Marcie Ohlinger has been a travel agent for 31 years, 23 of them with nationwide chain, STA Travel (www.statravel.com). She currently manages STA’s University District office in Seattle, Washington adjacent to the University of Washington.

STA specializes in student travel, helping students get discounts, affordable fares and making travel accessible to young people. The company’s mission states, “STA Travel creates opportunities for students and young adults to make the most of their time and experience the world face-to-face in any way they choose.”

As a way to show its commitment to its mission, STA gives out student travel scholarships and provides student summer travel internships.

Marcie explains how a good travel agent can help students looking for affordable travel.

Q: How does STA help students? We have contracted fares especially for students. They offer longer stays, cheaper cancellation and change fees.

A: We have travel insurance that is specifically designed for students (ie: you can cancel your trip if final exams are rescheduled). We sell the International Student ID card, which is a discount card in the US and abroad and offers free emergency evacuation insurance, limited hospitalization coverage and passport replacement reimbursement.

Q: What are some ways people can make sure they get the best travel and vacation prices?

A: Shop all outlets, check with travel agents as well as shopping the internet.

Q: What are your most popular vacation packages and why?

A: Small group tours such as GAP Adventures, these are tours that have a maximum of 12-16 people. You travel on small tour buses or vans and you mingle with the locals. They believe in giving back to the local area and sponsor many local projects i.e. – street kids in Peru.

Q: What do travel agents offer than other methods of travel booking and sales don’t?

A: Travel agents shop all channels, they are not biased to one airline, tour or cruise company. Travel agents give advice, they can offer personal experiences, they facilitate the entire booking from start to finish.

Q: How should someone go about choosing a travel agent?

A: Ask friends and family, check consumer sites such as Yelp or Angie’s list.

Q: What are some things young and first-time international travelers should consider when making their plans and heading off?

A: Do research on your destination, consider your budget and your time and any language barriers. Get the most out of the time you have and don’t over-do, enjoy the destination and the people.

If you’re a yogi or a yogini and you want to step out of your usual yoga studio, it might be time to check out yoga retreats to Mexico. These awesome vacation packages make it possible to get in some quality practice on the mat while also enjoying the amenities of beautiful resorts throughout Mexico. You will be surprised at how cheap some of these packages are – generally from three to seven days will run you less than $1,000 – and that includes the cost of your room or suite, and in some cases, even your airfare.

Yoga retreats to Mexico are a real treat. You get the Eastern focus on relaxation and meditation while also enjoying a South of the Border touch of culture. Fall and winter are a great time to enjoy these excursions, so roll up your mat, pack up your yoga clothes and head south for the season.

A great deal running this month from October 10th through October 17th is a seven-day yoga retreat in Secrets Capri in Cancun. For the whole seven days you’ll get yoga class options twice a day, a resort package that includes unique service and care, extremely close proximity to beaches, and access to all manner of outdoor activities, including kayaks, volleyball, sailing and wind-sailing, tennis, and even pilates for those looking for a more rigorous workout. The total cost is $600 plus airfare, which will range from $250 to $400, leaving you at a complete cost of less than $1,000.

For couples, yoga retreats to Mexico might be more about relaxing as a pair and enjoying and learning about Mexico. At Sagrada Wellness, you’ll get yoga as well as tours and sightseeing while also experiencing the relaxing service and sanctuary of Sagrada Wellness in addition to three nights at San Miguel de Allende. The best deal is for two – just $1425 for the pair plus airfare, getting you to yoga and four start amenities for less than $1,000 per person.

Yoga, Pranayama, and meditation are all part of yoga retreats to Mexico offered for a five-night stay at La Loma Linda on Zipolite Beach on the Oaxacan coast of Mexico. What’s fantastic about this retreat is the price of accommodations – the more people, the lower the price. For example, the price for two is $865, while the price for three is $765. There are multiple retreats to choose from, including an early December package from the 4th through the 9th, a “Winter Solstice” package in mid-December from the 18th through the 23rd, and a post-Christmas package from the 26th through the 31st. Every one of these packages includes the cost of 25 hours of yoga, a massage and one other treatment, and three meals per day, with the cost of the room or cabana bakes into the price.

Yoga retreats to Mexico are a great option for the fall and winter months for those who wish to escape the cold and bask in the sun. Most every yoga retreat is open to all, including beginners to experts, and in some cases, even teacher yoga retreats to Mexico. Enjoy the sun, the outdoors, expert yoga instruction, and breathtaking views of the country at prices you won’t match on other vacations.

Photo via Esparta

Oftentimes moms and dads will forego a much-needed vacation because they feel there just aren’t enough options for things to do with the kids when they get to where they’re going. Chicago family vacations offer tons of things to do as a family—and while a lot of it is “kid-centric,” there are plenty of things to do that the adults will enjoy equally.

Making a good mix of kiddie activities and family activities will help. Mix your days up with some fun activities that only Chicago family vacations can offer. To begin, make sure you hit the awesome Chicago Children’s Museum. Located right next to the Navy Pier (also a great place for family fun time), there are loads of permanent and moving installations and exhibits for kids of all ages up to about 10 or 11 years of age. For the babies there’s tons of fun with a mock garden where the kids can learn about outdoors and have fun. Also enjoy the baby pond where tiny tots can hang out even before they can walk. There’s all kinds of other fun stuff too, like a kid’s scaled-down version of Buckingham Fountain, and a huge play area that is both wet and dry depending on what kind of fun you want to have.

Make sure you make a day of the Millennium Park while on your Chicago family vacations. The great thing about Millennium Park is that it is abundant with all manner of activities and attractions that free. Within the park you’ll find a place to set up camp for an intimate family picnic and nap, or swing the pendulum the other way and you’ve got the option to take in a live show and enjoy great eats at a restaurant right in the park. The perfect place to take tiny babies and teens alike, there’s room to roam and great sights to take in. And if you go during the cooler months, you even get to ice skate!

Moms, dads, and kids alike will not want to miss the Adler Planetarium. What parent has a child that isn’t interested in the stars and space? To infinity and beyond with great stuff for very small kids and older kids too. A tour through all the planets and their systems is available for kids as young as two. There’s also a complete tour of the Milky Way and a real observatory for the older kids. All activities has received rave reviews and you won’t have any complaints from the clan. In addition, discounts are always available, and fees are less than $10 per person on any regular day.

If you’re traveling with toddlers or babies in tow, you’ll want to know where you can eat without making a production or feeling stressed. Two places to consider during Chicago family vacations are Costa Azul and Ain’t She Sweet Cafe. Costa Azul is located at in West Town Chicago and the fare is seafood, central American, and of course, an awesome kids menu for the little ones who won’t be interested in calamari! Ain’t She Sweet Café is located on Chicago’s South Side and offers everything from sandwiches to smoothies and scrumptious vegetarian eats as well—great pick for veggie parents.

Photo via setholiver1

If you are a lover of going on vacations, and if you ask me who really is not – while we may all dream about them and wish to be whisked away to some tropical paradise (or whatever type of dreamy vacation that you so desire) – the notion of spending too much money to attain that vacation is really a thing of the past. I was pondering this notion, after enjoy a really sweet vacation to Hollywood a few weeks back, and one that I saved a great deal of money on, and I could not help but arriving at the conclusion that vacations are so affordable these days that they really can be fit into any budget; no matter how tight your financial belt may be. To offer some better perspective and scope as to why I think this is as such (and believe you me it is), allow for me to enlighten you with my cheap vacation take in a jiffy.

What Travel Agents Never Wanted You to Know

I have a good mind to think that most travel agents these days stopped booking vacations a long time ago and started booking interviews for a new career. Once the 90s dotcom boom took over the world, cheap vacation websites started sprouting up like dandelions in a meadow. Then the secret of cheap vacations was finally available to one and all. That being: Unsold hotel rooms, unrented rental cars and empty seats on flights were all things that travel agents bought secretively and marked up, then added hefty fees on top of them in order to make a quick buck. So long fee-laden Sally! I now have the internet as my new travel agent.

It’s Super Easy to Compare Rates and Vacation Packages to Find the Best Bargains

The ease of booking a vacation online these days is, for all extents and purposes, really easy, simple and kind of fun, too! Heck, there are some days where I will be staring at the wallpaper on my desktop computer – which of this amazing beach in Maui, Hawaii – and curious, I will start surfing the web to try and find vacation deals to the same beach. I want to be in the wallpaper on my computer screen…but in real life, on a great vacation. The coolest part is that with so many competing travel websites out there, most of which offer some crazy discounts on vacation packages, it’s never been more thrilling and streamlined to save money and book with confidence.

Photo via marvz dblogger

I visited the city of Minneapolis back when I was checking out graduate programs.  The University of Minnesota in Minneapolis was a very strong contender, and I remember how thrilled I was with the city itself.  What I loved about Minneapolis was that it had a big-city feel to it, without feeling like a big city.  Does that make sense?  Minneapolis is no Chicago or New York, but it’s an urban center to be sure, and there are plenty of things to see and do in this mid-west town. It certainly provides a great cheap vacation destination. Yes, the biggest claim to fame in the Twin-Cities area may be the Mall of America, and this place is certainly a force to be reckoned with.  However, there is so much more to this region than a 500-store shopping mall.

There is a thriving cultural arts scene in Minneapolis-St. Paul and for theatre and visual art lovers, you will not be disappointed.  In addition to theatre and concert events at the University, Minneapolis boasts the Guthrie Theatre, one of the most renowned regional theatres in the country.  For over 40 years, the Guthrie has presented both new and classic works and has won major awards for its work in theatrical presentations as well as educational outreach.

The city is easy to navigate whether you rent a car or use public transportation.  Bus, light rail and taxis help the traveler find their way around the area. The best time of year to visit Minnesota is typically spring and summer since the winters can be unusually harsh and if you are not used to driving in the snow you may want to rethink how you will get around town. If it’s the fall colors you are looking to see, visit in September and October when the weather can be mild and the leaves begin to change.

There are plenty of events, festivals and activities throughout the year, so plan your trip accordingly.  Obviously, with the weather being unpredictable in this part of the country, the majority of events occur in the summer months.  Some of these activities include:

• St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March)
• Valleyfair Family Amusement Park opens in May
• Flint Hills International Children’s Festival (June)
• Taste of Minnesota (Occurs June through July)
• Uptown Art Fair (August)
• Minneapolis Fringe Festival (August)
• Renaissance Fair (Occurs August through September)
• Minnesota State Fair (September)
• Afton Apple Orchard and Corn Maze (Occurs September through October)

If you haven’t experienced this part of the country, you will be pleased to meet locals who are warm and welcoming and there is a lot of hometown charm.  Stay warm and dry on your visit to this Northern City, but you will no doubt enjoy yourself in this region of the country.

Photo via Alex.Noriega

For people wanting to travel the world, there are many different ways to get from one place to another.  You can drive in your own car or a rental, you can fly, you can sail, you can take a bus or coach or you can board a train.  All of these methods of travel have their advantages and disadvantages.  If you decide to travel in your own car or to rent one, you will be limited to where you go except for places that have ferries that take cars across bodies of water and because you will be focused on watching the road, you may miss out on some of the scenery.  It will also take you longer to get to where you want to do and, with the cost of fuel these days, this may just be the more expensive option if you are traveling over long distances or for a long period of time.  Flying is the quickest way to get anywhere but, unless you know how to score the best deals, it is the most expensive option and being thousands of feet in the air means you will miss out on everything you would have seen if you traveled by ground transportation.  Sailing is the slowest mode of transportation but if you have the time, you will be able to travel to more places and you can get great deals on this type of travel as well.  In this article, I will talk about train travel as it is probably the mode of travel that most people know the least about.  For that very reason, most people assume that train travel is very expensive and are not aware that it is possible to get very cheap vacations while riding the rails.  Here are some ideas of great train trips to get you started:

1)      Canada – Take a trip from Truro, Nova Scotia and venture across the world’s second largest country all the way to Vancouver, British Columbia on Via Rail.  You will experience the diversity of Canada as you pass through quaint fishing villages on the East coast, endless prairies in the interior and the Rocky Mountains on the West coast. If you prefer to just see parts of the country, it is possible to do various shorter journeys as well. Via also has a pass that allows passengers the opportunity to disembark the train at various points and get back on the train whenever they want for a period of a month with the option to buy extensions if you run out of time and want to see more.

2)      Switzerland – Take a trip through the Swiss Mountains onboard the Glacier Express and see some of the world’s most spectacular mountain scenery.  During this 7.5 hour long train ride, you will pass through ninety-one tunnels and cross 291 bridges.

3)      Mexico – Travel from Chihuahua to Los Mochis and take in the stunning countryside in between.  You will also see the Copper Canyon and pass over thirty-seven bridges that offer breathtaking views.

4)      Southeast Asia – While onboard the Eastern and Oriental Express, you will travel from Singapore onto Malaysia and finally, onto Thailand and along the way you will see golden temples and experience a landscape that is like no other.

5)      Scotland – See lakes, mountains coastline and countryside all in one shot when you take a trip onboard the Royal Scotsman.

Some other popular destinations that are great to see by train are Peru, South Africa, India, Turkey, Spain, Russia, Norway and Australia.

Once you have a destination in mind, you need to find the right package to suit your needs and budget.  Here are some tips on how to get the cheapest possible train trip:

1)      Generally, the earlier you book, the cheaper your ticket will be but that doesn’t mean that you cannot find last-minute deals!  Search the internet and sign up for email alerts that let you know when deals are happening.

2)      Look into purchasing Rail Cards or similar deals like the one offered by Via Rail.  Deals like this are best for travelers who will be traveling by train for extended periods but it is possible to find some that are for shorter periods of time too.

3)      If you are a student or a senior, make sure that you look into any cost-savings that could be available to you due to your individual status.

4)      To find special deals on rail travel, go to http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/promotions/toc_index.html and search their data base of deals offered by various rail lines.

5)      If you plan to only use the train to get from point A to Point B and are not interested in what there is to see in between, consider traveling on an overnight run as this is almost always cheaper.

There is something romantic and old-world feeling about boarding a train and embarking on a long journey through unknown territory.  Train travel offers something you cannot get while traveling by plane, car or boat and any traveler should embark on at least one good, long train trip in their lifetime and now is the time to get those cheap vacations!

Photo via nerveblood

There’s never been a better time to visit Hawaii than the month of November. With all kinds of cheap vacation packages, Hawaii is now an available destination for everyone. Whether you have kids or you are single, there’s a myriad of cheap vacation packages to take advantage. Just when you thought cheap vacation packages were something of the past, they’re back and waiting for you.

Sheraton Waikiki

Enjoy the Island of Oahu and the beaches of Waikiki at the Sheraton Waikiki for as low as $265 per night. Stay a third night and get it free along with a hearty breakfast. Recently renovated guest rooms, 80 percent with ocean-views, super-sized pool and more await travelers. Four night vacation packages with air starting at $901 depending on departure dates and locations.

Ritz Carlton Kapalua

The Island of Maui is waiting for you with its lush landscape, cool blue waters and swaying palm trees. Stay at the Ritz Carlton Kapalua for as low as $396 a night and enjoy a completely 100 percent smoke-free hotel. Amenities include croquet, three-tier swimming pool, sundeck, shaded cabanas, fitness classes and an 18-hol golf course, rooms with flat screen TV, marble baths, High Speed Internet. Take advantage and book a four night vacation packages with airfare starting at $1,228 depending on departure dates and locations.

Outrigger Reef on the Beach

In the heart of Honolulu the Outrigger Reef has undergone a major million dollar transition. The Outrigger Reefs transformation includes a new porte cochere featuring a new Polynesian Canoe Hale (house) recognized for its cultural significance and unique longhouse design. The pool and sundeck have also been reborn, and there are also three thermo spas and upgraded fitness center. Get ready for a range of sporting activities also available. Rooms starting at $179 per night. Four night stay with airfare starting at $776 depending on departure dates and locations.

Why not spend the last part of 2010 in a warm climate where Mai Tai cocktails, sunshine and relaxation await you in lovely Hawaii. Enjoy cheap vacation packages while you toast yourself for being so smart.

Photo via moonjazz

Let’s face it, Christmas travel deals can be very hard to find – with airline blackout dates and hotels taking advantage of holiday travelers with hiked up hotel room rates, sometimes travelers just have to buck up and pay the price for a holiday vacation.

This year we have some great recommendations to get you to a variety of places where you won’t have to skimp on what’s under the tree to get you there. Christmas travel deals are not as hard to come by as they have been in past years.

How about five days in Jamaica over Christmas, airfare included for just $809 per person. This is the Sandals Jamaica offer for this holiday season, and the package is all-inclusive. Not only that, but if you take advantage of the deal this year, you’ll receive a $100 credit against the cost of your next visit to Sandals.

Christmas vacation packages are considered absolutely regal when you stay at Le Château Frontenac in Quebec, Canada. The package includes a two-night/three-day stay. It may seem like a short trip for the $632 cost, but for this price the extras are amazing. For Christmas Eve and Christmas Day you’ll be treated to an enormous six-course meal, including all the wine you want, buffet-style breakfasts each morning, a dance in the Chateau’s Grand Ballroom, and an optional (but included in the price) Christmas morning breakfast in bed. If you can’t or don’t want to make the trip right over Christmas, the special is offered until the 31st of December.

Dreams Cancun is offering amazing Christmas travel deals this year. If you book your trip no later than the first business week of November, 2010, you’ll get five nights, including airfare and a golf package for just under $760. This incredible deal is all-inclusive and is valid through the end of December.

If you’re feeling like you want a nice white Christmas at a more remote location, then spending the holidays at Resort Bend in Oregon might be the perfect package for you. Offering three nights and accommodations for four people, Christmas travel packages to Resort Bend includes amenities such as a fireplace, a private kitchen, free wireless internet access, and a private deck area for each individual suite. You can enjoy this relaxing Christmas vacation with the whole family in the quaint resort at deeply discounted prices by simply calling the resort and finding out about different deals for different holiday packages available through then end of December.

There are many other Christmas travel deals all across the United States and abroad. Looking into Christmas ski trips for the snow bunny family is a good idea, and for those who enjoy holidays abroad, looking into trips to various parts of Europe and the Caribbean may also save a bundle. Regardless of whether you want a traditional Christmas complete with snowball fights and snow angels or you’d rather escape to a sunny spot by the beach where you can suntan with your Santa hat on, there are Christmas travel deals for everyone this year.

Photo via Lottakind

Ask almost any traveler what destination is at the top of their list of places to see and chances are they will say Australia.  Australia is a popular destination for many reasons.  The weather is great, there are great beaches, the people are friendly, the cities are world-class with great restaurants, shopping and nightlife and it is an outdoor lover’s paradise!  Unfortunately, the vast majority of people who have Australia on their list of top places to see never get the chance to step foot on the continent because it is too expensive with the top expense being the flight there and back.  It is possible to get very cheap flights to Australia is you have the patience to search and know where to look and once you have that taken care of, the rest is a cinch.  There are so many cheap things to do there and many places are cheaper than others but offer just as many great things to do.  That being said, cheap vacations are possible and Australia is a travel goal you should strive for!

First of all, lets talk about cheap flights to Australia.  Again, research is key.  If possible, be flexible with dates to get the cheapest deals and consider flying into a smaller, more remote airport because bigger airports are more expensive to fly into.  Quantas Air offers low fares but so do many other airlines.  Flights may also be cheapest at certain times of the year so if you are flexible about what season you travel, traveling anytime but high-season in the dead of summer may offer you some spectacular deals.

Once you arrive in Australia , you need a place to stay.  If you are adventurous and love the outdoors, you should not rule out camping in Australia not only because it is cheap but because the camping experience is like none other that you have experienced before!  But if the great outdoors is not your thing, Australia is full of cheap hotels, hostels, inns and bed and breakfasts.  Some cities, like Sydney or Melbourne are more expensive than other places but it is possible to get cheap accommodations even in those places.  The best way to find these places is to research before you travel and even book ahead if that is possible.  Here is a small sampling of some very inexpensive places to stay in various cities and towns across Australia:

1) Bendigo Haymarket Motor Inn, Bendigo – As low as $138.00

2) Nimrod Resort Apartments, Port Douglas – As low as $141.00

3) Travelodge, Newcastle – As low as $169.00

4) Australian Sunrise Lodge, Sydney – As low as $120.00

5) Comfort Inn Anzac, Sydney – As low as $132.00

With feet firmly on the ground and a place to lay your head at the end of the day, your next task is to find things to fill those days with and make your trip to Australia the best it can be.  Australia is famous for being costly when it comes to virtually anything you do but that is changing due to the number of budget travelers making it a choice destination.  More and more adventure and tour companies are popping up and competition is driving prices lower and lower.  Business owners are cashing in on the budget travel trend and are starting to see that a profit is to be made by accommodating the droves of tourists looking for deals and that means more travelers in the future.  Even in the midst of this trend, there have always been cheap things to do if you do some research and plan ahead.  The internet is a great wealth of information when doing your research.  There are many companies that offer organized tours such as GAP Adventures and many other smaller, local companies offer them too.  Prices can go very low at certain times of the year so if you plan on touring in this way, you must keep looking in advance if you want to find the best deals.  If you prefer to travel independently, here are some free and cheap things you can do during your stay:

1) Australia is famous for it’s white, sandy beaches.  Beachcomb, sunbathe, swim or surf the day away!

2) Walk around the area where you are staying and window shop, mingle with the locals in the friendly pubs, shop for one of a kind souvenirs in markets, explore off-the beaten path areas and green spaces, ride public transit for a cheap tour of any city, grab a bite to eat at a café or just sit and people-watch!

3) There are many hiking trails all over Australia.  Speak with locals and tourist information centers to find out which ones are the best and pack a lunch and some basic necessities and head out into the unknown.

4) Visit museums and learn more about the location you are visiting.

5) Get lost!  Often times you see the best things, have the most fun and make the best memories when you least expect it.

Cheap vacations to Australia are possible for anyone on any budget so don’t let that old thought of it being too expensive for you creep into your thoughts anymore.  Start planning that trip of a lifetime to that place you have always wanted to see!

Photo via -yury-

It may not be the first kind of vacation that pops into your mind, but if you’re a snow bunny and like to ski, snowboard, or cross-country ski, then trying on some different footwear with snowshoe vacations may be a great chance for you to have a snowy adventure in all kinds of beautiful locales from the Northwestern US to Alaska and beyond.

For unbelievable views of landscape, snowshoe vacations to Alaska are amazing. Get out in the thick of the wild by snowshoeing through wooded areas or in some areas of Anchorage, or if you prefer a chance to see some wildlife on clearer ground, check out Denali National Park where you can rent snowshoes if you don’t have your own. The park staff also offers guided tours throughout so you can get some education while you get some exercise. And of course, if you’re new to the snowshoeing game or you just want a more pampered option, you can check out Alaska’s Chena Hot Springs or Alyeska Resorts for outdoor adventure and great accommodations too.

Wyoming is another great choice for snowshoe vacations. The obvious reason Wyoming makes for great snowshoe vacations is the big one—Yellowstone National Park y’all! Not only does this make for spectacular snowshoeing, it offers the chance of a lifetime to take in views of one of America’s treasures, and spottings of all manner of wildlife. For other snowshoeing for the purpose of seeing wildlife and enjoying the great outdoors, a jaunt through Wyoming’s National Elk Refuge is a must. That said, if you have time or the means to do both Yellowstone and the elk refuge, it’s well worth it–you don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to Old Faithful in Yellowstone if you’re already in Wyoming!

Montana is also a phenomenal choice for snowshoe vacations in the United States. Near to Bozeman, Montana is the exquisite Bohart Ranch. This snowshoer’s paradise offers great trails in southwestern Montana’s Bridger Mountains. The trails are outstanding, but beyond that there is a lodge complete with food and drink to warm snowshoers and offer them a place to refresh and relax after a long trek. There are also Yellowstone options from Montana just as with Wyoming. From Montana you can enjoy tours from professionals as well as easy access to snowshoe rentals, facilities, food, and places to rest after some serious trudges through the snow. And for those who want a little more in the way of comfort, the Glacier Outdoor Center offers neat little accommodations like heated cabins. This location also has snowshoe equipment rentals and food. And for a little something extra, you can take a guided tour through the areas majestic Glacier National Park.

While snowshoe vacations might be off the beaten path—literally—even for the beginner it is a great choice for a unique vacation, especially if you like to try new things. Snowshoeing is definitely for the adventurous. A pointer before you jump on your snowshoes: engage in a little cardio in the weeks before you get out into the snow!

Photo via paulmoody