If you’re looking to squeeze the most out of your travel budget this year, then you need look no further than this hotlist of four favorite budget destinations to visit in 2018.
Thailand Temples Landscape Photography
THAILAND
Thailand remains a firm favorite amongst families, couples, backpackers, and solo travelers alike. There’s still much unspoiled beauty in the tantalizing Kingdom of Thailand left to discover, particularly in the region of Krabi and Koh Lanta, but the undeveloped and rustic image that was so prevalent twenty years ago has since been replaced with neon lights, massage parlors, non-stop parties, and gridlocked congestion.
One of the best ways to see Thailand, is on an extended trip as a backpacker, for it will allow you to scratch beneath the commercial surface of popular places such as Krabi, Phuket and Koh Samui whilst taking you on a journey to more remote parts of Thailand such as Pai and Udon Thani – that you might not otherwise discover if you were there just for a couple of weeks.
Chiang Mai could be of particular interest, known as the “capital of the north”, many would describe Chiang Mai as a mystical land of temples, rice paddies, monks and natural jungle; though whilst this is true for the areas around Chiang Mai, the town itself is pretty bustling and at times resembles a less frantic version of Bangkok.
Chiang Mai is a great place to have as a base, in which you can explore the rest of Thailand. With direct flights to Krabi, Phuket and Koh Samui you are able to have a base in the North of Thailand (much cheaper than the south) and go on mini breaks to more exotic locations.
There are several modern condos available, for exclusive rent, on AirBnB at a cost of just $10 per night if you were to consider renting for an extended period and setting up a base there for a few weeks as a hub.
Turkey Photography
TURKEY
Turkey has unfortunately received a lot of bad press in recent years, with terrorist attacks, political instability and social unrest bombarding the headlines.
The truth is, that whilst there are pockets of unrest, Turkey, is a place where people get along with each other very well and there is a sense of community / hospitality that instantly makes you feel welcomed into the local culture. Whilst there are the occasional demonstrations, on the whole places such as Istanbul are incredibly safe due to the increased police presence and security measures that are now in place.
Turkey has, unfortunately, seen a rapid decline in tourism, however the majority of the country is an incredibly safe, calm and peaceful land of respect and culture. Indeed, the Turkish people are some of the most sincerely hospitable people around.
Istanbul is the clear capital of tourism and is famous for being one of the most interesting and culturally rich places for city break in the entire world. Then, there are the mystical lands filled with natural “fairy chimneys” in the Cappadocia region – or hidden away seaside coves such as Olympos, just a couple of hours from Antalya.
The greatest thing about Turkey, at the moment, is that due to the lull in tourism, you’ll get to experience a more authentic and traditional experience whilst reaping huge cost savings, particularly on hotels, as Turkey’s tourism infrastructure has always catered for package holidays – meaning there’s a huge supply of hotels with depleted demand; resulting in 4* Hotels costing as little as $10 per night.
Istanbul is unlike any other city in the world due to being separated by the Bosphorus Strait which divides Istanbul into two sides, on two different contents, the European Side and the Asian Side. The European side offers the more modern side of the city, with well known brands occupying prime real estate on the busy high street whilst independent hipster bars and coffee shops can be found near the river. Indeed, the European side has a feel of San Francisco about it, with all its unique and creative independent stores, cafes, restaurants and watering holes.
In terms of finding a property, this side of the river is where you’ll find trendy loft apartments at a quarter of the price you would pay in New York. The Asian side, however, is a little more shabby, and this is where you’re likely to find a great deal on a property. The Asian side has a much more “local” and rustic feel to it.
Wall of plates in the market in Fez Morocco
MOROCCO
Marrakech is an incredibly colorful and vibrant city that is like a beacon drawing in tourists from all over the world. The majority of people visit for just a short while, as there is an element of endurance to be had with exploring Marrakech, due to the frenetic pace, the hustle and bustle, and in the summer at least – sweltering heat.
Marrakech, for some, may feel like stepping into Disneyland, in that it is an overwhelming experience on all the senses. Whilst it provides a stark contrast to the Western World, it is only a short hop on a cheap flight to Mainland Europe and the “new city” offers some very luxurious accommodation at an incredibly cheap price.
Marrakech can be a fantastic place to base yourself for a few weeks whilst exploring the gems of Morocco such as the Sahara Desert and Atlas Mountains. A more relaxed alternative to Marrakech is Essaouira that has a more chilled out coastal vibe to the city – or further North in Fes, which has less tourists and is much smaller than Marrakech.
You may wish to visit http://www.visitmorocco.com/en in order to gauge the full extent of this fascinating country and see what areas suit you the best.
Vintage Volkswagen, Bali
BALI
If you’re heading to Indonesia, Bali isn’t one of the cheapest places you could go – and if you’ve got your eyes on the Gili Islands this is even more the case. However, there are a number of apartments for rent that make a longer stay much cheaper; you can find more information on sites such as https://rumahdijual.com/bali/. Bali is an incredibly vibrant island that has something for everyone; yes, it has become much more touristy in recent years and suffers with the problems of many SE Asian tourist hotspots; such as congestion and pestering from touts – but the beauty of Bali is that there are still plenty of tranquil and serene places to relax and rejuvenate… and you can still do it on the cheap!
The party area of Kuta is reasonably isolated, so if you’re looking to party – this is the place to go, and if you’re looking for peace and quiet, this is definitely the place to avoid. If you’re wanting to trace the footsteps of Julia Roberts in Eat Pray Love, you’ll want to head toward the sanctuary of Ubud.
Bali remains very high up on most people’s bucket lists and it is strongly encouraged you visit reasonably soon before tourism takes over.
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