Author: Maria Alfano
ThIs “cheap” a word used to describe you? Well then, these unique travel ideas are just for you! Perhaps your family or your partner thinks of you as stingy and tight with your money. Maybe it’s not that at all. It could be that you are on a tight budget and travel seems like a far reach especially when retirement and living off a pension is in your near future. Trust me, I get it. We are both retired and yet we still make travel a priority.
The unique travel experiences will take you to places you never dreamed of before. You will explore the world with a fresh outlook on how much it costs to visit new places. Many people will spend $20-$30 per week on cigarettes. Yet, in many of these places, you can eat dinner for a whole week for $30. Open your mind to the possibilities that this great big planet has to offer. You will surprise yourself at how close you are to being a globetrotter.
Cheap Travel
Let’s face it, not everyone is cut out to be a traveler. Some folks don’t even like leaving their house let alone leave the country. If that’s you, then this blog is not for you. But, if you have always dreamed of traveling and thought it was out of reach, then maybe, just maybe, there is a solution here for you. Budget travel exists and you will discover some amazingly wonderful places that exist to fit even the tightest budget. It may mean that you need to save your pennies for a year or two to make it happen but it is possible. Anything is possible if you want it badly enough.
This post will take you to 3 exotic places that perhaps you never gave a second thought to, with some fun and exciting things to do in each country, and, the type of budget you need to prepare for 1 week of travel to each place.
3 Unique Travel Ideas For The Cheap Travelers
Ok so cheap is a tough word to swallow when it describes you. Although there are reality shows all about cheap people, that label can hurt. You’re not doing it on purpose. All you want is to be careful with your money – not extravagant. Well, here is your chance to take your partner on the trip of a lifetime with the budget of a cheapskate! You got this. Flight costs are not included in the calculations. They vary from city to city, country to country, aircraft carrier to aircraft carrier, and time of year you plan to travel. Hint: flying just before or just after peak season will save you hundreds of dollars on tickets.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria is quickly becoming the go-to destination for budget travelers. It is located in southeast Europe. English is commonly spoken. The country is beautiful. And, it offers many wonderful things to see and do. 7 days’ accommodation in Bulgaria can be anywhere from$100 to $400 for 2 people. Street food is a cheap as $4 per person. Or, enjoy a meal including a bottle of local wine at a nice restaurant for as little as $20. Plan on having at least $600 in your pocket for this vacation.
St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
This landmark in Sofia, Bulgaria, a Russian orthodox church built between 1882 and 1912 commemorates the lives of 200,000 Russian soldiers lost in the Russo Turkish war. One of the best things about this tourist attraction, besides the amazing Russian/European architecture, is the admission is free.
Buzludza Monument
Located off the beaten path in Kazanlak, Bulgaria, this monument is not easy to get to. You need to rent a car or take a taxi to get there. Built in 1970 for the Bulgarian Communist Party. It is illegal to enter the building. But this historic site upon which it is built is awe-inspiring. This location is the exact point where the 1868 battle between the Bulgarians and the Ottoman took place. Book your excursion from most hotels. Gather 8 people together and the cost will be about 20 Euros per person for the trip to this monument.
Devil’s Bridge
About 10 Km from the town of Ardino, over the Arda River, lies the Devil’s Bridge. This 16th-century structure was built over a collapsed bridge. An eerie name for such a beautiful historic humpback bridge. Folklore has two stories for this bridge. One claims that the devil’s footprint is on the rocks. The other says the shadow of the wife of one of the builders is encased in one of the stones. It was actually named Devil’s Bridge because the reflection of the bridge in the water, when turned on its side, looks like the face of the devil with two horns and a long pointy beard. The price of admission – FREE!
Eyes of God
No matter if you are a believer or not, this cave is something to behold. Prohodna Cave is located in the Iskar Gorge. This 262 meters long cave has 2 large eye-shaped holes at the top of the cave. Reflection from the sun makes the “eyes” glow. They are a true marvel!. Admission is FREE!
Thailand
Just the name Thailand sounds exotic and expensive. In truth, this unique travel destination is quite reasonable. Located in Southeast Asia, the average cost of a 7-night stay in a hotel is approximately $450 for 2 people. Meals cost $15 per day per person. Local transportation for 2 costs $12 per trip. Plan on having at least $700 in your pocket for this vacation.
wat pa maha Chidi Kaew Temple
That’s a mouthful. Literally! This unique structure is constructed entirely from beer bottles. 1000s of empty beer bottles discarded every year in Thailand are the reason for this temple. The monks grew tired of the litter spewed throughout the country. They collected the empties and rather than returning them for a refund, they built this awe-inspiring temple. Millions of empty Heineken and green beer bottles and Chang red beer bottles were used. The structure includes a temple, a crematorium, a water tower, a dorm, and toilets all made from these bottles. Admission is FREE!
Erawan Waterfalls
An amazing wonder of nature, the Erawan Waterfalls are 7 tiers of cascading water that land into emerald green pools of water. Each tier is more beautiful than the last. The falls are named after Airata the 3-headed mythical elephant. No swimming is allowed in the falls. Cost of admission – $10 per person.
Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat Phrachomklao Rachanusorn
Perched on the craggy mountain tops about 112 Kms from Chiang Mai, in the village of Lampang lie these bell temples called stupas. Several bell-shaped temples dot the landscape. Built by hand by 46 men guided by a Lampang monk. Men carried the stones by hand to the site of the build. Rumor has it Buddha’s footprint is on these sacred grounds. Be prepared for an 800-meter hike to the top and an $8 entrance fee.
Zanzibar
This unique travel destination is found in the Indian Ocean 22 miles off the east of Africa. Zanzibar was the central hub for ivory and slave trading back in the day. As a result, the country has a multicultural blend of Indian, Arabic, Resian, Indonesian, and Chines cultures.
Today it is famous for its warm weather and sandy beaches. High season travel is between June and September. 7 nights in Zanzibar cost $350 for 2 people. Sightseeing and food add another $400 to the budget. Plan to have at least $800 in your pocket for the week.
Night Markets
Around the country cities and towns transform at night. Tourists and locals flock to the street fair. Lot’s of street vendors and chefs dressed in white coats and chef’s hats line the streets. Enjoy foods ranging from French dessert crepes, to stuffed crepes with pizza toppings, falafel, or samosas served on white cardboard plates.
Stone Town
If the beach is more your style, then Stone Town is for you. This historic town has beautiful beaches, along with many bazaars for great shopping. A maze of narrow streets and alleys boasts 19th-century architecture influenced by its early settlers from Europe, India, and Arabia.
Slave Market Memorial
Zanzibar had the most brutal slave traders of their time. The last slave trade shut down in 1873. The memorial is the site where slaves were held. It has a mansion on one side where 15 dungeon-like cells held way too many people crammed into the tiny rooms. An Anglican church is on the opposite side of the grounds. Stone carvings found at the memorial today depict the treatment of the slaves. Admission is $5 per person.
Spice Farm Tour
On a lighter note…Zanzibar produces some of the finest cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, and black pepper. Zanzibar exports 41% of the cloves it produces. Take a tour and learn how the spices grow. Enjoy a spice tasting and a light snack. Shop for your own spices to take home with you. Tours start at $13 per person.
In Summary
Cheapskate or not, these unique travel ideas fit any budget. The locations are extraordinary. The costs are minimal. Experiences are plentiful. And, they won’t break the bank. We would love to hear from you. Which one will you try? Tell us about your favorite frugal vacation.
This post was all about unique travel destinations for the cheapest travelers, including an array of things to do, and the average cost for each vacation.