Caribbean summer savings

July and August are considered low season in the Caribbean, but hotels are making a strong case for summer trips. Rates at GoldenEye in Jamaica start at $635 a night during high season, but are $425 a night in the summer. Travelers who book the Barefoot Summer package (available through Oct. 31) will receive a seven-night trip for the price of five nights and a $150 resort credit. Elegant Hotels in Antigua, Barbados and St. Lucia is offering an online flash sale on June 21 at cybersummertravel.com. With the promo code CYBERSUM you can receive from 40 to 50 percent off at properties including the Colony Club in Barbados (starting at $291 a night) and the Landings in St. Lucia (rates starting at $356 a night, and includes a $100 food and beverage credit). The travel window for this flash sale is June 21 through Oct. 3.

New York Times

Border-crossing apps

Traveling internationally this summer? Several apps from U.S. Customs and Border Protection can help visitors monitor wait times at the border and even automate passport control.

• Automated Passport Control expedites entry for international travelers by pre-submitting answers to biographical questions.

• Mobile Passport Control allows U.S. and Canadian visitors expedited entry by streamlining the inspection process through an app that gives them a QR code.

• Border Wait Time monitors delays at borders around the country. Savvy travelers can aim for ports of entry where wait times are the shortest.

Flamingos in Dubai.

The apps can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

TravelPulse

A Dubai and Abu Dhabi duo

Save up to $1,000 per couple on smarTours' Deluxe Dubai & Abu Dhabi tour. The seven-night package now starts at $1,899 per person double for the Sept. 26 departure; other departures are available July through March at slightly higher prices. Also, pay by check and receive an additional $100 discount per person. The trip includes nonstop round-trip air from New York to Dubai on Emirates Airline, three nights' lodging at the Southern Sun Abu Dhabi Hotel, three nights at Hyatt Regency Dubai, nine meals, ground transportation, tour guide, sightseeing tours with entrance fees, airport transfers and taxes. Book by June 22 (1-800-337-7773; smartours.com/tour/deluxe-dubai-abu-dhabi).

Washington Post

Backpacker blog

On Lostwithpurpose.com, uncover the day-to-day life (and the actual cost) as a couple backpack on less-traveled roads through Afghanistan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Georgia and Iran. The 20-something couple encourage cross-cultural understanding and inspire travel through sharing experiences and tips on visas, budgeting, transportation and more. The first thing you'll notice is the large, almost cinematic quality of the photos. Dig into the "Guides" section and you'll find detailed info such as, "Here's exactly how much it costs to backpack in Kyrgyzstan," or "Over land from Armenia to Iran via the Agarak/Norduz border crossing." Adult language is sometimes used. Blogs by global backpackers are not new, but Alex and Sebastiaan have mastered online travel content.

Los Angeles Times