Hawaii on a Budget!

Hawaii conjures up specific feelings for most people. Just the mention of the word "Hawaii", and one starts to imagine golden sand beaches lined with majestic palms, turquoise crystal waters beckoning for you to cool yourself, and exotic dancers with hips that move so fast they literally rock the palms! For people who have experienced all those things and more, Hawaii conjures up dollar signs! Hawaii no doubt can be one of the most expensive travel destinations in the world, but it doesn't have to be. We have been tourists in Hawaii, and now we are residents of Hawaii. Through our travels and local experiences, we have come up with some fantastic ways to visit the Aloha state without breaking the bank...keep reading and we'll have you on your way to your dream vacation in no time!

The most expensive portion of your trip will no doubt be the airfare. The first way to save money and travel to Hawaii on a budget is to book your airfare in the most cost effective way. Usually, that means avoiding purchasing your tickets directly from the airline! It is rare that someone would find those special fares that airlines offer directly for other cities, simply because Hawaii is so far removed from any other state and it's more expensive for the airlines to fly here than anywhere else in America. That being said, you can still find incredibly amazing fares through other venues. Websites specializing in last minute travel deals, such as Travelocity, can offer an immense savings! The trick is to purchasing at the right time. Because the fares for these websites are constantly changing, start looking for the cheapest deals about 21 days before the date of your travel. An example of budget airfare to Hawaii would be about $680 RT (U.S.) or less. I have personally booked airfare to Hawaii ten days before travel time for $450 U.S., which was a steal! Of course, this will require multiple stops, so there is a tradeoff. However, the shortest travel time from U.S. mainland to Hawaii is 5.5 hours, so if you are coming from anywhere other than the west coast, you can expect upwards of 6 hours non-stop in the air. It is beneficial to have multiple stops for this reason, so don't see it as a sacrifice, look at is as a way to stretch your legs and get some fresh air! A word of warning here: booking airfare through last minute travel websites is not for the faint of heart! It requires persistence, patience, and the ability to not be upset by fluctuating prices, as well as the ability to know when to just go for it! You are more likely to find the cheapest airfare between 4 and 10 days of your anticipated travel time, so be prepared! Of course, don't forget to seek the assistance of a travel agent. They buy airfare at wholesale, and can save you quite a bit of money.

The second most expensive portion of your Hawaiian vacation is the hotel accommodations, but it doesn't have to be. You can choose to purchase an all-inclusive package when you are searching for your airfare, and doing so will save you significantly. Even if you don't book an all-inclusive package, here's a word to the wise: look for budget hotels when planning your vacation. You will be spending very little time in your hotel once you get here, so all you really need is a place to lay your head and a staff that is knowledgeable, and most are. If you envision a vacation that involves room service, lounging by the pool, and hotel boutiques, choose another destination. You can do that anywhere in America for a lot cheaper. Really ask yourself why you are coming to Hawaii...most say they come here to see paradise. You won't find paradise in your hotel room. Some say they come here to learn about the culture. The culture is found in the community, not a hotel suite. Is this making any sense now? You should no doubt book clean, hospitable, convenient hotels, but don't worry about the rest! You will only be in your hotel for the 6-8 hours your eyes are closed at night anyway. Don't believe me? Write me when you get back from your vacation and tell me how much time you spent away from your hotel!

Now here's where things get a little dicey, and things can go haywire. Rental cars, luaus, and tour services, oh my! Rental cars have their place in a Hawaiian vacation, but you will not need a rental car every day you are here. And you have to take into account parking: all of Waikiki (where most hotels are located) is paid parking only, which will run you at least $20 a day (that's being conservative!). That means for a 5 day vacation, you are paying $100 or more just to park your car. If you are staying in Hawaii for 5 days, I would suggest renting a car for two days. On those two days, have everyone get up early in the morning, eat a quick drive-thru breakfast, and fill your day by driving the entire island. Keep your day open so you don't have to get to another scheduled event and you can take your sweet time! Once you return your rental car, you can get anywhere on the island by city transit at $2 round trip. We have one of the best public transportation systems in the country here...make use of it! You will not only be saving money from avoiding parking fees and rental expenses, but it is an eco-friendly way to enjoy your vacation. (Plus, all of our buses are hybrids!)

Chances are, as soon as you step foot off the plane, you will be greeted with glossy, colorful, exotic brochures depicting luaus and tour services. If this is your first time to the island, you probably really want to visit a luau. Keep in mind that it is a tourist-dominated event, and locals don't sit around having luaus every night, but it is fun and you this can be your "extreme-tourist" moment of your vacation! All kidding aside, be prepared to spend big bucks on any luau! And when I say big bucks, I mean somewhere in the neighborhood of $80 per person. What is a luau, you may be asking? Luaus that are being represented today are not the ancient form of feasts and festivities. In fact, the term luau wasn't even used until around 1860. The ancient culture did not celebrate in this way. However, you will learn about hula, you will experience amazing food, and the utmost in hospitality. The modern luau is a buffet featuring local favorites, and entertainment ranging from traditional hula to silly dances for the sake of entertainment. Attending luaus supports our local economy, as they are almost all locally owned and operated, and that's always a plus! Your luau will range from 2 to 3 hours, so plan your evening accordingly.

Tour services are a dime a dozen on these islands, and they can be extremely beneficial if chosen in an educated manner. First, not all tour services are created equal. Many (I would venture to say the majority) travel the same routes and provide the same information. Some may offer a few different places from the next, like a drive through Oahu's most expensive neighborhoods, but by and far, you will see the same locations, the same beaches, and the same sites. While these tour operators are very knowledgeable and friendly, there's nothing to set each company apart from the rest of the pack. This is where you're small tour guide services come in. If you take a guided tour, I would recommend a small tour group. Many of the company's out there take as many as 100 people at a time. It can be really difficult to get personal service and in-depth information in such a large group. Also, if you are going to pay the money, choose a tour service that is unique; a tour service that is really part of the culture of the islands. The only way to learn about true Hawaii is not by driving to multi-million dollar estates, but by going to the cultural sites, and learning the real history. My company, Cultural History Tours of Hawaii, does just that, and we are the only tour service that offers it. There is too much history on these islands to not learn about it! And the history is fascinating!

So now all that's left is food and souvenirs. Three words: less is more! Eat at local mom-and-pop restaurants or local chains (avoid the mainland eat-in chains); go to the closest farmers markets and buy fresh fruit and veggies for snacks; avoid the kitschy souvenirs that will break before you get home, and opt for post cards and chocolate covered macadamia nuts to take home as gifts. Post cards are nostalgic and endearing. Chocolate covered macadamia nuts are cheap yet delicious...who's gonna complain about that???

So let's summarize how to vacation in Hawaii on a budget:

Budget airfare
Budget hotel
Limited rental car time
City transit
Local small business
Mom-and-pop restaurants
No junk souvenirs!

Now all you have to do is pack, and you can check out my pointers for that in my article "Hawaii Bound - Preparing for the Trip of a Lifetime!" See you soon!

Courtney Reed Owner, Cultural History Tours http://www.culturalhistorytours.com

Budget Holiday Tour Packages - India

At a time when the world is grappling with global economic recession, terrorism and other things that have created an atmosphere of negativity, going for a vacation can be a good way to relax yourself and stay positive. But as stated earlier, recession has hampered various sectors including tourism. Thus, you need to restrict your expenses and go for vacations that fit to your budget and give the utmost satisfaction. However, it does not mean you have to compromise with the enjoyment or fun during the vacation but just need to restrict unnecessary expenditure.

You can begin cost cutting with choosing tour packages that fit to your budget. In terms of tour operators, such holiday packages are known as 'Budget Holiday Tour Packages'. Under such packages, you are provided with low-costing ways to enjoy the holidays. Flights to India remain relatively expensive, but domestic flights in India are not that costly. Trains are also good option to tour India, especially locations such as Nainital, Darjiling and others. Budget holiday tour packages entail booking in advance in three or four star hotels, lunch and dinner, sight seeing and other facilities. Please do not forget that the budget tour packages are low-costing travel packages, where you do not have to compromise with the "quality".

Now, the biggest challenge is to find right tour operator that can provide the finest services without disturbing your budget! Here's what to look for before striking any deal pertaining to budget holidays.

Criteria I: End-to-end services: The service provider should give you a comprehensive package that entails all kinds of services such as dining, accommodation and others.

Criteria II: Package Rates: Since it's a budget holiday, price is likely to be on the topmost priority. Try to negotiate if possible.

Criteria III: Experience Matters: Don't give your precious holiday into the hands of novices. Go for experienced and settled names in the market.

Criteria IV: Detailed Information: You should avail complete information about the hotels or packages. This will help in chalking out a better package.

Criteria V: Extra Offers: Some tour operators provide extra offers ranging from concession in accommodation rates to free gifts.

Well, experts will keep on giving their suggestions and telling all the do's and don'ts. But at the end, it's up to you how you manage everything.

Are you looking cheap holiday tour packages in India? Find budget holiday tour packages, wildlife tour packages, tours and travels information India at Corbettnationalpark-India.com.

Budget Travel Tours to the Top Ten United States Cities

Budget travel tours are literally being given away at the moment as people are not prepared to spend out this year on a short break by the ocean and under that sun.

Well it might be difficult to resist the temptation this year as prices have gone crazy in the budget travel tours sector.

For International destinations you can get some really amazing discounts on accommodation, and the flights are often free. It appears the whole travel industry needs us to travel just to keep the Industry wheels going round.

Planning a trip to the United States? If you had to make a list of the top ten US cities to visit, what would they be?

Whether you are an American or a visitor from abroad, the first city that pops into your head is probably New York, followed by maybe Los Angeles and San Francisco. Those are all right up there in most top ten lists, and you should visit them, but there are others.

There are plenty of cities, large and small that are great to visit, but what would be our choices to include in a list of top ten US cities along with those three?

Boston, Massachusetts for starters. This city is steeped in US history. Walk the Freedom Trail to see historic buildings like the Old North Church... It was from the Old North Church that Paul Revere took his "midnight ride" crying the warning of the approach of the British during the US Revolutionary War... As the poem goes, "...One if by land, and two if by sea; And I on the opposite shore will be, Ready to ride and spread the alarm....." See Faneuil Hall. Eat in the Union Oyster House, Boston's oldest restaurant. Visit the colleges: Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Boston College just to name a few.

Chicago, Illinois has long been said to have an inferiority complex to New York, but it is a world class city. There are fantastic museums, good restaurants, and you'll find cutting edge architecture. It's right on Lake Michigan with a beautiful waterfront. Visit Millennium Park and Old Navy Pier.

Denver, Colorado is situated in the Rocky Mountains. You can visit to ski or snowboard at some of the famous resorts nearby or come to hike in the summer and enjoy the view.

Las Vegas, Nevada is a city with a reputation you've probably heard about. Is it a good place for tourists? That depends on what you want. It's known for its gambling casinos and the world class entertainment they provide. The casinos vie for visitors with over-the-top themes. Roller coasters on the tops of buildings, dancing water fountains, and of course LOTS of bright lights at night along the "Las Vegas Strip".

Miami Beach, Florida is a draw summer and winter for sun and beach lovers. Visit trendy South Beach, the oldest section of Miami for it's popular restaurants and vibrant nightlife. Take a tour of the Art Deco District; the colors and decorations will amuse you.

Seattle, Washington actually has many sunny days.... It does have a reputation for being rainy, but it's cloudy more than it's rainy. That makes for lots of greenery for hiking. It's on Puget Sound, which makes it a great place to sail. Visit Pike Place Market. The Space Needle is left over from a 1962 World's Fair, but it has become a symbol of Seattle. There is an observation deck and a Sky City restaurant for great views of Seattle, the Olympic Range and Cascade Mountains... and on a clear day Mount Rainier.

Washington DC, District of Columbia is only last on our list of top ten US cities because we put it in alphabetical order. As the nation's capital city, it offers The White House, the Congress Building, The Smithsonian Museums, and all the memorials along The Mall...The Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Washington Monument, and others.

So do plan a visit to New York or Los Angeles or San Francisco, but consider one of these other top ten US cities for your visit...using either our list or your own.

Discover everything you need to know about budget travel tours and how you can take advantage of these truly amazing discount prices, and finally make it away to your chosen sunshine destination, where all the fun is at.

Just visit the globecheap web site and you will receive the Budget Travel Special Report for FREE - You really have nothing to lose!!!

Check Out These Budget Travel Tours Found In This Travel Guide Full of Budget Travel Discount Strategies and important last minute Cheap Travel Deals as well as a FREE TRAVEL BOOK report...Get Your Copy Today!!!

Top Tips For Doing La Tomatina on a Budget

More and more people head to Bunol, Valencia every year for the La Tomatina festival - but with the event attracting so many, how can you attend without breaking the bank?

All major festivals result in a rush on accommodation and flights months in advance - and La Tomatina, the world's largest food fight, is no exception.

So if you want the cheapest travel and hotels, you should be prepared to book well in advance to ensure you get low-priced options. By doing so, you're also more likely to have your pick of rooms located close to La Tomatina.

The festival takes place on the last Wednesday of August, so try to reserve your rooms and flights several months before this point.

Travellers who want the convenience of having their La Tomatina experience arranged for them might want to take the route of going with a holiday company offering budget festival tours.

These firms can be a godsend when it comes to booking travel and accommodation for a major event and you often get the benefit of helpful advice, guided tours and optional excursions along with attending the main festival.

You can usually choose from packages with or without travel, so if you already have your flights booked but are struggling to find cheap accommodation, it may be worth looking into a budget festival tour company.

If you're in the dilemma of having your hotel booked but no flights, why not opt for rail travel instead? This can often be more fun than flying, as you get to take in some amazing scenery at your leisure, and it can also be much cheaper and more eco-friendly.

After you've arrived in Valencia, keep costs to a minimum by opting for public transport over taxis and researching the cheapest places to eat and drink on the internet.

You may also want to spend some of your evenings away from the centre of Valencia, where food, drink and entertainment costs can be high.

Cut the cost of your currency by researching exchange rates and avoiding buying your euros at the last minute. Find a bureau that will change your currency without charging commission to reduce expenses further.

It's easy to book budget festival tours - including breaks incorporating La Tomatina - with First Festival Travel. Whatever kind of trip you're looking for, see what First Festival Travel can do for you today.

Budget Venice with Style

Mentioning the words budget and Venice in the same sentence will normally get you the stare reserved for those who sit in the backs of buses and argue with imaginary antagonists. But you don’t have to drain your

 child’s college fund to enjoy a few days in Venice without bunking with an Eastern European soccer team. 

The secret to budget travel is knowing when and where to cut costs and when and where to splurge. Budget accommodations in Venice are available. And no matter what guidebooks tell you, they’re all about the same within the various price ranges. Location is important and that should be the driving force in any decision. Do you want to stay next to St. Mark’s or near the train station? A quiet residential area a long walk from the action or perhaps on Murano or out at the Lido? 

There are often more visitors than rooms in this tourist attraction of a city. I talked to several people in the business: bartender, doorman, desk clerk, and manager. They all agree that the season is virtually year-round now. There is a two-week window of opportunity abandoned by most tourists. I’m not telling anyone when that is so that I can have some relative peace and quiet on my next visit. This is the one place in the world where a reservation is helpful. I never make reservations ahead of arrival. I like to stay flexible. In late October, I had to make four calls before I found a hotel with an empty room. We stayed next to St. Mark’s and then across the Grand Canal in the somewhat quieter Dorsoduro section of the city. 

Our first stop was the famous, romantic hotel Metropole which is down the Grand Canal just a couple of hundred feet from St. Mark’s Square. It is here that Vivaldi taught music and wrote The Four Seasons. 

Published by john atkinson I spend my time traveling and playing tennis while occassionally writing. I have had one play produced and sold one screenplay. I have published several pieces in magazines and newspapers. Presently I div...  View profile

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