I’m making my way through the cheaper countries of Europe right now, finding good values all over compared to their neighbors to the west. Next stop, Romania. 

I spent most of my time in Transylvania, which I’ll discuss without mentioning any mythical creatures of the night. This is the area where most travelers gravitate to if they’ve got some time, which they rightfully should. It’s a gorgeous area with well-preserved buildings from the medieval times through Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and more, with a strong Saxon/German influence.

The photo at the very top and the one to the right are from where I arrived on an overnight train headed east: Sighisoara. How can you even say that name without smiling? Yeah, it’s a tourist trap town, but a deserving one. Plus once half the tour buses pull out at the end of the day, it’s a lovely place to hang out and absorb the feeling of living in history.

It costs about $3 to tour the citadel, a couple dollars more for a taxi to the center from the train station, and there are hostels with beds for $10-$12. There’s also a campground outside of town with lots of facilities.

The next shot is from Sibiu, which is not as photogenic or hilly, but feels more like a real city than an open-air museum. There’s a long pedestrian-only street filled with bars, shops, and restaurants and it’s a lively scene at night. This was a European Capital of Culture a few years back. You can sit down and get a half-liter beer for a dollar and you can get 3 covrigs (simits in Turkey) for another dollar, so what’s not to like?

It’s not all about the buildings though. With high mountains in many directions, the scenery alone is often worth stopping for. This is the view from a monastery I visited. If you’ve gotta be a monk, seeing this every day would make it a bit easier. (You can spend the night there for about $16 double.)

I always ask myself when traveling to different places, could I live here? I didn’t really feel a yes anywhere in Romania until I got to Brasov. It’s near multiple ski slopes, it’s an easy train ride to the capital, and has another one of those long pedestrian streets full of fun places to eat and drink. And it’s got mountains right next to it. That’s a pic from a nice spring day above.

More later on prices, a real article later in Perceptive Travel, but for now some images to ponder from Romania. As with Slovakia, this is definitely a destination worth visiting, budget reasons or not. But if you are on a budget, this place is a great value.

• More people died in the U.S. last year from “accidental discharge of a firearm” than died in the whole world from airplane crashes.

• Guatemala’s crime rate is higher than Mexico’s by a wide margin.

• Eight of the top-10 worst cities for pickpockets are in Europe. (And all of the top 5.)

• The top-selling beer in the world is not Budweiser—it’s Snow Beer.

• “Budget” airlines Southwest and JetBlue have more legroom (average seat pitch) than British Airways, United, or Delta.

• Turkey gets more international visitors each year than Canada, Mexico, Holland, Greece, or Egypt. Malaysia gets more visitors than Thailand, Indonesia/Bali, or Japan.

• The U.S. stock market has historically dropped 6.5% in the year after a Republican wins the presidency, but climbed 9.1% when a Democrat wins reelection.

Surprised by any of those?

Our assumptions are shaped by many things: the people around us, where we get our news, the anecdotes we’ve heard, forwarded e-mails, what our parents taught us. Some people cling to these assumptions like a badge of honor, brandishing them in arguments like it would be blasphemy to expose them to factual scrutiny. There are whole TV networks and political campaigns that rely on this impermeable wall of assumption. Tell the right story and you know it will be believed by the base, real facts be damned.

Now here’s the really thorny issue to consider as you travel around the world. What would you believe about God or religion if you had grown up in a remote jungle in Peru? With the nomads of Algeria? In a devout Hindu home in a rural village in southern India? In a family that sent all the boys for a stint in the next-door Buddhist monastery in Thailand?

We are all shaped by the forces around us. The key to being a free thinker is to question why you believe what you believe—and determine if it’s real or something pushed into your brain by someone with an agenda.

 [Flickr photo by ponglest]

 

I love Turkey, so let me say that off the bat. I taught English in a suburb of Istanbul back when I was childless and I have incredible memories from there.

Turkey now is not Turkey then, however. You often hear about a “tourism explosion” and they’re talking about an increase after a period of not much interest. Turkey has been off the charts for a decade now. “The latest data on Turkey’s $25 billion tourism industry show the number of tourists—local and foreign—increased by almost 11% in the first seven months of this year compared with the same period in 2010, according to the Ministry of Tourism. And 2010 was a bumper year.”

That’s according to the Wall Street Journal. As this article indicates, you’re not going to a country like that to escape the crowds. “Hotels in Istanbul are clocking the highest occupancy rates in Europe, while many of the city’s conference halls are booked well into next year, industry groups and analysts said. Turkey’s coastal resorts say they are turning away customers.” Europeans with loads of cash are now joined by Middle Eastern travelers with even more.

So, as I said a while back, Turkey will not appear in the 4th edition of The World’s Cheapest Destinations, out in late 2012. Sure, prices have gone up in a lot of other places I’ve profiled, mostly the result of a weak dollar, but that’s the ironic thing: Turkey’s currency is one of the few that has dropped badly against the dollar this year. So you’re getting something like 15% more for you buck than you did a year ago—a significant amount—but with so much demand from people richer than you, prices keep rising.

What really makes it tough though, is that the government has continually hiked prices for all the major sites you would want to visit. In some cases it’s literally 10 times what you would have paid a decade ago. Sure, Aya Sofia is kind of interesting, but is it worth $13 to see a mix of Christian and Muslim images together behind a wall of perpetual scaffolding?

A simit was a pretty good fake-sesame-bagel snack at 15 cents U.S. But at the current equivalent of 75 cents to a dollar, not so tasty. The doner kebab sandwiches I used to chow down on for $1.50 were a deal. At the current $4-$6…not so much.

The Islamist government in this previously more secular nation is also fond of sin taxes. A year ago they raised the tax on beer to 63%. In other words, every time you buy a beer in Turkey, nearly 2/3 of that price is going to the government.

I once spent a few days reveling in Bodrum, drinking cheap beer and eating well on a backpacker budget. Alas, those days have been gone for a while. As the Journal says, “Turkey’s coastal resorts are seeing record demand, with the Mediterranean hub of Antalya reporting a 14% rise, to a record six million visitors, in the seven months to the end of July. In Bodrum, the Aegean peninsula famed for its package tours and luxury resorts, hoteliers are predicting a record season. Authorities are building a new airport to cater to expanded demand.”

I’m sure I’ll return to Turkey later when I’m old, just as I’ll hit many parts of Europe I’ve been saving for when I’ve got less taste for adventure and more money in the bank. But for now, unfortunately, a pass.

[Flickr photo of Istiklal Caddesi by erindipity]

Travel prices do fluctuate. So while I’ve put guidelines and general budget ranges in The World’s Cheapest Destinations, things change. Take Thailand, for instance. Today I’m happy to present a guest post from someone who ought to know. Brian Spencer has been living there for a while and knows just what you can get from a pocket full of baht. Take it away Brian!

During my first visit to Thailand in 2006, the dollar-to-baht exchange rate hovered around 1:40. Paired with relatively low inflation and cost of living, everything felt exceedingly cheap: decent hotels, street food and snacks, restaurants, bars, souvenirs… everything.

When I moved to Bangkok late in 2008, the exchange rate had dipped rather significantly due to the strengthening baht and weakening dollar to 1:35. By this time the cost of many everyday items had noticeably risen, too, so while that was still a favorable rate for the dollar, and life was still much cheaper than back in New York, the difference really added up on big-ticket expenses like rent, airfares, and miscellaneous expenses when traveling around the country.

This pattern has continued. Despite well-publicized periods of social and political upheaval in 2010 that I thought would have a devastating short-term impact on tourism in Thailand, last year over 16 million travelers visited the country, the most ever recorded (perhaps only until the final tally is in for this year, however). Foreign investment is flooding in; the economy is strong.

Good news for Thailand (except for the ongoing cost of living increases), bad news for the US dollar: at the time of writing, the exchange rate is 1:30, a 10 baht difference, or 25%, in just 5 years. Forget the equitable days of ’06—at this point, I’d settle for ’08!

Bangkok is still an affordable (and wonderful) place to live: it’s just not as cheap as it used to be. It’s a small price to pay to call the world’s best city home.

Prices on the Street in Bangkok:

- Bag of Freshly Sliced Papaya: 15 Baht

- Plate of Pad Thai: 35 Baht

- Som Tum: 30 Baht

- Iced Nescafe Coffee: 10 – 18 Baht

- Bottle of Fresh Orange Juice: 30 Baht

- Skewers of Various Meatballs: 10 Baht

- Skewer of Grilled Squid: 25 Baht

- Bag of Fresh Pineapple: 15 Baht

- Coconut: 35 Baht

- Waffle: 10 Baht

- Shot of Whiskey from Street Stand: 10 Baht

Prices at a Bangkok 7-11

There are more than 6,000 7-11 convenience stores in Thailand, and over half of them are located in Bangkok. You won’t have to go far to find one (except, of course, when you need one the most—funny how it works that way). Some areas literally have 7-11s directly across from each other on either side of the street, and another two around the corner. I love 7-11 for the obvious convenience, as well as the frigid air-conditioning.

- Can of Coke: 14 Baht

- Bag of Singha Spicy Seaweed: 20 Baht

- Kit-Kat Bar: 20 Baht

- Energy Drink (Carabao brand): 10 Baht

- Ice Cream Cone: 19 Baht

- Roll of Toilet Paper: 14 Baht

- Winnie the Pooh Brush: 18 Baht

- Pens (2 pack): 9 – 14 Baht

- Disposable Underwear (3 pack): 39 Baht, some with a free razor

- Pack of gum (10 pellets): 10 – 15 Baht

- Ben 10 Sour Belt Candy: 10 Baht

- Doraemon Choco Stick: 8 Baht

- Oreos (3 pack/Sleeve): 5 Baht / 29 Baht

- Cup/Packet of Instant Noodles: 10 – 18 Baht / 5 – 15 Baht

- Bag of Cashews, Pistachios, or Almonds (40 grams): 25 Baht

- Bag of Broad Beans (40 grams): 10 Baht

- Bag of Peanuts (110 grams): 25 Baht

- Taro, Pandan, or Chocolate Custard Bun: 6 – 10 Baht

- Ham & Cheese or Chili Squid Lay’s Potato Chips: 20 – 30 Baht

- Shrimp-Flavored Pokemon Snack: 20 Baht

- Bottle of Water: 7 – 14 Baht

- Grilled Pork with Sticky Rice Burger: 23 Baht

- Foot-long Steamed Pork Curry Dog: 25 Baht

- Can of Chang / Leo / Heineken Beer: 29 Baht / 30 Baht / 42 Baht

- Tall Bottle of Chang / Leo / Heineken Beer: 44 Baht / 47 Baht / 72 Baht (ouch!)

Prices at Big C Supercenter

Big C is Thailand’s much less-depressing version of Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and Target. Branches of various sizes (Big C, Big C Extra, Big C Jumbo, etc.) are located throughout Bangkok, and in 2010 the company paid 35.4 million Baht to acquire 42 branches of their former competitor, Carrefour. Along with Tesco Lotus, Big C is the most heavily shopped supermarket/household goods chain in Bangkok.

- Gallon of Milk: 73 – 84 Baht

- 100 Pipers Whiskey (1 liter): 479 Baht

- Johnnie Walker Black Whiskey (1 liter): 1,249 Baht

- Box of Red or White Montclair Wine: 969 Baht

- Tall Box of Juice: 38.50 – 73 Baht

- Jug of Water (6 liters): 32.50 Baht

- Rice Milk w/ Job’s Tear and Hazelnut (3 pack): 37 Baht

- Men’s Deodorant: Starts 39 Baht

- Bag of Nescafe Red Cup Instant Coffee: 106 Baht

- Paper Towels (3 pack): 40.50 Baht

- Toilet Paper (6 pack): 35 Baht

- Colgate Toothpaste (90 grams): 29 – 47 Baht

- Loaf of Bread: 25 – 45 Baht

- Yogut (4 pack): 38 – 55 Baht

- Orchids: 28 Baht

- Distar DVD Player: 550 Baht

- Hair Dryer: 299 – 720 Baht

- Wok (30 inch): 579 Baht

- Men’s Bikini Briefs (5 pack): 89 Baht

Movie Theater (SF World Cinema at CentralWorld Plaza):

For a Bangkok movie theater, prices vary by the day of the week. Monday and Tuesday are cheaper than Thursday through Sunday; Wednesday is “Movie Day” and has the cheapest prices of the week. Prices listed are for Thursday to Sunday.

- Regular Theater: 160 Baht (deluxe) / 180 Baht (premium) / 450 Baht (sofa)

- Digital Theater: 180 Baht (deluxe) / 200 Baht (premium) / 550 Baht (sofa)

- 3D Theater: 260 Baht (deluxe) / 280 Baht (premium) / 700 Baht (sofa)

- Happiness Screen: 1,200 Baht (day bed, 2 people) / 600 Baht (lazy chair) / 300 Baht (bean bag)

- First-Class Cinema: 700 Baht per person (includes non-alcoholic welcome drink, light pre-movie buffet, unlimited popcorn and soft drinks, seat service, and plush seating)

Random Prices in Bangkok:

- Khlong Boat Ride on Khlong Saen Saeb: 11 Baht

- BTS Skytrain Fare (single voyage): 15 – 40 Baht

- BTS Skytrain One-Day Pass: 120 Baht

- Taxi: Meter starts at 35 Baht

- Seafood Deluxe Pan Pizza at Pizza Company: 259 (S) / 419 (M) / 529 (L)

- All-You-Can-Eat Buffet at Shabushi (1:15 hours): 295 Baht

- Blizzard at Dairy Queen: 25 – 59 Baht

- Thai Premier League Soccer Game: 50 – 100 Baht

***

Brian Spencer is a full-time travel editor and freelance writer who in the past year has split his time between Bangkok and Brooklyn. His work has recently appeared in publications such as Lonely Planet, CNNGo Bangkok, Mabuhay Magazine, Matador Abroad, and BootsnAll. In addition, he writes a weekly feature for the blog side of the award-winning online travel magazine Perceptive Travel.

 

Other facilities like accommodation and travel are affordable here. When it comes to staying in touch with the family, there are also many service providers offering very affordable international phone calls. Otherwise you can get the Internet access for free at many coffee shops.

Panama is not one of the world’s cheapest places to travel. It’s right in the middle in terms of tourism costs in Central America, cheaper than Costa Rica, but far more than Guatemala or Nicaragua. With its economy booming more each year, it’s a better spot for mid-range travelers than backpackers.

As I pointed out in this travel prices in Panama post the first time I visited, however, there are certainly some bargains around, especially after you get outside of the capital city. (The capital is the “hub of the Americas” for commerce, air shipments, and sea shipments, plus this is the favored place in the hemisphere to open an offshore bank account. ‘Nuff said.) Amazingly, the prices in that post are still pretty much spot-on, probably because they use the dollar as their currency.

If you want to take advantage of one of Panama’s best bargains, plan to do your drunken debauchery here. Beer is priced pretty well, at 55 cents or less in a store still for the main three brands picture here, a buck or two in a non-fancy bar. Where you really score though is going up a notch. It’s been a long time since my jaw dropped when shopping for wine or liquor, but drop it did a couple hours after my arrival this time.

You see, last year I did a wine tour in Chile and had insider access to some of the best vineyards in the country. Here I found bottles from three of those vineyards for…wait for it…less than $5 a bottle. I was tempted to fill up a whole shopping cart until I realized I was staying in a hotel. Alone. For just a few days.

Just for kicks I wandered by the liquor aisle and contemplated becoming a permanent drunk. Here a week’s earnings would fill my liquor cabinet for a year. I counted six different rum brands going for under $7 for a 750ml bottle.  The good 7-year stuff was still mostly less than $15 a bottle and rum that has taken a full 12 years of storage before hitting the market, from $20 to $25. Due to Panama’s free trade zone status, even the international vodka and Scotch brands were literally half what I would pay in the U.S.

So you may pay a bit more for lodging and the adventure tours are not as cheap as they are in Nicaragua, but if you’re ready to let loose and party for a while, Panama is waiting. Don’t worry, when you need to be poured into a cab to make it back to your bed, prices are set by zone: figure $4 to $8 for most of Panama City.

Oh, and did I mention they have casinos here? Lots of them? With $2 or $3 blackjack tables and free-flowing cocktails?