Five Affordable World Travel Destinations
So you want to travel the world but you have a tight budget? Are you tired of reading about everyone else's exotic adventures and ready to have some of your own? Have you always wanted to take an international vacation but thought you couldn't afford it? There are numerous travel destinations across the world that are both exciting and affordable. Five of them are described here to give you ideas and get you started planning your own getaway.
There are two ways to approach affordable vacations to distant destinations. Either you will save money getting there or the savings will occur once you arrive at your selected spot. If you want the trip there to be affordable, many travel consolidators recommend choosing well-known destinations that are served by numerous airlines and receive millions of travelers each year. The competition for customers usually drives costs down for everything from lodging to tour packages. Airfares between major hubs tend to be more affordable and there are often plenty of discounts and last minute travel deals.
In Europe, London is a top pick for affordable vacation destinations, for these exact reasons. Not only do you have more flights to choose from, they are cheaper than if you flew to a more remote location. On average, staying in London may be a bit more expensive than other European destinations, but the seemingly endless choices in hotels, restaurants, transportation, tours, and other travel essentials gives travels opportunities to mold their vacation to fit their budgets. And you can use London as your home base to set out on day trips to other more exotic locations or buy a Eurorail pass and see those more remote countries without the expense of flying there.
This theory also works well for traveling in the Caribbean. Belize is an appealing destination, with wonderful Caribbean beaches and a lush tropic setting, but since it has only recently emerged as a popular travel destination, it is more expensive than Cancun, Jamaica or other well-traveled locations along the Mayan Riviera. With fewer flights, getting there is more expensive, and there are few moderate lodging options. Development of larger luxury resorts have begun to boom, but the only real alternative for those on a budget is staying in local facilities that may be hard to locate from home and may be more rustic than most travelers are willing to try.
Although there are many options for affordable vacations in the Caribbean, an excellent pick is Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Accessible via flights to Cancun, which are often some of the cheapest in the region, Playa is just a half hour away. It is filled with a multitude of lodging choices, from expansive luxury resorts on the ocean to quaint but clean hotels downtown. From Playa, travelers can branch out and visit Tulum and other locations on the Mayan Riviera or take the ferry across to the island of Cozumel where snorkeling is prime and the attractions are many.
For Asian destinations, travelers often do better to focus on saving money once they get to their destination. Depending on your country of origin, getting to just about any spot in Asia is going to be a sizable chunk of your travel budget. The difference will come from the cost of lodging, food, entertainment and other travel expenditures once you arrive. By choosing destinations where you get the most for your money, you can save a great deal on your international vacation. A drink or dinner in Tokyo will costs you many times more than what it would in Saigon. The key here is to go where you dollars buy you more and where the local cost of living is low.
An affordable yet exotic choice for Asia is Malaysia and specifically Tioman Island, knows as the mythical 'Bali Hai' from the film 'South Pacific.' Tioman Island is located at the southern end of the east coast of Malaysia on the South China Sea. It's sandy beaches, bordered by lush jungles and stunning mountains make it a relaxing yet intriguing destination, ideal for sun lovers, snorkelers and divers. The island also has many villages for exploring and shopping. English is widely spoken and the rates are amazingly affordable, with a two night lodging package for a suite at a lovely oceanside resort averaging around 100 U.S. dollars. Typically visitors reach the island via the speed ferry from the mainland. Although the trip can take over two hours, it is enjoyable and provides opportunities for dolphin watching along the way.
South American also has many destinations that are affordable because of the savings once you arrive. Locales like Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, the areas top destination, are coming down in price but are still more expensive than cities such as Buenos Aires in Argentina, where the rates are lower and the U.S. dollar goes further.
A huge metropolis that is more European than South American, the city has much to offer including cultural events, thriving nightlife, shopping, local sports, and a host of tours and excursions. La Boca, with its street performers, shops, and unique architecture is a big tourist draw. The large number of choices for lodging, restaurants, and activities provides opportunities for budget travel and savings. Airfare to the city is relatively reasonable for an international destination, with discount fares from the U.S. averaging around $500 round trip. Buenos Aires might not be one of the most exotic or inspiring destinations in South America, but it is a city that everyone should see at least once, and with some of the most affordable rates and fares around, it makes the list as a top South American destination.
The list would not be complete without a North American destination, and the champ of all affordable locales is Las Vegas. It too is a city that should be seen at least once, and many world travelers return again and again for the gaming, art, shows and people watching that just can't be found anywhere else. Close enough to other top U.S. attractions like the Grand Canyon, Vegas provides other options for those who have had their fill of casinos.
The city has long been known for its cheap vacation packages with hotels and resorts that offer discount rates for rooms, meals and entertainment in hopes of attracting people to their gaming tables. Airfare rates into Vegas are some of the most reasonable in the United States, no matter the origination destination. And with more than 100,000 hotel rooms to choose from, there is sure to be a lodging choice that fits your budget.
The world provides hundreds of affordable travel destinations. With all the options available, there is no excuse to put off that life-long desire to travel to exotic places at the far ends of the earth. Destinations can be researched on the Internet or your travel consolidator can make recommendations and help with locating discount flights and hotel deals that fit your budget. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and explore the world.
About the Author
C.J. Gustafson is a freelance writer and photographer who travels extensively for work and family vacations. A cheapskate by nature and necessity, she is always on the lookout for bargain travel deals and affordable vacation destinations.
Copyright 2005 1st-Family-Vacations.com
top rated cleaning service Lincolnshire ...Vancouver will receive a lot of attention as the 2010... Read More
The largest barrier island on the Atlantic coast between New... Read More
Italy is a popular vacation destination for families because it... Read More
Planning a Tropical vacation full of lush jungles, secluded beaches,... Read More
Aquitaine with its 5 departments; Dordogne, Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne, Pyr?n?es-Atlantiques.Weather:... Read More
India has always been an irresistible tourist destination for people... Read More
The Costa del Sol has long been one of the... Read More
Vacation rentals are an option when you plan to go... Read More
Condo hotels, also known as condotels, are a relatively new... Read More
Going away on a vacation brings numerous benefits. It refreshes... Read More
Cozumel has something to suit the tastes and budgets of... Read More
A chalet is a traditional Swiss style house with a... Read More
Florida beachfront rentals are a great way to enjoy a... Read More
The county of Dorset on England's south coast is a... Read More
Visiting the best Orlando timeshare resorts: a report on my... Read More
Each year, over two million people find their way to... Read More
How many of you have seen the classic Chevy Chase... Read More
Family Vacation in Costa RicaYou will not have any problem... Read More
Five Affordable World Travel Destinations Locations That Offer... Read More
Stay a week or stay a lifetime, the Emerald Coast... Read More
Bahamas vacation resorts are great places to look into if... Read More
Gatlinburg has a small but thriving community of property owners.... Read More
South Lake Tahoe vacation rentals are particularly in demand with... Read More
==> Try to buy your vacation travel package from a... Read More
The home away from home but a little bit more... Read More
no-contract cleaning service Winnetka ...For many people, the Bahamas is a dream vacation site,... Read More
The real secret to cheap family vacations is to be... Read More
When I was young, family vacations with my parents consisted... Read More
Making the decision to dive into the world of timeshares... Read More
Punta Cana is an affordable destination in a magnificent tropical... Read More
Condo hotels, also known as condotels, are a relatively new... Read More
What kind of traveler are you? Do you want everything... Read More
Are you thinking about a great place to go for... Read More
==> Try to buy your vacation travel package from a... Read More
Real Estate in an area like Punta Cana is hot... Read More
Choosing a condo in Maui is definitely a great investment.... Read More
What are your chances of getting the vacation of a... Read More
I love Sussex County Delaware. I am native born, multigenerational... Read More
Once you make up your mind to on a vacation,... Read More
Lake Tahoe cabin complexes rangein size from small, six-unit, luxury... Read More
More than one million tourists visit Costa Rica each year.... Read More
Bahamas house rental or a hotel? Vacation rentals are becoming... Read More
Most of us take vacations for the express purpose of... Read More
Surrounded by the romantic and beautiful Smoky Mountains, a Gatlinburg... Read More
If you're dreaming of a unique vacation experience, but don't... Read More
I had always been told that if you wanted to... Read More
Gatlinburg cabin rental options range from old-fashioned rustic "log cabins"... Read More
Vacation Home Exchange V Renting Trade and save, or do... Read More
If your vacation time is coming up and you are... Read More
More often than not, a person will base his or... Read More
Vacation Rental |