Portugal - Char Is Far

Top 10 Budget Reisbestemmingen Wereldwijd

Charelle — Zon, 09 Feb 2020 11:09:16 +0000

People keep asking me how I afford to travel so much. Well, I mostly go to budget destinations. Travel doesn’t have to be expensive at all. Often countries abroad are even cheaper than staying at home. Do you want to travel as well but don’t want to spend tons of money? Check out my top 10 of budget travel destinations around the world. Sri Lanka Even though Sri Lanka is a relatively small country, there is lots to see and do. Go see wild elephants and leopards, visit ruins of ancient cities, hike through tea plantations and to waterfalls, and relax on golden-sand beaches or go surfing. You could stay a month on this island and just about see the highlights. And everything is extremely cheap. Imagine being on a 2nd class train ride for seven hours and paying less than US$2. Yes, that’s right. Laos Laos is one-of-a-kind. The country has the questionable honor of being the most bombed country in the entire world, during the Vietnam war. The scars of the past are still there. But at the same time it’s developing and enjoying an increasing influx of tourists. Local traditions meet tourism. Some small villages in the mountains got electricity in recent years and continue to grow. Others feel like time stands still. Everywhere are monks, beautiful temples, communism and impressive nature. There’s absolutely no place like it. In terms of money it’s very inexpensive. A beer? Less than US$1. A local meal? Less than US$1. A 1.5L bottle of water? Less than US$1. You could get around for US$10 per day here if you want. Indonesia Indonesia is huge and there are loads of islands that beg to be explored. It depends on where you are going, but top visits include meeting orangutans in Sumatra, climbing the impressive Bromo volcano in Java, going to Borobodur which is the largest Buddhist monument in the entire world, exploring the rice terraces of Bali or going to one of the many other islands. There’s no doubt that Indonesia has plenty to offer while it’s one of the cheapest countries that I’ve ever been to. I spent approximately US$850 during a month, and that included private rooms with hot showers, eating out three times a day, renting scooters everywhere, excursions, you name it. Cambodia I could list all Southeast Asian countries, but then it wouldn’t be the top 10 of budget travel destinations around the world. So last but not least for Asia: Cambodia. Explore the stunning countryside, ancient temples and ruins, beautiful beaches and enjoy true hospitality. Even though the country is becoming more and more established on the backpackers trail, it’s way cheaper than its neighbors. It’s one of the cheapest destinations for backpacking in the entire world! Colombia Colombia is incredibly diverse and booming. Tourism has grown over 260% since 2002, due to increased safety in recent years. There are megacities, jungles, glaciers, deserts, coffee plantations and tropical islands. Although it isn’t the cheapest country to visit on this list, it’s still very much possible to get by on less than US$50 per day. However, Colombia also offers high end accommodation, restaurants and activities. So you do have to keep an eye on where you spend your money. If you want to travel cheap try not to indulge in the vibrant gastronomy scene, stay away from the fancy cocktail bars, stay in hostels instead of hotels and avoid Gringoland. Want to know more? Check out my ideal travel itinerary for 3 weeks. Ecuador Galapagos is one of the main reasons why people visit Ecuador, but there’s so much more than that. And Galapagos isn’t very cheap, so if you’re traveling on a budget you might want to stick to the mainland. But that’s fine, really. There are incredible beaches, lush Amazonian rainforest and the magnificent mountain range the Andes. A nature lover’s paradise. A dorm in a hostel costs around US$8 per night and a private room around US$12. If you eat local food, it won’t cost more than US$5 per meal. And a beer is only US$1. Ecuador is one of the cheapest countries in South America to travel to. Georgia There are still plenty of options to travel on a budget in Europe and you don’t want to miss Georgia. The food and wine are simply incredible, people are too kind even if they don’t speak English (not even a word), the historic sights go back hundreds of years and the Caucasus mountains are the highest in Europe. If you can afford to hire a 4WD car (US$800 for two weeks), you have the ultimate freedom of exploring the country at your own pace and go wherever you want. I spent around US$200 per week, including staying in private double rooms, excursions such as paragliding and eating out at least twice a day. That’s less than US$30 per day. Read more in my post about the most epic road trip itinerary in Georgia! Romania Like Georgia, Romania is a somewhat off-the-radar destination in Eastern Europe and a true road tripper’s dream. In particular the Transfagarasan Highway, a winding and paved mountain road that shows you the best landscapes in the country. Historic churches, castles and monasteries are hidden away in medieval towns where the outside world doesn’t seem to exist. Even though it is a bit more expensive, it’s well worth hiring a car here. The prices are comparable to Georgia, as it’s very much possible to get around for less than US$30 per day. Portugal and the Azores Mainland Portugal offers stunning coastlines, vibrant Lisbon, cobblestone villages and great gastronomy. The Azores, officially part of Portugal, are Europe’s secret islands. There’s very little tourism, nature is incredible, wildlife (such as whales and dolphins) is abundant, and the seafood is the best in Europe. Portugal is definitely more expensive than the other countries on this list, but for European standards still affordable. You should be able to get around fine for around US$50 per day as a backpacker. The Azores require you to hire a car as the public transportation isn’t very much developed, so expect to pay a few dollars per day more here. Morocco Budget travel destinations in Africa are hard to find, but Morocco is your best bet. It’s often called the gateway to Africa and offers epic mountains, ancient cities with mazelike medinas and incredible deserts. You don’t have to worry about spending too much money on alcohol, because that’s not a common thing to do in the country. Assuming you’re staying in hostels, eating local dishes at the market or at cheap restaurants and using local transportation, expect to pay around US$50 per day. In Africa it doesn’t get a whole lot cheaper than that. There are many more budget travel destinations around the world, and I’m curious what your best budget destination is? Please tell me in the comments! Would you like to save even more money on your trip? Check out my guide on how to find cheap flights before you go.

The post Top 10 Budget Travel Destinations Around The World appeared first on Char Is Far.

27 Beste dingen om te zien en te doen in Lissabon

Charelle — Zon, 26 jan 2020 08:10:57 +0000

There are many amazing cities in Europe, and somehow Lisbon was never first on my list. But I’m so glad I finally went there! It’s a lively, fast-growing city with a great gastronomy and vibrant nightlife scene. And there’s plenty to see, too. Get lost in the cobbled alleyways of the Alfama neighborhood, hike up to one of the many miradouros or visit the beautiful historic sights. Here’s my list of the best things to do in Lisbon. Torre de Belém The Belém fortress is listed as UNESCO cultural heritage and is one of Lisbon’s architectural highlights. The impressive tower rises 30 meters out of the river banks and provides an opportunity to learn about military history. You can wander around on your own and see the halls, port holes and prison cells. Just be aware that the lines can get very long, in particular on Sundays when it’s free to enter before 2:00 PM. To avoid the queues book tickets online in advance. If you decide to buy tickets at the tower itself, buy the ticket in combination with the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. It allows you to skip the line at the monastery and saves you some money. Please know that buying a combination ticket is only possible at Torre de Belém and not at Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. Entrance with the Lisbon card is free, but you’ll still have to wait in line. Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 06:30 PM (until 05:30 PM from October to May), last admission is 30 minutes before closing time; admission fee: €6,00 (or €12,00 combined with Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and Museu Nacional de Arqueologia), location: Avenida Brasilía, 1400-038 Mosteiro dos Jerónimos A national monument and listed as world heritage site by UNESCO, this monastery is part of Portuguese culture and identity. Build to commemorate the return of the famous explorer Vasco da Gama from India, it’s only fitting that his tomb was placed here. It took over 100 years to build and that shows. It’s magnificent and the grandeur overwhelms you upon arrival. Definitely a not-to-miss visit. This is a very popular highlight in Lisbon, so it can get crowded. To avoid the lines book tickets online in advance. Go to Torre de Belém first if you still have to get your tickets, as you can buy a combination ticket for both attractions here. This is not possible at the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. A combination ticket allows you to skip the line at the monastery and saves you some money. Entrance with the Lisbon card is free, but you’ll still have to wait in line. Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 06:30 PM (until 05:30 PM from May to September), last admission is 30 minutes before closing time; admission fee: €10,00 (or €12,00 combined with Museu Nacional de Arqueologia), location: Praça do Império 1400-206 Squares Walk around the city and you’ll come across many majestic squares surrounded by beautiful buildings, such as the Praça do Rossio and Praça do Comércio. The latter is the biggest and most popular square in the city. It’s located at the riverfront and the former location of the royal palace. One of the best places to sit down and enjoy a coffee, wine or gelato while life passes you by. Santa Justa Elevator This not-to-miss attraction is a century-old elevator which connects the city center to the Bairro Alto neighborhood. Enjoy the rickety 45 meters up and take in the spectacular views from the top. The views are even more beautiful in the evening, when the whole city lights up. Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM (until 10:00 PM from November to April); admission fee: €5,15 for a return ticket (free entrance with the Lisbon card) and €1,50 for the viewpoint, location: Rua Santa Justa in Baixa Bairro Alto During the day you might mistake this neighborhood for a sleepy residential area, but at night it comes to life. Come here for a wonderful dinner and enjoy some drinks afterwards in one of the many bars. Just walk through the myriad of streets and you’ll find plenty to go to. It’s recommended to go in June when the party turns up a notch for all the city festivals! Imagine all the streets filled with people celebrating on a warm summer evening. Probably doesn’t get a whole lot better than that. Alfama Get lost in the narrow cobblestoned alleys of the authentic Alfama neighborhood and enjoy the traditional Lisbon life. Especially in the early morning when residents, mostly women, sell fresh fish from their doorsteps. This old fishing neighborhood dates from the 5th century and feels like a small village where everyone knows each. Like Bairro Alto, it’s worth visiting in June when there are many festivals in the city and all the houses and streets are decorated. Castelo de São Jorge This medieval castle lies on the highest hill overlooking Lisbon ensuring marvelous views of the city. A visit takes up a whole morning, as there is plenty to see. The castle and the towers are worth visiting, and there are a small archeological museum, a garden and a restaurant. If you want to skip the line (which can get quite long), it’s possible to buy tickets online in advance at GetYourGuide. Opening hours: 09:00 AM – 09:00 PM (until 06:00 PM from November to February) ; admission fee: €10,00, location: at the top of the São Jorge hill. Se de Lisboa Cathedral This magnificent cathedral is the oldest and most important church in the city. It’s built on the grounds of a former mosque to celebrate the defeat of the Moors in the 12th century. The cathedral contains a cloister, which has the same style as the Jerónimos monastery. It also has a treasury which is made up of four halls with suits, jewels and historic relics. Opening hours: cathedral: 07:00 AM – 07:00 PM, cloiser: 10:00 AM – 07:00 PM (until 05:00 PM from October to April), treasury: 10:AM – 05:00 PM and closed on Sunday; admission fee: cathedral free, cloister: €2,00, treasury: €2,50, combination cloister and treasury: €4,50, location: Largo da Sé 1100 Tram 28 This ancient wooden tram feels like a rollercoaster when it navigates the narrow streets of Lisbon. Thousands of tourists take this tram every day, but somehow it still feels authentic. Perhaps it’s the wooden interior or the squeaking brakes. Anyway, don’t forget to hop on and enjoy the ride. Miradouros Lisbon lies in between seven hills, so it’s inevitable that the views of the city are unrivaled. Some of the best miradouros (viewpoints) are: Bridges Both the Vasco da Gama Bridge and the 25 de Abril Bridge are interesting to see. The first one is the longest bridge in the whole of Europe with 17 kilometers in length and connects the northern and southern parts of Portugal. The second one is the longest suspension bridge in Europe and looks a lot like its American brother in San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge. Both were constructed by the same company which is why they look alike. Jardim Botanico In the heart of the city lies this serene patch of green. This huge garden has approximately 20,000 plants and brings peace and quiet in an otherwise somewhat chaotic environment. It’s great for a stroll or reading a book and offers the best picnic spots in Lisbon. Opening hours: 09:00 AM – 08:00 PM (until 05:00 PM from November to March); admission fee: €2,00, location: Rua da Escola Politécnica, 58 1250-102 Fado Fado is a music style that originated in Lisbon. It’s dramatic and melancholic, focused on living a hard life. Even though it’s not for everyone, I think it’s beautiful and it can really draw you in. To enjoy some traditional fado music, pay a visit to Tasca do Chico, Clube de Fado, Parreirinha de Alfama or Senhor Vinho. Pastel de Nata Don’t leave Lisbon without eating one of these delicious custard pastries. They’re everywhere and they’re cheap, so it’s actually hard to not eat one during your visit. One of the most famous bakeries is the Pastéis de Belém bakery, which has been around since 1837 using an ancient recipe from the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. You won’t regret it. Time Out Market Food halls are booming all over Europe, and Lisbon is no exception. In the Time Out Market there are two halls. One is an actual market with the best products of the city, and the other is a food hall with more than twenty restaurants and eight bars. A fun and yummy night out guaranteed. Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 02:00 AM; no admission fee, location: Avenida 24 de Julho 49, 1200-479 Museums Lisbon has many wonderful museums. If you’re interested, check out the following: Day Trip To Sintra Even when you have limited time in Lisbon and haven’t seen everything yet, it’s still worth going on a day trip to Sintra. It’s only forty minutes by train (which costs approximately 5 euros), and takes you to a completely different world. A charming town in the hills with loads and loads of palaces and castles. It feels like something straight out of a fairytale. Don’t miss the popular and colorful Pena Palace and the impressive Castle of the Moors. The gardens of Quinta da Regaleira are delightful as well. You’ll live happily ever after. What are your travel plans? Let me know in the comments! And make sure to check out my other destination guides and my guide on how to find cheap flights before you go! Please be informed that some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase via my link, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only use affiliate links of companies and products of my choosing, so they don’t influence my writings on this website in any way. If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.

The post 27 Best Things To See And Do In Lisbon appeared first on Char Is Far.