Should You Remove Expensive Places From Your Travels?

In this article, I share my thoughts on visiting expensive cities and countries and why I refuse to take this out of my travel plans.

After visiting Brazil, even though I recognize I was a bit shocked by the prices, I still urged readers to visit the country. Why? Because I loved all the places we visited. Because I had a great experience. Because I felt great joy.  Because this country is unique in its own particular way.

To me,  the cost of living of a particular country should not kill your dream of visiting. Turns out not everybody agrees. I get a lot of comments stating some places should be avoided because of the prices.  According to those commenters,  there are plenty of places to visit with the option of not getting stunned at every corner by the prices.

See, I understand the money issue.  We are all looking for good value.  There are many websites dedicated to budget travel.  It is like saving money is the name of the game.  I like to save money too.  I try to visit destinations where my dollar stretches like a rubber band.

However, I don’t want the “expensive factor” determining what places I should visit or not.

Here are some of the reasons why I don’t feel like crossing out expensive places from my travel list (or bucket list or must-see places list).

There are a lot of interesting but expensive cities out there

This year, Sao Paulo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Moscow, and Tokyo are considered among the 10 most expensive cities in the world.  To this list, we can add cities such as New York, San Francisco, Sydney, and most of the European capitals.  So, are you telling me that in an eternal search for cheap places I will never be able to set foot in one of these cities?  Forget about ascents to the top of the Eiffel Tower, walks along the Golden Gate Bridge, and rides in the Shinkansen. Excuse me but this is ridiculous.

I am not willing to sacrifice the uniqueness and vibe of some of the world’s top metropolises just because they come with a high price tag.  As a traveler, I aim to expand my view of the world by experiencing different places and cultures.  I want to have a wide view of the world, not a narrow one.  Excluding the expensive continents does not get me closer to my goal.

Sometimes I will travel like a princess sometimes like a pauper

In my travels through Central America and South East Asia, I have been able to live the high life.  Big lunches and dinners.  Massages every day.  Tons of paid activities.  On the contrary, my travels to places such as Brazil and Europe have been quite different.  I watched my spending, found ways to save on food, and engaged in local activities.

Years of travel have taught me that in some places I will have high purchasing power.  In others, well, I will even lose part of my own currency.  Will I prefer one place over another based solely on that reason?  The answer is no.

I have learned how to absorb the soul of a place without buying and/or spending. There are tons of ways to have a fabulous time in certain places. And yes, this includes free or low-cost ways.  Get away from the mentality that dictates how a good stack of dollars is equivalent to good times.

There is a multitude of options and possibilities

I believe this is the key here.  I know the places I want to visit. I also know it is relatively easy to visit the least expensive places.  However, I am always alert to the possibilities that open up to visit expensive locations.

I redeemed my frequent flyer miles to go to Brazil.  I went to Europe paying student prices.  I have already heard rumors that Japan will be giving free tickets to Tokyo next year (I am more than ready to act).  You have to keep your eyes open for these opportunities.  There are certain places that used to be expensive and are great bargains (relatively speaking) today (Iceland, Athens).  If you really want to go somewhere, the opportunity will come up at some moment.

Besides, we are living in an era where the Internet has helped travelers to shrink travel costs.  There is Couchsurfing, WWoofing, House Exchanges, House Sitting, and Apartment Rentals.  There are websites featuring economical hostels offering free breakfast and Wi-Fi.

I can go and on about ways some people, in this precise moment, are using to make their travel dreams true.  I feel so good every time I read about a blogger or friend who has managed to live in London, Rome, or Paris for a reasonable amount of money.  It just gives me more force to continue dreaming about those places I want to visit.

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These are some of the reasons why I refuse to divide the world between affordable and expensive.  I am aware that there are some places I cannot visit now.  Nevertheless, I have hope in the opportunities the future holds for me.  Plus, I have confidence in my planning and saving abilities.  A little creative thinking can go a long way.

In the end, you decide where you want to go.  You know your budget and what places appeal to you.  But tell me, do you have dreams or concrete plans for visiting those expensive cities? Why?

Would love to read your comments below!!!!

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