5 Reasons Why You Should Stop Putting Off Travel

Many eager freshmen go into college saying they are going to do a semester abroad in Florence or an internship teaching in Poland, but how many of those people actually go? I’m sure some of you go-getters followed through with your dreams, but for a lot of you, “life” got in the way. I hate to break it to you, but life isn’t going to get any easier. Never. Here’s a list of common excuses and why they are a bunch of BS.

1. I can’t travel because of school:

This has to be by far the worst excuse. College is the best time to travel. There are myriad of programs that universities offer.  Personally, I found an exchange program where I paid tuition to my home university, and if you have financial aid, it still applies. Although you may not be able to take a full course load, take a winter or summer course to make up for it! Is an extra semester going to kill you? The options are definitely there—it’s all about making them happen.

2. I can’t travel because of work:

Let me ask you this—do you plan on getting promoted or demoted? If you plan on getting promoted, work isn’t going to get any easier. You are never going to have as little job related responsibilities as you do at this very moment because if you’re a good worker, you’re going to climb the company ladder. Take the leap of faith and dive into traveling before the ladder gets too high.

3. I can’t travel because it’s too expensive:

Okay, I’ll admit that flights, eating out, and paying for attractions can get very pricey; however, this isn’t the only way to travel. Many of us forget that people actually fly to visit the places where we live. If you have a car, the states are yours for the taking. Traveling doesn’t necessarily mean traveling half way around the world—it means exploring somewhere new. I recently drove to San Francisco (I split gas with friends), stayed in the city at my sister’s apartment (free accommodation), and ate out once a day (cooked breakfast at my sisters and packed snacks). If you research your resources, I’m sure you can think of an affordable place to visit!

For those of you who do want to fly half way around the world (myself included), it’s all about slowly saving. Do you really need a new dress for that wedding or can you borrow a friend’s? Do you need to buy lunch everyday or can you pack it the night before? Do you need to go out every night of the weekend—well, maybe. There are very simple ways to save that really add up

4. I can’t travel because I’m in a relationship:

Think about the relationship you have with your family members. If you don’t see them for a week, are they going to disown you? The same should apply to romantic relationships. I speak from experience when I say that doing long distance for an extended period of time is hard, but if it’s worth is, you two will make it work. You will build up regret and resentment if you don’t follow your dreams to stay behind for another person. Besides, who’s to say that your lover shouldn’t go on this trip too! Traveling is a great test of a relationship. It can get stressful, but in the end it is 100% worth it.

5. I will travel when I’m older:

Haven’t you ever heard the expression, “there is no time like the present?” No offense, you aren’t getting any younger. Who’s to say that in five years you won’t have kids or a mortgage? Putting off traveling right now is just waiting for life to get in the way. Will you be physically able to hike the Machu Picchu trail when you’re finally “ready” to travel? Life isn’t going to get any easier—just go for it.

“They should tell you when you’re born: have a suitcase heart, be ready to travel.” 

― Gabrielle Zevin

Accommodation: Anytime of year, you can find it here

Balmer's Hostel hammock lounge: Interlaken, Switzerland

My first time visiting Harold in Amsterdam

Internet lounge in the Castle Rock Hostel: Edinburgh, Scotland

We often have fanciful ideas about escaping to far away places like Cinque Terre or Barcelona… but there is a lot of planning that goes into having that relaxing getaway. One key factor that can make or break a trip is your accommodation. So many things can be wonderful about your hotel, hostel, campsite… and so many things that can go oh-so terribly wrong. Here’s how to avoid the hostel horror stories:

1. Mi casa es su casa

- One widely under utilized resource when traveling is a friend. Staying with a distant cousin or someone who studied abroad at your school can be a great option. It may seem awkward reaching out to these people if you aren’t BFF, but it is worth a shot. At the very least they can recommend a good place to stay and sights to see! People are more welcoming than we think. Locals are a wealth of information, and staying with one is a treat. Plus, it’s usually free (but of course bring them a hostess gift)!

2. Super scary hostels

-Let me clear the air right now… the film Hostel is not a documentary. Forget the nonsense your Mom’s ultra-conservative friend is telling you about how scary they are. Hostels are awesome; however, there are tricks you need to know to picking a good one.

-Research: You must, must do homework on your hostels. Read reviews! Below are some great websites for research and booking:

            http://www.hostelworld.com/  (my favorite)

            http://www.lonelyplanet.com/hotels/

            http://www.hostelbookers.com/

-Location: Just like finding an apartment, location is key. You want to be in the heart of the city. Taking a 30-minute train to and from the city can ruin your trip.

-Safety: Read reviews and make sure that your hostel has a locker to store your things. Bring a padlock so can protect your precious belongings!

-Atmosphere: If your hostel has a pool, kitchen, bar, or community room, this will most likely increase your chances of meeting other awesome travelers. Sometimes they even have free dinner nights or in one of my experiences—a free champagne party! If you plan on partying and not going to bed at 9PM, try to stay in a youth hostel to avoid families and old guys.

3. Hotels and motels

- Personally, I think this is only a good option when you can’t find an available hostel. You have a much lower chance of making new friends and participating in hostel sponsored activities like pub-crawls. If you are going with a large party and you want to all be in the same room, this is good back-up option. This might also be a good option if the hostels in your desired location don’t have good reviews.

4. Camping

-If you can bear it, you might as well do it! Personally, I’m not a big camper, but when I was backpacking I saw plenty of people traveling with sleeping bags, mats, pots and pans! This is a cheaper option and is for the ultimate adventurer. If you’re going to go this route, come prepared! Comfort is key.

5. Couch surfing and Air B&B

-Couch Surfing: Although I’ve never tried couch surfing, from what I understand it is like social media. You need to set up an established profile so that people trust you, and you trust them. Through this site you agree to offer up your couch to travelers, and in turn, you can stay on their couch for free! People also use it to meet up. My advice is only stay somewhere that has really great reviews since you are staying with an individual and not an establishment.

-Air B&B: I’ve never used this either, but I wish I had. This is an app where people can offer up their spare rooms and rent them like a hotel. Again, these people have reviews, rates, and ratings, so if you are looking for something a little more private this could be a great option! 

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

Travel Tips From Me To You: Packing

As many of my friends and peers approach graduation or take that leap of faith to study abroad, I’m often faced with a myriad of messages asking for advice. How did you get around Europe? What countries suggest for a ten-day trip? What weather should I prepare myself for? Don’t get the wrong impression—I love talking to my friends about the adventures they are about to embark on. That is why I’m embarking on my own adventure (a blogging adventure that is), and releasing a series of posts about the nitty gritty details that all of you future travelers seem eager to hear. There’s no time like the present, so let's get started.

Packing 

Assuming you know your destination and have your transportation booked (two topics that you can expect blogs about in the future), the next task is packing. Packing can be both exciting and a chore. Your suitcase is iconic. It says—hey I’m actually doing this! This is the exciting part. The chore is deciding what to pack and what is excess. Here’s a list of a few steps to take.

1. Identify your mode of travel and destination(s).

            - One destination: If you are traveling to one destination and staying put, you have it made. Simply check your baggage restrictions if you are flying (weight, dimensions, number of bags, etc) and you are set. If you’re traveling by car, bus, or train, just make sure there is enough room and that’s that!

-Multiple destinations: This option gets a bit trickier, but is often more rewarding. In this case, you need to know all of your modes of transportation. For instance, say you are flying to Europe and then country hopping. Even though American Airlines allows you a massive suitcase, how do you plan on getting around after that? If you plan on using one of the cheap European airlines such as Ryan Air, they have extremely tight weight and dimension restrictions you must abide by unless you plan on paying hundreds of dollars in fees on a $70 flight—research them. Multiple destinations also implies carrying your bag(s) a lot, so don’t pack more than you can carry for an extended period of time.

2. Check the weather.

            -For shorter trips this is usually pretty simple, but for longer trips be aware that the weather can quickly change. For example, over the course of two months I went from a 90-degree weather in Rome to wind and rain in Dublin. Do your homework and be prepared.

3. Buy a good bag.

            This mainly applies to backpacking, but you really want a bag with support. For our two-year anniversary, Danny and I both coincidentally bought each other backpacks for our big Europe trip. I bought him an oh-so-stylish Hershel duffel that he wanted and he bought me a tan and orange, heavy-duty REI bag. At the time, I was happy, but thought I was going to look like an total dork. However, during our trip my bag with the waistband and back support was much easier to transport. Functionality is key.

4. Neutrals and layers are your best friends.

            - I know we think that traveling is a fashion show (think of the Instagrams!), but I cannot stress enough only packing what you need. You’re going to need room for souvenirs, so pack light. The key to this is packing things that can be worn with many outfits. Jeans, black cardigan, tan sweater… Bring a few fun necklaces and one or two fun tops as accent pieces, but don’t go overboard. Trust me. It will take up space and you won’t use it. If you haven’t worn it in the last two weeks—don’t bother.

5. Toiletries and extra tips…

            - Always pack one travel sized set of toiletries in case when you arrive at your destination the stores are closed, etc. Once you are settled, buy cheap shampoo there because then you don’t have to deal with the many hassles of traveling with liquids.

-Hair care: Ladies, if you can deal, don’t bring hair your curling iron. First of all, if you’re in a foreign country there is a high chance that your outlet converter won’t be able to handle the voltage and you will ruin your precious straightener. Secondly, your hair probably needs a break as it. Opt for a side braid, natural hair, a pony, or a bun.

-Bags: Pack extra Ziploc bags. These will come in handy for separating dirty clothes and storing souvenirs. Pack a day bag. This is a small backpack you can take out for the day for your maps, snacks, camera, etc. Collapsible ones are available for easy storage!

6. Your carry-on bag can be a lifesaver.

- I speak from experience when I say that luggage gets lost. Trade all of those magazines out for the real essentials. Think of it as an overnight bag: a full change of clothes, charger, important documents, and cash. Shove the snacks and magazines in after if space allows.

7. Oh, and all that technical stuff.

            -Bank: Notify your bank so your account doesn’t freeze, and order currency from that country in case the ATM doesn’t work when you arrive (it happens pretty often).

            -Electronics: You may need an outlet converter. Do your research before you go!

“Anyone who needs more than one suitcase is a tourist, not a traveler” 

― Ira Levin, Rosemary's Baby