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Which Countries Have the Worst Air Pollution?

Delhi Flickr photos by jepoirrier

There are some places in this hemisphere that have some bad air, like Los Angeles, Mexico City, and Lima. But they’ve got nothing on the smoking guns of Asia, which make these places look like a blue-sky island.

But where is the worst place to take in a lungful really? That’s not an easy question because it depends on how you measure it. This recent study says India is the most polluted country , even in rural areas. Part of that is due to the increasing number of their blue-smoke-belching vehicles on the road and almost no restrictions in place. The attitude from this guy quoted in the piece says volumes.

“D. Saha, a scientist in the ‘Air Lab’ at India’s Central Pollution Control Board said the study’s findings were not a matter of huge concern. ‘It is a non-issue, we have other pressing problems like poverty, focus on them.'”

Delhi is only the 3rd-most-polluted city in the country says this article . Delhi was beat out by two places I’ve thankfully never been to and will be sure to avoid: Ludhiana and Kanpur.

But what about China? Time magazine says Linfen, China is the most ungodly place to breathe in a lungful and the World Bank reported in the past that 16 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in China.

Beijing Flickr photo by kevin dooley

The problem, as this evaluation from The Guardian notes, you can’t compare a country that releases accurate data (most of the developed world) with one that’s famous for releasing inaccurate reports—like China. The poor people who have to spend their whole lives breathing the air in China are starting to complain more loudly, however, and calling b.s. on the rosy government air reports . Many expats and locals who can read English rely more on the Twitter feed from the U.S. Embassy there. (Hint, it usually reads “hazardous” or “unhealthy.) The pollution is so bad there we’ve taken to measuring it from space .

If you look at this list from the World Health Organization of the worst cities, you probably weren’t planning to go to any of them anyway: half are in Iran and Pakistan.

In the U.S., some spots are far worse than others. Apart from a few geographic oddities like southern California and Salt Lake City, the most polluted places tend to be the ones where coal-fired power plants are prevalent. So you’ve got your industrial heartland around Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia, plus places like East Tennessee and central Alabama. Then there’s the city that defined urban sprawl—Houston—and a compact one jammed with people—New York. See the full list here from the American Lung Association and some analysis from Forbes .

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Dave and I have always wanted to stay in the heart of New York City. We’ve visited New York a couple of times, but we never seem to end up where we want. One of the pitfalls of being a travel blogger is that you are often at the mercy of staying in the area the tourism board wants you to stay and promote, or where the company you are working for wants some extra coverage. These places always seem to be spots a little off the beaten path. After all, downtown hotels don’t really need publicity right? Why should they comp a stay when they are fully booked? So, in the past, we’ve settled on great stays, often in the wrong parts of town for our liking. Not this time at the InterContinental Hotel Times Square!

InterContinental Hotel Times Square – The Perfect Location for Business and Pleasure

Love Times Square!

This past January, we finally had the chance to stay in the heart of all the action at the InterContinental Times Square. It was hotel week in New York so discounts were huge, but we had some leftover points from IHG© Rewards Club so our stay in the city that never sleeps didn’t cost us a penny.

InterContinental Hotel Times Square – The Perfect Location for Business and Pleasure

Whenever we book something on points or online, we are never quite sure how it is going to turn out. Sure, it’s the InterContinental, but at only 50,000 points per night, there has to be a catch right? Maybe it’s in need of a renovation or something? Maybe it really wasn’t as close to Times Square as we thought. Nope. This hotel was exactly what we were looking for.

Get your Lonely Planet New York City Travel Guide

Location, Location, Location

Straddling the Times Square District and Hells Kitchen, The InterContinental Hotel Times Square is a ridiculously short walk from Times Square yet our street was quiet enough that we didn’t hear the noise or have the annoying lights flashing in our faces. Head one direction and you are in the heart of the action, go the other way and you are browsing Hells Kitchen for amazing dinner options. Broadway Shows were playing right down our street. Who could ask for more?

Enjoy this read: Choosing Travel Freedom over the New York Rat Race

We were in New York, speaking at the New York Times Travel Show , but we booked a few extra days to enjoy the city. We experienced New York and our hotel as both tourists and business travellers. The weather was unseasonably warm, we had an unusually free schedule and we were ready to take time as a couple to relax and enjoy each others company.

Read about our Key West Vacation on IHG Rewards Points

New York Times Travel Show

Speaking at the New York times Travel Show

The hotel was a 15 minute walk to the conference centre or a short taxi ride costing about $6. We had heard that everyone was using Uber now in the city, but Dave and I stuck to the yellow cabs because every time we got an estimate from Uber, it was more expensive than the yellow cab! Besides, taxis were constantly parked outside our hotel, so it was easy to walk out the door and go straight into our ride. The hotel doormen were friendly, helpful and efficient and we never had to hail a cab ourselves. They took great care of us.

Check out our youtube travel video: The Best of Brooklyn

Checking In

Arriving on an early morning flight to New York City from Toronto, we checked in but our room wasn’t ready (since it was 10:00 am). They stored our bags and took our phone number to call us when we were all set. We had a lunch planned at STK Midtown so we took a stroll to the venue which ended up only being about 15 minutes away by foot. This trip was starting off great. We found that nearly every business lunch, dinner or after party was located near the InterContinental Hotel Times Square. We never spent more than $10 on a taxi and the majority of the time we could walk anywhere.

The elegant lobby of the InterContinental Hotel times Square.

A lot of people will say, the hotel doesn’t matter when staying in a city because you never spend time in it anyway, but to us it’s everything. There is nothing better than coming in to an elegant room after a long day of sightseeing or business meetings. Our city view was outstanding and for the first time, Dave and I felt like we did New York City right. We’ve always had something amiss with our past accommodations. They were either a little too far away from it all, just a little too basic, or our hotels were nice, but something seemed wrong. It was like they were trying to be upscale, but were missing the finishing touches.

The Room

With the InterContinental, we felt that they got everything right. Dave and I spend a lot of time in hotel rooms. We’re in a hotel about 300 days a year so we have a lot of opinions when it comes to room amenities. Dave likes to always say “it’s the little things that count” Many hotels have the feeling of being upscale, but they miss the little things that truly set a high standard establishment apart. But at the InterContinental Hotel Times Square, everything felt right. The bed was so comfortable, we could sleep all day. The pillows were so good, that my chronic neck pain subsided during my sleep. (It was back once I started moving again)

It was set up well for business travellers with several outlets and USB ports in the desk, Keurig® coffee maker and a big flat screen TV. Being IHG Rewards Members, we even had free wifi which was a bonus for us.

The minute you step into the hotel, everything feels relaxed. The lobby is tranquil with mellow lighting, and a viewing garden directly behind reception. It instantly puts you at ease after being out in the hustle and bustle of New York City.

Looking for an alternative to hotels in New York? Check out our post on New York Vacation Apartments

We Love NYC

Being so close to everything means we are just walking distance from restaurant row for our choice of dining options and it was exciting to see Birdland directly across the street. It’s here where Broadway artists hang out on Monday nights to perform when the theatres are dark. Oh how I would love to see the stars of Broadway performing in an intimate venue. We were certainly in the entertainment district, the Actors Studio is right next door to the InterContinental. We saw would be actors standing out front and I wondered to myself, “What future start is in the making in there right now?”

We walked everywhere popping over to the ice rink at Rockerfeller Centre, Bryant Park for some more ice skating action, MOMA, The Empire State Building and Radio City Music Hall. All the iconic sites of New York City are right within our reach when staying at the InterContinental Times Square. After our stay there we won’t stay anywhere else when we come back to New York. The InterContinental Hotel Times Square was the perfect hotel for Dave and I. I can’t wait to go back to New York and explore the lesser known tourist attractions next time. We still have so much more to see and do!

The Sarapiqui River

At one time, the Sarapaqui River was a major shipping route from San Jose to the Caribbean coast. Today however, it sees more rafts than bananas. En route to the confluence of the San Juan River, Sarapiqui runs through the Caribbean lowlands rainforest. Rafting trips are held in the section of rapids between La Virgen and Chilamate—small towns near Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui.

The rapids are mostly class II and III in the dry season (Feb. to June) making them great for beginners and families looking for an adventure tour through the rainforest. Along the 8 mile trip downstream, adventurers raft through sections of the Braulio Carrillo National Park encountering river birds like herons, egrets, hawks, vultures and king fishers.

Tours usually last about 1.5 to 2 hours with a short break in the middle for a snack of fresh pineapple during the dry season. In the wet season (July-Jan.) however, the river is much higher and the water is faster sending rafters through class II to IV rapids in about 45 minutes.

Naming Rapids

The big rapids always have names like 'Shotgun', 'Surprise and 'Monica' and as we navigate them I always wonder how they get the names. Is Monica named after an ex-girlfriend? Is Shotgun named after the way the current thrusts you between the rocks? Is 'Surprise' named after that huge rock we didn't see that nearly sent me flying into the water? But then again, maybe I should be paying attention.

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Don’t look now, but you just got a little richer. There’s just one catch: you have to go traveling.

Trying to explain why the U.S. dollar is going up or down is something even experienced economists have trouble with, so I won’t bother trying. Just know that it involves the perception of our economy’s health, the relative strength of other economies’ health (especially Europe and China), and what’s going on with the corresponding economy of the currency it’s trading against.

The bottom line is, we’re in a golden period right now where the dollar is relatively strong, which is good news for travelers. It takes a little sting out of the most expensive places and makes the cheaper ones even cheaper.

Here are a few key places where you’re better off now than you were a year or two ago.

Argentina

I discussed this one in detail already recently, so go check out my cheap Argentina post. Today the “blue rate” is 14.7 to the dollar, compared to under 9 for the official rate. Take lots of cash.

Mexico

I arrived at the Guadalajara airport a few nights ago and laughed as I saw the exchange booth giving a rate of 10.9 pesos to the dollar. I walked over to an ATM and got 13.4 to the dollar. This is a great time to be in Mexico, but unlike in Argentina, don’t come with a briefcase full of cash. There are exchange restrictions and in most areas you’ll get a worse rate than just taking money out of your own bank account with a debit card. If you can find a CI Banco machine, they have the lowest fees. BanNorte has the highest.

Thailand

This country has been a political mess for a while and that is (probably temporarily) pushing down the value of their currency. Right now the official rate is 32.4, which is 10% better than where it was in late 2012. Avoid the protest zones in Bangkok and enjoy.

Hungary

The first time I went to Hungary the exchange rate was around 215 forint to the dollar, the second time it was around 240. That approximate 10% move made a significant difference in how cheap it felt for a beer, a meal, or a locally priced hotel. It’s back up to that point again, so this is a good time to spend a few days in Budapest and then hit the countryside.

Peru

This time two years ago a U.S. dollar got you 2.6 new soles. Now you get 2.9. Peru can be an expensive place if you go during high season and you’re on the tourist trail shared by people with loads of money checking something off a bucket list. Take a side trail though or go between October and April and your soles will go a long way.

Chile

This is not one of The World’s Cheapest Destinations by any means, but when I wrote this post about how expensive Chile was when I was there two years ago, a dollar got you 480 Chilean pesos. Now a dollar gets you 590. That’s a 23% increase in purchasing power. It’s still going to be more expensive than it’s neighbors, but it won’t feel so out of whack as before.

Other Countries

The swings are less than 10% in the following in 2014, but right now the dollar is at or near a two-year high in Canada, Brazil, Colombia, Nicaragua, Morocco, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Romania, Turkey, and Egypt. I expect you’ll see most of Africa’s currencies plunge in the next few months because of the ebola effect, even if they’re 2,000 miles away from the outbreak.

If you’re a traveler and you want to keep up with exchange rates, there’s an app for that. I use one called Exchange Rates on my Android phone and one called Currency App on my iPod Touch. In either you can set up which currencies to follow and it’ll update when you refresh.

If you’re flying to or within a place outside the United States this summer, you may have a pleasant trip. If you’re flying within the U.S. or or on popular routes out of the country, however, be prepared for an unpleasant experience. Air traffic is back up to the level it was in the year 2000, but with a fraction of the number of workers at the airlines. There has also been a major reduction in capacity. In 2000, there were reportedly 3,469 planes in action across the U.S. skies. This year there are only 2,747 planes in use. Your chances of being on a half-empty flight are about as good as sitting next to someone with an “I Love Delta Airlines” t-shirt.

Delta is fresh on my mind since it just took me three days to make a minor flight change, even though the change netted them $110 in extra revenue. I tried to do it online, but got this error message:

I tried to call, but got put on hold for 20 minutes, then was told it would cost me an extra $10 since I was doing it on the phone instead of online. (Grrrr….) And besides, the nice Indian man couldn’t help me right now anyway because their system was down. He suggested I send an e-mail.

So I sent an e-mail, and waited, and waited. Two days later, this oh so helpful reply:

So I called again. After 12 minutes on hold, a nice woman from Bombay picked up and put me on hold three times while she got help from her supervisor. She first told me I couldn’t change the flight, then eventually figured out that she could. After 35 minutes, the deal was done and they rightfully waived the phone charge. All’s well that ends well I suppose, but that’s a section of my day that sure could have been better spent. In what other industry can a business consistently treat its regular customers this badly and still be in business? (Well, Delta is still in bankruptcy for a reason I guess.) And why do they even bother sending e-mails that say, “We value your confidence and loyalty”? It becomes a taunting joke.

For ideas on how to make your summer flying slightly less painful, see this SmarterTravel story, Summer Travel Will Be No Vacation.

From sea to shining sea, the United States is home to a diverse landscape — both culturally and physically. Spending months traveling across its vast landscape gave me a deep appreciation for all my country has to offer.

After travelling 13,000 miles across the continental United States this spring (and more, if you count my previous road trip in 2006), I wanted to share some of my favorite destinations with you. I’ve already talked about my favorite restaurants and lessons learned , so it only seems proper to end the road trip posts with my favorite 28 destinations:

(Note: This list is based only on where I myself have been. There are a lot more incredibly breathtaking places — like Yosemite or Hawaii — I haven’t explored yet, which is why you don’t see them on this list!)

Memphis

Gritty, industrial, and a bit run down, Memphis appears like its best days are behind it, but don’t let the rough exterior fool you — the city is still home to some killer food and a vibrant blues music scene. Additionally, there’s Graceland (Elvis’s home) for fans of the King, a big waterfront for walking, and the phenomenal, detailed, and moving Museum of Civil Rights (it’s huge, so don’t rush it!). I enjoyed the city more than I expected and was disappointed when I had to leave. To use a cliché, it’s a hidden gem!

Austin

My new home (surprise! I moved to Austin!), and every visit here makes me love it more and more. The warm weather, the lively honky-tonks and live music, funky house bars on Rainey Street, amazing hiking and biking trails, and tons of outdoor activities… Austin has it all . Thanks to everything from the growing food truck population to the flagship Whole Foods store with the incredible salad bar (grilled pineapple!), I eat — and eat well — nonstop. The Austin campus of the University of Texas provides a youthful vigor to the city, and its liberal attitude attracts a diverse and eclectic population. In short, you can’t skip Austin, because if you do, I’ll find you and drag you there.

For more travel tips on Austin, check out this post on things to do there . (I also have a hostel in Austin !)

New Orleans

New Orleans is a city with soul. It’s seen some hard times, but it lives on with a zest for life unmatched by most places. It has a rich and long history and is filled with scrumptious French-inspired Creole and Cajun food, live jazz music, street performers, and an appreciation for all the temptations of life. Life is lived well here in the Big Easy. You don’t come here to relax – you come here to indulge! In my opinion, New Orleans one of the most eclectic and vibrant cities in the United States.

For more travel tips on New Orleans, check out this post on how to spend 4 days there .

Asheville

Asheville is Portland in the North Carolina mountains: full of tasty craft beer, food, and hipsters. I liked the area a lot, including its proximity to some wonderful and scenic mountain hikes such as the Carolina Mountain Trail. Moreover, the town has a lot of parks for those wanting something closer — and be sure to check out the Ashville Botanical Gardens near the university campus. The beautiful Smoky Mountains are a short drive away, and the gigantic Biltmore estate, the largest privately owned home in the US and once home to George Vanderbilt, is on the outskirts of the city. If you’ve ever seen Downton Abbey, that’s what the house is like! (And, if you haven’t, you should! The show is addicting!)

The Pacific Coastal Drive

The drive up the Pacific Coast is considered one of the most scenic in the world. I have to agree. I didn’t travel the whole coast, but the portion I drove (San Francisco to Portland) was incredible: sheer cliffs, forests descending to the shoreline, miles of beaches, and giant redwoods. It’s jaw-dropping all the way. Be prepared to make slow progress, as you’ll be pulling over frequently to stop, hike, and admire the view. I especially liked Bandon and Coos Bay, Oregon and Mendocino, California.

Redwood National Park

Along the Pacific Coast is Redwood National Park, a large expanse of giant redwood trees filled with picnic areas, places to camp, and miles upon miles of hiking trails. Trails range from easy to strenuous, and there are many loops that head out to nearby beaches. It’s utterly beautiful, awe-inspiring, and humbling in every way.

Glacier National Park

Even though I visited when most of the park was still closed (it was too early in the year and there was still snow around), I was still stunned by the area: gorgeous snow-topped mountains rising high into the sky; a beautiful, still lake in which to admire those mountains and large glaciers; and hiking trails galore. It was the most mind-blowing place I saw on my trip, and I can understand why everyone raves about it. I can’t recommend a visit there enough.

For more travel tips on Canada, check out this detailed planning guide .

Denver

The mile-high city (not least because marijuana is legal there), Denver has a mix of outdoor ruggedness and big-city living. It has a huge craft beer scene, excellent restaurants (including, Sushi Sasa, one of my favorite sushi restaurants in the world ), a large international airport with lots of connections, and proximity to the mountains (and the Republic of Boulder). It’s clean, and the locals are incredibly friendly. There are few cities in the US I want to live in, but I love Denver enough to say that it’s one of them.

Chicago

When the weather is nice, I don’t think there’s a better city in the United States. Set on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago has world-class food (try the deep dish, sushi, and hot dogs), the fun and kitschy Navy Pier, Millennium Park with its famous bean-shaped statue, a kick-ass aquarium, and iconic architecture (be sure to take an architecture tour). And once the winter deep freeze is over, Chicagoans burst out of their homes to enjoy the summer weather, so there’s positive, happy vibe emanating through the city. Take advantage of it.

For more travel tips on Chicago, check out this detailed planning guide .

New York City

The city that never sleeps. ‘Nuff said. You can’t go wrong here.

For more travel tips on New York City, check out this detailed planning guide.

Natchez

I was most surprised by this Mississippi city. I didn’t know anything about it, but Natchez was recommended as a place to see historic 19th-century homes, built by isolated plantation owners wanting to get away in the summer and interact and socialize with each other. As cotton became king, the houses became ever larger and more elaborate. Now, they are historic monuments, and you can tour them while enjoying a view of the Mississippi River. It’s far off the beaten path — and my favorite discovery from my last road trip.

For more travel tips on Natchez, check out this post on my explorations there .

Savannah

Sitting on Georgia’s coast, Savannah escaped the wrath of the Civil War, allegedly because Sherman thought it was too pretty to be destroyed. With streets lined with Spanish moss–covered trees, large and inviting parks, and a bustling waterfront, Savannah is wonderful place to experience the slow pace of the Old South . I had visited this city many, many years ago, but its beauty, Southern comfort food, and tranquility stuck with me over the years.

Grand Canyon

Words can’t accurately describe how incredible the Grand Canyon is . It’s breathtaking in so many ways —its sheer size, fantastic depth, red hues, and striking vistas. Most people simply stand at the edge of the canyon and look out across it, but its true size and beauty are best appreciated with a hike down to the bottom. Make the time to hike down to the Colorado River, hike the less visited trails, spend the night, and hike back up for sunset.

For more travel tips on the Grand Canyon, check out this post on hiking it .

Nashville

A little bit country, a little bit tech, Nashville is one of the fastest-growing cities in the US and rightly so. It’s got a wonderful music scene (duh), a growing cocktail bar scene, and some down-home Southern restaurants. There’s not a lot of “touristy stuff” to do here, but what make this city one of my favorites are the music, the food, the wildly friendly and happy people, and the positive energy the city seems to exude. When you’re here, plan to spend a few hours at the Tennessee State Museum. It goes into great (though sometimes very one-sided) detail about the state’s history, but it’s more exciting than you might think.

San Francisco

Food of every nature, hipsters, high tech, and a diverse population make San Francisco one of my favorite places to visit. Additionally, it’s close to some wonderful national parks, like Muir Woods, where you can escape the city and go hiking amid giant trees. This city is changing fast (for good or ill) and I’m always looking forward to my next visit. San Francisco has so much to do that you need at least four days to really appreciate it. The city is one of the cultural centers of the United States and not to be missed.

For more travel tips on San Francisco, check out this detailed planning guide .

Miami

White sand beaches, Cuban food, wild nightlife, gorgeous people, and amazing warm weather — what’s not to love about Miami ! I don’t think I could ever live here, but for a weekend of fun in the sun, Miami is perfect.

For more travel tips on Miami, check out this detailed planning guide .

San Diego

Forever warm and sunny, San Diego’s weather creates a permanently happy population that’s friendly and outgoing and that loves the outdoors – from hiking, days at the beach, or running….and they are always happy to show people their city. The downtown Gaslamp area — as well as the famous Pacific Beach — is full of trendy seafood restaurants, bustling bars, and some seriously life-changing taco stalls. I love San Diego.

California Wine Country

California is home to some of the best wine in the world, and a visit to the Sonoma and Napa Valley regions will reward you with some fine dining in addition to the wine. Take the short trip from San Francisco and learn to appreciate wine! Tip: Sonoma is cheaper than Napa.

For more travel tips on California Wine Country, check out this post on how to visit Napa Valley on a budget .

Lake Tahoe

Though the water level of the lake, as well as the flora and fauna around it, is sadly depleted due to the California drought, Lake Tahoe is still nonetheless impressive and beautiful. Ringed by tiny mountain communities, this is a terrific place for hiking and boating in the summer and skiing in the winter.

Anywhere in Montana

A lot has been written about how stunning Montana is, but it’s all wrong. It’s even better than words can describe. It’s the most crazy beautiful state I’ve ever been to, filled with wondrous mountains and hills as far as the eye can see. The people are super cool, welcoming, and outdoorsy, too. If I had to pick a favorite state, it would be Montana. I just love Montana.

Washington D.C.

The capital of the United States is a vibrant, international city, and that’s what I love about it. It’s second only to NYC in diversity of people and food (which is to be expected with so many people from international aid organizations and embassies). You hear a million accents in this town! Throw in the free Smithsonian museums, lots of parks, a riverfront for strolling or running, and some historic government buildings and monuments, and D.C. becomes one phenomenal place to visit, relax, eat, and drink!

For more travel tips on Washington D.C., check out this detailed planning guide .

Cape Cod

I spent a lot of summers on the Cape, since it’s where New Englanders escape for the summer. You’ll find plenty of small beach towns along the coast (Provincetown and Hyannis being the most famous but I also love Chatham, Falmouth, Wellfleet, and Brewster). If you’re looking for seafood, beaches, boardwalks, and hat perfect family vacation, visit the Cape!

Boston

I may be biased because I grew up here, but I love Boston and cherish my visits home. Boston rocks (Go Red Sox!). It’s historic (founded in 1630), smallish, easy to get around, and filled with awesome and loyal people. It’s home to a ton of activities, like the Freedom Trail and Faneuil Hall, the JFK Museum, and the Boston Commons and Public Garden, as well as some of the best Italian and seafood restaurants in the country. Be sure to eat at Zaftigs for the best brunch in the city! It’s wicked!

For more travel tips on Boston, check out this detailed planning guide .

Las Vegas

Vegas, baby, Vegas! A lot of people are turned off by the bright lights and gambling , but Vegas is much more than the casinos , expensive clubs, and hotels on the famous Strip. There’s incredible hiking nearby at Red Rocks National Park, a growing art scene, a booming tech scene thanks to Tony Hsieh’s Downtown Project, and lots of concerts and shows. Get off the Strip, explore the real Vegas (because technically the Strip is located in Paradise, NV, not Las Vegas), and see why people decide to live here.

For more travel tips on Las Vegas, check out this detailed planning guide .

Portland

Portland is incredible. I would move there if it had a bigger airport with better connections. Here you’ll find an impressive food truck scene, cool bespoke bars and cocktail lounges, a craft beer scene that’s religion to residents, relaxing parks (including a peaceful Japanese garden), a vibrant art scene, and hiking in the nearby mountains. Portland is just an awesome city, especially in the summer when the weather is perfect and there are festivals and events galore, like the World Domination Summit and the Portland International Beerfest.

For more travel tips on Portland, check out this post on the city .

Seattle

Home to a little business called Starbucks, it also boasts an exciting downtown, fresh fish, authentic Asian food, art museums, and funky nightlife. In historic Pioneer Square, you can go on an underground tour of the city’s ruins (a hella cool experience). Moreover, you’re right on the water and, weather permitting, can head out onto Elliott Bay to explore some little islands. Seattle is just a cool city. There’s always something to do there, it’s techy, and everyone is relaxed. Plus, there’s craft beer and coffee — what’s not to love about that!

For more travel tips on Seattle, check out this detailed planning guide .

Deadwood

Tucked away in western South Dakota, this town was famous during the Old West days, noteworthy enough to be the focus of an HBO series. Sort of kitschy and re-created, it’s nonetheless a very cool place where you can experience a taste of the old frontier days. It’s also conveniently located near the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore.

Kansas City

I really loved this city, which features some of the world’s best BBQ, a lively downtown, and cutting-edge technology like Google Fiber. There’s also a detailed and enlightening jazz museum here, as well as the eye-opening Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (that was the actual name; I’m not being racist). I wish I could have spent more time, but that’s just more reason to come back.

The United States is filled with too many “must sees” places to list in a single blog post. After all, the country is home to over 350 million people and covers 3.8 million square miles. I’ve only seen a fraction of it in my life, and it beckons me to do more. But for those looking for a starting point for where to go and what to see, this list should point you in the right direction.

Just be sure to turn off the highways, head to the small towns, and discover some favorites of your own.

For more travel tips on U.S. Travel, check out these blog posts:

How to Travel Across the U.S.A. on $50 Day
21 Amazing Restaurants from My Road-Trip Across the U.S.
9 Things I Learned While Driving Across the U.S.
Detailed Travel Planning Guide on The United States

We all want to take that vacation, career break, or gap year, but with the way the economy is right now, many people are concerned about being financially stable. To some, travel is not an option. It is a luxury. However, the idea that travel is always expensive is simply not true. There are plenty of great travel destinations in the world that won’t break your bank once you’re there. Here are five of my favorites places to travel on less than $30 USD per day:

Thailand

Despite being a hugely popular tourist destination, Thailand as a whole has remained relatively cheap. Outside of a few of the popular tourist islands, it’s easy to live on less than $30 USD (900 Baht) per day. Budget rooms cost between $6-10 USD per night, you can eat on less than $5 USD per day, drinks are about $2 USD, and sightseeing activities cost around $10 USD. To live on $30 USD dollars a day, stay in guesthouses, eat the delicious local food , avoid lots of expensive drinks, and take local transportation. But even when I splurge, I still barely break $30 USD per day. Most of the time I spend around $20 USD per day. This is a country where drinks cost more than food so as long as you go light on drinks, you’ll find Thailand quite inexpensive.

Bali

Even cheaper than Thailand, Bali is a great destination for those looking to avoid spending a lot. In the south, especially around Kuta, you’ll find more $1,000 USD per night rooms than any other place in the world. However, right next to them are rooms for less than $10 USD a night. Though flights are long and expensive, the island itself is amazingly cheap. Most local meals cost between $2 USD while “western” dishes are about $4 USD. Activities such as snorkeling tend to cost no more than $10 USD. Moreover, once you leave the touristy southern part of the island and go inland, everything gets even cheaper.

Greece

Even before Greece almost went bankrupt, the country was a bargain. Now, it’s even cheaper. I was shocked at how cheap it was. Gyros cost around $3 USD, you can get a huge lamb dinner for $10 USD, drinks go for around $3 USD, and single rooms can be found for under $15 USD. An expensive night for me in Greece was $55 USD and that included an evening of drinks. In cities like Paris or Amsterdam, a dorm room is at least $30 USD. That’s more than I spent most days in Greece! You wouldn’t think a Euro zone country would be so cheap but that’s all the more reason to visit. If you want to enjoy Europe on a budget, visit Greece.

Central America

Most of Central America is pretty cheap and you can travel on less than 30 dollars a day. Of course, you’ll need to exclude Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama as they are more expensive. (At about $35-40 USD per day!) But throughout the other countries in Central America (El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala), you will find most budget hotels for around $10 USD per night, meals for $3 USD, most bus journeys for the same price, and beer less than a dollar. In the central part of Central America, if you are spending more than $30 USD per day, you’re living large!

Budapest

I went to Budapest last year loved it. It was a beautiful, historic city. And Budapest was cheap. It was a warm welcome coming from expensive Italy. Hostels in Budapest start at 6 Euros ($8 USD) per night and private rooms double that. Meals at the markets or at the plethora of Kebab and sandwich shops are around $2 USD. Trains and buses were just a few dollars. Unless you are going out for a big night of drinking, $30 USD will give you plenty of room to enjoy the sites and sounds of Budapest. Budapest is a great alternative to cities to more popular destinations like Prague or Vienna.

There are many great destinations in the world that don’t cost a fortune. While some of these destinations might be expensive to fly to, once you get there, they are cheap as hell. If you want to go somewhere else, here’s how to pick a cheap place: Avoid the major tourist destinations, think outside the box, use an economic crisis to your advantage, or get off the beaten path and you’ll find value throughout the world.

Want more? Here are two other must read posts on cheap destinations:

Cheap Places to Visit on the US Dollar
8 Alternative Budget Vacation Ideas

Preemptive Editor’s Note: Before you ask me why I left out places like China, India, Cambodia, or a million other places, remember that the places above are destinations that I have been to. I haven’t been to India, China, or South America so while they are cheap, they can’t be on the list.

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