Americans are used to being kicked in the nuts every time we buy a plane ticket. So when we see a ticket from Barcelona to London for 1€ ($1.50), we automatically assume its a scam. It is and it isn’t. Here are 10 tips to cutting through the bullshit and squeezing the most out of budget flights in Europe:

#1: Don’t Believe the Hype – Calculate the “True Cost”

Many disillusioned travelers have labeled RyanAir Lyin’Air and EasyJet SleazyJet when they realize their 5€ ticket actually costs far more than advertised.

Don’t believe the hype. These fares are cheap compared to traditional carriers, but they are not give-aways. 1€ fares are just advertisement. You must pay around 20-30€ more in taxes. Other clever add-ons you will pay for: checked luggage, transport to some airports, flight insurance, and overweight carry-on baggage.

To find the “true cost”, you have to enter your credit card information and go to the very last page on the website – everything short of actually purchasing the ticket. Then factor in the additional charges mentioned below. Budgeting 5€ per flight is unrealistic. 30-50€ is more sensible, and yet still crazy cheap.

#2: Know Your Options

RyanAir is not the only budget airline. If you only have time to shop, check www.skyscanner.net. It aggregates results from a number of airlines. Although their list is not exhaustive, you can often find better deals on national airlines.

A side note:

flights are generally cheaper traveling north-south than east-west. Northern Europeans flock to the south for their vacations and the high-traffic drops the cost. East-west travel is less common and therefore more expensive.

#3: Book Early

The earlier you book the cheaper you fly. Simple. SkyScanner has a wonderful tool where you can search for the cheapest tickets in a given month (or even a year).

#4: Be Flexible

Flexibility is a crucial element in travel – and budget airlines are no exception. You must be flexible about the day, time and even destination of your flight. But don’t assume that “being flexible” means that you can marinate for a week in an Amsterdam coffee shop and then book your flight for the following day. Often times, leaving just one day earlier/later will cost a fraction of the price. For the cheapest flights, be prepared to fly at 7 AM on a Wednesday morning. If you’re really broke (and/or paranoid about making that cheap flight on time), consider sleeping in the airport. Read more here: www.SleepingInAirports.com.

#5: Skip the Peanuts

Everything on budget airlines costs extra – not just the peanuts. Be careful when purchasing your tickets online. RyanAir will bring you to a page full of pre-checked options, all of which you must un-check, or else you will be charged extra for each one. Travel insurance, SMS notification, or Priority boarding? Hell no. Failing to un-check these boxes will cost you an arm and a leg.

#6: Check Location and Connection Times

Many of RyanAir’s flights actually go to entirely different cities, most notably those to Brussels (Charleroi), Paris (Beauvais), Venice (Treviso), Frankfurt (Hahn), Stockholm (Skavsta), Barcelona (Girona & Reus). The flights are cheap because you are flying to some remote airport, then forced to pay 10-15€ for a bus into the city.

Furthermore, you could royally screw yourself if you overlook the details of your connecting flights. Don’t expect to fly to Barcelona on RyanAir and make a 2-hour connection for your flight across the Atlantic. RyanAir uses a different airport and you won’t make the connection.

That is not to say that these distant airports are a bad option. A 10€ flight with a 10€ bus ride is still only 20€. But if you fly into Paris at 8 PM, don’t plan a date in the Latin Quarter at 9:30PM. Factor in that 1.5 hr bus ride and you should be fine.

#7: Check in Online

Don’t make this amateur mistake. Low-cost airlines are cheap because they have low-costs – i.e. very few staff members. They don’t want a huge line of people waiting to check in for each flight, so they charge 30€ to check-in in person. Check in online, print out your ticket, and spend your 30€ on something more worthwhile.

#8: Pack Light…Really, Really, Light

This is perhaps the most important rule. Read carefully.

Budget Airlines typically allow one carry-on bag for free. Checked luggage is extra. Rules vary for each airline, but typically your carry-on bag must weigh less than 15 kilos and it must fit within the stipulated dimensions. To give you an idea, a small roller bag or a school backpack is acceptable, but your typical “backpacker’s backpack” will not fly. You will have to check it and pay extra. The same goes for any carry-ons over 15 kilos.

More rules apply to checked luggage. Not only do you have to pay to check your baggage, but it also must weigh less than 15 kilos. Expect to pay a hefty fee if your bag is too heavy. A 30-kilo bag will cost you a pretty penny.

The good news is a lot of airports have storage lockers. If plan to fly around on the cheap in Europe, make sure you get a daypack with your backpack. That way, you can lock up your bigger backpack at the airport (daily rates are usually pretty cheap but can add up if you leave it there for weeks) and carry-on your daypack.

#9: Do a Cost/Benefit Analysis

So pull out that calculator and add up all the extra fees and hidden charges – and don’t forget to consider time/convenience. Is it worth it to fly? It is often cheaper to take the train or bus, say, from Paris to Brussels or London.

#10: Lastly, Don’t Over-Do It

Europe is a continent that is supposed to be savored. Rushing to and from the airports will kill the vibes. Budget airlines are only your friend if you use them wisely. They allow you to travel in a couple distant countries in one trip – not to link together a half dozen flights to nearby cities in a span of two weeks.

So if you only have a few weeks, pick a few cities in a few different countries and use them as bases to explore the surrounding areas.

…and don’t forget: RyanAir didn’t exist when your mom and dad traveled in Europe. There is always the train or bus.

Written By: Mark Ayling

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Traveling is about keeping it real with your surroundings, yet  it’s easy to get lost in the lure of nerdy  gadgetry these days (check out  “5 Gadgets That May Ruin Your Backpacking Experience”). Things like GPS systems can keep you from getting down and dirty with locals (just ask for directions, stupid!). However, for those of you who are physically unable to unplug, we give you OTP’s 10 Most Useful Travel Gadgets of 2010.

Water Filter

Don’t drink the water. You’ll hear it over and over again in just about every country. In fact, you may find that it’s cheaper to buy booze than it is water. Enter the MSR Miox. This little flashlight-sized device only requires batteries to transform that putrid, disease-ridden water into something more drinkable. There’s also the Steripen, which uses ultraviolet rays to turn dirty into liquid clean goodness. Of course, you may prefer the excuse of choosing booze over water but at just over a hundred bucks, it’ll probably save you some money and a few hangovers.

Bag Protector

After a good night’s sleep, the last thing you want to wake up to is finding out someone jacked your shit . In all likelihood, as long as you’re alert and careful, this won’t happen. But if you’re the paranoid type, the Doberman Bag Protector is a dually triggered alarm system (meaning there is both a motion sensor and a pull pin). The device can be attached to just about anything and when triggered, emits a 100 decibel alarm. This is on par with the sound of a lawnmower, which should be the most obnoxious criminal deterrent known to man.

Solar Powered Backpack

This is starting to get out of hand. Whatever happened to the days of Thoreau, where serenity is found in the simple things in life? Screw it, if he were around today, Thoreau would be putting his money on the solar powered backpack too. Both Voltaic and Reware offer backpacks equipped with solar panels that can power up most 12-volt devices if needed. Since a solar powered backpack is more of a luxury than a necessity, the added superpowers (Electroman) come at a higher price than other packs with a sacrifice in size. Choose wisely.

Global Phone

A cell phone is most definitely on the no fly list for those looking to rough it. But if you were to get a phone, getting one made by National Geographic still maintains some ruggedness and can be used in over 100 countries. There are several options available: rent a phone for eighteen dollars a month if it’s a short trip or buy one for a little under two hundred bucks. Mobal also offer a cheaper alternative if National Geographic rubs you the wrong way. Be sure to store this in a safe place for emergencies and to get the most out of your experience, refrain from using it too often.

Indestructible Travel Case

The Pelican Micro Case is both waterproof and can withstand up to 5,000 lbs. of pressure (like if an elephant decided to take a nap on your travel case). While we find it difficult to believe a travel case is this powerful, Pelican’s website promises your valuables will stay safe and dry. If that makes you afraid that someday it might come after you, consult a priest on the procedures of destroying an indestructible object.

Swiss Army Flash

Adventurous tech nerds, this one will thoroughly excite you. With all the normal features of the Swiss army knife, this gadget also comes with a flash drive (with multiple memory options) as well a powerful LED light. There’s also a ballpoint pen thrown in there for good measure. Sure, you probably won’t find yourself in the throes of the wild, fighting for your survival (and if you did, what would be the purpose of a flash drive?) but, knowing you’ve got the just-in-case tools for almost everything will keep your nerdy mind at peace. Should you in fact be lost in a strange country’s wilderness and become worried about digital storage, this baby’s got your back.

USB Rechargeable Batteries

Rechargeable batteries can get a little pricey but their longevity is worth the extra cost (plus recycling batteries in this way is good for the environment, so score). After plugging them into any USB port with a power source, USB Cell’s rechargeable batteries get a second life. The charger is embedded into the battery so when the top is taken off, and they’re plugged in, you’re good to go. Make sure to keep them safe (perhaps in the indestructible case?) as just two cost about as much as twenty alkalines.

Flip Video

Here’s a good alternative to the all-powerful digital camera. The Flip video is reasonably priced and offers good quality videos that are stored on four or eight GB memory. The device is about the size of your typical digital camera with just a little bit more girth (like your dad, only the Flip video doesn’t love your little brother more). The stock Flip Ultra comes with 120 minutes of recording memory at about the same price as a good quality camera. While a picture is worth a thousand words, how much is a crisp video of say, Rio’s Carnival, worth?

Stash Sandals

This one’s perfect for the paranoid tech nerd who thinks the government’s after them. Reef’s Stash sandals have a nifty little tray in the heel that slides out to hold valuables you’d rather not leave sitting on a beach towel. Also, as the name suggests, they could be used to hide unmentionables that the government is really after (should you find yourself in possession of such items). Since they are sandals, we’re not sure how comfortable you’d be wearing these anywhere where a shoe could potentially be lost (like raging, drunken beach dance parties). Nonetheless, it is a clever alternative to worrying about being stuck in the Matrix because you lost the red pill.

150-Country Travel Adapter and Converter

Yes, we said to leave most of the electronics at home, but we all know you’re not going to listen. So rather than cleverly trying to sneak your techy trash overseas only to find you have no way to charge it, this should save you the embarrassment. Offered by Hammacher Schlemmer and USBgeek.com, not only can this device provide power for any AC powered device, it also has USB plugs, saving the trouble of carrying around multiple unwieldy chargers. So while you’re charging your iPod, cell phone and digital camera all at the same time, you can actually go out and enjoy some scenery instead of babysitting your electronics.

Before you go out and blow all your spending money on every one of these gadgets, remember that traveling is more about the experience than what you bring with you. As Samuel Johnson once said, “The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.” Instead of trying to recreate the luxuries of home, see how locals cope. That’s not to say you shouldn’t take advantage of some of the gadgets built for travel, just don’t overdo it. The trick is to find that balance, between what you need and what you could do without, based on how you want to travel and where you want to go.

Written By: Andrew Butler

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So you’re in Madrid and looking to get tatted? Madrid’s reputation as a world center of art is home to some of the best tattoo artists in Europe.  Whether you want to commemorate the trip of a lifetime or you’ve been inspired to get some trippy shit down your sleeve, Madrid’s tattoo parlors will have you covered (literally).  Based on their best qualities, OTP has compiled this list of shops to get you properly tatted-up:

First off…
What is more important to you, price or quality?  If price is paramount, pick from any of the dime-a-dozen tattoo joints along Calle de Montera between Plaza del Sol and Gran Via. Keep reading if you want something with more character and style.

Second, Go to Calle de Fuencarral
Catch the metro to Gran Via and walk north along c/Fuencarral.  Most of Madri’s tattoo parlors are either on this street or just off it in the neighboring barrios of Malasana and Chueca.  The following are OTP’s stand-out spots.

Finally, Pick a Shop…

Mao & Cathy Tattoo

Most Experienced

The oldest and most well-known tattoo shop in Spain.  Mao & Cathy’s reputation rests upon professionalism and experience unrivaled in Madrid.  Over the last 20+ years, they’ve continually hosted world-class artists including Robert Hernandez (now at Vitamin Tattoo).  Such success draws a large crowd, so reservations are advised.  Mao & Cathy is a mandatory stop, but let’s step back onto c/Fuencarral and check out some other places.

Contact:
http://www.myspace.com/maoycathy
Corredera alta de San Pablo, 6
915311973

*NO PIERCING

True Love Tattoo

Perfection in Old School Style

If you’re less ”Zen” and more ”punk,” check out True Love, run by El Bara,a friendly Argentine widely respected amongst Madrid’s tattoo artists.  The studio’s blood-red interior nicely contrasts the all-black uniform of its hard-rockin’ clientele. El Bara is famous for creatively fusing the retro swagger of Malasana with the old-school style made popular by ”Sailor Jerry” in the 1950s. Any artist at True Love can hook you up, but if you want El Bara, you’d better make reservations two months ahead.

Contact:
www.tattoosbybara.com
Velarde, 22 (near Plaza del Dos de Mayo)
680 204 724

La Mano Zurda

Most Innovative

Tattoos are increasingly respected art form and at La Mano Zurda, the needle and the paintbrush are held in equally high regard.  In addition to an excellent tattoo studio, it boasts an abstract art gallery and an art academy that offers drawing or tattooing classes.  The studio’s decor is Zen meets punk and their eclectic tattoo style embodies everything in between.

Contact:

C/ Fuencarral, 92, at intersection of C/ Apodaca
http://www.lamanozurda.com/
91 522 87 33
info@lamanozurda.com

Por Vida

The Most Unpretentiousness

Don’t let the dark black storefront intimidate you - Por Vida is one of the most welcoming places we found. Check it out for yourself and join the scores of Madrilos who feel at home at Por Vida.  The friendly staff speaks excellent English and are happy to help you design a tattoo that you can proudly rock for life, that is Por Vida.

Contact:
Fuencarral 43
925 220 720
http://myspace.com/porvidamadriz

Tattoo Magic

Most Dependable

Just down the street is Tattoo Magic. They’ve been tatting Madrilenos for 8 years and their new studio rests smack in the middle of c/ Fuencarral. Their ability to remain in the center of it all is a testament to their unwavering popularity with locals. Despite being one of the larger studios, they maintain their success by keeping their levels of artistic ability high and levels of B.S. The numerous awards hanging from their walls prove that Tattoo Magic is a safe bet.

Contact:
28 c/ Fuencarral.
915215074
http://www.tattoomagic.net/

Vitamin Tattoo

The Most Original

Lastly, we have Vitamin Tattoo, the home of the world-famous Robert Hernandez. Any of the above shops can whip up whatever tat you have in mind but odds are you couldn’t think up anything that competes with Robert Hernandez’ sinister creations.  Picture images pulled from the baddest depths of rock and roll and more realistic than your worst nightmare. So don’t come here for a cute little star on your ankle.  If you want a tat of Gene Simmons so life-like it will give Grandma a heart attack, then you’ve found your man.  Browse through the photos on his website or watch this video to see if he’s your cup of tea.

Contact:
Calle de La Unin, 4
915 488 766
Website: http://www.rhernandeztattoos.com/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/roberthernandeztattoos
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yii1lbJ7UeI

En Fin…

Whether you prefer experience, dependability, familiarity or the unique styles of El Bara and Robert Hernandez, Madrid’s the spot for you to get some ink done.  So what are you waiting for? Find your cojones and let Madrid’s finest artists make your 2010 EuroTrip one you’ll always remember.

Post Tat Pep Talk

OTP Tip: If this is your first tattoo, keep in mind you will need to take care of it once its needled on your skin. This means that despite your grimy hostel existence, you will need to keep it clean and moisturized. NEVER USE VITAMIN E RICH LOTION; it will suck the tattoo right off your skin. Scented lotions are bad too. Just get the stuff your shop of choice sells and you should be fine. Make an effort to keep it out of the sun for a little while as well.

Written By: Mark Ayling

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Whether you’re just making a pit-stop on a EuroRail marathon tour or spending a year at one of Madrid’s universities, OTP will help you cut past the crowds and get straight into the heart of Spain’s vibrant capital, without busting a whole in your wallet. Ready to start? Here’s a list of 10 things you can’t miss while in Madrid.

Historical Madrid on the Cheap

Lucky for you, the most historical sights in Madrid are free. The Spanish are a social people, so it makes sense that Madrid’s most important public monuments are the large plazas where Madrileno’s (the people of Madrid) congregate to chat and people-watch. Each of Madrid’s neighborhoods have their own plazas, but the largest and most central are: Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Plaza de la Villa and the marvelous Plaza de Oriente. The latter opens up to the former royal palace, El Palacio Real. You have to pay to enter the palace, but it is enjoyable to simply wander around its gardens for free.

Hang with Dali and Picasso

Anyone who leaves Madrid without visiting at least one of its world-famous museums deserves a smackdown. The most famous three, Museo del Prado, Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, collectively hold more masterpieces than you could possibly absorb in a weekend. Even the most philistine among us can appreciate Picasso’s Guernica or anything by Dali. The first two museums are free on Sundays. Bring your student card for a discount! But there are many other smaller gems, including our personal favorite: Museo Sorolla (free for students).

Salir de Tapas

Hopping from bar to bar sampling tapas (bite-sized bar snacks) is one of the most enjoyable Spanish traditions. Going out for tapas typically involves having a drink and a nibble at a half dozen bars, all of which are, loud, standing-room-only, and loads of fun. Though tapas traditionally come free with your drinks, Spain is drifting towards pay-per-tapa system. OTP has scraped up some places that defy the trend. Try El Tigre in Chueca for the best free tapas in Madrid. The most concentrated areas of tapas bars are in La Latina (especially Calle de Cava Baja and C. de Huertas).

OTP TIP

When Spaniards eat tapas, they throw their trash on the floor, so check the ground of wherever you go: the dirtier the floor, the better the tapas.

Jam to Flamenco Guitar

Music is a vital element of Spanish culture. No visit to the birthplace of flamenco would be complete without seeing a live show. Most flamenco bars charge 30 euros to enter ($45) and that’s no bueno. Our suggestion? Go to La Solea in La Latina where you’ll get free admission when you order a copa of wine, settle down in the smoky bar and let the gypsy-influenced rhythms carry you away.

Get Lost in the Barrios

Most tourists will hang around central Madrid, near Plaza Mayor and Plaza del Sol. Give it the obligatory gander, and then check out one of the city’s offbeat barrios, (neighborhoods). All are within walking distance and each offers something different: the funky old-skool vibes of Malasana, the live music and nightlife in Huertas, or the stylish restaurants of Madrid’s gay barrio, Chueca. Forget your guidebook and wander through each of them until you discover your own special corner of Madrid.

Pick Up Some Spanish Style

No, the Spanish don’t have sexier DNA; it’s the way they dress. Madrid is the home of Spanish style, and it’s not hard to find something to bring back home. If the ritzy boutiques of Salamanca are not for you, head over to Malasaña, Gran Via or Calle de Fuencarral to find what you need. If you’re counting your last Euros, hold out till Sunday to bargain in El Rastro flea market.

Eat Like a Local

A fun introduction to Madrid’s food is El Mercado de San Miguel. The glass and metal building contains dozens of kiosks showcasing a wide variety of Spanish cuisine. You can easily spend a few hours here stuffing your cheeks with a bit of everything. For a cheap, authentic meal, go to Casa Mingo next to the Principe Pio metro stop. Also, Cien Montaditos (the menu consists of 100 little mini-sandwiches) is a chain of cheap restaurants. It’s hard to argue with a montadito and a beer for 1.20 Euros.

OTP Tips:

Eating Out Formula for the “so broke it ain’t no joke” (about 5 Euros per day) : tortilla (potato omelet) for breakfast 1 euro‚ bocadillos (sandwiches) for lunch from the Museo de Jamon (locations everywhere), and El Tigre for a dinner of tapas (see #3).

Have a Fridge at Your Disposal? Go to Supersol, Dia or any other local supermarket. Stock up on sliced meat, cheese and bread (label the packages with your name and date so people at the hostel feel guiltier stealing them) and make your own damn bocadillos!

Drink Like a Local

Memorize this word: Botellon. Every weekend, thousands of young people gather in plazas to drink wine under the stars before going out. This practice, called the botellon, is widespread across all of Spain, especially in the summer. Do as the locals and mix yourself a calimocho: 2 parts red wine and 1 part coca-cola. Don’t shy away from wine in boxes. Don Simon boxes run you about a euro and the contents are of better quality than the crap you’re paying 6 bucks for in the states.

Best places to botellon: Plaza de Espana and Plaza de Santa Ana between 10-2 AM.

By the way…Drinking in public is technically illegal in Madrid and although the law is rarely enforced. You don’t need to brown bag and look over your shoulder, but just don’t piss on anybody – follow the locals.

Dance Like a Local

Avoid the pijo (posh) discos and go where the students are. Tupperware (bar) or Palma III (disco) in Malasana will bring out the booty shaker in you. A safe bet is to head to Plaza de Santa Ana, talk to the club promoters passing out flyers, pick a place and dance till the metro opens up at 6 AM.

Lazy Sunday

After you’ve done all the above, wrap up with a lazy Sunday, Madrid-style. Here’s the plan:

• Wake up at the crack of noon and make your way to the La Latina neighborhood to catch El Rastro flea market before it closes at 3. It’s the largest outdoor market in Europe and the whole city comes out for it every week. You can buy anything from a scarf to a chicken at this place. Buying nothing at all is fine; the bustling vibe is the most exciting part anyway.

• Then migrate with the Madrilenos to El Retiro park to while away the afternoon. Thousands of people lounge on the grass and a massive drum circle starts up next to the lake.

Not active enough for you? Rent a rowboat for 4 euros and row around the lake till your arms fall off.

If you are able to squeeze half of these activities between your siestas, you’ll walk away from Madrid having experienced a side of the city most visitors never see. So what are you waiting for? Flamenco, tapas, and fiestas beckon.

Written By: Mark Ayling

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Sir Thomas Crapper, although not the inventor of the flush toilet as popularly believed, was a hell of a guy.  The pusher of potties, the bad boy of bathrooms, Crapper advocated the use and development of sanitary plumbing for his entire life.  The world caught on quickly and the use of toilets spread globally.  Since the humble days of Crapper, people around the world have thought of new and interesting ways to drop off their smellies:

Germany- Poo Platform

Like a Just like a mullet: business in the front and party in the back (except the party isn’t a party at all; just a bunch of smelly poo landing on a platform) this interpretation of the toilet is quite counter-intuitive.  Upon flushing, water rushes out from the back and hypothetically washes your turds into the hole in the front. Some major flaws exist with this design.  Mainly, the lack of a water barrier between your goods and the toilet creates a horrid pre-flush smell and upon flushing is likely to leave behind some nasty streakage.  Also, should you squeeze out a larger-than-average load, prepare to suffer the consequences of a close encounter, of the shitty kind.  As mechanically dysfunctional as this thing is, the Germans (and neighboring countries as far as Holland) love it and continue to use it daily.

China -  Squatters

These shit holes (very literally) evoke the image of communism.  Their minimalist construction strips the user of any luxury.  They are bare, rugged and, as it turns out, extremely intimidating.  Countless squatter how-to guides exist.  These guides mainly exist to address the fear of falling in.  Let’s think about this: why are you afraid of a toilet? There are so many more things to be afraid of, say: rabid squirrels gnawing on your ankles, global warming, misguided pre-meditated murder and such.  Here is the only guide you will ever need:  see a hole, pull down your pants, squat and go. But just in case you still don’t get it, here is a step by step guide.

England – The Urilift & High Tank

The urilift was invented to remedy the insane amount of drunk-man piss on the streets of England.  Whether it fixes the problem or not, this thing kicks ass.  During the day, it is hidden in the ground and when the partying begins, it peeks its smelly head to the surface to service those drunk enough to not care that their bare asses are hanging out in the middle of the street.

The indoor variation (above) of the English toilet is also quite interesting.  The water tank is placed very high above your head so that gravity aides in sucking down your load.  For those times when your arms are just not strong enough to flush a toilet, it’s nice to know gravity is there to give you a little hand.

Japan: Extreme High Tech

In Japan, you might be hovering over a hole in the ground (see China Squatter above) or you have arm rests with remote controls that make your stay on the seat very enjoyable and luxurious. The high tech extreme is quite difficult to master. Like flying a space shuttle, this toilet has buttons for just about any bathroom predicament you may find yourself in, specifically: a noise button to mask the sound of whatever you need to do while in the john (yodeling for instance), one that activates a blow dryer, a clock to time your visit (handy for when you’re competing with your Japanese friends), amongst many intricate others.  It seems like you need at least an associate’s degree in computer technology to operate this type of machinery.

Russia- Seatless

In one of the coldest places in the world, it’s wonderful to know that when you need to go number two and squatting is not your forte, your ass will probably freeze to the porcelain bowl as no cushy plastic seat is attached.  Furthermore, Russians consider toilet paper of any kind a luxury.  So friends, before visiting Mother Russia (and China for that matter), we suggest you build up those quads with lunges and bring along a roll or two for the ride.

Brazil: Button Pushers

Whereas other toilets are set to flush an average amount of cargo, this one leaves it in your hands.  Equipped with a flush button, but no septic tank, your job is to hold the button down for a continual flush until you feel it’s time to move on.  The politics of this get tricky:  for the over-zealous, flush-loving types, this method becomes a huge waste of water. But if you can control that trigger finger, this flush method effectively avoids dreaded foreign-country toilet clogs.

Australia: Counter-Clockwise

Why was the counter-clockwise issue ever an issue? Everything will still go down the drain, just in a differently directed spin. What’s the problem or the fascination? Who notices these things? You know who? People that stare down at the toilet after they’re done. We caught you! Its okay, everyone looks at what they produced with curiosity and sometimes pride. We don’t care which direction it spins as long as it goes down.

Texting to Tinkle

Added bonus fact:  Did you know that in Finland, in order to use the roadside public restroom, you must TEXT MESSAGE a road official to have it unlocked?  Its cleaner, prevents vandalism and gives your texting thumb a reason to get up in the morning.

When it comes to backpacking, very few things are universal across the board.  While we globally share our human need to dispose of waste, different places have developed their own, varied waste receptacles.  There is no need to be afraid of difference as most toilets don’t have teeth and are pretty self-explanatory. If you still feel like you need a guide so you can approach the shitter with confidence, STA Travel made a pretty extensive how-to.

Finally, this article wouldn’t be possible without Mr. Cromwell.  This man has visited (and used) many a toilet around the world and has gathered his finding on his website.  We tip our hats to you Mr. Cromwell, you are a gentleman and a saint.

Written By:  Anna Starostinetskaya

Designed By: Tiffany Baker & Freddie Pikovsky

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We got our sticky little hands on something amazing and we are giving this bundle of awesomeness away to one, qualified and enthusiastic reader thanks to Eurail.com!

Host OTPs “Europe by Eurail” and

Win a 1st Class 15-Day Eurail Global Pass and your choice of a FLIP HD Camera or iPOD Nano!!

Eurail (Eurail.com) is a great company designed to make train travel through Europe more affordable. Instead of buying single ride tickets at train stations (which can become costly if you plan to travel between various destinations), they sell passes that give you the option to get up and go anywhere in Europe at the drop of a dime. Their passes also qualify you for discounts on hostels, ferries and MP3 audio guides (take a look at Eurail.com for full details on the benefits offered). They have different passes based on your traveling needs (single country pass, 3-4 country pass and so on).

What we’re giving away is the mother of all Eurail passes, a Global Pass valid for 15 travel days within a 2 month period, and it’s FIRST CLASS all the way baby! (that’s just how OTP rolls), a $749 value!! You’ll have access to over 21 countries in Europe by train. Since ground transport will be your biggest travel expense, holding on to one of these babies hooks you up, big time! Check out all the details about the pass HERE. Now for the fun part…

The winner of the pass gets the gig as host of OTPs “Europe by Eurail- As our guest travel journalist, we’re going to turn your trip videos and pictures into an awesome OTP travel webisode. Don’t have a camera? We got you covered…

TRAVELLERSPOINT (http://TravellersPoint.com) The online community of international travelers from over 200 countries, is throwing in the awesome new FLIP MINO HD – this thing is the ultimate portable video device! Already have a camera? you can choose an iPOD Nano! During your trip, Travellerspoint.com is the perfect platform for you to  blog about your trip and share your photos!

Get your internet celebrity face on…

HOW TO ENTER:

Create your own 1-2 minute online video (any online broadcasting site will do) which will showcase your overall amazingness. We want to know why you’re better than everyone else to be our host. Since you will have access to over 21 countries, mention some of the countries you intend to visit and why they interest you. Nothing sappy; humor and creativity will give you the upper hand. Get crafty (brownie points definitely count if you mention OffTrackPlanet.com and Eurail.com). Send a link of your video with your full name, age, hometown and anything else you want to share with us to:

SUBMIT@OFFTRACKPLANET.COM

All entries must be received by March 22nd, 2010

The Winner will be announced on April 1st, 2010

THE RULES:

1. You must be over 18
2. Contestants MUST HAVE LIVED OUTSIDE OF EUROPE for the last 6 consecutive months.
3. *Winner will be required to send tweets about and during the trip.
4. Possible Reservation Costs are not included

*Contestant must supply their own portable device(s) to send twitter messages.

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We’ve got the stars and stripes, the Fourth of July and the Liberty Bell.  But nothing screams America more than hot dogs.  They are our national culinary pride and joy.  Not only is August 26^th National Hot Dog Day, we bet you didn’t know about the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council (a committee dedicated to that wonderful meat and bun).  From America’s east to west coast, each city swears by its own interpretation of the dog (with Chicago and New York swearing the loudest).  Taking the blank sausage and bun as a starting point, numerous nations have adopted the hot dog into their cuisine and reinterpreted the American favorite to fit their cultural eating habits.  This has produced some strange ass hot dogs, and so we give you the 9 most interesting variations of a hot dog around the world (with our favorite dog of them all saved for last)…

China

Hot dogs do exist in China, but their sausages are just a lot smaller (this is hot dogs, focus).  China has only recently and very cautiously opened their doors to Western influences.  Their traditional food is so carbo-loaded (noodles, rice and all that jazz) that putting a big hunk of meat into a smaller bun makes no Chinese sense.  The hot dog first creeped into China as a sausage wrapped in a dumpling-like dough and has been evolving to suit mostly tourists’ hot dog needs since.  The opening of Orange Dog in the basement of a big shopping center in Shanghai is the epitome of catering to Western hot dog tastes.  Fans of Orange Dog are raving about how “normal” these dogs taste; we think normal is boring. Bring on the small sausages; moving on.

Amsterdam 

There is no nice way to put it: people go to Amsterdam to get high.  What happens when you get high?  You get the munchies.  The locals here have crafted the most satisfying munchies cure of all.  We give you “The Stoner Dog”.  Thanks to Amsterdam, you no longer have to aimlessly wander between pizza shop and hot dog stand, deciding which one would hit the spot as The Stoner Dog is basically a pizza on top of a hot dog.  Now if they threw some M&Ms and a handful of Doritos on top, the world would be at peace.

Brazil

A good description would be “Hot Dog Soup in a Bun”.  The toppings on Brazil’s version of the hot dog don’t stop and they’re ridiculous.  Just listing them all here sounds like we’re making a dinner for a family of ten.  Nonetheless, here we go, in order of ridiculousness: hot dog, bun, red pepper, green pepper, onion, hot dog ju, a small hard-boiled egg, corn, peas (why with the peas?), parmesan cheese, ketchup, mayo and potato chips (for crunch we presume).  OTP went to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil just to witness it for ourselves and for the above photo opportunity.

Italy

They did invent pizza so why not hot dogs?  Fear not, Italy is indeed serving up hot dogs, just not in a way Americans are used to.  The Italian hot dog is a large brioche loaf stuffed with sliced (like pepperoni) wurstel and topped with a healthy dose of mayo. The composition of the Italian hot dog is of German/Austrian (wurstel) and French (brioche) influence and has very little, if anything, to do with Americans.

South Korea

So somebody had to do it and South Korea took the initiative:  the French fry wrapped hot dog.  While other varieties exist, this one seems to combine perceived American favorites best (with an added punch of deep frying it all) and on a stick.  Some hypothesize that this version is influenced by combining foods left over by American troops during the Korean War; we think it was a message from the gods.  Either way, we’re glad the Korean dog is covered in French Fries and not spare ribs.

Sweden

Their meatballs are perfection.  But as far as hot dogs go, the Swedes came up with some twisted culinary concoction.  The recipe: flatbread, bologna-like dog , mashed f*cking potatoes, one side mustard and the other side green mayo and then, THEN mayo covered shrimp salad. Where the shrimp salad (or the mashed potatoes for that matter) fits in beats us but this hot dog definitely covers all the food groups (if mayo had its own food group that is).

Japan

Japan is home to long time hot dog eating champ Takeru Kobayashi (a competitive eating sports icon, because those exist).  But what does Japan, sushi capital of the world, know about hot dogs? Well, these guys retain their fishy roots in their dogs.  More of a corn dog, a Japanese style hot dog is made up of a seafood sausage and served up with squid sashimi, natto (slimy, gooey, fermented soy beans) and seaweed.   Kobayashi’s secret then must lie in conditioning his stomach with fishy dogs.  Who knew?

Moscow, Russia

There is a bar called Hot Dogs in Moscow and while you would expect their dogs to be loaded with beets, potatoes and some sort of stewed animal products (maybe a shot of vodka on top), Russians are just not that big on hot dogs.  Their dogs are regular ketchup and mustard dogs.  So why include them on the list?  Well, Hot Dogs Bar has hookers, and the combination of hookers and hot dogs is something we believe is a rarely explored, and quite interesting, pastime.

The Hollywood Hot Dog

Mostly to avoid argument about which one is best, OTP has gone far off the track and selected the Hollywood Hot Dog as our official dog of choice.  Sold by illegal street cart pushers at 2:00 a.m. outside the hottest Los Angeles nightclubs, the aroma alone draws partygoers away from their drinks and out into the streets for a taste of artery-clogging, stomach-punching heaven.  To do this dog justice, we dove deep into its history.  Our discoveries were shocking:  the beloved Hollywood Hot Dog, with its bacon wrapped interior and sultry grilled onion posterior, is actually of Mexican (not Hollywoodian) origin.  This goes to show that globalization has spread our dogs around the world.

There you have it.  Hot dogs are unstoppable and have permeated almost every crevice of world cuisine.  The simple ketchup and mustard dog has mutated into mashed potatoes, shrimp salad, peas, fish and other toppings more suitable for a garbage disposal.  Nonetheless, the hot dog, and its world interpretations, is a symbol of both American influence and the permanence of culture specific food preferences when confronted with that American influence.

Written By:  Anna Starostinetskaya

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Since the beginning of time, people around the world have been fascinated with nakedness and have constructed works of art to showcase their fascination for all to see.  OTP brings you the raunchiest, the sexiest and the most naked of them all to add to your must see list.  Better get you some handy wipes, these are the most pornographic statues you must see around the world…

Konark Sun Temple

India

In the land of Kama Sutra, finding public works of erotica isn’t difficult.  We’re not talking accidental nipple flashes but full-on depictions of pornographic acts sculpted into every wall of several temples all around the country.  With over 60 sexual positions depicted on the walls, take your journal and a pen to the Konark Sun Temple and take some sexy notes.  If your senses are still asking for more visual stimulation, hit up the Khajuraho Temple for full-on orgy sculptures to liven your spirits.

Vigelandsparken

Oslo, Norway

Clearly (in the picture above), the guy up front is looking for change for the parking meter and the guy behind him is aiding in the search, right? An exploration into human life cycles and practices, these statues can be found in the huge sculpture park in the middle of Frogner Park in Oslo, Norway.  Handcrafted by Gustav Vigeland, the park also features a children’s playground, a fountain representing life, death and time and an 850 meter Wheel of Life.  Vigeland’s creation, as sexually graphic as it may appear, is an artistic presentation of humans and their journey from birth to death.  The nakedness of it all really helps the point stick.

Manneken Pis

Brussels, Belgium

Peeing in a fountain is obscene, unsanitary and wildly popular around the world.  The most famous peeing statue in the category has been peeing in a fountain in Brussles for hundreds of years.  His name:  Manneken Pis.  His story: said to have put out the explosives planted to destroy the city with his urine in the 14^th century, this statue is revered as a landmark and is traditionally dressed in various costumes throughout the year in praise.  If the peeing boy doesn’t do it for you, Brussels has added a peeing girl, dog and vomiting goat.  According to our calculations, something must be going on with Belguim’s plumbing as everyone seems to be taking it to the streets.

Pan With Goat

Pompeii, Italy

This statue touches very deeply on the taboo topic of bestiality.  A clear depiction of a guy copulating with a goat, this statue seems like a literal interpretation of the cliche “go f*ck a goat”..well he went. The history behind this act (and the reason for the creation of the statue) is based on a mythological belief of the goat’s association with the god of procreation.  Why have sex with it instead of worship it?  We have no idea but it makes for an interesting statue.

Loveland

Jeju, Korea

Think of Disneyland except instead of Mickey, there’s porn, so much porn.  Opened in 2004 on the island of Jeju in South Korea, Loveland features climbable breast mountains with nipples on top, 33 foot stone penis, people sculptures giving each other oral sex, a glory hole, dildos with interactive buttons. With its many interesting features, we think 18 hole miniature golf should be next on the roster of attractions.

Poseidon

Athens, Greece

Known as the wonderful people who brought us togas, the Greeks have always been known for their proclivity for public nudity.  Nude Greek god statues proudly stand on nearly every Greek isle.  In 1972, one such statue (of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea) was gifted by the Greek government to the City of Sacramento in California.  You’d think us nude-loving Americans would be grateful right? Not the case.  Parents attending a home schooling convention in 2000 near where the statue was erected (pun very much intended) were so outraged at Poseidon’s nakedness that they petitioned to have him clothed in ridiculous things for the duration of the event.  So poor Posedion ended up looking like a douche for 3 days in togas, gold shirts and khakis.  We’re glad the eyes of those poor children were shielded from the obscene art of the human body

Penis Shaped Rocks

(Various Locations listed below)

Mother Nature is one horny housewife (why else would she create penis-shaped rocks all around the world?).  We like to think of these wonders as nature’s way of sticking it to conservatives.  Moms can’t be mad at rocks (ladies, it would take a very large toga to cover these things up).  It’s like telling your dog to be more reasonable next time when he pisses on your shoe.  It’s nature, shit happens that’s not always white picket fencey, get over it.

Some hand selected beauties of the bunch:

• Thailand is home of the Grandfather Rock and complimentary Grandmother Rock for the fellas.
• Turkey brings us these cute little guys (pictured above) in the Love Valley (Goreme, Turkey).
• Veitnam, well they went all out with their cave-hidden spectacle.  Illuminated in a bright pink hue, this natural wonder is said to have magical fertility powers.  Shine on shining man organ.

Futura Gallery

Prague, Chzec Republic

At the Futura Gallery in Prague, you can crawl into an asshole using the conveniently built-in step ladder.  When you reach the asshole, take a look inside.  You will see Czech politicians feeding each other to the song, “We Are The Champions”. Obviously a very bold statement, controversial artist, David Cerny, built this masterpiece as a satire of the Czech government.  He made it large and gaping so that even people with large heads could peek in.  All understandable and necessary.

Yes the above statues are crude and sexually explicit but sexuality is an undeniable attribute of our human existence and parents, the children of the world have walked by these works of art daily for hundreds of years and have not grown up to be sexual predators, deviants or whatever it is parents are afraid a little nudity will do to their kids. We have risked getting computer viruses researching these erotic statues (wow there is a lot of porn on the internet) but nonetheless, have brought you the above list.  Now do us a favor and go check them out in person.

Written By:  Anna Starostinetskaya

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Now that sufficient time has passed since the movie Hostel scared the shit out of you, and you may have given our article “Hostels vs. the movie “Hostel”a read, OTP has gathered a list of the best hostels around the world.  We’re not talking about hostels that try to be hotels: mints on your pillows, spotless showers and room service.  The perfect hostel should maintain a level of comfortable dinginess that we backpackers know and love, a friendly staff, safety is a plus, kitchen a must-have and its popularity with other like-minded travelers is key.  That established, hostels around the world have been reviewed by everyone and their mothers, broken down into various categories with winners selected in each.  To sidestep redundancy, what we’re doing here is skimming the cream off the top and bringing it to you, still warm and bubbly, in our list of the top 10 best hostels in the world.

*NOTE : Read about OTP’s Review Skew at the bottom

The Villa St. Expuery:

Nice, France

Did you get fancy on yourself and go backingpacking through the French Riviera? This is the perfect spot to match the mood. Lonely planet’s choice for the Top Hostel for the last 5 years, the Villa screams low budget luxury.  Adorned with purple flowers, stained-glass windows and a cheap drink bar, this spot is ideally located for taking in the splendor of the French Riviera.  A former monastery, the chapel has been converted to a stylish lounge and the atrium into a kitchen.  Grab a few French pastries and soak up the ambiance like backpacking royalty.

Oasis Hostel: Granada, Spain

First a word about Granada: this southern Spanish city is incredible and many of its little streets are made up of stairs (so people drive upstairs sometimes).  The Oasis Hostel is located at the top of a series of these stairs so wear your best trekking shoes to get there.  Luckily, once at the front door, there is a free welcome drink waiting for you at the end of the rainbow.  Things that stand out:  the big kitchen is amazing (with a matching big table to share your home made meals), a spacious outside patio with barbequing capabilities and a ping pong (easily convertible to a beer pong) table and top-of-the-city views of the Alhambra, the Sierra Nevadas (apparently not in Nevada) and the Arabic quarters (where close-by tea rooms are always a popin’).  These guys really hook you up with all kinds of things to make you feel that grimy/luxurious mix of a good hostel.

The Gyreum Hostel: Sligo, Ireland

This hostel looks like a space craft that fell from the sky and got nestled into an Irish hillside.  It reminds us of Star Wars (in fact, if you’re into that treky stuff, the inspiration for the Moytura Plateau Battle is nearby).  If looking cool isn’t enough, the Gyreum is also an ecolodge that provides tent accommodations in its giant dome shaped common area.  If indoor tents aren’t your thing, dorms are available as well.  With wi-fi, a sunken fireplace, a beautiful kitchen combined with its unique spin on accommodations, this hostel definitely deserves a good spot on our list.

Rossio Hostel:  Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is a recent chart-topping destination for backpackers. Rossio is this month’s number 1 of 10 top hostels (based on hostelworld.com customer votes) and holds down the number two spot of their 2008 best hostel in the world.  Why so great? Well some of it has to do with the recent popularity of Lisbon as a backpacker destination but most of it comes from their free tea and coffee all day policy, kick ass breakfast (pancakes, they make pancakes) and extra friendly and helpful staff.  According to one review, the place was great but some guy kept trying to sell her drugs at the entrance (so you don’t even have to wander the streets looking, which is really convenient and may be a popularity booster for some).  Either way, the words best hostel ever appear in more than half of their reviews; can’t beat that.

Terrazas Estoril:

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Many guides will claim that Hostel Suites Florida in Buenos Aires is the best as it’s in the middle of Florida Street, a busy tourist foot path.  We say no.  In close walking distance of Florida Street (but not right on it), THE Hostel of Buenos Aires is Terrazas Estoril.  This hostel is at the top floor of an architecturally amazing 100 year old building.  Like a secret getaway, Terrazas sports various roof terraces, tons of communal party space and made the top of hostelworld.com’s “10 Best Hostels in Argentina” list.  The outside terraces are set up perfectly for weekly barbecues and we must say, that’s one hell of a pool guys, good work.

Afraid you’ll end up lonely at one of these cool hostels?

Book hostels through Travellerspoint and connect with other guests staying at the same hostel before you leave home!

La Casa de Las Brujas: Guanajuato, Mexico

Haunted things tickle your fancy?  We got just the place for you.  Las Brujas is rumored to be haunted with the spirits of a guy that went nuts and killed somebody at the bar and also, if that’s not enough pants-shitting for you at night, his daughter was starved to death in the cellar.  As creepy as it is, look at the pretty colors and flowers.  Apparently, the ghosts ate their website and information about the place is a little difficult to find. Most of their reviews are in Spanish, and since we conveniently speak Spanish, we can promise you people are saying good things.  Pack a flashlight and your best scary story and head over to Las Brujas for a haunted good time.

Rygerfjord (Floating Hostel): Stockholm, Sweden

Big on boating? This hostel is a former, fully functional, ship that has been permanently docked in Stockholm on Lake Malaren.  Converted into both a hotel and hostel, the ship offers a bar, internet access, bicycle rentals and a great lounge (complete with plushy leather chairs and boaty wood-trimmed paneling decor).  According to backpackers, the views of Stockholm from the water can’t be beat.  Staying on a boat is an interesting change up from land-locked hostels.  Few words of advice: wear those orange arm floaties if you plan to party on or off the boat, we don’t want you going under.

The Flying Pig Hostel: Amsterdam, Netherlands:

Amsterdam’s hostels have gotten a pretty bad rep.  They’re all said to be dirty, cramped, loud and smelly.  That being the standard, The Flying Pig Hostel is that shining diamond in the rough.  So what are these guys doing to make pigs fly?  Beside their creative piggy graphics, this hostel’s motto is one price covers all.  So what’s included?  Precisely: breakfast, linen, internet, lockers, luggage room, tours, info guide and a map.  Schnazy. There are three locations, Uptown and Downtown and the Beach.  Uptown/Downtown terminology sound New Yorkan to you?  Well that’s because New York is built on the Amsterdam model and many similarities, Central Park for instance, exist.  As far as reviews go, don’t be scared off by the mediocre reviews on tripadvisors.com (their customers are more accustomed to hotels so a little hostel dirt is a big shock to these guys).  Instead, check out their reviews on hostelbookers.com, where 235 out of 263 “a little dirt won’t hurt” type customers highly recommend it.

Alegrias Hostel: Bogota, Colombia:

Who doesn’t like to lounge in hammocks?  Nobody, that’s who. Alegria’s is a beautiful hostel hidden behind a stucco wall and a set of colorful blue doors on a small a cobble stone street. With light-infusing glass ceilings, a classic styled kitchen and hammocks in both the central common area and forest-like backyard. An added feature is their private room on the top floor which treats your eyes to a full city view.  They also have this amazing bathtub (unfortunately, it’s only decorative as the water is frigid). The hostel is located in La Candelaria, an area surrounded by Colombia’s most prominent universities where many cool, young and hip Colombians hang out. Also, a short walk from the famous Bolivar square. There is an incredible French pastry shop around the corner where daily entertainment is provided by parrots living in their open villa portion.  Although the stone covered floor makes it a bit chilly at night, gently swaying around in their hammocks should get you back to comfy in no time.

Jumbo Hostel: Stockholm, Sweden

What can we say Sweden? First Ikea, then a floating hostel and now a freakin’ Jumbo Jet Hostel! Clever, very clever.  The Jumbo hostel is basically a Boeing 747 complete with a cafe and 24 rooms accommodating up to 85 guests.  Although this turkey of planes no longer flies, it’s still a bit pricier than your usual hostel at about $50usd a night. But if you’re in the area, we suggest spending at least one night on this baby, and make it a good one…it can be your only chance to join the mile high club before ever taking off.

Given that hostels are supposed to be kind of dingy, a little shady and cramped, any sort of distinguishing factor would propel a hostel to the top of our list.  These 10 fine establishments have gone above, but not beyond, to add a little paradise to your backpacking.  They have all fulfilled their hostelling duties while still staying cheap and fun with a touch of grime and sacrifice.

*Review Skew: When it comes to hostel reviews, please keep in mind what we like to call the “review skew”.  A lot of reviews are biased in that people who have bad experiences are more inclined to write a review. People who have great experiences are probably out having more great experiences as opposed to sitting down and diligently reviewing a place.

Written By:  Anna Starostinetskaya

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What does it take to become a successful blogger? Everyday, more and more “get rich quick” schemes are popping up all over the internet with the exciting prospect of becoming financially independent as a blogger. For those who have spent time developing a blog, you may find these adverts laughable (though understandably enticing). Developing a successful blog takes time, dedication, hard work, an array of skills, more time and dedication with a pinch of talent and some luck. You must balance being a journalist, web designer/programmer, researcher, promoter, networker and publicist on a day-to-day basis with no likely guarantee of ever becoming “rich”.  So what drives us travel-obsessed enthusiasts to keep blogging? It’s definitely not about getting rich, or getting rich quick. Our dream is to sustain a “portable lifestyle” and share our passion for travel and the world with others.

So which travel bloggers are at the top of their game? This is how the list is determined:

Our list is comprised of unique indie travel bloggers (vs. corporate funded blogs) who have made substantial progress in 2009 based on Alexa, Twtter, RSS and Google PR stats. If you don’t win this year’s Lonely Planet Blog Award, we still acknowledge all your hard work, so congrats!

NomadicMatt

nomadicmatt.com
Alexa: 47,138
Twitter: @Nomadicmatt Followers: 5,725
RSS Readers: 1,967
Google PR: 3
Nomadicmatt has become the pimp daddy of travel bloggers in less than 2 years. His website is “designed to keep people motivated to travel” and has kept Matt nomadic for 4 years. Many travel bloggers look to Matt for advice which is why his ebook “Make Money with your Travel Blog” has been so successful. Plus, not many travel bloggers can claim to have a cute animated header of themselves. Good work and keep on pimpin’ Matt!

Everything-everywhere

everything-everywhere.com
Alexa: 36,858
Twitter: @EverywhereTrip Followers:  103,873
RSS Readers: 10,313
Google PR: 5
Gary Arndt launched his blog soon after he began traveling in 2007. Today, everything-everywhere.com reaches almost 200,000 readers a month! His blog gives great “where to go” and “what to do” advice including many interesting insights on the travel industry and the world. You can also find an amazing collection of photos on his site. Gary didn’t figure out how to be successful overnight though, check out his list of accomplishments on his about page…You kick ass Gary!

Vagabondish

vagabondish.com
Alexa: 51,132
Twitter: @Vagabondish Followers: 6,187
RSS Readers: N/A
Google PR: 3
Vagabondish started out as a personal travel blog by editor, Mike Richard. By the time he got home from his initial journey, Vagabondish gained a large readership. Instead of calling it quits, he changed the website into a travelzine that now shares “offbeat backing news and advice” from around the world. Mike found an interesting niche in travel blogging by sharing particularly unique articles and featuring writing contributions by top notch travel writers. You’re a tiger Mike!

Indie Travel Podcast

indietravelpodcast.com
Alexa: 167,355
Twitter: @indietravel Followers: 3,211
RSS Readers: 2,137
Google PR: 5
You have seen this face all over the travel blog sites. His name is Craig Martin and along with his wife Linda (what a freakin’ cute couple by the way), they do an incredible  job of helping people out with their travel questions. Indietravelpodcast.com is very well designed and provides a travel podcast and zine full of great advice rated highly by many . There is no secret to the success of  their blog other than the hard work these two put in for the love of travel and helping others. Thanks!

Almost Fearless

almostfearless.com
Alexa: 73,922
Twitter: @almostfearless Followers: 35,762
RSS Readers: 4,481 Google PR: 4
This woman is pretty flipping amazing. Christine Gilbert was on her way to becoming a very successful corporate worker bee, but instead dropped out of the 9-5 world to start a career as a freelance writer. Now, she has attained success with almostfearless.com – and it didn’t take her long to do it. Christine is a fantastic writer and an amazing marketing strategist who consistently uses blogging fundamentals to promote her site. The theme to Christine’s blog is simple, “Redesign your life. Travel the world”. You are a savior to many!

Go Backpacking

gobackpacking.com
Alexa: 71,921
Twitter: @rtwdave Followers: 2,351
RSS Readers: 1,081
Google PR: 3
David Lee has assembled an amazing crew at gobackpacking.com.  As Editor-in-Chief & Founder, David and his team of travel writers provide a very thorough website with tons of great travel advice for the low budget backpackers including planning, destinations, reviews, and photos. He has personally visited 22 countries with a 6 month stay in Medellin, Colombia. We love Colombia! Good job everyone at gobackpacking.com!

Galavanting

gogalavanting.com
Alexa: 232,063
Twitter: @galavanting

Followers: 2,422

RSS Readers: N/A
Google PR: 4
GoGalavanting.com is a travel blog for the ladies. Co-founded by Katy Quissell and Kim Mance, they are best described in their own words…”Kim came from a pious community with a pastor who was shunned for being gay. Katy lived in the burbs, feeling angsty and perturbed.  As feminists, we both got away”. In addition to sharing great tips on worldly style and very well-written travel essays, these ladies produce an online travel show! GoGalavanting.com is shaping the way women travel and has found an amazing niche in the travel blog world.

Traveling Greener

travelinggreener.com
Alexa: 293,372
Twitter: @travelinggreen Followers: 12,688
RSS Readers: N/A
Google PR: 0

The green world is blowing up! (not in a destructive fuel burning power type of way). There are MANY new green travel blogs popping up all over the place… Travelinggreener.com is not necessarily the highest rated statistically among them, but they will be soon enough. The website is simple, clean and shares great content enjoyable and interesting enough for those who may not initially be interested in green travel (see, that’s how they get ya!). Their blog is updated daily with interesting posts and great tweets!

foXnoMad

foxnomad.com
Alexa: 118,116
Twitter: @foxnomad Followers: 1,085
RSS Readers: 336
Google PR: 2
A group of traveling buddies started foXnoMad in 2006 as a way to keep in touch with each other (Facebook was a baby). After the group lost focus on keeping the site up, Anil Polat was the last blogger standing. Now, foXnoMad has become a way for Anil to ”connect with other travelers, discover their world, and share what I’ve learned about mine”. His story is a GREAT example of what it takes to learn how to become a successful travel blogger. Good freakin’ work man!

Every blogger that made our list this year deserves the recognition. In an industry where numbers and ratings are important, these guys don’t lose sight of the passion and dedication it takes to be successful. We commend you. Fight the good fight and bring out the big guns for next year’s list.

Written by: Freddie Pikovsky

All stats were taken on 12/3/2009 from the following sources:
Alexa, Twitter and prchecker.info

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