Getting the Best Bang for Your Buck

Since money is an issue for most travelers, we'll consider many ways to cut costs, often by considerable amounts, without detracting from your trip. Here's a quick example. A friend wanted to visit one of the former republics of the USSR. When the airline quoted a round-trip ticket price of $1,850, she decided she couldn't afford to go. Using a telephone number I gave her, she purchased the same ticket for only $875. The savings not only convinced her to make the trip, she stayed an extra week.

Sometimes, to recast a familiar phrase, spending less is more. By avoiding high-priced tourist circuits, you meet more local people and learn about their values and political views. You get the feel of a place and that's the essence of travel.

We'll review how to travel happily by train throughout Europe, locate the best low-cost safaris in Africa, and, impossible as it may seem, negotiate successfully with cab drivers in New Delhi. We'll talk about taking fine photographs, shopping abroad wisely, and how to make money from your travels after you return home.

Naturally, we will also explore the wealth of resources available to assist in preparing for travel (including travel agents, guidebooks, the Internet, GORP, and many others that can be reached through GORP). Overall, the idea is to sharpen travel skills and build the confidence needed to travel farther and longer.

Last, we'll visit various exotic destinations around the world. The more you know about rare destinations, the more likely you are to make them part of your life.

When reading or listening to someone else's opinions, I want to know about the experience behind the words. In case you feel that way, here's a bit of my background. I've traveled in India, Nepal, Indonesia, Thailand, China, most other Asian countries, Central America, about half the countries in Africa and South America, some of the Pacific Islands, Western and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Australia, New Zealand, and throughout the United States. Most recently, I visited Uzbekistan, Bhutan, and Antarctica.

India and New Zealand top my list of favorites, but then there's Peru, Botswana, Namibia, Egypt, Chile, Wales, and other special places we'll talk about as we go along.

My trips include whitewater paddling, scuba diving, climbing, skiing, and hiking, along with great measures of taking it easy, going with the flow. Although I sample the five-star route once in a while, I prefer to travel simply, carrying a convertible backpack.

I'll close with a quote from Goethe: "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and magic in it." It's time to hit the road.