10 Places to Visit on a Budget

Let’s face it, we all want to travel the world as often as possible; so what’s stopping you? Oh yes, that one very important factor, money. Worry no more, here are the top 10 places to visit when travelling on a budget.

1) Naples, Italy

As one of the the oldest cities in Europe, this Italian city is one of the most unique spots, filled with intriguing cultural sights and monuments. Not only are you able to enjoy the luxurious seaside, castles and Baroque architecture, it is well known for the official birthplace of the one nd only, PIZZA; which did I mention, you can enjoy for as little as €4. Just incase you needed a little more convincing, you are also able to have an amazing view of the famous Mount Vesuvius, just by sitting by the bay.

2) Albufeira, Portugal

Albufeira’s warm climate, fabulous beaches and inexpensive hotels makes it a must see when travelling on a budget. There are over 100 different restaurants, bars and nightclubs, and even a charming Old Town with traditional Portuguese streets and plazas within the city center. Additionally, the prices for both food and wine are extremely reasonable even during the busiest times in Summer.

3) Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik, with its old-world charm, is one of Croatia’s most beautiful city’s to visit. The streets are paved with limestone, giving it a cool, very much needed feel during the hot summer days. One of the best things bout visiting Dubrovnik, is it’s closeness to Montenegro as well as other Croatian islands, meaning you can go island hopping as well as do day trips to another country. It’s a win-win.

4) Prague, Czech Republic

Although it is currently one of the main touristic attractions visited by families, bachelor parties as well as backpackers, this city never fails to remain as one of the most affordable places to visit. For just a few Czech Crowns you can enjoy a traditional, Czech meal, washed down with homemade, local beer as well as visit all the famous monuments. The city itself is  one of the most beautiful in Europe, crammed with history, perfect for leisurely explorations by foot.

5) Karpathos, Greece

The magical Greek Island of Karpathos offers much of the same aesthetics as touristic islands such as Santorini and Mykonos, with the advantage of lower prices and less crowded spaces. Not only are you able to enjoy the sun, sand and food, this island features historic ruins which can be found at the Archaeological Museum as well as hillsides covered in vibrant wild flowers with small villages like to explore. It’s definitely a step into the traditional, authentic Greek culture with plenty of budget hotels under 100€.

6) Mostar, Bosnia

This East-meets-West city in the heart of Europe, embodies a truly authentic experience like no other. If you are looking to get away from all things touristy and eat some organic, homemade foods, you’ve come to the right place. This stunning old town is made of winding streets paved with cobblestones and is known for its medieval arched bridge (Star Most) that towers gracefully across the crystal, cool waters of the Neretva River.

7) Sri Lanka

This small island is one of the best places to visit when looking for unique experiences while going easy on the money spending. Although some imagine it as a major beach spot, while this is true, there is more to this island than one can imagine. Some other features include, water sports, historic monuments, unique foods as well as, breathtaking hikes. While you are there, don’t miss a chance to visit Ella, a small mountain town with a laid-back hippy vibe, accessible via a scenic train ride that will cost you less than 8€ and brings you past stunning tea plantations. You will most definitely find your inner zen while on this island.

8) Fez, Morocco

As the second largest city in Morocco, Fez’s enchanting, lively markets filled with fascinating leathers, cafes serving Moroccan mint tea and local pastries is a must see. Here you are able to stay at Moroccan homes built around a central courtyard or garden, which feature cozy rooms and rooftop terraces where you can fully relax after a tiring day of walking through a labyrinth of alleyways. Prices for a double room can be as low as 550 dirhams (60€), while a typical tangine dinner is around 50 dirhams (6€).

9) Piran, Slovenia

Slovenia is a magical country in the heart of Europe bordering the alps as well as the Mediterranean Coast. If you are looking to experience a little bit of everything such as mountains, beaches, lakes, caves as well as castles, Piran, also known as little Venice, is the place to go. Here you can experience fresh seafood for under 10€ after a day of sightseeing by foot. Climb up to the city walls and to the top of the bell tower for spectacular views, or rent a bike and cycle through the countryside. Whatever you choose to do, you will not regret visiting this enchanting place!

10) Hurghada, Egypt

When people think of beach getaways, the majority of the time, they never consider Egypt. Tourism in Egypt is currently down, due to the unstable government, shaky economy and terrorism. Despite this, you shouldn't fear visiting Egypt. It’s remarkably cheap considering it has one of the most remarkable coral reefs and deserts in the world. A desert tour can cost you about 30€ while a  five-star luxury hotel can come to 50€ a night.

Nicole Fernandez Medina

How to Avoid Being a Victim of Theft in Greece

While Greece may currently have economic troubles, it remains as one of the most popular holiday destinations. Here are a few tips on how to avoid pickpockets in Greece.

1)    Remember not to hang your belongings, including your handbag on the back side of the chair in restaurants, especially ones near the beach as they tend to be really crowded and the perfect spot for pickpockets to act.

2)    When sightseeing and taking photos, make sure not to get too distracted from your surroundings. Make sure to keep your belongings close to you in order to avoid anyone taking advantage of your hands being busy.

3)    Avoid leaving your belongings on the beach without constantly keeping an eye on them. Pickpockets love going to the beach in summer due to the high volume of tourists and therefore things to steal.  Do not leave them in sight, try and hide them under your towel or clothes.

4)   As many tourists enjoy renting a car when travelling around Greece, if you are one of them do NOT leave your bag on the seat next to you when the window is down as a pickpocket may stick their hand in when you are stationary.

5)   Lastly, beware of any scooter or bike noises coming up behind you as they may ride as your side and attempt to steal your bag or belongings. Furthermore, they may even snatch the whole bag if they are travelling at a high speed.

Safe travels!

Nicole Fernandez Medina

The Ultimate Guide To Prevent Pickpocketing

Travel is a beautiful thing and exploring other countries is a wonderful way to open our eyes and learn about the World in a fun and exciting way. In addition to enjoying the sights and immersing yourself in culture it is really important to make sure your stuff stays safe from pickpockets. Pickpocketing is a major petty crime that affects people across the world, particularly tourists. Pickpockets ruin people’s holidays so to help out we put together an Ultimate Guide on how to protect yourself from pickpockets. All the tips are below. Happy Travelling. Enjoy!

(1) Stay vigilant in crowds and stay away from commotions

Whenever there is any type of commotion or a sudden surge of crowds, BE ALERT as it is the perfect situation for pickpockets to create a distraction for their target. It can happen very quickly, so make sure you keep an eye on your belongings.

(2) Spread your valuables instead of keeping them in once place

Put your money, valuables and important documents in different compartments and pockets. This is so it decreases the chance of all your valuables being taken away at once.

(3) Watch your bags and luggage on trains

Keep a close eye and hold onto your bags and luggage on the train/bus. Also check they are not accessible through open windows or train/bus doors because thieves will reach through and grab items as quickly as they can.

(4) Avoid rummaging through your wallet or counting money in public

This is important, so you don’t make yourself more visible to be targeted by pickpockets. If you feel you need to count your money and sort out stuff in your wallet or bag, make sure to do it in the safety of your hotel room.

(5) Keep purses/backpacks strapped tightly to your body

Tighten the straps of your bag to your shoulders or arms, this will ensure extra safety with your possessions as it will be easier to detect any tampering and it will be harder for thieves to snatch your bag away.

(6) Secure your bag to an immovable object 

When you are at a restaurant or cafe, loop your bag’s strap around the leg of your chair, the leg of your table or your leg. This ensures that thieves can’t come by and quickly snatch your bag. 

(7) Keep your phone off the table

Smartphones and tablets are very popular for pickpockets to steal. Many people leave their devices on the table while they’re socialising and eating, which makes it easy for a thief to snatch it and run away.

(8) Limit what you carry

When sightseeing you do not have to carry a lot of stuff. It is advised to not carry a lot of cash or valuables on you at any given time during your vacation. It will be much safer leaving it in your hotel room.

(9) If you have a heavy coat you are at more risk

BE AWARE because it will be a lot easier for a thief to insert his or her hand in your pocket without you feeling anything. In order to increase protection of your stuff, make sure you put your things inside hidden pockets and compartments. This is very useful for tourists that will be travelling to colder destinations.

(10) Put both hands in your pockets when in highly crowded areas

Keep your hands covering critical pockets such as your front pockets when in crowds to prevent external access to your contents such as wallets, cash or ID.

(11) Don't carry your wallet or smartphone in your back pocket

By putting your wallet or smartphone in your back pocket, it leaves you open to be an easy target for pickpockets. Keep these high valued items concealed and out of sight completely.

(12) Be wary of any strangers approaching you

Ignore beggars and random individuals that approach you. It is more than likely they know you are a tourist and their approach will create a smokescreen leaving you vulnerable to being a victim. Please be aware that pickpockets can sometimes work in twos or threes against a target. So if you are approached, please ignore them and keep going.

(13) Leave your passport at the hotel

Your passport is the single most important document you will carry on your vacation, so if you don’t need to carry it everywhere with you, just leave it in your hotel room.

Just for extra pre-caution, you can create photocopies of your passport and keep them in various bags and pockets.

(14) Keep your hands in your pockets when walking through large crowds.

Putting your hands in your pockets when you are walking through large crowds creates a blockage to prevent any pickpockets from slipping their hands into your pockets to take your small valuable items.

(15) Do not speak with anyone while using the ATM/Cash machine

While withdrawing cash do not accept anyone's help in making a withdrawal. Whilst typing in your PIN number cover the keypad with your free hand so the PIN cannot be viewed. Also, watch out for an extra card reader at the front of the machine or where you swipe your card. These card readers are called skimmers and can capture the information from your credit card if you swipe or insert it. In order to ensure safety, go to a bank and withdraw cash from the check-in section or get assistance from the bank employee.

(16) Carry your theft-proof bag

Pickpockets like to target people that clearly look and dress like tourists. One of the telltale signs that make a tourist a target is when they wear their backpack on their front. That lets pickpockets know that you are a tourist and you are unfamiliar with your current environment. In order to avoid this, you should get a theft-proof bag that has hidden anti-theft zips that enables you to wear your backpack on your back without worrying about being a victim of pickpocketing. The bags are also made of strong sturdy material that prevents slashing. Here is the link http://www.highspiritbags.com/shop

(17) Final Tip

Most people assume pickpockets are dodgy looking men, but a large number of pickpockets are actually young girls and boys — usually around 10-18 years old. Most tourists don’t suspect that a young child would steal from them, so they’re less defensive around them. Sometimes, pickpockets are well dressed and you’d never expect them to be thieves. So as you are enjoying your holiday, just try to stay vigilant and aware and you will be totally fine.