(Photo via flickr cc)

Travel. The very word conjures up romantic possibilities, but if you’re planning a short romantic getaway you don’t want to do too much of it. That is, you don’t want to spend up to a day shuttling to and from airports, connecting to other flights or being crammed into coach seats eating the $5 boxed lunch the airlines now provide.

The first thing to consider when planning a romantic getaway is location. A short flight is fine. A drive is even better; it allows you to set your own schedule and even a longish drive gives you and your sweetheart time to bond.

So location is key. Take a look at these guides to get an idea of where to go:

• Romantic getaways in the Southeast.
• Romantic getaways in the Northeast.
• Romantic getaways in the Midwest.
• Romantic getaways in the West and Hawaii.
• Romantic getaways in Canada.
• Romantic getaways from major US cities.
• Weekend road trips.

(Photo via flickr cc)

You might also want to consult one of the Bests Places to Kiss books, which lists romantic getaways by region.

Or maybe you want to go someplace tried and true. Choose a destination that’s special to you as a couple: A city you both enjoy, a country inn where a friend’s wedding was held, the place where you went on your first romantic getaway. In choosing a place you’ve been to before you already know what you’re getting and won’t set yourself up for any unpleasant surprises.

Choose a place where the two of you can indulge in activities you both enjoy. Some activities to consider:

• If you’re adventurous, choose something physically challenging, like hiking or whitewater rafting. If you’re really daring go for skydiving or bungee jumping..
• Hit the beach. There’s nothing more romantic than a sunset stroll long the water.
• Love to eat? Take a gourmet getaway. Every major city has its share of world class restaurants.
• If you both like golf, there are thousands of full-service resorts to choose from.

But don’t overplan. You want to have some unstructured time together.

(Photo via flickr cc)

Once you nail down a place, research bed-and-breakfasts, small inns and private cabins or condos in your destination area. Bed and Breakfast Inns Online is a directory of 5,200 B&Bs that provides photos and information on special packages. BedandBreakfast.com is another valuable resource.

Choose a place that doesn’t allow children to ensure a romantic atmosphere. Ask about special room features such as large tubs, fireplaces, king-sized beds or private decks. Arrange for special treats to greet you when you arrive. Champagne, chocolates and flowers really set the mood. You can also bring your own if the hotel doesn’t provide such features or if you want to save some money. Other things to pack to set the mood:

• Scented candles
• Evening wear
• Lingerie
• Swimsuits
• Champagne
• Music and a music player
• Bubble bath
• Incense

(Photo via flickr cc)

Your getaway doesn’t begin, however, when you get to your destination. It starts when you get in the car. If you’re making the entire trip by car, plan stops along the way: Lunch at an out-of-the-way inn, a walk through the woods, or a visit to a quaint old town filled with antique shops. Order a meal from his or her favorite restaurant and pack it, along with the necessary plates, glasses and silverware, to have a picnic at a scenic spot along the way.

Ask friends if they can recommend places to eat or stops along the way. There are web tools to help you, too.

• AAA Trip Tik: Allows you to create turn-by-turn maps which you can print out and take with you. Alerts you to roadwork plus provides a list of attractions and places to eat along the way.
• Yahoo! Trip Planner: Create maps, see available lodging, restaurants and attractions and post photos and journal entries after you’ve completed your trip.
• Rand McNally Trip Planner: Provides limited information on restaurants and attractions along the way in addition to allowing you to map your trip.
• MapQuest: Turn-by-turn directions, maps and some info on stops along the way.

(Photo via flickr cc)

Stock up on water and snacks before you leave. A first aid kit is also a good idea. If you’re thinking about stopping for a picnic, pack a blanket or folding chairs. And don’t forget the music, bring CDs you know your sweetheart enjoys. A portable DVD player and a couple of romantic comedies might also come in handy if you’re significant other wants to chill out while you drive.

Consider timing. If you’re taking Friday off, wait until the morning rush hour is over before you set out. That will allow you both to get some extra sleep and eliminate the anxiety caused by trying to negotiate heavy traffic. If you’re working the day you’re set to leave, pack the car the night before and skip out a few hours before the workday ends.

And don’t revert to all business when it’s time for the trip home. Ask the innkeeper to provide a picnic lunch for the drive back, or stop at one of the places you discovered on the way up but didn’t have time to visit. That’ll help the romantic feeling last until your next getaway.

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When you go on vacation, you expect to spend some money. That’s perfectly fine; you’re there to indulge. However, most people end up wasting money on unnecessary shopping. Here are some common travel purchases that you should avoid during a vacation to save yourself some money.

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There are some travel discounts that we always remember to take advantage of, like finding the lowest fare on airline flights by doing a price-comparison online. But there are a number of discounts available to us that aren’t advertised.

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January is rolling on fast, but the lists of travel trends for 2008 are still hitting the news stands. After I learned about the 53 places to go in 2008 and the tips on hotel and restaurant trends for the year, I thought that’d be it, but I was wrong. This week in the news, more trends have been identified and predicted:

• An article about experiential travel - that is, traveling to experience or learn something rather than just to head to a specific destination - predicted rising popularity for several kinds of travel in 2008. These included volunteer tourism, trips designed specifically for singles, more last minute, weekend breaks for time-pushed travelers, a big increase in green or eco-travel, and an increase in family-friendly travel packages.

• And meanwhile on the destination track, the BootsnAll website predicted the ten most popular destinations for independent travelers during 2008. These included Budapest in Hungary (to take over from Prague), Chiang Mai in far northern Thailand, Ethiopia which is experiencing a big expansion in its tourism infrastructure, Sicily as the cheaper part of Italy, Jordan as the safer part of the Middle East and Belize, which is still a cheap Caribbean destination but might not be for much longer. First on the list was Nepal, which sounds appealing with its $10 per night hotels and much more to see than just the mountains.

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Overseas travel can be scary: The language is different, the customs are different, and it’s hard to find your way around. But  it’s just those differences that make travel so rewarding. So arm yourself with a little knowledge, a few words, and a good map and you’ll be at home no matter where you go.

Here are some of the things it’s wise to know before you travel overseas:

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Sometimes it seems that single travelers are penalized at every turn – especially by tour companies and cruise lines. But there are several things you can do to avoid paying premium prices when traveling alone.

Share: Many tour companies and cruise lines offer “single share” programs. These programs pair same-sex travelers together in the same cabin or hotel room so they can take advantage of the “double occupancy” pricing. If you request a share and there is no one with whom to share, most companies will still give you the “shared” price. A few resorts, notably Club Med, offer similar programs.

Book early: As with most travel plans, the best rates generally go to those who book early. This is especially true of single travelers. Most cruise lines and a few tour operators offer a limited number of “single” cabins or rooms at a lower price than the full “double occupancy” price. These cabins and rooms, however, generally are booked well in advance of the trip’s departure.

Travel with a singles organization: A number of organizations exist to assist single travelers. Some, such as Single Travelers International, guarantee members that they will find them a person to share their cruise cabin or hotel room. Others, such as Cruisemates, arrange cocktail parties and group excursions in addition to pairing travelers to save money.

Traveling solo can be a rewarding experience. There’s no one to tell you want to see, where to go, and where to dine. And, with just a little advance planning, you don’t have to spend a fortune.

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There are a host of websites around that purport to have the best deals on airfare. Some people make it a point to visit them all when searching for the best deal. But if you don’t have the time–or inclination–to go through all of the competing sites on your own, consider making just one stop: To Mobissimo.

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To package deal or not to package deal - that is surely the question. Some people swear by the good value of buying a bundle including a flight, accommodation and meals through your travel agent; others will say the best way to save money on your holiday is to research everything yourself and book the most reasonable options available separately.

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Sometimes you wish you were psychic. For example, when you’re looking at airline tickets and trying to guess whether they’re going to go up or down, a crystal ball would come in handy. But since you’re probably not going to ever gain any psychic powers that you don’t already possess, here are some online tools to help you better predict travel prices.

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Most people figure that they’ll save money on their trip by packing everything they need. That’s not always the case. Besides,  packing light and buying as you go also makes travel a whole lot easier.

Ask yourself realistically what you have to have on this trip. Sure, you want those cute little travel shampoo bottles that you always get, but couldn’t you get by with the hotel shampoo? Or, if you’re going to be gone long enough, wouldn’t a bottle bought on discount at a store when you arrive make more sense than taking five travel bottles with you?

Before you go on vacation, make a list of the things that you’re thinking about taking with you, including make-up, toiletries and extra shoes. Now go through the list and cross off anything that you won’t actually need.  Go through the list again, asking yourself if you can borrow any of these items once you arrive. If you’re heading to see your sister, you can probably get away with using her shampoo instead of taking your own.

Once you’ve got the narrowed-down list in hand, determine if it’s more cost effective to buy extras of these products for travel or to get them once you get where you’re going. Don’t forget that you can also take small amounts of things that you already have at home. For example, you can transfer your shampoo into a smaller bottle.

Save money and save trouble by being smart about what you pack.

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If there’s one truth in travel that we can’t avoid, it’s that if you head to a place where all the tourists go, the prices will rise. Sometimes you can’t avoid this - there’s only one Eiffel Tower, for example - but when we’re talking eating, entertainment and accommodation, then seeking out the less touristy places could really help your budget.

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A useful article over at BudgetTravel recently gave lots of handy information on saving money at the ski resort this winter - especially on getting lift tickets cheaper, as these can sometimes really break the budget.

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To use a travel agent or not? About ten years ago airlines stopped giving travel agents a commission for using their services. Of course the agents wanted to recoup this loss and often charged a small fee, generally around $25, to have them book your flights.

This was actually a welcome change for some travelers as they then felt that the travel agent was on their side, working to get them the best price and not to give themselves the biggest commission possible. This may be partially true, but not every industry has stopped giving travel agents a commission.

Automobile rental companies, hotels, cruise lines, and other travel agencies still routinely pay agents a commission. This means that you may not be getting the best deal for all of your travel plans through your travel agent. If something seems a bit pricey to you, you may want to check online or call a few competitors directly to make sure you’re getting the best price possible. Use the internet to your advantage.

It’s not a coincidence the travel industry encourages consumers to take it easy and let them make your travel plans for you, but you don’t have to fall for this ploy. As with almost everything in life, being educated and informed will leave you in a better position in the long run.

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Everyone has their theories on what kind of fabric or how lightweight your traveling clothes should be, but I just want to throw a new kind of clothing into the debate.

Recently I keep hearing about bamboo clothes. Of course my first image was of something more akin to a straitjacket than a comfortable outfit for traveling, but I soon learned that there are companies using bamboo fibers to create really great traveling clothes.

The big bonus with bamboo, they say, is that because the fibers are completely natural, they have anti-microbial qualities that stay fresh, and fresh-smelling, much longer. Travelers who’ve used bamboo T-shirts say they don’t stick to you when you get hot and sweaty and they’re soft to touch and comfortable to wear.

Shops and internet sites are starting to sell bamboo clothing at really reasonable prices, plus you’ll be saving on packing, washing and time if you take clothes made from bamboo on your travels. I’ll certainly be trying on some bamboo before my next big trip.

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Do you remember what happened during last year’s holiday season? Huge storms struck the nation and planes were taken out of the air. Many people spent their holidays stuck in an airport. It was the same story the year before that and the one before that as well. We can’t do anything to change the weather but we can make some changes to our travel plans to minimize the likelihood that we’ll be trapped in an airport during the holidays.

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There are many different ways to save money on airfare. You can save up your frequent flier miles, try to get voucher tickets and enter contests for flight giveaways. But everything in this world is made a little bit easier by knowing the right people. If you can find a way to become friends with someone who works at an airline, you’ve got a golden ticket to cheap flights all year long.

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Tipping is the bane of many a traveler’s existence. You want to reward good service and you don’t want to seem cheap, but you don’t want to throw money around indiscriminately. How do you reach that subtle balance? Consider the following guidelines, but remember: Tipping is about rewarding good service and ultimately, it’s up to you what to tip.

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House-sitting used to be something you did for your aunt when she took a vacation in the summer while you were a college student. Now it’s becoming an accepted way to travel around the world without spending a fortune, and conversely a way to have someone take care of your pets and your house while you’re on vacation somewhere else.

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Most people avoid making phone calls from their hotel rooms if at all possible. The cost of calling from the hotel using a credit card is exorbitant. And most people either don’t remember to pick up a calling card or don’t want to bother. So we use our cell phones, which can be inconvenient if we’re trying to work within our free minutes.

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If you are going to Las Vegas to gamble, you don’t want to waste your money on things you don’t need. Here are some terrific ways to save money while in Las Vegas.

Go during the week
Every day of the year is busy in Las Vegas. However, you will find hotel rates and airfare more expensive on weekends, around holidays, during spring break, and at times of major Las Vegas conferences. Therefore, try to avoid these times and stay during the weekdays, if possible.

Look for hotel promotions
You can often get cheaper hotel rates online or by booking your airfare and hotel combined in a package deal. If staying at the center of the Las Vegas Strip isn’t vital, choose a hotel off the strip or stay toward the North end. The casinos on the North end of the Strip, such as Circus Circus, Stratosphere and the Riviera are usually cheaper than the others.

Don’t rent a car
The Strip is so crowded that it’s a pain to drive yourself. Instead use a taxi, bus, monorail or even walk from casino to casino. Walking will allow you to see the sites and get some exercise. And it doesn’t cost a penny.

Skip the shows
These performances can cost upwards of $100 per person. So if you aren’t dying to go, just skip it altogether.

Skip the nightclubs
Don’t waste money on overpriced drinks and cover charges at a posh Vegas nightclub. If you want to have a drink, most beverages are free while you are gambling, or you can have an inexpensive drink in a small hotel lounge.

Use coupons
Look around for 2-for-1 buffet coupons, $1 hotdogs, free slot machine pulls and other coupon specials. Most hotels provide a coupon book when you check in. You can also find coupons in pamphlets, magazines and online.

(Photo via flickr cc)

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Getting married is expensive. and while you may not want to cut corners on the main event, perhaps you can save a little afterward. Here are some tips to help you save on your honeymoon.

• Tell everyone it’s your honeymoon: Brag, brag, brag. Everyone loves a happy couple and usually they’ll do what they can to make your trip memorable. Tell the airline and you may get upgraded to first class, tell the hotel and you may get a spa treatment, tell the restaurants and you may get champagne or a dessert on the house. There’s just no telling what people will give you as a wedding gift, so let them know you’re celebrating.
• Create a honeymoon registry: If you’ve got everything you need at home, why not turn your wedding registry into a honeymoon registry and ask for things you need for vacation. There are honeymoon registries online that make gift giving easier, but be careful, some take a large chunk of your profits.
• Stay someplace close: Really, a honeymoon is just an escape for you and your sweetie, so why not escape somewhere that is close and less expensive than a trip to Hawaii? Use the money you’d save on travel expenses to upgrade your room or treat yourself to a five-star meal. Or simply pocket the difference.
• Make it short: No one said a honeymoon had to be a full two weeks, or even one week for that matter. An extended weekend can be just as nice a break as a long trip.

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There are many different ways to get discounts on travel; special deals and unique situations come up all the time. But the smart budget traveler knows how to save on costs every single time he/she travels. Every trip you take involves transportation, lodging, food and attractions. If you can  save money on each of those four, you’ll come out ahead even without a special deal.

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When your travel budget is low, or you’re simply interested in meeting some locals , try CouchSurfing. Don’t worry–it’s not dangerous at all, and you don’t need to have a sense of balance.

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If you have to travel internationally and can’t shop around for a deal, consider splitting your international ticket in two by buying a domestic ticket and a separate international air ticket. That sounds like an annoyance, but it can save you a whole lot of money.

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You want to go somewhere special for Halloween, maybe some place known for its ghost history or somewhere that has a great Halloween celebration. But you want to avoid the big hot spots–like the Halloween events at major theme parks– because you’re trying to save on cost. There are all sorts of cheap Halloween travel destinations if you know where to look.

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Paying the asking price for a hotel room is becoming as outdated as paying sticker price for a car. The truth is: You can negotiate on price and upgrades at different stages in the process.

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Nothing can ruin a vacation quicker than worrying about money during the trip. Unfortunately. this happens to many people. Vacations are expensive. You get to the destination and start shelling out for food, souvenirs and attractions. Before you know it, you’re digging into credit cards to cover costs. But when you lie down in your hotel room at night, you can’t sleep from worry.

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I was checking out my local souvenir store the other day to buy a gift to send to a friend overseas. Everything I picked up was so expensive, yet looked so cheap, and nearly all of it was made in China. Then I remembered the kinds of souvenirs I buy when I’m traveling in other countries, and I left and went to one of the shops I visit every day.

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Everyone wants to take a vacation now and then but many people feel that they can’t afford to do so. It’s hard to budget enough money to be able to afford to take a nice trip. And most people aren’t sure how to set aside that money. But the truth is that if you plan in advance and follow some basic tips for your travels, your vacation is in reach. You don’t have to spend a fortune to go somewhere and you can set that money aside so that you have it when you really need a break.

Here are some budget travel tips to help you with those plans:

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If you’re planning a trip around New Zealand, don’t be put off by the name of the budget bus travel company, Naked Bus. You’ll find that all the travelers do actually wear clothes on board, but it’s a fairly no-frills service with a correspondingly cheap price. For getting around New Zealand without spending a heap of cash, it’s a great way to go.

The Naked Bus city to city bus network runs between dozens of cities all over New Zealand, and it has tried to eliminate paperwork and hassle by using online booking and a text message to your cell phone as a ticket. This helps them keep prices really low, and if you book far enough in advance on the right routes, you can get a ticket for as low as one New Zealand dollar (that’s about US$0.75). You also pay a booking fee but that’s only 70 cents, nothing to complain about.

The philosophy behind the Naked Bus company is not only to provide a cheaper option for budget travelers - they also want to encourage both locals and tourists to use the bus more frequently rather than always heading for a car or an airplane; all part of New Zealand’s green image. For travelers, saving money and the environment too makes it sound like a win-win situation.

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The first time that I went to San Francisco, I booked my hotel online and chose the cheapest one that I could find. I’ll leave it nameless to protect the guilty, but this hotel was horrid. First of all, it was a walk-up. Secondly, the room wasn’t even off of the main hall of rooms; I had to go through an emergency exit (the alarm didn’t ring) to a door in the stairway. The room was so narrow that I could touch both walls at the same time. I kid you not. There were shared bathrooms, and I noticed while showering that the people on the floor above mine could see directly in to my shower. When my phone rang, all of the outlets and lights buzzed.

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Key West, Florida is a tourist destination that can bleed your wallet dry or, if you’re a savvy shopper, can leave you within budget and loaded with memories.

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Saving money on travel sometimes seems all but impossible, but it can be done with a little planning a few insider tips. To make your travel dollar go the farthest:

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You might own an RV and love traveling around with it near your hometown. So wouldn’t it be great if you could travel somewhere far away but still have an RV with you without having to pay expensive rental costs?

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The new WHTI intiative that requires all US citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean via air to have a valid passport, has created havoc in US passport offices throughout the country. Those traveling by sea or land will be required to have a passport beginning in January of 2008.

Summer Processing Delays

Between October of 2006 and April of 2007, the State Department reported a record 8.6 million passport applications, a 33 percent increase over the same period the previous year. Although the government recommended that travelers apply for passports at least 10 weeks in advance of their travel date, few passports were being returned within that time frame. So unpredictable was the turn-around time, that the government suspended the requirement until September 30, 2007, asking only that travelers to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean have applied for a passport and be able to show proof of citizenship. However, that exemption will soon expire.

Get your Passport Now for Winter Travel

Anyone planning to travel for the holiday season and early winter is well-advised to apply for a passport now. Anyone applying for a passport for the first time (or who hasn’t had a passport in 15 years) must apply in person at one of the over 7000 passport agencies around the country. Most of these are post offices, but also include some libraries, courts, and regional passport offices. For a location near you, see the State Department Web site.

What you Need to Apply for a Passport

When you go to get a new US Passport, make sure that you bring the necessary documentation. This includes a completed passport form (this may be found online or at a any passport office), two passport size photos of yourself, proof of US citizenship (an original or certified copy of your birth certificate or your naturalization papers), a photo ID (such as a driver’s license), and payment (currently $97).

The passport agent will ask you a couple of questions, ask you to verify that you are who you say you are, seal all of your documentation in an envelope, and have you sign across the seal to avoid the information being tampered with. Allow at least ten weeks for processing, more if possible. Your new passport as well as your application documentation will be returned to you via US mail. Passports are valid for ten years.

For more information on getting a US passport, consult the US State Department Web site.

(photo credit: istockphoto)

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Spending your vacation at a bed-and-breakfast is a completely indulgent experience. You have rooms which are of hotel quality but which have the amenities of a comfortable home. You have meals provided for you, common areas for meeting other travelers in the area and usually end up in a prime location of the urban or rural area that you are visiting. But most people who are traveling on a budget avoid bed-and-breakfasts because they are associated with high cost lodging.

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You’ve always wanted to stay in the suite but you’ve never wanted to foot the bill. You’re probably right in being frugal with choosing the economy hotel room since you aren’t likely to spend a whole lot of time in the room anyway. But if you get the chance to get an upgrade, it can certainly add an air of luxury to your trip. Here are some tips for getting a hotel upgrade. <!–more–>

• Ask for one. When you’re there at the desk, signing in, be friendly to the staff that’s working with you. Ask if there are any deals, free upgrades or discounts that you should know about. Honestly, sometimes asking is how you get what you want.
• Get involved in rewards programs. This works best if you use the same hotel chains over and over but there are some programs out there that give you points for stays at different hotels. If you travel on a regular or even semi-regular basis, you can use these points to get free upgrades to nicer rooms during the trips you take that are extra-special.
• Travel with a group. If you get a large number of people going to one hotel for a vacation or event, you might be able to get an upgrade for one or more of the rooms. If you’re doing the organizing, this room goes to you.
• Use hotels in your hometown for events and meetings. Write editorials or blog posts about them. If you use the same chain hotel for these kinds of things and you give them publicity, you’ll get some rewards. Free upgrades are one of the perks.

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Sometimes you just need to take an impulsive trip away from home. Unfortunately, that can get kind of pricey if you don’t play your cards right. Here are some tips and ideas for taking a last-minute weekend getaway that won’t break your piggy bank.

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