Oz Scapes

By Paul Hata

 When traveling on a budget, one of the most often questions is whether it is best to travel independently, making your own airfare, hotel and sightseeing reservations, or choose a package tour where everything is set up for you in advance.

There is unfortunately no easy answer to this question, as it is largely dependent on the location and the specific deals that are available.

For instance, travel to European destinations are often less costly to book on your own, especially when the airlines are running specials of European airfares in the off season.

On the other hand, travel to many exotic locations, like Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Thailand and India, are often much less costly when booked through a package company or travel agent.

That is because these tour operators often have special deals with the national airlines of these companies, and with very nice resort hotels, to provide considerable discounts in exchange for a steady flow of business.

For instance, last year I traveled solo to Egypt from New York for a grand total of $1,100, including airfare, an excellent hotel, daily breakfast, airport transfers, and daily sightseeing tours, including guided tours of the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.

This is far less than I could have booked on my own, since airfare alone would have run me over $700. The key to this great deal was the relationship of the tour operator with Egyptair and the hotel at which we stayed.

Similar deals exist for other locations, notably India, China and Taiwan. So be sure to check on the availability of these package deals when shopping for a budget travel deal.

Of course, some great deals can be had on your own as well, and this is often a great way to go, especially if you are a solo traveler. Solo travelers often have difficulty getting those great deals on package deals, since the required single supplement can often ruin the deal.

It is also important to find out exactly what is, and what is not included, in any package you are considering. Many package deals have optional excursions built in, and these extras can add considerable cost.

Be sure to ask for a detailed daily itinerary to determine if you will be left on your own if you fail to take these optionals. Also ask for a detailed list of these optional excursions, including full descriptions and prices, then carefully compare the total price to what you could find on your own.

If you are traveling on your own, be sure to start shopping early, especially if you are traveling by air. The important thing to remember is that airlines allocate only so many seats for those advertised low fares, and if you fail to act quickly you may be out of luck.

It is important to book the airfare, and the hotel, as early as possible to ensure the lowest possible prices.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to choose a package deal or independent travel is up to each individual travelers. It is important to carefully compare package prices with those for independent travel to the same location.

It is also important to take your own personal travel style into account. Some people are more comfortable with a packaged tour, particularly to an unfamiliar location, while others relish the freedom from schedules that independent travel provides.

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Budget Travel Guide To India
By Paul Hata

 India has long been a dream destination for many people. India is a land of many contrasts, a land of many cultures, and a land of tradition.

India is home to millions of people, from many different religions and many different walks of life. It has been said that India is one of the places every person should she in his or her lifetime, and India is loved by many for its history, its charm and its people.

The country of India is a small one, but it enjoys a large reputation among travelers, historians and residents alike.

The country of India has given rise to some of the most influential people in history, including Mahatma Gandhi, Kalpana Chawla, and Sachin Tendulkar, among many others. Besides its history, India has many other charms for any visitor, including of course the warmth and beauty of the Indian people.

The fabulous temples, such as the Taj Mahal, have long been lures to travelers from all around the world, and the various religions and mythologies arising from India have been amazing people around the world for many centuries.

Many travelers assume that a fascinating vacation to an exotic locale like India is beyond their meager travel budget, but that is not the case.

There are many ways for travelers on a budget to enjoy the beauty, charm and many wonders of India without going over their travel budget.

The airfares to India largely depend on the city from which you depart. Airfares to India from the west coast and middle of the United States are generally higher than those from gateway cities, such as New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C., that are located further to the east.

Of course, as with airfare to any destination around the world, it is important to shop around as much as possible when booking a trip to India. The prices on flights to India and other places in Asia vary quite a bit from time to time, so be sure to check often for the best price.

India is also one of the places in the world where a package deal can actually save you money. India, like Thailand, Egypt, China and other exotic locations often has some very good tour package operators that take care of everything from flights and hotel to airport transfers and sightseeing excursions.

Unlike many areas around the world, where a package tour is a luxury option only for the well heeled, many tours of India are actually quite affordable. It is important for all potential visitors to India to explore these package options.

Whether you book your own airfare o India and hotel once you get there, or get a great deal on a package tour, a trip to India is sure to be a vacation you will never forget. India offers experiences and delights that simply are not available anywhere else in the world.

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Budget Travel At The Country’s National Parks
By Paul Hata

 When it comes to traveling on a budget, few things are as cost effective as pitching a tent in the wilderness of your favorite national park.

The tent campsites at national parks and state parks are among the least expensive to be found, and many intrepid travelers spend summer after summer hiking, fishing and enjoying the scenery at our country’s magnificent national parks.

Just because you are roughing it in the wilderness, however, does not mean that you will need to do no planning.

The least expensive and most desirable tent campgrounds at popular national parks like Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Zion and Yellowstone, often fill up quickly in the popular summer months, so it pays to book as far ahead as possible.

The internet makes the process of both finding and booking a campsite much easier, since most national parks have their own web sites, and their own reservations system.

Travel agents can also make reservations, for tent campsites, cabins and national park hotel properties.

And that brings us to our next subject. Not all national park travel involves camping in the wilderness. There are a number of cabins and hotel rooms available in almost every national park, and some of them are quite affordable.

As a matter of fact, unless you go far upscale, it is often less expensive to stay within the park than to book a motel or hotel in an adjoining community. And of course staying in the park is more convenient as well.

It is of course important to do plenty of research when booking any type of lodging at a national park, be it the most basic tent site or the most upscale hotel room.

One thing that it is a definite must is a knowledge of the weather at the time of the year you plan to visit.

When planning a visit to a national park, it is important to remember that such parks are often located in the mountains, and the weather conditions at these elevations can be quite different from that found at sea level.

For example, there are parts of Yosemite national park that never lose snow cover, and autumn and even late summer visitors should not be surprised to encounter a fresh coating of snow in some parts of the park.

The accessibility of the campground is another consideration. Many of the least expensive camp sites at major national parks are quite remote, and considerable hiking and backpacking may be required to reach these locations.

It is vital to inquire about such considerations when booking the reservation, and it may be necessary to make some compromises between price and convenience, especially if you are not an accomplished outdoorsman.

There is no doubt that camping or staying in a national park can be a relaxing, exhilarating and magical experience. As with any budget travel, however, it is important to thoroughly research your destination, and to shop around for the best deal you can find.

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