Yes, you read it correctly. Travel 30+ countries VISA-FREE with US visa. I always encourage travelers from developing countries to get a US visa at some point. It opens up doors to many other countries. More and more countries are offering visa exemption with a valid US visa. This list is growing fast. If you are worried that the VISA-FREE list for your passport is just too small, then get a US visa. It will add about 30+ countries to your VISA-FREE list. This is how you give more "power" … [Read more...]
14 ways to get a travel itinerary for visa application
Getting a travel itinerary for visa application is the most difficult and confusing parts of the visa process. Consulates insist on providing with confirmed flight and hotel bookings. But they do not recommend purchasing an actual ticket. They just want an itinerary. Did you see how confusing is that? Often times the consulates ask for one of these - Flight tickets Flight itinerary Flight confirmation Confirmed flight tickets Confirmed flight itinerary Round trip flight … [Read more...]
How to trek to Everest Base Camp – A Day by Day Itinerary
Everest base camp trek is a goal, a dream and a bucket list item for many. A journey though the majestic Himalayas. An unforgettable adventure of a life time. I highly recommend hiring a guide for your trek. But, the trek can also be done easily without a guide. If you are trekking on your own or hiring a guide, either way this guide on how to trek to Everest base camp will serve you as your day by day itinerary to your EBC journey. Note: The first step of the process is to plan for the trek. … [Read more...]
How to plan your Everest Base Camp trek
The Everest Base Camp trek is an adventure of a lifetime. It is not just a trek - it is a journey, it’s a challenge and on top of all it is an achievement. The sense of accomplishment when you arrive at the base camp is incredible. It is a walk in the foot steps of legends like Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. It is an inspiration from the summiteers who lost their lives like Scot Fischer and Rob Hall. It is a mesmerizing view of the world’s highest mountains. It is a journey through the … [Read more...]
15 ways to research visa requirements for any country
One of the biggest hurdles for travelers from developing countries is the visa. Venturing into international travel with a powerless passport can be scary. Especially with confusing and often times conflicting visa requirements. It is often difficult to research visa requirements. There is no one source out there that gives you a complete picture. You have to contact consulates, read up on blogs, check with airlines and search on the internet to figure the visa procedure. I have been … [Read more...]
10 tips for a happy and successful Airbnb stay
I have been using Airbnb for almost 3 years now. Over these 3 years, I have learned the tips and tricks on how to select a perfect Airbnb listing that works best for my needs. I have had trouble at the beginning due to lack of reviews. I have also had a few last minute host cancelations. I have had both good and bad experiences with Airbnb. But, over the time I have learned how to make my stay happy and satisfying. From my personal experience, here are my 10 tips for a happy and successful … [Read more...]
10 things NOT to do in Rio de Janeiro
With lush green mountains, breath taking beaches and wild parties, Rio de Janeiro is hands down one of the beautiful cities in the world. That's why Cariocas (Rio locals) call this city Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City). There is a reason why it attracts millions of tourists every year. The world's largest party, Carnival brings millions of visitors to Rio. The new year's eve fireworks are one of the best in the world. It's home for one of the 7 wonders of the modern world, Cristo … [Read more...]
What are the pros and cons of using Airbnb
I have been using Airbnb for almost 3 years now. It has become my preferred mode of accommodation whenever I travel. Here are my top pros and cons of using Airbnb. I had a rough start with Airbnb due to lack of reviews. But once I had a few reviews, it was a smooth sail. It has been great so far and I have enjoyed every Airbnb stay of mine. For those who have never used Airbnb, let’s talk about what exactly is Airbnb. What is Airbnb? As travelers, we have stayed in hotels, hostels or … [Read more...]
How to Save Money While Traveling
Money is the number one concern while traveling. If you are a long term traveler or traveling frequently, staying within the budget becomes very important. We as visa travelers also have to deal with additional expenses such as visa fee. Here are the 7 ways to save money while traveling that I learned from my personal experience. 1) No transaction fee credit cards No foreign transaction fee - Most banks charge a 3% foreign transaction fee every time you use your credit card abroad. Check … [Read more...]
How to spend a week in Vancouver
Vancouver is an urban city and an outdoor playground at the same time. It has all the sophistication of an urban city and the great outdoors are just steps away. If you really want, you can ski in the morning and hit the beach in the afternoon. It is also Canada’s most multicultural city. In my opinion, one week is not really enough to experience Vancouver to its fullest. I have spent 12 days in total. But, if I had only one week to spend in Vancouver, this would be my itinerary. I like to … [Read more...]