Budget Travel's Blog

The latest travel news, vacation tips & advice, travel apps, and more

jun 11

3 Easy Ways To Give Back When You Travel

Affinia Manhattan
(Courtesy Affinia Hotels)

Trying to make a difference in the world? Whether you're booking hotels that contribute to those who are less fortunate or want to try a hands-on conservation vacation at one of your favorite national parks, we've got three easy ways you can help others and make the world a better place while you travel.

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0 by Kaeli Conforti Nature Appreciation, Volunteer Travel, Wildlife Appreciation, Trip Ideas, Family Travel
jun 07

8 of the U.K.'s Crowd-Free—But Amazing—Natural Landmarks

Callandish Stones, in the Outer Hebrides, are a romantic reminder of Scotland's ancient past.

(Courtesy Hypnotoad/myBudgetTravel)

Sophie Gackowski for HomeAway UK

You've probably heard of Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain, and the White Cliffs of Dover are certainly no secret. But have you ever been to Thor's Cave, the Brimham Rocks or Speedwell Cavern? Here we list just eight of the UK's unusual but unsung sites; each an awesome masterpiece courtesy of Mother Nature. So next time you're enjoying a vacation in our fair isles, you can visit natural landmarks without the excessive crowds.

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0 by HomeAway UK Hiking and Climbing, Historical Travel, Mountains, Nature Appreciation, Rivers and Lakes, United Kingdom, Trip Ideas, Family Travel, Senior
jun 03

Lake George: One of New York's Unsung Sweet Spots

(Courtesy mokeeffe4021/myBudgetTravel)

Cathy Bennett Kopf writes for TheOpenSuitcase.com

It was Christmas in July when Dad brought home the silver Plymouth Fury station wagon. It meant that my brother, sister and I no longer had to fight over who had to sit in the middle of the back seat with their feet on the hump (where the drive shaft used to be). Someone got to ride in the rear-facing third seat, stretched out on the luxurious naugahyde, like Cleopatra on her chaise, napping or making faces at the passengers in the car behind us. This was a huge deal because summer meant vacation and vacation meant road trip. I was the oldest. I was the loudest. I got that back seat.

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0 by Cathy Bennett Kopf Boat and Ferry Rides, Food + Drink, Hiking and Climbing, Mountains, Rivers and Lakes, New York, Family Travel
may 31

Ready to Go Shark-Diving?

(Courtesy Ernest Manewal/myBudgetTravel)

How much would you pay to swim with a shark?

If, like me, your first reaction is to ask how much you yourself would be paid to do such a thing, you may be in an ever-decreasing minority. Shark-watching tourism is expected to grow in popularity over the next two decades. It currently generates about $300 million each year but is expected to reach nearly $800 million by, say, 2033. A recent study published in Oryx: The International Journal of Conservation, notes that while the shark fishing industry—fueled by an appetite in east Asia for shark-fin soup—currently generates about $630 each year in revenue, it will be eclipsed by shark tourism.

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0 by Robert Firpo-Cappiello Adventure, Boat and Ferry Rides, Scuba Diving and Snorkeling, Wildlife Appreciation, Baja California, San Diego, Florida, Trip Ideas
may 28

Summer Travel Discounts For Teachers

A teacher and her class

BedandBreakfast.com honors the teachers in our lives with exclusive discounts for summer travel.

(Courtesy USAG- Humphreys/Flickr)

Let's face it, teachers have it rough. Their lives are spent grading papers and making sure every last student—whether well-behaved or not—is properly educated. Then, to top it all off, the only time where teachers can take a break, let alone a vacation, is summer, the most expensive time of the year to travel.

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0 by Kaeli Conforti BandB's/Inns and Lodges, Charming Hotels, Hotels, Trip Ideas, Family Travel
may 28

Confessions of a Couchsurfer

Couchsurfing connects travelers with hosts in 100,000 cities across the globe, and took at least one intrepid traveler into the Himalayas.

(Noamfein / Dreamstime.com)

Let's get this out of the way up front: Couchsurfing.org is not a scheme that allows you to "see the world for free."

Although it is a worldwide community of more than 6 million people in 100,000 cities who will open their homes to guests at no charge, Couchsurfing aims to bring like-minded, travel-obsessed people together for the sheer good of it—the cultural exchange, the personal connection. And one of the benefits is that you can obtain insider, locals-only travel advice before you leave home, and a comfortable place to sleep free of charge when you get to your destination.

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0 by Robert Firpo-Cappiello Adventure, Alternative Lodging, Hiking and Climbing, Surfing, India, Nepal, California, How-Tos, Before the Trip
may 23

Four Perfect Restaurants Near the Venice Biennale

If you're visiting the city of canals during the Biennale contemporary art show, we've rounded up four simple—and simply awesome—lunch spots that are a short walk from the show.

(Courtesy Kaeli Conforti)

Elizabeth Minchilli is the host of the blog Elizabeth Minchilli in Rome and author of the apps Eat Rome, Eat Florence, and Eat Venice.

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0 by Elizabeth Minchilli Art + Culture, Food + Drink, Museums, Italy, Venice, Food + Drink
may 22

Universal Studios Orlando Plans Harry Potter Park Expansion

The Hogwarts Castle at Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida

Harry Potter fans, rejoice! Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Express are coming to Orlando in 2014.

(Courtesy Pop Culture Geek/Flickr)

We've got some great news for Harry Potter fans: Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Express are coming to Orlando in 2014, part of a new park expansion that will extend The Wizarding World of Harry Potter from its current home at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure to include both Universal Studios Orlando theme parks.

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0 by Kaeli Conforti Amusement and Theme Parks, Food + Drink, Literary Travel, Pop Culture and Travel, Family Travel, Girlfriend Getaways, Women's Travel
may 22

Military Travel Discounts For Memorial Day

Military Appreciation

Hotels and resorts are saying thank you to military members with special travel deals this weekend.

(Courtesy DVIDSHUB/Flickr)

What better way to honor those who serve our country than by making vacations more affordable for them? Several hotels and resorts are doing just that, offering up to 60 percent off regular rates exclusively for military personnel. From Los Angeles to the Caribbean, here are the best options for military families this Memorial Day weekend.

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0 by Kaeli Conforti Amusement and Theme Parks, Hotels, Trip Ideas, Family Travel
may 20

5 U.S. theme parks under $50

Santa Cruz Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, CA.

(Courtesy Adam Freidin/Flickr)

With Disney parks recently raising their ticket prices to $89 for a single–park one day ticket—Universal Studios is just as bad—now is the perfect time to start thinking about smaller, regional theme parks where you can get your adrenaline fix for less. Here are five theme parks around the country where the daily price of adult admission is under $50.

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0 by Kaeli Conforti Amusement and Theme Parks, Disney, Historical Travel, Nature Appreciation, Pop Culture and Travel, Anaheim, Santa Cruz, Orlando, New York City, Ohio, Allentown, Trip Ideas, Family Travel, Girlfriend Getaways, Solo, Women's Travel