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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(ARA) - This year, make a New Year’s resolution that brings culture and memories to life.
Don’t just promise to exercise more, eat healthier and lose those last five pounds. Instead, resolve to travel to the remote, exotic destinations of your dreams - for less.
Follow the best trip tip in budget travel: think about when to travel.
In 2008, leave no corner of the globe unturned by strategically planning your vacation to avoid peak season pricing.
For example, Europe in the winter traditionally reveals a quieter side in many of its world-famous cities, offering travelers a less crowded, more intimate and relaxing atmosphere to experience the culture on a budget (and avoid the museum lines). Europe, Asia, the Caribbean or stateside – no matter your wish list, there’s a time to go that will offer more experience for less money.
CheapTickets.com offers a great resource for travelers to find exactly when and where to travel throughout 2008. The Value Travel Forecast Cheapometer looks at 2007 hotel pricing throughout the world to suggest the best New Year travel strategies.
The forecast reveals that time-sensitive travelers can find savings anywhere from 20 percent to 69 percent on hotels during a destination’s slow period compared to the destination's peak travel period.
For instance, the report shows that 2007 travelers saved up to 68 percent by traveling to Athens, Greece in January, compared to the peak travel month.
Though not the ideal time to hit the Mediterranean beaches, winter visitors will find the lesser-known mountain ranges outside Athens are perfect for a ski trip, often compared to the Swiss Alps.
Ready to keep that New Years Resolution? A few suggestions for when to travel to some of the world’s most coveted destinations, and why you should go in 2008:
Early Winter:
During the early ’08 wintertime, budget travelers should skip the slopes and hit the big cities that normally welcome visitors in the summer months, such as Paris. Though chilly, there are plenty of indoor activities to keep you warm.
Visit the Louvre, Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris or Napoleon’s Tomb to take in the sites and avoid the cold. For a rush, bundle up and head to the Eiffel Tower’s ice skating rink, located over 180 feet above the “City of Lights.”
Spring Travel:
Check-out Hawaii this spring before the summer crowds invade. For inspiration, Pineapple Painting Tours take visitors on the road to experience the beautiful scenery of Hawaii from an artists’ perspective.
A springtime experience means more personal attention from the art instructors, and fewer heads to peak over. When you’ve finished creating your masterpiece, check out the works of others at Honolulu’s Contemporary Museum.
Summer Travel:
Summer is a great time to hit the grassy slopes, and avoid the crowds. Of course, skiing will be out of the question, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be up at the lodge sipping iced tea and twiddling your thumbs.
In Vail, Colo., travelers can experience the annual “Mountain Games,” an event that celebrates athletes, arts, music and, of course, the mountains. The bottom line: whether kayaking, trail running, mountain biking, or just taking in the landscape, top mountain destinations like Vail are a great choice for summer travel on a budget.
Fall Travel:
Mexico and the Caribbean are the perfect oasis for fall travelers. Not too hot and not too chilly, world-famous Caribbean destinations are just right for a dreamy beach getaway. Beyond the white sand, great cultural events are another reason to make an autumn trip.
In November, for example, Cancun, Mexico will showcase the International Caribbean Cultural Festival. Performers arrive from all over the Caribbean and entertainment includes everything from dancing and singing to reciting poetry. Pack your dancing shoes and get ready to salsa!
Late Winter Travel:
Start the ski season right with an early trip to Lake Tahoe, which straddles the California/Nevada state line and is home to over a dozen ski resorts. Ski-aficionados and beginners alike will appreciate the early season start in November, when hotel prices have yet to peak (an average 53 percent savings versus the peak month according to the CheapTickets report).
Beyond the slopes, travelers can try the Full Moon Snowshoe Tour offered at NorthStar Resort, which offers a picturesque trek through the mountain trails.
Ultimately, thinking about the when rather than the where of your dream travel schedule can make it a 2008 reality.
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