Remember that dream trip? The white sands, turquoise blue water, margaritas, and warm weather? Now that you are back home and the cold of winter has really set in, it all seems so far away that it might even have been just a dream. When you are really missing that favorite destination of yours, it seems so tempting to hop on a jet and fly back, unpack your bags, and settle in for good.

But escaping reality is not always a possibility. The reality is, you have a life where you have settle down and it can be hard to break free from your job, friends, family, and daily routine. If you do not have the option of leaving your space for good, you can invite your dream destination into your regular life at home.

When we visit establishments based in the culture of our dream destination, we can revisit those areas without ever having to hop on a jet to do so. If you are missing those white sands and warm weather, try visiting a local Mexican joint that serves up authentic fare and ambiance to boot. Food is one thing, but you are missing more than just the taste of fish tacos. What you are looking for is to recreate the feeling of being in that exotic locale. You want to experience the culture, smell the smells, hear the noises, and speak with the locals. You can only do that by making sure you check into an establishment that authentically represents the culture where its food comes from.

Next time you are feeling a little down about being back in the daily grind, remember that you can bring your little slice of paradise right back into your home life. That exotic destination is not actually that far off. When you do a little looking around, you will find that some of the best parts of the place you love actually exist right in your own neighborhood.

Are you getting ready for your first big trip abroad? On most people’s checklist are material things. While most people are concerned with acquiring things, like new luggage (whether you prefer backpacking or rolling suitcases is up to you), small hand-held communication devices, quick-dry towels, a first aid kit, ultra warm, yet lightweight sweaters, there are also several more things you need to accomplish before taking off. Of course, you need to arrange your travel plans. You probably want to take some time and consider the fastest and cheapest flights available to you. Once you have handled these basics, it is time to take your preparation to the next level.

Many people overlook their physical well-being before taking off on a major trip. But it is worth considering how well your body is prepared for what you are about to undertake. Depending on the type of trip you want to take, you might need a body that is ready to pack a hundred pounds of gear, or maybe simply be ready to walk around a few museums. If you are out of shape, that is no problem. For some trips, which are designed primarily around lying around a pool, you can get away with that. For other trips however, it could be worth getting yourself into a little better shape.
You do not need to hit the gym like a maniac to get yourself back into decent shape. While many people seem to laugh it off as if yoga is not a health-giving exercise routine, it provides numerous benefits. When you feel like you need a little better circulation, a little more energy throughout the day, either to calm your body or energize you, or just want to tone your muscles, consider giving yoga a try. Depending on what you are looking for, you can try different types of yoga to give you just what your body needs. Yoga is great because you can practice it almost anywhere, as well. Once you have learned a few positions, you can take your new practice with you on the road. You will find many people in your travels abroad who would love to connect over your mutual appreciation of yoga, too.

If you are a flashpacker, this puts you in a unique situation as you are able to spend money and have a slightly more “elevated experience” but you are still travelling. Therefore, everything you pack must have a purpose and be versatile. For female travelers, this is even trickier as we have outfits and style to maintain. As a female, and one who usually travels on a flashpacking budget, here is a list of the five things I always bring on international trips, but don’t be forgetting those Travelocity vouchers!

Cellphone

A cellphone is a rather obvious thing to bring with. But I use it for many things besides contacting people and taking photos. I use it for travel guides and for pre-saved city maps so I always have the important travel information with me regardless of space or Wi-Fi access. This was helpful when I went to Shanghai, China where google maps are not accessible. I also use TripAdvisor and Yelp apps to scope out the local food scene. Finally, I use the notes app on my phone to journal my experiences or write down great restaurants I have been to. Having my cellphone on hand helps me navigate cities, stay connected with friends and meet new people, and document my journey along the way.

IPad or Tablet

Having an iPad or tablet on hand is very helpful for travelling. I usually download books, magazines, movies, and music to keep me occupied while travelling between destinations. A laptop could also be used, but I have found that a tablet takes up less space, is less noticeable (if you are concerned about theft), and serves many of the same functions as a laptop.

Portable Cellphone Battery

The final digital device I recommend is having a portable battery for your cellphone. I charge mine before leaving and when I have access to outlets, that way I always have the option for a full cellphone charge no matter where I go.

A Nice Scarf

As a travelling lady, staying fashionable is important but challenging. However, one of my favorite fashion accessories is also very functional; a nice, wide scarf. When I am cold in a plane, train, or bus I use it as a mini-blanket. I have even used mine to keep me dry if I get stuck in the rain without an umbrella.

Black Crossover Purse

The other accessory I suggest is a black (or neutral color) purse, preferably one that is small enough to be a cross-over but big enough to hold a travel book. This will serve to hold anything you may need, wallet, hand-sanitizer, lonely planet guides, etc. while looking much nicer than carrying a backpack around.

As a flashpacker, you never know when you will be eating street food one second and then sipping cocktails at the local W Hotel. These five items will help any flashpacking lady maintain style, not over-pack, and most importantly, have a great travel experience.

For such a relatively small region, continental Europe has a bewildering variety of languages, cultures and customs. It is also fascinating to see how a short trip across the continent can expose you to a massive range of different types of food. So, where in Europe will you most enjoy eating?

Florence for Fresh Home Cooking

It is easy to associate Italy with some of our favourite pasta dishes but there is a lot more to it than that. Each region of this fantastic country has a different type of cuisine. Perhaps the one which has received most critical acclaim in the UK in recent years is the Tuscan cuisine. This is a simple, wholesome way of cooking which involve a lot of fresh ingredients. Best of all, this is a picturesque region which great cities like Florence and Siena in it. Many Brits decide to come here to enjoy a foodie holiday, with some of them even deciding to take Tuscan cookery classes as part of the adventure.

Oktoberfest for a Huge Variety of Sausages

The variety and quality of sausages on sale in Germany is quite staggering. From the classic Bratwurst to the fast food staple called Currywurst and the bloody Blutwurst, there are many different types for you to try. Oktoberfest in Munich is one of the best opportunities to try out some of these wonderful sausages. Huge amounts of sausages are eaten here, along with an estimated 7 litres of beer ever year. If you like the sound of this sort of food experience then Oktoberfest in Munich could be ideal for you.

Paella and Horchata in Valencia

If there is one food you associate with Spain above all others then it is probably paella. You might be surprised to find how many different types of paella you find once you travel there. It is a basically a rice dish which can include seafood, meat, vegetables, beans and just about anything else. While we tend to think of this as being a typical Spanish meal, it is really most associated with the Valencia region. That doesn’t mean that you can’t get a plate of paella elsewhere. However, if you want to eat it in a classic setting you should do so in Valencia or the surrounding region. A classic drink here is called horchata and a refreshing glass of this delicious drink will help cool you down on a hot summer’s day.

Frog’s Legs in Dombes

It has recently been suggested that Brits were eating frog’s legs before the French started doing so. This is regarded as a classic Gallic dish but it is far from the only country where they are seen as a delicacy. For example, Indonesia, Thailand and China are some of the places where they are commonly eaten.  The Dombes region of France is one of the parts of the country where they are most widely consumed. If you want to try some local specialities while you are in France then this is sure to be near the top of your list.

Cardiff Bay twinkles at dusk by Cardiff Harbour Authority (Creative Commons)

Whether you are planning a stag weekend or are looking to go away for the weekend for your 21^st birthday one thing is for sure; you want to make it a weekend to remember. Nevertheless, the only issue is that not everybody has the money to fund the elaborate celebratory plans they have in mind. But this doesn’t mean you should have to scale down your ideas. You simply have to find a way of achieving a fantastic weekend that won’t break everyone’s bank balance.

Stay in Your Own Country

You don’t have to go abroad to have a memorable party weekend. For example, of you’re a Brit; there are plenty of fantastic places all over the UK that can provide you with a celebration that is just as good – if not better. Why not head into the big city itself and have a lavish celebration in London? Or, what about humble old Newcastle up in the north-east? Newcastle is widely considered to be the best place to go for hen dos and stag weekends. And that is without even mentioning Brighton, Cardiff, Nottingham, Birmingham, Liverpool, Newquay, Manchester and Glasgow.

Book in advance

The craze for booking accommodation and travel last minute seems to have worn off and as sexy as it seems on paper – doing this can upset your bank balance and also damage your piece of mind. The longer you leave train and air tickets the more expensive they seem to be. Not only this, but you won’t benefit from leaving accommodation until the last minute either. All that will happen is the hotels will become booked up and those that do have spaces left will put their prices up. If you book in advance not only do you reap the rewards of a better deal but you give all your friends time to pay the weekend trip away off.

Pre-drink

Have a few drinks in your hotel before you go out for the night. Get some alcohol from the nearest supermarket and have a couple in the hotel room to get the party started. This will save everybody money when they are out because they won’t need to buy as many drinks. Pre-drinking is becoming somewhat of a phenomenon in the UK. It is a great way to save money but it is definitely recommended to be sensible with the amount you consume.

Brighton Pier (Creative Commons)

Look for club deals

Have a look on the internet and see if any clubs or bars are doing deals. In order to survive in the modern day even the most popular clubs offer deals in order to entice their customers, such as a fee drink upon entry. By doing a bit of research before you go you can definitely save money on your actual night out.

Research restaurants online

Nowadays most restaurants have their own website whereby they post their menu. You will be able to hunt down the most affordable restaurants in the area. It is always recommended to book a table in advance anyway as most restaurants tend to be busy during the weekend. Nonetheless, if you look at the menu before you don’t run the risk of any nasty surprises once the bill comes in.

If you use the five tips provided in this article then you should have no trouble planning a cheap yet memorable weekend away. You and friends can have a weekend you will be laughing and smiling about for a long time without breaking the bank.