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© avlxyz

For those planning to travel the world, guidebooks, travel websites and friends' advice can only take you so far. Finding local, insider information is what can turn a good trip into a truly authentic experience, and now this type of information has become a lot easier to locate thanks to some new websites.

Whether your dream getaway includes a day-long visit to an unspoiled town that is missing from most tourist maps, or a small open-air restaurant by the sea that is frequented by locals, you can find these places and many more on websites including Localyte, Travellr and VirtualTourist. These are free sites that utilize the increasingly popular question-and-answer format to bring travelers local travel tips. Users create a profile, post their travel questions, and wait for other users in their specified destinations to add pertinent answers.

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© gallagher.michaelsean

Finding affordable lodging is one of the best ways to save money on your vacation. Cheap travel requires doing some research on the city and possible locations as you plan your trip. The first option you should look into is staying with someone you know, as it is a great way to save money and see the town. You should always bring a gift or pay for dinner as a thank you.

Another cheap option is to crash on a stranger's couch (couch surfing) or exchange homes with someone. You can sign up for these services online for a yearly fee. Travel aggregators are the best place to find cheap hotels online, because travel sites will find the empty rooms and work with the hotels to negotiate a good price. There are often deals on these sites where you get free nights for a certain length of stay.

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© smemon87

Summer travel has gotten more expensive due to rising fuel costs, but there are still cheap travel options that allow you to enjoy a relaxing summer vacation away from home. By focusing on reducing other vacation expenses, you can keep the cost of your trip reasonable in spite of the higher fuel prices.

Planning in advance can help you to identify the best opportunities for saving, including the cheapest places to eat, free an d low cost activities at your destination, and the bets places to find souvenir shopping bargains. Planning out your costs ahead of time is a powerful budgeting tool, whereas leaving things to chance is a surefire way to wind up paying more. If you are taking a family vacation, it is best to give everyone including older children budget responsibility for one aspect of the trip.

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