Travel Resources
Welcome to the Resources section of our travel blog! Part of the fun of planning travel is uncovering new things to do at your destination. Sometimes that process is daunting as the resources needed to do the research are scattered around the internet. In the process of getting ready to travel we do a LOT of research. Sometimes we run across a resource that may be helpful to others. Mostly these travel resources are going to be pretty generic travel things; not country or travel style specific.
For the most part, if we find something that is country specific, it will be on the appropriate destination page; and even more likely – mentioned in a blog post about the town we found it in (see below). This resource page is for things that can help pretty much wherever you’re going or at least cover a broad area – train travel in Europe, as an example. Also, compiling a list of broad resources that other folks have already done the heavy lifting on is the goal for the ‘Random Resource Reference Repository’ post. If you need a website to help you find kosher restaurants or how to find painting classes in a particular city that’s where it will be. For things that warrant a more thorough investigation or discussion, we’ll have full-on blog posts. For example, what we’ve learned about Visas.
👉 These are the same resources we personally use for our travels!
Accommodations – Where to search for budget places to stay
Booking.com – online booking site for accommodations around the world
HostelWorld – a global hostel-focused online booking platform
Trusted House Sitters – take care of someone’s pet and house in exchange for accommodations! Jeff and I do this and it is so much fun!
VRBO – the world’s leading marketplace for vacation rentals,
Technology
Airalo eSim – esim solves the pain of high roaming bills – travelers can download and install a digital data pack for over 200 countries/regions and get connected anywhere in the world as soon as they land. I wish we had this when we went to New Zealand!
Bluehost – website hosting – just in case you want to start a travel blog too!
Blinq – digital business cards
Electronics – Adapting to your travel needs
Packing and Traveling Essentials
Carry-On Luggage Size Chart for 145+ Airlines
Lightweight Quick Dry Cargo Hiking Pants
Laundry detergent sheets (for sink washing)
Neck Headphones (these are our favorites!)
Multiple USB Wall Charger with travel adaptor
Radical Storage – provides travelers with luggage storage solutions so they can enjoy their holiday to the fullest, giving them the opportunity to eliminate problems with early arrivals or late departures from the home/hotel
Public Toilet Survival Kit (trust me on this!) – Buy Online or make your own with a…
- Small Pencil Pouch containing;
- Travel Size Sanitizing Wipes (do not flush!)
- Toilet Paper (enough for one or two uses)
- Small coins in local currency
Financial
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card – We’ve used nearly every travel credit card you can think of… none of them compare to Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Tours & Activities – Where to find affordable activities
GetYourGuide – booking platform that helps travelers find incredible travel experiences wherever they’re headed – skip-the-line tickets to the world’s most iconic attractions, walking tours by top local experts, immersive food and beverage tours, cooking and craft classes.
GuruWalk – an international community for pay-what-you-please walking tours that connects tourists with tour guides all around the world
Viator -leading marketplace for travel experiences
Insurance
We wrote a blog post about the sticker shock of travel insurance and the resources we used.
Transportation – where to find budget transportation options
Flixbus – offers safe and comfortable long-distance travel in Europe. Since its founding in 2013, FlixBus has created the largest transport network in Europe, covering 26 countries and serving more than 60 million passengers.
iMoova – Save on your travel by relocating a vehicle with Imoova. For as little as $1/day, you can explore the open road and discover the world around you. This website connects you with companies that need help moving their vehicles from one location to the next.
Omio – tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries, as well as car rentals and airport transfers. Travelers worldwide can easily explore Europe, the United States, and Canada, while comparing transportation options and finding the right price for their budget.
Onward Ticket – Most countries require that you have proof of onward or return travel in order to be admitted. If you have a sort of indeterminate end date to your travels – or your next journey is via ground transportation where maybe it’s not convenient to buy a tickets 40 or 90 days in advance – Onward Ticket that will sell you a legit short term reservation for a nominal fee.
RailEurope – helps travelers find their own path by guiding and offering tools and inspiration for traveling by train in Europe.
SEARADAR – professional concierge service specializing in sailing yacht rentals worldwide – ok, so we haven’t used this one, but a girl can dream!
SecretFlying – Finding you the cheapest flight deals online. no signup. completely free. totally safe.
Skyscanner – We love using Skyscanner because they have the “Whole Month” and “Everywhere” options to get the lowest prices on flights around the world.
Trainline – They work with over 210 rail and coach companies to help their customers travel to thousands of destinations across 45 countries.
Here are some other travel blogs posts you might find interesting
- Resources for Purchasing Travel Insurance
Travel insurance can be a lifesaver, but finding the right plan can feel like navigating a foreign airport. Fear not, fellow explorers, we’ve been there! We are Jeff and Sandra, adventurous nomads on a budget! We sold most of our belongings to travel the world and find our ideal retirement. Our plan is to share… - San Jose on Foot: 11 Budget-Friendly Things to do in San Jose, Costa Rica
Travel rarely goes exactly according to plan, and that’s certainly the case for us. Our Costa Rica itinerary got a little shuffled around, leaving us with some unplanned downtime in downtown San Jose. No worries though, that’s just part of the nomadic life! We prefer to lace up our shoes and explore the city on… - 7 Things to Do in Boquete Panama (Unfiltered)
Nestled amidst the majestic mountains of Panama, Boquete (pronounced boh-KEH-theh) beckons travelers with its refreshing climate*, breathtaking scenery, and a smorgasbord of outdoor activities. We, Jeff and Sandra, self-proclaimed travel enthusiasts with a healthy dose of “been-there-done-that” experience, aren’t your typical travel bloggers. We tell it like it is, sharing the good, the bad, and… - Just bag it
As we prepare for our departure, we stumbled upon a problem we didn’t know we had… Imagine you’ve arrived at your destination and are faced with somewhat of a dilemma – It’s 10 am and you can’t check in to your rental place until 4 pm. It’s a beautiful day to have a wander around… - Random resource reference repository
Random resources; In the process of getting ready to travel we are doing a bit of research. Or, ya know, a LOT of research. Many bunny trails are followed in the pursuit of miscellaneous and random knowledge. Sometimes I run across things that may be helpful and I just have been throwing links into a… - 12 Must-Have Travel Accessories for Retirees
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Based on factors such as affordability, safety, healthcare, infrastructure, climate, and lifestyle, here are five destinations in Central America that a soon-to-be retiree might consider as a good place to retire: Panama: Panama is a popular destination for retirees due to its excellent infrastructure, affordable cost of living, and well-established expat community. The country offers… - Coronado Panama Retirement Guide
We’ve been mulling over the idea of retiring to Panama for years, so of course we had to do some research to find out what to expect and where in Panama to retire too. We did some digging, and this guide spills the beans on everything we discovered. Picture this – a hidden gem on…