The United States economy has been picking up, and with it, people are taking more vacations. Some people vacation close to home, such as camping for a weekend. Others travel to nearby cities for a few days of relaxation. Of course, you can always visit another country, if you have the time and money. This takes more planning and there are more details to take into consideration.
The Great Outdoors
Most cities are near some sort of state park or even a national one. With just a few hours, you can pack up your car with a tent, sleeping bags, and a filled cooler and get going. For some parks, you don’t even need a tent; lodging of some sort, like a tent cabin, is provided. Camping fees are usually less than what you’d spend at a hotel; for instance, in Yosemite National Park, two adults and two children can stay at the Housekeeping Camp for $108 a night. At Big Basin Redwood State Park in California, a family campsite is $35 a night, including vehicle access for one car.
Within a Couple of Hours
Chances are that you live within a few hours’ drive of another great city. That drive would probably cost less than an airline ticket, especially when you take more than one person into consideration, and you can relax and explore for a week or more. If you want to visit the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia hotel rates start at $48 a night for the Roadway Inn and range up to $299 a night for the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia. You might even be able to get better rates by using one of many sites that help you negotiate prices down or give you the best current prices.
Hop on a Plane and Enjoy
Not everyone wants to stay close to home. Sometimes, the local campsites and nearby big cities just get old from visiting them so often. At times like this, you might consider booking plane tickets and getting out of your state or even region. You can get a round-trip ticket from Chicago’s Midway International Airport to San Francisco International Airport for prices starting at $472. Of course, you can probably negotiate that down on bargain sites, and that will help you find a hotel and, if you need it, a cheap car rental. The more frugal you are with the basic expenses of travel, the more money you have to explore your destination.
The Global Experience
If you’ve crisscrossed the United States so often that you want something different, consider going out of the country. You’ll need your passport and valid ID in place first, and then it’s just a matter of choosing your destination country. If you want to visit England and live in Philadelphia, you can often find a plane ticket option for around $1,316 for a flight with a layover or $1,618 for a nonstop flight. Be sure to bring traveler’s checks or a globally-accepted credit card.
When you decide to go on vacation, you have many options. You’ll have to take into account how your budget and time off. With a little planning, you’ll be sure to enjoy your time off.
