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Tag: travel-tips

  • The Art of Slow Travel: How to make the most of every moment

    The Art of Slow Travel: How to make the most of every moment

    Slow travelling is something we touched upon in a recent blog called ‘Fast Travel vs Slow Travel‘ which compared slow travel and fast travel. It’s understanding what they both are and which would be better suited to your travel needs and plans. It’s not a topic many think of when deciding to travel but really provides insight on how to plan your trip and helps you to make the most everyday.

    For those who aren’t aware of what slow travel is, it’s pretty simple. Slow travel is the design to travel at a slower pace. Now, this can be for a number of reasons. And this is what we look to delve deeper into later on in this blog. But slow travel isn’t usually the common type of travel for most.

    Fast travel seems to be a lot more popular and here’s why. The main benefit of fast travel is so you can see more place compare to slow travel. It’s like visiting a sweet shop and buying one of everything. You know you are buying too much, but you don’t know when you will be in the sweet shop again so you make sure you don’t miss out. When travelling there is so much to see and do, travelers often get FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). It’s common and leads people to visit more places just to cram it all in. This partnered with the fact that many travelers only do this part time or rarely meaning they aren’t likely to be back at this corner of the globe any time soon. So they think ‘while I’m here I might as well make the most of it.

    But this is enough about fast travel, after all, it’s not the topic of conversation.

    Benefits of Slow Travel

    As mentioned above, slow travel comes with a lot of benefits which we will put under the microscope now.

    Becoming A Local

    The main benefit of slow travel is being able to enjoy the places you visit more. Picture this, you have 2/3 days in each location and you are constantly rushing around to complete to ‘top things to do in each location’. By doing this, you will be missing out on the rest of the activities in the location as well as a host of things to do there. This includes the best coffee shops, places to eat and so much more.

    Slow travel really allows you to savour each moment and enjoy the little things. If you are just racing through each place you may not remember much about it other than the ‘big activity’. Some of the fondest memories is the ones where you weren’t necessarily doing the craziest of activities, rather, the most simple. An example of this would be enjoying a late night sing along with locals in Indonesia where a local was playing guitar and we sat with him and his friends for hours singing. It was amazing!

    Sometimes you need to just embrace the place you are in, take a moment to be present to enjoy it the most.

    Recovery Days

    Traveling will be an amazing experience no matter where you go. Whether you enjoy partying, living off grid or just exploring new cultures, you will be sure to have the time of your life. So many memories will be made and you will likely see more than most. However, a lot of people don’t mention one of the downsides to travel.

    It. Is. Exhausting.

    First of all, living out of a backpack or suitcase is pretty simple for a few weeks but when you are venturing into months or even years, it can be quite a challenge. Not to mention the endless activities you have planned each day to make the most of each trip. The last thing you want to do is have an ‘off day’ and miss out on some awesome experience!

    So don’t!

    It’s super important, if not a necessity to allow for down days. Days where you can relax and allow your body to recover. You have to think, a lot of your travel time will be lugging round a heavy bag and moving from place to place so 1-3 days every so often is so needed.

    For traveling, we would recommend roughly a 2 day break every 3-4 weeks depending on how fast you travel and how much of a veteran you are at traveling. After a busy few weeks jumping from place to place and completing daring, once-in-a-lifetime activities, there’s no better way to spend some time.

    For this, we would recommend you to find a place near the beach (if possible), a pool would work well also. And spend time to yourself, reading a book, or relaxing in the sun and taking the days easy. For adrenaline seekers, this may seem boring. However, your body cannot keep going at a fast pace forever when travelling so make sure to take this breaks to avoid travel burn out.

    We would suggest to maybe revisit some old fond memories you enjoyed before travelling such as tennis or hiking but do it without feeling the need to be somewhere. Have a wander up the beach or through some shops and really let your body recover. It’s important to note that your mind would need a rest also. Having a few days without a packed schedule might help with this.

    Avoid Missing Out

    Travelling really is an open ended book. You have the possibility to experience whatever you want in each location and it’s your job, as the author, to make these decisions. A slow travel plan will allow you to learn about travelling on the way and maybe even be informed by fellow travellers of new, unheard of experiences that you are interested in. Research can only give you so much.

    The idea of slow travel is learning more about each place and embracing the little things so when you go you will have added time in each location. This will give you a buffer so that if there are any other activities in a location you might not of planned for, then you have the time to schedule it in.

    If you are running off a fast paced travel schedule, you will either have to miss out of the activity or substitute it with another which either way, you will be missing out.

    Flexibility

    Even if you have done hours and hours of research into where you are heading, and planned it perfectly, it doesn’t mean your schedule will work perfectly. You have to understand you are heading into new places which running totally different to what you are used to. They may have poorer transport, or different open and closing times which you can’t always plan for.

    Slow travel lets you substitute your time and move about days to suit any issues that may arise. An example would be in Philippines which have poor transportation links which require a few days buffer. If not, you will have to lose out on parts of your plan. If we had planned slow travel, then we could of worked around it with the added days as safety. This is a mistake we aim to not make again as we missed out on one of our top activities because of this and we don’t want you to do the same.

    Overview

    Slow travelling is, at least for us, the desired way of travelling. It really allows you to make the most of your time and be flexible when deciding on your plans. There’s so many things that can delay your travels that are out of your hands, it’s best to have a little buffer. Therefore, you can still see everything you want plus more without missing out on your bucket list activities. Obviously, this is location specific but we would look to use this method when visiting most places. Your body will always need a day or more to recover when travelling so make sure to adhere to your bodies needs before getting travel burnout.

    Thank you for reading this blog and we hope you enjoyed! If you did, make sure to subscribe for more blogs and check out our social media’s below to follow along with our daily travels. This includes a VERY exciting trip to Thailand over the next month where we will give you loads of Thailand related content!!

    We post weekly Youtube Videos! Please check out our newest Vlog from Bangkok!

    Looking for more Thailand inspiration? Find out how to see elephants in Thailand, or maybe our Khao Sok National Park guide!

    Find our Travel Essentials!

    We have a full list of recommendations for any travels! Check out our:

    We also recommend using these when planning your next trip!

    • Trip.com – Find amazing flight deals, with over 2 million flight routes, and being one of the world’s leading online travel agencies.
    • Airalo – With over one million people using Airalo, it is our go to eSIM provider for our worldwide trips! Having data packs from over 200 countries, find combined area packages and deals to suit your travel style and data needs!
    • Booking.com – Offering over 28 million accommodations to book, we will always use booking.com! Having a rewards system built in, the more you book, the more perks you get!
    • HostelWorld – You cannot budget travel without hostel world! Having over 17,000 hostels, boasting over 13 million reviews, hostel world is one our of top websites for budget travel! They are now offering more ways to meet people abroad, with meet ups, group chats and more available!
    • Get Your Guide – Book unique (and common!) experiences and activities worldwide, including skip the line tickets to big attractions worldwide!
    • Eat With – Experience authentic travel experiences with locals worldwide! Use eat with to book unique and intimate dining experiences, such as dinner parties in big restaurants, big feasts with a local family, cooking classes with a local and more!
    • ETKA – Every age from 3 to 85 can buy ETKA’s travel insurance, offering multilingual 24/7 chat support, and your insurance policy within 2-3 minutes!

    Bangkok is a bustling city that truly never sleeps so make sure your Instagram posts don’t either! There’s an endless supply of activity so make sure to keep your posts booming for all your followers and get them dreaming of their own Bangkok adventure’s!

    Also, check out our Social Media’s for our amazing travelling journey! Hint Hint: we have just came back from our trip to Thailand!!

    Finally, share this post with your friends! Let’s build those travel plans and make memories!

    We post daily content of our travel experiences and also must know travel tips so be sure not to miss out on this!

    Thank you for reading this blog, and have a good day!

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  • Top 12 Things to Avoid in Morocco: Essential Travel Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Visit

    Top 12 Things to Avoid in Morocco: Essential Travel Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Visit

    Morocco is a stunning country located in North Africa, which is a popular location for avid travellers and European holiday makers alike. Due to its location, the country is rich in history, and provides a diverse experience when visiting. You are able to enjoy luscious resorts, snorkelling in the Mediterranean, but you also have east Morocco to visit the Sahara Dessert to ride camels, and watch the beautiful still stars at night.

    There’s such opportunity in the country for visiting which makes it a popular spot for people when deciding where to go!

    The country is a heavily Muslim country which does come with some reservations as it is different to non-muslin countries. As you are visiting these countries, it’s important to do your research beforehand and understand the culture before visiting.

    Here we have provided things to watch out for and to not do when visiting Morocco!

    1. Be careful of locals taking you place!

    A lot of locals in busy areas will try to recommend you to visit certain places that are close. They usually do this to promote a family member’s shop, or restaurant, to boost sales; but has been known to be a ploy to lead you astray and some people have been mugged with this method. We would recommend having a plan in mind when visiting each place in Morocco.

    When you are walking you have a specific destination in mind, whether it’s a restaurant you were recommended, or you are walking to a local Souk to see what they have to offer. This way you are unlikely to be pulled from your plan- and limits any issues further down the line.

    Some of the locals will be very direct and intimidating with their requests so be sure to stay diligent. A trick that usually works is if you get the name of the place and say you’ll check it out later or mention you are meeting friends this way. Unfortunately it can seem rude denying them, and even sometimes ignoring their requests but it is a great way to move past them with any further problems.

    1. Make sure to research the area and take the taxis that are designated for that area.

    Each city will have a designated colour for their Petit Taxi Service. An example would be in Fez where all the Taxi’s would be red to symbolise they are a legitimate taxi service. These taxi’s are only limited to the city, and to move out of the city you would require other transport or a larger taxi which would accommodate.

    These taxi’s are usually very cheap and easy to find across the city. The most we spent on a petit taxi ride was 20 Dihram which was a 20 minute ride through the city. These are the fastest and cheapest ways to move through cities to your desired location which is great for budget travellers.

    1. During ramadan, keep your food and drink consumption subtle

    When we travelled Morocco, it was during Ramadan which taught us a lot about their religion and their way of life. As non-Muslims, it was a normal day for us, where we would eat our 3 meals a day, buy large bottles of water and enjoy some well deserved snacks. However, during Ramadan, no Muslim is able to eat food from sunrise to sunset. So when you are out in the day you will see no food or water consumed by locals.

    As this is due to a religious reason you don’t need to partake in this as the locals don’t expect you to. However, we would recommend that if you are in confined places such as on a train ride or in a busy area, that you limit your eating and drinking out of respect for all around you. If you are needing to eat or drink during the day in a busy area, we would recommend to do this subtly.

    1. Confirming prices with locals before and not after! (Don’t just accept the first price)

    As with most places in the north of Africa and across the world, you need to agree a price with the seller before and not after! This is can be used throughout Morocco, with exceptions being restaurants.

    Whether its at a stall in a market, or grabbing a taxi, or even agreeing a price on tours, you can certainly work out a price that mutually benefits both parties. As with any negotiation, we would recommend finding a price you are willing to pay for the good or service, and drop your price below. It is likely the local will provide a counter offer in which you can settle around your desired price. Some locals will offer a ‘tourist price’ for you which some may not haggle.

    Please do understand that you should not try to get the cheapest price necessarily as you are in a poor country, and the small amount to you is a lot larger for them.

    In some instances you will come across a more than reasonable offer which requires no negotiation. Here it’s best to accept the price you are offered if you are happy with it!

    1. Plan ahead with any transport you take! (train issues) – leave ample time for travel.

    If you are visiting one area in Morocco, or have a trip booked through a company, then it’s not too important to book/plan ahead with transport as it’s all provided/not necessary. However, if you have to explore different locations like us then it’s good to do your research, and have a route planned out with transport included.

    If you are moving from city to city it’s important to know what times you can get the transportation, and we would always recommend you sort this out as soon as possible. Unfortunately, we had to wait 2 hours in a smaller city missing 2 trains as they were both fully booked and we waited till closer to the time to book the tickets. As we missed the first train, we decided to find a shop to relax at and grab snacks before looking to purchase the tickets for the next train which led to this next train being fully booked aswell. We ended up having to get the following train which ran every hour. This really slowed down our travel day and is definitely one thing we would avoid doing in the future.

    1. Watch out for kids being exploited to make money and beg from you.

    In Morocco, a lot of families are working throughout the day to earn enough money to feed their families. While they are working, they can sometimes send their young children (between 5 – 12 y/o) out to beg and get money from tourists pretending to be homeless or hungry.

    Even though they are really cute, and you want to give them some money it only goes to their parents. As they catch some gullible tourists with this, some parents are taking their children out of school to beg and earn money for their family. The best way to deal with this is to say no sorry and carry on walking. If they speak French only you can say désolé.

    1. Avoid booking accommodation online where possible

    Booking online is a more convenient and organised way to travel! We would normally recommend this to all travellers as it can eliminate any issues further down the line. However, there are some exceptions!

    In Morocco, we ended up booking in person due to online difficulties. We arrived at the Riad around 7pm, and they didn’t have any shared dorms available which they did have on hostel world. We understood that people would book extra nights and it would not update on the website- so can cause confusion which makes it easier to book in person!

    Because of this, we had to book a private room which on the website was £45 a night. As we were speaking with the host they provided a lower cost (as it’s cheaper in person) and also got a discount meaning we only spent £30 a night. Which isn’t too far from what we would pay if we were to stay in shared dorms. The only risk is that they would have no room but as we stayed in a quieter area we couldn’t see this being an issue!

    Booking in person can make it almost 40% cheaper than online and can avoid issues like double booking with other travellers!

    1. Don’t take a drone.

    Drones have been completely banned in Morocco since 2015! The only available use is for companies who acquire a special permit. Private users are prohibited, and therefore could lead to hefty fines; or the drone to be taken and sometimes not returned.

    Drones can be declared at the airport and they will hold them until your departure. If you are travelling Morocco and leaving via a different airport then you might need to change your flights. They will not ship or post your drone to the airport you depart, and will only drop the drone off in person!

    After hearing stories, the best bet would be to either declare the drone (if you are departing from the same airport) and pay 201 Dirhams holding fee, or just leave your drone at home or with someone you trust while you are in the country. They have a strict no drone policy that they do monitor when leaving the country. They don’t monitor it when entering!

    1. Make sure you know where ATMs are where you are staying.

    Most places in Morocco take cash only. It is expected of you to pay cash, with some higher end restaurants allowing card. However, when we left the airport we only had a couple hundred dirhams to our name… and only just had enough to pay for our taxi into the city! There doesn’t seem to be many ATM’s which may lead to long walks to find them.

    It’s always recommended to search the area in which you are going to see the local ATM’s and how close they are to where you are staying. We also found out that they can be sometimes unreliable and sometimes out of order so make sure to know where multiple are!

    1. Brush up on your French from School

    Morocco is a predominantly French speaking country, with many of the locals only knowing basic English if you are lucky. They only know broken English through previous interactions with travellers, and therefore knowing some French would be very handy.

    There were situations where people would speak no English, and Aimee’s understanding of French and her little knowledge of speaking French from school helped! Even simple words like numbers and greetings can help massively when trying to understand and communicate with the locals!

    1. Wear appropriate clothing.

    As it is a Muslim country, most of the local adult women will wear religious headwear. This isn’t expected by travellers, but is respected if you are to cover up. It is a great way to immerse yourself in their culture, and understand more about their way of life.

    However, we would recommend to cover your shoulders and ankles where possible.. definitely in less touristy areas as some locals aren’t used to seeing many tourists. Simple clothing like long t-shirts or shirts and a flowy dress or trousers for women. This is less so for men, as Muslim men aren’t expected to cover as much compared to women. During Ramadan, this would be recommended more so as it’s during a religious event.

    1. Don’t miss out on the Moroccan Cuisine.

    This is one thing we weren’t so aware of.. There is so much to try in Morocco, and it’s all delicious!! The food here is so fresh and flavourful, something we would recommend everyone to try and explore as you wont regret it!

    They have some dishes that are very different to things you have tried before! One being the B’silla. This is a pastry dish filled with chicken, almost like a English Pie but includes some flavours you won’t expect. They garnish it with icing sugar and cinnamon which turns it from savoury to sweet. Surprisingly, the dish goes really well. Traditionally, they also fill it with pigeon!

    Also, we would recommend to try their local Tajine, Harira, and a selection of Moroccan pastries! Don’t forget to wash it down with a sweet tea which is a must when visiting Morocco.

    Moroccan Travel is so Beautiful

    Morocco is such a beautiful country full of colour, personality and history! There is so much to see and do but it definitely requires good planning to make the most of your trip!

    These are our top tips when experiencing this stunning country, and we hope it helps you during your travels!

    Do let us know how you get on and if you have any more Do’s or Dont’s for Morocco!!

    Be sure to let us know your thoughts and like the blog if you enjoyed – it really goes a long way to supporting us and our Blog!

    You can also follow our travel Journey on our Social Below to see where else we have been and where we plan to go in the future!

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  • Top 12 Things to Avoid in Morocco: Essential Travel Tips for Morocco

    Top 12 Things to Avoid in Morocco: Essential Travel Tips for Morocco

    Morocco is a stunning country located in North Africa, which is a popular location for avid travellers and European holiday makers alike. Due to its location, the country is rich in history, and provides a diverse experience when visiting. You are able to enjoy luscious resorts, snorkelling in the Mediterranean, but you also have east Morocco to visit the Sahara Dessert to ride camels, and watch the beautiful still stars at night.

    There’s such opportunity in the country for visiting which makes it a popular spot for people when deciding where to go!

    The country is a heavily Muslim country which does come with some reservations as it is different to non-muslin countries. As you are visiting these countries, it’s important to do your research beforehand and understand the culture before visiting.

    Here we have provided things to watch out for and to not do when visiting Morocco!

    *This post contains affiliate links, which we may earn from. This does not come at an additional cost, but helps us to pursue this dream 🙂

    We have made a new video about this too!
    1. Be careful of locals taking you places!

    A lot of locals in busy areas will try to recommend you to visit certain places that are close. They usually do this to promote a family member’s shop, or restaurant, to boost sales; but has been known to be a ploy to lead you astray and some people have been mugged with this method. We would recommend having a plan in mind when visiting each place in Morocco.

    When you are walking you have a specific destination in mind, whether it’s a restaurant you were recommended, or you are walking to a local Souk to see what they have to offer. This way you are unlikely to be pulled from your plan- and limits any issues further down the line.

    Some of the locals will be very direct and intimidating with their requests so be sure to stay diligent. A trick that usually works is if you get the name of the place and say you’ll check it out later or mention you are meeting friends this way. Unfortunately it can seem rude denying them, and even sometimes ignoring their requests but it is a great way to move past them with any further problems.

    1. Make sure to research the area and take the taxis that are designated for that area.

    Each city will have a designated colour for their Petit Taxi Service. An example would be in Fez where all the Taxi’s would be red to symbolise they are a legitimate taxi service. These taxi’s are only limited to the city, and to move out of the city you would require other transport or a larger taxi which would accommodate.

    These taxi’s are usually very cheap and easy to find across the city. The most we spent on a petit taxi ride was 20 Dihram which was a 20 minute ride through the city. These are the fastest and cheapest ways to move through cities to your desired location which is great for budget travellers.

    1. During ramadan, keep your food and drink consumption subtle

    When we travelled Morocco, it was during Ramadan which taught us a lot about their religion and their way of life. As non-Muslims, it was a normal day for us, where we would eat our 3 meals a day, buy large bottles of water and enjoy some well deserved snacks. However, during Ramadan, no Muslim is able to eat food from sunrise to sunset. So when you are out in the day you will see no food or water consumed by locals.

    As this is due to a religious reason you don’t need to partake in this as the locals don’t expect you to. However, we would recommend that if you are in confined places such as on a train ride or in a busy area, that you limit your eating and drinking out of respect for all around you. If you are needing to eat or drink during the day in a busy area, we would recommend to do this subtly.

    1. Confirming prices with locals before and not after! (Don’t just accept the first price)

    As with most places in the north of Africa and across the world, you need to agree a price with the seller before and not after! This is can be used throughout Morocco, with exceptions being restaurants.

    Whether its at a stall in a market, or grabbing a taxi, or even agreeing a price on tours, you can certainly work out a price that mutually benefits both parties. As with any negotiation, we would recommend finding a price you are willing to pay for the good or service, and drop your price below. It is likely the local will provide a counter offer in which you can settle around your desired price. Some locals will offer a ‘tourist price’ for you which some may not haggle.

    Please do understand that you should not try to get the cheapest price necessarily as you are in a poor country, and the small amount to you is a lot larger for them.

    In some instances you will come across a more than reasonable offer which requires no negotiation. Here it’s best to accept the price you are offered if you are happy with it!

    1. Plan ahead with any transport you take! (train issues) – leave ample time for travel.

    If you are visiting one area in Morocco, or have a trip booked through a company, then it’s not too important to book/plan ahead with transport as it’s all provided/not necessary. However, if you have to explore different locations like us then it’s good to do your research, and have a route planned out with transport included.

    If you are moving from city to city it’s important to know what times you can get the transportation, and we would always recommend you sort this out as soon as possible. Unfortunately, we had to wait 2 hours in a smaller city missing 2 trains as they were both fully booked and we waited till closer to the time to book the tickets. As we missed the first train, we decided to find a shop to relax at and grab snacks before looking to purchase the tickets for the next train which led to this next train being fully booked aswell. We ended up having to get the following train which ran every hour. This really slowed down our travel day and is definitely one thing we would avoid doing in the future.

    1. Watch out for kids being exploited to make money and beg from you.

    In Morocco, a lot of families are working throughout the day to earn enough money to feed their families. While they are working, they can sometimes send their young children (between 5 – 12 y/o) out to beg and get money from tourists pretending to be homeless or hungry.

    Even though they are really cute, and you want to give them some money it only goes to their parents. As they catch some gullible tourists with this, some parents are taking their children out of school to beg and earn money for their family. The best way to deal with this is to say no sorry and carry on walking. If they speak French only you can say désolé.

    1. Avoid booking accommodation online where possible

    Booking online is a more convenient and organised way to travel! We would normally recommend this to all travellers as it can eliminate any issues further down the line. However, there are some exceptions!

    In Morocco, we ended up booking in person due to online difficulties. We arrived at the Riad around 7pm, and they didn’t have any shared dorms available which they did have on hostel world. We understood that people would book extra nights and it would not update on the website- so can cause confusion which makes it easier to book in person!

    Because of this, we had to book a private room which on the website was £45 a night. As we were speaking with the host they provided a lower cost (as it’s cheaper in person) and also got a discount meaning we only spent £30 a night. Which isn’t too far from what we would pay if we were to stay in shared dorms. The only risk is that they would have no room but as we stayed in a quieter area we couldn’t see this being an issue!

    Booking in person can make it almost 40% cheaper than online and can avoid issues like double booking with other travellers!

    1. Don’t take a drone.

    Drones have been completely banned in Morocco since 2015! The only available use is for companies who acquire a special permit. Private users are prohibited, and therefore could lead to hefty fines; or the drone to be taken and sometimes not returned.

    Drones can be declared at the airport and they will hold them until your departure. If you are travelling Morocco and leaving via a different airport then you might need to change your flights. They will not ship or post your drone to the airport you depart, and will only drop the drone off in person!

    After hearing stories, the best bet would be to either declare the drone (if you are departing from the same airport) and pay 201 Dirhams holding fee, or just leave your drone at home or with someone you trust while you are in the country. They have a strict no drone policy that they do monitor when leaving the country. They don’t monitor it when entering!

    1. Make sure you know where ATMs are where you are staying.

    Most places in Morocco take cash only. It is expected of you to pay cash, with some higher end restaurants allowing card. However, when we left the airport we only had a couple hundred dirhams to our name… and only just had enough to pay for our taxi into the city! There doesn’t seem to be many ATM’s which may lead to long walks to find them.

    It’s always recommended to search the area in which you are going to see the local ATM’s and how close they are to where you are staying. We also found out that they can be sometimes unreliable and sometimes out of order so make sure to know where multiple are!

    1. Brush up on your French from School

    Morocco is a predominantly French speaking country, with many of the locals only knowing basic English if you are lucky. They only know broken English through previous interactions with travellers, and therefore knowing some French would be very handy.

    There were situations where people would speak no English, and Aimee’s understanding of French and her little knowledge of speaking French from school helped! Even simple words like numbers and greetings can help massively when trying to understand and communicate with the locals!

    1. Wear appropriate clothing.

    As it is a Muslim country, most of the local adult women will wear religious headwear. This isn’t expected by travellers, but is respected if you are to cover up. It is a great way to immerse yourself in their culture, and understand more about their way of life.

    However, we would recommend to cover your shoulders and ankles where possible.. definitely in less touristy areas as some locals aren’t used to seeing many tourists. Simple clothing like long t-shirts or shirts and a flowy dress or trousers for women. This is less so for men, as Muslim men aren’t expected to cover as much compared to women. During Ramadan, this would be recommended more so as it’s during a religious event.

    1. Don’t miss out on the Moroccan Cuisine.

    This is one thing we weren’t so aware of.. There is so much to try in Morocco, and it’s all delicious!! The food here is so fresh and flavourful, something we would recommend everyone to try and explore as you wont regret it!

    They have some dishes that are very different to things you have tried before! One being the B’silla. This is a pastry dish filled with chicken, almost like a English Pie but includes some flavours you won’t expect. They garnish it with icing sugar and cinnamon which turns it from savoury to sweet. Surprisingly, the dish goes really well. Traditionally, they also fill it with pigeon!

    Also, we would recommend to try their local Tajine, Harira, and a selection of Moroccan pastries! Don’t forget to wash it down with a sweet tea which is a must when visiting Morocco.

    Want help planning your Moroccan adventure?

    We now offer custom travel planning support! Experience the pinnacle of travel planning, ensuring your journey is luxurious, well-organized, and unforgettable! Find our Basic package, Standard package, and Luxury package, ready for your Morocco trip! We have made a blog post explaining these packages further here!

    We post weekly Youtube Videos now! Please check out our newest Vlog!

    Our favourite must-needed travel resources

    Where to Fly

    Trip.com – Find amazing flight deals, with over 2 million flight routes, and being one of the world’s leading online travel agencies.

    Kiwi – Use Kiwi’s amazing service that is pioneering in the flight space! They use virtual interlining, which means they can provide seamless connecting flights into one single itinerary!

    CheapOair – Being one of the fastest growing online travel companies in the US, CheapOair offers great flight deals, hotel rooms, rental cars and more!

    Where to Stay

    Booking.com – Offering over 28 million accommodations to book, we will always use booking.com! Having a rewards system built in, the more you book, the more perks you get!

    HostelWorld – You cannot budget travel without hostel world! Having over 17,000 hostels, boasting over 13 million reviews, hostel world is one our of top websites for budget travel! They are now offering more ways to meet people abroad, with meet ups, group chats and more available!

    Vrbo – Find stunning vacation rentals with Vrbo! Offering over 2 million paid listings in 190 countries, find memorable experiences with this accommodation service!

    Where to Explore

    Viator – A trip advisor company, viator offers over 300,000 experiences over 200 countries, including water sports, walking tours, boat trips, food tastes tours and more! Including activities for many budgets, check out Viator!

    Eat With – Experience authentic travel experiences with locals worldwide! Use eat with to book unique and intimate dining experiences, such as dinner parties in big restaurants, big feasts with a local family, cooking classes with a local and more!

    Get Your Guide – Book unique (and common too!) experiences and activities worldwide, including skip the line tickets to big attractions worldwide!

    Where to get Connected

    Airalo – With over one million people using Airalo, it is our go to eSIM provider for our worldwide trips! Having data packs from over 200 countries, find combined area packages and deals to suit your travel style and data needs!

    Where to be Protected

    ETKA – Every age from 3 to 85 can buy ETKA’s travel insurance, offering multilingual 24/7 chat support, and your insurance policy within 2-3 minutes!

    Our Top Traveller’s Essentials

    Backpack – Osprey Farpoint 40 – This backpack is a staple amongst many travellers! Being a lot cheaper than the luxury brands, this is a quality backpack from a well known brand. It boasts quality durability, is lightweight with a great framework and is a great option for most people! This backpack has a hip strap to help carry the bag, a breathable harness strap, and comes in multiple colours!

    Compression Packing Cubes – Compression cubes are our favourite packing accessory! These cubes are similar to the normal packing cubes, but feature a compression zip, meaning you can compress your clothes down… this makes packing easier, limits the space you are using, and means more room for souvenirs etc!

    Powerbank – Don’t lose power when travelling! It isn’t always guaranteed to find charging ports, so we would always suggest carrying a spare power bank, just incase you do run low on power when you need it!

    Universal Travel Plug Adapter – Most backpackers/travellers visit multiple countries during one trip. And that means it isn’t guaranteed you will be using the same plug head during each place. A universal plug is great as it lets you switch between each plug head style all in one item! We love ours, it has USB slots meaning multiple items can be charged at once.

    Find our full packing list guide here.

    Thank you for reading about Things to Avoid in Morocco

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  • Discover Paradise: Your Ultimate Costa Rica Bucket List Travel Guide

    Discover Paradise: Your Ultimate Costa Rica Bucket List Travel Guide

    Costa Rica is a location that is worth the hype. From plenty of animal experiences and encounters, to endless greenery and stunning beaches, Costa Rica is a gem of Central America and is a place to add to your bucket list!

    *There are affiliate links in this post – they do not come at any extra cost to you, but just means we can earn commission to help us make more content like this 🙂

    Our Bucket List top list of things to do in Costa Rica

    • Visit an ethical animal sanctuary
    • Sip on a coconut on a white sand beach
    • Explore endless beautiful waterfalls
    • Adrenaline seek at the Monteverde Tarzan Swing
    • Learn about coffee at a coffee farm
    • Visit the amazing national parks
    • Zipline through the cloud forest
    • Go on a night tour to find frogs and snakes!
    • Learn about sloths and ethical animal tourism at a conservation centre
    • Embrace surf culture in Santa Teresa

    Activities we recommend!

    Many of these recommended bucket list things can be found broadly around Costa Rica, some are more specific! We will link some of the opportunities below so it’s easier for you to check them out!

    Ziplining Tour in Monteverde

    Complete with guide, equipment, and pickup- experience this amazing tour from £56. Find it here.

    Tarzan swing and Zipline experience

    Visit the Aventura Park in Monteverde, and do a Tarzan swing of 148 foot height! Find this exciting experience here.

    Surfing in Santa Teresa

    Never surfed before? Meet your instructor on the beach, with all the necessary equipment to start this new skill! Find the lessons here.

    Rescate Wildlife Sanctuary

    Visit the place that helped us fall in love with Costa Rica, this animal sanctuary is one of the biggest in Central America, and does so much towards animal conservation! Check it out here.

    Coffee and Chocolate experience

    Learn at a family farm how coffee is made, with opportunities to try samples in a small group! Find it here.

    Places to stay

    We would love to share as many as we can, but unfortunately we wouldn’t be able to fit recommendations for every place! We will include a few options for some staple hotspots in Costa Rica!

    Here are some of our recommendations! We will only be including hostels this time, however, please let us know if you would like to see more location-based recommendations for any style traveller!

    San Jose

    The Selina chain has finally opened a branch is San Jose! With options for every traveller, this hostel has shared and private rooms (and even camping space), co-working space for us digital nomads, an on site restaurant and more! What’s not to love! Find it here.

    La Fortuna

    Hot springs calling your name? La Choza Inn has it’s own free hot springs river, with breakfast included… and its only 15 minutes away from the famous Arenal Volcano. This is a great budget hostel, with it only costing around £12 a night! Find it here.

    Manuel Antonio

    Teva Jungle Hotel and Hostel is a eco hostel boasting acres of forest with plenty of hiking opportunities! Being only a short walk from the commercial area of Manuel Antonio, rooms only start at £10 roughly a night in shared dorms, with the option of private rooms too! Find it here.

    Santa Teresa

    Zeneidas Surf Garden; it’s time to surf, chill and rewind! This hostel is the only beach-based hostel in Santa Teresa, offering BBQ nights, yoga, surf lessons and so much more! From only £18 a night this is such a great find! Check it out here.

    Puerto Viejo

    Located in the centre of Puerto Viejo, El Clan is the place to be! This hostel offers a pool, with many social areas – make the most of your travels! There is both private and shared rooms; however, dorms seem to be booking quick so check this out sooner rather than later! Dorms are only 6 per room which is great for those not wanting to be surrounded by too many other people! Find it here.

    Have you done any of these things?

    Would you add anything else to this list? If you have been previously, what is your favourite thing to do? And if you haven’t been, what is your most idolised thing to do?

    Want to see our trip to Costa Rica?

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  • 5 Last Minute Holidays in Europe YOU can book tomorrow!

    5 Last Minute Holidays in Europe YOU can book tomorrow!

    Being at home can be stressful – even when there is nothing stressing you out. Whether it’s the thought of going back to work, seeing family and friends- or just wanting a change. A lot of people really live for the weekends and take that time to destress. You might just have 2 duvet days watching films and eating takeout.. and we don’t blame you! Some may do local city breaks, or a trip towards a simple weekend away from the cities. We all have different preferences when it comes to getting away. For instance, Jack likes to be active, whether it’s swimming, hiking, exploring etc, but Aimee would be more than happy with a 2 day spa break with a massage ,and maybe a museum break or two. We all are different in what we enjoy but one common thing is we like to travel!

    Life is so busy that we struggle to find the time to dedicate to travelling. We are limited to weekends and that really isn’t enough time to get on a plane or train to a new country. We even tried it and it is so crazy busy that it isn’t a time to relax. Put it this way, you are more tired than when you were before you left! Our Trip to Aarhus is here – it’s something we would totally recommend but it isn’t for the faint of hearts. You allocate such little time to a major city so you have to choose a location that has only 1/2 days worth of activities otherwise you will miss out on some of the best things to do there.

    So you need to make the most of your time off and maximise your trip time. Give yourself long weekends (3/4 days) at new locations. As we are in England, we have done short trips to Paris, Aarhus, Stockholm and Budapest! Jack books off time from work to give us enough days to do short city breaks to explore somewhere new.

    It’s a common feeling for young adults to feel stuck and lost in the busy life they become accustom to. To make things worse, we never really allow ourselves to stop as we book up our evenings and weekends with the things we want to do leaving us with no time to relax our bodies. That’s why you NEED to give yourself something to look forward to – even if it is a local break for a few days every few months to regenerate.

    Here, we have highlighted some budget last minute holidays in Europe that are the perfect getaway to destress and recoup your energy. We recommend these places as they are some of the best for activities but you can also just enjoy the city and spend time not doing a whole lot!

    *This post contains affiliate links, where we can earn a commission. This comes at no extra expense for you, and all views are genuine.

    Poznan

    A central location, this Polish City is a great place to visit! The streets are clean and colourful, with some beautiful spots to try out their local foods! Some popular polish foods include bigos and pierogi, and being a budget location means you can try even more! The city isn’t too popular for tourists, so it is a great place to explore and local cultures and learn more about the city, without the usual crowds.

    A flight from England to Poznan starts from £40 which is affordable, and it is a cheap place to drink alcohol- roughly £2 for a pint! There is a lot to do and is a place we would recommend for that short trip you are really needing!

    There is a local market square which includes a multicoloured stretch of houses. This is a perfect place to find a local café and soak up surrounding views. Also, there is a croissant museum… YES you read it right! At certain times, bakers will make fresh croissants in front of you, and you learn the history of the croissant. At the end of the session, you are given a taster of the freshly made croissant which is the perfect way to end the activity.

    The city is also littered with castles, cathedrals and churches. The architecture and sculpture work is incredible and intricate, which can be seen across the Poznan skyline. We would recommend seeing the Imperial Castle, the Town Hall and The Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help! For any history lovers out there, there is also an Archaeological museum and History Land.

    History land is a cool unique experience where you the exhibits are depicted through Lego creations, whether it’s battles, buildings or more!! This is an experience that doesn’t exist in many other places so would definitely be worth checking out!

    Accommodation Options

    Luxury option : A hotel and wine bar, with the opportunity to have an in-room jacuzzi or hot tub, with being extremely spacious and clean. Find it here

    Budget Hotel : Being in a close location, this hotel starts from around £34 a night which is SO good! It’s known to be a quieter hotel, boasting friendly staff and 24 hour facilities. Find it here

    Hostel option : This cinema themed hostel is great for the budget traveler! This hostel offers private rooms starting from £22, in the centre of Poznan. Friendly hostel, with great facilities and location! Find it here

    Bratislava

    Another central European city that is full of life, this city boasts many impressive castles and historic buildings, and is an amazing place to just wander. A popular activity in the city is to rent a bike and cycle around to explore the whole city. The city is perfectly sized to travel around on a bike, and can be a cheaper alternative than other modes of transport!

    Across the city are quirky statues, including a depiction of a man climbing out of the sewers. It is a city where you can wander; find local shops, activities and indulge in the culture of the city. The local foods include a selection of meats and layered cake (Prekmurska Gibanica).

    One of the attractions to the area is wine tasting! This is a country known for it’s wine and there are many tours – one including wine tasting at a castle – which would be awesome to check out! This is located at Devin Castle, which is perfectly located on the bank of the well known river, The Danube. This is a great break to enjoy the suburban views, have a drink with your fellow holiday-goers and soak up the castles history!

    This location would be great for a long weekend break to see new sights and escape reality for a short period before coming back to reality.

    Accommodation Options

    Luxury option : Stay in a 5 star luxury hotel along the river, with rooms offering panoramic views of the Danube River or Castle Hill. It has free gym access, the opportunity to book into their spa (some options do include this), breakfast, lunch and dinner facilities and more! Prices start from around £160+, and you can find it here

    Budget Hotel : This hotel is such a great find, with one night (inclusive of breakfast), only costing roughly £60 a night! You can use their salt cave and fitness facilities free of charge, and the hotel boasts a good location, being in the old town. The interior is really pretty and is a very highly rated place right now! Find it here

    Hostel option : This hostel is such a unique one! Being the first NFT hostel, full of NFT styles and artwork! With an unforgettable industrial style, it has capsule style dorms of 6-10 bunks, starting from around £22 a night! There is an option for private accommodation within the hostel for those who don’t like dorm style rooms. Find it here

    Cologne

    Cologne is a beautiful city in Germany that isn’t a massive hotspot for tourism. The city offers all types of reasons to visit: there are many castles to visit, popular brewhouse tours, and even an old town to visit! It is also a great spot to use as a ‘middle ground’ for travelling to other spots in Germany, such as Dusseldorf.

    Many people may not know this, but Cologne have a chocolate museum! And you know we love food museums!! This is a great place to learn the history of Lindt… well let’s be honest. Everyone is there to eat as much chocolate as possible. But it is interesting to learn how the chocolate is made.

    Also in Cologne, there is an Ice Bar. Now, if you haven’t experienced this before, then it is a rather strange but cool experience! Basically, you are in a typical bar but instead of being in normal decor.. The decor is all Ice. You are in an Ice room! You are provided with a snow coat to keep you from getting frostbite and can enjoy cocktails. Even the seats and tables are made from Ice. Legit everything is! This is a great place to enjoy with friends and family that is different!

    This city offers some picturesque places for photos and is a perfect location to explore as a short break! Germany is always a great winter option, especially with the infamous Christmas markets yearly- this is a great travel option for anyone’s bucket list! As it’s known for it’s beer, there are opportunities to do a beer tour and during certain times of the year, you could enjoy some beer festivals!

    Accommodation Options

    Luxury option : This hotel is a beautiful option for visiting Cologne! Local to many attractions, this hotels offer breakfast, and focuses heavily on sustainable options! Find it here

    Budget Hotel : This modern option is a great hotel for a lesser price! It’s part of the ibis chain, and offers buffet breakfast as part of their packages. The hotel can be found here.

    Hostel option : We had to include this one! This hostel has rooms each decorated with their own unique theme! Choose themes such as Bollywood cinema, cabin in the woods, and a 60’s theme pod. It’s so cool and is a great budget option at roughly £24 a night! Find it here

    Cordoba

    A beautiful Spanish city that is full of culture. The sun is always shining here and has a beautiful old quarter to explore- it was an important Roman city, and a major Islamic centre during the Middle Ages, meaning it is full of culture and history to learn! The city is full of tight streets with quaint restaurants, cobble streets and traditional Spanish houses.

    You are only going for a short break so you need to make the most of relaxing.. with an Arabian bath. This is with a traditional setting of pillars and an enclosed large bath perfect for sinking your toes in or relaxing by the baths. The rooms are lit up by candles and create an aroma that can cure the mind of any stress you are feeling.

    As a Spanish City Cordoba is rich in architecture with many castles, Catherdral’s and Churches to explore. It is one of the oldest and most historic cities in Europe so it’s one of the best places to get lost in the history, learn about the people and culture, and immerse yourself in it’s beauty.

    May is a month full of traditional fiestas, with the beautiful smell of jasmine and orange blossoms filling the spring air! You can go out for yummy tapas, enjoy a flamenco show and immerse yourself in the local atmosphere.

    Accommodation Options

    Luxury option : Stay in a converted 18th century mansion in the city centre, showcasing traditional and original structure! You can get breakfast included, with options to explore the two courtyards… it really is a beautiful option. Prices seem to start from roughly £170, but it is such an amazing luxury find! Find it here

    Budget Hotel : Right in front of the Cordoba Mosque, this hotel is a great budget option! You can include breakfast at an additional cost, with great reviews praising the staff and customer service. Check it out here

    Hostel option : This hostel is a vibrant option to stay within Cordoba! There is a pool, common areas, no curfew and online check in! They have dorms with 4, 8 or 10 bunks, starting from roughly £22 a night! There is also an option for private rooms within this hostel from £90. Check it out here

    Riga

    The capital of Latvia is a beautiful, historic and architectural city that is traditional in its setting. The city has many museums and sculptures to see- which are great to capture some memorable pictures! This city also boasts nice parks and scenic places to relax yourself and watch the world go by!

    The city of Riga has a good spread of food markets throughout the city. A local dish to try is the Karbonade- this dish is pork that is pounded thin and fried for a crispy finish. This is usually served with flavours on top to maximise flavours. For the locals, this is washed down with a traditional Rye Bread pudding. Who would of thought that the Latvians are so big on Rye Bread? It is very popular in Riga and is a must try when in the city.

    A perfect place to unwind is visiting the Art Nouveau district. This area is spread with museums showing off famous pieces for this time. We would recommend to take a stroll to the area as it is dotted with vibrant and structurally brilliant buildings which are elegantly designed. This is a great place to take a detour – wander – and see where the road ahead takes you.

    Latvia isn’t necessarily a mainstream European location to visit, however we know many who LOVE this location. There is a pedestrian only old town, where you can find plenty of shops and restaurants, alongside the well known Livu Square, with a range of bars and nightclubs

    Accommodation Options

    Luxury option : Find a four star spa hotel from only £65! This is an amazing deal for a luxury hotel, which is also riverside with amazing views, and great spa facilities. It is so close to some major attractions that you can see them from the hotel. You can include spa access within your booking which seems very worth it! Find it here

    Budget Hotel : This hotel is only from £25… with full private facilities. Rooms are somewhat basic, but some offer inner courtyard views. But for £25 who can complain! Find it here

    Hostel option : An authentic hostel offering self catering cooking facilities, in a great location in the middle of the old town. They offer dorms of up to 14 beds, with the option of female only rooms too. Dorms start from £15 a night… what an amazing price! Find it here

    These short breaks are the perfect way to regenerate the body and experience a little dose of some smaller/lesser known areas of Europe. A lot of these picks are cheap places to travel and stay in, making it realistic for people who are looking to travel on a budget.

    These places are definitely on the top of our list for places to visit in Europe and would love to know more about people who have visited!

    We hope you liked our picks and if you have any other suggestions, do let us know in the comments.

    Also, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any future blog posts… we post budget travel content to showcase some of the best places to visit and hidden gems you might otherwise miss out on!

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  • The BEST Apps to use for Travelling

    The BEST Apps to use for Travelling

    Travelling can be scary. There is a lot of things to consider and organise before making the leap of faith and getting on that plane. However, not many think about the importance of downloading the right apps on your phone for every situation.

    The apps you download will help you in many scenarios- and may get you out of some sticky situations!

    The apps we recommend will be ones we have used while travelling and we will give our own experiences; and why they are so important for you! There are many apps available and used for travel, so it’s good to have a place where you can download the best ones ready for your trip!

    We have compiled our top applications you MUST download to help you travel!

    *This post contains affiliate links where we can earn a commission. However, all opinions are genuine and our own.

    Hostel World

    Hostel world is definitely the first app we would download. When you are travelling to new places, one of the most important decisions is where you are going to stay. This decision can be the difference between enjoy your time in one place or not!

    We understand that not everyone is looking to stay in hostels, and may want to stay in private accommodation when travelling- but the majority will be looking to cut back on spending and stay in hostels! Plus, some hostels do offer private rooms!

    The app is the go-to place to find all the best hostels (with reviews) and is quick and easy to book. You can access all the best hostels anywhere in the world within seconds, and it is very flexible.

    If you stay at a hostel/accommodation that you don’t like, you can easily find a quick alternative at a good price. This provides a good comfort to knowing this is possible.

    If you forgot to book accommodation, or met someone on the same flight as you and wanted to change your stay, you can do it within minutes with no hassle!

    Hostel World now also has more app features that make meeting people easier, and will help you to connect with people in the local area/within your hostel! Find the link here.

    Currency

    This is a MUST download for travellers! Especially people who are looking to travel for a long time.

    When we go travelling, it always gets confusing when changing currencies and figuring out how much stuff costs. I mean in one country some foods are £2-£3 per main meal where others are £20!

    Working out how much you are paying is always something travellers struggle with. When you are bouncing around different countries, you just can’t keep up. We are the same!

    This currency converter app allows you to check within seconds how much something costs based on your home currency. All you have to do is select your currency and choose between the hundreds of currency’s and then type in the amount you want.

    You can also save the currencies so if you are to go back to a location, you can easily access it!

    This is perfect for travelling because if you know your route, you can easily set all the currencies of the countries you are to visit. So once you land, you can instantly see the exchange rate.

    I mean, the last thing you want to do is be stuck awkwardly trying to Google the exchange rate while trying to pay a bill. This app has it covered for you!! It can also be used OFFLINE so is a real winner.

    World Packers

    World Packers is a great way to lower costs, experience personal interests, and travel the world! This app is unique by offering accommodation and other amenities in exchange for volunteering or work.

    Now.. this could be in any niche you like. For instance, if you are an avid animal lover, you could easily find yourself staying and volunteering with wildlife with free accommodation and food in exchange for your time. A majority of the positions are hospitality based, but there is a range! Especially if you have unique skill sets (such as photography or social media).

    This is an amazing way for people to gain experience and learn more about the world without spending extortionate amounts!

    World Packers offer an annual subscription for roughly £40 which would be so worth it even if you did only 1 world packers trip a year! There is also an option to get a ‘couple’ membership, in which you can apply to opportunities as a couple, instead of a solo traveler.

    Airalo

    There’s nothing worse than landing in your next travel location and not having data. You can’t check Google maps, order transport to your accommodation- or for the more unprepared, even book your accommodation!

    It really can be a struggle, and something people often forget about when planning for a new destination! Especially if you are from Europe- most phone providers offer free data across Europe so we often don’t have to think about it!

    Airola is a great app to get cheap data through an E-sim. This removes any issue of finding a provider in the new country you have just landed in as you have it on your phone! Plus no hassle of changing sims, as its all done from within your phone!

    The app is easy to use and you can add top-ups whenever you are running out of data, and they also now offer bespoke packages dependant on the country (and even continent) you are in!

    You can sort out your data with a few clicks of a button, it’s that easy! Click here for more information

    Rome2Rio

    This is the perfect app that is needed for any travel scenario! Even holidays!

    Whether you are looking to make your way to a historical monument halfway across the city, or moving to a different city entirely- Rome2Rio is there to tell you all the ways you can do it.

    The app breaks it down for you and shows you the cost of each mode of transport, and the expected times it will take you. So if you are in a rush, or happy to take the scenic route, you can make that decision easily!

    The variety provided is surprising! If there’s a possible route, it will be given. Car, bus, plane, boat and more.. This works especially well when travelling as you may be able to get a boat/ferry for a lot cheaper than flying or getting a car!

    We made the most of this in Philippines which can be super expensive due to the amount of islands they have!

    Google Translate

    There will be many times where you are attempting to communicate with locals on what to eat, where to go, or just to ask a general question.

    In countries like Thailand you may get away with it, as they probably has some sort of knowledge of English. It seems like a lot of people around the world know at least the basics of English.

    However, when you get into less travelled areas, like villages or rural towns, this may become much harder.

    We all know in life it’s hard to learn a language, and when you are travelling, it’s near impossible to learn multiple for your trip. So, how are you going to communicate?

    Google translate is a great app that can be used to pick up the basics like hello, how are you, thank you etc. You can also use it to take photos of menus or signs where it will translate it for you!

    The great part of this is that it can be used offline so when you are in the middle of nowhere, you are still able to translate and communicate with locals or read any signs in the area!

    Having all these apps will have you covered whether you are going on holiday or have a year trip across a few continents! When you are travelling you will come across many issues, whether it’s transport, language, data, accommodation, currency- they can all be solved through these apps.

    This will be sure to stop any sticky situations from occurring and allow you to travel (somewhat) carefree for your travels. Because after all, there will be issues during travel, but the aim is to minimise these issues.

    These are the 6 apps we would always download and save in “the travel essentials“ corner of our phones!

    One honourable mention would be an app like grab which is a taxi-like app but is only used in select countries!

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    Any travel questions? Do let us know and we would always be happy to help!

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  • This is why YOU should travel in 2024!

    This is why YOU should travel in 2024!

    In life there isn’t many things that you ‘should’ do. I mean we learn the simple things in life like brushing our teeth, going to school, or even paying taxes as important things (that are just apart of life). Everyone’s definition is personal to themselves depending on preference- how they were brought up or where they are in life. Some people (like me) would include some variance of exercise as a non-negotiable in life – with others deeming praying as a non-negotiable.

    Everyone is different and that’s the beauty of life. We all have different desires and that’s what makes us human!

    Travel isn’t just the art of visiting a new place and seeing what it offers; I mean that’s just the 2 dimensional view of what it is. Everyone posts photos on Instagram and sees a short snippet of what someone’s trip is like, whether it’s them on a cruise, or in-front of the Eiffel Tower, or at base camp on Mount Everest. People just see the snapshot of that moment. But travelling is far from that.

    It’s the comparison of seeing a successful business but just seeing the successful part. Or the tip of the iceberg if you will. It’s the bit underneath the waters which people don’t see, and more importantly, don’t recognise. This is the part that makes it all worth it.

    A lot of people don’t get to experience travelling, which for us is a sad revelation. To us, travelling is an essential part of life. It’s something I would recommend to people above most things… That does sound crazy really, but what you get out of it can change your life, or at least your perspective. It can teach you things that you weren’t even searching the answers for.

    Change your perspective

    Travelling, especially to different parts of the world, will give you a new perspective. The way people live is the complete opposite to our everyday life. It’s not something you can fully understand until you see it in person, until you live it. Films and stories can only capture a small corner of what life is really like.

    You realise that these people really cherish the small things in life, and I mean some things that we don’t even consider. Something as simple as a new face they haven’t seen before, or just some fresh fruit can be enough to ignite a deep smile in someone’s face.

    Think about all the stresses we have in life? We go to work and we worry about not handing in our work on time.. or worry about studying and not getting the grades we want.. but these are things we should be grateful that we have the opportunity to do. Both of us were privileged enough to have the option to attend University, with Jack getting a masters & Aimee deciding to leave due to not finding the right degree for her career. We are both lucky to be in the position to study, earn and live in the country we do, as most people in the world don’t have this opportunity.

    From our travels, I remember a boat trip in the Philippines where we visited the last island of our boat tour and it was as scenic as the rest and looked like it was pulled straight from Hollywood. It had the perfectly clear blue waters, white sanded beaches, thick greens forest with large rock formations as a scenic background to the perfect island. Here, we met locals who lived on the island.. What did they eat? What did they do? How did they survive? As there wasn’t much there at all; but this was their home.

    Their little corner of paradise was all they needed. They greeted us with great big smiles like we were old friends, and we communicated through the simple English they have picked up by speaking with foreigners before us. We spent 1 hour on this island where we played a game of beach volleyball as the sun set on the horizon (which we won by the way!!). After we collapsed on the beach to enjoy our last snippet of their paradise which they were happy to share with us.

    People back home can take offence when you smile at them, but here we are friends.

    There is nothing like meeting people from different backgrounds. Even the most unexpected people may teach you some life lessons which will stick with you and change your perspective. It really humbles your ego and creates an awareness that we are all the same, no matter our path in life. This is an experience we know many people haven’t experienced and one that many people would majorly benefit from.

    Who knows, this new perspective may be what you are searching for, or the push you needed to pursue the dream you always had but weren’t aware of.

    Enjoy the little things

    We are so submerged in our everyday lives of social media and work, we truly do forget some of the best things in life. Even the simplicity of enjoying time with family, or with a loved one. Away from phones and TVs. This is something we don’t allow ourselves to have, as our brains are constantly stimulated and we ‘need’ to keep our brains occupied. A recent issue we have seen is that with using apps including Instagram & Tiktok, people constantly scroll, and there is too much stimulation constantly, and little attention span.

    Sometimes it’s nice to put down these devices, switch them off and take some time for yourself to be with whatever you want to be with. A memory that stays with us is waking up (absurdly early) at 4/5 am in Costa Rica and going for a long walk around the sanctuary; taking in the morning skies and lively animals before our day started. Phones were placed deep in our pockets and we wandered – with no time constraints – and immersed ourselves in the sounds of exotic birds squawking and the rustling of bushes from mammals scurrying from the sound of our footsteps.

    This experience is a portion of the day we really made the most of and is one not many people did at the sanctuary.

    When travelling, it’s important to really immerse yourself in the activity/location you are in to really get the most of the experience. Sometimes, the simplest of activities, no matter how small they are, can have a long-lasting impact.

    Now that we are back in our home country, I still listen out for birds calling and still get satisfaction from the musical sounds that I hear. Sometimes life gets hard – even now as I am writing this – I’ve had a rather tough day but as I was leaving work all I could hear was warm calls from birds. The sound created a nostalgic feeling, one that put a smile on my face and gave me the kick I really needed. Sometimes, it really is the simple things in life that can matter the most.

    New Cultures

    This is probably the most obvious to people who are looking to travel. As we know, all countries have varying experiences, and ways of living. Therefore, we all have rituals that differ and create distinct cultures, and the only way we can experience others, is to engage in it.

    In some cultures, it is deep-rooted beliefs that have existed for generations. If we think of the simple examples of Mexico, and their Dia De Los Muertos festival (The Day of the Dead Festival) or the Chinese New Year festival, these are both engrained in their culture and something they take good pride in when celebrating.

    It’s a great way to educate yourself on new cultures and beliefs to learn more about yourself, and what you believe in or celebrate. It’s important to celebrate the important things in life, and a lot of travellers get involved in cultural celebrations to show respect and gratitude towards the people or culture who celebrate.

    This is the perfect way to enrich your life experiences and understand different perspectives which will help us grow.

    Meet new people

    A lot of people (especially in today’s age), really struggle when meeting people. It can be a daunting idea to meet new people- and when we are in the comfort of our own home, it is easier to say no and stay in this comfort. If you have found the courage to travel and commit to such an enthralling journey, then meeting people will be something you will have little choice in doing.

    When you travel, you are likely to meet people who are more alike to you than back home. These people you meet while travelling will have similar interests to you as you will meet them in places YOU choose to visit. If you are up a mountain, you probably like hiking- and so does the rest of the group you are hiking with!

    This is the perfect place to meet new people and form some amazing bonds to create some unforgettable memories with.

    These people will also teach you a lot as well! They will take you outside your comfort zone by introducing you to new places, activities & people which you may not have experienced if you didn’t meet them.

    You will meet people who have done some extraordinary things and it may motivate you to find some extraordinary things to do also. Who knows, the people you meet might push you to sky dive even if you are afraid of heights. And doing things like this – outside our comfort zone – will only help us grow and improve as people.

    Travelling is a gift

    The thought of travelling is one that will never change, it’s something inside that will always burn bright in us. We couldn’t recommend travelling enough as we know that you will come back a new person (that’s if you come back)! There is so much to learn in this world, whether it’s new people, cultures, places, languages.

    As you may already know, Jack has the ambition to visit every country. We are so excited to explore and learn about each countries way of living and what it has to offer.

    If you really are unsure of travelling and somehow this blog wasn’t able to persuade you, the check out our other blog ‘Do I want to travel‘. This blog includes some important questions to ask yourself which we hope it helps to answer that big important question.

    Please do subscribe to our Blog as we post daily blogs talking all things travel!

    If you do want to follow our journey, you can follow @ourtwostepstart on our Social Media’s below:

    Like this post? Share it with friends to plan your next trip!

  • Ultimate Backpacker’s Travel Bucket List for Hanoi: Unveiling Hidden Gems and Must-See Sights in Vietnam!

    Ultimate Backpacker’s Travel Bucket List for Hanoi: Unveiling Hidden Gems and Must-See Sights in Vietnam!

    Hanoi is one of the most popular city destinations in South East Asia for backpackers to visit, however it can become overwhelming to see everything as the city never sleeps! We found the best way to make the most of our stay in Hanoi is by creating a checklist, including places to visit in Hanoi.

    Compiling our checklist of Hanoi things to do doesn’t just allow us to see everything the city has to offer, but also tailors it to what we enjoy and the activities we are most interested in. We could also plan our days dependant on everything we wanted to see and where each activity was in terms of location. If you need help planning your trip, check this post here!

    When travelling, you usually have a limited time in each place so it’s best to have a rough guide to hand so you can get the most out of your stay.

    So, we did the research and came up with the best experiences in Hanoi and have provided it for you to see below!

    *This post contains affiliate links where we can earn a commission. However, all opinions we share are genuine and our own.

    Top things to do in Hanoi

    Walk Across Train Street

    Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

    Hanoi Night Market

    Hoa Lo Prison Historical Relic

    Visit Hoan Kiem Lake

    Try an Egg Coffee

    Vietnam Military History Museum

    The Quang Phu Cau Incense Village

    Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum

    Try Banh Mi

    These 10 activities will immerse you in the cities culture and let you see the best of what Hanoi has to offer!

    Best place to stay in Hanoi?

    For your trip to Hanoi, we would highly recommend this hostel here. This was one of the best hostels we stayed in within Southeast Asia, for it’s low price, but high quality features. It was extremely spacious and clean, with a lot of personal space and great attention to detail. Everyone was so friendly, and the location was central- perfect for exploring!

    You can follow our travel journey through subscribing to our blog for daily uploads!

    We also upload to our Social Medias so check them out below!!

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  • Paris Travel Guide – How to explore the City of Love

    Paris Travel Guide – How to explore the City of Love

    Known as the city of love, this French capital is bursting with amazing things to do and see. Perfect for last minute vacations, or to find amazing luxury hotels of world, or even to just see lots of tourist attractions, Paris has it all.

    We visited in February 2023, and it was such a beautiful trip! After visiting over Valentine’s Day, we had such an amazing time. Being spoilt for choice with activities, and things to do, we still couldn’t fit in everything we wanted in a 4 day period!

    We couldn’t find many blog posts that shared a variety of activities, and things to do, so we have decided to make our full comprehensive guide, to help others in the same situation! We will share the best places to visit in Paris, the best tourist places in Paris, what to eat here and more!

    *This post includes affiliate links, where we might earn a small commission, however all opinions are genuine and our own.

    Photo collage of our trip to Paris, including the Palais Garnier, the Palaeontology Museum and the Pantheon
    1. How long should I stay in Paris?
    2. When to visit Paris?
    3. Quick facts about Paris
    4. Where should I stay in Paris?
    5. Hostels:
    6. Best places to visit in Paris
      1. Museums
      2. Tourist Attractions
    7. Other highlights of Paris
      1. Food
      2. Shopping / fashion
      3. Souvenirs
    8. Day trip from Paris
      1. Disneyland Paris
    9. What do you think of Paris?

    How long should I stay in Paris?

    This is such a tricky question, because there isn’t really a right or wrong answer. Due to being such a famous capital, along with the location, the prices are not cheap… This definitely isn’t a fully budget friendly spot!

    We would suggest if you have a flexible budget, to aim for roughly 4/5 days, including room to go to Disneyland Paris (if this is of interest to you). With this you can focus on a lot more sightseeing, alongside seeing some more unique places to visit!

    However, if you are on a tighter budget, we would recommend a 2 day break (maybe just a weekend getaway), so you can still see your most important highlights, but you aren’t having to worry as much about the costs around you! Sadly, money doesn’t stretch far in Paris.

    When to visit Paris?

    This again is very much down to preference. We would mostly suggest the spring and autumn months, due to the crowds being slightly smaller, but the weather being a lot more pleasant! Prices always increase around holidays so this would help with keeping a lower budget!

    Quick facts about Paris

    Currency : Euro €. We found card usage extremely easy here, and didn’t once handle cash!

    Data while abroad : We used international roaming, which was part of our sim-contracts in the UK (most providers offer this so check with your contract).

    SIM card : If you do not have roaming opportunities, you can buy an e-sim from as little as $4.50! We usually use Airalo which you can find here. They also offer a Europe-wide sim starting from $5, so we will link this here for those backpacking around Europe!

    Closures : Paris is known to have some different opening hours/days. Most shops are open Monday – Saturday from 9am to 7pm, however some smaller shops have limited (or none) opening hours on Mondays. Most museums are also closed on Tuesdays. In the lesser touristic areas, a lot more places (including restaurants) are closed on Sundays.

    Transport : There is some great transport options, with the metro being something we used heavily. Just make sure you are getting the right tickets, as we thought we’d found a great discount, which turned out to be the wrong ticket (and we got charged)! Trainline offer a variety of train routes in France, so definitely check them out here!

    Where should I stay in Paris?

    This trip we were lucky enough to stay with a friend of Jacks, however Paris is full of options for accommodation!

    We are huge advocates of hostels, due to the lower costs, the access to social areas, and generally have found the experience a lot more enjoyable!

    We will share 3 hostels below, for those who like a budget-option, those who like some privacy, and those who want to be in the centre of the city!

    Hostels:

    The budget traveler – Jo&Joe. This hostel is honestly such a great value for money, with dorms starting from only £19. They do offer all-female dorms also if this is something you would be interested in! There is an option for a ‘private space’ from only £24. There are lockers and USB ports within your accommodation, and you can get breakfast included as an option whilst booking! This hostel is on the outskirts of Paris, and the centre can be easily accessed by a train. Find this hostel here!

    The Private Room – We chose this accommodation for it’s great location, the Plug Inn Montmartre by Hiphophostels is a great private option! These private rooms have private bathrooms (which isn’t always a guarantee when visiting regular hostels), and has an impressive location, being only 3 minutes away from the Sacré Coeur, and 2 minutes from the Moulin Rouge. This option is more pricey, being around £90 a night, with the addition of a damage deposit being required. You can find this hostel here.

    The Central Option – Being only a rough 20 minutes walk from the Eiffel Tower, this hostel is great for being central, whilst not breaking the bank! The 3 Ducks offers dorm rooms from only around £33, and fun fact- this hostel is the oldest in the whole of France! You can pay additionally for breakfast whilst booking, alongside offering free wifi, maps of Paris, safety boxes and aircon. They offer live music, due to being attached to a bar, so is great for social travellers! Find this central hostel here.

    Best places to visit in Paris

    Museums

    The Louvre – Home to the Mona Lisa, the Louvre is a world-renowned museum that is a must visit for Paris trips. With entry from €22, there is some budget options here! For the first Friday of the month, after 6pm, visitors can have free entry! There is also free admission for under 18’s, under 25 year old residents of the European Economic Area, and Disabled visitors, Art teachers, journalists etc, with valid proof. This museum is very big, so we suggest leaving a lot of free time to explore! Also be ready to walk a lot! We suggest this museum towards the start of your trip, when you have more energy! Find tickets here.

    The Centre Pompidou – Being home to the largest modern art collection in Europe, the Centre Pompidou is a cool museum to explore. The architecture is unique, and is known to be a massively revolutionary museum of it’s kind. Tickets start from roughly €15, and they offer reduced tickets €12. On the first Sunday of the month, admission to the permanent collection, and the Galerie des enfants is free for all visitors. This museum is a great for modern art lovers, however it might not be everyones cup of tea. Find self-guided audio tickets here.

    Musée D’Orsay – Sadly, we never found time for this amazing museum, but we still had to include it! Housed in a train station, this museum hosts an impressive collection of artwork, from artists such as Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet and Toulous-Lautrec. It also holds sculptures and a range of arts from the art nouveau era. Admission is €16, with a reduced fee of €12 on Thursdays from 6pm. The first Sunday monthly is free admissions for all visitors, however booking is necessary. There is also free tickets for those with disabilities (with a carer), those under 18, and EU Citizens under 25. Find tickets here.

    Musée des Arts Décoratifs – Housing a large textile collection, for fashion-lovers keep an eye on this spot! We recommend checking their exhibition collection for your trip dates, as some of their guest exhibitions have been impressive! Aimee was lucky enough to see the Christian Dior exhibition here a few years ago, alongside some others such as : Barbie, Harpers Bazaar, Thierry Mugler and more, with a current exhibition being for Iris Van Herpen. We would suggest going for the exhibitions, which tickets are roughly €15, which is inclusive of the permanent collections admissions too.

    Galerie de paléontologie et d’anatomie comparée – Who said museums had to be just art? We visited this museum for the first time last year, and it was a great surprise! We haven’t seen this museum on many recommended lists, so we wanted to shout it out! Part of the French National Museum of Natural History, this museum is a unique one, showing the bones of many animals, and explaining the science! We saw the bones of a giant sloth which was cool, alongside dinosaur bones- how cool! Tickets are from €12, with reduced and free fares offered, similar to those mentioned above.

    Tourist Attractions

    The Eiffel Tower – Let’s start this list with arguably one of the most famous landmarks worldwide. The Eiffel Tower is a distinct monument, and one to tick off your list! We must say, our unpopular opinion is that we weren’t overly fussed with the Eiffel Tower, however, if you have never seen it we would suggest still making that a highly on your itinerary. There is options to go up the tower, alongside restaurants, if your budget permits this! Find tickets here, that allow access to the summit if you want to visit!

    The Arc de Triomphe – Would you believe we found this by mistake last trip! We were walking along some of the designer shops ‘window shopping’, and ended up coming across this! It was stunning! This is a monument for those who fought and died during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars. We saw it at nighttime, and being all lit-up was really pretty. It a great sight to see and take a photo of, and you can also go into it! Entrance is €13 (or free for certain groups), and is great to see the skyline of Paris! Find rooftop access tickets here.

    The Catacombs – Not for all, but the underground catacombs of Paris is something on our to do list! Containing the remains of over 6 million people, the catacombs is an underground maze under this famous city. Only a small amount has been explored and is open to the public. It is believed it was made due to relocation of the Parisian cemeteries. Admission is from €29, and audio guide purchase is recommended. Reduced and free rates are available for certain groups. See this combined tour of the Catacombs, and a river cruise, with audio guide here!

    The Notre Dame Cathédrale – Due to the tragedy of the fire, not all of the Notre Dame has yet been rebuilt. It is due to be reopened in December 2024, but we still recommend going by if you can. We saw some amazing street performances nearby, and it is still something great to see.

    The Palais Garnier – This opera house is beautiful. This historic opera house is a sight to see, with intricate architecture and stunning interiors. Entry is not free, however there is a chance to still see shows here, which if within your budget would be amazing! Even just to view outside is great. Enjoy a full tour and sightseeing river cruise here.

    The Sacré-Cœur Basilica – Being one of Aimee’s favourite Parisian spots, the basilica is such a sight. A roman Catholic Church at the summit of Montmarte, this building is an impressive 83m and is beautiful inside and out. We aren’t religious, but anyone can appreciate this for sure! Entry is free, however due to being up the hill, it is a little tricky to get to! So keep this in mind. This full guided walking tour around Montemarte explores areas around the Sacré-Cœur, visiting sights like the Moulin Rouge and the Place du Tertre. Find tickets here.

    Other highlights of Paris

    Food

    Let’s be honest, we all know there is many foods to try in France! From sweet treats, to famous dinner dishes, there is a lot to try!

    We would always suggest visiting a bakery, and trying fresh croissants, pain au chocolat, and baguettes- it’s a favourite of ours! We once brought a fresh baguette and ate it while on the metro (maybe we did get some odd looks but SO worth it)!

    For lunches we suggest trying a croque monsieur, which is one of Aimee’s favourites! If not, just a nice fresh baguette sandwich is always so nice. Be sure to try some meats and cheeses- it is Paris!

    For dinner if you feel up to it, escargot is a well known food from France. Alongside cuisses de grenouille… which we would know as frogs legs. Would you be willing to try these? If not, maybe opt for something like coq au vin, or a French onion soup!

    This food tour will take you around the 16th Arrondissement with a local, allowing you to try different French pastries and chocolates, all whilst learning about famous French literature from Ernest Hemingway to Victor Hugo. Find tickets here.

    Shopping / fashion

    This isn’t one of the fashion capitals for no reason! Paris is the best excuse to shop till you drop, with so many different places to browse! You will find so many shops, from big scale designers, to small brands you’ve never heard of (but will surely fall in love with)!

    Maybe you would be lucky enough to visit over fashion week and get a ticket to a show! Some big designers do offer off-calendar tickets during Fashion week for others to see (who wouldn’t usually be invited), so if this is your type of thing definitely keep an eye out!

    One other little thing to note is walking along the river, and browsing through artist’s prints and postcards. There is some major talent, and walking here is beautiful and interesting. Maybe you can get a tote bag of a beautiful French painted scenery!

    Paris is always world renowned for amazing fashion and designers, so experience luxury and create an unforgettable souvenir with Lady Gaga’s hat maker, in a truly unique workshop experience! Learn about hat making craftsmanship skills, discover pieces for by Lady Gaga, and choose your colours, shape and accoutrements ready fro your made-to measure hat! Find this experience here.

    Souvenirs

    We wanted to add this fun little addition. Some great souvenirs of course include a little Eiffel Tower (usually a keyring), a beret (so iconic!), little music boxes, and snow globes! We also love postcards to collect, and since Paris is full of so many monuments there is such a massive variety of postcards to choose from!

    Day trip from Paris

    Disneyland Paris

    We wanted to add this as an addition, since we don’t think many people think of doing it this way!

    Within the centre, there is an option to train it straight into Disneyland itself! You can from there then purchase a day ticket to explore one, or both parks! Make sure you leave early to make the most of the day!

    You can also book into the themed restaurants, which we did for a buffet dinner!

    Let’s be honest Disney isn’t a cheap trip, but this option of doing it as a day trip does help a bit with that. Disneyland is a magical place, and definitely did enhance our trip even more. You can embrace your inner child for a day! The magic of seeing your favourite characters never dies.

    What do you think of Paris?

    Paris is a beautiful city filled with amazing things to do, just remember to budget well, and keep costs in mind!

    We hope this guide helps to build your perfect Paris itinerary for your cheeky trip to the city of love! Let us know your thoughts below, and if you would add anything else!

    We really recommend exploring Europe further to see all the diverse beauty it has to offer! So, check out this 7 day itinerary for Croatia, our full guide to visiting Stockholm, or a full guide to Aarhus in Denmark!

    Like this post? Share it with friends to plan your next trip!

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  • How to spend 4 perfect days in Paris – Full Paris Travel Guide.

    How to spend 4 perfect days in Paris – Full Paris Travel Guide.

    Known as the city of love, this French capital is bursting with amazing things to do and see. Perfect for last minute vacations, or to find amazing luxury hotels of world, or even to just see lots of tourist attractions, Paris has it all.

    We visited in February 2023, and it was such a beautiful trip! We visited over Valentine’s Day, and we did have such an amazing time. We were spoilt for choice with activities, and things to do, so we still couldn’t fit in everything we wanted in a 4 day period!

    We couldn’t find many blog posts that shared a variety of activities, and things to do, so we have decided to make our full comprehensive guide, to help others in the same situation! We will share the best places to visit in Paris, the best tourist places in Paris, what to eat here and more!

    *This post includes affiliate links, where we might earn a small commission, however all opinions are genuine and our own.

    How long should I stay in Paris?

    This is such a tricky question, because there isn’t really a right or wrong answer. Due to being such a famous capital, along with the location, the prices are not cheap… This definitely isn’t a fully budget friendly spot!

    We would suggest if you have a flexible budget, to aim for roughly 4/5 days, including room to go to Disneyland Paris (if this is of interest to you). With this you can focus on a lot more sightseeing, alongside seeing some more unique places to visit!

    However, if you are on a tighter budget, we would recommend a 2 day break (maybe just a weekend getaway), so you can still see your most important highlights, but you aren’t having to worry as much about the costs around you! Sadly, money doesn’t stretch far in Paris.

    When to visit Paris?

    This again is very much down to preference. We would mostly suggest the spring and autumn months, due to the crowds being slightly smaller, but the weather being a lot more pleasant! Prices always increase around holidays so this would help with keeping a lower budget!

    Quick facts about Paris

    Currency : Euro €. We found card usage extremely easy here, and didn’t once handle cash!

    Data while abroad : We used international roaming, which was part of our sim-contracts in the UK (most providers offer this so check with your contract).

    SIM card : If you do not have roaming opportunities, you can buy an e-sim from as little as $4.50! We usually use Airalo which you can find here. They also offer a Europe-wide sim starting from $5, so we will link this here for those backpacking around Europe!

    Closures : Paris is known to have some different opening hours/days. Most shops are open Monday – Saturday from 9am to 7pm, however some smaller shops have limited (or none) opening hours on Mondays. Most museums are also closed on Tuesdays. In the lesser touristic areas, a lot more places (including restaurants) are closed on Sundays.

    Transport : There is some great transport options, with the metro being something we used heavily. Just make sure you are getting the right tickets, as we thought we’d found a great discount, which turned out to be the wrong ticket (and we got charged)

    Where should I stay in Paris?

    This trip we were lucky enough to stay with a friend of Jacks, however Paris is full of options for accommodation!

    We are huge advocates of hostels, due to the lower costs, the access to social areas, and generally have found the experience a lot more enjoyable!

    We will share 3 hostels below, for those who like a budget-option, those who like some privacy, and those who want to be in the centre of the city!

    Hostels:

    The budget traveler – Jo&Joe. This hostel is honestly such a great value for money, with dorms starting from only £19. They do offer all-female dorms also if this is something you would be interested in! There is an option for a ‘private space’ from only £24. There is lockers and USB ports within your accommodation, and you can get breakfast included as an option whilst booking! This hostel is on the outskirts of Paris, and the centre can be easily accessed by a train. Find this hostel here!

    The Private Room – We chose this accommodation for it’s great location, the Plug Inn Montmartre by Hiphophostels is a great private option! These private rooms have private bathrooms (which isn’t always a guarantee when visiting regular hostels), and has an impressive location, being only 3 minutes away from the Sacré Coeur, and 2 minutes from the Moulin Rouge. This option is more pricey, being around £90 a night, with the addition of a damage deposit being required. You can find this hostel here.

    The Central Option – Being only a rough 20 minutes walk from the Eiffel Tower, this hostel is great for being central, whilst not breaking the bank! The 3 Ducks offers dorm rooms from only around £33, and fun fact- this hostel is the oldest in the whole of France! You can pay additionally for breakfast whilst booking, alongside offering free wifi, maps of Paris, safety boxes and aircon. They offer live music, due to being attached to a bar, so is great for social travellers! Find this central hostel here.

    Best places to visit in Paris

    Museums

    The Louvre – Home to the Mona Lisa, the Louvre is a world-renowned museum that is a must visit for Paris trips. With entry from €22, there is some budget options here! For the first Friday of the month, after 6pm, visitors can have free entry! There is also free admission for under 18’s, under 25 year old residents of the European Economic Area, and Disabled visitors, Art teachers, journalists etc, with valid proof. This museum is very big, so we suggest leaving a lot of free time to explore! Also be ready to walk a lot! We suggest this museum towards the start of your trip, when you have more energy!

    The Centre Pompidou – Being home to the largest modern art collection in Europe, the Centre Pompidou is a cool museum to explore. The architecture is unique, and is known to be a massively revolutionary museum of it’s kind. Tickets start from roughly €15, and they offer reduced tickets €12. On the first Sunday of the month, admission to the permanent collection, and the Galerie des enfants is free for all visitors. This museum is a great for modern art lovers, however it might not be everyones cup of tea.

    Musée D’Orsay – Sadly, we never found time for this amazing museum, but we still had to include it! Housed in a train station, this museum hosts an impressive collection of artwork, from artists such as Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet and Toulous-Lautrec. It also holds sculptures and a range of arts from the art nouveau era. Admission is €16, with a reduced fee of €12 on Thursdays from 6pm. The first Sunday monthly is free admissions for all visitors, however booking is necessary. There is also free tickets for those with disabilities (with a carer), those under 18, and EU Citizens under 25.

    Musée des Arts Décoratifs – Housing a large textile collection, for fashion-lovers keep an eye on this spot! We recommend checking their exhibition collection for your trip dates, as some of their guest exhibitions have been impressive! Aimee was lucky enough to see the Christian Dior exhibition here a few years ago, alongside some others such as : Barbie, Harpers Bazaar, Thierry Mugler and more, with a current exhibition being for Iris Van Herpen. We would suggest going for the exhibitions, which tickets are roughly €15, which is inclusive of the permanent collections admissions too.

    Galerie de paléontologie et d’anatomie comparée – Who said museums had to be just art? We visited this museum for the first time last year, and it was a great surprise! We haven’t seen this museum on many recommended lists, so we wanted to shout it out! Part of the French National Museum of Natural History, this museum is a unique one, showing the bones of many animals, and explaining the science! We saw the bones of a giant sloth which was cool, alongside dinosaur bones- how cool! Tickets are from €12, with reduced and free fares offered, similar to those mentioned above.

    Tourist Attractions

    The Eiffel Tower – Let’s start this list with arguably one of the most famous landmarks worldwide. The Eiffel Tower is a distinct monument, and one to tick off your list! We must say, our unpopular opinion is that we weren’t overly fussed with the Eiffel Tower, however, if you have never seen it we would suggest still making that a highly on your itinerary. There is options to go up the tower, alongside restaurants, if your budget permits this!

    The Arc de Triomphe – Would you believe we found this by mistake last trip! We were walking along some of the designer shops ‘window shopping’, and ended up coming across this! It was stunning! This is a monument for those who fought and died during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars. We saw it at nighttime, and being all lit-up was really pretty. It a great sight to see and take a photo of, and you can also go into it! Entrance is €13 (or free for certain groups), and is great to see the skyline of Paris!

    The Catacombs – Not for all, but the underground catacombs of Paris is something on our to do list! Containing the remains of over 6 million people, the catacombs is an underground maze under this famous city. Only a small amount has been explored and is open to the public. It is believed it was made due to relocation of the Parisian cemeteries. Admission is from €29, and audio guide purchase is recommended. Reduced and free rates are available for certain groups.

    The Notre Dame Cathédrale – Due to the tragedy of the fire, not all of the Notre Dame has yet been rebuilt. It is due to be reopened in December 2024, but we still recommend going by if you can. We saw some amazing street performances nearby, and it is still something great to see.

    The Palais Garnier – This opera house is beautiful. This historic opera house is a sight to see, with intricate architecture and stunning interiors. Entry is not free, however there is a chance to still see shows here, which if within your budget would be amazing! Even just to view outside is great.

    The Sacré-Cœur Basilica – Being one of Aimee’s favourite Parisian spots, the basilica is such a sight. A roman Catholic Church at the summit of Montmarte, this building is an impressive 83m and is beautiful inside and out. We aren’t religious, but anyone can appreciate this for sure! Entry is free, however due to being up the hill, it is a little tricky to get to! So keep this in mind.

    Other highlights of Paris

    Food

    Let’s be honest, we all know there is many foods to try in France! From sweet treats, to famous dinner dishes, there is a lot to try!

    We would always suggest visiting a bakery, and trying fresh croissants, pain au chocolat, and baguettes- it’s a favourite of ours! We once brought a fresh baguette and ate it while on the metro (maybe we did get some odd looks but SO worth it)!

    For lunches we suggest trying a croque monsieur, which is one of Aimee’s favourites! If not, just a nice fresh baguette sandwich is always so nice. Be sure to try some meats and cheeses- it is Paris!

    For dinner if you feel up to it, escargot is a well known food from France. Alongside cuisses de grenouille… which we would know as frogs legs. Would you be willing to try these? If not, maybe opt for something like coq au vin, or a French onion soup!

    Shopping / fashion

    This isn’t one of the fashion capitals for no reason! Paris is the best excuse to shop till you drop, with so many different places to browse! You will find so many shops, from big scale designers, to small brands you’ve never heard of (but will surely fall in love with)!

    Maybe you would be lucky enough to visit over fashion week and get a ticket to a show! Some big designers do offer off-calendar tickets during Fashion week for others to see (who wouldn’t usually be invited), so if this is your type of thing definitely keep an eye out!

    One other little thing to note is walking along the river, and browsing through artist’s prints and postcards. There is some major talent, and walking here is beautiful and interesting. Maybe you can get a tote bag of a beautiful French painted scenery!

    Souvenirs

    We wanted to add this fun little addition. Some great souvenirs of course include a little Eiffel Tower (usually a keyring), a beret (so iconic!), little music boxes, and snow globes! We also love postcards to collect, and since Paris is full of so many monuments there is such a massive variety of postcards to choose from!

    Day trip from Paris

    Disneyland Paris

    We wanted to add this as an addition, since we don’t think many people think of doing it this way!

    Within the centre, there is an option to train it straight into Disneyland itself! You can from there then purchase a day ticket to explore one, or both parks! Make sure you leave early to make the most of the day!

    You can also book into the themed restaurants, which we did for a buffet dinner!

    Let’s be honest Disney isn’t a cheap trip, but this option of doing it as a day trip does help a bit with that. Disneyland is a magical place, and definitely did enhance our trip even more. You can embrace your inner child for a day! The magic of seeing your favourite characters never dies.

    What do you think?

    Paris is a beautiful city filled with amazing things to do, just remember to budget well, and keep costs in mind!

    We hope this guide helps to build your perfect Paris itinerary for your cheeky trip to the city of love! Let us know your thoughts below, and if you would add anything else!

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