Rain in the forecast; tips for an affordable March get-away

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – As we prepare for a very wet and stormy start to March, it’s perfect weather for being somewhere else.  News1130 has been gathering tips on planning a warm and affordable getaway for March Break.

Destinations like Mexico and California are very popular this time of year, which means vacation prices can be high.

“The best time to book a flight for you and your family is at Tuesday midnight or Wednesday at 12:01 a.m.,” says Ashleigh Patterson, senior finance editor at Yahoo! Canada.  “That’s when seat sales usually come out across the board for all competitors and usually for Canadian carriers.  That’s a great chance to; hopefully, get the best deal possible on your flight.”

Savvy vacationers might want to look beyond the headlines about Mexico.

“We’ve heard some not-so-sunshiny news, but because of those headlines, Mexico is actually a lot cheaper than in previous years and you can find some really great places there that are definitely family friendly and definitely safe,” she tells News1130.

For off-the-beaten-path destinations, Patterson recommends Colombia, Panama and Ecuador, which are all gaining in popularity as sun vacation spots.

“If you’re looking to stay closer to home but want someplace that will still give you the kind of sun you’re looking for, a good place to try is Austin, Texas or even parts of California.”

When it comes to booking the cheapest accommodation possible, she suggests using websites like Priceline.com or Hotwire.com.

“They let you book ‘blind’ so you don’t necessarily know the name of the hotel but as long as you know the general vicinity of where you want to stay and the price point you want to book at, there are some great options out there.  Research will always be your best friend, too, so check out websites like TripAdvisor for general reviews of any kind of destination or resort you want to go to.  They also have really great user-generated forums where you can post a general question and experts on that site will weigh in and give you their best tips.”

For those looking for alternatives to all-inclusive vacations, staying in a home or apartment is a great option.

“Consider a home swap.  If you own property in Canada and want to take your family to the south of France, some great websites like Global Home Exchange will allow you to hook up with someone overseas and you can swap properties for an agreed upon amount of time.  Some other great ideas are to rent an apartment or even an entire home while you’re travelling.  Websites like Airbnb or Vacation Rental By Owner will facilitate that.  They are safe and generally people there are really, really helpful and want to make sure you and your family have the best vacation possible,” adds Patterson.

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