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Find the Cheapest Places to Travel

World backpacking and budget travel destinations


Most Desirable International Travel Destinations 2009 Poll

Rankings — by Nick

Survey extraordinaires Harris Poll came out with their 2009 version of the poll Top 15 International Vacation Destinations for Americans. I was first excited to see how the good ole recession and swine flu scares have been affecting Americans’ choices of international destinations…but after reading the finer print the poll actually asked participants to leave out the whole cost issue when ranking their top international travel destinations.

Well that’s almost practical. Harris Poll Fail.

But it’s still interesting nontheless (and surely for that .1% of Americans who don’t care about money). So I give you the most desirable international vacation destinations for Americans in 2009.

  1. Australia
  2. Italy
  3. Great Britain
  4. France
  5. Ireland
  6. Germany
  7. Japan
  8. Greece
  9. New Zealand
  10. Spain
  11. Canada
  12. Switzerland
  13. Mexico
  14. Brazil
  15. Jamaica

Not surprisingly, the most economical and backpackable destinations for ‘vacations’ probably appear a the bottom in Canada, Mexico, and Jamaica, while the ritzy destinations dominate the higher ranks.

For some history on the poll, I guess the destinations are pretty much all locks for the top 15 or so and I guess their ranks rarely shift more than a rank or two year to year.

As far as the breakdown goes, here are the demographic breakdowns:

  • Australia is a favorite among Men and matures
  • Women, echo boomers (me!), gen Xers, annnnd Baby Boomers like Italy
Respondents were cited saying that cost ‘would be a factor’ in their actual travel planning and choice of vacation destination.  Odd. Check out the Harris travel poll for yourself.

Top European Budget Travel Bargain - Iceland

Europe, Rankings — by Nick

The huge financial crisis in Iceland, which resulted in the nationalization of its banks after their currency almost entirely collapsed, still leaves Iceland as Backpackability’s top travel bargain in Europe for 2009. With exchange rates twice as good as what they used to be, $1 USD now equals 130 ISK (Iceland Kronas). Inflation has not doubled in the meantime, so expenses to travel there are still at a steep discount compared to what they were before the collapse.

Iceland Cheap Travel Costs

A major reason why I’ve chosen Iceland as the top travel bargain is…

Iceland Air!

Iceland’s air carrier has ridiculously great rates to get there. Think around $500 round trips, and these are regular fares, not the bogus advertised specials that last 2 hours. Additionally, Iceland Air offers an amazing deal if you do not wish to spend all of your time in Iceland with their Iceland Stopover Promotion. When you fly via Iceland Air, you can stopover for free en route to your European destination or back to your home to check out the country. So if you’re flying to places like Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Stockholm, or Oslo you can stop in Iceland for a few days only at the cost of your time (and lodging/food - which is ridiculously cheap. see: exchange rate).

Now what to do since I’m in Iceland
Iceland is a beautiful country, home to the most wonder geological features imaginable - geysers, volcanoes, mountains, and the oh so awesome steam pools that you can bathe in. So you will more than likely be doing things of that sort outside.  You should be all clubbed out from Europe if you’re just stopping over, so don’t have too high of hopes for a crzy nightlife scene. But the relaxation and awe that Iceland offers in its beauty and small town charm.

Icelandic culture is definitely interesting, and they are home to the Sigur Ros, one of my favorite bands. Be sure to check out their DVD Heima before going, as it is essentially an Iceland promotional video with the amazing sights and footage they have. Furthermore, Iceland believes in elves.  Enough said really.

Nearly everything in Iceland goes in and out through Reykjavik, their main urban center and home of most things modern in this natural paradise - including Iceland Air. So you’ll be here.

Check out Iceland’s Updated Travel Costs now reflecting the new currency (Coming soon, they’re hard to find)

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