Arthur Idyllic Voyages

Wait no, it has to be the exchange booths in the airport that don't necessarily speak your language and charge you and arm and a leg to change your money into local currency.

Feel that pain in your neck, muscle spasm? That is the aftermath of coming into contact with Currency and being whipped of your feet not realising that it was no good for you or your pocket.

We often get short-sighted by currency differences. Let's say for instance that the dollar is two times less than it is in your city.  You start to feel good, hey I can buy a few things for the kids and for some friends and family and still have enough to eat at a restaurant every night (you know... because we like to taste authentic food from the region...spoiler alert, you may want to consider meeting a local, befriending them and then have them cook dinner for you because restaurants my dear friend, believe it or not, they're commercial but that's besides the point).

Currency is the real side chick, who makes you feel rich for the trip and completely ruins your bank account for the return home.

Now let's add that currency to the tip jar cause it looks like it isn't worth much. Let's use the peso for example, they have a 10 peso coin and you think hey, it's like 10 cents, doesn't seem to be worth much but consider a 10 peso tip in every restaurant, bar, bathroom, guy on the street for two weeks, each day, 2 restaurants on average, 2 shopping malls, 1 bar, 4 bathroom breaks and maybe 1 guy on the weekends. That gives you a grand total of… 1300 pesos and that is on average, chances are you will tip more in restaurants if you appreciated the service and more or less elsewhere.

I am not saying don't tip but be wise about doing so and consider the value of the currency as a combined element and not just as single coin or bill. Currency is a cost.


On the other hand, you are probably saying, that doesn't apply to me. I always use my card when travelling. I get rewards when I shop. Although this may be true for some, it's not the case for all or us so…  shall we discuss the charges for using your card when you travel?

Some of you may have a great program where you pay the bank for your travel card and don't incur additional charges for the foreign exchange or withdrawals, I am happy for you but for those who can't afford those cards or they aren't available to you for whatever reason, consider making a huge withdrawal in your home country or on arrival and limit swiping your card at each shop. It will save you in the long run.

You need to think outside of the box and your comfort zone when you travel. The idea is not to think of how to get to your destination but rather just arriving safely at your destination.

Considering the way you travel should be deemed important, right up there next to first class with a bottle of champagne. A private jet would be a better option but this isn't that type of article because who doesn't like to save a penny when you can.

So, below are some tips that prove to be very cost effective and efficient in helping you to travel low-cost and adventurous. 

1. Track transport prices

Whatever your reasons, tracking your progress and prices will be beneficial to you in more ways than one. 

2. Pre-book 

3. Choose a different start/end point

4. Use a different mode of transport 

Break the habit and set out for an adventure that could cost you two times less than you are currently paying. 

Everyone wants to know the best options for having the best trip on a low budget that won't break the bank and although we all have a different idea of how far our budget can stretch and how much money we should be spending, we all know that...

Therefore, we must all invest wisely when we take a trip and believe it or not, a lot of thought should go towards thinking of an ideal destination rather than what you will do when you get there. We all want to take photos in front of monuments or stand in awe looking at a beautiful landscape or revel in a different cultural practice or be capture a moment that stands out to you. That is the basis of travelling. Exploration and Discovery! And if you are not prepared to travel it's best that you stay at home.

However, if you plan to travel whether now or later, you may want to start planning a few months to a year in advance. Some of us are spontaneous travellers so we literally always have a bag packed. Yes, I am guilty of that but for the average traveller, you think of a place that you want to visit in advance so planning ahead should also be an important part of the process if you want to get the most out of your money and your stay.

Here are some steps to get you in the right direction even before you arrive at your destination.

You’re probably taking a trip in October and you’re wondering what to pack.

Here’s a tip, pink earrings, a pink cardigan, pink socks, a pink shirt, a pink pair of sunglasses, even a pink suitcase if you have one. Yes, you get the gist of this article. It is indeed Breast Cancer Awareness Month and packing something pink shows your support in the fight against breast cancer, the fight for a cure.

"Some journeys in life can only be travelled alone." - Ken Poirot

You don't need to be rich to travel the world!

You just need to plan well and economise in all the necessary areas so... instead of buying that bottle of nail polish that you probably won't have the time to use anyway or that bottle of soda that isn't good for your health, just think that the cost of those items could possibly buy you a single or even return ticket for the bus or train when you arrive at your travel destination.

Now let's talk about getting there.

Planning in advance is one of the best things you can do if you want to have a smooth trip but sometimes spontaneous trips can be much more exciting than a planned one ever could be so you need to keep that in mind.

You must analyse yourself as a traveller before you travel. Are you the traveller that wants to experience your destination as a tourist, do you want to experience it as a native or would you like to get the best of both worlds?

Here are some questions you should ask yourself. Do I like taking the bus? Yes, it may seem to be an odd question but many travellers prefer an authentic experience that they would never do in their home countries (in addition to it being quite cost-friendly). Do I like crowded places? Is nature my "comfort zone"? Am I concerned about my appearance? Do I like to try new things? All of these questions among others, however odd they may seem may predict your destination as well as the activities that you take part in when you arrive. It is unlikely that someone who doesn't like sand would visit the desert so if you don't like winter for example, it would be quite odd for you to go to Norway in December unless of course it is to visit family or maybe to attend a friend's wedding.