Train is the cheapest means of transport and moreover, it’s safer and greener than the typical vacation by car.

Here are some of our suggestions to spend an unforgettable vacation, traveling by train. In case you want to travel in the U.S., take the train that is crossing the U.S. East Coast.

The easiest way to do it is to fly to Boston. There you just need to take the train to New York and Washington. The train offers you amazing landscapes and the chance to meet with different people that just like you decided to travel by a train.

In case you want to travel across North America, the best experience that a train can bring you is the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
The route is from Durango to Silverton, Colorado and train takes it for nearly 4 hours.

It is also a historical route, because this is the first line of the first steam locomotive in the U.S. Of course the view outside of the window is also worthy – just imagine the landscape of 14,000-foot peaks.

In case you want to see Europe, there is also a way to do it by a train. Brussels is offering the cheapest train journeys and of course you can see the Belgium traveling only by train.

The prices are also very unpredictable and can be hard to figure out. The best way to book rail travel in the UK these days is via the internet. There are numerous sites that check the British routes and compare prices for customers.

These sites will show you the various options that are available on each journey. However, instead of picking one specific time for a trip, it’s a good idea to check the schedule for the whole day as the prices vary quite a bit.

For example, if you’re interested in travelling from London to Leeds at about 10am, be sure to check the prices for all trains that leave before and after it as you may find a lot better deal. The 10 o’clock train may cost 50 pounds, while a train leaving 20 minutes earlier or later may cost only 10 pounds.

You will also find the prices are cheaper if you book well in advance. Last-minute trips can often get quite expensive.

Being a little flexible in your travel times could end up saving you a good deal of money.

Photo Credit: rabataller

However, the wallet in the pocket may not be happy returning to home-sweet-home. In order not to sadden the wallet, it is important to know how to visit Austria on a low budget.

First of all, the road to Austria may be cheaper than the usual. For example; from New York to Vienna, flight tickets are approximately $783-$900 for the business class.

After reaching the destination, metros, buses and other intercommunication vehicles probably are cheaper than the car hiring for approximately $3, 99 per day. When traveling inside the many beautiful towns worth visiting, it is said that at least 75$-100$ is needed.

Avoiding traveling in the peak season might be able to offer you a cheaper option as restaurants and hotels are concerned.

The Alps have two peak seasons: in winter with skiing and summer with hiking. So it is important to choose the cheaper option by searching the websites of the hotels and vacation opportunities near the Alps.

The best cheaper way to travel to Alps is to fly to Vienna or Bratislava then take a bus from there for a journey of about 90 minutes.

The off season for Austria is between October and December called late autumn season and between January and March called the late winter. Because of the hard weather conditions, it is not preferred to travel at the off-season but it might be the cheaper way to consider.

With perfect mountains, natural reservations and green meadows, Austria offers a wide palette of activities for holiday seekers even with cheaper possibilities. It is important to match the spare time and the not very expensive conditions and visit as many beautiful sites as you can. Austria is really worth it.

First destination is Dublin for their famous St Patrick’s Day in the end of May. The offer is available from Flight Centre in UK and includes flight with BMI from £74. You can book it till 30 April.

If you don’t want to visit Ireland, then you can choose the best deal for one weekend in Barcelona, Spain. The exclusive discount is 12 per cent in the four-star hotel Grand Passage for four nights. The price for one night is £69. The deal is available through LateRooms and EasyJet.

If that does not sound exotic enough for you, then there is another offer for the five star hotel Le Meridien N’Fis in Marrakesh in the beginning of March.

The price per person is £413 and includes round tickets from London. For more details check just look all over the web, the offers are practically everywhere.

Oftentimes this leaves us short on money and a bit irritated because we do not have the funds we thought we would while traveling.

Not only do we forget about those little costs but we also spend our money on some ridiculous things that we should not be spending our money on.

Some added and unnecessary expenses that may come up while traveling [travel arrangement] that you should not even waste your money on are expenses that for some reason we always give into and these expenses seem to always be impulse purchases.

For example, food and drinks at the airport are so expensive and so unnecessary. Eat and drink before you go to the airport, from home. Eat and drink as soon as you get to your destination but whatever you do don’t eat or drink at the airport because you will spend five times as much money on food and drinks as you should.

Never order breakfast in bed or room service and never make calls from your hotel room. And why even waste your money on stupid and cheap souvenirs that will only end up in your attic or basement or better yet your trash can?

Never purchase professional commercial photos while traveling you will find the photos taken with your own camera will be just as good and just as memorable if not more so.

Grab a stranger and ask them to take a picture of your group but don’t pay exorbitant amounts of money on professional and commercial photographers while you are traveling.

Do not purchase formal clothing while you are traveling, you will only wear this once. Do not go on horse-drawn carriage rides just because they are being offered or just because your kids beg you to and do not purchase packaged bus tours.

Instead of spending your money on the above things that are a complete waste of your money, invest in the important things that really well make your trip nicer and more memorable.

Some of these things are a good hotel with a great room and a balcony and possibly a view. Spend your money on one nice dinner at a fine restaurant in the area so you can get an idea of how the locals live.

You may have heard about travelers’ insurance on a commercial or seen an ad in a magazine.

You may have heard friends or family talking about travelers’ insurance or you may have been offered by a salesperson independently or by a travel agent when planning your trip.

Travelers’ insurance can leave you with many unanswered questions and leave you quite confused. What exactly will travelers’ insurance do for me?

What exactly does travelers’ insurance cover? Is travelers’ insurance really that necessary? What kinds of travels can I safely take without having a travelers’ insurance policy?

First of all you never are obligated to purchase a traveler’s insurance policy. You are also always entitled to taking out a travelers’ insurance policy. The choice is obviously ultimately yours and it is insurance so keep that in mind.

The whole point of insurance is that it may not be needed but if it is needed you are insured. Many cruise lines will encourage travelers’ insurance policies be taken out by their passengers.

Occasionally people traveling to different countries will be encouraged to take out a travelers’ insurance policy.

Travelers’ insurance policies do not have to be expensive. If you have decided you would like to take out a travelers’ insurance policy you can look at the multitude of different options that are out there.

Do your research and find a plan that offers the coverage you need and are looking for. For example if you are flying over the holidays and taking gifts for family and friends with you, you can find a travelers’ insurance policy that will cover exactly what you want which in this case would be the gifts.

You can also take out travelers’ insurance policies that ensure you get your expenses back should something happen and you aren’t able to take your trip.

There are many low cost travelers’ insurance policies available and there are different kinds of travelers’ insurance available for the activities you plan on partaking in when you are traveling.

For example if you plan on being a daredevil and sky diving or four wheeling on your travels there is a travelers’ insurance policy that will cover those activities.

Nowadays with so many expensive gadgets and electronics there are travelers’ insurance policies that cover iPods and digital cameras and these policies are quite popular.

Maybe you want to get away for a few days somewhere that is near to you in the United States.

We have highlighted some perfect mini-excursions for different areas and regions of the country.

1. Homer Alaska is a beautiful and economical way to visit Alaska. Homer offers boutiques, galleries and delicious food as well as affordable lodging.

2. Eureka Springs Arkansas seems to become better known with every passing year. Eureka Springs dates back to the Victorian Era so the historic benefits are numerous.

Eureka Springs is also known for its therapeutic benefits and spas. Accommodations are affordable and budget some money to take part in a chamomile and lavender scalp massage at one of the many available spas.

3. Breckenridge Colorado is absolutely breath taking, beautiful and unforgettable. Forget the idea that you have to ski to go to Colorado that is nonsense! Breckenridge offers bike paths and hiking paths, galleries, boutiques and a beautiful and quaint shopping district.

Affordable accommodations and a beautiful view of the Rocky Mountains makes Breckenridge a definite must see mini-excursion for you in 2010.

4. Mackinac Island Michigan is known by some in the mid west but to those who haven’t been made aware of this treasure it is definitely one of the best kept secrets of the Great Lakes area. The island banned cars over 100 years ago and in place offers a beautiful eight mile bike trail along the coastline.

Accommodations can be affordable; however you can also opt to stay at the formal and classic Grand Hotel which is not so affordable. Couples make Mackinac Island in Michigan a romantic getaway, or a celebration of an anniversary or even a mini-honeymoon. Mackinac Island is beautiful at any time of the year.

5. Hermann Missouri is known to Missourians as wine country in the Midwest. Missourians have been taking weekend trips to this quaint winery town to stay in a bed and breakfast and escape the real world for decades.

There are seven family owned wineries in the Missouri River Valley which features the Hermann Wine Trail which is also a bike trail. Many of the bed and breakfasts offer views of the bluffs and river as well.

However, do not dismay, with a little bit of careful budgeting you can still enjoy the fun of a vacation without getting into debt.

You will be amazed how much money can be saved by booking the various elements of a trip on-line, from flights to accommodation, in most cases your dollar will go much further.

Look out for special offers and in particular last minute deals that can be available at rock bottom prices.

If you know exactly where you want to go, work out what your priorities are. Then research every detail, get to know where the reasonable hotels are, the quieter more economical facilities are found and what budget airlines fly there.

Determine a budget and make it fun, think of what you are saving rather than what you can’t afford. Remember a budget is not there to be broken, so don’t conveniently forget it once you reach your destination.

Preparation is also key, make a list of what you need and double check it, if you leave your camera at home or any other essential item replacing it while you are away, will be an unnecessary expense.

If you are organized you will also have a more relaxing journey, knowing you have everything you need.

Obviously for senior citizens every precaution should be made in regard to your health. Remember your prescribed medicines and also any prescriptions you will need to fill while you are away. If you have a change of time zone, consider it before you go, so you don’t get flustered in your new surroundings. [travel packing tips]

Always ensure that a friend or relative knows exactly where you are going to be and carry contact details of them in case of a medical emergency. Similarly, keep a folder in your suitcase containing any insurance documents, that way you do not need to worry and can concentrate on having a relaxing vacation.

Off peak travel is usually cheaper so take advantage of this and also think about joining up with others in a group vacation. It can be great to have like minded company and it too often works out cheaper. [budget travel]

Remember you can still have some alone time, picking and choosing the different activities that interest you the most.

If you decide that a tour suits you best it might be worth booking through a specialist company. They have all the contacts and can often get better deals, perhaps even arrange everything at good rate.

Get recommendations from friends or acquaintances, there is a sea of these operators out there so compare packages and get the best possible deal for you and your budget.

The year 2009 may already be half-over, but it’s never too late to catch up on your traveling.

How long has it been since you treated yourself to a well-deserved break from work? When was the last time that you spent some quality time with your friends or family in a place where you can get away from it all?

Where did you and your significant other have that romantic getaway?  If it’s taking you too long to come up with an answer, then it pretty much means that it has been just that: too long since you had a break.

And you don’t even need to use the tough economic times that the entire world is facing as an excuse not to travel. In fact, the opposite is true. Since lesser people are booking for leisure or even business flights, the airlines are coming up with great deals to attract customers to actually go out and travel [Cheap air travel deals].

You might even be lucky enough to grab a travel package deal at a luxury hotel without having to bust your budget. Read on to find out which places are considered to be the top 10 budget travel destinations for the year 2009.

A Look at the Top 10 Budget-Friendly Backpacker Travel Destinations for 2009

Whether your ideal vacation is lounging by the beach on some exotic, tropical island – or exploring the ruins of a romantic city – there is a travel destination which is suited specifically for you.

Here’s a quick look at the best travel destinations that you can explore and visit:

1. The Lassen Volcanic National Park

Location: California, USA

If you’re looking forward to having a better appreciation for nature, there is no better place to be than the Lassen Volcanic National Park in California [Romantic getaway to California].

Located about 50 miles east of Redding, the park boasts of four types of volcanoes, mud pots, steam vents and painted dunes.

The Lassen Volcanic National Park attracts almost half a million visitors per year – and the vista is such a sight of splendor. With the Cascades range to the north; the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the south; and the Great Basin desert to the east, you will not be lacking for a magnificent background during your stay.

And why did it become a destination for budget-conscious travelers? Basically, you don’t have to spend a fortune booking a hotel because there are 8 campsites, a lot of bed and breakfasts and chain motels which surround the park.

2. Waikiki Beach

Location: Hawaii, USA

BudgetTravel.com dubbed Hawaii as one of the best places to be in the year 2009 – and with good reason. Now that the nation is experiencing an economic downturn, what tour operators are doing is to bundle up the rooms which are not booked into affordable travel packages.

Volcanoes, luaus and the Waikiki Beach in particular are what draw tourists to Hawaii – so learn how to say “Aloha!” the local way when you book a visit to this budget travel destination.

3. Berlin Wall

Location: Berlin, Germany

This capital of Germany has come a long way from its dark, haunted past. Berlin itself is a huge city where a traveler will not be lacking for sights to see and places to visit.

Naturally, you can’t pay this city a visit without stopping by the Berlin Wall, which is a large stretch of intact wall located to the east of the city which has been preserved as a gallery.

For a historical tour, you can even stop by the site of the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the St. Hedwig’s Cathedral and there’s a multitude of galleries and parks to choose from.

So what’s in Berlin for the budget-conscious travelers? You can take your pick from one of the many 3-star hotels scattered within the length and breadth of Berlin.

4. Angkor Archaeological Park

Location: Northern Cambodia

Also called the Angkor Wat, this is a famous tourist destination in Southeast Asia. The Angkor Archaeological Park is where you will see the famous Angkor Wat temple, the Bayon Temple and a myriad of other great architectural wonders. The site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.

In terms of affordable accommodations, you can choose from the many newly opened 3-star and 4-star luxury hotels in the area between the airport and Siem Reap.  Aside from the Angkor Wat temple itself, you can extend your explorations in Cambodia by taking a boat trip up the Mekong River and soaking in the local culture at Phnom Penh.

5. Belfast

Location: North Ireland

If you’ve never been to an authentic Irish pub before, now is as good a time as any to sample a local brew in one. Belfast is the second city of Ireland next to Dublin which is its capital – and it has been transformed into a hot tourist destination.

You can take the usual tour of the city with the Titanic Boat tour, or stop by the Botanical Gardens, the Ulster Museum, the Belfast Castle and even the Belfast Zoo!

If you’re looking for somewhere affordable to stay, you can take your pick from hostels, mid-range hotels, a backpacker’s haven and a couple of travel lodges.

6. Cartagena

Location: Bolivar, Colombia

This South American destination is one of the most visited cities in the country of Colombia. What serves as a major attraction in the area is the fact that it is facing that Caribbean Sea so you will get to enjoy a beach holiday at its finest – especially in Playa Blanca which is one of the best destinations there.

It goes to say that “you don’t have to bust your budget when visiting Cartagena, either”. The ciudad amurallada is the place to be if you want to know what makes Cartagena unique as a city – but you also have a myriad of colonial houses turned into hostels, as well as budget hotels where you can stay.

7. Cape Town

Location: Cape Town, South Africa

Also known as the “Mother City” of South Africa, Cape Town is the most southern city of Africa which offers a variety of great places to visit.

You can visit the Cape Town City Hall which is an exemplary structure of Victorian architecture, have a tour of Robben Island, commune with nature with the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens or sample the modern amenities provided at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.

Swimming, taking a cable car to the top of Table Mountain, exploring the Cape Peninsula and a lot more are the activities that you can indulge in when visiting Cape Town. There are a lot of bed and breakfasts, hotels, hostels, guest houses and backpacker’s accommodations – so there’s something for every budget.

8. Waiheke Island

Location: Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand

Situated just 35 minutes by ferry from Auckland, the Waiheke Island in New Zea land is an ideal traveler’s getaway [New Zealand travel]. What makes New Zealand famous for travelers from around the world is their wine and olive industry – something that you can sample once you go on a wine-and-olives tour.

There are also plenty of affordable accommodations to choose from, so make sure to check for great deals online or call your travel agent.

9. Puerto Peñasco

Location: Sonora, Mexico

Puerto Peñasco or Rocky Point is a beach city which is located in the northwestern part of Sonora, a state in Mexico. It’s a mere 70 miles south of the border with Arizona – making it a perfect holiday getaway for those who live nearby.

You can get great deals at the Riviera Nayarit and the resorts along Puerto Peñasco which serves as a virtual oasis in the middle of the desert.

10. Waterton Lakes National Park

Location: Southern Alberta, Canada

Yet another national park which serves as a crowd favorite among the tourists and locals alike is the Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada [Canada travel].

If you’re looking for somewhere to travel that’s really affordable [Budget travel tips], this is the place to be with its icy-blue lakes, ancient gullies and magnificent glaciers.

So what are you waiting for?  Check out your daily planner and schedule a long weekend – or perhaps even a month-long vacation to any of these budget-friendly travel destinations!

Whether it’s purchasing the products that you need over the Internet rather than going shopping; reaching your destination quickly by booking a flight on an airplane rather than taking a longer route; or even sending instantaneous e-mail messages rather than choosing to receive an actual letter via courier- these are just a few examples which demonstrate how important it is for today’s generation to have everything that they need within reach, which brings us to the reason why going back to basics is good every once in a while.

If you are traveling, for example, why don’t you take a long journey via train rather than booking a one or two-hour flight?

The good thing about traveling this way is that you can ‘exercise’ your patience in waiting for the journey to come to an end – while appreciating the things that you will come across along the way.

On that note, read on to get a list of the top 8 most spectacular train journeys in the world that you can take.

The Top 8 Most Spectacular Train Journeys in the World

Long, arduous, luxurious, with plenty of magnificent sceneries along the way to keep you occupied – these are just some of the terms which can be used to describe the classic train journeys that everyone should take at least once in their lifetime.

The good thing about taking the train and traveling the old-fashioned way is that it is typically less expensive than booking a flight in a plane [Cheap air travel].

Although it’s far less comfortable and slower than air flights, taking the train will give you a better appreciation of the sights, sounds and experiences that you will encounter along the way.

Now, take a look at the 8 most spectacular train journeys from around the world:

1. The Glacier Express

Route: From St. Moritz to Zermatt, two mountain resorts in the Swiss Alps

If you’re looking for a train journey that really takes you back through time, there is nothing better than taking a ride at the Glacier Express.

It’s not an express train in the real sense of the world.  In fact, it is considered to be one of the slowest express trains that you can take.

So why is it included in our list? Again, in taking a train journey, it’s the actual journey rather than reaching your destination that counts.

When you go aboard this train ride, you will pass through 91 tunnels and go across 291 bridges. The highest point that the Glacier Express will take you is more than 2,000 meters in altitude.

Interestingly enough, the Albula Line which is being passed across a trip via the Glacier Express was declared as a World Heritage Site last 2008. Finally, for those who are wondering how many hours it takes to reach point A to point B – that’s about 8 hours worth of journey.

2. The Harz Narrow Gauge Railways

Route: Connecting the main cities of Wernigerode, Nordhausen and Quedlinburg

Also called Quirl, Harzer Schmalspurbahnen and Harzquerbahn, the train journey aboard the Harz Narrow Gauge Railways will take you to the Harz mountains in Central Germany [Germany holiday getaway].

The highlight of the trip is getting to Brocken, an old Soviet listening post situated on top of the tallest peak in the Harz Mountains. You will also pass steep tracks, a myriad of forests and majestic mountainous sceneries along the way.

The Harz Narrow Gauge Railways is known to be the longest narrow gauge track in Germany where you will have a chance to visit the relatively unexplored parts of the country.

3. Eurostar

Route: From London and Kent in the United Kingdom to Paris and Lille in France; as well as to Brussels in Belgium

This high speed train service which travels across Western Europe first opened as an 18-carriage Class 373 train way back in 1994. If you’re looking for speedy journeys that will still give you that old-fashioned feel of being in a railroad train, this is exactly what you should be taking.

There’s only a two hour and fifteen minute journey separating central Paris with Central London, with a top speed of 186 mph. Whether you would like to travel to the northern parts of France, to central Paris, to Disneyland Paris or to Brussels, you can do it via the Eurostar express train.

4. The Orient Express

Route: From Paris to Istanbul

If there’s one train journey which has been featured in many films, books and television series episodes, that is none other than the Orient Express.

The original route that this express train took was from Paris to Istanbul, although it has changed its routes several times since then.

Also known as the “Great Rail Journey”, a trip aboard the Orient Express is as classic and as romantic as you can get. Some of the destinations that you can choose from when taking the Orient Express trains are London [London attractions], Venice, Budapest, Prague and Rome.

5. The Pride of Africa

Route: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania

Did you know that the Pride of Africa is dubbed as the world’s most luxurious train? This luxury train is run by Rovos Rail, which was established in 1989.

If you’re looking forward to an experience of a lifetime, there is no better setting for that than aboard the Pride of Africa.

Some of the highlights of the trip are specifically for nature lovers who wish to explore the beauty and grandeur of this part of the world. Be prepared for the long expedition, though.

Going on a Africa trip via the Pride of Africa will take you on a 14-day expedition through Cape Town, Kimberley, the Kruger National Park, Victoria Falls and Tanzania. Honeymooners will have a blast exploring the very heart of Southern Africa aboard the Pride of Africa luxury train.

6. The Flam Railway

Route: From Myrdal and Flam in Aurland, Norway

There’s no better way to enjoy the majestic scenery which is a major crowd drawer for the Flam Railway. This Norwegian train journey involves going through train tracks with steep inclines and vast green scenery.

It’s even a treat for the adventurous because you will get to ride through the world’s longest fjord Sognefjord, the highest altitude of the trip is 3,000 feet, as well as a bunch of narrow passage ways and unforgettable sights [Adventure vacation].

Exploring the beauty and bounty of nature is what the Flam Railway trip is all about – and it’s something that almost everyone will surely appreciate.

7. The Palace on Wheels

Route: From Delhi in India up to the royal state of Rajasthan

If you’re mystified by the colorful culture that is all India’s own, then this is one of the best and most spectacular train journeys that you will ever join.  The trip will really take you back through time because a steam engine is used to pull the train from its starting point in Delhi.

The Palace on Wheels journey also involves an elephant welcome, a camel safari and a trip to the Taj Mahal.

8. The Trans-Siberian Railway

Route: From Moscow and European Russia to Russia’s Fart East provinces like Mongolia, China and the Sea of Japan

If you’re looking for a unique experience, then hop aboard the Trans-Siberian Railway in Russia.

The entire train journey involves a 6,000-mile ride across the country. You won’t believe the vastness of the tour where every imaginable highlight of Europe is included, such as a visit to Moscow, Siberia and St. Petersburg.

Rather than sitting passively on a 4, 6, 8 or 12-hour flight from your country to another destination, why not do things the old fashioned way and hop aboard one of these trains?

During the trip, you can soak in the sights, sounds and everything else that the trip has to offer, seeing as they are dubbed as the most spectacular journeys in the world.