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