by Erica T. Barton

Created on: February 23, 2008

There are so many benefits to traveling in the spring, one of which is saving money. As an avid traveler, I can honestly say I only plan my vacations for the months of March or April. Here are a few of the many reasons why traveling in the spring rocks:

1. AIRFARE HITS ROCK BOTTOM PRICES: Between January and April, roundtrip airfare takes a huge dive. This is because most people travel during the holidays or the summertime, and there are no holidays to entice people to roam at this time of year. For airlines to fill their empty plane seats, prices drop as low as 1/10th of what they would be in the summertime. For example, two years ago I purchased roundtrip airfare for $250 from Los Angeles to London, and the hotel was included in that cost for free. You too can find these kinds of deals, especially if you sign up for Travelocity's Farewatcher Emails or check airline websites periodically.

2. HOTEL RATES ARE CHEAPER THEN ANY OTHER TIME OF YEAR: In the same way that airplane seats are empty in the spring, so too are hotel rooms. Again, people travel during the holidays and summertime, so you can negotiate lower rates on suites, homes, and even B&Bs. Check out Priceline.com to see how low you can get a hotel to go, and go directly to hotel websites to see if they offer any unpublished deals. Also look for 7-day deals versus day-to-day deals to get prices even lower.

3. THINGS SMELL LESS REVOLTING: As crazy as this may sound, it is common knowledge that Venice can smell very badly near the middle and end of summer. The lack of rain and the cloying heat can interact with the city's trash to make any large city smell worse. By traveling in the spring when rain is more common, the air is often fresher, the smells are absent, and the travel more enjoyable.

4. PEOPLE ARE FRIENDLIER: Having once lived in Europe, I was amazed at how many people flooded the touristy spots en masse at the end of spring and beginning of summer. As an American who's been cussed at in both French and Italian, I actually noticed how demanding Americans can be when it comes to customer service. We demand the best, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, in other cultures, customer service is not nearly as prized and thus tourists often end up infuriating the natives. During the spring, this phenomenon has not happened yet, so you have a better chance of getting the type of customer service you are used too. Waiting even one month into the summer can mean a huge difference in the way you are treated while traveling.

5. THE WEATHER IS EASIER TO ADJUST TOO: Spring is obviously a time of change. The cold weather is fading away to be replaced by a multitude of flowers and greenery, meaning everything you look at is naturally dazzling. The sky becomes a fresher blue, and showers become less frequent making it easier to breathe wherever you are. By traveling in the spring, you have a better chance of being comfortable while traveling with a simple jacket or sweatshirt, as well as truly getting a chance to see your vacation spot in all its glory.

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