Sunday, April 24, 2016

Top Five Apps for Female Travel

Top Apps for Female Travel

Technology plays a part in our daily lives, and especially while you’re traveling. From booking flights and accommodation, to checking the weather, to using a calculator and converting currency.

Now, apps on the market can help travelers in so many other ways. Want to find the perfect female travel partner? Need to find a bathroom in a foreign city ASAP? It’s all covered.

I’ve compiled my favorite apps for female travel that you should try on your next trip!

Tourlina Travel App

  • Tourlina (Free on iOS)

Tourlina is a womens-only app that connects fellow travelers wherever they are around the globe. Simply enter your trip and discover a travel companion with mutual interests and trip plans. You can start to chat, plan your trip together and voila! You’re on the road with a new friend, possibly one you’ll have made for life.

It’s not a dating app–the emphasis is on friendship. It can be hard to find a travel partner that has the means, the free time, the interests and the destination in sync with your own. Tourlina cuts straight through by connecting you with like-minded travelers, and they screen each and every new user so that your safety comes first.

Tourlina Female Travel App

It’s also designed to address the discomfort many women have traveling alone. Traveling with a partner can put your mind at ease in ways that traveling solo sometimes doesn’t quite cut. Sometimes you just want to relax with a partner or a group.

As rewarding as traveling alone can be, one of the unquestionable delights in travel is meeting new people from all over the world. They can connect you with experiences or introduce you to new ideas and opinions that you’d normally not.

Are you an adventurous type who likes to scale mountains? Or do you prefer an afternoon exploring archaeological museums? Tourlina will put you in touch with someone who shares the same travel goals as you.


Five awesome apps for female travelers! @Tourlina @TheBlondeabroad
Click To Tweet


  • Sit or Squat (Free on iOS and Android)

Even when you’re on a romantic stroll through the charming streets of Paris, Nature still calls. There are few things worse than wandering around an unfamiliar city holding it in… So, save your bladder with Sit or Squat, a free app that lists 95,000 bathrooms worldwide!

Users rate their experiences with a Sit (thumbs up) or Squat (so-so) and can even upload their photos to give other travelers a hint as to bathroom quality. Map the locations with an interactive, location-based map. You can filter by cost, handicap accessible, rating and even a baby changing table.

Packing Travel App

  • PackPoint (Free on iOS and Android)

Pack Point is a female traveler’s dream come true. This packing-list generator uses your information to customize a packing checklist for your destination. Tell the app your gender, where you’re going, the time of year, and any activities you have planned, and it will create suggestions for clothing, essentials, and gear you should take along.

For those app aficionados out there, the best feature is that it can sync with TripIt to obtain personal info and your itinerary!

Female Packing Travel App

  • Safety Map Worldwide (Free on iOS)

Safety Map Worldwide features maps around the world that will recommend the safest routes, advise you on the best district to travel or stay in, and guide you away from high-crime areas.

Sometimes when your traveling, you don’t always know exactly the best place to stay in a new city- this will solve your problems. You can document your experiences in safe (hopefully not unsafe) areas to help other travelers navigate as well!

Top Female Travel Apps

  • myPill (Free on iOS and Android)

Remember to take your birth control can be hard enough at home in your normal routine, so traveling across time zones can completely mess up your schedule. Plus its hard to remember the small things when there is a cobblestone street calling your name, right?

The myPill app contains a daily tracker, a snooze function, a planner to remind you to call your doctor or renew a prescription, and more! A great alternative is Clue – an app that tracks your menstrual cycle, and offers reminders before your next period.

READ NEXT: The Ultimate Guide to Solo Female Travel

 

SHOP my favorite female travel essentials!

This article was written in partnership with the Tourlina. As always, opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Top Five Apps for Female Travel is a post from: The Blonde Abroad



from The Blonde Abroad http://ift.tt/1NJ9aHZ

Saturday, April 23, 2016

10 Reasons Studying Abroad is Worth It

Reasons Studying Abroad is Worth It

It is time to change the way that you see the world. Why not create your own adventure? Make new friends. Understand cultures that you have never even heard of before. See the world in a different light. When you study abroad, everything changes.

I studied abroad in 2008 on an intensive Spanish Study Abroad program AND it was my first trip out of the US. Studying abroad is a true rite of passage and one that nobody should miss. Are you finally ready to take the plunge?

Here are ten reasons why studying abroad is SO worth it!

Studying Abroad in Spain

10. You will make lifelong friends.

It is high time that you add more diversity to your social group! Meet classmates from all over the world and start mingling with the locals. Nothing helps you understand the world better than getting an up close and personal view of cultures from around the globe.

Put yourself out there to make meaningful connections and be sure to keep in touch after you go.

Train Travel Europe

9. Traveling is easy!

When you go study abroad in France, you can easily hop on a train to Germany or get a cheap flight to Spain. A whole new part of the world will suddenly be in your reach, making it easy and inexpensive to take mind-blowing trips every weekend.

Running of the Bulls

8. Becoming bilingual will be a breeze.

Sitting in a classroom and clicking through language learning apps gets old quickly, but sharing secrets and laughing with new friends will bring your second language to life. Master a new tongue by immersing yourself! It is one of the best ways to become fluent.

Growing up in Southern California, Spanish was always very prevalent, but once I studied abroad during college, I fully immersed myself and became conversationally fluent!

Girl at Real Madrid game

7. It will expand your interests.

Maybe you are an expert surfer or a natural flamenco dancer. You will never know until you try! When you study abroad, you encounter so many new things and find yourself in places you could have never imagined. Try new things to find out what you truly love.

Studying Abroad Experiences

6. You will be a shoo–in for grad school or future jobs.

If you are thinking about continuing your education, studying abroad will be a major asset. Fortune really does favor the bold. Graduate schools look for students who push themselves and your career will be more attainable with a broader view of the world.

Study Abroad Experiences

5. It will give you good stories for job interviews.

It’s not just grad school admissions teams that are impressed by studying abroad. The experience also looks great on your resume. Nothing says “independent go-getter” like traveling to the other side of the planet and carving out a place for yourself.

Wine tasting in Spain

4. The new culture will make you into a culinary pro!

A new country means new foods. Every trip to the grocery store will be an adventure and you will discover new dishes each time you go out to eat. You might even get around to learning some impressive recipes.

Backpacking Europe

3. You will grow beyond your comfort zone.

When you leave behind everything that is comfortable, you will find yourself in some unnerving situations. You will get to put yourself out there and take risks. You might get homesick and feel ready to run home to your mother—but you won’t.

You will overcome everything that, at first, seems so overwhelming and realize that you can face any challenge in your way.

flight passport

2. You will see your own culture in a new light.

Sometimes you need to take a step back to get a view of what is really going on around you. After you see another way of living, you will have a new perspective on your own home and learn to appreciate what makes it unique.

Studying Abroad in Spain

1. It is a time of self-discovery.

Studying abroad will help you find yourself. Leaving your home and your family means you have to rely on yourself more than ever before. By expanding the boundaries of your world and exploring new countries and cultures on your own, you will see a side of yourself that you didn’t know you had.

READ NEXT: How to Find the Best Study Abroad Program

 

SHOP these ultimate travel essentials!

10 Reasons Studying Abroad is Worth It is a post from: The Blonde Abroad



from The Blonde Abroad http://ift.tt/1VK30Qf

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Where to Find the Best Food in Hong Kong

Best Food in Hong Kong

Hong Kong.  It’s a big, bustling, brimming with options kind of city. It is made up of two different sides; one being Kowloon and the other called Central, divided by Victoria Harbour.

Kowloon has over 2.1 million people living in an area that is not all that big, and is the side that many might call the “real” portion of the city, escaping many of the influences that the British colonization had across the water.  It’s gritty and it’s interesting and it’s worth going to.  

Central, or Hong Kong Island as it’s otherwise known as, is also highly populated at almost 1.3 million people, but the westernized impact can be felt much more tangibly here.  Turn the right corner and you’ll even find streets reminiscent of parts of Brooklyn, or London.  

Hong Kong also has a stunningly gorgeous and much softer side, too.  Take a bus up and around the mountain and you won’t believe the landscape that folds out in front of you; it’s absolutely breathtaking.  

Spending time in all parts of Hong Kong will do you good, and will give you the best feel for all that this high energy city has to offer.  

As you’re exploring, here are some of the best places and best food in Hong Kong to try! 

Yardbird Hong Kong

Yardbird

Yardbird is one of my favorite meals I have ever had- in the entire world.  Chef Matt Abergel of famed Masa in NYC and Lindsay Jang, who happened to be sitting next to me as I ate and served me sake by the time the dinner was up, started in New York and used their experience to open an uber cool, super fun, highly creative yakatori spot in the trendy Sheung Wan area.

The fried sweet corn tempura and “KFC” cauliflower with yuzu and chill were unforgettable, and the night and vibe were just fun.  Yardbird is a total winner.  

Butao Ramen Hong Kong

Butao Ramen

This is a “make your own” ramen haunt in a hole in the wall room.  Here you’ll grab a pencil, check what you want off a long list of options like soup infusions, garlic levels, oil source (light, normal, heavy, super heavy), toppings (tree mushrooms, seaweed, egg), even texture of noodles (super soft, soft, normal, hard, super hard).

On my tab: garlic infused soup with spring onions, mushrooms and egg, with firm noodles. There’s a long line out the door here, so be ready to wait.

Shek O Chinese & Thailand Seafood

When you get yourself to the back side of the island, where there are those stunning views I was talking about before as well as surfer haunts like Big Wave beach, stop for a moment at Shek O Chinese & Thailand Seafood while you’re at it.  

Totally bare bones, with an extremely simple and casual set up in the village of Shek O, it’s a very different experience and also one worth having.   

Tim Ho Wan Hong Kong

Tim Ho Wan

Tim Ho Wan is the cheapest Michelin star in the world.  It’s also located in a train station’s lower level.  The food did not blow me away, but that combination was intriguing and unique enough to get me there.

Ronin Hong Kong

Ronin

Dinner at Ronin, owned by the Yardbird power crew, was special.  I was lucky enough to be sent here by Lindsay Jang and friends after conversations I had with them on that first night at Yardbird, which was pretty amazing luck as a seat can be extremely hard to come by.

There are just 14 spots along the bar and then another couple of standing places parallel (it’s a narrow and long restaurant).  The vibe is uber chic and sophisticated, and is more reminiscent of a whiskey bar than a proper restaurant.  

The small menu boasts options like uni nori, turbot, fried baby crabs, walnut and pomegranate salad, and honey glazed fish.  Beware, Ronin is quite pricey!

Grassroots Pantry

Rolling on with that ex-pat theme, Grassroots Pantry is certainly popular with visitors, but also equally so with locals.  One glance of the menu and the space and you’ll know for sure that food trends are not contained to only certain cities, or countries.  

Go here for lemon chia pancakes, quinoa porridge and granola with coconut yogurt and hemp.  You get it.  

Teakha Hong Kong

Teakha

Teakha’s got that ex-pat vibe we often crave and shows a nice side of the more “hipster” side of the city.  Go here for breakfast and indulge on an egg sandwich on Hong Kong’s famous pineapple bun.  

Afterwards, be sure to walk it off with a wander around these charming and interesting back streets. 

Chom Chom

Chom Chom

Casual Chom Chom is set on a busy corner of the Soho area of Central.  Its thing is Vietnamese food and it does its thing quite well.  

Chom Chom is a great place to gather with friends, drink some beer and devour all those things you never mind having; salt and black pepper squid, vietnamese fried chicken wings, caramel black cod and sriracha grilled corn.

Read more about Kate’s foodies experiences in Hong Kong!

 

Where to Find the Best Food in Hong Kong

Where to Find the Best Food in Hong Kong is a post from: The Blonde Abroad



from The Blonde Abroad http://ift.tt/1NmwjEY

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Tips for Traveling Iceland in the Spring

Tips for Traveling Iceland in Spring

Spring is when Iceland thaws and wakes up from the hibernation of winter. People begin to venture out into the streets and take to the outdoors.  Days are getting longer, the earth is opening up with a few early blooms.

Gone are the heavy winter storms and the dangerous icy roads—instead the temperature is about 40-50 degrees. This is the season to go if you are looking for green hill slopes, fishing, and golfing.

Here are my tips for traveling Iceland in the Spring!

Packing for Iceland

Weather & Packing

Even though it’s spring, the weather in Iceland is predictably unpredictable. It can quickly go from rain to sun, from comfortable to chilly—so bring layers that you can easily jump in and out of. Bring a windbreaker, jacket, sweater, and long underwear or stockings no matter the forecast!

Pick up a lopapeysa, a traditional Icelandic sweater, while you’re here. Pack a good pair of hiking or light trekking boots as most of Iceland’s attractions are in the rugged countryside where walking can be a challenge.

Although counterintuitive to the weather trends, pack your swimsuit and a travel towel too—hot springs and hot pots are all the rage in Iceland!

Read More: What to Pack for a Week in Iceland

Iceland Scenery

Photography

Don’t forget your camera (obviously)! Iceland’s landscape is famously dramatic and picturesque. Normally a standard DSLR will do, but a tripod will help with moving subjects like waterfalls, puffins, or the northern lights.

Light is magical in Iceland.

It is always fluctuating and offers daylight as late as 10 o’clock in the spring. You’ll be able to catch a full range of celestial colors no matter what time of the day it is.

Rental in Reykjavik

Budget & Accommodations

Many hotels in Iceland are already sold out for spring, so book now! Reykjavik is more popular than ever; you’ll want to be sure you get your space among the crowds.

But, there’s no getting around it, Iceland is expensive. There are ways to cut down a few costs, though. Hunt Airbnb or Flipkey for inexpensive flats, travel with other people on their road trip, and keep your eating out to a minimum. Stick to the grocery stores and, if you have access to a kitchen, cook most of your meals!

Read More: Renting an Apartment in Reykjavik with FlipKey

Iceland-Layover

Activities

In spring, Iceland begins to wake from its long winter sleep. The horses and sheep are set to graze and it’s the perfect season to see the countryside atop a unique Icelandic horse.

  • Get Outdoors

Hikers will be delighted—spring is the time when snow starts to melt and the major hikes and treks begin to open up. You can explore gorgeous mountains, shifting glaciers, and petite volcanoes deep in Thorsmork Valley and Landmannalaugar.

Snowmobiling and glacier walking are still in full swing and have the added benefit of the occasional sunny skies. You can rent a four-wheeler and hit the highlands (which are usually inaccessible during the winter) and explore canyons and waterfalls off the beaten path.

Driving the Golden Circle

  • Drive the Golden Circle

Driving Iceland’s Golden Circle is an amazing experience with absolutely stunning scenery. The road can be explored in as little as a few hours- although I would recommend as long as possible!

Not to be confused with the Iceland Ring Road, the route takes you through some of the most amazing sights in central Iceland, with scenery ranging from natural sites to historic buildings, and gives visitors the chance to experience the diversity of Iceland in a 300 kilometer loop.

  • Snorkeling the Silfra Fissure

The Silfra Fissure is a crack between the North American and Eurasian continental plates, and is located in Þingvellir National Park which is a short drive from Reykjavik. (Side note: Þingvellir is also one of the first stops along Iceland’s famous Golden Circle Road Trip!)

It’s actually the only place in the world where you can dive or snorkel directly between two continental plates. So suit up in layers, and a dry suit, and jump on in!

The Blue Lagoon

  • The Blue Lagoon

It’s safe to say that visiting the Blue Lagoon in Iceland is on just about everyone’s bucket list. It’s milky blue water and otherworldly appearance is like something out of a dream. While it is touristy, it is also an awesome experience and one I recommend to any traveler visiting Iceland for their first time!

I recommend bringing your own towel and paying for the standard package (€35). You get your own locker and access to the Lagoon, saunas and showers. I definitely made the most of my visit and stayed for about 4 hours. But, make sure to avoid the Blue Lagoon Hair!

  • Whale Watching

April is the beginning of whale season in Iceland, so be sure to book a boat ride from Reykjavik or Husavik. Humpback whales, Minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and orcas are common in the full bloom of spring.

Iceland Geysers

  • Day Trips

As the weather warms up, so does the tour season. Flying or ferrying to far-off places like Isafjordur, the Westman Isles, Videy Island, and Flatey Island is easy this time of year. You’ll have access to remote areas, emerald-green hillslopes, and secret seabird hangouts!

  • Special Events

Spring in Reykjavik erupts with tech and arts events, including the Tectonics Reykjavik Musical Festival and the annual EVE Online Fanfest in April. The Vaka Folk Arts Festival in May brings together some of the top folk musicians, dancers and crafts workers, and gives you the opportunity to witness the deep rooted, traditional folk arts of Iceland!

Iceland Scenery

– Don’t Forget –

If you intend to go on any road trips, be sure you bring a map or GPS. Also pack your sunglasses and sunblock; these items will be lifesavers, especially on the snowy glaciers where the sheer whiteness reflects the sun’s rays directly onto your skin.

Though much of the time it’s still cold with sudden gusts of wind and overcast skies, there is the odd warm day of sunshine.

READ NEXT: The Best Time to Go to Iceland

 

SHOP my favorite Iceland travel essentials!

//

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Tips for Traveling London on a Budget

Traveling London on a Budget

Full of culture, history and class, London is at the top of many travelers’ bucket lists. The city is also touted as one of the most expensive cities in the world, but if you take the right precautions, it doesn’t have to be.

Here are my tips on how to do London on a budget!

The Tube

The Oyster Card

The Oyster Card is a quick pass into the public transport system. You can load the card with multiple rides within the zones you’ll be traveling. Depending on how many rides you pre-pay, it can be more than 50 percent cheaper than single ride tickets. The other plus side is that it grants you rides the on the bus and light rail systems as well.

Without this, you can easily spend £15 or more per day on transportation alone.

GoPro London

Find the Free Things

One of the benefits of a city as huge as London is that there are loads of free things to see and do. There are lists and lists of free attractions, museums, spectacles, and what have you—as long as you keep your eyes open.

The Tate Modern, National Gallery, Museum of London, and British Museum are all—you guessed it—free! Wander around the beautiful outdoors at Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, and Hampstead Heath.

The Changing the Guard, a fun and historical event that nobody should leave London without seeing, will cost you nothing.

London Tower Bridge

There are also loads of free events throughout the city. Keep your eyes and ears open for art exhibitions, bookshop readings, and lunchtime concerts—all without a price tag.

And don’t miss East London’s street art scene. While Banksy may be Britain’s most famous street art export, there are also a series of street art pieces situated in locations around East London, including the distinctive mushroom sculptures of Christiaan Nagel.

The Time Out app is a great resource for local events and festivals. Or you can wander aimlessly in the streets of London—there’s always something going on.

London Pubs

Eating on a Budget

Cheap eats are everywhere—be on the lookout for traditional cafés and delis where you can pick up premade sandwiches, as well as food carts.

Dive into English eateries by stopping at Caff, a blue-color diner with simple food. An all-day breakfast costs between £3 and £5; you can get the fried mashed potatoes and cabbage for just £4.

London Borough Market

On a bright and sunny day, buy a handful of fresh groceries from one of the local markets like Borough Market. Fruits, veggies like celery or carrots, wine, cheese, and a bottle of olives make for the perfect picnic in one of the city’s many parks.

Big Ben

Get the London Pass

If you’re a museum nut, invest in the London Pass. This tourist card will set you back £54, but it is good for two days and grants you access to 32 attractions and free public transportation.

It includes many of the London highlights, such as Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and Britain at War Museum. If you do a lot of indoor sightseeing, individual museum tickets can add up.

London Eye

Save money by getting a London Pass for your first one to two days in the city. If you want to hit the big leagues, you can also do it inexpensively: Buckingham Palace is just £11, the art deco Eltham Palace is £6, and John Keats’ home is £3.

london europe

Airbnb

From the swanky hotels in the West End to nice budget accommodation, London can be quite an expensive city in terms of accommodation costs even at the lower end of the market.

So, hunt on Airbnb for discount accommodation. There are hundreds of flats and shared apartments available; you just have to look around.

Decide where you want to stay, and be aware that it doesn’t always pay to be in the heart of the city—farther off is considerably cheaper, and with your transport card, you can hop on the Tube straight to Piccadilly Circus (or wherever you want to be).

Try to find an apartment with a kitchen and cook at home a few nights—this is a great way to save money.

London Tube

(source)

Airport Transfers

How you get into the city from the airport depends on your budget. You can catch the Tube (aka London Underground) for as little as £5 but you’ll have to deal with your bags.

If you pack light, it’s not a problem—otherwise, you may want to arrange a taxi to meet you upon arrival. Try not to catch one directly from the airport—these are often expensive.

Helpful Tip: If you want a little more comfort, opt for the Heathrow Express, which costs about £22 for the trip. The earlier you book, the cheaper your fare can be!

London Street Art

Free Walking Tours

Take a free walking tour—both Sandemans and Undiscovered London offer free tours of the city. Though the guides are not professional, they are local and are usually enthusiastic students and volunteers who love taking travelers on a trek through their city.

This is a terrific introduction to the highlights in town, and it is often coupled with a few anecdotes and hidden spots from your guides. Remember to tip them afterward!

london phonebooth

Read Next: The Ultimate London Travel Guide

 

SHOP my favorite London-inspired styles!

//

Monday, April 18, 2016

How to Plan a Romantic Italian Getaway on a Budget

Romantic Italian Getaway on a Budget

Making Italy romantic isn’t hard.  Heck, it’s almost impossible not to feel romance in Italy.  However, making it both romantic and budget-friendly might present some problems, especially during peak travel season.

Travelers are constantly pulled in by tourist traps and inevitably tend to spend more than anticipated on longer trips.  However, in our extended time living abroad in Italy, we came up with a number of ways to make Italy both as romantic and affordable as possible. 

So, follow these tips plan a romantic Italian getaway on a budget!

Italy Couples Travel

– Travel at the Right Time –

The shoulder season (or off peak season) from October to April will present the cheapest flights and less crowds. Less crowds mean you can see more and have more privacy during your adventures!

If you have an airline credit card or a travel credit card, take advantage of the miles you receive as a signing bonus! Typically, you can apply them and make it to Rome or Milan for free strategically. 

From these central cities you can take the train anywhere in Italy.

The Euro has been down all year, so if you’re traveling from the States, the strength of the dollar is actually quite good.  Take advantage of this and travel to Italy while the Euro is only about 10% over the USD.

Couples Travel Italy

– Get an Airbnb –

Because as a couple you’ll not only pay more for a private hostel but you’ll also be in a hostel – which is really only great if you’re 19 and drunk. Having an Airbnb allows you and your significant over to feel at home, almost like a local, in Italy and is super romantic. 

In contrast to hotels you’re also going to save a ton of money!

ke your significant other on a romantic bike ride as you explore a new city!

Biking in Lucca, Italy

– Rent Bikes –

You’ll find bikes in Italy for as cheap as a few Euros a day.  Take advantage of this and take your significant other on a romantic bike ride as you explore a new city!

Couples Travel Venice

– Pizza, Panini, e Vinni –

The best pizza we have ever had was about €7 and the best panini we have ever had was about €5. We could literally eat either for any meal, any day.  So, take advantage of this.

Grab €10 bottle of wine and enjoy a panini in a park.  Unlike most cheaper wines, a €10 wine in Italy is usually very good!

Picnic in Florence

– Make a Picnic –

We learned really quickly that you don’t need to spend a ton of money to have a romantic date. Buy a bottle of wine, some cheese, prosciutto and gelato (dessert doesn’t have to be last!) and sit over the river in Florence or find a park.

Maybe you’re visiting a coastal town?  Take your picnic to the beach!

Couple in Portofino

– Visit Local Farmers’ Markets –

Farmers’ markets are the best places to find awesome fresh local food that is super inexpensive. You can find everything from produce to meats, cheeses, wines, and even souvenirs and trinkets. 

Of course sometimes we want to go out to eat, but the alternative of making meals or getting picnic supplies from a local Farmers’ market is a great way to save money.

Italian Getaway on a Budget

– Eat and Drink Regionally –

If you’re in Tuscany, eat and drink Tuscan cuisine.  Don’t look for a good ol’ bottle of whiskey or American dishes.  Enjoy the culture and experience new things regardless of where you are, and save money in doing so!

READ NEXT: Top Romantic Getaways in Italy for Couples

 

SHOP these Italy travel essentials!

How to Plan a Romantic Italian Getaway on a Budget is a post from: The Blonde Abroad



from The Blonde Abroad http://ift.tt/1qBYw0c