I get this question a lot from readers. Is the Japan Rail pass a good value? I mean it’s expensive and honestly, I really don’t want to spend so much on a train if I can save in other ways. Travel in Japan is expensive, it’s just a fact of the situation there. Yes, there are opportunities to use slower trains between some of the destinations but … [Read more...]
Travel Advice
7 Reasons you should Visit Philadelphia
After having lived in this region on and off for many years I feel that I’m always “defending” Philadelphia from the Naysayers. Sure there were some problems back in the day, there were a lot of dangerous areas (and still are). But things have been improving a lot and have improved a lot. Philadelphia is the king of turn around stories and this … [Read more...]
My trip to Bangalore and Mysore – or why (most) day tours are terrible
He looked at me, his nose scrunching at the idea and a look of dejection ran down his face. I could tell he was not pleased with my suggestion. “But, But, But, how will we see…everything?” – he asked. I sighed, past experience dictated it would not work out, but I knew I didn’t really had it in me to fight. Sometimes with new travelers only through … [Read more...]
Indian Visa Process: BLS International
I get a lot of emails for support on getting a Indian Visa, and a lot of notes about my difficulty from before. So I figured I would try to pull together some tips and a guide for getting the Visa to help avoid some of the issues. These steps focus on a Tourist Visa applied for in USA, since that is where I have the experience. I have … [Read more...]
Getting a Indian Visa with BLS International
-- Note-- I added in a guide to getting the visa for those looking for help. It’s been several years since my last trip to India. In 2007 I made it an important goal to get to Hyderabad India to see my grandfather who was getting up in age. And I’m blessed to have had that opportunity since it was not soon afterwards that he had passed … [Read more...]
Where to Travel in 2014
With 2014 just starting up, it’s time to start planning your year of travel. I pulled together a list of great destinations to check out in the new Year with recommendations on when to go there. I pulled these from lists of places I have visited personally to make sure the recommendation is not simply just a rehash of other … [Read more...]
Jordan Travel Guide: Travel Overview
Introduction When I tell people about Jordan, often they ask me, why would you want to go there? But once they learn all the beautiful places and of the hospitable people in the country they seem all the more inspired to visit there soon itself. For such a tumultuous region as well, Jordan appears to be a oasis almost completely unaffected … [Read more...]
Survival Guide for Taxis in Amman (with Language Guide)
"So how was your first day" - I asked L as he beamed a smile at me."Ahh it was great, I went downtown and it was cheap too, only cost 7JD to get there" he replied"7 JD! You got robbed! That's over twice the price" - I angrily retorted He looked quite dejected at having overpaid for something he had imagined he got a good price on. … [Read more...]
Renting a Car in Amman Jordan
There are various ways to rent a car when you are traveling in Jordan. Overall, there is a right way, a wrong way, and a Jordanian way to renting a car in Amman Jordan. There is one I was used to previously, the western car company approach. All the big car companies exist here in Jordan (Avis, Hertz, Sixt, Thrifty) and it operates generally how … [Read more...]
10 Places to Visit in Jordan (Besides the Famous 3)
Everyone Knows the Best Couple Places To Visit in Jordan. Don’t get me wrong, I love all things about Jordan. It is an amazing country to visit, and everyone you talk to wants to see Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead. They claim they’ve “done” Jordan, and when they are told they are just scratching the surface. “So what else is … [Read more...]
12 Tips for Eating Cheap While Traveling
Travel can be expensive...and one of those large costs can be the amount of money it takes to eat on the road. Eating is sometimes one of my biggest costs and one of the things I tend to splurge on while travel, I just try to "splurge smart". I splurge on the unique activities in the places if you can. And for everything else … [Read more...]
Top Packing Tips for the New Traveler
Lets face it, we are all new to things sometimes. I get a lot of questions and comments and complaints about travel and packing and what not, so here are a few tips to help you get started. What to Buy Backpack or Suitcase? Well that is the question always on people’s minds. Do you need a backpack if you are a backpacker? Think … [Read more...]