Go Alone

Travelers make mistakes. Learning from these mistakes molds us into better, smarter travelers. Lessons on the road often come suddenly. Mistakes are bound to occur with even the most practiced and prepared travelers. Solo travelers are not immune, and my travel mistake was in Budapest.

Budapest has been attracting visitors for thousands of years. The city’s baths and strategic location on the Danube River have been a draw since Roman Times. Today, Budapest is celebrated as a center of history, stunning architecture and fun. Solo travel, in particular, is a popular way many backpackers find themselves in Budapest. [Read more…] about Solo Travel in Budapest

There I sat. In Athens. Watching the sunset atop a hill, surrounded by cool November air. To the west, the Sun was falling down to the sea. A few hundred meters behind my back was a small site of ancient ruins. Not a single other person in sight. Less than a mile beyond this was the Acropolis, in all of its photogenic glory, soaking up the last few minutes of the day’s warmth. Above and beyond, blue skies and light were coming through the clouds.

So here I am, enjoying a stunning sunset in one of the most historic cities on Earth. I couldn’t have asked for a better scene. This seems like the perfect place to take it all in, right? Can it get any better? Yes, it can. It could start by just being good. Hell, I would have settled for half-decent at this point. [Read more…] about Escaping Athens: 48 Hours in Bulgaria

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) are the two largest and most well-known cities of Vietnam. From across the world, it might be easy to assume that two large cities in one small Southeast Asian country are going to be fairly similar. In some respects, all of the big cities in Southeast Asia have similarities.

 

That conversation ends when the comparison is Hanoi vs. Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). Saying these two cities are similar would be tantamount to suggesting that New York and Los Angeles, or Paris and Marseille, are alike simply because they are in the same country.  [Read more…] about Hanoi vs. Ho Chi Minh City: Same Same but Different

Hearing future travelers plan vacations and backpacking adventures through Europe, it seems Belgium is often missing from many travel itineraries. The why is not always clear, but it should be. Perhaps the allure of romantic Paris, a bustling London, a blurry Amsterdam or ancient Rome has a greater draw on people. Not to detract from those destinations, but Belgium should be right there at the top.

Personally, I’ve been drawn to this small country for years by the history, architecture, cuisine and much more. Here are seven reasons to travel to Belgium:

 

1. Beer in Belgium

I want to extend my deepest sympathies to Germany, the Czech Republic and craft beer America (so sorry, Portland!). The best beer in the world is in Belgium. I’m not saying German lagers or Czech pilsners are bad – they are superb. Belgian brews are just better. Also, let’s clarify: Stella Artois, Beck’s and Pilsner Urquell are not the representative beverages to which I am referring.

Beer is the best reason to travel to Belgium. Beer enthusiasts will reach nirvana. Other travelers may discover their new love flowing from the taps in Belgium.

2. The People of Belgium

Late one night, wandering the beautiful streets of Ghent in early Fall, I randomly met a few people celebrating a birthday out on the town. When they realized I was backpacking alone through Europe, they insisted I join them for the night. They treated me as one of their own and made certain that I had a great time. This is just one example of the local hospitality experienced during my time in Flanders. Belgians are a fantastic people. They are friendly, warm and helpful to travelers. Even today, I stay in touch with many friends from Belgium, and I have friends there for the next visit.

In my two trips to Belgium, the locals were hospitable and kind. Friendly people (and a few pints, of course) make for great fun and the perfect reason to travel to Belgium.

3. Unreal Architecture

From Brussels to Ghent to Bruges and so much more, the architecture of Belgium is breathtaking. Centuries-old architecture in Grand Place. Beautiful canals in popular and picturesque Bruges and Ghent lined with buildings seemingly out of a fairytale. Windmills. Even modern cityscapes. The beauty of the architecture in this tiny country knows no bounds.

 

What makes Belgian architecture so fascinating is how well it has been preserved, with many famous town squares in dating back several hundred years. The remarkable sights are a great reason to travel to Belgium and make it an awesome place to wander and get lost.

4. Fun, Active Transportation

Travel is a breeze throughout Belgium. Like much of Europe, it is easy to get around via train or bus. But what I love about visiting Belgium, especially in Flanders, is the cycling. Not only are motorists very cautious and respectful of cyclists, there are bike lanes all over and even roads through the countryside specifically reserved for bicycle and pedestrian traffic.

During your stay, make sure to rent a bike to get out of the touristy towns. The countryside is beautiful and easy to navigate. With much of the countryside being flat, there is no need to worry about struggling up against anything too challenging. Renting is cheap, too, so don’t miss out!

5. Great Food

When it comes to food, waffles and chocolate come to mind when you travel to Belgium. However, the nation is really not known as a food destination. It should be. The chocolate is popular and surely some of the best. The waffles are legendary for a reason – they are cheap and delicious!

The fresh mussels are a must for any visit and, of course, the pommes frites. It is unclear what they do to these fries, but they are the best you will ever have the fortune to indulge in. This merely scratches the surface, but the food here is fresh, local and delectable. Most importantly, as a backpacker, know that you can eat cheaply in Belgium!

 

6. Belgian History & Culture

History is an important aspect of travel, and Belgium has been right in the midst of many of history’s biggest events. From World Wars to politics to art, it has been right there. And this means that there are so many opportunities for those who enjoy museums and learning during their adventures. There are castles to be toured, jaw-dropping churches to marvel at, and a plethora of museums along the way.

 

A personal favorite is the Musical Instruments Museum in Brussels. It hosts an assortment of beautiful instruments from around the world and has a fantastic interactive, self-guided tour through several floors of art and music. Weather a musician, art-lover or history buff, the MIM is well worth the visit!

 

7. Belgian Beer, Of Course

Yes, beer is on this list twice. That’s how good the beer in Belgium is. Put your Bud Light, Corona and Heineken away. No, just pour it out. No one should have to suffer through such nonsense. That is not beer.

The way I describe Belgian brew is like this: as a child seeing beer in ads, television and film, I always imagined what beer tasted like. The deep golden liquid with the alluring frothy head was tantalizing. A sweet and powerful taste. The people were so happy. It must be delicious!

My idealized beer flavor was completely forgotten until one day, in Louisiana, when I chanced upon drinking my first Belgian beer. Immediately, I knew that this is what beer is supposed to taste like. With that very first sip, my senses were heightened and so much in the world of beer came clearly into view. The variety is incredible. From lambics to Trappists to abbeys, it’s all top quality.

Finally, the Mecca for beer enthusiasts is the Delirium Cafe in Brussels. Literally, thousands of beers to choose from in a 3 floor bar a short walk from La Grand Place. You will not be disappointed. Here, they do it right. And they have been doing it right for a thousand years. There are nearly 200 breweries in this tiny country. I’ve tried about 75 different Belgian brews and have yet to come across a bad one. Go to Belgium and have a pint. Or three. Each day.

For more places to enjoy a brew – tips from a local! – check out Best Beer Bars in Belgium.

  

Perhaps Belgium doesn’t have the same appeal as the bustling metropolitan centers that garner so much attention, but the local charm, beer, food, people and beauty of this tiny country are just a few of the reasons to travel to Belgium when making plans for the next trip.

Travel brings out all the feelings. Excitement, anxiety, nervousness, fear, happiness, depression. If you travel long enough, at some point you will experience this, too.

These feelings are usually amplified with backpacking and long-term travel. With a solo trip, all those emotions and fears are kicked up another notch, especially as a solo backpacker. However, the backpacker community is one of the friendliest groups of people you can find.

Most other wanderers are out there looking for the same thing as you. They want to explore and see the world the same as you, and hopefully have a bit of fun along the way. Traveling solo, especially as a backpacker, can certainly be unnerving and exacerbate your fears; but in the end, you will come out a better, stronger person. Here are a few things to think about:

[Read more…] about Facing Fears as a Solo Backpacker