Bang for your buck and pizzazz for your pound: here’s where to stretch this year’s travel budget until it oozes contentment.
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1. Tunisia
When it comes to Tunisia,
the conversation has moved on from safety to recovery for tourism, and a
renewed appreciation of why the country is such a compelling
destination. Most travel warnings have been dropped and travellers are
once again tuning in to North Africa’s most compact package. This year
prices will remain tempting to lure travellers back, and lower crowds
will mean that those who do come will get a more rewarding experience
whether they stay in cosmopolitan Tunis, head for Star Wars sets or
explore the Roman remains that dot the north of the country.
Seasonal charters from European airports to Djerba can be an excellent-value gateway into Tunisia.
2. South Africa
Currency fluctuations mean that for certain travellers South Africa
is more affordable than it has been for many years. Instead of just
rejoicing in the undercooked rand, consider what South Africa offers
value-seeking travellers at any time. How about fantastically accessible
wildlife watching for all budgets, bargain public (and
traveller-friendly) transport and free entry to many of the country’s
museums? Most visitors will find something to please their budget,
whether it’s a cheap-and cheerful Cape Town
seaside cafe or an affordable safari campsite. Come in South Africa’s
shoulder seasons (March to May, September and October) for the best
combination of low crowds and comfortable weather.
3. Shanghai
For all the upscale new openings in China’s most famous coastal city, Shanghai
remains reassuringly affordable for budget travellers. No-nonsense
dorms start at less than US$10, and the pleasing pricing continues
through budget and midrange hotels until you hit the less-than-friendly
international big names and trendy boutique accommodation. It’s a
similar story when eating out: characterful street-treats for a dollar,
and big portions in popular restaurants for little more. Best of all,
walking the city’s safe and buzzing streets is the best way to take the
pulse of this fast-changing metropolis. SmartShanghai
(smartshanghai.com) is a great place to keep pace with new happenings in
this ever-changing city.
4. Samoa
It feels like we’ve heard this one before: ‘Beautiful, undeveloped tropical paradise seeks underfunded travellers for discreet liaison. Applicants must enjoy no-nonsense budget buses and simple, idyllic beach hut accommodation (fales), owned by local families, who tend to throw in dinner.' So as with so many places before it, we’d say get to Samoa soon. Best visited by jumping off from New Zealand or Australia, these islands are one of the best travel deals in the Pacific.The markets of Apia, Samoa’s capital and largest town, offer a great introduction to everyday life. Maketi Fou, the biggest, is the place to come for souvenir hunting and Samoan street food.
5. Bali
While many budget-traveller favourites have grown up and got proper jobs running overpriced resorts, Bali never stopped delivering the goods. In fact, while backpacker-friendly beachside bungalows and other affordable digs still abound, with reasonable costs for food and transport thrown in. Bali is also pretty stonking value for mid-range adventurers who delight in air conditioning, distinctive Balinese style and a large range of quality places to stay. And of course, Balinese spa treatments are rightly famous, and cheaper than in many other places.Bali’s international popularity is evidenced by the large number of winter flights from Russian cities, offering the unlikely combination of a snowy Trans-Siberian journey and a week on a Balinese beach.
6. Uruguay
While Brazil’s travel scene burgeoned as the World Cup rolled into town, Uruguay
looks a better-value choice for a short excursion into South America.
This proud buffer state has much to enjoy: sizzling steaks, laid-back Montevideo
and a hip beach scene that tempts travellers further round the sandy
coast each year. While you should watch out for peak-time costs on the
coast, this remains an underrated, affordable corner of South America.
The sleepy riverside town of Fray Bentos is home to a memorable museum: the former factory of the world-famous beef processor of the same name.
7. Portugal
That Portugal’s Algarve
region trumps prices at other European resort areas isn’t a surprise to
regular visitors. This surf and family-friendly region remains the
destination of choice for a more-than-sun seaside holiday, and it’s not
all that great-value Portugal has to offer. Lisbon,
as happening as Barcelona with fewer crowds, and cheaper, is set to get
a whole lot more accessible as low-cost airline Ryanair opens a base in
the Portuguese capital. Head anywhere in the country off the tourist
trail, and costs come down further.
For a great-value tour of
Lisbon hop on tram 28, which rattles around taking in many of the city’s
highlights, including the Alfama district and the views from the
Miradouro de Santa Luzia for €2.85.
8. Taiwan
Taiwan delivers great all-round value. Taipei
is significantly cheaper than Hong Kong, Seoul or Tokyo, and while
hotels are a bit expense, dorm beds and homestays abound in Taiwan and
camping is common in a lot of the island’s national parks and forests.
Rail passes are standardised and cheap on fast and modern lines.
Admission to many attractions and temples is cheap, and even major
museums are affordable. Eating, perhaps the main attraction in Taiwan,
is accessible to all whether tucking into dumplings at a street stall or
enjoying high-end fare at lower prices than comparable cities.
A large bottle of Taiwanese beer will set you back around NT$120 (US$4), or much less if you get one from a grocery shop.
9. Romania
Eastern European nations frequently appear in best-value lists, but in Romania’s
case the entry is entirely warranted. Now vigorously connected to the
rest of Europe by budget airlines, accommodation compares well in all
price brackets to bigger-name destinations in the region. Bucharest
is a case in point, where hotel beds largely welcome business
travellers, so holiday season is, unusually, low season. Away from here
there are budget-friendly homestays in medieval villages, spectacular
castles and the unique Danube Delta, best explored by inexpensive, if
slow, ferries.
Private vans known as ‘maxitaxis’, together
with buses and minivans, form the cheapest way to get routes, times,
fares and departure points.
Ayo berpartisipasi dalam survei Indonesia INDONESIA SURVEI
10. Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso
remains a rare gem. Little known, but producing sighs of wanton desire
to return from anyone who’s been. Those in the know will tell of
colourful markets, friendly locals, spectacular rock formations and the
immense fun of Ouagadougou,
the tongue-twisting capital with a lively arts scene. With costs
affordable and surprisingly good wildlife-spotting in the south you’d be
hard-pressed to find a more satisfying introduction to West Africa.
At
the top end of travel around Burkina are reliable air-conditioned
buses, with guaranteed departures and advance ticketing. At the other
are more ramshackle taxi-brousses (bush taxis) which cover more remote
stops.
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