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If you love cultural overseas tours and shun away from them because you think it will be a rip in your pocket, you are disillusioned. Such tours can actually be economical if planned carefully. I will share with you my experience on a ’four-day three-night’ cultural tour I organised for just US$549.

Firstly, let me share with you my planning strategies. The first thing to do is to check out travel agencies in the country or city you will be travelling to. This can be done online or sourced from any reputable travel magazines or brochures. Circumventing your local tour agent will save you a lot of money. You will need to plan and do your leg work way in advance. Communicate with the travel agents via email and customise your own itinerary. You will need time to do your own research on the cultural performances that are available at that time so that your preferences can be communicated. Once you have gotten feedback on the price of your tours based on your itinerary, shortlist your candidates and decide on the one that offers value for money.

My four-day three-night tour to Bangkok in November 2009 provided me with an exposure to the culture of Thailand through the array of performing arts showcased. It comprised a cultural dance show at dinner, a traditional puppet show and a visual extravaganza staged Thai dance and mime performance that spanned over time and generation.

I would recommend Siam Niramit which is a famous staged cultural show held in an auditorium that has a seating capacity of 2000. I recommend getting there early, say by 4pm. Take a tour around the cultural village where homes from the central, northern, northeastern and southern regions are displayed. There are also dessert and handicraft making demonstrations by Thais dressed in traditional attire. You can also take a boat ride on the little lake around the village. In addition, there is a cultural performance at 6pm in which traditional Thai dance and music are showcased.

The next stop is a dinner buffet that can be purchased with the ticket. I would recommend having dinner at 6pm before the crowds come in. There is a wide spread of dishes to choose from. Some examples include sushi, glass noodles, aglio olio pasta, curry, chicken soup noodles, fish in pesto sauce and pumpkin in coconut milk. Simply put, the dishes are international vegetarian including Japanese, Vietnamese, Western and of course Thai cuisine. 

The highlight is the Siam Niramit show that is 80 minutes long. It comes in 3 acts- Journey back into history, Jo.urney beyond Imagination, Journey Through Joyous Festivals. Dancers get audience engaged in the auditorium where they are encouraged to participate in the Loy Krathong Festival. A procession of elepahants at the end of the show injects an element of surprise for the audience. There is indeed so much colour and vibrance in the whole show. The sound and visual effects like thunder, rain, harvest time, boats travelling on the river are spectacular. The parts when the front of the stage is transformed into a river and when dieties appear to be flying are phenomenal. I must say, the show is a must-see if you are in Bangkok.

Tickets may vary from agent to agent. Check out and compare prices before purchasing. The following are websites that can give you a head start: Hotels2thailand, Alexholiday, Siammedee. I find that buying online from the Siam Niramit website seems to be dearer. Hence, tickets can be bought separately from a different tour agent that offers free pick-up from hotel and value-for-money ticket that includes a buffet dinner.  

The next visit I would recommend is the Joe Louise Puppet Theatre. This theatre specialises and focuses on puppet performance on the Ramayana epic. The way the puppets are manipulated is really amazing. It takes so much skill to master the right way of controlling each puppet. Each move mirrors the facial expression, the feelings, action of the puppet. 

The first and third person in a row of three use facial expressions that mirorr that of the puppet.

The body of the puppeteers move to coordinate with the movement of the puppet.  

Three cultural shows thrown in including a trip down the Chao Praya River that includes a visit to to the Temple of Dawn and the Grand Palace cost only US$549. The price includes airfare (flying with the national carrier, Thai Airways) lodging and three daily meals. Of course, you can save up more if you can get a better airfare deal online, especially if you have to take connecting flights. 

So you see, you don’t have to end up missing out on a themed tour like the cultural or historical tour of your choice because of the impression that it is going to blow your budget. Plan ahead and be smart with your choice and booking strategies. Once you have your contacts at hand and have made a list of the cultural shows you want to watch, it’s time to start taking quotes from the local agents. Happy trip planning!  

Most of us may have the perception that youth hostels are strictly for youths. Indeed, we are wrong. Youth hostels are for the adventurous budget traveller regardless of age. Such accommodations are affordable alternatives to hotels and unlike hotels, you have a choice of whether to choose to share a room with up to eight people or have a room to yourself. Bear in mind that single rooms are few and cost higher than the dormitory-like rooms but nonetheless less expensive than a hotel room. Also most hostels offer only dormitory-like rooms. If you don’t mind sharing a room with strangers, this will be an opportunity for you to get to meet people from different countries.   

If you have never stayed in a hostel before and are interested in staying in one, here are some facts you need to know:

1)   Know what to expect 

As most hostels keep their single rooms at a minimum, you have to be open to sharing a room and bathroom with strangers. You will not receive any freebies like soap and towels. Sheets are not provided and you won’t have the luxury of watching the television all on your own. On the other hand, hostels may offer amenities that hotels don’t such as a common kitchen, games room, library and free internet access.

2)  Find a hostel  

Look up hostels on the internet. Simply do an internet search for hostels and the city and you will be provided with a list of hostel information. You can also click these websites that I have sourced from the internet: www.hiusa.org, http://www.hostelineurope.com, http://www.hostels.com. Most important, is to check reviews by guests to gauge the quality of the accommodation.

Try to exchange notes with other travellers at the hostel you will be staying for future reference. Check hostel sites to find out about the location, availability of lockers, single rooms or access to free internet.

3)  Compare prices before you book  

You can either book directly from the hostel website itself or through general hostel sites. In most cases, online booking is cheaper as they offer deals especially during the low peak season. 

4) Decide whether or not to join Hostelling International

Hostelling International is an organization of hostels that maintain certain standards. They’re often cleaner and more reliable. A few of these hostels will not allow non-members, but most simply charge you a non-member supplement (usually 1-5 dollars a night extra). Check to see if non-members are welcome before making a booking. If you’re going to be staying in Hostelling International hostels in Europe for more than a week in any given year, consider buying a membership card, available for Americans at hiusa.org.  

(Refer to Hostelling International’s website for other countries’ sites). A year’s membership costs $28 as of 2010, and gives other benefits, such as very basic travel insurance, discounted trips and activities in many countries, concessions on entertainment and reduced admission to museums and cultural events. It is worth it only if you travel regularly and choose to stay in ’Hostelling International’ hostels. Do thorough research on museum exhibits, cultural events and entertainment at the time of travel at that location and double check if you are eligible for such member benefits.

5) Pack appropriately.

Because hostels don’t provide the same amenities as hotels, be sure to pack a towel and bring your own toiletries. There will be no toothpaste, soap, shampoo, lotion, etc. Bring a small combination lock for those hostels that have lockers but expect you to bring your own lock. Your mobile phone alarm will be valuable but if you are wary about placing it on the bed beside you in a room consisting of strangers, an alarm clock will be a good replacement. If you’re a light sleeper, consider earplugs. Thongs or rubber slippers are useful for trips to the bathroom or common room. 

Hostel accommodation is not for everyone. You have to have a sense of adventure and make an effort to get to know people of different cultures to learn from others and enrich your travel experience. Such an accommodation allows you to stretch your budget while at the same time widen your horizons.  

Free and easy is a concept of travel which gives vacationers the freedom to design their own itineraries. There are two ways you can make a free and easy holiday possible. The first is to hook up with a tour agent and purchase air tickets, book accommodation and arrange for airport transfers. The second is to do everything online by comparing prices. This involves a lot of research but saves you a lot of money.     

Whichever way choose, free and easy travel allows vacationers the freedom to choose the attractions or specific places they want to visit without being subjected to a schedule set by the tour agency and monitored by a tour operator. For example, during my visit to London a few years back, I had the liberty to choose a local agent that conducted tours to the historic university town of Oxford, to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of our world famous writer, William Shakespeare and to Warwick Castle. I had a short but fulfilling stay in England and did not have to succumb to the tight time limit stipulated by the tour guide just so we could move to our next destination. I have stayed away from group tours for a long time now as I didn’t want to be hassled and be part of a herded flock of sheep. No offence to those who favour group tours. Of course both kinds of tours have got their advantages.

Free and easy vacationers will not have to wait to have enough bookings on the same trip and date to start a group tour. Bookings can be made anytime of the year and at any lodging of your choice.

Vacationers can take their time to visit a particular tourist attraction in a free and easy tour. If delayed, the time to tour at the next destination can be adjusted or rescheduled if the period of stay permits. Vacationers can pick and choose their favourite tour sites and focus on sight-seeing instead of shopping which is part of the activity thrown in by tour operators in a packaged tour.

The other benefit is to discover more of the place and the food that it offers. The budget conscious vacationer is free to take a stroll to the nearest market or street from their lodgings to savour the sights, soak in the atmosphere and check out food outlets that offer affordable prices. Alternatively, the vacationer can also purchase the basic ingredients for sandwiches to cut down on food expenses and concentrate on sight-seeing. 

For those who go on free and easy tours of their own, 30-40% can be saved as they circumvent commissions paid to the tour agents. Most importantly, there is a liberty of choice based on preference. This is also way cheaper than customised tours conducted by an agent. 

Below are some tips on free and easy tours based on my experiences:

1. Plan your itinerary carefully

Spend a little more time doing online research and make a few phone calls to ensure smooth planning. Be realistic when planning your itinerary such that you do not include too many places of interest to visit per day. Three places in a day will be sufficient, taking into consideration the time taken to travel to each destination. If renting a taxi from a reputable company is cheaper for a short period of time, by all means go ahead. Alternatively, a large amount of time will have to be spent in researching on local transport such as the public bus, train or tram and transport routes. Check the operating hours of places of interests so that you can prioritise the order of places to visit. It is also advisable to check entrance fee charges and possible discounted rates for senor citizens or visa card holders.         

 2.     .  Learn the basics of the language used by the locals

Get a travel guide that contains some information of the place you are visiting and the basic words and phrases that help you ask for directions, seek medical assistance or order food. 

3.      Travel in a small group of up to four people

Assign a task to each group member prior to the trip such as hotel and flight research and bookings, research on places of interests and transport. This lifts the burden of having to research on several aspects of the tour by one or two people. Besides, accommodation charges and food expenses can be reduced by up to 50%.

4.       Be comfortable and confident of the destination

Ensure that the country of visit is safe for free and easy travel. Don’t risk taking the public transport if you know that there is a high chance you will be robbed or pick-pocketed. Otherwise, it will be safer to engage a tour guide and driver from a local reputable agent.

5.       Do not flash your valuables  

Avoid carrying backpacks when travelling as this may attract skilful pickpockets in crowded places. I had an awful experience one evening when my camera got stolen from my haversack in downtown human-packed Sydney.  Travel pouches or sling bags are safer to carry as the way such bags are carried ensures that they can be seen and felt nestled in front of you or by your side. Avoid carrying too much cash at one time.  Use the hotel safe to keep your passport or part of your cash.   

Bear in mind that there have been cases in which free and easy vacationers have to end up paying more than those who book packaged tours.  This is because the latter comes with accommodation, daily meals and entrance fees to local attractions that cost cheaper for bulk bookings. If you still have your hearts set on a free and easy holiday, ensure that you do your homework thoroughly by comparing prices and strike the best deals on offer.  

Happy Valentine’s Day to all readers and happy travelling!   

If you want to travel but don’t want to pay a high price for air travel, there is always the road trip to consider. It is definitely affordable and fuss free. Consider visiting the countryside or the sea resorts or even travel interstate.

Here are money-saving ideas that allow you to travel and have a break from daily routine.

Split Travel Expenses

Split the fuel, food and accommodation expenses amongst your friend. You can’t do that with airfare or any other form of transportation.

Rent or borrow a car with great fuel mileage and a weekend road trip for four could cost less than $50 a person in fuel, depending on the destination. Overall expenditure rates will also be cheaper than you think.

No Baggage Fees

You don’t have to consider baggage excess allowance and the fees incurred. Just pack as much as the space in the boot allows. You can even bring a bicycle or a surf board that can be easily fastened on top of the car. Fishing rods can be carried around too for some fishing experience. You will never get to bring such equipment on the plane. You don’t have to wait at the baggage carousel to retrieve your luggage. That is one hassle eliminated. Your luggage travels with you and arrives the same as you.

Smaller Towns Cost Less to Visit

With a road trip, it’s possible to visit places not serviced by airlines, or even sometimes bus or train. Don’t overlook the idea of going off-the-beaten-path on a road trip and visiting small towns instead of a large city. They often have a charm all their own such as quaint houses and shops and lovely landscapes. Visit a curio shop or have scones in a quaint antique shop. Admire the clock tower at the town square, visit the local farmer’s market or have picnic at the park.

As a plus, hotels, restaurants and attractions can cost considerably less, as well. A chain hotel that costs $150 a night in a large city could cost half that per night in a mid-size or smaller city or town. A family-run diner could provide one of the best meals ever eaten for the same price as a fast food value meal.

Bring Snacks and Drinks

Pack a cooler with ice. Stick in some water, soft drinks and sandwich fixings and a group of four can easily save on dining expenses while on the road. If traveling in a larger vehicle, consider investing in a small fridge that plugs into the lighter outlet. Try preparing convenient sandwich fillings or easy meals for the first day of the trip to cut down on the food budget. Examples are egg mayonnaise, tuna, salami, shredded chicken, and corned beef.

No Need for a Rental Car

One doesn’t need to spend money on a rental car when one drives to a destination. Use your own vehicle or borrow from a friend or family member. You can save on rental cost and other hidden fees. The money saved can be spent on petrol and accommodation instead.

Of course one of the best reasons to go on a road trip is just spending more time on the journey, bond with your friends and have unforgettable memories. You cut down travel expenses by half at the same time.

Bargaining is common in markets and stalls in many parts of Asia as well as in South America and Asia. It is an advantage to have an idea of how to bargain in order to avoid being cheated as well as strike a good deal. 

Bargaining should be done with goodwill so that neither party’s integrity is undermined. It is indeed an art that has to be mastered. Use smiles and good humour.  Beware of the fact that the business of bargaining can be brutal! 

Here is how I approach a bargaining process:

A vendor starts quoting a product for, let’s say, $20.  I say ‘No, too much.’  The vendor then says, ‘OK, $15.’

I say, ‘No,no. I will take it if you sell it for $10.’

The vendor says, ‘Oh, too low. $13?’

I say ‘$11. I have to go soon because my bus is waiting. If you don’t give me I will have to go.’

The vendor says, ‘No no. $13 or I cannot break even.’ 

I say ok, I will take it for $12. I have to go now if you can’t give that to me.’ 

Voila! A deal is struck. That’s a 60% price difference!

In such cases, I get to buy two of the same items such as souvenirs by asking for $24. Doubling the items will be a win-win situation for both as the vendor gets to sell more at one go.

Shopkeepers have a healthy tourist margin built in and will always aim high, taking full advantage of a good profit from the unsuspecting shopper.  I try to say no gently but firmly and laugh with them and quote a lower price.   

In many cases, I tend to successfully strike good deals by getting a price for 60% less than the original. If I am lucky, I get to buy an item for 50% less. Bargaining can be fun and satisfying when a good price is struck. It may not work with everyone but it takes some practice to be good at it.