How to Save Up To 40% on European Vacations
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How to Save Up To 40% on European Vacations
Travelers are always looking for a way to save on Travel. They surf the net religiously, and sign up for “all” the newsletters and alerts that promise “travel savings”. Some of these communications are worthy some are a markup from another companies travel inventory. A few of these e-mail communications are actually from consolidators (not many) and wholesalers of travel.
Not to doubt anyone’s marketing message there is an entire segment of travel that many cost conscience travelers have not considered. Tours vs. Independent Booking.
I know, you hate the idea of being shuffled around Europe in a group. You want to go when you want to go, stay as long as you like and do what you want, when YOU want. Me too! However, there is much to be said for a tour.
The United States Tour Operators Association recently surveyed its members to find out how much money travelers save when buying a vacation package or tour over making the same arrangements on their own. Dollars savings during high season ranged from a low of $350 on a 10-night; to $3,430 – or nearly $230 a day – on a 15-day Europe tour visiting several countries. The survey also found that travelers can reap savings up to an additional 40% by traveling during the low season.
Examples of actual dollar savings buying an air-inclusive escorted tour to Europe range from a low of $350 on a 10-night Elbe River Tour (priced at #3,500) to a savings of $3,430 on a 15-day “Heart of Europe” tour visiting Holland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France. If booked individually at rack rates, the “Heart of Europe” tour would cost $6,470.
Travelers would save another $500 by booking the Elbe River tour during low season, and an additional 16% on the “Heart of Europe” during low season. Survey by USTOA
The actual cost of a Europe tour independently booked comes out to be much more than 40%.
The bottom line is that many tour companies provide a whole vacation experience for the price of a hotel room. The bottom line to the bottom line is: Travel during low season and find a tour company that you like!
A tour will allow you the freedom to do as you please as long as the tour bus, plane or train is not leaving town. And most of the tours allow for choices while on the tour. You don’t have to be a part of the group every moment of each day. There are excursions and times to sleep late or even better, stay out late.
European Vacations with Safety in Mind
Are you looking for vacations packages to Europe? Do you have a particular place or location in mind? Are you concerned about terrorist activity?
Let’s look at the last question first. Terrorism is a factor in all our lives whether we stay at home or travel inside or outside our own country. We need to consider our safety and not take undue risks, but we should not allow the terrorists to dictate how and when we travel. People have more chance of being injured in an automobile accident than as a result of acts of terrorism but that doesn’t stop them from driving. However we do take care when we drive to try to minimise our chances of being involved in an accident. That is precisely what we should do when travelling abroad either on vacation or on business. We should take care to minimise our risk of being involved in terrorist activities. Of course, as when driving, there is always the possibility of external factors that involve us in incidents beyond our control. Don’t let the terrorists win. You can still enjoy your vacation without having to consult Bin Laden first.
Europe is a great place to visit, whether you are looking for vacation packages or bespoke vacations. The culture and topography is so diverse that you have an extremely wide choice of European vacation packages to choose from. You might be interested in romantic vacations, adventure vacations, winter skiing vacations or European waterway vacations and still, within each category, you will find numerous possibilities.
Returning to our first thoughts on terrorism, you might like to consider finding a vacation that is off the beaten track, away from the usual tourist centres. This way you will be able to improve your safety, give yourself and your family peace of mind and at the same time enjoy a spectacular vacation without constantly colliding with your fellow countrymen.
Even if you would prefer to have a vacation visiting the capital cities of Europe, Rome, Paris, London or Amsterdam for example, you can still find much to be excited by without being in the center of tourist activity. Visit the backstreet restaurants where local people know value for money when they see (or eat) it. Stroll through that lovely park situated just behind the main tourist route but overlooked by so many. If you really wish to experience the real London or Paris you must get away from the souvenir stalls and overpriced restaurants.
The author of this article, David Singleton, is also the author of Amazing European Vacations, a new ebook (only $21.97) that is an essential guide to vacation packages in Europe. He has researched the Europe that most tourists never see. The book not only helps you decide where to visit but also gives advice on preparation, and how to enjoy a truly stress free vacation in Europe. You’ll receive some very useful free bonuses even if you decide not to buy.
Can you really trust the information that the tour operators or travel agents give you? They are trying to sell vacations to you in a very competitive market. Amazing European Vacations is totally unbiased and doesn’t try to sell you anything. Would you invest in stock without researching the company? So why invest in a vacation without this valuable information?
Visit the website at www.4travel2europe.com to get more information about this great book that will help you to enjoy a truly Amazing European Vacation.
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