By: Shannen Garza
"I literally have $0.36 in my account right now." These are actually the words that came out of my mouth when I arrived in Chicago to visit friends for a short trip this past year. Here's the thing, when you're in love with travel, sometimes you do crazy things just to get out of your city, like book a trip without any actual certainty that you'll have spending money when you arrive. So, you sleep on a friend's couch, and if your friends are awesome like mine, their family makes you dinner, and you just really don't care how much money you've got to your name because you're somewhere different. Now just to clarify, I arrived in Chicago just before payday, so in no way am I suggesting that you make this a habit. The point is, wanderlust can make you do insane things, and those who love to travel tend to have life epiphanies quite often where they must drop everything and jet off as far away as possible.
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By: Paige Anderson
As seen on travelsages.com.
When traveling to Ireland you may be unfamiliar with cities other than Dublin and Galway. I was the same, but quickly learned that Drogheda is a shining star of the small island nation. The town is about a forty-minute drive north of Dublin, and was historically the largest and most important city, often hosting parliament, until the seventeenth century following a number of battles and Cromwell’s conquest. Of course in the end Dublin became the capital of Ireland and Drogheda became the capital of teen pregnancy. Despite this troubling turn of events, the small town of Drogheda still boasts a host of fascinating historical relics, award winning cafes, and a bustling art community all in walking distance of each other, and without the Dublin crowds to boot.
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By: Rachael Holliday
While spending your vacation soaking up the sunburn at the beach or waiting two hours in line for a five minute ride at an amusement park can be a blast, another type of travel experience can be even more rewarding: the volunteer vacation.
The main purpose of a volunteer vacation is to participate in short-term service projects, either abroad or within a different culture at home. In addition to helping people, other benefits of a volunteer vacation include getting a non-tourist view of the host community, making friends with other volunteers and community members, and saving money on your vacation if funds are tight. Usually the cost of room and food are included.
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By: Jamie Marie
Spring break is a cultural phenomenon in the United States. Students from elementary school through university are free from classes. Many families take advantage of this time to go on vacation. Countless outlets of mass media from magazines, to newspapers, websites, and T.V. feature lists recommending top spring break destinations. For those not interested in the MTV Beach House style of party, there are even “Alternative Spring Break” trips centered on volunteer service. When I studied abroad in London, I once referred to my school’s three week long vacation in April as spring break. My English friends quickly corrected me, however, reducing it to “boring Easter break.”
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By: Paige Anderson
I’ve done it too, had a few days or weeks off and figured that jamming every city I wanted to see into that time frame was the best way to make the most of my travels. I did end up seeing a lot in a short period of time this way, but I found myself wondering if that restaurant or statue or street was in this city, or that other one.
After I started slowing down I noticed I really got the feel of a place in a way I hadn’t before. I noticed things, did things, and really knew if I l connected with a place by the time I left. Now I prefer traveling this way, and recommend this strategy to other travelers.
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