A Family Vacation Courtesy of Uncle Sam

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

20 Apr 2006 07:45 AM

Hopefully, you got your taxes in on time (or at the very least filed for an extension). And if you are one of the millions of Americans who overpaid the federal government last year, you can now sit back and wait for your tax refund. According to the Internal Revenue Service, as of early April, the average tax refund is $2480. Sure, they are many ways you can blow that money, but why not consider using part of it for a family vacation. Visit Internet travel sites and you will see just how many great deals are being offered. Here are a few that almost seem too good to be true.

Bermuda, the island famous for its pink-sand beaches is just a two-hour flight from the East Coast. TNT Vacations is offering $49 each-way flights from Boston or New York to Bermuda when purchased in conjunction with a vacation packages that start at $449 per person including airfare, transfers to and from the airport and four nights at the Harmony Club. At that price, a family of four can hit the beach and still have refund money left over. If you would rather book your flight and hotel separately, JetBlue is starting service to Bermuda in May with fares from $129 each way from New York and $138 each way from connecting cities.

If you rather spend your refund rekindling the romance with your spouse, consider this option: a European extravaganza offered on Go-today.com. Vacation in London, Paris and Rome (yes, all three) and still remain within your budget. Tour Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and Vatican City during a 10-day trip that includes airfare, transfers, and accommodations from $1179 per person for travel through May. The itinerary has you flying to London and returning from Rome, so there is no back-tracking (saving you precious time). The three city vacation for two will still leave you with enough money to treat your children to a mini-vacation at a hotel and waterpark or a weekend trip to a local amusement park.

On unitedvacations.com I found a great three-night vacation package deal to Mexico City. It includes airfare and accommodations for $479 from Los Angeles and Chicago and $589 from New York City. With a little research you'll be surprised to see just how far you can stretch your tax return.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger