Category: Uncategorized

Backpacking tips for the student traveller!

At last! There is a decent break between study long enough to do some travelling! What better way to see the world this holiday season than to pack a bag and head off to backpack with top anti theft backpack around some astounding places? To have a good backpacking trip, it is vital that a few key things are decided before you go. So here are some great tips on how to backpack when you are a student.

The Backpack

You are about to get your backpack and heft it onto your shoulder, and then stride out the door to become as free as a bird! There is just one problem; half your stuff won’t fit, and the stuff that does is causing back problems; you feel like an elderly person already! Here is the best packing order according to a backpack expert from backpackingmall.com, so you can stride with purpose and grace, instead of shuffling with pain and agony.

1.  At the bottom, pack your sleeping bag and mat. If you don’t have a sleeping bag visit instash and get one. Your bag will have a zip to open the bottom, so you can access these easily.

2.  Then in go the shoes (not your walking boots)

3.  Then goes the stuff that you doubt you will look at, but need to have; like very thick jumpers.

4.  Gadgets and breakable souvenirs should go in next, nestled in safely.

5.  Then CLOTHES!! To save space, roll your clothes. And have your ‘unmentionables’ in a drawstring bag…or you will wear the same pair A LOT as the rest will be lost to the depths of the bag. And check out good wool manufacturers in order to buy some warm clothes and not get cold in any trip.

6. Have a second drawstring bag for dirty laundry, and try not to confuse them!

7.  Then place the cooking pan (with stuff crammed inside it) on top of the clothes and laundry.

8.  Finally, your rain jacket, for easy access

9.  In the top pocket place everything small, that would otherwise hide and not be seen until the great unpack after the trip; lip balm, sunscreen, first aid kit, tissue, hat etc

10.  Remember, pack into the corners stuffing them with things that are unlikely to be used; like the hat and gloves you packed just in case Egypt got snow…

A backpacking adventure can either be one of the best experiences in life or could turn out to be horrifying, depending on the preparations and precautions you take before embarking on that journey.  Visit campingconsole.com to know how you can make the best out of your backpacking adventure.

Solo or Group?

Who are you going to backpack with? Are going to be a solo Stanley, or head off round the world with your best mate, or are you wanting to go in a big group of all your friends? There are pros and cons to all. Solo means you don’t have to worry about other people, if you love a city, then break out the spontaneity and just stay a while longer. The feeling of freedom can be awesome. However, it can also be more expensive, and as a student, low cost travel is much better for those loans… Heading off with your best mate seems like a rockin’ idea, it will be cheap, you can split the cost of rooms and food between you. Plus there is an added safety bonus; they have your back.  If your best friend is the stay at home type, or wants to travel but you have different ideas of where to spend the holidays, then you could join a bigger backpacking group.  If you get a group big enough that entire dorms are booked out at the hostel by you, and you can get group discounts at museums and tourist spots, then this is a great idea. But, it requires A LOT of planning!! You will need some serious gear, take the best lightweight backpack by Alpine bear for example, it has everything a savvy backpacker would need. Check out what others are doing with it too, you’ll learn wisdom beyond your years and everything has to be booked way in advance, and you have to stick to the schedule.

Where to stay?

Where are you going to stay? A hostel is great fun, you get to meet loads of people and make friends from all over the world. They can also be a great, cheap option for the student traveller. It’s a good idea to have your sleeping bag ready, just in case they don’t provide sheets (or you don’t want to use them) and  in a hostel you won’t  have much privacy.  If you do go with the hostel option, always dibs the bottom bunk as ladders are hard to navigate after a few beers at the backpacking bar. A campervan is great if you are travelling with a small group of friends and you can all split the cost. In a campervan, you won’t have to worry about thieves or ‘that guy’. You can often get amazing deals on travelling with campervans (and the very best deals are with Transfercar), so keep your beady wee eye out for them.  Just make sure you can cover the cost of petrol. Camping is another option, and is good for if you are walking across a country or something similar, just make sure there are good, safe, camping spots dotted all over where you plan on strolling.

How shall you travel?

How are you going to get there? Planes are fast, but expensive and you don’t get to see the countryside. If you have a campervan, you are already covered, but for other situations a car might be best. Backpacking and road trips is an awesome combination and definitely worth considering. Bikes are also good if you are not planning on going a million miles in one day.

Where shall you go?

Finally- where are you going? There are many amazing places to backpack or to travel around cheaply if you do it right. Just remember to balance it, for one expensive city you can probably see three non-expensive cities, so maybe go to  Los Angeles, and then check out the secret places in California . Head to  Australia and drive through the Outback.  Other options can be to pick a cheaper place, like Dunedin or Adelaide and just spend a long time there, you will get such an amazing knowledge of the place, and phenomenal experiences.

However you decide to travel this holiday season, Transfercar can help you. We have great campervan deals, and great car deals to get your where you need to go! Transfercar will help get you to the best backpacking destinations on the planet. So enjoy your gallivanting around the world!

Travel and Leisure: Bet You Can’t Guess the World’s 5 Best Cities!

Out of the 248,720 cities in the world, there are five that have made the Best Cities in the World list on www.travelandleisure.com.  If I could do math, I’d be able to tell you what percentage that makes, but I can’t, so just start packing your bags because, well #YOLO.

1st Kyoto, Japan: Did you know that Kyoto was the official capital of Japan from 794 until 1868?  Now it’s Japan’s seventh largest city with 1.4 million people and a modern makeover. Luckily for Kyoto, it has a very rich, dramatic and varied history that will impress both the tourists and the history buffs. So, put this beauty on your list of places to see! With its countless temples, shrines, geishas, and tea ceremonies, Kyoto is the culture capital of Japan.

2nd Charleston, South Carolina. Well, kiss my grits! This is the third time the oldest city in South Carolina has made this list and it’s easy to see why! If you’re craving some “Southern Comfort”, then wandering through the city’s infamous Historic District, centuries-old mansions and magnolia-filled gardens might be what the 18th century Doctor ordered. This beautiful city has a great climate, wonderfully charming people (why, thank you dahling!) and well, THE BEST FOOD. Biscuits and gravy, shrimp and grits and B-B-Q to die for: this is one American city your stomach doesn’t want to miss out on.

3rd Florence, Italy. It’s not surprise finding Florence here in the top five. This city is like catnip to culture vultures, hungry to take in sights like Michelangelo’s David and the Uffizi Museum.  The Palazzo Pitti, Museo del Bargello, Museo Archeologico and the Medici chapels are nothing to sneeze at either! I won’t get into the food because I won’t stop, but let me just say: Antipasti! Caffe! Formaggi! Vino! Ah, in Florence it’s the ultimate la dolce vita!

4th Siem Reap, Cambodia.  This surprising city is in the most prosperous region of contemporary Cambodia. Being close to the Angkor Wat temple has turned Siem Reap into one of the world’s premier travel destinations. At the heart of the city is the Old Market, which is home to some incredible restaurants and shops that are easy on the wallet. If you’re looking for a party head into the bustling downtown area with its plethora of restaurants, bars and nightclubs and a night market that’s pumping well past midnight.

5th Rome. Fancy yourself a fashionista? If so, Rome’s for you. Whether you spend your time sightseeing, drinking coffee, watching the catwalk go by, or spending all your money in the upmarket fashion boutiques.  Rome is a favourite holiday destination for young and old. With the Pantheon, the Colosseum and St. Peter’s, this city is the world’s biggest open air museum! Bellisima! Visit https://www.trips2italy.com to find your best destination.

Transfercar can take you to some of the world’s best cities and more. Our list may be a little different but it includes hotspots like San Francisco, Sydney and Auckland. So grab a free car rental and go explore!

I am surprised I didn’t find here Las Vegas, as this city is a constant party and fun. Check VIP Wet Republic guest list sign up at http://www.lasvegasguestlist.com/pools/wet-republic if you are wondering what to do in Vegas tomorrow.

Opera in Da House: Why the Sydney Opera House is Better than You

So, I hear you think you’re pretty great, huh? Being the best you can be. Do you think you’re anywhere near as awesome as Sydney Opera House? I’m here to show you how you’re not in 10 points. Buckle up.

10. At Sydney Opera House, 1,600 performances happen every year. And it’s not just operas, but ballets, plays, pop music, symphonies, comedy, contemporary dance, and musical theatre.

(You go to Karaoke twice a year.)

9. Sydney Opera House supports the Vivid Sydney festival. This festival transforms Sydney with fantastic arrays of light, music and ideas. Here’s a menu: 56 installations by 140 artists from 15 countries, 80 Vivid Music shows by local and international artists, 200 events that showcase creative industries and 550 speakers sharing ideas.

(You have an iPod shuffle. Jealous?)

8. The Opera and Koalas tour gives you VIP access to Sydney Opera House and a guided tour of Taronga Zoo where you will all the weird and wonderful creatures of Australia. There are kangaroos, koalas, snakes,  crocodiles and possums to name a few critters.

(You’ve got 5 cats.)

7. The Royal Botanic Gardens has 18 feature gardens showcasing herbs to Begonias to Rain Forest plants. The Rare and Threatened Plants Garden is a must for green thumbs. The Palace Rose Garden has more than 1800 roses. It’s a feast for the senses.

(You have dandelions in your garden. You also get hayfever.)

6. The architect Jorn Utzon was rejected by three judges in the 1956 competition to design Sydney Opera House. Remarkably, his entry was then singled out as “outstanding” by the renowned American architect Eero Saarinen, who was the fourth and final judge. Utzon beat 232 other entrants and won 5000 pounds. Go underdogs!

(You designed your garden shed and won nothing.)

5. The Cloudy Bay Fish Co features sustainably caught seafood from the Marlborough Sound in New Zealand and an outstanding menu which showcases seafood in a contemporary, delicious way.

(You like greasy fish ‘n’ chips from the local Chinese takeout.)

4. The star of Opera Kitchen is a sushi and sashimi restaurant by Kenji Nishinakagawa, Australia’s foremost sushi artist offers a variety of sushi and sashimi ranging from traditional to modern taste.

(See #5.)

3. Sydney Opera House’s construction cost $AUS 102 million.

(Let’s not even talk about how much money you have.)

2. Work started on Sydney Opera House in 1959, with a whopping 10,000 builders employed.

(It only took 2 people to make you.)

1. The building is 185 metres long and 120 metres wide.

(You’re only 5’9”. Size matters.)

But don’t take any of this personally, because the Sydney Opera House is better than everyone. An absolute masterpiece of late modern architecture, Sydney Opera House has earned a reputation as a world-class performing arts centre and is a symbol of the Australian nation.

Transfercar wants to be the one who gets you there. This is how we do: ride with us.

Fantasy Trip #1: Backpacking through Australia

The idea of backpacking through Australia is enough to get me saying: Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi! Oi! Oi!

But man, this country is big. Where do you even start when planning a trip through OZ? We’ve compiled some easy steps and if you listen to us, everything’s gonna be fair dinkum.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

First, if you’re not already there, buy a ticket. And then hand the rest over to us! There is no better way to see Australia on your own terms than by car but it can be expensive. With Transfercar, the fees are so low that you’ll be able to spend most of your damn heavy Aussie coins on things that matter, like beer and barbeque. Do you really want to spend your days on a cramped bus? Do you want to miss the breathtaking scenery by flying? No, you don’t. So man up! Or lady up and take your trip into your own hands by driving one of our cars!

Pack It Up

Australia is hot so tank tops, board shorts and flip flops can take you a long way. Pack for comfort and not style. You’re not a runway, sweetie and I don’t see a modelling contract so stock up on some light, easy drying comfy clothes. When you hit the big cities like Sydney and Melbs, you can trawl the multitude of shops and fix yourself up real pretty. Be sure to pack some essentials like a flashlight, first aid kit (there’s a lot of critters that bite over here!), a quick-dry towel, and a tough water bottle.

Money Talks

Make sure you’ve got enough money to take you through to the finish line. If you’re planning on backpacking for more than 3 months, look into getting a work visa or even do some woofing on farms. And I don’t mean barking.

Sleep is for Suckahs

But you want to be well rested in order to fight off all those crocodiles that’ll be hunting you down. I mean, so you can have an enjoyable trip… YHA or HI hostels are always the way to go. Camping is a possibility if you’re not fussed about all the wild animals, especially the poisonous ones.  Hostels are great places to meet other like-minded travellers and, of course, to pick up hotties.

FOOOOOD

One of the best parts of travelling is the food. But, restaurants can be expensive so you might want to hit the grocery store instead. Cooking your own food is the best way to save money while backpacking and good hostels have well stocked kitchens with the frying pans and plates needed to make a good meal.

Wolf Creek

So, um, DON’T watch this movie before backpacking through Australia. Like seriously, don’t. But if do watch it and you get stuck in Wolf Creek, give us call and we’ll get you outta there pronto.

How to Pack for a Road Trip – Pack it Up, Pack it in

You’ve got your mates, maps and a sweet rental, but if you don’t pack right for your road trip, it could end up costing you. Here are some packing tips from some of our experts.

Make a List

You’re not an elephant, which means you’re going to forget things, important things that will ruin your life, well, maybe just your trip. So, get all Martha Stewart on your bad self and make a list of everything you’re going to need like sunglasses and sunscreen to extra undies. By planning in advance, you won’t miss any travel necessities. At the top of your awesome list should be proper documentation, navigation materials, and mobile phones and chargers.

Ring the Alarm

Make sure your car is kitted out with a spare tire (you easily find tires in Red Deer, as well as other auto stuff), a jack and some jumper cables. Have a set of spare keys on hand too, in case you accidentally lock them in the car, stupid. Bringing along the basics like ibuprofen, antacids, bug repellent, a small first aid kit, and hand sanitizer will make your life easier if the situation gets real.. Oh, if you’ve got anyone in the car that’s prone to motion sickness, let them off at the first gas station. Or bring some Dramamine if that seems too harsh.

Muzak

This is probably the most important thing. Ever. I’m going to assume that you and your pals have somewhat similar tastes in music, but it’s a good idea to set up some musical boundaries. Like, no Britney. No Cher. ABSOLUTELY NO NICKELBACK. Get everyone to bring their own iPods and make sure there are enough earphones to go around, that way if not everyone’s into your 1980’s hip hop remixes, they can escape.

All the Foods

Do you want to gain 5kg on your road trip and be mistaken for a beached whale at the beach? No? Then be sure to pack all the fruits and veg. Prepping in advance can save you money and pounds. Bring along Ziploc bags of cut up carrots and broccoli, and keep some healthy dips in your cooler. Because you have to bring a cooler, yo. Not for beersies, but for water. Pack some sammies for your first day on the road, and go nuts on sides: chips, pretzels, and granola bars all travel well. Bring some mints or gum for after.

Playtime

Yeah your smartphone is super awesome, but there’s no ‘us’ in Candy Crush. Well, actually there is, but bring a Frisbee or a ball anyway, or a deck of cards for some Crazy 8’s action. If you’re traveling with spawn, bring some kid friendly activity gear like a portable DVD player, laptops and iPads unless you want to hear the eternal chorus of “Are we there yet? Are we there yet?”  Books are cool too, and they make you look smart.

Another tip is to check if your car lock is functioning properly as no one wants to end up have problems with it. Last time I was on a road trip I had to call Locksmith in Edmond Oklahoma. It’s good the guys fixed everything very quickly as I was worried I will be behind my schedule.

Auckland Sky Tower – I believe I Can Fly!

Auckland cops a lot of flak in NZ because, well, it’s the best. No really, it is. Sure, it may not be a hipster capital (I’m looking at you, Wellington), but it’s a bustling big city that can compete with other world beauties like Vancouver or Seattle. If you’ve only a got a few days in NZ’s biggest city, then there is One Thing You Must Absolutely Do in Auckland.

But it’s a secret, sooo, this is awkward….

Ok, fine, I’ll tell you.

It’s the Sky Tower. You’ve got to do the Auckland Sky Tower.

At 328 metres, this Godzilla-esque tower is the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand. The stunning views of sprawling, dazzling Auckland are simply breath taking. While the views are a main attraction, Auckland’s Sky Tower isn’t just a pretty face. There’s plenty to explore up here, so take a deep breath (and maybe a shot of whiskey for courage) and let’s go exploring.

So, maybe you’re an adrenaline junkie, or perhaps you’re just plain nuts. Either or, the SkyJump may just be your fix. Crazies the world over have jumped and lived to tell their tales, touting it as an absolute must-do. The SkyJump is more like base jumping rather than the ol’ bungee. It’s simple: you’re attached to a wire and then you fall fast, 85km fast, and you land alive and well in the Sky City plaza. You even get a certificate proclaiming your insanity-er-bravery.

If you’re averse to falling then the SkyWalk is your deal. You can walk the line around the pergola 192 meters up the sky Tower, taking in the 360 degree panoramic views of this beautiful city, its harbour and the surrounding islands. Did I mention there are no handrails?! Whoops! But you’re all roped up, so it’s no biggie. Plus you get to make faces at the elite eating at Peter Gordon’s Sugar Club, which is a bonus in itself.

Now that you’ve survived two adrenaline pumping adventures, you’re ready to make it rain. If you’re feeling lucky, try your hand at popular casino games for money and machines online. Just be sure to keep it real and play at levels you can actually afford.

If you’ve managed to make it out of the Casino with some cash, you won’t be holding onto it much longer once you walk past the Sky Tower’s fabulous restaurants. Where’s the beef? It’s at The Grill by Sean Connolly, a restaurant that celebrates all things bovine and other delicious locally sourced animals. Al Brown, the King Kong of NZ food has made his name at Federal Delicatessen and Depot, serving up incredibly authentic NYC Jewish deli-style food and beautifully cooked NZ cuisine like freshly shucked oysters, whitebait and paua.

Sure, the Sky Tower may seem a bit touristy, but guess what? You’re a tourist. Your experience is what you make of it and the Sky Tower has the goods, so get amongst it.