How to Eurotrip like a boss: Part 2
8. AVOID PLANE. It's true sometime it's cheaper travel by plane and save time, but by using plane, you become less flexible. You've to be at the airport at least three hours before. It's such a waste of time. And if you have lots of baggage, BEEP, you've got problem. That's why I prefer using train or bus. Always compare both. But most of the time, i use bus. It's cheaper and the view is better. For me, the best bus system was in Turkey and Poland. Both super cheap and super comfy.
9. GADGETS. My friend call me Doraemon because i have so many stuff in my bag. Well actually is not that many. Here's what i always bring. Phone and powerbank, my iPad and its camera connection kit to transfer photos, universal adapter and plug combination, camera and extra battery, gorilla tripod and monopod to take selfie hehehe. I think that's all.
10. BE PARANOID IN HOSTEL, EVERYWHERE. Lesson learned pretty hard on me for this. I once lost an iPad (i put it under my pillow and three Croatian guys just stole it) in Stockholm! I lost a lens and damn passport in Rome. And you can't say you visit Paris if you've not been pickpocketed. Three most dangereus city in Europe: Paris, Barcelona, and Rome. My friend's money was stolen in Paris even he put it in his goddamn money belt. How the fuck they did that? I always have two locks, one normal locks for your baggage, and the other is bike lock, to lock my bag to the bed while i stay in hostel. Not every hotel has locker, mind you. And if you need to charge your iPad/phone whole night long, you are stress free. Put them in your bag, lock it, then lock your bag to your bed. If some assholes want to steal it, they have to steal whole bag including the bed and me (and people above me, eat that!).
11. BUY GODDAMN EURAIL. This is the best tips i can give you. For me, whoever had the idea of Eurail should get Nobel Prize for tourism and backpackerism. Last autumn, i took my parents traveled to 7 countries, 28 cities, in 24 days. And we travel like a boss, always fIrst class. The price? €680 each for 21 days consecutve.Sounds expensive, but after I compare if i buy each ticekt and the other benefit i get from eurail, i saved €1200 per person! By using eurail plus with Rail Planner apps, Eurotrip is not just a dream. I used it mostly in Switzerland because train is so damn expensive there and there are so many benefits like discount to Titlis, panoramic trains everywhere, and many more. If you are slower traveler, you can buy flexible date. The options are limitless.
12. DIVIDE YOUR TIME. We Asian are unique. I saw 99% of us when traveling, once we arrived, take stupid pose picture, then leave. I said wtf? I always wake up and had breakfast early, then go out where other people still sleeping (or for some, drunk as hell). Seeing empty city, while greet local people who just open their store or rush to work is really nice experience. That's the perfect time to take pictures. Be like tourist. Then around lunch when it's already crowded, i go back to hotel, cook my lunch (again to save money), then take a nap. Later in the afternoon, i act like local. Buy snacks then eat in the park, help the Chinese to take tons of pictures (huehehehe), Or grab a coffee in cafe. Or when I was in Lithuania and Sweden, I just enjoy seeing the girls (If i have to change nationality, i'll be Lithuanian or Swedish. Why you say? the girls there are so MAMAMIA!). So, I be like a local. Absorb the beauty, memorize the moment. Then i visit again the place i visit in the morning to take night pics. Travel smart. That's why i can visit so many places in limited time.
13. ALONE OR TOGETHER? This is classic question. On my first year, i always travel with friends, but then i tried travel alone. I'm afraid at first, but now i'm addicted. Both has its advantages. When you travel alone, you've complete freedom. But the main advantages is you'll get lots of new friends. Just offering someone to take a picture for them is always the good way to get new friends. Or talk with your hostelmates. But i also love travel with friends, but only with my real close friend. My best travel ever was with my bestfriends in college. We went to 11 countries in 16 days. Mocking people with my language, flirting girls, laughing like idiot, simply the best! Because nothing more annoying than travel partner than aren't "match" with you. Believe me, it sucks and you just wanna go home quickly. And travel alone is the best way to improve you. You depend on yourself. You know your true you. You have to be able to deal with new places, how to remain calm when shit happens, how to become friendly, you can practice your new language, and so many more. I really like the quote, "traveling makes better people, better"
14. COUCHSURFING. Again, whoever had the idea of CS must get Nobel Prize (shared with eurail founder). I hosted 15 different groups when i was in Paris. And this is my biggest regrets, why i didn't hear about CS earlier. For you who don't know, Couchsurfing is a website to find and to offer traveler to stay in your place. It was amazing experience. If i'm free, i will take my guest to see around Paris, we share stories, our cultures, just amazing. The idea is beautiful. Imagine this, you just arrived in Paris when no one speak English, with super complicated metro, and tons of pickpocket staring at you. But a complete stranger offer you a place (hotel is so expensive in Paris, there're many hostles, but it's located in Bronx area), sometime pick you in station, take you around city, and have a good time. What do you think would happen if one day it's your turn to visit them? I tell you my friends, it was amazing. I once hosted a family from Vilnius, Lithuania, and when I visit Vilnius, boy oh boy, I never felt that hospitality in my life before. But be careful, there are many bad experiences, make sure you read your host's review.
15. GET SCHOLARSHIP. Want to travel without using your/parents money? Get a scholarship, save your money, study hard so they won't stop the transfer, then travel like a boss. Huehehehehe
Well i think that's all for now. I'll try to remember the other. Now i have Germany to explore first! If you have other tips, i would love to hear. And if you need advices about your trip, feel free to ask.
9. GADGETS. My friend call me Doraemon because i have so many stuff in my bag. Well actually is not that many. Here's what i always bring. Phone and powerbank, my iPad and its camera connection kit to transfer photos, universal adapter and plug combination, camera and extra battery, gorilla tripod and monopod to take selfie hehehe. I think that's all.
10. BE PARANOID IN HOSTEL, EVERYWHERE. Lesson learned pretty hard on me for this. I once lost an iPad (i put it under my pillow and three Croatian guys just stole it) in Stockholm! I lost a lens and damn passport in Rome. And you can't say you visit Paris if you've not been pickpocketed. Three most dangereus city in Europe: Paris, Barcelona, and Rome. My friend's money was stolen in Paris even he put it in his goddamn money belt. How the fuck they did that? I always have two locks, one normal locks for your baggage, and the other is bike lock, to lock my bag to the bed while i stay in hostel. Not every hotel has locker, mind you. And if you need to charge your iPad/phone whole night long, you are stress free. Put them in your bag, lock it, then lock your bag to your bed. If some assholes want to steal it, they have to steal whole bag including the bed and me (and people above me, eat that!).
11. BUY GODDAMN EURAIL. This is the best tips i can give you. For me, whoever had the idea of Eurail should get Nobel Prize for tourism and backpackerism. Last autumn, i took my parents traveled to 7 countries, 28 cities, in 24 days. And we travel like a boss, always fIrst class. The price? €680 each for 21 days consecutve.Sounds expensive, but after I compare if i buy each ticekt and the other benefit i get from eurail, i saved €1200 per person! By using eurail plus with Rail Planner apps, Eurotrip is not just a dream. I used it mostly in Switzerland because train is so damn expensive there and there are so many benefits like discount to Titlis, panoramic trains everywhere, and many more. If you are slower traveler, you can buy flexible date. The options are limitless.
12. DIVIDE YOUR TIME. We Asian are unique. I saw 99% of us when traveling, once we arrived, take stupid pose picture, then leave. I said wtf? I always wake up and had breakfast early, then go out where other people still sleeping (or for some, drunk as hell). Seeing empty city, while greet local people who just open their store or rush to work is really nice experience. That's the perfect time to take pictures. Be like tourist. Then around lunch when it's already crowded, i go back to hotel, cook my lunch (again to save money), then take a nap. Later in the afternoon, i act like local. Buy snacks then eat in the park, help the Chinese to take tons of pictures (huehehehe), Or grab a coffee in cafe. Or when I was in Lithuania and Sweden, I just enjoy seeing the girls (If i have to change nationality, i'll be Lithuanian or Swedish. Why you say? the girls there are so MAMAMIA!). So, I be like a local. Absorb the beauty, memorize the moment. Then i visit again the place i visit in the morning to take night pics. Travel smart. That's why i can visit so many places in limited time.
13. ALONE OR TOGETHER? This is classic question. On my first year, i always travel with friends, but then i tried travel alone. I'm afraid at first, but now i'm addicted. Both has its advantages. When you travel alone, you've complete freedom. But the main advantages is you'll get lots of new friends. Just offering someone to take a picture for them is always the good way to get new friends. Or talk with your hostelmates. But i also love travel with friends, but only with my real close friend. My best travel ever was with my bestfriends in college. We went to 11 countries in 16 days. Mocking people with my language, flirting girls, laughing like idiot, simply the best! Because nothing more annoying than travel partner than aren't "match" with you. Believe me, it sucks and you just wanna go home quickly. And travel alone is the best way to improve you. You depend on yourself. You know your true you. You have to be able to deal with new places, how to remain calm when shit happens, how to become friendly, you can practice your new language, and so many more. I really like the quote, "traveling makes better people, better"
14. COUCHSURFING. Again, whoever had the idea of CS must get Nobel Prize (shared with eurail founder). I hosted 15 different groups when i was in Paris. And this is my biggest regrets, why i didn't hear about CS earlier. For you who don't know, Couchsurfing is a website to find and to offer traveler to stay in your place. It was amazing experience. If i'm free, i will take my guest to see around Paris, we share stories, our cultures, just amazing. The idea is beautiful. Imagine this, you just arrived in Paris when no one speak English, with super complicated metro, and tons of pickpocket staring at you. But a complete stranger offer you a place (hotel is so expensive in Paris, there're many hostles, but it's located in Bronx area), sometime pick you in station, take you around city, and have a good time. What do you think would happen if one day it's your turn to visit them? I tell you my friends, it was amazing. I once hosted a family from Vilnius, Lithuania, and when I visit Vilnius, boy oh boy, I never felt that hospitality in my life before. But be careful, there are many bad experiences, make sure you read your host's review.
15. GET SCHOLARSHIP. Want to travel without using your/parents money? Get a scholarship, save your money, study hard so they won't stop the transfer, then travel like a boss. Huehehehehe
Well i think that's all for now. I'll try to remember the other. Now i have Germany to explore first! If you have other tips, i would love to hear. And if you need advices about your trip, feel free to ask.
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