The World's Cheapest Destinations: 21 Countries Where Your Money Is Worth a Fortune

by Tim Leffel

Book Overview

Fourth edition of the popular guide to the world's best travel values on five continents. Country by country comparisons of costs for both budget and mid-range travelers. From award-winning travel... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1601457014
• ISBN13: 9781601457011
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Booklocker.com
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.5" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Update Of The First Edition

Kudos to Leffel for this improved second edition of "The World's Cheapest Destinations," the original book having been published back in 2003. He makes some beneficial additions to the introduction as well as updating prices and information for individual countries. However, the most useful changes were those Leffel made in his list of inexpensive countries worth visiting. For example, he substituted great value Argentina and super cheap Nicaragua for Mexico and Venezuela in Latin America. He also replaced the now pricey Czech Republic with the much more afforable Romania in Europe. Furthermore, he added to his list by providing extra "honorable mention" countries for each region. These include some sub-Saharan countries in Africa as well as numerous other places worth travelling to throughout the globe. I believe these substantial changes make this edition better than the first and make this book a worthwhile purchase, even for those who already have the original.

This should really be in the investment section...

Why? Anytime you plan on doing something that has "value" in it, anytime you want to buy low, when the price will most likely be higher later on, or anytime you are contrarian to where everyone else is going - that's smart investing. Leffel's book is well researched, and very well laid out. Some travel books that I've read, you can't compare country to country, because they use different measuring sticks, or they won't include the same categories. One country might have great dining, while it will barely mention it in another. Leffel's book covers the same basic categories in each country and allows you to compare apples to apples. The other thing I like about this book, is that it's not the LEAST COSTLIEST countries, where you're being sent to some hole in the wall country. The key term to this book is VALUE - where can you get the most VALUE for the least amount of money. Warren Buffett uses this strategy to evaluate and buy companies, and Leffel does the same thing in evaluating and then travelling to countries. Buy it, and then plan your vacation next year to someplace fun and exotic!

Terrific update

Cheap doesn't mean stingy. This book shows travelers where to get the most value in nearly two dozen countries. The author is a veteran international traveler and knows a number of tips for getting the most from your travel budget. This second edition is 40 pages longer than the first and is a terrific update. Also available as an e-book.

Is there such a place as a cheap travel destination?

Is there such a place as a cheap travel destination? Writer and seasoned traveler, Tim Leffel has written about a wide range of topics, from sailing on the Nile to hanging out with holy men, while he roamed three times around the world.Apparently, he has sampled everything from Kentucky bourbon to Korean soju while making his way around the globe.Leffel's slim guidebook, The World's Cheapest Destinations, focuses on his belief that it is not how you go, but where.Traveling overseas may be expensive, but, as Leffel states, only to get there.The key "to really travel well without spending your life savings is to go to where your first world dollars are worth a fortune."Leffel concentrates on certain areas, where he believes that there is a great deal to experience, and not difficult to get around. For example, Romania and Poland are briefly discussed, as the author feels that their neighbors have much more to offer for the price.Dividing up travel destinations into four sections, Asia, Africa & Middle East, Europe and the Americas, Leffel points out how in each of these geographical locations you can stretch your dollar to the maximum. You may compare this to the old adage, "it is not how much one earns, but how your money is managed, that is important."Each chapter begins with a general description of the country, accommodations, food & drink, transportation and general comments entitled "what else."This last section concentrates on pointing out where the bargains are located such as, museums, snorkeling and diving, shopping, interesting transportation possibilities, and even what you can purchase for a buck or less.Were you aware that you can take a camel safari through the desert in Rajasthan for $10-$20 per day including meals? You can enter the Egyptian Museum in Cairo-one of the world's biggest and greatest- for $4, less with a student card.Have you ever heard of the town of Kutna Hora that is an hour from Prague? This town offers the same level of architectural splendor without having to fight crowds and inflated prices.For the traveler who enjoys adventure traveling to some of the most exotic places in the world, trying new food and customs, learning about other religions and traditions, this slim book will prove to be a great tool.