Originally Posted by graraps
Personally I don't see the need for that. If you do your homework (with the help of FTers of course) you should be able to find decent places to stay at very reasonable prices. The rates you have to pay for Hostels/Motels etc will usually be marginally cheaper and not infrequently even more expensive than proper 3-4* hotels that can be obtained through a measly amount of FF miles, a Priceline bid or a website offer. And there's always the MR forum for ultra-cheap flights!
I do my homework & I'm a regular on the MR forum - I'm not worried about the cheap flights - flights are the cheapest parts of most vacations, IMHO. I think our definitions of budget travel are a little different - I'm talking about staying in places that are a little off the beaten path - like 4.00/night guest houses on the beach in Koh Phagnan during high season or 7.00/night hostels in Taipei - or setting up camp in a farmers field in Iceland while living out of the car for 5 days - I'm not talking about staying at Motel 6 on the side of I-95. I'm talking about experiences like doing a weekend in AMS for under 100 bucks & having a really great time while doing it. Travel and experiencing different cultures isn't & shouldn't always be about tourism & upgrades to business class & staying in hotels that have flushing toilets versus pit toilets where you have to pour a bucket of water to flush.
Surley I'm not the only one on FT that enjoys being a traveler as well as being a tourist, am I?
