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12. Try all-inclusive resorts to keep costs down,
but not limit yourself. Packages often include meals, water sports,
snacks and a variety of activities and shows. Destinations such
as the Dominican Republic and Mexico often have deals available.
Not having to carry a pocketbook means more cash in your wallet
at the end of the trip, as well as security, as your cash can
relax in an in-room safe at your resort.
“Check out the quality of your room.” 13. When driving to a destination that will require an overnight
stay somewhere, pick a destination as the cut off point. Use a
hotel Web site to book it 24 hours before you leave and pay for
it. This forces you to drive to that destination and not just
stop at a random hotel along the highway. There were plenty of
times when I just wanted to stop one or two hours before I got
to where I had the hotel booked. But forcing myself to go saved
a great deal of money. Editor's note: If you are the only one
driving, make sure the driving distance to the hotel is reasonable.
Don't risk falling asleep behind the wheel to save a few dollars.
14. Look ahead of time on the city's Web site to find out what
is going on in and around the city that would be of interest your
family.
15. Check out the quality
of your room. Once you've narrowed down a hotel search to a handful
of choices, check out each "bargain" before you book one.
A low price could mean having to deal with a dirty bathroom, insect
problems or a questionable neighborhood. Here's where our readers
go to dig the dirty details:
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Smartertravel.com.
This site provides insightful guides on destinations, including
which hotels to stay in for the money, and also gives advice
on how to get around and when to visit. |
| • |
Tripadvisor.com.
Besides writing typical reviews of their hotel experiences,
some travelers post candid pictures of hotels and the rooms
they've stayed in. They're not always as flattering as the hotel's
photos. |
| • |
Hostels.com.
This site features a database of hostels located around the
world. After comparing reviews, availability and pricing information,
you can book rooms directly from the site. |
| • |
Hostelz.com.
Hostelz offers reviews of hostels located around the world. |
16. Get a pen pal.
What better way to explore unfamiliar territory than with a friend
who knows the area? Chat up a local before you hit the road (or
the skies) and you might have a friendly tour guide waiting for
you when you get there. If not, your pen pal can at least point
out reasonable places to eat and visit.
Take the case of one traveler to
Africa:
"I went online eight months before my trip
and found a pen pal in the city I was traveling to. This was a
wonderful money-saving move. I found a friend and by the time
I left for my trip I had made a good connection with a person
who proved to be invaluable to me in Africa. I had my own personal
chauffeur, tour guide, interpreter and friend to show Ghana to
me. I saw areas that probably no tourist would ever see. He helped
me buy souvenir items for what he would pay for them rather than
the exorbitant rates that tourists pay."
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