City travelers, here’s our latest interview with world’s most inspiring travel bloggers. Throughout the year, selected travel experts will share their favorite city destination and travel experiences, offering plenty of inspiration and good advice for your next city trip!
Meet Melvin Boecher of Traveldudes, a Social Travel Platform and community of travelers with the purpose to assist fellow travelers on their adventures around the world, and to help enhance their travel experiences.
Traveldudes.org started with a trip through Indochina, with the idea of sharing experiences with family and friends. Melvin then realized that there were many experienced travelers out there with stories to tell, so he decided to open up his site for them as well. This was around eight years ago, and boy, have things changed since then.
Melvin, your best city trip so far?
There are so many, that it’s a very tough choice. But my favorite places I’ve been to are Havana, Cape Town and Rio de Janeiro. They are all very different, but all very special and unique in their own ways.
Something very tough to beat are the landscapes around Cape Town & Rio de Janeiro. Both are outstanding and add something to the cities, which you won’t have anywhere else.
Your tips for city travelers heading the same way?
My tip in general is not to worry too much about things. Just take it spontaneous and step by step. It will all work out, maybe not as you have had in your mind, but then this will be a good story to share afterwards.
As a professional travel blogger, what makes a city worth visiting?
It’s the atmosphere. A lot of times it’s the people you meet and talk to. But then there is also the food and the scenery. This all together makes a place unique. It could be the street food in Bangkok with a warm smile of the vendor, or the chat with a local about the best surfing tips in Cape Town.
Your five ingredients for the perfect city trip?
- A good breakfast with a good coffee. Start your day with energy & a good mood!
- A place to recover from the hectic city life, which could be the accommodation, a cafe or park;
- Comfy walking shoes;
- Lots of time to get lost;
- A vague idea what to do and see, especially if the weather doesn’t play along.
Which gadgets and apps are essential companions for a modern city traveler?
I walk most of the times and then I use Google Maps very often. That way I know where I am and find my way around. I also use a translator app from time to time, but not that often. If I’m not in the Euro zone, I also need the currency converter. But most important is the camera app of my smart phone.
Would you describe yourself as a responsible traveler?
I’m not sure, as it’s not that easy. I fly quite often. Is that responsible travel? Not really. But I’m trying to be one and I think everyone could at least do small things. I don’t throw away litter on streets. This should be a quite usual thing NOT to do, but if you look around, I see so much litter everywhere and I seriously don’t get it.
Your key insight from traveling the world?
Things might seem impossible, but sometimes you just have to go for it. This could be a solo trip, traveling totally unorganized, hitchhiking or traveling long-term.
It’s doing that first step which keeps a lot of people away from fulfilling their dreams. But you will see, if you do this first step, everything else will just move along nicely.
Thank you, Melvin – and save travels!
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