Pete's Wicked Travels

Some travelers tend to go way overboard with their packing: packing enough to last them two weeks when they go away for a weekend. While others go to the other extreme, forgetting important items like passports or medicine. It is important to try to strike the perfect balance, bringing only what you need.

First off, important items that you should find room for in your luggage. A guidebook to your destination or to the region you are visiting will end up being your saving grace. It is your best resource for finding important information regarding accommodations, food, customs, and transportation. So make sure to pick one up and pack it along with the rest of your things. Along with the guidebook, another essential item is a Swiss army knife. This multi-tool is the fantastic and easily packs into any backpack since it is so compact. It has so many uses that it will take the place of many other tools that you may have packed separately.

When packing your clothes, the packing method you use is important as clothes will take up the majority of space in your luggage. You want to refrain from neatly folding them individually as you would in your drawers at home. If you do, you will find that they get wrinkled when compressed. Folding your clothes is also not the best space saving method. Rolling your clothes is a very effective method that seasoned travelers swear by. Lay the item face down, fold back the sleeves, and then roll from bottom to top. You can then put your rolled up clothes into different zip lock bags categorized by type of item. For instance, put all your underwear in one zip lock bag, and your t-shirts in another. This makes it a lot easier to navigate between your items without having to repack everything.

If you are traveling by plane, remember the extra security restrictions with regards to your carry on. You are not allowed to pack any liquid or gel substance; they will need to be packed away in your checked luggage. Also take into account restrictions on bag weight and number of bags you are allowed to travel with. Many airlines now charge a fee for every checked bag, and some charge for your carry on as well. Some airlines have also lowered the maximum permitted weight for checked luggage. Before packing, check with your airline to make sure you won’t be hit with any extra fees.

When it comes to packing toiletries, less is more. Take only half a tube of toothpaste and roll up the end tight. Store shampoos in travel sized containers and only take half a roll of toilet paper, crushing it so the middle is folded. In order to get past the no liquid ban for carry-ons, look into solid shampoo bars and tooth powder. You can find them easily on the internet and they will make it possible for you to get through security and have some toiletries in case of emergency.

admin Travel Tips packing, travel, travel gear, Travel Tips

When it comes to a traveler’s dream destination, China has got to come close. With over 5,000 years worth of culturally rich history and a vast expanse of land spanning thousands of miles, what would a traveler not love? With so much to see in do in this large land, it is hard to come up with a list of the top things to do, however, here is my attempt.

No list would be complete without mentioning walking along the Great Wall of China. It is of course one of the most popular things to do in China, as it is the quintessential Chinese landmark. You can climb the wall at a number of locations throughout the countryside. Try to find a remote passage, as you can wander within the guard towers with significantly less interruptions from fellow travelers.

The Terracotta Warriors, first discovered in 1974, were buried in 210 BC. The thousands of life-size figures have individually unique faces and hair and armor styles which are appropriate to their rank.

The Wolong Nature Preserve is located 3 hours outside of Chengdu, and houses the largest panda reserve in China. The center works to ensure the Giant Panda species will continue to exist. Tourists can observe pandas in their natural habitat and can even help researchers feed and play with these beautiful and threatened animals. Another great animal attraction is the Beijing Zoo. It is the largest zoo in China, and used to be a private garden owned by a royal Qing aristocrat before being converted into a zoo in 1901. The zoo holds approximately 6000 animals of different species from all over the country.

In terms of important historic landmarks, Tiananmen Square is it. Forever synonymous with protest and freedom, Tiananmen Square is imbued with a certain quiet power that is essential to any stop in Beijing.

Make a stopover in Tibet to see the Potala Palace, the former seat of the Dalai Lama. It is now a Chinese museum, but is still famous for its imposing white walls surrounding the inner red palace that sits at over 12,000 feet. Also while in Tibet, visit Jiuzhaigou Valley – a nature reserve located in China’s Sichuan Province. It is a beautiful example of China’s varied landscape, as it is famous for its crystal blue lakes and multi-level waterfalls. It is populated by a number of Tibetan villages so it is a superb place to see and experience local Tibetan culture as well.

A trip down the Li River will not disappoint. Starting at the Mao’er Mountain, the Li River flows southeast for about 437km. This area is the largest and most beautiful river scenes in China which attracts millions of visitors each year. The Karst Mountains make this stretch of water the most beautiful scenic area in China. The 50 mile long expanse from Guilin to Yangshuo is the finest section of the river because it is blossoming with rolling hills, limestone cliffs, and mysterious caves.

This list has just scratched the surface of things that you can do while in China, however, these are some of our favorites.

admin Asia Asia, china, things to do, travel, travel lists

If you have spent the last few months saving up for your big trip but still find your budget to be rather tight, don’t fear. It is possible to travel on a tight budget; it is just a matter of knowing where you can save.

When booking your flight, study up on airline fare cycles and alternate routes to save a lot of money. Knowing the seasons that airfares change and not reserving a flight during peak travel times will be much cheaper. When searching for flights, be inventive with the routes and don’t be afraid of layovers and stopovers. Even though they may be inconvenient, they can save you a lot on your flight. Also try searching for dates that are somewhat flexible as this will help you to find better deals.

Your accommodations don’t have to be in three or four star hotels. As you will probably be spending most of your time out of your hotel room, this shouldn’t be an important aspect of your trip. Look into renting an apartment or a house-swap as great ways to save on your lodging. House swapping can be fun if you are comfortable with another family being in your home. This way your accommodations are virtually free and you will be able to experience local living during your stay.

For souvenir shopping, get creative and stay away from the overpriced touristy stuff. Remember that pictures you take during your vacation will last forever and are the ultimate souvenir of your experience. But if you want to purchase some items, focus on smaller local shops and rural communities. This way, not only will you end up with a souvenir that is authentic but they will also be budget friendly as well. Use your credit card to pay for merchandise in a foreign country and use a debit card rather than traveler’s checks to get local currency. This will give you the best exchange rate and save you fees.

When getting around, utilize public transportation over cabs. Better yet, walk when you have the chance. You can purchase rail, metro, and bus passes designed specifically for tourists that will save you money and get you to wear you are going easily, quickly, and cheaply. No matter where in the world you are traveling, there tend to be well-run public transportation systems. Even if you are in a city that has a poor bus system, chances are they will have a much better train system. Look into public transportation before you leave, especially if you are buying a pass, as these tend to be cheaper when purchased in advance.

Look out for free entertainment and attractions. You can find free concerts, lights and music shows, nature trips to parks, beaches and conservation areas, as well as other known free attractions. Some museums are free to get into, while others may have free entrance during specific times in the week. Again, it pays to research into the sites, attractions, and entertainment before you arrive so you know of fun and cheap things to do that will keep you on your budget.

admin Travel Tips saving money, travel, travel advice, travel hints, Travel Tips

During my three week dedicated exploration of Italy, I found that in order to see the entire country, I would need much more time. As it was though, I only had three weeks which allowed me to experience the best of central Italy. My trip, which covered Rome, Florence, Venice, Vatican City, Naples, and Capri, was a great introduction to this beautiful country dripping in history and culture.

I landed in Rome and quickly departed to Naples where I took in Mt. Vesuvius. From there, I drove to Pompeii to view its well-preserved past where a local guide retraced history for me. From Pompeii, it was on to Sorrento to take in some sweeping views of the Bay of Naples. From Sorrento, I took a boat ride to the marina on the island of Capri. While in Capri, I had the chance to take a boat ride to view the Green and Blue Grottos. Also while in Capri, I was sure to leave time to shop in some of the island’s quaint and rather expensive shops found in the white-washed villages.

From there, it was on to the beautiful city of Florence. There were tons of things to see and do in this exciting city, and I was sure to see the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, and Giotto’s Bell Tower. Between the frescoes, markets, and priceless art, and walking along the River Arno the atmosphere of Florence was my favorite. From Florence, I moved on to Pisa where I took in the famous monument, the Leaning Tower.

After Pisa, it was off to Venice, the floating city. This city was packed with character, hidden lanes, and of course its famous network of canals. No trip to Venice is complete without a ride on a gondola. The ride took me through the city’s waters of the lagoon to its historical heart. The limestone Bridge of Sighs, the gothic arches of Doges’ Palace, and the expanse of St. Mark’s Square all showed off Venice’s unique beauty and way of life. I also had a chance to learn about the local artistry by taking part in a traditional glass blowing demonstration which has been famous in the city since the 13th century. Also while in Venice, I took a walking tour, where I discovered the labyrinth of interweaving lanes, waterways, palaces, piazzi, and markets.

Finally, from Venice it was back to Rome where I was able to soak in the metropolitan city. My favorite part about Rome was how the old and the new exist side-by-side. It overflows with relics from another age right beside office buildings and shopping malls. I loved the Coliseum, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps. Also while in Rome, I spent a day in nearby Vatican City. I got to see St. Peter’s Basilica, and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. After busily touring the whole of Italy, I relaxed in Rome for a few days, taking in the sights and sounds. I also was able to take advantage of the great night life, and spent a couple nights out on the town.

admin Europe Europe, italy, rome, vatican city, venice

As Australia is quite a long ways away from where I live in North America, it only made sense to leave as much time as possible for my trip. So, I figured two months would suffice for my first Australian experience and that ended up being a good decision, as I got to see much of the country, while not feeling overly rushed.

I flew into Sydney and spent three days touring the city. I took a sightseeing day tour of the city, where we headed up into the historic district to get an overview of the harbor from Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, a famous sandstone seat carved by convicts. From this view you can also see the sails of Sydney Opera House and the iconic Harbor Bridge. The next day I went to Bondi Beach where I took my first surfing lesson. Bondi Beach is one of Sydney’s most famous beaches and is definitely one of the most beautiful. It is also one of the most popular as it was full of beachgoers and surfers.

From Sydney, I first traveled to Port Stephens, famous for its fishing, boating, and hospitality. While here I got to go on a dolphin cruise tour where I got up close and personal with bottlenose dolphins. I also hit the massive dunes in Port Stephens for some fun sand-boarding. Although pretty similar to snow-boarding, beware of the amount of sand that gets in your clothes.

When I crossed into Queensland, I visited the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary where I got up close to some of Australia’s most beautiful and famous wildlife. I got to hold a koala, feed kangaroos, and see wombats, emus, crocodiles, dingoes, Tasmanian devils, and colorful birds. Next I went to Surfer’s Paradise on the Gold Coast which is home to some of the best surfing beaches in the world. While in Surfer’s Paradise, I tried my hand at surfing again and also did some sea kayaking. I also took a rainforest discovery bushwalk through Springbrook National Park with an expert guide.

One of my favorite stops was Fraser Island. I spent three days here taking in the paradise and beauty of the area. I took a day tour to spot some of the region’s best spots and hidden treasures, as well as a half day whale tour out to Hervey Bay to see the great whales in their natural habitat. Another great highlight of my Australia trip was the three days I spent sailing the Whitsundays on a flotilla yacht. I got to snorkel and swim and laze around onboard the yacht. It was a truly fantastic experience.

In Cairns, I took a thrilling ride down the white water rapids of the Tully River in a white-water raft. One night I took a trip to the night markets, where I picked up a local boomerang that is now hanging in my house. The next day in Cairns, I took a day trip out to the Great Barrier Reef. I got to snorkel amongst all the colorful fish, turtles, vivid coral, and incredible clear waters. The Great Barrier Reef was definitely a major highlight of my Australia trip and a must for anyone visiting the area.

My trip to Australia was a once in a lifetime experience that, even though it felt I was breaking the bank to get there, was worth every penny and I will remember for the rest of my life.

admin Australia Australia, cairns, great barrier reef, queensland, sydney