Collaborative post
Travelling on a budget can be tough, and I’m sure we’ve all spent countless hours online trying to find the best deals when it comes to planning the next great adventure. Some of the best budget-friendly trips I’ve been on consisted of lots of hiking and soaking in the nature around me. So the following are some incredible and budget-friendly destinations for those who love nature and want to explore. So enjoy, and let me know if you’ve been to any of these places.
Greek Islands
While the Greek Islands may be luxurious to some, it really depends on where you go. Greece is famous for them in particular Santorini, Mykonos and Crete. Santorini is one of the most famous and overpriced Greek Islands, but the island is quite large and there is much to explore apart from its slightly overpriced villages of Oia and Fira.
In fact, people often forget that Santorini is home to some incredible natural wonders including black and red sand beaches. This is due to the fact that there is a small volcanic island located very close to the shores of Santorini. This is just one such example of the natural glory of Greece. I recommend renting a boat with Zizoo.com and doing some island hopping as well.
Azores Archipelago, Portugal
The Azores islands are a stunning archipelago of islands off of the coast of Portugal and not only are they affordable, especially when compared to other European islands, but they are also jam-packed with all sorts of natural beauty. The island is volcanic, so naturally, there are hot springs and other interesting sights such as fajas, which are the settled debris from volcanic landslides found along the bottoms of many of the Azores cliffs and along the coasts. If you’re interested in exploring the Azores islands to their full capacity, I’d also recommend renting a boat as with the Greek Islands.
Wadi Rum and Aqaba, Jordan
If lush green volcanic islands aren’t exactly your thing then perhaps the red, sandy deserts of Jordan and the coast of the Red Sea in Aqaba are more your style. Jordan is chock-full of amazing sights and history. While Petra is definitely worth a visit for those of you interested in history, Wadi Rum in the south of Jordan is where nature is front and centre. Wadi Rum is known for its Martian-like terrain and has even been featured in science-fiction films precisely for that reason. We took a jeep tour through the rich red desert and ate a mouthwatering bedouin-style lunch in the area. Close to Wadi Rum, you also have the resort city of Aqaba where you can lounge along the beaches of the Red Sea.
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
This one may be one of the most inexpensive trips you’ll ever take. Vietnam has everything you could possibly ask for if you’re interested in nature and take-your-breath-away sights. Ha Long Bay is the crown jewel for first-time travellers in Vietnam. It’s located about 5 hours away from Hanoi, the capital city. The bay itself is full of a beautiful collection of natural limestone protruding from the waters, making for a magical and scenic view. Take a cruise along the bay and explore the caves nearby. To save money, make sure to book your cruise in Vietnam itself and not online. The prices are much higher online than in-person at a Vietnamese travel agency.
Hey, for the most part, nature is cheap and you get an experience unique to each destination, hope you’ve discovered your next nature inspired budget break here!