Airline Credit Cards

Greetings! Welcome to the 17th edition of the Carnival of Travel Guide. We have selected 11 posts for this edition. Without further ado, here are the posts in the order they were received.

Tisha presents 7 Ways to Save for a Great Last-Minute Vacation posted at American Consumer News.

Robert Carlton presents Traveling by Cruise Ship or Ferry From Valencia to Alicante along the Costa Blanca? posted at Costa Blanca and Spain Related Travel Tips from a Local Citizen. Looking for a ferry from Valencia to Alicante in Spain. With additional informations on ships going from the Costa Blanca to Mallorca and Ibiza.

Andy Boyd presents 15 Of The Longest Beaches In The World posted at ProTraveller. 15 of the longest beaches in the world from Karachi to Long Beach. They’re not all palm-fringed though, some aren’t even by the sea!

Claudine presents Get a Bikini Beach Body for the Summer posted at Vacation Tips Blog.

Cory presents Bass Fishing Techniques | Bass fishing Tips, Tricks and advice posted at Bass Fishing Techniques. Tips to help bass fishers if they are fishing at night.

Andrew Edgington presents Taxes and Costs In Northern Cyprus posted at Cyprus Informer. Below is an overview of all the taxes and costs involved in property purchase in Northern Cyprus, along with estimated running costs.

Jason Conquest presents All inclusive = Bad Idea posted at Aruba Vacation.

Garry presents 10 Must Visit Places In Scotland That Everyone Should Visit posted at 2 Million Dollar Bills.

Kristie presents Rome, Italy: Our Accommodations and Our Arrival posted at Culture Shock.

Christine presents Open Air Market in Barcelona posted at Me, My Kid and Life: An American Single Mom Living in France.

Debbie presents 8 Ways to Save Your Money Buying Airline Tickets posted at American Consumer News.

That concludes this edition. Next edition of this carnival will be hosted here on May 02, 2008. Submit your blog articles using our blog carnival submission form.

By Jessica Hupp

If you’re thinking that all your iPod can do is play music, think again. With a little ingenuity and guidance, you can turn your iPod into just about anything, whether it’s a remote control or a notepad. Read on to find more than 75 tutorials that will walk you through projects that will transform your iPod.

Storage

Get more out of your iPod’s little hard drive using these turorials.

1. Using Your iPod as a Storage Drive: Apple offers a tutorial on how you can use your iPod as a hard drive or flash drive.
2. How to Get Songs off Your iPod with iTunes: With this hack, you can move the songs from your iPod to your music library on iTunes.
3. iPod Shuffle RAID: Find out how this tech handyman used 4 iPod Shuffles to make a RAID array.
4. Turn Your iPod into a Backup Drive: This short guide will tell you how to use an old iPod as a backup.

Multimedia

Make your iPod a media powerhouse using these guides.

5. How to Turn Your iPod into a TV: Make your iPod a mobile TV with this guide.
6. Turn your iPod into a Ouija board: Have some supernatural fun using your iPod with this guide.
7. Turn Your iPod into a Boombox: Crave has found a retro way to outfit your iPod.
8. How to Convert DVD or Videos to iPod Video Format: Learn how to rip DVD movies to iPods as well as convert a variety of video files.
9. Getting the Video out of Your New iPod–for Cheap!: Check out this hack to learn how to play videos from your iPod on your TV.
10. Ten Step Guide to iPhone Custom Ringtones in GarageBand ‘08: Get the details on creating ringtones of your very own for the iPhone.
11. Turn Your iPod into a Recording Studio: Check this out to see how you can record just about anything with your iPod.
12. iRocker: Turn Your iPod into a Guitar Tuner/Metronome/Practice Tool: With this guide and bundle of apps, you can turn your iPod into a useful tool for making music.
13. Turn Your iPod Packaging into an iPod Speaker: Take the packaging that your iPod came in and turn it into something useful with this guide.

At Home

iPods aren’t just useful on the go-they can be great at home as well. These guides will show you how to make use of your iPod at home.

14. How-To Turn your iPod into a Universal Infrared Remote Control: Tidy up your living room by turning your iPod into the only remote you need.
15. iPod Alarm Clock: Follow this short guide to turn your iPod into an alarm clock.
16. DIY iPod Video Projector: This Instructables guide will walk you through the production of a projector that you can use for iPod videos.

Information

Keep all of the information of the world in your pockets with these tutorials.

17. Build an eDoc Reader for Your iPod: This tutorial will show you how to build an eDoc reader on your own.
18. An Offline Wikipedia Reader for the iPhone/iPod Touch: Get Wikipedia on your iPod Touch using this awesome tool.
19. Read Ebooks on your MP3 Player Using “Ebook to Images”: Turn your iPod into a mobile book reader with a little software help.
20. Dictionary: You can put the Merriam Webster Dictionary on your iPod.

Communication

The iPhone isn’t the only iPod product that can be used for communication. Check out these guides to find out how to use your iPod to keep in touch.

21. Phreaking Out Your iPod: Use your iPod to make free phone calls using this hack.
22. Turn Your iPod into the Ultimate PowerPoint Accessory: Find out how you can make presentations a snap with your iPod here.
23. Make your own Pirate Radio Station with an iPod: Broadcast a radio station from your iPod with this guide.
24. Turn Your iPod Touch into an iPhone: Check out this hack that will allow you to make calls from your iPod Touch.
25. Speed Dial with Your iPod: Use portable speakers and MP3 recordings of phone numbers to speed dial.

Upgrades

Upgrade your iPod to a laptop or even a working PC using these tutorials.

26. iPod Super: Check out this project guide to find out how you can replace your iPod’s hard drive with a larger one.
27. Turn your iPod Touch into a Desktop Diva: Improve the quality of your iPod Touch’s desktop sound using this tutorial.
28. How to-Turn Your iPod Mini into a Flash-Based iPod: Switch your microdrive out for a compact flash card with this tutorial.
29. Turn Your iPod into a Laptop: Make the most out of a broken iPod with this guide.
30. Nanoscope: The Nanoscope increases the size of your iPod’s video with this neat little tool.
31. How to Install the iPhone Applications Mail, Notes, Stocks, Weather, and Maps on Your iPod Touch: Get better apps on your iPod Touch using this guide.
32. How to Turn Your iPod into Your Full, Working PC: Get a mobile computer with this useful guide.
33. Classic to iPod Video Project: Get your iPod Video to look like a classic with this guide.

Organization

These tutorials will show you how the iPod can keep your organized.

34. Notepad: With a handwriting application for the iPhone and iPod Touch, you can use your device as a mobile notepad.
35. Hipster POD: Adding An iPod to Your Hipster PDA: Use this hack to attach an iPod to your low-tech PDA system.
36. How to Turn Your iPod into a PDA: Make your iPod an ultimate organizer with this guide.
37. Turn your iPod into a Digital Recorder: Make your iPod even more functional by adding a digital recorder to it.
38. The Holy Grail of Synchronization: Keep your contacts up to date on your iPod and everywhere else using this tutorial.
39. Manage a To-Do List with Your iPod Touch: Check out how you can stay organized without using the Contacts application.
40. Calculating Tips with TipKalc: Figure out tips right on your iPod using this handy guide and tool.

Security

With these tutorials, you can make yourself, your iPod and the information on it more secure.

41. Secure backup and storage using a disk image and an iPod: Keep your data safe even if your iPod gets stolen by using this security method.
42. How to Turn your iPod into a Taser: This video teaches you how to turn your iPod into a personal security device.
43. The iPod Theft Deterrent: Equip your iPod with stain security using this tutorial.

Battery/Energy

Use these guides to learn how to make the most out of your iPod’s battery.

44. Hand Powered iPod Shuffle: This guide will teach you how to charge your iPod Shuffle without electricity.
45. How to Make a Bike Charger for Your iPod: This tutorial will show you how to keep your iPod going while you bike.
46. MintyBoost!-Small Battery-Powered USB Charger: This project will put a charger into an Altoids box.
47. How To Extend the Life of Your iPod Battery: Follow this guide to find out how to make your battery last longer.
48. Build a Solar iPod Charger: Create a lightweight, solar charger for your iPod using this guide.

Accessories

Make your own accessories for the iPod using these tutorials.

49. Kody’s Moleskine iPod Hack: Check out this hack to learn how to put an iPod in your moleskine.
50. How-To: Design Your Own iPod Super Dock: Create a dock that takes loads more information using this guide.
51. Book iPod Cozy: Carry your iPod in a hardcover book with this tutorial.
52. How to Build an iPod Touch Stand from a $100 Bill: Use money or strong paper to create a DIY stand.
53. Simple Amp: Create a cheap, simple amplifier for your iPod.
54. Lego iPod Dock Assembly Step-by-Step: This guide will show you how to create a fun little iPod dock.
55. How to-Make an iPod Shuffle Gen 2 Travel Case: Create a nifty travel case using the instructions in this guide.
56. Build Your Own iPod Dock: Create an iPod dock of your very own using this guide.
57. Shoe Hacker: Nike+iPod Sport Kit Shoe Mod: Use a bit of velcro to put your sport kit in any shoe.

Tech

These tutorials show you how to use the iPod for high-tech endeavors.

1. Use Your iPhone as a Multi-Touch Mouse with Touchpad Pro: Check out this video guide to using your iPod Touch as a mouse.
2. Hack Your Brain with an iPod: Use the iPod to hack your brain with noise.
3. Run Linux on Your iPod: Find out how you can run the Linux OS on your iPod here.
4. Use your iPod as a Startup Drive: Boot your computer with your iPod using this tutorial.
5. How To: Install Leopard with Your iPod: Turn an old iPod into a boot disk with this tutorial.
6. Turn Your iPod into a Geek Toolbox: This feature tells you how you can load up your iPod with computer fixers.
7. Turn Your iPod into a PC: This feature highlights how you can virtualize your PC onto your iPod.

Other Uses

For even more ways to get more out of your iPod, check out these tutorials.

65. Turn Your iPod into Money: Once you’re done with your iPod, you can just sell it.
66. Turn Your iPod into a Sex Toy: With the iBuzz, you can listen to and feel music at the same time.
67. PodGourmet: Turn your iPod into a mobile cookbook using the PodGourmet.
68. The Complete Guide to iPhone Car Integration: Find out how you can integrate the iPhone with your car in this tutorial.
69. iWay-Yahoo! Directions on your iPod: Use this guide and handy tool to put Yahoo! maps on your iPod.
70. Poor Man Hack: Nike+iPod Sport Kit Shoe Mod: With this hack, you can use the Nike+iPod sport kit with any kind of shoe.
71. iPod Subway Maps: Get around the subway using these photo maps.
72. Turn Your iPod into a Travel Guide: Here you’ll find loads of travel podcasts that are great for listening to on the road.
73. Restaurant Finder: Check out Zagat ratings on your iPod here.
74. Turn Your iPod into a Personal Trainer: MSNBC describes how you can use your iPod to track stats, progress, and more.
75. Mirror: Use the shiny back of your iPod as a mirror for photos and more.
76. Creating iPod Tattoos: This guide offers information on how you can create a tattoo for your iPod.
77. iPod Bartender: Put together tasty drinks with these recipes.

Greetings! Welcome to the 16th edition of the Carnival of Travel Guide. We have selected 16 posts for this edition. Here you go:

Andy Boyd presents 10 Of The Coolest Hotel Suites In The World posted at ProTraveller. Stay in the lap of luxury at one of these exuberant hotel suites. This list of cool (and mostly expensive) suites includes everything from the Presidential Bungalow Suite at The Beverly Hills Hotel to the Playboy Sky Villa Suite in Las Vegas.

Sarah presents Tips To Save Money On Vacations posted at Tips To Save Money. Learn To Be Frugal. Tips for planning a great, cheap vacation

Christine presents The Ominous Strasbourg Cathedral (Cathedrale de Strasbourg) posted at Me, My Kid and Life: An American Single Mom Living in France.

Michael presents Long Neck Tribe Visit posted at My Thai Life.

Gray presents Solo-Friendly Lodging posted at SoloFriendly.com.

Toni presents Mexico FAQ - Tropical Adventures In Mexico posted at Tropical Islands. Here are some answers to common questions asked about traveling in Mexico.

Toe presents Do’s and Dont’s in Cambodia posted at kurokuroatbp. In Cambodia, you don’t pat children on their head… and other advice for travelers to this country.

Jimdmcd presents Room For A View | Yosemite Reservations posted at Yosemite Reservations.

Carmen Coker presents Get Organized: Packing for a Trip posted at Get Organized!. Packing for a trip can be a real monster of a task - there are a lot of things to remember! If you find that you have problems getting organized for travel, then use this checklist to have a stress-free, mess-free packing experience!

Amit presents Guatemala Travel Report posted at Virtual Obscurity. A report from my travels in Guatemala.

Amy @ The Q Family presents Get out and enjoy free admission in Atlanta posted at The Q Family Adventure.

Veteran Military Wife presents Back from the Timeshare and My Final Thoughts - HGVC on International Drive in Orlando posted at Life Lessons of a Military Wife. And to think it wasn’t as vulturistic as I thought it would be. Good tips if you decide to take the “free bait”.

Heatheronhertravels presents Travelling with the teens - in Valencia posted at Heather on her travels. During her recent family holiday in Valencia, Heather reflects on what her teenage children enjoy on holiday, contrasts it with the things she enjoys and gives some tips on the compromises they make, so they can all enjoy the trip together.

Steve Madsen presents Australia?s Capital Treasures - National Gallery of Australia posted at Exit Row Seat. First of a series of posts about Australia’s capital Canberra.

Susan presents The TSA Is Looking At You Naked posted at The Innovative Traveler.

MBB presents Always Pay By Credit Card To Protect Against Airline Bankruptcy Loss posted at Money Blue Book Finance Blog.

That concludes this edition. Next edition of this carnival will be hosted here on april 25, 2008. Submit your blog articles using our blog carnival submission form.

Whether you’re traveling halfway around the world or just across state lines, travel expenses can add up quickly, especially with rising airline and gas prices. But you don’t need to break the bank to have a great time on vacation. There are many ways to get even the priciest of travel necessities at a great discount or even for free. Check out these tips and see if any can save you money on your vacation.

General Tips

These general tips can help you make your trip much easier on your budget.

1. Surf the net for promo deals. The internet is chock full of travel deals if you know where to look. Sign up for emails and updates from comparison sites like Kayak and have the best promos sent directly to your inbox.
2. Print out online coupons. There are many coupons online for hotels, dining, and attractions. Simply print them out and bring them with you when you go.
3. Sign up for free travel contests. While there is no guarantee of winning, there’s no harm in trying. Who knows, you might get lucky!
4. Go to timeshare presentations. While this isn’t for the weak-willed, time share presentations can be a way to get some pretty great stuff for free. The inexperienced can use this guide to keep from falling prey to the sales pitch.
5. Contact local tourism bureaus. A simple letter or email to the local tourism bureau of the place you’re planning to visit can garner you some free coupons and maps of the area.
6. Take advantage of discounts through work. Many businesses have corporate discount programs that can save you a lot of money on admission to a wide variety of attractions as well as hotels and transportation. Check to see if your employer has such a program; it can save you a bundle.
7. Never be afraid to ask. If you want a discount on a price, just ask, otherwise you might miss out on a potential bargain.
8. Be frugal, not cheap. While it’s good to be frugal with your vacation money, don’t skimp on important things. It may end up costing you more in the long run.
9. Try to speak the language. Do your best to speak the language, otherwise you’ll peg yourself as a tourist and possibly get charged higher prices.
10. Get cash at an ATM. Don’t exchange money before you leave home or at the airport. You will get a much better exchange rate by using your credit card at an ATM.
11. Check out the rotary club. Rotary Club International offers free travel and accommodations for businesspeople on group study exchanges. You don’t even have to be a member.
12. Make friends. Just like at home, having the right connections can go a long way towards getting hooked up with free stuff. So be nice, a smile may score you some free goodies.
13. Be flexible. You’re more likely to get discounts and freebies if you’re willing to be flexible in your plans.
14. Don’t be ashamed to drop names. Know someone who lives and works in the area you’re visiting? Mention their name; they might have friends in unexpected places that can offer you a deal.
15. Volunteer. If you’re not opposed to working on your vacation, you can get free lodging in many scenic locations all over the world in exchange for varying degrees of volunteer work.

Flights

Flying can be expensive, but luckily there are many ways to help reduce the cost. Check out these tips to help you save on airfare.

16. Extend a business trip. If your work has already paid for you to fly somewhere, why not spend a few days after your business is taken care of checking out the sights?
17. Get bumped. Airlines reward passengers who are willing to be bumped with passes for free travel. While it might be a small inconvenience, it can save you lots of money on travel expenses.
18. Cash in your credit card rewards. If you’ve got a rewards credit card, cash in the miles for free or discounted flights.
19. Be a courier. If you’re willing to pack light, you can score free travel all over the world by working as a package courier.
20. Ask friends and family who work with an airline. Often, employees of airlines can get family members and friends tickets for next to nothing.
21. Use your miles to upgrade to first class. If you don’t quite have enough miles with your frequent flyer card to get free flights, you can use the miles to upgrade instead, and enjoy your flight from the comfort of first class.
22. Bring your own snacks. Many airlines have cut out their free snack and beverage services and now charge a fee for those little bags of peanuts. Bring your own snacks and you can avoid having to buy them once you’re in the air.
23. Complain if you receive poor service. While it isn’t common, occasionally you’ll have a really poor experience with an airline. If you feel you’ve been mistreated, send a letter to the customer service department. While you probably won’t get a totally free flight, you may get free upgrades or miles you can use.
24. Check out rewards programs that give free companion tickets. Many credit card reward programs not only give you miles when you buy a ticket, but will also give you a free ticket for a friend to come along when you purchase a full-priced fare.

Accommodation

Hotels can be one of the biggest expenses on a vacation. Use these tips to sleep soundly without putting so much strain on your wallet.

25. Stay with family and friends. If you have family or friends that live near where you’re traveling, see if you can stay with them for a few days. It could save you a lot of money on hotels and you’ll get to spend time with people you care about.
26. Get motel coupons. For the frequent road-tripper, motel coupons can be an invaluable resource and the Motel Coupons website has discounts for places all over the US. You’re sure to find some for motels near your destination.
27. Swap houses. If you’re looking for totally free accommodations and have a good amount of trust in your fellow man, swapping houses can be a great option for cheap travel. There are many services that can set you up with other people who want to do a swap and may be more reliable than those you find elsewhere.
28. Become a hotel critic. For the price of a written review, you can earn a few nights in hotels all over.
29. Stay in hostels when possible. While most are not entirely free, they are usually extremely cheap, especially if you’re traveling in a group. Many will even provide free breakfast.
30. Be a house sitter. In exchange for helping someone keep their home and pets safe and sound while they’re away, you’ll get to stay cheaply in places all over the world. Check with some of the larger and more reliable organizations that can set you up with a home that needs watching.
31. Find free hotels. Sound too good to be true? It’s not. Many travel sites guarantee that they have the lowest price. If you find your hotel cheaper somewhere else, it’s on them.
32. Hotel rewards cards. Many hotels have partnered with credit card companies to create rewards cards. These cards can get to free stays at the hotel, so use them for everyday purchases and cash in the rewards when you travel.
33. Check out work to stay deals. There are many programs worldwide that offer free lodging in exchange for some help around the house or farm. While it may not be as relaxing as lounging on the beach, it can take a hefty chunk out of the cost of your vacation.
34. Become part of a guestroom program. Believe it or not, there are people all over who are willing to allow travelers to stay in their guestrooms. Check out a program like the Guest Room Network to see if you can find a free room at your destination.
35. Share hotel rooms. If you’re traveling with a friend, cut costs in half by sharing a hotel room.
36. Arrange group travel. If you’re good at planning, you can score free travel by arranging group tours for others. As a reward for bringing in a paying group, companies like GlobeTours give the organizer the same trip for free.
37. Take part in a sister city exchange. Sister Cities International is a nonprofit network that partners hundreds of U.S. cities with similar international sister cities. Many groups travel overseas to these cities and the cost is usually covered by fund raisers and the host family. Of course, be advised that you will have to host other travelers in exchange.
38. Crash on a couch. Odd as it may sound, there are international networks designed just for the traveling freeloader. You’ll find listings for couches you can sleep on all over the world. You’ll get free lodging and hopefully make some great new friends.
39. Camp out. There are few ways to sleep cheaper than camping out under the stars. In some places you may be able to camp for free, but in national parks and campgrounds, fees are usually very reasonable.
40. Learn Esperanto. While in the eyes of many Esperanto may not be the most useful of language skills, it can land you some free lodging through an exchange program. You’ll be able to reduce travel costs and get to practice speaking another language.

Dining

Dining out when you’re at home may just be a special treat, but when you’re traveling it may become a necessity. Try out some of these ideas to help reduce the cost of your meals.

41. Look for restaurants where kids eat for free. If you’re traveling with kids, you can often cut costs by eating at places that let kids eat for free. You’ll save money that you can put towards other vacation expenses.
42. Get free breakfast at your hotel. If your hotel offers free breakfast, take advantage of it. It’s one less meal you have to pay for out of pocket.
43. Bring your own coffee mug or water bottle. Buying coffee and bottled water every day can get expensive quickly. Save money by brewing coffee in your hotel room or refilling your own water bottles.
44. Purchase restaurant gift cards. Gift cards to restaurants can often be purchased on eBay or sites like Restaurant.com for less than their face value, allowing you to eat at your favorite place and still save money.
45. Get meals comped. Staying in Vegas? Use your high-roller status to get some free meals.
46. Make lunch your main meal. Dinner menus might be more extensive, but lunch prices are almost always cheaper. Fill up at lunch so you can spend less when dinnertime rolls around.
47. Make the most of freebies. If your hotel is giving out free snacks or breakfast, take a little something and save it for later.
48. Bring your own food. While it isn’t always an option, bringing your own food along on a trip can save you tons of money, especially if you’re vacationing in a place with high food prices.
49. Flirt shamelessly. There is no guarantee of a free or discounted meal if you flirt, but there is no harm in trying if you’re really hungry and low on cash.
50. Join a diners club. Members of diners clubs often get special discounts on restaurants which can add up if you will be eating out frequently.
51. Sign up for emails from your favorite places. Restaurants often send out special coupons and deals in emails, and sometimes you’ll even get gift certificates for free food when your birthday rolls around.

Transportation

Getting around in a foreign city can be hard enough without having to worry about how much it’s costing you. Try out these methods for saving money seeing the sights.

52. Find a ride. Websites like RideSeek and Ridester make it easy to find and share a ride to your destination, helping cut down on your travel costs.
53. Get a free gas card. There are many offers you can sign up for that will give you free gas cards. Some hotels even give them out as bonuses for staying with them.
54. Check out AAA discounts. If you’re a member of AAA, it’s likely that you can get a number of discounts on rentals and services by using your card.
55. Take public transportation. Most big cities have pretty good public transportation systems and often there are substantial discounts if you buy several passes at once.
56. Use your own two feet. While it isn’t always possible to walk everywhere you want to go, when you can, do it. It can save you money, give you some exercise, and allow you to spend time exploring a new place.
57. Bring your bike. One way to avoid having to pay for transportation is to bring your own. Biking is a great way to see the sights, not to mention good exercise.
58. Avoid toll roads. Tolls can add up quickly, especially near cities. Use an online mapping program to provide you with an alternate route. It might take a few minutes longer, but you’ll save money and get to take in the scenery.
59. Don’t rent a car unless you need one. If you only really need a car to get from the airport to your hotel, don’t bother renting a car. You’ll save not only on the rental fee, but gas and parking as well.
60. Research free public transport. Many big cities, in an effort to cater to tourists, have some kind of free public transport between big tourist attractions. Check out your destination city to see if you can save a walk or cab fare with a free ride.
61. Become a preferred renter. Most rental car companies have preferred renter programs that can save you big bucks when you go to rent a car. While most programs have fees, they will usually waive it if you send them a request.
62. Use good driving habits. Save yourself valuable gas by using good driving habits like accelerating slowly and always keeping your tires properly inflated. If you’re driving a long distance the savings can really add up.
63. Work from your RV. Rising gas prices have driven up the cost of an RV vacation, but you can get some of it back by becoming a workamper. There are a variety of jobs to choose from that allow you to bring in income while still enjoying the comforts of an RV vacation.
64. Take part in a driveaway. If you’re going on a road trip, there may be a way to do it for free. Many people who move don’t want to have to move their cars themselves hire companies like this one to do it for them. You can participate in these programs, and get free travel between many different locations.
65. Charge your rental car. Many credit cards that specialize in travel have free insurance included when you use them to pay for travel expenses. So even if you don’t purchase the additional insurance, you’ll still be protected.
66. Hitchhike. While it isn’t the safest option, it is free. Use extreme caution if you plan on doing it.

Entertainment and Shopping

You wouldn’t be on vacation unless you were seeking fun and relaxation, so take advantage of these ideas on how you can save money while still enjoying yourself.

67. See if second day free passes are available. Many amusement and water parks offer free or half price passes for a second day of admission which can save a lot, especially if you’re traveling with your family.
68. Ask about tickets through your hotel. Many hotels offer free or greatly discounted tickets for nearby attractions as a bonus for staying with them. Ask at the front desk to see if you can save some money.
69. Visit free attractions. You can often have a great time at places that are totally free like state and national parks and the beach.
70. Look for free entertainment. Most big cities offer free concerts, parades, and special events especially during the summer months. Before you go, check to see if any pique your interest.
71. Check out a TV show taping. Get free tickets to the taping of your favorite show with TV Tickets.com. You’ll get entertainment and a chance to get close to your favorite TV stars.
72. Find out about museum free days. Most big museums have at least one day of the week when admission is free, so take advantage of the savings by planning your visit around those times.
73. Don’t pay tax. If you’re traveling in Europe, you may not have to pay tax on the items you purchase if the store you shop at participates in the Global Refund program. Simply get a refund cheque from the store when you purchase your items, have it validated when you go through customs, and collect your cash back at their office or through the mail.
74. Check out student discounts. Many attractions popular with tourists have special prices for students as long as you have a student ID.
75. Be a trail guide. If you’re the outdoorsy type, you can enjoy a free vacation by becoming a trail guide. Show other hikers through trails at the Continental Divide or along the Pacific Northwest Trail.

Online Applications

The internet is one of the greatest resources for travelers looking for a bargain. Give these free sites a look before you take your next trip.

76. Travlang For those traveling abroad, Travlang can be a great resource for translating and helping you learn the language.
77. gas buddy.com If you’re driving to your vacation destination, check out gasbuddy to help you find the cheapest prices for gas anywhere you go.
78. points.com Chances are good that if you’re a member of several frequent flyer and rewards programs, you have trouble keeping track of all those miles. Points.com makes it easy by tracking your points from multiple programs.
79. WebFlyer WebFlyer is a great resource for frequent flyers. Keep track of your rewards miles, get special promotions and more at their website.
80. Inspector Trip Not sure you’re getting the best deal on your flight or hotel? Use Inspector Trip’s comparison tool to find out what you should be paying.
81. FreeTrip FreeTrip allows you to create a customized road itinerary and map.
82. Flightview FlightView can help keep you up to date with your flight, let you know if it will be delayed, and get you information for almost any airport in the United States.
83. Traffic.com Don’t let traffic jams ruin your trip. With Traffic.com you can keep track of where the problem areas are and figure out alternate routes.
84. ParkatMyHouse Finding a place to park when you’re away from home can be difficult but ParkatMyHouse does the work for you and finds you reasonably priced parking.
85. TripAdvisor TripAdvisor can give you advice and reviews for thousands of hotels, airlines and attractions all over the world.
86. VirtualTourist Get photos, tips, and reviews for travel destinations all over the world with VirtualTourist.
87. 3DTracking Keeping track of your family at a crowded attraction can be difficult. 3DTracking is free app that lets you know where everyone’s at.
88. TripTie Not sure what to do once you arrive at your destination? Get some ideas by looking at other people’s travel itineraries on TripTie.
89. TravelPod Make an online journal of your travel adventures with a free blog at TravelPod.

Travel Necessities

There are some things that even the most frugal traveler can’t do without. Give these suggestions a whirl to help you shave off a few dollars from your basic travel expenses.

90. Bring along free sunscreen. Whether you’re hitting the beach or the slopes, you’re going to need to bring sunscreen along. Get a free bottle from Quality Health when you fill out a survey.
91. Take advantage of online travel guides. Even big names in travel guides like Frommers have gone online. Why pay for the book when you can get the same info online for free?
92. Buy luggage at a discount or thrift store. There is no doubt that suitcases are some of the most expensive necessities for travelers. Save money by getting one at a discount online or at your local thrift store.
93. Make the most of free wi-fi. Some hotels will charge you to connect to the Internet. Of course, there’s no reason to pay for it when you can go around the corner to the local coffeshop and get it for free. Make the most of free wi-fi in the area and save some money on expensive hotel connections.
94. Score free passport photos. If you need a new passport normally you’d pay anywhere between $10-15 for the photo, but JetBlue customers can take advantage of this free photo offer.
95. Get a free luggage tag. If by some ill stroke of luck your luggage gets lost, make sure it has your name on it so it can get back to you. Sign up for this free one through Cutter and Buck.
96. Order free maps and atlases. There are numerous maps and atlases you can get send to you free of charge just by taking an simple online survey.
97. Get free vacation photo prints. If you take a lot of digital photos, you can get free and cheap prints of them by using an online printing service like Adorama or Snapfish. Some offer 50 free prints just for signing up!
98. Buy travel guides and maps on eBay. If you are in need of travel guides, don’t pay full price. Get them for cheap using eBay and when you get back, sell them!
99. Send e-cards. It’s fun to get mail from all over the world, but you can save money on stamps by sending e-cards instead of postcards. Simply scan in or upload one of your photos and send them in special emails to your family and friends.
100. Pack light. Save yourself baggage overage fees and hassle by packing light and simply doing laundry at your destination once you run out of clothes.

Greetings! Welcome to the 15th edition of the Carnival of Travel Guide. We have selected 8 posts for this edition. Here you go:

Madeleine Begun Kane presents Taking A Vacation On The Contract Plan posted at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog.

Amy @ The Q Family presents Target Free Tuesday at Imagine It! Atlanta posted at The Q Family Adventure.

Jeet presents Dharmasthala posted at Discover Karnataka. Dharamasthala is one of the most sacred religious place in South India. Located in a serene and natural environment in the forest ranges of western ghats.

Alex M presents What Are The Famous Places In Russia posted at Discover Eastern Europe: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus.

Andrew Edgington presents Great Tips For Buying A Cyprus Villa posted at Cyprus Informer. If you are going to buy a Cyprus property make sure you research the market first.

Chris Christensen presents Air Travel A La Carte posted at Tripinator - Travel 2.0. Airlines continue to un-bundle charges for baggage, blankets and now even service.

Karyn presents A New Theme Park for Orlando? posted at All About Orlando. There may soon be a new Disney theme park in Orlando, Florida. Disney’s Night Kingdom is said to be opening in the fall of 2011.

Debbie presents How to Budget for Hidden Travel Costs posted at American Consumer News.

That concludes this edition. Next edition of this carnival will be hosted here on April 19, 2008. Submit your blog articles using our blog carnival submission form.

Greetings! Welcome to the 14th edition of the Carnival of Travel Guide. We have selected 9 posts for this edition. Here you go:

Kristie Dugan presents India posted at Norway - An American In Oslo An Expat And Expatriate Traveling The World.

Jennifer presents Altura Maxima: High Altitude Viticulture in Argentina posted at Diary of 1. Travel Argentina’s highest altitude vineyards.

Madeleine Begun Kane presents Charge! posted at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog.

Serena Makofsky presents A Vivid Day posted at Mexican Pop Spot. Oaxaca has plenty to occupy the country mouse as well as the city mouse. Venturing out to the village of Arrazola in search of visionary folk art is capped capped by “alta cocina” at La Biznaga in the city center.

Robert Carlton presents The Fallas Festivities in Gandia 2008 posted at Costa Blanca Webcast - Latest Travel Information on Benidorm Alicante and other cities around the Costa Blanca in Spain.

Don presents Cool Places To Visit In Las Vegas posted at Tony Travis. Las Vegas isn’t only about Gambling. Believe it or not, some people visit Vegas and never step into a Casino. Here is a rundown of some cool places to put on your list when visiting Las Vegas.

Shan Siddiqi presents View from above - Kuwait, London, New York, Boston posted at The Optimist’s World. What you can learn about a city from an airplane’s-eye-view.

Tony Galvez presents Destination: Florianópolis posted at Brazil Travel Blog. A mini-guide to an off-the-beaten track (at least when it comes to English-speaking tourists) destination in Brazil.

Debbie presents How to Travel with Kids on the Fly posted at American Consumer News.

That concludes this edition. Next edition of this carnival will be hosted here on April 12, 2008. Submit your blog articles using our blog carnival submission form.

Jessica Hupp

These days, travel is expensive, and costs are rising fast enough to make your head spin. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up on your dream vacation-you just have to get smarter. Enlist the help of these tools and resources, and you’re sure to score a flight at a reasonable cost.

Tools

Put these tools to work to stay on top of fare deals, predictions and more.

1. FareChase Alert: Use this widget to stay on top of the latest deals for your favorite cities.
2. Trip Watcher: Use Hotwire’s tool to get constant consideration of travel choices.
3. ITA Trip Planner: Try this site’s planner to get great information on cheap flights.
4. Fare Aware: With this tool, you can find out average prices for your flight, so you’ll know a good deal when you see it.
5. FlightChecker: Use the FlightChecker to find out when you should fly to get the best deals.
6. Flycheapo: Find low-cost flying stats, news, great routes, and more on this cheap flight site.
7. AirDig: Get this “ultimate airfare search tool” to find flights, take notes, and save your favorites for comparison later.
8. TripSync: Use this mobile booking site to enjoy lots of features and integration.
9. Yapta: Stay on top of fare fluctuations to get credits or cash back when your fare’s price drops.
10. FlyerTalk: Check out these forums to learn how other travelers save money, especially frequent flyers.
11. Airfare Watchdog: This tool will alert you when your selected airfares are low.
12. TripStarter: This tool will tell you when to travel so that you’ll get the most out of your flight money.
13. ExpertFlyer: Check out ExpertFlyer to get real-time seat maps for more than 100 carriers, so you can find the flight with the best seat for your cash.
14. Mile Maven: Find the best limited-time deals for frequent flyer bonus miles.

Websites

These booking sites, aggregators, and other resources offer a great way to spot deals for the flight you need.

15. Kayak: On Kayak, you can search more than 140 travel sites at once, then compare them side by side.
16. SideStep: SideStep offers an easy way to search more than 200 sites, plus use helpful tools like their airport guides.
17. Farecast: Use Farecast to do a smart travel search that warns you when fares are expected to rise.
18. Tripology: Fill out Tripology’s questionnaire, and you’ll be matched with a travel agent who can find your perfect flight.
19. Mobissimo: Search airfares, find deals that other travelers have used, and get travel information on this site.
20. TravelZoo: Sign up for TravelZoo’s Top 20 Travel emails to find some impressive deals.
21. Fly Cheap Abroad: This site promises to find cheap tickets for international travel.
22. Priceline: Take advantage of Priceline’s travel search, or get even better discounts by using their “name your own price” option.
23. BootsnAll: Find cheap flights and so much more on this independent traveler network.
24. Travelocity: Book your flight with Travelocity, and you’ll be able to find last minute packages, information, and flight status.
25. Skyscanner: Check out Skyscanner’s suggestions, or just search for incredibly flexible travel times.
26. Orbitz: Check out featured deals, create a package, and more with Orbitz.
27. CheapoAir: On this site, you’ll find super-cheap flights, reviews, and more.
28. Momondo: Search more than 400 travel sites in the blink of an eye with this web 2.0 travel site.
29. Expedia: Get a great fare and earn rewards at the same time using Expedia.
30. dohop: This site makes it easy to find the cheapest, fastest route to your destination.
31. CheapTickets: Check out the CheapTickets “Cheap of the Week,” organize your trips, and more on CheapTickets.
32. Hotwire: On Hotwire, you’ll find money-saving airfares and useful tools.
33. FareChase: On Yahoo!’s travel search engine, you can find great deals.

Articles

Follow the strategies outlined in these articles to get the best deal possible.

34. How to Get the Cheapest Flight Every Single Time: This article has helpful recommendations for websites and booking strategies.
35. Finding the best flight fares: Find out what Pauline Frommer has to say about finding cheap flights.
36. How to score a cheap airline ticket: Read this article to find out how you can save money on fares beyond discount airlines.
37. A Peek at Peak Travel: Get the lowdown on busy, expensive days to fly.
38. An Insider’s Guide to Cheap Airfares: This article offers a few insider guidelines that you should follow.
39. Tips for Finding Cheap Airfare: This article offers ten easy tips for scoring a cheap flight.
40. How to buy cheap airline tickets: This article offers tips and suggestions for lots of fare-finding tools.
41. Best Sites for Cheap Flights: Tips for Finding the Lowest Airfare: Check out this article for tips, website suggestions, and more.
42. SoYouWanna Find a Cheap Plane Ticket?: This guide offers a step-by-step tutorial for finding a cheap flight.
43. How to Find Cheap Airfare: Check out this fun video to get some cheap flight tips.
44. How to Buy Cheap Plane Tickets: Follow these rules to avoid overpaying for your flight.
45. How to Fly as a Courier: This article offers great tips for getting a deeply discounted fare by flying as a courier.
46. Refunds: Who’s the Best When You’re Due a Refund: Find out about airlines’ affordability when you’re in a bind.
47. Cheap Plane Tickets — Why You’re Not Finding Them: Check out these slick tricks to get the best flight for your money.
48. We Love to Fly and It Shows: Inside the World of Mileage Running: In this article from Wired, you’ll learn great strategies for accumulating frequent flyer miles.
49. How to Book a Cheap Flight: Use this article’s advice to avoid overpaying on your flight.
50. Do Cheap Flights Still Exist?: This article describes the rising cost of travel, and offers some tips for making it more affordable.