World Nomads Travel Insurance Review: What’s Included & What’s Not

Updated: 9/11/18 | September 11th, 2018

For as long as I’ve been traveling the world, I’ve used World Nomads as my travel insurance provider. Though I’ve written about travel insurance in the past, I’ve never properly reviewed World Nomads as a company.

So without further ado here is a review of World Nomad’s Travel Insurance.

Who are World Nomads?
World Nomads is a travel insurance company based in Australia. It was founded in 2002 by Simon Monk, a traveler who wanted to address the three key concerns: freedom, safety, and connection. Insurance was a market fraught with fraud. As a bunch of passionate travelers ourselves, he figured they had a fair idea of what travelers needed and wanted. They people from over 150 countries, with medical and evacuation cover, 24-hour emergency assistance and cover for a large range of adventure activities.

I originally found World Nomads via Lonely Planet but they are also recommended by National Geographic and Rough Guides. I trust those companies so I bought the insurance and have never looked back!

World Nomads is the perfect insurance company for backpackers and travelers. It’s meant for people who are always on the move, and it covers all the essentials you want in travel insurance. I love the management of the company, its competitive prices, its social giving program, and its company ethos of being insurance for travelers by travelers. It is a company a world apart!

What’s included in World Nomads Insurance Policies?

(The prices in the left column are for the Standard Plan, while the prices in the right column are for the Explorer Plan, which offers higher coverage limits.)

MEDICAL COVERAGE

World Nomads provides up to $100,000 USD in coverage, though its more expensive policies will cover you for higher amounts. High coverage limits can be important if you’re doing really crazy activities that might cause serious injury. Or if you get really, really, really sick. (That said, I find $100,000 in coverage is more than enough for what I need).

Its policies also provide coverage for medical expenses and those related to medical evacuation or repatriation if you’re accidentally injured. If you are hiking in the woods and you break your leg, your policy should cover your evacuation to the hospital — and World Nomads does, if the emergency evacuation is ordered by a physician who certifies that the severity of your accidental injury or sickness warrants it.

Emergency dental treatment
World Nomads also covers emergency dental treatment for accidental injuries that occur during the trip.

NON-MEDICAL EMERGENCY EVACUATION

World Nomads also offers coverage for transportation expenses in case there is civil or political unrest in the country you’re visiting. This also applies to natural disasters, or if you’re expelled from a country. NOTE: If you’re a US citizen, certain states are not covered under this. You’ll have to check your certificate.

ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT INSURANCE

In case the worst happens, your World Nomads plan pays a lump sum to your beneficiary, such as a family member. These policies also pay out if you lose your eyesight or a hand, foot, or limb, etc. on your trip. Moreover, they cover the cost of repatriating your body (i.e., sending your body home).

LOST OR STOLEN GOODS

This coverage reimburses you for baggage and personal belongings that are lost, stolen, or damaged during the trip. Some plans also reimburse you for extra expenses if your baggage is delayed for more than a certain period, such as 12 hours.

TRIP CANCELLATION, INTERRUPTION, OR DELAY

Trip cancellation insurance reimburses you for prepaid expenses if the tour operator goes out of business, you have to cancel the trip because you or a family member gets sick or injured, or there is a death in the family, bad weather, or a natural disaster.

Trip interruption insurance covers you if you have to interrupt a vacation because you get sick or injured, or have to get back home due to a death in the family.

Trip delay coverage covers your expenses if you’re delayed during a trip, such as when a flight gets canceled because of bad weather. Coverage is for additional expenses, on a one-time basis, if you are delayed en route to or from the trip for six or more hours due to a defined hazard (as explained in the certificate or policy).

World Nomads covers all three!

ONE CALL: 24-HOUR ASSISTANCE SERVICES

World Nomads also uses a 24-hour service called One Call to provide help, advice, and referrals for medical emergencies. The service will help you locate local physicians, dentists, or medical facilities. They can also arrange and pay for appropriate transportation, including an escort, if required, to a suitable hospital, treatment facility, or home.

What’s Not Covered

If you’re reckless, you probably won’t be covered. Here’s a list:

• Accidents sustained while participating in extreme adventure activities such as hang gliding, paragliding, or bungee jumping unless you pay extra.
• Alcohol- or drug-related incidents.
• Carelessness in handling your possessions and baggage.
• You won’t get reimbursed if the problem happened because you were reckless (how “reckless” is defined is a matter up to each company).
• Pre-existing conditions or general check-ups. For example, if you have diabetes and need to buy more insulin, you won’t be covered. If you want to go see a doctor for a general check-up, you aren’t covered either.
• Cash
• Your theft coverage won’t cover you if you left something in plain sight or unattended.
• If civil unrest makes your destination unsafe but your government hasn’t called for an evacuation, you’re probably out of luck too.

Pros and Cons of World Nomads

Pros:
Affordable prices
Great coverage
You can extend your policy online
You can make a claim online while on the road
24/7 service
Fast service
Book on the road

Cons:
It doesn’t cover people over 70
Its online system can be a little confusing to figure out
The Explorer plan covers up to $3000 total and a per article limit of $1500 on electronics and personal items.

My Experience Using World Nomads

In addition to buying a policy online (even if you’re already traveling), you can also indefinitely extend your insurance policy online. Moreover, as someone who is always on the road and bouncing from country to country, the ability to just take photos of all my documents and receipts and upload them is hugely beneficial! Plus, the whole claims process can be done online.

I’ve had to use World Nomads’ services twice. The first time was when South African Airlines lost my luggage on the way back from Africa. Knowing I had coverage, I called World Nomads to ask what I could do. They told me that I would have to wait to see if the airline would reimburse me first. If the airline would not reimburse me within 90 days, they would. (Travel insurance is about making you whole, not making sure you make a profit.)

The process was relatively easy. I filled out an online form listing what I had in my bag and its estimated value. I submitted the documents that showed I had requested a reimbursement from the airline. Then I waited.

Luckily, the airline paid me and I didn’t need World Nomads, but I learned through this process that if you have all your documents and proof, World Nomads makes submitting a claim very easy.

Another time, in Argentina, I was suffering from anxiety and worried that it was something more. It felt like someone was stomping on my chest. I logged into the portal, got the call center number, and called the hotline. They took my information and symptoms and gave me a list of emergency doctors that they recommended. The One Call system was helpful, quick, and got me a doctor right away. I was very happy with the service and know that if something really does go wrong, they act quickly!

While I have never had to make a claim that required reimbursement, a number of readers have. Here is their feedback on the process:

How to make an insurance claim
All insurance companies have terrible online reviews. This is usually because the traveler didn’t read the wording of the policy and assumed something was covered when it wasn’t. It is very, very important that you read the requirements for making a claim. Generally speaking, if it’s something a sane, sober person wouldn’t do, you’re probably not going to get reimbursed!

For that matter, you should read your whole policy. Seriously. It’s terrible, but reading it is the only way you will know what is and is not covered! If you have questions, call World Nomads. They are very helpful in explaining their policies! Local numbers are on their website!

Also, keep these two points in mind:

1. Document all your stuff. Travel insurance companies follow a simple rule: no proof, no reimbursement. If you want to make a claim, you’ll need to prove (a) that you bought something (keep all your purchase receipts if you have them), (b) that it was there with you, and (c) that it was stolen. To that end before I go on any trip, I take a photo of my bag and its contents before I leave so I have time-stamped photo with me and my stuff. If anything is stolen, be sure you file a police report too as companies will ask for that!
2. Document your illness. If you get sick, keep all your paperwork and receipts. The more information and documents you have, the easier it will be to get reimbursed!

*** World Nomads is one of the best insurance companies out there — especially if you are looking for long-term or backpacking travel insurance. It is a company for and by travelers, recommended by tons of other travel companies and writers, and far more affordable than other insurance companies! I highly recommend them. I’ve always had a good experience with them — and as you can see from the people above, so have many of the readers of this site!

Travel insurance only costs a few dollars a day (your policy price will vary by length and where you are from) and, for that price, it’s a no brainer. While there are many travel insurance companies out there that are cheaper, the devil is always in the fine print and they don’t have low coverage limits, don’t let you renew on the road, and have terrible reimbursement rates. Insurance is something you get what you pay for. Pay an extra few cents a day to be covered. A lot of people don’t buy travel insurance when they travel because they think “What can happen to me?” And that’s the point of insurance. No one is Superman and you’re healthy until your not. Insurance covers trip delays and problems, accidents, health care, theft, and a bunch of other things. I’ve been on the road ten years and I can tell you that accidents will happen. And it’s good to always have a company that has your back. I’ve never once regretted my decision to get insurance with World Nomads.

You can use the widget below to look up the travel insurance policy that is right for you (or just click here to go to their website directly:

 

The post World Nomads Travel Insurance Review: What’s Included & What’s Not appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Nomadic Matt's Travel Site https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/world-nomads-review/

How to Survive Oktoberfest

Updated: 9/10/2018 | September 10th, 2018

“How many days are you at the Wiesn (Oktoberfest) for?” the German girl wearing her Bavarian dirndl across the table asked me.

“We’re here for five days,” I replied, putting down my umpteenth stein of beer.

Her face became a mix of shock, disbelief, and horror.

“Five days! That is crazy! You’re a bit insane, huh?” she said. “You only need one day for the Weisen. I hope you survive.”

And she was right. My friends and I were a bit insane to think five days wasn’t that long at Oktoberfest. We quickly learned that most Germans come for a day because that really is “enough time at the Wiesn.”

It’s the tourists who stay longer.

Five days at Oktoberfest was something I wouldn’t do again. It was pure overkill. Even the group I was with, filled with able-bodied, hardened drinkers, was exhausted by day 3 and uninterested by day 5.

By the end, I never wanted to see a beer again.

But I survived the experience – and in the process had a great time, made a lot of new friends, hardened my liver, met some other cool travel bloggers, and learned just how to plan the perfect Oktoberfest trip.

Planning your Oktoberfest visit

1. What is Oktoberfest?
2. What to Expect at Oktoberfest
3. How Much Does Oktoberfest Cost?
4. A List of Oktoberfest Tents
5. How to Make Table Reservations at Oktoberfest
6. Booking Accommodation at Oktoberfest
7. How to Get Your Oktoberfest Outfit
8. General Oktoberfest Survival Tips
9. How to Visit Oktoberfest in 2018

What is Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest was one of the best festivals I’ve ever attended. It’s a 16–18-day beer festival held annually in Munich, Germany, running from late September to the first weekend in October. It all began when Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese on October 12, 1810. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city, which the locals call “Wies’n” (which means grass, and why Oktoberfest is nicknamed Wiesn in Germany). Ever since then, it has become a major event, especially in the last few decades as more and more international travelers have been attracted to the festival thanks to tours, cheap flights, and better accommodation options. It’s such a big thing that you’ll find Oktoberfest activities in cities around the world (though nothing beats the original).

What to Expect at Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is a wild, wild time. An estimated 7 million people visit every year, with the majority of those Germans (they represent 85% of attendees)! You’ll see just about everyone dressed up in traditional Bavarian clothes (lederhosen for guys, dirndls for girls), having a good time, and drinking lots and lots of beer. These pictures and video will help paint the scene for you:

You get a lot of people chugging beer….

….and a lot of people who fail at it….

….but no matter what, there’s a lot of singing.

Outside the beer tents, you’ll find a carnival atmosphere. Literally. The grounds contain a carnival with games, rides, and even haunted houses. It is like a theme park in Anywhere, USA. If it wasn’t for people dressed up, you wouldn’t have known you were in Germany. (This is also where you’ll find everyone passed out from too much beer!)

Inside the tents is where you find the traditional Oktoberfest you’ve come for: lots of hearty food, traditional music, large decorated tents, friendly people, large steins of beer, and communal happy atmosphere that breeds friendship and joy! Everyone is here for a good time and in high spirits!

How Much Does Oktoberfest Cost?

All the tents are free to enter. Beer is typically around 11 EUR and most full meals are 12–15 EUR. You can get snacks and small meals for around 5 EUR. You can also buy alcohol outside the tents (but not beer), and the drinks cost around 8 EUR. You’ll also have to put a 2 EUR deposit down on the glass they give you. You’ll find tons of stands everywhere with sausage and wurst for 4 EUR too. Reserving a table is technically free, however, a reservation requires you to order food and drinks. Usually, this is the equivalent to 2 beers and half a chicken (which is around 30 EUR per person). So a table for 10 will be around 300 EUR, depending on the tent.

It’s virtually impossible to do this event on a tight budget. You can buy beer or food outside the event grounds, which will lower your costs (get drunk and full before) but if you’re purchasing anything in the tents, expect to pay!

How to Make Table Reservations at Oktoberfest

All the tents are free throughout the day and all have free tables as well as reserved tables for people eating meals (these are also prime seats in the center of the tent). If you want to eat or guarantee that a table (and not fight for all the free tables), you’ll need to make a reservation. We had a table reservation every day because my friends and I wanted to make sure we had a place to sit. To make a reservation you’ll need to contact the tent directly via email, phone, or fax (yes, they still accept faxes!). This is typically done at the start of the year between January and April. Tables at the best tents fill up quickly.

If you do book at one of the tents, be aware that most tables seat 6-10 people and cost about 300 EUR (about 30 EUR per person). You’re required to book a whole table, so even if it’s just one of you going, you reserve the table as though you are going fill it. While you’re supposed to have a full table when you sit down, we showed up minus a few people and they didn’t seem to care. This reservation includes some beer and food.

Personally, I’m not so sure I’d reserve tables again. It’s nice to know you have a place to sit down, but other than on weekends or at night, it seemed like you could always find an open seat, even if you had to stand for a while. If I booked a table again, I would only do it for the nighttime hours, when tables are harder to get, you’ll want a place to eat, and you might not want to stand around waiting.

Keep in mind weekends, when the Germans aren’t working, are incredibly busy and it’s much harder to get a reservation as well as find free tables. If you don’t have a reservation, get there early!

A List of the Best Oktoberfest Tents

There are 14 main beer tents at Oktoberfest and each one has its own personality. Some tend to be heavy on Americans, other Australians, others older Germans, other rich celebrities, while others are just everyone under the sun. Here are the fourteen major tents and some information about them:

• Marstall – This tent holds over 3,000 people and is the newest addition to the event. It’s a bit more modern and inventive (you can actually get vegetarian food here) and caters to a younger, hipper crowd. Reservations: marstall-oktoberfest.com/reservation.htm.
• Armbrustschützen-Festhalle – This comfortable tent has also been home to a crossbow competition since 1895! It’s one of the most popular. Reservations: +49 892-370-3705 (by fax).
• Hofbräu Festzelt – This is the most popular tent for international visitors, especially Americans, and is one of the biggest and most famous tents in the faregrounds. It gets busy but I loved it! Reservations: hb-festzelt.de/en/reservations.html.
• Hacker-Festhalle – This tent is known for it’s painted blue sky and white clouds on the ceiling that can, if the weather is nice, open up to actually show the blue sky above. It’s also one of the more popular tents. Reservations: +49 8170-7303.
• Schottenhamel – This is the oldest tent at Oktoberfest and hasthe capacity for over 10,000 people. It’s where the party gets started and is very popular with Germans. Reservations: festhalle-schottenhamel.de.
• Winzerer Fähndl – This massive tent is the largest at Oktoberfest with room for 11,000 partygoers. You’ll be able to recognize it by the giant rotating beer glass. Reservations: +49 896-217-1910.
• Schützen-Festzelt – This tent is located off the main drag which means you can sometimes beat the crowds by heading here. Reservations: +49 892-318-1224.
• Käfer’s Wies’n-Schänke – This tent is known to be a favorite of both local and international celebrities as well as their late night ending time! Lots of people finish their night here. Reservations: feinkost-kaefer.de/wiesn/reservation.
• Fischer Vroni – If you’re tired of all the pork (the main dish in most tents) then head here for something else: fish! Reservations: reservierung.fischer-vroni.de/ors_start.html.
• Ochsenbraterei – This tent has been around since 1881 and is known for its numerous ox dishes and its big brass band. Reservations: +49 895-108-5760.
• Augustiner-Festhalle – This tent is considered to be the most family-friendly option. It’s also the hardest tent to get a table at as many locals have reserved seats here. Reservations: festhalle-augustiner.com/html/reservierungsanfrage_en.html.
• Pschorr-Bräurosl – The Heide family has been running this tent since 1901 and has their own yodeler. Reservations: heidevolm.de/braeurosl/reservierungen.
• Löwenbräu-Festhalle – This tent, which has a giant 15-foot lion at the entrance, has a bit more of an older crowd to it. It’s the favorite of local football players. Reservations: loewenbraeuzelt.de/reservierungen.
• Weinzelt – This tent is another more family-friendly choice, with less traditional offerings like seafood, Thai food, and even wine (something you don’t really see often here). Reservations: weinzelt.com/de/reservierung.

Booking Accommodation at Oktoberfest

Simply put: Book your Oktoberfest room early. Accommodation fills up incredibly quickly — and some hotels and hostels book out up to a year in advance. The closer you get to the festival grounds, the more expensive beds are and the quicker everything fills up. I booked a room in April and most places were already sold out. That room cost me 120 EUR per night, but it was close to the festival grounds. Hostel dorms often go for 60–80 EUR.

There’s not a lot of budget accommodation around but there are a few options if you don’t want to stay in the city center (or want to save money):

• Stay at The Tent, a hostel (well, really, a massive tent) outside the city for 40 EUR per night.
• Couchsurf (which is hard, because locals get a lot of requests from people looking for a free place to stay) or have friends you can stay with.
• Using Airbnb is another good option as long as you book in advance.

How to Get Your Traditional Oktoberfest Outfit

You can’t go to Oktoberfest without the traditional Bavarian outfit (it just wouldn’t be right or as fun), and those are not cheap. A good lederhosen outfit begins at around 140 EUR. Dirndls, the traditional outfit for girls, begin around 100 EUR. (You can, of course, find cheaper outfits, though, if you aren’t looking for something of quality.) You can order them online before you go or find them in stores throughout the city. Stores just selling outfits spring up just for the festival. We found lederhosen the day we arrived.  You can rent costumes for around 40 EUR per day but that’s only a good option if you are going for a day or two. If you’re going for longer, it’s cheaper to buy an outfit.

General Oktoberfest Survival Tips

It’s a marathon, not a sprint — you’ll be drinking all day, so there’s no need to rush it. Too many people pass out on the lawns by dinnertime. Pace yourself. Those liters of beer are strong.

• Hydrate: Drink a lot of water while you’re there. I had Powerade and water bottles lined up in my room for when I got home and when I woke up.
• Get to the Käfer tent early: Most of the tents close at 10:30pm. Käfer is the only one open until 1am, so everyone rushes there after the others shut down. Get there a bit before 10:30pm so you have a spot. Otherwise, you simply won’t be able to get in or get served.
• Get a table early: No reservation? Just winging it? If you aren’t there by midday, your chances of finding a table shrink greatly. Try to avoid the times when they switch reservations. All the people that got kicked out are now looking for a free table, and competition is fierce.
• Eat outside the event area: While all the tents have amazing rotisserie chicken, the food inside is simply expensive. Just walk outside, buy a cheap sausage for a few Euros, and save your money for the overpriced liters of beer.
• Set a meet-up point: The grounds are huge. If you’re there with friends, set a meeting point in case you get separated (which is inevitable).
• The tents don’t really matter: While everyone tent will offer a unique experience, the differences won’t be that drastic. Every tent will offer up a great time, so there’s no need to be picky. Find a tent you like and just stay there!
• Bring cash: Keep your life (and the life of your server) simple and just stick to cash.
• Keep your stuff safe: Pickpockets aren’t too much of a problem but you might get drunk and lose stuff. Only bring the essentials of what you need and be sure to keep them safe in a zipped poach so they don’t get wet and ruined!

How to Visit Oktoberfest in 2018

Oktoberfest begins on Saturday, September 22nd with the opening ceremony at the Schottenhamel tent. At noon, Munich’s Mayor will tap the first keg and kick off the celebration. The festival will go until October 7th.

Oktoberfest Hours
Opening day: 12:00 – 10:30pm
Weekdays: 10:00am – 10:30pm
Weekends and Holidays: 9:00am – 10:30pm
Tents Open late: Käfers and Weinzelt open until 1:00am

Getting to Munich is easy as it’s accessible my rail from all major points in Europe and has its own major, international airports.

Oktoberfest takes place on Theresienwiese. It walkable from the main railway station (Hauptbahnhof) and the closest U-Bahn is, aptly called, Theresienwiese. Just follow the mass of crowds to the grounds. You can’t miss it!

***
Oktoberfest only happens once a year, and though it sort of busted my European budget, I don’t regret any of the money I spent. I’m really glad after years of false starts that I finally got to visit and celebrate Oktoberfest. My friends and I are already considering returning next year (though maybe not for five days again).

Book Your Trip to Munich: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight to Munich by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines. Start with Momondo.

Book Your Accommodation
For a cheap place to stay, check out The Tent. To book another hostel in Munich, use Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates. (Here’s the proof.)

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I never ever go on a trip without it. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. You should too.

Need Some Gear?
Check out our resource page for the best companies to use!

Want More Information on Munich?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Munich for even more planning tips!

The post How to Survive Oktoberfest appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Nomadic Matt's Travel Site https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/how-to-survive-oktoberfest/

Gaudi’s Barcelona: A Unique Way to See the City

Updated: 9/9/18 | September 9th, 2018

You can’t visit Barcelona without seeing Gaudi’s influence everywhere you go. He’s the city’s most famous architect helped shape the design of the city during its booming 19th and early 20th century. His influence still shapes the city today.

Born in 1852, Anton Gaudí belonged to the Art Nouveau movement, with his first designs being centered around Gothic and traditional Catalan architectural styles. It wasn’t long until he developed his own style that has set him apart from all others.

Referred to as “God’s Architect” for the religious themes in his work, several of Gaudi’s creations have actually been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. His most famous work, La Sagrada Familia is not only the most popular attraction in Barcelona but the most visited monument in all of Spain.

No visit to Barcelona is complete without seeing Gaudi’s work. It will give you insight into the history and growth of the city.  Here is a guide to visiting all of Gaudi’s best sights in Barcelona:

La Sagrada Familia

The most famous of Gaudí’s work….and one that seems to never be finished. The church has been under construction for over than 100 years (the groundbreaking was in 1882 and is supposed to be done in 2030!). Gaudí was a devout Catholic and spent the last 10 years of his life working on this project. The church blends influences of man, nature, and religion in its detailed architecture. The audio guide is worth purchasing as it covers the history of the church in great detail. Try to visit mid-morning to late afternoon so you can witness the sunlight cascade throughout all the stained glass.

Carrer de Mallorca, +34 932-080-414, sagradafamilia.org. The church is open daily from 9am-8pm in the summer, 9am-7pm in the spring/autumn, and 8am-6pm in the winter. Admission is 15 EUR, 22 EUR for a ticket and audio guide, 24 EUR for a guided tour, and 29 EUR for a self-guided tour with an audio guide and access to the tower.

Gaudi Lampposts: Placia Real and Pla del Palau

The first commission that Gaudí received after graduating school was to construct street lamps for the city. At the request of the city council in 1878, he designed lamps with three and six arms and crowned by a winged helmet. They were symbolic of the commercial power of Barcelona, made of cast iron and marble. They’re all gone now except for the ones left in Placia Real and Pla del Palau.

Placia Real, just off La Rambla. They are located in a public square so are accessible 24/7 and free.

Casa Batllo

Casa Batllo is a building restored by Antoni Gaudí in the early 1900s. He spent 2 years on the project completely revamping the exterior, main floor, patio, and roof. With its undulating shape, it’s definitely one of the more eye-catching of his creations. Located in the Eixample district of Barcelona, it (like everything Gaudí designed) was heavy influenced by the Art Nouveau style. The facade was decorated with a mosaic made of broken ceramic tiles that he collected from the trash of a nearby glass shop. The roof is arched and has been likened to the back of a dragon. It’s one of my favorite Gaudí buildings.

Passeig de Gràcia 43, +34 932-160-306, casabatllo.es. Open daily from 9am-9pm. Tickets are 24.50 EUR if you buy them online or 28.50 EUR in person. Skip the line tickets are available for 29.50 EUR (or 33.50 EUR at the office).

Palau Guell

Located off La Rambla, Palau Guell (Guell Palace) building doesn’t jump out at you like other Gaudí structures. Built from 1886-88, it was designed for one of Gaudi’s patrons, Eusebi Güell. The home is centered around the main room used to entertain high-society guests. The main party room has a high ceiling with small holes near the top where lanterns were hung at night from the outside to give the appearance of a starlit sky. There are colorful tree-like chimneys on top. It’s a bit creepy and gothic to me. One of my favorites too!

Carrer Nou de la Rambla 3-5, +34 934-725-775, palauguell.cat. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-5:30pm. Admission is 12 EUR, with discounts available for students, seniors, and children.

Park Guell

Park Güell is a 45-acre garden complex designed and built between 1900 to 1914. It’s since been converted into a municipal garden and is now a World Heritage Site. The focal point of the park is the main terrace, which is surrounded by a long bench in the form of a sea serpent. Known for incorporating various themes into his work, Gaudí incorporated artistic elements of Catalan nationalism as well as ancient poetry and mysticism into this work. The park is right near La Sagrada Familia so it’s easy to visit both. I like how colorful everything in the park is!

Carrer de Larrard (main entrance), +34 934-091-831, parkguell.cat. Open daily from 8am-9:30pm. Admission is 7.50 EUR, with discounts available. A ticket for La Sagrada Familia and Gaudi’s House Museum (in the park) is 24 EUR.

Casa Calvet

Built between 1898-1900, Casa Calvet was built for a textile manufacturer in the Eixample district of Barcelona. This building is the most conventional of his works, partly because it had to be squeezed in between older structures and partly because it’s in one of the nicest sections of Barcelona. The house’s symmetry, balance, and orderly rhythm are unusual for Gaudí’s works. The curves and double gable at the top and the projecting oriel at the entrance are modernist elements. He also incorporated mythological and natural motifs, which helped him win the award for best building in 1900 from the Barcelona City Council.

Carrer de Casp 48. You can only stop by to take pictures of the outside of the building as you aren’t allowed into this private residence. 

Casa Vicens

Casa Vicens was Gaudí’s first important work. The house was constructed between 1883-1888 and is made of undressed stone, rough red bricks, and colored ceramic tiles in checkerboard and floral patterns. The client was the owner of a brick and tile factory, so the ceramic tiles pay tribute to his employment.  This is one of Gaudi’s works that falls into his “orientalist” period, as his work has more Middle Eastern/Far Eastern influences. It’s very different from his other sites (and often has the shortest line).

Carrer de les Carolines 20, +34 935-475-980, casavicens.org. Open daily from 10am-8pm. Admission is 16 EUR for adults, with discounts available.

Casa Mila

From 1906 to 1910, Gaudi work on Casa Mila, also known as “La Pedrera” (the stone quarry) as the building has a facade of limestone. The goal was to evoke the sense of a snowy mountain. Gaudí, himself a Catholic and a devotee of the Virgin Mary, also planned for the Casa Milà to be a spiritual symbol and included many religious elements like an excerpt from the rosary prayer on the cornice and statues of Mary,  St. Michael, and St. Gabriel.  Casa Milà became run down and partially abandoned until it was restored in the late 1980s to its original form.

Provença 261-265, +34 902-202-138, lapedrera.com/en. Open daily 9am-8:30pm (6:30pm during the winter). Night tours are available from 9pm-11pm. Standard admission (which includes an audio guide) is 22 EUR. A combination ticket for the day tour and a guided night tour is 41 EUR (with discounts available).

Cascada Fountain in Parc de la Ciutadella

Gaudí helped design this while he was still a student. He was responsible for the design of the fountain, the bandstand, and the park’s entrance gate, a project that stretched from 1873 to 1882. Baroque in style, the fountain is massive, intricate, and awe-inspiring. I loved sitting in the park and just staring at it. If you visit most of the sites on this list, you’ll see the evolution of his style and how different this is from his other works.

Passeig de Picasso 21. The park is open daily from 10am-10pm. Admission is free.

College of Saint Teresa

The building looks like a fortress, this is a convent school that Gaudí designed for The Order of Saint Teresa of Jesus. The project was already underway when Gaudi became involved, but he made some changes to the plans to better reflect his personal style and vision.

Carrer de Ganduxer 85-105, +932 123 354. The interior is not open to the public.

Bellesguard Tower

The Bellesguard Tower, also known as Casa Figueras, was built by Gaudí between 1900-1909. It was built as a second house for Figueras and meant to feel like a medieval fortress with sporting towers and battlements. There are some Art Noveaux elements mixed in here that gives it a modernist take on a classic Gothic structure.

Carrer de Bellesguard 16-20, +932 504 093, bellesguardgaudi.com. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-3pm. Tickets are 9 EUR and include an audio guide.

*** Gaudí was a prolific architect and wandering around Barcelona, you’re sure to bump into many of his major and lesser works. More than that, you’ll see his influence throughout the city as other architects and his students copied his style in their own work. I often look at buildings and go “Ahh that must be by Gaudi too” only to find out it’s not. That’s how strong of an influence he has on Barcelona. If you plan to visit these places, keep in mind many of the houses are closed on Mondays. As I love traveling with a theme, searching out Gadui’s works is a different way and unique to visit Barcelona.

Book Your Trip to Barcelona: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight to Barcelona by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines. Start with Momondo.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel in Barcelona with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates. (Here’s the proof.)

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I never ever go on a trip without it. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. You should too.

Need Some Gear?
Check out our resource page for the best companies to use!

Want More Information on Barcelona?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Barcelona for even more planning tips!

Photo Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

The post Gaudi’s Barcelona: A Unique Way to See the City appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Nomadic Matt's Travel Site https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/gaudis-barcelona/

Canon 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS Review

Frequently overshadowed by their more versatile brethren, macro lenses rarely receive much fanfare upon their release. Nonetheless, it is their function as close-up-photography specialists that makes them essential for a range of photographic pursuits like product photography, print reduction and close-up photography of living subjects. This role has made macro lenses a vital element of a camera manufacture’s lens catalog. Their niche design means that that new macro lenses are released rather infrequently, but all major manufactures have at least one modern 100mm (or so) focal length macro lens in their lineup. In 2009, it was Canon’s turn to release an update to their old 100mm f/2.8 macro lens with the release of the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM. Given its “L” lens status, the EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro was more than just a minor update of its predecessor, featuring a more robust weather-sealed body and a new optical formula to match. Perhaps the most important addition to the EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro lens was a brand-new version of Canon’s Image Stabilization system. The Hybrid image stabilization unit used in this lens was created to effectively compensate for both angular and shift movements, offering 4 stops of camera motion aid at conventional distances and up to 2 stops at 1:1 reproduction distance. The addition of image stabilization significantly enhances the EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro lens’s usability in the field when shooting hand-held. While macro photography is a often tripod-based affair, there are situations when using a tripod is not a possibility and where having image stabilization is imperative to getting the final shot. I obtained a copy of the lens four years ago, and it has been my companion on several trips over that time. At first, I paired the lens with Canon’s 1D III body and later a Canon 1Dx.

from Photography Life https://photographylife.com/reviews/canon-100mm-f-2-8l-macro-is#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=canon-100mm-f-2-8l-macro-is

Overtourism: How You Can Help Solve This Worldwide Problem

Posted: 9/6/2018 | September 6th, 2018

Years later, I returned to the scene of the crime: Costa Rica. It was in that country that I first fell victim to the travel bug, a disease that would infect me for the rest of my life and lead to where I am today. There was no place I was more excited about revisiting than Manuel Antonio National Park. Its wild jungles, deserted beaches, and bountiful animal life was the highlight of my first visit and I couldn’t wait to relive it all in this seaside town.

But then wonder turned to horror.

The quiet road to town was lined with endless fancy resorts. Hotels lined the park’s edge. Tour groups cluttered the once peaceful park. They fed the wildlife. They littered. The abundant troops of monkeys had vanished. So had the colorful land crabs. No deer roamed. And the beaches were a sea of bodies.

It was my first experience with seeing a destination shift into “overtourism.”

Overtourism is the term used to describe the onslaught of tourists who take over a destination to a point where the infrastructure can no longer handle it.

While not a new problem (that trip to Costa Rica was in 2011), this “trend” has been in the news a lot the past few months (heck, there’s even a Twitter feed about it) as many destinations have started to push back against the onslaught of visitors inundating their streets, communities, and overtaking their natural resources.

“Stay home!” they scream to visitors. “You’re no longer welcome!”

I believe travel can change the world. Done right, it expands people’s minds, fosters understanding, makes you a better you, and provides an economic boost to local communities.

But, thanks to cheap flights, the sharing economy, and (let’s be honest) an explosion of Chinese tour groups around the world, destinations have gotten a bit crowded lately.

I see it everywhere I travel these days.

There’s the Palace of Versailles, where years ago, I was able to film a video free of crowds. Now, it’s wall-to-wall tour groups slowly shuffling from room to room in the most insane queue ever. Its hard to even enjoy the experience!

There’s Tulum, once a quiet Mexican town, now awash with Westerners trying to turn it into the new Bali (which is also overrun with tourists and where “digital nomads” can float from yoga studio to cafe to retreat to wherever without ever actually having to interact with locals). There’s Iceland, where Reykjavik’s main street, complete with a Dunkin’ Donuts, is now a sea of people, and the city’s roads are cluttered. (Don’t even get my Icelandic friends started on this subject. They are none too happy about all the tourists.)

There the crushing crowds in Prague, Barcelona, Paris, Venice, Edinburgh, the Gili Islands, Ko Lipe, Chiang Mai, and Queenstown, where tourists are overrunning locals, acting idiotically, and littering.

Sure, crowded destinations are simply a by-product of a globalized world where travel has become attainable for more and more people. The number of international tourist arrivals is expected to increase by 3.3% worldwide each year until 2030 when it will reach 1.8 billion. And, on balance, that’s a good thing if you believe in travel as a transformative tool.

Yet the very things that make travel cheaper — budget airlines, Airbnb, ridesharing, etc. — have also made destinations unable to cope with all the visitors — and pushed out locals in the process.

Now they are starting to push back.

Barcelona is no longer allowing new hotels and is limiting the number of cruise ships. Dubrovnik is floating the of putting limits on the number of tourists. Chile is curbing the number of tourists to Easter Island and how long they can stay and Ecuador is doing the same for visitors to the Galápagos. Venice is trying to restrict Airbnb and the number of tourists (after restricting cruise ships). Paris is also restricting Airbnbs in the city. Iceland wants to limit the number of foreigners who buy property. Amsterdam is launching a campaign to rein in the partying in the city. Majorca has had continuous protests against tourists.

The world is saying “enough!”

And I, for one, am all for this.

Of course, I don’t think people intentionally try to “ruin” places. No one is saying, “Let’s go overcrowd Iceland and piss locals off!”

Most people just don’t even think of their actions causing harm.

Which makes education and these initiatives even more important.

Because there definitely needs to be a better balance between visitors and residents. Overtourism doesn’t help anyone. No one wants to visit a crowded destination – and no one wants to live somewhere that’s overrun with tourists.

While no one is talking about banning tourists outright, there should be better ways to control their numbers and the problems overtourism causes.

Take Airbnb. It’s one of the biggest problems in travel today (which is a shame, because I love the service).

It started out as a way for residents to earn money on the side and get travelers out of the hotel/hostel dynamic and into a more “local” way of life.

But that original mission has been perverted. As rentals have become more lucrative, Airbnb has turned a blind eye to the fact that real estate companies, property managers, and other individuals can list as many properties as they want. These companies, tapping into tourists’ desire to have a home away from home, buy up properties in the city center, which then decreases the supply of rental properties for locals, increases rental prices, and forces residents out.

Driving locals out defeats the purpose of using the service! Too many town centers have been decimated by Airbnb. While a man’s home is his castle, I do believe there should be some restrictions on Airbnb because it’s driving people out of city centers. That’s not good for anyone, especially the locals who live there and, since Airbnb won’t do anything about it, local governments need to step in and start cracking down. (Personally, I’ve started to only rent rooms in an Airbnb (instead of an entire property) so I know there’s a local there benefiting from my stay.)

“But what about social media?” you may ask.

One can’t deny YouTubers, Instagram “influencers”, and bloggers like myself have helped popularize travel and made it more accessible to the masses by destroying the myth that it’s an expensive thing only a few can do. We’ve shed light on destinations around the world and gotten people to visit places they might not have otherwise.

I don’t fell bad about that.

More people should travel.

And there’s always been the idea of that travel media “ruins” a place. The Lonely Planet effect. The Rick Steves effect. The Bourdain effect (which I experienced first hand since he came to my hometown).

I mean people have been opining about mass tourism for decades. Once it’s in the Lonely Planet, a place is dead, right?

But social media has an amplifying effect that didn’t exist in the past. It makes it easier for everyone to find – and then overrun a destination.

Do I really think my one article on (insert destination) created a crush of people like there is some Nomadic Matt effect? No.

But social media and blogging leads one person to a place and then another and then another and then suddenly everyone it taking a picture of themselves with their feet dangling over Horseshoe Bend, sitting on that rock in Norway, or having breakfast with giraffes at that hotel in Kenya.

Everyone wants to do what they see on social media so they can tell all their friends how cool and well traveled they are.

This is also one of the downsides of the Internet. For me, travel is an act of discovery – and respect – and we constantly talk about being a respectful traveler but, for many influencers and bloggers, they don’t balance their actions and influence with responsible travel (I mean you had Fun for Louis rationalizing his North Korea propaganda movies) and try to educate their audiences to better, more respectful travelers.

After all, we are as much a part of the solution as we are part of the problem. There are ways to mitigate your impact and create a mutually beneficial relationship between you and the local population.

Here are seven ways I think we can help mitigate the overtourism crisis:

1. Skip Airbnb homes – Airbnb is one of the biggest villains in this whole drama. Don’t rent an entire Airbnb home unless you can be 100% sure that you are renting from a real human who is just on vacation. Look at the photos, talk to the host, ask them if they live there. If this is a rental company or the person has multiple listings, skip them. Don’t contribute to the emptying of communities. Rent a room instead!

2. Spread your travels around – Don’t stick to the most popular areas in a destination. Travel outside the city center. Visit the smaller neighborhoods. Get out into the countryside! Getting off the beaten path not only means fewer tourists but also spreading the benefits of your tourism around. There’s more to Italy than Venice, more to Spain than Barcelona (seriously, nearby Costa Brava is amazing), more to Iceland than Rekyavik, more to Thailand than Pai, more to everywhere than where everyone is posting photos from! Get out there and find those hidden gems!

3. Visit in the shoulder season – A corollary to the above is to not visit during peak season. If you visit a place when everyone else does because “it’s the best time to go,” you’re just contributing to the crowds (plus facing peak-season prices). Travel during the shoulder season, when the crowds are fewer, the prices lower, and the weather still (mostly) nice.

4. Don’t eat in touristy areas – If you eat where all the other tourists are, you’ll pay more for lower-quality food. Open Google Maps, Foursquare, Yelp, or your guidebook and find restaurants where locals eat. Follow my five-block rule: always walk five blocks in any direction and cross the invisible line most tourists don’t. You’ll get away from the crowds, spread your tourism dollars around, and enjoy a more authentic experience.

5. Be an informed traveler – Read up on the destination before you go. Learn its customs. Learn its laws. Learn its history. The more respectful and knowledgeable you are, the better it is for everyone involved!

6. Don’t be a drunk idiot – Part of the growing pushback against tourists is not just their sheer number but their disrespectful behavior too. Heck, that is part of why the folks in Amsterdam are upset — they’re tired of drunk tourists! If you’re going someplace just to party, don’t go! You can get drunk back home. Don’t treat a destination like it’s your playpen. People live there after all! Treat them with kindness. You’re a guest in their home.

7. Be environmentally friendly – Finally, don’t waste a place’s (limited) resources. Don’t leave the lights on. Don’t litter. Don’t take long showers. Don’t involve yourself in environmentally dubious activities. The more you can preserve a destination, the longer it will last and the more the locals will want tourists like yourself there. After all, if you ruin it, how will you ever be able to go back? Here are some resources on the subject:

• Is eco-tourism really eco-friendly?
• How to balance tourism and the environment
• How to ethically volunteer anywhere in the world

*** Overtourism has been written about a lot lately (see the plethora of links from above) and it’s an issue I’ve been thinking about by another name for years and especially this summer as I jostled through the crowded streets of Amsterdam and my home away from home of New York City.

I think we’re going to see a lot more destinations limiting the number of visitors and placing restrictions on the travel industry. People are just fed up – and they have every right to be.

Let’s not love places to death. Just like it’s important to protect animals and the environment when we travel, so too is it important to protect residents and the destinations themselves.

Do I think lots of tourists are suddenly going to go “Oh, I didn’t realize we were doing this! Let’s change our ways!”?

Nope.

I think tourist behavior will, for the most part, continue as before. I think tourists are still going to act stupid. I think people will still be short-sighted.

But I’m glad this subject is being talked about. I’m glad there is more action around the issue.

We’re the cause – and part of the solution – to this problem and, the more responsible we act, the better it is for everyone involved.

Overtourism is a problem that can only be solved by residents and tourists together.

The post Overtourism: How You Can Help Solve This Worldwide Problem appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Nomadic Matt's Travel Site https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/overtourism-solutions/