Tony Wheeler, the founder of Lonely Planet, joined us today to discuss where you should be traveling, listing the best and cheapest locations.

If you’re after a bargain, Vietnam and Thailand are cheap at the moment. He also says anybody tourist operator experiencing a downturn in business is likely to be offering bargains. So negotiate! Barter! Make an offer!

HOLIDAY HOT SPOTS

Iceland - the currency has tanked, so suddenly a place that was very expensive is affordable. Wild, wonderful, volcanic action, hot springs, waterfalls, coastline...

Canada - Tony has visited there recently. He says it's currently in fashion, and our dollar is doing well against the Canadian dollar.

Oman - Also very fashionable at the moment, desert tourism, 4WDs just like Australia, exotic but accessible because it's pretty much on the Dubai/Emirates route to Europe .

Peru - Macchu Picchu, Cuzco, cheaper place, lots of activities (surfing, white water rafting, trekking), and it's also fashionable.

 

 

HOW TO TRAVEL CHEAPLY

- Look for bargains

- Use public transport

- Walk or bicycle

 

TONY'S TRAVEL TIPS

- Watch currency movements

- Make copies of travel documents

- Book holidays online

- Get travel insurance

 

The book “Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2009” is in stores now.  

 

More info

Yahoo!7 TRAVEL

 

Driving Holiday Tips from the soapbox

From Margaret, QLD:  Drive past Brisbane and come to Bundaberg to see the turtles laying eggs or hatching at Mon Repos. And Kochie will love you for the bottle of rum.

From Jan, QLD:  We recently went to Victoria Great Ocean Road from Queensland
Favourite places Echuca, Appollo Bay, Queenscliff and my husband rode his Royal Star Cruiser on Bathurst Track so that was his favourite I'm sure.
5086klms and only 3 u turns. Great trip but hard to take kids on a motorbike.

From Ellen, QLD: Vist Byfield, we have wonderful National parks to camp at or visit. 4wd tracks to explore, or stay in on of the 5 different lots of cabins here. We are 40 mintues north of Yeppoon, 1hr out of Rockhampton.