Just as we were coming out of a long period of lockdowns and entry restrictions, world oil prices went through the roof.

This affected flights using jet fuel and the cost to fill up a car’s tank for a road trip.

Now, interest rates are on the rise around the world to combat inflation, including hotel prices that are up 10% or more in many popular destinations.

These effects aren’t felt equally, however, and currency changes can amplify or diminish them.

If you’re earning US dollars, the whole world is on sale right now. If you’re earning Japanese yen or British pounds, however, you will spend more than you would have a year ago in most spots outside your own country.

No matter what is going on in the macro finance world, however, savvy travelers can find a way to travel well for less by adjusting their strategies.

By following these tips, you can still keep your travel budget in check for that much-needed vacation:

Find a great flight deal, then pick the destination

Many vacationers pick a destination they want to visit, without doing much research, then try to squeeze the prices they discover into their existing budget. A much better strategy is to figure out where the cheap flight deals are and then make one of those options the vacation destination.

There are plenty of companies that specialize in finding deals.. These require that you pounce on temporary opportunities. The on-demand way to do this is to put your home airport into Google Flights, pick a date, and leave the destination blank.

A map of the world will come up with the starting flight price to anywhere on the planet. You can play around with the dates or pick a flexible option to find the optimal time to fly.

Picking a random week a month from now, I found round-trip deals such as Denver to Miami for $314, London to Marrakesh for $81 and Mumbai to Bangkok for $263.

Go somewhere that has historically attractive prices

Certain destinations around the globe are cheaper than they have ever been thanks to currency devaluations or other financial issues. You could visit Istanbul and Cappadocia in Turkey, explore Patagonia and Buenos Aires in Argentina, or sail the Nile past ancient ruins in Egypt.

The savings will be more drastic for Americans in a wider list of countries, but Europeans who have watched their own currency decline will still find lower rates for travelers than a year ago in those above plus Hungary, Laos, and South Korea

Keep your fees to a minimum while traveling

Avoid the “death by 1,000 cuts” the financial institutions of the world can inflict when you use a credit or debit card away from home.

Be sure to have at least one credit card that doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee and ideally use a debit card that doesn’t charge an ATM withdrawal fee.

Some debit cards, such as ones from Schwab, Fidelity and Capital One, will even reimburse the local charges. Others, such as certain ones from Scotiabank, HSBC and Citi, are part of international networks where account holders can use affiliated ATMs abroad without double fees.

In most cases, you’ll get the best rate by using a credit or debit card in the local currency (decline any offers to convert charges to your home currency).

Note though that the rules are different in Argentina, where there’s a street “blue rate” for crisp dollars or euros that is much more advantageous than the official rate.

Play the hotel and rental apartment game properly

Sometimes hotels offer the best deals; sometimes vacation rentals do. So shop around.

The advantage can vary quite a bit by location and by whether you really need a kitchen.

Some cities tack on lots of fees for rentals, and in some countries (such as Thailand and Vietnam), it can be cheaper to eat out every meal than to cook yourself.

Whichever route you go, pay very close attention to what past guests have to say, especially with services like Airbnb and Booking.com, where only customers who have stayed there can leave a review.

Shop around on transportation

The proliferation of budget airlines around the world has made it much cheaper to fly within a region, such as Southeast Asia and Europe, or within a country with lots of domestic air competition, such as the United States and Mexico.

So it can make sense to find a reasonable long-haul flight to one place and then take a budget airline (or in Europe, a train) to the next country over where you really wanted to go.

Dig around instead of accepting the most obvious route as the one you’re stuck with.

Get out of the tourist zones at mealtimes

If you want to eat what the locals eat and pay what they’re paying, get out of the area where all the tourists are and start exploring.

Just walking for 15 minutes in any direction or taking a metro a few stops can make a huge difference in any city full of foreign visitors, from Prague to Venice to Puerto Vallarta.

You’ll likely spend less and enjoy more authentic meals and experiences.

Load an app such as Google Translate onto your phone and you can decipher menus in another language too.

Try to travel outside of high season

Avoiding high season is easier said than done if you’re a family dealing with school schedules, but it’s never high season everywhere at once.

Vacation time in the Southern Hemisphere is at a different time of year than the northern one, first of all, plus some tropical destinations are slower in the summer because there’s more rain.

Popular destinations such as Mexico, Belize, and South Africa are less busy between June and September than in the first quarter of the year.

The ideal time in a lot of popular spots is “shoulder season.” That’s when the weather is still pleasant but the hordes are not in town, such as May in the Caribbean or October in Europe.

Play the travel hacking game for free flights and rooms

What are you getting back when you charge items to your credit card?

Most airlines and hotel chains have a branded loyalty card through Mastercard, Visa or Amex that earns you enough just from the bonus sign-up to get a free flight or multiple hotel nights.

Then the points keep adding up as you use the card. These perks can drastically reduce the cost of a vacation even if you just spend what you were always spending by running regular bills and expenses through the card (and paying them off).

Americans have the most choices for this “travel hacking,” but Canadians can tap into multiple airline and hotel programs through Amex, CIBC or Scotiabank.

Europeans have bank card options with several airlines such as Iberia, Aer Lingus, Lufthansa and Air France.

Australians have access to cards that earn points on Cathay Pacific, Qantas, and others.

While inflation, fuel prices and currency exchange rates will always be in flux, these travel savings strategies will help you get away when you’ve got the chance, without busting your budget in the process.

Traveling with our pets can be a joyful experience if proper planning and preparation are done ahead of time. We get to see a different side of their personalities as they explore new surroundings and meet new people. It’s also comforting to have them by our side while we’re away from home. There are, however, some basics guidelines to follow and pitfalls to avoid when traveling with pets. In this article, we’ll cover seven issues to address before you hit the road.

1. Review your pet health insurance policy

Does your policy allow you to visit a different veterinarian? Will it cover your pet out of state? Does your policy cover emergencies and after-hour visits? Like Pets Best Insurance, trusted pet health insurance companies allow you to select the veterinary clinic of your choice. Knowing that your pet is covered takes a load off your mind and enables you to enjoy your travels without worry.

2. Judge how well your pet travels

Some dogs get excited at the prospect of a car ride. They jump eagerly into the car and watch happily out the window. Others are afraid. If your dog is not accustomed to riding in the car, you should take him on several shorter rides to make sure he is comfortable beforehand. Going on shorter car rides will also allow you to know if your pet gets car sick. If you find that your pet does get car sick, your veterinarian can prescribe medication that will help with car sickness. Beware that certain medications may cause dangerous side effects! It is important to ask your vet for a medication that will safely limit side effects. If you happen to have cat insurance or dog insurance with Pets Best Insurance, some medications may even be covered.*

Before all trips, it’s a good idea to relax your pet by taking them out on a walk or a quick round of exercise. This way, they’ll be happily exhausted and will be easier to calm down during your car or plane ride.

3. Plan and pack all pet supplies in advance

When planning for your trip, make sure to pack the following necessities:

• Pet food
• Ample supply of freshwater
• A leash
• Comfortable bedding
• Prescribed medications
• Pet identification tags with updated information.

If you’re taking a trip that will outlast your pet’s food supply, locate stores along your route that carry his food. Traveling can be stressful, and stress can cause everything from tummy upset to a lack of appetite. The last thing you want is to have to switch your pets food during a cross-country trip suddenly.

4. Prepare for pet emergencies while you travel

Medical problems and injuries can be more difficult to deal with when you are on the road. Be prepared and travel with the following items:

• Pet first aid kit
• Your pet’s medical records
• Your veterinarian’s phone number
• Backup food and water

No doubt, a road trip with pets is more complicated and cumbersome than traveling without them, but it’s well worth the effort. After all, pets often enjoy the adventure of travel as much as humans do. Maybe even more!

5. Find a pet-friendly hotel or other travel accommodations

Several websites offer listings of pet-friendly hotels to stay. Be sure to look for restrictions they have on pet size or the number of pets allowed. Some vacation inns have weight and shedding restrictions. Some places allow pets to stay free of charge, while others charge by night. A refundable or non-refundable pet deposit might be required. Choose a motel or hotel with a designated area where you can walk your dog or use Google Maps to find a place that has a nearby park.

6. Keep your pets secured while on the road

Resist the urge to let your pets roam free while you’re driving. Not only can this lead to injuries to both your pets and any human passengers, but if an accident occurs, a pet is liable to run away in fear. A slinky cat or an eager pup can also slip out an open car door in the blink of an eye at a rest area. Dogs can be secured using a crate or by using special harnesses or tethers that are made to attach to the seatbelt. Cats should always be kept in pet crates or a cat carrier while traveling in a car. A carrier will prevent the cat from getting under the driver’s feet and possibly causing an accident.

7. If you’re traveling by air

Before your trip, have your pet checked out by your veterinarian to make sure he is healthy enough to fly. Visit the website of the airline you’re flying with to find out what restrictions and requirements they have in place regarding pets. During the flight, your pet will have to stay in a pet crate. Small dog carriers are available in an array of styles to keep your dog safe. If your dog is too large to ride on the plane with you, he will have to ride in the cargo area. When choosing a dog crate, be sure that it’s an airline-approved carrier for its intended purpose. In addition to having your pet wear a collar and identification tags, it’s a good idea also to put your pet’s information on the crate itself.

Plan an escape while you wait the arrival of spring.

Seasonally speaking, March can be quite the struggle. It’s still cold in most parts of the country, and spring, though technically on the horizon, feels nowhere near arrival. Why not take this opportunity to plan a getaway? Perhaps you actually like the cold and want to squeeze in one last snowy retreat, or maybe you want to wait out winter’s last breath from the warm confines of a beach cabana. Whatever your preference, we’ve rounded up some of the best places for a March holiday, from the rugged wilderness of Alaska to the wildlife enthusiast’s haven of the Galapagos. Safe travels!

Alaska Wilderness

Love the cold and want to retreat into the wilderness? Then journey up to Alaska, where majestic snowcapped mountains, national parks, and a long list of outdoor activities make it perfect for adventure-seeking travelers. Think heli-skiing, glacier trekking, dog mushing, and even an excellent chance to see the Northern Lights (until April). This month also happens to be the 50th anniversary of the Iditarod Race, a world-renowned annual sled dog race. Stay at adventure company Within the Wild’s remote Winterlake Lodge, located an hour from Anchorage via small plane and nestled on the edge of the Alaska Range, where new-for-2022 experiences include backcountry mountain biking and, for the true daredevil, heli-biking (yes, it’s a thing).

Riviera Maya, Mexico

This is not your college kid’s spring break. The latest property to join the stretch of luxury hotels lining Mexico’s Riviera Maya is the Auberge Resort Collection’s Etéreo, which opened in December. It’s a mere 30 miles from Cancun airport yet seemingly worlds away from the raucous scene up there. Seventy-five accommodations, all oceanfront or oceanview, are set amongst a lush protected mangrove forest. Choose from the Mayan-inspired signature restaurant Itzam, or four other F&B options throughout the resort. And this being an Auberge, the activities list is endless: snorkeling the Great Mayan Reef, diving in the Yucatan’s famous cenotes, parasailing, deep sea fishing, and sunset catamaran tours among them.

Easter Island, Chile

The ancient Polynesian wonders are reason enough to visit Easter Island, the UNESCO World Heritage Site most known for the hundreds of extant stone statues, called Moai, that were created by the early Rapa Nui people, who inhabited the island around 300 AD. Also of note: Nayara, the brand behind the trio of barefoot luxury properties in Costa Rica, recently expanded its portfolio into Chile with Nayara Alto Atacama, in the Atacama Desert, and Nayara Hangaroa, on Easter Island. Plenty of immersive experiences abound at the 75-key, all-inclusive hotel, including ATV tours to secret caves and remote beaches, biking through archaeological remains, and hiking Ara O Te Ao, one of the oldest paths on the island that leads to a massive volcanic crater.

Newport, Rhode Island

Bid adieu to the season with one last wintry New England getaway at the Chanler at Cliff Walk, a real former Gilded Age mansion right on the famous waterfront path lined with iconic palaces like the Breakers, Marble House, and Rough Point. The Chanler was originally built in 1873 as a summer retreat for New York Congressman John Winthrop Chanler and his wife Margaret Astor Ward (yes, of those Astors—she was the great granddaughter of John Jacob). In other words, staying here will get you as close to living like Gilded Age royalty as you can get.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

How do you explore one of the most pristine, diverse, and unique ecological and wildlife destinations on the planet in a way that is conscientious and responsible? Start with Pikaia Lodge, an eco-luxe property perched between two inactive volcano craters and located in the heart of its very own private giant tortoise reserve (for which the hotel’s owners planted 12,000 trees. There are just 14 well-appointed suites at this carbon neutral Relais & Châteaux, where rates include land excursions, marine explorations aboard Pikaia Lodge’s private yacht, a naturalist guide, and full use of wet suits, mountain bikes, and snorkeling gear.

Palm Springs, California

As of now, Coachella is back on for April 2022 after having been cancelled the past two years due to Covid. But why not skip all that debauchery and visit sunny Palm Springs this month instead, during the calm before the storm? That way you can really take in the best of the desert oasis, from the hot springs and spas, to golf, hiking, and horseback riding. The iconic 1930s-era Colony Palms recently underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation masterminded by hotelier and designer Steve Hermann. While honoring its storied Old Hollywood past, the new and improved 57-key hotel also features gorgeous design that references the bygone glamour of the French and Italian Rivieras.

Not all vacation spots are created equally. Some aren’t the best. Here are a few examples.

Mexico
Millions visit Mexico securely consistently to witness the dynamic culture and view a portion of the world’s best archeological destinations, yet brutal sorted out wrongdoing makes the nation one of the more hazardous for travelers. Resort regions are commonly protected from the drug-related violations like kidnappings, burglaries, and carjackings, yet going outside of those touristy territories can be unsafe.

Russia
The world’s biggest nation is an enticing spot to visit, with its era of scholarly and aesthetic greats, immense and fluctuating scenes, and famous engineering. Travel in the North Caucasus can be risky because of common and political pressure and groups of hoodlums.

North Korea
North Korea is a completely one of a kind spot and a shadowy secret to a large portion of the world. Venturing out to the socialist state is conceivable however it is difficult or prompted. There is a low danger of fear-based oppression and wrongdoing, however, voyagers are in danger of capture and long haul confinement for overstepping laws that would not be viewed as criminal outside of North Korea.

Egypt
Egypt’s tempting draws are various: the Nile River, the unlimited deserts, the antiquated pyramids, and the wonderful seashores and coral reefs of the Red Sea. Right now, voyagers face dangers of capturing and psychological warfare in the nation and are exhorted not to leave the Cairo metropolitan region.