The Fabuless Life » Travel

Travel to Europe On A Budget

L.Jay — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 20:53:10 +0000

With current exchange rates on the Euro, a vacation overseas may seem financially out of reach. So how can you take a cheap European vacation? If you do sufficient research, it is possible to visit Europe on a budget.

by contributor Vjollca Hysenlika

Traveling to Europe can be expensive–from airfare, to accommodations, to food. However, smart shopping and online exploration can save you big bucks. Your dream European vacation can become a reality, as long as you do your research.
But where and how do you find the great travel deals!? All of it is online, and it involves three clear-cut principles.

Click below for tips on taking a memorable, budget European vacation.

Source: The Digerati Life

Always Travel Off-Season

Traveling to Europe during off-season can save you thousands, and give you the most value for your dollar. It’s best to travel either during spring or fall. Prices are lower, crowds are smaller, and the weather is much more pleasant. For example, airfares are exceptionally affordable April through the beginning of June, and September through November. Booking sites such as www.budgettravel.com offers flights to Europe as cheap as $600. Other sites include www.orbitz.com and www.hotwire.com –they offer great package deals, air and hotel, plus an additional 30 percent discount.

Traveling off-peak is gratifying– you pay less, and have more fun. There’s nothing like enjoying Ireland, Italy or France in the spring. Blossoming trees, beautiful blooming flowers, fresh air, and no crowds, are beyond tranquil… but most of all, there’s endless opportunity to better explore and broaden your travel experience.

Always Focus on Smaller/Less Crowded Cities

When you think Europe you usually consider Rome, Paris, or London, right? Well, there are so many other wonderful places to explore. Smaller cities and countries in Europe offer just as much culture and history, at a much more reasonable price. For example, Eastern Europe is a hidden treasure still waiting to be fully appreciated. Countries such as Albania, Turkey, and Czech Republic have the most amazing beaches, accommodations, and food for a fraction of the price of Western European countries.

Albania, which lies in the Mediterranean Basin, is one of the most dynamic countries in Europe. Its natural beauty, the historical and cultural heritage, are without comparison. Albania provides centuries worth of archeology, Roman ruins, and a great climate. The pristine beaches, beautiful valleys, rivers, and mountains offer an excellent opportunity for adventurous or serene tourism.

Vlore, Albania. Photo by Vjollca Hysenlika

Albania’s climate and landscape allow vacationers a chance to go to the beach, ski, horseback ride, and raft, all in close proximity. Tourist areas across Albania offer extremely cheap beach-view hotels and luxurious resorts for as low as $70 per night. There are an abundance of restaurants offering extravagant and delicious meals for eight Euros per person.

Turkey is another great destination to put on your must-do list. Antalya is one of Turkey’s famous destinations with an attractive and picturesque shoreline. The city provides outstanding beaches, secluded coves, ancient cities, caves, waterfalls and Roman ruins. For the month of May, www.hotwire.com is offering two-week all inclusive package deals, for as low as $1,500.

Other low-priced cities include Lipari (Sicilia), Italy and Prague, Czech Republic. Hotels, food and airfare are a relative bargain for these locations.

Be Your Own Travel Agent

How would you like to go on a Euro trip for twenty -five dollars? You might not believe it, but it’s possible. Save money by doing your own booking on intra-continental travel. European booking sites provide bargain airfares all year long. Some of these sites include www.ryanair.com, www.airbaltic.com, and www.easyjet.com. Plane tickets between most European cities (particularly small cities) are unbelievably low-priced. These bargain flights let you see a different panorama of Europe. Ryan Air is now offering tickets from Turin, Italy to Brussels, Belgium for only $15.

These guidelines are essential when planning a European vacation. Smart shopping undoubtedly guarantees cheaper travel, better accommodations, and a great vacation experience.

Budget Vacation Ideas

L.Jay — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 03:15:41 +0000

Looking for a relaxing getaway that won’t break the bank? Here are four budget vacation ideas that are both affordable and provide plenty of entertainment for families, couples, or even if you’re going solo. Try them out Memorial Day, or any weekend this spring.

Visit A Nearby National Park

A great vacation resource that’s often overlooked, the nearly 400 national parks across the U.S provide fantastic opportunities to experience the outdoors. Certain states offer better selections than others (as well as fewer weather concerns), but many parks offer overnight options that range from free to very affordable. Some of the lesser known, but utterly amazing destinations include Biscayne National Park in Florida (especially if you love snorkeling or scuba) and Isle Royale National Park in Michigan on Lake Superior (where you can take a boat tour around some of the park’s 400 satellite islands, or take a backcountry camping trip).

Courtesy: National Park Service

Click the link below for more great budget vacation ideas.

Take A Trip Into The City

Live in the ’burbs or a bedroom community? A low-cost travel option is right in your backyard. A trip into the nearest big city is an oft-overlooked adventure. Consider it an opportunity to see the sights and do the “touristy” stuff you’ve never done. Check out museums, parks, new restaurants, and enjoy accommodation at a nice hotel. When you can slash your transportation costs, you provide yourself with more money in the budget to spend at your destination.

Visit An Indoor (Or Outdoor) Water Park

This could be one of the best child-friendly vacations around. What kid doesn’t love a water park? Indoor water parks are popping up all over the U.S. and Canada and provide a great experience at very reasonable costs, so they’re available no matter what the season. Most of the indoor parks are in cold weather states, and the competition for business benefits tourists through lower rates. Great Wolf Lodge, for example, owns a chain of 12 indoor water parks throughout the country with rooms as low as $89 for a weekday night.

Road Trip!

How about just hitting the road for a week and see where the highway takes you?

There are lots of “undiscovered” destinations all across the country, so why not discover them yourself? It’s a vacation you can take with your pals, family, or your significant other. In fact, a road trip can be a romantic, old school way of reconnecting, and reducing expenditures. Set out with a particular location in mind, or let the thrill of the unknown be your entertainment, and just start driving. Eat at local diners when you’re hungry; sleep at comfortable motels or inns when you’re tired.

These four options are just a few budget vacation ideas. Where you live will determine what the real possibilities are, so get inspired and be creative!

Fly For Less to a Discount Vacation

L.Jay — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:12:27 +0000

You can fly for less!

Sick and tired of the cold weather and snow? Unless you live in a sunny clime, you’re probably desperate for some sun, and a day without a heavy coat. Why not get away for a weekend to refresh your body, mind and spirit? It is possible to fly for less and take a vacation within your budget.

Airfare prices have dropped considerably since the recession began thanks to lower demand, but with the economy showing signs of life, many people are seeing hopeful signs and starting to travel again. This, of course, is a double-edged sword: Increased demand along with rising gas prices have caused many airlines to ratchet up fares as well as impose some pretty ridiculous fees (certain airlines even charged a Super Bowl fee. And there are all those new baggage fees…). Despite all this, there are still many ways to find a cheap ticket to warmer weather if you’re diligent, and can be flexible with your travel dates and/or destination.

Airfarewatchdog.com is a great site that allows you to search for low fares from any city. If you’re not picky about your warm weather destination and have some open dates, you can certainly find a great deal. For instance, as of this post, a ticket from Chicago O’Hare to Miami will cost you $178 round trip, with a variety of dates to choose from.

Another great site is www.cheapcaribbean.com, where you can find inexpensive, all inclusive trips to resorts across the Caribbean and Mexico. Certain high traffic dates are unavailable because of Spring Break, but again, if you are flexible and patient, you can book a vacation that won’t strain your wallet.

Sites such as www.sidestep.com and www.kayak.com are well-known, popular clearinghouses for comparative airfares. A great feature on these two sites (and others) is a calendar that pops up to show you fare options for every day of the month.

So if you’re still stuck in the winter doldrums, consider treating yourself to a getaway. You can fly for less, and five nights in the Bahamas has got to be worth every penny.

Beat the Budget Hotel Blues

L.Jay — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:03:46 +0000

There’s nothing less fabuless than a budget hotel. Just the sound of “budget hotel” conjures up visions of outdated bathrooms, cracked caulking, worn carpets and sagging beds. Of course, there’s a big difference between a budget hotel and a bargain hotel – and it’s important to know before you go.

Folks, we’re all on a budget, but that doesn’t mean we have to live uncomfortable lives when there are better alternatives within reach. All it takes is a little research, and a fabuless guide to help out.

There are a lot of great go-to publications for travel information, and the web is saturated with advice as well (www.tripadvisor.com is a personal favorite). The New York Times travel section is fant-abuless if you’re looking for anything from a staycation to a trip to the Maldives (go now, before global warming puts them under water!)

Maldives = Heaven

But enough about Indian Ocean islands that are a 22-hour flight away. How about Europe instead? Always a solid choice, although it can get a bit chilly in winter. Nonetheless, a recent story on the NYT website offers great information for anyone with enough cash to actually leave home and go abroad.

The Times culled the best rated bargain-priced hotels from thousands of their reader reviews, and aggregated the information into an article called “100 Hotels Under $150″. The story offers the best bargains for travelers headed to 14 different European cities. Some examples include:

Barcelona – Market Hotel - 65 Euros
Dublin – Azalea Lodge – 100 Euros
Florence – Hotel Colomba - 80 Euros
London – Luna Simone – 85 Euros

As of this post, 1 Euro = 1.4857 U.S. dollars.

You can find the entire list and article here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/11/travel/11HotelsOne.html?_r=1&ref=travel

Coming soon – discount airfares!

Recession Bargains

L.Jay — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:13:24 +0000

Time’s Top Ten

Time Magazine posted a recession shopping top ten list, and I was eager to see which items would be of interest to fabuless readers.

It turns out that a number of upscale, normally cost-prohibitive items could be within your reach (depending on your budget of course). The upshot is to buy these bargains now, before the economy gets better because you may not be able to afford any of this stuff again. As the article puts it:

If you’ve lost your job, or might, this is no time to go on a shopping spree. But if you feel secure at work and have a little spare cash, you can indeed be treated like royalty in these difficult times. Spend wisely now and you’ll save a bundle over what things will cost once the recession lifts…

Here is the list:

Fancy Threads
Computer Memory
Cameras
Stuff for Your House
Lobster
New Cars
Travel
Country Club Membership
Housing
Stocks

Seafood Sale

My fave from the list, for you gourmands out there – lobstah! What better time to gorge yourself on a normally high priced delicacy that’s now selling for bargain rates. Time Magazine says the price of lobster has dropped up to 50%. No longer an indulgence – indulge!

Cash in on Cashmere

My second fave would have to be Fancy Threads – specifically cashmere, which apparently has hit historically low prices. As winter approaches, now’s the time to buy this luxuriously soft comfort clothing at amazing discounts. I have purchased a number of cashmere sweaters in the past year at prices that made me wonder if they were knockoffs!

Wheels of Fortune

If you have kept your head out of the sand, you know there’s never been a better time to buy a new car, with the auto company bailouts, cash for clunkers, and the general malaise in the automotive industry. Still available: Zero percent financing. New cars have never been so cheap.

Deck Your Halls

Love the ambiguous-sounding “Stuff For Your House”. It turns out the writers are including flat screen TVs along with bedding, towels, etc. If you’ve ever wanted to stock up on 800 thread count sheets – now’s the time to buy. I’ve purchased these items from Overstock, Bed, Bath & Beyond and Macy’s for a fraction of their original prices. High thread counts and Egyptian cotton used to be out of reach for the masses, now they’re ubiquitous. Great bargain gifts in time for the holidays!

Around the World For a Bargain

Travel is a broad category, and there are discounts and deals across the map. From cruises to airlines to hotels, there are discounts galore, and it’s been going on for some time. I personally have noticed hotel rates at four- and five-star locales for rock bottom prices. Lower airfares are catch as catch can – as the article points out, airlines are reducing routes so they don’t have to reduce fares quite as much.

Stock Up

If you have more than five years to hold, and some cash on hand, now is the time to expand your stock portfolio. The article recommends two top index funds, Fidelity’s Spartan Total Market and Vanguard’s Total Stock Market. For these particular vehicles, Time says “the prices of these funds relative to the earnings of the companies in the index have dropped more than 40%” and predicts the price could drop even lower.