Are you a luxury traveler, backpacker or flashpacker, solo traveler,  mini-retirement traveler, adventure traveler, experiential traveler, experimental traveler or some other kind of traveler? In recent years there has been an explosion in such travel nomenclature to define and segment particular groups of travelers.  No one fits the mold precisely, let alone all the time. But it doesn’t matter because, ostensibly, there are two basic ways to get up and go – traveling to seek new experiences and traveling to seek escape.

Escape is a short term break from a long term problem. After returning from a week of relaxation, the daily grind begins anew. Barring life-altering poolside insights, the rats will still be racing and stress will resume its steady upward climb. A weekend getaway or a pampering cruise might be just what is needed to relax and unwind. But, in the end, the tension and stress that so pleasantly unwind will inevitably wind up until another travel escape brings another transitory respite.

Traveling to seek new experiences is an entirely different form of travel that addresses much different needs. Rather than being an escape from life, it is life. Being in a different place does not change who you are or how you act. It is the most fulfilling form of travel because it authentically represents your lifestyle and your values. It is about maintaining the same pace of life, albeit in a different place with different people.

When I get an urge to travel I like to think about these two types of travel. If I feel a burning desire to escape to a tropical sanctuary free of worries, I know my life is slightly out of balance. I may be working too hard or putting too much pressure on myself. A weekend getaway might be exactly what I need to unwind. But it will never fulfill me because my hectic life has led me astray from my core values. The travel that is most exciting is when there is an urge to see something new, to interact with people with different lifestyles and different traditions. This type of travel is invigorating, memorable and exciting.

The next time you feel an urge to travel, remember that if you are seeking to escape burnout, you will get a sunburn, I guarantee it!

The World Cup is a fantastic global event that unites people and gives the sport of football a deeper and more significant meaning that transcends the sport itself. And that is a good thing, because taken on its own, the sport of football can be alarmingly devoid of honor (how do those overpaid actors sleep at night?). But the international nature of the sport – anyone with a ball can learn to play – makes it the great equalizer. On the pitch, especially during the World Cup, any team can conceivably beat any other team. But what I find so refreshing about the World Cup is not the football itself, but rather the people of each country who join together to support their team and their country. The tears you see on television when a country crashes out of the tournament are very real and represent the collective grief of an entire nation that has invested so much emotionally during a very short period of time.

I look at these passionate supporters with a mix of sadness and joy. Here is why.

I hold 4 citizenships. My wife adds another citizenship to our family, further splitting my allegiances and diluting any sense of nationality I might have. Holding so many citizenships has its appeal of course, and drawbacks such as tax complications, military service and never-ending passport renewals are a worthy trade-off, in my mind. But the biggest drawback is one that I can never eliminate, even if I renounced 3 of my 4 citizenships. My heart will forever be torn. I will never cry for a country that crashes out of the World Cup. I will never feel part of something bigger, something that binds a nation together.

Yet, every four years, I am oddly drawn to the World Cup. I put my misgivings about the sport aside and marvel at the unity and passion shown by countries around the world. When a small country like Ghana advances deeper into the tournament and becomes a continent’s sole remaining hope, I cannot help but feel a sense of excitement for the country and its people.  I get a sudden urge to travel to these countries and share the moment with them. While I will never cry for a country, I certainly feel the joy that is felt by its people. This isn’t bandwagon hopping because I am never on a wagon to begin with. Rather, like a traveler, I am simply an observer who picks a destination to travel to where there is hope, joy and happiness.

The following is a list of travel resources I have found to be incredibly useful while planning a trip or while on a trip. The list is surely missing many other great resources. Feel free to submit additional resources via the comment form to let your fellow travelers know about other great resources. I will add the best sites to the list.

I have always held a fascination for the mountains. The stunning vistas, panoramic views and crisp mountain air fuel a rush that escapes me during other travels. But this proximity to nature is not the only reason why mountains are so dear to my wayfaring heart. As all travelers know, great travel experiences come not only from where you travel but also from whom you meet and interact with. The best memories of a trip are almost invariably connected to the people I meet. And, in my experience, the people living in the mountains are some of the friendliest, warmest and most open people in the world. What’s more, this hospitality and friendliness are infectious. Other travelers seem to absorb this positive, heart-warming energy.

A brief history of mountain people

Throughout history, life in the mountains has been harsh. Despite (or because of) the remoteness of mountain life, it was not possible to live without the help and support of others. While this remoteness forced a large degree of self reliance on people in the mountains, to survive and prosper, mountainous peoples have always had to be dependent on each other and also fiercely protective of each other. This tight sense of community helped mountain people survive the harsh conditions of isolation, long winters, short growing seasons and marauding invaders.

Now, of course, times have changed. Life for many mountain peoples isn’t the same struggle as it once was. Outsiders are no longer feared because they pose no threat to survival. But the strong bond between people remains. The sense of community is now apparent even to outsiders, who are now tourists and travelers, rather than threatening invaders hungry for resources. Within this expanded community, mountain people seem to be hard-wired to accept people and welcome them in their lives.

Lessons learned from the mountains

While people from the mountains are most certainly not “better” than the rest of us, I firmly believe that their place in the world and in history has brought out some of the best of human nature. Mountains are inspirational not just for their stunning beauty but also for their residents, who continuously inspire me to be equally warm, friendly and welcoming in my daily life.

Oaxaca is a beautiful historic city southeast of Mexico City with a rich heritage and a slowly recovering reputation that was marred by the Teachers’ Strike of 2006. The teachers’ protests cast Oaxaca in an unfavorable light and even made it quite dangerous (in much of 2006 impossible) to visit.

While undoubtedly a complex situation, the sad fact is that despite striking each year for 25 years (each time for better pay), Oaxacan teachers do not seem to be improving the performance of their students. Education in the state of Oaxaca is among the worst in Mexico, leading one to wonder if the strikes are helping or hindering the education of poor Mexican children. To an outside observer, it seems obvious that students are better off learning in school rather than sitting at home while their teachers protest each year. During the strike in 2006, students sat at home for 7 months – a scandalously long time for a young student.

But thankfully, with the resolution of the situation, children are back in school and tourists have started to return to this charming colonial city.

There are many things to do in and around Oaxaca. Here are the top things to do that will leave you with fond memories of Oaxaca:

Sightseeing around the Zocalo

The Zocalo is where the action is – day or night. There are plenty of restaurants on the Zocalo for a nice meal or a margarita. In the evening, people-watching can be a lot of fun as you sit under giant trees and listen to street musicians performing throughout the plaza. Don’t be afraid to go exploring, especially for dinner. We found an excellent local restaurant nearby that served one of the most delicious meals we had while in Mexico. When sightseeing in town, use the Zocalo as a handy orientation for where you are and where you want to go.

Read the full review on the Zocalo in Oaxaca

Mitla

Mitla is the second most famous ruin around Oaxaca. It is a bit further away but well worth a visit. Mitla is a small ancient city that became the most important city for the Zapotecs after the fall of Monte Alban in 750 AD. The ruins are mostly a collection of religious and ceremonial buildings built within the old city walls. When the Spanish arrived, they dismantled many of these buildings and built a church here. The best way to experience Mitla is with a guided tour, which typically also include a stop at a Mezcal distillery, a visit to a modern Zapotec weaver and the widest tree in the world, the Tule Tree.

Read the full review on Mitla

Hierve el Agua

Hierve el Agua, at 2400m above sea level, is a geologically fascinating sight that will appeal to travelers who want to get closer to nature while visiting Oaxaca. It is located further east of Mitla, making it a good attraction to visit in conjunction with Mitla. Hierve el Agua means “the water boils” in Spanish and once you get there, you will see why. Because water trickles down the rock face so slowly, it mostly evaporates, leaving behind rock formations that resemble a frozen waterfall. It isn’t easy to get here on your own but it is an impressive waterfall that was an important source of water for the ancient civilizations here.

Read the full review on Hierve el Agua

Monte Alban

Monte Alban was the biggest and most well known ancient city of the Zapotecs near Oaxaca.  It was built as early as 500 BC and was the great center for the Zapotec civilization. The city is impressive – thousands of workers built religious temples, palaces, tombs and ball courts high in the mountains east of modern day Oaxaca. As all of the great centers, Monte Alban was the heart of the empire and in turn, the epicenter of religious importance.

Just 9km (6 miles) from Oaxaca, Monte Alban is close enough that you can simply grab a taxi and spend a half day exploring the ruins.

There is currently no review for Monte Alban on MyTripGuru. Have you been there? Why not sign up for free and write your review?

Yes, Polish belongs to one of the most difficult languages in the world. However, it is only difficult when you approach it the wrong way. If you have the right attitude to learning, it’s not harder than any other foreign language.

The good thing is, Polish people admire any foreigner who speaks even one word in Polish! And when I mean admire, I mean: ADORE!! It’s so seldom that any foreigner speaks Polish, that you will be ADORED for any effort you make!

To start with: it’s nearly impossible for a foreigner to learn to speak Polish fluently! The fact is: it takes a child on average 12 years to speak the English language fluently. A child learning Polish, on the other hand, needs on average 16 years to speak Polish fluently. Polish language, difficult language. It’s even the case for Poles. Speaking grammatically correct and fluent Polish is a challenge for every Pole. As an example: I was always good in the Polish language, had the best grades at school and loved reading. But after spending approximately 6 years abroad, I was taken as a foreigner upon returning to Poland! This is how quickly your Polish language skills can deteriorate.

So for all of you out there willing to learn Polish: some advice from an “international” native speaker!

1). Forget the grammar

Polish grammar is ridiculously complicated. You have 7 cases, 3 genders, and more exceptions than rules. I learned the grammar at school, so I have it in my blood (I think), but often I cannot explain to a foreigner why you spell the word the certain manner. You need to learn it by heart while you grow up. So, just skip it.

2). Don’t learn to write – speak first!

I still remember those orthography tests – they were killing me! Even today I always look at certain words to “see”, if they are spelled correctly. So, skip this one, too.

3). Do learn many words.

Learn all the words you can pick up. Just in nominative case is fine. Even if you don’t put them in the right case – it will be enough for Poles to understand you. And they will be admiring you anyway! . For a foreigner putting words in correct grammatical case is not necessary. Unlike other languages where subtle differences in conjugations and endings can change the meaning of the sentence, you will still be understood.

Here comes a story: I have a female Polish friend who is married to an Englishman and they live in England. Once I visited them and I had the pleasure to spend a nice evening with her and her husband Collin. Incredibly, Collin spoke Polish. We spent the whole evening chatting in Polish and it was such a fun evening. Did Collin know any Polish grammar, cases, gender, etc.?

None of them. But he knew lots of words and it was enough to create a great conversation! This is the way to go!

4). Do learn how to read.

Polish language uses Latin alphabet, with a few exceptions. Just learn how to pronounce these 15 letters:  ą, ć, ę, ł, ń, ó , ś, ź, ż, cz, dz, dź, dż, rz, sz, and you will be able to read everything. This is a great start. You always pronounce it as it is written.

5). Do learn some key phrases

There are some phrases which are helpful, like: “Która godzina?” (What time is it?), “Jak się masz?” (How are you?), “Dzień dobry” (Good morning)”, “Co jest grane” (What is up?) , “Zdrowie na budowie” (Health at the construction site – this is an insider phrase, use it before drinking some vodka! )– learn them by heart and you will be enclosed in any Pole’s heart!

“Polski język, trudny język” – “Polish language, difficult language”. But when you approach it following the above advice, you will really have fun with it! And, once you are in Poland, you will enjoy the company of Poles having fun along with you! Polish people are very open and fun loving, they would never laugh at you when you speak some “broken Polish” – they will admire you instead. Because you dared to step on this path to grasp a little of one of the most difficult languages in the world. You will be a hero and this will make your time in Poland much more enjoyable!

Just ask my husband. An American, he learned a bit of Polish following the above advice, and he is considered by my family members as someone who actually speaks Polish. My father cannot stop talking to him when they meet. Although, I must admit,  my husband is quite happy, when he can use the excuse: “Nie rozumiem” – “I don’t understand”, when my mother is talking to him!

Malgorzata is one of the top Trip Gurus on Mytripguru.com and loves to share her insights from her extensive travels. View her profile here.

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Hola Travelers!

Just a quick note to let you all know that we recently added a spiffy hotel search engine to the site. The search engine lets you compare hotels and prices from many of the best hotel reservation systems simultaneously, without having to jump from one site to another.

Like the rest of MyTripGuru.com, you can easily refine your search, sort and filter hotel results until you find a suitable hotel. Just visit MyTripGuru.com and click on “Hotels” to begin your search.

Happy Travels!

Your MyTripGuru team

Tulum, Mexico is located south of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, two world famous beach resort areas on the Mayan Riviera. As you travel further south towards Tulum, you begin to see a different Mexico. The hotels here are smaller and more boutique style than in Playa del Carmen. The beach, if you can believe it, has even finer and even whiter sand. It is a great place to visit for a week or for day trips if you are staying in a nearby resort.

The following are 5 Things To Do in Tulum, Mexico:

Explore the Mayan Ruins of Tulum

Tulum is one of the best known ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula, next to Chichen Itza, of course.  These Mayan ruins are located just outside of Tulum along one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in this part of Mexico (even the world!). Although this site is located along the coast, it was heavily fortified by the Maya. The Maya chose this site because it has the highest elevation and cliffs protect access from the ocean. In fact, there is only one small cove here that provided access from the water. The remainder of Tulum was protected by a wall surrounding the ancient city with only 4 entrances. The location of Tulum makes these ruins an easy day trip from Cancun or Playa del Carmen.

Read the full review on Tulum

Explore the Mayan Ruins of Cobá

Another famous Mayan city is Cobá, located 40km west of Tulum. Cobá is especially fun because it has one of the few pyramids that can still be climbed. In total, the grand pyramid has over 120 steep steps that require careful footing and lots of sunscreen. The view, however, is breathtaking, as you see the surrounding jungle and peaks of smaller temples sitting between tree tops. The remainder of this ancient Mayan city is great for walking as all the temples are connected via well-maintained walking and biking paths under shady trees.

Read the full review on Cobá

Swim and Snorkel in the Grand Cenote

The Grand Cenote is just 3km outside of Tulum and is often combined with a visit to Cobá as it is located on the same road. Cenotes are sinkholes with fresh water from the extensive underground network of streams and rivers in the Yucatan Peninsula. There are over 7000 cenotes here, caused because the entire Yucatan was once under water. As the water level rose, an underground network of streams were created, causing these sinkholes. The Grand Cenote is a great place for a relaxing swim in crystal clear, fresh water in the open air and in caves. The crystal clear water also makes snorkeling a lot of fun here.

Read the full review on Grand Cenote

Swim and Relax at Tulum Beach

The beach in Tulum is one of the most beautiful in the world. The sand is so fine it feels soft to the touch. It is also virtually white, making the contrast with the emerald color water an absolute treasure to behold. This area has not been over-developed by mega resorts. Instead, you will find small boutique hotels, cheap cabanas on the sand and more upscale romantic bungalows. Watching the sunrise while swinging gently from a hammock on the beach is an experience that cannot be missed here.

View the full review on Tulum Beach

Kayak through the Sian Ka’an Bio Reserve

The Sian Ka’an Bio Reserve is a huge protected area just south of Tulum. The few houses here all operate according to strict environmental regulations that were put in place to protect this fragile environment. This area teems with wildlife, especially birds and crocodiles. Touring this reserve with a Kayak and a knowledgeable guide is an unbelievable way to get closer to nature and see beautiful birds such as flamingos, pelicans, herons, egrets and cormorants nesting in mangrove islands. If you are lucky, you may even see a crocodile out hunting for prey!

Read the full review on the Sian Ka’an Bio Reserve

Everyone plans a trip differently. Some people prefer to outsource all planning and book a flight and hotel for a week from a travel agency. Others prefer to book through a tour operator who provides expert local guides and accommodation. Some fly by the seat of their pants and just go. I prefer as much Do-it-yourself (DIY) trip planning as possible. This is very time-intensive but it offers the best way (in my experience) to learn about what the destination has to offer. It is also almost always the most economical way to take a trip. Going the DIY route is full of pitfalls, though, as a lot of mistakes can be made and time is lost adjusting itineraries or factoring in new information.

The following is a description of my trip planning process. I have found it helps to minimize mistakes while traveling while also allowing plenty of room for customization, flexibility and learning.

Step 1: Get a Guidebook

The first thing I do when planning to go somewhere new is to buy a guidebook. I have generally had good experiences with Lonely Planet, as well as Moon for Panama. I use the guidebook to get a feel for the country, its people and its history. Guidebooks are also a great resource to see recommended itineraries and highlights that must be seen. I usually take the guidebook with me on a trip, but to be honest, I use it most before the trip. Most of its utility for me is in the planning phase.

Step 2: Research and Book Flights

Airfare is a big chunk of the total travel cost (despite almost always under-estimating other travel expenses). It pays to do some research. I like to go to Kayak to check prices because Kayak has a comprehensive search engine with a useful booking calendar that shows flight costs for an entire month. This lets me find the best price over the stretch of time when I want to go.

Step 3: Seek Additional Advice

Guidebooks are terrific but they are the product of one (or a selected few) person’s advice and experiences. Each traveler is different and I often find my travel needs are completely different from trip to trip. So I like to seek additional advice from locals and experienced travelers. Some services I have found to be useful include MyTripGuru (of course!), Aardvark, and travel forums found via Google.

Step 4: Book First Night

I never stay in one location for too long so staying in one hotel for more than a few days hardly ever happens. I tend to book hotels or hostels while on the trip. But for peace of mind, booking the first night is essential. For the first night, the guidebook can be a good resource for finding a hotel or hostel that caters to the type of travel I am planning. If backpacking, I will look for a backpacking hostel where I can get some friendly advice from fellow travelers over a beer on arrival or during breakfast.

Step 5: Plan the Legs of the Trip

Next I decide which highlights I absolutely want to see and begin to sketch my itinerary around these activities. This is the most time-intensive part of the planning process, as I frequently find myself revising my plans as more information comes in. This is, however, the most exciting part of the whole process as excitement for the trip starts to build. If necessary (such as late arrivals, high season), I will also book additional accommodation.

Step 6: Prepare for the Trip

This is another fun part of the pre-trip process. This includes learning about the local culture and learning some useful phrases if I don’t speak the local language. When going backpacking, I fill up my backpack with some gear and go for a couple short hikes to get used to carrying a lot of weight on my shoulders. I also try to find out what it is like at the arrival airport. What should I expect to pay to reach my hotel or the city? This is important because arriving in a new city looking like a fish out of water makes you a juicy victim for enterprising locals who can see your inexperience all over your face. Furthermore, the first few hours in a new country are the most stressful if you are experiencing culture shock. Being prepared on arrival can limit this anxiety.

Getting to know the prices for services in general is a must for budgeting the trip. How much is transportation such as buses, domestic flights, trains and taxis? What is the cost of a budget meal and how much does a nice dinner cost? When I have gathered some idea about the costs, I sketch out my itinerary on a piece of paper and estimate daily expenses. The estimate is almost always too low, but it helps to set a budget and allows me to enjoy my trip and not worry about the cost, as I have already budgeted for the essentials.

Here are some trip planning tips that I find useful. Some have been mentioned above.

• Get to know the value of the local currency. Learn what to expect to pay in all the usual situations.
• Find out what the best way is to get cash. Is it ATM, Traveler’s Check, USD or black market money changers (a Moroccan friend recommended the latter to me before a recent trip to Morocco)
• Pack smart – if you come home with something still smelling like laundry detergent, you packed too much.
• Consider doing some time in a tanning salon if you are leaving winter behind for somewhere hot and sunny.
• Learn about the culture and language. It will make your trip more intense and help you interact with locals.
• Check your visa requirements and your passport validity before you go.

The important thing is to enjoy the trip planning process. To me, it isn’t just about being well-prepared for the trip, although that is certainly important. Rather, I find the days, weeks and even months before a trip are exciting and in going through the planning process, I am able to build even more excitement and enthusiasm for the trip. And that is what it is all about! Happy Travels!