More on Budget Travel

When should you travel?
In Europe, try out of season March to June and Sept to beginning Nov.
The weather is still ok and there are no crowds! Prices are also lower.

How else could you save money?
Do some volunteer work. In Britain, the National Trust runs around 450
working holidays every year throughout England, Wales and Northern
Ireland, so whether you fancy anything from carrying out a conservation
survey and herding goats to painting a lighthouse or planting trees they
will have something to suit you.
Working Holidays range from two to seven days and from £60 a week
including food and hostel-type accommodation. No previous experience
is necessary, as you will be led by trained volunteer leaders and staff.
You just need to be team-spirited, enjoy being outdoors in beautiful
locations and not mind getting your hands dirty! Singles and couples
from all walks of life and from all over the world go on National Trust
Working Holidays. Groups are usually made up of a dozen volunteers,
whose ages may vary depending on the type of holiday. What you can be
sure of is that they are all very sociable and interested in having a
relaxing and enjoyable holiday. See www.nationaltrust.org.uk for more details.

How can you get to and travel around Europe?
There are many ways. We will list them here but then suggest you go to
each individual page and do further reading there.

Well there is 'Rail' . Click on www.ukandeuropetravel.com/rail.shtml
Always popular. Eurail has now increased list of countries covered by
the pass and added more individual country passes. Good savings when
2 or more persons travel together.

Consider getting your 'air tickets' paid for: See www.courierflights.com

If you want to travel around in a 'Coach' - see www.eurolines.com

What about flying between point A and point B and even inbetween? - Read this article:
Getting to the best value starting point
www.ukandeuropetravel.com/jan_05.shtml#airline - The European Budget Airlines

Then there is 'Car Leasing': Great and very economical especially if 2 or more
people travel. Twice a year they have specials. Earlybirds which
generally have to be booked by 31March and often they have mid year
specials. Car leasing is fully inclusive, has no excess and also allows
you to travel to Eastern Europe. The other great thing is that when you
are under 25, rental car companies charge you a 'young driver surcharge'.
With leasing, you just have to have a full drivers licence - there is no
penalty for being young! The big plus with having a car, is that you are free from
timetables, you can set your own pace and itinerary and you can carry
a lot more gear with you. Perhaps a tent, picnic stuff, plug in coffe maker etc.
Click on www.ukandeuropetravel.com/carlease.shtml to read more on car leasing.

Want a Cruising Bargain? Up to 75% off
We have been able to access very specials rates for cruise lines who within 90 days of sailing have not sold all their rooms. Rather than offer "sale" prices to the public and thus undercut their full-fare business with traditional travel agents, top cruise lines prefer to discount unsold cabins to certain exclusive agencies with whom we will be working.

So if you are flexible and want a bargain - find the cruise you want from well known companies like: Carnival , Celebrity, Clipper, Crystal, Cunard, Delta Queen, Disney, Holland America, MSC Cruises, Norwegian, Oceania Cruises, Orient, Peter Deilmann, Princess, Radisson, Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea etc. and ask us for a quote. You will be surprised!!

Where should you stay?
Do you want a hotel or a hostel? Let's first talk hotels. Now consider that you're going be out sightseeing most of the day...a hotel should really just be a place to rest your weary body...so consider if you really need something flashy or something clean and basic. We do have access to some really great hotel rates around Europe, USA, UK and Canada. In London , we have double rooms from just Australian $58 per person including VAT, service fees and breakfast!!   In Paris, from just Australian $64 per person in a 2* plus hotel again including service fees, tax and breakfast.   In the USA & Canada, we have hotel vouchers for just USD$79 per room per night which sleeps up to 4 persons.  Great for families who are travelling around.  You will stay at good chain hotels like  Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Ramada, Travelodge, Amerihost Inn,  Super 8, Villager etc.   In the US, we also have apartments and villas in many resort areas and cities throughout North America, Mexico and the Caribbean.  Prices start from USD$699 plus tax for one weeks rental. 

Hostels are great. Safety in numbers, cheap and now a days - quite
modern and clean. Hostels are not just for singles...couples and
families are now also catered for. They are generally centrally
located. See the following websites:

www.europefamoushostels.com
www.totalhostels.com
www.hostels.com
www.1bighostel.com
www.hostelworld.com
www.hostelz.com
www.europeanhostelguide.com
www.backpackers.co.uk
www.youtrek.com

Variations on a theme.... www.hotelsmax.com for hotels or
www.stayrentals.com for self catering

Or if your budget is really tight or you've had so much fun you've run out of dosh... Check out www.sleepinginairports.ent/airports !!

So now you need to earn some money....
How about getting a work permit and doing some casual work?
See these websites:
www.anyworkanywhere.com
www.workgateways.com
www.medicaljobs.eu.com (medical jobs only)
www.teachingjobs.eu.com (teaching jobs only)

Not out of reach...much cheaper than you think
Have you considered a campervan or motorhome? This is much cheaper
than you think. Especially when you consider it is your accommodation,
transport and kitchen in one. Again, it frees you from timetables and
allows instant change of itinerary to suit YOU. No lugging of backpacks,
out of the way places, off the rail or bus track are now easily accessible.
Even cheaper when you divide the costs between you. Starting from
Germany, the price starts from a low Euro46 per day ... even cheaper
for longer rentals. That price is for a small two berth WITH a shower
and toilet. (This saves you even more as it means you dont have
to go to a campsite as you have onboard facilities). Click here for details
on our German company McRent Motorhomes
and we do suggest you read more on motorhomes if you are interested
in this option. See http://www.ukandeuropetravel.com/motorhomes.shtml

The other option if you are travelling between 01October and 15April is to
consider the fantastic Winter Special out of Amsterdam. Any two or three month
period between these dates - is virtually HALF the normal price.
This works out to be as low as Euro 7 PER PERSON per day based on
a 6 berth for 3 months. You can see details on this special at
Braitman Motorhome Hire


TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Don't even THINK of leaving home without it. We can only sell travel insurance to Australians
however, we will offer you 20% discount on insurance provided you purchase any other product
from us. We do this because we feel it is highly essential.

Free stuff? Sure - some things in life are FREE !

PARIS
Renault Show Rooms located at 49 Champs-Elysees.  See cars, vans and motorcycles through the ages
Pavillion de l'Arsenal located at 21 Blv Morland, The Marais.   Architectural projects from the past through to forthcoming projects.  Includes model of the city plus various other images, plans and models.
Notre Dame:   Visiting the church is free.  There is a charge to climb the towers.  There is also a free organ recital every Sunday at 5pm
Sacre Coeur:  Great church with great views
Musee de Sculpture en Plein Air located at Pont de Sully, Latin Quarter.   Beautiful garden with modern sculpture
Parc Georges-Brassens located at rue des Morillons, Montparnasse.  Garden of herbs and shrubs, puppets, carousels, beehives and vineyard.
Jardin des Poetes located at ave du General Sarrail, Auteuil.  Garden where famous French poets are remembered by having verses engraved on stones in flowerbeds. 
National Assemblee located at 126 rue de L' Universite - guided tours of the French Parliament unless the National assembly is in session.
George Pompidou Centre located at 4 rue Beaubourg.  Great example of modern architecture.  Also the home of the Musee National de 'art Moderne
Memorial de la Deportation:  Symbolic tomb for the 2 million French men and women who died in Nazi Concentration camps.
Stravinksy Fountain located at Place Igor Stravinsky, Beauborg.  Moving statues and water jets that are dedicated to the musical composer Stravinsky.
Hotel de Sens located at 1 rue du Figuier.   This building was once home to Henri IV.  Currently an arts library.
Musees de la Parfumerie Fragonard located 9 rue Scribe, 39 Blvd des Capucines.  The history of perfume.  Very interesting.
Musee de la Prefecture de Police located at 1 bis rue des Carmes in the Latin Quarter.  History of the Paris police force with uniform and arms collection as well as exhibits of legendary criminals.
Paris.  Visit the store Samaritaine or Galleries Lafayette (where they have all those great free fashion shows)  and take the lift to the top floor and steps to the roof terrace.  Fantastic views over Paris.

OTHER PARTS OF FRANCE