Travelling can be expensive. This shouldn’t be shocking to learn and is, in fact, one of the main reasons why many people say they don’t travel more, if at all. The possibility of putting a serious dent in your budget when you’re already struggling to make ends meet or looking to increase your savings definitely doesn’t sound appealing.
However, while some trips can indeed be very pricey, the idea that all travel will be a very bad idea for your wallet is a misconception.
While there’s something to be said about perspectives as well (since “expensive” and “cheap” can mean very different things depending on the person), it’s important to realize that there are many ways to make travel more affordable.
If you’ve always dreamed about seeing different landscapes and experiencing the beauty and intricacies of other cultures, here are a few of the spots you can consider, and which you can be sure won’t cost an arm and a leg.
Spain
Spain is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, well-known for the beauty of its beaches and mountains, the mild climate, and historical landmarks such as castles and fortresses.
If you travel there, you should definitely look for the best eSIM for Spain to benefit from unlimited data, fast internet, and zero roaming charges, no matter where you are.
You’ll definitely want to send pictures to your friends and family back home, and maybe even livestream from the beautiful locations you visit so that it can feel like they’re there with you as well.
Andalusia, the southernmost autonomous community in Peninsular Spain, is an amazing spot to travel to if you’re on a budget.
Arcos de la Frontera, a town in Sierra de Cádiz, is worth a visit, being full of places of interest. The Castle of Arcos de la Frontera, a medieval construction that was entirely rebuilt in the 15th century, is a private property today, and therefore not accessible to the public, but that doesn’t mean you can’t marvel at its dramatic exteriors.
There’s a Roman altar in the Callejón de las Monjas, while the flying buttresses crossing the alley were built in 1699. The palace and fortress complex of Alhambra, located in Granada, is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country’s most noteworthy tourist attractions.
The Burgalimar Castle, built in the 10th century during the rule of the Umayyad state of Córdoba, is the oldest-surviving castle in Spain and acted as a residence for several monarchs over the years.
Vietnam
Although Vietnam is a very popular tourist destination, many of its most incredible spots remain lesser-known. You’ll be surrounded by friendly locals, get the opportunity to eat some of the most delicious dishes ever, and see spectacular landscapes with your own eyes.
Hà Giang is one of the spots you might want to have on your list. The city and surrounding area, located on the banks of the Lô River in the country’s northeast, is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful places in all of Vietnam.
The eponymous province is a mountainous, densely forested region that is good for the growing of persimmons, peaches, plums, and tea. If you enjoy hiking, this is definitely the best place to do it.
If you visit Hanoi, make sure to drop by the Old Quarter, the city’s historical urban core, where every street specializes in a certain type of commerce or manufacturing. Make sure to sample as many of the local foods as you can as well.
The flavors of bánh xèo (a crispy, savory pancake filled with prawns, pork, mung beans, and green onions), Vietnamese coconut curry, bún bò huế (a soup made with either beef or pork, vermicelli noodles, lemongrass, and blood curds), and bánh bèo (made from rice and tapioca flour, crispy pork rinds, and shrimps) are unlike anything you’ve ever tasted.
Albania
Albania is one of the world’s most affordable travel destinations, and if you like stunning beaches, sunny weather, and Roman ruins, the country will feel like paradise to you.
The Ad Quintum, an ancient settlement located near present-day Bradashesh, was a changing station of the Via Egnatia, a road dating back to the 2nd century BC crossing Thracia, Illyricum, and Macedonia (which are now Albania, Greece, North Macedonia, and a portion of Turkey).
It served as a thermal complex as well, and many of the ancient frescoes and paintings still survive on the walls of the apodyterium, the changing room of Ancient Roman baths.
Remnants of the hypocaust, an ancient system of central heating, can be observed to this day. For more recent history, visit the Ottoman-era towns of Berat and Gjirokastër, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The former has the buildings going down the side of a picturesque rolling hill, while the latter is referred to as the City of Stone due to the fact that all the old houses have roofs covered by flat dressed stones. Both can essentially be regarded as town-sized museums. If you love the great outdoors, definitely visit the Albanian Alps.
You must be a fairly experienced hiker, though, as the trails can be quite steep and uneven, as well as slippery depending on the conditions.
Apart from wildlife species like the European bear, grey wolf, gold jackal, several types of deer, boars, otters, eagles, buzzards, peregrine falcons, owls, and toads, you will most likely spot a lot of sheep as well, as the mountains are home to many tribes that earn their living through herding.
To sum up
Remember that if you want to travel, you don’t have to spend a huge amount of money. There are plenty of beautiful destinations out there where you can visit ancient ruins, eat amazing food, and interact with friendly locals.
You might have to do a little more research or create a more comprehensive itinerary since most of these places aren’t the regular tourist spots that are very easy to reach.
However, when you reach your destination and see how stunning everything around you is, it will definitely feel like it was worth your effort.
