Comments on: 7 secrets for a sizzling summer vacation http://www.elliott.org/blog/7-secrets-for-a-sizzling-summer-vacation/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: VortexMarketingGroup VortexPortalPro System http://www.elliott.org/blog/7-secrets-for-a-sizzling-summer-vacation/comment-page-1/#comment-11559 VortexMarketingGroup VortexPortalPro System Sat, 26 Apr 2008 18:52:15 +0000 http://beta.elliott.org/photos/7-secrets-for-a-sizzling-summer-vacation/#comment-11559 fuel saving is what we need fuel saving is what we need

]]> By: Sonia http://www.elliott.org/blog/7-secrets-for-a-sizzling-summer-vacation/comment-page-1/#comment-2346 Sonia Thu, 02 Aug 2007 01:39:09 +0000 http://beta.elliott.org/photos/7-secrets-for-a-sizzling-summer-vacation/#comment-2346 I appreciate all of the tips except the last: as an elementary public school teacher, it makes me angry enough to spit nails when parents pull their children out for vacation during the school year. Sure, they're saving money, but look at the message they're sending their kids: "Education isn't as important as saving money and going on vacation". I figure if I can't blow off my job -- teaching your kids -- for a week to take a lower-priced vacation, then you shouldn't be able to, either. I appreciate all of the tips except the last: as an elementary public school teacher, it makes me angry enough to spit nails when parents pull their children out for vacation during the school year. Sure, they’re saving money, but look at the message they’re sending their kids: “Education isn’t as important as saving money and going on vacation”. I figure if I can’t blow off my job — teaching your kids — for a week to take a lower-priced vacation, then you shouldn’t be able to, either.

]]> By: TomCayman http://www.elliott.org/blog/7-secrets-for-a-sizzling-summer-vacation/comment-page-1/#comment-2345 TomCayman Wed, 04 Jul 2007 23:10:21 +0000 http://beta.elliott.org/photos/7-secrets-for-a-sizzling-summer-vacation/#comment-2345 As a travel marketer and resort operator with a family of five and a keen sense of value, I've used almost all of these strategies, but I'd always put a large "but" next to the concept of all-inclusive vacations being a bargain. The perception is certainly that they are a great deal as food (and often drink) is included, but unless you eat and drink and awful lot, are you really getting a bargain ? My family sure eats a decent quantity, but we barely drink alcohol and we prefer quality to raw quantity in eating, and quality and choice of food is another area where all-inclusives can fall down. For a Caribbean vacation, why not rent a beachfront condo with a full kitchen in an island where you feel safe and comfortable shopping at a local supermarket. Eat lunch out (agree with that tip!) and BBQ on the beach while sipping a cold local beer.. then tell me you would have saved money at an all-inclusive. Other tips : - Plan ahead and use your frequent flyer miles for airline tickets. - When renting a condo, consider doing a private timeshare rental through BidShares, RedWeek, EBay etc. This summer I am staying at a (private timeshare rental) at a top end resort, paying less than half the cost of two hotel rooms there, but instead getting a fully equipped two bedroom condo, and yes, we'll eat some meals in. Keep up the good work, Mr. Elliott ! As a travel marketer and resort operator with a family of five and a keen sense of value, I’ve used almost all of these strategies, but I’d always put a large “but” next to the concept of all-inclusive vacations being a bargain.

The perception is certainly that they are a great deal as food (and often drink) is included, but unless you eat and drink and awful lot, are you really getting a bargain ?

My family sure eats a decent quantity, but we barely drink alcohol and we prefer quality to raw quantity in eating, and quality and choice of food is another area where all-inclusives can fall down.

For a Caribbean vacation, why not rent a beachfront condo with a full kitchen in an island where you feel safe and comfortable shopping at a local supermarket. Eat lunch out (agree with that tip!) and BBQ on the beach while sipping a cold local beer.. then tell me you would have saved money at an all-inclusive.

Other tips :
- Plan ahead and use your frequent flyer miles for airline tickets.
- When renting a condo, consider doing a private timeshare rental through BidShares, RedWeek, EBay etc. This summer I am staying at a (private timeshare rental) at a top end resort, paying less than half the cost of two hotel rooms there, but instead getting a fully equipped two bedroom condo, and yes, we’ll eat some meals in.

Keep up the good work, Mr. Elliott !

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