Gorgeous photo of the Seattle skyline with Mount Rainier in the backdrop taken by my buddy Tim Reha at NewMediaSynergy from Queen Anne.
Eastern European Hostels
I had stayed in a few hostels in various places in Western Europe and major US cities before delving into the hostel world of former Yugoslavia. I thought Hungry, Croatia and Slovenia would all have cold, unexpressive hostels that did the intended job of providing shelter, but with little else to offer. Let me just say that if I ever had to pick a part of the world to live in hostels for a year, this charming area in south eastern Europe would have my vote.
Budapest had clean beds and clean sinks. Hungarian culture is all about their bathhouses, so they’re pretty versed in keeping things sanitary enough for everyone to hang out half naked together all day, every day. They even did my laundry for me and called for a cab when I needed to get to the airport. Friendly, accommodating and clean, what more can you ask for?
Next stop Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana. I stayed in two different hostels in this artistic, student-filled town. One was more quiet and intimate, a great place to make friends and enjoy company in the common room. The other was a former KGB compound that had been converted into a hostel by artists and architects. Though staying in the cells seems like it would be a little creepy, the natural lighting, bright colored decorations, live music and in-house café made this bustling ex-prison full of happiness and light.
Final destination: Croatia. How can anything not be wonderful on the Adriatic Sea? Split, Croatia had kind of a so-so hostel, but the energetic British hostel owner made for lively group dinners. You can ferry out of Split to any of the Dalmatian islands. Korchula has a wonderfully social hostel equipped with a bar and standing afternoon movie viewing in the common room.
There wasn’t a moment of those 6 weeks that I didn’t enjoy my hostel accommodations and I highly recommend them to anyone thinking about traveling in that part of the world.
Southeast Asia Rocks for Backpackers & Digital Nomads
I’ve gotta admit, I’m a pretty big freaking fan of Southeast Asia. For all these reasons.
Timeless Nature of Following the Travel Blogging Vertical
One of the cool things about following the travel blogging vertical in my Google Reader is the timeless nature of it.
What do I mean?
Simple.
No matter where in the world I am, no matter what time it currently is –there is always something new to read (as long as it’s been 2-3 hours since I checked my Google Reader) in the “backpacking” portion of my Google Reader. Travel bloggers are located all over the globe, and work extremely weird hours in addition to the vastly different time zones they are in.
One thing is certain — the timeless nature of travel blogging doesn’t help my productivity. Certainly the fact that I can read about foreign lands everyday, many of which have amazing photos, makes me want to go visit those beautiful and exotic locations (read: $$ suck from my pocket).
Overall? I’m a fan.
**Photo via PsychCentral
The Cost of Full Time Travel
Every now and then, I get asked how much I spend on traveling. Unfortunately, I don’t have it documented in a way that I can easily track it. But the ProfessionalHobo does. Total cost for all of 2011?
$17,615
Impressive…
Hitting the Travel Links – January 24th
What to look for with all-inclusive holiday packages
Many people enjoy booking an all-inclusive holiday package for their vacation because once it is paid for they are done. They will not have to worry about extra charges or eating food that does not fit in the budget? Plus, you can drink as much as you want without worrying about a three hundred dollar tab at the end of the night. You just go grab a drink and dinner and voila! You do not even have to sign for a room bill! All you need to do is show them that you are guest which is most likely a lanyards or a special card. Other then that you are free to do as you please and drink as much as you want!
One of the best all-inclusive packages are on cruise ships. In fact, they are the ultimate because every room has an ocean view and there is food to eat all day long. Some special cruise packages include alcohol, but if not, then you are allowed to bring your own. There are tons of activities for the kids and adults to partake in from dancing to scavenger hunts. If you want a relaxing vacation where you sit by the pool all day, then consider a cruise. You can easily go shopping on board for special scarves, jewelry, Wristband and even art. It just depends on what you want to buy! At night, you will have your choice of a great dinner and then you can go enjoy the different clubs that are offered on board. There should be a jazz club and top forty club for those who like to dance. If you just want to relax, star gaze on deck with your loved ones. A cruise is the best way for families to travel.
If you are a young couple on a honeymoon, then you may want to book an all -inclusive resort on a Caribbean island. This way you will not have to worry about overcrowding and annoying children. You and your new spouse can roam on long stretches of secluded beaches. If you are looking for a quiet and relaxing vacation, then a resort like this will make your honeymoon one to remember for ages. All you need to do is find the most secluded resort that to will appear as if you are the only one staying on its property. Wander the coves and jungle paths that lead to the beach. You can lay all day in the sun and enjoy a fabulous dinner at sunset. Then have a relaxing night in your seductive hotel room. You and your honey will never want to leave!
As you can see, there are many types of all-inclusive resorts. Most are located in hot tropical weather, however, some do exist in colder climates where you can ski all day long. If you are looking for a worry free vacation where all you want to do is lie on a beach, then these all-inclusive holiday packages are for you.
Hitting the Travel Links – January 20th
Last Minute Travel Decisions are Awesome
Via Twenty-SomethingTravel.com…
Have you ever made a really impulsive travel decision?
Yup. Just last week actually.
A few days ago, two friends and I were smoking shisha wondering where to go next after 5 nights in the gorgeous paradise called Koh Phi Phi. One of them has to fly back to Zanzibar on January 25th, so we had about 10 days to work with. Do we fly straight to Laos and go tubing? Do we fly to Cambodia to Angkor Wat (I had already been there in 2008)? Do we randomly fly to Bali and hang out for a week?
We ruled Laos out because the flights from Phuket were too expensive.
That left us with Bali and Cambodia. How did we decide between those two? We literally flipped a coin. And Bali won.
However, a few minutes later I spoke on gchat with my designer at ESM Exec Designs who lives in Indonesia. She mentioned that she had lived in Bali for a year, and that this time of year, the weather in Bali would be really bad (read: lots of rain). So we reverted plans and went with our 2nd choice — Cambodia (which was actually last on my list since I’d already been there in 2008). And we proceeded to book a flight from Phuket to Bangkok the next morning for about $70 per person. We weren’t quite sure whether we’d stay in Bangkok a night or two, take a bus to Cambodia immediately, or fly straight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival in Bangkok, we went to Bangkok Air sales, found a decent deal on a round trip from Bangkok straight to Siem Reap (and returning out of Phnom Penh) and booked that flight to Siem Reap departing in 2 hours.
We started our discussion over shisha on Kob Phi Phi. 24 hours later, we were sitting in Siem Reap drinking beers on Pub Street.
Travel plans are always in flux when you are doing long term travel with no real timetable, and sometime you end up waiting. Last minute travel plans are always quite an adventure. And that’s the fun of it.
Live Your Own Life on the Travel Trail
I joyfully accept the choices other people make. The only person I’m responsible for is me. I can’t change how people think about me or my lifestyle or where I come from. I can’t make other people want to travel or get their passport or quit their job. I can’t answer for Americans who treat local people rudely, or who drink too much, or who spend their whole vacation whining about how things aren’t how they are at home. And there’s no point stressing out over trying to change people: it’s much easier–and healthier–to accept the things we can’t change and simply try to live our own lives the best we can.
Well said. All her other thoughts are spot on as well…