September 27th, 2012

While doing some very late spring cleaning I found a folder filled with pictures and remnants of a study abroad trip I went on almost three years ago from today. As I rummaged through the scraps of admission tickets, foreign currency, and free maps from the 15 countries I visited I couldn't help but reminiscence and think how my life would have been different if I never spent that period traveling and learning about different cultures. Luckily study abroad has become very popular among college students but there are still many Americans and people throughout the world who have never stepped foot outside of their own region let alone their own country. 

Stepping outside of one's comfort zone into a new culture or way of living teaches us something about ourselves that we can only gain by embarking on a new journey. Many of us are in our daily routines with many aspects of our day being very predictable. Beyond helping us understand ourselves better, travel allows us to understand the world we live in. As we become more connected through technology we are all global citizens in a world filled with countless customs and languages. Many people think travel is unattainable but with proper planning and budgeting taking a trip to a new place can change your life forever.

Today there are many ways to find affordable travel options for you and even your families. Even a small trip to a new city or a new part of the country can bring a perspective that would be otherwise only a figment of your imagination. There are many ways to travel affordably using the resources right in front of you, your computer. Below I have outlined four of my favorite travel sites that I browse once in a while to find travel deals and inspiration to plan my next vacation.

Groupon Getaways
www.groupon.com/getaways
Groupon and Expedia partnered to offer discount travel deals. These deals have expanded to include local stays as well as international tours and vacation packages. For those familiar with Groupon be sure to shop around to make sure the discount is worth it! Buy your voucher and redeem for future travel. 

Living Social Escapes
www.livingsocial.com/escapes

Living Social's take on affordable vacationing is similar to Groupon Getaways but also includes local adventures and excursions that are perfect for a day out. Past deals have included things such as sky-diving, wine tours, group ski trips, mountain climbing and other activities that may be within driving distance of your home for a quick "daycation!"

TravelZoo
www.travelzoo.com
My favorite part of TravelZoo is their "Top 20" deals they send out every week highlighting highly discounted escapes all over the world which range from domestic flight deals to multi-day safari's across the Amazon. Not a week goes by that I do not read the "Top 20" deals although I do not always book it is fun to imagine a day in the future lounging on the beach in Bali!

Jetsetter
www.jetsetter.com/

Jetsetter is a spin-off from Gilt Groupe's member only site that offers luxury hotel accomodations and vacation homes at discounted prices. What makes Jetsetter stand apart is that they actual curate each of the properties and are extremely picky about picking truly luxury stays. If you are looking for a five star vacation at a fraction of the cost, join Jetsetter I promise it will not disappoint.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover" - Mark Twain


Where will your travels take you?