How To Save Up To 50% On Your Next Vacation
June 29, 2008 on 3:36 am | In Travel Insurance | No Comments
Did you know you can go on a 7-day cruise for half the price?
Or visit Europe for 15 days for only $2,000 per person including airfare, hotels, car rental and meals?
If you follow these steps, you can save more up to 50% in travel expenses.
1. Travel during low season.
Choosing to go on vacation during low season, will save you a great deal of money on airfare, hotels, cruises, car rental and more.
If you want to save money, generally the best dates to travel are between:
February - May
September - the week before Thanksgiving
December 1 - 15
For example, a 7-day cruise in the Caribbean can cost around $1,000 during summer and winter but it can cost $495 during low season.
A ticket to Europe can cost between $800-$1,200 during high season but you can buy it at $395 roundtrip during low season.
2. Check Internet Special Rates
All airlines, hotels and car rentals have Internet Special Rates that normally are not available through a travel agent or by contacting the hotel, airline or car rental company by phone. You’ll find that you can get 10 - 25% discount by booking online.
3. Hotels
During low season hotel rates are lower.
When it comes to hotels, you should look for 3-star hotels that will offer most amenities you need at a lower price than 4 or more star hotels. You should keep in mind, that 3-star hotels are smaller, but you can find very good hotels for a great price.
Keep in mind that hotels that are very near local attractions will be more expensive than hotels located 2 or 3 blocks away.
4. Attractions and Places to Visit
Make a list of the places and attractions you want to visit and do some research. Find out about the schedules, locations, special events,etc. You’ll find out that there are certain dates during the year that they will have discounts and even free admission.
5. Restaurants
Don’t visit tourist-oriented restaurants. Instead, ask locals to recommend family-owned or small restaurants. Not only will you pay less but the food, quality and service will be much better.
Two years ago, I visited Monaco, France and we went to a small restaurant on a side street and we only paid $100 (for 4 people) for appetizers, great pasta, drinks and dessert (including tip). Not a bad price considering that Monaco is very expensive.
6. Metro vs. Taxi
In most places, there is a metro or train system which will be a lot cheaper than traveling by taxi. All you need to do is get a map and trace the route you’re going to visit and find out the train or metro numbers you need to get on to.
By planning your vacation in advance, choosing the best dates to travel (low season), doing research about places and attractions to visit, going to local restaurant versus tourist-oriented ones, and using the metro or train system instead of taxis, will save you a great deal of money and allow you to go on vacation at least twice a year.
Maria Estarellas is the webmaster for http://www.1mykids.com
“The Complete Website For The Whole Family”. Parenting Tips, Crafts, Games, School Projects and Essays, Clothing, Candles, Hobbies for Mom and Dad, Information on How to Start Your Own Online Business, Mortgage Tips, Beauty Tips and More.
Guide to Besalu, northern Spain
May 19, 2008 on 3:38 am | In Travel Insurance | No Comments
Guide to Besalu
Unique Points
Besalu is a lovely medieval town. The 12th century Roman
bridge over to the town is a real landmark(photo). The town
sits where the Rivers Fluvia and Capadella meet. If you are
looking for a picturesque inland setting for a few days,
Besalu is an ideal choice. It would take under an hour to
drive from Girona airport,, well served by Ryanair flights from
all over Europe. There is a lot to do and see in the area, the
Garrotxa Volcanic Park, the Dali Museum in Figueres, the
coast, and the city of Girona.
History of Besalu
Wilfred the Hairy, credited with the unification of Catalonia,
was born in Besalu in 878. He was so named as he was
as hairy as a mountain troll, even having hair of on the souls
of his feet.
In the Middle Ages Besalu was the capital of a country which
reached up to Corbieres, now in France. Besalu was the
birthplace of Ramon Vidal. a troubadour, a type of lyric poet
who composed music and poetry usually on the topic of
courtly love.
The Church of Sant Pere, in the main square was originally
part of a monastery built in 1003.
The Milova is a ritual Jewish bath dating from the 11th or
12th century. It is located near the River Fluvia in the lower
town. It was recently discovered and restored. You need to
visit the Tourist Office in the main square to obtain the key.
In December there is the Fiera de Ratafia. This is the local
“firewater”; a grappa based sweet liquor flavoured with
herbs, spices, coffee and nuts. Legend tells that witches
supervise its production; it is left outside for two weeks so
that the magic and power of the sun and the moon can
contribute to its special flavour.
There is an outdoor market on Tuesdays.
Accommodation
Els Jardins de la Martana
The Jardins de la Mantana is in a strategic position just at
the entrance to the 12th century Roman bridge.
There are ten ensuite bedrooms, seven double and three
family rooms. There is a sitting room with a fireplace and a
library with a fireplace, a shady summer garden, a sunny
Winter garden and a terrace. The dining room has mountain
views. You can park nearby.
A double room costs 70 euros based on two sharing and a
triple 148 euros, an extra bed is available at 33 euros per
night. Breakfast costs 7 euros per person; dinner is 16 or
20 euros. Tax of 7% will be added to these prices.
Hotel Comte Tallaferro
The three star Comte Tallaferro sits in the main square. It
was recently renovated and named after Count Bernat
Tallaferro, known as the Prince and Father of the 11th
century independent state of Besalu.
The hotel has five suites, which have two levels, a sitting
room on the first level and a bedroom on the second. These
have hydro massage baths.
The cost is 90 - 126 euros per night based on two sharing.
The junior suites are suitable for disabled guests. They cost
from 80 - 110 euros per night, based on two sharing.
The standard rooms are on the third floor. They have
stonewalls, parquet floors and wooden ceilings. There are
roof windows in addition to small round windows. They cost
from 70 - 100 euros per night.
These prices include breakfast. Dinner is available at the
nearby Restaurant “Cal Parent” at 14 euros plus tax, per
person.
Single, triple and quad rooms are also available.
Hotel Fonda Siques
The Fonda Siques has been owned by the same family
since 1858. It was last renovated in 1985 ,all bedrooms are
en-suite. Most of the furniture dates back to the beginning of
the 20th century. There is parking and a small swimming
pool.
A double/twin room costs from 51 - 69 euros per night, A
single room costs from 38.5 - 51.5 euros per night. A triple
costs from 67.8 - 88.5 euros and a quad 81.6 - 105.6 euros.
All prices include breakfast. Dinner is available for 9 euros
plus tax per person.
Many of the restaurants in the area are members of the
Volcanic Cuisine organisation. The aim is to promote and
encourage the traditional gastronomic style using local
produce. There is a list or restaurants on their site.
The Oliveras restaurant in Besalu has various set and a la
carte menus which start at 7.60 euros per person.
Day Trips
Girona
You can easily spend a whole day in Girona, there area
several museums, you can walk the city walls, visit the
cathedral, do some shopping.
Banyoles. The main attraction here is the lake, which you
can walk around.
Girona
Banyoles
The Dali Museum in Figueres, around 20kms east of
Besalu, is well worth a visit.
The Garrotxa Volcanic Park
The park has around thirty volcanic cones. The last eruption
was around 11,500 years ago, meaning that the volcanoes
are inactive but not extinct. There are several walks through
the park.
Walking trails
There are many marked trails in the area
Museums
There are two museums in the town of Olot. The Volcanic
Musuem and the ethnological Comarcal de la Garrotxa.
The Coast
Cadaques is a lovely spot, reached by a road full of hairpin
bends. Its famous residents have included Dali, Picasso,
Miro and Duchamps. I also rather liked El Porto la Selva a
little further north.
South West France
If you feel like a change, France is easily reached by
motorway. It is very pretty on the coast around Luecate, just
north of Perpignan. Carcassonne is a complete medieval
walled city.
Karen Bryan is an independent travel consultant and writer,
specialising in the less well known destinations of Europe.
Her website are:
http://www.europealacarte.co.uk
http://www.europe-culture-activity-tours.com
Valencia Spain - Land of Orange Groves
April 1, 2008 on 3:40 am | In Travel Insurance | No CommentsCapital of the Comunidad Valenciana this vibrant city is
famous for being the place where El Cid (Spain
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