Travel in Budget

For many people, autumn is the time of year when the nights get colder, the days get shorter, the leaves change color and the year heads rapidly toward the cold winter months. The fall of the year is the time when the kids are heading back to school and anxious travelers are no longer dreaming of beach resort towns.

For the smart budget traveler, however, the autumn season offers some tremendous opportunities for lower prices, smaller crowds and an overall better vacation value.

The very items cited above make fall a great time for budget minded travelers to head to some of the best known resorts and enjoy lower prices on airfares, rental cars, food and hotel rooms.

Every vacation destination has its own high and low season, but the autumn of the year has the advantage of being the off season for both summer and winter destinations.

For instance, while winter is the high season for ski resort towns and other winter destinations, the mountain locations of these resorts often mean that skiing and other activities are available in late autumn, while prices for lodging, meals and rental cars are still much lower.

Likewise, resorts and travel destinations that enjoy great popularity in the summer months are still quite pleasurable, and often more so, in the fall of the year. For instance, autumn offers such benefits as cooler temperatures and fewer crowds in addition to lower prices.

The same restaurant at which reservations were impossible to come by in the busy summer months may suddenly be available in the fall, and that pricey summer hotel room may be quite affordable once summer has ended.

When looking for the best possible deal on fall travel, it is important to thoroughly research your particular destination. While fall is the off season for most locations, this is not true for every destination.

Be sure that there really are better values in the autumn season before booking your trip.

It is also important to check the weather, including average temperatures and average rainfall levels, for your fall travel destination. After all, lower autumn prices will do you no good if rain or uncomfortable temperatures ruin your long anticipated vacation.

If the average temperature and precipitation levels are to your liking, it is time to start searching for the perfect fall travel deals. The obvious first place to start for many people is the internet.

There are a number of very good web sites and newsgroups devoted to the best in budget travel, and they are a great place to start.

It is also important to start planning early for your fall vacation. While the heat of summer is still around, be sure to start shopping for the best fall deals.

Airlines often start promoting their lower fall airfares while summer is still in full swing, and it is important to act fast to get the lowest fares. The same goes for rental cars and hotel rooms, and those fall specials are often snapped up very quickly by other budget minded travelers.

Martin Kleis asked:


Tunisia is the smallest of the North African countries but also a very popular one, with a culture and historical sights to compete with the best in North Africa. The fact that Tunisia was occupied by many of the great Mediterranean empires during its turbulent history, has given it a unique and interesting way of life which is unlike its larger neighbors.

There is plenty to see and do in this small country and in fact many European citizens do. With stunning Islamic architecture, Roman and Carthaginian ruins and amazingly friendly people it was always going to be a tourist hot spot, but add to this a beautiful sandy coastline and amazing desert landscapes in the south and you have yourself one hell of a destination.

The best time to visit Tunisia is the spring months between March and May when the temperatures are nice and warm, summer is popular with European citizens and can be stiflingly hot and the accommodation is at a premium.

Health-wise – The medical services available in Tunisia are not of a very good standard and if you are taken seriously ill, the chances are you will need to be evacuated by air to Italy. Waterborne viruses are a problem so basic water hygiene will need to be taken into consideration, such as boiling the water or even better drinking only bottled water. As is the same with any hot country, you will need to watch out for sunstroke and dehydration as well as sunburn. Drink plenty of water, take in plenty of salt and cover up! Snakes are a problem in the south, so keep your wits about you if you visit the region.

Visas and docs – Most western citizens can stay in Tunisia for up to three months without needing a visa, though Australian and New Zealand citizens can only get two weeks on arrival. Extensions are easy to obtain in Tunis, though they will take around two weeks to issue. Israeli citizens are not allowed into the country.

Cost – Tunisia is a budget travelers dream destination with plenty to see and costs which are extremely low. A budget of $15 a day will get you by easily enough, including a night in a guest house, local transport and food. If you budget a little more you will be able to have a more comfortable guest house and have the chance to visit the more out of the way places.

The Sights – For such a small country, Tunisia has a wealth of sights and activities for the visitor. Tunis the capital is a relaxed place and it is easy to stay here for a few days without wanting to escape. There are plenty of sights within day trip distance from the city including some wonderful ruins such as ancient Carthage and Utica.

The coastline is fantastic with some stunning beaches and bays and there is something for everyone ranging from the jet-setters amongst you to those looking for a more secluded place to stay. The only problem with this is the fact that in the summer it is packed out with European citizens who have discovered the beaches in the last five years.

Another highlight of a visit to Tunisia is visiting the Oasis town of Tozeur, with its spectacular scenery and vibrant market life. A great way to enjoy the scenery of the worlds greatest desert is to take a three day camel safari, a great experience and amazing value!



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David Chandler asked:


When traveling on a budget, one of the most often asked questions is whether it is best to travel independently, reserving your own airfare, hotel stay and sightseeing reservations, or choose a package tour where everything is set up for you in advance.

Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. It is largely dependent on the location you have selected and dates of travel. For instance, travel to European destinations are often less costly to book on your own, especially when the airlines are running specials of European airfares in the off-season.

On the other hand, travel to many exotic locations, like Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Thailand, and India, are often much less expensive when booked through a vacation package company or travel agent. That is because these tour operators often have special deals with the national airlines of these companies, and with very nice resort hotels, to provide considerable discounts in exchange for a steady flow of business.

For instance, with a little bit of shopping, you can book a vacation package from New York to Egypt for a grand total of $1,100, including airfare, an excellent hotel, daily breakfast, airport transfers, and daily sightseeing tours, including guided tours of the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. This is far less than you would have paid if you had booked this trip independently.

Similar deals exist for other locations, notably India, China, and Taiwan. So be sure to check on the availability of these package deals when shopping for a budget travel deal.

Of course, some great deals can be had on your own as well, and this is often a great way to go, especially if you are a solo traveler. Solo travelers often have difficulty getting those great deals on package deals, since the required single supplement can often ruin the deal.

It is also important to find out exactly what is, and what is not included, in any package you are considering. Many package deals have optional excursions built in, and these extras can add considerable cost. Be sure to ask for a detailed daily itinerary to determine if you will be left on your own if you fail to take these optional. Also ask for a detailed list of these optional excursions, including full descriptions and prices, and then carefully compare the total price to what you could find on your own.

If you are traveling on your own, be sure to start shopping early, especially if you are traveling by air. The important thing to remember is that airlines allocate only so many seats for those advertised low fares, and if you fail to act quickly, you may be out of luck. It is important to book the airfare, and the hotel, as early as possible to ensure the lowest possible prices.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to choose a vacation package deal or independent travel is up to each individual traveler. It is important to carefully compare package prices with those for independent travel to the same location. It is also important to consider your own personal travel style. Some people are more comfortable with a packaged tour, particularly to an unfamiliar location, while others relish the freedom from schedules that independent travel provides.



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