Rolf Potts on the Rewards of Shoestring Travel

Frequent World Hum contributor Rolf Potts is the lead-off hitter in the Guardian’s new, budget-focused special issue, with a thoughtful essay about bagpipers in Havana, beer and dumplings in Prague, and how traveling on a budget led him to discover both. He writes: “Ultimately, the charm of budget travel has always been less about saving money than making the most of my time on the road. Traveling cheaply has forced me to be engaged and creative, rather than to throw money at my holidays and hope for the best. Freed from a rigid, expense-laden itinerary, I’m more likely to be spontaneous, embrace serendipity and enjoy each moment of my journey.”

Other worthy reads in the issue: Guardian deputy travel editor Tom Robbins test-drives seven major budget hotel chains in seven nights, and Carole Cadwalladr checks out one of those discount supermarket holiday packages we blogged about awhile back.

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