Tanya Khanijow Recommends This To Budget Your Dream Holiday

For some, flight tickets may not matter when the mountains call and the big bills of resorts beside the refreshing rhythm of the waves may be justified. While for some others, the costs reduce the wanderlust to the itinerary pinned to the fridge or the forgotten flyer on the kitchen table.

One does wonder if a middle ground can be reached when it comes to spending on ways to flood the passport with stamps. Especially given when price tags of such dreams may make one shy away from them. Is it possible to marry a dream destination with a decent budget?

"Travel is truly a transformative experience and with planning everyone can do it," said Tanya Khanijow a travel vlogger with nearly 2 million subscribers. Khanijow has been travelling for seven years and narrowing her recommendations to top five was a difficult task, she said.

The destination that holds first place on her list is Norway. A four day trip should be possible with a Rs 3 lakh budget, according to her.

"Its close to the north pole. This is one of the eight places where one can see the Northern lights best. There are activities like whale watching and yacht journeys," she said. This trip is a plausible goal for the end of the coming year if the planning can be done well. Norway has direct air-connections and Tanya also highlighted the 24-hours of daylight in the summer.

The second destination is Japan, where a 10-day trip can be planned with Rs 1.5 lakh, if hotels are swapped out for hostels.

"The place is also traditional not just futuristic. In the north of Japan, one can see cherry blossom, you can see cherry blossom mid-April as well," Khanijow said. Making small changes like swapping hotel stays for hostels and taking a pass for the bullet train can go a long way.

In third place, Peru offers a 14 day trip for a Rs 3 lakh budget. Despite being a 30-hour flight away, Khanijow said that Peru is an entry into a land with much to offer like hikes and treks.

"Travel planned in advance can be less costly. If its also broken up, like a stop in the US, the cost will be lower," she recommended.

A 14-day trip to Zimbabwe can be done in a budget of Rs 1.6 lakh, according to Khanijow. With destinations like Victoria falls, paired with activities like self-driving safari rides, this destination truly becomes an exciting one. Calling a friend along can also cut costs when it comes to renting cars and booking group packages.

Last, but not the least, Khanijow said that a 10-day trip to Oman can be done with Rs 50,000. Exotic activities like snorkeling with turtles and beach sides walks with bioluminescence are offerings of the land.

Other changes that can make every penny count include utilising the hotel and airline loyalty programme to the fullest. This gives better chances for upgrades and makes your spends count. One can also build their credit card points to ensure they use the rewards well.

Now, for those who find themselves hesitating to make the big spends, there are some small changes that go a long way. The large numbers in bills may be intimidating, so setting apart a monthly amount and taking up yearly travel plans might even-out the spends.

"Set apart small amounts like Rs 20,000 every month for the larger fund. This can be just for experience broadly," said Kirtan Shah, founder and managing director of Credence Family. About 5-10% of the annual income can add up to make the funds for travel.

Covid taught us to live a little and not saving everything for a rainy days, he said. Other steps to take while travelling include ensuring there is medical insurance and that your spends gets you reward points on the credit card or other systems.