If you have not noticed yet, the travel industry is changing right before your eyes. Public sites cant offer discounts, you need an affordable travel club
Author: hotelsetc
Can you afford the cost of travel?
When was the last time you packed a small suitcase and left the busy city behind? There is simply nothing like taking a weekend break or even one night away from the norm, a few days to escape the monotony of a work week and take refuge in a relaxing hotel stay with fine food and maybe even a spa.
Unless you have work at the weekend or an insurmountable amount of debt, the chances are there is actually no good reason not to get away for the weekend. At this point it may seem a little too late to be planning a trip with the weekend closing in but then, how long does it take to make an online booking and put a few clothes in a suitcase? The answer, in case you’re wondering not long at all.
Taking an annual vacation is obviously a great idea, the perfect way to relieve stress and get back to enjoying the finer things in life. However, is simple process is surely restricted to once a year? No, the simple process of relieving stress and hitting the re-fresh button in life is attainable at just about any moment in every week and it just so happens that travel is the perfect way to make it happen.
Thing is, if it was always as simple as throwing a few clothes in a suitcase and taking off we would do it almost every weekend right? So what’s stopping everyone from taking more weekend breaks?
We all know travel can be expensive and even without a debt of some sort looming overhead, it can be difficult to afford the high cost of living these days never mind forking out on a hotel in Chicago for the night. And this is exactly why you need a travel club membership, the easiest and fastest way to find hotel discounts and more to make everything affordable. Rather than just saving on hotels or annual vacations, a travel membership club such as Hotels Etc will also help you find discounts throughout the year for anything from movie theater tickets to restaurant deals. In fact, by the time you have availed of a 60% discount on a hotel stay, it’s likely you will already have saved the remaining cost by utilizing the thousands of other discounts on offer.
There really should be no cost placed on the prospect of taking time out from a hectic schedule and escaping all the noise for a few days but in reality, we do understand there is always going to be a fee attached to the concept of travel. In this sense, Hotels Etc is not here to make travel free or promise you something you cannot afford, but rather it offers a simple membership which will allow you to afford the cost of travel an then to get an awful lot more from it, for a much lesser cost.
You can access all the best hotel discounts and more by signing up today for a travel membership with Hotels Etc.
Why you should visit Austin this summer
The word “variety” gets thrown around quite a bit, but when it comes to deciding where to go on vacation in the US, Austin is a travel destination which is genuinely overflowing with variety. Home to many different cultures, along with amazing food, the best hotel deals and a festival atmosphere, Austin is the perfect place for a summer vacation in the US. Here is exactly why you should visit Austin this Summer:
1. Food, simple.
As with much of Texas and the Southern States, Austin is renowned for incredible barbecue food so you can expect succulent ribs, steaks and sausages when you get there. A number of delightful restaurants take their place in town including Rollin’ Smoke BBQ and Valentina’s Tex Mex but any doorway offering food is usually a good choice. Although most famous for the music scene, Austins food arguably takes a close second. If you venture out during happy hour or use some restaurant discounts, you can always find great meal deals in Austin.
2. Zilker Park
Surprisingly, there are many things to do in Austin has a secret attraction in the nearby Zilker Park. Infused with glorious nature and ample hiking trails, this park is a welcomed respite from the busy city and filled with open spaces to enjoy with the family, friends or even alone. However, it also has many other attractions such as the Botanical Gardens and the ever popular Science Museum. When you grow tired of the noise across the River, this is the perfect spot to relax.
3. The State Capitol
The State Capitol is central to the culture in Austin and was repaired during the 80’s to the fine condition you can no find it in today. Pink in color, it truly is a bizarre sight and a great photograph opportunity. Tours of the State Capitol are run on a daily basis giving an insight into the Governor’s chambers or alternatively you can take a self guided tour which also outlines the history of each room and the surrounding gardens.
4. The lively nightlife
It’s called the Live music capital of the world and after sampling a night out in Austin, it would be hard to disagree. From Jazz to Hip Hop, Rock to the Blues, Austin has every angle covered when it comes to music after dark and the live bands are some of the best in the US. The Mowhawak is a particularly popular venue and the Continental, while many traditional dance halls also take their place, where you can learn the Texas Two Step and mingle with the real locals.
5. Austin is synonymous with festivals
Austin comes alive in the summer and throughout May to July you will find a number of festivals ranging from film and food to of course, music. There are also cultural festivals which showcase the local Latin population and then the Arts Festival on Old Pecan street is a huge favorite. As mentioned however, music festivals are common place and regardless of what genre you prefer, Austin is sure to have some waiting for you.
You can find hotels discounts or restaurant discounts for your trip to Austin with a travel club membership on Hotels Etc.
Reasons why you need to vacation in Hawaii
While the masses are rushing to grab the latest and best vacations discounts for the Caribbean, there is one big island with an even bigger reputation which offers a wide variety of attractions and reasons you need to make it there on your next vacation.
You can visit an active volcano
Hawaii is home to one of the worlds most active volcanoes and there is a variety of ways in which you can witness the spectacular Kilauea. Despite erupting more than 30 times in the past 100 years, it is possible to encounter this incredible force of nature, a volcano which has been erupting since the mid 1980’s much to the dismay of the local communities who have seen their villages decimated in recent times by the ensuing lava.
Choose to take a helicopter trip up over the waterfalls and green fields before reaching the volcano itself, hike in the nearby National Park and see it on foot or venture onto the seas where you can see the lava making its way downward into the ocean.
Hit the beaches and enjoy the water
Renowned for tropical weather and scenery, the white and strangely black sands around the island make up some of the most stunning beaches on the planet. Not only this, but they provide a gateway to watersports, sailing trips and adventure activities as evidenced in the number of kayaks in Kealakekua Bay. Another highlight is the scuba diving in the region which, depending on the part of the island, provides the visitor with an incredible opportunity to get up close to the fascinating giant manta rays. It must also be pointed out that these can sometimes be seen while snorkeling but regardless, the opportunity to take a dip in these beautiful waters is irresistible.
Experience how unique is the Hawaiian culture
Hawaiin culture is synonymous with the luau traditional food and then the mesmerizing dance, to the point where missing either of them would mean missing out on a central part of the island. Another highlight is the luscious and Puuhonua o Honainau National Historic Park where ancient homes, temples and palaces line up next to each other and offer a unique insight into the old world Hawaii. Kohala up north is also known for some very ancient hiking trails (Valley of the Kings) and then there are the famous rock paintings in Puako Petroglyph Archaeological which outlines life before the arrival of foreign peoples.
Hawaii will help you escape from civilization
Located far off the coast of the US, Hawaii is truly isolated in the Pacific Ocean and you can certainly feel this when traveling around the island. For example, the very North of the island is more than 30km away from the nearest street and is popular for the many hiking trails in the area which offer a true escape from civilization. When you visit Hawaii, it will make you feel like you are a million miles away from the western world not to mention the busy work week and when you set foot in the village of Molokai, the locals and surroundings are sure to emphasize that further.
You can find all the best hotel discounts and vacation deals for Hawaii on Hotels Etc.
5 Amazing family vacation resorts in the US
Given the huge variety of destinations on offer, choosing a family vacation in the US is not an easy task. In fact, even when you do find some options, it can be hard deciding which on is most suited to a family’s needs. Luckily we’ve gone to the trouble of picking out 5 of the best family destinations in the US for you:
Woodloch Resort, Hawley, Pennsylvania
The Woodloch Resort is one of those destinations that feels like a fairytale. Located on Lake Teedyuskung, the range of activities are staggering in the summer time when hiking, mountain biking and ziplining. There are many other interesting things to do at Woodloch Resort including mini golf and go-karts and if you happen to find yourself at Woodloch in Winter, there are still activities on offer with ice skating and snow tubing being particularly popular. At $360 for a family of four, a stay in this beautiful pocket of Pennsylvania is worth considering.
Club Med Sandpiper Bay, Port St. Lucie, Florida
When it comes to all inclusive family vacations, Club Med have always been at the forefront of the industry and today, this is still the case in Port St. Lucie. The most notable attraction for parents with young toddlers here, is no doubt the infant care on offer but then the older kids are also well looked after with a huge variety of activities, from volleyball and table tennis, to basketball and swimming. For a family of four you can expect a price of $385 per night although make sure to check for hotel discounts before finalizing anything.
Rancho de los Caballeros, Wickenburg, Arizona
Imagine having more than 20,000 acres of desert surrounding your haven of activity in Arizona. The Rancho de los Caballeros has been around for a very long time and while it may have a loftier price tag for a family of four than the other options on this list (($640 per night), there are very unique experiences on offer here including a fantastic opportunity for horseback riding. As with the other resorts, there is also both a daytime and nighttime kids club which allows parents not only to have a break during the mornings, but also to enjoy a cocktail at dinnertime without having to rush.
Mayan Dude Ranch, Bandera, Texas
While horseback riding is high on the agenda for most families arriving at the Mayan Dude Ranch, there is a lot more to this wonderful resort than the more affordable price tag of $490 per night. In typical cowboy fashion, you will stay overnight in a log cabin before waking on a huge Texan landscape to begin riding the many trails in the area. Fishing is also popular nearby, as too is tubing , while the kids can make full use of the tennis courts and stunning swimming pool. There is also an evening entertainment program with Western bands and line dancing.
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
Hawaii takes some beating on almost every front and the same can be said about the kids clubs. Simply put, the resorts in Hawaii excel when it comes to providing the highest level of kids entertainment and the Hilton Hawaiian Village is up there with the best. From submarine tours to giant super pools, the Waikiki Aquarium to volcano making on the beach, there is no end to activities here for the kids and you are sure to have plenty of free time as a result. With a stunning beach and 5 star facilities on offer, this resort will please the parents as much as the kids.
Find all the best hotel discounts and family vacation discounts on the leading travel club membership website Hotels Etc.









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