Feed Your Wanderlust

When I travelled to Türkiye about a year and a half ago, I was pleasantly surprised that everything was so affordable. From the fresh produce and groceries at the supermarkets to the local fashion brands at high-end districts like İstiklal Caddesi to the fantastic meals at the many establishments specialising in Adana kebabs and other Turkish delicacies, it was such a relief not to have to keep converting prices in my head—a particularly odious task for someone as terrible at maths like me. With a Turkish lira equivalent to about three rupees, there’s a lot you can do on a meagre budget. And your money will go even further in smaller cities like Konya.

I remember walking into a shop laden with sweets like Lokum, Baklava and the utterly sinful Turkish Toluma, jalebi-like deep-fried dough in syrup, and buying boxes and boxes of these sweet treats for friends and family back home without worrying about the cost. Türkiye is also a haven for crafts, and you can pick up beautiful rugs, ceramics and felt at very affordable rates.

In this issue of Outlook Traveller, we have zeroed in on 12 such affordable international destinations where you can have a satisfying “foreign” holiday without going bankrupt.

While Southeast Asian countries are known for being easy on the wallet, we’ve uncovered some gems like Laos and the Philippines that should be on your radar. And if you are up for a truly off-grid adventure, Mongolia is the place to head to. Our 10-page photo essay will make you yearn for the wide open spaces and the romance of the vast steppes.

The other great discoveries in this issue are picturesque European destinations like Slovenia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, which offer all the experiences of their pricier neighbours on the Continent at a fraction of the price. We’ve done all the research on your behalf, from visa fees to how much you’ll have to pay for accommodation and sightseeing, to the best flight routes, so you really have no excuse not to book that holiday anymore.

Plus, our free 16-page Kazakhstan guidebook has all the information you need for your next trip; the country is one of the most affordable for tourists worldwide.