I remember travelling around Israel a couple of decades ago, I had a really tight budget as I was trying to extend my stay as long as I could, I discovered quite quickly that the cheapest and tastiest food available was the simple Falafel I was travelling with a friend at the time, and we made quite a game out of searching for the perfect one shekel falafel (which we found within the old city of Jerusalem eventually). Falafel can be considered a localised form of fast food, and ever since this revelation, I have always tried to locate similar types of food in every country I visit. Food like the falafel is cheap, nutritious, and quick to prepare, and can form the basis of a staple diet. For real budget travellers, this kind of food can reduce travel costs considerably. It seems every country or nation has some form of food that the local population treat as a form of fast food. During my time in Portugal I discovered the incredible things that can be done with the humble sardine, very tasty and cheap.

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.

There can be no doubt that England can be one of the most expensive counties in the world to visit, and this is doubly true when you are in London, the capital city. But London does have some truly amazing free attractions, many of which are unequaled anywhere else around the globe, outclassing some of the high priced pay to visit attractions found in many other places.

Top of the list of free things to do and see in London, must be the British Museum which has been entertaining  crowds for decades, completely free of charge. It certainly houses some amazing exhibits, such as the Magna Carta and the Rosetta Stone. It also carries specialist displays and organises themed exhibitions throughout the year, check the website for more information of what is currently going on within this incredible establishment.Over the years it has housed some of the most successful exhibitions ever seen in a museum anywhere, such as the famous Egyptian event during the 1980s, of which the crowning highlight was the sarcophagus of Tutankhamen, I had the pleasure of visiting this exhibition myself and I was completely dumbfounded by what I saw. I have visited the British Museum many times since then, and find new things to excite me each time.

Following close on the heels of the British Museum in the amazing place that you can visit for free category, just has to be the Tate Modern Gallery which is international renowned as a major contemporary art gallery. It displays a wide selection of modern art and photography exhibits, with many exhibitions each year, highlighting specific artists and genres. This is one of those places you just have to see when visiting London, it really is astounding that an establishment of this quality is willing to open it’s doors for free. Maybe not the perfect venue for families, the Tate Modern is far less interactive than the British Museum, but for those who have even a passing interest in art and photography, the Tate Modern is an excellent way to spend and afternoon or evening in London. Make sure to check their website before you visit, to find out what special events are running.

There are many more free or inexpensive attractions to be found in London, but we feel the two mentioned above were worthy of special attention, due to the high level of quality they offer. If you are visiting London, England, on a budget, then these two places should be top of your list of venues you are going to take in whilst there.