It’s one thing to work out how much to budget each day for two weeks in the sun, but quite another to plan ahead for a trip that could last months or even years. Nevertheless, even if sufficient money has been saved up to cover this, it’s useless unless it can be accessed and organized from different parts of the world. Knowing how to do this will make it much easier to cope with the ups and downs that traveling involves and will reduce the need to worry about money running out, so that it’s easier to relax and have fun.

Keeping cash safe 
The first thing to think about when traveling is how to securely look after cash. There are lots of pickpockets out there and tourists are often targeted. Using a money belt is a good option, and there are all sorts of garments now on the market with secret money pouches concealed inside them. Nothing valuable should be kept in a purse or a back pocket  of a rucksack, as these make for easy pickings. Money should never be left unattended in a hostel or hotel room, even if it’s hidden and the door is locked. Some change should be kept handy so large notes don’t need to be pulled out when making casual purchases.

Getting more cash 
Most parts of the world now have ATM machines, even if they can only be found in cities. Anywhere that there’s an international chain hotel or restaurant, one usually has the option of getting cashback on a card purchase. The biggest issue with both these approaches is currency conversion charges. This is something that should be sorted out before setting off, by finding an account with low rates. It’s also important to have a card type that’s recognized in the destination countries. Ideally, one should also have a back-up card for another account, and keep it in a different place, in case of emergency.

Monitoring bank accounts 
As well as being able to get money out, it’s important to know how much cash is left in an account, and it’s not always possible to get a mini statement from a foreign ATM. The best solution is usually to set up online banking so that it’s possible to manage the account from a cybercafé or an Internet-connected phone. This needs to be discussed with the bank before travel commences, however, so that there’s no danger of the account being locked in response to it being accessed from an unexpected location.

What to do in an emergency 
Even with the best planning, things can still go wrong. Running out of money in a foreign country can be a serious problem. Sometimes finding casual work is an option and sometimes all that’s necessary is to get by for a few days until the bank can sort things out, but what about when money is needed urgently? That’s where a money transfer service can be a life-saver, enabling travelers to quickly sort out the banking requirements needed to get money sent by family or friends, and helping to get the trip back on track. 

Most importantly, when you do the planning ahead, it’s easy to have fun on your trip!

Post by Luke. Thanks so much for contributing to Of Revolt, Luke! // Photography Credits: 1 and 2.

The post Managing Your Money on a Long-Term Trip appeared first on Of Revolt.

Guys! So remember how one of my New Year’s resolutions for 2014 was to seek out what’s special about living in Manhattan and celebrate it? Well, earlier this month, Dan and I did just that. We went on a food tasting and walking tour through Chinatown and Little Italy with Ahoy New York Tours & Tasting. Of course, there are lots of New York tours to choose from, but this one really fit the bill for us: we basically ate our way through these two very famous neighborhoods, with a fabulous guide tossing in lots of interesting historical tidbits along the way.

EATING AND STORYTELLING? YES PLEASE.

As two vegetarians, we were a little nervous that there would be lots of meat-eating on this tour, but I have to say, the food offerings felt really well-balanced. (Plus it helps that Dan and I have a “cured meats” rule: we both love classic Italian staples like salami and prosciutto, and it just so happened that our very first stop on the tour included a tasting of fresh mozzarella and prosciutto from America’s oldest Italian cheese store: Alleva Dairy. Heck yes. In fact, it was so delicious that we ate it before I could get a picture of it. Alas. You’ll just have to take my word for it.)

^^ The tour guide, Alana, was so passionate about not only the food, but also the amazing history behind the shops and the neighborhoods. Little Italy used to be much bigger than it is now – these days the whole neighborhood is mostly a few connecting streets with Italian restaurants that cater to tourists, so it takes some work to sniff out the real, authentic shops. DiPalo’s Fine Foods has been around for over 100 years, and is still family-owned and operated. In fact, the owners travel to Italy constantly to ensure the authenticity of the products they sell – like this gigantic wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano, which beckons me with its sweet, sweet siren call: “cheese . . . mmm . . . cheese.”

^^ Not every shop we visited has been around for a century. In fact, our third stop was Grand Apetito, a little pizza shop that only opened a couple of years ago. You might be thinking, “Pizza? On a food tour? Really?!” And I would have to thought-admonish you, “Yes, silly reader. Really.” Because it is literally the best piece of pizza I have ever eaten – and as a life-long New Yorker and someone with Italian ancestry who grew up in the Bronx, I have eaten more pizza than someone my size should ever consume. The owner calls this “Grandma’s Pie;” it’s a twice-baked Margherita pizza with a special pesto sauce that sent everyone on the tour into raptures.

^^ We concluded the Little Italy section of the tour at Ferrara’s, a famous bakery and cafe known for their cannolis. I tell you, there is nothing like a crispy tube filled with ricotta cheese and chocolate chips to make your life a little brighter. 

^^ Our first stop on the Chinatown portion was actually a Thai restaurant called Pongsri. Now, I LOVE Thai food but it’s really easy for me to get caught up in the sheer vastness of their menu, so I’ll always end up with that old standby, pad thai. We tried a sampling of a few dishes, and I love the flavor combinations of Thai cuisine. Coconut, peanut sauce, stir-fried veggies . . . it’s all good, baby. It was also really thoughtful of Alana and the Ahoy team to have this sit-down in the middle of the tour – we went on what happened to be a really cold day, so it was great to warm up indoors! 

^^ This is Doyers Street in Chinatown. It’s only one block long with a sharp bend in the middle, and was once known as “The Bloody Angle.” From the early 1900s to the 1930s, the Tong gangs shot their enemies here. In fact, hatchets were often thrown at targets from rooftops, which gave rise to the term “hatchet man.” Police said that more people died at The Bloody Angle than any other street intersection in the entire United States. Today, it’s mostly barber shops and hair salons. I love that you can see the water barrel and the Chinese lamp-post at the top of the photo – and that all of the signs are in Chinese characters. Isn’t it colorful?

^^ Our last stop was at Nom Wah Tea Parlor, the oldest Dim Sum restaurant in Chinatown. We tried their Original Egg Roll which was approximately 1,000 times fresher and tastier than the egg roll that comes with your average Chinese takeout order. Nom Wah has been around since the 1920s, when it was originally a Chinese bakery. I love that they’ve kept the mid-century dining area intact, with furniture and flooring that’s completely original to the era. It was early on a Saturday afternoon when we were there, and let me tell you, it was HOPPING. The place was jammed with people, so Dan and I are planning on going back to have a proper sit-down meal there one of these days. Also, you know a place has legit NYC credibility when Woody Allen’s a regular. (His photo is on the wall! :D)

Overall, the tour was just over three hours and we felt full afterwards – not that grotesque, I’ve-eaten-my-weight-in-cheese-and-now-I-want-to-die kind of full, but the kind of satisfaction that comes after having eaten well. The selections were thoughtful and the portions were generous without being overwhelming. I definitely recommend bringing a bottle or two of water, and being prepared for all kinds of weather! We got lucky with sunshine, but the cold had me wishing that I’d worn a second pair of socks. 

Alana is unbelievably knowledgeable about the food and the area, and was even kind enough to send an email to the group afterwards with the titles of the books she mentioned throughout the tour. It was also great that the tour had only eight people or so – the group felt cozy, and it was so much easier to move about without stragglers dawdling and slowing everything down. It’s also great that they include a map of the places you’ve been, as well as other restaurants and shops they recommend so that you can go back and shop afterwards! I definitely recommend the tour to both visitors to NYC and locals looking for something fun and different to do. 

Thanks so much for a fantastic time, Ahoy! 

The post Best of New York City: Eating Our Way Through Chinatown & Little Italy appeared first on Of Revolt.

So you’re looking for cheap package holidays? Here are a few tried-and-tested tips and tricks to help you find an unforgettable break that won’t break the bank.

For starters, get online and head to all the major tour operators’ websites. Take a look at The Co-Operative Group for instance. Undoubtedly one of the first things you’ll see are price-led campaigns all over the homepage, with glorious images of exotic beaches and oh-so-tempting pools, bearing huge discounts and special offers. Scroll down the page and you’ll see all manners of deals, ranging from all inclusive and city break discounts to sizzling beach special offers – perfect for bargain hunters!

Some of the prices are pretty impressive, and remember that when you select a package holiday through a major tour operator like The Co-Operative Group, your travel essentials are covered too. That includes return flights, nightly accommodation and a transfer service to and from your hotel, along with the services of a locally-based travel representative.

If however you’re not in the market for cheap package holidays and you prefer to go your own way, check out some of the many scheduled flights on offer across Europe and beyond. You could choose your own flights as part of a DIY holiday to dozens of different destinations, like Spain, the Balearics, Greece or Cyprus, and combine it with your own choice of accommodation. That might be a stay in a guest house, a friendly B&B or perhaps a swish hotel.

You don’t have to stay for the traditional week or fortnight – depending on your flight, you could stay for a budget-friendly 3 or 4 nights, or opt for longer and enjoy a 10 or 20-night stay. Why not stay in different hotels throughout your trip to make the most of your experience?

Whatever you fancy, there are stacks of great holiday bargains out there. It’s just a matter of finding your favourite! 

Photography Credit: One. // Guest post by Catherine Lavinia in coordination with The Co-Operative Group. Thanks for contributing to Of Revolt, Catherine!

The post Holiday Bargain Hunt: Tips and Tricks appeared first on Of Revolt.

Every year, people from all over the world look forward to a few weeks of vacation. Finding the perfect place to relax, explore, and enjoy your time off can be difficult, as there are a variety of destinations that are ideal for vacation. If you are looking for a beach destination with the rich culture of Europe, Spain is the perfect location. Holidays in Spain will provide excellent food, a great nightlife, and an unforgettable experience. With so many world class resorts, Spain has a plethora of accommodations to choose from – offering something for everyone. Typically, the best way to access the gorgeous European destination is by flying. If you are looking to book a flight online, here a few tips to finding cheap ways to fly to Spain:
Break it Up 

Many online search sites for airline tickets provide the most direct route. While for some travelers this is a convenient way to fly, it isn’t always the cheapest. Instead of searching for a long haul flight from your home directly to Spain, try breaking it up into segments. If you are traveling from the U.S. to Europe, flights usually cost thousands of dollars. However, if you do a stop-over in a city that offers many daily flights to Europe – like New York City – you may be able to save a couple hundred dollars. With a few hundred dollars in savings, you can enjoy shopping, eating out, and exploring Spain a little more.

Look for Deals to Nearby Cities

While the city you want to visit in Spain may not be having an airfare sale, other nearby cities might. Just like in the U.S., there are many discount airlines operating in Europe. You can often find fares as low as $25 each way from one European city to another with carriers such as Ryan Air, Wizz Air, Easy Jet, and other discount airlines. If you see an incredibly low fare from your destination to a European city like London, Paris, or Berlin, you could potentially save hundreds of dollars by purchasing a long haul flight and then purchasing a discount airline hopper flight to get to Spain. Finding cheap airfare will make your holiday that much more enjoyable. Save money on the flight, and enjoy your resort holidays in Spain even more!

Photography Credits: One and Two. // Guest post by Maria-Christina Rus. Thank you so much for contributing to Of Revolt, Maria-Christina!

The post Tips for a Cheap Flight to Spain appeared first on Of Revolt.