Traveling Safely And Economically This Year (NAPSA)—Amid the economic downturn over the past year, many would-be travelers have had to reconsider whether vacationing is even an option—andif so, how to do it economically and safely. The answeris in the planning. Amazing deals are available online for airfares, hotel rooms and cruises thanks to lower demand and travel Web sites that deal in excess capacity. With some research online, travelers can find great deals on trips that suit their vacation needs and satisfy their financial and safety concerns. Here are sometips to help in planning your nexttrip: 1. Consider staying closer to home. Experts agree that the safest places to travel are right here in the United States, and in our neighboring countries of Canada and Mexico. While Europe is considered safe, security in some foreign airports may not be as highly regulated as it is here at home. If you're at all jittery, sticking to U.S. airports and destinations can help ease fears—so you can enjoy your vacation. Additionally, domestic travel is a good bet for an economical trip. 2. Visit America’s cities. Hotels in big cities and metropolitan areas are currently offering someof the best travel deals vacationers have seen in years. Discount travel site Hotwire.com is a great resource to find and purchase deeply discounted hotel rates. 3. Consider a cruise. Cruising is one of America’s fastestgrowing leisure vacations, and an With little bit of planning, it’s possible to put together a trip that’s fun, safe and economical. influx of brand-new cruise ships meansa lot of excess capacity and bargain deals for travelers. Additionally, cruise ships are popping up in coastal cities everywhere, from Baltimore to Galveston, allowing manytravelers to drive to their ports. Check online at a site like Hotwire.com for special deals and last-minute sales. 4, Be a smart—and prepared—traveler. This holds true for any trip you take. Always make copies of your passport (if traveling out of the country), driver’s license and credit cards. Stow one copy in your suitcase and one copy in a safe place at home. This way, you are prepared should you misplace identification or money. To find great deals on airfare, hotels, cruises and rental cars within the U.S., Canada and Mex- ico, try www.hotwire.com.
