For many Canadians, last winter was very, very long and cold to say the least. As spring begins and summer approaches, many of us are thinking about a vacation. A getaway from every day. If you have planned a vacation as part of your budget, it is important to factor in all the costs before you travel. Especially with the lower Canadian dollar on the foreign exchange market.
Here are few tips to consider when planning your next vacation to stretch your budget.
Currency exchange
It is important to be aware of the fluctuating currency exchange rates, especially when traveling to the US and Europe. Gaining an understanding of how far your dollar stretches in the country or countries you are planning to visit is important to stay on budget. Some known costs to research when planning your stay are the costs of food, accommodations, local travel costs, cabs etc. and site-seeing. Re-working a few aspects of your trip or visiting on off-peak seasons could help you stay on track.
Consider your accommodations
When traveling, the cost of accommodations could take up a huge portion of a travel budget. Especially, when traveling with more than two people. If you are traveling with a family, consider Air BnB, time-share rentals, vacation rentals and bed-and-breakfast arrangements. These accommodations tend to be less expensive than a hotel based on cost per person. Additionally, many of these accommodations come with an extra room, so the family is not crammed and often have kitchen or kitchenettes to prepare your own meals. Furthermore, based on location, these accommodations can provide a more local experience.
Dining with the locals
Dining out and tasting the culinary fare of the country, you are visiting is a key part of your travel experience. However, meals out can quickly add up. A tip is to dine with the locals. Tourist restaurants offer a wide sampling of the fare, but sometimes at a steep price. Consider, a blend of fancy restaurants for dinner and local cafés, trattorias, and street food for breakfast and lunch. Research and plan to visit the local hotspots before you travel, or consider asking locals where they eat. You might be surprised by the foodie adventures that you may come across and the accompanying cost-savings.
Creating a travel itinerary with some research ahead of time will ensure that you enjoy your vacation, with a more local feel.