Summer in Europe has so much to offer. You could easily jump from city to city, country to country and fill your itinerary with some amazing experiences for a solid 4-5 months. Music festivals dominate the calendar, but it's the local traditional festivals that often give you the most authentic European experience. Bridgette Walker from Bucket List BK shares with us her story from one of the more unique festivals in Europe, the famous tomato throwing festival of La Tomatina in Valencia, Spain. When I made the decision to move to London I never imagined I’d be heading to Valencia to throw 145,000 kilos of tomatoes at 22,000 foreigners. Especially for work. Yep, I’m being paid to go to the world’s largest food fight; La Tomatina. 12pm Saturday; 2 vodka shots down thanks to Duty Free – we’re at Gatwick Airport and couldn’t be more ready for the 30+ degrees ahead of us. Or the tapas… or sangria… and that rooftop pool for that matter. Night 1 was exactly that; tapas and drinks in the Old Town. I’m lucky enough to have such a great crew of tour leaders with me on this tour – makes the ‘job’ that much more fun… Which brings me to Sunday. 35 degrees. Off to Bunol and Requena, both tiny little Spanish towns but for a few days at the end of every August, those tiny little Spanish towns attract thousands of tomato-throwing tourists. We finish the day with sunbathing by that beloved pool and of course an enormous paella feast in the Old Town. Need I say more? It was a good day. The Wine and Water Festival – a truly authentic and unique experience and a nice little extra to the La Tomatina fiesta. Most people soak up the opportunity (excuse the pun) to be covered in red wine and water by the locals – who wouldn’t? With a bull arena, music competition and street parade, it’s an unforgettable night. Well, depending on how much of the free wine you manage to collect in your plastic ‘vessel’… So that was a 4am finish, and now it’s Tuesday 7.45am. We’re off to Bunol for the main reason all 200 of us are here. Or should I say 22,000? It’s hard to explain to someone what being a part of La Tom (as we call it) is really like. Let alone explaining it on paper, but here goes… Picture this: You’re taken by coach to what is probably the smallest town you will ever visit, and led down a hill into the ‘main street’. You show your wristband to the intimidating Spanish security guards which is your entry into the fiesta, and you soon realise there is no turning back. Say adios to your amigos – the tomatoes have you now. Waiting for an hour in the 30 degree heat is one thing, but waiting amongst 22,000 strangers in an 800m street is something else! All adds to the experience I say. La Tomatina – it’s begun. Well, not until 11am when the rocket goes off – or when someone manages to claim the ham (yes an actual ham) from the greased pole. The first of the six lorries makes its way down this packed street and through the already sardine-like crowd, with locals lobbing the most ridiculous amount of tomatoes at you. Now it’s your turn. Grab those tomatoes and get throwing, squashing, flinging! You have exactly one hour and six trucks of tomatoes – make the most of it. If you can’t seem to picture the above then check out this pics! And so the 70th fiesta of La Tomatina has concluded. Time to stroll your way through the swarms of what is now Heinz and Watties tomato sauce and get back to Valencia. Always leave some time to hang out with the locals who thoroughly enjoy hosing off the participants and celebrating with some sangria. Here are my Top Tips for making the most of La Tom: Follow the few and simple rules of the festival – they are there for a reason: - Tomatoes must be squashed before throwing to avoid injury - Don’t throw anything but tomatoes - Participants must give way to the trucks and lorries (you really have no choice…) - After the second cannon is fired, no more tomatoes can be thrown Wear two layers – such as a sports bra or singlet underneath a t shirt (you will be felt up, whether it is intentional or not) Have the shampoo and conditioner at the ready (or even better, wear a shower or swimming cap) Goggles or sunglasses aren’t always the best idea; it may seem clever at the time when tomato juice is seeping into your eyes, but as soon as that huge guy next to you bumps you, there’s an instant black eye. Depends which you’d prefer I guess. Position yourself near an alley way or side street in case you need to get out Take a change of clothes. No explanation needed here. If you don’t need to change after the festival, you may as well not have gone at all! Adiós! Why not add in some of these unique festivals along with your Koda Sail tour in Croatia for the ultimate Euro Trip. Contact us if you are needing some advice which festivals are our favourites to match up with your tour dates. Big thanks to Bridgette for sharing her experience! Bridgette or BK as known by her friends is a proud Kiwi living in London enjoying all that Europe is offering to her as she crosses off her Bucket List. If you want to follow her journey through the list, make sure you check out her travel blog Bucket List BK, or follow her on Facebook, Twitter @bucketlistBK and Instagram: @bucketlistbk If you'd like to contribute as a guest blogger for Koda Sail, contact us directly here #GuestBlogger #EuroTrip #Festivals #Spain #Europe

So you’ve booked your ticket, packed your bags, and are practically out the door when the solo travel doubts start creeping in. You booked a solo trip to challenge yourself, to test your limits and explore the world, and maybe even do a little soul searching, but now you doubt whether or not you have it in you. Now you’re in need of someone to reassure you that this was a good idea and not the worst one you’ve ever had. That’s where I come in! This article is exactly what you need; my top tips to encourage your decision to travel solo. Travelling solo can be a daunting thing; especially as a first timer and even more so as a woman. On my first trip overseas I was overcome with thoughts such as “what the hell am I doing?!” from the moment my plane landed at Heathrow. However since that very first trip, the only time I’ve been overcome with those thoughts again is when I’m not travelling! I learned a lot of things on that very first solo trip and I continue to learn even more with each trip I take. From the terrifying tales your parents will tell you to the crazy stories the media comes up with, everyone seems to want you to think travelling alone is the most insane and unsafe thing a person can do. They are lying. Travelling solo is perfectly sane and it will be as safe as you make it. As long as you’re vigilant, follow these tips, and don’t share cabs with strangers (we’ve all seen Taken by now), you’ll be fine. Plan Your Route Ahead of Time You should know how to get to your hotel from the airport before your land so you’re well prepared. Also make sure you know the routes to any of the major attractions you want to see on your trip. Spend time researching if you can walk there or if you’ll need to take a cab or public transportation. If you’re taking a cab, be sure to find out how much the fare is before you go and if you’re taking public transportation make sure you check the schedules so you're not waiting alone for a long time. Copy Your Passport and Important Documents This is something all travellers should do regardless of it they’re alone or not. It’s a good idea to keep a copy of your passport and flight details somewhere in your suitcase in the event that your passport gets lost or stolen. I also always make sure my family back home has a copy of this information as well, just in case. It's a good idea to make some digital copies also. Simply take a photo of your documents on your smartphone and email it to yourself, that way you have a copy ready to download anywhere in the world that has wifi. Pack Light This is just going to make your life a whole lot easier and give you a lot less to worry about. Not having to carry an overweight suitcase up and down stairs or across cobblestone streets will make you look like less of a damsel in distress, aka a prime target, and will also give you a lot less to worry about when re-packing at the end of your trip. Keep Your Family and Friends Updated It’s always a good idea to keep your family in the loop about your travel plans. Let them know where you plan on visiting each day and give them an estimated time of when they should hear from you. Not only will this give them peace of mind, but in a worst case scenario they may be able to provide an estimate of your last known location. Learn How to Say No If someone is making you uncomfortable, maybe by being a little too interested in your travel plans or getting a little too personal you need to know how to say no and be firm about it. When you’re alone there’s no one else to scare of the creepy guys you may encounter, you need to do that for yourself. So learning how to stand your ground and say no is very important when travelling solo. Meet Other Travellers While it’s important to say no to potential threats, don’t shut everyone out. Use your judgment when meeting new people and be open to the idea of making friends. You’re bound to run into at least a few fellow travellers on your journeys, so don’t be afraid to befriend them. Being alone on the road can get lonely and it’s always fun to make friends from across the globe! Do Not Get Drunk I feel silly to even put this on the list because it seems like common sense, but women are still getting drunk in bars alone and being taking advantage of. If you’re travelling alone you need to be very careful with drinking; I would refrain from it at all when in public that way you can avoid being a potential target. Avoid Looking Like a Tourist Blending in is the number one way to not be a target while travelling. Locals are much less likely to try to attack or steal from other locals; they’re targeting dumb tourists, so it’s important to avoid looking like a dumb tourist at all costs. Make sure to dress like the locals, don’t wear anything too flashy or that will attract any negative or unwanted attention. It’s also a good idea to refrain from checking your map in the middle of the street. If you find yourself lost and needing to consult your map, dip into a coffee shop quickly to peak at it. Nothing says dumb tourist more than looking dazed and confused with a map in the middle of the road. Walk Around – But Ditch the Headphones Walking is not only the cheapest and easiest way to get from place to place, but it’s the best way to get familiar with your surroundings, which is very important when you’re alone. However, you should not be walking around with music blaring in your ears. First off this separates you from the beautiful city you’re supposed to be exploring and makes you a prime target for an attack or theft. Be Friendly Smile at people and be kind and the favor will always be reciprocated. I find locals are more than willing to help you out as long as you’re nice to them. Kindness goes a long way! Join a Tour A great way to get the solo travel experience while not being fully alone is to join a tour group. You can sign up for the tour alone, and then once you land overseas and meet up with your group, you’ll be surrounded by fun, like minded travellers who all have one common goal; to have a great time. Tour groups also give you the freedom to venture off alone if you so desire and then return to the group after, or stick with your new pals and explore your destination together. I’d recommend travelling with a tour group to anyone who is apprehensive about solo travel. Since you’re here, why not go ahead and sign up for a sailing tour around the Croatian islands? ;) Koda Sail will make it the highlight of your summer and you’re bound to meet some amazing and lifelong friends. Big thanks to Emily for sharing her top tips for travelling Solo. Emily is Canadian girl on a quest to explore the earth while trying to save it at the same time! Make sure you check out her travel and health blog airplanesandavocados.com to get a unique insight into sustainable and healthy travel You can follow her on Facebook, Pinterest @Emily and Instagram: airplanesandavocados If you'd like to contribute as a guest blogger, contact us directly here #GuestBlogger #TravelTips #SoloTravel #TopTips

For most of us the thought of sailing along the Croatian coastline and island hopping along the Adriatic may seem like only a dream. But for others this has become a reality thanks to affordable touring companies offering up their services, making it easier for you to set sail for that dream trip. Once you’ve booked the right tour for you, all you need to do now is decide what to pack. I know what you’re thinking...'Packing, what a nightmare!' Just relax, the secret is to remember that less is more! The Summer is long and warm so you need to pack accordingly. While you can easily pack light for a trip like this, there are some items you will definitely want to include. Below we have listed a few things you need to have handy so you can enjoy your vacation with ease. Comfortable Clothing You’ll need a few outfits for casual day activities and dressing up at night. 2 swimsuits would be ideal, as you will spend most of your day in a swimsuit, so let one dry and wear the other. T-shirts and shorts are perfect for throwing over a swimsuit or wearing around while you wander the city walls. A Sarong is always a handy travel item. Used as a bathrobe, swimsuit cover up, sleep sheet or even a towel, you wont regret having this item. 1 pair of socks. Yep, that’s all. You most likely won’t even use them! Top Tip: Check out Pinterest for some great travel outfits. Shoes 1 pair flip-flops. These will be your main footwear for the entire trip no doubt. A pair black flats or dressy sandals for the girls are ideal for dressing up an outfit for a night out. If you do wear shoes during the week, a small pair of tennis shoes would be handy if you’re doing some exploring on the land. Toiletries The goal here is to keep it light. Getting travel sized items is a must otherwise you will be taking up most of your suitcase with these. You can easily buy more when you are over here, so don’t go nuts with bringing your entire bathroom from home. Shampoo/Conditioner/Body Wash – Travel sized and TSA friendly. Get yourself a travel sized brush and some hair ties. Sun protection While you’re being blown away by the picturesque islands, it’s easy to forget to protect yourself from the sun! Make sure you pack a tube of sunscreen - SPF 30+ no less, a hat and sunglasses (with UV protection). Medication The boats have their own first aid gear, but it’s always nice to have a little supply of your own. Seasick tablets are always handy if you feel a bit green, however the boats are in calm waters and stop frequently for swim stops so this shouldn’t be an issue. Small items such as Bandaids, anti-diarrhea tablets, antiseptic cream and headache tablets will be a mini life saver on your trip. Documents and currency This is the boring part, but the most important for your trip. The obvious start here is make sure you bring your passport and your personal travel insurance documents. Of course bringing some local currency would be great too, however not necessary if you are starting in a big town like Split or Dubrovnik as they have many money exchange booths to get this done. The most important thing you need to pack is a great attitude, positive vibes and a carefree mind. The rest will work itself out. Now you’re ready to set sail. Big thanks to Margaret for sharing her Croatia packing tips! Margaret is an avid traveller/music journalist/blogger. If you want to follow more of her work follow her on Facebook, Twitter @maggietra and Instagram: mtra If you'd like to contribute as a guest blogger, contact us directly here #GuestBlogger #TravelTips #Travel #Croatia

These days, making sure you don't forget your tooth brush for that big trip is the last of your worries. Now as we live, breath and travel in the 'Digital Age' we need to dedicate an entire part of our luggage for our equiptment. I know some people travel to get off the radar and escape, but with phones and camera's being so advanced, they can help enhance your travel experience as long as you don't let it take over. Our guest blogger Glenn 'Coco' Kelly aka GK is all about getting the most out of your digital equiptment while on the road and has some Top Tips on travelling with your smart phone to add to that check list before you depart. BACK UP and CLEAR OUT Your holiday is a chance to give your phone a spring clean, ready for all the photos you will take while overseas. The backup and clear out also means that sensitive information, images and videos that might be deep in your phone are gone, protecting you if it is stolen or lost. VERY IMPORTANT: Double check that all your contacts are synced/backed up to iCloud or Google. While losing a phone is hard, replacing contacts is painful. It takes next to no time to do the backup these days, so make sure you get it done before you leave. UNLOCK YOUR PHONE Ensure that you carrier at home allows you to use your phone overseas. By having them unlock your phone (which should be as simple as making a phone call to them), this will allow you to purchase pre-paid SIM cards overseas to use instead of worrying about extreme data roaming charges. If you're deciding not to use your home carrier, switch out your SIM before you take off, or remove it completely. That way there’s no chance of an accidental massive roaming charge. DELETE APPS This is a chance to clear out the junk. For a start get rid of any app you don’t use anymore. Games that are taking up space and use data even when you’re not playing them have got to go. Apps that are just relevant for when you are home aren't neccesary. Use this space to download apps for the places you are going to. Public transport apps for the cities you are heading to will be most useful, just be sure to delete them as you go, freeing up more space for photos. MESSAGING APPS Install a data messaging app like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. If you will be needing to make calls, SKYPE is still one of the strongest. Add some credit to your account and you will be able to use it to make calls to those not on SKYPE which will save you having to buy a Sim card in each country you are going to. AIRPLANE MODE This can be a life-saver when trying to save battery on your phone for those long days out exploring the cities. It's not likely that you will be making or recieving calls as frequently as you would at home, and it's likely that you are in a different timezone anyway, so switch it over to Airplane mode. This allows you to use all the phones functions that don't require data. The main one being the camera and also music. SECURE YOUR PHONE Set a Security Code or Pattern. This small security measure may be enough of a deterrence for someone thinking about taking your phone. And if you are unlucky enough to have your phone stolen, this will make it hard for them to get a hold of any sensitive info you have stored inside, especially any passwords for payment cards! DEPARTURE DAY Turn off Auto Update in the applications menu. If you are roaming you will probably be limited in your daily allowance, so make sure this isn't gobbling up all your data. -- Glenn 'Coco' Kelly is part traveller/blogger/awesome video maker (he's responsible for our feature video) who lives in London and enjoys telling a story or two. Go and check out more of his stuff on his website glennkelly.com.au #TopTips #GuestBlogger #Travel #Technology

There's no doubt about it, Croatia has some of the best beaches in Europe. With it's crystal blue clean water and it's 1000's of islands scattering the Dalmatian coastline, you are sure to find a hidden gem in there somewhere. The team here at Koda Sail have travelled all up and down the coastline for this difficult assignment to find Croatia's best beaches. Tough job but someone has to do it ;) So here's some of our favorites to share with you guys. We cover quite a few of them on our Dalmatian Voyager tour, but if you're up for some exploring on your own, here's a few more for you. ZLATNI RAT, BRAČ ISLAND Zlatni Rat (AKA Golden Cape) is pretty much the poster boy of Dalmatian beaches, pictured in countless brochures and guidebooks. The pebbly peninsula remains a compelling destination despite the crowds. It's not hard to see why with its clear shallow turquoise seas and amazing views, making it a difficult place to leave. It’s within walking distance of Bol making it even more popoluar amongst those visitng the island. The cool thing about this beach is that it changes every day depending on the current. The pebbles shift to change the point of the beach, making it an ever changing coastline. The winds at the end make it a favorite for the kite-surfers! BAČVICE, SPLIT For many of the locals, Split is not so much a city as a religion, centred around a collection of semi-mystic locations. Among the holiest of holies is undoubtedly Bačvice beach! This shallow bay of sand has no doubt played an important role in the early childhood and teenage years of virtually anyone who has ever called the city home. Immensely popular as a family beach, it’s also a buzzing social hub, with cafe's, restaurants and cocktail bars packing the pavilion. Bačvice is also famous for being the spiritual home of picigin, a uniquely Dalmatian sport that involves a lot of acrobatic leaping around as players try to prevent a small ball from hitting the water. NIN If your idea of a beach is a long strip of sand that stretches away towards the horizon, then you really need to make tracks for Nin. Located 15km from Zadar, Nin’s long Beach contains a small bunch of beach bars with mesmerising views of the Velebit mountains across the water. Don’t be alarmed at the sight of fellow bathers smearing themselves in sludge, the area behind the beach is rich in peloid mud which is an effective natural treatment for sore joints and muscles. SPIAZA, SUSAK Desert island getaways don’t come much better than on Susak. The tiny island made almost entirely of sand is a ferry ride away from Mali Lošinj. The island’s main beach, Spiaza, is a majestic moon-grey crescent stretching out from Susak village. The bay is very shallow – you need to wade for almost half a kilometre to find sea deep enough to swim in! ŠUNJ BAY, LOPUD ISLAND Sometimes it’s not just the beach that matters, it’s also about the journey there and back. Getting to Šunj Bay on the island of Lopud involves 50 minute crossing on the passenger-only Dubrovnik-Šipan ferry, followed by a hike over the central hump of the peaceful car-free island of Lopud. Once you get there, you'll agree that the journey was worth it. There’s an informal beach bar at the back of the beach for you to celebrate your arrival :) Now there are so many more beaches to explore, but the best ones are the ones you stumble across yourself. Get out there and explore the wonders of the Dalmatian Coast to find your hidden gem! #Croatia #Beaches #Travel

Does spending the day island hopping in shorts and a t-shirt, eating delicious food, sipping cocktails or ice cold beer and hanging out with like minded people sound like your idea of paradise? If the answer is yes, then a sailing holiday in Croatia ticks all the boxes. Over the past couple of years Croatia has experienced somewhat of a renaissance. Its beautiful west coast has plenty of fantastic beaches, over a thousand islands nestling along it and is lapped by the crystal blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. Croatia is also steeped in history and the city of Dubrovnik with its maritime heritage serves as a shining example of Croatian cool, with its Baroque architecture and marble streets. When you couple all this with a Mediterranean climate, it’s not hard to see why the young, cool and chic set have been turning up in their droves looking for laidback fun in the sun. One trend that is emerging as an extremely popular way to “do Croatia” is by sail boat, this way you get to see all the best islands and west coast locations in luxury. Koda Sail offers tantalising sailing tours, with mouthwatering itineraries. By day you’ll visit mountain ranges, national parks, of course you’ll enjoy plenty of swim stops and have the opportunity to experience zip-lining and river rafting, given that you have taken out adequate travel insurance. By night, you’ll indulge in wonderful food cooked by your own personal chef and experience the vibrant nightlife at a range of venues back on land. If you decide to go on Koda Sail’s Beats Tour, your trip will end with 4 days at one of Europe's coolest music festivals. At The Sonus Music Festival you’ll get to dance to great music, enjoy local BBQs and join in on the fun boat parties. The Croatians love their food, which is an interesting mix of Mediterranean and Central European. The main meal of the day among the locals is lunch, which is often washed down with a refreshing glass of wine. You’ll find plenty of seafood, grilled meats, breaded veal or chicken (Snitzel) and with a huge Italian influence you’ll get some great pizza, maybe even better than Italy itself! So, it would appear that the likes of Ibiza and the Greek Islands are facing some new and very stiff competition. Croatia really does have everything to offer, a great climate, beautiful beaches and islands and it’s currently one of the most desirable holiday destinations on the planet. #GuestBlogger #Travel #TravelInsurance #EuroTrip

Looking back at your vacation pics is the best way to reminisce about what an awesome time in your life this trip represented. However, not everyone can take a good pic and more often than not, you get home and wish you had taken better effort with the camera to capture the moment properly. This guide will help you discover some simple ways to improve your images and make all your friends jealous. There are very simple techniques you can use to improve your photography however I will start with a very important rule. Do NOT experience your adventure solely through the back of your camera! It is important that you focus on having a great time and not on getting a photo of EVERYTHING you see. Pick A Style When on a trip its tempting to photograph everything but this just leads to memory cards full of images that you’ll never remember what or where you took them. Try coming up with a style or theme for your trip. Some good examples: Focus on the small details or large details (landscapes/cityscapes) Come up with a list of five images to capture everywhere. Focus on a single subject (Food, doorways, view from a window) Don’t fall into the – ‘Everyones taking a photo, I should as well’ De-clutter Your Photos When taking a photo try and think like someone that will be viewing this image without having been there and ask yourself these simple questions. Is the subject of the photo clear? Is there distracting objects/people in the shot? – if at a tourist site, look for a way to get above the crowd or wait for it to clear. Is there a better location/angle/spot to take this photo from? The entrance or middle of a walk way is rarely the best photo location. Before pulling out your camera, scope it out. Taking your time is important. One thing you’ll notice is that professionals seems to spend more time looking and less time shooting. This is because they’re waiting and observing. Holding Your Camera While point and shoot (P&S) cameras are wonderful and small they do raise a problem, how to hold them. Large SLR cameras are deliberately heavy because it makes stabilising them while hand holding easier. For small point and shoot cameras there are a few ways to hold them that will reduce those ‘shakey shots’. Always use two hands & Lock your elbows by your side. Overcome shaky night shots by using a wall or post to rest your camera on, or better still get yourself a mini tripod. For ‘Capturing the lights’ at Eiffel Tower or Sagrada Familia use a jacket or bag as a resting spot and then turn on your Timer so you can set it up and then let go – eliminating shake. Most cameras will have a 2 sec timer, this is what it's for! Edit Before Uploading While Facebook allows you to upload 200 billion photos, you shouldn’t. Take 10 mins to go through and delete double ups, blurry shots, and generally cull the millions of photos down to around 50. Doing this will: Make you pick the best shots Make your friends think you are awesome – but also means when you look back at the end of your trip, you’ll have the best photos of your vacation without the horrible ones you need to flick past. Be brutal and delete any that don’t really capture what you wanted. In the End: Photos are for you, don’t worry about what others say. If you upload less it makes it easier to add comments & tags and more likely that your friends will look at them. No one wants to see your album of 500 photos of the Eiffel tower. No one! Try and make sure they flow in a chronological order. If using filters on your photos be consistent (Stick with one) Have Fun! Like many art forms, photography tends to work out better if you enjoy doing it. If you find that taking photos is a drag on your trip, it's best to stop. A few mistakes I’ve seen that ruin photography for people. Carrying every accessory that came with your camera. Pick one lens (for SLRs) and stick with it. (my personal preference is 50mm prime) Taking/Using a tripod. Unless you are a hard core photographer leave the tripod at home. It’s a pain to carry with you and most tourist locations don’t allow them anymore. If you must have one, get a mini one that's easy to pack away. You don’t have to be in every shot. Photographing your holiday should be fun, it should be a process that ensures that you have memories of your time in foreign lands. In the end make sure you walk away from you travels with memories not just photos. It’s ok to take shots, but done live through the back of your camera, every so often, stop, put away the camera and just look with your eyes. ---- Glenn 'Coco' Kelly is part traveller/blogger/awesome video maker (he's responsible for our feature video) who lives in London and enjoys telling a story or two. Go and check out his instagram @glenngkcoco #TravelTips #Photography #Travel #TopTips #GuestBlogger

The countdown is on. You've locked in those dates to escape from work to forget about your everyday life for a little while and enjoy some well hard earned chillax time. But after a quick look over at your bank balance, you freak out just a little! After Xmas and a very social December, January can often leave your wallet looking skinny and scare you off all those awesome New Years resolutions you've set to travel the world. With a little bit of planning and some will power to keep you on track, saving for your big trip in 2016 really isn't out of reach. Here are some tips from the Koda crew to help you start saving today! Cut down your costs! Now this is the hard part. This is the part where you need to make a plan and stick to it. Having a travel buddy to keep you in check is always a big help. Time to cut back on going out. It's not forever, just for the next few months or so. It doesn't mean you can't be social. Instead of eating out and having pizza then going to the movies, why not invite your friends over for a homemade pizza making challenge and a DVD. A lot more fun and you're saving $$$$ Home will always be home so don't have FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). Just think, for every night you don't go out here at home, that's an extra night you get to enjoy on your trip. Can you give up your obsession with shopping for shoes for this? It's going to test your will-power but the rewards are there. Stay strong! Budgeting Time to get out the spread sheet! Mark up a few basics like how much you think your trip will cost including spending money. Then work out how many weeks until your trip and how much you need to save per week to get to your goal. Now STICK TO IT! Make a list of all the things you spend your money on in a month. - Rent - Repayments (car loans, insurance etc) - Transport (Petrol, metro tickets etc) - Gym membership - Phone plan - Nice stuff (nails, hair, waxing etc) - Netflix - lunch/coffee Now have a look at that list and see what can be cut back or even better, cut out. Put some values per month next to them and see what they add up to over 6 months. Seeing how much you spend on these small things might be a shock as you think they are nothing but in no time they can add up. When stacked up next to what you earn, this will give you a realistic figure of what you can achieve if you stick to your plan. You may even have to take up a second job to get to your goal, but it will all be worth it in the end. Tips on cutting back: Bring your lunch to work. Leftovers from last night or a homemade sandwich can save you $10 a day. Over 6 months that's $1300! Cut out that morning coffee. $4 a day = $520 in 6 months. If you really need that coffee, get yourself a second-hand Nespresso machine for home (pick up one for as little as $50) and buy your pods for less than $1. This option will save you close to $400 and you still get that morning coffee! Quit smoking! If you're a smoker you know how expensive this habit can be. If there was any time you needed motivation to quit, this is it! Buy generic brands. They don't taste that different really. Just think of all the amazing food and flavours you will be eating when you get over to Europe, that'll get you through this one! Every time you see something you want to buy, just stop and think to yourself "is this a WANT or a NEED?" If it's a want, you can defs do without, for the next 6 months at least. If you really can't stop yourself, how about giving yourself a monthly splurge budget and stick to it. Then each month cut it back. Just remember the reward is more shopping in Europe! Pause that gym membership. $20 a week to run on the treadmill and lift a few weights. How about running at the local football oval and doing push-ups, sit-ups and a few pull-ups on that monkey-bar in the playground. Doesn't cost anything to do a few squats in the kitchen while you wait for that coffee machine to pump out that coffee! This will save you $500 in just six months. That phone plan you're on, is it really necessary? There are so many great pre-paid deals out there at the moment, it's time to shop around, especially if you are out of your phone contract and own you're phone outright. Phone companies such as Amaysim have great data plans for as little as $20 a month. If you're still in contract, contact your provider and see if you can cut back on your plan for the next 6 months while you're saving. Doing all these little things add up. In fact these alone add up to a saving of around $2500-3000! Now there's your flights and a bunch of extra shopping money sorted, all with hardly any effort at all. Saving is hard work, so reward yourself when you hit a big milestone (eg: the cost of your flights). Sometimes you need small things to look forward to along the way, otherwise you'll get bored.​ Airfares With February just around the corner, there will be some Europe travel expos coming up which means you'll have that last chance to snap up a great airfare deal. Do your research before you go so you have some ammo in your pocket to make sure that travel agent gives you the best deal available. Check out websites such as www.momondo.com that not only search for flights, but also have some snazy infographs outlining best days to travel around your selected dates. This could save you a few hundred dollars if you're lucky. Travelling between Tuesday to Thursday will usually cut some costs. If you're not too fussed about luxury, then go that cheaper airline. Do you really need to pay an extra $500 when you're most likely going to be asleep most of the flight? Flying to Europe doesn't mean you have to fly into London Heathrow airport. Europe is very well connected and flying into cities such as Rome, Paris or Amsterdam might be a cheaper option. Once there you may pick up a cheaper connecting flight to your destination with discount airlines such as easyjet.com or ryanair.com If you are planning to fly into Croatia for your Koda Sail trip, you may want to look at flying into Rome and then getting a cheap flight with EasyJet. They do have luggage restrictions though, so keep an eye out for that. Getting those extra bits of cash together: Sometimes you need to be a little creative and a little lucky and that extra cash you hadn't thought of will fall in your lap. Here are some handy ones to think about. Got a birthday, Christmas, graduation or any other event coming up, how about asking for cash to add to your trip fund rather than presents? Open a high interest savings account to place your weekly savings into. This not only will hide the money away from you so you're not tempted to spend it, but you can gain a few extra dollars in doing so. If you can, pay extra on your credit cards. It's a different way of saving, as you will have this money on the card to spend while you are away on your trip. eBay! Have a look through your wardrobe. Surely there are items in there that you haven't worn in ages, but they are too good to throw away. So don't throw them away, sell them! You may not get big bucks for them, but you're getting something for clothes that you weren't using anyway. And if all else fails...ask your parents! ​ #TopTips #Travel #Saving #TravelTips

Why not catch a Music Festival while on your big Euro Trip and see why the Europeans are the best in the world at throwing a party! Some of the worlds best DJ's hail from Europe and they love playing at festivals in their backyard. Throughout the Summer there is pretty much a festival happening somewhere every single day. Here are some of our favorites in and around Croatia that you don't want to miss. Line up one of these with one of our sailing trips and take your Euro Trip to the next level! 21 - 25 AUGUST 2016 | ZRCE, CROATIA www.sonus-festival.com Koda Beats We are teaming up with the crew at Sonus this Summer so you can enjoy a week with on the seas making some great new friends then head north with them to create some unforgetable memories at the Sonus Festival. HIDEOUT FESTIVAL 26 JUNE - 1 JULY 2016 | NOVALJA, CROATIA www.hideoutfestival.com DJ MAG FESTIVAL 7 - 10 AUGUST 2016 | ZRCE, CROATIA www.djmag.com EXIT FESTIVAL 7 - 10 JULY 2016 | NOVI SAD, SERBIA www.exitfest.org ULTRA EUROPE 15 - 17 JULY 2016 | SPLIT, CROATIA www.ultraeurope.com BALATON SOUND 6 - 10 JULY 2016 | ZAMARDI, HUNGARY www.sziget.hu/balatonsound FRESH ISLAND 12 - 14 JULY 2016 | PAG ISLAND, CROATIA www.2015.fresh-island.org SZIGET 10 - 17 AUGUST 2016 | BUDAPEST, HUNGARY www.szigetfestival.com and the big one... TOMORROWLAND JUNE 2016 | BOOM, BELGIUM www.live.tomorrowland.com So what are you waiting for?!! Get planning before it's too late as these festivals sell out fast. Get in contact with us if you need any more info about these festivals and how you can line them up with one of our sailing trips this coming Summer. #GETONBOARD! #MusicFestival #Europe #Travel #Summer #EuroTrip

The demand for Croatia sailing continues to grow every Summer, which is no surprise to us here at Koda Sail who get to experience it as part of our awesome job. 2016 is shaping up to be another great Summer as dates are already starting to sell out. In 2016 we have some great add-ons to our tours that take on some of Croatia's biggest festivals including Sonus Festival and DJ Mag Festival. Our guides are the best in the business and will ensure you get the trip of a lifetime! Check out our tours today and give yourself a vacation to look forward to this coming year. Bring on 2016!! ‪#‎GETONBOARD‬ #Summer #KodaBeats #Music #Travel

No matter how serious life gets, you still have that one person you can be completely stupid with. That's what friendship is all about. What's life without a little bit of crazy, and having someone to share that with makes it double the fun. We at Koda Sail have seen many friendships form before our eyes on tour, but it's those long lasting besties that come on our trips and choose to share yet another life long memory together, is what we love seeing the most. The friends that have stories from 'back in the old day', the ones that have been there from day dot, that have shared the highs and lows, the ones that make you laugh louder, smile brighter and live better, they are your besties and after travelling together, they'll be in your heart for life. Here's our top reasons why you should go travelling with your bestie. You can share eachothers clothes So, this pretty much means you both save on packing space cos you can share those essential items. You get double the rotation with a shared wardrobe. Winning! Experience new things in new places You’ll most likely experience something you haven’t seen in your hometown or where you are living now. You need someone that understands where you come from to really appreciate how special this moment is. Whether it is the way people act, or the rules of the country you’re traveling to being completely different, sharing this with your friends will create memories for a lifetime. You can share your food There's always that second dish on the menu that you really want to try, but you've already got your tastebuds frothing for something else. Then your friend says they'll pick that second dish and you can share it. That's what friends are for. Unless you're Joey... You need someone to take good photos for you. You're on vacation, so no doubt you'll be stuffing your facebook feed with loads of pics. There's only so many selfies you can take before your freinds back home start blocking your posts, so mix it up and hand over the camera to your travel buddy. They know which side you look best, that you always like the shots to be vertical (to include your super-tanned legs) and they'll have the patience to take a billion photos of you so you can have the perfect Instagram. Even the dull moments will be fun There might be times where you don’t have much planned and are just going to go for a walk or chilling at a park, you can make it fun because just talking with your bestie always leads to laughs and fun times. So, if you haven't already taken the next step in your relationship with your BFF, there's no better way to start this next chapter than with a sailing trip with us in Croatia. Come and share this next step with us! #GETONBOARD #Friends #BFF #TravelBuddy #Travel

Hidden gems you need to know about For any die-hard Game of Thrones fans, you've no doubt heard of the beautiful city of Dubrovnik. If you've done just a mini bit of research about Croatia then you've most likely heard of the historic town of Split also. Where else? Zagreb the capital and maybe Zadar? What about all the other hidden gems here? Get out an atlas and find these places! Towns like Makarska, Korcula and Omis pictured below may not be places you are familiar with now, but after you visit there's every chance you'll fall deeply in love with them and be in your heart forever. Sprikled along the Dalmatian coastline inbetween Split and Dubrovnik, make sure these towns are added to your travel bucket-list. Food here is AMAZINGLY Delicious! Most people make the assumption that food out here in the eastern parts of Europe is quite bland, black and white, tasteless in a post-communist boiled potatotes sort of way. If you are one of those not lucky enough to have made it out here just yet and have those assumptions, then you a VERY VERY wrong! Croatia has a long traditional history with food. Not even decades of communist rule could destroy this proud culinary history. From the delicious seafood along the coastline to the Italian influenced pasta dishes and the hearty meat dishes of the inland regions, the food here is quite varied and very tasty. Oh, and the Wine! Make sure you get here for the wine! Enjoying a sunset with a local favorite in hand paired with some Craotian cheese and procioutto can not be beaten! Dubrovnik is what you expect, plus more! Being Craotia's number 1 tourist attraction, Dubrovnik does not dissapoint. With it's medievil historic walled city, it's like you are in a scene from Game of Thrones as soon as you walk across the bridge over the moat and through the huge city gates. Walking through the streets or along the city walls, you really get to appreciate this open air museum. UNESCO has protected it as a historic site so you are able to get a great feel of what it would have looked like over 7 centuries ago when this city was built. The best way to really see Dubrovnik is by walking along the city walls. Getting a bird’s eye view of the labyrinthine alleys and streets of the old city is breath-taking. So if you were thinking of skipping Dubrovnik because it’s too touristy, don’t! You must see it! Meet like-minded people on-board your ship If you go on one of our cruises, you're bound to meet like-minded young professional travellers on-board your ship. There will be people from different countries who speak different languages, but everyone will be bound together by the same love for travel, adventure and fun. Another option is to organize the trip with a group of friends - both big and small groups can work well on these ships! The afternoons on deck are a perfect time to learn about your new and old friends and their home cultures, swap stories about your travels and connect on Instagram or Facebook to keep in contact once the trip is over. We have WiFi on board, although you might find your dream Croatian cruise is the perfect place to disconnect for a while. Swim stops in the middle of nowhere are just perfect. Sailing during the day is great! Not only will you be awake to see the gorgeous views of the Croatian coast, but we include daily swim breaks where the boat drops anchor for an hour or two in the sky-blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. Gather your courage and jump from the railing of the ship into the sea or grab your snorkel and swim with the fish closer to the shore. #Croatia #Travel #Dubrovnik #Food

Over the next few months, we're going to share with you some of our fave tunes that give us those #VacayVibes, getting us ready for our Summer 2016 season ahead. ‪#‎GETONBOARD‬ with us at SoundCloud and follow our Summer Playlist as we continue to add in some sweet tunes to get you in the mood to chillax and sail with us! First up is Fresh Water by If I Had Antlers. These guys are featured on our Summer video, so naturally they are first up favs of ours. Enjoy! Click on the image to hear the track. #Music #Travel #VacayVibes