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Showing posts from May, 2023

The Best Website for House Swaps? My HomeExchange Review

Accommodation will always be one of your biggest travel expenses…but what if it wasn’t? What if you could reduce the cost of your accommodation to zero while still enjoying the comforts of home? That’s what house swaps promise. House swaps have been around for decades. It was the entire premise of the movie The Holiday (starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet). They became all the rage but then were soon eclipsed by sites like Airbnb. But as travel prices skyrocketed post-COVID, more and more people have turned back to house swaps as a means of saving money while they travel while still getting a local experience (but without the hassle of an Airbnb). House swaps are exactly what they sound like. You sign up, list your home, and then swap with someone else in another city. They stay in your place and you stay in their place. The biggest and most popular platform for swaps is HomeExchange . And, in this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know to get started with a house swa...

My Step-By-Step Guide to Backpacking Europe

Last Updated: 5/25/23 | May 25th, 2023 Backpacking Europe is still one of my favorite things to do as a traveler. There isn’t a year I don’t criss-cross the continent (except 2020 when no one was crossing Europe). During the summer, hostels burst with life, the Mediterranean sparkles, streets fill with people slowly drinking wine and enjoy the day, and the late night setting sun leads to long wonderous days. Winter brings Christmas markets, skiing, fewer crowds, and lower prices! And Spring and Fall bring the right mix of people, temperatures, and prices that make these two my favorite seasons to travel Europe. Since starting this website in 2008, I’ve written a lot of posts on Europe. I visit Europe multiple times a year, have been all over the continent, lived there on multiple occasions, and even run tours there . With so much content on the blog, I wanted to create a resource page that will help you plan your backpacking trip to Europe with ease. That way you don’t miss any...

Badami Banashankari Shakthipeetha in North Karnataka

Sri Badami Banashankari Devi is a deity worshipped at least since the Chalukya era of Golden Karnataka. Located in Badami Taluk of Bagalkote District, Banashankari temple is a famous Shakti Peetha in North Karnataka. Millions of devotees worship this Devi as their Kuldevi. King Jagadekamalla III built this temple in 603 CE and installed the […] The post Badami Banashankari Shakthipeetha in North Karnataka appeared first on Inditales .

Where to Stay in New Orleans: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Posted : 5/23/23 | May 23rd, 2023 New Orleans is known for its rambunctious nightlife and wild Mardi Gras . But there’s more to the Big Easy than the frozen drinks on Bourbon Street. It’s essential to branch out during your visit. The Garden District, the Central Business District (aka CBD), the Marigny, Bywater, and Mid-City (among other neighborhoods) all have their own distinct style, vibe, and personality. And, since each is going to shape your experience, you want to pick an area to stay that fits your style. To help you plan your trip, here is my breakdown of the best neighborhoods in New Orleans for visitors (as well as suggested accommodations in each). But, first, some frequent questions I get asked about staying in New Orleans: What’s the best neighborhood for sightseeing? This one is pretty simple: the French Quarter . Yes, it’s packed with tourists, but if sightseeing is on your agenda, then a stay here is a must. What’s the best neighborhood for families? If yo...

The 16 Best Things to Do in New Orleans

Posted : 5/23/2023 | May 23rd, 2023 New Orleans is one of the best cities in the world. Synonymous with debauchery, it’s become famous for the boisterous Mardi Gras festival that takes over the city each February. But there is more to “NOLA” than just partying. Much more. I first went in 2006 and have been drawn back countless times, diving deeper and deeper into the city. From feasting on delicious Creole food to learning about voodoo and its cultural roots, New Orleans is a city with layers — layers that are often overlooked by partying tourists. New Orleans is magic. It is such a phenomenal place. I’ve never not had a great time there. It’s one of my favorite places in the WORLD! That’s how good it is! To help you have fun and make the most of your visit beyond the tourist trail, here’s my list of the best things to do in New Orleans: 1. Celebrate Mardi Gras Mardi Gras — French for “Fat Tuesday” — is one of the most popular festivals in the world . It kicks off in January...

The 14 Best Things to Do in Bristol

Last Updated: 3/2/23 | March 2nd, 2023 While most travelers who visit England only visit London, there are actually a lot of other gems in the country worth exploring. One such place is Bristol. “Bristol? There’s not much there.” That was the standard reply from locals whenever I mentioned I was heading to Bristol. Needless to say, I had low expectations. But I visited anyway. After all, there’s no such thing as “must-see” — and that means there’s no such thing as “must skip” either. On arrival, I found a hip college town with amazing eateries, wonderful things to see, and plenty of green space. Bristol is like the English version of Seattle . Most travelers seem to use it as a base for trips to Bath but never fully explore this city, giving it only a brief glance before heading back to London . This is a mistake. With a population of around 500,000, Bristol is the largest city in southern England (after London) and is also one of the largest shipping ports in England. It...

How Much Does it Cost to Travel Western Europe?

Last Updated: 5/22/23 | May 22nd, 2023 Europe . Prices vary greatly depending on how far north, east, south or west you travel. After all, Europe is huge with multiple visa zones and multiple currencies. For 45 EUR, you can get a private room in parts of Greece . For that same price in Paris , you may get a 16-person dorm room. You can get delicious and cheap street food in Berlin for under 10 EUR, but even a casual sit-down meal in Austria can cost around 25 EUR and it can easily double that in Norway ! And one of the most asked questions I get is, “How much does it cost to travel to Europe?” Well, that always depends on where you are going. You can’t paint Europe with a huge brush. It’s a diverse place. So, today, I want to talk about traveling around Western Europe (think Eurozone countries plus Switzerland and the UK) and how much money you need to visit those destinations. How Much Do Things Cost? Here are some general costs for things in Europe, because as I said, pr...

Basic Mountaineering Course to learn Mountain Climbing

What Happens in a Basic Mountaineering Course? Mountain Climbing aspirants can learn from my experience. “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing else.” – Helen Keller The majestic beauty of mountains is a source of joy for almost every nature lover. The natural beauty untouched by the pollution of modern life, brings a new […] The post Basic Mountaineering Course to learn Mountain Climbing appeared first on Inditales .