archives: How To

How to Choose a Writers’ Group

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JoAnna Haugen offers practical advice on finding the writer's group that is perfect for you.  More »

How to Write a Letter

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There is something about a handwritten letter that cannot be touched for all of our technical prowess. The tactile sensation of the paper. The swirl o  More »

How to Write Better By Exercising Your Observation Skills

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How to deepen your ability to find and tell stories by strengthening your skills in observing the interactions between people. 3 exercises.   More »

How to Eat for Free at Hostels

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There was a sign, after all, warning, “Food not marked with name and date WILL BE EATEN.” It was our civic duty to enforce the rules.   More »

How to Back Up Google Docs

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Taking for granted that Google will always be there might be a huge mistake.  More »

How to Buy, Set Up, and Sleep in a Hammock

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For traveling in warm climates, a hammock is the way to go. There's no cheaper, lighter, more comfortable and useful piece of gear. Here’s everythin  More »

How to Avoid Being an Ugly American Tourist

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"The people who have allowed you into their country aren’t props in some little game you have in your mind."  More »

How to Tell Your Family You’re Leaving for a Year to go Travel

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Finally reaching the decision to go abroad for an extended time can be hard enough, and then you have to tell your friends and family. . .   More »

How to Get the Most Out of a Bus Tour (If You Hate Bus Tours)

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Some people see the tour bus as a rolling retirement home. But what if you have to take the tour bus?  More »

8 Ways To Manage Pre-Trip Anxiety

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Planning for travel can be super stressful. The key is pre-planning and keeping things in perspective.   More »

A Way of Seeing: How to Travel at Home

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"Travel should not merely be the act of getting way the hell out there into the Himalayas or hitchhiking your way across Borneo."  More »

The Mind of a Thief: How to Protect Yourself While Traveling

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Understanding the mindset of a thief may be the single best way to avoid getting victimized.   More »

A Quick Guide to House Swaps and House Rentals

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Great tips on how to base your next travel experience around a house rental or house swap.   More »

How to Travel Around the World Without Flying

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At a time when jet fuel is guzzled like water, some folks are choosing to travel in "slow motion." Here's how you can too.   More »

How to Move to Paris with No Money

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This is for Americans with insufficient funds, but with that special brand of luck crossed with tenacity and patience.  More »

How to Haggle Your Way Across Southeast Asia

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If you have a foreign face and need or want something, someone will try to take advantage of you at some point  More »

Avoid the Classic Dumbass Move and Stay Alive This Winter

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Familiarity with a certain terrain or activity can breed nonchalance, which can be deadly in the wilderness.  More »

How to Plan for Medical Emergencies Before Traveling

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Having a plan is key to ensuring your well-being while traveling abroad.  More »

Geocaching 101: Introduction to a 21st Century Sport

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Geocaching couldn't exist without cutting-edge, satellite-based positioning technology. But at the same time, it's centered on an activity as old as o  More »

How to Drink Mate

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From various South American customs to curing your own gourd, here's a quick guide for drinking Mate.   More »

How to Deal with Haters

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"I usually just smirk and laugh at anyone hating on me because I am American, but now and again you have to put the smack down."  More »

6 Tips for Buying Traditional Textiles This Holiday Season

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For holiday mementos that are lightweight, easy to pack, heirloom quality and distinctive, consider traditional textiles.  More »

How to Move to the US Once Obama is President

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Now that Obama is President-Elect, you might be considering a move to the US. Here's how.   More »

How to Choose a Touring Bicycle

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From frames to components, here's a comprehensive guide to setting up the ultimate touring bicycle.   More »

10 Ways to Pimp Your Journal for Less than $5

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There's something about a physical journal—putting ink to paper—that’s more intimate than a blog.  More »

How To Travel The World By Crewing On Yachts

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The best yachts are other people's yachts.  More »

How to Keep Sober While Traveling

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For alcoholics, travel can be excruciating. Here are 11 tips for making it easier to stay sober.   More »

How to Take the Bus in London

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The bus is a great alternative to the underground in London. You just have to know how to best use it.  More »

10 Ways to Improve Your Couchsurfing Odds

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Although the number of surfers grows exponentially, hosts must be particular when choosing who to allow in their homes.  More »

How to Move to Canada if McCain Wins the Election

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Enter the four horsemen, one of whom bears a striking resemblance to Karl Rove, and Obama doesn’t win the election. Now what?  More »

How to Protect Yourself From Vampires Around the World

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This Halloween, learn how travelers can ward off the evil undead.   More »

How to Survive an Avalanche

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Avalanches kill numerous people every year, but the danger can be lessened with knowledge and training.   More »

How to Pack as Much as You Want into Your Carry-On Bag

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With a creative use of space (think superman) your can fit everything for a 5 day trip into your carry on.   More »

13 Tips for Safer Travel in Tough Times

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When times are tough, travelers make easy targets for criminals.  More »

How to Take the Bus in NYC

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NYC has lots of public transportation options. Alexis Wolff teaches you about taking the bus.   More »

Guilt-Free Air Travel: A Guide to Carbon Neutral Flying

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A simple choice with minimal cost can go a long way.  More »

How to Get a Knockout Soundtrack for Your Travel Film

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The right soundtrack can make your travel film compelling and dynamic.   More »

How to Fund Your Travels Playing Online Poker

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Need to raise money to travel the world? Online poker might be the ace up your sleeve.  More »

21 Ways to Save Money on the Road and Extend Your Travels

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Follow these guidelines to make your trip last longer.   More »

How to Make Travel Look Good on a Resume

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Turn your travel adventures into an edge over competitors in your job search.   More »

Emergency Travel Medicine: 5 Useful Remedies from Easily Found Ingredients

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Remember these next time you're stuck without a pharmacy.  More »

How to Handle Getting a Visa When You’re Already Abroad: 6 Tips

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Everyone has heard horror stories about this. Avoid a nightmare scenario with careful preparation.   More »

31 Travel Scholarships, Fellowships, and Grants to Fund Your Next Trip Abroad

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Don't let money dictate your travels. Find the funding through these grants, fellowships, and scholarships.   More »

How to Become a Canal Boat Captain in Europe

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Ever wanted to try steering 50 tons of steel (and dozens of partying passengers) down a narrow European canal?   More »

Easy Riding: How to Travel by Motorcycle and Escape the Crowds

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The why, where, and how of jumping on a motorcycle, twisting the throttle, and escaping.  More »

How to Produce Great Podcasts Part 3: Content and Tone

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Learn tips and tricks on content and tone plus stylistic guidelines for submitting your podcast to the Matador network and beyond.  More »

How to Become a Backpack Filmmaker

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Being paid to travel with your camera sounds great, but what's the reality of travel filmmaking? How do you get started, and can you make money doing  More »

How to Produce Great Podcasts Part 2: Polishing Audio Files

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Use these recording tricks and free software to optimize your podcasts.  More »

Five Rules for Recognizing and Avoiding Travel Scams

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Protect yourself while you're on the road ...  More »

How to Get an EU Work Permit

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Unsure if you can legally work in Europe? This guide tells you exactly what you need to do.   More »

How To Produce Great Podcasts, Pt 1: Hardware and Software

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Exactly what you need to get started podcasting.   More »

How To Find Paying Work While Traveling in Europe

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The who, what, where, when, and how for travelers wanting to find work in Europe either short or long-term.  More »

How To Stop Paying for Gas and Run on Free Vegetable Oil in 8 Easy Steps

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Don't just complain about gas prices. Do something about it.   More »

How To Travel The World For Free (Seriously)

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World travel can be much cheaper and far less stressful than a normal American lifestyle.  More »

How To Drink Wine Like A Pro

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If you've ever felt out of place in fancy wine bars or cellars around the world, this is the podcast for you.  More »

How to Haggle

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Marketplaces can be intimidating. Learn to bargain with confidence and you won't lose out on key cultural (and monetary) transactions.  More »

How to Get Off Grid in a Vintage Travel Trailer

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Misty Tosh pimps out a vintage travel trailer and goes large on the coast of Baja.  More »

How to Travel To and From Cuba

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Matador’s Cuba Expert, Julie Schwietert, gives you all the planning tools you’ll need for getting to and from Cuba.  More »

How to Travel by Cargo Ship

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You can definitely still travel to many locations in the world by boat. Here are some pointers for researching and planning your own adventure on the   More »

How to Survive Travel Disasters: Lessons from Hurricane Katrina

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For many travelers, the most significant type of travel disaster is the one for which we’re the least prepared: a natural disaster that occurs durin  More »

How to Start a WordPress Travel Blog

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Wanting to showcase your travels without a hundred-hour slideshow? Written diaries are often too private and don’t let people keep in regular contac  More »

How to Bag Your 9 to 5 Job and Write / Travel Full Time

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Since quitting my 9-to-5 job as the assistant director of a mental health agency in 2004 and becoming a full-time traveler and writer, many people hav  More »

How to Live Like A Local

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When in Rome, do as the Romans. But what do the Romans do? Our top 10 list goes beyond the obvious tips—speak the language, learn local customs and   More »

Strategies for Crafting Great Interviews

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So you want to be a travel writer? There are lots of niches, of course—destination guides, first-person travelogues, and reviews—but don’t overl  More »

How to Get – and Keep Getting – Paid Online Travel Writing Gigs

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Remember this when you're trying to break into travel writing professionally, and dealing with busy editors: There's no magic. Getting paid travel wri  More »

Ten Tips for Traveling with Pets

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Although bringing your pet when you travel may seem impossible, in most cases it's surprisingly easy as long as you plan ahead. Please read these ten  More »

Don’t Pay Bribes: Strategies for Border Crossing

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When crossing dodgy borders, many travelers revert to bribing officials, which can often exacerbate an already volatile situation. Follow these sugges  More »

How to Work New Zealand’s Wineries

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There are hundreds of vineyards and organic wineries in New Zealand and most are on the lookout for seasonal workers to prune and help with the harves  More »

How to Make an Audio Tour: Ten Tips from Audissey Guide Pioneer Rob Pyles

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For aspiring travel journalists or amateur globetrotters, audio is one of the best and yet under-used media for highlighting great travel spots. But b  More »

How to Find Your Way when You’re Lost

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It's a pretty common story. You're walking through a new town or patch of forest, certain of your path. Upon turning around, the labyrinth shifts and   More »

10 Tips for Packing Up and Living Abroad

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From the philosophical to the practical, these top 10 tips will help you plan for a temporary or permanent move abroad.   More »

how to deal with travel catastrophes pt. 1 preparation

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In the summer of 2006, I was hiking with some friends in northern Israel, about six miles from the border with Lebanon. This happened to be the day   More »

simple ways to travel greener

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Green travel is a juxtaposition of concepts. By its very nature, "travel" is less efficient than "staying put." But for the habitually wanderlust-affl  More »

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