Stay in the Beach’s Cheapest Boutique Hotels

See Wikipedia to ready yourself for the Miami experience; the people’s encyclopedia characterizes boutique hotels as, “intimate, usually luxurious or quirky.” Thanks, wiki. These hotels promise the boutique experience at a fraction of its usual cost.

The Albion Hotel
One of Miami’s most exceptional deco offerings, the Albion is a centrally-located bargain. All of its rooms have been professionally designed to suit the boutique clientele and its beach- and Ocean Drive- adjacent location provides unbeatable access to nightlife, area galleries, and SoBe’s unique shopping. Plus, a cycle of America’s Next Top Model filmed there, and we all know that Tyra knows best.

The Circa 39
This updated hotel is mere steps from the beach, and within walking distance of SoBe’s major offerings. In true boutique spirit, Circa’s decor is both quirky and inviting; while the lobby features some more esoteric furnishings, the rooms are white and plush. Guests will want to make time to enjoy the hotel’s outdoor pool, sundeck, and fully stocked bar and lounge.

The Hotel Nash
Though the Hotel Nash opened in 1999, it manages to conjure the sort of Art Deco nostalgia that made South Beach famous. The hotel is small and personalized, with a lobby-level restaurant that rivals SoBe’s best. For rates that usually fall under the $200 mark, you can enjoy the beachside Deco scene, a garden atmosphere, and, perhaps most enticingly, access to Nash’s three awesome spa pools.

South Beach Cafés: Fast, Cheap, and Good

By virtue of geography, Miami hosts the country’s richest hub of Cuban culture. Its Cuban eateries are consistently authentic and moderately priced. Try a Cuban sandwich or get a midnight burger at these South Beach spots.

News Café

The News Café is located at a prestigious Ocean Drive address, but it still manages to lower the bottom line on delicious beachside fare. What’s more, it’s open 24 hours and is a trusted post-bar stop for discerning South Beachers. As its name suggests, the café offers its patrons a variety of international newspapers to peruse over morning coffee or late-night eggs. Entrée prices hover around $10, and you can get an innovative coffee cocktail for $8.

David’s Café

With Collins Avenue and Lincoln Road locations, Davi’s provides easy access to a full Cuban menu. Its $8 Cuban sandwich garners rave reviews, and its most expensive menu item is a $19 Churrasco. Like the News Café, it’s open 24 hours to sate the club crowd. Curiosities like papaya and mamey shakes cost around $5, and for the less adventurous it’s got a good burger and sandwich selection. For a wholly Cuban experience, try David’s breakfast dishes and fresh juices.

Non-Beach Attractions on the Cheap

It’s easy and cost-effective to spend your days on the white sand, but it might get boring. Mix it up with a bang-for-your-buck sightseeing cruise and a trip to one of the country’s finest zoological establishments.

The Island Queen Cruise

This $22, 90 minute cruise is the surest way to view the most exclusive parts of Miami Beach, most notably the famed “Millionaires’ Row” island homes. Narrated in both English and Spanish, the Island Queen tours the Biscayne Bay at a leisurely pace and provides its guests with plenty of picture-taking vistas. It’s certainly a basic tourist attraction, but it will show you more of Miami than you could ever hope to see on your own. Plus, the Island Queen undertakes several sojourns a day, so you can always fit it into your schedule.

Miami Metrozoo

Miami’s extensive zoo houses a multitude of exotic mammals; that guy is an Okapi, a giraffe relative long thought to be extinct. Because it’s the U.S.’s only subtropical zoo, it’s got more hosting capabilities than its counterparts in colder climates. For under $15 per adult, you can check out gibbons, koalas, and pygmy hippopotamuses. Save $2 off your admission with an online coupon, and then promptly spend it feeding greens to giraffes.

Beer Bars and Dives: Miami’s Cheapest Nightlife

Meet some locals, drink for pennies, and avoid the club crowds. Miami’s dives are all-around winners. These are conveniently located on the beach’s main drags.

Zeke’s Roadhouse

Take it from a Miami native reviewer on Yelp: “Zeke’s should not exist. It’s too perfect.” It’s perfect, that is, if you’re a beer drinker and a fan of dive establishments. Zeke’s Lincoln Road location places it in Miami’s nightlife epicenter, but it somehow manages to thrive without serving $15 fruity cocktails. Expect to pay $3 for a microbrew and enjoy a huge selection of both bottles and drafts. Just don’t try to pay with plastic.

Free Spirits Sports Café

Miami’s premier British Pub is more of a neighborhood bar than a SoBe club, in spite of its Collins Park-adjacent location. Its low-key atmosphere has inspired a devoted following, many of whom hit the bar every night. Free Spirits is equally appealing for music and sports enthusiasts; it hosts Rockabilly nights, has a great punk rock jukebox, and also televises plenty of sporting events. For a quieter night, head to the game room for darts, billiards, or a board game.

When looking to book hotels in Miami, don’t miss the deals at Hotels Cheap.

Across the United States, most shops will launch their big sales on Wednesday, December 26, and with the big discounts on offer, a lot of people who were given gift cards as Christmas presents will be looking for something to buy; retailers say there’s also a big market for Christmas items at extremely marked down prices, but if you’re far from home you probably won’t be lugging a Christmas tree back as carry-on.

For those vacationing in the United Kingdom, the big days for sales are December 27 and 28, when government agencies are warning that travelers can expect especially large delays. Down under in Australia and New Zealand, most shops will be closed over the December 26 Boxing Day holiday, with sales beginning in earnest early on December 27; however, some large department stores will be ready to start selling bargains from Wednesday.

If you are looking for Boxing Day sales, you will appreciate the savings by booking hotels at Hotels Cheap.

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If you’re trying to leave New York City – via one of its airports – then there’s a new ride sharing service that might interest you, and save you a few of your precious travel dollars. The Split-A-Cab service launched this week and is a great way to both save some money and be environmentally friendly at the same time.

Split-A-Cab is the initiative of a Manhattan resident by the name of John Winiarski, who doesn’t own a car and decided it was a waste of time and energy to have 100 million people per year headed to the airport alone. He set up the Split A Cab website to provide a sensible, green answer to this situation.

If you want to Split-A-Cab, you should be headed from somewhere in downtown New York towards JFK, LaGuadia or Newark airports. If you log in to the website, you’ll hopefully be able to find other people who are heading there at a similar time to you from your neighborhood, and you can arrange to meet on a street corner and take a cab together, splitting the cost. The use of the website is free, and as they proudly say, “always will be”.

Wanna save some more money?  Book a discounted hotel in New York at Hotels Cheap.

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Who doesn’t love a free lunch, a free ride, a free anything.  Especially in this day of higher prices, finding ways to entertain your family or even just yourself, for free, on a trip to Orlando can be nothing but good for the budget.  After all, they say money isn’t everything, so lets see what’s free in Orlando and the surrounding areas.

A World of Orchids is a show in itself if you love flowers.  The 22,500 square foot conservatory displays orchids and other exotic flowers.  You’ll find natural exhibits of flowers from Indonesia, Australia, Southeast Asia and Central and South America.   Although it’s closed on Sundays, it’s FREE.

Big Tree Park is home to the “Senator.” the oldest tree in Florida.  The bald cyprus tree is estimated to be 3,500 years old and is 118 feet tall.  There are plenty of picnic tables, so bring along a deli lunch and help out your vacation budget even further.  Big Tree Park is open daily from 8 am to sunset and admission is FREE.

Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens was the home of an internationally acclaimed Czech born sculptor.  The course of the year brings alternating sculptures, photography and art within the museum.  You’ll view his award winning sculpted piece entitled “Man Carving His Own Destiny.”  Then enjoy walking the paths of the exquisite gardens.  They are open Thursday through Sunday, September to June.  Admission is, of course, FREE.

Bach Festival Society of Winter Park holds special occasion concerts.  Two of them are Christmas in the Park and July 4th Celebration in the Park.  Music could be provided by the youth choir, orchestra, regular choir or the young at heart chorale (seniors who love singing the standards).  Bring a picnic dinner and a blanket for a romantic or family evening of music and fun for FREE.

Popcorn Flicks is held every second Thursday of the month for movies such as Ghost Busters and Miracle on 34th Street.  This is one of Winter Park’s many entertainment venues.  Pop several bags of popcorn and bring it along with an ice chest of soft drinks and a blanket or lawn chairs for an evening of classic movie watching.  It almost reminds you of the old drive-in movie theaters of earlier days.  The whole family will have a blast and it’s FREE.

Friends of the Bandshell have been playing free concerts since 1937.  They play country and classic music and everything in between.  An outdoor performing arts center, it has hosted entertainment such as Percy Sledge, Michael English and the U.S. Air Force Academy Band with Fortunate Son on the future docket.  With 4,000 seats there’s room for everyone to enjoy an evening of live music for FREE.

University of Central Florida Arboretum offers a day full of fun for the family.  With over 600 plant species for your review, you might think it would make for a stuffy day with kids whining within 20 minutes from the start.  Not so.  There are at least eight natural ecosystems including a swamp habitat.  Bike or walk around the nine acre lake, eat your picnic lunch and then have fun playing a game of disc golf to finish off the day compliments of UCF and it’s all FREE.

Knightly Spirits offers up one of their 700 beers every other Thursday night from 6pm to 9pm for free tasting.  And there are four locations throughout Orlando, so one should be close by.  They also carry other liquor, wines and liqueurs.  Among their many ales are 13 Abbey Dubbels, 6 Amber Ales and 10 American Strong Ales.  Lagers include 7 Weizen Bocks, 15 Pale Lagers and 9 Pilseners.  Be adventuresome and take a sip or two of some of their 15 fruit beers.

Florida Trail Association, Central Florida Chapter, has over 600 members who regulary maintain and hike central Florida’s walking trails.  Become a member if you live in Florida and join them.  Otherwise all trails are free to hike on your own.  You might consider Little Econ State Forest trails.  The American Hiking Society named it one of the top “Family Friendly Hikes” in the U.S.  It spans a bit over 7 miles along the Econlockhatchee River.  If you’d like to try something a bit shorter but just as scenic, try the 1.9 mile trail at Wekiwa Springs State Park.  They also offer a 7.2 mile trail through cypress and hardwood forests.  This will give a choice for the “real” hikers and the “short timers” in your group.  It’s all FREE.

Lynx Busses will take you anywhere in downtown Orlando for free.  Why spend money on expensive cabs or rental cars.  Whether you are a resident or an out-of-towner, it’s fun and handy to take Lynx around town for shopping, visiting museums or restaurants.  Locals save a bundle taking Lynx to work and back every day.

Lake Eola Park is full of walking trails for enjoying the surrounding beauty without having to commit to a rigorous hike.  This 43 acre park is right smack dab in the middle of Orlando, kind of like a Florida Central Park.  There is a playground for the kids.  Bring plenty of extra bread to feed the swans.  For a small fee you can rent a swan-shaped paddle boat or electric gondola and enjoy the lake.  If you are so inclined, the park makes a beautiful backdrop for a wedding.  If you forge to bring a picnic, you can pick up a bite to eat at Eric’s at Eola.

Orlando’s Free Fun

You can visit Orlando on a budget.  If you’ve spent most of your money at Disney, but still have days left in your vacation, your family will never suspect when you fill their itinerary with these free fun filled activities, especially if you plan ahead.  How fun is it for kids to feed swans or go on a hiking adventure?  Then, settle in for a free classic movie while sitting under the sparkling starry sky of Orlando.

Another money-saving tip:  book discounted hotel rooms in Orlando at Hotels Cheap.

Centennial Olympic Park

No matter what time of year you decide to visit, there is always something to do at Centennial Olympic Park. Just two decades ago the park was one of the worst areas of town, run down and neglected and then the Olympics came to town. The multi-block region was transformed into a park celebrating the historic 1996 Olympic visit. To this day, the park sponsors a variety of free events so you should check the website before you go so you’re sure not to miss anything. And make sure to stop and see the Quilt of Remembrance, for those of us that remember, Centennial Olympic Park was the scene of a terrible bombing and the quilt is designed as a memorial to those who lost their lives.

Piedmont Park Conservancy

If you’re looking for a park that allows more activities (several are prohibited at Centennial Olympic Park), then Piedmont Park Conservancy is a great place to spend an afternoon. The list of things to do at Piedmont is almost staggering and can fill more than a day full of fun activities. Take your choice from fishing, grilling, picnicking, playground fun, skating and biking, soccer, softball, volleyball, swimming, tennis, walking or jogging and bird watching. If you are lucky enough to be there at the right time of year, the Green Market is a great way to spend a morning, and then you can take your purchases deeper into the park and have a lovely lunchtime picnic. If you’re interested in history, there are free Historic Park Tours every first and third Saturday of the month. These guided walking tours take about 60 to 90 minutes and cover all phases of the park’s development.

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site

For a deeper understanding of the history of Atlanta and America, schedule a visit to Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site for an incredible look inside the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. If you’re interested in a tour of the birth home you’ll have to go with a park ranger on a tour. These tours are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis so register at the Visitor Center as soon as you arrive, only 15 people can go each hour. In addition to seeing the birth home there are several events that are sponsored throughout the year, check the website to see what’s going on during your visit.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Whether you’re a Civil War buff or not, there is something about Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park that draws everyone into the mystery of the past. Filled with history and lore, the Kennesaw Battlefield is a fascinating way to spend a day in Atlanta without spending a dime. The Battlefield encompasses 2,923 acres and seeks to preserve this important location of the Atlanta Campaign. From June 19^th to July 2^nd 1864 these now sparse grounds were packed with 100,000 soldiers in the Sherman army and 63,000 in Johnston’s. While the battle raged more than 67,000 men were killed, wounded or captured on the very land that is now occupied by the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. There are three battlefield areas, and 17.3 miles of interpretive walking trails and a small Civil War museum.

Georgia Governor’s Mansion

The Georgia Governor’s Mansion is an architectural masterpiece that features a Greek revival façade with 30 stunning columns. On the inside you’ll find the mansion decorated with pieces from the Federalist Period. You’ll also see a signed first edition copy of Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone With the Wind” and the torch Muhammad Ali used to light the Olympic Cauldron at the 1996 Summer Games. The self guided tour is totally free and lets you explore 10 different rooms on the first floor. Each room features a docent who is happy to point out the highlights of their area and answer any questions you may have.

Georgia State Capitol

If you enjoyed your visit to the Governor’s Mansion you may also enjoy a visit to Georgia’s State Capitol. Listed on the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places, the Georgia State Capitol was built between 1884 and 1889. Along with many other state capitols, the architectural inspiration was the United States Capitol. You can wander around the capitol by yourself and visit the museum, but a guided tour will give you more information on Georgia law and the legal process. Tours are free and you may be able to get in a guided tour when you arrive, but calling ahead and making a reservation is recommended as there is only one tour per hour.

City Gallery East

If you’re looking for more culture and less history, give City Gallery East a try. This 8,000 square foot museum is dedicated to displaying the artistic pursuits of local talent. By keeping to artists from the area you get a unique blend of diversity and yet there’s still a sense of Atlanta that pervades the work. For true art lovers it’s easy to spend a day viewing the ever changing exhibits and all of it is free of charge.

TULA

TULA was the brainchild of Lil Friedlander who was simply looking for some art space for herself and friends. The 48,000 square foot manufacturing plant was turned into a studio, which in turn turned the area into an artist’s hot spot. You can literally get lost in TULA today, as you shop for antiques and one-of-a-kind artistic creations. And if you’re not into shopping, just explore the art galleries and studios. It’s remarkable how the vision of one artist inspired so many in this creative expression of talent.

Not your typical mainstream tourist activities, but the options suggested above are totally free and offer great variety to visitors and residents of Atlanta alike. Not all vacations need to cost a fortune, some of the best experiences in life are free.

Hotel rooms may not be free, but click here for the very best rates in Atlanta or anywhere.

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The Sydney Base is part of a larger network of Base hostels which started in New Zealand, and this week they announced that two Brisbane hostels have been bought by Base, effective immediately.

The Palace Central and the Palace Embassy hostels in Brisbane, Queensland, will be renamed soon to add “by Base” to their signage, and are already undergoing renovations to help them fit the Base model.

The improvements include adding what Base calls “Sanctuary” rooms which are dorm rooms exclusively for female backpackers who are traveling alone, which is a nice touch. Travelers checking into Sanctuary rooms even will sleep on feather pillows and get special toiletry gift packs and complimentary towels.

Base is looking to continue its expansion, now that it has five hostels in Australia and ten in New Zealand. It’s great to have a reasonable alternative to budget hotels, especially for travelers who just need somewhere decent to sleep and don’t need all the extra amenities of an expensive hotel.

Considering stepping up to a cheap hotel in Sydney, or anywhere.

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The National Arboretum

The Department of Agriculture’s pièce de résistance occupies a roughly 500-acre plot from northeast New York Avenue to the Anacostia River. Its horticultural holdings are the nation’s finest collection of compelling plant life; the gardens have neighborhoods dedicated to Asian vegetation, conifers, bonsais, official state trees, dogwoods, and countless diverse flowers. One of the Arboretum’s most famous and photogenic attractions is the installation of the National Capitol Columns, former buttresses of the Capitol building. Should you encounter nice weather in the District, a walk through the Arboretum is mandatory.

The National Archives

The Archives’ biggest draw is the Rotunda, containing the three documents known as the “Charters of Freedom.” Visitors can peruse the original drafts of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, and the facility also holds a copy of the 1297 Magna Carta, by Edward I. What’s more enticing is the fact that the Archives promote free-form browsing; there are no lines to view the documents, and every visitor can read at his or her leisure. History buffs will appreciate the extended collection, which includes the drafts of the Louisiana Purchase and the Emancipation Proclamation.

The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage

The Watergate-adjacent Kennedy Center is one of the District’s most impressive and recognizable edifices; audiences flock to its nightly events for the ambience as well as the acoustics. The Millennium Stage operates every evening at 6, and all its associated acts perform free-of-charge. Two stages anchor the Center’s Grand Foyer and feature a wide range of performers, many of whom are sponsored by the Kennedy Center’s Artist-in-Residence program. The foyer itself is an impressive enough draw; with 60-foot ceilings and a depth of 630 feet, it’s one of the largest rooms in the world.

The National Geographic Museum

The Explorers’ Hall that houses the National Geographic Museum features past and present anthropological undertakings in equal measure. Upcoming exhibitions include the Chinese Terracotta Warriors, considered to be one of the world’s most impressive and important artifacts. A current exhibit explores maritime oral traditions and the history of whaling, while another showcases the magazine’s best photographic work. Check the museum’s schedule of speakers for a more in-depth experience; the NGM regularly books anthropologists, historians, artists, and scientists to lecture to willing visitors.

The National Air and Space Museum

One of the Capital’s most stalwart and beloved attractions, this Smithsonian mainstay holds the largest collection of air and space travel memorabilia in the world. Visitors stroll through large, open spaces containing the disused bodies of actual warplanes, as well as models and portions of rockets. Other popular holdings include vintage missiles, Martian and lunar rocks, and the original Wright Brothers’ “Flyer” from 1903. Families with children will especially enjoy the hands-on exhibits, which include some original NASA spacesuits, and adventurous kids will love the flight simulators and informative IMAX features.

If you like free museums, you’ll probably appreciate the discounted Washington D.C. hotels at Hotels Cheap.

So what’s the answer? Unfortunately it’s not straightforward: it depends. Some package deals are truly a bargain, when airlines or hotels decide to join forces to sell off seats or rooms that otherwise would remain empty. Other times, you could definitely get a better deal by combining your own ideas.

The best way to get a bargain package is to do plenty of research. If you see a holiday package advertised, find out how much it would cost if you booked the components individually, or flew a different airline. Then ask yourself if you really need all the components of the package.

For example, an all-inclusive meals package that involves paying for breakfast, lunch and dinner for every day of the vacation may work out cheaper in a comparison with paying for the meals separately at the same hotel restaurant, but chances are you won’t need full meals each time, or you’ll be out sightseeing and won’t want to trek back to the hotel for lunch anyway.

Also check into the quality of the hotel used in a vacation package that sounds too cheap to be true. You might be able to upgrade to a better hotel for not much more money, or it might be that the package is only so cheap because the hotel is mid-renovation. Basically, follow the “buyer beware” rule and remember that usually if something is too good to be true, there’s something wrong.

Book your accommodations at Hotels Cheap.

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While there has long been an element of crime present there, it used to be something that was worth the (relatively small) risk in exchange for the great prices, food and culture. But in recent times it seems like the risk has grown too high and a lot of tourists are staying away, and some tour companies have been canceling their tours.

The statistics show that 18 million tourists visited Baja during 2007, which was already 3 million fewer than the 21 million who visited in 2006. And as you’d expect, hotel occupancy rates fell from 58% down to 53% from 2006 to 2007.

The news has given us kidnappings, hostage situations, stolen vehicles and even rapes, and when combined with the obvious problems with the police force – there was an assassination attempt on the new police chief, and another police officer was murdered – and that doesn’t bode well if you’re considering a vacation in Baja.

Visit Hotels Cheap to book great rates on hotels to Mexico or elsewhere.

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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 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.

No, travel agents are not necessary in this new information age.  Take matters into your own hands to guarantee the lowest hotel rates…click here.

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Chicago, the “Windy City,” is easily accessible from all over the United States. The city, located on the shores of Lake Michigan, also offers excellent public transportation, deep-dish pizza, and a variety of free attractions to please travelers on a budget. Just a few of these are:

Navy Pier. One of the symbols of Chicago, this entertainment destination, built in 1916, features dozens of food vendors, shopping kiosks, a concert stage, a ballroom, a 150-foot tall Ferris wheel, the Chicago Children’s Museum, an IMAX theater, and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. In addition, Navy Pier is surrounded by over 50 acres of park land. You can also board one of the many Lake Michigan sightseeing, cocktail, and dinner cruises from the Pier. Although many of the attractions carry a fee, there’s no charge for strolling the length of the pier and admiring the view.

Art Insitute of Chicago. Chicago’s art museum, located on S. Michigan Avenue in downtown, is one of the most important such museums in the country. The Art Institute is known for its large American Art collection, its Impressionist galleries, and its European decorative art objects. The museum is free on Thursdays between 5pm and 8pm.

Lincoln Park Zoo. Located just north of downtown Chicago, Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the country. The park features over 1200 animals, including a unique underwater viewing area. The Lincoln Park Zoo is free to all every day.

If you’re interested in free activities, you will appreciate these discounted hotel deals in Chicago and worldwide.

Don’t always follow the guide book recommendations: Unfortunately, if a popular guide book says that X Hotel is a great place to stay, then you probably won’t be the only person heading there for the night. There’s a good chance the price will have risen by the time you get there. Likewise for restaurants.

Ask a local: When you check into your hotel or are chatting with a guide in a museum, ask them for their personal tips on a restaurant to eat at or a bar to have a drink in. If it sounds like they might just be telling you the places all the tourists go, ask them for a special local tip.

Ask other travelers: If you don’t speak the local language or have trouble finding a local to chat to, find some other travelers at your hotel and ask them if they’ve found any special places.

Wander aimlessly: I’ve found the best tiny restaurants or special local bars mostly just by wandering through a city without much of a plan. Don’t be afraid to schedule some time into your day that’s basically unscheduled, and you can find your own gem.

Travel tip:  Book your hotels at Hotels Cheap in order to take advantage of the best rates and availibility online.

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

The basic strategy for saving money on ski lift passes is to plan ahead. The most expensive way to buy lift tickets is to turn up somewhere and just buy a single day pass. Of course they can charge you more – you’re a captive market, because once you’re there with your gear, you’re unlikely to turn around and go to ski somewhere else.

So if you plan ahead, you’ll have time to look around on websites for the best deals. For example, if you buy lift tickets in bulk (like a pack of 5), you will always save money – sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. There are also programs where you can buy a kind of member card and then get a discount on the lift tickets you buy, so if you plan to spend a lot of winter on the slopes, this can save you heaps.

The other strategy suggested is to keep a look out for extra-cheap promotions. A lot of resorts might offer really mid-week deals or have particular days when ski lift prices are low, and if you can plan your ski vacations around these, you can also save more cash.

Saving money on hotels = more lift tickets.  Book your ski accommodations here.

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Until March 31, 2008, there are a bunch of special deals available to visitors to Budapest, to entice you to Hungary during the cooler months. The big offer is that if you book a room for three nights in one of their participating hotels, you’ll get a fourth night for free. The offer applies to 60 different hotels across Budapest, ranging from three to five star level.

But the Budapest Spring Festival, taking place from March 14 to March 30, also falls into the time span of the Winter Invasion promotion. It’s actually a huge cultural festival, just little known in the west, but it’s worth checking out: music from pop to classical, theater, film and other festival events pack the schedule for two weeks. Since the hotel deals and the festival coincide, it’s a really great opportunity to get a large dose of European culture without breaking the bank.

For cheap hotel deals in Budapest, or worldwide, click here.

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More and more cities across Europe are setting up bicycle hiring systems that aim to decrease the amount of traffic on the roads, and Paris is no exception. The Velib bicycle rental system hit Paris last summer, and it sounds like a great way to see the city.

First of all you have to subscribe to the Velib system, at a rate of €1 a day or €5 a week. Sometimes only European-issued credit cards work here, in which case you might need to buy a subscription from your hotel. Once you’ve subscribed, you can use a bike an unlimited number of times for thirty minutes or less; if you ride it for longer you’ll need to pay, but unless you take it for several hours it’s still very cheap.

There are some 750 spots to pick up and drop off the bikes all around the city – they say that you can find one every 300 meters. What are you waiting for? It’s cheap, healthy and you’ll see more of the city.

If you are really looking to discover Paris cheaply, then you’ll love the Paris hotel discounts available at Hotels Cheap.

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