Disneyland, Anaheim California - A First Hand Account

Today, I want to post something a little different here. I recently recieved an email from one of our subscriber's who just had a fantastic vacation at Disneyland, Anaheim California! He has some great information that I want you to read; a first-hand account of just what he thought of this vacation! If you're considering visiting Anaheim, California, make sure you read this!

Hi Sarah,

I went to Disneyland and Universal. We got there on Tuesday and stayed at the Sheraton Park Plaza. The Sheraton Park Plaza is a beautiful hotel and newly renovated. Its 2 blocks (5min walk) from Disney.

Because we got there early in the week, we got to enjoy the hotel fully. The hotel has a gorgeous pool that was all ours and the lines at Disney where minimal; about a 10-15min wait max.

Unfortunately on Friday all the tourists arrived at the hotel and Disney. EVERYTHING was pack; the hotel, Disney, streets. So I highly recommend getting there on a Monday.

Disney California (which is across from Disney land) is a great place for kids (not to day Disney isn’t) it’s a different set up than Disneyland and has a different feel than Disney. The kids loved Disney California a tiny bit better.

It isn’t that expensive to shop at Disney, but eating there is a little pricey. All the shops have A/C. 3 Days covered going to Disney and Disney California.

There is a bus that takes you from your hotel to “the block on orange” which is Anaheim’s mall. WOW what a place to shop!! There where clothing shops there for trendy people and stuff for skaters! It covered all folks. They even had electronic stores. Great prices on stuff, we found that some stuff was cheaper there than it is here.

We also went to Universal Studios. As an adult I enjoyed it, but the kids didn’t really like it. It’s quite adult oriented. The rides are more intense and scary. Older kids 13+ would probably really like it.

It’s a little pricier than Disney and 1 day would more than cover going to Universal.

My favourite pare of the trip was the stay at the hotel, the kids loved it and it was beautiful!

Fernando

If you're like me, I didn't know what Disney California was! So I of course, wanted to know just what the difference between Disneyland and Disney California was and and here's what he said.

The only difference between the 2 is Disney California is newer and not as packed with things as Disneyland is.

So there you have it! I also want to encourage all of our subscriber's and visitor's to send on their first-hand account of vacations that you've experienced. After all, travel is about learning and sharing, so let's do that! Please post your tails or email me your fantastic travel adventures, I'd love to hear them and share them with all!

sarah@tropicalbeachdestinations.com

Happy travels!

Sarah

The Quest For Cheap Online Travel Deals

We know that every one is trying to find the best deals
available and there are a few tricks online that you can use to
get these really great deals. It always comes down to what
these websites are going to offer you. They all say they are
the best and the cheapest, but how do you as a user REALLY know
what are the best deals without spending hours of research
online?

One of the best websites that we've found on the net is www.lastminutetravel.com
which you can find tons of very cheap hotel accommodations,
flights, packages and much more.

We use this for our own reservations for places we go. I
always find I can get really great prices here for when we want
to travel to a new exciting destination.

So next time you are looking for a good deal on your next
vacation and you aren't sure where to look. Give Last Minute
Travel's a check before you book! I think you will be
pleasantly surprised.

Until next time!
Jason

Online Travel Booking - How to Determine the Website is Legitimate

With so many new online travel booking websites that keep popping up, how do you know which ones are legitimate? When you're spending your hard earned money on travel, you want to be sure that you're buying from a reputable company.

Here are some tips to help you differentiate between a real company and one that could be bogus.

1. Look for a customer service telephone number. You should never do business with a site that doesn't publish it's telephone number. Also, you can check to see if it has an address that it operates from. You can verify by calling them and also by checking directory service.

2. Avoid any sites that request cash only. This is a BIG red flag. You want to purchase with a credit card or cash on delivery but most times, a credit card is the only option. Keep in mind too that with a credit card, you can dispute charges if the product is misrepresented or doesn't arrive. You may also want to consider insuring your card. For a small fee, you can be rest assured that should anything happen to your card, you are covered.

3. Look for a section on the site that describes its security and privacy, returns policy and a guarantee. You can check to see if the company you're dealing with uses security protocols (these ensure that your credit card can't be viewed by unauthorized parties) by searching through the help section, information or about us. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and SET (Secure Electronic Equipment) are examples of security protocols.

4. Look for a company background, customer feedback and travel industry affiliations.

5. Check the better business bureau or you can even search for who is behind a dot com domain by searching Network Solutions. It is one of the larger registration companies but won't include businesses who didn't register with them.

There are many ways to verify if a company is legit or not. Keep these tips in mind the next time you are doing online travel booking. Remember too that a great source of information will come from your fellow travelers. You can visit forums and answer sites to ask any travel questions that you may have, and you're sure to recieve unbiased information!

Happy Travels!

Sarah

Your Personal Travel Research Tool

What is one of the best ways to research your travel destination? What helps you find the best routes and directions for everywhere that you want to visit? How can you really know what your destination is going to look like?

Here's what you need to do...

Download Google Earth.

It is a satellite imagery program that enables you to have the world's geograghic information at you fingertips. You can type in an address and it will zoom right in to give you that image. You can even see your own house if you want!

Use this tool to search for your next destination. Find hotels, restaurants, directions and anything else that is of interest to you. You can download google earth at http://earth.google.com

Happy Travels!
Sarah

A Great Tip Before You Travel

Before you leave for your trip, make sure to email yourself any important information that you may need such as:

• credit card numbers
• airline numbers and flight information
• passport numbers
• driver's licence number
• anything else that may be of importance for you

This way if anything is lost or stolen, you just need to find an internet connection and look up all of your necessary information.

Happy Travels!
Sarah

Travel to Hawaii On a Budget

Have you always dreamt about a vacation in the beautiful islands
of Hawaii but felt that’s all it could be, a dream? Most people
believe that Hawaii is very expensive and that to go, you need a
bucket load of money. I’m here to let you know that with a
little planning and some insider information, a trip to the
Aloha State is not necessarily an expensive one.

The truth is, Hawaii can be a very expensive place to visit,
just as any other destination can be! If you are looking for
the 5 star experience in every thing that you do, well yes, you
might be looking at a severed arm and leg for price!! Having
said that, these islands have so much to offer and the real
truth of the matter is that you CAN have the vacation of a
lifetime, even on a budget!

Here are 5 tips that can help save you money when traveling to Hawaii.

Accommodation can be affordable!

There are so many price choices available, you will be amazed!
Pick up some brochures from your local travel agent and have a
look at what’s there. Go online and check out
www.tripadvisor.com. If you’ve not been there, one of the many
things that you will find is unbiased reviews of the hotels
written by guests that have stayed in the hotels. You will even
find that some of the more expensive hotels are actually rated
less than some of the affordable ones, so it’s well worth a look
and a bit of your time!

Don’t be shy, ask for an upgrade!

You’d be surprised at how easy it is to get upgraded and
you might just get a bigger and better room for the same price
you were just about to pay! You’ll never know unless you take
the chance and ask, you’ve got nothing to lose, only a better
room to gain!

Thinking about renting a car?

Well if you’re going to be visiting Oahu, they have a fantastic
bus system. Check out www.thebus.org. You will find that all
of the popular tourist attractions are available by bus which
can save you money and let you sit back to enjoy the ride rather
than dealing with the congested traffic!

Bring your own Snorkel Gear!

Bring your own snorkels, fins and masks. These are relatively
inexpensive to buy and while they are inexpensive to rent at
most beaches, if you are going to say 3 beaches a day spending
an average of $15, when you times that by the length of your
stay, it can really add up!

Buy a Frommer’s Guide!

Buying Frommer’s “Hawaii from $80 a day” will provide you with a
wealth of valuable information. Also be sure to check out
“The EntertainmentBook,” which gives you discounts on everything
from dining, attractions and shopping. You will make the price of the book
back within your first day or 2 on the islands! Just click on
“view all books” on the left hand side of the page and select Hawaii.

Hawaii is a beautiful place to visit and you can have the vacation of a life time, even on a budget. I hope this helps you to be able to realize your dream of visiting these spectacular islands.

Happy Travels!
Sarah

Vacation in The Caribbean - Choosing the Best Time

Most of us planning to visit the Caribbean Islands are looking to escape the winter blues. Who doesn't need a good dose of paradise? For the money conscious traveler though, price may play a big factor in the decision to visit.

If you've not had the chance to visit the Caribbean, I strongly reccommend that you do. It's filled with incredible beauty; each island offers you something unique and very special. I know a lot of people that would love to visit the Caribbean but feel they can't afford it.

What I would like to share with you is timing options for visiting the Caribbean that will allow everyone the chance to visit these amazing islands. Price always depends on your timing so I want to break down the different times of year that you can visit.

Peak Season

December through mid-April is the peak season for the Caribbean. It is the driest season there and the most popular time to travel. January is the busiest month and that generally means the most expensive.

Shoulder Season

When do the hotel rates start to fall? You will find that rates begin to drop following Easter weekend. The end of April and the month of May are great times to find deals on the all-inclusives and the weather is still very nice. It's not as hot there as what you find during the peak season but for some, it's too hot then anyways!

Off-Peak Season

This is June through November, also known as hurricane season and also the time for finding even lower rates. You can travel to the Caribbean at this time for dirt cheap, particularly September and October, these are the cheapest months. While the thought of hurricane season might throw you off a bit, I think it's a great time to take advantage of all the great deals that can be found. Your best bet is to search the internet and look through past weather patterns and future predictions. Keep in mind, you can also book these last minute and not lose value like you would if you were booking during peak season.

In my opinion, there's never a bad time to visit the Caribbean. There are so many destinations to choose from, you could keep visiting for a lifetime and still not be able to see everything! It is also one of the best destinations to find value, considering it is the home of the all-inclusive. As well, there is an incredible amount of competition between these inclusive resorts and that means there's always a deal to be found.

Your best bet?

Always be on the lookout, as deals come and go at the drop of a hat, even during peak season. Do your research and watch those prices! If you look hard enough, you will find the vacation that you want that's in your price range and one that is the right time for you.

Happy Travels!
Sarah

Thinking About Traveling Solo? Here are some tips.

Traveling can be a great and sometimes not so great experience no matter how you choose to travel and safety should always come first. We are all looking for the great and sometimes you just need a break from the world. When heading to a new travel destination and you're flying solo, here are some tips to keep in mind.

• Try to book a flight that doesn't arrive late at night
• Always book your hotel/hostel in advance and stick with it. Sometimes locals and taxi drivers may try to persuade you otherwise and a lot of times, it's not like what you had booked!
  
• When you're choosing a taxi from the airport, try to use airport taxis; more expensive but worth your safety. Your hotel can also reccommend the best taxi services, or see if they offer shuttle service.
• Before travel, learn which areas are best avoided. Read through guide books, search the net and talk to other people who have gone there, they usually know best :)
• If there are touristy areas that you want to visit and it is fairly remote, it's best not to go alone. Take a guide or travel in a group.
• If traveling to a country where you don't know the language, try to learn some of the basics before going because if English isn't common there, you won't feel totally helpless
• Another thing to keep in mind if your language isn't common , is when you are walking at night and you see other people, try not to speak english within hearing distance . As sad as it is, you are vulnerable being a foreigner (this also depends on where you are traveling and the areas that you are in, again, research this very well before leaving home).
  
• Leave your valuables in your room safe, and it's always good to keep receipts and a record of anything that you have, just in case.
• If you're planning to go into crowded areas, be sure not to wear expensive jewellry or anything that draws attention to you
• Whenever you go to put your bags down, whether it's in a cafe, restaurant or you just want to take a picture, putting your foot through the strap makes it pretty hard to grab and also makes it impossible for you to forget!

These are just a few tips to help you on your way. Remember the safest thing you can do for yourself is arm yourself with knowledge and just some plain old common sense!

Happy travels!
Sarah

Travel Offseason - Getting Luxury Vacations for Less

We all want to experience luxury vacations but how can we do this without spending all of our hard earned cash?

When we are planning vacations the first thing a lot of us will look at is when is the best time to go? We pick our travel time based on when the peak season to travel is. We don't usually consider what the advantages are if we don't travel at this time, or even if there are any.

There are.

When you do get to travel, do you find yourself staying in budget hotels? Picking and choosing what activities you are going to do because you can't afford them all? Maybe you're getting lost in the crowds of people.

Here are just some of the advantages that you will find if you choose to travel offseason.

Cheaper hotel rates

Some hotels will slash their prices by almost 50% and that means big savings for you. Why not stay in that 5 star luxury hotel, for the same price you would normally pay in a budget hotel if you were traveling during peak season?

Save money on many attractions and typical tourist spots.

See and do everything that you want to and reap the benefits of all the savings! Besides saving money, do you know what else is great about this?

Less Crowds!

Not only did you save money but you don't have to deal with the throngs of people. Enjoy your activities in peace, what we are craving for the most from vacation in the first place!

Are there any disadvantages to offseason travel?

It depends on how you look at it really. Depending on where you are traveling, there could be a few things, or attractions, that are closed. Maybe a few restaurants. Some hotels. You also need to be aware of what the weather will be like, you don't want to travel right into a monsoon!

I choose to look at it like this; yes some things are closed but does that really affect my overall vacation? Not really because I can vacation in luxury, still see what I want and actually discover new things that are off the beaten path. Just because some of the main touristy things are closed, doesn't mean that your destination doesn't have anything to offer, it means you get the chance to explore areas that most people don't get to.

When planning your next vacation, you might just want to consider going in the offseason. It never hurts to look into all of your options and you might just find a vacation that you never thought of before!

Happy travels!
Sarah

Planning a Beach Vacation? Here's Your Survival Guide.

Beach vacations...to me, this is life's ultimate pleasure! While they can be very relaxing and packed with a whole lot of fun, whether you are going on a romantic getaway with just the two of you, or a family vacation for all, there are certain things that you should never be without. Now some things that I am going to list, will really depend on what type of beach vacation that you are taking but these are the most important things that you should think about.

Here’s what you need to complete your beach survival kit;

• Sunscreen (No less than SPF 15!!)
• Lipbalm that contains an SPF. Many times we forget about our lips and they should always be protected.
• Sunglasses and a hat
• Aloe Vera, or your favourite after sun lotion
• Beach Umbrella
• Chairs and a blanket
• Extra towels, clothing and footwear (water shoes if needed)
  
• Bottled water and snacks
• Disposable water camera (so inexpensive to buy and it's well worth it to capture those moments you ordinarily wouldn't have)
• Some games to play
• First aid kit, as you can never be too safe

While this may be a basic kit, these are very essential items that you should not be without.
Happy travels to the beach!

Sarah

Tips before you Travel

One of the most important things to do before you travel is to know the destination you plan to visit. Take some time and do a bit of research and get familiar with the place before you book.

Here are some quick tips on what to do before you travel:

* Do some research, and learn as much as you can about your destination, culture and places to visit while you are there.

* Check to see what the weather will be like in the area during your stay so you can pack accordingly.

* Check what type of paperwork and documentation you will need to travel to a particular country.

* Check your own medical coverage to see what type of coverage you’ll have when away from home. Travel insurance is a very good and viable option.

* If you plan on driving, investigate the local road conditions, laws and other driving requirements.

* Do some research about the costs of local items so you can set your budget.

* Check the dates of local major holidays or festivals, since shops and restaurants may be closed on those dates.

These are just a few things that will make your trip more relaxed and enjoyable.

Until next Time!
Jason

Some Healthy Tips for Your Next Vacation Travel

Protecting your health while you travel is a very important thing for a successful vacation. A few simple steps can really help you to ensure your next travel destination is a healthy one.

* If you have any food allergies, learn the names of those foods in the languages used in the countries you’ll be visiting. This way you can stay away from bad food allergies and not make yourself sick accidentially.

* Find out what types of diseases are common to the area you’ll be visiting and take actions to prevent your exposure to those diseases.

* Find out what types of vaccinations you will need to enter the country, there may also be medications you’ll need to take before, during and even after your trip. Get your vaccinations early in case you have a reaction and need some recovery time.

* Be careful eating fruits that you are not accustomed to eating regularly.

* Make sure you always carry complete health information with you on your trip and everywhere you go.

* Consider joining Medic Alert or IAMAT, the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers.

Following these simple steps will give you one foot forward with having a healthy and active trip to your next destination.

Until next time

Jason

An Important Tip for International Travel

For most travel today, you need to have a passport. It is a very important document that you should always keep in a safe place.

Here is one of the most important tips that I can give you.

Make 2 photocopies of your passport.

Take one photocopy with you on your travels (keep it in a seperate place from your passport) and leave another copy either in a very safe place, or with a friend.

This way if it should ever get lost or stolen (I have had this happen and believe me, it is not fun!) you have a copy of it and you can use this to exit the country that you are in and this will also facilitate the replacement process.

Remember that while you are travelling, you can never be too safe and it's always wise to take precautionary steps.

Happy travels!