Some time back, I was contacted by the kind people at Broadway Books about an upcoming release of a new travel book, “The Lunatic Express: Discovering the World . . . via Its Most Dangerous Buses, Boats, Trains, and Planes.” I took up their offer for an advanced copy to page through and upon its release a week ago I figured I’d give it a mention.

First and foremost, I’ve only wandered through its chapters aimlessly due to time issues, but collectively it seems like an interesting read Budget Globetrotters may be interested in. The book comes from an established National Geographic travel writer and chronicles his journeys world over on shitty forms of transportation. While perhaps slightly over dramatic at times, all in all I’ve decided it’s a book that, at some point, I will read front to back.

Mainly, I really admire Hoffman’s travel style which takes the comfort and luxury out of transportation. Having bussed around India for 3 weeks in more than hellish conditions, I can really relate to his stories, ideas, and train of thought. Taking 8 hour, public buses in less developed countries does something to you and shows you a more real side of a country that is otherwise missed. As I plan on using this strategy in more locales outside of India in the future, first reading his own distressed story will provide an entertaining source of inspiration.

For more information, go click around the Lunatic Express book site. If you’re looking at an entertaining account true budget travel, the Lunatic Express might be a good east read to check out for some of your own travel inspiration.

Spring Break is approaching and plans are a being made across all US campuses. From Key West Florida to South Padre, fellow students will be lining up to spend too much money on traveling and drinking, once again, this March. While I realize I have a somewhat different perspective on the world having traveled abroad, I still feel a slight urge to experience 5 days of the ‘American Spring Break,’ which is why I feel like I have the right to rant on why I won’t be getting involved after some temptatation avoiding, rational thinking.

Why Spring Break Sucks

1. Poor Excuse for a Break

First off, while I open a week off from my studies with open arms annually, (more…)

When it comes to researching travel insurance products to protect you, your health, loved ones, or ipods while traveling abroad on your backpacking journey, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Online, everyone and their dog is willing to sell you comprehensive, cheap travel insurance. Amongst online travel advertisers, I’d have to say travel insurance companies, affiliates, and agents have to be one of most active advertisers eager to get their unique travel insurance in front of your overwhelmed, lost self.

Do you Need travel insurance?

Good question. As a skeptic by nature, i’m not certain. However, the overwhelming consensus online is that travel insurance is necessary. Highly regarded Matador Travel Network property the Traveler’s Notebook says:

Travel insurance is a necessity. You need travel insurance. If you get sick or injured, if your things are stolen, if you need to cancel your trip or if you need an evacuation, it’s essential to have an insurance company backing you up.

Travel insurance is cheap and easy to get. There’s no excuse not to buy a policy. If you’re traveling and don’t have insurance, you should get coverage right now – it takes less than 15 minutes.

So if you want to take their word for it, yes, Traveler’s insurance is important.

Fortunately, I haven’t been in a position to purchase my own traveler’s insurance. My university assigned me mandatory travel insurance for my current studies abroad, and I’m fortunate enough to have a comprehensive health insurance plan at home that would cover everything anyways. Out of curiosity and relevance to the readers though, here are the best authoritative and reliable resources to scour before buying travel insurance. So atleast I’ll attempt to point you in the right direction.

Resources on How to Choose Travel Insurance

• The Guardian
• CNN
• Times Online
• REI
• TravelFish
• TheBackpacker.net

Sponsored Mention - CheapTravelInsurance.com

With that said, CheapTravelInsurance.com is an insurance seller that caters to the Backpacker’s needs. This provider offers packages tailored for backpackers, gap years, etc. The site has a pretty comprehensive set of offerings that give you a variety of options that will probably suit your needs - as long as you know what they are.

As far as its legitimacy goes, its been in operation since 2001 and more can be read about its faffiliations and underwriters on its about page. Overall, with its variety of policy options comparable to industry leaders, a quick online search for quotes using their engine is may make CheapTravelInsurance.com a good first stop in your hunt for cheap, affordable travel insurance.

Being able to avoid worrying about the small (and medium) things is crucial to having success backpacking and traveling cheaply. Western and American culture teaches us to be skeptics, micro manage, and overplan everything. I had a severe case of worry worts before I came to Asia and for the first few days here, so take my word for it and just Do. Not. Worry. The process of traveling is not hard. So for the first post in my Backpacking is Easy series, some rules of thumb to follow to avoid anxiety and to maximize your time backpacking abroad:

Avoid the Noise
There are a million travelogues and guidebooks on the internet quoting great restaurants, guesthouses, specific train cabins, and giving literal directions to the train station’s men’s toilet. Well, great, but this is all noise that you don’t need to know quite yet.. = NOISE. Just like that clever test from the economics professor that gives you 10 unnecessary variables when calculating RGDP Growth, ignore the noise for now.

There’s no use in worrying about how to do exactly everything quite yet, and trying to keep everything straight beforehand will just lead to anxiety. There’s plenty of time to figure this out later when the time arrives.

Be Efficient and Resourceful
When planning a trip, plan it. When it comes time to do something, figure it out. There’s a lot of time in the day, and there’s internet almost everywhere. So when the time comes (night before), figure it out quickly and move on to enjoying what you came to see.

Furthermore, don’t forget to ask. There are tons and tons of budget travelers around that you’ll meet who would love to tell you their story and share tips. Guesthouse staff will always assist you doing anything. Better yet, ask locals. Most (in Asia for sure) will love to help out however possible.

Be flexible
Don’t prebook all your accommodations if you don’t have to, and definitely do not get pressured into prebooking bus, train, or ferry transit for side trips. There’s always transit options, and always places to stay.

Slow down, be rational, and remember Worst Case Scenario
There will surely be bumps at times, but it’s critical to slow down, take a breath, and think of the worst case scenario rationally. You’re not going to die. Worst case scenario is most often being tired and out some dollars which is frustrating, but being flexible as mentioned above minimizes the worst case scenario in almost every instance.

Forget those sunken costs
You’re probably going to overpay for something, get scammed, or miss a connecting train ride. As a frugal bastard, this is annoying. But these are sunk costs = they cannot be changed. Like accounting, they must be ignored and forgotten. Always easier said than done, but grab a beer, laugh at yourself, and move on.

Be sure to follow and check out the next posts in my budget travel is easy series

1. Stop Worrying. Backpacking is easy. Seriously
2. All you Really Need for Easy Budget Travel
3. Complete, Easy Guide to start planning a Backpacking Trip
4. The Budget Traveler and Backpacking Commandments

Real budget travel and backpacking has always been an interest of mine that I’ve loved reading and researching about, but my actual experience was always a bit lagging. Now I can proudly say that I’m completely qualified to talk about this stuff, and I’ve come to this realization:

Budget travel and backpacking is easy. Seriously.

I repeat, the process of traveling is not hard and is not something to stress over. There are more important personal and career things to worry about than to worry about vacationing. After getting off my ass and taking a few leaps of faith I’ve come to this verdict as I’m sure many other travelers have as well after their first great travel experiences. I’ve developed a series of posts to show how easy backpacking travel is. The series really should give you all you need to get started on your own, leaving you with no excuses to get off your ass as well.

1. Stop Worrying. Backpacking is easy. Seriously
2. All you Really Need for Easy Budget Travel
3. Complete, Easy Guide to start planning a Backpacking Trip
4. The Budget Traveler and Backpacking Commandments

New Year is here. Let’s face it, 2008 sucked, and optimism seems to be ringing everywhere right now.  In the travel publishing and news sector, nearly everyone’s been making ‘Top Places to Travel in 2009‘ or the ‘Top Travel destinations in 2009′ types of lists.  It’s easy to get caught up in the listmania and finding what different publishers or experts or recommending.

So I thought I’d compile a list of top lists for the best 2009 Travel destinations based on a variety of factors.  I’d love to make this the comprehensive list of lists, so if you run across another list or make one on your own travel blog, Comment and contact me, so I may put it in the post.

Kayak Trip Ideas: Best Cities for 2009 (via email newsletter)

1. Washington DC - Barack put DC on several lists.  Check out what  Obama’s effects be on travel for the rest of the nation though. (more…)