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Consumer Reports: Tips to find the best travel deals Need a vacay, like, right now? ShopSmart, the shopping magazine from the publisher of Consumer Reports, suggests these sites that make last-minute travel cheap and easy to book. Each one of them meets ShopSmart's requirements for contact info disclosure and customer service. In addition, check out the last minute travel sections of the Big Three sites (Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity). And try GetARoom.com (800-468-3578) for super-low unpublished room deals. AIRBNB.COM BEST FOR living like a local. Users can rent private rooms in people's homes or entire homes. With more than half a million listings (including 600 castles) in 34,000 cities, it can save you from a bland hotel -- and save you money. ShopSmart found an entire three-bedroom house in the Riverdale section of New York City, just minutes north of Manhattan, for $150 per night. Safety tip: Opt for hosts with a Verified ID badge; they provide proof of identity. BOOKING.COM BEST FOR finding a hotel room. Get the best of both worlds: Search every hotel in a city and book your favorite (you don't pay until you show up). The Best Price Guarantee means if you see a cheaper price, the site will match it. But discounts such as AAA's aren't covered.

In a world of consumer impatience and hyper-connectivity, probably a major concern remains whether or not the supplier-DMC-tour operator-retail agent-customer chain holds any relevance. Despite the fact that the evolution of the travel industry has seen many layers and booms, a certain balance is still maintained which invariably includes a large amount of manual effort and communication.

Thomas Cook's decision to cease operating Irish charters, from April 30, demonstrates that traditional holidays are in flux. 'Dynamic packaging' is one of the travel buzzwords du jour, with licensed and bonded online companies, like budgetair.ie, clickandgo.com and lowcostholidays.ie, allowing consumers to package scheduled flights with accommodation into holidays that suit. One of my favourite newfamily travel websites is kidandcoe.com. It not only selects cool, family-friendly properties in destinations all over the world, but lists the specific criteria that parents want to check - such as whether there's a lift, dishwasher, changing table or high chair - as well as personal impressions and neighbourhood tips. Source: http://westhillconsultingtravel-tour.blogspot.com/2014/02/top-tips-for-travel-for-year-ahead.html

With the Valentine's Day just around the corner, it's never too late to book a ticket and plan your next romantic getaway. If you and you're honey are up to some dash of adventure, South East Asia is the perfect destination for you. As the region boasts some of the best beaches in the world, it is your gateway to an early summer sand frolic and memories of sweet nothings that are meant to last for a lifetime. Boracay, Philippines The island has been known to be one of the best acclaimed beaches in the world. Located on the northwest corner of Panay Island in the Philippines, the seven kilometer island is home to long beaches, fine white sand and breath taking sunsets. It's also been known to have vast selection of restaurants and resorts, which can set a perfect ambiance to your romantic date. If you're up for some action, various water sports and hiking trails are available for your leisure at a fraction of the cost. Bazaars are also set-up that features local Filipino crafts and delicacies. Nightlife is buzzing with multiple events set-up all year long.

The idea of flying with kids is probably the biggest single cause of stress for traveling parents. Nobody looks forward to lugging a lot of luggage through the airport with a tired and unhappy child (or children) in tow, and the prospect of keeping them seated, quiet, and happy for hours on end can be terrifying. While we can't promise that your kids won't have a meltdown, Westhill Consulting Travel and Tours in Jakarta travel tips will help streamline your air travel and keep everyone in a better mood! Getting Ready * The first step is to get to the airport early. It is time consuming to get through the airport and security in any circumstances and you won't be as able to make a last minute dash to your gate as you would without a child (or children) in tow. The extra time at the airport will give your child a chance to exercise (find an empty gate area or ask if there is an airport play area) in between the long car ride and the flights. * Eat at the airport * When possible, check in and secure your seat assignment online before you leave for the airport. Don't forget to print the boarding passes & put them in your carryon! * Be sure to pack your itinerary (including any phone numbers you'll need) and a map of your destination in your carryon. Nothing is worse than struggling to find your hotel with tired and full of complaints children in tow.