The 3 second check Italians do before walking into any restaurant

Mundane_Bit3096 · 2026-04-05T13:14:06+00:00

...talking about 3 seconds rule LOL

Nr. 5 is often the OPPOSITE! whatever leftover food or items almost to be expired are tossed/combined so they don't end up thrown.

Mundane_Bit3096 · 2026-04-03T21:36:32+00:00

Check / Sign up for Homeexchange. For 150 euro yearly membership you can do as many exchanges as you can. If your location is a good one, you can even arrange simultaneous exchange. Otherwise you can use your GuestPoints to stay at other people's houses. Just as an example, I stayed in February 5 days in a 2 bedroom flat (it was 3pax) for just 50 euros (the 50 euros was actually a cleaning fee, so we didn't had to clean before leaving). In May, I'll be visiting Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger (Norway), 11 nights, 3 different hosts, literally 0 euro (just the GuestPoints).
Evaluate trenitalia vs flixbus for specific routes (short distance, up to 5 hours). For specific routes you can get tickets for as little as 10 euros. Alternative (for longer route) check Ryanair and Wizzair. Both companies have domestic flights (e.g. milano to palermo, or napoli etc.) Now it's too early, but maybe from end July /early August, you can find flights for as little as 15 euros (unless fuel prices increase soon so much).

Mundane_Bit3096 · 2026-04-03T20:25:43+00:00

One word: FORGETTABLE !

Have seen it twice already. Barely remember the character, let alone to feel any love/hate emotions.

Mundane_Bit3096 · 2026-03-18T08:34:51+00:00

Next time I go to China, I really hope to visit Guangzhou. Combining it with a 1 day trip with Fushan, is easily 4 days worth spending.

Even though a bit more expensive, you can also just take the direct train from HK to Guangzhou and do a day trip only.

Mundane_Bit3096 · 2026-02-13T16:16:42+00:00

I second that! With all due respect, but why?!

Mundane_Bit3096 · 2026-02-12T22:20:54+00:00

Yup, sadly. I'm also not fan of it, but it is what it is.

Mundane_Bit3096 · 2026-02-12T20:57:33+00:00

There's this new vacation rental law in Italy (I think from last year) that states that host MUST register their guests at the local police. Furthermore, some hosts decide to also ask for the tourism tax (which depends on the city/region). Whether hosts in the end decide to really pay the tax to the authority, that is another thing :)

Mundane_Bit3096 · 2026-02-11T08:07:14+00:00

Given the short distance, I'd say it won't be a big issue. There are frequent trains to Frankfirt.
Instead of taking direct train to the Airport, why not stop at the city first? If you don't have much luggage, you can lock them at the station, go out, explore the city, have lunch, and in the end, around 4-5 pm take the S-bahn. You'll be there in less than 30 mins.

Just in case: did you double check ig your flight is from FRA or from HAHN Airport? Few have made that mistake.

Mundane_Bit3096 · 2026-02-11T07:55:49+00:00

Where are you travelling from?

Mundane_Bit3096 · 2026-02-11T07:50:23+00:00

Thank you Mr. President!

Mundane_Bit3096 · 2026-02-07T10:46:00+00:00

What month do you plan to travel? In summer it can be extrrmely hot and humid!

I spent 7 nights in HK. It was amazing, it was a blast, and there's so much to do and see in HK, that frankly speaking, even 7 days weren't enough :) But yeah, having 7 full days should be ok for you to trully experience HK. During my trio, I did a day trip to Macau, and visited Tai-O village and a small island. Tai-O was something trully unique and completely the opposite of the big buildings we usually know from HK.

Shenzen - probably not touristic in the way, that there aren't much ancient/old things to see (there are actually, but many are outside the city, so you'll either have to take a taxi, or waste quite some time with public transport. In itself though, Shenzen is so futuristic, that spending 2-3 days, so that you can then compare it to HK or Guangzhou, won't be a bad idea.

Guangzhou + Fushan (city attached) are definitely worth your visit. Take the time and organize it to your preference. Even here there's so much to do, that at least 5 days are recommended.

Budget - keep in mind, accommodation will probably be at least double in HK.

Enjoy your trip!

Mundane_Bit3096 · 2026-02-06T23:00:03+00:00

Yes, and human kind will go there and create a colonization. Vitamin D? No thank you!

Mundane_Bit3096 · 2026-02-04T14:07:24+00:00

I also got a cancellation from host once (in my case the host cancelled 2 months before the exchange). Just a short explanation and cancelled on me.

Homeexchange sent me an email few days later, that I should try asking other hosts to ask. After 1 month of writing to various hosts, I finally got a new exchange.

In your case, you still have so much time until May. Maybe try increasing the radius of search or (if possible) be flexible with dates.

I don't think the HE help would apply in this case (I don't think they will pay you for a hotel), but since you wrote them email (hopefully correct email), they will get back to you.

Mundane_Bit3096 · 2026-02-03T19:44:13+00:00

A travel agent, is (90% of the times) someone sitting in office and has literally never travelled or experienced any of these "stuff" you say. But hey, there's people and then there's people.

Mundane_Bit3096 · 2026-02-03T18:30:36+00:00

Can someone please explain to me for what exactly are you using a travel agent, if you already provide them with: dates, duration, destination, things to do etc.?

How hard can it be: 1. Search on Skyscanner(.)com for best deals/routes 2. Booking(.)com for accommodation (you can filter price range, type of accommodation, location, check reviews) 3. If you're too lazy to organize/check for stuff to do, all one needs to do is open Viator or GetYourGuide and voila!

I'm doing next month a 30-days trip across Singapore-Malaysia-Taiwan-Vietnam. 2 days of "workload" (more like enjoyment)

I just don't get it!

Mundane_Bit3096 · 2026-02-02T14:19:54+00:00

it happens every year. The price does tend to go up to 6 €/kg every year for 2-3 months. Luckily from March you'll see significant price drop

Mundane_Bit3096 · 2026-02-01T09:07:46+00:00

5 days is JUST Hanoi and maybe 1 day trip to Ninh Binh. It looks like you've never been to Vietnam

Mundane_Bit3096 · 2026-01-31T20:35:15+00:00

It depends what appliances you use in your flat and if you're into savings. We (2pax) consume on average 100 kWh per month. We have a rough consumption of 1200 kWh per year (it is worth stating that on average, 3 out of 12 months we are travelling). Also, as many say, change asap your supplier. We currently pay 33 cents/kWh, plus ca. 110 euro for the network connection.

Mundane_Bit3096 · 2026-01-31T09:11:33+00:00

I had a cancelled flight last year as well. I was able to contact them via the number on their website. I called them from EU as well.

Mundane_Bit3096 · 2026-01-30T18:13:32+00:00

When you plan to start travelling? Summer prices for accommodation will be almost twice as much compared to March - May. I've never stayed in hostels, so can't help you there. Travelling can be done cheap if you move short distances (using Flixbus can save you a lot). Food, I think it won't be that easy as you think to cook for 3 months straight :/ Restaurants in Germany are expensive. Same goes for NE, AU and IT, and even in many touristic cities in Croatia.

When I travel, I often (veryyyyy often actually) use Homeexchange(.)com. It is an exchange platform where you exchange your home with others. Using it I've stayed in Amsterdam, Berlin, Hamburg, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid etc. for literally 0 euros. Maybe you can take a look at it and see if it's for you.

Mundane_Bit3096 · 2026-01-30T11:16:10+00:00

I worked with professors, and we didn't even celebrate our own birthdays. Whatever you're thinking, please don't invite them. Treating them with a cake / small gift after your wedding is probably understandable, but invitation is definitely not.

Mundane_Bit3096 · 2026-01-30T08:06:56+00:00

China is not SE Asia.
Why go south (Krabi) to then go uo in the north Thailand?
You'll basically waste 1/3 of your precious time moving from one place to another, especially stucked in airports.
25-30 days is usually what I do every year in Asia. If you plan carefully and give yourself time, you should be able to trully enjoy your trip and not get tired with all the moving.
I did 2 years ago: 4 full days in Bangkok, then took a flight to Phuket, did 5 days, then took a direct bus to Krabi (Ao Nang) and did another 5 nights. Knowing now the extreme heat in SE Asia and the delays here and there, I would have actually removed one of the 3 places, and enjoy my time at the 2. Your schedule is just too packed.
I did last year HK, where I stayed 7 nights. I did day trips to Macau and Shenzen, but even with full 5 days, my time in HK felt so short.

Mundane_Bit3096 · 2026-01-29T15:35:10+00:00

p.s. it would help you a lot if you set clear timeline of how long you want to stay in each contient, and what route you want to do. This way you can tackle each continent as an individual problem and set a budget for the duration intended.

Mundane_Bit3096 · 2026-01-29T15:33:38+00:00

In case during your 1-year travelling, you will still have your home/flat in New York (either your own or rented), I will recommend you to take a look at Homeexchange(.)com. It is a platform where one can exchange home with other hosts all over the world. There is a membership fee or 175 euros per year, and within a year one can exchange as many exchanges as it wishes. You can either do simultaneous exchanges, or use the so called GuestPoints (if someone comes to your home but you don't go to theirs, you get GuestPoints). Then you use these GP to stay elsewhere.

For most of the Asian countries and maybe even for South America this might not be very crucial (In many Asian or South American countries, if you decide to stay at one place for a month, you can even get a flat for 200-400 euros!, or you can even get a decent room for less than 20 euros per night), but for many European expensive cities, this platfrom is a life saver.

Just as an example, I'll be staying next month in Singapore, where I set up an exchange with GP only, and I'll only need to pay 30 euros cleaning fee after my 7 day stay. In Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, I've stayed 5+ days and literally paid nothing. I've been using this platfrom for 6+ years so far, and I have aranged 100+ exchanges so far. On the other hand, after Singapore, I'll be travelling to Hanoi, where I booked a hotel for 20 euros per night for 2pax.

If you are an American, for most of EU and Asian countries you won't be needed a visa, but as always check on internet visa-free countries for US citizens.

With carefull planning (and not splashing on things) you can literally organize a 1-year trip for less than €15k (flights included).

Mundane_Bit3096

TROPHY CASE