It’s been almost two years since the recession in 2008 which affected many countries around the world. Suddenly, thousands of people found themselves jobless and without any means to afford basic necessities, let alone luxuries like traveling abroad for a short vacation. Fortunately, economies have started to show signs of moving forward. Some people are able to find other jobs that will enable them to maintain their household and pay for various bills like power and water. Other people who are more fortunate are once again able to set aside a reasonable sum for a short holiday overseas. One thing that travelers can view as an advantage brought about by the recession, a blessing in disguise, if you will, is the numerous travel deals being offered left and right. This is beneficial not only to travelers on a budget, but for those who can’t get enough of new sights and sounds.
From the looks of it, the trend in travel deals will most likely continue well into the next year. Forecasts show that recovery for the travel industry this year is expected to be moderate. As a result, different businesses such as cruise lines, companies that offer travel packages, hotels and inns, and also airlines are intent on attracting travelers by giving big discounts and packages with additional incentives. A recent article in a major newspaper said that in 2009, rates for hotels dropped by as much as 8.8 percent; and that another 1.8 percent can be expected for this year. Aside from that, there are a number of websites nowadays such as Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz that let you arrange bookings for hotel accommodations, eliminating extra fees. Oddly enough, thing seem to work out because although there’s a lot of bad news going around businesses, there’s certainly good news spreading among travel junkies who can’t get enough of adventures in foreign places.
Before the year ends, you might still be able to include some of these wonderful destinations to your travel fun. Of course, there is always next year.
1. BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
This place is located near the Southern Appalachian Mountains occupies an area measuring over 469 miles stretching from North Carolina all the way to Virginia. This year, the Blue Ridge Parkway will mark a milestone as it celebrates its 75th birthday. The Blue Ridge Parkway has been known to attract tourists who are avid nature lovers, and adventurous bikers who like to explore and at the same time be one with nature. It is no surprise, then, if people of all personalities, shapes and sizes visit the area to mark its 75th year in existence; not only tourists, but wildlife as well (somewhere along the lines of a family of big, black and furry bears). Lots of hotels that are situated near the Blue Ridge Parkway are most likely to join in the celebration by offering its guests packages that are inspired by the Parkway theme.
The Grand Bohemian hotel in Asheville is already promoting an accommodation package for guests which are spending time in the area particularly to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway. For interested guests, the package includes breakfast that serves two people, a picnic basket with gourmet goodies inside, and a map filled with lots of information about Parkway. This move will certainly mean more business to the hotel, seeing as it is situated in the city of Asheville in North Carolina, which is easily the place most frequented by visitors to the area.
If you venture to the towns up in the mountains of Virginia, there are beautiful wineries that sell both red wine and white wine to visitors. What’s more, these bottles actually cost less that what you would usually pay on Napa Valley or perhaps Sonoma. There are also free wine tastings at the area so you can pretend to be a connoisseur for a short moment. The rates for lodging in the area is also cheaper compared to other Western vineyards that are more popular to the tourists and big travel agencies.
2. BANGKOK
Two years ago back in 2008, the travel industry in Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok was severely affected because of the political protests in the area. The situation has improved, but from the looks of it, many tourists are still having second thoughts on whether or not visiting the city is still an ideal and safe place for a vacation. To attract the travelers who are reluctant to spend their holidays in the famous city, hotel chains are expected to advertise big discounts to its guests. Aside from this, hotel chains are also expected to offer lower rates that usual to keep up with the competition; experts say there may well be a boom in mini hotels in Bangkok in the not too distant future.
Starwood Hotels has announced that for this year, the company will be opening more properties in Bangkok. This includes the Four Points by Sheraton which opened three months ago in May; the very hip and economical Aloft hotel that is set to open its doors to the public in August; and two months later in October, a St. Regis; that’s three more properties in city alone before the year draws to a close. Earlier this year in April, Suam Kempinski Hotel, another upscale hotel, opened in the city. Other luxurious accommodations are in store for travelers to Bangkok this year such as the Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, which is set to be open by the middle of 2010.
Four years ago in September 2006, the Suvarnabhumi airport was launched to support the growing tourism industry in the country. Now, it has officially grown into a busy, bustling travel hub servicing the many travelers all over Southeast Asia. Every year, there are more than 40 million travelers that descend on the airport and a lot of them actually arrive via flights coming from the United States whose tickets were sold for practically next to nothing.
American travelers in Bangkok are fortunate because upon entering the country, they discover with sheer delight that a single dollar bill can go a very long way compared to the local currency, Thailand’s baht. Because of this, everything is suddenly affordable to the tourists whether it be accommodation, entertainment, clothing and food. Largely due to the Buddhist influences in Bangkok’s culture, the main fare in the city is vegetarian cuisine which is not only downright cheap, but extremely delicious and good for one’s health, too.
In many a street corner, you can also expect to find a massage parlor that can guarantee to untie your knotted muscles in a few minutes. Plus, it is also a haven to confessed shopaholics who are looking for everything from clothes to shoes to bags and even accessories. The most ideal time to visit the city is from November all the way to January; which also known as the cool season. However, during February up to April, and May through October, you can be sure to find the best bargains. Travelers must brace themselves first for the intense heat of the summer from February through April, and the more than occasional rain showers from May through October.
3. BUDAPEST
Due to the recession, Hungary has held back on the plans to adopt to the popular Euro; fortunately for American travelers, this means that the dollar is still stronger and will definitely go a longer way compared to the local currency in Hungary which is the forint. Budapest, the capital city of Hungary, is also a much more economical choice to travelers compared to Prague, which has been enjoying a rising popularity status for the past ten years or more. Admittedly, Prague is more popular than Budapest, but it is exactly this popularity that triggered the inflated prices that travelers to the city must now face. If you decide to pack your bags and head to Budapest this year, you can check out the Year of Festivals and immerse yourself in Hungarian culture. This is actually a program that is being promoted by the government’s tourism department, better known as the Hungarian National Tourist Office. It aims to promote Hungary’s local culture not only to its own citizens but also to foreigners visiting the country, giving them a taste of the local life and enticing them to come back for more.
Early this year in June, Continental Hotel Zara, a new four star hotel opened its doors to the public. This is a sister hotel to the trendy and modern Boutique Zara Hotel. As of now Delta airlines seems to be the lone carrier that shuttles passengers from the United States on a direct flight to Budapest. It’s true that direct flights to Budapest do cost more money than a non stop flight to London or even Paris, but the upside is that there are a lot of budget airlines that include Budapest in their routes, so it should be hard for travelers to get a cheap flight to the city from any of the popular airports in Europe. Some of the low cost airlines that you should look out for are Wizz Air, Ryanair, and easyJet.
If you’ve got a bit of time and extra money to spare, it would be a good idea to get on a train from Budapest and make the three hour journey to Pecs. This is an ideal destination for those who want to be neck deep in European culture; it was declared as the European Capital Culture for the year 2010. Visiting Pecs will overwhelm you with its Ottoman, Roman and Medieval history. For the entire duration of the year (hurry! you can still make it!), there are lots of scheduled festivals, concerts and also exhibitions. Other travel agencies such as Tatra Travel offer travelers tour packages that include Pecs aside from Budapest.
4. JAMAICA
This piece of paradise located in the tropics has managed to attract a steady stream of visitors because of its vibrant local culture, white sandy beaches, and the cool rastafari vibe that dominated the local atmosphere. However, what’s great about Jamaica is that not only does it possess beaches that can compare to the ones in the Caribbean, they also have an exchange rate that is very favorable to travelers (especially those on a budget), and cheap hotels. What’s more, it’s much easier these days to catch a flight to Jamaica if you’re looking to spend some time in a relaxed, laid back destination. Recently, Jamaica is one of the destinations included in a number of airline routes. If you’re flying with Delta Airlines or JetBlue, you can board a non stop flight from New York City all the way to Kingston. If you’re flying with U.S. Airways, you can hop on a flight going to Montego Bay that makes a quick layover at Phoenix. Early next year, most likely by February, travelers flying with AirTran can expect to board a plane flying to Montego Bay via Baltimore, Maryland; Atlanta, Georgia; or Orlando, Florida.
Because of the surge in flight routes that include Jamaica, travelers can expect airlines to offer competitive rates. Even now, there are rates being posted for as low as US 220 dollars for a round trip ticket from Atlanta to Montego Bay for March 2010. If you want to make the most out of your vacation here, you can skip the pristine beaches for a day or two and opt to go to some of the small, charming towns situated near the coast such as Port Antonio, and also Treasure Beach.
Travelers making their way to Jamaica do have to keep in mind that in order to get to a hotel, you first have to take a drive that can last from three up to five hours. There are some hotels, though that offer airport transfers for free such as the Geejam Hotel which is situated quite close to Port Antonio. Usually, you have to stay a minimum number of days at a hotel for the airport transfers to be free of charge. If you want to be closer to the goings-on in town, you can always check yourself in at the Rockhouse Hotel where you can have a room for about US 125 dollars per night.
Kingston, which is Jamaica’s capital city, has a vibrant club scene which is ideal for travelers who like to party. Occasionally, a couple of posh clubs open to the public, much like Fiction Lounge, which opened recently. Shopping addicts can also get their fix by visiting the neighborhood of New Kingston. Early this year in June, the Spanish Court Hotel was launched; it is the first hotel to be constructed in the city in the last 40 years, and if you go all the way to the rooftop, you can sit down and have a nice drink at the bar.
5. LAS VEGAS
After the recession, it certainly seemed as though Las Vegas didn’t have a chance of recovering from the economic blunder. Fortunately for avid travelers, this city remained true to its dynamic and resilient reputation and managed to find a way to bring back the hordes of tourists that used to frequent its gaming houses: giving travelers more ways of playing in the casinos and be able to stay in the hotels for much, much less than they used to pay. Prior to the recession, millions and millions of dollars poured into the city as funding for different projects in various stages of development. Unfortunately, a lot of the projects were too far into the schedule that it just didn’t make sense to stop the whole operation and construction. The over supply of these lavish projects is precisely the reason why tourists can enjoy a much cheaper stay in Vegas compared to five years ago. Right now, there are hundreds and hundreds of brand new, empty hotel rooms all over Las Vegas and in a determined attempt to keep them filled, hotel chains have resorted to lowering their rates to insanely low amounts, which is always good news if you’re a traveler on a strict budget. If you look hard enough, you will find a hotel in Las Vegas that offers its guests US 50 dollars for a night’s stay.
Late last year in December, the CityCenter opened in Vegas, where glittering attractions aimed to capture the eye of wealthy travelers or those who have already recovered from the recession a couple of months before. Among the attractions to be found in the CityCenter is the luxury accommodation Mandarin Oriental, which opened its doors in Las Vegas for the first time. There is also the new shopping district, Crystals, which covers an area measuring 500,000 square feet, big enough to accommodate a lot of travelers who have money to burn and wish to go on a spending spree (this is after all, Vegas, baby!). The new show by Cirque du Soleil will surely please Elvis fans; the King of Rock and Roll is the main inspiration for this particular production.
To keep travelers happy and to influence them to stay longer, hotels also launched value passes that you can use all over town. This is quite similar to the US 25 dollar value passport that you can find in New York. In Vegas, you can enjoy endless meals throughout the day by using your pass at Excalibur or Luxor, and only pay about US 30 dollars.
6. MENDOZA AND ARGENTINEAN WINE COUNTRY
When it comes to wine, most of us automatically think Napa Valley or France’s Bordeaux region. However, more and more wine enthusiasts who are looking for some variety in taste are offering their praises–and wine glasses–to Argentina for producing wonderful wines particularly the white Torrontes and the full bodied and rich Malbec. Argentina is actually ranked fifth in the list of largest wine producers around the globe. Travelers to Argentina who want to have a glass or two of the local specialty won’t be disappointed. The city of Mendoza is dotted with lots of lively cafes and beautiful plazas with the Andes always standing as a gorgeous background. If you’re looking to buy a bottle or two of the local wine, you’ll be surprised by the prices being offered here in comparison to those offered in Europe or the United States. There is also a strong conversion rate, which is always a plus for tourists.
There are also different types of accommodations that have cropped up in the area. Aside from the hostels which offer very affordable accommodation and are ideal for backpackers and solo travelers, you will also find what they call apart-hotel which is basically just a hybrid of an apartment and a hotel). More and more bodega guesthouses are also open for tourists; a bodega means winery, so this means you’ll be literally close to the grapes. Even the exclusive hotels in the area offer rates for as low as US 200 dollars per night.
If you’ve had enough of the wine tastings and tours around the bodega, you can have a bit of outdoor fun by hitting the rapids in a white water rafting adventure. You can also opt to visit any of the handful of ski resorts in the area, or perhaps literally take a hike and be one with nature in the vast expanse of the national parks.
Ticket prices for flights going to South America have continued to drop since 2008, averaging now at around 20 percent. For an extra US 100 dollars, you can even take a connecting flight that goes to Mendoza via transfer in Santiago, Chile; or perhaps Buenos Aires.
7. NAMIBIA
The truth of the matter is, Namibia is one of those places that is often overlooked by tourists; which sad, actually because people are generally not aware of the surprises that await them here. Aside from being the highest in the whole world, the sand dunes here are simply magnificent; animal lovers can get a thrilling experience by seeing a real (and very rare) desert elephant. Most of all, Namibia is a peaceful and quiet destination, virtually untouched by commercial businesses and mass tourism. This year, the 2010 World Cup managed to attract quite a number of visitors to Namibia. A lot of travelers who wish to go on safari trips were able to book themselves here before and after the tournament. South Africa may have enjoyed a generous 40 percent increase in their safari trips during the height of the FIFA World Cup frenzy that affected the whole naton, but Namibia has managed to maintain their safari rates at the regular level.
The local tourism board even devised a plan on how to encourage the tourist pouring in to South Africa to make the journey north to Namibia: time specific packages. Basically, these are travel packages offered by airlines and travel agencies to tourists who visited Namibia. South African Airways ensured passengers safe trasnfers from Namibia to the Southern Region while the games went on.
But even now that the World Cup is over, you can still enjoy a good bargain in Namibia. Due to the income that came in to local businesses thanks to the World Cup fever, lots of accommodations such as lodges and hotels; and also services and attractions such as safaris are saying that they will continue to offer low prices to travelers. Other establishments are even saying that they will keep their 2009 rates and enforce them until 2010 so that travelers can enjoy a less costly vacation. Aside from that, a lot of establishments are also advertising discounts such as an extra night’s stay for free or 50 percent off for second travelers.
For American travelers, you can also count that the green bills in your pocket will go a long way largely due to the strong currency exchange rate; you might even be surprised to find out that you can actually live on US 30 dollars a day in Namibia. As for the flights departing from the United States, tickets actually cost the same as the flights going to Cape Town.
8. PANAMA
For travelers who are hesitant about going to Panama because they thing they won’t have anything to do in this teeny, tiny country: think again. Panama may not boat of a big land area, but it certainly has spunk, personality and beauty. First off, it is the perfect destination for travelers who love being surrounded by nature. Panama is home to beautiful, pristine beaches where you can lay down and get a nice tan; or jump into the water, crash into the waves and break out your sea legs. This is also a place that is able to support a lush, thriving rainforest filled with an assortment of flora and fauna that is a stark contrast to concrete skyscrapers and metal structures; he volcanoes are living mountains that churn magma day in and day out. Not to be left behind by other developing states, it also features a very modern metropolis with a rich history; and not one, not two, but a total of seven indigenous cultures that make up Panama’s rich heritage.
Panama is a more economical destination compared to Costa Rica; it’s less crowded with tourists, too. If you’re well off and have lots of cash to spend, there are a number of sophisticated and classy eco lodges that you can stay in; otherwise, you can always get a room in any of the hip hotels situated near the beach. But for travelers who are confined to their budgets, do not despair because Panama is a friendly place for budget travelers like me and you.
In order to sustain yourself during your holiday, you can order the delicious set meals (locally known as comida corriente) in practically any restaurant in the whole country; these set meals don’t usually cost more than US 5 dollars. More good news for travelers who are thinking of going to Panama: the air fares are actually quite cheap. If you’re the type who likes to book ahead, you can get a round trip ticket for as little as US 400 dollars or even less than that. There are also a variety of local airlines that you can choose from if you want to get around the country. Don’t worry too much about the cost because tickets on regional flights are cheap; think of the planes as hi-tech buses that shuttle passengers back and forth the islands every day. If you plan on making lots of trips, you can check out Aeroperlas, which is a sub-company of Taca airlines.
Panama is also an ideal place for those who like shopping. Goods made out of high quality leather are common here, and the unique indigenous crafts are nice items you can bring home to your friends or loves ones without spending a fortune; in fact, most of the goods here cost about one third less compared to the prices in other neighboring countries. Panama is rapidly getting popular among tourists. Already, there are a number of international brands that are looking into Panama as another source of income such as Trump, Buddha Bar and Nikki Beach; almost 8,000 brand new rooms are open to guests in Panama City. Other companies are also planning to place boutiques and shop branches in the city premises. Aside from hotels, lodges are also set to open here; so if it were up to us, get off the couch and head off to Panama because right now is the perfect window to see this country before the tourists descend, and while it still possesses that exotic atmosphere.
9. RIVIERA NAYARIT IN MEXICO
Despite the unfortunate turn of events last year when the H1N1 outbreak drove away most of the tourists in Mexico, the year 2010 is actually looking positive for this country. Mexico recently celebrated its 200th Independence Day Anniversary, and it is showing the world that it is a safe haven for tourists who want to go on holiday. The local businesses are trying to lure back the tourists that got spooked by the outbreak of H1N1 last year by giving discounts. Hotels are offering guests friendly accommodation rates, and airlines are doing their share in attracting passengers by offering slashed air fares, too.
The Riviera Nayarit in Mexico occupies over 198 miles of coastal property above Puerto Vallarta, right by the Pacific Ocean. The Riviera Nayarit includes Nuevo Vallarta, which is a local resort town; San Blas village; Sayulita fishing village, which is home to quite a number of Boho surfers; and Punta de Mita, an exclusive beach property. The area is pretty much experiencing a facelift due to the resorts that keep on cropping up along the coast.
One of these relatively new resorts is the St. Regis Punta Mita which garnered recognition after being named best in commercial design by the Architectural Digest Mexico. In 2009, Wimco Villas revealed their Punta Mita project and also the Imanta Resorts. Aside from the resorts, luxury villas were opened in the area and also a boutique hotel. All of these of course are accessible to the PGA golf courses situated nearby. This year, a number of establishments are set to open in Nuevo Vallarta, including the Marival Residences and World Spa, Mayan Palace, and also the Taheima Wellness Resort and Spa. Major renovations were done for the Mayan Palace, which is the reason behind its temporary closure.
Costs in traveling to the riviera this year are also cheaper by 20 to almost 40 percent compared to a couple of years back. This not only goes for budget hotels but to high end and luxurious resorts as well.
10. WASATCH MOUNTAIN RANGE IN UTAH
If you like cold weather and adore snow even more, then this is the perfect place for you. There are a number of ski resorts that you can visit if you’re itching to go skiing or snow boarding, an activity that you can also experience with your family and friends. Most of these resorts are located near the Salt Lake City International so you don’t have to worry about ending up cold and lost in some remote area in the mountains; the drive from the airport to a ski resort is usually just 30 or 45 minutes away.
The ticket prices for lifts are also cheaper in the Wasatch Mountain Range compared to other ski resorts located in Colorado that are more popular with the tourists such as Aspen, Breckenridge and Vail. Here, you can ski all you want and have fun in the snow for US 60 dollars, while in other resorts, the price is usually a whopping US 90 dollars.
If you’re not sure which ski resort you should go to, you might try the ones that are popular with the locals like Solitude Mountain, Brighton Resort and Alta Ski Area. If you really want the best value for your money, the consensus is that you best check out Brighton; it may be one of the oldest resorts in the country, but you sure get what you paid for here. If you venture in Park City, you’ll find a couple of luxury resorts (for the traveler who’s a bit loaded) such as Deer Valley (recently proclaimed by the SKY Magazine as the best ski resort in North America for 2010). Although it is generally a more expensive ski resort, the Deer Valley does offer discounts to its guests; ticket prices are sometimes given at around 15 to 25 percent off the original price.
Meanwhile in the area known as The Canyons, you can check out the Dakota Mountain Lodge; in debuted last year in August. The Dakota Lodge offers its guests packages that allow that allow them to save as much as 20 percent. Late last year in December, the St. Regis Deer Crest, located in the lower region of Deer Valley, opened its doors to tourists. It features a wine cellar that houses 6000 bottles of wine, a unique ski beach that has its very own infinity pool, and the one and only funicular that you can find in the entire continent (in case you didn’t know, a funicular is a cable railway).
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