How to Book a Luxury Vacation for Less

Woman Relaxing by the PoolSavvy travelers know the best vacation packages can be found online for less. Whether you’re booking your honeymoon, a long weekend getaway or a group trip, you can save big on luxury travel if you know where to look. When you search through Ebates, you’ll get even bigger savings with a special promo code and Cash Back.

Hilton Hotels and ResortsHilton.com Hotels

Hilton Hotels offers luxurious rooms and accommodations for all your vacation, business and bridal needs.

Savings Tips:
• Shop the Offers section to earn bonus points and get 20 percent off an early booking. If you’re an AAA or AARP member, you can get 5 percent off.
• Take advantage of Hilton’s free Hilton HHonors membership and earn loyalty points and perks such as late checkout and free breakfast.

Orbitz

From discount flights and hotels to car rentals and full vacation packages, Orbitz knows how to travel on a budget.

Savings Tips:
• Head to the Deals section for money-saving promo codes and unbeatable prices on hotels.
• Join Orbitz Rewards to earn up to 5 percent on your hotel stay and 1 percent on flights.
• Check out the Orbitz travel guide for the insider scoop on the best times to find travel packages to some of the world’s best tropical resorts.

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Hotwire

Hotwire offers deals on hotels, car rentals and flights all around the world.

Savings Tips:
• Save a bundle when you book at the last minute. Check out Hotwire’s Cheap Travel and Last Minute Deals sections to save on your spontaneous getaway.
• Find even more deals when you download Hotwire’s mobile app. It’s the easiest way to book and save.
• Use the TripStarter feature to choose your destination and departure airports and find out when flights and hotel rates historically have been the cheapest.

ExpediaExpedia.com Homepage

Known for its travel bargains, Expedia offers a Best Price Guarantee so you’ll get the lowest price possible on your trip.

Savings Tips:
• Use Expedia’s free app to get a special promo code for $25 off your first hotel booking.
• Unlock special member pricing and save an extra 10 percent or more when you book with select hotels.

Atlantis

Atlantis vacation packages include meals, entertainment, drinks, local transportation and entrance to water parks at the Bahamian resort.

Savings Tips:
• Get the lowest rates and exclusive benefits when you book specialty offers. Select your location to see the offers for that hotel.

Booking.com

Booking.com is the place to go when you want to book a smaller, independent hotel with a more personal feel.

Savings Tips:
• Subscribe to the Booking.com email list and gain access to exclusive secret deals of up to 50 percent off!

PricelinePriceline.com Homepage

Priceline allows you to be an expert auction bidder for the ultimate savings on your luxury vacation.

Savings Tips:
• The trick is to search Priceline’s Express Deals for the lowest price being offered, subtract 5 percent to 20 percent and then use that number to make a Name Your Own Price bid.

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Travelocity

From Europe to Hawaii, Travelocity offers the best deals in travel all over the world.

Savings Tips:
• The exclusive Bargain Hunter ticket feature allows you to see the final cost of your booking without having to guess how any associated fees might add up.
• Check Travelocity’s promotions to see how you can save more with current coupons and an exclusive promo code.

BookIt

BookIt offers vacation packages, flights and hotels to popular destinations worldwide.

Savings Tips:
• Sign up for the BookIt newsletter and get a $50 credit instantly.
• Become a member at BookIt and gain access to the Rest Assured special feature, which guarantees your hotel rate is the lowest possible.

CheapTicketsCheaptickets.com Homepage

There’s no beating around the bush here: CheapTickets offers discounted vacation packages and accommodations so you can travel on the cheap.

Savings Tips:
• Download the CheapTickets app for exclusive savings and deals.

Related Links:
Deals on Vacation Packages
Hotel Deals
Travel Savings Guide
Airfare Coupons

The Best Solo Travel Destinations in the World

Woman Taking a Picture of a MountainWendell Berry famously said “Nobody can discover the world for somebody else. Only when we discover it for ourselves does it become common ground and a common bond and we cease to be alone.” The best way to truly discover the world for yourself is to travel on your own.

Solo travel has many benefits beyond getting all the “me time” you need. You can save money, effort and time, plus you can free yourself up to say “yes!” to any experience that comes your way, without having to double check with your companion’s comfort zone. Having said that, solo travel does come with some challenges. Staying within budget is a common challenge, but with Ebates you can book your arrangements and earn Cash Back so your budget on the road can have a bit more flexibility. Another challenge when abroad is staying in touch. As you follow your wanderlust to faraway lands, consider keeping a blog of your adventures so your friends and family will know what you’re up to. It’s a fun way to look back at your travels later and keep in touch in the moment.

Of the thousands of international destinations that are single-traveler friendly, we have narrowed this list down to a select few and made sure to find options for all types of travelers. In making our selections, we considered three main elements: safety, simplicity and affordability. Whether you’re an experienced traveler or new to the game, here are our selections for the best places to travel alone.

Fiordland National ParkFor the Adventure Lover: New Zealand

New Zealand is famous for its geographic diversity. In this tiny country you can climb a glacier, swim with seals and hike through tropical jungles. This incredibly hospitable country is made up of two main islands, the North and South. Each region of the islands has its own character, and because they’re so compact, you can easily visit several in one trip.

For the adrenaline junkie, check out great deals at BookIt.com for flights into Queenstown on the South Island where you can find easy access to jet boat rides, skiing, river rafting, sea kayaking, hiking, biking and the original bungee jump experience. When you need to relax after so much excitement, head to the wine country of nearby Lake Wanaka for vineyard tours and some of the best dining on the Island.

For a more relaxed experience, find fantastic airfare and hotel deals with Travelocity and fly into Auckland on the North Island, the country’s largest city. It’s easy to find day trips to wildlife sanctuaries, natural hot spring spas and a variety of eco-adventures. Plus you’ll have more spending money when you travel since you’ll earn Cash Back at Ebates. You’ll find magnificent beaches, sunset kayaking, yachting, world-class shopping and dining. For women traveling alone who are not interested in dining solo, try area street vendors or the restaurant at your hotel for a taste of the local cuisine and a relaxing time to yourself.

Tian Zhan WatersideFor the Culturally Curious: Vietnam

Vietnam is one of the friendliest destinations to solo travel, particularly for women. This welcoming country is famous for its long coastline which is not only beautiful, but also provides some of the best seafood in the world. Vietnam is the place to go if you want to be wowed by incredible architecture, breathtaking views and a rich cultural history. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, you can use Ebates to find an affordable flight at Expedia to the capital city of Hanoi in the north. You can strike out from there for easy day trips or to more secluded destinations along the coast.

If you’re an experienced traveler and want to take sightseeing into your own hands, head from Hanoi to Sapa which is a popular tourism destination for adventuresome travelers from around the world. There you can book a guided motorbike or 3-day homestay tour which will introduce you to local hosts who make special provisions for solo female travelers. Check out Orbitz for incredible deals on reputable homestay tours and earn Cash Back at Ebates when you book.

If you want a more luxurious experience, find incredible deals at Booking.com on a Paradise Luxury Cruise experience in the Ha Long Bay where you can relax on a luxury version of the traditional Vietnamese junk boat that features onboard spa, fishing and dining opportunities. The boat’s route will bring you to some of the best places to visit for scenery, custom-made clothing, historical sites and more.

Mellows Bridge Dublin IrelandFor the Social Butterfly: Ireland

If you want to travel alone, but not be alone, Ireland is the ultimate destination. Eating, drinking and being merry is just the beginning of this remarkable country where it’s nearly impossible to not make friends around every corner. Check out CheapTickets for great deals on flights and vacation packages to Dublin, the beating heart of Ireland, and from there it’s easy to travel anywhere in this small island nation. Search for a promo code at Ebates for even bigger savings on top of your Cash Back.

Ireland is a mostly rural country with metropolitan pockets and it’s easy to get away into the wilderness for a day trip or multi-day adventures in the mountains, the ocean or on horseback through the beautiful countryside. You can find mountain biking tours through Galway, riding and hiking tours through Connemara and exceptional kayaking and surfing in Kerry, all of which are accessible from Dublin. But you don’t have to leave Dublin for adventure as it’s known as one of the best cities for shopping, dining, nightlife and, of course, the best beer in the world!

Which of these destinations is now on your solo-traveling bucket list? Let us know with a comment below!