Family Vacation Central

Want to squeeze in a sunny family vacation before school starts, but not sure if you can afford it?  Well, perhaps you can!   For bookings made through August 20, 2009, Funjet Vacations has a new coupon code that can save you up to $425 on your vacation to the Caribbean through March of 2010.   If you have a family, you can really reap in the savings because the more you spend ~ the more you save:

* Save $50 on reservations $1,000 – $1,500
* Save $100 on reservations $1,501 – $2000
* Save $150 on reservations $2,001 – $3,000
* Save $225 on reservations $3,001 – $4,000
* Save $275 on reservations $4,001 – $5,000
* Save $350 on reservations $5,001 – $6,000
* Save $425 on reservations $6,001 and up

In addition to those savings, many of the participating resorts offer ‘Kid’s Stay Free’ and all-inclusive dining plans that are perfect for families.  The best family vacation deal I found was a seven (7) night vacation for a family of five (5) from Seattle to Montego Bay, Jamaica for about $817 per person, after the coupon code discount was applied.   This seven (7) night vacation package includes roundtrip airfare, taxes, fees, accomodations at the All-Inclusive Point Village Resort, meals, beverages, tips, and non-motorized water sports.   I know from experience that ‘all-inclusive’ is the cheapest way to vacation with a family, and it is literally impossible to get bored! Read the rest of this entry »

Dreaming of a beach vacation your whole family will enjoy?  Consider the Cayman Islands.  This peaceful Caribbean archipelago is known for stunning beaches, excellent diving and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Delta Air Lines is now offering great deals to the Cayman Islands with plenty of freebies that families will love.

The fifth consecutive night is free at several different resorts, including the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort and the Westin Casuarina Resort & Spa.  Kids age 11 and under stay, play and eat for free, in addition to having free access to Cayman Island Sea School with Sir Turtle.

Finally, if you have older kids, diving is free on pre-purchased packages for kids age 12-17.  There is a 50% discount on night dives for everyone with the purchase of diving packages.

Be sure to book flights and hotels before the school year starts up again: this deal is good for travel through Sept. 7.

Escaping from the confines of a cubicle or a classroom and having a fun-filled vacation is something most people dream about. The good news is that you can enjoy your holiday without spending exorbitant amounts of money. Read on for tips on how to stretch your vacation budget.

Do Your Research

Think about it: What would you really like to do? Hit the beach? Go shopping? Climb a mountain? Visit a museum?

Once you’ve narrowed the field, it’s time to dig into the details. Can you do these things locally? Do you know anyone who’s done them before – and on a similar budget as you’re planning? If you don’t know where to begin, talk to friends who travel on a similar budget, contact a travel agency for educated opinions, or scour the internet for chat rooms and honest discussion on your vacation topic. A combination of these resources should give you a framework for your vacation itinerary and perhaps provide you with some tips on accommodations, places to dine and things to do.

Thorough research might also provide you with time-saving tips, help you avoid “tourist traps” and save you from miscellaneous hazards and hassles.

Internet sites such as Yahoo! Travel, Expedia and Priceline have lots of information and often can help would-be travelers find reasonable fares on hotels, cruises, flights and hotels. Major brick-and-mortar travel agencies, such as Liberty Travel, should be considered as well. (For money-saving vacation tips, check out Travel Tips For Keeping You And Your Money Safe and Travel Smart By Planning Ahead.) Read the rest of this entry »