How to Cut Costs and Travel Outside the Box

Yes, we are in a recession. Yes, vacations and traveling are becoming more of a luxury than a routine. And yes, traveling can still be an option for anyone who is willing to look outside of the typical vacation box. So before you rule out your travel plans altogether, you should think about a different kind of trip.


If you are looking to give back to the community or volunteer your time, a volunteer trip is always a fulfilling alternative. Another bonus to taking part in these kinds of trips, is that they are often less expensive than a typical vacation. I had the opportunity to participate in an Alternative Spring Break program in the impoverished Birmingham, AL area through my school last year, and found it to be more gratifying than traveling I had done. The program was through Habitat for Humanity which has branches is hundreds of places across the United States and other countries. Though it may not be as relaxing as a typical vacation, taking part in a volunteer trip can be just as worthwhile.

Hotels are great, but can be expensive and sometimes a deal breaker for the hopeful tourist. However, there are other housing options when traveling, that many people seem to overlook.
If anyone has seen the movie "The Holiday", you know what a house swap is. Basically, it is a very affordable way to experience another part of the world, while maintaining the comforts that a house provides. You can exchange your house with someone from another place who is willing to visit your area. This can even be done between countries, as it was in the movie.

In addition to vacation home exchanges, hostels are always an idea. Though they are often thought of as useful only to those backpacking through Europe, this is simply not the case. When researching hostels for my own trip to Europe next year, I realized that there is a wide variety of hostels worldwide. I was unaware that hostels existed here in the United States as well as abroad. This makes for a great option for those looking to travel within the country on a budget.

Eco-Friendly Travel

I like to think of myself as being conscious of the environment. With that in mind, traveling can sometimes conflict with what we consider eco-friendly. Driving long distances or taking fuel-guzzling flights is not an ideal way to improve the environment. However, I have come across several options that allow for a more environmentally-conscious style of vacationing and traveling.
"Green Hotels"
There are hundreds of hotels worldwide that have made an effort to reduce their carbon footprints. By taking simple measures, such as changing to energy-saving light bulbs, they are able to save money and have a positive impact on the environment. Personally, I have noticed that at many hotels now, new towels are only distributed by request, in an attempt to reduce the unnecessary washing of towels. Simple measures like these can make a big difference.

Other hotels claim to be completely "green". For example, the Orchard Garden Hotel in San Francisco, claims to be one of the first hotels to be totally environmentally friendly. Not only does this hotel have energy-saving lighting, but it also boasts nontoxic paints, glues, and varnishes, and all organic food. Orchard Garden even goes as far as to offer its visitors transportation to and from airports, in what else? A hybrid Toyota Prius.

Eco-Friendly Travel Must-Haves
When I started to research environmentally friendly travel, I found a lot of interesting "green" items that someone who tries to be eco-conscious might find useful when journeying.

I know that when I travel, having an alarm clock is an absolute necessity. Wake up calls seem to be a thing of the past, and cell phone alarm clocks, in my experience, are simply unreliable. Having said that, the eco-friendly alarm clock that I noticed seemed very practical. The clock is portable and compact, a requirement when traveling. What makes it green, is that is requires no energy or electricity to function. Its manufacturers have created a way for the small clock to tell time by using salt water.

Another product that is undeniably useful is the 'ultimate rechargeable battery'. This battery can take place of the widely used toxic, alkaline batteries of the past. It can be charged by way of a USB, and is good for up to 500 uses!

Art-Inspired Travel

Some may not consider traveling cross-country to be necessarily "local" travel. However, for others who yearn to travel around the globe and back, staying within their own country seems less than thrilling. Although I am someone who plans on experiencing different cultures abroad, I also intend to travel within the borders of the United States. I think many people do not spend enough time exploring their own country. If I haven't convinced you to travel within the United States yet, I hope that my next few words inspire you to do so.










I first came across the beauty of Yosemite National Park in California when I was in high school. In my photography class, we focused heavily on the work of photographer, Ansel Adams. Much of Adams artwork is centered around this park, and in the 1900s he was one of the first people to bring attention to the area through his prints.

Adams spent an excessive amount of time in Yosemite, submerging himself in the beauty of the park. He had such a love for Yosemite, that he ended up living a large part of his life there. His work serves as a sort of advertisement for the inquiring traveler.

Though Ansel Adams gracefully photographed Yosemite in black and white images, the true colors and beauty of the park can only be experienced by those who witness it first hand. For travelers who are desirous of unprocessed and striking natural beauty, Yosemite Natural Park is a must.

Canada eh?

I was in eighth grade when my family first took a trip to Canada. My parents' friends had recently purchased a house and we were going to spend our April vacation there. My brother and I were not happy, to say the least. "What are we going to do there?!" I remember asking over and over. I thought our trip was going to be completely dull. Little did I know, that my memories from that vacation would become some of my fondest.

Canada is often overlooked as a travel destination by Americans. However, I now can say with confidence that the country has much to offer those visitors who choose to frequent it.

Though it is technically a foreign country, it is located so close to the United States that the differences in culture seem to be far and few between in comparison to other countries abroad. My family spent our week in Nova Scotia, which was an incredibly beautiful and scenic place. The town was called Saint Anne and was considerably more remote than what I was used to. Because of the isolated location, there was not much to do as far as tourist attractions go. However, the peaceful and uninterrupted beauty of Nova Scotia made me regret my former misgivings about the location.

For people who despise the touristy and heavily frequented areas of the United States, I would absolutely recommend a place such as Saint Anne, Nova Scotia. It is a perfect destination for travelers who want to get away, without dealing with heavy traffic or long lines.