THE FAMILY GUIDE TO BUDGET TRAVEL Dear Reader, I'm so thrilled you have acquired The Everything® Family Guide to Budget Travel. This topic is so broad it's difficult to cover “everything.” In this book I've tried to encapsulate the best places for affordable family travel that I've come across in eleven years of writing about the world. Even when your family travels to places you've been time and again, you'll continue to learn new things — about the destination, about traveling, and about each other. I encourage you to chronicle your travels with your family. Take thousands of silly pictures. Write everything down in a travel journal. Go places where the whole family can learn about other cultures, interesting foods, and cool customs. This book is full of travel secrets and trip suggestions. But love is in the details, so do your homework! Thoroughly review websites before booking tickets. Things like last-minute travel deals and hot-button specials can change in the blink of an eye, so check often. Never be afraid to ask tough questions — after all, it's your money! And remember, family doesn't have to be limited to mom or dad or the kids … family can also include friends, coworkers, and even your pet. Travel with people you care about and want to spend time with. That's what makes great family travel, and that's what makes traveling fun! Kelly Merritt Welcome to the FAMILY GUIDES Everything® Family Guides are designed to be the perfect traveling companions. Whether you're traveling within a tight family budget or feeling the urge to splurge, you will find all you need to create a memorable family vacation. Review this book to give you great ideas before you travel, and stick it in your backpack or diaper bag to use as a quick reference guide for activities, attractions, and excursions. You'll discover that vacationing with the whole family can be filled with fun and exciting adventures. Travel Tips Quick handy tips Fast Facts Details to make your trip more enjoyable Rainy Day Fun Plan ahead for fun without sun Just for Parents Appealing information for moms and dads When you're done reading, you can finally say you know EVERYTHING ! ® PUBLISHER Karen Cooper DIRECTOR OF ACQUISITIONS AND INNOVATION Paula Munier MANAGING EDITOR, EVERYTHING® SERIES Lisa Laing COPY CHIEF Casey Ebert ASSISTANT PRODUCTION EDITOR Jacob Erickson ACQUISITIONS EDITOR Lisa Laing SENIOR DEVELOPMENT EDITOR Brett Palana- Shanahan EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Ross Weisman EVERYTHING® SERIES COVER DESIGNER Erin Alexander LAYOUT DESIGNERS Colleen Cunningham, Elisabeth Lariviere, Ashley Vierra, Denise Wallace Visit the entire Everything® series at www.everything.com THE FAMILY GUIDE TO BUDGET TRAVEL Hundreds of fun family vacations to fit any budget! Kelly Merritt Avon, Massachusetts This book is dedicated to my precious nieces, for whom I would travel the world, Savannah and Sierra Johnson. I love you dearly and thank you for introducing me to the world through your eyes. Contents Dear Reader Welcome to the EVERYTHING® Family Guides Top Ten Tips for Successful Family Budget Travel Introduction 1. A Vacation Doesn't Have to Break the Bank The World Is Your Playground Off-Season Travel Deals Deciding Where, When, and How Long to Go “Stay-cations” Last-Minute Getaways 2. Planning Your Vacation Vacations That Do Double Duty Research — Online and Hands-On Cancellations and Contingency Plans Planning for Long-Term Travel Factoring in Extra Time for Travel Odds and Ends of Family Travel Travel Consultants and Trade Shows 3. The Well-Managed Budget How to Save Big on Hotels, Transportation, and Attractions Budget Travel Detective — Learn to Recognize Travel Scams Drafting a Budget Be Prepared for Anything Budget Travel Dos and Don'ts Never Go Over Budget on Vacation 4. Gas, Food, Lodging Hit the Open Road — The Basics All Aboard! Traveling by Train Up, Up, and Away! The Basics of Air Travel Bon Appétit! All about Lodging Traveling with Your Pet 5. Preparing for Your Trip Passports Take It or Leave It Vacation Child Care and Safety Giving Each Other (and Yourself) a Break Get Fit for Your Vacation To Pack or Not to Pack? That Is the Question 6. Mountains of Fun Planning Your Trip to the Mountains Mountains in the Northeastern United States Mountains in the Southeastern United States Mountains in the Central United States Mountains in the Northwestern United States Things to Do on Your Mountain Vacation Make Safety a Priority on Mountain Vacations 7. Water, Water Everywhere Planning Your Beach, River, or Lake Vacation Water Destinations in the Northeastern United States Water Destinations in the Southeastern United States Water Destinations in the Central United States Water Destinations in the Northwestern United States 8. America's Coolest Family-Friendly Cities Planning Your Trip to America's Coolest Cities City Vacations in the Northeastern United States City Vacations in the Southeastern United States City Vacations in the Central United States City Vacations in the Western United States City Vacations in the Southwestern United States 9. A Taste of the Past — Historic Destinations Historic Destinations in the Northeastern United States Historic Destinations in the Southeastern United States Historic Destinations in the West and Central United States Historic Native American Destinations Ghost Towns and Ghost Stories for the Road 10. National Parks Planning Your Vacation to a National Park National Parks in the Northeastern United States National Parks in the Southeastern United States National Parks in the Central United States National Parks in the Northwestern United States National Parks in the Southwestern United States 11. Eco-Travel Planning Your Eco-Vacation Destination: SEE Turtles Baja Ocean Adventure Destination: Crown of the Continent Destination: Mendocino County, California Destination: Snohomish County and the Olympic Peninsula Surprisingly Affordable Eco-Trips of a Lifetime Finding an Earth-Friendly Destination Tour Operator 12. Winter Wonderlands Planning Your Winter Wonderland Vacation Snowmass, Colorado Stowe, Vermont Bryce Resort, Virginia Alta/Snowbird, Utah Beaver Creek, Colorado Top Family-Friendly Ski and Snowboarding Schools Winter Activities 13. Camping: America's #1 Vacation Sleeping under the Stars Camping Dos and Don'ts. Dining under the Stars Gear Guide Ready, Set, Camp! Prepared Campgrounds Wilderness Camping 14. Adventure Travel
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