Exploring The Planet Without Breaking The Bank – A Frugal Getaway Guide

by erin on July 19, 2010

Money is certainly tight these days for most of us and when we consider how we can trim our budget and save money, we tend to cut out those things we feel are not necessities of life. Some might think that vacations fall into that category but perhaps the stress of these days make a vacation more of a necessity than you might think. Besides stress relief, family bonding and educational opportunities can encourage vacation planning and getting USA passport expedited can get you and your family free to travel in no time at all.

Vacationing on a budget really can be done because there are vacation destinations that are cost effective in every way. Visiting a country close to your own can been done in a cost effective way so if you consider Mexico or Canada, only a passport application card is required and is much less expensive to obtain that a regular passport. While air travel still requires a passport, travel to a neighboring country accomplished by land or sea requires only a passport card.

Some of the best budget destinations are located in the beautiful Caribbean. That’s right, the beaches with the powdery white sand and turquoise waters can be some of the least expensive vacations destinations, but you just need to know exactly where to go. Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica is one of these destinations. Instead of the beach being crowded with tourists like in Nassau or Cozumel, these beaches are empty. It’s like having your very own private beach. And with cheap hotel rooms, excellent and affordable food, and plenty of places to explore, you won’t even miss crowded tourist traps.

On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean a vacation of value can be found in western Ireland. Hiking and exploration are encouraged by miles of hiking trails. Beautiful sites like the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, Dingle Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry encourage an active vacation with spectacular visual opportunity. Bike riding and horseback riding present an opportunity to experience nature while enjoying each other company. Inexpensive hotels and cuisine make Ireland the location sought by many cost conscious families.

Knowing how to reduce the expenses of your vacation can make a huge difference. One of the most effective ways to save money is to find places where kids eat free. Also, some hotel rooms allow children to stay for no extra cost. Hotels with free breakfast buffets make for a great first meal as well as a snack later in the day. Having a mini-fridge in your room means you can save leftovers from dinners or even buy cheap sandwich ingredients. Try out the mass transit system. It saves you from having to rent a car or hire a taxi.

So vacations don’t need to be a bank-breaker. With a little careful planning and a few helpful tips, you and your family can embark on a vacation that feels like it cost a million bucks without having to spend that much. Mostly, however, vacations are meant to help your loved ones see the world and help your family build unforgettable memories. Best of all, vacations have become so much more affordable thanks to U.S. passport card. You can even get your pass port expedited to fit into any time frame. So don’t worry about having to eat Ramen for a week. Affordable vacations do exist, and taking advantage of them is incredibly easy.

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