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By admin, December 20, 2009 7:43 pm

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.

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By admin, December 17, 2009 7:35 am

Many budget travelers assume that a multi-city European vacation is beyond their means, but that is often not the case. The large number of budget airlines that have sprung up in Europe in recent years have dropped the average cost of airfare between many major European cities.
In some cases, the cost of coach airfare between major European hubs like London and Amsterdam is lower than a comparable first or even second class train ticket.
And of course flying between cities is far less time consuming than taking the train or driving yourself, and that means more time to explore the places you’ve always wanted to see, as well as more money to spend once you get there.
The key to getting the best airfares, both from the United States to destinations in Europe, and between European destinations, is to shop around and compare carefully.
Most major American air carriers have partnerships with one or more European airlines, and therefore it is often possible to shop airfares between European cities from the web sites of these airlines.
In addition, the major European only airlines all have their own web sites, and most provide for online booking and confirmation as well. This makes it easy to line up all your airfare before you leave the United States.
This is an important consideration, since it is often more difficult, and more expensive, to book airline tickets or train tickets after you have arrived in Europe.
The choice of European cities you plan to visit can also have a major impact on airfare between destinations. Many of the low cost European air carriers are based in London, so it is often considerably less costly to fly from London than to fly from many other major European cities.
Therefore, many budget travelers choose to make London their primary destination, and to take two and three day trips from there to the places they have always wanted to see.
While it is possible to get great deals from other European gateways, it is often more difficult than flying to and from London.
Just as American airlines have their own major gateways, such as New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta, so too do budget European airlines.
Planning your visit around these hub cites is often the best way to get the lowest possible airfares between European cities.
Flying within Europe is surprisingly affordable for way for many budget travelers to get around.
Many first time travelers to Europe, and some seasoned travelers as well, are shocked to find just how affordable it is to fly around Europe.

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By admin, December 14, 2009 7:33 pm

If you’ve decided to travel abroad, why not make your first international trip one to a country with the widest possible range of attractions?  And if you do, you won’t find any country in the world which has more to offer a first-time visitor then India.  India, in fact, is so blessed with natural and cultural wonders that your first trip is sure to be only the first of many.  You simply will not be able to see everything you want to see in one vacation.

The sheer breadth of India will leave you both amazed and intimidated.  India is a country in which you will find some of the Earth’s most magnificent architectural accomplishment (like the Taj Mahal), as well as some of its largest and poorest urban slums.  India is a country in which sacred cows wander freely on the same streets were low-caste beggars plead for pennies.  India is a country immersed in spirituality, yet beginning to emerge as one of the world’s great economic powers.

How can you ensure that your first visit to India will let you take in its aspects which you find most appealing?  You should begin by consulting with a travel agent and requesting to have a tour package customized specifically for you.  Doing so is the best way to have a vacation which includes a properly-planned itinerary at the most affordable price.

The Internet is the best place for you to find a travel agent familiar enough with India’s attractions to create the best tour for you.  Deal only with a travel agency known for its high standards of honesty and customer service.  You can check on any travel agency are considering by looking for positive customer reviews at travel websites.

One of the ways to get the most out of your first visit to India is to hire the services of a professional Indian tourist guide.  Your tourist guide will make it his or her responsibility to see that your vacation time is spent in the way you imagined, regardless of whether your interests are in relaxing at the beach, participating in a pilgrimage, or hiking in the foothills of the Himalayas.  Your tourist guide will ensure that you have the opportunity to view some of India’s most spectacular scenery, enjoy her remarkably abundant wildlife, participate in a religious festival, or do whatever else will make your vacation complete.

Your Indian tourist guide will make sure that each moment of your vacation in India is different from what came before.  Perhaps he or she will arrange a trip to Indians “Golden Triangle,” by traveling between her three most vibrant cities: Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.  At Agra, you‘ll be humbled by simple yet staggeringly beautiful Taj Mahal, perhaps the world’s greatest monument to romance. 

If you want your India vacation to leave you rested and relaxed, spend a few days at the peaceful beaches of Goa.  One of the best aspects of vacation in India is that traveling within the country is reasonably simple, because of the excellent bus and train service.  Your travel agency will be able to make your travel arrangements well in advance, even if you need to move about the country by air.  So why not start thinking about India as your next vacation destination, and be sure to include the services of an India travel guide to make sure that you don’t miss a thing!

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By admin, December 9, 2009 8:01 am

The women of today are venturing out and traveling more globally then at any time in history. Female travelers, whether traveling alone or as a group, are encountering different cultures, religions, and societies.  With this freedom comes some risks that men may never encounter. It is therefore a good idea for women to learn how to handle themselves when vacationing, studying abroad, or traveling on business.

Here are some things you can do that may help you have a safer as well as a more enjoyable travel experience.

If you are traveling, or on vacation, your best protection is to understand the local culture and customs of the country you are visiting.  What you observe when you watch how the local women behave and dress will give you valuable clues on how to avoid sexual harassment.

When the local women cover their hair and their arms and legs then you should do that also.  Don’t  wear  bikinis, swimsuits, or short shorts in towns where the local women are all covered up.  It’s prudent to dress conservatively.

Be sure to avoid direct eye contact with men as they might think you’re flirtatious.  Do not speak, smile, or wave at strange men who may smile or say hello to you.  If a man begins to follow you, cross to the other side of street.  If this tactic doesn’t work, find a policeman, or go into a store and ask for help. 

When you need to ask directions, always ask a woman.  And, if you are traveling by bus or train, you should always sit with other women.

A great idea is to always carry a versatile head scarf in your handbag just in case you need to cover your head and arms.

You may want to wear a fake wedding ring to help ward off and discourage any unwanted male advances if you are not married.

Don’t forget to wear a referee’s whistle around your neck under your blouse.  It might come in handy.

Consult guide books on the countries and areas that you are traveling to or through to give you a heads up on what to expect.  Also, carry a foreign language phrase book with you to help you communicate with people when you get there.

It’s not a good idea to wear expensive looking jewelry, watches, carrying cases digital cameras, or even designer handbags.  You don’t want to attract any muggers or robbers.  Pack a conservative outfit to wear in case you need one for certain occasions.

If you are going to travel alone, it’s better to travel light.  For one thing you will be more mobile if you aren’t loaded down with luggage.   If it’s not too small for your belongings, a wheeled, carry-on bag, or a backpack may be you best bet.  It is important to try and have one hand free at all times.  Having two hands free is even better.  You should take a shoulder bag that has a strong, wide strap that can fit over your head.  Wearing the shoulder bag in this way can help prevent a thief from grabbing the bag and running away with it.   Also, the bag should have secure, zippered pockets.