What does it mean to have a friend? A friend is someone who checks on you no matter how far you are, talks on the phone with you, jokes around, and awaits your arrival when you visit. Gabrielle Porter is my friend. Gabrielle and I met freshman year when we were paired as roommates. At first glance I knew she would be sketchy, but as time went on we grew closer as friends. Gabrielle is one of my closest friends. Check out her tremendous list of places she's traveled!
Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Mexico, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Toronto, Canada, Cayman Islands, Morocco, UK, Portugal, Spain, France, the Czech Republic, The Netherlands, Belgium Germany, Italy, Hungary, and Bahamas. WOAH. To top it off she's going to Cuba in December. Gabrielle is #travelgoals But I know what your thinking: she must be rich! But the reality is she knows how to use her resources, she works hard, and finesses everyone.
The topic of food is always fun. I think Gabrielle has tried some interesting things that I would never have thought of. "I've had SHARK in Tobago and it was delicious! I think it was called 'Bake n Shark'. Though she states “I had the best food of my life in New Orleans and Rome.”
When asked what she had taken away from her experiences she replied, "Realizing how big the world is. I realized there are so many opportunities to take advantage of. I've learned to broaden my mind set by traveling and seeing and doing things I wouldn’t ordinarily do. This has helped me to grow as an individual to become global citizen".
Dollar, dollar, dollar bills y'all. The Most expensive place Gabrielle visited overseas was LONDON (15 pounds = $20). Amsterdam was the second most expensive. One of the least expensive was Hungary. She described Hungary as "Dirt cheap!!!" In Budapest, Hungary a bottle of water is $.30, less than a dollar. Haiti was definitely the cheapest place she had traveled to though.
Excitement is what most people are looking for when they travel. Gabrielle was brave enough to actually hold a monkey!
"I held a monkey!!!!" When asked what were some other exciting things she did, she said, “I went to a music festival in a castle on top of a hill. In Budapest I went to a Sparty, which is a spa party in the natural springs in the city. In New Zealand I gained the courage to scale the side of a mountain. In London I went to an ice bar. Talk about cold". In Mexico I went cave diving and zip lining. In Hawaii I climbed a dormant volcano.
“follow Gabrielle on IG @gporter_”
Favorite places?
Since Gabrielle has been to so many countries I wondered if she could pick a favorite. I was surprised with her response. FIJI was her favorite!! "Fiji breathtakingly beautiful and exotic. While she was there she volunteered at an elementary school in a native village"
What should you bring?
Don’t over pack! And don’t bring valuables. She didn’t bring her laptop on any of her trips. She says she didn’t even have time to use it anyway. But your most important possessions are your debit card, passport, and phone. Everything else is easily replaced.
Does it matter where you stay?
Yes! Location, location, location!! She recommends staying in the city center. She also loved staying at hostels because you can meet so many different people.
Recommendations?
Go out and travel for any extended period of time. Study abroad was absolutely, undoubtedly the best experience of my life! See the world and understand how much is out there. Traveling is fun! Never say no to a trip!
What is the craziest thing that's happened overseas?
When bringing up crazy things that have happened over seas, Gabrielle say's she “can't talk about that publicly. But I will say, Ibiza, Spain is everything it's cracked up to be"
Biggest piece of advise
1. Travel while you’re young and don’t have many responsibilities.
2. Keep journal or blog so you can refresh on what happened.
These are a few of my must see attractions:
Madrid: There is SO MUCH to do in Madrid. I explored a new place almost every day for nearly five months and still did not get to see everything I wanted to.
- Favorite Museum: Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
- Go to a flamenco show and Madrid Rio
- Meat turned art museum building
- If you are in Europe, but especially Spain, go to a soccer game. They do not compare to any American sporting events. The energy and passion is electrifying.
Brussels: You must eat authentic Belgian chocolate and a waffle. It will change your life. I promise. Go to Bruges, it’s a small city a train ride away. It’s the definition of picturesque.
Rome: Vatican City and Roman Forum.
Paris: Versailles! The gardens are amazinggggg.
Berlin: Berlin Wall. It’s incredibly sobering.
Barcelona: La Sagrada Familia
Budapest: Ruin Pub. House of Terror Museum gives you a full picture of Hungary’s complicated history.
Gibraltar: See the Barbary Monkeys. But be careful; they may take your sunglasses!
Prague: Old Town Square, Charles Bridge. Take a shot of absinthe.
London: Tower of London and the London Eye. Go on a pub-crawl.
Amsterdam: Anne Frank House, Canal Ride, Heineken Experience
Ibiza: Old Town. Go to Pacha; best club I have ever been to.
Lisbon: Surfing and the Sao Roque Church. It contains a lot of the gold the Portuguese stole from Brazil.
Sevilla, Spain – my favorite city in Spain after Madrid. You must go to Alcazar of Seville.
Toronto: Casa Loma
Morocco: Buy quilts and go to Chefchaouen (the blue city). Ride a camel.
Maui, Hawaii: Climb Haleakala Volcano
Fiji: Best snorkeling I have ever experienced.
New Zealand: Go to a Maori Village
Sydney, Australia: Sydney Harbor and Opera House
Tips for shopping
The quality of clothing overseas is better than the U.S. The prices were the same or slightly more expensive. The most fashionable place(s) I visited was P A R I S, L O N D O N is a close second.
TIPS FOR PLANNING A SUCCESSFUL TRIP
1. The key to a good trip is planning ahead, you must research things to do, tourist spots, and how much things cost in order to budget efficiently.
2. Make a daily itinerary, you can even place stars on Google maps. Be sure to eat foods specific to the place you are going. For example, eat pizza in Italy and croissants in Paris.
3. While in major cities, instead of renting a car try biking or walk. Also try the subway to eliminate high transportation costs. When it comes to airfare, book as early as possible. In Europe, airlines like Ryanair and Veiling are super cheap, but beware of baggage restrictions. In some cases the budget airline flies to airports on the outskirts of the city so you must have a plan to get to the city center. Other affordable transportation are express trains!
What is your favorite state to visit?
Chicago! Despite what many people would say, it is a beautiful city and there is so much to do.
“My favorite places to visit in the U.S. are New Orleans and Chicago”
State Count: 26
Thank you Gabrielle for being my traveler of the week!