• Did you just book your ticket to the Netherlands?
• Parents still not buying it despite your best efforts? 
• Are you actually going there to partake in unholy activities?

__________________________cut here__________________________________

Dearest of Mothers and Fathers,

I am a scholarly sophisticate whose efforts to explore the greatest achievements of European progressivism have brought me forth on the core leg of this journey.

The Netherlands has a long history of trading and can, therefore, bestow upon me great wisdom to ensure my future success in the world. 

Amsterdam invented the stock market.

It's a safe and clean city with zero dangerous neighborhoods.

Workers in the Red Light district all have health care.

The Dutch have a long history of trading, and you can find almost any food from around the world.

Therefore, I formally request that, granted with your mightiest of powers, that you bestow upon me your blessing for traveling forth on this quest of knowledge for I am a scholar seeking to broaden my historical understandings of the world's pioneering forces.

Sincerely,

[insert your name here]

When I lived in the UK for a bit, I really enjoyed exploring what England and it's contiguous neighbors had to offer.

I made a quick list of my favorite day-trips from London. I want to keep it brief to let you do the exploring :) 

Bath, Somerset

2 Hours from London by train.

Lots of baths (probs not for bathing). The baths were originally built by the Romans. You can tour them and thank me later for both a lesson in intra-cultural pollination and a killer Instagram story!

Check out the Official Bath Tourism Site for more information. (Sounds really mainstream, I know - but this site actually has decent information on it. I promise).

Cardiff, Wales

2.5 hours from London

Visit a country that's also an animal, but not really an animal. Also, they have a dragon on their flag and speak their own language that's separate from English. 

Learn more: 48-Hour Cardiff Travel Guide

Attention valued customers:

Please stop reading this post, and leave your hostel already.

Don't be boring!

Oxford, Oxfordshire

1.5 Hours from London, but like 1000 years back in time.

Pro Tip: "Christ's Church" is a good answer to "what college are you in?" if you decide to cruise the dating apps while here* ;)

I spent quite a bit of time in this city and I absolutely loved it. Here's a guide by the Telegraph I would swear by. Turl Street Kitchen (on the guide) has amazing food as well.

Bonus: The Telegraph is also a great newspaper if you want to broaden 

*please don't fake college admissions. That's not cool :(

I first caught the travel bug about two years ago when I booked my first trip to the UK. I traveled here and there when I was younger, but this was an entirely fresh experience for me. Since then I've found every possible way to travel more.

Here are my tips to extend your stay:

Minimize accommodation spend:

Websites like Staydu can set you up with places to crash for free, cheap places to rent or room and board in exchange for some work. Staydu is especially cool because it offers all three accommodation options in one place so you don’t have to search across multiple sites.

Make Contacts

Knowing people can save you a lot of money and make travel more rewarding so spread the word about where you’re going and make contacts. Maybe a friend of a friend in Ecuador needs help on their farm or your aunt’s pool boy is studying abroad in Bulgaria and would love to let you stay indefinitely. You never know what opportunities will pop up. Keep flexible!

Account for Everything

When you’re making a travel budget, don’t forget the boring things:

• Insurance
• Credit card payments
• Student loans
• Unexpected lame cash drains ( i.e. getting scammed or pickpocketed).

Bonus: Set everything on auto-pay before you leave so you don't have any unwanted surprises later on.

Go Slow

This gives you a more authentic experience while helping you stay away from home even longer. It’s about more than just relocating from one place to another. Yes, you can opt for buses instead of planes but beyond that, its staying put in one place for longer and enjoying the slow life. Cook a meal from scratch instead of eating out. Go for a walk instead of a whirlwind sightseeing tour.

What’s your advice for making travel last longer?

Disclaimer:

I wrote this post while a little tipsy on some fine wine. The text was edited slightly so it reads better, but otherwise this is raw content for your happiness :)

You guys i AM THRIVING.

I am literally typgn this bc my new friend shes from Australia she when to to tbathroom and I'mliterally had 2 bottles of wint for $3 i cannot feel my fce anymire

i Just wanted to tell you guys that I love u and resprct y and nobody shouldever trear u like JOHN didbceause JOHN IS AN ASSOLHE. Anywys so if youre reading this orrry for being drunJ but ill edit this tomrorw but i juss thougt you needed to know baout how I party hearty for $.0201 

hodl on im gonna pause ad have some watr brb

*at least two hours pass*

Ok i'm a little less inebriato!

I know because I reemeberd to say inebriated. thx for the spelling correct Apple!!

TBILISI, GEORGIA I <3 U:

this courntry makes itsown amazing wine. Its' like $2. I'nt not even lying. an its GOOD like actually food. (Srory im like rlly hugry). RIght nOW. Only prolbhem is that thers no ubre Eats here :(

Basically the moral of the sotry is that if you come here yourll be in one of the original wine making contryies dating bcak hundresd of years. Everyhting is so cheaplike really cheap and good quality so oull realy enjoy it. 

*below added ex-post-facto to enhance post clarity*

A cheap and culture-filled destination

Check out this beautiful studio on Airbnb for <$400/month! (price may vary)

This is one of many studios for cheap. The best part? American citizens can stay in the country of Georgia for up to a year with no visa!

Tbilisi is a wonderful deal and an amazing culture trip.

What's your favorite country?

When Youbie (my best friend) first got her dog, we were worried about leaving her with strangers while we travel. Since then, I've been doing a lot of research for her because who wouldn't want to bring this gorgeous pup with you!

*my heart melts*

When Youb and I first looked into this, we didn't realize how much effort goes into traveling with a dog - but, we were going to make it happen anyway. Here's what we've found

There are three main things to look out for when traveling with your dog: 

Visa's, Flight Restrictions, Quarantine Period.

1. Visa's

One of the many blessings I have as an American is being able to travel to 116 different countries visa-free (source). It gets a bit more difficult when my pet is coming. Often, you'll have to bring documentation showing your dog's country of origin, that your dog has had multiple vaccinations in the past 30 days, and that he/she/they comply with an accepted breeds list.

Sites like Bring Fido have an entire how-to guide for traveling with your dog and this site lists out the requirements by country. It's best that you contact the consulate of the country(ies) you want to travel to and verify the information listed on doggie travel guide websites. The United States Bureau of Consulate Affairs website lists out consulate information.

Bonus! If you're traveling within the EU, you can get a 'puppy passport' so you can freely travel with your dog in any EU country. There are a few caveats and restrictions, so it's best to check with the consulates of the countries you're traveling to well in advance. 

See also: Travel Advisories

2. Flight Restrictions

Many airlines allow pets to fly on-board, but there are differences in where your dog can go both depending on the airline and depending on your dog's weight and breed. There are two options for flying with your pet: in the cabin, and crate in cargo. 

In the cabin: if your dog is on the smaller side, you can usually travel with them in the cabin. The restriction is often that your dog in the crate must weigh combined 20 lbs or less. (source)

Crate and Cargo: this is definitely the less preferred option, but there are some planes that have temperature and pressure-controlled cabins within the cargo compartment of the plane. This option should be booked well in advance (14+ days). (source)

The National Geographic has an extensive guide on which airlines in the United States charge what fees and the additional restrictions involved on all of the major US airlines. Note that it's always best to personally check with the airline you're planning to fly on before you actually book the flight. 

See also: Health Certificates

3. Quarantine Period

The one thing I'm really uncomfortable with is leaving my dog with people I don't know too well, which is the reason I want to travel with my pup in the first place! A word of warning: some countries may require a quarantine period of 30+ days. The Bring Fido list is a good resource as a first check to see whether the country you're going to has a quarantine period. It's best to check with the consulate of the country you're going to well before traveling to make sure your trip is smooth.

This is meant to be a quick guide to show you to the proper resources and is not an extensive list of some of the hoops you'll have to jump through. Make sure you do your research well in advance. I do promise you that it's worth it!

With love, 

Blinka