Alright, so here’s the deal. I’m gearing up for my second overseas adventure, heading to Reykjavik and Stockholm for a week. Last time, I did the whole Italy and Germany thing for three and a half weeks, and let me tell you, being a one-bagger was a game-changer. No lugging around unnecessary stuff, just pure travel freedom.

This time, it’s a solo mission, so I need a slick, collapsible bag to fit inside my trusty Peak Design 45L travel pack. My daily carry is pretty minimal–phone, battery pack, trusty Leica M3 (plus a couple of film rolls), maybe a book, snack, and water bottle. The contenders for this crucial role are the Aer Go Pack 2 and the Day Sling Max.

The Go Pack has its perks. It’s got more room for extras like a book and maybe a laptop (though I doubt I’ll lug mine around). Plus, the back support is top-notch as it’s a backpack. And hey, it fits my trusty 32oz Owalla water bottle. On the downside, it’s an online order, and let’s face it, I probably won’t use it much outside of my travels since I already have a solid backpack for daily use.

On the flip side, the Day Sling is sleek and easy to tote around. Perfect for flights as a personal item and versatile for everyday use too. No waiting around for an online order, I can snag it right from a nearby store. But the price tag is a bit steep compared to the Go Pack, and I might have to downsize my water bottle. There’s also the worry that it won’t fit everything I need, like that book or laptop. And with my back and neck acting up, the single-shoulder strain could be a concern.

My gut’s nudging me towards the Day Sling for its compactness, but that price and potential capacity hiccup have me hesitating. The Go Pack has the bonus of stashing away extra gear like a jacket when I’m indoors.

Any seasoned travelers out there with insights on these packs? My travel buddy from last time swears by the Go Pack, but I’m on the fence. Is a sling worth it over a backpack? Hit me with your thoughts!

I’ve traveled solo to almost 60 countries, but I’ve never taken a solo cruise. I’m in my early 30s, and unfortunately, my friends and significant others haven’t been able to match my travel schedule. I’m eyeing a few long cruises like the Gems of the Pacific by Seabourn, the 93-day Grand Voyage by Holland America, the Pacific Circle by Princess, and the Grand Pacific Explorer by Viking. I’m curious about the experience of those who have done a 90+ day solo cruise or any cruise with Seabourn or Viking. How did you find it? What was the crowd like? Any regrets? I’m concerned about being surrounded by only retired couples. It’s one thing for day trips, but being the odd one out for over three months doesn’t sound fun.

Hey folks, so last year in February, I finally took the plunge after saving up like crazy and making sure I stayed solo. I’m currently in the midst of putting together a massive story of my adventures – I reckon it’s gonna be around 50 pages when I’m done. It all kicked off in Vietnam, where I checked out the north, scored a motorbike in Hanoi, and cruised all the way down to Ho Chi Minh City. Then I veered west through Cambodia for a bit before hitting up Thailand. This time, I did the top-down route, taking buses through Pai, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and the rad southern islands like Phangan, Tao, and Samui.

The highlight was probably chilling on Koh Phangan for a month, diving into Muay Thai and giving myself a breather (I’d been on the road for like 3-4 months by then). Next stop was Spain, where I tackled the Camino De Santiago – starting in Pamplona and hoofing it 750km west to Santiago De Compostela. Seriously, if you can walk just 10km a day, this is a bucket list must-do. Whether you’re after a spiritual, mental, or physical reboot, the Camino’s got you covered.

After a quick detour back to Thailand, I jetted off to South America for a whirlwind month (Chile, Peru, Brazil, and a couple other spots). I dragged a few buddies along for this leg, and we ended up trekking the Salkantay Pass (sitting at a cool 4km above sea level) – it was pure magic. Now, back to Koh Phangan for a lady, then off to Bangkok where I snagged a remote gig. Spent the whole year there before recently bouncing back home.

There’s so much more to this tale that I’m dying to spill here. If I break it down into chunks or drop a massive text bomb on this thread, would any of you be keen to dive in, or is this just me talking to myself? Safe travels, y’all! Oh, and quick heads up – I’m allergic to milk, eggs, and nuts. Got any queries or need a hand? Hit me up!

Hey there! I’m a regional sales manager who’s always on the go for work and personal trips. Now, let me tell you about my travel-rewards game plan. So, here’s the deal: I can’t rack up personal credit-card rewards on my company expenses because they go on the Amex Business Gold card, and the points belong to the company. But hey, I’m not letting that stop me from scoring some sweet rewards for myself!

When it comes to work travel, my focus is on stacking up airline miles and elite status. My go-to moves include snagging Delta SkyMiles by booking Uber in advance and earning BILT or United miles with Lyft. For flights, I prefer booking directly with airlines like Southwest, Delta, American, United, or Alaska, depending on where I’m headed. And for hotels, I stick with Hyatt to maintain my Explorist status. When it comes to rental cars, I’m all about maximizing points by booking through BILT or airline portals.

I always make sure to check Rakuten for any portal bonuses before making purchases. Sometimes I route through Rakuten to earn Amex Membership Rewards or BILT points if the numbers add up. For my personal trips, I switch gears and use Amex Platinum for flights and lounge access, Chase Sapphire Reserve for hotels and rental cars, and Amex Gold for everything else. I’m fluent in both the Amex and Chase worlds, so I’m constantly on the lookout for ways to make the most of my work travel, even with the corporate card restrictions.

Now, let’s talk strategy. Since I can’t cash in on credit-card points for work expenses, I’m considering booking flights through BILT to rack up BILT points along with airline miles and MQDs. Sure, using online travel agencies (OTAs) can complicate things when it comes to cancellations and changes, but I’m curious if the trade-off is worth it. I’m also eager to hear about any other sneaky tactics, programs, or partnerships you’ve used to supercharge your rewards game when your company holds onto those precious card points, especially for frequent domestic business travel.

So, there you have it — my travel-rewards hustle in a nutshell. It’s all about making the most of every trip, whether it’s for work or play. And hey, if you’ve got any tips or tricks up your sleeve for maximizing rewards in similar situations, I’m all ears. Let’s keep

Hey guys, I’m a fella from Peru, and I recently dipped my toes into the world of international trade by snagging iPhones from eBay in the US and flipping them in Latin America, mainly in my home turf. Surprisingly, that side hustle turned out to be a cash cow. I managed to rake in a sweet $3,000 USD in profit, which in my currency is around S/11,250 soles. The whole experience opened my eyes to the potential of global commerce, provided you’ve got a good handle on pricing, logistics, and market demand.

Now, I’m itching to level up my game. I’ve got big dreams of setting up a legit business in the US that would enable me to export Peruvian goodies like maca, cacao, and coffee, while also bringing in tech gadgets under more favorable tax and shipping terms. But here’s the kicker—I want to do it all above board, keeping my tax burden as low as legally possible by choosing the right business structure.

I’ve done my homework and found out that forming an LLC in states like Wyoming, Delaware, or Florida could be a smart move for international folks like me. However, I’m at a crossroads here. I can’t quite figure out which state offers the best tax perks and operational simplicity for a business focused on exports. So, here’s my burning question for you savvy entrepreneurs out there: What’s the optimal approach for a non-US resident looking to kickstart a small-scale import-export venture in America, ensuring tax efficiency and steering clear of pesky double taxation headaches between countries?

If any of you have nuggets of wisdom to share or personal anecdotes to enlighten me, I’d be forever grateful. Drop your insights below, and thanks a ton in advance for any guidance you can offer. Let’s make that international business dream a reality!

Alright, so here’s the deal: I’ve got this international trip planned for next week. I’m all set to fly out from the US, but with the government shutdown messing things up, it seems like the air travel scene might go downhill. They’re talking about more cancellations rather than just delays and even the possibility of certain airspaces being shut down by the DOT. I’m really hoping to make this trip happen because I’m due to visit a family member I haven’t seen in ages, and my PTO options are pretty limited.

I’ve already booked a flight with one airline to take me from the US to France. But to dodge any potential airport chaos caused by the shutdown, I’m thinking of taking a train up to Montreal and catching my flight from there instead. The thing is, I don’t want to jump the gun and cancel my original flight right away in case the government gets its act together soon. Plus, flying out from the US is way more convenient and budget-friendly than going through Montreal.

So, here’s my game plan: I’ll hold onto both bookings for now and make a call on which one to cancel closer to my departure date when I have a clearer picture of what’s going on with the shutdown. Luckily, both flights are refundable, so that gives me a bit of flexibility. But here’s the thing that’s been bugging me: since the airlines I’ve booked with are in different alliances (one’s in Oneworld, the other’s in Star Alliance) and they don’t share codes, I’m wondering if there’s a chance they might catch on to me having overlapping itineraries and automatically scrap my flights.

I want this trip to go off without a hitch, so I’m trying to cover all my bases here. Has anyone been in a similar situation or have any advice on how to handle this dilemma? I’m all ears and open to suggestions. Just hoping I can reunite with my family member without any last-minute surprises from the airlines!

So, I was checking out the new Osprey Farpoint backpacks, and it seems like they’ve made some changes. The 40 now has a more traditional top-loading laptop compartment, and they switched from polyester to a thinner nylon material to shave off some weight. The 55 is basically the 40 minus the laptop compartment, making it a bit lighter once you take out the daypack. I’m curious about how the laptop compartment on the 40 is working out for folks who have it. Are the materials durable, and are there any other features worth mentioning that the website might have missed? Let me know if you’ve got the scoop on these new bags!

So, I decided to give Sixt a shot for my one-way rental from Lisbon to Faro because they were significantly cheaper than other rental companies. Little did I know what a massive mistake that would turn out to be, and boy, do I wish I had listened to the warnings about them. The horror story began when the agent sneakily added a “prepaid fuel” charge to my reservation, making it seem like some kind of bonus for renting in Portugal when, in reality, it was just an unnecessary extra cost.

Then there was the car itself. Oh, where do I even begin? The thing was a disaster on wheels, with a laundry list of damages that included dents, remnants of past crashes, cracks, and scratches. It was like they had picked the most beat-up car in their fleet just for me. But the cherry on top of this rental nightmare was when, upon returning the car, they tried to claim that I had caused new scuffs on the rear bumper. Seriously, these scuffs were in a spot so inconspicuous, near the bottom lip of the car, that it was almost comical. Thankfully, the photos I had taken when I picked up the car clearly showed that the damage was already there.

Even though I had the evidence to refute their claim, I can’t shake off the feeling that they might still try something shady later on, especially since the pictures were taken at night and weren’t the best quality to clearly show the damages. This whole ordeal was hands down the worst rental experience I’ve ever had. I mean, I’ve rented from National, Avis, and Hertz multiple times, and none of them have ever given me such a nightmare of a car or wasted so much of my time during the return process.

Needless to say, I will be steering clear of Sixt in the future if I can help it. The few bucks I saved with them are not worth the hassle, stress, and potential headaches that come with dealing with their shady practices and subpar vehicles. Next time, I’ll gladly pay a bit extra to rent from a company that actually values their customers and provides decent cars. Lesson learned, the hard way.

So, picture this: I rented a car from Avis/Budget back in February, and returned it a month later in March. When I grabbed the wheels, I made sure to snap some pics and even took a video, just in case. Fast forward to a few days before the due date, and boom, a flat tire. No biggie, I returned it early and even gave it a good clean – washed and vacuumed the heck out of it, because who wants to pay extra for cleaning, right?

But then, a few months down the line, I get a letter in the mail claiming I owe some cash for cleaning – what? I called them up, and turns out, it was a mix-up, and they dropped the whole thing. Phew. That was a relief… or so I thought.

Now, over seven months later, another letter arrives. This time, they’re claiming I owe a whopping $2100 for damage to the bumper. Hold up, I never laid a finger on that bumper! Total scam alert, right? The kicker is, just a while back, I was clearing out my phone, thinking this whole mess was behind me, so I deleted those precious pics and videos. Talk about bad timing.

So, here I am, freaking out and plain pissed about this whole situation. I need to know – is this for real or what? I gave them a ring, but the guy handling my case was busy. They promised to email me their so-called evidence, but guess what? It’s nowhere to be seen in my inbox. And of course, this bombshell drops on a Friday afternoon, so I’ll be stewing over this all weekend until I can get some answers on Monday.

Update: I decided to give the standard customer service line a buzz instead of the central recovery unit. They couldn’t find any evidence in their files, and just like that, the scratch on the bumper was history. But when I asked for an email confirmation, things got fishy. The rep had to dive into a “different system” to check, and surprise, no record of any claim there. Huh, smells fishy, right?

I’ll still give the central recovery unit a ring on Monday to double-check if they got the memo. Lesson learned – snap all the pics and videos you can at pick-up and drop-off, and for the love of cars, never delete those files for a long, long time. It

Hey guys! So, I’m a 24-year-old woman and I just locked in a trip to Southwest Germany and Köln. I’m feeling a mix of emotions right now – excitement and stress are battling it out in my mind. I mean, why did I even decide to go on this trip? But hey, I can’t deny that I’m super pumped for it.

Here’s the deal – I suspect I might be Autistic. No, it’s not just because I spend way too much time on TikTok. I have an assessment coming up soon to get some clarity on this. The idea of traveling solo is both thrilling and nerve-wracking for me. On one hand, I’m looking forward to being able to cater to my own needs without any external influences. But on the other hand, I’m worried about getting lost, not fitting in with the locals, missing out on social cues, falling victim to scams, or facing harassment.

Oh, and by the way, I speak German at a B1 level. So, if anyone out there can relate to my situation, I’d love to hear your tips on how to make this trip smoother and more enjoyable. Hit me up with your advice!

So, the struggle is real, guys. As I gear up for my upcoming adventure, I’m trying to find a balance between my excitement and my anxiety. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, for sure. But hey, I’m determined to make the most out of this trip, despite my uncertainties.

Navigating through a new place can be daunting, especially when you’re traveling alone. I’m worried about not being able to blend in with the locals or understand the social norms. The last thing I want is to end up in a sticky situation because I missed an important cue. And let’s not forget the constant fear of being scammed or harassed – it’s always lurking in the back of my mind.

On the bright side, my language skills might give me a bit of an edge. Knowing German at a B1 level could definitely come in handy during my travels. But still, I’m on the lookout for any advice or tips that could help me navigate through this journey with more ease and confidence.

So, if you’ve been in a similar boat before, I’d love to hear how you managed to make your trip a smooth and enjoyable experience. Whether it’s about communication, safety, cultural nuances, or just overall travel hacks, I