Traveling on a Budget

The cost of travel can be intimidating to many vacationers.  To make sure everything is planned and you won’t go over your set budget, you can use canada 411 beforehand to check the services you are planning on. For those who are keeping a close watch on their budgets as they enjoy their time away from home, these options may also be helpful:

1. Book airline tickets in advance.  Finding deals at airline websites can be important because many flights are lower in price if flyers do not wait until the last minute.  On the other hand, flying standby can be fun too, especially for those looking for a spur-of-the-moment adventure.
2. Travel light.  Airlines are always charging for oversized bags and more than two bags per person.  Carry-on bags are the best option because travelers do not have to pay luggage fees and can easily zip in and out of check-in.  Pack very little if clothes are going to be purchased at the vacation site, because then there will be room for everything in one bag on the way home.  Clearly, it may be difficult to travel lightly enough to save money, but it can be worth it in the long run.
3. Use plane changes to an advantage.  Sometimes, when flights are in two airplanes, airlines will allow passengers to stay a couple days in the area where the changeover occurs.  This lets flyers have extra time to rest and enjoy the city as an added bonus.
4. Buy a round trip ticket.  Whether or not travelers are planning to return, sometimes round trip tickets are actually cheaper than their one-way counterparts.  This is worth checking into even though it sounds impossible.  By purchasing these tickets and not using the return option, passengers may be able to save a little extra cash.
5. Eat breakfast and lunch at local cafes.  They prove to be the most inexpensive but still offer delicious food.  Most of the time, they are far more frugal than eating at a hotel or big name restaurant.  Vacationers often find a new favorite that is worth a return visit when they least expected it.

How Important Is The Fitness Center?

For many hotels, the fitness center used to be a small room somewhere out of the way with a treadmill, mat, some free weights and a TV—if you’re lucky. It was difficult to get a good workout away from home, and many travelers found this unacceptable.

Health and fitness has become increasingly important; so to those folks who are frequent travelers—whether for work or pleasure, the fitness center has become one of the amenities affecting the choice of hotel.

Now that the hotels have figured this out, many have upgraded this particular perk to attract more guests. There is often a page on the hotel’s website featuring the fitness center complete with photos of the equipment, the pool (if applicable) or even some people working out with big smiles on their faces. These centers are usually open 24-hours; and for some travelers who have families and demanding work schedules—this could be the only time he or she can fit in a good workout.

Some hotels have even gone a bit farther. By combining the fitness center with a spa, even more guests are drawn to the facility by implied promises of massage, facials, manicures and pedicures—this is just the tip of the iceberg. Each spa has unique services and may require appointments, so be sure to research this prior to checking in so you can get into the appointment book.

All you fitness or self-pampering buffs probably know about the upgrades in this hotel amenity; but for those of you who don’t, check it out. Browsing http://www.direct.tv and lounging all day is good, but fitness is way better. Next time you travel, pack some workout clothes and sneakers. Depending on the facility, it may be worth it to start working out. You never know.

Tree house tips

Tree house in the park of the Château de Lange...

Image via Wikipedia

Tree houses are fun getaways. Being away from ground realities is what people want. A tree house offers an airy existence. You might for once feel like a pre-historic human being living atop trees. When making tree houses or even when living in them, there are some things to be kept in mind.

Decide who will use the tree house. A tree house is generally for kids. It should not be perched very high up. A height of six to ten feet from the ground is enough. More than ten feet makes it a risky tree house. Kids might fall down fatally.

A tree house is no fun if it does not have a theme. Give the tree house a theme by coloring it green. Use straw to pad the floor. Use leave-pillows and beds.

Don’t use tall ceilings. Use short ceilings. In a tree house, inmates should be able to sit or lie-down. Otherwise the tree house might come toppling down. Another thing with this is a tree house has to look cozy. The shorter the ceiling, the more it will look a place to relax.

Don’t have a single point of entry to the tree house. Let the entry and exit be the same. Don’t use door in the tree  house. Don’t let anyone sleep during the night there.

The above are just basic ideas for a tree house. You can use your imagination and creativity to include or exclude anything you want from the tree house. Ultimately you should make your tree house a comfortable nest.

How to Make Money Off Your Vacation Home

Home, home on the beach...

Image by jimflix! via Flickr

Owning a vacation home once considered a luxury, is now becoming a burden in today’s challenging economic times. Instead of having your vacation home just sit there collecting dust, you can make money of your property and offset your expenses. Here are some ways you can make money off your vacation home.

  • Use for Renting

The options available for using your vacation home as a rental include renting it for less than or for more than 14 days a year. You can deduct mortgage interest and property tax when you rent for less than 14 days. Also, rental income is tax-free and doesn’t have to be reported on your tax return. However, when you rent for more than 14 days, all of your rental income is taxed. An advantage to this rental option is being able to write-off rental-related expenses including utility and maintenance.

  • Use as a Family Investment

As noted in an article from the Wall Street Journal, you can distribute the cost of your vacation home by allowing family members to purchase interest. This can be done by forming a limited partnership or limited liability company with your family members. Doing this can allow shareholders to have use of the property and pay their portion of expenses.

  • Auction Use of Your Home for Charity

Charities looking for homes to host events will generally have people bid on the time they will use the home and donate the money to the charity. The benefit is you can deduct the fair market rental value on your income taxes. Organizations such as VacationHomesForCharity.org brings homeowners and charities to together.

 

 

Do You Know the Language Well Enough to be Hospitalized There?

Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf of Mexico near i... 

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There’s been plenty of vacations without extra trip insurance because nothing ever happens, right? Nobody ever gets hurt, nothing ever burns down, nothing ever happens to anyone. Right? 

 

It’s happened to more than a few people; they got to the destination they chose and then broke an arm diving into the hotel’s pool. Or, a child got ill. Worse: What if you’re hospitalized and there’s nobody to take the children? Who can be called

 

How about this – the destination gets destroyed by weather or natural disaster right before you go. Will you be able to recoup deposits, costs and tour fares? Was your hotel destroyed while you were there? 

 

Can You Speak the Language Well Enough to Deal With This? 

What if you rented a car and it somehow got wrecked or stolen? It’s not likely that regular liability coverage from back home will be enough. What will you do and how will you get around? Is there anyone who can help you with all this? 

 

There’s one answer to every question – travel insurance. Taking out a policy for the what-ifs before traveling is much better than trying to think of what to do when you’re caught in the situation. Insurance companies frequently offer policies at reasonable rates, and then people can truly relax while on much needed vacations and outings. 

 

It’s the best way to make sure someone will be there to interpret the language for you, or negotiate charges, or find childcare It’s like a big cushion behind you to catch you if you fall. The small premium is far less than an accident would be without insurance.

 

 

Preparing for Motor Home Travel

A campsite in Tralee, Ireland, with Campers an...
Image via Wikipedia

 

Preparing for vacation can be a long and difficult process. You have to plan how long the trip will take, the amount of money necessary to take the trip, how much time you need off work, etc. When traveling in a motor home, this is no exception.

While planning for your trip, make sure you consider where you will stop every night. In any other type of vehicle, it is fairly easy to find a hotel to stop at, but if you’re looking for the experience of traveling in a motor home, be sure you plan ahead for campsites. Some campsites require reservations, so make sure you know the regulations for each area where you plan to stay.

Before leaving home, make sure your motor home is registered for the road. If you haven’t used it in a while, you may have to renew its tags. You will also want to consider having motor home insurance in case something happens while you’re traveling. If you don’t have insurance, you can go online to find motor home insurance quotes.

Consider everything you will need to take. If you’re planning on staying at campsites, you may want to pack food so you don’t have to go out to eat on your trip. If you’re planning on buying food on the way, make sure you factor in that cost.

You’ll have plenty to do to plan your trip, regardless of the travel method you prefer. When an RV is part of your travel plans, don’t forget to take care of things like making reservations.

Tourist Attractions in Solvang, California

Windmill in Solvang, California

Image by RAB68000 via Flickr

Part of the Santa Ynez Valley on the Central Coast of California, Solvang is a city that was founded by Danish immigrants to the US early in the 1900s.  The city has a Danish theme and is a popular place to visit for its European style charm.  The name Solvang originates from “sunny fields” in Danish and is representative of the weather in the area.

It is fun just to wonder around the city with its famous Little Mermaid statue and flowers and small shops everywhere.  There are several small museums of interest.  The Hans Christian Andersen Museum is above The Book Loft store, and The Elverhoj Museum of Danish History is but a few blocks away.

Danish food is everywhere.  The city has an abundance of pastry shops. One item to try is the

aebleskiver, a traditional Danish breakfast pastry, which is served throughout the day in Solvang.  Danish sausage is also of note.  Pickled herring is a side dish on the menu of several local restaurants.

The Santa Ines Mission is definitely worth a visit.  It has much more of a focus on religious artifacts than do some of the other Missions in the area.  This active Franciscan church borders a stunning view of mountains and abuts a nearby park that is definitely worth a visit.

Items of potential interest to children include the local skateboard park in the Hans Christian Andersen Park.  Just a few miles out of Solvang North on Alamo Pintado Road is the Quicksilver Ranch, with miniature horses that are of great delight to children and adults alike.

Sharing Your Travels

What could be better than finally setting off on your long-awaited trip? You’ve packed the bags, bought the tickets, noted attractions of choice–now you’re ready to travel. Still, you’re looking for something to make the experience truly memorable, some touch that will make this the talk of all vacations. Whether you’re traveling local for a long weekend or setting off on a trek around the globe, today’s world gives you an abundance of opportunities to share your travels far and wide.

A quick search brings up a plethora of that new trend for the hip traveller: the travel blog. Blogging while on the road is an easy way to keep friends and family up-to-date on your exciting adventures as you experience them. It will give you a ready-made log of your journey once it’s complete. Plus, if you have a penchant for writing and a unique angle, sharing through a travel blog is a fun way to let outsiders get a look at a special trip.

If you’re not up for writing or lugging a computer around (or hunting down internet cafes), there still are plenty of ways to share your adventures with the wider world. What’s one thing any intrepid traveller never forgets to pack? The camera, of course! From famous attractions to local restaurants to exotic wildlife, captivating photos capture that special moment of your trip…and make for a quick and easy way to show others what’s out there in the world.

Image courtesy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/harshlight/2982544801/lightbox/

What’s more, even if you’re not planning any vacations right now, you can still travel vicariously with quick trip on your home computer!

Walt Disney World Accommodations

Walt Disney world, location in Orlando, Florida, is home to some of the best accommodations in the United States.  For families looking for kid-friendly atmospheres and unique experiences, this vacation spot could be perfect.

Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotel offers seven spacious options for parties of all sizes.  Multiple dining options as well as easy walking distance to many of Disney World’s shopping areas makes these hotels winning experiences.

Names that are familiar in other parts of the United States include Best Western, Doubletree, and Holiday Inn.  In these, families can find affordable rooms, complimentary breakfasts, and outstanding room service.  For those who are mindful of their budgets or need to house multiple family members or friends, these three hotels may be wise choices.

The Hilton Orlando Resort is unique because it offers the Extra Magic Hours option in Disney World.  Each day, one park opens an hour early and stays open three hours late just for Hilton guests.  Room service offers a comforting menu as well as warm, inviting suites that can suit the entire family.  For the adult, each room boasts a mini-bar and inviting interior decorations.

Buena Vista Hotel & Spa, Royal Plaza Resort, and Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort have exciting accommodations for adults and children alike.  For the most relaxation, enjoy the spa and pool options in these hotels.  Poolside dining and tennis and basketball courts are just a few reasons to visit these exquisite locations.

Transportation to the Airport

The options for transportation to the airport are endless.  Depending on personal interests and needs, taxis, trains, buses, and single-family vehicles can all make the trip to the airport enjoyable.

Taxis are handy in many larger cities because clearly, the traveler gets to sit back and enjoy the ride while someone else does the driving.  The convenience of hiring a cab driver can be the key element.  However, most vacationers do need to drive their own vehicle or walk to a place where taxis are available if they live in smaller suburbs.  Fees for taxis are not high, but they do depend on the distance traveled as well as the amount of time the cab is rented.

Trains are not available everywhere, so driving to a train station is usually necessary in order to take one to the airport.  Riders may need to take the train in combination with a taxi or rental car, because many trains do not have stations with direct access to the airport itself.  Overall, trains can provide a relaxing and unique experience complete with excellent service and a wonderful view of the country.

Buses are usually the most affordable ride to the airport.  They combine the enjoyment of being a rider with the busyness of a multi-passenger vehicle.  Most buses deliver travelers to the airport right on schedule, so the possibility of being late is virtually gone.

Finally, taking one’s own car is another option for traveling to the airport.  If the car needs to be parked, many airports offer this option for a daily fee.  Passengers could spend anywhere from $50 to $500 depending on the length of their absences.  This is a more expensive option, but many people enjoy the convenience of driving their own cars as well as the ability to leave the airport immediately upon their return.