THE EXPERIENCED GLOBETROTTER: TRAVELING ON A BUDGET

THE EXPERIENCED GLOBETROTTER: TRAVELING ON A BUDGET

Do your own planning

Travel agencies seem like a tempting place to visit: you save so much time and energy by letting someone else plan the trip for you. Despite the convenience, these travel-agency services can be quite expensive. Take charge and plan your trip on your own, and perhaps it'll help you save even for a second trip!

Use budget airlines

Does a plane ticket seem like a serious investment to you? Well, there's no need to feel too overwhelmed, because flying can actually be cheap. The internet is full of sites that offer discounts on various flights and all you need to do is monitor them from time to time. Who knows, maybe you can reach your dream-country for quite a low price?

Couchsurf

Sounds like fun? You bet it is! With couchsurfing you save the money you could have spent on the hotel room and find new friends all around the world. Sometimes couchsurfing hosts can even become your city-guides and a walking-cultural-encyclopedia!

Supermarket, sweet supermarket

When you come to the countries, famous for their cuisine, obviously you want to enter each and every restaurant, letting each seduce you with its amazing aromas. However, if you plan to spend every meal in a lovely tourist-cafe, then plan nothing more - you'll simply run out of money! Shopping at supermarkets is much cheaper and will provide you with a lot more supplies. 

Hitchhike

How to get to your destination for free? Stand on the side of the road with a thumb-up and wait till someone with a big heart picks you up! Hitchhiking might take a little more time than traveling by bus or train, but it will certainly leave many more amazing memories. And cash in your pocket! However, you do have to use judgment when it comes to safety issues.

Travel off-season

When there's a big demand on something, it usually becomes more expensive: people will get it anyway, because they need it now or never. Removing your holidays to the time when everyone else is working may be useful, as it allows pay less for plane tickets, rooms, souvenirs and meet less tourists like yourself! 

Travel light

Sometimes people pack too many unnecessary things in their trip, which they have to pay for additionally. How about making your luggage lighter and weigh it at home, so you know you didn't overdo the luggage-limit? Great, because it saves your money and your back!

Smart financial operations

We live in the world of credit cards, but this lifestyle can play a trick on you while traveling. Withdrawing money abroad costs a lot - the fees from bank can be cruelly enormous. So, you can either withdraw the money at home and carry it in cash or make less withdrawals by taking larger sums of money. 

Save on insurance

If you are a globetrotter type, it means you won't be able to stay at one place for the whole year waiting for a single trip in the summer. If you travel throughout the year, taking the annual multi-trip travel insurance will save some of the precious money you can spend on cocktails and souvenirs!

Hotel with an "S" in the middle

Another budget-saving accommodation idea is staying in a hostel. It is slightly less chic and comfortable then a hotel, but much cheaper and more fun! It is a great opportunity to meet new friends and perhaps even a new fellow traveler! 

To bus or not to bus?

A fundamental issue for every traveler is whether he or she chooses the speed or the money. If speed, it means one should take trains and get ready to say farewell to a big part of cash. If money, then bus travel is much more convenient as it sometimes can cost 3 times less, than train. 

Search the free days

Some museums are more sensitive than the others, thinking about the poor wallets of some tourists. That's why they offer free visit days, which obviously can save you a pleasant sum of money. Just google the museum schedule and prices in advance and get the chance to enjoy the exhibitiobs for free!

Keep your friends close

Traveling in a company with the number of members multiple to 4 is a great traveling idea. It is convenient for sharing the expenses on car rent, gas cost and accomodation. Besides, you always know someone's got your back - and that feels so much better than being alone!

Go gadget

Giving tribute to an old habit, you might want to buy a paper guidebook. Obviously, that will be cheaper than hiring a guide. But what if you decide to visit many countries? Buying a guide for each of them might cost you a small fortune, while you can have all of them for free. Just search the guide-apps and launch them in your device!
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URBAN CHARMS: THE MOST STUNNING CITIES IN THE WORLD

URBAN CHARMS: THE MOST STUNNING CITIES IN THE WORLD

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul is the fifth in the list of the most popular travel destinations - and no wonder! After all, this city is both European and Asian. Its history is fabulous: it was built by a Roman emperor, it was an inspiration for Agatha Christie and it started the tulip craze in the Netherlands by sending them the flower that originated here! 

Edinburgh, Scotland

The second-biggest city and the capital of Scotland is a stunning and gripping place to go. Did you know that the first edition of the famous Encyclopedia Britannica was published here? And the Edinburgh castle was built on the extinct volcano! You'll love it here, because there's so much more to know!

Dublin, Ireland

Ireland isn't only about the gnomes, clovers and beer. Did you know it was home to the "Ulisse" author James Joyce? Or that "Dracula" creator Bram Stoker graduated the local Trinity College? Or that Dublin has the youngest population in Europe with those 25 and under being the half of it? Looks like you've got a lot to discover!

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is a wonderful city - the city of mountains you can call it! Here you can find more species of plants on one mountain than you can find in the entire UK! Oh, and it is also the real Fun City - the Africa's largest theme-dressing party called the Mother City Queer Project! So whoever you are - a biologist or a party-girl, you'll love it here.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro - what a romantic name! It means the River of January. However, the city's name actually hides a funny story: it was given after the river that had never existed. The Portuguese explorers must have taken Guanabara Bay for the river's mouth. Who would have known history is fun?

New York City, USA

New York is probably the most urban place you can imagine - that's why it is so beloved by the city lifestyle fans. A baby is born here every 4.4 minutes. And the population of NYC is bigger than in 39 of 50 American states! And so many TV-shows were filmed here you can't simply not visit this city!

Athens, Greece

Greece is simply the most wonderful tourist destination due to its long and rich history. Athens itself is a city to spend years at and make discoveries every day! Maybe you'll be the lucky one to find one of the original olive trees that were planted here in 1200! And visit all the 148 theater stages the city is home to!

Zermatt, Switzerland

Not the mainstream tourist destination, Zermatt is simply underestimated. How about the 94 spring water sources - the number is a total record in Europe! And the Swiss Food Festival that happens here in August? It is a lovely mixture of a hiking resort, lovely village and a modern city you'll fall in love with!

Lhasa, Tibet, China

It is not a surprise to know the meaning of the city's name which is "The Land of Gods" - its image fits the name perfectly! No wonder this lit with sunshine spot is one of the main Buddhist's attraction - by only looking at the picture you can see its divine atmosphere!

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Are you ready for the groove and siesta? Dancing, extremely tasty meat, colorful streets - it's Buenos Aires, baby! Did you know that tango originated here in the 19th century? Oh, and if you are a kissing fan, you better prepare your lips for some challenge - a kiss on the cheek is a greeting gesture here and simple "Hola!" won't do. 

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CRAZY INTERNATIONAL BORDERS THAT SHOW THE TRUE DIVIDE BETWEEN COUNTRIES

CRAZY INTERNATIONAL BORDERS THAT SHOW THE TRUE DIVIDE BETWEEN COUNTRIES

United States and Mexico

While the American side is more conservative and less-inhibited closer to the border, the Mexican side is littered with buildings, traffic, and bustling life.

North Korea and South Korea

The whole world knows the vast difference between the two Korean nations. As seen from above at night, the difference is astonishing. The vibrant and colorful South Korea is brightly lit, especially in the capital of Seoul. North Korea, however, is pitch black due to the overwhelming control of its leadership. The only light that could be seen is from Pyongyang, the capital where Kim Jong-Un resides.

United States and Canada

The United State’s other neighbor in the North, the Canadian border is a lot more discreet. With a focus on landscape in the Northern regions, the border is one that is actually quite beautiful. 
The border runs through the town of Derby Line, which splits some buildings in half.

Spain and Portugal

Portugal is infamous for its poor road network. That fact is apparent here at the Spanish-Portuguese border.

India and Pakistan

The complex relationship between India and Pakistan goes further than politics. The border that separates the two countries also separates the visual difference that makes each country different.

Haiti and the Dominican Republic

Despite sharing some of the same rain forests, the Haitian side of the border bears little to no trees compared to the Dominican side. Haiti has practiced little to no control of deforestation, leaving its side of the border barren when compared to the protected rainforests of the Dominican Republic.

Poland and Ukraine

Artist Jaroslaw Koziara designed these two fish on the border of these two countries to symbolize the unity they share.

Argentina/Paraguay/Brazil

The three South American nations share a natural border. The Parana River serves the purpose of splitting the three countries right where they meet.

China and Macau

In China, they drive on the right and in Macau, once a Portuguese colony, they drive on the left. This has led to a rather twisted border crossing that accommodates both styles.

Germany and Czech Republic

A rather beautiful border that separates Germany and the Czech Republic is formed over this bridge atop of spectacular cliffs.
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I'M STUCK!

I'M STUCK!

Kung-Fool Panda

"Wow, the world is so different upside-down! And I love it. Hmm... If everything is upside down now, I'm not a panda anymore. I'm an adnap. Oh, I definitely wouldn't mind a nap."

Knight in the Daylight

"Hey! Who turned off the lights? Oh, there is something on my head. I guess it's a helmet, which means I'm a knight. What would be my knight name...Got it! I'm Richard the Sheepheart!"

Mission Is Possible

"Psst, do you wanna know my little secret? Everybody thinks that I'm just a clumsy raccoon, but it's not true. I am a MI9 agent on a mission. Don't tell anyone, or I'll have to exterminate you."

Trick or a Meercat

"Here is our plan, Stinky. We pretend to be Jack-o'-lanterns and wait until the adult humans give the candies to the little ones. Then we stand up abruptly and scare them so badly that they drop their candies." - "You're such a genius, Hank."

Baby, You're a Firework

"Oh, look at this huge thing I found...Hey, why is it so hollow? Ouch! Great...Now I'm stuck in this big useless sausage. Let's face it: today is just not my day."

Little Explorer

"I know you're laughing at me, but I doubt that you will do it when Global warming strikes. I will be safe and sound in my little vessel. Moreover, I will be able to travel around the world this way. Newfoundland is clearly gonna be my first destination."
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WHAT'S WRONG WITH THESE WAX FIGURES?

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THESE WAX FIGURES?

Not Michael at All

Did Michael ever think that his wax figure would look more like Prince with Oprah's hair? And what's wrong with his right eye? Perhaps, some drops against conjunctivitis may be helpful. Not to mention the terrible eyebrows.

Poor Leo

Look at these desperate eyes. Did Leo cry or did he catch conjunctivitis from Michael? Or maybe he is just awfully sick and tired of the Oscars rush. Either way, the best way to make this figure look better is to cover it with some dense texture.

Probably Britney

It's hard to say exactly who it is, but based on the outfit it might be Britney. Though she looks like a mixture of Evanna Lynch and Nicholas Cage. Even the girl on the left looks more like Britney than this horrible figure. 

Give This Bill a Pill

Let's guess what happened to the wax Bill's face. Perhaps the answer is hidden in the cat on his shoulder. He is probably just allergic to it and forgot to take his anti-allergen. Please be kind and give Bill a pill.

Who Hurt Arnie?

It seems like Arnie is so upset that he's almost shedding tears. Why do you think he's angry? Maybe he noticed that his six-pack is a four-pack? Or maybe he just doesn't like this eyeliner. 

Creepy Lennon

Everything is wrong about this John Lennon wax figure: the hair, the outfit, the body, the facial expression, and especially this little feminine hand. Everything just makes one's blood freeze. Don't look at it for too long, or else you will have horrible nightmares.
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