insider.

As my eyes travel around the room, I am both terrified and fascinated by the USSR propaganda lining every inch of the otherwise barren space. Each item feels like a jab in my side.

If you like to let your feet breathe easy, plane rides and road trips might make you want to throw your shoes out the nearest window. But with sharp objects, dirty floors, and the passenger next to you, going barefoot may not be the greatest idea.

The Overseas Highway connects Florida’s mainland to the Key Islands. The highway itself is impressive, spanning more than 100 miles and including 47 bridges. But beyond that, it’s a great way to see some of the best sights Florida has to offer.

If you’re one of the growing number of people with allergies and asthma, then traveling might be a little intimidating. It can be easy to think only about what could go wrong. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can take a chill pill instead of a Benadryl, thanks to these tips and tricks for your next adventure.

Looking for international flights but don’t want to shell out thousands of dollars for a single round-trip ticket? Don’t want ten layovers just to get to one location? Well, I know a guy—a guy online named Scott Keyes.

Michaela Scarrott was excited to spend a month with her friends in what was described on Airbnb as a “luxury apartment” located in Whangarei, New Zealand. There was only one problem—Michaela wasn’t looking at the apartment on Airbnb, but was on a fake website posing as the housing marketplace instead. As a result, Michaela’s hopes of spending a fun-filled month with her friends in New Zealand were taken from her, as was her deposit of $4,800.

A whitewater river rafting trip is an unforgettable experience. There are astounding views, soul-stirring towering canyons, majestic waterfalls, magnificent overlooks, and marvelous slot canyons—all only accessible by river. Away from distractions, it is a time of absolute relaxation in the wilderness. Here are the top suggestions from my personal whitewater rafting adventures.

It’s that time—the afternoon slump. The sun is blazing, the sweat is dripping, and the blisters are forming. And, most regrettably, the magic of the Mouse House has dissipated in a poof of pixie dust. But this all-too-common scenario is entirely avoidable—anyone can maintain the magic of the Disney parks all day long. The following suggestions will help you keep the wonder in your wanderings.

After a much-needed nap, I woke up to my husband’s voice saying, “You’re going to wanna see this.” And with heavy eyes, I begrudgingly peeked out my window. To my surprise, outside were vibrant, blissful, cotton-candy skies as the sun rose over Tokyo. As I watched the sun slowly and gracefully illuminate the city, I thought, “This is exactly where I need to be.” I’ve always loved to travel and have always longed to be somewhere I’ve never been before. But, as I braved adulthood, that feeling slowly wilted away. Finally, after seeing countless travel photos on my Pinterest feed, I had an epiphany. Why not travel? After all, nothing can substitute for experience.

Traveling can sometimes feel uncomfortable and lonely. But using these firsthand conversation tips from experienced travelers can help you feel comfortable talking to almost anyone.Get out of your Comfort Zone

Want to save time and money on your next adventure? HotelTonight and WiFi Map are two apps brilliantly designed to aid you in your travels.HotelTonightHotelTonight promotes flexibility and spontaneity because the app’s focus is last-minute travel. In seconds, users are updated on the best deals at leading hotels. Users simply enter a city or zip code and receive instant notifications on HotelTonight’s hand-picked hotels for that area. The app includes hotels in the Americas and Europe.

To a first-time tourist, bargaining can be intimidating, especially with a language barrier. Here are six techniques and tips to remember when bargaining. Photo by Shreyans Bhansali. Be sure to check out the exchange rate of money since some things may be less expensive, depending on how the local money compares to the dollar. cchttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/1. Know when bargaining is appropriateSome countries frown upon bargaining, while others embrace it. It also depends on the location and type of stores. In places like supermarkets, food markets, and department stores, bargaining usually isn’t allowed. Places where bargaining is acceptable are flea markets, outdoor markets, street vendors, and areas designated by signs for bargaining. 2. Don’t settle for the initial priceMany vendors raise the initial price mainly because they either expect you to bargain it down, or they’re trying to get more money out of foreigners. Either way, don’t settle for the first price, or even the second or third. Ninety percent of the time, you will be able to lower the price. 3. Talk to the vendorParticularly in China and Indonesia, vendors will be more likely to lower the price of the item you want if you have a conversation with them first. Part of the bargaining process is to enjoy each other’s company. If you show the vendor that you understand the culture, you will likely get a better price than if you just haggle prices. 4. Use the “walk-away” method Photo by Sumori. Flea markets offer everything from jewelry to electronic speakers. There’s something for everyone! ccThis method is a very good one because it will cause the vendor to panic. If the vendor gives you a price and you feel like the price could go lower, make a move to walk away. The vendor will usually lower the price in an effort to keep you interested. Remember, the vendor’s goal is a completed sale. 5. Learn some of the languageBargaining can be more difficult in a country with a foreign language. In this case, making conversation isn’t likely, but learn how to say the numbers. This will help you bargain. Vendors will be more receptive to your bargaining attempt if you can speak even a few words in their language—and will probably give you a lower price and a smile. 6. Relax Bargaining may seem frightening at first, but the biggest trick is to simply give it a try. Developing your bargaining skill is like developing any other skill: it takes practice. You may mess up a few times and you may end up paying more for something the first couple of times, but it becomes easier, and you may even have fun.—Heather Moon

Trips don’t need to be chaotic and frustrating. Make your travels easier with the use of these free and helpful apps!