Tag Archives: tourism

Helping Without Harming: How to Be a Good Voluntourist

Say what you want about my generation, but millennials are some of the most generous people around. We want to help—we were born into a globalized world, and when we see our fellow woman and man overseas living in poverty or indignity, we’re overcome with the need to do something about it.

It’s that same global curiosity that tickles our itchy feet and flings us off into every corner of the world to study, work, and play way more than our parents did. When you mix our wanderlust with a generational desire to fix the world, you get voluntourism, a global trend whose name sounds like our two favorite things wrapped up in one neat package. But in this case, the whole can be less than the sum of its parts. If not carried out thoughtfully, voluntourism can do much more harm than good. Here are some things you should know about voluntourism and ethical volunteering.

Work to Empower, Not to Save

Sustainability is more than a tree-hugging buzzword: It should be the goal of absolutely every volunteer effort, because its absence usually leaves a community worse off than it was. The number one goal of any good volunteer project is capacity building: empowering communities to address their own needs by sharing expertise and effecting systemic changes.

Image via Pixabay under license CC0
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

Flying into Burkina Faso to help distribute purified drinking water definitely keeps a few people healthy for a day; but if you’re not there tomorrow, they’re going right back to the polluted well they were using before. Volunteer projects like this don’t address real systemic problems like water insecurity.

When projects like these are carried out by two-week tourists instead of vetted international organizations working with local governments, they run the risk of disrupting the local purified water industry. This can lead to industries collapsing from lack of demand, putting more people out of work and leaving them totally dependent on foreign aid organizations for clean drinking water.

Image via Pixabay under license CC0
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

But a volunteer project working with local universities and government organizations to produce affordable water purifiers, improve the city water treatment system, or provide financing and support for water technology startups has the total opposite effect. These kinds of projects empower local people to take control of their own drinking water and determine for themselves what kinds of initiatives will serve their communities best.

Image via Pixabay under license CC0
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

Even if you don’t know the first thing about water sanitation, you can still help out with great projects like these. Volunteering to help with social media awareness-spreading or fundraising for an organization like PureMadi, which works with the University of Venda in South Africa to produce sustainable water purifying technology, may not seem as sexy as personally handing out drinking water to the thirsty, but it gives you a chance to help permanently quench a community’s thirst.

water purification puremadi
Image courtesy of PureMadi

Are You Really Qualified to be Doing That?

There are broadly two kinds of volunteer roles we can serve in: skilled jobs and unskilled ones. Both carry important ethical concerns that you should consider before ever booking your trip.

Providing tuberculosis vaccinations in Uganda or teaching computer skills in a rural Nicaraguan school are fantastic ways of facilitating social change, but only if you’re actually qualified to do them. Skilled labor like this requires a particular kind of education and experience. If the extent of your medical experience is your two semesters of college bio classes, the fact that your passport comes from a country with fantastic hospitals doesn’t qualify you to be a doctor or a nurse in a developing country.

doctor helps children in africa
© Francovolpato | Dreamstime.comA Volunteer Female Doctor Visit An African Child Photo

On the other hand, unskilled labor is something most people can do with little training or technical knowledge. Be skeptical of simple construction, clean-up, or other manual labor projects: If anyone can do it, why do they need you? Are you a more talented trash-picker-upper than your neighbors in Haiti? In participating in these kinds of projects, you’ll usually be squashing employment opportunities for locals who could support their families with jobs like these.

If you’re still building your professional skills, look to programs that offer training tailored to the communities in which they work. WorldTeach, for example, offers year-long teaching placements that include initial and ongoing pedagogical training and support tailored to the needs and requests of the communities they work with.

woman teaching students
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

If you’re not ready to invest in a professional skill just yet, try offering some sustainable unskilled help. Voluntourism organizations like All Hands Volunteers let local governments and NGOs take the lead, and carefully screen incoming volunteers for sustainable long-term reconstruction projects after natural disasters. 

Don’t Be a “Poverty Pornographer”

Not objectifying people is about more than just not hurting someone’s feelings: Images of poverty and people in suffering have the power to either humanize and spread awareness and empathy or to dehumanize and promote debilitating stereotypes.

canon camera
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

It’s incredibly important to remember and be actively cognizant of the fact that the people you are helping are human beings first, and poor or disadvantaged second. Most people around the world daydream, laugh at good jokes, love their mothers, get frustrated with their homework, feel lonely at times, and aspire to be able to care for themselves, just like their neighbors in developed countries.

family laugh bali
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

Poverty porn is the use of images of poor people and poverty to encourage us to make a donation or otherwise use our superior position to “save” them. The problems with this approach are many: Not only is it literally using people to generate income for a foreign aid organization, but it also perpetuates the dangerous myth of the helpless poor person whose only hope lies in the charity of an empowered white Westerner.

Look for organizations whose imagery depict humans in dignified, human situations and in poses and settings that you wouldn’t mind being photographed in if you were in their place. It’s no coincidence that high-impact organizations like Cordaid also have excellent track records of using imagery that presents the people they work with as dignified human equals.

In 2016, if you’ve got a desire and an internet connection, you can help. There’s absolutely zero wrong with combining some volunteer work with your summer backpacking trip, or with picking a volunteer project that will boost your own professional or personal growth, as long as you do your research and ask yourself the right questions about your plans regarding voluntourism.

Image via Pixabay under license CC0
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

Whatever you do, don’t let bad voluntourist projects turn you off from volunteering altogether. Voluntourism exists because there’s a lot of good to be done in the world and, refreshingly, a lot of people out there who want to do it. If you’re one of those people, go out and see the world; and while you’re out there, make a thoughtful choice about how you can change it for the better.

Visit the Best Museums in Munich

Munich is a charming city in a hugely diverse country with a haunting history. This gem of Germany is rich with art, culture and impressive architecture dating back centuries. Housed within the gorgeous architecture are some of the world’s biggest and best museums. Weather in Munich is not always predictable, and if you happen to find yourself stranded in the rain sans wellies, do yourself a favor and duck into the nearest museum. Not only will you keep warm and dry, you’ll also learn a lot about the country you’re visiting. And isn’t that the whole point of traveling?

With Munich being such an old, prominent landmark of the European landscape, there are undoubtedly hundreds of museums you could spend hours in, which can get overwhelming.

Check out this list of the eight best museums in Munich to point you in the right direction.

Museums in the Kunstreal

If you’re on the hunt for museums in Munich, you’ll undoubtedly head to the Kunstreal, which is a museum quarter known in German as the “arts district.” The Kunstreal consists of eight full-sized museums and several galleries. (We’ve listed five here.) If you’re up for it, make a day of it and visit a few of the museums and galleries.

The Glyptothek
Here, you’ll find sculptures from the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman periods spanning from 650BC to 550AD. The collection includes a massive statue of Apollo and famous sculptures of the artist Homer.

munich glytpothek museum
The Glyptothek, Munich’s oldest public museum | Image via Pixabay under license CC0

The Lenbachhaus

If you’re in Munich, it seems only fair to visit a museum dedicated to some of the city’s greatest works. Collections include paintings from the city’s masters in the Blue Rider style, contemporary and new objectivity. You might recognize pieces by Kandinsky.

Lenbachhaus Museum munich
Lenbachhaus and Königsplatz with Propylaea, 2013 | Photo: Rainer Viertlböck | Image courtesy of the Lenbachhaus Museum

 

(The following three are Pinakotheken Galleries, also in the Kunstreal.)

Alte Pinakothek (Old Art Gallery)

More than 800 paintings from the “old masters” are exhibited here. Included are several thousand important 13th – 18th century paintings including German, early Netherlandish, Dutch, Flemish, Italian, French and Spanish, along with famous paintings from Titian, Raphael, Durer, de la Cruz, Boucher and many more.

Alte Pinakothek
Gerard David, The Adoration of the Kings (Copy after Hugo van der Goes) c. 1495/1505, oak wood, 123,7 x 166,1 cm
© Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, Alte Pinakothek

Neue Pinakothek (New Art Gallery)

This is one of the most important museums in the world, housing European collections from the 18th – 19th centuries. It features romanticism, realism, impressionism, symbolism and art noveau from artists like Cezanne, van Gogh, Rodin, Gaugin and Monet.
Fun fact: A van Gogh self portrait was confiscated here by Nazis as “degenerate art” and later resold.

Neue Pinakothek Munich
View into the room 15 with paintings by Hans von Marées, Photo: Haydar Koyupinar
© Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, Neue Pinakothek München

Pinakothek der Moderne (Modern Art Gallery)

Here, you’ll find a collection of 20th century art and design featuring modernism, contemporary art and videos, photos and new media from artists around the world. It also includes industrial and graphic design, applied art and works on paper from the likes of Picasso, Magritte, Dali, Miro and Francis Bacon.

Pinakothek der Moderne
View into the dome of the Rotunda at the Pinakothek der Moderne
Photo: Haydar Koyupinar, 2007

Museums Elsewhere in Munich

Deutsches Museum
With 28,000 objects from science and technology, this museum is the largest museum of its kind in the world, attracting over one million visitors per year. Check out everything from music to chemistry to aeronautics. Plan to spend a whole day here, as the museum is HUGE and enthralling.

Deutsches Museum munich
Photo: Deutsches Museum

Bavarian National Museum

One of the most prominent museums in Europe, from an architectural standpoint, and one of the first of its kind, this museum was constructed in the late 1800s and houses both an art historical collection and a folklore collection. The collections span over more than 40 rooms and house pieces from the neo-classical, Renaissance and Romanesque periods.

Bavarian National Museum
© Tomnex | Dreamstime.com – Bavarian National Museum Photo

Dachau Concentration Camp Museum

A heavy experience but worth it for the history and once in a lifetime experience. Dachau was the first concentration camp opened by the Nazis and therefore contains a lot of insight into the Holocaust. By the time of liberation, Dachau had over 100 sub-camps throughout southern Germany and Austria and had contributed to over 32,000 deaths, with thousands still undocumented.

Dachau Concentration Camp
Dachau Concentration Camp | Image via Pixabay under license CC0

Munich is a beautiful city that should absolutely make your list of “must visit” locations while traveling through Europe. Not only an important city in German history, it is also rich with arts and culture. The weather is best in summer, but the city also looks gorgeous blanketed in a fresh coat of snow.

There’s plenty to see, including huge cathedrals and local markets filled with fresh veggies and currywurst. There’s also, of course, Oktoberfest, the Opera House and Marienplatz. No matter if you’re there for a week or a weekend, you won’t run out of things to do.

Azores: Europe’s Hidden Gem

Far off Portugal’s coast, roughly a third of the way to Boston lies a collection of islands that mesmerize. Called the Azores, the nine volcanic islands that stretch 250 miles east to west make up an autonomous region of Portugal that for decades was Europe’s hidden gem. That’s slowly changing as more and more people discover the archipelago of lush greenery, dotted with quaint historic towns surrounded by waters ripe with fish.

Settled two centuries ago the islands have emerged as leaders in sustainability and paradise for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and even culinary tourists.  You’re going to want to visit the Azores before even more people unearth their charms.

 

What to do

All nine islands have their own vibe and while you probably won’t be able to visit all of them in one trip, part of the beauty of Azores is being able to create a tailor-made trip based on your interests.

 

São Miguel

Start your Azores adventure on São Miguel, the largest of the islands. Even those seeking nothing but nature should spend at least an afternoon in the capital of Ponta Delgada. Wander the streets, browsing menus until you find a tapas restaurant where you want to indulge. You can’t pick wrong. There are also art galleries to explore and live music in the evenings.  Agri tourists will want to visit the tea plantation in the town of Ribeira Grande. It’s the only tea plantation in Europe and the two nearby tea factories, Chá Porto Formoso and Chá Gorreana,  offer tours and tastings. Adventure seekers should head to the Parque Natural da Ribeirados Caldeiroes where you can explore the hiking trails and marvel at the waterfalls. You can even rent some of the small houses in the park. Before venturing off São Miguel soothe any lingering plane travel aches at the hot springs of Terra Nostra Botanic Gardens.

Sao Miguel. Tea Plantations. Credit Associação Turismo dos Açores
Sao Miguel. Tea Plantations | Photo: Associação Turismo dos Açores

 

Terceira

Moving from southern island of São Miguel to the central islands, history lovers will want to spend at least one day on the small but charming Terceira. It’s main town, Angra do Heroísmo is the oldest on the Azores and Unesco World Heritage Center.

 Terceira.-Tipical-Houses-in-Terceira-Island.-Credit-Associação-Turismo-dos-Açores
Tipical Houses in Terceira Island | Photo: Associação Turismo dos Açores

 

Faial

If you make it to the Azores March through October, on another one of the central islands, Faila, you’ll find some of the best whale watching and water sports.

Faial. Humpback tail Credit. Hans van Klinken:Associação Turismo dos Açores – Convention and Visitors Bureau
Faial. Humpback tail | Photo: Hans van Klinken, Associação Turismo dos Açores

 

Flores

Moving to the western islands, Flores has to be seen to be believed. With less than 4,000 residents, Flores is a quiet retreat where in the spring blue and pink hydrangeas seem to bloom everywhere.  Along with the islands of Corvo and Graciosa, it is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

 

Where to stay

Places to rest your head at night abound in the Azores. Create your own itinerary while island hopping and you’ll find hostels in most of the towns, B&Bs in the countryside, and locals renting out homes or rooms through AirBnB and other services.  On the larger islands there are also many hotels. On São Miguel try Hotel Talisman or Quinta do Mar; on Pico, Baía da Barca; on Terceira,  Quinta do Martelo. Keep in mind that on some of the islands, accommodations are limited, especially in the busier months, so no matter your preference you should make reservations in advance.

Where to Stay. Flores - Aldeia da Cuada. Credit Credit Associação Turismo dos Açoresjpg
Flores. Hydrangeas | Photo: Turismo Açores

 

How to get there and when to go

Depending on where you’re based, getting to the Azores is either a snap or it’s own form of adventure. SATA airlines operates direct flights daily from Boston, as does TAP Air Portugal from London. While flights from Boston are only 4 and half hours, at upwards of $700 roundtrip they are pricey and no matter where you’re coming from you’ll want to give yourself at least a week on the islands. One you’ve arrived, travel between the islands can be its own challenge. SATA operates flights between the islands but the schedule is sporadic at best. There are also ferries between the islands. Remember you’re on vacation with (ideally) plenty of time; all the best places are often difficult to get to and the travel will be more than worth it.

For the best weather plan a trip between April and October as the rest of the year can be rainy. April and May will offer cheaper hotel and tour rates with decent weather.

The ABCs of the Caribbean: 3 Islands to Visit this Summer

 

From July to September each summer, the warm waters off the southern tip of Florida drag in hurricanes from the Atlantic and funnel them up into North America, temporarily excluding most of the Caribbean Sea and its famous beaches from savvy travelers’ itineraries. But don’t let the weather rob you of your Caribbean vacation altogether—instead, cast your beach-hungry eyes all the way to the southern edge of the sea, just off the coast of South America, and you’ll find three islands that are too cool for hurricane season.

Sprinkled a handful of miles off South America’s northern edge are the ABC islands: Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. All are parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and all are infused with a cultural confluence combining that of their Dutch colonizers with Latin American flavors and a heart that’s pure Papiamentu, as the local Arawak- and West African-descended people refer to their creole language and culture.

With glitzy resorts on Aruba, world-class diving on Bonaire, and a buzzing cultural capital sandwiched between the two on Curaçao, there’s something for any summer traveler on the ABC islands.

 

Alluring Beaches on Aruba

The westernmost of the ABC islands lies just 18 miles off the northern coast of Venezuela, where aquamarine Caribbean water gives way to white sand marching up to multicolored beachfront shops and towering hotels and resorts.

Palm Beach at Aruba
Palm Beach at Aruba.
Natural Bridge Landmark in Aruba.
Natural Bridge Landmark in Aruba.

Aruba’s dry climate and the constant trade wind breeze, keeping the island a nearly unvarying 80 degrees year-round, draws more tourists to its beaches and resorts than any other island in the southern Caribbean. Most itineraries start with seafood and cocktails in the capital, Oranjestad, a popular port of call for Caribbean cruises and the cheapest airport of the ABCs for most visitors arriving from the US. From there, Eagle Beach and its neighbors are among the can’t-miss sandy shores of the southern Caribbean.

eagle beach
Eagle Beach | Photo by Ian Mackenzie via Flickr under CC BY 2.0.
Aruba
Photo by Carl via Flickr under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Aruba’s beaches and the tourist establishments that surround them are a great starting point for those seeking waterborne adventures like windsurfing and diving. For an up-tempo August vacation, catch the annual Aruba International Regatta, three days of quintessential Aruban partying and boat racing.

 

Balmy Island Adventure on Bonaire

Sparsely populated and covered in green as far as the eye can see, Bonaire is a stark contrast to its larger neighboring islands to the west. It’s the smallest and least populous of the ABC islands, giving it a rural, spacious feeling that can be a welcome relief for those coming from the busier and more touristic islands just to its west; and while it’s got the same perfect weather and beautiful beaches as Aruba, the real treasure here is under water.

bonaire diving
Photo by David Stahl via Flickr under CC BY-NC 2.0.

Most tourists will use the capital of Kralendijk, the only major town on the island, as a base for launching their underwater adventures. With some of the most diverse marine life and reefs, Bonaire is home to some of the best diving in the Caribbean, offering experienced divers and first-timers the surreal experience of exploring some of the Caribbean’s best-preserved shipwrecks and coral reefs.

bonaire boats
Kralendijk | Photo by Cliff Hellis via Flickr under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

During your stay on Bonaire, think outdoors: bird watching, mountain biking, and anything involving a wetsuit deserve a spot high on your to do list for the island. While staying on the first 100% sustainable island of the Caribbean, look for a trendy eco-resort that combines some adventure activities with a few nights of rest in environmentally-responsible paradise.

Thousand Steps, Bonaire
Thousand Steps, Bonaire.

 

Cosmopolitan Meets Creole on Curaçao

Centered between Aruba and Bonaire, the largest of the ABC islands is also its cultural hearth: from quirky cuisine to festivals and historical sites, Curaçao has the widest variety of offerings for travelers burnt out on beach bumming and ready for a little stimulation.

Curacao
Bay views in Curacao
curacao handelskade
Photo by Nelo Hotsuma via Flickr () under CC BY 2.0.

The iconic buildings of the Handelskade showcase the cultural confluence that is Curaçao with starkly contrasting rows of distinctly Dutch rowhouses in bright yellows, sky blues, electric greens, and other such bright colors that pop against the backdrop of the turquoise Caribbean sea. The largest city of the ABC islands, it’s home to hip artsy neighborhoods like Pietermaai where urban alternative meets fun in the sun.

curacao market
Curacao Willemstad Market | Photo by Rene Leubert via Flickr under CC BY-NC 2.0.

Explore the touristy Punda district on your way in and head for historic Otrobanda, meaning “Other Side” in Papiamentu, home to cultural attractions like the Kura Hulanda museum, which showcases the island’s own history and its poignant place in the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Dine on fish caught in the same waters you were swimming in that same morning, or go for a vegetarian-friendly bowl of cactus-based kadushi, or other Curaçaoan dishes with their heavy Indian, Indonesian, Caribbean, and South American culinary influences.

Queen Emma Bridge in front of the Punda district, is a pontoon bridge across St. Anna Bay
Queen Emma Bridge in front of the Punda district in Curacao.
Curacao
Curacao at dusk

Save your money for shopping downtown and check into one of Curaçao’s favorite hostels, like the Ritz or Hostel La Creole, both of which include a dorm bed and breakfast for as low as $22 a night.

Traveling the Caribbean in hurricane season can still be paradise when done right, but the first step is choosing the right destination. Take your pick of beautiful beaches, unrivaled diving, and the culture and cuisine that defines the southern Caribbean, and escape to the ABCs this summer.

5 Reasons Charleston Is The World’s Best City

Any city can find its way onto a top-whatever list somewhere, but you know you’ve made it when you’ve hit Travel & Leisure‘s annual World’s Best Cities ranking. This year, Charlestonians are rejoicing over their #1 spot, having moved up from second place last year. Charleston has been named not the best American city but the number one in the world, appropriately bumping it to the top of many travelers’ to-visit lists.

the Magnolia Plantation in Charleston, SC.
The Magnolia Plantation in Charleston, SC.

The Holy City isn’t just another Southern site of antebellum nostalgia, but a cultural confluence of Deep Southern charm and youthful sensibility, infused with influences of the Gullah community and college students from across the country. But it’s not just luxurious lodging like the Spectator Hotel (which also took Travel & Leisure‘s #2 spot for world hotels) or trendy seafood restaurants like 167 Raw that make Charleston the world’s best city.

Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina

It’s hard to put your finger on the one thing that sets Charleston apart from other southern cities, but these five Holy City exclusives are definitely part of the picture.

 

#1: Marion Square Farmers’ Market

Right in the heart of Historic Downtown is Marion Square, a pleasant expanse of green off the side of Historic King Street. From April to November, Charlestonians and visitors will find the famous Marion Square Farmers’ Market, where farmers and artisans from the Low Country surrounding Charleston come to buy, sell, and gather with the community.

Marion Square in December during the Charleston Christmas Market.
Marion Square in December during the Charleston Christmas Market. | Photo: Jakob Gibbons

Aside from showcasing local goods—from homemade jams to sweetwater basket weaving to Sugah Scrub—the market also serves as a support and advocacy group for local farmers, artisans, crafters, and other producers. A few dollars spent at the farmers’ market will get you the freshest organic delectables available, and the money you spend is immediately invested in Charleston’s charm.

"Sugah Scrub", one of the many quirky local crafts you'll find at the farmers' market.
“Sugah Scrub”, one of the many quirky local crafts you’ll find at the farmers’ market. | Photo: Jakob Gibbons

Market enthusiasts will also find a holiday market at Marion Square in December, and should walk 10 minutes further southeast of Marion Square to the Historic Charleston City Market.

 

#2 The NotSo Hostel

Every cool city needs a quirky hostel to give it that bohemian edge, and the NotSo Hostel brings that to Charleston. The only hostel in both the city and the state, you’ll find it just a few blocks off of Marion Square, your perfect base of operations for meeting other travelers while exploring Charleston.

Starting at $28 a night for a dorm bed, the NotSo has its main location on Spring Street, where it offers private rooms and camping in addition to the traditional dormitory option. Each individual dormitory and private room has its own style and setup, which you can read about in detail before booking, and if you’re looking for more options, the NotSo’s annex location is just a couple of blocks down the street. The interior of the hostel is decorated with local and Gullah-themed art, with plenty of common spaces for enjoying your complementary breakfast in the company of fellow travelers.

 

#3 Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer

Between its assortment of espressos and its quality craft brews, Kudu Coffee is a magnet for local students as well as artists and other creative professionals.

Kudu Coffee House

Kudu Coffee House | Photo: Peter Merholz on Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

It’s locally owned, operated, and adored, and it’s easy to see why. The interior is cozy with plenty of sitting space for the laptop-bound professional or a group of friends waxing philosophic, and outside there’s a classy courtyard with relaxed lighting perfect for sipping on draughts.

Kudu coffee charleston south carolina
Photo: Will Gurley on Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0)

Order up a spinach parmesan quiche with a blueberry scone and a mimosa for a light morning, or plug in and sit down behind your laptop and keep their French press working all afternoon. It’s also an ideal  place to kick off an out in Downtown with a locally-brewed porter or pale ale.

 

#4 Hannibal’s Kitchen

You probably won’t see Hannibal’s in any guidebooks. Without knowing it’s there, you might walk right past without recognizing it, or you might make the mistake of skipping Charleston’s East Side entirely. And that’d be a shame, because it would mean you’d missed out on one of Charleston’s most genuine neighborhoods and the best soul food the city has to offer.

February 26, 2016 - Hannibal's Kitchen, Charleston, SC
February 26, 2016 – Hannibal’s Kitchen, Charleston, SC. | Photo: Hillary for America on Flickr (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Hannibal was the nickname of Robert Lawrence Huger, who opened his restaurant more than 40 years ago, and the soul kitchen named after him has been a pillar of the local community since. Alongside serving up savory plates of smothered porkchop and crab rice, Hannibal’s also works toward the betterment of the neighborhood by sponsoring community cookouts and youth basketball programs, keeping the neighborhood well-fed and well-connected.

Don’t let the fact that it’s off the King Street main drag throw you off—Hannibal’s is a goldmine precisely because it’s a local favorite with few tourists, and it offers a taste of the succulent soul food Charleston enjoys outside of its tourist districts.

 

#5 The Philip Simmons Gardens

Less than a block from Hannibal’s Kitchen is the Philip Simmons House, memorial to Charleston’s “poet of ironwork” who spent 97 years in Charleston until passing away in 2009. What Mr. Simmons left behind was a city adorned by gates, fences, and a miscellany of ironwork that Charleston locals will recognize immediately as his, one of the many details giving Charleston the personal touch that makes it unique.

simmons gate
One of Philip Simmons’s iconic wrought iron gates on Anson Street in Charleston. Photo via Wikimedia Commons under CC BY-SA 3.0

At the Philip Simmons House, you can explore two gardens—the Bell Garden and the Heart Garden —covered in his masterful ironwork. The house itself is in the St. John’s Reformed Episcopal Church where Simmons worshipped. Simmons created over 500 wrought iron works in Charleston, and the Philip Simmons Foundation maintains a map of sites that are home to his work across the city, a great recipe for an artistic scavenger hunt through the city.

6 Countries to Visit Now (While They’re Still Here)

When the United Kingdom abruptly elected to Brexit its way out of the European Union last month, it showed us just how quickly our world and the lines that divide it up can shift and heave.

In recent years we’ve seen everything from melting permafrost in Alaska to pulverized world heritage sites in Aleppo reshaping the face of our planet. When physical geography and political borders change, so do the countries they delineate: Shifting borders can signal shifting laws and even shifting attitudes toward foreign visitors.

Forces like conflict, secession, and climate change don’t make special exemptions for tourist favorites, which means your dream itinerary can’t wait for “one day.” Here are six places to book a trip to today, because they might not be there tomorrow.

 

#1: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Not So United?

Although the Brexit vote isn’t likely to topple the rocks at Stonehenge or wash away the stunning seaside of Cornwall, it’s prompted a series of reactions that could lead to a much less united kingdom and a series of new hurdles and headaches for travelers.

Old Harry Rocks, located at Handfast Point, on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, southern England, United Kingdom; the downlands of Ballard Down were formed approximately 66 million years ago
Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, southern England, United Kingdom. The downlands of Ballard Down were formed approximately 66 million years ago.

As soon as the UK’s plans to divorce Europe became clear, leaders in the Scottish and Northern Irish governments announced their intentions to investigate leaving the United Kingdom and remaining EU members. That would mean heavy revisions to the destinations listed on the official Visit Britain tourism site.

Cranfield Beach, Northern Ireland
Cranfield Beach, Northern Ireland

The dissolution of the United Kingdom won’t make the countries that currently comprise it dangerous or any less attractive tourist destinations, but it could shuffle up visa requirements and even flight prices, leaving travel to and between England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland more complicated. In a couple of years Hadrian’s Wall, the historic line separating England from Scotland, could renew its status as official border, joining the likes of Niagara Falls and other border-straddling attractions whose exploration require a trip or two through customs.

hadrians_wall
Hadrian’s Wall | Photo via Pixabay under CC0

 

#2: Jordan: Hospitality in the Heart of the Middle East

When travelers are confronted with generalizations about the dangerous Middle East, Morocco and its many hidden gems may be the standard counterexample; but there’s another peaceful and historically rich country right in the heart of the region many avoid out of misguided fear. Jordan is a pillar of stability in a region that usually makes headlines for the wrong reasons, and today it’s your best opportunity for exploring the cradle of civilization.

jordan petra
Petra, Jordan | Photo via Pixabay under CC0 (public domain).

Some say that we’re living through a rebirth of the Arab World, and others argue for a more pessimistic interpretation; but everyone agrees that it’s the world’s most unpredictable region today, and the Syrian Civil War is proof enough that neither cosmopolitan cities nor world heritage sites are immune to the fallout of social struggles. Seize the day with a trip to backpacker favorites like Petra and the Dead Sea, or take a camel-back tour of the Valley of the Moon.

Jordanian desert in Wadi Rum, Jordan viewed from Lawrence's Spring. Wadi Rum is known as The Valley of the Moon and has led to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Wadi Rum in Jordan is known as The Valley of the Moon and has led to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dead Sea
Dead Sea

#3: Hong Kong: Counting Down the End of “One Country, Two Systems”

Unlike most of the others on this list, the Chinese Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong is virtually guaranteed to disappear in 21 years with the expiration of the “one country, two systems” policy in 2047 and its reabsorption into China.

hong kong
A temple in Hong Kong | Photo via Pixabay under CC0

Hong Kong currently maintains its own immigration system, independent of the notoriously difficult-to-navigate visa laws of mainland China, allowing most residents of North America and Europe up to 90 days of visa-free travel. But it’s not just the formalities of coming and going that separate Hong Kong from the mainland: Everything from the language to press freedom and censorship contribute to Hong Kong’s distinct identity and unofficial status as “Asia’s World City.”

Hong Kong harbor
Hong Kong harbor

There’s no telling how much of traditional Hong Kong culture will survive its looming reunification with the mainland, but the kind of budget shopping tours Hong Kong is famous for seem unlikely to stay after Beijing jumps back into the driver’s seat.

Pedestrians and traffic in Kowloon District at night on December 21, 2013 in Hong Kong, China.
Pedestrians and traffic in Kowloon District at night on December 21, 2013 in Hong Kong, China. Andrey Bayda / Shutterstock.com

 

#4 Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Country That Was Never Supposed to Be a Country

Of all the countries that emerged from the former Yugoslavia in the late ’90s and early 2000s, Bosnia and Herzegovina is probably the one with the least staying power. The Dayton Accords that brought peace to the region left the country divided into three autonomous federal entities governed somewhat chaotically by three presidents, leading to frequent and unsurprising separatist movements that may one day lead to further fragmentation in the Balkans.

bosnia starimost
The Stari Most bridge in Mostar, Bosnia | Photo via Wikimedia Commons under CC BY-SA 3.0

The Stari Most bridge in Mostar is both one of the country’s most popular tourist sites and a symbol of the tenuous unity between its disparate groups, spanning the river that marks the boundary between the Catholic Croat-majority western side and Bosniak Muslim-majority eastern side of the multicultural city. The bridge was destroyed in 1993 during the Yugoslav Wars, but reconstructed in 2004, and named a UNESCO World Heritage Site the following year.

Kravica waterfall in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Kravica waterfall in Bosnia and Herzegovina

When you visit Bosnia and Herzegovina, give yourself plenty of time to explore the starkly contrasting yet peacefully harmonious west and east sides of the city, each offering different but stunning views of the Stari Most.

People walking through the Old Town with many shops and cafes on July 20, 2014 in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mostar is situated on the Neretva River.
The Old Town with many shops and cafes in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mostar is situated on the Neretva River. Nightman1965 / Shutterstock.com

 

#5 Turkey: Anatolia’s Complicated Conundrum

The crossroads of East and West is a favorite among travelers worldwide, probably because Turkey’s unique geographic situation assures its landscapes and the people who inhabit them are different than those of anywhere else in the world. With pressure from conflicts in neighboring Syria and Iraq, tensions inside Turkey may in the future lead to a violent civil war and the possible separation of long-marginalized Turkish Kurdistan, yielding a messy situation for travelers.

Mardin, Turkey
Mardin, Turkey

Be sure to visit the rugged landscapes of Eastern Anatolia, enjoy rich Mediterranean cuisine, and explore the area around Lake Van, the region of the country most vulnerable to being cut off to travelers in the coming years.

turkey lake van
Akhtamar Island in Lake Van in Eastern Turkey | Photo via Wikimedia Commons under CC BY 3.0
Remains of Christian frescoes in the Armenian Church of the Holy Cross on Akhtamar Island (Akdamar) in Lake Van, Turkey
Remains of Christian frescoes in the Armenian Church of the Holy Cross on Akhtamar Island (Akdamar) in Lake Van, Turkey steve estvanik / Shutterstock.com

#6 The Maldives: The Country that’s Literally Sinking

An island vacation in the Indian Ocean sounds like a dream come true for many, but in a matter of years your choices of islands may be drastically narrowed.

The capital of the Maldives from above
The capital of the Maldives from above
Aerial view on Maldives island, Raa atoll
Aerial view on Maldives island, Raa atoll

Of the many island nations whose very existence is threatened by climate change and rising sea levels, Maldives stands high on the list. Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed has stated that “If carbon emissions continue at the rate they are climbing today, my country will be underwater in seven years”, a humanitarian disaster for the archipelago nation’s nearly half million citizens.

Water villas in the Maldives
Water villas in the Maldives
maldives sunset
Sunset in the Maldives | Photo via Pixabay under CC0 (public domain)

To enjoy Indian Ocean sunsets without contributing to the Maldives’ climate struggles, consider soaking up the sun at one of the country’s growing number of eco-friendly resorts.

 

At the same time as other countries and regions teeter on the brink and close their doors to tourists, others like Cuba and Myanmar are opening up and pitching woo to international travelers.

Part of travel is getting to see and live the world as it is right now, because the world of yesterday will never be the same as the world of tomorrow.

Don’t let the possibility of social unrest or seismic events in the near future scare you out of your dream itinerary. If you’re unsure about security conditions but still inspired to carpe diem, you can check the US State Department’s country-specific travel advisories, or consult with other experienced travelers via communities of travelers like Couchsurfing or the Lonely Planet forums.

Belle Isle: A Midwestern Island in the Sun

Rarely in the United States do you find breathtaking views of two nations settled composedly in one accessible location. The American Midwest is home to hundreds of thousands of square miles, with the state of Michigan encompassing roughly 97,000 alone. The state echos much of the country by boasting a jovial tapestry of urban and rural landscapes, offering a variety of compelling, idiosyncratic locales to visitors.

Detroit and Windsor, Ontario skylines from Sunset Point in Belle Isle Park.
Detroit and Windsor, Ontario skylines from Sunset Point in Belle Isle Park. Steve Lagreca / Shutterstock.com

One such attraction is Detroit’s Belle Isle Park. Resting in the heart of the Detroit River less than a mile from Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, it affords guests impressive international views. Being the largest city-owned island park in the country comes with historical responsibility, and Belle Isle has earned its title following decades of financial and societal pressure.

Skyline view of the Ambassador Bridge connecting Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario just before sunset over the Detroit River from Belle Isle.
Skyline view of the Ambassador Bridge connecting Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario just before sunset over the Detroit River from Belle Isle.

For years, the island was a well-known sanctum for local criminals looking to abscond the law, due to the city’s lack of oversight and regulation. When the City of Detroit declared bankruptcy in 2013, the state proposed converting the island into a state park to prevent its inevitable closure, citing its cultural significance within the city. The city council rejected the notion shortly after, but Michigan’s Emergency Loan Board opted for the state’s proposal and the island became a state park in 2014.

Belle Isle Aquarium, Detroit, MI
Belle Isle Aquarium, Detroit, MI | Photo: Mike Palmer on Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
nature Zoo belle isle detroit
Nature Zoo | Photo: Christina Suttles

Since then, the state has made millions of dollars in improvements to the park, including maintaining its beaches, trails and infrastructure. The park also includes a free Aquarium, Conservatory, Nature Zoo, Fountain and Great Lakes Museum for the one-time price of vehicle admission. The Belle Isle Aquarium, in particular, is a must-see for architecture enthusiasts. Opened in 1904, it was the oldest operating aquarium in the United States when it closed in 2005. It reopened seven years later and maintains its captivating underwater aesthetic, featuring dozens of species of freshwater fish for educational purposes.

Fountain Belle Isle Detroit
Fountain | Photo: Christina Suttles

fountain belle isle detroit

The conservatory includes ecology from around the world, including a variety of cacti, vascular plants, moss and flowering plants. A strikingly large water slide towers over Belle Isle Beach, the ultimate summertime activity for the young at heart. Every year, the park hosts the Belle Isle Grand Prix and various other street car races, a massive feat for the city after it faced the automotive economic crisis in 2008.

Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory on Belle Isle Island Park in Detroit, Michigan.
Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory on Belle Isle Island Park in Detroit, Michigan.

“Belle Isle used to be a place many of us natives avoided, especially if we had kids, because of the reputation that preceded it,” Jema Johnson, a longtime native of Detroit’s Briggs neighborhood said. “It was overrun with criminals and, really, was a safe space for Detroit’s underbelly up until a few years ago. Now I bring my nieces and nephews here nearly every weekend to grill and swim.”

Belle Isle Aquarium, South Gallery
Belle Isle Aquarium, South Gallery | Photo: Bryan Debus on Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0)
Belle Isle Aquarium
Belle Isle Aquarium | Photo: Liza Lagman Sperl on Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

The park’s true character is reflected in what the state has yet to ameliorate, including abandoned graffiti-laden tunnels, overgrown meadows and aged, oxidized vehicles reminiscent of the city’s past. Taking a hike off the beaten path reveals hundreds of acres of riotous fields of diamondleaf willow trees and elaborate cobwebs, divulging a world taken straight from a Jonathan Swift novel.

train belle isle detroit
Graffiti seen in a train | Photo: Christina Suttles

“The fields are easy to get lost in if you’re not careful,” Kevin Lanet, a frequent visitor and Detroit native said. “I’ll come out here to read, hammock and catch my breath. The city can be exhausting and this place is replenishing.”

Bridge belle isle detroit
Photo: Christina Suttles
Bridge belle isle detroit
View from inside | Photo: Christina Suttles

Next time you’re in the Motor City, take a short drive down MacArthur Bridge and soak up the freshwater air. Belle Isle offers innumerable possibilities for anyone bringing a sense of adventure.

I Heart Cleveland in One Day

On the southern shores of Lake Erie, you’ll find an effervescent collective of optimists working tirelessly to turn muse into money. Cleveland, Ohio has been dubbed an underdog for so long. Entire generations have referred to it as the “mistake on the lake,” a pejorative phrase used after a long string of blows to the city — but, as Clevelanders say, you’ve got to be tough, and that resilience has already paid off. 2016 is fixing to put Cleveland back on the map as one of America’s original hubs for culture, competition and creativity.

cleveland ohio
One of Cleveland’s splashiest new landmarks is the giant chandelier suspended above Euclid Avenue in the center of the theater district, Playhouse Square. Kenneth Sponsler / Shutterstock.com

After a historical win by the Cleveland Cavaliers at the 2016 NBA Championships, the city extravasated with pride, celebrating the end to a decades-long dry spell and the beginning of “Believeland.” The festivities were cut short, though, as the city prepares to host the 2016 Republican National Convention in July. Thousands of politicians, delegates and protesters will flood Cleveland in appreciation of all it has to offer. If you’re planning to visit Cleveland for the RNC, or just to explore, here are some necessary hometown staples.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Established in 1983, this multi-story museum and store illustrates Cleveland’s significant role in laying the foundation for America’s music industry. Each level features original artifacts from different decades of music, including costumes worn by musicians such as Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin. Other exhibits include John Lennon’s sketches and songbook, a complete video archive of inducted musicians and a look at audio technology over time.

Rock and roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Great Lakes Science Center

As one of the country’s most comprehensive and hands-on science museums, Great Lakes Science Center features attractions for all ages. Learn how NASA prepares for launch, or how time morphs sound by recording your own demos. The center features Omnimax, a powerful motion-picture projection system with a domed screen, which sets it apart from classic IMAX theatres. After your visit, have lunch on the lake at the various picnic locations.

Great Lake Science Center
Great Lake Science Center

Public Square

This four-block plaza acts as the city’s center, offering a number of opportunities for eating, shopping and sightseeing. It features some of Cleveland’s tallest buildings — Terminal Tower, Key Tower and 200 Public Square — and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 after it became the first street in the world to be lit with electric street lights and lamps. History buffs can visit the free monument to Civil War soldiers and sailors for a quick lesson.

Public Square
Public Square

East 4th Street

East 4th is where music, nightlife and community collide. Pedestrian-friendly and off-limits to traffic, each night is a perpetual bar crawl. Have a steak at Pickwick and Frolic, catch a show at House of Blues and grab a drink at Society Lounge for a successful and memorable night out.

East 4th
East 4th Street

West Side Market

Whether you’re looking for fresh, locally made pasta to pick up for dinner, or a quick crepe for the road, Ohio City’s West Side Market has you covered. Featuring nearly a hundred local vendors, the market’s Neo-Classical architecture completely plucks you from 21st century city life. Food Network Magazine once named it America’s “Best Food Lovers’ Market” thanks to its eclectic variety of meats, cheeses, fruits and desserts. Get your food to go and take a walk to see all Ohio City has to offer.

West side market
West Side market
West side market
West Side Market

Mitchell’s Ice Cream

Founded and operated by two Cleveland natives, Mitchell’s Ice Cream is a must-try. Sample their dozens of flavors made with farm-fresh ingredients in Ohio and you’ll know why. With locations in Cleveland and surrounding suburbs, it’s effortless to get a scoop of pralines & cream or wildberry crumble after a day at the lake.

Mitchell's Ice Cream
Mitchell’s Ice Cream

Edgewater Park

Play a game of volleyball, take a walk in the breeze or just relax on the warm sand of the recently renovated Edgewater Park and Beach. West of the city on Lake Erie, the beach offers visitors opportunities for swimming, fishing and grilling. As temperatures start to rise this summer, make the clean, crisp Erie water your oasis.

Edgewater Park
Edgewater Park

Crust Pizza

Crust has only two locations, affording them the opportunity to craft each order to perfection. Their hand-tossed, slow-cooked dough and freshly cut ingredients are baked and served as one colossal slice so savory it’ll curb even the hungriest city-dweller’s appetite.

Crust
Crust
Pizza at Crust
Pizza at Crust

Johnny Mango World Cafe and Bar

You haven’t had Pad Thai until you’ve paired it with Johnny’s cucumber margarita and fried plantains. With an impressive array of Mexican and Thai options, even the pickiest of pallets are sure to find something appetizing. The only thing as remarkable as menu is the atmosphere. The moody, personal ambient lighting, hand-made murals and friendly, down-to-earth staff make it an unforgettable experience to share with friends. Head over to its corner location in Tremont for brunch and try their revitalizing, fresh-squeezed juices.

Johnny Mango
Johnny Mango
Johnny Mango
Johnny Mango

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

While driving through CVNP, it’s easy to forget you’re in Ohio. It’s endless rolling hills of lush forest more often resemble something you’d see overlooking Asheville. Take a hike through The Ledges, near Peninsula, Ohio, and you’ll be rewarded with massive, viridescent rock formations formed by millennia of erosion and a view overlooking the most expansive region of the park. Hike the Brandywine Gorge Trail to explore the Brandywine Falls creek and waterfall.

Boulder Slot at Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Boulder Slot at Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park

How Tourism Is Helping to Revive West Virginia’s Coal-Based Economy

Put West Virginia on your list of places to visit. Maybe not this year, maybe not even next year but within the next five years West Virginia will be the new hot destination. The Mountain state is in the throes of a renaissance and a small army of artists, musicians, farmers and outdoor adventure types are working to revive the state’s coal based economy.

“We’re so much more than coal or natural gas,” said Joseph Carlucci with the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority in Beckley, WV.

The extraction industry—think coal—carried the West Virginia economy, for better or worse, since it was discovered in the 1700s. In 2010, the coal industry employed 30,000 of the state’s residents resulting in $2 billion in wages and $3.5 billion economic impact. Coal is what people do – or at least did.

“My dad worked in the mines until he couldn’t pass a physical no more, and I always thought I’d do the same,” Michael Estep told The Washington Post in 2014.

Declining reserves, increased environmental regulations and cheaper alternative energy have slowly been phasing the coal industry out of West Virginia. In 2013, coal exports were down 40 percent a loss of $2.9 billion in sales. By 2015 the state had lost more than 10,000 coal-mining jobs and was the only state to have lost a significant number of jobs in the past year.

nrg preserve w virginia
Photo: Bridget Shirvell

At a crossroads some in the state are betting on tourism. The state tourism department has a current budget of around $7 million, a triple increase from last year thanks to the legislature, although it still lags behind the US state average of $14.9 million. Partly behind the increase was research from Longwoods International, revealing a $5.1 billion industry in a state of 1.8 million people, of whom 46,000 are dependent on the industry.

It’s an understatement to say there’s some work to do before the tourism numbers are big enough to help fill the employment and revenue gaps the failing coal extraction industry is leaving behind. Amy Goodwin, who took over the state’s tourism in June 2014, is leading that charge, and at the heart of it is rafting in New River Gorge, farm-to-table dining and a growing arts scene.

“For the first time this year, the white water rafting industry is up,” Goodwin said.

Gauley in the fall west virginia
Photo: Bridget Shirvell

ACE Adventure Resort, which employs more than 500 people in Fayette County, saw business grow nearly 10 percent in 2015 and is optimistic that the state’s efforts will mean more jobs for more people.

Gauley white water rafting west virginia
Photo: Bridget Shirvell

Goodwin’s department is capitalizing on that by building a larger digital presence to promote the state where the focus is on experiences, not things.

music in west virginia
Photo: Bridget Shirvell

 

 

 

 

ACE Mtn Top Stage
Photo: Bridget Shirvell

 

 

“This is a cool place to hear great, live music, have a handcrafted meal and shop for local handcrafts,” Adam Harris, executive producer of Mountain Stage Radio Show out of Charleston, WV, said “People today are looking for a well-rounded experience that they discover themselves. Coming to town to raft is just one part of their trip.”

rock climbing west virginia
Photo: Bridget Shirvell

The creative economy from open studio weekends to the small but emerging agritourism is intrinsic to the tourism infrastructure West Virginia is hoping to build.

farm west virginia agritourism
Photo: Bridget Shirvell

The state has the highest per capita population of farms in the United States, about 21,300 according to the state department of agriculture. Yet, the average net income for farms is only $2,500.

“We need to provide opportunities to make farming sustainable,” Cindy Martel, marketing specialist for the department of agriculture said. “Agritourism is a way to do that.”

Demand for local food isn’t the hurdle, supply is. The state, according to Martel, consumes more than $7 billion in food but produces less than $1 billion. An explosion in the number of greenhouse-like structures that allow for off-season production and winter markets and a focus on attracting young and new farmers is helping to build the industry.

Outdoor adventures, a developing farm-to-table movement, shopping and 26 live music events hosted by Mountain Stage Radio Show alone each year are making West Virginia a dream spot for anyone that loves experiences and the eat, shop local movement.

4 Ways You Can See the World on Any Budget

For those of us fresh out of our university years or just starting nascent careers, sometimes everything seems like an unaffordable luxury, especially that vacation you so desperately need. Too often you read a travel article about some spectacular place only to end with a sigh and the wistful thought that maybe, one day, you’ll get to go somewhere like that.

But actually, chances are you already can, even as a young professional, student, or anyone else not swimming in disposable cash.

‘Travel’ used to mean beach resorts and all-inclusive hotels for the wealthy and mid-career professionals, but not anymore. In the shrinking world and its growing Internet, it’s possible and even easy to take a vacation on nothing more than a long weekend and a couple hundred bucks.

All you need is a bit of cultural openness and a dose of enthusiasm for the unfamiliar, and you’ll discover that it’s unbelievably easy to pinch pennies in the four main categories of your travel budget that traditionally run up the bill.

 

1. Don’t Blow Your Whole Budget on Transportation

Back in the day, the young professional’s fantasy vacation was squashed from the get-go by prohibitively expensive flights. But nowadays, budget airlines like Ryanair, Spirit, and Frontier are cropping up all over the globe, and they love to deliver you from A to B on a two-digit price tag.

For airborne travel, skip the popup-riddled cheap flight search engines of yesteryear and instead head straight for Skyscanner or Google Flights. Skyscanner is great especially for the flexible traveler, as you can simply search an entire month for the cheapest flights (rather than specific departure and return dates), or just find the cheapest flights from your nearest airport with a search for flights to “Everywhere” in a particular month.

man laptop
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

For bus travelers in the US, check Wanderu for a side-by-side comparison of discount bus lines like Megabus with other major ones like Greyhound. And for those who just want an adventure and don’t care how they get there, sites like Rome 2 Rio give you all the options—by land, air, and sea—from one point to another.

 

2. Stay in More Affordable (and More Authentic) Accommodation

Just ten years ago, those who could scrape together the savings for a flight were only in for a disappointment when they found that pricey hotels were almost comically beyond their budget. But thankfully, in 2016, there are plentiful, diverse, and affordable options for accommodation on a budget.

black and white room view
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

For the standard vacation, check Air BnB for hotel-like rooms offered by locals in their own homes. You’ll often find that not only is the general quality of your stay comparable to or better than what you’d have in an average hotel, but also that staying with a local dramatically enhances your trip and even affords you enough insider tips to save money elsewhere.

The more extroverted and culturally open should consider Couchsurfing, a network of travelers who offer their couches (or air mattresses, or guest rooms, etc.) to other vagabonding Couchsurfers, totally for free. The ‘catch’ is that Couchsurfing isn’t intended to be a free hotel, but rather a cultural exchange network, which means you’re generally expected to make a genuine effort to get to know the person opening their home to you.

Long-term vacationers can also ‘housesit’ all over the world through sites like Trusted Housesitters, also free after the annual registration fee.

 

3. Eat Like a Local

If you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen, take advantage of it and do some shopping in local markets and grocery stores to take care of your breakfast and lunch. This gives you a chance to interact with locals as they live and shop, as well as save enormous amounts of money you would’ve spent eating out.

olives farmers market
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

Even if you’re already breakfasting on the produce from the market down the street, you can free up even more space in your budget by avoiding restaurants at dinner time. In many countries around the world (and even many US cities), street food is an ubiquitous part of local culture, and you’re missing out if you don’t try it.

When you do treat yourself to the occasional restaurant meal, try visiting a neighborhood outside the main tourist drag. In most of the world, you’ll find that the further away you get from the shining lights and fancy buildings of the city center, the drastically cheaper your meal will be.

food stall china
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

 

4. Find the Free Stuff

 Even ‘expensive destinations’ don’t have to be expensive if you do them right.

Cities all over the world have days or hours during which museums and cultural institutions are free or reduced. London is a budget travel goldmine for its free museums. Cities like New Orleans even feature enough free food nights that you feasibly could (and absolutely should) schedule an entire week around eating for free. Walking tours can be found from a few dollars in developed countries to a few cents in developing ones.

musee dorsay
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

Instead of going for the guided tour, why not do some independent sightseeing on public transit? A few cents to a few dollars in most parts of the world will buy your passage onto buses, trains, metros, and cable cars, all ideal ways of taking in the sights and discovering hidden gems missing from the guidebooks.

Always google “free stuff to do in [city/location]” before starting your holiday, and you’re likely to get at least a few suggestions to get you started, if not a detailed list or even an entire website for popularly visited world cities like New York or Paris.

Mixing and matching all of the above tips can and often should be an attraction in its own right. A day spent adventuring around the city metro, popping into local markets and restaurants, catching a live music performance in a park, and just chatting up the locals: that’s the stuff that travel is made of.