Speak of travel and most people think it’s a big chore, a tortuous affair they simply do not want to endure. I, however, have personally experienced the joys of a successful journey, and am happy to repeat it all over again. Not only is travel considered an inconvenience but also for many, it is an unaccounted expense they do not want to stress over. Rest assured when I tell you there are more ways than one to ensure you go traveling on a budget, and never feel the pinch of a trip.
A trusted resource is online travel sales sites like VacationsToGo. Many a great deal has been found and exploited thanks to the amazing travel deals you can find here, from resorts to cars to flights and entire packages. There are many other websites you can refer to for deals and find offers within your budget for the destination and time you would like to visit. Another way to save is to travel with friends. Bulk or group bookings are favored among online travel sites and usually provide competitive pricing across services. So that family reunion you were planning might actually work out to be a boon if you choose a destination that offers a great travel deal that you can all share together.
To help reduce your travel expenses, you can look at sites like Groupon and Living Social that offer great deals you can buy upfront and use until the validity expires. Both have mobile apps as well and typically provide some additional services if you book locations and vacations through these sites rather than directly on the provider’s website. You even avail some percentage off your already discounted price if you then share your deal with friends and have others purchase the same deal through your unique link.
Service-based travel and language school-based travel are other options that have recently found momentum. While the former focuses more on volunteering and social causes in the local community, the latter concentrates on giving you the best immersion experience possible while helping locals learn the nuances of a new language. Organizations or groups that offer discounted rates and enable sharing of facilities and amenities once at your chosen destination provide such types of travel – usually well within your budgeted means. Trips to Honduras to help build homes for deprived communities or trips to Spain to teach English in little villages are all great opportunities to discover new lands while contributing in some way other than the larger travel and tourism economy.
Of course, befriending someone in another country, reaching out to your contacts from school and prior work experiences, and maintaining relationships with acquaintances that reside internationally can all work in your favor. There is no better way to travel than to have an insider tell you the ins and outs of your destination. Having a local guide can be a great advantage especially if you are visiting somewhere for the first time or if you do not speak the local language. If this is your first time stepping out of your cocoon though, then having friends in international locations might not be your first option.
So here is your answer – Airbnb! A fantastic website that allows users to choose from a variety of accommodations on offer across the globe. There is something to suit every budget and personality type – you can live anywhere you’d like. I have personally used this service before and highly recommend it for your travel plans. Airbnb is a true example of the global sharing community coming together to benefit the traveller in each of us. Providers are all vetted out by the service and given user reviews so you can easily see if someone is doing a stellar job of entertaining guests in their home. Most times, this service is much more personalized than any VIP treatment you can get at a highly rated hotel, for much less than half the price.
Options abound if you really want to make every dollar you earn work to its maximum potential when you travel, go ahead and explore!
