foXnoMad » Guest Post

5 Ways To Take Better Sunset Photos When Traveling

Anil P. — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 06:00:04 +0000

This is a guest post by Darin Rogers, a freelance photographer and writer who specializes in culture, travel, and architecture – with a bit of everything else thrown in for good measure. Darin sent me his latest ebook, Capturing The Journey, a wonderful primer to making your travel photos better using the techniques that are second nature to photographers and shares some sunset specifics with us today. All of the photos in this post were taken by Darin.

Sunsets are one of the most photographed subjects on the planet. And for good reason. They are pretty, often made up of colors not commonly seen otherwise on a daily basis in the natural world. But because they are so photographed, sunsets have become a bit of a photographic cliche. Although every sunset is unique, it can be a real challenge to capture them in a unique way.

It’s difficult to completely escape the cliched aspect of sunset images, but here are 5 things you can do to improve your odds of capturing something interesting.

1. Look Behind You

We tend to go through life moving forward. Biologically, much of this comes from our physical makeup with our feet pointed forward and eyes in front of our heads. We don’t spend a lot of time looking behind us (or above us), unless of course we’re being chased. Sometimes, however, the best things really are behind you. And this can be true of sunsets. The sun may be setting in front of you but maybe it’s those clouds behind you where all the visual action is happening, or, importantly, where there just might be a more interesting composition.

2. Make Use Of Leading Lines

Not familiar with the concept of leading lines? Well, they are elements within your image that are used to compose and draw your viewer into the image. Notice in the first example below how I’ve used the line of the boardwalk, and to an extent the rocks on the left side, to give your eye a ‘path’ to follow into the image. This is a classic way to engage the viewer.

In the second example, see how the lines of the beach ultimately draw you to the fisherman and boat in the distance?

Monkey Mia, Western Australia (Technically this is a sunrise, but the concepts are the same.)

3. Look For The Story

A pretty picture is, well, just a pretty picture. Instead of simply a static image, what kind of story can you tell? Is there something going on around you that you can incorporate into the image to provide some interest for your viewers, make them think or ask questions? This is possibly the most important tip I can give. Again, it’s about engaging your viewers.

Subic Bay, Philippines

4. Look For Silhouettes

Sunsets are great times to look for and make use of silhouettes. Silhouettes often come about naturally when including objects in sunset photos, but if you keep your eye and mind open, you never know what less obvious idea you might come up with. Many things can make great silhouettes, especially if they are recognizable or create interesting patterns. Trees are often good subjects for silhouettes, particularly in winter when all the leaves are gone.

Elliot Bay from Victor Steinbrueck Park, Seattle, USA

Lone mangrove, Puerto Galera, Philippines

5. Place Something In The Foreground

You may be witnessing the most brilliant sunset in the world but if all you’re showing in your photo is the sunset, your image is likely going to feel rather static, like something is missing. Try placing something in the foreground. Foreground elements can add additional interest to a composition. Sunsets are rather distant subjects so placing something in the foreground can help to balance the composition as well.

Grass and sand dunes, Newport, Oregon, USA

In the end, it’s possible to move beyond the cliche and get a good sunset photo. Remember, a good sunset photo isn’t necessarily about the sunset, but rather, how well you engage the people viewing it.

Darin, thank you for the guest post. Darin Rogers is a freelance photographer specializing in culture, travel, and architecture. Originally from the States, he currently bases himself in Australia and the Philippines. He regularly travels the world, searching for awesome shots that will contribute to his becoming world famous. You can see more of his work in a copy of his ebook, Capturing The Journey and read his blog at http://www.darinrogers.net/. Darin can also be found on Facebook and Google+.

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How To Save Money On Your Longer Stay In Argentina

Anil P. — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 06:00:26 +0000

This is a guest post by Marcello Arrambide, who has been working for freedom his entire life. He’s unlocked the secret through day trading and now wanders the world and shares his experience on his website: Wandering Trader’s Travels. He has visited over 30 countries on 4 different continents including the elusive Antarctica.

When I was living in Buenos Aires for over 3 months, I was able to not only get to know Argentinian culture, but actually see everything that it has to offer. Every single weekend I would pick up and go to a new city for a new adventure. There are so many things to see in the country that I even had to come back to Argentina when I moved to Chile. The country of Argentina has everything for any tourist; ranging from the bustling cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires, the animal haven of Puerto Madryn, or even the gateway to Antarctica for the diehard traveler. We all want to save money and time on our travels and there are certainly things you can skip in Argentina. Here are a few things you can avoid to save money in Argentina.

Getting a Hostel or Hotel Room Instead of Renting an Apartment

The cosmopolitan city caters to tourists and many times you can find a great apartment with Internet and air conditioning for as cheap as $200-$300 a week (or $600-$700 a month). You can also find 3G data services with many of the cell phone operators. Why stay at a hotel when you will be able to save on not only accommodation, but food as well? I was able to buy fresh, steroid free prime steaks for $2.50 each. Add the veggies and onions and you have lunch or dinner for $3.

Don’t Give Your Car or Keys To Anyone in Salta, Argentina

There are so many things to see around the city of Salta that will cost you much more when seen via tour. Public transportation available but you’ll be severely limited to only a few places rather than getting full accessibility. Renting a car in Salta is strongly recommended and shortly after, finding a place to park will be your biggest dilemma.

Cars in Salta are broken into at a frantic rate and insurance in Argentina does not cover break-ins. Ask your hostel if they have a trusted garage or find a hotel nearby and ask to park your car there (a nice tip will help your chances). Under no circumstances should you give them your keys!

Enter the Country Through Buenos Aires International Airport

The United States and other countries levy high entrance taxes for tourists; and Argentina reciprocates. It’s not a matter of being able to get into a country as it is paying $100 or more every time you arrive. US citizens entering Argentina via Buenos Aires International Airport have to pay a reciprocity fee of $131 (Canadian $70, Australians $100), yet avoiding this fee is easy by traveling through the land borders. One such border is taking a bus from Santiago, Chile to Mendoza, Argentina. Though there is bad news, Chile exacts a $140 reciprocity fee for US citizens.

Don’t Take the Tours in Puerto Madryn

This is another location where there are many things to see outside the city. Flights are restricted to the Puerto Madryn airport for environmental reasons so most travelers enter through the airport in Trelew. It’s only about an hour away from Puerto Madryn! The famous Punta Tombo Penguin Colony is about 2 hours away from the airport and 3 hours from Puerto Madryn. Tourists go to this area of Patagonia to interact with animals, not to stand 50 feet away from them. If you take tours you won’t be able to stop in the middle of the tracks and walk to the beach to get close to both penguins and elephant seals. This of course, is where the picture (right) was taken.

Don’t Spend More Than 2 days in Either Cordoba or Rosario

These two cities are the second and third largest cities in Argentina, respectively. There aren’t many things to do in either city for more than two days. Cordoba does have very interesting towns about 1-2 hours away but the actual city won’t take you that long to explore. The first, Alta Gracia, is where you can find a great museum in the child hood home of Che Guevera. The second, Villa General Belgrano, is a very interesting German town where the supposed “third largest Oktoberfest” is held.

Things You Shouldn’t Do in Ushuaia

The End of the World train that is heavily marketed is a complete waste of time. Every local and tourist that I have spoken to has said the same, the $70 you spent could have gone towards to a good King Crab dinner (that’s actually what I prefer but you really should try that and the lamb). The track has been shortened so you pay all that money for a very short train ride through the forest.

Lakes country in Ushuaia is also very expensive and not worth the trip. Global warming has caused a lot of weather changes in Tierra del Fuego which causes the weather to change every 15 minutes. You drive into the famous southern tip of the world to see a lake. When traveling to Argentina you can see lakes in Bariloche and Calafate that are more beautiful and much cheaper.

Thank you very much Marcello for your tips from Argentina; a country I have not written enough about myself! You can follow Marcello on his blog Wandering Trader, on Twitter @WanderingTrader, and on his Facebook page.

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Discovering The Ciudad Of The Metro Under Mexico City

Anil P. — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 06:00:23 +0000

This is a guest post by Priyank, who writes his travel stories and photographs from the road on “Final Transit,” his travel blog. Follow him on his newly created Twitter profile @finaltransit and join his Facebook page to read more about his travels in Mexico and beyond.

Tour The Fascinating World On The Other Side Of Those Turnstiles

Mexico City’s underground metro system is cheap, fast and efficient. It is quite comprehensive and can take you to different corners of this gigantic city in a ride that is way more pleasurable than driving on the clogged streets above. Called ‘Metro de la Ciudad de Mexico’ in Spanish, this is the second largest metro in North America and about 1.5 billion commuters take it everyday.

My experience in the subway system was exciting from the moment I entered it. The thing that struck me was how self-sufficient the underground was.

Eat And Drink

The first thing that you see is the large number of food stalls. It had everything – juice bars serving fresh fruit, kitchens serving tacos, tuck shops carrying junk food and even fast food chains like Subway. The metro system had a variety of options for the hungry stomach and if the legally operating stores don’t carry the stuff you want, there is always a lady selling fried stuff from her basket. Most of it is the unhealthy kind, but somehow I can always make room for some more fried potatoes.

Shopping And Entertainment

The stores selling clothing, housewares, stationery, kitchenware and all kinds of stuff for the commuter were less than stellar but the star attraction for me was the a virtual market on wheels that operated on the trains.

In my very first ride from the airport to the city, a guy wearing a backpack walked into the coach after I did. I thought he was also a tourist. But soon I heard loud music blaring through amplifiers that were in his bag. It sounded like some generic street trash (PS: I like that kind of stuff).

The guy was holding a bunch of CD’s and asked if I was interested. Since I wasn’t, he proceeded to sing along with the music and walk through the coach to the door on the other side. Pretty soon I found that you could buy chewing gum (called ‘chicklet’), books, magazines, musical instrument, pirated DVDs, candies, or even get your shoes shined from sellers who enter and leave the coach at every station in what seems to be a well coordinated system. I never saw more than one merchant in the compartment!

Then there are buskers who ‘perform’ acrobatics inside the (often crowded) coach, musicians, or simply blind and handicapped people soliciting money. It was exciting to see so much activity, but often reminded me of the grim reality.

Rush Hour City

New York’s peak hour subways seemed roomy after I traveled in Mexico city’s rush hour. After I couldn’t disembark at my station this one time, I revived the survival skills that commuting in Mumbai had taught me. The trick is to simply to stand near the door before your station arrives. When the train stops, you will automatically find yourself landed on the platform. It’s like magic. I watched my wallet, you never know when there’s too much magic.

Touristic Sights

There are artworks and exhibits in this underground city for people to see. For example, at the Zocalo station, there is an installation showing the ruins of Tenochtitlan before Spanish invasion; and if you are transferring at the La Raza metro station, astronomy enthusiasts will love walking through the simulated ‘night sky’ with various constellations, stars and planets.

The People Of The Underground

During rush hours, the coaches at the front are usually reserved for women and children and policemen will shoo you away if you take a step in that direction. There are large number of young couples making out everywhere in the train, quite oblivious to their surroundings. I’ve also heard of the last coach being popular among young couples and homosexuals but I wasn’t able to tell why. In addition, depending on the time of the day there are homeless people, beggars and disabled persons. Each station has a symbol and stations on each line have a color theme, thus making it very easy for illiterate users (including for travelers who cannot read Spanish!)

Overall, I found the system to be quite collectivist: People stand shoulder to shoulder, push and shove, argue like friends, accommodate each other, give up seats for others and if you have a big bag (which I did), the people sitting will make space for it.

Safety In Mexico City’s Metro Underground

The guidebooks paint a somewhat scary picture of the metro system with pickpockets and random dangers and annoyances. But I didn’t find it any different from what I would do in any other big city. General rules and common sense of travel applies and unless you are acting like a paranoid tourist parading expensive stuff, you should be fine. There are lots of policemen (which actually bothers me because that suggests the prevalence of crime.)

So that concludes the tour of the city under Mexico City. Have you traveled in any metro systems that can get lively like this? I’m all ears!

Thank you very much Priyank for this colorful look at a city beneath a city. You can read more from Priyank on his blog Final Transit, @finaltransit on Twitter, and find Final Transit on Facebook as well.

[Photos not labeled @Priyank.com by: gnzlcrdns (food stall), angeloux (salesman), Chez Cesver (Zocalo model)]

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A View Of The Dubai Skyline

Anil P. — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 06:00:06 +0000

Dave Brett, the winner of my Live The Backpacker Life Contest, chose Dubai as the destination for his free one week backpacking trip. Recently returned, he was kind enough to check in with this photo and his impressions of one of the world’s fastest growing cities.

Dubai is a city moving to the future and it’s great to see the contrast between the old sulk of Bur Dubai to the modern development of Jumeirah. Dubai’s a wonderful city to explore and indulge in mega shopping facilities and its eye for luxury. With many direct connections to Europe and bundles of cheap hotels, they turn Dubai into a long weekend for a taste of this Arab city. To make it an extra special trip, invest in a desert safari topped off with a sunset dinner to escape the city, and bash around the dunes in a 4×4 – which is a must. See the tallest building in the world, ski in the middle of the desert, shop in the biggest mall on Earth and visit the only 7-star hotel anywhere. In Dubai any thing is possible.

Thank you again Dave for sharing, your post spurred a change to my Gulf travels! You can hear and see more from Dubai on Dave’s travel blog, a city I’ll be in 2 weeks from now.

Those of you who missed this contest will have another shot to win some cash this March in my annual favorite; with a Macbook Air coming up later this summer. The best way not to miss another foXnoMad contest is to sign up for my bimonthly newsletter; that group usually has the advantage of finding out first.

[photo courtesy of Dave Brett]

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Uncovering The Variety Within Buffalo, New York

Anil P. — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 06:00:52 +0000

This is a guest post by Laura Pedersen, the author of Buffalo Unbound: A Celebation. When Forbes magazine recently ranked Buffalo, New York, eighth on a list of America’s 10 Most Miserable Cities, former New York Times columnist set out to celebrate the people and places that make Buffalo an exciting place to visit.

Buffalo is a city like Chicago or Manhattan in that it’s easy to spend a week here and fill every minute of your time whether you’re an art lover, foodie, sports fan, architecture buff, shopper, music aficionado, or all of the above. And that’s just indoors. Buffalo also offers fishing, water sports, garden walks, boat rides on the Erie Canal, and every type of winter sport including broomball, ice sailing, shovel racing, and bike skiing.

First, The Culture Vulture Itinerary

Start at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery with its world class collection of modern and contemporary art. Next day take in the Burchfield Penney Art Center featuring regional works including those of Charles Burchfield, famous for their phantasmagorical plots and undulating lines. And finally, the UB Anderson Gallery.

In order to properly discuss negative space, aerial perspective, and hierarchic proportion, you’ll want to have lattes or peppermint chai at the cool cafes on Elmwood Avenue and then dinner in the hip Allentown neighborhood, among all the galleries and shops. Dozens of downtown theaters mount well-known works in addition to homegrown productions. And almost every Broadway touring show stops in Buffalo (usually at the famous Shea’s Performing Arts Center) since this is a city where people come out for events no matter what the weather is like. Kleinhans Music Hall, built by famous father/son architects Eliel and Eero Saarinen, is one of the best concert halls in the country, and home to the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, which has won two Grammy awards and can be heard on the soundtrack of Woody Allen’s Manhattan.

Lovers of fine architecture will also want to take in the magnificent art deco City Hall and Buffalo Terminal, Louis Sullivan’s Guaranty Building (now called the Prudential Building), and the (count ‘em!) five Frank Lloyd Wright houses. On the religious front there’s Our Lady of Victory Basilica, which is guarded by four 18-foot high angels, contains two hundred French stained-glass windows, and has been recognized as one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world.

Bars, Music, And Dancing In Buffalo

Mark Twain once said that you can’t throw a brick in Montreal without breaking a church window. The same is true in Buffalo if you include saloon windows. Buffalo has a last call of 4 AM so there’s plenty of nightlife, including a thriving music scene. In addition to oodles of Bach, blues, brass, head-banging rock, indie pop, and hip-hop, one can just as easily find polka, barbershop quartets, square dancing, a cappalla, karaoke, and the chicken dance (mostly at weddings). Live music can be heard in Buffalo’s hottest club-hopping neighborhoods — rowdy Chippewa Street, alternative lifestyle-friendly Elmwood Village, the college crowd hangouts on Main Street within walking distance of the University of Buffalo, and Hertel Avenue, where there’s everything from smooth jazz to alt rock.

You can’t enjoy good music without good beer, and Buffalo has never been known to let anyone go thirsty. Pearl Street Grill & Brewery along with our many local clubs and gin mills keep quality libations flowing in addition to providing a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Where else can you become a regular in under an hour? Beer is also good for washing down local favs such as chicken wings, beef on weck, and souvlaki.

Buffalo Sports

If you’re a sports fan then be sure to take in a Bills, Bisons or Sabres game. Or my favorite league, the Queen City Roller Girls, who describe themselves as “radical, free-thinking, free-wheeling women who love the smell of the rink and the feel of eight wheels under their feet.” Halftime means a live rock band and dozens of loaves of Al Cohen’s seeded rye break being energetically tossed into the crowd.

History buffs will want to stop at the recently renovated Wilcox Museum, where Theodore Roosevelt was inaugurated in 1901 after the assassination of William McKinley. Auto enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Museum. And there’s plenty for the kids including Martin’s Fantasy Island amusement park, the extensive and well-stocked Buffalo Zoo, planetarium, skiing and skating (lessons if needed), go-carts and laser tag. That wonder of the world Niagara Falls is only a twenty minute drive from downtown. Likewise, the wineries and famous Shaw Festival of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

The reason you’ll be able to pack so much in is that there aren’t any traffic jams or long lines here. And as I say in my book Buffalo Unbound, it’s known as The City of Good Neighbors for a reason — these are the kind of people who would lend you their last pair of long johns. Obviously, time spent sleeping in Buffalo is time wasted. The only thing to watch out for when visiting western New York is that you may not want to leave, because it’s that good.

Thank you very much Laura for your inside look into Buffalo. You can learn even more about the city in Laura’s book, Buffalo Unbound.

[photos by: anothersaab (Buffalo Harbor), mark.hogan (Albright-Knox Art Gallery), chrissam42 (Buffalo City Hall), Joe Rollerfan (Queen City Roller Girls)]

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Halloween In Seoul, South Korea

Anil P. — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 06:00:07 +0000

This is a guest post by Chris Backe who, like about 25,000 other foreigners in Korea, teaches English as a full-time job. When not teaching, however, he makes it a point to visit one new place, event, or festival every week, as well as tell you about what’s going on in the land of the morning calm. He travels, writes, and is always exploring the dynamic society that is Korea on his blog, Chris In South Korea.

Like a number of places across the world, Halloween is a great way to escape the bonds of your usual personality and become someone (or something) else, if only for a night. If you’ve looked at the calendar, you already know Halloween falls on a Sunday – meaning that a number of people will be dressing up for all the fun on Saturday. It’s worth noting that the younger generation of Koreans gets into the Halloween spirit as well. Just because it’s not a Korean holiday doesn’t mean they can’t embrace the silliness and costumes the holiday entails. In fact, don’t be surprised if some of their costumes are better or more elaborate than yours.

Where To Prepare For Halloween In Seoul

Both Namdaemun (Hoehyeon Station, line 4) and Dongdaemun (Dongdaemun Station, line 1 or 4) are excellent places to assemble your Halloween costume. You’ll find some masks and accessories, although you’ll have to bring your creativity to bear. Just like in your home country, there’s plenty of places selling stuff for your Neytiri outfit, that cute girl from Glee, or the timeless Gothic look. You’ll still have to put the pieces together on your own.

Myeongdong (Myeongdong Station, line 4) is fine for accessories or plenty of local stuff, while all the department stores will offer a seasonal selection of costumes and foam stuff. Most of it is geared towards kids, but there are a few costumes-in-a-bag waiting for you bigger kids.

Halloween Events In Seoul

You don’t need a laundry list of all the places holding Halloween events. It’s easier to head down to your personal preference of Hongdae (on line 2) or Itaewon (line 6) and check out the posters that get put up the week before. There’s bound to be plenty of good costume parties and drink specials, although walking around and seeing all the costumes is half the fun. If interested in checking out some new bands, the always excellent Battle of the Bands starts at Stompers in Itaewon on October 30th. If you just want some punk, Club Spot in Hongdae will have Whatever That Means, Kickscotch, and Rux on the 30th as well – plenty of punk to go around on a Saturday night.

I’ll throw out a special mention of Gangnam in southern Seoul – you probably won’t see as many costume-wearers there, but hey, you’re unique. Expect the clubs in Gangnam to throw a party or two – but don’t expect a break from their usually high cover charges. It is the upscale-fashionable district, after all. If you’re coming to Korea near the end of October, take a couple hours and put together a costume. You’ll find plenty of company with both the expat teachers and the locals.

Thanks very much for this timely guest post on Halloween in South Korea Chris. You can learn more about Korean culture and to keep up with Chris In South Korea on his blog by the same name.

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The Hidden Beauty Of Limoges, France

Anil P. — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 06:00:06 +0000

This is a guest post by John Gadbois, a travel-lover who writes about Versailles, France at his Versailles blog. He also blogs about technology at his personal site, JohnGadbois.com.

France is a country of beautiful cities, many of which are known to tourists all over the world (Paris, anyone?). One of these beautiful cities, however, most tourists have never even heard of. What city is this? I’m talking about the city of Limoges, France.

I had never heard of Limoges either, until I was assigned there as an English language assistant a couple of years back. I found the city to be charming and wanted to share some of its top attractions with you.Limoges is located about 400 kilometers (~250 miles) south of Paris, in the Limousin region of France. This region contains a lot of beautiful farm country and is most well known for it’s Limousin cattle, which you’ll see dotting fields all around Limoges.

Limoges is not a large city, with about 250,000 people in the city plus it’s suburbs, so it’s not hard to get to know the city very well, and to see all of it’s sites in a day or two.

4 Sites Not To Miss In Limoges

Ok, enough background. Let’s get down to it. What is there to actually see and do in Limoges? Here are a couple of the more popular attractions in Limoges.

Porcelain, Porcelain, Porcelain – If you have heard of Limoges, it’s most likely because of it’s famous porcelain. Limoges is the center of porcelain production in all of France (over 50% of French porcelain is from Limoges), and several of the porcelain producers allow you to tour their factories. Bernardaud is probably the most famous producer, and it is well worth taking a tour of their factory. In addition to factories, check out the National Museum Of Porcelain, as well as the many porcelain shops in the town center. A tip – if you’re looking for less expensive porcelain, check out the many stores that sell seconds, or china with minor defects (many that you can’t even see). These pieces often go for half price or less!
Gare de Limoges-Bénedictins – While a train station might seem like a strange tourist attraction, you don’t want to miss this one. This unique train station has a beautiful rounded ceilings and a stunning clock tower. You may have seen it without knowing it in a recent Chanel ad featuring Audrey Tautou.
Le Hôtel de Ville – The city hall is another site that visitors should check out. It was modeled after the Hotel de Ville in Paris, and contains ornate carvings, an interesting porcelain fountain, and many other interesting features. In the winter, the entire building is decorated with Christmas lights, giving a beautiful, colorful display that you don’t want to miss.
Centre-ville – The town center of Limoges is one of my favorite places to visit. Some of the streets and buildings date all the way back to the 14th century! Much of the town center is walking-only cobblestone streets lined with all kinds of shops and stores. One site to definitely check out downtown is the Chapelle Saint-Aurélien de Limoges, a small 15th century chapel that still stands.

These are just a few of the many sites and experiences to be had in Limoges. Depending on what time of year you go to Limoges, you can have the opportunity to experience festivals, parades, and carnivals that are unique to Limoges. If you’re unlucky you might encounter a strike that closes the entire city down (of course, this can happen in most cities in France).

There are also beautiful villages, countryside, and historical sites, in the immediate vicinity of Limoges, so next time you’re planning a trip to France, consider the city of Limoges.

Thank you for this personal look of Limoges John. You can learn more about traveling to France on John’s Versailles blog and follow his personal technology site, JohnGadbois.com.

[photos by: Antman (Limoges, France scene in snow), boocal (Limoges cattle), La Petit Poulailler (Limoges porcelain plate)]

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The Difference Between A Gap Year And Career Break

Anil P. — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 06:00:18 +0000

This is a guest post by Sherry Ott, a refugee from corporate IT who is now a long term traveler, blogger, and photographer. She’s a co-founder of Briefcase to Backpack, a website offering career break travel inspiration and advice. She also runs an around the world travel blog writing about her travel and expat experiences at Ottsworld. She is one of the driving forces behind Meet, Plan, Go! events across the country to inspire more people to get out and travel.

There are many terms for extended travel:

Vagabonding, Round-the-World (RTW), Travel Sabbatical, One Year Off, Backpacking, Location Independent, Extended Travel, Gap Year, Career Break.

They all kind of mean the same thing…don’t they?

I think not.

Let’s take Gap Year vs. Career Break; in my opinion these are not interchangeable.

What’s The Difference? – The Foundation

If you are taking a career break that implies you actually have a career to break from. If you are 18 and just graduated high school or 21 and graduated college, then you don’t have a career; instead you take a gap year and go backpacking.

For those of you who are commuting to work everyday sitting in a sterile cubicle answering emails and attending conferences, then you have a career; and you’d probably like a break from it!

The word ‘career’ actually implies progression so for that reason I would say the average career breaker is someone who’s been in their job a while and is in the age range of 27 to 47.

Style of Travel

Gap year travel tends to be about budget backpacking. The backpacking youth of the world stay in hostels, bus station floors, Couchsurf, and party their way through Europe or Thailand. While the career break traveler is also on a budget, it’s a bit more comfortable. One good thing about staring at those cubicle walls for years is presumably you may have some savings; at least more than you did when you were 18. Career breakers also use hostels, but they can also splurge more frequently on a nice dinner, hotel, or a tour.

Itinerary

Whereas the Gap Year traveler is more likely to travel and socialize their way through countries playing beer pong; the career break traveler is more likely to include some sort of educational activity in their travel itinerary. They may take language classes, and most of them build volunteering into their plans.

Travel Partners

Gap year travelers tend to travel with a friends; or meet friends along the way and travel together for a while. Many gap year travelers even start relationships while on the road. However a significant number of career breakers are couples.

Frequently couples who are burned out on working 9 to 5 and are looking to simplify their life will seek out a year off. Some couples even do career break travel as an extended honeymoon. In addition, you will find full families out doing career break travel; this is more rare, but it certainly happens.

Preparation

Here’s where the real difference lies. Gap year travel preparation is very different than what a career breaker goes through. Typically a career breaker has to consider the fact that they are deeply entrenched in their mid-life pursuits; meaning they have homes, apartments, significant others, cars, pets, kids…and careers. This ‘stuff’ keeps them tied down to their jobs, so breaking away to do career break travel is significantly more difficult than taking a gap year after college.

Because of these differences, career break travel preparation, both mental and physical, require some added thought and hurdles to get over. However the hurdles of career break travel are surmountable.

Meet, Plan, Go!

If you are a want-to-be career breaker and need some extra inspiration, then come meet travel experts who have successfully taken a career break and overcame those hurdles.

On September 14th, Briefcase to Backpack and Three Month Visa are holding free career break travel events across 13 cities. Meet, Plan, Go! is bringing together experienced extended travelers with those who have only dreamed of traveling to help inspire them in person.
In addition to offering inspiration at these events, they are also offering resources to help get them started. GAP Adventures is even giving away a trip to Peru and GeoVisions will be giving away a volunteer trip abroad.

View the Meet, Plan, Go! website and sign up for the newsletter for more details! If you can’t make it to a Meet, Plan, Go! event then check out Briefcase to Backpack where we offer travel advice and inspiration to corporate Americans planning a career break or sabbatical year round!

Thank you very much Sherry for this guest post highlighting the differences between gap years and career breaks. For those of you interested in taking some time off from your career to travel, look for a Meet Plan Go! event near you on September 14th or head to Briefcase To Backpack for more information on getting started. You can also follow Sherry on her own travels around the world at Ottsworld, one of my favorite travel blogs.

[photos by: firma (kid with rolling suitcase), ryarwood (golf in cubicle), joelogon (sliding out of office chair), airtrent (couple at Grand Canyon)]

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5 Places to Entertain Kids in Leeds, England

Anil P. — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 06:00:20 +0000

This is a guest post by Darren Cronian, who writes the popular Travel Rants blog. In addition to Travel Rants, he also writes My Life In Leeds, a comprehensive online guide to the city. I’ve been following Darren’s writing for years and it was my pleasure to publish this guest post from him.

Come to Leeds either on a short break or day trip and you will find that there is a lot to do and see for kids. This guide will give you some ideas to entertain all of the family during the school holidays. Here are our favorites:

1. Free Child Friendly Museum

The Leeds City Museum in Millennium Square is open from 11:00 a.m. every day except Monday, and admission is free. There is even a special Learning Room with events for the kids on school holidays.

The animal/nature exhibit may be the most enticing for children, but the Mummy in the Egyptian exhibit also fascinates, and a beautifully presented history of the city is fascinating, especially for adults who grew up right here.

2. Burn Off Some Energy In The Vast Parkland

Kirkstall Abbey, just 3.5 miles from the City Centre, is the most complete and best-preserved Cistercian abbey in the U.K. Located in lovely parkland on the banks of the River Aire, the grounds are ideal for walking, cycling or picnics.

The reconstructed abbey offers a wonderful view of the way monks and Laybrothers lived and worked hundreds of years ago, with interactive displays that are both educational and fun.

3. Not As Boring As It Sounds, Very Educational

Thackray Museum, about 2.5 miles from City Centre, offers a truly impressive look at medicine and medical practices past, present and future, including the sounds, sights and smells of a back street in Victorian-era Leeds, where visitors can follow the lives and ailments of ‘real’ characters living amongst the bedbugs, rats and fleas. Kids especially seem to love the realistic gory Victorian operating theatre.

4. Let The Kids Run Free

Roundhay Park, to the northeast of Leeds, is one of the largest city parks in the U.K. with over 700 acres of woodlands, lakes, parkland and gardens. It was originally a 13th century hunting park, but now it is filled with delightful exhibits including Tropical World, with amazing creatures such as the Arrowana fish, which leaps up to 8 feet in the air to catch insects and small birds. New additions are a colony of meerkats and a trio of crocodiles.

5. Bird Garden, Animals, And Open Space

Lotherton Hall is an Edwardian country house set in gorgeous parkland, about 13 miles northeast of Leeds City Centre. The nature trails, red deer park and bird garden are best enjoyed in clement weather, but the costume and other exhibits are a real treat for young and old alike at any time. The Nightingale Gallery is also a venue for exhibitions by local artists.

Hopefully this guide has given you a taste of what there’s to do and see in Leeds for kids. Read more guides on attractions in Leeds, on My Life in Leeds, a locally written guide. Thank you Darren for the guest post!

[photos by: Leeds City Museum and Kirkstall Abbey by dcronian, timojazz (Thackray Museum), tricky (Roundhay Park), Drown (Lotheron Hall bird park)]

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A Local’s Guide To 2 Days In Kyoto, Japan

Anil P. — Wed, 05 May 2010 06:00:19 +0000

This is a guest post by Todd. A writer, blogger, and conflict resolution specialist; he blogs about his travels and adventures at Todd’s Wanderings. He currently lives in Kosovo, and lived in Japan near Kyoto for over five years. He’s working on his first book about walking the 900 mile Japanese Shikoku Pilgrimage, twice.

2 Days in Kyoto- Navigate the City Like a Local

Kyoto is one of those magical cities that every person should visit. However, like all proper Japanese maidens its secrets take a long time to discover. Its beauty lies in the glimpse of a geisha as she flirts around a corner, the hidden alleyway sheltering a 400 year old noodle house, or the tiny garden hidden from view but tended to as honestly as a member of the family. All of this is hidden amongst the disaster of post WWII urban planning and the waves of ugly concrete and electrical lines that spread out from city’s center.

It takes commitment to experience the elegant Kyoto, time the typical visitor doesn’t have. For those looking for rare glimpses that have delighted travelers for centuries here is list of my favorite places that can be experienced in any two day trip.

Walk Through Higashiyama – (Takes a full day so start early!)

The bastion of cultural protection, Higashiyama (literally “Eastern Mountains”) has maintained the feeling of old Kyoto with its massive temples, narrow alleyways, quite gardens and tiled wooden houses. Start your walk towards the Buddhist temple Kyomizu-dera, where you’ll find spectacular views of Kyoto from the main veranda supported by hundreds of pillars. DON’T approach the temple from the main road, instead find the small road just south and follow it through the ancient hillside cemetery, perhaps the most scenic and ignored area of Kyoto!

Continue your walk north and take a tea break in the traditionally restored neighborhood of Sannen-Zaka. Move on hitting any shrine or temple you see (there are tons) and you’ll end up in Gion, the famous entertainment and geisha district. Remember this area as you’ll want to come back in the early evening for your best chance of catching a glimpse of a geisha or maiko (apprentice geisha). Stay for dinner and drinks on Pontocho-dori, a small road where hundreds of little restaurants compete for your taste buds.

The northern section of Higashiyama starts from Kaege Station on Tozai subway line. Hit the massive, ancient and delightful Nanzen-ji. Don’t forget to explore all of the sub-temples. Continue north and find your own favorites, with 2,000 temples and shrines in Kyoto I’m sure you will find something. Pass through the Tetsugaku-no-michi (path of philosophy), a pedestrian path along a canal lined with cherry blossom trees. Complete your walk at Ginkaku-ji, temple of the silver pavilion. There is no silver pavilion but it boast one the most impressive tea gardens in all of Kyoto and is often overlooked by most visitors.

Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji Temples

Located near each other in Northwest Kyoto these two temples can easily be combined in a morning session, which is probably better as they can become packed with visitors quickly. Kinkaku-ji with its famed “Golden Pavilion” is an impressive ostentatious temple originally built as the retirement villa of Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. The Zen temple Ryoan-ji with its austere rock garden stands in stark contrast to affluence in the neighborhood. Arrive early before the crowds and the annoying loudspeaker.

Arashiyama

Located in the western mountains of Kyoto this is a busy tourist town, but the delight is in the temples and quite areas up the hill. Experience shojin-ryori, the vegetarian cuisine developed by Zen monks, at Tenryu-ji. Explore the temple before exiting by the north gate to wander through the amazingly green bamboo forest. This is the most beautiful part of the area so walk slowly and enjoy it.

Fushimi Inari Taisha

One of the most mystical places in Kyoto, this Shinto shrine is dedicated to the god for rice and business, Inari. Located on a hillside, over 10,000 red tori gates line the paths transporting any visitor into another world. Come during the early evening just before sunset for a heightened sense of the other side as you get lost within the winding paths and statues of sly foxes, Inari’s messengers. The shrine is just a 5 minute train ride from Kyoto station on the JR Nara line.

Drinks

What guide would be complete without advice on drinking and eating with the locals? There is not a huge club scene in Kyoto (head to Osaka instead) but small bars are everywhere. Visit Kiyamachi between Nijo and Sanjo for an area teeming with small bars and restaurants. No suggestions here other than find a random place and enjoy. Oh, and good luck finding your way out of the side streets afterward! If you want to drink with the younger crowd, buy yourself an oversized beer (or three) at a convenience store and head to the Sanjo bridge nearby and grab a seat on the banks of the Kamogawa river. There is sure to be some group jamming to an acoustic guitar.

Many thanks to Todd for this insightful post about Kyoto, Japan. You can read more from Todd on his blog, Todd’s Wanderings and follow him on Twitter (@toddwassel).

[photos by: rawheadrex (Kyoyo market), Jaime Perez (Kyomizu-dera), syvwich (Kinkaku-ji), eyspahn (shojin-ryori), Paco Alcantara (crimson paths)]

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