budgettravel posts
by Jessica Festa (RSS feed) (19 days ago)
May 6th, 2012 at 1:00PM: "All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware." - Martin Buber
What's your travel philosophy? It's a question that many seasoned travelers get asked. Your travel philosophy encompasses your beliefs on travel and the process of leaving home. It is like your mission statement for your trips. There are many to choose from, and depending on your travel style and what you ...
by Jessica Festa (RSS feed) (20 days ago)
May 5th, 2012 at 2:00PM: While camping can be a lot of fun, one issue many people have is the lack of hygiene. Even when there are showers available, they're often dirty and lacking in water pressure and hot water. Luckily, the Nemo Helio Pressure Shower compact shower system helps to solve this very problem.
According to the website, the product "comes in a small, neatly nested kit, weighs less than a full Nalgene, ...
by Jessica Festa (RSS feed) (27 days ago)
Apr 28th, 2012 at 4:00PM: Just because Earth Day has passed doesn't mean we should stop doing our part. In the spirit of goodwill, these hotels are offering voluntourism packages and programs for guests.
Limelight Hotel
Aspen, Colorado
Throughout the summer, the Limelight Hotel is helping guests get their hands dirty and help the environment. In partnership with the Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers, guests will be ...
by Jessica Festa (RSS feed) (28 days ago)
Apr 28th, 2012 at 11:00AM: "They call this Death Valley because of all the people who don't make it out alive," our tour guide, Steve, whispered in a haunting voice.
Staring at the enormous sand dunes and unworldly rock formations, I felt fearful of what I was about to do. Of course, Steve was joking. The name actually comes from a mispronuciation by a Belgian priest, Gustavo Le Paige, who thought the landscape looked ...
by Jessica Festa (RSS feed) (1 month ago)
Apr 24th, 2012 at 6:00PM: While traveling, the expenses of long-distance communication can be difficult to handle. Spending $20 for a call that is less than five minutes is absurd, but without the use of outside apps and tools, is often the case when abroad. Luckily there's Viber, a 100% free mobile app that allows you to talk, text and share photos without spending a cent.
I learned about the mobile app during a ...
by Jessica Festa (RSS feed) (1 month ago)
Apr 22nd, 2012 at 12:00PM: As soon as you step off the plane in Mendoza, Argentina, it will be obvious that you are in wine country. Billboards advertising different wine brands, neatly terraced vineyards and marketing for numerous wine tours, cooking classes and tasting sessions will be everywhere you look. While many of these options are worthwhile, most are very expensive. On a recent trip to Mendoza, however, I ...
by Jessica Festa (RSS feed) (1 month ago)
Apr 22nd, 2012 at 10:00AM: Cerro Aconcagua, located in Mendoza, Argentina, is a mountain in Aconcagua Provincial Park. At 22,841 feet, the mountain is the highest in the southern and western hemispheres. In fact, aside for the Himalayas, it is the world's highest peak.
To get to the park from Mendoza city center, take the Puente del Inca bus, which is 26.50 Argentine Pesos (about $6) each way. The excursion continues to ...
by Jessica Festa (RSS feed) (1 month ago)
Apr 18th, 2012 at 3:00PM: When traveling to Ushuaia in Argentina's Patagonia region, the main attraction is trekking in Tierra del Fuego National Park. While absolutely stunning, a trip there can be expensive. Depending on what your travel plans are, you may want to try some cheaper hiking options in the area.
The first is Valle de Lobos. Transportation and admission to Tierra del Fuego from the city center costs 170 ...
by Jessica Festa (RSS feed) (1 month ago)
Apr 17th, 2012 at 12:00PM: Backpacking South America is a worthwhile adventure I recommend everyone to have at least once in their lives. Before I arrived on the continent, I was unsure of what to expect. To help prepare you before you go, here are some things I wish I had known before I left for my trip.
Know the Exchange Rate
The exchange rates vary considerably from country to country in South America. For example, ...
by Jessica Festa (RSS feed) (1 month ago)
Apr 16th, 2012 at 1:00PM: For travelers heading to South America, Brazil is one of the more expensive countries on the continent. The popular Rio de Janeiro can be especially difficult to navigate on a budget. To help you plan a worthwhile trip to this beautiful area, here are 10 free things to do.
Hiking
Although Rio de Janeiro is a city there are also a lot of natural experiences to be had. When I visited, one of ...
by Jessica Festa (RSS feed) (1 month ago)
Apr 15th, 2012 at 3:00PM: Nowadays, it seems like there's a pill or shot to cure every illness. But do we really know how safe these unnatural remedies are? Throughout my travels and by talking with locals from other cultures, I've learned there are many natural treatments that are also effective in promoting good health. For those who've ever wondered about the holistic secrets of other cultures, here are some answers.
...
by Meg Nesterov (RSS feed) (1 month ago)
Apr 10th, 2012 at 3:30PM: Memorial Day is fast approaching, kicking off the beginning of the busiest time for America's national parks – the summer season. Budget Travel has just published some confessions from a national park ranger (stationed at the Grand Canyon, judging from his anecdotes). Think Americans are the most reverent about our national treasures? Think again. It's more likely to be a foreigner who knows ...
by Jeremy Kressmann (RSS feed) (1 month ago)
Apr 10th, 2012 at 2:00PM:
Hungry for some culture this summer? Skip the jet lag, high exchange rates and long museum lines in Europe for one of North America's most cosmopolitan and best warm-weather destinations: Montreal.
The charms that contribute to Montreal's growing cultural reputation are already evident year-round, ranging from its cosmopolitan European-style cafes, a top-notch range of award-winning ...
by Jessica Festa (RSS feed) (1 month ago)
Apr 9th, 2012 at 4:00PM: Don't get me wrong. I love hostels. Even if someone offered me the choice between a free luxurious hotel room or a basic hostel dorm, I would choose the hostel simply based on the social factor. That being said, it's not always easy sharing a room with 10 other people. Here are some of the most annoying experiences I've encountered in hostels.
Sex in the Dorms
Now, I completely understand ...
by Jessica Festa (RSS feed) (1 month ago)
Apr 8th, 2012 at 2:30PM: Morocco is a country in northern Africa that features unique sights and experiences for all travel styles. When I visited, I was amazed at how much there was to explore – the lively sounds of the markets, the tastes of flavorful spices, the feel of gentle hands during a neck massage and the spiritually felt at a sacred mosque.
More than just your average tourism trip, Morocco takes you on ...
by Jessica Festa (RSS feed) (1 month ago)
Apr 7th, 2012 at 10:00AM: "Graffiti is one of the few tools you have if you have almost nothing. And even if you don't come up with a picture to cure world poverty you can make someone smile while they're having a piss." - Banksy, "Banging Your Head Against A Brick Wall"
While often thought of as vandalism, there are many cities around the globe with beautiful works of graffiti that add an aesthetic property to a ...
by Jessica Festa (RSS feed) (1 month ago)
Apr 7th, 2012 at 9:00AM: Buenos Aires, Argentina, is a beautiful country with 200 years of history, graceful tango and a vibrant art culture that can be seen on every street corner. The city is completely flat, making it the perfect place to explore by foot. While there are many options of things to do in Buenos Aires, they are not all free or budget-friendly. Luckily, I got the chance to explore the city with locals and ...
by Jessica Festa (RSS feed) (1 month ago)
Apr 6th, 2012 at 5:00PM: When most travelers visit Buenos Aires, Argentina, they explore the main hubs on San Telmo, Palermo, Recoleta and Centro. However, there is another area 45 minutes from Retiro Station that is like an entirely different world: The Tigre Delta.
I learned about Tigre from an expat who had been living in my hostel for the past year. When I asked him if there were any good day trips I should ...
by Jessica Festa (RSS feed) (1 month ago)
Apr 5th, 2012 at 2:00PM: Pay to volunteer? While many people assume volunteering is always free, going abroad to participate in community service projects often costs money. I realized this the first time I volunteered abroad teaching English in Thailand. After doing weeks of research, I found there are a lot of companies charging a small fortune ‒ sometimes thousands of dollars ‒ to have travelers come over and spend ...
by Jessica Festa (RSS feed) (1 month ago)
Apr 5th, 2012 at 1:00PM: One dilemma I often face when traveling is whether to take a trip to a big city or a small town. While both worthwhile, each provides its own inherently unique experience. Before booking your next vacation, take these factors into consideration.
Finding things to do
In a big city, you're never at a loss for things to do. There are street performers, markets, parks, shops, theaters, clubs, ...
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