Taking a year off to travel
Aug 7th, 2009, 02:22 PM
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Taking a year off to travel
Im planning on taking a year off to travel. any tips would be great. any suggestions on where to go and what to see? tips on packing, where to stay, things to see would be great too. HELP! i'm in the early stages of planning and have no idea yet on how to do this. any good books out there to help me and/or give me ideas?
Aug 7th, 2009, 04:01 PM
#3
How much money do you have for the trip?
Where do you want to go?
What do you want to do?
Are you trying to do an around-the-world?
What are your interests?
There lots of important facts that you will need to learn about... For example, you can't stay more than 90-days in the Schengen countries (most of Europe).
As far as good books I'd simply start with your public library. Rough Guides, Lonely Planet, Let's Go, Rick Steves, Fodor's, Frommer's, etc. are all good for different reasons and styles of travel.
Where do you want to go?
What do you want to do?
Are you trying to do an around-the-world?
What are your interests?
There lots of important facts that you will need to learn about... For example, you can't stay more than 90-days in the Schengen countries (most of Europe).
As far as good books I'd simply start with your public library. Rough Guides, Lonely Planet, Let's Go, Rick Steves, Fodor's, Frommer's, etc. are all good for different reasons and styles of travel.
Aug 7th, 2009, 04:08 PM
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I'm starting out from Toronto. Want to go to europe, italy, france, scotland, england, ireland, etc. perhaps kenya as well. i don't have a budget. money isn't a problem. although i don't want to go crazy and stay in 5 star hotels either.
Aug 7th, 2009, 04:39 PM
#5
OK so sounds like figuring out your 90-day limit for Europe needs to be one of the first things you look at.
If money is not a limitation, seems like you should be able to do whatever you want to do. I'm not sure how we can guess what that might be.
If money is not a limitation, seems like you should be able to do whatever you want to do. I'm not sure how we can guess what that might be.
Aug 7th, 2009, 05:26 PM
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i suppose my earlier question wasn't clear. anyone been somewhere that they would recommend to visit? doesn't matter where, just looking for suggestions. and again, any tips on packing for a long trip? anybody out there take off for year with some good advice?
Aug 7th, 2009, 08:03 PM
#7
Scotland and England won't count towards the Schengen limit.
I recommend reading Hasbrouck's "Practical Nomad" when planning long term travel. I spent ten months on a round-the-world train trip - TR at www.wilhelmswords.com/rtw2004 . Packing list in the FAQ section of the same site.
I've been to lots of places I liked, but I don't know if you'd like them. Suggest you spend some quality time with the kind of guidebook that has lots of pictures - Eyewitness and Fodor's Exploring (or is it now See It) series and Knopf and APA Insight. Try your library or camp out at your neighborhood bookshop.
I recommend reading Hasbrouck's "Practical Nomad" when planning long term travel. I spent ten months on a round-the-world train trip - TR at www.wilhelmswords.com/rtw2004 . Packing list in the FAQ section of the same site.
I've been to lots of places I liked, but I don't know if you'd like them. Suggest you spend some quality time with the kind of guidebook that has lots of pictures - Eyewitness and Fodor's Exploring (or is it now See It) series and Knopf and APA Insight. Try your library or camp out at your neighborhood bookshop.
Aug 8th, 2009, 08:34 AM
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How old are you? Will you be travelling alone? How active are you?
Have you travelled anywhere before? What did/didn't you like?
What are your interests? Do you like to view architecture? Are you more/less interested in ancient sites (e.g. pyramids, Petra) medieval (castles, cathedrals) or modern?
Do you like nature? Any interest in seeing the Amazon, Patagonia, Antarctica, mountains, African safari.
With an unlimited budget and a year, there's a lot you can do with a great variety of activities and places.
Have you travelled anywhere before? What did/didn't you like?
What are your interests? Do you like to view architecture? Are you more/less interested in ancient sites (e.g. pyramids, Petra) medieval (castles, cathedrals) or modern?
Do you like nature? Any interest in seeing the Amazon, Patagonia, Antarctica, mountains, African safari.
With an unlimited budget and a year, there's a lot you can do with a great variety of activities and places.
Aug 8th, 2009, 02:46 PM
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Croatia is somewhere I would like to see more of, I stopped for one day in Dubrovnik and really enjoyed it. Spain would also be nice, there are a lot of places to see. Greece and Turkey are also really great. The list goes on 
http://www.oln.ca/otherinfo.php?id=12&infoid=11 this site doesn't really have anything to do with europe but if you're interested in Africa this might help. This is where my inspiration to take a year off and travel came from. so it may be helpful in giving you some ideas about where you want to go. good luck
http://www.oln.ca/otherinfo.php?id=12&infoid=11 this site doesn't really have anything to do with europe but if you're interested in Africa this might help. This is where my inspiration to take a year off and travel came from. so it may be helpful in giving you some ideas about where you want to go. good luck
Aug 9th, 2009, 10:22 AM
#10
I like cities best, especially when I travel solo, so for me my European experiences have all focused around those... Amsterdam, Paris, Venice, Geneva (area) are places I've been and enjoyed.
As far as packing, just think like you are going for 10 days, and know you'll have to deal with laundry now and then. But even this advice might change once you pick destinations. If you are going bewteen some really cold climates, to really hot ones, that makes it a bit trickier, than if your entire year is in the same type of weather.
As far as packing, just think like you are going for 10 days, and know you'll have to deal with laundry now and then. But even this advice might change once you pick destinations. If you are going bewteen some really cold climates, to really hot ones, that makes it a bit trickier, than if your entire year is in the same type of weather.
Aug 10th, 2009, 09:39 AM
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When I get ready to leave home for long periods, I mostly pack 7 plain tshirts (you can dress them up or down depending on where you'll be going), a schoolboy blazer for the dressing up, a hoodie for the rest of the time, about 3 pairs of jeans, one pair of black pants, a pair of shorts or two, as many socks and undies as I can fit since those are things you really don't want to rewear before washing, VERY comfortable sneakers or light hiking boots, flip flops, and a semi-nice shoe (for the dress up/dress down scenarios). If you stay in cities, you don't need giant sized toiletries as you can restock often on little ones. Oh, and some plastic ponchos and a mini first aid kit! I know that I get sinus infections very easily, so I carry sudafed and mucinex with me. It can save you a headache of finding something in a foreign place when you feel like crap already.
Assuming you bring a camera on your epic trip, get tons of extra memory cards and batteries as there are times when you just won't feel like backing up memory cards to your laptop to empty a card.
I've spent 5 weeks in Siena, Italy before and absolutely loved it. It's a great hub to visit Rome, Florence, Pisa, and anything north of Rome, really. It's a walled in Medieval city that is just small enough that you will get to recognize locals after just a week. It is also a big education center for college kids studying abroad. I met people from Kenya, Czech Republic, UK, everywhere in the US, all sorts... Milan is kind of a dirty city, but great for shopping. Venice is pretty to see, but it's all tourists and kind of the Disney World of Italy. If you like the outdoors, Cinque Terra is a must-do.
Very close by is Croatia. I'd recommend their coastline. You won't encounter many Americans, mostly Europeans. Another often over looked Euro spot is Poland. Krakow is a beautiful old city with lots to see in and out of the city center. Also, in the southeast corner of Poland is a Primeval forest (ie, it looks the same as it always has). There are few of these left in the world. It's home to a lot of interesting plants and animals.
I've never been to Spain, but a friend of mine is planning an extended trip there and we have had no problem looking up things to do and see everywhere in that country! Another friend just came back from Paris where he planned a cathedral tour of the city and it's surrounding towns. He had the time of his life.
It really depends on what your interests are. With me, I love ancient culture & architecture as well as the outdoors. For one friend, it's Gothic cathedrals, for the other it's purely adventure and local culture.
Also, do you plan to roll a suitcase behind you the whole way? If you are in decent shape, I'd recommend heading to your nearest REI and get fitted for a large hiking backpack. Pack as light as you can and then take some more stuff out. If money is no issue for you, you can pick up stuff along the way if you really need it. Also, I've learned to not buy a gazillion crappy souvenirs. I've taken funky 'do not disturb' signs from hotels since it's such a better reminder of a crazy hotel experience than a tshirt from the town that will sit in the back of my closet. Or a ring, a book, an art print/poster or antique map of that particular city. No one really needs penis shaped salt and pepper shakers from Amsterdam. However, a photo of the cab driver and a little ceramic cab to remember the day I spent 100 Euros having the awesomest driver ever give me a driving tour of the city makes me smile. (a side tip, if you get a cool cab driver willing to help you out, you can really find 'locals only' spots).
Assuming you bring a camera on your epic trip, get tons of extra memory cards and batteries as there are times when you just won't feel like backing up memory cards to your laptop to empty a card.
I've spent 5 weeks in Siena, Italy before and absolutely loved it. It's a great hub to visit Rome, Florence, Pisa, and anything north of Rome, really. It's a walled in Medieval city that is just small enough that you will get to recognize locals after just a week. It is also a big education center for college kids studying abroad. I met people from Kenya, Czech Republic, UK, everywhere in the US, all sorts... Milan is kind of a dirty city, but great for shopping. Venice is pretty to see, but it's all tourists and kind of the Disney World of Italy. If you like the outdoors, Cinque Terra is a must-do.
Very close by is Croatia. I'd recommend their coastline. You won't encounter many Americans, mostly Europeans. Another often over looked Euro spot is Poland. Krakow is a beautiful old city with lots to see in and out of the city center. Also, in the southeast corner of Poland is a Primeval forest (ie, it looks the same as it always has). There are few of these left in the world. It's home to a lot of interesting plants and animals.
I've never been to Spain, but a friend of mine is planning an extended trip there and we have had no problem looking up things to do and see everywhere in that country! Another friend just came back from Paris where he planned a cathedral tour of the city and it's surrounding towns. He had the time of his life.
It really depends on what your interests are. With me, I love ancient culture & architecture as well as the outdoors. For one friend, it's Gothic cathedrals, for the other it's purely adventure and local culture.
Also, do you plan to roll a suitcase behind you the whole way? If you are in decent shape, I'd recommend heading to your nearest REI and get fitted for a large hiking backpack. Pack as light as you can and then take some more stuff out. If money is no issue for you, you can pick up stuff along the way if you really need it. Also, I've learned to not buy a gazillion crappy souvenirs. I've taken funky 'do not disturb' signs from hotels since it's such a better reminder of a crazy hotel experience than a tshirt from the town that will sit in the back of my closet. Or a ring, a book, an art print/poster or antique map of that particular city. No one really needs penis shaped salt and pepper shakers from Amsterdam. However, a photo of the cab driver and a little ceramic cab to remember the day I spent 100 Euros having the awesomest driver ever give me a driving tour of the city makes me smile. (a side tip, if you get a cool cab driver willing to help you out, you can really find 'locals only' spots).
Aug 10th, 2009, 11:41 PM
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If you are really looking for new ideas and you want to bounce around all over then you might want to take a look at this site
www.bankabletravel.com
It has information for living and working in a large number of countries and information on cost of living and so on. Your first thing you want to do is check out what you want to do in Europe in your limited time. Then you definitely want to head to southeast asia and south america. Highly recommend Argentina and Belize.
www.bankabletravel.com
It has information for living and working in a large number of countries and information on cost of living and so on. Your first thing you want to do is check out what you want to do in Europe in your limited time. Then you definitely want to head to southeast asia and south america. Highly recommend Argentina and Belize.
Aug 12th, 2009, 07:53 AM
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IMHO, any island in Greece is worth the trip, especially the less populated ones. And the Peloponnese city of Napflio is very worth the drive from Athens.
To the Italian cities listed above, I would add Verona and recommend the joining the promenade on Sunday's, it feels less touristy than most places in Italy that I've been too.
To the Italian cities listed above, I would add Verona and recommend the joining the promenade on Sunday's, it feels less touristy than most places in Italy that I've been too.
Aug 12th, 2009, 09:13 AM
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to thisjerseygirl
i am also from NJ but escaped years ago. your venture to siena sounds like my sabbatical in Sorrento last year.
rented an apt and lived as an Italian NOT a toursit for 3 months. please tell me what accomodations you found in Siena.
I have been there and am looking for another town to live in next year. Tried Spoletto this year and it was great but it closes at 8pm and that makes it hard to train to another city and still get home in time to buy food for dinner!
each year i explore another region and will find my spot to live 1/3 to 1/2 of each year.
if you go again, try Sorrento, and attend the Sorrento Lingue language school.
what a fantastic group of woman, i learned more Italian in 5 days than i have in the 3 years of tutors! and i met women from around the world (in my class) who i still speak with (by skype).
this experience changed everything:
i am now transfroming my real estate web site to an "all things Italian web site'. i hope to have it finished by the end of this year.
if you wish to post some of your italian experiences, keep the newlestter section in mind. www.HomeToItaly.com
I am planning to attend the Italian Amer. festival in Seaside, NJ this Oct. Never know what new connections can be made.
buon viaggio
i am also from NJ but escaped years ago. your venture to siena sounds like my sabbatical in Sorrento last year.
rented an apt and lived as an Italian NOT a toursit for 3 months. please tell me what accomodations you found in Siena.
I have been there and am looking for another town to live in next year. Tried Spoletto this year and it was great but it closes at 8pm and that makes it hard to train to another city and still get home in time to buy food for dinner!
each year i explore another region and will find my spot to live 1/3 to 1/2 of each year.
if you go again, try Sorrento, and attend the Sorrento Lingue language school.
what a fantastic group of woman, i learned more Italian in 5 days than i have in the 3 years of tutors! and i met women from around the world (in my class) who i still speak with (by skype).
this experience changed everything:
i am now transfroming my real estate web site to an "all things Italian web site'. i hope to have it finished by the end of this year.
if you wish to post some of your italian experiences, keep the newlestter section in mind. www.HomeToItaly.com
I am planning to attend the Italian Amer. festival in Seaside, NJ this Oct. Never know what new connections can be made.
buon viaggio
Aug 12th, 2009, 09:15 AM
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Packing: pack light and ship a suitcase ahead to Mail Box Etc.
they are in most large towns.
i pick one that is near a train station, ship ahead 3 to 5 days of my route and pick it up when i need it in the next city.
saves dragging it to the hotels, cost of storing it at train stations and most of all, lifting it onto the train!!!
they are in most large towns.
i pick one that is near a train station, ship ahead 3 to 5 days of my route and pick it up when i need it in the next city.
saves dragging it to the hotels, cost of storing it at train stations and most of all, lifting it onto the train!!!
Aug 12th, 2009, 10:04 AM
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There are so many great places to visit but it's hard to give suggestions when we don't know your interests. But...here are a list of some of my favorites from my travels:
Rome
Umbria
Croatia
Slovenia
Bavaria region of Germany
Salzkammergut region of Austria
Vienna
Paris
Turkey
Japan
If it were me, factoring in the 90 day limit on Schengen countries, with a year of traveling I would do some sort of round the world trip where I would attempt to move in one general direction. I would pick my top "must sees" in the various continents and then go from there. Several airlines offer round the world passes...I know that the OneWorld Alliance used to because I've looked into it.
Good luck!
Tracy
Rome
Umbria
Croatia
Slovenia
Bavaria region of Germany
Salzkammergut region of Austria
Vienna
Paris
Turkey
Japan
If it were me, factoring in the 90 day limit on Schengen countries, with a year of traveling I would do some sort of round the world trip where I would attempt to move in one general direction. I would pick my top "must sees" in the various continents and then go from there. Several airlines offer round the world passes...I know that the OneWorld Alliance used to because I've looked into it.
Good luck!
Tracy
Aug 12th, 2009, 11:13 AM
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We were supposed to travel for one year but came home after four months. We traveled with two pairs of jeans and several tops of different weights. We washed underwear nightly and jeans, etc when we arrived at a new city. I suggest that you read Rolf Potts, "Vagabonding". He had several insights for a long trip including breaking it up with different activities. We did a two week stint volunteering (with pay) to teach English in a small Italian city. It was the highlight of our trip.
Some things we did:
Took English speaking walking tours in every city to meet more people. We traveled during the winter so there sitting outside a cafe was pretty much impossible.
Sent our dressy clothes home. We found we could go to the best restaurants in our jeans. You probably don't know anyone. We went for comfort clothes.
Traveled with a computer to make reservations, research, etc at our leisure in our hotel room.
We had a general itinerary but changed it as we went. We always stayed in hotels.
We never stayed less than three nights in one location. Traveling is very strenuous and traveling for a long period of time gives you the luxury of seeing everything that you want to when you want to. Staying one or two weeks in an interesting city is fabulous!
We booked a tour through the poorer countries where language and safety might be an issue.
We used Skype on our computer and called a friend once a week.
We had a travel blog that gave us focus and kept everyone else up to date on what we were doing.
We bought medical evacuation insurance and joined a group that gave us access to English speaking, American trained doctors. Thankfully, we never used it.
If you are driving get a GPS. We also brought a European map book with us that we used in planning itineraries. You need the GPS to find the hotel in cities. Many streets in the center of towns have been closed to cars and are now pedestrian only.
I was told to ignore the Schengen countries. I had called the embassy of the first point of entry (Portugal)and they didn't know anything about it. Since all the countries are in the European Union and we drove, there were no stops at borders. Even when we flew there were no problems.
We started with countries that we had never been to and only repeated two cities that we had been to, because we wanted to see them again.
Everyone is different. Select your focus and then go from there. If you're interested in art go where the museums are. If you're interested in cooking, find cooking schools.
Have a wonderful time!
Some things we did:
Took English speaking walking tours in every city to meet more people. We traveled during the winter so there sitting outside a cafe was pretty much impossible.
Sent our dressy clothes home. We found we could go to the best restaurants in our jeans. You probably don't know anyone. We went for comfort clothes.
Traveled with a computer to make reservations, research, etc at our leisure in our hotel room.
We had a general itinerary but changed it as we went. We always stayed in hotels.
We never stayed less than three nights in one location. Traveling is very strenuous and traveling for a long period of time gives you the luxury of seeing everything that you want to when you want to. Staying one or two weeks in an interesting city is fabulous!
We booked a tour through the poorer countries where language and safety might be an issue.
We used Skype on our computer and called a friend once a week.
We had a travel blog that gave us focus and kept everyone else up to date on what we were doing.
We bought medical evacuation insurance and joined a group that gave us access to English speaking, American trained doctors. Thankfully, we never used it.
If you are driving get a GPS. We also brought a European map book with us that we used in planning itineraries. You need the GPS to find the hotel in cities. Many streets in the center of towns have been closed to cars and are now pedestrian only.
I was told to ignore the Schengen countries. I had called the embassy of the first point of entry (Portugal)and they didn't know anything about it. Since all the countries are in the European Union and we drove, there were no stops at borders. Even when we flew there were no problems.
We started with countries that we had never been to and only repeated two cities that we had been to, because we wanted to see them again.
Everyone is different. Select your focus and then go from there. If you're interested in art go where the museums are. If you're interested in cooking, find cooking schools.
Have a wonderful time!
Aug 12th, 2009, 12:52 PM
#18
andyandjill - any special reason you came home after four months? My longest trip was ten months, and I admit I was pretty tired when I got home, but four months would be fine.
Surprised you went with just jeans - I never take jeans because they take so long to dry.
Surprised you went with just jeans - I never take jeans because they take so long to dry.
Aug 12th, 2009, 10:47 PM
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Wow, tinybeachbum, sounds like the trip of a lifetime. Everyone here has made awesome suggestions. Regarding packing, they do now sell a line of travel-friendly clothes, i.e. light and don't wrinkle. If you'll be traveling through London via the underground tube system, keep in mind that many stations do NOT have elevators...they have LOTS of stairs. If one is disabled and must use that station, they have to call in advance to be sure there will be attendants to carry them, and their wheelchair, up the stairs. Therefore, you will NOT want to be schlepping luggage up and down tons of stairs. Also, when I stayed in Paris, I found Accor hotels to be exceptionally clean and a good value for your money. They don't have many frills, but they are clean and affordable, esp for Paris. I'm not sure what other cities or countries they are in, but it might behoove you to look them up before you leave on your trip.
Sorry for being random, I just wanted to point out suggestions that had not yet been made.
Have fun and PLEASE post back here to let us know how your trip went.
Sorry for being random, I just wanted to point out suggestions that had not yet been made.
Have fun and PLEASE post back here to let us know how your trip went.
Aug 13th, 2009, 09:11 PM
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We had our jeans cleaned at the hotels we stayed in. We didn't have to find laundramats.
We came home early for many reasons: our dog was terminally ill, my mother was ill, our son was getting engaged and my husband hurt his shoulder, was in pain and was homesick.
Make sure you check out the clothes, etc at Magellans and Travel Smith. We loved Eagle Creek packing cubes. We traveled with one 21" suitcase and two carryons - one for electronics, maps, etc and the other for our bathroom stuff.
We had our jeans cleaned at the hotels we stayed in. We didn't have to find laundramats.
We came home early for many reasons: our dog was terminally ill, my mother was ill, our son was getting engaged and my husband hurt his shoulder, was in pain and was homesick.
Make sure you check out the clothes, etc at Magellans and Travel Smith. We loved Eagle Creek packing cubes. We traveled with one 21" suitcase and two carryons - one for electronics, maps, etc and the other for our bathroom stuff.
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