Vacation Silvanaparedes

Times are tough and money’s tight—but that’s even more reason to schedule a vacation getaway from the stress and struggles of daily living.  While many of us will be relegated to just a “day-cation” or maybe a “stay-cation,” there is a still travel destination where you can still get a really big bang for your buck.

Las Vegas.

Once upon a time Las Vegas was known as “Sin City”–famous for its casinos and show girls.  But today’s Vegas has much more to offer:  shows, shopping and plenty of family-friendly activities as well.  And you don’t need to be a high-roller to enjoy what Las Vegas has to offer; a Las Vegas vacation can be done on the cheap!

So put away the inflatable pool and pack your bags–here’s a list of tips for saving money in Las Vegas:

1. Look for Las Vegas Travel Deals

Las Vegas is a popular place for tourists so travel sites such as Orbitz, Travelocity and Expedia often feature Las Vegas package deals.  I’ve seen Las Vegas hotel deals for as little as $70 per night for luxury accommodations.  You can find information about these packages–and make them even more affordable with Las Vegas coupons–at sites that specialize in deals like Savings.com.

2.  Plan in advance

Check out the Las Vegas Official Tourism Web Site for ideas on where to stay and what to see in Las Vegas.  Booking in advance can get you the best rates and making reservations for off-season or mid-week dates rather than for weekends or during holidays can save you a bundle of cash.  Also, make sure to research what shows will be in town when scheduling your vacation to help you avoid being stuck with tickets to Wayne Newton when you’re jonesing to see Bon Jovi.

3.  Don’t Gamble

…or at least set a limit and stick to it.  I know gambling has a powerful appeal to many people, although I’ve never understood the thrill of it.  Personally if I’m dropping a wad of cash, I want there to be something leather in my closet to show for it.  There are plenty of things to do in Las Vegas other than gamble–no need to spend all your time in a Las Vegas casino!

4.  Free Admission

While it will cost you a chunk of change to see Cirque de Soleil or the Blue Man Group perform, there’s a veritable wealth of amazing things to see in Las Vegas for free.  The spectacular Bellagio Fountains, the talking statues at Caesars Palace and the Shark Tank at the Mirage cost nothing and make for some great entertainment.  Maybe not quite as enchanting as Cirque de Soleil, but definitely more amusing than a Carrot Top stand-up show.  

For other cost-free forms of Las Vegas entertainment, you can have fun people-watching and window shopping–or check out this more comprehensive list of free Las Vegas attractions on About.com

5.  Deals on Meals

If you fill up at one of Las Vegas’ many all-you-can-eat buffets, you can cut down on your food costs.  One meal big meal vs. three moderate ones can save you some real money.  You can also buy deeply discounted gift certificates in advance for Las Vegas restaurants at restaurant.com.  

And, while there is no such thing as a free lunch, there are free drinks at the Las Vegas casinos–if you’re gambling.  So you can sit yourself down at a nickel slot machine and if you tip the waitress well, she’ll keep the drinks coming.  The logic behind this largess, however, is that an inebriated customer will gamble longer and lose more money.  So know your limits–for your body as well as your budget!

A Las Vegas vacation has something for everyone–from wedding chapels to art museums, shows and shopping, golfing and gambling.  By doing some research for Las Vegas packages, Las Vegas travel deals or Las Vegas coupons, you can make that Las Vegas vacation extremely affordable.  So the secret to a “winning” Las Vegas getaway is:  plan in advance, stick to your budget and never double down when the dealer has a ten or an ace!

Walt Disney World vacations don’t come cheap so you will want to spend as much time in the theme parks as you possibly can. If you are staying at a Disney World hotel then on selected days of the week you will be able to enter one of the parks one hour earlier than the general public, or stay up to three hours later than the official park opening hours. This perk is known as Extra Magic Hours and is only available to Disney Resort guests.

To find out the Extra Magic Hours schedule for your Disney vacation simply call Walt Disney World Information on 407-824-4321. Not all attractions are open to guests during the extended hours but you can visit http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/extended-theme-park-hours/ to see which rides and shows are available.

Taking advantage of Extra Magic Hours gives you more time to enjoy the parks when they are less crowded. However, the downside of early entry days is that they attract more Resort guests so that park can actually be busier than on a non-early entry day. To get the most out of the early opening you really need to be at the park entrance 15-20 minutes beforehand; an hour really isn’t that long and if you show up any later you won’t maximise your ‘free’ time in the park. Make the most of the time and visit as many of the headliner attractions as you can before the general public are even allowed through the gate! If you have Park Hopper privileges on your admission ticket you might want to consider hopping to a quieter park when the crowds begin to build. Early opening hours are especially useful if you are travelling during low-season when park hours tend to be shorter overall.

The nighttime version of Extra Magic Hours lasts for up to three hours and more attractions are open during this time than for the early entry option. Certain Quick Service and Table Service restaurants remain open as well. You will need to show your hotel room key (Key to the World) at the entrance to each attraction; this is to prevent off-site visitors being able to enjoy any attractions during this extended period.

Over the years, Phuket has transformed into a unique tourism destination in the whole of Asia. Every year thousands of Europeans and Westerns migrate to this island city for a long vacation. This famous Thai island makes up for an economical way to spend your entire holiday season. Since the Tsunami of 2004, the spot has become more memorable for the tourists. And ever since, there has been a constant surge of tourists and travelers who visit the place with distinguished holiday plans for their family and friends.

 

Phuket has something to offer for everyone. If you are looking forward to have some great nightlife over your Thai holiday, then there are beaches like Patong – great for water skiing and popular for its nighttime entertainment, dance parties and cultural events. As you might have heard, Phuket is a sea locked city divided into 40 beautiful big and small beaches. In here you will find all the fun and excitement of a perfect beach life and more. This paradise island is a treat to your senses. And the best part of the entire Phuket vacation package is its price. You can find comfortable accommodation and traveling facilities at considerably low prices. Since the past few years the place has witnessed a noticeable rise in its tourist population. This has led to emergence of more tourism services, hotels and restaurants in different parts of the city. The competition further led to quality services and more competitive prices. In fact, the major portion of the city’s income is derived from tourism related activities. In Phuket you will find all the best things Thailand has to offer. Starting from grand Thai and Sushi restaurants to spas offering ancient massage therapies, you will find a wide assortment of hospitality services waiting for you in this beautiful island.

 

Check out some international Thai tourism websites to get a preview of different Phuket accommodation and recreational facilities. There are special family resorts and spas that offer a unique homely atmosphere to their guests. Beaches like Karon are quite popular among family tourists. You will find hotels with grand swimming pools with special pools for kids and other entertainment options for children. These beach resorts provide a cordial environment fit for long stays ranging from 2 to 3 weeks. Nevertheless, advanced bookings make things easier. For online bookings these hotels offer great rates and seasonal discounts. You can check out for amenities like internet, deposit facilities and round the clock room service. You can even make online bookings for day tours and excursions for your group. If you are a Westerner, such charted tours would be real fun plus enlightening. They provide skilled tourist guides who would introduce you to the culture and landmarks of the city. Also, they would educate you about the historic and ethnic details of the island. The local language of Phuket is Thai and if you do not follow the lingo it would be better to prearrange all your tour plans so as to avoid possible delays once you land in the city.