Traveling on a Tight Budget – Tips Everyone Can Use
Everyone to go on vacation from time to time. Whether it’s a family vacation, a romantic getaway, or just exploring the world on your own, there are plenty of tips you can use that will not only save time and money, but a lot of heartache as well.
There are two areas where most of your budget is spent right away, food and lodging. While camping is certainly an inexpensive way to keep a roof over your head, not everywhere you go will have a campsite. If you are traveling with family and friends, everyone is crammed into a small space and the longer the vacation, the more people start to annoy each other.
A hotel is an alternative, but there are many disadvantages to staying in a hotel. These include the lack of privacy, meals, as well as the cost per person. Even if a hotel offers some form of breakfast, you have to consider lunch and dinner. Food can take a big chunk out of your wallet, and the more people you have, the more it will cost. If you must stay in a hotel, look for one where kids eat free, especially if you have children under twelve.
Why not save yourself all this trouble by thinking more outside the box? Family vacations can be quite expensive in themselves, with all the activities and attractions available. Try all-inclusive resorts instead of your usual routine. You can find all-inclusive resorts almost anywhere in the world, some geared toward families and some just for couples. The good thing about an all-inclusive resort is that, for the most part, everything is paid for in one price. Meals are included, as are many activities. These resorts have fully supervised activities, so parents can enjoy without worry.
Another original idea is a vacation rental house or villa. These are also available almost anywhere and have many advantages. First, there are separate rooms, so you have privacy. There is a fully stocked kitchen area, and all you have to do is provide the food. How much money do you think you will save if you don’t go out to dinner all the time? Then there’s the homey atmosphere, and in some cases, an actual parking spot for your rental car. Not only are you saving in these areas, but the prices are much lower in the long run. You can pay $100 a night for a hotel, one of these can be $50 depending on how many people are pitching in.
A great tip that everyone can use is to plan your vacation in advance. Suppose you have booked your accommodation and travel, and have plans for guided tours, or tickets to castles, historical monuments and other attractions. You can’t wait until you arrive to book these things, or they won’t be available when you arrive. When you’re planning your stay and travel, be sure to book those as well. One good thing about planning ahead is that sometimes you can get really good prices.