Pet Owner's World 2008 - (Page 4) Feature Article Is Your Suitcase Full…but Purse Empty? Budgeting for a vacation in today’s troubled economy Are you pumped up for that welldeserved vacation – but concerned about rising fuel prices and additional airline fees? Recent economic woes have many would-be vacationers stumped. How can you take the desired trip while staying within a reasonable budget? The Home Field Advantage The best place to start looking for the ultimate, yet affordable, vacation is in your very own backyard. If gas prices or finances have caused you to put your ambitious, long-distance vacation on hold, consider affordable day-cations within your home state. State parks, amusement parks and historical sites offer opportunities for fun and relaxation without depleting your bank account. Look, also, for free or inexpensive festivals, fairs and local cultural or educational events that you can enjoy without traveling long distances to attend. “High gas prices and increased expenses all around forced us to forgo our annual beach trip this summer, but I was still eager to enjoy a week away from the office,” said Beth Stultz, marketing specialist in North Carolina. “I searched local online events calendars and found a couple of live music performances, a cultural festival and local theater performance all during my vacation week. We also planned a trip to a local zoo. I didn’t spend even a quarter of what I would have for the beach trip but still returned to work the next week feeling as if I’d had a real vacation.” For would-be vacationers like Beth, these day-cations can lighten the financial burden and shed a new light on your home state’s offerings and attractions. Local Secrets, Big Finds For travelers looking to uncover local treasures, Travelocity, the second largest online travel agency in the United States, has an insightful list of “local pride” destinations that includes popular haunts and trendy hotspots that are not found in standard guide books. Genevieve Shaw Brown, senior editor for Travelocity, highly recommends searching this site for travel ideas. “If your travel plans are keeping you close to home, you will enjoy Local Secrets, Big Finds,” she said. “It’s a project we take on with our sister Web site, IgoUgo.com, every two years. The submissions are sent in by local residents and then are vetted by our editors. They critique the destination to find the best of the best and break the locations down by state. Our editors come back with the finest things to do and see off the beaten path. If you are looking for a great day-cation or weekend getaway, Local Secret, Big Finds is definitely worth checking out. And if you need help mapping out your trip, we also have a tool called Road Trip Wizard which helps you plan your trip on the open road – no matter how long or short the trip is.” 2008 • Pet Owner’s WORLD http://www.IgoUgo.com
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