There’s hardly anything more fun than traveling and exploring new places. The excitement of creating an itinerary and the thrill of being on the road is unmatched, but it’s so much better if the “getaway” is well in your budget. Accommodation is an important factor that determines your overall travel expenses, so deals on that front can help you save big. Here are some of the best hotel booking websites to help you compare deals and plan a budget-friendly trip: Priceline Priceline may come across as your regular hotel booking website, but it offers some outstanding features. For instance, it offers amazing discounts through its Express Deals® feature and free cancelation on most hotels to ensure flexibility. Additionally, Priceline offers a generous best-price guarantee and assures a 100% refund of the price difference if you find a lower price within 24 hours of booking. That’s not all! They offer a 200% refund of the price difference if you find a better price on an Express Deal®. Kayak Kayak is one of the top hotel booking sites for comparing deals and is known for its filtering options and map feature. Just click on your destination on the map, and Kayak will give you all the information you need, including stay options. Clicking on any option will display the booking prices from several websites. A unique feature of this website is that it allows split booking, wherein you can save more by partly booking your stay from one website and using another site to book the other part of your stay. Hotels.com This is another top entrant on the list of the best websites to find deals on hotel bookings and is known for its ease of use. In addition to deals and free cancelation on most hotels, Hotels.com offers excellent discounts on flight bookings.

Traveling for a vacation is expensive, so it is important to utilize your time abroad. Stressing over what to do and what not to do is not something anyone would like. This is why we have assembled this convenient list of six things not to do when on vacation. Regardless of where you are taking a trip, you should avoid these things if you wish to have a happy holiday. Avoid strict itineraries There is nothing wrong with having an itinerary planned out for each day, but this leaves little room for you to go off-course and explore something new. After all, what is a vacation without doing something impulsively? Go with an open mind. No matter how much you plan, sometimes you just need to wing it. Avoid trusting everyone you meet Of course, we’re not advising you to mingle with locals. But tourists are the easiest people to lure into scams. So avoid letting your guard down too quickly. Be approachable, but if you are not interested in doing or buying something, politely decline. There is no harm in being cautious. Don’t be ignorant about local customs What may be considered completely normal in our country could be offensive in another. For example, in the USA, it is considered impolite if you do not tip 20% of the restaurant bill to your server. This may not be true in another country. The last thing you wish to do is offend someone. It is suggested to read the country’s customs before traveling to avoid any embarrassment. Don’t be afraid to bargain We all want to take back souvenirs from our holidays to cherish the memories. When visiting the local market, do not be afraid to bargain prices. According to some experts, counteroffer a third of what the seller is quoting (unless you feel you are getting it at a reasonable price), and then negotiate something in the middle.

One of the joys of traveling is getting comfortable hotel accommodation for your stay. Just as we expect great service from these hotels, they expect the guests to follow certain protocols to make the experience pleasurable. It is important to understand this tacit agreement. On that note, here are some vital tips to remind you of things that you should avoid doing when you are staying in a hotel. Keep the bathroom door shut Taking a hot shower at the end of the day and sliding into the comfy blanket is one of the perks of being in a hotel. However, make sure you keep the bathroom door shut. The steam from the shower can enter the room and trigger the fire alarm. Don’t cover the smoke alarms Almost all hotels always have a smoking room available for their guests, as they understand it is a requirement for some. However, some guests will take a room that comes with a smoke alarm and cover the smoke alarms whenever they wish to indulge in activities that may set off the alarm. Avoid using the throw pillows Some hotels have these delicate items in the room, like throw pillows to add some personality to the room. However, if you notice, a lot of these items do not have a sleeve cover, and many hotels do not clean these pillows after every guest’s departure. These items could be a hotbed of germs, so it is best to avoid these throw pillows altogether. Stealing bathrobes is a big no-no It is normal to pack the shampoo, conditioner, and tea sachets from hotels. Most people do it, and it is quite acceptable as the customers pay for them. However, some may try to grab other items like bathrobes or coat hangers. Make sure to keep these items in the room after using them.

Planning your travel itinerary is one of the most critical tasks to pay attention to, especially while reserving bookings online. Holiday deals and bundled packages might be tempting at first glance. But there are certain rookie booking mistakes and not-so-obvious pitfalls to avoid losing money. It doesn’t matter if you are a veteran traveler or a first-timer. Pay attention to these 6 common booking mistakes and get the best deal on the first attempt. Not reading reviews When you have website reviews available for reference, use them before comparing cheap hotels in Orlando or other locations. Filter hotels by best reviews and read a few for the chosen place of stay. Learn about their service and quality of amenities, and see whether it is worth booking in the first place. Not booking a refundable room Travel plans can change, so you need to account for contingencies that affect your booking dates. Always book a refundable room even if your plans change on the spur of the moment. Not using the hotel’s website Booking through third-party websites may fetch you cheap hotels in Orlando. But booking a room through the hotel website that offers the same discount or price match can be more beneficial. Guests get assigned the best rooms with better views and even upgrades for using the hotel’s official website. Booking at the wrong time Hotels usually try to fill up as many rooms as possible with advance booking while reserving some rooms for last-minute travelers. Book rooms well in advance, especially if you make plans for the holiday season. Hotels can double or triple their room prices for tourists who fail to book in advance. Not signing up for hotel rewards Hotels offer loyalty programs and membership benefits to frequent travelers. Loyalty points can be redeemed at the hotel front desk or online to book free stays and travel on your next vacation.

Whether you are a novice wanderlust or have been to hundreds of places, mistakes are a part of the process. But, it is important to learn and avoid the mistakes that might ruin your journey. One of the common traveling mistakes to avoid is taking connecting flights as you might have to cancel or modify back-to-back bookings in case your first flight is delayed. Read on to know some other travel mistakes to avoid.  Overpacking Choosing what to pack is a hard job. But being weighed down by your bulky suitcase is a lot more difficult. Start off with choosing the bag that is right for the duration of your trip. Don’t go for a big bag. The bigger the bag, the more will you be packing. With a smaller bag, you’ll only carry things necessary for the trip and there are no extra options. Moreover, with limited belongings, you can easily keep your hotel room clean. Visiting several destinations Taking time off from your routine does not mean you spend every minute of the couple of days you have off in traveling. It is a common mistake most travelers make and one that you need to avoided on your next trip. Vacation is for taking time off and relaxing—do that—enjoy the scenic beauty, the culture, and the people around you. Don’t rush off to the next destination until you have made it to the first one. What is the point of visiting all these places if you are not going to enjoy and spend some fun time there? Sticking to popular tourist attractions Following the crowd is only going to offer you the experiences it has to offer the herd. Instead, try going down the road untaken. Build your own experiences. Take the time to discover the hidden gems of the places you visit.

Music festival cruises offer a variety of themes and music performances to enjoy while sailing the high seas. Not only do you get to see your favorite performers up close, but you can also meet and interact with them while on board. Also, you’ll have the chance to socialize and party with other fans who share your love for classic rock music. Music cruises truly offer a one-of-a-kind experience that’s hard to find anywhere else. Know these top music festival cruises Attending a music festival while sailing around stunning locations for a few days or a week is quite alluring. Some of the best cruise destinations to attend music festivals are listed below. Groove cruise For 15 years, the EDM music festival cruise has been traveling the high seas while playing 96 hours of nonstop music. It is the first and biggest floating dance music festival and is the only one that departs from both the West and East coasts of the country every year. Full Metal Cruise With the Full Metal Cruise, sail for the northern seas. Metal lovers are in for the ultimate cruise ship event, departing from Germany and halting in various locations throughout Scandinavia. Far East Reggae Cruise The Far East Reggae Cruise is the first music festival cruise ever organized by Mighty Crown, a Japanese reggae/dancehall pioneer who has won eight world titles in the Sound Clash competition. During a 5-night, all-inclusive cruise, top DJs and performers from Jamaica and Japan will perform. The Beach Boys Cruise The Club Kokomo Spirits-sponsored Beach Boys Good Vibrations Cruise will depart Miami on March 3-8, 2023, for Harvest Caye, Belize, and Costa Maya, Mexico. Enjoy live shows on various stages, chances to talk to your favorite musicians, two tropical locations, unique activities, and much more. Keeping The Blues Alive At Sea VIII For the eighth installment of Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea (KTBA), enjoy some fantastic performances led by Joe Bonamassa and other talented musicians.

Music festivals and concerts are exciting events that attract thousands of people every year. While the prospect of seeing your favorite artists live and enjoying a festive atmosphere can be thrilling, it is important to avoid making mistakes that can dampen your experience. So, forgetting to carry important items, not setting a budget, or even overlooking safety guidelines can cause stress and discomfort at the event. Here are a few common lapses to avoid: Forgetting to carry essentials This is a common mistake when traveling to a different city to attend music festivals. You should pack all the essentials and avoid carrying items that could be confiscated, such as sharp items or weapons. Some venues may not allow cameras. At the same time, you should carry mosquito repellents, sunglasses, and sunscreen at an outdoor daytime event. Overlooking transportation details Delays can cause stress and discomfort at music festivals or concerts. If you are driving to the venue, you should plan for parking and traffic conditions. Alternatively, try to figure out the costs of reaching the venue when relying on public or private transportation services. Relying solely on ride-sharing services or taxis can be expensive; thus, consider other public transit or carpooling with friends. Booking the wrong accommodation Choosing unideal accommodations can negatively impact your music festival experience. To guarantee a good night’s sleep at these events, select a quiet accommodation close to the venue.  Not setting a budget Without a budget, you might experience financial stress and end up overspending at music festivals and concerts. So, set a budget for spending on food, accommodation, and merchandise during the festival weekend. Also, account for unexpected expenses to avoid overspending or running out of cash.  Ignoring safety guidelines It is important to be aware of your surroundings, know all the exits, secure your possessions, and adhere to basic safety protocols at the venue.

Preparing for a flight is not only about what you pack into your bags but also what goes inside your stomach. Luxurious seating and business-class hospitality cannot compensate for a poorly planned meal before a flight. Changes in air pressure and density on board a flight cause a shift in meal requirements before and during one’s air journey. This article provides a list of foods that one should avoid before boarding a flight: Apples The proverb “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” cannot be more accurate, considering the abundance of antioxidants and vitamin C in apples. However, the fruit is extremely high in fiber content, which may cause problems with digestion and lead to bloating. Such issues can have a more severe impact while one is on board a flight. Hence, it is best to opt for fruits like oranges, berries, and papayas, which are easier to digest, before flight journeys. Cruciferous vegetables Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts are high in vital nutrients; however, they can be heavy on the stomach and trigger digestion issues. They are also rich in a sugar called raffinose, which often causes bloating. It helps to avoid cruciferous vegetables before a flight, swapping them with lighter foods like white rice, fermented foods, and instant oats. Salted snack items Salted snack items like fries and chips are a no-no before traveling by flight, as these foods can cause acute dehydration in the body and contribute to bloating. A drop in cabin pressure as the aircraft reaches higher altitudes can cause flatulence and increase discomfort. Sushi Being a source of raw fish, sushi is associated with parasitic diseases like anisakiasis. This condition is caused by the consumption of raw fish infected with a parasitic worm, which latches on to one’s esophagus, intestine, or stomach and leads to food poisoning.