The Discount Traveler - Searching 4 Deals

Sun Kissed and Loving It - Staying in San Diego Can be Just Like Heaven

2009-04-11T20:44:00.000-07:00

San Diego is one of the most incredible cities in the United States if not the world. It's renowned for it's incredible year long weather, endless sun, scenic beaches and views of the pacific. To make haste our goal is to offer a few choices for hotels if you are planning a trip to San Diego.

One of the most beautiful places or areas in all of San Diego is actually the Downtown area. Downtown for many cities connotates big business and commercial. No doubt this is evident in San Diego's downtown area, but being located near the marina area is all the difference. The Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego is the perfect hotel to stay. The view will say it all. Located at One Market Place in San Diego luxury awaits you.

Our next suggestion is the Comfort Suites San Diego. This is a step down in quality from the world class offering provided by the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, but with the Comfort Suites brand you get quality. Located at 631 Camino Del Rio South you'll find yourself away from the beauty of the San Diego beaches, but you'll get a great stay in a quality hotel nonetheless.

Finally, the Pacific Shores Inn San Diego is a good choice if budget is a real issues. Located at 4802 Mission Boulevard in San Diego the Pacific Shores Inn San Diego is bare bones but clean and safe.

So we hope these few suggestions offer a little insight into places to stay if you're heading to San Diego. We'll be offering more and more with new posts.

San Diego at a Discount - Travel to this Magnificent California Town

2009-03-29T17:48:00.000-07:00

San Diego is well known as one of the most beautiful places in the world. First it is on the Pacific Ocean so visitors as well as travelers are within a stones throw to the beautiful blue passages of this oceanic waterway. Second, the area is sun drenched the entire year with only moderate changes in temperature. When the winter hits the temperatures get down maybe to the high 50's at night, but your days are almost always in the low 70's. Further, the summer months do not bring the balmy weather that many sun drenched areas experience. Last, the humidity is never an issue even though the weather is superb.

So what else is there to really enjoy in San Diego. We've done some digging and found lots of lists but here are a few more defenses to getting to San Diego.

The San Diego Zoo is probably the most famous and greatest of the Zoo's in the United States. Workers at the facility are often found as guests on talk shows and other event. The area is about 30 minutes north of the Escondido area and takes up over 1500 acres. You'll find the lions tigers and bears but also rhinos, elephants and other great animals of interest. Take the San Diego Zoo Photo Canopy Covered truck tour for a great experience.

The beaches in and around the San Diego area are legendary. Like I said above, sun drenched doesn't do it any justice. If you're interested in a private experience of the San Diego Beach scene try the La Jolla beach area. In 1931, a new concrete barrier in La Jolla created a wave-free area for kids. These days, Children's Pool is the exclusive domain of seals. Humans, while discouraged from swimming, can picnic in the adjacent park.

Last the entire area of San Diego is full of great fishing charters and other great excursions to enjoy. Why not take in all that the San Diego area has to offer.

Visit Asia Today and Enjoy Japan

2009-03-28T14:02:00.000-07:00

We've done very little in these blog posts to promote the travel and vacations to the Far East. Hong Kong, Japan, and a lot of the other great destinations in that area of the world offer some great possibilities. Here we are today venturing to the Far East. So young gross hopper prepare for a little bit of information about a trip to Japan.

First and foremost here's a little bit of information we've found about Japan, namely Tokyo. This Tokyo Travel Guide is an excellent place to start and learn about what you may want to see if you do decide to take a trip to this wonderful Far East destination. If you'd like some information from the official Tokyo Travel Commission check out this site.

After a little bit of investigation here are some great deals for travel packages to the city of Tokyo. The first one we've found is being offered by Pacific Delight Tours and has deals of up to $250 a night. Yes I said it $250 a night and the various packages offer travel, accommodations and some food. So check it out. Another great deal is being offered S'poreans Travel Group is offering equally incredible deals that range from $99 to $350 a night with a full range of great add ons or premiums.

So getting to the Far East and enjoying a great destination like Tokyo isn't that crazy. Check out the sites and other information we have provided above and see how a trip there can fit into your schedule.

SouthWest Airlines - Deals to Definitely Move About the Country

2009-03-24T14:03:00.000-07:00

I've been sitting on my couch as of late trying to catch up on some much needed rest and television. Fortunately for me the NCAA Mens' Basketball Tournament and the National Invitiational Tournament are in full gear and I just so happen to love basketball. Needless to say I have seen many, many, many commercials. One such commerical has struck my fancy more than others mainly because I'm a stingy bastard when it comes to travel. It's the SouthWest Airlines special deal on flights.

As far as I could tell from the commericals it appears that the offer is this. Between now and April 4th SouthWest is offering rates on one way flights between $49 and $99. The flight has to be taken before April 14th. Ok there are restrictions as there should be. I mean it is a business and they are trying to induce demand with this kind of deal.The other thing is that the reservations need to be made 14 days in advance. Here's the link for the Wanna Get a Way Promotion and Sale.

Now I've looked into this deal a little more. It seems that the coverage of cities and flights is excellent, but of course here comes the information on the rates. Almost every flight, from going to Albuquerque or if you're going to West Palm Beach, the rates are almost exclusively $99. You know what though that's still an incredible rate.

So if you're really looking to Get Away, as the commercial goes, SouthWest Airlines can get you there on the cheap.

Free Deals on Vacations - It's a Reality Believe it or Not

2009-03-21T14:49:00.000-07:00

The promise of a free vacation used to be such a predictable come-on from a shady timeshare salesman or a questionable travel club, that all but the most gullible travelers ignored it.

Free isn't just a legitimate goal for your next trip. It might be a realistic one, too.

The travel industry knows it. The major American destinations didn't wait for the National Bureau of Economic Research to declare the U.S. economy in a recession before releasing their lists of free things to do around town. Did you know, for example, that the Port of Houston Authority offers a free 90-minute cruise along the Houston Ship Channel? Or that The Indianapolis Museum of Art, one of the top art museums in the country, always offers free admission?

Can travel companies do better? They're trying. It all depends what your definition of "free" is. There's an abundance of two-for-one offers, but they require that you spend money.

So where are the best places to go and find these deals. TravelApe.com, companion site offers very interesting deals day in and day out. They also offer a great blog for information about these deals too so it's worth checking out. Another Great Site we saw offers information on free traveling so check this out.

The time to tighten the buckle on expenses is here and now check out all there is to be had.

Get to Washington DC - Budget District of Columbia Vacations are Here

2009-03-16T12:09:00.000-07:00

Ok do you feel it? I mean do you feel it. For months and months it has seemed that the shroud of the dark side had enslaved the the hearts and minds of most people I know and it wasn't good. Today and from the middle of last week things seem to be inching up in a better way for most. The stock market is up, information from Washington is showing an improved sense of the future and even in the small world I live things are on the up tick.

So what the hell people !! History is happening in Washington DC, or the District of Columbia and you're missing it. It's happening today and yes you're missing it. So we submit to you a site that has recently posted its renovation and upgrades and it's just fantastic. The site is offering unique content but also relevant posts and new information. The site you ask? Well its the Washington DC Travel Guide located at District-of-Columbia.com. This site is very specific about the information it provides and is excellent in how it provides it. First it doesn't offer the full comprehensive baloney a lot of sites offer so it's not confusing. Second, it really focuses on attractions and places to see so you know what you're looking for before you even get there.

So what are some of the categories and what does this site cover? Well quite simply, you'll find information about Washington DC Theaters, Washington DC Attractions, Washington DC Memorials, Washington DC Historical Monuments and much more. These include full information about places like the Washington Monument, the White House the Smithsonian Institute and so much more.

So get on this site and plan a Washington DC Vacation Today. You're missing out on a whole lot that is going on in this historic city.

Hawaii Vacation for $391 - Visit the Island of Oahu on the Cheap

2009-03-13T22:07:00.000-07:00

The lagging economy has more bad points than good, but those that are good are worth mentioning. Hawaii, or better stated, the Hawaiian Islands is a mega destination. When the average joe is asked to envision their perfect vacation getaway, more times than not, Hawaii is mentioned. The beaches, the blue waters, the dewey air the laid back spirit. Hawaii is paradise. That being said Hawaii has been hard hit by the bad economy. Recent survey polls for the industry reported that Hotel occupancy for January was at only 66%. The result, property owners scrambling to maintain some semblance of business in the face of very hard times.

To that end we here at the Discount Traveler have been keeping our eye out for deals to Hawaii and we think the following is a home run. We don't formally acknowledge one vacation or tour operator over another, but when we find specific deals and do our homework, we have no problem promoting a good deal to you our users.

Tour operator Pleasant Holidays is offering a Hawaii Vacation Package for $391 that includes round trip flight from LAX via United Airlines and a three night/four day stay at the Ohana Waikiki Beachcomber Resort located on the island of Oahu.

Of course with a deal this sweet a few things in the fine print are important to note. First, the rate is based on double occupancy, so you need to get a travel buddy. Second, the offer is only valid for select dates and stays during the time period of April 6th 2009 to June 1st 2009.

Don't let the absurd low rate fool you either. The Ohana Waikiki Beachcomber Resort is a quality property and positioned in an excellent location. You'll be steps away from the beach or if you want a day away from the sun and sand enjoy local attractions such as the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. Or take plan c and just sit back and enjoy the property itself as it includes a private swimming pool and sundeck.

Don't hesitate if you are interested because there is no doubt that availability will dry up fast on this deal.

St Patty's Day Celebrations Around the US

2009-03-11T17:48:00.000-07:00

Ok, I need to keep some of this information quick and to the point so I don't lose you. I've been receiving a lot of emails from people that want to know about deals on vacation packages for various cities for the up and coming St Patrick's Day Celebrations. Well here they are from the best we have gathered.

Boston - One of the best places to see and participate in a St. Patty's Day Parade is Boston Mass. The Holiday Boston Woburn is offering special rates just today and tomorrow for hotel rooms at about $120 per night though the weekend. The hotel is located near the parade route.

Chicago- Another great city with an incredible St. Patrick's Day Parade celebration is the Windy City. They dying of the river, the big parade and incredible rates in several Chicago Hotels. Check these rates today.

Atlantic City - This is another great parade that takes the celebration of the patron Saint to a great level. Several deals are still available at the Borgata and Trump Marina. Enjoy the parade on the Boardwalk and hey while you're in town why not take in the Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball College Championship at Boardwalk Hall.

There are many places beyond these three cities to enjoy St. Patrick's Day so check out what is available.

San Diego - A Great Place to Visit without Breaking the Bank

2009-03-10T19:43:00.000-07:00

San Diego is one of the most beautiful areas in the world. First it's sun drenched almost 12 months of the year. The air is almost never too hot like it is in cities in Florida or Nevada or Texas and it lays on the crystal blue waters of the never ending Pacific Ocean. Second, it has the ease and quality of being in the United States. Yep I said it and I stand by it. In a time where Americans are getting warnings about not traveling to certain countries because of things like violence, kidnapping, theft, etc are being perpurtrated against, maybe just staying within the borders and enjoying "our" world makes sense.

So what else is so good about San Diego, and more importantly, are there trips to this place of wonder that won't break the proverbial bank? Well first there's the famous SeaWorld San Diego. As far as theme parks go this place is quality and won't break the bank. Check out their official web site to see the family discount packages they offer. They also offer individual vacation packages that are just awesome. How about the famed San Diego Zoo? Come on now another home run, because this is one of the places where the staff make regular appearances on Talk shows and the Animal Planet.

Say, let's not forget what we mentioned in the beginning though. San Diego is a natural place of beauty. Whether it be a leisurely walk on the beaches, or a ferry ride to beautiful Coronado, or going out on a chartered fishing line to see the beauty of the pacific or do some angling this is a place you should not miss.

For more information check out this featured San Diego Travel Guide. It has all kinds of great information about local San Diego attractions, landmarks, dining and restaurants and nightlife. Check it out.

Three Great Hotels in Miami - With Great Savings and Discounts

2009-03-07T15:27:00.000-08:00

For most of the Northeast and into the Midwest, which means Chicago for some reason, the past week has just been awful in terms of the winter crush. Snow, whipping winds with cold that could zap the tail off of a horse and cloudy skies set in for several days and sapped the souls of even the strongest and most happy people. Today was a little different, but seeing that during this time of the year its a wild card as to how the weather is going to be we took some time to look at deals on hotels in the great American Riviera...Miami Florida.

We reviewed several Miami hotels and here are a few of the great deals we found. Oh did I mention these are for top quality hotels too? If I didn't, yeah, there for top quality hotels. All right enough of the tongue and cheek humor.

Our first is the Colonnade Hotel Miami. This is a Four Star property located at 180 Aragon Avenue in Miami. The Colonnade Hotel allows pets so if you're interested in bringing your little friend on vacation they will accommodate. Also, the property has on onsite restaurant and bar. Rates for the upcoming wee are about $279 a night.

Second on our list is the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Hotel Miami. Top of the line is all we can say about this hotel. Again, this hotel is pet friendly, offers an exquisite pool, well appointed rooms and is right in the center of all the action of Miami. Average rates for a night stay are approximately $240 to $360 a night.

Our last suggestion for Miami hotels is the Palms Hotel and Resort Miami. The hotel is located at 3025 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. The best thing this hotel has to offer is it's upscale Spa. Rates vary from $250 to $400 a night.

As you see there are many options available for a great vacation in Miami. Check the featured hotels we offered or use the link above for the total listing of Miami hotels to see all the other options.

Enjoy Life Today - Take a Trip or Vacation

2009-03-05T20:39:00.000-08:00

I'm far from a person who likes to dwell on the bad and the negative things the world, and life for that matter, have to offer. The fact of the matter is, no matter how you slice it, that life, with all the ups and downs that come with it, ultimately comes to an end that is far from story book. You know what that's ok, because in the grand scheme of things, at least in this writers opinion, while we're here making the most of it, life that is, should be the only mission any of us have. So in my opinion, during these hard times, there may be no better time to take stock and enjoy what we have and share it with those we have while we can.

I had the unfortunate task of attending a funeral for a close friend's father within the last few days. No doubt this isn't the first such event like this I've attended in my life, but each and every time the reality of life and our short tenure in this world becomes that much more clear in my head.

So sure this blog is about travel and to that degree, discount or budget travel, but I think overall it provides a genuine forum for such a discussion. Don't let life pass you by. Take time to enjoy small things in life and the people you have in your life today. Life is not forever and for that matter, our connections with those we know are far from perpetual. Family, friends, whoever, come in and out of our lives and have significant effects on us.

So this post today is actually about hope and reflection. The world will always go through ebbs and flows and life will go on well past the days we spend here. Take a second to really understand that.

Take that vacation or trip today. Don't wait. See a long lost family member of friend. Plan it today. Life keeps coming at you. There are no time outs in life so don't waste time fretting about things that are bad.

Travel to the District of Columbia on the Cheap

2009-03-03T13:51:00.000-08:00

History is happening right now !!! There is know waiting. Today's generations that live and breath are privy to one of the most dynamic climates the world or this country has ever seen. The first ever african american President was elected and now is serving as the Chief Executive to the greatest country to ever grace this earth. The economic crisis that has gripped the globe is unprecedented in its effect and force. The world is waiting for the center point of all that society stands upon, Washington DC, the District of Columbia to stand for something.

Well why not take a trip to see it all happen for real and live? Sure a humorous break from the serious tone of the paragraph above, but a trip to the nations capital and the surrounding area of the District of Columbia really is something to behold. With that being said please first take a look at this District of Columbia Travel Guide. This is a newly updated guide to the area including reviews about local attractions, dining and restaurants and other landmarks. It truly is a fantastic source of information if you are traveling down to the Washington DC area.

Attend the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Celebration

2009-02-25T16:24:00.000-08:00

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is almost upon us once more, and the city of Chicago is one of the best places in the world to celebrate this holiday. Some of the most memorable images of St. Patrick’s Day across the entire country come out of the great city of Chicago Illinois. Every year the city sponsors an official dying of the Chicago River a shade of green, and this year is no different. This year the official dying commences at 10:45am on Saturday March 14th, 2009. As a little aside, this dying of the Chicago River is a 40 year tradition that happened by accident when an area plumber was asked how his white coveralls had turned a perfect emerald green. He realized that the dye he, and numerous other plumbers, used to detect leaks into the river was the exact color of the emerald green hills and landscape of Ireland itself. A tradition was born.

Well following the official dying ceremony, the official Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at 12 noon. Scheduled to appear and participate in the parade are area marching bands, civic organizations and numerous other groups and special celebrity appearances.

The Hilton Chicago Hotel has been the overwhelming recommendation for accommodations if and when you were planning on attending this event. The hotel is located at 720 South Michigan Avenue and rates for March 13th to March 15th range from $99 to $179 per night. You won’t beat that anywhere.

So make plans to attend this great event that only happens once a year, especially at prices you may never see again.

Cruise Vacations - Now Affordable for Everyone

2009-02-24T20:55:00.000-08:00

There was a time not so long ago that the idea of a cruise seemed out of reach for many. Either people would have visions in their heads of being on steerage from the movie Titanic, or thinking of modern times, they would just be priced out of the market place to purchase such tickets. Well today is a new day and a quality ticket for going on a cruise is within reach for many.

Let’s take a look at some actual offers that the major cruise lines are making right now. How about starting with a seven night cruise for less than $300 a person for double occupancy state rooms? That’s a reality. We’ve also seen incredible deals for price tags of cruises under $400 where you’ll get an ocean cruise and for less than $600 you get all of this and a balcony. No don’t look around, you’re not in the bizzzaro world, you’re in a major economic decline and this is reality.

Let’s take a look a one specific cruise line that has a great brand and name associated with it, Norwegian Cruise Lines. This company is currently offering an eleven-night cruise across the Atlantic Ocean at an average rate of $474 per person, and this includes $100 in shopping credit on the boat !!!You start off in Miami Florida and head across the seas toward Spain and finally end up in Dover England.

There are plenty more of these types of deals out there, just check out the searches for “cruise specials” and “budget cruise travel” and you’ll see many show up.

Spring Break in Mexico - Budget Travel has Never Been More Available

2009-02-23T12:11:00.000-08:00

As legions of collegians await the next few weeks to venture off on a right of passage, Spring Break, many are still not sure where they want to go, or better yet, what they can afford. Word on the street is that Mexico and it's many destinations and all-inclusive resorts may be the best value in terms of price and fun.

We have several cities to choose from where there are great values. Let us begin.

Cancun Mexico is the creme de la creme of spring break destinations. Coined the hottest party place in the world, what could go better than a trip to this magnificent vacation spot. We have a few great hotels to choose from that should maximize your trip and minimize your expenses. First we have the Club Carrousel Cancun which offers an all inclusive package. The average rate for the package is $250 a night and comes with full meals, drinks and equipment to enjoy the entire resort. What does that mean? How about snorkeling, tennis, kayaking and water skiing all included.

Sometimes it makes sense to avoid the big crowds of a destination resort like Cancun, so why not try an equally fun resort but one that maybe doesn't have all the people to jam it up. Why not try Los Cabos Mexico. We came upon a great site offering terrific deals for spring break to the Los Cabos area and the packages are incredible. One such package offer for $599 a complete package of accommodations, flight to and from the resort, and up to $250 in drinks while you stay there. Not to mention the bevy of planned parties and activities that are organized by the group.

So get your groove on and head south of the border, Mexico way to enjoy a great spring break at incredible discounts. Your generation may be the first to really enjoy a quality spring break with real budget prices.

Budget Travel - A few Inside Tips

2009-02-22T16:58:00.000-08:00

I've surveyed the internet to find out what some other experts have offered up in terms of budget and discount travel solutions. There is certainly no shortage of these types of plans now a days, but I will tell you this, there still are some great little tid bits of valuable advise I've found. I came across advise on when to get the best discount airfare at the airport, how to eat out for less and the best destinations that offer the most value in travel.

Ok to begin how about getting great airfare discounts? Well you're not going to believe it but the advise is just so simple. After reading several blogs and web sites by authority travel experts each said that the best way to get the biggest discounts is to just take the time to sign up for several of the big third party airfare consolidators alerts. These include sites like AirfareWatch.com and Cheapflights.com. The discounts are sometimes incredible.

If you're looking for the top destinations to visit but aren't sure which ones offer the best value, how about this for advise. Three top destinations we came across are Ireland, Riviera Nayarit, the United Kingdom and Puerto Rico. Combined for the same reason, Ireland and the United Kingdom are great for Americans due to favorable drop in exchange rates and airfares. Why not get over to one of the British Isles while the prices are so low. Puerto Rico is very US friendly and due to the downturn of the economy many in the tourism and travel industry of Puerto Rico are offering incredible deals never seen before. Last is Riviera Nayarit in Mexico, which is currently suffering from the same ills as Puerto Rico. Rates for hotels are being seen, even on the weekends for under $100 a night !!

We will do much to post more information about other great discount and budget travel suggestions. Just keep coming back to the Discount Traveler Blog Post tomorrow.

St Patrick's Day Parade - Dallas 2009

2009-02-21T21:08:00.000-08:00

When one things of St. Patrick's Day, at least from my leap of logic, cities and destinations that come to mind are Chicago and Boston. You know what? What about celebrating the Holiday of the Patron Saint of Ireland in the State of Texas !! Dallas Texas that is.

Ok, I know, not probably in the top 10 of cities you'd think about, but Dallas Texas is celebrating it's 30th Anniversary St. Patrick's Day Parade this year.

The Dallas Texas St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes it’s stoll down Greenville Avenue on Saturday March 14th 2009. This party and event has been dubbed the equivalent of the energy and excitement of Mardi Gras in New Orelans, of course only being one day. This year’s parade is expected to be the largest parade, with over 1500 participants, in the history of the event. Expect to see some great events within the event such as contests with celebrity judges.

Find great discount airfare for getting into dallas for the event go to Orbitz where rates coming into Dallas are around $95 each way from most major hubs and cities. Also, the featured hotel for your stay with arrival and check in for Friday March 15th, 2009 is the wonderful Hotel Polomar Dallas, rates come in for $229 a night. This is an upscale and stylish hotel but also not over the top in extravance. You’ll find rooms with flat screen televisions, great restaurants and an onsite spa.

So make plans to see the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the Great State of Texas. An event that is big enough to bare the name of the largest state in the Union.

Jazz Fest 2009 - Enjoy a New Orleans Vacation at a Discount Rate

2009-02-20T19:30:00.000-08:00

This year celebrates the 40th annual festival and celebration event held in New Orleans that pays homage to a true American original, jazz. The event is aptly called, Jazz Fest, and each year some of the most famous and greatest musicians you could think of have graced the stages and venues that serve as the pulpit and altar to one of the best musical events to be produced. Jazz Fest 2009 is scheduled to run over two consecutive weekends, beginning the first weekend on April 24th to April 26th and then picking up the following weekend April 30th to May 3rd.

This year the docket of performers and entertainers slated to include jazz legends such as New Orleans' native son Wynton Marsalis, Tony Bennett, and Doc Johnson. The list of legends doesn't end there though. World class performers such as Neil Young, James Taylor, the Neville Brothers, Earth Wind and Fire and many more are all scheduled to perform on one of the dates during the two weekend festival. For a complete list of tentative entertainers and performers scheduled to perform and the dates they are slated to play check out the Jazz Fest Music Schedule here.

What's so wonderful about this festival is that many discounts for New Orleans Hotels are available making Jazz Fest 2009 a realistic option for an affordable vacation. There are also several packages available for tickets to the event that are really worth looking into.

If jazz is in your blood, or if you're just interested in checking out something unique and entertaining, the New Orleans Jazz Fest definitely fits the bill.

Casinos Offer Discount Vacation Packages

2009-02-18T16:27:00.000-08:00

This must be the place to discuss these issues, because since I've focused the majority of my posts on really finding deals for travel I've had many, many, many, emails. Of the many, people want to get back to the glitz and fun of the casinos, so as I'm obliged to listen to my public, here's one that I've found.

Let's take Las Vegas for instance. Vegas is about 10% down from 2008 during the same time of the year. We also have to remember that times were getting tight last year this time also, so any more drop and things are starting to look catastrophic. What are the issues that caused this. The main driving force behind casino vacation packages has been to get the people there to gamble, but the bulk of the price came in the form of the exclusive rooms. Now with the economy so frail, or actually better yet, starting over a year ago with a soft market, the price of these packages taking into account the full retail of the rooms, you have many people and potential gamblers being priced out of the market.

So go to the web sites of these great Casinos in Las Vegas and check out the great specials below. You may never be able to get deals like these on rooms any time soon.

At the MGM Grand there are rates for rooms at $75.

If you look at the Mandalay Bay room rates are posted for $89.

How about getting real ridiculous? Circus Circus of Las Vegas is offering rooms at rates of $25 !!!

As you can see discounts and rates for a visit to Las Vegas. Check out rates for these casinos in the coming weeks, because as I stated it appears that rates will continue to drop, but who knows for how long.

Philadelphia Budget Travel

2009-02-16T18:38:00.000-08:00

Philadelphia Pennsylvania is the embodiment of history and metropolitan pinache as there could be in any one city. Yeah, sure New York City and Boston have there hats thrown in on this argument, but I'm a Phillies, 76er's and Eagels fan and I'm writing this post.

Now one great argument for talking about Philadelphia as a great budget travel destination to visit is the fact that unlike NYC and Boston, Philly offers a lot of great free tours. Yep I said it, free tours. Then there's the relatively cheap travel. The transportation system of Philadelphia is called SEPTA and a lot of the traveling is per ride is actually about $2. Again, yes I said it, $2 per ride. You won't find deals like that in other major cities. If we had to offer the best way to do a tour of the city we've found out about a touring bus called Phlash. Again, you pay about $2 per ride, but you also can tour for the entire day for $5.

Then there's the number of great historic spots that either offer the free tours or something like $10 to $15 a tour. We're talking about Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and other great places to name a few.

Ok, let's not forget about the great Philadelphia Hotels that are available. If you look for hotel vacancies in other major cities across the United States you'll see rates like $250 to $350 a night. In Philadelphia you'll see some great quality hotels for like $95.00 to $149.00 a night and that's including weekends.

So don't pass up on the opportunity for a great trip and a a chance to take on a little history during a vacation to the city of Philadelphia.

Portland Oregon Travel

2009-02-13T03:20:00.000-08:00

There are some areas of the United States that aren't always thought to be great choices in terms of travel or vacations. Some, however, offer a unique twist of fun and because they may not be the premium places to visit in the eyes of the consumer can offer would be travelers great savings with a great vacation. Portland Oregon is one such city.

Set in the great North West of the United States Portland Oregon is rich in history and really a beautiful part of our great country. If you take a look at a random Portland Travel Guide you can see the many options available should one be so inclined to take a vacation or plan a trip. Portland is Oregon's official metropolis so it offers all of the great things you'd expect to find in the big city. You'll find great arts and culture, fantastic dining, a hip nightlife and of course be privy to things that are just unique to Portland that other big cities just don't have. One such area is the ability to enjoy the great outdoors.

As is always the case, should we not lose site of our goals on this blog, you can see and enjoy Portland Oregon without great expense. Now showing is the 2009 Portland Jazz Festival. The Festival is being sponsored by Alaskan Airlines and Horizon Air and starts today February 13th and will continue through and up to February 22nd. Tickets to attend the event are $21 per night !! There are also some great hotel rates right now for rooms that are starting at around $70. Call 1-800-950-1363 to inquire about vacancies in any number of hotels. Of course why not try out the local fare with a visit to one of Portland's most acclaimed restaurants by checking out the Portland Spirit. Why is this so unique? The Portland Spirit is a dinner cruise that takes you down the Willamette River.

So for a great trip consider Portland Oregon.

US Airways Vacations - Discount Travel to Las Vegas

2009-02-11T18:06:00.000-08:00

Every day it seems like one more big time name or brand in the travel industry is doing their “little” thing to respond to the declining economic situation. We've had a few posts in the past few days mentioning some big names like Priceline, Orbitz and Travelocity. US Airways Vacations officially adds their name to the discount travel game with their current promotion for Las Vegas Vacation Packages. The deal, quite simple. US Airways is giving away tickets to shows in Las Vegas when customers book a Las Vegas Vacation Package.

The Las Vegas Vacation Packages are fantastic too. They come with a basic plan that includes a four night stay at any number of top Las Vegas Hotels and include round trip flight to and from Las Vegas to your destination. Obviously not all packages are priced the same based on the fact that so many different types of hotels can be booked. That is, customers to US Airways Vacations can choose from highly rated hotels to moderately rated hotels. Pricing and hotel room rates are relative to the price.

What's the catch? From every thing we've investigated there doesn't seem to be one, and what's more the shows are top headlines. Tickets to shows include Criss Angel's Believe, Love, Zumanity and O. Oh, I'm sorry, there does seem to be one catch, but it's not bad. All Las Vegas vacation packages must be booked by February 20th, 2009 and the trip must take place and be finished by June 1st, 2009. Is that such a catch? I don't think so and from a business perspective deals like this with definitive and tangible time lines seem to be working.

There is no doubt that discount traveling and vacations priced like this and offering such incredible premiums can't be permanent or continuous, but at least it shows that companies are responding in a positive way.

Orbitz Price Assurance Guarantee

2009-02-09T14:52:00.000-08:00

Another in a long line of major travel web sites that are throwing their hat in, as it were, to the response to the bad economy is Orbitz travel. The official name of the company is Orbitz Worldwide, that according to a statement on the website the official framing of the company mission is "using innovative technology to enable leisure and business travelers to research, plan and book a broad range of travel products". Ok, that is pretty vague, so why not offer a little more of a laymen's explanation is that the company owns several global consumer brands in travel and aggregates suppliers inventory for hotels and airfare. Originally it was a cooperative between several of the major airlines, but as the travel industry has grown and matured so has the company.

Well back to Orbitz Price Assurance Guarantee. Orbitz is doing something a little different in response to the economic down turn. Many of the web sites I've posted about offer a nebulous 50% or more discount to regular rates. I've always kind of found that difficult to try and gauge. Orbitz, however, is kind of putting their money where their mouth is. The price assurance is actually very simple concept. Stepping back on their technology, Orbitz tracks the purchases made by their customers. Once a customer makes a purchase Orbitz will track it to see if any other customer of their makes a purchase for a flight or hotel room, and if the subsequent price is less than what the original customer paid a refund for the difference will be made.

This is some pretty good stuff and I'm banking we'll see some great innovative discounts in the travel industry as we all navigate through these troubled economic times.

Deep Discounts for Destination Travel.

2009-02-08T03:59:00.000-08:00

The economy is swirling down the proverbial toilet and the world of travel is responding with deep discounts. From zoo's, aquariums, museums and theme parks to the marketing of major cities and states, the word is out....Discounts !!!

Recently a report surfaced that not every sector in this bleak economy is doing so terrible. In fact, the sector of retail dedicated to offering wholesale discounts to consumers is doing quite well. In turn, the travel sector, on masse, has seemed to copy this strategy and every day it appears that more and more travel related or industries dependent on travel and tourism are adopting this specific focus.

How glaringly obvious are some of these trends and how wide spread between type and geography? Well in Orlando you have the World famous Disney World Theme Park offering free night stays. Actually one specific deal is offering $400 off the price of a seven night stay if the package is booked for dates between February through the end of June 2009. In Pennsylvania Hershey Park is offering coupons for $15 entrance fees at the gate. Finally, at the world's largest aquarium in Atlanta, the Georgia Aquarium has stepped back entrance fees to last years prices, which is $27. As a matter of fact the Georgia Aquarium is offering an additional incentive, whereby if you visit once they will give you what is called a "bounce pass" which you can come back to the aquarium for the price of $15.

As you can see drastic times call for drastic measures. The deals keep popping up, and we'll keep our eye out for more and more of them as they develop.

Discount Ski Vacations in Aspen.

2009-02-05T10:33:00.000-08:00

Surprisingly enough it's already February and we haven't done a post for ski vacations yet. The ski season is in high gear across the country, well at least in the destinations where you can ski. I thought it would be novel to do a post on Aspen Colorado and talk about some discount ski vacations that are being offered to this beautiful destination.

I'm not a big time skier so when I went to what I thought is an expert website on the subject, aspen.ski.com. Actually just reading through the site has made me truly consider taking a trip to Aspen. What a beautiful place. Wow !!

So I looked around and found some great deals. Yes, they may be pricey but Aspen is definitely not for the budget minded. The thing is and as this blog's title states we're all about discount traveling. So here we go with a few discount ski vacations to the beautiful area of Aspen.

The deal actually is coming to a close come February 11, 2009, but for a measly $2090 per person you get one hell of a vacation in luxurious accommodations. The package is for Little Nell, where you get 4 nights of lodging in an upscale hotel. Also enjoy 3 days of the best skiing you'll find anywhere on the glob. But wait, as they say on infomercials, there's more. This package offers $250 towards shipped luggage or airline luggage fees, free demo ski or snowboard rental each day and a whole log more. The hotel features an outdoor pool and outdoor hot tub, a steam room spa services, dry cleaning services, the works. Then your room comes with incredible views of the surrounding area and the option of getting an executive suite down to a junior suite. Obviously the price mentioned will take into account these accommodation changes.

Hotel Savings at 50% Discounts.

2009-02-02T13:58:00.000-08:00

It seems like everyone these days is reacting to the world wide storm that has fallen upon the economy. The big boys of internet travel are doing the same.

With hundreds of thousands of employees being laid off or having to deal with major cutbacks that include furloughs or work stoppage money is very tight. How these businesses react NOW will effect the how we all weather through the storm. Not doing so will have a domino effect that can be catastrophic.

So with all the doom and gloom out of the way let's get to the good news. There are some tremendous deals out there being offered by great companies.

Let's begin with Travelocity's Silver Lining Sale. If you go to their site the promotion offers several featured destinations with hotel rate discounted up to 50%. The deal is only temporary and the promotion actually ends February 16th. The other issue with this promotion is that if you go to the site or other marketing posts about this deal they make a statement that many of the deals may no longer be available. I've come across several people that have found this to be frustrating but a deals a deal and it it definitely worth looking at the deals this company has.

Not to be left behind Priceline, heralded by famous actor, singer and poet James Shaffner, is upping the ante by pushing it's own 50% savings program. The only issue is Priceline has been pushing the fact that they offer 50% savings with their unique pricing program anyway. That being said, as with Travelocity several deals of quality area available.

Another smaller site Reserve Vacations, which recently launched in the fall of 2008, has been offering some unique rates for accommodations that also come with add ons known as premiums. Premiums are the extras provided with a vacation package which may include such things as free tickets to area shows, rounds of golf or restaurants. Now the rates for these packages are ridiculously low. There is a little caveat to these packages also. The low discounts are provided in an effort to get travelers to the properties to hear sales presentations for timeshare opportunities.

Keep your eye out because there are many deals out there and many more companies are finding new and inventive ways to maintain a share in the current declining market.

Myrtle Beach - Golfer's Dream Vacation Package.

2009-01-15T13:03:00.001-08:00

The cold of winter has definitely gripped most of the nation but there are still some segments and regions that are fairing well this winter. No doubt that Florida and many of the real warm regions are very nice to visit, but how about a vacation to Myrtle Beach South Carolina.

We've found a great Myrtle Beach Golf Vacation Package that is available in perpetuity, at least for a while. You'll get a 4 Days and 3 Nights vacation package to stay at the Wild Wing Resort in Myrtle Beach plus two rounds of golf that include a cart, at the property all for $199.

If you'd like to plan your Myrtle Beach Vacation around any event in the area, here's a link to the official Myrtle Beach Tourism Site that offers a complete calendar of events for the year.

Myrtle Beach - Golfer's Dream Vacation Package.

2009-01-15T13:03:00.000-08:00

You Deserve a Vacation and Some Fun for 2009.

2009-01-02T21:16:00.000-08:00

2008 Sucked. Maybe I'm just speaking for myself and/or just speaking in sweeping generalities, but I'm sticking by that statement. Doesn't seem like 2009 has really had a chance to spring into action and take over its official role as the new year and the much needed arbitrary new page in life. Sure, sure there are some with smiles on their faces and to them I actually applaud. Unlike probably the majority of humanity I welcome good fortune to others. Sadly enough though, I still think that sentiment is founded in selfishness. My thought is that the more other people are happy, fortunate, or whatever, that a) they are less likely to bother me and b) that maybe I could get a little help from one of them. Regardless, I digress, and the point of all this is that things aren't just going to get better. It's the responsibility of each and every one of us to fight for a better way in life. Well, just like I'm sure you've been waiting, one way of getting there is living life and getting away. Yep, I backed door all of you on this one, but it's all apprapoe and relevant. Get out and find a vacation. Just so you know the link provided is my gratuitous citing using Wikipedia as a source. I stand by that Wikipedia is one of the best fair and balanced and non-biased source of information on the net today.

The one drawback, if that is really even the right way to frame the situation, is that due to the economic downturn, alternative options need to be investigated. Let me tell you many exist. If you've followed this blog for the past few months I've been able to either track down, stumble over or some how serendipitously discover more and more unique ways to travel and get away. What's more, and this is the real beauty, a lot of these hidden gems don't require giving up quality. The biggest revelation or discovery I think I came across were the minivacs. Minivacs or "mini vacations" have been around for some time, but in recent years, due to a combination of many forces, including the current economic downturn, the offerings and combos of packages have improved. What's more because minivacs are associated with the timeshare industry a more concerted effort has been made to reinvent these products. All signs for me point to this very thing, a better product and a greater level of disclosure to the consuming public. Also, for better or worse, this shift in reinventing minivacs has actually created a growing market segment in the world of travel. More and more companies are entering the market place. Most of the time greater competition usually equates to for a win to the consumer, but again, with an industry that has a stigma like timeshare problems do occur. I've cited this website several times in the past few months, but once again Reserve Vacations offers unique vacation packages such as these. Each time I revisit the site has expanded the number of destinations it serves and the number of individual packages it offers per destination. On average the price for accommodations plus premiums is about a 75% Discount to that of traditional packages.

The fun doesn't stop there. Even the big label providers such as Travelocity and Expedia are not only experimenting with discount packaging and unique pricing mechanisms they offer to their members, traditional packages are showing a decline in rates. For example, and I apologize for citing this deal so late because the deadline is tomorrow, but Expedia is offering a great Holiday Travel Coupon if you book.

Discount Hotel Deals for Branson

2008-12-23T20:08:00.000-08:00

We are deep into the holiday season as I write on this very cold winter night. At this time Hanukkah is into it's 3rd night and for part of the globe Christmas Eve has started. Festivities are at their height and there is no doubt that this is a very special time of year.

In Branson Missouri, a little tucked away city in the middle of the United States they enjoy an annual event called the Ozark Mountain Christmas Festival. Plain and simple, it's just a great event that offers the charm and warmth of a Norman Rockwell painting. No doubt at this point in the calendar, unless you're within driving distance to Branson making plans to visit there for Christmas has been missed for the year. That being said, however, as with any destination bargains abound for travel and vacations after such an event. More so, Branson is a great destination town anyway. It boasts being one of the largest providers of entertainment as a destination in the world. With over 50 theaters and entertainment venues it might just be right. Before I get into the discounts for hotels and accommodations here's the link to find out up and coming entertainment and Branson shows. The guide offers a calendar of the events, ticket prices and ticket sales service.

To that end, Branson Hotels during the first week following New Years has some incredible deals and discounts. The average room rate per night for 3 Star Hotels is about $65.00. Again, these are 3 Star Hotels too. If you're looking for more upscale accommodations, the average rate for 4 Star quality hotels is about $125.00 per night. Generally it looks like rates for hotels are discounted about 25% from their level right now.

Just to give a little insight and suggestions, I've taken the time to research and review a few properties in different quality categories. First is the Meadows Resort Branson located at 110 Willow Bend Drive. Reviews I've read about this property have it quite simply as "magnificent". The resort is situated on a picturesque piece of land, and is geared to be family friendly. Not something that is often found in an upscale hotel property. The Meadows Resort in Branson boasts 5 swimming pools, 2 hot tubs, 1 indoor pool, state of the art gym and fitness center and a whole range of activities to choose. Secondly, the rooms are fantastic. You can choose from one or two bedrooms and from single to king size beds. Also, depending on the room type you choose, units come equipped with sleeper sofas, full sized kitchens, washer and dryers and balcony's. Find pricing and availability for Meadows Resort Branson Reservations. Availability is limited right now, but the seasonality should provide some openings.

Coming down a notch we have the Best Western Music Capital Inn located at 3257 Shepherd Hill Expressway. The hotel offers four floors of 93 guest rooms and is located in the Shoji Tabuchi Theater District of Branson. The property offers an indoor heated pool, a steam room sauna, game room, concierge service, free parking and a complimentary continental breakfast daily. Further the hotel property is located within walking distance to several key Branson attractions, such as 3 blocks from the Ray Stevens Theater, and two blocks from both the Pierce Arrow Theater and the MAX Theatre Complex. For Best Western Music Capital Inn Reservations check here.

Last on our list is our recommendation for a budget hotel in Branson. It's been my experience in travel, no matter what town you're in, that brand identity is the safest bet when you're looking for budget accommodations. To that end, the Days Inn Branson fits the bill perfectly. The Days Inn brand in general is consistent and standard, and this property doesn't deviate from that norm. The Days Inn Branson is located at 3524 Keeter Street and is very close to some Branson attractions such as Silver Dollar City, the Grand Palace and the Table Rock Dam. The hotel offers the standard in hotel room amenities such as in room coffee makers, hair dryers, and options for room types that offer king and or queen sized beds, plus handicap specialty rooms. Rooms also include wifi internet access. The property offers a large outdoor pool and free parking. Days Inn Branson Hotel Reservations can be found with this resource.

Branson Missouri is probably a destination you may not have even considered as an option for a trip or vacation. Trust me, it's a little known treasure that you'll be sure to enjoy and revisit again and again.

Travel Tips for this Week of Christmas

2008-12-21T11:15:00.000-08:00

The holiday season is usually a time for visiting family, to traveling to see friends, or maybe even getting time to go on that vacation. Long and short it means travel congestion, increased lines at airports, train stations and bus stations, not to mention the hoard of cars on the highways and byways. As part of my public service message brought to you by Reserve Vacations we're going to offer a few bits of advice on how to deal with the overall "traffic jam" that comes along with all kinds of travel mediums this time of year.

First to our sponsor, Reserve Vacations Vacation Deals has a great deal to Cancun called the Royal Mexican Riviera Vacation. The package offers 4 days and 3 nights at the Holiday Inn Express Playa Del Carmen. The package offers standard hotel room, transportation to and from the airport, the use of all resort facilities and 2 $30 Certificates to the Spa. Now get ready, all of this can be yours for a mind blowing $199 per person fee. That's quite a deal. There are many other Cancun Mexico Vacation Packages that the site has to offer and they change regulalry. Not to mention other destination such as Pigeon Forge Tennessee, Branson Missouri, Atlantic City New Jersey, Las Vegas Nevada, and Myrtle Beach South Carolina.

Now to the travel tips. I've been combing the net for an all inclusive group of information that shows a full range of great tips. Ones that offer the best for each of the forms of transportation. Here is an excerpt I found from National Geogrophic Magazine's official Web Site and their section known as the intelligent traveller. The author is Jeannette Kimmel for the Intelligent Travler.

If you're Traveling by Bus here are some tips. Many discount bus operators have emerged in the past year, giving penny-pincher passengers one-way tickets for as little as $1. They key to getting these cheap fares is, of course, to buy early. If you haven't done so already, buy them now!

Like any wheeled vehicle, buses are still subject to traffic conditions, just like any other car. Bring a book, charge your iPod, try to travel outside of rush hour, and don't cut your time too close. If you have to be at Aunt Millie's place for dinner at 3 p.m., it's best not to take the bus that is scheduled to arrive at 2:30 p.m. Try to be flexible.

Those traveling by bus after the holidays should check out MegaBus--the discount bus company is giving away 100,000 free bus tickets for travel between January 14 and March 18. Seeing as their tickets generally start at $1, and now they're giving away 100,000 free tickets, I'm not really quite sure how the company stays in business. But hey, I'll take it.

Getting on any number of trains or railways check out this advice. Those who don't like the confinement of a bus or the lines at the airport can opt to travel the old-fashioned way. Sure, it might take some four hours to get from D.C. to New York on Amtrak (compared to the 45 minutes on a plane), but--and especially if you are lucky enough to sit in a "quiet car"--think of all the reading and/or sleep you can catch up on, and of all the leg cramping that you can avoid.

Last, as most probably do, taking a flight here are some great bits of advice. Don't try to pack food on the plane. It's messy, and the whole point of traveling elsewhere for the holidays is to have someone else do all the cooking, right? TSA advises against trying to carry-on the following items: cranberry sauce, maple syrup, and gravy (among other foods). And while you can't bring those foods on the plane, you can bring cakes and pies; however, desserts are subject to additional screening (because pumpkin pie can be lethal...).

On November 20, TSA implemented "Green" lanes to all of its security checkpoints nationwide. The Green lanes are part of the "Diamond Self-Select" program that TSA created earlier this year, and were tested in some 48 airports. The Green lanes are designated for families, those needing extra assistance, and passengers who aren't familiar with security rules. Call it a segregation of the passengers who can take their time from those who are impatient, but either way, the Green lanes have been popular in airports so far, and should hopefully ease the security checkpoint process.

You can also reduce your time at the airport by checking into your flight online. Many airlines (like American Airlines or Southwest) will allow passengers to check in online and print out their boarding pass 24 hours before their scheduled flight. Currently, Delta Airlines, American Airlines, and Continental are even testing a system that allows passengers scan their phone screen as a boarding pass. Delta passengers departing from LaGuardia can sign up online to receive a text message with their boarding pass bar code. Before they board the plane, all they have to do is hold up their phone to the bar code scanner, and they're on their way. All passengers should also check out TSA's Wait Time Calculator. Just enter your airport, day, and flight time and it will tell you the approximate time you will have to stand in line at the security checkpoint.

As always, with any travel, be prepared! Do your research! Don't show up to any airport or rail station without proper I.D., your boarding pass, and plenty of holiday patience. And be nice to transportation employees. I'm quite sure that plane and train delays are not their fault, so don't take it out on them.

Tips for Making the Most Out of Any Vacation..and Not Spending a Lot of Money...

2008-12-09T15:41:00.000-08:00

There is no doubt that there are a lot of services out there that "claim" to offer great discounts on vacations and other vacation packages. My last post had information about treading lightly while looking for travel deals because many scams are out there. In today's post I like to offer a little advice in preparing for a trip. That is, things not to do that will first and foremost cost you money, but not waste your time or put you in a position to be harmed. It's all very important. Sure vacations are something that should not have an element of "work" with it, but there is no avoiding the adult nature of planning. It's just the way it is.

Two of the types of vacation packages that I've spoken often about in my latest posts have been to destinations like Cancun or those that are near theme parks. Each type of vacation has it's advantages, but also it must be stated that a better planned vacation makes for more fun, less stress and less cost.

For either of the type of vacation you plan, that is going to a destination that is sun drenched and has miles and miles of beach, or the type of destination that has super theme parks, the following suggestions make for the best trip.

1- Wear Sunscreen. Yes, I know this seems ridiculous, but I can't think of a more important initial step that needs to be taken than to put on your suncscreen. Get that sunscreen on those kids too. Sure there is no doubt that the sun has it's effects over the long term, but I'll tell you what. No one wants to deal with a kid with severe sun burn during a vacation.

2- Dress comfortably. This is not the time to put on those new shoes you bought to look good. I had an uncle that was in Vietnam and he said if there was one little bit of advise he had to anyone that was to keep your feet warm, clean, and comfortable. You're on them for hours and hours and having to contest with that new blister you got while visiting and using the Silver Dollar City Vacation Package you got a great deal.

3- Know the transportation services in the area. I'm serious. This actually goes hand in hand with dressing comfortably. Many of the destinations you will go on vacation to or visit have towns that actually provide free transportation. Like the owe so famous monorail of Disneyworld, these other towns also offer one form or another of shuttle service or car service to get around town. This can save a ton of money on bus fare or even renting a car. The reality is you really don't need to rent a car in many of these destiantions.

4- This one may also seem ridiculous and maybe not even practical, but think about traveling off season. That is maybe heading to a place of beauty like Cancun near the summer or to a ski resort right before the season starts. Sure there are definite draw backs to doing this, like being on the beach in Cancun when it's 150 degrees, or trying to ski down a moutain of grass, but these aren't the absolutes. I've heard many great stories where someone took a trip to Cancun in late may to be greeted with wonderful whispy air and one guy that traveled to Colorado in early november to enjoy an early snowstorm.

All in all a lot of what I mentioned above may seem like common sense, but I'm sure like most of of if we don't think through the options the obvious never even gets on our radar.

Should any of you have any ideas that can really help out with keeping a vacation fun, stress free and from hemorraging money, as always please offer your advise and tips here.

Beware of Vacation Package Discount Scams..

2008-12-03T15:33:00.000-08:00

Usually I take a lot of time and effort pouring through emails, sites, blogs and mailings that tell me about the up and coming vacation deals. All the time it never occurred to me that out there are many, many scams that fill these ads, just as much as the good deals that are out there.

So sitting here at my desk I thought the noble thing to do is to get a little into how not to get scammed with a vacation package that seems to good to be true.

The biggest scams when it comes to vacation deals usually come along with contests or awards. That is the infamous "You've Won a Free Vacation"...But with these come along so much bad I may not be able to finish my report in one readable post..I sure will try. Let's get into some of the "hooks" as we'll refer to them.

First there are the infamous free plane tickets. You get a call or something in the mail that says "Congratulations, you have been chosen from a select few people as are award winner and have received free plane tickets. These are usually pretty obvious when it comes to the scam because when it comes to free plane tickets most of the people I've spoken to usually want to know where the heck they are staying. When you look into the details about this kind of stuff, you see very quickly, that the company offering the free plane tickets requires that you book your hotel, get all of your meals and have to buy all the other things that go along with the vacation directly through them. When it comes down to it, you have a hugely inflated price tag that would have been less even if you included the plane tickets in the first place.

The second is a real beauty of a scam. I've found that this one catches many consumers off guard than probably any one scam. It's the Free Vacation Package. The reason this one is so tricky is that you don't know that you're screwed until you actually end up at your destination. The horror stories I've heard are anywhere from ending up in deplorable hotels, having to eat at run down restaurants and ending up in parts of towns of the destinations where they wouldn't house criminals. What's more, with these types of scams, they usually pull the old bait and switch. That is, ok, you're pissed off about your situation and want to upgrade. The vacation property will gladly do so, but only after you sign away your soul and your first born. What's worse is they won't even let you leave. Many of these scams make you stay the entire time, and if you want to leave, yep once again, get ready to hand over the first born. It's terrible.

The third that I've heard is really just awful. I mean, at least the others I mentioned above have actual places to go and see, but this one is a scam I feel that puts those that do it on a direct path to hell. Say you get the typical notification that you've won a trip or vacation like I mentioned above. All that is necessary is that you pay a modest fee to secure the vacation and you're all set...or are you?...Time goes by, you anxiously await to go on your trip and you never seem to get the confirmation papers or call you're waiting for to get going on your excursion. You try and get in touch with the Travel Agent that helped you book the trip and process your award...it's a dead line !! No lie...I've heard this referred to as the disappearing travel agency...Quite a disappearing act..and with your money.

The thing is there are things you must always be aware of when looking at deals that seem to good to be true. It's just the cold hard facts of today's world of technology and global economy. You could be receiving a deal from a company in a country that has no tie or oversight by any regulatory agency in the United States. Even when they're in the United States it can be tricky, but here are some strategies.

1- First and foremost, it should be common sense, but any travel deal that comes to you via email, mail or phone should always be looked at cautiously. The biggest stat to know here is that every scam comes in this form so be on the look out.

2- It's been my experience when it comes to buying anything why not just go with brand recognition. Sure, times are tight and the economy is down, but why not go to a travel company that is well known, or at the very least is reputable if you look them up at the Better Business Bureau, or other legitimate travel associations. I know it sounds like a pain in the neck, but I'll tell you what's worse...trying to hunt down the $1000 you put down on a trip that doesn't exist.

3- This last tip I really think is a big one. I know we all want to take the path to least resistance and not have to deal with the details or bs that comes along with anything. Ok that's fine. It's also fine to be interested in a deal that sounds pretty good, because, yes, times are tight and in times like these looking for economical alternatives makes sense. So do a little homework. Get the information from the person or company soliciting you...Make sure you get the name of the hotel and any other place that the promoter says they are offering to you..Then follow up with a call to the official office of these places. See if the name of the promoter and the company they represent are for real. Sometimes you may be pleasantly surprised and the company is legit. It's better than being unpleasantly surprised to open the door to your "vacation getaway" and see a family of roaches playing poker on the hotel room table.

There are definite ways to get a deal when it comes to travel and vacation packages. Let me also tell you that not everyone else out there is a scam artist. It's sad and it's a tiring, but the truth of the matter is you just have to take time to investigate just a little more into deals that sound too good to be true.

If any of you have stories, suggestions or anything to add to this post I certainly welcome them. This is an all too important subject.

Getting that Las Vegas Vacation Package at a Discount..

2008-11-29T10:15:00.000-08:00

Ok, I've gone into enough about how bad the economy is and how bad we all have it. Enough is enough !! We are all still alive and need to have fun. There are many places we could travel to where "fun" is the epitaph, and one I think that needs to be on that list is Las Vegas. Don't thing for a second that going to Las Vegas needs to cost you lot's of money. It can and no doubt the city have many ways and places for one to throw $1000's of dollars down the drain, into a slot machine or into the panties of stripper, but you can also get to Las Vegas, enjoy yourself and not break the bank. I've done some searching for some current deals out there and there are some very interesting ones to be had.

1- Ceaesars Palace is offering a great vacation package through the vacation portal I noticed on Yahoo Travel. Caesars is a brand name in casinos and the information for this deal is offering $116 a night right now through the next week. This includes use of all the facilities, about $50 in cash comps and other features. This could get you a great stay at a fantatsic casino hotel in Las Vegas for about $500 for a 4 day 3 night stay

2- Travel Zoo is an incredible web site that consolidates information about vacation pacakges from 100's of qualified suppliers. Checking out their web site today I noticed a great vacation deal and resort package to the Mandalay Bay. The Vacation Package offers 3 nights, plus 2 for 1 one tickets of the show Mamma Mia !. This deal is only available up and until January 5th 2009.

3- Another great Las Vegas Vacation Deals is offered by ResereVacations.com with a few packages worth mentioning. This is a perfect Las Vegas Romantic Getaway at a great rate. The package offers 3 days and 2 nights to the Las Vegas Cancun Resort for $179 for the total package !! Now check this out. You get a suite in the villa, two tickets to Madame Tussards, a free meal either lunch or dinner at Zeffirino/Tintoretto and a Gondala Ride !! Now that's value.

I'm sure for many of you thinking about going to Las Vegas seems like splurging, but with deals like the above I'm sure you can see all that can be offered. I'm going to keep my eye out for even more incredible deals over the coming days, weeks and months. Stay tuned.

Finding Great Travel Deals for After Thanksgiving Holiday..

2008-11-26T18:27:00.000-08:00

There is no doubt that the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend is the busiest travel days of the entire year. We are all currently in the thick of it right now as we are on Thanksgiving Eve as I write.

Well for many there is an old saying, we sometimes need a vacation from our holiday or vacation. In keeping with that theme I thought I'd stay ahead of the curve and offer some nuggets or deals from other sites for various locations and destinations...So here they are. For the purposes of my discussion I have looked up airfares for next weekend December 5th to December 7th. This gives people a chance to get back from the Thanksgiving holiday, get a week of work in and have something to look to for the next weekend. So here they are.

From Philadelphia to Miami Expedia offers several options. Non-Stop, One Stop and Two or more stops. In the Non-Stop column United and American Airlines have rates of $420 and $360 respectively. For One Stop flights United, American, US Airways, Airtran and Delta offer rates of $342, $435, $371, $399 and $437 respectively. Finally for the Two or more stops, United, American Airlines and Delta offer airline rates of $401, $433 and $412 respectively. As you can see, there is no clear airline that consistently has the lowest offer.

The biggest thing that this little exercise I just did is to do a search using a pretty interesting tool web site called Booking Buddy. The site allows you to put in dates and airlines from and to which you are traveling and then use a variety of web sites right on the site such as Expedia, FareCast and Orbitz, just to name a few to see how all the rates compare. The process is a little laborious because if it really were efficient the rates to all the other services would automatically show up. You have to click on the logo for each site and then review their rates.

The other thing is, many of the sites I mentioned, such as Expedia and Orbitz actually have the comparison model in the sites themselves. I still think there is something very novel in the Booking Buddy site and it's worth a look.

Please enjoy your Thanksgiving Holiday and the up and coming Holiday Season..

Williamsburg Vacation Deals..

2008-11-23T12:23:00.000-08:00

Williamsburg vacation deals. Yes, I said Williamsburg Virginia vacation deals. Why? In this time of economic downturn travel and vacation deals have to be a little altered to fit tightening budgets. Not to say that Williamsburg is a low class place or has an air of "cheap" to it.

In all actuality Williamsburg Virginia is a touch of class with step into the past. To those of you who do not know the Williamsburg area is home to the first permanent English settlement in America, Jamestown. There's so much to see and do there. With that I've found some great Williamsburg vacation deals that offer great packages.

AAA is offering some great Williamsburg Vacations right now. The deals end by November 30th. prices range from $99 per night to $389. Variations and restrictions apply but check now for these great deals. Check out AAA's web site.

I've referred to this web site a few times, but ReserveVacations.com is offering several great packages for Williamsburg Vacation Packages. The one that caught my eye is the Historic Williamsburg Capital City Package. The deal offers $189 for 4 days and 3 nights for a studio suite at the Westgate Historic Williamsburg Resort. The deal also offers 2 passes Capital City passes. I mean this is just incredible.

Another classic in the world of vacations is Marriott. The Marriot Manor Club at Ford's Colony with 40% off regular rates for a short time. Restrictions on these deal do exist.

The Holiday season is upon us and there are plenty of ways to get a trip in with out breaking the bank. A visit to historic Williamsburg is a way to do just that.

Tropical Getaway Vacation Packages...

2008-11-20T13:23:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again where those of us who are stuck in the cold of winter start looking for warmer escapes. With that I've taken a little time to check out some deals to places of warm weather, I hope that something catches someones eye that visits this blog.

For those of you that are brave enough to travel to the Middle East, there is a paradise out there known as the United Arab Emeriates. Yes, you are looking to be about 150 miles out of Tehran Iran, but this really is a beautiful place to visit. The Millennium hotel Sharjah is offering a deal of $183 a night, which is incredible relative to the property. Check out the deal here.

Let's focus our desires to South of the Border, Mexico Way. Cancun Mexico to be exact. From a site called ReserveVacations.com comes a vacation deal from the Cancun Ocean Spa Hotel. For 5 days and 4 nights all for $329 you get accommodations, (2) gift certificates with a value of $30 each to be used towards a spa trip and complete use of the facilities. Check out this Cancun Getaway Vacation Deal...They won't last long.

If you're someone that has to make that trip with the family there are some options. One more than any other is a trip to one of the Disney Parks. The current discount vacation deal the Disney is offering is to buy a 4 night trip and get a 3 extra nights free. The value is approximately $1271 which also includes 7 days of family passes to the park of the destination you are staying. Check out this incredible deal right now. The deal only includes vacations for stays between January 4th to January 9th, January 19th through March 26th, April 2nd through April 4th and April 24th through June 27th.

Travel Deals for Thanksgiving Weekend...

2008-11-17T20:16:00.000-08:00

The big question right now on many people's minds is are there deals for travel for the Thanksgiving Holiday. The trick at this point in the game is to look for dates that might be out of favor. For example, leaving the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is a huge cash trap. I've take a little time to check fares and providers for various rates and for various trips and here they are;

1- For flights for Philadelphia to Los Angeles leaving Monday November 24th and coming back on Friday November 28th, the best rate I found was through CheapoAir.com at $253.99 per person round trip.

2- For flights to Miami from Boston, the same dates offer better savings, and once again via CheapoAir.com, round trip rates are $195.00.

CheapoAir.com seems to have some great deals right now so I'd check them out.

Good luck with your searches and have a great up and coming Thanksgiving Holiday.

How to Travel Cheap in these Down Economic Times

2008-11-14T20:11:00.000-08:00

I'm almost shutter at the thought of getting up each day recently. It seems like every day more news comes out about how bad the economy is, about how bad the state of the world is, that hope and solutions are far away.

The only thing is I was raised to live life with zest, fun and a smile. No doubt these times and the days that surround us truly tests that philosophy. My feeling is, it's at these times when you have to dig most to the meaning of that type of life philosophy.

That being said, there are still ways to enjoy life, and not the stop and smell the roses stuff. Getting away and taking a vacation, getting outside your area and seeing something new, these are things that are well documented as to maintaining a healthy life. The only issue is times are tough and tight.

A new trend I've noticed online are ads and marketing of what are called mini-vacs. Basically these are deep discounted vacation packages that throw in accommodations plus some other kind of premium like free passes to a local amusement park, spa, golf or whatever. The only catch is it's a way of marketing timeshare properties.

Now I know, I know that the term timeshare has a stigma attached with it, almost to that of a used car sales person. I'm here to tell you, though, these packages are incredible. One such site that offers these Vacation Package Deals is ReserveVacations.com. I've seen vacation packages that have included trips to places like Cancun, Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach and Orlando. What's more the value on the packages is insane!!! I'm talking about room night costs at about 30% of regular rates. Then, like I said, they throw in things like a trip to a spa, coupons to high class restaurants and so much more.

The point of all this is, good old capitalism shows it's merits once again. In the face of a sagging economy and poor consumer confidence, the market innovators search for ways to make it. This type of offering fits that bill.

So keep your eye out for deals like this, because they're on the rise.

Discount Vacations in Branson Missouri..

2008-11-10T08:15:00.000-08:00

I've taken some time to write up on great new sites to find discount vacations in the past, but due to the poor economic climate many new sites are popping up. One such is offering some really incredible packages. The one I can across today is for Branson Vacation Packages.

Let's see what they have here b/c this might be a great place to jet off to before the craziness of the Holiday rush. Specifically there are two major packages being offered. First one for the family called the Branson Family Fun Vacation Package, which offers for 4 days and three nights including accommodations plus tickets to an amusement park. The total package price is $129. The second package is also for the family but is a weekend package, and most appropriately called the Branson Super Weekend Vacation Package. With this package you can get for $249 full accommodations plus tickets to the Pierce Arrow Show.

Of course travel to and from the area is not included, but one would have to make an incredible argument that these are not great deals.

Travel Deals for the Following Week October 25th 2008...

2008-10-27T12:09:00.000-07:00

With the end of October hurdling faster and faster at us I have hunted down some additional great travel deals. I've searched quite a bit this week and the pickings on some of these seem so-so. So here we go world, with travel deals that just might work.

Let us start our tour in Boston Mass. Yahoo's esaver's program and specifically offered through ebookers is offering nightly rates at a great hotel. The Boston Park Plaza Hotel has rates of about $88 a night !!! No lie. You can check out the accompanying link provided at yahoo or if you like to find more information about the Boston Park Plaza Hotel Reservations with this link. Boston is particularly beautiful this time of year especially if you were to go to the outskirts and visit some great suburban and country spots. This deal is definitely worth looking into right now.

The other day I said to a friend, why haven't I made trip to Death Valley just yet? Interesting question I'm assuming for most of you. Well much to my chigrin a travel discount company is offering a great deal for visiting Death Valley. I kid you not. This one came directly off of the Yahoo Travel Deals section and you can find Death Valley vacation deals here. Trust me, when the weather starts to turn cold and the sun is going down much ealier this time of year, excusions like visiting Death Valley can do a lot for the soul. The deal offers great full packaged vacations. Travel, stay, food and recommendations.

Travel Discounts for Continuing Declining Climate..

2008-10-20T09:35:00.000-07:00

A common theme of topic in the last few weeks of my posts has been the ailing economy and it's effects, to one degree or another, on travel and tourism. Those effects being either how these effects are hurting travel professionals and at the same time how this is presenting opportunities for consumers. Today I continue with travel deals I've found that are gems for the discerning consumer traveler.

The spotlight today is a deal I found through Expedia.com. The latest convert to better deals for the consumer is Virgin Atlantic. Specifically, seats in it's Premium Economy section. Currently, and it's not known for how long this deal with last, deals for great flights from major United States cities to and from London England. Rates are quoted one way, and a complete round trip ticket package is needed to be purchased to get the discount. Great rates from US cities to the Jolly Old Land of England include $517 to and from New York City, $819 to and from Las Vegas, $710 to and from Miami. Many other deals for other major US cities exist. Check out the above link to Expedia for more information.

Discount Vacation Packages for Second Thought Destinations...

2008-10-15T20:30:00.000-07:00

If one were to put a gun to another's head and force them to list out, say five destinations that are the quintessential definition and synonymous with vacation it would be safe to say that 9 times out of 10 that list would include Las Vegas, Hawaii, Miami, Orlando and Cancun. Of course other cities and/or destinations could come to mind, but the point is there is no doubt that a second tier of destinations is probably equally equated to vacation destination. Two such places in my mind include Niagara Falls and Bermuda. Of course in this time of economic downturn and financial uncertainty the topic of vacations is far from many peoples minds. For those of you that still want to find that silver lining and also see what kind of discounts are available for a getaway, I have a few for Niagara Falls and Bermuda.

First for Niagara Falls. In doing some research for quality places to recommend one such resort and package kept showing up. The Americana Conference Resort and Spa is a can't miss. First it's a top quality property. Second, it has it all !!! From well appointed rooms and suites, to a first class spa and finally a fantastic indoor water park called Waves. General package prices that include room, voucher for dinner and passes to the water park average around $250 to $300 a night. Special rates are available for certain dates.

The second spotlight destination, Bermuda is equally fantastic as an option. And just like Niagara Falls, some great vacation packages are available, especially in the face of a soft consumer market. After some careful searching, the best place I've seen for finding great packages to Bermuda is the official Bermuda Tourism site. The site offers a compilation of packages from various resorts and varying by premiums. The average package price I've seen for a four day trip per person is about $750. That's fantastic.

There are other great destinations that often are a second thought. Trust me, many offer hidden treasures at deep discounts to the best known destinations and are worth a look.

Dare I say Christmas Vacation Packages...

2008-10-13T09:29:00.000-07:00

I know I know, it's not even Halloween yet. The point is it really is not too early to find a great deal for the holiday season. To be quite honest, planning for a trip is the right thing to do if in fact you really want to go away during this time. There are many different ways to go with a great holiday trip. A trip to a sunny destination, or getaway to a ski vacation or anything in between. Let's start with a few that I've seen.

I'd like to start with a trip that I'd even like to take. A trip to Fiji. Any red blooded American Male, or better yet, Male in the world has probably thought for even just a second, why can't I just run away to the islands. Well for most of you, whether you realize it or not, those islands are most likely Fiji. Scenes of scantly clad women, unbelievable sunsets and so much more can be found right on Fiji. I came accross this Fiji Vacation Package while looking for vacations like this. The package really is incredible. It offers for five nights accommodations in what is called an oceanfront bure. You get a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine, plus two 60 minute spa treatments. Damn, I may stop writing this post now and make my reservations for this package right now.

Ok, let's go in the complete and opposite direction, and get your skis on people !! Ok, I'm not kidding, before I go one step further in telling you anything I want to see some skis on your feet....Ok that's better. Well in doing my due dilligence I came across a great group of ski vacation packages being offered by Frontier Airlines. The majority of these vacations and the destinations they serve can be found in the western United States in states like Utah, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, and even in New Mexico. Vacation package rates range for, on average of a four night stay, somewhere in the area of $600 to $1300. There are a variety of premiums being offered for each package so take a look at the specific deal for each destination.

Many of the deals I speak about time sensitive so it's important to book these now for the holiday season. I just might see you in Fiji around Christmas.

Frontier Airlines has kicked off a series of deals on ski vacations to destinations throughout Colorado including Telluride, Vail, Crested Butte, and more.

These ski deals include airfare and accommodations as well as specials such as free-night stays, early booking discounts, and “ski for free” passes. The folks at Frontier Airlines can help you put together your perfect ski

More Deals for The Economically Challenged. Hotel Discounts that make sense..

2008-10-09T16:37:00.000-07:00

With another horrible day on Wall Street, the sense of gloom and doom is yet again heightened. Optimism must overcome. I'm not saying that we should all go forward and pretend that life is a bushel of roses, but living, breathing and trying to enjoy life the best we can must be an edict. As such I will continue to scour the world for great deals.

One such deal I think is just incredible is being offered by the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. The Atlantis has a great deal for $299 per person package for three nights. This is just fantastic. A deal like this to a property like this is almost unheard of and may not come about again. If you can find the time, and a teammate to join this is a great option.

If you're looking to find a great vacation idea that you can include the entire family several deals being offered for European destinations are available. One such deal I found offers a complete European Family Vacation Package that is definitely worth checking out.

We will continue to come to you with new and innovative hotel and vacation packages that offer great discounts. Don't let these times get you down. Continue to enjoy life.

Discount Travel Deals for October 10th..

2008-10-08T10:32:00.000-07:00

With all the fuss and huff going on about the economic downturn people are really tightening their belt. The only issue is in this day and age, and a friend of mine has to be given credit for this statement, people really just want to be happy. There was a time and place, say back in the 1930's when the Great Depression hit, where a sense of acceptance to not being able to control one's environment was a mainstay in peoples personalities. Today, that just isn't the case.

Today one of the biggest declines and downturns in almost a century has shaken the United States economy down to it's core, but still people go to dinner, go to shows and go on vacation. It's just that now most are taking a different approach to evaluating their options. I present to you all for your consideration discounts through renting vacation properties. And here are a few to whet your whistle from various areas.

West Hollywood and Beverly Hills for the Christmas Holidays.

Once again, due to economic reasons, misfortune can turn into fortune and a coincidence of wants for both parties. This great property, checking out the link above, is available during that week. Properties from 3 to 5 bedrooms are available and prices are in the range of $1100 to $1500 a night. Sure a little pricey, but this is an upscale area. Contacting the owners may give you some leverage. I'd check them out.

Be Pious and Go to the Promised Land.

Well the Holy Land that is. This deal is brought to you by Cheap Flights and offers a great package for travel to the Holy Land of Israel. The deals is a little over $1000. Departure dates are in the range of December 1st to December 15th and Returns are anywhere from December 16th to 29th.

These are just a few great deals depending on budget. Obviously they vary by range and taste. More will be sure to come in the coming weeks as we delve into greater deals. Stay happy people and make sure you take on a great getaway.

Coming Back to You with More Travel Deals..

2008-10-06T19:56:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately our previous blog address is no more. We're happy to come to you from our new and improved addressed and couldn't be happier. Our goal is the same. To scour the internet from web sites, to posts to forums to emails to see the best travel deals out there.

Well this week is the first week of October. Lets get to it.

Piedras y Olas Hotel & Resort, a Top 10 Central American Beach ...
International Business Times - New York,NY,USA
Discount packages offer a 7-night stay for the price of 5,or a 3-night stay for the price of 2. Located on the ridge top above the fishing village of San ...

A Word Of Advice for Last Minute Airplane Fares
By Tristan
When the airlines want to fill all of the seats on a plane quickly, they will drop their prices and will usually post these discount airfare prices on their website. These days, many airlines will offer these airfare deals only on their ...