travel tippies from moi.

backpackingchick TIPS 

  1. Want to see a city in a couple hours? If you have a long layover or you’re on your first day, I suggest taking a Hop on, Hop off bus through the city. You’ll get to see all the famous landmarks all in one day to figure out where you want to hop off during your next round. This is a great way to catch a ride for 24-48 hours for one price and a great meeting point if you get separated from your co-travelers. Also, they provide a tour guide in your home language to listen to while you sit and relax to take it all in. In addition, if you are country or city hopping there is usually a coupon you can use at your next destination and sometimes there are also student discounts!  Hop on, Hop Off Site
  2. Considering the limited amount of space you’ll have in your pack, you’ll need to get a little crafty. PRE pre packing is looking for cute affordable basic cotton pieces that are versatile. You want outfits you can wear for night out, sight seeing or the beach. Plus, if they are cheaper then you won’t have any guilt throwing them out if you need to make some extra room in your pack later for a super cute new outfit you found along the way. Make sure they’re thin cotton and easily rollable, plus this will help with the wrinkles. Best places I’ve found some super cute basics are Amazon, Gap Outlet, forever 21, eBay and H&M.
  3. Find a trendy local coffee shoppe that makes good strong coffee. Make it yours for the time you are there because it’s totally cool to go back to the same place everyday. People will start to recognize you and it makes you feel like you are a part of the culture. It helps you to start blending in like a local.
  4. Stay at bed and breakfasts instead of hotels and resorts. B&Bs are such a good alternative because they give you a more cultured experience and they’re super safe. You get to interact with the owners if you want and other guests from all over the world. Plus, the breakfasts are usually dynamite and you never have to worry about finding a place to eat in the morning. You eat and go! Taking less time to figure out where to eat is definitely key to me! That leaves more time to explore and less frustration. Airbnb
  5. Buying the right pack is essential to comfortable travel. There are so many good packs for women out there, but my #Kelty pack has been the best for my size. I’m only 5’3 so I needed a pack for short girls. Look for your own on eBags, REI, Zappos and Amazon.
  6. Don’t wait to take a romantic getaway with your boyfriend or husband, you can enjoy beach bungalows with your best girlfriend too! Just be extra careful when you book places in certain places, ask if the windows are glass or paper.
  7. This may seem like an obvious, but if you’re traveling to Europe or other warm destinations in the summer it’s really important to book before you go (even if you’re hosteling). I’m not saying plan out your life minute by minute, but you should have a general idea to where you’ll lay your head each night. Some days may be flexible as you travel and you’ll switch it up as you go, but it’s necessary to do your research to ensure safety while abroad prior to departure. Read the reviews about the lodging and the area you’ll be staying on TripAdvisor, Airbnb, and booking.com.
  8. Gals, if you do decide to stay in hostel which I’m totally a fan of because they are awesome for budget travel, try to get a room with just one of your friends. Your bathroom will be shared but that is better than sleeping with 6-14 people {mixed gender} in one room. Double rooms are obviously safer for your belongings and for you. If you do stay in rooms of many, ask to store your pack and/or passport with the front desk during your stay. If you wish to have double rooms, you need to book before you go and it will be pricier but in certain “party” areas it’s definitely worth it. If you don’t end up getting one before you go, you can check when you arrive if one becomes available. Backpackers are notorious for changing plans last minute. Check out hostelworld.com
  9. Everyday make a time to stop and just embrace culture. Sit, listen, smell what surrounds you. I make a point to stop all my ‘touristy’ things by 4pm everyday to immerse myself in the moment.
  10. My all time favorite places to stay abroad are in flats/apartments. You actually get the chance to feel like you live there temporarily and they’re usually very reasonable. On the first day the owner comes with the keys, you chat a little, they answer some questions then boom the place is yours! Sometimes you even get to lucky and there’s a sauna and washer/dryer! Having a washer and dryer during backpacking is like finding gold! The best place to find apartments is on Airbnb.com, but booking.com and hostelworld.com also have some.

 

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