The Blarney Castle in Ireland.
Written By Vicki Anzmann
It’s a jungle out there. Or maybe it’s a beach, or a mountain.
Navigating the vast wilderness of vacation opportunities this season can be daunting. On the plus side, the economy continues to recover, so more people are actually vacationing. On the minus side, the economic situation still demands spending carefully. And since the current economy is not as dreadful as last year’s, Laurie Martz of Westminster’s Travel and Tours Unlimited confirms that “the vacation deals are still out there, but not quite as deep.”
But savvy vacation shoppers can still score deals.
So, where do you start and how do you go about planning a fabulous summer vacation without breaking the bank?
There are an almost infinite number of travel sites on the web: Travelocity, Expedia, Kayak, and Travelzoo to name a few. Most hotels have their own sites, as do the airlines and cruise lines. Local travel agencies also provide travel planning and bookings. The following guide was prepared using all of these sources, distilling this vast amount of information to help travelers plan their vacation.
The internet is a wonderful tool. But travelers should examine prices on travel sites carefully. Deals on the Internet change often and quickly. Prices are subject to change. Read the fine print at the bottom. In most cases, service fees, security and passenger-facility charges, and visa costs aren’t included in the package numbers; nor are hotel, car rental, and airport taxes. Such additional costs can add up to hundreds of dollars. Usually, the bundled price of a package employs mid-week airfares, and hotels may not be centrally or conveniently located, thus increasing transportation costs once travelers arrive at their destination.
If a trip requires air travel, book early. This is the toughest piece of the trip to manage. Predicting what the airlines are going to do is almost impossible, and they do some unusual things, especially when they are related to additional fees and bags.
In addition, consider using a travel agent. There is no cost to the traveler, and travel agents have access to myriad resources that can facilitate obtaining not only the best prices, but also clean and safe accommodations that meet visitors’ expectations. Whatever the going rate for the resort, whether from the resort’s home site, or one like Hotels.com, the travel agent can get that price. Sometimes, the agent will even get a better price.
And if travelers have any problems, there is a 24-hour emergency assistance number. The travel agent has contacts and will go to bat for you. Travel agents also stay apprised of travel safety issues l. In this era of rapidly changing international situations, that is a serious concern.
Another tactic when searching for bargains is to consider a resort that has just opened. They are likely to offer special deals to attract visitors immediately.
Last, remember that “sometimes the cheapest vacations are not the best value,” said Lynn McCabe, the owner of Special Journeys in Westminster, (not to be confused with an organization with the same name that provides chaperoned vacations for people who need assistance in traveling).
Cruises
Cruises are a good value for families. And although cruise lines cut their prices last year to fill ships during the tough economy, in 2010’s atmosphere of economic recuperation, the cruise lines are planning to get back on track. Prices are definitely higher this year than last.
To save on airfare and eliminate the stress of airline travel, consider a cruise that leaves from Baltimore. Carnival offers cruises leaving from Baltimore, and Royal Caribbean will be departing from Baltimore year-around beginning in June. If you want to leave from Florida, there is a lot of competition for cruise business among the various cruise lines, so it is possible that you could save enough to cover your airfare. Consider the level of luxury you wish to travel in, and that will determine the ship you choose.
A note of explanation: Several years ago the cruise industry took control of their prices to level the playing field. This means that the price you see for a cruise on the internet is the same price you will get if you call the cruise line or use a travel agent. It cannot be discounted. Some outfits will offer additional amenities or coupons to entice travelers, but they cannot change the price of the cruise.
Recommendations:
Carnival Pride, 7-day Bahamas Cruise, departing from Baltimore, starting at $919 per person
Enchantment of the Seas, 8-night New England, Canada Cruise, departing from Baltimore, starting at $879 per person
Foreign Destinations
When traveling out of the country, the cost of airfare, the exchange rate of the dollar, and what language is spoken are some of the considerations.
Be warned: If Europe is your target, the summer is the most expensive travel season. Some countries may offer cheap airfare, but with the strength of the Euro compared to the dollar, everything else will be very expensive. If this is your inaugural visit to Europe, consider Ireland. It is a good family destination, and English is the native language.
Mexico is always a good value. Central America, particularly Costa Rica and Belize, is an up and coming vacation locale. Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic is an excellent value. Caribbean destinations that are a little off the beaten path, like St. Lucia and Barbados, may also offer better value.
Recommendations:
Costa Rica – green vacation options, volcanoes, beaches, participating Marriott resorts, stay three nights, fourth night free, rates from $180 to $335, breakfast included.
Punta Cana – 4 nights, Occidental Grand Punta Cana, all-inclusive & hotel transfers, BONUS Buy 2 nights get 2 FREE, from $255. Airfare Additional.
Beaches (U.S.)
Myrtle Beach in South Carolina has much to offer families and lots of hotel space. Virginia Beach is also a great family location.
North Carolina’s Outer Banks are always a beach-going option, but think about a spot a little off the beaten path, like Ocracoke Island. It offers camping and a beautiful seascape, but hotel accommodations are limited.
Another beach option is farther into North Carolina, where the locals go: Carolina Beach or Emerald Island. These spots are not as crowded with tourists, so you are likely to find better deals.
A little farther south is the luxurious Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina. It is rated one of the top 10 beaches in the U.S., and has a lot to offer. It is 30 minutes from historic Charleston and boasts a top-notch spa, and of course, incredible golf.
Florida has a lot to offer families. On June 18, the new Harry Potter Adventure opens at Universal Orlando. And of course, there are beaches. Captiva Island is a remote, uncommercialized, family and nature-oriented destination with great shelling. Rated one of the 10 best family resorts by Parents Magazine, the South Seas Island Resort underwent a $140 million renovation in 2006.
Recommendations:
Captiva Island – The South Seas Island Resort, one-bedroom villas from $151, two-bedroom from $223
Spas
If you long for a spa vacation, options are limitless. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, has many spa offerings, and competition keeps treatments innovative. (However, Puerto Vallarta is on the west coast of Mexico, so it is a little more distant than popular spots like Cancun.) Terra Noble is one of the more affordable spas here.
Scottsdale, Arizona has an abundance of spas, but the brutal heat of Scottsdale in the summer makes this a better winter destination.
Locally, The Spa at Roops Mill, in Westminster, offers a multitude of services.
Recommendations:
Puerto Vallarta – Oceanfront Marriott resort with new, 21000 sq. ft. spa, $500 and up — four Nights in Puerto Vallarta and Airfare (30% off), travel through June.
Mountains
Summer might seem like off-season for the mountain ski resorts, but many of them offer summer activities as well. Spring is likely to be the best time to get special savings at these resorts.
New Hampshire’s White Mountains are within driving distance, as is Smugglers’ Notch in Vermont. Both of these offer a plethora of summertime activities. If a mountain destination further west is your preference, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, offers many family activities.
Local Options
What if you don’t have the time or the money to travel to far-flung locales? Carroll County offers many options. Barbara Beverungen of the local Bureau of Tourism points out that Carroll County has much to offer, including arts, antiquing, history, nature trails, local wineries, walking tours, and five bed and breakfast inns.
Resources
- Travel & Tours Unlimited: 410-876-6123; www.Travelandtoursunlimited.com
- Special Journeys: 410-876-0001; www.specialjourneys.com
- Absolute Travel
- 410-239-2400; www.absolutetravel.net
- Carroll County Tourism: 210 East Main Street, Westminster; 410-848-1388; www.carrollcountytourism.org
- XE.com Check rates for exchanging your dollars
- iExplore.com Hiking and biking trips, as well as multi-sport tours
- Bedandbreakfast.com
- National Parks
www.nps.gov - For checking flights:
www.smartertravel.com
www.tripadvisor.com/Flights
www.kayak.com
www.farecompare.com
