| Many of us have had to dip into our vacation budget | | | | 3.) Jamaica - Yes another Caribbean spot, but |
| this year and do not plan on taking one in a while…but | | | | because of the winter months moving in, I find myself |
| that was then. Most people do not know how | | | | thinking some people are like me…escape the cold |
| inexpensive vacations are both for the holidays and | | | | and get to the beach. Jamaica has everything that a |
| next year. The cost of picture perfect get-aways are | | | | true ‘summer escape’ should be. I notice many |
| at an all time low, and being a travel writer hundreds of | | | | people seem to be "afraid" of this destination. Unless |
| "deals" cross my desk. Many, I know, are not really | | | | you plan to wonder alone in unfamiliar areas, you are |
| deals, as many times they will tell you it is a deal, but it | | | | not in any more danger than you would be anywhere |
| is really their price. However, at this time, I am seeing | | | | else. |
| some amazing deals this year culminating into some | | | | The culture is different and there are poor areas, |
| 2009 travel opportunities that really need mentioning. | | | | which is why the resorts are completely self sufficient. |
| As I sift through loads of great travel deals to some of | | | | There are great day trips, but for the most part - your |
| the world’s most amazing places, I chose only a | | | | vacation is the resort…they are small paradises within |
| few, so I came up with the top 5 spots to visit during | | | | a bigger paradise. When traveling on a budget, look at |
| the holidays, winter, Spring & Summer! The criteria | | | | what it is you are receiving for the money spent. |
| I used in making my choices, included price vs. value, | | | | All-inclusives make it easy to judge the "value". |
| added values, destination and lodging. | | | | Jamaica, with it's reggae sounds coming from the |
| Let’s move on to the countdown: | | | | radio, tastes of jerk-whatever is on the menu and tons |
| 5.) Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas - A fantasy-like | | | | of palm trees and beaches as far as the eye can |
| resort casino, located on Paradise Island, in the | | | | wander, is a paradise of relaxation and activities rolled |
| Bahamas. The architecture brings you back to another | | | | into one vacation spot. Throw in free golf, 6 |
| time, every detail of this resort has a special meaning | | | | restaurants, 4 pools, kids activity club and label it all |
| and will truly give you that "I am away from it all" | | | | free and you got yourself a vacation that even the |
| feeling. This is a luxury resort plus. It is so unique; | | | | most frugal person might applaud. With savings of up |
| besides Sun City in Africa (same owners) I have | | | | to 60%, now is the time to book for your 2009 travel. |
| never seen anything like it. And the water, we’re | | | | A three night vacation package at all inclusive resorts |
| talking 63 acres of water fun culminating to the Power | | | | like I mentioned above including air start at $539, and if |
| Tower which contains four waterslides and a rock | | | | you match that up with all you receive - Airfare, food, |
| climbing wall. If the waterslides along with the miles of | | | | activities, room, all drinks, most sports, kid's programs - |
| calming waters aren’t enough to satisfy your | | | | its well worth the trip. |
| water-wonderland vacation, then allow yourself to | | | | When speaking about all-inclusive resorts, you should |
| experience the crème de la crème in nautical and | | | | adhere to the fact that you are really committed to |
| spiritual experiences; a chance to swim with the | | | | spending most if not all of your time in the resort, so |
| dolphins. We’re not talking “swimming with the | | | | pick one that will have everything that you will want in |
| fishes” type of montage, but becoming acquainted | | | | your vacation. |
| with one of the ocean’s most friendliest and | | | | 2.) Australia - I was torn between picking this as the #1 |
| beautiful creature. So, as the Atlantis deal passed my | | | | spot simply because, well, it’s Australia! Everything |
| desk, I tools some time to look at it and it is less | | | | that you have read, heard, and saw on TV or on the |
| expensive than they usually charge. Atlantis is offering | | | | big screen (they do have a movie with the same |
| a dolphin play with every stay that allows you to jump | | | | name out right now) is true. The land ‘Down |
| into the water and make a new friend. I found that | | | | Under’ is every bit the adventure’s utopia. The |
| they are also offering rebates of $250 if you book an | | | | only drawback to visiting Australia for many is the |
| air-inclusive package. Of course, as mentioned above, | | | | plane ride. It is a long flight and too many that might be |
| Atlantis is pricey and you will pay for your food and | | | | a deterrent from visiting this wonderful land, but sleep |
| drinks. They do have dining plans and kids 6 and under | | | | on the plane and you’ll wake up in the land of |
| eat free. Check out their website for all the details. | | | | diversity, nature, ancient peoples and multi-cultured |
| Prices for this Stay and Play with the dolphins start at | | | | cities. The #2 best trip goes to Qantas for offering |
| $499. | | | | $1199 roundtrip airfare from the States PLUS 3 internal |
| 4.) Italy - Rome, Florence, Venice, Naples – pick | | | | flights within the country so you can hop around and |
| these, or any spot in this country for that matter, and | | | | see much of this diverse land. The internal flights go to |
| you will no doubt come back home wanting | | | | Sydney, Ayers Rock, The Outback and more. On top |
| more...much more. If you want pleasant weather to | | | | of airfare, there are so many different packages to |
| take advantage of their beautiful beaches, then travel | | | | buy; Qantas Vacations can help you with that as well. |
| May – July. However, in August, you won’t see | | | | With Australia, the movie starring Nicole Kidman, |
| too many Italians, as like yourself, they are off on | | | | coming out, there is a huge interest in visiting this wide |
| vacation. If crowds aren’t your thing and you are | | | | and diverse country. |
| interested in local culture, try to avoid August, this is the | | | | 1.) Dublin, Ireland - This place speaks for itself and really, |
| time when most tourist decide to travel there and | | | | it shouldn’t be a surprise that it comes in at the |
| most Italians leave. Of course, the winter months are | | | | number one spot. The history and culture of Dublin |
| definitely not beach weather, however, can be nice for | | | | makes this city a favorite destination in Ireland. From |
| sight seeing and taking in the culture. Rome receives | | | | the museums to the pubs to the shopping, this electric |
| the same temperate climate as Chicago. Spring or Fall | | | | city has something to offer for everyone. For the |
| is by far my favorite time to go, nice weather and a | | | | animal lover there is the Dublin Zoo. With 235 species |
| taste of everything that Italy has to offer, without so | | | | of wild animals, you will get your animal-like enjoyment |
| many tourists lurking around. Thinking about Europe | | | | here. Of course, if you're looking for something a little |
| and travel, the Eurofly crossed my desk. | | | | less ‘wild’, you can stroll into “Ireland’s No. |
| I have found some amazing airfares flying directly to | | | | 1 international visitor attraction”, the Guinness |
| Rome, Naples and Palermo. If you’re planning on | | | | Storehouse, where you can learn how to make your |
| going during the high season, that is Spring and | | | | very own Guinness…sort of. With some extensive |
| Summer, Eurofly is offering an Early Bird Sale, with | | | | research, I located a company that is an expert of all |
| prices usually around $1500, they are not offering high | | | | things Ireland. Sceptre Travels makes your itinerary to |
| season flights for $859. If you are more interested in | | | | Ireland one that will take you to these two sites and |
| low cost and sightseeing, wear a jacket and go during | | | | more. At $399 for a four night package with air, this is |
| the winter. Flights to Italy in the winter months start at | | | | a complete steal! Yes, it is winter prices, and yes the |
| just $599. So, you can either enjoy that gelato in the | | | | temperature does dip a bit, but with the mere thought |
| summer, or cozy up with a nice warm cup of | | | | of what you will do should warm you up significantly. |
| "Chocolate" (The Italian version of hot chocolate, that is | | | | Full Irish Breakfast, airport transfers are also included. |
| not to be compared to anything else) all while enjoying | | | | Take full advantage of these deals and have yourself |
| the ancient structures, pieces of history, cobble stone | | | | a happy holidays! |
| streets and incredible food! | | | | |