The realm of the last minute deals is one the well-versed traveller does not come into contact with all too often – in terms of booking them that is. Many people on round the world trips (especially for the first time) have an itinerary with most of the long haul flights booked months before they go. And even if they book flights as they go, they’re unlikely to book entire package holidays last minute. The package holiday crowd are just somewhat more the obvious tourists than the traveller, who likes to feel like a local. However, there’s a list of places where the two worlds collide, and it isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes they’re beach resorts, other times places that are must-sees.
Las Vegas is for everyone. Not in that everyone will enjoy it by any means, but that it’s open to all. Many quirky couples choose to get married here in one of the chapels – some opting for the Elvis themed wedding, curiously popular amongst Brits. The Elvis wedding experience seems to appeal to both people who love all things cheap and tacky and those from the so-wrong-its-right crowd. Either way, great pictures come out of it. It’s odd to see casinos on the traveller’s list – given that so much of the travelling lifestyle is about doing things on a budget. Gambling your savings that are there to last an entire trip away is not exactly a smart move. But even in places like Cambodia, on its border with Thailand you see guys skipping off to the Casino – allowed because it’s on the border and so not ruled by Thai law. Believe it or not you can go to Vegas on a budget. There are plenty of bullet-holed budget motel type affairs to stop in on the way, and on arrival watching other people spend loads of money can be as fun as if you were spending it yourself. It’s also fascinating to watch the talented tellers dealing cards. They are highly trained professionals and get tipped a lot.
Ipanema Beach in Rio is the haunt of both wealthy tourists and a shed load of backpackers. There is something for everyone. For the backpacker: burger bars on every street corner also selling mango smoothies to go for more meals than anyone should have the same thing for, followed by hanging out on the beach, going to see the famous statue of Christ and Sugar Loaf and maybe taking a favela tour before heading back to their hostel. For the wealthy tourist: great dinners in trendy restaurants followed by hanging out on the beach, going to see the famous statue of Christ and Sugar Loaf before heading back to their many-starred hotel. Same, same but different – as they (never) say in Thailand.
It’s less likely the backpacker will meet the package holiday tourist in places like Benidorm in Spain – as they’ll be in Madrid or Barcelona instead, but in famous destinations with big attractions, all sorts of people hang out in the same space.
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This is a guest post from Eric Sadler who fell in love with tents as a boy scout. When old enough to travel alone, he often decided to stay in unusual places over a simple hotel. He finds the sense of freedom you get being close to the outside world enthralling.
