|
With the dollar losing buying power in everything from gas to groceries, you want to make sure that your travel dollars are spent wisely. Rest assured that you can spend less and still maintain the quality of your vacation travel. You can have fun no matter what budget you have to adhere to.
The first and most obvious savings tool is to search for a destination and accommodations that fit your style and budget. Start planning your vacation months ahead of time, if you can. People who procrastinate may miss out on special offerings and packages that could offer extra savings. Also, plan your vacation during shoulder seasons. When you travel during peak season, you'll be paying a premium price. Shoulder seasons, usually the spring and fall, offer lower pricing, less crowds and moderate temperatures. The Internet is a great planning tool. Be sure to visit websites such as www.greatvacations.travel for great travel bargains. You can often find travelers' comments and ratings on the web as well. Look for destinations where you can use your feet to explore. You'll get in your daily exercise, shed a pound or two and save money on cab fare. It's a winning proposition all the way around. Some of Virginia's best towns and cities are also the most foot friendly. In "Old Town" Alexandria, for example, you can walk to shops, boutiques, restaurants and art galleries without building up a sweat. When you get tired, you can hop on the King Street Trolley for free transportation along the main street or you climb aboard the Potomac River water taxi to visit George Washington's Mount Vernon. As you scour through brochures, choose tours and attractions that are free to the public or suggest a minimal donation. When you're vacationing in Philadelphia, take a trip back into history by visiting Independence Hall, the birthplace of the United States of America. Visit Franklin Square, one of the five public squares that William Penn laid out in his original plan for Philadelphia, and have a picnic. For just a few dollars you can play a game of putt-putt or ride the old-fashioned carousel. To save gas, park your car and spend some time in one of the state and national parks across the region. Take in the awe-inspiring vistas stretching out in every direction from the high peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia and North Carolina. Visit discovery centers like Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center in Swanton, Maryland where you can learn about the history, culture and wildlife in western Maryland. Bask in Americana by visiting some of the country's quaint small towns like Cheraw, South Carolina with immaculate antebellum homes in its historic district. Make your vacation special by visiting festivals, fairs and events that offer free entertainment. Don't let the economy put you in crises. You can be creative and have fun while you're being thrifty. |
