Warm Getaway Ideas To Escape Bitter Cold
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Many of us are already done with winter and thinking about a getaway to someplace warm. That, of course, costs money. But it may not be as much as you think.
Nora Blum, a travel agent at Travel Leaders in Maple Grove, has been busy booking trips to warm places for the last month.
"We've already had some people come in today, saying 'I can't hack this cold any longer.' They are already planning their winter vacations, some of them leaving as early as tomorrow," Blum said.
Agents at Travel Leaders say people are taking advantage of vacation packages -- trips that include airfare and hotel accommodations.
"You know I've had a lot of people come in and say, 'Get me out of the cold, we don't care where we are going.' And that gives a travel agent some flexibility to find you a really good deal," Blum said.
Blum says the top destinations are southern Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean.
If you can stay for seven days rather than four, she says you'll find a wider range of choices and good prices.
Listen to this deal.
"This one goes to Mazatlan. It is $1,500 for two people, including round-trip air and accommodations for seven nights. It's a great price. You can hardly live around here for that price," Blum said.
If you are looking at March when many schools and colleges are on spring break, now's the time to make those reservations.
If you're not sure about where to go, here's one suggestion.
"Mexico is a phenomenal value. The resorts are reasonable in comparison to U.S. resorts. And when you look at those all-inclusive packages, that include your meals, it's kind of hard to beat," Blum said.
Nora also recommends the Dominican Republic because there are many resorts there that were built in just the last few years.
She also says to keep travel insurance in mind. It's about a $100, but it will allow you to get a full refund if something comes up and you need to cancel just days before you leave.
