The Secret to Finding the Best Travel Bargains
I call this frugal secret the off-travel mind-set, a willingness to chart your own course to savings and possibly a better experience. The following are a few off-travel strategies I rely on.
Off-Peak Travel
Off-peak travel, or going when everyone else isn't, generally gets you the best prices on costs that change with demand, including flights and accommodations.
Kayla DeLoache, the U.S. travel expert for the travel search site Kayak, said midweek flights tend to offer the best value while Fridays and Sundays are the most expensive thanks to the weekend surge.
'Tuesdays, Wednesday and Saturdays are generally where we see airfare around 20 percent cheaper than other days of the week,' said Katy Nastro, of Going.com, a membership service for cheap airfare.
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Nearly 2 dozen Michigan beaches have high bacteria counts. See the list of place to avoid
Nearly two dozen Michigan beaches are under bacteria advisories or are closed as Michiganders head into the Aug. 2-3 weekend. In a state to more than 1,000 beaches, state officials say 21 beaches in counties across Michigan aren't fit for swimming. As of Friday, Aug. 1, there are multiple Michigan beaches that are currently closed or under advisory due to high bacteria levels — likely from wildlife, according to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, which provides that information via an online dashboard. Beaches with closures or advisories Beaches include: Campbell Lake near Robert Morris Park in Kalamazoo County Clinch Park in Grand Traverse County Dumont Lake County Park Beach in Allegan County East Jordan Tourist Park in Charlevoix County Elm Point Beach in Charlevoix County Emerald Lake (Lyster Rd) in Oakland County Four Mile Beach in Chippewa County Grove Street Beach in Oakland County Halls Lake at Isabella County Independence Lake County Park in Washtenaw County Lakeview Waterfront Park in Roscommon County Lakewood Farms (Sharon Street) in Oakland County Newburgh and Sumac Pointes (Hines Park) in Wayne County Philp County Park in Huron County Pontiac Lake in Oakland County Ramona Park in Kalamazoo County Seven Lakes State Park in Oakland County St. Clair Shores Memorial Park Beach in Macomb County Sylvan Lake in Oakland County West End Beach in Grand Traverse County Willow Street Beach in Keego Harbor County health departments routinely collect water samples for bacteria levels at beaches across the state to determine whether the water is safe for swimming, according to the EGLE. To be considered safe for swimming, the E. coli counts must be below 300 per 100 milliliters. Check the conditions of your local beach The EGLE map lists information for beaches in Michigan, including water quality sampling results and beach advisories and closures. The website also includes information on combined or sanitary sewer overflows, which lead to partially treated or untreated sewage being released into rivers and streams. Why do officials check for E. coli? Generally, coliforms are bacteria that are not harmful and are naturally present in the environment, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. They are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, fecal bacteria (indicated by the E. coli species) could be present. If any routine or repeat sample is total coliform positive or present, the system (i.e., the lab) must further analyze that sample to determine whether E. coli are present. E. coli is a more specific indicator of fecal contamination and is a potentially more harmful pathogen than other bacteria typically found in the coliform group. Consumption of or contact with water contaminated with feces of warm-blooded animals can cause a variety of illnesses, the U.S. Geological Survey said. Minor gastrointestinal discomfort is probably the most common symptom; however, pathogens that may cause only minor sickness in some people may cause serious conditions or death in others, especially in the very young, old, or those with weakened immune systems. What is swimmer's itch? Does E. coli cause it? Swimmer's itch is a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to microscopic parasites that infect some birds and mammals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Swimmer's itch is often incorrectly attributed to E. coli exposure, according to the Clean Lakes Alliance. Symptoms can include: Tingling, burning or itching of the skin Small reddish pimples Small blisters What can I do about swimmer's itch? Swimmer's itch typically clears up on its own within a week. If the itching is severe, your health care provider may recommend prescription-strength lotions or creams, the Mayo Clinic said. Some home treatments may provide relief until it goes away: Apply a corticosteroid cream or an anti-itch lotion, such as those that contain calamine. Take an oral nonprescription antihistamine (Benadryl) or one with loratadine (Alavert, Claritin, others). Avoid scratching the rash. Cover affected areas with a clean, damp washcloth. Soak in a bath sprinkled with Epsom salts, baking soda or an oatmeal-based bath product (Aveeno, others). Make a paste of baking soda and water, and then apply it to the affected skin. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 21 Michigan beaches not safe for swimming. See the list Solve the daily Crossword
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Teenager Suffers Severe Burns When Foot Sinks Near Yellowstone Geyser
A teenager who was visiting Yellowstone National Park was severely burned this week when his foot sank through the thin crust of ground in a popular geyser area, the National Park Service said. The teenager, a 17-year-old boy, was hiking on Monday in the thermal area near the Lone Star Geyser, which is in the same geyser basin as Old Faithful, when his foot broke through the crust, causing 'significant thermal burns to his foot and ankle area,' the park service said in a statement. He was taken to a hospital for treatment, the service said. Park officials, who did not release his name, said that the episode was under investigation. Geysers are a type of hot spring that erupts with both water and steam. Contact with the scalding water in a geyser can cause severe or even fatal burns, so boardwalks and trails have been constructed in the area to protect visitors as well as the thermal formations. Officials did not say whether the teenager was in areas deemed appropriate for tourists when he was hurt or had ventured past the boundaries, either intentionally or by accident. It was the first known thermal injury this year in connection with Yellowstone's famous hot springs, which have been popular but risky tourist attractions for years. They can reach temperatures hotter than 185 degrees Fahrenheit, according to U.S. Geological Survey. Visitors who have ventured off the boardwalks built around the geysers and broken through ground or come into contact with the hot spray have been scorched, jailed and even killed. Since the park's beginnings in 1872, 22 people have died from burns caused by entering or falling into the hot springs. Eruptions from the Lone Star Geyser shoot up about every three hours, sometimes rising as high as 45 feet. An asphalt trail leads to the geyser, but the last few hundred feet are unpaved. It is among about 150 geysers in the Upper Geyser Basin, including Old Faithful, one of the most popular features in the park for its predictable and frequent eruptions. The Parks Service routinely advises visitors to remain on boardwalks and trails and avoid touching thermal features or runoff. Entering the waters is prohibited. Visitors are also warned that they should leave geyser basins if they feel ill from toxic gases.
Condé Nast Traveler
an hour ago
- Condé Nast Traveler
A 1960s-Era Pan Am Building in Miami Will Reopen as a Luxe Private Terminal
Travelers passing through one of the largest airports in the US will soon have access to a plush new private terminal housed inside a historic Jet Age building. PS, the company formerly known as Private Suite, is restoring the historic Pan Am building at Miami International Airport, transforming it into an ultra-exclusive lounge space for paying commercial airline passengers. PS currently operates out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), with plans to expand to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) in 2026. The luxe spaces, popular among high net-worth and celebrity travelers, are separate from the main airport terminals and offer bespoke services as well as private security checkpoints. When the project at MIA is complete, travelers will feel as if they're stepping back into the glamour of the 'Golden Age' of air travel in the 1960s—but with upgraded, modern amenities. The terminal will feature private TSA and customs clearance, private suites, a bar, an outdoor courtyard, decorative pools, work spaces, and more. Originally constructed in 1963 to serve as Pan Am's regional headquarters, the building is a shining example of midcentury modern Miami architecture. It was nicknamed the 'Taj Mahal of Miami' for its similar layout to the real Taj Mahal and design that "resembles that of the US Embassy in New Delhi from 1959,' according to RJ Heisenbottle Architects, the firm overseeing the restoration project.
