Got to Get Away: Stretch your Vacation Dollars
With the dollar receiving an old fashioned beating from the euro right now, vacations to popular European destinations like England, France and Spain have become quite pricey. Not to fret though, with a little planning, you can still enjoy your European vacation without breaking the bank.
Not flying across the pond for some R&R? You can still save cash by traveling smart, regardless of your vacation destination. Read on, oh wandering soul.
Prevent your wallet from getting euro-trashed
If you're heading to Europe, prepare yourself financially. While Paris and London are must-sees for the vacationing Yankee, they can put a hurting on your billfold. Vacations in Western Europe today cost 35 to 40 percent more than they did as little as two years ago. Why? It's all about the exchange rate. The euro rules the day over our weakened dollar, meaning you'll have to pick and choose your spots when it comes to traveling abroad.
Before you book, research your options. Purchasing a vacation package (airfare & hotel) through an online travel broker like expedia.com or travelocity.com could save you big bucks. If you're planning on staying long-term in one place, look into renting a house or apartment. It's cheaper than a hotel room, sleeps more, is roomier, and you'll be able to cook your own food instead of eating out every day. Also, many vacation packages will allow you to "lock in" a rate well before your travel dates. If the dollar continues to fall against the euro after you book, you'll save big and look like a genius. If the dollar rallies, however, you lose.
Remember, Europe is more than just England and France. Consider visiting some of the Eastern Block countries like Hungary, Poland or Lithuaniayou'll be pleasantly surprised. Gone are the Cold War misconceptions of these countries. Instead, travelers will encounter friendly natives, stunning views, and vibrant nightlife. What's more, these countries have yet to adopt the euro, meaning your dollar will go a lot farther.
But if it's Western Europe or bust for you, you can still ease the pain that the mighty euro brings. Book your trip early to ensure you get the flights and hotels you want. If you want to see a lot of Europe, consider a cruise. If you're on a budget, consider a short three or four day stopover and tackle only the sights you absolutely have to see. Finally, when traveling about the European countryside, always set a daily limit on your spending.
Destination: anywhere? Money saving travel tips.
Regardless of where you vacation, following a few simple rules will minimize the impact on your bottom line while maximizing your fun. Always remember to:
1. Shop around. Just like anything else, deals are to be had if you know where to look. Check online resources for the best deals.
2. Only use a travel agent for big trips to far away places. You can handle the details of a weekend getaway.
3. Travel in the off season. Find out when your desired destination's peak tourist season is, and don't go then. Off season prices are much more acceptable.
4. Flexibility is key. Changing your travel itinerary by just a day or two can save you big.
5. For cruises, book early to take advantage of big savings. If using an agent, get one who's a cruise expert. She can save you money and probably secure a few perks along the way.
6. When renting a car, only get the smallest possible one you can handle. It's cheaper and so is the gas. At the counter, ask for a free upgrade; it doesn't hurt to try. Always refuel your rental before you return it to avoid getting gouged by the return lot. Never rent a car at the airport, rates are better elsewhere. Finally, if you can understand the city's public transportation, use it instead of renting a car.
7. When on the road, carry a cooler full of drinks and snacks. By stopping at a grocery store and loading up on supplies (e.g., aspirin, water, sunscreen, film) before you wander the countryside, you'll avoid being taken to the cleaners by roadside tourist traps.
Helen Georgia Best Weekend Getaway
Plan to escape to this Georgia Jewel. Helen Georgia is a small alpine styled village nestled in the north Georgia Mountains. This place is a great weekend getaway for any one in or near Georgia. Helen Georgia boasts over one hundred unique and inviting boutique style gift shops each with its own flavor and flare.
Helen Georgia offers dozens of very unique Shops ranging from German style clothing to one of a kind homemade bowls hand made right before your eyes, to shops that specialize in new age wind chimes and gemstones. There are many small and unique gift shops with gifts that will excite any kid young or old with hilarious T-shirts, to souvenir items such as postcards, mood rings, stuffed animals, and old memorabilia, all at prices that won't break the bank.
A huge variety of restaurants ranging from German style sandwiches to German Potato salad, to pizza, lasagna, and country style foods. There is a handful of specialty candy and fudge shops to choose from that offer one of a kind specialty hand made on the spot candies, dipped apples, and fudge. There are also specialty cheese shops offering extensive varieties of homemade cheese balls.
There is something for everyone to do in this small tourist village of Helen Georgia from hiking, hunting, tubing, water park fun, to fishing for fresh rainbow trout right behind your motel room. With an awesome water park, miniature golf, and game rooms, there is plenty to keep the kids going strong for an entire weekend.
There are literally tons of beer choices imported and domestic to choose from. Choose your drinking spot. You can enjoy a quiet little Bavarian style pub with its cobblestone sidewalk entrance featuring a cute bar tender dressed out in full German clothing, to a more modern margarita part deck overlooking the upper Chattahoochee River which runs all the way through this little Alpine style village known as Helen Georgia.
There are several unique and awesome diners with decks directly looking over the Chattahoochee River where you can dine and drink while conversing with the tubers trying to beat the heat floating down the cool mountain river.
Helen Georgia is a biker's heaven with tons of shops specializing in biker wear, and motorcycle dress out gear. Upon your visit to this awesome little city, you will definitely see a collection of unique motorcycles bound to excite any motorcycle enthusiast.
Helen Georgia offers many unique and romantic lodging options ranging from Bavarian old German alpine style lodges, to your standard commercial chain hotels, to the most romantic mountain cabins with heart shaped Jacuzzis.
Visiting Helen Georgia for at least one weekend is a getaway you should make it a point to do at least once in your life.
Easy Journey from Manali to Delhi
<p>Commuting from one city to another takes up a lot of time. When people wish to plan a weekend getaway to a nearby town or place then the fear of traffic jams and car problems makes them alter or cancel their programs. But now people can easily plan a trip from Delhi to Manali and Manali to Delhi. This has been made possible with the introduction of the Manali to Delhi flights.</p>
<p> India domestic flights</a> are now available from Manali to Delhi and vice versa. This allows people to book domestic flights in India and travel to the beautiful town easily. The flight from Manali to Delhi helps them to avoid the tiring car journey and also helps them to cut down on their travelling time. Earlier, while travelling from <a rel="nofollow" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" href="http://www.delhimanali.com/">Delhi to Manali</a>, the travellers used to get exhausted. But now with these India domestic flights for Manali, they can still be refreshed.</p>
<p>Manali to Delhi</a> flights can be booked online through delhimanali.com that deals in India domestic flights. The booking procedure for these flights is the same as that used to book domestic flight in India. To get affordable tickets for Manali to Delhi flights, one can visit delhimanali.com which can help to <a rel="nofollow" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" href="http://www.delhimanali.com/domestic-flight-tickets.htm">book domestic flight in India</a>. The passenger can get cheap India domestic flights for Manali and for other destinations through the site.</p>
<p>If someone is planning a weekend getaway at Manali then he can simply refer to the flight schedule for the Delhi to Manali flights. The schedule can help him learn about the flight timings and plan the journey according to the same. If the plans are already made and one needs to search and book domestic flights in India then that can be done online itself.</p>
<p>The online booking procedure for Manali to Delhi flights is simple wherein the passenger needs to provide the information about his travel plans. He is then provided with a list of India domestic flights from Manali to Delhi that is available to him. He can select the one that gels with his travel plan and book domestic flights in India within moments.</p>
<p>The online payment method allows the passengers to confirm his India domestic flights from Manali to Delhi immediately. It is also a safe, convenient and affordable method to book domestic flights in India.</p>