Free Travel Guides and Travel Brochures

The Internet is here to stay, and the digitization of information has suddenly called the future of print information into question. As newspapers and magazines struggle to make a profit, naturally we start thinking about what the future of travel guides will be for vacationers.

Right now, relying completely on digital technology while vacationing seems a little impractical. You can get to any destination via GPS easily enough. Most people probably print out directions using MapQuest or Google Maps, and that seems logical.

Once you get to a destination, it can be more difficult to navigate if you’re on foot, or in a crowded city where you can’t drive. Cell phones often have maps and digital navigation, but it can be hard to get your bearings on a small device. Maps and travel guides will always be valuable for this reason until they make digital foldable paper.

If you’re planning a vacation, you don’t want to have to print off all your material, especially when you can get free travel guides by mail just as easily as it would be to print them at home. When you’re on foot, you’re going to want the convenience of in-hand maps, diagrams, and tourist information. Why not get all of that for free.

Whether the recession affects you or not, RVing requires a budget.  Traveling around and experiencing the greatest places in America is, after all, not free.  So how can you cut back on costs while still getting the most out of your experience?

Free travel guides and brochures are, of course, a great start.  Saving money with an RV is all about planning ahead and knowing your options, and a travel guide is your informational resource for making the most of any area.

Boondocking, or camping in remote areas such as deserts, deep woods or other remote locations without power, sewer or water hook-ups, is another great way to not only save money, but get away from crowded RV parks and enjoy the natural solitude and beauty of nature.  To find the best boondocking areas, ask veteran RVers for suggestions on great spots.

Annual Park Passes for National and State Parks are often good for more than one park, and can be a great incentive to return to a location you really enjoy.

Avoiding peak times can mean more than avoiding the rush.  Frequently, off-season prices are lower than during the peak months.

Steer clear of tourist traps and places that offer “special” tour pricing.  This usually means higher prices for things you may not have room for in an RV anyway.  Also, cut down on the extras like helicopter rides, the professionally taken photographs, or special videos of your adventure.  These can be fun and create memories, but remember that it means less money for other things that could be more rewarding.

Sometimes the best things in life are free.  Always take the time to watch sunsets or thunderstorms, visit a free museum, library or historic site.  Learn the names and details of plants, animals, geographical formations and architecture you encounter along your journeys.

The cheapest time to travel in the U.S. is usually the off-season. Hotels, restaurants and shops often drop their prices to entice vacationers to visit and boost business. But the question of when the off-season occurs varies for each destination. Always inquire about the off-season dates and rates of any vacation spot you are considering.

Timing in the U.S.

In the United States, the least expensive way to travel is to visit sun-shine spots during summer months. Many travelers migrate to places like Arizona or Florida in the winter when it’s cold and snowy at home, and leave for cooler places in the summer, such as Minnesota or Canada. Summertime in sunny areas can be uncomfortably warm if the thermometer hits 90 degrees or above. But, if you want to avoid the crowds and save some money, think about heading to a sunshiny vacation destination during the early or late summer. You could enjoy your outdoor activities early in the day or after sunset, and splash in the hotel pool, visit museums, or other air conditioned venues in the middle of the day when the sun is at its hottest.

During winter months, ski areas often have lower rates very early in the season when the snow isn’t at its deepest, and late in the season after it has experienced some melting. You’re likely to experience better parking opportunities and shorter lift lines.

Many small towns like Lanesboro, Minnesota and Galena, Illinois offer off-season rates during the colder months. Visitors can enjoy the towns’ festive decorations, quaint shops, and winter festivals. The popular summer bike paths are often traveled by cross-country skiers when conditions are right.

Best Time to Experience the Caribbean

A popular vacation destination outside the United State is the Caribbean. The off-season in that part of the world is generally between June and November—the cheapest time to travel there. Sound like a good time to go? There’s one catch—that’s hurricane season and your trip could come to an abrupt end. It’s a gamble thousands of people take each year because if they’re lucky, the weather can be fantastic. If you decide to take the risk and travel to that part of the world, purchasing vacation insurance is a great idea. You may wish to speak with your travel agent or search the Internet for additional information on insurance. Also, check with hotels in the area regarding their policy if the hotel should close due to a hurricane. Then get it in writing.

Let Us Know

Send us your suggestions or experiences for the cheapest time to travel. We welcome your comments on how to save money!

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A frequent question we are asked here at TravelGuidesFree.com is how to obtain road maps. Of course, anyone who is a member of an auto club can usually obtain various maps free of charge, and state welcoming centers are usually well stocked. But others are often at a loss about how to get their hands on this useful tool in planning their trip ahead of time.

Via U.S. Mail

Often it’s as easy as contacting the State’s Tourism Office or the destination’s Convention and Visitor Bureau or Chamber of Commerce and request that a road map be sent to your mailing address. Using a search engine such as www.google.com, type in the name of the state followed by the word “tourism”. Go to their website and look for information on obtaining maps or locate the toll free phone number and give them a call.

If you don’t want to wait for your map to arrive via “snail mail”, you can download one on your computer in minutes. Here are some resources we found to be helpful.

MilebyMile.com

This website contains road maps, road condition photos & Highway RV Travel Itineraries for the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The way the information is gathered is rather unique. Local tourism business owners volunteer to “adopt” a section of a U.S. or state highway and make notes about attractions and their locations. MilebyMile.com then uploads the information to their website. Website users, therefore, get an “insider” look at the area and what it has to offer. The various maps are downloadable for your use.

America’s Byways.org

This website lets you choose an area you would like to visit and produces itinerary suggestions. We choose Billy the Kid Trail in New Mexico and the site planned a one-day itinerary, showing the time estimate to drive the byway, and describing four attractions to visit, the travel time from one place to another and the total distance traveled. Byways are also organized by categories and articles such as “Haunted Byways” or “Byways for the Gourmet Road-tripped”. Of course, area maps are available.

Point A to Point B

If you would simply like to download a road map from a certain starting point and ending at a known destination, you can choose from many good websites. Google, MapQuest, FreeTrip, and Maps.Live (all .com websites), will provide you with specific driving directions mile by mile as well as road maps of the trip.  All provide printer-friendly versions.

Whether you request a State road map via U.S. mail or you simply download from one of the websites suggested above, obtaining road maps is a quick and easy process.  If ordering one of the free travel brochures we offer on TravelGuidesFree.com will help with planning your road trip, don’t hesitate to order and you will receive the requested guide directly from our advertiser. We at TravelGuidesFree wish you safe and enjoyable trips on the many highways and byways you may travel!

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Start Planning Early

You should try to start planning a trip about three months in advance. If you are unable to do that, start as early as you can. Get travel guides and other tourist information from two or three of your top destination choices. Once you have had a couple of weeks to look through the travel guides, make your choice. That way you will have more options for hotels, attractions, car rentals, and airline reservations, however the longer you wait, the more likely hotel rooms will be unavailable, performances sold out, or be unable to catch a flight.

Contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau

Almost any destination you want to visit will have a Convention and Visitors Bureau nearby. These agencies want you to visit, so they can provide you with lots of useful information and they can probably answer any questions you may have—such as the best nearby Italian restaurant, the hotel closest to the shopping mall, or whether there is a shuttle service between your hotel and the airport. You will also be able to find out about any special events going on during the time you will be there and driving directions. You may even be able to find these answers on their websites.

Ask People You Know

If you know anybody who has already traveled to where you want to go, ask them about their experience. They will be able to tell you about that really great restaurant they tried, or that hotel that had excellent service. They may know a good place for you to park, or special deal being offered.

Currency Check

If you are traveling somewhere that uses a different currency, start watching the exchange rate. You may be able to get a better deal if you exchange your money before you leave, especially if the timing is right.

Check with your credit card company to learn about any fees they might charge on purchases out of the country and to let them know where you’ll be traveling.

Bring Smaller Bills

If you bring lots of small bills and change, you can tip a waiter or put money in a parking meter without having to find a place to get change.

Buy at Home

Many items are much cheaper to buy before you travel, such as film, batteries, toiletries, and non-perishable snacks.

Contact Your Cellular Telephone Service Provider

If you plan to bring your cellular telephone along on your vacation, check with your service provider to find out any applicable roaming charges, or what kind of service you can expect at your destination.

Check the Weather

Check the weather on the day before you leave—on the Internet, in your newspaper, or even by calling the Convention and Visitors Bureau. By checking the weather, you can know if you need to pack some warmer or cooler clothes.

Distinctive Luggage

If you are flying, having distinctive luggage can help you find it easily at baggage claim. For example, put a sticker on the side of your suitcase or get a bright colored luggage strap.

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