Don't have a bad bus trip, these tips will help you make it a good one!

I came across this great article about traveling by bus. If you are traveling solo, have never traveled by bus, or if you are an expert, it still may provide some helpful tips for your ride. No two bus rides are the same, but with these standard easy to follow tips, you'll be well on your way and arrive with all of your belongings!! Definitely helpful when in a foreign country. Don't be afraid of the bus, just be prepared. Its the best way to have a good experience.

You can't prepare for everything

To think about exploring and traveling makes me think about all of the wonderful adventures I could have. I day dream about the incredible possibilities, the challenges I'll face that I can't prepare for and the amazing people I'll meet along the way. You can't always prepare and plan for everything, here is one traveler's account of some crazy experiences he has had along the way. Enjoy!!

Machu Picchu is Alive!!

Machu Picchu has always been a dream of mine. I try to imagine what it would be like to take the week long trek through the Urubamba Valley. I think about the breath-taking views, nature and just raw emotion that I would feel. After hiking for a week on the Inca trail, to have your final destination come into sight, and be a view as extraordinary as the 'Lost City' of Machu Picchu would be an indescribable feeling. More powerful than any words I could put together. I have seen pictures of the site and studied it, but in my experience, pictures are never the same as seeing it in person. 

I stumbled upon this amazing video that is well worth watching, and more than once. A fellow traveler wears a camera on his head as he explores Machu Picchu. It's a great way to see the amazing site if you have never been there, or if you have, it's a great way to re-live your experience. Most travel shows and programs have more than Machu Picchu on the show's agenda, so you may only see a quick panoramic video of the site. In this video, you are able to explore the site in a way that most shows and travel sites do not allow. From him touching the stone walls and encountering fellow tourists, to getting yelled at by security for going into areas he shouldn't, it puts a welcoming human touch on the video, making you feel like you are right next to him. It also shows you how physically demanding Machu Picchu can be, so keep that in mind before your trip.

This is definitely the best video I have seen on Machu Picchu and it helps you really see, understand and appreciate the site even more. I get butterflies just watching this video, the excitement and anxiety of wanting to visit makes me dizzy. Along with exploring the lost city, there is also a mountain right across from Machu Picchu called Huayna Picchu where you get the best view of Machu Picchu. Don't take my word for it, go on the journey of a lifetime and explore it for yourself.



Happy Travels!!

Drink espresso like the Italians

I am always a bit skeptical of anything that tells you 'how to not look like a tourist', but from my experience this one sounds about right. Here are some tips on drinking caffe' like a local in Italy.

Traveling solo

If you love to travel and the thought of traveling alone fills you with fear, you aren't the only one. Personally I think traveling solo as an individual, no gender needed, is incredibly enlightening and life changing. You are forced to rely on yourself, your instincts and your intelligence to overcome challenging situations. I also believe that it enables you to experience things and meet people you never would if you had not traveled alone. Sometimes its good to travel with a companion, but I feel that traveling with another person allows you to use them as a crutch, maybe without even realizing it. You talk to them instead of the locals, you may not be as adventurous because you want the other person to feel comfortable or because you have to do what they want to do.

For me, travel is about growing, learning and experiencing people and places you never have before. I could go to the same place in Italy one million times and my experience would be different every time. Even if you tried to create the exact same trip, your interactions and experiences would never be the same. It's about challenging yourself and taking 'smart' risks (for example, eating at a mom and pop restaurant instead of the one recommended in the guidebook, or taking a local's advice over what your research tells you) At age 25 I traveled alone to Greece, not knowing how to read, speak or understand the language, and not knowing one person in the country. I went to live and work on the islands for the summer, to a place I have never been and with people I had never met. And it has completely changed my life and made me who I am today. I could NEVER have prepared myself for what was ahead of me, and honestly if you told me, I never would have believed you. But that is what travel is all about.

If you are completely lost or afraid to make your own decisions at first, then of course follow your guide book, you always have it to rely on if you are in a situation where you don't know what to do. I always have my favorite copy of Rick Steves with me. You are still traveling alone and will have an amazing experience. Of course safety is number one in any situation especially if you are traveling alone. Always make sure the place you stay is safe and that you are ALWAYS aware of your surroundings. This will save you from headaches like pickpockets and it will also help you notice that charming restaurant in the corner you may have missed with your nose in the guide book trying to follow every step exactly. I highly recommend challenging yourself and finding out what you're made of by taking a solo trip. For your first solo journey, travel somewhere that is comfortable to you so you can worry less and enjoy more. After your first solo trip, you may swear off travel companions all together. Traveling alone isn't for everyone, but it will change your life for the better and I recommend trying it at least once. Don't be a tourist, be a traveler.

A great article on women traveling solo here.

Surprise! There's an ancient auditorium under that Piazza!!

Now I understand why the public transportation in Italy isn't always the best. Valid reason. Its being called the most important discovery since the Roman Forum, you decide.

Inspiration

Do you need some travel inspiration? Are you trying to make it through the dull and dreary winter dreaming about where you'll go next? These are some of the coolest and most inspirational travel photos I've ever seen. In the early 1900's a man named Albert Kahn traveled the world and took pictures all along the way. These are some of the photos in his collection.

UNESCO Challenge

If you are interested in visiting UNESCO World Heritage sites, and you like a bit of a challenge, these 12 sites were ranked the most difficult to travel to. Challenge Accepted?

Oh Slovenia!!

Have you ever thought about traveling to Slovenia? To really see the country and the culture? Me neither! But, just because it hasn't been at the top of your list before, doesn't mean it shouldn't be!! A great article from Travel and Leisure about the beauty and magic of this undiscovered country. Undiscovered Slovenia. Sign me up!!

Want to travel somewhere new?

If you are going to Europe soon and you want to go somewhere new, check this out! Some great suggestions to go to in a lot of different countries!!