You Need A Vacation
In today’s economy, those of us who are blessed with a job have to work hard. But all work and no play leads to mid and quarter life crises. It is important to take care of yourself, and that means being well rested in mind and body. Sometimes the best way to recharge your batteries is to go on vacation. When the word vacation is uttered however, many think of the large price tag attached. But, with a little searching, each and every one of us can find a vacation that works for our own budgets. Whether it’s a long weekend in Vermont or two weeks in the Australian Outback, there are many ways to go on vacation for a bargain price, and it all starts with the world wide web.
Flight
If you have a specific place you want to go, flights will be a little more expensive, but if you can be flexible with your date and location you can get a steal. Sign up for last minute deal websites which will email you a few days before with bargain flights. If you prefer to fly one airline specifically make sure to head over to their frequent flier website and sign up for email updates. I am a United Airlines frequent flier and receive their deals usually on Thursday for a Friday or Saturday flight. Sometimes they have great round trip prices on flights to Puerto Rico and California, other times it’s Buffalo. Vayama.com has great flight prices, better than the ones that advertise on TV for their low fares. In any of those places you can load up on either rum, avocados, or wings- so they seem like great vacations to me!
Place to Stay
Last minute deal sites will have plenty of cheap places to stay when hotels need to sell their rooms, but there are also many non conventional ways of finding a cheap place to stay. Couchsurfing has been gaining lots of attention in the world, which provides the “surfer” not only with a free place to stay, but also with a new friend in the city they’re exploring. This option is not for the person who needs 5 star hotel treatment, but for anyone who has an open mind and wants to make friends on their travels. Airbnb is a website in which people rent out their apartments or rooms in their apartments for a price more similar to a hostel than a hotel, and the guest has all of the comforts of home while away from home. If luxury is more your style Ideeli has beautiful packaged deals to B&Bs and resorts for fractions of their advertised prices.
Food & Activities
Living Social and other similar sites have been popping up in cities all over the world. Sign up with your email to get deals on great restaurants and great activities, sometimes for over 50% off of your bill. On Saturday, May 19 in New York City there is a 90 minute daytime sail around Manhattan for $8 (normally $17), tickets to a Cirque du Soleil show for $81 (normally $143), a package of 7 pole dancing classes (Yes- I said pole dancing!) for $40 (normally $153), and $20 to spend on food and drink at Bear and Grill for $10. Once you figure out the city you’ll be heading to make sure to sign up for the deals for that specific city and you’ll be able to eat at great restaurants and do some incredible things for a great price.
Sound like a little too much work? Have a larger budget than originally anticipated? Costco has great packaged vacations that can easily be varied to suit your own vacation wants and needs.
Whether you’re a planner or a by the moment type of trip taker, there are lots of ways to get out there and take a much needed vacation, you just need to know where to look. Now all you need to do is pack your bag.
couchsurfing! great term, brings back nostalgic memories
With all that’s out there I never heard of any of these sites that you listed, and they’re great!! Thank you!!!