I'll be the first to admit that traveling alone for the first time can be scary (in fact, I wrote a blog about it). What happens if you get lost? What if you look like a fool? What if you can't communicate with anyone? Will people think you're a loser if you eat alone? And what do you do if you get lonely?
Read More5 Reasons Why You Should Embrace Off-Season Travel
I am constantly asked for advice on when the best time to travel is and my answer is always the same — the shoulder or off-season.
This tends to fall outside of the summer months and in between holidays, when the weather is colder, the days a bit shorter, and there are no popular festivals filling the streets. While you may have to wear a few extra layers while exploring, traveling during this time of year has A LOT of benefits.
1. You Look Less Like A Tourist
There is nothing that screams ‘tourist’ more than runners, shorts, a brightly coloured T-shirt, and a sunburn.
Not only that, if you are from a dry country and are touring somewhere humid in the middle of summer, you are sure to be sweating as you sit in a crowded subway or walk down sunny streets. (Trust me, I’ve experienced it).
If you are travelling in the off-season, you will more likely be wearing clothing that helps you blend better with the locals and will be more comfortable in the cooler climate.
2. Locals Are More Patient
If you live anywhere that is considered a ‘tourist destination’, you know how annoying large, loud groups who don’t look where they are walking and force you to wait in line for a coffee can be.
In the off-season, having had a break from the onslaught of travellers, the waiter in the cafe will be more patient while you struggle to order a coffee in his native tongue, and shop owners are sure to be kinder.
3. Scam Artists and Pick-Pockets are on Vacation
Scam artists go where the business is, and in the off-season, the people trying to charge you $20 for a walking tour to nowhere or $30 for a plastic statue of Michelangelo’s David are nowhere to be found.
Without a crowd to hide what they are doing, pick-pockets are also sure to keep their distance.
4. Costs are Significantly Lower
Not only will your accommodation be almost cut in half, the price of meals, admission, taxis, souvenirs, tours — pretty much EVERYTHING — will be cheap, cheap, cheap!
I stayed at a resort on the beach in the Algarve last November for 30% of what it would cost during the peak season. It was still warm enough to suntan during the day and it was lovely to have my pick of spots on the beach!
5. Attractions Are People-Free and Relaxing
Imagine standing in front of the Mona Lisa completely alone, taking a photo of the Colosseum without a single person in it, or walking into a temple at Angkor that not a soul is in but you.
All of these things are possible (I promise, I have the photos and experiences to prove it!) if you embrace off-season travel!
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How To Protect Your Travel Funds And Become A Cash-Savvy Traveller
Whether you are a penny-pinching backpacker or a traveller with deeper pockets, everyone loves a great, cash saving travel tip.
These tips will not only help you save and protect your money while you are travelling, but can also lead you to more genuine cultural experiences and — what every traveller loves to collect — some great stories.
First, lets start with a few tips to help prevent any cash-flow disasters:
Before you leave home call your credit card companies
I can not stress this point enough. If you don’t call, there is a good chance that your card will be canceled or have a hold placed on it right when you have to pay for your hotel room or your expensive dinner.
A simple call alerting them where you are going, and for how long, will prevent any disasters. Many card companies also have toll-free numbers that you can call from international locations if you have any issues.
Make sure you have a four digit pin number
Your credit and debit cards should work at most ATMs around the world, as long as you have a 4-digit pin number. Anything longer will not be compatible with international banks and cause issues when you try to take out money.
Remember that exchanging money is not always easy.
It was almost impossible for me to exchange the Budapest forint once I had left the country. Unless you are planning on going back to the country you are leaving, exchange your extra pesos, florins, drams, and riels before you cross the border.
Do not keep all of your cash and cards in one place
Even if you are wearing a money belt the entire time you're traveling, it's important to have something extra tucked away just in case. I recommend sewing a small pocket in the bottom of your bag that you can tuck a card and some cash into, or placing a little cash under the insole of your shoe.
And now for some tips that will help you save cash while still having some incredible experiences:
Unless you are staying in one place, don’t book ahead
Whenever I give this advice, the first thing that people tell me is that they have a limited amount of time and don’t want to risk not having a place to stay. Of course, if you are going somewhere that is hosting a huge event or in the peak of tourist season, booking ahead is definitely the best plan.
But, if you book ahead for the average trip, you run the risk of paying more (you can often get cheaper rates once in the actual country) or staying somewhere that doesn’t live up to its online photos.
I do recommend booking accommodation ahead of time for the first city you will hit on your itinerary so you have a base to head to, but leave the rest for when you get there.
Here’s why; all hotels, hostels and guesthouses are associated with other hotels, hostels and guesthouses in other cities and countries. They will always — whether you want it or not — have a recommendation for you, and will often even set it up for you at a discount.
The other reason I recommend not pre-booking is that if you do, you are forced to keep to a schedule. What happens if you want to stay a few extra days or leave early? What happens if you hear about an amazing free concert happening in a city that wasn’t in your pre-planned itinerary? There’s no risk of losing a deposit if you haven’t paid one yet, and not booking ahead allows you to take advantage of the best part of travel — spontaneity!
Don’t take a tour
There are, of course, exceptions to this rule.
If taking a tour is safer (I took a tour into the Korean Demilitarized Zone for example) or less expensive than doing it yourself, it is absolutely worth it.
I’m referring to the walking, sightseeing, museum tours that, in the age of smartphones and Lonely Planet Travel Guides, are a complete waste of money for the budget traveler. Anything that these human guides are going to tell or show you could easily be discovered yourself with very little effort.
These paid tours are often affiliated with certain restaurants or shops and will usually begin or end with a visit to them where you will be forced to browse or eat in a ‘tourist friendly’, unauthentic environment. So, not only do they often waste your money, but your time as well.
Ask a local
Locals are your most valuable source when it comes to saving money. They are the people who can tell you where the best (affordable) spots to eat, party, and sightsee are. They are also great at giving you tips on how to experience the local (often free) hot spots.
Remember that the concierge at your hotel (in a hostel, this is not an issue) is not necessarily a "local" when he is doing his job. He is paid and trained to tell you typical tourist things to do. Talk to waiters, bartenders, desk clerks and local business owners for more authentic tips. They are the ones who will be in-the-know about what is going on in their city.
Only sit down to eat once a day
Limiting your restaurant dining can save you a bunch of cash.
Many hostels and hotels will include breakfast in the cost of the room, but if they don’t you can easily grab a piece of fruit, something cheap from a local bakery or a snack from a street stall. Street food is available all day and every country that I have visited, from Asia to North America has a version of a cafe where cheap sandwiches can be purchased as well.
Most would pick dinner as their sit down meal, but if you are looking to save everything that you can, I suggest heading to a restaurant for lunch instead. Lunch menus are usually just slightly smaller versions of the dinner menu, and are often $5-10 cheaper. The portion size will still more than fill you up, and you will get the same experience you would if you were there for dinner —without having to worry about what to do with leftovers.
Embrace free entertainment
With the exception of travel in cold countries in the deep of winter, every place I have ever been has had constant street performances. I have seen Italian opera preformed on the street in Venice, acrobatics on the pavement in China, and Mozart played by classical musicians in Vienna. None of these shows cost me more than the donation that I chose to give, and I believe that they were just as impressive — in their own way — as anything I could have seen for full price in a theatre.
Do a bit of research ahead of time, and you can even time your travels so that you are present for one of the amazing free concerts, celebrations, or street performer festivals that occur at different times of the year all over the world.
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5 Popular Tourist Spots That Will Exceed Your Expectations
There's nothing worse than going out of your way to visit some must-see-hyped-up-attraction that turns out to be a total disappointment. It's a waste of time, money, and daylight — even more frustrating if you are traveling for a short period or with a small budget.
Well, I can promise you that these five attractions are well worth the lines you may have to stand in or the distances you may have to travel to get to them. They definitely live up to the hype, and are not to be missed!
1. Anne Frank’s House Amsterdam, Netherlands
This, the actual house where Anne hid from the Nazi’s in World War II, receives nearly a million visitors each year.
The focus of the museum is the rear house where the Franks lived before they were betrayed and sent to their deaths. The space is dark, airless and shockingly real.
Visitors leaving the space pass through a light filled stairwell with words from Anne’s dairy etched into the walls:
"April 9, 1944
I'll make my voice heard. I'll go out into the world and work for all mankind!"
—Anne Frank
It is one of the most moving exhibitions I have ever visited.
2. Temples of Angkor Siem Reap, Cambodia
No matter how many photos you see, or how many movies you watch with the temples as a backdrop, nothing will prepare you for actually standing in front of them.
The Angkor complex is huge and each temple has completely unique characteristics — some are getting torn apart (yet held together) by the jungle while others are home to mischievous monkeys. Each corner you turn will make you feel more like Indiana Jones as you stumble upon smoking incense left by unseen hands, or find yourself alone in a maze of moss covered mysterious history.
3. The Holocaust Memorial Berlin, Germany
Also called "Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe", instead of being a simple statue or plaque, this outdoor holocaust memorial in Berlin contains a grid of 2711 square columns set at different heights on uneven ground. It can be entered from any side and presents different, disorienting, unsettling perspectives as you move through it. It is unlike any memorial I have ever seen and definitely leaves a lasting impression.
4. Seoraksan National Park Sokcho, South Korea
Seoraksan (or "Snowy Crag Mountains" in English) is a region of rugged high peaks, granite cliffs, lush forests, huge waterfalls, and ancient temples in northern South Korea, and is a major draw for tourists and locals alike.
There are hiking trails that will satisfy even the most expert of mountaineers, but there are easy trails for the day-trippers as well. No matter what level you choose, you will have breathtaking and untouched views, a rare treat in such a highly populated urban country.
5. Musee De L’Orangerie Paris, France
Often overlooked, this museum sits in the shadow of the Louvre and the Musee D’Orsay, but is well worth the visit. Though it contains important Impressionist works by artists like Cezanne, Picasso, and Renoir, the real draw of this site is two huge, light filled oval rooms that contain an eight-panel series of Monet’s Water Lilies. Built in 1927 to the artist’s specifications, the paintings are breathtaking and visitors to the museum could easily spend hours taking in the work (I know I did!).
