Like anything..some are great, some are scary.  They are certainly wonderful in theory and worth checking out.  I have heard they are a great place to also meet fellow travelers on the same type of mission...travel light and keep moving.  Always remember to hold on to your belongings.

Hostels are simple, inexpensive and  a wonderful place to meet people from all over the world.  You'll probably make great friends and end up traveling with them. Join the Youth Hostel Association, book your rooms ahead especially during busy travel seasons.  Don't bring valuables or too much cash. Always be aware of your surroundings, no matter where you are staying.

My son,Brian, Jo's son, Sebastian and their friend Nick travelled through Europe last summer staying only at hostels. They were generally clean and comfortable, and yes, they met a lot of wonderful young people along the way I know, I saw the pictures and it looked like so much fun. My son did have his camera stolen, so it is important to lock up you valuables before you leave them. Insurance covered the camera, but all the pictures were lost. All in all, I think hostels are a great, inexpensive way for young people to see the world.

I think they are very " friendly" but you do need to lock your belongings up when you leave for the day.

 Probably.  They get you for change fees.  Often the change fee is the same as buying the more expensive refundable ticket so why not just get the cheaper one and try to commit to the flight.  Southwest is one that refunds your ticket for future credit.

Yes, non refundable is usually the cheapest way to fly.  But that doesn't mean you can't change your flight if you can't fly on that day.  There is usually a  change fee or $50-$150 per flight and there might be a change in the ticket cost if you choose another flight at a higher cost.  Different airlines have different restrictions.  Some airlines might only let you travel to the same city you were originally traveling to.  Always shop around and read the cancelation policies before you press the purchase button on your computer.

 Yes.

The most inexpensive tickets are non refundable, so if you think you might make changes you need to know that there are "change fees' involved. I am always changing my plans so I spend more than I should on airline travel. This is something I keep telling myself I want to change in my behavior, so far not luck, I keep on making those last minute changes in travel plans. At least when you are planning a trip abroad, not just to your home town, you know you have hotel reservations that are also unchangeable within a certain period of time. If you have to cancel because of an emergency such as a sudden illness or death in the family, they are willing to refund you, but you will need to provide proof of the situation.

Generally yes. But you should ask if this is so important.  Sometimes they will have anything you need at the front desk.

Most do.

Yes, Everyone I've stayed at does. 

Many do but not all do. Even the nicest hotels sometimes have weak blow dryers and I wish I had a good little one to travel with. Please let me know if you have a good travel blow dryer.

Generally yes. You could ask at the desk too.

Usually in the closet, if you don't see it, call the front desk and they'll bring it up to you.

Yes

I travel a lot and always need an iron with the clothing I bring. Everything I wear needs to be ironed. It's crazy but there it is. If there isn't an iron in the closet in the room, call housekeeping and they will help you. It is customary to tip housekeeping when they do extra services for you, such as bringing in a roll away bed, an iron, when they pick up or when they return your cleaning (if they have laundry services that you use).  I think a 2 to 5 dollar tip is good, depending on the service you are getting and the hotel that you are in. In Europe in smaller hotels, there may be a fire code (or by the discretion of the hotel owners) that will not permit ironing in your room. I stayed in one last year that had a small common room for ironing.

Yes. These days you can figure you do need your passport.

YES, You need a passport to travel anywhere outside the US, and it is best to have a passport as identification any where you travel. Check the link below for information on passport applications.

 Yes

Yes you do. They did this 4 years ago and were lenient for the first year, but they are firm about this l;aw now.

  Yes, if they are a in a State Park.  You usually have a fee that will cover the cost of a campsite and use of communal bathroom and showers.

If you know the name of the campsite, you can check ahead about toilets and showesr. Most campgrounds have these facilities available. Just in case, always pack bio-degradable toilet paper and a water jug.  There are also a number of travel collapsable toilets. Check out koa.com for further information about your camping experience.

I hope so, some showers run on quarters though and $.25  doesn't do it .  I camp at a Sheraton.  

It has been years since I have been to a campground, but they usually do. You never know what condition they will be in. You might rather freshen up with a jump in the lake or river. remember to take biodegradable soaps with you when you are planning to camp and use nature to shower in. I have loved Dr. Bronners liquid castile soap( peppermint is still what I use in my shower and I can't wake up without it) since I was 18 and backpacking a lot. It is natural and on they claim you can even wash your hair and brush your teeth with it. I used to use it for my hair but only when camping, and I think I only brushed my teeth with iut once and I don't remember if that was a good experience. I can only think there is a reason why I didn't use it as a toothpaste again.

 So easy...but you will need a printer if you want to take your boarding pass with you.  You can however check in and then pick up your boarding pass at the airport.  Just go to the website of the airline you are flying and they will provide easy instructions.

• Log on to the airline and go to the check-in on line drop down.
• Most carriers have very simple instructions and can look up your reservation with your name or e-ticket number.
• Put in your name and confirmation number.
• if you're checking luggage but in the number of bags
•  Print your boarding pass or if you have a smart phone, have it emailed to your phone and a scan pass will appear
• ps Some airlines don't charge for checked baggage if you do on line check-in.

 Sal's got the answer, just remember to bring the printed copy with you.

I haven't even tried this yet and I am not sure that I like how easy it is to get your boarding pass online and print at home. There is even the cell phone reading apparatus at the security line so you can just pull it up online on you phone or blackberry and it is scanable. Saving paper, but is this secure?

Google safe travel for US citizens in the country you are flying to prior to making your reservation to find if there are any warnings or advice for US citizens as this type of information changes.

 The best spot to find information on safe travel to foreign countries is the US government.  They post warnings as they issue them.  You can also search by specific country.  This is a great resource for everyone.  Please go to the link below and check the country you're traveling to.

 Check the link, These days things change fast, if you are planning a trip well in advance, you'll have to make an educated guess.  

Bring clothes that go anywhere. Bring the basics, jeans and black fabric that don't wrinkle. Dresses go day into night easily.  Bring very comfortable shoes.

If you're going somewhere where there is laundry then bring, one pair of jeans, 3 tops, 3 underwear and one skirt or dress (or dress shirt for guys). You can pretty much wear jeans anywhere now with a few exception (private clubs etc.), so you can dress them up with a nice shirt or jacket. Make sure to pack clothes that don't need ironing. Comfortable shoes for walking is a must. I just reread my answer and laugh because I should take my own advice.

 I learned some things from my son who can go anywhere with just a backpack.  If you don't mind doing the laundry, jeans and a teeshirt can get you through almost anything.  Shorts, a bathing suit and enough underwear and you're good to go.  It's nice to have a small travel bag with cosmetics, hair brush and necessary toiletries packed and ready for anything, just throw it in your suitcase and don't think about it again.  Coats, hats, scarves for colder weather, wear them. The really most important thing to remember when traveling, unless it's prescription medication, (don't forget that),  you can probably get anything else you might need when you get there, so if you're in doubt, leave it home.

I try but I just can't travel light. I usually am prepared for a week on a weekend getaway. Rain coat, walking boots, dancing boots. Easier done when your driving. It is scary when I am travelling by car because I can just throw everything in and you can take the bird with you then too.

 15-20% is standard in the US.

In the US, I usually tip 15% or 20% for taxi. Always check the meter because sometimes companies include tax and a tip. You should ask the cab driver when you get in the cab the estimated price.  Tipping varies by country.  Check the link below for your specific country.

 What they said.

It depends on the kindness and helpful nature of the driver. The last time I went to New York, the taxi driver didn't even get out of the car to help me get my bag from the trunk. He was rude and  didn't know where my hotel was located.  I think I try to tip 18 to 20 percent and that may be high. But if the service is bad I don't want to tip at all. Is that wrong?

 You need to research this before you go.  If you don't know just ask your server and I am sure they will guide you.  Some countries do not expect tips as it is included in the bill.

Not all countries expect the 15-20 per cent tipping rate that we have in the US. Some countries have the gratuity already included in the bill. Check the rates before you go in travel guides. When in doubt, leave the 15-20-they should be happy with that. Also check out the website, www.ccrainternational.com/tools/TippingGuidelines.htm

Check ahead, at your hotel, with a local, or on-line. 

I was surprised when I went to New Zealand years ago and was told that you really don't tip. I suppose if a country has better standard wages for service that people don't rel;y on tips as a better part of their income. Try to ask someone local. I usually ask if I like the serving person. I like to ask in the hotel or hostel to see what is the way of the land in regard to tipping.

 15-20% of the bill before tax.  Waitresses and waiters do not get minimum wage and so they count on your tips.  Even if the service is bad you should leave a tip.  If you cannot afford the tip you should not go to the restaurant.

In the USA, the usual rate is 15-20 percent of the check. Make sure you look at the bottom of the tab, sometimes the gratuity is included.

 At least 20%  18% is sometimes included in the bill.  I like to leave a little more.  I hated waiting tables.  It's hard work, the pay is awful and half the customers are rude.

Tipping in the US is 17 to 20 % as far as I am concerned. If you leave a 15% tip then you were not pleased with the service.

Kayak is my favorite site for this.

I like Kayak website for travel plans. But there is Orbit, Expedia, Travelocity, Farecompare and Cheapair. I do have Hotwire Alerts for places I travel to often. If you are going to take advantage of these extra-low fares, you have to be able to schedule a trip on short notice. Kayak.com

 Kayak

I have a travel agent and haven't ever booked a flight online. He takes great care to call if there are cancellations and if I am on the way to the airport and my flight is cancelled, I get his call before the airlines mechnical message system. If I am at the airport and the flight is cancelled, he has already booked me the next available flight before the angry crowd hits the customer service for the airline at the airport.

If you are visiting an acquaintance for a couple days, it seems likely you will leave as friends. Friends generally share 50/50. You will also be a guest so it would be your place to set the tone with a gift such as a plant, bakery goods, a bottle of wine, etc Guests who chip on are always welcome. You may offer to go buy breakfast like some bagels or donuts for your host if they are providing the other meals. If you go out be prepared to split the bill. Let us know how it goes and if you felt comfortable with this sometimes touchy issue. Good luck.

This all depends on the relationship with the person that you're visiting. An acquaintance is not necessarily a friend yet you must be clear on the intent of your visit and expectations. You should offer to share all the expenses. Don't assume, because that makes an ass out of you and me. They might resist but you can buy groceries, take them out to dinner, treat them to a day of fun (theater, movie, sight-seeing boat cruise). At the very least, please bring a gift for your host/hostess.

This is one of those things that you have to work out together. If you were invited to stay at the person's home the right thing is to bring a small gift to say thank you. As for who pays for what it would be nice if you could shoulder some of the expenses, You might want to take your host out to dinner, or find a grocery and cook for them. I would expect that you need to be honest about how much you can afford. If your acquaintance has put together an itinerary, movies, dinner, theater, attractions and you just can't afford to do all those things, say so. I doubt that your host expects you to pay their share and they may have planned to pay for you. If not, you must let them know that you are unable to spend that much money. You say this is an acquaintance, if it's someone you don't know well, you may be staying at a near-by hotel, in that case you should each be paying your own way unless otherwise planned. Offer to pay your share of parking and gas if they are doing all the driving and split the bill for dinner.

This can be difficult. It is good to just split everything  50/50, but if you are staying with them, then it is always good to offer a thank you by taking them to dinner, bring a bottle of wine to share or a house gift if you aren't going out and they are cooking at their home. On the other hand, I like to take my guest out and pay for at least one meal in my home town. So if we are going out at all, the first meal is on me.

We all have a different economy we  have to live with depending on income and individual values. I am particular about wine and so when I go out to eat and I choose a more expensive wine than my friend would have chose, I like to let them know that I would like to get the wine tonight.

You can try a nose spray. I prefer the 4 hour one because the others are 12 hours and you may not need this. Benadryl will make you sleepy which may be a plus on long flights.

There are many good over the counter medicines that could help relieve congestion. Also you might try same nasal spray or nasal saline. Yawn or swallow to clear your ears during the ascent and decent of the plane. Also trying chewing gum and drinking lots of water during the flight.

Both systemic (taken orally) and topical (nose drops or nasal sprays) can be used to treat congestion. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also be used to help control discomfort. Try this to regulate the pressure in your ears:  hold you nose and try to for air through your closed mouth.  You'll hear and feel your ears pop when you do it correctly.

I can get congested on airplanes with all the closed spaces and recycled air on the plane and in airports. I like to carry Ricola or Lycerol pastilles. Lemon mint and Spearmint. Nice!

No, but it would be wise to have picture ID especially if you look 18 so you don't get delayed and aggravated at the airport.

You should get a photo ID to travel. The US hadn't required it but with increased security it is only a matter of time so get you photo ID now.

It is not required, but it should be. You should keep an ID on you when you are travelling without an adult. Of course, when you travel out of the country you will have your passpor.  As soon as you are ever given a school ID, you should keep a wallet with it so you have it for travel. If you are not driving yet, you can still go to the DMV to get an ID. Not to be morbid or a pessimist, but if anything were to happen to you and you couldn't speak to tell some one where you are from and give them a home number or address, at least there would be that identification. You might want to write your name and address in your underwear if you aren't travelling with ID. If you are travelling to summer camp or a summer school program you will probably have done that.

 Yes, but sometimes the change fee is more than the new ticket.  Plan on spending a lot of time on hold with your airline and see if you get lucky.

Check with your airline or travel agent. Most airlines will let you make a change for a fee or use that credit for the same travel within the year.

Yes. Usually you can. There can be some fee for cancellation of a nonrefundable ticket, but usually you can keep the credit with the airline for the next time. You may want to ask the airline before purchasing your ticket.

 Best if you can to check in on line since sometimes they do over book flights.  If you can't then try to get to the airport a little early.

Checking in on line is the greatest tool. If you're carrying your luggage on the plane, you can check in, print your ticket and go directly to your gate. Some airlines are even offering a paperless ticket through your smart phone. They email the bar code directly to your phone. Another good reason for on line check in is that you reserve your seat in advance in case they over sold the flight.  

I never have but wamnt to figure that out. It is only good if you are travelling without checked bags. Then you just go right to the security line when you get to the airport.

If you have bags to check you will need to check in at the airline counter anyway.

 The plug you will need for conversion is a must have when going to a foreign country.  The rest is up to you.  Sometimes less is more if you want to feel like you are getting away from the usual pull of emails and obligations.  Your cell phone is probably a must.

Computer with downloaded movies, music and tv shows. Also a Kindle, IPad or some other electronic read with a few books on it.  The smart phones also have the capability to watch movies and play games.  Don't forget your chargers!

Your laptop, iPod, cell phone( you can play the games if you put the airline mode setting on), iPad. My son watches movies on his laptop when he travels. I get stuck with whatever the airline is offering and I buy a few magazines at the airport.

I just got an iPad for my birthday and I am so excited to take it on my next flight. I have sat next to people with iPads the last three flights and I was so jealous. They all played scrabble and it looked like so much fun with the larger color screen.

Do not pack you laptop so that you won't have to carry it. I have two friends who had them stolen out of their suitcases by airport employees. I had a camera stolen from my suitcase last year, so if you are travelling with one keep it with you in your carry-on bag or back pack.

If you get a hotel room with a kitchen or just a fridge,  a box of cereal and milk goes a long way. You can stock with water, cheese, cold cuts and a loaf of bread and this will certainly help with costs of going out for every meal.

For plane travel, nuts, apples, peanut butter sandwich, protein bars. Wait to buy water after you've gone through security. If you're staying someplace with a refrigerator then you're in luck, go to the grocery store and buy small amounts for just a few days. Yogurt, cereal, pretzels and cheese would be good things too.

Don't eat the airline food. Airlines will let you carry on sandwiches, fruit, salads, that kind of thing. You can bring them from home. Invest in an insulated bag if you travel often. Drinks, you must purchase after you get through security, you are not allowed to carry on more then 3oz. of any liquid. You can, of course, get water on the plane. Now, if you want to eat healthy and inexpensively once you get off the plane, there are many ways to go about it. Are you staying with friends? No problem, go grocery shopping. A hotel? Many have small kitchenettes and offer healthy treats in the lobby. Fruit, light breakfast, that sort of thing and complimentary! Check that out before you book a room.

Try to find the small diners where you are so you get some local flavor. Do not go to the fast food in the area unless you absolutely have to. You are missing out on an experience in local cuisine if you do. When I was young and driving through Nevada, before the time of so much convenient fast food outlets, I was in a diner in Elko, Nevada with two friends and I was a vegetarian at the time. All the salads I wanted had some kind of meat on them so I asked for a chefs salad without the ham. The woman didn't understand why I didn't want the ham even though I was paying for it and I told her that I was a vegetarian. She had no idea what that was. I explained to her that I didn't eat meat. She didn't seem to understand. So I just said that I didn't want the meat. I guess she still didn't understand as when the salad came there was still ham chopped up ion it. If I had asked for the dressing on the side I think she would have been very suspicious. I really got a sense of the social flavor of Elko, Nevada in the 1970's. On the other hand , I don't mind airplane food. They have reduced it to cheese and crackers and pretzels and nuts, Just watch out not to drink too much liquid if you don't have an aisle seat.

 If you are worried then timers to turn lights on and off are a great way to look like someone is there.  Make sure your lawn gets mowed so that your house doesn't stand out in the neighborhood.  Lock it up good and if you hide the key...find a better place than under the mat.

Buy a few timers for your lights, make sure the door and window locks work properly, clean out your refrigerator if you're going to be gone a long time, have someone picking up your mail or stop your mail at the post office and take care of your pets. Cats inside with a litter box, water and plenty of food will be okay for a few days but dogs need someone to care for them whether it be a kennel or someone staying in your home.

Be sure that you have a friend stop by your house daily if they can to pick up your mail and newspaper. I never remembered to cancel the paper back in the day when I had it delivered.... now I barely read it as I watch morning shows that have the news and sometimes an evening news show and so much is available online....It is a sad thing that local newspapers are in such a decline... Anyway.... Some one who will stop by to feed the cats and water the plants and pick up your mail. Sometimes a porch light or some indoor lights on a timer is a good idea also.

If you have a friend who would spend a few nights at your place that is useful on longer trips. Cat's can be OK left inside with a litter box and a self feeding food dispenser and water dispenser for a few days, but sometimes they have attitude about being ignored when you return home. Dogs will need to be left at a kennel or you will need a friend to stay with them at your house or at theirs.

Do not leave that key under the doormat or under a pot by the front or back door.... that is the obvious place for thieves to find it. Even the "fake rock" key hiders are obvious. Put your hidden key in a less obvious place for your friends to use. Not where the nieghbors can see them getting it when they come by to pick up the mail daily.

 They have thought of everything!  Try not to spend too much money on junk.

 Truck stops offer everything from food, car supplies, cleaning supplies, tools, laundry machines and even showers. You can get just about anything you might need for travel in a truck stop. They might not have gourmet food but it is usually very edible.

When we were kids there were so few "Truck Stops" along the highway. They were spread out and Trucker's had to really carefully plan their long trips around the availablity of these road side complexes. Think of how hard it is for a big truck to pull into a regular gas station. That would be crazy to see.

The Truck Stops on Thru Ways are so well stocked with Fast Food and Starbucks and usually a small convenience store like what 7-11's offer.

 I say bring the air mattress.  the key to happy camping depends if you are able to reach for things out of your car or if you need to hike up somewhere.  Go light if you you have to hike.  Otherwise if you are just reaching in your car bring whatever makes you happy.  For me I like to eat well so I would bring a well stocked cooler.

Tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, water, lighter, food in plastic bags, small camp stove, knife, ice chest, bug spray, toilet paper and a gps/cell phone.

• A back pack if you are hiking out.
• A tent (light weight if you are hiking with a pack), a tarp for extra rain protection of the campsite depending on weather, a poncho for personal rain protection.  
• A sleeping bag , air mattress, stuff sacks for food and extra clothing.  
• Clean socks help against blisters.  
• Sandals to wear when you are at camp and you can let your hiking shoes air out.
• A fishing pole for fun and food gathering.
• A small camp stove for the back packer, larger for the roadside camper.
• Seasonings like garlic powder, salt and pepper.
• Simple eating utensils. The spork is an interesting one, a spoon and fork all in one utensil!
• The enamel mug and plate are nice for camp dishware.
• The Swiss Army knife with the tweesers, toothpick, and saw blade would be awesome.
• Lighter and matches, in case the lighter just suddenly doesn't work.
• Toilet paper to be used sparingly in the wild and only for number 2... And for that(#2),  dig a hole or burying it under a rock.
• Flashlight with extra batteries. I lijke the small maglights for backpacking and the larger size would be fine if you are camping with the car. There are also some flashlights thatb have a winding static battery that do not use a battery and self charge when you wind them up. The ones I have of these do not provide great light, though. They are handy for krrping in the car just because you never know when the batteries will go out on the flashlight you are storing in your car.

Different sizes of band-aids and sterile gauze bandage, gauze tape, adhesive tape, cotton swabs, thermometer, tweezers, pain and fever medication (tylenol), antihistamine, antibacterial cream, hydrocortisone cream.

• Bandaids
• An antibacterial ointment such as neosporin, or bacitracin to prevent infection of cuts and scrapes.
• Sterile gauze pads and a roll of gauze.
• Adhesive first aid tape for taping to the skin and taping the gauze together. A type that is easy on the skin is a good choice. Paper tape possibly, yet it sometimes comes off too easily.
• Ace type bandages, for wrapping strained or sprained wrists, ankles, knees.
• Instant cold and instant hot packs. (I used to carry these in the car when my skateboarding son was young, along with an ace bandage and the gauze and neosporin).
• Tylenol or advil...even aspirin.
• Of course, if you travel in the desert a lot, I would say a snake bite kit would be important.
• A Swiss Army Knife, or a small pair of scissors and tweezers.

Plan ahead, check out the campground you're staying in to find out what facilities they have available. Such as toilets, showers, laundry or RV hookups. Plan you activities around the area and take advantage of national parks, lakes and the natural beauty. Have, bug spray, first aid kit, proper camping equipment, food, water and proper clothes for the climate that you're camping in. Have a battery operated lantern and matches to light a fire for nighttime.

 It's a good thing to get a passport now.  Any travel outside the US requires a passport.  A picture ID such as a driver license or a government issued card is also advisable.  Make a copy of your passport and keep it in a safe place in case you ever loose it.

You will need a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state identification card( which you should have if you do not have a driver's license), and/or a passport. I like to always have my passport with me. Now you must have a form of picture ID with you for all air travel and to get in and out of our neighboring countries, Canada and Mexico. I lost my wallet a few years ago in Breckenridge, Colorado and I would not have been able to fly home if I had not also had my passport with me. It is a good idea to have a passport so you won't be missing any spontaneous vacation invitations out of the country. You never know when you might need one...

 Go to the US consulate or US embassy in that country immediately. Take any official documentation you have with you like a copy of your passport, birth certificate and drivers license.  The link is below.  Before you leave on vacation it's a good idea to make a copy of your passport and take it with you, keeping it in a different spot then your passport.  

You must go to the U.S.Embassy or Consulate in the foreign country. Ask the hotel concierge or your host at the hostel where to find it. It may even be a distance away. In New Zealand a friend of my son's had his passport taken as a prank... Bad joke. He had to feel a jerk that he lost it ( when in acuality he hadn't), but he would never have suspected someone would pull such a rude trick. The coach he was travelling with had to take him on an airplane flight within the country, but at quite a distance and they had to spend a few nights in a hotel.

Be careful with your travel documents when you are out of the country. Check on them everyday... even twice a day to be sure you know where to find them. Write your passport number on a peice of paper and keep it in your wallet. Even better, put it in your phone as a phone number for  code name you would make up. You don't want anyone else to come upon your personal infomation, just as you want to protect all the passwords you use on your computer.

 This is so frustrating! Go immediately to the airlines customer counter.  While in line search for the next available flight on your smart phone.  Most likely by the time you reach the counter, the airline has already rebooked your flight.  If you don't like the flight they have you on, make them search for more flights including other airlines. If you have to spend the night, get a hotel and food voucher and an overnight kit.

Oh dear! It happens and it can be scary, but the airlines often have the knowledge that you were missing a connection, especially if you were on the same airline when you were delayed, and they may have already placed you on the next available flight.

Go to the Customer Service counter. Usually there is one in every terminal of an airport. It could be that there is still and agent at the Gate that your missed flight has just left from. If it is their fault that you missed it, such as a delayed flight of theirs, and they aren't able to get you out that day, they will usually give you a complimentary room in the cheapest motel in the immediate vacinity of the airport and a voucher for the airport trasportation to get you there and usually a cheap airport or motel meal voucher too. Sometimes they even have a toothbrush for you if they have to keep you bags checked in.

There were a few years when I had this happen and I was stuck ob=ver night ion Phoenix once and Chicago another time. After this happened, I started to carry an extra pair of clean underwear or panty hose with me in my carry-on bag. Toothbrush and toothpaste also, and I like a hairbrush with me also.

 Apple vacations and cheapcarribean are good websites for all inclusive beach vacations.  The airlines also offer specials.

The United States has two coasts and thousands of miles of beaches. Most tourist areas have a variety of lodging options. Google the state you'd like to go to and you'll get a list of areas.  Other countries with inexpensive vacations would be Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras and the Dominican Republic.

Everywhere you go to the beach there will be your less expensive dive motels. They may not always be very clean. You may want to check on campgrounds in the area ahead of time. Many of the coolest beach locations have a campground right at the beach and there are the beach restrooms and outside showers for your convenience. Some basic motels to check out may be Quality Inns, Best Westerns. Also look up Hostels and you may find some cool ones. I know of a hostel located on the coast of California between Santa Cruz and San Francisco that is in an old light house. A friend has stayed there with his partner and they enjoyed it. You meet some interresting people traveling when you stay in a hostel.

Sneak your little elbow in the back of the rest and push them off! 

 First off, this is just a minor annoyance, you got stuck with the middle seat. Air travel has gone the way of other forms of public transportation, buses, subways.  Trains aren't usually so bad, but they can't always get you where you want to go and if they can, they take a lot longer.  If a comfortable seat is important, you must book early and request an aisle or window seat. otherwise, it is what it is, deal with it.  If you do get stuck in the middle with two obnoxious seat hoggers, pretend to fall asleep on one of their shoulders, they'll shift.  

I struggle with the middle seats and will walk to the back of the plane to look for a window or aisle seat. I am a little plump and the seat back is tight. I really hate how the airlines are crowding us in there like cattle. I feel that anyone larger than me should have to buy two seats and I would be happy to sit next to them. You can look for the extra space seats at the emergency exit if you are prepared to read the instructions for a crash landing and an act heroism if necessary. But the arm rests are too small, not large enough to be shared, and so many people are so stressed travelling that I am afraid to say anything. Just try to slip an arm on the rest when and if it becomes free. Like when the airline attendant is handing the neighbor their soda and they raise their elbow. GRAB IT!

Not during mud season.  But the rain keeps Vermont green and the waterfalls flowing.