How to Find the Best Deal on Spring Break Vacation Meals

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., March 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Restaurant.com, the nation's largest dining deals site, has partnered with travel expert Anne Taylor Hartzell of HipTravelMama.com to help spring break travelers enjoy vacation dining without breaking the bank.

A recent survey by Restaurant.com found that more than half (55 percent) of travelers dine out at least two meals per day when on vacation. To help families maximize dining budgets during spring break travel, Hip Travel Mama offers the following "Hip Tips" to cut dining costs and maximize the elusive food budget on vacation:

Hip Tip 1. Create a pre-trip "Favorite Restaurants" List - Research restaurants located in the travel destination. Then, create a 'favorites" list of local restaurants to make the most of dining out experiences and prevent impulsive dining-out decisions that can quickly break vacation budgets.

Hip Tip 2. Book Hotels/Rentals with Resort Credits and/or Kitchens - Hotels that offer daily resort credits, free breakfast and other "extras" allow families to enjoy great food on the property, while saving money. Another way to make dining less expensive for families is to rent a hotel suite, condo or rental property with a kitchen to offset the cost of restaurant dining on vacation.

Hip Tip 3. Ask Where The Locals Eat - Get the scoop on where the locals eat. Eating local offers the opportunity to experience local food flavors while traveling and also helps to support small businesses and save money at the same time. Eating at a local hangout is often much less expensive than restaurants that cater to tourists.

Hip Tip 4. Set a Budget + Splurge On A Few Meals - It's called vacation for a reason! Take some stress out of planning and spoil family with a few special meals out. Set a budget for these meals and make reservations if it's a popular restaurant. One great way to get the most out of a more expensive meal is to select dining experiences that are only available at your destination. Headed somewhere tropical? There's nothing better than a sunset meal right on the beach. Immersed in a completely different culture? Choose a menu item that can't be found at home.

Hip Tip 5. Shop For Discounts and Coupons in your Destination - There are many resources currently available to find dining discounts and coupons while on vacation. One of the most helpful while traveling is Restaurant.com. The website not only helps travelers find deals at restaurants in travel destinations, it also works great as a dining guide to help discover great restaurants for families.

About Restaurant.com
Restaurant.com is the trusted and valued source connecting restaurants and diners nationwide. The company offers savings at more than 18,000 restaurants nationwide with more than 50,000 gift certificate options. Restaurant.com brings people together to relax, converse and enjoy well-prepared and served meals at affordable prices. To date, Restaurant.com customers have saved more than $500 million through the gift certificate program. Restaurant.com has operated since 1999 and is based in Arlington Heights, Ill.

About Hip Travel Mama
Anne Taylor Hartzell, a.k.a. Hip Travel Mama, is a nationally recognized family travel expert, inspiring the #welltraveledfamily.  Hip Travel Mama is a frequent broadcast media expert, has appeared on the TODAY Show, USA Today, CNN.com, Conde' Nast Traveler, and more than 30 broadcast TV outlets across the country. Her blog, HipTravelMama.com provides inspiration, travel tips, hotel and destination reviews for families.

SOURCE Restaurant.com