Travel Deals Part 1 - Plan Ahead

I know a lot of you are going on a summer vacation, if you haven’t already gone. And while I love finding free activities and deals, some things are worth the money. A good vacation is mandatory for today's overworked and under appreciated work force. The good news is that here are plenty of ways to save BIG on any vacation. Planning ahead is key! The last thing you want to do is go on a last minute vacation. That is of course if it’s not a last minute Deal!

One of the best sites to find great travel deals is Travel Zoo. Every week they list the Top 20 travel deals for all over the world. That’s how I went on a 7 day Caribbean cruise in January for $599 per person! Now, you might have seen cheaper, but this was a Balcony room! The list actually showed the inside state room for $399. We booked this deal 8 months out and Of course I UPGRADED!!

Travel Zoo is a free site, you just sign up to receive the list and have access to their deals. Their Last Minute Deals are the only last minute trips you should be taking. Currently they are holding their BIG WIN 20 VACATIONS Sweeps. Essentially you win all the trips on their Top 20 List.

http://www.wintheentiretop20.com/US/index.php?Plink=L1216315358150520838

Now while I am a big fan of Travel Zoo, it’s not my only source for great deals. The Washington Post’s Sunday Travel section lists a similar Top Trip Deals. This is where we found our 7 Day trip to Italy for $599.00/ per person. This deal was phenomenal in that it included air, hotel, and a daily continental breakfast. We booked this trip 6 months out. When the base price for 2 people to go to Italy is only $1200.00, upgrading my airline seats and eating out at fancy Italian restaurants for dinner every night, isn’t such a hardship.

Now these are huge trips for my family. Most of our trips are local camping trips. Now camping is a nice economic way to have some fun! We just found a camp ground in the Outer Banks that’s only $20/night at the Oregon Inlet State Park Camp Ground. No water and Electricity, but they do have a bath house we can use! We plan on heading down towards the end of the season for a nice quiet get away. Do some fishing, collect some shells! It’s only 5 hours away, will take a tank of gas (I know, that’s $75 alone at least!) we’ll bring our own food, and get unplugged. And maybe this no water or electricity is a bit too rustic for some of you. Truth be told, my pop-up has its own generator and water supply and port-a-potty, so I’m not roughing it but so much!

State Parks are your best bet for lower cost camping. We spent the weekend at the James River State Park in Buckingham County back in June. The views were awesome and for only $25/night with water and electric hookups, it was ideal. They are right on the James River. They have group camp sites, horse camp sites (Bring your own horse), family camp sites as well as some primitive tent camp sites that are right on the river bank. And for $10 per person you get a Tube, a bus trip and a 2 mile float down the James. They also have canoeing and tons of hiking, biking, and horse riding trails.

Just remember that this economy is affecting everyone, including the Travel Industry. Expect to start seeing some great deals! Whether or not you can afford a cruise, or want to pop a tent, keep your eyes open for deals and think ahead! Here are some sites to help you start dreaming. Dreams do come true. Look for more deals and tips in my upcoming Travel Deals Part II.


Travel Zoo: Free site listing some of the best Travel Deals around.
http://www.wintheentiretop20.com/US/index.php?Plink=L1216315358150520838

Cruise Critic: Free Site to join. The message boards are awesome learning tools. Never been on an Alaskan Cruise, don't know what to pack?! There is a list for each port and members are extremely helpful. http://www.cruisecritic.com/

Smart Cruiser: Free site to join. Message boards, Ship details and reviews.

http://www.smartcruiser.com/

VA State Parks: Listing of Virginia State Parks, frees, activities and events.

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/