How To Travel With Just Carry On
It’s a real talent to travel with only a travel on suitcase.
It’s also sometimes a smart move, especially if cost is a factor to you—your flights will often be significantly cheaper if you don’t require checked in luggage. It also makes traveling more streamline and practically easier. It’s easier to move from place to place if you’re not lugging 30kg of your belongings around after you.
My first tip for packing just a carry-on case is be ruthless. Thing about what you really really need to take with you. I don’t take anything that I think I could buy if I was in a pinch and really needed it. Toiletries often take up so much space but really, where would you be going that you wouldn’t be able to buy a small tube for your time away once you arrived?
Edit your packing. Don’t pack the night before, if you pack a week before you leave, it gives you time to go over and revise what you’ll need. This means you have longer to remember to pack everything you need, and time to take out what, on second thought, you might not actually require.
Another thing to consider is obviously where you’re going and how long you’re going away for. You won’t necessarily need a whole weeks worth of different outfits, for instance, and if you’re going to be lying on a beach most days then the amount of space you’ll need for clothing will be greatly diminished.
The key thing when packing just a carry on is packing smart and really thinking about your travel context and what it calls for.
Tips For Short Stays
When you’ve only managed to score a short time away, we get that each decision you make about your holiday seems that much more important. You feel like you’re going to miss out on the best if you chose the wrong places or activities to invest time and money into doing. We get you. So here are three great tips for making sure your budget doesn’t restrict the experience you have on holiday.
- You’re not going to see it all. So don’t beat yourself up about it. Time comes with it’s obvious limits. Prioritise what is ‘must see’ and what is just ‘would like to see’. This will tell you a lot about where to stay, what your budget will be like and how much you need to fit into each day.
- Research. Research. Know your stuff before you start booking, and even moreso before you arrive at your destination. This will mean that what you spend your valuable time on is exactly what you want to see. Leaving a holiday feeling disappointed or like there was more you should have done is awful! Save yourself that pain by finding what you’ll truly enjoy.
- Be present. When your time is precious and fleeting, make sure that you’re present and truly enjoy every moment. Don’t get bogged down in rushing around seeing everything, spend time to enjoy where you are and take in the each step of the journey.
Tips For Long Stays
When you know you’ll be traveling for a substantial period of time, the thought process around your time away is completely different to that of a quick stay abroad. Here are 5 tips for making sure you get the most from your long stay;
- Allow time for rest.
You’ll need it. Give yourself a weekend off, every few weeks. To chill and rejuvenate. This will ensure you don’t get sick, and give you time to reset before heading off again.
- Cover more ground—the smart way.Just because you’re traveling longer, this doesn’t mean you have to spend more getting to new places. If you extend the reach of where you’re already going to be, you’ll find that the backstreets, and what’s just off the tourist beaten track is well worth it. See the main attractions, and then allow for extra time to see beyond
- Budget. Budget.Your money has to stretch as far as your travels do! Be smart about budgeting, and have check-ups along the way to make sure you’re staying on track. Beware spending too much, too early.
- 50% structure, 50% “winging it”.When you’ve got a lot of time, give yourself the opportunity to properly explore and leave the rigid nature of a structured itinerary. Get lost in placed you’d usually be rushing through to get somewhere else.
- Don’t get photo lazy.Taking. Photos. Sometimes when we travel for long periods of time we can forget to document so much of it because it starts to feel like normal life. Don’t rob yourself of memories to look back on.
Traveling On A Budget
Not all of us have the finances—or desire—to travel in 5 star, first class luxury. A lot of funds isn’t necessary to go far and see a lot and some would argue you see more when you get off the beaten track, out of Touristville and see how the locals like it.
The first thing to remember when your budget is tight is that not everything worth doing actually costs money. Once you’ve spent the coin getting somewhere, walking around and experiencing the place you’re in often doesn’t cost much (if anything). You’ll find living expenses (like food, accommodation) are non-negotiable but things like going on fancy tours or spending money going to trendy restaurants and hotels can be sacrificed for the greater travel good.
Another thing worth noting is you’ll find if you have a travel buddy you’ll be less likely to do activities like shopping and extra café visits.
What are your top tips for saving coin while over seas?
How To Plan A Holiday
There’s more involved in planning a holiday than you think! Here are the first 5 things we do to get inspiration, and get started on the next adventure!
1. Budget. Figure out how much you’re willing to spend as this will be the starting point for everything else; how far you can travel, how long you can go for, and what style of holiday you’ll get
2. Time. How long do you have to play with? This will dictate how far you can afford to travel and how far your budget has to stretch each day.
3. Destination. Sort out places within the above parameters that you could/would go to. Once you’ve figured out a location …
4. Research. Read up on where you’re going. Figure out if you need Visas/shots or any kind of travel warnings that might be in place. Read reviews, work out the top things you want to see/experience.
5. Start booking. Start with travel and accommodation, and then see where your budget can take you in terms of activities and tours once you’re on the ground.
From here you’ll find things start falling into place and your excitement level will get you across the line in terms of having everything organised. Happy travels!
Three Great Driving Holidays
Southern Scenic Route, NZ
The South Island of New Zealand is a road trip wonderland, no turn is a wrong turn when everything is as gorgeous as this paradise. Everything is fresh and green, an unspoilt and untouched holiday for the nature lovers amongst us. Make sure you spend time in Milford Sound, Dunedin and Queenstown.
Great Ocean Road, Aus
Australians are proud of their coastlines, and so they should be. The Great Ocean Road was built for tourists and was built to be driven. With gorgeous coastal towns to stay in and explore along the way, the region is well worth the trek from Melbourne. Lined by rugged bush and rainforest, with cliffs that drop to ocean and beaches that stretch on and on. You’ll find yourself falling in love with ocean air.
Route 66, USA
An iconic road trip with a lot of history to match. Stretching from Chicago to California, what was originally the trek to a new life is now a international icon. 3800 kilometres of small American towns and landscapes that you won’t see anywhere else on earth. A great way to see more than just the major cities of America.
5 Must See Destinations In Australia
Australians are quick to hop overseas for adventure, but really, we live in a vast country with plenty to explore. Traveling Australia you’ll quickly discover is relatively simple and easy; air travel is direct and cheap, there’s no customs or visa requirements (assuming your starting point is somewhere in Australia already) and there’s no faff with currencies and the stress that comes from adapting to new cultures.
Here are 5 places to see in Australia before you run off overseas.
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- Hobart
Hobart (actually Tasmania in general) is arguably Australia’s forgotten gem and the locals love it that way. The natural beauty is second to none and it’s small enough that it won’t take a huge investment of time to see the best Tassie has to offer. We recommend driving up the east coast and then down the west, and if you have the time Bruny Island in the South West is well worth the detour off main roads.
- Hobart
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- The GrampiansNestled in the middle of Victoria, The Grampians National Park is unspoilt and serene. There’s a holiday here for everyone, go hiking off the beaten track or find a luxury day spa to spend your hard earned coin. The mountain range itself is stunning, attracting professional photographers, animal lovers and artists. Try to visit in the autumn and spring, as winter is extremely cold and summer the danger of bushfires is high.
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- Phillip IslandJust over two hours out of Melbourne’s CBD, Phillip Island is easy for a weekend away. Famous for the Little Penguins (Fairy Penguins) the island offers beautiful countryside, wildlife, tons of activities and quaint little towns. There are great camping grounds, or plenty of privately rented holiday houses if that’s more your style.
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- AdelaideAustralia’s forgotten capital, Adelaide, has so much to offer. Some of the best wineries and eateries are in the city’s limits and you won’t find yourself battling crowds to get them. Famous for gorgeous red sunsets, wildflowers and beautiful architecture. Give ‘Radealaide’ a go.
- Kangaroo IslandKangaroo Island is the jewel of South Australia. Not far from Adelaide and accessible only by fairy. The entire island is pristine National Park with a limited number of permanent residents. You’ll see plenty of wildlife, have dozens of ‘stop the car for a photo’ moments and find yourself breathing in fresher air than you’ve ever experienced before.
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Shop Like A Local
Shopping while your on holiday can be a highlight for some people, but sometimes it’s hard to break free from the touristy shops selling postcards and overpriced knick-knacks. Depending on where you’re traveling from, international shopping is often something to take advantage of, because you might be exposed to brands that you wouldn’t be able to get at home, or get your favourite brands at a cheaper pricepoint.
Outlets are great places to utilize while abroad and often times they’ll be featured in tourists brochures and advertised at hotels and hostels. They’re often easy to access, with bus companies and local public transport option being relatively easy to access and navigate your way through.
Department stores can be helpful because it’s likely a familiar format with brands that you might not be used to being able to shop with such ease. You’ll be able to get help from product specialists and see/try what you buy before you do.
Research where great shopping is! It’s often a little off the tourist beaten track, but the rewards for your efforts will be great!
Destination Guide - Bergamo, Italy
Tourists heading to the more popular destinations of Italy could be forgiven for not knowing of this hidden gem in the Lombardy region. Bergamo is an easy train journey from the hustle and bustle of Milan with the benefit of having its own airport. A short taxi ride brings you to the lower city (Bassa) where the majority of accommodation can be found. If this is your first time to Italy, you may be horrified at the carefree style of driving, with little regard to other road users!
While Bassa is pleasant enough with its fair share of bars, restaurants, and shops, Bergamo is still very much a working town. For those requiring a little history to savour, then a trip to the upper city (Alta) is an absolute must. The journey itself provides some entertainment by way of an old-fashioned funicular, which children in particular will adore, often full of local women intent on talking over each other!
There are many beautiful buildings to wander around, admiring the architecture and occasionally seeking refuge from the Mediterranean sun. The most famous sites such as the Cattedrale di Bergamo can become crowded. The best option is to look for the hidden side streets, each of which will reward you with a plethora of photographic opportunities.
Of course, the food here is outstanding, and even a simple pizza is elevated to a gastronomical delight! Gelato is another favourite and comes in an astonishing variety of flavours. The Bergamo locals can happily make a coffee last for hours, and you can follow their example, relaxing and people watching. Aperitivo hour is a popular evening stroll, calling at local bars for free snacks!
So, what are you waiting for? A visit to Bergamo should be on your wish list for an authentic Italian experience.
Visiting Australia For The First Time
The Land Down Under holds a huge variety of sights and activities for tourists, ranging from its exotic fauna to the landscapes and seascapes that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Travellers to Australia can see all the biggest sights in a matter of a week or two, but they should not be fooled by the continent’s small population. It is the size of the United States and is mostly sparse desert, so travelling by car or bus is not recommended. What’s more, it is far away and requires a flight that can be as much as a full day to get to the country.
Perhaps the greatest attraction in all of Australia is its coasts. As an island nation, you can find sandy beaches and plenty of fun water sports wherever you land. You can try many activities or just a few but without doubt; the most compelling is a snorkel trip to the Great Barrier Reef. This thousand-mile-long coral reef, visible from the moon, dominates eastern Australia’s coast. With more species of fish in a single reef than in the entire Caribbean, it is the diving experience of a lifetime. If you are trained to scuba dive, you can get even deeper to check out the fish, corals, and sea snakes. Go through ancient shipwrecks from ships that did not make it past the reefs. Marine animals like dolphins, whales, and sharks roam the reefs, so you can get a kick out of seeing the largest animals in the sea on patrol. Surf in the incredible waves of the Gold Coast and go on a horseback ride at sunset on Cable Beach. Once the day is done, eat the delicious seafood that thousands of restaurants across the country provide.
With dozens of natural parks across the country, visitors to Australia can see animals visible nowhere else on earth. The cute (but not always cuddly) koalas that roam the treetops pop down for a closer look while kangaroos hop around on legs that could kick down a door. The saltwater crocodiles grow larger in Australia than anywhere else except Egypt, while turtles and seals roam the shores in search of food. You can hike, bike, kayak, or go ATV’ing through the national parks in order to get your fill of adventure and sightseeing across the breadth of Australia.