Backpack Europe on Budget--Backpacking and travel info for budget travelers. 10 craziest hotels in the world. - StumbleUpon Hôtel de Glace, Canada – an ice hotel opened only during winter Made entirely of ice and snow, this unique one-story structure has been rebuilt each year since 2000. The 9th season of the Ice Hotel lasted from January 4th through March 29th 2009. The Ice Hotel has become an unparalleled and world-famous winter experience. It takes 5 weeks, 500 tons of ice, and 15,000 tons of snow to craft the Ice Hotel with its ceilings as high as 18 feet, walls covered with original artwork and furniture carved from ice blocks. Waterworld Hotel, China – an amazing aquatic themed hotel Atkin's Architecture Group won first prize for an international design competition with this stunning entry. Sala Silvergruva, Sweden: a single room hotel inside a silver mine Picture this A single suite, 155m underground in historic Sala Silvermine, one of the world's best preserved mine settings. Das Park Hotel, Austria: a hotel where rooms are made of concrete pipes Jumbo Hostel ( Stockholm ): World's First Aircraft Inn
Do You Embrace Technology When You Travel? It seems like everyday there is a new travel website launching—it can be overwhelming, even for us and we do this for a living! We're constantly testing the newest tools to help you sort the wheat from the chaff (refer to our list of the 10 Most Useful Travel Websites to see some of our favorites). Some sites, like TripIt help create custom itineraries. And that's not even counting apps—a quick search in The App Store revealed there are more than 240 apps in the travel category alone, not to mention another 48 available for Android devices via Google Play. Before smartphones and instant internet access, people relied on word–of–mouth recommendations, travel agents, printed guides and didn't mind getting a little lost if it meant having a great travel story to tell when they got home. We even did a story about this back in December of 2010 where we sent a writer to Mumbai with nothing but a smartphone to see what kind of trip he would have by relying on technology alone.
Home - OSTELLI ITALIA ITALY HOSTELS Worlds Best Street Parties/Carnivals New Orleans Mardi Gras. Spend Mardi Gras in the city that spawned jazz and party to one of the world's best festival soundtracks. Photo: Reuters From Venice and Rio to Bolivia's Oruro, some cities really know how to kick up their heels. Witness a street festival or carnival and you are guaranteed a holiday to remember, be it a pre-Lenten celebration of hedonism and repentance, or something altogether more unusual. Here is a selection of 10 of the world's best: Venice. Venice Carnival Advertisement Venice, Italy, Feb 19-20 and Feb 26-March 8; www.carnevale.venezia.it Italy's most exquisite carnival conjures up images of mystery and intrigue: revellers in baroque costumes running along canals; street performers at every corner. Rio Carnival Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, March 5-8 www.rioguiaoficial.com.br/en/ The samba parade is the climax of this riotous display of Brazilian bacchanal. Cologne Carnival Cologne, Germany, March 3-9; www.cologne-tourism.com Join the party and get kissed by a stranger.
10 Most Useful Travel Websites All the tools you need for a perfect trip. The Web should make things easier for travelers, but the sheer volume of services out there is often more overwhelming than useful. Unfortunately, you don't always know which outfits pay off until you've already invested your time. The Budget Travel team puts websites—new and established—to the test every day. So when it came time to line up our favorites, the task was easy—we just turned to the sites we keep revisiting because they're so darn helpful. Our top picks can help you avoid overpaying for airfare (Bing Travel), bag the primo room at a hotel (Hipmunk), and never miss a deal on a rental-car reservation again (AutoSlash). 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Note:This story was accurate when it was published. How to plan a round-the-world trip Itʼs the ultimate trip: circumnavigating the planet, and stopping off wherever takes your fancy. Great for travellers who want to see it all, or who are just plain indecisive. But booking a round-the-world (RTW) trip can be a complex business. Hereʼs our guide to getting started. How to do it The most economical way to circumnavigate is to buy a round-the-world air ticket that uses one airline alliance. There are rules: you must follow one global direction (east or west – no backtracking); you must start and finish in the same country; and you must book all your flights before departure, though you can change them later (which may incur extra charges). How long you need You could whip round the world in a weekend if you flew non-stop. When to go The weather will never be ideal in all your stops. Pin this image Image by Christian Steen Where to go The classic (and cheapest) RTW tickets flit between a few big cities, for example London – Bangkok – Singapore – Sydney – LA. Tips, tricks & pitfalls
Plnnr - plan the perfect trip, automatically! Get Paid to Travel the World - Travel Writing Tips | The Lost Girls - StumbleUpon Travel Writing — By Lost Girls on January 30, 2011 at 2:20 pm Be sure to check out our new Pitching 101 Series, including interviews with: BootsnAll editor, Katie HammelNew York Times’ deputy travel editor, Monica DrakeThe Expeditioner’s founder and editor-in-chief, Matt StabileGalavanting‘s managing editor, Joseph HernandezTravel Belles’ publisher and editor, Margo MillureGo NOMAD‘s general edit Max HartshorneTravel Agent senior editor Joe PikeTravelingMom‘s editor Cindy RichardsRecommend‘s managing editor Paloma Villaverde de Rico Want to get paid to travel? If you’re interested in sharing your travel experiences, there are several travel websites that accept pitches from freelance writers. Here are a few of them, and what they pay per word or post. Travel Websites That Pay for Freelance Articles and Posts Travel Belles $10 per post. Travel sites that accept submissions for experience, rather than a payment Some ideas and rates courtesy of Matador.com, JoAnna Haugen
Ecuador & Amazon Jungle, Air, Tours, 9 Nights, From $1,429 The Cotopaxi Volcano is just one of the natural wonders you will see with this travel deal to Ecuador. (Courtesy themurfs/myBudgetTravel) When Apr. 4, May 2, 2013 ($1,429); add $20 for Mar. 7, 21, Apr. 11, 18, May 16, 2013; add $40 for Aug. 15, 22, Sept. 19, Oct. 3, 10, 24, 2013; add $50 for Nov. 7, 14, 21, 2013; check Gate 1 Travel's website for additional dates. Gateways Miami ($1,429); additional gateway cities are also available. The Fine Print Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal. Book By No deadline; based on availability. Contact Gate 1 Travel, 800/682-3333, gate1travel.com. Why It's a Deal A recent Kayak search shows the lowest round-trip airfare between Miami and Quito starts from $523 in early April (Avianca Aerovias). More Indulge in a luxurious spa package at Termas de Papallacta for $45 per person including a 30-minute soak in the hot springs, a 20-minute Turkish bath in the resort's thermal steam cave, and a 30-minute neck and back massage.
A Year in the Life of a Full-Time Traveler You are here: Home / Blog / A Year in the Life of a Full-Time Traveler All my life, I’ve dreamed of traveling the world. And in 2011, I achieved what I once thought was impossible without winning the lottery: I became a full-time traveler. And it wasn’t how I pictured. You DON’T need to be insanely rich to travel the world. I’m incredibly fortunate to have built myself a life rich in time and location independence with enough money to get by. So I may not be able to jet anywhere I want at a moment’s notice. Here is what a year in the life of a full-time traveler looks like! January: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam I rang in 2011 on Khao San Road in Bangkok. There was a two-day interlude in overrated Luang Prabang, and then I entered Vietnam (not without almost getting refused to the border). After recovering, I got to know Hanoi better — drinking snake blood was one way — and then experienced Halong Bay on the greatest party cruise of all time! February: Vietnam, Cambodia May: UK, USA, Mexico
Budget Travel Tips: 12 Best Budget Airlines (Brunoil / Dreamstime.com) Travel can be an expensive hobby—you have to figure out where to stay, what do see and do, what to eat, and more importantly, how to get there, and all without breaking the bank. Flying can often be the priciest part of the journey, especially with all the extra baggage fees and other taxes that are involved nowadays. Luckily, there are airlines out there that want to make it easier—and cheaper—for travelers to get from Point A to Point B. We've rounded up 12 of the world's best budget airlines, great for that quick weekend getaway you've been dreaming about and there to help support your endless sense of wanderlust with an affordable way to visit a new city abroad. JetBlue Airways Comfy leather seats and televisions for all So you want to fly down to D.C., Orlando, or even San Juan for the weekend—no problem! Southwest Airlines Fun-loving employees and open seating options WestJet Connecting Canada with the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean Gateway to South America
80 things we wish we knew before we started traveling - StumbleUpon Photo: Ross Borden Tips from experienced travelers, for newbies and veterans alike. HINDSIGHT IS 20/20, right? Well, foresight can be near to it when you have the expertise of some seriously savvy travelers at your fingertips. On preparing for your trip 1. 2. 3. On talking to airline agents 4. Travel in low season. Bad: “Can you get me on the next flight out – I can’t miss my connection to Europe!” Good: “Excuse me, Barbara. 5. On budgeting abroad 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Photo: Z17R0 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. On meeting people when traveling alone 20. Photo: casers jean 21. 22. 23. [*Note: Meeting people is never compulsory. On researching a trip vs winging it 24. 25. 26. 27. On adapting to a new country 28. Photo: Barnacles Hostels 29. 30. On food 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. On taking taxis and other transport 36. Carry a “dummy” wallet with some expired credit and bank cards. 37. 38. 39. 40. On staying safe 41. Photo: matiasjajaja 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. On health while abroad 50. Photo: anaulin
Moscow, Air, 4 Nights, From $899 Get to know one of Russia's most vibrant historical cities with this travel deal to Moscow. (Filtv / Dreamstime.com) The Real Deal Vacation package to Russia includes airfare from New York City on Swiss Air, four nights at Hotel Katerina Park Moscow, and daily breakfast, from $869 per person including all hotel and air taxes and fees. When Oct. 2, 15, 2013 ($869); add $10 for Sept. 18, Oct. 23; add $20 for Sept. 25, Oct. 9; add $50 for Sept. 11; add $90 for Sept. 4. Gateways New York City ($869); additional gateway cities are also available. The Fine Print Airport taxes and fees are included in the package price. Book By No deadline; based on availability. Contact Gate 1 Travel, 800/682-3333, gate1travel.com. Why It's a Deal A recent Kayak search shows the lowest round-trip airfare between New York City and Moscow starts from $643 in early October (Transaero Airlines). >>Follow @BudgetTravel on Twitter and like us on Facebook for daily deals.