At this point, I’ve spent about eight months of the last two years living in hostels and have definitely seen the good, the bad, and the ugly side of hostel life. If you’re planning your first trip, here’s what to look out for in order to pick a hostel and have a good experience:

Pay attention to the hostel’s ‘ambience’ and ‘safety’ ratings.

The vibe of the hostel is important, especially when you’re traveling on your own. Try to look for places with nice common areas or bars, so you have a space to meet other travelers. Hostels that organize group events or have community breakfasts or dinners are great because it’s a built-in way to meet other people and create a group of people to go out adventuring with.

If you can, try to avoid properties that are half hostel, half hotel. These places cater more to families and business travelers, and the vibe is much different than that of a property that caters specifically to the young, backpacker crowd. These places are typically much less social, which can make for a lonely stay if there aren’t any people around for you to mingle with.

Also, this is pretty self-explanatory, but check out the safety ratings. This will cover things like whether the property is located in a good part of town, whether there’s a secure place to lock your belongings inside your room, if the keys and locks work, or if the building and surrounding area well-lit, or whether there are people hanging around the property who aren’t guests of the hostel, etc.

Pick a hostel that is close to the attractions and has a 24-hour reception.

If you know you’re going to want to go out at night, look for a place closer to the city’s nightlife so you don’t have to travel as far in the dark in the event that you end up having to be out alone. You can minimize your time spent on public transit doing so, and you won’t have to take as many cabs (so you can avoid being ripped off) and you won’t have as far to walk if that’s something you’re concerned about. Obviously, use your judgement and take the same precautions you would at home, and you’ll be fine.

24-hour reception is important if you know you’ll be arriving late. You don’t want to show up after the reception has closed and not be able to check in. Also, if there’s an emergency and you need something in the middle of the night, the hostel reception is going to be your first point of contact because they know the area and how to get you the services that you need (like pointing you to the hospital where you’re more likely to find English-speaking doctors at 4am).

Female-only dorms (maybe).

I have mixed feelings about staying in female dorms because I’ve had good and bad experiences with both (big surprise: people suck regardless of gender). You never know who you’re going to get as roommates, and my good experiences have by far outweighed the bad. The only difference is that so far, I haven’t (yet, thankfully) been fearful for my safety in a female dorm. I have two big pieces of advice on this one:

1. Read the reviews carefully.

If the reviews give you a sense that the hostel only really cares about their bottom line and just wants to fill beds, it might not be somewhere you want to stay, for a variety of reasons, but if it’s the only option available, you may want to consider booking a female-only dorm. You might just end up in a 12-bed dorm with an 11-person stag party, who stumbled back in at 4am and didn’t realize that they do not actually have the room to themselves (first the obnoxious drunkenness, then the snoring, yikes). Needless to say, I dragged my blanket downstairs to sleep in the bar, checked out as soon as I could, and left the property a delightful review for 1. letting that happen to me in the first place, and 2. not informing me or giving me another choice of room.

2. Pay attention to whether or not you’ll be traveling in peak season.

If there’s an issue with your roommates, the hostel will likely let you change rooms if they have the space available, although they might charge you a fee (worth it for the peace of mind if you’re the only woman in the room with some creeper neighbors). If it’s fully booked, you might be out of luck (hopefully they’ll help sort you out but it’s possible they may not).

Read the reviews, but use your judgment.

You can generally get a good sense of the place from what previous guests have written, and how many people have left reviews. Keep in mind that the quality of reviews may vary from place to place, so always take them with a grain of salt. For example, a lot of people who don’t typically stay in hostels travel to places like Amsterdam to party, but then complain about things like the fact that a 200-year old building doesn’t have an elevator and you had to walk up four flights of stairs with a heavy suitcase.

If you’re traveling solo, I’d always advocate for staying in hostels, because they’re great for so many reasons. If it’s your first time and you’re nervous, just be careful and deliberate with when you pick a hostel and, above all, use your best judgment and you’ll be sure to end up having a wonderful trip (or at the very least come out with a lot of interesting stories).

Suggested next reading: Why I Travel Alone (And Why You Should Too)

The post How To Pick A Hostel Like A Solo Female Traveler Expert appeared first on Modern Trekker.

I had always wanted to travel to the Islamic countries, but—to be completely honest—my mental association between Muslims and terrorist attacks didn’t encourage me at all. However, after a short visit to the Arab Emirates, I decided to set aside my assumptions about other Islamic countries too.

Morocco had a good reputation as a tourist country and seemed a safe choice for a woman traveling by herself. I was still afraid and felt uncertain when I started my journey, but I was prepared mentally and had backup plans, which made me feel more comfortable.

Here are my top 11 tips for female solo travel to Morocco. I hope you will find them useful and that my own experience here will show you how to travel as a woman in Morocco.

1. Plan The First Days In Advance

Venturing without plans into the unknown of a foreign country might be a great challenge and a good way to boost your self-confidence—if this is what you’re hoping to get out of travel—but you will have plenty of time to do that and be more flexible after you first get used to the local customs and atmosphere.

Travelers especially enjoy Morocco for the cultural shock they have to face and for the different traditions they’re not used to. During the first days in Morocco, you won’t understand what’s happening around you, so it’s better to plan the first few days of your itinerary beforehand.

When I landed in the city of Fes, a taxi driver waited for me at the airport and drove me directly to the accommodation that I had booked beforehand. This way, I avoided unpleasant incidents at the beginning of my trip and allowed enough time to adapt to the new Moroccan lifestyle.

2. Ask For Advice From The Local Women

The local women will admire your courage to venture by yourself to a new country. Many of them have never traveled, so their traveling experiences are a bit different than ours (in fact, many of them will have gone on a pilgrimage to Mecca at some point in their lives).

Despite this difference, they will be sincerely willing to help and assist you in any problem you might have.

Ask the local woman how to stay safe in their country. Before I left Fes, the town where I had landed several days before, I asked the landlady of my guesthouse if there were places I should avoid because of the fact I was doing female solo travel to Morocco and, obviously, wanted to remain safe.

She said that I was safe in Morocco and that I could go anywhere—I felt such a sense of relief at that moment.

3. Go With An Official Guide In The Desert

Obviously, you cannot go by yourself everywhere (for example, a camel desert trek!) Search for local trips, always negotiate the price or book a trip on the internet.

For more information, you can read the article I have written about everything you should know about desert tours in Morocco.

When I went to the desert, I used a local guide, and out of the huge range of travel companies, I preferred the one recommended to me by a friend. I had the pleasant surprise to discover a humorous, good-hearted Berber, who knew each sand dune of the desert like the back of his hand.

4. Book A Riad (But Read The Reviews Beforehand)

When you book accommodation on the internet, carefully read the reviews from other travelers (e.g. on Booking.com, TripAdvisor or Google Maps) before completing a reservation.

Remember to not miss the local accommodation called riad or dar. The term designates a traditional palace or a house, elaborately decorated with zelij (local colorful mosaics), with a spacious patio, and in most cases, with a rooftop terrace from where you can have terrific views of the surroundings.

5. Stay Only With Local Women Hosts

If you plan to find local hosts on internet platforms (i.e. Couchsurfing, BeWelcome, or even Airbnb, etc.), you should only send requests to women hosts who have positive references from other guests.

VERY IMPORTANT: male hosts have been known in the past to have had sex with women visitors, so it is very important to remember that you are in a country where this subject is viewed differently. So stay only with local women hosts!

Finding the right hosts on internet platforms was a long process for me. I sent all my requests before arriving in Morocco, got several answers back, and had more time to enjoy myself when I arrived instead of searching for ‘safe’ hosts.

6. Wear A Wedding Ring

This one is already a cliché but I will still mention it because it is very useful for female solo travel to Morocco.

When men ask you if you are alone, be quick to mention ‘your husband’ and show them your ‘wedding ring.’ Even if they don’t really believe you, they will still most likely be too concerned about where your husband is and so won’t focus on you. If a man seemed too interested in me or just stared at me, it was enough to make my wedding ring visible.

In the worst-case scenario, a man insistently approached me when I stopped the car at the traffic lights. I had to be a bit aggressive and mention the police. After that, he disappeared right away. Everybody understands the word “police.”

7. Dress Modestly

In the bigger towns like Marrakesh, Casablanca, and Rabat, you will see women wearing jeans and no scarves covering their heads. However, I didn’t see women wearing shorts or mini skirts, so if you do that, realize that everybody will have a good reason to look at you.

In the more religious towns and in the countryside, women wear long overcoats and cotton headscarves even when outside in over 40℃ / 104°F heat. They hide every aspect of their female figure and they will also hide their face if you take pictures of them. Make sure to respect their culture and religion.

8. Avoid Walking Alone At Night

Don’t go out by yourself at night, especially if your accommodation is situated in a medina (the old part of town) where the winding narrow streets create a real labyrinth.

I always planned to come back ‘home’ before dusk and simply enjoyed my evenings talking with other guests, planning my next days or just thinking about what a beautiful day I’d had.

Like solo travel elsewhere, female solo travel to Morocco comes with a few compromises.

9. Do Not Drink Alcohol In Public

Avoid drinking alcohol in public places unless you are at the restaurant of your hotel where they serve alcoholic drinks for tourists.

For all the Muslims, alcohol is prohibited, and most of them respect this rule very strictly. You won’t find alcohol in the local shops and eateries, so you’ll experience what life is like without this ‘magic liquid.’

During my six-week trip through Morocco, I didn’t drink alcohol at all. I discovered I can have even more fun without drinking beer or wine.

10. Be Aware Of Fake Guides

In the medinas (the old part of the towns), you will often hear young boys pointing to you in the direction that you’re heading while saying, “It’s closed. Don’t go there.” In actual fact, nobody has closed the medina, but the local people know that the Moroccan medinas have a maze of winding, narrow streets where a visitor can easily get lost (even with a GPS).

This is their chance to be your local guide in exchange for a little money.

During my first days in Morocco, I was fooled by some fake guides and had to follow them to ‘save’ me out of the medina. In the evening, my landlord confirmed to me they were just taking advantage of confused visitors and taught me how to turn them down, saying “La, la, shokran” (No, no, thank you).

11. Negotiate Everything You Buy

Negotiate everything, especially all the prices in the medinas (old towns) and souqs (covered markets). Moroccans have a long history and experience in trading goods.

Usually, the prices are not displayed so it is better to ask in several places and figure out what the average price might be. Nobody will push you to buy something but keep in mind that bidding while sipping a glass of mint tea is part of the selling process in Morocco.

If you haven’t traveled there yet, female solo travel to Morocco is a safe and realistic option. In fact, it’s possible you could even start here to gain experience traveling solo. After visiting Morocco on my own for six weeks, I became more confident in myself and many other solo trips soon followed. Nothing is as bad as it seems.

Suggested next reading: 8 Top Sights In Morocco That’ll Make You Want To Visit ASAP

The post 11 Super Important Tips For People Who Are Traveling Solo To Morocco appeared first on Modern Trekker.

If you love nature, hiking, taking photos, and spontaneous road tripping amongst various and unreal landscapes, then Iceland is perfect for your dream vacay. You’ve likely seen some #icelandroadtrip breathtaking pics on the interwebs, but nothing compares to seeing Iceland’s nature in person. You need to touch it, smell it, drive it, and hike it all for yourself!

Be it solo travel, with friends, or with that random stranger you meet while buying discounted booze at the duty-free shop in the airport, an Iceland road trip will offer an ultimate adventure to remember!

I was fortunate enough to venture solo on an Iceland road trip. I didn’t have much planned besides driving around and winging it. It was a breeze to run into random sights and go to places I had read about all while jamming to 90’s CDs in my cute little blue car. When the sun finally dipped down for a few hours each evening, I snoozed in campground parking lots to refresh myself for the following day’s adventures. It was perfect!

But looking for things to do? Here are 7 reasons to hop out of your car during your Iceland road trip:

1. Walk around Reykjavik

Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city, will remind you of a 500 piece puzzle you put together at your grandmother’s house as a child. It is an adorable picturesque town where one-third of the 330,000 Icelandic residents live. It’s a perfect place to relax and wander about for a couple of days as you put together the final touches on your Iceland road trip itinerary.

You’ll find the small town of Reykjavik easy to navigate. Even if you don’t stay in the city center, it’s easy to get around by foot or pop into your car for a quick drive.

One of the first things you should do upon arrival is sign up for the free walking tour to learn a bit about Iceland’s history and culture. This tour will be guided by a vibrant local whose name will have too many syllables to remember. Make sure to ask your guide about Icelandic name culture! The tour is also a great way to meet other travelers and snag a new friend who wants to join in and split the cost of fuel on your Iceland road trip.

You can also head into the gorgeous glass convention center on the water, go for a pricey brew—because you deserve one—at one of the many pubs, and pop into a tourist office if you need any last minute advice for your Iceland road trip.

2. Save $$ and camp

With many campgrounds speckled around Iceland, it’s a breeze to find a place to sleep. You will find camping to be very efficient and affordable compared to snagging a dorm bed or guesthouse.

In Reykjavik you can either rent a tent, camper van, or sleep in your car. Camping across Iceland makes it easy to decide on the spot where you want to get your beauty rest or scout out the northern lights. Although the weather can be unpredictable, camping is a common way for road trippers to see the country. If weather conditions worry you, opt for a camper van rather than a tent to make sure you have a comfortable experience.

Depending on if you are in a national park or not will determine the cost of camping. I stayed for both free and very low prices while sleeping in my car with an extra warm sleeping bag.

3. Bathe in the many hot springs

The natural pools around Iceland, which will warm you up amongst the chilly weather, are perfect for any season. Iceland, being a bit of a colder vacay destination, makes sure to keep everyone happy by offering beautiful warm pools.

Less than an hour from Reykjavik is the famous Blue Lagoon. It’s worth a look if you’re ok with paying loads of cash and getting the same selfies everyone else already has. Not to say you shouldn’t go; but there are many more options that are actually affordable or free!

Seljavallalaug Pool is located in the south amongst a gorgeous backdrop of mountains. Although it can get busy, it’s a perfect place to relax, soak in the tubs, and wonder if this entire trip is all real life.

Reykjadalur hot springs take you on a mild hour-long hike up into a hillside valley. The hike may take longer as you’ll want to snap pics the whole way. Once you make it to the river, you’ll see pop up decks and changing areas and be able to soak in the mountains.

As we can go on for pages and pages raving about Iceland’s hot springs, you’ll have to check out the best ones for yourself! With over 250 geothermal areas across the country, you’ll have to go out of your way to not stumble upon a few of them.

4. Go hiking

What better way to see the beauty of Iceland by foot? Although your cozy car will give you stellar views, you will need to get out and stretch every now and then. Beware the weather and pack layers!

Whether you’re in areas just off of the ring road such as Skaftafell National Park, weaving your way up through Fjaðrárgljúfur, or completely lost in nature near Westfjords Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, you can find a hike right up your alley. You don’t have to be a pro hiker to enjoy Iceland’s nature by foot.

But make sure to pack correctly, leave no trace, and to get out of the car every now and then to truly immerse yourself into nature.

My favorite hike in Iceland was during a late afternoon near the southern town of Vik. If you look just north of the city, you see towering plateaus and a church on the hillside. Behind the church is a trail that extends vertically onto what seems to be the top of the mountain.

I was interested in seeing where it would take me. I ended up traversing the cliff sides as the sun was setting. There was not a soul in sight for the duration of my five-hour hike.

I spied on the town below and the views from the top were mindblowing. The sea to the south and neverending valleys and glaciers to the north. The serenity and peacefulness on that hike was a feeling that everyone needs to experience while traveling.

5. Snap some photos of the waterfalls

As you’re driving, you’ll be gazing at the hillsides and see waterfalls every few minutes. “Look there! Look there!” You’ll catch yourself saying out loud. Iceland promises gorgeous waterfalls all over the country. In fact, more than 10,000 waterfalls drip from the high mountains—you can’t miss them.

It’s definitely worth stepping out of your car and take advantage of that photo op. There is no selfie shame while in Iceland!

While some of those amazing waterfalls, like Gullfoss, Skogafoss, and Seljalandsfoss are busy with tons of tourists year round, you can also find many others along your trip that are worth a look.

6. Picnic at the beaches

You may not be sunbathing amongst the warm seas, but that doesn’t mean you should pass up Iceland’s beaches. With summer weather peaking at a possible high of 70 degrees (25°C), you may get just a teeny glimpse of possible swimwear weather. However, the array of the unique nature of the beaches makes them perfect for visiting even in the winter. Beaches in the tropics don’t compare to the unique beaches in Iceland.

The Black Sand beach near Vik has columns of basalt rock formations. Diamond Beach and Jokulsarlon are both Insta-worthy. There’s also the remote Red Sands beach in the Westfjords that will not be overrun with partying tourists. Regardless of your itinerary, beaches will be with you the whole way.

“But I really wanted to surf!” Guess what; you can! Surfing the crisp waters surrounding Iceland may not be everyone’s dream, but if you’ve got the chance, go for it!

7. To top off your Iceland road trip: binge on hot dogs

Iceland is not well known for its delectable cuisine. Honestly, the most efficient way to stay fueled during your Iceland road trip is to BYO-stuff. If you can load up your bag with granola bars, trail mix, dried fruit, and snacks, you’re set. The food in Iceland is fairly expensive.

If you are on a budget, you should stop at the mini stops where you will fuel up and chomp on Icelandic hot dogs. “Wait what?!” You ask. Well, Iceland’s hot dogs are a thing! Everyone loves them and can afford to buy them. Those cheap, free-range, grass-fed, organic, lamb-meat, delicious hot dogs will sustain you throughout your Iceland road trip.

“Will those sustain you for breakfast, lunch, AND dinner?” you ask. Welp, worked for me! Now give it a shot.

Pack your hiking boots, swimsuit, and jacket because it’s time to book that ticket for your ultimate Iceland road trip! The drive alone will offer various dashboard views of glaciers, sunsets, fjords, and greenery you’ve never seen before. You can read all about it and scroll all of the pics online, but it truly is worth visiting in person and taking it in yourself.

The country is easily accessible if you have a car or are brave enough to hitchhike. It’s safe, fun, friendly, relaxing, and great for those who need some adventure.

Suggested next reading: 10 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Going To Iceland

The post 7 Ways To Make Your Iceland Road Trip A Truly Magical Experience appeared first on Modern Trekker.

The northern lights are a phenomenon visible only during the winter every year and this show occurs when particles from the sun crash into particles in our atmosphere, giving off energy as colored light. They are unpredictable and can be easily missed.

If you want to see this stunning spectacle this year or next, here are 15 things you need to consider when planning a trip to see the northern lights.

1. Timing

It is incredibly important to time your trip right if you plan to see the northern lights, and there are certain times of the year where the lights won’t show up like they do in others.

The winter season from November to February has to be the best time to see Aurora Borealis because the nights are much longer. This gives you more time to see the lights dancing in the sky before the sun comes up.

Despite common belief, coldness has nothing to do with seeing the Aurora Borealis. People only suggest winter because that is when it is darker longer.

2. Choose The Right Countries

Deciding where to see the northern lights could be a make or break decision in successfully seeing them. This is because some locations are better than others for seeing the northern lights. Some simply have more dramatic light displays while also being in areas where they happen more frequently.

These best places include Iceland (e.g.  Reykjavik), Greenland (e.g. Kangerlussuaq), Russia (e.g. Murmansk), Norway (e.g. Tromsø), Finland (e.g. Rovaniemi), Sweden (e.g. Abisko), Alaska (e.g. Elim), and many parts of Canada (e.g. Yellowknife, Northern Saskatchewan, Torngat Mountains National Park, etc.)

More on this topic here.

3. Check The Forecast

Like other activities such as surfing, there is a northern lights forecast available which predicts how active the northern lights will be each and every day. Before you head out it is a good idea for you to have a look at this forecast to see if you will be in for a good show or not.

Ideally, you will want the number on the scale to be Kp=3 or higher for the best chance of a great light show when the sun goes down.

4. Stay Around 5 Days

If you really want to see the northern lights, it’d be a good idea to stay in the area for around 5 days to increase your chances of seeing them.

Often the northern lights will appear for up to 3 nights in a row and then not show for a number of days, thus staying around 5 days increases your chances of seeing them in case you happen to arrive on an off-day.

5. Plan For Winter

Because the northern lights are much more visible during the winter months of the year, it is important to take the time to plan your trip and be ready for the cold weather.

It is always a good idea to check the sunrise and sunset times if you are planning a self-drive tour of the lights because driving at night in a snowy country can be pretty dangerous.

6. Self-drive?

One of the decisions you will want to make for yourself when you choose to go and see the northern lights is whether you will find a dedicated Northern Lights tour operator to join for the trip, or if you will instead simply drive yourself to the spot where you think you’ll be able to see the lights best.

It is totally a matter of personal preference and you can always think of different ways to make the most of your own northern lights trip. Of course, if you do choose a tour guide they will know the best spot to see the lights, but it is still up to you if you would rather go it alone.

If you do choose a northern lights tour, Bubble Tour and Blue Lagoon can be a good place to stay.

7. Book Ahead Of Time

If you’re traveling with someone else, then you’ll want to make sure that you get the best chance to see the northern lights together by booking your stay ahead of time.

It is always super important for you to take the time to book your holiday ahead since it will allow you to take more time to prepare for the trip, as well as ensure that you can save yourself some money on the tickets.

8. Check The Weather

The weather when you are about to go away will have a massive impact on the trip you have and your ability to see the northern lights. It stands to reason that if the sky is covered in cloud or it is raining that you won’t be able to see the lights very well, if at all, and this can be a huge annoyance.

Try to pick a day which will be clear and this will give you the best opportunity to enjoy the lights in all of their glory.

9. Expect Different Colors

The northern lights can appear in a spectrum of colors, including grays. Which means that if there are clouds in the sky, it may be hard to spot the lights if they show up as gray.

Although green is the common color, don’t be surprised to see a few others too. Now you know what to look out for!

10. Face North

Ok, so you’re already in the northern part of the world, so why bother facing north? Can’t the lights just start anywhere if you’re already north? Not necessarily.

You’re more likely to see the northern lights if you’re facing north. So, since you’ve already traveled a long way north to get there, why not just face north too?

11. Bring Snacks, Lots Of Snacks

The day will be long for you if you decide to take a walking tour of the lights through the mountains. Because of this, it is super important for you to bring along some food and some drinks to keep you healthy and energized for the hike.

When you set off for a hike you can always think about something which is high in sugar such as a Kendal mint cake or something which has a lot of protein such as a nutbar. Also, make sure you drink water in small increments to keep you hydrated but to stop you needing the restroom every few minutes.

12. Layer Up

The day and nights are going to be incredibly cold for you when you head off for your trip, and because of this, you’ll need to make sure that you bring lots of layers with you for the trip. It is a good idea for you to visit an outdoor clothing store to gather up things such as sturdy boots and socks, thermal under layers and thick pants and coats for the walk.

Don’t forget to bring items to cover your eyes and face because it can get pretty freezing in these northern countries.

13. Prepare For Walking

It is always a good idea to get away from light pollution when seeing the northern lights, and so you may need to trek a few miles away from cities to best see them.

If you haven’t walked for a while and you want to go and see the northern lights, it’d be best to practice a little bit before going. Walking in your local area and in the mountains in your own home country is a good way to get used to the idea of walking and to build up your stamina a little too.

14. Take A Camera

This one should be a no-brainer when planning a trip to see the northern lights, but don’t forget to bring a camera and a tripod! You’ll want to capture and treasure this sight forever.

Be sure to set your camera to long exposure capture to take the best shots.

15. Go For The Destination As Well As The Lights

The northern lights can be unpredictable, sometimes the aurora forecast can be at a Kp=4, but you’ll still not see anything. Moreover, sometimes you won’t even see the northern lights at all. If you were to just plan a trip to see the northern lights and that was all, this would be a huge disappointment!

To lower the potential disappointment factor, make sure the country you’re visiting to see the lights is also one you’re interested in.

Without sounding too pessimistic, plan a bulletproof holiday itinerary that doesn’t include seeing the northern lights so that, if the worst were to happen, you’d still have a good time and wouldn’t feel too short-changed.

If you’re in the middle of planning a trip to see the northern lights, we hope these 15 tips were helpful for you. Let us know how you get on and share more tips below!

Suggested next reading: 6 Best Places In The World To See The Northern Lights

The post 15 Expert Tips For Planning A Trip To See The Northern Lights appeared first on Modern Trekker.

However, when packing your bags, you don’t think of what you might do to prepare for the beauty you encounter, perhaps aside from bringing a camera or notebook with you. But you must prepare for something you hope never happens, and that’s become in proximity to danger.

Of course, we’re not talking about anything outlandish, such as walking into a warzone territory or having to save the world from an evil genius (but if you do that, more power to you.)

No, it’s the practical, daily realities of world travel that we most need for personal safety while traveling. Doing so can give you the tools to enjoy your best travels, and to make the memories you most wish to curate. For that and more, please read these 11 safety tips for travelers.

1. Medication

Of course, heading abroad can be a stressful time, but one that’s worthwhile if you have everything you need close to hand. Aside from food and water, there’s arguably nothing more important than bringing along your necessary medication with you.

Depending on where you’re going, you might need a range of vaccines in order to immunize yourself against certain issues taking root in the country you hope to visit. This should be taken care of ahead of time.

It’s also essential to bring with you medication that you might hope you never need, or medication to help you through a problem you might contract. For example, malaria tablets could be one of these important items, because contracting it is likely not on your bucket list.

Remember to bring secure compartments filled with the items you might need, such as blood pressure tablets, insulin injections, and simple painkillers. Also, bring with you a humble first aid kit, because you never know when this being at the bottom of your bag could potentially save a life.

Medication matters, and it can help you to no small degree. Make use of your planning, or be sure to carry odds and ends matched by whoever you’re traveling with. And as always, be sure to consult with your doctor before you leave to go abroad.

2. Safety & Funds

It is essential when traveling to another country to keep hold of your money. Travelers cheques can help you convert your money correctly when you head to another country, as they are in your name and can be only redeemed by you even if stolen.

Protective pouches with hidden zips in your bag or belt can help you hide a decent amount of money if anything is stolen from you, helping you out if your belongings are stolen. Also, bringing a fake wallet with you including some old cards you don’t need and a paltry sum of money can help you if you are mugged or pickpocketed abroad.

Another option is using a banking app such as Revolut to store your money wirelessly, giving you access to your bank account, and also providing the best exchange rates on the fly. Not only if this safer (since the card that comes with these apps can be frozen from your phone if lost), but it’ll also save you money because of better exchange rates.

Of course, it’s unhappy to be wary of everyone in a country you hope to enjoy, but sometimes tourists can be targeted for their lack of carefulness, and you should hope to do everything you can to avoid being one of their number.

3. Groups & Street Smarts

While solo travel might have a certain allure to it, it isn’t the wisest option for someone not well versed in a particular region, or perhaps not as traveled as they like to think.

Heading with someone or a group you trust can help you stick together, explore places with the protection of numbers, and ensure that anyone looking to victimize tourists are discouraged by your group looking out for one another.

Also, learning a little fragment of the street smarts in a location can help you avoid issues as they might arise. For example, learning where the areas of poverty are might help you avoid them, or perhaps if a street is known for some kind of gang activity, you might wish to avoid that area too.

You can learn this information from online resources, or from asking the locals depending on where you are. An information tourist board might also help you learn some of this information.

4. Inspecting

Now and then, just give your body a once-over. Make sure nothing has been slipped in your bag, that you’ve had anything taken from you, or that you’ve lost your map. Simply keeping aware of yourself can be the most important thing to keep in check when abroad.

5. Share Your Details With Those You Trust

Don’t leave to go on holiday without first giving your loved ones a detailed itinerary of where you’re going, what you’ll be doing, and your contact details such as phone number, email address, and other social media profiles.

Ask them to contact you every other day or so to ensure you’re still ok. If you don’t reply within a certain number of days, let them know beforehand what they can do to alert the right people and authorities.

6. If You’re Traveling Alone, Don’t Tell People

If you’re traveling alone try to refrain from telling people that you are traveling alone. Seriously, even if they seem trustworthy, it’s better just not to risk it. Talk to people who travel solo and this is often one of their top holiday travel safety tips.

7. Blend In

Dress modestly and appropriately, wear a wedding ring (especially if you’re a single woman), try wearing clothes the locals wear, do a bit of research beforehand on your destination so that, in short, by the time you get there, you’ll know how now to stand out so much!

I know some of these safety tips for travelers may seem a bit paranoid, but they will actually go some way in helping you to immerse yourself in the culture. You’ll enjoy yourself even more this way!

8. Smile!

Probably one of the easiest tips on how to stay safe on holiday, it is so important that you smile! Looking anxious, worried, or nervous might actually attract the wrong sort of attention.

If you’re confident and relaxed you’ll give off the impression that you’ve been there before, and not phased by your surroundings.

9. Learn The Language Basics

Another essential international travel safety tip is to learn how to say the basics of the language including phrases such as, “No thank you”, “my friend/husband is just around the corner” and “I will call the police”, and any other essential phrases that might ward off any unwanted attention, or diffuse awkward situations.

10. Make A List Of Emergency Contact Details

Write down the number of the local police and other emergency services in the country you’re traveling to. Check out your local embassy if you have any concerns or want some more advice on good emergency contacts to be aware of.

11. Download Maps Offline Beforehand

Such as important tip on how to stay safe while traveling alone. 200 years ago this advice would have been, “don’t forget to bring your maps and compass”. These days, however, you are able to download maps to your phone which can be used offline.

That way, once you get to your target country, your phone can direct you whenever you get lost, no data will be used on your phone since you’ll be able to use your maps offline. Also, make sure to bring a power pack in your rucksack that can charge your phone up in case your phone battery dies.

Of course, this article makes travel abroad sound like a battlefield. It isn’t. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry, and we hope these safety tips for traveling abroad will help you know how to stay safe on holiday.

Have any other safety tips for travelers that have worked for you that you’d like to share with our readers? Please comment below!

Suggested next reading: 10 Smart Tips To Stay Safe When Traveling Alone

The post 11 Essential Safety Tips For Travelers You Need To Know appeared first on Modern Trekker.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Trans Mongolian Railway, and what you can do to make the journey as pleasant as possible!

Choose Your Train:

Passenger Trains

Passenger trains are the basic kind, slightly cheaper but slightly older and definitely not as comfortable.

My Chinese train from Irkutsk to Ulan Bator to Beijing was one of these; the bunks were solid, the carriage was old, the toilets were dirty with no toilet roll, you couldn’t buy snacks or water and the only plugs were in the hallway and didn’t work, but it is good enough and is sometimes your only option!

Firmenny Trains

Firmenny trains are slightly more expensive, but they will be a much more pleasant experience for longer journeys.

Your carriage attendant will do a good job at keeping the toilets clean and stocked, they can offer snacks and drinks, sometimes you’ll get fed, you’ll find plugs to charge your phone by each bunk and the carriages are generally newer and well looked after.

Choose Your Class:

First Class

First class is very expensive, but you get two single beds in a room. It’s perfect for couples with a bigger budget, or you can sometimes choose female-only compartments for women going solo.

Second Class

Second class means four bunks in a compartment and is significantly cheaper. Just remember, you can’t choose your bunkmates so you might be stuck with some weirdos, but it’s good for couples or groups, you can also sometimes choose female-only compartments.

You have a choice of the bottom bunk which doubles up as a sofa, you’ll be sharing this with your bunkmate during the day, but you have access to the table, plus storage under your bed. Top bunk is also great, room enough to sit up and a little bit of storage for your personal items.

Third Class

Third class is an open carriage with 52 bunks, like being in a big dorm room, and it’s the cheapest. Although there is no privacy, it’s also more sociable and fun to people watch, a great option for male or female solo travelers.

Third class bunks are like second class without the privacy, plus the extra “lateral” bunks running along the side of the carriage. The bottom lateral bunk turns into a table and two chairs, so you’re sharing it with your bunkmate during the day, but if there’s no one above you it’s all yours.

The top lateral bunk has to be the worst, it’s as cramped as the others (you can’t sit up in third class top bunks) but less private because you’re basically lying in the corridor, and you’re at the mercy of your bunkmate because if they want to make their bed, you’re stuck in yours.

Note for solo travelers: I’d recommend either the top or bottom bunk in second class, or the bottom lateral bunk in third class.

Seating

Seating is an option on some trains, I wouldn’t choose this for an overnight journey but it’s comfy and spacious and perfect for shorter trips. The seats recline, some carriages have a toilet, and even TV’s playing old school Russian movies.

Trans Mongolian Railway Tips:

Book Tickets Online

If you wait until you get to Russia and try to book at the stations, you might struggle to find a decent bed or it could even be sold out. You can use an agent like Real Russia, but they charge a high commission. I recommend downloading the Russian Railways app, once you’ve signed up you can easily view and book tickets online.

Note: you can’t book tickets between countries online, so you’ll need to either pay an agency to do it for you, or do it at the train station when you arrive.

Always Download The Ticket

Once you’ve booked through the app make sure you download the ticket because it disappears from the app once the train departs and they might check it again before you leave the station.

Check Out The Route

When booking the ticket you can see the route, plus the length of each stop. Screenshot this, keep your phone on Moscow time and you can plan which stops are long enough to get off and stretch your legs, but don’t wander too far, and take your valuables with you. It’s also listed in the carriage.

Wear Comfy Clothes

You’ll spend most of the time sitting around and watching the world go by. I saw one guy spend two days on the train (including sleeping) in jeans. No thanks. Be as comfy as possible.

Bring A Change Of Clothes

After even a day, you’ll start to feel a bit grimy. Have a comfy outfit to wear during the day, and something even comfier to change into at night. Don’t forget clean underwear!

Bring A Pair Of Flipflops Or Slippers

You aren’t really allowed to walk around in bare feet, and you wouldn’t want to. I bought a pair of slippers (I forgot to pack my flipflops) for $2 and it was a very good investment!

Bring Something To Keep You Busy

Sometimes you’ll find yourself too busy socializing to get anything else done, or staring out the window at the scenery, but sometimes the train can be really boring.

Pack a Kindle, a journal, coloring books, download movies onto your phone, or even bring your laptop… But don’t expect any power unless you’re on a Russian Firmenny train, make sure you bring a power bank!

Bring Something To Help You Sleep

Whether it’s earplugs to block out the snoring, a sleep mask to block out the lights, or green tea and a hot water bottle, do what you gotta do.

Pack A Small Toiletries Bag

Wet wipes will be your best friend. You could also bring dry shampoo, or perfume to hide the smell of cheesy feet. Don’t forget your toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant!

Pack Some Food

Although there’s a restaurant car, it’s expensive and limited. You can hop off and buy food on the station platform at the longer stops, or from your carriage attendant, but it’s not a great choice.

You want food that doesn’t need refrigerating or can be cooked just with hot water. A big part of the experience is sharing food with your bunkmates, so bring a little extra!

Most people eat noodles for every meal but you can get creative. Bread, salted butter, jam, honey or spread (I brought Marmite from home), cheese slices or hard cheese, cured meat, noodles, cuppa soup, instant mash, fruit, crisps, biscuits, crackers, chocolate, the list goes on.

I would also recommend bringing some sort of container to cook and store food in, I bought a large plastic soup cup with a lid and handle and it’s been a lifesaver! Some cutlery is also essential.

Bring Some Water

While there is an unlimited supply of boiling water on board, there is no safe drinking water. I brought a two-liter bottle and my own one-liter bottle, you can buy small bottles from the carriage attendant or larger bottles for cheaper on the station platform whenever you stop.

Have you ridden the Trans Mongolian Railway? Share any tips you have in the comments below!

You can also follow the adventure on Facebook and Instagram!

Suggested next reading: Train Travel In Myanmar: What I Wish I’d Known

The post How To Survive On The Trans Mongolian Railway appeared first on Modern Trekker.

Sometimes called the “Venice of the North”, you can spend your days wandering along canals lined with baroque and neoclassical palaces and exploring old churches and cathedrals. The old capital city is also home to two of the greatest art and cultural museums in the world, The State Hermitage and The State Russian museums.

You could spend weeks exploring everything this beautiful city has to offer, but there are a few highlights that shouldn’t be missed. Whether you have a month-long tourist visa, or you’re on a three-day land excursion from a cruise ship, it’s possible to see everything on this list, just make sure you pack good walking shoes!

So without further ado, here’s your St Petersburg travel guide:

The historic center of St Petersburg is the first place you’ll want to explore. Everything is within walking distance, but public transport is cheap and easy to use with Google Maps if your feet get tired.

It’s possible to see each of these in a day, but you’ll want extra time to actually visit the museums.

The State Russian Museum

Only a 10-minute walk from the main street of Nevsky Prospect, this is as good a place as any to start your walking tour. It has the largest collection of Russian fine art in St Petersburg and is one of the largest museums in the country. You can easily spend half a day visiting the Mikhailovsky Palace, with other exhibitions held at the Marble Palace, the Mikhailovsky Castle and the Stroganov Palace.

A same-day ticket to two exhibitions will cost 600R ($9), or a three-day ticket to all four will cost 850R ($13).

The Church of our Saviour on the Spilled Blood

Located just behind the State Russian Museum, this will be your first taste of an onion-domed Russian Orthodox cathedral and it will not disappoint. It’s so similar to St Basil’s in Moscow with its multicolored domes and turrets, just not quite as busy!

Tickets to go inside cost 250R ($4) and it’s well worth it to see the interior decorated with a kaleidoscope of colorful mosaics.

The Summer Garden

Head through Mikhailovsky garden, across the Moika river and take a walk along the leafy green paths of St Peterburg’s oldest garden, the Summer Garden, where you’ll find marble statues, fountains and the modest Summer Palace of Peter the Great tucked away at the back.

It’s a great place to escape the city streets for a while, entrance to the garden is free, while the palace is currently closed for refurbishment.

Cruiser Aurora

Walk through the barren Field of Mars and cross the massive Neva river for a detour to this 1900’s Russian cruiser that played a small part in the communist revolution by firing a blank round from the forward gun as a signal to start the assault on the Winter Palace.

It now houses one of the largest maritime museums in the world with a huge collection of model ships, tickets cost 600R ($9).

Peter and Paul Fortress

Founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, the Peter and Paul Fortress was the original citadel of St Petersburg, set on an island on the banks of the Neva river.

Entrance to the grounds is free, if you want to go inside the golden Peter and Paul Cathedral tickets cost 450R ($6). You can also buy tickets to visit the bastion and its grim prison cells, or to climb to the top of the fortress walls for stunning panorama views.

The Strelka

At the tip of Vasilyevsky Island, as you cross the Neva river again, is where you’ll find the banks of The Strelka, with great views of Peter and Paul Fortress to the left and The Hermitage to the right, flanked by two Rostral Columns, iconic St Petersburg landmarks.

St Isaac’s Cathedral

Walk along the river past the Admiralty and a statue of Peter the Great and you’ll see the golden dome of this stunning cathedral that dominates St Petersburg’s skyline.

You can buy tickets to visit the museum inside (250R, $4) or to climb the 262 steps to the collonade (150R, £3) rewarding you with incredible panoramic views of the city.

The State Hermitage Museum

Follow the road past the southern face of the Admiralty and you can’t miss the baby blue Winter Palace.

If you want to explore this vast museum housing over three million items displayed throughout five buildings (the Winter Palace, the Small Hermitage, the Old Hermitage, the New Hermitage and the Hermitage Theatre), you’ll need at least a full day, more if you have the time, a combined ticket costs 700R ($11).

You can also visit part of the Hermitage Storage Facility and the other branches; the east wing of the General Staff Building, the Winter Palace of Peter I, the Menshikov Palace and the Imperial Porcelain factory.

If like me you want a quick tour of the stunning Winter Palace then you can give yourself a few hours to admire the architecture, the chandeliers and of course the artwork and historic pieces on display. They offer free entry on the first Thursday of every month, but the queue was a mile long even an hour before it opened, so good luck with that.

The best time to visit is on a Wednesday or Thursday evening when it’s open until 9pm and most of the tour groups have left.

Kazan Cathedral

Outside the Hermitage lies the Palace Square which connects back to the main shopping street of Nevsky Prospekt with one last sight to see. From the outside the 111m long collonade of this cathedral makes it look more like a government building, but once you step inside it’s all dark and gothic traditional Orthodox architecture.

You’ll often see a long line of people waiting to kiss the icon of Our Lady of Kazan.

While most of St Petersburg’s sights are in the historic heart of the city, there are a few just outside that are worth tackling public transport or paying for a taxi to visit.

Nikolsky Cathedral

This baby blue cathedral of the patron saint of sailors is one of the most picturesque in the city with its golden domes, finely carved wooden iconostasis and bell tower overlooking Griboyedov Canal.

Trinity Cathedral

I thought I had seen most of the cathedrals that this city had to offer, but when I climbed to the collonade of St Isaac’s I could see the towering blue domes covered in gold stars far away in the distance, so I made my way there the next morning. In 2006 it was destroyed by a fire, but has now been restored to its former glory.

Smolny Cathedral

This sky blue cathedral is the beautiful centerpiece of Smolny Convent, built in the 1700’s. Its plain white interior makes a nice change from the usual colorful mosaics, and you’ll find a large collection of golden icons. The highlight is a climb to the top of the bell tower (150R, $3), the views are stunning!

Once you’ve gotten the hang of public transport in St Petersburg, it’s definitely worth heading farther out to see two of the grandest sights this city has to offer.

Peterhof

The Grand Palace of Peterhof is an imposing yellow building that dominates the hill above the Gulf of Finland, but that’s not why people visit, they come for the magnificent grounds.

The Upper Park is free to enter, but it’s worth buying a ticket for the Lower Park (900R, $14) so you can enjoy the stunning collection of golden fountains, tree-lined canals and acres of parkland. You can also take the hydrofoil for 800R ($12) one way which is a nice way to see the Neva River.

Naval Cathedral of St Nicolas

On the island of Kotlin stands the navel fortress of Kronshtadt, and it’s here that you will find the stunning white and gold Naval Cathedral. The interior is just as impressive, and although it’s far from the city it’s worth a visit on your way back from Peterhof.

This is everything I managed to visit with just three days and a lot of walking.

On my first day, I covered everything in the historic heart of the city. On my second day, I visited the things farther away, and went back to a few of my favorite locations in the center to get better photos. On my last day, I visited The Hermitage and Peterhof, stopping at the Naval Cathedral on the way back.

Public transport is very easy to use, you can rely on Google Maps to get you anywhere you need to go, whether it’s on the metro or the buses. You can pick up a local prepaid SIM card from мтс (MTS) with unlimited internet for only 600R ($9).

There are also many options for food, shopping and accommodation throughout the city, head to the main street of Nevsky Prospekt to find the best of everything!

Suggested next reading: Your Perfect Little Travel Guide To Moscow, Russia

The post How To Experience The Best Of St Petersburg In Just 3 Days appeared first on Modern Trekker.

Some key tips to remember when choosing a travel outfit is to stay neutral, simple, and know that less is more. So say buh-bye to the heels, grab the sandals, and fly off into holiday mode.  

Here are some go-to packing tips for ladies planning their travel outfit for going abroad.

Must-have clothing for all types of travel:

Regardless of your travel plans, there are a few travel outfit items that you will want to bring no matter the climate of your destination. The following will be some of your go-to pieces:

1. Good quality shoes

No, this doesn’t mean seven different pairs of shoes. Whether you need snow boots, hiking boots, comfy flats, or sandals, you’ll realize quickly how thankful you were to have invested in a good pair of shoes to keep your feet happy and healthy.

2. Black leggings and a cardigan

Black leggings and a cardigan are going to get tons of use no matter where you are going. Even in the hottest climates where you intend to live in your beach clothes and flip-flops, you’ll realize quickly that the aircon can possibly be on full blast on a subway or café and you may end up freezing.

A cardigan can also be used as a backup blanket on those long bus rides or flights. Leggings can save you from nasty bug bites in humid weather. They can also be dressed up or dressed down which makes it easier to pack less in your luggage.

3. Versatile Travel Dress

What’s more versatile than a dress that can be worn 20 different ways? Whether you’re off to the beach, a night out, or cozying up at a campfire, you’ll have the go-to dress-or-top-or-pants that you may just end up wearing every day. Best off, this one is wrinkle free!

 

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4. Plain and comfy t-shirts

Bring a few plain and comfy t-shirts that can go with any outfit. If you can, stay away from 100% cotton as it wrinkles easily and is not always sweat proof for those lugging large backpacks or heading into the humidity.

5. Swimsuit

Don’t forget a swimsuit. Whether you’re relaxing on a tropical beach or warming up at hot springs amongst a winter wonderland, a swimsuit is a must for your vacay abroad.

Keep your main travel outfit items neutral and dark. You can bring some colorful accessories to brighten up your style. Items such as headbands, scarves, necklaces, a watch, and earrings can change up any outfit.

Clothing to bring when traveling to warmer areas:

If you’re off on a backpacking adventure into the tropical heat, you’ll be able to live off of a bit less. The weight adds up quickly and if you plan on backpacking, you will definitely want to minimize. Bring items that you don’t mind getting a bit dirty.

1. Boots/runners and sandals

You will need a quality pair of hiking boots or good runners and a comfy pair of sandals. Yes, two pairs of shoes are really all you need.

2. Non-denims and tank tops

You’ll need a few pairs of non-denim shorts and tank tops. Denim is scratchy and doesn’t mix well with sweat. Flowy shorts, skirts, and tank tops that aren’t going to stick to your body are a good idea. Bring at least one pair of loose and flowy pants. They’ll protect your legs from bug bites, sunburn, and any scratchy bushes that you may trek through.

3. Sports bras

Pack a couple of good sports bras, as you will find sports bras much more comfortable in the humidity. Regular bras are fine, but you’ll realize that sports bras are much more practical, comfortable, and easier to pack.

4. A sarong

 

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A sarong is a must for any backpacker going somewhere warm. The bonus is that these can be used as a beach towel, blanket, pillow, skirt, dress, cardigan, and much more! If you’re visiting a bunch of temples, it can be used to cover your knees or shoulders. It also fits easily into your bags when packing. You will not regret bringing this along for your trip abroad.

5. A rain jacket

Don’t forget a rain jacket. Not just something water resistant to a slight drizzle. Tropical areas have two seasons—rainy and dry. Check the weather beforehand, but you will be thankful for carrying a rain jacket or poncho when you step outside.

6. A hat

Bring a hat or buy one once you are abroad. Whether a baseball cap or a floppy hat, it’ll keep the sun out of your face, saves you from bed head, and is an easy accessory.

If you’re planning to travel in the heat, just accept the fact that you will sweat—morning, noon, and night! No fear, for you have flowy clothing, comfy sports bras, and hats or headbands to save your hair. But with that glistening glow of sunshine, you’ll be looking great no matter the weather.

Clothing to bring when traveling to colder areas:

 

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Off on a cool and wintery holiday? If you are traveling somewhere cold, you will likely be wearing a similar type of travel outfit most days: your go-to jacket, a comfortable pair of pants, and boots to trek through snow or ice if need be.

1. Wear all of your bulky clothing items on the airplane

Puffy coat, sweater, boots, jeans or leggings, scarf, and beanie. Maybe it takes you a while to undress for TSA, but it’s the best way to save space while traveling.

2. No more than two pairs of jeans/leggings

Whether you’re a jeans or leggings gal, you really don’t need to pack more than two pairs. Jeans are a bit bulkier, so if you like to wear both, wear your jeans on the plane and roll up your leggings into your luggage.

3. Sweaters and thermals

As for tops, a couple of easy to pack sweaters and thermals will barely be noticed under your bulky coat. So don’t worry yourself too much about fashion and think practical. Don’t bring all of your fat and chunky sweaters. Try to think thin and simple.

4. Stay neutral

If possible, keep your jacket, boots, and pants more neutral. You can get a pop of color with different scarves, hats, gloves, and leg warmers. These items will pack easily, keep you warm, and give you different options.

Clothing for long-term travel:

For those traveling longer than just a quick holiday, bring the basics and count on shopping abroad for anything else.

No need to shove every item you own into your suitcase.

Most clothing items can be bought once you are abroad. However, some people have their favorites from home.

Crucial necessities you may want to bring from home would be jeans, bras, thermals, favorite dress clothes, and hiking boots. You’ll have less to worry about once you are overseas and can grab that cute vintage floral dress that you keep spotting in that new local shop.

Pro-packing tips:

• Wear your bulkiest clothes and shoes on the airplane!
• Either roll your clothes or grab some compression bags to easily fit your clothing into your luggage. Keep in mind, there’s no wrinkle-free method, but you can always bring a travel-sized steamer to attack those creases upon arrival.
• Pack your undies and socks last. They can be shoved into the crevices of your bags where nothing else can possibly fit.
• Leave your super nice trendy designer clothes at home. There’s always a chance of losing something, tearing it, or wanting to leave it behind to buy something else that you would replace it with anyway.
• Don’t overdo it! You will surprise yourself with the ability to live off of less when traveling abroad.

Packing to travel abroad is easy!

Overall, remember why you are off on your adventure away. You can still look and feel great even when packing minimally. Just keep your travel outfit neutral, keep it simple, and change it up with accessories rather than too many different bulky clothing items.

Bon voyage!

Suggested next reading: How To Pack A Suitcase Like A Travel Expert

The post The Ultimate Guide On How To Plan Your Travel Outfit (For Women) appeared first on Modern Trekker.

I spent three days in Moscow and while it’s not as compact and easy to navigate as St Petersburg, it’s still an essential stop on your visit to Russia.

If you’re pushed for time you can see the highlights in a day, but I’d recommend spending at least three days here to make the most of it! Here’s my little travel guide to Moscow based on my own experience.

Where I Stayed

I stayed at the perfectly located Nereus Hostel, so I was only a 10-minute walk from the Moscow Kremlin.

Kremlin Tips

I recommend getting up early and being at the gates when they open at 9am so you can avoid the busiest part of the morning, it fills up with coach loads of tourists by 11am.

Tickets for the Kremlin and its Cathedral Square cost 500R ($7), you can pay an extra 250R ($4) to climb the Ivan the Great Bell Tower (definitely recommend this), and tickets to the Armoury cost an extra 500R.

As you enter the main gate you have the modern Kremlin State Palace to your right and as you pass through an archway of the Church of the Twelve Apostles you’ll find yourself in Cathedral Square, surrounded by white marble and golden domes.

You can climb to the top of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower and you can go inside the Cathedral of the Archangel, the Cathedral of the Annunciation, the massive Assumption Cathedral and the tiny Church of the Deposition of the Virgin’s Robe. You’re not allowed to take photos inside any of them, but I didn’t realize this and managed to get one before I got told off!

Cathedrals & Other Noteworthy Sites

If you leave the Kremlin by the east gate you’ll find yourself in the south corner of the Red Square, opposite the magnificent St Basil’s Cathedral. Seeing such a famous landmark in person is pretty amazing! You can pay to go inside, it costs 700R ($10, half price for students) and I expected a big open cathedral like the rest of them, but I was pleasantly surprised with many small rooms, winding corridors and dark decor.

The grand building running along the southeast side of the square is GUM, a massive department store for the wealthy, you’ll find brands like Prada, Louis Vuitton and Burberry. To the northwest of the square is the dark red State Historical Museum which costs 400R ($6) to enter, it houses a nice collection but after a visit to the magnificent Hermitage Museum, I found it quite boring.

Another must-do in my travel guide to Moscow, for me at least (I loved the architecture too much to be sick of it), was visiting the absolutely stunning Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. It stands on the banks of the Moskva River, you can climb to the collonade for 400R ($6, half price for students) which rewards you with wonderful panoramic views of the city and the interior is gorgeous, I think it’s the most beautiful cathedral I visited in Russia.

From here you can cross the bridge and follow the river south, past the giant statue of Peter the Great, to Gorky Park—it’s a really nice place to be on a sunny day.

Further along the river is the much quieter Swallow Hills park, with a soon-to-be cable car that will take you up to the dramatic Moscow State University, one of seven similar skyscrapers throughout the city, and the view from here is wonderful.

As you take a bus back to the city, you can stop at Arbat Street, one of the main shopping sections of Moscow.

Outside The City

If you’re sick of the city and want to get out of it for a while, head south to the massive Kolomenskoye Open Air Museum where you can stroll through endless gardens and visit the Alexei Mikhailovich Palace, the Church of the Ascension and the Church of Our Lady of Kazan. Sit on the hill overlooking the suburbs and watch the sunset with a cold beer.

Guided Tours

The last thing I can really recommend in this travel guide to Moscow is a metro tour. Certain stations are more like tiny palaces, churches or art museums.

You can join a guided tour for around $10 but they go at the busiest times. It’s much better to go by yourself either very (very) early in the morning, between 11am and 2pm or last thing at night, when a single metro ticket only costs 55R (85¢)!

Most of the prettiest metro stations are conveniently located on the Circle Line: the stained windows of Novoslobodskaya, the regal Park Kultury and the colorful frescoes of Kiyevskaya. Some exceptions are the art deco Mayakovskaya (dark green line), the golden Aviamotornaya (yellow line) and the futuristic Elektrozavodskaya (dark blue line).

You can pick up a Troika card for your stay or buy individual tickets for each journey, and you can plan your route using either Google Maps or the Yandex.Metro app.

So that was my little travel guide to Moscow! Know of any other tips you’d like to share based on your own experience? Let us know in the comments below and we may even add it to this article!

Suggested next reading: 6 Best Places In The World To See The Northern Lights

The post Your Perfect Little Travel Guide To Moscow, Russia appeared first on Modern Trekker.

However, a great thing about DC is its location—relatively close to major cities like Philadelphia and New York, but even closer to smaller regional gems throughout Maryland and Virginia. If you’re looking for weekend getaways from Washington DC, here are some solo, budget-friendly options.

Even better, all of these destinations are accessible without a car, so don’t fret if you’re a broke millennial like me who had to pick between a car payment and the excessively high rent that comes along with living right in the heart of downtown DC.

For the nature lovers—Harpers Ferry, WV

Distance from DC: ~ 1 hour by car or Amtrak/MARC train

 

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Hop on the train after work on a Friday afternoon and head out to Harpers Ferry for some hiking and history in this historic town. The small town sits at the meeting point for the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, providing some incredibly scenic views.

Here, you can visit the John Brown museum to learn about the role Harpers Ferry played in the lead up to the Civil War, and then hike through the remains of some Civil War-era encampments.

Harpers Ferry is approximately the halfway point of the Appalachian Trail, a 2,200-mile trail stretching from Georgia to Maine, which happens to be one of the longest walking trails in the world. There (surprisingly) is a hostel in Harpers Ferry which caters to both AT hikers and weekend visitors. You’re bound to have some fascinating conversations with people from all walks of life while sitting around the campfire in the evenings.

(Do note that this hostel is not open year-round so be sure to check the availability before planning your trip. There are also some relatively inexpensive hotels in the area if you’re planning to visit with a group of friends)

For the foodies—Baltimore, MD

Distance from DC: ~1 hour by car or MARC train

 

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For fans of The Wire or for anyone looking for weekend getaways from Washington DC that let you try something new, Baltimore is a great stop.

Be sure to walk through the Inner Harbor (or take a walking tour) to learn about the role Baltimore once served as a major port city and manufacturing center, before transitioning to a major research center thanks to Johns Hopkins University.

 

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One of my favorite parts about Baltimore was the food. The city’s proximity to the Atlantic makes it a great stop for seafood, particularly crab seasoned with Old Bay—a Maryland classic. Baltimore is home to many food halls with a variety of options, so you’ll never be bored with the amount of choices you have. In addition, no trip to Baltimore is complete without a visit to Little Italy, either for a delicious romantic dinner or for a quick afternoon pastry stop.

For nightlife, be sure to check out Power Plant Live!, a large indoor-outdoor complex home to dozens of bars and music venues. It’s great for bar-hopping on a regular weekend evening, but they also have concerts and other seasonal events. Be sure to check their schedule and find something to fit your fancy when planning when to visit.

Depending on the time of year, check the schedule to see if the Baltimore Orioles (baseball) or Baltimore Ravens (American football) are in town to see if you can catch a game while you’re there as well.

There’s also a hostel in Baltimore to fit your budget or give you a place to meet other travelers if you’re flying solo, and hotels are relatively inexpensive if that’s more your style.

For some colonial charm—Annapolis, MD

Distance from DC: 45 minutes by car or 1.5-2 hours by bus

Although it’s tiny in comparison to neighboring Baltimore and Washington DC, Annapolis is a great stop for seafood and colonial charm.

The city of Annapolis played a significant role in early US history and has been inhabited for more than 400 years. Be sure to visit the Maryland State House, and walk down Main Street for some window shopping and adorable eateries.

 

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Today, Annapolis is home to the US Naval Academy, where the country’s finest Navy and Marine officers study and train. You can learn more about naval history at the visitors’ center, and tour the beautiful campus.

You can definitely do Annapolis as a day trip, but it’s also home to some fun nightlife so it might be worth checking into a bed and breakfast here and enjoying the Maryland capitol at night.

Despite being one of those weekend getaways from Washington DC that is quite nearby, Annapolis is not accessible by train and the bus runs infrequently on the weekends, so be sure to check the timetables and plan accordingly.

For the craft beer lovers – Richmond, VA

Distance from DC: 2 hours by car, 2.5 hours by bus

Richmond is a worthy candidate for weekend getaways from Washington DC. It’s a relaxing city that is big enough to feel like there’s stuff going on, but is small enough to easily cover everything on a quick weekend trip.

Be sure to take a walking tour through downtown Richmond to learn about the history of Virginia and the role it played in forming the United States. Then visit the Virginia Capitol Building (for free!) to walk through the same halls as many important figures in American history.

In the afternoon, take a leisurely stroll through the historic neighborhoods on Church Hill to see some charming colonial-style homes.

 

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Richmond is home to a surprising number of local craft breweries, so once you’re done exploring, it’s easy to bar hop through the city’s beer scene since everything is within walking distance in the city center.

For the budget travelers, there’s a hostel located within walking distance to the train and bus stations so you can experience the city and meet other travelers without having to shell out for a hotel.

Know of any other weekend getaways from Washington DC? Comment below!

Suggested next reading: How You Can Actually Explore Washington DC On A Budget

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