Question: We'd love to get away for a fun weekend, but don't want to dip into savings. Can you give me some ideas for a low-cost, weekend getaway during the winter?
There are many ways to escape the winter doldrums without breaking the bank. You don't have to take an expensive ski trip or visit a tropical island paradise to receive the intended benefits-namely getting away for some rest and relaxation so you can return revitalized and ready to face winter again. Here are some tips and creative ideas for planning an inexpensive trip that won't leave you in the red:
Stay close to home
Sometimes all you need is a slight change of scenery or break from the routine to feel refreshed and revitalized. Is there a cute bed and breakfast the next town over that you've been meaning to try? A nearby local attraction? If you'll be driving instead of flying, you'll have more money in your budget for lodging and dinner. If you can, reserve a room with a fireplace or spa, since there's little that beats staring into a crackling fire with a glass of wine or relaxing in a bubbling hot tub. Find a bed and breakfast offering specials near you at bnbfinder.com.
Avoid popular destinations
Save yourself some time: Don't even bother thinking about Maui or Cancun. Winter is also peak season for ski destinations such as Aspen, Park City and Jackson Hole. If you want to hit the slopes or bask on sun-drenched beaches at the most popular resorts this time of year, you'll be paying top dollar. If your goal is a ski getaway, why not try out a resort that's close to home? Or if your heart is set on a tropical beach, try out one of the up-and-coming areas where prices are still low. Chances are, you'll have just as much fun. In addition to saving money, you'll escape the crowds.
Visit a national park
National parks are one of America's most treasured resources. Together, the U.S.'s 400 national parks draw 275 million visitors per year. Summer is peak season in most of them. A visit during winter would let you enjoy nature without crowds of tourists. If you've already been to the national parks in your area, try taking a road trip to one in the next state over. There's a reason these areas have been preserved-they contain some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in the country. Many parks don't charge admission, and those that do will usually offer three-day passes. You can often find interesting accommodations within the park boundaries, but better deals can usually be found at motels in surrounding towns.
Do your Internet research
The Internet is definitely your best friend for finding the best travel deals. Make it a point to bookmark budget travel pages and sign up for their email alerts. Receiving alerts on great deals can fill up your in-box, but you can always set up a special folder for travel planning. Alerts can save you hours of online research, and if you're lucky, one will pop into your inbox at exactly the right time. Many travel websites, including Budget Travel, the Travel Channel and Kiplinger, have put together lists of the best sites for finding good travel deals. There are new websites popping up all the time to help find the best deals on airfare,car rentals,hotels,bus and train travel and even all-inclusive packages. It's just a matter of deciding which ones are your favorites.
Use your air miles
If you've been saving up frequent-flier miles through an airline rewards program, now might be the time to use them. Often, these programs have expiration dates, so if you don't use them, you may lose them. And with airfare for your getaway taken care of, that only leaves food and lodging to worry about.
Take advantage of coupons
Tons of amazing travel deals can be found through online coupon sites such as Groupon, LivingSocial and Travelzoo. And besides saving you money, they can take you on an adventure. Many merchants who are offering deals through these sites are just getting established or are up-and-coming. They may not have a premier location or a big advertising budget, but since they're seeking new business, they'll most certainly appreciate it when you show up. Signing up for multiple online-coupon sites can easily overwhelm your email inbox. Luckily, there are now several aggregators, including DailyDibs, that can compile deals from online coupon sites and send you a daily report.
Use Airbnb
Although the hotel industry is not a fan of Airbnb, travelers certainly are. Not only can you save substantially on lodging, but you can stay in a place with all the comforts of home, including kitchens where you can save even more by cooking your own meals. The site offers 1.5 million listings in 34,000 cities and 190 countries, so it's likely there are available accommodations in the vacation destination you've chosen. Reviews of hosts provide a measure of security. Choose wisely however: Airbnb properties range from rooms in someone's home to short-term luxurious vacation rentals. The plus: most are in desirable neighborhoods and contain all the comforts of home.
Take couch surfing to a new level
You can't get much cheaper than free! Operating on the same principles as Airbnb, couchsurfing.com lets you send out queries to people who might be interested in hosting you in their home for free. Popular among Millennials looking to travel and meet new friends, couchsurfing lets you experience a locale on a local level. Often your hosts will not only put you up for the night and feed you in the morning, but also take you sightseeing and introduce you to their friends. The idea is that if you're part of this network, you'll reciprocate by hosting travelers in your home sometime, too.
Try house-swapping
Know some friends in another city who may want to escape for a little while, too? Arrange for a house swap. With accommodations taken care of, all you'll need to worry about is the cost of travel. If you're flying, you should be able to find a good deal by using one of the plentiful cheap airfare finders. If you don't have friends interested in switching abodes, you can look for places on sites such as HomeExchange.com and LoveHomeSwap.
Whatever you do, make it a fun vacation. Set a budget and reward yourself for sticking to it by planning your next getaway when you get back!
