Todeo Net

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The Oregon Coast will never cease to surprise you if you give it enough attention. Remarkable discoveries along this exceptionally pristine stretch of U.S. shoreline can be found all the time, often lurking in the tiniest or most unassuming places.

Taking a helicopter ride is probably one of the more obvious delights - in any locale. But this insanely cool excursion on Oregon’s North Coast has something a little different, with several curious sides and surprises to it. If you want a glimpse of major Lewis & Clark landmarks, a peek at some sites from a cult movie classic as well as an eyeful of other natural wonders, Seaside Helicopters has it.

It’s an unusual and powerful day on the coast: and with the wild, funky weather that flip-flops between small rain squalls and mostly warm, even muggy, sunny weather. It feels like August in the valley, but it’s only mid-April.

It’s in this atmosphere, one of slightly mystical weather, that I embark upon Gary Turel’s mind-boggingly fun ride.

Gary bought into this business about four years ago, after years of being addicted to flying on his own. It’s like his dream job, he confesses to me after the ride in the sky. The National Guard veteran exclaims his ultimate goal would’ve been to wind up a fighter pilot and eventually make his way into the astronaut program. But he didn’t meet the rigid criteria for space flight, although he qualified for commercial flight.

Gary is a comforting and personable presence in the helicopter as he zips around the shores of Cannon Beach, the peaks of Tillamook Head and above the resort town of Seaside at about 100-plus miles an hour. First, you don the headset with the microphone system, enabling you to speak with Gary and he to speak to you. I blurt out, “I feel like an astronaut,” and immediately wonder how many times has he heard that line.

Then, you’re strapped in, and takeoff happens shortly after.

With a bubble window to the world below, you feel yourself ever so gently lift upwards, a sensation similar in some ways to easing up in an airplane, but in a helicopter there’s definitely that spine-tingling feeling of rising faster. It’s exhilarating to say the least, with the tilt of the aircraft pulling you against its quick upward ascension.

For me, I became used to this new and unique feeling within minutes, and it was soon no longer that intense thrill. I was too busy. I was armed with my digital and 35 mm camera, and quickly became engaged in trying to shoot as many photos as humanly possible.

In no time, we’re up over the back of Tillamook Head - a 1300-foot-high, forested headland. Gary points out its sheer cliffs from this side, spots where elk congregate and even the small bald spot on top of the mountain that is a Lewis & Clark monument. It was here - some two hundred years ago - that William Clark, Sacagawea and a few others hiked over the headland to catch sight of a beached whale in what would become Cannon Beach. Along the hike, at a spot now named after Clark, he peered out over the ocean, on one of the few sunny days the Corps of Discovery experienced while camping in Oregon over the winter of 1805/06.

Most incredible is approaching the tip of Tillamook Head as Gary points out a rocky arch sitting offshore called “Goonies Rock,” which was featured in the movie “Goonies.” Remember that scene near the end where the kids took a key and matched it to a rock structure with a hole in it? That rock is now named after the movie, visible from Indian Beach. Seeing it from above, however, in the context of everything around it from this viewpoint, is a bit mind-altering. It reminds you how tiny and insignificant we humans can be.

We never head far out to sea, not more than a quarter mile or so, for safety reasons. This means I can’t get a close glimpse of the mysterious Tillamook Rock Lighthouse - which resides a mile offshore from Tillamook Head. It’s visible from both Cannon Beach and Seaside, albeit a bit better seen from the Cannon Beach side. This enigmatic feature has grasped the imaginations of visitors for generations, sitting on a clump of basalt that invites consistent battering by waves and objects tossed around by the sea. Its real history is even far more colorful than what most can come up with in conjecture, with many dying during its construction in the 19th century, and while getting to and from the boats that re-supplied it with lighthouse keepers and foodstuffs. It was decommissioned in the 1950’s, and now houses urns of ashes of those who pay to be interred there.

I’m a little disappointed I can’t get any closer, as this place has always had me riveted. Gary, however, hovers a ways out over the ocean a little while for me to snap a few pics of it. It’s still highly gratifying.

Gary swings around to the south from here, allowing me to shoot shots of Cannon Beach’s Haystack Rock, Crescent Beach, Indian Beach and the top of Ecola State Park. These landmarks are enormous when you’re there, up close. From above, they are diminutive and puny. I know these places intimately, but here they present numerous new discoveries.

>From there, we swing around again, head north over Tillamook Head, and he shows me that rocky shoreline beneath the headland that can’t be seen any other way. At this point, Seaside is in full view, as are the shores of southern Washington and hints of Astoria. Then it’s back to the landing pad, with a zoom over the adjacent Seaside Family Fun Park and its numerous fun-tastic possibilities (www.seasidefamilyfunpark.com, 503-738-2076).

Perhaps ten or 15 minutes have gone by. It’s hard to tell. Apparently, most rides run about 10 minutes or so, beginning at $25 per person, with options including the Cannon Beach run, a nature/wildlife run, Seaside-from-above or other combinations.

He’s had several marriage proposals happen during the flights, including one memorable excursion where the man and his friends had scrawled a huge “will you marry me?” in the sands of Seaside. She emphatically squealed “yes,” says Gary.

Later, Gary and I chat, and it turns out he was a bit of a celebrity in the 90’s. Together with his brother Stan Turel, the pair were the faces on Oregon TV commercials for their Columbia Tax Services. Yet another surprise today.

In the last year, Gary picked up another celebrity - in namesake, anyway. John Glen works for him as a second pilot: not John Glenn of space fame, however. Glen is a real trouper and lets his bosses get lots of mileage out of his name. This started back in the 60’s, during his high school days, as the famous John Glenn was making orbits. Glen was a delivery driver for a store, and his boss used Glen’s name to jokingly tout his business. The delivery vehicles were even named “capsule 1″ and “capsule 2.”

You’ll find Seaside Helicopters and the Seaside Family Fun Park just south of Seaside. Gary still makes some runs during the winter and early spring - mostly on weekends - when those famous beautiful, dry days hit. Generally, it’s considered closed during these months, and doesn’t really start up with an eye on a full schedule until spring break. However, one secret about the Oregon Coast is that February tends to have a run of sunny, warm days (much warmer than inland), so you may get lucky and have a chance to grab a ride then or on other days the weather seems cooperative to flight. Hwy 101, S. Seaside. http://www.seaside-helicopters.com. (503) 440-4123.

For more on the Oregon Coast, Seaside, pictures from Seaside Helicopters, and extensive virtual tours, see www.beachconnection.net/vtour_seaside.htm

When people think of Holland, Amsterdam is usually the first place that comes to mind. Shockingly, places like Rotterdam and The Hague prove there is more to the country. Really!

Rotterdam

A traveler is often able to deduce certain things from the name of a destination. In the case of Rotterdam, nothing could be further from the truth. Nothing is rotting. Well, maybe something in the bottom of a fridge somewhere, but nothing in the public arena. Instead, Rotterdam is a vibrant, fairly modern Dutch city.

Rotterdam sits at the confluence of a couple of rivers and what appears to be a collection of canals designed on an child’s etch a sketch board. Despite this and nearly being wiped out in World War II, the city has a get on with your business kind of feel to it. Unlike Amsterdam, you’ll actually feel like you’re interacting with the Dutch in their daily lives. The rejuvenation of the city, however, has cost Rotterdam a bit of a character. There isn’t much to see, but the nightlife is hopping and museums carry collections from Monet and van Gogh.

The Hague

Known as the City of Peace and Justice, this is a place you want to watch your Ps and Qs! Home to such institutions as the War Crime Tribunal and International Criminal Court, The Hague definitely has the justice thing down pat. The city is actually a very nice place to visit with stunning architecture and cultural sites ad nauseum. On top of this, there are beaches and excellent wooded areas for hiking. The Japanese gardens in Park Clingendael are worth a trip. All and all, The Hague is more or less Amsterdam without the edginess.

Haarlem

If you start to burn out on Amsterdam, hop a train to Haarlem. In fact, just blow off Amsterdam and head directly to Haarlem. The city is a great place to see the “real Holland”. A funky place, Haarlem has everything Amsterdam does, but you’ll also find windmills outside of town.

Keukenhof Gardens

If you want to get garden envy, visit the Keukenhof Gardens to the south of Haarlem. The Gardens consists of miles of…gardens. Every plant known to mankind can be found and the fields of tulips and colors will temporarily blind you. If Buddha returned to the earth, this is where he would make his home. You can literally spend days just walking around drinking in the visual treat. Once you see it, you’ll never look at your backyard the same way again.

Amsterdam is the hot travel destination in Holland. If you fail to venture out of the city, however, you’ll be missing some incredible places.

Parador of Arcos De La Frontera

Arcos De La Frontera is one of those typical white towns of Andalucia where you feel as if you have stumbled into another epoch. Arcos was controlled by the Moors up until 1264 and still retains the feel of those times.

The Parador Arcos De La Frontera stands high above the Ro Guadalete with nearly a shear drop-off on one side. This dramatic location is reminiscent of Ronda, but Arcos is much less touristed than that city and the ambience far more relaxed.

Parador Arcos De La Frontera is flanked by castle walls and the large Gothic-Mudéjar church of Santa Mara de la Asuncin. From here you get incredible views to the river valley far below. The town is a mix of fine Moorish and Renaissance buildings. At the center is the Plaza del Cabildo which fronts the Arcos Parador.

Arcos is a town for meandering. Wander up and down the steep streets. You’ll delight in making your own discoveries here - no guidebooks necessary!

If you visit in early August, you’ll be enchanted by the late-night concerts on the main plaza during the Fiesta de la Virgen de las Nieves. Stay on until September and you might have become “local” enough to participate in their especially wild version of the running of the bulls!

Be sure and dine in the exceptional restaurant at the Parador. The wood-beamed dining room has a very nice feel, and views that are panoramic. This is one of the finest restaurants you will find for trying some of Andalucia’s traditional dishes.

Interesting in-town excursions from the Arcos De La Frontera Parador:

- The wonderful Castillo de los Duques.

- The Basilica-Paroquia de Santa Maria.

- The Convento de la Encarnacion.

- The Iglesia de San Pedro.

- The Palacio Mayorazgo.

Interesting day trips include:

- Jerez de la Frontera - Try to see the incredible Andalusian horses dancing and jumping to the music of Beethoven at the Real Escuela Andaluz del Arte Ecuestre. A tour of one of the Sherry Bodegas is always fun - especially the free tastings!

- Sevilla - One of the “must see” cities in Spain.

- Ronda - Set in an breathtaking situation on top of the most awesome gorge in all Spain.

- Cadiz - The oldest city in Europe. Cadiz has an altogether pleasant ramshackle quality that draws travelers back again and again.

The Arcos De La Frontera Parador literally oozes the character of Andalucia. The town of Arcos combines a near-perfect mix of spectacular natural surroundings and historically interesting cultural sites. Being centrally located between the great cities of Sevilla, Ronda, Cadiz and Jerez, it makes a great base from which to fan out and visit the best of western Andalucia.

For more on all of Spain’s wonderful Paradors, go to: http://www.SpainParador.com

So the two of us expatriate Austrians are staying at the Arlington House Hostel, in itself an exciting experience, to be immersed in this environment of young (and older) travellers from all over the world.

We got going early again this morning, at about 7 am. In the shower room Linda and I were talking and joking to each other in our Austrian dialect, all of a sudden a woman in her mid to late forties said, in German, “Am I hearing Austrian being spoken around here?”

It turns out that she is currently in Chicago with her 22 year old daughter who is working as a nanny in Boston. The two ladies got away for the weekend to Chicago. Linda and I said how astounding it was to run into someone from Austria during our trip to Chicago.

Well, it was time to get breakfast so we headed east to Clark Street, one of the main restaurant areas in Lincoln Park. We strolled northwards and bumped into a bakery / restaurant called “Austrian Bakery” which was open at this early hour. Of course we went inside and we saw a whole assortment of beautiful baked goodies, a variety of breads and rolls, and a glass display case full of cakes and pastries.

One thing that Austrian cuisine has is great pastry and great breads. As a matter of fact, Austria’s loaves of rye bread, with their crispy crust, can hardly be found anywhere else, even in Toronto, where you can generally find foods from all over the world. You really have to go to a very specialized bakery that will make these types of loaves from scratch.

Well, this place had them, and talking to the owner we found out that he hails from the same province as Linda and me: “Steiermark” or “Styria” (in English), whose capital is Graz, Austria’s second largest city. The young man who owned the bakery had completed his apprenticeship in Graz, and both Linda and I had gone to university in the same city. What a coincidence…..

We enjoyed a beautiful breakfast with different types of breads and sweets, and then we were approached by a young lady sitting at a table next to us who asked us in German if we were from Austria. Of course we confirmed and she indicated that she was from Salzburg and was currently studying medicine in Michigan.

So within about an hour and a half we had met 3 Austrians from 3 different Austrian provinces in Chicago. I sometimes go years in Toronto before I run into anybody from my home country, so this Austrian connection was definitely surprising…..

Well, it’s a cool, grey and rainy day, but we decided we would defy the weather and made plans to head to another one of Chicago’s interesting neighbourhoods: the Pullman Historic District.

The Cheaper Way to Get Away

All people need a break, to reconnect with the spouse, to reward the kids, to recharge the soul. But planning a vacation getaway can quickly turn into a stressful project when the subject of expenses comes up. Airfare alone can kill the fantasy. And when people already factor in accommodations, food, and shopping, any budget-conscious mother would just give up and stay home.

Thankfully, there are now more options for quick and fun vacations without having the costly air fares.

Cheap Airfare

So, how does low-cost or cheap air fare work exactly? Simple: Budget air travel gets you to your destination in the shortest time and at the cheapest possible price.

The main reason these airlines are able to keep airfare prices low is the no-frills concept. First, there’s no ticketing office to sustain. All reservations and purchases are transacted online. Through e-ticketing, tickets can be purchased on the Web, which eliminates the need to employ more people for processing or maintain international offices.

However, people can still avail of cheaper airfares even if they don’t want to take chances with budget air travel.

Here’s how:

1. Purchasing the airline ticket at least 10 days ahead of the scheduled trip will enable the individual to avail of super low fares.

2. It is best to choose a weekday departure and arrival date when possible. This is because weekend flights get filled up faster than weekdays and airlines often offer discounts to fill up the weekday flights.

3. It would be better to book as a group of three or more to get even more discounts on fees.

4. People compare notes with and consult their friends and colleagues who have recently traveled.

5. In order to get the cheap airfares, people should be on the lookout for discounted rates on the Internet. Most of the cheap airfares are available online.

6. It is best to shop around for the cheap airfare first before you jump on the first deal you see. This is because there are airlines that may offer cheap airfares but the quality of service is entirely bad. Most airlines with cheap airfares have low quality of service and lacking the usual amenities.

All of these boil down to the fact that low-cost airlines may help people to extend their vacation and make it more memorable. They just have to shop around to get those that offer cheap airfare but the quality of service is not taken for granted.

Sidney’s Grille and Hotel@MIT Jazzin’ Into 2006 in Cambridge, MA On December 31, Executive Chef Ryan Cyr from Sidney’s Grille will prepare a New Year’s Eve menu for revelers offering items such as Native Boston Bibb Salad, Grilled Spiced Quail, Peppercorn Crusted Beef Tenderloin and Warm Banana Pain Perdu. There will be two seatings with the first beginning at 6:00 PM and is $69.00 per person for a four course dinner. The second seating begins at 9:00 PM and is 5 courses and for $99.00 per person with Live Jazz performed by The Manny Santos Quintet. Reservations are required; please call (617) 494-0011.

For a group of eight to ten people the “JAZZ LOVERS SOIREE,” New Year’s Eve package is the way to ring in the2006! The package includes Pre-dinner champagne reception the exquisite Presidential Suite, with a special guest visit from renowned Jazz musician Manny Santos. New Year’s Eve Dinner for 8-10 people at a special VIP table in Sidney’s Grille for the 9:00 PM seating with Live Jazz performed by The Manny Santos Quintet. Jazzy Giveaways including CDs, Free Flowing champagne all night long and overnight accommodations in The Presidential Suite and 4 additional luxurious guest rooms for a total of $2,006 for the package.

To book the all inclusive Jazz Lovers New Year’s Eve package please contact 617-577-0200. The Hotel@MIT is located in the heart of Cambridge’s technology center adjacent to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) campus at 20 Sidney Street in Cambridge, MA Visit www.hotelatmit.com.

New Year’s Eve ~ Sidney’s Grille Menu - Jazzin into 2006 Opening Act Mélange of Arugula, Baby Beets, Spiced Pecans with Great Hill Blue Cheese in a Meyer Lemon Dressing Tossed Baby Red Oak Leaf & Romaine Salad Cucumber Cilantro Dressing, Feta Cheese and Garlic Toast Points Native Boston Bibb Salad Shaved Red Onion, Toasted Pine Nuts, Sweet Shallot & Balsamic Dressing 2nd Set Lobster Risotto Asiago Cheese, Blood Orange Segments & Basil Oil Pistachio Crusted Foie Gras over Toasted Brioche Cipolinni Onion & Apple Chutney, Fig Syrup with Red Peppercorn Dust Grilled Spiced Quail Winter Greens, Candied Kumquats & Vanilla Bean Reduction Interlude Sparkling Cranberry Sorbet Headliners Slow Roasted Cornish Hen Grilled Heirloom Apples, & Chestnut Stuffing with Saged Dark Jus Seared Yellow Fin Tuna Gingered Sweet Potatoes, Baby Japanese Eggplant & Bok Choy with Wasabi Oil Peppercorn Crusted Beef Tenderloin White Truffle Mashed Potatoes, Caramelized Shallot Demi-Glace, Foie Gras Butter Encore Warm Banana Pain Perdu Spiced Cherry Drizzle, Cinnamon Sugar Plantains, & Griottes Chocolt Parfait Classique Champagne Sorbet with Fresh Strawberry Pureé Ménage a Trois Sensuous Edibles for two with a Trio of Fondues

The Hotel@MIT strikes the perfect combination of innovative design and highly personalized service. It creates a hip new retreat for the savvy business or holiday traveler. The spirit of innovation permeates the hotels’ design, as signified by the robotics and whimsical tech related sculptures and artwork throughout the property. The stylishly appointed, contemporary furnishings in the guest rooms and suites feature original artwork from the MIT collection. Amenities include ergonomically designed furniture and generous workspaces including complimentary unlimited high-speed Internet access, dual telephone lines and data ports in all guestrooms.

If you are planning a National Park vacation you might want to consider one or a few of these top 10 National Parks listed below. There are many National Parks to visit, but the parks listed below are the most scenic and most popular of all the National Parks and recreation areas.

Ican personally attest to the beauty and grandeur of all 10 of these favorite National Parks. They are truly the best natural recreation areas the United States has to offer.

Spending your vacation in the great outdoors is a much better alternative than staying cooped up in a hotel room or visiting touristy theme parks.

A National Park vacation is an incredible way to treat yourself and your family to the beauty of God’s creation.

These top 10 National Parks below offer a vast array of activities for the entire family. Some of those activities include hiking, biking, camping, rock climbing, mountain climbing, whitewater rafting, tubing, horseback riding, snow skiing, bird watching, fishing, and much more.

As you can see you will never run out of things to do on your National Park vacation.

Here are my top 10 recommended National Parks for your vacation:

Acadia National Park

Located on the rugged coast of Maine, Acadia National Park encompasses over 47,000 acres of granite-domed mountains, woodlands, lakes and ponds, and ocean shoreline.

Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake is located in Oregon and is famous for the intense blue color of its waters and for its spectacular views. There are steep 1,500′ to 2,000′ drop offs all around the lake…simply beautiful.

Grand Canyon National Park

The beauty of Grand Canyon is beyond compare. When you first lay eyes on its magnificence it will take your breath away. You are completely humbled by its immense beauty and size and there is truly no place like it on earth.

Grand Teton National Park

Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park is home to stunning mountain scenery and a diverse array of wildlife.

Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Ridge upon ridge of endless forest straddle the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the largest National Park areas in the Eastern United States. It is also the most visited National Park.

Mount Rainier National Park

Mt Rainier National Park was established in 1899 and covers 235,625 acres (97% is designated Wilderness). Includes Mount Rainier (14,410′), an active volcano encased in over 35 square miles of snow and ice. The park contains outstanding examples of old growth forests and subalpine meadows.

Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park is a surprising land of scenic wonders and fascinating science. The park features one of the world’s largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood and the multi-hued badlands known as the Painted Desert.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Established on January 26, 1915, Rocky Mountain National Park is a living showcase of the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains and my favorite National Park vacation site.

Yellowstone National Park

In 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed a law declaring that Yellowstone would forever be “dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” Maybe one of the most famous National Parks and the home of Old Faithful.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park embraces a spectacular tract of mountain-and-valley scenery in the Sierra Nevada, which was set aside as a national park in 1890. Yosemite was made famous by Ansel Adams spectacular black and white photography.

Spending your next vacation in one or many of these National Parks will be a treasure and the memories will certainly last a lifetime.

Family vacations are something that takes a bit of planning so that everyone can enjoy the experience without going crazy. Especially where children are concerned, family vacations need to be planned out well ahead of time to be sure that all the kids will have a good time, and also so mom and dad won’t stress out too much, too! With just a little bit of planning, a vacation that could have everyone ready to have a serious meltdown can turn into a really pleasant vacation for everyone.

Planning family vacations really aren’t that difficult, you just have to know where you’d like to go, what your families’ interests and limitations are, and also how much money you want to spend. Family vacations are doable on just about any budget, if you’re working on a tight budget you might have to be a little bit more creative, but sometimes that makes the whole thing more of an adventure for the whole family.

First, you need to decide where you’d like to go. For most families, their interests, a venue, or event is what attracts them to a particular area. If your family has an amusement park or attraction in mind, it’ll make your destination selection quite simple. After you’ve decided where to go you’ll need to decide how you’ll be getting there. If you’ll be flying, you’ll want to make your reservations as far in advance as possible so that there isn’t any stress, because when you are planning a family vacation you want to eliminate as much stress as possible.

If you will be flying, you’ll want to get online and see if you can’t create some savings by booking your rental car at the same time. Many websites can offer you a substantial savings if you can book your flights and your car rental at the same time, so really give it some consideration as it’ll give you more money for buying souvenirs and other items that you’d like to buy while actually on vacation. Because family vacations are quite expensive when you fly, pay for vacation rentals, and rent a car you’ll want to find all the possible ways to save some cash.

Vacation rentals are a great way to save money on family vacations. Vacation rentals are bigger than hotel rooms, giving your family more space. Since most come with full kitchens you can cook some meals and save on restaurant expenses. Another way to save is to book a vacation rental direct from the owner, instead of through a management company, who essentially is a middleman.

After all your arrangements have been made you’ll just want to be sure that everyone in your family is prepared for the vacation. Make sure that all the children know exactly what to expect during your travels, as that will alleviate their stress and make travels easier for parents, too. Children tend to be very excited when they begin their family vacations, so if they are aware that they have to spend three hours in airplane they’ll tolerate the experience better.

Family vacations should be a wonderful experience for the whole family, but if they are not planned in advance and every member of family isn’t aware of what to expect, it probably won’t go so smoothly. Knowing what your whole family will want to do, planning for your families needs and limitations, and then preparing each member of the family for travel association with family vacations will usually yield much better results. Family vacations should be about quality time spent with the people you love the most, and it should be fun!

If you are thinking of family vacations, get with your family and discuss how you can make your plans and have the best time possible. Getting the whole family in on the planning will give the best possible chance for a fun vacation for everyone!

Just about everyone loves to travel, and travel is one of the most intriguing and fun activities one can engage in. Travel provides the remarkable ability to see the world from a whole new perspective, and I for one believe that if people traveled more outside their country there would be far less war and trouble in the world.

When asked why they do not travel, one of the most frequently cited reasons is lack of money. Lack of funds, however, does not need to be a barrier to traveling the world. Obviously if you’re flat broke you may not be able to travel as you wish, but most people have at least some disposable income, and it can be surprisingly inexpensive to travel to many places.

One of the primary considerations for any budget minded traveler is where to stay. Fortunately, there are many budget friendly options when it comes to putting a roof over your head for the night. For solo travelers, hostels can provide, clean safe accommodations and the chance to meet and interact with people from all over the world. Best of all, the prices are almost impossible to beat. For instance, most hostels in major U.S. cities range from $20 to $30 a night, when a hotel room would set you back a cool $150-$200 or even more.

In Europe, Asia, Africa and South America, hostel accommodations are even cheaper, with many charging the equivalent of $5 a night or even less. The key is to check the internet and see what is available in your destination. Many hostels even provide online booking, so you can arrive with your lodging issues already taken care of.

For couples, a budget hotel can be a great choice. There are many such hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts, located all around the world. Again, many of them are on the internet, and like hostels many can be booked online before you leave home.

Another great way to save money while still having a great vacation is to use the public transportation system. Most destinations in Europe, and many in the United States and Canada as well, have excellent, fast, reliable, and cheap public transportation systems. You can probably by a weekly bus pass for less than what you would pay to rent a car for a single day. And public transportation also frees you from the hassles of parking the car, keeping it gassed up and learning your way around.

Another important key to traveling cheap is traveling light. Trekking around Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, or the Americas does not require a mountain of luggage. If you are unsure whether to pack it, chances are it is best left at home. It is best to take a couple of sturdy and versatile outfits, and a good pair of walking shoes, and leave the rest at home.

Getting the best airfare, along with finding the cheapest place to stay, is one of the essential cornerstones of successful budget travel. There are a number of strategies for getting the best deal on airfare, from using credit cards to rack up frequent flier miles, to using discount airlines, to traveling in the off or shoulder season. The strategy that is best for you depends on your individual needs, and on the location you choose.

Keeping the money you do have for travel safe and secure is always a concern when traveling. Most seasoned travelers have learned to use a hidden money belt to carry passports, plane tickets and the majority of their cash. Using an in room safe is also a good idea. It is generally best to use credit cards for major purchases, and keep only a small amount of cash on hand for incidental purchases. Not only do credit cards provide the best exchange rates, but you are not liable for fraudulent purchases as long as you report the card stolen in a timely fashion.

Travel does not have to be out of reach, even for the most budget minded traveler. The key is to shop wisely, focus on your priorities and get the most out of the money you do spend.