Every year, it seems like there are new hot vacation spots that everyone wants to go to, as well as new ways to book trips and other fads to make travel easier. 2012 is no exception. Here are some of the top travel trends for 2012 that everyone is talking about.

·         Using social media to get travel information

In the past, many people relied on reviews from strangers to find out which hotels and destinations were the best. These days, everyone is using social media sites like Twitter and Facebook to find out what people they trust think of certain hotels and vacation hot spots. Travel experts predict this to continue in 2012 and beyond.

·         Apps for Travelers

Look for new apps that can make your traveling experience much easier in 2012, such as those that help you to book your flight in seconds, find a restaurant in your area, and even those that can tell you where the popular sights are in the town you are visiting. Download new apps to make your travels easier and the planning process faster.

·         Mystery Trips

Some travel agencies put on mystery trips, where you pay and then they surprise you with where you are going and what you are doing. This is great for those who are very adventurous and want to leave the planning to someone else. These have been around for awhile, but have gained popularity in the last few years as people are looking for new travel experiences. This year, many of these tours also loan travelers a smart phone that features their itinerary each day and other apps to help them navigate.

·         More Travelers to Panama and Ecuador

The European debt crisis has left countries in the Eurozone a lot less desirable as travel spots for Americans. Many are looking for a trip where they do not have to worry about exchange rates and where their budget is not affected by the state of the currency in the country they are visiting. This is why Panama and Ecuador are so appealing. They have both just adopted the U.S. dollar, so Americans do not have to worry about exchange rates and can use their dollars everywhere they go. This makes travel easier and much more seamless.

·         Hotels Increasing their Amenities

Many travelers have been complaining for years about the growing cost to stay in hotels all over the world and the hotels finally seem to be taking notice. A large number of hotels are starting to offer much more to their customers including free movies, cheaper drinks in the mini bar and free bottled water. Other hotels are giving customers coupons to various area attractions and offering them deals if they book a stay for a vacation in the future before they leave. Hotels want to keep your business, as there is a lot of competition among hotels all over the world, and they will be going above and beyond in 2012 to keep you loyal; to their chain.

Airport Parking Deals at JFK

If you are looking to fly out of New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, rest assured you can save money by doing a little research and pre-planning.  Airport Parking Connection offers discount airport parking reservations at the best JFK airport parking locations such as, AirPark JFK, JFK Long Term Parking, SmartPark JFK, and USave JFK.  Select, reserve, and save! 

One of the hardest things for many women, and even some men, is to pack for a vacation. With high fees being charged for checked bags, many people are trying to do their best to cram everything they want to take into one bag. This can be quite a challenge if you are the queen (or king) of changing clothes. Unfortunately, if you are flying on a budget, you need to find a way to pare down your luggage and fit as much as you can into one bag. Here are some top tips for packing lightly that you can use on your next vacation.

    Only bring one pair of shoes

This piece of advice may shock and horrify some women, but only bringing one pair of shoes can significantly reduce the amount of luggage that you need to bring. Shoes take up a ton of room in your suitcase, and most of the time you do not even wear more than one or two pairs. Wear one comfortable pair to the airport, such as a pair of sneakers or flats that can be worn with all of your casual clothing items. Then, pack one pair of dressy shoes in your suitcase that can be worn for dinners out or fancier events. Paring down the amount of shoes that you take on vacation can give you a lot of extra room for clothes.

    Leave the accessories at home

Do you really need to bring every piece of jewelry, every belt and every scarf that you own? Of course not and if you leave most of your accessories at home, you will have plenty of room for the things that you really need. Accessories generally just get in the way. Many pieces of jewelry are also very valuable and easily broken, so if you bring them you are just putting added stress on yourself.

    Opt for neutral clothing that blends well

Instead of bringing your entire wardrobe in varying colors and fabrics, just bring a few neutral colored pieces that all blend well together. For example, bring a couple of t-shirts, a sweater and a tank top that all look good together in order to avoid having to bring extra pieces. Stick to one pair of jeans, one pair of slacks and a skirt that all match the tops and can be mixed and matched together. If taking a beach vacation, one bathing suit and one cover-up will suffice.

    Call ahead to find out about hair dryers and toiletries

Instead of lugging all of your hair tools and products on your next vacation, call ahead to the hotel to find out what products and hair tools they have on hand. Most rooms today come equipped with hair dryers, so you do not need to bring yours. They also usually have the basics, like shampoo, conditioner and shower gel, so you can leave yours at home.

Packing light can help you to be a frugal traveler, as you won’t have to pay excess fees at the airport for your luggage.  Save extra money by reserving your airport parking online at Airport Parking Connection for example if you are flying out of Jacksonville International Airport.  Find JAX parking options such as Travel Time, VIP Park & Ride, Park EZ Fly, and The Parking Club.  Happy Travels!

Airport Parking Connection has something new to offer fans searching for discounted off-airport parking alternatives at Dallas Fort Worth Airport.  The Westin Dallas Fort Worth Airport Hotel will be accepting reservations online starting at $8/day on Monday.  Don't waste your time running in circles in the airport parking lot trying to find parking, then paying an expensive rate.  Reserve DFW parking on Airport Parking Connection with the Westin, and find a 24 hour shuttle, courteous staff, and exceptional valet service.  To find out more details on the Westin DFW Hotel airport parking deals, stop by Airport Parking Connection.  Remember to reserve and save!

If you have been standing by in anticipation over the widely relished San Diego Comic-Con, you may be able to start adding to your list of checked off items by reserving your parking downtown ahead of time.  Anyone who has ever been to this event knows, parking can be hard to come by.  While the official San Diego Comic-Con parking is set to go on sale soon, you can also find alternatives if you aren't able to get your hands on the coveted parking passes.  

Many hotels in San Diego allow you to reserve parking online typically for the airport, however, you can reserve parking on Airport Parking Connection for the weekend of July 12 -15, 2012; and grab a quick cab to the Convention Center.  If you are staying in the hotels, they do not allow in and out privileges and you may already be paying for parking as part of your hotel rates.  

We look forward to more updates as the event nears!

Happy Parking!

More options are back with Airport Parking Connection if you are looking to fly out of Philadelphia's PHL or Baltimore's BWI alternative, Harrisburg International Airport.  Cramer Airport Parking can offer you the best MHT parking deal at only $8 a day.  Stop by and check out the details for Cramer Airport Parking with Airport Parking Connection.  Book early and save!