Thursday, April 9, 2009

At every national park there's a window of time that's perfect for experiencing the best of the great outdoors—because you go to see nature, not thousands of other tourists. Follow our month-by-month guide! read more

• Slide Show: 26 Beautiful Shots of National Parks
• Real Deals: National Parks Worldwide, From $595
• Expert Advice: Camping Tips for Parents
• Packing: Backpackers Do It With Less

We're looking for gorgeous, dramatic photos of America's national parks, gardens, rivers, and other outdoor spaces. Share them at myBudgetTravel, and we'll feature the best in a slide show on Earth Day. upload yours now

More than 490 readers wrote in with comments when we blogged about the TSA's new scanning machines. In a change of plans, the TSA says it will now replace the metal detectors at airport checkpoints with whole-body imaging machines. Are the images these scanning machines produce an invasion of privacy? post a comment

• Airlines: Best and Worst of 2008, Southwest Coming to LGA
• Play Ball! Baseball Rivals Unveil New Stadiums
• Orbitz and CheapTickets Drop Their Plane Ticket Fees
• This Weekend: Visit the Cow-Chip-Throwing Capital of the World
• Bedbugs Are Spreading, But Beagles May Help Combat Them

Agencies are making it harder to get lost by upgrading their fleets with the latest GPS technology. BT editors tried out five units to see which one rules the road. read more

• GPS Patrol: The Latest Gizmos
• Blog: Making It Easier to Pay Tolls in a Rental Car
• Blog: Enterprise Adds 5,000 Hybrid Cars Nationwide

25 Reasons We Love Philadelphia Artists, designers, and restaurateurs are rewriting this city's history… Girlfriend Getaways: The Bliss List These eight destinations have everything you need to relax, renew, and bond all over again… Blog: The Elusive Truth About Mexico's Safety Is there a disconnect between news coverage of Mexico's drug violence and the experiences of tourists? Join the debate (200+ comments).

Couples can hole up in popular destinations like Cancún, Ixtapa, Turks and Caicos, and Martinique—at more than 40 percent off. Seven-night stays with all meals and drinks, nightly entertainment, and activities start at $799. why it's a deal

• More Deals: Beaches, Resorts, Romance
• Fly Nonstop to the Beach: Caribbean, Mexico
• The Caribbean Quickie: Martinique, Turks & Caicos, and More
• Cabarete: The Mellow Dominican Republic

Online travel agency CheapOair offers round-trip airfare and two nights' accommodations from about $570, including taxes.
why it's a deal

• More Deals: Leaving From NYC, Spain, Food & Drink
• Madrid's Fashionable Chueca District
• Blog: Spain's Chic and Affordable Hotel Chains
• Blog: CheapOair Puts a Fresh Spin on Hotel Listings

Get ready for an action-packed weekend at Devil's Lake State Park in central Wisconsin. Two nights' camping, two breakfasts, two lunches, one dinner, and guided rock climbing for $325.
why it's a deal

• More Deals: Under $500, Wildlife Appreciation, U.S. & Canada
• Expert Advice on Hiking and Backcountry Travel
• Road Trip: Wisconsin
• My Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisc.

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