By Valerie Moloney
For some of us, nothing strikes more fear than parading around in a swimsuit — in public. Add a water park to the mix, and that’s downright fearless. (more…)
Articles for ‘Cheaponomy’ Category
Wet and wild: America’s top water parks
Thursday, July 28th, 2011Refreshing summer adventures in Asheville, N.C.
Thursday, July 21st, 2011
Try whitewater rafting in North Carolina. Credit: chrishusein.
By Derek Brown
Mosquitoes and humidity come to mind when I recall summer camp, but I didn’t have the fortune of growing up in Asheville, N.C. Tucked into the Appalachian Mountains, this Western North Carolina town is active and only a short drive to adventure and full of history. When the mercury rises, the chilly mountain waters and outdoor adventures are natural magnets for explorers like me. (more…)
Memorial Day weekend: The wedding conundrum
Thursday, May 12th, 2011
Two wedding invites for May 28? The verdict: Indiana, because it can be done on one tank.
By Valerie Moloney
In the battle for Memorial Day weekend 2011, it was the classic fly-versus-drive scenario: my third cousin’s wedding in Columbus, Ga., or a good friend’s wedding in Hobart, Ind.
I love my cousin, but economics won.
A prized weekend for barbecues, family reunions and all-around vegging, rarely does it coincide with trips down the aisle. I’ve met brides who wanted to be married around the holidays, even on New Year’s Eve, but no one in my circle ever booked the official start to summer.
Between lodging, car rental and flight, the Chicago-to-Columbus itinerary — what would have amounted to a day and a half’s worth of travel — would have cost around $900. And that’s just for me. The hotel would not allow my cousin to block a set of rooms at a discounted rate due to the timing of the event.
I’m happy to pay $50 for a tank of gas and $100 for an Indiana hotel – especially since my husband and two daughters were invited to the Indiana wedding, which will be feted on an apple orchard. (I realize that this makes me look stingy, but tell me that other folks are in the same boat.)
How have gas prices affected your Memorial Day plans?
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Valerie Moloney is a writer for Orbitz who was born in the Philippines, lived in Morocco and married a native Irishman. She now covers hotels around the world and contributes to the Orbitz and CheapTickets blogs.
A cheap Cancun hotel for less than $100 a night
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011
Cancun under a C-note: Gran Melia Cancun treats guests to all-inclusive luxury for under $100 a night.
By Vince Font
A hundred bucks doesn’t go nearly as far as it used to in today’s world, but believe it or not it’s still possible to score cheap Cancun hotels without even hitting the centennial mark for a night’s stay. One such place is the Gran Melia Cancun Beach and Spa Resort, which on first view might give you cause to think you were quoted the wrong price. This place certainly doesn’t look like a cheap hotel – and it’s anything but. (more…)
5 free things to do in Tampa
Thursday, April 28th, 2011
Tampa's Ybor City rivals Bourbon Street with electric nightlife in a historic enclave filled with bars, restaurants and shops.
By Valerie Moloney
With the calendar creeping into May, many of us are in full-on summer vacation planning mode. In previous years, cheap Orlando hotels lured us to Disney World, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal Studios, but a cheap Florida vacation doesn’t have to involve one more trip to see Belle and Jasmine.
Call it the Tampa secret.
Just an hour from Orlando off I-4, Tampa is equal parts familiar and unexpected, pretty and gritty. Pass the bank of strip malls and strip clubs – yes, there’s no glossing over it – to find neighborhoods dotted by Spanish-style bungalows, sprawling homes on Bayshore Boulevard and fairly recently, the mega mansion built by one very famous New York Yankee.
If you’re not willing to commit to more than a day or two at Disney, a stay at cheap Tampa hotels could be the low-key vacation that you’ve been pining for. Consider these 5 free things to do in Tampa for real local experiences instead of waiting in lines. (more…)
Luxury for less: How to get a cheap Mexico vacation
Tuesday, April 12th, 2011
Start your cheap Mexico vacation at GR Solaris Cancun Resort & Spa, where luxe meets cheap.
By Vince Font
If you’re in bad need of a vacation but don’t have all the money in the world to spend — who does? — you can still land some pretty sweet Mexico deals that are so low cost you just might pull a double-take. You simply have to know where to look and how to do it. Although there are no real secrets to finding cheap Mexico vacations, there are some common sense tactics that a lot of people overlook. (more…)
Atlantic City Hilton: Budget glam on the Boardwalk
Thursday, April 7th, 2011
Gamble and feast in glamour at Atlantic City Hilton, a surprisingly affordable hotel right on the Boardwalk.
By Vince Font
Few people hear the name Hilton and think “cheap,” but the fact is, the Atlantic City Hilton is one of the highest-rated cheap Atlantic City hotels on the boardwalk. By day, the hotel stands like a pristine megalith with a black glass window façade. By night, its well-lit exterior shines like a beacon that wouldn’t look out of place if you were to transplant it to the heart of downtown Las Vegas. All glamorous outward appearances aside, it’s what’s inside the AC Hilton that really sets it apart. (more…)
4 ways to go on cheap Orlando vacations
Tuesday, April 5th, 2011
Don't assume that resorts are too expensive. Coco Key boasts spacious suites for reasonable rates.
By Maria Mora
For its value prices and theme park appeal, Orlando will always be on the family’s radar as a spring break destination, but a tight budget shouldn’t be a sentence to cramped quarters or zero amenities. Follow these tips for cheap Orlando vacations that incorporate both space and amusement. (more…)
Savings trick No. 1: Eat-in kitchens at cheap Orlando hotels
Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011
Save your vacation dollars at a cheap Orlando hotel equipped with a kitchenette.
By Valerie Moloney
I like dining out as much as everyone else, but when it comes to feeding my family while on vacation, the expenses are as hard to swallow as the $5 bottled water in any given theme park. During our last family vacation, we found a cheap Orlando hotel equipped with a kitchenette to be a lifesaver. Thank goodness for the four-burner stoves; why pay Denny’s $40 for breakfast when you can cook your own eggs and toast in the privacy of your own room? And the best part: Not having to make yourself up just to look halfway decent in front of the rest of the guests in line for the free Rice Krispies.
When you’re craving your own little dining den, consider this pair of Orlando hotels for your next getaway: (more…)
9 Thrifty travel tips for cheap souvenirs
Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
Souvenir shot glasses. Credit: meddygarnet.
Like bringing home a little piece of paradise as a vacation memento? Smart travelers know there’s no need to empty your wallet for expensive souvenirs. We’ve got the scoop from our budget-savvy travelers on the secrets to bringing home the best memories–without breaking the bank.
9 Thrifty travel tips for souvenir shopping from CheapTickets travelers:
- “Invest in a digital camera and snap shots of funny gifts. You can make e-cards to send to friends! They’ll laugh just as hard–for free!”
- “Buy souvenirs the US dollar is stronger than that country’s currency, but don’t forget to save some room in your suitcase for your gifts!”
- “It never hurts to ask. Many attractions (like the Stanley Cup at the Hockey Hall of Fame) charge to snap a photo. Ask the staff to use your own camera for free.”
- “Instead of buying postcards, use the hotel stationary to write a letter and send a photo along with it. It’s more personal, plus you save more money!”
- “Always keep a journal! Pictures are great but can be costly to print out but it’s free to keep a written record of all your experiences.”
- “Souvenirs are usually way overpriced so find some cute gifts for your friends at home to avoid tourist traps. But shhhh… don’t tell your friends how much you saved.”
- “Stay away from tourist traps. They’re not authentic and are usually overpriced. Venture off the beaten path to discover the true gems of the city.”
- “Be Thrifty! Bring clothes you can discard or donate after your trip. You’ll have more room for souvenirs and a lighter load all in one.”
- “Curb your impulse shopping! Set a daily budget and stick to it. We promise you’ll get the most out of your vacation.”
Want to share your thrifty travel tip with us? Comment below or Tweet it to @CheapTickets and it might appear in our next list!