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Today, 05 July 2009

> Lions roar in Johannesburg

> United States of Africa?

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Yesterday, 04 July 2009

> IRB called in on Botha ban

> Lions roar in Johannesburg

> Rugby live scoring

> United States of Africa?

> The iafrica.com debate

With the weak rand making travel in Europe and North America prohibitively expensive, we asked the experts at Lonely Planet where you can find the best value destinations on the planet...

Lithuania
Rebellious and quirky, Lithuania is Europe's best-kept secret, an allrounder when it comes to value. Shoved successively between Russian pillar and Nazi post, this tenacious little country stunned the world when it played David and Goliath with the might of the Soviet Union – and won its independence just over a decade ago. There's been plenty to enjoy since. The nation that vanished from the maps of Europe is back with a vengeance: it's part of the EU and is a fully fledged partner of NATO. It is the place to buy 'Baltic gold' (amber) or to explore 15th-century castles.

Hungary
In a world ever more obsessed with the drops squeezed from a grape, Budapest represents value when it comes to history and the knowledge that goes with it. Wine has been produced in Hungary for thousands of years, and it remains very important both economically and socially.

You'll find it available by the glass or bottle everywhere in the capital – at very basic wine bars, food stalls, restaurants, supermarkets and 24-hour grocery stores – usually at good prices. If you're seriously into wine, visit the speciality wine shops on both sides of the Danube.

Thailand
Despiute recent troubles, the land of smiles is still a generous destination. Value is most famously demonstrated in the nation's cuisine, which stands at the crossroads of numerous ancient culinary traditions (those of India, China and Asian Oceania).

You'll quickly discover that eating is one of life's great pleasures here. The average Thai takes time out to eat, not three times per day, but four or five. Fortunately, most travellers are also lucky enough to be able to afford to do the same, whatever their budget.

Latvia
A country in transition, hell-bent on shedding its stalwart old-Soviet image, the Latvia of today is vibrant. Still relatively undiscovered by Europe's tourism masses, this Baltic star is poised to arrive on the continent's A-list.

Many arrive expecting little and leave overwhelmed, certain they've uncovered long-buried treasure. Its capital Riga has come an awfully long way in 10 years. Instead of making do with the best of a dodgy lot, for visitors these days there's a genuine choice of restaurants and places to stay, representing value, attention to detail and finesse.

Laos
Opening its doors to tourism in the early 1990s, Laos has since changed rapidly, but not so fast that you've missed out. It retains its laidback pace, and you're forced to relax because travel... is... slow.

As with neighbouring Cambodia, the infrastructure is not yet there in the northern provinces; you'll be catching a boat, or winding over crazily rough roads on buses. In the towns and cities you can hire a scooter for less than $8 a day. Ironically, most travellers here stick to a very well-trodden path, but if you can do without the niceties, you'll discover the potential of less-travelled terrain.

Malaysia
Want a five-star experience without the hip-pocket haemorrhaging? Then hit the hotel scene in Malaysia. The fast-paced, cosmopolitan capital city of Kuala Lumpur supports a fiercely competitive accommodation scene, where rack rates at luxury stalwarts are regularly slashed by more than 50 percent.

If you get bored of living large in the big city, try breaking the bank in a laid-back beach chalet on Kecil, the bargain-friendly Perhentian Island. We tip that you'll struggle to spend more than $20 a day lazing on white sands or snorkelling through crystal-clear waters. With your leftover cash, hop on a bus and make your way south to historic Melaka, to sample cheap and cheerful Nonya cuisine while soaking up the port city's multicultural heritage.

Czech Republic
The focus has shifted from Prague, gaspingly overrun, to other towns in the republic. Travellers increasingly head straight for Kutná Hora and pretty medieval Ceský Krumlov, just an hour away.

Krivoklát, which can be reached via train through the Berounka valley, has the same charms on offer as the capital – cheap beer, hearty food, red roofs – but fewer football teams running around with their post-game paunches on show. The region around the town is a Unesco 'biosphere preservation' area flanked by Bohemian forests.

Indonesia
Despite its struggles with natural disasters and poverty, the Indonesian archipelago is as rich in natural beauty and culture as ever. Rippling across the equator for nearly 5000km, it embraces more than 18 000 islands, each with its own character.

If you value variety, you can't go wrong. Bali's resorts and restaurants pamper, while threadbare backpackers are welcomed in Kalimantan. Yet the natural world remains its real treasure. The jungles of Sumatra and Papua are zoological wonders. For an experience to make you value your life, visit the last dinosaurs, the dragons of Komodo Island in Nusa Tenggara.

Croatia
When people think of Croatia, it's most often the old towns that they picture. The sober stone buildings lined up, the floridly sculpted public buildings and, above all, the magnificent walls circling the cities are point-and-shoot perfect.

But even though it's full of architectural gems and drenched in history, Croatia is far from being a museum. People live here, raising their kids and growing old in the baroque houses. They shop in local grocery stores and chat with their neighbours in the local café. This is the real Croatia and this is its real value.

United Arab Emirates
While modernisation speeds forward, Emiratis have something of value to show the world: they are proudly clinging to their traditions. The Emirates' history is in its songs and dance (there's nothing like coming across a traditional performance of the popular liwa dance), and its culture can be found in its Bedouin heritage and Islamic religion.

Instead of discarding their national dress (like the Egyptians or Persians did when they swapped their hijab headwear for miniskirts and knee-high boots), Emirati women are calling attention to it by embellishing their abayas (overgarments) with gems and sequins. You gotta value a culture that values its own.

Reproduced with permission from Lonely Planet Bluelist. Lonely Planet Publications.