Episode 38 – Spring Break

Colleen & Catie’s Picks for Spring Break Colleen Place to avoid? Florida, California – Anyplace that’s popular Alternative Spring Break destination? Lake Geneva, Wisconsin – An easy drive from Chicago and not swamped with tourists for spring break. Favorite hotel there? Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, WI – Nice rooms or villas, plus a club Lounge, spa, golf, and skiing. Favorite restaurant? Geneva Chophouse – Steaks, seafood, wine. Be sure to make a reservation (they get busy)! Favorite activity? Skiing, sleigh rides, golf How to save money on a hotel during Spring Break? Book early and look for packages that include breakfast, parking, cocktail hour, and other perks. How to save money on flights/transportation during Spring Break? Drive, don’t fly. Spring break travel tips? Look for cities that aren’t as warm/sunny. Even north in Florida might be a good option, as it’s not as warm. Also, go to places in the off season, and stay during the week vs. on weekends, to save money Catie Place to avoid? Avoid theme parks during spring break. Go when kids are still in school. Alternative Spring Break destination? Austin, Texas Favorite hotel there? Archer Hotel in North Austin – 8 story hotel that mixes Texas limestone and wildflowers with the soul of Austin. Favorite restaurant? Franklin BBQ – Draws lines down the street for their world-renowned brisket. Favorite activity? Barton Springs Pool – A recreational outdoor swimming pool that is filled entirely with water from nearby natural springs. How to save money? Food truck scene. Check out the cluster of trailers on South Congress! Cost of flights? Anywhere from $100 to $350 roundtrip. Spirit or Southwest are generally the best value. Spring Break Travel Tips? Try not to post too much on social media if you are not home. Security wise it alerts people that you and your family are not home. If you’re flying to a popular destination, you should book your flight 90 days in advance before spring break (By December) “What’s” with the “Trip Sisters” What’s in Your Suitcase? iPhone XR – Starts at $749 on www.Apple.com With a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display, a faster core processor while using less power, easy wake gestures, Haptic Touch on the keyboard, and an incredible camera with a variety of features for your best portrait photos yet, this is a must-have for your next vacation! What’s on your phone? Roadtrippers: iPhone & Android – FREE Offers a database of amazing places to help you map out your next road trip (restaurant, hotel, national park, roadside attraction, etc.), giving you a cheaper alternative to flying during spring break. What’s the tip? Dos and Don’ts of flying for Spring Break (Hopper) Don’t: Depart on Friday – Friday is the most popular day to depart and the most expensive and flying on Friday will cost you 20% more than flying on Tuesday. Do: Travel mid-week – Tuesday is typically the cheapest day of the week to depart. Plus, hotels will also be cheaper, as Saturday night hotel stays will cost you 4% more than midweek. Don’t: Fly home on Sunday – It will cost you 10 percent more than returning on a Friday. Do: Fly home on Friday – Although Friday is the most expensive day to depart, it’s the cheapest day to return. The second cheapest option is Saturday, which will cost you 4% more than Friday. Don’t: Travel during peak spring break travel times – The most expensive times to travel from a U.S. airport this spring are between April 2 and April 15, when flights can have a 25 percent premium. Do: Try to be flexible with arrival/departure days – Even a shift of one week before/after the peak can make a huge difference. Don’t: Wait until the last minute to book your flights. Booking less than two weeks before departure will cost you 25% more than monitoring prices in advance. Booking in the final days will cost you 50% more. Do: Set up a trip watch on Hopper to get alerted about when to book. Don’t: Fly non-stop Do: Fly indirect. Nonstop will cost 8% more than indirect flights.