Budget travel ideas

A lot of people are put off travel because of the cost. Some think that is expensive and that they can’t afford it. Here’s five ideas to change your mind.

Peru

Peru is a land of variety. It has sweeping plateaus along with rugged mountains. Its capital is a mish mash of old and new. There’s the Spanish influence and then there are the beaches.

With a rich history including the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the City of Kings, Lima has something for those interested in the old but if that’s not your thing then try out something a little more contemporary.

Barranco is a beach side treasure trove with graffiti murals, inexpensive Peruvian food and many bars to be found in its labyrinth of winding cobble stone streets.

Then of course you can head into the mountains to visit the Incan ruins popular with tourists from around the world. Machu Picchu is a favourite among those who visit Peru but don’t forget about the wide open spaces of the plateaus. It might not be as dramatic as the rising peaks of the mountains but it has its own surreal beauty and peacefulness that is not to be missed.

New Orleans

Like Peru, New Orleans can be a party place with a rich tapestry of bars and clubs ready for a good night out. Don’t be fooled into thinking that’s all there is to this southern American gem.

Venture away from Bourbon St and into other areas of the city and you’ll find an interesting array of voodoo sites, Creole architecture and a cultural feast of gumbo, jambalaya and other southern dining treats.

The cemeteries are not to be missed with their unique above ground tombs with have a slightly spooky feel to them while being beautiful and peaceful at the same time. Many people flock to the grave of the famous Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, Marie Laveau, to pay their respects and try to win favours from this well known practitioner of spiritual folkways.

Spread your wings and head a little further out from the city limits and you’ll find yourself in the bayou. Bayou is a Franco-English term referring to the slow moving waters and marsh areas surrounding New Orleans and hosts a wealth of wildlife ranging from the alligators in the water to wild boar on land.

There’s something for everyone in the Big Easy.

Cambodia

Phnom Penh is known as the Paris of the East and with good reason. It is a relatively low lying city with fewer sky scrapers than its other Asian counterparts meaning that there is plenty of action at street level.

The adventurous travellers may find themselves eating all sorts of exotic foods inevitably served on a skewer but for those looking for a little less excitement there are many other low cost gastronomic experiences to be had.

Angkor Wat is a must see for those travelling to Cambodia. It is a stunning sight and is considered as the largest Asian pyramid. Surrounded by many structures such as The Bayon and the Elephant Terrace, it is best to see this magnificent place at sunrise or sunset.

Renting a tuk tuk for the entire day and getting there early is a good way to avoid the crowds, the heat and save a few dollars in the process.

Full of the friendly faces of the locals who are polite and helpful, Cambodia is a great destination for those on a budget.

Poland

Kraków is the most common destination for tourists as it is easy to get to. It is also cheap compared to other European destinations making it attractive to those on a budget.

Food is inexpensive but be warned, it is hearty in nature but tasty nonetheless. If you like a drink to accompany your meals then you’re in luck, it’s much cheaper here than in other countries in the region.

Wawel Castle is steeped in history dating back to the 1300s with renovations being done since then. Although it is now an art museum it once stood as the residence of the Polish Royal family and has acted as a strategic stronghold at certain points in time.

In about 2 1/2 hours you can travel by train into the capital of Poland, Warsaw. Once there you can pay a visit to the stunning Lazienki Park full of squirrels, statues and a relaxing lake.

Or you could choose to stroll around the Old Town with its beautiful architecture and hints of its communist past.

Russia

With a modest budget of around $50 per day you should be able to live comfortably in Russia. A room in a hostel near the historical centre of Moscow should come in well under that.

Walking tours around the city are available for free and will take you to places including St Basil’s Cathedral, the Bolshoi Theatre and the Kremlin. Free buses also run around the city.

Museums and the like are relatively cheap as well and if you plan your trip well you can even get entry to places such as the Cosmonautics Museum which opens its doors for free on the third Thursday of each month. Even if you do pay for entry to the local attractions it generally won’t hurt your budget too much with a visit to the Kremlin grounds costing around $10.

Stroll into the famous Gorky Park and you can partake in free yoga lessons or free  lectures. And after wandering through the Garazh Modern Art Gallery in the park you can take a short walk down to Arbat Street filled with shops, cafes and stalls.

Foodwise you can indulge in the local favourites of Borshch Moskovsky, marinated wild mushrooms and salted herring. Follow that with a pork shaslyk and half a litre of the local brew and your wallet will only be around $20 lighter.