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• Cruises

Best invention ever. You get on a boat with all the amenities you can wish for and it takes you to the most fabulous countries, cities and islands in the world, without having to repack, get on crowded transportation and airplanes, keeping track of time and papers, and all the un-fun stuff that traveling brings. Cruises let you experience the entirety of Earth (well, anywhere with a coast) in a safe, fun and friendly environment. They basically eliminate all the disadvantages that backpacking my bring. You don't have to lock up your valuables because you have a private room and can leave all items in there, you don't have to have a buddy system because you are on a boat in the middle of the ocean, you don't have to cram in a full schedule of site-seeing and activities because the cruise activities director does it for you, or you can just sun-bathe all day on the lido deck, and you don't have to worry about transportation because you are on a boat. I have been on two cruises, Mexican Riviera and Caribbean, and I had the best time. I prefer companies that include everything on the boat in the price you pay, like Carnival. That way you don't get caught at the end of your trip with a massive bill; that isn't the last memory you want. And cruise prices aren't as expensive as people think. Many great sites have last minute deals, family packages and local discounts. And since there are many different cruise lines to choose from with hundreds of destinations, something will be sure to catch your eye. Imagine, sunning on your own private deck, while the kids are engaged in one of the many age-appropriate activities, with an ice-cold beverage heading towards a pristine island. I call that a vacation.

• Currency

This seems like a potential problem for travelers when really, it is quite easy to exchange currencies and use ATM machines in other countries. I would suggest having some money on you before you leave for your trip of the country you are flying into. But numerous of times I took out money using my American ATM card in airports. Just make sure you use an American bank that deals with international travel and business. Look into banks with low foreign fees and 24 hour international customer service. Something is bound to happen, though hopefully not too monumental. However, if it does (which it did to me plenty of times; blocked debit and credit cards, stolen, not compatible) don't panic and don't let this ruin your opinion of the country or your trip. Everything is fixable. Just make sure you call your bank and tell them the length of your trip and your destinations, if you happen to be traveling to more exotic and less known countries, perhaps call your bank more frequently to ensure they don't put a security block on your account. It happened to me a lot and got quite frustrating, especially when you deal with a different employee each time you call. Now, there are tons of exchange places, dozens of them, lined on every street. Be observant on which ones offer the most for your exchange. Forex seemed to be pretty good in my opinion. And remember to save a few coins or bills (depending on their worth of course) for an easy to carry home memento.

• Comforts

By comforts I mean little pieces of home that you might want to bring with you while you are away. This might help with homesickness or bring a little cheer on a everythings-gone-wrong kinda day. My grandma gave me a little silver guardian angel coin that was easy to bring everywhere and it made me smile. I also took pictures of my house and yard to look out if I got sad, which especially came in handy during the dark, cold winter months in Sweden (I'm from San Diego). More comforts include a pillowcase, backpack, piece of jewelry or book. Of course don't bring anything too valuable or personal just in case anything happens to it. If it brings out a smile on a winter day or a deep breath in a chaotic city, then it has done it's job.

• Couchsurfing

Alright. So I never tried this myself but all my friends swore by it when they traveled. Couchsurfing.com is a website dedicated to travelers and the cities they visit. Anyone can join as long as they have a bed/couch/room to post on the site for someone to use. It is completely free and gives travelers a chance to meet new people and see a city from the perspective of a local while getting free boarding. The commitment from the host person can range from showing their guest around and making dinner to just letting them sleep on the couch. And if you feel uncomfortable at any moment you can leave. There is no contract that you have to stay so many nights. If you on more on the adventurous side and travel with a limited budget, this is definitely for you. Personally, I have looked into but couldn't sum up enough courage to take the leap. But it is always there to try. Safe Travels!

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• Budapest

This was a total by-chance trip. As a traveler you will become intimately familiar with RyanAir and other cheap airlines. Every week they have incredible and unbelievable dirt cheap deals. Like a $5 return trip to Poland anyone? So I was browsing flights and found a great deal to Budapest, which coincidentally my friend had been raving about and said it was a must. So...of course I booked it and my friend and I spent 5 days in this Hungarian town not many tourists had ventured to. It's like the new Prague, before Prague became trampled with tourists. So a bit of advice, go soon before the word gets out. I would suggest going in the colder months only because you will spend most of your time in the fabulous Roman and Turkish baths. My skin never felt so smooth nor my body so relaxed. The town itself is pretty small so everything can be seen and done without the stress and rush. Here are some tips.

• There are a lot of baths to try out but I would suggest Rudas, which is in a cave with colored mosaic lights, and Gellert, which is a a traditional separate men and women bathhouse/hotel and they have incredibly cheap massages, pedicures and manicures. So after a nice long morning hike in the Buda hills it is the perfect place for a bit of R&R.
• One Hungarian forint is .005 US dollars. So shopping, eating and bath time does not cut into the budget. (If you are traveling on a tight budget, stick to Eastern Europe). You can get great Hungarian beer for less than a buck, a traditional sausage dinner for $10 and delicious Esterhazy cakes for $2.
• Some site-seeing musts: the Parliament building (most unique one in my opinion of all of Europe), Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church, Gellert Hill, Stephen's Basilica and the Royal Castle.
• Eat at Gerbeaud. It is right in the middle of the square of the old shopping street and it is delicious, cheap and traditional. The restaurant is underneath the cafe, and my friend and I definitely visited both many times.

Budapest is a must. End of story.

• Beverages

You know the saying, you can't understand a country and its culture until you eat its food? Or perhaps the one about food being the highlight to any experience. Well beverages should be right up there. Like every country having a national dish, they also prize themselves on brewing a special drink. For Italy it is wine, for France, champagne, for Eastern Europe, vodka. Drinking is a big part of many of these countries history. Germany drank beer for breakfast during the early years of the East India Trading Company. And what would England be without their tea. Even if you aren't a big drinker, please be adventurous and have a sip or two. When in Denmark, try the aquavit (though it is absolutely revolting) and in Spain settle down with a glass of Sangria. Each country has their specific drink of choice, and are proud of it, so don't miss out. Take a chance. When else in life will you be able to say, "I'm in Capri drinking Limoncello." Life is good.

• Belgium

Not the most popular of countries when people plan European vacations but I am here to hopefully change that. Filled with small, beautiful, untouched by war Flemish inspired towns, Belgium is a great country to explore. It is by far the cleanest of countries I have been to and has the most surprises. Stay awhile in the capital of Brussels, eating waffles, taking in the unique architecture and sipping beer. Then make a couple of day trips. The train system is great and within an hour of the capital are some must see towns, like Bruges and Leaven, you could even make a trip into Lichtenstein (now how many people get to do that?). I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in Belgium. It was more relaxing than most trips and the beauty of the small towns were so calming. My grandparents, who are world travelers, say the only place they really want to see again is Bruges. So that must mean something. Go find it for yourself.

• Backyard

After I returned home from my year abroad I learned a quite deal about myself and the world. I also realized how much of my own country I hadn't seen. Though I have been to my fair share of states there is so much more to discover. I made it my goal to apply the same research I did abroad to my home town, state and country. I needed to view my birth place with the eyes of a newcomer, and figure out what important history and sites I had been

missing. Don't underestimate the richness of your own backyard and the adventures you can have by simply strolling at a slower pace. I don't believe a traveler can ever fully learn about the world and different cultures without first experiencing and understanding their own.

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• Arrivals

Arriving into a new city, country, continent can be quite daunting. Up to this point everything you knew about the place you had only read, and now the real test begins. First rule of the game, come prepared. Do your research about the airport - check out some maps, where to pick up the bus/train/taxi, locate an atm or perhaps just the bathrooms (which reminds me: try to hit the restrooms before getting on any transportation, it will only make our life and trip easier if you aren't worrying about your bladder exploding.) Also, always carry all your itinerary and travel information on you; including, hostel/hotel addresses and numbers, transportation times, dates and reference numbers...basically anything you can think of write it down and paste it to you. Second rule, be polite! This is not only your first impression but also their first impression of you and whatever country you may represent. Learn some key phrases in the mother tongue (thanks and excuse me are a must) and try to remain calm. Nothing causes attention more than a harried tourist. Third rule, be wary. Not every person you run into is going to be of friendly help or have the best intentions. As long as you play it smart and safe there is not much to worry about. Lastly, always, always, always have a Plan B. I can't tell you how many times I got off my plane and from the moment I took my first step nothing went right. It might be that the busses have stopped, your baggage is lost or the atm is not taking you card, but that's just life. Don't let these events ever stop you from enjoying the rest of your trip, because months down the road they turn into a fml story to share, making you a stronger person with some valid travel experience.

• Amsterdam

The moment you read that word I am sure all kinds of iconic images come to mind. Amsterdam is definitely a well-known city, but if it is on your itinerary don't let the Red Light District and coffee houses become your only memories. It is a fairly small city so 3-4 days is all you really need to be able to thoroughly explore what the Dutch capital has to offer. I personally got tired of constantly being swallowed up by all the tourists. So...

• Book/buy any tickets for museums (Anne Frank Haus, Van Gogh Museum) ahead of time.
• Don't miss the iAMsterdam sign (it's in-between the Van Gogh and Rijks museum).
• Eat at Sarah's Pancake House.
• Spend some time walking around the Jordaan District and admiring the beautiful canals
• Go see the fantastic tulip gardens at the Keukenhof - it's definitely a must!
• Sleep in a houseboat. It is about the same price as a normal hostel but you get a completely different experience, it is a bit more private and you won't by chance find yourself sleeping across from a red light building (unless that's your thing of course)

*Sidenote* Holland is absolutely picturesque but can be known for their Dutch Downpours so come prepared with any and all rain gear because it doesn't just rain cats and dogs here, it rains cows and horses.

• Arctic

If you ever get the chance to travel past the Arctic Circle line and into the North Pole, do. I made this travel when I was in Sweden, and though I highly recommend this country there are plenty others to experience such extremes in. I went in the dead of winter with

-28°C (-18°F) temperatures, no daylight and hardly any human existence. It was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. My friends and I rented a cabin, went dog sledding and snowmobiled to the famous Jukkasjärvi Ice Hotel. We ate reindeer with potatoes and lingonberry sauce, went in the sauna and got a peek at the Northern Lights. Not many of the world's population gets to see such natural wonders and untouched beauty in their lifetime. However, if you can't brave such bone-chilling weather, the spring and summer months are just as gorgeous, with unparalleled hiking and 24 hours of daylight. Plus, on your way to catch your plane, you can pick up a "I crossed the Arctic Circle" mug and show it off to all your friends.

• Alone

Traveling alone has its pros and cons. I believe everyone should experience another country on their own (safely of course) as it promotes self-awareness, confidence and reflection. But it does get quite lonely after awhile even if you do meet other single travelers. I went to Austria and London by myself, and being a young female I had to do research about the countries in order to make sure I would be safe walking alone. London is the perfect place to travel by yourself, as it is a city made up of young single people, just living it up. I felt so safe walking around at night too. The streets are filled constantly with people, so you never find yourself alone on an empty dark street. Austria is a fantastic place for women to travel alone. Though I didn't walk around too much at night, as I found the cities a bit less occupied, I did feel completely safe throughout the rest of the day. It is Austrian culture to respect women and men see them as equals, so there are no cat-calls or stalkers are you catch the sites. The Austrians are wonderful people and very nice. I would love to go back in a heartbeat. And in any country, it is so easy to meet other travelers in hostels and travel bars, so be open and friendly and an unexpected site-seeing buddy might pop up. However, don't plan an alone trip for too long. I was in Austria in ten days and got tired of having no one to share my adventures and stories with.

So moral of the story, at least one time in your life you should travel alone, but please do some research into the laws, current events and culture of the country you are planning to visit. That way you can spend more time snapping pictures at the Eiffel Tower instead of constantly looking over your shoulder. Happy Travels!

Wilkommen!

Welcome to T is for Travel!

If you are a well-worn traveler, an avid vacation nut or have never been out of the country, I hope you find exactly what you are looking for. This blog is intended for all things travel, from simple budget cuts to not looking like a tourist, from making that carry-on 2 lbs. lighter to the best thing, food. I am bursting with information and tips, and a general want to persuade more people to experience the many different and wonderful countries and cultures out there. Nothing is more exciting and life-changing than stepping out of your boundaries, way out! So again, welcome and safe travels to wherever you are headed.