Last Minute Travel Deals: Reduce your Expenses

Last Minute Travel Deals: Reduce your Expenses

Last minute travel deals have become quite common these days. At the eleventh hour, you have the flexibility to book your air tickets or the hotel rooms at an affordable price. With the help of the Internet, you can book your tickets without bothering about a travel agent.

There are many travel websites which can offer various travel deals online. You can easily book your tickets with them and the travel service providers can take care of the rest of the things.

However, there are certain things which should be kept in mind at the time of travelling. You should try to stay in the hotels which are situated on the outskirts of the city, rather than in a hotel which is situated in the heart of the city.

Now, the risk with a late booking is that you are choosing your holidays which no one else has opted for. Though, this thing doesn’t matter with the train or the plane tickets, but it can matter in terms of accommodation. You have to get prepared for and be content with the leftovers of the hotel rooms.

It is advisable to keep your bags packed for a last minute travel deal. It has been seen that many of us find a suitable deal, but are unable to pack their bags at that particular time. You should keep your belongings for the trip according to the place which you are visiting.

If you travel off-season then you can grab the best deal. The suitable time for travelling would be May, June, and late September. Moreover, the months of January and November would be feasible for visiting the European cities whereas January and March are the best for the ski slopes.

Try to follow some of these tips which will help you in saving significant amount of money while travelling.

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Budget Traveling to Europe, What Do You Need to Know?

Budget Traveling to Europe, What Do You Need to Know?

If you plan to cross the Atlantic Ocean, there are a few tips that can help you before starting your first Europe vacation.

First of all, you need to understand and be fully aware during your trip that Europe is very different from the United States in every possible way. Even in the UK.

In consequence traveling through Europe is also completely different than traveling to any American city.

Transport

Even if you can afford it, you should never rent a car to move around any city. There is completely lack of space, there is no place to park and driving directions in most European cities are not as straightforward as we are used to know.

Public transportation in most major cities is very affordable and easy to use. It is the most used method of transportation for everybody either tourists or locals. If you do not like public transportation, you can always hire a cab.

The countryside is very nice all over Europe, and driving conditions differ from what I described above. Traveling from one city to another with a rented car, will allow you to stop in incredible and nice towns where you will discover very nice things almost in anyone, if you can afford the time.

I rented a car once in the French Riviera to travel from Nice to Monaco, very nice, but I did it for a couple of days, returned it and continued my trip.

However, roads are very narrow and dangerous, so be extremely careful. Trains are the most used transport all over Europe to go from one city to another. They are cheap, safe and reliable.

Safety

Most European cities are safe, at least in the tourist areas. However, pick pockets are all around Europe looking for tourists. Take extremely care about them. Split your money, hide it very well and be careful when taking money out because they will notice where do you hide it.

Do not leave bags or purses unattended or hanging from restaurant chairs. If you use a back pack, do not carry money or passports within it. I personally saw once, how they cut the bottom of a back pack with a knife to steal a passport.

I always use a special pocket which hangs from my neck and goes under the underwear shirt. This shirt has to be inside your pants to avoid any falling in case the string is cut.

Money should never be taken out from that bag in public and you should carry the money that you will use for each day somewhere else, therefore if you loose that part, you won’t regret it very much, or at least you won’t be broke.

Traveler’s checks are sometimes difficult to change in Europe. Therefore if you prefer to take them, consider some time to change them in a bank, as they are not widely accepted everywhere as in the US.

When eating, check menu prices before sitting. Most restaurants display their menus at the entrance. If the menu is not displayed, avoid going into that restaurant or at least ask for a menu with prices before ordering anything.

There are some places in Europe, where they charge you differently according to the place you sit in the restaurant.

City Guides

Carefully plan your days and get city guides for every place you will visit. You can get them on the Internet or printed in any bookstore. Time is very valuable as there is always more to see than time available.

The Euros have made life easier for tourism and now you don’t need to change money in every country as it used to be, but there are still some countries like UK, that do not use Euros yet.

There are hundreds of money exchange stations all over Europe in every city, train station or major attraction, but be careful about the exchange rate. Always ask local people for the best place to change money. Or do your own research writing down the exchange rate in every place you see near your hotel.

Exchange your money before going anywhere. Usually the exchange stations near tourist attractions have very bad exchange rate.

Do not forget to exchange back the money you won’t use anymore or that can’t be used in countries you will visit next, as some currencies are difficult to change once you leave Europe. Also, remember that coins are not changed, so get rid of them before leaving the country.

These above are some general tips and information, to make your travel nicer. You will always need to research further and carefully plan your trip to get the most out of it, and you can find thousands of sites with additional resources.

Cheap Budget Safari Holiday to Kenya Information

Cheap Budget Safari Holiday to Kenya Information

While most travelers dream of safari holidays in Kenya, the biggest stumbling block to archiving this is the perceived cost of safaris holidays in Kenya & Tanzania. Whilst it is true a safari to East Africa is never going to be as cheap a short tour to Tenerife, it does not have to be hugely expensive; you just need to know where to look.

A Safari in Kenya can be a cheap holiday abroad

Kenya can be one of the most costly safari destinations, mainly due to “cashing” in of the fame of places like the Masai Mara. Whilst it can’t be argued that Masai Mara and the annual wildebeest migration are not spectacular, there are also many other incredible places to view wildlife in Kenya which will be cheaper. But that’s easier said than done, especially you really want to take a Masai Mara safari on a budget you can’t however are some quality package cheap camping holidays available.

Kenya has the lead over other Africa Safari destinations like South Africa in that it is nearer to Europe and there are direct flights to Kenya from the UK and other European cities and therefore airlines offer cheap flights and late flight deals to Kenya all helping low price. If your idea of a Safari Holiday is luxury all the way, you should probably expect to pay top dollar, just as you would on any other holiday in any other country.

But step down a few steps on the ladder and the prices come right down, this does not mean roughing it either, just much better value for money and therefore cheaper Kenya safaris! A Safari like this (and travel in general) also has the added bonus in that you will mingle more with the local people, experience more the African way of life, their customs and their food.

Some Kenya safari companies and tour operators in Kenya offer one day Kenya safari tours, though they are cheap, we don’t feel they offer good value for money, we recommend a three day Kenya Safari. A cheap three day camping safari holiday to the Masai Mara from Nairobi or Mombassa is perfect example of cheap travel depending on the time of year, which we think is very good value for money.

Standard safaris includes pick- up from Nairobi either from the airport or from Nairobi hotel where your journey will take you south along the floor of the Great Rift Valley arriving in Masai Mara Game reserve in time for lunch and then take a wildlife game drive in the afternoon returning in time for dinner. You will most likely go on two game drives a day two exploring the wildlife e.g., lions, leopard, cheetah, elephant. On day three you will go on a game drive, returning for breakfast at the campsite and then depart for Nairobi arriving late afternoon.

Prices include

A safari vehicle with a pop up roof for excellent photography, Meals, Park fees, large tents, flushing toilets, and mess facilities, beds and bedding, A Game walk with a Masai Guide.

Examples of Cheap Safari Holidays to Kenya

4 day Maasai Mara safari and Lake Nakuru Safari – Kenya

Maasai Mara Game Reserve is Kenya’s most spectacular of all Kenyan parks and reserves, and here you have the best opportunity of spotting the Big Five – lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant.

Lake Nakuru is one of the greatest world’s famous bird spectacles with over 400 bird species besides the flamingoes that carpet the lake. Other than the bird population, Lake Nakuru Park has its fair share of wildlife and many species of game can be found in the park.

Day 1: Nairobi/Maasai Mara

Depart Nairobi in the morning and drive along the floor of the Rift Valley to Maasai Mara Game Reserve arriving Mara Sopa Lodge in time for lunch. Afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 2: Maasai Mara

Maasai Mara, game drives are flexible, with the option of going out with picnic lunch boxes to spend entire day in the park. You will also have the option of visiting a local Maasai village (US per person). Overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge.

Day 3: Maasai Mara/Lake Nakuru

Depart Maasai Mara after breakfast for Lake Nakuru National Park, arriving Sarova Lion Hill Lodge in time for lunch. Afternoon game drive. Besides the flamingos many species of game can be found in the park including the introduced Rothschild’s giraffe, black and white rhino, waterbuck, reedbuck, lion, buffalo, leopard.

Overnight at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge.

Day 4: Lake Nakuru/Nairobi

Another morning game drive in Nakuru then depart for Nairobi arriving approx. 1300 hrs.

2 days Lake Nakuru Safari – Kenya

This is a short but exciting safari and is one of the best Kenya cheap family safaris with an overnight stay at this scenic bird and rhino sanctuary, which is also a World Heritage Site. Enjoy two long game drives and spot the rich variety of wildlife in the park. Perfect if you don’t have much time available and your on a tight budget.

Day 1: pick up from Nairobi Hotel or from the airport by safari guide and depart for a very scenic drive down into the Rift Valley and arrive at the lodge in time for lunch. Your late afternoon game drive will encircle the park and with a lot of game spotting.

Overnight – Lion Hill lodge

Day 2: Early morning game drive to different parts of the park. After your breakfast, you depart for Nairobi. Stop along the way at Lake Elementaita. This is a small but beautiful lake and you can also visit a small eco tourism conservation project run by the local community. You will arrive back in Nairobi before midday.

Masai Mara – Cheap Kenya Camping Safari

A Camping Safari in Kenya is not for everyone, but for the adventurers, it’s excellent Cheap Camping Safari in the Masai Mara

Day 01: Morning departure from Nairobi Hotel for a journey south along the floor of the Great Rift, visit Narok Maasai museum to learn about their history. You will arrive in the Maasai Mara Game reserve in time for lunch and proceed to an afternoon game drive, returning for dinner.

Day 02: Spend the full day game viewing across the rich, tree studded grasslands and rolling hills. The famous Mara is renowned for its great herds of plains game, black maned leopard and cheetah, but also contains numerous elephant and virtually every type of wildlife to be found in Kenya. Return to the campsite for all meals.

Day 03: Pre-breakfast game drives. Have breakfast at the campsite and depart for Nairobi arriving late afternoon.

RENFE: Travel by Train from Madrid

This is a short video on traveling by train from Madrid. The Ave trains are the best way to get about. The Atocha station, also known as Puerta de Atocha in Madrid is the main depsrture point. The trains -not cheap- are modern, fast and clean. MADRID IS USER FRIENDLY went to check out the EXPO ZARAGOZA which is due to begin on June 14, 2008…The trip was under 2 hours. The difficulty with travelling by train is buying a ticket. MUF suggests you try the web www.renfe.es, but a travel agent would be your best bet… As you´ll see in the video, the machines in the station are impossible, 90% of the time the sale counters are empty or there are long lines. Renfe does put up a last minute counter…but if you have time to plan, a travel agent is the easiest way.

5 March 2006 – The availability of flights for as little as bus fare is changing the rhythm of European life. More people are buying second homes abroad and some are even choosing air commutes to work in other countries. The increase in travel is especially evident in European cities like Bratislava, which recently played host to a traveling British bachelor party and a group of English students looking for a cheap weekend abroad. (video by Travis Fox / washingtonpost.com. For more information about this or other videos, please visit www.travisfox.com)
Video Rating: 3 / 5