theworldtripsters-blog

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Make the best of your hike

Tips to make your hike an amazing experience:

· Take your time, don’t rush a hike, you will get tired faster and won’t be able to enjoy the view.

· Wear comfortable shoes even if it’s a short hike.

· If it’s a steep hike and there’s a chance you can get your hands on some hiking sticks to facilitate the hike, do it.

· Always bring water and maybe a granola bar or some snacks.

· Enjoy the view. This is an easy tip but sometimes people forget that.

· Be prepared for all types of weather, in some hikes it can be hot at first but as you hike it could get very cold or even start raining.

· Wear sunscreen.

· Don’t forget your sunglasses.

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More trip essentials.

Things most people might forget for their trips:

· Sunscreen, you don’t want to be sunburnt after the first day of your trip.

· Stomach medicine, when traveling it is very easy to get food poisoning or just to have your digestive system not being used to your trip eating habits.

· Power bank, sometimes you don’t have access to a power outlet all day and you might need to have your phone charged for emergencies or just to use it as you like.

· A pen, this might make your trip more smooth because you might need it to fill arrival forms to a new country or to write notes down on your trip.

· Driver’s license, if you plan on driving on this trip you need to have a valid driver’s license in english or in the language of the place you might use it.

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Tour bus Vs. Campervan

Advantages and disadvantages for tours and campervans:

Tour Bus:

Advantages:

· Everything is already planned out, the only worry is getting to the bus on time so it doesn’t leave you.

· Security of having an experienced driver who knows the area.

· There is someone telling you about the traditions and the culture of the place your passing through.

Disadvantages:

· You’re on a time frame which you have to stick to.

· Bathroom and food stops are scheduled.

Campervan:

Advantages:

· You’re in charge of your own scheduled and can spend as long as you want in the places where you want to.

· The environment is between you and your friends and you can have a good time listening to music and talking while traveling.

Disadvantages:

· You don’t really know the streets or the culture where you’re traveling.

· You might get lost or take longer to get places and therefore, miss out on some experiences because of lost time.

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Doubtful Sound

The Doubtful Sound is one of the largest and most beautiful fiords in New Zealand. A trip here might be tiring and long but it is very much worth it. The scenery is amazing, it almost seems like paintings all around you.

The way to get to the Doubtful Sound is very long and there are various changes in transport modes. First you get on a bus that drops you off at the ferry station about 2 hours away from Queenstown, then you get on a 40 minute ride in the ferry, get on a bus for another hour and a half, then get on the cruise that’s going to take you through the fiord.

During the cruise, you get to chill inside the boat while playing cards or having a nice conversation, all of this while enjoying the view or going out to the deck and really taking it all in. It is an incredible experience and we would recommend it for anyone spending some time in Queenstown.

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Hostel essentials

Things to take into account when staying at hostels:

· Respect other people’s space, stick to your assigned locker or space for luggage.

· Bring your sandals to shower in.

· If possible bring a towel so you don’t have to spend money renting them in the hostel.

· Get used to putting up with light or snoring in the room, be patient and people will also be patient if you snore or like to read at night.

· Make the most of the facilities, most hostels have a kitchen and a laundry room, make your trip easier and cheaper by using these facilities inside the hostel.

· Make friends, nothing makes a trip better than meeting new people to share experiences with.

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Worlds Highest Swing

In Queenstown, New Zealand, the town is filled with adrenaline, from skyline gondolas and luge karts to skydive and bungy jumps, you are bound to have some scary and fun moments there.

The Nevis Canyon swing is the highest swing in the world, you get to swing 300 meters down between two canyons. it is 205 dollars for the whole experience, it’s nothing like anything I’ve ever experienced, if the swing is not something that gets your blood flowing, there are many bungy jumps, ziplines, skydive and even a human catapult.

If you love feeling fearful and excited, Queenstown is the town for you, enjoy all of these activities as well as the comfortable streets and shops.

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Melbourne Impressions

• There are almost no children in the city👧👦

• It may seem that you are in China instead of Melbourne⛩

• With cloudy, dark and windy weather, some suburbs may seem to be a scary movie set🎬

• The cold is very intense🌬

• The weather can change in just 1 minute🌦

• You get used to shortening words🗣

• Tim Tams are the most delicious biscuits in Australia and the way to eat them is the most ingenious. A must try in Australia!🍫

• Vegemite is for brave people!😶

• Once you take the Australian step, you will be able to cross the traffic lights before they turn red🚦

• Art is everywhere🎨

• There are activities for each day of the week📆

• It may seem like a fusion between Europe and New York🗽

• Aussies tend to connect all their buildings🏬

• Wake up early if you want to find something open (everything closes early in the afternoon)⏰

• Aussies really enjoy cold weather❄️

• There are many greyhounds and Australian shepherd 🐕

• There’s a nightlife place for each day of the week🌃

• “No worries” will become your new favorite expression💆‍♀️💆‍♂️

• “All good” is the Aussie way of saying everything is in order 👍

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T~T~T

The three T’s for your travel...

Try🤸‍♀️

Don’t overthink the things! While you are in a new place just do what you feel like and don’t think it too much because later you will regret it. Think that you already are there to take the chance and do what you feel like! Eat, extreme activities, walk, whatever it is and seems to be in doubt just do it!

Take the Chance🎰

You’re already in the place, so you already have the chance! If you don’t do anything would be because of you. Get up early in the morning, sleep late at night, spend all day walking and knowing the city/town, get out despite the rain or cold and make the most of your days!

Talk 🗣

Travel is one of the best ways to know new people from many places around the world. Talk to everybody! Ask them about their culture, their countries, activities, interests and this will lead you to find things in common and new friends! Is a way to learn and also make your trip more exciting and funny! For sure you will find a good friend that someday you will meet again!

What other “T” would you add to this list?

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Franz Josef Glacier Hike

The Franz Josef hike is an amazing experience if you’re traveling the South Island of New Zealand. 

The town is very small and there is not a lot that you can do that is not related to the glacier, that said, if you have the time and money, the helicopter hike is absolutely worth it, the complete experience from the short helicopter ride to the hike through the ice caves in the glacier is incredible. 

The hike includes a pair of pants suited for the glacier hike, a jacket, socks, gloves, hat and boots with special equipment so you don't slip when your walking on ice. After a 5 minute helicopter ride to the top of the glacier, you strap on your boot equipment and start hiking, the hike guide takes you through beautiful blue ice caves, as well as walking through the glacier crack, it is overall an experience that you should not miss out on. 

The price is 479 New Zealand dollars and it includes all of the equipment needed for the hike, a beanie as a gift, the 2 helicopter rides and all day access to the hot pools that are available in the establishment.

The time needed for this experience is about 4 hours.

For a place to stay we would recommend Rainforest Retreat, it is a very nice hostal with its own restaurant and bar, kitchen, laundry room, clean rooms, some of them with a bathroom inside them. They also have 2 happy hours from 7pm to 9pm where beer is 5 dollars, also every Saturday they have pizza night at the restaurant, you pay 20 dollars and have all the pizza you can eat as well as a free drink with it.

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Must things while in New Zeland (South Island) 🇳🇿

New Zeland seems to be an isolated island but it’s much more than just that. Awesome views are waiting for you! The South Island is full of beautiful landscapes and marvelous places to go! Taking the Tranzalpine Train in Christchurch Station to Greymouth is a must while you are in New Zeland to observe beautiful landscapes in the front wagon. Lake Mahinapua, Franz Josef, Wanaka, Queenstown, Lake Tekapo, Christchurch, and many others places are worth it to visit.

A must do while you’re in Franz Josef is a Helihike. You will fall in love with Wanaka as it seems to be a Christmas Village. Queenstown is the capital of adrenaline and nightlife where you can do a lot of extreme activities like Bungee Jumping, the newest “Catapult”, the “Swing”, Skydive, Shotover Jet and many more. Regarding food, a must try in Queenstown are the famous Fergburgers and if you are a cookie muncher, The Cookie Bar. If you sing a song they give you a free cookie and also they have happy hours form 8:00 am to 9:00 am and you can get a coffee or hot chocolate for just $1 NZ dollar. From 6:00 p.m to 7:00 pm you get 2 cookies for the price of one. Lake Tekapo will delight you with the amazing blue color of the water. In Christchurch, you must visit Regent Street and try the Rollickin Gelato and the Mrs. Higgins fresh cookies. Honestly, they have a more homestyle taste and delicious flavor than those of The Cookie Bar.

Every place in New Zeland is small, however, you will be amazed by their beautiful and stunning views. There’re a lot of activities to do in the South Island like bike tours, many hikes (Roys Peak, Mt Iron, Mt John, Mt Cook), so there’s no excuse!

For sure, you will fall in love with New Zeland!💙

What else do you think is a must do in New Zeland?

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Tours/Travel Agencies

While you’re on your exchange abroad obviously you will want to travel around the country and visit many places as you can. Travel agencies are an easy option to organize your trip but it could also be a little bit more expensive than planning it on your own! What you can do it's thinking with anticipation which places you would like to visit and make a timetable, this will help you find cheaper prices for your flights as you will book them with anticipation!

Some advantages of hiring a travel agency include expertise and that they already know the most important and touristic places in each destination, as well they give you discount if you are traveling with a group of friends! However, if you plan your trip with anticipation and research on the internet each destination probably you will be able to arrange an amazing trip but it will also consume much of your time!

Remember to review you’re selecting the correct dates when booking your flights or accommodation, unfortunately, many people make mistakes and it leads to an extra cost! What you can do is consult in agencies like Peterpans, Backpackers by Sta, Happy Travels, Extragreen Holidays, Extreme Adventures, etc. and compare prices between their offers and also with your research on the internet. This will help you find the best option for you!

Which travel agency have you traveled with? How was your experience?

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Melbourne Food

Food is one of the life pleasures and even better if it look amazing in a picture don’t you think? If you are staying in Melbourne you should visit the most instagrammable brunch places to enjoy a delicious meal and get an incredible picture of it.

The Kettle Black 🥞

If you prefer sweet things, this is the perfect place to visit. Here you will find the most delicious pancakes in Melbourne. The magic of these pancakes lies in the combination of flavors and textures. Moreover, the decoration is amazing. It’s a big plate so you can share it with friends or if you are really into desserts probably you can eat everything. The Kettle Black is famous for it’s Ricotta, Blueberries, Maple, Double Cream, Seeds & Nuts pancakes, nonetheless, it also offers delicious salty food like their Seasonal Local Mushrooms, Smoked Kombu Dashi Curd, Hazelnut Crumb & Sage. They’re really good!

Kettle Black is located at 50 Albert Road, South Melbourne. It’s worthy to visit! Check the menu to suit yourself and plan your visit. The Kettle Black Menu

Bettys Burgers 🍔

If you are in a casual mood you can have one of the most famous and popular burgers in Melbourne. We recommend making a reservation if you don’t want to wait in a long line… I warn you, the line is loooooooong! This place also offers amazing desserts that you must try! Betty's Burgers Menu

Crown Foodcourt 🐟

I really recommend visiting the Crown Foodcourt which has many options to choose from, especially if you have a hangover. While you’re staying in Melbourne one dish you must try is Fish and Chips, due to the fact that there is no an Aussie Food, but it’s the closest thing because of English influence. You need to try the Seafood Basket, it consists of fried seafood that includes fish fillet, chips, prawns and squid, as well as fried scallops, oysters and crab sticks. It is really good!

Republica ☕️

This restaurant is located in front of St Kilda Beach. It offers a wide range of dishes but the thing that it’s really recommended to try is the Chai. I’m not sure if it was the cold but I really enjoyed drinking it, one of the most delicious Chai that I’ve tried in Melbourne. In addition, you can enjoy the incredible view of the sea and watch the sunset drinking it. Republica Menu

What are you waiting for? Time passes and when you least expect it you will not have time to try everything you want. What you can do is try a new place every weekend, enjoy your stay in Melbourne! If you find another place that is worth it, let us know, we also want to try it! Which other places to eat have you found in Melbourne?

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Uluru - Australia’s Heartland

Get away for a weekend and venture into the wonderful desert in central Australia. Incredible attractions like Uluru, Kta Tjuta, Canyon Springs, A Field of Lights and starry nights are waiting for you. This is a must visit in Australia.

Just 3 hours takes to get from Melbourne into the Ayers Rock Airport. Your tour guide will pick you up at the airport, provide lunch and take you into the cultural centre to get started. After that, you will go to see and walk around the amazing monolith called Uluru and probably be speechless in front of it. Also, you will enjoy the beautiful sunset with a glass of Champagne. After that, you will go to the campament and have an amazing time cooking dinner with all the new friends you have just made. After that, you can get ready to go to sleep under the marvelous sky full of stars. It’s awesome that you can see the planets and the southern cross. I bet you won’t want to close your eyes!

The second day will begin early in the morning at 4:30 a.m to have breakfast and go to see the marvelous sunrise! Believe me, it’s worth it! When the sun rises you will hike in Kta Tjuta and appreciate incredible landscapes. The third day you will climb Canyon Springs and get speechless again with the incredible views. During this trip, you will taste camel and kangaroo meat which is a must if you’re traveling around Australia. Also, you have the option to hire the amazing visit to the Field of Lights where you can see an amazing field literally full of lights that match the amazing sky.

Uluru is one of the best views and experiences you could have in your life!

The end of winter is the perfect season to visit it to not die of cold but neither of heat! Keep in mind that is a desert and you won’t have service on your phone, but this is part of the experience! If you’re lucky you will see some kangaroos, camels or even dingoes, but be careful! Enjoy it, for sure you will love it!

Use this checklist to be ready for your next experience camping in the desert! ⛺️ 🌵 🐫 🌅

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Finding Accommodation

If this is your trip holiday or your semester abroad obviously you want to have a good time, so make sure you stay in a place suitable for your necessities and the most important thing you have to do is arrange it before you arrive into your destiny! If you do that, once you arrive you will have time to enjoy the city which will be your home instead of wasting time trying to get an apartment!

You have many options:

Living near the University (Unilodge, Victoria Place)

Living in the heart of the city (Airbnb, Real State, Corporatekeys, Domain, Property)

Living with a family (Homestay Network)

Living by yourself (Airbnb)

Living with Roommates (Flatmates)

Consider your priorities, if you live in the city center you will have easy access to tourists’ attractions and transportation. Regarding the budget, it could also be more expensive. However, staying near to the university has is advantages as you don’t have to wake up three hours before your classes start to arrive on time. It’s important to consider that if you want to go out at night it’s better to live in the city center due to the fact that public transport some days only operates in certain schedule.

All depends on you and how do you want to spend your days. Evaluate your budget and the cost that implies transportation and accomodation.

Good luck!👍🍀 🏠

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Pre-Departure

Maybe you’re still indecisive in going on a trip holiday or having an exchange abroad… many factors will make you think should I postpone it, stay here this semester and try later? but many others will encourage you to take the chance… Don’t doubt it! Don’t overthink it! Life is too short! Be out of your comfort zone and have the adventure of your life without being repenting thinking about what could have been! Just do it!

Once you have made your decision it’s time to plan your trip.

First of all, organise your time. Don’t think it’s still a long time, then I do it. Time flies by and when you least expect it your flight will be taking off. Here is a checklist you should thick and have in mind at least 4 weeks before your departure:

▫️Search flights (Skyscanner, Kayak)

▫️Research if you require a visa for countries where your flight scale

▫️Book your flight (recommended the ones that arrive in the morning)

▫️Digital organization/ Hard copy (Create a carpet where you upload all the important documents required for your trip like boarding passes, visas, passports, Id’s, health insurance policies, etc.)

▫️Search for accommodation (recommended Airbnb or Corporatekeys)

▫️Check the weather

▫️Make a list of objectives of things you want to achieve during your stay abroad

▫️First Aid box (Theraflu, aspirins, band-aids, aderogyl, redoxon…)

▫️Food. Keep in mind for how long are you going to stay abroad and many of your favorite food would not be sold in foreign countries. Just take some of your favorites with you just in case you miss them a lot, remember is also about to experiment other culture and try new things.

▫️Converter

▫️Universal Adapter

▫️Notebook trip/Polaroid/Video Camera (To record memories in a special way)

▫️Research previously to your departure the places you would like to visit during your trip, schedule in a calendar

▫️Currency

▫️Take with you something typical from your country to gift to the new friends you make

▫️Download travel apps

▫️Camera

▫️Free storage space on your cell phone

▫️Research destination

Leave your room organised and even throw away those things that you don’t really use so that when you come back can accommodate all that stuff, memories and souvenirs you got during your travel.

Download this Printable Checklist so, you don’t miss nothing! Enjoy your adventure!

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10 facts about the international food you should know

When you arrive in a new country or city it’s expected to find weird and different food to which we are used to, but part of traveling includes tasting new flavors and things that you don’t have in your country home, so if you come across something unknown, don’t hesitate to try it, no matter how disgusting or strange it may seem. Remember that you are in another country and this is part of the experience! These 10 facts about international food will provide you with knowledge in order to don’t see some clueless!

🍕Nápoles is the home city of the beloved pizza.


🌰The most popular hummus base is the chickpea
🍴Saffron is the most expensive and sought-after spice on the planet.


🌮Tacos al pastor, what you probably idolize if you are Mexican, were inspired by Lebanese food.


🍗Nando’s is a chicken restaurant very famous for its variety of sauces in Africa and Europe.


🥡Pad thai is one of the best-known dishes of Thai cuisine. It is a dish sautéed in work made of rice noodles with eggs, fish sauce, tamarind paste, red pepper etc.


🥕Believe it or not, carrots are not native to the American continent. It is native to Central Asia, particularly from Afghanistan.


🍕Okonomiyaki is better known as Japanese pizza.


🍛The Chop Suey was invented in the United States. It Usually consists of meats, cooked quickly in a wok with vegetables such as celery, peppers, green beans, among others. It is served with white rice steamed.


🍴The falafel is a croquette of chickpeas or beans. It is usually eaten in India, Pakistan, and the Middle East.

What other dishes have you discovered during your trips?

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Mount Buller

Just three hours' drive from Melbourne, Mt Buller is close enough for a day’s escape yet far enough away for a holiday. Mt Buller has everything you need for the perfect winter snow experience. If you really want to have a winter experience during your stay in Melbourne don’t hesitate in visiting Mount Buller!

There are many ways to get there:

Hiring a tour 🗣

Many agencies offer different types of tours depending on if it’s your first time skiing/ snowboarding or if you have done it before. You can go and return the same day or spend a whole weekend on the mountain! It’s up to you how to enjoy it! Some advantages of hiring a tour include that you don’t need to worry about getting lost and the equipment is already included in the price! We recommend Extragreen Holidays to book your experience in the snow! This agency offers great packages and deals!

Rent a car 🚗

If you are an adventurous and risky person you can rent a car or a van and go on a trip with all your friends to the top of the snowed mountain! We recommend to search for cars in Kayak, is the same as if you were searching for flight deals but with cars. Amazing right? On the other hand, you will have the experience of driving on the other side, unless you’re from England! Anyways, be risky and do it!

While you’re in Mount Buller a must you have to do include a walk through the beautiful villa, I am sure you will feel like Christmas season with all the snow around you, although it’s a little bit weird thinking of Christmas in July. Another thing you have to do after spending the whole day skiing is to seat and take a warm coffee observing the beautiful view of the snowed mountain and just enjoy the moment!

Mount Buller has over 300 hectares of skiable terrain, there is something to appeal to all levels of ability.

It offers 22 lifts, has the largest lift network in Victoria, including thirteen chairlifts (three of which are high-speed detachables) four T-bars, two rope tows (counted as one) and four magic carpets. Also if you are still learning, the resort features three Terrain Parks designed for all skill levels (Mt Buller 2018).

But if you want to feel like a kid again, Mt Buller has two toboggan parks, complete with their own snowmaking machines.

With a wide range of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets, there is something to cater for all needs. Over 30 bars and restaurants provide a range of delectable treats, from quick snacks to fine dining and a choice of nightlife options.

Are you planning a snowy adventure?

❄️☃️⛸⛷🎿🏂

Mt Buller