Save Money And Get New Experiences On Holidays!

Let’s say that you are keen traveller who: doesn’t need luxury, is fine with basic comfort and doesn’t need a high level of comfort, loves new obstacles and adventures, who loves to meet new people. Maybe you cannot afford expensive hotels? No matter what is the reason, but these are some options for low budget lodging. And I’m sure – some of these options can become a great experience! Creative travelers who are willing to consider alternatives to hotels could pay a fraction of that price —or nothing at all — by taking advantage of the following options. And it's not only about money - it's also about people :)

Of course the first place we can imagine if we don’t stay at a hotel is hostel. Though they're commonly known as "youth" hostels, this form of accommodation can be ideal for budget travelers of any age. Even if you're not up for the cheapest option — a bed in a shared dorm — you can often get a basic private room at a hostel for significantly less than the cost of a low-end hotel.

The next coming into my mind are homestays. I guess the most popular of them – CouchSurfing. Sleeping in someone's spare bedroom or on the living room couch is by far one of the cheapest ways to travel. Mostly it's free, and it's also a great way to meet locals. You can organize a homestay through long-established hospitality networks like Servas International, Hospitality Club or CouchSurfing.com.

You can try to find academic housing. When students go home for the summer, many colleges and universities open their dorms to visitors. Expect basic but very affordable accommodations (bathrooms may be down the hall, for example). University-Rooms.com is one to try — but it's worth calling a few local campuses directly to see if anything might be available during your trip. The local tourist board may also be able to help.

Take your tent and go camping! Sleeping under the stars can be a magical experience — and it's one of the cheapest options on the list, especially if you cook your own meals over a campfire instead of eating in restaurants every night.

Religious housing. Depending on where you're traveling, there may be affordable lodging offered by religious organizations — such as convents and monasteries in Italy (see MonasteryStays.com), or Christian or Jewish guesthouses in Jerusalem.

Farmstays. From rural B&B's to working ranches and cattle farms, this type of stay can cover a wide range of accommodations — and you don't necessarily have to be willing to milk a cow to take advantage of it. Farmstays are particularly popular in Australia and New Zealand. 

B&B's with shared bathrooms. And also bed & breakfasts can often save you money over hotel rooms, especially if you're willing to use a bathroom down the hall!

Discovery – Riga Old City Boutique Hotel

Just have discovered this cosy place – what an atmosphere there!!! And history!!! And such a beautiful view to the Old Town from there!!! And interior!!! And retro pictures on the walls!!! I have no idea how it is to live there (haven’t done it), but as a guest I felt there really good. Nice serving, smiling people... and interior... Such a nice interior...

Check out the history: the origins of the building at Teatra 10 date back to the 17th century when the successful merchant Johann Reitern built it as warehouse that quickly became known as the Elephant because of its volume and form. The entrance to the warehouse was designed as a sculptural portal with a decorative relief depicting an elephant with palm trees, rosettes and acanthus leaves. In 1909, the building was converted into a cinema called the Moulin Rouge. In the Soviet period the rooms were used as a sports complex until, in early 1990s, the building fell in. From December 2009, the fully reconstructed building began a new life as the Old City Boutique Hotel.

Pictures: Old City boutique hotel.

Web: http://www.oldcityhotel.lv/en_US/home

By the way, just heard on the radio: for New Years celebration all hotels of Riga are full.

Searching For The Hotel... Cheap...

There is a newspaper called „Baltic Stand By” for tourism professionals. In the last one I saw this: „Guests will always search per rate and not per discount” And this is true. Sometimes you don’t see any discount offered even on the home pages of the hotels, so when booking a hotel room, make sure you ask about discounts that may be available. And there are also hotels which has the same „Special Offer!” for years...

Try shopping early for your hotel room, especially if you're planning to travel during peak season, always call in advance, rates tend to get higher as the season approaches.

Sometimes hotels will reserve a block of lower-priced rooms, available on a first come, first serve basis. Getting the best lodging deal is often based on timing and planning ahead. Don’t try to guess! Talk with them! Ask!

If it’s possible, plan your vacations on off seasons: hotel rates,  airline tickets and car rental rates are lower during this time due to lower demand, you can get as much as a 50% discount if you book a room during off season.

Some hotels give discounts to certain people like students, military contingents, senior citizens, honeymooners etc. Some hotels and even car rental companies, give "free days" if you use their services for more than a week! And sometimes, hotels provide free airport pick-up. Use it, if you have a chance! Ask your confirmation number as soo as you reserve a room.

And thanks to the biggest encyclopedia in this world called Internet you can check out photos of the property, rooms, the surrounding area and of course reviews of those who have stayed at the same hotel before you. There is nothing better than reviews!!! Of course, there are different travellers with different needs – that makes reading them interesting. But even if you don’t have any special needs and you really need just a place to sleep, check the area where you are staying – or it may cost for you more than you are planning to spend.

On October 15th 2010, the Riga Tourism Development Office spokeswoman Guna Caune informed that Riga – the capital of Latvia has been recognized as the world’s cheapest travel destination, quoting the latest study by the world’s leading hotel reservations site Hotels.com, aimed to determine the world’s five most and least expensive travel destinations.

According to the Hotels.com study, Riga’s hotels offer rooms for an average of 52 pound sterling per night. Meanwhile, the Swiss city of Geneva ranks as the world’s most expensive travel destination, as the average room rate in Geneva’s hotels is 155 pound sterling per night.

Pictures: Hotels & hostels in Riga.