Vietnamese and Thai food are some of my favorite cuisines in Asia. So when my friend mentioned the Papaya Salad Restaurant in Dubai that served an Asian menu, I knew I had to try it.
If you're a coffee-lover like me, then you will love the Coffee Museum in Dubai. You'll know it's nearby when the aroma of roasted coffee beans touches your nose. It's a place in the emirate that showcases the connections between the past and the present coffee world (Arabic style, Ethiopian, Japanese, etc.).
Budget Biyahera was born after recognizing the need to share past trips that were arranged according to a specific budget while traveling with different types of people and gears. Everyone has their own financial perspective on things, whether you’re a big spender or the economically-conscious type. But as a constant wanderer, I’ve managed to keep my previous trips budget-friendly by allocating my resources.
There are millions of people all around the world who dream of traveling the world. Unfortunately, many people will never fulfill their dreams. After all, traveling the world can be pretty expensive. While traveling can be expensive, it is also true that there are ways to minimize the costs. By learning how to do so, you’ll be able to find ways to travel even when you have little to no money. It isn’t impossible. Within this guide, you’ll learn how to do just that.
It's no secret that I like setting aside a specific budget for my trips. But if I have limited funds (and still itching to travel), I make sure that I 'book and plan ahead'. Here's how I do it:
1) I choose a destination.
2) I book my plane or bus ticket a few months early (look for seat sales!).
3) I check online sources for reviews and recommendations and then narrow down the best affordable rates for accommodations and tours, especially if I'm going DIY.
4) I book my accommodation (eg. Airbnb, Agoda, Booking).
5) I make a projection of my expenses by creating an itinerary based on figures that I've gathered online (list how many meals per day, how many nights in a lodging, how much for commute fees, etc.). Remember, it's okay to work around estimates, as it makes for a good buffer too.
6) I start saving up for the trip by allocating a certain amount from my earnings every month.
Allocating my funds for a trip helps me track how much is still needed to achieve my monetary goal.
Every type of traveler, whether a big-spender or the budget conscious kind, will always have their own financial perspective. For me, I think I've still managed to keep my trips budget-friendly without having to spend beyond my means and without compromising the value in every journey made.
*A Budget is a plan that outlines an organization's financial and operational goals. So a budget may be thought of as an action plan; planning a budget helps a business allocate resources, evaluate performance, and formulate plans. - About.com*
In my own way, I get to travel without having to sacrifice the comfort and thrills of my trips. That to me is always an awesome plan. And as long as I stay in my budget, I will always consider myself to be the budget traveler. =)
I was fortunate enough to visit Boracay again with my very Big Family. And yes.. I had to put an emphasis on the words BIG Family since I was literally going on a vacation with 16 people, including myself!
And if you've read my About Budget Biyahera page, you will find that I typically help look out for 13 people when going on a vacation (locally that is). But since my family from Houston went to visit us this May 2011, there were 4 additional members excluding my sister Ina (who went to study in Texas 3 years ago). In my original count, Ina's still part of the 13. =P
Budget Biyahera is about finding fun and distinct food and destinations, accommodations, products/gears and activities that people can enjoy on a ‘regular’ person’s budget and schedule.
