Your Summer Vacation
7 Expert Tips
Average User Rating:
In this article:
- Buy Flights and Hotels Together
Look at purchasing your air travel and hotel stay at the same time. “There are partnerships between airlines and hotel chains, so when you book them together you can get a discount on both,” says Anna LoBuono, a travel consultant with Liberty Travel in Yonkers, NY. LoBuono also points out that there are often special goodies thrown in to sweeten the deal. “You can also get free ground transportation, two-for-one deals on tours, coupon books, or VIP seating in restaurants.”
- Book That Cruise ASAP
Don’t assume that you can wait to book a summer cruise (or even a cruise for the fall and winter). Making reservations for other kinds of trips three months in advance is enough to qualify for early-bird deals, but cruises are another matter altogether. “By booking early you get your choice of cabins, and the cruise lines will add incentives, like free airfare to far-off destinations,” says D’Elia.
- Go All-Inclusive
Consider an all-inclusive package to save money. “This is especially true when you’re traveling with kids,” says LoBuono. Why? “Kids like to try different things, but if you’ve shelled out $60 to rent snorkeling gear and they suddenly get cold feet, it’s wasted money.” At an all-inclusive resort, your meals, snacks, activities, entertainment, and tips will all be covered (offers vary at different resorts, so read the fine print – not all of them offer the same amenities). D’Elia suggests that parents look at the Club Med chain, which is becoming more family-oriented, as well as European chains such as Barcelo, Vivo, and Occidental Resorts.
- Don’t Follow the Crowds
Travel to an off-peak destination. Summer is a busy travel time across North America and in Europe, but it’s not high season everywhere. “This is a great time to visit the Caribbean,” says D’Elia. Resort prices are slashed in half from their winter highs, but that’s not the only reason to visit. “Some Caribbean resorts have age minimums in high season that don’t apply in summer,” says D’Elia. In other words, this may be the only time of year your elementary school-age children can come with you to some of these spots.
- Fly On a Holiday
Book your flights on days no one wants to travel. In summer it’s a pretty short list, but flying on the Fourth of July or Labor Day can save your family some money, since most travelers want to be at their destinations on those dates.
- Make Your Own Meal Plan
Of course, if you’re at an all-inclusive resort, you don’t have to worry, but otherwise keeping your kids well-fed on the road is a challenge. One answer is to book your stay at a resort or hotel that gives you your own kitchenette, (Doubletree, Embassy Suites, and Delta are some chains to consider for this). “Having your own kitchen makes a huge difference in what you pay for food on the road,” says D’Elia. Another way is to take a page out of Ellen Neuborne’s book. “One of the easy ways to blow through your cash on a vacation is eating in over-priced chain restaurants every day,” she says. “I look for guidebooks that can give me ideas on good local joints for dinner and I map out potential spots for lunch picnics. It’s cheap and way more fun.”
- Go Online
Check the Web for everything. Visit the website of every amusement park, museum, and other attraction you want to see. You’ll often find discounts and special promotions that aren’t available elsewhere.
Related Features:
