This is a follow-up to my last post about holiday travel deals. I mentioned that the Southwest Airlines site often has specials. Well, I just received my email from Southwest Airlines and they are having some last-minute 4th of July special airfares from and to airports all over the U.S. For example:

From Los Angeles

• to Denver for as low as $109 one-way
• to Omaha for as low as $149 one-way
• to Seattle/Tacoma for as low as $139 one-way

From Minneapolis/St. Paul

• to Chicago for as low as $69 one-way
• to Denver for as low as $133 one-way
• to New York for as low as $185 one-way

From St. Louis

• to Corpus Christi for as low as $161 one-way
• to Denver for as low as $150 one-way
• to Louisville for as low as $69 one-way
• to New York for as low as $180 one-way

From Washington

• to Chicago for as low as $91 one-way
• to Ft. Lauderdale for as low as $139 one-way
• to Indianapolis for as low as $158 one-way
• to West Palm Beach for as low as $189 one-way

There are lots more last-minute flights at their website, southwest.com, so be sure to check it out.  You can also sign up for their email alerts so you can be alerted to specials as they happen.

        

You will generally find that you can save the most money on holiday travel if you purchase a complete package deal. This is less expensive than buying each piece that you need individually. Another advantage of a package deal is that you only need to keep track of one confirmation number instead of several numbers.

Most of the time fares will be cheaper online than by contacting the place directly because it saves their business time of having to set up the travel arrangements for you. Make sure you carefully read all of the information though because some travel deals have hidden costs that you don’t want to be liable for. You also need to check into the rescheduling and cancellation policies.

Although you will save money, do be aware that when you are able to snag a great online travel deal, you may not have any leeway should something unexpected occur.  Some online travel deals don’t offer any refunds at all so if a family member dies or you have an unexpected illness you won’t be able to get your money back.

Make sure you also pay close attention to the amount of time that you will be in the process of getting to your destination. You may find a killer price but you may have to take several connecting flights.

Many of the sites you visit online will allow you to sign up for special offers and promotions. For example, Southwest Airlines often offers special low-cost deals which they announce in email alerts. You should sign up for email alerts whenever they're offered so that you don’t have to continually return to their site to check for changes in prices. Some sites even allow you to enter a price so that you can be notified if the price of the trip you want drops to that price.

During your search online for holiday travel, be flexible with your dates. You will be able to save hundreds of dollars just by being willing to leave a day earlier or leaving in the evening instead of the afternoon. Those who want a specific travel arrangement will find this ties them into more expensive offers.

Travelocity Holiday Travel Deals

Below are some late-minute travel deals from Travelocity you might be interested in:

Celebrate America's Birthday from The City of Lights, and Take $25 off Vegas Vacations! Use LASVEG25 at Checkout.
This special deal expires 7/31/2009.

Sensational Summer Sale: Fly Round-Trip on American Airlines from $78! > Expires 6/30/09
This deal expires tomorrow, June 30, 2009.

Save $75 on Flight + 3-Night Vacations to San Diego! Use Promo Code SANDIEGO75.
This deal expires 7/31/2009.

        

Just recently took a little getaway to San Francisco and was really amazed at all the free things you can do there.  Yes, San Francisco can be an expensive city to visit, but, it really has a great number of things you can do for free.  Here are just a few things you might want to do in San Francisco if you want to explore the city for no money (not counting, of course, the  bus fare to all the spots).

Golden Gate Park

You can easily spend an entire day at Golden Gate Park – and you should.  It's great to just go there and walk, or sit and enjoy the day. 

Free Walking Tours

check out the free walking tours offered by San Francisco City Guides, a non-profit organization of more than 200 trained volunteers who lead free walking tours in San Francisco.  Their website at sfcityguides.org lists all the many different walking tours of such sites as Chinatown, Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, and even ghost walks of supposedly haunted locations.  The walks are free, but it wouldn't hurt to tip the guides.

Coit Tower

San Francisco City Guides does offer tours of Coit Tower, but, you always go there yourself, although the City Guides tour does include viewing some murals not generally open to the public.  And, of course, it's free. Why do you want to visit Coit Towers? Because inside you'll find the walls some incredible murals painted during the Depression years by such artists as Maxine Albro, Victor Arnautoff, Ray Bertrand, Otis Oldfield and Suzanne Scheuer. The murals were commissioned in 1933 as part of the Public Works of Art Project, a program during the New Deal to employ artists. The murals are beautiful and thought-provoking.  You'll definitely want to take your time viewing them.

Walking from Crissy Field to the Golden Gate Bridge

As you can tell, "free"  in San Francisco often involves walking. Yes, even with the strenuous hills, San Francisco is a walker's city. And, many will say that the walk from Crissy Field to Fort Point under the Golden Gate bridge is one of the most beautiful you will take in the city.

View the City's Neon

Okay, may neon doesn't fascinate you. But, it does me, so I'm including it. San Francisco is filled with neon signs that light up the night. some of the better spots for neon include North Beach, though I didn't make it there for the night viewing, so don't have any shots for you.  I did make it along Market Street one night and was able to capture this wonderful neon sign.

Thanks to my friend, Donna, who allowed us to stay with her a few days in the house she was renting for a month.  FYI, you can find great rentals in all the top vacation spots at vrbo.com. 

        

Want a great family vacation this summer that will be cheaper for you to enjoy?  Try one of the 147 National Parks which are offering 3 "no entrance fee" weekends throughout summer of 2009.  The "no fee" weekends are:

• June 20 - 21
• July 18-19
• August 15-16

Waiving of the entrance fees for these three weekends include entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Make note that other fees, such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.

What are some of the 147 National Parks taking part in these "no fee" weekends?  They include hugely popular National Parks like:

• Yellowstone National Park
• Grand Teton National Park
• Grand Canyon National Park
• Petrified Forest National Park
• Yosemite National Park
• Dinosaur National Monument
• Everglades National Park
• Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
• Acadia National Park
• Cape Cod National Seashore
• Glacier National Park
• Lake Mead National Recreation Area
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park
• Saratoga National Historical Park
• Badlands National Park
• Padre Island National Seashore
• Zion National Park
• Bryce Canyon National Park
• Mount Rainier National Park

There are many more, of course.  You can get a complete list at: http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparksbystate.htm

Oh, and by the way, there are over 200 other National Parks which never charge entry fees.  You can find a listing of all National Parks by going to a National Parks Service list of national parks at list of national parks

        

Finances tight?  You're not alone.  But, if you're thinking about cancelling your summer vacation this year, don't.  Vacations are healthy.  They're a time to get away from the stresses of day-to-day living and just relax.  They're also a time to reconnect with relatives, friends, and bond with your family. They're also ways to create great memories to last a lifetime.  So, don't cancel your vacation, just be a little frugal about it. 

If the beach sounds like the perfect summer vacation destination, you have a number of options.  Popular beaches, that are designed for those on a budget in the United States may include, but are not limited to, Virginia Beach, Pensacola Beach, and Long Beach. You might want to check out some of the national chains which have lower-priced accommodations in pricier beach towns.  For example, Pismo Beach in Central California has a couple really nice Best Westerns that are pretty decently priced which are situated right on the ocean with spectacular views.  Oceanside and Carlsbad (both convenient to Legoland) also have many cheaper hotels.  You may not always stay on the beach, but you can get a cheaper hotel and spend your days on the public beaches, or at some of the many nearby attractions.

Golf resorts are also popular vacation destinations for many individuals, but many can be expensive.  If you are unable to obtain a discount vacation package, but you still want to your vacation to have a focus on golf, you have a number of options.  Many golf resorts allow vacationers to play on their courses, even if they are not staying at the resort.  It is also possible to golf at well-known golf courses that are not considered resorts.  As with a beach vacation, you may be able to save a large amount of money by staying at a hotel or dinning away from a golf resort.

Theme parks and amusement parks are popular vacation destinations, especially for those with children.  If you and your family are interested in vacationing at a United States theme park, you have a number of options.  Theme park resorts are similar to, the above mentioned, golf resorts.  A large number of well-known theme park resorts, including Orlando Studios, Disneyland, and Disney World can be selected, even if you are on a budget. Many of these resorts offer vacation packages that include hotel stays, theme park use, onsite dinning, and much more. 

Now, for the ultimate in cheap, but fun, family vacations, you may also want to consider camping.  You can camp at many state parks for around $20 a night.  There are also numerous inexpensive private campgrounds around the country which offer numerous amenities for the family, including a pool, game room, movie nights, etc.  You'll find some camping ideas at our camping site, www.rv-camping.net. 

        

So-called "staycations" are becoming popular with the bad economy, requiring less money spent on travel, as you take your vacations closer to home. If you live in Southern California and are looking for a nice "staycation" spot, you might consider La Jolla, located 12 miles north from downtown San Diego, boasting seven miles of beautiful coastline. 

Here are 5 great things to do in or around La Jolla:

1. Beaches - La Jolla Cave, La Jolla Shores, and Windansea are the best around San Diego, and possibly even the state.
2. Birch Aquarium - Although it's a small aquarium, it's packed with a lot of interesting stuff and best of all - it won't wear you out.
3. La Jolla Playhouse - This theater company is highly known around the world.
4. SeaWorld San Diego - Nearby SeaWorld San Diego is a 189-acre marine life park featuring killer whales, shows, marine habitats and aquariums.
5. Kayaking - The Hike Bike Kayak company also offers a tour of the La Jolla sea caves, with no experience required.

        

Just read this release from the Texas Bed and Breakfast Association about some special deals happening at some top-notch Texas B&Bs. I thought I'd share some with you:

Acorn Inn
250 School House
New Braunfels, TX

You'll love the rates at the Acorn Hill Bed & Breakfast. During the Spring and Summer months of 2009, you can stay at this charming B&B and act as if it was 1999 all over again, as room rates have been rolled back to 1999 prices! Guest rooms regularly going for $170 a night for two are now $150, while guest rooms regularly going for $145 a night for two are now $125 a night. Acorn Hill is just five minutes from the Guadalupe River and downtown Gruene, Texas and ten minutes from historic New Braunfels. Area attractions include whitewater rafting, vineyards and wineries and antique shopping.  For more info, call 800-525-4618.

Katy House B&B
201 Ramona Street
Smithville, TX

The Katy House, located 45 minutes outside of Austin, is turning 100! What does that mean for you? Plenty! From now till the end of summer, if you stay two nights Sunday through Thursday, you can receive the second night free when you bring the house a birthday present! What kind of present might that be? Specifically, they're asking for a plant for the inn’s gardens, which really has a hankering for Texas native perennials. The Katy House, built in 1909, is located one block from historic Main Street; Smithville is between the towns of LaGrange and Bastrop, in Central Texas. Be sure to ask for the "Katy House Birthday Plant Special" when you book. For more information, call  800-843-5289.

Inn on the River
205 S.W. Barnard Street
Glen Rose, TX

Golfers receive a 10% savings on room rates and greens fees, as well as a discount on dinner for two.  This package starts at $156 per person Monday through Friday and $167 Saturday, Sunday and holidays, and includes:

• Deluxe guest room overlooking the gardens for one night
• Two rounds of golf at Squaw Valley Golf Course (36 Holes) with cart
• Two complimentary Inn On The River golf caps
• A four course dinner for two
• Breakfast for two

Rates are based on double occupancy. Ask about a second night or a Seniors discount. Nearby attractions include the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, historic downtown Glen Rose, several wineries and the Glen Rose Bird Sanctuary. 

Note that the Inn on the River is a non-smoking facility and unable to accommodate pets and children under 16 years of age. Smoking, however, is permitted outdoors. For more information call 800-575-2101.

For more Texas B&B specials, go to hat.org.

        

Hilton Garden Inn hotels are offering some fabulous inexpensive packages this travel season, which means you can enjoy some great trips for less.

Below are some of my favorites:

Hilton Garden Inn Gettysburg   
1061 York Road
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
717-334-2040

The Hilton Garden Inn Gettysburg is offering a "Civil War Trail Package" which includes:

• Accommodations at the Hilton Garden Inn Gettysburg
• Full American breakfast buffet for two
• Two adult admission tickets to the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg

Cost:  $119 per night, through Dec. 31, 2009.

Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale Old Town   
7324 East Indian School Road
Scottsdale, Arizona
480-481-0400

Now, if you're thinking, Scottsdale in the summer?  Won't it be hot?  Well, yes it will.  Of course, May is not as hot as June (although it can still get hot in May).  But, then, for $114 a night you can experience Scottsdale and have a lot of fun time in the pool.  The rates are good through Sept. 18, 2009.  Included in the "Beauty in the Desert" package are:

• Accommodations at the Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale Old Town
• Admission for 2 to the desert Botanical Gardens
• Breakfast for 2 people
• Bottled water (it is, after all, the desert)
• Protein bars
• Sun block to use while visiting the Botanical Gardens

Ordinarily, I wouldn't include bottled water and sun block as part of the package, but, I thought it was amusing they included them, so I did as well.

Truthfully, though, the Phoenix area is still a great place to visit, even when it's hot.  But, then, I love the heat and love Phoenix in the summer. If you're not a summer heat lover, then maybe you should pick a different package, like...

Hilton Garden Inn Saratoga Springs   
125 South Broadway
Saratoga Springs, New York
518-587-1500
 
Do you love horse racing?  Then consider Hilton Garden Inn's "Saratoga Track Package" from $209 per night, which includes:

• Clubhouse admission
• Official racing program
• Cooked-to order breakfast per person for each night of your stay

This package is available July 29th - September 6th, 2009; there is no racing on Tuesdays.

FYI, Saratoga Springs is one of the oldest and most prestigious tracks in the country, located just under a mile from the Hilton Garden Inn Saratoga Springs. But, there's more than horse racing offered at Saratoga Springs.  There's also the Saratoga National Golf Course, the Adirondacks, 17 public mineral springs in Saratoga, and Saratoga Spa State Park, where you can hike, swim, picnic and relax.

For more specials from Hilton Garden Inn hotels, you can go to hiltongardeninn.com and click on "specials and packages."

        

Southwest Airlines is having a daily deal today only, April 24, 2009, where you can receive 50% off a roundtrip airfare from any Southwest-departing city to Philadelphia.

This 50% discount is valid for use at southwest.com or swabiz.com.  7-day advance purchase is required. You must purchase your ticket today, April 24, by 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time. Your travel must be between May 1 through June 10, 2009, not including the blackout dates of May 21-May 25, 2009. This discount does not include taxes and fees, and roundtrip purchase is required.

This 50% discount is only valid with the provided Promotion Code, which for today is LUVPHL.  You can access this great deal by going to the Southwest Airlines website at southwest.com.  

        

Hey, astronomy buffs, Marquis Los Cabos Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico has something special for you! The resort has announced it is having "Astronomy Nights" every full moon, where, after dusk, all the hotel lights will be turned off for a full hour, while local naturalists guide hotel guests on a tour of the night skies, including planets, constellations, a nebula and more.

Astronomy Nights feature not only the night sky, but also a lounge party with live Latin jazz and Mexican music and fire pit on the beach from 7 to 9PM each night during the full moon, which, during 2009, falls on:

• May 9th
• June 7th
• July 7th
• August 6th
• September 4th
• October 4th
• November 2nd
• December 2nd

You won't find a more luxurious place to learn more about the night sky than the Marquis Los Cabos Resort, which features a 15,000 square foot holistic spa and fitness center, as well as an exclusive gourmet restaurant where a Michelin-pedigreed chef prepares a nightly prix fixe menu. The resort opened in 2003, and since then has earned many accolades:

• "World's Best" (Travel + Leisure)
• "Gold List Award" (Conde Nast Traveler)
• "Best Value" (Travel + Leisure)
• AAA Four Diamond Award