Happy June, everyone! In celebration of the summer season and the (hopefully) warm months ahead, I have some exciting news for all you budget travelers out there. Groupon is launching a new travel deals site!
Now, I know that LivingSocial already features travel deals, and I have certainly looked into their offerings. But what could be better than another popular discount site providing us with even more sensational deals on hotels, airfare and car rentals? This just means more options for the consumers, and I can totally get behind that.
Groupon collaborated with Expedia on the website, so travelers will get access to more than 50,000 hotels--obviously not all at once, but hopefully through the course of the next few months or years. As far as I know, Groupon Getaways--that's what it's called--has not officially launched, but you can go online and sign up to receive the daily deals via email. I plan on signing up right now, so I can be first in line when a half-price weekend trip to Florida pops up or a five-night stay in Bermuda becomes available for 60% off.
Not only will this website provide significantly discounted trips, but it could help spark some inspiration in you travelers looking for something new and different. Or plant the desire to make a spontaneous, quick escape somewhere for a weekend. For those who read my blog regularly, you will recall my post about single travel...well this is the perfect opportunity to capitalize on a great deal and steal some alone time.
As much as this sounds like a sales pitch for Groupon--and trust me, I hate being a cheerleader for companies--anything that relates to travel--especially cheap travel--is reason enough to shake some pom poms. So go ahead and sign up for the website, and when it launches at the end of this month, be ready to scoop up some pretty sweet deals.
Showing posts with label Travel Deals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel Deals. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Travel Deals Abound Amid Economic Crises
The financial crisis of 2008 hit everyone, but some countries were slammed harder than others. And while worldwide economic recovery is certainly desired, there are some benefits to the financial woes for travelers looking for a sweet deal.
If you thought you could never afford a Greece trip, think again. Hotels.com Hotel Price Index says that the average nightly rate in Athens dropped 10% in 2010, to $132. And it is still falling. What about a week-long trip to the Emerald Isle? Totally doable. A seven-day package--with flight, hotel and car rental--costs $800 per person, down 11% from 2008.
If these prices do not intrigue you--and I cannot imagine why they wouldn't--just think about the good you will be doing by booking a trip to some of these locations. They need tourist dollars as they try to pay back loans and right their economies. International tourism was up across the map last year, but Europe did not rebound as well. According to travel experts, they are desperate to get tourists, more so than usual, hence the super awesome deals.
Greece has experienced a lot of economic damage over the last couple years. Tourism revenue fell by 9%--to put that into perspective, $75.4 billion--and now the government is trying to draw people back. It has waived the landing, takeoff and stop-over fees usually added to airfares and reduced hotel tax from 11% to 6.5%, which can add up to $100 or more. Experts say new Greece deals appear every week. There is an eight-night mainland package from $1,099 per person, including airfare, hotel stays in Athens and other cities, and transportation between cities.
Iceland started suffering even before the crisis hit in 2008. In 2006, inflation started pushing prices up and out of tourists' range. When the economy collapsed, Iceland's three major banks went down with it. It is still struggling to pay back loans, and needs tourists more than ever. Icelandair offers a stopover in the country on the way to Europe for no extra charge, and even offers a two-night package with airfare, hotel and a one-day tour from $599 per person. The average hotel rate in 2010 was $99, down 26% from 2008. However, tourists may be put off by the high exchange rate and expensive cities.
Personally, I was not a fan of Portugal when I visited last summer, but it is one of the countries that needs tourism revenue and does have some pretty reasonable hotel and travel package prices. To give it the benefit of the doubt, I only spent the equivalent of about 36 hours there, so I did not give it much of a chance. Still, it would probably take more than a couple cheap hotel rates to get me back over. But, Lisbon does have some of the best rates for five-star rooms, averaging $169 per night. While there are a few tours being offered throughout the country, travel experts say that many companies do not feature Portugal on tours mostly because it is not the most popular place people think of for a vacation. Even so, there are some packages available, like one to the Algarve for around $550 per person--but not that airfare is not included.
Of these four countries, I would probably choose to visit Iceland--mostly because it is the one place I've never been--although Greece is definitely appealing. In all honesty, I wish Croatia was worse off economically, because that has been on my list of vacation spots for a very long time, and finding a cheap package there would be like striking gold.
I realize that since these countries are struggling financially, many of you may be, too. But I encourage anyone looking to take a spring or summer trip to research deals for these destinations, as well as others, because you may just find something spectacular.
If you thought you could never afford a Greece trip, think again. Hotels.com Hotel Price Index says that the average nightly rate in Athens dropped 10% in 2010, to $132. And it is still falling. What about a week-long trip to the Emerald Isle? Totally doable. A seven-day package--with flight, hotel and car rental--costs $800 per person, down 11% from 2008.
If these prices do not intrigue you--and I cannot imagine why they wouldn't--just think about the good you will be doing by booking a trip to some of these locations. They need tourist dollars as they try to pay back loans and right their economies. International tourism was up across the map last year, but Europe did not rebound as well. According to travel experts, they are desperate to get tourists, more so than usual, hence the super awesome deals.
Greece has experienced a lot of economic damage over the last couple years. Tourism revenue fell by 9%--to put that into perspective, $75.4 billion--and now the government is trying to draw people back. It has waived the landing, takeoff and stop-over fees usually added to airfares and reduced hotel tax from 11% to 6.5%, which can add up to $100 or more. Experts say new Greece deals appear every week. There is an eight-night mainland package from $1,099 per person, including airfare, hotel stays in Athens and other cities, and transportation between cities.
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| Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik. SmartMoney.com |
While the luck may not be with the Irish right now, you will certainly feel blessed when you check out some of the travel deals available to the country. Ireland economy continues to struggle despite aid from the European Union. Tourism is probably one area that can bring in the most cash, especially from the U.S. market. The most appealing deals are packages that bring tourists to the Irish countryside, so trips to major cities will still cost a pretty penny. Overall, it is one of the most affordable places you can go to right now. Average hotel prices are $117 per night, making it the most affordable destination in Western Europe. A six-night package from Dooley Vacations features stays at five different castles, airfare and rental car starting at $799 per person. There are plenty of other similar tours you can choose from, some even cheaper.
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| Galway, Ireland |
Of these four countries, I would probably choose to visit Iceland--mostly because it is the one place I've never been--although Greece is definitely appealing. In all honesty, I wish Croatia was worse off economically, because that has been on my list of vacation spots for a very long time, and finding a cheap package there would be like striking gold.
I realize that since these countries are struggling financially, many of you may be, too. But I encourage anyone looking to take a spring or summer trip to research deals for these destinations, as well as others, because you may just find something spectacular.
Friday, December 17, 2010
New Travel Sites I Love
As I was browsing through my Twitter feed this morning, I came across a tweet from Budget Travel talking about some of their favorite new travel websites of 2010. Among the sites featured, I came across two that really interested me.
The first one is called TripAlertz, a groupon-style website for travel deals. Everyday they feature a great hotel deal listed at an amazing price. The more people that purchase it, the lower the price gets. By the time the deal closes, the cost of the hotel can be half of the normal price. The great part is that membership is free. And after joining, you can earn trip cash--which can be applied to any deal you purchase--by inviting your friends and family to join. TripAlertz also offers the chance to win a trip by creating your own itinerary for a dream vacation. The more "likes" your trip gets, the better your chances of winning. I just submitted a trip today, so if you happen to be a member or plan on joining, go ahead and vote for me!
The other website I love is Wanderfly. A site that helps you find affordable trips that match your specific criteria and personality. You can search many different ways. A simple method is just entering your budget, home airport and date when you want to go, and Wanderfly instantly provides recommendations to match, with flight and hotel options, as well as the final budget posted in bold. For instance, I entered:
It then gave me a reasonable round-trip flight and a hotel for a total of $824 for the whole trip. That's an extremely affordable trip, and it's one I would pick for myself. (Because anything with Northern California and wineries is a winner in my book.) It's also a place that I would have never considered before, and anything that opens me up to new experiences and destinations is certainly worth looking into.
You can also narrow down your search by choosing a theme or interest (i.e. casino, romance, eco, spa, party, etc.). You can select one or many, and results that match your criteria will appear. If you don't like the first selection, simply click the arrow next to "change trip" and the next destination will come up. After putting in "food" and "entertainment" in my search, I was given Saint Charles, Missouri. Since this is not really my scene, I saw what was next and it suggested San Sebastian, Spain. That's more like it.
I will definitely be frequenting these websites in the new year, and hopefully I've opened your eyes to the wonderful benefits they provide. Enjoy!
The first one is called TripAlertz, a groupon-style website for travel deals. Everyday they feature a great hotel deal listed at an amazing price. The more people that purchase it, the lower the price gets. By the time the deal closes, the cost of the hotel can be half of the normal price. The great part is that membership is free. And after joining, you can earn trip cash--which can be applied to any deal you purchase--by inviting your friends and family to join. TripAlertz also offers the chance to win a trip by creating your own itinerary for a dream vacation. The more "likes" your trip gets, the better your chances of winning. I just submitted a trip today, so if you happen to be a member or plan on joining, go ahead and vote for me!
The other website I love is Wanderfly. A site that helps you find affordable trips that match your specific criteria and personality. You can search many different ways. A simple method is just entering your budget, home airport and date when you want to go, and Wanderfly instantly provides recommendations to match, with flight and hotel options, as well as the final budget posted in bold. For instance, I entered:
- Home airport: Chicago
- Budget: $1000/person
- Date: Mid March
- Length of Stay: 5 days
- Place to Explore: Anywhere
Santa Maria is a city in Santa Barbara County, on the Central Coast of California. While it contains all the amenities of an urban community with its hotels, theaters, museums and more, it still retains the charms of rurality with its sand dune beaches and famous wineries. Visitors are also always free to indulge in horse-riding, surfing, sunbathing, or simply driving off the beaten path and exploring numerous country roads dotted with farms, wineries and little towns.
It then gave me a reasonable round-trip flight and a hotel for a total of $824 for the whole trip. That's an extremely affordable trip, and it's one I would pick for myself. (Because anything with Northern California and wineries is a winner in my book.) It's also a place that I would have never considered before, and anything that opens me up to new experiences and destinations is certainly worth looking into.
You can also narrow down your search by choosing a theme or interest (i.e. casino, romance, eco, spa, party, etc.). You can select one or many, and results that match your criteria will appear. If you don't like the first selection, simply click the arrow next to "change trip" and the next destination will come up. After putting in "food" and "entertainment" in my search, I was given Saint Charles, Missouri. Since this is not really my scene, I saw what was next and it suggested San Sebastian, Spain. That's more like it.
I will definitely be frequenting these websites in the new year, and hopefully I've opened your eyes to the wonderful benefits they provide. Enjoy!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Travel and Technology
A couple months ago, I was on an anti-technology kick, pushing for people to take relaxing vacations where they left all forms of electronic communication behind. While that is still a great idea, and I encourage at least one trip like that a year, I cannot deny the facts: travel and technology--in this day and age--are practically synonymous. If the numerous travel websites like Expedia, Travelocity, Hotwire and Kayak are not evidence enough, check out all the latest travel apps that are available for smart phones. Technology is making travel easier, less stressful and more accessible, and people are loving every micro-second of it.
While technology can be a distraction on vacations, it can certainly help people get there and get around. I'm not sure where any of us would be without the trusty aid of GPS--what street are we on again?--or quick access to airline reservations--can we switch our flight to tomorrow? But there are so many more websites and apps launching nowadays that it's difficult to know everything that's out there.
On my long commute to work this morning, I was reading the feature story in the RedEye, which talked about all the ways that smart phones can ease the stress of travel. There are a number of different applications you can download related to the many facets of travel, some I had heard of, and others were completely foreign to me. As an avid traveler and someone who looks for anyway to simplify vacations, I felt a lot of these would be extremely convenient to have on a trip. I already have the app for Yelp.com downloaded on my phone, which is extremely helpful when hunger strikes as you are wandering around an unfamiliar city. All you have to do is open the app, select what you want to find (cheap eats, hot dogs, fancy restaurant) and your current location and results instantly pop up, showing hundreds of options located just a few feet away. Google Goggles is a useful app when traveling in a country you are very unfamiliar with. The program can translate a menu into English or can tell you the history of a monument in a flash, all you have to do is snap a picture of the item and the app does the rest. The Currency app is convenient when you are unsure about conversion rates--how much would this Fendi purse cost me in dollars? The app displays the current currency rates and even updates automatically with fresh information, since currency exchange can switch on a daily and hourly basis. Similar to Yelp, Happy Hour is an app that can show you all the great drink deals in the area you are visiting; so if it's five o'clock and you're out and about, this app can show you where to find a cheap watering hole close by.
As far as websites go, there is something out there for every possible travel need from tracking flights and navigating airports to managing travel itineraries and selecting optimal seating on planes.That's right, there is a website completely dedicated to finding the best seat on an aircraft. SeatGuru.com shows the layout for over 100 airlines and their featured planes, color-coding the best and worst places to sit. Reviewers back up these claims with comments about whether the seat is located near the bathrooms or if there is a cup holder. (Yeah, it's that specific.) You can also use the site to check for in-flight amenities. The only problem is that you cannot actually reserve your desired seat through the website, but at least you will know which one to select when choosing seat assignments online.
Some other interesting websites that caught my attention: TripIt.com, a website that inputs all your travel information into an online itinerary and sends you check-in reminders and even alerts you to flight delays and gate changes (you can also add restaurants and activities to the itinerary, but this needs to be done manually); Zicasso.com, a simple way to get travel ideas from a number of different sources all at once, all it takes is filling out a short questionnaire about the trip you want to take and voila, price quotes and suggested itineraries are at your fingertips within a couple days (and you don't have to commit to any of the travel companies that submitted suggestions); Livemocha.com is a site that helps you learn, or freshen up on, a language through flash cards, videos and live conversations with native speakers (but make sure you have a webcam, headphones and a microphone so you can fully learn any of the 35 languages featured).
Just as there is an unlimited amount of places to see in the world, there seems to be an endless array of technical options to get you there. So take advantage of these conveniences, utilize their benefits and make booking your next trip simple and worry-free. But be sure to toss that phone or computer aside momentarily and take in the wonderful environment that surrounds you.
While technology can be a distraction on vacations, it can certainly help people get there and get around. I'm not sure where any of us would be without the trusty aid of GPS--what street are we on again?--or quick access to airline reservations--can we switch our flight to tomorrow? But there are so many more websites and apps launching nowadays that it's difficult to know everything that's out there.
Some other interesting websites that caught my attention: TripIt.com, a website that inputs all your travel information into an online itinerary and sends you check-in reminders and even alerts you to flight delays and gate changes (you can also add restaurants and activities to the itinerary, but this needs to be done manually); Zicasso.com, a simple way to get travel ideas from a number of different sources all at once, all it takes is filling out a short questionnaire about the trip you want to take and voila, price quotes and suggested itineraries are at your fingertips within a couple days (and you don't have to commit to any of the travel companies that submitted suggestions); Livemocha.com is a site that helps you learn, or freshen up on, a language through flash cards, videos and live conversations with native speakers (but make sure you have a webcam, headphones and a microphone so you can fully learn any of the 35 languages featured).
Just as there is an unlimited amount of places to see in the world, there seems to be an endless array of technical options to get you there. So take advantage of these conveniences, utilize their benefits and make booking your next trip simple and worry-free. But be sure to toss that phone or computer aside momentarily and take in the wonderful environment that surrounds you.
Jump on JetBlue for Last Minute Travel Deals
You can choose from a variety of different flights, like Ft. Lauderdale to Nassau, Bahamas, or D.C. to Boston. However, there is a catch. You must depart from the predetermined city on Saturday, November 13 and return on either Monday, November 15 or Tuesday, November 16. You also have to book by 6 p.m. Eastern Time today, November 9. There are only 25 seats available on each flight, and they are going fast.
Obviously, not everyone can take full advantage of this travel deal. JetBlue has hubs in New York, Boston and Lonf Beach, so many of the flights depart from those locations, or other airports nearby. For those who do not live close to these locations, it will be difficult to schedule the trip, since getting another flight is necessary.
Unfortunately, the Cheeps are not a convenient deal for me, but I encourage others to check it out and book a flight. Because one of the best things about spontaneous travel is that it can catch you by surprise.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Time to Celebrate Moms
After 9 months of morning sickness, swollen fingers, and bizarre food cravings, followed by 42 hours of labor without the assistance of drugs, your mom gave one final push to get you the hell out of her. She gave you life. And how did you repay her? By keeping her awake through the night with your incessant crying, making her change diaper after diaper, forcing her to chase you around the mall during your terrible-twos phase, begging her to buy you twenty new outfits for your first day of middle school, screaming at her over school and friends, resenting her for giving you an early curfew or forbidding you to get a tattoo, and leaving her behind as you jetted off to college. Ok, that's a little dramatic. But the truth is, our moms have been there for us through it all, and no matter how we treat them, they still love us unconditionally. And if you weren't already aware of it, Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 9. So what will you do to show your mom how much you appreciate everything she did for you?
How about a vacation? Now, I don't celebrate Mother's Day because my mom doesn't believe in it. But if she did, I think of all the gifts I could get her, she would enjoy a trip more than anything. So I went searching for some Mother's Day travel deals, and I found some pretty good ideas.
For mothers with smaller children, a fun vacation to Disney World will fit the bill. Right now the Flower and Garden Festival is going on, with fresh buds blooming every day. Not only that, but a Mother's Day Brunch is being offered at Epcot in the Living Seas Salon. It's kid friendly and mother approved--wow, how cheesy was that? For another fun vacation idea, Mohonk Mountain House 90 miles north of NYC. The Victorian-style castle sits lakeside, with thousands of acres for guests to enjoy. Moms stay free in the month of May, including 3 meals, activities, and afternoon tea and cookies.
On her special day, mom deserves a little R & R. And what mother doesn't love a trip to the spa? Mexico is the perfect place to get in some serious spa time. Casa Velas in Puerto Vallarta offers a luxury spa package that includes sparkling wine and chocolate-covered strawberries, a 50-minute massage, and a 4-course dinner on the beach. The Fairmont Mayakoba in Riviera Maya has the Mayan Majesty Spa Package, which includes a daily breakfast buffet, $119 spa credit, and one complimentary visit to the spa for one day. To celebrate the mother-to-be in your life--and a lot of my friends are gonna be at this point soon--why not give her the "babymoon" package from Westin Resort & Spas in Los Cabos. The package includes chocolate-covered strawberries, sparkling cider, daily breakfast in bed, and in-room movie and dessert delivered every night. What a way to prepare her for the rest of her life as a mom.
There is a sacred bond between mother and daughter, so why not celebrate that with a mother/daughter trip. the Ixtapan Spa Hotel & Golf Resort has the mother/daughter spa classic package, including all meals, organic spa treatments, fitness and yoga classes, golf and tennis lessons, and early morning guided walking tours. This is a trip I would definitely book for my mom, except she isn't the biggest fan of Mexico. So better opt for some retail therapy. Head to NYC for a mother/daughter shopping trip. But instead of having her buy everything for you, spoil her by taking her to dinner at a nice restaurant, or buying her that gorgeous outfit she would never buy for herself. (Of course this is only do-able if you have the means, which hopefully someday I will.)
These are just some ideas, but try looking into airline deals and travel websites for special Mother's Day offers. I'm sure you'll find something that suites your mother perfectly. After all, you do owe her one.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Tax Day Deals
Tax day is hardly something to celebrate, right? Wrong! April 15 looms ahead, and those tax forms need to be dated and stamped. Once you send them off, it's over. So why not enjoy some sweet deals. I'm accustomed to getting free food; McDonald's and Cinnabon are both contributing to the tradition this year. And personally I'd go for the mini cupcakes over the burgers, but I have a severe sweet tooth. Anyway, moving on. I was browsing around on Twitter and saw an update from Travel + Leisure Magazine:No Taxation Without a Vacation: Tax-Day Hotel Deals - Carry On - Travel + Leisure
After reading this, I seriously considered the Hard Rock Sand Diego deal. Who wouldn't want an EFFEN cocktail? But this article also got me thinking about something my co-worker Justine told me. There are promotions being put forward by the travel industry--specifically student travel--encouraging people to spend their tax refunds on trips. I thought that was a great idea. So while hotel deals during the month of April acknowledging tax day are great, companies could also look into deals promoting tax refund spending on travel.
For example, the bigger your refund, the bigger the discount you get on a hotel rate. Of course, there would have to be a way to prove what your refund was, otherwise people would probably exaggerate the amount a little bit. (Ok, probably a lot.) The bottom line is that it could be a great way to push the industry, especially with summer fast approaching and vacations being planned. Travel agencies, hotels, airlines, travel media outlets, all of them could capitalize on TAX REFUND DEALS!
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