1. Canada: Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
2. USA: New York, New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Florida, California, Michigan, Texas and Indianapolis
3. Mexico: Lived in Mexico and visited the States of Nuevo Leon, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Mexico, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Michoacan, Jalisco, Quintana Roo and Yucatan
4. Dominican Republic: Punta Cana
5. Brazil: Visited the Brazilian Amazon, Rio de Janeiro and the region of Bahia (Salvador, Morro de Sao Paolo, Praia do Forte and Arembepe)
6. Argentina: Buenos Aires, Mar de Plata, Patagonia (Ushuaia, El Calafate and El Chaten) and Iguazu Falls
7. England: London
8. France: Paris and French Riviera
9. Spain: Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante, Marbella, Malaga, Nerja, Granada, Ronda, Sevilla and Madrid
10. Portugal: Alrgarve Coast (Lagos and Albufeira) and Lisbon
11. Italy: Lived in Torino and visited most cities in northern Italy. Milano, Bolzano, Genoa, Cinque Terre, Venice, Florence, Bologna, Sienna, Luca, Ferrara, Padova, Parma, Rome, Avezzano, Pescara, Bari, Amalfi Coast and Capri, in addition to a bunch of other cities I didn’t mention!
12. Switzerland: Bern, Lausanne, Zurich and Gimmewald
13. Norway: Oslo
14. Denmark: Copenhagen
15. The Netherlands: Amsterdam
16. Austria: Vienna
17. Czech Republic: Prague
18. Hungary: Budapest
19. Slovenia: Llubljana
20. Croatia: Zagreb
21. Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket regions
22. Vietnam: Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An and Saigon
23. Japan: I was only there for a few hours but I can say that I had sushi in Japan!
24. Morocco: Fes, Marrakech and Essaouira
25. Tanzania: Kilimanjaro hike, Serengeti and Zanzibar this upcoming December. So excited!

And where do I really want to go next?

1. Colombia
2. Mongolia
3. South Africa
4. Ethiopia
5. Australia

Traveling, as you can see, is addictive! Every time I travel, I learn about a new country, new culture and grow from those experiences. Over the years, I have grown an appreciation to see less countries but more of them during a given vacation. I prefer spending 3 weeks in one country, visiting different regions and really immersing myself in the country rather than seeing a bunch of cities in different countries. The World has so much to offer!

1. Skydive in Taupo New Zealand, the capital of skydiving in the world.
2. Bungy jump in the Swiss Alps. I was 15 the first time I went to Switzerland and I remember seeing young backpackers bungy jump near the Swiss Alps. It’s been on my list of things to do since that day!
3. Go on a safari in Africa. This one will be removed from my list by the end of the year!!
4. Visit the coffee zone in Colombia. I love coffee and heard nothing but good things about this region!
5. Rent a caravan and drive through Western Australia. Now that’s an adventure!
6. Visit the North Pole and ride on a dogsled. Although most people visit Antarctica, I’d like to head North to visit the part of my country that remains a mystery to me.
7. Volunteer in Africa. I’d like to take some time off (or maybe during retirement) to spend a few months in Africa and do some community work.
8. Ride the Trans-Siberia train across Asia. I’d like to begin in Moscow, ride it through Mongolia and then end the journey in China.
9. Spend a night with the Monks in any Buddhist country. I’d like to learn about what they do by experiencing it.
10. Go to Europe for a week-end. It came close once but it didn’t happen. With the many friends I have in Europe, I’d love to find a cheap flight and head to one of their cities to spend time with them for a week-end!

I guess we all have a list of things we’d like to do before we die. I am however happy of some of the things I did do so far. Below is a list of 10 things  I did so far:

1. Hang-gliding in Rio de Janeiro. A must-do when in Rio, I almost left the city without accomplishing this one because of the weather not wanting to cooperate. Although I spent a whole day waiting for this 15 mins adventure, it was well-worth it!!
2. Spend New Year’s Eve in Rio with 2 million other people. Now, this was amazing! I cannot even begin to describe the night. It’s definitely a must do!
3. Visit the Amazon and sleep in the jungle. The beauty of the Amazon is something everyone should experience at some point. The tranquility, the serenity, the sound of the animals and the vast territory you can walk or canoe on is  simply amazing!
4. Visit Patagonia: see and walk on glaciers. The beauty of this area of the world is indescribable. It’s so pure and so nice! I was in the region for almost a week and could have easily stayed a few extra weeks.
5. Live in a different country (Italy and Mexico). Adapting to other countries comes easily to me. Not sure why but I can practically live anywhere. But if the opportunity comes up, one should definitely take it. Whether the experience turns out to be good or bad, you’ll learn and grow from it. It’s the best way you can really experience the culture.
6. Learn a fourth language (Spanish). I barely knew Spanish when I arrived in Mexico and I must admit that I was very frustrated the first few months there because simple situations would turn into complicated ones. But.. it was the best way for me to learn the language in a short period of time. It paid off.
7. Travel solo (Brazil & Tanzania). I was a little nervous for my 3-week solo trip to Brazil but my trip went so so well that I’m really looking forward to traveling solo again, this time in Africa!
8. Party on the beach. Definitely a must-do! Ahh, good times. That’s all I have to say!
9. Ski in the Alps. I absolutely loved Chamonix (France). During my European experience, I made it a point to ski in the Alps. Being from Eastern Canada, I’m limited to big mountains so yes, I went skiing in the Alps a few times!
10. Party in random cities around the world. Who doesn’t like to party? My favorite party places are Buenos Aires, Rio, Barcelona, Lagos, Bangkok, Marrakech, Monterrey amongst many many others.

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Enjoy!

Their story all began during the summer of 2005. While Nara was backpacking solo after almost a year of working in Dublin (Ireland), Tanya was traveling with her friend after spending a semester abroad in Torino (Italy).

They write at Off-Track Backpacking a blog dedicated to travel, adventure and fun! Women Travel caught up with them and asked them more…

Where and how did you meet?

We met randomly at a hostel in Lisbon, Portugal in 2005. Nara was backpacking solo and approached Tanya by asking her a random question. The rest was history!

What’s your best travel memory together?

Unfortunately, we haven’t backpacked together since 2005 but we commute Montreal-Toronto quite often to hang out. We’d have to say that our best travel memory is the day we spent in Sintra, Portugal. We wanted to visit the famous castle in Sintra but we got lost in the dark tunnels of the castle instead. After finding our way back to civilization, we headed to Cascais and spent the rest of the afternoon at the beach. It was really fun!

What’s your favorite city?

Tanya – It’s a difficult question to answer! Every city has its own charm. I’d have to say Rio and Barcelona. I’m cheating I know, but I couldn’t just pick one!
Nara - This is the hardest question by far, only because each city is so different in there own unique way. Yet, the city I enjoyed myself the most was Lisbon.

Rosemary comments: I agree, after travelling people often ask what was the best place.  I find it impossible to compare the incomparable.  Each place has its own colour and energy and as a traveller, we enter into that and get changed by it.  Otherwise the only answer to this question is probably the place we feel most ‘at home in’, in case it is unlikely we were not changed by it all!

What’s your favorite hostel?

Tanya – I’d have to say Cat’s Hostel in Madrid. The interior is very Moorish looking and we had a great time in the hostel. But, Los Cormoranes hostel in Ushuaia (Argentina) had heated floors which was perfect for letting my hiking clothes dry overnight! It was a great added perk.
Nara – The International hostel in Palermo, Sicily – Italy! Amazing beachfront view.

What city would you like to live in?

Tanya – Definitely Buenos Aires, Argentina. I love the European vibe the city has.
Nara – Same has Tanya. Loved Buenos Aires!

Where is your next trip?

Tanya – Heading to Tanzania this winter to hike Kilimanjaro! I’ll be doing a 7-day hike, 5-day safari and then spending my 4 last days in Zanzibar. I’m really excited!
Nara – The plan is to head to Japan for next April! I need to see the city!

What was your scariest moment on the road?

Tanya - A taxi ride from Hanoi Airport into the city. We didn’t hop in an official taxi (big no no) and the two men were really weird. I didn’t think I was going to make it to the hotel alive.
Nara – Having my passport taken away from me on a train in Europe and not understanding what the conductor was saying regarding it. Didn’t see my passport for over 12 hours. I was a little nervous.

What challenges did you face as female backpackers?

Tanya - My biggest challenge would be when I went to Morocco. I was constantly being harassed, to the point that we had to hire a guide.
Nara – Had a very similar experience as Tanya, but just different times. Morocco is by far the hardest country I have experienced to backpack in as a solo female traveler.

Read more of Tanya and Nara’s travels at Off-Track Backpacking their blog dedicated to travel, adventure and fun!

Contrary to bad reports, Nicaragua is quite safe for travelers – whether in a group or alone. The locals are extremely friendly, and most of the time, more than happy to chat to tourists. So if you’re hungry for adventure, excitement, and the fabulous natural beauty of Nicaragua, then pack your briefcases and get ready for an unforgettable vacation.

Another great thing about holidaying in Nicaragua, is the fact that there are not millions of tourists wandering around, as in other popular holiday destinations. Backpacking in this country with the idea of enjoying the peace and quiet of the countryside is precisely what you will get.

Backpackers can enjoy the spectacular beaches, many of them hidden and remote, as well as having the opportunity to explore an active volcano. While strolling through the country, you will pass through many beautiful little sea-side villages where the streets are lined with the locals trading their wares at very competitive prices.

Now Granada, a colonial city that is situated on Lake Nicaragua, is an absolute must on your travels. On the one hand, there is the spectacular beauty of nature that will leave you breathless, while on the other hand, the shopping opportunities are great – beautiful leather items and surprisingly inexpensive too!

Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua and, although very beautiful, can become extremely hot and humid at certain times of the year. Apart from being somewhat uncomfortable at times, also brings with it a lot of insects as well, so insect repellent should definitely be included in your backpack!

Consider a backpacking holiday in Nicaragua. The natural beauty of the countryside, the cities, the little villages and their surrounding areas will definitely not disappoint you; you will find and enjoy everything you expect to experience on a backpacking holiday.

Even while enjoying wandering around the country and marveling at the magnificent beauty of nature, there will be times when you will feel the need to explore the numerous specialty shops that are found in the small towns dotted throughout the country. One of the things that will catch your eye immediately is the beautiful locally handmade jewelry that is available at very inexpensive prices – perfect as a gift for someone special back home, and easy to carry around in your backpack!

Lynette writes for briefcases and lives in a beautiful little town called Koringberg in the Western Cape area of South Africa. Her home is shared with two very active dogs and two sleepy cats.

As my doctor recommended, I began taking the pills 1 day prior to arriving in the Amazon. It’s suggested to take your pill with a full stomach and I did, most of the time. The problem is that it’s difficult to plan all this when you’re on some crazy adventure in the Amazon! And so, I did take my pill without eating and I paid the price for it! The “rare” side effects include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and headache. And guess what? I experienced sharp abdominal pain and headaches. But the question is: Was it worth it?

I had difficulty sleeping that night so I spend some hours speaking to the tour guide about malaria pills. He suggested that malaria pills weren’t necessary because we wouldn’t too far into the Amazon. He also told me a story about how one of the girls at the lodge had a severe reaction to malaria pills and had to be rushed to the hospital in Manaus. So now what? Should we be taking malaria pills when traveling to malaria prone destinations? My answer is still yes!

Discomfort and pain. I agree. But taking the pills is well worth the pain to avoid the chance of getting malaria. Malaria is transmisted by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Its side-effects would include influenza-like symptoms such as chills, headache and malaise. Although it can effectively be cured at the early stags, it does become increasingly difficult to treat it if you miss the bus. But the thing is that once you have it, you run the chance of bring  stuck with recurrent malaria symptoms for the rest of your life. Is it worth the risk of foregoing the malaria pills? That choice is up to you.

Photo credit goes to M. Sajid

We are all made conscious of the fact that the environment is in bad shape, and that we should all do what we can to improve it. However, when it comes to traveling, whether for business or pleasure, some of us are inclined to be a little reluctant to go for green lodging, thinking that we will have to spend our holiday doing without the luxuries we have all become so accustomed to.

Now, if we want our children and grandchildren to have the pleasure of enjoying this world as we have, we should all do something to preserve the earth. Going on a holiday is a great way to relax and unwind from the stress of everyday life – wouldn’t it be even more wonderful knowing that the accommodation you are staying in is also doing its bit?

Opting to stay in places offering ‘green’ lodging definitely doesn’t mean that your choices of holiday destinations are limited either. Go to that hotspot you have been dreaming about by all means – pack your briefcases and enjoy the type of holiday you want – just make sure to book your accommodation at a place that offers ‘green’ lodging.

Sustainable and Geo-tourism, according to National Geographic’s website, means simply to leave your holiday destination as you found it, so that other can also benefit from its beauty and culture. Now this doesn’t mean taking care to not litter, or leaving graffiti on mountains, but it also means supporting the local area by shopping at the local stores and markets, eating at the local restaurants, rather than supporting outside commerce.

Taking an environment-friendly holiday is definitely not limiting – whether taking a holiday in your own area or to some exotic location abroad, you will find places of accommodation to suit your pocket as well as your lifestyle. Whether you are taking a camping holiday, a business trip, or want to live in the lap of luxury at a five-star hotel, the whole point is that, even though you are on vacation, to do something to help improve the environment.

A voluntary initiative called the ‘Green Lodging’ program, has been created by the State of Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection, that recognizes all places of accommodation that are committed to conservation as well as the prevention of waste of resources and energy. A list of these places can be found at www.MyFlorida.com.

When browsing through this list, you will be really surprised to find that it includes not only cozy bed and breakfasts, or small hotels tucked away somewhere remote, but also some of the many high-end hotels available as well – luxury hotels such as Best Western, Marriott, The Diplomat (one of Donald Trump’s hotels), as well as the magnificent Ritz can be found on the list. So book that family holiday you have been dreaming about for so long, or plan that all-important business trip, but while doing so, please do your part to improve this wonderful earth of ours, and make a little effort to look for, and stay at, places offering ‘green’ lodging.

Lynette writes for briefcases and lives in a beautiful little village called Korinberg in the Western Cape, South Africa with her two dogs and two cats.

Girl in Mexico

Poverty is evident while traveling. Whether you’re meeting beggars in the streets or observing the lifestyles of tribes, you can’t be blind to the kids who suffer in all of this. Most of those kids will never be exposed to education, let alone traveling. After returning from two semesters abroad and some backpacking experiences, I was grateful to be handed all these great opportunities and felt that it was my turn to give back. And so, I began an online search for not-for-profit organizations. While I stumbled upon many interesting ones, most of them seemed to be more of  a job than volunteer. I completely understand how committing to a cause or individual is vital, especially when dealing with kids but the long application forms, the references and the hours requirements turned me off.

After many hours of research, I finally came across Make-a-Wish foundation, an international not for profit organization that grants wishes to children who have a terminally ill disease. Their presence is in over 35 countries across all 5 continents. An interest surfaced after reading their mission (to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy) and reading that volunteering for them would be somewhat based on my availability. Motivated and willing to help others, I contacted the office in Montreal and began to volunteer. In 2 years, I’ve helped grant two wishes. Ironically, both of them wanted to visit Walt Disney and of course, their wish came true. Both of them are doing very well so it’s very rewarding to see their dreams come true as well as knowing that their health has improved over time.

If you’ve been thinking about giving back to society but not sure how, I highly suggest you join a not for profit organization of your choice. It’s really up to you to choose what type of organization you want to help. But I can tell you that’s it’s one of the most rewarding experiences so far. You won’t regret it!

Photo Credit: http://www.worldhum.com

Were you ever at a train station trying to purchase tickets but couldn’t understand anything the teller was telling you? Were you ever lost in a city because you couldn’t read the street names? Although traveling is fun and it allows you to discover new things, you will indeed encounter some difficult moments, one being a language barrier.

There is no right or wrong way to get ready to face a language barrier. But the essential is to somehow prepare yourself for the challenge if you know you’ll be facing it. From personal experience, I normally refer to my travel guide to learn the key words such as please, thank you, where is, etc. You may not be able to put a sentence together but you’ll be polite at the least, and that is always appreciated, regardless of the culture.

Understanding the culture you will be visiting is also key when visiting a country, whether you are facing a language barrier or not. For example, expect a South American to stand close to you when entertaining a conversation. Or when in Asia, you’ll notice locals smiling at you, even if they don’t understand what you’re saying. Research social etiquette of that particular country because you’ll be heavily relying on non-verbal communication if you don’t speak the language.

Patience is a virtue. You’ll quickly learn this when struggling to find simple words of a foreign language. Don’t panick, simply take your time to get your message across but do try! If you don’t try, you’ll never learn! And for the record, if you do sound like a fool, who cares? You don’t know anyone and you’ll just look back at it and laugh. Laughing is good medicine :) 

Onetravel is a company that offers cheap tickets to travelers. The Onetravel blog is a collection of stories, tips, secrets, and experiences gathered from people living all around the world. We want to show everyone that travel brings the world closer together creating lifelong experiences and stories to tell for years to come. Onetravel strives to make travel a reality for as many people as possible offering cheap tickets in an effort to increase world wide travel.