Usually when we think of “adventure” we think of epic international journeys. Trips which take 2-3 weeks, which see us travel to faraway lands, and which take months and months to plan. Though people often overlook the fact that adventure can be sought much closer to home too.
You don’t have to travel halfway across the world to seek adventure – traveling locally counts as travel too. Hundreds of thousands of travelers and tourists pay huge amounts of money to make it across the globe to visit your tiny corner of the world each year, so why would you not take advantage of your location and explore too? Even if it is technically “home”?
This is what we call a MicroAdventure. It could be local, it could be overnight, it could be for a couple of days. It doesn’t have to be expensive, well planned or far away. It’s about ‘just doing it’ and exploring new places and environments that are close to home.
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Combining volunteerism with travel is one of our favorite ways to explore the globe, though it’s absolutely vital to choose a project which makes a genuine difference to the community and society as a whole.
And while every country needs volunteers equally, there are a number of countries that are notoriously resource strapped, and often overlooked by international volunteers who opt for more popular destinations when choosing their placements.
As such, the following are countries we recommend considering for a volunteer placement in 2016. These choices may mean branching out to a perhaps previously unthought-of destination, though each offers the opportunity to affect real change and impact local lives where help is desperately needed.
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When it comes to planning a trip, it’s very rarely easy. Which destinations do you want to visit? What is the optimal route? How many nights are sufficient to stay in each place? What is there to see in the area? And, if you’re hitting up a number of countries in one trip, how do you manage the booking process through so many destinations?
Usually this is all so overwhelming that the responsibility for planning your trip is handed over to a travel agent. Or you join a bus tour. Though what if you could be your own travel agent? What if planning and booking a multi country trip through Europe was genuinely easy to do?
We’ll let you in on a secret – it is! For independent travelers who don’t like to use a travel agent, and prefer to set their own itinerary, there’s now an easy way to plan your perfect trip to Europe. A free do-it-yourself trip planning tool called RoutePerfect which generates European itineraries based on your travel preferences, budget and personal style.
Planning all of a sudden becomes fun instead of a headache, and without realizing it you’ve become your own travel agent. Planning a trip with RoutePerfect is the perfect way to explore the world – your way.
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Siem Reap is a city that started slowly, but has flourished in recent years as the gateway to the Temples of Angkor. And while many travel to South East Asia and rely on tour guides on the ground to provide historical context, there is something to be said about traveling with a knowledge of your destination before you arrive.
You understand your destination on a much more intimate level than other tourists who plan on only half listening to their guide. You have a greater appreciation of the culture, people and place, and can let your hands explore the stone relics of ancient civilizations knowing exactly what it took to carve and chisel these wonders of the world.
The following is a brief history of Siem Reap (the gateway to Ankor) to provide historical context before your trip.
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Whether it’s helping you with luggage or setting a dinner in front of you, it seems these days almost everyone is eligible for the acceptance of a tip. This seems to become even more evident when it comes to traveling, especially within the U.S.
Though it’s incredibly difficult for even the most avid of travelers to know when it is appropriate to tip, and how much, and foreigners traveling throughout the United States are looked upon as incredibly cheap for not opening their wallets to almost every-one they encounter.
So how does the culture of tipping apply to a valet? If staying in luxury accommodation in America and driving, it’s likely that at some stage, you’ll come into contact with a valet. And regardless of whether or not the hotel gives you the option to self park, if you hand over your keys, you’re expected to give them tip.
Utilize the following tips for a stress free experience, and to know how much is an appropriate tip.
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There’s a trend in the travel industry at the moment, a movement if you will. Those who are selling their possessions, and packing everything up to travel the world.
Though travel doesn’t always have to be about quitting your job and leaving everything behind. Sometimes you might actually like your job, and the stable lifestyle of a 9-5. Sometimes you might actually enjoy the security of having a home base to return to.
Just as there are many travelers right now realizing their dreams of full time travel, it’s also important to recognize that there are just as many travelers successfully juggling a full time corporate job too. Because it is absolutely possible for women to take up travel without sacrificing other elements of their lives. Deepika Gumaste is one of them.
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Sharing your travel photos today is a simple click away thanks to how far photography technology has come. Though have you noticed recently that everyone seems to be sharing the same shots?
There are so many beautiful places to see in the world, whether that be a natural wonder or an architectural site, though it feels as though the world has already been photographed. As a tourist, it’s difficult to capture a unique angle which the world hasn’t already seen. Difficult to make your photography stand out when 1,000 tourists before you have stood and set up their tripod in that exact same spot.
Well, If you’re sick of coming home from overseas with the exact same shots as everyone else who owns a camera, Fripito is the app you need. Local knowledge, insider tips, and unique photo locations which other tourists simply don’t know.
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“You went to Colombia?” “Isn’t it dangerous?” “Are you missing an organ now?” “Did you make any deals with a drug cartel?”
I’ve come across many different people during my travels this year; interacted with both fellow travelers and locals alike. And I’ve picked up on a fairly common theme. A mere mention of Colombia immediately stirs up the stereotypical fear of drug infested, unlawful country that has nothing to offer but cheap drugs and sex.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Though when a country goes through such a dramatic period in history, filled with drug overlords flaunting extravagant luxury, and sophisticated drug supply chains with the power to control the lives of everyday Colombians, it’s understandably hard to remove that negative image from people’s minds.
But today Medellin is the most vibrant and innovative city in South America.
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Barcelona is a city of contrasts, and a beautiful one at that. Travelers have access to history, culture, architecture, food, and those who love nature can experience both the mountains and the sea! And, with 280 days of sunshine, there is almost never a bad time to visit; the city boasts a friendly atmosphere and sunny climate all year round.
People traveling to Barcelona are starting to prioritize planning their travels independently; choosing their own tours and accommodation instead of having everything organized through package holidays. But when you go to investigate a new city or place, you’ll generally find yourself trying to digest a lot of information in a short amount of time.
To reduce your time spent searching for searching for the best place to stay, here are some tips on how to choose the best accommodation in Barcelona.
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Montreal is one of the most vibrant cities in North America, with its rich history, fine cuisine, and wonderful nightlife.
The following tips will allow you to explore Montreal like a local!
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Blending in while travelling is one of the best ways to see the city you’re visiting all the while not attracting unwanted attention.
The following are tips on experiencing Rome as the locals do.
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As the new year approaches, many will be sitting down and creating their list of resolutions for 2016. Those itching to see the world are likely to have “travel” somewhere on that list, but this probably appears after the resolution to become debt free.
But you don’t actually have to be debt free to travel! Everything we need in order see the world can be ours for cheaper than it ever has been before, and there are many people out there experiencing the world while still actively paying off their debt. I traveled for 5 years before I was debt free.
Traveling while still paying off debt is not only possible, but often very affordable. With some research, a little planning, and the below tips, you can manage to pay off your debt while exploring the world too!
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Barcelona can be a tough nut to crack. Sorting through the tourist fluff and discovering the city from a local’s perspective can be done, but generally only if you come armed with insider knowledge from someone who actually lives there! And isn’t that what travel should be all about? Getting to know destinations as they truly are, not just settling for what the tourists are shown?
Barcelona is a city of contrasts. It belongs to Spain, but it’s mostly Catalans who live there. There are beautiful beaches, stunning modern buildings and a charming Gothic quarter. And incredible street art! Plenty of street art that appears, disappears and is often buried in smoke. There is a mix of classic architecture, the surrealistic heritage of Gaudí, Dalí and Picasso, world-class dining, and a kaleidoscopic cultural scene; plenty for every traveler to do.
Though if you’re traveling with the hope of mingling with locals rather than tourists you should spend time in Barcelona’s lesser-known quarters. You won’t find Gaudí’s masterpieces, Las Ramblas, or Parc Guell here, though what you will discover is the real Barcelona. Barcelona from a local’s point of view.
The following quarters are worth your time too.
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There’s something to be said about experiencing the world, though being able to travel with the comforts of home. It’s walking barefoot along a windy beach and at the end of the day having access to a laundry for your sandy clothes. It’s waking up and having the freedom to cook your own eggs, without the need to make yourself decent for other guests.
While you may not think twice about these kind of things on a short vacation, it’s these little luxuries in life that a full time traveler craves, and why we were so taken by our recent Wollongong stay.
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You’ve travelled the globe, stared in awe at the Grand Canyon and trekked up the Spanish Steps – but there’s one city that means more to you than any grand monument.
It’s London, the British capital with a thousand things to do. The cultural heartland of the UK, this gargantuan, bustling city is jam-packed with a seemingly endless array of hotspots, whether you want a major tourist landmark, an underground cinema or a fantastic meal.
To help you find the hippest haunts, we’ve trawled London’s streets and found some amazing locations. So, in association with Stansted’s airport meet and greet, read on to find a few magical places in this teeming city.
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When you are visiting London in England, it’s easy to fall into the obvious tourist trap of ticking off the usual top sights. You will know the ones I mean – Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Wembley Stadium, the London Eye, etc.
However, London is a massive city and the lists of things to see and do are endless. I spent a year working in London and still only scratch the surface with it on my visits back.
Here are 8 secret places to visit in London.
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There are many options for free accommodation these days; between couch-surfing, house-sitting, home and work exchange, there are many hospitality exchanges which allow travelers to keep their accommodation costs quite cheap.
Though wouldn’t it be amazing if you could rock up to a regular guest house and grab a room for free? To be shown around a new destination, visit the sights, learn to cook local cuisine, without having to spend a cent?
With the hope to promote travel to Kyrgyzstan, this is exactly what Andrei Osianin is aiming to achieve. His vision is to create a “Home for Travelers” where travelers can stay and rest for free, immerse themselves into local Kyrgyzstan life, and learn more about the local culture and people. His goal is to create the first place in Central Asia where travelers from all around the world can stay for free.
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For those who travel long term, cooking on the road is one of the most practical solutions to keeping your expenses low. It’s healthier than eating out, and there are substantial savings to be found in trading restaurants for grocery stores.
Though one obstacle to eating on-the-go is kitchenware. Space-saving, multi-purpose, reusable kitchenware is difficult to find. And that is exactly why the Roaming Cooking range was born; collapsible kitchen containers for travelers which you can cook in, eat out of, are easy to wash, easy to use, and when not in use, folds down to a third of it’s size. It’s brilliant!
Even more exciting, enter the sweepstakes at the end of this review; 3 readers will take home a Collapsible Silicone Container Set with accompanying Cutlery Set from the Roaming Cooking range before Christmas.
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There’s never a bad time to visit Barcelona, and between a mix of modern and classic architecture, world-class drinking and dining, and kaleidoscopic cultural scene, there are plenty of things for every traveler to do.
Though for those who only have 24 hours there’s no need to despair; you can easily cram the best of Barcelona into one day. Think breathtaking churches, museums, restaurants and parks, with a dip in the Med at the end, and the chance to eat dinner under the stars too!
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It is better to be safer than sorry. I know this is an overused cliché, though safety is something which should be taken seriously when traveling. Despite what the media may tell you, the world isn’t actually dangerous or unsafe, though when exploring a new and foreign place, you still need to take certain precautions to minimize the risk of being hurt or losing everything. Finding yourself in an unsafe situation overseas may jeopardize your entire travel experience.
After traveling solo for almost 8 months now, having made my way slowly through South East Asia towards Central Europe, through the countries which make up the former Yugoslavia, and then into Latin America, I’ve managed to pick up a safety tip or two.
Staying safe abroad largely comes down to common sense and being aware of your surroundings, though of course individual destinations will have country specific tips, so when researching for your next trip, be sure to also look into destination specific recommendations for safety precautions to ensure your personal safety while abroad.
Though in general, apply the following rules and you’ll be fine. This is a guide to help fellow solo travelers; my top safety tips for travel which is trouble free.
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As autumn ends and winter breaks, many are quick to plot their escape. And who can blame them. When you haven’t seen the sun for months your only course of action is to fly somewhere hot. Shoveling snow from your driveway and scraping ice from your car are far less appealing than hiking in the Australian rainforest, or sunning yourself on a white sand beach.
The good news is that for those looking to trade winter this year for somewhere you can feel the sun on your skin, there are many destinations which offer warm weather all year round. Island destinations like Thailand, the WhitSundays, and the Florida Keys. Or more adventurous destinations like Sri Lanka or Spain’s Canary Islands.
So forget about freezing to death on skis and bundling up each morning into 10 different layers of clothes; pack your swimsuit, suntan lotion and a hat; the following destinations are ideal escapes during winter for those searching for the sun.
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When it comes to things to do in Iceland, Vatnajökull National Park should be at the very top of everyone’s list. Covering 13% of Iceland’s surface, this is the largest national park in Western Europe, and has a range of outstanding natural wonders which truly capture the interplay between fire and ice.
In this region white glaciers descend to black sands, hot streams erupt from frozen banks of ice, and the park is home to Iceland’s highest mountain, (Hvannadalshnúkur), largest glacier (Vatnajökull), and Europe’s most powerful waterfall (Dettifoss).
The following are the highlights of Vatnajökull National Park. Most sections of the park are completely inaccessible in winter, closed due to bad weather or lack of transportation. Plan for a trip between July and August to have more options and access to locations throughout the park.
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It’s been a fair few years since my family has seen me home for the holidays, for no other reason than I’m head over heels in love with traveling the world. Christmas 2010 was spent in the Qantas Club Lounge in Melbourne before catching an international flight to Edinburgh; Christmas 2011 was spent in New York City while dating Mike; Christmas 2012 was spent in Tasmania with selected extended family, and Christmas 2013 in Florida, 9,433 miles away from home.
It’s not that I don’t love my family. I’m part of a very tight knit group. Though when you’re addicted to travel you often miss the birthdays. You’re overseas for the anniversary’s. You have to settle for video replays of weddings you should have been at. And you settle for Skyping in on Christmas day.
So how do you deal with Christmas when you’re never home for the holidays? This is how I do.
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With Christmas fast approaching, over the coming few weeks there are numerous markets and events taking place across South Devon, making this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty the perfect holiday destination for a last minute Christmas shopping break!
Planning a getaway with friends or your loved one over the coming weeks? Here are just some of the best Christmas markets in the area that are well worth visiting this December.
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Washington DC glows at night. After the sun sets, DC is transformed into a completely different city – one where grand, beautiful, and often imposing buildings and monuments are lit from head to toe, often silhouetted against each other from a distance.
Many companies offer tours of the city after dark. From “Moonlight Tours” to “Sunset on the Mall Safari’s”, options for tourists and travelers are unlimited. However with all of the main attractions within walking distance of each other it’s just as easy to take a self guided tour.
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