Have you ever visited a place that is so great you literally never wanted to leave? Well, there are people who actually do these. These are expats or expatriates.

Most people become expats not really for the sake of traveling and delving into foreign culture, but for economic reasons. America for example receives plenty of expats because it is easy to get a decent job that can easily cover the living expenses. So for people living in countries where the minimum wage can barely reach the cost of living, being an expat is always an option. Singapore, U.A.E. and the U.S. top the list of the best places to be expats. People who do not really earn big in underdeveloped countries can live luxuriously as expats in countries that pay huge sums of money.

If you decide on being an expat, it is important that you choose the country carefully. There are plenty of countries that pay you big bucks, but to hit two birds with one stone, why not choose a country that is not only financially rich, but also rich in culture and natural beauty? Here are a few great places to be an expat in.

1.    Mexico. Ok, Mexico is not your ideal expatriate destination if you want to earn big bucks. But the cost of living, particularly real estates, is much cheaper. Money matters aside, Mexico is a great expat destination because it is paradise. The great beaches, vibrant culture, welcoming locals and interesting history make this a great place for foreigners to live in. Just imagine yourself waking up in paradise everyday! Simply click here and you can fly to Mexico for free!

2.    San Francisco. The cost of living in San Francisco is high, but that’s ok because the salaries are high as well. More importantly, art is alive in this city. San Francisco is a great place for artists to be expats in. Graffiti is supported by the government and is highly encouraged. Just look around and you’ll see that this city has walls for canvases. I would definitely want to live there.

3.    Tokyo. Japan ranks the 2nd most expensive city in the world making it a great place to get high salaries. But more than the possibilities for luxurious living, Tokyo is great because it has an interesting culture and unique customs.

4.    Hong Kong. For someone who loves to shop, Hong Kong is your expat destination. Aside from giving out big salaries, Hong Kong has an interesting and colorful pop culture that you will surely enjoy living in. The entire place is like a huge shopping mall with a wide and complete variety of commodities. And the best thing is cheap stuff is not hard to come by.

5.    India. Aside from getting big salaries, India is a great place to live in because of the culture. It’s difficult to be bored in this place with its many attractions. But this place is not for everyone. You have to deal with traffic and some densely populated streets. India is not really for those who want to live like Dons. This interesting country is more for culture and history buffs and for travelers who are ready for any kind of adventure.

You’ll never really know a place unless you’ve lived there long enough. So choose a city that you think suits your interests. Don’t just go there for the big bucks, or you might end up being bored in a desk job in the end. Consider the city’s culture. It is important that you get not only financial wealth but also cultural and personal growth as an expat.

Museums are a great way for travelers to learn about a place’s history, culture and art. But not all museums feature the works of their prided painters. Some choose to feature the weirdest things.

1. Instead of featuring the best, the Museum of Bad Art in Boston, US features the worst. You have to admit, there are some drawings and paintings that are difficult to appreciate. Some people are baffled at how a painting can be called art when it looks like it can be done by anyone. If you’re that type, then this museum will be very entertaining and amusing. Curious? Fly free to Boston!

2. India sure puts value on sanitation. Sulabh International Museum of Toilets stands in New Delhi, India. It features the evolution of toilets and the different technologies used for its improvement. You will be surprised how creative people can be with their toilets.

3. Paris takes their title as the world’s most romantic city to a different level. Musee De L’Erotisme shows various erotic objects from around the world. It holds many paintings and sculptures, from popular to sacred art, all depicting sex from different perspectives. See for yourself! Fly to Paris for free!

4. If Paris glorifies sex as a whole, Iceland puts a particular interest in phalluses. The Icelandic Phallological Museum is the only museum in the world to put on display all the mammal phalluses that can be found in their country.

5. For those who crave gore, Prague Torture Museum will not disappoint. Iron maidens, chastity belts, and various saws that were common instruments for punishment in the Dark Ages are put on display in Prague, Czech Republic.

If you’re tired of the conventional art in the usual museums, these sites are worth visiting. It’s always good to feast your eyes on the unusual and unconventional.

For a few days, people drop their daily routines to celebrate whatever it is that their culture values. Festivals are a great time for tourists to travel. It is during festivities when locals are friendliest and most inviting. Everyone lets their guard down and simply indulge in fun activities. Festivals are a great way not only to have fun with the activities, but also to understand a foreign country’s history, culture and beliefs.

Monkey Buffet Festival: Thailand
November is a festive time for Thailand. In the province of Lopburi, a feast of fruits is prepared for hundreds of monkeys. It is Thai belief that the province was given by the famous hero Rama to Hanuman, the Monkey King. This legend brought tourists and locals together in a friendly encounter with the numerous monkeys that live near San Phra Kan and Phra Prang Sam Yot – famous and historic structures in Lopburi. The monkeys are playful but harmless.

Songkran: Thailand
Songkran is Thai New Year, which falls on April 13 to 15 according to astrology. Being Thailand’s hottest time of the year, the tradition of water-throwing is widely practiced. Tourists and locals all hold water guns and buckets of water to throw at anyone they please, may it be a friend or a total stranger. The great thing about this festival is that almost everyone on the streets is willing to participate. So it is rare that a stranger gets mad if he/she gets wet by a total stranger. So if you are a tourist walking in Thailand at this time of the year, suspect anyone to throw buckets of water at you.

Holi: India
Like any other festival, Holi or the Festival of Colors in India is rooted to an interesting legend. This is celebrated to welcome spring season in India with goodness, bounty and health. The story behind thisfestival involves Prince Prahlad who, despite being the son of the demon King, is devout to Lord Vishnu. His disobedience to his father and loyalty to Lord Vishnu gave him protection from various death encounters. At one attempt to kill the prince, the King ended up burning his sister, Holika, instead. Thus, on the first day of the celebration, Holika is burned in a big bonfire. The second day is much more fun as people throw colored powder and water at each other. Traditionally, the colored powder comes from medicinal plants important in keeping people from getting sick in Indian spring weather. Today, however, these medicinal powders are replaced with synthetic dye that can sometimes be harmful on the skin.

El Colacho: Spain
Whole of Spain celebrate Corpus Crhisti, but only in Castrillo de Murcia do people celebrate by baby-jumping. This tradition is centuries old and its significance is quite unclear. A grown man, dressed in something that resembles a matador suit or a colorful Elvis attire, jumps over a few babies lying on the ground. These unknowing babies are volunteered by their parents to be jumped over, but Spaniards are also inviting to tourists who have their babies with them during the festival.

These are only a few of thousands of inviting festivals around the world. The next time you wish to travel, you might want to consider peeking at another country’s festival calendar. It will surely give you a memorable visit. And your tour does not have to be expensive. Get $500 Airline Gift Certificates to ease the budget burdens of traveling!