Just because prices at the gas pump are high, doesn't mean you have to cancel your family vacation or cut back on weekend excursions. You can still enjoy traveling to the fullest!

"There are many ways to see and experience a city, countryside or even a completely foreign country without using a lot of fuel," said Mariel Hemingway.

"Travel is a welcome escape, particularly in these difficult economic times," said Leslie Downey, director of Travelers Advantage and TravelersAdvantage.com. "By utilizing alternative forms of transportation and fuel-efficient practices, everyone can enjoy getting away."

Hemingway suggests the following ideas to get the most out of your next getaway for the least gas:

You may consider visiting a place closer to home. Your gas savings alone will greatly increase your entertainment budget. And if you do have to travel a long way, consider traveling by rail, both in the U.S. and abroad. Congress recently passed legislation that will pump $12 billion into improving our rail system, so consider checking the Amtrak schedule to see if you can save money and time by hopping a train.

If you have to drive, most rental companies now offer hybrids, and they remain a sound investment for your own personal vehicle. Either way, by spending a few extra dollars on the front end, you'll save a lot of money for everyday living or your travel destination.

Once you've reached your destination, get out of the car, put on some comfy shoes and walk. I always walk when I travel. It is the best way to see a city in particular and frankly, I always choose to walk most everywhere when I travel. You can see the environment and interact with people in a far easier way. Not to mention you can sense the heart of a city when you slow down enough to experience by foot, or if in a place like Delhi, a rickshaw. Rickshaws are a great way to go into a small area and laugh and enjoy a culture that is so rich and different from our own.

In Europe, and in Paris especially, you can rent bikes on street corners, ride to your destination, park it and be done with it - a genius system! If you drive from home when you travel, take a bike with you and then ride when you get there. Not only will you see far more of your surroundings, but also you'll be doing wonders for your health.

Some of the best places to travel that don't require a lot of fuel to see and are very pedestrian friendly are New York, Paris, London, Milan, Rome and Florence. I have walked all the streets in the center of Dublin and even the countryside in Ireland. In the U.S., the fishing villages on the East Coast, Cape Cod and the coastal towns in northern California are all great places to see by foot. And places like San Francisco are great for walking and alternative transportation.

And to make any trip a little more fuel-friendly, here are some additional tips from the experts at Travelers Advantage:

• Slow down, smell the roses - Slowing down on your drive not only allows you to take in more of the scenery, but according to government studies, can also save you up to $0.20 per gallon at the pump. For every five miles per hour you drive over 60, you use valuable gas mileage from your vehicle. So slow down and enjoy the journey.


• Travel with less - No need to take the kitchen sink when you travel. There's sure to be one at your destination. Using a roof rack for excess luggage can decrease fuel efficiency by up to 5 percent. And every additional 100 pounds of cargo in your trunk can affect your fuel economy by nearly 2 percent.


• Keep your car in good maintenance - The better condition you keep your car in, the better fuel efficiency you'll have on the road. Keep your car on a regular maintenance program and go in for a tune-up before long road trips. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, having a tune-up could improve your fuel efficiency by 4 percent. Keeping your tires inflated to recommended levels can improve fuel economy by 3 percent. Have a thorough check-up on your car next time you're due for maintenance - fixing some issues, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your fuel efficiency by up to 40 percent. Combine several percentage points here and there and it really adds up when you pay at the pump.

About Mariel Hemingway
Mariel Hemingway made her silver screen debut at 13 years old in "Lipstick," and was nominated for an Oscar four years later for Woody Allen's "Manhattan." She has starred in some 30 films.  Currently, she is producing a film based on her grandfather's epic best-seller "A Moveable Feast," a set of memoirs of his experiences in Paris in the 1920s. In addition to her film career, she found a passion for holistic and balanced living. She's written two books and conducts wellness retreats across the country sharing her insights about yoga, meditation, nutrition and home. She is currently working on a cookbook called Mariel’s Kitchen Cookbook that will be released by Harper San Francisco Publishers in the spring of 2009. Hemingway is the mother of two teenage daughters.

About Travelers Advantage
Members of Travelers Advantage (http://www.travelersadvantage.com or 1-877-841-1335) can save money on air travel, cruises, car rentals and accommodations, as well as earn five percent cash back on eligible travel booked with preferred providers through the service.  Travelers Advantage is offered by Affinion Group, a leader in the membership, insurance and loyalty marketing businesses, providing products and services that touch the lives of millions of Americans.

About Affinion Group
As a global leader with almost 40 years of experience, Affinion Group (www.affinion.com) enhances the value of its partners' customer relationships by developing and marketing loyalty solutions. Leveraging its expertise in customer engagement, product development and targeted marketing, Affinion provides programs in subscription-based lifestyle services, personal protection, insurance and other areas to help generate increased customer loyalty and significant incremental revenue for more than 5,550 marketing partners worldwide, including many of the largest and most respected companies in financial services, retail, travel, and Internet commerce. Based in Stamford, Conn., the company has approximately 4,250 employees and markets in 17 countries globally. Affinion holds the prestigious ISO 27001 certification for the highest information security practices, is PCI compliant and Cybertrust certified.

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