01 Dec 2014

For as long as you can remember, you’ve been in an education program of one form or another. Preschool is followed by primary school, primary school is followed by intermediate, intermediate is followed by secondary school. And as soon as you finish secondary school, all you want to do is study full time for just a few more years – or 10, depending on how many times you change degree.

Unsurprisingly, many of you want nothing more than a little adventure after their lifetime (so far) of school books, tests and lessons. So why not book a trip, put your sense of adventure to the test and school yourself on the ways of the world?

Budget often plays the dictator in assessing realistic locations and so we’ve compiled a list of 3 destinations that won’t break the bank while allowing for a holiday to remember.

1. Thailand

Land of unbelievable beaches, divine food and never-ending street markets, Thailand has it all–without the exorbitant price tag.
Stay at a five-star hotel in Bangkok for the same price as you would for a vanilla, four-walls-one-bed motel here in Australia. Or go the budget route and opt for a shared hostel room and still get change for a $20 note on a nightly room rate.

Spend time not money on your daily activities. Many of the temples around Bangkok are either free or very affordable, so you can go and spend hours admiring the tremendous amounts of gold leaf. Visit the street stalls selling everything from sunglasses and t-shirts to artworks and designer handbags. Haggling is an art form in itself and is half the fun, so be sure to pick up some bargains. Get out of the city for a visit to a beach and spend the day relaxing for nothing but the price of your hired umbrella, the bus ticket to get there and the cocktails you drink.

Food can be a major expense on holiday, but not so much when you’re in Thailand. For less than the price of a cocktail in your average Sydney bar you can pick up a delicious, freshly cooked authentic Thai meal and a cocktail of your choice… or two. Eat where the locals are eating and err on the side of caution with street stalls, but as a rule of thumb the busiest food outlets are the best.

2. New Zealand

Like a loveable younger sibling, the Land of the Long White Cloud is always on hand for a cheapish holiday–all you have to do is jump the ditch.

Start asking around and calling in favours, because you will no doubt already have connections in the country, and by connections, we mean free accommodation in terms of couches and spare bedrooms. No matter where you go in NZ there are things to do, Hobbits to chase, Sky Towers to jump off, that kind of thing.

Due to its relatively small size, getting around on buses is an affordable option that handily lets you see a lot of the countryside that makes this country famous. The beaches are free, the exchange rate with Australia is unfortunate for the Kiwis but great for us, and you can keep your other expenses down with some smart financial travel knowledge.

3. The Islands

Apart from beating New Zealand in sports all the time, one of the best things about living in Australia is our proximity to the islands. There just something fantastic about telling everyone you’re off for a holiday in the Pacific and when they’re that close, it’s not too much of a stretch to afford it either.

One of the best ways to keep a budget for a trip to New Caledonia, Vanuatu and the like is to purchase the trip as a package deal. This often involves flights, accommodation and some meals for a set number of days. This way, you will pay for the majority of the trip before you leave, then only have to deal with activities and meals while you’re there. For the most part, all you’re going to do on a holiday here is lie on a beach, or paddle around in the shallow waters, so so long as you’re stocked up with books and sunscreen, you won’t have too many expenses!

Whether it’s a trip to Europe, Asia, our friendly neighbours or exploring the wonderful beauty of our own country we’ve got you covered with the hook-ups you need. Cover your asses while you’re at it and you won’t have a single worry in the world other than what drinks going to go down the best after your long day or living life!