0 Freedom Trail Boston Coupons, Deals and Budget Tips - Save On Your Visit and Still Enjoy a Lobster!

Any budget-friendly visit to Boston's fantastic Freedom Trail should start at one of the two National Park Service Visitor Centers. The NPS personnel are enthusiastic, knowledgeable and they can help you plan your visit. All of what they provide is completely free (paid for by US taxpayers), although you may wish to make a small donation. Their free guided tours - which include the downtown Freedom Trail Stops, Faneuil Hall, Bunker Hill, the USS Constitution, and the USS Cassin Young - are well done, as good or better than anything you will pay for. And, the new Visitor Center at the base of Faneuil Hall is a showplace.

The National Park Service has also produced a free app that can be downloaded to an Android or iPhone/iPad device. Search Google Play or iTunes for "NPS Boston" to download the app. The app is very well done but it only covers "official" 16 Freedom Trail Stops - there is a lot more you will want to see. Use the NPS app in conjunction with the custom Google Map referenced below for a complete and free guide to everything.

Most of The Freedom Trail Stops are free, with exceptions of the Old South Meeting House, Old State House, and Paul Revere House. If visiting all three, purchase a Freedom Trail Ticket at any of these Stops. It will save about 20% over individual tickets. You can purchase it online, but there is little advantage to purchasing before you arrive.

Another option for visitors visiting the admission-charging Stops and other Boston-area attractions - including a tour from TheFreedomTrail.org, museums and a trolley or duck-boat tour, is a bundled package from Go Select.

Dining in Boston can be expensive, but bargains are available. Wonderful lunch deals are frequently offered, including lobster, in the Blackstone Block neighborhood. The Blackstone Block is on the walk between Faneuil Hall and the Paul Revere House in the North End. Several of the pubs mentioned in my Ezine article "Freedom Trail Restaurant Guide - Historic Restaurants," feature good, reasonably priced food in a colorful atmosphere.

There are many other good options in and around the North End (Boston's Little Italy and the location of the Paul Revere House, Old North Church and Copp's Hill Burying Ground). Several of my favorites include:

Galleria Umberto, for pizza-oriented lunch fare, is very popular with the locals. 289 Hanover Street (617) 227-5709.

La Summa, is one of the best for old world (not trendy) Italian. 30 Fleet St 617-523-9503. Check Restaurant.com for coupons.

Pizzeria Regina, Boston's oldest pizzeria, has been here since 1926. 11 1/2 Thacher Street. 617-227-0765.

There are two great Italian pastry shops on Hanover Street in the North End. Mikes Pastry at 300 Hanover Street is larger and has inside seating. Modern Pastry is at 257 Hanover Street. Both are fantastic.

Public transportation on the MBTA is the best way to get around. If your trip spans several days, consider a multi-day pass. Children 11 and under are free, and junior-high and high school students receive a 50% discount with ID and a special ticket.

There is a wonderful Water Shuttle ride across the inner harbor between Long Wharf (near Faneuil Hall and the Old State House) and the Charlestown Navy Yard (near the USS Constitution). It is part of the MBTA, and the single ride adult fare is $3.00, children are free. It is the F4 route and it is an inner harbor tour on the cheap - a great ride on a nice day.

Pick up a free CharlieCard at any transit station. The CharlieCard is a plastic reusable ticket for the MBTA. By showing the card, you receive discounts on attractions such as FreedomTrail.org tours, 2 for 1 admission at the Old State House, Boston Duck Tours, restaurant discounts (10% off at the Warren Tavern in Charlestown), and more. Search and download the "CharlieCard discount booklet" to learn more.

Enjoy your visit - The Freedom Trail is a special place!

Steve Gladstone is a Boston-based writer / historian and author of the "Freedom Trail Boston - Ultimate Tour & History Guide - Tips, Secrets and Tricks." For more Freedom Trail information, visit http://www.stevestravelguide.com/ For a guide to all the referenced official and unofficial Freedom Trail Stops, use this interactive Freedom Trail Google Map, a free tour guide in your pocket.

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0 Budget Travel: 5 Steps to Creating a Budget Friendly Vacation

Traveling during a down economy isn't easy. It's a big commitment, and there isn't a lot of certainty. This has caused many families to postpone or cancel their vacation plans altogether. Many of these families aren't aware of the ins and outs of budget travel, and that's unfortunate. If these families realized that they can make travel more affordable, then maybe they'd be able to take more time off.

That's what I wanted to go over in this article. If you're interested in saving money on a vacation, then follow these simple budget travel steps.

Find the right destination - If you haven't picked a destination, then pay special attention to cheap destinations. You don't have to plan the trip of a lifetime to get a good experience. Try looking for something close to home that many people don't think about. Get creative!
Pay attention to transportation - Calculate the cost of traveling to your destination. A flight, for example, can cost a family thousands whereas a car ride would cost less. Granted, you'll also have to balance that against the potential frustration of a long car ride. But, if it can save you a few hundred dollars, it might be worth it.
Select the right hotel - Look around the Internet for different hotel deals and see where you can find the lowest rates possible. You hear a lot of horror stories about cheap hotels, but I really don't have any. Even the cheap hotels I've stayed in have been satisfactory. But pay attention to the reviews anyway, since most price comparison websites show them. If you can find a cheap hotel that people have been satisfied with in the past, then it might be the diamond in the rough you're looking for.
Make a Light, and Cheap Schedule - Some of the most enjoyable vacations are the ones where you don't do much. When you're traveling on a budget, the last thing you want to do is cram your vacation full of activities. Schedule some fun stuff, but don't overdo it. Not only will you be exhausted, you'll also spend more money. Think of free time in both senses of the word (the do what you want sense and the doesn't cost you anything sense)
Plan your meals ahead of time - Think of a college student living in an apartment. How do they save money on food? Do they eat out all the time or do they go to the store and make their own meals? Obviously, they do the second one, and you can do the same thing during your vacation. This may sound like nonsense, but a family of four can actually save $150-$200 just by planning their meals.

What if you want to save even more money? You might be interested in a free ebook offered at WorldWidely.com. It goes over everything budget travel and can help you save even more money. Click here to get your free copy.

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0 Several Ways To Save Your Vacations Budget

It can be mighty difficult to arrange travel when you are hurting for money. You want to reduce your expenses as much as you can so that you are able to boost your available money for vacation amenities. Read on for more on how to do just this.

Think about driving instead of flying. Unless you get your tickets months in advance, the seat prices can cost you an arm and a leg. Also, depending on where you are going, the flight might actually take longer. Destinations less than ten driving hours away are sometimes faster to get to by road, once you factor in parking, security, flight and boarding times. Bus routes are also an economical option if your destination is near a stop.

If you are visiting another country, be aware of their currency situation. While your electronic debit and credit cards are probably going to work, the rates and fees might not make them worth it, whereas cash could be cheaper. Get your currency converted before you leave home so you do not pay excess service charges at borders. This is not always legal, but it does happen. Also, see if your home currency is just okay where you are going. Many countries use the American dollar as their currency, and other nations take American dollars because their own local currency is pegged one to one in value, like the Bahamas.

If you travel at night, ticket prices are cheaper. This applies to flights, trains and even some bus rides. Sleeping in your seat might not seem like the most comfortable way to go, but it can mean cheaper travel and spare you a hotel room.

Consider a simple jaunt to the next closest city. It has sights and activities you do not see in your everyday life, but getting there will not take a lot of time or money. You might even know a friend or family member you can stay with.

Get a bundle deal on your trip. Combination deals are increasingly popular through online websites and email offers. Take advantage of these deals when they pop up, as the window of opportunity is usually limited. You can also create your own, saving on everything from flights to hotels and car rentals.

Price bidding is still a way to save money on travel online. You can get sweet deals on both your accommodations and your travel arrangements.

You can still enjoy your romantic vacations with your loved one, although you don't have enough money to afford it. There are many ways to save your money during your trip. Come to this website to see some other affordable getaways ideas for your vacations. Have fun!

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0 Tips on How to Budget Your Honeymoon

One of the most expensive things you have to save up for is your wedding. And when the wedding is done, it won't stop there. You still need to plan your honeymoon and make sure that the memories will last for a lifetime! Planning an expensive honeymoon will be out of your list this time as you have already spent so much during your wedding. You can actually cut all unnecessary extras like a high class hotel room just to save more. You can opt to use other available resources to fit your allotted budget without forgetting about the essence of the whole honeymoon event. Here are some tips to help you save for your dream honeymoon.

If you are tired of receiving all those kitchen sets and whatnots on your special wedding day, try thinking outside the box and putting up a honeymoon registry on your wedding reception. Your guest can sponsor your honeymoon trip and pay a parcel or if the guests are generous enough, even donate the whole budget for your honeymoon! This could jumpstart your savings for that special honeymoon you've been preparing since kindergarten.

You may be confused on where to start when you get all too excited about your honeymoon. You might want to hire a specialist travel planner who can work with you side by side to come up with the perfect honeymoon plan for you and your spouse. Hiring a travel planner will make your life easier as they will be in charge of making all the necessary arrangements to make your honeymoon a success. Your travel planner will definitely work on your budget without letting you worry about extra costs. Just sit back and relax as all your honeymoon specifications will be carefully incorporated in your itinerary.

If you are really eager to slash the budget in half, take a look at the travel packages during off-shoulder seasons. Although the weather may not be as pleasant during peak seasons, you will be paying a luxurious hotel and along with recreational areas at reasonable prices. In addition to this, you don't have to worry about other amenities shooting up prices.

Take a little more interest in all-inclusive travel packages. Besides, fixed costs can give you a clear estimate of the budget needed for your honeymoon. However, do not forget to ask some questions and find out where your money will be going. It's always a good thing to ask when you're unsure.

With all these tips, you are now sure that you are getting the value for your money. You can now take a real break while enjoying your budgeted honeymoon!

Planning an unforgettable yet inexpensive honeymoon and still don't know where to start? Let a Specialist Travel Planner do the job for you! Puneet Aggarwal is an expert Honeymoon and Travel Adviser who had planned hundreds of remarkable honeymoons for happy couples! He runs Honeymoonswami where he advises couples on how to choose the perfect travel destinations. Travel in style while saving more money at the same time!

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