A travel expert says there's still a way to tick off 'bucket list' trips amid the cost of living crisis.
A poll of 2,000 people revealed there are around 16 destinations and activities people are desperate to see and do. But 71 per cent said a lack of cash was holding them back.
Jack Mitchell, who has helped holiday goers get the best deals for foreign excursions for more than a decade at card firm FairFX has revealed his top secrets for visiting sought-after places at a fraction of the cost.
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"Despite feeling the pinch amid the cost-of-living crisis, the nation’s passion for travelling and exploring the world hasn’t been subdued," he said.
"But for any traveller, no matter what their budget, doing the legwork about the destination is essential to making your money go further and enabling you to tick off entries on your travel bucket list.
"Whether that’s discovering the local hacks or just getting the most competitive rates with your travel money, it all goes a long way making lifelong memories without breaking the bank."
Aurora borealis
The Northern Lights was top of most people's bucket lists. Jack has a top tip to avoid Iceland prices.
He suggests heading to Sweden - specifically, a little-known town in the north of the country, Abisko.
The snowy Swedish settlement is one of the best spots to witness the natural phenomenon between September and March - without eye-watering accommodation costs - compared to Iceland.
Those wanting to experience the Northern Lights on a budget can make further savings by hiring a car and downloading free apps to discover prime locations. This saves travellers from forking out for a guided tour.
African safari
The second place on many people's bucket list was to go on a safari in Africa.
Heading for the south of the continent in the low season - from December to March - is where the best savings can be made over the east.
Jack highlighted Zimbabwe as a great alternative. The country offers competitive options for travellers, as well as access to many of the essential safari animals.
New York city to see the Statue of Liberty
In third, many hope to see the Statue of Liberty in New York, which isn’t often associated with a budget break.
Jack says the Statue of Liberty can be experienced for a pittance - with free ferry tickets included with the purchase of most tourist discount passes around the city.
To see even more of New York cheaply, the NYC Ferry connects five boroughs and has a route from Midtown West to Staten Island - where you can get stunning views of the Statue of Liberty - from as little as $4.
Jack highlighted museums with weekly free or ‘pay-what-you-wish’ hours - like Frick Madison on Thursday afternoons, Guggenheim Museum on selected Saturday afternoons, and the Jewish Museum which is free every Saturday.
“With so much to see and do across the world, it can almost feel like an impossible task compiling a realistic travel bucket list.
“And for many it can seem daunting trying to see as much of it as possible - but if there’s a will, there’s a way - and it’s encouraging to learn how these determined travellers are exploring options to go on adventures within budget,” he said.
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