Whether you’re on the go from one business trip to the next or looking for an escape from campus, we’ve got what you need to plan the perfect mini-vacation. On a budget? Not a problem. We’ll clue you in on the hottest spots at the lowest costs, guaranteed to make you and your bank account happy.
First things first, you need a general idea what you want to do and how much expendable dough you have to work with. Once you know how much time you have, you can map out an itinerary of possible activities and locations, while figuring in the costs of each. If you must travel far, check out discount airfare on sites like Expedia.com, cheaptickets.com, travelocity.com, hotwire.com and additional information from your personal browser recommended sites. Many of these sites will offer packages for weekend getaways that include travel, lodging, food, and even entertainment packages. If this doesn’t accommodate your needs, there are always individual sites for hotel chains, or as a last resort, your local travel agency. Majestic has done much of the legwork for you, by cataloging a sample itinerary and travel journal to show how one such vacation panned out.
While Cancun, Jamaica, and Florida are the epitome of Spring Break locations, there are plenty of other opportunities for a great trip that won‘t break the bank. We sent our editor, Doug, on a Vermont ski vacation to experience the top places in the Killington Ski Area on a budget. Having only a few days over the weekend, Doug asked us to help him plan the perfect mini-vacation.
February 22, 2006:
9:00 am: Doug contacts Majestic. He explains that he only has three days to spare and wants to make the most of what time he has. We find that Doug likes to ski. From there, we check out where to go for the optimum ski packages in the Northeast.
| Traveling with |
| friends helps keep |
| individual costs down, |
| as there are more people |
| footing the bill. |
1:30 pm: We log onto Mapquest.com and plan out the shortest route to the resort. The directions indicate that from Doug’s home in Vernon, CT to Killington, VT it should take approximately three hours to reach the Comfort Inn, which is a distance of roughly 162 miles. In preparation for the trip back, we also confirm the easiest route home.
2:00 pm: Within a few hours of beginning our search for local attractions, including restaurants, bars, and entertainment, everything is planned out from A to Z. This includes reservations booked online with Doug’s credit card, free directions, and a tentative schedule for all activities. Now, the only thing left is for Doug to pack his backs and hit the road.
March 3, 2006:
5 pm: Free from work, Doug is set to embark on his weekend getaway. He picks up Johnny and the two head off on their travel adventure. The trip takes about 4 hours (with traffic and stops) and the men arrive at their destination in time to enjoy the town nightlife.
9pm: Check-in at hotel. Doug and Johnny leave their bags in the room and head out for dinner and drinks at the Wobbly Barn.
This is central Vermont's first nightclub, uniquely built from pieces of ten New England barns. It is one of the Killington area's favorite steakhouses, where vacationers can hear live music, help themselves to the free nacho bar, and pick up some giveaways. This is the perfect spot because it is warm, affordable, and close by.
12:30 am: Looking for a place to get their groove on with some local women, the men hit up Night Spot, a nightclub and pizza restaurant down Killington Road. After dancing and drinking, the guys are ready for bed. Besides, tomorrow is reserved for quality skiing.
March 4, 2006:
11:00 am: The guys grab a quick breakfast at their hotel and hop a shuttle to the slopes.
12:00 pm: They rent their ski equipment at the K-1 lodge, the base for the K-1 Express Gondola, which is the highest lift in Vermont. The lodge has everything from food and drinks to clothing by brands such as The North Face, Karbon, Burton, Spyder, Obermeyer, and Orage; goggles from Smith, Oakley, Anon, and Marker; helmets from Giro, Boeri, Red, Leedom and Marker, and ski rentals by Killington Sports. Decked out in their gear, the guys head up to the lift of Snowdown Mountain. Doug and Johnny ski for a few hours, alternating between Snowdown and K1 Peak.
5:30 pm: Before heading to dinner, Doug runs into a friend in the hotel lobby who tells him that they should check out Charity’s Tavern, a popular local hangout. The tavern is decorated like a rustic saloon, covered in Vermont memorabilia. There is also a century-old bar that was made in Italy, shipped to West Virginia, and then brought up to Vermont. After dinner and a few drinks, Doug and Johnny decide to check out Rutland’s Paramount Theatre, which opened in 1914 and has been ushered into the 21st century through contemporary renovations. Regaining its position as an entertainment staple, the Paramount is considered the “Jewel of Downtown Rutland.”
8:00 pm: A special production of “Rutland Does Motown” is playing at the Paramount for only $15 per ticket, so Doug and Johnny decide to relax and listen to the excellent music. With an eclectic assortment of productions, future visitors can enjoy upcoming shows at the Paramount including Grease, Into the Woods, an evening of Jazz, and much more. For a complete calendar of events visit Paramount's Website
11:00 pm: After the show, the guys check out the advertised "big drinks, big screens, and big fun!" at Mogul’s Sports Pub, located within a mile and a half of their hotel. This final stop is the perfect way to come full circle from their night on the town.
1:00 am: A long day behind them, Doug and Johnny hit the sack.
March 5, 2006:
10:00 am: Time to pack up and checkout of the hotel. After breakfast, the two men say goodbye to the Killington Comfort Inn and the K-1 slopes. Before getting on the road, they head to town for some last-minute souvenir shopping.
1:00 pm: Everything packed and ready to go, the guys hop in the car and head back to Connecticut. Overall, they stayed within budget and had a great time.
Final costs: $374 each, including dining, drinks, ski rentals/passes, lodging, theatre tickets, and travel expenses. For those travelers with a good sense of money management, this trip is perfect. All it takes is a little bit of time, and a keen imagination. These college students were able to plan their own vacation without going through a travel agent, taking long, costly flights, or going risking their professional reputations.
For additional information check out:
Killington Ski Area: www.killington.com and www.killingtonskitrips.com
Mogul’s Sports Pub: www.killingtonmall.com/dining
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