Go Big, Spend Little
The rupee has a new logo, and to celebrate, here are the countries where you can get more bang for it: Turkey, Argentina, Egypt, South Africa and Sri Lanka, plus the ten cheapest countries to enjoy a pint.
The Rupee has a new logo and to celebrate here are some countries where you can get more bang for it
When compared to the US dollar, or the British pound, the Rupee might still not be worth much. But it is still worth more than a Lindsay Lohan promise that she’s, like, really cleaning her act up this time. But there are still places in the world where the humble Rupee will let you live like a king. Matt Hall, travel editor of Lonely Planet, tells us where to go for high rolling on a low budget.
Turkey
“Turkey has mushroomed in popularity over the last couple of years. It offers really good value compared to other euro-zone destinations. It’s good for anything from having a couple of weeks on the beach in Antalya or Bodrum, to going and getting a cultural shot in Istanbul. You can find places to stay from about INR 700 and you can eat from street stalls for under a pound. Cappadocia, 500 miles east of Istanbul, is actually the cheapest place in the world to go hot air ballooning and it’s got these rock formations that look, well, a bit like willies really. So that’s unusual.”
Flights from Rs 32,500
Argentina
“Argentina used to be really expensive, but in 2005 there was a financial crisis, which resulted in the Argentine peso being devalued. You can go out and have incredible meals for less than INR 700 and stay in incredible hotels really cheaply. You could party all night and still have change from INR 1.4 k in your pocket. Prices have gone up slightly, but it still represents excellent value. Buenos Aires is a highlight, but also look at cities just north of there, such as Cordoba or Mendoza, which is in wine country and also has skiing and trekking in the Andes.”
Flights from Rs 1,70,000
Egypt
“Egypt is excellent value. The Red Sea has some of the best diving in the world. A large number of hotels have opened on the Sinai Peninsula [which lies between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean], so you can get a very good deal even in the winter when sunny places tend to be more expensive. It’s pretty flipping hot in July and August so avoid visiting then.”
Flights from Rs 12,800
South Africa
“Holidaying in South Africa is fantastic value. The only drawback is getting there – you could be looking at INR 7.3 lacs for flights. You can cut that down by taking an indirect flight, via somewhere in the Middle East, which could cut over INR 30 k off the cost. Once you’re on the ground you’ll find going out to be good value. Cape Town particularly has fantastic restaurants, nightlife and bars. Accommodation is not expensive either. Just after the World Cup could be even better value.”
Flights from Rs 41,100
Sri Lanka
“In Sri Lanka, you can run the gamut from beachside bungalows to old colonial hotels in tea plantation estates to going on leopard-spotting safaris, all for not very much money. So if you’re looking for something a little bit different then Sri Lanka is definitely a place to look.”
Flights from Rs 8,900
10 cheapest countries to enjoy a pint*
1. Tadjikistan Rs 18
2. Panama Rs 25
3. Bhutan Rs 26
=4. Democratic Republic of Congo Rs 28
=4. North Korea Rs 28
=4. Madagascar Rs 28
=4. Myanmar Rs 28
8. Rwanda Rs 30
9. Eritrea Rs 36
10. Vietnam Rs 38
*We’re not necessarily saying it’ll be a pleasurable pint.
Figures from pintprice.com
From the August 2010 issue of FHM India.
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