For a summer travel bargain, head to Honduras

Tim Leffel · June 11, 2008

Tim LeffelStaycation, schmaycation! Sure, flight prices are going up all over and this is probably not a good year to take a summer trip to Europe. But in Honduras, the travel bargains are as plentiful as tropical fish on a coral reef. Tim Leffel has the details.

 

More thrills per dollar at regional amusement parks

Tim Leffel · May 28, 2008

Tim LeffelTake a family of four to one of the big corporate theme parks for a weekend and you could easily be looking at a tab of $700 before you even factor in gas and lodging. Tim Leffel says you don’t have to spend the equivalent of two car payments just to ride some roller coasters and hit the Tilt-a-Whirl.

 

Cycling in Europe for the dollar-impaired visitor: the long and the short of it

Tim Leffel · May 14, 2008

Tim LeffelPedaling through vineyards, riding past 300 year-old mansions, stopping along the way for wine tastings and hearty lunches — it doesn’t have to be as expensive as it sounds. Tim Leffel points us to places where seeing Europe at a bicycle’s pace is more reasonable, just a little bit to the east.

 

Traveling in your own backyard

Tim Leffel · April 23, 2008

Tim LeffelYour next flight is liable to be canceled or delayed, and the price of airline tickets seems to go up every month. Gasoline prices are off the chart and so are hotel rates. Tim Leffel says this might be a good summer to make your family’s summer vacation a local affair.

 

Travel bargains in The Other Mexico

Tim Leffel · April 9, 2008

Tim LeffelIf you have visited one of the well-known Mexican beach resort areas recently, you’ve probably noticed two things: huge crowds and prices that don’t seem much different from those at home. Tim Leffel says you can still find a Mexican travel bargain, but you will have to visit “The Other Mexico”.

 

Touring Europe’s unheralded wine regions

Tim Leffel · March 26, 2008

Tim LeffelThat trip through the Bordeaux region of France or the Piedmont region of Italy is going to cost more than ever this year. Tim Leffel suggests looking beyond the tried and true to European wine regions with lower costs and smaller crowds.

 

Time to check out your neighbors: Mexico and Central America

Tim Leffel · March 12, 2008

Tim LeffelEvery month seems to bring a new low point for the dollar against the euro, and flight prices keep rising in tandem with fuel costs. Tim Leffel says this would be a good year to check out the exotic lands just to the south, from Mexico down through Panama.

 

Beating the crowds to Panama

Tim Leffel · February 27, 2008

Tim LeffelPanama is a place of many distinctions, including the Panama hat, the Panama Canal and one of the world’s best-known palindromes: “A man, a plan, a canal — Panama!” Best of all, it is one of those few remaining destinations where prices are good, tour buses are few, and there’s enough to keep you occupied for weeks — without big sacrifices in comfort. Tim Leffel takes you there.

 

5 ways to find a shoulder-season deal

Tim Leffel · February 13, 2008

Tim LeffelHigh season means premium prices, but low season can mean bad weather, boarded-up shops or even hurricanes. To find the perfect pairing of good conditions and low prices, Tim Leffel guides you to the magic time known as the “shoulder season.”

 

Tourist discount cards: Deal or no deal?

Tim Leffel · January 23, 2008

Tim LeffelVisit a tourism bureau Web site for a popular city, and you’ll probably see a prominent offer for a discounted museum pass or other attractions card. Is it a deal? Not necessarily. Tim Leffel runs the numbers.