Taking an Affordable Golf Vacation

Golf is expensive. I think this is a problem a lot of people encounter. How regular people can afford to go play almost every weekend is beyond me. Well, I found some tips on how to save on such things that I’m going to share with you now, because I like that sort of thing and I think more people should get to play golf more often and not be forced to have to skip it when they go on vacation and have the chance to play new and exciting – not to mention challenging – courses. So, pack your golf shoes and some sunscreen and try using some of these techniques to hone your money-saving golf skills:

• Book a less desirable tee time or less busy day to get a discounted rate.
• Buy an Entertainment Book for your vacation destination (if applicable) or use your current one to look online and find discounts on golf where you are going. They mark the books down in February and March, so you get an even better deal, plus you can get cash back on your purchase of one with Ebates (17.5%!).
• Use Expedia to book a reduced tee time rate on GolfSwitch. They have a network of golf courses worldwide where you can book ahead of time, get a good deal and, because you paid in advance, only have to worry about showing up!
• Book tee times in the US, Canada, Bermuda, Mexico, Ireland and Scotland at a discount with GolfNow.com and earn points towards golf rewards, like free rounds!
• Many courses give discounts to residents. If you know anyone in the area that you’ll be playing in, see if you can get them to book for you.
• Rent your equipment when you get there. No sense in dragging your heavy clubs everywhere you go if you’ll only be playing one or two rounds while you’re on your trip. You’ll save by not having to pay (overweight) baggage fees each way and you won’t have your bag taking up all that space in your room. Your back will also thank you.
• Groupon! Sign up for Groupon for free and get up to 75% off dining, shopping and activities. This includes greens fees. I have seen many Groupons for lovely golf courses in the Portland area, so I have to believe that you can find equally good ones for your home area and other U.S. and international destinations (whereGroupon is offered). It doesn’t hurt that you may also see Groupons for other things you may want to see and do…or eat!

So, hopefully that will help you keep some green in your wallet while you’re keeping your ball on the green!

5 Affordable Destinations for Summer

Even though we are in the middle of winter, it doesn't mean that summer is any further away from us. It looks like school only has a few months to go before the kids are free to do whatever. If you still are limiting your vacation times to coincide with school breaks, then you are probably a big summer traveler. Most of us know now that summer is the most expensive time to travel, but there are some destinations that are affordable for everyone.

This photo of Enoteca De Belem is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Lisbon

Just because you're on a budget, doesn't mean you have to stay close to home. It's one of the most affordable destinations in Europe throughout the year. You can visit Portugal for around $55-70 per person per day, including dining out at some nice restaurants and staying in a decent hotel. Stay somewhere swankier and still get away with under $100/night. The busy travel season runs from mid-July to mid-September. Skip those times and end up skipping most of the crowds, higher hotel rates and the sweltering heat. The country is a water lover’s dream, with fantastic surfing, tons of seafood and one of the best and most affordable aquariums in the world, the Oceanario de Lisboa.

This photo of Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Yellowstone

If your family is outdoorsy and like to see cool stuff like Old Faithful, then pay just the one-time fee for a week to get into Yellowstone. You can get yourself a permit if you are interested in doing things like fishing. You'll find that summer is a crazy busy time to visit this National Park in Wyoming, but it is still budget-friendly. You don't have to go camping here. There are a handful of hotels nearby that you can make a reservation early at and spend less than you probably anticipate. 

This photo of Casa Sanchez Boutique Hotel is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Santo Domingo

Many of us want to escape to someplace tropical on our trips. This Caribbean oasis is perfect for those that like to enjoy the nightlife, but it also offers up attractions for everyone like museums, delicious dining, shopping and historical buildings. Would you believe you can also stay in 5-star hotels for under $80/night? It's true! And if you like water activities, too, you should start brushing up on your Spanish and planning your trip now.

This photo of The Carolina Opry is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is a true family-friendly destination. Don't reserve a room in a hotel on the beach and you can save a ton. There are quite a few condo communities, where you can rent a place with multiple bedrooms, giving your family their space when they get back from a long day out. You'll find a little bit of everything in Myrtle Beach, including amusement parks, hundreds of golf courses and live entertainment at popular venues like the Alabama Theatre and the Carolina Opry.

This photo of Arion Stables is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Crete

Explore ancient ruins, lay on the beach, go hiking and more in this Grecian paradise. Make note of where the majority of things you want to see are located and stay near those. You will find it hard to see everything  in one trip, but that just ensure that you'll make time to relax and maybe also plan a return trip. Not only does Crete have some amazing scenery, which will make your trip there picture-perfect, but is great for getting out and discovering all the great stuff on the island. You will find a big difference in hotel prices. You will mostly see either budget/moderately-priced rooms or completely unaffordable luxury accommodations. Make sure to book your trip as early as possible in order to stay within your budget, then spend money you saved on souvenirs and Mediterranean cuisine.

Travel Is Better When You Stay at a Boutique Hotel

When you stay at an independent boutique hotel, your experience is very different from what you would get at a large chain hotel. Smaller hotels are designed to accommodate guests in a stylish and luxurious manner. These non-chain hotels make your travels special by offering you an intimate setting that's loaded with all the amenities you need.

Boutique hotels are popping up across the world. People choose these hotels over big brand names for a couple of reasons:

Personalized Accommodations

Everyone likes to feel special when they travel; with a boutique hotel, you always get personalized service with a smile. Boutique hotels are smaller than regular chain hotels, and this allows them to pay close attention to your needs. If you need something special, they are able to do it for you; they can do this because they don't have a lot of corporate red tape to cut through.

When a person stays at a boutique hotel, they get greeted by their first name. If you want an intimate experience while traveling, then you can only get that at a boutique hotel; lots of people feel like boutique hotels are a small home away from home.

Better Management

Management at a boutique hotel does their best to anticipate your needs. Bigger hotels can't do this because there's so many people staying there at one time. When you stay at a hotel like the Rusty Parrot, you get a personalized experience; guests feel at home and comfortable knowing that management will do everything in their power to make their stay more comfortable.

Easy To Find

The Internet has changed the way people find information; today, it's easy to hop online to find the best quality boutique hotels. A quick search can bring up a huge list of hotels that have different specialties. 

Most people stay in boutique hotels for a personalized experience when on the road. Generally, people who enjoy a homelike atmosphere gravitate towards these places. When you stay at one of these hotels, you can experience your destination like a local. The staff at a boutique hotel is more likely to give you good information about what to do around town.

Staying at a boutique hotel gives you an individualized hotel stay. If you like things that are off the beaten path, then you'll love discovering just how luxurious and personalized your hotel stay can be. Travel doesn't have to be uncomfortable, and boutique hotels make sure that you always have a home away from home.

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