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Budget-friendly winter travel Whether you long for a winter wonderland or fun in the sun, here's how to find the best winter travel deals around the world! Destinations offering winter travel deals Costa Rica Costa Rica has only two seasons: The dry season from late November to mid April, and the rainy season –- with moderate temperatures year-round. Embody the Ticos' life motto, "Pura Vida," meaning relax and enjoy life by basking in the sun at a beach in Puntarenas, or visit Cartago to hike a volcano and soak in a natural hot spring. Monteverde offers hiking in the rainforest, zip lining and a birds-eye view of it all on the Sky Walk. Keep your eyes peeled in Limon, a port city boasting acres of banana plantations. With airfare as low as $300, Costa Rica is a perfect winter escape. New Zealand Visit Auckland, New Zealand, to enjoy average temperatures in the low 70s, see glowworms and stalactites in the Waitomo Caves and marvel at geys...

Whether your travels take you around the world or just on a cross-country road trip, as a woman traveling alone you need to be extra careful. Here are some tips to keep you safe and prepared for anything. Research, research, research Wherever you decide to go, make sure you do your research -- customs, languages, and religions differ around the world, and you definitely do not want to offend anyone or land yourself in any trouble. (Check the US Department of State website to get the latest information on health and safety alerts abroad, while the CDC offers updates on vaccinations you might need.) Carry enough cash Do not assume that everywhere accepts credit or debit cards. Cash is king and can often get you out of a tough bind. That said, carrying too much money can be problematic, too. Consider taking a couple hundred dollars in cash, and then using your ATM card to withdraw currency as needed. Leave the plastic at home Only bring one or two credit cards with ...

Amber Connor describes it as "Shark Tale" without the animation. Little cities of fish abound. Brilliantly colored marine creatures fearlessly swim next to human visitors. Amber Connor describes it as "Shark Tale" without the animation. Little cities of fish abound. Brilliantly colored marine creatures fearlessly swim next to human visitors. "My husband and I were fortunate enough to swim next to a sea turtle bigger than a beach ball for 20 minutes," Connor says. This wonderful destination is the Great Barrier Reef off the east coast of Australia, a maze of 3,000 reefs and 900 islands measuring more than 1,500 miles. Known as Australia's "Blue Outback," the reef was established as a marine park in 1975, according to Fodor's. The reef is the only living organic collective visible from Earth's orbit, is one of the wonders of the world, and was declared a World Heritage site in 1981. "It was every bit as phenom...

Travelers looking for a spirited vacation can hit The Bourbon Trail nestled in the rolling hills surrounding Louisville in the Bluegrass State of Kentucky. Bourbon is America's Official Native Spirit and Kentuckians have been distilling this whiskey for 200 years using secret cherished recipes and time-honored processes handed down from one generation to the next. Kentucky is the perfect place to produce bourbon boasting of limestone-filtered water and good land for growing corn. The Bourbon Trail consists of six well-established distilleries including Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. in the historic town of Bardstown. The distillery is America's largest independent family-owned producer of Bourbon. Heaven Hill is home to the Bourbon Heritage Centre. A behind the scenes tour concludes with a sampling of fine bourbon in believe it or not, a barrel-shaped tasting room. Take a tour Many a bourbon drinker are familiar with Maker's Mark and their familiar red pl...

Instead of visiting a museum or a famous restaurant on your next vacation, get in the Halloween spirit by exploring a haunted destination. From hotels to sanatoriums to entire cities, the world is full of creepy adventures. 'Anywhere you go, you can find haunted locations to visit,' says Jeff Belanger, editor of 'Encyclopedia of Haunted Places: Revised Edition.' Belanger used to work in software and would find haunted places during his travels by asking the locals. 'You can't put your trust completely in the tour guide or travel agent,' he says. But you can trust that this list of creepy hot spots will get you started: 10. Queen Mary, California 'The Gray Ghost,' as it was nabbed, was a transatlantic ocean liner put into military service during World War II and painted gray. About 14,000 to 15,000 troops were transported at one time during the war, Belanger says. The ship, which was designed for the cooler North A...