Although diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba have been restored, US citizens and permanent residents are still prohibited from traveling to Cuba for purely tourism purposes.  You may, however, travel to Cuba under a general license if your travel falls within one of the 12 categories of authorized travel and no prior application is required.  For most people, educational activities, religious activities, support for the Cuban people, and humanitarian projects are the most appropriate categories to get there. Here are 12 things you should know before you go.

1. GETTING THERE

Several companies offer organized People to People tours for Americans. However, they tend to be pricey and the schedules are very regimented. Those willing to make their own arrangements and craft their own itineraries can save a bundle.

Commercial flights from the U.S. to Cuba resumed in August 2016, so Americans can now fly directly to Cuba instead of transiting through Mexico and other Caribbean cities.   Ten U.S. airlines – American, Jet Blue, Alaska Airlines, Delta, Frontier, Silver Airways, Spirit, Southwest, Sun Country and United – now offer direct flights to Havana and other Cuban cities.  have not yet resumed, so the only options are charter flights from the U.S. or connecting flights through Mexico and other Caribbean countries. Copa, Jet Blue, Interjet, Aeromexico, and Cubana all offer flights to Havana.

2. VISA

You need a visa to enter Cuba but they’re easy to obtain. I got mine at the airport in Cancun for only $20.00. If you travel with a U.S. airline by charter, the airline will assist with handle your visa arrangements for an additional $50 to $100 80 to $90. Cuba Travel Services also offers a visa service for $85. You have to fill out a form declaring that your travel falls under one of the 12 authorized categories.

3. MONEY

US-based credit cards don’t yet work in Cuba so Americans have to pay cash for everything. Cuba has two official currencies – the convertible peso or CUC (pronounced “kook”), which is mostly used by foreigners, and the Cuban peso or CUP (also known as “moneda nacional”), which is mostly used by Cubans. The conversion between CUC and CUP is 1 CUC = 25 CUP. The CUC is pegged at par with the US Dollar (USD). But there is a 10% penalty (due to the US embargo) and a 3% service charge when exchanging USD to CUC, so effectively 1 USD = .87 CUC.  In order to avoid the 10 % penalty, some visitors exchange their USD to Euros before arriving.

Currency can be exchanged at banks or cadecas (exchange houses), but expect a wait because lines are usually long. Some hotels will also exchange currency (and you avoid the long lines). Make sure to request small bills because most people and businesses cannot make change for larger bills. Do not exchange money with strangers on the street, as some are known to peddle counterfeit bills.

4. WHERE TO STAY

If you want an authentic Cuban experience, staying at a Casa Particular (Casa for short) is the way to go. A Casa is a private family establishment that offers paid lodging, typically costing $20 to $75 per night. Breakfast may be included and many also offer lunch and dinner for an additional fee. I stayed in a private room with an amazing family that treated me like their daughter. I highly recommend it.

There are various types of Casas, including private rooms, apartments, or entire houses. Cuba Junky has a full list with photos and descriptions, and AirBnb also recently started to list Casas on its site.  If you prefer hotels, La Habana guide has a comprehensive list of hotels in Havana and surrounding suburbs.

5. WHERE TO EAT

Cuba is not a culinary haven, but you can find some good meals at both government-run and private restaurants (aka paladares). Two of my favorite paladares were Habana 61 and 304 O’Reilly, both of which share the same name as their address.  To eat on the cheap, try a government subsidized eatery or street food stall. Pizza, ham sandwiches, and a variety of fried fritters are popular fast food items.

6.  TRANSPORTATION

Havana is very easy to navigate on foot and walking is the best way to get oriented to the city. But if you choose not to walk, the Havana Hop On Hop Off bus is the cheapest and easiest way to see most of the city in a day, at only 5 CUC per person. The tour bus operates from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, on a half hour schedule. The bus often runs on Cuban time (in other words, late), so patience is needed. You can catch the bus at Parque Central in Old Havana.

Taxis are also a popular way to move about the city. There are several types, including bicycle taxis (aka bici-taxis), coco taxis, collectivos (shared taxis), and Cuba taxis. If you speak Spanish, you will have a huge advantage in hailing taxis. If not, be ready to negotiate and be sure to agree on a price before you enter the cab.

For inter-country travel, the Viazul bus is a good way to explore the island. Tickets can be purchased in advance via credit card on the Viazul website or in person at the bus station.  Even with an online reservation, you must arrive at the bus station at least one hour before departure to secure an actual ticket.  You should plan to buy tickets in advance, as popular locations often sell out.  The bus is notoriously cold (think meat freezer), so make sure to layer and bring a blanket.

7.  PHONE/INTERNET

Expect to be off the grid for most of your time in Cuba. Tourists cannot buy Sim cards for their cell phones, and thus far Verizon and Sprint are is the only US carriers to offer roaming. Another option is a world phone, but rates are pricey.

Tourists can access Wi-Fi by purchasing Wi-Fi cards at ETECSA offices or hotels. Wi-Fi is available only at certain hotels, which are easy to locate by the large groups of people standing outside on their cell phones. Wi-Fi can be spotty and slow, so don’t expect regular access.

8.  AFRO-CUBAN MUSIC/RELIGION

With roots in Afro Cuban religion, Rumba is synonymous with Cuba (Rumba can collectively refer to the music, dance, and party). One of the best places to see it is at Callejon de Hammel  in Centro Havana. Every Sunday from 12 to 3pm, there is a Rumba with music, dancing, singing and religious celebration. Both tourists and locals attend and it is non-stop action.  Arrive early to secure a good spot since it’s standing room only.

9. RUM

Cuba is home to two popular drinks – the Mojito and the Cuba Libre – both of which are made with rum. Havana Club and Santiago de Cuba are two popular Cuban rum brands and both are delicious and very reasonably priced. The Havana Club Museum in Havana offers tours and rum tastings for 7 CUC.

10. CIGARS

True cigar aficionados will want to visit the tobacco farms, cigar factories, and panoramic sights in Vinales. It’s only a 1.5 to 2 hour ride from Havana and can be easily done as a day or overnight trip. For those who want to stay put in Havana, you can still see cigars being hand-rolled at the Hostal Conde de Villanueva. They sell an unbranded house cigar, as well as Cohiba and other popular name brands.

Cigars are a big hustle in Cuba. People will constantly approach you on the street purporting to sell authentic cigars at a discount.  Buy at your own risk.  Another tourist shared a story of a friend who purchased a case of cigars from a street vendor, only to find they were dry rotted and full of insects when she got home.  Moral of the story – look before you buy.

11. TOILET PAPER

Cubans are experts at doing more with less. Most public locations have a bathroom attendant who rations out small pieces of toilet paper in exchange for coins (typically .25 or .30 CUC). But some places have nothing.  For the ladies, I recommend packing a roll of toilet paper in your luggage and carrying some in your purse, just in case.

12.  GIFTS

You may want to bring small gifts for Cubans who are especially friendly or helpful to you. Many Cubans don’t have easy access to items we take for granted, like memory sticks, lip balm, feminine products, and other toiletries.  Another popular item is gum (sugar-free is probably best).  Three separate times Cubans asked me if I had gum and I learned they don’t have it there anymore.  I gave a piece to an older man, who chewed and savored it like it was a piece of steak (as he reminisced on the old days when Cuba had American gum).  It was truly a lesson in learning to appreciate the small things.

Do you have any tips about Cuba? Please share them below.

The post 12 Things You Need to Know Before You Travel to Cuba (Legally) first appeared on The Travel Sista.

If you’re like most people, you plan your perfect trip overseas and go, never thinking about what would happen if you suffered serious injuries far from home. Many naively think their U.S. health insurance policy will cover them anywhere. In reality, only some U.S. policies cover serious injuries abroad and many cover no overseas medical treatment regardless of the nature of the injuries. So unless you have comprehensive travel insurance, you could be stuck with thousands of dollars in overseas medical bills. Even worse you could be trapped in a foreign country, unable to return home unless you can pay tens of thousands of dollars for your evacuation.

Sadly, some members of the Nomadness Travel Tribe suffered this very fate two weeks ago during a trip to Panama. Two travelers were killed and at least 15 others suffered serious injuries in a bus accident in Asturias, Panama. Because some of the travelers did not have travel insurance, fellow travelers and friends had to scramble to raise funds to cover medical evacuations, medical expenses and repatriation of remains for the injured and deceased travelers. (Repatriation of the deceased bodies alone was $10,000 each). Thankfully, they were able to raise in excess of $30,000 to help the families. But it was a stressful and draining experience, particularly since they were in a country where they did not share the same native language. If anything good came from this awful tragedy, it’s that more people now recognize the importance of having travel insurance.

What to Look Out For

My best advice is to thoroughly investigate the alternatives and find a policy that meets your needs (which may not always be the cheapest policy). You should pay special attention to the policy language; many contain limitations or exclusions which may not suit you, such pre-existing conditions, cruises, team sports, extreme or adventure sports (i.e., scuba diving or bungee jumping), and danger zones (disease or civil unrest). Likewise, some travel insurance policies only cover evacuation to the nearest hospital that can provide adequate care. If you’re traveling in a region with poor medical facilities and hospitals, that may be of concern since their definition of “adequate care” may differ from your own. Seek out a plan that covers medical repatriation (i.e., evacuation to a hospital of your choice in your home country). If you’re a frequent traveler, consider a multi-trip or annual plan rather than a single-trip plan; typically, there isn’t much cost difference. Finally, pay attention to the coverage levels. It defeats the purpose of having travel insurance if the coverage isn’t sufficient for a serious injury. Aim for a minimum of $250,000 for combined medical treatment and evacuation.

Your Options

Comprehensive travel insurance covers a variety of travel-related expenses, including medical treatment and medical evacuation, as well as trip interruption or cancellation,  baggage delay or loss, and accidental death or dismemberment. Some companies offer single-trip plans, like CSA, Travel Guard, Travelex, Roam Right, and Allianz.  Others like World First, Columbia Direct, iNext and GeoBlue offer annual multi-trip plans suitable for frequent travelers; these plans cover each trip you take during the year, up to a specified number of days (typically 30 days, but up to 70 days for GeoBlue). iNext caters to young, overseas travelers and offers a variety of supplemental and comprehensive travel insurance plans, including coverage for recreational, club or intramural sports which are excluded by some travel policies.

Medical transport companies offer annual individual and family membership plans. They provide coverage for domestic and global air medical transport and mortal remains transport, and some also cover security extractions for safety threats. But they don’t cover medical treatment, so if you’re abroad, you will likely need a supplemental travel policy to cover overseas medical expenses. Some prefer these medical transport plans because they will evacuate you to a home hospital of your choice, unlike many travel insurance plans. Popular companies include Medjet Assist, Airmed, On Call International, and Global Rescue.

Lastly, Adventure Sports Insurance plans provide extreme sports and adventure travel insurance for those who like to live on the edge.  Divers Alert Network, Adventure Sports Insurance and Sports Cover Direct offer coverage for various adventure and high risk sports. Since these activities are especially subject to policy exclusions and limitations, be sure to read your policy and know what coverage you have beforehand. No one likes to think of the worst, but it is best to be prepared for any situation.

As an aside, once you’ve secured your travel insurance, please complete these 3 equally important tasks: (1). Completely fill out the page in your passport concerning next of kin/contact; (2). Encourage your family members and loved ones to get passports on the off chance that they have to come overseas to get you in case of an emergency; and (3). If you’re a U.S. citizen or resident, sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (aka S.T.E.P.). This will help the U.S. embassy, as well as family and friends, get in touch with you in an emergency.

Now travel on and enjoy the world!

Do you buy travel insurance for your trips? Have you ever had to use it? Have you ever neglected to buy travel insurance and regretted it?  Please share your experiences below.

The post Why You Need to Buy Travel Insurance first appeared on The Travel Sista.

• Camera (don’t forget it – you’ll take tons of amazing photos)
• National flag (rep your country flag loud and proud)
• Waterproof Dry bags (to keep your camera, cell phone and/or tablet safe and dry)
• (7) Swimsuits (this will be you main daily attire, so bring one for each day)
• (1) White sundress or pants set (for the White party)
• (3) Sundresses (think dressy casual – no gymshoes, short shorts, tank tops, or mini-skirts are allowed at Hvar, so these will come in handy)
• (3) T-shirts or tank tops
• (3) Shorts
• Hat or visor (to protect your face and body – the sun can be brutal at mid-day)
• Beach towel
• Aqua shoes (for rocky beaches)
• Boat shoes or flip flops (choose one to wear on deck)
• Sandals (flat ones with rubber soles are best – leave the high heels at home)
• Team costume (the crazier, the better)
• Floats (to relax and have fun on the water)
• Props/Gadgets (e.g. blow up dolls, water balloons, super soakers, and solar lights – not required, but helps to make your boat stand out)
• Ear plugs (for light sleepers – expect loud music and talking on most nights)
• Eye mask (again for light sleepers)
• Toiletries (travel size everything, except bring slightly larger shampoo and conditioner – beach hair is the name of the game)
• Make-up (lip gloss, eyeliner and mascara is sufficient – leave the rest at home)
• Sunscreen
• Lip balm
• Dramamine (for sea sickness – you probably won’t need it, but better to have it than not)
• Aloe Vera (in case you get sun burned)
• First Aid kit (for the inevitable scratches, cuts and bruises)
• Music CDs  (since most of the boats don’t have Ipod or Iphone connections)
• Electric converter and adapter (needed to switch between U.S. 110 – 120v and Europe 220 – 240v, otherwise you may fry your electronics)
• Cell phone charger

This list includes everything you need for a fun week. Visit The Yacht Week website for more info or feel free to ask me any questions in the comments below.

Visit the Croatia photo gallery to see more pictures.

The post What to Pack for The Yacht Week first appeared on The Travel Sista.

2.  Get a Skipper. The Yacht Week charges an extra fee for a skipper. Unless you’re an avid boater and know how to sail, I highly suggest that you get one. Even if you can sail, I still recommend hiring a skipper. The Yacht Week is all about partying and having fun, and your week will be a lot less enjoyable (and less safe) if you decide to sail without one. The skipper fee is about $1,000 USD (at time of writing), plus your crew has to pay for all of his or her food for the week, but it’s a small price to pay for your safety. (You can also pay extra for a hostess to shop, clean, and cook for you. Unless you just really want to be served, you should pass on that option.)

3. Pack Light. There is very limited space on board, so this is not the time to bring half of your wardrobe. Leave the make-up and hair supplies at home too. You’ll mostly be wearing swimsuits so you only need a few additional outfits. Pack light and limit bags to one per person. Soft duffel bags are best because they’re easier to smash into tight closets. Click here for more details on what to pack.

4. Bring your National Flag. A highlight of The Yacht Week is seeing the various country flags flying on the yachts. Purchase your flag before the trip and don’t forget to bring it with you. If you have people of multiple nationalities on board, you should have a different country flag for each one. As a general rule, the national flag should be about one inch long for each foot of overall boat length. However, we chose a 2′ x 3′ U.S. flag and it worked fine.

5. Choose a Unique Team Costume.  On regatta day, all teams dress up in costumes and sail in a race to be first to return to the marina. The team with the most original costume also wins a prize. Some teams wear custom t-shirts with their team name imprinted on them. Others wear character costumes. (My team wore sexy lifeguard costumes). This is your time to shine, so be creative and choose something that will stand out.

6.  Bring Music and Floats. Much of your time will be spent on the boat listening to music or swimming in the sea. Buy floats on shore or bring one with you to relax and have fun in the sea “swimming pool”. Also, be sure to bring some CDs of your favorite music since many of the boats don’t have IPod connections.

7. Bring Waterproof Cases. Nothing will spoil your trip quicker than mistakenly dropping your camera, cell phone or Ipad into the water. Make sure to have waterproof cases to protect your electronics.

8. Establish a Kitty for Expenses. There are a variety of extra costs not included in your TYW yacht rental fee, like fuel, port fees, water, groceries, skipper meals, and tips. To lessen the potential for disputes, each crew member should contribute to a kitty which is controlled by one designated person. Plan for approximately $150-200 USD person for the week.

9. Make a Master Grocery List. You’ll need to shop for groceries just before you sail out and also refill at some point during the week. To ensure that everyone on board has food they like and are able to eat due to dietary restrictions, make a master grocery list with food choices from each person. The list should include food items for breakfast and lunch, plus plenty of snacks, fruits, and beer/alcohol. Also, don’t forget water, condiments, toilet tissue, napkins, trash bags, and disposable cups, plates, and silverware. Remember, there is limited space on board and the refrigerator is small, so don’t overbuy especially refrigerated items. Most likely you will eat breakfast and lunch on the yacht and go out for dinner at restaurants on shore.

10. Buy Travel Insurance. Your trip will be paid for months in advance of your departure, so in the event you have to cancel at the last minute, you could be out of a lot of money. A travel insurance policy which covers trip cancellation could reimburse those expenses. But hopefully you’ll actually make it on board the yacht and that won’t be an issue. Just know that a week of drinking, water, and crazy antics (like jumping off 40-foot cliffs) mix to create the potential for accidental injury. Some Yacht Weekers have been known to suffer broken bones or worse. Make sure your travel insurance covers overseas medical treatment and emergency evacuation. As they say, better safe, than sorry. Now go and have fun!

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The post Ten Tips to Make the Best of The Yacht Week first appeared on The Travel Sista.

1.  Mighty Travels – Blog post about extra-cheap Round-the-World tickets.  **Check fares ASAP as these are sure to sell out quickly.

2.  Flight Club – Blog post about cheap inter-country flights in Asia.  **Check fares ASAP as these are sure to sell out quickly.

3.  Tatenanje.com – List of affordable housing options around the globe

BONUS:

4.  Business Insider – Blog post about one couple earning money while traveling the world

If you luck up on any of these deals, please share below.

The post Happy Thanksgiving first appeared on The Travel Sista.

1.  Make Travel a Priority
We find a way to do things that are important to us. Travel is no exception. By making travel a priority, you’ll eliminate many of the common excuses which prevent you from hitting the road (i.e., travel is too expensive, I don’t know where to go, I don’t have time, etc). The Dalai Lama said it best – “Once a year, go some place you’ve never been before.”

The first step is choosing your travel destination. Tripadvisor.com is an excellent source for researching travel locales. It has a wealth of information about accommodations and things to do, and there are forums where travelers can ask questions, share tips, and give trip reports. Travel blogs are another good source of information; a basic Google search will reveal tons of them.  Once you’ve chosen a destination, investigate airfares, lodging, transportation, and other expenses. Total these costs, make a budget, and determine how much you need to save each month to reach your goal. Then create a travel fund and pay yourself first before paying other non-essential expenses.  This may require some sacrifice and self-discipline, but it will be worth it in the end.

3.  Use Credit Cards to earn Airline Miles and other Travel Rewards
Get a credit card (or two) that accrues airline miles, hotel points, or other travel rewards and use it for everything — groceries, utilities, and other daily expenses. The proviso, of course, is don’t spend more than you can afford to pay off each month. Frequent flyer miles and hotel points quickly accumulate and can be used for free airline tickets or hotel stays.  I recently flew to South Africa for free using miles accumulated over the course of several years, so it can be done (ticket value was $1,500).

The best credit card deals offer sign-up bonuses of 25,000 miles or more, enough for a free domestic ticket. Good options include: Barclays Arrival World Mastercard, American Express Premier Rewards Gold, Chase Sapphire Preferred, and Capital One Venture Rewards. Some cards offer the added bonus of no foreign transaction fees, which will save you a lot of money on international trips. If you have credit challenges or prefer not to use credit cards, Suntrust Bank offers Delta Airlines-affiliated personal and business debit cards (linked to a checking account) which earn miles for signature-based and PIN purchases. They include a 5,000 mile sign up bonus after your first purchase. However, they also require a minimum balance to avoid monthly service fees, so they may not be a good deal for everyone.

4.  Regularly Visit Travel Websites and Be Flexible on Dates and Locales
The internet has made it easy for anyone to research and book personal travel. If you’re flexible on dates and locations, you can find the best deals. Some of my favorite travel sites, like Travelzoo and AirfareWatchdog,  post weekly deals and send alerts for special fares; sign up to receive emails. Farecompare shows the top airfare deals from your closest airport. Kayak allows you to view the daily airfares for a destination, so you can select the cheapest days to travel (usually Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but not always). I like Skyscanner for international flights because it shows more domestic and international airlines. For hotel deals, I like Hotwire.com, Hotels.com and Venere.com (but you won’t accrue points for rooms booked on these sites, so you have to balance that against the cost savings).

5.  Use Alternative Travel Accommodations
My favorite travel accommodations are vacation rentals. You can find anything from basic rental apartments to luxury homes and vacation villas. In most cases, they’re cheaper than hotels and provide much more space. They have kitchen facilities, which allow you to cook and save on some meal costs, and many have pools and other amenities. They’re great for group or family trips. Unlike hotels, you’ll usually pay a non-refundable cleaning fee and a security deposit, which is fully refundable if there are no damages to the property. The best sites for finding vacation rentals are VRBO, Homeaway, Flipkey, and Airbnb.

Bed and Breakfasts, also known as B & B’s, are private homes or inns with rooms for overnight guests. Run by on-site owners or managers, the accommodations include breakfast in a common dining area. Bathroom facilities can be shared or en suite, depending on the property. This a great option for solo or adventurous travelers. You’ll meet other travelers (often from around the world) and the owner will be a good source of info about the local area and activities.

If you’re on a very tight budget and willing to stay in a stranger’s home, you can find free accommodations in every country on Couchsurfing.com. Couchsurfing is an online community of 7 million members who share their lives and homes for free with people from around the globe. It’s a cultural exchange of sorts, and setting up a profile is free and easy. Active users with referrals from other members will have the most success in finding a host. Even if you don’t use Couchsurfing for lodging, it’s still a good place to connect with and meet new friends in your home city or when you travel. Many cities have weekly language exchanges, parties, dinners and other activities.

Do you have some travel tips not listed here? Please add them below.

The post How You Can Afford to Travel the World first appeared on The Travel Sista.

Many people self drive and stay at public rest camps inside the park, both to save money and to have a different experience. The rooms aren’t fancy, but frankly you won’t spend a lot time there anyway — the real action is in the bush. The bigger camps have restaurants and supermarkets, so you can eat on-site or bring food along with you on your drives. I recommend using a 2 x 4 or 4 x 4 vehicle, because the higher profile will allow for better wildlife sightings. Some of the camps even offer early morning and night drives conducted by Kruger Park staff in open trucks. It is quite easy to schedule yourself, but it may require more planning since rooms book up well in advance. Visit the SANParks website for information on amenities and facilities at each camp. Another option is to stay in lodging near the park and drive in each day, though that may be more time-consuming. There are several guest houses, hotels and B&Bs in the nearby vicinity. Visit sa-venues.com for more information and pricing.

If you prefer not to self drive, guided day safari drives or budget lodges are other affordable options (the word “budget” is relative, because most are still quite nice). Companies like Nhongo Safaris and Wild Wings Safaris offer guided, open-truck day drives and safari/accommodation packages. Although both offer camp lodging, Wild Wings Safaris also offers several budget lodges with rates as low as $200 USD per person, per night, including safari drives, food, and non-alcoholic drinks; rates may be even lower during low season. Their website is an excellent source of information for researching affordable game lodges and safari options (though you should compare prices with the direct lodge or camp website before booking).

For the more adventurous types, walking safaris or a meal in the bush might be a fun option. Companies like Wild Frontier Adventures offer morning bush walks  and night drives with three-course braais (BBQs) in the bush.  While the thought of walking through the bush or eating dinner at night surrounded by wild animals may seem scary at first, it really is a magical, once in a lifetime experience you shouldn’t miss. (If it’s any consolation, your expert guide will be trained to deal with wild animal encounters and will also carry a rifle for the rare emergency situation).  I look forward to going back on safari now that I know the ropes.  With current exchange rates at 1 U.S. Dollar to 10 South African Rand, there’s no better time to go.

Do you have any tips for finding affordable African safaris?  Please share below.

The post How to Safari in Africa on a Budget first appeared on The Travel Sista.

1.  “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine

2.  “We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” – Jawaharial Nehru

3.  “A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” – Lao Tzu

4.  “There is no moment of delight in any pilgrimage like the beginning of it.” Charles Dudley Warner

5.  “Once a year, go some place you’ve never been before.” Dalai Lama

6.  “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

7.  “Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam Beard

8.  “Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.” – Pat Conroy

9.  “Travel has a way of stretching the mind. The stretch comes not from travel’s immediate rewards, the inevitable myriad new sights, smells and sounds, but with experiencing firsthand how others do differently what we believed to be the right and only way.” – Ralph Crawshaw

10.  “To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.” – Aldous Huxley

11.  “When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable.” – Clifton Fadiman

12.  “If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.” – James Michener

13.  “Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” – Scott Cameron

14.  “If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness and fears.” – Cesare Pavese

15.  “Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.” – Maya Angelou

16.  “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”– Mark Twain

17.  “There is no happiness for the person who does not travel. For Indra is the friend of the traveler, therefore wander!” – Brähmann

18.  “One of the great things about travel is that you find out how many good, kind people there are.” — Edith Wharton

19.  “We must go beyond textbooks, go out into the bypaths and untrodden depths of the wilderness and travel and explore and tell the world the glories of our journey.” – John Hope Franklin

20. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

BONUS:  “No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” – Lin Yutang

Which travel quote is your favorite?  Why?  Leave your comment below

The post My Top 20 Inspiring Travel Quotes first appeared on The Travel Sista.