We’re into saving money, not because we are cheap, but we don’t want to use it frivolously. I mean come on. Our parents taught us right, money DOESN’T grow on trees… With that in mind, even vacations are affected. Millenials (up to the age of 34) are looking for more value in their vacation. This personally goes for us. Maybe that’s because we’re homebodies, we are able to have a great time at home just as we are elsewhere.

On the occasion we do want to venture out, we enjoy finding deals. Ones like Groupon (Have you seen those Alaskan cruises?! Those things look like so much fun!) and Orbtiz, and Priceline can offer great deals, but sometimes my risk alert goes off. If I only need a night in a nearby hotel then I don’t really get the warning sign, but these big deals, like the Alaskan cruise, never come to fruition because I don’t want to take the risk. Travel insurance is a great way to put a bit of your savings to work to make sure you have a stress free vacation.

One place to check into is Allianz Travel Insurance. It’s provides us travelers with the protection we need while away from home. There’s even 24/7 travel assistance. This company offers packages which will refund pre-paid deposits if we have to cancel a trip (as long as it’s covered in the policy of course, be sure to check this. This travel insurance is also helpful in case of medical issues or traveling problems that sometime arise. (Hurricane in the islands anyone?)

I’ve always wanted to do Airbnb like in The Holiday with Jack Black and Kate Winslet. Wouldn’t it be great to switch houses with someone in another country? and meet Jude Law? Maybe the insurance will cover the cost of the trip if you don’t find said true love. Having traveling insurance can make this actually happen. I’d really love to enjoy Australia with the local’s point of view.

This giveaway is brought to you by our amazing sponsors:

Tamron

Get Away Today

MarriedwithMickey.com

House of Blues Crossroads Anaheim

Canvas HQ

And all these fabulous bloggers: Real Moms Real Views, The Bragging Mommy, One Artsy Mama, A Moms Balancing Act, Maybe I Will, Money Saving Madness, Fabulous Fun Finds, Living with the Magic, Modern Mommy Files, Preschoolears, Bargain Briana, Simply Sherryl, Fabulessly Frugal, Sweet C’s Designs, Busy Mom’s Helper, Bombshell Bling, Embracing Beauty, Brought to You by Mom, A Little Tipsy, The Mommy Nest, Capital B, the SIMPLE moms, Having Fun Saving, Love Our Disney, and Dandelion Moms.

One Grand Prize winner will receive a Disneyland Vacation! This includes a 3 night Hotel Stay at a Moderate Anaheim Hotel through Get Away Today (Subject to Availability), $650 in Disneyland Tickets (or winner’s choice of Disney or Visa Gift Card*), $100 Gift Certificate to MarriedwithMickey.com, and a $50 Gift Certificate to Zazzle.com.

First Runner Up will receive a Tamron16-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD MACRO Zoom Lens ($629 value), and a $50 Gift Certificate to MarriedwithMickey.com

Second Runner Up will receive a Combi Cosmo Twin Double Stroller ($259.99 value) and a $50 Gift Certificate to MarriedWithMickey.com

Third Runner Up will receive a $200 Gift Certificate to Canvas HQ.

Enter via the Giveaway Tools widget below.

Giveaway will begin on June 16, 2014 1:00 AM and will end on June 30, 2014 11:59 PM. *If winner chooses the Visa Gift Card this will forego the 3 night Hotel Stay. This option is offered in the event that the person who wins is unable to travel to Disneyland. These prizes are not transferable and can only be used by the winners themselves. Hotel stay is subject to availability and black out dates. Hotel stay must be used within 1 year of giveaway ending date. Winners will be chosen at random, verified and contacted via email. The winners will have 48 hours to email back and claim the prize, if prize is not claimed within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.

A few weeks ago at a MOPS meeting everyone created a bucket list for their family.  It was fun to brainstorm about different goals {both long and short term} that we have for our families.  A few items on my bucket list for my family included travel.  My husband and I would like to visit Disney World next year!  Eek!  I get excited just thinking about it.  I would LOVE to visit a beach destination with clear blue waters.  My husband doesn’t like the beach but I’m working on him.  Myrtle Beach last year, clear blue water and white sandy beaches soon…or hopefully at least before I kick the bucket. : )

Recently, I’ve seen a lot of blogging friends talk about visiting or wanting to visit Puerto Rico.  Since then I did a little research of my own and I’m pretty convinced that Puerto Rico is the white sandy beach I want to visit.  Who knew that Puerto Rico is filled with world class attractions?!  You could have a 5-start vacation for an affordable price.  Looking at pictures has me wanting to hop on a plane and go.  Or maybe snap my fingers and be there instantly because I don’t want to travel on a plane with a newborn and toddler.  {Is it weird that even in my daydreams I bring my kids along?}

Besides strolling Puerto Rico’s miles of shoreline I could visit the only rainforest under US national park service, El Yunque, or brush up on my history and enjoy the old world charm of San Juan.  Or just bask in the sun and swim in waters where I can see my toes.  Ahh, to be there now with the sun on my face and with a warm breeze blowing.  It sounds dreamy!  Now only if I can convince my husband to want to go.  He has to like the fact that we wouldn’t have to exchange currency!  Oh well, I’ll keep on dreaming…

Live your own 5-star vacation story in Puerto Rico. Like SeePuertoRico.com on Facebook and Follow @PRTourismCo on Twitter.

What’s on  your bucket list?  What’s one thing you’d like to see in Puerto Rico?

Around a billion people travel to different destinations around the world every year. Not many of them know before leaving home that over half of them would fall sick abroad. The types of illness may range from mild gastrointestinal discomfort to high-grade fever or physical trauma, but about 1 in 10 people would need to see a doctor abroad, and about 1 in 20 would be serious enough to stay in bed. I don’t mean to freak you out before your dream vacation, but with odds like that, you should be cautious.

Not all mishaps can be averted, but most of the illnesses can be prevented by taking precautions. In order to take guard, you need to be aware of what causes these illnesses. Here are the most predominant illnesses that travellers get sick with, what causes them, and how to forestall them before they ruin your trip.

Accidents and Traumas
Accidents are the most common cause of sickness abroad. These include falls, water-related mishaps, insect-bites, and injuries caused during adventurous activities. Alcohol intoxication is often a complementing factor, if not the reason for many accidents. In order to avoid accidental injuries:

• -Use appropriate protection-gear for the sport you are engaged in
• -Drink responsibly and don’t do anything risky (or stupid) when you are under influence
• -Know the traffic rules if you are driving

Insect-borne Diseases
The most common arthropod-borne diseases include malaria, yellow fever and dengue, which are carried by certain strains of female mosquitoes. Typhus is another condition caused by ticks and lice, arthropods commonly inhabiting hotel rooms—especially if it’s an untidy hotel in a developing country. All these illnesses can turn out to be serious if not diagnosed and treated in time. Your best bet is to be on guard.

• -Get vaccinated for malaria, yellow fever and typhus at least 4 weeks before travelling.
• -Apply mosquito-repellent lotion to the exposed parts of your skin when going outdoors and before sleeping at night, especially if you are in the tropical or subtropical latitudes
• -Wear full-sleeved shirts and long trousers in infected regions
• -In case you suspect that you are infected, immediately report to the nearest healthcare facility for diagnosis and treatment

Food-borne diseases
Food can be the most tantalizing part of your vacation abroad—and the most troublesome too. If you are not careful about what you eat and drink, you are inviting disease. Food- and water-borne illnesses include diarrhoea, typhoid, cholera, and hepatitis A. These are all serious health problems that can spoil your trip, apart from causing considerable discomfort. Here are a few precautions you can take:

• -Avoid drinking tap water while in developing countries
• -Do not use ice in beverages in order to prevent water-borne diseases as well as sore throat
• -Avoid raw fruits and vegetable—eat them only when you have washed them with safe water and peeled them yourself
• -Avoid eating from street food-stalls
• -Do not eat undercooked meat, poultry or eggs

STDs and Blood-borne Diseases
HIV, Aids, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C are the most common infections transmitted during intercourse or through blood transfusion. These are all life-threatening conditions and one must be do everything to prevent them.

• -Be very careful when getting a haircut or shave at a public salon or getting an injury dressed at a clinic, especially when in third-world countries.
• -The best way to avoid STDs is to keep your hands to yourself {Ashley edited this part :)}

About the Author:

Dr Garry J McCLean is the health and safety consultant for The Workplace Depot.

Are you thinking about planning a trip to Hawaii in the future?  What about, wanting to go but thinking that there is no way you could possibly afford it?  That’s probably where I’m at.

My friend spent a few years in Hawaii with her husband and I just love to see their pictures on Facebook.  It’s gorgeous there!  One thing I’ve always want to do is swim in a crystal clear blue ocean.  I guess you could say that it’s on my bucket list.  While browsing around on Pinterest I kept finding beautiful pictures tagged with the name Aqua Resorts.   I ran into it so many times that I decided to check it out.  I don’t think that was a good thing to do.  This place looks like paradise AND they have affordable options.  Seriously!  Of course I would still have to buy airfare but I’ll try not to think about that right now.

As I sit here dreaming about day dreaming on the shore side I’ll share some of Aqua Resorts’ coupons/deals with you.  Who knows?  Maybe you can send me a picture of you there!

From the Aqua Resort website:

• Help save a vet & save on rates! Write a thank you card to a veteran and enjoy 10% off our best available rates at all participating Aqua Hotels. Plus, when you book the Mahalo To Our Veterans rate, a portion from every sale goes to support the U.S. Veterans Initiative, Hawaii Chapter, Barbers Point Homeless Veterans Program.
• Aqua is celebrating local style with Hawaii’s favorite footwear, and we invite you to go local and slip into savings! Book the Slip into Savings rate, show us your slippers (flip flops) and save 10% off at participating Aqua Hotels on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Molokai.
• In conjunction with the remake of the classic hit TV show, Aqua Hotels & Resorts is offering an “Aqua Five-O Special” at its 12 hotels in beautiful Waikiki. Only $50 for the first night in Waikiki.
•  Book* at least 60 days in advance and save 15% on your next Hawaii vacation. Call866-971-2782 for details.  *Full prepayment required at time of booking. Non-cancelable or refundable.

This is a picture Mike took of me on our way to dinner.

Even the outside is beautiful!

If you like Downton Abbey then you would adore this place!

Stunning!

Getting some ice cream.

Chandelier after chandelier.

There was even one in the bathroom! (I couldn’t help but take pictures in there)

Their infinity pool was breathtaking.

The Greenbrier is beautiful but it’s also packed full of rich history.  In the late 1950s the government assigned a hidden section of The Greenbrier to be build for a secret emergency relocation for the house congress in the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust.  This was built at the same time as an extra above-ground addition to the hotel was being built.  This bunker was kept stocked with supplies for 30 years but never had to be used.  The secret came out about The Greenbrier’s hidden bunker in 1992 and is now open for tours.

I could go on and on but the reason I’m telling you all this is because I found a phenomenal deal for The Greenbrier!  Ever since I  saw this deal this morning it’s all I can think about.  I have great memories from our trip there and would love to return back there someday.  Right now you can get a two nights stay for $430.  When we stayed there we paid around $700 a night.  This is a DEAL!  If you’re interested, go to LivingSocial now for all the details!

Summer vacations are just around the corner, and Alamo is offering exclusive deals when you sign up to be an Alamo Insider! Join free today and from now on the best deals come to you. Save more on car rentals to spend more on fun. Join Alamo Insiders for free and save 10% or more on every car rental!  Plus, you can bank on special privileges like a 10% or more member discount on every rental, and self-service kiosks that get you on the road to vacation faster than ever. Whether your next escape is one week or months away, Alamo’s got exclusive deals for you.

One reader is an Alamo Insiders and sent me her review.  Kristi said, “I’m a pretty good deal hunter and I was able to save over $300 on our four day trip through Alamo. That’s $300 better than the best price I found! We had a great experience renting with Alamo last month. The cars were clean and we had no issues whatsoever. We even got to pick the car we wanted in the garage. Most companies give you the option at the counter but it’s way more fun to hop in a few cars and check their backseat and trunk space. Especially with babies, car seats, and strollers. Then drive up and check the car out in the category paid for.”

(The link in this post is my referral link. Read our disclosure policy here.)

If you have a tip you would like to submit  you can email me here.