Travelated

Just those words together, “study abroad” sound exotic and exciting. Everyone seems to talk about the possibilities of studying abroad, but not everyone gets around to it. Although you might be tempted to label yourself as a “broke college student”, do not over look study abroad programs for financial reasons. The beloved student discount applies to traveling as well, so once you find a study abroad program through the school of your choice, you can mold that experience into something truly unique and amazing.

Most study abroad programs will provide you with food, shelter and classes but they may not offer much in the realm of adventure outside of a hard-to-read city map and cheesy tourist attractions. While museums and statues are nice and often worth visiting, it is important to take advantage of student geared, local life experiences. Whip out that student ID and start booking some flights or trains to nearby cities and stay in some hostels that would make your parents cringe. You can even find discounts on outdoor excursions, helicopter tours and even things like skydiving if you are looking for an adrenaline rush. Just remember, studying is important, but you only get to be a student for so long, so live it up while you are young and do it for cheap. [Continue Reading...]

Tags: student discount travel, student discounts, student travel, student travel deals, study abroad

Read Users' Comments (0)

Most people would only think of visiting the Rocky Mountains in the winter for a ski trip, but the Rockies have plenty to offer vacationers in the fall. Specifically, the YMCA Rockies Fall Fest is an attraction that shouldn’t be missed.

There are two YMCA centers in Colorado- in Estes Park Center and Snow Mountain Ranch – both offer really affordable family deals that include a variety of activities within the price of the cabin. Both locations have hiking, campfires, crafts, zip lining, biking, rafting, horseback riding and much more with packages as low as $99 a night. Fall is an especially opportune time to visit these locations do to the mild weather, beautiful scenery and the fall celebration: Fall Fest. Fall Fest includes things such as pumpkin carving, crafts, square dancing and even a pumpkin throwing contest.

This is a perfect family vacation destination; an excellent balance of relaxation and adventure. Embrace fall, the outdoors and the tranquility of the Rockies while also keeping your adrenaline pumping.

For more information on the YMCA Rockies Fall Fest, check out ymcarockies.org.

Tags: fall vacations, vacation destinations, YMCA Rockies Fall Fest

Read Users' Comments (0)

Hawaii is always a great escape from a busy life of blustery fall or winter days and the Fall Aloha Festivals are just another reason you have to venture out to these magnificent islands.

The Aloha Festivals showcase the traditional culture of Hawaii, highlighting music, food, language, and dancing amongst other things. The celebration began in Honolulu but has now grown to be a statewide tradition. The celebration lasts an entire week in early September–hence the pluralized “festivals”– and include several different stages and activities. Countless volunteers work to make this event memorable; the people of Hawaii truly view this as a joyous celebration and not just a tourist attraction. You will be welcomed with open arms, leis, and a large dose of traditional Hawaiian culture.

Events include Hawaiian Lei making, Floral Parades, Live musical performances, traditional Hawaiian roasts and more. Don’t save Hawaii for the winter months; fall is packed with must-see events!

Tags: Fall Aloha Festival, fall vacation, fall vacations, hawaii, hawaii vacations, vacations hawaii

Read Users' Comments (0)

You can’t book the one-and-only Castle Suite in Cinderella Castle at the Walt Disney World® Resort, but you can win a stay there! That’s just one of the 8 amazing prizes that will make your dreams come true during Disney Dreams Month on Orbitz!

To enter the contest, book a “flight + Disney hotel” vacation package during August through Orbitz.com. You’ll be automatically entered to win a Disney Gift Card or a dream vacation to the Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida or to the Disneyland® Resort in California.

Winners Will be announced every Friday in August.

Disney Dreams Month Prizes

• Week 1: 2 $100 Disney Gift Cards
• Week 2: 2 $100 Disney Gift Cards
• Week 3: 1 Vacation for 4 to Disney World in Orlando, and 1 Vacation for 4 to Disneyland in Los Angeles
• Week 4: 1 Castle Suite Vacation at Disney World in Orlando, and 1 Dreams Suite Vacation at Disneyland in Los Angeles

The Week 4 prizes are truly a once in a lifetime experience. Each winner will receive a vacation for four people which includes a one night stay in the Castle Suite or Dreams Suite along with a three night Disney Deluxe Hotel stay. The winners also receive five day Park Hopper tickets, and a character dining experience.

How to Register for the Contest

To register for the contest you need to book a Disney Flight and hotel Package through Orbitz.com (click this link to book now). That is great news for anyone who was already planning to book a Disney vacation, and great news for all Disney lovers because vacation packages are 30%-40% lower than normal right now.

Read Users' Comments (0)

If you have ever shopped for luggage, then you know how expensive it can be. This makes finding the lowest available price very important. Why pay $10 or $15 more for the exact same piece of luggage? There is no reason you should, so below is a small price comparison chart of a few pieces of popular luggage from three of the top online luggage retailers. See for yourself which site has the best prices. You might be surprised.

---

Rolling Carryon: Travelpro Walkabout 22in. Expandable Rollaboard

The 22 inch rolling carryon is probably the single most popular piece of luggage today. This offering from Travelpro represents a typical mid-range piece of luggage from this class. Below are the prices currently available:

• eBags Price: $149.99
• LuggageOnline Price: $108.99
• Amazon.com Price: $106.06

Winner: Amazon.com has the best price, but LuggageOnline.com is very close. Check shipping rates to see which is cheapest for you.

[Continue Reading...]

Tags: best prices on luggage, cheap luggage, luggage deals

Read Users' Comments (0)

Fall Foliage Tours

Embrace the beauty of the changing trees and rich colors of the season on a relaxing fall foliage tour. These tours are done in several cities throughout the US, but some especially notable locations include Massachusetts, Connecticut, Arkansas, and Colorado. Foliage tours can be an athletic experience – bike riding or hiking in the mountains- or something more tranquil like an easy stroll with your camera ready to capture nature at it’s best. The tours are all affordable as the main draw is the outdoors, not how many channels your hotel room offers.

Foliage tours are the perfect reason to take advantage of low priced slow season flights. Pick a city and the type of tour that fits you and experience nature.

Lowest Airfare Guarantee on Flights for Fall

Use Coupon Code FALL10. Book Now with CheapOair.com. Offer Expires: Oct 31, 2010.

Tags: fall foliage, fall foliage tours, fall travel deals, fall vacation, fall vacation deals

Read Users' Comments (0)

Riviera Maya Day of the Dead Festival

Many people think Mexico is just a place to go get warm during cold winter months but the día de los muertos (Day of the Dead) festival is a excellent reason to visit during the fall season. Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday that is celebrated from October 31st-November 2nd. While the name of the holiday may seem grim, this is actually a very colorful, lively celebration. Families create colorful altars with flowers, photos, candies, and foods to honor the dead. Adults gather in cemeteries for lively parties with mariachi bands while the children participate in sort of a Mexican version of trick-o-treating which involves going from door to door asking for small gifts of money, candy or skull-shaped bread.

This unique tradition is an excellent reason to take advantage of slow season flight deals and visit Mexico in the fall.

Related Travel Deal

Special coupon code for Fall travel from OneTravel.com.

• Save an extra $22 on your flight and hotel deals by using coupon FALL12. Book Now!

Tags: day of the dead, fall vacation, fall vacation deals, flight coupon codes, mexico

Read Users' Comments (0)

Many Americans assume that tipping is the same in other countries, but this custom can vary greatly from country to country. It is important to understand the tipping expectations for each place that you travel to avoid under or over tipping as both of these faux pas can be embarrassing or even insulting.

Europe

In Europe, tipping at restaurants is expected but the amount expected is much lower than in the United States. Generally, 10%  is more than enough.  It is not insulting to leave a little less than 10%, especially if the rounding is easier. For example, if your bill is 33 euros, 10% would be €3.3, but leaving €35 euros would suffice. Many restaurants include “table service” within the bill, so be careful to look for that. If this is included, you do not need to leave an extra tip. If anything, default to the rounding up to the next euro rule. You do not want to leave anything over 10% as this can actually be insulting. It is important to understand that, unlike in the US, waiters and waitresses are paid much better and thus do not fully depend on tips. If you leave large tips, such as a 15-20% tip as most US citizens are accustomed to, it can come off as arrogant, or as if you believe the waiter or waitress looks as if they need the extra money.

Cab drivers also do not expect large tips. There is not really a standard percentage, you generally just round up and give them the change. For example, if your fare is €8, you can simply give €10. However, if you take a long cab ride or a private tour of some sort, something closer to 10% should be given. Larger tips are also customary for any cab driver who helps you with heavy bags.
[Continue Reading...]

Tags: how much to tip, tipping in europe, tipping in foreign countries, tipping in mexico, tipping in south america

Read Users' Comments (0)

Orbitz.com recently released several great exclusive deals on flights, hotels, and rental cars. Check out the list below, and click the links to book the deals with Orbitz. Act fast, as most of these expire in August or September.

Flight Deals

• VEGAS: Weekend Flight Deals
• Flights Under $200
• United Airlines Low Fares
• Continental Airlines Low Fares

Hotel Deals

• SAVE 40% on your hotel in Maui (Exp 12-31-10)
• New York: Stay 3 Nights, Save 30% (Exp 9-1-10)
• Orlando: Exclusive 50% off each night (Exp 8-31-10)

Rental Car Deals

• AVIS Last Minute Driving Deals
• Fox Car Rentals: Save 5%! It’s a deal on Orbitz.
• Go Green & Save Green on Car Rentals at Orbitz.com.

Tags: orbitz, travel deals

Read Users' Comments (0)

Hostels are the budget traveler’s best friend. While hostels will never reach the comfort or luxury level of a hotel, they can often come very close. Budget accommodations do not have to be terribly unpleasant, you just have to know what to look for when booking hostels. Stick to known sites such as hostelbookers.com, hostels.com, hostelworld.com, etc and keep a few things in mind:

• Read the reviews. Legitimate hostel booking sites will have user reviews. These review can really save you from some unpleasant experiences. Guests can rate hostels and leave brutally honest comments, so make sure you don’t end up booking a place that every reviewer has hated.

[Continue Reading...]

Tags: choosing hostels, find a hostel, hostel, hostel sites, hostel stay, hostel websites

Read Users' Comments (0)