Tag Archives for " couchsurfing "

2 Weeks in the Galápagos for $600

The Galápagos Islands.  They’re famous for being the place where Darwin made some important observations which contributed to his world-changing theory of evolution.  It’s a paradise for lovers of birds and wildlife and geology.  Giant tortoises, iguanas that have adapted to swimming in the ocean, Galápagos penguins and other unique and endemic species live in abundance here–and they’ve never developed a fear of predators.  You can walk right up to wild birds and they keep on doing their thing, as if you weren’t even there.  Snorkeling and diving opportunities balance out the hiking and wildlife activities for a very fun, well-rounded and educational vacation.
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Cheap Hawaii

Sometimes my readers write to me with travel-related questions. I always do my best to help out, and sometimes share some of the questions and answers here in my blog posts. I hope you find them helpful! Feel free to add pointers of your own in the comments below, or ask me anything about travel. Who knows, maybe your question will be featured in a future blog post?

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Teleseminar

My trip to Benin, West Africa.

My trip to Benin, West Africa. (The airfare cost me $86 from Denver & included several days in Paris on the way home–find out how in the teleseminar!)

If you missed my call last week, I’ve got the replay ready for you!  I’ve also added slides to it for your viewing pleasure.  Before you start watching, be sure to grab a copy of the free handout HERE.

In this call, you’ll see and learn:

  • About how I was kidnapped as a child and taken to Mexico (and a copy of my “missing” poster)
  • How I started traveling after finishing college, before I had even started my job
  • Three major lessons I have learned about travel, and how you can apply those lessons to your own travel plans to save hundreds or thousands of dollars
  • Numerous tips for safety, saving money, and increasing your travel opportunities
  • Pictures of various trips I have taken around the world

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1 How To: Couchsurf

Image credit: ChazWags

Image credit: ChazWags

I was first introduced to the concept in late 2005, just months before a planned trip to West Africa, with a multi-day stopover in Paris on the way home. 

“Have you ever heard of Global Freeloaders?” a friend asked me.

I laughed.  “No…what is it?”

“It’s a community of travelers that host other travelers for free in their homes, all over the world.”

I was instantly in love with the idea and quickly signed on.  I filled out a profile and listed myself as a host.

I then began scanning the profiles of members in Paris, France, Continue reading