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7/3

Posted in travel blog

I’ve been listening to a lot of travel podcasts lately, which is naturally making my feet itch. To scratch them between travels, I bring to you the countdown of my 7 travel dreams and my 3 travel no thank yous. It’s July 3rd, why not?

7 Travel Dreams

7. Ausangate Trek – Peru

Some of my absolute favorite photographs on Instagram are of the colorful hills on the Ausangate Trek in Peru. I would love to feel the beautiful silk sand, have the breeze turn my cheeks pink, and take a photo amongst the incredible colors of the mountains.

6. Tango Lessons – Buenos Aires, Argentina

I think it is more that I just so desperately want to go to Buenos Aires in general. But more than that, Tango is one of my most favorite dances – I always watch in absolute awe. Even though I know I will be terrible at it, I would love to take a week of Tango classes in Buenos Aires and willingly make a fool out of myself.

5. Cherry Blossom Festival – Japan

Who wouldn’t want to see something as spectacular as this? Someone told me a story about teaching English in Japan. He woke up one morning and little pods of pink started to peak out of the trees right outside his window. The next morning, he woke up and the entire scenery outside of the window was full of perfect pink flowers, flooded, everywhere. This, to me, is a dream!

4. Fête des Lumières – Lyon, France

If you have never heard of this, I guarantee if you researched it, this will also be on the top of your list. The Fête des Lumières is a big light festival in Lyon around Christmas time. Grab a mulled wine, listen to some Christmas music, and watch as Christmas lights flood the streets and paint the buildings all around you. Not to mention, Lyon is absolutely an incredible city without the Christmas spirit. I can only imagine how perfect it is to add the Fête des Lumières on top of the existing beauty.

3. Tropical Tree House – Costa Rica

I’ve always dreamed of a good book, laying in a hammock, birds chirping, howler monkeys reading over my shoulder, outside of a tree house hotel in Costa Rica. Now doesn’t that sound pretty fantastic? Considering my luck with mosquitos, I’ll need to lather up with repellent and probably still get covered. I don’t care though, it would be totally worth it – the life of a traveler!

2. Olympics – anywhere

I almost had an opportunity to go to the Olympics in London, but just missed it and always was sad about it. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve watched competitive women’s gymnastic. It is an absolute dream of mine to see the All Around events for women’s gymnastics at the Olympics. Someday, I’ll make it there!

1. Gorilla Trek – Rwanda

When people used to ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I used to say a Gorilla trainer. Gorillas have been my favorite animals since I was a little girl. I’ve wanted to walk amongst the gorillas in the mountains of Rwanda since I was about 5 years old. It is very expensive and you have to be in great shape, but I will prepare and someday do this! When that day comes, it will be an absolute dream come true.

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3 Travel No Thank Yous.

3. Eat Balut – Southeast Asia

I’m very adventurous and willing to eat almost anything. I really enjoy going to a restaurant and pointing at something on the menu, having no idea what it is. I absolutely love trying cuisines from countries around the world – it is one of my favorite past times. EXCEPT. Key word. Except for Balut in Southeast Asia. This is the one food that I learned about during my travels in Southeast Asia and decided right then and there, that I wasn’t ever going to eat it. Balut, in short, is a half developed egg, and is a delicacy in Southeast Asia. If you are brave enough, be my guest and let me know how it is.

2. Drive in a city – Bangkok, New York City, Tokyo, Shanghai, Paris, etc.

Even if someone paid me a million dollars, I would absolutely NOT drive in any major city, especially in Bangkok. I’m not the best driver and get way to anxious in general, then put me in a hectic city…not a pretty picture. I know people say that driving is the best way to see the countryside, and I agree. It is the best way to explore and really get to know a country. I just won’t be the one to drive.

1. Cave Diving – Mexico, Bahamas, USA

I’ve heard the best things about Cave Diving. Many adventure travelers love cave diving because it takes you to nooks and crannies of the world that many people don’t get the opportunity to see. That is great and I will enjoy their photos so much. The idea of cave diving makes my skin crawl and heart race faster. I already really can’t stand small spaces, so the idea of being immersed in a cave, often requiring diving to get to, is just terrifying.

What your top 7 travel dreams? Anything you absolutely would not do?

Tips for Planning Cultural Trips

Posted in the cultural traveler

I bet you are actively looking for some tips on planning your next cultural trip.

Here are some tips:

Festivals/Holidays – An easy tip, plan your trip around a Festival or National holiday in the destination. Festivals are a blast and a great way to celebrate with the community. Go to India/Nepal during Holi or visit Paris during Bastille day. You can explore, while enjoying one of the best parts of the year for the country.

Accommodation – stay in people’s homes with AirBnb instead of in a hotel or hostel. Find a family that wants to show you around the town instead of reading a map.

HelpX, Wwoof, Volunteer – find cool places to stay amongst the communities. Spend a month picking rice in Vietnam, or in the vineyards of Australia, or at a farm in the south of France. You can stay with your family

Visit the countryside – go to the Atlantic coast of Nicaragua and just “be” amongst the indigenous tribes. Get out of the city and go explore new areas.

Take public transit – instead of taking a plane from Kathmandu to Pokhara, Nepal, take the public bus so that you can meet some of the locals and experience normal everyday life for them.

Get lost – walk down random streets and find off the beaten path bars and restaurants. Get far away from the tourist streets and find hole-in-the-wall places. Spend time in the Ruin bars of Budapest instead of downtown bars.

Eat like the locals – find food markets, picnic in parks, go to farmer markets, ask locals where to eat. Stay away from HardRock Café. Instead of going to the main restaurants in the city center of Krakow, Poland, go to milk bars around the city for a locals experience.

Watch street performers – for a real local experience, watch some street performers for a fun time.

Themed walking tours – In Edinburgh, I took a Dark History walking tour and learned about Edinburgh’s witchcraft, grave diggers, well known murder stories, and much more. These are not too expensive either and are really great for exploration.

Go on a Pub Crawl – especially for places that are notorious for bar crawls. Such a fun way to hang out with the locals.

Do research – Learn about the history, culture, dance, food, music, and more about the country before you go. Then you know what to look for when you are there and how to find it all to have a true cultural experience.

This is just a starting list, let’s chat more about other things you can do!