One of the big perks of going on a camping holiday is how cheaply it can be done. Food, drink and activities are all areas which can be financed on a budget, so with a little planning in advance it’s possible to spend very little next time you stay at a camping holiday park. Here are our tips on how to get a lot from relatively little.
Food
Camping holidays offer the advantage of ultimate freedom in what you do and how you do it, and in no other area is this more the case than it is with food. It’s an often over-looked area in this regard, frankly, as any meal-time squabbling can be easily nipped in the bud by just cooking on-site. What this means is that people can choose what they want to eat from a local supermarket, and everybody’s meals can all be cooked together. This saves on quarrels over which restaurants to eat at, and is also cost-effective.
Drink
The same economy applies to drinking, both in the recreational sense and in keeping hydrated. Long hikes through the countryside can be complemented with bottles of water picked up at local shops beforehand, rather than paying larger prices at stops along the way.
When it comes to more recreational drinking, it’s a great idea to sample the local product. Scour markets for the most exotic drinks available – not just those you can also get back at home – and take yourself on a beverage adventure!
ActivitiesGetting back to nature with a camping holiday opens up all kinds of possibilities when it comes to activities. The open environment is perfect for sport or exercise, as the more active in your party can get down to action at the drop of a hat. Another trip to the local shop can reap rewards in the form of cricket sets, a football or a skipping rope. Be sure to pick games that are easy to play and that the whole party can get involved with – there’s loads of fun to be had!
Camping holidays can easily be enjoyed without breaking the bank. Simply put, the key to making the most of your holiday is to plan ahead. You’re on holiday in order to have fun with people you get on with – there’s no need for it to be an expensive trip that leaves your wallet sore for months afterwards!
About the author: Laura is an experienced travel writer based in the UK and works with family holiday specialists Al Fresco Holidays. These offer camping holidays throughout Europe and share her passion for the great outdoors.
About the author: Laura is an experienced travel writer based in the UK and works with family holiday specialists Al Fresco Holidays. These offer camping holidays throughout Europe and share her passion for the great outdoors.
Photos by SteveD & Zach Dischner via Flickr Creative Commons
The UK certainly isn’t renowned for being a budget destination, but there are ways that you can make backpacking through this corner of Europe slightly easier on your pocket.
Tip One: Never be afraid to ask about discounts or coupons from hotels or restaurants. Also, be sure to check online for discount vouchers. VoucherCodes.com is a great website that offers discounts on anything from supermarkets and high street retailers to restaurants. Even airport parking like Heathrow airport parking now comes with a website that offers discounted rates.
Tip Two: Book hotels and flights as far in advance as possible, most airlines offer discounts for booking early. On the other hand, LastMinute.com is a really useful site for booking hotels at a short notice, at discounted rates. Also, if you like a good show, there are plenty of musicals running in the UK's capital and you can find great London hotel and show deals anytime.
Tip Three: Pick the right restaurants; small local pubs and restaurants are likely to offer better prices than some five-star, fine dining places, with food that is just as good, if not better.
Tip Four: Utilize public transportation. Most airports offer easy access to local Tubes, Trains and Buses and some even offer shuttles to the transport hubs. Stansted airport parking is an easy distance from local bus stations and local airport hotels. If you’re travelling around London, make sure you purchase an Oyster card. It makes transport on London buses, the Underground system, and most overground trains far cheaper.
Tip Five: Don’t be afraid to stop at local markets and grocery stores for meals and skip the whole restaurant thing all together. There are plenty of hostels and hotels that will let you use their kitchen to fix a meal.
Tip Six: Hostels are the best and sometimes safest places to bunk down for a night or two while backpacking across the country and were specifically created for that purpose. Hostels are generally a great deal more affordable than a standard hotel or Bed & Breakfast would be. And you get the bonus of meeting some fellow backpackers to trade advice with.
Tip Seven: Avoid Tourist Traps. Nothing says dollar signs like the typical spots tourists are expected to go. Avoid those and you will save a fortune. But don't avoid touristy place all together. A Giant's Causeway tour for example can be a memory you will hold on to till a very old age.
Tip Eight: Don’t buy tourist keepsakes. If you want something unique to remember your visit by, wander through local villages and markets with your camera and a notebook so you can jot down all the quirky sights, smells and snippets of conversation that you come across. It’ll make for a higher quality and more affordable keepsake.
Tip Nine: BYOS (Bring Your Own Shampoo) - don’t get stuck buying toiletries at the airport that are way over-priced, plan your toiletries around the length of your trip instead. Or, if you’re worried about the weight of your luggage, buy them at shops rather than at the airport. Big supermarkets such as Tesco and Asda are the market leaders, and are great value.
Tip Ten: Map your routes in advance. The easiest way to save money is to make sure you know where you are going, how to get there and how to find local buses, etc.
Above all, talk to people. Communication and interaction with people has to be one of the greatest treasures of travelling. In just a few minutes you can learn helpful hints and tips about the area you’re visiting, and you may even be so lucky as to pick up a bit of local dialect too! But above all, conversation is an opportunity to share cultural wisdom and exchange a few moments of personal, cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. Happy travels.
About the Author: This post was written by Sophie James who has enjoyed travelling for more than four years. Having travelled around the world on a budget she is a firm believer in economical travel. Her favourite international destination is Equador.
Photos via Flickr Creative Commons (source 1, 2, 3)
Photos via Flickr Creative Commons (source 1, 2, 3)
In France and Italy it’s bread and cheese, in Germany it’s sausages, but what are your best bets for cheap eats when travelling in the notoriously expensive UK? Once you’ve tired of squished Nutella sandwiches pulled out of your backpack while on the go, why not consider a few of the locals favourite fast foods. Not only are these options cheap and tasty, but they offer a cultural experience as well!
Cream Tea
A visitor to England could be forgiven for thinking that a cream tea is a cup of tea with cream, but don’t be fooled by the name; this is in fact a snack fit for a queen! Every tea room in the land serves their own version of this delicacy and regional battles rage over the proper order for toppings to be added. The Cornish Cream Tea is probably the most famous and includes your cup of tea with milk and sugar, along with a warm scone, topped first with jam and then a healthy measure of clotted cream. Just across the border in Devon however, a Devonshire Cream Tea requires the clotted cream to be added first, and then followed by jam. Either way it’s a delicious afternoon snack and feels luxurious without breaking the bank. It’s really doesn’t get much more British than this.
The Great British Pie
What was once simply a used as a means of preserving meat is today an iconic British dish. The variety is endless and varies from the cheap and cheerful version served up on football terraces across the land, to the gourmet varieties offered by the top bakers. It is the perfect portable food – they are self contained, require no cutlery, and can be eaten hot or cold. The most iconic of British pies has to be The Melton Mowbray pork pie, which now has Protected Geographical Status from the European Union to guard its unique recipe. The British pie industry is said to be worth £230 million – the pie is certainly humble no more!
Fish and Chips
This quintessentially British dish has been carried the world over, but it still holds pride of place in the English psyche as one of the most beloved dish. Every fast food outlet, or ‘chippy’ as they are colloquially known in the UK, serves up their own version of the delicacy and many guard their secret recipes and techniques fastidiously. Your best bet for top quality fish and chips will be along the coast, where the fish will be at its most fresh. For the hungry traveller this is a great lunch or dinner option, it’s inexpensive, filling, and the busy shops offer a great place to chat with the locals. If you want to make this a truly British cultural experience be sure to order a side of mushy peas, a lurid green concoction of boiled marrow fat peas that divides the nation. Sounds tasty, doesn’t it?
One of the best parts of travelling is experiencing new things, and food is one of the best! Heading out the restaurants for three meals a day can really add up, but you can save a bundle by making your own meals with local ingredients yourself. This is one of the major benefits to staying in a self catering holiday cottage; you have everything you need to make yourself a cheap and cheerful meal for a fraction of the cost. You can save even more by looking for last minute UK cottage deals online.
About the Author: Amanda is a Canadian writer and traveller who is currently based in the UK. She has travelled extensively through Europe, North America, and Australia and takes every opportunity to discover new and exciting places. Amanda is currently writing about great UK experiences for Sykes Cottages, who offer great holiday cottages across the UK and Ireland.
Photos via Flickr Creative Commons (source 1, 2, 3)
Visitors eagerly flock to Portugal throughout the year to bask in the glorious sunshine and relax on its award-winning beaches. Many opt over and over again for the magical city of Porto or for the colorful Lisbon. But whether you’re planning your first holiday in Portugal or returning for another great getaway, Jet2holidays has ways that you can make your trip even more special.
Jet2holidays has hand selected a range of five-star hotels in Portugal’s the Algarve and on the Portuguese island of Madeira for its ‘Indulgent Escapes’ collection, where you’ll find only hotels with unforgettable settings, excellent facilities and fine dining options, so that you’ll enjoy a Portugal holiday that’s a cut above the rest.
Be Amazed in the Algarve
Famous for having no less than 69 Blue Flag-winning beaches, it’s easy to be lured in by the Algarve but very difficult to leave, especially if you spend your stay at the Tivoli Marina in Vilamoura. Situated in the marina, you’ll also have direct access to the nearby Puro beach and be in close proximity to numerous golf courses, and the choice to relax and enjoy a treatment at the on-site Angsana Spa by Banyan Tree or just lounge by the pool. This way, you are sure to enjoy your Algarve Portugal holidays to the max.
The Hilton Vilamoura Hotel will draw you in too, situated in five acres of manicured gardens and offering all the quality that you’d expect from a Hilton and Jet2holidays.com's Indulgent Escapes. The unique Moorish architecture of the Hilton Vilamoura looks particularly striking against the greenery of the surrounding golf courses, but if golf isn’t your game you can spend your time instead in the spa, gym, one of the five large pools or on the hotels’ private Falesia beach.
Marvel at Madeira
Winston Churchill’s favourite haunt, which he described as a ‘floating garden’, is every inch as stunningly spectacular as that definition would suggest. To experience the Portuguese island of Madeira at its best, take your pick of one of Jet2holidays’ Indulgent Escapes properties in the Old Town of Funchal.
The Pestana Carlton Madeira Ocean Resort Hotel, selected for the Indulgent Escapes collection for its dramatic views of the mountains and the ocean, has also been recently refurbished and offers guests the delights of show cooking, a spacious garden sun terrace, Turkish bath and even a diving school. For a holiday in Portugal that you’ll remember for years to come, it has to be an Indulgent Escape from Jet2holidays.com.
About the Author: This article is brought to you by Jet2holidays.com. They offer a wide and exciting range of great value package holidays to over 40 beach and city destinations. Visit Jet2holidays.com and choose from over 1,600 hotels and apartments to suit all budgets.
Image 1 via Flickr Creative Commons, by AiresAlmeida
About the Author: This article is brought to you by Jet2holidays.com. They offer a wide and exciting range of great value package holidays to over 40 beach and city destinations. Visit Jet2holidays.com and choose from over 1,600 hotels and apartments to suit all budgets.
Image 1 via Flickr Creative Commons, by AiresAlmeida
Australia is more than the Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef and cute koalas. One of the first nations to become a member of UNESCO back in 1947, nowadays it has no less than 19 sites listed in the famous heritage list, including the two acclaimed ones mentioned above.
However, from my traveling experience, I gather that simply making it to the list doesn't guarantee any international fame to a place. Not to mention that it is very much possible to visit a place without even knowing it is actually an UNESCO site. It happened to me many times in the past and I'm sure it happened to you too. Because usually there is no plate attesting the site's inclusion to the list, many people would say they've only visited a couple of heritage sites in their lives. Truth is, that's what I thought too, till I went through the UNESCO list pen in hand and I came up to the conclusion that I've actually visited no less than 53 heritage sites so far.
If you’re staying at one of the hotels in Port Douglas, Cairns, or any other major city in Australia, you can easily visit many of the UNESCO Heritage sites. Following are three natural wonders you might have visited or plan to visit without even knowing they are part of the UNESCO list.
Kakadu National Park
Kakadu is one of the very few mixed world heritage sites, as it is valuable from both a natural and a cultural point of view. The area has been continuously inhabited for the last 40,000 years. The first humans to set foot here were the hunter-gatherers of prehistoric times. However, once these lands were discovered, the ancient man apparently enjoyed them so much that they were never human free again; the Aboriginal people still living here today, in this unique archaeological and ethnological reserve. Noteworthy are the cave paintings, stone carvings, and the rare or endemic species of plants and animals. Covering nearly 20,000 square kilometers of exceptional natural beauty, unique biodiversity, and a wide variety of landforms, Kakadu is one of the world's largest national parks.
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| Pied heron |
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| Lotus flowers |
Shark Bay
The protected area of Shark Bay includes Shark Bay Marine Park, Francois Peron National Park, Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve, Zuytdorp Nature Reserve and numerous islands. The site comprises the largest and richest sea-grass beds in the world. It is also famous for its sea cow population and its stromatolites (colonies of algae which form hard, dome-shaped deposits). The region is a meeting point of three major climatic regions and it's a habitat for plant species that are unique and considered new to science. Five of Australia's 26 endangered mammal species are to be found here, as well as 35 percent of Australian bird species.
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| Stromatolites are among the oldest forms of life on earth |
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| Shell beach |
Wet Tropics of Queensland
The Wet Tropics is renowned for its scenic panoramas of rainforest canopy. From giant trees and ferns to rivers that carve through rugged gorges and cascade into freshwater swimming holes, they offer habitat to Australia’s greatest diversity of animals and plants. The site is actually a living record of the ecological and evolutionary processes that shaped the flora and fauna of Australia over the past 415 million years and is the oldest continuously surviving tropical rainforests on earth. The Wet Tropics also contain an almost complete record of the major stages in the evolution of plant life on earth. In some coastal regions, the Wet Tropics shares a boundary with the Great Barrier Reef.
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| Mossman River |
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| Barron Falls |
This post is brought to you in association with Turquoise Holidays. Please contact them for more information on luxury holidays to Australia and wide range of other fabulous luxury honeymoon destinations.
Photos by Stephen Barnett, Bort1974, mark i geo, robertpaulyoung, tanetahi, certified su via Flickr Creative Commons
The term "tropical vacation" has had a difficult time shedding the heavy price tag stigma attached to it. But in an age of Internet deals and discount flights, traveling to a place like Oahu on a budget is certainly possible, and you won't have to avoid luxury to do it! With the proper amount of planning, a bit of creativity, and an open mind, you'll be able to take in the best of what the Islands have to offer, and all while keeping your bank account intact.
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| Makapu'u Point Lighthouse |
Oahu is rich with natural beauty - it's no secret. People travel from far and wide to lay eyes on the beaches, jungles, waterfalls, and volcanos that desktop backgrounds have made famous, and for those traveling on a budget, having your jaw drop at the sight of these natural spectacles won't cost you a dime! Hikes are a perfect way to break a sweat after a long day relaxing on the sand, and with a comprehensive bus network available to you, you'll be able to see the best of the best without paying a premium.
There are plenty of Oahu hotels that offer luxurious accommodations at affordable rates, and more importantly, locations that facilitate fun due to their proximity to marquee activities. With the well-being of your piggy bank in mind, here are a few of the best hikes to take on this truly dynamic island.
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| Diamond Head |
It may seem impossible to tire of the beaches, but sometimes a change of scene can go a long way. Strap on your hiking shoes and hit the trail!
Diamond Head National Park
A short walk from a number of budget-friendly Waikiki hotels is one of the island's most famous attractions: Diamond Head crater. The hike itself costs only a dollar, and with the views awaiting you at the top, it’s an absolute steal. Depending on your pace, this hike usually takes a bit over an hour. There is a bus stop at the trailhead as well, should you decide that you'd like a lift back to town!
Maunawili Falls Trail
For a refreshing walk along a beautiful river towards a spectacular payoff, make your way out to Kailua for the Maunawili Falls trail. You'll traverse through the forest under the canopy for much of the way, and when you emerge at the end, you'll find a beautiful pool that is perfect for a post-hike dip. If you're feeling adventurous, there is even a place where you can leap off from the waterfall into the pool below!
Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail
Traveling east along the Southern coast of the Island, you'll wind up in Makapu'u, where the Makapu'u Point Lighthouse awaits. This hike features paved trails, so any type of footwear will do. The views for the duration of this trek are spectacular, and should you be there at the right time of the year, you may just spot some migrating whales! On a clear day, you can see all the way out to Molokai as well, ensuring that you pack a lot into one excursion!
Honolulu and Waikiki pack big city budget prices into a luxurious environment, allowing you to get a tasty, authentically Hawaiian meal and cocktail after a long day on the trail! For the budget conscious, the natural beauty of this island paradise will have you feeling like royalty wherever you go.
About the Author: This guest post was written by Leslie. Obsessed with new adventures in new places, great food and good company, she describes herself as a simple girl from a big city looking to assert her imaginative vision against the creatures of the common place, in hopes of finding something extraordinary in the process.
Photos by Phillie Casablanca, Eric Tessmer & smilygrl via Flickr Creative Commons
About the Author: This guest post was written by Leslie. Obsessed with new adventures in new places, great food and good company, she describes herself as a simple girl from a big city looking to assert her imaginative vision against the creatures of the common place, in hopes of finding something extraordinary in the process.
Photos by Phillie Casablanca, Eric Tessmer & smilygrl via Flickr Creative Commons
Canary Islands, with its eternal blue skies and away from it all attitude, are perfect for lazy days and fun filled nights. The Canaries used to be the main stopover for Spanish galleons on their way to America, but in the meantime they became well established destination for the sun seeking tourists that flock here year round. Between the most interesting facts that seem to pass unperceived for the majority of travelers to the archipelago is that it has two capital cities - Las Palmas and Santa Cruz - and a name that basically means "Island of the Dogs" - apparently because back in ancient times the islands were heavily populated by Monk Seals aka sea dogs, a critically endangered species no longer present in the Canary Islands.
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| Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival |
Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival
The second most popular carnival in the world - after the one in Rio de Janeiro - it is the pick of any Canaries holidays. Held every year in February, the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival aspires to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The carnival is a combination of colorful parade of extravagant dresses and dance till you drop street parties. Though the carnival officially finishes in a mourning atmosphere on the night of Ash Wednesday when the burial of the sardine takes place, the party starts up again the following week. For me, however, the most impressing part of the carnival are the fancy dresses, so heavy and elaborate that they have actually to be transported on wheels. Some of the costumes reach hundreds of kilos and the contestants are often left with bruises from carrying them around the stage.
El Teide
El Teide Volcano and its surroundings comprise the Teide National Park, part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, and one of the most visited National Parks in the world. El Teide is one of the best places in the world for stargazing and wishing upon a star and one of the best observatories is located here. El Teide is the third highest volcano in the world and it's summit is the tallest in Spain and the highest point above sea level in the islands of the Atlantic (3718m). While El Teide still is an active volcano, the last eruptiuon occured in 1909. Though it was a sacred mountain to the aboriginal Guanches, just like Mount Olympus was to the ancient Greeks, nowadays the only sacred thing about it are the breathtaking views and amazing hiking trails.
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| Maspalomas Lighthouse & Sunset |
The beaches
For the beach lover and for the passionate photographer as well, the diversity Canary Islands offer is breathtaking. Deserted golden sands in Fuerteventura and Lanzarote; Blue Flag beaches in Tenerife and Gran Canaria; and dramatic plunging cliffs and quiet coves in La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. Cocktail in hand, you can enjoy the turquoise waters, long walks on the beach and gorgeous palm trees days on end. With a great nightlife and plenty of things to do round the clock, the Canary Islands holidays can be both family friendly and party orientated.
Photos via Flickr Creative Commons
Photos via Flickr Creative Commons
Looking for somewhere to whisk away your sweetheart on a romantic city break? See our three swoon-worthy suggestions below…
Venice, Italy
Why go? It’s Europe’s city of love, silly! Canals, art, crumbling palazzos and miles of winding alleys to get lost in make Venice a dizzying sensory overload – in a good way.
Where to stay: Hotel Canal (Via Santa Croce 553) is intimate and charming, with parquet floors and antique beds. It’s a short walk from the train station and Piazzale Roma (where you will have to park if you’re driving in to Venice), and the Grand Canal vaporetto stop is right outside your door. A garden opens in summer, and there’s a bar open all day for coffee or wine. Double rooms start at €32.25pppn (or see a full selection of cheap hotels in Venice).
Where to eat: Bacaros are Venetian wine bars, where you can accompany your tipple with some tasty Cicchetti – a kind of Italian version of tapas. Typical Cicchetti consists of crostini toast with seafood or meatballs. Bacaros are found all over the city, but a popular choice would be Cantina Do Mori (Calle Do Mori) in San Polo, which has been open since 1462.
Other romantic things to do: Rather than doing the prescribed ‘romantic’ gondola ride (anything but: canals are busy and noisy, plus it costs €80), do the things that interest you most – whether that’s viewing Titians or drinking wine in a bacaro - and romance will follow. For art, head to the Galleria dell’Accademia for Old Masters and the Peggy Guggenheim for modern stuff. Climb the Campanile in St. Mark’s Square for the highest views of the city, and enter the Doge’s Palace to walk over the famed Bridge of Sighs.
Split, Croatia
Why go? Never considered Split before? That’s the point! Croatia’s unspoiled, super cheap city on the Dalmatian coast is ripe for exploring hand-in-hand.
Where to stay: Goli & Bosi (Morpurgova poljana 2) is a modern and minimalist hostel with private ensuite rooms perfect for design-loving couples on a budget. Converted from a 19th-century warehouse turned department store, there’s a lot of space to play in here, including a cinema room and a coffee house with seating on the square outside. Rooms have striking modern design, and breakfast is included in the rate of €32.61pppn.
Where to eat: As a coastal city, Split specialises in seafood: go to sample the best of local cooking at Nostromo next to the city’s fish market. Super-fresh fish kebabs, soups and lobster go down a treat.
Other romantic things to do: Explore Diocletian’s Palace, a marvel of Roman architecture next door to Goli & Bosi. Built by a Roman emperor in the 4th century, this complex of buildings is at once a historic artefact and a working city-within-a-city with homes, shops and restaurants still found within its walls.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Where to stay: Kex (Skulagata 26) means ‘biscuit’ in Icelandic, and appropriately enough Reykjavik’s first boutique hostel occupies an old biscuit factory. Couples will love the stylish and comfy private double rooms, but it’s the public spaces that give the hostel its edgy vibe: a gastropub serves local and organic dishes at a perch-up bar, there’s a gym that turns into a cinema room by night and free Wi-Fi is available throughout. Double rooms start at €49.65pppn.
Other romantic things to do: Romantic things to do in Reykjavik often blend urban life with nature. Go on a whale-watching tour off the old harbour and in three hours you’re almost guaranteed to see a minke whale or a humpback if you’re lucky. There are also plenty of outdoor geothermal swimming pools to lounge around in – Laugardalslaug is the largest and most popular, with two large outdoor pools, several ‘hot pots’, a water slide, a seaweed bath and a steam bath. It has the same kind of social atmosphere as a bar, and your skin will feel all glowy afterwards.
About the Author: Isabel is a travel writer for the Hostelbookers blog. You can follow her @Isabel Clift
Photos by Alaskan Dude, Lena_Ni & neate photos via Flickr Creative Commons
About the Author: Isabel is a travel writer for the Hostelbookers blog. You can follow her @Isabel Clift
Photos by Alaskan Dude, Lena_Ni & neate photos via Flickr Creative Commons
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