Globetrotting on a budget is a way to fulfill our dreams at low costs, Iranian adventurer and globetrotter Hossein Abdollahi said.

By Setareh Behroozi

Globetrotting on a budget is a way to fulfill our dreams at low costs, Iranian adventurer and globetrotter Hossein Abdollahi said.

He named accommodation, food, and transportation as the main expenses for traveling.

“Don’t forget hostels and hospitality exchange and social networking like ‘couchsurfing’ as great opportunities for budget traveling,” he said.

In his point of view, these types of accommodation are not only economical but also provide an opportunity to have social communication with local people and other travelers.

“In this way, you have the chance to surprise yourself everyday by visiting new people and get involved in daily lifestyle of a new place you travelled.

“In hostels you may find fellow travelers and get information about new exciting destinations, which you were not aware of them before,” he explained.

Abdollahi also talked about finding the ways to book the cheapest flights via budget airlines or days for cheap flights.

He also pointed out to the hitchhiking as one of the best ways for road travelling, calling it ‘an opportunity to know more about the place you have travelled to.’

Then he explained about methods to save money on food when on travel.

“Don’t forget street foods. It is one of the best choices to get acquainted with local cuisines. Chain stores, which offer foods cheaper after the rush hours are also another option,” he said.

“If you stay in a hostel with travelers from other parts of the world, cooking a great way to know about foods served in other countries,” he explained.

Abdollahi, who has visited more than 60 countries worldwide, gave some details about obtaining visas from different embassies for Iranian citizens as well.

“You should ensure the embassy that you are a traveler and you want to return to your country after traveling. They should be sure that you want to help their tourism industry by traveling to their country as well,” he said.

In the end, he named ‘willpower and creative mind’ as the two things that a person need for travelling.  

“And remember that, spending a lot of money will not lead to a high-quality trip,” he concluded.

Abdollahi made the remarks during a workshop held on the sidelines of “the first Qeshm Island bloggers’ travel writing festival” on April 27.

The event, which was co-organized by Iran Federation of Tourist Guide Associations and Qeshm Free Zone Organization, was held from April 25 to 29 on the biggest Iranian island in the Persian Gulf.

SB/