Holiday Travel Potpourri

  We are entering the last days of the travel industry’s “dead zone.”  The period of time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is notoriously slow for airlines and hotels.  Consequently, you can snag unbelievable savings on airfare and accommodations if you are willing to travel during the December window. Some of the best deals are being offered on flash-sale sites.  Right now, SniqueAway.com is offering an amazing deal for travelers who have always dreamed of exploring Sonoma, California.  Popular lodgings in California’s wine country have drastically reduced rates to entice visitors.  For example, Hotel Les Mars has slashed room prices from … Continue reading

Fall Beach Deals

Who knew procrastinating could yield such major savings? Timing is everything in the world of travel, and when you are able to be flexible with your vacation dates, your wallet will thank you. While the rest of the world is heading back to class to start the new academic year, you could be relaxing on an empty beach at a price that can’t be beat. Fall is considered “off-season” at many popular beach resorts, which means minimal crowds, incredible weather and fabulous savings. If you are looking to soak up the sun, sand and surf without going into debt, consider … Continue reading

Hot Travel Sales

Timing is everything when you’re looking to save money on family vacations. One of the best ways to preserve your bottom line is to travel during the off-season. For example, instead of jetting off to Hawaii during the busy summer months, consider waiting until the kids head back to school. Airfare to the “Aloha State” is typically reduced by 40 percent during September and October. Likewise, if you’ve been dreaming of sailing away on a cruise, now is the time to reel in super savings. For instance, small-ship line Compagnie du Ponant is offering $500 per person discounts on winter … Continue reading

Late Summer Travel Bargains

Sometimes it pays to procrastinate. If you waited until the end of the summer to escape on a seasonal getaway, you’re in luck. Turns out the travel industry held out on some super savings for those willing to vacation in late August and early September. Among the best deals are: Colorado: Whether you are heading to Denver over the Labor Day weekend to gorge yourself during A Taste of Colorado or you are simply looking to explore the state’s amazing natural wonders, several hotels are offering outstanding late summer deals. For example, rates at the Denver Marriott City Center are … Continue reading

Travel Dollars and Sense

Do you feel like you’ve just won the lottery after scoring a super deal on a flight, hotel room or rental car? Sadly, these days, it seems like you need lady luck or divine intervention to snag a decent deal when traveling. With sky-high gas prices and astronomical airfares, you’re not crazy to think that the deck is stacked against you when it comes to finding deeply discounted rates. Fortunately, there are ways you can stretch your travel dollar without ending up with a pulled muscle, including: Bundling: These package deals combine flight, hotel and rental car fees, so you … Continue reading

Fall Money-Saving Package Deals

Bundling is not only beneficial for your household budget. Package deals are also the way to go if you are looking for an affordable vacation option. Travel deals, which combine accommodations, meals and transportation for a single price, can help you stretch your dollar while on a family getaway. What’s more, during the fall, many properties offer affordable travel packages. Some fabulous fall deals you might consider taking advantage of include: California: San Diego Restaurant Week and the San Diego Film Festival are huge events that take place during the month of September. Fortunately, a surplus of late-summer deals allows … Continue reading

Sail Into Summer

Summer cruises are extremely popular with travelers looking to spend part of the season on the high seas. In addition to providing an excellent escape from the hustle and bustle of their land-based lives, summer sailings offer families a cost-effective vacation option, as they can bundle all of their expenses into one low price. The key to saving on a cruise is to time your departure just right. For example, you are more likely to score deep discounts if you wait until the end of summer to sail. Many families hit the high seas as soon as school gets out, … Continue reading

Reducing Travel Costs

Summer is primetime for family vacations. Kids are out of school and travel deals abound. Of course, in today’s financially strapped society, some of these “deals” are not all they’re cracked up to be. If you are looking for simpler ways to cut down on travel expenses, then consider the following ideas: Togethering: This not-so new concept has been thrown around quite a bit since the economy has languished in the dumpster. “Togethering” is basically a new word for family reunion. However, instead of the entire clan hanging out at grandma’s house for a weekend, you select the family members … Continue reading

Save Now for Summer Travel

Summer seems light years away, especially when you are stuck in the middle of the frozen tundra, with another 10 plus inches of snow headed your way in the next 24 hours. Sigh! Such is life in Wisconsin. Still, if you are looking to save on summer travel, now is the time to get planning. Never mind that the nighttime lows are in single digits and your lawn is buried under a foot of dirty snow. Experts are adamant that early birds will get the worm when it comes to scoring super summer travel savings. Of course, you need to … Continue reading

Don’t Wait to Plan Your Spring Escape

Stop staring at the falling snow and plummeting mercury. Now is the time to plan your escape from the brutal winter conditions. Fortunately, a few well-known airlines are lending a helping hand to sun-seeking travelers looking to take a break from Old Man Winter without breaking the bank. Frontier, AirTran and Southwest recently launched widespread sales for flights through the end of the month. Some fares are priced as much as 50 percent off depending on location and date of departure. Travel experts say commercial carriers are looking to fill empty seats in the weeks leading up to Easter; however … Continue reading