New York City Architecture

New York City Architecture -

New York City has a rich architectural history. From the legendary Empire State Building to Tudor City or the brownstones of West Village and everything in between, in New York includes many architectural styles. I always see the building, and with them oooo ahhh but I realized a lot about them know didn, Äôt. A portion of travel is learning the history of the place. It helps to put the city, the people, the buildings into a context. Heading to Paris and see the Eiffel Tower is great, but learning when and why it was built and that originally, the Paris hated it makes the structure come a little more alive.

How to set the landscape of New York in a better context, I have a Context Travel Tour. Context Travel offers historical and cultural tours in cities throughout Europe and the United States. I have their Vatican tour in Rome and was thrilled to take some of their New York tours. Many travel writers I know rave about it and I like the idea of ​​a cultural contrast to sightseeing. My time with them was spent in this way:

My tour lasted 3 hours, although the condensed 3-minute video is only a glimpse into it. You get to learn about the Port Authority, the New York Times Building, Grand Central Terminal, The Chanin Building and the United Nations. All places I couldn, Äôt suit in a video. It wasn, Äôt enough time, and I have cried for filming inside on a very little. (In private buildings, they do not really approve Äôt!) I highly recommend one of these tours. They give you a different perspective on the city and the tour guide knew her stuff. Context rents PhD, AEOS and experts on the tour, AEOS topic. My guide was an architect at one of the city, AEOS big companies.

Regardless of whether you ever go on a Context Tour, I think the idea of ​​what they are doing is important. Context, AEOS mission is to provide deeper knowledge than just the museum display or Website Brochure people. The swings really with me when I think about a place to learn how to see, a place is as important. Many people (myself included) often visit places without ever learning their history. to know the history of the place gives us a deeper and richer understanding where we are, whether that means reading a story book to listen to a podcast, or an architecture tour.

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Interesting Facts About Canada

Interesting Facts About Canada -

Since I am in Canada this week, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at America's northern neighbor. It's a bit of sibling rivalry between the two countries. Canadians love how unlike America they are, and Americans love to show how much Canada is like us and teasing, as it really speak our 51st state. But really, we love each other. Countries share a large border, many do economic trade, and share a lot of cultural films, music, theater and sports. We are connected, even if we often do so, we try not. I often joke to my Canadian friends about how they are "Little America", but I really love Canada. It is a beautiful, beautiful and fun country. Here are some interesting facts about the must-see, but rarely visited country:

The 5525 miles including 1,538 miles between Canada and Alaska, between Canada and the United States the longest border in the world

[1945001hatkeinenNationalflaggebiszum15Februarhaben] Canada in 1965 when his maple leaf flag was adopted by Parliament.

at 3,855,103 square miles, Canada is the second largest country in the world, behind Russia.

alarm, on the territory of Nunavut, is the northernmost settlement in the world.

was in Canada with the rules first in the Montreal Gazette published in 1877.

the modern Hockey developed

, the capital of Ottawa (which is one of my favorites is), was originally and named Bytown was the deadliest city in North America because of the violent nature of the logger.

Canada has the longest coastline of any country in the world at 151,0 miles.

Canada also contains 9% of the water supply in the world.

tensions between French Canada and English Canada boiled over in October 1970, when the Front de Liberation du Quebec (FLQ) kidnapped the UK Trade Commissioner. The army had to be called in to put an end to the revolt.

Charles Fenerty, a poet from Halifax, was the first person to use wood fibers to make paper.

There was once a time, a black bear cub from Canada named Winnipeg was one of the most popular attractions at the London Zoo. Winnie, as she was known, was a favorite of Christopher Robin Milne and inspired his father, A.A. Milne, a book about a Pooh Bear named Winnie and his friend, Christopher Robin.

Manitou Lake on Manitoulin Iceland in Lake Huron to write the largest lake within a lake in the world.

[1945001name] Canada comes from a St. Lawrence Iroquoian word "Kanata", which means "village" or "settlement".

Canada is the largest producer of a refreshingly sweet dessert wine called Icewine.

William Shatner is Canadian.

So is Avril Lavigne.

How Celine Dion, whose heart will go on.

Canada is also home to the world's smallest prison, located in Ontario. It is only 270 square meters.

Toronto residents hold more degrees than any other big city in the world.

Canada has only a desert, in British Columbia. The desert is only 15 miles long.

In 1883, the baseball glove in Canada was invented. created

In 1962, research scientist Edward Asselbergs dehydrated potato flakes, while working for the Ministry of Agriculture in Ottawa.

the narrowest house in North America is 6 Donnacona street in Quebec City and is only 3.7 meters wide.

While in 1913 is mourning the loss of his wife, Gideon Sundback designed the modern zipper.

marine scientists Archibald Huntsman "ice fillets," invented the first frozen food.

There are more donut shops in Canada per capita than any other country.

1929

Canada has more inland waterways and lakes than any other country in the world.

, the literacy rate in Canada is about 99%.

, the majority of Canadians live within 150 miles of the US border.

Justin Bieber is Canadian.

Canadian backpackers love to carry their flag when they travel.

. For more information about Canada, including to go places, do things, and the costs, please visit my guide to Canadian travel and learn more now

Why organized tours are a great option for travelers

Why organized tours are a great option for travelers -

While I always independent travel and backpacking slide, I know there are many more ways to travel. In fact, I suppose many forms of travel. I've had good and bad trips, I enjoyed cruises, and after a week on a luxury tour in Canada, I can tell you that luxury travel is all that is cracked up to be.

The people are shocked to hear generally that I enjoy organized tours. Because from one place to the other, with a sentence commuted route and a guide seems diametrically opposed by independent travel and backpacking. But at the end of the day, traveling is to have fun, and not all tours are bad. Many tour companies are quite pleasant, because they do not do around shuttle, they let you explore places, and they do not overload.

Travel is to explore the world. It's about getting to know new places, experience new things and meet new people. Whether you do that on a cruise, during a break, on a bike, for a two-week vacation or on a tour does not matter. All travelers are the same. It is to overcome your limits and to see the world. How people choose to do that, is irrelevant.

When most people of tours think they usually generate a picture in their mind of buses with tourists filled that bounce off a bus, snap a photo, while their guide offers a brief explanation of the importance the individual point of view, and then go to the bus back and on their merry way. Especially on the budget travel circuit, there is a tendency to denigrate tours because that stereotype. But not all tours are as follows; There are many different ways. The day trip around the Great Barrier Reef was a tour. So that was hike in New York City or the museum trip. The two-day sailing trip to the Whitsunday Islands was also a tour

The fact of the matter. Tours come in all shapes and sizes, and we take them all, even if we do not want to admit it. We do not think of those little day trips, when we think about what a "tour" is, just think of the great, stereotypically groups. But even the little ones count. Regardless of what we consider a tour, it is important to recognize that they play an important role in the journey. Do I think there are bad trips? Yes. Tours like Contiki or large buses that are only travelers from destination to destination in comfort Shuffle forms of travel, who do not agree with me. They work for some people, just not me -. So that I do not recommend

My first trip was on a trip to Costa Rica. I spent 14 days exploring the country, always lost in the jungle, and new friends. Most people on the tour were so we all had something in common also alone and in her late 20s. This journey infused me with the travel bug. More importantly, it did not try to overthrow me and it gave me a respite. For this first timer, it is the perfect introduction was to travel -. The right balance between solo and group travel experience

Tours offer a lot of advantages, especially for new travelers. You can:

• Ask you
• give comfort
• Reduce Stress
people with hang
• Ask a local expert
[1945006verkleinern] planning
• offer convenience

Not everyone is comfortable with just picking up and go to an unknown place on my own. Tours can reduce the stress and anxiety that comes with taking the first ride, make people more willing to travel. Many might be concerned about to hit people and find it hard to just people chatting by touring the perfect opportunity are convenient to make and to make this leap. Traveling alone requires a lot of skills and some people are just not ready to dive head in the first, so go with a group can facilitate a good way into the unknown world to be. After a great tour, might be to try a natural second step for some travelers a solo journey.

In addition, the guides can really deepen your knowledge about a place. My guide in Costa Rica got out of the way to do what we wanted. My Aboriginal guide in Kakadu National Park helped shared the history and importance of the land to the local population. My tour guide in Thailand was my own personal biologist us never otherwise known about the local wildlife lesson I would.

In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with tour groups. In fact, I encourage people they consider, regardless of how you usually travel. to teach a guide with you about your goals, can be more fulfilling than it to explore on your own. I have long trips and day trips made, so before you speak disparagingly of them, remember that all forms of travel have their time and place, and that the organized tours can also be a wonderful way to see the world.

PS Intrepid Travel offers good small group tours that experienced guides and can use a small ecological footprint. If you go on a tour with someone, go with them. You are my favorite multi-day tour. And as a reader of this website, you will get 10% discount on all tours over $ 500th Click here to see the exclusive coupon code.

Ladies, leave the house without it not!

Ladies, leave the house without it not! -

On the second Wednesday of the month, by Kristin Addis Be My Travel Muse wrote a guest column tips and advice for solo female travel features. It is an important issue, I can not adequately cover, so I brought in an expert their advice for other solo female travelers to share! Here she is with another fantastic article is

I know it can be daunting trying to figure out what to pack for a week, a month or a year abroad, without much - or at all - Previous experience in the place you aim to visit. I found myself in the same situation four years ago, but (save for Antarctica - a day) with the benefit of hindsight and experience on all continents of the earth, I can finally figured out this thing packaging. I learned the good fortune with a few staple items, you can travel almost anywhere without spending a fortune on gear.

The following are my tried and true methods and products that are on the road, I love even after almost 4 years and use:

What to Wear

In places where clothes cheap, such as Southeast Asia and India, are not stress, to have too much than a complete wardrobe at hand before you take off. Almost every girl I met had bought in these regions they wore clothes on the road. It is the climate and adapt at $ 3- $ 6 USD per garment will not break the bank.

In Europe, Oceania, or anywhere, where you could either not be able to find cheap clothes or buy it on the street, bring everything you think you need. This list will help:

hot climates

• to 5-7 thin and simple tank top or sleeveless tops that easily mix with different soils and adapt
• 2-3 pairs of shorts of varying lengths. Avoid denim in humid countries, since it takes a long time, line dry
• 2 long skirts or dresses for conservative environments that require humility -. And they breathe better than pants
• 2-3 pairs of lightweight cotton pants and / or leggings
• 9 pair, whatever underwear you [themostconvenient
• 2 pairs of thin socks
• 1 pair of walking or running shoes [1945014finden[
• 1 pair of flip flops (jandals, pins) or sandals
• A hat to cover your face

moderate climates

• 3-4 tops for layering
• 03:02 sleeved shirts for layering
• 2-3 t-shirts
• 03:02 tunic shirts or dresses
• 1 pair of jeans or thick trousers
• 2-3 pairs of shorts of varying lengths
• 1-2 pairs of leggings
• 9 pairs of comfortable underwear
• 4 pairs of socks: some for sports shoes and (to save wear in transit area) some for boots
• 1 pair of boots or closed shoes, the front
• 1 pair of walking or running shoes
• 1 pair of flip flops (jandals, pins) or sandals
• 1 jacket, preferably something waterproof, for all occasions

cold climates

• 04:03 sleeved shirts for layering
• 2 thermal shirts
• 4:03 sweater and / or sweater dresses
• 1 pair of jeans or thick trousers
• 3-4 pair leggings for layering
• 9 pair of comfortable underwear
• 7 pair of thick socks
• 1 pair of snow boots
• 1 heavy coat
• 1 pair of gloves
• 1 scarf
• 1 cap or hat winter

Personal care

I am often asked about buying toiletries on the street, and I'm happy to report that it is easy and simple finding shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, and soap. Women abroad use these things as well.

Pantene and Dove products seem to be universal, and with the exception of some really off-the-grid locations, such as small islands and extremely poor areas where people mainly subsistence -Agricultural, you will easy to find to be able, basic toiletries in the street

My basic toiletries contains Packlist .:

• 1 hanging toiletry bag for easy use in the shared bathroom
[19450131945013washing] refillable travel bottles (shampoo, conditioner, facial soap) [] small container of body [aspirate
• facial cleansing in a smaller pipe (I love and they use)
• facial moisturizer
• Venus razor mines
• Extra contacts
• birth control for the duration of the trip (if it)
• ibuprofen
• travel first- aid Kit
• toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss
• at least one deodorant
• Sunscreen
• tweezers
• eyeglass repair kit
• nail clippers
• Makeup
• 1-2 eyeshadow palettes (smoky and neutrals)
• 1 light powder foundation and bronzer
• 2-3 application brushes
• 1-2 eyeliner and mascara bottles

For items such as recipes, ease, is to travel with them on heavily dependent what you need and how much you can get up front , and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The best way to treat it is to your doctor and insurance in relation to how much you get to speak before you leave and how best to take over the borders.

Remember that in many parts of the world, the doctors are not too expensive to visit and it is possible to obtain written prescriptions and filled on the street. Some developing countries will not even need a prescription for some items, prescription shampoos and skin creams to anti-anxiety drugs.

Useful articles

Although most items such as beds and pillows are provided in hostels available, you need a few things apart from the ones your traveling easier and cheaper to do.

, for example, in some parts of the world, such as Southeast Asia, it is done much easier to do your laundry in the hostel for you than it is to wash yourself. When camping or traveling to other parts of the world, but it is expensive and difficult to find someone to do your laundry, so it is better to bring a clothes line and do it in the sink itself.

In below are my must-haves for travel easier:

• guide for drying clothes (not necessary in Southeast Asia, where lingerie cheap, but necessary, in Africa and South America, where it is not always available in Europe, Oceania and North America, it is expensive to wash your clothes at a laundromat, so your budget into account)
• Diva Cup -. a menstrual cup that can be used during your trip again.. I was shocked that, for example, in China, to find there were no tampons! Thank God I had the Diva Cup, a washable insert, making each monthly Least visitors less horrendous
• Packing Cubes -. The most important thing that I use for organizing my clothes and compress what I bring
• microfiber cloth - many hostels and campsites are no towels, no matter where in the world they are located. Bring your own quick drying to save a money and trouble
• sleeping bag -., If you make a hostel that less than clean
• Sarong for easy cover for the temple or in the beach (you can these buy on the street)
• headlamp for camping, after nightfall in the pocket to dig in dorms without all wake up, and as a personal flashlight at night

products to keep you (and your stuff) Safe

If you are traveling with something of value - most travelers are - the next most important things are to pack locks and items that can keep your electronics and your person safe.

In my nearly four years of traveling, I have never seen anything larger stolen. I credited this to watch my things like a hawk, always carries the important things on my person, and with anti-theft travel products. These are the ones that I swear by:

• Pacsafe shoulder bag as a day bag, especially for cities like Phnom Penh or Ho Chi Minh City, where drive-by motorcycle thieves and bag slashers are a constant threat; or in large parts of Europe or South America, where people try to unpack your bag when you're distracted. There is a wire through the tape is running, are not the colors flashy, and it is equipped with hidden pockets, the RFID readers block scan passport and credit card information. In addition, the zippers lock.
• When carrying large cameras and a computer, I bring with locking zippers a locking electronics backpack that I wear in the front.
• The Pacsafe backpack and bag protection is a wire mesh bag that protects valuables when you are in a place with no lockers or safe. Whether in dorms, private rooms, bamboo bungalows, the trunk of a rental car or wooden huts, it is a great contribution to the peace of mind and very little space takes up. Slip on the rain jacket pocket, wrap the bag in the Pacsafe bag protection, then use an additional lock to secure it to a bunk bed post or other object in space, which is mounted on the floor or on the wall, and would be difficult to remove.
• a Personal Safety Alarm is a good point, instead of mace or pepper spray to bring, which is banned in many countries, and sometimes not even allowed in checked baggage. It is small and easy to walk around with, and it makes a very loud noise when you
• push it in an emergency
A lock so that you can secure lockers, doors and your belongings if necessary.

things you do not usually

• mosquito nets: In almost every country where I is a mosquito net is required, there was already a hung over the bed , It made almost never make sense to me, my own music bring. I also have very little need for jeans, unless in Europe or North America. Hot and humid countries are not a good place for such a thick clothes
• money belt: thieves know they were looking for, and I think a much better alternative is the dummy wallet - a wallet with a few canceled cards and. some petty cash inside. The rest, I stash in my shoe, bra or a back pocket buttoned. If a thief mugs me, I can pass without a fight the dummy handbag or purse and we both walk away happy
• your own sheets. If you encounter dirty bedding during your travels afraid, or just want to be along a thin, small sleeping bag ensures that you always have something clean to sleep, bring
• a suitcase with wheels. in most parts of the world, a suitcase with wheels is just a nuisance. The wheels come in the dirt in Southeast Asia stuck where it is not often sidewalks. In Europe, if you travel by train you constantly have to pull up and down the stairs and over cobblestones. Go for a backpack. Matt has a helpful guide here is the right to picking
• jewelry :. Think twice about being conspicuous. It is similar to wearing a "rob me" character in a large part of the world. I'll usually any expensive or designer jewelry and sunglasses I bring from home, something cheap that I did not lose anything against it. It is also fun to buy local jewelry on the street and bring it home. It makes the best souvenir!

After nearly four years, these are my staples with which I bring myself still on every trip. Even with all this, it is still possible to travel light with only a large bag, and keep your belongings safe and yourself comfortable. It's about having the basics right and leave the stuff at home that serves no purpose during your trip.

Kristin Addis is a former investment banker who sold all of her belongings and offer California farewell favor of solo travels through Asia while to look for off-the-beaten path adventure. There is almost nothing that they will not try, and almost nowhere they will not discover. You can find more of her thoughts at MyTravel his muse or on Twitter and Facebook

Conquering mountains. The Guide for Solo Female Travel

For a complete A to Z guide on solo female travel out Kristin new book Conquering mountains . In addition to the discussion of many practical tips in preparing and planning your trip is aimed the book, the fears, security and emotional concerns about traveling, women alone. It has more than twenty interviews with other female travel writers and travelers. Click here to learn more about the book and start using it today while reading!

P.S. - As you know, we are currently raising money to send a group of students to Cuba. They are from one of the roughest areas D.C. and most have not traveled outside the city, let alone the country. We are 33% of the way to our destination. Your donation will not only help these children, but also you will receive all the e-books and guides !!! If each $ 10 (two less beer in the street) was, we were able to do dozens of these trips. Please help with this project. Let's give back and do good as a community! Click here to find out more, look at the children, and

Photo Credit: 3

Why girls should go to Southeast Asia

Why girls should go to Southeast Asia -

This is a guest blog by Laura, our resident expert on female travel.

go The decision on a solo journey can be intimidating. Sometimes it is not always by choice; it is not always easy to convince someone to jump ship with you and an extended vacation. However, solo travel can be really exhilarating, and I can not think of a better place that your first solo journey to take as Southeast Asia. It is easy to get on a budget by meeting up with others and traveling from place to place. If you are a woman and looking for a great place to go alone, Southeast Asia is a perfect place.

There is more favorable.

One of the lintels on solo travel is it seems to be more expensive. You do not have someone to share a hotel room or a ride to share a taxi, for example. Compared to the West, Southeast Asia is cheap! Depending on the trip style you should be able to live on $ 20-30 USD per day. On my cheapest day in SE Asia, I spent only $ 7 USD for lodging and food in Laos. And if you want to hang out in a city for at least a month, you can rent an apartment at an extremely low rate.

It is easy to get around.

to public transportation to almost every destination. Not only it is widely used, but I think it is quite comfortable. Most buses are air conditioned, and if you take a night bus, there are sleeper buses. I remember my first bus ride in Southeast Asia was of Siem Reap, Cambodia to Battambang. I bought my ticket at a travel agency around the corner from my hotel, and they said: ". The bus will pick you up at your hotel 30 minutes before departure" I was unprepared and thought, "What do you mean, I do not grab a taxi or lugging my bags to the bus station I have lost not to worry and to obtain the search for the right bus to The Grand?!" The most of the time, you can book a bus that picks you up at your hotel.

travelers abound.

Unless you really make an effort to get off the beaten path or venture into a city that is unheard of, you will see tourists everywhere. I think this is a definite plus for a first-time solo driving. You should have no problem meeting other travelers in hotels or in the city. Not only is it nice to make friends (After all, who wants a brick to talk all the time wall?), But you are likely to find other people to go together with you sightseeing or grab dinner or a drink in the evening , I think it is also worth noting the cliché traveler you have can meet in Southeast Asia. Everywhere I have traveled I find a different type of tourist. I think the travelers in Southeast Asia to be more social and have more of a "traveling hard, harder Party 'attitude. Rarely do you find a home in your hostel find or sit Sightseeing solo. Yes, many travelers go alone SE Asia, but they want, and others do to meet quickly.

it is safe.

While there is crime, there, pretty much anywhere in the world I feel very safe when I'm in Southeast Asia. I take all the usual precautions, but I'm not afraid to go alone to or by public transport. I walk in the evenings and do not hesitate to communicate with the locals. As female traveler, safety is key and I just feel safe when I do get home myself here. If you run into any kind of theft, I would venture to say, it is most commonly used by a fellow traveler in your pension. as long as you do not get drunk migrate to the dodgy area of ​​Phuket at 3am, you will be fine. Just take normal, common sense precautions.

There are friendly locals and a unique cultures

If you look, really a place to dive, which is completely different, Southeast Asia will not disappoint , Delicious street food and some of the friendliest locals in the world are probably my favorite things about this part of the world. It does not matter if you come in contact with a local who knows zero English (as I did on a 10 hour train ride). You want to be able to communicate normally still with you. While I was in a village in Laos, I said a restaurant owner, I wanted to participate in the ceremony for monks in alms. She invited me to her home at 5:30 the next morning made rice for me to give to the monks, and showed me the proper etiquette for this Buddhist ceremony. Most locals in Southeast Asia treated me like a family member. You do not have to try hard here, if your goal is to dive into the culture, and if you ask a local about some ceremony or event, you will probably be invited (in weddings) to participate.

When you start a solo trip for the first time, taking into account, Southeast Asia is a great place. As female hiker, I like that I feel safe here can on a budget to get along, and to meet other people. It is a great combination if I can achieve all of these things and discover an amazing culture in Southeast Asia.

Laura Walker runs the site, A Wandering Sole. She is seven months to get around the world backpacking and is not afraid, just because she's a girl. You can get more travel advice from their website or check here every other Thursday from her for more stories.

Conquering mountains: The Guide for Solo Female Travel

For a complete A to Z guide on solo female travel out Kristin new book Conquering mountains , In addition to the discussion of many practical tips in preparing and planning your trip is aimed the book, the fears, security and emotional concerns about traveling, women alone. It has more than twenty interviews with other female travel writers and travelers. Click here to learn more about the book, as it can help you, and you can start to read it now!

The tour company I use

The tour company I use -

I bombarded with PR emails daily; I see a lot of travel websites and get quotes to try a lot of products. I have the good, the bad and those who see with potential. People always ask me, the companies that I work and which are the best. I wrote about my favorite tour company early last year, but I thought I would expand the list, and name my favorite travel companies 2010

Seat Guru - Seat Guru, you can change the layout and the configuration see all airlines aircraft in the world. It comes in handy if I am the space on one level picking. Seat Guru is definitely worth using, especially if you are trying to decide whether it is worthwhile to upgrade points. Some planes are old and do not go that many features to get and checking the aircraft to seat Guru can help you better plan

World Nomads -. If I need a travel insurance I use World Nomads. I like their reach and their price. There are a lot of companies that sell travel insurance, as it is big business, but I would not use anyone else. If problems occur, World Nomads has involved a very good reputation for always and travelers get the help they need. They have excellent customer service and they are very supportive of the blogging community who are like them makes me even more

Lonely Planet -. I love their leaders as they respond to my travel style. I like how they. All over Twitter and other social media Mostly I find better their leaders created than other travel guides. Guides come down to personal preference and LP is mine. (. Leaders should not the only thing to be used, which you can use when you are traveling a lot of good alternatives, and should also be used.)

Huffington Post Travel Section - This where I mean travel news receive, interesting stories and other facts travel. Connect on articles All over the Internet, so to find its easy stories. I would prefer to look for a site for my messages as 100.

G Adventures - The only tour company I use, Gap Adventures offers the best tours are, and they are very environmentally friendly. Moreover, the company is really involved in social media. Every employee has a Twitter account and the company's blog is constantly updated

Momondo -. I usually book with American Airlines because I like to keep my Oneworld elite status. I find all my long-haul flights on Momondo, if I can not use Oneworld. I do not know how it works its flight search algorithm, but it always seems to find the deals that are hundreds cheaper than other websites. In addition, it supports TBEX Europe and I like companies that support the blogging world.

Skyscanner -This is the best place for cheap ticket to find deals on low cost and budget airlines. Whenever I book flights across Europe, for example, I use Skyscanner to compare all budget airlines.

REI -You have the best equipment. I still have my Mars REI backpack after 4 ½ years to survive on the street. I believe that any serious traveler should buy all their equipment from REI. take your products forever. My backpack looks just as good as the day I bought it. (Here are my tips for a backpack to buy.)

Best Buy - As digital nomad, I use a lot of electronics. Cameras, video cameras, iPhone, converter, etc. They must be purchased anywhere. If I do not buy cheap in Asia, I buy it from Best Buy. They have a wide selection and offers

CouchSurfing -. A great site for finding free accommodations when you are traveling. The website connects travelers with locals free accommodation. It's been around for years and it is still one of the best sites out there, although it could use a bit of a redesign! I have often used it, and I hosted my first people this summer in New York

Trip It -. This is an app for your smartphone. It is great. It keeps track of your reservations and stay updated on changes to the route. For people who travel a lot and have multiple routes to manage, this app can help you organized

STA Travel -. I STA not as much use as before. I'm not a student or younger than 26, however, if I was one of them, I have a lot STA. They have great deals for students and young adults. I especially like their blue flight tickets, because they are cheaper than regular tickets. I managed to go through them always to save money, and I recommend it for young travelers

Priceline / Hotwire -. For the few times a year I get a hotel room actually do, I use either Priceline or Hotwire to find cheap hotel rooms. They usually offer great prices, especially if you name your own price. I got in New York City for $ 100 per night 4 star hotels. This is a good deal! I have better luck with deals Hotwire had as Priceline, but it is good to check both

. Note: If you want to help this site support and keep it going, with the company up through the links above, if you book your trip, does just that! Please note it!

Learning again Ski

Learning again Ski -

When I was younger, I was a pretty good skier. I started to learn when I was about three years old. I remember my parents taking my sister and me on all winter skiing. When I graduated from high school, I could without problems double black diamonds zoom down.

But then I stopped. My parents did not go, my friends skiing, and my winter break in school work were issued. As I grew older, and was averse to the cold, I just never wanted to be near the snow. The winter was a time to the tropics do not go to the mountains.

But in the last two years my friend Ryan took me to go skiing under pressure in Keystone Resort. (He works for Vail, owns the Keystone.) I stopped resistance. I am abroad, I would say. But in the States meant to be that I was running out of acceptable excuses, so I finally relented. After buying snow tires warm enough for Antarctica, I boarded a plane to Colorado.

It was to be on skis after 11 years of strange. It was also a good video:

I was pretty bad at first, but managed to get through some to go deep powder and backcountry terrain before the trip was over. My friends were impressed with how quickly I relearned Ski. You expect me to be terrible, but I was not. If I had a few more days, I could probably on some black diamond trails were back.

The first day, I fell twice with my tutor. But my biggest spill was on the second day. While heading down the mountain, my ski came from the bond undone and I rushed like a snowball on the track. It was an unpleasant experience. (Although I wish I had that on video!)

At the end I had a lot more fun than I thought I would. Although it just snowed for 4 days, I got used to the cold. It was not so bad. Finally, I had only three layers of clothing! And I really had fun skiing. Have fun. I forgot how much fun I had when I was a kid. The first 18 years of my life came back to me, and it was great.

Perhaps the Winter not after all that bad. Yes ... can happen .maybe good things in the cold ...

Well, that's an interesting thought to have

Editor's note: .. I paid for my flight but Keystone pays for everything else. Except my laundry. I paid for that too.

This One Time While in a hostel ...

This One Time While in a hostel ... -

Someone told me recently I have a lot of funny, weird, happy and interesting hostel have stories. Finally, I go for 54 months. Many crazy things have happened to me over this period. Hostel life is a crazy life. some of my favorite hostels stories about the last four and a half years after thinking include:

The time in New Zealand, when an Israeli girl who refused to shut off light her bed, because she was afraid of the dark. She then proceeded to talk all night to her boyfriend. One of the other roommate went to withdraw their light. After a brief discussion, they have lost, we were able to sleep in darkness and silence.

The time that I was playing at a hostel in Prague and the whole hostel, drinking card game of "Kings". We never left the hostel at night, because we had so much fun together. That was my first night in Europe and made me realize I'd love to travel.

In addition, at the same hostel in Prague, each hearing every two people was in my dorm try to have sex. All of a sudden, the guy says, "I'm sorry this does not happen often," to which the girl replied. "It's O. K. It is not a big deal" Everyone belongs in the dormitory that and burst out laughing. The man left the next day.

In Amsterdam, my friends and I had to sit on the roof of the Hostel Photos of channels. We should not there, and to be everybody, but I have thrown out. Why I have a special treatment? I had it for three weeks already, the manager liked me, and I was to leave in two days.

In Valencia, a guy who blames the hostel staff of stealing his wallet, got drunk, tried the desk to fight guy and was unceremoniously ejected from the hostel. I remember his girlfriend cried a lot. But it made for good entertainment laid nightlife.

In an inn in Boulder, Colorado, this guy in his sleep about the people continued to try to get him. He muttered to the whole day. As the only person with me in the room, I was sure he would go nuts and stab me. It was the only time that I. Really afraid dorm mate

In a hostel in Vietnam, I could not figure out how the door opened and this German man for 10 minutes yelled at me for waking him. He continued to get me back, by making the lights at 6:00 turning on and a lot of noise the next two nights. I went to him to get back from my alarm for 2:00 setting it in my locker locks and drinking nightlife.

Speaking of Vietnam when I was on a bike trip early in Ho Chi Minh, the guest house manager would not me my bags. I had left with him while I was cycling, but I came back earlier for a few days and there were no rooms available. I tried to get my suitcase and he said I had promised to stay there, so I could come back tomorrow and get a room and my bags. No matter, I needed that night. I had to steal my own pockets and fight my way.

in a hostel in Barcelona, ​​two drunken Americans broke into our hostel, turned on the light, saw this Canadian guy and shouted: "This is a guy in bed!" It was not. It was a girl. She left crying and the Americans and Canadians almost got in a fight. It was a shocking scene.

While. In a hostel in Dublin, one of the guys in the room "to relieve the tension" before he went to bed He was not not subtle it.

In New Zealand, my friends and I got a Dutch girl drunk for the first time in their lives. She threw all about the common room and was forced to clean it! We felt sorry for her and took her out to dinner.

While in the pension in Ko Lipe, Thailand, I was a centipede bit got during sleep. Centipede bites hurt ... much. My foot was on fire for the rest of the night and I could not sleep. It is still my most painful travel memory.

While on the island of Ko Phangan in Thailand, my friend came at 4am in throw me out, because he had brought a girl back with him. As a nice guy, I left to sleep outside and to be eaten at the end by mosquitoes. The next morning, he told me: "Nothing has happened, you could be a few minutes later" "Why did not you back in..?" I asked. He shrugged and kept eating breakfast. I locked him in the next night from the room by mosquitoes to be eaten.

In Spain, I went to two other roommates "to learn to know each other." It was embarrasing. They looked at me, but just kept going. I told them, I get to come when they were done, so I could go to sleep.

While in Cambodia, I was tested in one of the many backpacker hostels in Phnom Phen and immediately asked if I wanted to weed. I said no. Coke? No Ecstasy? No thanks. I just want to go shower. The man gets out of the words, "You're a loser." [It’s common in Phnom Phen for backpackers to buy drugs. Drugs are everywhere.]

In Melbourne I went room in a hostel dormitory and saw a friend from Boston to see. I had no idea that she would be there, once again proves that it is indeed a small world after all. Just like old times, we began to insult each other (in the way to do friends) and the English girl looks at us and says: "Wow! You two must really hate each other." No, we're friends with a laugh! It was a good few days in Melbourne.

In a hostel in Surfers Paradise in Australia, this guy naked on a dare ran through the hostel. I'm still of the thought.

In an inn in Portobelo, Panama, I woke up to an old man snoring in the bed opposite me traumatized. I love it when seniors come to hostels because it's great to see, do not give into the "Hostels are just for young people" stereotypes. But I do not know how to me to wake up all let it hang out. He was not only snoring, but his legs were spread wide open and he was completely naked. It was a really unpleasant place. Worse than the naked guy running.

in recent years, in retrospect, I have so many memories hostel that when I wrote them all good, I could fill a short book. And that's what I love about hostels. They are removed with some crazy story not always walk, but you will still walk away with a memory and interesting people to have learned. It's why I'll always stay in hostels when I travel. They are far more interesting places as hotels

( The editorial Note. These stories have many years accumulated in some of them, I am a young 20 something so my answer. Perhaps not have been the answer I would give today as a mature adult.)

If the expats come and take over

If the expats come and take over -

expats (def): People who leave their own country (expatriates) and live abroad.

I have a three times in my life. There were the few months that I lived in Amsterdam, the few months spent in Taiwan living, and little more than a year in Thailand. I love expat culture, especially in Asia. There are events every night, to be people from around the world meet, and each is to make open to new people. Finally, we are all strangers in a strange land, and that creates an unspoken bond between people. I've done nothing but good times in my experience as an expat living.

But I realized recently that sometimes run amok expats and easily ruin a place.

After the last two months spent in Costa Rica and Panama, are my thoughts on Expat life now forever changed. With a low cost of living, cheap land, loose tax laws and the proximity to the United States, these two countries a haven for retired Americans have become. Everywhere I went, there were always old Americans walking around in socks and sandals. In many of the best locations, Americans seem to emigrate municipalities to exceed locals and, in my opinion, ruin the paradise they came to.

This became particularly clear to me in Panama. One of my favorite places was a small town called Boquete. Located in the western part of the country, this small village surrounded by beautiful jungle, coffee plantations, a volcano, and hiking. It is a pleasant place to visit. There is not much to do, and the great combination makes it the perfect place to retire. Americans have flocked here land and open restaurants buying. There are McMansions everywhere, chic restaurants and tons of spas. A few locals complained softly to me about how things have become much more expensive for them in recent years.

I noticed the same thing while I was in Pedasi, another city in Panama. This was once a small, quiet, middle of nowhere town beach. Now there are many boutique hotels, many Western owned restaurants, and the cost of a hotel room is twice as high as before. I met a number of people who thought I was there to buy the property. When I told them I was not, she asked if I would consider it. "It is here cheap." They would tell me during me to hand over their business card. I even heard one guy complain that the new runway would be the final blow for this place.

Tamarindo, Costa Rica, the worst offender of them all was how the once beautiful Manuel Antonio. This was once a peaceful surf spot, but now it's overrun with hotels, large stores, western restaurants, overpriced local food and overpriced shops along the beach. A few years ago the pollution was so bad that the city lost its eco-labeling for clean water. Now the water is better, but they have no idea that eco-labeling back.

One could argue that expats bring in much needed development in the region, but to justify the places I had to show nothing to do. The cities in Panama and Costa Rica were still bad, there was trash everywhere, and the streets were full of potholes and lined with broken sidewalks. The flood of money Expat seemed create only one expat community who lived largely divorced from the local life. When I went to the tiny restaurant or stopped to watch some local event, there has never been to any expats, no one but travelers. The local expats just hung out with themselves, in their own community, mainly to do what she was back home, but cheaper.

When I was to be an expat, I lived in the big cities. With the big cities of the expat lifestyle is not as pronounced as it is in small towns in Central America. Yes, expats in Bangkok, prices have driven in some places, but the whole city of 12 million people has not fundamentally changed. In Taipei, life went on as if the expatriates did not exist. A few thousand people can not change cities of millions. I can not say the same for these small towns. They are definitely different. You are changed forever.

and this change has changed me to see. I never thought, really have the impact that large groups of expats on developing countries. I do not think it's for the better. I think that large amounts of money in a country actually comes a negative effect on people and space can have. It may not always be the case. There is a way to create an expat community, not not ruin on the local environment. But to Phuket in Thailand to see Seminyak in Bali, and now Central America, it seems that more often than not come expats and displace their own way of life. They create a bubble of its own.

I can not change behavior abroad the way governments. I can not control, such as places with expats deal, but I can control how I spend my dollars. It would be naive of me to say that I never visit a touristy non-local place again. Popular locations are popular for a reason, and just because a place has in the West does not mean it is bad. Additionally, you can not always know who has a place. Maybe the pizza from a local catering for tourists is heard. But wherever I go, I can make the effort to support businesses locally owned. I can give my money to the people who were there before the expats came in. I eat at the local grocery stores and stay in small inns. I can contribute to the locals and not the expat bubble. I can make an effort. And from now on, that's exactly what I intend to do.

The cost of traveling Costa Rica

The cost of traveling Costa Rica -

Costa Rica is one of the most expensive countries in Central America. The whole country is a huge tourist trail and older Americans and retirees have driven up prices in recent years upwards. Many budget travelers simply skip the country all together because they feel it to be too expensive. Since it is a very popular destination, I was skeptical, I could Costa Rica do on the cheap. But I also wanted to prove other people that, while expensive, can still be affordable Costa Rica. My budget target was USD $ 35 per day, with a maximum of $ 40 USD.

How much I have to spend?

Overall, I was in Costa Rica for 20 days and I spent 424,660 colones or $ 849.32 USD. (The exchange rate is about $ USD 1 = 500 colones). It works on average USD $ 42.46 per day. So, as in Panama, I went over my budget. However, I have my budget often set low simply spend as motivation not much money. There are many reasons why I went over my budget, but let me spending my first break:

Food : 150 755 colones or $ 301.51 USD
alcohol : 16.740 colones or $ 33.48 $
bottled water: 9150 colones or $ 18.30 USD
accommodation: 89530 colones or $ 179, 06 USD
activities : 17.500 colones or $ 35 USD
Local buses : 9105 colones or $ 18.21 USD
Cabs: 98,000 colones or $ 196 USD
Miscellaneous: 33880 colones or $ 67.76 USD

My other expenses were things like underwear, sunscreen, a poncho, and the departure tax. I do not consider these costs in my original budgets. I also have a lot of taxis, because sometimes they go the fastest and most convenient way, but were they were certainly not the cheapest. I overspent on food simply because I ate a lot of nice fish dinner on the coast and have some Western dishes. Also in many tourist areas for a cheap meal can still cost 4,000 colones ($ 6 USD).

can do it cheaper?

Yes, but it will not be fun. If you just for food, room account, and buses, you can probably get by. On a bare bones of $ 30 USD per day But you will not enjoy it. The budget does not include activities and fun adventure activities like zip lining, surfing, diving and jungle trekking are what make this country as amazing as it is. It is not a budget I would recommend.

On my budget of $ 43 USD per day, you'll stay in cheap room to eat mostly local food and some western meals, nightlife, and plenty of activities showed. If you avoid the taxis, you can have more money for fun adventure activities. I do not know much about adventure tours this time since I have I have the first time was in Costa Rica. I never felt I missing on anything with my budget, and although there are more than you could spend in Nicaragua or El Salvador, should not be $ 43 USD high enough to scare you away from the land. save

Ways Money

There are many ways to save money in Costa Rica. And if you do not at least try to do some inexpensive things, while here, your budget will go through the roof.

Do not drink. drinking in bars in Costa Rica can be quite costly. Local beer is usually 1,0 colones ($ 2.50 USD). Sometimes it can be for around 00 colones find, but that is very rare and usually during a Happy Hour. I avoided here just to drink, because it was too expensive.

food to the sodas. The "sodas" are the local Tico restaurants and a great bargain. You can usually find the casado, the typical local dish, for about 2,000 colones (about 1/2 the price of tourist restaurants). In many of the cities on the Caribbean, you can find meals for less than 1,000 colones. I found the empanadas with the best price-performance ratio. For 500 colones, I could get a filling snack / light meal.

Eating at Musmanni . Musmanni is found a bakery across the country. They offer a wide range for lunch. For a 1,000 colones, you can get a sandwich and a soda. Most of their pastries are only 300 colones. I ate at this point, if I found one, because it helped to keep my food costs down.

stay in dormitories. property in Costa Rica is not cheap. I have in a couple of breaks and they were around 15,000 colones ($ 30 USD) per night. Dorm rooms offer the best value than they cost only 5,000 colones ($ 10 USD) per night. On the Caribbean coast, you can for about $ 8 USD.

CouchSurfing. not find as dormitories? Use the site CouchSurfing, you can connect local people who can stay for free in their house. It's a great way to meet locals and your accommodation reduce costs.

to drink the water. Although I spent 9150 colones on bottled water, the water is safe to drink in Costa Rica. I would always lose my water bottle and have to replace it, but if you can remember to keep, you fill it to spend on the water from the tap and prevent money.

Select for more travel tips on Costa Rica, a look at my guide about Costa Rica travel.

How to spend 5 days in a Paris

How to spend 5 days in a Paris -

Paris: the city that takes too many lives to see. I have spent many weeks in Paris, and I've barely scratched the surface. Just when you think you've seen everything, you will find new attractions, new cafes, or to explore new markets. It is impossible to try it all, or even seeing rudimentary, you can think about. Many travelers come for about three days, and try to see the highlights of this beautiful city. You need more time than that. I believe you. On spending at least five days in Paris to plan should the bare minimum of what has to see the City of Lights to offer

Day 1

to spend your first day at Paris on foot.

• Start at the Champs Elysees and see the Arc de Triomphe. There is not a long queue, and you will have a stunning view of the city.
• Go down the Champs Elysees through the Jardin des Tuileries. Stop and enjoy the Louvre, before continuing the Rue Rivoli and the intersection in the original part of the city.
• Visit Notre Dame and see this amazing gothic church. Get there early to avoid the lines at the bell tower. Visit. The underground Roman ruins and the Saint-Chapelle church Personally, I think this church is much more beautiful than Notre Dame, and the stained glass windows are some of my favorites in the world.
• Head south toward the Latin Quarter. The area is quite touristy, but if you get off the main road, you are in a maze of streets and cafes lined find places that are far away from the local tourist venues. It is also a great way to get lost in a beautiful part of Paris to go and easy to explore.
• Visit the Pantheon before west towards the Jardin du Luxembourg position where you can relax and watch life go by. It's great to people watch here.
• Thereafter, seen in the north of Saint Sulplice. When in The Da Vinci Code , you are looking for symbols and hidden meanings in this church. If symbols that do not interest you, just amazed at how terrific it is.

At this time, it should be in the late afternoon. It's a perfect time to stop at a cafe to order some wine, and the Parisian fashion relax

Day 2

one day use of Paris to see three popular museums.

the Louvre

With over one million works of art, one could spend an entire month in the Louvre and still look not everything! I do not particularly enjoy medieval art. It is too religious for me, and I can see only so many pictures of Mary and Jesus, before I get bored. Nevertheless, the museum is worth seeing and I spent about five hours to explore all masterpieces and at the old royal palace in amazement

For more information :. How to visit the Louvre [

Musée d'Orsay

, the Musée d'Orsay, near the Louvre, home to the best Impressionist and post -Impressionist work in Paris. This is my favorite museum, and I always go when I'm Paris. They are masterpieces of all the great artists of the world, including Degas, Monet, Manet and Van Gogh found, to name a few. I could spend hours there.

Musée de l'Orangerie

a wild Museum Day to successful completion of this Monet showcase. The museum displays eight, carpet-sized Nymphéas (water lilies) paintings housed in two simple oval spaces. Monet painted these images later in his life, and each represents a different time of day and season. There is a lower floor, the other works also shows

budget. Tip: Get the Paris Museum Pass. The four-day pass is 50 Euro and get 50 Euro or save more if you want to spend the time museum hopping, as these museums, a few other covering, and the Palace of Versailles.

Day 3

The Palace of Versailles

a trip to the Palace of Versailles takes a whole day, as it is outside the city and you need to go take the train there. Spend to explore the castle the day to go in the surrounding gardens lost, and make sure to see Marie Antoinette estate, which includes a fake farming village. Versailles is beautiful, so do not hurry. Most people see the palace first, then the gardens, and then Marie-Antoinette estate. If you do everything in the reverse direction, they will be able to avoid the crowds. Moreo-ver, will not be paid during the week for the gardens as they load on the weekends

Here is a video tour of the Palace of Versailles .:

For more information on the Palace of Versailles, read these instructions.

Day 4

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is beautiful and best seen in the early morning hours, to avoid the crowds. Get there right as it opens, and you will be able to avoid most of the lines to the top. If you get there at noon, you will find yourself spending hours waiting in line. I like to come here go Cler Rue (see below) and observed with a picnic on the lawn and people. I even saw a couple of Parisian children Michael Jackson moonwalk to practice dance.

Rue Cler

Located near the Eiffel Tower, this road is filled with good restaurants of Paris. You will find exploring cheese, meat, bread, vegetables and chocolate shops. I'm never away from the road, without a bunch of food and wine. I eat my way through this street and then buy more for later. It is one of my favorite streets in the city.

Paris Sewer Tour

This tour is definitely an off-the-beaten-path attraction, and is not too far from the Eiffel Tower. Guests who take this underground tour can learn about the interesting history of the Paris sewers. It smells down here a little bit and you can be the idea of ​​a scare "cloaca Tour", but not his. The smell is not too bad, and you will learn how Paris features

The Museum of the Shoah (Holocaust Museum .) - Despite an excellent exhibition about France, anti-Semitism and Holocaust, the museum of the Shoah never draws a lot of people. It's really a shame how the Infor-mation and collection that is really great and in depth. (I think the French are trying to atone for their anti-Semitic past!) It is one of the most detailed Holocaust museums I have ever seen. I have too many Holocaust museums, and this is one of the best in the world.

Day 5

Paris Catacombs

The Catacombs are a fascinating but grim tourist attraction. They go on for miles (no one really knows how far they go), and the endless winding tunnels house thousands of bones. It's a morbid tourist attraction but also an interesting insight into the history of Paris. check are often closed, so ahead of time before going down to try to see them

For more information :. How to visit the Catacombs

Rue Mouffetard - This street is filled with cafes, shops and an outdoor market. It's a great street, just walking or sitting in front of a cafe and watch go buy life. Ensure through near the Place de la Contrescarpe where artists spend decades of their time to stop. There are good, inexpensive restaurants in the area also.

Montmartre

Another artistic center of Paris. There are a lot of art and you will find shops and artists on the roads throughout the region. This is where artists and writers such as Hemingway spent their time. The streets are quiet and nice to wander around. The church in the area has a great view of the city and is a great place to eat lunch

Moulin Rouge -. After wandering Montmartre, the head in the "shabby" district of Paris. Here you can take in a show at the Moulin Rouge or walk right around and experience the interesting mix of tourists and locals awk wardly staring in sex shops.

Père Lachaise

with a train ride east of downtown Quit to visit Paris most famous cemetery the day. It's a beautiful cemetery (we can call a place of death beautiful?), And here you will find the graves of celebrities such as Antonio de La Gandara, Honoré de Balzac, Sarah Bernhardt, Frédéric Chopin, Jim Morrison, Édith Piaf, see Camille Pissarro , Gertrude Stein, and Oscar Wilde. Read

my article on the Père Lachaise cemetery to visit.

Even with five days you will hardly scratch the surface of Paris. It is a huge city that long to see a life to really need. But you will see some of the on- and get off-the-beaten-path attractions, and the chance to see some of the great food and nightlife experience the city has to offer. I would have more material squeezed into this route, but why things rush? In this way you have some free time to wander, shop, a picnic, and just relax. After all, Paris is best examined calmly and slowly.

Get Off the Beaten Path with this In-Depth Guide to Paris!

For more detailed input information, read my guide to Paris written for budget travelers like yourself! He cuts the fluff in other guides found and will save directly to the practical information you need to travel and money in one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world. You will find suggested routes, budgets, ways to save money, both on and off the beaten track to see things and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, and much more !! Click here to learn more and get started.

Interesting facts about Sweden

Interesting facts about Sweden -

As you know from my last post, I mean last major round start the trip around the world, and I'm starting to Scandinavia, I find out, could as well get the most expensive countries out of the way with the first. I am currently in Stockholm, one of my favorite cities in the world, despite the fact that it abused my wallet. (I will be to Norway next, and the country is still more expensive. Luckily, I have family there I can mooch off ... I mean visit.) When the winters were not so hard, I would seriously consider moving here

As I did with Canada and Australia, today's post is an introduction to Sweden over some big quiz I found .:

Sweden remained neutral throughout the First world war I and world war II.

Sweden has the largest number of McDonald 's per person from any country in Europe.

There are 10 nuclear reactors in Sweden.

ABBA from Sweden.

is therefore Eagle-Eye Cherry.

and Ace of Base.

And Alexander Skarsgard, the type of True Blood .

Pippi Longstocking is also Swedish.

The Kingdom of Sweden used Norway and Denmark belong.

IKEA and H & M are both Swedish.

The population of Sweden is 9.2 million, which only a little more than the population of New York City.

22% of the population lives in the capital Stockholm.

Sweden have the longest life expectancy in Europe.

Sweden has the largest shopping center in Europe north of the city is located in Gothenburg.

By land area, Sweden is the third largest European country after France and Spain.

in the ninth century, the Rurik Rus, a Scandinavian Viking, founded the first empire in Russia. All subsequent tsars of Russia were thus Swedish descent.

Sweden is a constitutional monarchy.

At the height of his empire, Sweden built a large warship (the Vasa) to symbolize his strength. It was so large and heavy that on its maiden voyage in 1628, it dropped less than a mile from the dock.

While prostitution is legal, it is illegal to use the services of a prostitute.

Contrary to popular belief, Swedish Vikings did not have horns on their helmets.

to celebrate the beginning of summer, Swedes celebrate midsummer by dancing around a pole and another jump like frogs.

the sun rises at 3:30 am in the summer.

, the sun rises at 3:30 am in the winter.

on Easter, children dress up as witches and go trick-or treating.

The first ice hotel in the world was built near the village of Jukkasjarvi, Sweden.

Sweden has a long and interesting history, and its beautiful architecture, friendly people and breathtaking scenery make it one of my favorite countries in the world and one I will never tire of returning to.

My Complete Guide condition for budget travelers!

for more in-depth coverage of Stockholm My 80-page guide is perfect for budget travelers like you! He cuts the fluff in other guides found and will save directly to the practical information you need to travel and money in the world in one of the most beautiful cities. You will find suggested routes, budgets, ways to save money, both on and off the beaten track to see things and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, and much more !! Click here to find out more and buy the book.

Breaking the Mold married

Breaking the Mold married -

This is a guest post by Ayngelina Bacon is magic. It is as a solo women writing a series of articles in your thirties while traveling.

I had a textbook childhood. I went to college, graduated with a degree, worked hard, and finally landed a good job as an account director at an advertising agency. It was well paid, I wore jeans to work, practiced yoga at lunch and went for pints with colleagues after hours.

But I was not happy. The problem was I was not unhappy not.

I was plugging away, do my job, without any real heights or any real lows either. I worked, had dinner with friends, and went out on the weekends. I had to go on holiday and enough money to do what I wanted.

That was what life should be about, right? Work hard to count all the work and money, the trendiest clothes and best restaurants to afford? I chased after in my twenties, but once I hit my thirties, I realized that none of this made me happy.

I had always wanted for a short holiday more than just traveling. On vacation to Europe and Southeast Asia, I met people who gave up her career to travel long. I was jealous. I wish I could do that.

After ten years of work, this dream was tucked away in the cabinet tidy things I wanted to do but was afraid. I had many excuses: I did not earn enough money, I did not have enough to retire, I was not where I wanted to be in my career. None of which were true, but they helped me to justify not travel. But I promised myself I would one day .

But we all know, never happened one day. We tell ourselves we will go after the dream in our heads ... but only if all the stars align, it's a full moon, and we get a perfect score Yahtzee. In reality, a day seldom comes, and we withdraw it just us dream.

What pushed over the edge finally turned 32 and sensor ticking my biological clock. I did not know if I really wanted to have children, but I knew if I did, I had to travel now. I believed that if you have children, your life changed too much to travel. My friends with kids will never drawn to Colombia and Mongolia into consideration, they just wanted a decent night's sleep and a sale on diapers. If I wanted to have children, I wanted one last taste of glorious independence.

When I fantasized one last great adventure about this, I thought it would be with someone else. I tried to beg, cajole, bully my boyfriend at the time in coming, but it was not his dream, and I was too afraid to go alone.

I had traveled alone once a week vacation my way alone to eat Rome. But that was easy. A week in Italy is quite different than anything to sell, you quit your job, and take a one-way flight to Mexico. This time I would my comfortable life to give up, and that was a scary thought

But a lazy Sunday afternoon when I sleep with the friend saw a movie on the couch, I looked around and thought .:

is that all? Is this my life? Is my dream to travel to?

I was turning on this route for the friend / Flat in man / house / kids, and I was suddenly clear, because that is not ready. There was no convincing him, though, I would go alone.

One day had turned now.

I have from the couch, went to my laptop and started out my finances. That was the beginning of the end of my old life. I was so scared to go, but more fear, regret not going to face. I'm a promise me, and I was too stubborn to break them.

Somehow think that children were the end of independent travel me the push travel to were finally going. I started slowly, all parts of my life Sale of furniture, to clothes, to my beloved book collection.

I a brave face when I told friends and family, I would, but inside I was scared. What I would do, but for a year? Would I be lonely all the time? I would be afraid to travel to a country where I did not know the language?

After. Away parties, goodbye lunch and farewell dinner, my friend drove me to the airport We broke out of the airport security. When I hugged him one last, I clung to him. He represents all the safety and security in my life. I had a hard time to break the embrace. I was so scared of the next step.

But he was stronger and let me go. We said goodbye, and when I went to security, I saw all the time, glassy eyes back and watching him, watching me go. I finally turned and walked through the security doors. And as I passed through the metal detector, all my anxiety disappeared doubt. It was to know with this strong sense of replacing, I had done the right thing.

Now, a year later, I look back with certainty that it was the right thing. I have no plans to return to my old life. I have no idea what the future holds in the street, but I have never been happier.

Ayngelina left a great job, friend, friends, and home to find inspiration in Latin America. You can read about their adventures at Speck Magic is

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