Discover a youthful Portland. Credit: Travel Portland.
By Derek Brown
Through the eyes of a child, Portland is a city teeming with opportunities for exploration. So round up your little Lewis and Clark and experience all the City of Roses has to offer: museums, fountains and an aerial tram. Here are 5-kid friendly attractions in Portland. (more…)
The key to cheap travel is knowing the best time to find cheap flights and cheap hotels. So we created the CheapTickets 2009 Value Travel Forecast, a month-by-month guide of top destinations that offer the most savings for travelers.
To help identify the best budget-friendly travel opportunities for next year, we analyzed hotels booked on CheapTickets from December 2007 to November 2008 and calculated the percentage of savings compared to peak rates.
Here are the winners (and honorable mentions) for 2009:
JANUARY: 37% savings in New York
In addition to a 37 percent savings on New York hotels compared to peak rates, retailers are buzzing with post-holiday sales, and big-city attractions are easily accessible now that the holiday crowds have come and gone. Visitors can also take advantage of New York City’s Restaurant Week in January, giving them access to some of the city’s best restaurants for a fraction of the price.
Other January cheap vacation destinations: Santa Barbara, CA and Hong Kong
FEBRUARY: 42% savings in Italy
In February, Italy is just starting to come out of its winter cloak, and budget travelers will appreciate the lower airfare and savings of up to 42 percent on Italy hotels when compared to the high season. February visitors can experience one of Italy’s most famous festivals, Carnevale.
Other February cheap vacation destinations: France and Colorado Springs, CO
MARCH: 53% savings in Portland, ME
This historic, seacoast town is filled with galleries, one-of-kind boutiques and incredible restaurants serving everything from creamy clam chowder and lobster rolls to nouvelle New England cuisine.
Other March cheap vacation destinations: Reno, NV and Canada
APRIL: 58% savings in Brazil
In April, the summer surge of tourists in Brazil is complete, which means fewer crowds, but the same great tropical weather.
Other April cheap vacation destinations: Santa Fe, NM and Columbus, GA
MAY: 38% savings in Lake Tahoe
For those who love the outdoors, Lake Tahoe is the ideal destination in May. The lake is popular for water sports and beach activities, and with 38 percent savings on Lake Tahoe hotels compared to peak winter rates, going during the off-season means affording activities like a guided cruise or dining at the many lake front restaurants.
Other May cheap vacation destinations: Denver, CO and Atlanta, GA
JUNE: 38% savings in Egypt
With 38 percent savings compared to peak rates, June visitors can relax on the wondrous Red Sea or Sinai coasts, take in the high culture of Cairo or even leisurely float down the Egyptian Nile on a river boat.
Other June cheap vacation destinations: Columbia, SC and Dallas, TX
Portland is a popular travel destination because of Mt. Hood,the city’s mild climate and eco-friendly reputation. But Portland also has a big art scene. And you can enjoy it for free.
There are at least four FREE monthly art walks throughout the city, where galleries stay open into the evening — some offering free wine, hors d’oeuvres or music, some featuring appearances by artists — so people can see new art in a relaxed and informal way. Plan your Portland travel accordingly.
Downtown First Thursdays: About eight art galleries in the southwest part of the city near Pioneer Place. Easily accessible by MAX light rail. Close to downtown Portland hotels, restaurants and businesses. Typically from 6-9 p.m.
First Thursdays in the Pearl: Perhaps the newest, hippest neighborhood in Portland, featuring new condos, hot restaurants, brewpubs and shops. It’s also an easy walk from downtown hotels. If you travel to Portland, make the Pearl District a stop. About a dozen galleries participate. From 5:30 until 8 p.m. or so.
First Fridays: In the southeast part of the city; sponsored by the Central Eastside Arts District. Participants include more than 15 galleries and studios, plus other businesses that display art for the event. 6 – 9 p.m.
Last Thursdays: Along Alberta Street in northeast Portland, between NE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and NE 33rd Ave. A handful of art galleries and studios, plus restaurants and shops, make this a lively stretch. 5 – 9:30 p.m.
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