Where to travel on a shoe-string

Looking for a place that you can comfortably travel in on an ultra-thin budget? Contrary to popular belief, it is still possible to live and travel on just £15 a day all whilst seeing some of the World's most glorious destinations and meeting some soon to be life-long friends.

Where are these fabled places I hear you ask? Well, most our rather predictable but there are a few curve-balls that may surprise you.

First and foremost the best place to travel on a shoe-string is Thailand or any of the other neighbouring East Asian countries. Thailand caters extremely well for those searching for wanderlust but has becoming saturated with travellers to the extent that it can be difficult to discover the 'real' Thailand. But if you're looking for your first shoe-string experience then this is certainly the destination for you. The likes of Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam are not quite as well catered for which can drive down your overall costs as getting around is cheaper but harder in terms of planning.

India is also an excellent destination for the discerning traveller. You'll meet plenty of like minded travellers who live on far less than you and are often a fountain of knowledge when it comes to tips and approaches to travelling around this unsubscribed yet picturesque part of the World. It may be wise to avoid India if you have a weak stomach though as Western food can be very difficult to come by and your palette will have to adapt quickly to the spice heavy cuisine.

China is also a wonderfully cheap yet immersive option - especially if you like your trips to be laden with plenty of culture and eye-opening history. This option is perhaps the most left-field though as it will present you with a complete and utter departure from Western living. You should brace yourself for quite the culture shock so perhaps only approach this option if you are a seasoned traveller!

Of course, if you are not ready to live within your means then none of these options are going to suit you! Budgeting becomes easy after a couple of weeks on the road, but you have to restricted in what you purchase and your itinerary needs to be cut to the minimum when it comes to activities and tours. Always seek out the cheapest options and consult the locals when it comes to the site-seeing.

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Local Festivals and Holidays: All They're Cracked Up to Be?

A lot of people like to time their travel to hit local festivals and holidays. That can be a great way to learn about a people and a culture. After all, no one's so much themselves as when reveling in the streets at 2 am! It's always interesting to check out the food, colors, sounds, and spectacles associated with local festivities.

On the other hand, you can rest assured that every other traveler in the vicinity has the same idea. When I lived in the sleepy little mountain city of Takayama, Japan -- population approximately 70,000 people -- the famous April spring matsuri resulted in the population TRIPLING overnight! It was literally unbelievable: people everywhere, hotels booked months in advance, streets crammed with tourists. Even as someone who lived there, I found it a bit much. If I'd been on holiday, wanting to see the sights and really soak in the culture, I would have been sorely disappointed.

So what's to do? Should you bar yourself from ever taking in the sites and sounds of a local festival? Not if that's your thing. Maybe you love the crowds and parties, and that's great. But if not, my advice to you is to seek out a smaller festival and go then. For example, in Takayama they have a smaller version of the spring festival in October. You get most of the same sights with about a quarter of the people.

If you're looking for local flavor without the crowds, sometimes it pays to do a bit of planning!

Internet Travel: Making Technology work for YOU!

We all have different opinions about the internet and the advance of technology, and many of them conflict. On the one hand, almost all of us use the internet to make our lives easier (after all, you're reading a blog, aren't you??). On the other, many people feel that an increased focus on technology has made our lives more hectic, more dangerous, and less certain.

That's why you have to find the internet resources that work for you! Fortunately, internet travel is one of those resources. Sometimes it's really nice to be able to cut out the middleman -- not have to talk to travel agents, compare airline prices by phoning every airline, contact hotels and try to work reservations. Online travel agencies are, in fact, one of the best things the internet has to offer!

If you've never used one, you don't know what you're missing. You can research an entire holiday -- flights, hotels, and often attractions -- with the click of a mouse. Many travel agencies let you compare costs side by side. There are just a few things to be aware of:

-Location, location, location! For instance, if you look for a Las Vegas holiday, you'll pull up some amazing deals -- on hotels thirty miles from the Strip. Make sure you check out where you want to be: the cheapest deal isn't always the best.

-Flying from major airports is always cheaper. If you're looking for the best deal, you should probably book a vacation from the nearest major airport and arrange alternate transportation to get there (ground transport or local discount airlines are best). Make sure you leave plenty of time between arriving at the airport and departure: airlines aren't sympathetic if you miss their flight because of competitors' delays!

-Don't automatically assume the cheapest deal is the best. Sometimes, it's worth paying a bit more for higher quality.

Regardless, internet travel agencies are by far the greatest innovation for travelers since the airplane itself! Check them out -- Direct Line is a good place to start -- and plan your holiday today!

Traveling for Fun and Profit!

If you can't afford a luxury holiday, why not try working abroad? There are many different ways you can get a job in a foreign country for a short period of time (or longer, if you prefer!). Not only do you get to see the country for free, you get a much more detailed insight into the people and culture than you would as a tourist.

Some ways to see the world:


1. Teach Abroad

There are many places in need of foreign teachers, especially teachers of the English language. In many situations, you don't need any formalized teaching training, although some places prefer you hold a university degree of some type. Just about any Asian country has many opportunities to teach English.

2. Volunteer

There are also many opportunities to volunteer abroad. Churches and humanitarian organizations are always looking for help both at home and overseas. You can get the dual benefits of helping others and inexpensive travel (there will likely be some cost involved).

3. Professional Exchanges

If your company has an overseas branch, or even close overseas partners, you may be able to arrange an exchange program. This lets you experience another country while advancing your understanding of your profession and company!

Whatever you decide, working holidays can be great opportunities to grow personally, enrich your understanding of a people or culture, and have a great experience.

Essential Traveling Gear

Travel is one of those funny things: sometimes you need a pile of stuff, sometimes you need nothing more than your passport and wallet. Or so it would seem.

There are different kinds of packers, as I'm sure you've noticed. We tend to fall into one of three categories:

1. The Annoying Minimalist: These people pride themselves on bringing the bare necessities, then annoy their traveling companions by constantly borrowing their things.

2. The Over-the-topper: These people would pack the kitchen sink if only they could figure out how to bring the plumbing as well.

3. The Comfortable Mediator: These people bring precisely what is required and not a thing more. They always seem to have space for their purchases in their luggage, and they never look overpacked. They are very annoying to the first two groups.

Whatever category you fall into, there are certain things you must have for extended holidays (I'm talking here on the assumption you'll be traveling beyond your national borders!):

1. Your passport, and a safe place to keep it
2. Enough clean clothing to last until you find someplace to wash it
3. Some sort of traveling wallet you can wear against your skin
4. Materials appropriate to the location (eg: sunscreen, insect repellent, gloves, etc.)
5. Emergency contact information
6. Empty luggage space (let's be honest: you're bound to make purchases)

I often pack a backpack when I travel, but I tuck an additional backpack inside. That way, if I make purchases I can fill the extra backpack and check it on my way home, but I don't have to bother about checked baggage while trying to navigate a foreign airport!

Travel on!

Some Things Stay the Same!

I was thinking the other day about the city I lived in when I taught in Japan. It struck me that this city of about 70,000 people had two McDonalds but only one kaiten sushi place. Is this a theme? There are certain companies that just aren't content to stay within their own borders! Sometimes that's okay (I can't begin to explain the relief you feel when you see a Pizza Hut in Thailand after six months of Japanese pizza, which primarily involves seaweed, mayonnaise, and corn). Other times, it feels very much like a cultural intrusion.

These are a few of the companies I've noticed almost everywhere I've gone:

1. Costco
2. The Body Shop
3. McDonald's
4. Pizza Hut
5. Starbucks

I'm sure there are far more; I just haven't encountered them -- or can't think of them at the moment.

On the other hand, there are almost always small cultural enhancements made to these places to better suit the culture they're working with. McDonald's is a great example for me just because I have so much experience eating there (I know, I know). A few things I noticed in Japan:

-a shrimp burger
-you have to ask for ketchup, because they won't give it to you if you don't. Hardly anyone in Japan eats ketchup on chips.
-melon soda as an option

I guess it's part of today's cultural mixture: very western ideas adapted to fit another culture.

Off Season Again

Statistically, January and February are not wealthy months. In most of the Northern hemisphere, it's the bleakest, dreariest part of winter. Depression sets in and merchants prepare for a long haul as people recover from holiday spending. With no major holiday in sight between New Year's and Easter, many people find these winter months a depressing time of year.

But guess what? This is the PERFECT time for a weekend mini-holiday. That's because it's the off season, meaning that hotels, airfare, and many other travel aspects are ridiculously inexpensive. This is especially true of tourist destinations, because so much of their revenue depends on tourism. They will go to extreme lengths to make their locations popular even during the off season!

Of course, if you're planning to travel someplace warm and tropical on a long weekend, you'll probably find increased prices. But if you're able to take a couple days off in the middle of the week, or create a long weekend of your own, you can find some very good deals at this time of year. And really, what better way to beat the winter blues than a break from the routine?

Some ideas to consider:

-a romantic weekend getaway
-a trip to someplace in the (far) south
-a brief ski holiday
-a visit to a place you've always meant to see, but never found time to include in your holidays

The important thing is, have fun and enjoy the off season!

Thinking Ahead

I'll never forget my first experience with a more militant state of mind: setting down in Singapore, the airliner distributed custom cards with a half-inch warning in bold red letters:

WARNING: DEATH TO DRUG TRAFICKERS UNDER SINGAPORE LAW.

It was the first time I'd seen such a thing first hand. When we set down in Singapore International Aiport -- one of the world's largest and most elaborate -- the first thing I noticed was not the sauna, shower facilities, or sparkling clean floors, but the guards with machine guns.

Notice that there's no caveat there. It's not death to SOME or DEATH IS ONE OF THE PUNISHMENTS. It's a simple, direct statement. If you're carrying drugs, your life is over.

With that in mind, don't you think it's worth being careful? We've all heard of unscrupulous criminals who slip their drugs into some unsuspecting passenger's backpack. That's why they always ask if you've left your baggage unattended.

Here's a tip: DON'T.

Some other ways to keep from becoming a victim:

-Don't trust anyone you meet while traveling

-Seal your carry-on baggage: either put a lock on it or even a twist tie -- whatever will slow someone down. They're looking to stash and run, and they don't want to be bothered undoing seals.

-Mark your bag, especially if it's nondescript. It's too easy to switch one bag for a similar one.

-Keep your baggage with you at all times -- don't leave it while you go to get a coffee, not even for a second. Check it in as soon as possible.

It's unfortunate that we have to be so careful, almost paranoid, when traveling. On the other hand, it's better to take a few too many precautions than to become a statistic.

Why Travel Makes for Healthy Kids

Some people prefer not to take their children on holiday, or at least not to take them very far. This isn't due to an aversion to their kids! It's more for practical considerations. Some of those might include:

-the kids won't really have fun
-WE won't really have fun
-the kids aren't likely to be as careful in a third world country and might get sick
-the kids would have more fun if we all went to Disneyland together some time

If you have very young children, that might stand true (although I have many friends who claim that the best time to go on holiday with children is when they're tiny -- you don't have to worry about doing what they want to do and can focus on lying on the beach all day!). But kids have far more appreciation for travel than you might expect.

So-called "kid friendly" holidays (such as trips to Disneyland and the like) quickly become old hat. They might be hugely excited the first time, but make it a yearly event and see how quickly they begin to take it for granted! It's far more productive to take your kids places where they'll be exposed to new ideas and people, see other cultures, and experience new things.

Your children might amaze you! Those pyramids might awe them just as much as they did you. And they may even have some insights you missed out on. So don't be afraid to take your children on holiday -- you can always get a sitter if you must. You might have more fun than you thought!

Why I Love to Travel

I started thinking today about why I love to travel. I mean, there are many reasons But when you really get down to it, there are core reasons I love traveling -- not just like it but LOVE it. Some of those are:

1. Experience

My most valuable life experiences have been obtained through travel. There's nothing quite as sobering as realizing you're lost in a foreign country where you don't speak the language, or quite as exhilarating as successfully navigating your way out of that mess. It takes the place of years of experience at home!

2. People

Both the people you meet and just seeing how different people live their lives. They're, to put it mildly, fun. And more importantly, they open your eyes to the world around you. No one looks the same once you see them with the eyes of a traveler.

3. Fun

Travel is FUN. It's more fun than just about anything. Sure, it can be stressful and difficult and costly, but it's all worth it in the end. Whether you're traveling on your own or with a group of friends, you're sure to have a great time.

4. Excitement

You can have experiences traveling you can't have anywhere else. I mean, you can hardly see the pyramids in Manchester, right? If you want to have real life excitement -- rather than just vicariously seeing things via the television screen -- you have to actually go there.

These are my top four reasons for loving travel. What are yours?

Foreign Films

In my experience, one of the best ways to get in touch with a culture -- short of actually visiting it, of course -- is through film. Movies give you a great sense of the cultural outlook of another country. Not only that, there are tons of excellent foreign films out there -- and these are some of the best. A word of warning, though: do yourself a favour and watch them in their original language with subtitles. There's nothing worse than bad dubbing.

1. District Thirteen

This French movie is a sci-fi action film set in the near future. It's well written, brilliantly filmed, and full of some of the most sublime human movement you'll ever see. Absolutely fascinating.

2. The Host

This Hong Kong sci-fi thriller (why are so many of them sci-fi? Is it because English sci-fi movies tend to, how shall I put this -- suck?) is a lot of fun. It's dark and dreary, but it has a great touch of humour, and you'll find yourself totally immersed in the characters' lives. Highly recommended.

3. Pan's Labyrinth/ The Orphanage

I put these together because they're both from the same Spanish director, which means they both have the same twisting storylines and beautiful cinematography. That's where the similarities end, though: Pan's Labyrinth is a dark fantasy following a young girl caught in a dismal home life, while The Orphange is a chilling and terrifying thriller.

4. Hollywood Bollywood

This one's a bit older, and it's actually Canadian, so it's in English. It follows the structure of Indian "Bollywood" movies, though, as it traces an Indian girl's life in modern Canada.

There are four films to get you started, and you're sure to come up with many more!

Playing Hooky

Do you travel for business? You're lucky! Traveling for business usually means business class flights, which means an escape from the cramped, uncomfortable confines of economy seating. It also often means high class hotel rooms, reimbursement of meals and expenses -- and a packed agenda that makes your head swim.

It's terrible to think of being in a beautiful, perfect holiday destination and never leaving your hotel. You can't skip the whole conference (or what have you) -- the company's shelling out for you to be here, after all, and they'll probably notice if you aren't. But there are some pretty firm indicators that tell you it's time to play hooky!

Refuse to attend anything that:

-is optional
-is a waste of your time (eg, a session that rehashes what you already know)
-is based around "keynote speakers"
-contains the word "reception"
-is solely for socializing or recreation

Of course, if you WANT to attend these things, that's another story. But really, there's not going to be much to miss in a reception full of people making longwinded speeches. Just check to make sure you don't have to sign in or anything. You can always sneak out later!

I'm not advocating taking advantage of your company: no matter where they send you, these are the things you ARE obligated to attend:

-sessions that provide key information
-anything that will prove useful or helpful to your work
-sessions your company has stressed they would like you to attend

The key is to find the line that divides the frivolous from the important. They might claim it's mandatory to attend the "evening social," but if you'd rather hit the town with a few work friends, I say go for it. There's nothing wrong with playing a little hooky!

Continuing Travel

Once you've traveled, it's addictive. You want to keep going. You want to share the experiences, and you want to have more. But there are limits to how much you can discuss these things with friends and family. You may have had a profound traveling experience that completely loses itself in the retelling, or you might have friends and family who tire of your stories.

Fortunately, we have the internet! There are many ways to share your stories with like minded travelers.

-Find a blog you enjoy and visit it frequently. Leave comments. Form a community!

-Start your own blog! Post your stories for the world to see.

-Post your stories and photos on a photo sharing site such as Flickr

-Write travel articles for sites like Helium

You can also find local groups interested in travel, camping and biking organizations, or any number of things! Travel doesn't have to stop when you return from holidays. Enjoy yourself, and share your love of travel with others.

Traveling as a Way of Life

Have you ever noticed how traveling seems to change people? Sometimes it's obvious -- for example, in Japan you can often tell the girls who've lived abroad. They're more confident, and they have a different way of carrying themselves.

Similarly, you can sometimes tell when people haven't traveled at all. Here I don't mean just not physically, but mentally as well -- people who are stuck in their own village or town. Many people who've never left home are well read and well informed on the world. Others... aren't.

Exposure to other cultures and ways of life changes you -- usually for the better. You have a stronger sense of the world around you, a better idea of who you are and what you believe. Travel really is a way of life -- a way of opening your mind and eyes to the world in all its darkness and light.

Keep traveling!

Traveling with Fluffy

Let's be honest, folks: the best bet is to leave your pets at home for your holiday. Ideally, find a petsitter or friendly neighbour willing to drop by and care for the little critter. Bringing animals on holiday stirs up a host of trouble.

Even if you have an exotic pet, there are places willing to care for them (although it can be trickier to find them). Many pet shops will board rabbits, hamsters, birds, and other small animals. You can also arrange for sitters for these animals, although most kennels won't accept them.

If you absolutely MUST bring your pets along on holiday, for whatever reason, keep the following points in mind:

1. Check hotel policies BEFORE you arrive. Don't count on your ability to smuggle a yowling cat into a fifth story hotel room.

2. Find out what the airlines require to transport your pet, and make sure you meet the requirements.

3. Consider offering your pet gravol or a similar product to settle its nerves and make the flight less stressful.

4. Bring the animal's favorite toy, blanket, or something similar to help it feel at home.

5. Consider putting the DO NOT DISTURB sign on your door for the duration of your stay. You don't really need your room cleaned every day, you can get towels from the front desk, and it's probably easier for everyone. This is especially true if you ignored tip #1 and are trying to hide your pet in your room.

As you can see, leaving your pet behind is less stressful for both you and the animal. No matter how much s/he hates the kennel, s/he'll probably hate traveling more. If you have to bring pets along, make sure you do whatever you can to minimize anxiety for both of you!

Sharing Your Travels

You know the old movies where grandad pulls out the slide show and everyone groans? Are people secretly doing that when you reach for your holiday photographs too?

Actually, most people are interested in your travels, but you have to present things the right way. Remember to:

1. Keep it short -- no one wants to listen to a long, complicated story about buying a drink on the beach.

2. Be selective -- no matter how much you loved that waterfall, one photograph is probably sufficient -- two at most. Keep the rest to enjoy by yourself.

3. Present them well. If you're a scrapbooker, let your creativity turn your photos into a more interesting experience. If not, post them in albums with interesting captions.

4. Let people look through them at their own pace and gauge their interest by their response. Some people, while legitimately interested, don't want to listen to a story to match each pictures. Others will bombard you with questions. Answer accordingly.

5. Make sure you're sharing, not showing off. Your friends and family want to share in your memories, but no one wants to be looked down on.

Follow those simple tips, and you'll never find yourself showing Great Aunt Griselda's slides of an underground cavern!

Snow Makes Travel Hazardous

This seemed a natural topic for today, as we're dealing with severe weather conditions where I live. A number of teachers drive from out of town, and we had some close calls. It's easy to forget how much more careful you have to be when traveling in inclement weather. Some things to remember:

If you're traveling by car:

-SLOW DOWN! Get there alive, not fast.
-If possible, postpone your trip until conditions improve
-Check local weather forecasts to learn about road conditions
-Make sure your car has blankets and supplies to keep you warm in the event that your car breaks down or you have an accident.

If you're traveling by other methods:

-Be prepared for delays. If it's not safe to take off, they're not going to do it, no matter how badly you want to get home.
-Remain calm and keep your temper: bad weather makes people edgy.
-Support the staff and pilots, engineers, etc.: It's not their fault that the weather took a turn for the worse, and they don't make the call regarding whether you get to travel or not.

Follow these simple rules for a safer, more enjoyable experience!

Tokyo: Side Trips

Japan is a small country, no larger than the state of California. With that in mind, it's well worth taking a few side trips to enjoy some of Japan's other sights when visiting Tokyo.

Japan's public transit is second to none, and the shinkansen (bullet train) makes visiting anywhere in the country a snap. The trains are quite pricey, but the good news is that as a tourist you can get a special pass allowing you to use the train for one low price for a set period. Inquire at any train station: they're easy to get and very practical.

From there, some of Japan's must-sees within a reasonable distance include:

1. Hiroshima -- the site of the infamous atomic bomb, Hiroshima includes a museum to that effect as well as a peace park. The famous story of Sadako reigns supreme here, and you'll likely see many paper cranes Japanese school children have sent to the park in her memory.

2. Kyoto -- Japan's cultural center. It's busy and a very touristy location, but also very beautiful with many sights well worth seeing.

3. Mount Fuji -- if you decide to climb Japan's hugest and inactive volcano, make sure you arrange to arrive at the top for sunrise. Everyone else does too, so you won't be alone, and the end result is well worth it.

Whatever you do, make sure you take advantage of that Japan Rail Pass -- there's too much in Japan not to see it!

Tokyo: Things to Do

Well, we've established where you'll stay in Tokyo, and what you'll eat -- but what are you doing with the rest of your time? Fortunately, there are hundreds of attractions in Tokyo for the young and old alike.

1. The Emperor's Palace: You're not going to get inside this thing (sorry) but it's pretty interesting nonetheless, and well worth a look.

2. Shrines and Temples: You can't go to Japan and not visit a single shrine or temple! Fortunately there are dozens around all over. Your best bet is to ask at your hotel; they're sure to know of a good one near you. Some are older than others, some not the most touristy locations, but they're all interesting.

By the way, in case you're curious: SHrines are for SHinto, temples for Buddhism.

3. Shopping! It's so much fun to just stroll around Tokyo and check out the weird and wonderful things to buy. Even the 7-11 can become a fascinating experience.

4. Night life: Tokyo is definitely hopping, even at four in the morning. Again, your hotel is probably the best bet -- or better still, a friendly local. There are hundreds of great pubs, bars, and clubs in Tokyo. Once the Japanese get a few drinks into them, they loosen up considerably, so if you're blonde, watch out -- you're destined to become the star of the show.

Tokyo is quite safe, though, even in the middle of the night. Few fears on that score.

So whatever your tastes, cut loose and have fun! Tokyo is FULL of things to do.

Eating in Tokyo

This is my favorite part of Japan: FOOD! The good news is, the Japanese are very conscientious about cleanliness, and almost anywhere you go, the food will be good and safe. That leaves your possibilities wide open, especially in a city the size of Tokyo!

Rather than reccomending specific restaurants -- there's bound to be a good one near you, wherever you are -- I'll reccomend specific foods!

-Try an izakaya. These are restaurants with tons of small things on the menu, the idea being that you order a selection. The best is the deep fried cheese with ground rice. It comes with a pat of butter, in case the fried cheese and rice itself isn't greasy enough for you.

-Japanese curry (kareraisu) is absolutely delicious, especially with a fried shrimp (ebiforai) on top

-Noodles are, of course, a staple: try soba (buckwheat noodles, especially good fried up in yakisoba), udon (often found in soup), and raman -- familiar because it's what "Mr. Noodle" looks like at home

These are just a few of the awesome choices for food in Japan -- and I haven't even touched on sushi! You could spend an entire holiday in Tokyo eating, and eating, and eating, and eating, and eating, and eating... eating... well, you get the idea.