Home Articles Posted by Izy Berry (Page 93)
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Having Reservations about Going on a Gap Year?
It is important to consider the fact that a year is a long time and unless you’re already quite a free-spirit it is more than likely you can’t just drop everything and go. With this situation comes the inevitable worries and reservations that may in the end inhibit you from travelling altogether.
Do not be afraid though. The following is a breakdown of some of the pre-gap year problems you may encounter and the solutions to ensure you fulfill your expeditionary ambitions.
The Worries
Some of the main worries that often affect people include:
Finances – whether you are a student or working full time, money (or lack thereof) is often a big worry for many.
Travel costs – particularly flights – are not cheap and nor is the cost of living in certain places.
Activities – it is not just about going places; it is entertaining yourself while you are there. It would be depressing to travel and find yourself just as bored as you were at home.
Storage – as previously stated above, a year is a long time and ultimately what about all your precious belongings it has taken your lifetime to amass? How can you be sure they’re safe?
Family and Friends – the people who love and care about you unfortunately won’t always be there. Homesickness can be dangerously infectious.
The Solutions
What you’ll be happy to know is that there are easy solutions to all of these:
Finances – this one is simple, you save money. Taking a loan is always risky so the most sensible course of action is to give yourself long enough to gather enough money.
Activities – the internet is a wonderful resource. It might sound obvious but thoroughly research your intended destinations for the cheapest/best places to visit or avoid. Also some trips offer work placements to subsidise your expenses.
Storage – There are professional and dependable storage facilities like Safestore Ltd to securely hold your belongings while you are away. Not only does this provide a straightforward service it also ensures you have peace of mind wherever you are.
Family and Friends – not an easy one to deal with as you will always miss your loved ones. What you need to remember is these people will want you to enjoy yourself, plus you will meet lots of new people who will become your surrogate family while you’re away.
The Trip of a Lifetime
If you take this advice you will make your gap year exactly what this subheading suggests; so don’t let your worries stop you from enjoying possibly the greatest time of your life.
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Returning to Thailand
Koh Phi Phi used to be my favourite place in Thailand. It’s where I first started traveling. It’s where I gained a world of confidence. It’s where I met some people who heavily shaped my life. I even had a Phi Phi song that my friends and I would dance to.
When I was just in Koh Phi Phi was easily the worst experience I’ve ever had traveling. Most of you would know how much breakups suck, but this wasn’t a standard breakup. It was so painful – the most painful. Not only did I lose my boyfriend, I lost my best friend, I lost a little faith in humanity. I lost my ability to trust freely. I lost a lot – in one of my favourite places in the world.
I don’t really think it’s appropriate to go into details of the breakup here – it serves no one. But it’s safe to say this is easily the most emotionally devastating thing I have gone through in my life. It’s worse than death, because it didn’t have to happen like this. He chose for it to be this way, for it to hurt like this. He chose it all and doesn’t seem to care that it’s affected me like this. That sucks.
After everything came out, I knew I had to leave Thailand immediately and take myself somewhere to heal and Ubud was the only place I wanted to go.
After a few days of conversations with my lovely friend and a couple of emotionally challenging yoga classes, I decided to head to Villa Kitty.
I love volunteering and I’ve really missed having a cat, so it seemed like a great idea.
When I arrived, things were a lot more confronting than I expected. I was guided by the owner to a small room with two cats that were very antisocial. They weren’t particularly interested in me. While I tried to pat them and be patient with them, I felt extremely disheartened. I felt very unloved. And who wouldn’t, when the person you loved most in the world hurt you in such a way and now you have some cats rejecting you too. I felt so sorry for myself and wanted to burst into tears and run out of that place.
But I stayed.
I lingered past the discomfort and slowly, in time, the cats warmed up to me. It was obvious these cats had been through a lot, and here they were nuzzling against me and letting me pat them. It was quite beautiful.
In the afternoon a new girl showed up. She was a lovely girl and just one of those people I know I was destined to meet.
We talked about everything – our fears, our passions, relationships, love, what we want from life.
She told me a story that resonated so deeply with me that I knew I had to meet her in that moment to hear that exact story.
Later that day we went to a cafe and I met two of her friends and another two guys who were sitting across from me. I tried to introduce myself without being the girl who just had her heart broken, but honestly, it seemed to just slip out whenever anyone asked how long I was traveling for. How could I tell ‘my story’ without him and what happened and what brought me here?
The next day I met up with my new friends and we hung out with the kitties and then went to dinner, where I met another girl. Four girls, sitting around a table talking about our heartbreak stories. It was really sad. I felt awful. We’d all been screwed over by people we really loved and it just sucked. Misery loves company.
I went home and felt awful and cried. I decided I didn’t want to be defined as the girl who was hurt by the person she loved most. I just wanted to be me again. A fresh start. So I decided that he wouldn’t be a part of my story, until I could say his name without wanting to cry.
The next day I met some new people and I introduced myself. Immediately they asked how long I had been traveling for and I cut out the part of our trip where we had been together. I’d be traveling a week, I said. I disguised my lack of plans (because all of our plans had been crushed and I couldn’t bare to think of the future) by pretending I was very, very free spirited and just going with it. I felt bad about lying. I felt bad about cutting out the part of our trip that we shared together. A little part of me choked.
But I knew I needed a fresh start to move forward. I couldn’t keep being the Heart Broken Girl. It didn’t really suit me.
Since then I’ve been absolutely blessed to meet so many people I know that I was destined to meet. There have been signs flashing in front of me from every direction… guiding me and letting me know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
After lecturing a new friend on how I believe in “signs”, I asked him what his favourite movie was – he replied The Lion King. No more than 2 minutes later, I met a girl who designed tattoo fonts. I mentioned I was contemplating a tattoo and she showed me hers “Hakuna Matata” – how does this even happen? I’ve never seen someone with that tattooed before, let alone moments after I was talking about the very movie it was from.
Hukana Matata.
The calibre of conversations I’ve had in Ubud has been outstanding. I’ve had so much guidance in terms of how I want to expand my business, the kind of person I want to be, what I want from life, what I’m going to give back to the world and what I’m going to accept in future. I fell in love with yoga and realised how deeply I can connect with myself through the practice.
Tomorrow I head back to Thailand. I am a bit apprehensive about it, because I know he’s there. I don’t know if he’s in Bangkok, but it feels so strange to me that we could be a few hours apart and not seeing each other. A part of me really hopes he messages me, and another part of me isn’t sure. It’s just weird. I find it so strange to consider that the person I shared everything with is now basically a stranger. Only a few weeks ago we were in hysterics about our ugly luging photo – and now this? I don’t really understand how it got to here.
Returning to Thailand will be very hard for me. Emotions will be floating through my body. A part of me will wonder if we’ll bump into each other and will be sad if we don’t. But I’m going to push through the discomfort, because I want to be there for me.
Beyond Thailand, I’ve made some loose plans. I’ve always wanted to go to New York, so I think I’ll head there in maybe 3-4 weeks. After that, I’m going to go to Guatemala to learn Spanish and to volunteer at Casa Guatemala. After that? I don’t know. I’ll see where my heart wants to go. Part of me wants to do a yoga retreat in Costa Rica, another part of me wants to go to Cuba. A bigger part of me has no idea and is OK with that.
As much as this hurts, I’m determined to ensure this becomes one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. When I found out what happened and that it was over, I felt destroyed. I felt so lost. Now I realise I’m a blank canvas and I’m going to paint myself with the most wonderful adventures.
I’m going to have an exceptional life and it’s only just starting now.
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The Five Best Things About Visiting Toronto
Fortune magazine recently billed Toronto as the world’s “newest great city,” and for good reason: You’ll find an exciting array things to see and do in Toronto. If you’re short on time, you might have trouble figuring out exactly what to do. Let this list help you out:
Amazing Restaurants and Eateries
The St. Lawrence Market on Front St. has served up fresh produce, meats and cheeses since 1901. Food and Wine Magazine calls it one of the “world’s best food markets.” Once your shopping bag – or your tummy – is full, be sure to browse the market’s many antique displays, flea markets, and seasonal wares, which are sold mostly on weekends.
For dessert, check out the Bang Bang Ice Cream and Bakery on Ossington Avenue. This delectable bakery/dairy focuses on hand-stuffed, homemade ice cream sandwiches and ice cream-filled macaroons. Along with great staple flavors like Burnt Toffee, the bakery regularly tantalizes its customers with a “surprise” flavor-of-the-day.
Fascinating Museums
After you’ve fed your stomach, feed your brain with an educational trip to one of Toronto’s premier museums. You simply cannot go wrong with a visit to the Royal Ontario Museum, or ROM, situated just north of the University of Toronto campus. This place has something for everyone: a gallery of dinosaur skeletons, a Chinese sculpture display spanning 1,500 years, archaeological textile and costume layouts from centuries ago. The kids will not be bored either; they can enjoy a fun array of hands-on projects, learning labs and a close-up view of a young Egyptian mummy.
The Ontario Science Centre is an equally fascinating interactive museum. Visitors can make full-body music in a sound panel room, watch electromagnetic ferrofluid dance, or create their own frame-by-frame animated movie. Children can build their own roller coaster and play with moveable dams and water wheels at KidSpark, a child-centered area of the museum. There’s also the Space Room full of cosmic rays and astronaut artifacts, the Living Earth area filled with natural wonders large and small, and the Science Arcade where guests can touch a tornado and take a virtual flight from the perspective of a raptor.
If you’re a hockey fan, the Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum is a great place to spend a few hours. This is not just a place where guests stand around admiring the Stanley Cup and other hockey memorabilia; it is a hands-on museum where visitors can play interactive hockey with animated versions of players like Carey Price and Sidney Crosby, compete against one another in “Slapshot Trivia,” and take in exciting 3D hockey films.
Toronto Theater District
Toronto’s theatrical offerings rank right up there with New York City’s Broadway and the fine productions of London’s West End. The city hosts several theatrical festivals each year and is a regular stop for touring theater troupes from New York and London. Landmark theaters include the Ed Mirvish Theater (formerly known as the Pantages), the Princess of Wales Theater, and Air Canada Centre, where guests can lose themselves in brilliant dramatic and musical performances for a few hours.
Current and recent professional theatrical productions in Toronto include Tony Award winners like Wicked by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, The Book of Mormon by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and Once, a newer musical based on the book by Enda Walsh. Concert-lovers will also find a treasure trove of offerings in the city’s theater district, including performances by musical greats like Cher, Jason Mraz, and Itzhak Perlman. Comedy seekers regularly enjoy top-notch stand-up performers like Jay Leno and Lewis Black.
Tickets to Toronto’s high-demand productions sell fast, so travelers would be wise to plan ahead if they wish to see a show or catch a concert during their trip. Last-minute tickets can sometimes be snagged, however, so if you’re in the area and hoping to relax with a night at the theater, be sure to scour your options.
Beautiful Sights
Your Toronto visit wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the top of the 1,168-foot CN Tower. Enjoy a panoramic view of the city before you set out to explore, or ascend the tower after your sight-seeing adventure is through for a cumulative review of all the magnificent things you experienced on your vacation. Tickets to the CN tower can be purchased online for singles or groups.
The Toronto Islands offer a peaceful reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the big city. The islands – eight in all – offer a car-free and carefree environment where visitors can hike, bike, and sun bathe on the beach. Adventurers can rent boats in the summer, ski in the winter, or check out the Centreville Amusement Park for water rides, kiddie rides, mini golf, and a roller coaster. At the park’s Far Enough Farm, guests get to meet farm animals, waterfowl, rodents, and other fun fuzzy creatures.
Other can’t-miss attractions include the Toronto Zoo with animals from exciting locales like Australia, Eurasia, and the African tundra and Canada’s most iconic destination, Niagara Falls, where families can enjoy water parks, attend festivals, and sneak up-close peeks at the falls on the legendary Maid of the Mist. If you’re overwhelmed by all these fantastic choices – and who wouldn’t be? – check out this list of Toronto events from Expedia to help narrow your itinerary search.
Relaxation within a Big City Vibe
After a day of pleasurable exhaustion in Toronto, sleep feels heavenly in any one of the city’s fine hotels. If you’re up for a unique hotel with one-of-a-kind rooms and artsy creature comforts, check out the Gladstone on Queen Street West. If you’ve got budgeting on the brain, the Rex Jazz & Blues Bar Hotel might be the perfect place for you to rest your head. Not sure what to choose? Hop on your favorite travel sites to help you with these tough decisions.
Stop searching for destinations online and buy your ticket to one of the greatest cities in North America. It’s all about living life to the fullest in Toronto.
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Top Things to See Around London
London is home to many beauties of the modern, and not so modern, world. A cosmopolitan city where people from all over the world live, this is home to the Buckingham Palace, the London Bridge and numerous pubs at the same time. Beyond that though, London is amazing from so many points of view that a book would probably not be enough to describe it.
If you are planning to visit London soon, you should definitely make sure not to leave home without a list of must-see locations there. Otherwise, you will easily get lost among the million wonders this city has to offer and you may miss out on the best of the best ones. It can be a great idea to look into Heathrow airport car hire to ensure you can easily get around London and the surrounds at your pace. Stuck for things to see? To help out, I have put together a list of some of the very best London attractions to check out. Here it is:
The British Museum
It doesn’t matter if you’re not a HUGE museum lover, this museum will impress you. The British Museum has gathered items from all over the world and the oldest ones date as far back as…prehistoric times, which you will surely find fascinating. You’ll get to see the Egyptian mummies and the amazing Ancient Greek Pantheon sculptures, but a wide range of other things as well. Considering most of the exhibitions are free and that this is such an amazing place, you should definitely not miss out on the British Museum when you get to London.
Also, you can visit any of the other London museums because they are all amazing at what they do: the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Science Museum, the Royal Museums Greenwich, Tate Modern and so on.
Madame Tussauds
This is another museum as well – but it’s not like your regular history/science/art museum. The exhibitions here are consisted of real-life sized wax sculptures of the world’s most famous people. From Lady Gaga to Her Majesty the Queen, everybody is present here. And the best part about this is that these sculptures are just perfectly made – it will be nearly impossible to tell the difference between them and the real people!
The Kensington Palace and Gardens
While we can’t become royals overnight, we can still take a walk in the amazing Kensington Palace (the official residence of Prince Harry and Duchess Kate). Parts of the palace and garden are open for visitors at particular times, so you will definitely want to take this chance. Everything here feels just amazing: from the artificial lake to the beautiful plants offering you an escape from the buzz of the city as well. Definitely a must-see for anyone who steps foot in London!
Westminster Palace
UNESCO has classified this place as a world-heritage one – and not without any reason. Everything here is splendid and mesmerising at the same time. This is the kind of place that will amaze you with its stunning architecture and with the very “historical” aura surrounding it – an absolute must-see whatever your goals in London may be!
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Loss On the Road + Letting Go
I’ve had a lot of loss on the road, more than anyone might expect in a few years of traveling.
Just because you’re away, it doesn’t stop life from running its course.
In 2011 my aunty was killed in an earthquake that shattered my entire family.
A few months later, I was stabbed while traveling around Lombok in Indonesia.
And this month, my boyfriend and I split up during our travels. It wasn’t a good break up, not in any way amicable. In fact, it was very traumatic.
We broke up at around 3.30am in the morning and I packed my bags, booked flights to Bali and walked to the ferry terminal a few hours too early and I just sat there. He didn’t try to stop me from leaving.
I couldn’t believe it. This couldn’t be happening. The person I thought I was going to be spending the next few years adventuring with, and everything else we had planned, was now someone I had to leave behind.
He’d told me only the day before that he wanted to marry me. In a rap, that made me cry it was so wonderful.
I didn’t want to leave, but I knew I had to.
The ferry ride was hard… being left alone with my thoughts for a few hours after no sleep and a night filled with tears.
I had an interesting bus ride, where I made friends with four travellers who tried to cheer me up by sharing stories of their horrific food poisoning experiences.
And then I arrived at my hotel, alone.
I literally spent all day in bed, I forgot to eat, I hadn’t sleep. I just sat there. Sobbing.
You see, when something traumatic like this happens and you’re not around familiarity – friends, family and ‘home’ – it can be extremely isolating.
The following day was some 18 hours of transit, with a ridiculously long stop over in Singapore, where I just walked around like a zombie, lost in my own thoughts, fighting back my own tears.
Now I’m with a friend and things are becoming bearable.
Except for the mornings and the nights.
The mornings I find myself forgetting any of this has happened, rolling over next to me only to find he’s not there and then it all rushes back to me.
The nights I wonder why he didn’t talk to me, if we could repair this, flashing back through all the good times and the good memories. The way I felt in his arms. The way he looked me. The things he said.
It is an emotional roller coaster to say the least.
Whenever anything good happens in my days, I want to rush to call him.
Except I can’t.
Because the break up was so unexpected for me and traumatic, with no opportunity to talk things through or to work things out, there’s a lot of ache.
So I’m trying to fill up the ‘ache’ with good things. With nurturing things. I’ve been eating a lot of vegetarian food, shakes and smoothies. I’ve been going to yoga. I’ve been volunteering with kittens. I’ve been making new friends.
Today one of my new friends, Rosie, told me an interesting story. Basically about a friend of hers who had a short fling with an old flame. She spent so much of the time after it had ended worrying about why he hadn’t contacted her, why it hadn’t continued longer, and so on, that she didn’t stand back and appreciate those four days for what they were.
Her expectations ruined her reality.
Expectation is the root of most suffering. I expected us to last. I expected him to be honest with me. I expected him to talk to me when problems came up. I expected our travels to continue. I expected us to be able to work through any issues that came up. I expected us to be boarding a flight to Paris next week.
Right now I’m investing a lot of time in letting go of all those expectations. It is hard and every inch of my being is resisting it.
Because I cannot bare to continue with ‘our’ plans by myself – it would hurt too much- I’m going to shake things up. I’ve always wanted to go to South America.
I’m going to spend another two weeks here in Ubud, before hopefully flying to Thailand for three weeks to spend time with another friend. After that, I’ll fly to Buenos Aires where I’ll make my way up, stopping wherever I feel like.
This is not what I wanted from my trip. I wanted him. I wanted a phone filled with hilarious selfies and unforgettable memories. I wanted a future with him. Part of me wants to go to Bangkok in a week, board our flight together and pretend it never happened.
But sometimes that’s not what life has in store.
When I was a teenager, one of my friends told me to ‘go with the flow like a dead fish’.
So I’m trying to be a dead fish, floating all the way to South America.
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Top Things to do in Dubai
The great Asian tiger economy countries will never cease to amaze us. In between high technology and amazing development, but still anchored in part of their traditions and beliefs, these countries feel like the perfect destination for many of us.
Dubai is, undoubtedly, one of the great wonders of the past few years. With a rapid and stormy development, this country has left us all in awe with its architecture, with its luxury and with its amazing feeling as well. Dubai’s a city you would have to try very hard to get bored in but even so, which are the very best things to do there? Read on and find them out!
Taking a Look at Burj Khalifa
Of course, natural landscapes always leave us mesmerized, but when it comes to stunning man-made landscapes, the implications go far beyond that. Burj Khalifa is the kind of place that will teach you in the blink of an eye just how far humanity has managed to reach. As the tallest building in the world, this is the kind of sight that will stick to your retina for many years to come – and an image you will definitely want to tell your grand-children about! It’s possible to book a holiday to Dubai with LetsGo2 so start planning now!
Visiting and Shopping at the Dubai Mall
This is it: the epitome of everything Malls stand for. The Dubai Mall is just as impressive as the entire country itself and it will definitely be to the likes of just about anyone who wants to do some shopping. The options here feel limitless – just as they do in Dubai itself. You’ll have no less than 1,200 shops to choose from here so there is absolutely no way in the world you will not be able to find what you are searching for.
Relaxing in Front of the Dubai Fountain
Seeing this fountain will, again, teach you just how far we have come as humanity. The view is absolutely splendid and it will haunt you for a long time from now on. This is the world’s largest choreographed fountain and watching its beautiful choreography will be so great that you’ll most likely want to sit there for hours and hours.
Skiing in Dubai
Yes, you read that right. You can ski in Dubai! And yes, Dubai is still in the arid Middle East – they haven’t moved it anywhere else. Dubai is so amazing that it has its very own indoor ski resort and taking a break from the heat here will feel exhilarating and amazing at the same time. There are no less than 22,500 square meters of skiing area so you’ll have plenty of space to move around here.
Being a Kid
Dubai is not only for shoppers and admirers of modern architecture. It is for those who want to have some “pure” fun as well. Visiting the Zoo and the Dolphinarium here, as well as having fun at the Wild Wadi Water Park are extremely fun for children of all ages and they make for wonderful activities regardless of whether you came here alone, with a partner or with your family.
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Tips for being a Female Traveller
Being a woman is never easy – not in school, not at the job and not at home either. But when you are a female traveller, it always seems that more dangers lurk in the dark than in the case of male travellers. Indeed (and unfortunately), our world is not yet accustomed to the idea that women have the same status as men – and for this reason, too many of them are still insecure over their powers.
If you are a woman and if you want to travel the world, the last thing you should do is be scared. Seriously, accidents can happen at home too, if you think of it and although it is completely undesirable, there is absolutely nothing to guarantee you that you’ll never suffer any kind of incident in your home town.
With that being said, follow your dreams and see where they will take you. Even more, take the following tips with you and you’ll feel safer and happier with your choice at the same time!
Go on a Chic Retreat
There’s nothing more fun than visiting a boutique hotel and having a girl’s weekend away. Where you stay has a big impact on how your trip feels and boutique hotels are the perfect place for a little luxury, to relax and to enjoy yourself. Chic Retreats are the perfect place to stay and a great foundation for a wonderful holiday.
Be Informed
A confused traveller is a sure target – but a confused woman traveller is an even surer target anyway. To make sure you don’t make yourself a huge sparkling sign saying “rob me”, never leave home without checking out with a map (twice or three times), before making sure your phone is fully charged and before learning your route by heart. Avoid taking out maps in public, as they will show that you are not a local (and this could make you a target for the robbers and pickpockets out there) and, if you really need to ask someone about something, always mention that you have to meet a friend there (and always ask people who seem trustworthy).
Know the Culture
If you are visiting the Middle East, Asia or parts of the world that may have a culture completely different than the European-American one, make sure you get to know the cultural issues before you land on your destination. Make sure you know what not to do to get people here angry and make sure that you know very well what a woman’s status here is. For instance, visiting the Middle East most likely means that you won’t have to wear a veil, but dressing decently is probably something you may want to do here out of respect for the people who follow their traditions (and again, to make yourself a less sure target for the “bad guys”).
Follow Your Gut Instinct
Meeting a cute guy at a bar or at the hostel’s main room will probably feel like one of those movie romances, but you should still follow your gut instinct. Common sense goes a long, long way when it comes to keeping yourself safe and you should definitely follow it! Yes, that dubious hotel is probably not the best place for travellers (and even less for women travellers) and yes, walking alone at night on that dark street is not a good idea either. If it doesn’t feel safe and good, don’t do it because you will definitely not miss out on anything great!
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The Pros and Cons of Traveling By Lonely Planet
It’s been a while since I’ve bought a Lonely Planet book and to be honest, I miss it a little. At the beginning of this trip we were traveling in really nice hotels, which is fun, but there’s something special about staying somewhere a bit cheaper, where you’re more likely to meet young people your age. As I’m now planning to head to South America in 6-8 weeks, I’ll be buying a Lonely Planet and starting from the bottom in Buenos Aires and working my way up. If you’re interested in grabbing a Lonely Planet, check out the travel books from Bookworld
The Pros
Offline Access…
There’s nothing worse than desperately trying to use WIFI to figure out where you should go when you’re in a third world country and the connection sucks. The great thing about a Lonely Planet Guide is that you can use it anywhere, any time and it has all the details a taxi might need to get you there without too much hassle.You’ll Meet Other Travellers
You’ll meet other people who are reading the same Lonely Planet as you as they’ll turn up in the same places you do. Likewise with the accommodation suggestions, you’ll meet other people there too.
Offline Access…
There’s nothing worse than desperately trying to use WIFI to figure out where you should go when you’re in a third world country and the connection sucks. The great thing about a Lonely Planet Guide is that you can use it anywhere, any time and it has all the details a taxi might need to get you there without too much hassle.You’ll Meet Other Travellers
You’ll meet other people who are reading the same Lonely Planet as you as they’ll turn up in the same places you do. Likewise with the accommodation suggestions, you’ll meet other people there too.
Different Sections for Different Budgets
Each part of the Lonely Planet guidebook is broken down into different sections so that you can plan your trip according to your budget. It means that Lonely Planet Guides cater to all types of budgets (well, except maybe those who have no budget) and are something you can use when you revisit a place.
A Map
There’s nothing worse than arriving somewhere new with no map, no clue where you are and no address or phone number. The Lonely Planet Guides tend to have maps for the most popular areas, so you can see where the accommodation is, great restaurants and any other attractions they have recommended.
The Cons
Too Many People
Sometimes hidden gems become a lot less hidden because of the Lonely Planet. Too many people turn up and it might be too hard to book a room or to get a table. Sometimes this can be really annoying, but on the flipside it generally means the place they suggested is really good.
Too Dependent on the Guide
Sometimes it’s nice to arrive somewhere with no plans, no idea what you’re doing and just explore. I think sometimes people become too reliant on the Lonely Planet book and find themselves forgetting to explore.
All in all I have really enjoyed the Lonely Planet Guide books during my travels and am looking to becoming familiar with them again for my next adventure!
Do you use a guide book when you travel?
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Getting Around Burlingame Without a Car
Burlingame is perfect for enjoying Northern California’s beautiful weather and Bay views while avoiding the insane crowds and prices of San Francisco. It’s also a very good place to spend a night between flights, since it’s so close to the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Burlingame hotels are affordable, there’s plenty to do in town, and you can make day trips into San Francisco on the CalTrain for $4. It’s possible to stay in Burlingame without renting a car, if you know the secrets.
Understand the Town
Image via Flickr by Koshyk
There are three areas that you may want to travel between in Burlingame: the Bayshore area, Broadway, and Burlingame Avenue.
The Bayshore area is where you’ll find the nice waterfront hotels, with views of the bay. Broadway is the older part of the town, where you’ll find that California Gold Rush feeling. Charming shops and Mom-and-Pop restaurants make this an interesting area to hang out. Burlingame Avenue is where you’ll find high-end shopping, and lots of great restaurants.
The Neighborhood Trolley
Image via Flickr by Chris D 2006
Within each of those three areas, you’ll have no problem getting around on foot. You can travel between them on the free Burlingame Trolley. The trolley runs every day, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years, from 11:30 a.m. until about 9:30 p.m. The trolley picks up at several Bayshore hotels and runs through both the Broadway and Burlingame Avenue areas.
Other Transport
There is a nice little CalTrain station on Burlingame Avenue, where you can catch the train into San Francisco. From the airport, if your hotel doesn’t offer shuttle service, you can take BART to Milbrae and then switch to the CalTrain (total cost $2). You can also catch a free shuttle from Milbrae into Burlingame. If you have a lot of luggage or arrive during off hours, expect to spend about $15 for a taxi.
In the evening, if you miss the last shuttle, you’ll find taxis wherever there are clusters of bars and restaurants. During the day, if you want a cab, you’ll need to call for one as they don’t typically roam the streets.
There’s a footbridge over the highway that connects the Bayshore area to Broadway if you prefer to walk.
Where to stay
Image via Flickr by Out.Of.Focus
If you choose a hotel along the trolley route, your time in Burlingame will be a breeze. Since the trolleys don’t run after 9:30 p.m., you’ll either be coming home early, hanging out at your hotel’s bar, or taking a cab home, so look for a hotel with an in-house bar and restaurant. The Hillton SFO is a good choice, with its lovely Windows on the Bay restaurant and Fire and Ice bar and grill. The Hyatt Regency is a typical airport hotel, but with a nice pool and a friendly bar. Both offer shuttle service to/from the airport. The shuttle also stops at the doors of the Crowne Plaza, SFO Mariott, Doubletree, and Embassy Suites.
Burlingame is so convenient to the SFO Airport, and so much more affordable than San Francisco, that you might want to base an entire trip there.
Author Bio:
In May 2013, Lauren sold everything she owned that didn’t fit in a backpack and took off to travel the world as a nomadic writer. She regularly produces articles for CBS and Time Warner, and is a writer for the Hipmunk City Love Project. She is also working on designing journals and study materials for dance and yoga students, among other projects.
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Sun Island Legian Review
From the moment I arrived at the Sun Island Legian I felt warmly welcomed. While I am aware smiling service is the standard in Bali, Sun Island Legian went a few steps above this. As we had arrived early, our room was not yet ready, so we were invited to lounge by the pool until it was.
Walking through the hotel grounds was a pleasure as I was consistently greeted by each and every staff member I saw. This made me feel very special and like I had come ‘home’ even though I was only here a few days.
Sun Island Legian Review
The Location:
Sun Island is located right in the midst in the busy Legian area, but as soon as you step inside the grand foyer, you escape all of the noise and the chaos from the road outside. It is a fantastic location because you can walk almost everywhere you might like to go: the beach, large malls, shopping streets, restaurants, spas and minimarts. I really like being in a centrally located area so long as my sleep isn’t compromised, and Sun Island was the perfect balance of centrality and retreat. If you want a luxurious hotel in the heart of Legian, Bali then this is it.
The Facilities:
First, let’s all just take a moment to appreciate how stunning that pool is!
Sun Island Legian has two pools and I spent time at both of them. The rooftop pool is quite shallow, but perfect for lounging around watching the sunset. There is also a very comfortable set of loungers and comfortable seating areas here, so it’s a wonderful place to bring a book or some friends to unwind. The other pool is more of an infinity pool overlooking the busy street below. It is really a gorgeous pool and a great place to cool down.
The spread for buffet breakfast is considerable and there’s more than enough options on offer to keep even the fussiest eaters happy. If you’re a fan of coffee, make sure you have some of their Bali coffee; it is divine.
The Room:
We had a suite room, which was so large we could have lived in it, indefinitely. I actually had to use the Pano mode on my phone to fit it all in. The bathroom had everything we needed from double basins (one of my favourite features in a room), a large bath and rain shower. There was a large TV, a luxurious sitting area and a desk, as well as ample space for our bags. There were tea and coffee making facilities in room, but we spent our time by the pool enjoying the delicious iced coffees.
Book this hotel if… you want a slice of luxury a stone’s thrown from everything you would want and need. The hotel is very new, immaculately clean and modern. It would suit a wide range of travellers as it has everything you need for any type of holiday.
