Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Broadway Box for Affordable Show Tickets

Do you ever plan a trip to a place that is known for its high production shows, only to be disappointed when you go to book one and find the prices to be astronomical? I mean, how has 80£+ to waste per ticket on a vacation? Well, some people do and others try to build that cost into their travel savings, but seriously, if they are doing 6-10 shows per week and the place is packed, do they really need to charge so much? I suppose that’s the number one thing you learn when it comes to supply and demand, but it’s frustrating for those of us that want to see quality shows that people have raved about, but can’t afford the ticket prices. I think Broadway Box was made just for us.


Broadway Box pulls together lists of all the shows available in Las Vegas, London, New York and Orlando and scours the web for all the best discounts, too. You can’t book anything directly through BB, but you can click through the links provided and use the promo codes to book your shows at much lower prices. Save a bundle or even get package deals like dinner and a show. Actually, these are the best ways to buy your tickets, because many times the dinner and a show packages give you prices that might even include your dinner for free. If not, it’s really not much more to add a fancy meal to your night out to see a fantastic musical, play or other kind of performance. Save up to 50% off regular box office rates.


Not only that, but you can even get massive discounts on tourist attractions. Save big off things like Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, tours, rental cars and receive shop discounts, too. Another bonus to using Broadway Box to find discount codes off everything you want to do is that you can pay for them up front and before you leave. It makes your vacation budget feel a little stretchier and pulls that total down a bit with each activity you pay for ahead of time. The more you already have booked, the less you’ll have to spend when you get there and, even though you still had to pay money for it, the easier it will be to fit more into your vacation, since there isn’t a huge dollar sign waiting for you on the day you leave. You know what I mean.

This:
5,000£ vacation total
-100   activity, paid for 30 Dec
-50     activity, paid for 30 Dec
-600   hotel, paid for 15 Jan
-300   park tickets, paid for 15 Feb
-120   activity, paid for 20 Feb
-200   dining certificates, paid for 30 Dec - 1 Mar
---------------------------------------
3,630£ remaining balance needed on 13 March
Looks better than this:
5,000£ vacation total needed on 13 March 


Hopefully, that total is just a fictitious one, since there are so many ways to save on your travels that, unless you’re doing a bunch of really expensive things, your total can be cut by hundreds – and, more often than not, thousands – of dollars. In your quest to save, check out Broadway box for activities and more! I’ll certainly be using it on my trip to London this fall. West End shows are like New York’s Broadway productions and I'm dying to see one or two.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Book Now Pay Later on Venere

I discovered Venere years and years ago and keep telling people to use them for hotel bookings, because they just keep adding great features that make it super user-friendly. Venere is a UK-based hotel search engine that has listings for hotels, B&Bs and apartment hotels. It gives you all the information you could need on the majority of them, including pictures, amenities, location and traveler reviews. Then even offer listings for lodgings that don't yet allow for Internet bookings, but you can still see pricing and contact info so you can call them directly. 
Venere is branching out to include hotels worldwide. While they are adding accommodations, they basically only have major tourist destinations everywhere outside of the UK and Europe, but the list keeps growing, making them good competition for the bigger search engines out there. I have found amazing deals on Venere that I couldn't find elsewhere. Aside from that, many of the hotels don't require prepayment, so you can pay once you get there or just put down a deposit to hold your reservation. This makes it really convenient to use, because you aren't forced to pay for a big chunk of your vacation months before you go.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Your Passport to Budget Dublin

If you've been planning a visit to Ireland for years and have finally been able to make the dream a reality? If that's the truth, then you probably want to do as much as you can while you're there. I am a big fan of city passes, as they enable you to do a wide range of activities and see things you may not have considered before, or even heard of, like Casino, Marino or the Dublin Writer's Museum.


Get yourself a Dublin Pass. Not only is it a great deal if you plan to do a fair amount of sightseeing on the Emerald Isle, but it also it lets you skip the queues at the ticket booths. Your Dublin pass comes with an airport-city center transfer, entrance to over 30 top attractions, the Croke Park Experience (for those of you who are sports lovers), discounts on dining, shopping, and more, as well as unlimited public transportation! Purchase online before you go to save 20% off. Your Dublin pass is valid for 12 months from purchase and “activates” upon your first use.

Christ Church Cathedral
Choose from 1, 2, 3 and 6 day passes, each of which comes with a handy little guide book that gives you more details about each of the 34 attractions included with your pass and directions on how to get there. Convenient! Even more convenient, you can pick up your passes at the airport, the Tourist Centre on Suffolk Street or have them sent to you by post. You'll save so much, you might learn a jig just to celebrate.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Great British Summertime Escapes

This sponsored post comes to us from Web Cottages. A great resource for all your UK vacation rental needs. They have competive rates and lovely properties.

There is no better time to experience the wonders of Britain than in the summer. Blue skies and warm breezes make everything look even more beautiful and leaving you with memories that will last all year long.

There is nothing holding you back on a summertime trip to Britain, you can be on the beach in the morning, the city in the afternoon and the countryside in the evening, and all with a minimum of driving. This little country has so much to offer holidaymakers – you would have to try pretty hard to be bored on a summer holiday in Britain.

Coast
Take a nostalgic break at the great British seaside this summer. Britain may not be the first location you think of when planning a beach holiday, but some of the best beaches in Europe can be found along the coast of this little island. You’ll find the best of the best in the south west of England and Wales. Woolacombe in Devon and Polzeath in Cornwall are two to consider in England, while the four beaches surrounding Tenby in Dyfed Wales are great options for families. There are lovely holiday cottages to rent along the beautiful British coastline, just visit http://www.webcottages.co.uk/ to view a great selection.

If a beach holiday isn’t your style don’t worry, there are breathtaking coastal walks all over the country that are sure to dazzle and challenge. The Wales Coast Path is the newest coastal walking path in Britain and travels 870 miles around the coast of Wales. You can choose to experience it in its entirety, or just in parts.

Countryside
Filled with lush green fields, towering mountains, and ancient monuments, the British countryside is a sight to behold. There is no end to the activities available to you throughout the countryside regions of Britain, and really do range from the sublime to the ridiculous.

The Lake District is one of the great outdoor areas of the country and its beauty has inspired poets and artists for centuries. Spend your days boating or fishing on one of the lakes, walking through the countryside, exploring ancient monuments, or simply relaxing in a cafe.

For a completely different kind of outdoor experience, why not take the family on a Go Ape! adventure? Swing from tree tops, fly through the forest on a zip line, explore the forest floor on an all-terrain segway, or whizz down country trails on a mountain bike. These adrenaline packed tours are sure to keep the whole family entertained.


City
Everyone knows what London has to offer travellers, but don’t let your visit stop there. There are great city breaks to be had throughout Britain, stretching from north to south, east to west.

Why not head to the north of the realm to have a truly unique holiday experience in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh? There is no shortage of things to see and do, from world class museums and galleries, to some of the best restaurants and nightlife in Europe. Don’t miss a trip to the Haymarket area of the city, filled with popular pubs and restaurants.

The famous university town of Cambridge is another great stop. This ancient city is a pleasure to explore on foot, and is filled with amazing architecture, stunning gardens, fascinating history. Take a guided tour through the hallowed halls of Cambridge University, or a punting tour along the River Cam.

Don’t spend your summer doing the same old, same old. Treat yourself to a summer escape to Britain, where there is something for everyone!

To find a vast selection of self catering holiday accommodation throughout the UK and Ireland visit Web Cottages today. Whether you are looking for a coastal cottage in Cornwall, or a rustic cabin in Scotland, Web Cottages will have the holiday cottage for you.

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