Highlights in this issue:

*** Consider the dos and don’ts before you book your next trip…
*** Save R3,500 with one click of your mouse…
*** The 5 top overseas bargain destinations exposed… and more…
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From the pen of Karin Iten

Dear Investment Academy Reader,

Can you believe it’s just four months until the December holidays? It’s crazy, it feels like the year’s just started and already it’s time to think about where to go on your long Christmas break.

Air travel has become significantly cheaper for South African’s over the past few months thanks to the lower oil price and the credit crunch. This time last year, a friend of mine flew from O.R. Tambo to Heathrow on Emirates Airline for over R11,000. The same flight now costs around R7,500. (That’s a massive saving of R3,500!) The rand’s also pretty strong at the moment. So why not take advantage of the reduced airfares and go overseas if you can afford it?

To help you with your decision, this week we’re looking at some dos and don’ts to help you see more and spend less on your next trip overseas. Plus, as an added bonus, I’ll also give you the low down on tripadvisor.com’s top five bargain travel venues.

Let’s start with the Dos…

Tip #1: Plan ahead
Taxi and bus fares can really eat into your pocket money when you travel abroad. So if, for example, you’re going by train during your trip, plan ahead and book into a hotel or guest house that’s within walking distance of the situation. If you’re in Paris, you’ll save about €2 (around R26) per kilometre. (Just remember: Pack light, otherwise walking that short distance might not be worth your while if you struggle to carry those bags.) And don’t forget to check out the discounted options for public transport too (like the London Oyster Card, which costs £12). It’ll help you get around a lot cheaper.
 
Tip #2: Stay on the outskirts
Not only is the countryside much prettier than most urban spaces, but eating and sleeping on the fringes of major cities is generally cheaper too. You’ll also get to experience the way “real” citizens of the country live – always a plus when travelling abroad. So, when looking to save money on your holiday, widen your Google search to include areas outside, but close to, the city you’re visiting.

Tip #3: Skip the queue
To save money on those costly tourist attractions, go online and order multi-day or multiple-attraction passes. Not only will this save you money but, in most cases, you’ll probably be able to jump the queue and get great discounts or free admission to other places of interest. The London Eye, Madame Tussauds and the London Dudgeons offers a package like this – entrance to all three of these tourist hotspots will save you £14 (that's just less then R182)!

Tip #4: Eat outdoors
A bottle of wine in a decent restaurant is likely to cost you double as much than if you’d bought it in a store. So, stretch your budget by hitting the local supermarket, grab some picnic food and head for a beautiful park or nearby beach. Nothing beats lunch on the beach at Algarve in Portugal. (Added bonus: Gazing over the beautiful ocean is free!)

And now for the don’ts...

Tip #1: Don’t waste your money on a fancy hotel
Let’s be honest, unless you're at a five star resort on an island where there’s not much to do or you're on your honeymoon, all you need your hotel room for is the bed and shower. So, downgrade slightly and stay in a no-frills budget hotel or B&B instead.

Tip #2: Never pay full price
The minute you arrive in a new city or country, head for the nearest tourist information office. Once you’re there, grab a map, find out what the hottest tourists spots are (if you don’t know this already) and take a handful of the discount coupons available. With these, you can get discounts on just about anything, from fine dining to theatre tickets and even helicopter rides,

Tip #3: Don’t get scammed!
Be careful, tourist spots can be a criminal’s delight. You just need to walk down the streets outside the Pantheon in Rome to know this. So be on the look out for pickpockets and other scam artists (like those who’ll try to offer you coupons or "special discounts") while you enjoy the sights. In fact, there are so many scams out there, you could even land yourself in hot water and be liable for very expensive legal fees. It’s better to be safe than sorry. If you’re unsure, walk on by.

Tip #4: Avoid peak season
The price of many hotel rooms triple or more over the weekend and the same things happens over the peak tourist season.

Top five best bargain places to visit according to tripadvisor.com:

*** Austin, Texas
*** Nova Scotia, Canada
*** Cairo, Egypt
*** Warsaw, Poland
*** Vientiane, Laos

Here’s to your financial freedom and the best overseas trip this December,

Karin Iten
For the Investment Academy

PS: Don’t forget to look for us on twitter to discover what’s got us talking here at the Investment Academy.

* This article was adapted from MoneyWeek feature.