Split Croatia

When most non-Europeans visit Europe, they hit the major European capitals: Paris, London, Barcelona and Rome. On your second, third and fourth European holiday, you start to discover the other amazing sites of Europe: Venice, Nice, Berlin, Lisbon, just to name a few. An advantage of the "third and fourth string cities" is that they are usually less crowded, less touristy, and often times less expensive.

One city you need to add to your list is Split, Croatia. If you are looking for spectacular views, pristine beaches, less tourists, and a cheap getaway, then look no further. From most major European capitals, you will be able to find a low-cost airline that flies to Split. Croatia doesn't use the Euro, so be prepared to change your money. However, if you're changing Dollars or Euros, the conversion is in your favor. Transportation, lodging and copious sized meals are cheaper here than in most other tourist's Hot Spots.

The city center is located right on Split's beautiful harbor and within walking distance from city beaches. A walk around the city transports you back in time with its Late Middle Age architecture. The city beaches are simple but with crystal clear water. The Adriatic Sea is composed of numerous islands right off the coast of Split. A cheap ferry ride away and you are now on Croatia's pristine beaches reminiscent of the Caribbean Sea, thus making these islands perfect for diving, snorkeling swimming or just laying out. Less than a 2 hour bus ride away from Split is Krka National Park. Many travel agencies in the city offer day trips there, but it's just as easy, cheaper and more convenient to take a local bus. If you're a nature buff, you'll fall in love with the luscious waterfalls, the greenery and the trek you take through the park.

Croatia is one of those countries that might be overlooked by some, but you definitely need to add it to your bucket list. Traveling on a tight budget, Croatia allows you to truly relax and enjoy yourself without spending a ton of money.

 

       

Iran

Contributed by: Andrew Melzer

Mention a holiday to Iran and most people will probably respond with something like "but it's dangerous there!". That was certainly the response I got from most of my friends and family when I told them I wanted to go. This preconception has been pushed rather heavily by the Western media, showing Iran as a dangerous place rife with threats from terrorism and a government paranoid of the West.

It is at this point that you should forget all that you think you know of Iran, as the reality is very different. As a tourist you will feel safer than in many other more touristic destinations. Those travellers daring enough will be richly rewarded with a multitude of sights and experiences, and a variety to suit most tastes. All of this within a very affordable budget. Perhaps best of all, for a country so rich in attractions and activities, you will be amazed at how few other tourists there are. I traveled for two weeks through the north of the country and did not see another foreign tourist until I reached Tehran.

Getting there
Probably the hardest part of traveling to Iran is the visa process. There are two types of tourism visa: 15 day visa on arrival at airports (risky because it is not pre-approved) and the 30 day visa obtained prior to entry. Most nationalities require approval from the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Tehran before processing your application. Arguably, the easiest and most reliable way to get a visa is through one of the various online visa services, which tend to be somewhat light-on with the 'service' part. Tip: before you start the process, make sure you have a working PayPal account that is ready to use. For a fee the service will obtain an authorisation code from the MFA on your behalf, which you then take to your nominated Iranian consulate to get your visa. At the consulate you fill out the application form, pay the fee and get the visa. The fee varies depending on your nationality and how much the official on that day feels like charging you.

Who can go?
Practically all nationalities are eligible for Iranian visas except citizens of Israel or anyone with an Israeli stamp in their passport. American citizens are eligible but must be part of a guided tour or have a private guide.

History
One of the best reasons to visit Iran is the incredible wealth of history the country holds; with some archaeological sites, like the 7000 year old town of  Soltaniyeh in the North, amongst the oldest in the world. As the centre of the former Persian empire, the country also boasts a number of impressive Persian ruins, such as the ancient capitol Persepolis and the tombs of the Achaemenian Kings at Naqsht-e-Rastom. The best part is that as a budget traveller, these sites are well within reach; the usual cost of entry for foreigners is around 120,000 rial (~4 USD) and there is practically no wait to get into any of these places. 

Landscape
There is so much more to Iran than just the desert that everyone imagines. Of course there are the deserts, but there are also forests and jungles in the north, temperate areas in the west, beautiful coastline in the south and stunning mountains everywhere in between. Most of Iran's mountains run from the south up the Persian Gulf towards Turkey, providing some excellent hiking if you can manage transport to these difficult areas.

 

The people
In my opinion (and that of many other travellers I met) the people are the best part of a visit to Iran. They are incredibly friendly and hospitable, trustworthy and helpful. It is very common for locals to approach you on the street to start a conversation, not because they want to sell you something, but because they genuinely want to talk to a foreigner. If hotels aren't your thing, Couchsurfing is also an incredibly easy way to find friends and accommodation, with just one public request yielding dozens of offers from locals keen to meet a foreigner and practice their English. Indeed, probably the biggest difficulty you'll face once in the country will be turning down all of the offers of assistance and hospitality. The shopkeepers and taxi drivers will also generally give you a fair price (at least compared to other countries in the region).

Transport
For independent travellers on a budget, the cheapest form of transport is buses (thanks to oil and labour being so cheap in Iran). A six hour 'VIP' bus (normally with lots of leg and elbow room) will cost around 240,000 IR (~8 USD). For the places that buses won't go, taxis will take you for reasonable prices. Iran is also one of the safest and easiest places to hitchhike, but as with all countries, care should be taken if you are going to hitch.

Favorite places
Despite tourism being in its infancy, there is something of a tourist trail from Tehran south to Shiraz and Yazd. This trail holds some gems, but there are other, less well - known sites that go largely unnoticed. Here are a few picks:

Kataleh Khour cave - Located in the Zanjan province, this 120 million year old cave system is full of beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.

Kharanaq - An old mud brick town about 75km northeast of Yazd. Collapsing double and triple storied buildings provide a maze of laneways, tunnels and rooftops to explore while you pretend to be Indiana Jones. Caution: a few tourists have fallen through the crumbling roofs.

Qeshm Island - Located a short ferry ride into the Persian Gulf, this island is a great place to spot animals like dolphins, sea turtles and birds. The people are also a bit more relaxed about what you wear while swimming at the beach, which is lucky because it is hot as hell there during the summer. 

Petra Jordan

For those of us that grew up watching the adventures of Indiana Jones, Petra is a place that has been on our bucket list for a long time. I am not a person that is very interested in museums or spending hours walking around in the hot sun with no beach in sight. Be that as it may, there is something enchanting about this ancient archaeological city that truly captured my attention.

Be prepared to walk and climb, a lot! Petra is a historical city that dates back thousands of years. It's mostly noted for the iconic Treasury but there are a slew of other ruins, canyons and cliffs that beckon to be explored. Like any city, its attractions are scattered about. This results in you spending hours hiking up and down as you traverse this vast site. There is the option to ride horses, camels and donkeys to get around, however, if you are on a cheap budget it's better to strap on a good pair on shoes and grab a water bottle. 

Petra offers 1, 2 and 3 day tickets. At a hurried pace many have been able to complete Petra in 1 day. Yet the price for the 2 or 3 day ticket is not that much more expensive. If your budget allows, try for at least the 2 day pass. Plan to bring lots of water and some food to snack on or even your lunch. Buying these items inside the site are more expensive.


Nobody visits Petra without seeing other regions of Jordan. Depending on your departure city, plane tickets to Amman can be pricey. Some opt to fly into Tel Aviv and then cross the border, thus resulting in an extended holiday. If you do this, don't forget to add into your budget the Israel exiting fee (paid at the The Jordan River Crossing or Sheikh Hussein Bridge). From Amman and Aqaba there are daily buses and shared mini buses that make the trip to Petra; these are the cheapest way to get there from these cities.

Lodging and transportation is very cheap in Jordan, yet the price of food might be a little more than what you expected. Petra's sites are truly awe-inspiring and mind blowing. Stop putting this trip off and go visit Petra!