Travel Advice For Backpackers
Backpacking provides travelers with a unique way to experience other cities and countries. It gives travelers the freedom to explore the local culture and scenery in a region. It is also different from more tightly planned trips that include rigid itineraries. There are several travel tips that will help anyone who is backpacking across another country.
Money
Every backpacker will need money while traveling. The key to carrying money is to keep a diverse selection of options available in different locations. Travelers will want to bring a credit card and an automatic teller machine (ATM) card supported by an international processor. It is also useful to bring along some traveler checks. All of these payment methods should be kept in different locations. Many backpackers keep credit cards with passports in case a wallet is lost. Cash should be kept in several different locations such as a wallet, a pocket, a money belt and a secure case in the backpack. This will prevent the loss of all cash because a single item is stolen or lost.
Protect Valuables
All backpackers need to protect valuables and personal possessions while traveling. Staying in locations like a hostel or spending the night in a train station both present situations where a backpack or other item could be lost or stolen. Some travelers use plastic ties or flexible cord to tie the zippers or latches on a backpack shut so they cannot be opened easily. Backpackers should lock valuables in a safe or locker when staying in a hostel or a hotel. It is also important to remain aware of the surroundings at all times while traveling. It is better to be safe than to lose valuable items like a camera or a wallet.
Etiquette
Backpackers who are traveling in foreign countries will want to take time to learn about local etiquette. This will not make much of a difference in popular countries that see thousands of visitors every month. It can make a large difference in some less popular areas. Etiquette can be very different depending on the country. Some locations consider eye contact rude while others find some common hand gestures very offensive. Backpackers should take the time to learn some etiquette travel tips from reliable sources.
Destinations
Backpackers should consider several points when planning different destinations. The first is the weather during the target season. Some areas have long rainy seasons that will make spending time backpacking impossible. It is also important to consider the events that are occurring during different times of the year. Certain countries can become flooded with tourists during large festivals or other events. This will make it difficult or expensive to find lodging. Some thought should also be given to the politics of the country. Backpackers usually travel to the more remote areas of a country. This can be dangerous for foreigners depending on the political climate in the region.
Insurance
All backpackers will want to have travel insurance. Any number of unpredictable events could leave a person stranded in an unfamiliar location. Health insurance will allow a backpacker to visit local clinics or hospitals without having to supply cash up front. It is also useful to have insurance that protects credit cards and personal possessions. This type of insurance will provide cash or cover the cost of replacing items regardless of the country.
Money
Every backpacker will need money while traveling. The key to carrying money is to keep a diverse selection of options available in different locations. Travelers will want to bring a credit card and an automatic teller machine (ATM) card supported by an international processor. It is also useful to bring along some traveler checks. All of these payment methods should be kept in different locations. Many backpackers keep credit cards with passports in case a wallet is lost. Cash should be kept in several different locations such as a wallet, a pocket, a money belt and a secure case in the backpack. This will prevent the loss of all cash because a single item is stolen or lost.
Protect Valuables
All backpackers need to protect valuables and personal possessions while traveling. Staying in locations like a hostel or spending the night in a train station both present situations where a backpack or other item could be lost or stolen. Some travelers use plastic ties or flexible cord to tie the zippers or latches on a backpack shut so they cannot be opened easily. Backpackers should lock valuables in a safe or locker when staying in a hostel or a hotel. It is also important to remain aware of the surroundings at all times while traveling. It is better to be safe than to lose valuable items like a camera or a wallet.
Etiquette
Backpackers who are traveling in foreign countries will want to take time to learn about local etiquette. This will not make much of a difference in popular countries that see thousands of visitors every month. It can make a large difference in some less popular areas. Etiquette can be very different depending on the country. Some locations consider eye contact rude while others find some common hand gestures very offensive. Backpackers should take the time to learn some etiquette travel tips from reliable sources.
Destinations
Backpackers should consider several points when planning different destinations. The first is the weather during the target season. Some areas have long rainy seasons that will make spending time backpacking impossible. It is also important to consider the events that are occurring during different times of the year. Certain countries can become flooded with tourists during large festivals or other events. This will make it difficult or expensive to find lodging. Some thought should also be given to the politics of the country. Backpackers usually travel to the more remote areas of a country. This can be dangerous for foreigners depending on the political climate in the region.
Insurance
All backpackers will want to have travel insurance. Any number of unpredictable events could leave a person stranded in an unfamiliar location. Health insurance will allow a backpacker to visit local clinics or hospitals without having to supply cash up front. It is also useful to have insurance that protects credit cards and personal possessions. This type of insurance will provide cash or cover the cost of replacing items regardless of the country.
How to Have a Truly Inspirational Travel Experience
People always seem to be searching for inspiration. It may be career inspiration, relationship inspiration, fitness inspiration or something else, but we definitely love to be inspired. The methods that people choose find inspiration can vary dramatically, and travel is one that can often get the job done.
Getting out of your comfort zone, out of your daily routine and even out of your country, can inspire you in all areas of your life. If you’re looking for a truly inspirational travel experience, here are some valuable tips:
What Part Needs Inspiring?
If you really want a vacation experience that inspires you, start with the part of your life that you feel needs some inspiration. You might feel held back or stifled professionally or creatively, you might feel like your marriage needs a spark or you just might need an overall lift to get you pointed in the right direction.
Figuring out what’s lacking won’t necessarily dictate where you should go, but it will help open your mind so when inspiration does come along you won’t miss it.
What Usually Inspires You?
A second part of the process that will help you find an inspirational vacation is the figure out what kinds of things usually inspire you. Is it learning something new, experiencing other cultures, seeing certain landmarks or geographical phenomenon? Is it hearing a quote or a song or reliving an unforgettable moment in history?
Once you get an idea of what will really inspire you, it will be possible to start creating your trip so it meets that criteria.
Choosing a Destination
The actual destination you choose for your inspirational travel experience will depend on your answers to the first two questions, and your travel budget. You may decide that watching lions on the plains of Africa is what you really need, but if your budget will only get you halfway there, you’ll have to modify.
Don’t give up on any one destination without checking out what kind of vacation packages are available for your first choice. There are quite a few travel companies out there, and all offer vacation packages to different destinations. If you’re thinking the Grand Canyon, the Eiffel Tower, the Amazon Rainforest or the Great Wall of China as an inspirational destination, there may be a vacation package for that.
Make a list of places that fit your inspirational criteria and then start looking for vacation packages to match. Places like Ancient Rome, the Pyramids and Stonhenge are all out there, just waiting to be explored.
Getting out of your comfort zone, out of your daily routine and even out of your country, can inspire you in all areas of your life. If you’re looking for a truly inspirational travel experience, here are some valuable tips:
What Part Needs Inspiring?
If you really want a vacation experience that inspires you, start with the part of your life that you feel needs some inspiration. You might feel held back or stifled professionally or creatively, you might feel like your marriage needs a spark or you just might need an overall lift to get you pointed in the right direction.
Figuring out what’s lacking won’t necessarily dictate where you should go, but it will help open your mind so when inspiration does come along you won’t miss it.
What Usually Inspires You?
A second part of the process that will help you find an inspirational vacation is the figure out what kinds of things usually inspire you. Is it learning something new, experiencing other cultures, seeing certain landmarks or geographical phenomenon? Is it hearing a quote or a song or reliving an unforgettable moment in history?
Once you get an idea of what will really inspire you, it will be possible to start creating your trip so it meets that criteria.
Choosing a Destination
The actual destination you choose for your inspirational travel experience will depend on your answers to the first two questions, and your travel budget. You may decide that watching lions on the plains of Africa is what you really need, but if your budget will only get you halfway there, you’ll have to modify.
Don’t give up on any one destination without checking out what kind of vacation packages are available for your first choice. There are quite a few travel companies out there, and all offer vacation packages to different destinations. If you’re thinking the Grand Canyon, the Eiffel Tower, the Amazon Rainforest or the Great Wall of China as an inspirational destination, there may be a vacation package for that.
Make a list of places that fit your inspirational criteria and then start looking for vacation packages to match. Places like Ancient Rome, the Pyramids and Stonhenge are all out there, just waiting to be explored.
Vacation Tips to Maximize Fun and Minimize Expense
Everyone that goes on vacation wants to save money, but saving money alone won’t make a memorable trip. Cheap vacations that aren’t any fun are still a waste of money because you missed the primary reason for going on vacation, which is to have fun.
If you utilize some crafty travel tips and techniques, there’s no reason you can’t do both. Here are some tips for saving money on vacations without skimping on the fun.
Pick a Deal
Vacation deals are a great way to find cheap vacations that will knock down your cost, while still keeping the fun factor high. Things like all-inclusive trips, last minute deals, different packages or joining travel clubs can help you to save quite a bit. And with vacation deals, the cost is the only thing that’s lower, as you’ll still get a full vacation with all the regular features.
Look around at a few different travel places so you can choose from vacation deals that really appeal to you and include the savings and activities that you want. For Canadian travellers, I would recommend Sears Travel; http://www.searstravel.ca/EN/vacation-package-deals.aspx
Go in the Off-Season
Another way to find cheap vacations that still include all of the activities and features you want is to travel in the off-season. You will always find good vacation deals when it isn’t peak season, but in most cases the only thing that is lacking from the vacation is the people.
If you want to try to travel in the off-season, check to find out when the off-season starts and ends for the destination of your choice, then see what kind of deal you can get. Some off-seasons are different than you might think, so checking to find the official times will make the process a lot simpler.
Make Adjustments
Without altering the actual features and details of the vacation, you may be able to magnify your vacation deals by making some adjustments. Luckily, they don’t always have to be big adjustments, either.
Sometimes, things like traveling during the week or leaving at certain times of the day or even substituting one sun-filled destination for another can yield some great savings.
Don’t be afraid to ask your travel agent what kind of adjustments are possible to help you save money and still have a great vacation. When it’s all said and done, your kids won’t remember if you travel to a beach in Cuba over one in Mexico, but if it saves you a lot of money, you certainly will.
If you utilize some crafty travel tips and techniques, there’s no reason you can’t do both. Here are some tips for saving money on vacations without skimping on the fun.
Pick a Deal
Vacation deals are a great way to find cheap vacations that will knock down your cost, while still keeping the fun factor high. Things like all-inclusive trips, last minute deals, different packages or joining travel clubs can help you to save quite a bit. And with vacation deals, the cost is the only thing that’s lower, as you’ll still get a full vacation with all the regular features.
Look around at a few different travel places so you can choose from vacation deals that really appeal to you and include the savings and activities that you want. For Canadian travellers, I would recommend Sears Travel; http://www.searstravel.ca/EN/vacation-package-deals.aspx
Go in the Off-Season
Another way to find cheap vacations that still include all of the activities and features you want is to travel in the off-season. You will always find good vacation deals when it isn’t peak season, but in most cases the only thing that is lacking from the vacation is the people.
If you want to try to travel in the off-season, check to find out when the off-season starts and ends for the destination of your choice, then see what kind of deal you can get. Some off-seasons are different than you might think, so checking to find the official times will make the process a lot simpler.
Make Adjustments
Without altering the actual features and details of the vacation, you may be able to magnify your vacation deals by making some adjustments. Luckily, they don’t always have to be big adjustments, either.
Sometimes, things like traveling during the week or leaving at certain times of the day or even substituting one sun-filled destination for another can yield some great savings.
Don’t be afraid to ask your travel agent what kind of adjustments are possible to help you save money and still have a great vacation. When it’s all said and done, your kids won’t remember if you travel to a beach in Cuba over one in Mexico, but if it saves you a lot of money, you certainly will.
The Benefits of Traveling Alone
For most people, when the concept of travel is bandied about, there are usually one or more companions that are part of the plan. Not only do most people not even consider traveling alone, if they do the idea is quickly extinguished.
Traveling is something that most of us prefer to experience with someone else, and it really takes a unique personality to venture off into the world alone. Of course, anyone that has given it a try knows that there are many benefits to be gained by seeing the world solo.
Greater Independence
Even though traveling with a companion or two is a great cure for boredom and loneliness, it can really stifle your independence. When you travel alone you don’t have to worry about pleasing anyone but yourself. While that may not be the most enviable quality in everyday life, it can be a welcomed change when you travel.
When you’re alone you can move at your own pace, you can change plans at the drop of a hat and you are completely in control of how each day should unfold. That’s not to say you should ditch your companions on every single trip, but sometimes nothing beats the freedom of going alone.
Traveling alone also gives you the opportunity to leave when you want, without having to conform to other people’s schedules. That means if last minutes vacations become available at a great discount and you can go, you can really go.
Self Discovery
The whole ‘finding yourself’ concept may not be what everyone is after, but traveling alone will help you get to know yourself on a level you never thought possible. You’ll be navigating cultures and landscapes and people you’ve never encountered before, and you’ll be doing it all by yourself.
You may not come up with the idea for the next great novel or devise a plan to end world hunger, but you will learn more about what makes you tick. You may even discover that spending time with yourself is quite an enjoyable experience.
Less Costly
Saving money is one of the issues that many travelers lean toward when planning trips. When you travel alone, you won’t get to double up on hotels and things like that, but the control you have will enable you to eat out less, shop less and keep more of your money in your wallet.
As mentioned above, you’ll also have the opportunity to take advantage of last minute vacations if you so desire, which will certainly save you some money. Last minute vacations are ideal for solo travelers, because you really can leave last minute if you only have to consider your own schedule.
Traveling is something that most of us prefer to experience with someone else, and it really takes a unique personality to venture off into the world alone. Of course, anyone that has given it a try knows that there are many benefits to be gained by seeing the world solo.
Greater Independence
Even though traveling with a companion or two is a great cure for boredom and loneliness, it can really stifle your independence. When you travel alone you don’t have to worry about pleasing anyone but yourself. While that may not be the most enviable quality in everyday life, it can be a welcomed change when you travel.
When you’re alone you can move at your own pace, you can change plans at the drop of a hat and you are completely in control of how each day should unfold. That’s not to say you should ditch your companions on every single trip, but sometimes nothing beats the freedom of going alone.
Traveling alone also gives you the opportunity to leave when you want, without having to conform to other people’s schedules. That means if last minutes vacations become available at a great discount and you can go, you can really go.
Self Discovery
The whole ‘finding yourself’ concept may not be what everyone is after, but traveling alone will help you get to know yourself on a level you never thought possible. You’ll be navigating cultures and landscapes and people you’ve never encountered before, and you’ll be doing it all by yourself.
You may not come up with the idea for the next great novel or devise a plan to end world hunger, but you will learn more about what makes you tick. You may even discover that spending time with yourself is quite an enjoyable experience.
Less Costly
Saving money is one of the issues that many travelers lean toward when planning trips. When you travel alone, you won’t get to double up on hotels and things like that, but the control you have will enable you to eat out less, shop less and keep more of your money in your wallet.
As mentioned above, you’ll also have the opportunity to take advantage of last minute vacations if you so desire, which will certainly save you some money. Last minute vacations are ideal for solo travelers, because you really can leave last minute if you only have to consider your own schedule.