Should You Visit China?

Posted on May 6, 2008
Filed Under Asia, Budget Travel Tips, Destinations | Leave a Comment

With the Olympics coming, China’s travel industry is about to get loads upon loads of promotion. NBC will undoubtedly feature Beijing-related pieces in between events. Bob Costas (or is it his writers?) will have some humorous monologues about the cultural differences between China and the U.S.

As long as anti-government protests don’t rage in the streets of Beijing, the games will be a boon for China’s tourism business.

That raises a question: will China’s newfound popularity make it into a giant over-visited Asian theme park? Will soccer moms toss around the words: “going to China this summer?” The same casual way that they now refer to Italy or The Bahamas or Hawaii. Most of all, will the games make China a more expensive place to visit?

Fear not!

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Say What? Learning Languages on the Road (For Free)

Posted on April 29, 2008
Filed Under Budget Travel Tips, Travel Websites | Leave a Comment

Every traveler has had a “wish I could speak the local language” moment. More often than not, communication with non-Anglophiles in a foreign land is reduced to gestures and grins (unless you paid especially good attention in French class). Communicating without relying on words is part of the travel experience. So is overusing the two local expressions that you happen to remember from that phrasebook you thumbed through at Barnes and Nobles.

Is going beyond the basics in foreign language a realistic goal for one who has a limited amount of time and money to travel?

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Traveling on the Rail

Posted on April 22, 2008
Filed Under Budget Globe Trotting News, Budget Travel Tips | Leave a Comment

Rail travel is often not an option for U.S. based travelers. Well, thanks to Amtrak, it is an option, but train travel in the US is nowhere near as popular as it is in most other parts of the world. Why would I spend $200 on a road trip to Chicago with Amtrak when I can book a round trip flight for half that much and save seven hours on each end of the trip? If I want to go dirt cheap, I’d go Greyhound. Why bother with rail travel, then? Here’s why:

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How to Travel Around the World (Literally)

Posted on April 15, 2008
Filed Under Budget Airfare and Airlines, Budget Travel Tips, Online Travel Booking | Leave a Comment

A hundred years ago, around the world travel was best undertaken by a combination of hot air balloon, steam train, and ocean liner. Thanks to The Brothers Wright, those days have long since past. However, with airline prices on the rise and cancellations becoming more commonplace, it might seem like a traveler is undertaking something just as substantial as Phileas Fogg did.

The advent of internet travel sites like Travelocity and Expedia has made it easier to organize your own trip around the globe. However, these sites are not likely to uncover the best deals.

Some travel agencies specialize in around the world airfares. Though prices may fluctuate depending on where travelers decide to stop, an around the world package is, in general, cheaper than anything you could piece together yourself. If you let the company choose your destinations, prices can get even cheaper. (As of this writing, a set itinerary from Air Brokers International was $1099 from New York to LA the long way around, with stops in London, Berlin, Bangkok, and Hong Kong). For $2000, travelers can stop over on each continent (save Antarctica).

The catch?

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Are Thailand’s Islands Still #1?

Posted on April 8, 2008
Filed Under Budget Accommodations, Asia, Backpacking | 1 Comment

Backpackers, budget travelers, and those simply seeking unique experiences have long been traveling to islands off Thailand’s west coast. Alex Garland’s cult classic, The Beach, gave the eastern Andaman Sea a wider audience.  But these islands have always had appeal.

What’s not appealing about sitting on a beach all day taking in the near perfect balance of sand, surf, sun, and tropical foliage? What’s not to love about partying with like minded tourists and fun-loving locals before returning to a pleasant but spartan bungalow that’s so cheap it might as well be free? For the same as it would cost to stay in Cancun for a week, you could stay on Koh Phi Phi for six. Maybe 8 if you decided to forgo the banana pancakes and eat local food.

Thailand’s islands WERE the budget island Mecca. But are they still? Read more

The Biggest Party You’ve Never Heard Of

Posted on April 1, 2008
Filed Under Budget Globe Trotting News, North America, Travel News | Leave a Comment

San Antonio is one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. Perhaps best known for The Alamo, the city is also home to one of the least known big events in the country.

Each April, downtown San Antonio is overrun with all sorts of festivities. I am not using the term “all sorts” lightly here. There are nearly 100 separate events held between April 18th and 28th. At least 3 million people will take part in at least one of these parties. Texans like to brag about how big everything in their state is. Well, for once, they can back up their boasts.

Fiesta, as the event is called, started more than one hundred years ago. It began as a celebration to remember the Battle of The Alamo, but quickly became something bigger. Parades, food shows, and concerts have snowballed over the years, leading to the amazing array of events now held.

Should you visit during Fiesta? For sheer atmosphere and options, Fiesta is a good time to visit San Antonio. There will be crowds, but standing shoulder to shoulder and getting the occasional elbow (unintentional, mostly) is all part of the experience. People quite literally dance in the street as part of various parades, cultural shows, or as audience members of one of the many outdoor concerts. Some events are free, though many have a reasonable entrance fee.

San Antonio’s nightlife gets a little more festive during Fiesta. When people say that the party lasts for ten days, they mean 10 24-hour cycles, not simply 10 afternoons. Bars and restaurants try to keep the good times going indefinitely.

San Antonio has an especially wide selection of bed-and-breakfasts and cheap accommodation, even near downtown. Things fill up quickly during Fiesta, so visitors might have to search outside the city center to find a place to lay their heads. There are even some campground for those who really want to make this a budget experience.
Fiesta is not as well known as Mardi Gras. It’s a little tamer by comparison, but offers 10 times more variety.

A list of events can be found here.

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