Tag Archives: Budget Travel

Guide to Thailand: 5 Famous Cities to Visit in Thailand

01/13/2016 Archie Ward Leave a comment

Thailand has been an appealing place to visit for many years. Annually, around 30 million tourists visit this country. Many newcomers are astounded by its natural beauty and exotic culture.

When it comes to “Thailand where to visit” is among the top questions. Here we present the top 5 places you must visit in Thailand to really get to know this Southeast Asian nation.

The North: Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai has been gaining in popularity in recent years. It is an alternative to Thai beaches as it is surrounded by scenic mountains and beautiful forests. It is not as hot as in the south, but the climate is warm and pleasant.

Chiang Mai also has many cultural attraction, including temples. Traveling to Chiang Mai is easy and inexpensive from other locations in the region, especially when it comes to getting there by bus.

The Center: Bangkok and Pattaya

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand. Those seeking nightlife will not be disappointed. In addition to partying, there are many world-class cultural spots to visit such as Grand Palace, Wat Pho, or Lumphini Park.

Another great attraction is to take a boat ride through Bangkok’s canals and see how the locals live. A truly amazing experience.

Near to Bangkok, there’s a beautiful seaside town of Pattaya. It offers beautiful beaches and opportunities to party or relax. It’s proximity to the capital makes it a magnet for tourists and capital’s residents.

The South: Phuket and Krabi

Phuket is an island located in the south of Thailand. It is one of the most famous places for beach vacations in the region. There are many other things to do, such as going on island hopping, snorkeling, or scuba diving.

Many visitors to Phuket go to see Phi Phi Islands with amazingly-shaped islands sticking out of the sea. The James Bond Island is also nearby.

Right across from Phuket, on the mainland, is the town of Krabi. For some, it is good alternative to Phuket. One of the biggest attractions nearby is the Railay Beach, a short boat ride away. Rock climbing fans like to visit this spot for some amazing adventures.

Thailand is a truly amazing country. A great place to relax or party, or do both.

Many newcomers like to ask: How cheap is it to live in Thailand? you can check this post to find out. It all depends on where you go, but it is definitely cheaper than in most Western countries.

Australia

Going from Tourist to Expat in Australia

01/09/2016 Kate Flannery Leave a comment

To really feel what is the life like at some place, you need to stay a bit longer than those two weeks of vacation. When you stay somewhere over a month or two, you start paying the bills and even looking for some part time job, you are seriously getting closer to the title of expat. If you are about to stay in Australia for this amount of time, here are some great and useful tips that you will definitely benefit from.

Finding Suitable Accommodation

If your stay is about to be closer to two months than just two weeks, you need to make sure that you avoid hotels and even hostels. That would be too expensive for you. You need to choose cheaper options. One of the ways to do this is to register at AirBnB and benefit from longer stay discounts, or find some similar localized websites. The price is usually negotiable. Another option is house sitting, and this is the best deal you can make, if you make it – it is a bit hard to get on house-sitting waiting lists. People from Australia who also love to travel, sometimes hire people to stay at their homes. To avoid extra fees when paying, do your best to pay your rent on time and do it online if possible.

Planning Your Budget

It makes a really big difference if you are in one of the big cities or in a smaller one. Obviously, the bigger cities have higher living costs, but trying to live in a small town in Australia is quite specific. They are smaller than what you would expect from a small town in USA. Their population is measured in hundreds. Australia is very oriented toward cities and the life is more comfortable there. Therefore, if you want to be comfortable in Australia, you have to be prepared to spend from $50 to $100 on electricity, around $150 on groceries, $30 to $60 on Internet. These costs may vary significantly, but that is the rough budget.

Getting Around

You can always print out your own maps and visit famous sights on your own if you prepare well. However, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne are well covered on Travelfore. Wherever you plan to go, check the Grayhound buses, but always check the flights, as well. At times, the difference in price will not be that great. Saturday afternoons and Tuesdays are the cheapest days to fly. Always use CouchSurfing or similar websites to find people to share taxi fares or simply to show you around. It will give you the best insight into the city you are visiting.

Getting Involved

The best way to understand how people think and how things work at a new place is to try and participate in the community events. History walks and classes, dance lessons, meditation sessions and many more can be found for free. Visiting free courses can help a lot with getting involved in everyday life of your city without spending money.

The last but not the least – drinking in Australia will cost you a fortune. You should focus on getting to know this country’s people and sights without enjoying local wine and beer too much. There is no cheap way of doing this.

Australia, Destinations, Travel Planning, Travel Tips

Top 5 Aussie Road Trips

08/31/2015 Archie Ward

The vast territory that is Australia has much to offer. Each region is unique and has spectaculars landscape that must be explored and experienced. Indulge in a holiday of a lifetime and plan a road trip to see the country. Take a week or two, pack the bags, gather the family, load the vehicle and take snacks for the best Aussie road trips. Driving ensures that you do not miss anything between starting and finishing destinations. Take your time and visit some of the most amazing areas on the continent.

1) Great Ocean Road-Victoria

The journey along the southern coast requires a few days in order to make the most of the trip. The destination is renowned around the world for its natural beauty and sites. The famous iconic adventure spans more than 250 kilometres from Torquay to Warrnambool. In addition to the wondrous coastal scenery, the drive provides the chance to stop and encounter wildlife, go hiking, gaze at cascading waterfalls and grab a meal at one of the local beachside communities. Take photographs of the unique formations known as the 12 Apostles. Enjoy a refreshing swim in the calm waters of the Lock Ard Gorge. See the adorable koalas at Kennett River.

2) Red Centre Way-Northern Territory

While many prefer to take the Stuart Highway from Alice Springs to Uluru, the Red Centre Way is infinitely more scenic. Along the way, you will happen upon picturesque canyons and gorges that feature camping and hiking locations. Make a point of being there for an amazing sunrise or sunset. Watch Uluru change colour throughout the course of the day. Take the base walk. Guests of all ages enjoy the memorable camel rides. Stop at nearby Kata Tjuta. Trek through Kings Canyon and along the shores of Glen Helen Gorge. Take a dip in the cool waters of Ormiston Gorge.

3) The Savannah Way-Queensland

Start in the east at Cairns and venture the 3,700 kilometres to Broome in the west. While in Cairns, drive to Undara Volcanic National Park and explore the ancient lava tubes. Gem fossicking is also popular here and might gain a participant anything from aquamarine or quartz gemstones to gold. Make a point of going south of Millaa Millaa and see the most photographed falls in the country. Stay on the lookout for the Ulysses butterfly. Maybe catch a glimpse of a platypus later in the afternoon. The destination is a popular swimming spot and perfects for BBQs and picnics. There are also changing rooms and toilets.

4) Cairns to Cape Tribulation

An eastern coast adventure brings guests to the tropical environs of North Queensland. The iconic scenic region is considered one of the most enchanting destinations on the planet. The reduced humidity during the winter months is more desirable. There are also fewer stinging insects to spoil the trip. Highlights here not to miss include the chance to snorkel or scuba along the Great Barrier Reef. Scramble across the rocks at Mossman Gorge and learn more about the area at the Daintree Discovery Centre.

5) Sydney to Brisbane

The Legendary Pacific Coast remains one of Australia’s most popular road trips. The 900-kilometre drive offers something for visitors of all ages. Tour a winery and sample the vintages in Hunter Valley. Stroll along the coastal promenade at Port Macquarie. Take in the sunset at Coffs Coast or Byron Bay. Take the whole family swimming in the clear blue protected waters of Kingscliff.

Essential Travel Tips For Enjoying Croatia On A Budget

02/19/2015 Romeo Demes Leave a comment

Gone are the days when vacations were a reserve of the well off. Nowadays, most people including young teenagers can afford to save for a vacation at least once a year. This is probably due to the fact that most people around the world have embraced tourism prompting the hospitality and travel industry to lower their costs a little. Though, this doesn’t mean that anything you do during your vacation is cheap. In fact, without proper planning, you could spend a fortune that you will never recover and you’ll regret using forever. Below are useful hacks that will let you enjoy your Croatian vacation on a budget.

1. Arrange for private accommodation

Accommodation is usually the most challenging part of any vacation. Finding a perfect place to stay usually takes a very long time especially for first time visitors and those without social connections. As a matter of fact, if you are not careful enough, you could spend an unnecessarily huge amount on this. Apparently, Croatia has quite a number of very affordable accommodation plans with private accommodation topping the list. Renting a room or home from a family will be of great help to you in terms of saving on the money that you would have incurred in expensive hotels. Ironically, you will not be limited in terms of space and you can as well choose to make your own meals here.

2. Make your vacation a little longer

Rather than taking two different vacations to enjoy Croatia fully, turning them into one long vacation is a genius idea. Most owners of hotels and private accommodation in Croatia usually drop the price of accommodation the longer you stay. This is due to the fact that the cost of maintenance and repairs is usually reduced when you stay longer. Staying for at least 4 days is advisable for anyone who wants to enjoy each bit of this gifted land on a tight budget. This also applies to boat yacht agencies in that if you hire a boat or yacht for longer, your costs will be discounted.

3. Travel off season

Just like any other business venture, the tourism and travel industry tend to depend so much on demand. When a lot of tourists are visiting this region, everything from air tickets, accommodation to food and drinks tend to become more expensive. Traveling off-peak is one of the best ways of enjoying your vacation even during the recession. In Croatia, the peak season for tourism is between July and August. Most of Croatia’s tourism attractions are natural and though it is greatest in spring and autumn, you will definitely enjoy your visit even during the winter.

4. Find an all-inclusive hotel

Checking into a hotel where you pay only for your accommodation and nothing else could be too expensive for someone on a budget. It will also be hard to estimate your expected cost of stay. Finding a resort whose payment is inclusive of your meals, gym and other activities will help save so much money especially when visiting as a family. In case you plan to have your meals outside the hotel, you can make use of smaller restaurants and hotels that are cheaper yet their food is more original and delicious.

5. Consider a travel package organized by your hotel

Croatia is a vast land with tourist attractions from North to South and East to West. Some hotels offer travel packages especially for flights, cruises and traveling by road. These packages are usually cheaper than traveling all alone as fuel costs are greatly reduced. Though, for sailing through the Adriatic, you can choose to rent a boat, yacht or gulet from a sailing charter in Croatia for unlimited fun and privacy. Alternatively, you could use public transport as it is comfortable, cheaper, more flexible and faster.

For your vacation in Croatia to be perfect, you do not need to sleep in the presidential suite or eat a 12-star meal. You can still enjoy your tour on a budget by trying to be a little creative and different. Croatia is home to an infinite number of tourist attractions, some of which haven’t been unearthed yet. Wouldn’t you love to be the first to visit a wonder no one else has ever seen? Apparently, this will save you a considerable amount of money as you will not be required to pay for your entrance. Places such as Karlovac, Paklenica National Park, Cres Island, Pag Island, Kopacki Rit Nature Park, Dugi Otok, the Sibenik Archipelago and Vis Island will offer you most of what famous and most visited areas cannot, in fact, at a lower cost. In addition to this, these areas are more peaceful due to the lesser tourists visiting these areas. Renting a boat or yacht from a boat yacht rental agency so as to tour the Adriatic islands will definitely make the whole experience even sweeter. Try using the above travel tips to enjoy Croatia on a budget.

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