The VisaHQ Travel Blogger Plug in – Not an Affiliate Program

September 22, 2011 – 3:46 pm

One thing that I enjoy most about my job is talking to Travelers and Travel Bloggers.  I get to hear stories of places they enjoy visiting as well as their favorite foods, hotels and everything else you could imagine.  One thing I also enjoy talking to them about is the VisaHQ Travel Blogger plug in that we can create for their sites.  Much like an Affiliate program, Travel Bloggers and Travel Agents can earn money by referring people to VisaHQ to apply for their visas and passports.  The thing that is misunderstood though is this is not an Affiliate program, instead it is another service that they can offer their guests.

With an Affiliate program the person leaves your site and doesn’t always come back.  They can always refer people directly to the Merchant instead of your site, because that is where the actual product or service is taking place.  The Travel Agent and Travel Blogger plug in on the other hand keeps people on your site and can help to generate more referrals since that is where the service is being offered from.  That is the biggest difference.  Think about other things that you install on your sites that you don’t get paid for, but could.

Currency converters are great because they add value to your site and another reason for people to come back.  The problem is that you are probably not getting paid for it.  The reason you put it there is because it adds value to your readers.  That is the same with the VisaHQ plug in.  Instead of a widget which drives people to our site, you have our entire white-labeled system that looks just like your site, but has a VisaHQ logo on it, that will allow your visitors to apply for their travel documentation on your site.  Just like the currency converter and other value add tools, this is something that gives people more reasons to continue to come back to your site, and you get paid for it.  That is why it is different than an Affiliate program.

If you are interested in having a plug in created for your site or Travel Agency, all you have to do is fill out this short form.  It is completely free to join and your visitors, clients and travelers will love that you have a new service that they can find directly on your site.  One thing that many partners also enjoy is that we provide full IT support and you can install it within minutes without any advanced knowledge of programming or coding.

By Adam | Posted in Travel Agents, Travel Bloggers, VisaHQ | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

5 Things You May Not Think To Travel With But Should

September 20, 2011 – 2:34 pm

If you can’t tell from my previous post about hygiene on airplanes, I can be a little obsessive when it comes to travel.  That is why my bag usually has a few things that other people’s bags may not have.  The things I pack include everything from supplies for cleaning a hotel bathroom to ensuring I have great tasting water.  If you’ve ever been to a hotel and just had that feeling that things may not be as clean as they should, or they don’t have everything you need, you’ll want to look at this checklist of products.

Travel sized water filters.

These are things that I rely on heavily if we are going to be hiking, do a large walk (we do the avon breast cancer walk each year), in a hotel or just out camping.  Not only do I have issues drinking the water from the fountains at some of these places, but I just don’t trust a water fountain to be as neat or clean as the water in my house.  That is why I buy individual travel sized water filters and bottles that have a filtration system inside them.  I don’t know if they work 100% or if it is mental, but for me the difference in water is amazing.  I always pack extra for my friends as well since they end up seeing, smelling and tasting the difference in mine compared to the fountains and hotel water.  I don’t have a particular favorite, but you can find some here if you think you would want one for your next trip.

Travel sized sanitation wipes or spray.

I do not like to use public toilets and some hotels just don’t seem that clean to me.  Because of this, one of the first things I do is unpack my sanitation wipes or spray and clean the toilet, the sink and sometimes wipe down the tub.  You never know who was in there before and you want to make sure everything is as clean as possible in case the cleaning staff missed a spot or two.

A hyper-allergenic pillow case.

One thing I learned is that if you are staying in a nice hotel, they usually have pillows and pillow cases for people with allergies.  On the rare occasion that they are out, that’s when I’m happy I have a pillow case to help me.  At low cost hotels, I haven’t had to worry about down pillows as much, but am still happy to have my pillow case because even if it doesn’t block all of the allergens from getting to me, it does seem like it helps a bit.

A mini medicine cabinet.

I always go to the store ahead of time and stock up on travel sized packets of my favorite medications like Advil, Imodium, and Allegra.  Not only is it horrible if you catch a cold or flu while on a trip, but because you are in a new city, you may have to travel pretty far just to find something to help you.  If you bring your own mini medicine cabinet, you not only have your favorite brands, but you also get to take them when you need them and not have to pay high hotel prices or run around a city when you don’t feel well.

Pack a snack.

I always end up hungry in my hotel so what I do is pack a few snacks in my luggage.  That way when I get back to my hotel and it is either to late to go to dinner or if there are a few hours until everyone goes out to eat, I can have something to keep me full.  This is one thing that all of my friends always rely on as well.  Just remember to make sure the snack doesn’t need any preparation like a microwave or utensils.

Instant coffee.

It is rare anymore to find a hotel that doesn’t offer free coffee.  However you may not like the hotel’s coffee.  I always go to my favorite coffee shop or the store and buy a few instant coffee packets to help make sure that I have a brand that I like, just in case the hotel coffee isn’t very good.  This way I can start my morning off with a cup of coffee that I like instead of having to have one that I don’t.

These are 5 of the things that help me to travel and feel more at home.  Not only do they come in handy when you need them, but the people you are traveling with will definitely appreciate your thoughtfulness and knowledge of what to pack if you share with them.  If you have a couple of things that you pack that most people don’t think of, feel free to share them below.

By Adam | Posted in Health, Supplies, Travel Tips | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Which Type of African Safari is Perfect For You?

September 6, 2011 – 3:24 pm

What Is It Like to Embark on an Adventurous African Safari?

Guest post written by Hills of Africa Travel founder, Sandy Salle


Africa Serengeti

Africa Serengeti

Fortunately, there is no such thing as a typical safari experience. In fact, it’s impossible to determine, or predict what you will experience while out in the African bush. Although we can make assumptions on what we’ll see, based on previous years and safari experiences, we still can never tell what we’ll witness while on a safari adventure. This is what makes safari so exciting!

Depending on what country you’re visiting and what type of safari excursion you wish to embark on, you are sure to see a variety of different animals.

Below are just a few types of safaris to enjoy while visiting southern and eastern Africa:

Walking Safaris: Some of the best walking safaris take place in Zambia’s Luangwa National Park. Here, visitors can explore 9,050 kilometers of unspoiled wilderness, where 100 different species of mammals and 500 species of birds live. One of the best elements of a walking safari is that you are on ground level with all of the wildlife. You can peer beneath rocks, sit on a log as you watch a passing family of elephants, and even play detective as you try to decipher animal tracks in the dirt. The possibility for discovery is endless on a walking safari.

Pictures of Elephants while on Safari

Pictures of Elephants while on Safari

Mokoro Safaris: Celebrated for exceptional mokoro (traditional canoe) safaris, Botswana is a must-visit destination if you’re looking to explore the wildlife-bustling waterways of southern Africa. The Chobe River is arguably the best place to enjoy a mokoro safari, not only for its variety of wildlife, but also for its breathtaking sunsets. During a mokoro safari down the Chobe River, you’ll come across an abundance of fascinating creatures, including crocodile, hippo, elephant, giraffe, lechwe, and some amazing water-dwelling bird species.

Game Drive: Whether you wish to explore the African savannah plains in early morning or at night, a game drive can take you deep within the African bush to witness exotic animals in their natural environments. Game drives typically depart at dawn and last anywhere from a full day to a half day—depending on your preferences. Some of the best places to enjoy game drives include Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, and Botswana—to name a very few.

Lions Sleeping while on Safari

Lions Sleeping while on Safari

 

Horseback Safari: One of the most exciting types of safari, a horseback safari brings you up close to elephants, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, and other large game species. Not only do you witness some of Africa’s most fascinating creatures on a horseback safari, but you also have the opportunity to explore the various terrain of Africa—some of the most gorgeous land on the planet. Kenya’s Amboseli National Park and Chyulu Hills are some of the best places in all of Africa to enjoy a horseback safari. Here, visitors can travel through wildlife clad eco-systems and photograph breathtaking landscapes.

Other exciting safaris include hot air balloon safaris, gorilla trekking safaris, birding safaris, photography safaris, and much more.

About Hills of Africa Travel:

Hills of Africa Travel specializes in customized African safari vacations to southern and eastern Africa. We offer spectacular adventures with personalized service, guaranteed to provide you with the experience of a lifetime. We are also proud to be the first US-based operator to offer Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) itineraries in our South Africa tours. These low-impact itineraries ensure when you travel, you’re helping communities, their people, and their economies thrive.

By Adam | Posted in Africa, Safaris | Tagged , , | Comments (4)

5 Things To Do If You Are Traveling And Have Allergies

September 1, 2011 – 5:13 pm

Traveling is amazing not only because you get to see new countries and places, but because you also get to try new foods.  However, if you have allergies then you also know that travel can sometimes be limiting.  The reality is that even if you have allergies to plants, foods or even just chemicals found in shampoos or soaps, you don’t have to let that spoil your trip.  Here are 5 things that you can do to help prepare yourself for international and even local travel if you have allergies.

1.  Learn how to pronounce the foods you are allergic to.

By listing out all of the countries that you will be visiting, find out how to say the words I am allergic to (enter food here) and pronounce it correctly.  Not only will this help to let the places you are eating know if they can or cannot serve you certain foods, but you may lower the risks of being given food with an ingredient that can cause an allergy attack.  If for some reason you do end up eating those foods and need medical attention.  In case you do end up eating foods that you are allergic to, not only can some travel insurance policies help you with medical bills, but knowing how to say I am allergic to and ate (enter food here) can help the medics realize you ate that food and know how to treat you based on the allergy.

2.  Carry extra medicine and teach someone how to use it.

By carrying your allergy medicines and shots with you at all times and having someone with you that knows how to give you your medicine, you can help reduce the risks of an even worse situation.  This is especially important for people with bee allergies.

3.  Research the plant life in the area you are going to and the pollen counts.

By knowing what types of plants you are allergic to and if those plants or similar ones are in the areas you are visiting, you can talk to your doctor about what you should do to prepare yourself for being around them.  By knowing when the pollen counts are at their highest and avoiding travel during those times, you can hopefully be able to have less issues.  By knowing what you may encounter that you are allergic to ahead of time, you can better prepare yourself for the trip.  We also recommend that you have your doctor make suggestions on how to deal with your allergies around those plants and pollens while you are traveling.  It can definitely make a huge difference on your trip.

4.  Map out treatment centers in the cities you will be in.

One of the best things you can do in case you have an allergy attack is to create a map with the times that the medical centers are opened and where they are located.  By keeping the map on you at all times you will be able to more easily locate the nearest treatment center and one that is actually opened.  You may even want to spend a day walking the city and finding them so that if something happens, you know how to get to them.

5.  Bring your own toiletries.

If you are not fluent in the language spoken, bring your own soaps, shampoos and laundry detergents.  Not only will this help to reduce using one that could cause a reaction, but you’ll also have some of your favorite beauty products from home with you.  You do have to be cautious with detergents though because the person using the washing machine before you may have used one that you are allergic too.

Just because you have allergies does not mean that you have to ruin your vacation or be afraid to try new things.  Just prepare yourself before you leave by talking to your doctor, learning a few extra words, training a friend to give you your medicine and research where the nearest treatment centers are.  By doing this you will not only be able to enjoy your vacation without as much worry, but you may even get to try new foods and see more new places.

By Adam | Posted in Health, Travel Tips | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Tips on Visiting Rome from Gledis

August 31, 2011 – 2:24 pm

This is a guest post from one of our Facebook fans Gledis.

I started my 3 day trip from Tirana to Rome on the 24th of August. I was able to visit for a few days because I was able to obtain a visa from the Japanese embassy which gave me enough time to do a bit of sight-seeing and to visit some of the most famous places in Italy such as the Coloseum, Fontana di Trevi , Arco di Costantino and others…

I arrived at the Fiumicino airport on August 24th around 12 o’clock.  I walked just outside of the airport where you can find plenty of taxis to take you to Rome.  Instead of a taxi, I chose to go travel by train because it is not only cheaper than taking a taxi, but the duration is around 40 minutes. (The train ticket only costs about €15 from the Fiumicino Airport to Rome).  What was nice about the train is that it drops you off right in the middle of the city.  If trains aren’t your thing, another and even less expensive way is to go from the airport to Rome is by taking the bus. Bus tickets are roughly €8 and the trip is very reasonable in time.

After I arrived in Termini, I went to my hotel which happened to be right near the train station.  I arrived around 5 minutes by foot.  The hotel name is “Domus Mea” and it is a ** hotel that is located on the 5th floor of a building. The room and the bed was good, the toilet was clean (but small) and was not that good quality wise.  The price was €42 per night and they put €2 Taxes for each night.  If you wanted air conditioning, they added an additional €3.  The price did however include breakfast. After I finished with the Japanese embassy for my visas, I started to go around Rome and to see the city.

colloseum in rome

There were buses that will take you around Rome and show you most of the historical places, but I chose to walk because when you walk the city, you have the chance to explore more and its much more exciting.  I have come to understand that the prices of things can change depending on the place where you buy things.

For a little bottle of water 0.5L by the food stands close to the tourist traps I paid .80 € CENT.  Near the center of the city the prices rose to €1.5 and near the Coloseum it went up again to €2. One of the things that I found surprising was that there were many booths on the sides of the roads and the sellers were not Italian, but people from other countries.  When they see that you are a tourist and not a local, they instantly increase the price which is why it is important to try and become familiar with their culture ahead of time.

I spoke with them in Italian so they didn’t gave me a higher price on products, but when I meet a Japanese guy later on, he told me that near the Coloseum he had paid 3€ for one bottle of water.  I highly recommend that if you go to the tourist trap areas, buy from Italian sellers and be cautious if you purchase from non Italians.

Rome was an amazing city, full of history, beautiful buildings and a lot of fountains.  The weather was good, but was extremely hot. Most of the roads were paved with gorgeous black stones.

On my second day, I went to see the Arco di Costantino, the Colosseum, and the Fontana di Trevi , as well as Foro Traiano and some others places. Even with the heat causing me to become extremely tired from walking around all day, I still loved getting to see the entire city.  Even with the heat it was an amazing experience.

One thing that I didn’t end up doing was going inside the Colosseum.  Unfortunately the line was very long, so instead I decided to take some pictures and head over the the Fotana di Trevi.  When I arrived at the Fotana di Trevi, there were tourists everywhere taking pictures and trowing coints inside the fountain. Every historic place I went to seemed to have an overload of people, but I was still able to enjoy myself as the city is absolutely amazing.

After it got dark out I decided to venture out once again.  The city was packed with people walking along street, and going to bars and restaurants filled with tourist and the shops were all still opened and ready to greet you. The Italian people had their own way to pass the evening by helping the tourists who were going to restaurants to try italian food.  Others were drawing pictures and caricatures and other locals could be found walking around watching the tourists go into the shops.  The experience of seeing Rome at night was great.

On the 3rd day I woke up early, took a shower and got ready to leave the hotel. After leaving the hotel I went out to drink a beer and waited for the time to pass. After finishing the beer, I went to McDonalds to eat something and headed to the train station to buy the ticket to go to go back to the Airport.

I got to the Airport a few hours early and it was packed full of people.  There were still many other places that I hadn’t gotten to visit yet, but I’m glad that I had the chance to visit some of the bigger ones. I highly recommend that people visit Rome.  My experience was amazing and that is why I am sharing this post with information on how to travel around for reasonable prices and other things to help you’re your visit to Rome easier.  One last tip I would like to share is to try and visit Rome when its not so hot.  You may want to try September since the weather begins to cool down.  Thank you for reading this!

About the author:

My name is Gledis Gjata. I’m a 22 years old guy from Tirana, Albania. My occupation is student.

By Adam | Posted in Cities, Europe, Rome | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

What to do in Instanbul Turkey.

August 25, 2011 – 3:00 pm

Istanbul, Constantinople, Byzantium – names familiar to us from school textbooks.  Ah, but to set foot there – what an adventure!  Your first inkling that you have arrived in the city known as the gateway to Asia is when you step off the plane into Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport (named after the father of modern Turkey – Kemal Ataturk).  The crowds are a mix of western garb and traditional Muslim dress.  A cab ride into the city proper takes you through a rather non-descript mix of commercial and residential areas.  If you choose (as we did) to stay in one of the many small hotels in the Historic Quarter, you soon find yourself winding through narrow, cobbled streets.

Facilities can vary significantly from hotel to hotel so it is best to make sure of such amenities as western-style toilets and air conditioning before booking your accommodations.

 

Nautical Bookstore in Turkey

Nautical Bookstore in Turkey

Our hotel was less than a 10 minute walk from the Hippodrome – very conveniently located for sight-seeing.  Incidentally, renting a car is not recommended and cabs are best if you negotiate the price first.  We arrived in Istanbul shortly before the start of Ramadan so the Hippodrome was lined with vendors (mainly food vendors) for the holiday celebrations, which take place after the sun goes down and the daily fast ends.

Many of the merchants speak English – we met one shopkeeper who had worked on a fishing boat in Alaska!  And speaking of shopping, both the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar are sensory overloads – the sights, sounds and smells are amazing.  The Grand Bazaar is truly a maze – a series of covered streets with open front stores.  The storekeepers pride themselves on their ability to tell the nationality of any shopper before words are exchanged.

The city is steeped in history so you don’t have to travel far to dive into the past.  The Hippodrome – a former chariot racecourse where a riot got out of control and mercenaries were brought in to slaughter the thousands of rioters, the Hagia Sophia – once the papal seat of the Christian Church now a museum.  Be sure to look for the Viking graffiti etched into the walls when the Vikings sacked the city.  The iconic artwork of the Christian era was covered with geometrical designs during the Islamic period, but many have since been uncovered and are now on display to the visitor.

 

Crusader Fort Turkey

Crusader Fort Turkey

Right across from the Hagia Sophia is the Blue Mosque where prayer is still offered daily.  A bag is provided for the visitor to leave his/her shoes in while visiting the mosque.  A word about carpet salesmen – they are everywhere!  If a stranger befriends you on the street, chances are he’s a carpet seller.  They’re not pushy but they are persistent – we thought we had shaken ours off by ducking into the Blue Mosque but there he was when we emerged!

While walking around one of the most refreshing things we found was stands selling freshly squeezed orange or pomegranate juice.  Delicious and inexpensive.  There are numerous good restaurants with rooftop dining overlooking the Bosphorus.  A light breeze in the evening makes them an attractive option with great scenery.

A stroll across the Galata Bridge followed by a climb of the Galata Tower affords the visitor a panoramic view of the city that is not to be missed!  Once you have crossed the bridge you are in the European Quarter of the city which is a great place to stroll and enjoy the sights while sampling some freshly roasted chestnuts from a street vendor.

Roasted Chestnuts in Istanbul Turkey

Roasted Chestnuts in Istanbul Turkey

A boat ride up the Bosphorus to the mouth of the Black Sea is a great way to spend a day during a visit to Istanbul.  Tea is served Turkish-style on board – tea is always available!  We docked at the northernmost point of the boat tour where we enjoyed a lunch of fresh fish at a dockside restaurant followed by an invigorating climb up to the ruins of an old Crusader Fort, which overlooks the Black Sea.  If you stand with your arms outstretched you can (in a photo) touch both Europe and Asia simultaneously.  How many other places can you do that?

About the Author:

Conrad Beattie is a Foodservice Consultant who makes his home in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife Elizabeth.  They love to travel and explore new places together.

 

By Adam | Posted in Cities, Istanbul, Turkey | Tagged , , | Comments (1)

Testing Your Travel Knowledge – A Travel Visa Game

August 17, 2011 – 8:21 pm

If you and your friends are frequent travelers, or if you are backpacking with a group of new friends, one thing that can be fun to do while you have some extra time is to play a game that will also help you to plan the rest of your trip.  It is the VisaHQ visa knowledge game.  It is great if you are planning on visiting South America, the Middle East, Africa, Asia or other regions where many countries require visas.  The game not only helps you to figure out and memorize where you will need a visa, but also how to plan ahead to get them in time for your trip.  Here’s how it works.

You use the section of our site for visas.

  • Write down all of the countries that you are planning on visiting on sheets of paper.
  • Now fold them evenly and place them in a bowl.
  • Now you go around the room and when it is your turn, you take a piece of paper from the bowl and you have to answer a question.  (There are sample questions below.)
  • For every answer you get right, you get one point and keep the piece of paper with the country name.  If you get a question wrong, you don’t get any and have to place the piece of paper back in the bowl.
  • Once someone scores ten points by having ten countries in their hand, they have to randomly pull three pieces of paper from the bowl.  Now they have to answer correctly on if a visa is required for that country for traveling and for business.  You can also set it for their citizenship and where they reside to make it even more tricky.  One last way to make the questions more difficult is to add in one thing besides a passport and photo that is required.  To do this you just change the drop down menus on the country’s application page and read the requirements.

This game is great because it not only helps you to learn about new countries to visit, but you can also prepare for your trip, save enough to apply for each visa and know how to plan ahead based on how long the visas can take.

Here are a list of questions you can use:

  • What are three required things to obtain a visa for country X?
  • Is a visa required for travel to (Enter country name) for a person whose citizenship is (Enter country name)?
  • Does (Enter country name) require an itinerary before they will allow you to apply?
  • Does country X require travelers insurance before you can get your visa?
  • Does this country require an invitation letter or a letter from a family member?
  • What is the maximum amount of days you can get a visa for for country X?
  • How much does a visa cost for country X?
  • Does country X offer single entry, double entry, multiple entry or all of the above types of visas?
  • If applying for a visa to country X and you also want to apply for a insert another country here visa, do you need a second passport?

VisaHQ lists all requirements on the website so that you can also create your own questions about visas.  If you have other questions which would be good for the game, please feel free to leave them below by leaving a comment.

By Adam | Posted in The Visa Game, VisaHQ | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Reasons To Go To Europe Off Season – Romance, Budget, etc…

August 16, 2011 – 7:01 pm

When tourist season hits, Europe is flooded with people flashing cameras, holding maps and bumping into you.  Not to mention they start holding up lines at different metros and trains and most of the popular public exhibits.  Although Europe is amazing during tourist season, there are just as many reasons to visit during the off season.  Not only can you still tour almost every one of the famous sites like the Louvre or the Acropolis, but you may even have a better time off season than you would during peak tourist season.  Here are 5 reasons why you should go to Europe on the off season.

Unique photos

When you picture photographs of NYC, you usually think of times square, central park or some of the buildings.  What we forget about are other amazing photos that only happen in the winter like the Radio City Rockets in their holiday show, Rockefeller Center with it’s ice skating rink and tree or even the romantic black and white photos of two people holding hands in the snow walking through central park.  By visiting Europe in the off season, you can get unique pictures that your friends don’t have.  this helps to make your trip have a few extra stories and separates your photos and vacation into a more unique trip.

How many of your friends have pictures of snow falling by the Eiffel Tower or Tower Bridge?  Italy can be just as gorgeous and even more so with stockings hung and you have a better shot at catching amazing photos in Holland or Prague without a million tourists getting in the way.  Sometimes the quiet and the lack of tourists not only give you special moments with your travel partner, but the photographs that you can take when no one is around make the trip that much better.

Romance

It can be fun to lay on the beach or take a stroll down an ancient road with your lover in the summer.  Hanging out in Plaza Mayor with a glass of sangria can be fantastic, but have you ever thought about what it would be like off season without a million tourists around?  Imagine kissing your loved one on a Venetian Bridge with no one around or strolling through the Crystal Palace in Madrid with the person you love.  I personally think strolls through the snow or not having a ton of people around make these gorgeous places even more romantic.  It’s like your own private version of Europe for you and your partner to share.

Cheaper hotels and airfare

Because there is less travel during the off season, airlines and hotels are competing for your business.  Traveling to Europe during the off season is a great way to not only be able to afford to stay longer, but you’ll be able to save money so that you can potentially upgrade hotels, take an extra excursion or even just use it to save for when you get home.  The savings along when you travel to Europe in the off season are more than worth the visit.

See more of the local culture

If you visit Europe in the off season, you have a better chance at bonding with some locals and really getting to experience their culture.  Not only do the locals come out to the bars and restaurants because the tourists aren’t there to bug them, but they may talk to you more and share things you would have never gotten to know about their cities since they aren’t being bombarded with questions and strangers everywhere.  Going to Europe off season when all of the tourist trap merchandise and signage is at a minimum really helps you to get a better feel for and understanding of the local European cultures and it seems like the locals open up to you more.

Restaurants, clubs, etc… have room in them

Probably my favorite advantage in traveling to Europe during the off season is that I don’t have to wait in line at the most fabulous and in-demand restaurants.  Because the tourists aren’t over crowding them and taking all of the reservations, there are more tables available and less of a wait.  You have a much better chance of getting to eat where you want each night with less people fighting over the reservation list.  This is a huge thing for foodies when they travel and one of the reasons many like to take a trip during the off season.

There are a ton of reasons to visit Europe in the off season from local dishes that are only served in the fall or winter to seeing festivals that only take place during off season months.  If you have a few more you would like to share, please leave a comment below.  Thank you for reading.

By Adam | Posted in Europe, Money Saving, Travel | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Wait!!! Read this before you quit your job to travel the world!

August 10, 2011 – 8:16 pm

One thing that many people want to do at least one time in their lives is to quit their job and just travel.  Everyone has thought about it and only a few fortunate people are able to do it.  Think about when you have had a bad day at work and been looking at pictures of other countries and asked yourself “What do I need to do to quit my job and travel?”.  The truth is that the only thing you need to be able to do to travel around the world is take that extra step and do it.  But before you make that leap, here are some things that you will want to think about.

Things to do before you quit your job to travel the world checklist.

1.  Money.

Make sure you have the money to do the trip.  You should always have some money saved and secured somewhere so that you can use it only in case of emergencies.  Credit cards won’t always work either.  You’ll also want to have at least 3 places that you can safely and securely hide money on your person, in your bags (you have to hope they don’t get stolen) and check it every night, afternoon and morning when no one else is looking.  That extra money stash is literally a life saver and you have to have it.  You’ll also want enough money in your bank and a way to constantly check back to see how much you have left.  You’ll then need to budget out for each country and each day.  One other think you’ll want to think about is how you can earn money while traveling.  There are some temporary jobs, but they can be very low paying and hard to come by.

2.  Self Sufficiency and Reading People.

You really need to think about this next question.  Can you be by yourself and can you meet others easily, trust them, know when not to trust them and rely on them if something bad would happen?  If you think you are good at reading people, think again.  You never know who you will meet on the road, be sharing a room with or riding in a car or bus with.  You really have to hone in on your own people reading skills.  You also have to expect and know that you will be spending a ton of time alone and not hearing a single familiar word of English.  You may not see any familiar faces or English speakers for weeks which means you have to be able to function without any contact or familiarity and still keep your morale up.  It can become very depressing and lonely fast so you have to prepare yourself.

3.  What is back home and who will take care of it?

Do you have a lease?  Do you have pets?  What about a significant other?  Is your mother, father, kid or someone you care about alone and do they have any possible conditions that could act up?  There could be weeks where you cannot contact your home to see if everything is alright.  You need to be responsible and take care of everything that needs taken care of before you leave.  Find a renter or pay off your lease for your apartment.  Get a good pet sitter or find someone to watch your animals.  Understand that if you are gone, your partner may leave you and find someone new because they are tired of being alone, getting jealous of your trip, etc…  Say your goodbyes and know that if you are leaving someone who depends on you that they may have issues while you are gone and also understand there is nothing you will be able to do about it if something bad happens.  You may also not hear about it for weeks.  Make sure you take care of your home life before you begin your trip so that you are prepared for the worst and also that when you return everything will be happy and waiting for you.

4. Medical Checkups.

Get yourself checked out thoroughly by your doctors before you go.  Take malaria pills, get a physical and ask them for things like antibiotics to take with you in case you get sick.  There are a ton of things that could go wrong and you want to do your best to protect your health.  You will also want to start a very strong workout routine to prepare yourself physically for your trip.

5.  Destinations and Fares.

Plan where you want to go and look to see when you can get the best fares.  Not everyone likes to plan ahead, but if you don’t then you may get stuck in some countries and end up not making your full trip because you couldn’t get a good fare or actually make it to the country because of logistics.  Plan your trip ahead of time by looking for the required visas and make sure you know when and how to apply for them.  You may also want to consider ordering a second passport if you plan on traveling in South America, Asia, Africa or other countries where visas are usually required.  If you don’t have your second passport then you may not be able to get all of your required travel visas for your trip.

6.  Documentation.

Look through our visas section and determine the processing time and timing of your visas.  The worst thing on a trip is to show up and not be able to enter a country because you do not have or cannot get a visa.  We provide you with a full list of requirements for all citizenships residing in all countries for every country in the world.  It is a great tool to have.

7.  Guides and Books.

Something that no long term traveler should travel without is a guide book with a map.  Not only will it help you find things to do, but it will help you find your way around the countries/cities that you are in.  You can find a ton of guide books by clicking here on Amazon.    These can come in handy for you to not only do your research, but also to help you not get lost.

8.  Language Barriers.

Try your best to learn at least a few key phrases in the native language of the countries you will be visiting.  You may want to write them all down and practice them before you go to the country, as well as have the list to read off of when you are there.  Electronic translators are also great for this.  Here are a few phrases you will want to know.

  • Hello
  • Goodbye
  • Thank you
  • Where is the bathroom
  • I need help
  • Police
  • How do I get to the Hospital
  • How do I get to the train station, airport, bus, etc…
  • How do I get to (name of hostel or hotel or street name)

9.  Sleeping With Others.

If you like your quiet space and you like to be alone, long term travel may not be for you.  Many times you’ll be staying in shared rooms with shared bathrooms and having strangers you’ve never met before sharing that room with you.  Get used to having strangers around your things and sharing showers and toilets.  Sometimes there isn’t any privacy either for the toilets and the bathrooms could be unisex depending on the hostel or budget hotel.

10.  Sleeping Outside.

If you don’t book reservations ahead of time or find out about a large festival and go randomly, hostels and cheap hotels may be completely booked.  Unless you have the money for an expensive hotel, you may end up sleeping outside.  Make sure you are prepared for this and for the climate that you will be in.  You may also want to read our post about other uses for toilet paper when traveling in case you end up sleeping outside.

11.  Running Water and Hygiene.

One thing that many backpackers discover is that they will not always have time or a place to shower, use running water or have proper places to perform their normal hygiene routines.  Because of this you may want to consider how important it is to you and bring hand sanitizer and other things to help you stay clean without needing running water or a bathroom.

12.  Packing Light.

Make sure that you only bring what is needed.  Many things like containers, toilet paper, etc… have multiple uses so pack smart and pack light.

13.  Think About If You Should Quit Your Job to Travel the World.

Before you make the decision to quit your job to travel, consider the reasons you are quitting.  Are you actually happy with your job?  Could you do it in another year so you have more time to save money?  Are you worried about being fired and can you stay long enough until you are so that you have extra money?  Make sure that quitting right now is the smartest decision.

14. Get Letters of Recommendations.

If you are on good terms with your company, get letters of recommendation from your boss, executives and anyone else who is higher up.  These will help you to get a new job when you come back if the company cannot or will not rehire you.

15.  Make Contacts Around The World.

Use social media and other travel blogs and sites to develop a network of international travelers.  By building these relationships you not only build a support network but you also have people that you can meet and have someone to talk too.  This helps to fight loneliness, depression and can help to keep you safe if you end up in trouble.  Always remember that there is danger in meeting strangers that you met online.  Use precaution if you plan on meeting them, staying with them or traveling with them.

16.  Get New Credit Cards.

You’ll want credit cards with a zero balance when you travel in case of an emergency.  Keep them safe and hidden and only use them if you need to.

17.  Insurance.

Check your current health insurance policy to make sure you are covered for everything and every place you are traveling to.  You may also want to buy travel insurance because some countries also require it for their visas and you want something else to fall back on in case your regular health insurance fails or won’t help you.

18.  Lasik Surgery.

This sounds weird but Lasik Surgery, if appropriate for you is a huge time, money and safety precaution.  If you wear glasses or contacts you do not want to risk having them get broken, lost, running out, etc…  You won’t know where or when the next time you can pick a new pair up is so if you get Lasik Surgery before you go then you are all set.  Here is my Lasik Surgery Video.  You’ll notice that it isn’t bad at all and its done within second.

19.  Plan Your Hair Styles.

This may sound strange but haircuts may not always be affordable and accessible.  Think about what to do when your hair gets to long, if you cannot shave and how you will want to look in your pictures.  You could bring a few bands for your hair or even find a favorite hat or two (which also help to stop the sun from hitting your face, eyes and skin).  You will want to take pictures when you are traveling and you want to look your best and have ones that you will be proud to show off.  Think about how you can keep yourself looking great for these photos if your hair grows or you don’t have time to shave.

20.  Cut Back Current Expenses.

One of the most important things to do now is to cut back on every expense.  Get used to eating inexpensively, giving up on a night out with friends and moving away from retail brands and choosing generic.  Not only is this good prep work for your trip, but you’ll also be able to save more money.

There are other things to bring with you on your trip like a camera, an iPad or what types of shoes and how many pairs of socks to pack, but this post is to help you figure out if it is the right time to quit your job to travel the world.  I hope this post has helped you think if its the right time to quit your job to travel.  If you have any other tips, please feel free to leave a comment below.

By Adam | Posted in Backpacking, Long Trips, Travel Tips | Tagged , , | Comments (2)

5 ways to travel responsibly. Eco friendly & preservation travel tips.

August 8, 2011 – 6:09 pm

One thing that many travelers are doing now is trying to travel more responsibly.  Instead of throwing things on the ground or in garbage cans they are using recycling bins and carrying trash in bags when traveling.  Some tourists are reusing water bottles and refilling them when they get to their hotels (if the hotel water is safe) and others are making an effort to use less towels and washing services when they travel.  Although those may not apply to you or you are already doing them, here are a few things that you can do to help your travels be more responsible.

Donate to an organization that helps protect and preserve the areas you visited.

One thing that we remember when we travel are the historic buildings we’ve seen and the animals we watched.  Unfortunately not all of these animals or buildings will be there, or in the same condition they were in when we were there for future generations.  If you enjoyed the trip and want to help ensure that your kids or their kids can enjoy the same, either donate to the foundation that preserves them or find an organization that helps to protect a specific region, animal or building when you get home and make a donation to that organization.  Not only will you feel good about helping to preserve the places and things you have seen, but by donating you help to repair any damage from vehicles, walking or usage of the area which is part of traveling responsibly.

Clean up after yourself and others.

One of the simplest things you can do is to just clean up after yourself.  Instead of leaving wrappers or even cigarette butts behind, bring a small trash bag and throw all of your garbage of all sizes into it and dispose of it in a proper place.  This also includes matches used for campfires, biodegradable containers, etc…  If you leave with everything you brought, and pick up some things that others have left, you’ll be helping to travel responsibly because you are preserving the area.

Plant a tree before you leave.

One thing that is always nice is planting a tree for the local area.  Find a local tree that benefits the region like olive trees in Greece or just find a group that helps to grow resources like the plant a tree in Israel groups.  Then take a day before you leave the country and actually go and plant one.  Not only will you be helping to replace forests like the Rain Forests in South America that are being cut down, but you’ll also be leaving something that you can have your kids and their kids visit if they ever go to that country.  Wouldn’t it be cool for them to be able to say my Great Grandparents planted this tree on their honeymoon or that this is our family tree in Spain or Israel or even on a Safari.

Don’t disturb the locals.

If you live in a tourist city then you know how it can be when groups of tourists come in, throw things on the ground and make a ton of noise, especially at night.  If you want to embrace the local culture and customs, and make sure that others can have the same experiences that you’ve had when renting homes for a month or apartments, it is important to be respectful of the people around you.  Make sure that you are quiet on work nights and that you don’t make excessive noise.  Even though you are on vacation, the people in the house or apartment next to you live there.  If you are too noisy or disruptive then the renter may stop renting out there place and nobody will ever get to experience the same type of vacation you had.

Alter your methods of transportation.

This is probably the least popular way to travel responsibly, but it is one that helps.  By using public transportation when you travel it reduces the amount of specialty vehicles needed and the amount of gas and exhaust because of the lower amounts of vehicles on the road.  You could also pack and wear walking shoes instead of taking cabs to nearby destinations, or you can try more eco-friendly methods of getting around like a bike pulled carriage instead of a taxi.

By making a few small changes to the way you travel or adding in something that will help the world you can easily take a trip and make it an even better one for the next generation of people who will be visiting.  It would be a shame to no longer have certain animals or landmarks exist because of a lack of funding or protection.  By making a few small changes to your travel habits you can become a more responsible traveler and help preserve some of your favorite and most memorable vacation spots.

By Adam | Posted in Eco-Friendly Travel, Travel Tips, Traveling Responsibly | Tagged , , | Comments (0)