(ARA) - Shopping and travel are two great American pastimes, and are often best enjoyed together. According to the Travel Industry Association of America, shopping is the most popular activity during domestic trips, and is included in more than 30 percent of all such trips. Of course, the holiday season affords the ultimate opportunity to combine these two pleasures. A recent survey from leading online travel provider CheapTickets.com revealed that 57 percent of domestic travelers would consider a holiday shopping vacation.
The following are tips to enjoy big-city glamour with a holiday shopping vacation that won't break the bank:
1. Consider the 'Burbs:
You don't have to stay in the heart of the city to be a part of the action. City-center hotels are extremely expensive this time of year, whereas significant savings can be found in the outlying areas. Headed to New York City for a Fifth Avenue shopping extravaganza? Think about a stay in White Plains, N.Y. An easy train ride away, you have affordable access to the great shops of Manhattan without paying top dollar to sleep next door. Ultimately, this leaves more in the kitty for the big things, like big gifts.
2. Tricks for Getting a 4-Star Stay at a 3-Star Price:
To score great deals consider an online travel provider, such as CheapTickets.com, where packages including flight and hotel can offer significant savings. This makes travel planning an easy one-stop-shop, with added options such as car rentals and tickets to entertainment venues at your fingertips on the site.
3. Add Outlets to Your List of Shopping Hotspots:
Big city holiday splendor is truly a must-see during a shopping vacation. Elaborate displays, window designs and overall extravagance are all a part of the city's vibrancy. But, it is also worthwhile to check-out neighboring outlet centers, which can offer great savings to bargain-hunters. The Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas for example, are only 30-minutes from famed Las Vegas Strip, and provide an inexpensive "shoppers shuttle" for easy round-trip transportation. Other hotspots, such as Chicago's Gurnee Mills Outlet Mall, which is a great alternative to the city's Magnificent Mile, is easily accessible with a rental car.
4. Give the Gift of Travel
Give your loved one an early holiday delight by inviting them to join you on a shopping vacation. You'll see first-hand which gifts catch their eye, taking the guess work out of even the hardest giftee. More importantly, the trip itself becomes a gift that the both of you can share together, and that is priceless.
Ultimately, the season of giving is just that: an opportunity to think of and give unto others. With the right planning, a holiday shopping vacation can make finding that perfect present an affordable, enjoyable and memorable gift to yourself.
