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Joanna Adduci is a Northport resident, currently working as a writer. She has a B.S. in Journalism from St. John's University and is active within her community working as a blogger and musician. She enjoys cooking, traveling, hiking and performing with her dad in their LI-based cover band, Next Generation. Joanna can be reached by e-mail at: joanna.adduci10@gmail.com. |
| International travel is expensive. In an effort to effectively use my miles and spend a mere $1,500, I was forced to really analyze budget travel. Where to begin? I decided that Ireland would be the ideal place to backpack during the month of July. Cooler weather, less rain and a multitude of trails and cheap accommodations. I was able to redeem my miles with an airline I know and love, Delta, specifically AirFrance. Now for accommodations. As a writer, and a twenty-something on a budget, it was not realistic to spend $200 a night for a hotel. I’m here to shatter the illusion by telling you that hostels are a great resource for young, and not so young, travelers on a budget. They offer a safe, comfortable place to sleep, light breakfast (not always), tours and information, laundry options, a full kitchen to prepare meals, and an unforgettable sense of community. Let me preface this by saying I performed hours of research, searching for highly recommended hostels with a surplus of free amenities. Looking back, I can’t imagine doing it any other way. I chose 6-bed, private female rooms, with bathroom ensuite, and spent under $30 per night. Most hostels included a light breakfast and free city walking tours. I saved a little over $2,000 by choosing hostels, and gained a world of travel knowledge from my peers, most of which came from a shared meal or early morning cup of coffee. (My favorite hostel chains include: The Generator Hostels and Wombat Hostels). Ireland is perfect in July. The landscape is so overwhelmingly green, it almost appears fluorescent. Every single person I encountered was more than happy to help me with anything from directions, to pub recommendations. I wholeheartedly recommend Americans visit Ireland as a first trip over the pond, because things like culture shock and language barrier are eliminated. This brings me to the food (and beer) budget. Eating out daily is expensive. If you opt for hostels, you can cook your own meals and save thousands. I chose to eat half of my meals out, and half in hostels. The best meals I had were in pubs. I routinely opted for the daily special (or whatever the barkeep recommended), mostly fresh fish and vegetables (and chips!) – all for less than 10€. Beer in Ireland is generally inexpensive, and I stuck to Guinness, because it’s what Ireland does best. Moral of the story? Travel is expensive, but completely attainable under the right circumstances. Even if you’re not backpacking, you can opt for private rooms in hostels or Bed & Breakfasts for half the price of commercial hotels. Instead of fine dining, find a local pub for a hearty meal and solid dose of local music. Travelers can cut their costs in half by researching, taking necessary cuts and planning ahead. Because, in the end, it is truly “better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times.” |
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20 lucky winners will win $500 each in prizes totaling $10,000. 