The Sino-Portuguese architecture creates an exuberant atmosphere in amongst a great mix of cheap food stalls and markets.

The weekend market on the outskirts of the town is a hive of activity on Friday and Saturday evenings. Food stalls, cheap clothing, trinkets and a vibrant atmosphere are the vital ingredients of a value-for-money night.

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Thais love to eat and don’t receive high salaries, so dining at any small Thai restaurant will be inexpensive. These styles of eateries are dotted over the entirety of Phuket Town, so don’t worry about choice because they are plentiful.

Most surprisingly, some of the cheapest places to eat on the island are the food courts inside shopping centers. You can find delicious and nutritious meals for the price of 40bht alongside a wealth of options.

Although Patong is accepted as the most expensive destination on the island, there is a wide choice of offerings of all price ranges. The old market on Nan Nai Road is full to the brim with food stalls where you can eat for amazing value. After 2am the market is like party central with girls and guys who have just finished work, eating and laughing until the early hours of the morning. This is a wonderful place to meet new and interesting people.

For cheap daytime entertainment you could visit the lofty heights of the Big Buddha perched on a mountaintop in Chalong. Or take in the numerous viewpoints which showcase dramatic views overlooking the Andaman Sea. Some of the island’s most untapped beaches are situated on the north-west coast such as Nai Yang or Nai Thon.

Phuket seafood is the freshest I’ve ever tasted, but the restaurants on the Patong beach road are expensive. If you have a fetish for red snapper and king prawns I would suggest the beachside restaurants at Rawai and Leam Hin for a real affordable and local experience.

The bad news of David Carradine’s recent death in the capital of Thailand is, ironically, good news for Bangkok’s sex tourism industry. After all, any kind of kinky or potentially dangerous sex should always be performed with a partner, and you don’t have to look far in Bangkok to find a woman – or man – willing.

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However, sex partners for hire don’t come cheap, and with the rate of the Thai Baht well below 50 to 1 Euro, sex is more expensive than it has been in the past. Still, as long as you are willing to pay the fees, the thousands of popular massage bathhouses welcome you day and night. Here you can get a nice scrub down, Thai massage, and then anything else that you desire.

These bathhouses are actually more like cheap budget hotels, but you only get to stay in the room for an hour or so. The reception areas don’t offer free tea and coffee, but you can buy an expensive beer while you decide on your “masseuse.” They are all on display, you see, behind a large plate glass window, sitting and smiling and winking, all trying to get your attention. You just have to choose the Thai girl, boy, or ladyboy that takes your fancy.

Then you are escorted to your rented room, which is invariably equipped with a Jacuzzi of some sort, a couch, and a massage table or bed. That’s where all the fun begins.

Do not let the bill surprise you. Some of the more unscrupulous houses offer an upfront cost of, say, 1500 Baht, but once things get all wet and soapy in the whirlpool, services other than a scrub and rub could cost you another 1000 Baht or more. So expect to spend about 2500 or so for a decent bath, massage and… well, your imagination is the only limit there. The more established and reputable places will provide an all-in service for a flat rate. Don’t be shy, and be sure to ask exactly what the cover charge includes in the way of services.

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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.

Santa Maria Maior de Lisboa or the Cathedral of Lisbon is the oldest church in the city, originally constructed in 1147, but has undergone some renovation over the years, due to earthquakes in past years. There is no admission fee and visitors are able to walk around and take in its absolute splendour. While the main entrance to the cathedral looks like a fortress with its two towers either side, the interior is absolutely stunning and will have you gazing in awe at its pure beauty. With its grand columns and magnificent sculptures, it really is a sight to behold. Any visitor to Portugal should most definitely have a visit here high on their itinerary. There are a lot of photographic opportunities to be had, not only from the inside but the outside also. A day spent walking around here is a day well spent.

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Castle of St George

While in Lisbon a visit to the Castle of St George should be high on your to see list, not only is it free but it also holds a lot of Portuguese history within its great walls .Legend has it that the siege of Lisbon which took place in 1147, owes part of its success to knight Martim Moniz who noticed that one of the great castle doors was open and thrust his body down to the floor to ensure that they could not close it, sacrificing his life to do so. After several earthquakes and much neglect, the 1940’s saw a change and after renovation work took place, it became a very popular tourist attraction. The castle grounds are quite large and the views it offers from the towers of the surrounding area are quite something. Anyone visiting the area should most definitely pay a visit here.

The cheapest form of travel from Bangkok to Phuket (or from every other destination) is via the excellent Thailand bus service. Although the journey from Bangkok can take up to 12 hours, this is the cheapest and most scenic route by far.

Although Patong is the island’s number one tourist destination, the sheer amount of hotels and restaurants will guarantee a competitive choice of price ranges to suit the individual needs of everybody.

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The Nan Nai Road stretch of Patong is roughly situated a kilometer away from the beach and the famous Bangla Road area. Nan Nai is home to a large expatriate community, inexpensive guesthouses, restaurants and a wide range of bars where the prices are substantially cheaper than Patong’s main Bangla Road stretch.

Ironically, getting around the island can be the most expensive aspect of your vacation due to the stranglehold the tuk-tuk drivers have over the local authorities. The cheapest form of transport is the Song Taew bus. The open back buses charge anywhere from 10bht to 40bht depending how far you travel. Be aware that the Song Taew only operates from early morning to 6pm.

Rawai Beach is situated at the southernmost tip of Phuket and the cheapest and most beautiful place to eat fresh seafood straight off the fishing boats. There are a number of restaurants situated directly on the beach. Rawai is the perfect place to eat top-quality seafood at bargain basement prices with immense views.

Chalong bay is situated on the south-east coast and one of the best value-for-money places in Phuket. This is where the majority of the island’s English teachers and journalists live and hang out. In Chalong you will find very affordable accommodation and restaurants while meeting the colorful and intriguing expat community.

Muddum Gallery can be found in Letna, it is packed full of things to do and is free on certain days. It has so much to offer people of all ages and is very child friendly. They offer everything from fascinating pieces of art, to world cinema and art and drawing workshops this is a must for any visitor staying in Prague, or just passing through. Many of the free events take place on specific days so checking beforehand is advisable, free screenings of the many films they show do actually offer free food to, so it really is worth checking out. The Muddam Art Space exhibition which features Sepia Dreams should be seen but again, check for times when it is free to view. A fantastic and varied venue which should be top of your itinerary, a great place all round with lots to offer.

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Letna Park

A visit to Prague would be incomplete without a visit to the beautiful Letna Park, it is situated on a plateau above the city and offers stunning views of the park and its surroundings. It has some fantastic walkways where you can just amble along taking in all its beauty, the paths all lead to a central point where you will find giant slabs of marble which were once a giant statue of the dictator Stalin which was destroyed in 1962. The park is not only used by visitors but is also a place of tranquillity by the residents, it is a haven for most as it gets you away from the noise of the traffic and city sounds. The Hanavsky Pavilion, which can be found by the west entrance, is a spectacular piece of architecture made of cast iron, so make sure you have your camera.

No trip to Singapore would be complete without a visit to the Merlion Park, the Merlion which is a massive statue of a lion’s head with the body of a fish. It was originally designed by Mr Fraser Brunner in 1964 and was specifically used as the emblem for the Singapore Tourism Board and since then has become an icon to the world. It stands over eight and a half metres high and weighs seventy tonnes. The head itself represents a lion which was seen by Prince Sang Nila Utama in 11AD and represents the actual beginning of Singapore when it was a small fishing village. It is constantly spraying a water fountain into the river which it watches over, a must see and absolutely free.

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Singapore Botanical Gardens

The Singapore Botanic Gardens is a stunning monument to Sir Stamford Raffles, who was one of the founding members of Singapore. At its present site which was founded in 1859 and was originally meant to be an ornamental park and leisure garden. It has seen much change over many years and management of the garden has changed hands many times. You can wander the grounds and take in all its beauty free of charge, it has many new attractions such as the ginger garden and a spectacular children’s garden and much more besides. It is a great day out for all the family and will not cost a thing. This tropical paradise garden is renowned as a very popular tourist attraction and should not be missed.

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.

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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.

By sticking to the restaurants sometimes strict timetable, you can eat your fill without spending anything extra, if you stick to the local drinks which are available and not the named brands, that can be an even bigger saving, let’s face it we all like to have a drink when we are on holiday and know that most of our spending money is actually spent on alcohol. When you book a self catering holiday and get a really good deal, the holiday itself may cost a few hundred pounds and you end up spending three maybe four times as much by eating at restaurants twice a day and then more on drinks throughout the evening.

All inclusive holidays do have a lot to offer and do give a very good service and you don’t have to worry about non English speaking restaurants, bringing you something that you thought was something totally different . All inclusive is also very good as a family holiday, as they always have different options for your children and cater for their needs. So is it good value for money? If you are able to stick to what’s on offer in your hotel or resort, you will be pleasantly surprised.