Choose destinations with good value for money.
Where to go to warm up is a wide variety. But take Sydney off the wish list. Australia may have the weather, but they have the prices to go with it. Same for Barbados. Take a look at Ecuador, Honduras and Colombia. Yes, Colombia has seriously cleaned up their act. Now he only has to repair his image and he will be ‘the’ new destination. So now would be a good time to go to Medellin. The weather throughout the year in Bogata is too cold. The maximum during the day is around 20 C and it can go down to five at night, so it won’t really thaw.
Fancy a trip to Europe? Although you may have always wanted to go to Paris, Prague or Budapest are in a similar league, but much cheaper. In fact, a rough estimate is that Eastern Europe is between 25 and 50 percent cheaper than Western Europe. And not so touristy.
Book tickets online to get the best deals.
Get your tickets well in advance and try to avoid peak season when everything is terribly expensive. With online options, travel agents join housekeepers as an occupational choice. So do your homework and save.
The other suggestion is to make a last minute reservation if you really don’t care where you end up. Just make sure you have your passport, visa, and vaccinations lined up. Then press the button “I don’t care, inspire me!” button and see what pops up.
Find cheap accommodation.
Finding a place to rest at the end of the day has always been an expensive issue. There have been hostels for a long time, but they are geared towards backpackers and you may not appreciate the party-loving types who come alive in the next room at 2am B&Bs are another option, but the established ones tend to be a bit expensive.
This is how Airb&b arrives, an affordable accommodation option at home. Other sites to check are Homestays and Wimdu. As times get tighter, regular people rent out their spare rooms at affordable prices. On this site you can review the listings, complete with photos and details about the person who owns the home, and it comes in a variety of formats, from the cheapest to the most expensive.
Save a fortune on meals.
Homestays often offer breakfast, but it is often little more than toast and a little butter and jam. Stock up on fruit, muffins, peanut butter and such and make your own great start to the day. Buy cheese at night and you’ll be fine in the morning. Get an immersion heater, buy a one-cup plunger pot, and make your own coffee. Breakfast will save you a lot of money. Then make your big meal at lunch. Many restaurants, including some well-known Michelin-starred ones, offer daily specials and are good value for money. After a hearty meal in the morning and early afternoon, you’ll be ready and able to make do with sandwich-type food for dinner. And it’s healthier for you.
Travel like a local.
Instead of relying on taxis, which can get very expensive very quickly, find out about your destination’s bus and train system. Another good reason to stay with a homestay is that many of them offer airport pick-up at a reasonable price. And your hosts can tell you how to get around the city.