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Lessons Learned While Travelling Alone

Published

10 years ago

August 15, 2014

I have done a lot of travelling in my lifetime; some with family and friends and some by myself. There is a very big difference in these two types of travel. Your whole travelling process changes when you are going at it alone. When you are off on adventures with the family there is always someone to turn to for suggestions on restaurants, attractions, and everything else that you want to experience. There is also the obligation to fit things in that you may not particularly like nor want to participate in. While travelling alone you gain complete freedom of choice which is why I would like to share some of the lessons I learned while travelling alone.

Things to do in Thailand - Wat Arun Temple Bangkok

Lessons Learned While Travelling Alone

Do Not Plan Everything

I cannot stress this first lesson enough. Travelling is all about gaining new life experiences and having a good time. If you plan and schedule every single thing that you are going to do on your trip it is akin to following a schedule at home. Experience the freedom that only travelling by yourself can offer. You need to plan certain things like accommodations and flights as these are tough to do on short notice. Everything else can be spontaneous and act like an adventure every day.

Wherever you are travelling to will have some hidden gems that are not in any of the travel guides. This is your chance to just walk or drive around an area and find things that may interest you and your mood for the day. You could set a tight schedule and wake up not feeling like going to a certain place that day but you will feel guilty for not following the plan. Don’t say no to anything before you have tried it either. I had a great time working on a yacht during a year long trek that took me to a lot of places and kept money in my pocket. Working while travelling is a smart way to see the world and gain something to put on your resume; and you may not have to worry about accommodation. Click here to see some yachting jobs, or search around the web for jobs that may be right for you. Gap year jobs are available all over the world!

Do Not Overindulge in Alcohol

Paulaner Stein of Beer at Oktoberfest 2011

You may be reading this next lesson and laughing to yourself but I am being completely serious. When you are travelling with friends or family, there is always someone else around to make the smart decisions and look out for you if you have had a few too many. Drinking too much while travelling alone can end very poorly for some of us. With the poor judgement and lowered inhibitions that alcohol consumptions causes you are a target for all kinds of unpleasant things. If you were to have a friend around they could act as a buffer and get you back to the lodgings unscathed. You have no extra security when alone so it is essential that you keep your wits about you.

Move Around

This lesson is something I wish I had learned many years ago as it could have saved me from some boring trips. Never stay in one area for too long as you will start to get comfortable with it and the excitement factor will quickly die down. You want to keep that excitement as part of your trip the entire way through to get the most out of your money. Choosing a new town or city to stay in every couple of days or weeks will add a sense of being on a new trip every time you move around. Not only does this keep the excitement level high it allows you to take in a vastly wider array of attractions during your travels. Keep yourself moving and you will certainly get more out of your solo adventures.

Plan For Extra Expenses

There is nothing worse than being in a foreign country and realizing you do not have enough money for something. This could be something material that would not kill you if it isn’t purchased but it could also be in the form of something more urgent. When you travel you always run the risk of getting ill or being injured somehow and may need to be treated at a local medical facility. You cannot risk relying on your travel insurance alone to cover any of these costs; unless you have read all of the fine print and have memorized everything that they will cover. It is always a good idea to have an international credit card or extra cash on hand for emergencies. It is very likely that you will never need to use this extra money but it is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Review Your Cellphone Plan

Everyone has a cellphone at this point as they are such a convenient way of communication. I made the mistake of not calling my provider before taking a trip and I will never make that mistake again. Cellphone providers have specific packages that you can buy to make it affordable for international calls, texts, and data. A simple phone call to your service provider could potentially save you hundreds if not thousands in cellphone bills.

Some of these lessons have been learned as a result of me making mistakes as a new solo traveller while others I picked up while browsing some reputable travel sites. Click here for a great website dedicated to independent travel. You sometimes need to make a mistake to learn the lesson but in this case you can learn from mine. Following these four simple lessons can make your next solo trek a lot more enjoyable and safer. Now you can book your flight and pack your bags with peace of mind and a lot more knowledge to use in your travels.

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Top 5 Historical Landmarks of Portugal

Published

3 years ago

April 17, 2022

Guest Author

Portugal is a hive of culture, history, and architecture and is home to fifteen UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If you plan a holiday to Portugal to discover some of its glorious histories, look through our top five Portuguese historical landmarks.

Alcobaça Monastery

This beautiful monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Monastery of Santa Maria de Alcobaça is a prime example of early Gothic architecture. The sanctuary is home to the ornate tombs of Ines de Castro and King Pedro I. There is a tragic love story associated with the burials. Ines de Castro was assassinated in 1355, and the king ordered his tomb to be placed next to hers so that he could face the woman he loved on the day of resurrection. They are considered to be the most beautiful medieval tombs in Portugal. There are also living quarters, including a refectory, dormitory, kitchen, and cloisters that have been inhabited by monks for 800 years.

Convent of Christ

The Convent of Christ is a beautiful roman catholic building located in Tomar. It was initially a stronghold for the Order of the Knights Templar. The building houses impressive art and examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance architecture. The walls inside are exquisitely decorated with paintings, carved stone sculptures, and a window depicting symbols and motifs. This site has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983.

Évora

Évora is a Portuguese city home to several historical sights, some over two thousand years old. The Cathedral of Évora is considered one of Portugal’s most important gothic monuments. Moorish palaces and courtyards, a renaissance fountain built-in 1559, and a one-of-a-kind Roman temple have become the city’s most famous landmarks. It is not surprising that Évorahas is classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

Belém Tower

Belém Tower was built to be a fortress in 1515 to guard the entrance to Lisbon’s harbor. The tower is constructed from lioz limestone that is local to Lisbon. It is considered one of the prominent examples of the late gothic Manueline style. There is a drawbridge, spaces for cannons, turrets, and arches that have been decorated with images of animals, plants, and royal coats of arms. Inside there are statues, pillars, and gargoyle facets. UNESCO has listed the tower as a World Heritage monument.   

Jerónimos Monastery

Jerónimos Monastery is considered one of the most beautiful monasteries in Portugal and Europe. Located in Lisbon, the monastery has various entrances that have been decorated with carved figures, gables, and pinnacles. There is a 16th Century Portuguese sculpture of Our Lady of Belém in the central doorway, a figure of Prince Henry the Navigator in the center of the monastery, and a statue of King Manuel I. The monastery has been classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

We hope this has inspired you to start planning your trip to Portugal today.

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Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Find out why Sand boarding, Diving and Safaris through the desert are included in the Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar.

Published

3 years ago

April 8, 2022

Guest Author

Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Qatar is a country of reinvention. Shimmering towerblocks rise against a desert horizon, and maze-like souks thrive next to 21st-century shopping palaces. It’s also one of the more accessible countries of the Arab Gulf, with a welcoming reputation towards visitors and plenty of attractions to keep them coming. Some of the best holiday activities you’ll find in Qatar are the adventurous kind. And these are the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar.

Sunset in Qatar – Photo by wj2012

Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Diving expeditions

The Gulf Sea is famed for its crystal waters and the exuberant marine life which lurks just beneath the surface. Messaid is a good jumping-off point where you’ll find angelfish and barracuda, while those intrigued by underwater wrecks will love the Hall Island dive site at Al-Sharqi, where bright clownfish circle the abandoned boat.

Sand Adventures

Many of the sports here have been adapted from colder climates, so instead of skiing down a mountain piste, try Khor Al Adaid beach to glide down the impressive dunes on a sand-board. Alternatively, race your blo-kart along the sands of Al Wakrah, south of capital Doha, to experience the thrill of wind-sailing on dry land.

Sand Boarding – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by ground zero

Al Jassasiya

The ancient carvings of Al Jassasiya lie to the north near Al Shamal, amid a truly remote landscape of village ruins and limestone. Hire a 4×4 of your own and make the journey to see the 900 petroglyphs which riddle the rocks here. The carvings denote flowers, animals, fleets of shows, or traditional Arab boats, and to this day, their origins remain a mystery.

Sunset Cruise

When the time comes for a more relaxed excursion, you can do no better than a sunset cruise onboard a wooden dhow as you drift past the super-modern Doha seafront of Al-Corniche and the old harbor at Al Khor. If you’re still hankering after some adventure, rent a smaller vessel and go for a fishing trip the following day.

Desert Safaris

Much of the inland desert in Qatar remains inaccessible on foot, but fortunately, that’s where a 4×4 comes in very handy for a safari trip you won’t easily forget. There are numerous options available from Doha, including day-long excursions, bumping, and rolling to the inland sea at Khor Al Adaid. Or make the trip at dusk for a spot of star-gazing before you settle in Bedouin-style tents for the night.

Desert Safari – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by robertpaulyoung

Most activities can be arranged via a tour company. Although cash has been the predominant payment method in Qatar, this is beginning to change, which is good news for tourists since HSBC offers protection against loss or theft. If you’re planning on taking part in several activities, it can be handy to have some plastic on you to avoid expensive traveler’s cheques, plus credit cards from HSBC and other familiar providers also enable easy access to money at the ATMs. However, it’s wise to exercise caution, using only official bank machines here and sticking with local currency at the market and in smaller shops.

There’s no doubt that Qatar offers some world-class cultural attractions beyond the more energetic highlights, and while you’re in the country, set aside some time for the historic Al Zubarah fort or browse the recreated 19th-century Souk-Waqif, in Doha.

This country has been undervalued in the past but is now coming to the world’s attention. With its desert adventures, ancient sites, and thriving culture, this attention is thoroughly deserved.

This is a travel feature by world traveler, Jose Capelo. He loves exploring the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar and has spent many trips exploring the wild deserts of Qatar.

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Boys will be Boys – Essential Stag Guide to Barcelona

Essential Stag Guide to Barcelona

Published

3 years ago

April 1, 2022

Guest Author

Barcelona has a lot to offer to the quintessential all-boys travel group for a stag weekend in Barcelona. This sunny Spanish city is known for its gorgeous Mediterranean beaches complemented by turquoise waters. In addition to this, this city offers the ideal environment for an all-male party hotspot, considering its vibrant nightlife, football culture, flamenco dance clubs, tattoo parlors, and its delicious sangrias and tapas.

Paella cooking class Barcelona

Barcelona is a widespread consideration for a quick all-boys getaway during the summer. With a variety of heart-thumping activities that can make your trip a memorable one, make sure you take out time to pursue the following –

LTW Tattoo:

If you are looking for a real adventure that will stick with you all your life, there is no better way to commemorate this epic trip than heading to Barcelona’s best tattoo parlor.
Barna Paintball:

Take on your best buddies in a battle of agility by visiting the Barna Paintball. With four thematic areas to choose from, your experience here can be genuinely adventurous.
Bar Crawl Barcelona:

Considered one of the most famous pub crawls globally and the biggest in Europe, the original Bar Crawl Barcelona is a great way to explore the city in its nocturnal state. You and your buddies can visit four bars and then finish at one of the best clubs in Barcelona. Complete with some of the craziest drinking games, this memorable experience costs all but 15 Euros.
FC’s Camp Nou:

If you are a group of football fans visiting the city, you cannot leave without making a trip to Camp Nou, the city’s football ground. With a ticket for the stadium tour, you will have access to the changing rooms, benches, press rooms, and stands. If you are fortunate enough to have a match coinciding with your travel dates, make sure you book your tickets for the game well in advance.
Circuit de Catalunya Racing Track:
If you and your crew are into racing, consider heading to the Circuit de Catalunya, host to various Formula 1 and Moto GP races. Here, you can get a detailed tour of the briefing room, pits, and podium.
Comedy Nights:

Comedy nights are often an option that everybody loves. Especially as a group of single boys, you may love to attend an event organized by the Giggling Guiri program that consists of English-speaking shows.
Al Fresco Drinking on Las Ramblas:

The heart of tourist activity in Barcelona, Las Ramblas, offers unique casual outdoor ambiances for groups of boys to spend hours finishing pitchers of sangria or chugging down buckets of beer bottles. Vibrant as ever, this street located off the Gothic Quarters is a great place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing.

Essential Stag Guide to Barcelona

As a group of boys, you can also research options for day trips to beaches outside of Barcelona that offers relaxing and laid-back environments for your holiday. Many options are available in Barcelona for hiring a car to explore this scenic and exciting city with your friends, such as Thrifty Car Rentals. So when you are in Barcelona with your amigos, nothing stops you from having a great time!