The first question is why travel independently? Do you want to visit exotic international destinations but have no idea how to book flights and hotels? And once you get there how do you get around? How do you know what sites to visit, who to trust and what you should be paying?
Not only that, but what about the “language barrier?”
Believe me when I tell you, if I can do this, so can you. I will share with you what I have learned over the past ten years about independent international travel.
Imagine waking up in your 5 star hotel to a sumptuous view and breakfast to match and no tour group to have to catch up to, no bus to catch, in fact the day is completely your own.
Many years ago I thought that traveling to countries outside of the US was exotic and strange. My first trip to Hawaii, a US destination, was arranged by a travel agent because I had no idea how to do it myself.
Since then, my partner and I have traveled all over SE Asia, Europe and other destinations. All of our trips were planned and arranged by ourselves.
When we went to Angkor Wat in 2001, with the help of an excellent driver we hired independently, we followed Dawn Rooney’s Angkor guidebook and visited about 16 temples. Often we were the only ones there. It was always disappointing when hugh busloads of tour groups showed up at the same time.
On the other hand, we were happy not to be amongst them.
That’s what this blog is all about. How to travel independently, often saving money and finding destinations less traveled. We look forward to helping you become an independent traveler, too.
