Budget Travel Ideas for Young Travelers

Travel Tips - Ross French - October 4, 2012

Vacation time has finally rolled around again and the anticipation of some enjoyable time away from home and work is beginning to build. Planning a foreign trip is exciting and great fun can be had in making the decision regarding destination, in booking accommodations and finalizing travel plans. Young travelers often have a tight budget to work with, so paying extra attention to the fine detail can avoid unnecessary costs.

Fortunately, budget travel is a thriving market sector in the tourism industry and there is plenty of choice available. Cheap hotels are available and cut-price airfares can be sourced if thorough research is carried out.

Other kinds of travel

It is wise to be flexible about modes of transport. There are other (often cheaper) ways to travel from A to B than just hopping on a plane. Young travelers often benefit from special deals such as travel cards that offer reduced fares on train and bus travel. If your vacation destination is very close to home why not consider the totally independent (and cheap) travel method of hiking or bicycling? All the fascinating places and experiences en route become an integral part of the vacation and will live long in the memory.

A trick often used by some intrepid budget travelers is to source a super-cheap airline ticket online and then plan a vacation itinerary around the selected destination. It is entirely possible to research all foreign destinations these days via the internet, and some of the more obscure countries can prove to be a unique and very enjoyable vacation spot.

Budget destinations with a difference

Make the vacation budget stretch further by stepping out of the travel comfort zone and avoid those obvious destinations. Be prepared to search harder, maybe travel further and be open-minded.

Albania in Eastern Europe is possibly a main tourist destination of the future that travel aficionados are watching carefully. With a stunning coastline and a rich Ottoman culture, this fascinating post-communist jewel offers great value for money. Go visit before the prices escalate.

Squeeze more fun and sun from the dollar in South America, where Honduras, Costa Rica and Margarita Island in Venezuela attract many vacationers on a budget. For cheap beer, low cost accommodation, great beaches and warm hospitality, these places have it covered.

In Europe, countries such as Greece, Spain and Portugal have a vibrant tourism infrastructure, and during the current economic climate they are offering exceptional deals. Look hard and the vacation of a lifetime could be snapped up for the price of a weekend break.

Tips for budget travelers

Travel smart and take steps to avoid hidden or unexpected costs. Depending on the destination, check consulate websites for visa requirements as these can make unwelcome dents in the travel budget. Always make visa applications in good time to avoid extra charges for the fast track service.

Beware of countries charging departure taxes. South American and Caribbean destinations are particularly known for this practice. Avoid nasty surprises by checking with the airline or airport authorities in advance.
Watch out for resorts charging unbelievably low rates as they often charge hefty daily fees on top for extras which apply even if unused. If in doubt, clarify.

Many hotels charge extra for a Wi-Fi service but it is usually possible to find nearby cafes offering it for free. Buy the most lightweight and compact luggage available and avoid the costly checking of baggage.

Ironically, the restrictions that a low budget places on vacation options often results in adventures to amazing places we wouldn’t ordinarily go, to enjoy experiences we wouldn’t normally have. And that’s got to be a good thing, hasn’t it?

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Cyprus is the Place to Be This Year

Destinations - Ross French - October 4, 2012

Cyprus is one of those places often overlooked by travellers or ‘must see’ list makers because it can be difficult to classify where it sits geographically. While it lies closest to the Middle East and has been controlled by the Ottomans and the British, it shares much of its history and culture with that of Greece – yet has a distinct flavour entirely unto its own. Simply put, if you think you know what Cyprus in 2012 has to offer, you are likely mistaken and should check it out for yourself!

As an island in the Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus has a colourful history that has been influenced by its neighbours as they have struggled together. Even to this day the island country is not entirely unified as tensions that erupted between Cyprus and Turkey resulted in a Turkish occupation of the northern portion of the island. Resulting from this, as can be expected, is a living situation that is often confrontational between the two sides.

One might be surprised to learn that although Cyprus occupies a place in the normally warm Mediterranean Sea, it is possible to have snow fall on many parts of the island. The Troodos mountains in the central part of the island are of a high enough elevation that the normally wet climate can drop far enough to give way to quite a spectacular winter scene while the rest of the island enjoys fairly mild winters.

Water wells found on Cyprus are among the oldest in the world for the pure and simple reason that the country’s ground water source is extremely limited, presenting an ongoing problem to human settlements. On top of being interesting historical sites, the wells and the water situation as a whole is important to note for travellers to the island as water shortages are quite common. Depending on the rainfall for the year, water could be difficult to come by and decently expensive.

Places of interest that should be checked out by all who visit include the archaeological site at Khirokitia, a World Herritage Site, and the old city of Paphos. Discovered in 1934, the village at Khirokitia dates back to nearly 7000 BCE during the Neolithic Age, when it was occupied off and on – in one case abandoned for almost 1500 years – until 4000 BCE. It is considered by many to be the first known culture in Cyprus.

The old portion of Paphos is home to a 1200 seat stone amphitheatre and castle of an age long gone by. With so close of ties to ancient Greece, it is not surprising that much of the island involves some reference to the gods of that time, ranging from pre-Hellenic fertility deities to the more recognizable ones, like Aphrodite, who is believed to have been born of the sea around Cyprus.

Despite their challenges, Cyprus is a vibrant and exciting place with interesting historical sites and a culture that can’t be beat – a definite must-see for any traveller to check out in 2012 and beyond.

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Top 3 Walking Trails in South America

South America, Travel Tips - Ross French - October 4, 2012

Being home to dramatic landscapes and fascinating ancient sites, South America is a fantastic destination for walking. If you are interested in going hiking here, read our guide to the top routes to follow.

The Inca Trail
A trek that really needs no introduction, the Inca Trail is arguably the most famous of all South America’s walks. Following an ancient route to the lost city of Machu Picchu, this incredible path will see you walk through stunning mountain landscapes dotted with a number of other amazing ancient sites, such as the Phuyupatamarka ruins.

This world-famous track can be covered in just four days and is not too strenuous – with the exception of certain particularly high sections, such as Dead Woman’s Pass – for seasoned walkers. Beginning at an altitude of approximately 2,800 m at the Urubamba river near the Inca site of Ollantaytambo, the trail will see you ascend to 4,200 m at the Warmiwanusca Pass (the official name for the aforementioned Dead Woman’s Pass), before descending once more to reach Machu Picchu.

This awe-inspiring Inca city is the real highlight of an Inca Trail trek. Comprising temples, palaces, dwellings and stairways, it is even more impressive due to its harmonious design with the local landscape. In fact, it looks almost as if it has sprung naturally from the mountainside. Your first glimpse of the city will be from Inti Punku, which is also known as the Gate of the Sun, so make sure you have your camera at the ready here.

Torres Del Paine Circuit
If you are more interested in discovering staggering natural landscapes than ancient ruins, the Torres Del Paine Circuit in Patagonia is the perfect choice. This hike will take you to some of the most exciting sights in Torres Del Paine National Park over the course of eight days, including the famous three gigantic monoliths of the Torres Del Paine themselves.

This route is packed full of incredible experiences, but among the best are:
• Reaching Lago Paine, as this will give you a stunning view of the Paine Massif’s north side
• Walking along the Los Perros river, when you will also have the chance to wander through age-old virgin beech forests
• Reaching John Gardner Pass, as at 1,241 m this is the highest point of the circuit
• Seeing the south Patagonia ice cap and Glacier Greg. The latter is an absolutely huge blanket of ice covering a vast chunk of the valley – and it really does have to be seen to be believed

Roraima Hike
The final top walking trail in South America is the Roraima Hike in Venezuela. This six-day trek will see you walk to Mount Roraima, one of the planet’s oldest geological structures, before ascending to its summit. Interestingly, this is believed to be the site that inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Lost World.

A rather strenuous route, it is best for experienced walkers who are prepared to carry luggage – including clothing and sleeping bags – while making their ascent. You will trek for two days to a base camp at the bottom of the mountain, before hiking to the top to explore the eerie summit, which is punctuated with large rocks balanced in precarious-looking positions, black moss-covered pillars and quartz crystals. In fact, the landscape here is so strange that local folklore has it that this is the home of the gods.

These are just some of the wonderful walks to tackle in South America. Many companies offer a wealth of itineraries in the region, alongside the above.

Matt Cook enjoys travelling and cycling which helps in his role of eCommerce Manager for Adventure Travel company Explore.

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Daily Archives for October 4, 2012