This is the
Tripbase Blog Tag.
“The aim of this game is to unite travel bloggers in a joint endeavor – to create an amazing list of top travel recommendations across the globe to share with the entire online travel community.” – Katie from
Tripbase.comWithout further adieu, here are my top 3 best kept travel secrets. I guess these won’t be secrets anymore.
Travel Secret #1: Art of Cheap AccommodationsEveryone has their own travel style. It’s all about perspective. For me, lodging is minimal. I don’t need a Tempurpedic mattress and a flat screen TV. All I really need is a bed with no bed bugs and a bathroom that flushes. Lodging serves as a storage room where I can fall face flat on the pillow after a 15 hour foot exploration Sometimes I book rooms before I arrive. Sometimes I arrive homeless, which isn’t as scary as it sounds. It’s actually much cheaper. Arrive in person.
- Tell the hotel/hostel half the number of days you’re actually staying. For example, if you’re traveling for 10 days, tell them 5.
- When a daily quote is given, ask then for lower rates for an extended stay. (That’s where the extra 5 days come in handy.
- After they give you a quote for the extended stay, offer to pay in cash if they could lower the rates even more.
- Then show them your student ID and ask if they have student discounts. (This works better in youth hostels than in hotels.)
My 8-day trip to
Istanbul was only $1270 – $640 for round-trip tickets and $630 for everything else. I spent less than $80 a day, including accommodation, food, entrance fees, transportation and souvenirs. I’d say it’s a pretty good deal for independent traveling.
Kaifeng, China: The beauty of traveling through China is that sometimes, I feel like I'm in two places at once - the past and the present.
Travel Secret #2: Kaifeng, ChinaIn response to my impression at the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, Erica from Traveling Blissful commented, “I think many tourist sites are too hyped up and leave travelers feeling disappointed, wondering ‘What’s so great about this?’” Popular tourist attractions come with high expectations. The more I travel, the more I realize how exquisite the smaller, less discovered places are.
Kaifeng, China is a place was a place where I had no expectations. It was also a place that blew me away. It was here where I discovered
Chinese Jews, people of Jewish descent living in China, and their fascinating history and community. It was also here, the view above, where I realized this: the beauty of traveling through China is that sometimes, I feel like I’m in two places at once – the past and the present.
A Snow Day On The Great Wall of China - Photo by Jabari Bell
Travel Secret #3: Climb The Great Wall When It SnowsEveryone knows that The Great Wall is impressive in length and in beauty. You’ll sweat buckets if you’re climbing it during the summer and you’ll be throwing elbows if you’re visiting during spring and fall. It’s harder to appreciate the context of it’s surrounding when The Great Wall is inundated with tourists and cameras. I’d recommend visiting in the winter, preferably when it snows. Why? Because…
- You’ll see The Great Wall frosted in snow.
- You’ll have The Great Wall all to yourself.
- You’ll see the rolling mountains and the vastness of the land that it sits on.
- You can build a snowman on The Great Wall of China!
- And because the snow makes it’s ridiculously fun to glide down the descending slopes.
Now, how many of you can say you’ve
a snow day on The Great Wall of China?I’d like to nominate these 5 amazing bloggers to share their top 3 travel secrets on their blog. Tag! You’re it!Emma, Aye & Jack at
GotPassportKeith at
VelvetEscapeCarrie at
MySeveralWorldJennifer & David at
ApproachGuidesTalen at
Thailand, Land of SmilesWhat are some of your best travel tips?
A Snow Day On The Great Wall of China - Photo by Jabari Bell
Comments (4)
Beautiful places. I'd love to go to Kaifeng - the place is so exotic and dreamy, and I like to fantasize I'm a sword weilding warrior in some Chinese Dynasty, long hair and robes billowing the wind.
I'm with you on #1.
I don't really care much for 5 stars treatment when I'm on a trip. Sometimes I like going on a budget trip, on a backpack. You learn so much if you just go off the usual beaten paths of a tour package.
I enjoy all aspects of traveling. I adore 5 star accommodation, and all the luxury that goes with superior accom. Yet there is nothing better than doing "homestays" with the locals. I always try and use some of my travel time to engage closely with the locals. Often this can be achieved by becoming a volunteer, particularly if you are from an English background or have a good command of the English language. The schools and orphanages are fantastic starting points and the children are delightful. They crave affection and love nothing more than someone they view interesting to visit them. Make this part of your travel plans. You will feel great, you may be offered bedding, food and local transport within a family home and most of all you will be doing something worthwhile for those in need.
Have a great day