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Travel: Economic Excuses
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Photo from www.AdoreToExplore.com. "Turkish Blue Cruise."
It seems that everyone is chatting up, dwelling on and complaining about the economy these days. Yes, it’s true, the US and many other countries in the world are going through some difficult financial times, but are we using this as an excuse to stay at home on the couch, feeling sorry for ourselves instead of taking advantage of some of the positives that go along with the current situation?
Do we really need to give up vacations, road trips and general exploring just because the economy is not where it was five years ago?
In the past few months, the US dollar has gained on the British pound. The pound has also recently been at a record low against the Euro. This all means that now is an excellent time to visit England and take advantage of this exchange rate. But if London or Cambridge still seem a bit expensive, there are still plenty of options for budget travel that many adventurers don’t notice. This is partly due to the fact that travel shows often flash the ritzy itineraries of well-to-do professional vacationers. In contrast, exquisite locations are accessible even to entry level workers and burnt-out university students, who need vacations worse than most.
Here are two more ideas for low budget vacations.
- TURKEY, whose sailing trips, beaches, Mediterranean cuisine and night life compare to that of Greece’s, is one-third of the price when comparing hotel costs, excursions and transportation. Istanbul, a unique mix of Europe and Asia, is easily accessible and provides for the perfect starting point on a Turkish tour. Besides visiting the mosques and tourist attractions, it’s recommended to eat the sticky, unique ice cream called dondurma and stroll around town while street performers liven the scene. In the next few days, bus down the coast and stop off the ruins of Ephesus, an ancient city that boasts the largest collection of Roman ruins east of the Mediterranean. Then stop in Çesme for a few days of lounging on white sand beaches and when you feel fully rejuvinated, continue to the southern coastal city of Fethiye, where a four day all-inclusive Blue Cruise costs about $200 per person. After docking in Olympos, a bus or plane ride to Cappadocia is in order. Here, rock-cut temples, volcanic deposits and Byzantine art and frescos from the 9th Century entice tourists. This scene is seen well when floating above the area in a hot air balloon. Staying in local hostels and pensions saves as much as $40/ night in Turkey and if you are willing to let go of the reservations mentality and play it by ear, you can find locals who will greet you at the bus station upon arrival and offer rooms for $7-$14 a person.
- ARGENTINA: If beaches and ruins at a budget price do not get your heart ticking, maybe a little fine dining will. Argentina is South America’s gem for steak dinners, red wine, and rich ice creams. In Buenos Aires, tango dancers swirl around in front of street cafes and locals sip mate tea while watching polo matches. With Argentine pesos, a traveler can feast on a juicy filet mingnon or rib eye steak, a glass of wine from the famous Mendoza region and a side dish for the price of a cocktail in the States. And if you like your meat medium rare, be sure to tell your server to bring it “vuelta y vuelta” with a bit of chimichurri sauce for an extra kick.
And in this economy maybe that extra kick is just what we need to get out of the La-Z-Boy and back to exploring, even if it is on a budget.
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