Apps for Connecting With Home

When you travel, it can sometimes be hard to keep in touch with home, especially if you're traveling out of the country.  I'm not about to just cut off all communication for a week or two just because I don't want to pay $.60 for a text message or much more than that per phone call minute. Some international phone plans are better than that, but a lot still aren't. Here are the ways I stay connected with home when I travel. 

Photo by ROBIN WORRALL on Unsplash

You could rely on email, but if you're traveling solo or actually want to speak to a human being, that's a bit impersonal, though you can also call/text people in addition to emailing them all the fun details of your days. I tend to do both, but I like for people to know that I haven't died, and I want to see my dog while I'm away for more than a few days.

Photo by Paul Hanaoka on Unsplash

Voxer

Instead of texting, I use Voxer. Not only is it free, but it works off WiFi, so it can push through your "texts" when you have a signal, but will timestamp it when you actually sent it. It will also tell you when your message was delivered and when it was read. If the recipient clicks on it, can see exactly where it was sent from. This way you save money and people know you're alive, and if you go missing, they know where you were last. Voxer allows you to send/receive messages, videos and voice recordings, and it's free, unless you upgrade for more capabilities. Then you can also use the walkie-talkie feature with your travel companions. You could use WhatsApp instead. I just didn't think it was as user-friendly.

Photo by Glen Anthony on Unsplash

Skype

Yes, I'm old, apparently, because the kids all snicker when you mention Skype instead of Facetime. One, I don't have an iPhone, and two, I don't want one. Skype is mostly free, easy to use, and allows you to actually see another person, even if you think you look like a hideous beast on camera like I do. 

Trying to figure out a time to talk to someone when there's a very significant time difference can be difficult, but I generally send a Voxer to my mom (or whoever I'm going to call), to let them know when I'm planning to Skype, so we can have the app open. I use it on my phone, so I can give them a walk thru of my Airbnb. Ha! (Most of the cooler kids are using Discord, which is a good way to talk to people for free if you both know the time to meet there. We use it for D&D and meetings for a non-profit group I'm in.)

Photo by Guilherme Stecanella on Unsplash

Swarm

This doesn't strictly help you stay in touch, but it does let people know where you are at any given time. I check in to most places I go, because I like a record of things I did, in case I forget, but I also like my friends to know where I am, just in case. If I'm away and I don't check in somewhere for a day, they probably know there's something wrong. Plus, Swarm check-ins are fun and you earn points and stickers. 

Photo by Oleg Magni on Unsplash

TripIt

This is another way for me to allow people to keep tabs on me. I upload my entire itinerary to TripIt, including my flights and where I'm staying, so I have something with all my confirmation numbers and addresses and phone numbers in one place (which also saves paper) and then I share it with one or two other people who like to know what I'm doing and who I want to check in with.

These are just a few of my favorite apps, but they are especially useful for keeping up with people wherever you are. If you have a favorite app to stay in touch with home, I want to hear about it. Let me know about it in the comments.

Your Perfect Barbiecore Vacations

With Barbie taking over everywhere and pink vibes around every corner, maybe you're thinking of more ways to get that lovely hue into your life. Did you know there are so many places you can go that a covered in pink homes, castles, beaches, and even religious sites? This isn't an exhaustive list, but a sprinkling of destinations that can pink up your travels.

If you're looking for a great destination that can also be budget-friendly and easier to get to and get around in, check out Palm Springs. From free art to rainbows and mid-century architecture everywhere. Nassau in the Bahamas can also put you in the middle of a pastel paradise. The government buildings are all pink, the Atlantis Resort is a sprawling pink hotel and casino, the zoo has a flamboyance of flamingos that are the stars of their own show, and you can take a million pics of yourself among exotic flowers in the botanical gardens. Here's a very old post to help you plan a trip.

Complete your Barbie trip with some new travel goodies: 

• pink carry-on
• pink walking shoes (men's)
• pink sleeping mask
• pink sunnies for men or women
• a Barbie eye palette from NYX or my personal fave palette from Colourpop
• men's pink linen short set
• pink scoop-neck monokini
• pink swim trunks
• hot pink halter maxi dress
• pink anti-theft backpack
• pink anti-theft day bag
• kid's 3-pack of t-shirts

Do you have a favorite pink travel destination? Let us know!

Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links and I maybe receive monetarily compensated if you make a purchase through any of them. This enables me to keep this blog running and bringing you travel tips, so thanks in advance.

Use Travel-Sharing for Budget Vacationing

It's no secret that travel share is a booming industry. With fewer mainstream ways to travel on a budget, it's easier than ever to travel the world without going broke. I'm all for going independent when I can to save some bucks, especially if I have plenty of traveler reviews to back up the safety and legitimacy of it all.

Instead of staying in a hotel or eating at a traditional restaurant or going to the big box car rental places for some wheels, why not go local and more affordable?

Accommodations
I've been on the travel share bandwagon for a long time. While I love a hotel and still use them when needed, I love to feel more at home when I travel and enjoy having a kitchen and laundry at my disposal. If you do, too, try:

• Airbnb - Indisputably the most well-known way to rent a vacation space. Choose from a room in a home to an entire apartment and everything in between. Get to meet locals where you can while making use of the spaces they aren't using. (Here's an account of one of my Airbnb experiences and here's a way to make sure you're helping the local economy and not a company when you rent..)
• Homeexchange - Want to really save some money? Swap your house with other travelers where you want to go. Take in their mail, feed their dogs and generally be them for the duration of your trip.
• vrbo - Like Airbnb, see a long list of spaces for rent, go through vrbo, so you know your reservation is safe and secure.

Transportation
You may already be using Uber and Lyft to get around, but why stop there? If you want to drive on your own schedule, rent someone else's car while you're in town. See locals who can spare their wheels while you're visiting on these great sites:

• Turo
• Uber Rent
• GetAround
• ZipCar - Unlike these others, these are shared cars in a city. Rent it by the hour. Pick it up and drop it off at a designated location.

Dining
I'm open to meeting new people and I love to eat. Now you can visit locals for homemade meals or meet someone for food at a restaurant. This is especially good for people who are traveling solo and don't like to eat alone and those that are really outgoing.

• EatWithALocal
• TravelingSpoon
• EatWith

Other stuff
Sometimes you get to a place and realize you want something specific, like golf clubs or skis. Since bringing them with you can be crazy expensive, why not rent some from someone while you're in town? 

• Loanables
• BabyQuip - Rent baby strollers, car seats and more.
• Baby'sAway - Same as BabyQuip, but great if you're traveling with more than one baby.
• Spinlister - Need a bike? Rent one at your destination!

Travel sharing is perfect for those that want to help out individuals while also getting a hyperlocal experience.

Do you have a favorite travel share company?