the Travel Enthusiast
- 26 Martylerd in Travel Planning | 1 COMMENT
5 reasons to backpack in Southeast Asia
Makati
If that old and worn out travel cliche, the country/city/place of contradictions is to apply to anything in the world, that place must surely be Southeast Asia. Even among the many wonders of the vast and varied Asian continent, Southeast Asia stands out as one of the most colorful, rich and poor, modern and traditional and simply vibrant parts of the Earth.
If you are an outsider, Southeast Asia is never quite what you’ve expected, and it will likely keep surprising you each time you return. For a backpacker, Southeast Asia is the stuff travel dreams are made of, but deciding to invest a lot of time, energy and travel funds into a tour of this region is not a decision that should be taken lightly. If you need a nudge, here are 5 reasons to backpack in Southeast Asia. …
- lizzy_a in Travel Planning | NO COMMENTS
The best backpacker destinations in Guatemala
photo by alq666 on Flickr
Nowhere in Central America is the mix of Mayan and Spanish cultures more obvious than in Guatemala. This lush country with incredible natural beauty and historic sites that never cease to amaze is one of the most unforgettable destinations in Latin America.
People come to Guatemala for the ubiquitous Maya heritage, for the chance to study Spanish in a colonial town, or adventure in the jungles and on rivers. Also, Guatemala is one of the cheapest destinations in Central America, which makes it ideal for backpacking.
There are quite a few places in Guatemala that can easily be considered backpacker’s paradises, combining accommodation, good food and amazing things to see and do. Here are some of the best backpacker destinations in Guatemala. …
- 21 Mar
The backpacker’s guide to Ecuador
Quito
Ecuador is small and somewhat overshadowed by its larger and more touristy neighbors Colombia and Peru, but even as the second smallest country on the continent has more natural diversity and more culture to offer than many larger places. Ecuador packs a huge punch: it has the tallest active volcano on the planet (Cotopaxi), it straddles the equator, and it has the lovely and always surprising Galapagos Islands.
If you’re into nature exploration and wildlife watching, the stunning geography and the endemic species of Ecuador are just the thing for you. If you’re more interested in historic sites and colonial heritage, then you can take your pick of several great world heritage sites. And the best part is that Ecuador is backpacker friendly, and it’s easy to see all these wonders on a shoestring. Here is a backpacker’s guide to Ecuador for travelers longing for something special. …
- 14 Mar
Backpacking in Vietnam
Vietnam, Halong Bay, photo by Joseph Hunkins
Read a short summary of Vietnam’s history and what you’ll find is far from being a pleasant read. But for a country whose most recent and most horrific war ended a scant three and a half decades ago, Vietnam is remarkably fun, light-hearted and welcoming.
Like many of its Southeast Asian neighbors, Vietnam is a popular backpacking destination, where travelers with not much money but with a thirst for new sights and experiences have have the trip of a lifetime. The cities are a flurry of activity, the countryside is scenic beyond belief and the culture is fascinating. If you want an exotic holiday, or the craziest adventure you’ve ever experienced, try backpacking in Vietnam. …
- 28 Febkachou_n in Travel tips and tricks | NO COMMENTS
5 reasons why you should stay in a hostel when traveling
photo by mararie on Flickr
Most travelers have probably dreamed about staying at a five star hotel with a hot tub and plasma TV in the room, but the price you have to pay for luxury is often better invested in sightseeing, or traveling farther and longer.
If you’re the type of traveler who prefers function over form, and you’re more interested in the experience of travel rather than relishing the quality of your hotel room, then you will be much better off staying at a hostel.
Although hostels are the kind of accommodation that most people would associate with students backpacking over their summer break, there are more than enough reasons why any indie traveler should choose hostels over hotels. Here are 5 reasons why you should stay in a hostel when traveling. …
- 17 Febkachou_n in Travel Planning | 1 COMMENT
The best independent travel destinations in the world
Lisbon
Tours have their advantages, like less headaches when the time comes to look for accommodation, book travel tickets and make sure that you get safely to your destination and back.
But independent travel also has its advantages, and it is getting more and more popular with travelers of all ages. You can stay at unusual and unusually nice hotels, or you can rough it, stay at a hostel, and mingle with locals – the beauty of independent travel is that you do exactly what you want, when you want.
Of course, the cheapest the destination the better it is for the indie traveler, but the attractions and things you can do are also a huge factor. If you’re wondering which places are suited for your next indie expedition, here are some of the best independent travel destinations in the world. …
- 30 Jan
A backpacker’s guide to Vietnam
Street in Hanoi, photo by Jrwooley6 on Flickr
Vietnam definitely hasn’t had it easy over the centuries, but it weathered colonialism and terrible wars and came out with its optimism and joy of life intact. Vietnam is vividly colorful, endowed with great natural beauty and a fascinating and rich culture that attract millions of visitors every year.
There’s a fair number of world-class resorts in Vietnam, but as luxurious as these are, they are no different than any other resorts in Asia. In order to experience the heart of Vietnamese life and culture, you have to get out into the street and live like ordinary people, and you won’t regret a single second of it!
Travelers on a tight budget make the most of Vietnamese cuisine, attractions and nightlife, so here’s a backpacker’s guide to Vietnam for those who capture the essence of this amazing country. …
- 13 Janevike14 in Travel Planning | 1 COMMENT
Budget travel destinations for 2012
Egypt, photo by Nina Hale
Depending on how the world economy turns out, currency rates change and political troubles brew, the budget-conscious traveler’s to-see list can change every year. Some destinations can suddenly become affordable, or maybe they have always been on the cheaper side but they didn’t get the attention they deserved.
Whatever the reason, every year there are a few favorites when it comes to budget travel, and even if you hadn’t considered visiting them anytime soon, there is no better time for it than now. So if you want to make sure that you save as much money as possible while still getting to see some amazing places, take a look at some of the best budget travel destinations for 2012. …
- 11 Janlizzy_a in Travel tips and tricks | NO COMMENTS
The backpacker’s guide to Denmark
Copenhagen
Like all other countries with a high standard of living, Denmark is not the most affordable travel destination you could find, especially if you are a backpacker constantly strapped for money. But what can you do when the pull of Denmark’s many attraction becomes too strong?
You visit it on a budget. Backpacking in Denmark is not impossible, and with some careful planning you won’t have to miss out on any of the best parts of the country.
Backpacking through Denmark will bring you closer to the country’s rich cultural heritage, its effortlessly cools towns and cities and its natural assets. Here’s a backpacker’s guide to Denmark that will help you plan your trip this modern former homeland of vikings. …
- 20 Dec
A backpacker’s guide to Bangladesh
Dhaka, photo by joiseyshowaa on Flickr
Officially, Bangladesh has only existed for about 40 years, but the history of this small country goes back for thousands of years. Located in the shadow of its much more famous and/or powerful neighbors India and Myanmar, Bangladesh is another one of those countries that no one tends to hear much about except when disaster strikes.
And as poor and insignificant as Bangladesh might be on the international political scene, but it has lovely scenery, national parks where tigers roam, huge mangrove forests, countless mosques and the longest beach in the world. The best way to experience all of this is not in the comfort of a tour, but by getting down and dirty with only a backpack and a map. Here is a backpacker’s guide to Bangladesh for travelers who yearn for adventure. …
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