Great Summer Vacation Deals for Families
July 29, 2003 -- There are only three more days until August, the busiest vacation month of the summer, but it's not too late to plan your summer family vacation.
There are still great deals to be had, whether you're planning on flying, or loading everyone into the car for a family vacation adventure, according to Dana Dickey, senior editor at Conde Nast Traveler magazine. If you have procrastinated, you are not alone.
"A lot of people don't get around to planning their vacations," Dickey said on ABCNEWS' Good Morning America. "We always look around at other places where we might want to go, so now we're looking at three days until August."
The good news is that hotels and airlines are concerned about filling their beds and seats, and it is better for them to give you a discounted rate than to have an empty room or seat.
Dickey lists the following as some of the best summer deals.
Drive to Washington, D.C., and take advantage of the "Summer Freedom Package" being offered through Washington.org. Hotel rates start at $69 per night for the room.
Drive to the Smoky Mountains where you can stay for just $67 per night. Check outwww.cntraveler.com and www.mypigeonforge.com for great deals.
Take a driving tour through New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Arizona. Start in Albuquerque, New Mexico and you'll be able to visit landmarks along the way. There are comfortable hotels along the route starting as low as $67 per night. Get more information on the driving route at www.cntraveler.com
Florida is one of America's most popular vacation destinations. One Florida vacation deal on Expedia.com listed a trip for just $284 per person, which included roundtrip airfare from Chicago to Orlando and three nights of accomodation at a hotel near all theme parks and attractions.
If you're looking for a quiet vacation, Savannah, Ga., has some good deals. An all-inclusive three day trip for two to Savannah was listed for $720 through Travelocity.com.
Myrtle Beach, S.C., is another popular destination. Expedia.com listed a three-day, two-night round-trip deal for $799, from New York City.
You can try your luck in Las Vegas for less than $300. A deal on Travelocity.com takes travelers from Boston to Las Vegas for two nights for $285.
If you want to vacation outside of the United States, you can get a great deal if you head for the Dominican Republic. Dickey found a trip for $575 per person for five nights The deal is all inclusive. Meals, beverages, transportation to and from hotel, activities and water sports are included in the price. Check out www.libertytravel.com for information.
If you have dreams of a European vacation, you can make them come true this summer. A package on Expedia.com offers five nights deluxe accommodations at a London hotel and round-trip airfare from Boston for $754.
Dickey recommends that hopeful travel search for their own deals too. But before booking the trip, Dickey says vacationers need to read the fine print, watch out for hidden costs and buy travel insurance so you can cancel your trip if you have to.
Dickey suggests checking out the following sites for vacation deals:
11thhourvacations.com Expedia.com Lastminutetravel.com Orbitz.com Site59.com