Vacationing on a Budget

Hellooooooooooo, world!!  I am at long last returned from our epic international voyage and feel sufficiently recovered from the psychological scarring incurred to discuss it at minimal length.  A full trip report will come post-holidays, but before I revert to my slack-jawed DVR-dependent ways, I wanted to take a moment to impart some quick tips for ensuring that you get the most bang for your buck when you decide to plan that "Vacation of a Lifetime"!

And yes, rest assured, these tips have all been thoroughly tested over the course of the past few weeks and proven highly effective, though potentially dangerous to your mental well being.  But hey, what's your sanity REALLY worth, money-wise!!

Tip #1: Plan Your Vacation Off-Season

Easy enough, right?  Most destinations have a high and low season, in Europe the high season is typically at its highest during the summer months and lowest in the winter and early spring.  By booking during that low season, you are sure to save a good chunk of money on most fares including airplane tickets, hotel prices, and even entrance fees to some tourist sights.  Hey, that seems pretty painless!  What's the next tip, Ang?
Tip #2: Take a Cruise to Make the Most of Your Time

A cruise is an all inclusive way to see many different locations with minimal stress.  If you combine this tip with tip #1, you can save even more money!  Particularly when the countries to which you are traveling are experiencing record breaking TERRIBLE HELL WEATHER, placing you and your fellow shipmates in peril!  The tricky part will be finding a way to induce your Captain to enter a harbor with nearly 80 knot winds and slow down to a near halt so that you find yourself pitching around your room in the middle of the night, with thrilling undersea views of the Mediterranean out of your porthole.  Sure, the thought of a near-death experience may not seem appealing to some, but when it gets you a $200 onboard credit and a full refund of your cruise fare, well, how can the budget-minded girl say no to THAT?!

Tip #3: Ensure That Your Departing Flight Is Scheduled for Armageddon

You want to be absolutely certain that there are absolutely no flights leaving for any of your desired destination at any time during the day.  The way to be sure that you've accomplished your goal is to check any flight status board at your nearby airport to see CANCELLED listed glaringly next to each and every flight that could possibly get you home.  While you will then have to spend long hours of your life in a line wrapping multiple times around the airport, and will possibly get into a disturbing altercation in which neither party speaks the other's language, rest assured that you will receive ONE FREE NIGHT in a swanky airport hotel of your choice, a FREE SANDWICH, DRINK, AND DESSERT at the delicious airport deli, an disgusting edible DINNER at a Chinese buffet, and a moderately decent BREAKFAST!  Who could say no to such a marvelous extension to your already low cost vacation!

With these three tips, you'll be able to pat yourself proudly on the back when reviewing your vacation costs.  In fact, they are so easy to implement, that thousands of people have recently had great success with them as evidenced by many highly publicized news reports!  Sure, you may break out in hives and collapse into the fetal position any time you hear the word "free" used in normal conversation, but you will have saved so much money, you'll be able to cover intensive therapy for years!

Comments

[Old Warrior]

Good quickie trip analysis and explanation of why we will continue to use "Angela Travel Services" as our tour booking agency of choice for all future World sightseeing adventures.

Of course, you did leave out the free but nearly non-existent medical care following a near capsizing event that destroys all of the high-tech equipment in the on-board "hospital."

[garden state prep]

Welcome back! Can't wait to hear more about your trip - it sounds epic!

[Heidi Renée]

Maybe you should travel by aircraft carrier next time.

[Stevie]

Heehee! I'm glad you have a sense of humor about it all :-)

Looking forward to a more detailed recap...it sounds like quite the adventure! Glad you made it home safely.

[Kate P]

Oh, my gosh--welcome home and I can't wait to hear more! I recognized the second photo right away, so I'm glad you at least made it to Barcelona. :)

[Jenn]

Congratulations on making it home safely (if slightly frazzled!), I can't wait to hear more!

[Kate P]

P.S. Hope you & Colby have a great Christmas!

[A Super Girl]

Oh my, sounds like a great trip ;-) Can't wait to hear more!

[Molly]

Merry Christmas!!
Sounds like you had an epic trip. So glad you didn't lose your sense of humor.

A Foreign Land

[Jessica]

Welcome back! Your trip looks like so much fun! I love the photos.

[Freckle on the Nose]

The pics are beeeeautiful!! I hope you guys had a wonderful vacation and holiday!

[Same Sweet Girl]

Hi!!!!!!!!!! Thanks so much for your comment! I have missed YOU! Loved looking at your pictures and especially the wedding post just before this one!!!! You looked amazing! :) Happy belated anniversary!!

[Melissa]

Great travel tips - and those photos are amazing!

[Thoughts Appear]

This trip looks amazing! Even if you had some trouble along the way.