5 Hotel and Rail Sales You Won't Want to Miss

By Douwe Osinga, CEO of travel app, Triposo It's easy to get wrapped up in doing all the touristy things and forget to seek out more interesting and off-the-beaten-path cultural experiences, like concerts, street festivals, and native dishes. Having been to more than 50 countries so far, I've developed seven rules that I think can help make traveling more enjoyable and rewarding, even if you're on a very tight budget. Sleep where you want to beOnce, I traveled to Lisbon for the weekend (something you can do when you already live in Europe, lucky me!). When I booked the flight, there was an offer for a luxury hotel for a relatively cheap price, so I booked it. Bad move. Sure, the hotel was upscale and beautiful, but it was also in the business district, which means that the area was totally dead on the weekend and miles away from the historic town. In terms of enjoying the city, any single-star hotel right downtown would have been much better. The lesson? You want to sleep comfortably, of course, but beyond that, sleeping is sleeping. It's much more important to be close to what you came for. Smile, mime, and try to say a few wordsSometimes people get very nervous about traveling to countries where they don't speak the language. Once, I traveled from Mexico to Venezuela knowing maybe 50 words of Spanish total (though I did pick up a few more by the end of the trip). Even with my low level of Spanish, it wasn't all that hard to get around. In many places we traveled to, English was scarce, but people appreciated that we tried to use the local language. Apart from that, miming and smiling usually works wonders, so don't be afraid to look a little silly. When I am confronted with somebody with whom I don't share any language, I usually talk to them in Dutch (my native language). Slowly and with lots of hand movements, I can usually get my point across. (If all else fails, check out the phrasebooks in our Triposo mobile app!) Learn when to listen—and when to ignore—local adviceI was in Namibia and wanted to cross to Zimbabwe through the Caprivi Strip. The bus was canceled, and the local travel agent said there were no more buses for the rest of the night. We asked what our chances for hitchhiking looked like, and they told us to ask the men who worked at the gas station down the street. As it turned out, they had their own (mini) bus system with continuous departures to Zimbabwe. We had an excellent trip and got to see a completely different side of Namibia. The lesson? The locals are, of course, a great source of first-hand information when traveling. However, they have their own prejudices and perspectives, so while their input is important, it's not the end of the discussion. If you don't like the answer you get from one person, go ask another! Sometimes you need to talk to a few different people before you get the whole story. Know when to trade time for moneyAnother time, I booked a trip with some friends on a boat traveling from Java to Sumatra. Once aboard, I discovered that my tickets placed us in third class. That meant an overcrowded iron compartment 10 meters below sea level. On top of that, the trip would apparently take 72 hours. My friends and I considered the situation for ten minutes, then grabbed our bags and bolted for the airport. That night, while sitting on our porch overlooking a tropical river, sipping a cold beer with orangutans howling in the background, we thought about how we would still be traveling for another 60 hours had we taken the boat... Yikes! Travel in third world countries can be very cheap, and that's great. It means you can see and do things you might not be able to do elsewhere. But sometimes you have to snap out of the cheapskate mindset and realize that you can buy a lot of time with a little more money and that is often 100 percent worth it. Readjust your appetite for riskGetting around in Kenya's matatu buses are undoubtedly much more dangerous than the subway in Berlin or New York. In fact, it's safe to say that the matatus would be outlawed as death-traps in many places around the world. So why would you take them when visiting Kenya? Well, if you use the same risk calculations when traveling as you do at home, you won't be able to go very far, and your visit probably won't be worthwhile. In my mind, since you're only taking these risks for a limited amount of time, it's fine. Higher risks for a limited amount of time in return for extraordinary experiences is a good trade-off in my opinion. Check the weather reportWhile in Morocco, I decided to take an excursion to the sand dunes of the Sahara. It hadn't rained there in ten years. Guess what? That day, it poured! While it's true that most places travelers visit have more stable weather than Europe or the U.S., nothing is ever certain. Most places are nicer with sun and if you leave your schedule open, you can always hop on a plane or a train to where the sun is shining. Use your smartphone to check the weather and don't be  afraid to be spontaneous if it will result in a better trip. Don't go cheap on food all of the time If you're traveling on a budget, meals are often a great place to save some dough. Years ago, I was traveling with my brother (and now business partner) in Syria on a tight budget. Falafel three times a day is indeed a cheap way to fill your stomach, but it gets old fast. Only much later did I discover that I had missed out on the best parts of Syrian cuisine by being too cheap to eat in a nice restaurant. So my advice is to always take one night and splurge on the best food you can find. The memories will be well worth it, and your taste buds will thank you.

Sophie Gackowski writes for HomeAway UK We may not share the sunshine that usually defines a trip to the beach, but here in the United Kingdom, we have some pretty spectacular shores. From quaint, cottage-lined quays to rugged and dramatic cliffs, and from traditional fishing villages to isolated, pristine sands, there's something for every seaside lover; and then some. So next time you're visiting our fair, sea-surrounded isle, why not make the most of our incredible coastline? Stretching for some 11,073 miles—and that's just around the main island—you're sure to fall in love with one of these quintessentially British seaside breaks. Brighton, England. Brighton is synonymous with the British seaside: tourists have been flocking here since the early 19th century. From its wonderful promenade overlooking the ocean, to its myriad shops selling buckets and spades—essential tools for the budding sandcastle builder‚this town was seemingly made to create happy childhood memories. Grab an ice cream and enjoy a donkey ride along the sand, or explore its history and heritage, admiring the extravagant architecture of the Royal Pavilion. Outer Hebrides, Scotland. Often described as Caribbean-style coastlines, the beaches of the Outer Hebrides are beautiful. White, powdery sands are lapped by bright, turquoise waves; indeed, the only thing that separates these Scottish shores is their distinct lack of palm trees (and, sadly, warm sunshine). A particular favorite is Bosta Beach, on the Isle of Lewis; a cove where heather-laden mountains loom over its lapping sea, as ancient Iron-age dwellings can be seen in the distance, it's a paradisaical place to spend the day. Cornwall, England. Cornwall, particularly its North Coast, has long been known as a surfing paradise: it has some of the best rollers in the United Kingdom. Situated in the far southwest of the country, however, it's also home to our most southerly point, Land's End, as well as some of the prettiest beaches in Europe. When you're here, don't miss out on quintessentially Cornish products: cream teas, ice cream and pasties are a must, but no evening is complete without sampling the delectable, local seafood. Lobster, anyone? Pembrokeshire, Wales. Head for the Pembrokeshire National Park, and you won't be disappointed: although Wales is often overlooked as a seaside destination, it's home to some of the United Kingdom's most stunning shores. Saundersfoot—a picturesque fishing village—comes highly recommended, strewn as it is with traditional fish and chip shops and pubs selling local ales. It also sits at the bottom of a deep, wooded valley, so you can combine coastal walks with countryside strolls, making the most of both worlds. Blackpool, England. Come rain or shine, Blackpool's a brilliant spot if you want to immerse yourself in the seaside atmosphere of Britain's past. Yet another destination where the Victorians chose to holiday, it's kept much of its old-world charm, particularly in its tower—essentially the Eiffel, in miniature! Famed for its Pleasure Beach, littered with roller-coasters, carousels and coconut stalls, Blackpool's also known for its striped sticks of rock (but watch your teeth on these sweet treats!), and the iconic, if somewhat politically incorrect puppet show, Punch and Judy. Stonehaven, Scotland. If the likes of Brighton and Blackpool all sound a bit too much, then head for the rugged, secluded shores of Stonehaven. With the coastal trail here running for some 150 miles, there's certainly no chance you'll run out of places to explore. A typically Scottish landscape of wind-battered rocks, ancient castles and swaying grasses, it's an ideal destination for the keen walkers among you; and, when you tire of trekking, you can book a tour of a whisky distillery to warm yourself up with a wee dram. Follow Sophie Gackowski on Google+

We recently shared 10 apps that help you save time and money. Now, perfect for people who like to plan on-the-go, we've got six apps designed to help you get the most out of your next adventure. Roadside AmericaLooking for the perfect oddball roadside attractions to visit during your next road trip? The Roadside America app offers maps, in-depth descriptions, and directions to help you find more than 9,000 silly spots around the U.S. and Canada including strange monuments, quirky museums, and other off-the-beaten-path local attractions and tourist traps you may have missed otherwise. Keep track of which ones you've visited, see what's coming down the road as you drive, and share the fun with your friends back home, all within the app. Available in the App Store; pay $2.99 for one of seven available regions—additional regions can be purchased a la carte for $1.99 each, or opt to pay $5.99 for all seven regions throughout the U.S. and Canada. TriposoDesigned to be the go-to travel app for those who love to plan ahead and travelers who like to see where the road will take them, Triposo offers detailed maps, recommendations, and real-time travel advice (for instance, information about museum closings) for more that 15,000 places of interest in more than 200 countries. The best part: both the app and Triposo's downloadable Destination Guides also work offline, so you don't have to worry about tracking down WiFi on the road. Available for free in the App Store and Google Play. CheapOairDo you prefer to make last-minute travel plans or book flights as you go? CheapOair's app lets you view your past bookings, upcoming trips, and make new reservations for flights on more than 450 airlines worldwide. You can also get up to date information on currency conversion rates, choose your meal and seat preferences for flights, and have access to their 24/7 customer service department throughout the entire trip, just in case. Available for free in the App Store, Google Play, for WIndows 7 and 8, and on Amazon. TripItTired of having to dig through all your emails and text messages to find an airline, hotel, or car rental confirmation number? TripIt is here to help. Simply forward all your confirmation emails to plans@tripit.com and the app will automatically sort through and organize all your travel plans, presenting them all in a single itinerary so you can keep track of things and share your plans with friends and family back home. Available for free in the App Store, Google Play, for WIndows Phone 7, for Blackberry, and online. GetPacked: Packing ListNever forget an important item again with GetPacked, the ultimate packing list. Designed to be like a checklist, the app aims to save you time and money on your next trip, helping you figure out exactly what you'll need on your vacation—and what you won't—by asking questions about where you're traveling and the type of trip you're taking so it can create a customized list for you to check off items as you pack. Available for $1.99 in the App Store. Scout (formerly known as Goby)Not only does Scout help you discover nearby restaurants, live music, movies, and other things to do over the weekend, the app also gives you tips on where to find the cheapest gas stations and uses GPS street-level technology in real-time to determine the best available routes and help you avoid traffic jams. Available for free in the App Store and Google Play.

By Alek Vernitsky, CEO of GetGoing.com. The cost of airfare has increased by 22 percent over the last 10 years, and as a result, many people cannot afford to fly for vacations—especially when there are multiple tickets to buy, and the price of airfare is often cost-prohibitive. But there is a simple trick for saving money when planning a vacation: avoid focusing on the destination. I know that sounds counter-intuitive, but all too often, people get hung up on a particular destination they want to travel too, and if it is too expensive, they rush to the conclusion that they can't afford a trip that year. There are thousands of affordable places out there, and people should never feel as though price was the only reason they couldn't go on a great trip. So if you really want to save money, approach the travel planning process by thinking first about the type of experience you want, and then the destination. By thinking about the kind of experience you want to have, you open yourself up to a vast array of possibilities when it comes to the destination you book. Say you wanted to go to Maui (focused on destination), but Maui was too expensive this time of year. Is it really important to you that you go to Maui in particular, or are you simply looking for the experience of a great beach getaway? If you're looking for the experience, then why not consider Oahu, Kona, Honolulu—or even much cheaper destinations in the Caribbean? A quick search on GetGoing for "Hawaii Beaches" shows that right now, a flight from San Francisco to Maui is $683, but a flight to Honolulu is only $553. That ends up being a savings of $130 per person. So if you have a family of four, they would have saved $520 right off the bat—money that could be spent on the hotel, meals, or activities. A search for "Caribbean Beaches" reveals flights from San Francisco to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for $372—a savings of $211 per ticket or $844 in savings for a family of four. If you're simply looking to go on a great beach vacation (or whatever experience you're interested in) with your family, locking yourself into a destination-focused mindset can cost you a lot of money in the trip-planning process. The problem is that people often don't know what else to look for. If you've never been to Hawaii, you may not know that in addition to Maui you should also search for Honolulu, Kona, Molokai, Hilo, and Kauai. There are more than 15 destinations in the Caribbean, too, so if you don't know every single one, you wouldn't be able to search for more flights. This is where new travel technologies come in handy—enter a city, region, country, or experience and GetGoing will search for all of the destinations that match. Want to go scuba diving? Type in "Scuba Diving" and within seconds, view all of the options for great scuba destinations. Want to explore Italy, but don't know where to start? Enter "Italy" and it will return the best fares for every airport in the country with a single click, making it super fast and easy to compare all the fares and find the cheapest city to start your journey in. The same thing goes for planning your activities—focusing on the overall type of experience you want to have can help you find great deals on activities to do once you get to your destination. Websites like Viator let you search for activities based on the experiences you want to have, making it easy to find the best deals on food, wine & nightlife, cultural activities, watersports, and many more experiences. Regardless of whether you're just starting your trip planning process, trying to figure out if you can afford the flight and hotel, or you're looking for activities to book while at your destination, changing your mindset to focus on the experiences you want to have can help you save more money.