August 18, 2006 - 7:16 p.m.
a biased account of travelling
things to bring
flip flops
granola/muesli
olive oil
balsamic vinegar
plastic cutlery and bowl
bikini
camera
rail pass
avoid places that guidebooks may focus on in favour of lesser known locales with fewer tourists.
big cities all feel the same after a few months, but each small town seems to have a distinct energy (or lack of it...which may be fun too).
take advice from fellow travellers, especially if you hear the same place enthused about by more than a few people. however, if taking travel tips, make sure you're considering the budget and travel style of the advisor...
ie. if she,...really, totally loved Nice because it had such great shopping, great clubs and great restaurants that were such a nice change from the food at her mom's villa in Italy, think about whether you might rather go to that place you've never heard of before recommended by the couple you met eating in the park that night with the bottle of wine who'd been travelling for 9 months.
