Most people think of Colorado as a winter destination, and for good reason. It’s hard to find better skiing than in the state’s mountains, and it’s a snowy playground for snowmobilers, snowshoers and winter campers as well. However, Colorado’s attractions don’t melt away with the snow, and it’s a worthy destination filled with fascinating sites and fun activities year-round.

The appeal of Colorado vacations lies in the fact that the state has great outdoor activities, lively cities and unique historic attractions. Almost everything is incredibly family friendly, and because it’s relatively easy to find cheap flights to the state capital, Denver, it’s a great value. When you combine flights with hotel rooms and car rental, you can often get outstanding savings.

Starting out in Denver, you can get a taste of cosmopolitan Colorado. The laid-back attitude of the city makes it an easy place to feel right at home. One of the city’s hippest highlights is the Cherry Creek district. Here you can find unpretentious cafes serving creative food, stylish boutiques and a great area for strolling. For even more shopping, check out the 16th St. Mall, a pedestrian-only zone. The Denver Art Museum, housed in a jagged building, will impress the art aficionado in your family, and your music fans will want to check out what’s on the schedule at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater, just 15 miles outside the city.

Traveling toward Colorado Springs, you won’t want to miss the Garden of the Gods. The imposing red rock formations that jut up out of the landscape will inspire the most avowed fans of the great indoors to get out of the car and go for long hikes. Or, if your feet get tired, saddle up for some spectacular trail rides at the many stables that offer horseback tours of the area.

Southwest Colorado has some of America’s most arresting vestiges of Native American culture, and though it’s a bit off the beaten path, it’s well worth it to explore the area. Mesa Verde National Park is the centerpiece, and your entire family will be fascinated by a tour through the ruins left by cliff-dwelling Native Americans. There are a number of different structures still standing, and they offer an unusual glimpse into Native American life and culture.

And, of course, Rocky Mountain National Park offers all kinds of summer activities. It’s an impressive setting for family camping trips, canoeing, horseback riding or good old-fashioned hiking. If you decide to fly in, there are plenty of outfitters who can provide you with all the equipment you need.

Renting a car makes it easy to take in Colorado’s diverse sights and attractions. Even if you think renting a car is out of your budget, search for vacation packages on sites like www.travelocity.com. When you combine cheap flights with hotels and car rental, you’ll be surprised at how much value you’ll get for your money.

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Jen Leo, the Daily Deal Blogger for the LA Times Travel Section answers the question: How do I redeem my frequent flyer miles?

Transcript

Redeeming your frequent flyer miles is a straight forward process. Go to the website of the airline and go to their frequent flyer program section. Go to the section that has ‘redeem miles’ and then see what all the toys and goodies you can buy with your points are. It’s kind of like if you are at the fair and you have those extra tickets. Just keep your frequent flyer number handy so that when you do call the representative, or sign in on the website, you have your number ready and they can log you in, check your bank account, so to speak, and then start redeeming your miles.

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You can spend the same amount and get more – for example, choosing to extend a vacation or trading up your hotel choice – or you can pocket the savings.

With a little planning, even the most budget-conscious can find affordable trips this fall and winter. Tim MacDonald, general manager of Expedia.com, offers some advice for ways to get the most value out of your next vacation:

Plan ahead and book with confidence – In many cases, scheduling travel in advance helps you secure the lowest airfare and hotel rates. Though there’s always a chance for last-minute sales, waiting could increase the likelihood that you will pay higher prices. This frequently happens during peak times, like the winter holidays, when there are fewer options for flights and hotel rooms.

While airlines and hotels may charge penalties, Expedia.com has eliminated change and cancel fees for hotels, cruises, car rental and most flight reservations. With fewer change and cancel fees to worry about, travelers have the flexibility they need to book in advance with confidence.

Book Together

Booking airfare and hotel accommodations at the same time not only simplifies the vacation planning process, but also can help substantially reduce the overall costs of vacation travel.

“Booking travel together is one of the easiest ways to save money and get the most value when planning a trip. That’s because when you bundle your air travel and hotel together and book them at the same time, Expedia.com is able to pass substantial savings onto you,” says MacDonald. “Last year Expedia.com customers saved $248 million by booking their air travel and hotels together.”

Trade Up

Although some people may be looking to scale back travel plans or follow a vacation budget more closely than in the past, for others there are opportunities to get more for their money this year. For roughly the price of a three-star hotel stay last year, travelers can now book at a four-star hotel. In fact, the average daily rate of a four-star hotel is $143 per night, 22 percent lower than the average for 2008.

“We’re seeing incredible values for luxury hotel properties this year,” says MacDonald. “For some travelers, this may be their chance to stretch their dollars and upgrade to hotels that have previously been out of their price range.”

Be Flexible and Try Something New

Take time to look for current travel deals to help choose a vacation destination. Look for exclusive special values and promotional rates to popular destinations including Mexico, Las Vegas, New York City and Hawaii, as well as deals on all-inclusive resorts and cruises. All-inclusive options have always been good values because they include meals and many activities in the upfront price. What’s more, this year the average daily rates for all-inclusive properties are even lower than last year – for instance, average daily rates for all-inclusive resorts in the Bahamas are 16 percent lower this year from last year.

Research Activities in Advance

Sticking to a travel budget can sometimes be difficult when factoring in activities, so be sure to research activities and attractions before your trip to identify these costs in advance. In addition, booking activities in advance ensures you won’t miss out on attractions, events and activities that sell out. Virtually all vacation destinations also offer inexpensive and free attractions, like city parks, cultural festivals and museums. Taking advantage of a mix of free and paid activities can help you get the most out of your vacation for a reasonable price.

Know Before You Go

Thoroughly researching vacation destinations including available public transportation or local tipping customs (if traveling outside the U.S.) can help avoid any unexpected costs. You may be able to avoid the expense of a rental car by identifying public transportation options or by selecting a hotel that provides free transportation. If you do need a a rental car, make your reservation early, and consider adding it to a flight or hotel booking to help secure the best price. In fact, adding a rental car to your air travel or hotel booking could mean savings of up to 30 percent off typical prices.

For more information about travel deals and destinations, visit www.expedia.com.

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Families are tightening their budgets, and for many this means fewer activities outside of the home. With less dining out, movie outings, sports games or even summer camp, there’s no better time for budget-conscious moms and dads to really connect and spend quality time with their kids.

Start at Home

One of your biggest monthly investments is your family home, so why not get your money’s worth? If your kids don’t think staying home is cool, here’s your opportunity to get creative.

• Establish a weekly game night. There’s no need to buy new games. Simply ask other parents if they have games that you can borrow.
• Subscribe to a home movie rental service. Let the kids add their favorite movie to the queue as a reward for an accomplishment.

Dining in Style

With the kids out of school and longer days, there is no better time for the family to be together than at dinnertime.

• Keep the meal simple so the family can prepare it together. I like to use affordable canned vegetables, like Libby’s, in recipes and as side dishes because they are delicious and easy to prepare.
• Dine outside at least once a week. It doesn’t matter if you have a patio or you do it picnic style.

Get Out of Town

You don’t have to give up the precious memories created during annual summer vacations. While theme parks and tropical escapes may be the gold standard of summer retreats, there are a lot of great locales closer to home.

• Look for locations three to four hours away to save on airfare, and make it a road trip.
• Try camping. Once a popular option, many young families are getting back into the adventurous spirit of camping.

For more tips from Hannah Keeley on how to connect with your family, visit the Libby’s Vegetables Web site at www.GetBacktotheTable.com.

About the author: Hannah Keeley is a mother of seven, the host of “Hannah Help Me!” on PBS and author of “Hannah Keeley’s Total Mom Makeover: The Six-Week Plan to Completely Transform Your Home, Health, Family, and Life.”

Courtesy: NewsUSA