The rising cost of gas prices has many consumers rethinking every aspect of their lives – from what they eat to where they work and live.  Everyone is struggling to find new and inventive ways (or old tried and true methods) of saving money at the pump.  Family vacations are some of the first casualties of this finance war.

Instead of pushing the vacation on to the back burner, why not use some simple methods to have a great vacation even with higher gas prices.  There are a number creative ways to keep the vacation plans from breaking your bank.

 1.      Check with hotels in the area you want to travel.  Some are offering vouchers for gasoline to get you to stay at their locations.  You would be able to save the cost of the gas to get your vacation underway.

2.      Make a few budget adjustments to compensate for the higher fuel costs.  You can take out some of the activities that you planned to do or maybe downgrade your hotel to something a bit less costly.  Getting a location with a kitchen would allow you to cook in instead of eating out and that alone could save you a fortune.

3.      Stay closer.  Most people plan vacations for far away when there are many great activities and events right in their own back yard.  Search your community and state tourisms sites to see what great things you can do without going to far from home.

4.      Make it a group trip.  Traveling will cut all the costs because you will be dividing them among the group.

There are a number of ways to plan a great vacation even with gas prices climbing to record highs.  Instead of staying home, get creative with your getaway.

The time has come to start thinking about fun in the sand.  Just in time for the summer beach season, Professor Stephen P. Leatherman, a.k.a. Dr Breach, has revealed his top 10 Beaches for 2008. The Dr. uses 50 criteria to determine his choices and is the director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research.I guess it’s no surprise that the Florida Professor chose 3 of Florida’s beaches for his top 10 picks in the United States.  Although with the fine, white sand and the fact that it has one of the longest coastlines (second only to Alaska) of any state in the United States probably helped the cause.

Caladesi Island, Florida received the top honors.  It is one of the barrier islands north of Clearwater.  The Island is only accessible by either private boat or the Caladesi Connection ferry service.  Ferry passengers are only allowed a four hour stay.  The other two Florida beaches to make it into the top 10 are Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Florida and Cape Florida State Park near Miami.

Hanalei Beach (Hanalei means Crescent Shaped) in Hawaii is in the Hanalei Bay on the North Shore of Kauai.  The entire bay is ringed with the magnificent white sand.  In the early morning hours the water is often so smooth that it reflects the majestic mountains around the bay.  During the day, these same waters offer fair swimming because of the protection of the surrounding mountains.  It is one of only seven beaches that have a lifeguard station.

Coopers Beach in Southampton, New York was the 4th beach on the list. Non-residents pay to enjoy the beach, but there is a pavilion that offers lunch, shower facilities and lifeguards.

Rounding out the top five is Coronado Beach in San Diego.  Parking may be a challenge, but there is always plenty of room on this California gem.

With all the choices around the United States, you are likely to be within a relatively short drive of one of the top Beaches in the country according to Dr. Beach.

These are not your mother’s summer camps.  The days of just doing some crafts and swimming in the lake are far behind.  Now kids get to expand their gifts and talents in unbelievable ways (or maybe they just uncover hidden talents).

Camp Jam is a five day overnight program that is all about the rock - and that means Rock -n- Roll.  Celebrity visits, group lessons and so much more make this the best camp around for those kids that want to party like it’s 1999.

Seacamp is all about the ocean and is held at a non-profit educational center in the Florida Keys.  Kids participate in SCUBA diving, sailing and marine science.  What better way to spend your summer break than enjoying the surf, sand and sun.

French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts offers a summer camp that takes kids imaginations and helps them become reality.  They offer classes in dance, theater, music, circus performing, magic and much more.

The Fashion Design Institute at Pali Adventures is the perfect location for your fashion focused girl.  Here they create sketches and illustrations, choose fabrics and even assemble garments.  The end of camp features the designs of the campers in a finale fashion show.

If your kids want to flip, fly and ski then the Learn to Fly Summer Ski Jumping Camps are they place you need to send them.  The camps are held at Olympic Park in Utah and they accept kids as young as seven.  They use artificial slopes to teach ski jumping and freestylers get to land in a pool.

Of course there are still plenty of traditional summer camps around the country.  Kids can hike, swim and have a good time.  But who can resist the lure of some of these amazing camps that are now available to kids of all ages?

Cruise ships are not just boats with hotel rooms and a few entertainment areas. These traveling vacation destinations have continually grown in size for the last few decades. Today you will find an entire city floating around in the form of cruise ships.

Although they already have almost every amenity you might be able to imagine, it is still not enough. Royal Caribbean is gearing up to launch to monster ships that will hold 5,400 passengers, span 16 decks and include things like a park. The designers have outdone the imagination with all of the options and opportunities that cruisers will find around this small, moving island escape.

The Central Park space will be a unique outdoor space for cruisers. It will include pathways, seasonal flower gardens and even canopy trees. There will be balcony staterooms that look over the park. The park will run the length of a football field and offer a neighborhood feel.

Already sailing the wide blue sea today are some monster ships. The Queen Mary 2 is not just about size, but it is about elegance. It was designed to bring back the Golden Age of Ocean Travel and to make the experience once again one of the grandest on earth. Its crowning point is the Planetarium.

Royal Caribbean has the other top ships already carrying passengers. It seems that the company is determined to stay on top. With the release of the plans for the Genesis project – including the Oasis of the Seas set to sail in 2009 and Allure of the Seas planned for 2010 – it is likely to continue holding the top position for biggest cruise ship available today.

If you want to experience something that can never be covered with mere words, then consider a vacation experience on one of the biggest cruise ships around for you and your family.

If you’ve been putting off travel plans until gas prices subside and ticket prices become more affordable, you may have missed out on a ripe opportunity that many Americans are already cashing in on – volunteering overseas. 

Many volunteer opportunities are available to U.S. citizens who want to make ad difference while experiencing a new culture or environment, and these programs also offer free board, lodging and in some cases, even cover the costs of that flight. 

From working on an organic farm to teaching English in Sudan, Matador.org recently listed their top ten volunteer opportunities.  Here are just a five exciting projects that might help you travel for free:

1. Appalachian Trail Conference.  This U.S.-based organization attracts volunteers from around the globe to build and maintain the Appalachian Trail to preserve the environment and endangered species.  The organization does pay for food and basic accommodation for its recruits, and can be a valuable way to explore nature at its best.
2. United Nations Volunteer program.  The UN offers several positions for volunteers who want to experience an extended stay abroad; they work with projects in health care, economic development and education in thousands of third world countries around the globe.
3. Conservation Volunteerism in New Zealand.  If you’re an active environmentalist, the Conservation Volunteerism organization in Australia and New Zealand is the place to promote eco tourism, work with teams to protect and clean up area habitats – and have meals and lodging taken care of.
4. Willing Workers on Organic Farms.  Organic farms around the world are searching for volunteers who will work on farms in exchange for food and lodging.  These opportunities are suitable for adults and teens who want to live and work in a completely new environment.
5. Sudan Volunteer Programme.  If you want to flex your teaching skills, you can teach English at schools and universities in Sudan, a country that is always looking for skilled teachers and volunteers to help with various community efforts.  Volunteers are provided with a monthly stipend, food and lodging, but are responsible for their own airfare.

The world famous tomato fight festival is scheduled for August 27, 2008 (the last Wednesday in August) in Bunol, Spain and is already attracting global travelers who want to experience this Spanish tradition firsthand.  The tradition started over 61 years ago in the small town of Bunol, a traditionally quiet town located just a short drive from Valencia.  The fight itself is one of the most chaotic summer festivals in Spain’s history, and typically runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with other special events and performances held afterwards.

The event begins with the Gigantes y Cabezudos procession, a carnival-style parade of characters and figures with oversized heads and colorful costumes.  The procession starts slowly, but begins to speed up to a near running pace as more people join the march down the streets of Bunol.  Crates of tomatoes are then added – and spilled – to the crowds, resulting in a giant battle of tomatoes and food fight like no other.  Tomatoes are thrown on buildings and on people, but the rules are simple; ‘tomatoes must be crushed before being thrown so they do not hurt anybody.’

Travelers who want to join the festivities can choose to stay in the village of Bunol, or stay in an adjacent village or city and take the train to the Estacio del Nord in the centre of Valencia.  Trains run every hour to Bunol from here, and offer travelers from around the region a chance to take par tin the fun.

The La Tomatina festival attracts thousands upon thousands of people to the small village of Bunol who want to experience the festival, and almost all of the hotels, bed and breakfasts, hostels and other accommodation venues are booked solid for the months prior to the festival.  Still, there are options to stay in hostels and smaller hotels throughout Valencia; Hotel urbem Opera Valencia, Hotel Vincci Lys and Hotel Husa Reina Victoria are just a few hotels located in the main commercial areas of Valencia, and offer easy access to Bunol and surrounding areas.

When you’ve done your homework for finding the best deals on hotels and flight packages, there are still savings to cash in on from the car rental. Car rental costs can become an outlandish expense if you turn to the wrong company or sign up for a package you don’t really need. Add mileage expenses, too much insurance and other fees, and you may be left with a bill that costs more than your hotel stay. When you’re working with a tight budget – or just want to travel smart – use some of these strategies to save on extra car rental costs:

1. Don’t pick up the car from the airport. Track down an actual office of your preferred car rental provider to avoid hidden surcharges, airport fees and higher-than-average rates. In many cases, you’ll be able to find a car rental company only a few blocks form the airport.
2. Shop online before calling the car rental company. Whether you prefer Hertz or Avis, go online to find discounts and deals from travel websites before you call the rental company. Few rental companies match the fares posted on budget travel sites and search engines, so it’s up to you to locate the best price before you get a quote from the service provider.
3. Fill up the tank before you drop it off. Most car rental companies will charge you an exorbitant mile-per-gallon rate for topping off the tank after the drop off. Head to the nearest gas station before dropping off the car so you can pay the average price of gas, and give the car rental company the receipt.
4. Review insurance coverage options. Most car rental companies offer a set of different types of insurance, but will ‘recommend’ one of the most expensive. If you have homeowner’s insurance, you may be covered for rentals as well. Take the time to consider your options, and avoid overpaying for coverage you don’t really need.
5. Book a package. If you’re using an online flight booking service, take a look at package options where the flight + car or flight + hotel + car options are all rolled into one. This can reduce fees and extra booking charges, and may even help you get a better rate for your trip.

Of all the places to meet other singles, airplanes have to be among the toughest. First of all, how can you be sure whether the person sitting across from you is actually as attractive as they seem or whether your vision is being adversely affected by the recycled air and cabin pressure.

Most people don’t think about hooking up with someone they meet on an airplane. They are preoccupied with thoughts or worries about what they are going to do when they reach their destination. They are uncomfortable. They’ve already seen the in-flight movie several times. The person behind them keeps kicking their seat. The last thing they care about is the fact that one of their fellow passengers finds them attractive.

Sometimes, no matter how many smiles you throw someone’s way, they are always going to be returned with a frown. But, finding romance aloft is possible. Would-be lovers just have to remember that the game is much different in the sky than it is on solid ground.

Looking to pick up someone on an airplane? You have to get up the courage to make your move. After than, you have to figure out what you move is going to be.

1. Think about what you have in common with passengers on your flight. You are probably going to the same destination (see #3), or at least laying over at the same airport. If you’ve been there before, you can offer some insight about where to eat or grab a cup of coffee. If the airport is new to you, you can ask the attractive person in the seat next to you for some advice about restaurants or cafés. Either way, it is the perfect segue to “would you like to join me for a bite to eat?”
And what about the nasty airline meal or the boring in-flight movie or the baby who has been crying for the whole trip? If something bothered you during the flight, chances are it bothered everyone else on the plane too. No one wants to hear complaints though, unless they are offered in a good natured or sarcastically humorous way, “That was the best mystery meat sandwich and wilted salad that I’ve ever had!” Most people are not entirely happy to be on an airplane, so saying anything that lightens the mood invites a positive response. Get the hotty next to you to smile or laugh is always a good start.

2. Talk about your destination. If you’ve been there before, you can dish out advice. Everyone likes an expert. The best-case scenario is that the beauty in seat 44B has never been to the destination and will naturally be interested in getting the lowdown. If she is familiar with the city, you can compare notes. And, if you are heading somewhere for the first time, ask for advice, “You look like you know your way around (insert city or country). Can you tell me where I can get a good meal? (Insert small talk about food here). Would you like to join me?” You can keep asking questions to push along the conversation until the critical moment when you let your attraction be known.

3. Offer to buy some extras. As airlines tighten their belts, complementary items are disappearing from the cabin. You might get a free bag of heavily salted peanuts, but you then have to pay $2 if you want to wash them down with a Sprite. Normally, this would cause you to curse the airline. But, the god or goddess in 44B has changed all that. Now, you are praising the recession. 44B’s mouth is dry and you can earn some points with them for only two George Washingtons. If a conversation ensues, you can switch to Jack and Coke and even another round of Planters. In a way, this strategy is similar to what you might employ at a singles bar. But remember that there is not much of a party atmosphere on an airplane. You don’t want to throw around too much money on alcohol until you get to the club. A cocktail on an airplane is more of a way to take the edge off. Fellow passengers, airplane staff, and, most importantly, the person you are trying to impress will be put off by someone hitting the joy juice too hard.

4. Compare travel stories. Here again, it’s best to start with something that lightens the mood. A funny thing has probably happened to you on an airplane sometime in the past. Or at least, you can make up something humorous or even plagiarize some material from one of those old Airplane! Movies.
Find out if the person you like is excited about their destination. If they are, they’ll be more than happy to talk about it with you. And, if their not excited, you can encourage them to talk about past travels that they enjoyed. You can throw in a few tales yourself, as long as you make sure the conversation is not one sided.

5. Offer entertainment. Have you ever notice how many people on an airplane simply sit and stare straight ahead or look out the window at the unchanging horizon. Sure, they flip through the in-flight catalog or magazine. Maybe they check out the movie, if there is one. But, for the most part, air travel is boring. That’s good news for you and your love life. You can set off in search of romance armed with an iPod, a book or magazine, or, better yet, a computer or personal DVD player. If you are lucky enough to be sitting next to someone attractive, nothing will get their attention better than a movie. Push play and offer an extra set of headphones to them when they glance over to see what you are watching.
Or, offer a comment about what you are reading when you see them give it a casual look.
Conversation about movies or books comes easily to most people. Go with it, throwing in some mild flirtation when the opportunity presents itself.

Some things that might hamper your romantic, mid-flight endeavors: air sickness, unexpected turbulence, the fact that the attractive person you have your eye on is sitting on the other end of the airplane. These are unavoidable, but can be remedied with easy fixes like Dramamine and patience. Sometimes it’s easier to approach someone in an airport after a flight rather than walking up to seat 44B and trying to flirt while the people in 44A, 44C and 45A-C look on. Some of the same conversation starters might work in the terminal as well as in the airplane cabin.

And even if you fail in your attempts at romance, there is always the return trip.

If you’re heading to sunny Orlando for a summer vacation this year, don’t miss out on some new attractions, parades and concerts taking place throughout Disney World. Disney World drums up fresh activities and themed events every season, and summer 2008 calls for exciting events that continue with the Disney’s ‘Year of a Million Dreams’ theme. From Toy Store Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to new sports events at the newly-expanded Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex, here are a few noteworthy activities and attractions to add to your Disney itinerary:

The Wave at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
A new upscale restaurant at the Contemporary Resort, one of Disney’s most popular hotels, is making a grand entrance this summer with American-fusion dishes and a seasonal menu of specialties,. The extensive wine list and signature cocktails are making this a valuable place for food and wine lovers at heart.

Toy Story Mania! Ride at Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios presents the latest Toy Story attraction with a 3-D vehicle ride, the place to play the Toy Story Mania! Game as you shoot down animated targets and navigate through a real life game board. Toy Story characters come to life as you explore each stage of the game and tackle the latest challenge using your target-shooting skills. It’s fun for all ages and skill levels, and is sure to become a family favorite in no time.

Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage!
Another new attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the Playhouse Disney performance, a high energy, interactive stage show with a cast of characters from “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” and “Little Einstein.” The performance features sing-along activities and is ideal for preschoolers and kindergartners.

New Sports Lineup at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex
The 220-acre Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex has recently been expanded to accommodate even more space for gymnastics events, cheerleading routines, roller hockey and basketball games. This season looks to be one of the best ever, with an increased number of games and performances scheduled for the summer season.

Travel agents can be the best way to get great deals on trips and to get insider tips on vacation destinations. The key is to find the travel agent who will meet your needs and your plans despite your budget. It is a lot like finding the right contractor or doctor. Instead of just picking a name at random from the yellow pages, take some time to look around, ask around and meet with available agents in your area.

1. Talk to family and friends (and even strangers in the grocery store). See who they know or have used in the past. As the travel industry continues to grow, so does the number of individuals that service it. It seems that everyone has a relative or family friend in the industry these days. Get recommendations – but ask for the good, the bad and the ugly on anyone that is suggested.

2. Meet with potential representatives. While it is okay to get leads from others, you need to meet the agents in person. Find out what their experience is and even ask for references. Be sure to ask for references of people who didn’t have the best vacation experience. It is important to see how the travel agent handles problems or difficulties.

3. Ask about her personal travel experience. Is her travel all book knowledge, or has she taken the time and money to visit the sites herself. First hand knowledge can be more valuable than all the degrees in the world.

4. Check online or with the Better Business Bureau in your area to see if there have been formal complaints against the travel agent or the company that she represents.

Once you find the travel agent that is best for your needs, make an appointment to sit down and talk with her. Be sure you give her all the information needed to plan the perfect vacation experience for you and your family: budget, interests, special needs or wants, and the importance factor of the different elements (where are you willing to compromise if it is needed).

Be sure that any plans your agent makes are only tentative until your final approval. Even though she is the expert, take a little time and effort to do some research of the suggestions that she makes. In the end, no matter who makes the arrangements, it is your vacation (and money) that is on the line.