aroundtheworldinrealcheapwa-blog

[aroundtheworldinrealcheapwa-blog]

Europe? But I have no Euros!

It’s that time of the year where everyone on our social media accounts are traveling Europe and we’re all thinking: “how do they afford this?!” … What most of us don’t realize, however, is that seeing Europe is not as expensive as it used to be and if you do a lot of the little things mentioned below, you’ll be astonished at how much moola you can save! This week, I want to tell you the things I think are most important to help save you money while hopping the pond and exploring new cities and cultures.

1)      Travel out of season

This might seem like an obvious one and it is certainly one I have mentioned in the past. It is so important to study and note when peak seasons are in different destinations. For Europe, Summer is the peak season and it will leave you with jacked up rates on hotels, bus fares, train fares, and even food and drinks. This is logical as summer vacation is the time when families, single college kids and working couples alike have time to travel. Much of Europe also has a similar climate to the differing parts of the United States so logically, tourists want nice weather wherever they visit. That being said, if you can suck it up and add a couple of layers in the colder regions of Europe, you can save quite a bit of currency. To me (who is coming from the bitter cold in Wisconsin), that totally pays off!

2)      Flights

With flights, what I like to say is “splurge now and save later”. Flights may be unavoidably expensive when traveling overseas. They are longer, they require more gas, they require more service from the crew members. Blah, blah, blah. If you want to see Europe, you might just have to pay the extra money for a flight and know that it will be the most expensive line of your European travel budget. According to cheapair.com, the best average time to buy your plane ticket from your departure date is approximately 160 days. Searching within that range should guarantee you get a relatively good deal on flights. Don’t be turned off by the price of the airline ticket, though. Some things in life are priceless and an expensive airline ticket shouldn’t deter you from all of the phenomenal experiences you will have while you are abroad. In my previous blogs, I’ve mentioned flight trackers like kayak.com and skyscanner.com. Those are good options to use when booking flights to Europe as well. They will track your flight search and let you know when the prices have decreased and when they think they will increase based on previous market trends.

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1366&bih=637&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=bXogW96JBPKatgWz2Yz4Cw&q=flight&oq=flight&gs_l=img.3..0l10.46462.47540.0.47832.10.9.0.1.1.0.163.783.2j5.7.0....0...1c.1.64.img..3.7.677.0..0i67k1.0.p_odbSZi588#imgrc=1gVs11Cpy_cgjM:

3)      You bought your flight to Europe… now what?

Okay, so you paid for your flight and now you have landed at your destination. Europe has a lot to see so you’re probably not going to stay in one place for your whole trip. If you have a desire to do that, totally cool! I would encourage you to venture out and try some of the following things though.

-          Megabus

o   Megabus is a bus service that has cheap tickets. They have tickets starting at 1 GBP (Great British Pound) which equates to about $1.34USD. This is mostly based in the UK. However, they have recently started to bring travelers from London to Amsterdam, Brussels and even Paris. It is best to book a month in advance or you may not get these awesome fairs.

-          Busabout

o   This bus service is ideal for those who are backpacking across Europe. They offer a service in which you can “hop on and hop off” – they make stops at various locations and you can choose when to get on and when to get off. Busabout also offers a flex-pass, in which you can pay about $669USD or $72 a trip to see nine different places. When I first saw that price, I know I was instantly turned off. If you think about the idea that you’re essentially going to nine different destinations for that price, however, it really is a great deal.

-          Flixbus

o   This service is identical to Megabus but it takes you through all of Europe. They offer free WIFI and plug ins so you can still stay in touch with all of your lads back in the United States. They also allow up to three free bags so if you’re a heavy traveler like me, you’re covered! Their prices start incredibly low at only 5 Euros and like Busabout, they have a pass to five cities for only 99 Euros.

-          Budget Airlines

o   A couple of my favorite budget airlines ae Easyjet and Ryanair. If you don’t have the time to spend in a bus or on a train, flying on these airlines is a great alternative. Many of the fares range from $25 - $30 USD so you’ll be relieved to pay this amount after booking your flight from the United States to Europe. One thing to look out for is the added fees. Like any airlines, sometimes they have fine printed fees that can definitely add up so look out for those before booking!

-          Hitchhiking

o   If you’re adventurous, this is a very common trend in Europe. Obviously, use caution while hitch hiking and remember that not everyone has good intentions so go with your gut feeling if you plan to do this. I know it is taboo here in the United States, but in a different country this is accepted and if you feel safe doing it, go for it!

-          Wanderu

o   Wanderu is a site for bus and train travel and they have fares for as little as $10USD. When you are planning your travel, make sure to check out this site. It is an extremely helpful tool to save you money.

https://www.google.com/search?q=hitchhiking&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiukLvWxc_bAhVLPK0KHVw1B2YQ_AUICigB&biw=1366&bih=588#imgrc=3_FOCxZ4mV0f3M: 

4)      Plan in advance

If you’ve read this far, you’ve probably noticed that I mention “book 30 days in advance” or “make sure to plan this out” a couple of times. This is an often times overlooked essential of traveling abroad. I am guilty of living life on a whim and not being very good at making plans. If you want to save money, though, you have to make sure you are planning things out and booking in advance in order to get the right fares. If money isn’t an issue, live your life on a whim and have a good time! If you’re like most college students though, being frugal is engrained in your everyday life and planning your trip down to hours (okay… maybe days is more realistic) is essential to saving money.

https://www.google.com/search?q=plan+in+advance&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi4tK_pxc_bAhUGSK0KHSkCDPEQ_AUICigB&biw=1366&bih=588#imgrc=V9jT5S0Jwupq3M:

5)      Hostels

I’ve said in previous posts, “hostels are your friends”. This still applies! They are the most inexpensive way to stay and will help you meet new people who can likely show you the area.

6)      Food

Try to limit your eating out to once a day. Food over in Europe is likely very expensive in the city centers, but if you venture out you may find cheap (and delicious!) eats that will impress both your taste buds and your budget. If you are staying at hostels, shop local and take advantage of the kitchens they supply. Cooking while enjoying a glass or two of local wine with people you have met at these hostels could turn into some of your absolute favorite memories and will help you save money. Plus, you will impress your pals when you come back home and have learned how to make homemade pasta in Italy while they are still cooking their Kraft Mac and Cheese!

https://www.google.com/search?q=homemade+pasta&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwinyvWCxs_bAhULY6wKHSPbCAwQ_AUICygC&biw=1366&bih=588#imgrc=dKldvBWDok2f2M:

7)      Tourist Information Booths

You’re a tourist. Most locals will know you’re a tourist. Swallow your pride and go visit these booths when you arrive in a new city. The people working the booth will be happy to help you and they likely also provide brochures and coupons for local museums, restaurants, bikes, buses, etc. This will help put you at ease and make sure that any questions you have get answered to ensure that you have the most amazing time.

https://www.google.com/search?q=tourist+info+booths&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiSzK6Vxs_bAhVPSK0KHW_YDMQQ_AUICigB&biw=1366&bih=588#imgrc=FwspBFV2OcVTvM:

8)      Do less

Sometimes people think that when they travel abroad they have to see every art museum and every historical landmark. I’m not saying disregard these completely, but sometimes it is okay to do less and just relax. Many European cities have beaches (if you don’t like naked bodies, beware of the plethora of nude beaches) and luxury hostels will likely have pools. Enjoy yourself and spend a day unwinding at these places for free.

https://www.google.com/search?q=european+beaches&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjM4Ly7xs_bAhUDQ60KHVT-DhcQ_AUICigB&biw=1366&bih=588#imgrc=8EkgsCwbxY84bM:

Europe is a beautiful place to visit. There is so much to do. So many things to see. The people are overall amazing, and the views are just as breathtaking. Don’t let the idea of not having any money stop you from going to see what you have seen in thousands of pictures in real life. I believe that everyone should step out of their comfort zone and this may be the perfect opportunity for you to learn about yourself and other cultures at the same time. Enjoy and cheers to seeing the world!

[aroundtheworldinrealcheapwa-blog]

Spring Break 101

Many times, money is the sole factor for stopping students from participating in Spring Break. We only have four years to participate in these weeks of a lifetime, though. In this blog post, I have some of the best tips to make sure you have the time of your life while saving money and also staying safe.

1)      Book Early

I’m sure you’ve all heard the term “the early bird gets the worm” – this is true when booking vacations! There is a catch to this tip, however. Often times, it saves money to book the hotel and other excursions early. However, with flights, it is best to book seven weeks in advance. If you are planning a Spring Break trip for March in July, it is not a good idea to book your flights that far in advance. In fact, it is likely that the flights may not even be available for that time. Going off of when to book to your flights, studies show that Tuesdays at 3pm is the most assured way that you will snag a great travel deal. Do your best to use some of the tips and tricks mentioned in my past blog post, such as kayak.com and hopper.com and you will save a ton of money on flights while also booking your hotel for a small fee.

2)      Use Student Discount Websites

A couple of my favorite Spring Break planning websites are studentcity.com and gobluetours.com. They have representatives who are also students. If you request information, they will be there to help you every step of the way and can remind you of dates and deadlines to help you save money. On top of that, they offer tons of information about the destinations you are going. They have videos from past Spring Breaks, a look at the hotels they have to offer, and pricing for each and every option. If you gather a group of 16 people or more, you can actually all get discounted prices for your spring break trip. Another feature of these websites that I love is the ability for everyone to pay separately. This means not having to charge 20 different people on Venmo and taking all of the money out of your own bank account. With studentcity.com, each person can make their own account and pay there. The payment plans also make these options incredibly helpful. They only require a $50-$100 down payment and allow you to pay off the trip monthly or bi monthly leading up until the month before your trip.

On top of all of this wonderful stuff, they give you the opportunity to buy traveler’s insurance for an incredibly low price. This means that if you get sick before the trip and are unable to go or get sick while on vacation, they will cover a majority of your expenses or the cost of your whole trip. You truly have nothing to lose while booking with these platforms and that is why they are some of my favorites. Last but not least, they offer staff on site and give you a wristband to wear with a number to call if you or someone needs a student city staffer. Spring break can be a ton of fun, but it can also sometimes be dangerous, so Student City does their best to make sure their travelers are covered if anything bad were to happen. All of their staff members are trained and willing to help no matter what the scenario. They have tents located around the resorts and up and down the beach so that you can always find someone if a scenario calls for you to!

https://www.google.com/search?q=student+city&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiFhcz3zr_bAhWKJXwKHa_VBsEQ_AUIDCgD&biw=1366&bih=637#imgrc=14WzQ-4ToLYrYM:

3)      Spring Break Wardrobe

Though this may not be a consideration for most people, this is certainly a consideration for me. I know that I love to go on vacation with some fresh new outfits to rock on the beach, the booze cruise or at dinner. Make sure to plan ahead and find out when the retail deals are. Black Friday is obviously one of the number one money saving days in retail. If you are anything like me, though, and choose to spend that day with your family instead of in a crowded mall, lifehacker.com says January is the best time in the year to buy clothing.

Being that we live in Wisconsin, we can sometimes predict when retail stores are going to launch their summer clothes. It probably isn’t going to happen in November when it is starting to get cold. That is, however, when a lot of swimsuits, shorts, dresses and tank tops will go on sale. Make sure to pay attention to those sales and grab the items so that when your trip comes in March, you will have brand new and untouched clothes that you got for a fraction of the price they were when they came out in April!

4)      Excursions

Groupon is one of my favorite money saving websites when it comes to vacations. They offer you coupons on things from drinking and dining to snorkeling to beach chairs. Browse Groupon continually to see if you can save money while booking the extracurriculars you plan to partake in while you are in tropical paradise and escaping the cold weather.

Another one of my favorite sayings is “The more, the merrier” – this is especially true when booking activities to participate in on your vacation. Often times, companies will offer group discounts for those who want to go snorkeling, rent paddleboards, do a sunset dinner cruise, whale watch, etc. Take advantage of that and round up as many people as you can!

5)      Alcohol and Food

Depending on where you go, alcohol will have different tax rates. If you’re going to South Padre Island, the island will certainly jack up their prices while all the Spring Breakers are there. I mean why wouldn’t they? It’s genius! Try to pay attention to where booze is the cheapest, though. If you have room for it, stock up on your alcohol while you’re in Wisconsin and transport it down there. It’ll save you a ton of money.

Mexico, however, has way different laws on alcohol than does the United States. You could try to pack a bottle of Bacardi in your carry on, but I’m going to go ahead and guess that the TSA will have something to say about that one. If you don’t have an all-inclusive package at your resort in Mexico, seek out a local liquor store or a Walmart and buy and make your own drinks. Most resorts in Mexico allow people to have their own alcohol on site and also allow guests to bring their drinks down to the pool. Make sure to check the resort’s policy on that, however, because many of them differ and we don’t want anyone getting in trouble for violating the resort’s rules.

Like alcohol, food can get expensive at both airports and resorts. Do your research before hand to try and find local spots that offer cheap meals and drinks for spring breakers and tourists. As mentioned n my first blog post, don’t be afraid to ask the locals where good places to eat are. They live there and likely have for a while, so they are very aware of the good spots to go to and which ones to avoid. When flying, try to bring your own snacks from home instead of purchasing the $9 bag of chips that they may offer you.

6)      Nightlife

Another feature of Student City spring break that I love is the ability to buy a travel pass. This travel pass is anywhere from $50 - $100 and gets you into a variety of night clubs for every night you are there. Along with that, they offer you drink discounts, food discounts and sometimes even free drinks and food. These cards are so incredibly worth it because often times the covers can range anywhere from $15-$50 a night. If you go out for 5 nights, that adds up really quick. Purchase the party pass from Student City and you will have VIP access to these night clubs and be able to skip the line. You will also be with other Student City spring breakers, so you may have some people you met from the resorts that will also attend those nightclubs. Plus, you know that everyone is ready to have fun!

[aroundtheworldinrealcheapwa-blog]

7 Tips to Help You Save Money on Travel

It is well known that traveling can be expensive - but it doesn’t have to be! The following seven tips offer a way for you to save more than a couple bucks and still see the world.

1) Use free apps like Skyscanner

A website called skyscanner.net is a beautiful tool to use if you need to know when to travel in order to get the best bang for your buck. This website allows users to compare their flight prices across a whole month or even months. This means that you can see the cheapest days to fly and you can also see what months have the cheapest flights. If you can, avoid flying out on the weekend. Though it is convenient to fly out during Saturdays and Sundays in an attempt to save your vacation days, save the cash in your wallet instead and fly out on a different day. Skyscanner, along with Kayak and other similar websites, allow you to sign up for free price alerts via email and will track your recent searches and choose days that will work best for you. 

Along with the price alert, Skyscanner offers an ‘everywhere search’ feature. This means that you can choose where you leave from and set your arrival airport to “Everywhere” - you can see flights leaving your preferred airport to literally anywhere and compare prices. This is an awesome feature for those who don’t know or care where they want to go and only know they need to go somewhere - and fast! 

2) Fly Indirect

This might seem like an obvious one, but when searching for flights, choose the connecting flight! Obviously none of us like layovers in airports... but if it saves us money we do! Pack some fun games to play with your friends in your carry on and save a couple hundred dollars by spending the night in the airport. If you think of it as a fun sleepover, it’ll seem like one! Along with flying indirect, offer to take the seats that nobody else wants. Sometimes airlines offer discounts to those who are willing to take emergency exit seats and those alike.  

3) Beat the baggage fees

It used to be that everyone got a free suitcase with their airplane ticket. That’s not the case anymore, however. Now Delta charges $50 for a bag that is overweight. That could buy half of a plane ticket! I, myself, am a heavy packer. In order to save money while I travel though, I’ve learned ways to travel lighter.  Travel smarter and do your best to pack everything in one carry on or even a backpack that can fit by your feet. Make sure to run to Target or Walmart and get the travel size shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, etc. That’ll be sure to save you both weight and space. I have also found that rolling your clothes, rather than folding them, saves you a TON of space. Plus, it helps prevent them from getting wrinkled! Also, try to scale down on what you bring... the chances of you needing those extra three swimsuits or five pairs of pants for a four day trip are pretty unlikely. 

If you do have to go on a long trip and take a large suitcase, make sure you know the weight specifications and weight the bag before you leave. This way, you won’t have any surprise pounds on when you get to the airport and your check in can go smoothly and cheaply. 

4) Travel during low seasons

Resorts, hostels, hotels, campgrounds and AirBNBs alike all have low seasons. No matter where you travel to, there is going to be a time of the year in which they are desperate for business and will discount their rooms as well as their activities. For example, if you want to go to Mexico, go in the summer months! Usually Mexico is thought of as a winter getaway so you can visit there in the months that you are off school for little to nothing. In my previous blog, I discussed how Mount Rushmore has off seasons and offers cheaper camping during those off seasons. Though that example only saved about three dollars, going global with off season travel can save hundreds. Definitely take advantage of low season and give your wallet a break. 

5) Eat like a local

One of the most exciting things about traveling is experiencing the culture. Make sure you are testing out the local restaurants. Often times, you can get their cuisines for less than $6. That is absolutely amazing! If you avoid the “touristy” locations, you can save tons of money! Ask around where you travel to, most locals would love to point you towards bars and restaurants that they enjoy! When my mom, sister and I go to Mexico, we always make sure to avoid the food at the resort and ask take a walk down the beach to the downtown square. Not only are all of the people there so incredibly friendly, but they have always pointed us in the direction of cheap fish tacos and cheap margaritas - you can’t beat it!

6) Hostels are your friends

I mean this literally and figuratively. Not only are hostels a cheap alternative to a private hotel room, they are also a wonderful way to make friends! You will already have something in common with the people you share a room with as they are likely traveling and trying to save money as well. Often times, people may be closer than you think and you can meet people from the United States or people from countries near the hostel you are staying at. Sometimes that can lead to your own personal tour guide and you can get the real feel of the destination you’re staying at. Fair warning with hostels, however, not everyone you meet is a good person so be aware of what hostel you are booking before you book it. Make sure to check reviews on kayak.com, yelp.com or something alike and confirm that it is a safe environment with good people. Don’t let the idea of not having a private room deter you from a hostel, however. Sometimes it can leads to tons of fun and exciting memories. Remember, being out of your comfort zone is a good thing! 

7) Get a Delta card or something of the like 

We are at the age where we need to start building credit, so why not do that while also building miles?! There are four different credit cards that Delta offers so you can choose the one that is right from you. The benefits include 3 miles per dollar spent, a free checked bag every time you travel, discounts on hotel and so much more. If you’re going to purchase with your debit card anyways, why not use your credit card and get miles for your everyday purchases? 

[aroundtheworldinrealcheapwa-blog]

5 United States Destinations That Will Leave You (And Your Wallet) Amazed

We’ve all been there. We’re sick of seeing the same old scenery and we need a break from the stressors of everyday life. The only problem is, we’re in college. Sometimes we don’t think we have the time (even without those Friday classes), but mostly, we just don’t have the money. We aren’t making very much if we are making anything at all and we can’t seem to want to give up too much of our funding or our free time to travel. It isn’t impossible though. All you need is a car (and therefore a valid driver’s license), some gas money, knowledge about how to get steals on hotel rates and some friends to share the memories with. Below are five of the top destinations that you can travel to here in the United States for a low price that still offer a high value.

1)      Colorado

Colorado is known for it’s beautiful mountains and ski hills. Whether you’re looking to ski or hike, this is the place for you. Though Colorado is not La Crosse’s next-door neighbor, it’s not an unreasonable drive. The average drive time from La Crosse, WI to Denver, CO is 13 hours and 46 minutes. Plus, you get a view of those beautiful Iowa cornfields on the way – I can smell the manure filled air already! Depending on the season, you can find hotels outside of the main cities in Colorado (i.e. Denver, Keystone, Boulder, etc.) for around $54 a night. Split that between four people and you are looking at about $14 per person per night. Wow! Now, these prices reflect when peak season is over – approximately April through June, which is the perfect time because we finish finals mid May and have time for a quick vacation before our summer jobs start. We could all use some rest and relaxation after our semesters. These hotels may not be five-star hotels with valets and crab cakes, but we’re in college! Who cares? All we really need is that delicious continental breakfast (which may actually only consist of toast and some orange juice so maybe provide your own breakfast) and a place to sleep. If you’re feeling really ambitious, you can splurge a little and attend a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre while you’re in Colorado. All of your favorite music in an outside amphiteatre?! You can certainly count me in. You’d be silly not to tap into Colorado’s beauty and make the trek out to fresh air, sunshine and good times.

https://www.google.com/search?q=red+rocks+amphitheater&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiEgJj89ZzbAhVk74MKHQ8iCxcQ_AUICigB&biw=1366&bih=637#imgrc=pg5nHOmcpdmMVM:

2)      South Dakota

South Dakota often gets surpassed when people are thinking of places to travel – but this state has a ton of beauty to offer, especially in the summer time. With an average drive time of 10 hours from La Crosse to the Black Hills in South Dakota, you simply can’t overlook this state as a way to escape your every day life for a few days. In the Black Hills, there is the Black Horse Memorial, the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, trails to hike and so much more. American Buffalo Resort, a camping resort right outside of the black hills offers camping during their regular seasons (May 19th-24th and September 4th-30th) for only $30 a night. With four pals, that puts you at $7.50 per person per night. That is almost less than a wristband in downtown La Crosse (and if you are polite and tip your bartenders, it might be the same price!). Skip the crowded bar and enjoy your beer (responsibly) outside by a campfire in this beautiful park. If you’re not a camper, there are tons of other options ranging from $60 a night to $120 a night. Go give Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson some love out in South Dakota - adventure awaits!

https://www.google.com/search?q=mount+rushmore&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjww-yV9pzbAhUJ9IMKHdNYDqwQ_AUICygC&biw=1366&bih=588#imgrc=gN5CzNNdxSLVbM:

3)      Florida

We all know Florida is the place to be in the winter months because it is warm year-round. Luckily for us students, we get a whole month off in January. This is the perfect time to travel. If you have older friends, cousins or siblings, you have probably heard of Panama City Beach, Florida. It used to be a huge Spring Break destination and it is home of the notorious country bar Coyote Ugly. You can stay in this place for dirt cheap – plus it’s warm and beautiful! Though this drive is a little bit longer than our previously mentioned destinations, it’s nothing that will make you shy away and decide it’s not worth it. Panama City Beach averages a drive time of 18 hours and 27 minutes. You get a good playlist and some good people in a car and that time will fly by in no time! Hotel prices range from $30 a night to $100 a night. A three-star average hotel on the beach (I repeat, on the beach!) is only $88 a night in January. That, with four people to a room is $22 per person per night. If you take a four-night vacation, you’re looking at spending only $88. That’s anywhere from 6-12 hours working your extra job – so worth it for almost a week of fun in the sun! PCB should definitely not be ignored when looking at traveling in the United States.

https://www.google.com/search?q=panama+city+beach&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiN6OK39pzbAhWF0YMKHRbzA-AQ_AUIDCgD&biw=1366&bih=588#imgrc=OeC2sKvUi5-uGM:

4)      South Carolina

If you listen to country music, you know a lot of the songs talk about summer romances on Myrtle Beach and fallin’ in love under the South Carolina sun. You can do just that on the beaches of South Carolina for a little price! Myrtle Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the United States and it is not as expensive as people think. With a drive time of 19 hours, you’d be crazy not to go check this one out for yourself. Hotels average anywhere from $70 to $400 a night. I wouldn’t recommend spending the $400 a night at a hotel, but if you have the money go for it! For the majority of us students, $80 a night is reasonable (only $20 per person). The Bermuda Sands on the Boardwalk offers a stay of $83 a night in July. This hotel comes with a pool, breakfast, free WIFI, free parking and is only a half mile walk from the Myrtle Beach boardwalk. The boardwalk has an aquarium, a shopping and entertainment center, a ferris wheel and fireworks every Friday and Satuday! Dear John, Forrest Gump and The Notebook were all filmed in South Carolina – love is in the air in South Carolina, don’t miss out!

https://www.google.com/search?q=myrtle+beach&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjM1eDy9pzbAhUm6YMKHRbrBEAQ_AUIDSgE&biw=1366&bih=588#imgrc=QkW-D_iSoP2lJM:

5)      Wisconsin

Though this is the home state to most of us and where we chose to go to school, you’d be surprised what amazing things you can find in Wisconsin for a small price. One of my favorite cheap summer destinations in Wisconsin is Apple River tubing. Located in Somerset, WI, it is only a short 2 hour and 45 minute drive from La Crosse. They have camping, tubing down the apple river and live music at a nearby concert grounds some weekends. For forty dollars per person, you can get 2 nights of camping and one day of tubing. That is a steal! Plus, they often have Groupon deals for up to 60% off of those rates! There are shuttles that pick you up and drop your off at the start and stop points of the river so that you can go down as many times as you want. Coolers are allowed so you can bring alcohol to accompany the fun – just don’t forget the sunscreen! A second favorite in Wisconsin is of course the Wisconsin Dells waterpark. For a quick winter get away with the friends, you can drive there in an hour and a half from La Crosse. Hotels range anywhere from $30 a night to $120 a night and they have tons of deals and coupons on their website: www.dells.com. If you’re short on time or don’t like driving so far, Wisconsin has the ability to provide fun and a lifetime of memories for a quick drive and a small price.

https://www.google.com/search?q=apple+river+tubing&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiRt5WL95zbAhVp5IMKHYANAwEQ_AUICygC&biw=1366&bih=588#imgrc=KQDirlRLICS-wM:

As you can see, there is plenty of travel to be found in the United States without even having to think about booking a flight or flying across an ocean. If you’re in need of a mini vacation or even a long vacation but don’t want to invest in a passport or hassle with airports, these destinations are sure to make you happy with the money and time you spend. If I do say so myself, road trips are something that all travelers take for granted. There is so much to be seen even on the way to your destinations and saving money by taking the car is never a bad option. I always make sure to check Groupon and try to avoid peak travel times in order to avoid jacked up prices at hotels, motels and campsites alike.

Take some time this summer for you! Hop in the car, roll the windows down, and drive to one of these destinations or the thousand others alike, you might be surprised what you find!