The January Sales.. It's Time to Treat Yo'Self!

Back to normality? Pfft, not without these goodies!

So, with December coming to a close over the weekend, the January sales are well and truly underway. This means that, not only has a new excuse arisen to treat yourselves (as if we needed another!), but that it is also time to start thinking about those New Year’s resolutions and what destinations they will take you to! With that in mind we thought that we would give you a rundown of 5 travel goodies to pick-up this sale season!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram and tumblr for all the latest goings on and let us know what your travel essentials are!

Not even a gloomy Hangzhou sky could ruin your holiday with these in your bag! 

4-Way USB Charger

Let's face it, we would be lost without our gadgets. While travellers of years passed would have panicked as they realised their only map had just been torn to shreds in their rucksack, our generation reserve that kind of reaction for when the warning, 5% battery left* notification pops up on our phones. This is especially troubling while abroad as, not only are our phones both a map and a source of information, but there is often a worrying scarcity of plugs to charge them at. This is where this little gem comes in. Having bought one for the Camino de Santiago where there is usually about 1 socket for every 15 people, it has quickly become my go-to charger, allowing me to charge up to 4 things at once through its various inputs and hey, don't need all 4? Offer one up to a fellow traveller and save them the heart attack the next day!

Can you imagine not having enough battery to take shots of sights like these?

Spotify Premium

Okay so you've got your gadgets charged up, now all you have to do is survivor that bus/ train/ plane ride, and here's where Spotify comes in. With the removal of ads and the ability to download playlists to your phone to be able to be played offline, not only guarantees to brighten up your journeys, but allows you to brighten up any day by providing the soundtrack to your adventure. Get bored of your songs? That's fine, just check in at a Wi-Fi hotspot and download a tonne more. Just try not to get too distracted and nearly miss your flight (we are urm totally not speaking from experience…).

Artwork works best with good company

Foldable raincoat

We all love to think that our travels are going to contain nothing but sunshine but, well unfortunately, rain is a bit of a thing. Despite this however we here at latte wanderer often forgot to pack a raincoat, opting to hope for the best than prepare for the worst (well that and we could just never find the space in our bag after fitting that second fancy shirt, just in case…). That was until we picked up one of these raincoats. Thin enough to fold into any space in your bag yet waterproof enough to protect you from the rain, coats such as these are sure to keep you out and about while the weather stands against you.

Not even the rain can keep you away

Quick-dry towel

As with the USB charger, this one is relevant to everyone as, no matter where you’re staying, you can always do with a towel. After all, according to the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, “a towel is the most important item a Hitchhiker can carry” (wow, we feel old right now)! However, unlike their cumbersome equivalents, these towels are both lightweight and able to fit into any small gap that may exist in your bags. Add to that their uncanny ability to dry in a matter of minutes and you have a perfect companion for any hiking trip or holiday where you may be taking your own!

Skyroam

Okay so with the towel, raincoat, charger and Spotify sorted you are now ready to go on an adventure. You’re prepared for poor weather, limited accommodation and troubling days which leaves only one thing... going online. While we love the feeling of checking out of reality while away from home, there are moments where an internet connection is needed (and not just to make friends jealous with your Instagram pictures)! With public Wi-Fi often tough to find and usually unreliable, Skyroam is a viable alternative. With pricing around $8 for a 24hr day-pass that provides an unlimited and secure internet connection, Skyroam promises to keep you connected throughout your journey as and when you need it.

Some pictures you just want to share ASAP

The Empire Coffee Building: Your Guide to New York's Coffee Scene

It's a Caffeine State of Mind

Boasting a mean roast and a vast number of independent artisanal coffee stores, New Yorkers are spoilt for choice when it comes to topping-up their caffeine fix. So, with that in mind, we eschewed the main streets and the shining Starbucks signs (because of course we would) and headed out in search of good coffee. Here we go, below is our top 5 coffee shops in New York City.

Have any other recommendations? Be sure to get in touch on Instagram or tumblr as well as being sure to subscribe and follow us to keep up to date with everything coming up!

Reunion's qualities go beyond its coffee

Homecoming: 107 Franklin St, Brooklyn

Part flower shop, part coffeehouse, Homecoming is a unique spot in Williamsburg to get your coffee fix. Despite its minimal seating (just a couple of seats at the front and an outside area for when the sun is shining), Homecoming’s tasty coffee and quirky vibe makes it a great spot to take a quick break from your meandering of the artsy Williamsburg streets.

                TRY: Taking the setting in mind, it’s no surprise that the flowery flavour extends to the menu, with the chai latte and hibiscus doughnut topping our list of recommendations!

Coffee with a side of flowers

Greecologies: 379 Broome Street, New York

Located just across Brooklyn Bridge in the Italian area of town, Greecologies is a coffee-stop with a difference in that it specialises in on-site made yogurt. Using a combination of traditional and modern techniques, Greecologies is able to combine a modern interior design with good coffee and a unique snack to coax yourself through your day (if the comfy seats and wifi doesn’t distract you first)!

                TRY: Their modern-made yogurt with banana slices, cocoa nips, sesame seeds and honey is to die for.

Greecologies' yogurt is worth a visit on its own

Reunion: 544 Union Avenue, Brooklyn

Also in Williamsburg, Reunion is a caffeine pit-stop that may just convince you to stay for a meal. With a fantastic aesthetic, Reunion’s menu takes inspiration from the owners’ Israeli-roots to offer an interesting selection of food to go along with your coffee. With its friendly staff and cosy atmosphere, a quick visit may well be enough to turn this Union Avenue staple into a regular trip!

                TRY: For the caffeine-needy, their chai latte is fantastic but if you have some free time, you can’t go wrong with their falafel starter!

Reunion, the perfect combo of food and caffeine

Brooklyn Roasting Company: 25 Jay Street, Brooklyn

They may be all over the place (well, in a few different locations across the city at least), but their home will always be Jay Street. Roasting a selection of small-batch beans from acros the world, Brooklyn Roasting Company’s fairtrade and organic coffee is brewed on site within view of their grinding machines. With a stable wifi connection as well as a good selection of pastries, a juice-bar and a book store on-site (not to mention the exposed-brick interior), this is a coffee shop you could easily spend all day in working on whatever you need done and not even notice the hours roll by! Need to stretch your legs? With the water-front park just across the street, this is the ideal space to park-up all day.

                TRY: Have a sweet-tooth? Their maple shay surely won’t disappoint.

That vintage aesthetic had us purring!

Absolute Coffee: 327 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn

Staying in Brooklyn, Absolute Coffee is a neighborhood favorite. Easily reached on the A and C metro line, this cute coffee stop may soon become a regular journey. Brewing a wide range of unique roasts, Absolute is perfect for people looking for a good coffee to see them through their morning tasks. For the more adventurous visitor, the store also carries maps of Brooklyn’s different districts, outlining the city’s independent stores, restaurants, and services, making this a fantastic starting point for an exploration-filled day!

                TRY: Take a look-see at what they’re brewing that day and consider a filter coffee to get you on your way.

Absolute-ly ready for an adventure!

3 Simple ideas to Save Money on your Travels!

Attention: Adventures needed!

Travelling, I’m sure you know, is a hell of a lot of fun but, unfortunately, can also be extremely expensive. For this reason, we here at Latte Wanderer decided we would fill you in on a few different techniques you can use to shave a few pounds off of your next trip! After all, the more money you save on flights and accommodation, the more you can spend on the experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.

As usual, be sure to follow us on Instagram for all the latest news as well as Rakbo, a new online magazine I write for full of articles and advice on topics from travelling to studying to interior design!

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles:

Right so you’ve chosen your destination and already have an idea of what you want to see, now you just have to actually get there. The best way to get there often depends on where it is that you’re going. Within America for example the best way Is often to drive. Joining together with friends and driving across America on your holiday will not only save you money (especially when you factor in just how expensive planes are on that side of the world!), but can also be a great way to give you more freedom en-route, allowing you to take detours to other points of interests! Thankfully, in more connected continents such as Europe and Asia, you have a number of alternatives when it comes to travelling, including high-speed trains and low-cost flights.

By now it is fairly common for people to use price-comparison sites such as Skyscanner in order to find the best deals on flights but price guarantees and money-back schemes are often less-used. Companies like Expedia that offer to match your lowest price (and give you a voucher off your next trip) on anything from planes, trains and hotels are can be combined with money-back sites such as Quidco that give you cashback for going through them. It may only be few pounds but every penny counts, not to mention that you can earn miles with each purchase! Oh, it’s also worth doing your checking on incognito mode, sites that track cookies can tell if you’re looking for flights and are more likely to give you a higher cost…

For people in the UK you can also pop down to your local train station and pick up a 16-25 railcard that gives you 33% off train tickets (London to Edinburgh for less than £40? Yes please!).

Lake by the roadside in the Scottish Highlands

Accommodation:

Unfortunately, accommodation can often the most expensive part of a trip, adding up as the days go on. Fortunately for those of us who travel with the intention of our accommodation being solely a base from which we can go on our adventure, it becomes a lot easier to put up without the little luxuries on offer in hotels in return for more spending money! For people on a shoestring budget, hostels are definitely a good way to go, with companies like YHA (in the UK) providing an extensive range in accommodation throughout the country for cut-prices compared to their hotel counterparts. Alternatively, there is always Airbnb. As I eluded to in a prior article, not only can staying in an Airbnb be a far more interesting way to experience a new place than a standard hotel, but with many of them below £30 a night, it can also be the cheapest!

- Still need convincing? Click here to get £30 off your next Airbnb booking! -  

Courthouse in Oxford, Mississippi

Packing:

So you’ve sorted out your flights at a cut-price rate and snagged yourself some accommodation that doesn’t break the bank. The next step? Your bags. We all love having an outfit for every occasion, but how often do you ever actually wear it all? Airlines are notorious for adding on extra fees for every small detail of you trip, but none is more avoidable than the checked bag cost. It may not seem like much with prices from £20 for the cheapest checked luggage, but when you consider that it may well be half empty for a short city-break and that that price is only one-way, it becomes an avoidable expense that you could easily spend better enjoying your destination!

West Lake, Hangzhou