Travel Tips to become a clever traveller

16 Jan 2020

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Travel Tips With 1 Comment Permalink

TRAVEL FOR FREE | 6 WAYS TO DO IT

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On January 16, 2020 With 1 Comment

It’s something we all can relate to. Your bank account looks a lot less attractive when I return home from your travels. But, there are a few ways to spend little to none cash if you do it the right way.

Be warned; it’s not always easy, but if you try and follow these tips, you might just travel the world a lot more efficiently (money wise). It’s something every frequent traveler would love to do; travel for free.

1. Hitchhike

Oh yes, this one is old skool but ey, it works! You’ll be surprised how many people stop and take you along for a few miles. The best spots for doing this are; Petrol stations, Bus Stops and Toll Roads. Always carry a good map (yes, that’s your first investment) and wear steady shoes. The nice thing about hitchhiking is that you meet new people that can tell you where to go next and so your adventure begins. For women; I wouldn’t recommend it for when you travel alone. And if you’re bad-ass, just use your common sense. A good website for all your hitchhike information is: www.hitchwiki.org

The hitchhikers guide to..?

2. House sit

I’ve mentioned this trick in a previous post about 7 ways to save money whilst traveling, but I want to highlight it again because it’s such a good idea! A friend of mine recently booked her ticket to Australia and will live there for free because she is house sitting a friends house in Sydney. Talk about living the local life! There are a lot of websites that offer this service and here are my favorites: Check out mindmyhouse.com to find the best houses in the country that you seek your adventure. For travellers that love animals trustedhousesitters.com is your best bet and look on housecarers.com. You may need to clean the house a few times and look after some pets but that’s a small price to pay for completely free accommodation. If you’re lucky, you will get a small fee, depending on the number of chores you need to do around the house.

You may just end up here..

3. Travel & Royalty Cards

I always thought this would be something that would take a lot of hassle and I couldn’t be bothered but this is a very efficient way to save your money.
How it works: Travel rewards credit cards work on a points-based system. You basically earn one point (mile) for each dollar/euro that you spend at the most basic level. However, you can usually earn extra points for certain purchases. How much you earn, and what you earn extra points for, depends on what type of loyalty program you are enrolled in and which credit card you are using. This way you can travel for free on your points.
The best cards for this are Capital One Venture, Chase Sapphire and the Barclay Arrival+ Card.

4. Free Camping

Although it’s totally cool to book an luxurious glamping trip, it is still possible to camp around the world for free. Yes, a little investment is required but a steady tent doesn’t have to cost much. Camping is widely available and in countries like Central America, The Caribbean or Mexico, camping on beaches can be completely free. Europe is also offering free options, especially in the UK, Ireland and Portugal. To make your life easier (and that’s what we’re here for!) there a site that listed all the free camping sites in the world. www.freecampsites.net If you have a Camper Van, you can always try to park it in the street and wish for the best. Some excitement never hurt anyone!

Camping is a great way to see the world and travel for free

5. Work

Yeah, I know, this was not the plan but let’s be real for a second. Work pays off and get’s you a long way. It doesn’t mean you’ll need to work all the time but you can earn more money overseas sometimes than in your home country. (depending on where you live of course). Countries that pay well are Australia, (landscaping for instance!), The UK (work as a nanny), or try to wwoof. Fill your pockets in Australia and continue your travels in Asia for example. (very low living cost)

Work overseas and travel for free!

6. Eat for free!

Honestly, it should not come to this, but if you are really out of cash and you don’t want to beg on the streets, this may be an option. You need food to function so it’s the one thing you can’t do without. There are ways to solve this problem and you can do it for free! Visit markets about 15 minutes before they close. A lot of times, perfectly ripe fruits and vegetables are thrown away so if you ask nicely, they might give it to you without hesitation. The same applies for bakeries. They can’t use their bread for the next day so they will give it to the poor, the garbage or to a hungry backpacker!

I hope these tips will help and if you have an extra inside tip, don’t hesitate to comment below!

Love,

Elke

For more travel tips check here.

30 Dec 2019

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Travel Tips With No Comments Permalink

8 x Travel Trends for 2020

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On December 30, 2019 With No Comments

What’s happening in the world of travel this coming year? A lot, if we believe the experts. They are predicting 8 travel trends for 2020 and we’ve lined them up for you.

Are these travel trends for 2020 are here to stay? You decide!

1. Sustainable Travel

Needless to say, that the biggest travel trend of 2020 is sustainable travel. This is a big subject that can be divided into separate subjects like; fighting the plastic problem, flight shame, compensating and awareness. Millennials and Gen Z search for sustainability in their destination; looking for opportunities to use less plastic and to travel more sustainable by taking the train or sleep in eco hotels for example. Travel bloggers like @chelseakauai and environmental activist Greta Thunberg, raise awareness which inspires young travellers to think different.

Tip: Find out how to actually compensate your CO2 emissions!

2. Space Travel

When it comes to traveling, we continue to push our boundaries and that includes space tourism. As a result, the travel industry and other companies will invest in tests with space travel on earth to make space travel possible. They meet the growing demand of consumers who want to take the big leap. 40% of travellers confirm that they think the prospect of space travel is fantastic, and would also consider this experience themselves (38%). Until space travel becomes reality, 60% of travellers opt for adventure below sea level.

3. Under Tourism

It’s the opposite of Mass or Over-Tourism. People are more into discovering less visited places, where, consequently, you’ll find less tourists. Mass tourism is also taking it’s toll on nature, that resulted in popular beaches like Maya Bay being closed to the public. By finding alternatives, you’ll gain a more local experience and you have more unique tales to tell. Firstly, two-thirds of travellers (60%) value experiences more than equipment. That is why ‘Doing’ when traveling becomes just as important as ‘going’, and perhaps even more important. There is no less pressure on life, and therefore experiences can help to strive for a less stressful existence. Find out more than 150 less known places in the world in our new book Off the Beaten Track which is available from May 12th!

4. Travel to learn

For travellers, making meaningful trips is becoming increasingly important. More than half (56%) of travellers say that traveling has taught them new skills and insights. 68% of respondents want to participate in a cultural exchange and learn new skills, 54% indicate that they want to volunteer and 53% opt for international work placements. For instance, we can totally relate and traveled to Bolivia 3 years ago to report about women rights. It was incredible, tough and we learned so much.

5. As easy as possible

In 2020, convenience will become the standard when it comes to technological innovations in the field of travel. The innovations that, according to travellers, will strike the most, are those who offer practical solutions for traveling with artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR) and speech recognition. Think of opening your hotel room with your smartphone or a robotic concierge who speaks the language of the guests. Crazy? Well, 57% of travellers are interested in solutions such as an app for real-time baggage tracking or one app that has everything for planning and booking their trip. In addition, 31% are interested in the idea of a ‘virtual travel agency’ in their living room, with for example virtual assistants with speech recognition who answer travel questions.

In 2020, a lot is going to happen in the travel world

6. The more personal, the better

The generic travel guides are history and make way for shorter but personally relevant content. One third of travellers (34%) want “something” or someone to take the difficult work off their hands and provide them with travel recommendations: 41% would like companies in the travel industry to use technologies such as AI to provide travel suggestions based on on previous travel experiences. By the same token, personal is becoming increasingly important; individual recommendations are increasingly giving direction to each journey.

Be the travel trend

7. Awareness Travel

In 2020, the social, political and environmental problems of a possible travel destination will be examined before travellers actually book: 48% of travellers think that social problems in a travel destination are taken into account when deciding on a visit. In addition, travellers are increasingly looking for new and authentic adventures, and want to be sure that they can travel safely – regardless of gender, race or sexual orientation. Platforms such as Destination Pride provide destinations with a score that allows travellers to see how LGBT + are friendly. 19% of travellers plan to visit a Pride festival in 2020, of which almost a third (30%) is between 18 and 34 years old.

8. Small is good

More than half of the travellers worldwide (53%) say they plan to make more weekend trips in 2020. These small trips are characterised by the fact that more activities are planned in shorter times. ‘Less is more’ is the motto, and consumers swear by custom on these trips. Think of weekend trips, city trips or road trips. This also results in more train travel, which is better for the environment of course.

Take a city trip to Budapest!

Happy traveling in the year 2020!

Wander-Lust

23 Dec 2019

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Travel Tips With No Comments Permalink

Best destinations for 2020

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On December 23, 2019 With No Comments

According to Travel & Leisure, these destinations are the place to be in the new year.

We’ve compiled the top 10 to let you know why these destinations are hot and happening in 2020. Where are you going to be next year?

1. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Maybe you haven’t heard of this destination, but it’s the capital of Ethiopia. The reason it tops the list, is because of the expansion of the airport, the newly opened Zoma Museum, many galleries and the Addis Foto fest, held in December.

2. Arequipa, Peru

It seems like this Peruvian destination is finally getting some recognition.

3. Asheville, North Carolina

The place that is well renowned for it’s musicians, artists and the vibrant food & wine culture. The region has many festivals, new bars and restaurants and a few quirky hotels to look forward to in the new year.

4. Austria

Obviously, we have heard of Austria, especially during wintertime. But what many forget, is that Austria is amazing during summer time!

5. Baja Sur’s East Cape, Mexico

After years of development, Baja Sur’s East Cape is finally home to 1000 new luxury accommodations, new hotels and docks for expensive yachts. Yes, this one is for the jetsetters amongst us!

6. Barbados

In reality, Barbados became on the radar due to one famous resident, Rihanna. The carnival is the highlight of the year, but the beaches are worth something to travel for! In 2020 Barbados will host a year long festival, starting this January named ‘We Gatherin’.

7. Beijing, China

Last year, the largest airport in the world opened in Beijing, designed by star architect Zaha Hadid. Next to that the “Forbidden City”, a wonderful palace-like complex in central Beijing, will open in 2020.

8. Big Island, Hawaii

On the contrary, Hawaii is totally different from Beijing, and focusses on nature in the year 2020. But also new development plans are well on their way with stunning hotels to keep an eye on.

9. Botswana

Adventure seekers can be accommodated in the most fantastic safari lodges in 2020 when new eco-friendly places are opening in 2019/2020. The time to visit is now.

10. Boston

Notwithstanding New York, Boston is a great contender of being the new hotel capital of the USA in 2020. 5 new hotels (Four Seasons, Langham, Juliet, The Withney and Mirror Infinity Rooms) will open.

Our personal top five destinations for 2020 are:

1. Kazakstan

This underrated country is becoming more and more popular and we think you should visit it before it getting too busy. Most airlines fly to Almaty and from there you can travel to the Kolsai Lake Park where you’ll also find Lake Kaindy and the Sunken Forest.

2. Touradant, Morocco

Sarah just came back from this less known destination in Morocco. Find out why it’s worth a visit and where you can find the true culture of Morocco.

3. Georgia

By far one of our favourite trips from 2019. Georgia has so much to offer, from mountains to green hills, amazing cuisine and even a buzzy nightlife! Read about the 12 must sees in Georgia of you only have a few days to explore!

4. Kirigzstan

Unfortunately, we haven’t been yet, but hopefully this will chance in the future. In our upcoming book Off the Beaten Track, we will talk about this amazing destination that will make you feel like you’re in 4 different countries at the same time.

5. Doha

This luxury capital is located in Qatar and really surprised us in 2019. It is also home to the most amazing museum we’ve ever seen and the restaurants and hotels are amazing. Mind you, Doha isn’t cheap, but it’s a great option for a stopover!

5. Switzerland

We can’t praise Switzerland enough! Comparatively with Austria, it has lush mountains and nature, but Switzerland takes the award for being the most divers. We felt like being in Canada, and yet it’s so close to home. Are you thinking about driving to Switzerland in 2020, take a look at our full Swiss Guide.

02 Dec 2019

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Travel Tips With No Comments Permalink

FLYING WITH THE WORLD’S BEST BUSINESS CLASS

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On December 2, 2019 With No Comments

Flying business class is a treat, especially when you least expect it. Maybe you got lucky with an upgrade, or you saved enough frequent flyer points to treat yourself. Recently, we’re so lucky and got to experience the best business class seats in the world.

Not so long ago, Wander-Lust was invited by Qatar Airways to visit and explore Doha and the rest of Qatar. Despite my fear of flying, I was looking forward to this one. I knew QR had won the best airline in the world award for 2019 and also the world’s best business class. That being said, it was not until we checked in, that we actually got upgraded to their prestigious Qsuites.

Upon arrival you are welcomed with a glass of bubbles

First impressions

As soon as you enter the plane and see the business class seats of Qatar Airways you know it’s going to be a flight worth your while. Each seat has its own compartment with the option for complete privacy and a chair that can extent to a full horizontal position. You can choose several options such as the quad seats, perfect for families or business partners as you are facing each other. Upon arrival you are welcomed with a glass of bubbles or fresh juice and you almost feel a little bit ashamed as other passengers walk past you to find their economy seats.

In flight Entertainment

Once seated, you’ll notice the big screen in front of you. Qatar Airways offers a range of new Hollywood films, as well as world cinema, series and documentaries. All Qsuite passengers are welcomed with an amenity kit filled that included Italian luxury skin care products (which I obviously took home with me). By this time, you haven’t even realised that the plane has taken off! Funny enough, I only watched one movie because I was so occupied with the food & snack menu.

Food & Drinks

Equally important is the food they serve. Usually, I bring my own salad or sandwich on board because most airlines don’t have the best reputation when it comes to food. Well let me tell you, this is a whole different ball game! If you order food in business class, they even set your table with a table cloth and a mood light, which makes you feel like you are in a luxury restaurant. The menu is ever changing but on my flight I enjoyed falafel and pumpkin with dips, Italian pasta with mushrooms and a very, very decent cappuccino. For breakfast they also served fresh fruit, warm oats or continental breakfast.

Good to know:

The Qsuite is not (yet) available on all flights, but on the Amsterdam to Doha route they always fly with the Qsuite.
Business Class (Qsuite) prices vary and always keep an eye on special deals they have! Prices always include 30KG luggage and extra hand-luggage.
They offer flights to 160 destinations worldwide

Basically, it comes down to this; I’m totally ruined for life when it comes to flying! For me it was the first time (ever) that I was not looking forward to getting off the plane. The 6 hour flight to Doha was too short in my opinion because I could have enjoyed several more hours in the world’s best business class seat.

Fingers crossed it will happen once again! Find out more about Qatar Airways Qsuite here.

Wander-Lust

01 Dec 2019

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Travel Tips Permalink

12 x Jobs that will take you around the World

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On December 1, 2019

If you love to travel, you’re probably keen to find a job that will take you around the world. You’ll be surprised how many jobs are out there, that may just be the perfect fit for you, and your travel ambitions.

We’ve lined up 12 cool jobs that will feed your wanderlust and take you around the world.

Flight Attendant

No surprise here right? This job literally takes you around the world. Sometimes you will fly to 6 different countries in one month! Do you want to know about the misconceptions of a flight attendant, check out this article where our guest editor Amber explains what it’s like!

Guest editor Amber is a flight attendant

PR/Marketing manager for an International brand

Sarah can tell you all about it. She works for a large fashion brand and flies around the world for PR events and meetings. If you work for an international company or brand, you are likely to fly to the head or sister office, once or twice a year. I used to work for a company that had offices in Hong Kong, Los Angeles, London and Sao Paolo. I saw a new destination every 2-3 months. Even though you are there to do your job, you always have some time to explore.

Au-Pair / Nanny

It’s the perfect way to start a new life abroad because Au-Pairs live at someones house, plus you earn money and get to know the language. I did it when I was seventeen and started my nanny adventure in London. I ended up staying for seven years (!), and even though I quit my job as an Au-Pair, I learned a great deal and was ready to take on the world. Tip: Make sure you earn to the minimum standard. I got paid 50 pounds per week while most Au-pairs got 80 or 100 pounds. I didn’t know any better so check your resources before making the decision.

Cruiseline Worker

If you can sing, dance, entertain, serve drinks or clean, you are perfect for a cruise liner! It’s a great job right after your studies and it can pay quite well. You stop at some of the most amazing destinations like the Caribbean or Miami. Downside is that you won’t see your family for while and you might get bored with the ship after a few months. Still though, it’s a great option to see the world!

Cruise your way around the world

Tour Guide

Are you good in telling stories? Well, this might be the job for you! Bus tours, bicycle tours, hiking tours, boat tours, and the list can go on and on. Work for a company or start your own tour guide business! We met a great Dutch guy in Prague who set up his own bicycle tour guide company, which we booked a tour with.

Teacher

Preferably an English teacher. But teachers are wanted. Period. In Hawaii, they were so short on teachers, that they were offering housing and free flights!

Snowboard / Ski Instructor

My boyfriend is a great example. After his studies he learned how to snowboard and left for Austria where he did taught people how to board off the snowy mountains. Once you finish the intensive instructor course, you can teach anywhere in the world as long as there is snow. Tip: know your languages! English, German and French are a big plus!

Jobs that will take you around the world? Snowboarding!

Who wouldn’t want to live in a tropical climate?

Diving Instructor

Australia, Thailand, The Bahamas, they all need diving instructors! Get you Padi licence and teach tourist and travelers how to dive. You can move from place to place but many instructors stay in the same place for a few months. I can’t blame them, who wouldn’t want to live in a tropical climate with sunshine and beautiful marina!

Aid Worker (international)

Do something great for the world and start to work for a good cause. Downside is that you won’t get paid a lot of money. Sometimes is even completely voluntary. However, you get a place to stay, food & drinks, plus you are part of something amazing.

This job takes me around the world, and I get paid to do it!

Truck Driver

This may not seem like the job you had in mind, but if you can drive trucks or you like driving in general, this job is for grabs. No need to speak a certain language fluently, no need for a bachelor degree. Just great driving skills!

Photographer

Now, this one is a little more difficult because there are so many good photographers out there. If you really want to start earning money with it, you need the skills, the contact and some luck. Start to work for local newspapers and work your way up to the travel magazines. Sent your best pictures to worldwide competitions and make a name for yourself. Nature and culture photographers travel the world and see the most unique places.

Travel Writer/Journalist

That’s me! I never had the ambition to become a travel writer but it happened and boy, did I made a good choice. This job takes me around the world, and I get paid to do it! It’s hard work but after a little investment in time, you can do it too! To find out how I became a full time travel blogger.

My job takes me around the world

Do you have a job that takes you around the world? Tell us!

Love,

Elke

More travel tips here!

24 Nov 2019

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Travel Tips, Traveling with Kids With No Comments Permalink

Backpacking with Children » 5 Reasons To Do It

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On November 24, 2019 With No Comments

Do you know what backpacking means? If you type the word into Google you will find about 235.00 results. To many, backpacking means freedom, adventure, fun, meeting new people, and having little or nothing to fall back on. In short, a journey of discovery!

So when you have children, does this all change? As a mother of two, people often me and my partner how we ‘do it’ and they wonder if backpacking with children is even possible. I wasn’t always this flexible about travelling with my children so I understand where this question is coming from. It sounds exciting and adventurous but maybe it’s a bit too much? Here are 5 reasons why backpacking with children is always a good idea.

1. Create Forever Lasting Memories!

The great advantage of backpacking is that you get to travel and therefore you experience more. For children, it is often an impressive experience. They experience new things they have never seen before. We make the lives of our children richer by showing them the world. And best of all, you and your family will create memories that will never be forgotten.

Cheryl’s family Backpacking through Asia

I loved traveling when I was single. I love traveling with my wife. But I love it more now that I have kids. – Santorini Dave

2. Freedom and Adventure

Backpacking means travelling around from location to location. You don’t need a fixed plan. The whole idea of backpacking is to be flexible. Arrived some place and want to stay longer? Then do! Our advice for backpacking with children is to prepare your trip. For us this means we select a view accommodations at each location (so when we arrive we can make fast decisions). Flights we book in advance, any other transport we arrange at the destination. Choose train & bus above the plane (unless your kids are very young, then travel less locations or lower the distance). Any other preparation is not necessary, you’ll handle it!

3. It’s good for your budget

Feel like exploring the world with your children but you don’t have a large budget? Backpacking is low budget travel. Sometimes you’ll find a hidden gem, sometimes you end up in a little less more pleasant environment. Don’t focus to much on what the accommodation looks like, as long as it’s clean it will be fine (and the kids will be ok). Try to select your next stay with the children. Keep their wishes in mind!

Taking care of their own backpack makes them more independent

4. They learn to be a little bit independent

It starts even before you head off on your little adventure. Give older children in your family some responsibility during traveling. It makes them grow in their self esteem because they contribute to family interests. Taking care of their own backpack makes them more independent and last year our daughter Jessie (then 11 years old) purchased and carried her own backpack. Of course you need to decide as a parent if your child is physically able to handle this. Not every eleven-year-old is the same. Our daughter liked to have her own backpack. Because she’d have to carry her own stuff she packed less! responsible!

5. You realise anything is possible

If you decide to take your children on an adventure, you are taking a leap of faith and yes, it can be scary. But how cool is it when you’ve actually done it! Backpacking is all about surprises and backpacking with children is the 3.0 version of that. A lot of people regret things in life, just because they didn’t do something. Break the rules and be different. Be that person that has no regrets. And look back at it with pride, no matter how the experience was. A fact is, that you did it and that itself, is pretty damn awesome.

Traveling by boat, Cheryl has done it all

Tip! Lower your expectations

If you are a hardcore adventurer and backpacker, you might want to lower your expectations a little bit. The truth is, backpacking with children will be a bit different from doing it by yourself. You have more responsibilities and it starts with the items you pack. This time, bring the first aid kit that you would normally leave at home, research the area you’re traveling to and the list goes on. Once you are prepared, your backpacking adventure will be a lot more relaxing.

Tip! The less you bring, the better!

A suitcase with 30 kg of clothes, shoes (and more) sounds interesting until you have to travel from one location to another (and you have to carry that large heavy thing everywhere). From my own experience: this will make you cry. The suitcase is a NO-GO, buy or borrow a backpack.

Tip! Take care of yourself and invest in a backpack!

Find an outdoor shop and try a number of different backpacks. You will see (and experience) that there’s a real difference in types. Find a store on and try several (including weights!), but we love this backpack for kids.

Love,

Cheryl

Wander-Lust now has a TRAVELING WITH KIDS section, check it out!

11 Nov 2019

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Travel Tips With No Comments Permalink

HOW TO SURVIVE A LONG FLIGHT

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On November 11, 2019 With No Comments

If you’re a frequent flyer, you know that long flights can be tough on your body, skin and immune system.

Besides travelling with a comfortable and good airline, there are a couple of things you can do to get your body & mind up to speed after a long flight.

1. Your body

Important to mention, you need to keep moving. There are several in flight exercises you can do like moving your feet and walking up and down the plane. But we all know this right? If you want to get that blood really flowing, you should practise these Yoga moves as soon as you get to your hotel:

Down Dog Split: Start in down dog, then lift the right leg up.
Knee to Nose: From down dog split, pull your knee toward your nose and hover.
Pigeon: Slide the right knee behind the right wrist and come to pigeon pose, fold forward, then sit up in pigeon.”Pigeon releases the hips which get super congested when you sit for too long,” Yoga specialist Kernaghan says. The deep stretch also alleviates lower back pain, which over time can improve posture.

Janushirsasana: Turn yourself to the side. Place right foot on left inner thigh. Side body bend over the left leg.
Seated Spinal Twist: Step left leg over right leg. Lift the right arm up and twist to the left side. This move will help relieve the spine and lower back, and make breathing easier and twisting also helps to get your digestive tract going. Repeat on the other side.

2. Your Skin

During a flight, your skin will get dehydrated to the max. This is because of the lack of fresh air and the air-conditioning. So what can you do? Well, we swear by this product: Multi-Active Toner (50ml) by Dermalogica. Pack it into your carry on luggage and spray it onto your face every 2-3 hours. Ingredients such as Aloe Vera and Cucumber soothe the skin and Lemon & Arnica bring the skin back in top condition.

Eat well. Greasy airplane food can be terrible for your skin. Try to bring some healthy food bars and if the airline allows it, also bring some fruit.
Drink Well. And we mean water, but you already knew this right?

As we breathe this air our bodies become dehydrated from the inside out, and moisture is drawn out of the skin

The one thing you shouldn’t forget in your carry on luggage! (no spon!)

3. Your Immune system

I always feel a bit under the weather when I get off a long flight. If you share a plane with 200 people, you can bet on it that there will germs inside the aircraft. You can wear one of those white mouth masks like they do in Asia, but we all know that you won’t get an upgrade to business class this way lol. We’ve highlighted this handy stick in a previous post about the best travel gadgets, so it’s no surprise that we want to mention it again. This easy to bring nasal sanitizer reduces the risk of infection and keeps you save, killing up to 99,99 procent of germs.

Life saver!

We will travel to Malaysia and the Philippines soon so keep an eye out for our packing guide and carry on essentials!

Love,

Elke

For more travel tips check:

08 Nov 2019

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Scandinavia, Travel Tips With 4 Comments Permalink

TOP 5 COUNTRIES TO LIVE IN (if you ever think about moving)

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On November 8, 2019 With 4 Comments

If you’re planning to leave your hometown and find your luck somewhere else then you should check this list.

What countries are best to live in if you want to live abroad? Based on a recent survey of 20.000 global people, these are the results.

1. Canada

This country has it all. Adventure, rough but stunning nature, pretty clean air, friendly people and the list goes on. The second largest country in the world particularly scored high on Quality of Life, Citizenship and the opportunities for entrepreneurship. Did you know that Canada is one of the best and safest places for solo travel? Check here for more tips and stories about Canada.

2. Sweden

Another Scandinavian country. This time it’s Sweden. They just introduced a 6 hour working day so if that doesn’t already makes a person happy, you should read on. They give you 16 months of to spent that time with your newborn baby, so it is the best place for women where they get safety and they can see their child grown up. Besides this, you can breath fresh air and visit amazing beautiful places.

More people living in other countries than ever, says UN study

3. Denmark

Crazy but it has zero crime rates, murder, no corruption, and stability in economic growth, quality life, etc. All these things made it as one of the best, happiest and safest countries to live in the world. Nearly 18 weeks of paid leave is given to mothers and 79 percent of women are working which is comparatively higher than other countries. People in this country are more concerned about their environment and they follow excellent health care system. Let’s move to Denmark!

4. Norway

When I arrived in Norway for the first time, I actually cried because I thought the sight of it was so beautiful. Mountains, Fjörds, valleys, waterfalls and clean air to breath. Norway is one of those place you need to visit before you die, so why not live there for a while!

Elke in Norway

5. Switzerland

In short, we loooove Switzerland. The nature is just incredible and if you think Canada is too far, just come over to the Swiss side because it resembles a lot with the scenery. Secondly, wages are pretty good if you live there as it is one of the wealthiest countries on the planet.

Did you know that The Netherlands made it place eight? Lucky us!

Check the full list here.

Love,

Elke

01 Nov 2019

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Travel Tips With No Comments Permalink

10 X MOVIES THAT WILL TRIGGER YOUR WANDERLUST

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On November 1, 2019 With No Comments

toDo you need some inspiration for your travel bucket list? Or can you use a good dose of wanderlust on a rainy afternoon? Travel movies offer the solution! So sit back and dream for an hour or two with visuals of beautiful places which you can hopefully visit someday afterwards.

In my opinion, these are 10 of the most beautiful travel movies that you must see.

Into the wild (Alaska)

A wonderful movie about traveling solo. The main character, Christopher McCandless, gives away everything he has to prove that he does not need material to live. A special film about freedom, solitude and nature.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (Hawaii)

The devastated Peter is going to Hawaii so he can relax and deal with the recent break-up with his ex-girlfriend. Once he is there, he finds out that his ex is staying at the same resort and she’s bringing along her new boyfriend. A hilarious film that is perfect for getting into the tropical Hawaiian atmosphere.

The secret life of Walter Mitty (Greenland, Iceland, Afghanistan)

Who doesn’t want a great and compelling life, full of adventure and beautiful journeys? That is exactly what the protagonist Walter Mitty wants. He is a man who dreams of a new life, far away from his office. A recommendation if you want to see a feel-good travel movie that takes you to the most stunning places.

Midnight in Paris (Paris)

The movie Midnight in Paris is about a harmless yet clumsy American (Gil Pender) who is tired of his wife’s lack in interests. He decides to spend his time in Paris exploring its artistic and literary history. After watching this movie, I can assure you that you will fall in love with the French! Have you read our brand new Paris Guide yet?

Slumdog Millionaire (India)

In contrast to Paris, Slumdog Millionaire takes mostly place in the slums of India and shows a whole new side of the country. The film follows the 18-year-old Jamal who participates in the game program “Who wants to be a millionaire?” Let the movie take you on a fairy-tale journey through hectic India.

Eat pray love (Italy, India, Indonesia)

In the film adaptation of the book Eat Pray Love we follow Liz (Julia Roberts) on her journey of self-discovery through 3 countries. The first time I watched the movie I fell in love with all three locations where she ate (Italy) prayed (India) and found love (Bali).

Lost in Translation (Japan)

In the same fashion, this movie is also about love and friendship, set in Tokyo. The overwhelming metropolis is fairly truthfully portrayed. It is a must see for anyone traveling to Japan, but even without specific travel plans you can dream away due all the beautiful images that pass by.

Chef (U.S.)

This movie follows Chef Carl Casper as he tries to find meaning in his life and work by traveling from Miami to Los Angeles in his food truck. It’s an entertaining and very lovable feel good movie that makes you want to road trip through the U.S. and try out all kinds of food.

Wild (West America)

Unquestionably, Wild is appreciated by backpackers across the globe. Cheryl (Reese Witherspoon) decides to abandon her normal life and goes on a journey on her own. She has put set her sights on the Pacific Crest Trail, which is a long path that runs from the border with Canada in the north of America to the border with Mexico in the south of America.

Lord of the Rings (New Zealand)

From time to time, a travel movie like the Lord of the Rings captivates millions of fans all around the world. The fictional Middle-earth, where the story take place, seems to be a completely different world, although all scenes were shot in New Zealand (of course with editing, but still). It may be a fantasy adventure film; it remains one of my favourites. After watching, I always feel like planning a trip to beautiful New Zealand.

Happy watching!

Iris

28 Oct 2019

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Travel Tips With 2 Comments Permalink

How to get an upgrade to business class

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On October 28, 2019 With 2 Comments

Yes, it has happened to me The one thing I, as a frequent traveler, always wished for. I got an upgrade to business class. It happened to me on my flights to New York and Doha.

So why was I so lucky? And more importantly, how can YOU narrow down your chances of getting an upgrade yourself! Here are a few tips on how to be upgraded to business class!

1. Be friendly

For the most part, being nice and a friendly smile often pays off. It already starts with the check in. Try to look the staff of the airline and make a connection in order to gain that likable factor. Be friendly and use your charm. If there is anything available in business class, they might give it to you!

Hello, I’m Elke and I’m friendly! 🙂

2. Have something to celebrate

If the plane is half empty and have something to celebrate, use it! Examples: It’s your birthday (you need to prove this, so be careful) You and your partner celebrate 4 years together, you’re going to visit a friend abroad that you have not seen for years, you’re traveling around the world on your own, you’re on your honeymoon … Share your story with the flight attendant. Special moments like these deserve an upgrade, don’t you think?

Anniversary? Tell the flight attendant!

3. Travel alone

They say you create enormous opportunities when you’re traveling alone. The larger the group, the less chance you have. If there is still room available in business class, you can bet on it that they pick someone that’s traveling alone. In addition, the flight attendant often wonders why you are traveling alone. Take your chance and go for it.

4. Overbooked

Ok, let’s be real. Airlines only give you an upgrade if it’s really necessary. If the economy class is full, they have to transfer people to business class. When this happens, make sure you are first in line. Check tip 1,2,3 and 5.

5. Frequent Flyer perks

To be fair, this is probably the most important. The more you are connected to the airline, the more they do for you. They obviously want you to book your flight with them and continue to do so. Occasionally they reward you for it. Joining their “frequent flyer program” gives you much more chance to receive a free upgrade. It happened to me with KLM and recently with Qatar Airways.

Be aware, a business class upgrade is never a guarantee, but one day, it WILL HAPPEN to YOU. Just follow the 5 rules and you will see..

Love,

Elke

» Check out the best airlines in the world!
» For more travel tips: