Category: Tips & Tricks

What is it like to be an au pair?

By Lisa OwenLeave a comment

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If you’re toying with the idea of a gap year, you’ve probably come across the concept of au pairing.

An au pair is a live in position where you look after children in return for board and food. You will also receive a small payment (basically pocket money) of around $100 AUD per week. Reasons people want an au pair is for a variety of reasons, but the most common ones are that they want their kids to learn another language or they would prefer their child be at home with someone rather than going to childcare. read more

Solo traveller? Here’s 6 ways to meet people

By Lisa OwenLeave a comment

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I’m predominantly a solo traveller. Or I used to be. These days I’ve met so many people in my travels that often I’m couchsurfing with people I’ve met during my past travels. Or I’ve organised to meet someone I met overseas on the other side of the world. Or I just met three people at my hostel.

In the last six months, I’ve couchsurfed in Boston with someone I met in Peru and next up we’re doing a tour in Jordan; completed a 10 day trip to Greece with a Canadian I met while aupairing in Italy; and toured Maui with a friend I met while teaching English in Hungary. read more

10 essential carry on items

By Lisa OwenLeave a comment

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Got a long haul flight coming up? In the past year, I’ve taken more than 50 flights – many of these between six and 15 hours – and I’ve got pretty good at figuring out what I need to help me get through those long haul flights.

Here’s the 10 things I can’t do without on a long distance flight.

1. Tablet/Kindle/Book

This is a no brainer. You want to keep entertained on your flight – unless you’re one of those amazing people who can sleep anywhere. Depending on the airline, you may or may not have in-flight entertainment and sometimes there’s nothing on there you would watch. I usually take both a tablet loaded with a few of my favourite shows or movies I wanted to watch and a book with me to fight the boredom. (I’m of the old school and prefer a book I can hold – then I just swap it for another at a hostel or leave it behind when I’m done.) read more

My money saving travel tips

By Lisa OwenLeave a comment

Travelling on a tight budget so you can discover as many overseas destinations as possible? Then check out my top travel hacks to save money and hassle on your next adventure

Stay in hostels

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If you’re a budget traveller, this is an easy one. Don’t stay at hotels – you really don’t need a private room, all you’re doing there is sleeping. Ditch the hotel, and book a hostel. You can prepare meals, get free wi-fi, meet like-minded travellers from all over the world, get local tips from the awesome staff, and pay an average of $A20 to $30 a night. You just have to share a room with a bunch of other travellers. read more