Travel Fever: Starve it or Feed it?

I can tell that I'm not the only one starting to feel the effects of travel fever. Spring is here, tax returns are rolling in and everyone is wondering it they should wait maybe one more year to travel or just go for it!

While it is important now more than ever to not live or spend outside are means, I believe that also needs to be tempered with the knowledge that we never now what life is going to bring us. Spending too much time being cautious or waiting for just the right time can lead to a long line of 'what ifs.'

I think the best way to meet in the middle as far as traveling goes would be to play it smart. Now is the time to really take advantage of those travel tips I'm always talking about. Travel on the off season and put up with cooler weather. What a difference in price traveling in the off season brings. I'm planning my next research trip for next March and I can't wait to be able to mingle with less tourists and more Italians. Find charming little B&B's and avoid all those fancy hotels. Tell yourself that you don't need all those extras, they detract from finding the soul of Italy. Those little places are in trouble too, wringing there hands trying to figure out how to find more guests. In fact, several of my contacts have asked me what I thought they could do to encourage more Americans to stay with them. Stay in one place for more than a night or two and offer a cash payment. Prices can be soft right now with longer stays and all Italians prefer cash transactions.

Whatever you do, don't completely give up on your travel dreams. Adjust, adapt and be creative. Of course, finding someone like me to help will give you an edge over other travellers and save you even more money in the long run. At this time, all but a rare accommodation offers my clients exclusive extras and up to 20% off listed rates. I am grateful for their kindness and the passion they put into their work. This is their dream as well.