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Saudi Arabia Visa for 2023 Travel: What You Need to Know

This post is a sponsored collaboration between Don’t Forget To Move and Handy Visa. All views expressed are our own and true to our belief in open and honest travel reporting.

Saudi Arabia is opening its doors to tourism. Citizens of 49 countries are now able to apply for and obtain a Saudi Arabia e-visa online. Considering Saudi Arabia has generally been closed off from foreign travel, this announcement is unprecedented, but falls in line with the country’s Saudi Vision 2030.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hopes to receive 100 million tourists by 2030 and hopes to rank as one of the top 5 countries in the world for tourism. But while the allure of visiting a country unspoiled by overtourism, it’s important to note the pros and cons of visiting such a controversial destination.

It’s also important to note that the current global pandemic of COVID-19 has made it difficult for some countries to visit Saudi Arabia. Before planning a trip to Saudi Arabia, or making any future travel plans, it’s important to research the latest travel restriction information. For US travelers to Saudi Arabia it’s always best to read up on the latest alerts and messages.

Saudi Arabia Visa: What To Expect

Before we get to the controversial stuff, let’s find out the logistics first. The Arabia Saudi Visa allows citizens from 49 countries, including the United States, Australia, Japan, China and most of Europe, to apply. If your country is not on the list, you’re welcome to contact the Saudi embassy to see if you can apply as an individual case.

Like every visa around the world there will be certain eligibility requirements, and to visit Saudi Arabia you’ll need at least 6 months before your passport expires. Visa applicants will need to be 18 years or older, or have a guardian apply with them. The Saudi government has announced that the visa will be good for 1 year, multiple entries and visitors will be allowed to stay up to 3 months.

Why Visit Saudi Arabia

Part of the allure of visiting a country like Saudi Arabia is it’s mystique. Previously, visas have only been available to expats and business people working in the country. To become one of the first tourists to visit such an exotic locale is enticing to travelers looking for the next frontier. Tales of Arabian nights, vast deserts and riches beyond anyone’s wildest dreams is enough to peak anyone’s interest. And while you may not stumble into a cave full of treasures, there is plenty to see and things to do in Saudi Arabia.

The historical sites alone are enough to keep you busy during your Saudi vacation. The country is home to 5 UNESCO sites, including Al-Ahsa Oasis, the world’s largest oasis. And the Al-Hijr Archaeological Site, with facades dating from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD. And while non-Muslim tourists are not allowed to visit Mecca, you can visit Historic Jeddah, which includes the Gate to Mecca used by Muslim visitors making their pilgrimage by boat.

There are also a ton of awesome places to visit and experience in the capital Riyadh. One way you can take advantage of this unique city is if you rent a car in Riyadh with Renty. For just $10 a day you can rent a car and zip around all the different cultural and historical sites. It’s cheaper than taking local transport around the city all day, plus you can play tour guide by picking all the places you want to visit.

But ancient sites aren’t the only attraction that the Saudi Arabian tourism board is boasting to new visitors. You can get lost in the meandering streets of Souq Okaz and witness how the architecture of the old way of life blends with modern living. Or you can visit the capital city of Ridhya and drink the afternoon away at a trendy modern cafe. And by drink, of course we mean coffee only, alcohol is forbidden in Saudi Arabia for locals and tourists alike! For more outdoor activities, there are top diving sites in the reefs of the Red Sea, the Nofa Wildlife Park for animal spotting, or the Red Sand Dunes perfect for zipping around in a dune buggy.

Saudi Arabia Controversy

It’s no doubt that the Saudi Arabia tourism board has done a good job of marketing the country as a hot up and coming travel destination. But with any destination, it’s important to peel back the curtain and understand what your tourism dollars are supporting. The fact of the matter is that Saudi Arabia is one of the most conservative Islamic countries in the Middle East. It has a terrible track record for human rights abuses, including LGBTQ rights and women’s rights. Like many countries around the world, homosexuality is illegal. Those caught in acts of homosexuality and cross dressing can be punished with fines, public whippings, torture, life imprisonment and death. We want to be very clear in communicating that we believe the treatment of the LGBTQ+ community in Saudi Arabia is unacceptable and morally reprehensible.

Women’s Rights in Saudi Arabia

Unfortunately women’s rights in Saudi Arabia are not that much better. The country has a guardianship system for women, in which they are only allowed to do certain things with the permission of a male guardian (usually a husband, father or brother). For example, women still cannot marry, leave prison or leave a domestic violence shelter without the consent of their male guardian.

Only recently have women been given the right to drive cars in the country. Women have also recently been granted passports and the right to travel abroad without the consent of their male guardians. In 2017, women were also given the right to enter university, get a job and have surgery without permission from their male guardian.

While these rights may seem so inherently basic to those in the Western world, it’s been a huge victory for the women of Saudi Arabia. However, there is a long way to go before women have nearly as many rights as their male counterparts.

Should I Travel to Saudi Arabia?

You may be thinking, I wanted a travel article, not a civil rights lesson! But it’s important to acknowledge these atrocities before deciding whether you feel comfortable traveling to such a controversial country. It’s a hotly contested debate in the travel community whether a government’s laws should dictate your travel plans.

On the one hand, no one wants to support a government that treats LGBTQ+ and women so poorly. However, there are many countries that are popular with tourists (including the US) where the government has done morally reprehensible things as well. How many US drone strikes have killed innocent men, women and children abroad? It can also be argued that visiting conservative countries can have a positive impact from a cross cultural exchange. And if visitors can link up with local NGOs working to combat some of these terrible laws, perhaps tourists can even have a positive impact.

Ultimately, even person has to make their own decision about visiting Saudi Arabia. It’s undeniable that the country has a lot to offer in terms of sites and activities, and the new Saudi Arabia visa is making it easier to visit than ever. I, for one, will be very interested in hearing what other tourists think of the country and report back!

Weekend Away in Cape Town | Western Cape Getaways

Cape Town, South Africa is one of the most beautiful and diverse cities in the world. With the deep-blue (and not to mention, ice-cold) Atlantic Ocean, the landmark that is Table Mountain, the Cape Winelands, harbors and so much more – this truly is a bucket list destination.

If you do visit Cape Town, even just for a weekend getaway, we strongly suggest bringing along a camera to document your adventures. Here are some of the best cameras for travel.

Weekend Getaway in Cape Town | Things to Do

The stunning city of Cape Town offers endless possibilities of adventure. There are hundreds and thousands of activities to do and things to see when visiting the Mother City of South Africa.

If you are planning a quick Cape Town getaway sometime soon, here are some of our top things for you to do while you’re in town.

And once you’re done exploring the Mother City, head to Johannesburg for a casino vacation right on your doorstep.

The Top of Table Mountain

First things first, you simply cannot travel to Cape Town without visiting the famous Table Mountain. This prominent landmark is so exquisitely large and beautiful that it is now officially recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

To give you the ultimate tour of this spectacular city and its mountain, we advise joining a hop-on hop-off bus ride where you can also take a cable car up to the top of the mountain. There you can enjoy breathtaking views of Cape Town.

Hike Up Lions Head

If you wake up wanting to move your body and embrace all the city has to offer, then a hike up Lions Head is an absolute must. Whether you prefer sunrise or sunset, we can guarantee you will not be disappointed with the beautiful views.

This hike is completely free and can be done without a guide, but if you’re not yet a hiking natural, then you can also opt for paid hiking tours of Lions Head.

Sunsets on Signal Hill

Another one of Cape Town’s smaller landmarks is Signal Hill. Although this one isn’t much of a hike, we suggest packing some snacks and taking a drive up to the summit where you can watch some truly spectacular sunsets.

And if you are feeling extra adventurous and wouldn’t mind a taste of adrenaline, you can tandem paraglide off of Signal Hill and get the best views of all that Cape Town has to offer.

Visit the V&A Waterfront

The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is home to one of South Africa’s most popular shopping malls, as well as Table Bay Harbor. With hundreds of stores and restaurants, a day spent at the V&A is never a day wasted.

Here you can visit the Two Oceans Aquarium, take a SUP ride around the waterfront marina or ride the Cape Wheel. You can even spend the day at the Oranjezicht Family Market close by, where you can enjoy good food, culture and community.

Spend the Day in Sea Point

Sea Point, Cape Town has everything from the hustle and bustle, to the refreshing sound of the waves. Whether you want to go for a kayak tour along the shorefront or cycle along the promenade, there is so much to do in Sea Point.

If you are in the area, we highly recommend paying a visit to the Mojo Market which offers food stalls for any and all cravings.

Take a Ride to Robben Island

South Africa is widely known for being home to one of the greatest revolutionaries in the world, Nelson Mandela. And Robben Island is famed for being the prison where he spent more than 27 years of his life.

Explore the history of Madiba and so much more when you visit Robben Island. You can take a tour of the island, and its township, either by ferry or by helicopter.

Bounce Between Beaches

Whether you want some peace and quiet or the whole summer vacation vibe, there are so many gorgeous beaches to visit in Cape Town. No matter where you stop along the coast of the Western Cape, you are bound to find a beautiful beach.

You can visit Clifton for a typical sunny South African beach day with umbrellas and ice-lollies. You can learn to surf at Muizenberg and even take pics with the line-up of cute colorful beach boxes that line the seashore. You can even check out the penguins at Boulders Beach.

Picnic at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

There are ten national botanical gardens in South Africa, and Kirstenbosch is truly one of the prettiest. Pack a picnic basket and bring your friends and family, to enjoy a gorgeous day in nature.

If you’re lucky, they might even be hosting a concert the weekend you come to visit and you can buy tickets to enjoy that as well.

Another treat that is often hosted at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is the Galileo Open Air Cinema. Be sure to check out what movies are showing before you book your ticket.

Wander the Wine Farms

Another thing that the Western Cape is incredibly well-known for is their delicious wines. With hundreds of wine farms to visit, you will never get bored of sipping on a new taste.

If you really want to embrace all that the winelands have to offer, without any of the worry, then there is even a Franschhoek Wine Tram that lets you hop on and off as you visit as many of the farms and taste as many of the wines as possible.

Final Thoughts on a Weekend Getaway to Cape Town

Well, there you have it – and that’s not even half of it! There is so much more to do and see in the windy city of Cape Town, South Africa. But at least we’ve given you enough adventures to occupy a quick weekend getaway to the Western Cape.

Speaking of windy cities, if you are looking for a similar experience a little closer to home, a trip to Chicago might be just what you’re looking for.

Best Places to Teach English Abroad | 4 Incredible TEFL Countries

Backpacking, traveling, or holidaying in new destinations is always exciting and packed with unforgettable memories. But there’s something special about sticking around in a new country, diving into a job, and experiencing the culture and ways of life from a deeper perspective.

Teaching English abroad is one of the easiest ways to do just that. Throughout Asia, Europe, and Latin America the demand for native English speakers continues to grow, providing you tons of opportunities to find an awesome job in an exciting new country.

But with so many options, where do you go? Whether you’ve taught English abroad or you’re a complete newbie, you might be looking for some inspiration.

From destinations suited to backpacking teachers to countries with high-paid jobs, we’ve compiled a list of the four best places to teach English abroad.

Grab your TEFL certificate and travel insurance, book your ticket and get ready to go.

Teaching English in South Korea

South Korea continues to be one of the best countries to teach English in Asia and the world. And for good reason, too. The ESL market is booming, which means that finding a job is a piece of cake.

Whether you choose to work at a public or private institution you’ll be spoiled with better benefits than in any other Asian country. These include flights and accommodation, leaving you a large chunk of your hefty salary (between $1600 to $2600 USD) to spend on exploring the stunning country.

The modern, hi-tech cities are incredibly safe. And for a nature kick, you can head to the mountainous countryside or the pristine beaches in Busan.

You may have to take some time getting used to the working culture as South Korea has the longest working hours of all developed nations. But it’s well worth it for the mouthwatering food, affordable costs of living, and interesting culture.

Most jobs require an undergraduate degree and a TEFL/TESOL certificate. But you can find work without experience, so if you’re hoping to teach to travel, you’re good to go to South Korea.

Teach English in Japan

You can’t go wrong with teaching English abroad in Japan. It’s an all-around phenomenal country famed for delicious cuisine, spectacular natural scenery, fast-paced cities, and its unique, fascinating culture.

It’s also one of the best places to teach abroad. The country offers one of the highest-paid teaching jobs abroad ($1700 to $5000 USD). And while the cost of living is pretty steep, you’ll likely have extra benefits such as accommodation subsidies or Japanese lessons.

This is not the best country to make a quick buck on your backpacking tour. But rather, a spot to settle down for a year or more to save some cash and immerse yourself in the wonders of Japan.

You certainly won’t get bored or run out of things to do while teaching in Japan. You can discover the local food in Osaka or head to Mount Fuji. The options for adventures are endless, whether you’re after bustling cities or striking natural areas.

The job market, while flourishing, is quite competitive. However, if you have a bachelor’s degree and arm yourself with a TEFL certification you should have no problem finding an incredible job and soon falling in love with the country.

ESL Teaching in Taiwan

How does living on a beautiful tropical island sound? Taiwan has often taken the backseat to ESL giants such as China and Thailand. But this stunning country has a growing ESL job market that focuses on young learners. If you’re looking to get into primary school teaching abroad, this is a fantastic country to do it. It’s also a great opportunity to choose something a little different and get off the beaten track.

The country boasts a uniquely blended Chinese and Taiwanese culture, contemporary and advanced cities, and all the natural spoils of a stunning island. The salaries in Taiwan are attractive ($1400 to $2400USD) and there are more jobs than there are teachers, so securing a position is like shooting fish in a barrel.

You will need a formal TEFL certification and at least a bachelor’s degree – simply being a native speaker won’t cut it. Much like South Korea, you’ll be showered with benefits, so there are a lot of opportunities to save money and afford all of those cool activities.

In your free time, you’ll have your pick of gorgeous beaches to laze on, mountains to climb and local dishes to make your way through. There’s a thriving ex-pat community so you’ll no doubt find some friends to do it all with.

Teaching Abroad in Spain

Teaching English in Asia is extremely popular and the continent has many of the best countries to be a teacher. But if you’re looking for something outside of Asia, Spain is one of – if not the – most popular European countries to teach English.

The Spanish culture is relaxed and easy-going, centered around food, socializing, and enjoying life. This means that there is a great work-life balance that is much better than most other Western countries, and certain Asian countries.

The salaries are relatively low compared to other countries on this list (€700 to €1800). But the cost of living is one of the lowest you’ll find in Europe. There also are not as many benefits as you find in the countries in Asia.

What makes Spain one of the best places to teach is the high quality of life, the opportunity to explore Europe…and tapas! Instead of planning a Spanish beach holiday, you can be living it.

Are You Excited to Start Teaching English Abroad?

These four countries are just the tip of the iceberg of the best places to teach English abroad. But they’re excellent places to get started, teach to travel, or save up some moola.

First, you’ve got to make the tough decision between four amazing places. Do you want to dive into a completely new culture in Asia, or keep it closer to home in Europe? Are you looking for tech-advanced cities or natural wonderlands?

Next, you need to arm yourself with a TEFL teaching degree which couldn’t be easier a the range of amazing online courses. And just like that, you’re ready to jet off to your new adventure!

7 Ways To Save On Travel Costs

Even though the old cliché goes, “travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer,” it still costs money. And sometimes a lot of it. Thankfully after years of travel, we’ve been able to hone down our best tips for staying on budget. Whether you’re traveling like a backpacker or living large, we know our tips will be helpful to save on travel costs, so you can spend more on the experiences that make travel so amazing.

Create a Budget

Nobody likes the “b” word, but creating a budget for your trip can actually be very liberating. If you’re not keeping track of your finances it’s hard to estimate how much you’ve been spending. Even though keeping your head in the sand may seem easier than confronting your travel costs, you may find out you’re actually staying under budget! Checking your spending at the end of each day of your trip means you can decide when to save and when to splurge. Consciously scrimping on meals here and there will make splurging on an awesome experience even more rewarding! Budget travel apps like Trailwallet are excellent tools for keeping everything organized.

Find Cheap Flights

Chances are that your flight costs are going to be substantial part of your trip. Unless you’re traveling locally or domestically, airline prices are not going to be cheap. If you’re flying to the other side of the world you can expect your flight expenses to be in the 4 figure mark. Depending on how lavish your trip is, that could be a huge percentage of your travel budget. That’s why finding cheap flights is key for keeping costs at a minimum.

Luckily the internet makes it super easy to find the best deals. These days sites like JustFly compare every possible combination of airline carrier and potential itineraries to make sure you get the best deal. They even have a list of “top daily deals” from your location to get you inspired on where you can travel for cheap! Once you have a cracking airline deal, the rest of your trip planning tends to fall into place.

Stay in Hostels

We know, shacking up with 8 strangers in a dorm room with bunk beds isn’t exactly a dream vacation. But these days you can find some pretty rad hostels/guesthouses. We’ve stayed in some beautiful hostels that have hotel-style amenities like big comfy beds, rainforest showers and even an omelette chef in the morning (check Spin Hostel in El Nido!

Often times a private room in a hostel is still much cheaper than booking a hotel room. The bonus of a hostel is that they usually have very social environments, perfect if you’re traveling solo or in a group looking to make friends. Of course if you’re not interested in chatting with other travelers you can just enjoy the privacy of your own room.

When finding the best hostel deals we always recommend HostelWord, which is basically a massive booking platform for all the best hostels around the world!

Book an Airbnb

If hostels aren’t your scene, Airbnb’s are another great way to cut down on accommodation costs. There are tons of options, from super budget to super splurge. The types of accommodation is also really varied. We’ve seen VW vans, tents and even yurts listed on Airbnb. People often list private rooms in their homes for affordable prices. Since these rooms don’t come with hotel amenities, they are usually listed for quite a bit less than normal hotel rates. Oftentimes, they come with a kitchen which is perfect for our next tip…

New to Airbnb? Sign up through our link and receive $30USD off your first stay, it’s that easy!

Cook Meals

Another pricey expense that comes up when traveling is eating out. When you’re back home eating out is usually a special treat. But when you’re traveling you’re forced to eat out at every meal. That’s why booking an Airbnb or hotel with a kitchenette is a great travel hack. Buying groceries and cooking for yourself can save you so much money in the long-term. Even just having a light breakfast or snack on hand can save you from tourist restaurants that have sub-part food for expensive prices. Plus shopping at a local market or grocery store is a cool way to immerse yourself in the local culture.

Travel with a Water Bottle Filter

When traveling in countries that don’t have clean tap water, having a filtered water bottle is key. Not only do you cut down on single use plastic (the environment thanks you!) but you’ll also save money every day. It may not seem like a lot, but if you’re spending $5 a day on water bottles during a month long trip, you’ll save $150! Wouldn’t you rather spend that on a luxurious night in a swanky hotel knowing you contributed to a cleaner earth? Personally, we travel with these awesome LifeStraw Go bottles.

Test out Your Haggling Skills

In some parts of the world haggling down prices is totally normal. It can feel weird if you’re from the US or another country where haggling is frowned upon. But in many situations abroad, bargaining for a cheaper price is expected. Artisan markets are a perfect place to practice your haggling skills. Sellers will often start with a price that is double what they would normally sell it for.

Haggling is a delicate art that often means standing your ground and sometimes doing the old “walk away” trick. The seller will always have a minimum price that they’re willing to take in the back of their mind. And if you have a maximum price that you’re willing to pay, you’ll eventually find a happy medium between the two. To learn more about the art of haggling check out our guide.

This article contains some affiliate links. Clicking them provides us a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It’s what helps keep our site running, awesome and available to provide you the best travel info! And thanks to the article sponsor JustFly for supporting this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are our own and we would need support a product or service we didn’t truly believe in.

Win a Tanzania Safari Experience with Yellow Zebra Safaris

Ever dreamt of waking up on the Tanzanian plains, looking out towards the rising sun, to see wild African animals walking across the horizon? Now, ever wanted to experience this trip for FREE?

Well you’re in luck! This October we’re teaming up with Yellow Zebra Safaris as their official ambassadors, to offer a lucky influencer the chance to experience a luxury safari in Tanzania for two, for FREE!

And just because the peeps at Yellow Zebra Safaris are feeling extra generous, they’re going to include round trip airfares and accommodation for you both! (UK and Ireland based bloggers will be fully covered, everywhere else around the world you’ll get up to $1500 towards flights, with everything else all-inclusive!)

That’s right, they’re giving away a trip worth well over $12,000 to two lucky people! And you could be in the running for a once in a lifetime opportunity to be amongst Earth’s most majestic animals on your very own Tanzania safari.

Yellow Zebra Safaris, voted Europe’s Leading Safari Tour Operator four years running, have been designing premium safaris and trips across Africa since 2012. The team is not only passionate about offering an incredible safari, but also conservation and education for the protection of the region, animals and local communities. And now they want you to experience it on them!

To enter, all you have to do is write a blog post about your favorite travel trip and tell us why you’d love to experience a Tanzania safari with Yellow Zebra Safaris. The competition runs from October 1st until October 31st, with the winner being announced on November 28th.

Throughout the month of October we’re going to be encouraging you all to enter, as well as reposting and sharing some of our favorite stories to our expansive audience.

Here are the official details on how to enter!

Step 1: Write!

Write a blog post about the best trip you’ve ever been on! This could be a trip you’ve recently come back from, or something you did back in your heyday. All you have to do is write about one of your all time favorite travel experiences. Pretty simple yeah?

In the same post, include a paragraph or two on why you’d love to experience a Tanzanian safari with Yellow Zebra Safaris. Maybe you’ve always dreamt of watching a herd of gazelles stride across an African plain, or a pride of lions stalk their next victim. Or maybe you’ve got your eye on that infinity pool that looks overlooks the Serengeti. In your post, be sure to include a link back to the Yellow Zebra Safaris Tanzania page at https://yellowzebrasafaris.com/tanzania/

Step 2: Share It!

Share your entry on an Instagram post, telling us about your best holiday using the hashtag #TanzaniaWithYZS

Step 3: Share it With Us

Let our amazing friends at Yellow Zebra Safaris know you’ve entered the competition by emailing them a link to your article and Instagram post at yz@yellowzebratravel.com.

And while you’re at it, be sure to tag us in any stories you share. It’s not an entry requirement, but we’d love to choose some of our favorites to share across our network of over 250,000 followers! You can tag us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter at @dontforget2move.

For more information, as well as terms and conditions, be sure to visit the official Yellow Zebra Safari competition entry page on their website.

Five Reasons You’ll Love a Tanzania Safari with Yellow Zebra Safaris

And now, just in case you need any more convincing to enter this incredible competition, here’s four more reasons why you’ll love a luxury safari experience with Yellow Zebra Safaris.

1. Along with phenomenal reviews, these guys have been seriously accredited and backed by the travel community. For the last four years running they’ve won Europe’s Leading Safari Tour Operator at the World Travel Awards. They’ve also been featured and recommended in National Geographic and countless other publications.

2. Yellow Zebra Safaris don’t just run amazing safaris, they also help support communities and conservation efforts in Africa, by donating directly to local charities and community development groups. They’re deeply passionate about charity projects, and it shows from the amount of money they’ve helped raise since they were formed.

3. The specialists at Yellow Zebra Safaris are serious experts. They are recognized as some of the leading experts in the industry. They are all ex-professional guides, camp managers or were born and raised in Africa. Their vast knowledge will mean you are in safe hands when booking a safari.

4. There are so many different times of year that you can experience a Tanzania safari! (If you’re the competition winner you’ll visit Tanzania in October, which is a fantastic time to experience a safari in Tanzania). For everyone else, we know that finding some time to travel can be tough. You might not get holiday time during the peak travel season when everything’s on offer, but with Yellow Zebra Safaris you don’t have to worry, as they will help you find amazing experiences there all throughout the year.

5. The accommodation! Ok so I know you’re there to see wild animals, but hey, you’ve got to stay somewhere, so you might as well make it luxurious. Beautifully decorated rooms lead out onto balconies overlooking stunning views of the diverse landscape. After a long day exploring the safaris, rest easy knowing you’re coming back to an incredible place to spend the night.

Benefits of Group Travel: Why Every Traveler Should Experience It

At every stage in a travelers life they should experience group travel. While solo backpacking, or couple travel, can be rewarding in its own right, there’s nothing quite like exploring a new destination or activity with a group of friends.

Whether you arrange a trip with your closest friends, or join a tour company, traveling with other people helps create new friendships and solidify old ones. The new experiences help create lifelong memories and bonds between people that extend well beyond your trip. No matter what type of traveler you are, here are a few top reasons you should travel in a group.

Benefits of Group Travel with Friends

One of the best things about traveling as a group is being able to share all the wonderful new experiences with some of your closest friends. Back home you’ve got your everyday memories together from school or work or social events, but now you’re off gallivanting around the world making stories that you’ll never forget.

Move over hilarious story about the time Susan slipped over at work, let’s replace that with something slightly more interesting. How about an exciting trip to the party island of Thailand for a half moon party in Koh Phangan?

Forget about the time Will threw his school books off the library roof, now Will is legendary for doing a backflip off the second story guesthouse into the pool… responsibly of course. Traveling as a group will not only solidify your friendship, but you’ll be reminiscing about those memories for years to come.

Making New Friends when Traveling as a Group

A lot of people don’t have a group of friends that are willing to pack up and take off on a three month trip around Southeast Asia. Some of them might not even want to pop over to Bali for a week long holiday, so you have to branch out and find a group to travel with.

Organizing a group tour can be an easy way to find a likeminded group of people to travel with. It takes the pressure off having to go out and find travel buddies. And it also allows you to be social and share experiences with people while you’re traveling.

Some on my closest friends over the last few years are people I’ve met while traveling as a group. Back in 2015, when we were traveling with a group of people in Thailand for two weeks, we became so close that we all decided to get matching tattoos (true story!). To this day we still stay in touch and we may or may not have added to our matching tattoos (spoiler alert, we did!).

Traveling with new friends gives you the chance to get really close to them, really quick. You spend more time with these new friends in a week than you probably do with people back home for months. Plus the memories and stories you make together will now bond you for life. Everything is accelerated when you’re traveling and spending 24/7 with someone, so friendships become deep really fast.

Imagine spending a week with someone traveling the Nusa Islands in Bali, everyday more exciting and adventurous than the last. During the day you swim through waterfalls, zip around on scooters, relax on beaches and explore local temples together. While each night you sip on Bintang beers and share stories from other travels or back home. Adventures + cheap beer = best buds for life!

Group Travel as a Couple

Just because you’re in a relationship, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the benefits of traveling with a group. In fact, sometimes connecting with a group tour is the perfect way to branch out and for you and your partner to meet new people.

When you’re traveling as a couple, it can be a bit more difficult to meet new travel friends naturally. When you’re solo, you’re generally a lot more open to meeting other people on the road. Because you’re alone you put more effort into being social and it’s easier to meet and spend time with other solo travelers.

However, when you’re traveling as a couple, sometimes its hard to find new travel friends. Other solo travelers see you and your significant other as unapproachable. They might think you would prefer to spend time with your partner, even though you’re hanging around a bar waiting to make new friends.

Both Christine and I are extremely social people, so we enjoy meeting new travel buddies. We love the fact that travel brings you closer to people and lets you connect with others from different walks of life. When we travel we sometimes found it hard to meet people in hostels and guesthouses or while going out. We often find ourselves connecting with other couples, but even that can be challenging at times.

Traveling in a group, even as a couple, gives you the added bonus of being with your partner, but also being able to hang out with a bunch of new potential friends. It also stops you from having to spend 24/7 with your partner, which can cause problems on its own. Not that Christine and I ever want to kill each while traveling of course….

Managing Group Travel Expectations

One of the hardest things about traveling in a group is trying to manage everyone’s different expectations and needs. Some people are early risers, some party until the break of dawn. Some like history and culture, others are more into lazing about on the beach and sipping cheap cocktails.

No matter how hard you try, it’s always going to be difficult to travel as a group and please everyone. That’s why it’s important to manage group expectations and learn to compromise.

The best way to avoid any potential problems is to have open and honest discussions within your group about the activities they want to do. Let people voice their expectations and try to either work out a compromise or an easy way to split up for the day.

You might find it’s as easy as half the group spending the day at a museum or temple, and half the group going to explore the local market. You can coordinate a time to meet up later in the day and everyone wins. That keeps the group happy and your friendships intact!

Regardless of how you approach group travel, with friends, solo or as a couple, you’re bound to have an amazing time! Having people to share your travel experiences with helps you relive them for years to come. It also means you’ve got some travel buddies that are ready for the next group trip when it comes around!

6 Ways to Afford Travel: Our Best Tips

Travel is expensive. We get it. After years on the road we’ve felt the pinch of having to watch our wallets. Luckily we’ve now built a business around traveling. In fact, for us, it’s more expensive to stay in one place because we literally get paid to travel. But we understand that this lifestyle isn’t viable for everyone. Not everyone wants to be on the road forever. Most people want to take a few short, but meaningful trips a year. Or perhaps you’re saving up for that big year long trip of a lifetime. Either way, it’s going to cost you. Thankfully, over the years, we’ve acquired some helpful tips that can help you get some much needed cash and save money for travel. Here are our favorites:

Travel to Cheap Countries

Our most recommended tip is pretty damn simple: travel to cheap countries! Sure, who doesn’t want to sip cocktails in an overwater cabana in the Maldives? Unfortunately those cost $500+ per night. You and your partner can travel for a week or more while backpacking in South America for just the cost of one night of accommodation! And traveling to cheap countries doesn’t mean you need to slum it. There are plenty of luxury locations that will keep you on budget. $5 dollar massages in Thailand come to mind…

Take a “Workcation”

One of the biggest catch 22’s of traveling is that not only are you spending money while traveling, but if you quit your job you risk not earning money for a while! Luckily remote working is becoming a huge trend and more companies are allowing their employees to take “workcations.” There are plenty of “digital nomad” hubs popping up around the world that are perfect if you’re combining work and travel. These spots, like Chiang Mai, Thailand or Medellin, Colombia, are filled with cafes that are perfect to work from by day and restaurants and bars perfect to play from at night! Plus you can take day or weekend trips to nearby locations for adventure! Have a chat with your boss about how taking a workcation can be profitable for the business. It’s alllll about how you spin it!

Get Creative

If you’re trying to save up money for a big trip, you may have to get a little creative. We’ve all seen those GoFundMe accounts of people trying to raise money for their trip. And while it may be a bit obnoxious to ask your friends and family for money so you can travel, there are creative ways to fundraise for your trip. Think about how you can give back to people who help you support you. Maybe you’ll run errands for your family and friends for a couple months or make a kick ass short documentary about a country to share when you get back. Figure out your strengths and capitalize on those.

Sell Your Stuff and Rent Out Your Home

If you feel like you’re just not making money fast enough, consider selling some of your stuff. If you’re going on a long trip you probably don’t need that new TV or even your car. Use platforms like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Ebay and Gumtree to list items that you no longer need when you’re on the road. If you’re traveling to a developing country (see: tip 1), chances are you’ll come back realizing you don’t need all that junk you have in the first place!

Another great way to save up some cash is to rent out your place while you’re gone. If you have an apartment, consider subletting it or putting it up on Airbnb so it doesn’t sit empty and you earn a bit of cash while you travel. Getting set up as a host is super simple and all you’ll need to do is hire someone to come and clean the place once the guests are finished. It’s a great way to supplement your travels and be on the road for longer.

Take out a Personal Loan for Travel

If you are saving money, but just feel like it’s not happening fast enough, you may want to consider taking out a personal loan. With lower interest rates than credit cards it’s better than expensing your whole trip on the AmEx. Those looking to take out a personal loan for travel should consider going to a credit union.

Credit unions are owned by their customers – their members- meaning they’re focused on supporting their customers compared to banks who are purely in it for the profit. For Australians, People’s Choice Credit Union offers reputable personal loan options with competitive low rates. Of course, if you are taking out a personal loan, remember to only take what you know you can repay. You want to be realistic about your financial future. Just because you’re approved for a large loan, doesn’t mean you should charter a jet to a private island for the week. Create a plan for paying your loan back as soon as possible!

Never taken out a loan before, and don’t know how it works? People’s Choice Credit Union helps you break it down with their super simple personal loan repayment calculator. Simply input the amount of money you’d like to borrow, set the amount of time you’d like to pay it back in, and the calculator will do the rest. This calculator will help you easily understand exactly how much you need to repay each month, for how long and the total amount of interest you’ll pay. No need for hidden fees and unknown costs, if you’re taking out a loan to travel you should know exactly how much you’re going to need to pay back.

Traveling doesn’t have to be expensive, but there’s no denying that you’ll need some money to get started. With our helpful tips we hope everyone can get out and see the amazing world that we live in. And who knows, we might even catch you someone along the way for a beer!

This article contains an affiliate link with our partner, Airbnb. When you click the link to sign up as a host we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. We have used Airbnb for years and absolutely recommend them. As always, we would never promote a product or service we didn’t personally use or support.

From Travel Blog To TV Show

We’re going to be on TV!

And not just any old TV, Christine and I will be hosting our very own travel show on the Travel Channel!

Yep you heard it correctly! What was once just a fun little way for Christine and I to chronicle our stories, is now coming to your TV screens around the United States! Well not the blog, but at least the beautiful faces behind it. We are the hosts of the new Travel Channel show, Shoestring Getaways! The pilot will be airing Saturday June 24th at 1pm PDT/ET, 2pm Central and 4pm Mountain!

Sometimes we have to ask ourselves, how did we get here? It’s been a whirlwind of a journey. From wandering around Latin America for 2 years without any real plan, to establishing a successful full-time business through our blog, to getting ourselves onto TV! I can tell you one thing, over the last four years it’s been one hell of a journey.

So, let’s take a step back to see how this all unfolded. If you’re not familiar with the story behind how we met I’ll break it down in just three sentences. Jules is from Melbourne, Australia, Christine is from San Francisco, US; we met in 2012 while volunteering for a disaster relief organization in Peru; we fell in love, we continued to travel, we started a blog…. And here we are now, with half a sentence to spare.

About a year into our travels, around March 2013, we had this crazy idea to start a travel blog. We had collected so many photographs and stories along that way that we were dying to share with our friends and family. We also knew that we wanted to continue traveling, but weren’t sure how we’d be able to continue a life of full time travel. We thought creating a travel blog would be the perfect way to document our stories and hopefully earn some money to fund our travels. At the time we had no idea how much work it would be to build a successful travel blog!

But over the next couple of years we worked our asses off trying to get it off the ground. We traveled through Central America, spent some time in the States and lived in Australia for a year. In 2015 we went over to Southeast Asia to work at a nonprofit in the Philippines. By the time August 2015 rolled around, we were exhausted! 50+ hours a week volunteering in the Philippines, studying part-time for our Masters, trying to enjoy our travels and then this thing called the blog. We were barely making any money from it after two years in and we seriously considered giving it up.

Then in October 2015, we went to our first travel blogging conference in Thailand. For the first time we met and properly interacted and networked with real bloggers in real life. We hung out, talked shop, drank too many beers and heard the struggles that everyone else was having in this crazy world of travel blogging. But, more importantly, we also heard the success stories. The stories about people who stuck with it, who pushed themselves to learn more, who wanted to be better! We were inspired! We were invigorated! And we were motivated to give it a shot.

I look back on this moment in October 2015 as a significant milestone for Don’t Forget To Move. The blog may have been born in mid-2013, but this was definitely a coming of age for it. Call it the equivalent of entering adulthood. It was mature enough to flourish, but definitely still immature enough to make mistakes.

2016 was a big year for the blog! For the first time in the history of Don’t Forget To Move we worked full time on growing it as a business. Well, at least in between Masters assignments. As long-term, slow travelers, 2016 was a whirlwind. We hit up 4 continents, 15 countries, took over 35 flights and traveled hundreds of thousands of miles around the world.

Christine got dengue fever in Cuba, we ate a truckload of tacos in Mexico, rented an apartment in Colombia for a month, went on our first ever cruise ship to the Dominican Republic, and then decided to take a ship for two weeks across the Atlantic Ocean. I visited Europe for the first time ever and celebrated in the streets of Lisbon with cheap wine. I ate a sardine sandwich, but didn’t realize you weren’t supposed to eat the head. We drank 32 year old Port in Porto on an empty stomach and got sick. We saw Italy by train and took a sweet road trip through Spain where we ate LOTS of cheese and I got kicked out of a castle for flying the drone. We lived in Bulgaria for two months, just because (no seriously, Plovdiv is legit!). We went bear watching in Estonia, got naked with two older Estonians and then almost ran out of gas in the middle of nowhere.

In between all of that our blog grew to new levels. We worked with some big names in the travel industry, partnered with tourism boards and finally started making enough money so we could save money while traveling. Somewhere toward the end of the year we were contacted by a production company. They interviewed us as hosts for a new show they were developing with the Travel Channel. Spoiler alert: they chose us!

The next couple of months was a lot of working out logistics and solidifying details. Finally, at the end of January we filmed the pilot! We filmed for 5 days all over San Francisco. It was incredibly interesting to see the behind the scenes of a travel show. It was fast paced and the days were long, but we had so much fun! We felt like celebrities having a 6 person film crew follow us around the city. Crowds would form behind the cameras and tourists would stop to take photos of us. Someone even ran up to us and asked if we’re famous. Of course, we said yes ?

One of the coolest parts of filming was seeing new things around San Francisco. Even though Christine is a Bay Area local, there were quite a few places that she’d never visited before. We can’t give too much away, but we had a $12 dinner overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge!

After the long weekend of filming we had a few more days of pick up shots in the following months. We came to know our producer and crew better and better and our beginner’s nerves started to subside. By the time our last day of filming rolled around, we felt like old pros…kind of. We did start to feel much more comfortable in front of the camera and it just became really fun. If we get the chance to turn this show into a series, we know we’re going to have a blast running around to different cities acting like our usual goofy selves in front of the whole country!

What Now?

For now, there’s only one things to do: watch our show! Shoestring Getaways airs Saturday June 24th at 1pm / 2pm Central. Whether it gets picked up for a series depends on how this premiere is received, ie. do people tune and watch till the end? This is a bit of a nerve-wracking time, but we can’t wait for the world to see our show! If you want to support us, please tune in!

Of course, we’ll keep everyone updated on any developments. For now, we just want to give a huge thank you to our readers and followers. Without you guys we wouldn’t have any of this, so thank you for supporting us over the years! We appreciate you all so much!

7 Reasons Young Travelers Will Love River Cruising

Let’s be honest, river cruising is probably not the first thing young travelers think of when planning their next holiday. Cruising in general, both across the ocean and river, has a stigma for being slow, boring and geared more toward older travelers. And this may have been true ten years ago, but these days riving cruising has really stepped up its game. Perfect for couples, newlyweds, or groups of friends, there are plenty of things to love about river cruises for young travelers.

The Food

One of our favorite travel quotes is: “You have to taste a culture to understand it.” If you’re a total foodie traveler, you’ll love the delicious selection aboard a river cruise. Many ships have award-winning chefs onboard ready to whip up gourmet meals for guests. Menus vary, but local cuisine from wherever you’re cruising through is often featured, which means you can literally get a taste of the local flavor while enjoying the gorgeous scenery.

The Side Tours

While the river cruising price tag may be a bit daunting to budget travelers, it’s worth noting that the cost includes a wide variety of side tours! Travelers that are concerned about going stir-crazy on the ship will be stoked with the tours that are available. From chill walking tours of the city to more vigorous hikes and adventure activities, there’s something for every energy level.

Getting Off The Beaten Track

River cruising may feel like a strictly European thing, but you can actually take cruises all around the world! For those adventurous travelers that want to get off the beaten track, there are plenty of options to suit your trip. AmaWaterways offers river cruises through Myanmar as well as various destinations throughout Africa. River cruising is perfect for destinations like these that might not have a super strong tourism infrastructure. You can also explore unique destinations with the safety and support of knowledgeable guides.

Taste of Luxury

River cruising is a luxurious experience for all travelers. But if you’re a young traveler, used to the rugged lifestyle of hostel living, this will be a particularly special trip. Kick back and enjoy all the luxuries on board that make a river cruise so unique. From the staff, to the accommodations, to the food, every detail is carefully curated to make it a relaxing and memorable experience. Travelers are treated like royalty and you’ll enjoy a taste of the high life, even if only for a week.

Sip on a Complimentary Drink (or 4)

If you’re a younger traveler worried about getting stuck with a fuddy-duddy, uptight ship crew, have no fear. While a river cruise may not be the wild party scene you’ll find in Cancun or Ibiza, there are plenty of opportunities to let your hair down. Did you know that some river cruises include complimentary fine wine and beer with lunch and dinner? That means every night you can unwind with a delicious glass of local wine and reflect on your day. Or amp it up a bit and mingle with new people over some beers before a dip in the hot tub.

Chillax on the Ship

In your downtime (or on those days after drinking a few too many complimentary beers), you may feel like chilling out. River cruises will have a variety of amenities to take advantage of when you need some relax time. Most ships will have either a pool or Jacuzzi (or both!) for a relaxing dip. Other common amenities include lounges, game rooms and libraries. Perfect for swapping stories with new traveler friends or cuddling up solo with a good book.

Slow Travel

Young travelers often make the mistake of trying to cram too many places into their trip. While you may see more places, you’ll only be able to skim the surface of each destination, leaving little time to delve deep into somewhere you really love. River cruising forces you to travel a bit slower. You’ll still get to visit a fair few cities, but instead of racing around in airplanes or buses, you’ll have plenty of downtime to relax and reflect in between destinations. You’ll also get to take in the amazing landscapes and sceneries at a leisurely pace.

The Rooms

Forget the cramped window-less rooms of cruising nightmares, the rooms on river cruises are nice. More like suites, rooms often have a balcony overlooking the river and have pretty much every amenity you would need, including Wi-Fi! What’s better than making your friends back home jealous by Instagramming from your private balcony along the river Seine? #thegoodlife

Choose a Tour to Suit Your Taste

Not all river cruises are alike: in fact, many are wildly different from one another. Rest assured, you can always find one that caters to your specific tastes and interests. AmaWaterways, for example, offers wine cruises that just can’t be missed if you enjoy the odd glass. Traveling around Europe, sipping on some delicious vino? Yes please! Wine lovers will fall in love with Europe, while getting to know different destinations through the local wine selection. At each destination you’ll be stopping at historic vineyards and wine cellars, meeting with local wine experts. Not much of a wine drinker? Maybe you’d enjoy art cruises where you not only get to visit famous art destinations (like the real life setting for Monet’s lily pond paintings), but try your hand at creating some of your own art on board!

There are a million reasons you’ll love river cruising, but these are just a few of our favs. If you’re still not convinced, have a look online for some of the cruises available. There’s such a wide selection, you’re bound to find one perfect for you. And don’t forget to send us a photo as you sip wine over your private balcony!

This post has been sponsored by AmaWaterways. As always, all thoughts and opinions are our own.