Domestic
airfares have gone up dramatically, but that doesn’t mean you can’t
think of an overseas sojourn this holiday season. Travelling abroad
doesn’t necessarily mean burning a hole in the pocket, say travel
experts. Proper planning and right execution can really help you save
money as well as a lot of hassles. One of the easiest ways to cut cost
is to make the bookings well in advance. “You pay at least 25-30% lower
on international air travel. Hence the key to best travel deal is to
plan early,” says Noel Swain, EVP, supplier relations, Cleartrip. Most
airlines sell tickets at discounted rates 7, 14, or 21 days before the
departure dates.
Secondly, be flexible with your schedule. Flying on weekdays and not on weekends, or even at a different time of the day, can make a substantial difference. If possible, use public transportation in cities rather than taxis. “If you are opting for a cab, check with all major car-rental agencies in the destination city. Make the reservations before you leave home as it is always a guaranteed money saver,” says Pratik Majumder, head of marketing & strategic relations at Yatra.com.
Some budget destinations you could explore this holiday season:
TURKEY “It is popular for its history, white sand beaches, soaring mountains and its cuisine,” says Majumder. “Starting from exploring history, nature surroundings, adventures, taste of different cuisines to mingling in a new culture, Turkey has attracted tourists for ages. Moreover, the country is famous for the hospitality extended by the localities,” he adds.
Holiday packages to Turkey starts from . 54,000 per person. The exchange rate for the Turkish currency (lira) is 29.8841 Indian rupees.
Remember: If you are planning to travel in taxis, as in all countries, ask for a rough estimate of the fare before you board. Ask the driver to use the fare meter and check your change carefully.
THAILAND
Thailand is popular for its beaches, food, culture and the shopping options it offers for the different age groups. Pattaya and Phuket are very popular destinations among Indians. Travellers can also visit the islands like Coral Island, Ko Phai, Ko Krok and several others by renting a boat. Pattaya Thai Floating Market is a popular place for shopping in Thailand.
The holiday packages to Thailand start from . 22,000 per person. The exchange rate for the Thai currency (baht) is 1.7462 Indian rupees.
Remember: Laundry is very cheap and you can purchase anything you need over there. So you can pack light. When bargaining, check the price of an item in more than one place. Try and negotiate the price down by 15-20% from the average price. Avoid swiping your credit card for security reasons.
SRI LANKA Set in the Indian Ocean, the tropical island nation of Sri Lanka has a history dating back to the birth of time. It is a place where the original soul of Buddhism still flourishes and where nature’s beauty remains abundant and unspoilt.
Colombo is popular for Buddhist and Hindu temples, churches, the old Parliament building, the zoo, museums and art galleries. Next to Colombo is the hill capital Kandy, situated 488 meters above the sea level. It’s the most visited place after Colombo. Wasgamuwa National Park is another attraction which has preserved the natural habitat of elephants.
The holiday packages to Sri Lanka start from . 22,000 per person. The exchange rate for the Sri Lankan rupee is 0.4126 Indian rupees.
Remember: Permits are required to take photos at certain sites. Entrance tickets cover charges for photography, recording and parking. Rates are quoted in US dollars.
KATHMANDU Kathmandu is a hub of ancient temples and shrines, inexhaustible historical and cultural beauty. It offers a bag full of historical facts to all history lovers.
Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath are major attractions. The city also offers luxury boutiques, shopping centres, bargain outlets and markets. Nepal is popular for jewellery, statues, handicrafts, pottery (at Bhaktapur) and carved-wooden items (at Patan).
The holiday packages to Kathmandu start from . 10,000 per person. The exchange rate for the Nepali rupees is 0.6255 Indian rupees.
Remember: “Pick up a free Kathmandu Valley map at the airport. The first thing some visitors notice about Kathmandu is the general lack of street names except for major roads,” adds Majumder of Yatra.com.
DUBAI It is known as a shoppers’ paradise. Be it gold, cosmetics or branded apparels, Dubai is very popular among shopaholics. Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest structure, is the latest attraction in the emirate city.
Packages start from . 35,000 per individual. The exchange rate for the dirham is 14.60 Indian rupees.
Secondly, be flexible with your schedule. Flying on weekdays and not on weekends, or even at a different time of the day, can make a substantial difference. If possible, use public transportation in cities rather than taxis. “If you are opting for a cab, check with all major car-rental agencies in the destination city. Make the reservations before you leave home as it is always a guaranteed money saver,” says Pratik Majumder, head of marketing & strategic relations at Yatra.com.
Some budget destinations you could explore this holiday season:
TURKEY “It is popular for its history, white sand beaches, soaring mountains and its cuisine,” says Majumder. “Starting from exploring history, nature surroundings, adventures, taste of different cuisines to mingling in a new culture, Turkey has attracted tourists for ages. Moreover, the country is famous for the hospitality extended by the localities,” he adds.
Holiday packages to Turkey starts from . 54,000 per person. The exchange rate for the Turkish currency (lira) is 29.8841 Indian rupees.
Remember: If you are planning to travel in taxis, as in all countries, ask for a rough estimate of the fare before you board. Ask the driver to use the fare meter and check your change carefully.
THAILAND
Thailand is popular for its beaches, food, culture and the shopping options it offers for the different age groups. Pattaya and Phuket are very popular destinations among Indians. Travellers can also visit the islands like Coral Island, Ko Phai, Ko Krok and several others by renting a boat. Pattaya Thai Floating Market is a popular place for shopping in Thailand.
The holiday packages to Thailand start from . 22,000 per person. The exchange rate for the Thai currency (baht) is 1.7462 Indian rupees.
Remember: Laundry is very cheap and you can purchase anything you need over there. So you can pack light. When bargaining, check the price of an item in more than one place. Try and negotiate the price down by 15-20% from the average price. Avoid swiping your credit card for security reasons.
SRI LANKA Set in the Indian Ocean, the tropical island nation of Sri Lanka has a history dating back to the birth of time. It is a place where the original soul of Buddhism still flourishes and where nature’s beauty remains abundant and unspoilt.
Colombo is popular for Buddhist and Hindu temples, churches, the old Parliament building, the zoo, museums and art galleries. Next to Colombo is the hill capital Kandy, situated 488 meters above the sea level. It’s the most visited place after Colombo. Wasgamuwa National Park is another attraction which has preserved the natural habitat of elephants.
The holiday packages to Sri Lanka start from . 22,000 per person. The exchange rate for the Sri Lankan rupee is 0.4126 Indian rupees.
Remember: Permits are required to take photos at certain sites. Entrance tickets cover charges for photography, recording and parking. Rates are quoted in US dollars.
KATHMANDU Kathmandu is a hub of ancient temples and shrines, inexhaustible historical and cultural beauty. It offers a bag full of historical facts to all history lovers.
Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath are major attractions. The city also offers luxury boutiques, shopping centres, bargain outlets and markets. Nepal is popular for jewellery, statues, handicrafts, pottery (at Bhaktapur) and carved-wooden items (at Patan).
The holiday packages to Kathmandu start from . 10,000 per person. The exchange rate for the Nepali rupees is 0.6255 Indian rupees.
Remember: “Pick up a free Kathmandu Valley map at the airport. The first thing some visitors notice about Kathmandu is the general lack of street names except for major roads,” adds Majumder of Yatra.com.
DUBAI It is known as a shoppers’ paradise. Be it gold, cosmetics or branded apparels, Dubai is very popular among shopaholics. Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest structure, is the latest attraction in the emirate city.
Packages start from . 35,000 per individual. The exchange rate for the dirham is 14.60 Indian rupees.
Source : Times of India -10/10/2012
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