Just because I am writing this on a blue sky, sunny day; doesn't make it any better that I am not currently on a white, sandy beach sipping a Mai Tai in 30+ degree heat. It may be the end of February, but the January blues have hit me HARD. It might be because I was sunning it up in paradise for the majority of January, or it's the first time (in a long time) that I don't have any vacations planned or booked - which is what inspired me to research and start writing this article. Travel is at its all time prime, and with so many bloggers and influencers dashing to 'the gram' to upload their envious holiday snapshots; it got me thinking: Where in the world is cheap, but also provides endless photo opportunities?
Keep reading and you'll find out...
Nicaragua
If you want crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches and a Pacific/Indian Ocean feel without the Maldivian price tag, then the most central part of America could be for you. Tucked in between Honduras (also a cheap destination) and Costa Rica; Nicaragua is known for its lakes, volcanoes and stunning beaches - it is also rich with tropical birds. The Corn Islands are stunning for those 'beach bum shots' and great for munching on fresh-caught lobster for lunch, snorkelling and sunbathing. The weather is usually pleasant and sunny with temperatures averaging 33 degrees this time of year. Travelling to Managua (the capital) may take you 14 hours, but the resorts and price to stay is so worth it; with a round trip at a nature reserve hotel costing you £900pp for 7-10 days.
Turkey
There are so many places in Turkey which are not only cheap, but massively photogenic. Istanbul and all of its hidden treasures are great. You can adventure around terracotta and marble streets, escape to souks and mosques and taste traditional middle eastern cuisines - all from as little as £300pp round trip and hotel for a week's holiday...
Belarus
Even though it's a landlocked country, it is known for its Stalinist architecture, gran fortifications and primeval forests. In the modern capital, Minsk, you have the monumental headquarters - which not only carries so much history, but is iconic for photo taking. Belarus is very easy to navigate around, and before you know it, you may find yourself taking a trip around Minsk, Brest and Gomel. A 5-7 day trip will cost you around £350pp, with flights taking approximately 2 hours from London.
Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam
It's no wonder it's the typical gap year route; being perfect for backpackers and students with it's insanely cheap and affordable prices. But it is also a great place for getting snap-happy! Being big of Buddhism, close to the China Sea and known for its beaches, rivers, Buddhist pagodas and bustling cities and nightlife; these 3 locations are dream destinations to some. For a month's holiday; doing a round trip of each country and back to the UK; will cost you approximately £2500-3000 if you plan on going on a budget.
Nepal, Bhutan & India
A close friend of mine is actually doing this trip as I type. Having been away for 3.5 weeks in total and happy to hostel it up and backpack; you can easily see most of the major sites in that time: The Taj Mahal, Everest's Basecamp, ride a famous Tuc-Tuc and have enough Buddhist Babe shots to last you a month. This trip is the perfect blend; for wildlife at Chitwan National Park, discovering culture at Kathamndu or travel as far as the Nicobar Islands for a beach day or two. The cost of living and dining out there is extremely cheap, and a 3 week trip will cost you as little as £2000 for hopping around taking an 8 hour flight into New Delhi. If you want to really save the pennies, then I recommend flying into Bangladesh for as little as £550 (a 10 hour flight), where you can explore Dhaka and Chittagong.
Bolivia
Also known as South America on a budget. It is great for trekking through mountains, hiking through deserts and adventuring through Amazon Basin Rainforests. At over 3500m, the capital La Paz sits on Andes Altiplano with the snowy mountain, Mt Illimani as a backdrop. You can also visit the nearby Lake Titicaca; the continent's largest lake which boards with Peru. Some key sites are: Laguna Colorada for those beach bum shots. Tiwanaku for experiencing sights and culture and Yungas Road if you are into extreme sports and mountains. Flights will take you about 32 hours, as you will typically stop at Bogota; so it's best to stay for a minimum of 2 weeks; due to the lengthy travel time. Flights are cheap however; starting at £600pp return.
Singapore
An island city state just off Malaysia with tropical climates and stunning scenery. Sadly, I didn't get to spend as much time in Singapore as I would have liked. It's a tiny country with so much to do. Some highlights are of course: Sentosa, Marina Bay, Gardens By The Bay, Universal Studios, Chinatown Singapore, and an epic night safari. The cost to stay, dine and get around are extremely cheap. You can visit for a week to 10 days (bearing in mind you have a 12 hour flight), for as little as £900pp; staying in a 5 star resort and flying with the wonderful Qatar Airways.
Mexico, Belize and The Caribbean
It seems to be that this central Amercian hub has always been (and will hopefully continue to) remain) cheap. Having been to these delightful destinations many times; it's something I and my bank balance never tire of. The Caribbean can be done in many ways, but due to some areas being developing 2nd world; I would always recommend a cruise or a touristic resort for the safeguarding. Belize is great, and there are so many ex-pats who have made the move. Mexico (like any country) has it's bitter and sweet parts; however each country has a lot of similarities. You can fly there in 8-10 hours and enjoy the best beaches, crystal clear waters, stunning sunsets and tasty food. It can be done in a week, but if you are after something that little bit more relaxing; 10 days is perfect too. Some key highlights and places worth exploring (based on my experiences are): Cancun, Cozumel, Coco Bay Antigua, Bahamas, Aruba (AKA Pig & Flamingo Beach, which I talk about here later on - scroll down), The Great Blue Hole/Belize Barrier Reef, Tulum, Coba and Xcaret. For a 10 day stay and hopping around each of these countries; you'd be looking to pay £1000-2000pp for a round trip, including multiple hotels and flights.
Guatemala
It is in short a cheaper alternative to Costa Rica. You can visit beautiful Mayan Sites and explore the capital: Guatemala City. There are many rain forest walks, stunning lakes, architecture and volcanoes. If you want to visit street food and market vendors at their finest, then Panajachel is the place to be and is a popular jumping-off point, if you are brave enough to dive into the famous Lake Atitlan. It's hard to find direct flights this time of year to Guatemala, so be prepared for a day of travelling. You can visit the city in a week though, with hostel prices and flights starting at £550pp
Morocco
Like Istanbul; Morocco (and Marrakesh to be specific) is bursting with colour and flavour. You can ride a camel, visit a souk, pan for gold, walk on marble floors, take in breathtaking mosques and visit traditional spas and pose to your heart's content with the red sanded deserts. It's a great (and easy to get to location) which can be done in about 5 days. Flights take just over 3 hours (with many Easy Jet flights taking you straight into Marrakesh). You can stay for 5 nights (including flights) at the 5 star Sofitel Lounge & Spa Hotel for £973pp. If you aren't after luxury, then your whole trip can cost you as little as £142 for the week - staying in Hostel Kif-Kif; where you camp in traditional desert tents.
Lake Bled
A stunning, picturesque resort-town in the foothills of the Julian Alps. On the famous cliff overlooking the lake, you will get that fabulous shot of the 11th century Bled Castle - the money shot for your instagram feed! Lake Bled, Slovenia can be done in about 3 days; with round trips and flights costing you £300pp. Again, there aren't many flights which fly direct, so be prepared to give up a 12 hour day.
Santorini
One of my favourites of the Greek Islands, and tucked away overlooking the Aegean Sea; you have a city which has only but ravished after a volcanic eruption in the 16th century. Famous for it's whitewash Mediterranean style houses with the blue tiled roofs; this is a honeymooners and instagrammer's heaven. You do pay for your pictures however, as it isn't the most cheapest of holiday destinations, but you can spend 5 days overlooking the sea at Do Sol Hotel & Spa from as little as £360pp - with only a 3 hour direct flight on Wizz Air.
The Blue Lagoon - Iceland
One of those most-do, once in a lifetime opportunities is to visit the Blue Lagoon in Iceland - preferably in freezing cold conditions. The Blue Lagoon is stunning, so make sure you have your waterproof cameras at the ready to catch some snaps on this world wonder. On your trip to Iceland, make sure you also visit The Golden Circle and Sea Voyager - for some extra bonus points on your gram-worthy shots. Flights to Iceland are fairly cheap (and a great tip when travelling to the states, is to change via Iceland if you can, as you will save a couple hundred pounds per person), however the cost of food and getting around is not. For a week's stay you can pay approximately £500 and flying with Easy Jet, however be prepared to take lots of spending money for food, taxis, tourists attractions and snacks.
The Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is perfect if you want to spend the rest of your days living like an Italian Princess and frolick through the cobbled streets and past the rainbow facades. I had honestly never heard of Amalfi a couple years ago, but thanks to our blogger friends; it has really grown in colour and popularity. You can fly direct with Ryanair (for approximately 2 hours) and spend 4 nights at the stunning Hostaria Di Bacco (overlooking the coast and the primary views) for £250pp.
Bali
Like many places on this list, Bali is cheap AND photogenic - every corner you turn, you are wanting to take a picture of something, or pose fiercely in front of some sort of epic vista. Some key photo locations and highlights when you're doing Bali are: The famous Bali Swing - whether that be the one in the tree or in the ocean. visit Mount Batur, soak up some sun at Seminyak Beach, gaze in the wonders of Ulun Danu Bratan Temple and splash around in the stunning Tegenungan Waterfall. As the journey can take near enough a day; I recommend a minimal 10 day trip. You can fly with Malaysia Airlines and stay at your own villa apartment, with private pool at 5 star resort The Lokha Ubud, for a round trip and flight for £875pp.
New York, New York
One of my favourite cities in the world - purely for the gastronomical journey and fabulous broadway shows; but the skyline and views are just gleaming. This isn't the destination to go to if you are after relaxing beach vibes. But if you want to piss of fellow New Yorkers, stop traffic and have a posed picture on a zebra crossing in front of the Empire State Building, or gaze longingly into the sunset over Brooklyn Bridge; then this is the place to be! I know many people who can easily do NYC over a long weekend, though I recommend a minimum of 5 days - that way you'll have enough time to explore and photograph the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, The Skyline, Theatre District, Grand Central Station and Times Square and much more. With return flights with Norwegian Air (non stop and 8 hours in duration), you can stay in a guest house for 6 nights at £450pp. It's not the cheapest or comfiest place to stay, but you'll definitely get hundreds of photos and so much city experience.
Pig Beach - Bahamas
Actually known as Pig Beach or Major Cay, located in Exuma (near Pablo Escabar's drug lording island) in the Bahamas, you will find an island inhabited with hundred of swimming pot bellies. The island takes its unofficial name from the surrounding evidence of feral pigs living and swimming in the shallow waters. No unfortunately, you can't live or stay on the beach, but you can stay in a nearby resort on Great Exuma Island. Exuma is great for that perfect Caribbean beach life - and is even better for snorkelling and exploring under the waters. You can fly into Shroud Bay with America Airlines, and stay at the beautiful Embrace Resort; costing £2000 per couple for 8 days, including flights.
Flamingo Beach
Located in Aruba, you have the stunning Flamingo Beach - with pink sands to match the bird's feathers; it truly is heavenly and photoworthy. The waters are warm and shallow, and many tame flamingos flock for a photo. Unfortunately you can't just turn up and expect to find an entire flock waiting for you; Flamingo Beach is actually on a private island - so you'll need to put in a bit of effort in seeing these exotic birds. The best beach resort to stay in however is the Renaissance Aruba Resort - the hotel is located close by to Oranjestad airport and the staff organise local ferry trips to take you out to the private island. The ferry leaves promptly every 15 minutes and is just an 8 minute voyage up the canal to see the pretty pink birds. The benefits of staying at the Renaissance is that you get unlimited and free trips to Flamingo Beach. If you are staying at any other hotel, you will need to pay $99 for a day pass - it does include travel, lunch and a drink on the island - though is quite extortionate just to see some birds. If you are desperate to go, you have to do your research, and luckily I have done it for you: You can stay for 6 nights (Wed-Tues as it's cheaper), flying with British Airways and pay £1700 all in per person - not the cheapest, but the resort is very much your 6 star paradise. Maybe save it for a special occasion or honeymoon?
Bora Bora
There aren't many places on my bucket list, but French Polynesia is definitely one of them. My top 2 dream activities are to stay in a water bungalow in Bora Bora and swim with humpback whales in Tahiti. Bora Bora is beautiful; the idyllic honeymoon and lover's destination, with many resorts being adult only - it is often associated with a hefty price tag however. March and April however are cheaper months to visit, and you can jump out of bed, dip your toe in the water (literally) for £900pp for a week's stay - you will need to pay for flights on top of that, which will set you back another £500-800pp and you will have at least 2 stops and more than likely a water taxi to get you to St Regis Bora Bora Resort - again, another paradise trip for great photos, but save it for a special occasion.
Milla Milla Falls
Milla Milla is a heritage listed plunge pool which created the iconic hair flick shot. Based in Queensland Australia, this is the place to be for adventure and epic photos. If you are staying near Cairns, then I highly recommend a visit. This isn't really a destination you jut spontaneously go to; very much tie it into all of your other adventures around the Great Barrier Reef and your trip down under.
And there you have it! 20 destinations later and we are done! I hope you have enjoyed reading this and are now inspired to start researching holidays - or even let me do the boring, hard work for you. I love holiday research; I often find I know more about the country through research than I did after visiting - no point in spending all of that money really...
I would love to visit everywhere on this list (so may need to consider taking out a hefty loan or selling my right kidney...) Have you been to any of these destinations? Which ones? Let me know and get in touch, as I always love hearing from you.
Until next time, keep on discovering and speak soon!
Danie xxx
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