Let's start with the simplest thing - the season. In almost any country there are periods when it's feast or famine. Most often this is explained by climate conditions. But you don't need to fall for it! In summer, for example, in Italy, it's extremely hot, and you can move from one attraction to another only in short dashes. But our vacationers, having grabbed their well-deserved time off in July, eagerly head to Rome, Florence and Venice. Why? It's much more pleasant to walk around these cities in April or September - the weather is already significantly more comfortable: not so hot, but without prolonged rains. The same goes for beach destinations, for example, Phuket or Bali - try to come during the shoulder period: when the sea is already warm enough or, on the contrary, the velvet season is beginning. Fewer people and lower prices.

One more very important fact: events and holidays. When planning an independent trip, be sure to find out whether there are any major events taking place during that period in the place you are heading to. Why is this necessary? Because all hotel rooms may simply be sold out, and in those that still have availability, prices will be absolutely astronomical. A Madonna concert, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Chinese New Year... Don't think that you're the only one who wants to witness interesting events. Local residents themselves often flock to major cities for such holidays.

And what if you'd be happy to go somewhere, but don't know where? Elementary, Watson! Find your dream destination among a thousand travel ideas! Original places, ready-made walking routes, advice from locals... You're sure to find something for every taste and budget!

And most importantly: keep in mind that it's best to start dealing with the visa application a couple of months before the trip ;)

Agree, it's much more pleasant to arrive somewhere and walk around understanding what surrounds you. But it's no secret that the services of a professional guide are expensive, while joining an organized tour group of 40 people is boring and inconvenient - you can't stop to take a good shot, linger to buy souvenirs, or step aside to see something else... Only independent walks give real freedom of movement, but how can you combine them with professional knowledge? Let us recommend the EverTravel service.

You can organize a city tour without turning to guides. Plan your trip yourself: choose the city you're going to visit and add the places that interest you to your favorites. You can even distribute them across several days of the trip and build routes between them. And what is especially convenient is that after planning on a big screen, all of this can be synchronized with the EverTravel mobile app.

Carrying a personal mobile guide with you is much more convenient than heavy books or bulky maps. And it contains just as much information: descriptions of places, opening hours, ticket prices, ready-made walking routes, and even audio guides for several cities around the world. All of this is prepared by professional tour guides, real travel experts, and very experienced travelers.

And do you know what the best part is? Using the EverTravel service is absolutely free! All you need to do is register and start planning your trip. By the way, there's a promotion on the EverTravel website right now: everyone who registers receives 100 piasters as a gift. This is an internal currency that can be used to purchase audio walks available in the mobile app. You can download it for free too, and to use the bonus, simply exchange the piasters you receive upon registration for one of the audio walks around cities of the world. Don't put it off, register right now, the promotion is only available for a limited time!

There are lots of nuances here, so let's describe the main ones:

This is perhaps one of the most painful questions: it's already almost impossible to imagine life without constant communication and the desire to share what you've seen on social media. For this case there are 2 main options: connect special packages from your home MTS, Beeline, or Megafon, or buy SIM cards from local operators. There are a lot of different nuances here, depending on the length of your trip, the country you've chosen, and even your activity on social media, so we think the choice here will remain yours.

And the most budget-friendly solution, of course, is wi-fi. But, as you understand, you'll only be able to find it in a hotel or a cafe where you stop for lunch or dinner. On the other hand, to make a call on Skype, send a message on WhatsApp, or post a photo to Instagram, that will be quite enough.

If you intend to visit a large number of museums, it makes sense to buy a tourist card like the Paris Pass - in every city they are called differently. They cost quite a lot: usually from 20 to 100 euro. But they give you the right to skip the line, substantial discounts, or even free admission. But we'll repeat that they pay off only if, when setting off on an independent trip, you really intend to see not one, not two museums, but at least more than five.

It's also worth studying the official websites of the collections you want to visit. Many of them have free admission days. True, huge numbers of people want to get in on those days. If the surrounding crowds of art lovers don't bother you, why not use this opportunity?

Read carefully what is written at the ticket office and on the ticket. Often you can get an age-based discount or use one ticket to enter several sites at once. For example, a ticket to the Colosseum also lets you visit the Roman Forum and the Palatine.

Saving time is no less important. As a rule, huge lines form at many popular museums and attractions. Waiting to get in can sometimes take 2-3 hours! And add to that the scorching sun or pouring rain... You can avoid this sad fate by buying tickets in advance. Having already stood in very long lines a couple of times, we strongly recommend booking tickets to the Vatican Museums, the Uffizi Gallery, or Disneyland Paris on the day before your planned visit.

A real find for shopaholics is outlets - suburban shopping centers that resemble pretty villages more than malls. As a rule, they feature up to 100 mono-brand boutiques where clothes and shoes can be bought at discounts from 30 to 70%. And we're not talking about some H&M or ZARA, but Boss, Dior, Prada, Valentino, and other fairly prestigious brands. Do you already see the benefit? ;) The secret lies in the fact that collections from past seasons are presented here. But if it's not especially important for you to match the latest fashion trends, then it's hard to imagine a better place to buy beautiful and high-quality items!

Also don't forget about tax-free: in many countries, when buying goods for substantial amounts (usually from 150 euro), you are entitled to a VAT refund. It's extremely pleasant to receive a couple hundred euro at the airport when flying home ;)

Know about sale periods too. The claim that even taking into account the flight to a sale in Milan, shopping in Italy will be much more profitable than similar purchases in Moscow, has already become proverbial.

And the simplest and most important thing: never buy anything near the main tourist attractions. Walk a few blocks away: you'll find things that are both cheaper and more authentic.

The best advisers on this issue are locals. Pay attention to places where lines form, where there are no signs with special offers for tourists, and ask at the reception desk of the hotel where you're staying. A good concierge will recommend not only restaurants that have a partnership program, but also little spots he personally likes to drop into in the evenings.

The Foursquare and TripAdvisor apps are an invaluable treasure trove of knowledge. In them you can look up cafes and restaurants located near you, as well as choose suitable ones by reviews, photos, and prices.

And guides can offer the most interesting things! Even when planning an independent trip, you shouldn't ignore them! Recently gastronomic tourism has been becoming more and more popular, and in many cities around the world there are wine tastings in authentic settings, beer tours, and even excursions to the boutiques of outstanding chocolatiers! In short, you need to know the right places ;)

Our answer is yes! In 100% of cases it will be cheaper than a taxi. Even figuring out the vaporetto route map in Venice usually causes no difficulties at all. Pay attention not only to single tickets, but also to combined ones - for 3-5 days, they can be even more advantageous.

If you're traveling with a large group and going not to just one city but around different regions, it will probably be more convenient to rent a car. You won't be tied to bus and train schedules and will be able to save significantly on tickets.

And don't forget about Hop-on-Hop-off tourist buses either. Their routes are laid out past the city's main attractions, which is very convenient for those who don't like thinking about how and where they need to get.

However, there are cases when instead of public transport it's better to choose an individual transfer. For example, if your plane arrives late at night, or you're traveling with small children or large suitcases. Then a personal driver who takes you straight to the hotel will be exactly what you need!

While writing this, we ourselves didn't notice how our 10 travel hacks turned into 30. If anything, we can tell you a lot more useful things ;) But in fact, everything is very simple: choose an idea for an independent trip, plan your trip on the EverTravel website, and download the free mobile app. Three steps that will make your next journey truly unforgettable!

And of course, subscribe to the EverTravel communities on Facebook and VKontakte and travel. Always!