Of all the amazing experiences you’ve had abroad, which do you remember the most? Do you remember the hotels and hostels? Do you remember the bars? Could you tell me about the trains you took, the medieval churches, or any of the city parks?
And perhaps you do remember the hotels and hostels. Though when you think about these memories, why do they stick out? What’s the common theme? For me at least, my most memorable moments abroad have always been shared with the people I meet.
Traveling since 18, I’ve frequented my fair share of bars. And while I can’t tell you what I drank, where I was (though admittedly that may have been an affect of the alcohol), or how much money I spent each night, I can recall exactly who I was there with.
Like the night out in Nice in 2010, where I met Amy and Alex at a Laundromat and we ended up dancing all night. We spent the evening ripping Alex’s shirt from his back to examine his running of the bulls scars (below). Or my 19th birthday in Prague, where a very cute group of Englishmen paid for absinthe shots all night (I guess I do remember what I spent that night!).
I remember Daniel from Germany, he joined myself and friend Tom (above) in Pompeii. And then there was a handsome American named Mike. After having met in passing in Africa, he truly did end up being for life! (If you’re not a regular reader, Mike and I met in Africa, spent the day together, kept in touch, and arranged to keep meeting up around the globe. We’re now married and run this blog).
The point is, the most memorable moments abroad are often defined by shared experiences and friendships at the time. You may have only just met, but you’re the best thing to ever happen to each other in that city, and you’ll describe that person to your kids as “the one I went skydiving with in Nepal”.
Why the Friends You Meet Travelling Are For Life
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Let’s be honest, many of the travelers we meet may only be in our lives for a day. But we appreciate these people for the time we shared together. And some of those we meet do stick with us forever. But even if you don’t stay in touch, the best memories in your lives include each other and that’s a bond which ties you together for life.
The friends you meet traveling will see you at your worst, though do not discriminate or judge. They give you the clothes off their own back when the airline loses your bag, and spend time with you when you’re homesick and depressed. They’ve watched you dance on tables, and maybe walk home topless. They’ve also seen you at your best and most inspired.
And you can be whoever you want to be.
The friends you meet traveling offer a clean slate, and you might not even have the six degrees of Kevin Bacon to connect you. They don’t have a set idea of how you act in their mind, and perhaps it’s this knowledge that allows you to let your guard down and show each other the best of who you are. Travel friends appreciate and know you for who you are in the present. There are no ties to yesterday, and no baggage to get in the way.
But best of all, there are no expectations from friends you meet traveling, and no need to “fade out” the friendship or “let life get in the way”. “Travel friendship expectations are beautifully, almost comically low. As free spirited as you both are, your travelling friends don’t need constant updates and Skype calls. You share a mutual love and respect for each other and there’s no need to constantly validate that.” –
How to Meet Other Travellers
So the friends you meet traveling are for life. Awesome! But how do you actually meet them? When I started traveling there weren’t the sleuth of technology, apps and start-ups which are around today. You were forced to be that outgoing person if you wanted to meet and make new friends, when for some people this can be quite hard, and you were generally limited to interacting with those who were staying at the same hostel. I can’t imagine all the people I possibly missed meeting because they were not in my hostel, or because we simply didn’t cross paths.
Though nowadays it’s becoming easier and easier to connect with all travellers around you, and you can find and interact with like-minded travellers before you even arrive. If only apps like Travello had been around back then!
Say Hello to Travello
If You Travel You NEED Travello
A social network set up exclusively for travellers, Travello is a free app which has absolutely blown up on the travel scene – everybody wants it on their phone. They were Outbound – but they’re now Travello! You can find travellers around you, match travel plans, find events and deals, interact on the noticeboard, and best of all, it has a Wi-Fi finder! You’ll never be without internet again!
Travello is being used in over 170 countries by thousands of travellers, and it’s become the most mainstream app where travellers connect. While now an essential for solo travellers, it’s been created for all travellers and all interests and ages, so it doesn’t matter if you’re a backpacker, corporate traveller, adventurer, expat or couple, the app doesn’t pigeon hole anyone, and is made to suit everybody’s needs. I’ve even continued using it after having returned home to connect with travellers and help them experience my hometown.
It’s free with no annoying advertising or in-app purchases, so when you consider that coupled with the below amazing functions, downloading the app should be a no-brainer.
Here’s What It’s Got:
Nearby: Travello allows you to see fellow travellers that are around you right now, or search for travellers in a destination you are going to. You can message them to ask questions, get tips, meet up for sightseeing, or even just a beer! No matter what type of traveller you are, Travello has you covered. Search for fellow travellers by traveller type, age, gender, location and more.
Discover: It’s great to see what’s on when you arrive at a new destination, and their Discover tab allows you to do just that. Better still, the Meetups are created and posted by fellow travellers! Everything from sightseeing, drinks at a bar, music and sporting events, hiking trips, walking tours and more. With the click of a button you can view Meetups created by fellow travellers, see how many other travellers are attending the event and contact either the host, or other attendees for more details. Depending on the location, the Discover tab even has a list of deals for everything from hostels to tours in your location – and they are exclusive to Travello!
Match Trips: Ever wondered who is travelling to your destination at the same time as you? Or who will be in your next destination while you will be there? The ‘Trips’ feature on Travello allows you to do just that. Simply put in your destination, and the dates you are going, and Travello will list all of the other travellers with similar plans. Message them for advice, tips, recommendations or simply make plans to meet up.
Noticeboard: So you have a question? Want advice? Need a lift? Have something to sell? Well put it on the Noticeboard! The Noticeboard is where you can put…. well anything you like. Fellow travellers can view and reply to your topic and add to topic threads – problem solved! The Noticeboard can also be filtered by distance from you, traveller type and you can even view other countries’ noticeboards and search keywords. Your problems will be solved on the Noticeboard.
Wi-Fi Finder: Travello’s Wi-Fi finder will help you find Wi-Fi hotspots in any new location. You’ll never be stuck without Wi-Fi again! There are tens of thousands of free WiFi spots around the world so no matter where you are, Travello will keep you connected. How good is that!
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Photo credits: Pinterest image of women in Copenhagen by Moyan Brenn.
46 Comments
It’s amazing how sometimes you can meet complete strangers and feel like you can connect so quickly and easily with them while sharing amazing experiences together.
Absolutely Carla – I’ve found that travelers are some of the easiest people to get along with. Instant friends!
I fully agree and can relate to it. I have a few friends whom I met during my travels, only for a day or two but somehow we clicked and they are now friends for ever.
So glad to hear it Nisha! It really is amazing how we can establish such a strong and intimate connection with people we meet on the road :)
I had no idea you met your husband traveling! How awesome is that! We have met so many incredible people traveling, we actually just met back up in Borneo with a couple we met traveling a year and half ago in Laos! We usually meet people by striking up a random conversation at a restaurant or on a long bus ride, but never on an app yet! We will check out Travello! It sounds like such a great way to connect with like minded travelers and find more life long travel buddies!
We did indeed! Met in Africa, spent 12 hours talking and the rest was history! So fantastic that you have friends you met through travel who you continue to meet up with. They’re the kind of friends you can rely on to actually go through with organizing a trip (always ask my regular friends who almost always pull out lol).
Definitely check out Travello – make sure you’re not missing out on meeting awesome people who may be close by :) Happy travels!
I don’t think I’d use an app to meet people while traveling. I feel like there’s just too many weirdos out there.
But I have made some lifelong friends while traveling when you just really click with someone. We met another couple on a tour in Venice and then met up with them for dinner and a night out when we were in their hometown, Oslo. And I became fast friends with a Viking River tour guide, who is now a very close friend here in Bordeaux where I moved this summer.
I’ve always told people who feel that way to give it a go, on the basis that I’ve met just as many weirdos through conventional means and just as many amazing people via these type of apps :)
So glad to hear that you’ve also made many lifelong friends along your travels Jenn. Here’s to meeting many more!
You’re totally right about making friends while traveling! We connected with a couple at a pub in Saigon yesterday and will hopefully meet up with them next week in Siem Reap.
Sounds fab Mindi! Definitely check out Travello while you’re out and about, might be some other fabulous travelers you could meet while in Siem Reap :) Have a great time!
I have some similar stories of meeting friends around the world from hostels to dancing on tables to visiting them at home in their countries. And we’re still friends 20 years on. Those are epic friendships that don’t start with “where did you go to school?” but where are you travelling what excites you in life. It’s very different, I agree.
So glad to hear that Skye! It’s so amazing to hold onto any kind of friendship for over 20 years, but that they’re the friends you meet traveling is even more special. I agree that they’re the most epic kind :)
I totally agree Meg, travel is all about people, not places… The destination can be beautiful, but if you are surrounded by boring people, your trip will be awful. What I like about Travello is the possibility to connect with people before you reach the destination, so you can share tips about the place and arrive there prepared and with friends.
Cheers,
Nat
Absolutely Nat – the people you surround yourself with really can make or break a trip. Definitely check out Travello – it’s a pretty wonderful app!
I love your love story! Definitely for life in your case. I love that no matter how fleeting of a moment, travel friends have the power to bring you back to certain places in time! I traveled Laos with a group of people I met randomly on a bus! The app sounds cool, will definitely check it out!
Thanks Anna :) They really do have the power to awaken those memories from a certain period of time – definitely check out Travello, it’s a great way to get in touch with people you wouldn’t have otherwise known.
I’ve met quite a few nice people while traveling and stayed in touch with some. It’s not that easy to meet new friends while on the road but when it happens, it makes things much better.
Travello seems to have some nice features and I’ll definitely give it a go and see how it works for me.
Your story is the proof that traveling is about people :)
I agree that it’s not always easy to meet new people while on the road – you definitely have to be that outgoing person and willing to put yourself out there and strike up a conversation if you’re on your own. That’s why I love Travello so much :)
Definitely check out the app and see how you go – hopefully there are many more friendships just waiting for you on the road!
You are totally right! The people we meet while traveling, they stay with us for life! I’ve heard of Outbound through Instagram. Maybe I’ll try this on my next travel abroad. I’m an introvert so sometimes it really is a lot of effort on my part to interact with strangers hehe.
Same app :) They used to be Outbound, and have now rebranded to Travello. Definitely check it out, really helps if you’re not always the most outgoing :)
That was my question. Thanks to both of you (i.e., Darlene and Meg) for clarifying this point.
Glad we could help :)
Travello looks like a pretty neat app. I will download it and check it out. I’m about to go on a trip so this is pretty timely. Will let you know my thoughts after I’ve tested it.
Absolutely Christina – let me know what you think! Happy travels :)
That is interesting the story of how you met your hubby, your travel partner for whole life :) Sounds like never ending romantic journey!
I too have fond memories of people met in journey who have become good friends.
Definitely been a whirlwind romance that’s for sure! So glad you too have fond memories of friends you’ve met on the road Indrani! I hope there are many more to come :)
You’re 100% correct about people being what you remember most while traveling. I would also add that if you mix it with a meal, it’s even more rewarding. Wil check out the app and thanks for recommending it.
Very true Brenda, experiencing local food is a great way to create a fun and casual social environment to spend time with new friends. It’s a great way to connect as eating is something everyone has to do!
I loved this so much! Half of my Facebook feed is now travel friends that I met for maybe a day, maybe two. It’s incredible to see all the connections you can make over a beer in some random bar that you won’t remember.
Thanks Bethany! Absolutely right that you’ll remember the people but not the beer! Happy travels … Definitely give Travello a go for your next trip :)
Very interesting–Travello looks like a fun concept! We always love meeting people when we travel, and we have connected with some of our best friends that way! It does seem like people become fast friends when you are on the road, and I totally agree, even if we don’t stay in touch with everyone, we always remember the people more than anything else!
Definitely check out Travello for your next trip Jenna – really is a fun way to connect :) Happy travels!
You are totally right in saying that you meet friends for life while travelling. Most of my friends I have met around the world. The app looks great as well, must check it out!
Awesome Anita! Definitely give Travello a go on your next trip :)
I’ve seen multiple apps like this one launch over the past couple of years, but none has really kicked off (yet?). I’m wondering if travellers who look for social connections already have what they need – free walking tours, pub crawls, hostels, even dating apps? This app seems pretty cool though, I might even give it go at some point.
Anna | AbroadandBeyond.net
Travello has actually been around for a couple of years now and has quite the community – they used to be called Outbound but have recently rebranded their name. Definitely check them out – never a bad thing to have another avenue to meet awesome people around you!
I had never heard of Travello but now I don’t know how I didn’t, it sounds awesome! Not just meeting like-minded people but the wifi spot indicator is really helpful too! This will be perfect for my next trip. I love meeting other travellers when I’m in foreign lands because you get to share so many stories and you quickly find you have so much in common. I think the best story here though was how you met Mike, so romantic you followed each other all over the world :) <3
Maybe you had heard of Outbound? Same app, they’ve just recently re-branded and changed their name :)
The WiFi finder is my favorite part of the app :D … next to be able to connect with awesome like minded peops of course!! Glad you love the idea Mel – let me know how you go using the app on your next trip! Happy travels :)
Haha. What a great post and so true. So many stories to tell from travelling but meeting fellow travellers and sharing experiences are the most memorable.
Absolutely Christopher. Here’s to many more along the way!
I love meeting people when I travel, many times we bacame friends for a long time. But I also need to admit that sometimes when I travel solo it gets tiring – all those small talks, many of which lead to nothing and quickly said good-byes.
Yes, I like meeting new people, but I also love travelling with people I know.
Always about finding a balance between them both :) Travello is there for you when you decide you’re up for meeting new travelers again :)
My FAVORITE thing about traveling is meeting new people so I love this post! Never heard of Travello before but I’ll definitely check it out. Thanks for sharing and happy travels :)
Glad to hear it Carmen! Let us know what you think of Travello :)
It’s so true that you can make lifelong friends while traveling! We met one such couple in an island resort in Thailand, and spent the next 48 hours glued to each others’ sides, laughing, swimming in the pool and enjoying happy hour. And we never would have met had we both not opted to visit that particular hotel during low season :)
Sounds wonderful Juliana! And that 48 hours will be a most cherished memory for life! Happy travels :)