| Locations | | | | Tioman |
| That Offer More But Cost Less | | | | Island |
| Soyou want to travel the world but you have a tight | | | | Anaffordable yet exotic choice for Asia is Malaysia |
| budget? | | | | and specifically Tioman |
| Are you tired of reading about everyone | | | | Island, knows as the mythical 'Bali Hai' from the film |
| else’s exotic adventures andready to have | | | | 'South Pacific.’ |
| some of your own? Haveyou always wanted to take | | | | Tioman Island is located at the southern end of the |
| an international vacation but thought you | | | | east coast of |
| couldn’tafford it? There are numeroustravel | | | | Malaysia on the South China Sea. Its sandy beaches, |
| destinations across the world that are both exciting | | | | bordered by lush jungles andstunning mountains make |
| and affordable. | | | | it a relaxing yet intriguing destination, ideal for |
| Five of them are described here to give you ideas | | | | sunlovers, snorkelers and divers. Theisland also has |
| and get you startedplanning your own getaway. | | | | many villages for exploring and shopping. |
| Thereare two ways to approach affordable | | | | English is widely spoken and therates are amazingly |
| vacations to distant destinations. | | | | affordable, with a two night lodging package for a |
| Either you will save money getting there or the | | | | suite ata lovely oceanside resort averaging around |
| savings will occur onceyou arrive at your selected | | | | 100 U.S. dollars. |
| spot. Ifyou want the trip there to be affordable, | | | | Typically visitors reach the island via the speed ferry |
| many travel consolidators recommendchoosing | | | | from themainland. Although the trip cantake over |
| well-known destinations that are served by numerous | | | | two hours, it is enjoyable and provides opportunities |
| airlines andreceive millions of travelers each year. | | | | for dolphinwatching along the way. |
| Thecompetition for customers usually drives costs | | | | Buenos |
| down for everything from lodgingto tour packages. | | | | Aires |
| Airfares betweenmajor hubs tend to be more | | | | South |
| affordable and there are often plenty of | | | | America also has many destinations that are |
| discountsand last minute travel deals. | | | | affordable because of the savingsonce you arrive. |
| London | | | | Locales like Riode Janeiro in Brazil, the areas top |
| In | | | | destination, are coming down in price butare still more |
| Europe, London is a top pick for affordable vacation | | | | expensive than cities such as Buenos Aires in |
| destinations, for theseexact reasons. Not only do you | | | | Argentina, wherethe rates are lower and the U.S. |
| havemore flights to choose from, they are cheaper | | | | dollar goes further. |
| than if you flew to a more remotelocation. On | | | | Ahuge metropolis that is more European than South |
| average, staying in | | | | American, the city has much tooffer including cultural |
| London may be a bit more expensive than other | | | | events, thriving nightlife, shopping, local sports, anda |
| European destinations, but theseemingly endless | | | | host of tours and excursions. La |
| choices in hotels, restaurants, transportation, tours, | | | | Boca, with its street performers, shops, and unique |
| andother travel essentials gives travels opportunities | | | | architecture is a bigtourist draw. The large number |
| to mold their vacation tofit their budgets. And you | | | | ofchoices for lodging, restaurants, and activities |
| can use | | | | provides opportunities forbudget travel and savings. |
| London as your home base to set out on day trips | | | | Airfare to the city is relatively reasonable for |
| to other more exotic locationsor buy a Eurorail pass | | | | aninternational destination, with discount fares from |
| and see those more remote countries without the | | | | the U.S. averaging around |
| expenseof flying there. | | | | $500 round trip. Buenos Aires mightnot be one of the |
| Playadel Carmen, Mexico | | | | most exotic or inspiring destinations in South America, |
| Thistheory also works well for traveling in the | | | | but itis a city that everyone should see at least once, |
| Caribbean. | | | | and with some of the mostaffordable rates and |
| Belize is an appealing destination, with wonderful | | | | fares around, it makes the list as a top South |
| Caribbean beaches anda lush tropic setting, but since | | | | Americandestination. |
| it has only recently emerged as a populartravel | | | | Las |
| destination, it is more expensive than Cancun, | | | | Vegas |
| Jamaica or otherwell-traveled locations along the | | | | Thelist would not be complete without a North |
| Mayan Riviera. | | | | American destination, and the champof all affordable |
| With fewer flights, getting there is more expensive, | | | | locales is Las Vegas. Ittoo is a city that should be |
| and there are fewmoderate lodging options. | | | | seen at least once, and many world travelers |
| Developmentof larger luxury resorts have begun to | | | | returnagain and again for the gaming, art, shows and |
| boom, but the only real alternative forthose on a | | | | people watching that just can’tbe found |
| budget is staying in local facilities that may be hard to | | | | anywhere else. Closeenough to other top U.S. |
| locate fromhome and may be more rustic than most | | | | attractions like the Grand Canyon, Vegas provides |
| travelers are willing to try. | | | | otheroptions for those who have had their fill of |
| Althoughthere are many options for affordable | | | | casinos. |
| vacations in the Caribbean, an excellentpick is Playa | | | | Thecity has long been known for its cheap vacation |
| del Carmen, Mexico. Accessiblevia flights to Cancun, | | | | packages with hotels and resortsthat offer discount |
| which are often some of the cheapest in the region, | | | | rates for rooms, meals and entertainment in hopes |
| Playais just a half hour away. It isfilled with a | | | | ofattracting people to their gaming tables. |
| multitude of lodging choices, from expansive luxury | | | | Airfarerates into Vegas are some of the most |
| resorts on theocean to quaint but clean hotels | | | | reasonable in the United States, no matterthe |
| downtown. | | | | origination destination. Andwith more than 100,000 |
| From Playa, travelers can branch out and visit Tulum | | | | hotel rooms to choose from, there is sure to be a |
| and other locationson the Mayan Riviera or take the | | | | lodgingchoice that fits your budget. |
| ferry across to the island of Cozumel | | | | Theworld provides hundreds of affordable travel |
| wheresnorkeling is prime and the attractions are | | | | destinations. With all the options available, there is no |
| many. | | | | excuse to put off thatlife-long desire to travel to |
| For | | | | exotic places at the far ends of the earth. |
| Asian destinations, travelers often do better to focus | | | | Destinations can be researched on the Internet or |
| on saving money once theyget to their destination. | | | | yourtravelconsolidator can makerecommendations |
| Dependingon your country of origin, getting to just | | | | and help with locating cheapinternational airfare |
| about any spot in Asia is going to bea sizable chunk | | | | andlodging rates that fit your budget. Sowhat are |
| of your travel budget. Thedifference will come from | | | | you waiting for? Get outthere and explore the world. |
| the cost of lodging, food, entertainment and | | | | Aboutthe Author |
| othertravel expenditures once you arrive. Bychoosing | | | | C.J. |
| destinations where you get the most for your | | | | Gustafson is a freelance writer and photographer |
| money, you can save agreat deal on your | | | | who travels extensively forwork and familyvacations. |
| international vacation. | | | | A cheapskate by nature and necessity, she is always |
| A drink or dinner in Tokyo will cost you many times | | | | on the lookout forbargain travel deals and affordable |
| more than what itwould in Saigon. The key here is | | | | vacation destinations. © 2004 You may reprint this |
| togo where your dollars buy you more and where | | | | article on your website only if links are kept intact. |
| the local cost of living is low. | | | | |