If you want to be a well-rounded human being with something resembling perspective on the world, you’ve got to see it. It’s as simple as that. Travel should be an inalienable right, but so few people actually make it a priority. Now, I hear what you’re saying. “Travel is a privilege! Not everyone can afford it!” And in many ways this is true. Travel is somewhere near the top of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, but I would argue that it is necessary for personal fulfillment of nearly every person, whether they realize it or not. With this in mind, I have outlined three strategies by which anyone can visit some place far away and exciting. With some hard work and preparation, you can take advantage of these strategies.

1) International Luxury Travel is Expensive…except when it’s not!
I’m talking about sales. To catch big discounts before they expire, you’ve got to live and breathe the need to travel. Otherwise, they’ll come and go, and you’ll be none the wiser. What’s an example of what I’m talking about? Corinthia’s big annual sale is afoot! You can now get to Budapest, St. Petersburg, London, Malta, and many other juicy destinations for pennies on the dollar of normal price. Corinthia is one of the best of the best luxury travel providers. You should familiarize with all of the travel sources within your interests and budget. Follow up with them constantly, so that when they put a sale on the table, you can snatch it up.

2) International Travel is Cheap…when you go places other people don’t!
This is the strategy for the internationally minded budget traveler. This requires more awareness of airline prices than awareness of travel sources, as above. Basically, you are your own travel agent. Particularly to nations with only middling tourist trades, you will be able to find steeply discounted flights if you strike at just the right moment. Think about it. If you’ve got a whole plane flying 36 people to a nation in South Asia, every empty seat is money lost. You want one of those seats to belong to you, but for a big discount! Once you’ve in your nation of destination, your money usually goes much farther, so you really can get by for much less dinero.

3) International Travel is Cheaper…when you know people!
As always, look for flight and transportation discounts when you can, but if you can afford those, hospitality will save you hundreds when you arrive in the place you want to visit. Here, I am recommending communities like the Couch Surfers’ Network. It’s a bunch of nice people who let you stay in their homes, so that they can do the same when they are traveling. Having used the service many times, I have met only wonderful, generous folks - the kind of people I want in my life. This service is always free of charge, and there are plenty of other accommodations services that will get you a bed for next to nothing. You’ve just got to look.