Recessions Make Travel Affordable Again: 6 Cheap Travel Ideas
June 2, 2009 by Bjorn Bringhorman
Filed under Travel Tips
If there’s any good news during a down economy, it’s that vacations have become affordable again.
The vacation industry is down and companies are doing everything they can to lure travelers back to the roads, the air and the sea. Airlines are slashing prices. Hotels, resorts and vacation rentals are offering great lodging deals. Cruises have never-before-seen rates. And, people are rediscovering vacations closer to home.
There may never have been a better time to pack up the bags and to set out and explore the world. There are a lot of travel deals out there, but here are a few ideas and vacation spots that might get your brain thinking about travel again.
Iceland. Surprised? You thought I was going to start off by telling you about some sort of “staycation” idea that would save a lot of money, didn’t you? Well, guess what? Forget the backyard. You can literally go to the ends of the earth for cheap. Iceland is green and beautiful with geysers and glaciers. It is a unique spot on top of the globe. And the best part is, it’s cheap right now. The country’s economic woes might be the worst in the world. As a result, prices there have been cut in half and Icelandair is offering great package deals. Iceland used to be extremely expensive but has suddenly become very affordable.
Canada. Our neighbors to the north have been ignored long enough. It’s time to travel there, especially since the Canadian dollar is 79 Cents. In a way, this means your vacation to Canada is automatically discounted 21 percent. But wait, you say, what is there to see in Canada? With Banff, Whistler and Vancouver, you get mountain resorts, the Pacific Ocean, and one of the most happenin’ cities in the world. More to east you have Toronto, Montral and Qubec City that provide French culture, architecture and food.
National Parks. From the Everglades to Yellowstone, Glacier and Yosemite, there are National Parks in almost every part of the United States. For most people, it just takes a short drive to get to one of them. Each has unique treasures that can’t be found anywhere else. Instead of spending money on an African safari, take a boat through the Everglades and see saltwater crocodiles, alligators, birds and fish of all kinds. Plus, it’s only a short drive away from Miami beach and the Florida Keys. Or take a Yellowstone safari and see buffalo, elk, moose, wolves, coyotes, deer and bald eagles along with geysers and mud pots. Take float trip down the Grand Canyon, or hike the trails of Yosemite. Rediscover America, and do it without spending the money it takes to travel across the world.
City vacation. Many travel to New York City each year to take in the atmosphere of one of the best cities in the world. But, as many have realized, New York isn’t cheap. The good news is, there are plenty of other big cities in the U.S. with many similar attractions – only they are cheaper to stay and get around. Cities like Chicago, Houston, Seattle, Atlanta, New Orleans, San Francisco, Los Vegas and Los Angeles provide culture, great food and other entertainment that competes with New York City’s flare.