Travel Essentials

Travel Essentials

by | Sep 22, 2024

 

Traveling is about exploration, adventure, and discovering the unknown. But as thrilling as it sounds, if you’re not fully prepared—it will turn into a disaster. Whether it’s your first trip or you’re a seasoned traveler, having the right travel gear can transform your journey from stressful… to seamless. In this article, I’ll be walking you through the Top 5 Travel Essentials you absolutely need to pack for a smooth, safe, and stress-free adventure

A compact DSLR camera, perfect for capturing travel memories, placed on a wooden table with travel accessories.

Camera and Gear

Let’s start with something we all know —the camera and gear. When you’re traveling, moments happen in a flash. A sudden sunset over a mountain range, the laughter of locals at a street market, or a quiet, serene moment on the beach—these are moments you’ll want to capture and relive. A good camera is a must-have for any traveler.

You’ve got your camera, but don’t stop there. Always pack extra SD cards and extra batteries—there’s nothing worse than running out of space or ending up with a dead camera.

A currency exchange card placed on a table beside travel documents and foreign currency, perfect for easy international transactions.

Currency Exchange Card

Now, this next one might be a game-changer if you don’t already use it: a currency exchange card. Imagine hopping between different countries—each with its own currency—and you never have to worry about carrying stacks of cash or finding an exchange kiosk. 

With a currency exchange card like Wise, you can hold multiple currencies in one account, pay at local rates, and avoid those sneaky fees that really add up. It’s an absolute must if you’re traveling through multiple countries. And here’s the best part: the app is super simple. You can check exchange rates on the go and transfer money between currencies instantly. 

International travel without the hassle of manual money conversion!!
When traveling, going to the money changer is often hectic and the question always arises as to how much should be exchanged. If you convert more, you’ll lose money by converting it back to your local currency, and if you convert less, you may have to pay ridiculous amounts later. But Wise is here for you. You will receive the amount you see on Google (not possible with physical money changers) for a very small fee. Simply convert the amount you need and calculate it back again. You can sign up here* and make your trip even more enjoyable by eliminating this unnecessary additional burden 😉
A portable digital luggage weight scale being used to weigh a suitcase, ensuring it's under airline weight limits.

Portable Luggage Scale

One of the worst feelings while traveling? Realizing your bag is overweight right when you’re about to check in at the airport. We’ve all been there, frantically moving clothes from one bag to another, trying to avoid those painful overweight luggage fees.

But fear not! With a portable luggage scale, you can weigh your bags before you even leave for the airport, avoiding that entire stressful scenario. Especially if you’re flying with budget airlines, which can have strict luggage allowances, this little device can be a lifesaver. It’s compact, easy to use, and you can tuck it right into your carry-on.

A universal travel adapter with multiple plug types, ideal for international travel, resting on a suitcase next to other travel essentials.

Universal Travel Adapter

Traveling internationally means facing one frustrating reality: not all power outlets are created equal. That’s why the next essential on the list is a universal travel adapter.

With a universal adapter, you can plug in your devices no matter where you are in the world. Whether you’re in Europe, Asia, or South America, this gadget has you covered. It’s one of those things you won’t realize you desperately need… until you don’t have it!

A compact power bank with USB ports, resting next to a smartphone and headphones, perfect for keeping devices charged while traveling.

Powerbank

And last but definitely not least, the good old power bank. When you’re on the move all day, you can’t always find a place to charge your devices. And in today’s world, staying connected is essential—whether it’s for navigation or keeping in touch with loved ones

A reliable power bank ensures that you never have to worry about your devices running out of battery. This little device is compact, easy to carry, and can literally be a lifesaver in moments when you need power the most.

Conclusion

So, there you have it—five essential travel items that will make your next trip smoother, safer, and a lot more enjoyable. From capturing memories with your camera to avoiding baggage fees with a portable scale, these tools can truly transform your travel experience.

* It’s an affiliate link and I’ll get a referral bonus with no additional cost to you.

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Zugspitze & Eibsee: Complete guide to German Alpine Treasures

Zugspitze & Eibsee: Complete guide to German Alpine Treasures

by | Sep 20, 2024

With 2,962m (9,718 ft) above sea level, Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany. It’s located in the state of Bavaria in the south of Garmisch-Partenkirchen town. The Austria-German border lies on its summit. As both Austria and Germany are part of Schengen, there’ no border security or checks.

Zugspitze direction sign pointing the way to the summit of Germany's tallest mountain amidst stunning alpine views.

Tickets

The best part is that you can buy tickets online (also recommended). Summer ticket costs are as follows:
72€ for Adults, 57.5€ for Youth (16-18 years old), 36€ for Child (6-15 years old), 61€ for Disabled Persons.

You also have the option to buy it at the ticket counters in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Grainau and Eibsee but it’s highly likely that they’re sold out if you’re going during peak season. So better to be safe than sorry and it also is sustainable as it saves paper, stays with you all the time and is safer as it doesn’t crumble and damages the QR code or is lost completely.

Compact car parked on a scenic road, ready for an exciting travel journey across landscapes.

How to reach there?

There are multiple options to reach there depending on where you are and how long have you got. For me, due to living in another state of Germany, the car was the best option as I reached there in about 3.5 hours. The ticket I bought was of next day so that I can simply relax on one day and then go to the summit early next morning. This is also how I’d advise to plan your trip and reach a nearby town a day before your summit so that you can take in all the beauty of the German towns and also be energetic the following day for your adventure. The price of petrol was about 79€ in total (to and from my home).

If you go by car, you can park your car in Parkplatz P4 (Kurhaus und Zugspitzbad Grainau). This parking place has the option to park for 4 hours completely free. After that you pay 9€ for 12 hours. From here you can walk to the train station which is about 8 mins away and take the train to Eibsee. This train ride is included in the Zugspitze ticket.

If you live in nearby town or in Munich, you can come the same day as well. You can buy a combine ticket that includes the journey from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and back. The price for it is 83€.

International travel without the hassle of manual money conversion!!
When traveling, going to the money changer is often hectic and the question always arises as to how much should be exchanged. If you convert more, you’ll lose money by converting it back to your local currency, and if you convert less, you may have to pay ridiculous amounts later. But Wise is here for you. You will receive the amount you see on Google (not possible with physical money changers) for a very small fee. Simply convert the amount you need and calculate it back again. You can sign up here* and make your trip even more enjoyable by eliminating this unnecessary additional burden 😉
A cozy hotel room in Oberammergau with a king-sized bed, wooden furniture, and a scenic view.

Where to stay?

The best place to stay would be in the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen or in Grainau as they’re the closest to the Eibsee station. If the accommodation here is fully booked or out of your budget, then you can try to go a little further to Farchant, Oberau or Oberammergau. These towns are a bit out of the way (beautiful though) and could take longer to reach Zugspitze from here.

As I started to look for accommodation very late, 2 weeks before my trip and also in end of peak season (July-September), the hotels were fully booked and had to book Hotel-Gasthof Rose in Oberammergau. Oberammergau is a town in the north of Zugspitze and is about 40 mins away by car. I obviously checked that before my trip and calculated the timings. It’s roughly 7 mins away from the center and has breakfast included. A tip from my end to try to book a place which has breakfast included as it saves you the energy and time to look for something before you go. The price ranges from 90-120€ depending on the season and how early you book it.

Zugspitze cable car ascending through the Bavarian Alps, offering stunning mountain views on the way to Germany’s highest peak.

Transportation options to Summit

This ticket includes the roundtrip to and from the summit. There are 2 options available in both directions; cable car and cogwheel train. You can either take the same thing both times or you can do a mix. I’d recommend using the cable car to go to the top as it is faster and you want to get to the top as soon as possible as it can get very crowdy. Then you can use the cogwheel train (not so fancy but a good experience 😉) to come down. This will also give you time to relax and prepare for the next destination (Eibsee).

Tranquil view of Eibsee’s clear turquoise waters surrounded by lush forests and towering mountains in the Bavarian Alps.

Eibsee

This is located right at the bottom of Zugspitze and is walkable from Zugspitze cable car station. It’s one of the beautiful lakes in Bavaria and is very mesmerizing. You can/should swim if the weather permits but be cautious that there are small stones on the shore all around. There’s also a small beach where you can lay down and enjoy the sun after a swim or enjoy a good book. If you’re shy like me or want to enjoy with only your family, then there are some spots all around where can lay down the blanket and enjoy in privacy.

There I’d also recommend to take a boat ride and go into the middle of the lake. There are small islands also in the middle near which you can ride your boat and enjoy the beauty. The prices for the boats are as follows:

Rowboat: 9€ for 30 mins, 13 Euros for 60 mins
Paddleboat: 11€ for 30 mins, 16 Euros for 60 mins
Slideboat: 12.5€ for 30 mins, 18 Euros for 60 mins

Juicy burger with crispy fries served for lunch at Shaka Burgerhouse in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

How can you survive that long without eating? 😀

As you already know, I’m a big supporter of booking a hotel with breakfast included. If you’re smart like me, then it’s sorted already. But if you’re unable to find one, then there would be at least one bakery near to where you’re staying. Do some research of your own 😛

You can have lunch at the summit (which is of affordable and reasonable price) but due to too many tourists, the inside sitting place gets full quickly and outside it’s windy so I waited until I came back down plus I had a good breakfast. The place where I had lunch was in Garmisch-Partenkirchen known as Shaka Burgerhouse. It was good quantity and very tasty. It costed us 27€ (tip included).

Close-up of currency bills and coins, representing the cost of budgeting for a trip or vacation.

My Trip’s Total Cost

Now let me tell you how much did it cost

Accommodation: 117€/night

Food: 62€

Car Fuel: 79€

Zugspitze Tickets: 72€ * 2 = 144€

Total = 402€

* It’s an affiliate link and I’ll get a referral bonus with no additional cost to you.

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Spring Festival Stuttgart

Spring Festival Stuttgart

by | May 2, 2024

One of the biggest Spring Festivals in Europe, Stuttgart Spring Festival is a perfect place for the families to spend quality time together. From shooting hoops to car racing to darts, people can find most of the fun competitive games here and get a chance to win the prize. Although the price is not that big, it’s more about the competitive spirit and having a good time with the family.

 These games are not the only option of entertainment and also include roller coasters, rides for adults also for kids. Although some rides require the children to be accompanied by an adult. One of the most popular tourist attractions is the Ferris Wheel. It’s by far the highest ride till now.

Here, you’ll also find people coming with their friends to enjoy the time together. You’ve the option to also book the place to sit one of the tents as it gets full real quick. And once the maximum capacity has been reached, the only way to have the place is if you’ve reservation.

International travel without the hassle of manual money conversion!!
When traveling, going to the money changer is often hectic and the question always arises as to how much should be exchanged. If you convert more, you’ll lose money by converting it back to your local currency, and if you convert less, you may have to pay ridiculous amounts later. But Wise is here for you. You will receive the amount you see on Google (not possible with physical money changers) for a very small fee. Simply convert the amount you need and calculate it back again. You can sign up here* and make your trip even more enjoyable by eliminating this unnecessary additional burden 😉
Spring Festival in Germany with rides, Bratwurst

Speaking about a festival is incomplete without mentioning food. Bratwurst, Popcorns, French Fries, Crepe, Kaese Spaetzle, Drinks (Soft, Slush, Beer) and many more items can be seen. People have a wide variety to choose from and the menu is very delicious. Not to forget the vast option of desserts available.

Car parking lot in Spring Festival

There are multiple options to reach there as follows:

 

By public transport:

There is a tram (U-bahn) stop “Cannstatter Wasen” right next to the entrance. You can use U11 and U19 to reach the stop.

By car:

One of the most frequently asked questions is about where to put your car while you enjoy the day. Well, there is an area where you can park but it’s also limited. It costs 8 Euros on normal days and 6 Euros on “Familien Tag” (family day)1. 16 Euros for coaches and 2 Euros for motorbikes.

It lasts for approximately 3 weeks and the opening timings are usually as below:
Opening Time: Mon – Friday: 12 pm, Sat – Sun and Public Holiday: 11 am

Closing Time: Sun – Thurs: 11pm, Fri – Sat: 12am

More details can be found here.

* It’s an affiliate link and I’ll get a referral bonus with no additional cost to you.
1 Family Day “Familien Tag” is held once a week (usually Wednesdays) where prices of everything (rides, parking and food) are reduced.

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2-Days & 3-Nights Trip for AROUND $200 in Los Angeles

2-Days & 3-Nights Trip for AROUND $200 in Los Angeles

by | Mar 2, 2024

A city where most of the celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp, Justin Bieber and Jennifer Aniston live. These celebrity names might suggest hefty price tags but let me tell you that it is not. And I’ll tell you how you can travel there on a budget with my trip’s total cost in the end, but first, let’s get started:

Accommodation

In any travel, accommodation usually makes the most dent in your bank account. I would recommend Samesun Hollywood (formerly known as Walk of Fame Hostel). It would cost you somewhere around $40 to $50 a night depending on the season and how far in advance you book it. The best part? It is directly on Walk of Fame so you can stroll past the celebrities’ names while entering or exiting the hostel. There is a metro stop is conveniently located directly opposite the hostel, offering access to downtown L.A., Beverly Hills and Universal Studios in about 22 to 23 minutes. It has breakfast included and they have tours to Hollywood sign and Beverly Hills with a guide with no additional cost to you apart from the Transportation.

Transportation

When it comes to getting around, L.A. has an extensive metro system. A one-way ride would cost you $1.75, a one-day pass would cost you $3.50 and a seven-day pass would costs you $12.50. Don’t forget to buy the Tap card for an additional $2, which you can obtain from the tap vending machine or from the selected vendors or online. You can simply tap the physical cards on Bus and the Metro.

More information can be found on official website here.

International travel without the hassle of manual money conversion!!
When traveling, going to the money changer is often hectic and the question always arises as to how much should be exchanged. If you convert more, you’ll lose money by converting it back to your local currency, and if you convert less, you may have to pay ridiculous amounts later. But Wise is here for you. You will receive the amount you see on Google (not possible with physical money changers) for a very small fee. Simply convert the amount you need and calculate it back again. You can sign up here* and make your trip even more enjoyable by eliminating this unnecessary additional burden 😉

Food

For me the breakfast was included in my accommodation and I would suggest that you do the same but if it’s not included for you I’d recommend:

Breakfast options:

  • Homestead

  • Howard’s Cafe

Both of the above would cost you around $8 to $12 per meal

Lunch options:

  • In and Out Burger, a combo deal that consists of burger fries and drink would cost you from $6 to $9 per meal

  • George Burger Stand

  • Carness Restaurant

Both of the above would cost you from $11 to $15 per meal

Dinner options:

  • Thai Patio

  • Pine and Grain

Both of them would cost you from $11 to $15 per meal

My Trip’s Total Cost

Now let me tell you how much did it cost me for two days and three nights in LA

Accommodation: $50/night * 3 nights = $150

Food: $0 (Breakfasts, included in hostel) + $22 (Lunches) + $23 (Dinners) = $45

Transportation: $2 (Physical Tap card) + $3.5 (Day Pass) * 2 = $9

Total = $204

* It’s an affiliate link and I’ll get a referral bonus with no additional cost to you.

All costs can differ at the time of reading.

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2-Days & 3-Nights Trip for UNDER $200 in San Francisco

2-Days & 3-Nights Trip for UNDER $200 in San Francisco

by | Jan 25, 2024

A city synonymous with the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and Silicon Valley where most of the tech companies like Microsoft, Google and Facebook were born. I’ll tell you how you can explore this metropolis on a budget with a breakdown of my trip’s total cost in the end.

So let’s dive in.

Accommodation

I would recommend you HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel. True to it’s name, it’s located in downtown and near to most of the touristic spots. The metro station is just five minutes walk away, making it convenient to traverse through the city and it would cost you somewhere around $40 to $45 a night depending on the season and how well in advance you book it. While the breakfast included, you can opt for a $4 breakfast which includes pancakes and eggs. You might see some Google Reviews stating homeless people in vicinity. Rest assured, they mean no harm to you. I took a train at 6am and I was walking down that street and here I am writing this article for you. So, they are no danger to you.

Transportation

Muni network is the most popular as it covers almost all of San Francisco. Their daily pass costs $5 which does NOT include the cable car and the visit to Golden Gate Bridge. To be honest, you do not need cable cars to roam in San Francisco and for Golden Gate Bridge you need to use a different transportation system known as Golden Gate Transit. You have to buy a separate ticket for it which would cost you $3. However, if you have a Clipper card, you will enjoy a discount, bringing down the cost to $2.50. You have two options to obtain the Clipper card

  • Either in the physical form which will cost you $3 or

  • You can get it online which is completely free

I would recommend downloading the Clipper card app and acquiring your card there. This allows you to load funds digitally. Nevertheless, it’s advisable to have some cash just in case you need to use alternate transportation system. Besides Muni, the ticket for the historical cable car in San Francisco would cost you additional $8.

More information can be found on official website here.

International travel without the hassle of manual money conversion!!
When traveling, going to the money changer is often hectic and the question always arises as to how much should be exchanged. If you convert more, you’ll lose money by converting it back to your local currency, and if you convert less, you may have to pay ridiculous amounts later. But Wise is here for you. You will receive the amount you see on Google (not possible with physical money changers) for a very small fee. Simply convert the amount you need and calculate it back again. You can sign up here* and make your trip even more enjoyable by eliminating this unnecessary additional burden 😉

Food

Below are some of the recommendations for you:

Breakfast options:

  • HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel, $4
  • Kento Cafe
  • Sammy’s Cafe

Both of the above would cost you around $8 per meal

Lunch options:

  • Dragon Eats, a Vietnames restaurant
  • Hot Sauce and Panko, if you’re craving Chicken Wings

Both of them would cost you around $10 per meal

Dinner options:

  • Super Duper Burger
  • Ben’s fast food

Both of them would cost you around $11 per meal

My Trip’s Total Cost

Now let me tell you how much did it cost me for two days and three nights in SF

Accommodation: $40/night * 3 nights = $120

Food: $8 (Breakfasts) + $19 (Lunches) + $22 (Dinners) = $49

Transportation: $3 (Clipper card) + $5 (Day Pass) * 2 = $13

Total = $182

* It’s an affiliate link and I’ll get a referral bonus with no additional cost to you.

All costs can differ at the time of reading.

Don’t Miss a Beat!

Subscribe to our Monthly Newsletter to explore a new place to travel on a budget. Or provide your suggestion and we’ll do the research for your travel

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