“Unlock the secrets of budget travel and learn how to stretch your dollars while exploring incredible destinations around the globe.”

Traveling is a wonderful experience that allows us to explore new destinations, immerse ourselves in different cultures, and create lasting memories. However, the cost of travel can sometimes be a barrier. The good news is that with careful planning and smart choices, you can embark on an exciting journey without breaking the bank. In this article, we present ten essential tips for traveling on a budget, helping you make the most of your adventures while keeping your wallet happy.

1. Research and Plan Ahead

Before setting off on your journey, invest time in thorough research. Look for budget-friendly destinations, affordable accommodations, and cheap flight options. Planning ahead allows you to take advantage of early booking discounts, compare prices, and find the best deals available.

2. Set a Realistic Budget

Create a detailed budget that includes all anticipated expenses, such as transportation, accommodation, meals, activities, and souvenirs. Be realistic about your spending limits and stick to your budget throughout your trip. Tracking your expenses will help you make informed decisions and avoid overspending.

3. Travel Off-Peak

Consider traveling during off-peak seasons when prices for flights and accommodations are generally lower. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also enjoy fewer crowds and a more authentic experience of your chosen destination.

4. Choose Budget-Friendly Accommodation

Explore a range of accommodation options, such as hostels, guesthouses, or vacation rentals, instead of luxury hotels. Websites and apps like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Hostel world offer affordable alternatives that provide comfort and local experiences at a fraction of the cost.

5. Be Flexible with Transportation

Flexibility with transportation can lead to significant savings. Compare different modes of transport, including buses, trains, and budget airlines, to find the most cost-effective option. Consider overnight journeys, as they can save you money on both transportation and accommodation.

6. Eat Like a Local

Sampling local cuisine is an essential part of any travel experience, but dining out for every meal can add up quickly. To save money, opt for local markets, street food stalls, and affordable eateries where locals dine. This not only helps you stay within your budget but also allows you to savor authentic flavors.

7. Embrace Free and Low-Cost Activities

Research and discover free or low-cost activities and attractions at your destination. Many museums, parks, and cultural sites offer discounted or even free entry on specific days or times. Join walking tours or explore the city on foot to soak up the atmosphere without spending a fortune.

8. Pack Lightly

Traveling with only a carry-on bag not only saves you money on baggage fees but also provides flexibility and convenience during your trip. Pack versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched, and only bring essential items to avoid unnecessary weight and hassle.

9. Use Travel Rewards and Discounts

Take advantage of travel rewards programs, credit card perks, and loyalty programs to earn points or discounts on flights, accommodations, or activities. Sign up for newsletters and follow social media accounts of airlines and travel companies to stay informed about special offers and promotions.

10. Connect with Locals

Immerse yourself in the local culture by connecting with locals. They can offer valuable insights, recommend hidden gems, and share cost-saving tips specific to their region. Engaging with locals can also lead to authentic and unique experiences that are often free or low-cost.

By implementing these ten essential tips for traveling on a budget, you can embark on unforgettable adventures while keeping your expenses in check. Remember, it’s not about how much you spend, but the enriching experiences and memories you create along the way. Happy travels!

Everybody loves going on holiday, where days are filled with sightseeing and fun excursions

One of the last things anyone wants to worry about while in vacay mode is bad hair days, especially when you need your tresses looking its best for all those vacation pics you plan on taking and posting on your social media feeds.

But, in the midst of all that travel excitement, it’s not uncommon to overlook your usual hair care routine (don’t worry, we’ve all been there, hehe), leading to unwanted situations like dealing with greasy or lacklustre hair.

1. Protect your hair from the sun

Did you know your hair can be damaged by harmful sun rays, just like your skin? According to literature reviews, excessive sun exposure is one of the most frequent causes of structural impairment in your hair shaft.

One way you can protect your head from the sun is to wear a hat or a scarf, as you spend time sightseeing outdoors. So, pack a couple of your favourite options to shield your hair from harsh UV rays; you’ll lend a touch of style to your vacay outfit too!

To double up on sun care for your hair, you can also spritz some heat protecting spray, which usually protects from sun damage as well.

2. Keep your hair hydrated before and during your flight

Between the long-haul flights, increased sun exposure, and potential contact with saltwater and chlorine, your hair can become dehydrated while travelling. This, of course, may lead to dry and brittle hair.

You can give your hair a boost of moisture the night before your flight by using a deep conditioning treatment or overnight hair mask.

Besides that, you can bring along a travel-size hydrating hair mist or leave-in conditioner in your personal bag, which will come in handy when your tresses are feeling a little dry during your flight.

3. Pack and use your own hair care products

Most accommodations nowadays provide toiletries for their guests. While little bottles of hotel shampoo and conditioners can look cute, it may be worth bringing your own products anyway.

On one hand, your hair can benefit from the nourishment of your usual products, and on the other, you can avoid any sensitivities or scalp allergies from using shampoo and conditioner with ingredients that aren’t suitable for you.

4. Use a leave-in conditioner during beach or pool time

Going on holiday means swimming and other water-related activities are involved, be it at the pool or beach. However, things like chlorine and salt can dry out your hair, leaving them not only feeling straw-like, but also a tangled mess that’s difficult to comb through.

So, if you plan on getting in the water, get your hair wet in the shower and apply some leave-in conditioner (regular conditioner works in a pinch too!) or nourishing hair oil before dipping in.

Post-swim, try to wash your hair as soon as possible to get rid of chlorine and saltwater, and use hydrating products to add moisture.

5. Learn a couple of cute but practical hairstyles

Don’t want to fret too much about your hair but still want to look effortlessly put together while on vacation? Look up a few hairstyles you like and try to get the hang of the steps prior to your trip.

You’d be surprised how a few strategically placed hair clips, braids, or twists can elevate your look. Mastering an easy French braid or sleek updo is good too.

Plus, the hairstyles can help keep your hair away from your face and neck, great when you’re out and about in hotter climates where you’ll tend to sweat.

6. Use styling products and tools to help your look last longer

Since you likely won’t be able to follow through with your usual at-home routine, you can try maintaining the look of a fresh blowout or updo as you go.

If you can go a few days without washing your hair, products like dry shampoo as well as styling products and tools can help quickly touch up your look, so packing them in your suitcase can be a good idea.

Just make sure the hair tools are lightweight and compact to carry with you, and you’re set.

7. Minimise frizz with overnight braids or buns

If you’re someone who wakes up with tangled or frizzy hair in the morning, putting your hair in a loose bun or overnight braids can prove to be a useful solution any day, but even more so while you’re on holiday.

These hairstyles can help keep your hair secure and sleek as you sleep, and reduce friction between your hair strands.

Another plus point is that you’ll be able to wake up to heatless curls, perfect for spending less time getting ready in your hotel room, and more hours exploring your destination!

Are you thinking about relocating to the Golden State? If so, you might be wondering what cities are worth checking out. Let’s take a closer look at seven of the best places to live in California.

1. San Diego

Looking to live near the beach? If so, then you might want to get in touch with the best San Diego Realtor to see what they have to offer now. With its 31 beaches, the city is a great choice for families, surfers, and anyone who wants to live in a city with access to plenty of beaches. San Diego (and the rest of SoCal) is known for its warm year-round temperatures, making it the perfect spot to live for anyone who loves sunshine and warm weather.

Not only is San Diego one of the best California destinations to relax, but it also offers so much to see and do. With San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, and Legoland, it can be an ideal spot for both singles and families. The city is also known for its restaurants, bars, and nightlife in the world-known Gaslamp Quarter.

2. Sacramento

Sacramento is considered one of the top places to live in California. One reason for this is that it’s actually affordable — at least by California standards, that is, with the average home price costing less than $500,000 as of 2021. The state’s capital city is home to numerous hiking trails, craft breweries, and music venues. The old Sacramento Waterfront offers events, dining, shopping, and more.

3. San Francisco

Despite being one of the most expensive cities in the United States, San Francisco is one of the best places to live in California. The city is known for its cultural flare and is home to many tech companies. There are also a number of tourist attractions, including the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Alcatraz Island, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

On the downside, San Francisco is lacking when it comes to outdoor space and has a bad traffic situation.

4. San Jose

Founded in 1777, San Jose is the oldest civilian settlement the state has to offer. Today, San Jose’s Silicon Valley is home to tech companies like Facebook, Apple, and Google, making it an ideal place to live for people who work in the IT industry.

With lower housing prices and crime rates than San Francisco, San Jose is one of the best places in the state to live.

5. Santa Barbara

Known to offer some of the best weather in the state (and arguably, the world), Santa Barbara is a great place to live. This Spanish-style beach town offers 12 public schools, making it a perfect choice for families.

The city is home to UC Santa Barbara, one of California’s top universities, making it a popular place for college students. The coastal town is perfect for beach lovers and surfers, while the downtown area is home to bars and restaurants.

6. Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is one of the nicest places to live in Northern California if you want to live in a beautiful mountain town and enjoy winter. Skiing and snowboarding are the town’s biggest attractions. With a year-round population of less than 22,000 people, it offers a small-town vibe and is ideal for those who enjoy colder temperatures.

7. Santa Monica

With its location near Los Angeles, Santa Monica is a coastal city with so much to see and do. Some might even call the city paradise. It’s home to the Santa Monica Pier, which offers a family-friendly amusement park that features an iconic Ferris wheel. The city also has great nightlife, making it an ideal place for young singles to live.

These are just seven of the best places to live in California. That being said, there are 1,571 cities in the Golden State. You’re bound to find one that you’ll love to live in!

It’s time to up your travel photography game. Our lead photographer for Europe shows you how.

Wherever your travels will take you this summer, your vacation is the perfect chance to take stunning photos you’ll treasure forever. And you don’t have to be a professional photographer to capture all the gorgeous sights and memorable experiences you’ll encounter on your trip.

In the first part of my two-part travel photography guide, I took you through the kit you should consider taking with you, whether it’s a great phone like the iPhone 13 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra or a dedicated camera like the Canon EOS R5 or Leica M11.

Now, I’m going to take you through some of the best tips you should keep in mind while circling the globe — to help you come back with some glorious travel shots, instead of a boring bunch of holiday snaps.

Get to know your kit

Learning how to operate your camera will not only help you get better, more creative shots, but will help you snap those shots quicker, as you won’t have to fiddle around with settings. Some of the most exciting travel shots can come and go in a split second, so whether you’re capturing the running of the bulls in Pamplona or a snowboarder launching off a mogul in Switzerland, you’ll need to learn to shoot quickly.

Get out of automatic mode

Spend time with your camera in manual mode before you go away. Learn how to change shutter speed, aperture, ISO speeds and white balance, and experiment with what happens to your images when you change these settings. A good camera will be able to capture some great shots in auto mode, but when you want to get creative with long exposures, you’ll need to take manual control of the settings.

Shoot in raw

If your camera has it (and most do), shoot in raw format. Yes, it creates bigger files, but memory cards are so cheap now that it’s worth carrying an extra couple of 32GB cards with you. Raw shooting allows you to change white balance after your shot, and capture more details in the very bright and very dark areas, letting you tone down any blown-out skies or lighten some shadows in Photoshop.

Although it’s always best to get the shot right when you first take it, raw processing gives you much more flexibility to rescue a shot that’s not quite right.

Do your research

Search for your location on Google and visit travel websites to find out more about where you’re going. Not only will that help you make the most of your trip, you may find out about local events or particularly photogenic locations you may otherwise have missed.

You might also find out about photography restrictions that may land you in hot water — as a general rule anywhere, avoid photographing government buildings, and if you’re unsure, ask permission.

Search for your destination on Instagram or on photography websites such as Flickr and 500px for inspiration on what to see. It’s handy to get an idea of the shots other people have taken — either to replicate them yourself, or to avoid taking the same generic shot the Internet has seen hundreds of times before.

Take time to compose

Good composition will make or break a photo, and unlike white balance or color tone, poor composition cannot be fixed in post processing. The morning light bouncing off that rustic church won’t count for much if you’ve accidentally chopped off the spire in your hurry to take the shot.

Play with angles

A generic shot of a popular spot can be transformed into an unusual and creative artwork simply by changing your angle. Take a moment to look at the scene before you shoot and don’t be afraid to move around to get the best angles. Struggling with a beach scene? Walk further down the coast to find boats, nets or rocks that might add foreground interest. Shooting in the city? Get up a tall building for dramatic urban cityscapes. Even just kneeling down and shooting from below can make a difference.

Don’t be afraid of the dark

Just because the sun has gone down, it doesn’t mean your photography needs to stop. It’s a great time to get creative with slow shutter shots. Long exposures blur motion, turning regular car headlights on a city street into creative, abstract light trails, streaking through the darkness. Use a narrow aperture — f12 to f20 — and a long exposure to turn points of light into gorgeous starbursts.

You’ll need to secure your camera firmly in place — with a tripod — and if you’re playing with exposures longer than a few seconds, you’ll need to be careful about the breeze or people walking by adding any vibrations. If you want to do long exposures in the daytime, you’ll need a dark neutral density filter, such as the Big Stopper by Lee Filters, to let you take minute-long exposures in the middle of the day.

If you’re shooting on a modern camera — especially with a larger, full frame sensor — then you can also likely increase your ISO speed above 3,200 without seeing too much degradation from image noise. Coupled with a wider aperture of f2.8 or more, you may have more luck shooting handheld scenes in low light. If this is a priority for you, cameras that also offer in-body image stabilization (like the Canon EOS R5) should be on your list; this stabilization lets you use slower shutter speeds without needing a tripod.

Be a people person

It’s often the people you meet as much as the places you see that makes traveling and exploring so interesting. People make fantastic subjects to photograph, whether they’re wandering the streets, relaxing or hard at work.

Naturally, not everybody will want to be photographed so, out of politeness if nothing else, it’s a good idea to ask the person’s permission beforehand. It’ll help if you do your research and learn a few key phrases of the local language to not only ask permission, but be able to understand the response. If they say no, it’s important to respect that.

Set your alarm

The middle of the day may be the nicest time to wander around Tuscan streets, grab a hot chocolate on the mountainside or order a third cocktail on the beach, but the midday sun doesn’t usually offer the best light for dramatic photographs.

It’s the early morning light, casting its long, golden shadows that will really make a place look its most beautiful. Setting your alarm for sunrise on holiday may seem like the worst thing in the world, but it’s worth trying — even just once — to see what sort of shots you get. Scout out locations beforehand to make sure you don’t waste the precious early hours trying to find somewhere to shoot.

Revisit the scene

When you stumble upon a particularly picturesque scene, don’t just visit it just the once. While a bay may look delightful in the daytime, it will look different again at night, with all the lights of nearby buildings stretching out across the water. If you know a great spot, do your best to come back to it to find out when it looks best.

Play with processing

Although you should always try to get the best shot you can when you first take it, some well-placed post processing can turn a good photo into a great one. If you’re shooting raw files you’ll need to process them anyway, so it’s worth trying out a few of the sliders in Adobe Lightroom while you’re at it.

With your raw files, the first thing you’ll need to do is correct the white balance. Have a play with the color temperature slider and see what tone suits best. Summer evening shots will benefit from a warmer color tone, while chilly February city streets will look best with something a bit cooler.

Toning down the highlights can help keep a bright sky under control, while lifting the shadows will help make darker areas more visible, without affecting too much of the rest of the scene. It’s important not to go overboard on this, as it can make your images look a little unnatural. From that point on, have a play with your editor of choice and see what you like. There’s no one right way to edit your shots — no matter what anybody says — it’s all about what you prefer.

Do your own thing

Sure, rules such as “take the lens cap off before shooting” should always be followed, but never be afraid to try an unusual angle, play with your settings or experiment with new editing techniques in Lightroom.

If everybody always followed the exact same format, everybody’s photography would look the same. Use these rules as guidelines and play with angles, settings and editing as much as you want to find what works for you.