Strategies for Lower Airfares

Hotel: Hotel Chocolat, Soufrière, St. Lucia Why It's Cool: The guest-only infinity pool at this five-month-old property is lined with black quartz tiles, a stroke of genius on the part of Hotel Chocolat’s upscale English chocolatier owners; the resulting dark color reflects the iconic Pitons and surrounding rain forest like an overflowing mirror. Ten lounge chairs line the poolside pine deck, pretty much assuring time by the pool for every guest of the 14 cottages and cabins. From your lounge, you can request poolside service of chocolaty treats, like a Bellini infused with fresh cacao pulp from the company's nearby groves. SEE THE PLACES: THE WORLD'S MOST AMAZING HOTEL POOLS Hotel: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, HawaiiWhy It's Cool: Spectacular pools are a dime a dozen in Wailea, the southwestern shore of Maui with prime beach real estate, known for glamorous resorts. So it's saying something that the Four Seasons has one that really stands out. The $9 million infinity-edge pool, which opened in July 2009, seems to roll out into Wailea Bay 53 feet below, while underwater speakers play contemporary Hawaiian tunes. Open only to guests who are 21 plus, this 120-foot-long saltwater pool has four inlets that perpetually bubble, and its swim-up bar delivers thirst-quenching treats like vodka mojitos. In the early evening, the glass mosaic tiles on the bottom of the pool glitter in the flames cast by surrounding fire bowls and tiki torches. Hotel: Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Cap d'Antibes, FranceWhy It's Cool: When this hotel reopened in April 2011 on the Côte d'Azur after a $64 million renovation, it unveiled a new, guest-only outdoor pool, which had been dynamited out of the adjacent cliff face. From their perch here, 13 feet above the Mediterranean, guests swim in seawater heated to a temperate 82°F, and have a perfect view over the infinity edge of fellow visitors tying their yachts off on the hotel’s private landing stage.  If for some reason one tires of ordering poolside cocktails from the two roving attendants, a nearby set of trapezes hangs over the sea (near the ocean-diving boards, of course) for an adventurous dip in the Med. Hotel: Amangiri, Canyon Point, UtahWhy It's Cool: Amangiri, in Sanskrit, means "peaceful mountain"—and the most peaceful of those found here may be the 80-foot-high, Jurassic-period sandstone escarpment that rises from the middle of the resort’s U-shaped pool. Guests can take in panoramic views of Utah's dramatic mesas from either the 84-degree water or one of the surrounding lounges and king-size daybeds. Order a prickly-pear margarita to enhance the desert flavor during the day, or test the tranquil waters anytime of night you please: The pool is open 24 hours. Hotel: Qasr Al Sarab, Abu DhabiWhy It's Cool: No, it's not a mirage. The Qasr Al Sarab resort, which opened in November 2009, materializes in the middle of the tall, curling dunes of the Liwa Desert. It's a spectacular backdrop for the resort's amoeba-shaped pool that rivals a football field in sheer size. Guests often stand in the shallow end of the curvy oasis, next to the bar, and observe the pool butlers bringing cold towels, iced fruit popsicles, and other treats to sun-worshippers on the 140 chaise lounges that line the sandstone patio. During the day, the pool is kept at a refreshing 70°F. Linger until 9 p.m., when lights glimmer along the pool's edges and the stars come out over the date-palm trees. Hotel: Park Hyatt Tokyo Why It's Cool: Sure, Bill Murray took a dip here in Lost in Translation, but it's the view from this sleek, 47th-floor swimming pool that's truly remarkable: Floor-to-ceiling windows frame jaw-dropping vistas of Tokyo, and even venerable Mount Fuji, while the steel-and-glass pyramid-shaped ceiling floods the pool with natural light. The 65-foot-long, four-lane pool is striking at night, too, when the city's skyscrapers light up. Hotel: San Alfonso del Mar, Algarrobo, Chile Why It's Cool: You can take small sailboats out on this saltwater pool that Guinness World Records calls the largest in the world. At two-thirds of a mile in length, the massive stretch of water has room for several man-made sand beaches. For nighttime swimming, head to the temperature-controlled beach inside the pool's centrally located glass pyramid—the water and the sand are heated. Hotel: Hotel Caruso Belvedere, Ravello, Italy Why It's Cool: The Hotel Caruso Belvedere is set at the highest point in the sun-splashed Amalfi Coast town of Ravello, so the open-air infinity pool offers unobstructed, panoramic views of one of the world's most dramatic coastlines—and the sea beyond. It doesn't hurt that the pool itself is flanked by 11th-century Roman ruins. Hotel: Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur, India Why It's Cool: In a massive, 347-room palace overlooking the Blue City of Jodhpur in the Indian state of Rajasthan, this serene, temperature-controlled swimming basin takes advantage of natural candlelight—with rose petals sometimes strewn on the surface. The hotel is run by the Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, which shares the property with the palace's owner, the Maharaja of Jodhpur—who has been known to swim laps with the guests from time to time. Hotel: Viceroy Miami Why It's Cool: In a city loaded with cool pools, the pool at the Viceroy stands out. The two-acre pool deck—with Japanese blueberry trees and swanky chaise lounges and beds—features three types of pools: an 80-person hot tub, a wading pool, and a football-field-size swimming pool. Perhaps coolest of all, it's 15 floors above the street, with sweeping views of downtown Miami and glimpses of Biscayne Bay in the distance. Hotel: InterContinental Hong Kong Why It's Cool: Set on the third floor of the InterContinental Hong Kong, the hotel's three pools—two hot and one cold, but all with underwater music piped in—give the almost unnerving illusion that you're floating in Victoria Harbor. After your swim, park yourself in one of the poolside cabanas and gaze out at Hong Kong's skyline. Hotel: Golden Nugget, Las Vegas Why It's Cool: You'll swim with five species of sharks (16 sharks in all) at the Nugget's $30 million pool complex. The Tank, as it's called, houses a three-story waterslide, waterfalls, and the pool's pièce de resistance, the 200,000-gallon shark tank. You're in more danger at the Golden Nugget's roulette wheel: The sharks, stingrays, massive Queensland grouper, and silvery jack crevalle are separated from the swimming pool by a six-inch clear acrylic wall. Hotel: Quincy Hotel, Singapore Why It's Cool: This glass-enclosed pool is cantilevered from the 12th floor of the futuristic-looking Quincy Hotel, suspending swimmers high above the passing cars and pedestrians at street level. At night, special lighting effects make the pool appear to glow. Bask and swim for a bit, then retire to one of the rattan chairs at poolside for a nap. Hotel: Al Bustan Palace InterContinental Muscat, Muscat, Oman Why It's Cool: After an extensive 18-month renovation, this InterContinental property in Oman reopened with a major pool upgrade—which the roving pool butlers (you heard us) are more than happy to tell you about, after refreshing your rose-scented spritzer. The spacious, 164-foot-long infinity pool is flanked by shady, palm-studded islands. The water is temperature controlled, so it's always an oasis-like 84 degrees. Hotel: Anantara Bophut Resort & Spa, Koh Samui, Thailand Why It's Cool: You look straight out into the Gulf of Thailand from the 98-foot-long infinity pool at this stylish resort on the island of Samui, Thailand. If the views aren't soothing enough, order a stiff drink at the swim-up bar and laugh it off with the comical, spitting monkey statues along the pool's perimeter. SEE MORE POPULAR CONTENT 25 Most Photographed Places on Earth 12 Most Beautiful Lakes in the World 10 Best Affordable Beachfront Hotels

What's your best travel tip? Send us your tips, and if we publish one, you'll get a one-year subscription to Budget Travel (or a renewal). E-mail us at Tips@BudgetTravel.com. Best (Money-Saving) Tips Ever! Our newly republished Smart Traveler's Passport has never been more relevant, thanks to its 133 savings ideas. Send us even more: If we illustrate your tip, you'll get a free book (and a year's subscription). 1. Instant trail map I'm an avid hiker but don't always have the time to pick up a map of every trail. So before I set off, I take a digital photo of the map that's posted at the trailhead. Zoom­ing in for more detail has saved me from getting lost on several occasions. Steve Bailey, Pennington, N.J. 2. Blend in To avoid looking like a foreigner, buy a local sports team's jersey. On a recent trip to South Africa, I bought a shirt with the logo of the national rugby team. Each time I wore my Springbok jersey, everyone greeted me like an old friend or teammate. Dave Johnson, University Place, Wash. 3. Passport decoder Juggling five passports on family vacations can be a pain. To keep things simple when we go through security, customs, and immigration, I put labels on the back covers with each name in a different color. Officials haven't yet objected to the extra decoration. Catherine Lee, Thornhill, Ont. 4. Airplane boredom beater After leafing through the airline's in-flight magazine three times during a recent flight over the California desert, I pulled out my binoculars to peer at the landscape below. My seatmates ended up begging to borrow them. Now I always make it a point to reserve a window seat and pack my binoculars. Doug Temkin, San Jose, Calif. 5. Postcard gift tags When buying gifts in faraway places, I also pick up postcards. Back home, I write a note on a card, put the recipient's name on the address line, punch a hole in the corner, and tie it to their gift with ribbon. My friends and family enjoy their presents all the more because they get to see where I went. Jean Sokolinski, Sequim, Wash. 6. Easy security measures To streamline the airport security process, I put my change, watch, and wallet in my jacket pocket. I then fold my jacket in half with the collar on top, so nothing falls out. John L. Kizer, San Marcos, Calif. 7. In mothers we trust I often travel by myself, and when I want to get my photo taken, I always look for a mom. Not only do I feel much safer handing over my camera, but I find that they usually have lots of experience snapping great shots. Abigail Widynski, Madison, Ohio 8. Best baby seat The greatest invention in the history of family travel? The bulkhead bassinet, an amenity some European and Asian airlines offer free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. We discovered this on an Air France flight from San Francisco to Paris with our 14-month-old daughter when a flight attendant snapped a canvas cot onto the wall in front of us. Not only could our baby sit up and happily gaze out, she also snoozed while my husband and I ate dinner uninterrupted for the first time in 14 months! Andrea Gemmet, Menlo Park, Calif. 9. E-mail for cruisers Checking your e-mail on a cruise line's computer can get very expensive. To limit my costs on board, I always bring my laptop and type out e-mails to friends and family in a Word document first. When I'm ready to send the e-mails, I log on to my e-mail service and then cut and paste the text. This way, I get to write my e-mails without feeling rushed by the mounting fees, and I spend less time on my vacation going online. Jon Faulkner, Chula Vista, Calif. 10. Beach towel benefits For family vacations, we pack matching beach towels, which serve as pillows, blankets, or seat cushions on the plane. If we arrive before our hotel room is ready, we can also dive right into the pool or ocean. And since the bright towels match, it's easy to spot each other in a crowd. Calli Berg, Coloma, Mich. 11. Save paper plane tickets If you redeem frequent-flier miles and the airline issues you a paper ticket, make sure to keep the stub until after the trip. I learned this the hard way when my wife used our American Airlines miles for a trip that she later canceled. I assumed that the miles would be restored automatically, so I tossed the paper—big mistake. I had to pay the $100 lost-ticket fee before we got back the miles. Marvin Engel, Piedmont, Calif. 12. Self-laminated bag tags Some tour companies may require you to use their paper tags to identify your bags, but the flimsy labels can rip. Make sure they last by covering both sides with clear packing tape and punching new holes. Pat Blizzard, Waterford, Conn. 13. Turn off your toothbrush Always unscrew your electric toothbrush before packing it. I've forgotten to do this, and my toothbrush turned on while I was at an airport security checkpoint. A vibrating bag is not something you want around TSA agents these days! Diana Eden, North Las Vegas, Nev. 14. Secure data storage My wife and I create a private Web page on Google Sites for each trip we take. We post everything we need: confirmation numbers, scanned copies of passports and drivers' licenses, phone numbers, and maps. It's comforting to know that in case we lose our wallets, all of our info is just a Google password away. Girard R. Schultz, Sheboygan, Wis. 15. Wi-Fi fix It's easy to forget that you're not tied to paying for a hotel's Wi-Fi. Before you accept the daily rate, remember to run a search from your laptop for a cheaper, or free, network. In San Francisco, I connected to a free one. It wasn't secure, but I was happy to avoid paying $16 per day. Steve Austin, Bakersfield, Calif. 16. Miracle suds Four little words: Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps. It's laundry detergent, liquid soap, shampoo, and toothpaste, all in one—and it's actually biodegradable. I can't get enough of the refreshing peppermint flavor. Tara Tiedemann, Park City, Utah 17. A hidden camera As an amateur photographer who doesn't want to be labeled as a tourist, I carry my digital SLR camera and extra lens in an Igloo soft-sided lunch box. The insulation provides great padding, and there's also a zippered pouch for storing memory cards and cleaning cloths. Plus, potential thieves think you're just carrying your lunch! Nicole Noe, Knoxville, Tenn. 18. Preorder subway passes Before visiting Chicago, make sure you go to transitchicago.com and order a one-, three-, or seven-day CTA visitor's pass, which gets sent to you for free. After you use the "L" pass the first time, a date stamp on the back of the card reminds you how many days are left. Kathy Ellis, Manhattan, Kans. 19. Form your own group tour Waiting in the long lines at places like New York City's MoMA and Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum can be such a hassle. I usually travel alone, and to save time I call the group reservations office in advance and request a time slot. I then arrive early and ask people in line to join me. Not only do I make new friends, but sometimes the admission price goes down. Ramon Mella, Los Angeles, Calif. 20. Let books inspire you Since looking at old ruins, churches, and other landmarks sometimes makes my eyes glaze over, I do some literary sleuthing beforehand to make those visits more interesting. When I get to each site, I pull out the related passages. For example, a snippet from Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre-Dame helped me imagine the cathedral's bell tower through the eyes of Quasimodo. Emma Finley, Davis, Calif.

I'm hardly the type who's into doing hard labor, so I had some reservations about staying at an agriturismo, a working farm in Italy. There was nothing to fear—something I would have known if I'd read this month's feature on secret places to stay in Italy. In fact, the closest I came to getting my hands dirty was when our host Lucia's father, Giuliano, dropped off some freshly plucked figs at our breakfast table. The place I stayed, Agriturismo Terrapille, is so off-the-radar it doesn't even have an address; everyone just seems to find their way (terrapille.it). I swear, this worked—even for an old man delivering our waylaid luggage from the Pisa airport. Our room, one of three, looked out on the rolling Tuscan hills and was $145 a night. I've recommended Terrapille to several people since—it's just the kind of authentic spot we thrill to share at Budget Travel. I like to think that this magazine is one big conversation between the readers and the editors. You have serious wisdom to impart, and we like to hear it! So in this issue you'll see two changes meant to give you a better forum for voicing your tips and concerns. Instead of advising one traveler about a destination, Trip Coach will now address many readers' questions about bigger strategic topics. This month: Walt Disney World. We'll reach out to you at BudgetTravel.com to find out what interests you most on a topic—and then we'll publish some definitive answers and advice. As a new mother, I plan on clipping our first new Trip Coach, and when my daughter asks to go to see Jasmine at a character meal, I'll know a) who Jasmine is, and b) just where to find her. The second change is to our back page, now My Town, a collection of insider tips. At Budget Travel, it's always been our ethos to follow the locals' lead—and we'd like to introduce you to each other. I don't know, but I have a hunch you might just get along.

Walk around The Plaza with an open map and a perplexed look, and a local will help you find what you're looking for. It's probably just on the next block. —Eliot Kohen, 65, moved to Santa Fe in 1976 For breakfast at Cafe Pasqual's, order the huevos motuleños—eggs over easy on corn tortillas with black beans, feta, and bananas. Get it Christmas style, with red and green salsas (pasquals.com, $12). —Genia Michaela, actress Each room is different at the El Rey Inn, a 1930s adobe motel with kiva fireplaces and lush rose gardens (elreyinnsantafe.com, from $84). —Janet Buchbinder, 56 No meal says home to me like red-chile cheese enchiladas with posole, a hominy-like dish, and a Silver Coin Margarita at The Shed (sfshed.com, $7.50). —Stephanie Reynolds, 41 More than 300 vendors sell folk art, salsa, cowboy boots, Native American jewelry, and much more at the Tesuque Pueblo Flea Market (Exit 171 off U.S. 84). —Karen Gano, medical social worker Since it opened 33 years ago, Jackalope has grown into a six-and-a-half-acre international bazaar with an animal barn, a furniture store, and a glassblowing studio for local artists (jackalope.com). —G.M. On the weekends, yuppies flock to Ten Thousand Waves, the famous onsen-style spa. Any other time, the spa is all yours; soak in a hot bath overlooking the mountains—it's all very Southwestern Zen (tenthousandwaves.com, 55-minute private bath $29). —J.B. Hike the Atalaya Mountain Trail, a path from the edge of town into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The trek gets steep near the top, but the payoff is worth it: sweeping views of the Rio Grande valley and an unbeatable panorama of the city. —Stacey Lydon, 27