I went to Peru’s Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley with a dear friend of mine to celebrate the big 4-0. To mark this milestone birthday, I had a certain scenario in mind. After an absolutely punishing year that included a health scare, job loss, a move, the aftermath of a nasty breakup and a family tragedy, I imagined myself standing powerfully on top of Machu Picchu, where I’d throw my hands up in the air and shout: “Hey world, look at ME! I am a goddess! A superheroine! A doer of great things!” But then, something unexpected happened.

As I stood there nearly a mile and a half up in thin air, it became abundantly clear that this experience would be less about shouting at the world to pay attention to me and more about me paying much respect and attention to nature and Pachamama (the Inca’s Mother Earth).

Instead of shouting, I got quiet. I stood there tingling from the sly smack in the face nature had delivered. Before me were the hulking, lush Andean mountains so tall they brushed up against the clouds, some with snow-covered peaks. Below, the snaking café au lait-colored Urubamba River sustains the communities living in one of the most sacred spaces on earth.

That’s the wonderful thing about traveling. It sets you straight. Yes, I felt small in that space, but it was an appreciative small, a powerful small, a motivational small. Below are nine tips, if you’re seeking a similar experience in Peru and Machu Picchu.

1) Know the Machu Picchu Entry Ch-ch-changes

In July 2017, several changes were made to the Machu Picchu entry rules in order to help further protect the precious fortress of the ancient Inca civilization that dates back to the 15th century. Now, there are two blocks of visiting hours: 6 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 12 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. If you want to stay from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., you’ll have to purchase an a.m. and a p.m. ticket. The total number of Machu Picchu entry tickets offered daily is 5,000 (2,500 per visiting hour block). In addition, it’s no longer possible to enter without a guide. And, if you thought you’d pop out and use the bathroom by the entrance during your tour, think again; once you’re in, you’re in.

My advice: Book a private tour and go after sunrise. Not only will you save time not having to navigate the government’s slightly awkward site to get tickets, but you’ll also be able to choose a less hectic time for your ascent. We booked a private tour for two from Aguas Calientes with Viator ($290), run by local operator Viajes Pacifico.

Not only was our guide Nelida knowledgeable and thoughtful, but she also served as our Machu Picchu bodyguard and photographer. When choosing the train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), go with PeruRail’s Expedition — more spacious, cleaner windows and therefore better views, plusher and comfier seats than other options. With 1 million-plus visitors annually, best to book any and all tickets and tours 3-6 months in advance.

2) Get a Driver

Not only can drivers shuttle you between your home-away-from-home and the airport, but they may be able to take you on extended car excursions to spots like the Sacred Valley. Take down the driver’s name and contact info for future car sightseeing journeys and keep in touch using WhatsApp.

My advice: Snap a photo of the car’s license plate (matricula). Agree on the fare before getting in and as far as tipping your driver, it is not customary. Go with your gut but know Peruvians don’t.

3) Learn the Lingo

Spanish in Peru is to Spanish in Spain as English in the U.S. is to English in the U.K. — that’s my take anyway. Here are some distinctly Peruvian words to get you started:  Chevere (chulo=cool!), jato (casa=home), chamba (trabajo=job), pata (amigo=friend) and palta (avocado). In Lima, you will find most everyone will tell you that something is located exactly 4 blocks away (a cuatro cuadras). A 1.5-hour flight away in Cusco though, most everything is 12 blocks away (a doce cuadras). Why? Ni idea (no idea).

My advice: For currency translations, try XE app. While U.S. dollars are accepted in most tourist areas and you can take out dollars from most ATMs, you should aim to use Peru’s sol when making purchases. Using a host country’s currency only helps to strengthen its value.

4) Go to the Sacred Valley of the Incas

Known as Willka Qhichwa in the Native South American language of Quechua, this area carved out in the foothills of the Andes Mountains by the Urubamba River stretches nearly 40 miles west to east from Machu Picchu to Písac. There are so many breathtaking vistas that you’ll certainly fall silent during the 5-hour journey from Ollantaytambo and its ruins built for Inca leader Pachacuti (The Earth Shaker) to Cusco, the former Inca capital known in Quechua as The Belly Button of the World. We paid $150 for a full-day car tour.

Explore the working Salineras de Maras salt mines that from afar look like white honeycombs stuck to the sides of Andean peaks. Stand amidst the extraterrestrial-looking landscape of a former Incan agricultural experimentation site in Moray. Visit the textile hub Chinchero, but be prepared to be approached rather aggressively by people selling their wares. After all, this is their livelihood, so they will do whatever they can to make a sale.

My advice: Get the entry pass to various sites (boleto or boleto turstico). And be sure to buy some chocolate with Maras salt for the folks back home (and yourself)!

5) When Taking a City Bus, Note the Landmarks

In Lima, know that your stop might not be announced. Best to know the nearby landmarks and name of the destination stop (paradero) — equally important is knowing that information for your departure point.

6) Eat. Drink. Repeat. And Say Yes to Coca

You will eat better than you ever have in Peru. Fact. There is a whole world of dishes to discover beyond ceviche made with sea bass (corvina) in the coast and trout (trucha) in the mountains. Try: aji de gallina (chicken in a creamy, nutty and spicy yellow sauce), anticuchos (skewered grilled cow heart), choritos a la chalaca (ceviche-like dish served in mussel shells), tiraditos (raw fish, sashimi-style drenched in a spicy sauce), papa a la Huancaína (boiled yellow potatoes in a spicy cream sauce), jalea (fried fish with ceviche lime, onion, and spicy flavoring), seco de cordero (lamb in a cilantro stew), tacu tacu (Peru’s take on rice and beans) and causa (layered tower featuring cold potato, seafood salad, and avocado).

You’ll quickly see that potatoes are featured prominently in Peru’s cuisine and that’s because of the more than 4,000 varieties of potato in the world, Peru produces 3,000 of them! Also plentiful is chifa (Chinese Cantonese cuisine reinterpreted using Peruvian ingredients). These dishes arose from the influx of Chinese immigrants, most of whom came to Peru as indentured servants in the 1850s. Chifa dishes include lomo saltado (sirloin stirfry with fries) and arroz chaufa (Peruvian fried rice). Wash down the delectable dishes with Inca Kola, Peru’s florescent yellow-colored, bubble gum-flavored soda that serves as the national drink, a Cusqueña (beer from Cusco) or pisco sour, made from the nation’s signature grape-based high-proofed spirit.

To keep altitude sickness at bay, drink coca tea made from the leaves that are used as the basis for cocaine. The leaves not only oxygenate the blood, a must in the thinner, oxygen and pressure deficient air, but also provide high quantities of nutrients like Vitamins A and B, calcium, iron and protein.

My advice: Get ceviche and causa at Lima’s Canta Ranita (located in an open-air market) and Punto Azul, jalea and seco at Isolina, tacu tacu at Punto Marisko, aji de gallina at Gastón Acurio’s Tanta. Acurio is credited with placing Peru’s cuisine on the world stage. Get chifa at Cusco’s Kion (the name means ginger).

7) Bring Mysticism Back Home

Want to bring prosperity and happiness to a home? Purchase a pair of painted ceramic pucara bulls, but do note that the luck won’t work if you buy them for yourself. Find someone else to make the purchase and gift to you. Stop at Machu Picchu’s sacred four-sided stone and meditate there.

8) Give back

Before your trip, scan the internet for nonprofits and organizations that align with your interests. Carve out time to visit the organization, volunteer your time, make a donation or do whatever is possible given your timeframe. We went to Asociación Pukllasunchis, a bilingual private school, which developed its own Quechua curriculum and focuses on preserving and honoring indigenous practices, as well as stresses learning through the arts. At Puklla, they are all about inclusion and togetherness. Cusco’s The Meeting Place, a travelers’ café in the San Blas neighborhood has a Pack a Bag initiative. Make a donation and a bag is filled with school supplies for a child in need.

9) Wander and Do So With Good Gear

Off-line wandering led my friend and me to Lima’s Rimac neighborhood, one of the city’s oldest areas and a World Heritage Site.

My advice: Get Osprey’s Fairview 40 women’s travel pack, a crossbody like these by Misako, a Zomake Ultra Lightweight Packable Backpack Water Resistant Hiking Daypack and Merrell Women’s Siren Edge Hiker.

By Carey Reed /

Carey is a bilingual writer and editor with a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University. Her writing has been featured on PBS NewsHour, Travel + Leisure, Untapped Cities, and Trip by Skyscanner, among other outlets. Carey currently calls New York City home and works there as a communications manager in Development for the American Museum of Natural History. When she’s not hanging out by the Museum’s life-sized dioramas, she’s plotting her next global adventure and working on a children’s travel book. Find her work at: CareyeReed.com.

The post 9 Tips for Your Trip to Machu Picchu appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

Everyone knows New York City is an expensive town, especially in December around the holidays. To save some money, try these tips for free things to do this December during your visit.

1) 9/11 Memorial

The 9/11 Memorial, on the site of the former Twin Towers, opened on September 12, 2011, in time for the 10th anniversary of 9/11, and was easily the most anticipated new project in the city for years. The memorial features two reflecting pools nearly an acre in size each, each filled with the largest man-made waterfalls in North America. Surrounding the imposing structures are the names of the nearly 3,000 victims inscribed on bronze parapets surrounding the pools.

Though entrance is free to the park is free, access to the new 9/11 Memorial and Museum must be purchased in advance. It takes about two hours to visit the museum, and you can purchase tickets in advance here.

2) The High Line

One of the world’s premier examples of urban preservation, the High Line is an elevated train line located on Manhattan’s West Side that has been transformed into a public park featuring Hudson River views, natural landscaping and a rotating collection of public art projects. Popular among city-dwellers and visitors alike, the park has become a major draw to a neighborhood once only populated in the evening hours.

The High Line is a perfect way to spend the afternoon with a coffee in hand, taking in the sights of New York in one of the most unique ways possible. Click here for dining options and things to do in the area.

For the High Line hours and directions click here.

3) Free Central Park Tours

Central Park, one of the world’s most iconic parks, not only offers hundreds of free ways to explore its 843 acres (which makes up 6% of Manhattan if you were wondering), but is also home to daily free tours led by park representatives.

For example, the Ramble Tour will take you over streams, under arches and through the woods along a maze of pathways in the secluded 36-acre woodland section of the park. The Iconic Views of Central Park Tour will take you to the park’s most iconic landmarks including, the Dairy, Sheep Meadow, Cherry Hill, the Lake, Bow Bridge, Bethesda Terrace, the Mall, and Literary Walk.

For a full schedule of all of the park’s ticketed and free tours, visit the Central Park tour calendar.

4) MoMA For Free

It’s nearly impossible to visit New York without spending at least one morning or afternoon visiting one of the world’s greatest collections of art at MoMA (the Museum of Modern Art). If you’re visiting over the weekend, MoMA has free admission every Friday from 4:00 p.m. until closing at 8:00 p.m. Lines form quickly, especially during the holidays, so be sure to get there early to leave plenty of time to take it all in.

For hours and information about MoMA click here.

5) Christmas Markets

Remember when Harry Potter and the crew visited Hogsmeade Village and found themselves in a Dickensian Christmas wonderland? Well, this might be a stretch, but if you happen to go at night after some snow has just fallen to one of the various holiday markets that spring up around Manhattan every December, you just may get the same experience. I know, it’s a stretch, but it’s still a great experience to help get you in the holiday mood.

Head to the Union Square Holiday Market for the city’s largest holiday market with nearly 100 vendors selling everything from German chocolate to decorative socks. Nearby, on Broadway between 13th and 14th street, is Max Brenner, where you can pick up the granddaddy of hot chocolate drinks.

Visit here or a list of 10 of the best holiday markets around New York.

6) Ice Skating In Bryant Park

It may not be as well known as the one at nearby Rockefeller Center, but the free ice skating rink (or Citi Pond for you corporate-minded folks) at Bryant Park is a full $28 cheaper, saving you much-needed cash for the inevitable trip to the emergency room (come on, you haven’t done this since you were 10, you think you’re not going to take a few spills?).

However, take note that the skate rentals are $20 if you don’t bring your own pair.

For more information about the rink click here.

7) Christmas in Midtown

I wouldn’t normally advise anyone to spend too much time in Midtown in December given the throngs of tourists and exorbitant prices charged for everything from coffee to street pretzels. But, from Thanksgiving through New Year’s, a large swath of the neighborhood transforms into some the city’s most iconic holiday sights that even a travel snob/Scrooge would have trouble staying away from.

Start at the corner of Sixth Avenue and 50th Street to see Radio City Music Hall with its giant Christmas tree and tin soldiers decorating its marquee, then make your way down 50th Street and through the massive crowds to catch a glimpse of the ice skaters and Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center (last year’s tree was an 80-foot Norway spruce hailing from Flanders, New Jersey).

Across the street on Fifth Avenue are the iconic holiday window displays at Saks Fifth Avenue. After walking by them, head north on Fifth Avenue to see some of the country’s most expensive shops along the famed stretch of Fifth Avenue leading to Central Park. Here you’ll also see some of the most expensively decorated shops as well, including the Cartier Building with its red ribbon wrapping the entire facade and the window displays at Bergdorf Goodman.

Finally, eight blocks north at 58th Street, you’ll come to FAO Schwartz, the world’s most famous toy store (and site of some massive lines come Christmas). To wrap things up, take in the glitzy Plaza Hotel across the street (and grab a bite to eat at the new The Plaza Food Hall), then make your way through the 59th Street entrance of Central Park and stroll down to Wollman Rink and watch the ice skaters underneath one of the world’s most famous skylines.

8) Barbes

From accordion-playing divas to Slavic soul, Barbes in Brooklyn’s Park Slope offers some of the city’s best and most eclectic variety of free music every night. Drinks are standard price and collection hats are usually passed around after the performances.

If you’re staying in Manhattan, don’t worry about getting lost just because you’re leaving the island. Barbes is literally across the street from the F stop, a 20-minute ride from Midtown.

9) Free Juilliard Performances

Heading to Lincoln Center for world-class performing arts? Good news for you, many of the performers you’re paying to see started out just next door at Juilliard, and all of them spent a good chunk of their time performing for free at recitals open to the public. These free performances range from Jazz, Chamber Music, Orchestral, Solos, Dance, Opera and Drama.

For a full schedule of the wide variety of performances, click here to visit Juilliard’s calendar of events.

When you’re at Lincoln Center, stick around for a free performance by the new fountain in the center of the plaza. Designed by the same people who brought you the waterworks at Vegas’ Bellagio, the fountain’s 353 nozzles are able to shoot water 40 feet in the air to create an “aquatic ballet.”

10) A New England Winter In New York

A good majority of visitors to New York this time of year are from far-flung and usually much warmer locations, and for many of them, this whole northeast United States thing is a novelty to them. Why not try fitting in a whole other region, all while staying in New York?

Stay with me here. Take a short subway ride to Prospect Park, in the heart of Brooklyn, and get your Thoreau on by making your way to one of the four nature trails that meander through the woods — a spectacular sight in the summer, and simply magical in the winter. Snow-draped pines, squirrels foraging in the fallen leaves, a rastafarian drummer playing for loose change: just like a Frost poem.

Finish up with a stroll through scenic Park Slope (like Hogsmeade, but with strollers), and cozy up with a warm drink in front of a roaring fire at nearby Union Hall, New York’s preeminent winter bar.

For information about Prospect Park click here.

For information about Union Hall click here.

11) Arthur Avenue

Sure, Manhattan has Little Italy, Brooklyn has, well, Brooklyn, but many visitors don’t know that the Bronx has New York’s most intact, most authentic Little Italy this side of the Mediterranean: Arthur Avenue.

Head north to the outer reaches of the outer boroughs to this five-block stretch for the afternoon and wander in and out of the many delis, bakeries, and coffee shops, all with nary a tourist in sight. And dont’ worry, you can be sure every business will be decked-out for the holidays.

Visit here for directions and a list of businesses.

Miscellaneous Resources

For more ideas for free things to do in New York, check out these resources:

• NYCGO (New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization)

• Time Out’s Guide to Free Things to Do in NYC

By Matt Stabile /

Matt Stabile is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Expeditioner. The Expeditioner began in 2008 and is headquartered in New York City. You can read his writings, watch his travel videos or contact him at any time at TheExpeditioner.com.

The post Top 11 Free Things To Do In New York City This December appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

If you’re a seasoned traveler, chances are you’ve seen a drone at a popular attraction at one point or another. Drones are everywhere these days, and travel photography and videography is becoming one of the most popular uses of the flying cameras. And while they can be obnoxious if in the wrong hands, they can also be used as a valuable tool to document your travels.

Many travelers these days bring a nice camera with them on their travels, whether it’s a DSLR, a GoPro or both. They’re great ways to share your travels with others. Now a drone should be considered in your camera arsenal if you’re someone who is serious about traveling.

There are some things to think about if you’re deciding to take the plunge into the drone world. Flying drones is an extremely fun hobby for many, and a serious profession for others. So if you’ve ever thought about adding a drone to your travel list — or maybe you’re just thinking that now for the first time — here are five tips for making the most out of traveling with a drone.

1) Learn about local drone regulations before you travel

It’s important to note that every country has its own laws regarding drones. In the United States, you can’t fly your drone higher than 400 feet above the ground. You also can’t fly over people and you can’t fly within five miles of an airport without prior notice.

Many countries have a set of rules that align closely with the Federal Aviation Administration’s laws, but that doesn’t mean your home country’s rules are necessarily the same as a foreign country.

It also may depend on what you are using your drone for during your travels. If you are flying for commercial purposes, that could present a whole new set of challenges, or perhaps additional paperwork. Again, be sure to check before you leave for your trip.

There is, unfortunately, no perfect, centrally localized list of each country’s drone rules. Websites like PetaPixel and UAV Coach do their best to keep pilots up to date with international regulations, but the rules are always changing. Your best bet? Go straight to the source: contact the local transportation or airspace authorities of the country you’re visiting.

2) Consider portability when looking into drones

One thing to remember is that you’ll have to carry your drone with you as you travel. Depending on how much luggage you’re already bringing, the thought of adding a drone can be daunting.

Luckily for you, drones with high-quality cameras are becoming smaller and more portable than ever. DJI, which dominates the consumer drone market, introduced the Mavic Pro a year ago and just recently unveiled an even smaller version of its popular drone: the Mavic Air. Each is capable of taking 4K video and high-quality photos despite their small stature.

Both the Mavic Pro and Mavic Air are small enough to put in a backpack, including the drone’s controller. They both weigh less than two pounds, so they shouldn’t weigh you down much at all if you’re backpacking through Europe or navigating the islands of Southeast Asia. The Yuneec Breeze is a slightly cheaper option for a portable drone, although you sacrifice camera quality with the lower price tag.

Speaking of traveling with your drone, be sure to note that drones use lithium batteries, which means you’ll need to carry them onto the plane with you when flying. Airlines won’t allow lithium batteries to be checked, for safety reasons. You may get stopped when going through the security line at airports as they take a closer look at the drone, but at this point, drones are commonplace enough where they may no longer raise an eyebrow.

3) Practice before you travel

As excited as you may be to take your new toy on your trip, it’s important to know what you’re doing first.

Drones are being built to fly safer than ever, and their controls and features are increasingly intuitive for drone pilots. But that doesn’t mean they’re fool-proof. If you need examples, drone video website AirVūz has hundreds of examples of drone videos of fails and crashes from pilots of all experience levels.

If you’ve never flown before, watch tutorial videos and read your drone’s instruction manual before taking to the sky. When you do your maiden flight, make sure it’s in a wide-open space with little to no potential obstacles for you to fly into.

As you continue to fly and gain experience, play around with all of the different features your drone offers. That way, when you’re finally ready to travel, you’ll know how everything works. You’d hate to get to your destination and have your drone crash on the first day because you didn’t know what you were doing.

4) Scout your locations

Regardless of whether you’re lugging around a big drone case or you have a portable drone in your backpack, you don’t want to necessarily have to carry it around more than is necessary. That’s why it’s important to have an idea of where you want to fly before you actually do it.

Many pilots will use Google Maps to see satellite images of locations they might be interested in droning. That will give you an idea of the scenery, potential hazards, and cool things you’ll want to capture with your footage.

Scouting your location ahead of time also means knowing if a certain spot is drone friendly. In other words, will the resort you’re staying at allow you to fly on the premises, or will you have to find another spot to launch from? It’s not always easy to know these things ahead of time, but do your best to research the places you hope to fly at. And be sure to be respectful of other travelers when you’re flying. You wouldn’t want a drone buzzing over you as you’re relaxing on a beach or trying to see a popular attraction, and neither do other tourists.

5) Get inspired!

It’s easy to fall down a rabbit hole of cool drone videos on YouTube or AirVūz. Drones have been mainstream for several years now, so tons of people have been flying them, and that means they’ve also been making videos. By now, you’ve seen drones used in TV commercials, movies and plenty more. But have you watched aerial footage with a critical eye? If not, it might be a good (and fun) idea to watch a bunch of drone videos before you take off on your travels.

If you’re new to making videos, you can pick up tips from other cinematographers as you watch their footage. Each person has a different style, so don’t feel like you have to copy someone else’s editing techniques or flying patterns. Develop your own style but don’t be afraid to get inspired by the work of other drone pilots. Watching other videos can also inspire you to see something on your trip that you maybe weren’t planning on. Seeing the world from the sky gives a whole different perspective to things, so your eyes might be opened when watching aerial footage.

Above all else, have fun flying and fly responsibly. Drones are changing the way we see the world, and they can soon change the way you see yours as well.

By Tyler Mason /

Tyler Mason is a commercial drone pilot and freelance journalist based in Minneapolis. He began flying drones in late 2015 and has been a writing about college and professional sports in the Twin Cities since 2011. Tyler also enjoys traveling with his wife and has visited three continents in the past three years.

The post 5 Tips for Traveling with a Drone appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

1) Always Carry A Pack Of Cigarettes And A Lighter (Even If You Don’t Smoke)

This is by far my number one piece of advice for solo travelers. I was standing in an alleyway in Bologna when a tall, dark and handsome Italian man came up to me and said something that I mentally translated as, “You must be the American girl I’ve always dreamt of.”Turns out he actually asked, “Do you have a lighter?”

As fate would have it, I did not. He turned on his heel and headed to the next prospect. A lost opportunity in my book. From that point forward, I kept a lighter on me and, seeing as I was in Europe, took up smoking as a casual hobby.

I made sure to have both items on me the first time I travelled by myself. I arrived in Dublin with a full pack of Marlboros and left with an empty one, but a handful of new friends and acquaintances. If you’re savvy, you can turn a request for a smoke into a lifelong friendship.

2) What To Do If Your Luggage Is Lost

No fancy GPS or luggage LoJack needed for this trick. It was Christmas of 2013, and I’d just landed at Dulles after a four-month stint in Cape Town. During my time, I slowly curated and collected the Christmas gifts I would bring back to my family. After being told ever-so-politically that I could “file a claim” in California to recover my bag and tromping through the airport to every United kiosk, I ran out of morals.

I sheepishly asked the last desk in baggage claim if they had seen my nondescript black bag, to which they assured me they had not. A few tears welled up while I explained to them that they had taken my bag before boarding the plane (true) without giving me a chance to grab my insulin (not true), and that in about 5 minutes I would likely not be calm nor standing.

The bag appeared within three minutes.

3) Ask Your Cab Driver About Their Life

This tip has yet to fail me, regardless of city, country, or continent. Cab drivers tend to have the most unexpectedly rich, extensive life narratives of any social group. In the last four months alone, I have met and listened to more heart-wrenching stories than one often hears in a lifetime.

Honorable mentions go to Khaled and Yusuf. Khaled worked for the UNHCR in Syrian refugee camps and bore witness to more atrocities than a human should ever have to endure. In years prior to that, Yusuf was run out of his war-torn home country of South Sudan as a child. He walked with thousands of other Lost Boys to Kenya to seek refuge, where he finally was granted asylum in later years.

4) Learn Three Impressive Phrases

In many countries, tourists are not expected to know a single word from the home language. Most of Eastern Europe falls into this category. Because of this, taking the time to learn just a few words or phrases goes a long way when bartering or trying to make the local shopkeeper smile. People are far more inclined to help a foreigner who doesn’t simply expect everyone to speak English.

5) Keep A Little Black Book

After returning from my travels, I often loathe the fact that Facebook ends up being the only mode of communication between me and those I want to stay in touch with. What happens if Facebook gets phased out? Or if I want to delete my Facebook? Keep a little black book of names, addresses, e-mails and phone numbers. This will ensure that you stay in touch longer than the life span of social media platforms, which is quite helpful if you decide to find someone 20 years later.

6) Leave Your Camera At Home

As most of us are, I’m constantly strapped to my camera while traveling. Consider leaving your camera in the hotel or hostel every once in a while. The freedom you experience from not being able to take a photo is more liberating than one would assume.

And you’ll be surprised at how much longer a memory lasts when you don’t have to refer back to a photo to enforce it. Photos are wonderful for the future, but living in the moment is difficult to do while looking through a lens.

7) Ask For Directions, Even If You Don’t Need Them

People like to feel needed. That’s a fairly common denominator among countries. If you can strike up a conversation by asking someone for advice or directions, it often leads to a warm invitation for tea, or even a partner to dine with. Be friendly, and be needy.

8) Listen With Your Whole Heart

When was the last time you listened? Like really, really listened to someone? If you’re anything like me, you often forget to listen with a full and open heart. But when you do, people notice. They become more open, more honest, and more candid.

I once walked into a rug store owned by an Iranian man, became engrossed in his stories, and came out with a marriage proposal (I think?). He could tell I was one of the only people who actually listened to his story of the rugs. We both received things — for me, it was a good story. For him, it was the true rarity of an open ear.

9. Choose Your Travel Partners Wisely

As you probably learned in college, sometime the best of friends don’t make the best of roommates. The same theory applies to travel. Traveling with friends can sometimes be the very best option possible, but it can also be a disaster. It truly depends on your personal travel style. And although solo travel might sound like a good idea, you should keep in mind that you won’t always have someone to share a memory with, which is half of the thrill.

10) Don’t Plan Extensively

There are two things that should be planned in advance: flights and event tickets. Everything else is just a fallacy. Flights and event tickets can get pricey if you try to be spontaneous. But, hostels, hotels and plans tend to drown in a sea of over-preparation. If you have the street smarts and flexibility to do so, try to travel where the wind takes you. The journey will benefit immensely, as well as your soul.

By Emily Fuller /

Emily Fullmer is a California native. She spends her time holed up in an immaculately decorated office in Seattle, WA while dreaming of living in a place where computers don’t exist and the sun shines every day. She hopes to one day leave it all behind and make travel the only constant in her life.

The post 10 Travel Tips Rick Steves Won’t Tell You (Or Doesn’t Know) appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

The flying experience means different things to different people. Economy flyers begrudgingly step foot on the plane, glowering at potential row-mates while they mentally prepare themselves for the battle of the next several hours. The light in the distance is the destination — the longer the flight, the further away the light.

Then there is business class. Being woken up to the landing protocol is met with disbelief as they ask themselves, how can it be over already? Being filled to the brim with champagne and lobster while completely rested from a fully flat bed will do that to you. The catch is, of course, cost. Any given business class flight will be several thousand dollars more than you or I are likely to spend.

The introduction of credit cards and airline miles, however, changed the game. Now low-cost opportunities to fly are completely attainable with some miles knowledge and a little financial aptitude — opportunities being recognized right now by tens of thousands of flyers.

Welcome to the travel hack of the generation: the world of credit card churning.

The Basics

Credit card churning is, quite simply, the practice of opening and closing credit cards repeatedly. This achieves two things: earn the bonus offer associated with opening an account and close the account before paying any fees.

But when I mention the topic, 99% of people immediately are on the defense. And listen, I get it. Having multiple credit cards goes against everything you’ve ever heard from a personal finance perspective. Even I, after working in payments and with credit scores for several years, pushed back initially.

Hear me out though. I have already written in depth about the misconception that multiple credit cards mean a lower credit score. To be blunt: that statement just isn’t true.

After applying for over fifteen credit cards a year for four years, my credit score improved (and I’ve only kept a handful open). This is done with careful management of your finances and a sound understanding of the factors that influence your score. Don’t just take it from me. Tens of thousands of others do it the same with similar — or much, much better — results.

Who Is Eligible?

Now, the most important part: who is eligible to do this, and why? Quite frankly, anyone can apply the principles of credit card churning for their own benefit — meaning optimizing their credit score to receive a higher return on the dollars they spend.

In my experience, though, the ones that go the furthest with this hobby have an entrepreneurial spirit and ability to take risks. While I’ve been approved for over 60 credit cards, I’ve also been declined for a handful. That is never fun (although the impact is small and reversible with time). Plus, starting out is largely a leap of faith that research — like reading this article — is sound.

Also of the highest importance is an ability to manage finances and avoid debt. I can’t stress this enough: any amount of debt that you aren’t able to pay off is not worth any amount of airline miles. Since the people with the highest returns have 20+ credit cards open at any given time, I only advise this to people who can adequately organize and manage that many bank credentials, card details, etc . . .

Finally: Business Class!

If you’ve read this far, I commend you for having an open mind. Learning the credit card churning trade was the single biggest moment in my travel life. Since then, I have traveled to dozens of countries, flown $10,000 flights and stayed in villas I would have never dreamed of paying for, which is a long way of saying: keep reading.

Below these paragraphs are screen shots of business class award flights. This is an extremely small sample size of the possibilities of credit card churning, mainly in South America (for no other reason than I am currently planning business class trips there).

What I like about the below is that one credit card bonus would give you enough award miles to book a one-way ticket in business class (or round-trip in economy). Meaning you could book this, right now, for under $100 and a little time.

Results

Again, the above is a very small sample size and meant to illustrate how far one card can get you, even in business class. But 5, 10, or 15+ cards later – especially when your credit score is improving – the idea is to combine credit cards and unlock round-trip business class flights to any corner of the earth.

In the four years I have been doing this, I have an average return of 15% on the dollars I spend – about half of which has gone to luxury travel. Seeing the above examples, you can quickly see how I pieced together two card applications to net a business class flight worth thousands of dollars. Assuming I spent $6,000 – the average for two credit cards – to receive the bonus miles, a $6,000 flight would be a 100% return. That isn’t too shabby.

Now Start

Okay, that is a lot of information in one sitting. I don’t mean to make this sound too easy. Managing all the cards, application times and different bank criteria can be a headache at times. And because the banks, airlines and hotels are constantly changing bonus offers, eligibility criteria and more, someone getting started can quickly get overwhelmed.

As someone who recently started as well, I suggest keeping things simple: read as much as possible on the subject, whether on my website or others. Then, when you feel like you understand the game, apply for a card or two, and wait. Watch your credit score, monitor your spending and make sure you can handle the uncertainty.

The worst case scenarios is that you decide against credit card churning, cancel your cards and the very minimal impact (likely 4 to 6 points) to your credit score will be gone within two years. Best case scenario is that you enjoy the hobby, find a rhythm in your spending and enable trips-of-a-lifetime multiple times a year. It’s your choice.

By Kyle Zuvella /

Kyle Zuvella is a travel writer currently on a 30-country trip around the world, using 2,000,000 airline miles and hotel points. For more of his work, visit MrFreeMiles.com.

The post How To Fly Business Class For Under $100 appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

I must be using Tinder wrong. Women I chat with often say things like what Annie of Tinder recently said to me: “Thanks for not being the typical horny-ass Tinder dude.” I think she said this because at no point in the conversation did I ask her for sex (I was taught that it’s rude to ask for sex. Sex is something that you hope and ask God for.)

From my side, Tinder tends to be used by women explicitly not looking for a one-night stand posting the five best photos ever taken of them. Based on Annie’s comment, I get the impression that on the other side of Tinder — the dark side of Tinder where women talk to men — Tinder is one big horny mess of anonymous libidos flopping around like methed-up fishies on a deck.

However, while the women on Tinder are looking for relationships, and while the horny men of Tinder are looking for one-night stands, 24-year-old Daniel Beaumont used Tinder to hitchhike across the United States.

As profiled in Thrillist, “Daniel ditched the roadside thumb-up” and clocked thousands of miles on a cross-country road trip powered by Tinder. Daniel was upfront in his profile. He said in his profile that he was not so much looking for a hookup or dating situation as he was in the market for a free ride and a little kindness from strangers (all travelers hope for a little bit of kindness from strangers here and there — it gets lonely on the road).

When I read of Daniel’s exploits, I caught myself wishing I were still on the right side of 25 so that I could steal his idea and hitchhike across the country without being pathetically too old to do so. But, instead of envying his ingenious application of current technology for intrepidly practical and perhaps sometimes sexual purposes, I instead encourage everyone to follow his example of what it truly means to plot one’s own course.

Remember, just because the label says that you are supposed to have meaningless sex with it, it does not mean that you can’t travel with it. Daniel’s trip is a reminder that the only rules to the road are the ones we create ourselves (with a little help from our friends at the Federal Highway Administration).

Technology won’t stop changing. As it does, there will always be new ways to use it. The seasoned traveler knows how to seize the right ideas at the right moments and use them to travel with intrepid meaning and purpose. I bet Daniel’s primary motivation had less to with lack of bus fare and more to do with accumulating experiences. You don’t have to be a horny guy or a woman not looking for a one-night stand to understand that.

By Luke Maguire Armstrong /

Luke Maguire Armstrong is the author of the intrepid travel collection The Nomad’s Nomad. When he’s not traveling or getting mauled by rodents in the jungle, he spends his time being rejected by girls in bars in Antigua, Guatemala. He broke his left ankle river dancing and his right ankle trying to impress the locals in Belize. Give Luke a guitar; he’ll sing you a song. Hand him a whiskey; he’ll tell you a tale. Give him both, and he’ll give you something to drink about.

The post How One Man Used Tinder To Travel Across The Country appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

Dublin, capital of Ireland and UNESCO City of Literature, is the perfect blend of cosmopolitan and traditional Irish culture. It is a city of extravagant nightclubs, cozy teahouses, ancient ruins and relics, and a collision of music, theater and experimental art.

Incredibly, travelers to the Emerald Isle oftentimes skip over Dublin in their eagerness to get to the picturesque countryside. And yes, the hills and the cliffs and the crumbling castles of the west coast should not be missed. But Dublin has enough character to merit a separate trip entirely. And while you probably have the staple sites such as the Guinness Storehouse and the Book of Kells on your itinerary, be sure to branch out your Dublin experience with a few of these off-the-beaten-track activities.

1) The National Leprechaun Museum

Don’t laugh. Dublin’s newest and most whimsical museum explores leprechauns and other fairies not as we know them from popular culture, but as the supernatural and often terrifying beings that influenced thousands of years of Irish culture and storytelling. An imaginative and surprising mix of folklore, theater and history, this is sure to delight the whole family. Come by after hours for their more adult-themed interactive theatrical production The Dark Land.

2) Rent a Bike

With a more or less flat landscape and mild, if rainy, weather, Dublin is simply begging to be explored by bicycle. Filled with Victorian-era parks, century-old churches and stately Tudor homes with multicolored doors, Dublin has plenty of trendy neighborhoods like Portobello and Ranelagh that are only a short bike ride away. Luckily, there are bike stations set up all across the city where you can swipe your credit card, grab a bicycle and go.

3) Visit the Oldest Bog Body In Europe

Dublin is a city that has many mummies preserved from all different eras of Irish history, and the three bog bodies at the National Archaeology Museum are a few of the oldest, dating back to the Iron Age.

Cashel Man, the oldest bog body in the entire continent of Europe at roughly 4,000 years, is thought to be a sacrificial victim and provides a fascinating look at the culture of prehistoric Ireland. The museum also has plenty of ancient weapons, jewelry, illuminated manuscripts and Celtic relics for a less macabre glimpse into Irish history.

4) Pay Homage To Irish Literature

For the diehard James Joyce fanatic, Dublin is the place to be to retrace the events of his novels and stories. Visit the very dapper bronze statue of the Modernist writer just off of O’Connell Street, and then follow a series of bronze plaques around the city that point out various pubs, cafes and other Dublin institutions that he mentioned in his signature novel, Ulysses.

At the end of the day, stop by Sweny’s Chemist, an antiquated chemist-cum-bookshop virtually unchanged since Joyce’s era, where a group of book lovers read aloud from Ulysses twice a week.

5) Grab a Cuppa at Grafton Street’s Historic Café

Located at the heart of Dublin and having featured in Joyce’s short story collection Dubliners, Bewley’s Café is the perfect place to sit out a morning rainstorm while enjoying a cup of tea or coffee. Take in the lavish turn-of-the-century décor in their main tearoom or enjoy a gourmet lunch and a free performance in their on-site theater. Afterwards, be sure to explore Grafton Street to get the full experience of Dublin’s buskers, flower vendors and street performers.

6) Go Vintage Shopping In Temple Bar

When it comes to grabbing a pint and listening to traditional music in an authentic Irish pub, Temple Bar on the south bank of the river is not your best bet, as it is kitschy and overpriced. However, it is worth strolling through on a weekend to people watch and to hit up their outdoor secondhand book and record market located in the miniature plaza at its center.

For the vintage lover, there are half a dozen shops in the less trafficked areas of Temple Bar that are filled with quirky jewelry, accessories and clothing styles ranging from Goth to Hipster and everything in between.

7) Take a Tour of Glasnevin Cemetery

Are you interested in Dublin’s history but not so much in the conventional museum experience? Head north to the Glasnevin Cemetery, a sprawling graveyard that holds the remains of some of Ireland’s most prominent figures dating back to the 1830’s, including Michael Collins, Éamon de Valera, Constance Markievicz and Luke Kelly of the folk band The Dubliners.

Choose from various thematic tours of the grounds or wander by yourself along the antiquated Celtic crosses and ornate marble obelisks. Afterwards, drop by the neighboring pub known as Gravediggers for a pint.

8) Go To a Hurling Match

Uniquely Irish and one of the fastest and most hazardous field games in the world, hurling has been played in Ireland for over 3,000 years (almost as old as Cashel man). Similar to field hockey but faster and with lots more tackling, hurling is widely agreed to be one of the most exciting sports to watch live.

Head to Croke Park, the enormous GAA stadium to the north of the city center, and cheer for your favorite team.

9) Catch a Play

Ireland is renowned for its vibrant theater scene, which has included some of the past century’s greatest actors and playwrights. Dress up and go out to see a production at the world famous Abbey Theatre, which was the personal project of poet William Butler Yeats and his patroness Lady Gregory during the Irish Revival, or at the Gate Theatre, which has sponsored such great names as Samuel Beckett and Brian Friel.

Alternatively, if you’re in Dublin during the summer, be sure to check out various outdoor theater festivals and free plays that pop up in various parks around the city.

10) Find Some Craic Agus Ceol

No trip to Dublin would be complete without an experience of their second-to-none pub culture, and to fully appreciate that you have to listen to live music. Luckily, everyone and their grandmother has a band in Ireland, so chances are high that you’ll find one of them performing in a local pub at any given night.

If you’re looking for excellent Guinness, hearty pub fare and an energetic traditional session, head to The Stag’s Head pub. For a more contemporary scene with an enormous selection of craft beers, try The Porterhouse in Temple Bar.

[Ha’penny Bridge In Dublin by William Murphy/Flickr]

By Anna Snyder /

Anna Snyder is a freelance travel writer and blogger who has just published her first book, 24 Hours in Dublin, a fun, fast-paced guide to all sorts of different things you can do in Dublin over the stretch of 24 hours. She writes a travel blog at Knitting & Nomaderie and more of her writing can be found at The Savvy Explorer and Language Trainers.

The post Top 10 Things To Do In Dublin appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

By Matt Stabile /

Matt Stabile is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of TheExpeditioner.com. You can read his writings, watch his travel videos, purchase the book he co-edited or contact him via email at any time at TheExpeditioner.com.

The post Here’s How To Find The Price Of Beer Around the World appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

Here’s a great new app for those heading to Paris this year. TravelbyArt is a new iPhone app that lets you discover Paris through the eyes of the city’s legendary artists, writers, singers and composers of the 20th century, with twenty curated tours that reveal the important places in the lives of such artists as Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso and Edith Piaf.

TravelbyArt guides the users to dozens of places in Paris where the artists lived, the studios where they worked, and of course, the restaurants and bars where they ate, gathered and met friends. Each location has its own mesmerizing story, enriched with multimedia content including excerpts from books, audio recordings, famous art works and photos. In addition, the app allows users to get to know the artists’ stories through a chronological feature that allows the user to explore, date by date, the lives of the artists.

The app also includes easy-to-follow offline maps in case you’re not using the local phone service and are relying on Wi-Fi only.

“We have been working tirelessly to make TravelbyArt app a first-class mobile travel experience. This unique approach, to follow in the steps of great artist, allows one to see Paris in a completely new way. I hope this method of time-travelling will be appealing not only for Hemingway or Picasso fans but also for everyone interested in modern culture,” explains Beata Misiewicz, the founder of TravelbyArt.

You can download TravelbyArt for iPhone for free from the App Store by searching for TravelbyArt or by clicking here.

By Matt Stabile /

Matt Stabile is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of TheExpeditioner.com. You can read his writings, watch his travel videos, purchase the book he co-edited or contact him via email at any time at TheExpeditioner.com.

The post Explore Paris Through Art With Your Phone appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

The joy of curling up with a good travel book is damn hard to beat. Part fiction, part memoir, the best travel books tell weird and wonderful stories and describe the intricate things that make a journey, or place, memorable. The initial excitement of a vessel leaving port or the joy of waking up to a brand-new city, they celebrate the act of exploration itself: poking around, asking questions, getting lost and into scrapes, making all the mistakes of a newcomer.

The best travel books should ignite a travel spark to pack your suitcase and stumble forward into some world experiences of your own. 12 years ago I picked up copies of Paul Theroux’s Dark Star Safari and Alex Garland’s The Beach and have been a restless wanderer ever since.

During the periods of vexing inertia when I’m not traveling, one of my most treasured activities is reading a travel book and pretending I’m right there with the narrator. I’ll transform into their best mate on a round-the-world road trip, a stowaway on the Trans-Siberian railroad, a (not-so handy) handy-woman helping to restore a Tuscan Villa or a Monastery volunteer in Nepal.

Over the years, some of the best travel books published in the last decade — like the ones below — have inspired me to travel far and wide and have almost always left me with an insatiable starvation for new cultures and experiences.

Their innate ability to fill the gaps in my knowledge of places that aren’t exactly on most government’s “Safe List” — like the Congo or Afghanistan — is a curiosity quencher that I’m continuously thankful for.

Disclaimer: What follows is a very subjective list of 10 of the best travel books of the last 20 years (in no particular order). I’m sure I’m missing a few, but I could only choose 10 so feel free to fight me in the comments section. And no, Eat Pray Love is not on this list.

I Wouldn’t Start From Here: The 21^st Century and Where It All Went Wrong – Andrew Mueller (2008)

I Wouldn’t Start From Here is a curious tale of one man’s attempt to comically demystify the horrors and cultural complexities that plague our young world. Recounting his many crazy and death-defying experiences as a freelance correspondent for The Guardian and The Independent, Andrew Mueller’s fearless circumnavigation of some of the world’s most violent and politically shady places including Kosovo, Palestine, Libya, Sarajevo, Afghanistan and Iraq — as he grapples with “possibly the most maddening mystery of our time” — could have easily become a non-PC, jaded, samey “trouble tourism” recount.

Thankfully, the book is much more than that. With his self-effacing, good-humored cynicism extending beyond the war zones, he is able to reach deep inside each area to the people locked inside them. He slips easily between meetings with Hezbollah in Beirut, a Loyalist hitman-turned-surrealist painter in Belfast and Al Gore in Edinburgh. He is shot at in Gaza. He is imprisoned in Cameroon and he worries about the discomfort of U.S. soldiers in Iraq who look “as perplexed as people who’d togged up for a fancy dress party and gone to the wrong address.”

Under the Tuscan Sun – Frances Mayes (1996)

The “I just moved to [insert new city here] and this is why it’s so good” genre is completely and utterly saturated — this I know. We roll our eyes at the “unique” anecdotes and earth-shattering realizations of these authors — that is if they even get published these days.

We are just no longer interested in this sort of thing. We couldn’t be more bored of this genre if we tried. But, for some reason, I will never lose my childish enthusiasm for Frances Mayes’s memoir of an almost dream-like Tuscany. It’s my “go-to” book for when I want to feel all sunshine, lollypops and . . . Italian rainbows, and the aforementioned “been-there, done-that” mentality just doesn’t apply for me here. I think it’s partly because of it’s shameless la dolce vita attitude, but also because of its intelligent, engaging and empowering feminist tale (without being too pretentious). And besides, who wouldn’t want to randomly purchase a villa in Tuscany?

Dark Star Safari – Paul Theroux  (2002)

Most 60-something travel writers are looking for gigs in Provence and Tuscany, but Theroux, the grandfather of travel writing, trekked overland from Cairo to Cape Town for this modern classic. Why? Because he’s awesome and he could. The wittily observant and endearingly irascible author takes readers the length of Africa by rattletrap bus, dugout canoe, cattle truck, armed convoy, ferry and train. In the course of his epic and enlightening journey, he endures danger, delay and dismaying circumstances. Gauging the state of affairs, he talks to Africans, aid workers, missionaries and tourists. What results is an insightful mediation on the history, politics and beauty of Africa and its people.

The Beach – Alex Garland (1996)

If only gap years in Thailand were really like this one. Well, up until the point where food poisoning and deadly violence on an otherwise “utopic community” ensue. Alex Garland’s story of a young traveler who finds “the perfect beach” by going off the tourist trail is inspiring for any would-be modern explorer, even if things do take a sinister turn by the end.

Despite his distrust of the younger Goa and Phuket-set with their technology obsession and general detachment from society, few writers have Garland’s eloquence when it comes to describing the simplest and purest of worldly pleasures — the beauty of a Thai sunset, the serene turquoise water of an uninhabited island — it’s impossible to not to want to book a trip to paradise after reading this book.

In A Sunburned Country – Bill Bryson (2000)

This is 100% Australiana told from one of the most revered travel authors of our time. In A Sunburnt Country is set Down Under — a place that doubles as a continent with the friendliest inhabitants, the hottest, driest weather and the most peculiar and lethal wildlife to be found on the planet.

Bryson takes his readers on a rollicking fun ride far beyond the beaten tourist path. His deliciously funny, fact-filled and adventurous prose describing the clean, safe cities, cold beer and constant sunshine Down Under makes me proud to call Australia home. And let’s not forget, Bryson’s account of a uniquely sporting people (read: sports mad), who excel at games ranging from cricket to Australian Rules football: “It is a wonder in such a vigorous and active society that there is anyone left to form an audience.”

The Sex Lives of Cannibals – J. Maarten Troost (2004)

Fed up with being a directionless procrastinator and perpetual degree-swindler, Troost decides to follow his girlfriend to the vastly remote Island of Tarawa after she landed a job there. The Sex Lives of Cannibals tells the hilarious story of what happens when Troost discovers that Tarawa is not the island paradise he dreamed of.

Falling into one amusing misadventure after another, Troost struggles through relentless, stifling heat, a variety of deadly bacteria, polluted seas and toxic fish — all in a country where the only music to be heard for miles around is “La Macarena.” He and his stalwart girlfriend spend the next two years battling incompetent government officials, alarmingly large critters, erratic electricity and a paucity of food options (including the Great Beer Crisis). 
Troost’s hilarious travelogue will leave you thankful for the staples of Western civilization such as coffee, regular showers and tabloid news.

Into the Wild – John Krakauer (1996)

In April, 1992, a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. His name was Christopher Johnson McCandless. He had given $25,000 in savings to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burned all the cash in his wallet, and invented a new life for himself.

Four months later, his decomposed body was found by a moose hunter. How McCandless came to die is the unforgettable story of Into the Wild. Krakauer is sympathetic to the spirit that led McCandless to set out for life off the grid.
Much like Werner Herzog’s documentary Grizzly Man, this is a story that draws sharp lines between adventure and madness, shedding light on McCandless unflinching romanticism for being free to wallow in the raw, unfiltered experience of nature, which ironically cost him his life. It is for this reason that I enjoyed this story as much as it frustrated me. A great read.

Wild Coast: Travels on South America’s Untamed Edge – John Gimlette (2011)

Between the Orinoco and the Amazon lies a fabulous forested land, barely explored. Much of Guiana seldom sees sunlight, and new species are often tumbling out of the dark. Shunned by the conquistadors, it was left to others to carve into colonies. Guyana, Suriname and Guyane Française are what remain of their contest, and the 400 years of struggle that followed.

The 2012 Dolman Award-winning book by John Gimlette sets off along the coast, gathering up its astonishing story. His journey takes him deep into the jungle, from the hideouts of runaway slaves to penal colonies, outlandish forts, remote Amerindian villages, a “Little Paris” and a space port. He meets rebels, outlaws and sorcerers; follows the trail of a vicious Georgian revolt; and ponders a love affair that changed the face of slavery. Here too is Jonestown where, in 1978, over 900 Americans committed suicide. The last traces are almost gone now as the forest closes in. Beautiful, bizarre and occasionally brutal, this is one of the great forgotten corners of the earth: the Wild Coast.

Wrong About Japan – Peter Carey (2005)

The novelist Carey and his 12-year-old son travel to Japan in search of manga and anime culture, which the son adores and the father can’t quite understand. What follows is a nuanced and enchanting tour of Japanese culture (not dissimilar to Sophia Coppola’s Lost in Translation), as entered through its garish, brightly lit back door.

Guided, and at times judged, by an ineffably strange boy named Takashi, the Careys meet manga artists and anime directors, the meticulous impersonators called “visualists” and solitary, nerdish otaku. Throughout, the Booker Prize-winning novelist makes observations that are intriguing even when — as his hosts keep politely reminding him — they turn out to be wrong.

The trip doesn’t bring Carey (or indeed the reader) much enlightenment about the country (in fact, the book only serves as a reminder of the generational gaps and East/West divide), but that’s most of the fun, for even in a global age, it shows we can still find meaning in impenetrable and bewildering things when they are presented to us in an engaging way.

Headhunters on My Doorstep – J. Maarten Troost (2013)

Okay, I’ll admit it. I’m a bit of a J. Maarten Troost groupie. He is the David Sedaris of travel writing and I want to have his babies. So you can imagine my delight when he came out with a new novel — a memoir no less — last year. And it didn’t disappoint.

Part recount of “the-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel” of his alcohol addiction and part adventure story, Troost, upon completing a stint in rehab, decides to retrace the beaten path traveled by the author of Treasure Island (Robert Louis Stevenson) through the Marquesas, the Tuamotus, Tahiti, the Gilberts and Samoa. Bringing his signature wit and penchant for misadventure, Troost confronts his newfound sobriety in the only way he knows how: getting lost in the real world.

The Prince of Marshes: And Other Occupational Hazards Of Iraq – Rory Stewart (2006)

In August 2003, at the age of 30, Rory Stewart took a taxi from Jordan to Baghdad. A Farsi-speaking British diplomat, he was soon appointed deputy governor of Amarah and then Nasiriyah provinces in the remote, impoverished marsh regions of southern Iraq. He spent the next 11 months negotiating hostage releases, holding elections and splicing together some semblance of an infrastructure for a population of millions teetering on the brink of civil war.

The Prince of the Marshes tells the story of Stewart’s year. As a participant, he takes us inside the occupation and beyond the Green Zone, introducing us to a colorful cast of Iraqis and revealing the complexity and fragility of a society we struggle to understand. Darting between funny and harrowing, moving and incisive, this book amounts to a unique portrait of heroism and the tragedy that intervention inevitably courts in the modern age.

[Hand Holding Book via via shutterstock]

By Stefanie Acworth /

Call her a nomad, but travel keeps Stefanie Acworth sane. After living and working in London and New York (and everywhere in between), she still calls Australia home (or so the QANTAS commercial says). When she’s not gallivanting around the globe and penning her adventures, you can find her making dreamcatchers in Byron Bay, copywriting for some top Australian brands or hosting the next pub trivia night at her local. Follow her travels on her blog, AModernWayfarer.com.

The post The 10 Best Travel Books Of The Last Two Decades appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

By Matt Stabile /

Matt Stabile is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of TheExpeditioner.com. You can read his writings, watch his travel videos, purchase the book he co-edited or contact him via email at any time at TheExpeditioner.com.

The post Here Are 25 (Free) Museums And Galleries To Visit In London appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

The secret is out about solo travel – and everybody’s doing it!

What was once a right of passage for single backpackers fresh out of school trying to “find themselves,” traveling solo has soared into the mainstream faster than a flight from L.A. to San Francisco. From young professionals to retirees and everyone in between, it seems folks from all walks of life want to captain their very own adventure-ship without circumnavigating around someone else’s.

According to a recent study conducted by Booking.com, more travelers than ever before are reaping the rewards of a “me”-time vacation, and feel more fulfilled from a solo trip. The study found that women are now 51% more likely to be the master of their own itinerary than they were 5 years ago, while 23% of men think real adventure only comes from traveling alone.

Internet searches for “solo travel ideas” are up by more than 50% this year according to Google, and tourism operators now offer everything from solo-cruises to medi-spa’s in a bid to capitalize on this growing trend.

“Traveling by yourself is no longer taboo, or even scary for that matter,” says co-founder of Australian lifestyle blog Show+Tell, Brooke Bayes. I, for one agree with Brooke. There used to be a certain type of stigma attached to a person, especially a women, traveling on their own.

But, nowadays, you’re no longer a lonely weirdo for traveling unattached. You don’t have some rare form of social leprosy. In fact, you’re more of an empowered independent adventurer, embracing new and exotic experiences you might not have otherwise have been able to before. And besides, who wants to compromise on who gets the aisle seat?

So, it’s official, many of us love solo travel almost as much as an unexpected upgrade to first class. Which begs the question: Why does it hold such a special place in our hearts? Whether it’s for the freedom, immersion or sense of adventure, here are four reasons why we love to travel alone.

1) Solo Travel Gives You the Freedom to Be Yourself

Riddle me this: When was the last time you made a decision that wasn’t influenced by your boss, your kids, your dog or [insert significant other here]. Let’s face it, most of the time your life is not your own but isn’t it fantastic to be able to book a trip and get away from it all.

The possibilities are endless. You can get to know yourself again, and you can indulge yourself fully and be answerable to no one. If you want to spend an entire day at the beach drinking Mojitos and reading about conspiracy theories, then gosh darn it, that’s exactly what you’ll do.

2) Solo Travel Reinvigorates Your Sense of Adventure

Ah, the monotony of everyday life, we’ve all been there. But when your reality starts to resemble a scene from Groundhog Day, it’s time for a re-boot . . . all the way to Madagascar. The IndependentTraveler.com talks endlessly about the pleasures of traveling without a companion: “People who have never traveled alone often describe their first solo trip as an almost religious experience. To take in new surroundings unfiltered by the prejudices, tastes or preferences of a traveling companion can be heady stuff.”

Traveling alone allows you to concentrate fully on new and exciting experiences happening right before your eyes. No alarm clocks, no prior engagements — it’s just you pushing your comfort zone beyond any pesky reminders of home.

3) Solo Travel Gives You Time to Indulge

At the risk of sounding all Eat, Pray Love, one of the easiest ways to travel solo is to focus on your health and wellbeing. Booking one of the many all-inclusive meditation retreats around the globe allows you to experience the best of both worlds: getting real with yourself while having your entire holiday (pampering, classes, accommodation) taken care of. All you have to do is show up.

And if you think solo spa holidays are only for the ladies, then I’m sorry, but you’re sorely mistaken. Today’s super-luxe, male-oriented “mancations” offer innovative dining, inspiring architecture and cutting-edge treatments for stress relief. “It has taken longer for American guys to figure out that spas are about lifestyle management and the need to slow the heck down,” says Lynne McNees, the President of the American Spa Association. “[But] the spa gives them permission to pause.”

4) Solo Travel Facilitates Cultural Engagement

If you want to travel like a tourist, then by all means. Form a lemming-like line outside a religious monument and start snapping away. Top Tourist tips: be as loud as you can, disrespect local customs, scoff at the food and dress entirely inappropriately.

But, if you want to be a true traveler, go it solo. Traveling on your lonesome creates more meaningful opportunities to immerse yourself with the foreign culture, people and activities. Plus, you’re more open to saying “yes” when a local asks you to dinner if you haven’t made plans with your travel buddy.

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So, basically, solo travel is pretty awesome, and 70% of people seem to think so too. They feel more energized and refreshed traveling alone than when traveling with friends, families and even partners, according to the previously mentioned study. That’s a pretty big chunk of people. So if you want some social Lexapro, then spend the cash and schedule a “me-time” vacation to reinvigorate your sense of self. And that, my friends, is priceless.

[Girl photographing temple at dusk via Shuttershock; Footprints on Sand via Shuttershock; Hat On Sand via Shuttershock]

By Stefanie Acworth /

Call her a nomad, but travel keeps Stefanie Acworth sane. After living and working in London and New York (and everywhere in between), she still calls Australia home (or so the QANTAS commercial says). When she’s not gallivanting around the globe and penning her adventures, you can find her making dreamcatchers in Byron Bay, copywriting for some top Australian brands or hosting the next pub trivia night at her local. Follow her travels on her blog, AModernWayfarer.com.

The post The Rise of Solo Travel: 4 Reasons Why We Love To Travel Alone appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

Free things to do in New York City in the summer? I know it sounds like an oxymoron. Let’s face it, the words “free” and “New York City” are rarely used in the same sentence, but visitors to the city are often surprised both at how expensive it can be ($400 for a hotel room?) as well as the number of free things there are to do and see around New York, especially during the summer when the sun comes out and the city’s urban dwellers are itching to escape from their cubicles and cramped apartments and get outside as often possible.

For those looking to save money and experience some of the best of what New York City has to offer, here are 10 free things to do in New York City this summer.

1) Explore Governors Island

Originally developed as a military base, in recent years Governors Island has been an unpopulated 172-acre island sitting enticingly close to the tip of Manhattan (and even closer to Brooklyn). Then, in 2003, the island was sold to New York City from the federal government, and the island was opened up for free to the public for access to its amazing views and open parkland.

The island itself is made up of bike lanes, parks, the remains of the military base and even the homes that the military families lived in, which are all ripe for exploration. You can rent bikes at a kiosk just down the hill from the ferry dock, and the rest of the island is easily accessible by foot. Head to Picnic Point at the far tip of the island for views of the harbor and open space to have lunch or throw a Frisbee around.

Visitor to the island this summer will get to be the first to experience a newly opened 30-acre park that that has been years in the making (New York magazine called it a “jewel”). The new park features a section full of hammocks called Hammock Grove, a new playground featuring a wooden climbing gym, and a green plaza full of food vendors, public art and communal sitting space called Liggett Terrace

Throughout the summer there are numerous free events that take place on the island, including:

• River to River festival featuring numerous free art shows throughout the summer;

• The Fourth Annual New York City Poetry Festival;

• The NYC Volkswagen Traffic Jam, a  spectator-judged vintage Volkswagen car show and picnic featuring Volkswagens from the 1950’s – 1970’s;

• The New York City Unicycle Festival.

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• For a full list of all the activities going on at Governors Island this summer, check out the Governors Island Calendar of Events

• For more information, visit the Governors Island Home Page

2) See Free Music Outside

Music lovers in New York know that one of the best times in the city to see live music (oftentimes free) is during the summer when the many ongoing music festivals around the city gear up, offering everything from indie rock, classical, jazz and world music on a daily basis. Here are a few of the biggest and best of the lineups.

The 4th Annual Village Voice 4Knots Music Festival

Once again taking place at New York’s legendary South Street Seaport, The Village Voice’s 4Knots Music Festival will be back for its fourth year on July 12, 2014. Continuing the Voice’s 14-year history with live music festivals, 4Knots will be showcasing renowned and emerging artists on today’s breaking music scene. Most exciting of all was the announcement that Dinosaur Jr. will becheadlining this show, along with Mac Demarco, Those Darlings, Speedy Ortiz, Rad Key and many others. And best of all, like every other year, the show is free to all.

• For more information, visit the 4th Annual Village Voice 4Knots Music Festival official site.

Central Park SummerStage

This year’s SuumerStage shows, which takes place at the famed Summer Stage in Central Park, are as eclectic as ever, featuring free performances by everyone from:

• Andrew Bird (July 8);

• Amanda Palmer (July 21);

• Dr. John (August 2); and

• Blood Orange (August 16).

For a full list of all the shows, visit the Central Park Summerstage Full Calendar

Prospect Park Bandshell Celebrate Brooklyn Series

Of course, one of the best music festivals in the city is in Brooklyn — Prospect Park’s Bandshell to be exact. I’ve been going to concerts here every summer since I moved here, and they easily have one of the best lineups in the city, and this year is no exception. This summer you can see the following for free:

• The Dum Dum Girls/Hospitality/Teen (June 21);

• Bebel Gilberto (July 17); and

• St. Vincent (August 9).

For a full list of all the shows, visit the Prospect Park Celebrate Brooklyn Full Calendar

Best of the Rest of the Festival

• Northside Music Festival: (June 12 – 14, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, featuring free shows from CHVRCHES and Thee Oh Sees)

• River Rocks (Pier 84, July 10, 24, and August 7, featuring free shows by Wild Beasts, Teenage Fanclub and Temples)

• Bryant Park After Work (Bryant Park)

• Broadway in Bryant Park (Bryant Park)

• Live on Pier 26 (Pier 26)

• Seaport Music Festival (South Street Seaport)

For a full list of all shows taking place this summer, check out The Village Voice’s The Ultimate List of Free Summer Concerts in NYC, 2014.

3) Hit the Beach

Rockaway Beach, Fort Tilden and Coney Island

Visitors to New York are often surprised by the fact that New York City actually has beaches that are both clean and fun to visit, all within a close distance. Rockaway Beach, Fort Tilden and Coney Island are all less than an hour away, and are all accessible by subway and bus.

Rockaway Beach has become a favorite getaway in recent years due to the growth of the many restaurants and bars that have opened up nearby recently. However, recent damage by Hurricane Sandy has meant that portions of the boardwalk and beach are not yet ready for visitors, though most of it is accessible and even open for surfing.

Nearby Fort Tilden beach, which has recently come into favor by the local hipster and gay communities due to its slightly more remote location, is back open after being shut down from Sandy.

Finally, Coney Island has been welcoming beachgoers for generations, and this summer the nearby park is welcoming several new attractions, including the refurbished Cyclone and the newly constructed Thunderbolt roller coasters.

• Rockaway Beach Information and Directions

• Coney Island Information and Directions

Long Island

Though a little more difficult to get to, the Long Island Rail Road serves many of the island’s favorite beaches, including Jones Beach, Long Beach, Robert Moses and Fire Island.

Even better, due to increasing demand, the LIRR now offers non-stop service to one of New York City’s favorite Long Island getaways: Montauk (the Cannonball Express). Sitting at the tip of the island, the train will take riders there in a little over three hours via service from Penn Station.

• LIRR Beach Getaways

• LIRR Montauk Cannonball Express

4) Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Roof Exhibit

Artist Dan Graham created this site-specific commission for the Met’s Roof Garden, which is comprised of curves of steel and two-way mirrored glass set between ivy hedgerows. Though difficult to explain, the exhibit has been described as “part garden maze, part modernist skyscraper facade.”

The exhibit itself is free with admission to the museum, and despite suggested prices, if you’re really in a bind, you can pay whatever you want (including nothing) to enter the museum (though, be prepared for a scowl from the staff if you only pony up spare change from your pocket).

• For more information, visit the Met’s Roof Garden Exhibit site.

5) Shakespeare In The Park

Okay, this one’s not exactly a revelation. Shakespeare in the Park has been attracting massive crowds for over half a century (5 million people over 50 years to be exact), and a look at the number of people who still line up every day for tickets is proof it’s as popular as ever. This year, the two productions being staged are Much Ado about Nothing (June 3 – July 6) and King Lear starring John Lithgow (July 22 – August 17).

You could line up like everyone else at the theater in the morning in the center of Central Park, hoping to snag a couple of tickets as they’re given away at 12 p.m. But, for those in the know, the days of waiting on line are a distant memory. Now, you can simply get in line virtually by signing up online on the day of the show. If you’re picked, you’ll get an e-mail alerting you about your free pair of tickets. If not picked, just try again the next day.

• Shakespeare in the Park Home Page

• To learn how to sign up for ticket virtually, visit the Shakespeare in the Park Virtual Ticketing

6) Shop and Eat at the Brooklyn Flea and Smorgasburg

Where else are you going to find vintage sweaters, living room furniture made from reclaimed factory walls, and artisanal hot dogs all in one spot? Brooklyn, of course. The Brooklyn Flea, which is the actual flea market, now operates in two different locations, including its original Fort Greene location on Saturdays and Williamsburg on Sundays. Smorgasburg, the food-centric outdoor market, can be found in Williamsburg on Saturdays and Brooklyn Bridge Park on Sundays, and each features 100 local and regional vendors.

• To learn more about the Brooklyn Flea and Smorgasburg, please visit the official Brooklyn Flea site.

7) Watch Free Movies Outside

Not only is New York home to the locations for many movie and television shoots, but it’s also home to an active outdoor movie-watching culture. Come summer, parks, piers and rooftops set up outdoor projectors and show movies around the city, a nice change from watching Netflix from your 300-square-foot studio apartment.

The most popular of these screenings occurs in Bryant Park, which this year will be showing Saturday Night Fever, Blazing Saddles, National Lampoon’s Vacation and The Karate Kid.

In Williamsburg, you can find plenty of ironic ’80s and ’90s nostalgia with showings of Back to the Future, Heathers (greetings and salutations TheExpeditioner readers) and The Big Lebowski.

Finally, for one of the more scenic views while you watch a movie (see above), head to Brooklyn Bridge Park, where this summer they will be showing Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day and The Wizard of Oz.

• For a complete rundown of every movie playing for free outside this summer, check out this comprehensive list.

8) See the World in Jackson Heights

Just a short ride on the subway (7 Train) from Manhattan is Jackson Heights, Queens, one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the city (if not the country) with over 65% of the population made up of immigrants, and an estimated 138 languages spoken here. Most notable is Little Colombia and Little India, where immigrants have opened restaurants and bakeries featuring the best of their country’s delicacies. Among other countries (and restaurants) represented here include those from South America, South Asia, and East Asia. In other words: basically everywhere.

To explore, head down the main thoroughfare of 37th Avenue from 72nd Street to Junction Boulevard and find yourself in what seems like another country. And the best part? You’ll have visited a part of New York few other travelers — and even New Yorkers — have ever been. Yes, off-the-beaten-path travel is possible in one of the world’s most heavily visited cities.

Come hungry, and check out some of the best restaurants and bakeries in the neighborhood, such as:

• Phayul (Tibetan food, 37-65 74th Street (37th Road), second floor);

• Pio Pio (Peruvian, 84-02 Northern Blvd., between 84th & 85th streets); and

• Rajbhog Sweets (Indian sweets, 7227 37th Ave, Jackson Heights, NY 11372).

9) Friday Means Free Museums in New York

While Friday afternoons for most New Yorkers means happy hour, it also marks the time when some of city’s biggest and best museums throw open their doors and let visitors in for free, including otherwise pricey museums such as the Museum of Modern Art (normally $25!) and the International Center for Photography (normally $14).

Here’s a full list of museums that offer free admissions on Fridays:

• Museum of Modern Art (4 — 8 p.m.)

• Whitney Museum of American Art (pay what you will, 6 — 9 p.m.)

• Morgan Library and Museum (7 — 9 p.m.)

• The New-York Historical Society (pay what you will, 6 — 8 p.m.)

• New York Aquarium (pay what you will after 3 p.m.)

• International Center of Photography (pay what you will after 5 p.m.)

• Museum of the Moving Image (4 — 8 p.m.)

• Japan Society (6 — 9 p.m.)

• New York Hall of Science (2 — 5 p.m., September through June)

• Rubin Museum of Art (6 — 10 p.m.)

• Asia Society (September through June, 6 — 9 p.m.)

10) Visit Famous Graves

Okay, stay with me here. Where do travelers flock in Paris? Père Lachaise Cemetery to see Jim Morrison’s grave. How about Buenos Aires? Recoleta Cemetery for Eva Peron. Well, New York has its share of famous graves, most of which go unvisited by travelers (even though the price to do so is free).

Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx is famous for the great jazz legends buried there. In fact, so many are there, the cemetery has its own “jazz corner,” where such greats such as Coleman Hawkins, Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Miles Davis and Max Roach are found.

Over in Queens is Saint John’s Cemetery, home to the city’s most notorious mafioso, including John Gotti, Lucky Luciano, Joe Colombo, Carlo Gambino and Vito Genovese.

And perhaps most famous, Green-Wood Cemetery in Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn, is the city’s most scenic final resting place. Here you can find the graves of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Henry Ward Beecher, Leonard Bernstein, William “Bill The Butcher” Poole (of Gangs of New York fame), and William Marcy “Boss” Tweed.

• Woodlawn offers guided tours, and directions and information can be found on their site.

• You’re on your own at Saint John’s, but plot locations can be found here.

• The Green-Wood Cemetery site can be found here.

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Other Helpful Links to Help You Find Free Things to Do In New York City

NYCGO Free Event Listings

Time Out New York’s Guide to Free Things To Do

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[New York City skyline from the Sheep Meadow in Central Park via Shutterstock; Governors Island by Timothy Schenck Photography courtesy of The Trust for Governors Island; Real Estate performs at Prospect Park Bandshell by John Dalton/Flickr; Rockaway Beach by traxus440/Flickr; The Roof Garden Exhibition by Clare Henry; Shakespeare in the Park by Dan Nguyen/Flickr; Brooklyn Flea by Chris Oakley/Flickr; Jackson Heights by Aleksandr Zykov/Flickr; MOMA via/Shutterstock]

By Matt Stabile /

Matt Stabile is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of TheExpeditioner.com. You can read his writings, watch his travel videos, purchase the book he co-edited or contact him via email at any time at TheExpeditioner.com.

The post Top 10 Free Things To Do In New York City This Summer appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

In this travel video guide to San Francisco, I travel to San Francisco, California, one of the most scenic cities in the United States, if not the world.

In town for a conference for only four days, only one of which was going to be sunny, I headed out to see as much as I could in a day. I started my day by visiting the Haight-Ashbury district, San Francisco’s most famous neighborhood. Ground zero for the Summer of Love, this neighborhood’s bohemian past is still evident as you walk around the area, though things have changed quite a bit (for example: American Apparel and Whole Foods).

Next, I headed to the Mission District, San Francisco’s “It” neighborhood right now. Home to a large and varied immigrant population, cheap rents have lured many a young and hip individual to the area, evidenced by the artisanal chocolate shops, used book stores and proliferation of coffee shops. There are also a number of great taco shops here. I visit Taqueria Cancun and El Toro to see which I would like best.

Then I hopped on a boat to get a unique view of the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge, which our boat sailed under, then traveled past Alcatraz Island and Angel Island.

Wrapping things up, I walked through the Presidio for a pilgrimage to Lucasfilm, complete with a Yoda fountain, then hiked one of the Presidio’s many trails to get a great view as the sun set over the bay.

By Matt Stabile /

Matt Stabile is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of TheExpeditioner.com. You can read his writings, watch his travel videos, purchase the book he co-edited or contact him via email at any time at TheExpeditioner.com.

The post Travel Guide To San Francisco [Travel Video] appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

Sydney is Los Angeles and Melbourne is Manhattan, or so the stereotyped comparison often goes, implying the former Australian city is all sun and surf while the latter is the only location for serious arts and culture, but as anyone who’s been to Sydney recently knows, this generalization is long outdated.

In 2007 Sydney’s Lord Mayor Clover Moore (her real name, I swear) made a very public commitment to public art. This was followed by a series of city-backed art initiatives, and a profusion of new private galleries cropping up in diverse neighborhoods. The pièce de résistance of Sydney’s emerging visual arts scene is its Biennale, which has become a major art world event approaching the level of anticipation heaped upon Venice’s or Berlin’s. Though not quite as attended yet from abroad as its European counterparts, it still attracted over 600,000 people in 2012.

The 2014 Biennale of Sydney recently opened on March 21 and runs for 13 glorious-weather weeks, bringing together the work of 90 different artists from 31 countries. This year it’s a politically controversial event. In February, many of the artists involved demanded the Biennale cut ties with Transfield Services, a major sponsor with links to a company involved in the offshore processing of asylum seekers. (Australia’s mandatory detention policy is an extremely hot-button issue.)

Nine artists withdrew their work, but after the Biennale agreed to end its relationship with Transfield, seven of them returned. With the controversy mostly behind them, those involved in the Biennale hope the focus can return to the art itself. And there is some wonderful work on display, if you can make the there as I did recently.

Cockatoo Island

I began by taking a ferry to Cockatoo Island, a former penal colony turned recent Biennale venue. It’s the Biennale space that caters most to kids, where they can. For example, poke around Randi & Katrine’s The Village, a fairytale version of a Danish village where the buildings resemble human faces: hair for rooftops, windows for eyes and shutters for ears.

Nearby, Eva Koch’s gigantic projection of an Icelandic waterfall with accompanying soundtrack whooshes through a large hall. A few buildings away a giant gym built out of recycled equipment begs to be used. But Gerda Steiner & Jorg Lenzlinger’s installation isn’t any old fitness center. When I pedaled an elliptical machine, a rigged-up skeleton danced to my movements. When I lifted weights, a chain reaction led to unexpected fart noises that sent two tiny twin girls watching me nearby into a fit of giggles.

As for adults, artistic director Juliana Engberg says the center of the island is for “sweet things while the edges get a little bitter.” My favorite more “bitter” piece on Cockatoo Island — my favorite piece in the Biennale, in fact — is Ignas Krunglevicius’s Interrogation. It’s based on the police transcript of a 2004 murder investigation in the U.S. after Mary Kovic allegedly killed her husband with his own shotgun. In this arresting video work, sections of the transcript are projected onto a blank screen while a drum-heavy soundtrack plays in the background, highlighting both text and the subtext. It’s 13 minutes long and practically hypnotizing.

The Mainland

The other four Biennale venues are back on the mainland and there is an abundance of fantastic art in each one. In the Art Gallery of New South Wales, I loved Meric Algun Ringborg’s The Library of Unborrowed Books, Section 111: SMSA Library, Sydney. The installation makes a library out of all the books never signed out from the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts Library. Nobody tell Rick Moody, whose tome The Diviners made the unenviable list.

At the Museum of Contemporary Art, I could have sat for hours in front of David Claerbout’s quietly powerful black-and-white images of the Brittany shoreline. Because they are projected over a mirror floor, you feel like you can step right into them.

Carriageworks

Carriageworks, an old, massive railway workshop complex, is a newer Biennale venue. A variety of work bleeds together in the cavernous exhibition space, but for me it was all about a short video called Freedom Requires Free People. In it, Ane Hjort Guttu profiles an 8-year-old’s experiences in a Norwegian school that seems to operate with a “rules for rules sake” philosophy.

Artspace

Artspace is the Biennale’s smallest space. You’ll have to watch where you step, as artist Ugo Rondinone’s little birds are scattered all across the floor, as are the bodies of amateur photographers trying to capture them.

Artspace also happens to be across the street from Sydney’s most famous meat pie cart: Harry’s Café de Wheels. And while Sydney might only recently be emerging as a city with a serious art scene, it’s been serious about pies for as long as any resident can remember.

By Rachel Friedman /

Rachel Friedman is the author of The Good Girl’s Guide to Getting Lost: A Memoir of Three Continents, Two Friends, and One Unexpected Adventure. She has also written for The New York Times, National Geographic Traveler, and AOL Travel, among others.

The post Your Guide To The Biennale Of Sydney appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

Just like sentences, in the world of product design, complicated doesn’t always equal better. Enter the Travel Billow: a two-for-one travel pillow and blanket that solves the problem of having to lug extraneous items on the plane with you. And no, it’s not a babysitter.

The Travel Billow is an inflatable pillow that, when uninflated, stores a 50″ x 66″ fleece blanket within itself, creating a comfy neck rest for your trip. When it’s time to tuck in for a long nap, remove the blanket and inflate the pillow, and now you’ve got a two-in-one sleeping device. Not astrophysics, but a great product real people could use.

Now for other two-in-one travel devices that I want to be created soon: airplane window/pillow, seat neighbor/supermodel and tray table/tablet computer. If anyone creates any of these, I want 10%.

To learn more or to order your own, visit TravelBillow.com.

By Matt Stabile /

Matt Stabile is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of TheExpeditioner.com. You can read his writings, watch his travel videos, purchase the book he co-edited or contact him via email at any time at TheExpeditioner.com.

The post The Travel Billow Wants To Solve Your Overloaded Bag Problem appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

If you’re in the process of planning a luxury safari, there are several questions you should be thinking about before you book. Contrary to what you may think, it is often cheaper to book directly through a tour operator.

You will also benefit from the service they provide, the unique knowledge they have of your destination from years of experience, and access to special offers they have been exclusively offered due to their individual relationships. And if you’re wondering how they can offer all this to you without charging a fee, the answer is this: the safari camps and lodges give the tour operator a commission when you book.

To help in your quest to have the best safari experience possible, here are five questions you should ask your safari operator before you book.

1) Is the Camp or Lodge Located in a National Park or Outside of It?

Some camps and lodges are located in national parks, which depending on the size of the national park, can be advantageous. However, more and more now-private unfenced conservancies are popping up just outside of park borders. These camps often offer fantastic game viewing themselves but also offer more freedom to explore the bush whether by day and night drive, on a bush walk or on a riding safari. To the contrary, national parks tend to be quite restricted on what types of activities you can do (they also tend to be much busier throughout the year as well).

2) Am I Traveling at the Best Time?

In the end, the best time to travel really depends on you. For instance, if you don’t mind an afternoon thunderstorm or downpour, you should consider traveling during the low season when the rates are often as much as 50% lower than the high season. These times of year also offer fewer people in the best game viewing areas (and of course, the wildlife is still all there).

Also, you might be heading out to try and catch a specific migration — the wildebeest in Tanzania and Kenya, or the zebra in the Kalahari for example. In this case, you need to discuss in detail with your operator which month is the best time for you to see this particular migration.

3) What is the Food Like?

This may seem trivial, but let’s face it, when you’re on vacation and paying top-notch for it, the food should be exceptional. The standard of food is also a very accurate indication as to the level of luxury you can expect. No top-end safari camp would serve anything less that what you would get at a restaurant in a big city.

4) What is Included?

Most luxury safari camps and lodges are in very remote areas, so they offer an all-inclusive rate for obvious reasons, but some do exclude certain drinks or certain activities. Your operator should know exactly what is and what isn’t included. In the end, it’s much better to ask rather than turn up and be disappointed.

5) Is There a Best Room/Best Guide?

A good tour operator will have inside information as to the best rooms and guides at each property — two invaluable pieces of information that could be the difference between an average safari and one that you will remember forever.

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In short, trust your operator, and keep in mind that if they recommend something unusual or a little different than you were expecting, you should take their word for it and consider it — it just may be the best part of your entire trip.

By Rose Hipwood

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rose Hipwood is the founder of The Luxury Safari Company, a luxury safari company based in the U.K. Rose has has lived in and out of Africa over the last 10 years, and has developed a deep knowledge of each and every remote corner of the continent. Rose passionately believes that bespoke holidays are made special by the people involved, the unique locations of the lodges and the intimate and personal nature of each trip. To find out more, please visit The Luxury Safari Company web site.

The post 5 Questions To Ask Before You Book A Safari appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

Around this time every year, Americans turn to the dreaded task of doing their taxes. Unfortunately, even if you happen to be an expat, this fact doesn’t change, and you will need tax tips for doing your taxes just like the rest of us.

Living abroad has many risks, rewards and challenges for those Americans who chose to take the plunge and embrace a new nation as their home. However, among the new experiences, languages and people, there is one familiar obligation that will never change: their need to file a U.S. tax return if they are a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder.

There are a handful of exceptions based on gross income, filing status and age, but the vast majority of American expats are still required to file and report their worldwide income each and every year, regardless of where they are living. Fortunately, if you haven’t done so yet, expats are eligible for an automatic extension until June 15th.

To help ease the pain a bit, here are four essential tax tips every expat should consider before doing their taxes this year.

1) Foreign Tax Credit

“But I pay taxes in my host nation!,” you say. A common misconception among expats working for a foreign entity is that they don’t have to file a tax return because they pay taxes abroad. Unfortunately, this is 100% false: they still must file a return. That being said, in most cases, having paid tax in your country of residence will reduce or eliminate your tax liability through the use of Form 1116.

However, your foreign tax credit may not exceed your U.S. tax liability, as this liability is actually determined as a percentage of your total foreign-source income divided by your total worldwide income, so don’t expect to get a refund as a result. Any foreign tax credit amount in excess of the maximum limit may be carried back to a previous tax year with foreign source income or carried forward for up to 10 years.

2) Foreign Earned Income Exclusion

An advantage to living abroad is that you may also be eligible to qualify for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.

For 2013, the first $97,600 in foreign earned income is considered tax-free by the U.S. government for those who qualify. Note that this income needs be earned and you need to fulfill very specific length-of-stay or residency requirements.

Items such as rental income, dividends, capital gains and interest will also continue to be taxed at their normal rate and do not fall under the exclusion. Beyond that, one is eligible for the majority of the normal deductions (standard or itemized) and exemptions, as well as a potential deduction for housing expenses abroad based on location.

Your income must come from a “foreign source,” and the “source” of earned income is simply the location where you performed services to earn the income. How you are paid or if it is deposited to a U.S. bank account has no effect on the source of the income.

For example, income you receive for work done in Australia is income from a foreign source even if the income is paid directly to your bank account in the United States and your employer is located in New York City.

3) Your FBAR Is Due June 30th

In an effort to reduce offshore tax evasion and recoup federal tax revenues, the IRS has also taken a renewed focus on expats living abroad and those with overseas bank accounts.

This not only applies to the wealthy that attempt to conceal their money offshore in Switzerland and the Caymans, but also to those who are simply living abroad and have a basic checking or savings account. The IRS considers any foreign account to be a potential tax avoidance vehicle and in the eyes of the IRS, you are guilty until proven innocent.

If one exceeds $10,000 in aggregate cash holdings across all foreign bank accounts or $50,000 in investment accounts (including retirement and pension accounts), one must report this to the IRS by June 30 using what is called an FBAR form (Report on Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts).

4) Hire an Expat Tax Specialist

Coupled with the specific, somewhat obscure tax laws, and the fact the IRS highly scrutinizes expat returns, as always, it’s best to consult a professional.

Most CPAs have little or no experience with international tax filings, so be sure to inquire before making your decision, as facts and circumstances vary on a case by case basis and a comprehensive understanding of U.S. tax law for expatriates is a necessity.

By Vincenzo Villamena and John Hamilton

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Vincenzo Villamena and John Hamilton are partners at expat tax specialist Online Taxman and registered CPAs. They met while studying accounting and University of Michigan and bonded over their love of numbers and traveling. After both working in corporate environment, they got fed up and decided to travel the world and help expats with their taxes. They have lived abroad in Australia, Argentina, Hong Kong, Colombia and Brazil. They offer free consultations to expats through their site, Onlinetaxman.com.

The post Top 4 Tax Tips For Expats appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

Have any doubt there’s a huge demand for small, easy-to-use chargers for portable devices? Look no further than the recently announced TravelCard, a credit card-sized charger for iPhones and Android devices, whose Kickstarter campaign to raise $10,500 not only met its goal in a compact 48 hours, but has gone on to raise nearly $30,000 in total less than two weeks.

The charger itself is the exact size of a credit card, 3/16″ (4.77mm) thick and weighing only 2 oz. (56.7g), and will come in four different colors: White, Black, Silver, and Sapphire Blue. It will also feature either a Lightning connection for your apple products, or Micro USB for your Android devices.

Once charged up, it will be able to deliver up to 5 hours of talk time, or 4 /12 hours of internet use.

Needles to say, Go Design — the brains behind the charger, have met their fundraising goal, but are still accepting backers whose $40 will give them first dibs on their very own charger ($5 cheaper than the anticipated retail price of $45).

To get your hands on the first release of TravelCard, visit their Kickstarter page here.

By Matt Stabile

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Matt Stabile is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of TheExpeditioner.com. You can read his writings, watch his travel videos, purchase the book he co-edited or contact him via email at any time at TheExpeditioner.com. (@TheExpeditioner)

The post TravelCard: The Ultimate Charger For Those On The Road appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

The stereotype of the French is that they are stinky, rude and have a predilection for bad comedy, but they are also elegant, thin and have a predilection for fine art and good literature.

The French are nothing if not an enigma — a study in paradoxes. How can one wear the latest Balmain creation yet go out sans deodorant? Truth be told, the French are far more complicated than the sum of their stereotypes.

When I studied abroad in Paris I learned it’s not that they are smelly, it’s that Americans are obsessed with hygiene. The French aren’t rude, we’re just too smiley. See? It’s all about perception. Having said that, whether you plan on living, studying or just visiting France, you might want to study up on what makes the French tick. To help you out, try reading one or all of the following books. You know, so you don’t come across as a boorish American or anything like that.

1) 50 Reasons to Hate the French by Jules Eden and Alex Clarke

Just in case you’re not sure if you love or hate the French, Jules Eden and Alex Clarke give you 50 hilarious reasons to detest them. Using history to illustrate many of their points, the duo delve into the literature, art and politics of France. From Depardieu to the lack of reverence for time, you’ll find yourself disliking those frog eaters, until you realize you still want to see the Eiffel Tower and croissants taste pretty dame good.

2) French or Foe?: Getting the Most Out of Visiting, Living and Working in France by Polly Platt

When you’re in France, there may be many times when you wonder whether someone is being purposely rude to you or whether they are just being French. Polly Platt tackles the stereotype of the “rude Frenchmen” head on by explaining the differences in our cultural attitudes and mannerisms to make your stay in France oh-so-pleasant.

So when the waiter is ignoring you during your next meal, you’ll now know that it’s not because he is secretly plotting against Americans, but because he wants you to take your time and enjoy your meal.

3) Paris to the Moon by Adam Gopnik

If you’ve ever wondered why there is no French version of Barney the purple dinosaur or why Café de Flore is the height of chic while Les Deux Magots is the equivalent of a public toilet, this is the book you need to read.

With a splash of humor, a dollop of personal anecdotes and a whole lot of love for the French, Adam Gopnik’s essays are an intellectual take on the most simple of French habits, including their obsession with striking. You may not approve when the métro you need to get to the Champs-Elysees is no longer running, but at least you’ll understand. Sort of.

4) Dirty French: Everyday Slang from “What’s Up?” to “F*%# Off!” (Dirty Everyday Slang by Adrian Clautrier

In light of all this newfound understanding, you may find yourself making friends or wanting to flirt it up with a Frenchie. Throwing out some slang will let the other party know you’re hip to French culture. Gems like “I feel like partying (Je suis d’humeur a faire la tete), or “Damn girl your body is banging” (Oh cousine, chaud devant) will get you in the French fray in no time.

Or in spite of all this fabulous understanding you may acquire, you may still need to tell someone in no uncertain times to mind their own business. Since you’re in France, it’s only fitting you should be able to potentially curse someone out in their own language. This way they will actually understand you and you can still remain unfailingly polite for speaking in the local language.

5) French Women Don’t get Fat by Mireille Guilano

If a year studying abroad and living with a French family taught me anything, it’s that the French love food like Americans love football and artificial sweetener. The reason most French women (and men) don’t get fat is because they don’t stuff their faces 24/7. And when they do, it’s not with a bag of BBQ potato chips.

The French don’t just eat — they savor. They dine. A meal is a three-hour affair that just happens to accompany a rousing debate about politics or which boulangerie has the best bread. Mireille Guilano goes into all of this with great detail, allowing even the junkiest of eaters to revamp their habits. Read this and you’ll understand how and why the French women can eat chocolate all the time and still look like Brigitte Bardot.

6) A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle

Who hasn’t thought of leaving it all behind and running off to France? I certainly have. Oh wait, I did do that. Armed with dreamy visions of fresh brie cheese, gothic cathedrals and men with French accents sweeping me off my feet, I said no to another year of frat parties and Natty Light for the beauty of France.

Then reality hit. In my case it was in the form of dog poo on the sidewalks. In the case of Peter Mayle, it was namely in the form of a freezing winter, nosy neighbors and French bureaucracy. But through it all, Mayle tells the story with a light-hearted affection for his adopted country capturing the more comical aspects of everyday French life. At the end, you can’t help but love the French.

By Rachel Khona

About the Author

Rachel has served as contributing editor for Vaga and has written for Cosmopolitan, Inked and Ask Men. She is currently working on a memoir about being raised by a conservative Indian family, swindling European cab drivers and scaling glaciers. Find out more about Rachel at RachelKhona.com or follow her on Twitter at @RachelKhona.

The post 6 Books You Must Read Before Going To France appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.