Getaway to Budapest and Hungary

Budget Travel Magazine has released more budget travel destinations for 2009! Two you may not have thought about include:

Budapest, Hungary: With its economy taking a hard hit last year and the Hungarian currency devalued, now is a great time to stretch your dollar in Hungary. Much like Vienna and Prague (which I love), Budapest features the old European feel with sidewalk cafes and a vast amount of history. In fact, many of my ancestors are from Hungary and I have my great grandmothers travel journals of their visits home, so I have ALWAYS wanted to visit Hungary. Experts say you can spend a mere $20/day at a day spa and enjoy their hot thermal springs.

Cambodia: With more than 2 million visitors in 2008, this country is no longer just for backpackers. With its magnificent Hindu and Buddhist temples and beautiful beaches, this Asian destination is perfect for nature and history lovers, as well as travelers on a budget. Experts say you can rent a bike here for $2/day. Go now before it becomes overly popular in a few years.

PHOTOS: Left - Budapest pools; Right - Cambodia Temples.

The Getaway Girl Talks Trends & Travel with Kiwanis

I will admit...I was not quite sure how a presentation from me, The Getaway Girl, would go over with a group of Kiwanis (mostly businessmen) during their weekly meeting. However, I was thrilled with the positive feedback I received.

One member, Mark Manuel, emailed me: "Thanks for taking the time to speak to our group. It was one of the best programs we have had lately." He also recommended I visit Asheville, NC for a future girls getaway.

I had a great time meeting new friends and seeing some familiar faces, as well as hearing some amazing travel stories. Kiwanis - Thank you for inviting me to lunch. It was an absolute pleasure!

PHOTO: Casey Wohl with members of the Wauchula Kiwanis Club.

Girls Getaway Guide to Key West Featured in Skirt! Magazine

I am thrilled to be featured in the Browse Section of Skirt! Magazine's January 2009 issue. The magazine editor, Chris Kuhn, reviewed the Girls Getaway Guide to Key West: Leave Your Baggage at Home! Sounds like we will see Chris in Key West very soon.
For more information about Skirt!, visit http://www.skirt.com/.

Best 2009 Travel Value? Iceland?

Experts are predicting 2009 to be the year of travel deals, with amazing discounts and huge incentives to keep people traveling. Many travel analysts and websites provide their opinion of top travel deals for this year, and I consistently see one location on everyone’s list: Iceland. That’s right – Iceland!

I first heard about Icelandic travel last summer from a guy who had just returned from a bachelor party in Iceland. Who would have ever thought of Iceland for a bachelor party, I thought? However, the more he talked about the trip and the fabulous natural wonders, such as geothermal hot springs, glaciers, geysers, volcanoes, rivers and waterfalls, the more interested I became in visiting this magnificent country myself.

After the country’s near brush with bankruptcy in 2008, Icelandic currency is deeply devalued and the tourist-based businesses are eager to entice people from all over the world to visit. With a five hour plane ride from the Eastern U.S. coast, Iceland may be closer than you think. And their summers are surprisingly warm, so start planning your trip now. Icelanders’ warm welcome and strong desire to share their culture will help make your trip memorable.

For more information, visit http://www.visiticeland.com/.

Happy New Year!

My girlfriends and I had a blast celebrating New Years Eve in Downtown Orlando with a fabulous Girls Night Out (GNO). The night started at AKA Lounge where we rang in the New Year; then we headed to Stardust Lounge for the rest of the evening.
PHOTO: Hildie, Amanda, Casey & Ali celebrate New Years Eve!

Is 2009 the Year of the "Naycation?"

Experts are saying that if 2008 was the year of the “staycation,” then 2009 is the year of the “naycation” and people just aren’t going to be traveling. With leisure travel down by double digits in the last quarter of 2008, this news is no surprise. CNN.com cites 9 reasons for this trend:
1. Bad economy
2. No vacation budget
3. Uncertain about 2009
4. Tired of being lied to
5. 2008 staycations were boring
6. Deals are good but not good enough
7. People don’t feel like traveling
8. Travel industry doesn’t get it
9. Making vacation plans for 2010

To view the full article, visit http://www.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/12/30/naycations/index.html.

If you are like me and will still find a way to travel (where there’s a will there’s a way), here are some ways I’ll be making my travel dollars go further this year:
1. Use travel points – In November, I paid for my rental car, one night hotel room and air fare to LA all with travel points from various sources (credit card, hotel reward programs, airline point programs, etc). If you have these points, now if the time to use them. If you aren’t signed up for these programs, do so today!
2. Travel in groups – This could be a girls getaway or a couples trip. Whatever your desired trip, think of ways to invite more people along to help spread out costs such as hotel room, transportation, etc.
3. Visit friends/family – Perhaps you have friends or family who live in a city you have never visited before. Take this time to stay with them and explore their city, thus allowing you to spend little money on things like lodging, food, transportation, etc.

Helping Girls Getaway Feature Article

The Highlands Today (a regional section of the Tampa Tribune) ran a feature article on me today. To read the full article, visit the link below:

http://www2.highlandstoday.com/content/2009/jan/04/lc-helping-girls-get-away/news-newbusiness/