Frommer's 2008 Travel Bargains
Guide Publishers Tell Atlanta Budget Travelers Where to Find Deals
Apr 24, 2008
Travel guidebook publishers Arthur Frommer and his daughter Pauline shared their favorite travel bargains with Atlanta area travelers attending the April 2008 Atlanta Travel Expo. The father-daughter team recommended these destinations.
Travel Bargain #1: China
“People may turn this down because of ethical reasons,” Mr. Frommer said. For as little as $999 per person, budget travelers can book a 10-night tour with daily meals, escorted sightseeing and roundtrip airfare from San Francisco to Shanghai or Beijing. Tour operators offering the best China travel bargains include China Focus Travel (Tel: (415) 788-8660), Magic Carpet Traveler (Tel: (785) 856-0240) and Ritz Tours (Tel: (212) 973-9088). Mr. Frommer advises budget travelers to visit within the next two months or after August 29, 2008, which is five days following the Summer Olympic Games leave Beijing.
Travel Bargain #2: Vietnam
With a population of 85 million people, Vietnam is a “significant country” and inexpensive to visit. According to Arthur Frommer, prices in Vietnam are a fraction of what they are in the U.S.
Travel Bargain #3: The Republic of Panama
Panama’s economy has stabilized and doing well after years of political unrest. The U.S. Dollar is the country’s currency (in addition to the Balboa) and while “Panama is a prosperous nation, [it offers] cheap accommodations and food for U.S. residents,” Mr. Frommer told the audience. Pauline added how Panama’s “wonderful rainforests” and ecotourism opportunities rival Costa Rica at a fraction of the cost.
Travel Bargain #4: Kenya
Budget travelers seeking an African safari will find travel bargains in Kenya, yet Arthur Frommer made it clear this is an iffy destination due to the 2008 political unrest. Week-long safaris into a Kenya game park with roundtrip airfare from Atlanta into Nairobi can be booked for less than $2,000. 2Afrika.com (Tel: (212) 385-9770), Gap Adventures (Tel: (800) 708-7761) and Lion World Tours (Tel: (416) 920-5466) are companies offering safari travel bargains.
Budget travelers can find bargains by traveling differently and the travel guide publishers recommend these types of vacations.
Travel Bargain #5: Travel Responsibly
Pauline Frommer recommends budget travelers book a group tour with a socially responsible tour operator. Group sizes are smaller than tours offered by traditional tour operators. Rather than staying in large chain hotels, the groups typically stay in inns and guest houses. Public transportation is usually utilized rather than private motor coaches. Daily meals are not included allowing more freedom to experience the local community. These operators include Adventure Center (Tel: (800) 228-8747), Djoser (Tel: (484) 595-0480), Elder Hostel (Tel: (800) 454-5768) and Intrepid Travel (Tel: (800) 970-7299).
Travel Bargain #6: Volunteer Vacation
“Sometimes these are more expensive because what’s paid to participate goes to support the program,” Ms. Frommer said but pointed out there are volunteer vacation opportunities for as little as $200 a week. She mentioned specific opportunities in public lands with the American Hiking Society (Tel: (800) 972-8608) and Passport in Time’s (Tel: (800) 281-9176) archeological digs in U.S. national forests.
Travel Bargain #7: Talk, Talk, Talk
Budget travelers wanting to visit Spain should check out Vaughn Systems. The company seeks native English speakers to “talk, talk, talk” throughout Spain. It’s a bit like teaching but experience is not necessary. Participants need to pay their airfare but once there meals, lodging and ground transportation are provided.
Travel Bargain #8: National Parks
The national parks are one of the country’s greatest travel bargains. Arthur Frommer listed the four great national parks every U.S. citizen must see, the Grand Canyon, the Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone and Yosemite. An annual pass permitting admission to all national parks is $80. Senior citizens can purchase a lifetime national park pass for just $10.
As shown by the Frommers, travel bargains are still available in 2008. From China to Panama, volunteering to talking and everything in between budget travelers have many vacation options to explore.
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