mTrip Blog » tips

Traveling Solo? 10 Tips for keeping safe & having fun.

Sabrina — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 21:46:17 +0000

After being introduced to few solo travel blogs this week, I was inspired by the topic and wanted to share some tips for those independent travelers out there. Solo traveling is a great way to experience a city. Here are a few tips for stay safe while doing it.

Buy a Guidebook geared toward solos

There are a slue of guidebooks out there, all that appeal to different types of travelers. Pick one that can help you plan your trip itinerary and guide you around the city with suggestions of places to visit. If you happen to be a savvy traveler, opt for a guidebook on your phone that can give you directions and maybe even take you around the city in Augmented Reality!

Plan Ahead

Find out how long it will take and how much it will cost to get from the airport to your accommodation or city centre. Taxi drivers more often than not will take you a longer route than necessary.

Check out Independent Travelers Meeting Places

There are a lot of cities that have well-known meccas for solo travelers – these include cafes, bookstores and youth hostels with bulletin boards and calendars of events. You can find inexpensive tours, cheap or free lectures, social gatherings to join and more

Choose your first nights accommodation

At the very least, have your first nights accommodation worked out. Even if you are one of those ‘of the moment travellers’, it’s important while traveling alone to at least have a defined start point.

Keep your identification & money safe

Whether it be your purse or wallet, always be mindful of your belongings. Certain cities are known for pick-pocketers and if you look like a tourist, you are a perfect target.

Don’t look like a tourist

Exude confidence and walk purposefully. If you look lost or confused you are a perfect target. Instead of carrying a huge map and paperback guidebook, opt for a travel guide app on your phone. This is much less obvious and will be an even better resource for getting you around the city.

Keep to open, public places

Especially at night you will want to stick to safe places where there are lots of people around. Be smart about where you choose to go.

Do talk to strangers!

While traveling solo, you want to meet new people and make connections with other independent travelers and locals. Keep your wits about you but don’t be afraid to engage in conversation with people in cafes, hotels and other safe places. You might make some good connections. If you choose to stay at a hostel you are sure to meet lots of like-minded travelers that could even become new travel buddies.

Enjoy your solo experience

Learn to eat alone comfortably and happily. Choose lively bistros and cafes where you are likely to meet interesting people. Try to find places that locals or tourists frequent. Whether you meet tourists or locals they are both great experiences for different reasons.

Be open-minded but safe

People travel alone because its an adventure and a great way to meet new people. Scam artists can be very charming though so you have to be careful who you engage in conversation with, who you trust and where you go. Being open-minded but smart and safe at the same time are the most important things to keep in mind for your solo trip!

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The Cultural Highlights of Barcelona

Sabrina — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:18:51 +0000

Samantha Lister from Tripbase.com shares some expert advice on the cultural highlights of Barcelona.

The second largest city in Spain, Barcelona is a cultural gem that has much to offer you if you venture there on a short break or a longer holiday. One of the first things that will strike you about Barcelona is its magnificent architecture. The city boasts numerous artistic influences across many historical periods, including Gaudi and Picasso.

The Barri Gothic, close to the La Rambla, the hub of Barcelona, is one of the best places to experience the striking medieval Gothic buildings that the city has to offer. Dating back to the 14th and 15th century, many of Spain’s greatest Gothic buildings are around the Placa de Sant Jaunme, a spacious square where a busy market can also be found.

Spain is particularly famous as the birthplace of one of the world’s greatest architects, Antoni Gaudi. When visiting Barcelona, not to be missed is Gaudi’s monumental La Sagrada Familia; a magnificent cathedral which unfortunately Gaudi was unable to complete before he died. La Sagrada Familia is another fine example of Gothic and Baroque architecture, with an impressive bell tower and prominent spires stretching to the skyline. Inside the interior is awe-inspiring, boasting outstanding artwork and the tomb of Christopher Columbus.

Plan a visit to the Gaudi Museum if you are interested in seeing more of Gaudi’s unique work. This famous pink building in Barcelona displays unique furniture designed by Gaudi, as well as drawings, portraits and examples of his architecture. This is a truly extraordinary experience, full of intrigue and surprise as you uncover Gaudi’s creations.

The work of Gaudi is just an insight into the many cultural wonders that Barcelona has to offer. If you are planning a trip to this cosmopolitan city, you are sure to be greatly entertained and will take back many long-lasting memories and amazing photographs to treasure.

Guest blogging by Tripbase

Tripbase eliminates the time-consuming and frustrating online search process by providing travelers with personalized travel recommendations for their next trip.

www.tripbase.com

Download mTrip’s Barcelona Travel Guide

Image source: Bernard Gagnon at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sagrada_Familia_01.jpg

Tips & Tricks for Traveling with your iPhone

Sabrina — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:25:51 +0000

Traveling abroad with your iPhone? Check out some tips and tricks for intelligent traveling. Whether you are a spontaneous backpacker, touring couple, vacationing family, or business traveler we have some clever tips for you to take advantage of your smartphone on your travels.

Sync your iPhone before you leave

You will want to sync your iPhone before you leave to ensure recent backup upon return from your travels.

Avoid Roaming Charges

Turn off data roaming in your iPhone to shut down your Internet access. You will still be able to get Internet access via Wi-Fi at your hotel, airport, cafe and anywhere else its available. To turn off data roaming go to Settings>General>Network>Data Roaming

Phone home through Wi-Fi (Skype) to make inexpensive calls from abroad. If you need an international data plan, check out specialized ones for travelers like the AT&T World Traveler Package.

Turn Fetch New Data Off
Control data flow by checking email and syncing contacts and calendars manually. You can control data flow in place of having data pushed to your iPhone automatically.

To turn off Auto-check go to: Settings>Mail, Contacts, Calendars>Fetch New Data, Change Push to “OFF” and Select to Fetch Manually

Download iPhone Apps

Avoid roaming charges and opt for some inexpensive or free apps that will assist you with your travels.

Top Paid Apps
Check your flight status (FlightTrack – Live Flight Status Tracker)
Translate any language (Translate It!)
Listen to Air Traffic Control Live Audio Feed (LiveATC Air Radio)
Take the Tube in London (London Tube)
Take the Metro in Paris (Metro Paris)

Top Free Apps
Find free Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi Finder)
Make traveling easier with Southwest Airlines (Southwest Airlines)
Get exchange rate information (Currency)
Organize your travels with ease (Tripit)
Learn about Artists and their Masterpieces (Art Lite)

Don’t forget your iPhone adapter

If you are traveling abroad you will want to purchase an outlet plug adapter kit from Apple. This kit is inexpensive and a must for backpackers and business travelers alike. The kit only costs $14.95 and comes with everything you need.

Set Passcode on your iPhone
Avoid strangers sifting through your personal information or dialing long distance.
Just add extra security to your iPhone by enabling a passcode. Turn on the option for your phone to erase itself after 10 failed passcode attempts. No need to worry – you can easily restore your phone from backup to bring it back.

Enjoy your travels!

Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/carbonnyc

T+L top travel tricks of 2009

mTrip — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:40:56 +0000

The best tips for how to spend less, avoid hassles and skip the long lines:

booking, hotels, transportation, money….

Click here to view T+L slideshow

50 great travel tweeters

mTrip — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:03:42 +0000

Telegraph.co.uk has listed 50 great travel tweeters to follow depending onthe king of information you are looking for:

From recommendation to travel deals

Click here to view the list