This list of the cheapest places in the world will be an inspiration. These countries are worth visiting; they are deep in culture, history and much to see and experience. What makes them great tourist destinations is that you can survive an entire day in these countries for less than 20 USD! This list is based upon the countries where a private and double occupancy hotel room costs in each city, and the cheapest meal in each city. Other costs such as transport, entry fees at pubs and so on have not been computed in this list.
1. VANGVIENG, LAOS
Vangvieng in Laos has to be the cheapest place to head to, if you’re a budget traveler. Here you can manage your day’s expenses within $4.25, find double occupancy accommodation for two within$3.25 for a night, and enjoy a meal for two at $0.50! This works out to less than $10 for the entire day for two people, which is as cheap as it gets anywhere in the world.
2. GOA, INDIA
The beautiful, sunny and cosmopolitan destination of Goa is actually dirt cheap to visit if you are a budget traveler. With varied accommodations such as hotels, guesthouses, homestays, and even beach tents, Goa can afford to offer a stay for two per day at $3.50. A meal for two, reasonably good and tasty Portuguese and Brazilian food will cost only $0.50. Best of all, you can manage your entire day’s expenses in Goa under $3.50
3. BANGKOK, THAILAND
With regular flights to Bankok, Thailand is the land of culture, dances, ethnicity and great food, has good news for the budget traveler. Though you might be tempted to go all out and shop for silver accessories and food here, if you stick to your budget, you won’t be spending a lot of money in Bangkok. For $6.23, you can manage your daily expenses, and under $3.73, you can find a reasonable stay for two and food for two can be availed at $1.25.
4. HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM
The once almost destroyed Vietnam managed to pull up its socks to become a tourist destination for the budget traveler. Here in Ho Chi Minh City, you can enjoy a unique culture, enjoy arts and crafts, visit temples and tourist spots and still not hit the poor house. Cover your daily expenses under $6.86, find accommodation within $5.00 and eat a hearty Vietnamese meal for less than $0.93.
5. QUITO, ECUADOR
Quito is a fantastic destination to explore. Tourists like to cruise around the Galapagos, and enjoy the varied shoreline and the magnificent landscape of Ecuador. For the budget traveler, the good news is that daily expenses for two can be covered within $7.00, which a reasonable stay for two can be had at $5.00 and a warm meal for two at $1.00.
6. PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA
Cambodia, an ancient land of culture, beautiful old stone temples and magnificent forests pulls the average tourists to visit each year. Cambodia is rife with snakes, mosquitoes and other critters but if you’re prepared, you can have a good time. The costs are low, though; two people can manage themselves admirably within $7.00 find accommodation for two under $3.00 and enjoy a meal for two under $2.00.
7. BALI, INDONESIA
Bali, Indonesia, is another popular tourist haunt. Bali is famous for its beautiful oceans, scenery and clean outdoors. The exotic dances, costumes and the great, natural food here are awe-inspiring. Bali, with all this, is still fairly cheap to travel, with daily expenses for two covered under $7.16, accommodations at $6.50 and a meal for two under $0.33!
8. ASUNCION, PARAGUAY
Paraguay now welcomes visitors with open arms but the turbulent history of this country has definitely left its mark. Visit Asuncion and enjoy its historical section, charming colonial plazas and riverside buildings. There’s much to see and do in this Spanish colonial city. Save a mean buck or two as well, with these numbers. Daily expenses for two at $8.00, accommodation for two at $4.00 and a reasonable meal for two within $2.00!
9. KATHMANDU, NEPAL
Kathmandu holds both the charm of a spiritual destination and a unique, high altitude point for adventure lovers. Nepal, though developing fast, has a wonderfully laid back and culturally ethnic feel that’s hard to find in other places. That apart, a trip to Kathmandu won’t clean you out either. You and your friend or partner can manage a day’s expenses in under $8.29, find reasonably good accommodation for two under $3.67 and enjoy a small meal for two under $2.31!
10. BEIJING, CHINA
China is fast growing into the next IT destination of the world. Chinese goods have infiltrated every market worldwide. This enterprising country has much to offer in terms of culture, history, sights, scenery and food for the traveler. China is also a fairly good deal for the budget traveler. A day’s expenses in Beijing will set you back by $8.50, while reasonable double occupancy room can be had for $6.50 a night, and a small but filling meal for two will cost you less than $1.00.
Teena Celis is an avid traveler and works as content writer for Adrenaline that provides a large range of flying experiences like helicopter rides, hot air ballooning, parasailing all across Australia.
Travel Photos of the Week: Hampton Court Palace Flower Show
The Hampton Court Palace Flower Show for 2011 has just wound up and a close English friend of mine was fortunate enought to attend with her husband.
The features include show gardens, floral marquees, pavilions, talks and demonstrations. It is the second major national show after the Chelsea Flower Show but has a different character, focusing more on environmental issues, growing your own and cookery, while also opportunities to buy a whole range of gardening accessories, plants and flowers.
Being a keen gardener, I had the photos shared with me and decided to brighten up my blog by adding these splendidly, colourful photos.
If you’re searching for more from your holiday than the sea, sun, sand and sunbathing then it’s worth considering a cruise as an alternative. Whilst you may associate cruises with cheesy cabaret, crystal chandeliers and casinos, these trips are becoming far more adventurous and the number of UK passengers cruising this year is expected to rise by another eight per cent to a record, 1.77 million. This is partly due to the popularity of adventure cruises such as the Arctic cruise. Here winter temperatures can be as low as −40 °C, so forget swimsuits and dressing for dinner and pack thermals and waterproofs to prepare for sailing the world’s most remote coastlines and viewing an incredible array of wildlife and amazing scenery. What can you see on an Arctic cruise?
Arctic Foxes
Arctic foxes have stunning coats which tend either to be white or a beautiful blue-grey. As well as being attractive, these coats act as very effective winter camouflage and are the warmest fur of any mammal – even warmer than that of the polar bear. The foxes also have furry soles, short ears and a short muzzle, all of which are important in helping them survive the chilly climate. They are amazing creatures to observe, as the basic social unit is a breeding pair who will remain together in the same territory and den for up to five years.
Polar Bears
The main highlight of an Arctic cruise is often spotting the iconic polar bear. Only in the Arctic can you see this amazing creature in its natural habitat and view their full personality. You’ll be impressed by their amazing adaptations to life in the harsh Arctic environment and dependence on sea ice. However, while they look cute and friendly they’re actually incredibly strong and ferocious, measuring up to 3.1 metres long and weighing up to 1,200 pounds. Sadly, these giant beasts are becoming highly vulnerable, threatened with the increasing effects of global warming, which is melting their habitat.
Svalbard Reindeer
Svalbard has a unique subspecies of reindeer, the Svalbard reindeer which is the smallest species within the deer family. The deer have characteristically short legs but still carry impressive antlers. They spend their days concentrating on eating as much as possible creating large fat reserves to survive the long Arctic winter. These reindeer are not shy and can be more commonly spotted than the polar bear.
Ice Seals
The Arctic is home to several unique and extraordinary, beautiful seal species, such as: ribbon seals, bearded seals, ringed seals, spotted seals, harp seals, and hooded seals. These seals are often called ice seals because they spend the bulk of their lives either on or near sea ice. They can be spotted along with walrus on ice floes or off-shore islands and so make perfect photographic subjects.
Whales
Whilst some whales may migrate over the severe winters, the bowhead, beluga and narwhal can be seen in the Arctic all year round. The bowhead feeds by swimming with its huge mouth open, taking in enormous amounts of water and trapping copepods and other drifting crustaceans. This is because it is a baleen whale and so instead of teeth, it has several hundred fringed plates, called baleen, that hang down from its upper jaw and filter small prey from the water.
The beluga is a very beautiful creature which is also known as the white whale due to its distinctive white colouring. Belugas are a sociable bunch, often gathering in large numbers so once you spot one, look out for others nearby. You may only need to listen out for them as belugas are quite loud and can often be heard whistling, clicking, and grunting.
What distinguishes the narwhal from the beluga is its magnificent spearing tusk which can extend up to half of the whale’s body weight. Nicknamed ‘unicorn of the sea’, the tusk is actually a long, twisted tooth that is projected up to three metres in front of the whale.
Arctic Birds
There is also a variety of birds which can be seen in the Arctic. If you cruise during the summer months you may spot the Arctic tern which is famous for its migration, flying from its breeding grounds in the Arctic 44,000-miles to the opposite pole the Antarctic. Here it will spend September to May before flying back again for summer in the Arctic. This is by far the furthest migration by any known animal and ensures that this bird sees two summers per year and more daylight than any other creature on the planet.
Other birds you may spot are puffins, eider ducks, skuas, sandpipers and auks. The birds in the Arctic are also feeling the effects of climate change; from difficulties in flying in foggy weather to avalanches and new threats such as mosquitoes.
Unspoiled Wilderness
In addition to unique wildlife, an Arctic cruise enables you to sail round some one of the world’s last great wildernesses. The dramatic scenery ranges from ice covered seas, fjords with breathtaking mountain scenery, rarely visited bays and inlets and glaciers flowing into the sea around you.
Ibiza’s size – just 45km by 25km – belies its diversity. Famed for its party scene, many imagine the entire island to resemble San Antonio; capital of nightclub culture and home to the bulk of large Ibiza hotelsand bars. But a short boat ride out of San Antonio harbour takes you to a different world and the peaceful Cala d’Hort. This romantic little bay offers spectacular views of towering cliffs behind and the mystical island of Es Vedrá just across the sea. Few islands have as many legends attached to them as this volcanic rock, which is claimed to be the birthplace of Hannibal, the tip of Atlantis and a sacrificial altar for the goddess Tanit.
Head east from here and you reach Ibiza town, the island’s capital. The town is home to the ancient Punic necropolis Puig des Molins, which has been listed by UNESCO for its historical importance. Criss-crossed by winding cobbled streets that are lined with quaint little restaurants, Dalt Vila – the old town – offers some superb dining and is the perfect place to sample local seafood. This is particularly handy if you’re making the long climb to the 14th century cathedral of Santa Maria d’Eivissa at the top of the hill.
Figueretas, just outside Ibiza town, is home to some of the quietest coastal hotels in Ibiza, making it an ideal base for a relaxing stay. On Wednesday mornings, a boat arrives at a small jetty jutting out from the town’s beach and transports passengers up Ibiza’s east coast to Es Cana. Here you get to experience the island’s original hippy market, Punta Arabi, where you can browse stalls to the sound of tabla drums and sitars, and perhaps leave with a henna tattoo to commemorate your visit.
It’s easy to dodge Ibiza’s revelry in favour of a peaceful sight-seeing break on this gorgeous Balearic Island if you want to relax and unwind. But one of the most exciting things about Ibiza is its diversity, from pretty beaches in the south to leafy almond groves in the north, with world-famous nightclubs in between. So if you’re looking for a holiday that offers everything, this pint-sized Balearic gem really is the perfect destination.
This post is part of a monthly Spanish Series sponsored by www.hotels4u.com, where you’ll find plenty of Ibiza hotels, suitable for all tastes and budgets.
The Traveler IQ challenge ranks geographic knowledge of cities such as: Punta Cana, Willemstad or Columbia by comparing results against 5,473,834 other travelers.
This list of the cheapest places in the world will be an inspiration. These countries are worth visiting; they are deep in culture, history and much to see and experience. What makes them great tourist destinations is that you can survive an entire day in these countries for less than 20 USD! This list is based upon the countries where a private and double occupancy hotel room costs in each city, and the cheapest meal in each city. Other costs such as transport, entry fees at pubs and so on have not been computed in this list.
Polar Bears
The beluga is a very beautiful creature which is also known as the white whale due to its distinctive white colouring. Belugas are a sociable bunch, often gathering in large numbers so once you spot one, look out for others nearby. You may only need to listen out for them as belugas are quite loud and can often be heard whistling, clicking, and grunting.
Figueretas, just outside Ibiza town, is home to some of the quietest coastal hotels in Ibiza, making it an ideal base for a relaxing stay. On Wednesday mornings, a boat arrives at a small jetty jutting out from the town’s beach and transports passengers up Ibiza’s east coast to Es Cana. Here you get to experience the island’s original hippy market, Punta Arabi, where you can browse stalls to the sound of tabla drums and sitars, and perhaps leave with a henna tattoo to commemorate your visit.
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