Ways to Save

One perennial favorite of international travelers is escorted tour packages. Not surprisingly, budget-minded travel lovers know the value of leaving the planning up to the expert travel planners at Cosmos. We negotiate lower group rates for hotels and attractions, allowing you to avoid "sticker shock" upon arrival.

A Cosmos value-minded vacation is just the beginning of smarter travel. Check out some savvy ways to save before and during your vacation!

Before You Go

Planning Your Vacation

Quite a few considerations go into picking the right tour on a budget. And we know where to start:

• Travel during the low season (October–March), as prices are lower, and the experience offered is still extraordinary.
• Be flexible with travel plans. Consider visiting a different country—an area with a favorable dollar exchange rate.
• Take advantage of promotions. Cosmos regularly offers great savings and deals, so be sure to call or ask your travel agent about the latest discounts available.
• Take an escorted tour vacation. You'll be privy to more sights, more insight, and more fun at a pre-set price. Transportation within each destination is usually factored into the price, saving travelers big money. Cosmos offers great options, as well as insight into the benefits of escorted tours.
• Take your whole family (extended family) on vacation. Cosmos offers a standing group discount. Groups start at eight people.
• If you're traveling alone, consider an escorted tour vacation. You'll be privy to group travel rates.

Look Ahead

There are some simple steps in your everyday life you may want to think about well before your departure date to help get more from your vacation:

• Trade your everyday indulgences for the real thing on vacation. For instance, skip your daily coffee shop routine at home, in favor of sipping an authentic brew in an Italian café! Wine lovers can trade the high cost of dining out with wine by enjoying these pleasures at home–in anticipation of unmatched dining and wine tasting experiences in the South of France.
• Are you a member of a museum or arts organization? Sometimes your membership rewards will translate to other city/country museums.
• If you're planning to call home while traveling (always a good idea), either buy a calling card or contact your cell phone company beforehand to set up international calling.
• Don't wait to get (or renew) your passport to avoid "rush"-related charges.
• BYOB approved beverages and snacks on board your flight to avoid sky-high charges for airline menus.

Pack Appropriately

Remember, items you buy while on vacation almost always cost more. Pack carefully and keep airport security restrictions in mind:

• Don't over-pack. Most airlines have restrictions on baggage and suitcases weighing more than 50 pounds. If your bag is overweight, you'll pay extra.
• Check the weather before you go, so you don't have to purchase weather-appropriate clothes and accessories on your trip.
• Bring your own over-the-counter drugs for colds, headaches, and more to avoid unfamiliar brands and higher prices in European pharmacies. 
• Know airline restrictions on liquids (personal hygiene items) to avoid the pain of dumping them out at security.
• Be smart about your wallet and/or purse and take the necessary precautions to safeguard your vacation funds from pickpockets. Cross-body bags with RFI safeguards are a great idea. 
• Consider folding and packing a duffle bag to transfer items from suitcase to carry on––a smart strategy in reducing baggage weight and subsequent charges at check-in.

Financial Tips

Spending-Savvy Tips:

• Pay with a credit card but keep track of your expenses. Then, pay off your card when you return from your vacation, ensuring you aren't paying interest for your memories.
• Be wary of "freebies"—they aren't always complimentary.
• Plan your daily budget in advance of your trip to determine your spending limits beforehand.
• Before you go, get familiar with both exchange rates and tipping standards which vary by destination.

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Now That You're Here

Dine Wisely

Plan your meals wisely to conserve funds for other experiences in your destination:

• Avoid eating at tourist landmarks. Instead, go for less touristy eateries where the locals dine for more authentic dishes at a lower cost.
• Splurge on high-end cravings at lunch rather than dinner since menus are likely similar at a lower cost during the day. 
• Picnic! You'll find a fresh variety of cheese, bread, and produce at local markets to sit and savor an al fresco lunch by a fountain in a city square or in the park!
• Let your server give YOU a tip! If you find a restaurant that offers great food at a reasonable price, ask you server where to find more of the same!   
• Back away from the mini-bar! In-room offerings pack a pricey punch!

Getting Around

Do's and Don'ts of local transportation:

• Walk, walk, walk. Pack a good pair of walking shoes for a more immersive and inexpensive experience! 
• Use public transportation (buses, trams, trains/subways) to not only experience daily life in your destination while pocketing the money you'd spend on a rental.
• Hail a cab–make a friend. Consider cab sharing with fellow travelers waiting in line.
• Most cities are safe to explore, but keep your personal belongings close to the vest on public streets and transportation methods. 

Affordable Experiences

Not every fun activity during your vacation requires a steep fee. Consider the following:

• Ask your Tour Director what the locals do for fun for non-traditional, inexpensive activity suggestions.
• Many destinations hold art fairs in the summer months. Look through the local paper or go online (browse your destination's tourist board website) to find one.  Fairs offer a great way to enjoy arts and culture without paying museum entrance fees.
• Get romantic outside. A great romantic evening doesn't have to cost money. Consider a moonlit walk through the streets of Paris at twilight. Share a crepe on the steps of the Louvre at sunrise. Who doesn't love a walk on the beach at sunset?
• Follow the crowd. They may lead you to parades, festivals, and farmers markets. Holidays taking place in destinations present a great way to enjoy a city and its culture for little to no money.
• When walking through various destinations, ask the locals about the history of the neighborhood. You'll learn about the area and gather insight that will make your vacation more memorable.
• Stop and take in street entertainment—it's free and gives you a sense of the culture.
• People-watch in parks, piazzas, and on beaches. It's fun, intriguing, and free.
• Many parks feature free concerts and/or music festivals. Look at a map or go online and visit the official tourist board site of your destination to find parks in your destination and enjoy the scenery and fun they afford.

Practical Decisions on Vacation

It's easy to get excited about something new and different, but if you keep these tips in mind, you're less likely to get carried away:

• Carry snacks and water as you go from place to place. This will help you avoid impulse purchases.
• Purchase a bottle of wine from a wine shop or market (ask the clerk for a recommendation) instead of indulging in wine during dinner at a restaurant. Have a drink before you leave and/or when you return.
• Get the best exchange rate possible. Use ATMs like you would at home; they are exchanged based on the wholesale exchange rate, something usually reserved only for very large interbank exchanges.
• Carry your own bags, coats, etc. Tips can rack up the cost of your vacation.
• If you're someone who likes to work out while traveling, consider running outside vs. working out in your hotel gym, specifically if the hotel charges a fee. 
• Use Internet cafés to help you along your way. These cafés provide a cheap way to do your homework (i.e. looking for great sights for less) while on the road.
• Avoid ordering room service; it can be more expensive (especially when factoring in delivery charges/tips) and will take away an opportunity to get to know your destination.
• Buy theater tickets the day of the performance and be flexible when choosing a show or performance date/time. Many theaters offer last-minute house seats at reduced rates.

Get Creative

Don't just pay to play; there's generally a more affordable solution to situations every traveler encounters:

• Take your leftovers back to your hotel, if you have a microwave and/or a refrigerator in your room.
• Ask about deals/specials at local museums. Many feature one day/week or several hours of free admission.
• Email is an effective and inexpensive way to stay connected to loved ones. Consider sending E-postcards for a more creative way to stay in touch.
• Are you honeymooning or celebrating an anniversary? Tell people when you're on your trip! Sometimes by letting people in on the fun, you'll enjoy upgrades, discounts and/or special treats during your vacation.
• Consider renting a bike or rollerblades for a day in your destination. You'll see more for less.

Souvenirs and Such

Bringing back a souvenir for a friend or family member is an easy way to spend a lot—unless you take our advice:

• Ask the price of something and request an alternative for less. It's okay to ask about price and request a suggestion that will save you money.
• Practice your "haggling" skills when purchasing goods from a destination or region. As long as you're not buying at a chain store, negotiation is always a possibility.
• Consider splurging for luxury goods when in particular markets. If you're dreaming of a designer bag or shoes, purchase them abroad, in the designer's home market, for a better deal.
• Browse both tourist-focused souvenir shops and those found in non-touristy neighborhoods. You'll enjoy a wide variety of goods and prices. And, comparison shop for the best souvenir deals.
• Try to ignore the romantic impulse of purchasing flowers from street vendors; enjoy the smell and the beauty they symbolize and then move on.
• Send postcards instead of buying souvenirs—good ole' snail mail is such a rarity that you'll be sure to delight friends and family with your memories while on your vacation.