Five Great Tropical Islands

There are many great tropical islands in the world. People love beaches and and fun in the sun. I love beaches and fun in the sun.  Warm climate, white sand beaches, clear blue water, and tropical drinks. If you are looking for some great tropical islands in the world, look no further than these:

The Seychelles

These islands are located in the Indian ocean off the coast of Africa and are pure paradise. The tropical beaches, the crystal blue water, the abundant coral reefs. It’s more beautiful than any post card. This place is luxurious and not cheap but worth every penny.

Bali

Bali is located in Indonesia and is amazing. This giant island is filled with lush rice paddies, mountains, and beautiful beaches. The locals are friendly, the island is cheap, and there is great surfing here. There is a reason Bali is voted one of the best islands in the world.

Bermuda

This small little island has a pink beach and beautiful diving. It’s located in the Atlantic ocean but because of the jetstream it’s pretty tropical and very relaxed. If you want a low key vacation with beautiful beaches, great diving, good food, and a few golf courses, this place is for you.

Fiji

Fiji is an island nation filled with hundreds of great tropical islands. You find excellent diving, great seafood, white sand beaches, and crystal clear water that is bathtub warm. The country sees a lot of tourists but it’s still not that expensive. It’s much cheap than Tahiti.

Cook Islands

Another group of islands in the south pacific, the Cook Islands are a bit more off the beaten path than Fiji but still equally as beautiful. These islands really make you feel like you are away from it all!

There are many, many, many, many more tropical islands in the world but these are the five best I have been too! The next time you want a tropical destination, think of these places.

 

Bars in San Francisco

Having spent a summer in San Francisco last year, I have explored that city enough to know some of my favorite watering holes. These bars are great if you are looking for a lazy afternoon with a good beer, a rowdy weekend night with beautiful people, or a grungy experience with the crowd to match.

• Zeitgeist is a bar in the Mission that has one of the few outdoor seating areas in San Francisco. They have a large selection of microbrews and excellent pub food served all day. The atmosphere is friendly and the seating arrangements of the benches outside encourage mingling with other patrons. Be sure to stick around long enough to encounter the tamale lady, who stops by every day with homemade tamales for $2.

• The Elbo Room is a really great bar for the young and the beautiful. Located in the mission, it is decorated with soft lighting and lots of red tones for meeting a special someone. There is a pool table in a back room, and drink specials are cheap for San Francisco. Be sure to take advantage of the old-fashioned photo booth while you are there, there is no telling what illicit trysts have been captured by that thing!

• Apocalypto is a grungy, rockabilly bar that is equidistant between both Zeitgeist and the Elbo Room. It attracts a more alternative crowd, so if you don’t have muttonchops and copious tattoos, this might not be the bar for you. If you like your crowd a bit more rough and tumble, there are excellent drink specials (Tecate and a shot of tequila for $2 anyone?), and dancing on weekend nights. If you see Shelly tending bar there be sure to say hello, she took care of my friends and I every time we were there.

 

Great Places to See in Europe

Having traveled and lived in Europe multiple times now, I have picked out my favorite cities for young travelers looking to have a good time on a budget. I have been through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, and Italy. Out of those countries, here are the best of the best for your well-earned travel buck:

Amsterdam is a traveler’s paradise. Cheap accommodations, a very young crowd looking to have a good time, very lenient drug laws, and Heineken brewed right in Amsterdam’s backyard. Not only is the night life superb, but there are great museums like the Van Gogh, and plenty of interesting tours to take like the canals by boat. If you get hungry, be sure to find a Febo! Febo is a giant wall of short-order food where you pay 1 euro and reach in for whatever is front of you; it’s the perfect late-night food.

Barcelona may be my favorite city on earth. The people, the food, the language, it has it all. Barcelona is legendary amongst backpackers for its mega-clubs and cheap digs, but it has much more to offer. The public transportation is excellent, and sites like Parque Guell and the Sagrada Familia cannot be missed.

Lagos is a tiny beach town in Portugal, but it has one of the best party hostels in Europe. The Rising Cock Hostel (yes, that is its real name) is owned by Mario and his younger brother, two guys that really know how to party. Lagos has plenty of beach space and bars, as well as boat cruises and sponsored parties every night of the week. You will not find much in the way of culture in the town, but if you want a good time you cannot go wrong with Lagos.

 

Things to See in South America

When visiting South America, what are the sights you should see? If you’re heading south towards Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia I have the best of the best for you. These are the best outdoor treks and sights you will find; trust me on that one!

• Iguazú lies on the borders of Argentina and Brazil, and is regularly rated as the top sight in South America. The falls are spectacular, covering two different tiers and creating incredible vistas. The “Garganta del Diablo,” or “Throat of the Devil” is the most captivating thing I have ever seen in nature. Sorry Niagara, but Iguazú has you beat. High season begins in January and brings massive crowds, so your best bet is to arrive mid-December and you will have the park almost to yourself.

• “Torres del Paine” is the southernmost national park in Chile, and is justly famed as a hikers’ paradise. The “W” trek is a 7-9 day hike that spans incredible views and terrain, ranging from snowcapped mountains to crystal-clear lakes. It is regularly rated as on the top 10 treks worldwide, usually coming in only after the Annapurna trek for number one. The best time to visit is during the spring or early summer, because autumn and winter can bring dangerous weather and rapid temperature changes.

• Uyuni is close to the southern border of Bolivia, and has some of the most otherworldly landscapes around. The salt flats that figured so prominently in the last James Bond film were filmed here, and there are 3 and 4 day jeep treks leaving every day from the city that will take you to see all the highlights. Dry season runs from May to September, so plan accordingly. If you are an American tourist, remember that Bolivia requires a visa to enter the country!

 

My Trip to Portugal

I just finished up a trip to Portugal, and it ended up being one the most amazing experiences of my life. We biked from Sevilla, Spain all the way up the coast to Lisbon. Our days consisted of biking in the early morning, laying out on the beach during the heat of the day, and biking another hour or two to a new campground. We ate at simple seafood shacks or made sandwiches and ate fruit, and the biking itself was leisurely and rarely difficult. Of course, I could not speak a lick of Portuguese, but that did not end up mattering. A smile and courteous tone go a long way, even in small villages where pantomiming is about as close as we got to communication. This was the very end of our bike trip in Europe, after being on the road for almost two months it was a really good way to wind down. The trip was interesting because we actually scrapped the itinerary we gave our parents about 3 days into the trip, which we never told them about until we had made it home.

Navigating along back roads in a foreign language was really cool, my friend and I felt like the Lewis and Clark expedition of the biking world. We also learned quite a bit about ourselves from the trials and tribulations that we encountered on the road. I ended up having an entire pedal fall off (due to a loose bolt) that caused me to peg-leg my way for almost 10 miles in the middle of the night. I was none too pleased about that one. Davy’s bike ended up having spokes break on him, and we had to figure out how the hell to explain that one in a bike shop in Brussels, Belgium.

But I will tell you what, if you can handle problems like that when you cannot speak the language, it makes the problems you encounter in English seem downright silly by comparison. It definitely helped me prepare me for moving down to Buenos Aires on my own after graduating from college, that is for sure. Trips sure can be educational, if you let them.

 

Great Places to go in Italy

Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world. Each tourist flock to its beaches, ruins, and mountains and step into a world over 3,000 years old. Italy has it all- food, wine, culture, history, italy luxury hotels, and beautiful Italian people. If that wasn’t enough reason to go, here are some great places to see that will make sure trip worth while.

Rome
The capital wasn’t built in a day and you’ll need a lifetime to see it. With so many sites and places to see, you’ll never be at a loss to do. Whether it’s exploring the ancient roman forum and walking where Caesar did, seeing the Vatican, or making a wish at the Trevi Fountain, Rome is an obvious stop for anyone’s trip to Italy.

Florence
Birthplace of the renaissance and home to the David, Florence is Italy’s second obvious stop. For art lovers and foodies, Florence offers an array of goodies. (Try the gelato!!!) Another bonus: it’s right in Tuscany, home of Italy’s premier wine country.

Venice
The city of lovers- Venice is a great place for couples and families. Hang out in St. Mark’s Square (watch out for all the pigeons!!), stroll through tiny alleys, and take a gondola ride through the canals. Venice may be an expensive city but it is worth every Euro.

Cinque Terra
Five towns located on cliffs overlooking the ocean, Cinque Terra is simply breathtaking. Spend the day walking the 12km trail that connects each town, exploring there tiny streets, and stopping at little cafes. Explore the olive groves in the hills and relax yourself with a shot of Limoncello.

Sicily
Sicily may be famous for the mafia but it has much more than that. Sicily has a long history of foreign domination and he result is an eclectic culture that mixes it all in. Every little city seems to have its own culture. Come and explore the countryside and well preserved towns. Just don’t ask for Tony Soprano!

Turin
Turin is a major city in northern Italy. Turin is well-known as the home of the Shroud of Turin and host of the 2006 Winter Olympics. Located right near the alps, with the Po River flowing through the city, and villas dotting the surrounding area, Turin is trying to attract more tourist so get there before the crowds!

Capri
Capri is an Italian island in the Gulf of Naples. It has been a major resort destination since Roman time and is popular with the well to do of the world. During summers, the island sees a lot of tourists, who mostly stick to the major towns. Get out of the towns and the island is yours!

Sorrento
The gateway to the Amalfi coast, Sorrento is located on the Bay of Naples. It’s especially busy here in the summer time but the city is big enough and has enough to offer for all its visitors. This sea sport has been active for thousands of years and has a rich history. Any journey down south would be incomplete without a visit.

So the next time you find yourself in Italy make sure you see all these places. If you haven’t been to Italy, make sure you see these places when you go. The are unforgettable. ,

 

Be A Flashpacker

Are you a flashpacker? Do you even know what flashpacking is? Well, flashpacking is this new trend among backpacker to spruce up their travels. Instead of roughing it with as little money as possible, flashpackers are travelers who have worked for a few years and have extra money to spend on their trip and want some nicer things. They didn’t save for awhile to be misers. If you want to be a flashpacker, or want to know how to spot one, you can find flashpackers with the following items:

Camera- A tiny point and click that takes pictures for scrapbooks? Not for you! You wouldn’t be caught dead with anything less than a SLR or at least a camera that will allow you to zoom in on the pore of a person 6 meters away. You may not be an award winning photographer but you’re pictures will at least look like they came from one.

Camcorder- Camera’s are good for still life but nothing captures the essence of a trip like some video. Only that twenty minute clip of the Full Moon rave in Thailand will show your friends just how crazy it truly was. It made add a few extra kilos to your bag but a flashpacker knows video cameras are the only way to go. All the best travel sites now use video. It’s the wave of the future.

Laptop- With all the electronics you’re carrying around, you need something to do with them. Internet cafes are just too slow and don’t have the power you need to handle all the pictures, videos, mp3s, and DVDs you brought. The laptop is essential for your trip and with prices so cheap, it makes perfect sense to buy one now. Most travelers travel with cheap laptop computers like a netbook so they can have something for their media and the internet. That’s really all you need but you aren’t a flashpacker if you don’t have something!

Cellphone- With SIM cards and phones so cheap, there’s no reason why you can’t have a phone. As a flashpacker, you don’t want to be inconvenienced by e-mail and missed messages. Getting a phone allows you to call up hostels and arrange meetings with friends.

Dress shirt- Once in awhile you might go out to a nice place that requires you to dress nice and that t-shirt you’ve been wearing since last week won’t do. Having one nice shirt stuffed in your bag, even if you have to iron it, comes in handy.

Dress shoes- What is a dress shirt without dress shoes? Keeping a pair of shoes, or at least something that will pass as a shoe, will come in handy when you wear that dress shirt.

Amazon Kindle- Books take up a lot of weight but an Amazon kindle does not. All those electronics you have already fill your bag and add a few extra pounds. The last thing you want is to fill it even more with a few tomes- even if you are interested in reading them.

Extra Hard Drive- With all that data, photos, and videos you have, your hard drive will fill up faster than a supermodel at a buffet. Additionally, you’ll want to have a backup for your data in case your computer is ever stolen.

If you want to be a flashpacker, then use some of these products!

 

Australian Beaches

Many people come to visit Australia and want to go to the beach. In fact, Australia is known for its beaches and it surfing. Hanging ten on Bondi Beach and swimming in the great barrier reef or relaxing with whale sharks. Australia is one of the beach capitals of the world with over 3,000 km of coastline. If you want to go to Australia and want to find the best beaches there, here is out list:

One of Perth’s many beaches, Cottesloe Beach is where all the locals (and tourists) go to unwind in the sun. This long, wide beach is great for games, surfing, and sunbathing.

Located in northern Queensland, this area above Cairns sees few tourists. That means it is just you and the beach. Relax here in the crystal blue waters and fine white sand and let the day’s pass you by. This is where the jungle meets the water and paradise is born.

Arguably on the best beaches in the world, Cable Beach is 16 miles long. This beach is so big, you’ll always find room for yourself and the water is bathtub warm. The surf is ok and you can rent boards right on the beach. Tides that can each nine meters wash the beach clean everyday so it always looks its best.

The place to be seen, Bondi beach is famous all over for the hard bodies it attracts. This one kilometer beach can get kind of crowded but this a must see stop for any trip to Sydney. Catch some rays with locals and cool off with the surfers. Watch out for the rip current as it can be deadly.

Surfer’s Paradise is a great beach to meet locals and travelers a like. It’s wide, beautiful, and the water’s nice and warm. The waves here are also great for surfing. Surfer’s is a definite party spot and for those looking to mix their beach activities with some social activities, Surfer’s is the place to do it.

Whitehaven Beach is the masterpiece of the Whitsunday islands. Located on a deserted island and nearly four miles long, this stretch of sand will have asking people to pinch you. No walks away disappointed.

 

Best Travel Resources

There are many many great places in the world to see but you can’t see them if you won’t know how to get there. You need to research your destination and figure out what’s the best way to get there and what’s the best things to see. So instead of highlighting places today, we are highlighting the best websites that get you to the coolest places in the world that you want to see.

Kayak- Kayak is a website that searches lots and lots of flight and hotel company websites to get you great travel deals. I use them a lot because their prices are always the cheapest. They let you really see a good break down in prices so it can really help in seeing where the best deal really is. Moreover, you can see price patterns to find out if there is a cheaper day than the one you are flying on.

Boots N All- Boot’s N All is a long term travel website that will help you plan your trip around the world. It’s a bit hard to navigate but they have a great forum where you can talk to other travelers and ask a lot of questions. They have some travel articles too. It’s like the backpacker’s lonely planet website.

How to Travel the World- This website is like Boots except there isn’t as much junk in it. It simply gets right too it the point and gives you information about your trip, planning it, sample travel itineraries, budgets, and more. If you just want to see some information presented simply, this is the place.

Lonely Planet- The guidebook king has a newly designed website that is great for people looking for information. They have lots of pictures, video, blogs, and much much more. They have a very popular forum that you can use.

Momondo- This Danish website will search flights from around the world. I don’t know how they do it but they always have great prices. I use them and Kayak. One of them will find the best price. They have a calendar so you can see prices over the course of a month and they are free- no booking fee.

Use these five websites to plan your next trip and you will get there with all the right information and at a cheaper rate than most people.

 

The Best Places For Cheap Food

Everyone likes to eat food. And everyone likes to eat cheap food. For those looking to fill their stomachs without spending much money here are some of the best countries to find cheap food. You’ll be able to eat like a king for only a few dollars a day.

Thailand- Thailand is the king of cheap food with its street vendor culture. You can get the best Thai meals here for only a dollar or two. From fresh fruit to amazing soup and curry, everything you want here you can get.

India- India also has a great street food culture and the food is generally really cheap. Get the best indian you’ve ever had in India for only a few dollars. Just watch out for delhi belly!

Mexico- Everything is cheap in mexico and so is the food. You can get street side food like tacos and burritos for only a few pesos. The food is good, the locals eat it, and you can fill you stomach with it at all hours of the day or night.

China- China also has a lot of cheap food. Eveneif you don’t eat on the street, the food is cheap due to the currency value. You can live off the local food for less than 2 dollars a day and have very authentic chinese food. It won’t be anything like back home.

There are many great countries in the world that have great food but these four offer the best options for dirt cheap food that is also good, healthy, and available any time of the day.

Bon Appetite!