The early bird gets the worm. This is why if you book your flights or hotel room early, you get good deals for your punctuality. But sometimes, last minute travel and quick spur of the moment getaways can’t be avoided. And we know what that means… since you’re booking flights last minute, you sometimes have to pay more. So can you still find cheap last minute travel deals and accommodations? Here are tips to make sure you do:

Use your frequent flyer status.

Membership does have its advantages and it is even more so in case you need to make cheap last minute travel arrangements. If you are a member of an airline’s frequent flyer program, then you will be considered as a privileged passenger. That means you can take advantage of an age-old practice that airlines are still upholding today – reserving a few tickets for their VIPs. 

If you need to make last minute travel, go ahead and flash them your card. You also get to earn a few bonus points in the process.

Go online.

Yep, these days, whenever you need anything, you go online. If you need cheap, last minute travel deals for an airplane ticket, go to the airline’s website. There are many of them that display leftover tickets for a particular flight. These are seats that have remained unsold even as the airplane is getting ready for takeoff. You’ll get some nice discounts for filling up the seats.

You could buy the tickets online but be ready to dash off to the airport or boarding gate. If you want last minute travel this cheap, you better live up to it.

Got a credit card?  Use it.

Some credit card companies offer air miles programs on their cards. Check if yours is affiliated with an airline company. You can take advantage of these offerings in case you need to travel pronto. Plus, you might even collect rewards points as well.

Check if it’s that time of the year.

Airfare and hotel prices fluctuate, depending on the season. If you want cheap last minute travel deals, go off season when there are fewer travelers and companies are raring to fill their seats and rooms. You could get a great discount if you only choose to travel when business is slow.

Buy bundled.

Many travel agencies purchase multiple flights and use them to promote package tours. In case your destination is included in these bundles, consider buying a seat. Although most of these trips sell fast, you could find cheap last minute travel with these agencies. This usually happens as the date of departure approaches. If there are packages that have remained unsold, you can be sure that they will be sold at highly discounted prices. 

The advantage here is that you not only get to cover the airfare, you also get accommodation (and probably breakfast) thrown in. All in all, that should be way less than the cost of a regular flight and hotel booking.

Sign up for e-mail alerts.

Many airlines and hotels send out alerts regarding great deals on their products. You could take advantage of these in case you need to travel last minute cheaply. Check your e-mail boxes regularly if there’s a good deal currently active around the time you have to travel. Just be careful, though.

If you go this route, make sure you really are going to travel. Most of these companies offer these deals as non-refundables.
 

 
How To Survive An Airplane Trip With A Small Child

Taking children on an airplane trip can be a nightmare – particularly if it’s a long trip. Children are easily bored, and when the novelty of flying wears off, you find yourself with an overly energetic child trapped in a confined space.

It’s a nightmare start to a holiday, and the disgruntled moans of other travelers won’t help the situation or your mood. So here’s some essential tips to surviving an airplane journey with a small child:

- Use a variety of distractions

If you were just planning the journey for adults, a simple book or magazine would be plenty to occupy your attention for the entire flight.

Unfortunately, children have notoriously short attention spans, so you need to vary the things you take in your on-board baggage.

Books and magazines are a good idea if your child is so inclined, but also take small travel games such as chess or Connect 4. Coloring books are also a good idea, and a plain sheet of white paper and some crayons also work well. Having a variety of options for keeping your child stimulated should help the situation immensely.

- Don’t let your child get close to a tantrum.

If a child is becoming bored and / or moody, you’ll be able to sense it coming. In a small space like on board an air craft, it’s important you don’t let their mood develop in to a full-on tantrum. Distract them immediately with the above items, or strike up a conversation about the things you’re going to do on holiday – whatever it takes to keep their spirits high, and yourself sane!

 .

Yellowstone National Park is by far one of the most beautiful, scenic spots in America. What other national park boasts a collection of some 10,000 thermal features, including more than 300 geysers? From the moment you drive through the *east gate you are struck speachless by Yellowstones breathtaking views.

First opened in 1872 Yellowstone boosts some 8.2 million acres covered by geysers (Old Faithful)  waterfalls,  lakes, streams and the abundant wildlife that lives within its boundaries. 

Grizzly Bears feed on the thousands of cutthroat trout during their annual spawning run in the waters near Grant Village and Fishing Bridge as they make their way to the Yellowstone Lake. Relocated wolves make their dens, bask in the sun and mountain lions hunt bighorn sheep.

Giant River Otter May 2008 Yellowstone Lake 

Click on the pictures for larger view

All wildlife that Yellowstone visitors  hope to see wander freely here,  the grizzly, the giant river otter, the wolf , the elk and American Bald Eagle.  If your lucky you will be able to capture the seldom seen mountain lion, elusive grizzly or shy moose on film while your here.

Taken in May 2008 east gate Yellowstone Park. Mother Grizzly with 2 cubs -
Click on picture for larger image

Yellowstone is an adventure that you will want to return to year after year. The fresh clean air, untouched landscape and natural wonders make Yellowstone so popular, even with the local folks. Here are a few of the places you will want to visit on your Yellowstone trip. 

The Upper Loop

Mammoth Hot Springs — 5 miles south of the park’s north entrance at Gardiner, Montana, you’ll find some of the park’s most beautiful and unusual thermal areas, including the limestone terraces (the Upper and Lower terraces). While your here be sure to visit the ranger center, bookstore, in the Albright Visitor Center and see some interesting paintings and exhibits unique to Yellowstone.

Norris Geyser Basin — Just south of the Mammoth Hot Springs lie the most amazing thermal sights in Yellowstone. Visit the Norris Museum to learn more about the thermal history and key hot spots to see while your there. Norris Basin is home of the Steamboat, the worlds largest geyser and Porcelain Basin.  

Canyon Village – East of Norris, here you can see the absolutley breathtaking Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River . Here you can grab a bite to eat at the Canyon Lodge dining room or cafeteria and snack bar.

The Lower Loop

Grant Village/West Thumb Bay – Grant Village is the southernmost of the park’s developments, a wide collection of modern buildings on the south end of Yellowstone Lake. Stop at the General Store and pick up supplies, shop the gift shop or eat at the lunch counter.  West Thumb has a picnic area, two hiking trails, and a boardwalk that lets you walk alongside the edges of thermal geysers and capture some great pictures. 

Lake Village Area– Lake Village Area is well, you guessed it, the boating district of  The Yellowstone Lake. Here you will be able to obtain fishing and boating access and gear. The Lake Village area also has several  lodge  and fine dining choices. Lake Hotel is one of the two best choices in the park if your up for a fine meal or a good nights sleep. This area is the closest to Yellowstone’s east entrance, which is approximately 50 miles from Cody, Wyoming.  The drive to the east gate from Cody is a site in itself. You will no doubt see Buffalo, mountain sheep and mule deer along the way.

Old Faithful – Old Faithful is no doubt the most famous and the most photographed of all the parks attractions.  The charming Old Faithful Inn is located here as well as the newly constructed Old Faithful Lodge. Boardwalks run across the Upper Geyser Basin, offering closeup views of the many other geysers that surround the area. If you have time to spare take a walk around the Geyser Hill loop. On Geyser Hill loop you will see dozens of seldom seen geysers. You may encounter a buffalo or elk along your walk as they are know to inhabit this area.

Fitness Best Sellers