The Update

Natalie …is currently a graduate student pursuing an Elementary Education teaching certificate and masters degree.

Justin…is currently teaching high school English.  Although a full time teacher, Justin recently began taking classes towards earning a masters degree in English Education.

Justin and I will always be nomads in search of the next adventure.  Unfortunately, higher education and priorities in life sometimes gets in the way of being able to pick up and go.

Fortunately, living in Colorado lends to many adventures and outdoor fun!

All prices are based upon October mid-season, not the winter low season and not the high season of summer!

• 2 beds in a 6 person dorm at The Colors Hotel & Hostel – 54 euro = $74.52
• gorgonzola cheese, 2 types of bread, artichoke hearts and a bunch of bananas – 7.50 euro = $10.35
• Metro – from Termini to the Vatican City Area – 2 euro = $2.76
• 2 Americanos @ Piquadroemme wine bar (includes tip) - 1.40 euro = $1.93
• entrance to Sistene Chapel (both at student rate) – 16 euro = $22.08
• Medium gelato near Trevi Fountain – 2.50 euro = $3.45

(two adults) Total – 83.40 euro = $115.09

The total is for Justin and I, two grown adults.  If you are traveling alone you can cut the cost in half.

Solo Total – 41.70 euros = $57.55

Save more money on lodging in a larger dorm.  We stayed in a 6 person dorm, but it is easy to find 8-12 person dorm rooms for even cheaper nightly rates.  We chose to see the Sistene Chapel and presented student cards to save money.  In some European countries if you are less than 30 years old you may be approved for a Student ID card.  However, even if you don’t wish to pay for museums, Rome has hundreds of FREE things to see and do, including the Vatican.  Which means experiencing Rome for $50 a day is easy to do.

How to travel Rome for $25 a day?

1. Self catering – nothing beats the communal meal, prepared in hostel kitchens with other travelers you meet – split the cost of the meal.  Rome is full of delicious red wine too!  Split a few bottles with some of your new friends, and sample a variety of reds.
2. Sleeping in a multi person bunk room.  The more people in your room, the cheaper your bed will cost.  Remember, you didn’t travel to Rome to stay inside, you want to explore and see it all!  The bed is just the place to rest in between your adventure.  We even wrote an article on selecting the best hostel for you in Rome.
3. The coffee is amazing.  Look for the small independently operated cafes that are actually wine bars.  They will have the best atmosphere but watch out for the prices.
4. Don’t spend money in the expensive zones – I really wanted to eat gelato while looking at the Trevi fountain lit up at night.  But I could have found less expensive gelato in Rome.
5. Use the Metro to your advantage.  A single ride is one euro, or purchase a one day pass for 4 euros.  They are valid for a full 24 hour period.  Plan where you want to go in Rome carefully, you can enjoy the Trevi fountain in the evening, and wake up the next day and still have 16 hours remaining on your pass to get you to the Colosseum and back.  At the same time, walking can be amazing depending on the weather.
6. Depending on the season, it can be hard to find a cheap place to sleep in the heart of the city.  Don’t end up having to sleep on the outskirts of Rome.  Pay for your bed in the morning, not only do you guarantee that you will have a place to sleep, but you also have a place to leave your backpack while you explore the city.

It’s amazing to know that Rome can be experienced with very little money.  Super cheap if you dare!

Through personal travels to various cities around the world, we will share the actual price of a day in that city.

This series should assist travelers in planning their next trip to specific places around the world.  Each city will have a realistic example of the cost of one full day, including an evening of lodging.

“The Backpackers Price” is covering is Paris first!

A day in Paris – with lodging in the Latin Quarter

All prices are based upon October mid-season, not the winter low season and not the high season of summer!

• 1 Night private room with double bed at Young & Happy – 56 euro = $77.28
• almonds, raisins, apples & bananas – 6.14 euro = $8.47
• Justin’s 1st baguette in Paris – 1.80 euro = $2.48
• Metro – Arce du Triomphe to Latin Quarter – 2.20 euro = $3.04
• Natalie’s new Parisian orange scarf – 9 euro = $12.42
• 2 pears, brie, 1 red bell pepper – 4.64 euro = $6.40
• another baguette – 1.60 euro = $2.21
• Nutella crepe – 2 euro = $2.76

(two adults) Total – 86.8 euro = $115.06

The total is for Justin and I, two grown adults.  If you are traveling alone you can cut the cost in half.

Solo Total – 43.4 euros = $57.53

In addition, you can save money on lodging and get a bunk in an 8 person dorm for 13 euro a night.  Super cheap!  Don’t buy the Parisian scarf or other souvenirs and save even more money.  This means traveling Paris for $50 a day is easy to do.  In fact, I met an American traveling Paris for $25 USD a day.

How to travel Paris for $25 a day?

1. Self catering – communal meals prepared in hostel kitchens with other travelers you meet – then split the cost of the meal (most are $3 or $4 per person)
2. Sleeping in a multi person bunk room.  You might have to buy ear plugs for when the guy above you starts to snore, but it’s worth the money you save.
3. Don’t spend money on stupid stuff – the key chain of the Eiffel tower, the 5 euro crepe, and avoid all other Parisian impulse buys.
4. Go on the FREE day.  Museums and art galleries tend to have a regular FREE day.  The first Sunday of each month is the FREE museum day in Paris.
5. Walk or bike – Paris even has bikes you can rent and then drop off in a designated bike drop once you arrive at your destination.  These bikes are literally all around the city!
6. Be a smart and travel on the limited budget.  Take out the amount of cash you plan on spending each day.  Pay for your bed in the morning.  Then you have a realistic view of how much money you will want for food, and what you have left over as entertainment and play money.

It’s amazing to know that Paris can be traveled with very little money.  Really cheap if you want!

Instead, my backpack just hangs on a hook next to my CamelBak, which has gotten more use than my lonely backpack.  For those of you who are not familiar, a CamelBak is a small backpack that is worn as a hydration device.  They are great for adventure travel, hiking or combat, as individuals currently fighting in the war wear a CamelBak daily, while out on the field.

Needless to say with all of the recreation, our CamelBak has gotten loads of use here in Colorado, as it has been useful while hiking and exploring.  Even on Christmas day Justin and I hiked Horsetooth Rock, with an elevation gain of 1,500 feet.  We had beautiful views of the mountains and frozen arctic tundra abound!  It’s not traveling to a warm, exotic location, but hiking up a mountain is an adventure.

Our desire to travel and see the world has been pacified through small day and weekend trips.  Although, we are busy teaching during the week, our weekends offer freedom to play and explore.  We live a few blocks from Old Town Fort Collins.  This is a walkable downtown offers the typical urban findings with the small town intimacy.  Dozens of live music options each weekend, yoga, art galleries, cute shops, bars, and really any type of food you could imagine.  From pizza to sushi, along with multiple places to get homemade ice cream, gelato and even a variety of places to get a crepe.  It’s not Paris, but you can taste a bit of Parisian life by eating a Nutella crepe while walking down the sidewalk, looking at the mountains, instead of the Eiffel Tower.

The breweries here in Fort Collins, CO could make one feel as though they are permanently on a ‘Beer-cation’.  With New Belgium Brewery, Odell Brewing Co, Cooper Smith’s Brewing, and The Fort Collins Brewery all within one mile of our current home.  We especially love going on the New Belgium Brewery tour where you can try out the employee spiral slide instead of taking the stairs.  Check out the speed Andrea got as she spiraled out of control down the New Belgium slide.

I am assuming that this year of our life (May 2009-May 2010) will be the only time in our life that we will live within biking distance of so much great beer.  For those of you who love micro brews, Fort Collins, Colorado is an excellent place to live.  If you are planning to visit send us an email so we can catch up with you and a beer.

We really have no complaints this Twenty Ten.  Just lots to be grateful for.  We hope that you do too!  Whether you are sticking to your new years resolution or you can’t even remember it.  This year is a another great year to travel.

A few things to look forward to from Nomad Backpackers:

• A new series revealing how much money you need to backpack in specific cities
• Travel advice from other backpackers and travelers
• Stories from life, travel and the adventures of 2010

Continue to email us with travel advice and inquiries.  We love hearing from you whether you are out exploring the world or stuck in a cubicle during your lunch break.

Happy day twenty of Twenty Ten!!!

The most recent question was simply, “Where should we go next?”

The options were:

• Seattle, Washington
• Billings, Montana
• Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Salt Lake City, Utah

41% of people voted for Seattle!

I am really happy to be heading to Seattle.  Neither Justin or I have ever been to Seattle, or anywhere in the Pacific Northwest.  The best part of Seattle will be spending time with a good friend of ours.  We will be sure to share any local advice or insight Bryan has to offer.

We fly to Seattle in 3 weeks, and promise to write an article of our ‘Seattle, Washington Experience’.

Thanks again for voting and happy travels!

Please vote in our new You Choose poll.

A friend of mine, Rachelle just spent a year living in France.  She did not live in Paris.  In fact, she only went to Paris for two quick visits while living in France.  Now that is dedication to explore the rest of the country!

The following are interesting things to do and see in France.

16 things not in Paris:

• Monet’s Garden at Giverny – the lily pond is at it’s best late July through early August.
• Fontainebleau – a hunting lodge from the 12th century – NOTE:  it’s closed on Tuesdays.
• Chateau de Chenonceaux in the Loire Valley - they have vineyards and delicious wine!
• Belle-Ile-en-Mar – the largest of Brittany’s islands – travel by ferry from Quiberon and check out the lighthouse.
• Marais Poitevin – nicknamed ‘La Venise Verte’ – the Green Venice.
• The Aven-Armand Cave – the worlds tallest stalagmite – NOTE: the cave is closed in December.
• Les Gorges du Verdon – the largest gorge in Europe – people call it Europe’s Grand Canyon.
• Gorges du Tarn – Want to see another gorge?  This is one of France’s most beautiful gorges – ride in a glass-bottom boat.
• Mercantour National Park – best between June and October.  NOTE: This is a high altitude experience.
• Orange – an 8th Century theater created by Charlemagne where you can still see live theater.
• Avignon – a picturesque French city on the water – this is a thriving energetic city!
• Les Calanques – a series of long, narrow inlets, like mini fjords, cut into limestone cliffs along the Mediterranean coast.
• Arles – Medieval buildings, including a roman arena, similar to the colosseum in Rome – in the summer they have live races and bull fights in the arena.
• The Camargue – an area of marshland with wild horses and a rare bread of flamingos – best between March and October.
• Marseille – an exciting, colorful, cosmopolitan city that travelers often avoid.  I have to trust the recommendations of others for most of these places outside of Paris.  However, I have personally been to Marseille and it is a colorful, amazing place.  The TGV train now links to Paris, which allows Marseille to be accessed more easily from Paris.
• St-Tropez – the beach holiday destination for the rich and famous – not a budget destination!

Now you know about many other opportunities for adventure while visiting France.  However, a traveler must leave Paris to get in on any of the beautiful, intriguing places on the list.

Unless you plan on living in France for a year, as my friend just did, you probably won’t be able to do everything on the list.  You know yourself best!  Follow your instinct on what sounds the most interesting.

It is really easy to use google maps while planing your time in France.  Just make sure you set an alarm clock so you don’t miss your bus or train.  If you can find a group of backpackers, sometimes renting a car will save everyone in your group money.  I spent sometime driving in the south of France!  It isn’t too difficult, you just need to drive slow enough to read the French signs.  Don’t forget your French phrase book, some euros and your adventurous, flexible self.

Enjoy your next visit to France, and get out of Paris!

Where you live can help!

Living in Colorado helps the urge disappear. I play in the mountains!  I hike, climb and explore. It allows some of my travel hunger to melt away. But then I still started a count down on my dry erase board.  The academic school year has not yet began, and I find the Summer countdown at 10 months.  Only 10 months until SUMMER BREAK!!!

Dr. Seuss was right.  Summer 2010, oh the places I will go!

For now I need to suppress this “urge” for travel. The wonder lust that is boiling inside of me. I need to forget that I own a passport. I must long for the end of May, when I can brush the dust off my backpack and fill it with the contents for adventure. 

Pleasant Dreams!

Tonight, I will fall asleep with the world above me, literally.  Today, I posted the world map on my bedroom ceiling. Is this torturous? Should I have hung it somewhere else? NO! It is exactly where it needs to hang, so I may dream of future adventures.

And me. I am exactly where I need to be. I am in Fort Collins, Colorado ready for everyday adventure. Whether it is the mountains or the classroom. Teaching will be a new adventure unto itself. I can apply my new skills and knowledge to future travel opportunities! I can take my teaching skills to any country and offer my knowledge of the English language.  ESL instruction is something that I love. Through teaching English you can have the opportunity to live in a new country for a year or so.

Not Traveling? Life offers other adventures!

Overall, I do miss backpacking. However, I am so grateful for this time to explore a new profession. Especially, a profession as rewarding as teaching. I will have to be content in the classroom and recognize the world will always be there. When the time is right, I will make my next big escape and enjoy another long term travel adventure. Until then, I will savor Colorado and other nearby places.  In fact, the photo above of Justin, was taken at Horsetooth Reservoir only 5 minutes from our home.

Still have the urge? If all else fails…

I bought two guppies. They are my pet fish. Zsigmond (Hungarian) and Santiago (Chilean) are both males.  I’ve seen enough Discovery Channel to know that I don’t want to become the proud pet owner of guppy babies within a week of getting my new little pets.

My two fish are very likable and low maintenance. I can easily transport the little 1.5 gallon tank they live in (currently on my desk) to a friends house, if I need to travel anywhere, anytime soon.

If all else fails, break your travel urge by putting something living on your desk. A plant, a fish or whatever you use to help you break your travel urge.  It must have a certain level of maintenance that allows you to feel purpose where you are. A cactus is a bad example because you could still travel for a few weeks, leaving your cactus high and dry, and it will still be alive when you return. Instead, you need something that requires a bit of daily care. I do not suggest a dog. Leaving for long term travel becomes difficult if you have a dog, unless you are enthusiastic about traveling with your dog/s. Christine, from Almost Fearless often travels with her two large dogs.

Now that you know what to do with your travel urge, I wish you the best. I know it’s not easy. I often feel like a dog waging it’s tail at the world, salivating and trying not to pee on the carpet. Do you ever feel this way in life?

The coast along the Dingle Peninsula could not be more breathtaking.  It is best to drive to the Dingle Peninsula by car and savor the approach.  While some will even walk the Dingle Way, which is a great option for a clear day, that is not rainy.  These are rare in Ireland.  If you have a handful of days without rain while visiting Ireland, consider yourself one of the fortunate few.  However, the rain creates the gorgeous green color that sweeps most of Ireland.  

Highlights of visiting the Dingle Peninsula!

• early Christian monuments – includes a 12th Century Romanesque church with incredible stone carvings and even an Ogham stone.  Ogham is the Latin Alphabet made up of notches and lines to represent the 20 different letters.  
• Iron-Age fortifications – built to last, for defense (military stuff, guys love it, and I do too)
• Beehive huts – piles of loose stone built huts that have been standing for over 4,000 years
• Fungie the dolphin who has lived in the harbor since 1984 (the year I was born!)
• Blennerville Windmill – a great reminder of Ireland’s industrial history.  The hard working Irish!!!
• Gallerus Castle – access by guided tours only.  It’s a super old (15th Century) castle and you might be interested in paying for a guided tour.

Overall, the Dingle Peninsula has a lot to offer.  The rocky cliffs are something to enjoy, photograph, write a poem about, etc.  

Visiting the Dingle Peninsula is a great way to get out of the cities, while venturing to the edge of Ireland, imaging what life was like centuries ago.  It’s beautiful to consider the isolation the Irish could experience while living on this coastal Peninsula so long ago.  

Take a wild walk through history through visiting these ancient relics, monuments, and national land.

Sick of the old stuff?  

• Visit the Dingle Aquarium 
• Go shopping in the little village
• You are in Ireland, Guinness on tap is never too far away.  Get a beer!

Don’t worry about where to sleep.  With over a dozen hostels in Dingle alone, you can  Travel on a Shoestring.  

Paddy’s Place is a great hostel for hikers, as you are situated at the perfect place to wake up and stroll along the natural beauty of the Dingle Peninsula.  They have a bar and restaurant with pool tables, Internet access, laundry facilities, the kitchen to save money by making your own meals, and if you have rented a car, they have plenty of parking.

Know before your book your stay:

Whenever you see a price listed, followed by “pp” in Ireland.  The “pp” stands for “per person”.  This is good to keep in mind while booking hostels and other lodging in Ireland.  A B&B’s (Bed and Breakfast’s) may appear to be cheap, until you have to double that price the next morning and receive check out shock, and have to skip the beer at lunch to make up for your lost travel funds.

A traveler could reasonably spend 1-3 nights in Dingle and have enough time to see the Dingle Peninsula without becoming bored with the area.  Have fun in Dingle, with it’s funny name, but serious beauty!

Soon you may say, “I’ve done the Dingle Way.  Have you?”

Have you avoided traveling to Asia because it seems too foreign?  Are you apprehensive to visit a new place, where you don’t speak the same language?  If you have never considered traveling to Singapore, check out my top 5 reasons to visit Singapore.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Singapore

1. It’s green and clean.  Singapore is by far one of the greenest and cleanest places in Asia.  To cut down on air pollution, fees have been put in place for driving downtown.  Over 5% of the island is reserved for nature.  Littering is a crime.  You can even receive a fine for forgetting to flush in a public restroom.  In addition, it is a crime to spit on the sidewalk.  With all of these factors considered, you will find Singapore clean enough to eat the m&m that you dropped on the sidewalk.
2. Everyone speaks English.  This is something to treasure as many Asian languages are difficult to learn and utilize while traveling.  With an abundance of English speakers (and the national language of Singapore being English) you can ask locals for directions and advice on what to see or do.  What a perfect place to visit in Asia!  Check out Asia for the first time, without the language barrier.
3. It is safe.  Low car accidents.  Low theft and crimes.  Singapore is so safe, a woman could walk around alone at any time of the day or night and feel completely safe, anywhere.  Singapore is a great location for independent travel, as you never need to look over your shoulder and fear for your safety.  
4. Singapore supports the arts.  The arts and entertainment are found in abundance.  Sculptures, art shows, theater, music and dance.  The Esplanade alone has loads of theater and art.  It’s easy to find a broadway show, or an up and coming musician.  Whatever your entertainment tastes are, you should be able to find a quality live show to attend.  
5. Loads of shopping.  One of Singapore’s national pastimes is shopping.  You don’t have to enjoy clothing shopping to get in on the action.  I wondered through an entire 5 story mall devoted to electronics.  Everything from computers, to cell phones, to digital media and more.  Singapore is the place to find the perfect shopping spree for anyone, even non-shop-aholics.

These are only my “Top 5 Reasons to Visit Singapore”.  It is easy to find countless reasons why Singapore is such an attractive place to visit.  It’s clean, affordable, easy to navigate with clean and reliable transportation, friendly people, and so many different areas of the city to explore.  

Many things have changed over the past few decades, causing Singapore to become an easy and enjoyable place to visit.  

However, who knows how long Singapore will remain a travel treasure.  The government is currently running a campaign to “Have Children Now”.  The population is due to increase rapidly over the next several years.  Make your visit to Singapore a priority in the next year or two, and savor the beautiful place that Singapore has become.  

You too can wonder aimlessly in a mall of 100% electronics.  Singapore has something for everyone!