beach_winter.jpgSummer vacation is high tide for families to head to the beach. It’s also the worst time to get a good deal on beach vacations. If you like the beach, but hate the cost and hassle of too many sun bathers, why not choose to create a beach vacation that is a little out of the ordinary? You can do this by choosing your dates slightly off-season, finding a spot off the beaten path, or traveling with companions to split the bills.

Choose Your Dates Carefully

If you think you have to go to the beach in the summer because of school schedules, think again! You can go to the beach in the middle of the winter, around the Christmas holiday season, either at a destination you normally would frequent in the summer or to an entirely new location on the other side of the world (where it really is summer!). Beach rentals do get cheaper when they are not in season. So, if you select prior to April or May or September to October periods, you might miss the BIG crowds, but still have enough attractions open to make it a splendid vacation. If you really just want to get away from it all, then do choose the beach at Christmas time. There’s usually no one there and you can have a very quiet and peaceful holiday, even though the attractions will be closed by that time.

Find A Spot Off The Beaten Path

There are some places on the other side of the planet that are in full summer when you might be in winter. Of course, that means additional cost in travel fares. There are ways to cut the costs here too. When you are booking a flight, always check to see if you get miles or some other perk. Look for midweek fares, as they are cheaper. Book a flight to a destination where the currency exchange rate helps your buck buy more. Check to see what works best for getting that currency ahead of time, credit cards, or ordering it through a currency exchange. Avoid currency exchange traders at the airports as they charge the highest rates.

If you don’t mind doing some couch-surfing, you can sign up for websites that allow you to bunk with a family for very little. Or, you can get a working vacation that provides you with accommodations for some work in return. Finally, you can also house swap. Who knows, what you consider an ordinary place to live may be just the place someone was hoping to visit that year!

Travel With Companions

Companions are great for sharing the cost of rooms and gas. They also provide you with some group security. If you have a large circle of friends, you might find that at least one of them owns a timeshare package. See if they want some company on their next vacation and you might get some lodging for free or in exchange for gas. Opting for accommodations that have a small kitchenette can save lots of money on meals. Try to focus on having fun with shared experiences that don’t all revolve around food.

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