Category Archives: Travel
5 of the cheapest ski resorts in America
While skiing and snowboarding is a thrilling sport that many students enjoy on their winter break from college, it doesn’t come cheap. Gear (whether rented or bought new), lodging, food and lift tickets all exact a heavy toll on one’s wallet, making getting away seem a fleeting dream to many.
Don’t lose heart, as there are still resorts across America where one can get a lift ticket for a reasonable price. The resorts below are among the cheapest ski resorts in America, so scourge through your couch for change and return those beer bottles, and you might have that snowsports trip that you’ve been longing for recently…
But, before getting all exited and booking your ticket after reading the post, make sure you apply for your ESTA visa before heading there or you’ll be just dreaming about hitting the slopes on the plane back home.
1) Bridger Bowl (Montana)
A 2,600 foot vertical drop, 350 inches of snow annually, and there’s rarely ever a wait at the lifts … sounds like a place that you would shred in your dreams, or at least when you are out in the real world with a job? Nope. As it turns out, you can ski or board Bridger Bowl for the paltry sum of $49.
Even better, your apres ski will have you living it up in Bozeman, one of America’s highest ranked college towns for parties, atmosphere and overall quality of life. Ummm … one plane ticket to Bozeman please!
2) Powderhorn (Colorado)
Colorado may be filled with snow resorts, but most seem to be obsessed with becoming the next Vail or Aspen, making them unsuitable for our purposes.
For those of us that take skiing or boarding seriously (so much so that our gear bills leave us close to broke), places like Powderhorn are a breath of fresh Rocky Mountain air, as this area offers some of the best technical skiing in the state, as well as views of the rusty red rocks that herald the start of the deserts of the American southwest.
At only $61 for a lift ticket, you won’t believe your luck as you blast through powder stashes in challenging glades that get tracked out in hours at other resorts.
3) Mount Shasta Board and Ski Park (California)
Located in the shadow of Mount Shasta, California’s 14,000 foot sleeping volcano, you’ll find a ski and boarding park that offers something that’s really hard to find in this state these days – an honest-to-goodness deal.
For $49 for a weekday adult lift ticket, you can shred 275 inches of powder (and with El Nino set to roll through this winter, it may be a lot more than that!) over 425 acres of controlled terrain, during the day or at night.
With 75% of all trails being rated beginner or intermediate, Shasta is also a friendly place to bring your neophyte friends to get them hooked on the powder bug, and with an excellent snowsports school here, they’ll be planning a return trip with you before you know it!
4) Burke Mountain (Vermont)
In the northeast, Vermont has some of the best skiing, as the Appalachians has blessed them with some truly epic pistes. With the price inflation induced by affluent New Yorkers and Bostonians though, you may find that your wallet will be a lot lighter after visiting your average hill here.
Burke Mountain is the rare convergence of a quality hill at an unbeatable price, as $64 will buy you access to a peak full of runs that will test your mettle. 86% of the runs at Burke rank as intermediate or harder, keeping out the yuppies that cause collisions with their inattention, leaving only those that revel in a true mountain experience.
5) Dartmouth Skiway (New Hampshire)
In case you are wondering if there a college that actually has a snow resort in its backyard … yes. Yes, there is.
Dartmouth College in New Hampshire owns a hill 20 miles north of its campus in Hanover, using it to train its collegiate snowsports athletes, but also allowing the general public to carve up its nearly 1,000 feet of vertical for no more than $47 per lift ticket.
Looking for a reason to take a road trip up to see your Greek brothers or sisters in the ol’ NH? Now you have your excuse!
BONUS: Grouse Mountain (British Columbia, Canada)
While this is a list of American ski/boarding areas, we realize some of you have your passport and want to visit our Canuck cousins this winter. While you might be frightened by the cost of living up there, there are even snow areas here that are totally affordable.
Mix in a visit to friends at UBC with an outing to Grouse Mountain on the North Shore of Vancouver. With 1,300 feet of vertical, massive Pacific dumps of snow, and a killer view of one of North America’s most modern cities below, it is a killer deal, especially when you can get a lift ticket for no more than $58 CDN (~$64 USD).
Go at night, when the floodlights permit you to shred while admiring the glow of Van City below!
Rio de Janeiro on a Student’s Budget!
With South America being one of the world’s most popular travel destinations for budget travelers, it makes sense that at some point, you might find yourself bound on a plane or bus for Brazil. While much of the continent is affordable for student travelers, Brazil is a notable exception, with prices in the nation approaching first world prices in recent years.
That being said, it is still very possible to enjoy this country and its liveliest city, Rio de Janeiro, on a shoestring. While it does cost money to purchase, investing in a Rio de Janeiro city guide will pay you back by uncovering secrets that only a Rio local would normally know about, helping you to get the most from every dollar spent in this internationally significant city.
While it will have many pointers on how to save a buck here, start your budget planning here so you will have an idea on how to experience Rio de Janeiro on a student’s budget.
Hike up Sugarloaf Mountain
Start your trip to Rio by getting the adrenaline pumping on a hike up the area’s most iconic peak. No matter where you are in Rio de Janeiro, Sugarloaf Mountain dominates the skyline, but as nice as it is to look up at this granite monolith, it is quite the experience to gaze down upon the urban chaos that comprises this city from the top of it.
While the true summit of Sugarloaf requires a pricey cable car ride to reach, the lower of the twin peaks is free to access on foot, giving views that are no less impressive than the ones had on the slighter higher point nearby.
Hit up any one of its fabulous beaches
After dropping near your body weight in sweat, you will have earned your dip in the Atlantic at any one of Rio’s world famous beaches. After cooling off, you can continue to carve up the surf on a body, surf, or SUP’ing board (Barra da Tijuca is best for this, with 11 km of surf breaks that gives everybody room to do their thing), or you can indulge in the active social life that takes place at beaches here.
On the latter point, beach soccer and volleyball are available for active types, while others will enjoy having some cervejas (not cervezas … that’s Spanish, Brazilians speak Portuguese) with the animated and very good looking locals.
Of all the beaches in Rio, the best place to take in this scene is at Copacabana and Ipanema, as they are both the focal point of social life on the many excellent days that Rio enjoys during the year.
Go on a favela tour
Unfortunately, not everyone in Rio is having a fabulous life, so if there’s any guided tour to go on while you are here, be sure to go on one to a favela (Do NOT attempt to go to one alone, unless you like being mugged for all your worldly belongings).
These competitively priced tours will show you how less fortunate residents of this city get by every day, even as their well-off neighbors live in luxury next door, with less other than a security fence separating them in some cases. Definitely an eye-opener!
Live it up in Rio after dark without going bankrupt
Before bidding Rio farewell for points further afield in Brazil, party in style without emptying your wallet of Reals. Two places that stand out for an affordable night out here include Cinelândia, which is an outdoor bar set up on a street offering reasonably priced drinks that pair well with street food and local samba musicians, and Lapa, which allows its many bars and clubs to spill out onto the streets.
In a city with such an infectious party spirit, it doesn’t make sense to keep it all bottled up in a building, especially when the weather is so agreeable much of the year.
Tips For Cheap European Travel
GET A EURAIL PASS
A Eurail pass can help you save a lot of money especially if you are travelling across vast countries. Europe boasts of some of the best railways and speed trains across the globe. However, if you buy a single ticket for every time you travel from one point to the next, it may be too expensive. According to sites like this, Eurail passes are a fantastic way to save money when travelling across several countries in Europe. All you need to do is plan your itinerary carefully, to avoid ending in one place twice and book in advance.
EAT LIKE A LOCAL
Have you ever wondered how chameleons survive in the wild? Well, they change their color to match with the environment. This concept should help you as you travel on the cheap in Europe. Avoid the touristy high-end restaurants, cater for yourself in markets, and eat in places where you see most locals, chances are, the food is great and affordable. Eating local dishes also gets a taste of authentic dishes as well as great services. You can also shop for snacks in local department stores and have picnics in any of the numerous parks across UK.
BOOK A LARGE VILLA WHEN TRAVELLING IN A GROUP
Group travelling is always fun and apart from offering safety in numbers in a strange country; it is also a fun way to save money on travel in Europe. Accommodation can really clear your travel budget, and fast, however when travelling as a group, you can enjoy all the comforts of a villa like this and split the cost. Villas are a smart way to save money for groups as they often have more rooms, kitchens to prepare your own meals and offer privacy. Some villas also allow parties on the premises, so you can always party with your friends as you explore Europe.
TRAVEL SECOND CLASS IN TRAINS
Travelling first class is tempting, with all the comforts, but it could end up leaving a huge hole in your pockets. However, travelling second class can cost about 50% off compared to first class but it will still get you to your destination same as the first class. The differences in comfort are always minimal yet the difference in cost is vast, so save money and travel second class.
TRAVEL OFF SEASON
Travelling across Europe when everybody else is on the move can really end up being costly, travel agencies, airlines and hotels are looking up to recover from the low seasons. However, in the low seasons (usually in the winter) you can travel in Europe on the cheap, you can save on flights, hotels, restaurants and avoid long queues in major attractions. During the low seasons, the attractions have fewer tourists and you can be able to visit more attractions than when they are overcrowded. Major cities in Europe such as Paris and London are always fabulous to explore any time of the year, hence travelling during low seasons does not mean missing anything, but it saves you a lot of money.
5 Linguistic Locations To Learn English
NEW YORK
Get to live your American dream by studying English in the Big Apple. New York is a city that never sleeps; it is full of varied attractions, architectural wonders and numerous opportunities for personal development and growth. It is a hub for numerous activities such as business, art, music and a varied array of entertainment venues. Studying English in New York exposes students to the multicultural environment that best defines New York and inspires students to be confident and determined in realizing their personal dreams.
LONDON
London is a world-class destination, rich in culture, history and full of amazing attractions that many can only dream to view. Learning English in London helps students to speak fluently, one of the easiest ways to learn any language in the world is travelling to the country of origin. London is therefore the perfect destination for learning English as students immerse in culture and use the language on a daily basis. There are numerous quality English schools in London where students can learn and sharpen their English skills. Students also get discounts in museums, theatres, some retail shops and some galleries, so you can have fun as you study English in London.
STRATFORD UPON AVON
Stratford upon Avon is a charming market town and the home to the famous English writer and poet William Shakespeare. It retains its original architecture of the Elithabethan and Jacobean eras and its stunning rural atmosphere as inspiring as it was centuries ago.
Learning English in Stratford upon Avon is effective as you will be able to practice the language in real situations when communicating with the locals. This region is also rich in culture and old-world charm that attracts visitors all over the world. You will also immerse in the English culture, which is vital in learning the language.
MELBOURNE
Melbourne is the stylish capital of Australia that boasts of electrifying sporting events, vibrant night scenes and unforgettable roof top experiences. It is an exciting city to live, work and study. Melbourne is a multicultural city where you will not feel out of place and you will enjoy local hospitality.
Melbourne has some of the best learning international learning institutions where you can study the English language effectively. Since English is widely spoken here, you get to practice the language beyond the classroom walls. Soak up in the rich culture, explore the iconic sights of the city and sharpen your English skills in this gorgeous capital.
CANADA
Canada is a gorgeous country with welcoming local people, breathtaking sceneries and bustling metropolitan cities. Canada is a multicultural country where you can easily blend in without feeling like an outsider. It offers numerous opportunities for outdoor activities, cultural experiences and entertainment. It is a safe place to study the English language because it has well organized and established international schools. The English language is common in Canada and you can practice speaking and expressing yourself in real situations such as asking for directions, ordering meals and interacting with fellow students.
Three Great Places for Extreme Travel
We all love to try out the unique and off the beaten path in the many aspects in our life, and traveling is just one of them. While people flock the already-crowded tourist spots, many would want to venture forth towards the lesser known ones, often going as far as extreme traveling. If you feel like you have a bad case of travel fever with you, and are fit enough to do the extremes, here are the top places that we would like to recommend to you:
Sahara Desert in Morocco
The Sahara Desert is the biggest hot desert in the world, located in the northern portion of the African continent. It stretches out from Morocco and Mauritania in the west, going towards Egypt and Sudan in the east. Sahara actually comes from the Arabic word, Sahra, which basically means desert.
While the Sahara desert can be very unforgiving with temperatures going as high as 130⁰F in the summer and dropping to around 40⁰F at nights and even lower during the winter season, it is still being frequented by travelers who want to know more of what this harsh environment can offer.
Those who do wish to go on a Sahara Desert excursion are often taken along thrilling safaris and camel caravans. These tours usually end up staying in an oasis in the desert, but one must make sure to prepare for the extreme conditions that await them. Aside from riding camels and starting at endless sand dunes, travelers are also often treated to Berber hospitality where they may enjoy eating the local cuisine, including their famous bread. Make sure you book a nice hotel for after the adventures when you need some pampering!
The Indian Himalayas
The Himalayas refer to the most prominent mountain range in all of Asia, stretching from Pakistan going all the way to the Bramaputra River in India. Naturally, trekking is among the most popular things to do in any point in the Himalayan ranges, but you can also do other activities such as yoga and meditation and even white water rafting.
What does this world famous mountain range have to offer? Travelers taking this extreme adventure path get to enjoy a picturesque view of the forest mountains, and even a glimpse of old Buddhist monasteries and other similar structures. Before taking this road less traveled, everyone must make sure to coordinate their travels with the proper authorities, to stay on the safe side and to be prepared for conditions that come with extreme places like this, such as altitude sickness.
Shark Baiting in Honduras
Want something beyond the normal extreme adventure? Then, go shark baiting. This is probably the most extreme and mind-blowing of all extreme adventures. Why? Well, what do you think of turning a vehicle into a giant fishing lure and with you inside as the bait? Staying inside the custom-built submersible by Stanley Submarines, the extreme traveler is then brought down about 1500 feet below sea level. Aside from you, a live shark bait is also attached to the submersible in order to lure the seldom-seen six-gilled shark. How’s that for an extreme adventure over the weekend? This one is definitely not for the faint of heart.
