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!

 

Self Guided or Hire a Tour Guide?

Striking out on a new adventure begs the question, "Should I pay for a tour guide or do it on my own?" Being on a cheap budget, the quick answer will always be "Self-Guided." However, there are ways to get around paying an exorbitant amount for tour guides and there are some situations where a guide might be better.

Sometimes you might not have a choice about hiring a tour guide. Recently I visited a country that had experienced some political unrest. I wanted to take a 5 hour bus ride to another region of the country, but was informed that due to security concerns, it was no longer possible for tourists to do so. The only option was to fly and have a tour guide to take you around. This was my first time ever doing a Fully-Guided trip. And actually, I truly enjoyed it!

My driver picked me up and shuttled me to the airport. Upon arriving at my destination, my tour guide met me at the airport and I was whisked away on a day full of adventure. I didn't have to worry about directions, getting lost, or which train or bus to take; my chauffeur took care of it all. Arriving at different sites, my tour guide fully explained everything. It was great not having to read signs and guess what took place here. As the day breezed by, I saw everything I wanted to and more, all of my questions were answered and I felt I had a very in-depth visit. Even though this was more expensive than Self-Guided, at the time it was the only option available. This also allowed me to enjoy my trip without what can sometimes be a hassle of figuring things out on your own.    


The biggest advantage of Self-Guided tours is that they are always FREE! Well seasoned travelers know the tricks of the trade. Instead of buying a travel book, many Google their destination and read up on the top 10 (or more) things to do there. Some do thorough research so that don't miss anything.

Most smart phones allow you to download applications for maps of major cities, learn some phrases in a language, and metro maps. (Be sure to download before arriving.) Many major cities and airports have a Welcome Center or Tourist Office. These oftentimes provide free maps of the major sites to see and friendly hosts to guide you on your way. Self-guided tours allow you the flexibility to go exactly where you want to go and stay there for as long as you would like.

Another option is Free Guided Tours. This is popping up around the world in many major cities. A friendly and excited local takes you around for about 1-3 hours. This mode of touring allows you to learn facts about the area that you might not find in a guide book. Your local guide will tell you where he likes to eat, shop and visit and what things to avoid.



More than likely you will also meet other other tourists that are on a budget and together you can share thoughts about what and where to visit. Even though it's a Free Guided Tour, these guides work off of tips. Remember, he just spent about 2 hours taking you around, your tip doesn't have to be huge but it should reflect your appreciation.

Egypt

Being one of the oldest countries in the world, Egypt is a destination that I have always dreamed about visiting. Many think of Egypt as only a country that is packed full of history and artifacts. Yet, this country has a lot more to offer!

Traveling to Egypt can be done without spending a ton of money. The cheapest way to get there is to check which low-cost airlines fly into the major tourist's cities. From Europe, cheap flights can be found flying into Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada and Luxor. Once in these cities, one or two day trips can be arranged to visit Cairo or other popular destinations. Hostels are not very common outside of Cairo. So if you're visiting another city, you might have to pay a little more for a budget hotel. It's a good idea to check directly with the hotel. Travelocity found a great deal for me at 18 euros a night for a hotel. I contacted the hotel and they charged me 14 euros a night for the same room.

All-inclusive hotels are very popular in Egypt and sometimes it can come out cheaper doing it this way. But first of all, figure out how many lunches and dinners you will actually spend at your hotel. Many day trips have meals included, so if you book all-inclusive and do a couple of day trips, you might end up paying twice for a few meals. 

Day trips are very common in Egypt. I found deals to go 4 wheeling in the desert, diving in the Red Sea, to visit Israel or Jordan, and to fly to Cairo, Luxor or any other city that you want to visit.  To get the best price, you have to shop around. Like in most places, these trips at your hotel will be more expensive. Visit different online travel agencies and price the one that is the cheapest but also willing to go on the day that you want to travel. Before you arrive, I would suggest only booking a day trip that involves a flight. This way your trip is guaranteed. All others can be booked once you arrive.

Haggling is essential in Egypt. Taxis, in the market, and especially day trips. Be sure to fix your price before getting in the taxi. If you find a local travel agent, don't take his first price for a day trip. On a recent diving trip in Sharm el-Sheikh I paid the same price for 2 dives as another couple paid for 1 dive. And I'm sure someone else paid even less than I did!    

Like in most countries, safety is a big issue in Egypt. However, do not be quickly put off by what happened there years ago. Egypt is a big country; therefore what happens in one city or neighborhood is not indicative of what is taking place throughout the whole region. On my recent trip to Sharm el-Sheik, I heard that 4 bombs went off in Cairo 3 days before I was supposed to go to there. I spoke with other travelers who were in Cairo on the day of the bombings and they reported that they didn't see or hear anything about them. The bombings were in a residential area not frequented by tourists. Of course I proceeded with my plans, visited Cairo and felt very secure. No matter where you go, just use your own good judgement.
 

 

 

  

  

Prague Czech Repblic

Prague. Known as Praha in her home country, she definitely tops the charts as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Many tourists are truly captivated by this picturesque city. Like most European cities that are slightly hilly and situated on a river, Prague offers numerous vantage points for you to relish in her beauty. In typical European fashion, Prague boasts of its cobble stone paved streets, a towering castle and plenty of ancient cathedrals. A city packed with as much history and beauty as Prague definitely merits a visit.