Black Belt Shopping
(featured column)
America on a Budget
by Larry Wiener
This year the editors of Budget Travel
magazine put out a special book titled, America on a Budget. As a black belt shopper, I
have found this to be a valuable resource for planning an enjoyable, yet
affordable vacation in the United States.
* * *
This is my review of the book, not
the magazine in general.
A look at the table of contents will show
that the book provides a variety of offerings for all ages and interests. I was
immediately drawn to the section on how to stay in Manhattan for less than $100
a night. Those with different tastes may be more drawn toward the sections on
camping in national parks.
For an overview of what this book contains, here is a list of the section
headings. Each one then has from four to 17 subsections:
• Packages, Discounts, and Deals
• Vacations for a Frugal Family
• The Sporting Life on a Shoestring
• Budget Adventures
• Slightly Naughty Vacations
• Road Trips through Low Cost America
• Back to School Part 1: Low Cost Learning Vacations
• Back to School Part 2: College Town Getaways
• “Alternative” Vacations for Mind and Body
• Hiking, Biking, and Birding
• Top Shopping on the Cheap
• Travel for Special People
• Cheapest Places in America
• Unusual Budget Lodgings
• Deals in Great Cities of the USA
Some of the offerings, such as the hotels in Manhattan may take planning ahead.
Others, such as the Little Wonder Restaurants of Los Angeles, can be useful at a
moment’s notice if you happen to be in the area (including Canter’s, one of
my favorite delis and Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles, an African-American
favorite I”ve been meaning to try).
Even if you, like me, already have your travel plans made for this season, the
book will be a valuable reference of ideas for unusual, interesting, affordable
vacations. It is chalk-full of ideas for nearby getaways, such as for this
Angelino affordable bed and breakfast inns in Santa Barbara.
As a sampler, here are a few vacations that sounded interesting to me:
• Chautauqua Institution Located in Upstate New York, this facility
offers a variety of concerts, discussion groups, and other interactive
activities. I had seen some of their forums on C-SPAN and was surprised to learn
how affordable the lodgings are.
• LA To Frisco–Highway 1: The Pacific Coast Highway is an Affordable Road
of Dreams This chapter outlines attractions, food, and lodgings for a
week-long leisurely drive along the coast.
• Camp Alaska–with 12 Others This is a guided tour of Alaska with a
guide and a van.
Regardless of your taste, America on a Budget will give you ideas for
affordable, enjoyable vacations regardless of your age, activity level, or
preference for one part of the country or another. Used well, the book will pay
for itself many times over if you use it to help with your own vacation
planning.
* * *
Copyright 2002 by Larry Wiener
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