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Male Solo Travel or Female Solo Travel. Man or Woman, sometimes you have to just go solo and not wait for others.

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How Do You Eat and Stay Vegan While Traveling

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From Miami, Florida to the Pacific Northwest, down to the Caribbean, to all the way to the Baltics, and back down south in the good ole US, we have found amazing vegan eats.

Come on a plant-based journey across the world with us and let us inspire you!

A delicious vegan burger

Miami, Florida

To start, let’s say when you think of South Beach, Miami, and all of the food options there, you might not think of it as being a vegan-friendly destination. But, when we spent a weekend in Miami, we found it to be a vegan paradise. 🙂

We went to the hip, graffiti-covered neighborhood of Wynwood to find a couple of spots. We started off at Charley’s Vegan Taco’s CVT.

Charley’s Vegan Taco’s

This hip taco shop with a beautiful mural inside offers quite a big menu of vegan treats. The vibe was cozy as soon as you walked in the door.

It was originally started in Tulum, Mexico. Someday, we will have to make our way down to the original and report back as to which one is better!

We started off with the Mushroom Ceviche – Oyster mushrooms, sunflower seeds, avocado, garlic aioli, and cilantro sprouts.

We spent a whole summer in 2019 trying ceviche all around the states, and this version was the best we had. It was the most flavorful and creative out of any.

We then moved on to our entree portion of the meal. We decided we would share a burrito and an order of tacos.

We ordered the El Diablo burrito.

We had been craving burritos recently so this one hit the spot. It came with Abuelita’s rice, black beans, chorizo, chicharron prensado, fried plantain, jalapeños, shredded lettuce, onion, maldita sauce, garlic aioli, creamy green salsa.

The Plantains in it were a game-changer, as they always are, they added a beautiful sweetness to the spice of the Jalapenos. Such good flavor all through every bite.

For our Tacos we chose the Carne Sin Carne option. Which came with 3 tacos.

  • Chicharron Prensado Taco – porkles cracklings stewed in red morita pepper sauce, served with fresh mango chutney, garlic aioli, onion cilantro
  • Chicharron Verde Taco – porkless cracklings stewed in green tomatillo salsa, topped with vegan creme, onion, cilantro
  • Jackfruit pulled “Pork” Taco – jackfruit in ancho pepper adobo with shredded lettuce, cured red onion, vegan creme, and creamy green salsa.

These tacos were beyond incredible. I think my favorite was the Jackfruit pulled “pork”, such an incredible flavor profile.

Overall this experience was amazing. The vibe inside is fantastic and the staff is really wonderful.

We met the head chef Bryan, he introduced himself and gave some insight into the dishes and then went back to making delicious foods. After a few minutes, he came back out to check on us and our meals to make sure we were enjoying ourselves and our food.

Very cool! Highly recommend this spot.

L’Artisane Bakery

Our next food adventure took us to North Miami Beach and L’Artisane Bakery. This place is beyond incredible. With pastries and sandwich options there is something for everyone and every hunger level.

We ended up going here two mornings in a row, with a pop in on our way back to our hotel after the beach because it was so good.

Our personal favorite was the Guava & Cream Cheese danish. A must at the bakery, the sweet and savory flavor is impossible to resist. We definitely could not and are still craving it all this time later.

Our first visit to the bakery we shared the VTE ”Vegan Travel Eats” Croissant, a beautiful breakfast sandwich with hash brown, sausage patty, Just Egg patty, shiitake bacon & aji amarillo aioli. What an amazing treat. Everything you want from a sandwich to start off your day all in one.

On our second visit, we decided to get a couple of sandwiches along with our guava and cream cheese danish.

We went with… Wild Mushrooms Croissant: this came with sautéed wild mushrooms, fresh thyme, black truffles foam, vegan parmesan cheese, mushrooms crumble.

This is such a beautifully savory sandwich and we highly recommend it. We were sad to see the last bite go.

Croque Monsieur Croissant: this came with vegan deli ham and was so delectable and delicious. If you have ever had this kind of sandwich you will be blown away by how good this one is.

Overall L’Artisane Bakery is one of the best options we have found for vegan food and pastries. It is a smaller yet cozy shop so it can be hard to find a table. But as we did on our first visit it is well worth taking it to go and eat while enjoying North Miami Beach just a short walk away.

British Columbia

Let’s go out now to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, getting here was a beautiful journey by ferry from Seattle. I definitely did not plan on getting seasick on the ride over, I highly suggest bonine or the free motion sickness medication they offer before you leave. Just in case!

One might not think I was excited or ready to get food. But quite the opposite, I was so excited to hit land and walk to get our first meal in Victoria! We dropped our luggage off in our rental car and wandered over to…

The Very Good Butchers

The Very Good Butchers in a food hall/market right in downtown this is by far the best butcher I have been to. It is a fully functional butcher shop. They butcher beans, so you can get your deli needs taken care of and order from a small menu of hot dishes they have at the shop.

Using mostly beans in their patties and their dogs. The flavor and texture that they have created is unreal.

This ended up being our favorite of the trip and kind of ruling our trip eating and snacking game. In our time in Victoria, we tried out…

Jackfruit Poutine: This poutine was no joke the best poutine I have had… hands down. The bbq sauce on the pulled jackfruit was so good and smoky. Fries cooked to perfection and the curds were even better here!

Mac N’ Cheeze: This was an extra cheezy mac with bread crumbs and we added jackfruit to it. Everything you want in a mac n cheeze.

We also got these deli options to go…Bangers in a Blanket: One of their delicious British style bangers wrapped in their homemade dough and cooked to perfection!

Pizza Pocket: A square pocket of goodness, It is stuffed with their homemade marinara sauce and their homemade pepperoni. What an awesome treat.

Meatball Sub: What a tasty meatball sub! On homemade focaccia roll with their cheese strips. Good to grab for a delicious on the go meal.

The portions here are way bigger but I would not recommend sharing, it is too good to only get one option!

Nassau, Bahamas

Let us take you to a small cozy spot in Nassau Bahamas! As the locals say you have to go up and over the hill from the tourist spot to get here.

Locals might also think you are druggies wandering here but they are very friendly, just be careful and keep your wits about you, and maybe do not go at night.

Eat Right Delight

This small but cozy restaurant in King David Nassau, Bahamas is a hidden gem for sure. When you enter you come into the very small dining and take out area and the menu is on the wall.

They always have specials running, so make sure to ask what the special of the day is! It has a small bench for you to sit on while you await your delicious food. Then on the wall by the window, there are two stools set up with a small shelf/table to eat on.

Once you decide what you are going to order you peek your head in through a small hole in the glass that looks into the kitchen.

Everything is made as you order by Shanique so it takes a little while but it is well worth the wait. As we were hanging out and waiting for our food we met two really great locals who turned out to be friends of ours to this day. Like our friend Cliff Riley, pictured below, a Bahamian singer sharing beautiful positivity, who sang to us while waiting for his food!

With Cliff Riley, Bahamian singer

So many good conversations happen around food. These were a couple of the best. The chef/owner Shanique is incredibly nice as well. She is always smiling as she cooks for you. I cannot wait to return to this place!

Every person who walked in the door was greeted with a smile. Most of the locals that came in seemed to know her and how delicious her food is.

Note: If you are arriving in Nassau on a cruise ship, it is walkable, around a 35-minute walk. If you walk to the market street and take a left and keep walking you will find it!

I would also recommend downloading maps.me from your app store if you have not for and downloading the map of Nassau while you are in town! Stay on the main road, Market street, on your way. Once you get there. Enjoy!

We asked Shanique to make us something she wanted us to try and to remember this place by. I am pretty sure it was a variation of the…

Thai noodles – these noodles she brought out to us had such incredible flavor. Covered in beautiful veggies and another one of her sauce creations.

We also got to sample a sliver of her pizza and it was really incredible! Thinking about it right now makes me hungry!

On our second time back, on the Keeping the Blues Alive At Sea cruise, we ordered her Spaghetti with “meat” sauce.

This was the best spaghetti we have ever had. The sauce was incredible. We did not ask for the secret ingredient that made it so tasty but we are pretty sure it had some cinnamon in it.

Everything she makes is light, we did not leave feeling too full. We felt quite good even after scarfing down the whole dish.

Spicy Mushroom Sliders (another special) – These little sliders packed so much flavor. From every bite, our noses ran and we got more and more sad every bite knowing this amazing food journey would end.

The spice mixed with her mushroom patties is one hell of a mixture. Just hope she has these when you walk in!

This is such a special spot. Feeding the folks of Nassau incredibly good food that is healthy! We cannot wait to return so we can try some more delicious food! A really special restaurant.

Tallinn, Estonia

Next stop is Tallinn, Estonia, one of our favorite cities we have been to. It has incredible history and architecture from the 1500s. Anything from castles, to modern buildings to communist-era all concrete builds. You can find it all in Tallinn. Old meets new and is bustling with tech. One of the tech capitals of Europe actually.

You have more than likely used one of their biggest contributions to tech and communication… Skype.

More than anything the people of Estonia are kind and welcoming, they want to show you how great their country is and show you a fantastic time. They also share the love with their food.

We found a few amazing options but our favorite by far was Tru Kitchen, we went twice and made friends with the owner and a few of the staff. We genuinely miss our friends and the wonderful food they shared with us.

Tru Kitchen

Tru Kitchen is outside of Oldtown Tallinn, about a 15-minute walk. It is in an old industrial-looking warehouse, which by the time we go again I am sure will be hip and painted in some funky way. When you walk in you are immediately transported to another place.

Plants all over, a few couches along the wall, incredible music vibes, and super friendly Estonians ready to help you out. The owner, Kristo Rosenvald, became a friend of ours very quickly.

Each time we came in he personally greeted us and had nice conversations as long as he could. Then there was the food, what dreams are made of.

Pita Sandwitch (their spelling) – Normally I would not have ordered this sandwitch except that the owner and a few other of our new friends told us it was the favorite menu item. Naturally we had to try and holy hell we were not disappointed, until the end, when it was gone of course.

Served with Voner (a vegan version of doner), roasted carrots, portobello, and a miso mayonnaise. It left us wanting to get 5 more for our journey, but we were too full and let it be a dream to have again.

Tumeric Chickpea omelet was our introduction to beetroot. It was used at every vegan restaurant in the baltic states and is incredibly good. Along with beetroot it came with pickled fennel and green pesto. Another simple dish done perfectly and just bursting with flavor. From the first bite I was sad watching it disappear with every bite.

Grand Leaven Breakfast Sandwitch (their spelling) – this sandwitch comes on local bread from a bakery right across the alley from Tru, it is remarkable how fresh it is. Topped with Kimchi, a perfectly cooked portobello, an avocado, and vegan cheese and served open face, this sandwitch has so much flavor in every bite.

Its only flaw is that it is hard to concentrate on what part is the best because it is all so incredible. 🙂

After our few times here to chat, eat, have tea, and play backgammon, we felt right at home. We had a hard time leaving this magical city.

We will be back and when we do, the first place we will head to is Tru to see our friends and share a beautiful meal.

Traveling Europe in January we noticed a trend in a lot of locals, Veganuary, this was a lot of Europeans way to start off the year with a nice cleanse for their body.

Even though we were seeking out these type restaurants, a lot of others had a couple of special dishes in order to meet Veganuary’s needs. It makes it more accessible to travelers who might be in a mixed travel party of vegans and non-vegans.

Nashville, Tennessee

Last but not least, come on back with us to our hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. A city full of incredible cuisine, maybe not so known for their vegan offerings.

The Southern V

One restaurant, in particular, The Southern V, will keep you far from feeling deprived of wonderful Southern cookin’. Open since 2017 in the location they are in now they aim to be the staple for southern cuisine in Nashville! Their menu has so many amazing options but these were our favorites.

Nashville Hot “Chicken” – This seitan based Hot chicken is incredible. The spice they bring is hot enough for you to feel it but not be overwhelmed. As a staple in Nashville cuisine this dish is up there with any in the city, better I would think!

BBQ Jackfruit Nachos – This beautiful “American” sized plate of jackfruit nachos was out of this world. Enough jackfruit to cover any chip you can find under the beautiful toppings. Mix and match the veggies you would like and enjoy this incredible dish.

Turnip Greens – Whoa! Talk about flavor, these greens will blow you away. Incredible spice and flavor will make you sad when they are gone.

Mac N “Cheese” – This mac was some of the best I have ever had, and believe me as a picky eating kid Mac N’ Cheese was one of my few food groups that I ate out of. The thick and creamy sauce with amazing texture and taste. Your friends who are scared of vegan food would never know the difference, probably would say this was better.

Southern V has all the fixings you are looking for in a down south meal right here in Nashville.

Conclusion

I think people get the wrong idea when it comes to veganism. What you have to give up, what you miss out on. But in fact, you are not missing out on anything.

Chefs work that much harder to get past the stigma to get people into the restaurant and then make incredibly creative and delicious food to keep people coming in.

We have found some of the most creative food while traveling and experienced a rich culture within the vegan community.

No matter where you travel there is always somewhere to find a plant-based meal if you look hard enough, and that looking is part of the fun and beautiful way to get to know the culture where you find yourself.

We hope you enjoyed our plant-based wander around the world! Peace signs up!

Author Bio

My name is Nik Sheasby, I am half of the wanderlustmoonduo. I have toured with bands for the last 13 years while traveling for myself on the downtime. I started my travel later in life but dove in head first once I was able to. I love immersing myself into new cultures and meeting new people. Traveling has been my life and also saved my life. I want to share my world, seeing our beautiful world, with you. Spread love and humanity. Peace Signs up!

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Solo Travel, Student Travel, International Travel, Travel FAQ, Health & Safety, Travel Preparation

Safe Hostel Travel: 14 Tips for Teens

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Hostel traveling is one of the best ways to explore the world as a young person. These communities that dot every major city on the globe are hot spots for like-minded voyagers looking to visit faraway cultures and people.

However, life on the road doesn’t come without dangers to personal safety. In this article, we’ll highlight a few simple steps to ensure a fun and secure stay at a hostel, particularly if you are a teen traveler.

Find the Right Location

Finding the right location is one of the greatest ways to ensure safety while visiting a new city. Visiting a new destination (often abroad) is fun, but the cost of travel gets substantially high the further away you travel from your home.

Staying in Hostels is one effective way to budget your expenses but hostels are all about who will share the place with you, how far it is from the city center, public transportation, and what’s the cost when compared against Airbnb or Hotels.

Therefore, booking a hostel should be done carefully so that one doesn’t end up staying far from the places they want to explore. If you plan to drink, look for locations close to the nightlife of your city. It’s better to have a short journey back to bed in the nighttime.

Do Advance Research

There are several websites specifically dedicated to this form of travel, and each site posts helpful information such as they type of hostel, the type of community found there, and what to expect from a stay.

Make sure to find one that fits your personality, as this will mitigate culture shock and oftentimes depression.

Also, do some research about:

  • common travel scams in particular destinations you are planning to visit
  • the nearest embassy of your country
  • note down phone numbers for hospitals, ambulance, and police
  • shady neighborhoods to skip

Drink Responsibly

First thing first, find out the legal drinking age in the country you are visiting. And, do not drink in if you are not of age. Drinking is just one tiny way to have good times but traveling offers so much more. Be mindful, present and curious. Let your senses be overwhelmed by the new experiences (so you don’t feel like you are missing on anything).

Another tip is to drink responsibly (if you must) and if you are traveling in a group, then go to a bar with your group. Do not accept drinks from strangers no matter how friendly they appear.

Pack Light & Carefully

Take care when packing for your trip. Remember that most hostels sleep six to ten people in a single room, so the space you live in will be shared with strangers.

Therefore, all your personal items will be in a common space that is potentially open to thievery. Remember, the quickest way for a trip to be ruined is to lose something important.

One great strategy to minimize the threat of robbery is to be a packing minimalist. When gathering the items, carefully revise and prune the list of items that you will bring.

Expensive clothing shouldn’t be brought if it isn’t necessary, along with high-priced electronics that won’t be of use on the trip. Bringing fewer items will decrease your chances of getting something stolen abroad.

Bring a Lock

Inevitably, some valuables will have to be brought on your trip. Passports, money, and cell phones are part of every travelers’ arsenal when living in hostels. In order to keep these items protected, it is imperative that a lock and key is brought on your journey.

Almost every location will offer lockers to store your gear either for free or for a small fee. Using a locker will allow for important documents and information to be kept in a safe place while exploring the city’s sights or bars. Don’t hesitate to bring one!

Private Rooms

In addition to standard mixed-gender dorms, some locations will offer private rooms for booking. Private rooms are great options for additional privacy if you do not want to share living space with strangers.

Additionally, they can add another level of protection to personal items while visiting cities across the globe.

Specialty Hostels

Another option for female globetrotters is all-female dorms and hostels. While these hostels and rooms come fewer and further between, they can provide additional safety and security for women traveling abroad.

Be sure to look for these options if one has concerns about privacy or living with men.

Final Thoughts

Some additional precautionary tips to keep in mind are:

  • Ask the hostel staff for security advice or anything you should know about
  • Don’t open the hostel door for strangers
  • Make a copy of your Passport and email it to yourself
  • Hide some backup money somewhere safe. This is just in case you lose your wallet/purse
  • Plan to check-in at your hostel before dark for the first time
  • Don’t leave your hostel alone late at night (no matter how safe you feel)
  • Trust your gut “feeling” but also use your brain (it is better to be safe than sorry)

I hope these easy to follow steps help when planning your next trip! The world is a gift, and everyone should have the opportunity to see every part fearlessly.

Go forth and experience something new!

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Budget Travel, Solo Travel, Student Travel, Travel Hacks

One Golden Rule To Avoid Overpacking

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When I went on my first ever solo trip, I bought myself a 75L rucksack. Yes, you read it correctly. A 75L Rucksack!

I was so happy when I received it. It was huge, and it could carry almost anything.

In my excitement, I packed four pairs of shoes and all the pretty dresses I had. The rest is just a bad memory, Lol. My rucksack became so heavy that I got backache and blisters, and overall physical exhaustion from my trip.

I was so much in pain, that I couldn’t even enjoy my stay. I needed a vacation after my vacation to recover from my vacation!

Read Next: How to Pack Like a Pro & Travel Like a Ninja

The Golden Rule

Pack your bags smartly. There is a golden rule of packing that you must follow if you want to avoid overpacking situations like me.

The Golden Rule: Ditch the what-ifs

If you travel to a place in monsoon, then travel with your boots on. So, you don’t have to think- “should I pack my boots?”

Pro-travelers have a neutral colored wardrobe. I prefer black and blue over any other colors.

As a solo female traveler, as a bonus benefit, remember neutral colors goes a long way. For example, When you are traveling through busy streets or tourist hot spots, and if you dress up in bright colors, you will attract unwanted male attention.

Not only this waste time in causal small talks and saying “No” to offers for drinks and coffee, but it also causes unwanted stress, especially if the place and people don’t appear safe.

But if you wear a neutral color like navy blue, black or gray, you feel at home with the Parisian Women. Make sure your travel capsule has neutral colors which you can mix and match.

Black pants, black jacket, black jeans, and boots can take you almost anywhere in the world. And you can mix and match it with gray and navy blue. Below, there are infographics to show you how to create a travel capsule and yet look fashionable.

There is a saying that the lighter you pack, the farther you go. And it couldn’t be truer.

Travel Capsules – Packing Tips

We have three travel capsules for three seasons you may encounter on your travels: winter, summer, and rainy.

Fall and spring seasons can be planned as a winter destination minus the coats, thermals, jackets, gloves, and boots.

Winter Travel Packing List

  • (Inner) Thermals
  • Black tank tops
  • White tank tops
  • Black full sleeves t-shirts
  • Grey full sleeves t-shirts
  • Black and white striped t-shirts
  • Black pants
  • Blue jeans
  • Black jacket
  • Black boots

Summer Travel Packing List

  • White tank tops
  • Black tank tops
  • Black T-shirts
  • Grey T-shirts
  • Black and white striped t-shirts
  • Blue jeans/shorts
  • Black pants/shorts
  • Tan Sandals
  • A Red/black/white dress

Rainy Travel Packing List

  • Travel size umbrella
  • Light Waterproof /Windproof Jacket
  • White tank tops
  • Black tank tops
  • Black t-shirts
  • Grey Full sleeves shirts
  • Black and white striped t-shirts
  • Black pants
  • Blue jeans
  • Black boots/tan boots

What About Accessories

Actually, accessorize (watch, bracelets, jewelry) don’t take much space. Also, things such as scarves, belts, and handbags don’t take up a ton of space if you utilize the space and pack them smartly.

This means your default neutral-colored look can be enhanced with beautiful, small accessories of bright colors.

Moreover, there are good chances that you’ll do some shopping on your travel and you can also buy a few accessories or clothes as you travel. If you plan it right, you can carry even fewer stuff than what we have suggested above.

A Word on Souvenirs

Some folks like to collect memorabilia from everywhere they visit. This is a subjective choice and although I respect those who buy 5 magnets and postcard photos and a handmade artisan craft and a bag of local coffee or whatever that place is known for, know that these days you can buy most common stuff everywhere.

Besides, many of the artisans made pieces are not truly “made in fill-in-the-blank” but imported from China or South America.

If you absolutely feel like buying a souvenir for yourself or your family and friends, then buy something that is essentially and uniquely local.

You can choose to buy stuff that helps the local people and economy rather than at the airport or in big stores.

You can also consider donating money or hard cash to local artists or street performers. Moreover, you can take a class for something if you are staying longer.

These memories, good karma, and the new skills that you will learn will give you more joy than the shot glasses, postcards, magnets, or whatever common stuff everyone collects.

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Travel Quotes, Travel Inspiration, Solo Travel

30 Best Solo Travel Quotes (Traveling Alone)

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Nothing beats the feeling of having the world all to yourself. The excitement and fear intermingle, making it hard for a solo traveler to move ahead.

But no worries, we have got 30 best solo travel quotes about traveling alone, to inspire your next solo adventure.

Solo Travel Quotes

1) I am never happier than when I am alone in a foreign city. It is as if I had become invisible. – Storm Jameson

2) Solo travel not only pushes you out of your comfort zone. It also pushes you out of the zone of other’s expectations. – Suzy Strutner

 

3) To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world. – Freya Stark

4) Some journeys can only be traveled alone. – Ken Poirot

5) I think one travels more usefully when they travel alone because they reflect more. – Thomas Jefferson

6) Traveling solo does not always mean you are alone. Most often, you meet marvelous people along the way and make connections that last a lifetime. – Jacqueline Boone

7) I see my path, but I don’t know where it leads. Not knowing where I’m going is what inspires me to travel it. – Rosalia de Castro

8) I had chosen to leave and live alone in a foreign country. And in fleeing thousands of miles across the Pacific, I chose myself, and a chance at a different future. – Alison Singh Gee

9) Loving life is easy when you are abroad. Where no one knows you and you hold your life in your hands all alone, you are more master of yourself than at any other time. – Hannah Arendt

10) Through travel I first became aware of the outside world; it was through travel that I found my own introspective way into becoming a part of it. – Eudora Welty

11) But when you are alone, you have to carry each experience with you like a secret, something you have to write on your heart, because there’s no other way to preserve it. – Shauna Niequist

12) I think one travels more usefully when they travel alone because they reflect more. – Thomas Jefferson

13) When the traveler goes alone he gets acquainted with himself. – Liberty Hyde Bailey

14) The man who goes alone can start today, but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready. – Henry David Thoreau

15) Not I, nor anyone else, can travel that road for you. You must travel it for yourself. – Walt Whitman

16) Embrace the beauty of your solo journey. – Mandy Hale

17) The inner journey of travel is intensified by solitude. – Paul Theroux

18) To travel is to take a journey into yourself. – Danny Kaye

19) Travel only with thy equals or thy better; if there are none, travel alone. – Dhammapada

20) No matter where you are, you are always a bit on your own, always an outsider. – Banana Yoshimoto

21) Don’t be scared to walk alone, don’t be scared to like it. – John Mayer

22) He travels the fastest who travels alone. – Rudyard Kipling

23) Loneliness, tenderness, high society, notoriety, you fight for the throne and you travel alone. – Bob Dylan

24) The first rule of travel is that you should always go with someone you love, which is why I travel alone. – Andrew O’ Hagan

25) Never go on trips with anyone you do not love. – Ernest Hemingway

26) The only thing I love is travel, and maybe one or two people. – Anonymous

27) I would gladly live out of a suitcase if it meant I could see the world. – Anonymous

28) I have got a crush on the world. – Anonymous

29) I travel a lot. I hate having my life disrupted by routine. – Caskie Stinnett

30) Traveling alone doesn’t mean living lonely. It is when you travel alone you are most open to others. – Salil Jha

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Solo Travel, Travel FAQ, Travel Hacks, Did You Know

How to Take Great Photos of Yourself While Traveling Solo

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Traveling alone is an exhilarating experience. It teaches you so much and you discover and develop yourself while you’re at it as well.

When I started solo traveling for the very first time, I had all sorts of experiences but one thing I had trouble in particular with was taking pictures of myself! There were so many shots of amazing and scenic views and all sorts of interesting things on my camera but I was in hardly any of those pictures.

I bet all of you solo-travelers out there must have encountered this issue at some point during your travels. If you have, you are not alone.

How to Take Great Photos of Yourself While Traveling Solo

I used to ask strangers to take pictures once in a while but those rarely ever turned out nice as well! So I decided to work through this issue, and below are the seven simple yet effective solutions I have discovered.

1. Invest in a Portable Tripod

You can carry a portable tripod anywhere with you and it takes very stead pictures with the perfect focus. Just set it up near a spot you want to capture, adjust the focus, go in front of the camera with the view behind you and there you have it, the perfect picture!

2. Purchase a Camera Remote Control

It is commonplace to run behind a camera after setting up a timer and quickly deciding on a pose, but if it doesn’t turn out well the first time it becomes a massive pain to take pictures over and over again.

If you have a wireless remote control, you can simply click a button and take a snap wherever you are. The distance the camera works on pretty high and you don’t need to run and hold a pose every few seconds.

3. Learn About the Best Photo Angles

Learn about using angles to make your photos look better. Know what your “good side” is and really flaunt it when you are having pictures taken of yourself!

Related: 5 Best Tips for Traveling Carefree

4. Use the Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds will help you in deciding the perfect spot for you to be in the picture. You just need to switch on the grid function on your camera and make sure you are somewhere between the central focus.

5. Blend in With the View Whenever You Can

A lovely view behind you in a picture is definitely a great idea. But at times it fails in comparison to how amazing a photo looks when you are trying to be a part of it while you’re at it as well.

Related: 9 Tips to Master the Art of Long-Term Travel

6. Be Creative with Selfies and Mirror Pictures

Don’t just include your face in a selfie. If you find that the place has a nice view, try to capture a large chunk of it within your selfie instead.

7. Your Face doesn’t have to Show Up

You don’t have to make sure you show up in every photo. In some pictures, you can take pictures of some parts of you so you can get some validation and a way to kill time as well. Take a picture of your hand holding the notice board as fool as well.

Author Bio

Robert is a student of business administration. He has a great passion for cars and devices that improve the driving experience. He loves photography as well and has his own little studio in California. He ritually posts at Dash cam safety 

Archaeology & History, Solo Travel, International Travel

A Solo Trip to Turkey: A Transcontinental Journey

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“I want to visit Turkey” is the line I often hear when I speak to other travel loving folks, but not all could turn their wish into reality. There are many reasons why people couldn’t make it and one common reason which people give is “Turkey is beautiful but very expensive”.

Turkey: A Transcontinental Country

I must say this is the biggest myth, Turkey is expensive if you don’t plan your trip well and if you don’t know what is there to see in Turkey. I was fortunate to turn my wish into reality.

It was a wonderful solo trip for 11 days where I had one of my best travel experiences traveling across Turkey at a very reasonable cost. I thought of sharing my Turkish experience with everyone, and if this blog could motivate at least one person to travel, I would consider this blog as successful one.

Why Visit Turkey?

Turkey has such lucrative landscape and culture which attract millions of visitors from across the globe and I wanted to be in that one in the million for sure, but the distance from India to Turkey so far that I really had to make up my mind that I will visit it no matter what.

Also, after visiting quite a good number of countries in South East and East Asia, I was sure my next destination is going to be different from my past travel and Turkey fitted in very well in my requirement.

The mix of Europe and Asia in the beautiful city of Istanbul, fairy chimneys in Cappadocia, and Ephesus’ historical sites looked so exciting in the photos, videos, and the blogs I read that I couldn’t stop myself from visiting the same and experiencing it all on my own.

 

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The decision to visit Turkey is something which makes me feel satisfied as a traveler.

A Sample Itinerary & Travel Routes

I must say, to decide for a Turkey solo trip was a difficult choice but to decide what to see inside Turkey was even harder as there are so many things to see in Turkey that my 11 days vacation looked way too shorter. 

So based on the number of days I had and the season, I picked up the below itinerary for my trip.

Bangalore, India to Istanbul, Turkey

  • Leg 1: Kuwait Airways > Landed in Istanbul > Turkish Air (to Cappadocia)
  • Leg 2: Cappadocia > Pamukkale/Denzli (by Bus) > Selcuk (by Train)
  • Leg 3: Selcuk > Izmir (by Train) > Istanbul (by Flight)

Things to See in Turkey

Let me detail out things which I covered in each of my stopovers.

After landing in Istanbul at around 3:00 PM in afternoon, I had a same day connecting flight at 6:00 PM for Navshahar and a shuttle booked in Navshahar airport to take me to my hostel booked in Gorame, Cappadocia.

Cappadocia

Cappadocia is a wonder world and certainly a heart of Turkey that no one should miss. You can explore the city on your own or take a group tour based on time which you have in Cappadocia.

So I decided to combine both. On the first day, I took a green tour in a group covering the fairy chimney, underground city, monastery, etc. And the next two days, I spent exploring the city on my own by foot and by local transportation available.

Apart from the Fairy chimneys, Cappadocia is also a popular destination for people who love Hot Air Balloons. Since I had already done the hot air balloon in the past, I wasn’t interested to take it again but I did make sure to get up early in the morning to see hundreds of balloons taking off at one shot.

The view is just amazing and can’t be missed out.

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Pamukkale

After spending three days in Cappadocia, I took an overnight bus to Pamukkale. Bus tickets were easily available for comfortable overnight journey which dropped me in Pamukkale by 5:00 AM in the morning.

Since the main attraction of Pamukkale (Cotton Castle) opens only by 8 AM, so I had some time in hand and I sipped a cup of Turkish coffee and waited for the gate to open.

I must say I was the first one to enter that morning from that specific entrance. It made me happy.

I spent half a day in Pamukkale admiring the beauty of mineral-rich thermal waters flowing down white travertine terraces, Hierapolis ancient theater, and other attractions in the vicinity.

Once I was done with it, I took a mini bus to Denzli from where I took about four hour train ride to Selcuk.

Selcuk

Selcuk is the town which people generally use it for stop over when they are visiting the UNESCO Heritage Site of Ephesus.

But I must say Selcuk is much more than just a stopover. This beautiful town is popular for its cafe culture and it’s wonderful to just walk around and enjoy the chilled vibe of Selcuk.

In my two days in Selcuk, I visited the famous ruins of Ephesus to experience the ancient Roman culture and architectures. Afterwards, I went to visit the Saint John’s Basilica, a beautiful historical place just in the city center and worth visiting any day.

During the evenings, I spent my time sipping famous Turkish tea with Seesha (also known as Hookah). The next day, I took a minibus to go to Sirince Wine Village about an hour drive from city.

This village is embraced in such a way that once reach here sure you don’t want to leave at all. I took my slow walk going around the village for the good part of that day.

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Izmir

Next early morning, I took a train from Selcuk to Izmir which took about an hour. Izmir is a laid back city in the west coast of Turkey. It is one of the biggest port city in the region and walking around the seafront (Kordon) is defiantly one of the best experience in Izmir.

Apart from waterfront and the clock tower in city center, the local market was a wonderful experience to visit. Overall, my days spent in Izmir was pretty tiring as I had just a day to explore the city but it was worth every moment.

Istanbul

After spending a day in Izmir, I took early morning flight to Istanbul to spend the rest of my three and half days remaining before returning back to India.

Istanbul took my heart even before the airplane landed. The view from the small plane window was so tempting that I couldn’t wait any longer to explore the city.

Istanbul have two side of it, a European side with much of the night life and an Asian side with all the historical sites. I took a shuttle bus to Kadikoy Ferry Terminal. I took the Ferry and Metro from there to go to Sultanahmet where my stay for the next two nights were booked.

Soon I realized that three days is not at all going to be sufficient to see Istanbul, so I need to pick what I really want to see in these three days.

So the plan I made was, one day I will spend in Prince Island, second day I will spend exploring the historical side of Istanbul, and on the final day I will spend exploring the modern side of Istanbul around the Taksim Square area.

Clock Tower in Izmir

Prince Island

Prince Island is the group of 9 small islands about two hours ferry ride from the mainland of Istanbul. Out of the 9 islands, only 4 islands are inhabitable and the rest remain unexplored.

Büyükada is one of biggest island and considered the most beautiful among all 9 islands. So I took an early morning ferry for this island and spent the rest of that day mesmerizing over this totally mystical and unique side of Turkey.

Sultanahmet

Sultanahmet is the area where major historical attraction of Istanbul is centered. The beautiful and well known blue mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazar are all here.

All these historical places are so beautiful that you can spend entire day just visiting one of them, since I had just a day time to explore I made sure that I could manage my time in such a way that I don’t miss any of these famous attractions.

Taksim Square

For the last two nights I had booked my hostel near the Taksim Square which is the ultra-modern side of Istanbul where all-night parties are common. My morning started with walking around the famous İstiklal Caddesi and visiting the Galata Tower and enjoying the Turkish delight and my evenings ended with a couple of beers in a local pub.

On the last day, I woke up with a sad face thinking my wonderful time is about to end now. I had my breakfast, took a walk of İstiklal Caddesi for the last time, and got into the metro for the airport to catch my flight back home.

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Cost of Travel

The myth about travelling is “it is an expensive thing” needs to be broken. In my view, traveling at times is cheaper than staying home. The longer you travel the cheaper it is.

In my Turkey trip I wanted to make sure that I spend on things which is needed and not things which good to have.

For any kind of travel, the major expenses can be categorized in three categories: Food, Accommodation, and Transportation. Let me put this little bit more in detail from Turkey travel perspective.

 

Turkish Cuisine

Turkish food is indeed a delight whether you are a vegetarian or non-vegetarian or continental or authentic country food lover. It has variety of options available and suitable for everyone.

An average meal in a decent mid-range restaurant cost anywhere between 12-20 TL ($5 USD). So in less than $20 USD, I was able to survive for a day in Turkey eating three meals which is way less than what normally people think. Not to be missed is their famous “Turkish delight” desserts, which is mouthwatering.

Accommodation in Turkey

In my entire trip to Turkey, I stayed in hostels where average cost was no more than $15 USD per night and in many cases it even included free breakfast. And trust me, it was without compromising the cleanliness and location in any manner.

Izmir View

Transportation in Turkey

Your international flight tickets consumes the major part of travel expense and it really differ from which city/country you are taking your flight. So I will not be able to give a correct estimation on that but what I can share is an average travel expense once you land in Turkey.

I took two domestic flights in turkey and one overnight bus and a train. Both of my flight tickets were less than $50 USD each, and the overnight bus ticket was about $25 USD and the four hour long train journies were not more then $10 USD each.

So transportation of any mode is relatively very cheap compare to anywhere else in Europe. Specifically in Istanbul you can take the prepaid Istanbul card which acts as a ticket for all city transport system including ferry in very basic cost.

Additional Information on Expenses

  1. Museum pass is available that covers all major historical sites in Istanbul at the cost of 125 TL which will cover around 6 attractions in the city and if you buy ticket individually it will cost you about 40 TL each.
  2. Istanbul card is like a prepaid card which you can load it with cash at once and use it for all public transport in city in lesser price than paying in cash. So highly recommended to take this card.
  3. Apart from the places which I visited there are few other very good places which you can visit in Turkey based on time available. Few of my recommendation few are Konya, Antalya, Fethiye, etc.
  4. In my entire trip I had not used private Taxi anywhere, so if you are someone who would prefer exclusive taxi service then expense will go higher.

Finally all I can say is, Turkey is defiantly one of the best country I have visited so far and I would recommend all travelers to plan for it.

 

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Author Bio

Hi, I am Chandan Sharma. Working as a full-time job for a financial firm but still making a time to travel across different countries is my passion. This passion had taken me through 21 countries so far, mainly in Asia, Europe and just a glimpse of east Africa. The goal is to make it at least 50 countries before I turn 50.

Feel free to visit my Instagram page ‘Travel Freak Mr Sharma’ to a walkthrough of my travel journey. Do not hesitate to drop me a message in case if you need any further information on Turkey or any of the country which I visited.

Cultures & Customs, Solo Travel, International Travel, Did You Know

11 Things I Learned from Traveling Alone in Africa

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Namibia is one of the least populated and most peaceful countries in the world. Its beautiful landscape and laid-back culture lure tourists from all over Europe. As a white American woman officially in her mid-twenties, and never having been outside the United States, I took the international travel leap across the Atlantic to Heathrow, then another flight down Africa overland, and finally a 2-hour jump to Windhoek.

As a young woman traveling alone, without any international traveling wits and useless guidebook knowledge in my head, here are just some of my mishaps and learning experiences from Traveling Alone in Africa.

Left Side Driving in Namibia

The first thing I learned after touching ground on Namibian soil was how to drive. Sure, I had a driver’s license. But I had to relearn how to drive a stick-shift in a diesel Ford Ranger while driving on the left side of the road, sitting in the right side of the cab, in a strange African city after having been in and out of airports for a day and a half. My foot was so shaky on the clutch I killed the engine several times merging onto busy roads.

Do Not mess with Baboons

I learned that baboons are nothing to mess around with. Baboons loiter along the side of the road and swarm Waterberg. Smart as they are ugly, they have figured out how to knock on your door, and will try to break into your bungalow to look for food. One afternoon while hiking along the plateau, I found myself surrounded by these things. I thought they were going to attack, and I still don’t know why they didn’t at least try to take my small bag. In the end, I made it through them unharmed.

Kids are smart in Africa

Kids that grow up in mud huts are smarter and more tech savvy than I am. I’m not a true millennial; I still walk into the bank to deposit a check. But these kids out in the middle of nowhere know how to work phones and cameras, and a seventeen year old boy fixed the radio in my truck in five seconds. I felt pretty stupid.

Communicate Clearly

If you don’t speak clearly, the gas station attendant might put unleaded gasoline in your diesel engine. That’s what happened in Tsumeb, and I was stuck at the Shell for three hours while the local mechanic tinkered with the gas tank. Everything ended up okay, and I had plenty of friendly people to talk to. But I was sweaty, dehydrated, and more than nervous about making it home.

 

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Cultural Difference

People did not believe me when I said I don’t have a boyfriend. In their culture, a woman traveling by herself is entirely unheard-of. And some people couldn’t comprehend the choice to remain single as a lifestyle. Most people asked me where my husband and babies were, and some were quite shocked by my solitude. The only other lone travelers I met were old German men.  

Related: Solo Female Travel On Rise: A Report

The definition of Good can be different

I learned that the roads are good by African standards, but they are still African roads. They are rough and bumpy as all hell, and I sometimes drove for an hour or two without passing another vehicle. Most tourists I met had at least two tire blowouts.  

Keep some buffer time if you are traveling from USA

Its a I didn’t meet many Americans, I think mostly because it takes so long to get to Namibia from the States. It’s a long journey of domestic and international layovers. I took seven planes total round trip, which makes me wish I had gone for longer than just two weeks. At least I could be tired and grumpy and not get on anyone’s nerves. And vice versa.

People are kind

I got plenty of free souvenirs by making friends. Of course I wanted to buy everything that looked pretty and exotic, but my cash was disappearing. I ended up making friends with a part-time art dealer named Luigi. He tried to sell me some bracelets by telling me he’d been to Minnesota, not knowing that’s where I’m from. Turned out he visited my own hometown! The only Namibian I’d met who’d been outside of Africa, it was the master of all coincidences. And when I heard his story, I knew he wasn’t lying. He also gave me tons of free jewelry, baskets, and animal figurines.

Collect memories more than photographs

I wanted to stop at almost every turn to take pictures, but if I did that I’d never get anywhere. Sometimes you just have to drink in the view while you’re driving without stopping to document it. I drove hours through breathtaking landscape without taking any pictures because I wanted to get to my hotel before dark. The view will always be in my memory.

It’s okay to feel lonely sometimes

I was traveling alone, and it’s a remote desert so it would just be natural to feel lonely at times. Most nights the bar was a great place to chat up hotel staff and other travelers, and I met plenty of locals in Swakopmund. But once or twice I had to take a night off.

Related: How To Avoid Loneliness When Traveling Alone

Never in any real danger

I was scared at first, but I was never in any real danger. Namibia is one of the most peaceful countries you can find on the globe. I was safer over there than I ever would be at home in Minneapolis. And fellow travelers, guides and staff are more than willing to look out for young ladies gallivanting around the desert on their own

Related: 7 Safest Destinations for Solo Female Travelers

Author Bio:

Kelsey Jennen is a street-art photographer, lone traveler, and blogger on Badhazards. She works as a freelance writer and takes odd jobs with landscape companies. Lover of coffee and reading, she collects books, enjoys working outdoors, plays the drums, and has a cat named Pajamas.

 

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Solo Travel, Top 10 List, Did You Know

Top 15 Travel Trends That Will Only Grow

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Millennials love to travel. In the past 10 years, since the internet revolution, several new travel trends have emerged. Do you know what are they and are you are part of any of these growing trends?

It has been suggested that travel is necessary in order to maintain relationships, as social life is increasingly networked and conducted at a distance. For us, millennials, traveling and vacations are increasingly being viewed as a necessity rather than a luxury!

Top Travel Trends

As a hardcore traveler, you need to keep up with all the new travel trends. Whether it is mobile travel photography or the rise in remote jobs, there are hoards of new travel subcultures blooming all around us.

Let’s take a look at top travel trends that will only grow in the coming years.

Solo Travel

It looks like the number of solo travelers will grow in the next year. It is one of the top travel trends in the world. Germany is probably going to be the leading country by the numbers of solo travelers this year.

Over 80% of the Germans said that they would travel alone next year. The United Kingdom and Canada are next in the line.

 

This trend also goes hand-in-hand with independent travel. In fact, only around 6% of people around the world said that they are going to use travel agency service in 2017. Here is our take on how to avoid loneliness when traveling alone?

Related: Top 5 Online and Global Travel Trends

Learning while Exploring

The purpose of travel is changing too. More and more people now travel to get new experience and new skills. Over half of the people want to explore local life in the trip and immerse into the local culture.

And only a few percents of people said they travel in search of a party or vivid nightlife.

 

Taking local courses and obtaining new skills is also a new travel trend, which flourished in recent decades. People nowadays visit new destinations not only to go sightseeing or engage in other popular tourist activities.

Travelers are also eager to learn crafts, arts or jobs, which the particular country is famous for. These skills may include cooking, dancing, making handicraft articles, studying languages, and so on.

Read: 40 Travel Niches (and Trends): Which One Are You?   

River Cruising

Of course, river cruising is not a new way of traveling. However, it is predicted to become even more popular in the coming years. River cruising is going to be a big travel trend, especially for those, who live in countries with plenty of rivers but without any oceans surrounding them.

 

There are more and more local opportunities appearing for amazing weekends or evening cruises. This means, you can have a great time on the water, even if you can’t afford to go to the seacoast.

Vanishing Destinations

Destinations, which risk vanishing or changing greatly in the near future, are also about to become very popular among travelers. Millennials especially are going to these vanishing destinations and it has become a new travel trend.

For example, some people are in a hurry to visit the Arctic and Antarctica, whose ice coverings are affected by climate change.

 

Another top destination, which is going to completely change soon, is the Great Barrier Reef. And also, you would like to visit the Maldives in the nearest future, as the islands might actually go completely under water within the next 25 years if the global warming process does not slow down.

Local Travel

Local travel is also one of the newest and hottest travel trends. In the previous years, people were trying to go far away, to another country or even continent. Of course, there is nothing wrong with the wish to see new places.

 

However, lately, traveling within the one’s country, province or even city, has become a much bigger trend. Local travel allows you to get a totally new look at the place, where you live and where you believe to know already everything, see sights, which you usually just pass by, and become an even bigger culture connoisseur than you are now.

Bleisure Travel

The word “bleisure” comes from the combination of two other words: “business” and “leisure”. It is one of the most interesting travel trends in the coming year. Many companies now offer special business trips, which include leisure opportunities.

These may be traveling with the family, having some free time during the trip or being able to work for travel payment.

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Another side of “bleisure” is combining work and travel by becoming a digital nomad. Read more on this below.

Living Like A Local

More and more travelers every year prefer to stay out of hotels and taxis and live like the locals. It is much easier to do when living with Airbnb and riding with Uber. Not only are these options cheaper, but they also allow travelers to immerse into the local way of life more deeply.

 

Combined with services, such as local tour guides, Airbnb Experiences, or EatWith (dining with locals), the travel experience becomes truly authentic and personalized. And this fact also adds more fuel to the growing interest in solo travel.

Going Green

Ecotourism is one more growing travel trends of our time. Nowadays, hotels, tour operators, and outfitters encourage their clients to travel in a low-impact way.

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For example, you can travel somewhere close to reduce bad transport effect on the environment. Or choose facilities with eco-thinking. Or just travel to those destinations, which need your travel dollars the most. These all are the ways to make your trip eco and bring something good to the universe.

To the Moon or Mars

In recent decades, tourism for most people transformed from a luxury into the lifestyle. However, having explored a big part of the Earth, many people now desire to explore the worlds outside of our planet.

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According to recent surveys, almost half of the people nowadays dream of spending their holidays in the far corners of our galaxy. And trips to the Moon, already announced by several agencies, are actually becoming more and more realistic.

Related: Mission Impossible: A Tour to Mars

Along with the latest inventions and improvements in air transportation, these facts are likely to make space tourism a very popular travel trend in the nearest future.

Sustainable Travel

The next year is going to be the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. Travelers have to keep in mind to travel with responsibility. Whatever you do should ensure the betterment of nature.

Many eco-friendly tours, as well as eco- friendly means of travel, have come to play. Everyone should make a wise choice and visit places of environmental importance. Maybe it is better to see Alaska in its untouched glory than see Paris in its traditional beauty!

Digital Nomadism

Nomads like to discover every nook and cranny of the planet. But when you have no time because of the gigantic amount of work, what can you do?

There is an answer to every problem. And with the rise of improved internet facilities and devices, you can work from anywhere in the world. Those who hate chaining themselves to the desks, can pack their bags and start their nomadic life.

The number of people, who choose to work while traveling, grows every year. The “have laptop, will travel” habit has become one of the biggest travel trends in the latest years.

If today’s technologies allow you to work wherever you are, there is no reason not to take your job with you on the road.

When you are ready with your belongings, laptop, and high-speed internet connection, you can go absolutely anywhere without worrying about work-leave.

Do not get shocked when you see 1 billion digital nomads in the next 20 years. The desire of wanderlust has surpassed the need for job security. Let us embark on a new era.

The Revenge of Bikes

Who doesn’t love to explore the unchartered horizon and beyond? When you have your own two-wheeler you can ride wherever your heart wills you. But have a light and essential luggage with you.

Biking on the mountains through the vivid scenery makes your heart leap with joy. There are many cycling trails around the world where cyclist enthusiasts go, The Dangerous Dragon’s spine or the volcanic landscape of Iceland. Have your pick and stay in the latest travel trend.

Booze Tasting

Photo: The Art of Travel Partners

When what goes down your throat is much more important than what is in your pocket, distilleries come to play. There is no need to travel luxuriously to far off lands if you have a locally brewed spirit right near you.

Those who want a tasting but are not ready to spend a huge sum in traveling can go to local breweries where you can sip fine spirits.

Japan, Sweden, Scotland, and Australia all these countries sport a distinguished amount of micro-distilleries. They also offer guided tours. Whether you wanted to taste whiskey, gin, wine, or beer – anything and everything awaits you, likely in your own town. Just Google it.

Food Tourism

Food tourism is not a new trend; it always remains out of focus. Eating and drinking is an essential part of travel. But recently everyone realizes that Food Tourism is a whole new brand of travel. Whether you take cooking classes during your trip or take a tour of classy restaurants (even sample street food), all of it comes from Food travel.

Photo: The Art of Travel Partners

Did you know there is a Foodtrekking Conference? Yes, the conference of food trekking gets organized by the World Food Travel Association in Portland, Oregon. So, all the foodies who can’t wait to hear from your famous food travelers can come to Portland on April 1st.

Mobile Travel Photography

Sometimes it is hard to sling a heavy camera over your neck. That is why most of the travelers have smartphones with good camera quality. It is handy and clicks like a pro. There are thousands of travel photographers on social media. You can become one too.

Mobile travel photography is a revolutionizing trend because it makes any traveler a photographer. One advice, though – do not forget to see the beauty of travel through naked eyes before capturing it in your lenses forever.

Read Next: Adventure Travel

Cities, Trip Ideas, Solo Travel, Top 10 List

Airbnb Travel: Top Destinations for Solo Travelers

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Nobody likes feeling vulnerable, especially Solo Travelers. It is one of the worst feelings in the world. But when you travel alone that is what happens. You have to come out of your comfort zone and start doing something you never did. It requires a lot of guts. But as you know – No Guts No Glory!

Many times when we travel alone, do we meet other solo travelers! It is always more fun to come across a fellow traveler who can understand you better and can correlate with you.

Top Solo Travel Destinations

Airbnb shared some of its data. And there is good news for solo travelers. The solo traveler bookings of Airbnb increased from 14% to 27% over the past year. And not just that it also let out the data on where these solo travelers love to go.

So, if you think that you do not see any solo traveler where you go, then book your tickets for these destinations next. You are going to meet lots of kindred souls on your trips here. We can guarantee that.

London

Having a taste of London alone sounds tempting. But what is the fun if you have an already planned itinerary? Nothing is more fun than being spontaneous. And London is a city where you can do whatever you want and enjoy it.

A survey by Visa Global Travel Intentions in 2015 mentioned that 24% of the overseas visitors were solo travelers. What more? Most of them were women. So girls, pack your bags because London is your next stop.

Paris

When we hear Paris, we imagine couples kissing under romantic architecture. That is what we dream Paris is all about. But Paris has a lot to offer to Solo travelers. As you drive along the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower you can’t help but be in awe of it.

And as French men are most charming in the World, solo female travelers can have their share of fun. (Just a thought ladies!) . That is just an added perk. And why not Paris? Airbnb stats say that it was the second most booked location by solo travelers.

Los Angeles

In the third place, we have Los Angeles which is not a surprise. Most of us have this weird obsession to see the Hollywood sign at least once in our lifetime. That is what drives people to LA. But it is just a part of it. The amount of talent that Los Angeles has makes it the “Creative Capital of the World.”

It is just, the electric atmosphere in LA that doesn’t let you feel like you are traveling alone.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a top choice for solo traveling especially if we are talking about female travelers. From separate hotel floors, to separate train cabins – Tokyo makes sure that women feel safe in their environment.

You will not see anyone giving you “What are you doing alone?” stare. Tokyoites keep to themselves. They won’t bother you. The full essence of Solo travel gets fulfilled in Tokyo (and Japan in general).

Barcelona

At first, you are going to hear stories, lots of it – about pickpockets and thieves. But do not let those tales put you off. Barcelona is a city of panoramic views, do not let a few tales scare you off.

Follow few precautions like a smart solo traveler, and you can stroll down Las Ramblas. And eat as much as tapas as you can and get drown in cava.

New York City

NYC is the city where aspiring artists and dreamers go. And if you are just here for a few days then you are not a solo traveler anymore. Nobody here is alone. Whether you stroll down the Highline or grab a brunch at the eatery, you will always be surrounded by people.

The best way to have fun while you are here is to join Meetup. It is free and lets you meet people who share your interests. Isn’t it a great way to spend time when traveling? Making new friends!

Toronto

Like Tokyo, Toronto is also a safe place to travel. It has fewer crime rates, and people here are too busy to stare at you. Walking around in Toronto is the best thing a solo traveler can do because every turn will take you to a mini Toronto with its own ethnicity.

Above all the young solo travelers can have the time of their life at the lively Toronto Club scene. Drinking age is only 19, which is a plus for the young travelers. But we say, stay smart to avoid trouble.

Madrid

The capital city of Spain is overshadowed by Barcelona most of the time. And even though it sees fewer travelers than Barcelona, Madrid is a beauty of its own. If you are doing a Europe tour, then you shouldn’t miss any of these cities.

The people here are friendly, and you will feel safe here. Be careful with your money belt (keep it hidden). And follow standard precautions like a solo traveler and you are good to go.

Berlin

The understated charm of Berlin comes into focus only when you care to visit it. And those solo travelers who love a quiet and comfortable trip will enjoy Berlin. It has the classiest collection of hotels to choose from.

People are helpful and welcome. And the public transit is easy to figure out as well as inexpensive. Just get a Berlin WelcomeCard, and you get a discount on tours and attractions as well as free public transit. Isn’t that a catch? You will find all pros in Berlin for solo travelers, no cons, I bet.

Seoul

Safety is a priority of solo travelers. And Seoul offers that in spades unless you decide to act stupidly. Solo travelers like Seoul because it is pedestrian friendly, has inexpensive public transport, delicious food, helpful tour guides and a laid back lifestyle.

Now, plan a trip and go somewhere new! Safe travel!

Cities, Solo Travel, Student Travel

Gangtok Tales: The City of Snowy Peaks (Part 2)

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North Sikkim was awesome sauce, and when I was wondering what I would do on the next day of my trip, I got a call from my guide. He was a kind friend, and he recommended we visit South Sikkim that day. According to him, South Sikkim was a lot more beautiful than North Sikkim; I had to agree because I hadn’t seen it. It was time to remedy that.

ADVENTUROUS ROADS TO TEMI

A three-hour long drive took me to the mountain where Temi Tea garden sits. India is diverse, you know? At one place there is black soil, and nothing grows, whereas at the another place conifers rise towards the sky.

Coming from a place where 40 degrees Celsius is a standard temperature, seeing this mountain felt like heaven. We drove higher and higher up the mountain, and then we came to the Temi Tea Garden. It was massive, and when you see the clouds kiss the vibrant green shrubs, it is heavenly. It is here that my sister stepped out and bought flowers, they weren’t from a high-end shop, but a street vendor. They were a pretty orange East-American flower (as the vendor named it).

After wandering through the valleys of tea gardens, and seeing the Swiss looking lands, we were on our way to another hill. Hill hopping is common here, so there we went to our next stop – The Samdruptse.

THE CLOUDS OF SAMDRUPTSE

I will tell you; I have never been up in the mountains. So, walking or breathing at such a height was a chore for me. It is a miracle that I did not faint somewhere in the valleys.

The height took its toll when we reached the hill of Samdruptse; I wasn’t able to control my breathing. On the internet, you might see that the height is 4,000 odd feet, but the actual height here is 7,150 feet. That is the highest I had ever been. You need to let your body catch up with the atmosphere before you get going.

The giant statue of Guru Padmasambhava is here. There is also a temple beneath, where you can find the stairs to the top. You can click pictures from the statue where the view is magical. You can see the clouds floating between the valleys, and in the midst of it all is the magnificent statue of Guru Padmasambhava.

 

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THE STUNT AGAIN

Other than seeing the huge statue, and greeting the clouds, I also did something daringly stupid here. Most of the monuments in Sikkim get heavy protection.

And before entering the temple, I sat outside one of the high steps of Samdruptse, as you can see in the pic. You know what happened? Don’t even get me started.

I was just sitting there, ready with my sunglasses on when the Army guard charged in. I had no clue what I did wrong, and he was there charging towards me like an angry bull. He yelled “Yaha Nahin, Neeche!” meaning “ Not here, Get down!” And if I had not been scared out of my wits I would have taken some time to admire that fine frame of an army man. But I jumped down as fast as I could and ran into the temple.

CHAR DHAM AND BABA MANDIR

I am not a religious person. I do believe in God.  And religion, not so much. So, when my guide turned the steering wheels towards Char Dham, I was like “Stop Right There!” But he said that it was one of the best places in South Sikkim, and as a tourist, I should not miss it for the world.

There we went to the place where I did not want to go. Arriving at the site did not elicit any excitement in me. I took a chance and went straight ahead to the ticket counter. When I saw it was all about temples, I skipped the tickets. Instead, I stood just in front of the Char Dham and clicked this splendid picture which encases all the four dhams (the four temples).

Again when my guide parked the car at Baba Mandir, I groaned, I thought we were done with temples. Apparently not. Yet when I stepped into the Baba Mandir a strange kind of peace descended on me. It was so peaceful in here.

There were two floors of the temple. The picture above shows the ground floor where you can offer your prayers. On the first floor, there is a priest who offers you holy water. I didn’t go close to him, but my sister did. The thing I loved about the Baba Mandir was its ceiling. It had the galaxy painted on it, and it looked marvelous, to say the least.

DANGER JUNKIES

If you ask me what I liked most about my trip to South Sikkim, my answer will be – The Roads! There are few places to visit in South Sikkim. But for a girl who has seen nothing except drought lands – the serene mountains were like manna for the starved.

We drove through roads which had stiff bends with no warning of what was coming from the other side. It was scary; it was thrilling. On our way back, I didn’t want it to end. From the look on my face, my guard knew my mood.

He proposed I get out of the car, and enjoy the view because it was the last I would get of the City of Snowy Peaks. Out I went, the clouds sailing up the mountains, me trying my hands (and legs) at rock climbing, and me sitting in a depressed pose at the valley divided by Teesta River, this adventure was about to come to an end.

À BIENTÔT

The next day, as my car went downhill, it felt like I was leaving a part of me behind. I was also taking so many parts of the places I visited home with me. It wasn’t a goodbye it was À Bientôt, until we meet again. So, I haven’t even deleted the number of my guides. “Until next time,” I said to them and until the next time it will be. Cheers to the City of Snowy Peaks.

 

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Solo Travel, Student Travel, Vagabond Lifestyle

Gangtok Tales: The City of Snowy Peaks (Part 1)

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Ever thought that roaming around is tiring? For me, it wasn’t until I encountered altitude sickness that I began to agree. I was on my way to Gangtok from Darjeeling when the height of 6,700 ft. caught up to me.

I advise that you fill your tummy before you get in a car for Gangtok because if you aren’t full you are going to get super-sick. It is also going to take away the pleasure of watching the glorious scenes unfold before you if you feel ill.

SLEEP AND SHOPPING

After three and a half hours of journeying, I finally reached my destination. And whereas my Darjeeling’s home stay was a delight to stay in, in Gangtok I got a stinky room at that same price.

My whole day was all about sleep, sleep, and sleep. But even though my hotel room was stinky, it had a convenient location. It was just on the M. G. Marg. Since it is the market area, when the shopping fairy hits you, you can go and shop anytime.

That is what I did during my first day at Gangtok. Sleep and shopping. It was time to get some rest, as the next day I was heading out to see the North Sikkim, and it was going to be exciting!

PEAKS AND RUMTEK

On May 2nd, my guide Pravin and I set out for a long drive to North Sikkim. My first stop was at the Hill View Point, from here I saw the mighty peaks of K2 as well as Annapurna. It is a joy to see the highest peaks of the world laden with snow.

The Hill View Point was on my way to the Rumtek Monastery, which is one of the largest in Asia. It has the Dharma Chakra Center and is also home to the Golden Stupa. Vehicles do not go to the Monastery.

You need to walk half of a kilometer uphill before you see the face of the Monastery. Do not forget to bring identification with you because it is mandatory.

I was the first tourist to visit that day. Since it was off season and I was pretty early I had the monastery all to myself. You can see in the picture below the Hall of the Monastery. On the right-hand side, there is a signboard which reads – “Way to the Golden Stupa.”

THE STUNT

From here, I climbed and reached the Stupa. The Military Guards are at the doors of the Golden Stupa, and there will always be a monk inside. There is a signboard indicating No Cameras, but I sneaked in my cell phone.

Once you step into the room, you are going to think “What is this?” But then the monk comes in and switches on the light. That is when you see the glittering Golden Stupa. And by Golden I mean Golden, there are all kinds of riches in there. You can see it through the glass. Alas! You can’t touch it.

I took all kinds of risks to click a picture of the Golden Stupa. So, the picture is kind of blurry. After my daring stunt at the Stupa, I went to the Nalanda Institute, which is one of the first in the world.

 

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WATERFALLS OF SIKKIM

One of the top tourist destination in Sikkim is the Ban Jhakri Water Falls. Unlike the Monastery, the Ban Jhakri waterfalls were overloaded with tourists. 

Many of them were hung on tight harnesses, trying to cross the rope bridges across the waterfalls. And even though, I can dare a photograph in a Military secured zone, I shun water. So, crossing the rope bridge was a no-go.

But I did something interesting. I wore the traditional Sikkimese dress and clicked pictures with my sister. And as you can see I totally look like a typical Sikkimese Woman in the pic, don’t I?

CLOUDY PEAKS

It was past lunch time at the falls, and I was super hungry. We set out to the Tashi View Point because my guide told us it is where we could eat lunch. Sadly, the only thing available there was pineapple.

The view of Kanchenjunga from the Tashi View mount is stunning. Luck wasn’t on our side though, the clouds shrouded the peaks and even the afternoon sun did nothing to blast it away. Yet, I viewed all the other peaks that were visible to my glassed eyes.

THE HOWL

After seeing the best zoo in India, Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park, I wasn’t sure I would like the Sikkim Zoological Park. But mate! I was wrong. Where PNZP is man-made and skilfully organized, Sikkim Zoo is wild and untamed.

I loved the raw, untamed beauty of the park. You have to walk around in the woods to see the animals. It feels surreal. First on the list was the common leopard, then came the cute red Pandas followed by a leopard cub.

I was on my way strolling alongside my sister when I heard a deafening howl. We were on our way to see the Himalayan Wolf. But after following the directions, we reached a point where the road was blocked with a sign “Himalayan Wolf Under Treatment.”

That was when we heard the howl again. You can well imagine, walking through the woods on a snowy day and hearing the howl of an ailing wolf. It still gives me chills.

FLOWERY DELIGHT

A long day of sight seeing was coming to an end and my guide wanted it to be special. So he took me to the yearly flower exhibition that takes place in Gangtok. I have very little knowledge about flowers. But what can I say? They are pretty.

ROPEWAY DARE

I have a long list of fears, and the top on the list is water, in the second place is heights. I even fear taking escalators. But it was a trip where I wanted to try new things. So, I took the chance and rode the ropeway.

The view of the mountains beside and the city below was astounding. You can see the picture of the city below. We rode until we reached Deorali, flying over the traffic and through the valley. And after riding 20 minutes on the ropeway, I thought “Heights can be beautiful.”

So, that is how my second day at Gangtok came to an end, with me fighting my fears. That is what traveling does friends; it frees you.

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Darjeeling Travel: Tales From City Of Hills (Part 3)

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My eyes were closed, but all I could think of was when was I going to see the sunrise at Tiger Hills. As soon as my Alarm went off at 3:30 am, I got ready to hop in the car and ride to the Tiger Hills, Darjeeling.

I arrived there at around 4:30. It was freezing out there. I have seen winters in my town. But this chilly was out of the world. What can I say, they are closer to the Himalayas! The vegetation here is Alpine as well.

SUNRISE AT THE TIGER HILLS

I forgot to wear my gloves, and my fingers became dead. It was a miracle that I was able to click the pictures. Sunrise at the Tiger Hills is all about luck; you see the sun or the clouds will shadow the rise.

The picture you see above, where the sky is orange-red, is taken when the sun is about to rise.

And after the sunrise, you can see the glowing yellow ball of light amidst the clouds. It was surreal to see the sun play hide and seek with the watchers. I have a video made of it; it is funny how the sun showed up when I asked it to *winks*.

GETTING DOLLED UP

Just after watching the sunrise, we headed towards the Batasia Loop. The traffic on the way back was horrible. We reached the loop at around 8. It is an Eco- Garden, where there is the track for the famous Toy Train of Darjeeling.

In the morning you can’t see the Toy Train travel on the tracks. But at least you can see the War Memorial and get dressed up in traditional tea picking dress.

The vendors charge 50 INR for one costume. And if you hand them your camera, they can click your pictures. You don’t need to hire a photographer to click your pic because they will charge 100 INR.

After all the hustle and bustle of the Batasia Loop, we headed straight to our hotel to eat our breakfast. A short break and we were ready to start our Day Trip around Darjeeling.

RISKY DRIVE & A QUIET GARDEN

Driving in the hills is dangerous, but it is also deadly, and I did not know it. My driver was a guy named Naren, who was a kickass driver.

When I got scared of descending 6,000 ft below, he was so thoughtful. He pulled over and clicked some pics of me, then he put on his sunglasses and said “ Don’t Worry!” in that cute, weird North Eastern Accent.

All throughout the drive, my heart was in my throat. I finally reached my destination, the Ganga Maya Park. It was quite unlike any tourist destination, and there were little to no visitors. I roamed around and clicked some beautiful pictures in the Hilly Forests.

At the end of the park was a waterfall, not just a waterfall, there was also a reservoir below it. As I was on a trip of changing myself, I thought to take a risk. To be honest, I don’t know how to swim, I am super- freaked out when I see a lot of water. You can call it hydrophobia, but I call it “fear of drowning.”

But I took the chance and booked a boat and paddled my way around the tank. I didn’t feel a twinge of fear, I was a bit apprehensive in the start, but later I enjoyed the ride. The waterfall from up close was beautiful.

 

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OVER-RATED TOURIST SPOTS

If you ever visit Darjeeling, you will know that Rock Garden is one of the overrated destinations here. I was excited to visit it as I heard it is made of rock.

But once I saw it, I was disappointed. The crowds filled every level of the park. And you hike and hike from one level to the other to see nothing except the made up scenery. I personally did not enjoy my time here. You can see my pic, do I look happy? Duh no!

ANIMALS AND MOUNTAINEERING

The other most hyped spots here are the Zoo and the HMI (Himalayan Mountaineering Institute). My next destination was the Zoo. As a kid, I had never been to one. So this was my first time, and my *inner-11 year old* just squealed at the prospect of seeing Leopards and Tigers.

The cages at the Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park are huge. It is designed that way to make the animals feel at home. There were different kinds of Animals here, ranging from snow leopard to yaks. It was a joy to watch them.

Just next to it was the HMI. It is a mecca for the hiking enthusiasts. It not only has all the amenities to train the Mountaineers but it also has a superbly equipped museum. Cameras are a no-no inside the museum. So you cannot click pictures. But inside the museum, you get to see the gears used by famous mountaineers like Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary.

TEA AND PEACE

After a long day of sightseeing, my legs were sore, and my back sprained. Still, we had places to go. The tea garden we went to was one of the biggest in Darjeeling. The estate was huge, I just took a few steps around and soaked in the beautiful scenery. Just outside the estate, there is a stall which sells Darjeeling Tea.

They gave me tea; I tasted it. And then I bought four gigantic packets of Darjeeling tea. And as I am writing this, I am drinking tea made from those leaves.

The last stop was the best – the Peace Pagoda. Before my trip, I saw the Peace Pagoda in pictures and I dreamt about seeing the Peace Pagoda in person. When I saw it with my own eyes, the pictures did not do it any justice.

It is like a creamy white cake perched amidst the coniferous trees. If you want you can visit the Japanese temple, which comes before it. But I skipped that part and went straight for the Peace Pagoda.

It has three levels, and the top level has the “Parikrama.” It is on the third level that you see the various phases of Lord Buddha’s Life sculpted around the Golden Dome. It was gorgeous just seeing the sunshine on the sculptures at the highest man-made point in Darjeeling.

 

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Budget Travel, Solo Travel, Student Travel

How To Avoid Loneliness When Traveling Alone

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It is all fun and games until we arrive at a dead end and realize we are traveling alone. Traveling is empowering, yet sometimes on the road loneliness creeps in. It is in the moments when you are surrounded by fellow travelers that the pangs of loneliness hit you the hardest. 

I recently took a trip that made me realize you only need to follow a few rules when you feel the pangs of loneliness.

Read: 7 important tips for solo and lone travelers

TRAVELING ALONE

The first hack is to be spontaneous. Spontaneity comes naturally to many travelers. However, for introvert solo travelers, spontaneity can be quite the challenge. Even though it may be difficult to begin, once you do, you will start to feel freer and more in control of your own journey.

Forcing yourself to be spontaneous is a reminder that you do not need anyone else; that you alone are in charge of your destiny. So embrace the loneliness and let it empower you. Feeling excited and free will help distract from the loneliness. 

BE OPEN MINDED

This is a mantra for every traveler. You cannot travel well if you are resistant to new possibilities. In India, people tend to be orthodox. For example, most Indians will not even touch beef. However, when I traveled to North Eastern India, I came across many food stalls where there were “Beef Momos” all around.

When I first saw them, I scrunched my nose. I had never eaten them and did not want to start now. Contrary to that initial reaction, I took the chance. From that moment until the last day of my trip, I survived on Beef Momos only.

What I am trying to say is, if you are open minded, you will not need to surround yourself with like-minded people, you can make friends with anyone, over a plate of beef momos perhaps. 

 

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NATURE IS YOUR FRIEND

How can a person be lonely when they have the whole universe at their disposal? I seldom feel alone when I am sitting in a car or train and traveling around. It is not that I am not alone, but it is this that I let nature give me company.

My first experience traveling alone was in Puri, where I thought I would definitely feel alone. One day I saw the ocean’s water kissing the shores as I drove by, the magic struck me! I no longer cared that I was alone because I realized that nature and all its charm always walks alongside us. 

LEARN TO TRUST PEOPLE

I am super paranoid, and by super I mean “take screenshots of every conversation because you never know who will turn against you” kind of person. Haha, I know I was a bit extreme. But, when I started traveling, I became someone different.

I had to trust the directions that strangers told me. I had to eat something a stranger cooked for me. I had to trust my driver not to kill me.

Traveling is a risk, it is a kind of bet you make on others and yourself. You need to learn to trust people, and if you do, you may stop feeling lonely.

KEEP A TRAVEL DIARY

I know it sounds kinda cheesy and old-fashioned, but believe me, the best way to not feel lonely when you are traveling is to talk to someone. When you are traveling, you will likely only talk to your guide or your fellow travelers if you have any.

The only person who will always listen to you is your diary. Maintain a diary where you can write all your day’s experience. It will be like you are pouring your heart out to someone and you will not feel lonely at all. I have a diary myself where I write all about my travels, it not only keeps you from being lonely but also keeps an account of your trips for you to enjoy later.

CREATE AN AWESOME PLAYLIST

You already know music is the best cure. Riding in a car for several hours can be exceedingly lonely, so what do we do? If you have an awesome playlist, then a 4-hour long drive will seem like mere 15 minutes. Make sure you have songs that cheer you up and make you feel free. My playlist has all the “independent single women” kind of songs. I put it on, and it makes me feel good about myself that I can travel alone.

You can also have fun-loving songs so that you can enjoy yourself during the monotony of travel. Also, keep a “Lullaby” playlist ready, to encourage sleep when needed.

STAY AT HOMESTAYS

If you want to feel at home while traveling, what is better than staying in a Homestay? I was unsure when I booked my first Homestay. However, when the time came to check out, I didn’t want to leave. After that experience, I am convinced that staying with locals is the best way to travel.

By taking advantage of a Homestay, you get to experience local culture, you get to know the people better, and it gives you a dose of the pure essence of travel. The Homestay I stayed in had warm and friendly people, and I never felt like I was alone. Make sure you do a background check on the Homestay or Guest House you are staying at; you do not want to end up in trouble.

LIVE LIKE A LOCAL

It is hard to learn the ways of locals, but when you do it makes you feel like you belong. My recent trip to Gangtok was all about being a local. I ate like them, and I even sang like them. By singing I mean almost everyone sings here! The driver will switch on the music and start humming the songs. It is double fun if you join in with them and start singing it louder.

Anywhere you go, try living like a local. Once you feel like you belong, you will surely stop feeling lonely.

 

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Trip Ideas, Travel Inspiration, Solo Travel, Vagabond Lifestyle

Darjeeling Travel: Tales From City of Hills (Part 1)

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My hometown (in Odisha, India) is not just an ordinary town, I wish it were Darjeeling but no, it has to be the town with the highest temperature in the summer. In winter you can get frostbite, in summer you can get sunstroke. Talk about the weather (lol). What can you expect at 50 degrees Celsius?

What can you expect at 50 degrees Celsius? So, this summer I planned to go to a hill station I hadn’t been before. My first choice was Kodaikanal and Ooty, which are in South India. But after scratching those options, I finally went straight to the City of Hills – Darjeeling!

DARJEELING TRAVEL DIARY

My journey started on April 27th. To say the first day of the journey was uneventful would be a big mistake. You know what happened? I had booked my tickets way ahead of time (over two months). I booked lower berths so that I could sleep well. But traveling alone in India makes people think you are helpless.

A guy who had not got his ticket confirmed asked me to change my seat and go to the upper berth. It was so annoying, yet I patiently said: “No, thanks”. He started blowing his bad breath voice louder and louder in my ears and then it started getting on my nerves. It was in the evening around 7 pm when he brought in the railway police and tried taking away my seat. But thank goodness, the Railway Police told him to grow a brain because I already had a confirmed ticket.

GIRLS FIGHT BACK

Later that night, he again picked a quarrel. Now, I was already at my breaking point. I was done being the decent girl, who was quiet as he kept misbehaving with me. I was so done with him now. As he started to quarrel, he was also getting back retorts from me.

The quarrel became so severe that the Railway police came in and helped us cool down. That guy even threatened me, so the Police stayed up all night beside me to ensure I was okay. Now, that is a benefit of being a woman in India. The police were so helpful to me. Four of them stayed close to me so that I wouldn’t face any problems.

The first night of my journey and I was already about to smash someones’ head! But the next day was so much better.

FIRST STOP: HOWRAH

I did not have a direct train to my destination. But you should know that no Hill station in India has direct trains. You need to go to the destination using a shared taxi. The next morning, April 28th, I arrived at Howrah. The weather was “oppressive.” Thankfully, my train was at 11 am, so as soon as I boarded the train, I was all good.

My first step into my compartment and I was like “Whaaaaa!?” It was full of guys, and by guys I mean a whole lot of testosterone in one place makes me uncomfortable. I went straight to my seat, and it was occupied by a gang of rowdy looking North Eastern guys.

But when I said to them it was my seat, and I needed sleep because I had a rough night they were very understanding! Even though they were a lot in number, they agreed to give me my seat and sit uncomfortably.

 

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NO SLEEP (TRAIN WAS FUN)

I wanted to sleep but I really couldn’t! Why? Because the train in which I booked my ticket was not a train but a running Super Market. All kinds of Vendors came, they sold sarees, t-shirts, watches, blankets and all kinds of food, especially the Macher Jhol (fish curry) and rice.

When I was done trying to sleep, I woke up and all the guys were giggling in front of me. They started our conversation talking about anything and everything. Our major fun started when a vendor came by. He sold water bottles and before he came near our seats he would give us an imaginary phone call and said: “Hello, Hello!” When we all started giggling, he would come nearer and sell water in all kinds of voices “Pani, PANI, Pani.” All the “Pani” were different, one shrill, one loud, one in a low bass and one falsetto.

These guys were so much fun that I didn’t even have to put on my “ tourist mask.” We laughed we talked and even shared “Paan” – the authentic beetle leaf of India. Soon came the Bridge which is built over the Padma River. I even made a video of it, you can see it on The Art of Travel Youtube Channel.

“Bridge over the Padma River“

MAKE FRIENDS WHEN TRAVELING

As dinner time came closer, all my packed food was exhausted. Do not blame me, I am a hardcore eater, and I eat when I am bored. So, when one of the guys saw me whining in hunger, he offered me a packet of his snacks. I know, I know, we shouldn’t eat what a stranger offers. But I was so hungry I didn’t give a thought. It was like “do or die”.

These awesome fellow passengers were too adorable for words. One offered to buy me a saree, the other tried to buy me a watch, and the other one was wise and bought me a “Paan.” All in all, my second day of traveling was eventful and fun! You rarely meet such guys in India, but I guess, I was lucky that I did.

THE CITY OF HILL

When my destination arrived, that is Siliguri aka the NJP Station, I didn’t want to leave, but adventure called. Once in the station, I had to find the resting rooms. I had to take a morning taxi to Darjeeling, as nobody drives to Darjeeling from Siliguri at night. That is why I had booked resting rooms online at the NJP Station.

“New Jalpaiguri or Siliguri Railway Station“

The Railway Police here are helpful and they guided me to the rooms. After two tiring days of travel, I wanted a clean bed. That is exactly what I got. The room was clean, the bed made, clean sheets and the adjoining bathroom was also in good condition.

I breathed a sigh of relief as my head hit the pillow. The next morning when I would see the Hills of my dreams was yet to come. Darjeeling, here I come!

Read next: Darjeeling Travel Diary (Day 3 & Day 4). Trip reports and stories from the City of Hills.

 

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Beaches, Budget Travel, Solo Travel, Religious Pilgrimages

Trip To Puri: An Odishan Odyssey

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The roaring waves of Bay of Bengal engulf the golden sands, and beside it blows the flag of Jagannath Temple. Stepping on the soft sands of Puri beach is like experiencing Nirvana. Puri is a pilgrimage, that is why it is abundant in ancient stone temples.

Trip To Puri

When I planned my trip to Puri, it was on a whim. But as it was off-season, I did not face any difficulty in finding tickets or hotels. If you travel to India and want to take a look at some of the old traditions, then Puri is a refreshing place to go. It is not just about an overload of temples, but also the rejuvenating beaches.

THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

As I live in Western Odisha, it was no biggie for me to reach Puri. I took the train Sambalpur-Puri Intercity Express (18303), which leaves at 6 in the morning. According to me, the best way of exploring India is through the Indian railways. That is why I enjoyed my train journey.

There were many bridges, over the Mahanadi River on which the train went. Along with the watery delights, you see the landscape change from arid to coconut tree studded. If you start from Delhi, then the journey becomes too long. So take a flight to Bhubaneswar, from there reach the railway station or the bus station.

There are regular trains from Bhubaneswar to Puri, but the City Bus service is better (frequent and fast).

My train took me directly to Puri, so I did not have to change trains or buses. But if your route is via Bhubaneswar (60 Km from Puri) then you need to board a train or Bus. It costs just Rs 20 – Rs. 30.

ACCOMMODATION IN PURI

There are many hotels along the Beach, that you get confused on which one to pick. I recommend you download the Goibibo app while you tour India because it offers you hotels at half the price of what you pay at the desk. Toshali Sands, Mayfair Hotels are the brand names in Puri, but they are a helluva expensive.

If $150/day is okay with you then book all these high-end hotels, if not then there are many hotels with low price. I landed an amazing deal on GoIbibo-Sagar Tarang Residency is an exceptionally new property. But the services they offered was impressive at just $25/day (which is 1500 Indian Rupees per day).

Most of the hotels here have their own restaurant, the one I stayed in had one too. But it was so darned pricey! *eye rolls*. So, I did what the best in Eastern Odisha is, I tasted the “Dahi Bara” for breakfast, “Elisi Macha” for my lunch, and “Chingudi Tarkari” for my dinner.

I know, I know, you must be wondering what I am saying. Lemme clear it up in the next section.

 

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ODISHAN GOURMET

A hungry stomach is just a hindrance while sightseeing. Your hotel desk will keep calling you to take breakfast or dinner at the Restaurant. Who cares! Just a grilled Sandwich costs you Two hundred rupees. I will tell you how to survive in the same Rs. 200 throughout the day.

In walking distance from all the hotels are many street food stalls. I ended up in one, near the Chakra Tirtha Road. The man sold “Dosa”- South Indian Cuisine, “Aloo- Chop”, meaning Mashed Potato Chop, “Bread Chop” and the famous “Dahi Bara”- a curd based dish. It costs around 30-40 Indian Rupees.

After that, for lunch, there was a small restaurant (with no name) in Chakra Tirtha Road (near Mayfair Heritage) which made yummy homemade dishes. Pack the dishes, take them to your hotel room, and relish it. I packed “Elisi (special Odishan Fish Curry),” Raita (yogurt salad), Rice and Dal. It cost me hardly 200( and above all it was finger licking good).

It is here that I tasted the Prawn Pamphlet Masala the next night, and dare I say, it was bottle –worthy. If I could have bottled it up and brought home, I would have.

For Dinner, I went to the SeaGull Restaurant which rests near the SwargaDwar Market. I wolfed down a plate of Chicken Chowmein (Rs. 140 Indian). If you think it costs too much, then head to the nearby street food stalls that offer you all kinds of local cuisines.

And how can I forget the lip-smacking, drool-worthy Hyderabadi Biriyani? Take the fifth turn from Sea Gull Restaurant on Marine Drive Road; The Gopal Ballabh Road has the best Biriyani Joint – New Parijat Restaurant. It is cheap and tasty, and whether you pick it up as a take-out or have it here depends on your mood.

SUN HAS RISEN FOR YOU

Waking up in the early morning is a chore when you are tired. But the effort you give pays off when you see the sun peek out of the horizon. Wake up at four, get ready for comfy clothes then walk down to the beach.

The Swargdwar Beach is famous but crowded. So I headed to the beach of Mayfair Heritage Hotel which was at a walking distance from mine. I sat down, on the secluded beach and watched how colorfully the crimson sun kissed the horizon.

The water changes its color as the sun changes its distance from the horizon, it is amazing to witness the phenomenon. Slowly the intensity of the sun rays increases, and the cold dawn turns to warm morning.

It is fun just to sit there and get the sun-soaked, and collect the shells. But after a while, the cool waves seem tempting. Go, walk on the small waves, or better bath in the bigger ones.

If you stay here till 11 am, then some fishers go fishing at this time (they wear yellow, so it is easy to recognize them,) by launching their boats on the water.

The entire process is interesting to watch. After 11 though the rays become harsh and it is better to get back to your hotel room. (Keeping in mind at which time of the year you visit).

DRIVE ALONG THE OCEAN

Traveling alone comes with its cons as well, so when I heard about the Puri–Konark Marine Drive Road, I could not resist it. And even though I know a little about riding a bike, I took the chance. My guide, though (who was the receptionist at the front desk of my hotel), did not want me to break my leg or anything.

He took the responsibility to take me on the drive. There are three Bike rentals in Puri, but you need to book it seven days before your trip.

As I did not have the booking, we were forced to take my guide’s bike. The Puri-Konark Marine Drive Road itself takes 7 hours. But if you take the shortcuts, your journey time reduces to half, and you get to visit the Konark as well.

I did not visit the Konark Temple but I did see the Jagannath Temple of Puri where the famous Rath Yatra takes place.

SHOPPING SPREE

Shopping is every girl’s weakness (well, at least to some degree). Please do not tell me you don’t like it. My eyes always keep wandering while I am out, to spot something worthy to take home. I will tell you that Puri has a lot of mementos shop. But for hardcore shopping, it is not an appropriate place.

Before I went on my evening visit to the Beach (which I did on nearly every day of my stay), I wandered around the Swargadwar market. This market is like a puzzle, so many twists and turns that you will lose yourself. There are tiny shops, crowded with tourists and the atmosphere here is electric.

Girls, buy a handloom saree in Handloom Garden. It embodies the culture, tradition, and religion of Puri in a single piece of cloth. What more? It will make your friends jealous when you flaunt that waistline of yours with Puri Handloom Saree.

If saree is a bit too much, there are shawls also to take home with you. I collected the best memento I could- some pieces of shells from the Beach. Couldn’t have been happier with anything else.

 

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Travel Inspiration, Solo Travel, Health & Safety

Be Bold For Solo Travel: International Women’s Day

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Be Bold For Change (#beboldforchange) was the motto of the 106th International Women’s Day 2017. Even after a century of celebrating this day of women empowerment, gender equality is a still a far-off thing in today’s society.

Instead of waiting for the change to happen on its own, let all the women change for themselves. Come out of your shells and comfort zones, and break the stereotype. There is no better way for a woman to realize her power than traveling solo.

This Women’s Day – be bold enough to travel on your own; go traveling solo! To all those adventurous ladies who have already traveled solo, kudos to you!

Be Bold For Solo Travel

There are a lot of hardships that come your way when you decide to travel alone; maybe it is the concerns of your loved ones or the fear of the unknown. As a woman, we have to deal with a lot of issues (and internal chatter) before embarking on a solo trip.

Here are the top 8 concerns woman face and how to overcome the resistance.

Concerns From Loved Ones


When you want to spread your wings, sometimes they get tied down by the concerns of your parents. Their concern (even though annoying) is explainable and mostly reasonable. With the increase in violence towards women in all spheres, it is only fair that parents get concerned for their daughters traveling alone.

But once you make the decision to travel solo, take your time and explain to your parents. They will surely understand, once you put your plans before them and promise to contact them regularly.

Male Oglers

There is no shutter to the eyes of a male, and even if there were one, they would still stare. When you travel to a new country, it is common for women to get male glances.

That is why before traveling to your destination, do extensive research. Read about the culture and traditions so you can dress in an appropriate way. It is okay to wear shorts and a tank top, wandering around the Parisian Lanes.

But in some places (for example in India or a Muslim country) it is not a good idea to attract unwanted attention to yourself. Even if you see some locals wearing modern western clothing, it is not a bad idea to keep a low profile.

Wherever you travel, always make sure to check first what the local custom and cultures regarding clothing are and pack accordingly. You don’t have to be boring. You can still travel in style as well as comfort without attracting unwanted male attention. Here is a hint: try ethnic clothes. 

Get Over the Pitying


In many places around the world, people think traveling alone is pitiful. They label you as a “sad old soul” who needs a partner to settle down. But women who travel alone know well that the road can be the best partner, and new experiences keep you in good company.

It is not impossible to have a family and travel; you can do both if you have enough patience to balance both. Do not feel sorry for yourself or lonely, and when you feel so, think about why you traveled in the first place. It is easy to use just a patient smile and calm voice to let the people know that you don’t care what they think, but you care about what you want.

Periods When Traveling


Traveling is fun, but the change of weather can mess with your menstrual cycle. You cannot enjoy a beach day with cramps annoying you. And if you are enjoying an African Jungle Safari, then God save you! (Please pack some painkillers, just in case.)

Read: How to Travel like a Pro during Periods

In many countries, there are less than safe and unhygienic conditions. Sometimes you have only a bucket of cold water to deal with your problem. In those troublesome times too, we women do not give up. Though it is better that you plan your trips on dates when you are likely period-free, so you can have fun to the fullest.

 

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Kickass In A New Territory


Solo women travelers are easy targets for desperate men. In countries where men have a chauvinistic mindset, they do not think before pouncing. If you are a beginner, it is better if you avoid dangerous countries like Yemen. In many of the developing countries too, you come across many instances where solo female travelers get abused. Research well, plan and prepare.

Do your research on your destination and rate it on a scale of safety. And if it is above 6/10 then it is okay to take the risk. Once at your destination, put your game face on (reserve a smile for the friendly ones).

A self-defense program comes in handy in case you need to kick ass when the situation arises. Carry weapons for safety with you, like pepper sprays and a penknife just to take your opponent by surprise. And above all look confident even though you are shaking in your boots!

Pack To Look Pretty


After reading this, you must surely want to explore the wild and badass side of your personality. But the biggest superpower of a female traveler is the ability to pack less and travel more. Girls, we know you love to look beautiful. But sometimes blending comfort and beauty is an excellent thing.

A couple of t-shirts, jeans or shorts, jackets, boots and a dress or two is more than enough for your travel wardrobe. Make sure all the combinations work together, so you do not repeat an outfit in your pictures.

Remember there is always that one lovely dress and accessories you buy on your trip to take back home. So, leave some room for them in your luggage as well. Also, do not forget your essential toiletries. You need not carry your makeup kit with you: a Gloss and Kajal will do the trick.

Get Wild and Have Fun


Are you bold enough for a transformative change? If yes, then make your decision and get wild. Traveling alone can get lonely at times and if you meet someone who sets the sparks going, why jinx it by not being prepared?

Please only engage in safe sex. Make sure you put the rubber on and do not forget to take your pills. These small steps give you relief from bigger troubles like STDs and unwanted pregnancy. If you are brave enough to embark on a solo trip, you are brave and matured enough to say “No” if you are not interested. Do the right thing.

Make New Friends


Whether you believe it or not, there are plenty of places around the world where a traveler gets treated like a celebrity. In many places, it is actually easy to make friends; be it an Airbnb or a hostel or a resort. On your way, you meet fellow female travelers. The bond you share becomes stronger when you share your journey and experiences.

This International Women’s Day, add your story to the collection of stories about brave women making bold decisions. Do something and share your stories that will inspire other girls to explore the world on their own.

International Women’s Day

Below are some of the events in March:

1) International Women’s Day Fun Run, Brisbane on March 5th
2) SHEfights – An all-female Muay Thai event in Toronto on March 11th
3) Water for People (a free event in Washington D.C.) on March 8th
4) International Women’s Day Walk in Zurich on March 8th
5) WOW (Women of the World) Festival in London on March 7th

All events focus on the motto of this year’s International Women’s Day: Be Bold For Change! And, one of the best ways to initiate a transformative change is “by traveling”.

 

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Budget Travel, Solo Travel, Family Travel, Student Travel, International Travel, Travel FAQ, Travel Visa

What are Your Biggest Travel Problems and Questions?

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This is a special and unique post that we will be a LIVE thread for answering your biggest travel problems and questions. Please comment your travel related questions here and we’ll answer them in the comments below.

That said, we have compiled a list of most commonly asked travel questions (around travel visa, safety, hacks and tips, miles, etc.). Please read our massive Travel FAQ page for answers to many of your Common Travel Questions.

Your Biggest Travel Problems & Questions

The Art of Travel is a community for hardcore travelers. We are a group of everyday folks who love to travel and experience the freedom that comes from traveling. However, travel (Internation Travel in particular) is a time and money consuming luxury that most of us can’t afford.

Sure we talk about and share our tips on Saving Money for Travel and Budget Travel but when you have three kids and a minimum wage job, none of the travel hacks quite work for everyone. It gets tricky.

If you have money but less time, we have plenty of travel hacks for you.

If you have plenty of time and little money, well, congratulations, we have you covered as well.

But what to do when you so desperately want to travel but don’t have either money or time. You work very hard to provide for yourself or your family and after paying all the bills and debts, you are left with pretty much nothing except some gas money for carpooling with your friends on a highly crowded weekend.

We want to address these and similar questions and would like to hear from you. What do you struggle with most when it comes to travel? What questions do you need to be answered? What are your biggest travel problems and questions?

Comment below and I will address each one of them in separate blog posts. I’ll do my best to be as thorough and detailed as possible.

We want to know you and we want to help you!

Tell us your travel problems

You can also contact us on Facebook or tweet to us. You can leave a comment on our YouTube videos or on our Instagram posts. If you wish, you can email us as well. If you want to send us mail us, our address is:

Art of Travel, Inc

30 French St. #22

Quincy, Massachusetts USA 02171

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Travel Inspiration, Solo Travel, Adventure Travel, Did You Know

Solo Female Travel On Rise: A Report

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Solo female travel has become popular in the past decade. With the rise in internet, smartphones, and global wifi availability, this trend is going to continue. There has been a tremendous growth in the women-only travel companies. Women have embraced the wildness. They are proving that women have guts to explore the world on their own. Cheers everyone!

A woman can enjoy herself without having a male travel companion. That is what women have effectively proved. Women are contributing more to the global travel economy than men. They are expected to reach $125 billion by 2016. Traveling solo has a lot of reasons. The above infographic will give you information on the increase in solo female travel, reasons, and popular travel destinations.

TRAVELING SAFE

Women can face a lot of problems while traveling alone. That is why it is important that they choose safe destinations when starting solo. Europe is a good first choice, although, it goes without saying that every foreign destination is a little risky.

Another interesting thing to note is that the majority of solo female travelers are from European countries. Asia and Africa are not popular destinations with women traveling alone. For now, these are considered less safe. Most women can face a lot of problems when traveling alone.

When asked about major concerns when traveling solo, most women responded with “being in a dangerous situation”. But today, many women are visiting extreme, remote, and previously unexplored locations. They are participating in all kinds of adventurous activities. In short, women know how to have fun one their own.

SOLO FEMALE TRAVEL

Many such solo travelers say the freedom that they feel when traveling alone is priceless. You might think that women are only good at shopping on a trip. Think again. It is reported by the travel booking companies that 17% of solo female travel are related to history & education.

Women can also be adrenaline junkies. They love adventure sports. 15% of women travel for adventure sports. Solo female travelers are from every age group. The women who travel most are widowed or divorced. Modern women have become sophisticated and self-reliant. That is the reason they are unafraid of traveling alone.

The age group 45 and above makes 55% of the solo female travel population. This age group might also hint at the time when most people think they need a break from their monotonous life. The biggest myth that most solo travelers are a 26-year-old dude with no money is a total lie!

Various travel reports* show that 73% of females prefer to travel alone than their male partners. It is a 45-year-old female traveling solo rather than a virile young male. Wanderlust does not discriminate based on gender. This new trend has been already observed for a few years now.

With the rise of social media, everybody now wants to posts pictures from their heroic journey. The rise in solo female travel is a boon for the travel industry and is a good thing for the entire travel loving community!

Sources: 

There are various sources that confirm these facts and figures. For more in-depth study, please refer to Harvard Business Review (women spending power), Forbes (on spending power and influence on purchasing decision), Travel stats from market researching firms such as Yesawich, Pepperdine, and Brown & Russell, Travel Industry Association (USA), Travel Guard polls (Travel insurance company) and other big online travel booking companies.

 

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Solo Travel, International Travel, Top 10 List

7 Safest Destinations for Solo Female Travelers

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Female travelers choose to journey solo more and more frequently. With times changing, this is not a surprise.

Women opt to travel alone due to many reasons; to enjoy their freedom or to have a quiet time in solitude for peace of mind. Traveling alone has many perks; it is something we all love to do from time to time.

However, there are also several things to keep in mind before traveling alone. The number of assaults on female travelers keeps increasing. In addition, theft is a significant problem related to tourism. Women are often perceived as easy targets and therefore they can be more vulnerable to such attacks.

How can a woman avoid these threats? If you want your trip to be without headaches, then you ought to choose a safe destination. Here is a list of a few places which are voted safe for women.

OTTAWA, CANADA

Canada is voted the safest country in the world. How can you not feel safe in a place where people are so friendly? The atmosphere is metropolitan in Canada’s capital city, Ottawa.

English and French are the main languages spoken here. So if you are fluent in one of those, you’ll have no problem communicating.

If you want to go on a shopping spree, you should start with ByWard market. Here, you will find different kinds of goods such as handmade clothes, funky jewelry, and all kinds of cheeses. No shopping spree is complete without food. When your arms begin to tire from holding all the shopping bags, head to one of the many great restaurants. Have a happy and secure stay in Ottawa.

HILO, HAWAII

Who does not love beaches? If you want to bathe in the sun or take a dip in the sea, Hilo is for you. The USA has a variety of safe cities for women, but none can beat Hilo. This city is also known as the “Big Island.” Even though it is called the big island, the population here is small. Thus, you are sure to find peace and quiet here.

The Akaka Falls state park is worth a visit. Plus, the beautiful landscape which surrounds a 400 ft high waterfall is a must-see. If you have a sweet tooth, then head over to Macadamia Nut Corporation to sample some mouth-watering chocolate and macadamia nuts. This is a safe, tasty and tranquil destination for female travelers.

OSLO, NORWAY

Norway is a feminist country through and through. It has always ranked in the top ten for equal treatment of women throughout the world. How can a woman not be safe here?

The lively city of Oslo is the capital of Norway. A trip to Oslo should always begin with a visit to the Vigeland sculpture park. If you are artsy, you are going to fall in love with this place. Gustav Vigeland made 200 pieces of art from granite, iron, and bronze. He is a very fine and accomplished artist. The trip will definitely open your creative mind. Oslo also has some crazy nightclubs, if you are more of a night owl. You can have the vacay of your life here.

 

MALMO, SWEDEN

Not only does Sweden have a wonderful culture, but the citizens are also welcoming and warm. 

Malmo is the third largest city in the country and it is a perfect shopping hub. Whether you are looking for just a few chic and classy outfits or a total makeover, Malmo is the city for you. 

Some women love a shot of adrenaline. If that is you, then you may want to explore the hiking or boating options. The scenery in Sweden is perfect for adventure sports. Plus, Malmo is very environmentally friendly. It shows in their food choices as well as their clothing. Thus, you can enjoy guilt-free eating and shopping in Malmo.

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COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

New girl in the city? Don’t be afraid, you’ll enjoy your experience here. Copenhagen has a population of around two million people. You’ll be lost in the crowd. The bustling streets and Norse architecture are a joy to see.

Plus, you can shop here at dream prices. So gear up and make your wish lists. When you visit Copenhagen you must stop by the fountain of Goddess Gefjun, which tells the tale of how Denmark was established.

At night you can watch how the water lights up in a blue hue. The contrast between the past and present in this city is striking.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

If a woman wants to pamper herself, then what better place can she go than a spa?

You guessed right, Auckland is spa heaven. It is the largest city in New Zealand and a safe place for a woman to travel alone. The white beaches are sunny and breezy.

You can walk along the three kilometers of white sand and revel in the beauty of nature. The sunbathing alone is enough to give you a lovely golden tan. After that, you can go and have a spa session at Waiwera Thermal Resort.

Sounds like a relaxing day, doesn’t it?

SETÚBAL, PORTUGAL

Many want a secluded vacation, away from the crowds. Setubal is a small city with a population of only 80,000. Nature will soothe your soul here. Plus, your stay will be filled with delicious seafood and warm wine.

If you want to just enjoy nature, go to Serra da Arrabida National Park. This park is where the land meets the sea. From the park, you can observe the still waters, which are simply stunning. But a holiday without a beach day is not complete. To get your allotment of sand and sun, visit Portinho da Arrabida Beach, which is a perfect getaway.Fuerte de San Felipe, Setúbal, Portugal by Diego Delso CC BY-SA 3.0

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Budget Travel, Nature Travel, Couples Travel, Solo Travel, International Travel

Must See Beautiful Villages in Britain

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Britain is not only known for its classy cities but the beautiful hamlets. You can travel to cities if you want the crowds and party. But if you are searching for a peaceful spot, Hamlet is an answer. Britain has some of the prettiest villages around the world. They offer you peace. You can experience the serenity of nature. Below are some villages if you ever want a short quiet vacation in the countryside.

PLOCKTON

It is located in the northwest of Loch Carron, which is in Scotland. During the eighteenth century, this village was a house of fishing community. Plockton is in a bay area. That is the reason fishing used to be a greater part of the economy.

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But now the main income comes from the tourists who visit it. It is an ideal place for a photographer. It has a lot of scenic charm to be captured. The pretty cottage is lined up down the harbor along with boats. Across the bay, you can see the Castle Duncraig. A calm village away from the world. Here you can commune with nature.

POLPERRO

Not all villages start with letter P. Polperro is also a coastal village. It was popular as a smuggling spot for contraband goods. Now this village is peaceful. It serves you delicious seafood. The cafes and pubs are a good way to refresh your mornings.

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A leisurely stroll on the street will bring you to tiny shops. You will be happy to browse the handcrafted goods. The streets are crowd free. You can even take a selfie in the middle of the street. If you want to getaway. Polperro is the place to find peace.

BEDDELGELERT

On the western corners of Snowsonia national park lies Beddelgelert. A place which is a perfect symbol of the countryside. The floral blooms across the fields will put a grin on your face. The village is situated between two rivers.

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Something else that adds to its beauty is its closeness to nesting ospreys. It has got everything that calls for natural beauty. The gushing water, colorful flower beds, chirping birds will bring out the poet in you.

CASTLE COMBE

Have you ever watched the movie “Warhorse” or “Stardust”? Both are popular movies featuring the village. It is one of the prettiest hamlets Britain has got. It lazily sprawls on the edge of Byrook river. The old streets are free to wander around. You can see the Cotswold stone wall cottages nestled beside the streets.

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Castle Combe has an antique location you ought to see. The St Andrew’s church has got the oldest medieval clock in Britain. It is a place you will stay to take your mind off things. Just enjoy the simplicity of countryside.

GROOMSPORT

The doom of Eagle Wing! Have you heard of that tale? In the sixteenth century, a group of Scot-ulsters made an attempt to travel to America. But they met their end. Every place has its story. Gloomsport was the launching place of Eagle Wing. This event defines Gloomsport. The village celebrates the Eagle Wing Festival every year.

The doom of Eagle Wing! Have you heard of that tale? In the sixteenth century, a group of Scot-ulsters made an attempt to travel to America. But they met their end. Every place has its story. Gloomsport was the launching place of Eagle Wing. This event defines Gloomsport. The village celebrates the Eagle Wing Festival every year.

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It is a celebration of three days. Tiny fisherman’s huts have been transformed into museums. The culture you will see here is raw and real. Bloom sports is sparsely populated with only three thousand inhabitants. A less populated place sounds pleasurable for a getaway.

 

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