By Rease Kirchner

This post is sponsored by National Plan a Vacation Week

I find it sad, but not at all surprising, that many people (Americans especially) need to be convinced to take a vacation. That is just madness. Nonetheless, that is the case. So here are some reasons you should take a vacation.

You Work Too Damn Hard

Seriously, you’re racking up those hours like a kid racks up tickets at an arcade. But you know what? At least that kid is saving those tickets for something totally awesome. Sure, that giant stuffed alligator and cheap Chinese finger trap may not pay for his college, but they will bring him such joy! The good news is, a vacation will not be a fleeting joy. Taking some time off will not only benefit you during the vacation, but it will likely boost your productivity and happiness upon your return as well.

They’re called Vacation Days. Not run errands days

Taking a vacation day to run errands or some other overly boring and mundane task is completely unacceptable. It’s like being given a nice bottle of wine and then serving it to teenagers who would just as soon drink a box of Franzia. You are given vacation days because you need to take a vacation. Get away, have some you time, and escape your routine.

This.

Not this.

Photo by David Shankbone

It’s so much easier than you think

People are always whining about how they don’t have the time or money to take a vacation. That’s ridiculous. Vacations do not have to be at all-inclusive resorts across the globe. Explain your budget and time frame to a travel agent and chances are they can hook you up with an awesome vacation that will allow you to break free without breaking the bank.

Participate in National Plan a Vacation Week, get excited, and GO somewhere!

By Rachael Sena
Featured photo by Pintaric

Los Angeles is iconic for Hollywood and the movie stars that live there. When traveling to LA, it is common for people to want to have their own glamorous experience as the stars. But, in reality, many travelers can’t afford that sort of splurging. Here are a few tips from travelers who have had the LA experience and have the best tips to do it the most economically savvy way.

Time to Go

The best time to visit LA is between September and May, because these months are considered the off-season and there tends to be fewer tourists. Summertime is usually the busiest for the beaches and the various attractions, such as Disneyland and Universal Studios. Although you might encounter rain between December and March, the weather won’t be as hot and the accommodation prices won’t be as high.

Accommodation

Members Hotel Network (MHNSAVES.COM) is a membership-based booking site for accommodations and rental cars. Nik Mody, co-founder of MHNSAVES.COM, recommends his site because it is free to join and the benefits of being a member will pay off if you’re a frequent traveler. There are no fees to use this site, even when reserving a hotel or car. Travelers can combine discounts from other travel agencies or organizations, such as AAA or AARP. MHNSAVES.COM uses a points system to send deals and discounts to its members on top of the savings already on the reservation price.

CheapOAir.com is a great site to book it all—hotel, flight, car—in the convenience of one site. You even have the chance to score package deals if you want to book two of the three or all together. CheapOAir.com has about 100 listings for hotels in the Los Angeles area. Prices and atmosphere will reflect the area that you chose to stay in. Andrew Schrage, co-owner of Money Crashers Personal Finance, said: “If you want some sort of celebrity home tour, consider Beverly Hills. Beverly Hills also offers shopping opportunities, although you’ll be paying a premium price. If you want to experience more of the culture of the LA area, consider West Hollywood. Santa Monica is the place to go if you want beaches, and they also have a healthy nightlife. For family vacations, consider Anaheim, the home of Disneyland.”

Transportation

Los Angeles has an efficient public transportation system that will take you to fun and free destinations. Public transportation includes buses and railway systems. The most popular, and probably the quickest, is the Metro. The Metro connects Pasadena, Santa Monica, Long Beach, Hollywood and downtown. Michael Brein, a seasoned traveler, has compiled a list of popular (and free) sites to visit by riding the Metro.
Walking is not completely out of the question if you are exploring one area for the day. Driving would not be worth the hassle, because everyone knows how horrendous LA traffic can be (we’ve seen it portrayed in movies and it doesn’t look fun).

Entertainment

Isaac Rau, operator of iCheapAirfares.com, suggests that visitors take advantage of the free sites that LA has to offer. Even though they don’t cost anything to get in, the sites will not disappoint. Utilize the bike paths, trails and beaches. Immerse yourself in nature for once and appreciate life. Venice Beach and Santa Monica Pier are great locations for taking in the landscape and enjoying the local culture.
For art enthusiasts, the J Paul Getty Museum is located in Santa Monica and admission is free. If you traveled by car, parking is $15. The museum exhibits European paintings, sculptures and other art works.
For people who want to visit multiple attractions, such as the Kodak Theatre, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and Paramount Pictures Studio, there is a Go Los Angeles card. You pay one admission price, depending on the number of days you want to explore, and you are granted to all 40 attractions that are listed on the website. Yep, that’s right, you should thank Schrage for another awesome tip.
And don’t forget to venture down the Hollywood Walk of Fame!

Food

Paul Shrater, co-founder of Minimus.biz, brought a legendary, and delicious, restaurant to light that every visitor couldn’t miss. Pink’s Hot Dogs got its start in 1939 by Paul Pink. It has endured rough economic, political and social climates, but its legendary meaty hot dog has remained the same. It would be no surprise to spot a celebrity ordering food from here.

If you use a smartphone, download a food application. OpenTable is free and allows you to view restaurants in your area, the restaurants’ menus and make reservations. TVFoodMaps enables you to find restaurants that have been featured on TV programs from the Food Network and Travel Channel. Oh, and it’s free.

A slave to her education, Rachael is in her third year at the University of South Florida to earn a Bachelor’s of Art degree in magazine journalism. In her future, she envisions herself editing a fashion/photography/travel magazine (if such a thing exists). Her feisty attitude and short temper can be traced back to her Italian heritage. She knows a little Italian but plans to learn more while vacationing there someday. She is most at peace when writing, spending time with the boyfriend and watching movies about chicks that kick ass.

Written by Rease Kirchner

This is a sponsored post, sponsored by Plan a Vacation Week.

Vacations are the sort of thing we dream about, talk about in passing, yet for some reason, often put on the back burner. Who isn’t longing for a vacation? How many times have you sat at your desk and began day dreaming about an exotic foreign land? Or perhaps a relaxing beach getaway? Or even something adventurous, like a safari tour?

What did you do about it?

I’m betting your answer is “Absolutely nothing.” You’re probably still plugging away at your job, too busy and too stressed to allow yourself anything more than a day dream. It doesn’t have to be that way!

You deserve a vacation. Seriously, say it out loud, “I deserve a vacation!”

Taking a vacation will do wonders for your sanity. You’ll come back refreshed, more productive and  - dare I say it – happier.

Too many vacations remain only in the fictional dream world and never make it to the drawing board. You’ve always got an excuse.

“I have too much work to do.”
“I can’t afford it.”
“I don’t have the time to plan it.”
“I wouldn’t even know where to begin.”

Plan a Vacation Week puts an end to excuses

March 18-24th is National Plan a Vacation Week. What does that mean, exactly? It means the end of excuses and the beginning of an amazing adventure. Check out the Plan a Vacation Week site and check out all the options their team of travel agents has to offer. They can find something
to fit every budget, please every interest, and snuff out any leftover excuses.

Be a part of the Vacation Planning Extravaganza!

by Rease Kirchner

When I took my first trip to Miami back in December 2011, I was prepared for the people. I knew I wouldn’t be nearly sexy enough to appear local and I was ready to see some scantily-clad high-fashion divas and beach bros. I was not, however, prepared for the ridiculous mannequins. My first day on South Beach I couldn’t stop giggling and pointing at mannequins. Sadly, I didn’t always have my camera with me for some of the truly great ones, but I did manage to get a decent collection.

Excuse the window glare, I was always in kind of a rush and/or tipsy when taking these!

These mannequins have better groomed hair than I do.

Strike a pose in some animal print and giant sunglasses!

Hey girl, I mixed some mad beats for you.

Sexy indian party! you know, just a Tuesday night in Miami.

Damn girl, look at that body. He works out.

I live off Diet Coke and the latest celebrity diet

Let's smoke some pot and listen to Bob Marley while wearing the tightest dresses possible.

Our bodies are so sculpted they are made of gold. It's straight Fort Knox up in this bra!

"I paid extra to make sure they removed some fabric from my dress." "This fedora/sunglasses combo is a seriously lady killing combo"

Kiss kiss, Bobby! Don't you just love my shinylicious lips? Meet me on the playground later and wear something sexy!

Isn't Miami the BESTEST? You have to come back, you just HAVE to!

Rease is a US citizen who fled the Midwest in favor of ex-pat life in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After 1.5 years of living and working abroad, she has recently relocated back to the US for a new adventure that doesn’t involve working in an office. She is bilingual and is very capable of cussing you out in Spanish. She loves gaining and sharing knowledge of local cultures, customs and adventure, and she especially loves getting sassy with anyone who gets in her way. Her favorite place in the world is any artisan ice cream shop in Argentina.

This is a sponsored post, sponsored by Sunshine Coast.
Featured photo by Zephyr103

Planning a trip to the Sunshine Coast, Australia?  Buy your ticket, pack your bags and rent one of many Sunshine Coast apartments.

Battle of the Beaches

Sunshine Coast, Australia lays claim to some of the finest beaches along the Pacific.  The Sunshine Coast is located just north of Brisbane, and the area glimmers with several stretches of unbroken beaches.  Some of the more notable beaches include: Kings Beach, Alexandra Headland, Coolum, Noosa Main Beach and Kawana Waters.  From Sunshine Beach to Coolum, the unbroken beach stretches 11 miles (17km).

Outdoor Paradise

Like other parts of Australia’s gorgeous Pacific coast, Sunshine Coast rolls out the red carpet of natural beauty.  A great deal of biodiversity exists in the area, and measures have been taken to protect these gifts.  Sunshine Coast is home to more national parks than any other region in Queensland.  Some of the parks include Fraser Island, the Glasshouse Mountains National Park, Great Sandy National Park, Mapleton Falls National Park and Noosa National Park.

Vacation Pastimes

Sunshine Coast enjoys welcoming visitors and offering tourists a wide range of activities to choose from.  For the avid golfer, a bevy of golf courses are on hand.  Get out on the links and relax at Cooroy, Coolum, Twin Waters, Noosa Springs, Pacific Harbour, Pelican Waters, and Peregian Springs to name a few.  If a round of 18 isn’t your thing, there are other options that can entertain the entire family.  Plan an outing to the Underwater World marine park, the Big Pineapple farm or visit the legendary Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo.

Circle Dates on the Calendar

Come now, as the early months of the year give Sunshine Coast spectacular weather.  Imagine sun splashed days hovering around 82 degrees (28 C).  Start looking into cheap Sunshine Coast hotels,  and don’t delay, because the Sunshine Coast welcomes everyone, today.

“Holy crap, the bunny hill did not prepare me for this.”

That was the only thought in my head as I got off the ski lift, rounded the corner, and looked down the steep ski slope. This was my first time skiing, and more importantly the first time I attempted anything but the bunny hill. I hesitated for a few minutes, and finally just went for it.

I immediately fell on my ass and lost a ski within the first 50 feet. There is no way to look cool when you go down hard, lose a ski, and clearly have no idea what you are doing. But, I got up, clicked my ski back on, and started down the hill again – much more cautiously this time. I remembered my lessons, and formed an iron clad wedge with my skis just hoping not to die. Eventually I became more comfortable on my feet and the experience seamlessly morphed from sheer terror to pure exhilaration. Before I knew it I reached the end of the hill alive.

This is Las Vegas.

Most visitors don’t know that just about a 30-40 minute drive from the Strip, you can go skiing. This is actual, outdoor, on-a-mountain skiing as well, not some indoor facsimile of skiing like you might expect from Las Vegas (or will actually find in Dubai). The Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort boasts some of the best snow and the earliest open date in the county. The resort is generally open from November through April, so you can go skiing in Las Vegas for nearly half of the year. Pretty much if you come to Vegas and the pool at your hotel is closed, then the ski slopes will be open.

A lift ticket on the weekend will cost you $60 for the entire day (9 AM to 4 PM), or $50 during the week. Put another way, you can go skiing for an entire day on the amount of money you would probably lose in ten minutes of blackjack. You can even rent all of the equipment needed (including jacket and pants) and take a 2 hour lesson if you are new to skiing. I took the lesson, and would definitely recommend it to newbies.

So, now if anyone tells you that Las Vegas only has gambling and nightclubs, you can let them know about the world class skiing. This is a great way to spend the day no matter what kind of Vegas trip you’re taking, be it with family, friends, or solo. And if you can’t make it to Las Vegas to try the skiing for yourself, this is a pretty close reenactment of my experience.

This is a sponsored post, sponsored by Gold Coast.

People in the Northern Hemisphere smartly flock to Queensland, Australia, seeking sun and sand.  Consider car hire so you can navigate the endless stretches of Gold Coast beaches.

Taking a Pass on the Outback?

Let’s face it, when you’re sick and tired of snow, cold and lack of sunlight, whether you’re from Northern Europe, North America or Japan, you’re probably not in the mood to embark on a safari in the Australian Outback.  Having to fend off toothy crocodiles guarding the rivers doesn’t provide the most relaxation either.  Snowbirds come with a single track mind, and that is migrating to the beach and inhabiting the shores until your skin begs for mercy from the sun.
Gold Coast, Queensland, caters to the beach lover’s deepest desires and every whim.  Located just 58 miles (94km) south of Brisbane, the city boasts 35 miles (57km) of pristine beaches.  If surfing is your passion, the Gold Coast offers some of the best surf breaks in Australia.  The Spit, Surfers Paradise, Palm Beach, Mermaid Beach, Miami, Snapper Rocks and Coolangatta represent just a handful of some of the dreamy beaches that will beckon you hither.
With beach gear and surfboard in hand, the wisest idea might be to consider a car rental Gold Coast style.  Having the absolute freedom to go to the beach you want, when you want, will make your vacation infinitely more pleasing.  Although hitchhiking is a widely accepted custom in Australia, a snowbird with cooler, lounge chair, sun umbrella and surfboard in tow, might not get picked up quickly.
Don’t worry about other things to do, if you need to catch a break from baking on the beach all day long.  Gold Coast boasts numerous, expansive nature reserves, over 500 restaurants, 40 golf courses and six major theme parks.  Don’t doubt for a second that Gold Coast can and will give every visitor all the necessary luxuries and entertainment for a fabulous vacation that you’ll never forget.

This is a sponsored post, sponsored by Private Jets.
Featured photo by AlCapone31
Many people mistakenly lead themselves to believe that traveling on private jets is financially, far out of reach.  Thanks to the internet and social media, the reality is that now you can too.

Lower Prices

In many cases, ticket prices for private jets now rival prices of commercial tickets in first class, business class, or sometimes even coach!  In an era of higher fuel prices, companies are much more willing to negotiate.  Being internet savvy is key.

The Internet Shall Discount Luxury Travel

One of the biggest problems for private jet companies are so-called “empty leg” flights.  These are flights back to base, or in between jobs.  Frequently, seats aren’t filled and the company is losing potential revenue.  Insert average traveler here.  The real dirty secret of the industry is that about a third of total flights are empty.  A quick search on the web will procure a number of companies offering deals.  Companies have even been known to advertise “empty leg” flights on facebook for as low as $499.

Buyer Beware

Of course, like many deals that sound too good to be true, there are pitfalls.  Say for example you find private planes flying between Chicago and Miami.  If you book the flight from Chicago to Miami, and the client in Miami cancels, you’re out of luck.  Also, a number of these deals are extremely time sensitive.  Sometimes you can book the deal and the jet departs in less than six hours.  Be mindful, that you’re gambling with your travel plans.

Lower the Cost with Social Media

Some private jet companies will allow you to find other travelers for “empty legs” via your social media page(s).  This strategy allows you to lower the cost.  Sometimes, if you only can find one or two additional passengers, the ticket isn’t cheaper than a normal, commercial flight.  However, if you find three or four passengers to go, the cost becomes significantly cheaper than what you’d normally expect on a commercial flight.

By Sydney Stonner

Singapore is a major world city known for its signature drink–the Singapore sling–and its rather harsh rules and fines for things like jaywalking and chewing gum. As an international financial center and tourist destination, Singapore is not necessarily a budget-friendly place to travel. However, quite a few of the city’s sights are free and open to the public.

1. Fort Canning Park

This park is located near the city center and is part of the historic district of Singapore. It was once a fort, of course, and the fort gate remains, along with a “sally port,” which is a hidden door in the side of the fort. There are paved walks inside the fort that wander through the lush tropical greenery and lead to the Spice Garden, the ASEAN Sculpture Garden and other attractions. The Battle Box, an underground bunker with information and exhibits about Singapore during World War II, is the only place within Fort Canning where visitors must pay an entry fee.

2. Merlion Park

More of a plaza than a park, this tourist attraction has not one, but two Merlion fountains. This mythical creature is half fish, half lion and has become an iconic symbol of Singapore. Merlion Park is located in the city center at the water’s edge. It provides an excellent view of the sea, as well as the famous Marina Bay Sands casino and hotel with its very unique architecture (three tall towers with a boat-like structure sitting atop them).

3. Little India

To the north of the city center, you will find Singapore’s Little India. This area is full of Indian restaurants, sari shops, Bollywood DVD stores and more. On a walking tour of the area, you will encounter Hindu temples with elaborate exteriors, as well as a couple of mosques and Buddhist shrines. Many non-religious buildings are also worth the visit because they are brightly colored with matching shutters and balconies, only adding to the great atmosphere of Little India.

4. Chinatown

This is another colorful district of Singapore not to be missed, and of course, walking around and seeing the sights is free. The Chinatown Heritage Center houses historical exhibits about the area, and the nearby Sacred Buddha Tooth Temple is worth a visit–at night it is illuminated. Chinatown also has a night market, which is a great place to find souvenirs.

5. Singapore Botanic Gardens

Further out of the city is the Singapore Botanic Gardens, which was established at its present location in 1859. Everything but the National Orchid Garden is open to the public for free. There are areas of the garden devoted to bonsai trees, rainforest fauna, herbs, spices, fruit trees and other types of plants. The garden has also established a Heritage Walking Trail to showcase and protect its most mature trees.

Author Sydney Stonner is addicted to traveling. After studying journalism and music at the University of Missouri (where she studied abroad twice), she worked for a time as a newspaper reporter. Now, she is living in Hong Kong teaching English to primary school students. So far, she has visited 15 countries and hopes to visit many, many more. Visit this site to follow Sydney’s adventures.

This post is sponsored by DialAFlight

Backpackers tend to avoid big cities. Large cities these days seem to be rather homogeneous; the same international brands, chain stores and signs written in English. Often they are mere transit points on your way to somewhere else. However, there are some cities that are just too cool to miss and New York is one of them.

It’s not exactly the most backpacker friendly city, seeing as pretty much everything involves spending money, but there are ways to get by in the Big Apple without draining your bank account completely.

Times Square looking uptown. Creative Commons photo by Trey Ratcliff.

There are really three standout things you need to do in New York. The first is see the skyline and the Statue of Liberty from the water. Next you need to visit MoMa, this really is one of the best galleries in the world and finally you need to eat out – New York has more restaurants that any other city on the planet. Here’s how to do all three without spending loads of cash.

Jump on the Staten Island ferry from Whitehall Terminal. This free service goes all the way out to Staten Island, past the Statue of Liberty. You’ll get a great view back onto Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge and get a real sense of scale of the buildings and surrounding New York boroughs.

The Museum of Modern Art near Central Park costs $25 for adults, but if you go between 4pm and 8pm on Friday, admission is free, thanks to Target Free Friday Nights.

Eating out in New York is a must at least once. Of course the Michelin-star restaurants may be out of the question, but there are plenty of award-winning restaurants that don’t charge top dollar to choose from. A good place to find the restaurant for you is on Top Table. This handy website offers all kinds of offers, including two for one, 50% off, lunchtime specials and taster menus. Thousands of offers are running at any one time.

Thankfully, getting to the ‘Empire State’ isn’t over priced. As long as you book your flights to New York in advance you should be able to bag a decent deal. DialAFlight has a range of flights to New York throughout the year, so you should find one package you can afford. Even if your flight to New York is just a transit onto somewhere else, you need to spend at least a few days in the city that never sleeps.