As the we approach the spring travel season I wanted to provide some budget friendly travel tips from top travel experts. The article below published in the LA Times has some really great ideas for saving money on your next vacation. Experts in the travel industry share their favorite budget friendly advice.

Budget Friendly Travel Tips From Top Travel Experts

If you don’t know where you’re going on vacation this year, you may not be indecisive. You might just be a bargain hunter.

Increasingly, travelers are trading the certainty of the destination for savings, Peter Yesawich, vice chairman of MMGY Global, a marketing firm with expertise in the travel, hospitality and entertainment industries, said at the Los Angeles Times Travel Show. Instead of saying, “I want to go to Hawaii,” bargain buffs who say, “I just want warm and sunny” open their horizons. In other words, being geographically agnostic pays off.

Which raises the question of where the bargains are likely to be. At a panel discussion last weekend at the Travel Show, three bargain travel experts discussed their strategies for stretching vacation dollars.

–Look for trouble, said Gabe Saglie, senior editor of deal site TravelZoo — not trouble you create but trouble that’s been visited upon a destination. Places that have recently experienced some type of turmoil, whether it’s financial (Ireland and Greece) or climatological (Thailand with recent floods) may be ripe for plucking from the bargain bin. Japan, still recovering from the earthquake and resulting tsunami in March, also may offer some opportunities.

–Look for the crowds, said John Di Scala, founder of JohnnyJet.com. This year, you may find the Mediterranean crowded with cruise ships, which means the per-night cabin price may drop dramatically. He also suggested the Caribbean in September, which is still hurricane season but may offer some deals. (”Ships can navigate around storms,” he said.)

–Look for where the crowds aren’t, said Doug Miller, senior vice president of new initiatives for LivingSocial. Ski resorts suffered a well-publicized dearth of snow early in the season, and although Mother Nature has since stopped being so stingy with the white stuff, the perception that the cupboard is bare lingers. Look for specials at resorts eager to be myth busters.

–Sign up for everything. Because airlines don’t have as much inventory as they once did, and thus less of it to move at fire-sale prices, some take to Twitter or Facebook to announce last-minute sales of the few seats they do have. When looking at an airline, hotel or car rental site that asks whether you’d like info about special offers, just say yes. (You could create a separate email account just for those special deliveries because they’ll clog your everyday inbox.)

–Peruse plenty of places. Miller of LivingSocial says deal hounds will check 18 to 23 sites in the course of their research. All three experts suggested looking at the sites they work for, of course, but they also suggested Airfarewatchdog.com, Yapta.com, Kayak.com (an airfare aggregator),Priceline.comand BiddingforTravel.com, which can help guide you before you place you bid; Homeexchange.com (for house swapping); VRBO.com (vacation rental by owner); and FlyerTalk.com (good for info on rewards programs). To their list I would add SmarterTravel.com, CruiseCompete.com and WhichBudget.com (with a thank you to Kiplinger’s for calling out this site, which compares prices for airfares within Europe).

–Watch out for those “bite you in the budget” hidden fees that can wreck your best-laid plans. Make sure you ask about such cost extras as hotel parking (ask whether the fee quoted is per night or for your total stay); hotel resort fees (you can try to negotiate them with the hotel if you don’t use, say, the spa or the phone); baggage fees (learn to pack lightly and carry it on, except on airlines that charge for that — Spirit in the U.S. and many foreign carriers abroad); and fuel surcharges (foreign carriers are increasingly adding these).

–Most of all, be flexible. Don’t fly on the days that are busiest for business travel — Fridays and Mondays — because you may pay higher prices; stay at business destinations when the business folks have gone home for the weekend; and go in the off-season, because it’s never the wrong season for saving money.

I’d also like to warn travelers about hidden fees with rental cars and in some foreign countries there is actually a tax on all travelers just to leave the country. A friend recently traveled to Costa Rica and was surprised to find out at the airport that she needed to pay a tax to help build and repair roads. If you are standing at the check in and they say you have to pay a fee to leave the country there is nothing you can do but get out your wallet. We hope these budget friendly travel tips from top travel experts are helpful to you.

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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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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.

Read More on Techzone360.

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Romantic travel vacation packages in the Smoky Mountains don’t have to be at some crowded resort. Take a look at this stunning video of a private cabin rental package that could be the most romantic place I’ve ever seen. If you love the mountains like I do this is just perfect for you. I could see myself in this beautiful setting any time of year and the best part is how affordable romantic travel vacation packages in the Smoky Mountains are.

Click here to watch the video

Find more information on this beautiful romantic destination only a 2 hour drive from Atlanta at www.LakeMountainRetreat.com.  Bella Vista (Beautiful View) is the perfect destination to get away from it all. Overlooking the Great Smoky Mountains and nestled among 3.5 quiet acres, our cottage also has views of Lake Chatuge. Romantic travel vacation packages in the Smoky Mountains are affordable and can be rented by the weekend, the week or the month. Hmmm, a whole month would be awesome! http://www.vrbo.com/194520

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Tired of working a nine to five job, in a windowless cubicle, doing mindless tasks that make you wonder what you just spent the last eight hours doing?  Do you daydream about snorkeling in the Caribbean, sipping a glass of wine on the French Riviera, or basking in the sun in Rio? Does your daydream pass because you think that with a mortgage and two kids that you will never experience such luxuries?  Think again!  Resorts 360, has come up with a method for you to pilot your own gondola down the canals of Venice, while earning money.  Working from home, earning a living, and traveling the world just skim the surface of what becoming a member of Resorts 360 has to offer.

How many times have you sat at your desk, and thought longingly of what it would be like to turn your computer off, grab an ice cream cone and a novel, and spend the afternoon in the park?  By becoming a member of Resorts 360, you have the ability to do just that.  You would have the capability to set your own schedule, and work from home.  All you need is a phone, a computer, and a high-speed Internet connection.  If you are like most people, you already have that covered right?  Being a member of Resorts 360, is also very low pressure.  You will not have somebody standing over your shoulder reminding you about deadlines.  You can work as much or as little as you want at any given time, so if you need the afternoon off to go to your daughter’s dance recital, there will not be anybody there to tell you, that you can’t.

In today’s economy, few companies are bringing on new employees.  Instead they are meeting the minimum staffing requirements, doubling the workload for their existing employees, and not compensating them financially.  Does this sound familiar?  Do you need a vacation?  This is why becoming a member of Resorts 360, is a wonderful opportunity.  In a society that is all work and no play, inexpensive vacation packages have an almost limitless market.  You will earn a commission off of every membership you sell, and with so many people out there who are looking for a little rest and relaxation, the possibilities are endless.

Imagine sitting in your resort hotel room with a view of the Pacific Ocean with your laptop and your phone.  Did I mention that as a member of Resorts 360 you can work from anywhere in the world?  Did I also forget to mention that you will receive up to 80% off on your vacations?  When was the last time you got 80% off of anything?  As a member of Resorts 360, you will also get the benefits of inexpensive travel.  You can travel to an exotic location, enjoy the sights, bask in the culture, and still make money while you are there.  How many other jobs can you think of, that would allow you to do that?

Don’t let your daydreams, be just dreams.  Who is to say that you can’t be a responsible working adult, and not also enjoy your life?  Experience postcard worthy moments with your family, while you earn income.  Break free from your cubicle, and enjoy the benefits of being a member of the Resorts 360 Travel Business Opportunity.  There is a big world out there for you and your family to explore.  What are you waiting for?

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Taking a vacation is something several families can’t wait to do every year. Then there are others who wish they could just afford to go on vacation or have the time to take one. Well, the Resorts 360 Vacation Club has been providing a way for people to stay in great places at low costs for a long time.

Even when the economy is enjoying its continuous roller coaster ride, it doesn’t stop Resorts 360 from making vacations possible for their members. After all, we know you want to take a vacation and some people need them just to relieve stress. If you enjoy traveling then you should seriously consider the Resorts 360 Vacation Club.

The whole idea with this travel company is to give you more opportunities than you can handle. Best of all, there a three different entry levels making this opportunity affordable for everyone. Realize this, there are several perks that become available once you join as a member. The only thing you have to do is understand how the program works.

When you become a member of Resorts 360 there will be a real-time travel database present. This shows you all the live available weeks and destinations going on around the world and you can find the ones that are found around your particular destination. The RTTD is a monumental benefit for those who want to try something new or can’t figure out where to go.

You will also need to consider accommodations. When you use Resorts 360 you can stay in resorts or hotels that are considered 4, 5, or 6 star properties. Staying in these locations will give you some of the best experiences you’ve ever had on vacation.

We understand you want to save money, but that is the whole point to joining the Resorts 360Vacation Club . Well, you won’t be disappointed with Resorts 360 because they offer some huge discounts on cruises, beach villas, and various other parts to traveling. The money saved you can use for all the activities you will want to experience during your stay.

There is also a 24/7 concierge service. Whatever questions you have the Resorts 360 Vacation Club has highly qualified professionals to answer any questions you have, and provide you with help in several other areas. One of them deals with medical insurance that is included if you or a family member gets hurt during your vacation. Resorts 360 has a private jet that can take you anywhere in the world.

So, all this sounds great, but you’re still wondering about the cost right? One thing you don’t have to worry about is paying some monthly fee. Instead, you’re offered a choice of a one-time fee, a 5 year fee, and an annual fee and once it is paid you can enjoy all the benefits this vacation club has to offer.

Eventually you might even consider making money from Resorts 360. This is because they allow you to offer their deals to others, and when it’s complete you get paid a commission. Some travelers do this for vacation money, while others actually make it a full time job. It’s also an “easy sell,” because you offer it to families who can’t afford the normal vacation costs.

Once they get a good look at Resorts 360 and all its benefits they will only see a win-win situation. What it comes down to is they will be offering a better way of life for their family. Over time they will notice that these advantages spill over into other areas of their life.

In the end, it’s something Resorts 360 has been doing for quite some time. If you want to vacation like the wealthy, but do for a fraction of the cost then the Resorts 360 Vacation Club is the perfect choice. Soon it won’t matter what the economy looks like, because you will still get those vacations in every single year.

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Clifton, USA, May 25, 2009 – A Chiropractor and an Internet entrepreneur with a special interest in home based business industry, Dr. Ricardo Lalama now comes to tell you how exciting it is to start up your very own home based travel business.

Dr. Ricardo Lalama has invested more than five years to find out the full potential of the World Wide Web. It is through this time that he discovered it is the home based travel industry that possesses a large marketing potential because of its character as the single largest category of eCommerce on the net. He is inviting everyone to get this great opportunity to start a home based travel business with an affordable entry level.

All Work and No Play

The current economic situation has resulted to recession. It made people hold onto their jobs and money more than the usual. As much as possible, they want to work and earn more to save more. After all, no person would want to be caught unprepared for today’s situations. It’s better to be ready at all times.

For so many families, this means letting go of the luxuries that they have been accustomed to. These luxuries include vacationing and travelling. Say au revoir to the lavish Caribbean cruise or to the weekend beach getaway. Spending a great amount of money for those things has become impractical. A common practice in today’s working people is to work overtime. All work and no play at all.

Say Goodbye to Too Much Work and Hello to Play

Dr. Ricardo Lalama invites everyone for a great opportunity to live a life with comfortable work arrangements and nice relaxation methods. Resorts 360 is his answer to the life that you’ve always dreamed about. Imagine never having to leave your house for work while still earning money for vacations. How is this possible?

Resorts 360 is travel business that has two main features: unlimited income potential and unlimited travel benefits.

Unlimited Potential for Income and Travel Benefits

Since everything can now be transacted in the internet, it is now possible to have a business based at home. Resorts 360 is a home based travel business that will give you your much dreamt about financial freedom, if you press the right buttons.

As you enter the fascinating world of Resort 360, you can now say goodbye to your strenuous eight-hour job and stay at home. Say goodbye to getting up early in the morning just to avoid traffic. You might as well say goodbye to dressing up and overtime work. Resort 360 will let you earn and provide for your family while still getting a chance to spend more time with them.

Another perk of joining Resorts 360 is the unlimited travel benefits. Since you are selling the products of Resorts 360, you are entitled to receive great discounts on their travel packages. Get the dream vacation that you want while still saving up. What more can you ask for?

Too Good to be True

For many people, the offers of Resorts 360 are just too good to be true. Without knowing all the facts, they jump into conclusions that Resorts 360 is a scam.

Of course, this is not true. We recommend that you learn it straight from our many members of the Resorts 360 Vacation club who can prove that this is no scam at all.

1-866-220-9389 with ID 1665

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Learn more about Dr. Ricardo Lalama’s amazing secrets to get unlimited income and travel discounts that everyone wants. Make no mistake about it and change your life with Resorts 360.

Dr. Ricardo Lalama
Tel. No. 973-390-3520
Ricardo@resorts360secrets.com

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The business world today is about recession and crisis. The only thing people want to do right now is to save up as much as possible while keeping their jobs secured. For many families, this means goodbye to luxuries in life, including travel and vacations. No more beach escapades and long cruises.

Of course, people do not want to live a strenuous life which only revolves around three things: working hard, earning money and saving up. Life does not work that way. People will definitely become bored when there’s all work and no play. This is the idea behind vacations.

Thankfully, Resorts 360 will help you live your life without having to worry about losing your source of income and completely getting rid of vacationing.

What is Resorts 360? It is a home based travel business that will give you two of life’s greatest things which is income and travel. Armed with the fact that this business comes in an unlimited potential, Resorts 360 has three key features. First, it is a home-based travel business. Second, it can generate very good income and third, it gives affordable travel packages.

Basically, your operation can be established at your home as long as you have a reliable computer and internet connection. Having a home based business is the best option in today’s economic situation. It’s fast, easy and convenient. You don’t have to spend much on operation expenses. You don’t have to work hard since everything is done online.

Resorts 360 lets its members sell travel products. This business will most certainly offer a great business opportunity to its owners since many people are willing to travel and relax. However, not all of them are willing to spend a serious load of money. Resorts 360 vacation club will provide huge amounts of savings to the public. Everyone can now enjoy frequent vacations. Since these reasonably priced packages appeal to many people, you’ll never run out of market to sell your products to. This means that there is unlimited income potential for this business.

Resorts 360 will allow you, as its member, to sell travel products and at the same time, benefit from great travel discounts on its vacation packages. Get very good savings each time you travel.

Unfortunately, there are rumors about Resorts 360 scams. Many people who have no knowledge of how Resorts 360 works, tend to disapprove of this great opportunity. The best way to resolve this is to learn how Resorts 360 operates and how it can give you all the great benefits. Most of the members of Resorts 360 Vacation club can attest that the there’s no scam at all.

Get all the benefits of a home based travel business. Earn income and see places. Save up and still get the chance to travel. This is what Resorts 360 is all about. Go to the nearest Resorts 360 sales center and discover the good life.

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Ricardo Lalama will share all the things that you need to know about Resorts 360. Find out how you’ll live the good life with great income and great vacations by visiting http://www.resorts360secrets.com .

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