Summer is on its way, and if you have kids, that likely means complicated summer camp plans. But it also could mean time for a family vacation. Trips that take everyone in the family away from their routines — parents from work and household responsibilities, kids from school and homework — can be a great bonding experience for families and give each family member a chance to see new things.

But taking the whole family on vacation can be expensive. Factor in airfare, hotels or home rentals, even campgrounds, plus food and supplies — and maybe a house sitter or pet sitter while you are away — and it all adds up fast.

Four in five American families planned to take a summer vacation in 2023, according to a survey done by the website Nerdwallet. The parents in those families said they planned to spend on average more than $2,200 on those trips. The vast majority (71 percent of families) said they would likely spend more than $1,000. And, the survey found, a majority of parents were going to charge at least part of their vacation on a credit card.

Luckily, there are lots of ways to take family trips together without racking up credit card debt, or even spending too heavily. Take advantage of some of the following tips to have a fun summer trip without breaking the bank.

1. Be flexible.

If you can make a flexible travel schedule work you will save considerably on airfare and hotels. Plan a vacation for a mid-week stay, rather than one that spans a weekend, recommends Devon Nagle, head of communications for the travel booking website Priceline.

“Or choose your destination and then price out the cost of the hotel for the length of your trip over multiple different time frames to spot the lowest rates,” he said. “Compare costs for a stay that begins a day or two earlier, or ends a day or two later than you’d originally planned. The savings may be considerable.”

2. Stay outside the city center.

You can often save a lot of money by staying a bit outside the center of a city with all the tourist attractions and then taking public transit or traveling in to see the sites. These sleeping arrangements might also give you a quieter spot at night and give you a chance to see part of a city you wouldn’t visit otherwise. And, the travel to the city center on public transit can be part of the fun.

3. Know where to look for deals.

Lots of airlines, hotels and other travel companies offer deals through social media, newsletters and mobile apps that you can use to your advantage. “Companies often highlight special travel deals and promotions on a daily or weekly basis and send it straight to your email if you sign-up,” said Nagle, the Priceline spokeswoman. “Priceline offers exclusive deals to followers on Twitter and newsletter subscribers. Priceline also offers mobile-only deals if you search for hotel accommodations via its app or your mobile browser. “

4. Book early.

If you are planning trips around big summer holidays like Memorial Day, Fourth of July, or Labor Day, it’s best to plan ahead and book early.

Nagle says their data shows that hotels and flights prices hold steady until about 12 days prior to May 25, the start of Memorial Day weekend. At that point, flight prices start to rise. An average Memorial Day weekend flight costs $239 per ticket 12 days before the weekend, but then prices begin to rise, he says. The average price for a flight booked one day before May 25 is $313 per ticket.

For the Fourth of July, prices start to rise even earlier. Priceline data shows that hotels and flights prices hold steady until about 16 days prior to July 4, but then start to rise, Nagle says. An average Fourth of July flight costs $214 per ticket 16 days before the holiday, whereas the average price for a flight booked one day before July 4 is $304 per ticket.

For Labor Day, prices start to rise 10 days before the holiday.

5. Or book at the last minute.

If you can hold off on booking hotels until right before your trip, you may save some serious money. Try apps like HotelTonight that allow you to search for last minute deals, or use features like Priceline’s Express Deals search.

“Hotels, even some luxury, will often offer steep discounts, sometimes more than half off, to travelers who will book the hotel based on its star rating and neighborhood, rather than its specific name,” said Priceline’s spokeswoman Nagle. “You will know the rating, neighborhood, amenities and the experience of fellow travelers before you book. Once you book the vacation, all relevant details will be disclosed. Such deals often exist for last-minute travelers in particular, but can also be found weeks in advance.”

6. Use your kids to get deals.

There are lots of restaurants, hotels and attractions with deals for kids, so try seeking those out when you make your travel plans. Also, some places go the extra mile to offer discounts to families with kids. For example, all eight of the Great Ohio Lodges in state parks in Ohio offer a “Stays for A’s” program, where for every A on a child’s report card, the lodges will knock $10 off the nightly rate. Of course, there’s a limit, $50 per night, or 5 A’s.

7. Rent out your house while you’re away.

Make up for some of the money you’re spending on your trip by renting out your own home while you are away. Websites like AirBnB and VRBO make it pretty easy to set up a home rental, and you can hire a cleaning service to pick up after your guests so you come home to a clean house.

8. Consider a home swap.

Even better than renting your house may be a straight up home swap, where you trade lodging with another family. They stay in your house, you stay in theirs, and no one has to pay for a hotel. Try websites like HomeExchange, HomeLink, and Intervac Home Exchange to set it up.

9. Try a resort with deals.

Family resorts can make trips easy — they have food and activities all in one place. And they don’t have to break the bank if you book the right one. Lesley Cohen, a luxury travel advisor with the travel company SmartFlyer, recommends booking a club level room so the kids can snack all day. She also recommends booking a resort with a complimentary kids club. “Many places are charging $150 per kid for a half day program whereas some luxury resorts have it included,” she said. Oh yeah, and pack sunscreen, because it’s way more expensive at the hotel shop.

10. Try the “Robin Hood Hack.”

There’s an easy way to still save money after you book a hotel, says Doron Nadivi, the chief commercial officer at a new app company called Pruvo. “Hotel prices tend to drop 40 percent of the time after hotels are booked and can drop up to 72 percent off the total reservation amount,” he said. If you use the app Pruvo, it tracks price drops for existing hotel reservations and notifies the customer. (You could also set a reminder to check the price again periodically before your trip.) Then you can call and request the lower rate.

11. Add family trips to your business travel.

If you have summer business travel plans, adding a family vacation on at the end can be a great way to save money. “If I can, I get the family to join me on a business trip by adding some time before or after to explore, relax and share the destination with my family, says Joel Brandon Bravo, the vice president of TransPerfect, a language solutions and technology services company, and formerly managing director at Travelzoo UK.

12. Try local experiences

Getting away from the highly touristy attractions and experiences can make a trip more memorable and end up saving you a lot of money. Tourist attractions will overcharge people because they know they have them hooked. “But knowing a bit about the culture or language

can help you navigate foreign places a little easier,” said Bravo of TransPerfect. “Putting yourself in the shoes of a local, rather than relying on the touristy places, can save you those hiked up prices and crowded attractions and give you a more authentic experience.”

13. Learn about other discounts.

Families with disabilities can save 10 to 60 percent on some hotels, says Daniel Keebler, the marketing director at accessibleGO.com, which helps travelers track these deals using a traveler’s club called clubGO. “Whether a family member has a mobility issue, a child with autism, a spouse with arthritis, disabled veterans, or a family member who is blind or deaf, accessibleGO helps families with disabilities save money on their next hotel stay,” he said.

14. Find a place with a kitchen.

When booking travel, families usually worry about the biggest expenses, like airfare and hotels. But once you’ve gotten to your destination, your three meals a day can add up. James Kaiser, the author of guidebooks to Costa Rica and several U.S. national parks, says those restaurant meals can easily add $200 or more a day.

“One of the best ways to save money is to stay somewhere with a kitchen so you can prepare meals at home,” he said. “If that’s not possible, shop at a supermarket for basic foods to make breakfast, like bagels and cereal, or lunch and then splurge on dinner. You can easily save hundreds of dollars.”

15. Ship your stuff instead of checking bags.

If you are going on a camping trip or some other travel that requires a lot of gear, it might make more sense to ship your luggage ahead of time instead of paying checked bag fees at the airline. There are now services such as LugLess that make it easier.

For bulky items like diapers or last-minute needs like snacks, also consider ordering to your hotel or rental. For example, Amazon offers same-day delivery at some Disney World hotels.

16. Beware extra car rental fees.

If you need to rent a car for your trip, if possible, avoid car rental locations that are inside airports, which are often more expensive, says Miguel A. Suro, a personal finance blogger at The Rich Miser. He uses the website Autoslash to find a cheap rental.

He also recommends bringing your own toll transponder to avoid fees from the rental agency, declining all insurance from the rental company (after calling your insurer or credit card company to make sure you’re covered in rental cars) and declining all prepaid gas options, and filling up the tank before returning the car.

Here’s what to do if you test positive in the midst of your vacation

It’s been almost five years since the coronavirus (temporarily) shut down all forms of travel. You no longer have to carry a negative COVID test as a requirement to venture overeas, although by now it’s safe to assume that those who chose to get vaccinated have already taken their most advanced dose. While the fad of ‘revenge travel’ seems to have ebbed, the global tourism sector witnessed a mammoth boost, with 1.1 billion tourists travelling internationally within 2024’s first nine months itself, according to UN Tourism. This includes over 15 million Indian nationals, who travelled to foreign countries within the first half of the year.

With the holiday season upon us, the percentage of globetrotters exploring various continents is set to rise even more. However, these peak travel weeks are when people are most susceptible to a host of contagious viruses and infections that can be caught from fellow travellers. COVID, especially, still ranks at the top of this list in terms of concern and preparation, since most countries still require you to isolate yourself if you test positive. So what do you do if you get COVID in the midst of your overseas vacation? Here are some tips to help you protect your health and safety, while minimising disruptions to your plans.

Down with COVID during an international trip? 7 important tips to keep in mind for safety and changing travel plans

1. Inform your travel pals

You may be tempted to shrug off your test result by thinking of COVID like a common cold, or a harmless virus. However, if history is anything to go by, you know how contagious this disease can be. The first order of business, once you test positive, is to inform your travel partners so they can keep their distance and stay safe, and/or alter their vacation plans.

2. Follow local guidelines

The next step is to isolate yourself immediately. According to the latest advisory by the Centre of Disease Control, you can leave room quarantine 24 hours after your fever has subsided and overall symptoms have significantly improved. However, it’s prudent to wait until you test negative.

If you’re forced to venture into public spaces during your travel, limit your time outside and maintain a safe distance from passersby. You should also check out the local government regulations on isolation periods and procedures (since various countries have differing guidelines for the number of days in isolation).

3. Keep a check on your symptoms

Even if your symptoms seem mild, keep an eagle-eye on your temperature and saturation levels through the day. Since you’re mid-travel, you may not have packed tools like thermometers and oximeters in your luggage, in which case, you need to request someone in the hotel or Airbnb, or your travel buddy, to fetch these for you.

4. Look up medical facilities in your area of travel

It’s always a good idea to do a quick search on the medical facilities available in your area, like local hospitals, nursing homes and doctors’ private chambers, in case your symptoms start to worsen and you need professional help.

5. Keep a mask on at all times

Considering you’re travelling overseas and are holed up in a hotel room or an Airbnb, you’ll need to leave the premises to buy some food, water and other essentials. To this end, make sure that you’re masked up with an N-95, a high-quality mask that’s readily available in most pharmacies, each time that you step out.

6. Get travel insurance

Don’t skimp on the travel insurance! Make sure you purchase the same when you’re booking your flight tickets, because it typically covers medical expenses for COVID, as well as extended stays due to illness. Contact your insurance provider for guidance on what to do next.

7. Cost-effective extended stay

If you’re down with COVID in the midst of your overseas trip, you’ll probably need to extend your stay. To this end, check with both your airline and hotel/AirBnb management to understand if they can issue refunds or charge a minimal amount for changing travel dates.

Summer is here, which means it’s the season of barbeques, parties, and events.

Aviation Security Officers want you to know which well-intended gifts and items won’t make it through the security screening, so you don’t turn up empty handed at your in-law’s house.

“With domestic travel ramping up in December, we’ve created a checklist to make security screening as smooth as possible – don’t forget to check it twice,” said Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand spokesperson in a statement.

Batteries

These are the number one item that cause issues for passengers at screening points.

Batteries need to be packed in carry-on and each passenger is entitled to bring 20 batteries.

Each spare battery needs to be individually protected either in retail packaging, a protective pouch, in an individual bag, or with tape over exposed terminals.

Batteries are not allowed in checked baggage.

Electronic items

Gifting Air Pods or a power bank this Christmas? These items need to go in your carry-on luggage and not in your checked bag.

These items have lithium batteries which are classed as Dangerous Goods.

While extremely rare there have been cases of lithium batteries exploding in cargo holds, which would be catastrophic and potentially fatal on a passenger aircraft.

Tools and power tools

Thinking of fixing up the bach this summer? Put your power tools in your checked bag.

Please take steps to prevent the power tool from accidentally turning on.

Use trigger locks or secure the on/off switch in the off position with tape.

Spare batteries, including those in moulded cases, must go in your carry-on bag.

Batteries are prohibited from checked luggage.

Imitation weapons

Toy guns, toy swords – there are a lot of toys that look like weapons.

All these need to go into your checked bag.

If you put them in your carry-on there is a chance the item will need to be taken at the screening point.

“The same goes for gimmicky gifts that look like the “real deal” – we often see plastic grenades and fake guns that hold liquid or toiletries,” said the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand spokesperson.

Keep these in your checked bag.

Celebrating with a ‘bang’

At this time of year officers always see Christmas crackers, party poppers and fireworks in people’s luggage.

While Christmas crackers can go on planes in carry-on or checked-in luggage, cracker snaps, party poppers and fireworks are not allowed on an aircraft at all.

Keep it in your bag

“This past year we have installed Computed Tomography (CT) scanning machines which enables laptops and liquids to be left in carry-on bags, which has enhanced the passenger experience by streamlining screening for passengers,” said the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand spokesperson.

The volume of liquids, aerosols and gels, carried by travellers on flights still applies, and should be carried in individual containers of 100ml or less, with the total number of containers that are 100ml or less must not exceed one volumetric litre.

Arrive on time

It’s a busy time at the airports, so our advice to passengers is to check what can and can’t go on an aircraft, arrive at the airport with extra time to go through security screening, and expect queues due to the large number of people flying.

Make screening easy for yourself by not wearing over-the-ankle boots or coats and empty your pockets.

Our priority is keeping New Zealand skies safe and secure, so you can focus on what really matters this summer. Safe travels and happy holidays.

From ice skating and Christmas markets to fabulous hotels, there are many reasons to visit Paris in the winter. Here’s a guide to the season’s best offerings.

There’s no such thing as a bad time to visit Paris. The city retains its romantic charm all year long, with winter offering its own unique appeal: trees and Haussmannian boulevards gleam with twinkle lights, cafes glow with red heat lamps, and department stores go all out with lavish holiday displays. While the gray gloom gets old after a while (the French have a special word for it: grisâtre), it can provide the perfect wintry backdrop for a shorter séjour.

Whether you’re looking for festive activities to fill up your holiday itinerary or wondering what to pack or where to stay, here’s everything to know about how to make the most of your winter trip to Paris.

Things to Know Before You Go

Winter Weather in Paris

Between December and February, temperatures in Paris tend to hover between the mid-30s and the upper 40s Fahrenheit. Dazzlingly sunny winter days aren’t uncommon, but for the most part, you should prepare yourself for a grayish drizzle (made significantly more tolerable by easy access to spirit-lifting chocolat chaud or carafes of red wine). While there’s a small chance you’ll luck out with a white Christmas, it rarely snows in Paris, and it’s typically only a dusting when it does.

What to Pack for Winter in Paris

Deciding what to take on a trip to Paris is always a challenge, given the city’s legendary fashion and its extensive but exhausting walkability. For a winter visit, pack clothing and accessories that can help you traverse the streets even in less-than-perfect weather. It’ll serve you well to bring waterproof shoes or rain boots, and you’ll certainly want an umbrella. Invest in a chic and sturdy winter coat to complete your outfits, and pack plenty of layers to be ready for any temperature.

Holiday Closures in Paris

If there are any particular restaurants on your must-try list, be sure that they’ll be open during your visit. Many restaurants take a winter break during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, and plenty of establishments that don’t take longer breaks will be closed on the actual holidays. Also, keep in mind that, throughout the year, many restaurants and shops close on Sundays and Mondays, while museums are often closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Things to Do in Paris in Winter

From ice skating in the Marais to window shopping at festively decorated department stores, there are a range of winter-specific activities to enjoy in Paris.

Ice Skating in Paris

Rent a pair of skates and glide around against the backdrop of one of Paris’s most beautiful buildings: the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall), in the heart of the Marais neighborhood. Each winter, the historic landmark transforms its courtyard into a public ice skating rink, which is open daily during the season. As a bonus, it’s a stone’s throw from the BHV, a department store that gussies up its windows every December in true festive fashion.

Christmas Markets in Paris

From late November until early January, a panoply of chestnut-scented Christmas markets spring up around the city. Vendors in Swiss-style wooden chalets serve up every soul-warming thing you can think of — hot mulled wine and cider, wheels of raclette, and more. The most famous — and certainly most sprawling — is by the Tuileries Garden, where the market has expanded into something of an annual carnival. Other beloved markets (there’s one in nearly every neighborhood) can be found next to Notre Dame and in Montmartre at Place des Abbesses.

Window Shopping in Paris

At beloved department stores like Galeries Lafayette, Printemps Haussmann, and Le Bon Marché, the holiday season comes with a host of visual (and sartorial) delights. Extravagantly festive window displays are the initial draw, with panoramas that range from smiling Santas and cancan-dancing gingerbread men to full-blown mini winter villages. Step inside the stores, though, and you’ll be dazzled by the stories-high Christmas trees glittering overhead and twinkle lights decking the halls.

Winter Sales in Paris

Les soldes (the sales) take place twice a year in Paris and are a shopper’s dream, with prices slashed on everything from designer clothes to home goods. The winter sales run from January to February, with markdowns majorly increasing as the weeks go by.

Museums in Paris

If the weather gets too gloomy for a stroll along the Seine, there’s no shortage of excellent museums and exhibits to pop into all around the city. Whether you’re a fashion fanatic, impressionist lover, or history buff, there’s something for every sort of traveler. (Just note that it’s always best to book tickets in advance.)

Eye-catching exhibitions this winter include the “Pop Forever Tom Wesselmann” at the Louis Vuitton Foundation, a Harriet Backer exhibit at the Musée d’Orsay, and “Figures of the Fool” at the Louvre.

Eat Pastries in Paris

The abundance of pastries in Paris can add a sweet note to your visit at any time of year. A winter-specific highlight, though, is bûche de Noël, a traditional Christmas dessert that’s essentially a rolled-up sponge cake — but with endless variations and extravagant formations. You’ll find the cakes all over Paris during the holidays, but some of the best come from the Ritz Paris, Hôtel Lutetia, and Pierre Hermé.

Where to Stay in Paris

Whether you’re looking to splurge on the ultimate luxury experience or keep things more budget-friendly, there’s a wide range of hotels to choose from.

For higher-end options, there are few places more synonymous with classic French luxury than the Ritz Paris in the 1st arrondissement (neighborhood). You’ll get to check out the hotel’s elegant holiday decor and iconic Ritz Bar, where you can sip astrology-themed cocktails.

Design buffs will love Philippe Starck’s Brach Paris hotel in the 16th arrondissement. The property oozes new-world cool, with warm wood paneling, geometric throw pillows, and a jaw-dropping view of the Eiffel Tower from the rooftop garden (complete with a Norwegian bath). Best of all, the sprawling hotel spa includes an indoor pool, hot tub, steam room, and Himalayan salt cave.

For a more budget-friendly option, you can’t go wrong with the quaint Hôtel Caron de Beaumarchais, a boutique hotel smack in the middle of the Marais. Rooms here run on the smaller side but come equipped with all the charms of old-school Paris, from exposed wooden beams to a delightful breakfast in bed.

Finally, travelers in search of quirkier lodging can try the Remix Hotel. This ’80s-themed spot is located in the 19th arrondissement and features neon accents, marble bathrooms, velvet headboards, and checkerboard hallways.