How many of you purchased a sewing machine while in lockdown? I got a sewing machine from my mom for my birthday, and have been sewing fun crafts ever since! These 12 Travel-Related Sewing Projects are a great way to prepare for your next travelventures. If you’re...
From once-in-a-century pandemics to day-to-day stresses, we all need a bit of self-care to disconnect and unwind. These 12 travel-themed self care ideas will let you relax and recharge your mind and soul. Self-care with a travel theme combines what we love with what...
The world is opening back up to travel, and it’s time to start travel planning! One of my favorite parts of travel is building anticipation before a trip even happens. I love travel planning because the world becomes your oyster, and if you can dream it, you can plan...
I managed to stay vegetarian and eat vegetarian or vegan dishes only while I was long-term traveling. Since being stuck at home, I’ve been reminiscing about the most delicious vegetarian dishes from around the world that I’ve had the privilege to enjoy. I found that...
If you’re like me, traveling anywhere international is still a pipe dream since the start of the pandemic. A mix of closed borders and a slow vaccine roll-out in Australia means I’ll be staying right here in Brisbane for the foreseeable future. So since...
When I decided I would start traveling long-term in 2017, the first big decision for me was which backpacking bag to buy. So many great brands are out there, making it really hard to choose just one! Because this bag would be my companion for the next several years, I...
Thailand is the perfect destination for first-time backpackers or beginner international travelers. These 120+ tips for visiting Thailand will help you make the most of your next trip to Thailand. Because of a long history of international tourism in Thailand, English...
Here are some unique travel gift ideas for your travel-loving friends and family for the holidays. After browsing the travel gift basics (power banks, packing cubes, etc etc), check out more unique travel gifts like yoga mat sandals or waterproof playing cards. You...
Getting ready for the holidays? Here’s a gift guide for the backpackers in your life! Whether you’re gift shopping for long-term backpackers or weekend warrior backpackers, this gift guide for backpackers will help you find the perfect, practical, travel...
Whether you’re preparing for your next vacation or for a long-term backpacking stunt, pay attention to what you pack in your hand luggage. A bad long-haul flight will definitely set the tone for your first day in a new place. A great flight, will boost your...
There’s no doubt that travel, especially inter-continental travel, has a large carbon footprint. The great thing about long-term backpacking however, is that you don’t need to feel ashamed for your lifestyle’s climate impact while on the ground....
Packing for a trek in Nepal or anywhere in the Himalayas is a daunting task. Your Nepal packing list should be robust but lightweight. Before you leave home, what should you pack for Nepal? When you arrive in Kathmandu, what should you buy? There are two objectives...
Are you visiting Japan in August, December, or March? With the Seishun 18 Kippu, for 11,850 yen, you can take unlimited local or rapid JR trains on five different days. That means you can get almost anywhere in Japan for only 2,370 yen! The Seishun 18 Kippu (which...
The Balkans are an extraordinary group of countries, located just a quick flight or bus ride away from popular Western European destinations. Because of their small size and connected history as former Yugoslavia (most of them, anyways) it’s easy to travel...
During my first year on the road I visited 24 countries on a backpacker’s budget. The countries varied from cheap and backpacker-friendly Southeast Asia, to expensive summer prices in Western Europe. If you’ve ever wondered how much it costs to spend time in different...
Trekking to Everest Base Camp (EBC) is a common bucket list item for trekkers and non-trekkers alike. When you’re planning a trip to the top of the world there are many things you should know before hiking Everest Base Camp from safety, packing lists, and...
During my first year on the road I visited 24 countries on a backpacker’s budget. The countries varied from cheap and backpacker-friendly Southeast Asia, to expensive summer prices in Western Europe. If you’ve ever wondered how much it costs to spend time...
One of the questions I get asked the most, both from other backpackers as well as friends from home is, “How are you funding your travels?” The answer is: my own savings.I worked and saved for 2 years and 4 months in Houston, Texas straight after graduating from...
I distinctly remember the last time I renewed my American passport in 2014. I was 20 years old, and in a rush to renew my passport so I could get a visa to India for over the summer. In the application, I consciously checked the box for the option to get a 27-page...
It’s been a year abroad now, and I have no idea how it went by so quickly. There’s so much about me that’s changed in 12 months on the road. “Change is the only constant” so they say, and it applies to a lot of my mindsets and beliefs, but also my...
ABOUT ME
Hi Everyone! I’m Erika van ‘t Veld, and I’ve been traveling around the globe since I quit my corporate America job in October, 2017. I hope to inspire others to travel by showing how cheap and easy it can be. You can read about my own experiences on my blog page too!
