Get Ready for some FOMO! Here are some final updates on TravelCon

POSTED: 8/8/18 | August 8th, 2018

TravelCon is just about one month away! I can’t believe it! Where did the time go? This time last year, I was brainstorming the event and now here it is!

For a long time, I’ve dreamed of putting on a conference that is less about “getting free trips to travel the world” and more about quality writing, branding, entrepreneurship, SEO, marketing, video production, and product creation — the things that help create a lasting business that delivers value to people and stands the test of time.

I love the web, but in-person events are ten times better for learning and networking. There’s something about meeting another person that bonds you so much more than following their lives on social media or via their blog posts. Face to face connections is where you can make the most lasting connections and relationships — I’ve met some of my best friends, coworkers, and mentors at conferences.

I don’t think my blog would be nearly as big as it is today had I not stepped away from my computer and started attending conferences and events in real life. Now I go to 7-10 conferences each year to meet people, improve my website, and learn new skills.

And that brings me back to TravelCon….

For those in the travel industry — or those who want to be, I want to share some final updates about the event:

With a month left to go, we have:

1. Finalized our schedule.
2. Our meet-ups and parties.
3. Our media marketplace.
3. Our speakers.

We have 600 attendees and 25 brands attending our marketplace where you can schedule meetings to make introductions and work on creating deals.

We’re going to have some really in-depth workshops and talks on how to improve your blog, vlog, photography, podcast, and writing. (You can click here to see the schedule.)

We also finalized our speaker list. We have a who’s who of over 70 of the best speakers in (and outside) travel:

Kristin Addis

Be My Travel Muse

Lola Akinmade

Geotraveler Media

Glory Ali

Muslim Travel Rock

Gloria Atanmo

The Blog Abroad

Marko and Alex Ayling

Vagabrothers

Alex Baackes

Alex in Wanderland

Derek Baron

Wandering Earl

Nathan Barry

ConvertKit

James Boyd

Singapore Airlines

Paul Brady

Condé Nast Traveler

Kara & Nate Buchanan

Kara and Nate

Carol Cain

Girl Gone Travel

Liz Carlson

Young Adventuress

Edin Chavez

Shut Your Aperture

Chris Christensen

Amateur Traveler Podcast

Jason Cochran

Frommers

Dave & Deb

The Planet D

Brian Dean

Backlinko

Torre DeRoche

Writer, Love With a
Chance of Drowning

Julia Dimon

Freelance Writer

David Farley

Freelance Writer

Pat Flynn

Smart Passive Income

Rachel Friedman

The Good Girls Guide to
Getting Lost

Paula Froelich

A Broad Abroad

Brendan Gahan

Epic Signal

Lebawit Lily Girma

Sunshine and Stilettos

Stephanie Griest

Writer, Around the Bloc

Adam Groffman

Travels of Adam

Matt Gross

Freelance Writer

Pete & Dalene

Hecktic Travels

Dani Heinrich

Globetrotter Girls

Spud Hilton

The San Francisco Chronicle

Ryan Holiday

Writer, Ego is the Enemy

Rob Holmes

GLP Films

Raimee Iacofano

Nomadic Matt

Steve Kamb

Nerd Fitness

Anna Karsten

Anna Everywhere

Matthew Karsten

Expert Vagabond

Peep Laja

ConversionXL

Cory Lee

Curb Free with Cory Lee

Gary Leff

View From the Wing

Kristin Luna

Camels & Chocolate

Jaume Marin

Costa Brava Tourism

Liam Martin

Staff.com

Colleen McDaniel

Cruise Critic

Neville Medhora

KopywritingKourse

Chris Mercer

MeasurementMarketing.io

Ben Mutzabaugh

USA TODAY

Ankur Nagpal

Teachable

Elena Nikolova

Muslim Travel Girl

Laurence Norah

Finding the Universe

Dan & Audrey

Uncornered Market

Stephen Oddo

Walks of Italy

Shannon O’Donnell

A Little Adrift

Chris Oldfield

Nomadic Matt

Cailin O’Neil

TravelYourself

Angie Orth

Angie Away

Sam Parr

The Hustle

Jack Paxton

VYPER

Rolf Potts

Vagabonding

Erick Prince

Minority Nomad

Mari Ramirez

CPA

Oneika Raymond

Oneika the Traveller

Carmela Resuma

FLYTE

Kiersten Rich

The Blonde Abroad

Chris Richardson

Nomadic Matt

Annette Richmond

From Annette

Kara Rosner

Diamond PR

Helen Russell

The Year of Living Danishly

Dan Saltzstein

The New York Times

Patricia Serrano

Fresh Traveler

Travis Sherry

Extra Pack of Peanuts

Ryan Stewart

SEO Consultant

Claudi Sult

GreenMe Berlin

Thomas Swick

Writer, Unquiet Days

Nadine Sykora

Hey Nadine

Mike Tieso

Art of Adventuring

Christine Tran

Tour de Lust

Brent Underwood

Brass Check

Chris Vasquez

AWeber

Erica Virvo

Nomadic Matt/FLYTE

Ryan Whaley

Greendoor Media

Ernest White II

FlyBrother

Amanda Williams

A Dangerous Business

Since we will have beginner and advanced sessions, there will be tracks and tips for people at all levels of success. I believe the best conferences have people of varying skill levels, so everyone can interact and learn from each other. For too long, travel media conferences have been only geared toward newbies. This conference is really about leveling up and moving to the next stage of your journey. All our talks are going to have actionable takeaways for you!

We’ll be having a media marketplace featuring the following brands where you’ll be able to make appointments and find ways to work together with them:

(Additionally, Visit Pheonix, Get Your Guide, and Landmass Maps will be attending our final marketplace day!)

Considering this is our first year, I’m stoked at the turnout and reception we’ve received!

If you’re interested in stepping up your game, being more than just another struggling influencer, and connecting with your peers and some of the top names and brands in the industry, join us!

We have about 20 last minute tickets left.

Just click here to learn more and secure your spot.

However, if you can’t make the event, we’re offering a virtual ticket. I get that we are all travelers and it’s hard to fly to the middle of the United States for a conference.

We are going to record all our panels, presentations, and keynotes (photo walks and writing workshops not included). Each will be posted online so you’ll be able to watch them from the comfort of your home on any device. Additionally, any PowerPoints or presentation materials that are given out will also be posted online. Everything will go online a few weeks after the event ends.

Though you’ll miss out on all the networking and fun parties (and even cooler people), you’ll get all the educational benefit of the conference, so you can improve your business and boost your career in the travel industry. Self-educating is one of the best ways to do that and create a sustainable platform that pays your bills. Don’t miss out!

The virtual ticket is $149 and can be purchased by clicking here.

**** So come and attend TravelCon, learn from the best in the industry, and meet other wonderful travel professionals.

Or, if you can’t make it, get the virtual ticket — and make plans to attend next year!

(And, for everyone else, this is the last update I’ll post before the event, so we’ll be back to travel tips soon enough!)

– Matt

The post Get Ready for some FOMO! Here are some final updates on TravelCon appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

August 05, 2018 at 07:52PM

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The Saturday City: Bangkok, Thailand

Updated: 8/3/2018 | August 3rd, 2018

Chaos. Crowds. Delicious food. Cheap clothes. Wild nightlife.

Bangkok has it all.

The city was founded after the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767. The new king, Taksin, established a capital in an area that was then called Thonburi. When Taksin’s reign ended in 1782, King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke reconstructed the capital on the east bank of the river and gave the city a very long ceremonial name which became shortened to its current official name, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, the City of Angels. Over the centuries, the city has grown into the metropolis it is today.

When I first visit Bangkok, I didn’t like the city. I couldn’t wait to get out. When I first came to Bangkok, I couldn’t wait to leave. Despite it being a large city, there just didn’t seem to be much “to do” or see. There were a plethora of temples, the Grand Palace, and some malls, but after two days, I was ready to leave and never return. In 2007, I spent one night in the backpacker area of Khao San Road and then left for the beaches.

I’m not alone in that opinion. Over the years, I’ve met many people who feel the same way.

Bangkok is one of those love or hate cities.

Few, if any, have mixed opinions about it. Bangkok is a shock to the senses.

But, after finding myself there with a job and spending time there, I’ve come to realize Bangkok is a great place. There’s a lot to do there.

Bangkok is like an onion. There are many, many layers to it.

And the best ones aren’t found on the surface.

I was looking for touristy stuff in a city that lacked touristy stuff. It wasn’t until I decided to learn Thai that I found myself on an extended stay in the city. And the longer I stayed in Bangkok, the more the city opened up and I realized that there’s always something to do here. What Bangkok has to offer is excitement, food, and nightlife.

If you’re heading to Bangkok and want to ensure you get your trip started on the right foot, here are some suggested activities that will help you peel back those layers:

• See the Grand Palace – The palace is the official residence of the current monarch (though it is just used for official ceremonies). Check out Wat Pra Kaeo, which houses the 15th century Emerald Buddha, tons of temples, statues, and beautiful reliefs. It costs 500 THB to enter the Grand Palace.
• Visit Jim Thompson House – Jim Thompson was a former American spy and silk merchant in Thailand during the 1950s and 1960s. He built his traditionally Thai home in Bangkok and decorated it with beautiful teak wood. He vanished mysteriously in 1967 but now his house is now a monument to traditional Thai architecture. Proceeds from the entrance fee go to help orphaned children.
• Explore Wat Arun and Wat Pho — Head to Wat Po to see the famous golden reclining Buddha statue. It costs 100 THB to enter Wat Po. Wat Arun is a gorgeous Buddhist temple on the Chao Phraya River opposite the Grand Palace. It has one main spire and four small ones and is so iconic you’ll find it on Thai money. From the top of the main spire, you get to see stunning sweeping views of
• Go shopping at the Chatuchak Weekend Market or Rot Fai Night Market – The weekend market is an ideal place to buy anything and everything. This football-stadium-sized marketplace offers the best place to get gifts, find knock-offs, barter, or have some good food. Definitely come here on a Saturday or Sunday to shop around! Rot Fai Market (or Train Market) is an authentic open-air bazaar selling an array of vintage collectibles and memorabilia, from antique furniture to hippy fashion and Mao kitsch. The Train Night Market is absolutely one of the coolest markets in Bangkok. Open at night on Thursday through Sunday.
• Watch a Muay Thai fight at Lumpinee Stadium — This stadium just moved to its new home on Ramintra Road and can hold up to 8,000 spectators. If you want to see a Muay Thai fight in the city, this is the place to go. Fight nights are Tue, Fri, and Sat at 6pm. Ticket prices are from 1,600 baht.
• Go on a day trip to Kanchanaburi or Ayutthaya — Kanchanaburi is famous for the “Bridge over the River Kwai” from WWII. This town has a monument honoring those who lost their lives, tons of historical sites, the beautiful river, Erawan National Park and its cascading aqua-colored waterfalls, the Kanchanaburi Elephant Nature Park where you can feed and bathe elephants, and the town itself. Ayutthaya is the old capital from Thailand’s peak kingdom days, which is home to the summer palace and tons of breathtakingly unique temple ruins. It’s a dusty old town. Since it is so close to Bangkok, it’s a very popular day trip destination for tours. Lots of companies offer trips but it’s so easy to get to, I would simply go on your own by train.

(For more in-depth details on these you can check out my free destination guide to Bangkok.)

At first glance, Bangkok doesn’t look like much. It’s crowded. There’s pollution. The traffic is an eternal snarl.

This is something travelers do often. We make sweeping judgments about places by the limited interactions we have with locals, the weather, or some little mishap that happened. We see a sliver of life and create a gospel about it. On the road, you often here people say things like “The French are rude” or “I was in that city. It’s boring there’s nothing to do.”

But could an entire people be rude? And maybe it was the person’s actions that got a rude response? Or maybe they are boring and don’t really know the city? Maybe they just missed something?

There are a million factors that can make or break a place. I hated LA until I really got to know it. To me, as a tourist, it was difficult to get around and I felt like there was little to do. But the more I visited, the more I realized there was a lot to do. There just isn’t a lot of tourist things to do.

Living in Bangkok taught me I had made sweeping judgments based on limited experience. That I had hated a city for the mere glimpse at it and that I really knew nothing at all.

Look beyond your first impressions of Bangkok, and you’ll find one of the most exciting and vibrant cities in the world.

Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to Bangkok!

My detailed, 80-page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guidebooks and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel and save money while in Bangkok, a city I used to call home (so I know it really well!). You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, and much more!! Click here to learn more and get started!

Book Your Trip to Bangkok: Logistical Tips and Tricks

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

Book Your Accommodation
If you’re looking for a hostel in Bangkok, I recommend Chada Guesthouse, Mad Monkey Hostel, or Green House Hostel. 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 Bangkok?
Be sure to visit our robust Bangkok destination guide for even more planning tips!

The post The Saturday City: Bangkok, Thailand appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

August 04, 2018 at 12:05AM

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How to Spend Four Days in Prague

Updated: 8/7/2018 | August 7th, 2018

Prague is a destination that always seems to be in vogue. It’s been on the tourist map for decades and the crowds show no signs of abating, especially as it becomes a center for digital nomads and tech workers.

Prague is a gorgeous, well-preserved medieval city coupled with a rich history, expansive parks, Vegas-style nightlife, and a hint of romance. The city holds a special place in my heart: it was the first city I backpacked through on my round-the-world trip in 2006. It was where I stayed at my first genuine hostel, the first place I was on my own, and the first place I went to where signs weren’t in English. I grew as a traveler in this city.

I’ve been back over a dozen times since that first visit. Over the years, a lot has changed — there are more tourists, prices are higher, the food is more international, and more foreigners live in the city. But the city’s essence — all the cliché stuff (cobblestone streets, quaint medieval houses, incredible charm) that makes Prague….well, Prague — is still there.

Today’s blog post puts the best Prague has to offer into a manageable four-day itinerary. If you are looking for a way to organize your trip, this itinerary will help you do so by teaching you what to see and do in Prague!

What to do in Prague: Day 1

Take a free walking tour
Walking tours are a smart way to orient yourself to a new city, learn some history, and hear about the main attractions. There are a TON of free walking tours in Prague, so you’ll have plenty of options. All the tour companies meet near the astronomical clock in the Old Town Square at 10 a.m. and last about three hours. They will give you an overview of the main sites like the Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, the Jewish Quarter, and more.

My favorite company is New Europe. They operate free tours around Europe and tend to have upbeat guides and lots of historically accurate information. Free Tours by Foot is another great option for free tours in Prague.

If you are looking for a paid tour, check out Prague Alternative Tours which run amazing alternative art and history tours throughout the city. I highly recommend them. They are run by local artists.

Visit Prague Castle

The famous Prague Castle is the next logical place to visit since all the walking tours end near this popular sight. The castle, which lords over the city, consists of multiple sections: St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, The Story of Prague Castle, St. George’s Basilica, Golden Lane with Daliborka Tower, the Powder Tower, and Rosenberg Palace. You can buy a ticket to any or all of these sights from the box office. The most famous structure is St. Vitus Cathedral — this is the large building you see when you look up at the castle from outside the city walls.

119 08 Prague 1, +420 224 373 368, hrad.cz. The castle is open daily from 6am-10pm. Tickets range from 70-350 CZK, with discounts available.

Walk around Petrín Park

Petrín Park is the city’s biggest and most beautiful park, with sweeping views of Prague. You’ll find a garden, a maze, and a lookout tower that looks like the Eiffel Tower. You can climb the 299 steps to the top of the tower and get an awesome view of Prague (on a clear day, you can see the Czech Republic’s highest pea, Snezka, some 150km away). What I love about this expansive park is how easy it is to get lost among the trees. Paths meander throughout, and it’s a relaxing contrast to the crowds of the historic center. Keep in mind that this park is on a big hill and walking to the top can be strenuous. There is a funicular that can take you down (and up) the hill if you don’t feel like making the trek.

Petrínské sady 417/5. The park is open 24 hours and admission is free.

Visit the John Lennon Wall

After Petrín Park, head down towards Kampa, a neighborhood by the river, and visit the John Lennon Wall. Toward the end of Communism in the 1980s, students started writing John Lennon lyrics on this wall as a way to air their grievances. Today, the wall represents love and peace. Tourists are allowed to write or paint on it too.

Velkoprevorské námestí. The wall is free to visit anytime.

Relax on the waterfront
It’s been a long day, so relax in Kampa with a satiating drink, some food, or a coffee. There are a number of appealing restaurants and cafés in the area. To get here, just keep walking toward the river from the John Lennon Wall. You’ll cross a little bridge and there you are! You’ll find lots of places to eat, sit, and relax, and when you’re done you can walk across the famous Charles Bridge back toward the city center.

Suggested restaurant: Kampa Park Restaurant, Na Kampe 8b, Lesser Town, +420 296 826 102, kampagroup.com.

What to do in Prague: Day 2

Explore the Old Town Square

Though you got an overview of the Old Town Square during your walking tour, today you can savor the square’s attractions in detail. Some of the highlights include:

• Hanging out in the square — The people-watching is unbeatable as tourists, families, students, and touts pass through the square. Sit on one of the benches, eat a sandwich, and enjoy! Moreover, there are a number of talented musicians — ranging from jazz musicians to Scottish bagpipe players, and everything in between — that perform in the square.
• Astronomical Clock — Watch the most overhyped attraction in all of Prague! While the hourly chime that people line up for is anticlimactic, the detail and artistry of the clock make it one of the most beautiful in Europe.
• Visit the churches — The beautiful Tyn and St. Nicholas churches ring the square. St. Nicholas is open all day, but Tyn is only open in the mornings and late afternoons.
• Explore the catacombs — Under the Old Town Hall, you’ll find a series of catacombs worth exploring. They were the first level of the medieval houses that used to be in the square. Now, they are an exhibit (enter through the tourism office) showcasing medieval life.

Staromestské nám. +420 221 714 444, prague.eu/en.

Explore the Jewish Quarter

The Jewish Quarter in Prague is located between the Old Town Square and the Vltava River and has six synagogues, a Jewish Ceremonial Hall, and the Old Jewish Cemetery. It is one of the most popular attractions in Prague. Hitler saved it from Nazi destruction because he wanted to make the area a museum to the lost Jewish race. Now, the museums, synagogues, and historic graveyard in the area honor the history of what was one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe. 

Explore Letenské sady (Letná Park)

This park, across the river from the Jewish Quarter, features several walking trails, a café, and expansive views of the city. You’ll see a lot of art students painting the cityscape. Crossover to Chotkovy sady for beautiful gardens and rear views of the Prague Castle. It’s quiet, with secluded paths that make for an intimate romantic stroll. 

170 00 Praha 7. The park is open 24 hours and admission is free.

Take an underground Prague tour
Prague Underground Tours runs an underground tour of the medieval houses in the city center. There are many “catacombs” in Prague, which are basically the first couple of levels of old houses as Prague has risen on the rumble of many buildings over the centuries. This tour may be short but it provides a detailed history about medieval Prague and is super interesting!

Malé nám 459/11, +420 777 172 177, prague-underground-tours.com. The tour costs 410 CZK and lasts about 70 minutes.

What to do in Prague: Day 3

Take a day trip to Kutná Hora

Kutná Hora was an important center for silver mining in medieval Bohemia. It helped keep the kings of Prague rich. Now the town is famous for its creepy bone church, Sedlec Ossuary, which contains 40,000-70,000 bones. Since the church takes only about 15 minutes to see, head into the historic city center to see some of Kutná Hora’s other attractions, including marvelous medieval churches, overlooks, well-preserved streets, and a large town square. It’s a small and quiet town that feels like Prague without the crowds. You can take a tour or travel to Kutna Hora on your own.

Trains for Kutná Hora leave the Prague main train station every two hours in the morning and the journey takes about an hour. It costs around 100 CZK.

What to do in Prague: Day 4

Explore Vyšehrad

While Prague Castle gets all the love, Vyšehrad, located in the southern part of the city, was also one of the original castles of the kings of Prague. It was built around the 10th century and contains Prague’s oldest surviving building, the Rotunda of St Martin. Few tourists ever come here, so you’ll get the castle and its views of Prague to yourself. It also offers good upriver views of the city.

V Pevnosti 159/5b, Praha 2, +420 241 410 348, praha-vysehrad.cz. Open 9:30am-5pm (6pm during the tourist season). Guided tours cost 120 CZK.

Walk up the river back into town
From the castle, you can take a nice walk along the river back into the center of town. There are walking and bikes paths as well as places to stop, sit, and maybe read a book. It’s mostly locals around here, despite it being about 20 minutes from the city center.

Visit the Powder Tower

Back in town, be sure to check out this medieval tower, one of the original 13 city gates. Construction began in 1475 and, during the 17th century, the tower used to store gunpowder. It was heavily damaged in 1757 and most of the sculptures on it were replaced in 1876. 

Namesti Republiky, 5, Stare Mesto, +420 725 847 875, muzeumprahy.cz/prasna-brana. Open daily from 10am-10pm. Admission 100 CZK, with discounts available.

Wander the streets of Prague

Prague is a stunningly beautiful and historic city. Meander its winding streets. Find random restaurants, markets, and churches. Sit and watch the people go by. Get happily lost and find your own offbeat attractions and things to do while you’re here! Travel is, after all, an act of discovery!

Other Activities to see and do while in Prague:

• Take in a concert — Prague is famous for its classical music and there are concert halls throughout the city. They perform nightly shows of classical piano and singing and you’ll find people selling tickets throughout the city.
• Visit the Franz Kafka Museum — Love Kafka? Great! Then you’ll know Kaftka was from Prague. There is a museum dedicated to his life and work here on the banks of the river. Cihelná 635/2b, +420 257 535 373, kafkamuseum.cz.
• Visit the National Monument at Vitkov Park — This hill has played an important role in the development of the city and has a gigantic statue of Jan Žižka, who defeated the Catholic King Sigismund and his forces in 1420 on this very hill! You’ll also find the Ceremonial Hall here, which has an exhibit on the history of the country during the 20th century (it’s really good and detailed) and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The high vantage point gives you incredible views of the city and the park is popular for running.

Suggested Places to Eat in Prague:

• Country Life — Cheap vegetarian buffet that offers travelers great value for their money.
• VinoGraf — Off-the-beaten-path wine bar serving only Czech wines. Its small, candlelight setting is also a good date spot.
• U Medvídku — Traditional Czech food with delicious soup and goulash. They also brew their own beer.
• Las Adelitas — Delicious and authentic Mexican food for those with a fiery palate, the best I’ve found in continental Europe.
• Prague Beer Museum — Despite its cheesy name, this place has a wide selection of beer and good food with large portions.

***

Prague has been one of my favorite cities in the world since I first visited in 2006. Though there is a constant mass of tourists, Prague’s magnificence will always make this touristy city one worth visiting. And, hopefully, this itinerary will help you decide what to see and do during your visit to Prague.

Book Your Trip to Prague: Logistical Tips and Tricks

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

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel in Prague 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 Prague?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Europe for even more planning tips!

The post How to Spend Four Days in Prague appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

August 07, 2018 at 03:00PM

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by IHholiday Travel trip