 |
| You can enjoy everything an expensive location has to offer without spending a bundle. |
London and Paris are fantastic places to visit. The sights
are legendary, the entertainment is always exciting, but the prices are high.
There's no reason that should stop you, however. There are lots of ways to save
money when you travel to expensive places. Here are a few to help you get to
where you want to go, for less.
1. Free Attractions. First, find all the free
attractions where you're going. Major cities always have lots of free things to
do. World-famous parks and museums, castles, public beaches and piers, lively
entertainment districts. Many cities offer free guided walking tours (but you
should plan on tipping the guide). If you do your research, you may not pay a
dime for the most fun you'll ever have. If you're traveling to an expensive
region, look for local festivals, fairs or other forms of entertainment that
are free or low cost.
2. Eat Cheap. Once again, do your research before
you travel. Find the ethnic enclaves and neighborhoods--you'll be amazed at the
quality, variety, and affordability of the food in restaurants and cafes owned
by immigrants. When you arrive in
the area, ask locals about cheap places to eat. Also, look online for coupons,
or check out a restaurants website for daily specials. Many cities have street
vendors offering delicious food. By staying in a vacation rental, you can take
advantage of farmer's markets and cook truly local meals using fresh produce,
meats and cheeses.
3. Stay in the Suburbs. Look for vacation rentals
outside the city center or in the countryside, away from the main tourist
attractions. Most popular areas have great public transportation or access to
plenty of rental cars. Depending on how long you'll be in an area, you may want
to buy local transportation passes. If you want to visit Zurich or Geneva, for
example, consider making your trip more about seeing Switzerland. You'll open
up your options, and you'll take in a greater variety of sights and
experiences.
4. Avoid Taxis. They're expensive, and there's
almost always a cheaper, and many times better, way to get around. Consider
walking-- it's a great way to get a feel for a city. Plus, if it's a city like
London or Paris, many attractions are going to be within walking distance.
Subways and buses are usually a quick and easy way to get around a city.
5. Stay in Vacation Rentals. You'll get more value
for the money you spend on lodging by staying in a vacation rental. Plus,
you'll live like a local and really get to know the area. Here are some of the
world's most expensive cities and areas, with links to vacation rentals.
