News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
With cold weather clamping down early on the Sisters Country, thoughts are turning toward escape to sunnier climes.
The recession has put a chill on many people's travel plans, but Phil Arends, of Desert Wings Travel Services in Sisters, says there are ways to find the sunshine without blowing your budget.
"The time there's some deals is the first couple of weeks of December, and the first couple weeks of January is also soft because people are getting over their holiday spending," Arends said.
The veteran Sisters Country travel agent is recommending cruises right now.
"There's lots of ships out there, lots of cabins," he said. "There's some cheap pricing out there."
Cruise lines, hard hit by recession, are pricing cruises to lure in budget-conscious travelers. Arends has seen Caribbean cruises as low as $400-$500, with meals included. That can make a cruise much more affordable than other kinds of travel.
Along those lines, all-inclusive resorts in Mexico are also offering major deals.
"They're still recuperating from all the bad publicity they've gotten this year," Arends noted. "I think there's a lot of good value there."
Many properties in Hawaii are offering incentives to travelers. You can make a Hawaii trip more affordable by doing your own grocery shopping and preparing your own meals.
"When you're eating out and doing those things, that gets expensive when you're in a place like Hawaii," Arends said.
If finding the sun isn't your top priority, Europe may be a tempting destination.
"Europe in the off-season can be a good value," Arends said. "While the dollar-to-euro is not super-strong, it's better than it has been."
Off-season travel is also a good way to beat the crowds and enjoy a more relaxed travel experience.
Arends acknowledges that the Internet has made it easier for people to seek out deals and make their own travel arrangements. However, he urges travelers to use the services of a travel agency, especially when putting together a package. It's too easy to get burned.
"Be wary of what you see online," Arends advises. "Everybody looks good on the Internet. If it sounds too good to be true, it might be."
Arends strongly recommends purchasing travel insurance, noting that tour company default has been a problem due to the economy.
With proper planning, this winter may be an ideal time to take advantage of travel deals.
Contact Arends at Desert Wings Travel, 549-8988.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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