Winter Travel Ideas

Cheap Places to Travel

2012-10-17T11:07:00.002-07:00

Cheap Places to Travel on the US Dollar

The United States dollar isn’t what it once was. Though it has gained strength recently because of the ongoing debt crisis in Europe, it has fallen against the Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian dollars as well as just about every other major currency in the world. (It dropped greatly against the Swedish Krona while I was there this summer!)

As a constant traveler, I worry about currency moves like only a Wall Street trader would. Small changes in the value of the dollar can wreck my entire budget. My budget for Australia was $1000 short because the Australian dollar suddenly got stronger against the greenback.

Yet despite the sorry state of the US dollar, the world is still filled with great and cheap places where the dollar can go far. In fact, there are places in the world where the dollar has actually risen in value over the last few years. (I know – unbelievable, right?)

Here are some cheap destinations where your dollar can go far:

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the few countries to have its currency lose ground to the dollar. A dollar now gets 500 Colons, up from 360 a few years ago. Though the country is one of the most expensive in Central America, your money goes a lot further than it used to, making it a better bargain. Costa Rica is a beautiful place and my favorite Central American country. As an added bonus, flights from the US are also very cheap. I paid $400 to fly roundtrip from NYC and you can sometimes gets fights as low as $300. On the cheap end, you’ll need about $40 USD per day, while for your mid-range costs you’ll need about $60. Compared to visiting NYC, Disney, or the Caribbean, Costa Rica is a steal.

Learn more and plan your trip with my guide to traveling Costa Rica

Vietnam

While I’m not a huge fan of Vietnam, it’s certainly a cheap country. When I visited years ago, the US dollar got 16,000 Dong. Now it gets close to 21,000 Dong! Back then, I was spending $8 a day, which included cheap guest houses, local food, transportation, and a bit of drinking. Of course, the price of goods has gone up a lot since I was last there, but the country still remains incredibly affordable, especially when compared to many of its neighbors. Realistically, if you budgeted 20 dollars a day, you would want for little. The Vietnamese Dong is one of the few currencies that has gotten worse against the US dollar in recent years.

Learn more and plan your trip with my guide to traveling Vietnam

Ukraine/Romania/Bulgaria

The real eastern part of Europe is the cheapest part of Europe. Last year, I visited these three countries and could not believe how affordable they were. I was living like a king for less than $40 per day, paying $8 a night for a room in Ukraine, $1.50 for a liter of beer, and a few dollars for a local meal. When most people envision a European vacation, they envision Paris, Rome, or Prague, but you can get that same charm here without the high prices of those other cities and you encounter far fewer tourists. These three countries offer some of the best value on the continent.

Learn More: Finding more than Dracula in Romania

“Central” Central America

Outside of Costa Rica, other Central American countries such as El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua are an even better bargain. You can get by in all of these countries for less than $30 per day and they are a good alternative to touristy and “expensive” countries like Mexico, Belize, or Costa Rica. You’ll find wonderful historic ruins, jungles, food, and people in this part of the world. As the political situation in these countries stabilizes, more and more people are flocking to them (Nicaragua is becoming the new Costa Rica) so get going while the crowds and costs are few.

Learn more and plan your trip with my guide to Central America

India

While India has always been a cheap country, the Indian Rupee used to ride high at 39 Rupee to the dollar. Now, you get 48 Rupee to the dollar. You now get 20% more money when you travel there. In an already inexpensive country like India where you can get by on as little as $20 USD per day, that extra money can go a long way. Even if you go for mid-range accommodation and food, you’ll be hard-pressed to spend more than $50 USD per day unless staying at 5 star resorts. While the flights can be expensive, once there everything is a bargain, making the long flight to see the historic Taj Mahal, the beaches of Goa, and the metropolises like New Delhi and Mumbai much more appealing.

Argentina

Another country whose currency has lost ground to the dollar, the economic depression is hitting the country hard. That makes amazing Argentina – filled with history, beautiful people, culture, wine, football, and outdoor wonders like Patagonia – even more worth a visit. Buenos Aires is considered one of the liveliest cities in the world and most people here speak English. The only problem with this country is its rampant inflation, but even with that, you can still get by on around $40-50 USD per day.

Learn more and plan your trip with my guide to Argentina

Cambodia

Cambodia is one of my favorite countries in the world and I recently traveled back there after a 5 year absence. Prices have increased a little, but not by much. Cross-country buses still cost less than $10, meals are $1-3, private rooms are around $10, and beer is still 75 cents. Everything here works in dollars. ATMs give them out, goods are priced in dollars, you get change in dollars – it makes converting pretty easy. I find the country to be cheap,friendly, and safe. Plus, Angkor Wat is one of the most amazing historical sites in the world.

Learn more and plan your trip with my guide to Cambodia travel

Greece

The falling Euro has made Europe as a whole much cheaper than it was before. However, the county most hit by this crisis is Greece. Now this once-cheap country is even more of a bargain than it was previously. With 10 Euro hostels, 20 Euro hotels, and 3 Euro Gyros, this country is a steal. You’ll get to enjoy beautiful islands, beaches, and delicious food at a fraction of the price of other European countries. Moreover, since the economic problems have caused a huge drop in tourist numbers, there are fewer crowds on those wonderful beaches! Greece is a bargain destination and my friends there tell me that the summer season was really bad. Visiting will not only get you great deals, you’ll help put much needed money back into the economy.

Learn more and plan your trip with my guide to Greece

Hungary

Hungary is a beautiful country with a rich history. The capital, Budapest, is a marvelous example of old European design. Plus, the ruin bars, something completely unique to the city, are the best and most creative bars I’ve ever come across. Hands down the best bar scene in Europe. During the booming economic times of the earlier decade, Hungary was flying high with a growing economy and a strong currency. Now, one dollar gets you 220 Hungarian Forint, up from 150 in 2008. You can enjoy huge meals in markets for $5, ride the trains for $1, and stay in hotels (my favorite being Aboriginal) for $20.

South Korea

When I went to South Korea earlier this year, I was stunned by how cheap everything was. I had heard that South Korea was a bargain but in many ways its prices rival that of Southeast Asia. With the South Korean Won getting 1,113 per USD and most everything costing only a few thousand won, I can’t imagine busting your budget here. My friend and I went out for Korean BBQ complete with drinks and we each spent $8. You can pick up bottles of beer in 7-11 for less than a dollar. I don’t know why most people don’t talk about it but if you want a cheap East Asian country with a stunning countryside, South Korea is it.

All of these countries can provide a different and cheap alternative to expensive Europe,Australia, or Japan. Western Europe’s churches will be there 10 years from now, but the jungles of Central America? The rice fields of Asia? The old world of Eastern Europe? Probably not. With a weak dollar, it is time to think and travel differently and not pick the most obvious destination. Doing so will help you stretch your money and travel further and cheaper.

Editor’s note: I know there are plenty of other cheap destinations in the world where the U.S. dollar goes far but there’s only so many countries to include on one list!

Family Travel Ideas

2012-10-16T11:56:00.001-07:00

The cold weather is finally hitting the Northeast and while we are looking forward to skiing and hockey, we can’t help but start thinking about some warm weather winter getaway ideas. Since we are dreaming, we figure we might as well dream big — you know, those extended, vacation of a lifetime getaways that the teens will remember even after they have gone off to college!

As always, our travel blogger friends have lots of inspiration to share so here we go .. follow the links for some great articles chock full of lots of wonderful photos, then start checking out airfare and hotels for some major league warm weather winter family vacations with your teens and tweens.

Hawaiian Beaches, Nature, Shopping and Water Sports

Although it is a long trip from the East Coast, Hawaii is a can’t miss trip for families with teens. Our teens loved the opportunity to see an activevolcano, hike among the petroglyphs, snorkel and enjoy the beach on the Big Island. We wished we could have stayed twice as long. If you are looking for ideas on the other islands one of our favorite sites, The Vacation Gals, has a great series of posts about shopping and wave paddling at Waikki Beach on Oahu. Trekaroo hosts a great list of family activities on Maui. Don’t miss the Haleakala Crater National Park or the beautiful beaches.

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and Beyond

Ciao Bambino got us thinking about Australia – where the seasons are opposite those of Boston and December is the height of summer. Check out their Photo Essay from a family Christmas vacation on the Great Barrier Reef featuring birds, beach, fish, boats and lots of warm sunshine. A similar Photo Essay on their site features Bondi Beach, just outside Sydney. Australia is big so whether you want beaches or backcountry there are plenty of holiday options.

Spain’s Costa Del Sol Off the Beaten Track

The beaches of Spain are know worldwide, but long time round-the-world family travel bloggers,Soul Travelers 3 suggest getting off the beaten path, particularly during the winter months to explore the best winter weather in Europe. The Costa Del Sol is over a hundred miles long, filled with sandy beaches, rolling hills and majestic mountains. Enjoy their beautiful Costa Del Sol photos to see what they are talking about!

Cancun and the Mayan Ruins

Travel Mamas reminds us that Mexico is still a great, affordable warm weather family vacation. Her recent article Cancun Should be on Your Bucket List, describes how much there is to do within just a couple hours of Cancun’s major beach resorts. Important archeological sites like Tulum on the ocean and the pyramids of Chichen Itza botQoffer educational and exciting days trips. The 200 acre Xcaret ecopark offers animal exhibits featuring jaguars, lions, and, monkeys. There’s also a Butterfly Pavilion, Bat Cave, and Coral Reef Aquarium and you can book a stingray encounter, dolp n swim, or underground river snorkeling adventure. And of course, Cancun has some awesome beaches too!

Get Your Passports Ready!

We hope many of our readers get to take a wonderful warm weather trip with their teens and tweens this winter, if you do please leave a link to your blog so we can enjoy the trip too!

Hotels worldwide

Aruba or Austria? Barbados or Belgium? Chile or China? Marriott can offer hotel deals in 70 countries from the familiar to far-flung, for business or leisure.

Hotels Australia

Sydney airport hotels or Surfers Paradise, we have resorts and city hotels. Brisbane or Melbourne, business or pleasure? See our hotels, Australia and beyond.

Resorts

Need to relax or take a break from business? Marriott has spa resorts worldwide, and hotels in ski resorts for snow-lovers. Why not tee off at a golf resort?

Holidays

Luxury holidays for all the family, all-inclusive packages and deals on holiday resorts: relax and travel with Marriott to exotic locations worldwide.

Weekend Breaks

Take a weekend holiday to relax in a spa, play golf or explore a new city: choose from our range of quick getaways, city breaks and romantic holidays.

Hotel Reservations

2012-10-16T10:07:00.003-07:00

Winter Car Traveling

Are you planning to drive and take a family vacation this winter?

If you are traveling by car, bus or RV during extremely cold weather, it’s important to equip your vehicle with necessary supplies. Put together a winter survival kit and place the items in your car, truck or RV. Winter survival kit items should be available at a variety of stores and serve several functions. These supplies should include items to keep you warm (and help you avoid frostbite), get your vehicle back on the road (if you are broken down) and help signal assistance (if you are stranded).

Even if temperatures are not near zero, cold temperatures can still present a danger to you, and frostbite can set in within a matter of minutes. The outside ambient temperature can feel even colder when combined with wind. You may hear weather reports which discuss the “wind chill factor.” The Wind Chill Factor is an index that tells us the “feels like” temperature when the outside air temperature is combined with wind speed. Forty degrees Fahrenheit can feel like anywhere from 34 degrees to 25 degrees depending on the wind speed. That might not sound like much difference, but when you get down to temperatures hovering near zero, the time it takes for frostbite to set in decreases from 30 minutes to 5 minutes.

Travel Cautiously

· Stay alert and listen for travel advisories from the National Weather Service.

· Do not travel in low visibility conditions.

· Carry additional warm clothing appropriately suitable for winter conditions – never rely on a car or other vehicle to provide your heat – it may break down.

· Avoid bridges and overpasses if at all possible. Ice forms first in these areas.

· Use tire chains if necessary and carry emergency supplies with you.

Personal Items

Before leaving for your trip, be sure to put together personal supplies in your suitcase such as:

· Additional warm clothes for each person traveling – pack several layers.

· Blankets and sleeping bags (large enough to share).

· A sufficient supply of water.

· A first aid kit.

· A mobile phone.

Vehicle Items

Pack your vehicle’s trunk with the following supplies:

· Windshield scraper - NEVER pour water on an iced windshield as it may crack.

· Booster cables.

· Road maps.

· Tool kit.

· Waterproof/strike-anywhere matches and a can to melt snow for water.

· Paper towels.

· Tire chains.

· Tow rope.

· Flashlight.

· Sand bag or cat litter (for increased traction on ice).

· Compressed air (to repair flat tire).

· Brightly colored cloth – to tie around the antenna.

What To Do If You Are Stranded

Health website Helium recommends following the steps below if you are stranded:

Step 1 – stay in your vehicle. Get out of your vehicle to do only what is absolutely necessary and do not wander looking for assistance. Use your mobile phone and attempt to call for help.
Step 2 - Retrieve the emergency items from your trunk and move them into the passenger area.
Step 3 – Tie the brightly colored cloth around your vehicle’s antenna. This will help others to locate your vehicle.
Step 4 - Put on your extra clothes; wear a hat or wrap your head in an article of clothing. This is the place your body loses most of its heat. Keeping your head warm will help you avoid hypothermia and frostbite.
Step 5 – If your vehicle is broken down, determine if you can quickly fix the problem. If so, create a sensible plan to repair the issue and be sure to stay warm and dry.
Step 6 - Run the heater of your car for 10 minutes every hour. Open one window slightly to let air in and make sure snow isn’t blocking the exhaust pipe of your vehicle.
Step 7 – Huddle with any others traveling with you for warmth.