Affordable World

guided tours | making memories | seamless travel

An affordable way to see the world

I t’s often said that it’s about the journey, not the destination. If that’s the case—why not make the journey as enjoyable as possible? Especially when the destination is halfway across the globe. Enter Affordable World. This boutique tour operator specializes in such journeys. Travelzoo research shows that their trips can save hundreds of dollars when compared to similar packages, meaning the company delivers on the promise held in its name. Part of the family-run Ritz Tours travel company, they’ve been coordinating journeys to Asia for decades—specializing in China, Japan and Thailand. In recent years, destinations like Egypt and Greece have joined their roster of destinations. Strong value, expertly planned itineraries and stress-free travel may be what brings travelers in for their first trip. But it's the special touches that keep people coming back again (and again, and again). Local experts with insider tips you’d never find on your own. Tour guides that turn into dear friends. The confidence that every trip detail is sorted, so you can focus on making memories that will last a lifetime. We talked to Affordable World travelers and tour guides to learn more about how this company makes the journey so memorable.

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Floating market in Bangkok

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Bamboo forest, Japan

View of the Pyramids from the Egyptian Museum

Santorini, Greece

Woman weaving in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Yunnan noodles

Phuket

Group lunch in Thailand

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For tour guide Kitty, it's all about adding authentic moments throughout the journey. “I like to offer extra insights into Thai history and daily culture so guests can understand not just what they see, but why it matters,” she said. “I also include special stops—like hidden viewpoints or quiet temples—where guests can enjoy moments away from the crowds. These small additions give the tour a more relaxed and authentic feeling.” But her favorite part? Getting to know her group. “I love hearing about their countries and traditions, and in return I get to share Thai lifestyle, culture, and beliefs. Seeing travelers enjoy Thailand—its food, people, and peaceful moments—makes me proud of my home," she said. "Guiding lets me create memorable experiences for others, and that brings me a lot of happiness.”

Journeys through Thailand will bring you to an array of different landscapes. See the vibrant capital city of Bangkok. Relax on the tropical, soft-sand shores of Phuket. In Chiang Mai, visit ancient temples set against a backdrop of mountains and lush forests. There’s endless opportunity for adventure in Thailand, and travel enthusiast (and Travelzoo member) Kevin from Florida might know that better than anyone. Kevin joined a tour to Bangkok and Phuket with his son in 2018. They saw Buddhist temples, The Grand Palace, a floating market, Phuket’s Old Town and beaches and more. Their tour guide Sharky made the trip even more memorable by organizing extra excursions, like watching Muay Thai boxing.“ After this amazing trip my son and I couldn’t stop talking about the quality, depth and value of this trip,” Kevin said. So, he went back again—and again, and again. Each time bringing more of their family to experience it for themselves. And even after four trips himself, Kevin said each time he, “learned new information and saw different aspect of the culture and life in Thailand.” With Sharky as their guide every time, Kevin said he’s become “a dear friend.”

Trips like this will feature exciting sightseeing opportunities: a trip to the iconic Great Wall, a stop at the Forbidden City, a city tour of bustling Shanghai. But spaced throughout the itinerary is also leisure time to spend as you wish, and tour guide Davis helps you make the most of it. “For the younger guests, I once arranged bicycle rentals, and we rode to the Bell Tower and Drum Tower under the night sky," he shared. “Meanwhile, I took the elderly guests on a leisurely stroll through the narrow lanes of the old town, where we admired traditional residences, ancient buildings, and sampled local snacks along the way.”

A tour guide can make or break a vacation. On tours to China, you’ll be led by tour guides who have years of experience bringing Affordable World’s U.S. travelers around their home country. A great tour guide can put the culture into context, share an insider’s perspective on the destination and pique travelers’ curiosity about the place they are visiting. Affordable World has a varied list of China itineraries available, but one of the most popular is an 8-night tour to Beijing, Xian and Shanghai. For tour guide Ocean, Xian is one of his favorite places to bring visitors, saying that they're “easily and deeply fascinated by the blend of history and modern, the various local food and welcoming energy.” He said that between spending the day seeing the famed Terracotta Warriors and learning about its history, then spending the evening tasting Xian Bianbian Noodles, “you for sure will feel lost in time.”

Sharky promises that you can rely on them to “plan your holiday, provide a deeper understanding of local culture, and show you these countries from a different perspective.” And Garrett from Utah can attest to that. After traveling to Bangkok, Krabi and Phuket with Affordable World last year, he noted how nice it was “to have someone planning, scheduling, and figuring out everything for us. We were able to relax and not have to worry about anything.” Sharky led their journey as well, and “he made everything run so smoothly and actually cared about everyone's experience,” Garrett said.

The Great Wall in Beijing

Meeting elephants in Thailand

Bangkok, Thailand

Thailand The base of every Thailand itinerary is an arrival in Bangkok, the country’s vibrant capital city known for a buzzing nightlife and well-known temples. Some itineraries include a tour to visit Wat Pho (known also as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha) and Wat Trimitr (Temple of the Golden Buddha), plus a trip to Damnoen Sadua, a famed floating market. From there, choose from itineraries that include stays in a variety of popular spots like Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak, Chiang Mai and more.

Taiwan This all-encompassing Taiwan trip begins in Taipei and circles the entire island. The fast-paced itinerary includes six different hotel stays over 7 nights, and packs in loads of sightseeing. Explore Taipei City, visit Sun Moon Lake, tour a Buddhist monastery and more.

The Maldives If you’re looking to disconnect, unwind and truly relax, the Maldives are calling. Stay at a luxe, all-inclusive resort where you can enjoy sandy beaches and endless water views. It’s known for an incredible coral reef and marine life, making it a perfect place to go snorkeling and scuba diving.

Japan Journey through Japan with a weeklong trip to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. With a tour in each city, experience the bustling streets and iconic neon lights of the capital, treasured temples and a market teeming with exciting flavors. This trip also includes ride on the country’s famous bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto. You can also opt for an itinerary that includes a day visiting Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi.

Greece These getaways to Greece pair idyllic island time with exploring the ancient city of Athens. The itineraries include flights in and out of the capital city, where you’ll enjoy a sightseeing tour to iconic spots like the Acropolis, the Parthenon and Syntagma Square. Then board a ferry to Santorini, a Greek island known for its epic sunsets and whitewashed structures along the coast. Opt for a longer itinerary that adds a stay in Mykonos. You can also add a 3-night stay in Istanbul, Turkey to either itinerary, making the most of your time in the region.

Egypt This trip to Egypt pairs 4 nights in Cairo with 4 nights on a Nile cruise. Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum or opt to tour the Great Pyramids of Giza. Expect jaw-dropping vistas as you cruise south from Luxor to Aswan, with optional sightseeing along the way. You can also pair this itinerary with a 3-night stay in Istanbul, Turkey at the start.

China All of Affordable World’s China trips cover a lot of ground, starting in Beijing and ending in Shanghai, with sightseeing scheduled in-between. See the famed Great Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and tour the bustling city of Shanghai. Some trips include a Yangtze River cruise, where beautiful views and shore excursions, like a trip to Mountain Shuanggui, await.

Bali Itineraries to Bali pair beautiful beaches with historic sightseeing. Near Ubud, you can tour Saraswati Temple, see the long-tailed macaque monkeys in the Sacred Monkey Forest and visit the stunning Tegallalang Rice Terraces. Then travel to the coast for a relaxing beach stay. You can also opt for a trip that tacks on a stay in Singapore before heading home.

Monkeys in Bali

Explore some of Affordable World’s most popular destinations.

View of the Pyramids from the Grand Egyptian Museum

Drum Tower in Xi'an

The Grand Egyptian Museum, Cairo

Mykonos

The Golden Pavilion, Kyoto

Whale shark in The Maldives

Gateway to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Taipei

Interact with elephants in Thailand

For tour guide Jeffrey—a self-proclaimed foodie—one of his favorite parts is bringing the group to try special foods. “People loved the places I took them to: from local food stands to restaurants hidden off the beaten roads,” he said. Beyond the local delicacies, Jeffrey said his tour members enjoy learning about Chinese history, as well as seeing “the differences and similarities between the life of people back home and life of people in China.” 

Seamless travel

Santorini, Greece

Affordable World’s itineraries include everything a first-time visitor would want to see, plus built-in independent time so you can spend time exploring on your own (like stopping by a local convenience store for exciting new snacks, or wandering the cities at your own pace). The company’s Japan vacations include Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, but also have opportunities to add on time near Mt. Fuji, or take a ride on the iconic bullet train. As they have added new destinations to the mix, the same care has gone into crafting itineraries that combine must-sees and hidden gems. In Greece, you'll enjoy a combination of essential Athens sightseeing led by an expert guide with leisurely island-hopping time. And in Egypt, the tour combines time exploring Cairo with a 4-night Nile River cruise. In the end, this attention to detail makes all the difference for those that value the experience of the journey. “We have traveled with different companies in the past,” Kevin said, “but none has provided the consistent quality, professionalism and value that we have gotten from Affordable World.”

The Great Pyramids of Giza

Mt. Fuji

With so much to see and experience, no one wants to risk wasting precious moments on vacation stressing out over plans. Kevin and his family joined a Japan tour a few years ago. Noting that trips like this can be “pretty intimidating,” he remembers how  “the thoroughness of the planning and trip preparation by Affordable World eliminates much of this stress with seamless arrangements and amazing guides and representatives.” Some of those customer service reps have over a decade of experience working with Affordable World, and travelers get 24/7 emergency contacts in the country they’re traveling to for added reassurance.

Terracotta Warriors

Drum Tower in Xi'an

guided tours | making memories | seamless travel