Traveling the Green Way

Will 2009 be a budget travel year for you?  Many eco-travelers worldwide are challenged by limited travel budgets (or non-existent ones!) in these tough economic times.

Intrepid Travel, which specializes in fun, affordable and sustainable travel, offers these excellent budget travel tips:

1. Choose experience over luxury. “Adventure holidays are great value, offering travelers a unique and up close experience of people and places.”

2. Make the most of specials.“Bargain hunters should check Intrepid Travel’s website regularly for last minute specials.  Intrepid Travel regularly offers 20 per cent off remaining places on trips when the departure date is coming up soon.”

3. Save up your annual leave and take a longer holiday. “Instead of taking lots of small breaks that all require transport to a destination, Intrepid Travel suggests travelers should consider taking longer holidays and spending more time in one area. This limits the need to purchase lots of flights, saving the traveler a substantial amount of money.  It’s also better for the environment as fewer flights are taken.”

4. Stay close to home. “Escape the bad news by holidaying in your own backyard and nearby. There are some great real life travel experiences to be had in our own backyard and nearby, saving travelers the expense of flights.”

5.Travel around your city. “Intrepid has also launched 10 New Urban Adventures designed to uncover hidden gems, backstreets and fascinating sights in some of our favorite cities.”

6. Enter competitions. Intrepid Travel recently offered adventure travelers the chance to enjoy “an early Christmas present with the launch of a competition to win one trip every day for 30 days during November.”

7. Book now, save later. “Airlines often offer great discounts for flights booked in advance. Check their websites and sign-up to their newsletters to get the latest offers.  A little forward planning can go a long way to saving money down the track.”

8. See the travel doctor before you leave. “It’s a small price to pay for something that gives travelers peace of mind and could potentially save them money in the long run – it’s much cheaper to avoid getting sick in the first place!”

9. Chat to locals and get the inside word. “Intrepid Travel uses local leaders and guides.  Ask them for advice on how to get a great bargain without compromising the experience.  As locals, they’ll know the best eateries, entertainment and cheap things to do!”

10. Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dinner like a pauper. “Travelers should make the most of hotels that have breakfast included. A big breakfast will ensure they make it through a solid day of experiencing new people and new places.  Another travel tip is to eat up big at lunch.  Meals in the middle of the day can be up to 50 per cent cheaper than the same menu at dinner.  And not eating a big dinner will leave travelers with more time to enjoy the night life!”

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