For folks planning on going to the 2012 London Olympics on a budget, beyond air travel and accommodations, the next important consideration is ground travel. First, check with the local vistor’s and convention bureau for London maps. Then get familiar with the options for public transportation. Finally, consider taxis or more costly ground travel options.

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If you want to have a familiar place to return to that doesn’t involve an inconvenient monthly commitment AND you want to be mobile, there are several housing options that help make it possible.  The yurt is a lesson learned in the Middle East and Asia. There are several American yurt manufacturers who build them in various sizes. Another option is an unusual one, but it is on the rise. The shipping container makes for a completely self-contained residence that can be moved domestically or internationally. The idea is not new and several improvements have been made since the early days.  In the extreme, and not to be taken lightly, is the possibility of living out of a car. By design, not by twist of fate. The point is that there are options for you to consider if traveling is your dream and living in hostels is not.

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Who doesn’t bring a camera on vacation?  A few travel photography tips can help make the most of taking vacation pictures. Whether you’re traveling to New England in autumn, or going to Peru to visit the spiritual heights of Machu Picchu, your pictures will provide best memories and souvenirs — for yourself and others — from that trip.

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The smart budget traveler knows the advantages of hotel room meals. The reasons for staying in my vary, but the point is that not every meal needs to be a restaurant experience. The humble ramen noodle, for example, is not just for soup. Pretty delictable meals can start from a packet of ramen noodles. Or consider a gourmet twist on the sandwich. Start with a nice crusty loaf and improvise fillings as suit your budget. Something more fancy, like a nice pasta meal from few ingredients, can be whipped up in a hotel room, too!

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Ah, the life of the businessperson. Travel is inevitable, in some form or another. Keeping the business trip on budget is always a concern and never as cut and dried as one would thing. Even trade shows and conferences with rooms and meals included can offer budgetary challenges. The savvy traveler, however, can always rise to the occasion and find ways to include frugal entertainment, too, without going over budgetary allotments!

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Nothing says romance like Romeo and Juliet.  A trip to Italy, specifically, Verona — home to star crossed lovers, would be an incredibly romantic choice. However, most of us would be more likely to take a little more affordable romantic getaway.  And it’s not too difficult to decrease the cost while increasing the romance by creating a romantic dinner in your room, either, provided you have kitchen facilities at your disposal.

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An unexpectedly interesting and budget friendly travel destination is Southeast Asia. Cambodia is a wealth of ancient temples and statuary, and you can do an awful lot for a very little. Angkor Wat is the  most notable destination, but there is much much more to see.  Thailand is another country with a lot to offer the adventurous traveler.  There are many ways to enjoy Thailand. Bangkok is a cultural mother lode. You can easily fill a week just with what’s available to the curious in Bangkok.  Ayutthaya, the ruins of the ancient second capital of Siam, is another remarkable Thai destination that should definitely be part of a Thai vacation.

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The great thing about Olympic venues is that they are available to the public after the Olympics have gone. The upcoming 2012 London Olympics offers a fresh venue to England travelers. The home of the 1972 Olympics, Munich, Germany, is another great venue that can be included on your tour of that country. Domestically, the Olympic village and venues of Park City, Utah, are great for winter enthusiasts.  Best of all, this Olympic theme can be included in a budget friendly way to your travel plans.

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If your vacation takes you near a body of water, it’s almost mandatory to enjoy it in some way.  Affordable beach travel is very available with a bit of planning.  If something physical helps you appreciate your travel destination more, consider kayaking. It can be done on lakes or oceans and, even including some training, is a very cost effective option. Scuba diving, albeit a bit more expensive, can be included for a reasonable share of your travel budget. Or consider snorkeling, which doesn’t require any training, as a very affordable family option for underwater exploration.

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Have you ever considered a travel destination specifically for it’s historical value, but shied away because of cost? If history is your gig, you can get to historical destinations on a budget. That includes foreign and domestic destinations.  Take a walking tour of Tarpon Springs, Florida, for example, to see some unexpected history right on the American continent.  A trip to Peru would probably include Machu Picchu, but there are other Peruvian historical sites worthy of exploration. Similarly, in Israel, there are must-see historical sites, but there are many options for history buffs that don’t have to be budget busters.

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