Tag: Surprised

5 Things That Surprised Me Most About Traveling Solo In Latin America

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There are many misconceptions about traveling solo in Latin America.

I spent the better part of a year in Central and South America, and there were many things that surprised me about traveling solo in this part of the world.

I’ve traveled to 11 countries in Latin America, spending anywhere from a few days to a few months in each country.

Here are the most surprising things I discovered while traveling solo in Latin America:

1. It’s Safer Than You Might Expect

One of the biggest misconceptions about Latin America is that it’s extremely dangerous and you’d be crazy to travel there alone, especially as a female traveler.

But after traveling extensively throughout Central and South America, I can say that I’ve never once felt unsafe. I hardly ever experienced street harassment in Latin America like I did in places like Paris (where I used to live), Rome, or Athens.

Of course, you should still exercise caution while traveling in Latin America, and there are definitely certain areas to avoid. You should also be vigilant about common travel scams (which can happen anywhere in the world) but overall, Latin America is much safer than you might think.

2. It’s One Of The Most Diverse Regions In The World

Since most countries in Latin America have Spanish colonial history and speak Spanish as the primary language, you might think that the region is very homogenous.

But far from being a monolith, Latin America is actually one of the most diverse regions in the world. There is a rich history of indigenous culture that stretches from the Aztecs and Mayans in Central America to the Incans in South America (and many more.)

In Latin America, I’ve surfed in tropical beach destinations, explored historic colonial cities, discovered ancient ruins deep in the jungle and high in the mountains, hiked volcanoes, and experienced otherworldly desert landscapes.

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3. It’s Perfect For Solo Travelers

I’ve traveled extensively in Latin America and Europe by myself, and by far, I’ve found Latin America to be better for solo travelers.

The backpacker trails of Central and South America draw lots of long-term travelers, so it’s easier to meet people and make travel friends. There are lots of great hostels in Latin America too.

In most countries in Latin America, the tourism infrastructure is well-developed and it’s easy to organize activities and tours where you can also meet other travelers.

4. It’s Great For Digital Nomads

Latin America may not be the first region of the world you think of when it comes to digital nomad hotspots, but it’s actually one of the fastest-growing destinations for remote workers.

Both Central America and South America have tons of great cities that are perfect for digital nomads who want to enjoy a lower cost of living and still be in the same time zone as the United States.

Some of the best places for digital nomads in Latin America include Antigua, Guatemala, Quito, Ecuador, Medellin, Colombia, and Panama City, Panama.

5. It’s Very Helpful To Know Spanish

Finally, I was surprised by how much you really need to know Spanish in some parts of Latin America. I was lucky that I had studied Spanish for years in school, but I encountered many travelers who struggled because they didn’t speak a word of Spanish.

While you can get by not speaking any Spanish in popular tourist destinations, it’s really helpful to know at least the basics. It becomes even more useful if you plan to travel around Latin America long-term or go off the tourist trail.

I spent several months studying Spanish in Guatemala, which is a great way to learn Spanish quickly. It’s extremely popular, so there are dozens of Spanish schools to choose from in places like Antigua and Lake Atitlan, and it’s also very affordable.

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June 16, 2023
7 Things That Surprised Me Most About Traveling To This Unknown Beach Destination

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The Bulgarian coastline framing the west coast of the Black Sea is becoming more and more popular with tourists looking for an off-the-beaten-path European beach destination.

Many come because this area doesn’t see the crowds or high prices of other popular European beaches.

Although it sees millions of tourists from both within Bulgaria and abroad each summer, the Bulgarian coast is still relatively unknown to American tourists.

One section of nearly 80 miles of sandy beaches and resorts is referred to as the Bulgarian Riviera, and I was lucky enough to spend 2 months enjoying this area in the summer of 2022.

Here Are 7 Things That Surprised Me Most About My Time In The Bulgarian Riviera:

1. Bulgarian Hospitality

After being lucky enough to spend a long period of time traveling throughout most of the western Balkan states, I thought I was prepared for Bulgaria.

Despite my previous experience with that famous Balkan hospitality, I was still unprepared for the level of friendliness that I received from Bulgarians. It seemed that no matter what our interaction was or no matter their age or background, they were all very nice and welcoming.

I say this as an American who has traveled to many countries and has not always been greeted with the most welcoming of attitudes.

Overall Bulgarians treated me with nothing but kindness and warmth, especially so when you showed the slightest indication of willingness to partake in their traditional food and drinks!

2. The Beautiful Beaches

With the average summer season starting in late May and going until mid-October, the Bulgarian coast sees over 300 hours of sunshine in both July as well as August. The water is perfect for swimming with an average temperature of around 79 degrees Fahrenheit, with usually calm and mild waters near the shoreline.

Sunny Beach is considered one of the best beaches, but be aware it’s very commercialized and geared toward English tourists. That being said, the sand is soft and stretches forever, and their lifeguards watch the waters, so it does have its merits. Saxa Beach in Burgas and Town Beach In Sozopol are also good options if you don’t mind a crowd but want some good restaurants and other amenities.

For those times you are looking for a wild and natural environment, head to Boloata Beach in Kaliakra Cape, which is part of both a nature and archeological reserve. One of the few wild beaches left, Itakli Beach is a perfectly peaceful place to enjoy some alone time, so long as you don’t mind the occasional nudity; this is a natural beach, after all.

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3. Where Is Everyone?

Most of Bulgaria’s tourists come from Romania, Turkey, Germany, Russia, Greece, and Ukraine, a fact that’s not too surprising given these countries’ proximity.

However, you will see many British people here on holiday as well, thanks to low-cost airlines’ regular and cheap flights connecting the UK to Varna and Burgas.

One thing that you probably won’t see many of is Americans. In fact, I never met another American in my two months here, and many of the Bulgarians were a bit surprised when they found out I came from the States.

When I returned back home after my time in Bulgaria, I spoke so highly of it that I am sure I must have convinced some other Americans to check it out for themselves.

4. The History

Bulgaria itself has a long and fascinating history, and the Black Sea region is no exception. Towns such as Sozopol and Nessebar boast beautiful old towns and historical architecture, and cobblestone streets to explore.

The towns along the coast here were important as trading ports, and some date back to the Bronze Age. One fun fact that I learned while I was out wandering the streets of Nessebar (my personal favorite town along the coast), is that this UNESCO World Heritage town is very important to the history of money, as it’s one of the first places in the world to start making coins.

Ironic as I learned this while I was out spending way too much money at the many stalls and handicraft shops tucked away in the alleys.

5. Let’s Eat

Let’s just say this right off the bat, the Bulgarian food scene on the Black Sea coast might be one of my favorites that I have ever experienced. It’s the perfect blend of grilled meats, vegetables, and cheeses, with soups and stews, salads, and fresh seafood adding perfectly to the mix.

Rakia is the country’s favorite drink here, and if you have tried it, you know that it can be hit or miss in some countries. I have to say that Bulgarian Rakia is quite good, even more so when mixed as a Rakia sour.

Some of my favorite food memories of this region are eating plates of fried smelt while sitting in the sand with a cold beer or having the traditional Shopska salad of juicy Bulgarian tomatoes and cucumbers topped with white cheese. (just remember to guard your food against the relentless seagulls!)

6. Cheap or Not Cheap, Up To You

I have to be honest, when I decided to spend my summer on the Bulgarian coast on the Black Sea, I had read about how cheap this destination was over and over again. Ok, it CAN be cheap, yes, and it’s for sure a fraction of the price that an Italian or Greek beach destination is, but it’s also easy to splurge here.

The town we were based in is known as being one of the more expensive areas, and those who are looking for cheap and cheerful head over to Sunny Beach, where you can get an English breakfast and a pint of beer for under $5.

Of course, how much you spend is totally up to you, and while I did enjoy the frequent cheap and delicious street snacks, I was often tempted by the amazing waterfront or poolside restaurants with their cocktail specials, cozy bean bags, and world-class freshly caught seafood.

7. Have A Seat

Being from America, the idea of paying for beach lounges is still a tad foreign to me. Now, I have gotten used to this concept after spending a summer on the beaches of Albania, Montenegro, and Croatia, but it hit a bit differently in Bulgaria.

As our base was in the tourist town of Sveti Vlas, the clientele is a bit more upscale (aside from us of course), and the beach is mostly taken up by huge fancy beach clubs, offering everything from simple loungers to luxurious beach tents with beds and personal concierge.

On the very rare occasion, I did splurge for a seat, it was mere seconds after I sat down that someone came over looking to collect. I saved money by almost always just lying my towel in an empty bit of sand and never having to worry about theft or my personal space.

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June 13, 2023
I Spent 5 Months In This Trending Country And Here’s What Surprised Me The Most

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If you follow any travel blogs or read travel news, (and since you are here reading this, I will assume you do!) then you have undoubtedly read about Albania.

This small country located on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe has been gaining more and more attention recently for travelers looking for something different, affordable, and beautiful.

Digital nomads also love it, and for good reason.

I spent five months at the start of 2021 living in Albania, and I am one of those people who won’t shut up about it.

Despite having been to many more countries since then, whenever people ask, “what country has been your favorite” or “what country left the greatest impression,” the answer is always Albania.

Here Are Some Things That Surprised Me The Most About Albania:

If you get to Berat, ask for Lili (you’re welcome)

Keep The Promise

The first thing that surprised me the most about Albania was the people.

The people you will find in this country are some of the nicest, most helpful, and most welcoming that I have ever encountered in all my years of traveling and living abroad.

You might have heard people refer to “Balkan Hospitality,” and this is absolutely a thing. Balkan people might seem a bit rough around the edges, but this is just a bit of a hard exterior that some of them have built up over the years.

I can’t tell you the number of times we have interacted with some gruff older men whom we were a bit intimidated to approach at first but ended up drinking rakia around a table with their family by the end of the conversation.

In Albania, there is a term: BESA, which means to keep the promise.

This is more of a way of life here, and the people will go out of their way to help you and make you feel welcome, allowing them to be trustworthy and keeping the promise of peace.

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The town of Gjirokaster cannot be missed

For example: One time we took a public bus to another city and upon reaching the destination, the driver realized we were unsure where to go. He didn’t speak any English and was shouting at us and demanding my phone, scary right?

Upon taking my phone he called our guesthouse and figured out where it was, and then proceeded to basically hold our hands and escort us there, making sure we were ok.

We were literally speechless at how out of his way he went to help us. This is the Balkan hospitality that I am talking about. Name another country where this would happen, I’ll wait.

A Not-So-Secret Secret

It’s funny because most people I speak to about Albania have never heard of it, and it seems the only ones who do know are other travelers and digital nomads.

While it used to be a bit of a secret, Albania has been growing in popularity for many reasons.

After going viral on TikTok recently, Albania is not such a top-secret destination anymore. Yet, when we arrived in Albania in January 2021, we were surprised to see so many other ex-pats living here already.

When doing our research, we assumed it was relatively unknown, but it ended up being the one country where we made so many friends quickly as there was a pretty well-established community of ex-pats and locals here. So, if Albania was a secret before social media, it wasn’t a very well-kept one.

Note: many of those we met were Americans, as we can stay a year visa-free.

An Albanian couple helped us get in here when we showed up just at closing, so nice!

From Budget To Bougie

Albania is an affordable destination, this is absolutely true, and most travelers who come already know this.

I came to Albania knowing this and was still surprised at how little you can spend here and live comfortably.

My apartment in Saranda cost under $500 a month and had sea views and a pool, not to mention high-speed wifi and smart TVs. I have friends who pay under $300 a month for their apartment because they made some good local connections, so it can be done.

You can get a beer for under a dollar at most places, and food (aside from imported items) is very cheap as well.

However, one thing to understand is that you can also splurge in Albania, and some accommodations and restaurants can run you Western prices and then some.

Pro-tip: become regulars at some of the beach bars in the early days of the opening season (springtime) and be treated to a free bowl of fresh mussels every time and everywhere you go!

Enjoying free mussels on the beach in Saranda

In the end, it’s all about how you want to live, but do keep in mind that the Albanian Riviera gets costly as the summer season approaches, so make sure to understand any rental agreements beforehand.

Many people I know had their rent doubled in the summer, so this is something to work out before signing anything.

Beach Please

Ok, let’s talk about the beaches. Most people who come to Albania in the warmer months do so in search of the Albanian Riviera, and for good reason.

Albania has the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. The rocky shores make for crystal-clear water, and the sunsets are incredible.

Saranda has some decent smaller beaches around it you can enjoy, and of course, Ksamil is becoming more and more well-known as being as beautiful as the Caribbean.

@maldivosaur Best beaches in Albania part 1 #hot #holiday #beach #destination #travel #traveldestinations #albania ♬ Calm Down Andre Soueid – andresoueid

One thing to realize, though, is that while not nearly as crowded as other popular European destinations, many of Albania’s beaches are far from a secret come summer.

While stunning, I was so surprised that these places get crowded quickly, and prices start to creep up.

If you are really looking for a quiet place to escape, head north and seek out some smaller beach towns along the coast. Ask any local, and they will probably insist you join them and their family on a trip (seriously).

Bunkers Bunkers Everywhere

Postcard Perfect Views

I was, and continue to be surprised at just how beautiful Albania is. Everywhere you look, there will be a turquoise coast crashing below the cliffs, or mountains and gorges, rivers, and everything in between.

One thing that I could not believe was the crystal clear green-blue of the Vjosa river that runs from Greece across Albania and into the Adriatic Sea.

This river is so beautiful and important, in fact, that it has just become the first Wild River National Park in Europe.

If you are lucky enough to call Albania home for a while, you will likely be surprised to see how easy most of the country is to explore via public busses and, of course, by renting a car.

Yes Means No And No Means Yes

While English is widely spoken in Albania, the official language is Albanian, referred to as Shqip. When speaking Shqip, one thing to pay attention to is how people indicate yes and no.

Yes is Po, and No is Jo. Not too difficult, right?

Now comes the tricky part, Albanians indicate yes with a shake of the head, meaning they are saying Po and shaking their head, which looks and sounds like No to a foreigner.

@maptrekking how cute is this place?! #albania???????? #travelalbania #visitalbania #traveltiktok ♬ albania. – ssuzieed

When they mean no, they nod their head up and down and say Jo. Still with me?

If you think it’s a bit confusing to read, imagine living it. You would think it would get easier, and it did, but even after months, there were still many situations where this interaction caused some confusion.

Luckily, Albanians are understanding and patient with foreigners, so it’s all good.

I hope my experience leads you to book that ticket, bus, or even the ferry from Corfu, Greece to explore Albania and all it has to offer.

Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you about the Rakia strength, though!

But seriously, if you are looking for an interesting and unique place to explore, with wonderful people and fascinating culture… the answer is always Albania.

Thanks for all the memories Albania!

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April 20, 2023
Top 10 Weird Fines Travelers Keep Getting Surprised By

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Why You Need To Take Extra Care When Visiting These Popular Tourist Spots

Traveling should be a relatively carefree experience for us all. But unfortunately, the world’s most popular tourist spots don’t always operate in the same manner as the towns and cities we come from. From the ancient city of Rome to the English countryside, rules and laws vary drastically, turning what could seem like an innocent act into an expensive fine.

But before you get annoyed at what sometimes seems like heavy-handed rules, remember they’re almost all in place to help keep these places as wonderful as they always were or to make living there as comfortable as possible for the locals. Always check local laws before your trip and help keep them amazing.

Here are ten of the strangest fines out there!

Sitting Down In Venice

Venice made headlines this month after two, as the mayor called them “idiots,” power surfed through the city’s canals. While both men were justifiably fined, it’s doubtful that most of us would be doing something similar. What you may not know is that sitting in some places is against the rules.

In an effort to reduce crowding, sitting is banned in hotspots like St Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge. The city almost went even further by banning sitting anywhere on the ground within the city, punishable by a $580 fine! While the full city ban never came to fruition, the previous hotspot ban remains. And definitely don’t eat or drink while hanging out there.

Venice is easily one of the most strict cities in the world for tourists, mainly due to its fragile structure and history. You can also be fined there for going topless, feeding the pigeons, riding a bike, swimming in the canals, and littering. Most of those have hefty fines of over 300 euros.

Italy as a whole is packed with similar rules. Florence bans eating in public places at certain times while being in Roman fountains is also illegal.

Drinking in Public In Amsterdam

This is an important one. Americans often have a distorted view of Amsterdam. Its seemingly relaxed stance on recreational drugs and its famous red-light district lead many to believe the city is the perfect party town. In reality, the city and its residents view Amsterdam as a far more chilled-out city. All of those seemingly wild aspects of its legal system are actually heavily regulated, and you can be fined heavily for disrespecting them.

Drinking or being drunk in public is not tolerated, especially for tourists, and the same goes for recreational substances. That’s what the cafes are for. Even in the red-light district, taking pictures of the workers is illegal. It’s a fully regulated industry, and regardless of your personal view, it has to be respected as such.

Taking Sand or Rocks As Souvenirs From Many Places

While that empty beach you found in Greece may be held fondly in your memory, be careful about taking a physical souvenir. Beaches across the world, in places like Hawaii, Greece, Italy, and the UK, have protected status for an array of different reasons, and taking sand or rocks from them is a punishable offense.

One French couple found this out the hard way in Sardinia when they tried to take 88 lbs of sand back home. They were arrested and faced punishment as high as six years in prison and a $3000 fine. While their case was extreme in volume, taking even a small amount can get you a fine. As a rule of thumb, just don’t do it. Opt for a postcard instead.

Chewing Gum In Singapore (kind of)

While the city-state of Singapore has a multitude of strict rules that help keep its pristine appearance in place, the chewing gum ban is easily one of its best-known. It’s just one law brought in by the mastermind behind Singapore’s meteoric rise, Lee Kuan Yew, who believed heavily in tidiness and cleanliness. His goal was to create “a first-world oasis in a third-world region,” as it was at the time.

It didn’t take long for Singapore to go above and beyond most western nations in many aspects of daily life. Singapore functions like a well-oiled machine, and in Lee’s opinion, it started with tiny things like gum. While it’s technically not illegal to chew it, the sale of gum was banned, and importing or smuggling it into the country was punishable with thousands of dollars and even caning.

The reality is that the risk comes from the country’s steep littering ban, which gum is viewed as a particularly annoying type of, thanks to people’s tendency to stick it places. To avoid smuggling rules, tourists can only bring in two packs for individual use.

Using a phone while driving in the UK

This is less weird and more common sense, but it’s something Americans will get caught on and pay heavily for doing so. Despite there being laws in the States regarding phone use while driving, the general consensus is far more relaxed than elsewhere. Some states still don’t have outright bans, and some even allow texting at the wheel. It’s not uncommon to pass ten cars on the interstate and see seven drivers glancing down at their phones.

In the UK, however, phone use while driving is taboo. Police are extremely vigilant when enforcing the law and can pull a vehicle over if they suspect a phone may have been used in any manner. The penalties can be huge and are set to get even stricter this year. Thanks to strict enforcement, UK drivers as a whole are far more respectful of the rules.

So be careful if you grab a rental on your next trip. Leave the phone in your pocket. And maybe take the habit back to the states, where almost 400 thousand injuries occur every year thanks to texting and driving.

Swearing in Australia

Despite Aussie’s reputation for dropping some heavy swear words on a regular basis, it’s possible to land a fine and even jail time if you’re caught doing it in the wrong place. According to the law, offensive language can’t be used “near a public place or a school.” In some states, the maximum fine is $21,720, and community service or, worse, jail time could be tacked on.

Those punishments are extremely unlikely, but it’s possible because swearing can sometimes be classed as disorderly and violent behavior. That usually involves some kind of threatening behavior as opposed to a casual swear word at the park, but it still pays to be aware of your surroundings. If there are a lot of kids or families around, maybe dial it back just to stay on the safe side.

Hiking naked in Switzerland

While it might seem like a funny idea to grab a memorable photo at the top of a mountain in the Swiss Alps, it’s best to keep your kit on. The Swiss government doesn’t find it funny at all and will fine you $100 for doing so. One man back in 2011 tried to fight his ban but failed in court. The rise of social media has made it even easier to go after anyone who does so, so think again before doing so.

The law emerged after a group of German nudists took a hiking trip, much to the dismay of a local alpine village, who promptly voted to ban the act.

Running out of gas on the Autobahn

The Autobahn is one of the most famous motorways in the world, and many rent a car in Germany just to try out speed-limitless driving. However, thanks to the high speeds found on the road, stopping is illegal, whether you run out of gas or not.

That makes it super important to keep track of your gas-guzzling while here. Although the fine is only around $34, that’s money you could be spending on a few beers in Munich that night!

Wearing Camoflague in the Caribbean and other countries

While that wonderful pair of camo shorts (are they really, though?) might seem perfect for your next trip to the Caribbean, you might want to think again. Wearing camo is actually illegal in a number of countries, including Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Nigeria.

The reason for this is pretty simple – camo is reserved for the official military only. Some just want to mark the distinction between civilians, while others view it as a symbolic reminder of uprisings and that wearing it might encourage that again.

While you might not be fined, you’ll probably say goodbye to the offending piece. It’s not uncommon for them to get removed from checked bags too, so if your bag is late and you had camo in there, you know why.

Public displays of affection Dubai

This rule applies to many countries in the Middle East, but as Dubai is one of the most popular destinations in the world, it’s important to know that for all its modern trimmings, it’s still a drastically different place.

While significant progress has been made, evident in dropping the law regarding non-married couples living together, public displays of affection can still land you in trouble. While it’s not technically illegal, there are some grey areas that make it more complicated.

While hugging or holding hands can be acceptable, it cannot be construed in any way as sexual. What that means is a subjective opinion could impact your time there. If someone complains to the police that you were being sexual with another person, you could wind up in trouble. As a rule of thumb, avoid it where possible.

This article originally appeared on Travel Off Path. For the latest breaking news that will affect your next trip, please visit: Traveloffpath.com

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

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September 18, 2022