- January is traditionally the least expensive travel month of the year (and the coldest!). My suggestion is to stop worrying about taking down the Christmas decorations and just run away for a week in the hot sun: have a Margarita sip or two and rub your toes in the sand. You’ll find incredible deals for all-inclusive Caribbean resorts on sites like CheapCaribbean.com, AppleVacations.com, and TravelZoo.com. On select weeks this winter, you can vacation for a week at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico or the Dominican Republic for just over $1,000 per person, including flight!
- January also brings “Wave Week” for the cruise industry. The lowest cruise prices of the year are traditionally offered during Wave Week promotions. Keep an eye on sites like VacationsToGo.com, TravelZoo.com and Cruise.com for some deeply discounted cruises this winter.
- It will be hard to find a destination cheaper than Las Vegas in 2010. The combination of newly opened resorts (City Center, Trump and Hard Rock), along with a drastic reduction in convention business means that luxury resorts are discounted as Never before. . You can probably find luxury rooms in Las Vegas for lower prices than anywhere else in the country. Combine a cheap hotel room with all those inexpensive buffets and spectacular stage shows, and you have the makings of a memorable vacation. Be sure to visit TravelZoo.com to find deeply discounted show tickets.
- Wherever you travel looking at resorts and services you’ve never been able to afford before, you may be pleasantly surprised at how much they’ve been discounted. Four and five star resorts regularly offer 30-50% off when you stay extra nights. (Stay 2 nights, get 1 free, etc.) Sandals Resorts is continuing its 65% off offer in 2010. Resorts are adding extras like complimentary breakfast; kids eat and stay free, spa services, and even free rounds of golf. Airlines also have more room on top. Business and First Class seating will see big promotions throughout 2010 as corporations establish travel policies that restrict travel to economy class. It will also be a good time to try to use your frequent flyer miles to get seats in Business or First Class, as more seats become available.
- Watch for Europe to roll out the welcome mat with enthusiasm this spring. With passengers reluctant to take international travel after the Christmas bomber incident, Europe will feel the pinch more than usual. Keep an eye out for sites like Gate1Travel.com, GoToday.com, and VacationsToGo.com for great prices on trips to Europe. We are also likely to see fabulous prices on European cruises. They have a short season to fill their cabins and will offer great specials to get you on board.
- There is a growing trend in vacation accommodation that is expanding day by day: houses, villas, condos and apartments to rent by the day, week or month. People who have been unable to sell their vacation properties have listed them on ‘For Rent By Owner’ sites and as the volume of options increases, the deals and specials also increase. Check out the deals page on VacationRentals.com to start your search.
- For anyone with a free spirit who just wants a bed to sleep in, the internet has opened up a whole new world of beds and capes to rent (and often for free). The popular site CouchSurfing.com is a great place to start – they have communities for everyone from college students to retired adventurers.
- 2010 is very likely to be a big year for road trips. Gas prices are expected to remain fairly stable and airline attitudes will dampen our desire to fly. It’s going to be a great year to tune in to regional bed and breakfast associations and keep an eye out for seasonal promotions. For New England, become a member of the “Inn Crowd” with offers at NewEnglandInnsandResorts.com. For the West Coast, you’ll find great inns and accommodations at UniqueInns.com/specials.
2010 will be full of opportunities to venture out and meet new people and experience wonderful places. Save your pennies and add a little adventure to your life!
