I wouldn’t say I am a budget traveler, but then again I would. I hate overpriced tourist traps. Europe happens to have loads. However, I appreciate travel splurges here and there, a nice meal or a three star hotel. When I set out for Italy this summer, I knew it was obviously a more expensive option than going to live in a village in Africa or backpacking through Southeast Asia. Since I could walk, a challenge has never made me back down. I left for Italy with very little money. For those of you who dream of spending a few months in Europe, specifically Italy, it is possible. Here are some Continue Reading
Porto, Portugal Wishes You Were Here
Clark and Kim from To Uncertainty and Beyond capture Porto, Portugal. I was also in Porto this summer so expect a post soon on this enchanting, can't quite put your finger on it, city. In the mean time, enjoy Clark and Kim's moments with Porto. As our train pulled into Porto, we found ourselves crossing a bridge and beholding the city from the best view imaginable. The colorful buildings piled high on the banks and the beautiful, high bridges spilling across the river make Porto truly breathtaking. Porto is the second largest city in Portugal and is alive with activity. Boats hurry up Continue Reading
Quantifying and Qualifying Bragging And Travel
I sit in the Rome Airport waiting to board my flight. A man standing behind me loudly converses with some passengers I believe he met on his tour through Italy. Their conversation hints they know each other only on a surface level. I hear him proudly boast it was his second time to Italy and now he’s “done with Italy”. “Seen it," he says so casually. Somehow I doubt that as he sports the typical Italia jacket found in every tourist center throughout the boot. He goes on to drill his new friends, randomly asking, “So how many 50 states have you been to?”, similar to that of a child on the Continue Reading
The End of Suzy Stumbles Over Travel
If you haven’t heard, I decided to end the “Suzy Stumbles Over Travel” segment on my site (dry your tears). This past week was the last week you could submit your travel posts to be read, commented, stumbled and tweeted. Since I began this series in April, I have really enjoyed helping out the travel blogging community and new writers looking for some notice. I know some of you are disappointed I am stopping the series, but I hope you know how much I enjoyed doing it. Unfortunately it does take a full workday of time each week for me to do and I want to focus on other projects for this Continue Reading
Jelling, Denmark Wishes You Were Here
Nothing is sweeter than when you realize some useless piece of information you have stored away becomes of use. Driving through Denmark en-route to the ferry stop to Sweden, I notice signs for Jelling in southern Jutland. A light bulb goes off and I remember the town’s importance to Denmark as a whole. The Jelling burial mounds and runic stones tell the story of Denmark’s beginnings and transition from a pagan society to Christian. Known as the Jelling Stones, the two stones sit rather modestly out in the open air, but are deemed Denmark’s birth certificate. One served as a memorial Continue Reading
Travel Book Review: The Pre-Travel Guide—Your Step By Step Guide To Prepare For RTW Travel
Nathan and Sofia of As We Travel present their first book on round the world travel for the pre-traveler, Pre-Travel Guide--Your Step By Step Guide To Prepare For RTW Travel. Their site is definitely one I turn to and read frequently. If you want to get a sense for their writing and tone, I recommend their Exploring a Sleeping City piece. I was lucky enough to receive a copy for review. While I received this copy for free, this review is completely genuine (as if you had to wonder). The couple take new travelers through the entire process of preparing for your round the world trip. All of Continue Reading
When You Stop Smelling The Roses Of Travel
Arriving to a destination, there are unfamiliar sounds that quickly transition into the familiar. In Italy, the noises that wake me up in the morning are those of street sweepers that resonate more like that of a tsunami blowing through town. At around 5AM the garbage trucks arrive. If you live near a dumpster, you hear what sounds like a million bottles crashing to the ground just in time for sunrise. No need for roasters or alarm clocks. Italy has garbage men and women and diligent street sweepers. These sounds become familiar after a time. You don’t notice the garbage trucks at 5AM. The Continue Reading