After an unexpected delay in London, I arrived at Amsterdam central train station around midnight. Being the cheap traveler that I am, I figured I’d just spend the remainder of the night wandering around rather than looking for a place to sleep. I didn’t have much of a choice anyway. After all, it was peak …
Travel
In the Summer of 2011 at 18 years old, I set out on my first solo trip. For three months I backpacked around Europe through 20 countries. I traveled by train, bus, and boat. In this article, I review my first solo trip. I’ll talk about planning, packing, budgeting, my route, experiences, and more. I’ll …
This is an easy and inexpensive trip to make. One bus takes you all the way from Oaxaca to Mitla. No transfers are required. This guide walks you through where to catch the bus, prices, safety, things to do, and more. You may wish to make this trip to visit the Tule Tree, the Mitla …
Robbery or mugging is a common form of violent crime all over the world. Unfortunately, any traveler can fall victim. This guide explains, in a rational and honest way, how to avoid getting robbed while traveling. We can’t reduce the risk to zero but we can lower it substantially by taking some simple precautions and …
When applying for a new passport or a visa, you may have to provide a current passport photo. Passport photos have specific requirements for the dimensions and background color. You might be wondering, “can I take my own passport photo?” The answer is yes. You don’t need any special type of camera. Your phone will …
Africa is a travel destination that can be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be. If you’re willing to take local transport, eat local foods, and camp, Africa is one of the cheapest places on the planet. After all, millions of people survive on the continent on less than $1 per day. …
African visas can be a bit tricky. They’re expensive, policies change often, and some require extensive paperwork to obtain. To add to that, visa policies often aren’t completely clear. You may read one thing online then the embassy tells you something completely different. This Africa visa guide outlines the process of researching and obtaining visas. …
Winter is one season that you either love or you hate. Some travelers embrace the cold and head for the mountains. Other travelers want nothing to do with the snow and head south for the winter. This list divides the best winter travel destinations into two categories: warm-weather destinations and cold-weather destinations. Hopefully, it helps …
Many of us have a kind of love-hate relationship with winter. Between the holidays and the cold weather, the season presents a number of challenges for travelers. In this guide, I outline some of the most important winter travel tips to help you stay warm, enjoy the holidays, and save money. The tips in this …
Pickpocketing is a common crime all over the world. These skilled thieves train for years to perfect their methods. They use sleight of hand, distraction, and misdirection to separate you from your money and belongings. Some work solo and some work in teams. In this guide, I explain how to avoid pickpockets while traveling and …