• Travel
    4 pocket-friendly destinations to see around the world

    Have you caught the travel bug but don’t have enough money? That is fine! The world is enormous and full of incredibly gorgeous places that you can explore on a budget. If you know just a few travel hacks, then even a seemingly expensive destination can be toured at a significantly cheaper cost. Here are the 4 best destinations from around the world that you can travel to and explore at affordable prices.

    Cambodia

    Southeast Asia has always been the favorite travel destination of virtually all budget-minded travelers. While most of the countries here are worth exploring, Cambodia is something exceptional. You need barely $50 per day in your wallet, and you’re all set to traverse the country. You can find delicious street food for only $2, transportation across the country costs as little as $20, and an air-conditioned room is available for only $20. Compared to its neighbor, Cambodia is the least expensive and just as beautiful. And, of course, don’t forget to visit the enormous Buddhist temple complex of Angkor Wat while you’re there.

    Central America

    Smaller Central American countries—Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala—are great destinations for your budget travel bucket list. You can easily find good hotels for only $15, meals for $3, and of course, beer for less than a dollar. Bus journeys across the country are also very cheap. Central America is a great place to visit for anyone who wants to explore the Mayan ruins in Guatemala, trek through the jungle, try surfing, and savor delicious food with tourists from across the world. You can travel this part of the world very comfortably in less than $60 a day.

    India

    If you can manage to survive on spicy food and avoid staying in five-star resorts, India is one of the most beautiful places that you can explore for less money. You can find good hotel rooms for about $25, meals for less than $1.5, and the country’s railway is among the cheapest in the world. India has incredible regional diversity, deep cultural history, great tea, and mouthwatering cuisines for those who can’t stop digging on spicy food. From north to south, India has several beautiful trekking destinations and temples flocked by tourists from around the world.

    Hungary

    If you’re planning to travel to Central Europe, make sure to stop by Hungary. The country’s historic capital on the Danube River, Budapest, is a must-visit travel destination for all. It’s a beautiful bargain where you can find delicious meals for $4, train tickets for $2, and great accommodation for less than $20 per night. If you’re looking to spend some quiet time in the countryside, you can travel to Lake Balaton in Transdanubia in western Hungary. It’s only a half-hour train ride from Budapest. Lake Balaton is the biggest lake in Central Europe and a very popular summer destination among Hungarians. You can go swimming in the lake or hiking to the verdant northern hills before you drink locally produced wines from the vineyards across nearby Badacsony Hill.

    https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/ten-budget-destinations/

    https://www.skyscanner.ca/tips-and-inspiration/12-of-the-worlds-cheapest-holiday-destinations

  • Travel
    5 amazing hacks to book flights for cheap

    Airfare is generally the most expensive part of a trip. If you’ve tried booking a flight before, you realize how frustrating it is to see the fare rise every time you search for the same flight. Airlines are trying their best to pull money out of our pockets, so we’ve to become smarter too. Here’s how you can find the cheapest flight possible:

    Go incognito

    Have you noticed a fare hike after searching for the same flight a few times? This is not exactly happening because your flight is in demand. While the exact technical details about how this happens are uncertain, experts say that your browser cookies are to blame. So, it’s always recommended to search for and book a flight in your browser’s incognito mode. The incognito window resets your cookies each time you open it and can help you find a flight at a lower price. Having said that, it is still best to avoid searching for the same flight multiple times.

    The search engine matters

    Using the right search engine is very important to find the cheapest flight to your destination. Although there’s no single flight search engine that can help you get great deals, Skyscanner, Momondo, and Google Flights are the three favorite search engines among travelers right now. That being said, there’s never a guarantee that they are showing you the lowest prices, so you should check out a couple of other websites before booking.

    Pick the cheapest day to fly

    You might have heard people saying that you can save money by flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday, but it’s not a consistent truth, and there is no “cheapest day of the week” to fly out. Instead, if you want to get an idea of which day(s) can be the least expensive to fly, you must get a quick visual of prices for a whole month. Flight search engines like Skyscanner, Kiwi.com, and Google Flights offer tools that can help you identify the cheapest days or months to fly to a particular destination.

    Choose a budget airline

    Flying via budget airlines is a great way to get a really cheap flight. Budget airlines mostly offer significantly lower rates than bigger airlines, but this comes with compromises like less legroom and no free food or drinks and movies. If you’re ready to lose these luxuries to get a cheap flight, budget airlines are an ideal option for you. A word of caution: always read the fine print before booking, and check the location of the airport where the flight lands, as some budget airline flights land on airports further out of town.

    Subscribes to airlines’ newsletter

    Sometimes, you can find the best deals directly on the airlines’ websites. You can access these deals by subscribing to their newsletter and receive promo codes and special offers that help you book a flight for cheap. If you sign up for the newsletters of multiple airlines, you can create a separate email ID or use filters that automatically move emails to a specific folder so that you find them easily.

  • Travel
    4 luxurious hotels for your next overseas vacation

    The travel and leisure industry has transformed the way people experience and enjoy an exotic getaway. With growing demand and equally high expectations, hotels and resort chains have to adapt to providing the best hospitality services while competing in a market with the top players. We bring you some of the best brands in the industry and weigh the pros and cons of choosing them to help you plan your next international vacation. Take a look.

    Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts
    Banyan Tree is more than just a hotel brand, it is an experience that will redefine your travel expectations, and even experience, for good. After enjoying the exclusive offers at mesmerizing destinations around the world, you will find yourself becoming an appreciating patron of the luxurious amenities in no time. Plan your destination wedding at one of their exotic hotels overlooking majestic beauty, or enjoy a perfect romantic getaway on your honeymoon. Celebrate your anniversary or plan your next corporate retreat with Banyan Tree’s vacation and travel packages. You can also enjoy direct booking perks and flexible cancellation policies.

    Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
    The residential-style hotels spread across continents are inspired by every destination’s culture and history to give you authentic travel experience. With 14 international city hotels and 13 exclusive resorts, Rosewood offers a luxurious 5-star experience. Currently, the brand has properties in 16 countries, and it offers the perfect venues and settings for you to plan your wedding, with hospitality services that have earned the hotel chain several accolades over the years. Or you can choose a luxurious 5-star location to host the next big international conference to promote your business. From ballrooms, conference rooms, and meeting venues to beach resorts for the next business retreat, Rosewood has it all.

    Tivoli Hotels & Resorts
    Tivoli has been an engaged innkeeper for several decades since the chain of hotels was first launched in 1933. Magical settings, breathtaking destinations, and stunning venues at Tivoli’s exotic getaways offer the perfect destination to plan a wedding or enjoy your honeymoon. It’s the perfect opportunity to rekindle the romance or renew your vows with a small celebration involving friends and family. You can also plan your next brainstorming company retreat here. Tivoli can arrange everything you need for a small intimate party of ten to a massive conference of hundreds, perks included, of course.

    Six Senses Hotels, Resorts, and Spas
    Hospitality is one of the driving factors for Six Senses being one of the best luxurious hotel chains. They afford you with the best-in-class dining and accommodation with sustainable practices that simply transport you into a new dimension of travel and leisure. For a calm and rejuvenating time away from the hustle and bustle of urban life, Six Senses provides an experience that will change your outlook toward life. The resort and spa packages offer more than just a vacation any given day.

  • Travel
    5 tips for finding the cheapest deals on cruises

    The definition of “the best” is quite subjective when it comes to cruise deals. For some, it simply means getting the ticket at a lower-than-usual price, while others may define the best deal as getting a free cabin upgrade to a higher deck. Whatever it may be, getting a great cruise deal requires a lot of planning and a little bit of luck. Here are a few important tips that can help you grab great cruise deals without burning a hole in your pocket:

    Book several months in advance

    Cruise lines always open their bookings several months in advance, and booking over 6 months before sailing can help you save big bucks. Many cruise lines today offer low price guarantees, which means if the fares drop after you’ve made the booking, you can either get a refund or a cabin upgrade. That being said, ensure that you monitor the price every week if you’ve booked months in advance. If there is a price drop, contact your travel agent and ask them to get you a refund or cabin upgrade.

    Or book a few weeks or days in advance

    No need to worry if you haven’t been able to book months in advance. You must know that cruises lose a huge sum if they sail with empty cabins. So, you can book a few weeks or days before departure to get the cruise at a low price. This is also a great alternative to flying since last-minute airfares are outrageously expensive. But this is where your little bit of luck comes into play, as a cruise might not always have empty cabins so close to their departure date.

    Sail with a large group

    Cruising with your whole family, friends, or even your coworkers is a brilliant way of saving a huge amount of money. Generally, the higher the number of passengers, the more money you’ll save. Cruises tend to offer amazing discounts if you book at least 5-6 cabins together, but if you’re sailing alone, ask a travel agent if they can make your bookings with a large group. This is profitable for you as well as the other group.

    Check the package closely

    If you’re planning a vacation that includes flight tickets, drink packages, shore excursions, specialty dining, spa treatment, and more, you can ask the cruise line for a bundled package. This will help you save a substantial amount. Check the package carefully, and do the math to confirm whether the package is profitable. Also, only consider this option if you’re planning to do other activities while cruising, else you’ll only end up paying for unused benefits.

    Cruise when it’s cheapest

    See if you can plan your cruise trip in fall—September and October—and late winter—January and February. You can get the cheapest cruise deals in these months since most parents are working, kids are busy with school, and there are hardly any holidays. For example, you can get a Caribbean cruise at an affordable price in the fall months when the hurricanes affect sailing. At the same time, the fall foliage is flourishing, which means Canada and New England cruises have the highest rates. So, the trick is to sail to a particular destination during the offseason.

  • Travel
    5 Reasons Why Disney World Vacations Are the Best

    Who would not like vacationing in the warm and sunny weather in Florida? Add fun water parks and a variety of attractions at Disney World to this mix, and you will have the top reason why Florida is considered one of the best vacation destinations. Here are five reasons to think about a vacation at Disney World for your next family trip:

    • There is something for everybody
      While most people feel that Disney World vacations are curated only for children, the truth is that there is something for everyone here. You get to meet people from different cultures, races, and various backgrounds. The on-site resorts are another fun places for adults. Moreover, all of us should indulge the kids in ourselves from time to time.
    • An unending theme park experience
      Disney World consists of four different theme parks, and it also has two water parks. There are multiple activities like safaris and different kinds of rides that will keep your itinerary full. There is so much to do here that you’re sure to feel tired before you feel bored.
    • Fits every budget
      While a Disney World vacation may seem expensive, it is one of the best vacations that you can curate as per your budget. You don’t need to empty your bank balance for a vacation here. You can decide your budget, select an accommodation plan such as a villa or a log cabin, and go for activity packages that fit the interests of all family members.
    • Accessibility
      As Florida is one of the most important cities in the world, you will not face a problem reaching the Disney World here. In fact, every Disneyland in the world has a well-charted out transportation system. So, while the kids may not worry about getting to their favorite destination, the parents can breathe a sigh of relief as they don’t have to concern themselves much about these practicalities.
    • Disney characters and Downtown Disney District
      Apart from meeting the live versions of Disney characters, the entertainment zone, known as Disney Downtown, is a magical place too. It has 40 different shops and kid-friendly restaurants to keep your child completely happy.

    You can go through various packages that can help you decide upon the ideal budget and activities to pick during your Disney World vacation. Once you’ve made the arrangements, you can give your kids the good news and take them on a trip that they will never forget.

  • Travel
    All You Need to Know About Passport Renewal

    Visa requirements for people from our country are close to negligible which allows us to visit several international destinations. However, to travel overseas, you require a passport regardless of your age. If you already have a passport which is nearing its expiry, you should gear up for passport renewal. Following are some pointers to remember when you try to renew your passport.

    Eligibility criteria
    Firstly, you do not need to worry about the eligibility if you already possess a passport. However, when it comes to passport renewal, you need to submit proof of citizenship. This condition applies to people who have gained citizenship through naturalization as well as people who are citizens by birth.

    Criteria that prevent the renewal of your passport
    To apply for passport renewal, it is sufficient to have a passport that has expired recently or one that will expire in the near future. However, under the following circumstances, you will need to apply for a fresh passport:

    • The passport was issued before you turned 16 years old.
    • The passport issuance date was 15 or more years ago.
    • Your passport was lost, stolen, or damaged.
    • If a name change has occurred and there is no legal proof of it. This legal proof could be anything like a marriage license.

    Under these circumstances, you can apply for a new passport with the DS-11 form on the official passport portal.

    The renewal procedure

    • In case you need to get your passport earlier than usual, you can get it renewed through the expedition procedure. However, you will have to pay some additional fees.
    • You can then take an appointment with any of the authorized Regional Passport Agencies. Call them on 1-877-487-2778; TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793. Alternatively, use an online appointment system for passport renewal.
    • For your appointment, you will need to provide additional documents apart from proof of recent travels and an expedited fee. These documents include the application form (Form DS-82), a passport-sized photo, the most recent passport, and proof of name change (if required). If you have to travel after three weeks, you can apply for the renewal through the mail as well.

    It is always better to renew your passport before it expires so that you do not have to worry about any extra hassles. With the help of the information mentioned above, you should face no problems with the passport renewal procedures.

  • Travel
    Top 5 Bus Tours for Seniors

    Many people dream about traveling as much as possible after their retirement. With various responsibilities in life, some people cannot find the time to pursue this passion. But once you’ve become financially stable, you can use your savings to explore some enchanting corners of the world. Here are the top five bus tours for seniors that you can consider:

    • All-day New York bus tour
      With prices starting from around $84 per person, this tour is ideal for people who do not want to spend too much time traveling. It takes you through the best of attractions of New York including the downtown, treasures of uptown, Harlem as well as Brooklyn. If you opt for this bus tour, you will also get a chance to go for a 75-minute harbor cruise.
    • Eight-day Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore tour
      One of the ideal bus tours for seniors, this option is excellent for people who like to explore nature at its finest. It costs around $778 per person and takes you through the Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Mt. Rushmore, Salt Lake City, as well as Jackson Hole along with many more attractions.
    • Three-day East Coast bus tour
      Large groups of seniors can choose this bus tour because they can avail of a 5% group discount. Prices start at $270 approximately, and the tour covers a lot of highlights. Apart from exploring New York, West Point Academy, and Woodbury Outlets, you can also explore lower Manhattan and three major airports in New York City.
    • Ten-day East Coast tour from NYC
      With prices starting at around $945 per person, this particular bus tour provides you with five different variants, where one choice allows you to take a walking tour as well. Alternatively, you can opt for a shopping tour or have a shooting experience tour. In the main itinerary, a six-night stay, a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art as well as Old Fort Niagara, and many other attractions are included.
    • Seven-day East Coast tour from NYC
      Starting from $650 per person approximately, the seven-day East Coast tour from New York City includes various cities and covers most of the main ones situated on the East Coast. This plan includes special meals and seniors with health issues can choose any suitable variant.

    Please note that all the bus tours for seniors mentioned in this article are provided by Tours 4 Fun, which is a trusted site that organizes tours within the country.