Posted 15 months ago
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It’s that time again. Another year of slog winding to a close. It’s hard to know where the year went. After the whirlwind, it sometimes feels like we’re just putting one foot in front of the other in an epic battle to reach a finish line that somehow always seems to be just over the horizon. For many of us, the only thing that keeps us going is the promise of soon getting away from it all and enjoying a thoroughly deserved change of scenery on holiday.
You may have spent weeks or months weighing up the options and daydreaming about pristine beaches, inspiring mountain vistas or ruins of ancient civilisations. Nevertheless, financial pressures can often cause those castles to come crashing out of the sky. Even if you’ve exhaustively researched smart strategies for travelling on a budget, that long-awaited, coveted getaway may be as distant as ever.
The good news is; often, where you travel is just as important as how when it comes to maneuvering the price tag into your budget. No amount of scrimping and saving is going to make Paris, London or Tokyo magically fall within your financial reach. That’s why we thought we’d take a look at some alternative destinations that can deliver all the satisfaction of the great overseas adventure at a far more affordable cost:
Go Local
There is an insanely good reason why over 10 million people will visit Australia this year. Our country is the envy of the world for its mind-bogglingly diverse ranges of landscape, culture, flora and fauna. From sparkling beaches and breathtaking desert landscapes to waddling penguins, cuddly koalas and everything in between, Australia really does have it all. Yet, most of us have no idea how lucky we are. Rather than joining the throngs heading OS for the time of their lives, you can save a packet by exploring what our own country has to offer. You may be surprised what local delights you can discover within a few hours’ drive of wherever you are. Take the international airfares and over-priced tourist traps out of the fiscal equation, and all of a sudden that holiday is looking a darned sight more achievable.
Beyond Bali
You know there are 17,507 “other” islands in Indonesia, right? With so many pristine locations to choose from, it’s more than a little perplexing that we all seem to gravitate to only one of them. If the thought of another tuk-tuk ride through Kuta has you hitting the eye-roll emoji, then perhaps it’s time to look further afield within our closest neighbour’s shores. Places such as Surabaya, Gilli islands, Mount Bromo, Yogyakarta, Raja Ampat and literally thousands more are just waiting to be discovered. You’ll get the same ludicrously cheap airfares to Indonesia, but prices for accommodation, food and medicinal beverages are even lower than you might be used to in Bali.
Czech, Please!
If sophisticated Western culture and history are more your style, but the price tag has you breaking into a cold sweat, Eastern Europe may be more your speed. There are few locations more breathtakingly beautiful, romantic and inspiring than Prague in the Czech Republic. The place is FULL of culture. Chokkers! All that rich, vibrant history and inspirational architecture can be yours for a surprisingly low cost. While flight prices to Europe are a little higher, fares to Prague tend to be somewhat lower. Better still, given that it’s the off-peak season, if you don’t mind the cold, you’ll find accommodation, food and drink far less expensive than in the Northern summer.
Plenty to Sri Here
Sri Lanka has seen its fair share of troubles in recent years; however, things have been relatively safe in the post-war period. With the bulk of international tourists still hesitant to sample the unimaginable delights of this magnificent island, the locals have rammed the prices to bargain-basement level to attract the more intrepid travellers. Additionally, you’ll be treated like royalty by the warm locals keen to make a great impression. A strong security presence should give you the confidence to explore with peace of mind and savour the stunning sights, smells, sounds and flavours of this jewel. Given that there have been more incidents on London Bridge than in all of Sri Lanka in the past couple of years, there’s no reason why you should feel less safe here than anywhere else in the world.
You’d Better Belize It!
Definitely not the cheapest place to get to, but once you’re there, you’ll wonder how you never knew this gem of a country even existed. Nestled on the tip of Central America’s Yucatan Peninsula between Mexico and Guatemala, Belize is actually a Caribbean country with English as the national language. Home to some of the most incredible scuba diving and lush tropical rainforests imaginable, Belize is also easy on the wallet outside of the capital Belmopan. 5-star accommodations are few and far between. Nevertheless, you can find perfectly adequate lodgings with delicious calypso grub and lashings of amber fluid and rum for a steal. With so much to do at such little cost, this undiscovered corner of the globe is a must-see - if you can get there.
If your feet are getting itchy, but your wallet is groaning; hopefully, these tips will guide you to the right points of the compass. While they are all relatively affordable options, if your finances simply won’t stretch that far, then Speckle is here to lend a hand. A small cash loan of up to $2000 from Speckle is enough to cover most major expenses to these destinations. So, what are you waiting for? Escape the grind and recharge your batteries knowing that Speckle has your back and won’t land you in unmanageable debt to ruin your homecoming.
Happy Trails!