The Cyclades are ancient, breathtaking, and in large part gloriously untouched by the modern hustle of city life. I once assumed they were also inaccessible to someone without lots of money to throw around (which was me, three weeks into a four-week journey across Italy and Greece, and about 99.9% into my budget). Luckily, my husband and I were there outside of “high season,” when prices and temperatures soar and the islands become overrun with tourists.
If you’re looking for a unique, inexpensive fall getaway (or are already planning ahead to the spring), then the Cyclades are a great choice. If you’re in Europe or Asia, getting to Athens on the cheap is no problem. From the US, splurge a little bit on the ticket (expensive, but cheaper than it would be at high season) and the rest will be worth it. On the islands, you can eat, walk, visit historic sites and museums, browse shops, enjoy the view, take in the culture, sunbathe, and just relax.
To get the maximum out of the experience (and your buck), travel during “low season” – March/April/ beginning of May and end of September/October. The further away from summer you are, the lower the prices. You’ll miss the hot weather, which is nice for lying on the beach and swimming, but you’ll also miss the high prices, the crowded restaurants and the loud hotels. And while it may be a bit cooler outside the summer months, make no mistake – it’s still crystal clear, gorgeous, and plenty warm enough for tank tops and shorts during the day. Some people (though never the locals) even venture a swim at this time of year.
After a stay in Piraeus, where cheap (if slightly seedy) hotels abound, my husband and I set out for Thira, as the Greeks call Santorini, and Naxos. Ferries to the closest islands start as low as €15 (US$20) one way. You can book online in advance, but the websites are notoriously unreliable, and it is oftentimes easier to purchase tickets from a vendor (found anywhere near the ferry docks) during business hours.
Florida Tourism is being hit hard by the April 24th oil spill when less than 10% of the beaches are actually affected in the northwest region. Currently, during high tourism season, bookings are down by almost 50% in parts of the Panhandle State. Economists fear that if tourism does not lift, 195,000 jobs and billions of dollars could be lost.
This past weekend, a 72-year-old Australian man was extradited from Portugal to face a court in Sydney, Australia on child sex charges that date back more than a decade. The Australian government has a strong commitment against the sexual exploitation of children and is now welcoming an even tougher stance against child-sex offenders.
If you’ve always wanted to go to Dublin, stop what you’re doing right now… Do Not Pass Go; Do Not Collect $200; just book this deal immediately because this sale ends on June 4th and books fast.
If you have a smartphone, your check-in time at hotels is potentially about to get a lot faster. Starting in June, the Intercontinental Hotel Group has announced that they will begin using smartphones, like the iPhone, BlackBerry, and Android phone, in place of hotel room keys. Participants will just need to download a special application onto their mobile, which will enable them to directly enter their room by holding the phone up to a sensor at their door.
Next month, South Africa will be hosting the World Cup, and researchers predict that approximately 40,000 sex workers will work to indulge the 400,000 mostly male visiting tourists. In a country where 1 out of 5 adults is HIV-positive, their government is striving to promote safety for locals and foreigners. Children are being educated about the potential dangers related to sex trafficking during the World Cup and HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns have been launched throughout the country.
The Cyclades are ancient, breathtaking, and in large part gloriously untouched by the modern hustle of city life. I once assumed they were also inaccessible to someone without lots of money to throw around (which was me, three weeks into a four-week journey across Italy and Greece, and about 99.9% into my budget). Luckily, my husband and I were there outside of “high season,” when prices and temperatures soar and the islands become overrun with tourists.
