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Destin is located on the Emerald Coast of Florida and has been a popular resort town for many years. Typically not a budget travel destination, Destin generally attracts high-end travelers who love to experience the beautiful beaches, open-air shopping malls and the many events which take place here year-round.

Vacation packages

High-end beach destinations become quite affordable in two cases: vacation packages and low-season traveling. Typically, all inclusive vacation packages are a very good choice as they comprise the flight, accommodation and additional services. If you plan to stay within the resort and not do much else, it’s safe to say that you won’t be spending additional money.

Alternatively, you can try the independent traveling and book the flight and accommodation separately. The closest major airport to Destin is Mobile Regional Airport in Alabama. It is located 106 miles from the center of Destin. So aside from finding a cheap flight to Alabama you also need to consider renting a car to get to Destin.

Now for the accommodation part…finding cheap hotels in Destin is quite an adventure but not an impossible one. There are affordable places to stay located quite close to the beaches and restaurants.

What to do in Destin

Love sea-food? Then come (and bring your camera as well) to the 20th Annual Lobster Festival and Tournament. It lasts from September 17 to 20 at The Last Local Beach Club. Along with the good music and good food, the festival also entertains with its very interesting tournament as Lobster Tournament divers will be competing in a variety of categories.

If you want to take a break from eating all that lobster, check out the Open Market (every Saturday from 4-8 pm) at the Fountain Square in Dowtown Fort Walton Beach. You can find everything from jewelry to fresh produce, plants and art.

Between September 24 and 27, don’t miss the Thunder Beach Autumn Motorcycle Rally at Panama City Beach. There are tons of activities, events and fun things to do including Bikini and wet t-shirt contests, Tattoo contest and best bike contest.

Destin Fishing Rodeo runs the entire month of October and attracts a lot of fishing enthusiasts. During October 2, 3 and 4 the 31st Annual Destin Seafood Festival takes place at the Harbor and you are invited to enjoy a large variety of sea food.

Where to stay

Regardless of your reasons to spend a vacation in Destin, finding an affordable place to stay is a must. If your budget is dwindling, start with the inns and motels located furthest from the beach. Also, check out the special offers available at more expensive resorts.

Wingate Inn : is located quite close to the beaches, restaurants and shopping areas. Breakfast is included in the room rate. There’s free wi-fi in the hotel and the business center is free for the hotel’s guests. The hotel offers a gym and a pool. Rates start at $79.25 per night (taxes included).

Candlewood Suites Destin-Miramar Beach : is located close to the beaches, restaurants and golf courses. It’s a 100% smoke free hotel which offers a gym, a pool and wi-fi. All suites come with fully equipped kitchenette and cable TV. Rates start at $68 per night.

Comfort Inn : is located on Emerald Coast Parkway, across the street from Destin Beach. The inn offers free breakfast and free coffee. Guests can use the pool, the gym and spend some money at the gift shop. Rates start at $90 per night.

Holiday Surf & Racquet Club : is located right on the beach with excellent views of the Golf. There’s wi-fi in the lobby and pool area. Daily rates in September start at $128 for a 1 bedroom suite and drop in October and November to as low as $89.

Sleep Inn : is located across the street from Silver Sands Outlet, just 1 mile from the beach. Breakfast is free and there’s free high speed internet available in the rooms as well. All rooms come with AC, coffee maker and fridge. Rates start at $80 per night.

For the clubbing enthusiasts Ibiza is the best place to spend their vacation. But during the high season a vacation in Ibiza can very well break your budget. So for those on a rather limited budget, October might just be the perfect month to head to the party island. Ibiza Deals from £141. RT Flight and Accommodation included!

I might be biased when I recommend Ibiza as both a party destination and a budget destination (during the low season). I always loved going clubbing and Ibiza is the place to be regardless of which DJ is the hottest right now. But you don’t have to believe me. This article lists some of the best (and affordable) places to stay, go clubbing, eat and buy souvenirs from.

Other types of deals

In many cases, choosing an all inclusive vacation in such a popular spot is the best way to go. You’ll be saving on the flight and accommodation. Plus, pretty much everything else within the resort is also included so you only need to worry about having fun and checking out the party scene.

If the prices might seem too high or you are used to independent traveling, then book the flight and accommodation separately. Many low-cost carriers offer flights to Ibiza so this part of planning shouldn’t break your budget. If you are not already in Europe, the best way is to fly into London and then catch a low-cost flight to Spain.

When looking for a place to stay in Ibiza you need to know that it’s quite hard to find a cheap hotel in which you plan to actually sleep all night. Most cheap hotels in Ibiza are populated with party goers who spend the night club hopping and sleep all night long. And if the hotel is located near a popular club, you can kiss the sleep good bye. So, start your search with the middle range resorts and see if they have special deals. If that doesn’t work out, look for places located away from the party scene.

Spain is not limited to Ibiza

Yes, out of the Balearic Islands, Ibiza is the most popular vacation destination. But Spain is not limited to the Balearic or the Canary Islands. The mainland offers some interesting places to stay as well. Costa Brava is one of them. It’s a popular summer destination and the deals can be easily found well into September and October. If you search carefully, room rates start at little over €20 per night in early October all over the Costa Brava area.

Daytona Beach is a very popular vacation destination which makes us thing of fast cars and sandy beaches. It is also home to a variety of events every single month of the year. Typically, summer and fall months are considered off-season so the prices for both flights and accommodation are lower. Should you decide to plan your vacation during spring or winter – the peak travel season – be prepared to spend some serious money.

Daytona Beach Vacation packages

In general, when we talk about beach destinations it’s a good idea to first consider an all inclusive vacation package before attempting to go the independent travel way. Why? Because not only you save time on searches and on booking commissions but the package also comes with a lot of “extras” so you’ll have to spend money only on additional things to do (outside the resort).

If you choose the independent travel way, firstly you need to decide where you’ll be landing on. Daytona Beach International Airport is the closest airport to Daytona Beach , located at just 3 miles from center. Six airlines fly to/from this airport but they only connect to several airports (Charlotte – Douglas, Atlanta – Hartsfield, Treasure Cay, Marsh Harbour)

The next best option is to choose a large airport, even though it means you’ll be renting a car to get from the airport to Daytona Beach. The busiest airport in the area is located in Orlando. Its popularity is due to the proximity to Walt Disney World but this also means flights to Orlando are cheap and easy to find.

With the flight secured you can now focus on hotels in Daytona Beach. There are budget hotels close to both the race track and the beach so you need to choose depending on what you plan to do during the vacation.

Loads of things to do in Daytona Beach in Fall

The Great American Boat, sport and travel show takes place between September 11 and 13 at the Ocean Center. It’s free for the public and feature expert seminars and speakers on camping, travel destinations, boating and other recreational activities.

If you love the movies but don’t think you’ll be in town for the film festival, don’t miss the Daytona Beach Film Festival Pre-view Party on September 18. The event takes place at the Museum of Arts and Sciences at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 and previews of the films participating at the festival will be shown.

On September 19 everyone can watch free outdoor film at the Cinematique of Daytona. The huge inflatable screen can be found in City Island Park. The event started on April 18. On this night, visitors will be delighted with “Singing in the Rain”.

If you are into jazz music don’t miss the New Smyrna Beach Jazz Festival, taking place between September 24 and 27 at several locations throughout the Flagler Avenue shopping district. Admission is $15 (or $20 if you buy the ticket on the day of the event).

Biketoberfest is a very popular motorcycle festival taking place between October 15 and 18 in Daytona Beach. All those who love bikes gather for the lovely weather, loads of fun and numerous bikes to admire. Live music, great food, demonstration rides and many more complete the list of events.

Until October 31 the Halifax Historical Society Museum has a special exhibition dedicated to Lawson Diggett, who is famous for creating by hand models of cars, houses and local buildings in Daytona Beach. Entrance is $5 for adults and $1 for children (Tue to Sat from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Where to stay

Regardless of your reasons to visit Daytona Beach, make sure to book the hotel in advance, particularly if you head here during very popular events or races. In such cases the cheap hotels in Daytona Beach (as well as in the entire area) fill up really quickly.

Nautilus Inn is located directly on the beach, overlooking the ocean. All rooms are equipped with kitchen or kitchenette facilities. Breakfast is free and so is the use of the wireless internet. The hotel offers an outdoor heated pool. Starting with September 7, an ocean view room costs $99 per night (on certain dates the prices are higher, especially during popular events like the Biketoberfest).

Shoreline All Suites Inn offers suites and cottages in a tropical landscape. There’s a pool the guests can use. The rates are lower during the weekdays and are higher on weekend and during popular events. Rates start at $49 per night outside the peak season.

Days Inn Tropical Seas is located in a lovely area perfect for family vacations. The rooms have large balconies, refrigerators, cable TV and fully equipped kitchenette with microwaves. There’s free wi-fi in the inn and the guests can use the pool. Rates start at $69 per night without taxes.

Hampton Inn Daytona Shores – Oceanfront is located close to the race track. The hotel offers a private beach, fitness room and pool. Rates start at $102 per night (if the payment is made in advance).

Best Western Aku Tiki Inn is located right on the oceanfront. Special packages are available including during the Biketoberfest (from $180 per night). The fall special rates start at $99 per night.

The common belief is that Cuba is off-limits for the US travelers. But that’s not true; spending money in Cuba is banned but traveling is not. So, use a third country to make reservations from. Get the round trip airlines tickets from any airport outside the US which offers flights to Cuba and make sure to reserve the hotel as well. But, shhhht, you don’t know this from us, ok?

UK citizens should have a visa before they board the plane, otherwise boarding will be refused. Canadian citizens get a 90 day visa and the possibility to extend it for another 90 days. All those who travel to Cuba must know about the departure tax. It’s paid at the airport when you depart the country and if you don’t have the money (25 Cuban pesos) you’ll run into serious troubles.

With the technical details behind us, let’s take a look at what the country has to offer. The capital of Havana is a cosmopolite city with an interesting nightlife. Baracoa is a beach-side town, just perfect if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of your daily chores. Santiago de Cuba is another interesting coast city and you can feel the Caribbean influence here. Varadero, located east of Havana, is the place where tourists usually choose to spend their vacation. Cuba is also home to some interesting national parks, most of them offering good tourist facilities.

Vacation packages

No matter where you depart from, when you get to Cuba you need to show proof of legal housing for at least two days. They don’t always check at the hotel but make sure to have the name of the place you’ll be staying at written on the back of your tourist card.

Given the “special” issues related to traveling to Cuba, it’s probably the best idea to book an all inclusive vacation package . You’ll be saving money on booking fees and you’ll most likely not spend much while you get to Cuba because most (if not all) services are included in the package.

If you prefer the more adventurous way or decide to check out more than one town, then book your flight and hotel separately. The country’s largest airport is located close to Havana. There are quite a lot of cheap flights to Cuba available as more than 25 airlines fly in and out of the country. And by the way: there are regular flights directly from the US into Cuba, but they are listed as “charter flights” (a very creative way to get around the ban).

Remember that you need to show proof of hotel booking so once you have the flight secured, make sure to book your hotel in Cuba . Cuba is a very cheap destination and you shouldn’t have any issues finding great places to stay. Many restored colonial mansions function as hotels and the rates are very affordable.

Upcoming Events and Festivals in Cuba

There aren’t that many events and festivals in Cuba during this time of the year but that certainly doesn’t mean you’ll be bored here. Turnat 2009 takes place in Zapata Swamp (Matanzas city), between September 14 and 18. It’s a Nature Tourism Event which welcomes travel agencies, tour operators and specialized media as well as tourists from all over the world.

Also in September, Varadero is home to the Varadero Jam Session, a festival of improvisation featuring some of the best jazz musicians both local and from abroad.

In October, Havana is hosting the International Contemporary Music Festival. It’s a great opportunity for those who enjoy classic music. The festival comprises important musicians from Cuba and other parts of the world.

Where to stay

No matter if you plan to stay by the beach all vacation, check out Havana’s hot night life or plan to tour the country, you need to book a hotel before you start your vacation. Here are some ideas from different prices ranges to get you started.

NH Parque Central , Havana: is located in the heart of Old Colonial Havana, surrounded by famous landmarks. The rooms are equipped with AC, minibar and internet connection. The hotel offers an outdoor swimming pool, gym, restaurant and onsite car parking. Rates are not available on the hotel’s website.

Hostal Conde de Villanueva, Havana: is a charming boutique hotel located in a restored mansion. It offers a bar, onsite parking, restaurant and luggage room. All rooms have AC, TV, minibar and safe. The breakfast is included in the room price. Rates start at €68 per night for a standard room.

Hostal El Comendador, Havana: is located to Arms Square and is home to an interesting tavern called Onda. The 18th century building reminds of the Spanish-Muslim houses. Standard room rates start at €69. The rooms are equipped with phone, TV, minibar, private bathroom and safe deposit box. Special honeymoon packages are available.

Iberostar Varadero, Varadero : is a 5-star hotel overlooking the beautiful beaches. Located in a colonial mansion, the hotel offers spa facilities, restaurant and many other facilities fit for a luxury hotel. Rates start from €122.20 per night, all taxes included.

Paradisus Rio de Oro, Guardalavaca: is located in north-east Cuba just 56 km from Havana, in the heart of the Natural Park of Bahía de Naranjo. Each room is equipped with TV, phone and AC. The hotel offers swimming pool, tennis courts, private beach, laundry services and restaurant. Until December 2009, the prices start at $176 per night for a junior suite based on the all inclusive plan.

In the current economy, the hotel industry has been badly hit by recession. In June 2009, the occupancy rate nationwide was down at 54.6%, the worst figure since 1987 (when Smith Travel Research of Hendersonville, Tenn. started keeping track of it).

But Manhattan has always been a special case on the hotel market. According to an article published by The New York Times online , while at the beginning of the year the occupancy rate went down, in April it was back above 80% and in June it reached 83.3%. Compared to last year, the rate has dropped by 5.6%. Even so, it was the highest occupancy rate nationwide.

The price paid for this high occupancy rate? The room rates were slashed by almost one-third since last year. Room rates went drastically down all over the US, but in Manhattan they only fell by 9.7%. While nationwide the room rate was $96.77 a night in June, in Manhattan it was just under $200. Good for the tourists, but not so good for the hoteliers. While the visitors keep coming, the revenue per available room has fallen one-third.

After the AIG outcry last year, business executives are reluctant to spend too much money on hotels which spell out luxury and self-indulgence images. For fear of being dragged in front of the Congress to explain what they did with the money, executives prefer to avoid the high end hotels. And as a result, such hotels start slashing rates to keep the business flowing.

The low rates are a good short term strategy. They encourage tourists to switch destinations and head to the cheapest one. However, the hotel rates were already low for corporate clients, so they start to demand even lower rates. Plus it would probably take years for the rates to get back to the level they were before the recession. Once a hotel charges a $150 rate it’s hard to demand $350 next year.

In order to keep costs down, hotel operators stopped offering some of the free services. For example, Hersha Hospitality Group – which managed 10 hotels in New York – stopped offering free newspapers and reduced the time during which guests can eat breakfast. But in an effort to keep costs low, it’s important to keep the customers satisfied.

The low rates do keep hotels in business, but only generate enough money to pay the debts. Even so, some hotels in Manhattan defaulted while those which were about to open have postponed the opening date.

Located in the northeast of Spain, Costa Brava offers tourists a mix of rocky cliffs, pebble and sandy beaches, charming fishing villages and hidden gems. While most visitors come here for the incredible whether and lovely summer resorts, some tourists also take time to explore the area.

For those allow some time for explorations, there are some interesting fishing villages which are worth the time. Calella de Palafrugell also doubles as a family resort, while Tossa de Mar is definitely a well hidden gem. The charming village is home to some interesting 12th century buildings and also offers lovely beaches where you can dive.

Package deals

When it comes to spending your vacation in a destination known for the summer resorts, the best bet is to look for European vacation packages . You’ll not only be able to save money on the flight and accommodation, but most likely find some incredible deals as well.

Unless you choose the package, another option is to arrive on a Ryanair flight and land of Girona Airport. It’s a small airport but receives low-cost flights from plenty of European cities. Alternatively, you can choose a flight to Barcelona . Barcelona International Airport is a focus city for several airport airlines so there are quite a lot of chances to find good deals.

Once you’ve figured out the transportation, it’s time to look for a place to stay. There are quite a lot of towns to choose from so finding cheap hotels in Costa Brava is not that hard, especially if you plan to spend your vacation here towards the end of the summer season. Give special attention to hotels in Lloret de Mar . The resort is large and popular among tourists. Although, typically, the prices can be on the high side, as the summer ends, the deals are plentiful.

Festivals in Costa Brava

September is a very busy month in the region and the tourists will find a lot of festivals and events to check out. In Ribes de Freser, on the first Sunday of September tourists and locals can admire the shaggy haired dogs at the Sheepdog Contest. There are three tests the dogs must pass.

One of the most important festivals in the area is Dance of the Giants and takes place in Olot, on September 8th. The event takes place in the central square and comprises giant and giantess which follow a tune and dance.

Each year in September, Girona is home to the Costa Brava Vintage Car Caravan. The event lasts for four days and the drivers need to own cars which have been registered before December 1930 in order to participate in the event. The pace of the caravan allows for stops to enjoy incredible meals and do some sightseeing.

On the second fortnight of September you can watch the Pedal Festival in Girona. The race’s history goes back 30 years. The number of participants increased over the years and now it’s expected that over 6,000 cyclists take part in the event.

The Gala of Campdevànol takes place on September 17th and 18th and evokes feudal times. It’s a colorful and symbolic remembrance of the droit du seigneur.

Where to stay

Regardless of your reasons to visit the area, finding a cheap hotel is a must. You can look for hotels in the large resorts but sometimes those deals are better found within a package. And there’s also the possibility to look for places to stay in one of the small village. In this case, it’s worth looking into renting a car for the duration of your stay.

Aiguaclara Hotel : is a small boutique hotel located in the center of Begur. All rooms have AC, TV and the hotel offers wi-fi, terrace, restaurant and bar. Outside the high season, the room rates start at €80 per night for a double junior room.

Hotel Restaurante Sa Punta is located in Pals, close to Girona Airport (40 minutes). The hotel offers a restaurant and a swimming pool. During the low season the rate for a standard double room starts at €136.

Golden Bahia Tossa has been operating since 2003. All rooms feature a balcony, AC, phone, TV and coffee maker. The buffet breakfast is included in the room price. Room rates start at €121 per night for a double room.

Aquarium Hotel is located in the center of Lloret De Mar, very close to the beach. It offers a restaurant and a swimming pool. Room rates start at €89 and the rooms can only be booked via online booking websites.

Hotel Alhambra is located in the tourist area in Santa Susanna, close to the city center and the beach. The hotel offers a swimming pool, sauna and gym. Room rates start at €66. Rooms can be booked online.

With summer drawing to its end, now it’s the perfect time to start looking for a place to spend the winter holidays. While some travelers picture a mountain resort where they can ski all day, some want to head to a warm place. And then there are those travelers who thrive in big cities, no matter what season they plan to travel. Especially for them, Montreal can be a great choice. Novotel Montreal Center: 7 nights, $498.00 per person!

With its European flair, reminding tourists of the chic Paris, Montreal is a lively city, mixing the bohemian feel with the glittery skyscrapers to offer the visitors a unique experience. A New York Time’s writer wrote about a weekend in Montreal , giving the readers useful tips on how to enjoy the city during such a short stay.

More deals coming your way

Many families who plan to spend their vacation time together think that they need to head to a theme park or a resort to do. But if you choose a family vacation package to visit a large city, your children will be able to soak up the history and culture. You are providing them a lot of learning opportunities while they have fun.

You can also check out the airlines offers. Combining the discounts for the children with the saved miles for the adults might result in finding a good deal on flights to Montreal . Then all you have to do is look for a hotel in Montreal . There are some good mid-range options right in the heart of downtown but if you want a truly budget place you need to look in other areas, like the Latin Quarter.

With a little bit of research you will be able to find hotels in Montreal for prices starting at $55 per night . During the past year the room rates went down because of the economy. While it’s not the ideal situation for hoteliers, it’s definitely a good time to travel. And the perfect reason to visit cities which otherwise might have seemed a bit too expensive.

Enjoy the Old Montreal

Vieux Montréal (Old Montreal) is the main reason why tourists choose to visit the city. The old cobblestone streets, dotted with charming restaurants, old buildings, the museums and the Old Port create a unique atmosphere which is bound to charm anyone. During summer, Place Jacques-Cartier (the pedestrian streets) fills up with street artists.

The city’s most spectacular church is Basilique Notre-Dame, a gem of gothic architecture. Even if you are not a worshiper, try to show up during the service. The organ music is divine.

The Old Montreal is also filled with a lot of museums, which can keep you occupied for days. The Montréal Science Centre is a must-see if you bring the kids on vacation. Pointe à Callière is another interesting museum to visit, where you can learn the story of Montreal from the first settlers to the present day.

During the winter, head to the Old Port and burn off some calories while ice skating. The rink is open between October and March.

The beautiful skyline across the waters of Lake Michigan, the miles of sandy beaches, the incredible music scene and the interesting art make Chicago one of the most interesting cities to visit. However, the weather is not one of the attractions of Chicago. The peak summer months – July and August – are hot and humid, while the winter months are cold, sprinkled with some snow storms. So those who want to experience the city during a mild month can choose between September and May. The lake effect usually prolongs the beautiful autumn until late October and even early November.

Planning your arrival: flight and accommodation

A large city can pose some challenges for the first time traveler and often it’s a good idea to start your search with the vacation packages. With access to beaches, history, culture and music, Chicago is a great destination for families with children, so it makes sense to look for family vacation packages when you start planning your budget. Typically such packages include the flight, accommodation and often some services or show tickets.

If you are a frequent flier and have saved some miles, you can use them when booking the flight to Chicago . There are two major airports to choose from: O’Hare International Airport and Midway Airport. There are trains which connect both airports to the city center but you can also check if the hotel offers a complimentary shuttle.

Finding cheap hotels in Chicago can be a bit tricky, especially during the high season. Staying close to the city center means you’d be more than if you chose a place located further from the sites. However, the excellent public transportation system in Chicago makes it very easy to get from the hotel to the main sites, no matter where the hotel is located. If you happen to come here during the low season, it doesn’t hurt to look for hotels located close to the Chicago Loop – a part of downtown where most of city’s attractions are located.

Autumn events in Chicago

Labor Day is the last day when the beaches are open until spring. Although the federal offices are closed on this day, many attractions are open and there are quite a lot of activities going on, such as jazz and food festivals.

Chicago Celtic Fest 2009 takes place on September 12 and 13 in Grant Park. There’s music, food and a lot of entertainment. Don’t be afraid to take the kids with you, as there are a lot of interesting things to see and do. Admission is free.

Chicagoween takes place during the entire month of October and there are interesting events all over the city. The highlight is the Haunted Village, located in Daley Plaza in the heart of the Loop.

Where to stay

If you plan to visit Chicago during the festivals, it’s a good idea to look for hotels located close to the venues. If those are sold our or too expensive, there’s always the choice of cheap hotels located further from those areas.

Days Inn Chicago : is located in Lincoln Park, couple of miles from the downtown area. All rooms are equipped with TV, coffee maker, hairdryers, digital laptop safe and free wi-fi. Breakfast is included in the room price. Special packages for families are available for prices starting at $120.70 per night during the weekdays and $90.75 per night during the weekends. Standard rates start at $118.69 per night for a room with double bed.

Fairfield Inn & Suites Chicago Downtown : offers 185 rooms in the heart of downtown. Each room is equipped with high speed internet, TV and Sony PlayStation. A lot of packages are available, including some which focus on children (The Children’s Museum Package).

Hampton Inn Majestic Chicago : is located in the heart of the city, close to museums, parks and restaurants. The hotel offers 135 rooms, all non-smoking. Special offers are available, including a package focused on children, with rates starting at $159 per night.

The Talbott Hotel : is a small luxury hotel, located in the heart of Chicago. There are several packages available, including a shopping package which comprises a $50 Gift Certificate to Water Tower Place. Standard room rates start at $449 per night.

Belden-Stratford Hotel : is located in a historic landmark building in Lincoln Park, overlooking the lake. Most rooms have kitchenettes, which comprise microwave, fridge, dishwasher and coffee maker. There’s free wi-fi within the hotel as well. The breakfast is included in the room price. Guests can use the fitness center or try the spa services. The apartments are perfect for large families or a group of friends.

The Caribbean comprises a large archipelago stretching between North and South America. For those sick of shoveling snow and shivering each time they go out during the winter, the Caribbean is the perfect vacation destination. Unfortunately, exactly when we want to escape the cold, the Caribbean hotels tend to be quite expensive, as the high season is in full swing. A good alternative is to visit the Caribbean during the low season. Although the hurricane season lasts from June to November, not all islands are in peril of being hit by the tropical storms.

The Caribbean islands have something to offer for everyone, whether you are looking to soak up the sun, go snorkeling, hike, and enjoy the incredible cuisine or the islands’ charm. Some islands are known to be the hangout of the rich and famous but that doesn’t mean you’d have to break a bank in order to afford a vacation here.

Vacation packages: give them a chance

At some point in our lives, we all want to visit the Caribbean. And the best way to start searching for that perfect vacation spot is to check out the Caribbean vacation packages . They comprise not only the flight and accommodation but, in some cases, even some additional services. The packages come in many forms so make sure to read them carefully. During the off-season you will be able to find incredibly good deals on hotels which otherwise are way too expensive.

In case you prefer to book the flight and accommodation separately, you should first decide where you want to spend your Caribbean vacation. Some of the most important gateways into the area include: Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Jamaica. There are also direct flights from various European capitals into the large islands.

San Juan, Puerto Rico, serves as a big hub for several airlines which connect the United States with the Caribbean, so finding flights to Puerto Rico is typically a very easy chore and the best choice for the American travelers. Once here, you can travel to the island of your choice either by plane or ferry.

Hotels in the Caribbean are plentiful and come in many forms, from cheap B&Bs to high-end resorts. Once you have decided where you want to spend your vacation, look for the deals offered by the resorts and work your way down the price list. During the low season, many resorts offer very good discounts, especially on various packages.

What to do

September and October are typically quiet months in the Caribbean, but it surely doesn’t mean you’ll be bored here.

Barbados is one of the islands which offer a lot of events during this period. If you like sports, you can enjoy some relaxing time at the Beach Football Festival, watching cricket matches or attending tennis games.

For three days (September 6 to 8), Puerto Rico is home to the Apparel, Shoes & Gifts Show, a good excuse for anyone who likes to go shopping. It takes place at the Puerto Rico Convention Center.

And you don’t need to go to Las Vegas for some gambling excitement. Instead, head to Aruba between October 3 and 10, for the Aruba Poker Classic 2009 tournament. If you’ve got the money and skills, you can try your luck!

Where to stay

Whether you plan to come to the Caribbean for the events mentioned above or just for enjoying a beach vacation, you will need a place to stay. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Aruba - MVC Eagle Beach : is located just across Eagle Beach and offers a cozy place for a relaxed vacation. You can use the tennis court free of charge and there’s also a laundry room for the guests. The low season rates are $85 per night for a double room but you also need to purchase the $8.50 per person breakfast. For a minimum of 3 nights stay you can benefit from a 25% discount.

Bahamas – Viva Fortuna Beach : is an all inclusive resort, perfect for a romantic vacation. The 276 rooms offer either ocean or garden view and are equipped with TV. The resort offers a lot of special packages, including romance and dive ones. The 4-night dive package starts at $117 per night per person.

Barbados – Dover Beach Hotel : comprises three blocks, out of which one (Calais) is located directly on the beach. The hotel offers a pool bar and there are some restaurants close by. There’s free wi-fi within the hotel as well as a swimming pool for the guests. Prices start at $100 per night for a studio with garden view. Wedding packages are available.

Puerto Rico – San Miguel Plaza Hotel : is located in the commercial area of Puerto Rico, but with easy access to all the tourist hot spots. The breakfast is included in the room price and there’s free high speed internet available for the guests. A deluxe double room costs $150 per night during the low season.

USVI – Island Beachcomber Hotel : is located on St. Thomas and offers a lovely atmosphere for a relaxing vacation. All rooms feature AC, TV, fridge, coffee maker and free wi-fi. The restaurant is a great place to try some incredible Caribbean food. Room rates start at $129 per night for a double room.

In a recent article published by Hospitality.net the latest numbers for the hotel markets have been made public.

London is still doing well in terms of occupancy level. Compared to June 2008, this year the occupancy level rose by 0.3%, reaching 87%. But this was achieved only because the average room rate in June 2009 declined by 7.1% compared to the same month last year.

Paris is competing with London in terms of occupancy rate. Paris hotels achieved 84.4% rate and an average room rate of €200.62, which puts Paris on the top of the list, having the highest revenue per available room (London is second).

Vienna, on the other hand, has seen a drastic decrease in revenue per available room. It went down 27.2% during the first 6 months of the year, which was to be expected. Last year Vienna performed well because of UEFA Euro 2008 soccer tournament. More so, the average room rate went down 20% in June 2009.

Amsterdam and Brussels are joining Vienna in terms of revenue per available room. It dropped more than 20% in both cities, compared to the first six months of 2008. Following their lead, Prague also has seen a decline of over 20% in revenue per available room. And both in Prague and Brussels the occupancy rate was below 70% in June 2009.

Prague, however, is a special “case”. Over the recent years tourism has grown significantly here mostly due to European Union citizens discovering the city. But due to the recession, Britons, Germans and Italians are not flocking to visit other European Union cities anymore and prefer to stay close to home. And on top of that, US tourists aren’t rushing to travel over the Atlantic anymore either.

Overall, several conclusions can be drawn. If you haven’t managed to visit cities such as Vienna, Amsterdam or Prague it’s time to start planning. By November the prices will drop even more – because the off-season is starting – and chances are that you’ll be able to find very affordable rooms.

Thanks to the weakness of the pound, London is still having a lot of visitors. Although the prices aren’t falling down sharply – like in the case of the above-mentioned cities – hoteliers will be tempted to keep the occupancy rates high at the expense of room rates, so as the summer draws to an end, we might see the prices drop even more.