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Last updated 1 year ago
Need some travel tips to plan your summer vacation? After a cold winter, summer travel is set to heat up.
If you’re already planning your summer vacation, Travel Off Path has collected the best travel tips from experts to make your 2023 travel plans even more special and unique.
For a more immersive and affordable stay, consider smaller cities
Big cities are known to boast a myriad of activities and options, but they can sometimes come at a steep price.
Small cities can offer interesting and unique experiences that you can’t get in a big city, while also allowing you to get more bang for your buck on your vacation.
Destinations like Lexington, Kentucky, boasting an abundance of horse-themed attractions and calling itself the “Horse Capital of the World,” are hidden gems with something for everyone.
VisitLEX President Mary Quinn Ramer describes Lexington as “brimming with mouthwatering food, great art, stunning scenery and lively watering holes.”
Cruises offer great value for the whole family
Cruising is back and better than ever, and despite skyrocketing prices, cruise lines are still offering great deals. A cruise offers everything rolled into one: new destinations, affordability, ease, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing everything is included in the price.
“For even more convenience, local cruises depart from many ports across the country, skipping the airfare and making it a great multi-generational getaway that the whole family can enjoy,” Priceline CEO Brett Keller suggests.
According to him, a night in a three-star hotel is comparable to a night on a cruise where you can enjoy world-class cuisine and entertainment on the way to another destination.
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Experience solo travel
Traveling alone may be unsettling for some, but it has many benefits.
Traveling solo allows you to vacation at your own pace, choose activities that suit your interests, and meet new people and like-minded travellers.
Octavia Marginian Tahiroglu, general manager of The St. Regis New York, A Marriott Bonvoy Hotel, recommends cities such as Antonio, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; and Charleston, South Carolina, each with their own unique attractions, including shopping, skiing, art galleries, museums and walking tours.
“To have the best solo trip possible, research what your destination has to offer and buy tickets to attractions in advance, but be flexible and open-minded if things don’t go as planned,” she advises.
Traveling close to home has great benefits
Just because your destination is a short distance from home doesn’t mean you won’t feel like you’re far from home.
Road trips save you money on airfare, and with so many lake and seaside destinations in the USA, you’ll be able to reach some breathtaking locations just a short drive away.
Caroline Burns, travel expert at HomeToGo, said travelers can find cheap vacation rentals in desirable destinations they might not have considered before.
She recommends, “The quaint beach town of Madeira Beach, on Florida’s west coast (locals call it ‘Mad Beach’), has an average nightly rate of $83.50 per person, making it affordable for budget travelers.”
If you can’t stand the heat, head south
If sweating it out during the hottest months isn’t your ideal getaway, enjoy the cooler temperatures in the Southern Hemisphere.
If you’re not yet ready to say goodbye to winter and want to hone your skills on the snowy slopes, booming countries such as Argentina are home to fantastic ski resorts, such as Cerro Catedral and Las Leñas.
Dropping temperatures also create perfect conditions for whale watching and wine tasting in Argentina’s vineyards.
“As temperatures drop, wine tasting becomes more comfortable and enjoyable, and many wineries offer special events and tours during the winter months,” says David DiGregorio, Argentina Tourism Board representative in the United States.
Choose accommodation that enhances your experience
While you might think that accommodation simply provides a comfortable place to sleep, it also plays a vital role in enhancing your overall stay.
Whether you’re soaking up the English countryside outside of Chicago or appreciating local art and bohemian style in a Memphis hotel lobby, the type of accommodation you choose can create a truly unique trip.
Matt Barba, chief operating officer of Charlestown Hotels, said travelers want to connect with the culture and community of their destination, and lodging is an extension of that.
“Today’s travellers are looking for authenticity and should look closely at carefully developed ‘add-ons’ that hotels design to enhance their overall experience,” he says.
Vacation rentals are an affordable option for large groups
If you’re planning a large family reunion this season, vacation rentals offer affordable, flexible options to meet the different needs of your group.
Plus, common areas, kitchens, and other facilities are reserved for your use, so you won’t have to share space with strangers.
If you don’t want to leave anyone in the family behind, including your four-legged pals, use Vacasa’s filters, which offer plenty of pet-friendly options.
“The ability to bring pets is making remote workers more willing to consider longer stays, turning what used to be a week-long summer vacation into a multi-week stay,” says Josh Viner, regional operations director at Vacasa.
Think about not being at the center of everything
For events, festivals, theme parks and other attractions, prices may increase the closer you are to the venue.
If you don’t want to stay where the action is, you can find cheaper alternatives: If Walt Disney World is on your bucket list this year, consider staying somewhere off-site, such as Caribe Royale Orlando, which is 1.5 miles from the park’s entrance and accessible by shuttle bus.
“Our suites and villas allow families to relax and make the most of their vacation and enjoy the best amenities away from the parks,” said Amaury Piedra, managing director of Caribe Royale Orlando.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com.
The opinions expressed here are those of the author alone and not of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or any other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
