Budget Travel Resolutions 2008

It sounds like a luxury expenditure: hire a guide to show you the sights and cater to your whims. In reality, a reasonably priced guided tour could make your visit more efficient. Of course, you must find the right guide at the right price to make this strategy work well. It's best to find one who comes highly recommended from other travelers. For example, visitors to Morocco are solicited for guide services from the moment they arrive. Some of these would-be guides (or the people they represent) really want to take you on an extended tour of shops that will pay handsome commissions on whatever you buy. Far better to arrive in Morocco with a guide already secured who will tailor the tour to your personal interests.

Another tip for spending money efficiently is to be careful with currency exchanges. There are times (like 2005-2007) when the U.S. dollar falls sharply against other major world currencies. American travelers don't want to lose even more money by employing poor exchange strategies. Europeans, on the other hand, see opportunities to visit the U.S. for a lower price. Do they want to squander that advantage in a high-cost exchange office? ATM cards work well, as do credit cards. But did you know many of these companies charge a fee of three percent for using cards outside your home country? Some travelers have had success asking for these fees to be waived prior to departure.

You've seen the seemingly endless displays of duty-free goods in airports. Willing buyers line up to purchase a wide variety of items that will not be taxed because the airport is situated in an international trade zone. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport devotes a good part of its home page to duty-free sales. They explain in detail how liquids purchased duty-free are allowed in hand baggage. In short, they want you to buy. But are these untaxed goods necessarily the lowest-priced on the market? Yes and no. You must know the costs and determine if a duty-free offer is good. Do not assume it is a deal on its face.

With good reason, everyone wants to see Paris, Rome and London. They are stellar cities with abundant sights and experiences. But your European itinerary should not be a connect-the-dots exercise between the biggest cities. Plan to visit some of the continent's medium-sized cities, many of which also offer an array of attractions. Two quick examples: Salzburg is between Munich and Vienna. It offers "Sound of Music" scenery. Dresden lies between Berlin and Prague. It is filled with baroque architecture and panoramic vistas of the Elbe River. Nearby is Meissen, where some of the world's finest porcelain is produced. Prices in cities such as Salzburg and Dresden aren't always lower, but the odds are in your favor.

The word voluntourism combines volunteer work with tourism and makes many a language purist wince. But the idea is catching on all over the world. In some places, people willing to sacrifice a few days for work before or after their tour can stay in housing at greatly reduced prices and might also snag a free meal or two. But the benefits extend well beyond those courtesies to the satisfaction of leaving a place you visit just a little bit better than you found it. New Orleans is an example of a place that is wonderful to visit and yet in tremendous need of help following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Yes, the storm struck in August 2005. No, there is not a shortage of homes and lives that still need your help.