Where Can Americans Get the Best Vacation Experience For Their Dollar? Travel Value Index Ranks Top 20 U.S. Places Providing Greatest Value to Visitor

Who doesn’t want a great vacation experience at a low price? One of the top questions among travelers continues to be how to plan an enjoyable trip without going into the red.

To provide travelers a resource for planning fun yet affordable getaways, discount travel site Hotwire.com developed the Travel Value Index. A first-of-its-kind resource for travelers, the Travel Value Index identifies which U.S. cities offer the greatest overall value to visitors based on three factors:

• discounts offered to travelers;

• low prices on airfare, hotel and rental cars; and

• affordable entertainment and outdoor attractions.

Which city topped the charts? With low prices on accommodations and a range of outdoor and cultural attractions, the mile-high city of Denver offers vacationing Americans the best value for their money. Denver boasts easy access to the Rocky Mountains, more than 450 miles of bike paths and a nationally recognized zoo.

The top 20 places for travel bargains include the entertainment capital Los Angeles, family-friendly Tampa and Orlando, country music haven Nashville, and cities brimming with Southern charm and hospitality like Knoxville, Dallas and Charlotte.

“The Travel Value Index proves that no matter what you’re looking for, you can enjoy a memorable vacation without blowing the budget,” said Barbara Messing, vice president and travel expert at Hotwire.com. “These cities offer something for everyone-whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, beach lover or prefer the big city.”

From the Carolinas to California, here are the top 20 places that offer the perfect combination of a memorable vacation experience and a low price:

1. Denver

2. Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C.

3. Raleigh-Durham, N.C.

4. Knoxville, Tenn.

5. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Sarasota, Fla.

6. Albuquerque-Santa Fe, N.M.

7. Orlando-Daytona Beach, Fla.

8. Reno, Nev.

9. Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas

10. Los Angeles

11. Nashville, Tenn.

12. St. Louis, Mo.

13. Atlanta

14. Kansas City, Mo.

15. Phoenix

16. Columbus, Ohio

17. Salt Lake City

18. Pittsburgh

19. Milwaukee

20. Charlotte, N.C.

The Travel Value Index helps travelers get more for less year-round in places that offer the best savings and overall value on air and lodging. And the index is a great resource for travelers who want to stretch their vacation dollars when planning their next getaway.

Jamaica is a legendary island in the Caribbean with more beauty than you can image. Visiting Jamaica retreats is one extremely relaxing way to experience the island.

Jamaica Hotels and Retreats

Jamaica is an island destination known for its relaxing and romantic atmosphere. What better way to enhance your vacation here than to go to one of the great Jamaica retreats? The retreats on Jamaica are prepared to pamper you while taking full advantage of the great island, beach and ocean atmosphere.

One of the Jamaica retreats you’ll be sure to enjoy is the High Hope Estate, located near Ocho Rios in Jamaica. This inn has only five guest rooms, assuring that your vacation and stay here will be intimate and romantic. The rooms themselves are furnished with beautiful English and Jamaican antiques. The clinic at High Hope Estate offers such varied services as massages and the pampering Milk and Honey Wrap, sure to relax and rejuvenate even the most tired traveler.

Another of the great resorts and Jamaica retreats is the Half Moon Rose Hall, in Montego Bay. This resort houses the Bodywork Spa, which has many different treatments and packages to indulge your senses. Their menu includes wraps, manicures, pedicures, facials, rejuvenation day packages and couples packages to create your own relaxation getaway. The Half Moon Rose Hall resort itself has many other amenities, such as an 18 hole golf course and shopping, even a children’s center!

There are many more Jamaica retreats to discover, including those at all-inclusive resorts. The Couples Resort in Ocho Rios, for example, offers many different treatments to their guests. Some of these include aromatherapy massages, Swedish massages and body polishes. There are also salon services available at the retreat for both men and women, making it so you never have to leave the resort for all of your rejuvenation needs!

Another all-inclusive resort chain, Sandals, has seven different resorts located on the island of Jamaica. Most of them, such as the Sandals Negril Beach Resort, include rejuvenation clinics right on the resort property. The Red Lane Retreats, as the retreats at Sandals are known, offer such diverse treatments as the Salty Margarita Scrub and the Java Jive Scrub, along with massages and other usual treats.

Jamaica is a great place for a vacation, and it’s made even better by a trip to one of the Jamaica retreats that are available in the area. You can relax on the beach and then relax with a massage or facial, all at one location. Best of all, the variety of retreats here means that everyone can find a spot in Jamaica to suit their tastes.

Getting away to Charity Island offers you the chance to get in touch with nature while relaxing. Unlike other destinations, Charity Island is also a environmentally protected area.

Getting Away To Charity Island

Charity Island is actually two islands, Big and Little Charity Island, both of which are in the state of Michigan. It is located in the Saginaw Bay, which is part of Lake Huron contained inside the state. More than 80 percent of Charity Island is owned by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as part of its Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Also on the island is an old and beloved lighthouse, built in 1857 and used until a replacement was built in 1939. Choosing Charity Island as a destination can make your trip to Michigan special and unique, especially if you choose to stay on the islands.

While on Charity Island, you must be aware that you are in a protected environment. As such, there are some rules that need to be followed. There is no camping on the island, so you will need to make other arrangements for accommodations There are also no campfires, hunting, firearms, fireworks, pets or alcoholic beverages allowed on the island. All of these rules are for the safety of the wildlife refuge housed here, and you will need to be mindful of the law as you enjoy your time on the islands.

For accommodations on Big Charity Island, there is just one choice: Charity Island Lodge. This seasonal getaway lodging spot was built in 2003, and it is the only private lodging on the island besides the lighthouse keepers home. The lodge offers accommodations for six with a loft area and master bedroom for sleeping. A kitchen is provided stocked with utensils and other necessities, but you will need to bring many items with you; including food, water, linens and toiletries. Getting to Charity Island Lodge requires a boat; either your own or via ferry service that is available from June to September. Nightly rentals of the Charity Island Lodge are available.

Even if you dont wish to stay on the island, you can still experience Charity Island on a day trip. Ferries to the island including a dinner cruise leave from Au Gres, Michigan all summer. The “Northstar” runs this trip, which includes a tour of the historic lighthouse and a buffet dinner at the Lighthouse keeper’s Home. The trip to Big Charity Island takes about 75 minutes, and is full of breathtaking views and a spectacular sunset on the ride back.

Whether you choose to stay on Charity Island, or in nearby Au Gres or East Tawas, you can be sure that you will have a memorable and exciting family trip. While enjoying the historic lighthouse and beautiful wildlife refuge, be sure to keep in mind the laws of the land, and your entire party will have a great time.

The charisma and aura of the European country Scotland is unknown to none. It is the land, which was a surface to numerous significant historical battles, is the mother of cherished sport golf and is globally appreciated for its Balmoral Castle (a vacation spot for Queen Elizabeth and her family) and Scotch whisky. Scotland is blessed with a rich history, culture and scenic splendor. It is one amongst the most admired places on the globe today. Geographically, Scotland is bifurcated into three regions- Southern Uplands, Central Lowlands and Highlands. These regions adjoin different places and comprise of different landforms for instance by way of river valleys the Southern Uplands act as a link between the countrys central plain and England border.

The Scotland Activities

Since time memorial golf is an immensely crucial activity in Scotland. Infact the golf sport originated from this very European country. The Highlands region of Scotland nestles some of the prominent golf courses in the world. There are around 540 golf courses in Scotland. These are variously scattered in Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Historic Heartland and Central areas of Scotland.

Cycling and bike riding is another cherished pastime in Scotland. The enthusiasm for cycling is such that many tourists hire bikes to explore this divinely beautiful place. The Glencoe, Galloway region and the Isle of Skye are perfect spectacular riding places.

The exclusive Scotland attractions are the Heavy and Light Athletics. Heavy Athletics includes games that demand muscle. These games are stone, weight and hammer throwing, sheaf tossing and so forth. Dancing, sprinting, running and jumping are the light athletics sports that basically require an impregnable stamina.

City Look
The capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh is a perfect blend of contemporary and archaic Scotland. The traditional Scotland is reflected from the ancient Edinburgh castles and buildings. While the marvelously constructed hotels, restaurants and thrilling nightlife are the emblems of present-day Scotland. Edinburgh is swarming with people every year for more than one reason. The foremost attractions are the museums of this place. The Royal Museum that houses the first cloned sheep named Dolly, the National Gallery of Scotland along with quite a few national museums are paradigmatic cases in point. Next there are the famous Edinburgh castle, the Royal Mile Street that conjoins this castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the garden of medicinal plants i.e. the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Princes Street, worldwide famous for shopping.

If you want to experience the mind-boggling Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet, the city of Glasgow is a place ideal for that. Apart from being a home for some of the most noteworthy Scot museums such as St. Mungo Museum Religious Life, the largely acclaimed Museum of Transport and the Scotland Street School Museum; Glasgow is endowed with ample of other lures to woo its visitors. For instance there are primitive constructions like The Pollock House, the Country Black, the Glasgow Cathedral and the Bothwel Castle. These places hold immense significance not just as tokens of an abundant history but also in incurring tourist wealth. Not to forget are Glasgows eminent pedestrian shopping streets- Sauchiehall Street, Buchanan Street etc.

Some nitty-gritties

The best feature of Scotland is an easy access to it. Americans can throng this place without any passport. April to September are the ideal months to visit Scotland. So make sure that you get your reservations done beforehand. Scotland does not accept Euro currency. The visitors must get it exchanged prior to their visit.

Whistler is known as a four-season resort, with activities for all the family available all year-round. If you are planning a trip, when should you come?

First we must divide this question into two parts. If you are coming for the legendary skiing on Whistlers 8000+ acres, you have to choose sometime between November and April. Although there is skiing available later than April it is not for serious skiers, due to the combination of marginal snow conditions and limited mechanized uplift. Within this time, you should definitely avoid November, as although occasionally there is good snow, more often than not it is too thin on the ground. So your choice is between the months from December to April. What are the main characteristics of each month?

December is a game of two halves. The early part will find the slopes deserted, great deals on accommodation and restaurants and a lottery with respect to snow. If you have come in a great early snow year, this will be a fabulous time to visit. If not, bring your rock skis and plan to spend some time in Whistlers great spas. Later in December, and especially over Christmas and New Year, you will pay the steepest prices of the season, have trouble getting a table in any of the good restaurants and stand in some brutal line-ups on the Harmony Chair. However you will experience the rush which goes with peak season in a top resort: the buzzing nightlife, the parades, the fireworks and the thrill of First Night in the Village.

January often has the best snowfalls of the year (Jan 2006 was the snowiest month in Whistler for 25 years). It also offers discounted accommodation (you can safely wait to the last minute to get a great deal on a beautiful chalet or condo), and no lift lines, except on weekend powder days, when the locals will crowd the lifts lines at 8.00 to catch the fresh tracks. But it can be cold, and it gets dark early. January is the best month for hard-core skiers.

February and March are more crowded, but more mellow. Avoid Presidents Week in February and Spring Break in March and you could have the best of all worlds: plenty of time for snowfall accumulation to have built up, plenty of buzz in town but easy access to the best tables.

April is mainly for the British market, who come over in droves during their Easter holidays. The peculiarity of the April snow is that there is more of it at the top of the mountain, but less at the bottom, so dont bother to pay the premium for a ski-in, ski-out condo as it may not be possible. Last minute Whistler accommodation discounts are widely available in April.

In the non-skiing season you can pretty much write off the autumn: too cold to swim in the lakes and too much rain. May and June can be fabulous weather-wise; perfect conditions for white-water rafting in the snow run-off and great golfing weather. But you will probably have to leave it to July and August if you are looking for warm water in Whistlers beautiful lakes.

Most people think of the beaches on the coast as the most popular getaway locations. In truth, getting away to beauty of Michigan is one of the more popular trips around.

Getting Away From It All In Michigan

Michigan, a state in the heart of the United States’ Midwest, is a beautiful location. Full of lakes, rivers, mountains and other interesting geography, Michigan is a great place for those who love the great outdoors. Michigan gets all four seasons, and with its varying climate, there’s sure to be a perfect time of year for your trip.

One area of Michigan that is definitely worth investigating is Harbor Country. This area of the state, located alongside Lake Michigan on Route 94, is comprised of many different towns and vacation spots that are well-suited to water lovers. Just 75 miles from Chicago, Illinois, Harbor Country is the closest area for Michigan beaches and an easy trip for Chicagoans planning a Michigan vacation getaway. Whether you prefer sitting on the beach and relaxing or water sports and boating, Lake Michigan is a great place to do it all. Harbor Country also offers winery tours, antiquing, galleries, fine shops and more, all in an area that’s welcoming to tourists.

When you are looking for accommodations in Harbor Country, one place that is sure to please romantics and couples is the Garden Grove Bed and Breakfast in Union Pier, Michigan. This resort/bed and breakfast offers rooms that are close to the sugar-sand beaches of Harbor Country (less than a mile away) as well as being close to outlet shopping and even a casino. With four guest rooms and a newly redone carriage house available for your stay, as well as delicious daily breakfasts, you’ll be sure to enjoy the friendly, family atmosphere.

If you are looking for more of a family-friendly spot for your trip, the Grand Beach Motel and Cabins in New Buffalo is perfect for you. This resort offers 14 motel-style rooms with a clean and inviting atmosphere, as well as log cabins. An outdoor heated pool and close proximity to the beach (less than three miles) make this an affordable and friendly spot to stay. Daily and weekly rates are available.

Michigan is the ideal state for your next vacation. Whether you enjoy beaches, hiking, shopping, art galleries, Michigan is home to all these and more. Choose summer for your lake getaway or winter for a trip to the mountains for skiing and fun. No matter when you choose to come to Michigan, you will be happy you did.

The beautiful island of Majorca (Mallorca to some) is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world, with over 15 million visitors per year. While most tourists come for the sun, sand and surf of which Majorca has plenty the small island off the coast of Spain has far more to offer tourists than the stunning beaches. Majorca is famed for both its nightlife and its historic architecture and beauty.

Tourism has been good to Majorca, raising its standard of living well above the rest of the area. In return, Majorca is heaven for tourists. Youll find Majorca hotels that range from economy to super-luxury class in nearly every city on the island. Whether youre looking for the full experience of a luxury spa resort, or a simple room as your home base on one of the most beautiful islands in the world, there are Majorca hotels that will suit your budget and your style.

No matter where youre staying on Majorca, there are beaches Majorca boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world but youll also find lesser known tourist attractions in the various cities and towns. Whether you like the bustling party-all-night-long atmosphere of Palma Nova and Magaluf or the serene beauty of tiny Cala San Vicente, youll find the resort atmosphere that will make your vacation stay in Majorca perfect.

Depending on where on the island you choose to stay, youll have your choice of Majorca hotel accommodations from single rooms to apartamentas, all in one economy suites that can be rented by the week or the month to luxury accommodations in modern resorts that include spas and entertainment all under one roof. Palma Nova, Magaluf, Santa Ponsa and Paguera are all located in the Calvia district on the southwest coast. The heavily populated tourist resort area is bustling and busy, with neon lit nightclubs and bright delights by day and night. The beaches tend toward the soft, warm sands that most tourists enjoy for their semi-tropical vacation hours, and the night-life keeps everyone dancing till dawn.

On the east coast of the island, Sa Coma and Porto Cristo offer a contrast to the sparkling, densely packed beaches of the southwest coast of Majorca. Unlike that coast, the eastern coast of Majorca has had the benefit of being planned and built deliberately as a resort area and while some may think that lends it a more plastic air, nothing could be further from the truth. The Majorca hotels and resorts in the tourist areas have gone to great pains to preserve the historic feel of the east coast, and the stretches of beach and islands between Porto Cristo and Palma are a combination of golden sand and the more rugged, rocky beaches of the north.

In keeping with the promise of anything under the sun, the northwestern coast of Majorca offers a completely different atmosphere than the rest. Puerta Pollensa is one of the older tourist areas of the island, and the Majorca hotels along the rocky coast still have the old-fashioned air of the British resort hotels of the early 1920s, a century removed from the concrete and modern bustle of the other tourist areas of Majorca.

Majorca is one of the busiest resort countries in the world. Theres a saying in Majorca that if you cant find it here, it doesnt exist. From rocky mountain hiking trails to sun and surf and water sports, Majorca offers it all. Come to Majorca and see for yourself.

When you travel, you don’t always have the luxury of taking your car with you.  Even if you take a car, it can fail along the way, forcing you to take out a payday loan to get it fixed so you can keep on traveling.  If you plan on renting a car when you travel, then take these tips into mind to save money.

Rent Away from an Airport

If you rent at an airport rental spot, you may end up being charged an “airport” fee. This fee is just a convenience fee that adds nothing to the quality of the rental. By going a little further out, you can get a rental that does not include this fee.

Rent the Smallest Car

If you reserve a car, reserve the smallest car you can get. The reason for this is two-fold. First, if you get to the rental place and their out of your size car, they have to upgrade you for free. Secondly, if you stick with the smaller cars you end up spending less in gas since they typically have better gas mileage.

Look for Coupon Codes

Some rental places will have deals online that will allow you to add a coupon code that will give you a discount on their rates. Do a quick search before reserving a car to see if one is available.

Pay with a Credit Card

Your credit card offers some insurance benefits that allow you to decline extra coverage. Extra insurance coverage costs a lot at a rental company, but is usually free with major credit card companies. Make the rental with a credit card and decline coverage.

Return the Car Where You Rented It

Try to avoid trips that have you drop off the car somewhere else as it can cost more to rent it. If you absolutely have to do more than one city, it can be cheaper to rent a car in each city, rather than renting one in one city and dropping it off in another.

More businesses are traveling, but they are still watching the bottom line.  Many want to know in advance how the trip will benefit the company or create more income before they approve a trip. Whether it is you or your employee doing the traveling, it pays to adopt strategies that can cut a few dollars here and there off your business travel, saving hundreds, if not thousands, over the course of a year.

Use a Travel Expert

If you do not have an employee who can get you the best rates or schedule travel insurance, then you need to partner with an agency which can do this for you.  Travel costs are variable and finding the best way to get somewhere at the best price with decent accommodations does take an expert. Find someone knowledgeable who can help you get moving for a good price without sacrificing quality.

Do Business Lunches

Business dinners are far more expensive then business lunches. If you are traveling to meet a client and you are hosting them, try to get together for a business lunch instead. You can still meet at some very nice restaurants but at a fraction of the cost. If you have a hotel room with a breakfast included, you won’t have to spend too much on meals if you make lunch the main meal of the day, instead of dinner.

Choose Travel Dates and Times Wisely

If you can travel in the middle of the week instead of the weekend, you can get better deals. Often this is perfectly doable for short trips. Taking a red eye pane that might be hard to fill for the airline can also offer some price advantages. If you are flexible with dates and times, make sure the person scheduling your travel knows this so they can get you a better deal.

The city of Tampa is situated on the western coast of the state of Florida in the USA. With a thriving commercial seaport and many waterfront areas, Tampa is also close to a number of notable beaches, such as Clearwater and St. Pete. Located across from St. Petersburg and within easy reach of Orlando, the city has much to offer visitors, including many historic sites, family attractions and major sporting venues. Tampa currently has a population in excess of 300,000 and covers more than 110 square miles / 285 square kilometers.

Tampa also features a wealth of shopping centers, together with restaurants, bars and a healthy nightlife. Much of city life is centered around the downtown area, which contains the Port of Tampa and the Waterfront district. With two universities, many entertainment venues and the outstanding Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, the city has earned itself a reputation for being Florida’s cultural center.

Tampa Tourism:
Tourist attractions in Tampa are extremely impressive, with many superb beaches nearby making Tampa the perfect holiday destination. Facilities include imposing landmarks and monuments, museums and art galleries, many must-see sights and family attractions, recreational activities, and a number of large parklands and gardens. Top attractions include Busch Gardens, which is one of the best theme parks in the whole of Florida, with thrilling rides combined with a vast zoo.

Also worth a visit in Tampa are the Florida Aquarium, Dinosaur World, the Weeki Wachee Springs, the extremely historic Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Raymond James Stadium, which regularly hosts major professional football games and is the home ground of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Throughout the year the city regularly features many exciting festivals, including the extremely popular Gasparilla Pirate Festival, which is held each year during January and always attracts large crowds.

Tampa Transport:
Around Tampa, public transport is well ordered and the city is easy to reach by road, with nearby highways and interstates. Greyhound buses operate within Tampa and travel to a number of Florida cities, including Orlando and Miami. Other popular modes of transport include Amtrak trains, inner-city streetcars and taxis, which should generally be booked in advance.

Tampa International Airport (TPA) stands around 7 miles / 11 km from the city center and is an important transport hub, regarded as one of America’s most efficient airports. With many passengers arriving each day, Tampa Airport offers a range of convenient ground transport, such as shuttle buses, taxis and car rental options.

Tampa Hotels:
Being a popular and sunny coastal city, with many exceptional attractions, it comes as no surprise that Tampa offers an array of hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and affordable accommodation. Some of the most popular hotels in the city can be found in the heart of the downtown district, close to facilities such as shops and restaurants. Also, a number of waterfront hotels in Tampa offer exceptional coastal views and are extremely desirable, although the hotel rates often carry a premium, particularly during the high season, which is from January to April. Weekend and summer rates are usually reduced and this is a good time to find discounts.

Tampa Restaurants:
Tampa has an abundance of restaurants, which are readily available and suit every palate. Restaurants, cafes and bars have developed greatly in recent years, due to the rapidly expanding tourism trade and busy seaport. Concentrated around the central areas of Tampa, in the Hyde Park neighborhood – particularly along South Howard Avenue, the waterfront and throughout the lively Ybor district, most types of cuisine can be found in Tampa, including fast food at large food courts in shopping malls, traditional Hispanic eateries and exclusive seafood restaurants along the coastline.

Tampa Shopping:
The city offers a diverse shopping destination, with a large and varied selection of shops and stores. Facilities in Tampa include many designer outlets, well-known department stores, top boutiques and shopping malls. Popular shopping areas include the city’s historic and cultural areas, the Centro Ybor Mall – which is located in the Ybor Historic District, and Old Hyde Park Village in Tampa’s Old Hyde Park district, where you will find a mixture of modern stores, specialty shops and art galleries, in a particularly scenic setting.

Tampa Weather:
Tampa features warm and sunny weather, with pleasant breezes from the ocean. Temperatures during June through August are at their hottest and can attain highs of around 33C / 91F. Winter and spring are warm seasons and many people choose to visit the Tampa area at this time of the year. December and January are the coldest months with daytime temperatures remaining extremely mild and warm, generally around 22C / 72F, although lows of 15C / 59F may be experienced.