Travel Deals

BeachHouse.com Specials 

Visit BeachHouse.com to view “Specials” on beach housevacation rentals.
Find beach house vacation rentals on beaches anywhere. Browse listings from all over the world from one website, with ease and convenience.

LakeHouseVacations.com

Visit LakehouseVacations.com you can search for lake homes, cabins, and cottages for rent on over 3,000 lakes in the United States and Canada. Find a lakehouse for that perfect waterfront vacation and book it directly through the owner.

Know of a great travel deal?  Send us a comment – we’d love to hear about it!

Travel Tools – Yelp Review

Founded in 2004 by a trio of MRL Ventures guys based out of San Francisco, Yelp has grown into one of the leading search and user review sites in the world.  Yelp got its name by truncating the words “Yellow Pages” into something short and catchy enough to stand out.  Already surpassing its closest rival, Citysearch, Yelp has incorporated a social networking aspect into its site hoping to capitalize on the popularity of such sites as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.  Users of the site can type in whatever they are searching for (Japanese restaurant, dry cleaners, hair salon, etc) and where they are searching (as specific as a street or neighborhood or as general as a city or zip code) and seconds later they will be rewarded with a list, sorted by popularity according to a 5-star user rating system.  Each of the results contain the basics, address, telephone, Website, as well as a blurb about the business and reviews from customers.  The fact that the good, the bad and the ugly reviews are all included in the results makes the site an accurate and unbiased source of information when you need to narrow your options.

What’s Good: Read and write reviews on restaurants, shopping, events and other sights or activities in your home town or places you have visited. Even small town hot-spots have somehow amassed a heap of reviews – and not just those lame three word “I like it” reviews, but ones that are actually helpful.

What’s Bad: Has info on the US and just launched its UK version, but you’re screwed if you plan on venturing much beyond that.  Also, users should keep in mind that the business does get to pick which review they want to show up first – so you may want to skip over that one – with that one exception the rest of the reviews are ordered by date they were posted, along with some more complicated algorithm.

Volunteer to Travel!

I love traveling. I’ve written enough on this blog that you know how I sometimes get – that itch that needs scratching, a craving that needs to be fed, an emptiness that needs to be filled. And travel can certainly do that. But sometimes, once I arrive home, I still feel unfulfilled. I guess it’s the same with really good Chinese food – I will leave the restaurant stuffed only to find myself rummaging through the refrigerator for a snack a couple hours later. Usually when I travel my big plans revolve around a beach or a pool, an easy summer read – yep, even in the middle of winter, and a cocktail (or five). So my next trip will definitely be with the intent to somehow give back to wherever I decide to pack up and journey to. Maybe I will coach kids on soccer in Kampala, teach monks English in Lhasa, or help care for baby lions in Johannesburg. I think if I were to travel with more of a purpose – a goal rather than just a destination – I would come back feeling accomplished and rejuvenated rather than simply relaxed…and a wee bit hungover.  Here are some great ways to volunteer and travel at the same time:

Tern Island

Tern Island is a part of the French Frigate Shoals, the largest atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.  While the entire atoll consists of only a 20 mile long crescent-shaped reef, a dozen sandbars, and La perouse pinnacle, a 120 foot rock formation that stretches out of the ocean – left over from when the entire atoll was an active volcanic site.  Today, the atoll is home to a diverse group of wildlife, including a 18 species of seabirds, including a number of varieties of Albatross’, Booby’s and Noddy’s and Petrel’s – some of these species next exclusively on the French Frigate Shoals.  The endangered Hawaiian monk seals and green sea turtles also spend time at the atoll.  Interested in going to Tern Island?  Because only specially permitted biologists and researchers are allowed on the island, you can volunteer through the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).  Volunteer opportunities start with a 4 month minimum – it is costly to get out to the remote destination – these people are saving species people, they don’t have the time or the resources to schlep fickle volunteers back and forth.  Once there, volunteers have the opportunity to preform a variety of work – everything from surveying the nesting seabirds, to cleaning barracks, lubing tractors, washing solar panels, etc.  The population of the island ranges between 4 and 8 people at any one time, so you are sure to make some lasting friends.  Still deciding if 4 months on a tiny speck of an island in the middle of the ocean is for you?  Check out this blog written by one of the more full time staff members on Tern Island.

Cross Cultural Solutions

Founded in 1995, Cross-Cultural Solutions is an international not-for-profit organization with no political or religious affiliations, that provides travelers the opportunity to put their skills, knowledge and passions to good use.  Each year CCS invites over 4,000 volunteers to one of the 4 continents they have established programs in – 12 countries in all, including Ghana, Morocco, India, Russia and Guatemala.  Once there, volunteers are immersed in the culture, staying in one of the Home Base houses that is fully staffed by CCS local employees.  Volunteer work includes teaching conversational English, basic math and computer skills, working with women to make crafts that they can sell at their local markets to support their families, caring for babies, the sick and the elderly and providing healthcare when necessary, and preforming community development work.  The CCS staff members act as the liaison between the volunteers and the local programs.  These staff members are always from the region where you are volunteering, so they are a valuable resource that can assist in learning about the culture, the language and the activities available to you during your free time.  Volunteers can sign up for the 1 week Intern Abroad program, the 2 – 12 week Volunteer Abroad program or one of the Insight or Teen Abroad programs.  Prices start at about $2,000 for one week placements (which includes, board, meals, materials, calls to and from home, travel medical insurance, among other things) but vary depending on season, location and the length of your stay.

i-to-i

With a huge variety of volunteer opportunities, i-to-i is a has been organizing volunteers and sending them to Africa, Asia, Australia and Latin America since  1996.  The organization refers to themselves as, “the original volunteer travel company.”  With over 20,000 satisfied volunteers under their belt, many of whom are now working at i-to-i, volunteer vacationers are sure to get the experience they have been searching for – a life-altering experience and total immersion into another culture – all while helping to make a difference in peoples lives.  Whether you would like to volunteer with wildlife, teach English as a second language, work with children, coach sports or promote conservation abroad, i-to-i has a program for you.   So if you’re looking for a way to spend your gap year, or if you just want to escape the daily grind and have a rewarding experience at the same time, check out i-to-i’s extensive possibilities – there is sure to be something perfect for you!

Peace Corps

“Since 1960, when then Senator John F. Kennedy challenged students at the University of Michigan to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries, more than Nearly 200,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in 139 countries all over the globe. They’ve been teachers and mentors to countless children. They’ve helped farmers grow crops, worked with small businesses to market products, and shown women how to care for their babies. More recently, they’ve helped schools develop computer skills and educated entire communities about the threat of HIV/AIDS.  The type of work a Volunteer does is ultimately determined by the needs of a host country and the potential of a Volunteer to contribute to those needs and to the Peace Corps’ mission. There are a wide variety of Volunteer positions to fill throughout the world; however, nearly all Volunteers fall under one of the following general categories:  education, youth and community development, health, business and information & communication technology, agriculture, environment, HIV/AIDS, or food security.”  If you want to hear what life in the Peace Corps is really like, follow along with the volunteer’s journeys as they journal about their experiences!  (image from “the wind beneath my chicken wings” blog – text from official Peach Corps page)

Travel Tools – TripIt Review

How handy this would have been as my friends and I were planning our Senior Trip!  There were 10 of us girls who were all trying to coordinate what was, for most, the first out-of-country trip we had ever been on.  And since we were going to be only days out of High School at the time of the vacation, and en route to the wilds of the Costa Rican rainforest, needless to say, most of the parents were a little overbearing when it came to the details of our itinerary.

Countless back and forth emails ensued whenever we would add an activity to our itinerary, and panicked moms would break out the trusty phone tree to re-confirm that everyone was on the same page.

Sound familiar?

10 years later…enter TripIt.

This free online-based travel tool allows you send it all of your itinerary emails – flights confirmations, rental car reservations, hotel information, train/bus confirmations and even restaurant reservations – and then TripIt compiles all of it into an easy to read/edit/share online itinerary of your entire trip.  To get started, send or forward your confirmation emails and receipts to plans@tripit.com.  If you are a new user and your email is not yet registered with TripIt, they will create a username and password for you.

From there the helpful TripIt fairies gather additional information that may be useful (weather information, maps, further flight details,  etc.) and compiles everything into a chronological and comprehensive itinerary that you can then go back through and add your own notes to.   Once your itinerary is set, you can invite others to view it or it can be forwarded to friends, family, business associates…even panicky moms.

Certain information may not be recognized by TripIt, but it is saved and you can go back and manually add it in the right day and time.  You can also update, add or delete information at any time – and those you have invited to see your travel details will see these updates too.

If some unforeseen event occurs, such as a weather delay on your flight or your rental car running late due to traffic, TripIt’s schedule will be thrown off, but you can easily reconcile the dates and times once you are back on track.

An as the company is still new (it was launched in September of 2007) they are still working out the kinks.  But the San Francisco based company is open to suggestions from TripIt users (go ahead – send em to feedback@tripit.com) and is constantly updating their service and adding new features.

Blackberry and iPhone apps (both free!) have been released, which only increase the handiness, portability and convenience of TripIt.

Overall, this is a great tool that frequent travelers should take advantage of.

Travel Guides

www.lonelyplanet.com

What’s Good: Find world guides, travel forums, links to travel services, traveler photographs, community blogs, travel-related applications etc. on one user-friendly (and visually exciting) site.  Planning a trip of just curious about an area?  Zero in on your vacation destination using Lonely Planet’s regional search tool and get in depth information including maps, “top city” picks, travel alerts and more..

What’s Bad: Too much of a good thing?  As aesthetically pleasing as the site is, it’s easy to get lost in the site, unable to get back to that tasty tidbit you meant to jot down or research further.  And while there is ton of information on the commonly vacationed-to destinations, the site is lacking information on the more offbeat areas.

www.yelp.com

What’s Good: Read and write reviews on restaurants, shopping, events and other sights or activities in your home town or places you have visited.  Even small town hot-spots have somehow amassed a heap of reviews – and not just those lame three word “I like it” reviews, but ones that are actually helpful.

What’s Bad: Has info on the US and just launched its UK version, but you’re screwed if you plan on venturing much beyone that.

www.frommers.com

What’s Good: Search by destination and get a complete “Guide Book” at your fingertips – and besides the usual hotels, attractions and restaurants, the gang at Frommers has also researched side trips, customs, history, and provided a super helpful write-up on the different neighborhoods in your destination city.  Also check out the “Deals & News” section for a smart mix of timely travel advisories, current travel related events and the coolest places offering the hottest deals.

What’s Bad: Much of the reviews and information comes from the site’s namesake, Arthur Frommer, making reviews and observations kinda one-sided.  Also, after a little browsing, it’s apparent that the site doesn’t exactly cater to the budget-minded traveler.

www.fodors.com

What’s Good: Many sites can give information and reviews for a restaurant – but Fodors takes it one step further and gives you the price you should expect to pay, as well as contact information and a direct link to the establishment’s Website.  In addition, this site has a unique “Best in 3 Days” feature that gives travelers a snapshot overview of what to see and do, even if you will only be somewhere for a few days.

What’s Bad: Besides researching a trip, the site will also let you purchase flight tickets, make hotel reservations, and book tickets for events – but do your research first or be prepared to pay higher prices than you would at most other sites.

www.wikitravel.org

What’s Good: Like the original site – plain ‘ol Wikipedia – this site’s strength is that it completely relinquishes control to the users.  Each of its 21,499 (and counting) destination guides can be edited and added to by the readers – this not only keeps the site perpetually refreshed and up-to-date, but also keeps the crazies from tarnishing the reputation of a town or business (no ranting reviews because one sleep-deprived and cranky traveler had to wait a mite too long for his dinner).

What’s Bad: The site is pretty clunky in appearance, making it tough and somewhat unpleasant to navigate.

Have a cool travel site you love to use?  Send us a comment – we’d love to hear about it!