What's Next?

First and foremost, a big thank you goes out to all of our fans and followers! Our site would not be what it is without all you awesome readers! As our semester here is coming to an end, many of you may be wondering what is next for Ready, Set, Roam? In a perfect world we would continue to keep blogging everyday, however, since we are all going our separate ways this summer it is easier said than done.

My next journey is jet setting to study abroad in Italy. Another fellow blogger, Summer and I will be going to Urbino, Italy with a JMU study abroad program for four weeks. Our goal is to post about once or twice a week updating you all on our experiences, stories and post some cool pictures. Currently, we are trying to figure out how to pack efficiently and effectively for our trip. If you or anyone you know is also embarking on a study abroad trip this summer, here is a useful site we have found to assist you in your packing:

http://www.collegefashion.net/fashion-tips/how-to-pack-for-study-abroad/

We hope you continue checking in with us this summer! Happy traveling!

A Smart Traveler is a Happy Traveler

Throughout the entirety of our travel blog, we have emphasized the importance of educating yourself before you depart. Learning the language of your country of travel is no different. Learning a new language is one of the hardest things to conquer. We are not saying that you need to be perfectly fluent in a new language before you leave, but being able to learn and recognize common words, phrases and the lingo can make the transition very smooth.

Depending on the University you attend and the study abroad program you are participating in, there are many different requirements when it comes to classes that must be taken. Certain programs require taking a language class before you leave, others require language and culture classes to be taken once you are already abroad. Classes taken beforehand can be beneficial and very comforting when you arrive in a new country and already understand a lot of their language. Language classes taken while you are abroad can be neat too because the learning and experience are simultaneous. If your program does not require either option, it is important to buy books, a translation dictionary or use internet resources to educate yourself and grasp some basic knowledge of the country's language.

Learning and adapting to a foreign country's language and culture can be a very critical component to your study abroad experience. Not only will it make it easier, but a lot more enjoyable! A smart traveler makes a happy traveler!

Felices viajes! (Happy travels!)

American Airlines Responds to Twitter Threat

Yesterday morning, a Dutch teenager issued a very serious threat against American Airlines.  The tweet threatened the airline with terrorist activity.  Using this popular social media tool, American Airlines immediately responded and swore to take action in response to the threat made against them. 

Despite both parties deleting the tweet, with Sarah deleting her entire twitter account, this incident shows the importance of social media in all aspects of life, including national security.  In the aftermath of September 11th, these threats are taken extremely seriously.

According to Twitter's "Guidelines for Law Enforcement". the information of a specific Twitter user can be turned over and used as evidence “if there is an exigent emergency that involves the danger of death or serious physical injury to a person that Twitter may have information necessary to prevent.”  While there has not been substantial information released concerning the incident, Dutch police tweeted an update as of this morning confirming the arrest of Sarah in response to this incident.  Despite the teenager tweeting at the airline multiple times in response to their response, it is clear that they are still taking these threats seriously and are taking action against her. 

A representative for the popular social media site told Business Insider, "We’re not in a state that we can communicate any state of charges at this point, we just thought it was neccessary to bring this out mostly because of the fact that it caused a great deal of interest on the Internet."  

After this incident, it is important to remember to be careful on social media sites.  What may seem like a joke to you can be taken extremely seriously, especially if the content is aggressive and threatening in nature.  This story also shows the emphasis on security that airlines are implementing.  While security can be a pain when it adds on time to your travels, remember the service that they are doing and the lengths that they go to keep travelers safe!

University Writing Center Travel Writing Panel

James Madison University's University Writing Center (UWC) will be holding their first travel writing panel to educate and provide an opportunity to practice this genre of professional writing. The panel is on Wednesday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Harrison 1261. The event is hosted by the University Writing Center and the Office of International Studies. Several JMU professors from a variety of departments will share their travel experiences and give advice on how to write about traveling. 

Ready, Set, Roam believes this is a great opportunity to engage with experienced writers and travelers. On a daily basis, we post blogs about a variety of travel topics from transportation methods abroad to how to stay safe. At James Madison University, there are many resources that help students become better writers. The UWC aims to help students improve as writers, not to edit or proofread papers. They transfer their skills, provide resources and offer great responses and feedback. They coordinate events on campus to encourage students to utilize their services and even have walk in hours. For more information, visit their website at www.jmu.edu/uwc.

Why Aren't You Ready to Roam? →

We want to know! Please take our survey to help us determine what is prohibiting people from travel. The link is posted below, and if you click the story title you will be taken directly to the survey. Share with your friends! Thank you for visiting Ready, Set, Roam.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TQDBV8W

What is Backpacking? And who is Someone called a ‘Backpacker’?

By Aswetravel on March 30, 2010 in Before You Leave

What Is Backpacking?

In short, backpacking can be described as an independent, often international, low- budget way of travelling.

Someone who backpacks is called a ‘Backpacker’.

Backpackers generally travel for a longer period of time than most other tourists, and they tend to travel in several different countries during their time away.

The number of countries differs and a backpacker can be on the road all from a few weeks to several years.

However, that is again the short way of describing it.

Backpacking is a very loose definition – there are backpackers who go tramping in the forests sleeping in tents and on the beach, and hitch-hike their way around the world, and there are those who backpack with roller-bag suitcases, sleep in hotels and buy their own car to get around a country.

These are two completely different types of traveling, but they both like to call themselves backpackers.

You can however separate these into 3 different backpacking genres if you like:

• Backpacking RTW Travel
• Ultralight Backpacking
• Flashpacking

The two later ones are newer styles in ways of backpacking.

Ultralight Backpacking

What is Backpacking

Ultralight backpacking is becoming more and more popular.

Today the industry puts a lot of focus on making things ultra light. The backpacks are light like feathers, and the sleeping bags can be squashed down to the size of your palm.

This is definitely something for anyone to look into, as it could really help you ease some weight from your backpack.

These Ultralight backpackers go all the way, counting every ounce, cutting their toothbrushes in half to ease weight.

Although if this is your first time on the road, you will never understand WHY people would ever want to travel like this – but trust me after more than 6months travel, with your back hurting – you will start to consider this style of backpacking more and more.

You find more and more backpacker using smaller packs (under 50L) and buying lightweight clothes, quick drying towels etc.

I think in the future a balance between this style and Backpacking RTW Travel will become more and more normal.

Flashpacking

Flashpacking is a new type of backpacking. It is generally where you travel more expensively and with higher living standards.

Many people like to explain the definition of a flashpacker as someone who travels with a lot of tech gear like iPods and laptops and such, but I think that has become so common these days that nearly everyone carry an mp3 player with them, and laptops are hardly something expensive anymore – so the view of a Flashpacker now is more of someone who has all the latest stuff, doesn’t save up for a trip, spends his money on drinking, partying and staying in nicer places.

Another way to define the flashpackers would be to say – ‘THEY BACKPACK IN STYLE’. They prefer to go to the main guidebook destinations, do the main attractions, see what everyone else tells them to see – and they view backpacking more as an extending party than anything else.

The Changes Of Backpacking…

Backpacking has changed considerably the last decade. It has always been around, but today it’s easier than ever before.

The flight tickets are cheaper, in many places it’s safer, the communication is better etc.

Plus, you don’t have to take care of the boring part of traveling like plane tickets anymore, there are hundreds of organisations over the world that help you with that stuff.

Some people actually buy all their tickets to each country (including the one back home) before they’ve even left, through one of these companies.

All you do is to go into their office, tell them where you want to go, how long you’d like to stay in each place, and they’ll book all the flights you need for a trip round the whole world if that’s what you want.

Although, they obviously don’t work for free, and certainy won’t spend extra time looking for the cheapest flights.

There are also heaps of tours you can make. How about biking through Africa or New Zealand on a bicycle?

These days everything is more easily accessible, so that is also why you start to see more and more people leaving their home towns and exploring the world – which is such a wonderful thing, whatever way you do it.

The Original – Backpacking RTW Travel

This is the type of backpacking that you will find the most information about on our website. Backpacking in this term means traveling on a budget, usually for longer distances, seeing many different countries and for a longer time than normal holiday travelers.

These backpackers can be quite diverse, exploring different cultures and travel both in cities as well as on the country side.

Some of them might make a short hike for a few days or do some volunteer work, and then continue their travels – they view backpacking and travel more for seeing amazing new cultures and as a personal growth than as a party, or simply a short get away from the real world – they see the whole world as their home, and don’t really feel a need to get back to the ‘real-world’ anytime soon – travel is their life.

For you who weren’t quite sure what the term backpacking means, I hope this made it more clear for you and that you are now interested in also going out there no matter what type of backpacker you are and start exploring the world. It’s a real fun way to travel and it’s not just young people who do it – backpacking is for everyone!

If you’re already planning a backpacking RTW trip, stay tuned for our next 3 part series about how to choose the right backpack for your trip

Where to go, where to go?

Spring Break creeps up on the college student faster than one would expect. It feels like it's going to be January forever, and before you know it the winter months turn into spring's March and April. 

My boyfriend and I at the lake during a break!

Most Universities give their breaks in March, which for Virginia students, the surrounding states, and northern states, does not provide for a very warm climate and vacation atmosphere. If you and your friends are interested in the beach or a lake, then you'd need to migrate south or go tropical. Some popular options for that are Panama City, Miami, or Daytona in Florida. Others will opt for a cruise to Cancun or the Bahamas. It all depends on the money you have to spend or what you saved up. All of these can be slightly pricey options. That's why most of the people who go that route have been planning it out since Fall Semester. The beach option is a nice getaway from reality, from winter weather, and the books. It's fun in the sun and relaxation. 

Us in Pittsburgh on another break! At a Pirates game. 

If you're not so much a beach goer or maybe more of a late planner, then you could opt for the city route. There's places like New York, Atlantic City, Ocean City, or one break I spent in Pittsburgh. These can also be a fun alternative. You could sight see, learn the local history, go to some shows, do tastings at a local brewery, or maybe take a turn at gambling (if you're of age of course). Going the city route gives you a chance to immerse yourself in new surroundings or get a feel for somewhere you've never been. The city atmosphere is fast paced, full of history, and can be a whirlwind adventure. 

Whether planning late for the break or planning early, there are many sites dedicated to helping the student. There are cheap travel sites and spring break options alike, all one needs to do is click their google search and enter in a destination. Travelocity, Expedia, and Groupon are just a few of the resources that can be used to find vacation packages and deals. Finding a good vacation is just a click away, as long as you compare and contrast all your options. 

The key to planning your spring break is not only deciding if you are more beach, city, or something else entirely, but deciding on a budget and a plan. Once you have your goals laid out, a group to go with, and a destination picked, it'll be easy to achieve the means to make it happen. 

Cruising the High Seas

Have you ever been interested in spending your days and nights in the middle of the ocean? If so, cruising is your next travel adventure! Cruising is a great way to experience vacation in a whole different way. The voyage itself, ship amenities and the destinations along the way make cruising a one of a kind vacation experience. 

There are over 25 cruise lines around the world, ranging from the popular Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian cruise lines. Each cruise line and ship offers different itineraries and various destination options from Alaska to New Zealand. 

Here are some quick tips if you are deciding on a cruise: 

1. Where to go: Decide on the destination first, the cruise ship second. Caribbean cruises seem to be the most popular because of the clear blue water and tropical atmosphere. However, there are many different options to unexpected places like South America and India. 

2. When to go: For most cruise regions, there are periods of peak demand (high season), moderate demand (shoulder season) and low demand (low season). High season is the summer months and shoulder season yields the most bargain opportunities in year-round destinations where the off season is longer. It mostly depends on the destination you are looking to go, timing and the budget.

3. Which line to book: Choosing a cruise line can be difficult with the many lines and ships there are. Doing as much research as possible will help when deciding on a cruise line and ship, such as reading blogs and message boards. Consider the people you will be traveling with and the fellow passengers on the line. A travel agent can also help you make sense of the different options.

4. What it costs: Cost plays a huge role in deciding about a cruise vacation. The cost ranges from the stateroom, number of night, shore excursions, alcohol (unless its all-inclusive), souvenirs, and especially airfare. 

5. Size matters: The size of the cruise ship definitely matters because it dictates the itinerary. Some cruise ships have only 150 passengers, while the largest ship in the world, Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas can carry up to 2,000 people. 

I have been very fortunate to have gone on four cruises in my lifetime. I have had the best experiences and great times on my past cruising adventures. From the food, beautiful views, destinations, service and entertainment, I would recommend a cruise to anyone! I have traveled all over the Caribbean and other countries including Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Belize. While at these places, I have snorkeled, swam with manatees, zip lined through the rainforest and many other excursions. 

Cruising is a different way to travel abroad around the world! There are hundreds of options ranging from the destinations, itineraries and ports. One important thing is to do your research before deciding on a cruise line and ship, it will make all the difference if you take the time and make sure you are choosing the correct cruise for you and your fellow travelers.