Sun 29 Apr 2007
Posted by Travelman under News
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Editors’ Note: This story is from the SmarterTravel.com archives. Check our Tips & Features page for the most recent stories.
If you want to take a summer vacation but haven’t planned one yet, you’re not alone. Due to recent world events and a slowed economy, many people aren’t sure where to go or how much they want to spend. So, to help you make up your mind, we’ve compiled a list of the best bargain destinations for this summer.
We made our selections by matching the information we gather about destination trends with the deals we find.
| Top 10 bargain destinations | |
| 1. Disney World | 6. Cancun |
| 2. National Parks | 7. Buenos Aires |
| 3. London | 8. Paris |
| 4. Las Vegas | 9. The Caribbean |
| 5. Hawaii | 10. Canada |
1. Disney World
Orlando is the number one U.S. destination this year, according to a recent report from the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA). Disney World is particularly popular with families, so a deal that coincides with kids’ summer breaks is a fantastic find. This summer, Disney has released its “Fairytale Vacation package” with hotel and all-inclusive admission to the parks where you stay seven days for the price of four.
From July 4 to October 30, seven-night packages are available from $499 per adult, $266 per teenager, and $212 per child, with an average $729 savings for a family of four. Read SmarterTravel.com’s Fairytale Vacation package offer for dates, specific prices, and hotel types.
US Airways has a similar offer that combines the Fairytale Vacation package with airfare starting at $689 per person, and Continental Airlines also has a variety of air and hotel packages in conjunction with the current Disney offer.
2. National Parks
National parks are a top choice for a budget vacation this summer because they are easily accessible and always a good value. Camping or staying in park lodging minimizes accommodation costs, and park activities tend to be free or reasonably priced. Plus, in the last year, the National Park Service has seen a slight drop in visitation, and predicts lower-than-usual numbers for this year. In response, lodging and concessions providers, as well as restaurants in national parks, have lowered their prices to lure prospective visitors. There’s also a National Parks Pass that offers lower entrance fees.
For $50 ($48 with the AAA discount, or $45 with the AARP discount), you receive free entrance into all national parks, which includes admission for a spouse, parents, and children. The pass is valid for one year from the date of the first use. So, if you visit multiple parks, the savings can really add up. Park entrance prices at some of the more popular national parks like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion all have $20 entrance fees, not to mention the smaller parks closer to home that often charge up to $10 per visit for admission.
For an additional $15 you can buy a Golden Eagle hologram to attach to your pass, which covers entrance fees at sites managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management.
3. London
| If England appeals to you, but you want to escape of the bustle of London, why not head up to the Lake District for some quality time with nature? Just four hours by train from London’s Paddington station, a wealth of B&Bs, inns, and hostels make choosing a place to stay easy and economical. Many sites offer detailed information about the various walks and hikes around the region, so you can plan an inn-to-inn ramble, or hike closer to your home base. Reasonably priced organized walks are available throughout the region, and if you don’t want to carry your own pack you can rent a pony to carry your things and accompany you on your walks. |
Summer is not normally the cheapest time of the year to visit London, but if you travel early this year it’s budget vacation central, with special offers cropping up all over the place. Most years, summer airfare between the U.S. and England can easily top $750 for economy class. Last year, the lowest sale rates averaged $500 from the East Coast (not including hotel accommodations, which can cost upwards of $100 per night for a basic room). So far this year, you can fly and stay at a fraction of the usual cost.