Thelma and Louise is one of my all-time favorite road trip movies, and every time I watch a clip from the movie I want to take to the road on a new adventure.

There is something about the freedom of being able to turn off on a new unknown road or stop over for a break whenever you feel like it that makes road trips so appealling – all the opportunities for spur of the moment trips.

But if you’re going for a long trip that will last at least a couple of days, you will need a little more planning – other than the usual packing list with clothes and toiletries, here is a list of the essentials when packing for a road trip…

Rags, Wipes and Tissues

You would be surprised to find just how grateful you will be that you brought that rag along in the last moment, or that you remembered to bring the wet wipes and a toilet paper roll.

The only thing you can be sure will happen is that at some point of your road trip you will spill something, you will need to wash your hands and you will need to find a toilet – and the last one will not be the most hygienic..!

Crucial Contact Numbers

Be sure to have contact numbers for your insurance agency for auto and homeowners, in case something happens and you need to reach them. Also have other numbers handy such as a family member, police and emergency numbers.

Don’t rely on your phone but jot the numbers down in a notebook - if you need insurance, look at WorldNomads, and if you’re road tripping with a caravan take a look at the Caravan Club website as items in your caravan may not be covered by regular insurance.

The Travel Outfit

I always marvel at how classy the girls in old 50’s movies look when they step out of their convertible cars in high heels and wrinkle free skirts. It’s yet a mystery how they manage to pull that off, and I don’t suggest anyone taking on the challenge.

Instead, dress comfortably, and wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off. If you are lucky to have a convertible, however, there is one thing you could learn from the classy 50’s girls: the head scarf – without it your hair will be a mess and surprisingly greasy already after a few hours – trust me I made that mistake once myself.

Many Small Snack Packs

Bringing snacks on a road trip is as obvious as bringing car keys for the trip to actually work – but there is a risk that you will run out of snacks before you even hit the high way.

To avoid this, repack all your snacks into smaller bags so that you can store some away for later during the day.

Picnic Bag Essentials

The best part about road trips is that as lunch time approaches, you can stop over by a lake or other resting area along the way and have a picnic.

Don’t bother bringing real plates and cuttlery, but stick with paper plates and plastic cups and cuttlery instead – do bring a proper knife and cutting board though, and a bottle opener.

GPS and a Map

Whether it’s an app on your iphone/blackberry, or an actual GPS device in your car, knowing exactly where you are and which roads you should be on is one of the best ways to make sure that you stay on track.

Even if you do decide to take a different road than the one your GPS has chosen for you, it will be easy to get back on the right track later on.

However, DO NOT use Apple’s own map, we’ve all heard of how dangerously wrong it can be (read: Apple Map Fails).

We use an app called “Pocket Earth” which has been incredibly useful! Bring along a normal map of the areas you will be driving through as a back-up, since you can never trust technology to 100%.

Road Trip Music

The number one essential is of course to have some good road trip songs, preferably tracks you can sing along with.

One of my favorite ways of finding good road trip music is via sharemyplaylists.com, where others put together and share their playlists.

Simply search for “road trip” playlists and you will find some great music for the road!

App it Up

After enough sing-along road trip songs you will want to entertain yourself with something different, and for that there is no better and more travel-friendly thing than apps. But aside from games, also download some other useful apps like the weather so you know what to prepare for down the road.

Electricity Power Inverter

To prevent running out of battery with your phone, laptop and everything else you bring along, invest in an electricity power inverter.

These devices turn the charge from your car’s battery into electricity to power most small electronic devices like laptops and phones.

Just plug it into your cigarette lighter and it covnerts in the direct current (DC) from the battery to the alternating current (AC). An alternative is to bring a portable charger that you have charged up before hand, and recharge it again when you stop for the night at a caravan camping station.

Finally, unless you haven’t already thought of it, make sure you have an emergency toolkit in your car with an orange flag and flares in case you need help, a spare tire and a flashlight.

Do you have any tips of packing essentials for a road trip?

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The summer is coming up so you may well be searching for your holiday accommodation, but where do you begin to look? Well, you may be one of those people who couldn’t imagine a holiday stay in anything other than a hotel … if you are, think again.

For the past 6 months traveling through Europe we’ve only stayed in a handful of hotels, and instead aimed for staying in apartments whenever possible – it’s now our preferred way of traveling, and here are a few reasons why …

The Cost

The first advantage, and everybody’s favourite one, is that apartments cost much less to rent than a hotel room! With cheaper rates you’ll have more spending money for actually seeing the city and there are less hidden costs than you’ll encounter in most hotels.

And not only will you find apartments are cheaper, but you are often paying less money for a lot more space.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the longer you stay in an apartment, the better the deal (not always but most often). Staying for a month can cost the same as the two week deal on the same place.

Location

By renting an apartment you are likely to have much more choice when it comes to what part of town you’d like to stay in. Whereas hotels in a city tend to be concentrated to one little area, you’ll find holiday apartments all ove town.

So if you are really keen on a particular area of the city you’re planning to visit, then you probably won’t struggle to find an apartment there.

Cooking at Home

Unlike a stay in a hotel, with an apartment you’ll have your own kitchen to use at mealtimes – so whether you just want to make a cup of coffee and a bowl of cereal at breakfast or are planning a huge feast one evening, you will have a kitchen there ready for whenever you need it.

In hostels they often also have a kitchen, but you would have to share it with 20 other people which can be frustrating.

Another added bonus of cooking at home is that you’ll save even more money. Restaurants can be quite pricey in some holiday locations so it’s nice to have the option of eating on for some of the nights.

Meeting the Locals

You are a lot more likely to meet some interesting locals during your stay in an apartment. Perhaps when waiting for the lift or when crossing paths at the front door, you’ll be sure to bump into some locals during your stay.

It’s the locals that really make a city what it is, so it’d be a lot more fun to meet them than to meet some tourist with a giant map and bag full of souvenirs at the hotel.

Amenities

The last advantage is that many of the holiday apartments out there have handy amenities that you often won’t find in a hotel.

Things like washing machines, televisions and ironing boards – that you had always assumed are were simply not meant to be a part of the holiday experience – are now there and waiting for you in your holiday apartment!

Convinced? Well, if you’re now ready to try the holiday apartment experience then start looking through apartments and book the one that seems perfect for you. GowithOh is one apartment rental site with 17 cities and counting and worth a look for first-timers – and after your first stay in an apartment, you’ll never look back!

What do you think about staying in apartments when you travel, is it something you would consider doing?

Guest Post by Oliver Kyle: It’s normally around this time of the year that Brits begin to consider a location for the year’s summer holiday.

A trip abroad to enjoy some sun, sea, sand and relaxation is a popular choice for many, but deciding on where to go can be a more difficult decision.

Islands make great summer holiday retreats as you can benefit from the sunshine and beaches in addition to also being able to sample the local cuisine and experience the culture of those who live on the island.

To help you choose an island for your forthcoming summer holiday, here are five of the very best from around the world…

Tenerife

Tenerife is a hugely popular destination for Brits and many others from around Europe, showcased by the fact that 5 million tourists visit year on year.

It is hardly surprising though as this Spanish island offers temperatures of between 22 and 28 degrees Celsius all year round, so pretty much guarantees sunshine and warmth for a holiday during the summer months.

The island has two airports to handle the large numbers and aside from the main tourist areas such as Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos, the island is also home to two national parks, four nature reserves and many other cultural delights, making it a fantastic location for a holiday no matter how you like to spend your time.

Maldives

If you are willing to travel a little further afield and spend a bit more cash, the Maldives is the summer holiday retreat for you.

Just 200 of the 1000 plus islands are inhabited but that doesn’t stop the visitors pouring in every year to benefit from the gorgeous weather and great range of activities on offer.

The Maldives are perfect from diving and snorkelling as the clear water coupled with amazing coral islands to dive around give you plenty to explore, whilst the beautiful white, sandy beaches are the ideal place to rest up for the day and top up your tan if water sport isn’t your thing.

Fiji

Even further afield lies Fiji, an island to the northeast of New Zealand. A large proportion of the Fijian population inhabit just two of the 332 islands in the area, Vanua Levu and Vita Levu, which are unsurprisingly the most popular locations to visit for tourists.

For an island where you feel away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the world, Fiji is certainly the place for you, which is epitomised by the fact that there is always the potential to visit an area on one of the islands where very few people have ever been before!

Hvar

Croatia has everything it takes to be the perfect destination for an island getaway; the country boasts the most stunning coastlines with crystal clear waters, sunny warm weather, beautiful lush islands and a great culture.

Hvar is the most popular island in the Adriatic among young travelers, who are drawn to its vibrant night scene.

However, without an extensive tourist infrastructure the island has kept to its roots and offers an authentic Croatian island experience.

Croatia is also one of the cheapest summer destinations in Europe, which makes it the perfect summer holiday for young backpackers.

Rhodes

The beautiful Greek island of Rhodes guarantees sunshine on your summer holiday as it is recognised as having the best sunshine record of all the islands in the Mediterranean.

With clear blue seas to match the sky, sandy bays to grab a sun lounger and relax for the day alongside great bars, restaurants and shopping arcades, Rhodes is a popular destination for all manner of tourists, from those looking for lively nightlife thanks to the resorts of Faliraki and Lindos through to those who prefer a more steady pace to their holiday which can be achieved in the resort of Pefkos.

Should you be looking for an island to spend your summer holiday this year, hopefully one of the five detailed above has caught your eye and you can experience the benefits of being in such a fabulous location firsthand in the coming months.

 This post was written by Oliver Kyle for Debenhams Travel Insurance; if you are heading off to a luxurious holiday island this summer, don’t forget to purchase travel insurance to ensure you and your finances are protected throughout.

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Conversation is crucial for language development and mastery – the importance of conversation is something that those studying child development have known for years but it’s something that learners of second languages often forget.

Even those who are looking to immerse themselves in a language and have opted to learn German in Germany, for example, often fail to take advantage of the many opportunities to talk to locals that exist outside the classroom.

Here is a guide to getting out there, making the most of your travels and speaking to the locals so you too can talk like a local.

Don’t Be Shy

The best way to perfect your language skills is by using them, so try and overcome your inhibitions and start conversations with locals when you travel – you will not only pick up new words and phrases but also invaluable listening skills and many new friends.

Here are some useful tips to help you start conversations and keep them flowing smoothly:

• Don’t be afraid – ask people to speak slowly and clearly.

• Always seek clarification if you do not understand – rephrase what you have heard to make sure you have understood correctly.

• Carry a pen – a picture speaks a thousand words and you can ask for words you do not understand to be written down.

• Learn to look out for the non-verbal communication – and use exaggerated actions yourself if you’re struggling to find the right word.

Take A Chance

Whether you’re learning a language in Berlin, London, Tokyo or Rome there are plenty of great ways to ensure you take advantage of as many opportunities as possible.

Of course, if English is your first language just getting people to stop speaking to you in English is the first barrier to overcome.

Here are some tips to achieve this:

• Get off the tourist trail – you will find people are more comfortable speaking just the local language away from the tourist sites.

• Just ask – explain you want to learn their language and would be happier if you used it as much as possible.

• Avoid always reverting to English if you get stuck – use gestures, drawings or similar words to prompt your partner to supply the right one.

• Be expressive – if you feel your speech is slow you can retain a listener’s interest through changes in your tone of voice and the use of your face, hands, arms and body.

• Be fair – if people wish to practice their English suggest having some conversations in their language and then some in English.

Taking a language course abroad with an organisation like ESL – Language Travel is a great way to travel and learn a language.

However, here are some other ways you can ensure you get those conversations started and meet locals abroad:

• Couchsurfing is a great site for looking for and arranging meet-ups with locals who will gladly show you around and provide conversational partners.

• The Ghetto Gourmet (theghet.com) lists places all over the world where strangers get together and eat dinner at someone’s home.

• Meetup.com is another great site for meeting locals with an interest or hobby that you share.

• Finally the Travel Blog Exchange (travelblogexchange.com) lists travel bloggers from all over the world who are exactly the sort of people who could show other travellers around and share some conversations along the way.

The successful language learner needs to lose their reservations and start making those conversations.

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While they say the best way to learn a lesson is to learn from your own mistakes, we have a tendency to forget what we learn over a period of time.

Sometimes, that’s a good thing – for example when we forget just how much a broken heart hurts, and throw ourselves right back in the game and meet the love of our lives. If we never forgot the pain, we probably wouldn’t want to fall in love ever again.

But sometimes, our tendency to forget is just plain stupid. It happens to me all the time when I travel, and I’ve seen the same thing in other travellers.

I start out being really careful over my health and belongings, always washing my hands with hand sanitizer, and holding a firm grip of my bag and camera.

But after a few months without anything happening, I get sloppy. My hand sanitizer runs out and I don’t bother buying a new one, I start eating with my fingers, and I’m not at all afraid of getting mugged.

I start taking safety and health for granted. And that’s just when it happens - of course…

Insurance Is Not A Luxury

Travel insurance is not a luxury – accidents can happen on even the shortest of trips and the costs of medical treatment or other expenses could potentially be astronomical if you fall ill and are not covered.

It’s easy to get “annoyed” over money you spend that you might not get to take advantage of, but when something actually does happen it feels so good knowing that you took that small precaution and paid a considerably small price compared to what you got in return.

Travel insurance is a way of protecting yourself from unforeseen and unfortunate occurrences, ranging from medical costs incurred if you fall ill or are injured to the exact cost of the lost items if you are the victim of theft.

In the past 5 years of traveling, I’ve had all of them happen to me, last time being when we were mugged in Malaysia.

Are You Already Covered?

If you are travelling in Europe you should pick up a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) – this entitles you to the level of state provided health care a resident of the place you are visiting would get.

I’ve used it myself and it worked just fine, but depending on where you are and what treatment you’re getting you may still have to pay some (or all) of the costs – the EHIC will not cover the costs of emergency repatriation if you have to be flown back to the UK, so getting a proper travel insurance is still better.

Also remember to check if your home insurance offers travel insurance, as they tend to give some good deals. Often they already cover you for  trips up to a certain number of days!

Choose Wisely

Some people think all travel insurance companies are the same and as good as each other, but that’s just not true.

It can be boring and time consuming to read through every single detail of the insurance policies before purchasing, but these policies are what will matter when things go down, and it can be a matter of thousands of pounds in difference between what companies cover.

Read this travel insurance checklist to see some of the most important things the insurance company should cover!

Types of travel insurance

The two main types of travel insurance are single- and multi-trip insurance. Single-trip travel insurance, as the name implies, covers you for the duration of one specified trip.

Multi-trip insurance covers you for multiple trips taken in a given time, typically a year – if you are going away more than once, multi-insurance might be a more economical solution, and then there is also the Backpacker insurance which covers you for extended trips.

Sport Insurance

One thing many people forget is that most travel insurances don’t cover your sport activities, perhaps because that’s when they’re most likely to happen…

On our last ski trip two people hurt themselves pretty badly, and weren’t sure if their insurance would cover the expenses.

If you’re planning to do any sports on your trip, it’s definitely worth getting insured for it – you don’t want to have to pay the exorbitant costs of a broken leg or several nights at a hospital from your own pockets!

Save Everything!

The best tip I can give is to make sure you’ve done everything “by the books”.

If you lose your belongings you will need the receipts for everything you lost, so save all your receipts on things like cameras, laptops etc.

If you get robbed, you will need a written paper from the Police first, so go there as soon as possible – if you get sick and pay for a doctor to come to your hotel and buy medication, save all receipts.

Rule of thumb: save everything, and make sure it’s not just in your bag (in case it gets lost), e-mail it to yourself so it will be safe online!

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Guest Post by Erica Hollman: A solo holiday is an opportunity to enjoy a trip abroad entirely on your own terms, whether you want to relax at a luxurious resort or indulge your passion for sightseeing in an exotic location.

With over a third of adults in the UK living alone, the stigma about solo holidays has well and truly evaporated, with many travel companies actively encouraging solo travellers – so if you’ve been longing to get away from it all, but feel held back by the lack of a travelling companion, there’s never been a better time to make the leap.

City Breaks

A solo city break is a great chance to lose yourself in an entirely unfamiliar culture – many travellers enjoy taking the day to explore the cultural touchstones of their destination and take in some shopping, but might prefer some company in the evening.

Consider a group singles holiday, which allows you to be as sociable as you like, when you like – couples on holiday can be quite insular, so going it alone is a great way to get out of your comfort zone and expand your social circle.

Adventure Holidays

Shared adventures are a great way to bond, and with over half of all adventure holiday customers travelling alone, you’re more likely than ever to meet like-minded people.

From physical challenges like hiking and mountaineering to charity and volunteer work, venturing off the beaten path can often lead to an unforgettable experience.

Beach Holidays

If your idea of heaven is a beach, a good book, and no distractions, packing off to a stunning resort on your own can be an ideal way to recharge the batteries.

Even the most popular holiday destinations such as Ibiza and Spain have quieter, lesser known areas that can be a paradise for the solitary traveller.

Cruises

If making new friends is your goal, a cruise can be just the ticket – with a wide variety of group activities on hand but no obligations to join in with anything you don’t want to, you can get to know your fellow passengers at a pace that suits you.

Travel companies used to aim primarily at couples, but have recently woken up to the market for solo holidaymakers with very affordable single travel cabins now widely available.

If you’re going on holiday by yourself it’s more important than ever to be fully protected in all eventualities. Make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance, and if you’re going somewhere outside the ordinary, always check your policy to make sure all of your planned activities fall within your cover.

Over 50s travel insurance often features optional extras reflecting the popularity of specialist holidays – such as golf insurance – whether you’re crossing the globe or snoozing in your deckchair, with a little forward planning you can enjoy the holiday of a lifetime with peace of mind.

Taking city breaks in Europe is a great way to travel for those who can’t take weeks or months off from work, and still want to experience as much of the culture as possible in a short period of time. In cities you can see and experience a lot in just one day, from the country’s history to culture and local food.

But if you choose the wrong time or season to go on city breaks in Europe you’ll risk having such a bad experience that you’ll never dare to try it again.

Here are a few tips to make the most of city breaks in Europe…

When?

Taking city breaks in Europe is very different from the usual beach holidays: when planning beach holidays the number one most important factor is the weather.

A rainy holiday in a beach destination could possibly end up being the most boring holiday of your life, so to guarantee a sunny vacation, people go during the driest and hottest months of the year – along with everyone else.

When it comes to city breaks however, these are often precisely the months you want to avoid. There is nothing more exhausting than being in the middle of a big city in 33 degrees weather, desperately looking for a shady square to cool down in.

Instead, aim for the months during the shoulder-season, spring and autumn are perfect for city breaks in Europe.

In spring the weather is warming up, the days are longer and flowers are blossoming. It’s a beautiful time of the year, and even Greece is green and colorful at this time before the sun makes everything turn brown.

The weather heats up earlier in southern Europe, so weekend breaks are great already in March, while northern Europe is at its best in May-June.

Keep in mind however that Scandinavia is an exception, where the hottest months are usually the best as the weather rarely goes above 25 degrees.

Events and attractions

Autumn is just as good as spring, with beautiful color shifts in nature, vineyards looking their very best and a great time for food festivals. It also has a quieter more relaxed vibe than spring.

During the shoulder-seasons, museums are much quieter and lines at attractions are significantly shorter, so if you’ve planned some cultural sights spring and autumn are by far better months to visit – as long as you avoid Easter holiday and weekends.

Where?

Where you should go on a city break almost entirely depends on what you want to see and do - Berlin is often a great option because there is a good range of things to see and do for a four day itinerary, and plenty of cheap airlines fly there daily.

Italy has a lot of cities that are perfect for weekends, and are often broken down into what you’re interested in. Generally, Venice is the beautiful city unlike anything you’ve ever seen, Rome is full of historical and cultural sights, Bologna is famous for its incredible food and Milan for the shopaholic.

One of our favorite city break destinations is Prague, a bit rough around the edges but so pretty, and kind to the wallet. It has a great mixture of culture and history, and four days is not overwhelming and yet not boring – just perfect.

Budapest is also recommended in spring and autumn, as the summers get scorchingly hot and you won’t be able to enjoy the thermal baths the city is so famous for.

How?

It doesn’t really matter how you get to your city break destination, but choose the transport that takes the least effort and time. Flying may seem faster, but when counting in the time getting to the airport and all the preparations, train or bus might just be faster and easier.

For accommodation, Bed & Breakfast places are our favorite choice for exploring cities, especially for short weekend breaks.

Not having to worry about going out for breakfast will save precious time, and often B&B’s offer a more intimate and cultural experience than chain hotels that all look and work the same.

What is your favorite month for city breaks in Europe?

Along with festivities, copious amounts of food and the possible devastating hangover, many of us mentally commit ourselves to adhering to the resolutions we make for ourselves for the year to follow.

Such promises have become so famous that in recent times a Wikipedia entry has even been created for New Year’s resolution with the world’s most popular annual promises. One of the primary reasons that so many resolutions go unfulfilled is that they seem more of a chore than a benefit.

So, would it not make more sense to promise ourselves a positive change as well as a pleasant way to achieve it? Travelling is one of the most popular ways to experience the best of both worlds.

Physical Fitness

Resolution: “Improve well-being, eat healthy food, lose weight, and exercise more”

This may well be the most popular unfulfilled promise we make to ourselves each and every year – instead of attempting to cajole ourselves into taking that cold journey to the local gymnasium in the grey of winter, why not spice up such activities with a trip abroad?

The mountains of northern France present a great opportunity to hike in the crisp winter air while absorbing some of the most breath-taking sights; on a clear day one can even see the peaks of the alps from afar.

Skiing and snowboarding are also popular sports undertaken during this time of year and there are numerous locations to choose from. If healthy eating is also a priority, many local towns offer quality meals with locally grown and organic products; certain to please both the palate and the waistline.

And if you choose to follow the sun at this time of year with the intention of spending some time lying on the beach or by the pool – why not dive in?

Reduce Stress

Resolution: “Improve mental well-being; think positive, laugh more often, enjoy life”.

It is unfortunate that stress has become almost compulsory in these modern times, but we all have ways to alleviate the symptoms.

Should the drudgery of daily work be dragging you down, why not take a trip to the Mediterranean coast of Spain?

Even in the deepest throes of winter the sun will usually be shining and the lazy corner shops still emitting echoes from a simpler, less anxious era.

As there are a distinct lack of tourists during the off-season, one can partake in long strolls on many of the local beaches and gaze off into the azure blue of the Mediterranean Sea.

If you organize something diverting and inspiring to do each day, suddenly any troubles and stress may feel as far off as the horizon itself!

Settling Down

Resolution: “Get engaged, or married (or have kids!)”

Is 2013 the year to tie the knot?  If so, then finding the perfect honeymoon destination is equally as important as finding the correct engagement ring.

In this case, many choose to visit Belgium for such an occasion. In fact, Belgium has been called the best kept secret in Europe for romantic getaways.  It is also a destination easily reachable by ferry from the UK via p&o ferries.

A couple can choose to stroll through the Ardennes hills and witness ancient castles or visit the many cathedrals and quaint towns which still dot the countryside.

Finishing off a wonderful day with an evening in a welcoming pub can be a great way for a couple to discover a new culture and a bit more about one another at the same time.

This article was written by Thomas Marion on behalf of P&O Ferries. The information and views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of the company. The following is a link to the P&O Ferries homepage – http://www.poferries.com/

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Some people don’t like the word “exotic” – others jump at the opportunity to say that this or that fruit isn’t exotic anymore or isn’t exotic for this or that country.

But you know what? I like the word exotic – it awakens a curiosity within me, an excitement of a world that perhaps is not yet as mainstream as people make it out to be.

Sure, the world does feel smaller and smaller, and there are foods in our supermarkets today that nobody would have ever heard of 10 years ago – but to me, there are many fruits that I have yet to taste or only had the privilege of trying once – and those, in my opinion, are exotic …

Kiwano Melon – Africa

Also known as the African cucumber, this slimey looking melon with horns is native to the African Kalahari Desert – today you can also find it in California and New Zealand.

Some people say it’s the most disgusting fruit they’ve ever tried, others say it reminds them of a blend between banana, lime, passionfruit and cucumber – an unsual blend indeed…!

Durian – South East Asia

One of the strangest tasting experiences I’ve had is with the Durian – this big, spiky, evil-looking fruit has some dedicated fans, but even more people who avoid it at all cost.

The reason why it’s such a strange experience to taste it is because you’re fighting your own senses. Your nose tells you to stay the hell away, while your tongue tells you to continue eating.

The fruit actually tastes pretty good, but the smell is stomach-turning, which is why you will see signs everywhere in South East Asia banning the fruit.

Everything from hospitals to hotels to buses put up big signs warning anyone from bringing the fruit inside.

Wood Apple – Sri Lanka

When I first saw the wood apple I thought it was inedible. The shell looks like a rock, and the insides look rotten.

But don’t let the look – or funky smell, fool you, because it tastes great – if you don’t want to eat it as it is, order a wood apple smoothie or juice, and you will be hooked!

Ugli – Caribbean

This is a fruit I have yet to taste, and to be honest I had never even heard of this fruit until just a few days ago.

Just the name alone makes me want to try this fruit, and the fact that the name describes the look of it is even better!

The Ugli looks a bit like an ugly version of an orange, and tastes like a mix between a grapefruit, orange and tangerine – the fruit is a favorite among locals, can be found everywhere from tiny street stalls to Caribbean luxury resorts.

Jackfruit – India

Seriously one of the tastiest fruits I’ve ever had, the yellow flesh of the Jackfruit is sweet and mild, similar to pineapple – only better… The fruit is one of the largest tree-borne fruits in the world, so I would suggest buying the flesh by itself rather than the whole fruit.

Snake Fruit – Indonesia

Snake fruit, or Salak, is a fruit I haven’t seen anywhere outside Asia.

It looks like an imaginary snake egg, with a shell like the skin of a snake.

The snake egg has a sweet and sometimes tangy taste to it, kind of like pineapple but with a completely different consistency, like an apple, and it looks like huge peeled garlic cloves.

One of the reasons you don’t see it much in places where the fruit doesn’t grow is because it goes rotten only a week after picking. Even in a country where the fruit grows it’s hard to spot the tasty ones from the bad.

Be careful when eating it, avoid the red parts as they’re a bit sour, and remember that the pulp inside is inedible!

Sapodilla – Caribbean

Sapodilla is basically nature’s cotton-candy. It is super sweet, like syrup. Someone once described it as a caramel-covered pear.

It’s definitely a highlight for people taking luxury holidays in the Caribbean, but picking them is an art form.

As they are picked before they ripen, they must be stored in certain ways. Some bury them underground, others wrap them up in clothes to speed up the process.

Feijoa – South America

With a consistency of a pear and a flavor like something between guava, pineapple and strawberry – this fruit really has combined the best flavors in the world..!

While it is native to South America, it’s mainly grown in New Zealand today – it’s also Nathan’s favorite fruit

Other exotic fruits worth trying: Longan, Lychee (one of my favorites), Rhambutan, Santol, Mangosteen (yum!) and Dragonfruit (yuck!).

What are some exotic fruits you have tried?

Before switching from backpacks to roller bags just over a year ago, we never expected the impact this seemingly small change would have on our travels.

Practically every year since 2008 we’ve bought new backpacks, constantly downsizing, going from 95L to 45L and finally carry-on sized roller bags, and each change has brought a new experience with it.

There are positives and negatives about each of them, and we thought we would sum up some interesting experiences we’ve learned through the years…

The “Better Backpacker”

two huge backpacks, a 7kg tent bag, sleeping bags and daypacks… need we say more? (2008)

For some reason, a lot of “backpackers” seem to think that the only “real” travelers are those actually wearing a bulky, heavy backpack.

If you’re not carrying around a backpack but a roller bag instead, people immediately assume that you’re not a long-term traveler.

I don’t think many people who have seen us rolling our small roller bags down the street would think that we had been traveling for years.

A lot of backpackers simply have that look that says “I’m so cool, because I’m backpacking off the beaten path with my backpack”, smirking at us with our little “weekend bags”.

I would never have thought that the type of bag you used mattered to anyone but yourself, but for some people it really does.

Standing Out & Fitting In

Likewise, you get judged in a different way from hotels and staff depending on your luggage.

While we most often like to find affordable and budget friendly hotels where anyone “fits in”, we used to get very surprised looks when arriving at a fancy hotel with backpacks.

Personally I love to mess with peoples’ assumptions so I quite enjoyed the confused looks, but when we traveled with roller-bags nobody in the staff at fancier hotels would raise an eyebrow.

Roller bags look more professional and usually blend in and fit easier anywhere, while backpacks often take up a lot of space when you squeeze into trams, trains and buses.

Physical Struggles …

1 month after the first photo in 2008

Backpacks:

- We were tired of always being soaked in sweat after carrying our backpacks for an hour, and after some time my shoulders and back started to hurt and I ended up with a very bad posture.

I was sure that a few months longer with that and I would look like Quasimodo’s sister..!

+ On the plus side you have both hands free and can walk up stairs easier, and you can get away with over-packing easier as they tend to give more space to expand.

Roller Bags:

- Trying to drag a roller bag through a layer of snow or on extremely big cobble stones is just a ridiculously hard task, and after a few weeks of hardcore traveling I actually had started to get calluses on my hands..!

+ With the roller bag, I don’t get a sweaty back and don’t have to actually carry the weight even when standing still.

Convenience

The main reason we decided to switch to roller bags was because we wanted to be sure that our bags could be brought as carry-on with flights like Ryanair.

When traveling with our backpacks as carry-on, we were always worrying about whether the bag would be too big for their sizing, while the roller bag will never expand in size and therefore guarantee that it fits.

This has made traveling by plane more convenient, although it sometimes sucks having to throw stuff out every time you buy something new.

Backpacks are great for hiking and trekking, but since we’re not hikers we found that most places we traveled to had at least a dirt road to the hotel where we could unload our stuff.

Which do you prefer – roller bag or backpack?