Flashpacking: The Art of Rolling Large on the Cheap
By Isreal Lawrence on Jul 28th, 2009|
While observing everyone running hither and yon the past several weeks I’ve noticed that people seem really into roadtripping and bare bones travel this year. It seems to be a fairly prevalent phenomenon. Prevalent enough to acquire it’s own marketing term. “Flashpacking”. Traveling with more flash than cash. This little buzzword is on the lips of all the travel writers this summer. The first question on many travelers’ lips may well be: What is flashpacking? Who are these mysterious flashpackers? Many flashpackers are actually just the growing number of ‘techno-travelers’ out there. They’ve got iPods and digital cameras. They’re traveling with their laptops. They want to blog and broadcast live video streams of their travel experiences, so they need free WiFi at their hostel. While technology is a key element of flashpacking, though, it’s not the whole picture, by any means. A flashpacker is essentially just the usual backpacker or independent traveler, looking for something a bit more upmarket from their digs. They want all the flexibility of the independent traveler – the unfixed itinerary which allows you to think on your feet and go wherever the fancy takes you – yet they also want (just a little!) of the look and feel of a boutique hotel. Yet they don’t want your standard budget hotel: rather, they’re after the advantages of a good, old-fashioned cheap hostel, with just a bit more, well, luxury. Even the most hardcore backpackers among us can do with a bit of luxury from time to time. It’s okay we won’t judge you for not wanting to spend a month eating bugs in the Outback. I’ll even help you out to find those nice but affordable digs…I’ve got some Orbitz coupons with your name on them right here. |
Tags: Orbitz, Travel
Posted in CouponMountain News, Travel |
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November 9th, 2009 at 13:21
I quess my husband and myself have been flashpackers for quite awhile. We read everything about our destinations, rent a car and we’re off. Southern Spain, France, Germany and even island jumping in Greece. We do enjoy the better boutique hotel and usually find one with the help of locals, local travel agents or by making a few phone calls. We have on occasion had a hotel that was not up to par but nothing really bad. We never had to sleep in the car. We have done these wonderful trips on not alot of $$$. We eat at local stands, some restaurants and then can afford to splurge once and awhile(Jules Verne) Effiel Tower. We plan to roll up our cloths and do it again in Sepetmber to Italy. Rome, the coast, ferry to Naples, and what ever else sounds interesting. My husband is the driver and I have gotten really good at reading the maps. Since I’ve taken a few language lessons in my day I have to navigate as my husband butchers the pronounciations of some of the towns and cities. I have to spell it to him. We get there and no fights. We miss exits and go round and round (turn off to Frankfurt Main airport, seven times.)but we always find outr way. We really get to see the country, talk to the locals and enjoy all the splenders of the world.
So pack your bags and start an adventure. If my husband and I can do it. So can you.
Keep treking