3 tricks to seeing the world without breaking the bank
I still remember my first vacation as if it was yesterday. I was about five years old, the year was 1980, and my immediate family was piled in our station wagon on our way to Mt. Rushmore. The sculpture is a classic Americana destination, especially for those in the Midwest. For me, however, it was a world away’¦one filled with excitement, adventure, and swimming pools.
My parents taught me a few tricks of traveling frugally. Always pack your meals. Always stay at a hotel or motel with a pool (the cheapest form of entertainment for kids.) Always go in off-season. It is with these simple tricks that I have been able to travel the world.
I will be joining the Queercents team and will be shedding some insight in the world of travel. The annual economic spending of the LGBT traveler in this country is over $70 billion alone per Community Marketing, Inc. That’s a lot of money, and how you spend it really matters.
I have four goals for my future postings:
1. Economic ‘“ I will post deals and share insight to the world of travel that will allow you to make the most of your travel time & dollars.
2. Impact ‘“ I will point out queer-owned and queer-friendly destinations and businesses around the country and world. Sure, everyone has heard about traveling to New York City, but did you know Walla Walla, Washington has an incredible queer-food-wine scene on the burst of recognition?
3. Experience ‘“ I firmly believe that key lime pie should only be consumed in Key West, Florida, and I will tell you where and how to get it on a budget.
4. Segment ‘“ Marketers are now segmenting the LGBT tourism market into a variety of ways. I will share some insight into the trends, segmentation, and demographics of LGBT travel.
Every time I check into a new hotel or get onto a train, I feel the same excitement I did when I first visited Mt. Rushmore. And so Queercents travelers, I fondly ask of you: What was your first vacation? What budget ideas did that first trip teach you?
Photo credit: stock.xchng.
Welcome to Queercents, Eric. I grew up in California. My father was a school teacher, so he had the summertime off but not a lot of money. Every few years, we’d pack up the station wagon pulling a tent trailer and drive to New Hampshire, where he grew up. We’d spend a month driving out, a month visiting, and a month driving back — camping all the way. They were great trips, especially in retrospect :). Getting across Kansas was a mighty long day with three kids in the back seat before cars had air conditioning. I wish I could recreate those trips (at least the good parts) with my spouse and son, but who has 3 months off? And we’d never have the patience to drive it today, it’s much too easy to fly.
Welcome to the team, Eric. I’m really excited to read about your travel tips.
I can’t remember my first vacation, but I do remember the first time I rode on an airplane. My family was going to Disneyland. I think I must have been about 10. It was really amazing and it’s incredible to think that since then flying has become so second nature to me.
My best vacation, though, would have to be my honeymoon in Amsterdam. It was so fun to be there for three weeks and really experience the whole country. OMG – now I want to go back!