It’s everyone’s dream to travel. We would want to see the world around us. We would want to discover different foods and cuisines from other country. We would want to experience other culture and traditions. The only problem is we don’t have enough money to spend. But there are a lot of ways to save on your journey. Here are some thrifty travel tips to help you complete your travel bucket list with a limited budget, without sacrificing the fun.

1.  Research before you travel. Look for the best places to go, affordable places to shop and dine and cheapest way of transportation in your dream destination. Almost everything can now be found over the web so do some research before heading out to the airport.
2. Book with travel agencies that offer bundles – flight, food, attractions and accommodations in one – at no extra cost. You don’t only save money but you also save time and effort of looking for where to eat, to go and to rest.
3. Travel off season. Airfare and accommodation expenses soar higher during peak seasons such as spring break, Christmas, New Year and Holy Week. Try to avoid those dates to save up to 50% or more on your spending.
4. Roam without costly charges. We all need to go online while traveling. Before traveling to another country, have your phone unlocked. Buy local pay-as-you-go sim card as soon as you arrive in your destination.
5. Avoid touristy restaurants. When eating out, look for local restaurants in the area. Most of them offer good food for less.
6. Avoid hotel breakfast. While this is convenient, this is rarely of good value unless it is bundled in your room accommodation. Try to join local crowd at the corner café, you lower the price plus you get to meet new friends.
7. Make the most of the local transport. It is not always a good idea to rent a car while traveling. The best way is to travel by bus or train. They are way cheaper than any other kinds of transportation plus you get to experience a scenic and more authentic journey around the place you are visiting.
8. If you’re visiting museums and attractions, look for passes with multiple locations at a discount. You don’t only save money but it also lets you skip long lines. There are also museums and attractions that are free of charge. Check them out first.
9. Try to haggle. When shopping for foods, daily needs, souvenirs, etc.; try bargaining. You may do so at markets and stalls.
10. Plan ahead. Of course the success of any travel experience depends on how well it is planned. Plan early, maybe a year or 6 months before your chosen date so you can make adjustments easily if you need to.

Eating etiquette changes from country to country, culture to culture. Some mealtime behaviors and table manners might be acceptable in certain places but not everywhere, meaning there is really no standard when it comes to eating etiquette around the world. When travelling or meeting people from other countries, it is important that you learn their customs and traditions because you might insult them without even realizing it. Here are some mealtime traditions and etiquette from other other parts of the world:

Africa

In Ethiopia, there’s a tradition of hand-feeding each other called gursha, which means “mouthful.” This act of dining from someone else’s hand is a gesture of hospitality and social bonds between those sharing the food.

Europe

In Europe, people never rest their hands in their laps; rather, they place their wrists on the table.

Keep in mind the Continental style of eating – fork in your left hand and knife in your right.

When passing a dish to someone on the table, pass it to your left.

Always use utensils, even for the food that are considered “finger foods.”

Middle East

In many Muslim cultures, the left hand is considered “unclean” that is why people use only the right hand to eat, without the utensils.

Muslims show great respect for food and the effort exerted into making it, that is why when somebody drop his bread, he should pick it up, kiss it, and raise it to his forehead before putting it back on the plate.

East and South Asia

In Japan and China, people slurp their noodles to show appreciation for the meal.

While in Europe, it is a must that you finish everything on the plate, it is a no-no in many Asian countries. It would suggest that the host didn’t feed the guest enough. Instead, leave a small amount on the plate to show that you are full and that you acknowledge the host’s generosity.

In Japan, it is an insult to tip the waiter at a restaurant. It implies that he’s not making enough money and that he is treated lowly.

In India, it is a tradition to wash the hands and the mouth before the meal.

Also, it is acceptable to lick the fingers as it shows the host how much the guest enjoyed the food.

If you want to return the favor to the host after a good meal, don’t say “Thank you,” instead show your gratitude by inviting the host over a dinner.

Central and South America

It is very common for the people in Mexico to haggle over paying the bill when eating out.

In Chile, taking a second helping is offensive. You must wait for your host to offer you more food.

In most Central American countries, people do not begin to eat until the host says “Buen provecho!”

When eating in informal restaurants, summon the staff by making eye contact, waving or calling their names is impolite.

When you travel, you interact with many different kinds of people and anywhere you travel you would always need a few basic phrases in a foreign language so you can get around. Here are some basic communication skills to help you communicate effectively when you travel to a non-English speaking country.

Italian

Boun giorno – Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon
Bouna notte – Good night
Bouna sera – Good evening
Ciao – Hi / Hello / Bye
Come sta? – How are you?
Come va – How are you?
Grazie – Thank you.
Mi dispiace – I’m sorry.
Parla inglese – Do you speak English?
Prego – You’re welcome

French

Au revoir – Goodbye
Bonjour – Hello/Good morning/afternoon
Comment allez-vous? – How are you?
Excusez-moi – Excuse me.
Est-ce que vous parlez anglais? – Do you speak English?
Est-ce que vous pouvez m’aider? – Can you help me?
Il n’y a pas de quoi – You’re welcome.
Je ne comprends pas. – I don’t understand.
Merci – Thank you.
Oui/Non- Yes/No

Chinese

Nǐ hǎo ma? – How are you?
Xièxie. – Thank you.
Duìbuqǐ- I’m sorry.
Hěn gāoxìng rènshì nǐ. – Nice to meet you.
Zàijiàn – Goodbye.
Nǐ hui4 shūo yīngyǔ ma? – Do you speak English?
Zǎo ān. – Good morning.
Wǒ tīng bu4 dǒng. – I don’t understand.

Japanese

Arigatu – Thank you.
Hai – Yes.
Dōitashimashite. – You’re welcome.
Gomennasai. – I am sorry.
Konbanwa. – Good evening.
O-negai shimasu. – Please
Ohayō gozaimasu. – Good morning.
O-namae wa nan desu ka. – What is your name?
O-genki desu ka. – How are you?
Wakarimasen. – I don’t understand.

Spanish

Buenos dias – Good morning.
Buenas tardes – Good afternoon
Buenas noches – Good evening.
Cómo está usted? – How are you?
Mucho gusto. – Nice to meet you.
Adios – Goodbye
Hasta luego – See you later.
Que hora es? – What time is it?
De nada. – You are welcome.
Gracia – Thank you.