Doing group travel has long been tarnished with the view by travelers that it is selling out the experience of travel. Around Europe companies like Contiki have been seen, and often rightfully so, by many as hedonistic travelers partying and shagging their way across the continent. This view is only one of many that connect to group travel as there are many benefits to be gleamed from traveling in groups; the opportunity to save on costs, and travel to dangerous and exotic locations that you couldn’t reach on your own are but just a few of then. Some reasons for doing group travel include:
Having Balance and Fun on Your Trip
Perhaps the single most feature that detracts from a person’s good times during a trip is effectively planning their itinerary. Often travelers feel guilty for not seeing enough of a place, or conversely not taking enough time to relax. When you do a group tour you can rest assured that the people organizing it will try to maximize the things you will see, while also – with the benefit of many tours done previously – allow for rest and relaxation time for the participants. Tours often will even give travelers a chance for some alone time too so they can do things independently. Remove the stress of planning and a lot of good times can be enjoyed and stress removed.
The Chance to Meet Lots of Different Types of People
A hidden element of traveling in a group is to be thrust into different locales and experiences with some people that perhaps you would not have been around in your regular life. These are the experiences that help develop patience, tolerance and truly help individuals grow as people. The opportunities for friendships on group trips are high, but equally important are the opportunities that people have to expand themselves beyond who they normally are. One of the greatest elements of travel are the opportunities it gives to grow as a person.
Maybe You Find Love
Being in a foreign land is a great recipe for love to blossom. Like minded people who enjoy travel and adventure are placed in close confines for an extended period and it means that romantic sparks can fly. Moments of heightened experience draw people to together in attempts to share them. With that said more than one lasting flame has begun as people in group travel are near each other and have a wonderful chance to connect. Maybe the next group trip you take leads you towards ever lasting love.
So fate has brought you to Orlando, but you don’t have a lot of money to spend. Orlando has long been a place where cruise ships dock and the money that is aboard these cruise ships descends upon the city, but doesn’t just have to be this way. A good time can be had in Orlando on a shoe string budget too if you follow a few of these suggestions.
Accommodations
A lot of visitors to the city like to stay at one of Orlando’s resorts, which are often right next to Disney World and Universal Studios, this is a no, no for budget travelers. Just a few miles away from Orlando’s marquee attractions are much more reasonable priced hotel rooms and even a smattering of hostels. If you come to Orlando out of season too you can also find even better deal on budget and premium accommodations.
Visiting the Attractions of Orlando
Naturally people who visit Orlando want to enjoy going to Disney World and the other attractions near it too. Shopping online for various special savings for park entrance is always a good idea. When you have paid for your tickets to enter Disney World you must do your best to maximize the time you have there. A few suggestions how to do this include showing up really early and visiting the most popular attractions then before huge line ups development. When the major crowds are there that is the time to enjoy the less popular rides. Bring your own picnic lunch with you as eating in Disney World is basically a rip off and will spend your days meal money in one meal.
Places to Eat
The main concern of the budget traveler in Orlando is to visit the major theme parks that drew them to Orlando without breaking the bank on the over priced foods there. Now we aren’t saying that a person should starve themselves as not all these costs can be avoided, but some planning ahead trying to eat meals before entering or even bringing a lunch can really help offset trip costs. A travel tip is to eat a large breakfast then just try to snack – maybe even with your own snacks – inside the parks.
More Tips to Save
A few more tips on how to enjoy Orlando includes considering buying an Orlando GO card, for allotments of one to seven days, that provides free and reduced price and often free admission into Orlando’s different attractions. Though Orlando is best navigated by a rental car it also an option as well to get a bus pass and get around that way to save on money. Under no circumstance cheap out on sunscreen as the intense Florida sunshine can and will burn you bad and ruin a trip. It costs a little to get there, but be sure to visit things in and around the Orlando area like Cape Canaveral’s Kennedy Space Centre and the nearby Dali Museum in St Petersburg Florida.
While it’s always great to get away from it all, it’s still preferable by most travellers to have a lifeline back home. Whether it’s for emergencies or just to let people know you’re okay (or even to brag about all the fun you’re having!), being able to make free international calls is definitely a plus for any world weary traveller.
Let’s face it, it can get lonely out there and staying in touch with loved ones can bring great comfort to people who just want to hear a familiar voice every now and then. Sure, you meet a ton of people at festivals or just out and about – some of which will become lifelong friends, others momentary acquaintances and some that if you see again it will be too soon – but hearing from those you already know and hold dear to you can perk you up in an instant.
Whenever I go on holiday, I’m always pestered by my mom to let her know I have arrived okay, regardless of where I’m going to or the situation. Years ago on my first trip overseas, I literally had to search for hours to find a working phone so I could make a call back home so she wouldn’t freak out. When I finally made contact, I think she was amused (and hopefully touched) by the great efforts I made to connect. And as much as I hate to admit it, making that connection was just as much for my benefit as it was for hers peace of mind.
That was prior to the days of smartphone apps and 3G networks taking over much of our lives so to say I would’ve benefited from that kind of direct access is a no brainer! Now when I hit the road, I don’t need waste time and brain cells (of which I have so few!) searching for a rapidly disappearing phone booth but instead I can swap out my SIM card and use my phone. Or, even easier, just find a wifi zone and use a company like Rebtel’s calling app to get my call out. People these days have it too easy!
I love getting off the grid as much as the next traveller but it just makes me feel better to know home is just a phone call away. It lets me know the world is mine to explore but I still feel like I’m right in my own backyard.
As a travel destination, few places in Europe can rival what Spain has to offer. Whether you enjoy the historical old world feeling or the warm sunny Mediterranean climate, Spain is your answer to the winter blues and is a perfect place to visit any time of year. The hardest part might be figuring out a way to squeeze it all in so you don’t feel like you’re missing out on anything!
The answer of course, is you can’t see it all in just one trip – you really need to come back a few times. Most people will opt to start in the bustling metropolis of Barcelona because, well, it really is incredible on all fronts. Those looking to relax in the sun will head to one of the islands, like Ibiza, Majorca or the Canary Islands, and let all the worries of the mainland life drift away. Still more will head to Madrid, the capital, or road trip it between the smaller locales on the way to Grenada to recreate the true Spanish feeling. The truth is though, every place is part of what makes Spain wonderful and as lofty a goal as it may be, you really need to see them all.
Still not sure about Spain? Take a look below to see just some of what makes this a great destination for all travellers.
Fun in the Sun
Those not familiar with Europe might be surprised to learn Spain is one of the top winter getaway locations on the continent. Blessed by its southern location and straddling the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, Spain is a lot warmer year round than almost any other European country. Of course the weather is all the better in the summer, but for those looking for a break from the winter blues, grab flights to Lanzarote or other warm spots in Spain to split up an otherwise dreary month – you can find more at http://book.flythomascook.com/cheap-flights/to-affecife-lanzarote-spain
History Galore
Museums and old castles can be inspiring but they can get a bit exhausting, particularly if you’ve been spending a lot of your trip doing that kind of thing. Thankfully, Spain makes history stand out as much of its history is living and still fully functional! Heading to Barcelona means you get to see the Cataln culture in its modern form set against a very traditional backdrop – concerts held in old market squares at midnight, a hospital that looks like a castle and their most famous church, Sagrada Familia, still under construction after over 100 years – and that’s just Barcelona!
Rich, Vibrant Culture
As much as Spain might seem to be one unified nation, keep in mind it is the amalgam of many different groups of people that still see themselves as distinct from Spain as a whole – the result is a different country everywhere you go! Whether it’s the capital of Madrid where the power of the Spanish empire still resides; the Basque region in the north along France; or the islands that remained independent kingdoms until only a few centuries ago, they each bring something special to Spain that makes it a one of a kind tourist destination you aren’t soon to forget.
If you want to be in San Francisco and not spend money, which is hard as it has become one of the US’s most expensive cities, the answer is simple head down to Haight Ashbury to wander around. Once the epicentre of the hippy movement, Haight Ashbury still provides much diversion for visitors to the city as it doesn’t cost anything to enjoy its parks and green spaces. If you have a few dollars or you’re just an avid window shopper you can also do some great shopping down in this district too. After you have done that just zone into the areas great architecture too.
Parks of Haight-Ashbury
There are several great parks in near succession to each other in Haight Ashbury. The two that are most often enjoyed are Buena Vista Park – which is canvassed by sun in the summer and offers breathtaking views of the bay and Golden Gate Bridge, and Golden Gate Park, a massive park that stretches from Haight Ashbury all the way down to the Pacific Ocean. If you’re hanging around Haight Ashbury be sure to spend at least a little time in and around hippy hill which is easy to hear, see and smell from the sounds of rhythmic drums and the notable aromatic smoke that emits from it and forms small hazy clouds above it. There’s always plenty of free things to do while in the park.
Haight Ashbury Architecture
One of the calling cards of Haight Asbury has long been the Victorian style architecture built from brick. One of the best examples of this is the Red Vic – which is a bed and breakfast, slash museum. Wandering ever so slightly up the street and you can find the Victorian style former home of the entire Grateful Dead at 710 Ashbury. This was the residence that housed the band and the varied and ever changing “friends” who stayed there too. Wandering the streets of Haight Ashbury is free and promises to be a very pleasing aesthetic experience.
Shopping in Haight-Ashbury
Haight Ashbury is a well known shopping locale and is famous for having several independent shops that specialize in various alternative items. Even if you don’t want to spend money just looking around, window shopping, and people watching will make it well worth your while to wander around the various shops. If you are at all a lover of books make sure to wander and read a little in the famous City Lights Book Store, which was a centre of the beat and hippy movements in its day.