For those who travel frequently, airfare deals seem to be a common topic of conversation for many who are looking to get the best price and the best possible time of travel. Ticket costs around the World can vary significantly, but it is possible to fly to most destinations for a lot less than full standard fare; with the assistance of a good travel agent and a little research. A key factor when it comes to getting good deals is the customer not being rigid in their plans. Your flexibility and willingness to compromise on the day and time of year you travel will almost always get you a cheap seat. Be willing to modify your dates to suit the airlines' need to save money and you can capitalize and save a little yourself, because they will slot people into empty seats. However, with most airlines, if you decide to switch your travel date after you have booked a flight, you will incur a hefty cancellation of amendment penalty. A point about being flexible when looking for flights is that if you want to cancel or change your flight without receiving an additional charge, it might be better to pay the regular ticket price. The frequent flyer usually makes the biggest gains in the competitive world of airlines and airfare deals. The frequent flyer program is designed as a thank you for good customers because of their loyalty. Competition within the airlines has made them adopt this design or join forces with other airlines; many hotels are now doing the same. The most used source for deals in airfare is online. Watch out for online sites specializing in the sales of airline tickets at a discount, the business could be totally legitimate, but it is wiser to book flights with more know discount agents. Mostly, the problem is that people fail in verifying a site's legitimacy until it is too late. If you are unable to make a visit to an agent's office, make a call to learn what he or she knows pertaining to the industry; never rely on email contact alone. Ask straightforward questions concerning possibilities of snags having to do with their ticket deals, e.g., an unattractive stopover. Make sure that you know exactly which airline you are flying on, that's very important information. Airfare deals are on the increase, and options are opening up daily for new destinations and more flexible routes. No doubt, with flexibility on your mind and with careful research of the airlines' options, you will eventually reach your desired destination with minimal difficulty.
On my first trip to Ecuador I discovered that the official currency of is the U.S. Dollar. A nice surprize, since I thought I'd have to find a place to exchange money at midnight in Quito. Not only could I use the dollar bills in my pocket, but just one of them would buy a three-course lunch at a clean restaurant. I fell in love with Ecuador immediately. I fell in love with my wife Ana a few days later.
Quito, Ecuador
I loved Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Centro Del Mundo, the hostel where I stayed the first few days, cost $4 per night, including breakfast. The walls had maps and all the information I needed on them. There were travelers from fourteen countries there during my stay.
I took a tour to the volcano Cotapaxi, and hiked up to the glaciers with three others, from Israel, France and England. I danced (Free Rum in the hostel on Friday nights), wandered the city streets, and took spanish lessons from a beautiful tutor. Ana was not only a great teacher, but soon became my tour guide and, eventually, my wife.
Riobamba, Ecuador
Riobamba is another beautiful mountain city. My hotel was $3 per night, this time in a private room with a TV. The manager had connections, and information on anything I wanted. He arranged for a guide to take me up Mount Chimborazo, which at 20,600 feet is the furthest point from the center of the Earth (due to the bulge at the equator). After climbing 4,000 feet of glaciers, I made it to the summit.
Banos, Ecuador
Back in Quito, I called Ana, and we made plans to go to Banos De Santa Agua, a town in central Ecuador, famous for its hotsprings. The bus was $3, a nice motel with cable T.V. cost $7 per night. The second day there, we ate out for breakfast, lunch and dinner, went to the hotsprings, bought souvenirs, went to a movie, went out drinking and dancing - and the entire day, including motel, cost $34!
In fact, the entire trip, including airfare, the fee for the guide on Chimborazo, and everything else, cost $1040. That was for four weeks. How I kept it so cheap is a subject for another article.
More Information on Ecuador
The mountain towns (Quito, Riobamba, Loja, Cuenca, Otavalo, Ibarra, Ambato, Latacunga) have wonderful climates. Highs are in the 60s to 70s fahrenheit year-round. Guayaquil and the coastal cities can be hot, but the temperature is moderated by the Humboldt Current, which brings cool water along the coast of South America.
If you like beaches, you have many options. In Salinas, for example, you can sit on a beautiful Pacific Ocean beach, while vendors bring you everything from beer to ice cream to chair rentals an music. For $20 you can rent a jet ski and have some fun in the waves.
The Galapagos Islands are part of Ecuador, and tour information is available in all major cities (It's cheaper to wait until you're in Ecuador to book a tour).
Good meals can still be had for under two dollars in most cities, if you eat where the locals do. Hotels in most cities start at around $12 (less for a bed in a hostel). Cross-country travel by bus is cheaper and more comfortable than bus travel in the U.S.
The people of Ecuador are almost universally friendly, and speak one of the clearest, easiest to understand dialects of Spanish (A great place to learn). Ecuador is a safe, democratic republic, with a legal system similar to that of the U.S.
Both Gugu Martini & Steve Gillman are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Gugu Martini has sinced written about articles on various topics from Global Warming, Insurance Quotes and Personal Desktop. Do you have enough recipes? Visit:: plus. Gugu Martini's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.
Steve Gillman has sinced written about articles on various topics from Camping, Hypnotherapy and Entertainment Guide. Steve Gillman hit the road at sixteen, and traveled the U.S. and Mexico alone at 17. Now 42, he travels with his wife Ana, whom he met in Ecuador. For travel stories, tips and a free Travel Secrets e-book, visit:. Steve Gillman's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.