Winter Travel Means Sly Deals

Posted by: Kristen // December 11 2009

When the weather gets cold and you start to realize how long it is until the next work holiday, it’s time to get out of town. Plan a trip now and take advantage of off-season discounts. Here are a few ideas for planning winter getaways that will chase those blues away (and protect your pocketbook):

Hit The Road. There’s nothing as cost-effective as the quick road trip. With so many of us watching our wallets these days, the quick road trip is an attractive alternative to the cost and stress of flying. Savvy state tourism boards have capitalized on the local traveler trend. Pennsylvania has a website devoted to planning road trips where you can choose the types of attractions you are interested in, or click on a few pre-selected ideas. We’ve all seen the commercials featuring the Governator beckoning tourists to California’s tourism website. The easy to navigate site features a Trip Ideas section that gives you ideas for putting together a three-day itinerary to some of the state’s best destinations. In a Lone Star state of mind? Texas has an online Trip Planner, which allows you to add destinations and activities, or browse through suggestion.

Big Cities, Big Savings. Take the opportunity to explore a big city off-season. January is one of the cheapest times to travel to cities such as New York and San Francisco. Los Angeles is popular year round, but during the rainy winter months it can be less expensive. If you can stand the cold, Chicago is cheapest from December through March. Slow season for Dallas is November through March. Seattle is a great city, and if you’re okay with rain, fare and accommodations are low through March. Choose a city from Frommer’s destinations list and click on “Planning a Trip - When to Visit” to learn when off-peak deals can be found.

Consider Europe. A summer trip to Europe is a dream for many that is simply too expensive. Europe is much cheaper and attractions are much less crowded during the colder months. Sure, it’s a little colder, but you will also be able to enjoy your experience without fighting the throngs of tourists. Worried about the chill? Greece, Southern Italy, Spain and Portugal are still quite pleasant because of their southern position. In addition, think of the unique cultural experiences you can have by visiting in off-season. High-season tourists don’t get to attend a winter festival, go Christmas shopping, or enjoy cold-weather cuisine. Fodor’s website features a running list of deals to Europe and other locations.

Whenever you’re traveling, visit these websites for travel deals, destination guides, and helpful tips:

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