Budget Travel

Budget travel is all about making the most of what and who you know; finding the free entry to museums, and turning that vague acquaintance into your best friend to stay at their house.

So here's a few tips on how to be the perfect house guest and make sure your new host never wants you to move on!

Do...

...cook and clean for them. Reinvent yourself as their personal slave, if necessary. Try to make their house a haven - even if it was previously a pit of despair.

...let them show you the sights, local style! Take advantage of their knowledge of the area away from tourist traps and they will take you to the places the local residents hang out. It's great for your budget, as well as your insight into the country or city where you're staying.

Don’t...

...invite all your friends around and throw wild parties. Although if you’re only staying for a few days, you won’t know too many people apart in the area - but still, don't bring back everyone from the bar to carry on the evening there. Chances are your host won't exactly be over the moon about having to remove red wine stains from their carpet.

What if, I hear you ask, I know too many people? How do I choose who to stay with? The answer is simple. Choose the one with the car. Or the cable TV. As long as it's in English, of course.

Above all, though, the most important thing is to enjoy yourself and have fun (and shout your host a drink or two to say thanks).

Just remember that karma works in weird and wonderful ways and, one day, you may open the door to a bedraggled budget traveler who claims they met you in a bar in Santorini five years ago...