The summer season has already kick started and most people are super excited about the upcoming holiday season. After all, for most people, this is that one part of the year where you get your much-anticipated retreat. For people, who cannot afford luxurious travel plans, this time of the year is not just exciting but also very nerve-wracking since they have to ensure their holiday does not end up blowing it way out of proportion. Cracking the recipe to a perfect summer retreat on a budget is a real task, but it can definitely be pulled off if you plan it smartly.
When you think about an ultimate summer getaway, the first thing that strikes you is a beach holiday. A picturesque marine paradise with turquoise waters, sandy beaches, and a beautiful resort plus all the fun. Generally, such vacations are not cheap, but they are not impossible either. Here is how you can do it all in an affordable manner.
Choosing the Right Destination
When it comes to exotic beaches, the first places that come to your mind would be Croatia, St. Torrini, Bora Bora., Cape Town or any of those exotic fairy tale destination. However, if you are willing to experiment a bit, a beautiful world lies beyond the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Africa, waiting to be explored by you. South Asia and Far East Asia, in particular, is home to some of the most spectacular beach destinations in the world. The plus point for western tourists is that most of those destinations are dirt cheap due to the differences in the exchange rate and other economic parameters between the two regions. Thailand is a highly recommended destination for its exotic islands, pristine beaches, spectacular jungles, adventures and attractions and a lot more.
Plan in Advance
Last moment plans will always cost you higher. Try to plan your trip as early as possible. Different airlines announce their promotional and anniversary deals where you can grab the tickets at half the original price. Make use of such deals as much as possible. Likewise, make use of online hotel booking platforms such as Agoda and Expedia. There are often steal deals on these websites where you can even get five-star hotels at amazing prices.
Frequent Travel and Loyalty Discounts
Airlines and hotels always try to give incentive to tourists to use their services repeatedly. Likewise, often airlines and hotels have third-party collaborations with bank credit cards and you can earn loyalty points by using those cards. Try to subscribe to such airline and hotel alliances such as Star Alliance, and Emirates Skywards. Use the same group of airlines every time you travel so that you can redeem your points and enjoy much cheaper tickets and prices.
Travel Light
Traveling light can be the biggest blessing for you. Not only it makes your life way easier while you are on your trip, but it can also cut down a major chunk of your traveling costs. When you are traveling with bigger baggage that you need to get checked in to the cargo, you either have to pay extra costs for your luggage or you have to pick an airline that allows you a piece of checked-in baggage. Either way, the airfare will be much higher. However, if you are traveling with backpacks and cabin-sized baggage, you can enjoy an option of the no-frills airline, which is way cheaper than regular airlines. If by all means, you wish to carry larger luggage, still keep a backpack handy in order to save costs on domestic transfers.
The Right Clothing
One of the most important thing in your traveling hacks is to get your clothing right. Keep a check on the weather outlook of your destination and pack accordingly. For a typical tropical beach destination, you will need a few light t-shirts, shorts and jeans along with a beach or swimwear. Keep a light jacket if you are planning to explore any areas that are above sea level or have cooler weather. Do not over pack or else you will end up over packing your luggage? Likewise, get a good pair of Hawaiians as your beach footwear along with a pair of comfortable sneakers.
Diving Gear
Most beach tourists from the west do have diving and snorkeling on their bucket list when they travel towards tropical destinations. If you are one of them, it is highly recommended to try and take your own diving and snorkeling gear if you already have one. That is because all those supplies are generally very expensive at tourist destinations and you might end up paying more than double the cost if you buy from there. Avoid exhausting your precious travel budget resources on areas where you can save. One of the most important accessories that you should take is a good diver’s watch. If something like Omega Ocean Planet is out of your budget, try to get one of the affordable ones.
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