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Summer getaway guide |
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Source: Inquirer |
Author: Celeste Gomez |
Date: 2002-04-02 |
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IMAGINE this. Two months of no school, 60 days of bumming around, 1,440 hours of free time to spare. Don't tell me you're willing to spend your most-awaited summer break by simply watching TV in the morning, malling in the afternoon and bar-hopping at night. Please! Give these gimmicks a break! Round up your barkada and escape from your old boring routine lifestyle. Psyche up yourself for some fun-filled adventure with these five steps to planning your barkada's summer getaway!
Step 1: Have a game plan.
Who: Get an estimate of how many of your friends or family are going to join your summer escapade. Most vacation packages give huge discounts for groups. Remember, the more, the merrier... and cheaper.
For a more efficient and stress-free summer getaway hunt, divide responsibilities with your amigos and amigas. Get people to take charge of accommodations, transportation, food, recreation and the like.
What: Do you prefer a fast-paced adventure type of outing or simply a laid-back kind of weekend getaway? Knowing the kind of summer vacation you want before hunting for tour packages makes the search easier.
Where: Want to spend your summer hiking in the cool mountains of Baguio and Sagada, or would you rather just lie down and sunbathe in the warm beaches of Boracay and Puerto Galera? With 7,100 islands, there are just countless places you can explore. Deciding on the location of your trip can help you narrow your search for group packages. With that, you have extra time to really get into the details and hunt for the cheapest and the best!
When: Most of the affordable and practical packages are those that are for three days/two nights or four days/three nights. Usually these include breakfast accommodations and transfers.
Step 2: Be your own travel agent
Don't be fooled! If agencies say they can give you the best price, there's always something cheaper! Travel agencies are around because they do get something from those trips that they help arrange. Being your own travel agent can help you save an average of around P500 per person (that's already shopping money!).
Be more resourceful. It pays to do your own research-and it's not that hard, too. Check out the following websites and contact numbers where you can get rates direct from the source without any extra agency fees.
www.lakbay.net.ph-This site offers special promo rates and fares and affordable packages at no extra cost. Online booking for both your accommodation and transportation makes everything so easy. It's a one-stop travel shop.
Buy your transportation tickets straight from their office to avoid all of the other unnecessary extra charges. Some airlines even offer student discounts (around 20-percent off) as long as you have a school ID.
Asian Spirit-tel. (+63 2) 851-8888 or (+63 2) 514-4310 to 12
Cebu Pacific-tel. (+63 2) 636-4938 or visit www.cebupacific.com
Air Philippines-tel. (+63 2) 855-9000 or e-mail reservations@airphilippines.com
WG&A Superferry-tel. (+63 2) 528-7100 or visit www.wgasuperferry.com
Victory Liner-tel. (+63 2) 921-32-96 (Kamias) or (+63 2) 727-4688 (Cubao)
Baliwag Transit-tel. (+63 2) 364-0778
Step 3: Go easy on food and fun.
Let's say you've got the best summer getaway package you can find, saving you a whole bunch of shopping money. Don't ruin it by splurging on hotel food and all of those 2,000 pesos per hour water sports. It's not worth it. Unless you're a multimillionaire, it's a very impractical thing to do. Hotel food is priced almost 100-percent more than those you can buy at nearby restaurants. Explore different places and discover cheap native and exotic foods.
For those who are really tight on their budget, here are some food and fun tips to maximum summer satisfaction:
Instead of having breakfast and lunch, take brunches.
Eat at your vacation spot's famous restaurants that offer reasonably priced home-cooked meals like Honey Bee at Boracay's talipapa. You'll only spend an average of 300 pesos ++ for 4 people.
Bring your own munchies and snacks! Don't forget those ever-reliable easy-to-open Vienna sausages and pork and beans. Chips, cookies, candies, cup noodles and tetra-pack juices are very handy and yummy, too.
Opt for the same fun yet less expensive activities. Instead of diving, go snorkeling. Drop the jet ski and get the kayak instead.
Step 4: Pack light.
Remember this: you are going to a summer vacation, not a fashion show! Bring only clothes and accessories that you need. Extras mean just one or two shirts or shorts, not a whole wardrobe!
Wash-and-wear clothes are a must. Bring those that are wrinkle-free and do not need ironing.
Bring comfortable clothes. Leave those chiffons and frou-frous. Don't let fashion overpower comfort. You can be fashionable and comfortable by sticking to simple summer wear.
Backpack is the way to travel. Unless you plan to stay for a month, your huge LV and coach luggage shall stay inside your closet, thank you!
Make a list of the must-haves for the kind of vacation you're going to. Camera, film, sunblock, antimosquito lotion and a first-aid kit must never be left behind. And never forget the toiletries (toothpaste to be exact).
Step 5: Keep your money safe.
Don't bring too much cash. Some thieves are targeting travelers because they know they carry around more cash than what is needed. Have only enough and a few hundred bucks for extra expenses. It's a good thing to put the rest of your money in an ATM card for emergency purposes. It is also a great plus if you are able to bring a credit card, just in case-but resist the temptation!
Have a small sling bag you can wear around your body so that your money will always be within reach and not bulky enough to be uncomfortable. Having a bulky shoulder bag is more attractive to pickpockets, and not so travel-friendly.
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