Traveling to the US won’t be that heavy to your pocket as now you’ll have to spill just $10. Yes you’ve read it right! Two US airlines - a new busline and a new cruiseline - are using unbelievable rates as a marketing tool allowing passengers to buy tickets at rock-bottom prices.

Skybus is a new airline based in Columbus, Ohio that promises to sell 10 seats on each of its flights for $10. Including Burbank Los Angeles and Bellingham, Washington, the carrier flies to 11 airports around the country. You’ll have to pay taxes and fees so, your total flight cost is around $16. Don’t expect free food and beverages, you’ll have to pay for that too. Checking luggage charges are $5 per piece for the first two and $50 for the third bag. Only online booking facility is available and no bookings are done over the phone.

Spirit Airlines, a low-fare carrier, recently introduced a special program called the $9 Fare Club. Membership costs $9 for a three-month trial and $30 per year thereafter. Special deals are e-mailed to the members once in six weeks. The very best deals tend to be offered on midweek, off-peak flights, rarely with last-minute departures. No doubt, members are the most benefited however, even if you are not a member, you can sometimes find sale flights for as little as $29 each way.

More Info

If you still feel that $10 is wallet-straining, then you can opt for a $1 Megabus trip. Megabus is presently serving 14 cities. If you wish to score the very best price, advance booking is preferable. Online booking can be done and you need to pay 50 cents extra for reserving a seat. Just shell $1 extra and you can get the booking done over the phone. More Info

Easycruise is a two-ship cruiseline that is currently operating voyages among the Greek islands and on European rivers. It’s also a good choice, if you wish to travel without breaking into the banks. Of course, food and drinks on board cost extra. More Info

Enjoy your budget-friendly trip to America!

Image Credit

Source: Chron

Fifth most visited meta-search travel website, Farecast.com has added another feather to its cap by launching Hotel Rate Key, an innovative new hotel pricing technology that empowers consumers to know where to stay by indicating if the current rate for a hotel is a deal or not a deal.

Best air deals and hotel deals are critical categories of travel. Farecast.com already offers a service advising travelers whether current airline fares are good deals or likely to fall or rise. The launch of this new service will help Farecast customers to shop for both airline tickets and hotel rooms anywhere in thousands of cities worldwide.

Farecast.com:

Recognized as one of Web 2.0’s Best Travel Sites, one of PC World’s 20 Most Innovative Products, Best of What’s New by Popular Science, one of TIME Magazine’s 50 Coolest Websites and one of the Best Trip Planning Tools by Business Week readers this is a smart travel search site that helps empowers you to know when to buy with airfare predictions and know where to stay with hotel rate keys.

How Farecast Hotel Rate Key Works?

Farecast’s Hotel Rate Key helps consumers know at a glimpse if the current rate for a hotel is a deal or not a deal. The initial beta version will utilize historical rates and offer Hotel Rate Keys for over 5,000 hotels in 30 major cities across the country for up to 90 days in the future. Rate Key showing a ‘Deal’ indicates today’s rate is lower than past rates for that hotel.

Farecast Hotels Search:

In addition to its unique Hotel Rate Key beta, Farecast.com now offers consumers the ability to shop more than 80,000 hotels in thousands of cities worldwide. Farecast Hotels offers a clean interface with useful tools to help consumers find the best hotel for their needs.

Next time while you plan your trip, don’t forget to log on to Farecast.com and know the best airfare and hotel deal. Proper planning and little search can help you enjoy your trip without picking on your pocket.

Image Credit

Source: Stuff

Being excited about meeting old chums is just not enough, it’s important to remember being a great guest so that you get invited again. Let’s check out some thumb rules that’ll make the stay pleasant and memorable to both, you and your host.

Rule 1: Bring a gift - Thanking your hosts in advance for inviting you with a gift is always a good idea. But, make sure that you choose your gifts keeping in mind, the host’s tastes and preferences. The idea is not to embarrass your host by giving something contradictory (a bottle of vintage wine for the host who is a teetotaler, for example).

Rule 2: Schedule - It’s good to let your hosts know in advance when you are arriving and leaving and stick to your schedule before they start giving you those questionable looks.

Rule3: Bring your personal stuff - You shouldn’t expect your host to provide you the luxuries of a hotel. Remember to bring your own toiletries, medications and any other personal belongings like camera, chargers, etc.

Rule 4: Follow the house rules - If you want to feel ‘at home’, it’s desirable to respect and follow the ‘house rules’ like any other member of the family. Check with them if smoking and drinking are a taboo; if things are always in order, follow the suit by putting back the things you have used in the same place. When in doubt, always ask!

Rule 5: Housekeeping - Remember there is no such service called ‘Housekeeping’ and make sure that you make your bed, fold the blankets, clear your desk, do your laundry, and wash your dishes.

Rule 6: Make your hosts feel special - Show your hosts that YOU CARE. Take them out for a nice dinner or even better; cook up a special dessert for them. Bring home a bunch of flowers, a box of chocolates or a souvenir from your visit.

Rule 7: Be considerate - You are on a vacation and not your hosts. Be considerate to your hosts by avoiding morning hour rush in the bathrooms and avoid late night chatters.

So much for the rules, follow this and you can be assured of getting invited again. Bon Voyage!

Image

Source

We all know that Disney has recently hiked the price of its Magic Your Way tickets, however, still you can plan your trip to the Walt Disney World without the need to pick on your pockets. Want to know how? The use of Magic Your Way and careful planning will help you in cutting the cost of Walt Disney trip. All you need is some calculations to figure out the best deal for your family, else it may seem like a simple a la carte system.

What is Magic Your Way base ticket?

It’s a card with a magnetic strip that grants admission to one of the four major parks of the Disney World. You can get a single-day or multi-day pass. The discount increases with the number of days. Fully-loaded tickets are obviously more costly than just the base tickets. So, you need to be penny-pinching with the add-ons and purchase options that you really need.

Tips that will help you in getting value from Magic Your Way:

1.You can add flexibility to your schedule with Park Hopper which means you can come and go between the four major parks during the entire length of your ticket.

2.If you plan to stay for five more days, the park hopper option doesn’t make a lot of sense. So, multi-day pass would help you out.

3.You can choose Water Park Fun and more, if you wish to see more of what Walt Disney has in store. It’s an option which provides admission to Disney’s two waterparks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Also, you can get a free pass to your choice of DisneyQuest, Downtown Disney’s Pleasure Island or Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex.

4.Magic Your Way tickets expire 14 days after the first use. Go for no expiration option and you can take advantage of unused admission on future visits to Disney World.

But, I suggest you not to opt for it as this is a very expensive insurance policy to guarantee that you don’t lose what you don’t use. There are chances that this option can backfire if you end up using all your admission or losing your tickets before your next trip.

5.If your family plans to have one sit-down meal per day then you can bundle a meal plan into your ticket with Magic Your Way plus dining package. You just have to shell $39 a day for each adult and $11 a day for each child 3 to 9.

Plan your Walt Disney trip wisely and use Magic Your Way to make your trip less wallet-straining.

Source: MSNBC

In a rare turn of events we see the airlines offering good airfare deals and this fall is going to be the time when we will witness the best airfare deals making it possible for travelers fly to the most popular destinations such as Europe and Hawaii within budget.

Airlines offering best airfare deals:

Frontier Airline:

Plan ahead for peak winter season travel, Frontier Airlines has recently announced blowout sale fares from just $99 each-way on its upcoming new routes that start up on December, 15. This deal expires on Sept. 12, so you need to book soon.

Continental Airline:

Continental has announced an impressive sale featuring posted rates from just $142 one-way for travel there via Los Angeles, New York or Houston. Also, there are sale fares available from $274 one-way from Houston. There is no expiry date for this deal but I would suggest you to act fast. Why not grab the opportunity before the deal disappears.

1-800FlyEurope.com is a site that gives the information about exceptional rates on fall travel to Europe. You’ll have to shell $399 for round-trip from New York to London. Travel is valid Sept. 10 through Oct. 31.

If you wish to find the best fares across multiple sites at once, you can use QuickSearch Tool. One important thing I want to tell you is, try avoiding weekend travel dates as they cost more than midweek.

Bottom-line is that it’s the perfect time for you to plan ahead for early ‘08. Falling airfare prices are sure to make your trip less wallet-straining and there is no need to break into your banks accounts. Don’t miss the opportunity as the expiry dates for these deals are fast-approaching. Book today!

Image Credit

Source: MSNBC

Image Credit: Disneyworld

Dining at Walt Disney World restaurants can be an experience in itself. From pot roast to pot luck, from luxurious fine dining to eating on the fly, Walt Disney World has it all.

If you wish to dine at the Walt Disney World restaurants and make your Orlando trip a memorable one then here’s a news for you. For a limited time, United Vacations has an offer that throws in the basic Disney dining program which includes-one table service meal, one counter service meal and one snack per person for each hotel night.

United Vacation Deal:

You have to shell out $2,273 at Disney’s Board-Walk Inn.

The package includes four nights at selected hotel, round-trip flights from Chicago, round-trip transfers on Disney’s Magical Express, four-day Magic Your Way park passes, basic dining plan of one table service meal, one counter service meal and one snack per person for each hotel night, trip cancellation insurance and all taxes.

Conditions for the United Vacation deal:

•Travel between Aug. 26-Sept 22.

•You have to purchase the flight-plus-hotel, Magic Your Way package and you need to choose a hotel designated as special.
•Stay should be for at least three nights.

Click here for more info.

You can save up to an impressive $1,160 with United Vacation deal. If you’ve been saving money for a trip to Disney World, you know just how much it takes to realize the vacation of your dreams and United Vacation deal is sure to make your trip inexpensive and a memorable one.

Source: ChicagoTribune

The airline is offering cheap air tickets on its winter flights from all major U.S. cities to Switzerland, begins at only $379. So, hurry guys bring your skis and hit the slopes of Switzerland because the offer is offer valid until Dec. 4.

Via: priceline

Skiing is favorite winter sport of many but even a thought of going on a ski vacation with family makes most of us drop the plan. Reason being, it ain’t cheap. Right? There are obviously inevitable miscellaneous expenses that can make you feel like your vacation is straining your wallet. I believe nothing is impossible in this world. No doubt, ski vacations are pricey by nature but few smart strategies can help you enjoy the ski vacations without breaking into the banks.

First and the foremost step while planning a ski vacation with family is to identify a kid-friendly resort, next step should be, getting the booking done at appropriate time. By appropriate time I mean time of the year which can help save you some amount. If you’re planning a ski vacation this winter, book now. Awesome early-bird ski vacation deals pop up all over in October. Copper Mountain, Steamboat Springs, Mont Tremblant are some of the family-friendly resorts that are offering a fair deal.

Making wiser choice of time for your ski vacation is also necessary. Resorts’ rates can fluctuate wildly throughout the season. Planning in off-peak season can save you bundles. Choosing your ski vacation earlier or later in the season can also help saving you a lot. If your travel dates fall on the fringes of the ski season, it would be good to choose a resort with a reputation for good snow-making capabilities. Mostly people plan their vacation on weekends, lodging and lift tickets are more expensive. Midweek usually means fewer crowds, shorter lift lines and smaller group sizes during lessons. But if you wish to have a budget-friendly trip then it would be good if you plan your ski vacation mid-week.

In a bid to promote their resorts and ski areas, there are several ski destinations (Colorado Ski Country USA, Ski Utah, Ski Oregon, Ski Vermont, Ski New Hampshire) that have dedicated tourism associations that mean being a tourist can help you save some money. Their Web sites can be good money-saving resources.

Plan your ski vacation for five or more days and you can get free kids’ lift tickets. There are many family-friendly resorts that lets kids ski free. Also, you can get free rental equipment for one child when a parent or grandparent rents adult equipment. Big Sky Resort, are the resorts that offer kids ski free deals.

Resorts like Beaver Creek, Vail, Crested Butte, Jackson Hole and Whistler-Blackcomb also offer kids fly free deals that provide complimentary air tickets for kids when a family ski vacation is purchased. You might be well aware of the fact that there are many states that offer free or discounted skiing to students in a designated school grade. Kids can apply online or through the mail by providing proof of their current school grade. Each passport is good for up to three free lift tickets at each participating resort.

Not only this, you can also save a bundle in equipment rental. Sometimes pre-booking online can shave up to 20 percent off the overall rental cost. SkiCoupons.com can help you weigh your resort’s rental prices against the other discounts. Last smart step that can help you saving money on a ski vacation is following the locals. Investing in the coupon-filled Entertainment Book for the area you plan to visit. In the editions for Denver, Utah and Vermont, you’ll find discounts on lift tickets, ski equipment rentals, dining and many other amenities that travelers use.

I know this article might have gone long but at the end you’re sure to accept the fact that smart planning and few smart strategies can help you enjoy your favorite winter sport without rolling your bank account. Follow these strategies, make wiser choices and have fun on your next ski vacation without straining your wallet.

Source: MSNBC

Group vacations are the recent trend that provide the right blend of factors ensuring a beautiful holiday at this dream destination at just half the usual cost. Group vacations provide an opportunity to make a huge saving by allowing for sharing accommodation and transport thus, cutting down on your holiday costs considerably. Group vacations provide the right ambience and the time for bonding between the group members and to bring alive the interaction between people that is fast loosing value in this fast paced world. Group vacations can be great provided you have a group of like minded people who share the same inquisitiveness and enthusiasm.
The growing trend of group vacations has also roped in quite a few woman vacationers, who are making the most of the opportunity and are coming together to enjoy an ‘All Girls Party’ .
The travel companies are targeting groups that make a perfect target audience for group vacations . People who share common interests and enthusiasm would make members of a great group where everybody makes the most of the trip. The perfect way to enjoy your Easter weekend,weekend without having no guilt about the costs for the rest of the year.

source : allafrica

Image credit: kcm

Dubai is the most flamboyant city of United Arab Emirates, where you find a self-proclaimed seven-star hotel, indoor skiing and artificial islands. Number of budget hotels are coming up to help you out.

Upcoming Budge Hotels:

Six hotels based on easyHotel models will be built. Prices are expected to be around 250 to 300 dirhams or about $67 to $80 a night at 3.75 dirhams to the dollar.

Ibis, an economy brand of Accor, the giant French hotel company, which already has one hotel in Dubai, plans to expand with a 480-room hotel there in December and a 365-room hotel in 2008.

Britain’s biggest hotel chain, Premier Travel Travel Inn is building a 300-room hotel at the Dubai Investments Park. Rooms are expected to be in the 400-dirham range.

You can stay at Hotel Ascot for about $130 a night and dine at nearby Indian restaurants for less than $5 a meal.
More Info

Soon economical vehicles will also be available. Hertz is adding small cars like the Honda Jazz hatchback and Toyota Yaris to its Dubai fleet cars that rest for about $55 a day.

Plan a budget tour and enjoy thoroughly but avoid traveling during the wildly popular Dubai Shopping Festival(from late December through January) because you’ll face high rates as you compete for rooms with crowds of well-heeled travelers.

Source: The New York Times

If your travel dreams are taking you to Europe, waiting for the dollar to “get strong'’ is the wrong approach. You know you will go there since you want to. Therefore, the best approach is to save money while traveling.
You can do this by staying in hostels. Though mostly for students, some hostels provide accommodation for families where they can use the kitchen. Thereby spending only on groceries and saving money. Travel lodge has some great offers. By booking way before especially during Off- peak seasons you could get much cheaper accommodation.
Travelodge has rooms sleeping two adults and two children on offer for as little as £26 or £6.50 per person.

Still cheaper options of stays in barn hostels remain which also offer family rooms and community kitchens. Or you could try camping in barn premises.

Image

Offer duration:
November 1 to December 13

December 26 to March 31

Package attractions: You can avail the advantage of round trip airfare, and economy rental car for three days.

Image Credit: BruceRoberts

Via: cheapticketlinks

• You can visit UK’s 59 city farms, nearly 1000 community gardens with your children. You can first visit the website of The Federation of City Farms.
( http://www.farmgarden.org.uk/). Here you can get the address of nearest form from your place.
• You can plan to visit museums and galleries run special family and children’s activities and events during the school holidays. The National Maritime Museum, London offers daily children’s planetarium shows. You can visit website 24HOUR MUSEUM (http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/) that can help you to select the museum of your choice. He
• Field studies council (http://www.field-studies-council.org ) offers some of the most unusual outdoor sessions available for families and children. They include hunting for mice and voles, minibeast mayhem and Easter crafts using recycled and natural woodland materials.
• Visit the website GO APES! (http://www.goape.co.uk) if your children love adventure and excitement. You can enjoy rope bridges, zip slides and tarzan swings, set amongst beautiful forests.
• In the website of English Heritage (http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/c) you can get information on approximately 400 places to visit. There’s something for everyone, from great family days out with the children to inspirational day trips for the real history buff.

• You can plan for farm holiday for your family. A farm holiday is relaxing and enlivening, with fresh country air and peaceful surroundings. The website Cornish Farm Holidays (http://www.cornishfarmholidays.co.uk/) can guide you about different areas in Cornwall, browse through all our properties, check availability and contact individual farms to plan your stay.
• The website Forestry Commission ( http://www.state.sc.us/forest/ ) is an excellent resource to get information about wildlife, with ideas for places to go and news.
• On the website of National Trust (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/ ) you can get information on over 300 historic buildings and gardens owned by the National Trust in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Read

It includes a romantic dinner on the beach, a one-hour in-room couple’s massage, spa services and moreover a bottle of Champagne upon your arrival. To sweeten the offer resorts offering 10% percent discount in spa services. The initial price ranges from $96 (Occidental Grand Puerto Plata, D.R.) to $279 (Occidental Grand Aruba) per person per night.
READ

Flying is the best option for the people who wish to take a trip around the world. However, always considered flying around the world as an expensive option...now, it’s made simpler, affordable and manageable by AirTreks.com.

Airtrecks.com is a website which makes the globe trotters work easier. It gives them plenty of options for planning their trip.
One can easily put even a dream trip together like say from Los Angeles - Reykjavik - Moscow - Bangkok - Hawaii - Los Angeles.

The site would also provide the necessary stopovers that one needs to make during the trip and the estimate of the ticket prices so that you can choose the route best suitable for you.

Incase, you need help of an agent to process tickets, fine tune your itinerary, manage stay etc. is available on the site itself. To say in short, one stop shop for all your needs for flying around the world.

Via: Gadling

Image: 1