How to plan a good vacation with a tight budget

Going on a vacation on your own is always an exciting adventure. Without the help of travel agents, planning a vacation itself is a fun journey. The following are some frugal tips for you.

1. Maps - Maps are essential to a successful trip. Don't lose your way and waste time. Get the airport maps, the train station maps, the subway maps, the city maps and the attractions maps. If the train station is a distance to your accommodation, make sure you get the directions correct. Maps are always handy for a self drive vacation. You really do not need to spend money to buy maps. You can simply download maps from the respective tourism boards or travel sites for free.

2. Suggested itineraries - Reading suggested itineraries is always a must. Almost all tourism boards have their own suggested itinerary for you. Some itineraries are thematic such as the shopping itinerary, arts itinerary, golf itinerary or the great food itinerary. There are also suggested itineraries for families. Sometimes, the suggested itinerary may include places to dine and shop and together with discount coupons. You can also get suggested itineraries from travelogues, travel forums and travel blogs.

3. Events Calendar - The events calendar of the city is extremely useful. Some cities will list their events thematically such as arts, exhibitions, tours, festivals, music, markets and sports events. Besides the day, time and venue, you can get to know the essential highlights of the events and the ticketing information if applicable. It is always interesting to know the history of the festival or the cultural event as well. Look out for events or entertainment which you can enjoy for free. This events are likely to be held in parks, open spaces or at the shopping malls.

4. Transportation - Booking your coach, train or ferry journey is always a must to secure a seat. Always note the alighting and boarding points of the coach and be there 15 minutes earlier to wait for the coach. All transportation have their own baggage allowances and rules. If you intend to bring along bigger items such as surf board, bicycles or baby stroller, make sure that they are acceptable and find out if a charge is posed. Always bring along a copy of your reservation request or confirmation number to avoid any unhappy dispute. Should you wish to book your transportation at the destination, remember to note the location, operating hours and contact details of the ticketing office. Sometimes, you may get early bird fares by booking your journey in advance. Another great deal is the esaver fare, exclusive for those who book on-line. There may be companion fares, weekends getaways, coach passes, child discounts or family discounts for you.

5. Accommodation - Never leave home without securing your accommodation. Reservations policies differ for each accommodation. Some accommodations simply require an email, others need a 10% deposit while the rest requires your credit card number to secure the booking. Usually, you will receive a confirmation number for your reservation. Always make a record of the number in case you need to make any changes to your reservation in the future. Always read the fine print regarding its cancellation policy as some unique accommodations such as farmstays and bed n breakfasts may require 14 days cancellation notice. Accommodations may also impose a minimum stay policy. Do your best to select an accommodation which is well-located; that will save you time and money.

6. Trip Planner - A trip planner gives you all the essential information such as total travel time, walking distance and transfer time of the transport. Some planners also include the option of searching for the fastest itinerary or the lowest fare itinerary. Always use a trip planner to find out the arrival and departure times of the train or coach so that you won't miss your transport. This is important if you need to inform your accommodation of your check-in time. If you need to make a transfer, get the timing of the trains, coach or ferry correct.

7. Freebies - Look out for freebies. There are many freebies that can save you money. For instance, free transport in the city, free airport pickups, free entries to attractions on certain days, kids stay free, kids eat free, 2 for 1 entry, free attraction shuttle, free guided tours in museums, zoos or aquariums and more. There are also discount coupons which you can print out from the website of the attractions.Now you can Get a Free Night at Holiday Inn hotels and resorts in the Caribbean.

8. Amenities and Facilities - Always note the amenities and facilities available at your accommodation, attractions, train, coach or ferry stations. For instance, you need not bring a hair dryer if your accommodation provides one; you may wish to have a picnic at some attractions such as zoos or farms which have a picnic area; otherwise lockers at train or ferry stations will be useful if your check out time is much earlier than your train schedule. You may also wish to note the available ATMs and credit card facilities. For families, family rooms, adjoining rooms, baby cribs, roll-away beds, kitchen or laundry facilities are important for a happy trip.

9. Sightseeing passes - There are many destinations which allow you to book your sightseeing passes on-line. Sightseeing passes offer freebies, free entries or discounted entries to a number of attractions as well as shopping and dining offers. Usually, it has a visitor guide book which contains maps, essential information on the train and ferry system, sample itineraries, shopping and dining guide and details of the attractions. Some sightseeing passes give you the option to include unlimited travel on different modes of transportation in a specific number of days. You may wish to find out if the city which you are visiting also operates a free city shuttle or has a transport pass before making a decision. Plan your itinerary wisely and make the most out of your sightseeing pass. However, do not be over ambitious and get yourself exhausted during the trip. Getting popular are combo packages which allow you to enter a few attractions at a discounted rate. However, do ask yourself if you are interested in all the attractions in the package ? Make a wise choice.

A Frugal Guide to Melbourne !

1. Take the Skybus - To get to Melbourne city, the Skybus offers a shuttle service to Melbourne CBD and city hotels. These buses are available every 10-15 minutes throughout the day and every 30-60 minutes overnight serving passengers 24 hours, 7 days. If you are leaving for the airport, Skybus Hotel Shuttle will be at your service from the city 0600-2200 Monday to Friday and 0730-1830 Saturday and Sunday. You can obtain Skybus Metcards at the MetShop on the corner of Little Collins and Swanston streets and from the Skybus ticket booths at Melbourne Airport and Southern Cross Station. Pricing : Adult one way tickets cost $16 / $26 return; family tickets are available as well to save you some money. You can also purchase and print your ticket online. The advantage of using skybus is that it has a free Hotel shuttle service to transfer you between the city terminal and your city hotel or motel. The service is available to all Skybus passengers using one-way or return tickets during hotel shuttle hours of operation (refer below) and subject to availability. No booking is required and the mini-buses are available during operating hours. However, on departure, you need to ask your concierge to call Skybus on 9600 1711 to reserve your seats. Web site :

www.Skybus.com.au.

2. Grab the Australia Coach and Rail Pass - Grab a rail pass to make traveling easier and hassle-free. Usually, rail companies will have discounted packages with admission to attractions or accommodation deals. For instance, you can take advantage of the Greyhound coach’s Aussie Kilometre Passes, Aussie Explorer Passes and Express Fares. While the RailAustralia offers Austrail Flexi Pass, Backtracker Pass, Rail Explorer Pass and The Wanderer Rail Pass. Traveltrain also has a number of packages that includes accommodation and sightseeing. It offers many fun and breathtaking trips around Australia. You can make your selection from the Sunlander, the Tilt Train, the Spirit of the Outback, the Westlander, the Inlander, Kuranda Scenic Railway, the Gulflander, the Savannahlander, the Indian Pacific, the Ghan and the Overland. It has four rail passes to meet your needs : the Wanderer, the East Coast Discovery Pass, the Austrail Flexipass and the Sunshine Rail Pass. Children under 16 years of age are entitled to concession fares while infants 3 years and under may travel free if sharing a seat or sleeping berth. Web sites :

www.greyhound.com.au, www.railaustralia.com.au and www.traveltrain.com.au

3. Take the Free City Circle Tram – Visitors to Melbourne can also make full use of the free city circle trams for sightseeing that bypass many tourist attractions. The Trams travel both in a clockwise and anticlockwise direction. You can board the tram in every twelve minutes from 10:00am and 6:00pm Sunday to Wednesday and extended hours, 10:00am - 9:00pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Web site : www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au

4. Enjoy the Melbourne Tourist Shuttle - The Melbourne Tourist Shuttle is a delight to all frugal travelers. Running between 9.30am and 4.30pm daily, you can enjoy approximately one hour of informative on-board commentary as you travel around Melbourne. Web site : www.thatsmelbourne.com.au The 11 stops are: 1. Arts Centre precinct on St Kilda Road 2. Federation Square at front of St. Paul’s cathedral 3. Exhibition Street north of Little Collins Street 4. Melbourne Museum and Carlton Gardens 5. Lygon Street south of Faraday Street 6. University of Melbourne on Grattan Street 7. Queen Victoria Market on Peel Street 8. William Street north of Bourke Street 9. Southbank south of Queen's Bridge 10. Sports and Entertainment Precinct on Olympic Blvd 11. The Shrine and Royal Botanic Gardens

5. Book Free Guided Tours at the Zoos - Take advantage of the free guided tours at the Melbourne Zoo and the Werribee Open Range Zoo. The Zoo’s volunteer guides offer free one-hour tours. You will be able to learn much from the guides who have undergone an extensive training course with Zoo staff and other experts. Bookings are essential. To book a guided tour for a group (minimum of seven days’ notice required): Tel: (03) 9731 9600, Fax: (03) 9731 9606. Web site : www.zoo.org.au

6. Enjoy Free Story-telling Sessions at the Library - If you are bringing your kids, you can enjoy free storytelling sessions at the Melbourne Libraries. Let your kids of two to five year olds indulge in approximately 40 to 50 minutes of storytelling, reciting rhymes, singing songs and fun activities. Storytime sessions are conducted weekly throughout the year, (except January). Web site : www.citylibrary.org.au

7. Reserve a Free Guided Tour at the Royal Park – Visitors who love nature and fiona, can consider joining a free guided tour at the Royal Park, which is Melbourne’s largest park. Located within the park is the Australian Native Garden, the Walmsley House, the Urban Camp, the native grassland trials and two remnant vegetation sites. Its free guided tour lasts approximately one and a half hours, every Wednesday at 1.30pm. You can meet at the small carpark adjacent to the Australian Native Garden. For bookings, call the City of Melbourne Hotline on 9658 9658 or by email: enquiries@melbourne.vic.gov.au

.........................there are many more frugal tips in our travel guide. .

Planning An Extraordinary Vacation to Melbourne !

Melbourne is a city for all ages to enjoy. A well-planned trip to Melbourne ought to include scenic pleasures, wildlife encounters, discovering history, enjoying a spectacular event or visit a truly Melbournian farm. The advantage of planning your own trip to Melbourne gives you much freedom to make a wise selection of activities and events that will make your trip a fulfilling and memorable one. The following are some secrets for a truly extraordinary trip to Melbourne.

Join a Foodies Tour at the Queen’s Victoria Market

Web site : http://www.qvm.com.au/

The Foodies' Tour is a gourmet tour proudly organized by the Queen’s Victoria Market. The market is organized into three main produce sections of the Market: the Meat and Fish Hall, the Fruit and Vegetable aisles, and the Dairy Hall. Walk along with a fully qualified Market Guide who will give you hints in selecting produce while sampling the goods. This two fun-filled hours of tour depart on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 10.00 am. Cost: $30 includes generous samplings, a coffee and an environmentally friendly shopping bag. Meeting Point: 69 Victoria Street (nearest Corner Elizabeth Street). Bookings are essential.

Sleepover at the Zoos

Web site : http://www.zoo.org.au/

Stay away from the hotel and sleep at the zoo instead. This award-winning Melbourne Zoo will provide you with tents and mattresses, dinner, supper, and breakfast and admission to the Zoo the following day. Don’t forget to bring a sleeping bag and a pillow ! Suitable for children 5 years and older. Bookings are essential. Pricing : Adults $180, Children (5–12 years) $130.

Have a Guided Chinatown Heritage Tour

Web site : http://www.chinesemuseum.com.au/
If you are interested to learn more about Melbourne's historic Chinatown, let the guided tours arranged by the Chinese Museum bring you for a Heritage Walk which commences with a guided tour of the Chinese Museum. The museum tour is followed by a walking tour of the area and some of the local retailers and you can learn more about the history of the precinct. A banquet lunch can be included in the tour. Pricing : Tour with lunch (duration 3 hours) Full price $34 Concession $31.

..................... there are many more activities in our travel guide.

Melbourne Important Maps

Maps
Maps are essential for a successful trip. Don't lose your way and waste time. Get the airport maps, the train station maps, the subway maps, the city maps and the attractions maps. Here are a few maps which you may wish to download
Melbourne City Map
Melbourne's tram network map
Tram network map (city centre)
Free tram service, City Circle
Yarra River Shuttle Service
Yarra River Visitor Guide
Docklands Visitor Map

Melbourne Events Calendar

Events Calendar
There are many interesting events in Melbourne throughout the year. You will be delighted to know that many of its events and entertainment are FREE and they are widely held across Melbourne’s famous parks, gardens, public spaces and waterfront.Some of the major events in Melbourne include:
AFL Grand Final;
Moomba Waterfest;
Melbourne Cup Carnival
Melbourne Queer Fim Festival
Melbourne Fringe Festival;
Australian Open Tennis; and
Australian Grand Prix

More events are listed in our travel guide.

Let's Visit Melbourne - Secrets to Discovering Melbourne on Your Own

Let’s Visit Melbourne

Melbourne, Australia is Victoria’s capital city and the business, administrative, cultural and recreational hub of the state.

It is my delight to share with you my insights of traveling in Melbourne. I have included in this travel guide a number of extraordinary activities for you. It is my desire that as you plan your trip to explore Melbourne on your own, this guide will be great in helping you to select wisely the activities which your time and budget allow. Take your time to include a farm visit, stay overnight at the zoo, join a ranger tour at Philip Island and drive along the Great Ocean Road. If you are traveling with your kids, Melbourne has lots of activities that will excite them !

Sections of my travel guide, as an ebook, include travelling essentials, how to plan an extraordinary vacation to Melbourne and how to plan a Melbourne vacation for kids. As a travel mum, I am happy to share some tips that will help you to plan a memorable vacation for your children.

Last but not least, rest assured that you do not need an overwhelming budget to enjoy this lovely city. There are a number of free activities and events that your family can do without compromising on the quality of your vacation. The final section of the book is a load frugal tips that will help you to save some money while in Melbourne.

I hope that you find this travel guide useful and beneficial in helping you to plan a wonderful trip to Melbourne, Australia.

Grab the travel guide now !

Renting a Vehicle for a Self-drive Holiday

A self-drive holiday is a great adventure for adults and children alike. However, before you make a commitment to rent a vehicle, make sure you understand the terms and conditions of the rental so as to avoid any unhappy disputes with the company. Make an effort to understand your responsibilities and liabilities before you make a commitment.Some thoughts for you :

1. What are types of vehicles available and their differences ?
2. How are the rental charges calculated ? Does the rate include unlimited kilometers ?
3. Does the rental company have branches and where are they located ?
4. What if repairs are required ?
5. What if I commit a traffic offence ?
6. Can I change my vehicle or downgrade my vehicle ?
7. Are animals permitted in the vehicles ?
8. How much is the cancellation fees, booking amendments and travel insurance ?
9. Is there a minimum rental duration ?
10. What kind of driver's licence is required and what is the minimum age required to drive the vehicle ?
11. Where can I collect and return the vehicle ? Not all rental companies allow you to return the vehicle at the airport.
12. How can I make a rental extension ?
13. Can I make a one way rental ?
14. Are maps and campground guides provided ?
15. Does the rental company provide driving tips and a vehicle consultation ?
16. Can I pre-book a baby seat or a booster seat and what is the rental fee ?
17. Does the rental company provide camping kits such as tent, built-in ground sheet, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, pillows, ice box, crockery, pots and pans ?
18. Can I make multiple rentals ?
19. What are some of the travel restrictions ? For instance, campervans can only be driven on sealed/bitumen or well-maintained roads.
20. What if there is a change of drop off destination ?

Planning a vacation for your kids

Planning a vacation for kids is always an awesome task. As the needs and demands of children are different from adults, bringing them for a vacation needs much more careful planning. If you are bringing your kids for a vacation, here are some planning tips and ideas :

Flight Planning

1. If you are travelling with a small child below the age of two, some airlines do not recommended infants flying within the first seven days after birth unless approved by a medical officer.

2. Airlines do specify what are the approved car seats onboard for your child. The seat must be safely secured onto the aircraft passenger seat by the aircraft safety belt and must conform to all applicable safety standards certified for use in aircraft.

3. A limited number of bassinets are available onboard on a first-come, first-served basis. Different airlines have different bassinets sizes supporting different maximum weight.

4. Children's meals are often provided. Requests for these meals should be made at the time of booking. Airlines may also provide other items such as disposable bibs, diapers, feeding bottles and baby wipes. Sometimes, baby food will be provided for an infant under two years.

Activities Planning

1. When you are planning a vacation, ask yourself what is the objective of this vacation ? Is the vacation meant for relaxation, for learning, for unique experiences or for fun ?

2. With the objective in mind, plan activities according to the interest of your kids.

3. Do not pack the day with many activities, which will exhaust the kids.

4. Expose your kids to new adventures, to learn new stuff or to acquire a new skill during the vacation.

5. As children tend to have shorter attention span, do not plan activities which are exceptionally long.

6. Ensure that the places which you are visiting are kids-friendly, as some attractions and activities may have age or height limitations.

7. Always find out what are the policies concerning children such as extra charges, half price or applicable child discounts.

8. If you are visiting attractions such as museums, consider if your child is able to understand the materials presented.

9. Always be flexible during your journey as children are likely to have different demands at different places.

10. Always visit the homepage of the attraction or activity-provider to find out if there are any family passes or discounts.

Accommodation Planning

1. Look for accommodation which is child-friendly. Usually, these accommodations will be able to provide baby cribs, roll away beds, adjoining rooms or baby sitting services.

2. If you are travelling on a budget, do consider family-friendly hostels. They provide great service as well. Otherwise, find hotels where kids stay free or hotels with free nights.

3. Do consider spending a night at the zoo. There are many zoos which offer zoo snooze programs. Their interesting activities may include night and morning tours of the zoo, live animal demonstrations, animal related activities and/or craft. Usually, snacks and breakfast will be provided.

3. Hotels with kid's club are excellent as they could keep your kids occupied with fun activities while you can have a break. Free KidSpree Activities and Kids Eat Free at Holiday Inn SunSpree Resorts. Reserve your summer vacation now.

Others

1. Encourage your children to write a journal for the trip or make a scrapbook to record their wonderful memories.

2. Don't forget to find out where are some of the child-friendly restaurants and have a happy meal with your kids.

Have a happy and blessed vacation.