Please enjoy 250+ wonderful places around the world, with award-winning photos, from our BLOG ARCHIVE down on the right ---->
Note: we are not paid by any of these resources and use them to find travel bargains just like you would. We make no money on this - just a retirement give
back to help people travel and enjoy it more.
Here are some very powerful and helpful travel tips, resources, and unique cost-saving bargains strategies:
Here are some very powerful and helpful travel tips, resources, and unique cost-saving bargains strategies:
• Click here for Airfare deals - How to Be the One on the Plane Who Paid the Lowest Price
• Travel off peak season - see more on this below
• 'Follow the Disaster' - look for places with
recent bad news. People hold back from traveling there long after it is safe
again and bargains can be great. See more below about this very powerful travel bargain-finding strategy.
• Explore a region more rather than flying to
many destinations
• Use the Internet to find bargains (see many great travel websites below)
• Look for 'last minute' travel deals often
available as much as 2-3 months before departure - see more on this below
• Include less expensive but interesting smaller
cities and towns
• Get to know locals and other travelers. Enjoy
experiences with them and the fun places they suggest instead of many expensive
tourist attractions
• Take home great photos and memories and less souvenirs
• Studies show best for Airfare deals: Skyscanner.com
• To find budget airlines in Europe: Flycheapo.com
• Studies show best for hotel deals: Booking.com
• Good for Hotels in Asia: Agoda.com
• Discounted Cruises: VacationsToGo.com
• Good travel deals: TravelZoo.com
• Comprehensive Travel Resources:
JohnnyJet.com
• Travel Precautions and Vaccination
Requirements - CDC: wwwnc.CDC.gov/travel
• Research countries' Visa requirements: travel.state.gov
• Research City & Country Destinations: WikiTravel.org
• User Reviews for Hotels and other: TripAdvisor.com• Internet Forum to Answer Travel Questions - Lonely Planet's 'Thorn Tree': LonelyPlanet.com
• Currency Conversion: Oanda.com/currency/converter
• Airline Fare Tracking: Yapta.com
• Spare Room and Private Studio Apartments: AirBnB.com
• Rent Your Home or Rent a Home: VRBO.com
• House Trading: HomeExchange.com
• Budget Hotels and Hostels: HostelBookers.com
• Very inexpensive Phone Calls: Skype.com
• Inexpensive Business/Travel cards: VistaPrint.com
• Interested in Expat: InternationalLiving.com
• Yelp: Reviews
• Google Maps: Directions
• Google Translate: Language translation
• Uber: Ride Share
• Skyscanner: Locate best deals on airfare
• XE: Currency exchange
• TripIt: Trip organizer • FlightAware: Track the real-time status of any commercial flight worldwide
• Measures HD: Allows you to convert most everything (i.e. temperature, distance, currency).
• World Clock Pro: See the time around the world.
• National Geographic World Altas HD: Download the entire globe onto your iPad. When countries are selected, details are displayed. You can download maps to use offline.
4) Best Day of the Week to Book Airfare: Travel deals on airfare can be found all week long. According to an expert source (Airline Reporting Corporation) that studies millions of airline ticket transactions, new trends are showing up.
Sunday is the cheapest day to purchase U.S. domestic airfare with Saturday being the second least expensive day.
Sometimes early in the week many airlines release sales. By Tuesday afternoon (the third least expensive day), many competing airlines have matched or maybe beat the lower price. These sales sometimes last through Thursday, but because they often have very limited availability, you should check airfares on Tuesday (early Wednesday at the latest), and be ready to book.
Avoid Mondays and Fridays that tend to be the most expensive days.
Also, the average least expensive domestic airfare were purchased 57 days prior to traveling. For international flights, the lowest average rate is reported to be 171 days before leaving.
The travel industry’s name for when people typically do less
travel to a destination is called the “off season” or “low season”. Low is
actually a very appropriate name since at this time you can get the lowest prices
on everything, sometimes 50% off or more. Plus, sometimes there are very good
reasons to go during this period. 
The best time to go and off-peak seasons vary in different places
in the world. You can easily learn the best times by consulting your travel
guidebooks or searching on the Internet with a phrase such as “best time to go
to Paris” or “shoulder season Miami”.
With a little careful planning you can save money, enjoy good
weather, avoid the crowds, and have a better travel experience when traveling
during the shoulder or off season.
Let’s
examine this concept a bit deeper. The terrible 9/11 incident in New York saddened
and concerned all of us. As bad as it was, a couple of months later were you
concerned to walk around your hometown? Would you have been concerned to visit
San Francisco? If you answered ‘probably not’ then you are a candidate to
consider the ‘follow the disaster’ travel-planning model. 
Even political and terrorist incidents can provide travel
bargains. For a fraction of the normal prices we went to virtually unaffected
places such as Bali after the bombing of the disco, Fiji after their coup, and
more recently found amazing bargains during peak seasons in the Greek Islands
after the demonstrations in Athens.
Please enjoy 250+ wonderful places around the world, with award-winning photos, from our BLOG ARCHIVE down on the right ---->
a) Fanny packs worn outside are a
magnet for pickpockets. Use a money belt for your security wallet. Wear it
under your clothing around your waist, hung around your neck, or stashed away
in a leg of your pants.
b) When tired, confused, or using public transportation you are especially vulnerable. Take turns with your travel partner watching the luggage. Always be in close physical contact with your possessions. Be extra cautious anytime in crowded areas or if there is a disturbance because it is often a cover for a theft.
c) Tourist cars can be targets for thieves. Judge the safety of a parking place by the amount of broken glass indicating broken car windows. Paying to park in a garage with an attendant can be a good investment. Take everything, especially valuables and suitcases, out of your car when you leave it.
d) You and your travel partner should each carry different ATM and credit
cards from separate accounts. In case one of you gets their cards lost or
stolen you will still have an ATM and credit card to use until they are
replaced.
e) Make sure the doors and windows of your hotel room are locked. Do this when you leave and when you are in your hotel room. Windows are often overlooked.
f) Be deliberate, confident, and walk with purpose. Looking confused, reading maps, or acting like a tourist may bring unwanted attention to you.
g) Use your common sense. Do not enter questionable streets or buildings especially at night. Staying in well lighted areas where other people are is usually a better option even if you have to walk a little further. Ask your hotel manager or other locals you meet to mark dangerous areas on your map.
h) Get into the habit of checking over your shoulder to see if you are being followed. Walk closer to the street to avoid hiding places in doorways. Cross the street if you do see a questionable person. Jump into a taxi if you feel uncomfortable about the area. They can take you back to your hotel or to a local landmark with which you are familiar.
i) Pickpockets and purse snatchers often use distraction in order to catch you
off guard. Be extra cautious if someone drops something in front of you,
touches you, or comes near you in a crowd with something like a jacket over
their arm. Be particularly aware when using public transportation, in crowded
areas, or when you are distracted watching something. Items hung
over the back of chairs, placed on the floor, or left unattended (e.g. at the
beach) are particularly vulnerable. When eating at sidewalk cafes, keep your
bag under the table with the strap around your leg.
Travel is safe. Click on these links to learn more ways to help insure your safe travels:
• Safeguard your money while traveling
• Some online travel scams you should watch out for
9) Always Pay with a Credit Card: Fraudulent discount travel
clubs and other operators have been known to take people’s money and run. Also,
legitimate companies can go out of business. Credit cards are safer because you
can dispute the charges if you do not get the promised services or they were
misrepresented. For best protection, report any problem as promptly as you can.
Also, call the airline, hotel, cruise, and car rental companies and verify that
the reservation has been made for you.
10) Read the Fine Print: What you think is a great deal may
have hidden costs and mandatory fees not included in the price. Airline flights
often have additional fees. Hotels can add up to 20% extra to your bill for
taxes and fees commonly named resort, service, parking, Internet, and energy.
Car rentals may require additional insurance and other fees. Flight and hotel
costs may be left out of a great deal on a cruise.
11) Check Your Passport and make sure that you have a validity of 6 months past the end of your planned trip. Also you can check for Visa requirements of countries you plan to visit at: travel.state.gov.
12) For Less Than the Cost of Flying, You Can Travel to or from Europe or Asia on Repositioning Cruises.
Here's why are repositioning cruises such a great travel bargain... Cruise ships need to be repositioned twice a year. For example, when the cruising season is over in the Caribbean, the cruise company will move their ships to Europe taking about 2 weeks (one week visiting port of calls and one week for the Atlantic crossing). Because most people do not have enough time for this type of travel and want to visit more ports of call returning to the same port they left from, repositioning cruises can be a bargain. The
great thing is the cost of a repositioning 2-week cruise on sale can be
about the cost of flight to your destination and there is no jet lag.
We have done four repositioning cruises. Our days pass quickly. They include some interesting ports of call and while at sea, they schedule entertainment, interesting lectures, and special activities in addition to all the regular cruise features. We relax, read, eat well, play, enjoy the entertainment, exercise, and get to know some interesting people. Click here to see an example of a repositioning cruise.
Get a good deal: You can research repositioning cruises at: VacationsToGo.com.
16) Staying Healthy as you Travel: We all have overindulged while traveling. Many of us believe that following a
healthy lifestyle is not important. Hey, “we are on vacation!” Here are some
things we do with good luck of rarely being sick:
Water - Always drink plenty of clean
bottled water.
Eating Healthy - We highly recommend
trying local foods including pastries and desserts with all things in
moderation. Make mealtime an enjoyable not hurried time. Studies show you eat
less feeling satisfied if the meal is spread over time (at least 30 minutes).
Avoid fast and junk foods and anything fried. Eat smaller portions – we often
share one appetizer and one main course. Eat whole grains and stay away from
processed grains low in nutrition and fiber and high in calories. The basic
rule is nothing white.
Sleep and Rest - Traveling and
discovering new things can be stressful especially when your body is deprived
of sleep and it is unable to rebuild and recharge itself. Sleeping in a new bed
or on a plane surrounded by new noises sometimes adds difficulties. Try to
create a sleep-promoting environment that is dark, cool, and comfortable.
Starting late afternoon, do not have simulates such as nicotine and caffeine
(i.e. coffee, tea, soft drinks), do not eat or drink too much close to bedtime,
and turn off the TV. A white noise machine helps many people. Exercise done
early in the day can reduce stress and promote sleep.
Manage Stress - Just as poor diet,
lack of exercise, and not enough sleep, stress and worry can rob you of your
vitality and joy of traveling. It is important to deal with stressful events as
they come up. Try not to get agitated when stressful events happen. Take a
couple of deep breaths and relax your shoulders. Then put the stressful event
in perspective by giving yourself an affirmation such as “will this cause us to
die?” or “is our whole trip ruined?” Most likely the event is not significant
enough to cause you to have a bad day, damage your health, or diminish the
enjoyment of your travel experience. If you can, try to laugh about it.
Sometimes unexpected events create the best stories when you get home. Be
flexible and create an alternative option. Many times our alternative plan
turned out to be better than the original plan.
Sun - Exposure to the sun can lead to unhealthy sunburn and
heat stroke. Long-term exposure can accelerate skin aging and cancer. It is
wise to use sunscreen every day and reapply after you have been swimming. It is
also wise to regularly wear polarized sunglasses and carry a hat and sunscreen
in your daypack.
Wash Your Hands Often - Good old soap and water can be a
blessing to your health by making it harder on microorganisms that cause
illness. In addition to washing your hands before meals and after using the
toilet, try to wash them whenever you can such as on flights, when you get back
to your hotel, and after touching things or handling anything like animals.
Carrying and using a small bottle of hand sanitizer can also be beneficial.
For many more travel tips... Travel for half the cost for all levels of travel from budget to luxury and 100's of other unique bargain-finding strategies and travel tips, the Dunlap's groundbreaking and comprehensive how-to world travel book Plan Your Escape, Secrets of Traveling the World for Less Than the Cost of Living at Home is receiving 5-star customer reviews revealing how you can travel & see more for half the cost for all trips from weekend getaways to longer vacations and trips, experience more adventure & romance, safely realize your travel dreams with comprehensive trip planning tools and checklists, and much more!
To buy this popular book on Amazon.com (also available as e-book), click here.
8) Travel Security - Staying Safe on the Road:
a) Fanny packs worn outside are a
magnet for pickpockets. Use a money belt for your security wallet. Wear it
under your clothing around your waist, hung around your neck, or stashed away
in a leg of your pants.b) When tired, confused, or using public transportation you are especially vulnerable. Take turns with your travel partner watching the luggage. Always be in close physical contact with your possessions. Be extra cautious anytime in crowded areas or if there is a disturbance because it is often a cover for a theft.
c) Tourist cars can be targets for thieves. Judge the safety of a parking place by the amount of broken glass indicating broken car windows. Paying to park in a garage with an attendant can be a good investment. Take everything, especially valuables and suitcases, out of your car when you leave it.
 |
| Just Want to Keep Your Attention - Has Nothing to Do with This Travel Tip |
e) Make sure the doors and windows of your hotel room are locked. Do this when you leave and when you are in your hotel room. Windows are often overlooked.
f) Be deliberate, confident, and walk with purpose. Looking confused, reading maps, or acting like a tourist may bring unwanted attention to you.
g) Use your common sense. Do not enter questionable streets or buildings especially at night. Staying in well lighted areas where other people are is usually a better option even if you have to walk a little further. Ask your hotel manager or other locals you meet to mark dangerous areas on your map.
h) Get into the habit of checking over your shoulder to see if you are being followed. Walk closer to the street to avoid hiding places in doorways. Cross the street if you do see a questionable person. Jump into a taxi if you feel uncomfortable about the area. They can take you back to your hotel or to a local landmark with which you are familiar.
Travel is safe. Click on these links to learn more ways to help insure your safe travels:
• Safeguard your money while traveling
• Some online travel scams you should watch out for
12) For Less Than the Cost of Flying, You Can Travel to or from Europe or Asia on Repositioning Cruises.
 |
| Miami to Barcelona |
 |
| Fort Lauderdale to Rome |
Get a good deal: You can research repositioning cruises at: VacationsToGo.com.
13) Renting Your House: We rent our home to pay for our trips. We rented it for
several weeks last summer and took a driving trip of California’s coastline.
Many people prefer renting a furnished home with kitchens, etc. when they go on
vacation. This could be for a week or so or for months.
Rentals during special seasons of the year
usually receive a higher than average rent. One of our neighbors has rented
their home to a European family every summer for years. Years ago, we rented
our home for 6 weeks and took our son for his first tour of Europe. Other
families must relocate for a few months for the parent’s work requirements.
Longer-term rentals can be done with people
relocating within your town or moving to your area but who are not ready to buy
a home. We rented our house for the 2 years we were on our round-the-world
travel adventure (see our Profile below for more details). The rent covered our
home expenses with a little extra positive cash flow. If you plan to have an
extended trip, then you should consider renting your house arranging short
stays with friends and family if you return for short periods of time. We use Vacations Rentals By Owner (VRBO.com) to find renters.
14) Home Exchange: Another option is to exchange (also known as house swap) your home reducing
your lodging expenses while spending time to get to know another place in the
world. Free or low cost
long-term lodging can be obtained though home exchange. We have done a home
exchange and it worked out well. You live in each
other’s home and work out other arrangements like use of cars and home,
maintenance, and pet care. To find more information about home exchanges, you
can go to Intervac.com, HomeExchange.com, or
HomeLink International.org.
15) Find Good Travel Values with Last Minute Travel: Last minute travel is defined as much as 2-3 months before
departure with even better deals appearing the last few weeks. Although it is
not always easy, being flexible will give you more options for the best last
minute travel deals. Cruises, hotels, and sometimes airlines are the best bets for last
minute deals. They want to book their offering so they will offer discounts if
they are not full. Keep in mind most of the last minute travel deals will be
nonrefundable and they do book out if you wait too long trying get an even
better deal.
A good way to learn of
last minute deals is to click on last minute deal offerings on the travel
websites mentioned in this chapter. You can also sign up for their e-mail
newsletters. Some other good travel websites that will alert you by e-mail of
special travel deals and last-minute deals are: LastMinuteTravel.com, LastMinute.com, TravelZoo.com, BudgetTravel.com, and there are many others where you can sign up for the e-mail
updates and newsletters.
Eating Healthy - We highly recommend
trying local foods including pastries and desserts with all things in
moderation. Make mealtime an enjoyable not hurried time. Studies show you eat
less feeling satisfied if the meal is spread over time (at least 30 minutes).
Avoid fast and junk foods and anything fried. Eat smaller portions – we often
share one appetizer and one main course. Eat whole grains and stay away from
processed grains low in nutrition and fiber and high in calories. The basic
rule is nothing white.
Exercise - It is important to get
plenty of exercise while traveling. Walking is a good way to do so. Walking is
a great way to learn about the new places you are visiting and you will
discover much more.
Sleep and Rest - Traveling and
discovering new things can be stressful especially when your body is deprived
of sleep and it is unable to rebuild and recharge itself. Sleeping in a new bed
or on a plane surrounded by new noises sometimes adds difficulties. Try to
create a sleep-promoting environment that is dark, cool, and comfortable.
Starting late afternoon, do not have simulates such as nicotine and caffeine
(i.e. coffee, tea, soft drinks), do not eat or drink too much close to bedtime,
and turn off the TV. A white noise machine helps many people. Exercise done
early in the day can reduce stress and promote sleep.
Please enjoy 250+ wonderful places around the world, with award-winning photos, from our BLOG ARCHIVE down on the right ---->
To buy this popular book on Amazon.com (also available as e-book), click here.
