Customer Reviews

The World's Cheapest Destinations: 21 Countries Where Your Dollars Are Worth a Fortune

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This small 113 page guide book discusses general aspects of several low price, low risk (they're not "on the US State Department's 'Warning List' due to a dangerous climate for travelers") destinations. A lot of the prices depend on your bargaining skills. The short chapters cover briefly topics such as accommodation, food & drink (including some vegetarian references), and transportation. As well as some other general tips. The countries include: in Asia: Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam, India, & Nepal; in Africa & the Middle East: Morocco, Egypt, & Jordan; in Europe: Turkey, Bulgaria, Hungary, & the Czech Republic; in the Americas: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, & Venezuela. The appendices do include a listing of other travel resources, including a couple of websites. If you want a general overview of possible cheap destinations (don't expect a lot of information on sites that you can see) then you might want to give this book a look, but don't expect anything too in depth. This book might best be used to find a country that you may want to visit, you can then buy a more detailed guide book about the country. Although this book will give you a general budget for visiting the country of your choice. In the future you might also want to take into account that the book is from 2003, although because it is so general and the prices depend on bargaining this shouldn't matter too much.

The author summarizes this book succinctly himself on page 9, "This book is meant to be a primer, an overview, and a jumping-off point. It can't possibly take the place of a thick, general travel advice guide, or a guidebook for a specific destination or region."

The book covers twenty-one countries across Asia, Africa & the Middle East, Europe, and North and South America. Each country is given three to five pages consisting of a summary followed by accommodation, food and drink, transportation, and "What Else?" sections. If you're a penny pinching backpacker this is definitely the book for you. The author gives sample prices of everything. When it comes to rooms he tells how much the cheapest room you can get is as well as how much more you'll have to fork over to get a decent enough room to stay in for the night.

For anyone, however, this is only an idea generator with a few good tips throw in for good measure. You will certainly need an in-depth, up-to-date travel guide for any of these locations, and as I mentioned above the author admits that himself.

I enjoyed this book because it gives 3-5 page summary/opinion on each country. It would require a lot of guide books and research to find what he has laid out so succinctly.

Is there such a place as a cheap travel destination?

Writer and seasoned traveler, Tim Leffel has written about a wide range of topics, from sailing on the Nile to hanging out with holy men, while he roamed three times around the world.
Apparently, he has sampled everything from Kentucky bourbon to Korean soju while making his way around the globe.

Leffel's slim guidebook, The World's Cheapest Destinations, focuses on his belief that it is not how you go, but where.
Traveling overseas may be expensive, but, as Leffel states, only to get there.
The key "to really travel well without spending your life savings is to go to where your first world dollars are worth a fortune."

Leffel concentrates on certain areas, where he believes that there is a great deal to experience, and not difficult to get around. For example, Romania and Poland are briefly discussed, as the author feels that their neighbors have much more to offer for the price.

Dividing up travel destinations into four sections, Asia, Africa & Middle East, Europe and the Americas, Leffel points out how in each of these geographical locations you can stretch your dollar to the maximum.
You may compare this to the old adage, "it is not how much one earns, but how your money is managed, that is important."

Each chapter begins with a general description of the country, accommodations, food & drink, transportation and general comments entitled "what else."
This last section concentrates on pointing out where the bargains are located such as, museums, snorkeling and diving, shopping, interesting transportation possibilities, and even what you can purchase for a buck or less.

Were you aware that you can take a camel safari through the desert in Rajasthan for $10-$20 per day including meals? You can enter the Egyptian Museum in Cairo-one of the world's biggest and greatest- for $4, less with a student card.
Have you ever heard of the town of Kutna Hora that is an hour from Prague? This town offers the same level of architectural splendor without having to fight crowds and inflated prices.

For the traveler who enjoys adventure traveling to some of the most exotic places in the world, trying new food and customs, learning about other religions and traditions, this slim book will prove to be a great tool.

This book is great! Finding ways to travel to fascinating and exotic places without spending a fortune is a real plus for people like me, a teacher. I can't wait to gather some friends and make plans. This book will pay for itself many times over. It's full of practical advice about accomodations, dining, best ways to travel within countries, and things to see or avoid. I espececially like the list of things you can get for "a buck or less" in each country.

I bought this book on the recommendation of a friend and now, would like to recommend it to others. I love to travel but, don't have a lot to spend so, this book was exactly what I was looking for! The author is witty and interesting so, it was easy, enjoyable reading. Now, the only thing to decide is where to go first!

Great advice and crisply written. A novice or an experienced traveler should welcome the recommendations Tim Leffel offers. Vacation time is limited and the author forewarns you how to avoid tourist traps and how to spend your monies wisely. A must read ---- especially for those on a limited budget!