Travel Tips
Traveling for the
First Time
How to Start Traveling
Creating a realistic travel itinerary is the key to every successful trip. If you're wondering how to make a good travel itinerary, this post is perfect for you.
Traveling Changed Our Life
Why do we travel? Here, we share experiences and stories of how travel became one of the essential parts of our lives and taught us new skills.
Before You Travel
There are tons of things we wish we had known before we started traveling. This post gives you some idea of what to expect before your first journey.
Choosing a Travel
Destination
Every trip starts with the search for a travel destination. First, you need to figure out where you want to go. This process is highly individual, as we all have different must-see places on our bucket lists. Lucie and I have an advantage because we share similar interests, so finding our next destination is usually pretty simple. If your dream destination wishlist is blank, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, travel documentaries, or our travel blog offer endless inspiration.
Our favorite story is how we wanted to go to Barcelona but realized we would spend a lot of money for just a few days. So, we looked into Southeast Asia and ended up hiking the Annapurna Circuit. We share this tidbit of our history mainly because you should make your goals realistic. Obviously, budgeting is essential, but you also need to factor in trip length and other things. We would love to spend a few months surfing in Hawaii or road-tripping Japan, but that's a dream we are saving for our future selves.
The second piece of advice is also practical. We all have our own dream destinations or things we want to experience someday. Every year, this list only gets bigger and bigger. It makes deciding harder, especially if spontaneity is not your strongest suit. So, pick a location and try to stick with it, whether you dream of visiting Machu Picchu or Yellowstone National Park.
Deciding Your Next Destination
A lot of considerations play a role in determining where to travel next. You must factor in budget, personal interests, activities, time constraints, weather, safety, etc. Here, we share tips to help you choose your next destination.
Best Countries to Visit
Here, we share our favorite travel destinations we have explored so far. Let's get inspired. This post features some of the most beautiful places in the world.
Planning
the Trip
For us, planning a trip is almost as exciting as the trip itself. After choosing our next destination, we map out all the places we want to visit and the experiences we'd like to have, then build an itinerary, prepare a packing list, and book everything from flights and accommodations to transportation and tours.
It's usually a lot of fun, but it can sometimes feel a little overwhelming. Whether you're planning your first international trip, don't travel often, or simply aren't a fan of trip planning, we're here to help.
Travel Resources We Use
Accommodation: Booking.com - Finding a good place to stay is key to any successful trip.
Tours: GetYourGuide - We love independent travel, but some places are better explored with a guide.
Insurance: World Nomads - No matter where we're heading, good travel insurance is a must-have.
Plan a Travel Itinerary
Creating a realistic travel itinerary is the key to every successful trip. If you're wondering how to make a good travel itinerary, this post is perfect for you.
Create a Travel Budget
Establish your total budget, estimate expenses, and keep it realistic. Here, we break down every aspect of your trip you need to consider when creating a travel budget.
Find Your Travel Style
Every traveler is different. This post helps you organize your thoughts on what type of traveler you are and what some of the best ways to travel are.
Trip
Advice
Traveling is a learning process. It has taught us confidence, given us freedom, broadened our horizons, connected us with people from all walks of life, and brought unforgettable experiences into our lives. No matter where we travel or how long we're away, we always learn something new.
While on WHS in New Zealand, we learned that we could easily visit most of its beautiful places independently and on a very small budget. Living in Calgary helped us improve our English and showed us that we could start from scratch wherever we happened to be.
Every journey taught us that traveling doesn't have to cost a fortune, and with some planning, we can cut down on expenses and explore expensive destinations like Dublin or Sydney. After backpacking throughout Malaysia, we also learned that we'd still rather stay in cheap hostels and spend more on food in Melaka or a trip to Tioman Island than on expensive hotels.
Over the years, we've met countless people from different backgrounds and cultures, showing us just how incredibly diverse our world really is, whether we were living in Martinborough or spending three weeks in Cusco. We had the opportunity to visit some of the world's most famous places, like Petra and Iguazu Falls, while also venturing beyond the well-trodden tourist trail to destinations such as Ísafjörður and Villa O'Higgins.
Not every experience was positive, though, and we've made plenty of mistakes along the way. We were scammed in Mui Ne, our flight to Kathmandu was delayed for about 10 hours, we had to completely cancel our trip to Israel and completely overhaul our Jordan itinerary, someone stole our phone in Bogotá, we were involved in a bus crash near Arequipa, I hurt my back in San Agustín, Lucie got sick in Tulum, and much more.
Every trip, every experience, every mistake, and every encounter taught us something new. So it's not surprising that we've picked up plenty of useful travel tips, hacks, and tricks over the years, and we'd love to share them with you to help you explore the world.
Ultimate Travel Tips
Here are our all-time favorite travel tips that have helped us travel the world, make the most of new destinations, and return home safely after every adventure.
Common Travel Mistakes
Even after years of traveling, we still make mistakes. Here are some of the most common travel mistakes and our tips on how to avoid them.
How to Avoid Crowds While Traveling
Whether we're traveling during the off-season, avoiding weekends, getting an early start, or exploring lesser-known destinations, there are always ways to avoid the crowds.
Things to Do Before Traveling Abroad
Here's our tried-and-tested checklist of everything you should prepare before traveling abroad.
Essential Tips to Have a Better Vacation
Travel can be both exciting and stressful. Stay positive, create a realistic itinerary, pack only what you need, and don't forget to enjoy the journey.
How to Survive Long-Haul Flights
Long-haul flights are often an unavoidable part of travel. Here, we're sharing our best tips to help make your journey as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
Traveling on a
Budget
On our first adventures, we quickly learned that traveling on a budget doesn't mean compromising on experiences. We just had to be smarter when it comes to planning and making savvier choices.
Taking the night buses saved us a lot of money on accommodation when we traveled around Peru. In the Canadian Rockies, we rented a campervan instead of staying in hotels. In Iceland, we prepared our own meals to save money on eating out.
Those are just a few examples to show you there's always a way to reduce your expenses. This brings us to our last piece of advice.
Don't overdo it! It's crucial to find a balance between saving, spending, and splurging from time to time. If you're a budget-conscious traveler, this is actually one of the hardest parts of travel.
When Lucie and I started traveling together, we were just a couple of broke students who wanted to see the world. We had no money, but we always had to look for ways to make our dreams possible.
Our first travel experiences included a lot of hiking, camping, and public transportation. Then came the WHS experience in New Zealand (and the following journey across Australia and Southeast Asia), which taught us that you can see some of the most beautiful places in the world on a shoestring.
Even after all those years, our philosophy remains the same. The less money we spend on staying in expensive hotels or taking organized tours, the longer we can travel. During our countless trips, we learned how to travel independently, cut down expenses, and save money when on the road.
Save Money for Travel
The hard cold truth is that you've got to have money to travel. So, what are some of the easy ways to save money for travel? Let's find out.
Travel on a Budget
Learning how to travel on a budget takes time. Here are our favorite budget tips to help you save money, and still have an enjoyable experience when on the road.
Travel on $50 a Day
Traveling on a shoestring is all about smart choices and careful planning. Let's look at some best ways to spend less than $50 a day when traveling.
Long Term
Travel
Long-term travel is one of our favorite ways to explore the world. We set off on our first long-term journey to New Zealand after finishing university, and it was one of the best decisions we ever made. First, we had to find jobs, and after a few months, we had saved enough money to explore one of the most beautiful countries in the world. We then went on to visit Australia and Southeast Asia as well. To this day, we have nothing but fond memories of the entire experience.
It was completely different from our previous trips, whether backpacking in Azerbaijan or exploring Mauritius. We had to move out of our apartment, sell furniture, store our belongings, arrange travel insurance, and get new passports. When we moved to Canada a few years later, the situation repeated itself, but this time we also had to quit our jobs. Then we had to start from scratch again and earn enough money for the journey that followed. This time, we explored South America and Central America.
For us, long-term travel is all about freedom. It's about being able to move at a much slower pace, experience places in a completely different way than on a short vacation, get off the beaten path, see destinations we would most likely otherwise skip, and visit multiple countries in a single trip. It comes with both advantages and disadvantages, and every experience is different, so it's important to figure out whether it's the right choice for you.
Long Term Travel Essentials
Traveling for months or even years is an incredible experience, but it also comes with its challenges. Here, we share everything we've learned about long-term travel, including its biggest advantages and drawbacks.
Planning a Long Term Trip
Long-term travel requires careful planning. Here, you'll find practical tips we've gathered from our own journeys to help you prepare for and plan your long-term adventure.
Stay Healthy on Long Term Trip
Staying in shape while traveling can be challenging, and the longer we're on the road, the harder it gets. Here are our favorite tips for staying fit and healthy while traveling.
Sustainable
Travel
Like every other industry, travel has both positive and negative impacts on the environment and local communities. We've seen these changes firsthand in our hometown of Prague. Over the years, the city has become so popular that places like Charles Bridge and Old Town Square often feel overcrowded, making it harder for locals like us to enjoy them. And when we visited cities such as Paris or Rome, we could easily relate to how local residents might feel about overtourism.
As more and more people travel each year, it's clear that the negative effects of tourism are becoming increasingly visible. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to travel more sustainably and be a responsible tourist.
In Patagonia, we relied on public transportation and hitchhiking. On our trip to Costa Rica, we stayed with locals and in small family-run accommodations. We explored Pacaya Samiria exclusively with local guides, took a 12-hour bus from Cartagena to Medellín instead of a one-hour flight, ventured off the beaten path to the Westfjords, and hiked the Salkantay Trek during the rainy season. All these small choices add up and show how we can make a positive impact through the way we travel.
Sustainable Travel Tips
What can you do to travel sustainably? We've put together a list of practical tips to be a better traveler.
Use Less Plastic When Traveling
What are the best ways to reduce plastic waste when traveling? Follow our practical tips to ensure you lower your plastic footprint.
Why We Travel Locally
Traveling locally has many benefits. It's cheaper for your wallet, better for the environment, and great for the local economy.
How to Find the Best Place to
Stay
Long gone are the days when we just showed up in Tupiza without a reservation and started looking for a place to stay right after getting off the bus. While the method was more adventurous back then, it was also time-consuming and inconvenient at times. So we're glad we can make all our reservations online and in advance today, even if it's last minute.
Our budget has increased since our university days when Lucie and I embarked on our first trips together, but we're still reluctant to pay more for a hotel room than necessary. Our philosophy is to spend more money on new experiences, food, and fun activities rather than accommodation.
After years of backpacking and staying in shared dormitories, we also learned how important it is to have a good night's sleep. Saving two dollars by staying in a 12-bed dormitory instead of a private room in Semuc Champey (and all the following nights) allowed us to see more of Guatemala in the long run, but we felt pretty tired after some time.
So, what are the main criteria when searching for a good hotel? For us, it's price, location, cleanliness, and positive reviews.
Find the Best Hotel Deals
Booking.com is our favorite place to search for hotels. The site is extremely intuitive, they have a great loyalty program, and their database is enormous.
Hostelworld is our favorite site for booking hostels. We love their rating and review system, as well as their social features.
Find a Cheap Accommodation
Learn about the best ways to find cheap places to stay when traveling. Here, we share our secret tips to help you score a better deal on your accommodation.
Find a Good Hostel
Learn about the best ways to find cheap places to stay when traveling. Here, we share our secret tips to help you score a better deal on your accommodation.
Hostel Etiquette
Hostels are all about shared spaces. Find out what are the unwritten hostel rules to have a stress-free and enjoyable stay when sharing a room with complete strangers.
Packing
Tips
No matter how many countries we've explored or how many years we've spent traveling, packing for the next adventure never gets any easier. Overpacking has always been one of our biggest weaknesses. We like being prepared for every possible scenario, whether we're heading away for a weekend or embarking on a months-long journey.
The toughest packing challenge we faced was undoubtedly our year-long trip through South America. From the sun-drenched beaches of Tayrona National Park and the snowy slopes of Nevado Santa Isabel to the windswept landscapes of Patagonia, we needed gear for every climate imaginable.
Carrying our heavy backpacks across the continent taught us two valuable lessons. South America is one of the most diverse and beautiful places we've ever visited, and traveling with too much luggage simply isn't worth it.
That's why we eventually switched to 30L backpacks and never looked back. It took some planning and a few compromises to fit everything we needed for Iceland and Israel into such compact bags, but it paid off in the end, saving us both time and money.
Of course, what you pack depends entirely on the type and length of your trip. Our packing lists for Ireland, Zermatt, and Český Krumlov couldn't have been more different. Still, the principle stayed the same: travel light and stick to carry-on luggage whenever possible. Over the years, we've learned that less really is more.
Essential Items for Every Trip
After years of traveling, we've narrowed down the list of items that come with us on every single trip.
Eco-Friendly Travel Packing List
Want to travel more responsibly? These practical packing tips will help you reduce waste, pack smarter, and minimize your footprint while traveling.
What to Pack for Every Hike
Whether you're heading out for a short walk or a multi-day trek, discover the equipment and gear we use, from footwear and backpacks to camping gear and navigation tools.
Hostel Packing List
From useful extras to absolute essentials, this hostel packing checklist covers everything you should consider bringing for a comfortable stay.
Best Travel Accessories
These travel accessories have made our journeys smoother and more enjoyable over the years. Here's our complete list of favorites.
Hiking
Tips
Pristine nature, stunning views, fresh air, the absence of city noise, a sense of adventure, and sometimes a real challenge are all reasons why we enjoy spending so much time outdoors. Over the years, we've completed countless trails, from the incredible hikes in Patagonia and New Zealand's Great Walks to the demanding Annapurna Circuit and the iconic trails of Banff National Park.
Without a doubt, hiking is one of our favorite ways to experience the world and discover new places. Even the shortest trails and easiest walks can be rewarding. One of the things we love most is that walking fits almost any situation. Whether it's exploring the scenery around Jasper, recovering after a bus ride in El Valle de Anton, acclimatizing in Manang, stretching your legs during a Ring Road road trip, or enjoying panoramic views of Rio de Janeiro, a good walk is often the perfect solution. On top of that, hiking offers plenty of health benefits, improving fitness, cardiovascular health, strength, balance, and mental well-being.
Another reason we love hiking is that it's one of the most affordable outdoor activities. Most trails worldwide are free, and even destinations such as the U.S. National Parks and the Canadian Rockies provide excellent value through their annual passes. In most cases, all you need is a good pair of hiking boots, a waterproof jacket, and a comfortable daypack. While some gear can be expensive, brands such as Decathlon, MEC, and REI offer excellent options for travelers who don't want to spend a fortune.
Why Start Hiking
Why should you start hiking? Hitting the trail is one of the best ways to explore the outdoors, disconnect from everyday stress, and improve both your mental and physical health.
Hiking Tips for Beginners
Hiking is one of the best ways to spend time outdoors while staying active. Here are our essential hiking tips for beginners that will help you feel more confident, prepared, and safe on the trail.
High-Altitude Hiking
Hiking at high elevations is more challenging because there's less oxygen available. To make the experience safer and more enjoyable, take time to acclimatize properly, stay hydrated, and maintain a slower pace on the trail.
Essential Hiking Gear
Daypack: Osprey Talon 22L - After many hiking adventures, we've found that a 20L daypack is the ideal size for hikes in any season. It provides enough space for all the essentials, including food and water for the day, an extra insulation layer, and a rain jacket.
Hiking Boots: Lowa Renegade GTX - Hiking boots (or shoes) are among the most important pieces of gear when heading outdoors. We prefer hiking boots because they provide excellent ankle support, stability on uneven terrain, durability, and reliable waterproof protection.
Rain Jacket: MARMOT Minimalist - Mountain weather can be unpredictable, and rain is always a possibility no matter where you're hiking. That's why a quality waterproof jacket, or even a simple rain poncho, is always part of our hiking pack.
Headlamp: Petzl Actik Core - A headlamp is essential for night hikes, camping trips, and unexpected emergencies. Look for a model with at least 200 to 300 lumens and a red-light mode, which helps preserve your night vision and avoids disturbing others.