Stretching the budget to include a family vacation is really a challenge these days. We are all trying to figure out how to save time and money on family vacations. Let’s start with a few basic tips published on the Journal Sentinel covering Milwaukee and Wisconsin.

How to Save Time and Money on Family Vacations

The slow economy hasn’t hindered travel plans for most families. Family travelers take an average of 4.5 trips each year, according to the U.S. Travel Association. Savvy families are able to travel and build lasting memories by making trips more affordable with the help of simple money-saving solutions.

Here are five money-saving travel tips to help you plan your next family vacation:

Tip 1: Plan ahead of time
Once you decide where your family will go, it’s time to research what to do. From visiting theme parks and museums to spending relaxing days at the park or beach, it is smart to do your research. Some places will give deals for advanced purchases or allow you to combine several activities into one discounted price. Your research might also help you discover some fun free activities in the area.

Tip 2: Seek out inclusive activities
Food, rides, shows and souvenirs, a day at the theme park – vacation expenses add up pretty quickly. Consider seeking out options where one price includes everything. All-in-one activities are great for families on a budget. Does the water park include free lunch with your ticket? Does your amusement park pass include a ticket to the music show they present? How about free child care for mom and dad while they’re at the restaurant? Activities that include extras can make for a hassle-free day where you never have to take out your wallet.

Tip 3: Book a hotel with all the amenities – and perks
A nice hotel with many amenities can make all the difference after busy days of sightseeing or visiting friends and family. Home2 Suites by Hilton, for example, have comfortable suites for the family to stretch out and sleep soundly each night. Cook a meal in the suite’s kitchen for a relaxing night in and a money-saving alternative to nightly dinner outings. Make a day of hanging out at the outdoor patio where you can grill lunch or simply relax and catch up with the family in the Oasis, the hotel’s common hub for social gathering. The saline-based pool, maintained with natural chemicals, is also a fun spot for the family to enjoy. Bringing the family pet? Enjoy time with your furry family member on the outdoor green area for pets at this pet-friendly hotel.

Tip 4: Cut your food costs
By eliminating eating out for one meal a day during your trip, you can save a lot of money. A family of four can spend $40 a day on breakfast at a restaurant – that’s $280 for a week’s vacation! By choosing a hotel that provides a complimentary breakfast, you can pocket that money for a fun activity, or save it for paying down the credit card bill when you get home. Not all hotel breakfasts are equal – look for options like the ones from Home2 Suites that provide a variety of tasty options to please everyone: hot breakfast sandwiches, cereal, yogurt, oatmeal and a variety of bakery products.

Tip 5: Pack light when flying
With most airline carriers charging for luggage these days, your family can rack up fees quickly if everyone has a full bag to check. For example, at $25 per bag per flight, it costs a family of four $200 extra round trip. If you can cut down on the amount of clothes and supplies you bring, you can save a ton. Check only a couple bags or just use carry-on luggage. Then, look for accommodations that offer on-site guest laundry. If you stay with Home2 Suites, you can easily do laundry on-site and either relax in the outdoor common space, or grab a quick workout in the adjacent gym.

Family travel is quality time you spend together creating memories that will last a lifetime. With these strategies, your next trip will not only be memorable, but it will be affordable too.

I love these ideas and will definitely keep them in mind when I take the family on our next vacation. If you are still eager to find out how to save time and money on family vacations you may be interested in joining a travel club. Travel clubs can offer a ton of savings on all kinds of vacations.

To learn more about travel clubs sign up for the Resorts360Secrets newsletter

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When you travel with kids you need to know what to expect. We found a list of the best airlines for kid friendly travel and some of the common things the do and do not provide. I think toddlers are the hardest age to travel with, because they need space to move around and yet it is difficult to keep them out of trouble. Sometimes they get fussy and tired and throw major tantrums.

The Best Airlines for Kid Friendly Travel

Not all airlines are equal when it comes to services they provide to families. While one may allow a family to board before the rest of the passengers, others charge for that helpful honor. Some airlines have entertainment to keep the kids entertained, while you’ll want to bring your own for others. Here’s a roundup of popular U.S. airlines and what they offer families.

AirTran Airways
Pre-boarding Yes, for families with children 2 and younger.
Kids Meals None specifically. Snacks and sandwiches are available.
Kid-Friendly Entertainment No. The discount air carrier only offers free XM Satellite Radio.
Stroller Gate Check Yes.

American Airlines
Pre-boarding No. Passengers may elect to pay $10 per person to join the first boarding group in coach.
Kids Meals None specifically. Snacks and sandwiches are available.
Kid-Friendly Entertainment Flights longer than four hours provide free movies on overhead TVs, which may not always provide the best views or interest children.
Stroller Gate Check Yes; collapsible strollers weighing less than 20 pounds. Others must be checked with baggage.

Continental Airlines
Pre-boarding Yes, for families with children 4 and younger after first class and elite passenger boarding.
Kids Meals None specifically. Snacks and sandwiches are available.
Kid-Friendly Entertainment Satellite TV and in-flight movies are shown on overhead TVs, which may not always provide the best views or interest children.
Stroller Gate Check Yes; collapsible strollers only. Others must be checked with baggage.

Delta — The Family-Friendly Standout!
Pre-boarding Yes. Delta gets our praises for allowing families with children of all ages to board first, even before first and business class passengers.
Kids Meals Yes. For less than $5 Delta provides a kids’ plate that is a PB&J sandwich with fruit and veggies.
Kid-Friendly Entertainment Many flights have seatback TVs with On-Demand channels with children’s programs. These cost $1 per episode or $6 for a bundle; satellite TV, when available, is free with children’s networks. However, not all flights offer seatback TVs. Airline wings are also available to children.
Stroller Gate Check Yes.

Frontier Airlines
Pre-boarding Yes, for families with children 5 and younger, after priority boarding.
Kids Meals None specifically. Snacks and sandwiches are available.
Kid-Friendly Entertainment Many flights have seatback TVs with On-Demand channels with children’s programs. These cost $6 for 24 channels. Movies are available for $8 each.
Stroller Gate Check Yes.

JetBlue
Pre-boarding Yes, for families with children 2 and younger.
Kids Meals No meals offered. Free snacks offered.
Kid-Friendly Entertainment DirectTV programming offered for free on seatback TVs, with children’s programming available.
Stroller Gate Check Yes.

Southwest Airlines
Pre-boarding Yes, for families with children 4 and younger after elite, full-fare and early-check in fliers. Early check in is $10 per person, each way.
Kids Meals No meals offered. Free pretzels and peanuts offered.
Kid-Friendly Entertainment No entertainment, although coloring books and airline wines may be available.
Stroller Gate Check Yes.

United Airlines
Pre-boarding Yes, for families with children 4 and younger after priority boarding, which can be purchased in advance.
Kids Meals None specifically. Snacks and sandwiches are available.
Kid-Friendly Entertainment In-flight movies are free and shown on overhead TVs, which may not always provide the best views or interest children.
Stroller Gate Check Yes; collapsible strollers only. Others must be checked with baggage.

U.S. Airways
Pre-boarding Yes, for families with children 4 and younger.
Kids Meals None specifically. Snacks and sandwiches are available.
Kid-Friendly Entertainment None.
Stroller Gate Check Yes; collapsible strollers only. Others must be checked with baggage.

See Unaccompanied Minors Rules & Regulations for airline policies on children traveling alone.

Parents have to be prepared for anything when traveling with little ones. It can be a big happy adventure or a big noisy disaster.  Most of the time family vacations are a little of both! I think this list is good starting point if you are traveling with children, however you’ll probably need to do some more research. Read up on the best airlines for kid friendly travel found on the Family Vacation Critic.

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There you sit; ready to get away and go on a winter vacation somewhere. I know you have some idea of where are the best ski vacations on the West coast? Some of the best ski resorts  include destinations such as Colorado, Montana, Aspen, and Wyoming. While, not exotic per say, they would still be relaxing and fun places to get away no matter which one you choose.

Sure, east coast skiing gets you sliding over snow, but when you get tired of the ice and slop, follow the words of Horatio Alger and go west! Western mountains and ski areas have a variety of snow conditions, terrain and apres-ski activities. When you are ready to get some snow and slope-side action this winter, look to some of the best areas on the country, let alone the west, and then head out cowboy.

Vail, Colorado. At Vail, skiers experience 300 days of sunshine-filled days to ski on 5,289 acres, including seven miles of front side groomers, seven miles of Back Bowls and nine children’s adventure skiing zones. Vail offers ski lessons for children, teens and adults, both in ski school and private lessons. Besides skiing, guests can participate in other winter activities at Adventure Ridge, such as snow tubing, snowmobiling, or ski biking down the mountain. The resort also offers Nordic cross-country skiing and back-country snow-shoeing.

Vail is known as a great party resort, making it a great place to visit for college students or anyone interested in having a great time. Every Thursday night is the free Bud Light Street Beat concert series, bringing free music and fun to the streets of Vail for visitors and locals to enjoy. Vail also hosts snow events like the Teva Mountain Games, bringing professional and amateur athletes to the slopes as well as art, film and music events.

Big Sky, Montana. When you are ready to forgo the $12 bowls of chili, $10 bottled beers and “skiers” who only want to be seen in the latest Gucci snowsuits, head to Montana and the slopes of Big Sky. Big Sky is a ski and snowboard mecca. This is the place to go when you want to hit as much vertical in a day as possible, without having to wait in long lift lines or spend a mortgage payment for a lift ticket. The mountain has three terrain parks and eight square miles of runs covering 4,350 vertical feet. Play in- or out-of-bounds in the bowls at the top and back of the mountain.

If you’re looking for a more glamorous trip, Aspen is the place to be. It’s teeming with celebrities and winter athletes, alike. Aspen is also home to the annual ESPN Winter X Games as well as the Bud Light Spring Jam; both bring exciting competitions and plenty of party events.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It’s hard to imagine Jackson Hole not making a list for best of the west; though not for those who are afraid of a challenge. Jackson has legendary snow falls of blissful champagne powder and runs that challenge even the most hardcore of snow enthusiasts. Boasting 4,139 feet of continuous vertical rise, the longest of any ski area in the U.S., Jackson Hole Resort is known as a very trying mountain.

Apres-ski fun is had in town, or in nearby Yellowstone National Park. Ski one day, then snowshoe with buffalo and elk the next. There is also The National Elk Refuge, located just outside of Jackson, where visitors can take a sleigh ride to catch a glimpse of some of the wildlife.

All of the resorts mentioned above are a just a handful of the great places to visit and get out on the trails. Think you can’t afford a trip to some of these famous spots/ Check out a list compiled by OutsideMagazine to get the best deals on skiing, lodging and meals so you can realize your snowy adventures this season.

See the original article for more info (including the link for the list by OutsideMagazine referenced here.) Vail, Colorado caught my attention because I would be looking to bring my family along on my vacations. However, if you’re a college student Vale has something for you as well. Big Sky, Montana is probably more in most people’s price range and in addition boasts a brand new relaxing spa which of course probably appeals to 99% of women on the planet! Aspen/Snowmass Mountain is just beautiful and who knows, you might even meet a celebrity.

There’s just one caveat, you might want to have a lot of spending money in order to afford ski vacations on the West Coast because as the author mentioned, there are over 100 bars and restaurants to choose from. When you’re on vacation, who could pick just one restaurant to go to? I would want to try as many as possible in the time I was there (within reason of course.) Whatever your level of ability to ski, whoever you are, whether you bring your family or are traveling solo, there’s something for you at any one of these ski resorts.

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Travel Times Reports on Travel Clubs and balmy Belize and all the beautiful vacation options there are available. Escape from snow and ice and swim the soft beaches and explore the ancient ruins.there is love in the air. You can enjoy all the luxurious and exotic places that are available through the Resorts360 secrets travel club.

Like many small countries, Belize is home to a culture much larger than its square footage. Bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west, and the Caribbean Sea to the East, Belize is well known for its mixture of both Latin and Caribbean heritage. Belize also possesses the perfect combination of beaches, adventure, and history. We have taken the time to list some of Belize’s most intriguing and must-see destinations, so pack your bags, we’re taking you on the Caribbean adventure of your life!

1. The Rainforest

The Belizean rainforest is the most intriguing of them all. The rainforest makes up a large part of Belize and is home to more than ten thousand species of plants and animals, including jaguars, toucans, and over 250 types of orchids. There is no feeling quite comparable to the feeling you get when walking through this breathtaking paradise. If you wish to spend part of your vacation in the rainforest, Maskall is a common favorite jungle destination; or take a day trip from one of Belize’s many beaches.

2. The Beaches

Along its Caribbean coast, Belize is lined with white sand beaches and offers some of the best snorkeling and diving in all the Caribbean. The beaches are quiet and quaint and are the perfect place to unwind from all of life’s to-dos. Spend your day soaking up the sun on the beach, enjoying a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants and bars, or shopping for souvenirs at the fun and eclectic shops. Once the sun has set and the day has come to an end, make sure to step out on the town and embrace some low-key nightlife. Ambergris Caye, San Pedro is one of the country’s best beach destinations, embracing their British Colonial heritage and their surrounding Caribbean culture.

3. The Ruins

Extending all the way down into Northwestern Belize, the Mayan Ruins are an absolute must-see on your trip to Belize. These fascinating archeological structures date back to 2000 AD and have remained untouched throughout the centuries. Visit the Maya pyramid, “Caana”, at Caracol in the district of Cayo. To this day, this Mayan pyramid is still the tallest man-made structure in all of Belize. Also, while you’re there make sure to climb the Mayan High Temple in Lamanai. The views from the top of the temple will undoubtedly take your breath away.

Bring in the New Year with a tropical vacation for the whole family. Click here to search for accommodations in some of Belize’s most popular destinations! Then, when you’re done booking your accommodations, make sure to visit our Activities and Excursions page for fun activities you and your loved ones will surely enjoy!

Please enjoy reading this selection from the Travel times; reports on travel clubs and balmy Belize and about other places that you have a passion for. Places you’ve dreamed of, places that you deserve to go to. You could travel a lot more than you do now, it’s easy and affordable when you know the Resorts 360 Secrets.

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When you compare the benefits of a travel club over a timeshare it becomes clear how much money you can save by joining a travel club. I also believe it is more fun to have the freedom to select a different destination for each vacation. No going back to the same old places. Explore more destinations with a travel club.

Benefits of a Travel Club Over a Timeshare

Now there exist two most spread types of organization you can invest to save in the sphere of traveling. You probably know that, it was the time not so long ago, when buying timeshares was the only way to get a good deal on yearly vacationing.

Then there appeared so called discount vacation clubs such as resorts 360. That is the reason why many people are on a crossroad as they don’t know which one is more lucrative and less demanding: timeshares or vacation clubs. In a number of following paragraphs we are going to analyze both this business models: vacation clubs and time shares.
First of all, let’s look at the initial costs of vacation clubs membership and buying a timeshare. I want to tell you that in order to purchase a timeshare at a resort or second hand from the original owner you would need to pay something like $13,000 – $15,000. Indeed for this money you would receive a week of time at a resort. Alternatively, in case you join a vacation club, you would have to pay from $200 to $500 tot get access to vacations around the world.
Besides, this would be not the only money you would have to pay. If owning a timeshare, be ready to pay the so called recurring costs that include maintenance fees, upkeep, furniture and appliances, roof and pool replacement, and of course insurance and property taxes. On the other hand, being a vacation club member you would have to pay some monthly fees that may vary between vacation clubs like resorts 360 vacation club.

You should understand that there is a way to not have any monthly fee. To do this you need to bring in four people who buy any package of this or that vacation clubs. By bringing new people to your vacation club you not only;y erase the yearly payment for yourself, but you also open some new travel business opportunity.
One more benefit of vacation clubs is that they give you discounted rates for air travel, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, and travel insurance. And it’s great that that you can use these privileges any time of year as many times as you need. Besides, vacation clubs have such thing as concierge service. It may be really useful as you can use anywhere and anytime to get information on just about anything you need while home or abroad.

This article from No Holiday No Life compares vacation clubs and timeshares, both popular choices for travel savvy families and couples. For most travelers membership in a travel club makes more sense than a timeshare. Do you think there are more benefits to a travel club over a timeshare? What do you think? Add your questions and comments below.

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Common weather delays can be a drag on winter travel but if you’re armed with all your travel info including phone numbers and confirmations and a cell phone you can work with airline delays and cancellations much more efficiently. Extra efforts need to be made to prepare for longer delays in the winter months. Follow these very useful tips from Susan Foster appearing on a St Louis website called STL Today.

Common Weather Delays Can Be a Drag on Winter Travel

Winter can be a tricky time for travel. A simple snowstorm or ice can thwart even the best-laid travel plans. Here are some tips from packing expert and author Susan Foster (smartpacking.com) for surviving winter travel delays:

1. Pack a carry-on bag with everything that you simply cannot live without for a day. If checking luggage, carry-on the necessities of life and work including:

* All travel documents

* Computer and cell phone and chargers

* Partial change of clothing

* All medications

* Important work papers

* A light jacket, gloves and hat — you never know what the weather will be like in the city where you are stuck along the way.
2. Carry all airline phone numbers (program them into your cell phone) and frequent flyer info. Never simply stand in a customer service line with every other passenger from your flight waiting to be rebooked when a flight is cancelled. Go to the rebooking counter line but immediately call your airline and get rebooked by phone. Not everyone will be conveniently accommodated, so act quickly. Standing in line allows you to possibly retrieve your luggage or to pick up food/hotel vouchers, and to hear verbal updates.
3. If you are stranded somewhere overnight and don’t want to sleep in the airport, be prepared to find a nearby place to stay. If you are a member of hotel frequent guest programs, program their toll free phone numbers into your cell phone so that you can be one of the lucky travelers to score a hotel room before they are sold out. Carry account information with you, as frequent guests may receive priority.
4. Always check with your airline BEFORE leaving for the airport to verify that your flight is leaving on time and is actually flying.

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Most Popular Romantic Honeymoon Travel Spots

At Resorts360 we know it is important to highlight the most popular romantic honeymoon travel spots so that couples can start looking for deals now and save money on this special event that may be taking place several months from now. Who doesn’t love a perfect romantic honeymoon? WE TV shares their expert wedding travel tips in the article below.

If you are married already, you may or may not have had that perfect honeymoon and if you are planning to get married soon the honeymoon is a very important part of your new life together. Make sure you give your honeymoon some extra thought and planning.

Most Popular Honeymoon Travel Spots

Avoid a honeymoon do over! WE tv wedding experts Diann Valentine and Jim McCann share their best destination wedding and honeymoon hot-spots.

With winter holidays coming up, you might be thinking of a romantic getaway—or maybe you’re planning a destination wedding or honeymoon for yourself in the near future. Whatever the occasion, the last thing you want to do is spend a bunch of money, only to wind up wanting a “Do Over.” So we’ve gotten the I Do Overexperts to give you their best romantic travel tips.

A lifetime spent guiding other people’s romances can make someone very picky when it comes to their own personal favorites. Whether you’ve seen Diann Valentine’s beautiful wedding orchestrations throughout the years or just come to know her on I Do Over, you can tell she accepts nothing less than the best—for her couples and herself. And as for Celebrations/1800FLOWERS founder Jim McCann… well, just think how many weddings and anniversaries he’s influenced over the years. Countless.

Remember, these are the people who care so much about romance that they’re re-doing disastrous weddings one by one…AND giving each couple a honeymoon do-over as well. They don’t want to be wiping your tears in the future—so see what they’ve got to say before booking your journey into love.

Diann Valentine’s Tips

What is the best honeymoon spot for young couples on a post-wedding budget?

Islands are great, because couples will likely benefit from year-round beautiful weather as well the opportunity to engage in lots of beach activities. (Of course, they can keep things quiet if they prefer.) Depending on where a couple lives, it’s easy for them to choose an island that may be fairly close to home and cut down on the travel costs.  For example, west coast brides will love Cabo San Lucas– especially the easy two-hour flight.  New York brides can just as quickly hop over to the Bahamasor St. John (USVIs) for a few days. (Get more info on Bahamas travel on Celebrations.com)

Editor’s note: As part of the US Virgin Islands, St. John does not require a passport for travel from the US mainland.

What is the most romantic place in the world?
Italy.  My two favorite cities are Florence and Lake Como.  I prefer to stay away from some of the more obvious choices such as Paris because they quickly turn into tourist spots.  I love to travel and enjoy a city with the locals, and both of these Italian cities allows you to do just that, while still allowing a couple to enjoy the shopping, great food and amazing architecture in this gorgeous country.

Name three places on your bucket list.
Morocco – I am so inspired by other cultures of people of color, so I am anxious to experience the food, shopping and architecture that is valued by the people from this region of the world.

Fiji – I love warm weather and beaches, and I have wanted to experience this destination for years now.  Although a small population resides on the islands, there are still a significant number of Fijians living there, and I hope that they have done a good job of protecting their culture, as this would allow me to educate myself about it.

Capri – I am so in love with Italy and intend to purchase a second home there, but I have never visited Capri.  It is widely known for wealth and romance–two of my favorite topics.

Jim McCann’s Tips

What’s the best honeymoon spot for couples on a budget?
An all-inclusive, like Sandals allows for you to budget properly, as you will know all costs ahead of time. For those on the East Coast, the Caribbean has inexpensive flights and plenty of all-inclusives. (Get details on Sandals destination wedding and honeymoon packages on Celebrations.com.)

What’s was your most memorable trip-of-a-lifetime? Why was it so special?
My honeymoon. It was the last time in 38 years that I had two weeks off.  We arrived in Germany, rented a car, and had nothing planned other than the day we would arrive in Europe and the day we would leave.  We had the time of our lives traveling around Europe, and have never been so free and unplanned in our travel since.

Do you like destination weddings?
Destination weddings are increasingly popular as you have a number of controlled variables.  They are usually smaller in number of guests, and you have a jump-start on the honeymoon.  They are particularly attractive to those having a second marriage.  Keys to picking the right place: make sure it is somewhere with a lot of direct flights, that has meaning to the couple, and is someplace that you think others would enjoy traveling to.

My Tips

What is the best honeymoon spots for couples on a budget?
In addition to being the Celebrations.com travel expert, I have been a romance travel specialist for many years now, and I have come to absolutely love the Riviera Maya, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica for their tropical beauty, sexiness, friendliness, and range of experiences. Jim mentioned all-inclusives, and the Riviera Maya is the best of the best when it comes to variety, quality and range of all-inclusives. There are tiny ones in Tulum with maybe only 10 rooms, and huge ones with 20 swimming pools, and everything in between. Many of the “My Fair Wedding” couples went to the Riviera Maya on their honeymoon—check out pictures from gorgeous all-inclusives like Secrets Silversands right here.

If you want to go a little further south, Costa Rica is just gorgeous, and it can be very reasonably priced. There are all-inclusives in the tourist hot spots like Tamarindo, and tiny family-owned hotels in a lot of the smaller beach towns.

And finally, Puerto Rico—it has that Latin/Caribbean flair, with sexy clubs and amazing food and beautiful beaches…but you don’t need a passport! I love that.

What are some travel adventures that bring couples closer together?

Nothing too physically rigorous, I would say. Road-tripping can be great, as it gives you so much time to talk and enjoy each other’s company as you explore new territory. Just don’t put too many strict timelines on anything! If you love food, “tasting trails” are fun, whether you’re hunting out wineries, cider mills, cheesemakers, or chocolate.

Or rent a small cabin in the snow, ideally with a Jacuzzi. Ski or trek around in the daytime, enjoy a cozy dinner and shared bottle of wine, and I promise you, by 9pm, you’ll be saying, “Let’s go to bed… but not to sleep.”

I enjoyed this article, with the many suggestions for honeymoon travel spots. Think of any of these destinations for your next anniversary or special romantic opportunity. If you want to continue to travel at discount rates during the coming years after the honeymoon then you may want to invest in a travel club to provide exciting destinations at very low rates. Most popular romantic honeymoon travel spots work just as well for newlyweds and lovers of all ages and stages.

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There are so many choices when it comes to summer vacations and you may be wondering how to choose your next travel destination. Perhaps in the past you have limited yourself to the U.S. but don’t let that stop you from boldly going overseas for your next travel adventure. In this article you will find seven simple steps for how to choose your next travel destination from Brian Lawless writing on Rancho Bernardo.

How to Choose Your Next Travel Destination

1) Define what you want: What do you want to do on your summer trip? Are you interested in visiting museums and historical sites? Do you want to relax on a beach? Do you want to immerse yourself in cultural experiences? Do you want to go to a place with good nightlife? Are you interested in nature and outdoors activities? Asking yourself these questions is an important first step because it will help you narrow down your destination choices. Many destinations offer a variety of activities and interests to partake in, but it is up to you to decide which ones are your priority.

2) Figure out your budget: Decide what you can afford and create a rough budget to help you limit your destination selection. If you are on a tight budget, look at destinations where the dollar goes further, such as Southeast Asia or Central America. Europe is known for being expensive, but you can also get by cheaply with thorough research.

3) Research: Once you define the parameters of your summer trip and decide how much you can afford to spend, then you can research destinations that suit your needs. The Internet is your best friend for research. Lonely Planet (lonelyplanet.com) and Trip Advisor (tripadvisor.com) are great research tools. They have information about destinations, costs and even have travel forums for you to ask questions about specific destinations. Also, research the climate so you know what to bring and whether your destination in suitable. For example, summer is hurricane season for the Caribbean, so you want to be aware of possible weather conditions…

4) Search for airfares: Give yourself time to scout airfare prices so you can get a general idea of costs. Flying weekends is often more expensive, so if you have flexible travel dates, you might consider flying during the week. Once you know average fares, you will also be able to notice deals when you come across them. Good international airfare sites include Vayama (vayama.com) and Kayak (kayak.com). Be sure to review cancellation and change policies. Some airlines offer non-refundable tickets, but allow you to use the value of a canceled ticket towards future travel. Airlines may also charge fees for ticket changes and checked baggage.

5) Purchase a guidebook: Once you know your budget, your destination, and have a plane ticket, you can then purchase a guidebook. Guidebooks are useful on the road (Internet may not always be available), and feature maps, cultural tips and information, currency exchange rates, and provide overviews of activities and their associated costs. They also provide important information for individual cities, such as bus routes, restaurant listings, accommodation listings, and bar/nightclub listings. Popular guidebook brands include Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, and Frommers. Make sure your guidebook is the latest addition so all of the information is up to date.

6) Plan a rough itinerary: You can use the Internet and/or your guidebook to help you create an itinerary. You can plan where to visit if you want to visit more than one locale in a given destination, as well as what activities to do and where to do them. You can also plan your lodging. You can make advanced reservations or just show up on arrival if you want to have the option of viewing accommodation first. This depends on what suits your travel style. Advanced bookings can be made online or by phone.

7) Have fun and keep an open mind!: You can only plan for so much, so keep an open mind and don’t be thrown off by the unexpected. Once overseas, you may decide that you want to spend more time in a certain destination or that you want to change certain aspects of your itinerary. Don’t be afraid of involuntary or voluntary changes. That’s part of the fun! And remember to enjoy yourself. There will be cultural differences and some things that may not make sense to you, but keep a positive attitude and make this a trip to remember.

If you are not sure about booking all these tickets and activities yourself you should consider using a travel agent who has access to special deals and who also has experience with global travel arrangements. Once you know how to choose your next travel destination you can relax and let a professional handle the tricky details.

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If you have a frequent flyer on your holiday gift list and haven’t found the perfect gift yet, take a look at these really last minute holiday travel gifts. These special gifts may be last minute but they are definitely winners.

There was once a time when if you hadn’t finished your Christmas shopping by now, you’d be, well, pretty much screwed. But now, thanks to the ole Internet, you can order up virtual gifts and deliver them by email or print-out card with just a few clicks. And with all the free wifi specials in airports and airlines (thanks Delta, Skype, and Nintendo) you can even take care of your shopping while flying home! Here, a selection of great last minute travel gift ideas.

Travel experiences
For some, diamonds are forever. I personally prefer experiences: catching a show at the Moulin Rouge in Paris, swimming with dolphins in Hawaii, taking a helicopter ride over Manhattan. Gift these unforgettable travel experiences and more with gift vouchers from online travel activity booking companies like Viator and Isango.

Priority Pass membership
Airport hoppers will appreciate access to more than 600 VIP airport lounges worldwide through a membership with Priority Pass. A standard annual membership starts at $99 with a $27 per visit additional fee.
Virtual travel books
With the proliferation of the iPad, Kindle and other e-readers, big bulky guidebooks are going the way of the Walkman. Give your favorite traveler a virtual travel book, or literature from their next destination, through the Apple iBookstore or Kindle Store.

Frequent flyer miles
The travel hacker in your life will flip over the gift of frequent flier miles. You can transfer miles that you have already accumulated, or directly purchase miles as a gift. Fees for these services vary from airline to airline. At United, it costs $15 per 1,000 miles to transfer and $35 per 1,000 miles to give.

Custom travel playlists
The perfect music mix can be an excellent companion for the solo traveler. iTunes makes it easy to create and gift a custom travel playlist — Gainsbourg for a jaunt to Paris, or maybe some electrotango for a trip to Argentina. Just create a playlist in iTunes, populate it with songs, then select the “Store” menu and the “Share Playlist” option. When prompted, indicate that you want to gift your playlist, then choose how you want your gift to be received.

Gifts for others
What do you get for the guy/gal who has everything? Something for someone else. Chances are, the traveler on your list has witnessed poverty and hardship in the places they’ve visited. Kiva gift cards provide a way to sponsor micro-entrepreneurship projects in developing countries, while a donation to charity: water provides clean drinking water in poor rural areas. Both sites offer printable gift cards.

Click here to read more… really last minute holiday travel gifts.

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With so many families on the roads this week we decided to provide some road trip advice for the holidays. The good news is travel volume is expected to remain high during the holidays even as many families are on tighter travel budgets this year. AAA reported that the biggest increase for traveling is in the automobile category.

Road Trip Advice for the Holidays

Expected travel volume will be second highest in past ten years, representing nearly 30 percent of U.S. population AAA forecasts 91.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the 2011-12 Year-End holiday travel season, a 1.4 percent increase over the 90.7 million people who traveled one year ago.

This year’s expected Year-End holiday travel volume is the second highest in the past decade and represents 30 percent of the total U.S. population. The 11-day Year-End holiday period is the longest holiday travel season of the year, affording many more Americans time to visit family or take vacations. AAA defines the Year-End holiday travel season as Friday, December 23, 2011 to Monday, January 2, 2012.

Automobile is top transportation choice, increases 2.1 percent Approximately 83.6 million people (91 percent of holiday travelers) plan to take to the nation’s roadways this Year-End holiday travel season, a 2.1 percent increase compared to 2010-11 when the number of auto travelers totaled 81.9 million…

Train, bus, other modes of travel increases 4.2 percent Other modes of travel (bus, trains, watercraft, multi-modal travel) will make up the remaining three percent of the total person-trips, with 2.9 million people expected to travel by these modes, 4.2 percent higher than 2010-11. Economic conditions are dictating that some Americans that otherwise might travel by air or automobile are traveling by these alternative modes of transportation.

Hotel rates increase; car rental rates decrease According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, hotel rates for AAA Three Diamond or mid-range lodgings are expected to increase a modest one percent from last year with travelers spending an average of $126 per night compared to $125 one year ago. Travelers planning to stay at AAA Two Diamond hotels can expect to pay four percent more at an average cost of $92 per night, up from $88 last year.

Daily car rental rates are $40 on average, a 21 percent decrease from one year ago and the lowest seen in the past five years. As the demand for used cars fluctuates or car manufacturers offer fewer opportunities for buying back fleets it can become harder for car rental companies to shrink their fleet to meet demand. With a larger pool of cars in the market, car rental companies must lower pricing to match supply and demand.

Year-End Holiday Travel Tips

More Americans travel during the Year-End holiday season than during any other holiday period throughout the year. Our nation’s roadways and airports will be busier than normal, so holiday travelers should be sure to pack more patience. AAA offers these important travel tips that can help everyone have an enjoyable and safe Year-End holiday season.

Plan ahead. Use a travel planning tool like AAA’s TripTik Travel Planner available at AAA.com to help identify the best driving routes, rest stops, and shop the latest gas prices. Our nation’s highways will be crowded with both holiday travelers and day-trippers. Continuously monitor weather conditions along your route and be prepared with contingency plans. Doing your homework could save valuable time, fuel costs, and improve travel safety.

Avoid the 3 Deadly D’s of Driving: Drunk or Drugged Driving. Remember that impairment begins with the first sip of alcohol. A designated driver should be alcohol-free, not merely the person in your party who has consumed the least amount of alcohol. Many medications have side effects that cause impairment, so read medication labels thoroughly.

Drowsy Driving. Get seven to nine hours of sleep before driving. Take a break every 100 miles or two hours. Do not drive during hours when you routinely sleep. If you feel tired while driving, pull over to a safe location and take a 20-to 30-minute nap.

Distracted Driving. It is the driver’s responsibility to keep eyes, mind and body fully focused on the task of driving. Assign a passenger to be the designated texter, talker, and navigator. If traveling alone, pull over to a safe location to use your cell phone or adjust your navigation device, then proceed on your trip distraction free. Child and pet passengers can be distractions to drivers, so allow another adult passenger to interact with these family members.

Before you head off down the road make sure you’ve utilized technology to it’s fullest for planning and getting bargains. You may decide to get your information on the road but keep in mind, internet connections can be weak in certain areas and during bad weather. You may have no trouble but you should do as much research ahead of time as you can. That is my road trip advice for the holidays.

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