Five Affordable World Travel Destinations

Five Affordable World Travel Destinations

by: C.J.Gustafson

Locations

That Offer More But Cost Less

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.

London

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.

Playa

del Carmen, Mexico

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 cost you many times more than what it

would in Saigon. The key here is to

go where your dollars buy you more and where the local cost of living is low.

Tioman

Island

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. Its 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.

Buenos

Aires

South

America 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.

Las

Vegas

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 cheap

international airfare and

lodging rates 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.

© 2004 1st-in-cheap-vacations.com

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