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By going to the local supermarket and buying your groceries, which does mean cooking all the food yourself, something most of us like to get away from. You do get the option of eating when you want to, not everyone gets hungry at the same time every day, some people like to snack during the day and have a full meal later in the evening. With full board you are set to a sometimes very strict timetable and if you don’t feel hungry when the restaurant is open, you have wasted money. It really does depend on the individuals, some like the fact that they can eat at different restaurants every night and depending on where you are, you can eat quite cheaply and enjoy good local food. For people who are on a budget and they get a really good deal on their self catering holiday, it could work out much cheaper all round.

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Some countries have excellent food markets which stay open very late and the food is cooked right in front of you, these are also excellent value for money. Checking the menus which are outside some restaurants and offer a set menu at a discounted price is a good option. Or if you have cooking facilities in your accommodation, a trip to the local supermarket can be worthwhile as you can select the food you like from the vast range they have. You could always ask the locals if there are any good places and I am sure they will be more than happy to help. There really are so many ways to save money while on holiday, it just means taking the time to venture out, maybe a little off the beaten track, but there are some excellent bargains to be had.

If there is one sight that you need to see while in Bangkok, it would have to be the absolutely stunning Grand Palace. It was built in 1782 and for the first one hundred and fifty years was home to the king of Thailand. The palace has seen many visitors over past years and the number grows, as they come to gaze in absolute awe at its immense beauty. It really is a spectacular sight and holds a vast amount of Thai history and culture. Inside the palace complex are many amazing sights which will astound you and leave you with a feeling of absolute peace. There is a small charge of 200baht which is £2 and for the pure delight which the palace offers, is a small price to pay. If you do come to Thailand a visit here is a must.

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Eat out at a Bangkok Night Market

When visiting the beautiful country which is Thailand and you visit Bangkok, you cannot leave without stopping off at one of the many night markets. You will be truly amazed at the fantastic sights that the markets have to offer. There is a saying; if you cannot buy it in Thailand then it is not for sale. These excellent night markets are an experience, you can walk around for hours without making a purchase, or maybe stop at one of the many food stalls, enjoy food like you have never tasted before, for literally pennies. There is so much on offer that you hare spoilt for choice, you can browse the hundreds of stalls, selling everything from clothing to ornaments and then sit and enjoy a drink and the best food you will ever taste. The people are very friendly and always willing to assist you in any way they can. A must see.

The momo shop is almost a national treasure, as they are everywhere, and everyone loves visiting one almost daily. Almost like an unwritten federal law, momo shops always offer the same fair: plates of steamed momos, a dozen to a large copper plate, with a dish of tomato achar placed in the middle of the dish.

Find Budget Accommodation in Nepal

Like the noodle shops of Japan, where noodle making is an art form, so is momo-making. A momo is better known throughout the world as a “dumpling,” but that does little to describe the Nepali momo. The Nepali momo is a delicate flour-based pastry filled with spiced meats or vegetables. The momo wrapper is an intricately designed and wafer thin.

Momos come in several varieties: steamed or fried, or with a special version featuring an open top instead of the traditional closed and sealed design.

Momos are eaten with your right hand, and dipped in the spicy achar first. That’s twelve mouthfuls of pure heaven – all for just 50 rupees (66 US pennies or ½ of a Euro) per plate!

If you tire of momos (which of course no Nepali ever does) then there is also the staple meal of the nation: Dhal Bhat. Dhal Bhat is a bit more complex meal, but costs just pennies more then the plate of momos. Here you get a mound of fresh rice, a curry of your choosing (usually chicken or mutton), steamed spinach, spicy pickle, and the spicy achar of momo fame.

Currently I am residing in Thailand, and I am really spoiled for choice here, so much so that it is quite difficult to highlight a single food to think of as the local fast food. If I had to choose, I think it would have to be Kwai Tiew (noodle soup), which is available everywhere from street stalls and small Thai kitchens. It comes in a variety types, and can contain chicken, pork or simply vegetables. The dish is served straight from a cooking vat and you then add chili, sugar and vinegar to your own taste. The greatest challenge is eating the soup with chopsticks in your right hand and a spoon in your left, quite difficult until you get used to it, It is a cheap and tasty dish, excellent for breakfast or lunch.

I am going to be tracking down local dishes such as Falafel and Kwai Tiew for as many countries I can over the next few weeks, and I will present my findings here. If you have travelled to a country, and have already identified the local style of fast food, please leave a comment below, and I will research the food you recommend and post a blog article about it.