Author: Christine Williams

Animal lover, wannabe artist and peanut butter fiend with a serious allergy to a 9 to 5. On the other hand: undyingly messy, chronic blanket hog and so bad with directions I can get lost going to the corner store. Wanna know more

Sziget Festival in Budapest: 19 Reasons You Can’t Miss It!

If you haven’t heard of Sziget Festival (pronounced Zi-get) buckle up, because this is one festival you definitely don’t want to miss. Sziget music festival, held every August in Budapest, is one of the largest music festivals in all of Europe. And that’s saying something, because Europe is home to some pretty big festivals.

For non-Europeans, it’s a little hard to comprehend exactly how outrageous European music festivals are. I thought Coachella was big, but that’s nothing compared to Sziget festival. This week long festival held on a island in the middle of the Danube river is jam packed with some of today’s hottest bands. And if the Sziget lineup isn’t enough to convince you, there is so much more to do, see and experience at Sziget music festival than you can imagine.

For a little more inspiration, here are 19 reasons you can’t miss Sziget Music Festival!

The Music

Because what is a music festival without music?

1. Sziget Festival 2019 Lineup

This is really the number one reason you should go to the festival this year: the 2019 Sziget lineup. The headliners for Sziget festival 2019 are Foo Fighters, Ed Sheeran, Florence and the Machine, Post Malone, Macklemore, 21 Pilots and the 1975! Just listing the headliners makes me want to buy tickets to Budapest from the States right now. Not to mention other artists like The National, Martin Garrix, Chvrches, Franz Ferdinand, Tove Lo and more acts from around the world. Here is a (mostly) complete list of the Sziget festival lineup 2019.

2. The Range of Genres

The thing about a week long festival is that there is just SO much music. From rock to hip hop to EDM, there’s pretty much something for everyone. Sure, the mainstage is going to be pretty mainstream, but there’s plenty of smaller acts to please more eclectic palates. Sziget festival has, get this, 23 different stages and performing areas packed full of musical and entertaining acts throughout the week.

The Vibe

3. The Island of Freedom

Sziget’s nickname is “the island of freedom” and it’s not hard to see why. The minute you enter the festival gates you feel like you’ve been transported to another universe. With so many people in costumes, music in the air and art everywhere, you have a feeling of complete acceptance. You can truly be anything or anyone you want here!

Sziget is it’s own little world. The organizers have dubbed attendees as “szitizens” and you can even get a Sziget festival passport. Take your passport to all the different parts of the festival and have them stamp your Sziget passport. More than half of the festival guests come from outside of Hungary, so this is perfect for all the travelers!

 

4. The Love Revolution

The theme for Sziget Festival 2018 was The Love Revolution and they’re bringing the revolution back to Sizget Festival 2019! The Love Revolution is all about bringing people together despite differences in nationality, language, faith, skin color, sexually identity, etc. The founders of Sziget say that the idea of the festival was to create a “‘dream nation’, celebrating and sharing the best from cultures and people across the globe.’’ The Love Revolution is all about bringing people from all walks of life together for one incredible week.  There’s something pretty amazing about almost half a million visitors from over 100 countries coming together for a week of music and art.

5. Sziget Camping

One of the reasons Sziget has such a great vibe is that it’s a completely self-contained festival. You can camp on the festival grounds, meaning you can spend the entire week at Sziget without leaving! This really gives the venue a feeling of community. The best part is that a basic camping pass comes free with your festival pass! You can also upgrade to VIP camping, caravan camping, family camping or a variety of other outdoor accommodation options! Jump to the accommodation section for details on each camping area.

6. The Organizing

If you’ve ever been to a poorly organized music festival, you know how important it is that they are managed correctly! The Sziget organizers absolutely knock their’s out of the park. They’ve seriously thought of everything. From “party train” services that transport festival goers from all over Europe, to Festival “credit cards” that you can add money to and avoid carrying around cash, they’ve thought of everything!

7. The People

You could argue that you find amazing people at every music festival, but Sziget just seems to be different. Maybe it’s because people come from all over the world to attend, but everyone is just so stoked to be there. It really feels like one big community where you’ll be making new friends all week.

 

Sziget Festival Parties

Cause every music festival needs a couple of good parties!

8. Theme Parties

Every evening at the main stage there is a “theme” party. Organizers pass out certain items depending on the theme night. At the “color party” guests received colored powder to throw in the air, at the “flag” party guests were invited to wave their country’s flag proudly in the air and the confetti party had guests throw colorful confetti into the crowd. It may not sound like the most elaborate theme party, but watching tens of thousands of people collected at the main stage throwing every color of the rainbow into the air is pretty spectacular.

9. After Parties

The music at the main stages go pretty late, at least compared to American festivals, but the party really never stops. After the headlines finish there’s plenty of DJs playing on smaller stages and after parties erupting throughout the campground. You could spend the entire week partying without a minute of sleep (although we don’t recommend it!)

 

10. The Foam Pit

If you have a break between bands you want to see (not likely with the killer lineup, but you never know!) and still want a party, head over to the foam pit. Spitting out old school hip hop beats and tons of foam, the foam pit is the place to party during the day! Plus it gives you an excuse to strip down to your bikini and get some relief from the heat!

Sziget Festival Activities

You may be at Sziget for the music, but there’s SO much else going on that you could literally not see any music and still have an amazing day full of activities. The activity schedule for Sziget festival 2018 is chock full of workshops, from Dance Therapy to Hatha Flow Yoga to Hip Hop, they’ll keep you moving all day long!

11. Sports

Love playing sports? Sziget’s got you covered. They have literally every sport under the sun. Want to play a game of pickup bball? No problem. Want to try your hand at wheelchair volleyball?! What about playing soccer while bouncing around in giant inflatable balls? Sziget’s got every sport you’ve heard and even a few that you haven’t.

12. Something for the Adrenaline Junkies

If you’re riding the festival high and feeling invincible, Sziget’s got plenty of activities to push your comfort zone. They literally have a bungee jump at the festival. Swinging out across a crowd of people in the warm Budapest air might just be the best way to finish the festival.

 

 

13. Green Sziget

 What’s better than a summer music festival? A green summer music festival! In 2019 Sziget festival is stepping up their commitment to being environmentally friendly like this festival has never seen! Drinks will be served in reusable cups to cut down on waste, reusable straws will provided upon request and there will be water bottle refill stations around the fest. The new “Green Sziget Center” will have workshops throughout the week to discuss climate change and other important environmental topics. There will also be speakers and performances around the festival, including Dr. Jane Goodall (YES! That Jane Goodall!) speaking on the mainstage on August 8th. You don’t want to miss her!

Sziget Festival Art

Art and music mix together like peanut butter and jelly (or if you’re Hungarian, palinka and goulash).

14. Installations

Art installations seem to be a staple at music festivals now and Sziget has some pretty rad ones. Anyone can apply to have their art displayed at the festival. From light up sculptures to interactive pieces, there’s so much to see during the week.

15. Arts and Crafts

Getting inspired by all the art? You can make some yourself! There’s plenty of arts and crafts booths where you can get creative and take home a DIY souvenir! This year Sziget festival has a ceramics studio, a build your own board game workshop and more.

16. Performance Art

Not all of the art at Sziget festival is made from paint and canvas. There is a ton of performance art taking place throughout the week, including amazing displays of acro-yoga and circus acts. The Cirque de Sziget stage has some incredible performers and groups who will leave you wondering how they did that with their bodies! The Theater and Dance tent will have some groovy dance performances and quirky shows. 

 

Credit: @RockstarPhotographers

Sziget Festival Location

Location, location, location! This festival has it all! Not only is it located in an awesome European city, it’s also on it’s very own island! How bad ass is that?!

17. Budapest

One of the great things about Sziget is that you can buy single day tickets to the week long festival. That means that you can skip a day to explore Budapest (which we highly recommend you doing!). The city (technically cities, Budapest is made up of Buda and Pest) is a wonder in itself. From the gorgeous Belle Époque pre-communist architecture to the retro ruin bar scene, Budapest is well worth skipping a day at the festival. Check out Sziget Festival’s City Pass, which gets you discounts to cool spots around the city and free access to public transportation!

Want to spend a day exploring the historical side of the city? We recommend checking out some of the tours on offer around Budapest. Check out our article about the best history tours in Budapest.

18. The Baths

Yes, the famous spas and baths are a part of Budapest, but they deserve their own special mention. Believe me, you’ll want to take a break from the hot, dusty island of Sziget to cross the Danube river and visit one of these magical baths. Enjoy a refreshing dip in one of the cool outside baths, or soak your weary feet inside in one of the heated baths. We personally recommend Gellert Spa or the famous Széchenyi baths.

19. River Island

There are some pretty cool music festival venues out there, but an island in the middle of the Danube river? Only Sziget can claim that. Even though you’re only a stone’s throw from busy Budapest, the island is isolated enough to make it feel like you’re out in the middle of the ocean.

 

Sziget Music Festival: Additional Information

Here is a list of useful information to help you best prepare for Sziget Festival this year!

Sziget Festival Camping

If you don’t mind sleeping on the ground, camping at Sziget is definitely the easiest and most convenient form of accommodation for the festival. There are a plethora of camping options. A basic camping pass comes free with your festival pass, which is awesome!

The designated camping zones are scattered throughout the festival, sometimes right in the mix. This can be fun, but also a bummer when you’re trying to sleep and people are literally stepping over your tent to get to the exit. If you’d like something a little fancier, you can upgrade to a nicer camping package. Here are your other options:

VIP Camping

This camping package includes extra services like free wifi, luggage rooms, cell phone charging stations, VIP toilets and showers and, drum roll please, a swimming pool! Trust us, you’ll love being able to go for a dip after a sweaty day of dancing.

Alternativa Camping

This Italian themed camping is known for its “Dolce Vita” vibes. Not as many amenities as VIP, but there are Italian and English speaking hosts, as well as Italian food available!

 

Credit: @RockstarPhotographers

Apero Camping

This French themed camping spot has French and English speaking hosts, games and endless French hospitality!

Caravan Camping

This is more of a traditional camping set up where you can roll in with your own RV/ van/ automobile camping set up to DIY. They also have private shower and toilet facilities designated for this camping.

Eco Camping

Sziget works hard to stay sustainable so why not camp sustainability too? The eco camping are has solar powered showers, water efficient toilets, green energy power outlets and eco laundry.

 

Credit: @RockstarPhotographers

Family Camping

Family camping is (you guessed it!) for guests looking for a more family-friendly environment. Free for children under the age of 14! This camping site has a playhouse, nap areas, as well as extra toilets and showers. There are also on site staff who love kids to ensure the campsite is just as fun as the rest of the festival!

Siesta Camping

This campsite has the basics plus free wifi, luggage rooms, snack bar and extra toilets.

*There are also some glamping options, in which the festival will set up premium glamping tents with mattresses and your own private area.

 

Sziget Festival Off-Site Accommodation

There is plenty of off-site accommodation if you want to be able to leave the festival behind every night to get some actual rest. But with over 450,000 visitors expected at Sziget 2019, you can bet that Budapest is going to be packed. Definitely plan ahead if you’re looking to secure a hotel or AirBnB.

We’ve heard of people pitching a tent in the basic camping area on site, as well as booking a hostel or hotel room in the city so they could decide spur of the moment whether they wanted a good night sleep or to just pass out at the festival.

Here are some great options for where to stay for Sziget music festival:

Sziget Festival Hotels

Danubius Grand Hotel Margitsziget – Located on Margaret Island in the Danube River, this upscale hotel has 2 pools, a fine dining restaurant on site and a spa. Worth the splurge if you want some luxury TLC during the festival.  

Ibis Styles Budapest City – A great city hotel with funky style and impeccable cleanliness.

Cosmo City Hotel – A good mid-range hotel choice in a prime location for exploring Budapest.

SEARCH MORE HOTEL DEALS IN BUDAPEST

 

Credit: @RockstarPhotographers

 

Sziget Festival Hostels

Sziget Hostel – This hostel is only 10 minutes from the festival entrance and dorm beds are only 19 euro/ night with a festival ticket. You can also get a private room for 57 euros for 2 people, which may be preferable if you actually want some sleep. Great place to make friends for the festival!

Meander Hostel – Located in downtown Budapest, this is a great choice if you want to visit the festival, as well as explore the city. Dorm beds are a bit more expensive, starting at 28 euro.

SEARCH MORE BUDAPEST HOSTEL DEALS

 

Sziget Festival Apartments

Kodaly Apartment – A cute studio apartment with kitchen, washing machine and of course your own bathroom which is a simple pleasure you won’t get in the festival!

Budapest Downtown Apartments – A selection of apartments for a range of guests. Rent a place with your group to keep costs down and have an after-party house!

Blue Box Apartment – A one bedroom apartment perfect for couples looking for some privacy after the fest.

 

Sziget Festival What To Wear

  • Comfortable walking shoes – Sziget is a HUGE festival. There’s so much to see and do. The last thing you want is to cut your day short because your feet are killing you. Take comfort over fashion and invest in some comfy kicks. Who’s looking at your shoes anyway?!
  • Bandana – The grounds of the festival are mostly made of dirt. With almost half a million people walking through during the week, you can bet there’s gonna be a TON of dust kicked up. A bandana will save you from inhaling ridiculous amounts of gross festival dirt. We recommend something like a Buff, they’re cheap, easy and super versatile.
  • Costumes – If you love a good festival costume, Sziget festival is definitely the place to break it out! From onesies to sequins to barely there bikinis, you’ll pretty much see everything at Sziget.
  • Rain jacket – Even though it gets pretty hot during the day, there’s still a possibility of rain. Having a light rain jacket can keep you from getting soaking wet and ruining your night.
  • Remember, between the dust and the color bombs things are bound to get a little messy. Don’t wear or bring anything you don’t mind getting a little dirty.

 

Women’s Sziget Packing List

  • Bodysuits – There’s no more classic festival look than a bodysuit with denim shorts. Just remember to get a bodysuit that has snaps in the crotch area so you don’t have to take the whole damn thing off every time you need to use the bathroom!
  • Everlane Mini Wrap dress – The fabric on this dress is so soft and comfortable. Plus wrap dresses are super easy to slip on and off.
  • Everlane Cotton Shirt Dress – Standing in the sun alllll day means some seriously burnt arms and shoulders. Cover up with this adorable yellow cotton dress perfect for summer.
  • Alternative Apparel Rayon Challis Shorts – Soft, lightweight fabrics shorts, because sometimes a girl just needs a break from denim! These are the kind of shorts you could roll up into a ball, toss in the back of your tent and throw them back on and they’d still look good.
  • Band shirt – Rep your favorite artists with some throwback band t-shirts. Just make sure you actually listen to them, otherwise it could make for some awkward conversation with fellow “fans!”
  • Felt hat – Not only is a hat a great festival accessory, but it will keep the sun off your face while everyone else is squinting at the stage.
  • Soft hoodie – The year we went there was a huge fashion trend of wearing a leather jacket tied around your waist. Taking a leather jacket (faux or otherwise) to a music festival seems a bit odd to me, and even more uncomfortable wrapped around your waist. I would recommend a soft hoodie that can double up as a pillow during warm nights in your tent.

 

Credit: @RockstarPhotographers

 

Men’s Sziget Packing List

  • Everlane Air Tee – Jules is obsessed with these shirts. Light, comfortable and perfect for a hot festival day.
  • Swim trunks – There’s nothing better than being able to move from the festival to the foam pit to the pool without having to change your clothes. Being able to stay in the same shorts will just make your festival life easier. Plus, these come in some rad patterns.
  • Alternative Apparel Basic Eco-Jersey Zip Hoodie – Even though it stays pretty hot during the day, the temperature can drop at night. A basic hoodie should keep you warm.

 

What to Bring to Sziget Music Festival

  • Sunscreen – Unless you get terrible weather, chances are there’s going to be plenty of sun. Be prepared!
  • Toilet paper/ tissues – You never know if the porta potties will run out!
  • Snacks – Unlike some festivals which will literally throw away an apple if you try to bring it in (ahem, Coachella), Sziget is fine with you bringing in outside food. Not a bad way to save a couple bucks and keep your energy levels up while you’re stacking out your place at the main stage.
  • Water bottle – Bring a reusable water bottle to fill up at refill stations around the festival. Because nobody likes one use plastic! Our favorite water bottles are Vapur, because one they’re empty you can fold them up and put them in your pocket!

If you still need convincing to attend Sziget music festival 2019, this should push you over the edge:

Why ALL Tourism Should be Sustainable Tourism: Protecting the Future of Travel

The concept of sustainable tourism has become increasingly common in the travel industry over the past few years. It seems you can’t flip through an article of Travel + Leisure without finding a spread on a sustainable tour company or a new eco-hotel. And that should be a good thing right?

It’s no doubt that our planet is in pretty dire straights. Climate change, endangered and exploited animals and inequality across the world, just to name a few: now more than ever we need to prioritize sustainable tourism!

But just because the phrase has become trendier in the travel industry doesn’t mean we’re making real progress on the issue. Are brands and consumers taking these ideas from mere words and putting them into action? And if not, how can we, as collective travel-lovers, actually make a meaningful difference to ensure that future generations can enjoy this beautiful world as much as we do? It’s crucial now, more than ever, to ask ourselves these questions and examine our travel habits and their impact on the world.

That’s why we’ve partnered with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) on their Tourism for Tomorrow campaign to continue the conversation on how we can ensure a healthy and prosperous planet we can continue to travel.

Why Sustainable Tourism Matters

Although it may not seem like a negative activity, tourism does have a huge impact on the planet. Every year, humans take a total of 32 million flights, producing 781 million tons of carbon! Then, when we actually get to our destinations, travelers use double the amount of water we do at home.

In the vacation mindset we tend to indulge by overusing resources. Whether it’s that extra long bath in your hotel room or going back for seconds (or thirds) at the buffet. We love the feeling of treating ourselves when we travel. Unfortunately that often means we’re using much more natural resources than we normally would.

Since most people only travel once or twice a year, it seems okay to pamper ourselves. The only problem is that we’re not just one person. Collectively across the globe, 1.2 billion people traveled in 2015. That’s 1.2 billion people leaving a carbon footprint with planes, cruises and other types of travel.

 

Travel Impact on Local Communities and Animals

And it’s not just the environment we need to worry about. Travel has massive impacts on fragile communities all over the world. Local populations can really feel the impact of “un-responsible tourism.” Native communities can be exploited and made to feel like a human zoo with tourists flashing cameras in their faces.

Then there are animal populations. You’ve probably heard by now how abusive elephant riding attractions are, but many types of animals suffer a similar fate in exploitative tourist attractions. With all these negative impacts that travel has on the environment, local communities and animal populations, it can be pretty discouraging. It’s almost enough to make us shut the curtains and just stay home.

But travel has a lot of positive impacts as well. It allows us to connect with people of all walks of life, to understand and respect each other as human beings. It gives us a greater sense of what’s happening in the world and connects us so we can work together to solve global issues. That’s why it’s so important that ensure that we can continue to travel in the future.

“Responsible travel shouldn’t be reserved for tree hugging hippie travelers or science nerds obsessed with saving the endangered Bumblebee Bat.”

 

Why is Sustainable Tourism Our Responsibility?

You may be thinking, why do I have to take on this monumental burden? I’m just one insignificant person out of 1.2 billion that travels. That may be true, but it’s all the more reason to take it upon ourselves to have a positive impact when we travel. Collectively we have the choice to change our travel habits to make sure that this planet and all of its inhabitants are around for our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to visit.

And when I say all, I mean ALL. Responsible travel shouldn’t be reserved for tree hugging hippie travelers or science nerds obsessed with saving the endangered Bumblebee Bat. And it should definitely not be reserved for the uber rich who can afford to always eat organic and stay in eco-luxury resorts.

Responsible and sustainable travel needs to include all types of travel and budgets. So we can continue traveling, not just for our future generations, but for ourselves as well. Even in our own lifetime we may not have access to the same places as we do now. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia, for example, has suffered from irreparable damage to delicate coral colonies by snorkelers and divers. These fragile destinations may not be accessible in the near future, let alone the future of our children.

What We Can Do

Before we get too discouraged by the frustrations of tourism around the world, it is important to note that we’re not powerless in this fight. In fact, travelers have a lot of influence on the places they visit. By 2030 the number of travelers will rise to 2 billion and they will collectively spend $2 trillion on the tourism industry. Ever heard the phrase “vote with your dollar?” Well $2 trillion gives us a whole lot of voting power!

As consumers we have the choice to support sustainable travel. Whether that’s taking more sustainable modes of transportation like ride-sharing, or choosing responsible tour companies that respect the local populations instead of exploiting them. Here are some more simple steps we can take to make sure our travels are as responsible as possible.

Sustainable Tourism Tips

  • Research which destinations are working to be more sustainable. Check out the winners of the annual World Responsible Tourism Awards to get ideas for where you should plan your next vacation.
  • Seek out eco-hotels that minimize water usage and limit pollution.
  • Do your research ahead of time to ensure the activities you choose to do are environmentally friendly and respectful of local populations. It may be disappointing to tell your children that they can’t swim with dolphins at the marine park, but it’s a perfect opportunity to educate them on the importance of animal-friendly tourism.
  • Eat local food whenever possible. It usually tastes better anyway!
  • Ask questions. Even if you learn that a tour is unsustainable, the company will begin in to get the hint that sustainability is important to their customers.

Benefits of Sustainable Tourism

It may seem like a hassle to do extra research and forgo unsustainable activities, but responsible tourism often opens doors to new destinations and attractions you wouldn’t have thought to visit before. Sustainable tourism is a growing sector and there are really exciting new travel opportunities developing, including cultural exchanges and ethical volunteer opportunities. Most importantly, you’ll leave your trip feeling good about the positive impact you’ve had on the world and knowing that you’ve protected these destinations for future travelers.

For more information about Tourism for Tomorrow please watch WTTC’s video on sustainable travel. We’d love to hear what you think about sustainable tourism and how we can all travel while protecting our planet.

Where to Travel in Italy: The Ultimate City Guide

Italy, a word synonymous with rich pasta sauces, cheesy pizzas, decorated artists, ancient civilization and of course, delicious gelato! It’s no surprise for anyone traveling to Italy that one of the main attractions, apart from warm hospitality and beautiful landscapes, is the vast cultural aspects to this little Mediterranean country.

In a country with so many places to visit it can be hard to sketch out an itinerary that appeases all your needs. Are you looking to explore the remnants of one of the world’s most successful empires, or maybe you’re not a history fan and just want to stuff your face with amazing food.

Understanding where to go in Italy is the most important ways to make sure you make the most of your Italy trip. Each city represents something new and exciting about Italian art, culture and cuisine.

Traveling to Venice

At the Northeast tip of Italy, Venice is a perfect starting point for a trip through the country. Although very touristy, it’s absolutely worth a visit. It’s unlike any city you’ve seen before. The famous canals of Venice are just as charming in person as you’d imagine. Although crowded in the main areas, there are plenty of tiny cobblestone streets and small bridges for you to feel like you have a slice of Venice to yourself.

Come and explore the canals of Venice with us! And then subscribe for more awesome travel videos!

What to See in Venice

The best thing to see in Venice is just Venice itself. Walk around the streets, follow the canals and get lost. Before you know it you’ll be down some tiny little alley where an old Italian lady is hanging washing out of the window, as the sun begins to set on the glimmering water of the canals.

San Marco square is filled with people, but it’s definitely worth a look. You can enter the basilica, but chances are the line will be long. We skipped it. If you have time, take a boat over to the island of Burano where you can find Venice’s most colorful houses, as well as a taste of local life.

 

 

What to Do in Venice

Take a gondola ride down the canals. It’s touristy, it’s cheesy but you have to do it. It’s not cheap, about $80 Euro for a 40 minute ride (after 7:30pm that jumps to $100 euro). The good news is that you pay per boat, so if you are on a budget grab 5 friends (or random strangers!) and you’ll pay significantly less than if you did it solo.

 

Where to Eat in Venice

We heard from multiple people that the food in Venice was disappointing. Perhaps we’re just easy to please or got lucky with our restaurants, but we were generally pretty happy with our meals. For a cheap lunch there are plenty of shops selling pizza slices for $1.50 euro. For a quaint sit-down place we loved La Serenissima. Get the homemade pasta with creamy mushroom; it was one of our favorite meals in all of Italy.

 

 

Where to Stay in Venice

Venice has no shortage of places to stay, but it also depends on your budget. We loved our stay at Plus Hostels on mainland Venice. Although it’s a bit far from the tourist attractions, they have a shuttle that takes you to the island for 4 Euro roundtrip.

Plus has a wide range of options for all budgets. Our deluxe cabin was beautiful and cost a fraction of what you’d pay in Venice proper. We’d recommend saving the money of expensive inner-city accommodation and putting that towards a gondola ride or piles of pizza!

 

 

Traveling to Florence

If you only have time to visit a couple cities, you may be considering skipping Florence. Don’t! There is so much history and art packed into this city you could easily spend weeks in Florence alone. Florence is home to some of the most famous artworks in the world and was the spot to be as an artist during the Renaissance. The main plazas are packed with sculptures and installations, both old and new, and the city’s architecture is simply stunning.

We discover the ancient Florentine artisan scene, eat delicious food and get all cultured up!

What to See in Florence

Two of the most important buildings in Florence are the Cathedral and the Duomo. It’s worth paying extra to make the climb up the bell tower (as long as you’re not claustrophobic). Don’t miss Michaelangelo’s famous sculpture of David in the Galleria dell’Accademia. You can see the replica in the Piazza della Signoria, but it’s worth paying 8 euro to see the real thing.

If you thinking of heading to the Galleria or the Uffizi Gallery to see Botticelli’s Birth of Venus (among many, many other renowned pieces of art), it’s worth noting that most museums are free on the first Sunday of the month, although prepare for lines.

 

 

What to Do in Florence

Hike up to the Piazza Michaelangelo on the other side of the river for sunset, it is well worth the climb! You’ll be surrounded by a few hundred other tourists, but on a clear evening the view is totally worth it. While you’re on that side of the river, check out the very cool Oltrarno neighborhood and poke your head into the artisan shops to see a demonstration.

 

Where to Eat in Florence

Don’t miss a meal at the San Lorenzo Marcato Centrale located just behind the leather market. This two story in-door market is full of trendy stalls and shops offering just about any Italian food you want. The food is hit and miss, depending on where you choose to eat. Pro tip: avoid the cheapo food and spring for the homemade quality selection. Our personal favorite was the fettuccine with mushrooms and truffle cream!

For an easy to go sandwich, hit up All’ Antico Vinaio (there’s two, right across the street from each other). It gets busy at lunch, so expect to wait in line, but it’s worth it. Another Florence favorite of ours was delicious pizza from Fuoco Matto!

For some of the best gelato in all of Italy head towards Venchi in central Florence. Apart from having a running way of chocolate (think Augustus Gloop in Willy Wonka), their gelato is amazing!

Scammer Alert: Whatever you do, do not get gelato from Caffe’ Maioli on the other side of Ponte Vecchio. They are massive scammers and charge made up prices for gelato. We got ripped off 17 euro for two single scoop gelatos. Don’t just take our word for it, check out their 1 star review on Google!

 

 

Where to Stay in Florence

We stayed at Plus Hostels Florence which, unlike in other cities, is in a great location and walking distance to many of the sights. Although freezing cold, they have a nice pool and their beautiful courtyard is the perfect spot to relax during a hot afternoon. The restaurant at the hostel is actually quite good and definitely worth a dinner if you’re too tired to go out (also, 6 Euro bottles of wine for Happy Hour!!).

 

Traveling to Rome

You simply cannot come to Italy and not travel to Rome. Being able to visit one of the epicenters of ancient civilization by day and enjoy the hip metropolitan capital at night is phenomenal. Rome is packed with sights you’ve no doubt seen in history books and movies countless times. But it’s also the capital city of Rome which means there are plenty of opportunities to get off the tourist route and see what local life is like in this bustling metropolis.

We find the best pizza and cannoli in all of Rome! We also hit up all the best locations and show you how to make the most of Rome. If you like, come and subscribe for more travel inspiration!

 

What to See in Rome

Although the famous sights are usually packed with people, being able to see wonders like the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Pantheon in person is totally worth the crowds. Spots like the Spanish steps or Trevi Fountain may not be quite as photogenic as seen in postcards, but they’re are also worth a look.

Get lost in Rome’s beautiful neighborhoods like Trastavere and Monti. Honestly, there are so many amazing thing to see in Rome that we could write a whole book (many have).

What to Do in Rome

Embrace your inner tourist and throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain to ensure you’ll return to Rome someday. Just be a tourist. If you only have a few days you’ll never get to have a true locals experience, so just see the awesome things that bring millions of tourists to Rome every year. You won’t be able to avoid them anyway!

If you’re headed to the Vatican we highly recommend going on a Friday night when they open in the evening to the public (summers only). This gives you a chance to see the Vatican at sunset and avoid the mass hordes of tourists. The Vatican, the world’s smallest country, is home to Michelangelo’s famous Sistine Chapel, which is even more beautiful in real like then you could ever imagine! For a more in-depth guide on what to do in Rome, check out this article from our Italian blogger buddy Claudia.

 

 

Where to Eat in Rome

Rome has no shortage of restaurants, but they’re pretty hit and miss. When you head to the Vatican, do not miss Bonci’s Pizzarium or their nearby bakery. The pizza is the best we had in all of Italy and their black cherry tart is incredible. Serious, it’s the best pizza we’ve ever had!

 

Where to Stay in Rome

Once again we found ourselves are Plus Hostels, taking advantage of a killer pool and nice travel feel in between exploring the streets. Plus Rome was quite a bit out of the center, but honestly it was a welcome relief from the chaos of the city. The pool is huge and a beautiful area to relax on a day off from sightseeing. The location is very family friendly and has a fun caravan feel. Just don’t stay in a room by the basketball courts unless you like to be lulled to sleep by the sound of bouncing balls.

If you’re looking for a more comprehensive list of the best neighborhoods and best places to stay in Rome, this article from our buddies at Goats on the Road will get the job done.

 

 

Traveling to Naples and Pompeii

If you do a bit of research on Naples, you’ll find very mixed reviews of this city online. Naples may be grittier than the other tourist cities of Italy, but don’t erase it from your destination list just yet. Sure, there are sketchy areas of the city, but if you stay in the Old Town, you’ll be fine. There is some truly beautiful architecture around Naples and, perhaps more importantly, home to some truly delicious pizza. They say the classic Margherita pizza was named after Margherita of Savoy visited Naples and fell in love with the deliciously simple ingredients.

 

What to See in Naples

The Naples National Archaeological Museum is a good primer for visiting Pompeii. It will give you a good background you may not necessarily get when visiting the actual site, plus it holds the majority of artifacts in the museum. The Castel dell’Ovo by the water is definitely worth a visit, as sit the Cappela Sansevero chapel. If you don’t mind something a bit creepy, check out the Catacombs of San Gennaro.

 

What to Do in Naples

While there’s plenty to do in the city of Naples, it’s an especially good jumping off point for day or weekend trips. The ancient city of Pompeii, which was “frozen” in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, is only a 30 minute train ride away. You can also use Naples as a jumping off point for the Amalfi Coast.

 

 

Where to Stay in Naples

We didn’t love our accommodation in Naples that we found on booking.com. It was listed as a hotel, but ended up being more of an AirBnB/some lady’s basement room. So we don’t have any specific recommendations, except this: book ahead! Many travelers use Naples as a base for seeing other cities, so it gets booked out. Save yourself the headache and book in advance.

 

How to Get to Naples

The train from Rome to Naples is just over an hour (so quick, right?!). The Napoli Centrale station is also where you’ll catch the train down to Pompeii or Sorrento if you’re heading South. The station itself is fine, but in a bit of a sketchy area. We wouldn’t recommend staying in this area, but opt for further into the Old Town.

 

Traveling to the Amalfi Coast

When we were first creating our Italy travel itinerary there was one question we kept circling back to: Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre? Although similar destinations (seaside towns built on cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean), there was something about the Amalfi region that drew us in.

 

 

What to See on the Amalfi Coast

The Mediterranean Sea is the true highlight of this destination, with absolutely incredible views from above. It doesn’t get any more picturesque than these stacked Italian houses overlooking the blue turquoise water.

 

Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast

If you’re okay with a long day of driving you can probably do the coast as a day trip from Naples. Otherwise you can stay in Sorrento (or the tiny town of Piano de Sorrento, like we did) or on the coast in Positano or Amalfi!

 

What to Do on the Amalfi Coast

Besides soaking up on the sun on the rocky beaches, the Amalfi coast is all about leisure activities. Walk around the maze like streets, do some shopping, grab lunch with a view. If you want a more sweat-breaking activity than lying in the sun, there are hikes you can do in the area.

 

 

How to Get There

You can rent a car and drive the coast, although parking can be difficult and the drive is a bit nerve-wracking. There is also the SITA bus that goes back and forth between Sorrento and Salerno, stopping at the popular towns like Positano and Amalfi. The tickets only coast 8 Euro for a 24 hour pass and you can buy them at Sorrento train station where the buses leave from. Buses ran regularly and if you can, grab a seat on the right side on the way up, it has the best views!

 

Best Method of Transport in Italy

There are many different ways to travel through Italy. From renting your own car and flying between spots, to bussing it and taking the train. For us we opted for train travel in Italy.

We found the trains in Italy fast, comfortable, on time and one of our favorite ways to get around. On board the Trenitalia fast trains your trips are so quick you barely get time to relax. Taking the train to Rome from Florence was only an hour and a half, with a complimentary glass of Prosecco and a Kinder chocolate, we couldn’t have asked for more! If you’re looking to book tickets we recommend checking out ACPRail for an easy to use booking system.

 

Thanks to ACPRail for hooking us up with some train tickets while traveling through Italy. As always we only review and recommend companies that we use and trust. 

Best History Tours in Budapest: Why a Tour Makes a Difference

Budapest is a city of contrast. Formally part of the Eastern Bloc, the city is caught between its Western future and Eastern past. When we arrived in the city for the first time we were surprised to see just how metropolitan it was. Filled with cafes and restaurants, so trendy they would even make Melbournians jealous. But a sharp contrast to the hip, future-forward vibe is the city’s rich history that always surrounds you. The architecture itself is history lesson come to life. On one side you may have the classic pre-World War II incredibly ornate buildings, and just across the street a grey, life-less box of a structure from the cold Communist era.

Best History Tours in Budapest

While Budapest’s history visually manifests itself all around the city, it’s difficult to pick up on these interesting details if you’re unfamiliar with the context of Hungarian history. That’s why we decided to gain a greater insight to history of Budapest and Hungary by attending two city tours with Context Travel. Having had such an excellent experience with responsible tourism and Context in Colombia, we knew that the small group tours led by local historians would be perfect. We booked the Jewish history tour and the Communism in Budapest tour, looking to get a taste of different perspectives on the World War II and post-war history.

Jewish History of Budapest Tour

Our first tour was the Jewish Quarter Budapest tour and we met our guide Szonja in Budapest’s historically Jewish neighborhood. Context Travel tours are purposefully kept small to maximize your opportunity to speak with the guide, so the only other attendees on our tour were a middle age Jewish couple from New York. Beside one Jewish history class in college, Jules and I are pretty unfamiliar with Jewish religious history and culture, so we were definitely the newbies in the group. But that’s the thing about Context tours. Even if you don’t have any background knowledge on the subject, they are an amazing crash course into whatever topic your tour covers.

Expert Guides Who Know Their Stuff!

If you are familiar with the subject matter, even better. The tour will allow you to delve deeper and learn more than you ever could spending hours researching behind a computer screen. That’s because the tour guides are so damn knowledgeable. Take Szonja, not only does she have her Masters in Jewish Studies, but she also teaches at the Department of Assyriology and Hebrew at the ELTE University in Budapest. I don’t think there’s any question we could have thrown at her she wouldn’t have been able to answer.

We began our tour at the Dohany Synagogue of Budapest. Szonja gave us a brief background into the Jewish history in Hungary. She expanded on Hungary’s involvement during the Holocaust. Hungary was one of the first countries to send Hungarian Jews to Nazi concentration camps before World War II. During the war, however, the Hungarian government cooperated with Hitler to avoid a Nazi occupation. Allegedly the government tried to play both sides of the fence between Hitler and Stalin. Hungary became a sort of island in the middle of Europe, not quite making allies with any of its neighbors. Szonja explained that because of this isolation, the Hungarian culture and language remained relatively uninfluenced by neighboring countries.

It’s interesting to think of this historical context when experiencing present day Budapest. The city now feels incredibly cosmopolitan, with thousands of international tourists shuffling through every day. It’s hard to imagine this place so closed off to the rest of the world. Then again, during our time in Hungary we read that the country had only recently put up a wall on its border with Serbia and Croatia to keep out immigrants. It makes you wonder how much has changed.

Budapest’s Past and Present

Learning about the atrocities of the holocaust is always a heavy subject and certain parts of the tour left us in quiet contemplation, wondering what I assume many people think about the holocaust, “how could this happen?” Especially difficult to witness was the mass grave outside the Dohany Synagogue, holding more than 2,000 bodies of Hungarian Jews. Outside the Synagogue is a sculpture depicting a weeping willow tree, with leaves dripping down from its branches. On each leaf is a name and number of someone who died or disappeared during the occupation.

After the Dohany Synagogue, Szonja took us through the Jewish Quarter. Due to its history as a Jewish slum, the neighborhood was run down and derelict until recently. Szonja describes it as the area of town her parents wouldn’t let her walk through as a kid. Like many sketchy neighborhoods around the world however, the Jewish Quarter of Budapest is an up and coming area that hipsters, Hungarian and international alike, are flocking too in hordes.

Cafes serving fair trade coffee and bars offering local craft beers are popping up all around the area. But Jewish history of the area has not been forgotten however, as the neighborhood still has many synagogues and it is common to see traditionally dressed orthodox Jews.

Despite the heaviness of the subject, Jules and I left the tour feeling much more aware of the city’s past, and reminded of how important it is to learn the history, both good and bad, of the places we visit. Although the tour was specific to the area’s Jewish history, we felt that it was a good primer for understanding the greater historical context of Budapest and Hungary.

Communism in Budapest Tour

Learning from this tour also gave us a useful background for the Communist Budapest walking tour. This tour was focused more on Budapest’s history after World War II. As Jules and I were the only ones on the tour, our guide, Kata was very happy to customize the walk to our interest and prior knowledge. She took us through a comprehensive tour of Budapest from Gellert Hill to Felvonulasi Square.

While Kata was extremely knowledgeable about the city, we really loved having her as a tour guide because she was very honest and open about her opinion of the city. Romanian by heritage, she shared with us the tension between Romania and Hungary. Romania was once part of Hungary and there is a small, but passionate, group of Hungarians living in Romania that still don’t identify as Romanians. In fact, the Hungarian government has vowed to reclaim the land of Romania as Hungarian land.

Kata gave us a descriptive background of the Soviet occupation following World War II. Using the local architecture as a visual history book, Kata also explained the oppression that followed after the war, right up until communism formally ended in Hungary in 1989. Perhaps most interesting was Kata’s first hand accounts of growing up with an oppressive communist government. She recalled the fear of speaking out against the government because it wasn’t uncommon to hear of people “disappearing.”

Kata pointed out fascinating details along our route through the city, including the Postal Savings Bank designed by the famous architect Odon Lechner. Lechner was the epitome of an aristocratic snob, choosing to make the most beautiful design of the building on the roof because he believed only the birds were worthy of seeing it.

Another interesting building was the Ministry of Agriculture and UN Headquarters building, where a group of students led an anti-communist protest in 1956. The story goes that the students had received a promise of support from the US government, but when the protest happened, US forces did not show up and the students were massacred by the Soviets. From the outside of the building you can see bullet holes still intact from the tragedy.

What We Never Would Have Learned Without a Tour

One of the most interesting parts of the tour was the controversial German occupation memorial in Szabadsag Square. The memorial depicts a bronze eagle, representing Germany, with a tag on its talon that says “1944,” the year of the Nazi occupation in Hungary. Beneath the eagle is the Archangel Gabriel standing proudly, representing Hungary. The monument represents Hungary’s freedom from the repressive Nazi occupation. However, the statue is controversial given Hungary’s early involvement in sending Jews to concentration camps and the government’s cooperation with German forces.

A counter-memorial has been set up in protest of the Hungarian government’s denial of their participation during the war. The pubic has set up signs of protest including papers with information detailing the truth of Hungary’s involvement in World War II. They also have items and keepsakes from victims and survivors of the war. However, with more information from our guide, we were able to get a better understanding the dialogue and frustration on behalf of the public at the Hungarian governments refusal to acknowledge their cooperation with German forces.

Kata told us that everyday people come to the memorial around 6pm to protest about the false representation of the statue. Upon first glance it seems that the monument and counter-protest may be a part of one demonstration, a memorial to the victims of WWII. This deeper level of understanding the local history through expert guides like Kata is why we love taking Context Travel tours all over the world: we always leave feeling enlightened and with a greater connection to the destination.

Both Budapest history tours, the Jewish history tour and Communism in Budapest were perfect primers for our time in Budapest. It shed a new light on the city through a greater understanding of the tumultuous past and present tension between the people and the Hungarian government. If you’re thinking about visiting Budapest for a holiday, or if you’re planning on living in Hungary, these tours will set you up with a deeper understanding on the country and allow you to appreciate it a lot more.

Guide to Renting a Car In Europe: Benefits, Tips and Advice

Picture this… you’re cruising along the northern coast of Spain, windows down, sea breeze whipping through your hair and your favorite tunes blasting from the speakers. Up ahead in the distance you spot an awesome viewpoint. Jagged rocks jut out from the shoreline; crystal clear water splashes upon the beach and the sun is shining. This is a clear sign that you need to stop and car, take a break and absorb all of the beauty around you!

This experience is just one of many Jules and I found while on a 3 week road trip through northern Spain. We started our road trip in Madrid, cruised up and along the northern coast, took a couple pit stops in southern France & Andorra (because, you know, Europe is awesome like that) and ended with Barcelona birthday celebrations for Jules’ big day.

The trip was nothing short of epic!

 

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Why Rent a Car in Europe

These days the European backpacker trail can feel pretty worn out, as thousands of tourists trudge along the same path every couple of weeks. It’s not that these places aren’t worth experiencing, but for us it’s important to find some escape from the crowds and explore some quieter unknown places.

Having a car in Europe made it so easy to get off the beaten track (literally) and check out areas we didn’t even know existed. Deciding to rent a car in Europe not only made our trip easier, but also more memorable for the unique opportunities it gave us. Here’s why road tripping in Europe is the best way to travel.

 

 

Having Complete Flexibility

Probably the best reason for renting a car in Europe is the flexibility you get by driving instead of taking other public transportation. Busses and trains are limited to set stops and from there its difficult to wander off the beaten track. Renting a car allows you to explore literally wherever you want (well, private property excluded).

For example, we went a bit out of our way to check out Castrillo de los Polvazares, a small rustic village near Leon. We were able to walk the cobblestone streets and take in the historical buildings, all because we had the car to get us to this fairly remote area. The big cities in Europe are amazing, but renting a car means being able to explore the gorgeous European countryside.

 

 

Crossing Borders with the Rental Car

The amazing thing about traveling in Europe is that the region has so many small countries close together. Within hours you can be in a new country, experiencing a new culture, tasting an entirely new food. With a car, zipping between countries becomes even easier.

Crossing borders in a rental car in Europe isn’t a problem either. Countries within the EU have no official border check-ins so you don’t have to worry about wasting time at immigration waiting to get your passport stamped. Although we originally planned just to visit Spain, we decided to squeeze in southern France and Andorra because they were so close. Adding two extra countries to our itinerary only resulted in a couple extra hours in driving time. Totally worth it!

 

 

Easy to Transport Luggage

When you’re backpacking you get really used to carrying your entire life on your back. If you’re like us with a lot of baggage, then you may be rocking the pregnant turtle look (big bag on the back and small bag on the front). Or perhaps you’re dragging a wheelie bag through Europe’s notorious cobblestone streets. Whatever your baggage style, it’s so much easier to toss it into the back of a car than lug it through the streets.

Our car became our second home during the trip and much of our luggage made it out of the bags and into the backseat. Although it got a bit messy it was so nice having easy access to all of our stuff, unlike when taking the bus and our bags are stored down below. Gotta have those road trip snacks at arm’s length away!

 

 

Travel at Your Own Pace

Not a morning person? Us neither. Who can be bothered running off someone else’s schedule? Renting a car means being able to take off and arrive when you want. Had a big night? Sleep in the next morning and leave later. Don’t mind pulling in to your destination a bit late? Grab dinner on the way. It’s all up to you!

 

 

Make Friends Along the Way

Remember the first of your friends to get a car in high school? Remember how popular they suddenly became? Having a car while traveling takes that to a whole new level. Hitchhiking is popular in Europe and backpackers are always happy to grab a ride in an air conditioned car rather than take the stuffy bus. We drove a couple of hostel-mates from Andorra across the border to Spain and it was great to be able to pass on the favor after we’ve been gifted so many rides during our travels.

 

 

Have Fun Getting Lost

Thanks to the wonders of modern satellite systems, you can now feel free to get lost knowing your handy GPS will always guide you back home. This was probably one of our favorite things to do with the car. We would drive along the highway and see a tiny local village, so naturally we’d duck off and explore the old country roads leading to even older houses.

We got lost while driving to Picos de Europa and ended up in one of the smallest villages in all of Spain (well it seemed pretty small anyway). We drove up to an elderly lady in front of her house who looked at us as if we were aliens. We asked if tourists ever entered her village and she said nunca, never. It’s special instances like these that remind you that you don’t need to travel too far to get far off the beaten track.

 

 

Start and Finish Where You Want

One of the best parts about renting a car is being able to pick it up in one spot and drop it off in another. No longer do you need to pick and return at the same location, now you can make a trip that suits your road trip itinerary. We picked our car up in Madrid and after driving over 2000km we dropped it off in Barcelona. It was the perfect way to maximize our trip without having to backtrack to Madrid.

 

 

Advice for Renting a Car in Europe

  • Organizing a rental car in Europe isn’t expensive. We were fortunate enough to partner with Auto Europe on our experience, but they’re a quality company and have very competitive prices. We wouldn’t recommend them otherwise. Think of them like the Kayak of renting cars. They are a big search engine that pulls the best rental deals from all of the well know companies (Avis, Budget, etc) and hook you up with the best prices.
  • Booking a rental car is also really easy. Simply put in your details, dates, locations, car preferences and press search. Bookings can be made with a credit card and you’ll receive the receipt and car rental voucher straight to your inbox. All you need to do is take the voucher to your indicated pick up spot and collect the car. In Madrid the process took less than 20mins.
  • In order to rent a car you will need a passport for identification, credit card to put on file in case you have any mishaps and a valid drivers license for back home.

 

 

Do I need an International Driver’s License to Rent a Car in Europe?

Technically it’s probably not a bad thing to have, but I’ve never heard of anyone needing it. Having a driver’s license from back home is enough to pick up the car. The rules may be different between European countries, so it’s always best to double check.

Not from Europe? Doesn’t matter. Americans renting a car in Europe, or any other country at that, won’t having a problem picking up a sweet ride. Jules is from Australia and didn’t have a problem at all.

Whether you’re exploring new areas, picking up new traveling buddies or simply cruising Europe on your own pace. Renting a car is the way to go! It’ll ensure you save money, experience authentic Europe and have the trip of a lifetime!

 

Special thanks to Auto Europe for providing us with a car during our 3 week road trip! As always, we never promote something we don’t road test (get it) and highly recommend!

Benefits of a Digital Detox Vacation: Our Reflections

Well, we did it! We survived our digital detox experience. Did we go the whole 14 days without connecting the Internet? Heck no! We’re not that strong willed. But we did manage to limit our Internet use and recognize how dependent we are on being online!

If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, here’s a little recap: Intel Security sent us on a digital detox vacation to test our Internet addiction. We chose a 2 week cruise across the Atlantic (you can read all about our pre-trip thoughts about unplugging from technology).

The Digital Detox Challenge

These were the conditions of the challenge:First week we go cold turkey. No Internet allowed! We each got to choose one non-Wi-Fi gadget however. I chose my Kindle and Jules used his iPhone for music.

Second week we get online for only 1 hour a day between us to check work and school.

The first person to crack within the first week will owe the other person the amount of time they spent online in foot rubs.

Doesn’t seem so difficult, does it? We thought a cruise would be a perfect to get away from the computers. There would be plenty of entertainment onboard and little Internet. Perfect combination right?

…..Wrong! Being a digital nomad, unplugging from technology and taking a digital detox is freaking hard! We had a lot of downtime on the cruise and even though it was a nice opportunity to disconnect from the Internet, we still felt that need to be connected. We can’t feel too bad though because it turns out disconnecting from technology while on vacation is difficult for most people.

According to a recent study done by Intel Security, 57% of people aren’t willing to leave their smartphone at home while on vacation. And 68% of Americans admit to checking their work and personal email once a day, every day during their vacation. So in reality, staying offline for our first week was actually ambitious!

The Digital Detox Outcome

So how did we fare? Well here are some journal entries from experience to give you an idea:

Day 1: We got this. As soon as we arrive aboard the ship we toss our bags into our cabin and get drinks by the pool. We spend the afternoon lounging by the pool without even the slightest urge to connect online. Vacation has officially started!

Day 4: Starting to get a bit restless, but still under control. Without anywhere to go other than the pool and the restaurants, we are a bit bored. We’re getting our gadget fix by reading and listening to music.

Day 6: Jules cracked and checked his email! To be fair he was only online for about 20 minutes, but it still breaks the conditions of our agreement. 20 minutes online means 20 minutes of foot rubs for me!

Day 7: Finally! We made it through the first week. We both feverishly check our work and school emails (okay, and one sneaky Facebook check!) but manage to stick below the hour limit.

Day 9: We’re going a little stir crazy. This is only the second cruise we’ve been on and by far the longest. While we’ve made some great friends on the ship, we miss the feeling of being connected to friends back home with just the click of a button.

Day 12: We’re not sure if it’s seasickness, cabin fever or digital withdrawals but we’re at the end of our rope. We’ve managed to stick to our 1 hour/ day limit, but all other rules have gone out the window. Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, it’s all fair game!

Day 14: And we’re DONE. I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to see land. Especially because it means our digital detox is OVER. We proceed to spend the rest of the day glued to our computers.

Post-Trip Reflections

We never expected a digital detox to be easy. After all, we work, study and socialize online. Being a travel blogger means not only creating content on our computers, but also keeping our followers updated through social media during our travels. It’s not often that we have to disconnect from social media or our devices for more than a couple hours. It’s not an ideal situation, but it’s the nature of our work and it allows us to live the lifestyle we love.

Lately, however, we’ve gotten into a habit of going online just for the sake of it. We’ll do a little check on our Instagram followers, or send a quick message on Facebook. We’ve even gotten into the terrible habit of being on our phones during meals (so bad!).

This digital detox challenge was a learning experience to see just how far our addiction runs. I can tell you, it wasn’t pretty. There were times during the cruise when I reached into my purse to grab my phone when I remembered the detox challenge. Having that simple hurdle was a consistent reminder every time I wanted to go online. It made me evaluate whether I really need to log on to do something important or whether I was just going on for the sake of it.

It feels so automatic these days to reach for your phone when you have a spare second. Whether it’s waiting in line at the grocery store or before you go to bed at night. These little instances may not seem like much but when you’re presented with the challenge of not being able to get online, it’s a reminder just how much you reach for your phone or computer. We forget that we’re reliant on Internet even for simple things like searching for restaurants or using Google to settle a debate between friends (was Brendan Frasier really in that movie?).

And while those instances may seem harmless, they just add up to hours when you’re sucked into your phone or computer. Hours where you’re taken away from real life, thinking about somewhere or something else and not enjoying the moment.

Benefits of a Digital Detox

While our digital detox cruise was challenging, it also provided us with some incredible memories. Away from the seemingly “phone-addicted” environment of backpacker hostels these days, we were able to really connect with other travelers on the ship. Without having the distraction of the Internet we had to make our own fun, not unlike during the days of our childhood. We played games, chatted about our travels and enjoyed cocktails by the pool without anyone stressing about whether it was being documented on Snapchat. We ate meals without waiting till our food went cold because everyone wanted to take photos for Instagram.

Jules and I had more time for ourselves as well. We normally work long days, punctuated by big days of travel and sightseeing. We rarely have down time, but when we do we usually veg out on our phones, scrolling through the same boring feeds. Getting away from all that meant having time to just hang out. We enjoyed taking walks around the ship and chatting about conversations not related to work.

Overall, this experience came at a perfect time. We’re currently expanding our online businesses to include more than just the blog. Which means more tasks to do behind the computer. Our unplugged vacation was a great reminder that just because we work online doesn’t mean we need to be online all the time. We need breaks away from technology to enjoy real life.

Tips For Using Your Tech On Vacation

If you feel the temptation for going online during your trip (hey, we don’t blame you!), Intel Security shares some great security tips for keeping all your tech safe, with or without a vacation.

Back up your computer. Seriously. It took me years to get this through my head. I was lucky not to have my computer stolen or broken, but if it had I would have lost everything! Whether you’re accessing your information away from your home network or going to go long stints without your technology, it’s better to have the peace of mind that all your important information is safe!

You should always have a decent password lock on your phone. You can even add an extra layer of security with the new iPhones that allow you to use a fingerprint authentication.

Use a phone-locating app. I can’t tell you how many phones I’ve lost over the years. Having an app like “find my phone” is a must-have, especially while traveling where language and other barriers can make phone recovery very difficult.

Thanks to Intel Security for giving this opportunity to unplug from our digital world, if only for a short period. As always, any opinions expressed in this article are ours. We’d never bring you something we didn’t truly believe in.

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Road Trip in Spain: Northern Coast Itinerary

Taking a road trip is one of my favorite ways to travel. It easily lends itself to unique experiences you couldn’t get traveling by bus or plane. There’s nothing like kicking your feet up on the dash, chucking on your favorite road trip tunes and grabbing some munchies for the road.

And Europe is the perfect place to do it. Although many travelers opt for the trusty train pass, renting a car in Europe gives you an infinite amount of flexibility on where to go and what to see.

As soon as we started thinking about our European road trip with Auto Europe, we knew exactly which country we wanted to cruise through: Spain. Having studied abroad in southern Spain back in 2008, I was already smitten with the culture, but knew I’d have to come back someday to explore the North. Since Jules had never been to Europe before (!!) this would be an entirely new experience for him as well. We started devising our Spain road trip itinerary to explore the land of paella and flamenco and here’s what we got to see over 17 days!

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Starting the Road Trip in Madrid

Spain’s capital city. Granted we didn’t spend much time in Madrid, which is unfortunate because the city has some really cool things going on. We were originally thinking of starting our trip further south, because we heard there were some awesome things to do in Granada, but there’s only so much you can see! Instead we decided to book a flight from Portugal at the ungodly hour of 6:30AM (meaning the alarm clock was set for 4AM! #neveragain).

So when we arrived in Madrid delirious from lack of sleep, we parked ourselves on the sunny lawns of the El Retiro Park and waited for our hostel room to be ready. We spent the afternoon eating 1 Euro tacos and napping, which is really just our idea of a dream afternoon. When we finally regained consciousness, we explored the streets and had dinner at one of the famous tapa houses, Sidreria El Tigre.

The next day we picked up the car from the inner city Avis. Holy cow! Navigating the streets of Madrid was no easy feat. Within a ten minute period we almost hit a motorcyclist, Jules almost ran me over and we went the wrong way down a one-way street. We had to get the heck out of the city. Madrid is fantastic, and there is plenty to see (including the Prado National Museum and the Reina Sofia), but we recommend exploring by foot before picking up your vehicle.

Typical Plaza Mayor in Salamanca

Avila: Classic Castles and Cobblestone Streets

Madrid to Avila – 110km (70mi) – 1 ½ hours of straight highway

Our first stop on our road trip through Spain was through Avila, a small town just a couple hours outside of Madrid. If you’re heading north of Madrid on your road trip, definitely check this place out. Although a bit on the touristy side, it’s an idyllic small town that will be a breathe of fresh air after leaving the capital.

The old town is surrounded by a castle wall and the interior is a maze of cobblestone streets. Does it get any more Spanish than that? There’s also a lot of homage to medieval times, so if you’re a history geek like Jules you can pick up some wooden swords and knight’s armor. Don’t miss picking up the famous local dessert, Yemas de Santa Theresa. These sugary little balls made of egg yolk are a perfect pick-me-ups for the rest of your day’s driving.

You could spend the night in Avila, but it’s probably better to just visit for the day or afternoon for lunch on your way to Salamanca.

Aerial view of Avila

Salamanca: Oldest University in Spain

Avila to Salamanca – 110km (70mi) – open highway just over an hour

Just a few hours north of Avila is the city of Salamanca. It may be the bustling capital of the Leon and Castiles region, but the city’s old town will make you feel like you just stumbled on a medieval civilization. The cobblestone streets are beautiful, but the real sights are above your eye-line, as the incredible architecture of the city’s churches and buildings tower above into the skyline. Salamanca is also famous for having the oldest university in Spain and one of the oldest functioning universities in the world.

Old town gets popping on weekend nights when patrons crowd the cafes that line the streets. If you’re looking for budget accommodation head outside of old town where you can find much cheaper rooms (we got a private for 3 people for 45 Euro). Spend one/two nights to get a feel for the town and explore the streets.

Salamanca’s old buildings

Leon: Best Tapas Bars

Salamanca to Leon – 200km (125mi) – open highway for 2 hours

One word of advice: come to Leon hungry. While the old town of Leon has just as much old world charm as the previous cities on our list, what really sets it apart is the culinary scene. The narrow winding streets of old town are packed with tapas bars. From the upscale sit-down restaurants to the stand-up and eat your tapa over a bar kind of place, there’s something for every eating style. Just like in the town of Granada (Southern Spain), most places in Leon serve free tapas with your drink. Chin chin!

Like Leon, a night or two in Salamanca means you have time to enjoy the nightlife, sleep off the Sangria hangover and still get time to check out the town.

View point between Leon and northern coast of Spain

Picos de Europa: Amazing Hiking and Nature

Leon to Picos de Europa area – 250km (155mi) – 3 hours via a little bit of northern Spain coast. Gets windy towards Picos.

Picos de Europa was not on our radar until our Spanish friend suggested we had add it to our northern Spain road trip. And boy are we grateful! Driving into Picos, Jules and I could not stop gasping at how gorgeous the mountain ranges looked. We were surrounded on all sides by cliffs towering right overhead.

You can stop at any of the small towns within the area and sleep at one of the many inns. Our room was next to a field with grazing sheep and a spectacular view of the Picos right from our window. Does it get any more peaceful than that? Besides just enjoying the serenity of the area, there are plenty of great hikes up into the mountains.

If you have the time spend at least two nights around the area and take on some hikes. Go deeper into the mountains if you really want to find some secluded spots.

Poncebos at Picos de Europa

Bilbao: Heart of the Basque Country

Picos de Europa to Bilbao – 200km (125mi) – Half windy half highway for 2 ½ hours

After cruising through Northern Spain we finally made it to the coast! The most important thing to note when entering Bilbao is that you’re officially in Basque Country. The Basque locals are a fiercely proud people and many of them don’t identify with being Spanish. In fact in the city of Zarautz not far from Bilbao, there is a big sign hanging in one of the main plazas in town reading “Tourists: You’re not in Spain, you’re in Basque Country!”

As you drive into the city you’ll start to notice a few apparent differences. Road signs will be written in Basque (as well as Spanish) and you’ll see Basque names for shops and restaurants. The Basque version of tapas is called Pinxtos and while you have to pay for them, they are generally much better size and quality than the free versions in other parts of Spain.

Bilbao itself is a wonderful city. We were lucky enough to experience it from a local’s perspective when we visited our friends from the area. You can easily walk the whole city center, taking a stroll down the riverside to check out the Guggenheim Museum and the Zubizuri Bridge, then looping back up to the shopping district if you’d like to do a little window shopping. We recommend a picnic lunch in Doña Casilda Iturrizar park, a sort of Basque version of Manhattan’s Central Park. One full day and night is enough to see the main things, but more time always helps you appreciate an area better.

San Sebastian, Basque Country

San Sebastian: More Than Just a Pretty Beach

Bilbao to San Sebastian – 100km (60mi) – one hour of highway

If you’ve come up to northern Spain to catch a glimpse of the famous coastline, San Sebastian is the spot to do it. San Sebastian may seem like a big city upon entering, but once you explore the center you can get a good idea how to navigate the city. The commonly photographed beach Playa de la Concha, is one of the city’s iconic attractions, but there’s so much more to explore than just the shell-shaped beach. You can walk on the promenade along the water from the aquarium back to the city center. The city hall, the San Sebastian Cathedral and the Miramar Palace are all beautiful sites for architecture lovers. Foodies will find no shortage of delicious places to grab Pinxtos! Pro tip: wash your meal down with a bottle of Txakoli, a refreshing dry white wine local to the area! One night in San Sebastian, but stay in Zarautz (see below) if you want a chiller and more local experience.

Cathedral in Leon

Zarautz: Hidden Gem on Spanish Northern Coast

Just a quick 15 minute drive outside of San Sebastian (towards Bilbao) is the small beach town of Zarautz. Popular with local holiday goers and packed during the summer, Zarautz has a beautiful strip of beach that rivals San Sebastian. There’s not a ton to do in town, but it’s perfect for lazy summer days eating delicious fresh seafood and polishing off an afternoon at the beach with ice cream cones.

If you have time we highly recommend the walk to Guetaria, you can either walk up through the wineries giving you a spectacular view of the coast, or walk along the main street by the water (just watch out for rogue waves that may come up and splash you!). If you can spare it this is where you want to spend a few nights. You can do day trips to San Sebastian, go for a surf, hike the mountains or head to an authentic Basque cider house in Orio that you’ll never forget!

Bonus Extra Locations: Spain to France Road Trip

Technically, this is a northern Spain road trip guide, but if you have a couple of days to kill (and are headed down to Barcelona), we definitely recommend checking out a bit of southern France and Andorra. Hitting up the towns of Pau and Foix in France and then crossing through Andorra really only adds a couple hours of driving time to your trip. For us it was definitely worth it to get a taste of French culture and enjoy the beautiful countryside and Pyrenees Mountain range.

Roquefixade Castle, 30mins outside of Foix, France

Pau: Classic Southern French City

San Sebastian to Pau – 180km (110mi) – 2 ½ hours via Ainhoa and gorgeous French countryside

After saying goodbye to our friends in Zarautz we continued our cruise to the border and crossed into France at Saint Jean de Luz, through the gorgeous Ainhoa and onto Pau.

I’m not sure if it’s the culture, the language or the landscape but crossing the border you can feel an immediate shift reminding you that you’ve just entered a new country. We cruised through Saint Jean de Luz, a beautiful town with a lovely pedestrian walking street that makes for a perfect place to stop for lunch. Then we made our way to Pau. Pau is a relatively small city tucked right next to the Pyrenees mountain range.

From the city, especially the Boulevard de Pyrenees, you can catch some beautiful views of the iconic mountains. The city has some interesting sights including the Pau Castle, as well as a few museums, but our favorite things to do was walk along the boulevards and take in the french lifestyle. Arrive at night, explore the next day, stay a second night and leave early the next morning for the Pyrenees.

Cute French country town on Ainhoa

Foix: More Castles and Incredible Views

Pau to Foix – 200km (125mi) – 2 hours through the start of the Pyrenees mountains

Driving further West to Foix is an experience in itself. The treelined streets are absolutely gorgeous. Our only gripe with Spain was that during much of our trip we were surrounded by flat, dry landscape. Southern France is the opposite with lush greenery all around. Foix itself is an adorable little town with friendly people that really break the “French snob” stereotype. The main attraction in town is the Chateau de Foix (Foix Castle). It’s definitely worth the entrance fee (only about 8 or 9 euros) to climb the towers and look out to the view of the Pyrenees. One night in town to explore the castle and then head to Andorra.

Main city castle in Foix

Andorra: Where’s That?

Foix to Andorra (via Roquefixade) – 125km (80mi) – slow windy roads for parts and an easy border crossing

I’ll be the first to admit that I had even heard of Andorra before planning this road trip (extra embarrassing considering I was a global studies major!) But when we finally figured out that Andorra is its own autonomous country (nestled right between Spain and France), we knew we had to check it out.

First off, Andorra is tiny. Only 468 sq km. That’s pretty damn small. Andorra is super popular in the winter with travelers coming from all over Europe to ski and snowboard down the luscious slopes. In summer the country is less crowded but still worth a visit to see the gorgeous mountains and hike some of the legendary trails. Try to spend a night or two in Andorra to do some hikes if its summer, as the view points are unbelievable.

On our way to Andorra

Barcelona: This Isn’t Spain Either!

Andorra to Barcelona (via Vic) – 215km (135mi) – 3 hours

What can we say about Barcelona that hasn’t already been said? It’s a wonder in itself, and just like Basque citizens, many Catalonians don’t identify as Spanish. I learned this the hard when we I was filming a Facebook Live video from the famous human castles in Vic and was called out by a Catalonian for mistakenly saying we were in Spain. My bad!

Barcelona is one of those cities that you could live in for a year and still not experience all it has to offer. We visited for Jules’ birthday and had an absolute blast (you can read more about celebrating a birthday in Barcelona here). From the iconic Gaudi architecture to some of the coolest bars and restaurants in the region, there is literally something for everyone in Barcelona.

Pro tip: If you want to see the famous buildings like Park Guell or the Sagrada Familia, make sure to book ahead online because tickets do sell out. We learned this the hard way when we tried to squeeze in a Park Guell visit on our last day in Barcelona and the park was full.

There are so many extra locations that we could have added to the best northern Spain road trip guide, but with 2-3 weeks these are the spots that shouldn’t be missed! But hey, you’re renting a car in Spain, you can always decide where you wanna go!

Super cute town of Castrillo de los Polvaraes near Leon

Finding Accommodation on Your Road Trip

If you’re looking to get the best deals on accommodation we strongly recommended planning out your road trip and then booking your accommodation in advance. There are plenty of great options depending on your budget.

AirBnB – is a great option along the way and we used it for a lot of spots. It gives you a chance to meet locals, but doesn’t have to be intrusive and gives you your own space. You can book a private room in a house, get your own apartment or even rent out a villa. If you’re new to AirBnB use this link to get a FREE $30 credit!

Hostels – The budget friendly and social aspect of enjoying your time in Spain. Share a dorm and make new friends, or take a private and interact in your own time. Check the best list of Spain hostels at Hostel World.

Hotels and Guesthouses – Want to splurge a little more, but still want to save? No worries, HotelsCombined always has the best deals, even some good last minute ones. Saved our butts in Picos de Europa when we left accommodation to the last minute!

Total Stats for the North Spain Road Trip

18 days

1,800km (1120mi)

24 hours driving time (incl. 4hr for side trips)

200 Euro on gas (apx.)

14 bottles of Txakoli

Unknown pintxos consumed

Special thanks to AutoEurope for providing us with a car during our 3 week road trip! We should also note that a couple of links in the accommodation section will provide us with a small commission at absolutely no extra cost to you. So you get the best deals and also help us stay online to provide more great free content to would be travelers!

Unplugging from Technology on a Digital Detox Weekend

For Jules and I, our entire life is online. Running a travel blog means we’re glued to our computers, often for marathon work sessions. We’re on social media more than we’d like to admit to keep our followers up to date on our travels. We’re both studying remote courses for our Masters, which means reading and discussing with our classmates online. And then there’s normal life stuff like keeping in touch with our family and friends from abroad. That’s a lot of digital time.

Don’t get me wrong, we wouldn’t give up this life for anything. As annoying as it is to make sure we grab a quick Snapchat or Instagram shot whenever we go sightseeing, it beats working a 9 to 5 back home. Still, it’s a nice break for us to disconnect from the Internet even for a few hours. So when Intel Security contacted us to have a digital detox vacation we jumped at the chance to get away from all things tech.

According to a recent survey conducted by Intel Security, 55% of travelers who wanted to disconnect from their devices while on vacation were unsuccessful. Yikes. We’re going to guess that number will only continue to increase as every day more and more apps come out that connect us to the digital world.

Digital Detox Holiday

Luckily for our little digital detox experience we have the perfect excuse to go cold turkey on the gadgets. We’re about to embark on a 2 week cruise across the Atlantic from Colombia to Portugal. Wi-Fi is going to be limited (if not non-existent), so chances are we’ll be forced to shut off anyway.

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To have a little extra fun, Jules and I set up a little competition amongst ourselves- who would crack first? According to the survey men are slightly better at unplugging then females, with 57% unplugging on vacation compared to 44% of women, so looks like I’m already starting from a disadvantage.

Digital Detox Challenge Conditions

The first week of the cruise we’re going cold turkey. We’re each allowed to choose one gadget to use for non-Wi-Fi purposes: Jules has chosen his iPhone to play music and I’m choosing my Kindle for reading.

The second week of the cruise we’ll have to get online to check work emails and contribute to our class discussions, but we’re limiting ourselves to 1 hour a day between the two of us.

The first person of the two of us to crack and get online before the second week will owe the person the amount of time they spent online in foot rubs!

Thoughts Going Into The Trip

We’re not going to lie, this isn’t going to be easy. While it will be refreshing to have a break from updating social media and checking email, I think a digital detox will be surprisingly difficult. I’ll be the first to admit how addicted we are to our devices.

Even when we aren’t updating for work, I find myself mindlessly checking my Facebook or email throughout the day. I envy my former travel self who wandered through Central America without so much as an iPhone in my pocket. Getting online was the last thing on my mind when there were so many adventures to be had.

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This was also back in 2011 when hostel Wi-Fi was much less common than it is these days. Now when you enter a hostel common room there is much less chatter between new friends and much more heads faced down completely absorbed by phones.

And I won’t say that we don’t contribute to the problem. It’s difficult though because our work dictates that we be online every day. Sometimes when I see wandering eyes notice how enraptured we are on Facebook I just want to scream “it’s for work!” but I don’t think anyone would believe me.

The Difficulties of Disconnecting from Technology

For travelers across the board it’s becoming more and more difficult to disconnect. Nowadays there are so many travel tools that come in the form of apps and websites. Intel Security has some useful digital detox tips for disconnecting while on vacation, including using offline maps.

For millennials, especially those who have grown up using Google Maps (or the OG of online maps- MapQuest!), we’re completely dependent on having our phone direct us where to go. Thank goodness there are offline maps for us directionally-challenged travelers. Did you know that Google Maps can be also used offline if you pre-load the area you’re traveling in?

There are also offline map apps like Maps.Me where you can actually type in your destination and it will create a route for you, without having to be online! It’s not exactly complete digital detox, but staying off the Internet will reduce the temptation to mindlessly check your Facebook (again).

For us bloggers, whose lives revolve around and our often very publicly displayed in this online space, it’s especially important to remember to log off. This digital detox challenge will be the perfect experience to test our addiction and remind ourselves that we can live without the Internet.

On a professional level we’ll have to write and schedule some of our social media posts to go up while we’re on the cruise, so it will also be a good exercise in planning ahead. Hopefully we’ll gain some insight on batch-creating social media and blog posts that we can schedule to go live and use these skills for future digital detox trips. When your life revolves around being online it’s so important to plan ahead.

Remembering to Enjoy the Vacation

Above all I look forward to having this time as a real vacation. Often when we come back home after a year of traveling people ask us “how was your vacation?” Okay, we get it. From the outside it probably looks like we’re on vacay 100% of the time. Our social media shows us sipping cocktails on a beach in the Philippines or trekking through a tropical jungle. It doesn’t show our hours working in hostel rooms or searching for quiet cafes with decent Wi-Fi, even though that’s what our days are usually like. So having a real, unplugged vacation is going to be a godsend.

It’s funny that travelers take vacations to get away from all the drama and chaos of life at home, but then choose to bring all that with them when they connect online. We have to intentionally force ourselves to disconnect from that world and enjoy the moment. Hopefully this challenge will be a start of a new online/offline balance that we can introduce into our work and lives. We can’t wait to see how it goes!

Thanks to Intel Security for giving this opportunity to unplug from our digital world, if only for a short period. As always, any opinions expressed in this article are ours. We’d never bring you something we didn’t truly believe in.

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Choosing a Responsible Tour Company in Colombia

At Don’t Forget To Move we’re all about traveling responsibly and giving back along the way, but we understand not everyone has the time to take 6 months off and volunteer in Peru, or quit their job to go and work in an animal sanctuary. Luckily, volunteering abroad isn’t the only way to give back while traveling. Regardless of how much time you have on your travels, you can always create a positive impact on the communities you visit, while also having a really fun time.

One of the best ways to give back while traveling is to choose companies that prioritize supporting the local community, environment and animals over profits. By doing so you not only support local companies making their communities a better place, but also the business model of responsible tourism for all the other businesses out there.

And the options are endless when it comes to choosing where to spend your dollar. It might mean staying in an eco-hotel instead of your average run on the mill hotel. Visiting an animal sanctuary instead of watching a dolphin show. Or shopping at local businesses instead of hitting up 7-11 and Costco. For us, one of our favorite ways to give back while traveling is to find sustainable tour companies that support these responsible tourism principles.

But Aren’t Tours The Worst?

I know what you’re thinking: uhh.. tour company? I thought Don’t Forget To Move was all about ditching the tours and exploring on your own?!

Yep, you’re right! Those tours that cram 100 people in a bus and stop at landmarks to take photos for 5 minutes before carting everyone to the next spot… We avoid those like the plague!

But there’s something to be said for small, socially conscious tour operators. First off, they know their stuff. As dorky as you may feel walking around with a tour guide, you’ll learn way more about the area than exploring on your own. Having a local guide not only means getting tips on those sweet local spots, but also getting a deeper understanding of the history and culture of the area. They also know how you, as a visitor, can reduce your negative impact on the places you’re visiting.

Benefits of Choosing the Right Tour Companies

So while handing out sweets to indigenous children may seem like a good idea, a local guide can give you the insider scoop that this is actually damaging to their health and causes more harm than good. When searching for a sustainable tour operator the ideal situation is finding a company that ensures their tours are low impact, and also supports local social projects. It’s a win-win. You get a fantastic tour with a local guide, while your money goes back to the community.

Unfortunately these types of tour companies aren’t as common as they should be. So when we heard about Context, a small group tour company giving back to local communities, we jumped at the chance to join their tours. We liked it so much we attended 3 of their tours in Cartagena, Colombia alone! Here’s what we loved about our Context experience.

Deep Travel Foundation

Context is all about visiting destinations with small groups, minimizing the negative impacts of travel and maximizing positive impacts on the community. But they don’t just use phrases like social impact travel because it looks good in their brochure. They put their money where their mouth is. In conjunction with their tours, they’ve set up the Deep Travel foundation that works with social projects to give back to the communities they visit.

While in Cartagena we attended one of their tour/social project combinations: the San Francisco Barrio tour, which was lead by tour guide and local badass do-gooder Alex Rocha. He started the Alex Rocha Youth Center several years ago because he saw his community struggling in the midst of violence and poverty. He wanted to create a safe place for the local children and teens to develop new skills, receive homework help and have an alternative to getting involved with drugs and gangs.

Social Projects in Cartagena

A couple years ago Context developed a partnership with the center. Travelers who want to gain a better understanding of real life in Cartagena, beyond the walls of the tourist area, can visit San Francisco barrio and take a tour with Alex. When we visited we were lucky enough to come on a day when local youth were putting on a breakdancing performance for the barrio. Alex told us that breakdancing had been a huge influence on his life when he was younger and saved him from getting into trouble. Now he puts on shows and events around the city, trying to do the same for many troubled youths within the community.

We were completely blown away by the level of talent of the dancers. It was clear the groups were putting their heart and soul into their passion and it was touching to hear several of them speak about how breakdancing gave them a new direction in life. After the performance Alex came back with a piece of paper, with a list of younger boys names in the community that had requested to sign up for breakdancing classes. For us, that said it all. Alex is providing a safe space for kids of all ages that will continue to benefit younger generations.

In the evening, after checking out the barrio, tour guests get a special treat, dinner with the Rocha family. We learned more about Alex’s dreams for the center and met his children who were all incredibly intelligent, ambitious people, sure to follow in their father’s footsteps. Every tour ticket includes a donation to the center that Context matches, so you can leave knowing you’ve made a small, meaningful impact on a very deserving community.

Real Travel Sustainability

But supporting social projects isn’t the only way Context is giving back to the community. They are a sustainable tour company through and through. A lot of companies in the tourism industry tout themselves as sustainable because it’s trendy, but never actually take action to become more eco-friendly. Context not only focuses on lessening their impact on the community, but is actually proactive in mitigating those negative impacts.

As a corporation, they do their part by keeping sustainable practices at their offices and participating in a carbon-offset program. On their tours they keep impact to a minimum by only allowing 6 guests max. That means you’re not walking with a huge group trying to figure out which guide holding an umbrella in the air is yours. Small groups give you the opportunity to really know your guide and ask questions about being a local to the area.

By providing local expert tour guides you have a unique opportunity to get an insider view on the city. You know those amazing, hole-in-the-wall spots that only locals seem to know about? Those are the kind of spots you’ll be visiting and getting recommendations to visit after your tour.

Sustainable Tours in Cartagena

On our Cartagena At Twilight walk, the sunset tour of Cartagena, our guide Kristen took us to The Rum Box to do some rum tasting! It was a perfect compliment to the city’s Caribbean vibe and a completely unique experience that we wouldn’t have chosen for ourselves. Another favorite on our sunset tour was a stop at a local coffee shop, Cafe Del Mural, where the owner stayed open late just to accommodate our small group. We were expecting to order off the menu, but instead the owner concocted custom drinks based on our personal preferences! I ended up with a delicious frozen coconut coffee with almond liqueur and whipped cream and Jules had a citrus flavored coffee over ice with orange slice. Yum!

Because the guides know the city so well they are able to customize your tour on the spot. Depending on what areas you may have already explored on your own they can take you on different routes or spend more time in other areas. Many Context guides are local historians, like our “Welcome to Cartagena” tour guide Luis, a local history PHD student. Luis knew the history of Colombia like the back of his hand. He was ready for all of our questions and told us everything we’d need to know about Cartagena, from the best pirate stories to the most delicious arepa stands.

We left each of our Context Cartagena tours with a greater knowledge and understanding of the history and daily life of the locals. We loved that having a small group tour meant one-on-one time with the guide, which also meant getting all of our questions answered. We can’t wait to check out more Context tours throughout Europe!

Thanks to Context for inviting us onto these trips. Even though Don’t Forget To Move received these tours for free, we fully support and promote Context, not only as a great option for socially conscious tours around the world, but for the work they’re doing to support social projects. 

 

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