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Atlantic City Hotels – Save Money by Knowing When to Go

Gabe — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:09:44 +0000

photo by StangGT

Although summertime might be the most popular season to visit Atlantic City, it certainly isn’t the only time to visit. With the large hotels, casinos, shows, and nightlife, there is always something going on. Finding the best Atlantic City hotels at the best price can often be your first line of thinking.

Your best bet at getting good hotel rates would be during the winter season…

If you want to find the best deals on Atlantic City hotels, then keep in mind that summer is going to have the highest rates. That’s when people typically take their vacations and with all of the outdoor activities available, it’s a great place to visit when the weather is warm.

On the other hand, autumn is also a popular time because there tends to be a lot of conventions held at Atlantic City hotels during that time. You might find that hotel rates are up during convention season, although they should drop back down in the wintertime.

Your best bet at getting good hotel rates would be during the winter season, as long as you avoid right around Christmas and New Year’s Eve. As a matter of fact, even some of the priciest hotels tend to drop their rates during this time period and you could end up with some great deals. Winter can be chilly, with highs in the 40s, and snow does fall from time to time, but you’ll probably be spending most of your time indoors at any rate during this period.

From March to April, the weather is pretty pleasant, the crowds smaller, and the hotels cheaper. Although you won’t be able to swim in the ocean during this time, and it might still be a little chilly to enjoy some of the outside activities, it can still be a great time to plan your trip to Atlantic City. The average temperature in the spring is around 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

You might want to be on the lookout for the Celebration of the Suds Atlantic City Beer Festival and Annual Atlantic City RV & Camping Show in March, however, when rates could go up again.

If you do travel to Atlantic City during the busy times, then try to avoid going on the weekends when the rates will go up higher for those people that want a weekend away. The cheapest time that you are going to find the hotels are during the weekdays in the wintertime where the hotels have their most discounted rates.

During the rest of the year, most hotels offer discounted packages that can save you money, too. For example, a recent special at the Trump Taj Mahal Casino included a room in one of the towers and a $150 dining credit at the hotel’s most exclusive restaurant for $200 per night. While still not cheap, this could be a nice way to spend the weekend if you’re just wanting to get away for a couple of days.

At the Borgata Hotel and Casino, a recent package included a room, dinner for two at the buffet, two tickets to the Comedy Club, and two drinks for $115 per night. That’s another good deal, even if you just wanted to get away for the evening.

Your best bets are to watch for specials at individual hotels and to travel during the off-peak seasons. You can save money at Atlantic City hotels by knowing when to go.

Around the World Tour – How to Book a Multi Destination Ticket

Gabe — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:56:15 +0000

photo by archer10 (Dennis)

You might have heard the phrase “around the world tour” and thought that the idea sounded like a great one. Traveling around the world on one trip and seeing multiple destinations at once can be eye opening and invigorating. But how, exactly, does one go about booking such a trip and what really constitutes as an “around the world tour?”

For starters, unfortunately you can’t just go to Expedia and book an around the world flight. On the other hand, you also don’t have to purchase 15 different one way flights, either. Still, it’s not as complicated as you might think it is. It’s also probably not as expensive as you might think, either. In fact, some people are able to score tickets for less than $2,000, depending on their destinations.

The most expensive way of traveling around the world is to purchase the tickets as you go

Since there isn’t one airline that covers all destinations around the world, you will have to fly on partner airlines, or what they term “alliances.” The largest alliances are One World, Star Alliance, and Sky Team. If you visit their websites and purchase your tickets there, you might not save money, but you might end up with a ticket that has better flexibility.

So why is flexibility important?

Well, let’s say that you are visiting Bombay and you planned on staying a week. However, once you get there it’s not quite what you expected and after 3 days you’re ready to move on. Flexibility in your ticket can help you do this. Likewise, if you are visiting Sydney and you decide that you want to stay an extra 3 days, you might be able to do that, too.

If you really just want to save money, then you can try some of the larger online travel agencies such as Circle the Planet and Airtreks which both sell around the world tickets. These consolidators buy airline tickets in bulk and then sell them to customers at discounted prices. They might also be able to get you on a more direct route to the destination that you want to visit.

Be prepared, however, that these tickets might be more direct, but they will also probably have higher change fees, too, and possibly more restrictions. In other words, you might just be stuck in Bombay for your original amount of time and have to make the best of it.

So what might be a good journey? The following is an around the world ticket, put together on Airtreks’ website.

New York city-London-Athens-Bombay-Bangkok-Singapore-Sydney-Lima-Los Angeles. The cost for the ticket was $3500. However, they also gave an alternative route which consisted of: New York-London-Athens-Cairo-Bombay-Madras-Bangkok-Singapore-Sydney-Auckland-Santiago-Lima-Los Angeles for only $4,000.

One trick that some people use is to only fly into large cities and then to use those cities as “bases” to explore surrounding areas, instead of flying into smaller airports that might be more expensive.

The most expensive way of traveling around the world is to purchase the tickets as you go. However, this would definitely offer you the most flexibility and you might get lucky and find some incredible deals once you are already in the country. Then again, you might not.

Anaheim Hotels – 5 Budget Hotels Near Disneyland

Gabe — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:45:29 +0000

photo by Tom Bricker (WDWFigment)

If you are traveling to Disneyland and are searching for inexpensive Anaheim hotels, then you might find the task challenging. Most hotels in the area cater those people who are visiting Anaheim for the park and therefore the hotel rates can be extremely high. Fortunately, there are a couple of discount options that won’t be too hard on your wallet.

Just keep in mind that the following hotels don’t offer many amenities, although they are clean and close to Disneyland. If that’s all you require in your hotel, then you’ll be fine with any of these selections.

1. Alpine Inn

This hotel is a Swiss-chalet style abode that is within walking distance to Disneyland. It is clean and small and only has 42 rooms. The hotel provides a free continental breakfast, a heated swimming pool, high seed wireless internet, and free parking. There is also a refrigerator, ironing board, microwave, and coffee maker in the room.

2. America’s Best Value Inn

This hotel is also within walking distance of the park. Some of the rooms are suites and can have up to 4 double beds in them which is great if you are traveling with a large family. It also offers a heated pool, free parking, free continental breakfast, and WiFi. The rooms have microwaves, hair dryers, refrigerators, and ironing boards in them.

3. Carousel Inn and Suites

This might be a budget option, but it’s still a fun one. There are kid suites with bunk beds and Disney themes and even 3 bedroom suites available. There is also a swimming pool located on the roof. Amenities include a guest laundry facility, a Quizno’s onsite, free parking, free continental breakfast, swimming pool, room service, and fitness center.

4. Lemon Tree Hotel

This is a Spanish-style hotel without indoor corridors. It might be all on one level, but it’s cheap and clean. You also get access to a pool, hot tub, fitness center, and free wireless internet, as well as free continental breakfast and parking. It’s located 3 miles from Disneyland and good value for the money.

5. Pepper Tree Hotel

Not to be confused with the Lemon Tree Hotel, the Pepper Tree Hotel was recently renovated and is also good value for the money. It’s a few minutes away from Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland. It has a swimming pool, fitness center, free parking, and free internet, plus all of the rooms have kitchens.

All of the hotels listed above start at less than $100 per night. Of course, suites are going to be more expensive. However, some hotels offer significant discounts if you plan on staying a week or longer so that might offer even more savings to the family that wants to find Anaheim hotels on a budget.

The hotels that are not within walking distance will mean that you will have to drive to Disneyland and pay the parking fee, but that’s kind of the chance that you have to take if you want to travel on a budget in this area.

Best Places to Find All Inclusive Deals

Gabe — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:09:20 +0000

You’ve probably heard of all inclusive vacations, but where are the best places to take these vacations? After all, not every place offers them. In addition, what is included in these “all inclusive” rates once you get there?

1. Cruise ships

photo by Sean MacEntee

Most cruises are still included to be all inclusive. Whether you’re going to the Bahamas or to Alaska, you can plan on most of the things on your ship being included in your total price. Of course, there will still be some things that you have to pay for separately. If you eat outside of the buffet or ship’s main dining room then you’ll have to pay for that. You’ll also have to buy your own drinks (that includes soda), do your own tipping, purchase your own souvenirs, pay for your own spa services, use your own money to gamble, and shell out the cash for your shore excursions. However, the price of your room, the use of pools and most of the shows, and 3 meals a day are all included in the price.

2. Cancun

photo by jthetzel

Cancun is an excellent place to find an all inclusive vacation. There are numerous resorts that offer this option. In Cancun, you can typically expect to find a resort on the beach that will include your meals, your drinks, your entertainment, and use of whatever extracurricular activities they have. You might have to pay extra for certain things, like scuba diving equipment and extra drinks, but for the most part “all inclusive” does live up to its name.

3. Puerto Rico

photo by abnelphoto.com

Puerto Rico might be short on all inclusive resorts, but the Copamarina Beach Resort and Spa in Guanica is a good one. It has 20 acres of land and half a mile of beachfront property. Their packages start at less than $400 per night and include unlimited juice and soft drinks, 3 meals a day, and non-motorized water sports. You can also get unlimited international alcoholic beverages during bar hours.

4. Sandals Resorts

photo by heather0714

There are Sandals Resorts located in Jamaica, St. Lucia, Antigua, and the Bahamas. At Sandals, you will find 11 restaurants, suites with 4 poster beds and marble bathrooms, 24 hour room service, a great scuba diving program, swim up bars and access to other Sandals resorts. Nearly everything is included in the price of a stay-including airfare.

5. Atlantis

photo by heather0714

No doubt you have heard of Atlantis, located in the Bahamas. While this is not an “all inclusive resort” per se, you can book a lot of things together. Their website gives you the choice of adding airfare to your stay, as well as adding on extras so that at least most things are paid for at once. You can also add on a casual dining plan or a gourmet dining plan option so that your meals are included in the price as well. Other things that you will have access to are their beaches, 141 acre Water Park, casino, climbing facility, and small island cruises.

These vacations not only offer the convenience of paying for everything at once, but also come out cheaper in the end in most cases than if you had paid for the items separately.

25 Beautiful Photos of Infinity Pools

Gabe — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:45:51 +0000

1. Golden Triangle Resort – Chiang Rai, Thailand

Photograph by I Prahin

2. Murni’s Villa – Ubud, Bali

Photograph by Murnis in Bali

An infinity edge pool (also named negative edge, zero edge, disappearing edge or vanishing edge pool) is a swimming or reflecting pool which produces a visual effect of water extending to the horizon, vanishing, or extending to “infinity”. They are often seen at fancy or exotic resorts, exclusive estates, and in advertisements. The infinity pool design concept is said to have originated in Bali, Indonesia, where its inspiration came directly from observing the dramatic effect created by the ubiquitous terraced rice paddies, known locally as sawah, for which the island is famous.

- Source: Wikipedia

3. Lake Manyara Serena Lodge – Tanzania, Africa

Photograph by badlyricpolice

4. Kandalama Hotel – Dambulla, Sri Lanka

Photograph by adametrnal

5. Tuscany, Italy

Photograph by waveovrwave

6. Tat Kuang Si Waterfall – Luang Prabang, Laos (natural)

Photograph by babelbabel

7. Alila Ubud Hotel – Bali, Indonesia

Photograph by Sean McGrath

8. Sheraton Waikiki – Hawaii

Photograph by Scott Sharick

9. Hotel Villa Mahal – Turkey

Photograph by Cloudzilla

10. Rangali Island – Maldives

Photograph by KTA Public Relations

11. Kempinski Hotel Ishtar – Dead Sea, Jordan

Photograph by Marantzer

12. Divi Little Bay Beach Resort – St. Maarten

Photograph by Erikogan

13. Phuket, Thailand

Photograph by a hobby

14. Los Cabos, Mexico

Photograph by Marquis Los Cabos

15. North Narrabeen Tidal Pool – Sydney, Australia (natural)

Photograph by Peter Anthony

16. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Photograph by bpverdoorn

17. Intercontinental Hotel – Fiji

Photograph by amorphity

18. Dreams Resort – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Photograph by demelzastudio

19. Unknown

Photograph by rocketChips

20. Turkey

Photograph by NeilWhelan

21. Mes Amis Resort

Photograph by Jeremy Wilbur

22. Ubud Hanging Gardens – Bali, Indonesia

Photograph by Busyman Bicycles

23. Infinity Falls (natural)

Photograph by Angus Clyne

24. Unknown

Photograph by Greg Marshall

25. Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Casino – Singapore

Photograph by Andrew JK Tan

Budget Friendly Options for Spring Break

Gabe — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:06:54 +0000

For college students on a budget, all inclusive vacation packages can be a great way visit a fun destination, get away for a couple of days, and not spend too much money in the process. So what are all inclusive vacation packages and where can you find such things?

Essentially, these packages combine some of the basic expenses that you would expect to encounter while on vacation. Although the different resorts vary as far as what they include in the packages, you can typically expect to find accommodations, most meals, some beverages, entertainment, and some activities included. Items that are usually not included in the price are tips and gratuities, specialized activities such as spa treatments, and all alcoholic beverages.

Mexico is a great place to find these all inclusive packages. Cancun and Cabo San Lucas, for example, have quite a few resorts that have all inclusive deals. For around $150-300 per night you could basically stay at a resort and have all of your expenses bundled into one. Although that sounds expensive, considering the fact that meals and alcohol alone can drive up the cost of your vacation budget, these are sometimes the most economical options.

South Padre Island also has a couple of different all inclusive packages, too. A popular package there includes accommodations, a VIP Party pass valued at $219, meal plan, and free drinks.

In addition to the resorts, cruises are sometimes considered to be all inclusive. Starting at around $350 during Spring Break, you might expect to find a roundtrip cruise to one of the destinations in the Bahamas, transfers from your hotel to the cruise ship, 3 buffet meals on the ship, poolside events and nightly parties, and accommodations for 5 nights and 4 days.

Keep in mind that rates will fluctuate and that Spring Break is a very popular time to travel to places that have all inclusive packages so you will need to book ahead. With that in mind, however, with so many available in the Cabo and Cancun area you should also do some comparison shopping, first, to make sure that you are getting the best value for your money.

…all inclusive deals in Cancun and Cabo San Lucas for for around $150-300 per night

Even though water sports, such as snorkeling, are usually included in the price of the vacation many times other activities, like renting a boat, are not. You should check with the resort first to make sure that you understand what is being included in the price and what is not.

You can also sometimes get airfare included in the cost of your trip at a discount price, although airfare itself is not typically included in all inclusive packages.

These packages are available from a variety of sources. You might find them advertised in your local newspaper, or you can search for them on Expedia, Travelocity, and Orbitz. In addition, there are dozens of websites out there geared towards Spring Break travel and college students in general that might be able to find you better deals.

Gorgeous Photos of Italy

Gabe — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 21:21:31 +0000

All Inclusive Resorts

Gabe — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 22:01:45 +0000

All inclusive resorts can be great because the price includes most of the expenditures that you would normally incur on vacation and they’re all rolled up into one. However, it’s not always as simple as that and sometimes you end up paying for things that you just thought were included.

Here is a short list of things that you can do when staying at such a resort to ensure that you really are getting the best possible deal and not paying for something that you assumed was included in the price.

1. Make sure that you know exactly what the all inclusive resorts include in their price.

Don’t assume anything. Watch for an asterisk in the price, or anywhere else in the disclosure, because that will almost assuredly be the thing to tell you about what isn’t included.

2. Call ahead and ask.

If you’re still not sure what things are covered in the price, then call and ask. Make a list of questions and even if you feel silly, ask. It’s better to know than to assume and then have to pay big bucks for those things on down the road.

3. Ask if they will bundle.

How does this work? Instead of paying for your local calls, internet, and long-distance phone calls, ask if they will bundle the charge for Wifi and then do all of those things from your computer. You could get on by just paying the $15 per day for wireless, instead of paying for all of those other things separately.

4. Don’t just think that this works at all inclusive resorts, either.

In fact, you might be able to get your cruise ship to do it as well. Some cruises have unlimited soft drink cards that you pay a set price for. This can come out much cheaper than paying for each individual one.

5. Dispute the bill.

If there is something on your bill that you thought was included and they try to charge you for it, then dispute it. You can either do this will the travel agent, website that you booked the resort on, or the resort itself. Of course, before you do this you should re-read the fine print to make sure that you didn’t miss something. Better to be sure of what you’re arguing about before you start an argument.

By being an informed traveler and reading all of the fine print, you can know what you are paying for. However, sometimes mistakes are made by the resort and you end up paying for things that you shouldn’t have had to. By knowing your rights and the terms of your stay, you can have a better idea of what should have been included in your all inclusive price and what wasn’t.

One last final piece of advice is to write down names and times. If you have a conversation with someone at the front desk, or on the telephone, and they tell you that something is included in the price or isn’t, jot down their name for future reference. It could help you out later on.

Tips when taking an Alaska Cruise

Gabe — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 20:44:38 +0000

Photo by jimg944

If you are booking an Alaska cruise, then you might be looking for some advice about when to book it, when to go, and what to do once you’re on the boat. Here are 20 tips to keep in mind…

1. The warmest time to visit Alaska on a cruise is from late June to late August.

2. The cheapest time to take an Alaska cruise is when the season first opens in May and when it’s about to end in early September.

3. The warmer days of summer will allow you to explore more shore excursions since the days will be longer.

4. In May and September, the Alaskan wildlife is more active.

5. If you want to see more of the Alaskan Panhandle, as well as take in a land tour, then you might want to consider the 10 day itinerary from Vancouver to Seward.

6. Smaller cruise ships tend to focus more on cultural and natural activities and some are able to enter areas that the larger ships can’t get into.

Of course, they’re not going to have the large resort feel that the larger ships can offer.

7. Shore excursions are a great way to spend your days when you reach a port.

You can either book them through the ship, which is usually pricier but more convenient, or book them on your own when you dock.

8. Most of the good cabins sell out by the springtime

so book your cruise as early as you can.

9. Plan on tipping your room steward about $2.50 per day.

Make sure, however, that tipping isn’t included in your overall price.

10. Remember that for some reason, cruise beds can be shorter than what you’re used to at home.

11. Don’t expect your cell phone to work during most parts of your cruise.

Although you might get a signal when you reach a port, you might not.

12. If you tend to get claustrophobic, then you should at least get a room with a window-not an interior room.

This can also help with seasickness.

13. If you plan on getting off at the port, got to breakfast early.

If you wait too late, then you will be fighting other people for it, or find that most of the food is gone.

14. Make sure that you bring plenty of film.

The film, or batteries for that matter, on the boat could cost double or even triple the amount that you would pay at home.

15. Remember that soda, alcohol, tips, shore excursions, spa charges, and souvenirs all cost extra on the Alaska cruise.

In fact, unless you’re eating at the buffet or the included restaurant, any additional dining is also extra.

16. Bring a camera with a wide lens.

It will help you capture the expansive Alaskan scenery. In addition, bringing a long lens is preferable, too, since you will be seeing a lot of wildlife and not all of it is going to be up close and personal.

17. Fast film is recommended.

due to the fact that wildlife moves quickly and your boat will be moving as well.

18. Although Alaska won’t be freezing during the summer, you should still bring long sleeves, jackets, and rain gear.

19. Do get off the boat at ports, even if you don’t take an excursion.

20. Taking a map with you can help you trace your route.

Above all, have fun! An Alaska cruise is probably one of the most memorable experiences you will ever have.

How to Score a Travel Voucher

Gabe — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 16:21:25 +0000

When it comes to airline travel, everyone is looking for a discount. So how do some people end up with travel vouchers from airlines that they are then able to use on future flights? Is there a trick to this, or are people just lucky?

One of the easiest ways to get a travel voucher for airline travel is to offer to take a bump when the flight is crowded. Now, obviously, if you need to be at your destination at a particular time this might not be a good option for you. However, if it really doesn’t matter what time you land then this can be a great way to get a free airline ticket in addition to some other perks.

For travel within the 50 states, you can usually expect a voucher of around $200. However, for travel outside the United States you can sometimes score a travel voucher for airline travel that can be as much as $500.

Plus, you will usually end up with some food vouchers for the airport’s restaurants as well. If they are unable to get you on a flight that night, then they must also supply you with a hotel room. Not a bad deal at all!

Sometimes, the travel vouchers are only good for a certain amount of time, but typically if you book far enough in advance you shouldn’t have any trouble using them for your future flights.

Another way to score a travel voucher is to complain to the airline. So you don’t like the idea of complaining? Well, you should.

Despite all of the fees associated with flying and all of the red tape, airlines are still customer oriented businesses. Without their customers, they would have no business. Therefore, if you are treated with disrespect or you feel that your needs were not met, within reason, then feel free to let someone know.

On a recent flight, there was a 2 year old sitting behind me. It was a transatlantic flight and I was pregnant and miserable. The 2 year old kicked the back of my seat nonstop for 8 hours. It not only gave me a headache, backache, and stomach ache but I ended up spending a good amount of time in the bathroom throwing up from the stress. I complained to the flight attendant, but of course, there was really nothing that she could do about it.

In the past, they might have moved me to another chair or to first class. That is no longer that airline’s policy, however. It was a long miserable flight and I had paid a good deal of money for it. Plus, the flight attendant was rude in the process. Upon landing, I got online and filled out a customer complaint form. Within days, I had a voucher for $300 on that airline. That almost made up for it.

Although travel vouchers are rare, they can still be found from time to time. Just remember that they might not be as flexible as regular tickets and you’ll still have to make advanced reservations with them.

Airline Flights 10 Myths that Just Aren’t True

Gabe — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 15:58:35 +0000

When it comes to airline flights, are there any rules for finding the best deals available? Although there are some strategies that cover most airlines when it comes to finding good discounts, there are also some myths concerning airline flights and tickets that some travelers still believe to be true. Here are the top 10 myths that are still believed about airline flights….

1. Names on tickets can be changed.

Sometimes, you are able to change the name on a ticket if you are flying with a low-cost carrier. However, it will cost you and there are a lot of rules involved. For the most part, you are not allowed to change names, however.

2. Last minute tickets are the cheapest.

This is definitely not true. Although many airlines will have last minute sales from time to time, generally the closer you get to the departure date, the more expensive the ticket will get.

3. For a small fee, you can upgrade your ticket to first class.

This used to be true, but not anymore. You’ll probably have to pay close to your original ticket price to get upgraded. You’re better off trying o sweet talk the gate agent into bumping you up.

4. You can book your airline flights more than a year in advance.

Nope. You can only book them within the year. Anything after 365 days you’ll not likely get. It might be cheaper to book in advance, but not that far in advance.

5. To get the best airfare you have to stay over a Saturday night.

This is no longer true for all flights. If you are flying domestically, the price has more to do on the days that you fly, not on the days in between.

6. Other airlines will take your ticket.

If your flight is canceled, don’t just find another airline offering a similar flight and expect them to let you board. Still, if your current airline partners with another airline, they should be able to get you on a similar flight. Just let them do all the work.

7. You can always just book a one way ticket.

This isn’t true, either. In fact, if you are flying into another country, some countries won’t let you in unless you have a roundtrip ticket. Believe it or not, roundtrip tickets to international destinations are often cheaper than one way tickets, too.

8. If you have a death in the family, airlines will offer discounts.

Unfortunately, although some airlines might offer this, many do not.

9. You can always just change your flight.

You can change it under some circumstance, but you’ll have to pay a fee. On the other hand, when you show up at the counter to check in, you might be able to talk the ticketing agent into getting you on a different flight, especially if you have an extraordinarily long layover someplace.

10. Airlines have to put you on another flight if you are bumped.

Actually, this one is still true.

Knowing your rights as a passenger is very important. A well-informed traveler is a smart traveler.

27 Breathtaking Photos of Maldives

Gabe — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:21:34 +0000

The Maldives, officially Republic of Maldives, also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India’s Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and Chagos Archipelago. It stands in the Laccadive Sea, about seven hundred kilometers (435 mi) south-west of Sri Lanka and (250 mi) south-west of India. During the colonial era, the Dutch referred to the country as “Maldivische Eilanden” in their documentation, while “Maldive Islands” is the anglicised version of the local name used by the British, which later came to be written “Maldives”.

is one of the most dispersed countries in the world in geographic terms. It features 1,192 islands, of which two hundred are inhabited. The Republic of Maldives’s capital and largest city is Malé, with a population of 103,693 (2006). It is located at the southern edge of North Malé Atoll, in the Kaafu Atoll. It is also one of the Administrative divisions of the Maldives. Traditionally it was the King’s Island where the ancient Maldive Royal dynasties were enthroned.

The Maldives are the smallest Asian country in both population and land area. With an average ground level of 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) above sea level, it is the lowest country on the planet.[11] It is also the country with the lowest highest point in the world, at 2.3 metres (7 ft 7 in); the Maldives sinking is a great concern for the Maldivian people.

Airline Fares – Booking Tickets for Kids

Gabe — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 22:29:42 +0000

Photo by by Yogendra174

It doesn’t seem fair to pay full ticket price for kids. After all, not only are they smaller and take up less room, but they often end up sitting on your lap and not taking up any room at all. Plus, they tend to eat less. Over the years airline fares have changed regarding children and knowing the current rules can be confusing and overwhelming. So what can you expect to pay for your child on your next flight?

Children over the age of 2

Unfortunately, if you are flying domestic within the United States, you can usually expect to pay full fare. If your child is over the age of 2 and requires their own seat (which they will have to get if they are over the age of 2) then you’ll have to pay the same price for their ticket as you did for your own.

If you are flying overseas with your children, then you will get some sort of discount for your child. The airline itself will govern exactly what that discount is. You might get by with paying 70% of the adult fare for your child. To some destinations, and on some airlines, you might only have to pay half of what you pay for yourself.

Photo from rookiemoms.com

Children under the age of 2

On the other hand, if your child is under the age of 2 and sits on your lap then you can get away with letting them fly for free. Of course, if you have a squirming 18 month old and you’re flying from New York to Los Angeles, then the idea of sitting there for several hours with your child on your lap might not sound that appealing.

If you are traveling overseas, then you might still have to pay something for your lap child, although it won’t be anything like a full fare. You might end up having to pay around 10% of what you paid for your own fare, although this can vary from one airline to the next.

Unaccompanied Minors

If your child is flying alone, then you will also have to pay the “Unaccompanied Minor” fee which carries from one airline to the next. It can be anywhere from $50 to $100 and you will have to pay it each way-but not, thankfully, each leg.

Traveling during the off-peak times and during the low season can help you find flights that are not only cheaper, but also less crowded. When flying with kids, a less crowded flight means that you can spread out more. That means that technically, if you have a child under the age of 2 and you are able get by without paying a fare for them, on a flight that’s not crowded your child could still get their own seat. Of course, this isn’t really a chance that you might want to take.

Remember, too, that when flying with kids car seats and strollers are allowed on the flight and are not considered as part of the checked baggage fees, which does allow some kind of financial relief at least.

Washington DC Hotels – Finding Hotels that Won’t Break the Bank

Gabe — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 21:44:07 +0000

There is an assortment of great Washington DC hotels. Unfortunately, most of them are not budget hotels. Still, that doesn’t mean that they don’t exist. Although they can be tricky to find, there are some great values to be found in this capital city.

Photo by Masahiro Ihara

1. Beacon Hotel- On Embassy Row, this hotel is 3 blocks from Dupont Circle. It is also only 4 blocks from the White House. It features a business center, 24 hour fitness center, lounge, and restaurant. Rooms go for around $110 per night.

2. Candlewood Suites Washington-Dulles Herndon- Located minutes from the Metro and Dulles airport, this hotel is convenient to the city center and to Northern Virginia attractions. It boasts high speed internet access, fully equipped kitchens, a fitness center, and laundry facilities.

3. Holiday Inn White House- Just 6 blocks from the White House, this hotel is also near the Smithsonian, Library of Congress, US Capitol, Washington Monument, Convention Center, and National Zoo. Kids eat free in the hotel’s café and there is an outdoor pool located on the roof.

4. Phoenix Hotel- Only one block away from the Union Red Line Metro center and across the street from the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, this hotel offers some good incentives to be so reasonably priced. The rooms feature pillow-top mattresses, flat screen TVs, and bathrobes.

5. Holiday Inn Capitol- There are lots of amenities at this Holiday Inn hotel. It boasts a 24 hour fitness center, a rooftop pool, a restaurant, deli, bar, high speed internet access, and 24 hour business center. Room rates start at around $100 per night, which is pretty good considering the hotel’s close proximity to downtown.

In order to attract budget travelers, Washing DC hotels tend to drop their rates during slow periods. They also drop their rates in the summertime when the heat keeps a lot of tourists away. It can be difficult to predict their hotel rates, however, since a lot of times the rates will rise depending on various conventions and important events that are going on around town. In order to find the best possible rates, you really have to comparison shop.

It’s also important to keep in mind the fact that Washington DC is not a spread-out city. Most of the city’s attractions can easily be reached by metro or even foot. If you stay within the city limits, you are already close to much of what the city has to offer.

Having a car in the city doesn’t make a lot of financial sense. You don’t need it to drive from one attraction to the next and paying the parking fees that most hotels charge can make your accommodations even more expensive. Instead, rely on public transport, or just walk. Not only will it be a lot cheaper, but you will also be able to enjoy the city more as you will be able to take more of it in at once.

Vacation Rentals – 5 Places Where a Rental Can Save You Some Money

Gabe — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 21:37:42 +0000

Photo By Discount Vacation Rentals Online

Most people want to stay at hotels, bed and breakfasts, or inns when they go on vacation. However, vacation rentals can actually save you a lot of money if you use them the right way. Although vacation rentals might not make the most sense in, oh, say New York City, there are some destinations where they can come in handy.

1. The Outer Banks- The Outer Banks in North Carolina are a great place to visit if you want quiet villages, plenty of seaside, and fun in the sun. Whether you’re going on a romantic trip with your partner, or you want to take your kids on a family vacation for the summer, then you can’t go wrong. However, staying in one of their fabulous vacation rentals can not only be a lot of fun, but can save you money.

In the Outer Banks, there are a variety of vacation rentals to choose from. You can pick 5 bedroom houses on the beach, complete with swimming pool, or isolated cottages built for 2. These rentals are designed for people who want to stay for a week or more and like to be self-sustained on their trip. Although you won’t be getting daily maid service or room service, you will be getting plenty of space and privacy.

A recent search showed that a 5 bedroom house on the beach for a week in June cost $800. If you could get 8 of your friends to go with you, then that is only $80 per person for the entire week-less than $12 per night.

2. Gatlinburg, Tennessee- The Great Smoky Mountains are a family treat. There’s hiking, mini-golf, go-carts, outlet mall shopping, shows, and lots of dining options. There are also lots of hotels, motor lodges, inns, and resorts. The vacation rentals are some of the best options, though.

During the summer, a night in one of the nicer hotels can cost around $125 per night. If there are only a couple of you, then this might not be a bad idea. However, if there are several of you to split the cost and you want something a little different, then you might want to consider one of the cabins. There are even cabins built for 20 people or more. Some of the cabins come equipped with pool tables, dramatic balconies, Jacuzzis, and fireplaces. Although they can run $200 per night and more, if you have people to split the cost with, it can be a money-saver. In the wintertime, the rates drop dramatically.

3. Kennebunkport, Maine- Even though this quaint little seaside town in Maine has a couple of good hotels, renting a house on the beach can’t be beat. You can watch the sun rise over the ocean from your front porch of your 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom colonial vacation rental for only $2,000 per week during the summer. Actually, renting a house almost anywhere in Maine on the coast can be a lot of fun. More personal than hotels, they will also allow you to cook up some of the great fresh seafood that you can purchase.

4. Aspen, Colorado- Of course, if would be hard to beat the terrific lodges that Aspen has to offer, but a vacation rental can be a lot of fun, too. From cabins to luxurious townhomes, and state of the art condos, Aspen offers something for everyone. Vacation rentals, here, can also be a place way to entertain your friends after an afternoon of skiing.

5. Hawaii- You can’t go wrong with just about any location in Hawaii. A lot of the hotels are impersonal, large, and cold. Don’t expect all of them to be located on the beach, either. A vacation rental, however, can put you right near the water in your own tropical paradise. Depending on what time of year you visit, and which island you stay on, a 2 bedroom house starts at around $500 per week-a steal.