consider asking your kids what they would like to do on their vacation and allow they to help plan it. This will make them not only enjoy the planning but will bring your family together and this activity will be time well spent.

Trains In Italy

Riding trains in Italy is a must-do adventure for your Italian holiday pleasure!

The people of Italy are a generous, hospitable and lively group. When you meet Italians on the street, just to ask directions, you’ll find that they are so eager to be genuinely helpful. Many do not speak English, but are quite adept at getting the message across. On a busy street in Rome, I approached a lady, to see if she could direct me to a watchmaker’s repair shop. Although she didn’t speak much English, she got me on my way, pointing the direction and counting blocks before turning.

Despite these many virtues, Italians are somewhat disorganized. Perhaps spontaneous is the better word!  Trains in Italy do suffer from infrequent, unexpected strikes, usually lasting just a day or even only hours, before resuming regular service. Whatever you may have heard, it’s still unlikely you’ll encounter one of these strikes. You must avail yourself of the adventures to be found riding the rails of the trains in Italy.

Getting a rail pass before you leave the States results in better rates. Impromptu purchases in Italy cost more, but spontaneity is a recommended part of the Italian experience. Italy is a fairly small country, and the majority of trains in Italy travel in a north-south direction, serving major towns and cities. Unlike France, with train routes virtually covering the map, trains in Italy provide convenient travel between major cities, with transfers required if you get off the main network.

Italian train stations are typically teeming with people. Allow extra time to find your platform, if you’ve got your ticket in hand. If you’re buying your ticket at the station, you may want to allow a couple of hours before your scheduled departure to accomplish the task. However, the process is highly entertaining, so just enjoy the experience. The enthusiasm of the ticket seller may seem unwarranted to some Americans, so used to efficient, snap-snap service here in the States. However, you can be sure that the ticket seller will make every effort to get you a good deal and get you where you want to go as quickly as is possible.

For your part, for best results when traveling on trains in Italy, spring for the book of European train schedules. It will prove invaluable. This book allows you to look up when and where you must be to travel from point A to point B. If you’re traveling between, say, Milan and Rome, look for the Eurostar trains, which make just a couple of brief stops, with a total trip time of just about three hours. The regular train makes stops at every little town along the way and can eat up the better part of a day out of your holiday.

When you buy your ticket, specify the Eurostar, as possible, and your final destination. You’ll get where you want to go, in the adventurous Italian style!

Train Travel In France

Traveling to France? Trains in France are a great transportation choice!

When we plan trips overseas, there’s always a need to plan your transportation needs prior to leaving the States. You can arrange car rentals and train passage after you arrive, but it then becomes a far more expensive proposition. If you buy a transportation package in the U.S., you enjoy discounts of up to half the cost of buying as you go, within Europe.

This pre-arrangement does require that you carefully consider your itinerary and know just how many days you’ll spend traveling from one place to another. Plenty of first time visitors to France arrange for a car rental her in the States, believing it will allow them more freedom and spontaneity in terms of when and where they travel during their holiday.

What you may not be aware of is the absolute excellence of the trains in France. Unlike here in America, rail travel in France is ultra-fast, lavish in comfort and accessible to all major cities, as well as the vast majority of towns and villages. The network of trains in France is amazing, well organized such that you can reach almost any destination within France with, at worst, a single transfer. The French are very particular about train schedules and it’s rare that you’ll miss your connecting train. My own experience, in two months of extensive use of the trains in France, only once resulted in a train missing its scheduled arrival.

The specific circumstances should make it clear that such an occurrence is not the norm. Approaching Pau, a small town in the south of France, the train came to a rather sudden stop. Within a few minutes, the train conductor came to tell us that, unfortunately, a cow was resting on the tracks and that we would be unable to proceed until the cow was lured off the tracks. It turned out that this process took over two hours! By the time we reached our destination in Lourdes, it was after 9pm, the station was closed and all the taxi drivers had gone home. Fortunately, we were familiar with the layout of the town and just hoofed it through the quiet, winding streets, to a hotel. No harm done. In fact, I found it quite charming that the Frenchmen had such patience with getting this cow off the tracks.

When you ride trains in France, you are pampered in comfortable seating, with a large table and attractive lamp, allowing you to read, play board games, enjoy your lunch or dinner or just kick back and watch the scenery.

There is just one feature which may surprise you when riding trains in France. The French love their dogs and its de rigeur for your pet to accompany you on the train. So how does Fifi endure for several hours without a walk around the block to do her business? She uses the train’s doggie bathroom, of course!

 

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