By Paul Hata
Europe can either be one of the most expensive destinations in the world, or one of the least costly, depending on what you do, where you eat, where you stay and how you get around.
Europe is a hit with budget travelers and the well heeled alike, but this article focuses on helping the former get the very most from their travel dollar.
The goal of budget travel is not merely to spend as little as possible. The true goal of the budget traveler is to get the most value out of his or her travel budget, and to focus those limited funds on the things that mean the most to them.
Often this means finding cheap lodging in order to enjoy a four star dinner at the finest restaurant in Paris. For others, it could mean buying food at the local grocery and cooking your own dinner, so that you can splurge on a night at the opera or the ballet.
Listed below are some of our all time favorite tips for saving money on a vacation in Europe (or anywhere else for that matter):
- Eat where the locals eat. Eating with the local people instead of the tourists is a great way to save money and enjoy some of the finest cuisine. The restaurants favored by local residents tend to be those that provide the best meals at the lowest prices.
- For a quick and economical breakfast, pick up a roll, some fresh cold cuts and a piece of fruit from the local market. Then enjoy a delicious sandwich and a cup of coffee in the local park.
- When eating out, choose the fixed price menu and the house wine for the best value. Most restaurants offer two or three choices on their fixed price menu, and these dishes are often a great way to sample the local cuisine.
- Sleep cheap on the train. Overnight trains are a great way to both get from place to place and sleep cheaply.
- Be sure to bring a meal, bottle of water and snack along with you. You will save money by not visiting the dining car, and you will enjoy some great food as well.
- Take lots of pictures and enjoy the people you meet on the road. Take pictures not only of local tourist attractions but of the friends you meet along the way. If using a film camera, it is best to bring the undeveloped rolls back with you and have them developed once you get back home, since film developing in tourist locations is usually quite costly.
- And of course a digital camera offers a great and cost effective alternative, and you can choose to print only the best shots.
- Try emailing your postcards. Find a website that offers some great photographs of local attractions, or upload your own from your digital camera. Use these shots to send some great personalized email postcards to family and friends back home.
- Try to learn at least a little bit of the local language. If you know the language, or at least the names of the currency, it will be easier, and often cheaper, to buy the things you need.
- When making large purchases, it is always best to use a credit card. Not only will your cash last longer, but credit cards provide the best exchange rates.
- Get cash through an ATM instead of at currency exchange kiosks and hotels. Like credit cards, ATM cash transactions provide the best exchange rates, and you will avoid the sometimes costly fees charged by hotels and currency services.
- Take advantage of all the discounts you are entitled to. Many locations provide student discounts, senior discounts, etc. If you are not sure about discounts, always be sure to ask.
- Plan your vacation budget wisely. There are some excellent, and very inexpensive mementos of your trip, such as stickers, patches or postcards. For more expensive purchases, remember that the further you venture from the tourist attraction, the less expensive the souvenirs will become.
- Tour the city with the locals. A bus pass or subway token is a great way to meet the local people and see the sights. The public transportation service of most European cites is remarkably efficient, clean, safe and easy to navigate. It is not necessary to speak the local language to navigate on the subway or the bus system of most cities.
1000s of Hotels,Travel,Tourism and Luggage Offers! Click Here - What You Should Consider When Consider Backpackers Travel Insurance You may think you are, but what happens if you fall sick while you are in any of your backpackers hostels or if you miss your onward flight? Would you be able to afford the required treatment or immediately get another ticket? In order to answer ‘yes’ to these questions, you need to take out some insurance before leaving your home. The expense of travel insurance is an important criteria, so you need to be careful how you choose the right backpackers insurance for yourself. Use the internet to get an idea of what the market offers and gather a general idea of what it costs to be insured according to your specific needs. Your second step would then be to ask for quotes from at least four to five insurance companies so you could compare one against the other. Only then will you be able to choose the most competitively priced policy. Don’t be afraid to bargain aggressively for the best possible price. Before you close the deal, make sure that the insurance company you have chosen has a sound reputation. Remember, you are taking out this insurance because you want to be assured of having immediate financial assistance when you are traveling in a foreign land, if needed. It would not do if the backpackers insurance suddenly brings out imaginary clauses and prevents you from using your benefits. For a safe backpackers travel experience, you need to know that the insurance company you have chosen is covering you for all of the possible mishaps that could happen during such travel, and will ‘be there’ for your when you need it. It is east to see why people enjoy backpackers travel, as this is the only mode of traveling that puts them in close contact with the local population. While such a holiday is fun and would provide some most unforgettable moments, you need to ensure that these memories would all be pleasant. Therefore, before you set out for your vacation, ensure that you take out a comprehensive backpackers insurance policy which would cover you in case you run into any type of trouble related to your mode of travel. This would not only give immense peace of mind, since you are prepared for any eventuality, but also provide you with invaluable financial assistance when you need it most. Mike Selvon’s portal will expand your knowledge on backpackers travel insurance. Visit us and leave a comment at our backpacking tours blog where a free gift awaits you. Phuket Is A Perfect Getaway Destination Phuket is credited to be the only island in the country with provincial status, and is made up of three administrative regions: Mueang Phuket, located in the southern region of the island; Kathu District, which is the center of tourist activities in the destination; and Thalang, consisting of the northern area of Phuket. Phuket provides a feast of attractions for people of age groups and tastes. For people interested to have a peep into the historical past of the place, a great option would be to take a tour to the museums in the region such as Thalang National Museum with artifacts related to the Battle of Thalang. A visit to shrines such as Chalong Temple would also be a great option for those interested in exploring the historical past of the area. Located about eight kilometers from Phuket town, Chalong Temple is a highly revered temple enshrining the statue of Luang Por Cham, a pious monk who helped the people of the region to stop the rebellion of Chinese Coolie in 1876. If your choice is different, then head to such places as Phuket Sea Shell Museum, which has on display an astounding collection of shells and museums. For vacationers who want to gain knowledge on marine life of the region, one of the best choices would be to take a tour to the Phuket Aquarium located within the Phuket Marine Biological Center, where interesting info marine life as well as natural preservation are available. Nothing would be better than climbing atop the Khao Rang Hill to savor the panoramic views of the island. Some excellent options are also available for wildlife lovers including Phuket Snake and Monkey Farm where snake shows as well as monkeys performing various stunts can be seen; and Phuket Butterfly Farm with an incredible variety of butterflies. In short, Phuket has something for everyone. For instance, Phuket has some superb choices for golf freaks in the form of Banyan Tree Golf Club, Blue Canyon Country Club, Loch Palm Golf Club, and Phuket Country Club. Likewise, there are endless choices for leisurely travelers such as Phuket water-ski cableways, Phuket Fantasea providing incredible shows, and Simon Cabaret Shows. Other activities that can be enjoyed in Phuket are bungee Jumping, Shooting Range, ATV offroading, go-karting, Horse Riding, Muay Thai boxing, bowling, Thai Dancing, and Thai cooking. A sightseer’s tour to Phuket would be incomplete without taking a tour to Old Phuket Town, which stands as a testimony of the glorious past of the island. Its attractions cover Heroine’s Monument and a range of Sino-Portuguese mansions, among many others. Despite these attractions, perhaps the focal point of the island is its incredible coastline with beaches ranging from tranquil white sandy beaches to rocky beaches. Perhaps the most popular among the beaches in the area is the Patong Beach, which is a hot spot for nightlife and dining. Equally fabulous are beaches in the area such as Bang Tao beach, Kata Noi Beach, Bang Tao Beach, Kamala Beach, Surin Beach, Pansea Beach, Kata beach, Nai Yang beach, and Rawai Beach. Each of the beaches in Phuket has its own uniqueness and provides opportunities to enjoy a range of water sport activities from scuba diving and sailing to sea canoeing and kayaking. With these umpteen attractions and aplenty of options to enjoy a range of activities, Phuket draws holidaymakers from every nook and corner of the world. Phuket has accommodation options to suit every budget and taste. For those who can spend extravagantly for their Phuket vacation, some excellent options are available in the form of hotels attached with high-end facilities and amenities. For those seeking solace and privacy, one of the best options would be to go for accommodation choices such as rental villas inclusive of superb accommodation, transportation facilities, dining options, and maid servants. MyAsianVilla.com provides accommodation options in various locations around Thailand and features some of the most beautiful villas available. Book your vacation today at www.myasianvilla.com Find Top Vacation Destinations For Young Travelers
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By MIKE SELVON
Traveling is a wonderful way of relaxation for many people, and for those who really want to get to know their destination, there can be nothing better then backpackers travel. However, this method of travel requires that you are physically fit and able to take into your stride quite a few regular inconveniences. Are you ready for it?
By Dan Wallace
Phuket is one of the Island’s most perfect destinations for honeymooners and people vacationing with family. Located about 860 km south of Bangkok and surrounded by the Indian Ocean and the Andaman Sea, Phuket is the largest island is Thailand. Sometimes acknowledged as ‘the Pearl of the South’ or ‘the Pearl of the Andaman,’ Phuket is an awe-inspiring destination, bestowed with stunning landscape comprising rocky as well as palm-fringed white sandy beaches, dazzling island-dotted seas, glorious coves and bays, lush forested area, amazing tall cliffs, wonderful waterfalls, and ancient shrines. The destination is also much favored for its splendid turn of the century buildings, reflecting Indo-Portuguese and Chinese architecture.
















