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T R AV E L ravel agentssometimes charge fees, but a good one can save time and find bargains. The Internet also makes it easy to make arrangements yourself. In any case, you'll have to do some homework. PLACE: Read about it online and in guidebooks. Is it the right time of year? The Caribbean, for example, is cheaper in the summer, but it's also hurricane season, so buy trip insurance. • Is it safe? The U.S. State Department issues travel warnings on its website (travel.state.gov/ travel). Many countries have areas that are safe and areas that should be avoided. • Will there be enough to do? Google "top 10 things to do" in the location you plan on visiting and see if the attractions are worth it. Researching ahead of time lets you know if a destination is friendly, affordable, educational and fun. If possible, talk to someone who's been where you are thinking of going. Ask if they'd recommend it and for how long. Read travel blogs and browse the Net. • Christine Remedios and her husband, Dennis McCarty, often swap homes with teachers abroad. AIRFARE: Track fares over time. If the cost drops significantly, book immediately. The time when you buy a ticket may affect its cost, so check at different times of day. Research shows that booking in the morning tends to be more expensive, and that people who book midweek get better deals. The best airline comparison websites are travelocity.com, hotwire.com and kayak.com, although discount airlines aren't included. Airfarewatchdog.com can direct you to websites that offer discount tickets, including discount airlines such as Southwest or JetBlue. • If there's a booking fee on the comparison website, go directly to the airline website. Speaking of comparison websites, check out the "last-minute specials." You may find a cheap flight to Ireland, or an all-inclusive vacation — including airfare — to Jamaica. • HOTEL: Guidebooks (Lonely Planet, Fodor's) list hotels by price range and offer descriptions of various places. Purchase the books cheap secondhand on amazon.com. Internet tourism websites are less objective but also have hotel information. If a place looks good, check it out on tripadvisor.com. • Remember, even the best places will have some negative tourist reviews, so consider what the majority say to get an accurate picture. Check out the location on Google Maps Street View to see if the area is near places you want to visit. And don't be afraid to bargain with hotels via e-mail; some overseas hotel operators are willing to drop the price upon request or will refer you to cheaper properties they also manage. • If you are renting more than one room, ask for a group rate. If there's a language problem, translate English into the native tongue via a free online service such as babelfish.com for e-mail communications. Also, if you are brave and in the mood for "hotel roulette," try setting your own price at priceline.com or hotels.com. • You can pick out the neighborhood, price and the overall rating of the hotel without knowing the actual name of the establishment until your bid has been accepted. Although a bit risky, waiting until the last minute can net tremendous discounts. • CONDO, APARTMENT OR HOUSE RENTAL: Check out vrbo.com or airbnb.com or flipkey.com to stay in a home or condo anywhere in the world. Alamere Falls, CA 12 California Educator May 2013 • Prices are usually reasonable because property owners are not paying a middleman. And if you want money to help subsi- dize your travels, rent your own home out to tourists on Airbnb while you're gone. PACKAGE DEALS: Most of the websites listed offer package deals including airfare, hotel and car all for one price, but your hotel selections are restricted and sometimes higher end, which can result in a higher overall cost. • Our favorite: skyauction.com auctions everything from hotel stays to Broadway shows to vacation packages. There is a minimum bid, and you can go from there. CRUISES: If you feel like being pampered, it's time to set sail. Cruise lines may be eager to fill empty cabins at the last minute at bargain rates. Check out cruisedeals.com or lastminutecruises.com. • About port excursions: Taxis will often take you to the same place at a much cheaper rate than booking an outing through the cruise ship, if you don't mind being adventurous. • ALL INCLUSIVE: Resorts around the world offer great bargains that include lodging and all you want to eat and drink. First, make sure there are no hidden fees! OTHER TRANSPORTATION: It's best to figure out in advance if you need to rent a car, or whether to rely on buses or taxis. • If car rental seems expensive and public transportation (trains and buses) is spotty, shuttle vans may provide a reasonable alternative for tourists traveling from one part of a country to another. Shuttles can be booked