7 Travel Apps That Are Total Gamechangers

I’ve been traveling the world and living out of my suitcase for the past 4 years. Along the way, I’ve discovered some travel apps that totally changed the way I travel.

And whether you travel a lot or only occasionally take a trip, these 7 travel apps will come in handy whenever you hit the road next!

Check out the my TikTok sharing all 7 apps here:

1. Airalo

Why I love this travel app: You can have cell data anywhere in the world without changing your number, worrying about a physical SIM or incurring high roaming charges.

Just download the app, pick which country your traveling to and buy the plan that works for you!

Code EMILY7034 for $3 sign up bonus!

Check it out here.

2. Grabr

Why I love this travel app: You can earn money by picking up items in one destination and dropping them off when you arrive. It’s a brilliant and simple way to offset (or completely cover!) the cost of your travels!

Some travelers earn over $900 in a single trip.

Highest paying destinations include São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, Moscow, Lima, Mumbai and more!

Check it out here.

3. Radical Luggage Storage

Why I love this travel app: Find immediate luggage storage in any city for just $5 a bag.

If you’ve ever had a long layover and want to go explore a city, it’s a great way to drop off your bags in a protected place. Or if you have to check out of an Airbnb early but still have the day left to explore… this way you don’t have to carry your bags around with you!

Check out it out here.

4. Rick Steve’s Audio Europe

Why I love this travel app: Free amazing tours all over Europe, how can you NOT love that as a traveler?!

Just select your city, pop in your headphones and the app will walk you through an entire guided tour. You can start and stop at anytime. It also includes clear and easy to follow directions as you walk through Europe’s most fascinating cities. And it’s totally FREE.

Check it out here.

5. Couchsurfing

Why I love this travel app: Connect with locals to set up a short-term homestay experience. (FYI: The app used to be free but now charges a minor fee!)

Check it out here.

Read: COUCHSURFING: IS IT SAFE?

6. AllTrails

Why I love this travel app: Find amazing hiking trails anywhere. AllTrails has the largest collection of detailed, hand-curated trail maps. Just search for trails nearby and you can read reviews, follow maps, see pictures from other hikers and more! It’s perfect when you’re in a new destination, want to go for a hike but don’t know what’s around.

Check it out here.

7. The Fork

Why I love this travel app: Get up to 50% off at restaurants around the world! I have saved so much money using The Fork. Just pull up the app when you’re in a city center, a book a reservation at one of the discount restaurants. It’s totally FREE. And will allow you to have a nice dinner out for half the price!

Check it out here.

The Fork Promo Code: 827BBC50

Shop my travel favorites:

Packing Cubes

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Wireless Sleep Headphones

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Foldable Carry On With Trolley Sleeve

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Cross-Body Phone Case

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The post 7 Travel Apps That Are Total Gamechangers appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

Mad Monkey Golden Tickets: Travel Long Term Through SE Asia On A Budget

If you’re looking for a great way to kick off your long term travel, check out the Mad Monkey Golden Tickets!

It basically is a 30, 60 or 90 day pass that lets you stay at any of the Mad Monkey hostels around SE Asia for a super low, fixed, one-time fee!

Mad Monkey Hostel Locations:

11 Locations in 5 Countries

• Bangkok, Thailand
• Pai, Thailand
• Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Luang, Laos
• Gili, Indonesia
• Nacpan Beach, Philippines
• Cebu, Philippines
• Siargao, Philippines
• Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Kampot, Cambodia
• Koh Rong, Cambodia
• and more coming soon!

Check out the great reviews on HostelWorld for the Mad Monkey hostel in Bangkok, Thailand!

“Bangkok is known as a party city and at Mad Monkey Bangkok we don’t let the side down. You’ll find us just off the famous Khao San Road, with views of a canal and a short walk from the river. Our staff are on hand around the clock to check you in and help you find your way around the city. Been travelling in the heat all day? You can have a well-deserved cool down in our swimming pool, before heading to the bar and restaurant. Our regular events are ideal for meeting other travellers (perfect if you’re riding solo) and our food and drink specials are budget-friendly.”

Affordable

Stay for under $100 a month. Pay in full or over 3 installments with our payment plan, available at check-out

Flexible

Come and go as you please and mix and match any of the locations across five countries in Southeast Asia.

Versatile

Travel freely, work remotely, find adventure or party as you go— the possibilities are endless!

Risk-Free

Use your ticket whenever you want before 2024. Tickets will be extended if travel restrictions remain. Add Flexible Cancellation for hassle free refunds.

Mad Monkey Golden Ticket Pricing

Book your Golden Ticket here.

More on SE Asia:

• WORK AT A PARTY HOSTEL IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
• 5 REASONS TO PUT STAR CLIPPERS SAILING AT THE TOP OF YOUR BUCKET LIST
• WHERE TO STAY IN BALI TO AVOID THE CROWDS
• FREEDIVING IN KOH TAO, THAILAND WITH BLUE IMMERSION

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The post Mad Monkey Golden Tickets: Travel Long Term Through SE Asia On A Budget appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

Barcelona 3 Day Itinerary
On A Budget

Barcelona is a city steeped in history, culture and architectural beauty!

Like any European city, there are ways to easily make this destination budget-friendly.

So here’s my top tips for 3 days in Barcelona on a budget!

Budget Tips

Museums Free on Sunday

If you want to visit the museems, plan your trip to include a Sunday!

All-day on the first Sunday of each month, and every Sunday between 3-8 pm, the majority of the city-operated museums are totally FREE. What a steal!

Public Transit

Skip the taxis and take the metro! The trains are fast and the city has a strong metro network. Almost all tourist attractions are within walking distance of a metro station.

Free Walking Tours

Free walking tours are a great way to get introduced to a city. Just be prepared to tip your guide at the end!

Find free walking tours here.

Beware of Pickpockets

Unfortunately, Barcelona has an incredibly high rate of pickpocketing and petty theft crimes. And these non-violent crimes are usually aimed at tourists. If you are traveling on a budget, it will be a big set back to have your phone and cash stolen.

• Don’t carry anything in your back pocket
• Never leave your belonging out of sight
• Only take as much money as you need for the day
• Try to appear confident, people who look lost are more easily targeted
• If someone approaches you on the street, don’t blindly trust them
• Carry a bag that someone cannot open without you noticing
• Get travel insurance that covers theft with World Nomads

Rick Steve’s Audio Guide Europe

Looking for a great tour that is totally free? Download the Rick Steve’s Audio Guide Europe for access to fantastic (and FREE!) tours around Barcelona.

Not only are these tours well done but it makes it easy to do a tour on your own time. And you can pause or restart as needed. The instructions/directions are simple and easy to follow as well.

Day 1

• Explore Las Ramblas
• Visit the infamous Sagrada Familia
• Rooftop bar with views of Sagrada Familia: AYRE HOTEL ROSELLÓN
• Hike to Tibidabo
• Drinks in the Gothic Quarter

Hike to Tibidabo

Tibidabo makes for a beautiful hike on a sunny day. It will most likely take you a little over an hour. Bring water on a hot day, it is a steep hike!

When you reach the top, you’ll find an amusement park, restaurant and stunning old cathedral.

For just a few euros, you can take the elevator to the top of the cathedral for a marvelous view over the city.

Rooftop bar with views of Sagrada Familia: AYRE HOTEL ROSELLÓN

ADDRESS: CARRER DEL ROSSELLÓ, 390, 08025 BARCELONA, SPAIN

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 11AM – 7 PM

You don’t have to be staying at the hotel to take advantage of this great space. It’s open to anyone from 11am-7pm but after that it’s only open to hotel guests.

If you’d like to enjoy the views at sunset or in the evening, then I suggest booking a room at the hotel. Then the terrace is open until 11pm!

GET THERE RIGHT WHEN IT OPENS TO GUARANTEE A SPOT

This spot is relatively popular and the hotel only allows up a select number of public guests to it’s rooftop.

I tried coming 3 times before I was finally let up to the top.

The trick? Show up right at 11am when it opens. When I tried to go on the weekend or during happy hour, the hotel staff wouldn’t let us up, stating it was too full.

Drinks in the Gothic Quarter

Gothic Quarter is easily my favorite neighborhood in Barcelona. You will find so many unique, local restaurants and bars.

Plan to spend more than one night dining out and exploring this area.

Read: THE BEST BARS IN BARCELONA’S GOTHIC QUARTER

Day 2

• Sunrise at Park Güell
• Eat Calçotada at LA BARCA D’ADRIÀ (January until late March only)
• Picnic at the beach
• Sunset at the Bunkers

Sunrise at Park Güell

During the day, this park is awash with tourists. The steps will be crowded and the bench pictured below will be a popular spot for photographers. However at sunrise, we had the place mostly to ourselves. We brought a picnic and saw only a handful of other people. It. Was. Perfect.

Not only is this a glorious place for sunrise, if you go before the park technically opens, you can avoid paying the entrance fee! Which if you’re doing Barcelona on a budget, it’s an added perk.

A worker had opened the gate allowing us inside but they don’t start charging admission until later in the morning. It’s a well-known secret of Barcelona that the park is free before sunrise. The early bird gets the worm!

Eat Calçotada at LA BARCA D’ADRIÀ
(January until late March only)

Calçotada is an annual event in Spain celebrating the harvest of calçots.

These mild green onions are grilled over a hot fire, wrapped up in newspaper, served on terracotta tiles. They are then eaten after peeling with bare hands, by dipping them one by one in the most delicious salvitxada sauce.

Top it off with some red wine and bread for the best meal you’ll have in Barcelona!

It’s truly one-of-a-kind and a foodie experience totally unique to this area of Spain.

LA BARCA D’ADRIÀ

Address: Parc de la Pau, s/n,
08930 Sant Adrià de Besòs, Barcelona, Barcelona

My local friends who took me here for my first Calçotada experience and can’t recommend it highly enough!

Sunset at the Bunkers

Welcome to uninterrupted 360° panoramic views over Barcelona!

This is the absolute ideal place to watch sunset and one of my favorite spots in the entire city.

This location known as “the Bunkers” was actually anti aircraft warfare installed during the Spanish Civil War at the top of the hill, Turó de la Rovira. Once upon a time, it housed massive artillery to help protect the city of Barcelona.

But in 1938, the guns were taken out. An empty shell remained with the best views of the city. During the extreme poverty of the 40’s and 50’s, the Bunkers were used as a shantytown. But when the city hosted the Olympics, the shantytowns were cleared out. Again, the Bunkers sat empty.

Eventually people realized they could have the best views over Barcelona. You can see everything- the coast, the mountains, la Sagrada Familia.. etc. And it became a popular spot, especially at sunset.

You can visit anytime since it’s just an open space with no fees, no gate and no hours. But sunset is when you’ll get the best views!

GO UP EARLY TO ENJOY THE ATMOSPHERE.

The Bunkers has a very chill vibe at sunset with lots of people hanging out, having picnics, playing music or drinking a beer. There isn’t anything to do up top (like at Tibidabo) except enjoy a cold beverage, listen to music and kick back with friends.

Read: BARCELONA: THE BEST SPOTS FOR SUNRISE & SUNSET (AND HOW TO GET THERE)

Day 3

• Montserrat
• Dinner in the Gothic Quarter
• Drinks at L’ascensor

Montserrat

Montserrat is a mountain top monastery in Catalonia just one hour by train outside of Barcelona.

 From Plaça Espanya in Barcelona, take the R5 line to Monistrol de Montserrat. A ticket is only €5.25 one way.

Dinner in the Gothic Quarter

One night in the Gothic Quarter won’t be enough.

With so many winding, beautiful streets and tasty cuisine, you’ll want to go back for a second night. Enjoy!

Drinks at L’ascensor

The name of this tiny, gorgeous cocktail bar refers to the rickety, old lift you must ride to the top in order to enter the bar. Already, I love it. Get everyone to squeeze inside and begin the ascent because the drinks are flowing upstairs!

Buzzing with a young, party-going crowd- you will not be disappointed once you step off the lift and into the atmosphere at this Gothic Quarter hidden gem.

Most tourists don’t know about this spot. So expect plenty of locals, a great cocktail menu and the best (cheap!) house red wine anywhere! What’s not to love?!

Address: Carrer de Bellafila, 3, 08002 Barcelona, Spain

Looking for a great hotel option?

More European cities on a budget:

• PARIS ON A BUDGET: 3 DAYS FOR JUST €100
• HOW TO VISIT ORVIETO, ITALY ON A BUDGET
• HOW TO DO MUNICH’S OKTOBERFEST ON A BUDGET

USE HALARA PROMO CODE: EMILY9 FOR 20% OFF!!

The post Barcelona 3 Day Itinerary On A Budget appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

How To Find Unique Camping Sites
and The Best Glamping Worldwide

If you’re looking for fun, interesting and unique camping sites- you’ve come to the right place. If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I have been camping and “glamping” around the world for the last two years in epic destinations like the Great Smoky Mountains, the countryside in Spain or at festivals across Europe.

Well I’m excited to share with you guys exactly how I find these epic camping sites!

Whether you’re camping to save money, glamping to connect with nature or simply looking for a trip more memorable than staying in another generic hotel, these apps, websites and companies will help you find the coolest accommodations outdoors and around the world.

Hipcamp

By now, just about everyone everywhere knows about Airbnb. But have you heard of Hipcamp? It’s a resource similar to Airbnb that allows privately owned properties to be rented out to travelers.

This could mean anything from a basic camping spot in someone’s backyard to large privately owned glamping sites.

Just like with Airbnb, sometimes you’ll meet the owners and sometimes you won’t. It just depends on the site you book. There may be other campers around or you might have the property to yourself! Hipcamp is home to a wide range of properties- even cute cabins and lodges.

Get $10 off your first Hipcamp!

I have personally used Hipcamp a number of different times during my travels in my home state of Minnesota and while traveling the Great Smoky Mountains.

Read: GLAMPING IN MINNESOTA: THE PERFECT SUMMER GETAWAY!

The first glamping site we found in Minnesota was exclusively featured on Hipcamp and was one of my favorite summer adventures this year! The property had multiple campsites surrounded by gorgeous trails. We stayed in the stunning safari tent. And for extra fun, try showering in the very cute and charming outdoors shower.

The second Minnesota glamping trip I went on was at the Dancing the Land farm also found on Hipcamp. This stay was an absolute 10/10 experience!

Read: DANCING THE LAND FARMSTAY: A STUNNING MINNESOTA GLAMPING EXPERIENCE

Get $10 off your first Hipcamp!

Under Canvas

If you’ve fallen in love with the “glamping” (glamorous + camping) craze that has taken the travel industry by storm, you’re not alone! People who want to connect with nature but still have a few comforts (like a bed, ha!) are growing in number.

Under Canvas is a company that provides “glampsites” near beloved national parks.

We stayed at the stunning campsite near Great Smoky Mountains National Park and were thrilled with the property. However, this isn’t the most budget friendly campsite. Under Canvas is very trendy and will cost just as much as a hotel room. But it’s an awesome experience if you can swing it!

2021 Camp Dates

Moab: March 4 – October 25, 2021

Zion: March 11 – November 8, 2021

Lake Powell – Grand Staircase: April 1 – October 31, 2021

Great Smoky Mountains: April 1 – November 29, 2021

Grand Canyon: April 15 – October 25, 2021

Mount Rushmore: May 6 – September 27, 2021

Acadia: May 13 – October 31, 2021

Yellowstone: May 20 – September 6, 2021

Glacier: June 10 – September 13, 2021

Read: GLAMPING AT GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK WITH UNDER CANVAS

The Dyrt Website & App

This website and app are an amazing resource for campers. It’s like Tripadvisor or Yelp but just for campgrounds which makes it easy to find and review campsites near you or your destination.

Check out The Dyrt site here.

The Go-To Resource for Campers
However you camp — in a tent, trailer, RV, or cabin — we believe that finding outdoor accommodations should be just as easy as finding the indoor kind.

Camping at International Festivals With Stoke Travel

Did you know you can glamp at the legendary Munich Oktoberfest?! Well neither did I until I came across Stoke Travel.

Read: GLAMPING AT OKTOBERFEST

Since then, I have camped or glamped at several festivals around the world with this crazy, party orientated company.

So how does it work? Stoke Travel sets up campsites at all of your favorite festivals around the world. You just show up and everything is ready for you: your tent, your meals, your drinks, and hundreds of other travelers to meet!

You can even get unlimited beer, wine & sangria with a promo code. It’s the best way to do a festival on a budget!

Stoke Travel Promo Code: thewanderlustrose

I worked with Stoke Travel at the 2018 Oktoberfest as part of their festival crew. Read the blog post to find out how to apply!

Airbnb Unique Stays

Of course you already know about Airbnb. But did you know you can filter searches by scrolling down and selecting “unique stays“? Everyday more camping and glamping options are being added to Airbnb so it’s worth checking in the unique stays sections while on the hunt for a great camping or glamping site.

One of my favorite unique Airbnb stays of all time was this gorgeous glamping yurt in Australia on Great Ocean Road. It perfectly faced the ocean for sunset and we had the entire beach to ourselves!

Harvest Host

If you have a camper van or RV, you can find free amazing campsites through this network of wineries, breweries, distilleries, farms and attractions that invite RVers to stay in any one of the 1274+ campsites.

There is a yearly membership of $79 but the campsites are FREE. It’s only applicable if you have an RV but it’s a cool way to campout somewhere unique!

Check out Harvest Host.

Tents of any kind aren’t allowed and the van or RV must be fully self contained with a toilet, water tank and inside cooking facilities.

Interested in camping but feel intimidated or don’t own any gear?

Glamping is a great option for new campers because everything is provided for you. But if you don’t have any gear yet and are interested in camping, try an all-inclusive camping trip with a company like Bindlestiff Tours.

These small group trips are great because you don’t have to provide any of your own camping gear- just show up and the guide will have everything you need loaded in the trailer.

Read: BINDLESTIFF TOURS: AN EPIC, ALL-INCLUSIVE SOUTHWEST ROAD TRIP

Follow along & stay tuned for when I go camping in Antarctica in 2021- my most unique camping site of all time, ha!

Save these unique camping sites on Pinterest for later!

Shop My Favorite Camping Gear

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Sleeping Pad

Lightweight & inflatable

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Tent

Lightweight, sleeps 2

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12 Tips To Travel Honolulu On A Budget

Honolulu On A Budget

Welcome to Honolulu, the capital city of Hawaii on the island Oahu. Hawaii has been on the top of my bucket list for USA destinations ever since I was a little girl and my parents spoke of honeymooning in Honolulu. I’m sucker for mountains by the ocean and certainly a fan of Hawaiian culture and weather! So after traveling Australia for a month, we purchased the cheapest flight out- which just happened to be to Hawaii!

Our flight from Australia to Hawaii was less than $200, which was a bargain! But as you might know, Hawaii itself is one of the most expensive places in the USA. But if you’re on a backpacker’s budget, don’t let the high price tag completely deter you from visiting! Here’s how to do Honolulu on a budget.

10. Have Flexible Travel Plans

I use Momondo and Skyscanner to compare dates and fly on the cheapest day whenever possible!

In the U.S., Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday are often cheapest. (With Friday and Sunday always being the most expensive!) For international travel, you’ll want to fly weekdays whenever possible!

I also love the “Everywhere” option on Skyscanner. This is how we ended up in Hawaii in the first place. Just enter where you are beginning your journey and Skyscanner will show you all the cheapest places to fly!

9. Opt for Cheap Accommodation Like Hostels

Honolulu offers a number of different hostels within a backpacker’s budget that offer free Wifi, great location, plenty of affordable activities and the chance to meet other travelers.

Check out the following hostels:

THE BEACH Waikīkī Boutique Hostel by IH

Seaside Hawaiian Hostel Waikiki

Waikiki Beachside Hostel

The Polynesian Hostel Beach Club Waikiki

We opted to split a private room at The Polynesian Hostel Beach Club Waikiki and loved the location. The rooms were clean but basic. Since we were spending most of our time outside in the beautiful weather, we didn’t mind at all. The lobby had a kitchen for open use, plenty of hammocks for lounging around and the property was only a block from the beach.

8. Try Couchsurfing for Free Accommodation

If you really want to keep your costs low and the idea of staying in a local homestay might appeal to you, you can always create a profile on CouchSurfing.

While it’s not going to be for everyone, I’ve found it to be a very enjoyable way to travel on budget. And often so much more than just a couch. I’ve had my own room in a house, a key to come and go plus a local to show you around or give you recommendations!

We couchsurfed 3 of the nights we were in Honolulu and found it to be a great way to cut costs and have a local show us around the island! Our host took us surfing, grilled out with us in the evenings and drove us around the island to show us a few great spots.

Our couchsurfing host even took us out for free surf lessons!

Read my couchsurfing guides here:

• COUCHSURFING: IS IT SAFE?
• ISTANBUL- HOW I USE COUCHSURFING TO MEET LOCALS
• COUCHSURFING IN PARIS

7. Get Around Using Public Transit

While the other Hawaiian islands aren’t as easily accessible by public transit, Oahu has a great bus system. The Honolulu bus system is actually ranked as one of the best transit systems in the entire world. And obviously, super budget friendly!

Only $5.50 for an unlimited all day pass!

Adults – $2.75/ Ride or $5.50 / Day Pass
Children 5 years of age  – Free w/ paid riding passenger
Youth ages 6 to 17 – $1.25/ Ride or $2.50 / Day Pass
Seniors over 65 and Handicap Fare- $1.00 with
Bus Senior Card or valid US Medical Card, $2 for Day Pass

8. Download: Moovit App

My new favorite navigational app is Moovit which provides the best routes for all public transit in major cities.

If you want to save a lot of money, I urge you skip Uber & Lyft and take the bus here. It’s really easy to navigate. Especially with the app, Moovit. You can use Google Maps but we found it was missing a few bus routes and would suggest that we take an Uber when there was in fact, an available route.

9. Look for Great Deals On Groupon

From whale watching excursions to catamaran rides, you can certainly find a variety of discount deals in Honolulu on Groupon. It might be worth scrolling to see what is available at the time of your trip!

10. Download the Hawaii Happy Hours App

This app is fantastic and will tell you all of the happy hours happening around the island so you can hop from one restaurant to the next without paying full price. It’ a great way to go for drinks or a bite to eat and still keep in budget! We found several new great bars and restaurants this way!

Our favorite happy hour discovery: SKY Waikiki for great drinks and beautiful views of Honolulu from high above!

“All of Hawaii’s Happy Hours in one place!”

“Download the Hawaii Happy Hours App to have instant access to exclusive deals, special pricing, and local events at your fingertips!”

11. Book at luau at The Polynesian Cultural Center for best value

If you’re looking to do a luau while on Oahu, I can’t recommend The Polynesian Cultural Center highly enough. For roughly the cost of your average luau, you can also get a full day at the cultural center plus the evening fire show which is worth the price of admission alone.

Expect to spend a full day here! With so many cultural demonstrations, live shows and tasty food to sample- you’ll want to arrive right when it opens to ensure you don’t miss out on anything.

I recommend doing the “ali’i luau package“

Time 12:00-9:00 pm

Adult $122.95

Child $98.36

12. Skip Expensive Tours and Go For Free Activities Around Honolulu

With no shortage of breathtaking view around Oahu, you could stay in Honolulu and spend the majority of your time taking in the scenery- just hiking and snorkeling for almost free!

Check out the great (free!) options I’ve included below:

Visit Pearl Harbour

A must-do when you visit Honolulu and even better if you’re on a budget because the USS Arizona Memorial is free and open to the public.

Great, Easy Hike: Diamond Head ($1 entrance)

Diamond Head is an incredibly popular hike here on Oahu and while it isn’t the best hike the island has to offer, it’s still a must do! It’s a very easy hike with much of the path entirely paved but the payoff is fantastic.

Pro Tip: Do this hike at sunrise. Not only is is a fantastic spot to watch the sun come up but if you wait to do this hike, it will be packed with tourists. Even by 9am, the trail will be swarming. So do yourself a favor and beat the rush!

Another great hike: Pillbox

Again, I recommend doing this hike at sunrise. The views are spectacular and while it’s further away from Honolulu, it’s still only approximately 90 minutes round trip.

Free Public Friday Night Fireworks

 10-minute show, beginning at 7:45 p.m

Great Places To Watch the Fireworks:

• Right on the beach– thousands will gather on Waikiki Beach and in the warm ocean water to watch the display above.
• Barefoot Beach Cafe– a laid back spot with awesome views of the fireworks, skyline and Diamond head.
• Mount Tantalus– head up this extinct volcano to watch the fireworks with an epic view!

Enjoy your trip to Hawaii, hopefully these tips allow you to travel Honolulu on a budget!

Shop my look in Honolulu:

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More on budget travel?

• PARIS ON A BUDGET: 3 DAYS FOR JUST €100
• BOOKING BUDGET TRIPS WITH TOURRADAR
• HOW TO DO MUNICH’S OKTOBERFEST ON A BUDGET

honolulu on a budget. honolulu on a budget

The post 12 Tips To Travel Honolulu On A Budget appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

Stoke Travel Discount Code: THEWANDERLUSTROSE

Looking to book accommodation at one of Europe’s many party festivals? You might have come across Stoke Travel in your online search. This company provides campsites with all our festival needs- hot meals, bathrooms, entertainment and a tent that’s set up and just waiting for you! But if you’re traveling on a budget, the key is to cut your costs of drinks at these festivals. And Stoke Travel is giving you unlimited free beer & sangria at their campsites just by booking with a Stoke Travel code.

So here you go, book with code THEWANDERLUSTROSE and thank me later when you’re dancing on a table at Oktoberfest with all your friends.

Stoke Provides Festival Campsites For Your Stay & So Much More!

If you don’t mind camping for a few days, lots of people having fun and free drinks- you and Stoke Travel just might get along.

It’s not for the faint of heart. But it sure is a blast!

Perhaps camping sounds a little too basic for your festival trip? Check out the glamping options.

The cost of your stay will include hot meals, a place to sleep (don’t worry, your tent is set up for you already!) and access to all the campsite parties and concerts.

If you’re looking to be well rested, I suggest you book a hotel. If you’re looking to meet people from all over the world and have an epic time in Europe, then go ahead and book.

I’ve spent the last two years traveling with the friends I met at Stoke Travel. It’s an epic bunch of backpackers living life to the fullest!

STOKE TRAVEL DISCOUNT CODE: THEWANDERLUSTROSE

Yes, you’ll be camping. But yes, it’s fun.

Stoke Travel does non camping trips as well like the Andorra Ski weekend. But if you’re wanting to do the big festivals, concerts or Oktoberfest- they offer camping and glamping!

Travel for the open-minded, fun loving, party backpackers!

Get ready to meet some of the wildest, funnest people traveling Europe at the moment. These bucket list festivals are memories that will last you a lifetime. I urge you to try new experiences always.

But if you’re more of a hotel traveler than a camper, Stoke might not be for you. And that’s okay. You can always book an Airbnb instead. Just know, you’ll be paying a lot more for an Airbnb during a popular festival!

Check out their list of festival events here.

Want a better idea of what it’s like to camp at a festival? Check out their intro video.

STOKE TRAVEL CODE: THEWANDERLUSTROSE

More on Stoke Travel: HOW TO DO MUNICH’S OKTOBERFEST ON A BUDGET & HOW TO SURVIVE OKTOBERFEST WITH STOKE TRAVEL

Shopy my travel favorites:

Foldable Carry On With Trolley Sleeve

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Cross-Body Phone Case

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North Face Backpacking Backpack

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How To Travel The World On $50 A Day

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The post Free Unlimited Drinks At Europe’s Best Festivals With Stoke Travel appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

TourRadar: Is It Legit?

What is TourRadar?

“TourRadar is an online travel agency and reviews website that specializes in multi-day tours. With over 40,000 tours available from over 1,500 different tour operators worldwide, the site acts as an online marketplace for third party tour operators to list their tours so travelers can find and book them.”

Basically it’s a website that allows you to search by destination or travel style to see all the different tour companies that offer a trip to fit your specific needs or destination! It makes browsing really easy because all the trips are listed together. So instead of hunting on the internet to try and find different companies and tours, TourRadar compiles them all together for easy and efficient browsing!

What are the perks of booking with TourRadar?

It’s a quick, easy way to find the exact trip you are looking to book! You can also read reviews of each trip from other travelers. The site allows you to search by date, destination, type of trip and by your budget since it has everything from extreme discount trips to more luxury travel.

Booking a trip with a preset itinerary means little to no work for you! Your hotels will be booked, the schedule planned for you and many of the trips come with a leader or guide who can give you awesome recommendations, tips and help along the way while still giving you free time to explore on your own.

For those who just want to book a trip and not go through the hassle of trying to work out each and every tiny detail- it’s perfect! You can let someone else put together the itinerary so you can relax and enjoy your trip.

It’s also ideal for people looking to book a group trip in a country they don’t feel safe traveling solo. Egypt wasn’t a country I wanted to tackle on my own so it was great to have a guide with us each day!

What types of trips can you book on TourRadar?

With TourRadar, you can literally find any trip to fit your need! Want to go on a romantic couples trip with your significant other? Check out their trips to Italy or Thailand. Are you a young solo traveler looking to join up with a group trip in Europe? Then check out their trips with Topdeck Travel, BusAbout, or Contiki. TourRadar sells trips for all ages and all budgets.

Check out all the different categories TourRadar offers on it’s site:

• Luxury Tours
• Budget Tours
• Solo Travel
• Tours for young adults
• Tours for seniors
• Volunteer/Community
• Tours for couples
• Photography
• Educational
• Health, Spa & Wellness
• Camping Trips
• Coach Bus Trips
• Yoga Retreats
• Motorcycle Ride
• Gay Travel
• Language courses

Does it cost more to book the trips through TourRadar?

No, the trips will be the same price whether you found them through the TourRadar webpage or the tour company’s personal page. TourRadar doesn’t mark up the prices for booking through their third party site which is awesome! It’s all about savings so your dollar can go further while traveling.

What tour companies sell their trips on TourRadar?

If you’re familiar with different travel companies, then you’re bound to recognize a lot of the big name tour companies. Topdeck, Intrepid, BusAbout, Contiki, G Adventures, On The Go Tours and Insight Vacations all sell their trips on TourRadar! This makes it easy to compare and contrast itineraries amongst the top travel companies so you can better pick which one to use. But TourRadar also sells trips from much smaller, local travel companies as well!

What trips have I taken through TourRadar?

The first trip I ever booked through TourRadar was my “Essential Egypt” trip I took with my best friend, Morgan. We had been dying to go to Egypt but were nearing the end of our travel funds after months abroad. We found a 8 day trip on TourRadar for UNDER $600! When we saw that, we knew we couldn’t pass it up. The trip went off without any complications and we were so thankful to have a guide with us the entire time in Egypt!

So if you’re wondering if TourRadar is legit- let me answer from personal experience: YES! The best part about our trip to Egypt was having all our transfers and accommodation set. We were picked up at the airport, transferred between each city and had a private guide with us every step of the way!

What countries can I travel to with TourRadar?

TourRadar offers multi day trips on all 7 continents! If there’s a place you’ve been dreaming of going, you can probably find a selection of trips on TourRadar.

Asia

Africa

South America

Europe

Australia & New Zealand

North America

Antarctica

How long are the trips?

The trip lengths and styles really vary! You can find short camping trips for 2-3 days, week long getaways or even 49 day mega-trips around Europe! There are departures for any month of the year and for any length of time.

Enter their trip giveaways for a chance to win a free trip for two!

Stay tuned because TourRadar is constantly doing free trip giveaways! Follow them on Instagram, like their facebook or sign up for the newsletter so you don’t miss when the next one opens up. You can see all their past trip winners here.

Why do I personally love TourRadar?

What I personally love about TourRadar, is that it compiles all the different travel companies’ tours into one place. That means it’s really easy to see what kind of tours are out there for each destination & you can easily compare prices. If you’re anything like me, scrolling through the available tours will send you into a spiral of wanderlust-filled day dreams!

Plus once your trip is booked, you can relax! TourRadar trips will do all the planning for you to ensure your trip runs smoothly. I also find the reviews very helpful and informative! People leave very detailed reviews about different tour operators which can help you decide which tour to book.

With such detailed reviews from certified customers, I find TourRadar to be very “legit.”

More on TourRadar: BOOKING BUDGET TRIPS WITH TOURRADAR & HOW TO TRAVEL EGYPT ON A BUDGET – 8 DAY GUIDED TOUR FOR UNDER $500

Save “TourRadar: Is It Legit?” on Pinterest for later!

Questions about TourRadar? Reach out to me here or over Instagram!

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Couchsurfing in Paris

Arriving in Paris

I hop off the metro and find myself at last on the streets of Paris. Excited and a little nervous, I make my way down the street. Wandering past little cafes, I hear the soft babble of conversations in French rolling lightly through the hot, muggy air.

I continue on, making my way towards my accommodation with a mix of anticipation and hesitation. After all, it can feel a little nerve wracking to forgo the usual hotel rooms or Airbnb and commit to Couchsurfing while you travel. 

Couchsurfing: Is it Safe?

My host seemed lovely online, we chatted briefly – swapped social media accounts and I read through dozens of positive reviews on his profile. It doesn’t seem like he’s a serial killer, aggressive flirt or any other strange mix of crazy. Let’s hope this couchsurfing in Paris adventure goes well! 

Meeting my host

I ring the bell and am buzzed through to a quaint open space between the apartment buildings, my host calls down to me from above. “Emily, Emily! Up here!” I crane my head up and see him waving at me from a balcony. 

As I ride up the elevator to his floor, I have butterflies in my stomach. I’m perfectly comfortable meeting strangers but I can’t help but feel a slight rush of adrenaline when I know I’ll be staying here the next few days.

The door opens and there he is, beaming at me. Charming and friendly, Antoine instantly makes me feel welcomed. Just like every other Couchsurf host I’ve had the pleasure of staying with in the past year. We chat briefly about my travels and his life here in Paris before he offers me some local tips and guidance. With a friendly hug and my own set of keys to his place, I leave to go do some sightseeing. Viola! Easy as can be. 

Exploring Paris On My Own

I climb the Eiffel Tower, drink champagne at the Moulin Rouge, eat crepes from a street vendor after the show and tip toe back into his apartment. (Careful not to make to much noise and wake him!) I instantly fall asleep after a long day of sight-seeing.

PARIS ON A BUDGET: 3 DAYS FOR JUST €100

A Friendly Face in A Foreign City

The following day we chat pleasantly about my adventures from the day before (“I saw theeee most EPIC sunset from the Eiffel Tower” etc.) And with that, I’m off again! But before I go, I offer him to join me on a river cruise that evening down the Seine River with Paris City Vision. He happily accepts having hardly done any tourist attractions in his own city. 

Roaming around Paris, I take a thousand photos. Then try and fail to get into the Louvre last minute. (Always book ahead in busy season!) So instead I tour the Palais Garnier- the opera house which was the inspiration for the Phantom of the Opera. As my day is coming to a close, I meet Antoine at the Paris City Vision office, board a bus and we go to the Seine! Laughing and joking along the way, my host has brought macaroons from his favorite place knowing I would like to: A. Try them and B. Take an artsy photo of macaroons in front of the Eiffel Tower. How thoughtful!

After a leisurely float down the river, he heads home as I continue to explore. After all, I needed to catch the Eiffel Tower all lit up and sparkling at night! So I roam the streets of Paris, taking in the sights until I’m too happily exhausted to do anything else but board the metro back to his place. 

The next morning, I wake- my last day in Paris! It feels like I only just arrived. And Antonie wants to interview me for his Youtube channel. Quickly changing out of my pajamas, I toss on a little make up and hop in front of his camera to do this following interview:

Couchsurfing: A Cheap, Simple Alternative To Hotel Stays

After a whirlwind trip in Paris, I’m off to Croatia! Thankful for yet another wonderful Couchsurfing experience.

Have you considered using the Couchsurfing app while you travel? It’s free and a great way to meet locals!

Shop my look for couchsurfing in Paris:

The post Couchsurfing in Paris appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

One of the greatest joys of travel is being able to connect with others and realizing while we may share a very different upbringing, we are fundamentally the same.

One of my favorite ways to ensure I get to meet local people while traveling is by logging onto CouchSurfing.com and seeing who is available to hang out the days I am in town! I especially love to do this if I am traveling solo in a destination I have never been to before. It can be an awesome way to connect with a local who is excited to show you their hometown. It’s exciting for both people involved because not only do you have someone to help show you around a foreign city- they get to share their favorite places with someone for the first time! Many hosts love being able to give back to other travelers and have the chance to meet people from around the world.

It’s free and easy to make an account on Couchsurfing!

It’s super simple to create an account. You can do it on the mobile app or website. It’s free but you can pay to have your account verified. That being said, I used Couchsurfing for months before I paid for official verification. Either works but you are more likely to have your requests accepted if you are verified via your ID, phone or payment!

My Profile On Couchsurfing:

Couchsurfing Isn’t Just For Overnight Stays

Most people think of couchsurfing and only assume it means sleeping in a stranger’s living room while on vacation- that’s definitely not the case!

While I have stayed overnight with hosts in Sweden, Paris, Germany, London, South Carolina and Texas – I have also just met friends for an afternoon to go on an adventure while I’m traveling solo. That’s one of the awesome things about Couchsurfing- you can use it to have dinner with a local or meet up for an excursion with a fellow traveler. It doesn’t have to be used for accommodation if that makes you uncomfortable!

Read my full post about overnight stays:
COUCHSURFING: IS IT SAFE?

Completely Fill Out Your Profile

Keep in mind- you want to make sure hosts feel confident meeting up with you. So having an empty profile looks sketchy at best or like you just don’t care very much. Either way- not great! So fill it out and give it a little bit of thought. And be sure to upload some pictures. Nothing makes an account seem fake or spammy faster than having zero images uploaded!

Reach out to hosts by sending a friendly, personalized message

After you’ve made an account and uploaded pictures, time to contact some hosts! First, address them by name. Don’t send one mass message to a bunch of people, it’s obvious. Maybe mention something off their profile that stood out. (“Oh you like beer?! Me too! I’ll bring some over!”) And be sure to share what you can offer! (Excellent company, help preparing a meal etc.) Be friendly and hopefully you’ll find a host you connect with easily!

Optional: Make Your Trip Public On The Group Board

Couchsurfing has the option to list your upcoming trips publicly. I have found this both helpful and extremely irritating. Sometimes, it will help connect you with a host more quickly. Beste, my host in Istanbul, reached out after I publicly shared I would be coming to Turkey and would “love to explore the area with someone local.” And I’m so thankful she saw my public trip!

But ladies, be prepared for A LOT of overwhelming messages from guys if you make your trip public in certain countries where couchsurfing seems to be used more as a dating app. After making my trip public in Egypt- I received hundreds of friend requests and messages. My inbox was completely overwhelmed. Although I did end up meeting up with someone who reached out to me this way (he is now a dear friend of mine, thank you Joe!) there were a lot of “hey beautiful ur sexy” messages to wade through. That disclaimer being said, it’s still an opportunity to make some unforgettable connections with those genuinely looking to host! Don’t let that discourage you- perhaps just avoid the public boards.

Swap Social Media or WhatsApp

After connecting with a host and chatting back and forth briefly, you’ll be able to get a good sense if it’s going to work out. I also add people on social media just to double check they are who they say. I’ve never had any issues!

Agree where and when to meet

Always agree to meet someone in a public place that’s easy to find. When I landed in Istanbul I was without cell service so I had to make my way from the airport into the city to meet with my host. Fortunately she had chosen an easy to spot landmark and was waiting there with a huge smile when I arrived!

A friendly face in a foreign city

Meeting with my host Beste was the best possible way I could have spent a 10 hour layover in Istanbul. As a regular couchsurfing host, she knew how to make me feel comfortable and at ease immediately. She had arrived early to wait for me at the meeting point. And despite my train being delayed- she patiently waited for me. I was feeling stressed and slightly overwhelmed at the thought of navigating the Istanbul metro but Beste guided me all around the city, taking me to the best spots for dinner, Turkish coffee and baklava.

Riding the metro to go see Istanbul’s famous mosques, Beste told me all about her life in Turkey. Dating, culture, arranged marriages, religious practices, school… it was refreshing and eye opening. I had never talked about romance and future goals with a girl from Turkey. In fact I had never talked about ANYTHING with a girl from Turkey before. I couldn’t believe what kindred spirits we were! Growing up on opposite sides of the world yet here we were, wandering the cobble stone streets of Istanbul at night-eating ice cream and gushing in agreement on everything.

Exploring Istanbul With A New Friend

We ate until I couldn’t fit one more piece of Turkish Delight in my belly. Beste had me sampling enough food to last me the week! And when I finally insisted I could eat no more, she took me for Turkish coffee.

Heartfelt Goodbyes

Genuinely wishing the day would never end, we said a heartfelt goodbye in the Istanbul metro station. Vowing our travel paths would cross again! Ahh, the temporary nature of travel. People come and go as you pass through countries- wandering on your own journey. But I am certainly thankful for this day in Istanbul with Beste!

Read more: Lessons Learned After 365 Days Abroad: Goodbyes and What They Teach Us

After Your Meet Up, You Have The Option To Leave A Review!

The review Beste wrote me after our day together will be something I treasure forever. Her kind words following our fantastic day will always remain a favorite travel memory of mine! Thank you again Beste for welcoming me in your country.

Would you consider Couchsurfing to connect with locals? Let me know if you have any questions about the process!

Shop my look in Istanbul:

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More on Turkey? 10 PHOTOS TO INSPIRE YOU TO VISIT ÇEŞME, TURKEY

The post ISTANBUL- How I Use CouchSurfing To Meet Locals appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

How To Do Oktoberfest On A Budget

So you’ve seen pictures of the cute outfits (aka dirndls and lederhosen) and you’ve heard how good (and strong!) German beer is right? And now you’d like to plan a trip to attend Munich’s legendary Oktoberfest. One that preferably doesn’t break your bank, thank you very much. So you’re looking to do Oktoberfest on a budget. Well you’ve come to the right place.

Now unfortunately, prices spike overall in Munich during Oktoberfest because a whopping SIX MILLION people attend! So hotels are difficult to come by at a reasonable price, if at all.

But if you can forgo on the expensive hotel room or pricey Airbnb in Munich and opt to camp instead- you’ll save yourself A LOT of money, meet other travelers from all over the world and make some wild memories. 

Camp with Stoke Travel

€65 a night: includes breakfast, dinner AND unlimited beer and sangria at the campsite!

With the discount code THEWANDERLUSTROSE you can can get free unlimited German beer and sangria on the campsite. That’s right. I said FREE & UNLIMITED. How is that for keeping on budget?!

Booking with a promo code really is an excellent way to cut costs, considering a stein in the beer halls typically costs you over €11 per beer!

STOKE TRAVEL PROMO CODE: THEWANDERLUSTROSE

So fill up on some of that tasty German beer with other travelers before heading into the festival together. You won’t be disappointed by the parties at the campsite either!!

Stoke offers additional sightseeing tours around Munich you can book as well! You’re guaranteed to make plenty of new friends at the campsite to go exploring with as well.

Stoke offers additional sightseeing tours around Munich you can book as well! You’re guaranteed to make plenty of new friends at the campsite to go exploring with as well.

KEY DETAILS:

• Munich, Germany
• September 19 – October 7
• Young at heart traveler, 18+
• Camping Accommodation
• Breakfast & Dinner Included

A DAY AT STOKETOBERFEST

8-10am – Breakfast

Hot breakfast to get you all fuelled up for a day of drinking and mayhem at the festival.

9am onwards – Head to the beer halls

Make your way to the Oktoberfest beer halls for a day full of antics. Ask the Stoke guides for directions, and meet us at the Augustiner-Festhalle tent!

6pm – 8pm – Dinner

Dinner included every night

8pm onwards – Party time

Massive Stoketoberfest campsite party begins; the beer and sangria will be flowing and the music will start pumping. Expect live bands, DJs and carnivalesque activities

11pm – After-party time

Oktoberfest closes for the night and all those who have lasted the day head back to campsite to join the party!

Want to be at the festival for more than a weekend?? Why not try working for Stoke Travel and be a part of a wild community of fun-loving travelers! HOW TO GET AN EPIC JOB AT OKTOBERFEST

STOKE TRAVEL PROMO CODE: THEWANDERLUSTROSE

Shop my travel favorites:

Foldable Carry On With Trolley Sleeve

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Tripod

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North Face Backpacking Backpack

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How To Travel The World On $50 A Day

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The post How To Do Munich’s Oktoberfest On A Budget appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.