| One of the biggest misconceptions about travelling is | | | | (and economical) experience if you limit yourself to a |
| that shorter trips cost less than the longer ones. The | | | | country or two. Similarly, don't plan to "do" Asia in six |
| reality shows that a month-long journey is not only | | | | months; instead, aim to see a part of it, like the |
| cheaper than 4 one-week vacations. It can also cost | | | | Northeast, or India. And - even if you have a year to |
| about the same as one-week vacation. Likewise, | | | | play with - trying to cram five continents into a single |
| taking a year off to travel can easily be at a better | | | | travel is a sure path to exhaustion. Long-term travel |
| value plus a more memorable experience than a | | | | shouldn't be approached like bulk shopping: The value |
| decade of hurried, two-week vacations. | | | | of your travels does not rely on the number of stamps |
| The secret here is not merely a matter of budgeting- it | | | | you have got in your passport when you get home - |
| is a matter of mindset. Here are strategies, on how to | | | | and the slow experience of a single country is always |
| adopt a mindset that can make a long-term journey | | | | better (and more affordable) than the hurried, |
| affordable: | | | | superficial experience of 10 countries. |
| 1) Do not purchase your travel specifics in advance. | | | | 3) Trying out the local hotels |
| As wonderful as that Ugandan Safari looks in the | | | | A great way to save money and have an enhanced |
| promotional literature of a travel company, searching | | | | travel experience is to sidestep international hotels and |
| for the same experience when you arrive in Africa will | | | | tour companies. Instead of luxury chain hotels, seek out |
| be much less expensive - and you'll save yourself the | | | | clean basic, hostels and local guesthouses. Instead of |
| trouble of adhering to a fixed date. The same goes for | | | | flying from place to place, take local buses, trains, and |
| air travel. A discounted "round-the-world" flight ticket | | | | shared taxis. Instead of dining at fancy restaurants, eat |
| may very well seem tempting but it's generally better | | | | food from street vendors and local cafeterias. Within |
| to buy a one-way ticket to your first destination and | | | | the local economy, one can take a train from one end |
| plan your ongoing transportation as you go. Not only is | | | | of China to the other for what it costs to gas up an |
| it cheaper this way, it allows you a more organic | | | | SUV back home. For the price of a home-delivered |
| experience - since you'll have a much better feel for | | | | pepperoni pizza, one can eat great meals for a week |
| your journey. | | | | in Thailand. For a month's rent in any major American |
| As a general rule, remember that pre-packaged | | | | city, one can spend a year in a beach hut in Nicaragua. |
| adventures and prior arrangements - even those | | | | Moreover, even the industrialized parts of the world |
| touted under the phrase "budget travel" - are for | | | | host enough hostel networks and camping |
| people who can only spare a few days away from | | | | opportunities to make long-term travel affordable. |
| home. | | | | This principle also applies to day-to-day life on the road. |
| Long-term travel is all about setting your own pace | | | | Shop for food in local farmers' markets instead of |
| and finding your own way - and you can rest assured | | | | continually seeking out processed supermarket food |
| that everything you see in a glossy brochure in | | | | and restaurant meals (you'll end up healthier for the |
| Milwaukee will be just as available when you arrive | | | | experience). Moreover, shopping and sleeping in local |
| independently at your destination. | | | | economies will help you understand how local residents |
| 2) Go slow | | | | live. |
| One of the advantages of long-term travel is that it | | | | In the event of lack of money for urgent travelling |
| allows you to see and experience things at your own | | | | needs, you can always count on the internet to guide |
| pace. This will ultimately save you money, since a | | | | your why out of the mess. Why not try out |
| slower travel tempo better integrates you into the local | | | | paydaybank.co.uk to resolve your financial travelling |
| economy, and allows you to wander around and find | | | | needs? Payday Banks are a reliable short term loan |
| your own adventures. | | | | organization based in the United Kingdom and offer |
| Hence, when planning, don't aspire to "do" Central | | | | you affordable loan rates with no credit history check |
| America in six weeks; you'll have a much more vivid | | | | whatsoever. |