Trip planning

Subject: Trip planning Tue 10 Jun 2008, 9:40 am

I am plannig a trip for the Smokey Mountains in Tenn.this August.This will a anniversary getaway for the hubby and I.So looking forward for this getaway!
I am wanting to have fun and splurge..but also to be frugal in alot of ways so we can splurge!Make sense?LOL

First thing I have done to help stay frugal,,is to check online for the best deals.Coupons for attractions,hotels etc.

Second thing would be a folder I have with printed maps to locations and the coupons etc.to keep them together and have directions to and from,,so not to get lost and waste gas.

Third thing is we have planned this trip on weekdays.Hotels and some attractions charge more for weekends.Our anniversary falls on a Sunday this year which makes it perfect to start the week out!

Fourth,,we plan on leaving early early morning to help with traffic and I plan on packing a "brunch" with special little foods he likes as a nice picnic packed in a cooler.

Fifth would be the youngest son will be taking care of the dog,,at no cost,,so no kennel fee!

Sixth...if possible,,without my husband knowing,,Im going to try to get gas giftcard,,20.00 added here..20.00 there..this way he wont miss the money if I spend justa bit at a time and can sneak in gas card!That will be a nice surprise!

Share any of your tips and hints for vacations and traveling,,no matter how small or big of a saving,,every penny counts !Thanks Very Happy

Subject: Re: Trip planning Tue 10 Jun 2008, 11:00 am

Our original plan was to go to Ireland, but the trip got cancelled. So, we're going to try next year and see if we can combine our parish with the other parish to get better deals.

So, dh and I had to think fast. We're going to Geneva on the Lake for a couple of days. They had a package deal that includes meals, local movie tickets, gift cards to their store, two free massages and other amenitites.

Then, we're heading down to Lancaster, PA into Amish country. We found a really nice B & B. They were offering a deal where we book for 3 days, we get the third day half price. The B & B is on a 300 acre farm and naturally, breakfast is included in the cost.

Both locations are fairly close to us, so we can save on gas money. We'll splurge a little on our dinners. I'm hoping to do some Christmas shopping for the nieces when we're in Lancaster.

Subject: Re: Trip planning Tue 10 Jun 2008, 12:04 pm

Same here sissy,,with the Christmas shopping.I thought we could find some one of a kind gifts for my sons there.

Moderator Age : 28 Joined : 12 Oct 2006 Posts : 2184

Your plans sound great! I don't really have anything to contribute as we never vacation, really...maybe a night away once and a while, but not much! you sound like you have things figured out!

Subject: Re: Trip planning Tue 10 Jun 2008, 1:28 pm

Great plans. I am trying to work on a vacation for us for this summer.
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Vicki

Subject: Re: Trip planning Tue 10 Jun 2008, 3:09 pm

Great Plans ladies, we are planning a few weekend aways .. the Aquarium in Tn , and we do a long weekends away
Mostly because of work and this gas and the fact my DD is going to make me a Grandma again ..

our house is a fun place for kids and we have great parties so we stay home
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Gayla

"They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take my pride in making my dinner cost so little."

---Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Subject: Re: Trip planning Tue 10 Jun 2008, 9:35 pm

Sounds well thought out already Donna. I can't add much as most of those are things I'd try to do.
Are you/have you booked accomodation yet. Will it be self-catering? I much prefer this as you're not stuck with someone else's time schedule.
I always try to take a few emergency supplies from home (just in case) such as toiletries, some tea/coffee etc. These keep us going until we have a chance to grab anything we need, but these are really for self-catering breaks.
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