Travel
Solo Travel can Save Your Life
Solo Travel Traveling alone is a wonderful thing that everyone should experience at least once in his or her lives. It allows you to connect with your inner self and the environment around you. Far too often, we become so involved with outside forces that we neglect our intimate self. Traveling solo breaks you from […]
Solo Travel
Traveling alone is a wonderful thing that everyone should experience at least once in his or her lives. It allows you to connect with your inner self and the environment around you. Far too often, we become so involved with outside forces that we neglect our intimate self. Traveling solo breaks you from many of the bonds that tie us down and frees your mind to be alone. Connecting with nature and distant cultures opens up one’s self to an interesting perspective on life. I enjoy quiet time as it is so rare nowadays, that is why I wrote this blog.
Solo travel was my key to finding my true self and opening up my mind to new, exciting experiences.
These are my solo travel tips that can help you survive being alone when on our modern world, no one it really alone.
Off Season
Who likes busy, overcrowded resorts and vacation spots? Not me, or anyone traveling solo. The whole idea of traveling solo is to get away and have some peace and quiet, that’s why traveling during off seasons is preferred. This is effective for multiple reasons, first it’s cheaper and second it’s less populated. I love saving money and I love being alone, win-win. I also advise traveling to the opposite season from your own. Meaning, during summer in the Northern Hemisphere, travel south into the Southern Hemisphere, for their winter. This will help you isolate yourself from the crowds and high prices.
Single room/ticket deals
Many hotels and resorts have vacancies that they need to fill last minute and these are always great deals. Check ahead so you aren’t left homeless, and keep an open mind, some last minute vacancies are less desirable.
Along these same lines, many attractions and shows will have single tickets available for a huge discount. Theatres and concerts often have single tickets and groups tend to not want to be split up, so another deal for the solo traveler. I find this especially true in places like Las Vegas, Branson and Macau, where there are just so many shows.
Exchange rates
Let the world markets decide where you travel, if you want to maximize your money. Exchange rates can swing up and down and depending on where you are traveling to, and where you are coming from the savings can be huge. It benefits you and your wallet to check these exchange rates before you book your travel. Currently the US dollar to Euro favors the American dollar, so it’s cheaper to travel to Europe from the US instead of vice versa. Save yourself the trouble and do a little due diligence before you pack your bags.
Split rides
New city new adventure: grab an Uber or Taxi and split the fair with someone. This is a great way to save money and maybe make a new friend. The less we are shut off from people the more we will internalize everything, so on occasion, a new friend helps.
Free Museums
Museums and Zoos can be expensive attractions to visit, so look out for cities that offer free admissions. Last time I was in New York City, my wife and I went to the Guggenheim, a wonderful museum that cost us $30 per ticket. That may not seem like a small fee but these little expenses really add up. Check out Washington DC or London, both cities offer free museums and zoos and both are world class. Check out the world-renowned Smithsonian Museum collection in Washington, DC or the British Museum in London.
Solo Travel Organizations
Check out solo travel organization like TravBuddy or TravelChum, which link up solo travelers who want an accomplice to adventure with. These services find potential roommates or travel buddies for you to go on excursions with or just save money on accommodations.
Hostels
Don’t overlook hostels and their guests’ general way of life. Backpackers from all over the world have been utilizing hostels for decades as cheap accommodations but more than that, they represent a way of life. Hostels are home to free spirits, vagabonds and nomads from all walks of life. You are guaranteed to make new lifelong friends staying at hostels and you will really open up your mind to the way other people think and live.
Enjoy your solo travel adventures and I hope you find whatever you are looking for, all your answers are out there, and you just have to find them. When travelling alone, try to use the time to self reflect, meditate and focus on your own spiritual growth.
Destinations
The Best Tourist Destinations…Period
Checkout our favorite tourist destinations in the entire world that are worth standing in lines all day for.
The world is full of extraordinary tourist destinations but which ones are truly worth the hassle? Some tourist attractions are incredibly busy so what makes them worth the trouble? Sometimes you experience something so amazing that it is worth whatever you had to go through to enjoy it. These top tourist attractions are so special they are worth long lines, expensive fees and headaches. Checkout our favorite tourist destinations in the entire world that are worth standing in lines all day for.
Great Wall of China
The sheer size of the wall can’t be experienced through photographs; you must see it in person. Spanning over 13,000 miles, this man-made structure is such a memorable experience. When you see the wall in person you are taken back and in total awe. It’s an inspiring piece of architecture with interesting twists and turns and uneven steps. The wall was built to keep out ravaging hordes of Mongols but now boasts over 10 million visitors yearly. Tourist are everywhere, the lines are long but it’s all worth it. You won’t be disappointed with this destination and you may return one day.
Petra
The ancient city of Petra is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and truly a special place. The city dates back to 312 B.C. and is preserved immaculately. Take a donkey ride around the ancient city to see more than you could on two feet. The vibrant colors of the surrounding rocks and the incredible details of the 2,000+-year-old city are remarkable.
Blue Lagoon
The Icelandic hot spring has long been a popular tourist destination, but is it worth all the hassles involved? This magical geothermic pool has healing powers because of its high levels of sulfur and silica. Long lines and high entrance fees scare some tourists off but this place is worth the hassle. The one of a kind spa features the incredible milky blue waters and is known to cure people of multiple ailments.
Niagara Falls
One of the busiest tourist attractions in America, Niagara Falls is worth your trouble. The majesty of these falls is best-viewed from the Canadian side, where lines are shorter and the vibe is less touristy. Take the Maid of the Mist boat tour for the best views and most memorable experience.
Machu Picchu
The ancient Incan citadel high in the Andes Mountains is a pain in the butt to get to but worth all the trouble once you reach it. Incredible views mixed with some very cool relics, Machu Picchu is a special place that should be experienced.
Acropolis
The Acropolis is crazy during the peak summer months but even then it’s well worth any trouble. The views alone from its perch above Athens make this attraction so cool. The massive size of the Acropolis and the stunning remains make it a must visit.
Banff National Park
This wonderful example of nature at its most wild is a must see even if it’s near the top of the world. Take in Canada’s oldest National Park and see what the great white North is all about. See glaciers, intricate cave systems and some awesome wildlife.
Destinations
Incredible Vacation Ideas
We compiled the best travel experiences you could ever imagine, so take one of these adventures. Let’s cross some things off our bucket list with these incredible vacation ideas.
Summer vacation is almost here and you are probably mulling over your trip options. Are you tired of the normal vacation destinations and want something more out of your holiday? If so, you are in luck. We compiled the best travel experiences you could ever imagine, so take one of these adventures. Let’s cross some things off our bucket list with these incredible vacation ideas.
Tree Houses Hotel Costa Rica
Who didn’t want an awesome tree house when they were younger? I know I did. Now you can stay in one in this incredibly unique hotel experience in Costa Rica. This seven-room eco resort has high-end style accommodations mixed with rustic jungle designs. Stay in the trees with your new neighbors, a group of howler monkeys and banana trees. This super remote destination is only a 40-minute drive from tourist hub La Fortuna. You won’t find A/C or TVs in your rooms; instead expect bird feeders filled with fruit to entice the humming birds and monkeys to come to your porch.
Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat, Bahamas
Take a yoga adventure at the world renowned Sivananda Yoga Ashram. Don’t expect a high-end resort with yoga mixed in; instead expect yoga on all menus with resort life sprinkled in. Serious yogis only should attend this resort. Take advantage of some of the world’s best yogis and enjoy two two-hour classes each day. Each guest also gets two vegetarian meals a day after their class.
Witch’s Rock Surf camp, Costa Rica
Maybe surfing is more your cup of tea, so check out Costa Rica’s premier surf camp. Witch’s Rock Surf Camp sits on the pristine Tamarindo Beach and is the world’s surfing Mecca. The 18-room resort is more of a camp than hotel, with a bare bones approach to resort life. Guests will enjoy basic rooms with no frills but the best surfing the planet has to offer. You don’t come here to stay in a 5-star hotel; you come to learn to surf in the best waves around.
Elephant Safari & Lodge, Bali
Hang with some elephants at this 25-room safari park. This is a one-of-a-kind resort where the elephants are just as much of a guest as you are. This animal refuge has over 30 Sumatran elephants, a botanical garden and beautiful Balinese-style rooms. Each room has it’s own elephant pick up platform so your elephant chauffeur can take you around without you ever touching the ground. Yes, I said elephant chauffeur, need I say more?
Hidden Beach Resort, Riviera Maya (Nude Hotel)
Take a vacation from your clothes at this all-nude resort in Mexico. Obviously this is an adult only resort, can you imagine children running around with all the trouser snakes swinging to and fro. Warning most guests are over 50, which is odd but hey, don’t hate the player, hate the game.
Okavango Delta Camp, Botswana
Forget your normal resort, and come for the once-in-a-lifetime experience at the Okavango Delta Camp in Botswana. This safari lodge is an all-inclusive resort that will blow you away. Game drives, bush walks and river cruises are all included in the price and are so amazing you won’t want to leave. Located on an island in the Okavango Delta, guests can get close and personal with lions, hippos and giraffes. No hunting is allowed on this animal refuge so you won’t have to worry about being roasted on social media for pictures of you with bug game. This is truly a unique vacation experience.
Travel
Best Apps for Learning a New Language
Check out these incredible applications that can help you master a language or at least learn enough to enjoy a vacation in a foreign land.
Traveling to foreign countries used to be daunting because of the language barriers but not anymore. We used to have to take classes and read textbooks to learn a new language, but boy have times changed. Now with new technology, you can learn a language in no time, all on your smartphone.
Check out these incredible applications that can help you master a language or at least learn enough to enjoy a vacation in a foreign land.
Rosetta Stone
The industry leader in language technology, Rosetta Stone has cornered the market for over a decade. They debuted with CD-rom technology but have evolved to a fully functional app that is easy to use and simple to master. They use technology to immerse you in the language instead of the old way of memorizing terminology and translations.
Now you can learn 24 languages all on your smartphone with ease. They even included a recording feature that allows you to see if you are saying thing s properly by running it through a proprietary TruAccent technology.
Babbel
An old steadfast option is Babbel, which has been around for years. They offer short 15 minute sessions that help you master the language before you know it. They offer speech recognition and is designed for people who come from different mother tongues. This makes it universally accepted all over the world.
Mondly
Mondly has perfected the immersion technique that was first popularized by Rosetta Stone. The app replicates conversational scenarios that would happen in the real world so you can prepare for a trip like no other application on the market. With 33 languages included and fun games and visual tools, this is one of the most popular language apps out there.
Duolingo
Free should be the optimum word associated with Duolingo. The free app has plenty to offer including fun games that make learning easier than most. Check this app out solely for the price; oh did I mention it’s FREE!
Pimsleur Unlimited
The Pimsleur method is nothing new; it’s most likely the style you were taught in school. It’s been around for over 50 years and Simon & Schuster have published this version. For a nominal price you can learn the same way your Spanish teacher taught you.
Lesson plans for everyday usage so the knowledge stays fresh. Broken down into simple 30-minute lesson plans, this application really makes it easy. Included are flash cards, matching games and fun role-playing conversation tools that make learning an experience like going to a class form the comfort of your smart phone.
HiNative
This app works on a shared economy backbone where users from around the globe help each other learn each other’s language. This tool connects people from different countries and allows you to connect on many levels. This app helps you pronounce things the way locals do so you fit in easier and can hold conversations better since you aren’t learning from a book.
Stop language barriers form holding you back from incredible vacations and adventures. The world is your oyster, so get out there and find some pearls.
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