The first part of this equation that will make a huge difference is to set up a separate, preferably high interest, savings account. There are great online banks like ING Direct that offer an unlimited number of free bank accounts with much higher interest rates than the brick and mortar banks can offer. It might seem like a pretty minor detail to have this account separate, but it keeps the money separate and just far enough out of reach.

The second part of the equation that will make a big difference is to go ahead and automate the savings process by having a set amount of money transferred each month into your account. The amount is up to you, but obviously the higher it is, the sooner you will be getting on a plane. A normal response would be that you don’t have a single dollar to spare for this; it’s understandable to feel this way, but pretty much anyone can spare something, even if it’s a very small amount.

The beautiful thing about automating the transfer of money is that it will accumulate without you even realizing it. The amount you’re putting away might not seem like much, but you’d be surprised how quickly it accumulates. Also, there is always the option of frugality and the surprisingly uncommon method of earning more money. Any other method of increasing your income will only bring you closer to your goal more quickly.

Whichever method you choose, do yourself a favor and make it as painless as possible and you will be on your way to a place like Japan sooner than you might think possible.

Geocaching (pronounced geo-cashing) has become a popular activity for young and old alike. The basic idea is that it is a grownup game of hide and seek. Someone places a treasure, or cache, in a secret place and provides its latitude and longitude coordinates for other to locate it again. If you are exploring the outdoors anyway this is a way to have a bit of an adventure, like Indiana Jones looking for lost treasure.

The cache is usually stored in some sort of water-proof container. It often has a pencil (not a pen in case it freezes) and paper inside for those who find it to leave a bit about themselves to share with the owner and other geocachers. Also, there may be a note explaining that the cache is left there intentionally in case a casual visitor comes upon it.

Caches can be placed in far away and exotic, hard to get to locations (way off the beaten path, or in the middle of a lake, for example), or they can be near a popular street corner and you only have to adventure as hard as walking to get a cup of coffee.

There are some rules of etiquette for geocaching. If you find a cache, there are often little trinkets left behind. You are allowed to take something but only if you leave something in return. Obviously, don’t leave anything that can spoil like food, and don’t leave anything dangerous or illegal.

Also, respect the land. The owner of the cache should have cleared the cache location with the land owner or manager, so they have agreed to let people on the land for the fun.  Make sure that you respect their good will in letting you be there.

There are a number of groups that distribute the coordinates of geocaches, the largest likely being geocaching.com. A basic membership is free and you can get locations of geocaches near you, or near where you want to explore. Don’t forget that a quality handheld GPS unit is essential for this game. You can find reviews of some of the best models, and other stories about science, nature, and being in the outdoors at Boneblogger.

But in almost every destination, there’s a time of year when the weather’s not that great.  Even in paradise, it’s usually hurricane season between August and November.   Since no one wants to take a cruise where it’s rainy, windy, and cold, the cruise ships that sail in these waters when it’s nice usually relocate when the rainy season starts.

Those relocation trips – where a ship sails one way from one destination to another – are called repositioning cruises, and they can be a really good deal.  As a rule, they don’t visit as many ports as regular cruises, which usually visit a different port almost every day.  And there are often several days at sea.  For instance, a ship that repositions from the Caribbean to Europe will spend five or six days crossing the Atlantic ocean.

Today’s cruise ships have so many amenities onboard – everything from ice skating rinks to bowling alleys – that there’s plenty to do even when the ship is at sea.  And then, there are all those meals.  During sea days, the cruise lines often have special buffets in addition to all the regular meals.

Because repositioning cruises stop in fewer ports, they don’t sell as well as conventional cruises that call in five or six places.  For this reason, they’re often much less expensive on a cost-per-day basis.

Before you calculate your savings, find out what the airfare will be.  Since you may end up buying two one-way tickets, your airfare may be more expensive than a roundtrip ticket would be.

A short repositioning cruise, say one from California to Vancouver, is a great way to see if you like cruising.  And if you live within driving distance of the port, your airfare should be very reasonable.  Fares for these cruises are often as low as $50 per person, per night.  Considering that that covers your lodging, meals, transportation, and entertainment, that’s pretty hard to beat.

If you’d like to know more about repositioning cruises, visit http://repositioningcruisesguide.com.  Find out more about California cruises at http://repositioningcruisesguide.com/2010/03/west-coast-repositioning-cruises-on-norwegian-cruise-line-and-princess-cruises-in-april-and-may-2010.

Most cruises include some basic amenities in the price. There should be a list of these services provided when booking online on the cruise line’s website or through a travel agent. Usually, all meals, snacks, basic beverages at meals, onboard entertainment, activities, all of the ship’s facilities, and port-of-call transportation are included. It is very rare to find an all inclusive cruise that includes soft drinks, tips, and alcoholic beverages. Those services may be included in the base price on a luxury cruise line. For most travelers, those extras are paid for as used on the ship. Additional services like spa treatments and shore excursions are extra.

Cruises are always offering deals, as they want their cruise ships to fill up before the sailing date. Sometimes there are specials as low as $300 and $400 per person for a short five day cruise. Many websites out there will even send an email when a cruise goes on sale, so having flexible dates is a plus. VacationsToGo, Expedia, Travelocity, and Kayak are just a few websites to start watching for prices.  Some of the best deals on my all inclusive cruises that I have gone on were obtained from VacationsToGo, for example.

So when planning the next couple or family vacation, take into consideration the benefits of an all inclusive cruise, especially the flight cost to reach far flung departure ports, like European cruises departing from the south of France, or yachts that traverse Australia and New Zealand. Most services are included, so there is not a guessing game as to the cost. Most cruise lines will show their prices for shore excursions as well, so families can plan ahead. There is also a variety as to how long travelers want to cruise as well, from three day cruises to fourteen day cruises being the norm.

Today, apart from just one restored sugar mill at Betty’s Hope, all the mills are in ruins or have fallen apart completely. Betty’s Hope was a sugar plantation in the centre of the island with two mills and produced more sugar than any other mill on the island. One of the mills was fully restored in the late twentieth century and has working sails and original sugar processing machinery, although not originally from Betty’s Hope. It was run by the Codrington family from the early seventeenth century who introduced some innovative techniques for processing the sugar cane. Helped by the constantly blowing trade winds the mill could produce over five thousand gallons of syrup a year. The sugar syrup was processed into sugar crystals to be sent to Europe and the molasses was used to make the famous Antiguan rum.

There is also a Visitor’s Centre, housed in the old cotton store , with maps, pictures and information on the history of the Codringtons and Betty’s Hope. Here you’ll be able to find out more about the history of sugar in Antigua and how the sugar cane was processed into sugar crystals and rum.

If it’s culture that you’re interested in, you’ll surely want to begin your Austrian journey in Vienna, home of fantastic architecture and the seat of the Baroque musical movement. Composers like Bach and Mozart spent their days in Vienna, writing symphonies and drinking in cafes along the city’s busy pedestrian thoroughfares. Viennese architecture is one of the high points of a visit here, where buildings range from the grandiose Hofburg Imperial Palace to the looming Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

On the other side of the country, Salzburg is a quaint town known for its boutique shopping and mountainous scenery. The birthplace of Mozart, you will find no shortage of references to this classical composer in Salzburg, where you can even visit Mozart’s birthplace and explore a museum with his violins and pieces of music. No trip to Salzburg would be complete without a climb up to the impressive Hohensalzburg Fortress. This giant fort is located on a hilltop overlooking Salzburg and is Europe’s largest medieval fortress.

Austria is also an amazing country in which to escape the bustle of city life. With the Alps mountain range running through the country’s western corridor, there is no shortage of outdoor sports and alpine enjoyment to be had here. Pristine lakes are joined by snow-capped peaks that make for amazing hikes during the summer, while winter provides some of the best skiing and snow sports in Europe.

Wine-lovers will also enjoy sampling the finest of Austria’s vintner traditions. Along the Danube River Valley in Upper Austria you can explore tiny, undiscovered wine towns where grapes grow in in rows along the lush riverbanks. After a day’s drive, you’ll certainly want to stop into a heuriger, or wine tavern, to sample some of the local vintages.

Austria is a truly beautiful country and one that many tourists disregard, making it a wonderful vacation destination where you’ll find few crowds, fantastic weather and a plethora of activities to keep just about everyone happy.

Visiting San Antonio is fun- it’s one of the undiscovered travel destinations. That’s not to say that people don’t visit San Antonio, but if people knew how fantastic it was there would be even more visitors. In future years, more and more international visitors will likely discover the joys of San Antonio.

Once a sleepy town, San Antonio has come a long way. It is the home to several military U.S. Army posts and United States Air Force bases.Many of the soldiers and airmen stationed here have chosen gracious San Antonio as their place of retirement. The lifestyle is so easy and friendly.

Traveling to San Antonio is not difficult. Drive in via the highway, or arrive at the San Antonio airport. Cars are easily rented at the airport.

Once you have your bearings, it’s time to start exploring the town.

What can you do in San Antonio?

Well, first and foremost, you must eat! Mexican food in San Antonio totally rocks. Drive up to any cafe, and you will probably be delighted. I would recommend Chicken Fajitas or Beef Fajitas. These dishes cost a bit more because of all the meat, but wow, are they good.

Visiting The Alamo is an important stop. This is a part of Texas history, and of American history, so take a tour. In addition, don’t forget to have a photograph taken in front. (I should stress that you should pack your home electronics carefully before leaving home, so that things like MP3s, DVD players, and digital cameras are not forgotten.)

The Riverwalk is a fine place to book your hotel, or to simply explore during the day. Hotel rates with a river view can be quite pricey, but if you want that memorable experience, then why not save up and spend your money on a r0verview room. Don’t miss the retail shops, large and small.  You’ll find shopping  to be fantastic and you can find some incredible things at delightful prices.

Military museums at places like Fort Sam Houston are quite interesting, and something that most tourists miss. Entering military bases can require some registration as an anti-terrorism measure, so be patient as you go through that process, and be thankful that such measures are in place to protect you.

San Antonio has tourist-friendly weather all of the year. Summers can be humid and hot, so if you prefer milder temperatures, consider visiting in the winter. Whenever you go to visit San Antonio, I am sure you will enjoy your trip.

Lovina is a great starting point for day trips to a national park that sits in the northwest corner of Bali.  The coastal road is surprisingly good and it’s a pleasant drive over to the park. Arrive early in the morning for the heat really picks up; you’ll enjoy a short hike through the lush tropical greenery.

Another day trip you can take from Lovina is a visit to the caldera at Kintamani, maybe via the small town of Bedugul. Take a break from the heat of the coastline and get a glimpse of what the island was like decades ago as you drive through small Balinese villages up in these hills.

Restaurants and hotels in Lovina beach have remarkably low prices compared to the south end of the island. The fact is that in some ways this coast resembles rural parts of Java or other Indonesian islands more than it does Bali tourist areas. If you have come for more than just a party and nonstop shopping, you might find it interesting to take a breath and slow down in Lovina. At the very least you’ll enjoy having a hotel room right near the placid Bali Sea, as opposed to having to fight the  heavy traffic and street hawkers in other parts of the island, just to get to your little patch of sand at the beach.

Each cruise line offers different onboard activities.  Many incorporate rock climbing, gyms, swimming pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, movie rooms, and a host of other entertainment.  Don’t forget to sign up for dancing lessons with the ship’s dance instructor.   Then there is the abundance of feasting that occurs every day.  You have your breakfast, brunch, lunch, teatime, dinner, and the midnight buffet.  There is no end to the delectable cuisine that is provided to tantalize the taste buds.  Just make sure to pack your stretchy pants.

Embarking on a cruise is not just about staying on the cruise ship.  These shining vessels will take you to some of the most remarkable places on Earth.   One of these exotic destinations is Tahiti and French Polynesia.    The waters surrounding the islands are a clear sapphire blue, the valleys and mountains are lush green, and the locals are warm and hospitable. In these paradise-like conditions spend time scuba diving or snorkeling in the amazing coral reefs, or explore a lagoon aboard a glass-bottom boat.  Also try windsurfing, parasailing, or jet skiing off the shores of one of the many islands.  Or just relax on one of the white sugary beaches in the shade of a palm tree, listening to the sounds of the sea.

Caribbean cruises are some of the most popular and include wonderful deals and discounts for cruise travelers.  Eastern Caribbean cruises usually sail from Florida to ports such as St. Maarten/St. Martin, the Bahamas, St. John, St. Thomas, and Puerto Rico.  This route usually includes less sailing time, as the islands are closer together, and more chances to explore the islands, shopping, and plan excursions for the day.

Western Caribbean cruises begin in Texas, New Orleans, or Florida.   From here you will dock in enchanting locations such as Grand Cayman, Key West, Jamaica, Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Cozumel or Playa del Carmen.   Depending on your itinerary, the time at sea will usually be greater due to the distance between the islands.  So the land excursions will be varied, but you can enjoy a host of water activities, opportunities to soak up the local culture, learn about Mayan ruins, and plenty of shopping.  Discount cruises are definitely the way to go for an unforgettable honeymoon.