Flying Budget Airlines Abroad

Here in the U.S., our idea of a budget airline is one that has a slightly discounted rate. Southwest and Spirit are no longer really considered budget when their airfares are really not much cheaper than all the regular airlines or they screw you over by making you pay for carry-on bags. Around the world there are true budget airlines that can save you hundreds of dollars on trips, making it cheaper to fly than riding Greyhound here in America. When we were in London, we flew to Paris for less than $60 per person, including taxes. Now that's budget! (Thank you, easyjet!)

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Wherever you travel in the world, you have the choice of booking a flight on a big name or a budget airline that may skip the perks, but leave you with money in your wallet to actually enjoy your trip. I don't know about you, but I'm willing to buy a beverage before I board and bring my own snacks and entertainment to save some bucks. As long as the airline has a good safety record, I'm willing to give it a shot. easyjet, while being cheap, also had amazing customer service. The boarding process wasn't the greatest, but they got me to my destination on time and in one piece. There are thousands of airlines out there and you may not have heard of most of them. RyanAir gets a bad rap for being greedy and unfriendly, but they aren't the only option out there:

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Traveling to Africa and the Middle East? easyjet's offshoot FastJet is a great airline for those wanting to hop around the continent, especially South Africa. Round-trip flights can be as low as $85 and $100. Those focusing on the Middle East and North Africa can rely on AirArabia and FlyDubai. Both are popular options for budget travelers. Some other carriers to check out: Nouvelair, Fly540, Flynas, UP and Jazeera Airways.

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Asia and the South Pacific haven't had the greatest press lately, but you'll discover more than just Malaysan Airlines to save you money. AirAsia offers rock-bottom rates to 85 destinations in Asia, the South Pacific and Australia. Some promotions have gone as low as $14. I'd check into travel insurance though. IndiGo is quite popular and flies travelers between India, the Middle East and the South Pacific. The Australian-based Jetstar, as well as Singapore-based Tiger Airways and Scoot are highly-ranked budget airlines as well. Even more options: Spring Airlines,Jeju Air,Nok Air, PAL Airlines and Lion Air.

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easyjet and RyanAir are not your only choices in Europe. Norwegian Airlines is notorious for great deals, especially between the U.S. and Europe. There are quite a few great low-cost carriers to choose from, including Icelandair that offers an up to 7-day layover in Iceland to bring more tourism to their beautiful country, as well as SmartWings, XL Airways, Wizz Air, Aer Lingus, Blue Air, Vueling, Pegasus Airlines, Dobrolet Airlines, Fly Romania and Flybe.

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Our neighbors to the north, Canada, has WestJet that offers some of the lowest rates to destinations in Canada, the U.S. and Europe.

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South America is affordable for travelers, though airfare might be a deal breaker. Gol and LAN try to offer some great rates to draw more tourists, but some other carriers to check for big discounts are Amaszonas, Azul Brazilian Airlines, AeroSantaigo, EasyFly, VivaColombia, Interjet, Volaris and Peruvian Airlines.

Travel can be so much more enjoyable when you have access to true budget-friendly transportation that doesn't take half the day to get you where you want to go, plus you can see more than you expected with the money you have to spend. Have you had a good experience on a little known budget airline? (Or a bad experience on a well known one?) We won't talk about how I won't even travel on Southwest anymore.

Travel Internationally to Save Money

Yes, you read that right. Why plan a trip to the beach – where hotels can cost as much as airfare – when you could spend the same amount on a trip that's more exciting and might include a beach? I'm always in favor of going somewhere new and farther away than someplace old that I can go to anytime. Here are 5 destinations you can visit where your dollars will go further and you'll get more culture than your nearest waterpark or boardwalk.

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Argentina

South America is always a great money-saving destination. Buenos Aires – "The Paris of South America" – is a hotspot for culture, nightlife and food. Take your time lingering over amazing dining experiences, learn to tango and explore historic neighborhoods and museums. You'll find plenty of affordable wine sipping opportunities, plus you can save on accommodations. Find suites for as little as $60 per night.

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Dominican Republic

With tons of all-inclusive resorts, you can pay one price and have your sleeping and eating – and some entertainment – totally taken care of. Lay on the beach, go hiking and generally enjoy nature in one of the prettiest and budget-friendly destinations you'll find anywhere. 3- and 4-star resort rates will totally floor you and you'll find yourself looking for ways to splurge a bit in between the tanning and relaxing. Maybe by spending a little extra for the luxury of a 5-star resort.

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Mexico

If you can handle some of the crowds in the touristy parts of the country, like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, you can find some really great hotel rates. It's no secret why a lot of people flock south when they go on vacation. Look at resorts along the Yucatan Peninsula for more scenic views or search for places that have all the things you enjoy doing on your trips, because Mexico has it all, and at better rates than many other countries. You just want to make sure you do your research so you aren't stuck in a million-room resort with a bunch of stuff you'll never do or use. Check into cottages, bungalows or boutique hotels instead.

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Nicaragua

One of the most up-and-coming vacation destinations, Nicaragua is a country where you can get by on as little as $25 per day. Up the luxe for just $50 more, which is still cheaper than a lot of other places you may have on your travel list, but it still gives you a historical and European-esque feel, but with the lower airfare of a Central American location. Instead of huge resorts next to the crowded ocean beaches, you can enjoy a quiet forest eco-lodge or beautiful beachfront cottages, plus engage in amazing diving, a visit to coffee fields or a hike in the cloud forest. 

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Portugal (and Spain)

Even on a budget, you can totally plan a trip to Europe. Portugal and Spain are culture-laden, delicious (and affordable) cuisine and tons of local wines. Spend your days lounging on the beautiful beaches, wandering the myriad museums and walking along cobblestoned streets. Both off everything you could want for less and also give you the chance to practice your Spanish with the locals. Just make sure you set up a price alert for airfare, because that's the only thing stopping you from enjoying Europe right now.

What are some of your favorite budget-friendly vacation destinations? Have you ever been surprised by how cheap a place has turned out?

Review: Packable Wellies from Butterfly Twists

April showers bring May flowers, but sometimes it just leads to more showers like it does here in Portland. From November to July 5th, you pretty much just plan for rain when you go out. There are other places like this and if you want to go out and do things, you’re going to face mud and big puddles. I have a ton of shoes, but when it’s particularly rainy or I go somewhere it’s bound to be muddy, it’s nice to have a pair of Wellington boots (wellies) in your closet to put on and enjoy the day without ruining your normal shoes or fancy boots.

I love wellies, because they are fun and cozy, but the problem is that normally they don’t have much support for all-day wear and you usually have to wear, like, three pair of socks to keep your feet warm. Butterfly Twists have taken care of all your wellie problems, including the fact that most aren’t all that pretty to look at. They’re made in London – where it rains all year round like it does in Portland – so you know they know all about wellie woes, especially when having to wear them walking around the city and up and down tube station stairs. Unhappy feet are a no-go which means these are perfect for traveling, too.

I have been lucky that we have had a lot of rainy days since I’ve received my Windsor wellies. I put them on with a pair of jeans and felt ready for anything. I wore them to an arena football game and immediately received a compliment from the lady next to me on how cute they were. And they are cute, but they are super functional, because they have memory foam insoles that support my feet and also make them really comfortable to wear all day.

These wellies are also lined, so they keep your feet warm, whether you wear fatty boot socks or not. That’s perfect for wear I live where it rains in the winter and in the summer and all the months in between. Butterfly Twists come in whole sizes. I wear a size 6.5 in shoes, so I had to choose to go up or down a size. The wellies are made a bit bigger for those who like to wear thick socks with them. Because they are lined and I wanted to wear them year-round, I went towards the small size (a 6 instead of a 7) and they fit perfect, even with socks on.

You know what else? There’s totally enough room for my toes! That probably sounds weird, but often you get boots and it feels like your feet are crammed into them. These boots fit fantastically. Your foot doesn’t jostle around in them (as happens with a lot of rain boots), but they don’t squish your feet either. Even if you wear normal socks with them, they have the fun sweater detail to make it look like you’re on trend and own those special socks to go with wellies, but without actually buying them and stretching them out for the look. Not sure you like the sock detail? Get a pair of Carlisles instead that are just as cute, but a little more stylish and like regular boots that will also go with dresses and slacks.

Aside from being pretty attractive and comfy, the Windsor boots have your back…er, feet? They have a grippy sole, so you won’t slip and slide on rainy sidewalks at the farmers’ market or while squishing through the mud in the forest or through a corn maze (which I’m totally going to wear these boots for in the fall).

Because they are lightweight, I can keep them in my bag wherever I go, plus they won’t make my carry-on extra heavy like other boots. That packability is what is going to make them a perfect travel companion to rainy destinations and on winter trips. These would have been awesome on my trip to Paris where it rained almost every day and was crazy cold. Next time I’ll have them and you can make sure you have a great pair of Butterfly Twists on your next trip like that as well, and at home when you need them most.

On my trip to Ecuador, I needed a pair of rubber boots to wear in the rainforest, but I didn’t have room in my bag to pack any. We ended up buying some cheap pairs at an outdoor market and then leaving them at the eco-lodge for future visitors. If I’d had these Windsor wellies from Butterfly Twists, they would have fit in my carry-on, not cost me any extra on my trip and also fit much better and offer support for my hikes.

Don’t get dirt and general bottom shoe gunk on your other belongings. Your Windsor wellies come with a waterproof travel bag so you can keep them separate from the other stuff in your carry-on or day bag. Bonus! {P.S. These would make a great gift for the mom on your list for Mother's Day!}

Next week I'll have a review up for Butterfly Twists' foldable flats!

Other Information

Colors they come in: Navy/Yellow (shown) | Green/Orange | Grey/Pink | Black/Grey | Red/Black | Navy/ Red

How much are they? $80

Where can I buy them? On the Butterfly Twists website

Other specs: Rubber structure, fleece-lined, 100% waterproof

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Disclaimer: I was provided with a pair of Butterfly Twists Windsor wellies for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% my own.