A little adventure feeds the soul. There's a trip in every budget, and a budget in every trip. But I have to say the greatest trip I've ever taken was to the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas. That place defines 5 star! There is something to do for every age. And while this resort can be pricy... you can be a high roller or you can be "Sally Super Saver" and still enjoy yourself thoroughly. For the record, I fall much closer to the Sally lifestyle.
First step to a grand vacation on a budget is to do your research. Plan your dream destination around the travel you have access to. Where does your local airline fly to? Are there train specials? Scour the web for your transportation link. Subscribe to their newsletter. Watch for their sales. Watch their prices weekly to learn their sales and patterns.
Next, research your destination. What is their low season? If your destination is Disney... there are many sites that give their average park attendance in any given week of the year or specific holiday. Remember, the busier it is, the more you will pay to be there, and the less attention staff will have to spend on you. So, if you're looking for the bargain try to travel when others are staying at home. However, and this is a very important note *** make sure you research and see if there are any specific reasons it is a low season. For example, is it hurricane season? The rainy season? A cultural or national holiday in the area you are travelling to?
Once you have your destination and time of year and budget in mind, wait until the offers and specials start dropping into your inbox, and they will. A little patience will pay off.
In an effort to draw tourists this summer, Atlantis hosted a number of big, no, HUGE named concerts. They hosted Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Katy Perry within 2 months I believe. Yes, each played a concert for hotel guests in a ballroom that held 500 or so guests. Seriously. We saw Katy Perry. It was amazing!!
In future blogs I'll offer up some of my other favourite bargain tips, but lets just say that my kids had the trip of a lifetime and never even noticed that they were eating granola bars, crackers and snacks that'd I'd brought from home, in between their restaurant meals. I'm sure the money I saved on snacks paid for our concert tickets.
Train travel also has some unbelievable bargains. The VIA.ca website updates their last minute discount trips every thursday. While it may be 2 weeks notice or less, the savings can be 75%. Grab the kids and go! Play cards and checkers and see the country from a whole new perspective. It's a real adventure.
Travel can bring many rewards. The kids and I made so many memories. We talk and laugh and look at the pictures often.
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