first set of cheap travel tips

Hey everyone! its been a while since I posted so I thought I would post a first in a series of "cheap travel tips".

Here is my first installation. These are some ideas I found that worked for me while I was back packing in Europe and Turkey. I hope that you will find some useful aswell!


1. pack light
2. bring a lock
3. use public transit when ever you can
4. research your hostels
5. stay with friends if you can
6. www.couchsurfer.com
8. pack food for long rides
9. eat where the locals eat
10.buy food at local markets its ofter cheaper than supermarkets
11.compare your airfare/be flexible
12use the incognito tab when looking up flights (some websites track your visits and the price will automatically go up the next time you look)
13. use the free days when visiting museums and other wonderful exhibits.
14. spend more time in each country and travel slowly
15. fly at unpopular times early morning/redeye flights
16. fly mid week
17.stay more then one night at a hostel,some twill have a 3 night get the 4th free deal
18. if you know you will be somewhere for a month or more, try renting an apartment so you can cook your own food.
19. try www.woofing.com
20. try housesitting for people
21. take night busses/trains so you can sleep while you travel
22. walk as much as you can :)
23. rent a bike
24. eat our for breakfast/lunch not for dinner 
25. try and find a hostel/hotel with breakfast included (and try and make some lunch/snacks from your breakfast food)

day to day

My day to day

I have Just started a new phase of my life and I thought, what a better way to dive in to this new chapter then to get right back into something I love....writing.

I have loved writing since I was little and have been doing so constantly until about a year ago.

I was backpacking through Europe, and documenting all the exciting things I was doing and seeing and when I came home I vowed to keep it up and keep myself adventurous and engaged with my blog.

That was until I actually got home...(Canada) and was diagnosed with MS. I wouldnt say I went into a full out depression or downward spiral (I had my days), but I did have other things on the fore front of my mind.

A year later and I feel like I am back in my old shoes. Full of passion, andventure, wanderlust and love and absolutely ready to dive right back into the blogging world that I have missed so much!

Here I will share with you the places I go and the things/people I see, delicious food I make/eat, events I am lucky enough to attend and pretty much anything and everything that comes to mind.

I hope you enjoy and please feel free to leave ideas and comments.

K

Top 10 things To Do On Your Day Off

ON MY DAY OFF!

1) SLEEP IN- normal days I am up at 5:00am...so sleeping till 7:00 or 8:00am is glorious
2) Go to a cafe to enjoy good coffee to do some reading and/or writing
3) going to a good trail and doing some hiking or biking
4) laying on the couch and watching a movie
5) doing a hot yoga class
6) Grabbing brunch with a friend
7) bake or cook something new
8) wake up early and making breakfast in bed for my girlfriend
9) spend all day in bed reading a wonderful book
10) Spending time with my Niece and Nephew

and lastly,

11) Travel some where new :)

I didn't include this in my top 10 because....well...its a given :)

The Little Things

 I am sitting at Lit Espresso Bar right now and there is the most adorable Bernese Mountain Dog
 patiently waiting outside for his owner. It is amazing me to watch all the people leave the coffee shop content with their caffeine and pastries and then instantly light up as soon as they see the perky pooch, smiling and wagging his tail. I don't think one person has been able to walk past with out a smile. He sure is making my morning brighter!

Gratitude

It is my favourite word in the English language. 

I keep this word close to me, deep in my brain

and inked on my skin.

A constant reminder.

Sometimes it is so easy to forget to be 

GREATFUL!

10 Things NOT to do When Traveling

1. Don't book the first accommodation you find/see, take your time and do a bit of looking/research, it can really help stretch your money and sometimes you will find a hidden gem!!!
2. DO NOT drink tap water, unless you are totally sure it is safe.
3. Try not to pack to much or bring unnecessary things. After your first backpacking trip you will quickly learn what you do and do not need!!
4. Try your best not to get haggled by locals into paying more money for things
5. Flying isn't the only option, look up other options to travel around on your trip, I really like night buses because I can sleep on the bus and it saves me paying for a night accommodation, and it is normally cheaper for a bus then a plane! 
6. don't eat at restaurants all the time and if you do try and eat out for lunch, dinner is always more expensive and make sure you hit up the locals for their favourite spots!
7. don't pay for tours, there are so many pay what you can walking tours that are super awesome! take a look on your computer or ask around at your hostel, for example when I was in Spain I did a few walking tours with Pancho Tours and they were fantastic! 
8. try as best as you can to not have a super quick trip, I have always found that slow and steady is the best way to totally soak up a country!
9. everyone has their days but if you are backpacking solo try not to be anti social, you can meet some really incredible and interesting people. 
10. last but not least DON'T LOSE YOUR PASSPORT, I know from experience what a hassle this can be, it really is a much better idea to keep it with you at all times!!! 

I hope some of my ``do not`` tips will be of some help to you on your adventures and if you have any tips that I have missed, leave them in the comments bellow, I would love to hear your tips!! 

Injoy Your day!!!! 

Kristo

3 Reasons I love Toronto

Toronto is one of my favourite cities on earth, it also happens to be the city I call home so I guess my love is a little biased. But non the less here are just 3 of the reasons why I am proud to call this city home!

1. Toronto is one of the most authentically multicultural cities in the world and I think that has a lot to do with its charm. When I say authentically multicultural I mean pretty darn close to the real thing. Having traveled to quite a few places myself and eating being my number one priority while I am adventuring, I can confidently say that the cultural food you get in Toronto is very accurate. Some of my favorite Places to eat cultural food in Toronto are:

• La Bella Managua : Awesome Nicaraguan Food
• Pizza Libretto : Real Italian Pizza
• Restaurant Anatolia : The Best Turkish food in the city!
• Guu : Not just Sushi!

That only scratches the surface of the yummy places to eat in the city. BUT it is not just the food that makes Toronto so worldly. You can find cultural areas such as China town, little India, little Italy, little Portugal, korea town, the Greek Danforth, Polish Roncesvalles, and many many more, basically, the 416 is a multicultural melting pot and I effing love it! 

2. Toronto is a city where if you have an opinion, you can speak it. Peoples differences are celebrated here rather then being chastised. You are free to believe in what you believe, love who you want to love, and live how you want to live. Having travelled and been in places where some of those basic freedoms are taken away can make you appreciate what you have at home so much more! 

3. Toronto is much like any other city, it is busy, noisy and can get overwhelming at times.BUT here we are lucky enough to have an escape only a 5 minute boat ride away. Toronto Island is a piece of Canadian heaven and it is by far one of my favourite places to be when I am home.