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The Best Destinations for Digital Nomads

markstraveljournal11 Comments
A woman working on a laptop in the middle of a street

The conventional 9 to 5 is slowly becoming extinct, and remote jobs with flexible working hours are steadily taking its place. When your job’s only requirements are a functional laptop and a reliable Internet connection, it’s not long until the comfort of your home office chair turns into numb legs and back pain. At this point, wanderlust is probably kicking in, and you’re wondering whether you’re suited for the digital nomad lifestyle. While that is a question that only you can answer, this list of the best destinations for digital nomads might give you a much-needed boost of confidence that will help you make up your mind.

Lisbon, Portugal

For digital nomad newbies, the capital of Portugal, Lisbon, is a good starting point. Portugal will make you feel at home while still allowing you to learn and experience new things. If you’re nervous about communicating with the locals, you can relax as most people here speak English very well. The variety of food from all over the world allows you to play it safe while also having the option to taste unique new dishes and local delicacies. Boredom in Lisbon is out of the question since this bustling city has plenty of beaches, restaurants, museums, and other spots where you can meet new people or have fun by yourself.

A street in Lisbon
Lisbon’s unique-looking streets are what makes this city irresistible.

While Lisbon is a very hilly place that will provide much-needed exercise after long working hours, you most likely won’t even notice your legs are on fire as you’ll be too busy marveling at the beautiful architecture and scenery around you. A big community of digital nomads will make you feel safe, and you might even pick up a few tips and tricks from more experienced travelers you’ll meet along the way.

Taipei, Taiwan

If you’re looking to experience a city unlike any other, Taipei is the way to go. The capital of Taiwan has been known for a while as one of the best destinations in the digital nomads’ community, and for a good reason. The Internet is fast and reliable, so you won’t have any trouble working. However, you might find it difficult to focus on work as Taipei is an extremely lively and busy city with something fun happening on every corner. You could probably spend most of your time on night markets exploring food and drinks you’ve never seen before. The friendly Taiwanese people will help if you have any questions, and you won’t have to gesture much as most of them speak good English.

Taiwanese red paper lanterns
Taipei is famous for its rich culture and hospitality.

When choosing to move far away from home, many people are worried about leaving their possessions behind, since traveling long distances is much cheaper and more convenient when your luggage is light. Renting a storage unit where you can store your belongings while away is a good idea because it will give you peace of mind knowing your things are safe and sound while you’re having the time of your life exploring the streets of Taipei.

Mexico City, Mexico

Tacos and tequila are probably the first things most people think of when Mexico is mentioned, but this part of the world has so much more to offer. Mexico City is the perfect combination of megacity features and affordable living costs. With that said, you will have to be extra careful not to pack on the pounds as delicious street food is literally on every corner, and the low prices certainly don’t reflect the quality. The pleasant weather all year round and the opportunity to explore the Caribbean on your days off are certainly a plus as well.

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is the perfect choice for those who want to stay on a budget while at the same time enjoying the charm of big European cities. Its rich history is impossible to miss since there are plenty of museums, churches, and galleries that are well worth visiting. The architecture makes the city feel very luxurious, and the endless cafés, restaurants, and clubs balance it out with their youthful and friendly energy. There are plenty of weekend getaway options as well.

Before you know it, you’ll be hopping off to a different European city every other day as Budapest is surrounded by them, and the cheap and reliable transportation options are something you wouldn’t want to miss.

Ubud, Bali

Many people are convinced that Bali is one of the best destinations for digital nomads, and the reasoning behind that is not hard to understand. Ubud is one of the few places in the world where you can rent Instagram-worthy accommodation without going broke. You won’t have to imagine yourself working on your laptop with your feet in the pool or overlooking the lush green rice fields because that is exactly what you will be doing in Bali.

An Indonesian temple surrounded by greenery
Bali’s friendly atmosphere and gorgeous landscapes make it the best destination for digital nomads.

A big yoga scene will make it easy for you to work on your flexibility and health while also addressing the back pain you brought from home. And if living on a beautiful tropical island isn’t enough for you, Ubud’s friendly residents and a vast digital nomad community can help you feel at home. There are many co-working spaces and internet cafés so finding a good place to work from is super easy. Some might consider the number of tourists and visitors a bit off-putting, but if you put a little effort into staying off the beaten path, you’ll get to meet the country’s true mentality and culture.

Conclusion

Whichever place you choose, make sure to research the visas, transportation, prices, and other essential things. Don’t be afraid to leave your comfort zone because that is where amazing and life-changing things always happen. Remember that the best destinations for digital nomads are the ones where you can keep up with your work duties while still living your best life. Respect the locals, their culture, and mentality, and you are guaranteed to have the time of your life no matter where you go.

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Best places to experience the true spirit of Canada

markstraveljournal38 Comments
a Canadian flag and mountain ranges

The Canadian natural and urban landscapes are undeservedly neglected in many travel plans. However, if you are looking for the best places to experience the true spirit of Canada, you have stumbled upon a guide that will list and explain why the home of maple syrup (among other things) should definitely be on your travel horizon.

Essentially, this is a big country that boasts one of the most mesmerizing and impressive landscapes in the world. On the one hand, you can encounter lakes, mountains, and other natural sceneries of indescribable beauty. On the other, Canadian cities are a perfect starting and finishing point on your trip. They offer you a chance to experience incredible architectural gems in a progressive and liberal society. Read on to find out more about the most breathtaking and exciting places in Canada you should visit on your next trip to the Great White North.

Toronto

If you are looking for the perfect city to start your Canadian journey, Toronto is the place for you (and my hometown). It is one of the largest and culturally most important cities in this country. Toronto’s distinguishing landmark is the CN Tower which you must have seen if you have ever received a postcard from Toronto.

When it comes to its tourist potential, Toronto’s transportation system makes movement through the city impeccable, with a network of subways, street cars, and roads. However, if you get bored with Toronto’s bustling urban energy, you can always take the ferry across the harbour to the nearby Toronto Islands.  

a Toronto skyline with skyscrapers and CN Tower
The famous CN Tower dominates the Toronto skyline

Banff

If you are looking to visit the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Banff is a great resort town to start your hiking, biking, or skiing journey from. It is located in the Banff National Park, the first national park established on Canadian soil. As for what it can offer to its visitors, Banff is a town that is brimful of small, local cafes, restaurants, art galleries, shops, and other tourist amenities. You can find the beautiful Mount Norquay towering over this little town and the famous Lake Louise just an hour away from Banff.

Icefields Parkway

Icefield Parkway is a world-famous 144-mile double-lane highway drive between Jasper and Lake Louise. What makes it so epic is that this road offers an incredible overview of the Canadian Rocky Mountains while taking you through orchards, waterfalls, lakes, and other intact natural scenery. This route is fantastic for those who enjoy hiking and camping in breathtakingly beautiful Canadian nature.

a big lake at the foot of mountains in Canada, symbolizing the best places to experience the true spirit of Canada
Canada is home to supreme vistas and natural sceneries.

Vancouver

Vancouver is another big Canadian city that should be on your priority list, especially if you are visiting western Canada. This city is famous for its multiculturalism and green living. Around 50% of its citizens speak languages other than English, making it a truly inspiring and eclectic city. As for what you can do besides the essential sightseeing around the city, Vancouver is a well-known stop for any serious skier given its nearby world-renowned ski resorts such as Whistler Blackcomb. The local city council continuously strive to achieve the best living standard by pioneering and incorporating green design ideas into the city’s infrastructure.

In fact, a rising number of US citizens are moving to Vancouver and other Canadian cities to pursue a cleaner, more humane way of living. If you are considering moving to Canada from NYC, be mindful that you might need to hire an international relocation company to help you get here from NYC, with the necessary vehicles and equipment.

Cape Breton

Cape Breton is a unique part of the province of Nova Scotia located on the east coast of the country. It is one of Canada’s most beloved road trip destinations because of its amazing landscapes that line the famous Cabot Trail – a 186-mile route through the Cape Breton National Park. You will be able to see fantastic nature from Cape Breton’s lookout points, picturesque fishing villages, and one of the most breathtaking scenic routes in the world. A drive through Cape Breton is one to not be missed.

Prince Edward Island

This lovely eastern province and island is famous for its green hills, red cliffs, and amazing seafood everywhere you go. Also, given that most locations in Canada are oriented towards active vacations such as walking or hiking, this island is the perfect getaway where you can relax and enjoy the island scenery. This island is also huge in the golfing world due to its many golf courses available for play. Beside these luxurious, upper-class amenities, the island is also famous for its seal population – as many as four different species of seal inhabit its shores throughout the year.

Niagara Falls

colorful waterfalls and a tree
Niagara Falls are an incredible sight any time of the year and the best place to experience the true spirit of Canada

And, last but certainly not the least, the amazing Niagara Falls. There is hardly a person who has not heard of this collection of waterfalls on the United States and Canada border. The Niagara Falls are indeed a natural wonder that merits at least a day of your attention, especially if you are staying or moving to Toronto in the future. 

The waterfalls – Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls – make up an astounding six million cubic feet of water that splash downward every minute. This makes the word wonder in the phrase “natural wonder” a literal description of what experiencing the Niagara Falls is like.

All in all, we hope this short guide has helped you visualize the best places to experience the true spirit of Canada. Of course, there are many more amazing spots which you can visit, especially if you enjoy spending your holiday in the great outdoors. Don’t forget Quebec, Newfoundland and the other provinces and territories (coming in a future post). Whatever your favorite places are, we are confident you will love every minute spent in this beautiful country. Just make sure you stay safe and healthy during your travel.

7 tips for solo female travelers

markstraveljournal7 Comments
woman in the desert looking at a map

If you are a free-spirited individual and you want to travel on your own, you will surely hear cautionary tales about how precarious it is to do so, how you can get lost, bored, hungry, mugged, attacked, etc. Although there is an element of danger involved in traveling alone, especially during these turbulent pandemic times, we believe that the benefits significantly outweigh the risks. For this reason, we have seven tips for solo female travelers which will equip you with the necessary knowledge about what it actually looks like to travel alone as a woman. And, even more importantly, what you really have to take into consideration in terms of accommodation, transportation, money, safety, local culture and the like.

Safety first!

Your personal safety should be at the top of your priority list every time you hit the road. Some women associate safety exclusively with potential muggings, so they make sure they take self-defense lessons before they go on a big journey to unknown regions.

However, it is not only strangers that are potential sources of havoc. Depending on where you are traveling, you need to make sure you have all the necessary supplies. Avid travelers know that it is helpful to research the topographic characteristics of the terrain to decide on the type of clothing and shoes that you may need. You should also know what you absolutely have to have in your backpack – water, knife, lighter, first-aid kit, maps, insect repellent, medication, etc.

Listen to your gut

As any woman who likes to travel alone will tell you, eventually you will develop a keen ‘sixth sense’ for detecting potentially dangerous places and people. We all have it in us; you just need to get on the road to finetune your decision-making. Being too fearful can make the journey tedious and less than enjoyable, whereas having no inhibitions can naturally put you in tricky situations. Since we do not live in an ideal world, solo female traveling may come with challenges, but in most cases, these bumps in the road will make your journey thrilling and unforgettable.

Be informed

Basically, it is essential to know where you are traveling to – weather changes, availability of potable water, food, healthcare, and medication in the given country or region are all important factors to consider. Another factor you have to take into consideration is the cellular coverage in the region. Although your phone and internet may work in the hostel you are staying at, that might not be the case once you leave urban areas.

woman pointing to a place on a map
Carefully planning your journey is more important than seems at first glance.

No woman is an island

Yes, traveling to a completely novel environment alone is a deeply gratifying experience, but it is a mistake to think that you have to be alone all the time. Be on the lookout for travel tours that offer assistance in the form of local guides. These types of offers provide you with the chance to seek help when you need it, but without forcing you into traveling in somebody else’s shoes, so to speak. For example, suppose you want to go on a photo safari. In that case, you have workshops led by wildlife photography experts who can brief you about the best timing and position from which you can take pictures of the savanna nature and wildlife. 

If you are looking to spend a longer period of time somewhere, it might be useful to join a traveling group. In this way, you can plan group journeys when you feel like it; you can meet like-minded travelers upon which you will be able to rely during your stay and still retain the sense of choosing your own itinerary for the day.

people jumping in the sunset
Solo female travelers are usually surprised to find that they have met so many amazing people on their journey. 

Meeting new people is part and parcel of traveling solo

From expats to locals, from flight attendants to hitch-hikers, be sure to delve deep into the melting pot of different faces and experiences that come your way. The journey to yourself is, for most people, actually the journey towards new friendships.

Talking to people has a practical side for solo women travelers as well. Especially if you do not speak the local language, you might miss out on important information of all sorts. People you meet will surely share their experiences with you, and you will most easily travel the country by knowing where to go and where you can go.

Meeting yourself is also part and parcel of traveling solo

If you are a sociable person, you might easily succumb to the urge to be surrounded by other people. It is understandable, and it may be tempting to form a group to travel together in unfamiliar surroundings. Although this is not necessarily wrong, at times, this approach to traveling might obscure the bigger picture – that you are traveling solo for a reason.

There are many things to learn about yourself that, perhaps, you cannot find out in your hometown. Learning to enjoy nature, silence, and your thought processes will be a life-long lesson that traveling solo will bestow upon you.

a woman standing between a gate made of rock
You might be more capable and adventurous than what you give yourself credit for

For instance, it may happen that you do not have any money left. You may find out that you can sell your photographs or artwork or earn money by doing land work. These kinds of revelations will reveal to you something you may not have known about yourself – that you are resilient, resourceful, and streetwise.

Book a bed in a hostel or private accommodation 

Immersing yourself in local culture by staying in a shabby hostel or renting a room from a local will widen your horizons and give you a more accurate picture of the local environment. There is a chance that you will meet someone who speaks the same language as you do – both literally and figuratively.

Furthermore, you will always have someone to ask for help or advice, even if you are not that into the idea of making friends. It is usually challenging to get through to hotel staff in such a way. Also, hostels are generally well prepared for solo female travelers, and they probably already have the answer to any of your questions.