The rising cost of touristy locations prevents many from taking a holiday. However, there are a variety of beautiful and fascinating countries around the world that offer affordable accommodations and meals. Whether traveling as a couple or a family, consider planning a getaway to an exotic destination.

Penang, Malaysia

The island lies off the northwestern coast of Malaysia and earned the nickname “Pearl of the Orient.” The soft sandy beaches of Tanjung Bungah provide a chance to relax, enjoy the view and catch some sun. Gourmet cooks enjoy touring the Tropical Spice Garden. Learn more about Buddhists by visiting the exquisite Kek Lok Si Temple in Georgetown. Explore local culture by touring the Khoo Kongsi clan house, which is more than six centuries old. Dining options range from fancy restaurants to the street vendors that are popular with locals and visitors alike.

Xi’an, China

The capital city of Xi’an was established in the north-central region of the country and at one end of the historic Silk Road. Thirteen dynasties ruled the land for thousands of years, which makes the metropolis rich in culture and history. Guests have the chance to explore local heritage by visiting the Shaanxi History Museum. Exhibits include everything from items derived from emperor’s tombs to artifacts from the Silk Road. The Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum remains one of the most popular places to visit in order to see the amazing Terracotta Warriors that date back to 221 B.C. Art enthusiasts make a point of touring the Tang Bo Art Museum where you might also attend a calligraphy workshop.

Kochi, India

The metropolis remains an important port city along the country’s southwestern coast. The Indian spice trade made Kochi popular with many world countries for centuries. Venture to the old part of the city, which is known as Fort Kochi. Tour the Mattancherry Palace that dates back to 1555. The building features Dutch and Portuguese design and was a gift to the Raja. Bird watchers enjoy making a trip to the Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary. The location encompasses 2.74 hectares and cares for 35 species of birds, 17 butterfly species and six mammal species. The Museum of Kerala History enables guests to explore the heritage of the city. The facility also has an art gallery and a doll collection.

When it comes to airplanes, everyone is so concerned with TSA guidelines and the long lines that they forget to plan for their actual flight time. When flights can last from few to several hours, it may take a little pre-planning and creativity to keep yourself occupied. While laptops and phone usage are frowned upon, there is still plenty to keep you busy until you reach your destination.

Have a cocktail. Yes, this is the first thing on the list. All other options on this list will be better after first doing this. Be cautious, however. On-flight drink purchases typically land around $12 per drink. Save some money and pack a few tiny 100mL liquor bottles in your carry on. *Drink in moderation!*

Get productive. Sitting in a plane with nowhere to go for hours offers the perfect time to work on those tedious tasks that have been waiting around for the right time: getting extra work done, unsubscribing from emails, organizing your bag, deleting photos from your phone, etc.

Organize your trip. Okay, so maybe you choose a last minute flight to go with your last minute vacation, and you’ve got no idea what to do in this new city. Or maybe you just want to double check to make sure you didn’t miss anything. Either way, planning out vacation activities while on the flight is an excellent use of time and energy.

Practice the local language. If you are headed to a location that speaks another language, the plane ride there offers the chance to brush up on some terms and get prepared for a language submersion. Even if you are traveling closer to home, time flying on planes can be utilized to learn a new language. Look out resume!

Chat with your neighbor. Socializing. Ah, society’s most forgotten past time! As silly as you may feel (think you will feel), there is a lot of good to be found talking with those sitting near you. Starting a conversation can introduce exciting people and offer new insight and perspectives.

Sleep. For many, this is an obvious one. Sleeping on your flight can enable you to get in the amount of rest you need without cutting too much into your vacation. Not to mention time flies when in R.E.M. Make things more comfortable by bringing a blanket and neck pillow, and even eye masks to block out the pesky sunlight.

Fall is a wonderful time to take a vacation to climates that are normally too crowded or too hot to enjoy during summer vacation. Or this can be a time to visit a place where you can embrace fall colors and cozy autumn activities. What are the seven best places to travel in October?

1) Mendocino, California

Just over 150 miles north of San Francisco on PCH is the Northern California gem, Mendocino. Where Bohemians meet wine country, this quirky area is has a heady combination of breathtaking cliffy Pacific views, arty shops and endless rows of organic vines and trees with gorgeous fall colors.

2) Greek Islands

The Greek Islands are usually packed with vacationers in the hot summer months, but they are the best-kept secret in October. Warm, but not scorching weather allows visitors to enjoy hiking and exploring as well as avoiding beach crowds. Visit Rhodes for lively Lindos nightlife and antiquities, Crete for hiking or Corfu for luxurious vacationing with the rich and famous on the spectacular Ionian.

3) Zanzibar

Off the coast of Tanzania is the enchanting island of Zanzibar. Enjoy swimming or snorkeling at the many pristine beaches. Take a stroll on this magical island and engage your senses with exotic spices, natural beauty, and art. Go on a nature safari, or take a bike on a tour around the islands. Best yet, get cozy with wild animals at Cheetah’s Rock.

4) The Galapagos Islands

Avoid the rainy, hot season and visit the Galapagos Islands in dry October. The water is warm enough for a lovely dip. This is peak season for bird and fish species making this the ideal time of year to go to this bucket list destination.

5) Bohol, Philippines

No longer an obscure destination for adventurers, Bohol island is filled with secret waterfalls in a stunning natural setting. There is plenty of ways to explore and enjoy the island. Take a moped around the island, snorkel or swing from trees before jumping into the water.

6) Reykjavik, Iceland

Are the Northern Lights on your bucket list? By October the Midnight Sun is long gone and the nights are dark enough to see the magical Aurora Borealis. Make sure to bathe in the warm, thermal waters of the Blue Lagoon, horseback ride in the treeless countryside, be sure check out the Gullfoss and Geiser and party all night in the city that never sleeps.

7) Twin Cities, Minnesota

If you are looking for fall colors, the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have a breathtaking array. Take a drive around Lake Minnetonka or a boat ride on the St. Croix River to enjoy the crisp air and the dazzling autumn colors. Visit an apple orchard or pumpkin farm to pick your own or explore a corn maze.

When the right moment hits for a great weekend getaway prepare to seize the hours with gusto. As anyone over the age of college weekends knows, the right getaway on the perfect weekend can improve your outlook when you need it the most.

Occasionally, the perfect getaway presents itself all in one package with a bow on top. However, you stand a far better chance of creating opportunities for just the right pocket vacation with a little preparation.

Keep a Getaway Kit at Hand

Depending on your locale, you cannot go wrong by keeping a to-go bag handy. Most of the time the logical place to stash essentials is in your trunk. Often, any fellow travelers look askance at any weekend gear actually stashed in supermarket bags. If your perfect weekend getaway typically involves camping, hiking or other rugged, outdoor activities, consider investing in a mid-size backpack.

You may find the idea of a sturdy, classic duffel bag that leans toward the classy side more your style. Whatever you choose, you cannot go wrong with lots of pockets. Backpack or duffel, it never hurts to have a quality, lightweight sleeping bag along. Even a hotel room couch is more comfortable with your own sleeping gear.

When in Doubt, Pack Light

Keep cosmetics and gadgets to a bare minimum. Remember, if you cannot live without something, it is probably already in your getaway bag. Most essentials are available for purchase along your route or at your destination. Keep travel size samples of toothpaste, shampoo, and other toiletries. Always pack an extra toothbrush.

Keep Your Destination Close and Handy

A spontaneous weekend getaway is most likely to leave you refreshed and well-rested if your destination is easy to reach, as well as a reasonable drive home. While you may be anxious to take off on your weekend adventure, check with any travel buddies to make sure their return plans coincide with yours.

If not, you do not need to abandon your quick getaway, simply adjust your transportation ahead of time.

Know Yourself and Your Goals

When you prepare your getaway bag, take inventory of your mental baggage. You know what activities relax you. Adventures others find exciting may stress you out if your goals demand alone time.

No apologies are necessary. Circumstances change in life, and you are far better off coping in a positive way. Your perfect weekend getaway might be an overnight stay at a bed-and-breakfast inn where you can read to your heart’s content.

Traveling is exciting but can also pose many challenges. This is especially true for those traveling into a different hemisphere. Keep these tips in mind if you plan on traveling between hemispheres for your next vacation.

Daylight and Nighttime Hours

As you travel closer to the north and south poles, the ratio of daytime to nighttime hours becomes more drastic. Due to the tilt of the planet and its position in relation to the sun, the polar ends of the planet either receive an abundant amount of daylight hours with very little nighttime hours and vice versa. The time of year you visit certain countries will determine which extreme you will encounter. There are websites that allow you to enter the country and city to which you’ll be traveling so that you can see when the sun rises and sets and how many daylight and nighttime hours you have for work and leisure. It’ll also be wise to set alarms on your smartphone to alert you of designated mealtimes so that you don’t accidentally miss a meal due to restaurants and stores being closed.

Check The Weather

Checking the weather of your travel destination is a common tip given to novice travelers. This is to help you know what type of clothes to pack. This tip should be heeded even more fervently when you travel to another hemisphere. The way hemispheres work is that they experience opposite seasons. When it’s winter in the northern hemisphere, it’s summer in the southern hemisphere. This sort of extreme seasonal difference can really mess up your travels if you pack clothes and gear for the season in your own hemisphere. A quick search online can help you determine the current season in the hemisphere of your travels and the effect it has on the local weather.

Time and Date Differences

There is an invisible line that separates the western and eastern hemispheres which denotes the beginning of the next day. When you travel over this International Date Line, you automatically exist in the next or previous day, depending on which hemisphere you depart from. It is important for you to keep this line in mind when reading your travel tickets and purchasing hotel reservations. You may not purchase enough days at the hotel to cover your entire visit or even miss your flight.

Passionate travelers do not let financial constraints squash their dreams of wanderlust. It is easier than ever to plan extravagant trips on a shoestring budget. Here are six of the most practical ways to travel without breaking the bank:

HARNESS THE POWER OF POINTS: Savvy travelers understand the great benefit of learning how to work the points system to their advantage to gain valuable travel rewards. Experts recommend finding a credit card that pays out in generous hotel and airline miles and then using that card for all possible expenses. Paying attention to sign-up bonuses can also help you to rack up the points more quickly.

FLY THE FRIENDLY SKIES WITH A BUDGET AIRLINE: As long as your personal tastes do not require a first-class flying experience, choosing a budget airline is a great way to stretch your travel dollar. By being mindful of the extra costs associated with budget airlines and taking care to avoid them, this can be a huge money saver.

BE FLEXIBLE: By committing to be flexible in your travel schedules, you will undoubtedly open up a world of additional inexpensive vacation options. Traveling off-season or taking flights during the less desired times can protect your budget and leave more room for fun expenses. Being open to flying out of an airport farther than your ideal location can also potentially save a lot of money.

HIT THE ROAD: Especially when traveling as a family, a road trip can be a lot more economical than flying. Looking into a gas rewards credit card is another way that you can save big when traveling by car. As a bonus, the bonding that happens during a road trip cannot be replicated by any other type of travel experience.

LEVERAGE THE DOLLAR: The current strength of the U.S. dollar compared to other currencies makes this an ideal time to travel abroad. Even going somewhere as close as Mexico or Canada can yield big savings when your money is converted to foreign currencies.

AVOID UNNECESSARY FEES: Do your research and plan ahead so that you avoid unnecessary costs such as ATM service charges and cell phone roaming fees. There are numerous services and products designed to eliminate these fees.

Despite being wedged between the two most populous countries in the world, Nepal is a country that does not receive much tourism, compared with more developed countries. Although it is most notable for its 2015 earthquake, Nepal has so much more to offer than most westerners expect. If you’re considering traveling to an obscure country, read on to see what makes Nepal unique.

General Info

Although Nepal borders China to the north and India to the south, it had a miniscule population of nearly 30 million people, as of 2016. The national language is Nepali, although there are fifteen recognized regional languages, as well. The currency is the Nepalese Rupee and 1 NPR equals 0.012 AUD.

What can I do in Nepal?

Known for its mountainous geography, Nepal is a country that people primarily go to for its outdoor activities. If your dream is to climb the Himalayas, Nepal is a great place to do so. For those who are a little less adventurous, there are plenty of hiking trails for both beginners and experts. If you want a more casual experience, check out a Kathmandu sightseeing tour, which will show off some of the religious buildings and beautiful architecture.

That sounds nice, but what about food?

Nepalese food can be similar to its surrounding countries. Some of their main dishes are Momos and Yomari (both types of dumplings), but they also have soups, lentil and egg patties, and even their own version of a pizza (Keema chatamari).

And where should I stay?

Kathmandu has plenty of Airbnbs to choose from, for roughly $10 per night. Visitors rated Nepalese Airbnbs an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars, so you know the hospitality will be great just about anywhere you go.

I’m sold. How do I get to Nepal?

Flights from various parts of Australia to Kathmandu are anywhere from 750 AUD to 1000 AUD. Most flights will have a single stop, but otherwise, the trip is a fairly straight shot.

Although Nepal is an up-and-coming country, it has a lot more to offer than people expect. When planning your next trip, keep in mind the rich culture of this country, and consider it for your next vacation.

No matter where you live, you have probably seen or read about a road trip experience. Media portrays these trips as fun, easygoing, and a great way to bond with your travel companions. But is road tripping all it’s made to seem, or is it an overrated form of travel? I won’t answer that for you, but let’s look at some of the pros and cons that can help you decide whether you should take a road trip.

Pros

Enjoy Underrated Attractions

No matter where you are looking to road trip, you will likely find an attraction, a restaurant, or even a national park that most tourists tend to overlook. It’s here that you’ll often see the most real version of a place; it’s where you can stop being a tourist and just be a person. After the trip is over, these places are the ones you’ll most remember.

Group Bonding Time

The cliché is real — road trips are a great time to learn more about your traveling companions. You’ll spend time together in a small space for days, and there will be times where the drive is boring. After the fun and excitement starts to wear off, you can expect to open up a bit and relate to each other on a more personal level.

Fully Customizable Travel

Do you want to visit a city that has no close airport? You may end up traveling for the same amount of time you would if you drove, but spending way more. Or, you might book a hotel and find out it looks much worse in person than it did online. Taking a road trip means being able to customize your travel itinerary to suit your needs, so you can avoid situations like these.

Cons

No Room To Breathe

Although staying in close quarters may lead to a heart-to-heart moment, it can also be the catalyst for epic fights. People get sick of each other after spending so much time together with no out, so be ready to argue over nothing, just because.

The Cost

Although road tripping may be less expensive than an international vacation, it can often be more costly than expected. Gas drives costs up, food and lodging can be a surprise, and you never know when your vehicle will break down. It’s a good idea to have extra money stashed away, just in case something goes awry.

Where’s The Excitement?

Unfortunately, no road trip is going to be interesting 100% of the time. You may have days of travel without an exciting element. Be prepared to entertain yourself in other ways, or else you may regret taking this kind of trip.

Taking a road trip can be a fun experience, but it can also be grueling. Before you commit to the idea, make sure you consider both the good and the bad. You may be surprised at how you feel after weighing all of the consequences.

When traveling, it can be tempting to fall into a typical routine — go to this city, eat at this restaurant, and talk with the same people you see daily. However, people are tired of following suit and want to encounter authentic experiences. In fact, so many people are shifting from the norm that 2018 is known as the year of these unique travel trends.

Solo or No?

When traveling, most people prefer to spend their trip with someone. Usually, this is family, friends, or a significant other. Yet, the era of the travel companion may soon be over, as one of the big trends of 2018 is solo travel. Although traveling by yourself is not everyone’s ideal vacation, it can provide new experiences that you would not have on your own. For example, you may be more inclined to speak to locals, rather than retreating to your group. You also would not be limited by others’ preferences, which can open the door to adventures, sights, and, of course, food that you never would have tried. It’s no wonder that people are traveling solo; it’s the perfect opportunity to cater specifically to your interests.

The New Old Transportation

Another big trend that has taken off is traveling by train. People in Europe do this frequently when traveling between countries, but other continents are taking interest, as well. With airport security at an all-time high, it may be more convenient to take a train to your destination, especially if you plan on stopping in a few places. Another benefit of traveling by train is an increased amount of room. We’ve all heard that airlines are restricting legroom each year, but trains still maintain a fairly large capacity without sacrificing personal comfort. Finally, trains may not provide the most interesting experience, but it can be fun to watch the sights you pass on the way to your stop.

Undiscovered Destinations

Every year, it seems another attraction has become overrun with tourists. Instead of wading through the sea of people you could find at home, try following another 2018 trend: traveling to unfamiliar places. There are dozens of countries throughout several continents that rarely see outside tourism. Furthermore, within many popular countries, there are usually areas tourists stay away from. Why not explore a bit further than most? These undiscovered areas often come with some of the best hospitality, as well as a truly immersive experience. You will eat like a native, live like a native, and may not see a person from your country the entire time. It may sound nerve-wracking, but afterward, you will be amazed at how much you learned.

2018 has been a year full of surprises, but these travel trends were a long time coming. Even if you aren’t one to follow trends, try giving these a try. You will certainly have a unique experience and a great story to tell.

Traveling is one of my biggest passions, and many people can relate. It is exciting to see the world, meet the locals, and taste new cuisines. Although so many of us love traveling, there are certain countries people tend to travel to most. While these countries have merit, so many others are left mostly undiscovered. To bring some light to the places more people could visit, I’m starting a series called Undiscovered Countries. Today, I’m going to dive into what you should know if you are interested in visiting Croatia.

General Info

Croatia is a swooping country, found on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, opposite Italy. It borders Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In Croatia, the national language is Croatian, while Serbian, Italian, French, and many other regional languages are minority languages. The currency is the Kuna, and 1 AUD equals roughly 4.61 Kuna.

What can I do in Croatia?

Croatia boasts over 1,000 islands, which many tourists love exploring. The Adriatic Sea is a great place for sailing, so all tourists should make a stop by the coast. The country also contains rich scenery, including seven UNESCO World Heritage sites. Of course, you can also visit the numerous small towns throughout the country, and make a stop in the capital, Zagreb. Here, you can visit farmers’ markets, spend an afternoon in a local coffee shop, or explore one of many museums.

That sounds nice, but what about food?

Croatian food varies greatly, as the country is divided into several regions. However, if you travel throughout the country, these are three dishes you must try:

• Black risotto (crni rizot) is often known in other countries as squid-ink risotto. It’s a Croatian specialty, and comes with several kinds of seafood mixed in. Make sure to eat this dish near the coast, as the seafood will be fresh.
• Manestra, a bean soup, is a common dish in Istria, and a must-try for foreigners. This soup contains a garlic-pancetta-parsley paste, as well as cured meats. It’s a unique flavor that you don’t often find, so make sure to keep it on your list.
• Rozata may seem familiar to those who love Central American cuisine. Rozata is Croatia’s version of flan, and it looks nearly identical. Still, there is no way you can go wrong with this sweet treat, so make sure to try it at least once.

I’m sold. How do I get to Croatia?

Flights directly to Croatia can be expensive, if you can even find them. Instead, consider flying into a major Western European city and taking a train or a short flight to Croatia. If you are hoping to stop in some other countries, this is a great way to make sure you do so. Once you arrive in Croatia you will never want to leave.

There are tons of countries around the world, and most people will only see a handful in their lives. If you’re looking to break from that mold and adventure into new territory, why not start with Croatia?