Author: Inquisitive Society

My Europe vacation plans were in full swing when I posted today, but I quickly realized I had no chance of making it happen. I was shocked to find that flights for a family of three were coming in at nearly $10,000, and that was before we even got to the hotel or other expenses. That’s when I realized I had been too late to book and that Europe trips during the summer season were going to be much more expensive.

I started to look into other options and found out that if I wanted to make the trip happen, I was going to have to book my flights 10 months in advance. It makes sense when you think about it, because summer is the busiest time for travel and if you have specific dates in mind, your chances of finding affordable flights are slim.

I tried to book a trip to Croatia out of Denver, but I had no luck. I’m sure it would have been a wonderful experience, but I was only able to find flights for under $1500 if I was willing to be flexible and book 10 months in advance. Even then, I would still have to worry about finding a hotel and other expenses.

At this point, I’m not sure what I’m going to do for a summer vacation. I guess I’ll have to wait until next year to plan better. I’m definitely going to start my search 10 months in advance and be willing to be flexible with my dates. I’m also going to look into domestic trips and consider going in April and September to avoid the summer rush and high prices.

I used to be incredibly shy, so I completely understand the hesitation to jump into conversation with strangers while traveling. It can be intimidating, but the truth is, there’s nothing wrong with being alone. I used to think that solo travel meant having to find new friends and connections in every city, but I’ve since learned that there’s so much value in enjoying the solitude of a new place.

When I travel solo, I don’t have to worry about making a thousand friends or feeling out of place if I’m eating alone. Instead, I can focus on my own needs, take the time to experience a new culture, and truly immerse myself in a new place. If I’m feeling social, I might join a tour or book a hostel stay. But if I’m feeling introverted, I’m just as content to stay in my own room and explore the city on my own.

It’s important to remember that there’s no “right” way to travel. And while some people might enjoy the social side of travel, that doesn’t mean it’s the only way to have a great experience. I’m proof that even the shy traveler can have a meaningful, enjoyable trip when traveling solo.

So, if you’re feeling intimidated or overwhelmed about the idea of solo travel, take a deep breath and remember: there’s no pressure to meet a ton of people or find someone to do things with. Whether you’re an extrovert or an introvert, you can have an amazing trip when you’re flying solo. Enjoy the chance to immerse yourself in a new place and take the time to get to know yourself in the process. Who knows, you might even surprise yourself in the process!

Recently, I had a rather unpleasant experience during my stay at a hostel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was late at night and I was stone cold sober as I returned to the hostel. The hostel was inside an apartment building and occupied several units in the same hallway.

As I approached the door, a very drunk and very tall man came stumbling out of another unit owned by the hostel. He asked if I wanted to go downtown with him, and I politely declined. He then asked me to go to a sauna with him, to which I again said no. He then came uncomfortably close and asked me where I was from. I told him I was from Canada and returned the question. He then replied, “Belarus. Can I have a kiss?” He was now blocking the door and I stepped back. I sternly told him “no. I’m going to bed now.” He then tried to grab my arm and I pulled away. He then slapped my ass and finally stumbled away, still saying gross things over his shoulder. I called a few profanities after him as I went inside.

The next morning, I told the front desk about the encounter and asked if they had any security measures in place. They told me that they had security cameras and door locks, but that they hadn’t had a problem like this before. They apologized and promised to be more vigilant in the future. I appreciated their response, but was still shaken by the experience.

Although this was a scary experience, it made me realize the importance of always being aware of my surroundings and trusting my gut instincts. I am grateful that nothing worse happened, but it is still something that I will never forget.

If you’re looking for the perfect mix of city and nature, there are a few cities around the world that have the best of both worlds. Edinburgh and Oslo are great examples, with a wide variety of cultural activities and stunning natural beauty. In Edinburgh, you can take the metro straight into the forest or go island hopping with public transport, and Oslo is literally a city within a forest, with many great places to swim and a super relaxed vibe. Copenhagen is best for vibrant city life, but less so for nature.

Just got back from Seoul, and the access to natural parks and trails system accessible by public bus is incredible. I was absolutely blown away!

I’m biased since it’s my hometown, but Vancouver, Canada is another great option for both city and nature. There’s so much to explore, from urban parks to dense forests and incredible views of the ocean.

Other cities that are great for both city life and natural beauty include Taipei, Hong Kong, Kyoto, Chiang Mai, Salzburg, Queenstown (New Zealand), and Seattle. Rio de Janeiro is also a great choice, with plenty of opportunities to escape the city and explore the outdoors, such as hiking Christ the Redeemer through the forest trail, visiting the botanical gardens, or exploring nature reserves on the city outskirts.

Surprisingly, there have been no mentions of any cities in Australia (so far)! Sydney has incredible nature at its doorstep, with places such as the Royal National Park and the Blue Mountains, as well as bush walks like Spit to Manly. Perth also has plenty of beaches and great nature to explore.

No matter where you go, you can find that perfect balance between city and nature, and have the best of both worlds. Read more “What Cities Offer the Perfect Combination of City Life and Natural Beauty?”

I love solo travel, and I’ve been on a few trips so far. But lately, I’ve been seeing TikToks and posts about solo female trips gone wrong — hotel room break-ins, getting followed, and harassments. It’s been enough to make me feel scared about solo travel, even though I’ve already done it. I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s experienced this fear.

So, I asked my friend who had solo travelled before me, how she dealt with the fear. She said you don’t; the fear is actually helpful and it will keep you safe. When I felt something strange, I made sure to put myself in a better situation.

The thing is, a lot of what we’re seeing on TikTok might be for views. It’s true that these things can happen, but it’s also true that there are a lot of women travelling solo and living their lives just fine. That’s why, if I’m planning on travelling somewhere I make sure to do my research first — if it’s somewhere where the local women aren’t living their lives just fine, then I probably wouldn’t go.

It’s totally understandable to feel scared about solo travel, especially when we see so many stories about the bad experiences of others. But the thing is, it’s important to remember that the majority of solo travellers have positive experiences. So, if you do your research and take the appropriate safety precautions, you can still have amazing solo travel adventures!

and then I look for the options.

Traveling is one of the best experiences in life – it’s an opportunity to explore, learn and make memories. But, thanks to budget issues, I won’t be able to travel until at least October 2024. Still, I find myself planning trips on Google Maps when I’m bored. I pick a city where I’d like to go and plan the whole thing – how I’d get there, where I’d stay, what I’d do. I avoid Street View so I don’t “spoil” myself, but I check menus to prepare for when I find a spontaneous cheap flight.

When I’m planning a trip, I start with a question such as, “If I want to go from US to Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and then Shetland without renting a car, how would I do it?” From there, I look for the options. I also create custom travel lists on Google Maps, such as “Paris 23” and “Amsterdam 23,” with the year included to make sure I’m not browsing really old lists.

Traveling is an amazing experience, and planning trips on Google Maps can be a great way to pass the time. Whether you’re looking for a spontaneous getaway or just doing research for a future trip, Google Maps is a great resource. With its street view, you can get a feel for where you’re going, and you can even check menus to prepare for when you get there. So, while I may not be able to travel in the near future, I can still plan my trips and dream of the day I’ll be able to get away.

I recently decided to take the plunge and go on my first solo travel abroad. It was an amazing experience, and I’m already planning my next trip! I spent three days in Belgium, which I thought was the perfect amount of time. I visited Ghent and Brussels, and did all the things I wanted to do – from museum visits to castle tours to a fun pub crawl. I also spoke to my girlfriend twice a day, which really helped me through the times when I was feeling a bit lonely. I made some mistakes along the way, but I think that’s all part of the adventure. Most importantly, I’m really proud of myself for making the decision to go on this trip alone. I’ve always wanted to travel, but I never felt like I had anyone to go with. Doing this trip has given me a lot of confidence that I can travel on my own and have a great time. I’m now planning to travel more over the summer, and my goal is to visit all of Europe before I’m 25. I think this is a realistic goal, and I’m looking forward to all the new experiences that I’m going to have!

As a traveler who loves to explore the areas surrounding the popular tourist spots, it’s important to know which neighborhoods are safe and which should be avoided. Being a tourist often makes you a target for criminals, so it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and the areas that may not be as safe.

There are several tools and techniques you can use to identify the ‘bad’ neighborhoods in each city. Hotels are often willing to provide a map of the city, marked with areas that should be avoided. Additionally, Strava Global Heatmap is a useful resource for identifying areas that may be dangerous. It shows where people are exercising outside, such as jogging or biking. While it’s not perfect, it can provide some insight into areas that may be safe or unsafe.

It’s important to remember that oftentimes, ‘nice’ parts of cities are right next to ‘bad’ parts of town. This means that it’s important to use a variety of tools and techniques to identify unsafe areas. It’s also important to use your judgment; if a place looks off, it probably is.

Finally, it’s important to remember that the people who live or work in the areas that you are avoiding are fully worthy of respect. This is not about passing judgment on the worthiness or humanity of the people who live in those areas. It’s about being a smart traveler and avoiding places that may put you at risk.

As a fellow traveller, I understand all too well the struggle of living with, and sometimes even just being around, other people in a hostel dorm. I recently checked into a dorm with 5 other people and when I came in at 10 pm, they were already sleeping. I left my stuff, brushed my teeth, and went to bed. In the morning, I woke up at 8:30 and they were still sleeping. Again, I brushed my teeth in the dark and quietly got dressed, then left for the day. When I returned at 10:30 pm they were still sleeping, so I went to bed. The next morning when I woke up at 9, they were still “sleeping” and when I turned my light on by the bed to get my stuff for the day, one of them looked at me as if I was being rude. This got me wondering: am I being rude by making some noise while getting ready for the day, or should they expect absolute peace and quiet in a shared dorm at any hour?

Living in a shared dorm means that you can’t always expect it to be quiet, especially from 8am to 10pm. Personally, I think the people in my dorm are perfect; they’re not so loud that I can’t sleep but they’re not so quiet that I’m constantly worried about making too much noise. I’m sure that many of you have had similar experiences, so I’d love to hear your stories and thoughts.

Traveling full-time can be an amazing experience, but it’s not always perfect. Recently, I’ve been having a lot of problems with Airbnb. I’ve been on the road for six years, and in the last few months, I’ve noticed that Airbnb listings have been increasingly inaccurate. It would be great if Airbnb allowed customers to post photos in their reviews, but I’m sure that would hurt their business. Plus, even when I pay a cleaning fee of $140, I still have to take out the trash and strip the beds. After all the hassle, I just gave up on Airbnb.

Hotels are much easier. I know what I’m getting, I don’t have to worry about bad mattresses, and someone else cleans. The extra chores that came with Airbnbs just got too much. It feels like some people have started buying properties with the sole purpose of turning them into Airbnbs, with no experience in the hospitality business and no regulation from the government or the platform itself. It’s become a heartless system, where the goal is to make the listing look as attractive as possible on paper while spending the least amount of money and investing as little time and resources as possible.

It’s a shame that this is what Airbnb has become. The original idea was that if you had a spare room in your home, you could rent it out to travelers and make some extra money. This was a great way to meet people from all over the world and share your culture with them. Unfortunately, it’s not always the case anymore.

That being said, there are still plenty of great Airbnb hosts out there who are passionate about providing a wonderful experience to their guests. If you do your research and read the reviews thoroughly, you can usually find a great place to stay. Don’t give up on Airbnb just yet!