FrugalMonkey Discount Travel News

Category: Trip Locations

  • Vacation Destinations That Won’t Break The Bank

    It seems that every week we discuss in some way how the economy is effecting travel prices.


    This week is no different as the dollar continues to strengthen against foreign currencies, flight prices lower to fill planes and hotels throw out deal after deal in order to entice travelers to book accommodations. So where are some of the best places to visit while the travel industry is in this cheap-for-travelers lull? This week we take a look at places in the world that are the best for making your dollars last.

    Buenos Aires, Argentina
    Buenos Aires is a great place to visit if you want to learn tango, eat steak and sip back on some of the best wines in the world. Right now however, the strength of the dollar is very high against the staggering peso in Argentina. In 2001 this travel destination was equally pitted against the dollar and while this isn’t likely to change, it is one of the cheapest places in the world to stretch your travel budget. Book now and cash in on some of the lowest prices on hotels in Buenos Aires.

    Cancun, Mexico
    Just one year ago, if you traveled to Cancun your dollar would earn you 98 pesos. Now, you’ll find yourself with 135 in your pocket. Mexico’s white sand beaches, margaritas, gorgeous cultures and the experiences that await you there are only going to get more expensive as time goes on. Visit Cancun this year and enjoy the vacation of a lifetime.

    Sydney, Australia
    Australia hasn’t always been cheap and it isn’t likely to stay cheap either. Right now the dollar is stronger than the Australian dollar by 40% compared to last year. And, flight prices to the outback are cheaper than they’ve ever been. Hotel prices, flights and activities in Sydney will be as cheap as they’re likely to get in future years. Book your Australian vacation now!

  • Alaska Travel Discounts at Denali National Park

    Alaska in the summertime offers some of the best vacationing in North America. Gorgeous summer nights, fishing, wildlife viewing, outdoors adventures, excitement and also, luxury. But you don’t have the break the bank to enjoy travel or accommodations in the Last Frontier. Right now you can stay in Denali National Park at the Denali Wilderness lodge at excellent summer rates! Book online at the lodge’s website and entertain amazing travel deals. Rates from $99 in May along with one free night specials make this summer getaway impossible to ignore. Denali National Park is one of Alaska’s premier tourist destinations. Home to Mt. McKinley the tallest North American peak and incredible wildlife, the Denali Wilderness lodge offers all the best in outdoor adventure and hotel luxury.


  • Flight Prices to Hawaii Lowest Ever

    Flight prices have continued to drop and travel to the Hawaiian Islands is still in a rut during the slowing economy. As a result, flight prices to Hawaii are dropping even lower than previously reported. Until June 7th on CheapAir.com you can find flights to Hawaii from Los Angeles as low as $214 round-trip. This is a remarkable price cut from the previous $600 or so round-trip flight prices you would have paid just one year ago. Additionally, at CheapAir you can find low prices to other US locations like Kansas and Colorado, but few stand out as much as the low airfares to Hawaii. Book now and enjoy the perfect early summer vacation to Hawaii!


  • Travel Discounts to Argentina

    If you’ve ever thought about embarking on an exciting South American adventure, then consider a vacation to one of South America’s most inviting and adventurous countries – Argentina! Argentina has become a favorite among travelers for several reasons. The first is the wide variety of activities that can be found there. Because of the vast geological expanse of Argentina you can experience any range of outdoors activities. Send yourself on a gorgeous backpacking trip during a Patagonian adventure, or sunbathe in the jungles of Iguazu.


    If you’re more of a city dweller, enjoy the metropolitan nightlife of the Paris of the South when you travel to Buenos Aires. Regardless of your interests and vacation styles, Argentina has something for everyone.

    The second biggest reason Argentina has become some popular among world travelers is the favorable exchange rate. Due to an economic crisis in 2002, Argentina’s peso is now at 3.7 to the dollar. This means that European, Australian and North American travelers can enjoy all the comforts of a luxury vacation while spending very little. When you add this favorable aspect to a vacation in Argentina, in addition to the world famous steak and Malbec that everyone is talking about, Argentina becomes hard to beat.

    So what can you expect on your Argentine vacation? Well, right now is an excellent time to travel to Argentina because the high season has just turned. This means that hotel rates, vacation tours and adventure packages are lower than they are during the rest of the year. However, the weather is still nice in Argentina making right now an amazing time to visit this South American wonderland. You can enjoy the sunny weather of the high season, with low season prices! Additionally, flight prices are at an all time low worldwide meaning that you can have the adventure of a lifetime at a fraction of the normal price it would cost you to travel.

    Here are just a few of the incredible places you can visit during your vacation to Argentina.

    Mendoza is well known for its wine regions and gorgeous landscapes. When you visit you can experience a luxurious wine tour or visit the many wineries yourself on a bike tour of the vineyards. The Malbec of Mendoza has become world famous. Drink it from the source when you go wine tasting in Mendoza. Or, if you want to play in the surf and sun, take a weekend trip outside of Buenos Aires and head to Mar del Plata. What literally means The Ocean of Silver, Mar del Plata is a quaint little beach town with big city amenities. A casino, nearby water park, miles of ocean front swimming and a sea of excellent restaurants make this a tough place to pass up.


    If you decide to visit Argentina in the winter however, you’ll be happy to know that Argentina is home to two of the largest and best ski resorts in South America. Both Las Lenas and Bariloche are world famous for the numerous ski routes available to travelers and the gorgeous cities that surround them. A trip to Argentina isn’t complete without a trip to see one of the world’s most beautiful natural wonders, the falls at Iguazu. Or, you can head south for a backpacking adventure at the end of the world, when you travel to Patagonia. With so much to see and do while you’re in Argentina it’s almost impossible to see it all.

    Make your travel plans now and visit an affordable and amazing South American country!

  • Hotel Discounts and More

    Sometimes, the best way to find discounts on hotels is to simply do a little research. For example, if you’re trying to find hotels on Maui you probably want the best value for your money. After all, money saved on hotels is money in your pocket for dinners and outdoors adventures. Well, if you can find a rate on any hotel website that is lower than the best rate listed on Radisson’s website they will honor the lower price and knock an additional 25% off. That means staying in Hawaii’s Radisson at an excellent discount instead of paying more at another Island hotel. The Radisson is a popular hotel chain, with locations all over the world. By simply doing some homework, you can procure excellent hotel prices and save money wherever you travel!


  • With The Exchange On Your Side…

    Thousands of expatriates and hundreds of travel articles are buzzing about travel in Argentina. One of the world’s most culturally rich countries (with world famous wine and steak) has travelers in a tizzy over the activities and vacations available at a fraction of normal vacation costs. Because of the favorable exchange rate to the peso, travelers from all over the world are vacationing to Argentina cheaply with their hard earned dollars. Right now you can travel to the Paris of the South for an amazing South American vacation with cheap flights through travel auction sites. Students who book with STA travel can even find flights for as cheap as $700. That’s hundreds of dollars off previous prices! And when your dollar earns you 3.7 pesos that’s a lot of wine and more than a few amazing steak dinners to write home about.


  • Kick Back On The Big Island

    Looking for an amazing summer getaway? Well getaway from it all and travel to Hawaii’s Big Island for fun in the sun with all the adventure you can pack in.

    The Big Island has all sorts of adventures perfect for a summer with friends, family or just some alone time.


    If you’re looking for some beach time, it’s hard to look past Hapuna Beach. This beach is a crowd favorite and has all kinds of activities near by that are a perfect addition to your island paradise. You can go horseback riding, kayaking, go snorkeling, boogie boarding and more! Enjoying the surf and sand is a big part about visiting Hawaii. Make sure you take in some beach time while you’re on the Big Island. You deserve it!

    If a cooler day comes your way, you might be interested in going on a Lava Tour. The Kilauea Volcano has been pooling red lava through a vent on its side everyday for the past two decades and each year tourists flock to see this amazing display of nature. Volcanoes are iconic to Hawaii, so it’s hard to vacation on the Big Island and not take in some of the incredible volcanic sites around the island.

    The Big Island is all about fun and the outdoors. Because of its size, it has the largest geographical diversity. Two airports, a number of Hawaiian cruises, lots of tours from the smaller islands and vacation outfitters offer transportation in and around the island.

    Golf is another popular pastime during a vacation in Hawaii. The three golf courses on the Big Island are state of the art offering all the challenges, and pleasures of a difficult golf game with a scenic beauty that is hard to beat. Each of the three courses offers something different. Don’t expect to see much of dad on your vacation – he has plenty of golfing to keep him busy!

    What might peel him away from the luscious fairways and smooth greens however, is some marine life. If you want to get under the waves, think about a trip to the Coral Reef center in Hilo.


    The northwestern island surrounding the Big Island represents some of the best Coral Reef and marine life available for viewing in the United States and the Caribbean. It’s so famous in fact, that National Geographic has done specials on this incredible cluster of islands and nature.

    With prices so affordable a great way to visit the Big Island is on a cruise. You can take cruises year round with several leaving from Los Angeles regularly. What is so great about undergoing your Hawaiian vacation on a cruise is that you get to see so much of Hawaii. Instead of being stuck in one place, you can visit all of the islands. Not may people can say that about a 7-night stay in a place like Hawaii with so much to see.

    Flights are also very affordable right now. Keep an eye on travel auction sites for incredible deals. You can book round trip tickets from the west coast for around US$300 if you’re lucky. I guess that means the kids can bring a friend, because at prices like these it’s hard to say no.

  • Surf Your Way Around The World With These Amazing Travel Deals

    Adventure tourism is turning the lazy, luxury traveler into a thing of the past. Now you can 4X4 in a South American desert, rock climb, dog sled, dive into a cave with sharks swimming all around you, pet dolphins, hike or backpack national forests or photograph endangered species on an African safari.


    It seems that this new wave of adventure tourism is taking over – full speed. While these newest vacation highlights are starting to don the cover of travel magazines, there have been adventure vacationers for decades who have traveled the globe in search of only one thing: the perfect wave.

    Surfers are perhaps the original adventure vacationers, chasing summer and waves all over the world. These fun loving vagabonds represent the beginning of adventure travel in all its glory. But surfing isn’t only for elite surfers and world renowned pros – now you can chase waves and the idea of endless summer easier than ever before, with these amazing travel deals and vacations ideas! If you love to surf, laying on the beach or simply love being outside, these are the vacations FrugalMonkey suggests for you:

    South Africa
    If you want to take the time and read up on all the sporting events in South Africa, you won’t be disappointed by your options. But when you have a country surrounded almost entirely by a coastline, you’re likely to find surfing as well. Surfing is a way of life in many South African towns. If you love to surf and are feeling the need to travel, you can easily enjoy the many surfing camps, exciting cultural endeavors and cheap travel deals that can be found going into South Africa. Right now, several airlines are offering cheaper then normal travel deals into this surfing haven. Book now and begin planning your own endless summer!

    Australia
    It’s no surprise that for a country entirely surrounded by water and with coastlines called ‘The Gold Coast‘ that surfing is popular in Australia.


    On almost any of Australia’s western beaches you can find people surfing. With good weather year round, and amazingly cheap travel deals (like one-way flights from San Francisco or Los Angeles on Qantas for $299) it’s hard to say no, if you love to catch waves and have an excellent time in the water. Be on the lookout for good surf schools, competitions and wave after wave of adventure travel-fun.

    Hawaii
    Adventure tourism in Hawaii is nothing new. In fact part of the incredible allure to Hawaii is the fun you can have outdoors in one of the most stunning landscapes in the world. Surfing is almost synonymous with adventure in Hawaii as well. World renowned competitions and surfers continue to call Hawaii their home with surfers dotting nearly every coastline. For beginners however, there couldn’t be a better place to start. Many of the hotels have information on local surf schools and by simply walking around the ocean shores you can find someone to teach you the ropes. With such incredible travel deals into Hawaii you can’t miss an opportunity to surf the Hawaii shores with cheap flights, cruises and hotel stays making it that much easier.

  • Cruise Into Hawaii With These Great Offers!

    Sure flying to Hawaii is nice, but what about enjoying the fresh ocean air, a view from every island and more adventure than you can pack into your traditional Hawaiian vacation? Right now, Norwegian Cruise Lines are offering extraordinary deals on cruises to and around the Hawaiian Islands. By promising passengers less time at sea and over 100 hours at ports, their 7-day cruise packages are going fast! Right now, Norwegian Cruise Lines is offering Balcony Cabins for these May and June cruises at only $899. That’s practically a steal for all the money you will save on hotel accommodations, transport and food during a normal 7-day stay in Hawaii. See Hawaii in a whole new way by cruising with Norwegian!


  • Flight Deals To Australia

    Traveling to Australia used to be synonymous with expensive tickets making family vacations or romantic getaways to the Outback a pretty expensive trip.


    But now you can fly to a variety of Australian cities on Qantas at a fraction of what it would have previously cost you. Once again, the economic downturn in vacation packages, flights and hotel accommodations in conjunction with the decrease in the number of travelers flying, is forcing airlines to make huge exceptions and lower ticket prices. What does this mean for your dream vacation to one of the world’s most popular vacation-destinations? It means, it’s at the tip of your fingers ripe for the taking. Take a look at what FrugalMonkey deems as the best flight deals to Australia this week.

    Cheap flights to Sydney
    Sydney, Australia is one of the most popular Australian destinations for travelers visiting the country. The famous Opera house, gorgeous beaches, the zoo, botanical gardens and of course the incredible shopping and restaurants make Sydney the perfect vacation spot for families and vacationers of all ages.

    Right now Qantas is offering extraordinary vacation packages to Sydney. Starting at just $1,499 you can book a round trip ticket from Los Angeles, to Sydney and Cairns! This also includes 11-day Hertz Rental Car deals in addition to 10 different Hotel packages to choose from. But book now, the offer expires April 15, 2009 and travel needs to be completed before September 2009.

    Also ending on April 15 are round trip flights from Los Angeles to Sydney for only $598! This price represents some of the lowest flight prices from the west coast ever offered, so take advantage now!

    If you want to include some of Australia’s other cities in your vacation plans then consider cashing in on the Qantas deal offering a 4-night stay in Sydney and a 4-night stay in Melbourne including a round trip ticket from Los Angeles for only $948. Like most of these offers, the trips need to be booked soon, so don’t delay! Your Australian dream vacation is right around the corner!