Families Flip-Flop To The Beach For Less

(NAPSI)-A terrific backdrop for rich memories does not have to put a hole in your wallet.

Florida's Emerald Coast provides a number of ways by which families can save on warm-weather getaways. Try these tips:

Hit The Web

Search travel and airline web sites for last-minute deals. You can also sign up to be alerted of bargain beach vacations in specific parts of the country.

Frugal Fun

Look to visit affordable attractions while you're away. It can be a fun way to save and see some unforgettable sites. For instance, at Florida's Emerald Coast, you can watch dolphins "dance" at Florida's Gulfarium or splash around at Big Kahuna's Water and Adventure Park for less than you might expect. The area offers a host of affordable and entertaining events, often at little to no cost. (www.destin-fwb.com)

Here's a look at some of the wallet-friendly and fun activities found in the southern sea towns of Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island:

• For less than $10, families can visit the U.S. Air Force Armament Museum, the Indian Temple Mound and Museum, the Destin History & Fishing Museum, or the Emerald Coast Science Center.

• The area's fun, family-friendly festivals and events include the 4th of July Celebration at Fort Walton Beach Landing, the 17th Annual Emerald Coast Poker Run, Emerald Coast Boat Week and the Black History Arts Festival.

Moneyless Memories

From building sandcastles and bodysurfing waves to watching sunsets and snorkeling for seashells, families make memories at Florida's Emerald Coast for no cost at all.

With 24 miles of sugar-white sands and emerald-green waters, the destination has been voted the "Best Beach Town in the South" for 14 consecutive years by the readers of Southern Living.

It also offers affordable accommodations, from beachfront hotels and a bed-and-breakfast to condominiums and vacation homes. You can learn more at www.destin-fwb.com or by contacting the Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. at (800) 322-3319.

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Romance on a Budget: Plan a Quickie

T2F Note: Asheville makes a great weekend excursion from north Georgia. Offering great tips for a budget trip makes this destination worthy of highly coveted Fayette Front Page Day Tripper award.

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As holiday gifts loom on the credit card and the country's economic woes persist, consumers are seeking inexpensive options for romance on Valentine's Day. Good news: The calendar and recent trends of discount travel have aligned to make Valentine's Day 2009 especially auspicious for a romantic weekend getaway.

This year, Valentine's Day falls on the same three-day weekend as President's Day. By choosing a nearby destination, travelers can plan a long-weekend escape without using additional vacation days. Low gas prices and travel bargains sweeten the deal to help couples stretch their vacation dollars and keep romance in the budget.

Valentine's Day Getaway Packages

Winter Romance in Asheville (http://www.exploreasheville.com/what-to-do/seasonal-fun/asheville-in-winter/w inter-romance/index.aspx): Centrally located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is ranked as one the world's top must-see cities. That means U.S. residents in the east have a romantic, world-class destination that's affordable and only a few hours away. See romance packages (http://www.exploreasheville.com/deals/romance-packages/index.aspx) from classic romance to culinary to spa indulgence.

Other Destinations: Unique Valentine's Day Packages
-- Candles & Rose Petals in D.C.
(http://www.luxehotels.com/hotels/Monticello/specials)
-- Hugs & Kisses at Niagara Falls
(http://www.niagarafallsmarriott.com/index.php/screen/romance_packages
)
-- Live Passionately at a Virginia B&B
(http://www.virginia.org/site/content.asp?MGrp=2&MCat=59&MItm=255)

Asheville's Top 10 Romantic Things to Do On a Budget

1) Try a Hot Chocolate Tasting Tour - From organic sippable truffles to a winter warm-up on a bright red double-decker bus, cozy up at Asheville's many cocoa and coffee houses for primo people-watching and affordable amore.

2) Find a Scenic Makeout Spot - Gaze into starry eyes and starry skies while soaking in the famous and free vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Take a drive up Town Mountain or watch the sunset from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

3) Request a Mountain Serenade - Most of Asheville's restaurants and pubs transition to live music venues at night. Score free romance points by having a local musician dedicate a song to your sweetheart.

4) Be Free Spirited - Tour with your taste buds as you explore Asheville's many micro breweries (http://exploreasheville.com/foodtopia/food-adventures/local-breweries/index.a spx) and wine shops. Watch for free tastings and events at FoodtopianSociety.com (http://exploreasheville.com/foodtopia/index.aspx?source=foodtopiansociety.org ).

5) Go Gallery Gazing - Looking is free. Stroll hand-in-hand through Asheville's eclectic art galleries and boutiques (http://www.exploreasheville.com/what-to-do/the-arts/index.aspx), from sophisticated showrooms to funky artist studios.

6) Share a Decadent Dessert - Split the cost by sharing an unforgettable dessert lovingly prepared by one of Asheville's independent chefs (Goat-cheese chocolate brownie with cream-cheese ice cream anyone?) .

7) Have a National Park Adventure - This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, a nearby national and natural wonder that's always free to explore.

8) Find a Second-hand Rose - Known for vintage clothing boutiques and antique shops, Asheville is full of low-cost treasures with history.

9) Couples Geocaching - Use that GPS Santa got you and take your sweetheart on a high-tech treasure hunt (http://www.exploreasheville.com/geocaching/index.aspx). Within 100 miles of downtown Asheville are more than 7,600 hidden geocaches waiting to be found, free of charge.

10) Make Your Own Souvenir - The local arts and crafts culture often rubs off on visitors. Save money by making your own unique memorabilia, like piece of pottery or a souvenir charm bracelet at one of the many bead and gem shops.

Multi-media Resources
-- ExploreAsheville.com (http://www.exploreasheville.com/index.aspx)
-- High-res images for download
(http://www.exploreasheville.com/press-room/photo-gallery/index.aspx)

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