Indie Travel Podcast

iPhone, iPod touch or laptop? Are iPhones good for travel? And if they are what are the best iphone apps for travellers? Craig, Linda and Kev from Winging it Around the World talk tech in this episode of the Indie Travel Podcast. A laptop is not the best travel companion: it's big, heavy and valuable. You don't want to be worried about damage or theft while you're exploring the forests of South East Asia or the stormy streets of Iceland. You want to be connected but not burdened by the technology you travel with. Kev is about to set off on a round-the-world trip with his partner Lucy and they've decided to downsize to a iPod touch. At first they considered an iPhone, but data rates are expensive to start with and global roaming rates would bankrupt anyone. They've passed up the 3g connection and the GPS satellite navigation for the cheaper iPod Touch and its wifi internet connection. Both have a wide touchscreen and access to the iTunes application store. In his first podcast, Kev talks about his top ten applications for travellers and, here, we talk about the top three. Top iPhone apps for Travellers * Traverter * WorldNomads Language Packs * Rosyn Guides You can find Kev and Lucy at Winging it round the World or their podcast in iTunes. You can get a free subscription there and sign up for the Indie Travel Podcast on iTunes too. http://wingingitroundtheworld.com What do you think about travellers, laptops and smart phones? What iPhone applications would you recommend for Kev and Lucy as they set out on a round the world trip? Let us know in the comments. This episode of the Indie Travel Podcast is sponsored by WorldNomads.com

Going on a road trip is a great way to see a country - you cover a lot of ground and you come across things you'd find on an organised tour. It's an especially good way to see your own country inexpensively. Planning It's worth putting a bit of effort into planning, but don't overdo it. A lot of the fun of road trips is the spontaneity that's possible - if you plan every minute of every day, the holiday can turn into a chore. First choose a general direction and consider some of the places you might like to stop along the way. With a group of people, each nominate one thing you really want to do, and plan your direction around these few things. Travelling with a tent in the car opens up a lot of options when it comes to accommodation - you can pull into a holiday park, camp on a friend's lawn, or camp wild where it's legal. Plus you always have the option of checking into a hostel or motel if the weather is inclement. Have some information with you in the car as well - a map is essential, but a map with campsites or hostels marked on it is gold. We usually have a tourist guide to the region we're touring for some light bedtime reading as well. Tourist hotspots can be booked up if you're there at the wrong time, so having a few numbers to call before you arrive can save a lot of stress. Stocking up Yes, it's important to have snacks in the car, but think carefully about what you want to eat - avoid the big low that comes after a sugar high by eating sweets in moderation. A bag of local fruit is a good alternative to lollies - just make sure you have a rubbish bag handy for peelings and cores. To avoid arguments, it might be worth creating individual snack bags with equal amounts of different snacks in them - this tip is not just for travelling with kids! When choosing drinks, think about the sugar and caffeine content. You might want a pick-me-up, but do you want the several extra toilet breaks? Water and juice are usually good options for any trip - keep the coffee for the coffee break. On the road Who are you going to travel with? Three or four people is an ideal number in terms of budget - you can split on-road costs and it makes it cheaper for everyone. More than four in a regular car is too much of a squeeze - get a van or take two cars. Also be aware that the more people you have with you, the less you're likely to see. Make sure you see what you want to see and leave some space in your itinerary for spontaneous decisions. And most of all, have a good time!

While Lithuania might not be the first country one thinks of when travelling to Europe, its capital Vilnius is definitely worth a stop. It's the European capital of culture for 2009, and for good reason - Vilnius is packed with character. A long and turbulent history has resulted in an edgy, engaging city. Vilnius is a river city which can be considered in terms of the old town, Uzupis and the new business developments. Most of the old town was a Jewish ghetto during World War Two and it contains the town square plus many historical buildings and beautiful churches. Cathedral Square is a major landmark as is Gedeminas hill. Uzupis is a break-away republic within the capital itself; sit with a Baltic beer by the little river and watch all the artists and other denizens get together for a quiet drink themselves. Food in Vilnius, at least as we experienced it, was hearty, filling and basic: beef and potatoes feature heavily. Maybe we missed something, but years of war, occupation and want seems to have left Vilnius with a cuisine focussed on enjoying the simple things. Of course, the usual range of European- and Asian-style foods are available at restaurants throughout the city. If you like walking, you'll find the tourist-friendly areas of Vilnius to be quite accessible by foot. Wandering around the streets and squares is a great way to spend your day: you'll run into markets, little churches and strange combinations of modern and soviet-era design almost everywhere. Buses and trolley-buses create a low-cost network that runs through the city. Buying tickets from a newspaper kiosk will save you a little and also save you having to deal with the bus drivers; like everywhere they can be a bit scary if you meet the wrong one. Taxis are reasonably priced; like everywhere in the world, don't get into a taxi with a dodgy driver. At the start and end of the day traffic jams are common, even in such a small city, so walking is definitely advised then. The old town contains most of Vilnius's free attractions, and the Gate of Dawn is a good place to start. It's the last of the original town gates, and while it's plain from the outside, the inside is ornate and beautiful. In the old town, there's the Archcathedral Basilica, which contains a beautiful chapel of St Casimir. In the square outside the Cathedral, see if you can find the lucky wishing tile with the word "miracle" written on it in Lithuanian ("stebuklas"). Apparently if you stand on it, make a wish and turn around three times, your wish will come true. There are a lot of other beautiful churches to see, including St Ann's, and St Peter's and Paul's, and of course a visit to the Frank Zappa statue is a must, but the best free attraction is Uzupis - a breakaway republic within the city. Gediminas castle is a well-restored tower, and provides the best view of Vilnius, situated as it is on a hill behind Cathedral Square. You can walk up or take the funicular. The Lithuanian National Museum is also worth a visit, as is the Museum of Genocide Victims, located in the former KGB headquarters. 25km north of Vilnius is the "centre of Europe", and if you think that's worth the trip you should also see the rather overpriced European Park, which is full of sculptures by more than 70 artists. There's always something happening in Vilnius. There's a book fair in February, the huge Kaisiukas fair in March each year, and the Vilnius arts festival in June. August and September seem filled with celebrations, fireworks, concerts, raves and film festivals, and like most European cities, Vilnius has Christmas markets each year. Plus, basketball is the sport du jour, so if you're in Vilnius during the season, catch a basketball game and soak up the electric atmosphere.

Years ago, the concept of eco-tourism was little more than a dream in a hippie's eye. But the movement gained momentum, and has now passed through popularity and out the other side. Now, everyone wants to be seen to be green. But appearance isn't the same as genuinely good for the environment. Tour companies greenwash their tours so they seem eco-friendly when actually they are the same as they were last year, and consumers choose a “green holiday,” because it makes them feel better, not because it's something they believe in. People throw money at schemes promising to “offset your carbon footprint”, but don't investigate where that money is going, and airlines introduce such schemes to improve their image. There are a lot of ways to make your trip a bit more eco-friendly, which will not only help the environment, but will increase your enjoyment and the enjoyment of others with you or following you. It doesn't matter what sort of trip you're taking, there are some things you can do. Camping is a great way to interact with the local environment. It's cheap, it's easy, and there's often some fantastic views to be had just around the next corner. It isn't difficult to minimise your impact on the often unspoiled natural beauty of popular camping spots, just take your rubbish with you and don't light any fires – if you do light fires, use existing fire pits wherever possible and follow fire-safety procedures. Also, use biodegradable soap and go to the toilet away from water sources. If you're backpacking, you're sure to stay in a shared environment occasionally. You can make this environment more pleasant for all concerned by thinking about the others around you – don't just think about what's good for you, consider how others might like to live. Most people don't really enjoy having to wade through other people's belongings, or to see a random stranger's undies in the middle of the room. For hostel-dwellers, please don't spray on your cheap deodorant in the dorm room – some of these “scents” are almost toxic, and can frustrate the efforts of people trying to breathe. On a similar note, be quiet when you come in late at night, so others can enjoy an uninterrupted night's sleep. One of the biggest ways you can tread lightly in a hotel is to reduce the amount of laundry you create in terms of linen and towels requiring washing after you use them. So, stay longer. If you stay for one night, all your linen must be washed. But if you stay a little longer, they don't need to wash everything. Most hotels change the towels daily, but there's a growing movement against this policy. You'll often see a sign in the bathroom giving you the choice – if you want fresh towels, throw your old ones in the bath or shower, and if you're happy to reuse, hang your towel on the rack. It goes without saying that choosing the latter is the greener option. Tourism is often a large part of a nation's income, but with huge tour companies, sometimes as little as 10% of the money you spend stays in the country. Plus, it's cheaper to buy local. Or use Responsibletravel.com – they book the local tours for you. Or you could try a volunteer holiday – donate some of your time into improving the place you're visiting. There are a lot of options to choose from – teach English, work in an orphanage, or do farm work like WWOOF– Willing workers on organic farms. Make sure you buy your souvenirs from local market stalls, and not at the airport where you'll get charged triple the price and the producer will get even less of your money. Of course, feel free to give a donation to a carbon-offset scheme. But you might be better giving your donation to a local forest preservation group, who will keep you informed about the state of your personal source of air.

Paul Smith hails from Newcastle upon Tyne, England but he's hoping to get as far away from there as possible. He calculates the furthest landmass is tiny Campbell Island, south of New Zealand. It doesn't seem too difficult, but Paul is attempting to do this in 30 days. And he's "hitch-hiking" by only accepting offers of transport and accommodation from users of a social media site called Twitter. The rules are simple: *I can only accept offers of travel and accommodation on Twitter, from users who are following @twitchhiker This means if a Twitterer’s sister’s boyfriend’s father has a spare train ticket, I can’t use it; the help the person has to be a Twitter user, and they have to be able to directly action the offer of help. This may be too restrictive, but I want to draw on the support of the Twitter community, not to use Twitter as a search engine to find third party services. *I can’t make any plans further than three days in advance It’s entirely possible that before I begin this challenge, I could have my entire route pre-determined and that would be no fun at all. So unless an offer of transport or accommodation is made within 72 hours of it being applicable, I can’t accept it. Damn. * I can only spend money on food, drink and anything that might fit in my suitcase All travel and accommodation must be offered to me through Twitter. If I can’t, then I’m sleeping rough. *If there’s more than one offer on the table, I get to choose which I take. If there’s only one, I have to take it within 48 hours. I’m not entirely happy about this bit. If any part of this challenge is going to see me dead in a ditch or under a patio, it’s this part. * If I’m unable to find a way to move on from a location within 48 hours, the challenge is over and I go home. I hope my fellow Twitterers won’t let that happen. SOURCE: Twitchhiker.com Getting past the press We wanted to get past the press and talk with the twitchhiker himself. During the interview we discuss his motivation, the charity he's supporting and the trip itself. Click the play button at the top of this post to hear it, or subscribe in iTunes and download it for free. You can help the Twitchhiker by: Following him on twitter and offering transport and accommodation http://twitter.com/twitchhiker Making a donation to charity:water http://justgiving.com/twitchhiker Reading about his journey on Twichhiker.com http://twitchhiker.com You can also find us on twitter and plenty of other social media sites. http://indietravelpodcast.com/contact NOTE: The chance to speak with Paul came through at the last minute, after we had already recorded this week's show. So next week we'll also talk about some of the same things and, strangely, call it show 93. We know ... thanks in advance.

Besides its location, Perth has a lot going for it. It's friendly, hot, and has a huge range of events in summer, not to mention the many year-round free attractions. Layout The CBD is spread along the River Swan where you'll also find the Esplanade and Bell Tower complex. Like most cities in Australia, Perth spreads into surrounding suburbs which seem to continue forever. To the north of the CBD, you'll find the party and restaurant suburb Northbridge. Beyond that are the two cafe and fashion regions of Mt Lawley and Leederville. If there are no events happening, these areas are much more lively than the city centre. Accommodation We've been to review a few hostels around the city and those in the city suburbs seem to be nicer than those right in the middle of town. Three that caught our eye were Billabong Resort, Witch's Hat and Emperor's Crown. The word "hotel" on the side of a building is not a guarantee of accommodation. Throughout Australia, but particularly noticeable here, a hotel is actually a pub. There are also a lot of B&Bs to choose from, but make sure you look into transport options before you book one, as it might be far removed from the city centre. Chains like Hilton, Hyatt, Holiday Inn, Mercure all have 4.5 and 5 star hotels in Perth. Food Australia's food is based on its colonial British foundations but then spiced up by its closeness to Asia and the large Italian, Greek and other European communities. Perth is no different and a full variety of food can be found. Once again, the suburbs outdo the CBD with Northbridge, Leederville and, to a lesser extent, Mt Lawley serving great dishes in small, friendly restaurants. Han's cafe is somewhere to look out for: they have dozens of locations and serve good, cheap food from a variety of Asian countries. Or try Siena's for Italian fare. Perth's real glory isn't its food, it's the drink. Two micro-breweries are really top notch: Little Creatures, based in Fremantle, has a cafe that's perfect for Sunday brunch, and Feral Breweries in the Swan Valley is a worthwhile stop during a winery tour. If you are going wine-tasting, we recommend Houghtons for their gardens, Upper Reach for the quality and range of their wines, and Jane Brook for their service and fantastic gold-leaf wine. Transport Transport in Perth is constantly being upgraded, and the current system is mostly efficient and well-priced. The train network especially is great: the trains are clean, they run on time, and the price is fair. If only it was more extensive, it'd be perfect. Attractions - free There's a wealth of free things to do in Perth. Start with Kings Park – have a picnic or explore the gardens, which have plants from all over Australia. Take a walk along the banks of the Swan River and go shopping in the city malls or Harbourtown. Jump on the CAT buses for a free city tour, but jump off to visit the museum, the art gallery, and to hear the Swan Bells ring on the hour down by the jetty. Beachlovers will enjoy Cottesloe and Scarborough, and partygoers will find all they need in Northbridge. Plus you can go wine tasting in the Swan Valley, walking in the Perth Hills, or shopping at the Fremantle markets. Attractions - paid If you didn't find enough to do for free, never fear. The Perth mint should tide you over while you plan your trips slightly further afield. Within an hour, there's AQWA – the aquarium of WA; Penguin Island – a chance to see some cute penguins and lazy sealions; and Caversham Wildlife Park – a really good place to see Australian animals. Rottnest Island is a 90-minute ferry trip from the city, but well worth the journey. Attractions - seasonal Perth is also full of seasonal attractions. Summer is the best time for events and festivals, but there's usually something happening – check out www.perth.wa.gov.au for upcoming events. For further shownotes and other free guides please visit http://indietravelpodcast.com

Travel can be tough. Ever wondered what other people are ranting about? In this inteview Craig speaks with Darren Cronian of Travel Rants to find out what's going on the world of UK travel rights and consumer issues. They discuss: Darren's site and focus Short-term European travel from the UK Single supplements on travel packages Budget airlines and charges Changes to law regarding UK travel insurance Hot locations for UK travellers in 2009 We finish the interview by speaking about UK travel destinations outside of London. Darren suggests Leeds for a weekend city break with excellent shopping options. Nearby York is also popular with its historical elements. Both are just a short train journey from London, but book tickets in advance to avoid extortionate prices. Use either as a gateway city to head further north to Glasgow or Edinburgh. Scotland's largest city and its capital are both excellent places to explore.

The "best job in the world" or the "island reef job" is a position being offered by Tourism Queensland. The successful applicant will be flown to Australia and given the use of a three-bedroom house on the Whitsunday Islands. Over the next six months you will maintain a blog, work with photos, video and audio to share the offerings of the Great Barrier Reef with the world. For your trouble you'll take home AUD$150,000 -- about US$96,000. I think you can see why it's being touted as the best job in the world. Competition is tough though. As we publish this over 10,500 applications have been made by video upload to the official site. There's still sixteen days to go before the cut-off date. In this podcast we speak to Nicole McNaughton, the PR manager for the project. She talks us through the position and we squeeze some advice for potential applicants out of her. We want to wish our interviewees and you, our listeners, all the best with your application for the best job in the world. Good luck...and make sure you let us interview you when you're all big and famous! Visit http://indietravelpodcast.com for links and further notes.

Toiletries are one of the heaviest items you'll pack, and most of it is dead weight – you're carrying it, but you're not using it. Don't make the mistake of emptying your bathroom cupboard into your toiletry kit! There are quite a few ways to cut down on your toiletries, but the most important is to be ruthless; don't carry anything you don't use regularly. Buy a smaller toiletry bag to help you cut down and if you have a travel companion, don't double up – have your own toothbrush and disposable razor, but share everything else. Whatever you do, steer clear of electric items – they're bulky and you might have trouble finding an outlet. That means no hair straighteners, girls! Another bulky item is your towel – pick up a mini one at a camping store and you'll suddenly have a lot more space. In terms of actual items, don't bother with mini-sized items, but don't carry more than you'll use. A mini shampoo is great for a weekend away, but if you're planning long-term travel, a 200ml 2-in-1 shampoo is a great investment – it's got enough in it to last a few weeks, but won't take up too much space. Plus, you can use it for everything – hair, body and clothes. And don't forget the deodorant – a roll-on one will probably be smaller and last longer than a spray-on. And you won't smell out the hostel dorm room! So what do you actually pack in that toiletries kit of yours? *Toothbrush *Toothpaste *Dental floss (this is really handy for other uses as well – think minty-fresh string) *Camp Suds (or 2-in-1 shampoo) *Razor *Shaving gel *Comb *Roll-on deodorant *Hair ties (for girls – don't underestimate the value of a hairtie. Even for guys, a few rubber bands might come in handy) *Girls – enough sanitary equipment for your whole next period (but no more) *Any other essentials (contact lens solution, moisturiser) First Aid And what about your medical kit? It's important to have a first-aid kit with you on any sort of travel, but adapt it for the circumstances. A mountain biking expedition in the Andes is going to need different gear than a city-hopping bus trip. A general list then: *Any medicine you personally need – enough for the whole trip if possible. If not, research availability in the places you're going and take enough for the first month *Any medicine necessary for the destination e.g. malaria tablets *A few band-aids *Antiseptic cream *A sewing kit *Thick tape (for larger wounds or wrapping Christmas pressies) *Hand sanitizing gel *A small pack of tissues (to double as toilet paper if necessary) *A few cotton pads for wounds *One blister pack of ibuprofen (painkiller with anti-inflammatory properties) – don't take the extra-strong one with codeine as codeine is illegal in some countries (eg Greece) *Four anti-diarrhea tablets *One other item – we always have a few strepsils and eyedrops – maybe pack three or four of each of these items if they're something you use regularly but not often. *Condoms

Kuala Lumpur is a bustling international city and the capital of Malaysia. Sometimes described as "Asia lite" this is a great place to accustom yourself to the bustle of an Asian city and is a perfect jumping-off point to further explore South East Asia. With quite modern and efficient infrastucture, it's a city for everyone, but a particularly useful gateway for those feeling a little uneasy about haggling in markets and squat toilets. Layout KL is a sprawling mess and no brief description will really help. Pick up a map from the tourist information centres but be aware that the different maps you can get may be aligned differently. Accommodation The full range of accommodation is available in KL, from the Couchsurfing network, to hostels, to high-end hotels. It's worth investing in a room with air-conditioning, since the weather is uniformly hot and muggy. Food A huge range of food is available in KL – from street hawkers to five-star restaurants. Every major Asian cuisine is well represented and American fast-food and Australian coffee chains help give a reminder of home to Western tastebuds. Alcohol is relatively expensive, even in supermarkets, but the supermarkets are great for stocking up on drinks and breakfast foods. Eat out for lunch and dinner though – food courts and street stalls are cheaper than self-catering. Transport Public transport system is quite good, if sometimes a little infrequent. There's a network of buses, trains and a monorail, which all use different tickets – the best idea is to buy a ticket before each journey. If you're going to be there for a month or more you can get an integrated ticket, but there isn't one for daily or weekly use. Attractions – free In the city, the Petronas Towers are worth a visit. The Golden Triangle is the region for high-class shopping, and Chinatown and Little India boast tourist markets and ethnic restaurants. So head to Chow Kit for the local food markets, or the Central Market for high quality Malaysian souvenirs. An hour or so out of the city by bus are the impressive Batu Caves. There's an immense staircase leading to a cavernous cave at the top. Attractions – seasonal The Batu Caves are also the home of Thaipusam in Malaysia -- it's one of KL's best-known seasonal attractions. In January or February each year tens of thousands of tourists come to watch over a million Hindu devotees celebrate this ancient rite in KL. Chinese New Year is another big event for KL happening in late January through to mid-February each year. Unsurprisingly the celebrations centre around Petaling street and Chinatown. There are three massive shopping events each year; people fly in from all over the place in March, May and December. These massive sales were designed by the tourism industry to help KL boost its profile as an international shopping destination. And it sure works! Attractions – paid The Menara KL Tower is the place to go for high views of the city, but the Bukit Bintang forest at its base is also worth a visit; regular tours are given and there's the chance of seeing some amazing Malaysian wildlife right in the centre of town. The Aquaria KLCC is right next to the Petronas towers and is a huge complex with thousands of species of fish. Guidebooks * Lonely Planet Kuala Lumpur Melaka & Penang; * Lonely Planet Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei; * Lonely Planet South East Asia on a Shoestring. * DK Eyewitness Travel Guides Malaysia and Singapore * Rough Guide to Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei. Where to next? * Rest of Malaysia * Borneo * Singapore * South East Asia Something to note By law, visitors must carry their passports at all times. Spot checks may be carried out to deal with illegal immigrants. This is *very unlikely to happen to you but there have been some unfortunate instances when people have not been able to produce a passport immediately.

Europe is a great place to visit – there's a lot to see and it's easy to get around. If you travel to the UK, it's only a short hop across the channel to France, which is bordered by Germany. And Spain. And ... well, you get the idea. If you want to explore Europe, but you're not sure which visas you need, you should find all the answers in this episode. When travelling to Europe, you'll first need to check if you need a visa. If you live in the EU, you won't need a visa to travel within the EU or in most other countries in Europe. If you live anywhere else in the world, you might or might not need a visa. Visa waivers There are many places where you can get by without a visa, using the visa waiver programme. If this is the case — and we'll tell you when it is — you don't need anything but your passport. Although visa waivers exist, you may still be asked about your plans and be asked to provide proof of means or a return ticket at any border control. Border guards in Europe are generally friendly and professional, but remember they have the right to search your belongings, refuse you entry or even arrest you if they suspect something untoward. Dual citizenship If you or one of your parents were born in a country other than the one you have citizenship with, you can probably get a passport from that country. There's huge advantages to doing this, since you can choose which passport to travel on. If one country requires a visa for entry and the other doesn't, you can choose to travel on the passport that doesn't need a visa. However, there can be issues surrounding having dual nationality. You might have obligations or responsibilities in the second country that you don't know about - for example, if you're over 18 and a male Greek citizen, you should perform military service. Some countries deem it illegal to have two nationalities. Japan, for example - if you are Japanese and get a passport from a second country, you have effectively renounced your Japanese citizenship. However, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the UK and the US allow dual citizenship. Be aware that if you're American and you have a second passport, you must enter the US on your US passport. Nationals of about half the countries in the world can visit the UK for up to six months without a visa. This includes NZ, Australia, Canada, South Africa and the US, however citizens of some countries require one. Visit www.ukvisas.gov.uk to see if you need a visa and what sort. You cannot work if you enter the UK using the visa waiver programme. Shengen One of the factors that makes travel in Europe more doable is the existence of the Schengen zone – a group of countries that have agreed to share a common border. This means that if you can enter one Schengen country, you can enter them all. The Schengen zone is not the same thing as the European Union. Most countries in the Schengen zone are also in the EU, but the UK and Ireland are EU members but not Schengen, and Iceland and Norway are Schengen but not EU. And Switzerland isn't a member of the EU either, despite its very central location, but has recently joined the Schengen zone – it's implementing changes at the moment. Other countries have expressed an interest in joining the zone, so this list is subject to change. Work and travel visas If you want to explore Europe long-term and don't have the cash to pay for two years of travel, a work and travel (or work and holiday) visa might be what you're after. They're usually valid for one or two years, and you can work for up to half of that time (i.e. six months or a year). There are lots of options around, but make sure you check the small print before you apply. Remember that countries change their immigration policies often, so use this information as a guide only. Check with your embassy for up-to-date visa information. A lot of this information came from Craig's ebook, Travelling Europe, which is available from http://indietravelguides.com.

The credit crunch is causing many people to tighten their belts and cut back on non-essentials. It may seem to follow that we should all be travelling less in 2009. However, an economic downturn can be one of the best times to travel. When the economy is bad at home, living or travelling in a cheaper country might actually be a way to save money. If there aren't as many jobs to go around in your city, find one in a completely different part of the world; have a fantastic experience and escape the moans and groans of the financial analysts. If you don't want to work away, now's a good time to be a tourist too - since more people are cutting back on travel, many tourist hot-spots are experiencing a drop in visitor numbers. There are less tourists around, which means there are bargains to be had if you're brave enough to ignore the nay-sayers. Travel is possible on almost any budget, and in any economic climate, but you need to prepare if it's going to happen; now's the time to start planning your 2009 travel itinerary. Set goals, make a schedule, and sort out a budget to start the ball rolling. Goal setting First, dream. Think about what you'd like to do and where you'd like to go. Write everything down, and don't worry if it isn't realistic. Some of the things you write will have to be scheduled for another year, but many will be possible now. Next, plan a trip away for every month of the year, using the dreams you've just written down as a starting point. Plan at least one longer journey, but in the other months a trip away could be as simple as an overnight at Grandma's or a camping trip with friends. Going home for Christmas counts too. Sleep away at least once every thirty days, and if you're worried about accommodation costs, try couchsurfing. Join the network and you can stay on couches all around the world for free. Not only do you get free accommodation, but you'll be staying with someone who lives in the area you've landed in, and who will probably be more than happy to advise you about what to see and do. These mini-trips are easy to plan, mostly involving pulling out a map or checking a bus timetable. But plan at least one longer trip as well - it could be as short as a week or as long as the whole year. Either way, longer trips require more consideration and planning. You'll need to think about transport, accommodation and budget, as well as smaller details like insurance and vaccinations. Set goals and then create steps for reaching each goal. ....See more at http://indietravelpodcast.com

This week brings in the new year and we're glad to welcome Sasha Zahn from Yankee in New World as our guest podcaster. Sasha tells us all about internet telephone services (VOIP) for travellers. During her sojourn in Hungary she's tried all the major players and here outlines the pros and cons of each one.Skype.com Upsides:Lots of different services.Subscription payment plans are available outside the US.A Skype In number allows people to call your computer from any normal phone. Skype Out allows you to call from your computer to any normal phone.You can forward calls to the landline, in case you miss it, but not recommended if you aren't staying in your own home/hotel room. Downsides: Call quality can be very spotty - you've heard how bad it can be sometimes.You need to have a microphone and speakers or buy a headset or Skype phone.You are yoked to the computer.There's no web-based interface. You must download the programme for each computer you use.Free Call Upsides: Sound quality is better than Skype.Much cheaper to have longer conversations, say if you were calling home.Phone2Phone service - Using the program you DL, can type in the landline number of you where you are staying, and the phone # u wish to call, and your landline will ring. Downsides: If you let your 90 free days expire, then standard rates apply, not the 5 cent rate.If the other person isn't there, 5 cents is charged anyway, but it is not a big loss, as getting through to voicemail on a Skype Out phone call is about the same. My friend said that sometimes she feels like they charged her for more calls, but I have never had that issue. I think they were trying to call UK mobiles, which can use a lot of credit.Jajah.com With Jajah, there is no program to download. Simply go to Jajah.com site, and sign up for an account. Upsides: Two methods of calling: by web interface or on the phone. Available without downloading a program, in case you are on a shared or public computerYou can check rates for the country you are dialing from/ to here: http://www.jajah.com/prices/ Downsides: Prices tend to be higher than Skype/ Freecall You must check prices individually; calling to or from different places has different rates.Rebtel.com My favorite VOIP service. Like Freecall, can use your regular phone; like JaJah, it's all web based -- there's no program to download. Rebtel works like JaJah phone - by assigning local numbers to international ones. Upsides: You use credit like with the other programs - and it will charge you by the minuteYou can call your friend with the local number then have them call you back on the number that displays. You can talk for FREE! Don't Hang up, though: just let them hang up and call u back. This trick only works for certain countries.Great sound quality.One of the cheapest ways to call cell phones.Automatically how much it will cost per minute. Downsides: Um...No voicemail or extra services. Conclusion For anyone with a business, I would recommend Skype. For those who want land lines only and slightly cheaper prices, Free Call. For travelers, JaJah. For expats, and travelers alike, Rebtel.

A lot of travel goes on around Christmas and New Year's - people head home to spend time with family, or meet friends somewhere in their own country. But Christmas is also a great time to experience the wider world. So, why travel at Christmas? Visit family far far away Most people have family living abroad - what better time to catch up with them than at Christmas? Or perhaps you're the person far far away - you could arrange to meet your family in some random location for a family Christmas you'll never forget. Get away from family By the same token, most of us have spent many, many Christmases at home, having the same arguments and eating the same overcooked turkey (or other, culturally appropriate meal). Give yourself a year off the treadmill and do something completely different. See the Christmas markets and nativity scenes If you're wondering where to head, Europe is a good starting place. Many cities have Christmas markets (I like the ones in Vienna and Prague), and others celebrate by building nativity scenes everywhere (Malta is especially prone to this). Or just choose a location and find out when you get there how Christmas is celebrated. Get some sun You might have noticed, if you live in the Northern Hemisphere, that Christmas is usually quite cold. But it doesn't have to be. Christmas means summer in the Southern Hemisphere, and beach barbecues and picnics are normal Christmas meals. You know you need some Vitamin D - so head to Australia and New Zealand with a suitcase full of shorts. Experience a completely different Christmas If at all possible, join a local family somewhere overseas. They'll know all the Christmas traditions and will probably be more than happy to teach you all about them. One of our most memorable Christmases was Christmas 2007, spent in Wustrow, Germany, with an ex-student and her non-English-speaking family. We were adopted for a week, showered with gifts and plied with traditional German Christmas food. It was amazing. If you can't get in with a family, celebrate with old or new friends - get a group of expats together for a meal or travel with your best mates. Skip Christmas altogether Sometimes Christmas can be a bit much. If you're feeling a bit Scroogey, it's easier to avoid Christmas if you're not constantly surrounded by it. Head to Asia - you can find some celebration if you look for it, but it's a lot more low-key.

Clothes make up a fair percentage of the things in your backpack. If you take too many clothes, you end up with a heavy bag or no room for other essentials, and if you take too few clothes - well, let's not go there. It's important to consider what clothes you need. You'll be surprised, you don't need as much as you might think, and you certainly don't need to take your whole wardrobe. We took 20-litre daybags for a week in Greece and wondered what other travellers (on the same one-week package) had in their two huge suitcases. This list should cover you for any eventuality. We've been travelling for almost three years carrying basically these items, and we don't need much else.  What to bring 1. Five pairs of undies (and a couple of bras, girls). 2. Four or five pairs of socks. Good quality ones, you'll be walking a lot. 3. Sneakers or hiking shoes. 4. Flip-flops. 5. Lightweight nice shoes (optional). 6. Three or four t-shirts. 7. A nicer t-shirt or top. 8. Two pairs of trousers, preferably non-wrinkle, zip-off. Not jeans! 9. Shorts or a skirt for the beach. 10. Thermal underwear if going somewhere cold. Merino wool is good and black is always a good colour – you might be able to use your thermal top as an outer layer. 11. Two thin long-sleeve tops 12. A heavier jumper (but not very heavy or bulky). 13. A rainjacket 14. Hat, gloves and scarf if heading into winter anywhere. 15. A sarong can be handy for girls and guys – as beachwear, for heading to the shower cin or as a spare sheet. 16. A sun hat. EXTRA TIPS 1. Think about where you're going, and when. Investigate temperatures and pack for temperatures more extreme than what you discover. 2. Pack layers. You keep warmer and have more options if you can layer up.. 3. Make sure all your items match – choose a colour scheme and stick to it. 4. Add extras as necessary. Buy country-specific clothes in that country. 5. Remember, you don't need to pack everything in your wardrobe. Pack light and you won't regret it. You can buy things along the road, in fact you'll need to because things wear out quite quickly when you wear it every day or two days. 6. Category pack: have a small bag for undies, one for winter gear (that can be pushed to the bottom of your back in summer), one for summer gear and one for work/party stuff. It'll be easier to find things and the things you're not using will be out of the way. 7. It's quite a good idea to take some old stuff with you when you travel. Wear it a couple of times then chuck it and buy something new. You'll probably want a souvenir of your travels anyway, and clothes can be a great way to do it. Sure it'll wear out, but it'll be in all the photos! 8. Don't take anything that needs ironing! If possible, hand-wash your clothes before you go and see how quickly they dry. If you're thinking about taking jeans, this experiment should dissuade you. 9. Cotton undies tend to breathe well – get thin ones that pack small. GIFT LISTS Christmas is drawing ever closer so let's have a quick roundup of travel gift guides that have surfaced online. - Our own - Travellious has four different guides for: travellers, backpackers, first time travellers and urban travellers - Nerd's eye view - Go green travel PASSPORTS WITH PURPOSE Passports with Purpose is a fund raiser for Heifer Intl, organised by four travel bloggers from Seattle, USA. Buy a US$10 raffle ticket and enter the prize draw.