Before you start reading the tips about getting cruise bargains, please bear in mind one important thing – with cruising you are going to be on board of a specific ship for the duration of your holiday. Things that you adore there, will be with you during the whole cruise; things that you hate on this ship, will also be with you during the whole cruise.
Ok, you passed this step and narrowed down the cruise liners. Now you need to look at what prices the cruise lines themselves are offering the holidays for. This will give you an idea of when you are facing a bargain.
Do not rely on the last minute bargains: they are few and far between on cruises. This is too risky, and the attempt to save money will leave you without the cruise.
The help of a specialist travel agent is a wise step to make. Contact agents and ask to be put on their mailing list. If you are interested in a specific line or destination make this known to them.
If you are going on a cruise with kids, remember that children pay full adult price on cruises if they are taking a full adult berth. But there are still some child-specific deals.
Cruise lines offer incentives to book for the following year when you are onboard. Typically you can expect to get a decent amount of money as onboard credit which will mean that you get the benefit of your early booking next year. That is why the loyalty programs is another place where you can save money on a cruise traveling.
Package holidays are the voyages where you get the whole trip, plus the flights, hotels and the transport.
This is how you can get your package holiday bargain.
Last minute package holidays are one of the options, in case are not fussy about destination and have the nerve to wait until the last minute.
You should understand that tour operators often make their biggest profit from extras like insurance, excursions and transport at your destination. Surely youc can find them elsewhere cheaper, but purchasing these extras from your package holiday operator will help you to negotiate a discount on your holiday or even a ‘free’.
Accommodation is not the expensive part of the package. Last minute package deals are often so cheap that you can take the point of view that even if you hate the accommodation. The best bargains are often those that are classified as ‘allocation on arrival’. And this just means that you will be allocated accommodation when you arrive. There is also a halfway option – you are told the resort, the type of hotel or the grade but the final selection will be done when you arrive.
As you can see, with package holiday deals you can find a lot to save money on.
Buying a last minute flight is tricky. But you can pick up a flight bargain.
Check the web sites to find flight operators that cover the location which you wish to travel to and subscribe to their mailing lists. This will help you to hear about all their deals.
Usually the best deals are on flights leaving Monday to Thursday and on domestic flights on a Saturday.
A flight that involves a connection saves you money. This happens because airlines often place a large premium on non-stop flights. If this is not cricual for you, do the connection flight and save extra bucks.
The same applies to the flight time. The ones that do not need a very early start or do not involve traveling over night. Being more flexible on your flight times can show you the road to huge savings.
By the way, do stick to your destination. You can go to a nearby airport and drive the last hour or so. Once again, this can save you money.
Also consider air courier travel. To be able to become a courier you will have to be very flexible, prepared to travel alone with very little luggage, but on the plus side you will get to travel to new places very cheaply.
In case you booked an airline ticket and the price goes down, make sure to contact the airline and ask for a refund. But to be able to do this, read the small print about refund policy and ask if it applies.
When you call the hotel on the very day when you intend to arrive – you can win nice money saving bargain. Hotels are prepared to offer substantial discounts on the day (this is logical as from their point of view an empty room is a waste of money).
But this ‘last minute hotel booking’ strategy is viable if you are traveling to a city that has several hotels, it is out of peak season and you are flexible in terms of facilities.
For other situations the phone call to the hotel in a few days’ advance is a more often thing to do. Yes, you will not get the total bargains, but you have plenty of space to negotiate.
Those who want to get inside a specific hotel - check their cancellation policy. For example, you read that this hotel requires at least 3 days notice to not charge for a cancellation. Congratulations, now you know the point where they are most likely to receive the most cancellations. And you will help them to fill vacant spaces.
There is another strategy. You book a cheap chain hotel that allows you to cancel free up until the day of travel. Then, when the X day comes, you call to other hotels with the aim to get a better deal. If you found one – you cancel your previous booking without penalty; if you did not find anything better – you are safe.
Negotiations about extra free nights or discounts do not work with the larger chains of hotels: they have a central system and do no normally negotiate directly with a guest.
By the way, swimming pools, fitness centers, satellite televisions add to the costs of a hotel. That is why if you do not need these facilities – don’t get into the hotel where you are paying for it.
How to Choose the Best Season to Travel
The destination and the time of year – these are, perhaps, the most important price factors in budget traveling. Some destinations are dirt cheap at one time of year, and very expensive in another season. No rocket science, but most of the people forget this.
Low Season
Low seasons – the time to get bargains. For example, it is very hot in Egypt during the summer months and surely less people come there, hence the prices get lower.
Shoulder Season
Shoulder season is the medium between low and high seasons. On one hand, by traveling to a specific destination at shoulder season you save money, on the other hands the "resort life" is more active.
HIgh Season
Now you can say it yourself, this is the most favorable time to visit a specific place – the best climate conditions, fun around, etc. And, of course, the biggest price.
Winter
A wonderful destination for the winter months is Asia. Flights are available but lose popularity and plenty of discounts on offer. Weather is variable in Asia during the winter season, this puts a lot of visitors off and for you this is a chance to find excellent bargains.
Spring
Best time to travel to Europe: flights are cheaper as in the spring months the temperatures are still relatively low.
Mexican beaches and the Caribbean islands get their prices down from mid April: no wonder – the weather becomes hotter. But the water and air temperatures are still pleasant.
Summer
A bargain in summer is a difficult issue. Most of the glovbe is having vacations. But through June and July Caribbean destinations can be a nice chance for a deal. Make sure you book before the Europeans start to flood in during their school holidays at the end of July.
Between June and September safari holidays are great, because high season is over in May, and the weather is still relatively dry.
Fall
One more time you got a perfect place to head to Europe. Do not forget that flights to these destinations will be cheaper from October onwards, and temperatures are normally perfectly pleasant until mid November.
Want to gave a great budget travel experience? Then learn the key secret of budget traveling. It is PLANNING.
Things like when you book, how you travel, whether you go package or build your own agenda influence the price greatly. And what is important is the fact that these things are within your control
When to Book
When to book is a little like gambling.
When deciding on when to book for maximum financial gain, ask yourself these simple questions:
• Are you flexible in terms of dates that you are prepared to travel?
• Are you flexible in terms of destinations?
• Will you be buying a package deal or will you be building your own package?
• Are you considering a popular destination where many tour operators or flight companies travel?
Those who are flexible in terms of location and dates have an advantage – they can resort to the last minute deals that are a lot better financially. So waiting until the last minute to book your holiday, because it can save you a lot.
Creating your own package is also saving you huge money, but adds a nice part of the fuss. You need to consider your airfare, hotels and transport. And the last minute approach here can fail you (you can find a last minute flight at great price, but with hotels this does not work).
Another thing about "last minute" booking – when you go to a popular resort on a specific holiday to a destination that is only offered by a few operators, you may find that last minute bargains are simply not available.
What to do? Read more tips on the blog, we share many budget traveling tips.
Spain is famous world wide for its flamenco dancers and bullfights. The architecture reflects the Moroccan style with cave paintings, renaissance cathedrals, Moorish palaces prove the diversity of the country.
Spring, fall and early summer are very pleasant here, though summers are hot.
Recently a ban has been applied on smoking in public places!
Shopping – most of the shops open quite early in the morning and stay open late in the evening. In the afternoon, (like many places in Spain) they are closed for lunch or siesta. When doing shopping you should focus especially on porcelain and leather goods. Bills are to be paid along with the service charges, that is why tipping is a matter of gratitude.
Electricity – voltage is 220 volts and frequency is 50 Hz
How to Get There
IBERIA is the national airline of Spain, but other low-cost airlines also offer services in the country. The country has about thirty international airports in Spain, out of which Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante and Malaga are famous.
Duty Free Items
1. 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos 50 cigars or 250g tobacco (300 cigarettes, 150 cigarillos, 70 cigars and 400g of tobacco for EU nationals)
2. 1 litre of spirits if exceeding 22 per cent volume or 2 litres of alcoholic beverage not exceeding 22 per cent volume and 2 litres of wine (1.5 litre exceeding 22 per cent and 3 litres of up to 22 per cent and 5 litres of wine for EU nationals)
3. 250ml eau de toilette and 50g of perfume
4. 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract (1000g of coffee and 4000g of coffee extract for EU nationals)
5. 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract
Poland is one of the ancient nations that was formed around 10th century. Poland has a strong liking to music and theatre and thus home to many theatres and opera houses.
When you are there, make sure you taste popular Polish cuisines: Zrazy Zawijane (mushroom-stuffed beefsteak rolls in sour cream) served with boiled kasza (buckwheat) and pigs’ knuckles.
The voltage in Polans is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plug used are round pin with attachment and Round pin plug and receptacle with male grounding pin.
The climate is temperate. Winters are severe inland with average temperatures in Warsaw being 23°F (-5°C). Summers are hot inland with average temperatures in July around 66°F (19°C). The precipitation occurs round the year.
Attractions
Warsaw: The city was completely destroyed in World War II and was completely rebuilt after the war. The popular sights include Historic Museum of Warsaw, the Lazienki Palace with its open air theatre and Chopin’s monuments, and Palace of Culture and Sciences.
Cracow: St. Mary’s Church, Royal Castle, and Royal Cathedral on top of Wawel Hill
How to Travel
By Air – The national airline of Romania is LOT Polish Airlines (LO). Also airlines Aeroflot, Air France, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Easyjet, El Al, Lufthansa, Ryanair, SAS and Swiss Air. The biggest airport is Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport which is located like 6 miles southwest of the city.
By Sea – Pol Ferries operates connect Poland to Sweden, Denmark and Finland
By Rail – Polish State Railways (PKP) operates Eurocity trains from Poland various major European cities. But, all services from Western Europe to Poland pass through the Czech Republic, Germany or the Slovak Republic. The main routes link Warsaw with Berlin and Cologne, Budapest, Prague and Vienna.
There is also a car-sleeper service from the border of Holland to Poznan/ Warsaw.
Duty Free Items
1. Up to 250 cigarettes or 250 gm tobacco or 50 cigars for Non-European union countries.
2. 800 cigarettes or 200 cigars or 1kg smoking tobacco for EU Countries.
3. 1 liter wine and 1 liter spirits for Non-EU Countries.
4. 10 liter spirits, 90 liter wine and 110 liter beer for EU Countries
5. Perfumes, medicines and cosmetics for personal use
Prohibited Items
Birds and poultry arriving from countries infected with avian influenza, un-canned goods, meat or dairy products, narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.
Mexico is a hub of different interests and cultures. People witness many rich and diverse cultures and entertainment: museums, opera houses, beach resorts.
Beach resorts outside the capital city. At the top of the list is Acapulco (referred to as the Riviera of Mexico) with its hotels, casinos and beach resorts. Another place is the Mazatlan (frequently holds the international fishing tournaments and pre-Lenten carnivals). Other beaches that travelers in Mexico should not miss are the Cancun Island, the Puerto Vallarta and the Los Cabos.
Traveling to Mexico also opens the a chance to enter the world of arts and drama. The Chapultepec Park houses several of these celebrated museums; the most important of which is the National Museum of Anthropology. Other museums are the Museum of National History, Snail Museum, Technology Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art. Children will also enjoy the Mexico City Zoo and the Papalote which is a children’s interactive museum.
Mexican architectural masterpiece is the Chapultepec Castle. It served as presidential residence. Los Pinos, which is the official residence of the Mexican President, is also on the grounds of the Castle.
Shopping for souvenirs is great at the Zona Rosa (Pink Zone) – this is an ideal shopping paradise. Within the area are restaurants, boutique squares, shops and hotels. Another shopping district is the Alameda Park, which borders the Palace of Fine Arts.
Mexico’s famed religious city of Teotihuacan, the capital of pre-Aztec civilization is a place that becomes very popular with visitors. In Teotihuacan, travelers to Mexico will find the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, two pyramids that face each other, providing a great view of the surrounding regions from the top.
Mexico is waiting for you. Come there and feel welcome!
So what actually happens on a singles tour? And why do they become that popular today?
You can travel around the country in a big bright bus with about 40 other people, depending on where you want to go. You see the sights, you get most breakfasts and dinners throw in to the price of the tour (usually does not include airfares) and you get your accommodation and travel taken care of for you .
The only bad thing about these sorts of tours is that you don’t get much flexibility. So if you are in France and there’s something you want to see – you will more then likely not get to see it. So you won’t get the in-depth knowledge of a country with this sort of tour, but it’s great for a first timer.
What Do You Do?
?uring the day you are usually on a bus traveling around the country side stopping occasionally to view the sights.?ou can spend up to 8 hours a day. Some days are called free days, where you can go and see the city you are in at your own leisure.At night, depending on the tour you are either booked into your hotel or camp site and go out for dinner with the group.
So Why Would I Want To Travel With A Group Of Strangers?
Because the people make it different! The people make the tour and many make real friends there. Even make reunions after that!
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