Forget Hotels and Hostels — Alternative ways to see the World
Traveling the world is great fun. It takes you out of your comfort zone, allows you to meet new people, see new things and experience exotic cultures that you might never have dreamed of experiencing. So, how should you see the world in a different way? Forget hotels and hostels, here is all you need to know.
Couchsurfing
If you want to get out there, meet new people and explore 200,000 cities across the world, then couchsurfing is for you. A very new way of cheap travelling, couchsurfing is when travelers spend a few nights at the home of local people for very little money.
In fact, the cost and premise of couchsurfing have made it very popular amongst young people, who can get an in-depth insight into the city that they’re staying in from their host.
Camping
Camping provides you with the opportunity to get up close and personal with nature. You can see the very of the country’s natural world.
There are lots of excellent camping destinations around the world to choose from, from a national park, like Yosemite in California or Torres del Paine in Patagonia, to small family-run campsites in the highlands of Scotland. You can sleep out under the stars and plan your next adventure by moonlight.
If you’ve never been camping before, start by doing so somewhere near your house, like a local campsite. This will give you a taste of what to expect on your trip.
set up the tent in Las Torres Camping in Torres del Paine
Private villas
While some people book hotels and hostels for their stay, private villas have become increasingly popular with travelers; especially young people travelling as a group or families with small children.
You can rent private villas in marvelous locations with companies like Villa Plus. This gives you much more freedom during your holiday. Many villas are self-catering and you can enjoy extra treats like a swimming pool or a garden freely.
Going on a cruise
Whether you sail the seven seas or opt for a simple boat trip somewhere exotic like the Amazon, travelling by boat is actually a very affordable way to see more of the world.
Depending on your interests, you can go on a river tour along some of Europe’s most famous rivers (I spent 2 weeks from Moscow to St. Petersburg), and stop at some of its most popular ports (spent a week around the Mediterranean sea on the MSC cruise), or go for a cruise lasting several days or even weeks around the Pacific. The only limit is your time and your budget, so where do you want to go?
Rachmaninov cruise around Russia
Road tripping
Now, when it comes to traveling, there is nothing cooler than going on a road trip with your friends. You can embark on a road trip anywhere in the world, from Route 66 in the USA to a journey along the roads in your home country. All you need is a car, a map and a sense of adventure.
You could also incorporate camping into your road trip, by taking a tent and opting to stay at campsites along the way, or check into a hotel or two. You could even couchsurf, if the host’s home has good parking. With road tripping, the possibilities are endless!
solosophie
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Great article; thanks for sharing :) Going on a cruise sounds so fun!
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Yes, cruises are way more fun than many people think :)
Kyle
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Hostels are wearing out on me … maybe these alternatives are the way forward on my next trip? Thanks for the suggestions!
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Let me know what you try, Kyle! I am no the biggest fan of hostels any more as I need my peace and quiet to work online :D