Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Budget Travel - Must-Have Travel Books

Popular Travel Books - Tips To Saving Money On Your Travels

Here are some of the popular sites that offer great travel tips, information and secrets in their travel ebooks. Worth checking them out as there are free bonuses and money-back guarantees.

1. Travel Secrets Guide
Use one of the travel secrets in this guide and save hundreds, even thousands, on your next trip or vacation. The Travel Secret Guide book is available for only $39.95. Small price compared to the thousands you could save on future travels. Some of the topics covered are:
- How to strategically bid for the best deals on Priceline.com
- Powerful tactics to save on airfare, hotels, cruises, rental cars and more
-How to stay in homes in foreign countries for free
- How to avoid travel scams
- How to get bumped from a flight on purpose and reap the rewards (free flights)
- How to get heavily discounted tickets and hotel rooms
- How to save 50% or more on restaurants, shopping and more.
Click here for more details.

2. Why Not Fly Free
The author has more than 15 years experience in the travel industry. He has been flying almost free 98% of the time.You can use the same strategy that he has used - the same ones that allowed him to enjoy 57 free airline tickets over the last 9 years. The Why Not Fly Free book is available for only $27.95. The travel guide includes:
- secrets the airlines DON'T want you to know
- how your kids fly free
- strategy to get free airline tickets
- save up to 70% on First or Business Class
- fly anywhere in the world, only pay the ticket's tax
- take a vacation free, including airline tickets and hotel
- truth about last minute airfares
Click here for more details.

3. Get Paid To Travel The World
Within days, you could qualify as a freelance travel writer and use tried and tested techniques to visit some of the most breathtaking locations in the world absolutely free. The books are only $19.99. Some of the travel tips will include:
- The secret structure of a well written article
- successful templates you can copy
- Why free travel and other benefits are an integral, and often required, part of the travel writer's "job"
- How to identify the right office to contact
- The one little secret that can greatly improve your chances of having your request granted
- The three secrets of getting hosted for free, and how to use them.
- Nine secrets of writing a saleable article every time.
Click here for more details.

4. The Ultimate Disney World Savings Guide 2006
A guide to the best tips, tricks and savings available for a Disney Vacation. It’s all about making a Disney Vacation an affordable and magical experience. The Disney World Vacation and Savings Tips 2006 book is available for only $27.95. Here are some of the topics covered:
- the best places and sites to buy your advance tickets
- the one thing you must do TODAY that will net you hundreds of extra dollars in your vacation account to help purchase Disney World tickets, trinkets, and meals at Disney.
- ins and outs of exchanging or upgrading your Disney tickets
- which offsite hotels offer the best value – and which to steer clear of
- slash your food expenses – without sacrificing the fun of eating out
- The One Park You Should Visit Last! (Especially with young children)
- How To Beat Those Long Lines
– Did you know that it makes a difference if you stand in the Right or Left line?
- Hidden Entrances – There are several “shortcuts” to theme parks and attractions
Click here for more details.

Hope that these travel books help you in your quest for budget travel.

Read on fellow travelers,
Budget Travel

Monday, May 15, 2006

Budget Travel - 11 Backpacking Tips

11 Tips For Hassle-free & Safe Backpacking Trips

One of the best option for a fulfilling and exciting budget travel is camping and backpacking. Hiking at one of the national parks or the wilderness of a state park is a fantastic way to get in touch with nature and your friends or family.

Budget travel such as backpacking takes very little to get started. Your backpacking budget travel checklist - quality backpack, a top quality tent and maybe a camp stove or other similar appliance. Here are some budget travel tips for backpackers.

Budget Travel Tip #1- Invest in a good quality hiking map. When estimating the time it will take to hike to your destination, always overestimate.

Budget Travel Tip #2 - Obtain all necessary permits, and reserve the campsite you want, in advance of your budget travel.

Budget Travel Tip #3 - Adhere to local regulations on campfires, smoking, cleanup, etc. to avoid paying fines.

Budget Travel Tip #4 - Do your reserach on the weather patterns of the area and be prepared for the worst weather.

Budget Travel Tip #5 - Pack clothing that allows you to be prepared for sudden changes in temperature or weather.

Budget Travel Tip #6 - Learn how to operate your backpacking equipment before you travel. Try setting up your tent at least once at home.

Budget Travel Tip #7 - The weight of the backpack should be no more than one quarter of your weight. Carry only what you need.

Budget Travel Tip #8 - Eat enough high quality foods during your budget travel. The best foods to pack are those that are high in carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Budget Travel Tip #9 - Know the water sources. Keep your water bottles filled always. Drink plenty of water, even when the weather is cool.

Budget Travel Tip #10 - Cook your meal before it gets too dark. Store any extra food in a bag and hang from a tree limb at night to prevent local wildlife from getting to it.

Budget Travel Tip #11 - Pack a first aid kit and be prepared with some basic first aid training. Carry a GPS system or satellite phone and leave a schedule with the local trail ranger and friends at home.

During your budget travels or cheap travels, there are definitely lots of stories that you can share. Learn how to be a successful travel writer and get paid to travel the world! Click here for details.

Packin' light,
Budget Travel

Budget Travel - Funny Travel Quotes

Funny Travel Quotes

Here are some travel quotes, just for laughs.

Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time.
- Steven Wright, American comic

There are two classes of travel - first class, and with children.
- Robert Benchley, Pluck and Luck, 1925

It is easier to find a traveling companion than to get rid of one.
- Art Buchwald, Vogue, 1954

I will be on the lookout for more funny travel quotes... in the mean time enjoy your cheap travels. Hey, do you have any travel quotes to share?

Smiles always,
Budget Travel

Saturday, May 06, 2006

Budget Travel - Travel 'n' Drive

Handy Tips For Your Budget On-The-Road Travels

For budget travellers that who are into driving, be sure to check that the car is in a good condition. If you do not know how to, just bring it into the auto workshop for a quick check. Small things such as under-inflated tires, spark plugs can add considerably to your budget travel if it is not performing as it should.

If the travel book you purchased do not have map included, be sure to purchase a map and plan your budget travel route beforehand. A few mistakes on the road is alright. But imagine if you were to drive around in circles hour upon hour before finally reaching your destination. You would have probably clocked so much mileage that your budget travel may just end up being more costly.

The rule of thumb for your budget travel is to stick to the planned budget. That way, you will know that you are always within your budget. Afterall, a vacation should be an enjoyable and fulfilling experience, without you having to worry at cost at every step of the way.

When you are on the road, there are lots of sights, people and things that you will definitely find interesting. Just by documenting these fantastic experiences and sharing it with the world, you can possibly travel for free. Learn how to be a successful travel writer and get paid to travel the world! Click here for details.

Drive safe,
Budget Travel

Budget Travel - Affordable Cruises

A Cheap Cruise = A Great Budget Travel

Cruise ship vacations are one of the most affordable ways to travel almost anywhere - from the glaciers of Alaska to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America.

There are many types of cruises – from luxury cruises to the budget cruise that provides value for very little money. One advantage of going on a cruise is the variety of entertainment. It ranges from cinema, bowling alley, swimming pool, casino, volleyball, basketball, gymnasium, golf and many more.

Most advertised cruise prices are based on double occupancy. There are less cheap cruise deals for solo travelers, since the single supplements can add quite a bit to the price of the cruise. It is always a good idea to inquire about special single rates if you are traveling alone.

The location of the cabin is another important consideration when booking a cruise. The interior cabins on the lower parts of the ship are generally the least costly, while the higher, larger cabins with ocean views are the most expensive. If you have never taken a cruise before, it is a good idea to get advice from those who have experienced this sort of budget travel. They can provide valuable insights on the best balance of cost and comfort for your first cruise.

Just like its many options, the excitement and adventure on cheap cruise holidays are boundless too. Many cruise passengers love the off-ship excursions that are offered at every port. Water sports lovers will revel at the opportunity to water ski, jet-ski and scuba dive. For instance, guests on a Mediterranean cruise may enjoy a night at the opera or a day at a local soccer game, while visitors to Caribbean ports of call may enjoy diving and enjoying the local coral reefs.

These cheap cruises also offer a wide range of dining options. From buffet to fine dining, all you need to do is pick one that suits your palate. And best of all, many cruises’ buffet are open day and night. Among the only things that are not included in the typical cruise are alcoholic beverages and shore excursions. Many of the higher priced cruises may include these extras. If the shore excursions and drinks are not included, be sure to get a price list for shore excursions and drinks.

It is often possible to save money on shore excursions while on a cruise by booking the tours locally at portside instead of going with the cruise line. Just be sure that the excursion you booked will get you back to the ship on time.

And when night arrives, you can select from discos and bars to casinos and theatres. Some cruise ships even offer classes such as poker or ballroom dancing. These cruises are often popular for those who are looking for a budget travel. After all, lodging, meals and entertainment costs are included on the cruise. Check the Internet or local travel agent to get the best cheap cruise available.

Getting the best on cheap travels such as a cruise requires time, planning, perseverance and research. Shop as early as possible especially for popular destinations like the Caribbean or Mexico in the high season.

It is always possible to save money when you travel during the off-season. This is often a great budget travel strategy. For instance, even though it is the middle of the winter and most people are not thinking about vacations where you are, it may be warm and inviting in many tropical cruise destinations. It is important to check out the local weather and to avoid the rainy season in the destinations you are considering.

Cruise lines have been know to offer some cheap cruise deals at the last minute to move unsold cabins or avoid leaving with a less than full passenger load. There are many last minute travel newsletters with these sort of budget travel deals. So be on the lookout for it.

If you would like to save thousands on your budget travel, then you need the right information to become a smart traveller. You can get these secrets in a fantastic book titled The Travel Secrets Guide. Get more details here.


Cruising The Waves,
Budget Travel

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Budget Travel - Eating Well

Don’t Skimp On Food! Eat Well On Your Budget Travel!

"The discovery of a new dish does more for human happiness than the discovery of a star."
- Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, Physiologie du Gout (1826)

There are numerous ways to enjoy delicious and healthy meals on your budget travel. Here are some budget tips to ensure that you do not go hungry during your vacation.

There is no disputing that food is a part of any travel experience. Sampling the local food is a must wherever you go on your travels. If you miss out on tasting the local delicacies, you miss out on a huge part of traveling.

It is important begin your day right. So make sure that you eat a healthy and hearty breakfast. Many hotels include a daily breakfast in the package. If it is available, then make sure that you eat well and enjoy it. After all, beginning on a good note every day will set the mood and tone for the day. Starting each morning with a healthy breakfast will give you the energy you need. Plus, it will help to deter you from eating expensive and unhealthy snacks in between meals.

Moving on to lunch! It is the best time to get the most value from some of the finest restaurants in your destination city. If there is an expensive restaurant you’ve been wanting to visit during your budget travel, go there during lunch instead. Often, you will get the same great food at a lower price.

Another budget tip on food is to eat at places that are popular with the locals. Ask your hotel’s staff where they usually hang out or eat. They would probably tell you about places or recommendations that are frequented by locals. Hence, it is not touristy and will probably cost lower than a restaurant near a tourist attraction.

Having your meals at ethnic neighborhoods is another budget tip. Sampling the food in the local Chinatown, Korea town, Little Italy, Little Saigon or similar neighborhood is a fantastic for meeting the locals and enjoy the culture and food at one go!

And when you are traveling, be sure to pack a few healthy snacks such as granola bars, a bag of trail mix or a few pieces of fruit in your backpack. You can pack them from home or even get them inexpensively at your travel destination’s local stores.

A trip to the local grocery store can save you money while traveling. Many travelers will spend some time to stock up on bottled water, cereal and other low cost food. Just leave them in the hotel room and take what you need each time you head out to continue your budget travel.

Want to save thousands on your next budget travel? It's up to you to make it happen. Click here for details.


Warmest regards,
Budget Travel

Sunday, April 30, 2006

Budget Travel - Get Free Flights

Get Yourself Bumped & Get Free Flights On Your Next Budget Travel

One great way to begin your budget travel is to get free flights (without collecting frequent flier miles) is to get yourself bumped off of the flight that you are booked on. Yes, that means that you won't get your current flight for free, but you can get a free travel ticket to use for a later date.

You may not be the only person on your flight hoping to get bumped. So try to follow these guidelines to increase your chances of a free flights or cheap travels.

- Book your flight with the intention of getting bumped. Select one of the first or earlier flights. So if you are successful in getting bumped, you will still be able to get on a later flight and still get to your travel destination.

- Always ask if the flight is overbooked. Call your travel agent the night before to ask. On the day of the flight, ask the gate agent if the flight is overbooked and tell him/her that you volunteer to be bumped.

- Always get a schedule that includes all airlines, not just the one on which you are booked.- Arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes prior to scheduled departure. Being the first in line will increase your chances, especially if you are the first few (or better yet, the first) on the list of volunteers to be bumped.

- Before you agree to be bumped, ensure that the airline will offer a free ticket or other significant compensation. Before accepting your free ticket or travel voucher, make sure you are holding a confirmed/guaranteed reservation and boarding pass for a later flight.

- If there are no guaranteed seats on the next flight of your choice, inform the agent that you want a guaranteed seat on another airline. Use the flight schedule and select an alternative flight and airline.

- If you have to wait more than two hours for the next flight, ask the gate agent for meal vouchers. Most airlines have these vouchers, but they may not offer them without being asked.- If you get bumped from your next free flight, you may just get another free ticket. Well, it may be a little inconvenient but if you want free or budget travel, you will need to be more flexible with your timing.

- There are some regulations, but each airline has its own bumping and compensation policy. Bumping policies may also be different for international flights. Make sure you ask before volunteering to be bumped.

Check out the various ways you can save during your budget travel. Save thousands and stretch that dollar and you may just be taking more great vacations in a year!

Good luck in trying to get bumped, and get free flights.

All the best,
Budget Travel

Friday, April 28, 2006

Budget Travel - 12 Tips For Europe Travel

12 Great Tips For A Great Budget Travel In Europe

Here are some of the favorite tips for cheap travels in Europe. Actually, these budget travel tips apply to any country that you want to visit!

Budget Travel Tip # 1
Eating with the locals instead of the tourists. This way, you will save some money and enjoy the local food at the same time. Restaurants or eateries that are popular with local residents tend to be the ones with the best meals at a low or reasonable price.

Budget Travel Tip # 2
For a quick and economical breakfast, pick up a roll, some fresh cold cuts and a piece of fruit from the local market. Then enjoy a delicious sandwich and a cup of coffee in the local park. Take in the view and local life around you. You may end up with some great photos while at it.

Budget Travel Tip # 3
When eating out, choose the fixed price menu and the house wine for the best value. These dishes are often a good way to sample the local cuisine.

Budget Travel Tip # 4
Overnight trains are a great way to get from place-to-place and rest or sleep. During your budget travel in Europe, be sure to bring a meal, bottle of water and snack along. That way, you can save money and enjoy your packed meal.

Budget Travel Tip # 5
Snap away! Take loads of pictures of the people you meet during your budget travel in Europe. If you are using film camera, develop them when you get back home as developing at tourist locations can be expensive. Of course, if you are using a digital camera, you can take as many shots and print only your favorite ones.

Budget Travel Tip # 6
Find a website that offers some photographs of local attractions or upload your own from your digital camera. Personalize these shots with an epostcard and email them back to family and friends at home.

Budget Travel Tip # 7
Learn a few basic words of the local language. It will be easier and cheaper to buy things.

Budget Travel Tip # 8
When making large purchases, it is always best to use a credit card. That way you cash lasts longer.

Budget Travel Tip # 9
Like credit cards, ATM cash transactions provide the best exchange rates. You will avoid the sometimes costly fees charged by hotels and currency services when you need cash.

Budget Travel Tip # 10
Many travel locations provide student discounts, senior discounts, etc. If you are not sure a, always ask.

Budget Travel Tip # 11
Plan your budget travel wisely. There are some inexpensive souvenirs that you can get from your budget travel in Europe. For example, stickers, fridge magnets or postcards. For more expensive purchases, remember that the further you go from the tourist attraction, the less expensive the souvenirs will be.

Budget Travel Tip # 12
Go on a tour of the city. A bus pass or subway token is a great avenue for meeting the local people and sightseeing. The public transportation service of most European cites is efficient, clean, safe and easy to navigate.

Europe offer lots of things to see and experience. During your European travels, there are definitely lots of stories that you can share. Learn how to be a successful travel writer and get paid to travel the world! Click here for details.


Cheerio,
The Budget Traveler

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Budget Travel - The Travel Basics

The Basics of Budget Travel

Travelling can be awfully expensive if you book at the wrong timing or just failed to look at alternative budget travel options that are equally as good. It doesn't matter if you are travelling alone or with your whole family. Keeping costs low will allow you to spend more on souvenir shopping or even fit more budget travels in a year.

The first step in budget travel is to list what you will not compromise on and what you can cut back. Are you willing to cut back on accomodation by opting for budget accomodation? Do you prefer to spend more on sightseeing, meals or shopping? You have to find the right balance of which is important to you before you can plan your budget travel.

Secondly, you will need to create your travel budget. List down how much you are willing to spend on your budget travel for - airfare, transportation/rental, sightseeing, hotel, food, shopping and others. When you know which part of the travel should cost, you can now begin planning your cheap travels. To get a rough estimate on the costs involved, you should obtain information from various websites and travel books. Travel books from Lonely Planet, DK Publishing, Discovery, are amongst the more popular books with travellers.

If you will be visiting a location with many theme parks or museums, be on the lookout for the best admission/package deals. There should be plenty of packaged admission deals that cater to many tourists. Picking the right packages is important to make your budget travel a success. To begin this part of your budget travel, be sure to get onto the Internet to locate the attraction's website. The attraction's website will feature specials such as special discounts on particular days, 2-for-1 deals, free admission for children below 6 years old, senior citizen discounts, and many more.

The main thing to remember in planning a budget travel is to look for DISCOUNTS, DISCOUNTS & DISCOUNTS! After all, why pay the full price when you can get it at a discounted rate. All you need to do is do a little research and you will be on your way to enjoying the budget travel that you planned.

You can discover more secrets to booking hotels and airfare at 50% or more off what the normal traveler pays. You can learn how to travel smart, avoid getting scammed, and what to do when things go wrong. Here is one of the best books that I have come across on budget travel. The secrets in this book will teach you, in simple terms, how to be a very savvy traveler. Click here for more details.

Here's wishing you success in your budget travel.

"For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move."
- Robert Louis Stevenson: Travels with a donkey (1879)

Cheers to good travels,
Budget Travel

Budget Travel - Welcome!

Hello everyone!

Welcome to my blog on budget travel. I will be posting tips and information on how to enjoy cheap travels and discount travel occasionally. Budget travels can be fun, exciting and enjoyable.

I hope you will benefit from all the postings here.