Travel Resources
Flights & Transportation
Skyscanner – My go-to platform to compare flight prices and find deals from multiple airlines.
Google Flights – Great for flexible date searching and tracking fare changes.
Rome2Rio – Perfect for figuring out how to get from A to B, whether by bus, train, car, or ferry.
Rentalcars.com – A reliable site I use for booking rental cars, especially for national park trips.
Accommodation
Booking.com – I use this for finding affordable hotels and guesthouses with honest reviews.
Airbnb – Ideal for longer stays and unique lodging.
Hostelworld – If you’re on a budget or traveling solo, this site is a great place to find hostels around the world.
Travel Planning Tools
Google Maps – I use this extensively to save pins, plan routes, and explore nearby attractions.
TripIt – A helpful app to organize all my booking confirmations in one simple itinerary.
AllTrails – My favorite app for finding and reviewing hiking trails, especially in national parks.
Weather Underground – For accurate, local weather forecasts before and during the trip.
Photography & Gear
Sony Alpha Mirrorless Cameras – What I currently use for most of my travel photography.
GoPro HERO – Great for adventure and action shots.
Peak Design Gear – Durable, stylish bags and straps for carrying camera gear on the go.
Lightroom Mobile – I use this app to edit photos before posting them to the blog.
Useful Websites
- NPS.gov – For official U.S. National Parks info (maps, closures, safety tips).
- Travel.State.gov – Check for visa requirements, safety alerts, and entry guidelines (US).
- XE Currency Converter – Stay updated on exchange rates when traveling internationally.
Travel Tips
- Always keep digital and printed copies of your passport and bookings.
- Pack light, especially for nature trips. A good pair of hiking shoes goes a long way.
- Book your campsites early for popular destinations like Sequoia.
- Download offline maps and language packs before heading out.
Travel Resources by Country
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Use Railcards (16–25, Two Together, etc.) for massive train discounts across the UK.
- Avoid Heathrow Express – it’s overpriced. Use the Elizabeth Line or Piccadilly Line instead.
- For EU trips, apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) to access public healthcare.
- Plug adapter: UK uses Type G; bring a universal one for European trips.
🇩🇪 Germany
- BahnCard 25 or 50 gives excellent discounts on Deutsche Bahn trains.
- EC card (Girocard) is more widely accepted than Visa/MasterCard in small towns—carry cash.
- Pack a reusable bag – supermarkets charge for plastic, and Germans hate waste.
- Public transport runs on an honor system in many cities, but don’t skip tickets—fines are steep.
🇪🇸 Spain
- Shops often close from 2–5 pm (siesta time), especially in smaller towns.
- Trains are good, but buses (Alsa, FlixBus) are often cheaper and faster.
- Don’t eat dinner before 9 pm—restaurants open late, and that’s the norm.
- For data, DIGI or Lycamobile SIM cards offer cheap local plans without contracts.
🇺🇸 United States
- Sales tax is added at checkout, not included in the sticker price—prepare for a small shock.
- Tipping is mandatory: 15–20% at restaurants, $1–$2 per bag for bellhops, etc.
- Amtrak is scenic but slow—flights or car rentals are better for long distances.
- Get a National Parks Pass ($80/year) if visiting 3+ parks—huge savings!
🇱🇹 Lithuania
- Bolt is more common than Uber—use it for taxis and e-scooters.
- Public Wi-Fi is everywhere, including buses and city parks.
- Carry your ID: Police sometimes check documents randomly in Vilnius.
- Travel to other Baltics is easy—Riga and Tallinn are just a few hours away.
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan
- Use Yandex Go instead of Uber—more reliable and cheaper for rides.
- Learn some Kazakh & Russian phrases—even in Almaty, English is not widely spoken.
- Train travel is great for crossing regions, but book early for sleeper cabins (Tulpar Talgo).
- Power outages happen occasionally—carry a portable charger.
- For data, Beeline or Tele2 SIM cards offer cheap local plans without contracts.
- Detailed local map: 2GIS App
🇵🇱 Poland
- Cash still rules in smaller towns or rural areas—withdraw at bank ATMs (avoid Euronet).
- Use Jakdojade for public transit planning—super accurate for trams and buses.
- Trains are punctual but slow. For faster travel, try Intercity Express (EIP) trains.
- Local SIM cards like Play or Orange are cheap and tourist-friendly.
🇸🇪 Sweden
- Credit cards are accepted everywhere, even street vendors—many don’t take cash at all.
- Download the SL app if you’re in Stockholm—it’s your all-in-one metro/bus ticket.
- Alcohol is sold only in Systembolaget, the state store (closes early, not open Sundays).
- Everything is expensive—save money by booking trains early and eating at lunch buffets (dagens lunch).
General Pro Tips for All Travelers
- Use Wise or Revolut to avoid high foreign transaction fees and get better exchange rates.
- Install offline maps (Google Maps or Maps.me) before you travel.
- Use Airalo or Nomad for eSIMs instead of buying local SIM cards at the airport.
- Keep a photo of your passport, visa, and health insurance on your phone & in the cloud.
- For solo travelers: Couchsurfing “Hangouts” or Meetup.com are great ways to meet locals.
Final Thoughts
Traveling is one of life’s greatest teachers—it opens your mind, humbles your heart, and fills your soul with stories. Whether you’re heading into the mountains, exploring a new city, or wandering through ancient streets, the more prepared you are, the freer you’ll feel to enjoy the journey.
I hope these tips help make your next adventure smoother, safer, and more fun.
If you have any questions, need help planning a trip, or just want to share your travel stories—don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d love to hear from you!
Happy travels and see you on the road 🌍✈️
– Kuanysh