5 Best Beaches in Southeast Asia

By this time next week, I'll be strolling along the Champs-Elysées, snacking on fresh-baked croissants, and roaming the streets of Paris on my way to the next world-famous museum. I'm going to be visiting London and Paris next week and the good news is, you can come, too! Follow along with my adventures as I post photos from the road to our brand new Instagram page, @budgettravel. I'm going to be taking a tour by Contiki, a company specializing in vacations for 18-35-year-olds, and I'm right in the middle of the age group having just turned 26. This is my first time taking a group tour, as I've gotten used to taking solo trips around the U.S. or family vacations abroad that required tons of planning ahead of time, so I'm excited to sit back and not have to worry about all the big details like hotels and sightseeing for a change. I'm taking Contiki's London & Paris Plus Paris Extension tour, so I'll have three nights in London and five nights in Paris, giving me a total of nine days to see the sights. The package price includes a guided trip to the Palace of Versailles, a visit to the Eiffel Tower at night, sightseeing and walking tours of London and Paris, a trip to a French perfumery, tickets to a West End musical, a one-day pass for the London Underground, a two-day pass for the Paris Metro, ferry crossing across the English Channel with a scenic drive through historical WWI battlefields on our way to Paris, plus daily breakfast and two three-course dinners. While much of the trip is planned out—there are also guided trips to Stonehenge and Bath, and a group trip to the Moulin Rouge dinner show built in as optional add-ons—I will still have a lot of free time to check out other sights not covered by the tour, like inside of the Louvre, for instance. I'm going to invest in a Paris Museum Pass and indulge in some museum-hopping during the off-days, and make a pilgrimage to Palais Garnier, the famous haunted theater thought to be the inspiration for Phantom of the Opera. I've been to London before. My mother, sister, and I spent a few days there this summer at the end of a vacation to Ireland, a trip we'd literally been planning since I was in high school. With such a short time in London, we stuck to the tourist trail, visiting Westminster Abbey (the most impressive Cathedral I've ever seen, and I've been to the Vatican twice!), the Tower of London (very creepy and slightly depressing), and watching the Changing of the Guard procession outside Buckingham Palace with thousands of other tourists. We hopped on trains to visit some of Londons' best pop culture sites like Abbey Road, Harry Potter's Platform 9 and 3/4 at King's Cross Station, and the location of London's only Dr. Who Tardis, and spent a day exploring the Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill. But there are still a few places we didn't have time to check out—Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, London's great—and free!—museums like the British Museum and National Gallery among others, and the thing I'm looking forward to most, a ride on The London Eye, a magnificent Ferris wheel that overlooks Big Ben, Parliament, and the rest of the city. While this will be my second trip to London, it's my first time visiting Paris. Before I travel to a new place, I always ask my friends and family for recommendations for off-the-beaten-path spots that I'd never know about otherwise. Our intrepid Budget Travel audience has traveled all over the world and always has great advice, so now I'm asking you. What are your favorite little-known places to visit in London and Paris? Sound off below!

This article was written by Wendy Worrall Redal, Editorial Director at Natural Habitat Adventures. There's no question that Africa's legendary wildebeest migration is a bucket-list dream for nature travelers. But the fact is, Africa is expensive to get to, even for a budget safari. If you're fascinated by epic wildlife pilgrimages, here are three amazing phenomena you can witness without leaving North America. Gray WhalesOctober marks the beginning of the world's longest mammal migration: the epic journey of the Pacific gray whales from their summer feeding grounds in Alaska to the birthing and nursery lagoons of Mexico's Baja Peninsula. When the northern waters begin to freeze, the whales take a cue to head south, traveling 24 hours a day to cover more than 5,000 miles. Gray whales swim very close to the coast and are often seen from shore, revealed by their spouts as they exhale. By December the first of the whales—usually pregnant females—have reached the warm, protected waters of Baja, preparing to give birth and raise their young. In February and March, whale-watchers who visit the subtropical lagoons are often treated to close-up encounters with gentle mothers and their young—it's not uncommon for a friendly whale to guide her baby right up alongside an open skiff to show it off to delighted tourists. The Pacific coast offers excellent gray whale watching in the winter and spring. Whales are frequenty spotted from Oregon's many roadside pull-offs along the ocean (bring binoculars for the best view), or scout for spouts from Point Reyes National Seashore north of San Francisco. To come closer, consider a boat-based outing. Various day-tour operators and marine education groups offer whale-watching cruises, such as the Oceanic Society's naturalist-led 3-hour trip out of Half Moon Bay on weekends from December through May. For the ultimate thrill, book a Baja tour with multiple excursions among the whales. Sandhill CranesFor nature lovers, especially bird enthusiasts, few spectacles can compete with the annual sandhill crane migration along Nebraska's Platte River each spring. From late February through early April—usually peaking in mid-to-late March—some 500,000 sandhill cranes stage along the riverbanks to feed and build up fat reserves. The tall, graceful birds are accompanied by thousands of waterfowl, shorebirds and other species that also migrate through the area, creating a cacophonous frenzy in the marshes. Fort Kearney State Historical Park serves as the central information point for crane watchers each spring, with maps and guidance for how to watch from the many viewing decks and bridges in the Kearney and Grand Island area where the greatest number of cranes congregate. Several roadside turnouts offer a chance to see cranes from one's car, though the best experience is from within a specially designated blind. Rowe Sanctuary, operated by the National Audubon Society and Crane Meadows, a private non-profit nature center, offer sunrise and sunset blind tours for close-up views of cranes along the river. Reservations are required, and the cost is $15-18 per person. For more information on viewing the crane migration, consult Nebraska Game and Parks. Monarch ButterfliesWith the first frosts of autumn in southern Canada and the northeastern U.S., monarch butterflies take to the skies, drawn south by an innate compass that remains a mystery to scientists. Flying 50 miles a day for two to three months—up to 3,000 miles in all—they arrive at their winter roosting grounds in Mexico's central highlands by early November. The fir forests of this remote region of Michoacan provide just the right microclimate for the tens of millions of butterflies that congregate here, finding refuge in the fog and freezing rain at 10,000 feet by clinging together to the trunks and brunches in great clumps. At first sight they resemble heavy cloaks of autumn leaves, till the sun comes out to warm their wings and they swirl into the air in a fluttering cloud of orange. This is the only place in the world where one can literally hear the sound of butterfly wings beating. The millions of gossamer orange and black-veined wings create a gentle hum as the monarchs float about, sometimes landing on an enchanted visitor's head or hand. Once the warm winds of spring arrive in early March, the monarchs fly once again, following the blooming milkweed that sustains them on their northward journey. Travelers who want to stand among the monarchs must travel into the mountains above the former silver-mining village of Anguangeo to one of several butterfly sanctuaries that are accessible on foot via a steep hike or by horseback. A guided package tour is the best approach; most are approximately one-week affairs that typically begin and end in Mexico City and include other natural and cultural highlights in addition to the butterflies.

Elizabeth Minchilli is the host of the blog Elizabeth Minchilli in Rome and author of the book Eating Rome and the apps Eat Rome, Eat Florence, and Eat Venice. You asked for it, you got it. A list of where to eat pizza in Rome. It's a bit of a mixed bag. Some old school places and some quite new. There are a LOT of pizzerias in Rome, and I obviously can't include them all. These are just the short list of places that I know, and love. Rather than write extended descriptions/reviews here, I've kept it short and sweet. You'll find the full story on my app, Eat Rome. And where I've already written a blog post about a particular restaurant, I've included the link to that as well. FYI: In case you don't know, when talking pizza in Rome there are basically three kinds: Pizza a taglio: This is sheet pizza, sold mostly in small store fronts that specialize in this type, but also sold in some bakeries. It is sold by the weight and has various toppings. You can either buy it to take away, or (usually) eat it standing up at a counter. Pizza: When most people say 'pizza' in Rome they mean small, round single serving pizzas. These are made to order at pizzerias, usually in a wood burning oven. Almost always pizzerias are only open at night, so this is a dinner kind of thing (there are some notable and recent exceptions). Pizza Bianca: This is white pizza dough that has been baked in a sheet. It is sold in bakeries and is a true 'street food' in that it is meant to be eaten while hot, right away. (A note about Roman pizza vs. Neopolitan pizza: Roman pizza is made with a very thin crust, and barely any rim around the edge. Neopolitan pizza is thicker, doughier, and has a thick puffy crust along the edge. There are also variations that are some where between the two.) Pizzerie Pizzeria LeoncinoVia del Leoncino 28 (Spanish Steps)06.686.7757Lunch & Dinner. Closed Wednesday. It's hard to find a good pizzeria that is open for lunch. Also, the area in the center of Rome (Spanish Steps) makes this even more of a challenge. This place is both centrally located and open at lunch. Very much an old fashioned neighborhood place. Speciality: Pizza with onions, beans and sausage. See my post. Gatta Mangiona Via Ozanam 30-32 (Monteverde) 06.534.6702 Tues - Sun, Dinner. Considered by many to be the best pizzeria in Rome. A Roman take on Neopolitan. Inventive toppings. See Eat Rome and this post for full description. La Fucina Via Giuseppe Lunati 25/31 (Portuense) 06.559.3368 Sunday - Friday, dinner only. Closed Saturday. Extraordinary dough and toppings. Very expensive (but worth it) See my blog post. Pizzeria alle Carrette Via Madonna dei Monti 95 06.679.2770 Daily for dinner. Just our local pizza place, which is very, very good. Thin Roman crust. Every neighborhood has a good pizza place, this is ours. See my blog post. Sforno Via Statilio Ottato 114 (Tuscolana, Metro: Subagusta) 06.715.46118 Out of the way, fantastic pizzeria, Neopolitan style. See my blog post. Ai Marmi Viale Trastevere 53 (Trastevere) 06.580.0919 Dinner only. Closed Wednesday. If you want to feel like you are in a Fellini movie, head here. Hasn't changed in about 60 years. Rough and ready service. Don't worry if there is a line, tables turn fast. Porto Fluviale Via del Porto Fluviale 22 (Ostiense) 06.574.3199 One of the few places where you can reserve a table for a pizza, and that also is open at lunch. You can choose between either Roman or Neopolitan style. There are certainly better pizza places on this list, but this one is convenient, a nice setting and is good. See my blog post and video. Pizza a Taglio Pizzarium Via della Meloria 43 (near Vatican, metro Cipro) 06.397.45416 Most famous pizza place in Italy? Possibly. See my posts here, and here, and here. And Eat Rome as well. 00100 Via Giovanni Branca 88 (Testaccio) 06.434.19627 Daily 12 - 11pm. Fantastic pizza by the slice from the same owner as Sforno. Also the home of the trapizzini, a triangular pizza pouch filled with things like meatballs and tripe. See this blog post. Panella Via Merulana 54 Open daily Better known as a bakery they have extraordinary pizza by the slice. Forno La Renella Via del Moro 15 (Trastevere) Daily, 9am - 1am. Known for it's large loaves of rustic bread, they are also the makers of some of the best loved pizza by the slice in Trastevere. Almost always open.  Roscioli Bakery Via dei Chiavari 34 06.686.4045 Most famous bakery in Rome? Many say so. Yes, fantastic bread, but also amazing pizza by the slice. Bakeries (pizza bianca, etc) Forno di Campo di Fiori Piazza Campo dei Fiori 22 Open daily, 7:30-2; 4:45 - 8. Closed Sunday. One of the oldest bakeries in town. Fresh, hot pizza bianca all day long. Roscioli See above. Is their pizza bianca better than Forno di Campo dei Fiori? Try both, and you decide. Renella See above. Panella See above. Antico Forno Urbani Piazza Costaguti 30 (Ghetto) Old fashioned bakery that has the best pizza rossa in town. This is thin crusted pizza  that is spread with the thinnest layer of tomato sauce, imaginable. No cheese. Extra: Pizza places that are famous but that I've never been to Da Remo Piazza di Santa Maria Liberatrice 44 (Testaccio) Dinner only, closed Sunday. Very thin crusted Roman pizza. A real scene, there is always a line. Which is probably why I've never been. Tonda Via Valle Corteno 31 (Montesacro) 06.818.0960 Located in a suburban neighborhood, and owned by the same owner as Sforno and 00100. Gluten Free Mama! Eat Via di San Cosimato 9 06.580.6222 I've actually been here, but have never ordered pizza. The pasta was great. Seriously gluten free, with two separate kitchens. 

Browsing the results of Zagat's 2013 Top Food In NYC survey is just a bit like strolling down a Manhattan street on a still-warm October evening: You may catch the aromas of garlic, lemongrass, and grilled meats from bustling kitchens, the bouquet of freshly uncorked reds and whites at sidewalk tables—but you ain't got the time or the money to sit down and order a nice dinner for yourself. In a nutshell, New York's best restaurants are mind-blowingly expensive. Don't get me wrong. I'm a native New Yorker and I'm as proud as the next guy (well, unless the next guy happens to be Eric Ripert) that our restaurants are as innovative, diverse, and uncompromising as the five boroughs themselves. But geez, can a father of two on a magazine editor's salary catch a break? Well, yeah. As a matter of fact, some of the chefs whose eateries top this year's Zagat survey are enterprising and forward-thinking enough to have launched affordable spinoffs of their restaurants. Not ready, willing, or able to lavish $300+ per person on a single meal any time soon? Check out these tasty NYC alternatives, where the creativity of top chefs is plated daily for a fraction of the flagship prices: Bouchon Bakery. Thomas Keller's French restaurant Per Se ranked number three on this year's Zagat survey, and it comes with a price tag to match that honor—topping $300 per person. But Keller's awesome Bouchon Bakery, with locations at NYC's Columbus Circle and Rockefeller Center (not to mention Yountville, Calif., Beverly Hills, and the Venetian in Las Vegas) serves up luxurious quiches, delicate croissants, and its namesake bouchons (cork-shaped brownie-like treats), among other peerless baked goods at only slightly higher than average bakery prices. Bar Boulud. At number four on the Zagat survey, Daniel Boulud's eponymous Daniel serves some of the finest French cuisine in the the city, but you can't really get out of there for less than, say, $140 or so. Meet Bar Boulud, near Lincoln Center for the Peforming Arts on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Offering innovative riffs on corn soup, roasted chicken, and ravioli, this comfortable joint has a prix fixe lunch for $29 and dinner for two for $74. Spice Market. Alsatian star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten's Jean-Georges is number six on the Zagat survey, but for those a little antsy about the $150+ price tag, there's Spice Market, a gem in New York's meatpacking district. A $25 prix fixe lunch on weekdays and reasonably priced south Asia-inspired dishes like Thai noodles, vindaloo, and other, yes, spicy favorites allow you to experience Vongerichten's breathtaking imagination at a down-to-earth price.