by AirTreks
8/25/2007 12:35:00 PM
For savvy world travelers and those wanting to be...
The US dollar may be no match for the euro or the British Pound these
days, but this does not mean people should consider shortening their
distances when planning to travel abroad. Travelers can avoid being
burdened with pricey places and still find authentic cultural
experiences with great value in many parts of the world. With a little
bit of planning, one can enjoy visiting multiple destinations where the
dollar is attractive, and still gain precious cultural enrichment while
traveling throughout the world.
China continues to undervalue its currency to keep its exports a
bargain on the global market. While many countries oppose this fact,
people can still take advantage of China as a great travel destination
where the dollar can be stretched far. And with roughly the same land
size as Australia there is a lot of terrain to see. Situated in the
northeastern part of China, Beijing’s royal past is preserved through
countless ancient palaces, imperial gardens and world heritage sites.
Much time can be spent venturing through the many hidden streets and
alleys on a bicycle, let alone walking parts of the 4,000 mile long
Great Wall of China through its many provinces.
Kuala Lumpur, otherwise known as KL, is the largest city (capital) in
Malaysia and is considered a bargain for travelers. A stroll around the
Central Market on an early Sunday morning will be a delight for those
wanting to shop for a variety of arts and crafts ranging from antiques
and paintings to mementos and clothing. The shopping and entertainment
district of Bukit Bintang offers an array of merchandise, hotels and
hawker-styled eateries that will suit every taste and budget. A couple
hours east will take one to the heart of The Indo-Malayan rainforests,
which are the oldest rainforests in the world. It houses the largest
elephant sanctuary in the world and helps to move elephants that have
either lost their terrain to palm oil plantations, or those that have
been orphaned.
Going overland by way of rail from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore or
Singapore to Bangkok can be an inexpensive way to travel and a great
way to relax while watching the mountains and rainforests pass by. Here
is some helpful information on traveling overland by rail through Asia.
If you would rather call our partner for this info please contact their
customer care representative. After a six hour by day or eight hour by night rail journey to
Singapore, a curious blend of ancient times and modernism will be on
hand. The city is home to Malaysian, Indian and Chinese ethnicities, as
well as ex-pats from all over the world in a largely English-speaking
society. Many colorful, vibrant and good places to eat and drink can be
found in Geylang Serai, a neighborhood east of the central area of
Singapore. During both day and night, Geylang’s elements are
interesting alternatives to the rest of modern day Singapore, including
hawker stands and karaoke lounges where one can make for many pleasant
evenings chowing down Fishball Soup and knocking back cheap Tiger beer.
Bali is another one of our picks that will surely add value to an
itinerary. The tropical island flourishes with lush green valleys and
sweeping rice terraces and is approximately 100 miles wide by 70 miles
north to south. Many deals can be had here, and when looking to buy
traditional arts and crafts the Balinese are open to negotiate - naming
ones price is a commonality. It is extremely easy getting a taxi, or
hire a private driver for a trip to anywhere on the island. While
walking along the streets taxis will honk there horns at walkers to see
if they need a fare. It’s quite comical yet entertaining to see people
compete for business. The food in Bali and all of Indonesia is
exceptional, and a rigorous and luxurious spa treatment can be had at
many island locations for prices ranging from $5-$100. Lesser expensive
treatments can be just as soothing and stimulating for the flow of
blood, oxygen and ‘qi’ (energy) throughout the body. Just look on every
street for a plethora of options.
In addition to the above destinations, Cairo, Istanbul, Sofia and
London are places that are part of this journey. London might seem a
bit out of place when looking at the current exchange rate of $1USD =
$0.50GBP, but AirTreks merely throws it in as an inexpensive and
priceless stopover. And Cairo, Istanbul and Sofia are melting pots
waiting to sizzle visitors with fairy-tale villages, deliciously
inexpensive food, stretches of Black Sea Beaches and Roman ruins for
endless walks. Go see what is out there!
Aside from this adventure, travelers can plan, price and book their
around-the-world and multi-city international flights using TripPlanner
while relying on our personal travel consultants for expert advice in
planning, routing and constructing the most efficient travel
arrangements. We value each opportunity to help make a person’s journey
one of a kind. To begin mapping out your own custom trip go to airtreks.com and embark on the next step towards that journey, or call
one of our Personal Travel Consultants at 1-877-AIRTREKS
(+1.415.977.7100 outside North America).
Happy and Safe Travels!
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Tags: weak dollar, china, beijing, kuala lumpur, malaysia, singapore, bali, cairo, istanbul, sofia, black sea, roman ruins
Categories: Travel Newsletter