Saturday, May 14, 2011

Top Beach Vacation Spots

No matter the season, taking a beach vacation is both fun and relaxing.  There are many beaches all over the world to choose.  You can choose from a white sandy beach, a lava rock beach, a secluded beach, or a popular beach - the choice is entirely up to you.

To help you decide where you would like to take your beach vacation, here are a few of the top locales for beach vacations:

1.  Polo Beach - Hawaii

The Polo Beach of Hawaii is a sandy beach with clear water, making it ideal for swimming and snorkeling.  It is located in South Maui and fronted by the Fairmont Kea Lani Maui, a luxury beach vacation resort.

2.  Seven Mile Beach - Jamaica

The Seven Mile Beach of Negril is the longest stretch of white sand in Jamaica.  Located near Negril on the western tip of Jamaica, this beach is truly an awesome sight to behold.  Here, you can find your favorite stretch of beach and coconut palm trees and just relax near the ocean.  You can also stay at the Caves, which is located very close to the beach.

3.  Atlantis Paradise - Bahamas

Here, you can experience the white sandy beaches of the Caribbean.  Atlantis Paradise allows you long romantic walks on the beach or the chance to play in the water at the resort.  This paradise offers a tropical climate with your own personal slice of heaven - something every beach lover will truly appreciate.

4.  Heron Island - Australia

Located on the Great Barrier Reef, Heron Island offers excellent swimming and snorkeling with truly amazing marine life.  The tropical island of Heron offers scuba divers over 20 different diving sites.  You can forget the stress of everyday life here and just immerse yourself in wonder. 

5.  Madeira - Portugal

The beach here at Reid's Palace Hotel is quite the rocky beach, with sharp black rocks.  You can spend time lounging by the pool taking in the views, or swimming in the ocean.  The weather here is pleasant most of the year, making your beach vacation something you'll remember for a long time to come.

6.  Miami Beach

A great spot for movie stars and fashion models, Miami Beach offers plenty of sandy beaches, several restaurants, and night-long parties at one of the local nightclubs.  If you are looking for the ideal place to stay, The Tides is a luxurious hotel with many spectacular views.  Miami Beach is also popular in the United States - one of the best beach vacations out there.

These are just a few of the top beach destinations out there.  Do some research and learn about many more places you can take your beach vacation.
Smart Picks of the Month: Beach Destinations!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Tips on How to Get the Most off a Budget Car Rental

Budget car rentals are a traveler’s savior from being stranded in one place and also from expensive taxi rides, but with today’s competitive market, I wouldn’t be surprised that by trying to rent a car you end up renting a lawnmower instead.  Well maybe not a lawnmower, but sometimes, well most of the time, the people that assist you in car rentals just don’t have your best interest in mind.  This means you may end up paying a truckload of money for a pool of frustrations.  To avoid this here are a few tips to get the budget out of Budget car rental.

1. If you’re not choosy with a budget car rental, try to get a budget car rental through sites that let you rent cars at your own price.  These firms will try to get the best deal for the car that you can get and might just toss in unlimited mileage and upgrades, all of that without spending an extra dime over budget.

2. Look for package deals, fly-drive-stay, or fly-drive.  Most of these packages offer great discounts for rentals, but don’t do it with an airline because airlines, although convenient, aren’t really the more economic way to go.  Their budget car rental prices are hardly budget, and they tend to be higher than those of outside firms.

3. Use the internet to reserve a rental car.  Ah, the internet, what other good does it provide?  Yes there are budget car rentals on the internet that can give you a better bargain.  Some budget car rental sites even go as far as internet only discounts.  Aside from that you can easily get upgrades, and depending on the season, at least one rental company is bound to have a special offer that can help you save money.  In addition, you can rent a car in the comfort of your own home.  Beat that!

4. Ask for discounts that can be applicable to you.  Remember, even when you’ve scored the best deal, there is still that one last ditch of a possibility that one of your credit cards support the company and provide discounts or that your frequent flyer program or military service can put that budget in budget car rental.  It’s along shot but its worth a try.

5. Most budget car rentals are low on maintenance so when you rent a car, check all sides for damage, and I mean every side and every nook and cranny of that car.  Make sure to inform the renter of these so you won’t have to pay for damages once you return the car.  In addition, try to check out all the accessories, wipers, radio, brakes, seatbelts, etc. to familiarize yourself with them, and also to check to make sure they work.  Like the previous tip, you might be charged for this if you don’t inform them.

6. Now we pass the subject of insurance.  Sometimes your own car insurance covers car rentals, so take a look at your policy you buy insurance from the rental company.  Budget car rental insurance doesn’t cost much, but if you already have one why buy another?  Car rental insurance is always required when you rent a car.

7. Another money saving tip is to pick up your car early in the morning, at the time near when the location is just opening.  This is because at this time most of the budget car rentals haven’t been returned yet, and you may get an upgrade for a lower price.

These are valuable tips to keep in mind, especially with gas prices as high as they are because the price of car rentals can go up due to the high gas prices.  This means the car rental companies may increase the prices of options that may come with the rental.  Therefore, you should do your research before you make your car rental reservation.
Save up to 35% on Budget Car Rentals! - Expires 12/31/2011