Don't Let High Gas Prices Spoil Your Vacation

There's been crazy talk about gas prices reaching $4 per gallon. What does this mean for your vacation? Well, if your car has a 15 gallon tank, that means about an extra $15 per tank added to your vacation budget. Don't let high gas prices spoil your vacation. As an avid traveler and road tripper, I'm sharing my tips for watching expenses when gas prices rise. My philosophy: nothing's going prevent me from taking my vacation, not even the price of gas.

Shoes Made for Walking

Spend your vacation in a great walking destination with an easy public transportation system. Portland, Ore., Washington, D.C., and Key West, Fla., are examples of easy walking cities with user-friendly transportation systems. I just returned from Portland and for less than $5 a day, the TriMet (Portland's bus, streetcar and light rail system) took me anywhere I wanted, when I didn't want to walk. I didn't have to drive within the city, resulting in buying less gas for the rental car.

Eat for Free

Stay at accommodations offering complimentary breakfast. Fairfield Inn and Hampton Inn are two of my favorite hotel brands. I always grab an extra piece of fruit or granola bar from the free breakfast bar to snack on during the day. This reduces my need to buy snacks later in the day. Bed and breakfast inns and guesthouses are great for this, too. I also like Fairfield Inn and Hampton Inn because Internet access is free.

Think Locally

Everyone lives by something cool to do and explore. With high gas prices, check with your local convention and visitors bureau or chamber of commerce to learn more what's in your backyard then get out and explore! Or, check out surrounding communities within a hundred mile radius (or about a half a gas tank's drive). Thinking locally for your vacation is an effective way to battle high gas prices.

Utilize Resources

Being one who enjoys road trips, I invest in an annual membership with the American Automobile Association (AAA). Not only do I receive hotel discounts, but also receive discounted admissions into select attractions. A dollar here and a dollar there add up quickly on vacation. I like to save every dime with gas prices lurking upwards. Plus, if I have car trouble during my vacation, I know AAA will be there for me (even with two gallons of FREE gas with the "plus" membership).

Visit your vacation destination's Web site prior to your trip to see if any special coupons or deals are being offered for attractions, restaurants or accommodations. Look for value-added packages, those deals offering hotel accommodations and attraction admissions. One of the grooviest packages I've ever booked was in Washington, D.C. and included accommodations, admission to the International Spy Museum, CD of spy movie-themed music and a James Bond-type martini. Not only did I save a little but I have a cool CD to spy by and remember my vacation.

Upon arriving into your vacation destination of choice, check with the front desk, concierge or the hotel lobby's brochure rack for coupons. Sometimes, attractions will print coupons on their brochures, or more coupons can be found on maps and in guides. Also, be sure to ask about free activities and attractions, such as recreational parks, museums and concerts.

Visit your vacation destination's visitor's center and ask the staff working the desk about any special deals or coupons. I just returned from a trip to Sonoma, California and the visitor's center has a "I *heart* Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau" sticker which offers discounts to wine tastings to those wearing it.

Maybe it's time to reconnect with Aunt Donna or Cousin Travis. Staying with relatives is a great way to get an insider's view of a vacation destination and save on lodging expenses. Tips to remember when spending your vacation with relatives: don't over stay your welcome, bring a gift to thank your hosts (or maybe take them out to dinner) and send a thank you note upon returning home.

I'm lucky to be a road warrior. My company allows me to save my hotel and airline reward points. I squirrel them away and use them for personal vacations. I just returned from a seven-night trip to the Pacific Northwest and seven nights lodging cost me less than $200. This was my primary way to combat high gas prices.

Make Sacrifices

I confess. I made some sacrifices in order to spend less than $200 for seven nights lodging during the aforementioned vacation. Four nights were redeemed with hotel points. To save a few bucks, two nights were spent in hotels with the bathrooms down the hall and the other was spent camping in a state park. It was a little weird walking down the hall to use the toilet and shower (and bitterly cold using the campground's shower), but I ended up with great experiences, stories and saved money.

Don't let high gas prices spoil your vacation. With planning, creativity and watching your wallet, you can win the war against rising gas prices and keep your vacation.

Traveling by air soon? Check out this article: Summer Flight Delayed? Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit to the Airport