Using the Internet to create a dream vacation
by Rick Castellini, MCP
Special to PRIME
Almost one full decade into the 21st century, I'm sure that many of you have used the Internet to check airline rates, hotel rates, and maybe even made a reservation or two. But have you really created your own arsenal of travel tools that you use every time you travel? This month, I hope you discover at least one new web that will give you another tool for that travel tool belt.
Surfing for ideas
If you need some ideas to get started with your vacation planning, try some of the many vacation profile web sites. These sites ask you a series of questions about your travel habits, likes, dislikes, time allotted, budget and other questions and then suggest some possible trips for you. It only takes a few minutes to fill out the questionnaires and the insights can be both enlightening and surprising. Some good ones to try include;
www.besttripchoices.com,
www.tripbase.com , and
www.travelmuse.com.
Checking the reviews
After you decide on a destination, I think the most useful aspect of the Web these days is reading user reviews.
Millions of computer users the world over post their opinions and feedback on consumer items, hotels, cars, tourist attractions and much more. Some people might feel that this type of research takes some of the fun out of traveling, but it helps me weed out potential troublesome spots, money wasters, and opens up a trip to discovering something I probably would have never found reading the AAA brochures.
The sites I use most often to get feedback on eateries, hotels, tourist attractions, and gathering intel on local flavor of a destination are;
www.yelp.com ,
www.tripadvisor.com, and
www.lonelyplanet.com.
Comparing prices
Being web savvy can help you save many valuable dollars when booking a vacation. I start with Priceline.com. If you have a little flexibility in travel dates and times, you truly can save hundreds of dollars using Priceline. First, know what the retail costs of a plane ticket or hotel would be. Next, go to Priceline and bid with a 30-50 percent (factor in fees and taxes) discount over the advertised prices. I have better success at discounts and accepted bids if I wait until a week or two before I leave for the trip.
If you aren't the gambling type, it seems that the lowest hotel and airline rates come from visiting the airline and hotel chain site directly. You can still use travel sites like
www.Travelocity.com,
www.expedia.com,
www.kayak.com, and
www.orbitz.com , but make sure you research the rates well and are truly getting the deal you think you are.
Roadside revelations
Give some of these tools a spin to help you have the best vacation ever while also saving you time and money. One last site recommendation for those staying closer to home or taking a road trip, you will find some hidden American gems at
www.RoadsideAmerica.com.
Rick Castellini is an author, computer consultant, and hosts a nationally syndicated computer radio show from Colorado. Visit his web site at www.HelpMeRick.com for new tips every week and sign up for his free weekly email newsletter. You can also follow Rick on Twitter @HelpMeRick
