Traveling alone is both liberating and an experience. Unlike traveling with a friend, you have the complete freedom to do what you want, when you want. The only downsides I can think of is that you don’t have someone to talk to. You can easily meet people along the way, but it seems like it’s the casual conversation and you don’t get the deep connection you would when traveling with a friend. Regardless, you learn a lot about yourself, and I think you’re going to love it.

What to do? Check out Lonely Planet for guides on the places you will be. If you’re on a budget (who isn’t), i’d recommend staying in hostels or couchsurf (couchsurfing.org). It’s definitely a lot cheaper and offer a better experience than staying at a hotel or something like that.

Best tips: bring locks, earplugs (lot of people snore), music player, perhaps a deck of cards (great way to start a conversation with another traveler or even for a couple drinking games).

Pack light. Depending on what you bring, you could probably pack your backpack then unpack about half of it. I often found I wore the same stuff and just brought portal laundry detergent and did laundry along the way.

Definitely can be a once in a lifetime experience so live it up. Of course we are always on a budget, but at the same time I always feel like.. when is the next time you’re going to be doing this? You can make the money back later, but this experience is probably very rare.

Pick up a travel creditcard, use it and don’t carry much cash (that can be stolen).

Probably not the safest advice or something a parent would like to hear but…take some risks. Life is full of adventure. I also found that by doing that outside the norm (perhaps jumping a couple boundaries), I found myself discovering a lot more and experiencing a lot more than if I just did a tour and did the tourist stuff.

Keep in mind, security and safety won’t be the same, so of course use your best judgement. Usually you can find someone who speaks english, hostels can be booked the same day, don’t worry. I’ve had probably the scariest thing happen to me on one of my trips where I was robbed and left with nothing but clothes (no passport,money,identification,communication). You can bounce back and keep on your trip, just don’t freak out and figure out what you need to do.

Some good links:

• Nomadic Matt – Awesome travel blog with good tips
• Laundry kit (pack less clothes, do more laundry)
• Exofficio – awesome travel clothes that dry quick. washed in the morning and was dry when I got back.
• Couchsurfing – stay on people’s couches for free. also get to know a local.

You’re going to have a blast!!

Prior to my most recent trip, I started looking into a specific credit card that I could use for travel. Before this research, it never even occurred to me to get a travel specific credit card. In past travels, I relied on cash and my debit card. It was only until recently, I’ve uncovered why it is necessary to pick up a specific travel credit card if you plan on doing extended periods of travel or travel frequently.

I stumbled upon a great article by Nomadic Matt on picking a travel credit card, and it inspired me to pick one up myself. It proved to be one of the greatest decisions I’ve made regarding smart traveling. Here are my top 3 reasons why this is the perfect travel credit card.

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The art of travel is difficult to master. In my short time being back home in the Bay Area, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect. Watching films of people traveling across the world on motorcycles, packing up and taking spontaneous trips abroad and seeing photos on Facebook of friend’s travels have all inspired me to pursue this expensive hobby.

When I tell people I’m moving to France, people are shocked. I don’t blame them. I believe the American dream is to find a career and work at it. That has been the dream for many years. Stability and security is the number one priority. You make money now and make huge strides in your career so that you can enjoy an early retirement and coast. This is most American’s idea of the ideal lifestyle; however, there are some who beg to differ.

I remember picking up the book, The 4-Hour Work Week, and reading about how Tim Ferriss outsources a lot of his work so that he can take mini retirements throughout his life. To be honest, I stopped reading after hearing that.

I could not agree more that you have your whole lifetime to make your own decisions, build your career and make money. Age and death is not something you can escape…nor should you. There comes a time in everyone’s life where your health isn’t so great. Arthritis, short-term memory and high blood pressure are only some of the things you may encounter as you get older. Traveling and spontaneity is something that might be more difficult to enjoy when you have a significant other, a career, kids and a dog.

So with that I felt compelled to write this post for several reasons.

5 Reasons Why You Should Travel NOW Continue Reading →

My dad sent me this and I had to repost it. I’ve never seen some of these locations…but I feel that I HAVE to travel to some of the places now! Time to add to the ‘ole bucket list!

The world’s highest chained carousel, located in Vienna, at a height of 117 meters.

Thor’s Well a/k/a “the gates of the dungeon” on Cape Perpetua, Oregon. At moderate tide and strong surf, flowing water creates a fantastic landscape

Emerald Lake in the crater of an extinct volcano. Tongariro National Park – NewZealand

Restaurant on a cliff on the east coast of Zanzibar. Depending on the tide the restaurant can be reached both on foot and by boat.

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Keeping up with my travel bug, I decided to pick up watching a tv series called ‘Long Way Round’ where Ewan McGreggor and Charley Boorman decide to take a several month trip around the world on their motorcycles. Not only did it appeal to me because…well it’s an amazing journey, but the fact it was done on a motorcycle adds another bit of excitement. Immediately after watching the show, I found myself looking up sport touring or enduro style motorcycles.

It’s also fascinating to see all the trouble they get into (which is expected) and all the people they meet along the way.

If you love travel and excitement, I’d definitely recommend watching this show!