Local Travel Tip

Thailand is the land of smiles.  It is also the land of traveling on the cheap!  We’ll see just how low cost Thailand really is.

The airplane tickets are going to be your biggest expense to anywhere is Asia, between $700-$1200 per ticket.  But once you’re there, you’ll be surprised at how much you dinner will cost.

When eating on the street, you’ll find a meal for $.66.  My wife and I often ate 3 or 4 course meals for $25 total; this was a life I could get used to.

I was surprised at the cost of a Taxi in Bangkok.  It seemed to round out to about 1USD per mile.  If you’re willing to take the bus, you’ll be paying around $.10 per ride.

If you’re going, everyone will tell you to head to Kao San Road.  For the most part, this is true.  I would hop in the taxi and tell them to take you there.

There are plenty of guesthouses, and you’ll find one easily. BUT, and this is a big BUT, I would only book 2 or 3 nights, and go to find something elsewhere.

Kao San Road is expensive compared to other parts of the city.  Even the roads around Kao San will be cheaper.

Personally, I’m not into the party scene, so I didn’t mind being away from Kao San Road, and still found plenty of cultural restaurants, museums, and sites to see.

The trick is getting out there and really exploring.  I had a guide book with me at all times, and was able to find things worth seeing, no matter what part of the country I was in.

Thailand really is as low cost as they say, and is worth checking out!  I would definitely set aside a good 4 weeks to get all the exploring that you want.

So, you heard right, the low cost Thailand really is worth it.

As the recession continues, life is as stressful as ever. Despite the economic difficulties, family unity and relaxation are also as important as they ever have been. Vacations can be as affordable as prior recession life and they do not have to be extravagant as long as you find the stress free environment that you are looking for. 

In a few instances, some places that you would only have been able to dream of visiting have now become affordable through the recession. One such case is a vacation to Iceland. Their currency value of their kronur has recently dropped about 51%, cutting vacation fees immensely from what they were a year ago.

Iceland also used to be one of the most dreamed of, luxurious, and fantastic vacation locations in Europe. One of the most famous tourist attractions in Iceland is the blue lagoon. The blue lagoon is a beautiful geothermal seawater and mineral-enriched pool. The steam rising from the water adds a romantic and mystical effect.

Iceland’s Thingvellir National Park features beautiful natural landscapes and has very interesting geological and historical value. This park is the original meeting site of the longest lasting parliament in the world. It is also the location where the North-American and European continental shelf plates are separating.

Of course, this is a spectacular location to view the northern lights and many other beautiful parts of nature. Take advantage of the low prices and visit the scenic wonders of Ireland!

On a trip to Italy no one can resist the allure of their famous gelato. However, Italians know that tourists are suckers for this delicious treat and they line the streets with gelaterias. With so many choices, how do you find the best? Your best bet is to ask the locals, but if your Italian isn’t up to par, here are some tips to finding the best.

1. Steer clear of big tourist spots. There are always plenty of enticing gelaterias around big tourist areas, but they are usually overpriced and not the best quality.
2. Look for a place with a limited number of flavors. While the stores with dozens of flavors look exciting, they are often not the best quality or most authentic.
3. Explore. Often the best gelaterias are found while just exploring through the winding roads of Italy.

While doing my own exploring in Italy I tried dozens of kinds of gelato. Here is what I found: In Rome, the Old Bridge Gelateria just outside of Vatican City is the best in the city. Inexpensive and delicious! If you find yourself in Siena, avoid the Piazza del Campo and take a stroll down Via dei Rossi. You will stumble upon CopaCabana, not only the best gelato in Siena, but the least expensive as well! If you are a chocolate lover, try their Fondente(dark chocolate).

Enjoy your search to find the best gelato and be daring in your selection of different flavors!