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Accommodation

Next on the list is accommodation. It is, as you can imagine, very important to find a place to spend the night. You don't want the added stress and fear of sleeping under a bridge when you find out all the hostels are fully-booked. Unless, of course, if you plan your trip just right or you're really lucky. Just in case you're not, here are some tips. 'Know the seasons' is one tip that is apt for this entry. With accommodation costs going up and down throughout the year, it'd be best for you to know when exactly they go up and down. Obviously, the advice you're going to get is to travel when they are down. But don't worry, even when they are up, hostels don't get too high anyway. (if you were hoping for hotels, you're on the wrong blog.) The only problem when travelling on high season is the availability of beds. The best luck you can have is if you travel alone! There's bound to be an empty bunk in some hostel. Or, if you're up for roughing it, always carry along a sleeping bag and if possible, a tent. Make sure you check the rules about the place you plan to pitch your tent though. In Europe, the camping places can be a bit out of the city center so weigh your options. It may be better to dole out the extra 10 or so euros for that hostel than spend on transportation. Talk to other travellers! Ask them where their hostels are. (not in a creepy, i'm-planning-to-follow-you-and-kill-you way) If all else fails, reach into your emergency funds (Don't have one? More on that in Finance.) and pay for whatever accommodation you can get. It's safer and may be even cheaper this way than risk spending the night in the train station. Another alternative solution is to pick a red-eye flight, a late night train, or anything overnight in terms of transportation because with these you can definitely avoid paying for an extra night in a hostel/hotel by sleeping while you're on your way!

Saving the best for last, the idea of having a couchsurfing profile should be in your head already! If not, go check it out and don't forget to thank the gods for sending you to this blog. (it would not hurt to thank me as well) FYI. Couchsurfing is not your normal social networking site. It certainly does not fall under the waste-of-time category. It is a way to meet people/locals of any place in the world! At least, if there are any couchsurfers in the area you are going to. It's free to register and be part of this community! It's a way to see the world without even moving out of your city(when you host someone) and a way to find a friend and a home in an unfamiliar place(when you are a guest.) Share your time, place. knowledge and whatever you can offer to the traveler in your city! Quid pro quo! It is essentially one of the best ways to pay it forward in these times!

One more thing! Unofficial couchsurfing is when you contact a friend of a friend of a friend or the aunt of your girlfriend's cousin's bestfriend and ask for a favor and sleep in their place! Don't be afraid to ask. If you get a no, more often than not, they'd be willing to help you out in any other way anyway! But with the official and unofficial couchsurfing, don't forget to be a gracious host! Bring them a souvenir! Cook for them! Clean their house! Whatever you can offer just to show your appreciation for the hospitality they showed you.

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Let's Travel!

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Planning to Travel?

Checklist:

Transportation

Accommodation

Luggage

Itinerary

Finance

Unfortunately, one rarely gets the travel on a whim all the time. Doing so requires the luxury of time, lack of responsibilities/commitments and of course, money. So, for the average Joe and Jane here's a list for you to go by before you step out that door.

Transportation

This is on top of the list for the obvious reasons. As they say, the journey is more important than the destination. Where are you going? How are you going there? Plane? Bus? Train? Car? Hitchhiking? For the budget traveller in you, this aspect will probably be the one that burns a hole in your wallet but adequate planning will help alleviate that! Think ahead. Always check promos offered by transportation companies. Go ahead and bookmark them in your browser. Make it your home page. Have a post-it reminding you on your desktop. Most companies will even update you by email. There is a multitude of budget airlines out there!

There will always be an empty seat(sometimes, even floor space) on any of the parting planes, trains, buses, etc. Last-minute promos exist too! made for those who just gets bitten by the wanderlust bug.

Don't forget of your limitations, though! Bureaucracy has made it harder for everyone to travel. Be sure to check your passport and that you have the needed visas before you avail of that promo! and don't forget to check-in online, print your ticket or any of the musts that your transportation requires of you!

After you get to your destination, it doesn't end the need for transportation. Local buses, trams, taxis, bikes, etc. will add to your expenses. As much as you hope to endure it and walk the city day in and day out, there will come a time when you will want to spend on that small luxury. Good for you if you don't find that need. An advice to build your stamina is pick a destination that is walk-able. European cities tend to be this way. Find yourself in the city center and you are all set. Also, don't bring too much luggage. It will increase the chances for you to spend on them small luxuries. But, more on luggage later. Just remember, self-control for now.

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Let's Travel!

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All Things on Travel will aim to answer your needs regarding Travel.

I admit I am not the expert. I will share here anything I know about Travel and hopefully, it gets to help you when you need it.

Let's Travel!