One way to #save money on #summer #travel is to live like a local. No matter where you go, shopping at markets and grocery stores and making meals at your vacation rental will save money over eating in a restaurant three times per day. Likewise when you do dine out: Patronize restaurants that offer the local cuisine, says the Travel Channel, and you will pay locals’ prices. And if you want to splurge on a fancy destination restaurant without blowing your entire travel budget, go for lunch; you’ll get to sample most of its signature dishes at lower prices — and often without making a reservation. #SummerTravel
Tag: summertime fun
Pack Minimalist to Speed Your Airport Visit
#Minimalist travelers know that when you pack light, you can skip the check-in and baggage-claim lines and be ready to roll as soon as the jetway doors open. To get everything you’ll need into a single, regulation-size carry-on bag, pack clothing that you can mix and match for multiple wears and limit your shoes to the ones you have on, TravelHackit says. Use vacuum-seal compression bags to make the most of the space you have. And finally, don’t pack toiletries and other items that you’ll be able to buy at your final destination — or at least pack only one or two days’ supply. #SummerTravel
Keep Copies of Travel Documents on File
To be on the safe side when #traveling, photocopy, scan or take a cell phone picture of any important documents you don’t want to lose such as a #passport, credit cards and driver’s license, says BestLife. Email the pictures to yourself so that if any of them so go missing on your trip, they’ll be easier to replace. Another hack? To ensure that checked luggage deplanes almost as quickly as you do, tag it “fragile.” Airlines usually put fragile bags on the top of the heap in the cargo hold, so they’re “the first to be unloaded. You’ll be hailing a cab while your fellow passengers are still looking for luggage carts.” #SummerTravel
Look for Summer Flights Sooner Than Later
With prices going up and most people eager to get out of town after two years of delays and lockdowns, the sooner you plan a trip, the better. But even procrastinators can find good deals if they keep their plans flexible. To find #cheap flights, for example, use a site such as Kayak or Google Flights to find the best options by using “+/– 3 days” or grid option when searching. Once you find a flight you want, double-check the airline’s site to see if you can’t save a few more bucks. And if you’re ultraflexible about your destination, many sites offer a map that shows current airfares to cities worldwide. #SummerTravel
Theme Your Cookout to Maximize Memorial Day
After you call, visit or #memorialize your favorite #veteran(s) on Memorial Day, a cookout is the perfect way to launch the summer with family and friends. To make it truly memorable, give your gathering a festive theme, The Spruce suggests. Good menu options include Southern barbecue, craft-beer tasting, hot dog/burger bar, and (for maximum potluck potential) “You bring it, we grill it.” Add some outdoor games such as cornhole, croquet or badminton to work off those cookout calories, and let the summer fun begin! #MemorialDay