Jenny, who never travels without her Sherpani bag in tow, was kind enough to offer her expertise and answer our questions about making the most of the Colombian experience! Read on to discover must-see places, travel safety tips, and what to expect when you book a tour with Jenny's company, Vive Más Tours.
We want to thank Jenny for her time and helpful insights into Colombian travel! If you're ready to discover all that Colombia has to offer, Vive Más Tours is ready to take you there!
Jenny has upcoming Colombia trips in April (almost sold out!), June, and November this year. As you can tell from her expertise, traveling with Vive Más Tours is the best way to unlock rich historical context, profound cultural experiences, and so much more on your Colombian adventure. We think it's time you give Jenny a call (then pack your Meridian suitcase 😉)!
Happy Travels! Or, should we say, Feliz Viaje!!
Sherpani & Vive Más Tours
Learn from another travel expert in Doni & Sherpani: An Inspiring Conversation with Doni Belau, Female Travel Extraordinaire
For more South American adventure try Old Friend New Adventure: Peru & Machu Picchu
To learn more about Sherpani's Anti-Theft Collection, check out Five Common Types of Bag Theft + How to Prevent Theft During Travel
By women for women, the Sherpani Travel Blog talks about all things travel. With a new post every week on Travel Tuesday, our blog is the go-to place for unique travel guides, general travel tips, personal travel stories from women in our community, and more!
]]>As we embark on our own adventures, let's look back on some impactful women who shaped feminist travel history! Here are five historical female travelers you should know about:
Jeanne Baret was a French botanist and explorer who, incredibly, became the first woman to circumnavigate the world. Masquerading as a man, she joined the expedition of Louis-Antoine de Bougainville and sailed around the world from 1766 to 1769. Since this occurred so long ago—a decade before the Declaration of Independence was signed—there are gaps in our collective knowledge of Jeanne Baret's story. We know that she came from little means but died with respectable ones, which nods to a self-made success story of a woman way ahead of her time.
It has been speculated that she was an herb woman and expert in her own right, or else a lover to the crew member of whom she was under the pretense of assisting (possibilities that are not mutually exclusive). We recommend two woman-authored biographies as sources to learn more about this capable, clever, and undeniably brave woman: The Discover of Jeanne Baret: A Story of Science, the High Seas, and the First Woman to Circumnavigate the Globe by Glynis Ridley and In Search of the Woman Who Sailed the World by Danielle Clode.
Annie Smith Peck was an American college professor and mountaineer with a story that will make you believe anything is possible. She started climbing mountains in her forties; we love a woman who reminds us that new chapters do not only belong to the young. In 1895, she summited the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps and became famous, not because of her climb, but for the controversial fact that she did it wearing pants. While the world was intent on picking apart her choice of clothing rather than celebrating her athletic achievements, Annie Smith Peck went on carving her own path.
In 1908, she became the first person ever to summit Mount Huascarán in Peru, which was believed to be the highest point in the western hemisphere at the time. This accomplishment required serious perseverance and innovation. She reached the summit on her sixth attempt, wearing shoes she made and designed herself because climbing gear did not cater to women. The year after, she hung a banner on Mount Coropuna (another of Peru's peaks) that read "Votes for Women" in support of women's suffrage.
Annie Smith Peck climbed her final mountain, Mount Madison in New Hampshire, at the age of eighty-two, two years before she died. To discover her full story, we suggest Hannah Kimberly's A Woman's Place Is at the Top: A Biography of Annie Smith Peck, Queen of the Climbers.
Texas-born Bessie Coleman was the first African-American woman and first woman of Native American descent to earn her pilot's license. Interestingly, she accomplished this by traveling overseas.
After attending beauty school in Chicago, Coleman was working as a manicurist when her brothers came home from serving in World War I. Their stories inspired her to become a pilot, a path that was anything but easy. She applied to pilot schools in the US but was rejected because of her gender and race. Determined, Coleman began night classes to study French so she could complete international applications that might grant her wish. She was accepted by the Caudron Brothers' School of Aviation and followed her dream to northern France, where she earned her pilot's license in 1921.
Bessie Coleman returned to the States to encourage other women and people of color to take to the skies. She embarked on a career of speaking, teaching, and performing outstanding aviation tricks. She used her talent and voice to stand for her beliefs by refusing to perform at venues that enforced segregation. Tragically, Bessie Coleman died in an accident while on a test flight with a mechanic; she was a passenger on the plane. She was thirty-four. For more, we recommend Carole Hopson's historical fiction book A Pair of Wings, a novel inspired by Bessie Coleman's life.
Born in London, Jane Goodall was fascinated with the animal kingdom from a young age. Her dream was to journey to Africa and live in the wild among the animals she so admired, which is exactly what she did.
In 1960, Jane Goodall arrived in Tanzania, in what is now Gombe National Park, to set up camp in the jungle and study the behavior of chimpanzees. It was Dr. Louis Leaky who appointed Jane, his passionate secretary, for this research. Leaky needed someone to bring empathy and patience to the task, so he believed a woman would make a better field researcher than a man. He also thought Jane was the right choice because she had no formal scientific background, and, therefore, could record her observations without pressure of appeasing the scientific community.
Jane's own mother accompanied her on this adventure; an action we take as proof that supportive mothers change the world. Jane made groundbreaking discoveries about the chimps. One of the most notable is that chimpanzees make and use tools. This trait was previously considered exclusive to humans, so Jane's work pushed the scientific community to redefine humankind.
Today, Dr Jane Goodall lectures on what she believes to be the most essential piece in solving the climate crisis: hope. Learn more about Jane Goodall's life right from the source in these two recommendations: My Life with the Chimpanzees by Jane Goodall (1988) and The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times by Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams (2021).
Next month, Jane Goodall will celebrate her ninetieth birthday on April 3rd, 2024.
The final woman we want to call attention to is especially impactful to us at Sherpani. Our business is named for the female sherpa, the fearless Nepalese mountain guides who conquer the unimaginable. One Sherpani has served as a source of endless inspiration for us over the years, her name is Pasang Lhamu Sherpa.
Pasang Lhamu Sherpa traveled outside her home country to climb several difficult and treacherous peaks. She was the first Nepalese woman to summit Mount Blanc, the highest in Western Europe, and she survived her summit of K2, located on the border of Pakistan and China, which claims the lives of one in seven who attempt it. Though her most famous journey happened in her own country when she set out to tackle Everest itself. Pasang Lhamu Sherpa faced much discrimination on her path to making history but remained true to her passion. She was determined to represent her people and become the first Nepalese woman to reach the highest point in the world.
On April 22nd, 1993, Pasang Lhamu Sherpani achieved her goal. She stood on the summit of her dreams, high above the world and the limitations it attempted to impose on her, a moment that gives us goosebumps just to think about. Tragically, it was a one-way journey. Pasang Lhamu Sherpa died on the descent. Her body was brought down the mountain—the first to be rescued from such a height—and she was the first woman ever to receive the Nepal Tara, an honor bestowed by the King of Nepal. Another Himalayan mountain was renamed Pasang Lhamu Peak in her memory.
We do not have a book recommendation about our favorite Sherpani, but hope that you watch the documentary PASANG: In the Shadow of Everest to learn more about this incredible woman's life.
From the women who appear in historical texts to the ones who comprise your family tree, Women's History Month is a time to honor those who have come before. The groundbreaking women in this post are just some of many inspirations found throughout feminist history.
Which historical women have inspired you? Which ancestral ones? We'd love to hear from you in the comment section. Let's celebrate the countless stories of adventure women have brought to the world.
Happy Women's History Month! We'll see you next week for another Travel Tuesday.
For more female adventure, read Culture and Camaraderie in Cambodia
Heading to a lesser known European country? Check out our Free and Downloadable Language Translation Wallpapers for Europe (Off the Beaten Path)
Learn everything you need to know about cyber theft during travel in What is RFID Blocking? RFID Technology Explained
By women for women, the Sherpani Travel Blog talks about all things travel. With a new post every week on Travel Tuesday, our blog is the go-to place for unique travel guides, general travel tips, personal stories from the women in our community, and more!
]]>This Travel Tuesday, we are covering a long-awaited topic: baggage size requirements of various airlines. This can be a source of confusion because each airline has its own rules. Bag policies can range from rigid to vague, and from lenient to strictly enforced. Perhaps the greatest source of strife for air travel is regarding the "personal item."
Virtually every airline allows passengers to bring a complimentary personal item on board. Most commonly, this is a small travel bag to hold your in-flight essentials.
The main defining factor of a personal item is that it is small enough to fit under the seat in front of you. This makes it different from carry-on luggage, which is stored in the overhead bins. Different airlines and their various aircraft models can have different-sized seats. So a bag that counts as a personal item on one flight may be rejected as one on the next. Failing to meet an airline's size requirements can result in prolonged boarding processes and outrageous fees.
Needless to say, we don't want this to happen to you, and thanks to our guide, it won't!
]]>This Travel Tuesday, we are covering a long-awaited topic: baggage size requirements of various airlines. Size requirements can be a big source of confusion because each airline has its own rules. Bag policies can range from rigid to vague, and while some airlines may be lenient about their policy, others have rules that are strictly enforced. Perhaps the greatest source of strife for a traveler navigating air travel is regarding the "personal item."
Virtually every airline allows passengers to bring a complimentary personal item on board. A personal item could be many things, but most commonly, it is a small travel bag to hold your in-flight essentials.
The main defining factor of a personal item is that it is small enough to fit under the seat in front of you. This makes it different from carry-on luggage, which is stored in the overhead bins. Of course, different airlines and their various aircraft models can have different-sized seats. So a bag that counts as a personal item on one flight may be rejected as one on the next. Failing to meet an airline's size requirements can result in prolonged boarding processes and outrageous fees.
Needless to say, we don't want this to happen to you, and thanks to the guide below, it won't be!
We compiled a list of major airlines' personal item size requirements. With thousands of airlines operating worldwide, we decided to start with the twenty-three airlines that fly out of our home airport: Denver International Airport. They range from budget airlines to luxury travel, and each one has its own personal item policy.
Naturally, we've paired them with Sherpani bags which are all personal item favorites! Here is our cheat sheet for personal item size:
Airline |
Personal Item Dimensions |
Notes |
Sherpani Style That Fits |
Doesn't Specify |
Best to call and ask. Customer service number: 1 (800) 237-6639 |
||
13" 17" x 6" |
|||
12" 16" x 6" |
|||
Doesn't Specify |
Best to call and ask. Customer service number: 1 (800) 654-5669 |
||
14" x 18" x 8" |
|||
14" x 18" x 8" |
|||
11.8" x 15.7" x 5.9" |
|||
14" x 14" x 10" |
|||
10" x 17" x 9" |
|||
Doesn't Specify |
Best to call and ask. Customer service number: 1 (800) 221-1212 |
||
13" x 14.5" x 9" |
Different dimensions for SA227-DC Metro 23 aircraft: 13" x 14.5" x 6" |
||
11.8" x 15.7" x 3.9" |
This airline has the second best edelweiss flower logo we've seen ;) |
||
14" x 18" x 8" |
|||
11.8" x 15.7" x 5.9" |
|||
13" x 17" x 8" |
|||
11.8" x 15.7" x 3.9" |
|||
Doesn't Specify |
Though dimensions aren't listed, they specify a weight limit of 15 lbs. |
||
13.5" x 16.25" x 8" |
These under-the-seat dimensions are for their smallest aircraft; a bigger personal item may be allowed. |
||
13" x 17" x 9" |
|||
10" x 17" x 9" |
|||
14" x 18" x 8" |
|||
14" x 18" x 8" |
|||
13" x 16" x 6" |
Let's talk smallest and largest from the data above…
Airlines that allow the largest personal items: Allegiant, American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Viva Aerobus, and Volaris. They all share the same roomy dimensions of 14" x 18" x 8".
Spacious Sherpani designs that fit: Camden, Juno, Sola, Stride, and Terra.
Airlines with the smallest personal item dimensions: Edelweiss and Lufthansa. The issue being that pesky 3.9" depth restriction.
Sherpani travel bag we recommend: The Metro!
Note: This post is accurate from the time of publishing. Sherpani cannot guarantee airline policies have remained the same since publishing. Before you fly, double-check the personal item size requirements with your airline.
For a little more about the eight Sherpani styles mentioned above, here is a personal item roundup:
Dimensions: 10" x 18" x 6"
Weight: 1 pound, 8 ounces
The Camden is a classic backpack with an ergonomic design that includes padded and adjustable straps. Add travel-friendly features like the luggage pass-through and RFID protection, and you've got yourself a perfect personal item backpack!
Dimensions: 9" x 13" x 5.5"
Weight: 1 pound, 2 ounces
One of the most versatile bags imaginable, the Dispatch has adjustable and removable straps for three-in-one functionality as a backpack, tote, or crossbody. Pair that with the unique doctor-bag style opening that allows you to see everything within, and the Dispatch is a perfect travel companion.
Dimensions: 11" x 17.5" x 7.5"
Weight: 2 pounds
This eco-friendly design includes plastic hardware that has been sourced from "ghost nets" - abandoned fishing nets floating in the ocean. Backpack functionality meets duffel bag convenience in this sustainable choice of personal item.
Dimensions: 7" x 12" x 3"
Weight: 10 ounces
The Metro is a mini travel sling bag that has Anti-Theft features and a reversible design! Left-handed travelers rejoice with a sling design that can be worn over either shoulder. The Metro is minimalist travel at its best.
Dimensions: 17" x 12" x 8"
Weight: 1 pound, 6 ounces
This lightweight duffle design is a crowd favorite! The Sola has an external compartment for storing toiletries, so you can easily pull our your liquids during airport security. Add in the luggage pass-through feature and the detachable crossbody strap, and the Sola will take you anywhere.
Dimensions: 11" x 15" x 4.5"
Weight: 1 pound, 10 ounces
This award-winning design has three-in-one functionality. You can carry the Soleil as a backpack, crossbody, or tote. Add the Soleil's Anti-Theft features, padded laptop sleeve, and three water bottle holders, and you've got yourself a truly perfect travel companion.
Dimensions: 14" x 18" x 5.5"
Weight: 1 pound, 2.5 ounces
This travel tote includes a stylish daisy chain feature that can function as an attachment point for your neck pillow or other travel accessories. The Stride is equipped with RFID protection and has the popular luggage pass-through feature to make the airport a breeze.
Dimensions: 13.5" x 17" x 6"
Weight: 1 pound, 9.5 ounces
The Terra is a backpack and tote in one, with a built-in insulated cooler compartment for food and beverage storage. Traveling with kids? The Terra is the perfect way to bring along the in-flight snacks you'll need.
Hopefully, you're feeling more confident about what you can and can't use as a personal item on your next flight. Ready to discover the Sherpani bag that will help you get there?
We've covered all the bases of air travel! For more on the topic, check out the following posts:
How to Fight Jet Lag Like a Pro
Will you Survive or Thrive on Your Next Long Flight?
Here are Five Ways to Kill Time at the Airport
By women for women, the Sherpani Travel Blog talks about all things travel. With a new post every week on Travel Tuesday, our blog is the go-to place for unique travel guides, general travel tips, personal travel stories from women in our community, and more!
]]>In honor of International Women's Day (March 8th), we wanted to introduce you to Maria, our female cofounder! Read on to learn more about Maria and discover her insights on womanhood, business, and adventure.
Besides being one of the minds behind Sherpani, Maria is a mother, a designer, an entrepreneur, a creative, an outdoor enthusiast, a sailor, a world traveler, and a friend to all who know her.
Maria grew up in Montreal, Quebec, a city with a heavy French influence. Her passion for design and fashion was evident from a young age when she dreamed of designing ballgowns for the Paris fashion scene. Born to a mother with her own artistic talents, Maria was encouraged to pursue her interests - and pursue them she did.
After earning her degree in Fashion Design and Haute couture from Coll ège Marie-Victorin, Maria landed a job at Speedo Swimwear. Working for the brand allowed her to hone her design skills and instilled in her a reverence for high-quality gear. Though performance swimwear seemed a long way from ballgowns, Maria became enchanted by a different kind of glamour: the premium quality of products trusted by Olympic athletes.
Speedo also paved the way for Maria to travel. This led to what everyone at Sherpani believes to be a pivotal moment in a woman's life: her first international solo trip. She was sent to a convention in Dusseldorf, Germany, where she recognized the magic of taking on a new place and figuring things out on your own.
"It was the first time I was traveling alone and my first time going to Europe. I didn't understand the language, I don't even know if I knew where I was going!" Maria mused, "But, I got around!"
This game-changing experience helped Maria feel confident enough to take on the world. Before long, she was working on photoshoots in Cancun. At twenty-three, she represented her home country of Canada at an international meeting in Monte Carlo, where she combined business and pleasure by staying an extra three days.
"It was unforgettable," she said of her bonus time in Monaco, "the food, the experience, taking all of it in… it was an unforgettable trip for me."
Traveling alone taught Maria many things. She didn't worry about how things would turn out, because, as a solo traveler, she felt largely in control of them. A woman's intuition is a special tool, and one that's easiest to lean on without competing voices. Maria became a savvy world traveler by trusting herself to explore safely and competently. "You grow from it - personally and spiritually."
This empowering experience is exactly why Sherpani encourages women to explore the world; we make bags that support women's journeys of self-discovery.
Since the solo adventures of her twenties, Maria has continued to feed her wanderlust. From marveling at the streets of Venice, to "glamping" on a remote beach outside Tulum, where she sipped Mexican hot chocolate under a starry sky.
She has also celebrated her roots at the Quebec Winter Carnival. Attendees bundle up and brave frigid temps at the outdoor event that spans two weeks near the beginning of February. The notion of getting outside and wholeheartedly embracing winter is a significant one; it's evident that Maria's happy place has always been the outdoor world. "I am happiest when I'm outside - I don't care what it is."
There is one destination that has captured Maria's heart perhaps more than any other: The Abaco Islands. In the north of the Bahamas sit a slew of islands and cays that dot the turquoise waters of every sailor's dreams. This stunning place has become a great source of inspiration for the Ruzic family.
Maria and Ed, along with their two daughters, prefer to roll up their sleeves and put effort into their adventures. They rent a boat and navigate to remote islands where you'd be hard-pressed to find another soul. Being able to escape and relax is important to them, as is earning the pristine natural views. Removed from conveniences like cell reception, the Ruzics refer to their sailing excursions as "unplugged trips."
In the Abaco Islands, the family does more than just dive, swim, hike and play; they also collect trash. "We clean every time we go," Maria says. On the islands, the family discovered that although you can get away from people, you cannot get away from plastic. Their first-hand account of ocean plastic inspired the use of reclaimed plastic bottles in Sherpani bags. To date, Sherpani has repurposed more than 4.2 million plastic bottles through our sustainable manufacturing process.
Boating is familiar to Maria, who, after marrying Ed, settled in lively Key West. In fact, Sherpani isn't the first business venture the entrepreneurial pair took on; they used to operate a fishing and diving business. Maria led excursions and decorated retail shelves with products that supported underwater adventure.
Maria has always loved to work. The "hustle" lifestyle suits her, and when her creative juices are flowing, there's no stopping her. She has been known to fiddle with a design or rearrange a display late into the night, even into the wee hours. In Key West, Maria worked hard, played hard, and entered a new chapter of life: motherhood.
When she became a mom, something shifted. Following her long-trusted intuition, the family of three relocated to Boulder, Colorado. The Ruzics loved Colorado, having hiked, biked, and skied through the state on past adventures.
In fact, the outdoor scene of Boulder is what planted the seed that would become Sherpani. Being equally passionate about fashion and adventure, Maria saw a gap in the bag market of products for women that delivered on both function and style. Having lived a life centered around design and outdoor activity, she was the natural choice to create a product that would serve women better.
The Ruzics had made friends with other athletic women who were crushing their goals in challenges like marathons and triathlons. When they approached these friends with their concept for Sherpani, the female athletes were delighted. They shared how happy it would make them to match their bag to their outfit while kicking ass in male-dominated spaces.
This response confirmed what Maria already knew, and she and Ed founded Sherpani in 2002. "To be an outdoorsy woman, you don't have to look like a lumberjack," Maria says, "you can coordinate your outfit and still be able to climb Mount Everest."
Though Sherpani's story is a successful one, owning a business does not come without its challenges. To face them, Maria believes wholeheartedly in perseverance. In chipping away at problems and getting creative with solutions. While entrepreneurship is challenging by nature, Maria holds a hopeful opinion on being a female entrepreneur.
"Maybe in the big corporate world, there might still be glass ceilings, but, in the business world, I think a woman can achieve just about anything."
Maria is quick to name her mother as her biggest cheerleader. Her mother was an artist at heart but had entered the workforce under very different conditions. She worked as a secretary - one of the few roles available to women at the time - until she became pregnant. She was expected to quit her position before her belly began to show.
"From that, to where women are now… the sky is the limit," Maria says.
Maria has taught her daughters to follow their passions and pave their own way in the world. Although she loves to work, she loves being a mom even more. Maria's favorite time of day has always been school pickup. With her youngest now in high school, Maria prioritizes collecting her daughter daily and regards the drive home as a precious window of time. She loves to witness the pressures of high school life fall away during this drive. "If you're not there for that, by the time you get home, it's gone."
Fortunately, Maria has never had to miss out on this bonding time with her kids - one of the benefits of being your own boss. Sherpani makes bags for women who define their own meaning of success, a concept that is effortlessly demonstrated by Maria and the women in her family.
This International Women's Day, we encourage you to celebrate your own wins, support women-owned businesses, and reach out to women who have positively impacted your life. We are honored to share more about Maria, the woman behind Sherpani. To know her is to know it's possible to chase after whatever you want.
Know that Maria (and Sheprani!) is in your corner, rooting for your wild, self-defined, success.
Happy International Women's Day!
The Sherpani Team
By women for women, the Sherpani Travel Blog talks about all things travel. With a new post every week on Travel Tuesday, our blog is the go-to place for unique travel guides, general travel tips, personal travel stories from women in our community, and more!
]]>Read on to figure out which styles best suit your lifestyle and discover your next favorite bag!
Backpack Synonyms: rucksack, haversack, knapsack, booksack, backsack, bookbag
As its name suggests, the backpack is a pack worn on your back. The convenient design has two shoulder straps that allow you to stay hands-free. The backpack is the classic choice for the world of academia; backpacks can be spotted on virtually every student wandering a college campus. They are especially handy when walking long distances, so backpacks also make ideal commuter bags and personal items for air travel.
The right backpack will support your adventures and elevate your every day. We know that the best backpacks for women take into account comfort, function, and style. Sherpani backpacks feature unique styles and bold colors that will brighten any day.
Here are just a few of our favorite styles:
The Camden is a classic backpack with an ergonomic design that includes three water bottle holders, a padded laptop sleeve, and adjustable backpack straps to ensure the perfect fit.
The Soleil is an Anti-Theft backpack with security features that make for safe travels; this convertible backpack can also be carried as a tote or crossbody.
The Logan is an adorable mini backpack with a trendy design, a perfect minimalist backpack for the days when less is more.
Sherpani backpacks are durable, built to last, and backed by our Fearless Lifetime Warranty. Plus, they are sustainably made from recycled materials!
Belt Bag Synonyms: fanny pack, waist pack, hip pack, waist bag, belly bag, bumbag
This iconic piece of 80's fashion has made quite the comeback! Belt bags have a single strap that fastens around your waist for a hands-free design that offers easy access to your belongings. They are an excellent choice for outdoor activities; you can wear a belt bag while you run, hike, climb, skate, bike or ski. They also promote safety by keeping your belongings close, so they are ideal for crowds and popular at events like festivals and concerts.
Meet Sherpani's belt bag, the Hyk!
The Hyk (pronounced "hike") was built for adventure!
The adjustable strap offers inclusive sizing and means you can style the Hyk in multiple ways. Wear it as a belt bag, small crossbody purse, or sling. Change up the style in seconds with the easy plastic buckle. This minimalist bag style will carry all the essentials: phone, wallet, keys and a sense of adventure!
This style shines when it comes to organization. In addition to the main compartment, the Hyk has three zipper pockets! The front zipper pocket includes a key leash clip, another zipper pocket can be found inside the main opening, and the secret zipper pocket on the back can hold two passports; a convenient and secure hiding place. Speaking of security, the Hyk also features RFID-blocking technology to guard against cyber theft.
Did we mention the Hyk is made from 100% recycled materials? Like all Sherpani styles, it's backed by our Fearless Lifetime Warranty.
Crossbody Synonyms: crossbody bag, crossbody purse, everyday purse, handbag
Characterized by a long strap worn diagonally like a sash, a crossbody bag offers a stylish asymmetrical look that can complement any outfit. Crossbodies are an extremely popular style for everyday use, from running errands to meeting friends. They also make for a secure choice when it comes to travel. Thieves and pickpockets are more likely to target a bag dangling from one shoulder rather than a crossbody design which is worn close.
Your favorite crossbody bag is always by your side - literally! So when it comes to choosing a crossbody purse, the details matter. Sherpani crossbody bags have an adjustable crossbody strap for comfort and function, a light-colored interior for visibility, and come in standout colorways for unique, expressive style.
Here are just a few of our favorite crossbody bags:
The Sadie is a tried-and-true Sherpani style that provides ultimate organization; the side zipper pocket is a favorite feature of this best-seller!
Don't like to carry much? The Rogue is a minimalist crossbody with a compact design, not to mention it's downright adorable.
The Vale is one of our most versatile styles. This Anti-Theft crossbody has RFID protection and Sherpani's proprietary wireless anti-slash crossbody strap!
All Sherpani crossbody bags are made from recycled materials! We incorporate reclaimed plastic bottles into our eco-conscious bags so that we can do our part to reduce ocean plastic. These everyday purses are backed by Sherpani's Fearless Lifetime Warranty.
Duffel Bag Synonyms: duffle bag, gym bag, kit bag
Duffel bags are defined by their cylindrical shape and large capacity. They are often used to pack and store supplies for a specific activity (i.e. a swim bag, soccer bag, yoga bag, dance bag, etc.). They are also a very popular bag style for travel; a duffel bag is perfect for car camping or packing for a weekend getaway.
Sherpani duffels are durable bags made with water-resistant material to ensure they are ready for any adventure! We use lightweight materials so that the bag won't weigh you down, and you can pack more when using your duffel bag for air travel.
Here are a couple of our favorite duffel designs:
The Sola is the ultimate lightweight duffel bag! Its many features include an external zipper compartment for toiletry storage, tote bag handles, a removable crossbody strap and a luggage pass-through.
The Trip is a unique design that combines duffel bag and suitcase. This rolling duffel bag features stylish vegan leather accents, a retractable luggage handle, and large rolling wheels built to withstand bumps and divots.
Of course, Sherpani duffel bags are backed by our Fearless Lifetime Warranty, and crafted entirely from recycled materials! These sustainable styles will help you see the world and protect it.
Sling Synonyms: sling bag, sling backpack, sling pack
The sling bag is a trendy design combining backpack convenience with crossbody style! Slings are extremely versatile, making them the ideal day bag for just about anything. Whether you're exploring a new city or hiking a well-known trail, a sling bag lets you carry the essentials without slowing you down.
Sherpani slings are built with functionality in mind and allow easy access to your belongings. Get into the main compartment by simply swinging the sling from your back to your front, unlike a backpack, no removal is required.
Here are a couple of our favorite Sherpani slings:
The Esprit is a medium-sized day bag with a stylish tear-drop shape. The sling strap is adjustable, padded, and features a built-in zipper pocket perfect for small items like cash or chapstick.
The Metro is an Anti-Theft sling bag with a reversible design. Because of the moving zippers on the main compartment and the two attachment points for the sling strap, you can wear the Metro over either shoulder, a huge plus for lefty travelers in need of a left-handed sling backpack!
Crafted entirely from recycled materials, Sherpani sling bags are a sustainable purchase for the conscious consumer. They are also backed by our Fearless Lifetime Warranty!
Tote Synonyms: carryall, holdall, diaper bag
The tote bag is defined by its large capacity, i.e., its ability to hold everything you need to "tote around." They have two tote handles and can be carried over your shoulder or simply held by your side. The tote bag is a favorite style of moms everywhere as it makes a great diaper bag. It's also commonly used in professional settings as an office bag or commuter bag. A tote also makes the perfect gift for teachers who want a more stylish option than a backpack.
Sherpani totes keep you organized on the go with features like zipper pockets and a key leash attachment. Their light-colored interior makes it easy to see what's inside and quickly access what you need. These ergonomic styles are made from lightweight materials and feature sturdy tote bag handles designed for comfortable carrying. Many of our totes are convertible styles that can be carried in multiple ways. If you're looking for a classic tote, however, look no further than the Stride.
This trendy tote bag will hold it all with its twenty-one-liter capacity. It was designed to fit major airlines' personal item size requirements, and, paired with the luggage pass-through feature, makes for the travel tote of your dreams! The Stride also features a daisy chain. Besides adding a stylish flair, the daisy chain can be an attachment point for almost anything (neck pillow, sneakers, carabiner clip…). You won't need the daisy chain for your water bottle, though, as the Stide features dual water bottle holders, one on each side of the bag.
It should come as no surprise that Sherpani tote bags are made from 100% recycled materials; a sustainable tote bag is just as important to us as a functional one. Our totes are also backed by Sherpani's Fearless Lifetime Warranty.
Wristlet Synonyms: clutch bag, clutch, pocketbook, pouch, vanity pouch, wallet
The wristlet is your go-to bag for a night out when you don't want to carry a larger purse. Complete with a wristlet strap for easy carrying, wristlets are mini purses meant to hold only the essentials. They can be carried every day but are often used for dressy occasions. Wristlets are very similar to wallets, so another common use is to pack the wristlet inside a bigger back for elevated organization.
Sherpani wristlets are minimalist designs that come in signature Sherpani colors that express your unique style. Durable and water-resistant, your Sherpani wristlet will be ready to accompany you anywhere.
Here are a couple of our favorite wristlet styles:
The Jolie is one of our most simplistic designs; this petite pouch is perfect for holding night-out essentials like your ID and mini cosmetics.
The Tulum is an RFID wallet that protects your credit card information from cyber theft. Use the Tulum as a travel wallet or to protect your every day!
Sherpani makes eco-friendly wristlets out of reclaimed, post-consumer plastic. We believe that style and sustainability can go hand-in-hand. Our Fearless Lifetime Warranty backs your Sherpani wristlet for a worry-free purchase.
There you have it, our roundup of seven bag styles and their uses. It should be said that many Sherpani designs fit into more than one of these categories, versatility is one of the things we do best! Whether you're looking for one bag that does it all, or several bags that serve specific functions, we are confident that we have exactly what you're looking for.
Happy Shopping!
The Sherpani Team
]]>You'll witness an impressive blend of ancient and modern design in Seoul. Tall, glass buildings climb skyward while ancient temples are preserved among the mystical ginkgo trees (which, if you visit in autumn, offer a new way to appreciate fall colors). The artistry of the city is impossible to miss, but should not be overlooked. Abundant public art will invoke a sense of curiosity and playfulness wherever you look.
South Korea is situated on a peninsula in the eastern part of the Asian continent, neighboring the island of Japan. Seoul, the capital city, sits in the northern part of the country and inland from the closest body of water, the Yellow Sea.
As women who travel, we are happy to report that Seoul feels incredibly safe. Though crowds are common, they rarely coincide with unease, perhaps because of the welcoming nature of the local population. Whether you're embarking on a solo trip or traveling in a group, Seoul is a female traveler's dream!
Seoul has well-organized public transportation that is intuitive to use. The ease of navigating the city gives one the confidence required to explore its depths. It's also very walkable, and a comfortable pair of shoes will be your best friend in Seoul - next to your Sherpani travel bag, of course. 😉
Pro Tip: Don't be fooled by your loyalty points. Booking local accommodations will likely be more affordable than a chain hotel.
One thing to note about Seoul is that it may prove challenging for travelers with accessibility concerns or limited mobility. You should expect to encounter steep staircases, narrow alleyways and uneven surfaces.
Seoul effortlessly performs the balancing act of accommodating tourism without compromising authenticity. It is English-friendly, but not English-forward. While not widely spoken, English translations are available on most signs. Monuments await on nearly every corner, eager to introduce you to the stories that shaped Korean culture. The city's captivating history will unfold in real time as you explore.
In any metropolis, billboards are a common sight, but we have something special to share about these particular Korean advertisements. Meet Seoul Mate, the new pattern of Sherpani's Compass Packing Cubes.
The Seoul Mate packing cubes are made from repurposed Korean billboards! As an industry leader in recycled material, Sherpani is excited to nod to beautiful South Korea with this new addition to our collection of packing accessories. We are endlessly inspired by the places we explore.
While some Korean cuisine has found its way to Western culture, the flavors of South Korea have so much more to offer (though Korean barbecue from the source will wow you!). From elegant establishments to streetside stalls, you will be delighted to discover what's on the menu in Seoul.
The food markets can get crowded, but they are worth it. We recommend getting an early start and sampling everything from mung bean pancakes to spicy chicken feet to tteokbokki, a simmered rice cake dish with endless possibilities of toppings.
Pro Tip: Take photos of desired items with your phone to show workers and mitigate the language barrier.
One cultural difference to note is that when someone bumps into you in a crowd, you shouldn't expect them to stop and apologize. Add the tourists to Seoul's population of nearly ten million, and bumping into one another is inevitable. This is accepted as not a big deal, and, therefore, not typically acknowledged when it occurs, so don't be alarmed.
While we could go on about all we loved in Seoul, it's time to introduce what is unique to all Sherpani travel guides. We choose a singular experience in each destination that stands out as truly "unmissable." Ready to learn about our must-do for this inspiring destination?
The Sherpani Unmissable recommendation for visiting Seoul: Gyeongbokgung Palace!
Gyeongbokgung Palace is a popular stop for tourists in Seoul, and rightfully so. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Bugaksan Mountain, the palace offers pristine views and sets a contemplative tone for those who visit.
The palace has a powerful history that speaks to the strength and perseverance of the Korean people. Here is a simplified timeline of Gyeongbokgung's past:
The structures themselves portray a serene aesthetic. An organized grid of "hip and gable" rooftops with upward curling corners that are iconic to the architecture of East Asia. You'll stroll through vast courtyards and peer into palace windows that depict quintessential Korean scenes. The delicate artwork will captivate your imagination and transport you through time.
The entrance fee for adults is around 3,500 Korean won, less than three US dollars (at the time of publishing). Though this entrance fee won't break the bank, it can be avoided entirely by wearing a hanbok, traditional Korean clothing. In fact, wearing a hanbok will waive the entrance fees at all five of Seoul's palaces! You can purchase these colorful adornments from streetside vending machines, and it's a fun way to immerse yourself in the culture for your day at Gyeongbokgung.
Gyeongbokgung Palace is the perfect setting for a day spent in quiet contemplation. It is a boggling experience for US tourists who take into account the scope of their own country's much shorter history. You will want to sit with your travel journal afterward to reflect on your experience inside the palace walls.
Is Seoul, South Korea, on your bucket list? We hope you add this incredible city to your list of dream destinations. Have you been to Seoul before? What impression did Gyeongbokgung Palace leave on you? Leave a comment to tell us what else in Seoul is unmissable!
The above post is part of an ongoing segment of the Sherpani Travel Blog. We want to give travelers a singular, tangible recommendation for destinations; something we deem truly unmissable. These recommendations are carefully chosen from the personal travels of the Sherpani team.
Hooked on Sherpani? Read The Complete Guide of How to Clean and Care for Your Sherpani Bag
Discover another Sherpani Unmissable travel guide: You Can't Go to Portugal Without Trying This Wine
Preparing for your next big trip? Check out Travel Tip Tuesday: How to Fight Jet Lag Like a Pro
By women for women, the Sherpani Travel Blog talks about all things travel. With a new post every week on Travel Tuesday, our blog is the go-to place for unique travel guides, general travel tips, personal travel stories from women in our community, and more!
]]>It's no surprise that we love to vacation, but we love to "staycation" as well, and that's because we live in a very special place: Boulder, Colorado. Sherpani was founded here in Boulder in 2002, and today, our headquarters resides downtown, where we also have a storefront (come say hi!).
Since Valentine's Day is tomorrow, we decided to speak about our hometown in a format befitting for the holiday - a love letter. Without further ado, here is our ode to Boulder:
* Sherpani recognizes that the city of Boulder sits on land that was once home to the Ute and Arapaho tribes of the Native American people.
Thank you for celebrating our city with us! As you can tell, we are proud to be from Boulder. What do you love about the place that shaped you? Could you write a love letter to your hometown?
Regarding Valentine's Day, there are no wrong answers for how to celebrate; we appreciate how this holiday has evolved beyond only romantic love. By the way, today (February 13th) is Galentine's Day! What started fourteen years ago by the popular television series Parks and Recreation has evolved into a real-world holiday. Galentine's Day is to celebrate and honor the female friendships in your life - we can hardly think of a better cause. 💕
All these reasons to celebrate have us feeling warm and fuzzy! We'll see you next week for another Travel Tuesday.
For more about our eco-conscious practices, read How Sherpani Bags Reduce Ocean Plastic
Counting down to vacation? Get inspired with Magic in the Mundane: A New Zealand Travel Story
Looking for your next favorite travel bag? Try Product Spotlight: Three New Anti-Theft Designs For You to Travel in Style
By women for women, the Sherpani Travel Blog talks about all things travel. With a new post every week on Travel Tuesday, our blog is the go-to place for unique travel guides, general travel tips, personal travel stories from women in our community, and more!
]]>If you'll indulge us on that final point, we would love to introduce you to Sherpani's three newest Anti-Theft designs! These particular styles come from a desire to honor customer requests, pay homage to past favorites, and deliver next-level bag versatility. Thanks to this, we have three new friends to brag about.
With a name inspired by the hustle and bustle of navigating a big city, the Metro will make public transportation - and everything else - a breeze.
Sling backpacks are trendy and super convenient. Sherpani sling bags are smartly designed for easy access to your belongings, just swing the sling from your back to your front to access the main compartment.
The Metro offers next-level versatility with its adjustable sling strap. This "smart strap" has two attachment points so you can reverse the design and wear the Metro over either shoulder!
Calling all lefties! We've had many requests for a left-handed sling bag, a demand we understand (Sherpani has a lefty cofounder). The adjustable strap on the Metro is our solution; we love this inclusive feature.
Like all our designs, the Metro is made entirely from recycled material! It features chic vegan leather accents, and each Metro diverts eleven plastic bottles from landfills and waterways.
Of course, the mini sling includes Sherpani Anti-Theft technology: locking zippers, RFID-blocking, a wire-loop chair lock, a ReturnMe tag, slash-proof material and our proprietary wireless anti-slash crossbody strap. For a detailed description of these smart travel features, read our blog post How to Prevent Theft During Travel.
With the right sling backpack, anything is possible!
This functional tote bag is the perfect choice for a large purse. Inspired by the lunar cycle, this brand-new Sherpani design is as innovative as it is stylish.
The Eclipse is an expandable bag with unique zipper pockets in the upper corners. These pockets expand and collapse, creating a changing silhouette that mimics the phases of the moon.
Need a little extra room? No problem, just unzip and expand the Eclipse to its full twelve-liter capacity. Now, you have space for the souvenirs you picked up along the way. Complete with a luggage pass-through and a detachable crossbody strap, the Eclipse checks all the boxes!
The Eclipse is crafted from 100% recycled material. The stylish accents are a sustainable vegan leather, and each Eclipse diverts twenty-four plastic bottles. We repurpose post-consumer plastic that would otherwise clog waterways and pollute our oceans.
The bag includes all the Sherpani Anti-Theft staples: locking zippers, RFID protection, a chair lock loop, a ReturnMe tag, cut-proof material and our proprietary wireless anti-slash crossbody strap. For a detailed description of these smart travel features, read our blog post How to Prevent Theft During Travel.
You'll never miss a beat with this adaptable design.
Fun Fact: A total solar eclipse will pass over North America on April 8th, 2024. Should you want to book an impulsive ticket to view this phenomenon, this map should help. 🙂
Loyal Sherpani fans may think this design looks familiar; the Tempest has carried over from a previous Sherpani collection and shares the original name. The convenient tote-to-backpack design became a favorite for versatility and function, so it was time we incorporated the popular style into our Anti-Theft Collection.
The Tempest can fit a fifteen-inch laptop, making it an excellent commuter bag. It also includes a luggage pass-through, the popular feature that allows you to fasten your bag to the luggage handle of your suitcase. Warning: Carrying around this stunning bag will result in a constant stream of "Where did you get that?" - trust us.
Of course, the Tempest is also an eco-conscious design. The accents are a vegan leather material that mimics the look and feel of the real stuff. Each Tempest repurposes twenty-two plastic bottles, giving a second life to single-use plastics by removing them from landfills and waterways.
As part of our Anti-Theft Collection, the Tempest will protect your belongings with locking zippers, RFID-blocking technology, a wire-loop chair lock, a ReturnMe tag, cut-proof fabric and our proprietary wireless anti-slash crossbody strap. For a detailed description of these travel savvy features, read our blog post How to Prevent Theft During Travel.
With the Tempest, you can weather any storm.
One of the greatest parts of our job is bringing a new design to the table then watching it come to life! These three new additions to the Anti-Theft family are here to stay and sure to please. Which one of the new styles will be your next travel essential?
Obsessed with the Anti-Theft Collection? Read Five Common Types of Bag Theft + How to Prevent Theft During Travel
Want to learn more about Sherpani? Try Sherpani Charity Highlight: Brighter Path Scholarship
Heading abroad soon? Check out Four Unique Travel Hacks to Try Before You Leave Town
Traveling with friends is an amazing experience we wish every woman could have. Traveling with other women is different from traveling with a partner or with family. It is sure to result in memories that will be cherished forever by the both of you.
Naturally, we think the most special gal pals are the ones who say yes to adventure! Before you book the trip, however, there are some things that you and your travel buddy should discuss.
We've compiled sixty helpful questions to ask your friend before you travel together. The list is by no means a quiz that must be passed. These questions are simply a resource for setting your expectations and getting on the same page as the woman you're about to embark with on a life-changing adventure.
If you're gearing up to travel with a friend for the first time, here is what we recommend you cover:
Our hope is that these travel buddy questions spark some meaningful conversations and set you both up for success!
Please remember that you and your friend don't have to be 100% compatible to have a successful trip together. It's rare for travel buddies to be exactly alike, which is also part of the fun! The differences you find as you talk through the questions will set the stage for a travel experience that is completely unique, one where you'll get to experience things you may not have done on your own. Your friend's travel insights are exactly what is about to make your trip together so special.
For more on travel preparation, read Your Pre Travel Checklist, the Complete Guide of Things to Remember Before You Go Abroad
Want more information on travel safety? Check out Five Common Types of Bag Theft + How to Prevent Theft During Travel
Wondering what to do on your trip? Try The Best Thing You'll Do in Ho Chi Minh City
By women for women, the Sherpani Travel Blog talks about all things travel. With a new post every week on Travel Tuesday, our blog is the go-to place for unique travel guides, general travel tips, personal travel stories from women in our community, and more!
Though the joys outweigh the hardships, it's perfectly normal to worry about what might go wrong when you travel. One of the most common worries is that of theft. The thought of losing your belongings while abroad is a scary one, and enough to make some travelers think twice before booking a ticket.
So what can you do to mitigate this fear?
]]>Though the joys outweigh the hardships, it's perfectly normal to worry about what might go wrong when you travel. One of the most common worries is that of theft. The thought of losing your belongings while abroad is a scary one, and enough to make some travelers think twice before booking a ticket.
So what can you do to mitigate this fear?
This is where Sherpani's Anti-Theft Collection comes into play. We created our collection of better travel bags to help women explore with confidence. We want to empower women who travel by removing the potential obstacles that come with the travel territory.
Read on to learn about five common types of bag theft and how to prevent them with an Anti-Theft bag from Sherpani.
Purse snatching is exactly what it sounds like. A thief walks by, snatches your bag, and takes off. Thieves usually target shoulder bags when taking this approach. Many Sherpani bags have an adjustable strap that can be worn over your shoulder or as a crossbody. We suggest wearing your bag crossbody-style in crowded areas. Crossbody purses are not an easy target for shady thieves looking to attempt a swipe.
Purse swiping is especially common in settings like restaurants and bars. If you've ever felt uneasy about hanging your purse on the back of your chair, you're not alone. It's all too easy for a swindler to walk by and grab your bag while you're distracted. Another method is the "kick and swipe," when a bag is left on the floor. A thief will gently kick your bag until it's far enough away for them to discreetly bend over and pick it up.
Our wire-loop chair lock is the answer. Just unclip one end of the loop, wrap it around part of your chair or table, then close the loop back onto the clip. This simple system takes just seconds to use and will effectively safeguard your belongings. With the bag secured close by, nobody will attempt a swipe (and if they do, they'll cut and run as soon as they feel the resistance of the chair lock!).
We love this Anti-Theft feature because it allows you to dine worry-free. It's no fun to worry about your bag when your attention could be on sharing tapas with friends. We created the chair lock loop so that you can enjoy the here and now, whether you're eating pasta on a patio in Rome or heading to your local brewery for happy hour.
Tech-savvy hackers can use an RFID reader to scan right through the material of your bag and access sensitive information. Credit card skimming and other forms of cyber theft are common in large cities. Constantly watching for hackers trying to pull a scheme is exhausting, especially since these scams can happen without physical contact.
Sherpani Anti-Theft bags come with smartly placed RFID-blocking technology. This prevents you from falling victim to a cyber scam by blocking signals and stopping RFID scanners in their tracks. The RFID protection runs along the front panel of every Anti-Theft design, eliminating the threat of cyber theft that would otherwise leave a traveler high and dry.
With Sherpani's RFID blocking, you can travel around the globe worry-free! Learn more about Sherpani and RFID in another blog post: What is RFID Blocking? RFID Technology Explained
Pickpocketing is a concern of travelers heading pretty much anywhere. This type of petty theft usually happens in densely populated areas. It can involve elaborate schemes and a lot of skill; pickpockets should not be underestimated.
Pickpocket theft (sometimes called a "dip and lift" scheme) occurs when someone slyly reaches into your bag without notice. Pickpockets often work in pairs. One person will provide a distraction by engaging their target, asking something like "What time is it?" or "Can you give me directions to…" Meanwhile, their fellow swindler performs a swift and discreet raid of the bag.
Sherpani Anti-Theft bags have two types of zipper locks: tunnel locks and clip locks. Backpackies called these features "a simple way to outsmart pickpockets" in their recent review of one of our Anti-Theft designs.
External pockets on Sherpani Anti-Theft bags are equipped with tunnel locks; pull the zipper tassel through the fabric loop to lock the pocket. The tunnel locks take a bit of practice, but this is exactly what makes them so effective at theft prevention! The tunnel locks mean you don't have to worry about exposed zipper pockets, especially if the pocket isn't in your direct sight (e.g. when you're wearing a backpack).
For the main compartment, we've added a clip lock. It's a bright red lobster claw clip, so it's easy to spot. Attach the clip to the main zipper to lock the zipper in place. This lockable zipper will add a difference-making layer of protection to the main compartment of your bag.
Another common tactic is to slice a bag open. This happens in large crowds and situations where you stand in one place for a while (e.g. waiting in line, riding public transportation). Thieves normally attempt to slash the bottom of the bag so that their target's belongings fall to the ground.
The bottom of each Sherpani Anti-Theft bag is reinforced with anti-slash material. This protective layer is underneath the bag's external layer, and it ensures the bottom of the bag is completely uncuttable (believe us, we've tried!). If anyone attempts to cut open your bag, your belongings will stay safe.
Our final bag theft is a literal cut-and-run. This is when a thief attempts to cut through the strap of your bag to make off with the whole thing. While this type of theft can be done on foot, it is commonly attempted from the back of a moped. Thieves work by themselves or in pairs by driving very close, cutting a bag off an unexpecting tourist, then making a quick getaway on the scooter.
Sherpani's proprietary wireless anti-slash crossbody strap is the first and only of its kind.
The other cut-proof straps on the market include an internal wire, but this design has several flaws. A wire can get bent out of shape, will add to the bulk and weight of the bag, and can cause neck and shoulder pain as it digs into the wearer. Determined to avoid these problems, we created an ergonomic crossbody strap that was cut-proof and comfortable. Our patent-pending design is truly a standout feature of Sherpani Anti-Theft technology.
Note: This feature is only included in the crossbody designs of Sherpani's Anti-Theft Collection.
There is one more feature shared by all our Anti-Theft bags. It is not a direct response to a specific type of theft, but didn't want to leave out this crowd favorite! It's called a ReturnMe tag, and it could make a big difference if you get separated from your bag.
This digital bag tag connects your bag to a global network that functions as an international lost-and-found. This way, if a good samaritan finds your lost or stolen bag, it can be shipped back to you from anywhere in the world! We love the ReturnMe service because it keeps your personal information confidential while still providing a way to recover your lost bag.
Learn more about Sherpani and ReturnMe in another blog post: Sherpani Bag Feature Spotlight: ReturnMe Tags & Why They Are Important
The reality of theft is that it can happen anywhere, not only when you're abroad. However, having your bag stolen while traveling causes much more of a hassle, so it's something that we naturally fret about a bit more when we are somewhere else.
Now that you've had a rundown of the Anti-Theft features, shop Sherpani's Anti-Theft collection to prepare for your next big trip! Besides the theft prevention technology, Sherpani bags are stylish, functional, and made entirely from recycled materials.
Armed with the knowledge of these common types of bag theft, you can take preventative measures so that you're travel plans go off without a hitch. We wrote this post to inform, not intimidate. In our experience, travel has proven to be safe and enjoyable; the risk pales in comparison to the reward.
Feel free to take this as your sign to book that ticket!
For more on women's travel safety, check out Solo Travel Safety, By Women for Women
Not sure where to head next? Read Five Creative Ways to Pick Your Next Destination!
Travel Plans have you waiting around? Try Long Layover? Flight Delay? Here are Five Ways to Kill Time at the Airport
By women for women, the Sherpani Travel Blog talks about all things travel. With a new post every week on Travel Tuesday, our blog is the go-to place for unique travel guides, general travel tips, personal travel stories from women in our community, and more!
Though we stand by the durability of our bags, we also know that life can get messy. Whether it was sticky toddler hands grabbing for mommy’s purse or a tragic coffee spill that resulted in an undercaffeinated commute, the wear-and-tear of life is bound to take its toll. So if your Sherpani bag looks less than brand new these days, we definitely get it. And we’re here to help!
This leads us to one of our most common questions…
The best way to clean your Sherpani bag is by hand. Here is a step-by-step of our full recommended method:
Want a dish soap recommendation? Check out our friends at Boulder Clean. Besides our shared value of sustainability, we also share a hometown, beautiful Boulder, Colorado!
First things first, empty your Sherpani bag. Don’t forget to check all the pockets. (Can we just say that we love this part? Hello, missing earring back, nice to see you again. A long-forgotten fortune cookie prophecy? Yes, please!)
Next, try to turn your bag inside out. This will be easier with some designs than others. Once inside out, you can easily vacuum away all crumbs and accumulated dust from the main compartment.
If the inside-out trick isn’t working, you can try lint-rolling the interior lining of your bag. When it comes to the bottom, we suggest making a sticky tape ball to roll around inside and pick up any stubborn crumbs. This tape ball method should also do the trick for cleaning the smaller compartments and zipper pockets.
Now it’s time to tackle the tough stains that tell the story of your bag’s usage. For these, make a soapy solution with warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Stir the solution with a toothbrush and use the brush to clean any stains. Use small, circular motions - and be patient! If you can’t tell whether or not a stain is coming out, wait until the next day when the bag is fully dry to decide if you need to hit the stain again.
Note: Never use bleach on your Sherpani bag!
Soak one of your white cloths in the remaining soapy solution from step two. Ring out the cloth so it is damp, not soaking. Wipe down the entire exterior of your bag. Dampen a second cloth with warm water only, and wipe down the exterior again to remove any soapy residue. Use the third, dry cloth for a final wipe down to give your bag a head start on drying.
Note: We suggest using white cloths to avoid the chance of color bleeding onto your bag.
Dip cotton swaps into your soupy solution and polish the hardware until it shines! Be sure to fully dry off the hardware with your dry cloth after polishing.
Store your bag away from direct sunlight and allow it to air dry for twenty-four hours. To take your bag care to the next level, stuff it with uncolored tissue paper (small bag) or a white towel (large bag) so that it holds its shape while drying.
Follow the steps above to keep your Sherpani bags looking new for years!
Store in a dry area, out of reach from direct sunlight. Exposing your Sherpani bag to direct sunlight for extended periods of time can cause discoloration and make the bag look worn out.
Yes! Most Sherpani bags are water-resistant, not waterproof. While Sherpani bags are durable enough to hold up in bad weather, be aware that water can seep in through the cracks of the zipper.
We do not use real leather in our designs. We use a vegan, recycled material that imitates the stylish look and feel of authentic leather. Our sustainable “leather” alternative elevates our designs while maintaining our standards for sustainable manufacturing. It’s the best of both worlds!
The technical answer here is no. Although…
Over the years, many happy Sherpani customers have reported that their Sherpani bags do just fine in the washing machine. They recommend a gentle wash cycle with cold water, then to let the bag air dry. We appreciate this feedback and felt it was worth passing along. However, Sherpani does not guarantee that our bags are machine washable, and we’d like you to note that should you try this method, it will void your bag’s warranty.
While it’s not an official recommendation, we wanted you to know this method has worked well for others. Do with that information what you will. 🙂
A little effort goes a long way when it comes to making a product last. With the guide above, we are confident your Sherpani bag will live a long and happy life!
At Sherpani, we believe that the bags we make are just as important as the choices we make. We provide products and resources that empower our community to live sustainably. Every day, we strive to do right by our people and our planet.
Learn more about our sustainability story in How Sherpani Bags Reduce Ocean Plastic
Read about recent Sherpani outreach in Sherpani Charity Highlight: Brighter Path Scholarship
Discover your next favorite, long-lasting bag in Product Spotlight: Four Sherpani Anti-Theft Bags for Travel
By women for women, the Sherpani Travel Blog talks about all things travel. With a new post every week on Travel Tuesday, our blog is the go-to place for unique travel guides, general travel tips, personal travel stories from women in our community, and more!
]]>It is said that seasoned travelers are less likely to be affected by jet lag, but this is only because they are equally likely to have trusted remedies up their sleeves. Well, today, we'd like to share ours!
Whether you’re flying from Boston to Bhutan, Columbia to Copenhagen, or Sydney to South Africa, read on to discover what jet lag is, why it happens, and how to cope when it comes your way.
Jet lag is a condition that occurs when a traveler has a difficult time adjusting to the time zone of their destination. The world map is broken into twenty-four time zones, each experiencing a different hour of the day. Jet lag is most common when crossing three or more time zones.
Jet lag most heavily affects sleeping habits, bringing bouts of exhaustion or insomnia that are poorly timed with the hour of your destination. This can impact your mood, energy level and attention span. Other symptoms of jet lag include fatigue, poor focus, low energy, irritability and even indigestion.
It’s not too serious an affliction. Eventually, the symptoms of jet lag will resolve themselves as your body adjusts to the new time. The problem is that this can take several days, eating into precious travel time. It’s a real bummer to arrive somewhere, eager to explore, only to spend your first few days in a period of groggy adjustment.
Everyone has an internal clock set to the patterns of their daily life. Your habits play a role in setting this clock, but your brain also interprets external signals like daylight to determine when to sleep, wake, eat, etc. Changing your watch when you travel is easy, but resetting your internal clock is another story.
In a different time zone, your internal clock gets thrown off by the new signals your brain receives. The resulting jet lag is your body’s confusion on the biological level. Don’t get us wrong, we love air travel, but it’s a simple fact that our bodies aren’t biologically set up to move across several time zones in a matter of hours.
Time for the good news! You can absolutely take steps to minimize the effects of jet lag, or even eliminate them. We’ve compiled our top strategies for battling jet lag. Here are several ways to help you cope with jet lag before, during and after travel.
Daylight is one of your body's greatest queues for setting its circadian rhythms. You can use both light and darkness to your advantage when making your travel preparations:
Light: If possible, select a flight that has you arriving at your destination during daylight hours. Allow your brain to witness the transition from day to night on the first evening. This is your best bet for internally recognizing the new daylight pattern.
Darkness: When the receptors in your eye interpret darkness, they signal your brain to release melatonin, the sleep hormone. Use an eye mask to block out light when sleeping, especially on planes where the lighting isn’t under your control.
A few days before you fly, start adjusting your bedtime to mitigate potential jet lag. Adjust your schedule by one hour daily for up to three days before traveling. When flying east, aim for an early bedtime (remember east = early!). When heading west, stay up later to set yourself up for success.
Example: You’re flying east from Denver to London, and your normal bedtime is 10:00 pm.
Three days before you fly: bed at 9:00 pm
Two days before you fly: bed at 8:00 pm
The day before you fly: bed at 7:00 pm
Don’t forget this goes for both ways! When heading westward back to Denver…
Three days before you fly: bed at 11:00 pm
Two days before you fly: bed at 12:00 am
The day before you fly: bed at 1:00 am
You’ve heard before that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Well, this holds true for fighting jet lag! Daylight isn’t the only factor your internal clock responds to; diet is another way to help reset your circadian rhythms.
For the first couple of days in a new place, aim for a large, nutritious breakfast to kickstart your system and fuel your daily activity. A savory breakfast is recommended over a sweet one to avoid an afternoon sugar crash. Lighter dinners are also suggested until the effects of jet lag wear off. (But after that, by all means indulge in your vacation dinners!)
Peak jet lag disturbance looks like...
1. Not being able to fall asleep at night.
2. Not being able to help but fall asleep during the day.
Here are some do's and don’ts for when you’re in the thick of the jet lag struggle.
To help with daytime exhaustion:
Do...
Take short naps (15-20 minutes) as needed
Move your body in the mornings, even a short walk around the block
Embrace resources like caffeine in moderation
Drink plenty of water
Limit alcohol consumption
Don't...
Stick to your itinerary when it doesn’t feel managable
Nap for longer than one hour
Push yourself too hard
Skip breakfast
To help with nighttime insomnia:
Do...
Calming activities before bed: reading, gentle stretching, a hot bath, etc.
Embrace resources like over-the-counter melatonin supplements
Block out light as much as possible
Be patient with yourself as you adjust
Don't...
Watch TV within two hours of bedtime
Use your phone within two hours of bedtime
Beat yourself up for not sleeping
Give up on sleep altogether
We mentioned this earlier in our Denver to London example, but it’s worth stating again that jet lag is a two-way street. In fact, jet lag is reportedly worse after your return flight.
There’s a simple explanation for this. Being the exciting experience it is, travel is usually approached with enthusiasm. This positive attitude helps to carry a traveler through whatever comes her way. However, this cheeriness can be harder to come by when it's time to return home. Faced with a long flight that plops you back into your “normal” life of routine and obligation, it just isn’t as easy to get excited about. The thing to note here is that your attitude matters.
Do what you can to make that return journey a little more enjoyable. Buy yourself a gift at the airport, or make a playlist of happy songs that you save for the return flight! Treat your homeward journey with as much regard as your initial one. It is just as pivotal a part of your travel experience.
We also suggest taking at least twenty-four hours at home before returning to your regular schedule. Having this extra day as a buffer during your post-trip adjustment period is seriously helpful. And remember to be kind to yourself as you adjust!
By applying the strategies above, you can minimize the effects of jet lag and wholly embrace your travel experience. We hope that you now feel more prepared to handle this unavoidable travel obstacle.
At Sherpani, the blogs and bags we make share a common goal: We want to help you make the most of every moment.
What's your take on jet lag? Do you have another trusted remedy to add to our list? We'd love to hear from you in the comment section!
Are you ready for your trip? Find out in Your Pre Travel Checklist, the Complete Guide of Things to Remember Before You Go Abroad
For more on long-haul flights, read Will You Survive or Thrive on Your Next Long Flight?
Heading to Europe? Read Western Europe: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Sling Backpacks, Crossbody Travel Purses, RFID Wallets and More!
By women for women, the Sherpani Travel Blog talks about all things travel. With a new post every week on Travel Tuesday, our blog is the go-to place for unique travel guides, general travel tips, personal travel stories from women in our community, and more!
A wide range of cultures can be found throughout the thousands of islands that dot the Caribbean waters. Among them, is Saint Martin, a Caribbean destination we feel should not be overlooked.
If you arrive to Sint Maarten by plane, you’ll fly into Princess Juliana International Airport. Landing in Sint Maarten is an experience in itself as planes fly amazingly low over the island’s most famous attraction, Maho Beach. These planes are a big hit with tourists who gather on the beach below, mere feet from the runway.
Another popular way to reach the island is by cruise ship. With so many islands to explore, cruising is a great choice for the traveler who wants to do it all. In fact, these waters play host to the largest cruise ship in the world, the Wonder of the Seas, the crowned-jewel of Royal Caribbean.
Whichever way you arrive to Saint Martin, you’ll recognize right away that it’s a special place. Whether you stay for a few hours or a few weeks, we want to help you make the most of your time on “The Friendly Island.”
Saint Martin is due east of Puerto Rico and east still from the clusters of islands that comprise the US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands. The closest recognizable Caribbean destinations are Anguilla to the north and St. Barts to the southeast. The island's west side offers access to the Caribbean Sea, while the east gives way to the Atlantic Ocean.
The island has a border separating its two independently governed sides: the French "Saint Martin" in the north, and the Dutch "Sint Maarten" in the south.
While both spellings reference the same land mass, each represents a different side of the island. Making any of the following spellings correct:
St. Martin
Saint Martin
Sint Maarten
St. Maarten
In other words…
St. Martin = Saint Martin = French side
St. Maartin = Sint Maarten = Dutch side
Incorrect spellings would be “Sint Martin” or “Saint Maarten” as they combine the French and Dutch spellings.
Throughout the day, you may pass between Saint Martin and Sint Maarten freely, as they share an open boarder. You don’t have to pass through a checkpoint or present any documentation when crossing between sides. Each side has its own cultural influences and should be regarded as its own entity.
Naturally, the French side has excellent cuisine, including decadent pastries that can make any mouth water. Besides culinary endeavors, the French side is known for providing a more restorative, retreat experience. We’ll drop our honorable mention now by suggesting you spend a day relaxing at Loterie Farm.
In contrast, the Dutch side is recognized for all the fun of its bustling nightlife! The streets of Sint Maarten are dotted with casinos and clubs, and the rhum is never far from reach. We suggest tasting your way through the tropical flavors of the many offerings at Topper’s, the local rhum joint.
English is widely spoken throughout the island, but isn’t one of the official languages. That would be Dutch for Sint Maarten, and French for Saint Martin, with a higher likelihood of a language barrier on the French side.
Both sides accept the US Dollar and the Euro, and you can expect to receive change in a combination of both. We love this island's relaxed, “anything goes” attitude, and it extends beyond just currency.
The laid-back lifestyle is also noticeable when dining at a restaurant. You’ll be encouraged to enjoy your meal with ample time and may have to chase down a server when it comes time to pay the tab. This isn’t poor service, but rather the result of the cultural attitude that meals should be thoroughly enjoyed with little interruption. Reminding a traveler of the all-important message to enjoy her present moment.
We suggest leaning all the way into this mentality while in Saint Martin.
Has a view ever made your jaw drop? That’s what happened to us when we discovered this Sint Maarten must-do!
The Sherpani Unmissable recommendation for visiting Sint Maarten: The View from Sentry Hill!
Sentry Hill is one of the highest points on Sint Maarten. The top offers a breathtaking, 360-degree view that will capture the heart of any island goer. In addition to seeing virtually all of Saint Martin, you can spot surrounding islands and, of course, a vast expansion of ocean that will make anyone marvel.
There are two ways to access the best view in the Caribbean. Hikers that welcome a challenge can trek through the jungle landscape on the Sentry Hill Hike Trail. A more leisurely and accessible option would be to take the Sky Explorer chairlift, operated by Rainforest Adventures.
The Sky Explorer includes two lifts that together span nearly 3,000 feet. As beautiful Sint Maarten is revealed below your dangling feet, you’re going to want to have your camera ready.
Once at the top, grab a drink from the bar and take in the panoramic view. This is absolutely one of the best selfie spots on the island!
The fun doesn’t end there, Rainforest Adventures offers a variety of thrills and experiences for visitors. Adrenaline junkies rejoice with their "Big Three" rides. These are the Schooner Ride tube slide, the Sentry Hill Zip Line, and the coveted Flying Dutchman, which is the steepest zip line in the world!
If thrill seeking isn’t on your agenda, you can learn the history of the land at the the Emilio Willson Museum, located at the base of Sentry Hill. An experience is offered for every kind of traveler, but the thing we value most about this place is the view itself. Simply witnessing the scenery was enough for us to recommend it to all.
If you’re looking to have this experience as a cruise ship passenger, you’re in luck! Your ship will stop in Philipsburg, the capital of Sint Maarten. Rainforest Adventures is located a quick fifteen minute ride from port, an easily achievable stop for travelers with time constraints.
Have you explored Sint Maarten or Saint Martin? We think this island an idyllic place to experience culture, flavor and fun. If you’re heading to this part of the world soon, make sure Saint Martin is on your agenda! We know you won’t regret visiting the island, especially if you make your way to our favorite view.
This time of year has us dreaming of sunshine, beach getaways, and the sort of relaxation that can only come from a place like the Caribbean. What is your favorite Caribbean destination?
The above post is part of an ongoing segment of the Sherpani Travel Blog. We want to give travelers a singular, tangible recommendation for destinations; something we deem truly unmissable. These recommendations are carefully chosen from the personal travels of the Sherpani team.
Going on a far-off adventure? Read Will You Survive or Thrive on Your Next Long Flight?
Check out another Sherpani Unmissable in Here’s Where You’ll Have Your Favorite Meal in Prague.
Wondering how to spend your Sherpani gift card? Peruse our buy guide, The Best Gifts for Women Who Travel.
By women for women, the Sherpani Travel Blog talks about all things travel. With a new post every week on Travel Tuesday, our blog is the go-to place for unique travel guides, general travel tips, personal travel stories from women in our community, and more!
It’s the last Travel Tuesday of 2023!
Before we gear up for 2024, we'd like to take this opportunity to look back on what was a great year of design, adventure and celebrating women who live to travel. Read on to discover our 2023 brand highlights, favorite Sherpani products, and favorite travel destinations from the Sherpani team. Let's jump in!
Here are three lovely things that happened to us in 2023:
Our year started out with a bang as our beloved Soleil - the must-have, Anti-Theft, personal item for women's travel - won the Global Innovation Award in the first quarter of 2023.
The Global Innovation Award (GIA) is a high honor from the Inspired Home Show, a yearly convention that brings together some of the most unique and inspiring products on the market. The Soleil's innovative design took home the GIA for Excellence in Product Design in the Luggage, Travel Goods and Accessories category.
Perhaps it was the Soleil's convertible design which includes three ways to wear that earned the winning title, or its six-point Sherpani Anti-Theft technology that keeps travelers safe, or the practicality of the bag with its many functions and features. More likely, it's all those combined into a beautiful bag that is sustainably crafted by our woman-powered company. Our deepest appreciation to the folks at the Inspired Home Show for the recognition of one of our favorite Sherpani styles.
Read more about this Sherpani 2023 highlight in Best-Selling Sherpani Bag the Soleil Wins Global Innovation Award.
Though our blog isn't new, something that was new for us in 2023 is weekly posts on Travel Tuesday. The Sherpani Travel Blog is our little corner of the internet, and we couldn't think of a better way to use it than to celebrate the spirit of female travel! This travel blog is our gift to you, the community of women travelers who have been following Sherpani for years. Now, we get to celebrate you every week with our Travel Tuesday post.
We look forward to many more Travel Tuesdays on the Sherpani Travel Blog in 2024!
Did you know we’ve been around since 2002? Sherpani creates better day bags, backpacks, and luggage for women who live to travel, and we've now been doing so for twenty-one years. It's true, Sherpani is now old enough to raise a glass - cheers to that!
It's wild to think that our most loyal customers have now been carrying Sherpani bags for over two decades. Thank you to all the women who have supported us along the way. It's an honor to outfit you with excellent travel bags for every adventure.
Of course, with every year comes new designs from Sherpani. We released some new Sherpani styles in 2023 that became instant favorites. They included the Terra, a tote/backpack with an insulated cooler compartment (pictured above), and our adorable mini backpack, the Logan.
But 2023 brought more than just new travel bags. Sherpani also released tons of accessories! Here are some of our new favorite travel essentials:
Use the Atlas to stay organized wherever you go!
The Savannah has plenty of room to store all your favorite beauty products.
Our Packing Cubes are the absolute best way to organize your Sherpani luggage.
Safeguard your information with our Passport Sleeve and Credit Card Sleeve Set. They use RFID blocking technology to prevent cyber theft for safer travel.
It's always hard to pick favorites, especially when it comes to travel destinations! We headed to some truly special places in 2023. Here are just a few of the destinations that made our year:
Sherpani Staff Favorite Domestic Destinations of 2023
Where views like this help you exhale the stress away.
Whatever the question, time in the great outdoors is the answer.
From biking in St. George, Utah...
to hiking in Zion National Park...
to soaking in the dessert landscape of Taos, New Mexico...
We can't seem to get enough of this part of the country!
By the way, can you tell how much we love our Hyk waist packs? The perfect way to stay hands-free on all our outdoorsy adventures!
Sherpani Staff Favorite International Destinations of 2023
We highly recommend spending some time in this incredible Euro-American city, we also recommend you eat your way through it. Learn how in Sherpani Travel: A Foodie-Focused Itinerary for Our Favorite Neighborhood in Montreal.
A boho beach town with dreamy views and incredible seafood! Read Sherpani Travel: You Can't Go to Portugal Without Trying this Wine and learn what to sip on while you're there.
From exquisite culture to exceptional cuisine, we will never tire of Vietnam. If you're heading that way in 2024, check out Sherpani Travel: The Best Thing You'll Do in Ho Chi Minh City.
We are thoroughly convinced that one could spend their entire life uncovering scenic view after beautiful scenic view in Japan. Read about another of our favorite Japanese cities in Sherpani Travel: This Ancient Buddhist Temple is a Tokyo Must.
Best part of being on an island? You never turn your back on the ocean! Discover what took our breath away in Sherpani Travel: Your Guide to the Best View in the Caribbean, Exploring Sint Maarten.
As you can tell, the Sherpani team worked hard and played hard this year. We believe that travel restores the human spirit, a message that is woven into everything we do.
That about does it for our end-of-year roundup. We hope this past year was as good to you as it was to us! Whatever 2023 brought your way, we hope you're turning toward 2024 with open arms.
May you say yes to adventure with no hesitations,
discover good views, food, art and libations,
uncover the gems of your destinations.
May you climb to new heights and refuse limitations.
Happy New Year!
The Sherpani Team
In May of this year, Doni’s suitcase struggles were at an all-time high, so it felt like kismet when an email from Sherpani landed in her inbox. Sherpani has since been a proud partner of Girls’ Guide to the World - we’re also big fans of Doni herself.
Within a few minutes of talking to Doni, you can tell she is a natural-born leader who has worked hard to create a life that revolves around travel. She reasoned that she shouldn’t have to choose between what she did and what she loved, so she started her company to reconcile her tireless work ethic with her thirst for adventure. Today, Doni splits her time between New Orleans, Louisiana, and France, where she has homes in Paris and Bordeaux that double as luxury vacation rentals. She also enjoys a floating residence - her sailboat Relish.
At Sherpani, we have always said we make bags for women who define their own meaning of success. After recognizing how aligned Doni’s life has been with our mission, we sent her our award-winning Soleil bag to accompany her on her adventures.
Recently, we caught up with Doni and asked her where she has taken her Sherpani bag so far. In the past six months, here’s where Doni and her Soleil have been:
A pretty impressive mix! We asked Doni to share some of her top travel memories from these amazing destinations.
Her mind first jumped to snorkeling in the Galapagos islands, where she had planned her husband’s birthday trip on a private charter with a group of their friends. Doni has snorkeled in many iconic destinations, including Hawaii and the Great Barrier Reef. Yet she insists the Galapagos is as good as it gets, especially when it comes to wildlife.
There, a snorkeler can spot hundreds of species of tropical fish native to the area, along with so much more. It’s home to the fascinating Marine Iguana, the only lizard in the world that forages underwater, feeding off algae. Galapagos Penguins also live in this exotic paradise, one of which actually brushed up against Doni while she swam! The sea lions, though, seemed to be the creature that really stole her over. Curious and playful, they darted about, encircling and entertaining Doni’s group.
“If I could have laughed out loud underwater, I would have.”
Our conversation shifted to one of everybody’s favorite travel topics: food and drink. The flavors of Europe brought a reminiscent smile to Doni’s lips as she recounted her time in France, Italy and Portugal.
Though she could easily have gone on about the pasta-focused cooking class she took in rural Italy (and we could easily have listened!), Doni opted instead to shed some light on Portugal's food and beverage scene, which she feels is somewhat overlooked.
“Portugal doesn’t get enough accolades for its food and wine.”
Doni was in Portugal on a wine tasting tour with Girls’ Guide to the World. We aren’t strangers to the Portuguese wine scene (in fact, we wrote a whole post about it!), and neither is Doni. The world of wine can be intimidating, so Doni brought along a trusted sommelier to help guide her group to the perfect sip! This is the kind of upscale touch you can expect when you travel with Girls’ Guide.
Here is a nugget of wisdom Doni shared for when the wine tasting gets overwhelming: “If you like it, it is good.” She fairly pointed out how we should all take ownership of our own taste buds.
Her tour group visited the Douro Valley, where one can sip vino and enjoy the accompanying views of steep cliffs and winding rivers. Yes, please!
When it comes to France, Doni is a true expert. At seventeen, she visited Paris for the first time after scraping together enough cash via a garage sale and combining it with her graduation present from her older sister. She was enchanted by the city; it was the first time another culture had shown her that there was more than one way to do life.
On her second visit to Paris, she remembers flinging herself onto her hotel bed on the final day. She grabbed a hold of the bedpost, anchoring herself to the city, and dramatically proclaimed that she was never leaving. She didn’t understand why anybody would ever leave a place as beautiful as Paris.
We feel you, Doni.
Today, little has changed. Doni is still enamored with French culture and has always dreamed of living in France full time. In fact, Girls’ Guide to the World, which now offers tours in forty countries, started as Girls’ Guide to Paris. Though Doni doesn’t spend all her time in the country that holds her heart - it’s a big world, after all - she manages to get there often. This year, while spending a month at her home in Bordeaux, she celebrated the milestone of her sixtieth birthday.
She confessed to us that as a woman with all she needs, she doesn’t enjoy receiving gifts much. Instead, she has always encouraged those close to her to show their affection by simply writing a card. Her daughter took this to the extreme for her sixtieth by collecting responses from all her friends and compiling them into a book titled “Why We Love You.” This touching story is a reminder that not all travel memories are about the destination.
As for her travels within the United States, Doni spent some time with friends in Charleston, South Carolina. She says it’s a charming place, perfect for riding around in a golf cart and looking at the beautiful, historic buildings of the South. Her favorite time of year to visit is in the winter. If you are wishing you had planned a getaway this holiday season, Girls' Guide takes women to Charleston each December, and the 2024 trip will be announced soon.
Doni was also eager to speak about her time sailing off the East Coast. It hit us hard when she spoke about the connection one feels with nature when sailing on the big blue highway.
“Sailing is almost a spiritual experience,” she shared, as she spoke of soaking in the natural world and traversing the sea on the power of the wind, “every time it feels like a miracle.”
We know what she means. The Sherpani founders, Maria and Ed, share Doni’s passion for sailing. Their first-hand account of the ocean plastic problem is what inspired the use of recycled materials in our travel bags. Doni reiterated that our sustainability story is a pivotal part of why she loves Sherpani.
If you want to experience the magic of sailing, now is your chance! In April, you could be on a forty-five-foot catamaran, exploring the beautiful islands off the coast of Thailand with Girls’ Guide.
We asked Doni about her experience with plastic and sailing. She agreed that plastic was present on nearly every beach she’s ever set foot on, but reminded us that you don’t have to be in the middle of the ocean to encounter the stuff. She told us about meeting Jessica Nabongo, the first black woman to visit every country on earth, whose speech Doni attended at Women’s Travel Fest in New York City a few years back. According to Doni, Nabongo opened her speech by saying, “Plastic, we have a real problem.”
By the way, Sherpani is sponsoring the 2024 Women’s Travel Fest, which will be happening in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, in February. How’s that for kismet?
Of course, we had to ask Doni how her Soleil bag served her during all this globetrotting. She enthusiastically hopped up to get it, not wanting to forget about any of her favorite features while she gave her review.
As someone who values style (did we mention Doni’s original Paris trip was during fashion week?), she spoke to the bag’s sleek design, noting how she purposely chose her color to create a matching set with her Sherpani luggage. Moving on to functionality, she shared with us that her favorite features were the three water bottle holders and the luggage pass-through, which is the feature that lets you slide the Soleil over the luggage handle of your suitcase. She also shared that she regularly carries the bag in all three ways: crossbody, tote and backpack.
When we asked about the Anti-Theft features of the Soleil, Doni confessed that the concern of theft is rarely on her mind. Well, that’s exactly why we created our Anti-Theft Collection! So women could worry less and travel more. Sherpani Anti-Theft technology includes RFID protection, a ReturnMe tag, a slash-proof fabric bottom, zipper locks, a chair loop lock and our proprietary wireless slash-proof crossbody strap.
We want to thank Doni for sharing her time and stories with us. After our conversation, she sent us a follow-up message with some more thoughts about traveling as a woman, and we had to include this bonus wisdom from our friend:
“This is the first time in history that women can travel without waiting for a chaperone or a husband to say yes and pay for it. Those days were not that long ago, and many women of a certain age still struggle with the idea of going solo. I cannot tell you how many people I speak to who have to ask their husbands first or are trying to imagine how to travel without them.
I believe that solo travel (which includes going with a group of people you don’t know) is empowering for women. Once you do it, you realize how easy and how liberating it is.”
This is what women have to look forward to when they book a trip with Girls’ Guide to the World. It’s no wonder that Girls’ Guide and Sherpani are so aligned: we are both paving the way for women to travel the world with freedom, confidence and security.
Looking for a new travel bag? Try Product Spotlight: Four Sherpani Anti-Theft Bags for Travel
Learn more about our mission to reduce ocean plastic in How Sherpani Bags Reduce Ocean Plastic
Dreaming of Europe? Check out our Free and Downloadable Language Translation Wallpapers for Europe (Popular Destinations)
By women for women, the Sherpani Travel Blog talks about all things travel. With a new post every week on Travel Tuesday, our blog is the go-to place for unique travel guides, general travel tips, personal travel stories from women in our community, and more!
]]>Vietnam is situated in Southeast Asia, sharing borders with the nations of Cambodia, Laos and China. With two and a half times as much coastline as the state of California, Vietnam is an excellent beach destination with remarkable water views of the South China Sea and, in the southern part of the country, the Gulf of Thailand.
In the north is the capital of Hanoi, which has the second highest population in the country. The most densely populated city in Vietnam is Ho Chi Minh City, previously Saigon, which is located in the southern part of Vietnam.
Besides our hometown of Boulder, Colorado, Sherpani has deep roots in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It’s one of the destinations we know best, and we are so grateful to experience Vietnamese culture often through regular visits.
When we think of Vietnam, we think of all the friendly people we have met there, who are typically quite proud of their country, and rightfully so. Vietnamese culture is centered around history and tradition and is celebrated by locals with many national holidays throughout the year. It has a large religious influence that is evident in its predominantly Buddhist population. In our experience, the people are incredibly kind, family-oriented, and hard-working. They also make some of the best cuisine in the world!
If you’ve read any of the Sherpani “Unmissables” before, you know them to be our unique travel guides; we recommend only a single experience for destinations across the globe. It’s hard to choose just one thing - sometimes we’ll sneak in an honorable mention or two! - but we have never had it harder than when it came to selecting only one experience to highlight as essential for Vietnamese travel.
As we’ve thoroughly scoured this city and soaked in so much of what it has to offer, one tour experience stands out as truly perfect for the traveler with a taste for adventure. If you are in Vietnam for a month or just a few days, you simply cannot miss the opportunity we are about to cover.
The Sherpani Unmissable recommendation for visiting Ho Chi Minh City: “The XO Foodie” Tour!
XO Tours, a Vietnamese-based, women-led tour company, has left a lasting impression on us, and we will be singing their praises to anyone who will listen! We aren’t the only ones who feel this way. Their tours have been named among the top ten in the world by USA Today and Forbes. Simply put, this company is the real deal.
XO Tours takes travelers on immersive experiences of Ho Chi Minh that are as unique as they are unforgettable. In their tours, you get to experience the city the way many local commuters do: from the back of a motorbike.
Traveling by motorbike is definitely one of the most amazing parts of booking with XO Tours. Their all-women staff is composed of professional, licensed guides who provide the thrill of the motorbike experience in a way that feels safe and fun.
Anyone who has been to this part of the world can attest to the whirlwind traffic on the streets of Ho Chi Minh. It can be intimidating to hop on a motorbike - the most common mode of transportation there - and take to the streets, weaving through a world of whirring engines that carry the city’s nine million residents about their day.
Our advice? Trust your driver and enjoy the ride!
Many motorbike tour companies in Vietnam do not operate legally and may not include insurance even when it’s advertised. XO Tours is an accredited company that includes insurance for every tour participant and promotes a safe experience by relying on the highest quality licensed professionals. The only way to book a tour with XO Tours is directly on their website. To ensure their legitimacy, they don’t use any third-party booking services.
XO Tours offers the following four experiences for exploring Ho Chi Minh on a motorbike:
Each tour includes its own unique experience, from daytime tours that stop at Ho Chi Minh’s most famed attractions, to nighttime explorations, to a photography-focused tour. Though any tour with XO Tours is sure to please, there is one we feel is a standout experience that travelers just can’t miss: The XO Foodie.
The XO Foodie tour is exactly what it sounds like: a flavor-focused city tour where one can delight in a variety of traditional Vietnamese dishes. It’s also so much more!
Trust us when we say we could write a whole post about Vietnam’s street food scene (maybe soon - we will!). The flavors of Vietnamese street food are impeccable, and this tour will lead you right to some of the best. While we were immensely satisfied with the food, we were blown away by the experience as a whole, and want to make sure to speak to what else made the tour so special.
The XO Foodie includes five stops, taking you to several districts within Ho Chi Minh City. It does a great job of taking you to places that, as a tourist, you’d be hard-pressed to see on your own. Getting away from the ultra-touristy spots is an amazing perk. It’s an authentic experience that paints a broad picture of life in Ho Chi Minh.
The tour pairs you with a driver, who will stay by your side throughout the evening. The drivers are friendly, knowledgeable and English-speaking; their pride in the experience they offer is evident and well-deserved.
Though all the tour guides are women, the tour itself is co-ed. Male-identifying tour attendees are asked to refrain from putting their arms around the driver while on the motorbike and are encouraged to hold on to their seats instead. We love that XO Tours has implemented this boundary to ensure their employees feel safe and comfortable on the job. It’s evident that XO Tours wants to provide the best experience for everyone, including the thousands of Vietnamese women they have employed throughout their company’s history.
The stops on The XO Foodie tour alternate between dining experiences and spots where you stroll around and explore some of Ho Chi Minh’s hidden gems.
You’ll see a variety of neighborhoods and witness a wide range of lifestyles among the people who call Ho Chi Minh home. The tour guides are incredibly knowledgeable, offering everything from the cost of living in different neighborhoods to the practiced dynamics within Vietnamese families. You get to learn about Vietnamese culture right at its source.
The food you’ll encounter covers the full spectrum of Vietnamese delicacies! From pho, a rice noodle soup with a savory beef broth that has become popular in the United States, to balut, the fertilized duck egg dish that will surely capture the interest of adventurous eaters. The tour guides create an idyllic, low-pressure environment for exploring new flavors. You are encouraged to try anything but also able to decline without judgment. Each food stop is accompanied by a drink choice of soda, tea or beer. The tour will also do its best to accommodate dietary restrictions upon request.
Favorite dishes sampled by the Sherpani staff included mouthwatering grilled scallops with green onions and peanuts, delectable crab claws seasoned with garlic, chili and salt, and savory clams that were steamed with lemongrass, ginger, kumquat juice and chili. Yum!
People from all over the world flock to XO Tours, so you’re bound to find yourself in a group that represents many different countries and cultures. One of our favorite things about the tour is that it encourages engagement within the group. The whole evening is one of dining at community tables, chatting with tourists from other amazing places and even playing games! The tour guides lead group games at several stops to encourage a sense of community and create a friendly and comfortable environment for all, making the tour perfect for the solo female traveler.
The XO Foodie also includes takeaways! Photos are taken throughout the evening and sent to you afterward via email, so you can put your phone away and lean into the experience, knowing it will be documented. They also provide a downloadable booklet that catalogs all the dishes you encountered on the tour! These above-and-beyond touches are why XO Tours rightfully dominates the motorbike tour industry.
The XO Foodie tour is guaranteed to be one of your top travel memories from your time in Vietnam. We sincerely hope you check it out, and please let us know if you do! We can tell you one thing, next time we are in Ho Chi Minh, we’ll be taking The XO Foodie tour again.
Have you ventured to Vietnam before? What was the best thing you ate there? The flavors of Ho Chi Minh make our taste buds sing, and our heartstrings play along as we contemplate one of our favorite places in the world.
Buy your ticket, and pack your Sherpani bag. Vietnam is calling - and there’s a motorbike with your name on it. Happy travels!
The above post is part of an ongoing segment of the Sherpani Travel Blog. We want to give travelers a singular, tangible recommendation for destinations; something we deem truly unmissable. These recommendations are carefully chosen from the personal travels of the Sherpani team.
Need a Sherpani bag for your Vietnam trip? Check out our buy guide Sustainable Travel Bags for Southeast Asia: The Ultimate Guide of Lightweight Travel Bags That Protect Our Oceans
Read more about Sherpani’s & Vietnam in Sherpani Charity Highlight: Heartbeat Vietnam
Want another Sherpani Unmissable? Try Sherpani Travel: We Tried to Keep This New Zealand Experience a Secret... But We Caved
By women for women, the Sherpani Travel Blog talks about all things travel. With a new post every week on Travel Tuesday, our blog is the go-to place for unique travel guides, general travel tips, personal travel stories from women in our community, and more!
]]>But what actually is RFID?
Today, we'll go back to basics and explain what RFID is, how it works, and the potential consequences of this unavoidable tech. Let’s dive in!
RFID, or “radio frequency identification,” is a technology that transmits information without manual entry. RFID is used throughout many industries to streamline processes. The revolutionary “tap-to-pay” method that has become so popular for transactions is a prime example of RFID.
RFID is also how your information pops up on the screen after a customs worker scans your passport. In terms of scanning, RFID functions similarly to a bar code or QR code. The difference is while those technologies transmit information by reading a picture, RFID shares information through radio waves.
To understand the prevalence of RFID, it’s helpful to know how it works.
RFID technology is a contactless way to share information, requiring two parts: an RFID tag and an RFID reader. RFID tags are found everywhere! From packaging to clothing to the credit cards in your wallet, these tags store the information of the objects they represent (i.e. your credit card number). RFID readers can scan and interpret the information stored on the tags.
The tricky part is that any RFID reader can access the information on any RFID tag, so long as it's in close enough range. So theoretically, someone with an RFID reader could access your credit card information without ever coming into contact with the card itself.
This is where the worry lies: RFID tags can be conducive to cyber theft.
Unfortunately, the sophisticated thieves of the world take advantage of the widespread RFID technology. This explains the time your friend’s credit card number was compromised even though it never left her purse. Remember that your credit card isn’t the only important item with an RFID tag carrying sensitive information; there's likely one inside your car key fob, and your passport has one, too!
It’s scary, we know. But stick with us! There’s a simple solution to prevent this.
This is where RFID blocking comes into play.
The radio waves used in RFID can only pass through nonconducting materials such as wood, brick, concrete and fabric. They cannot pass through electrical conductors, such as water or metal. Blocking these radio waves is the key to stopping cyber theft. All you have to do is make sure there’s an appropriate barrier between your RFID tags (credit cards and passport) and the potential RFID reader in the jacket pocket of the hacker standing close by.
Most Sherpani bags include RFID-blocking technology to safeguard the information carried on your RFID tags. We achieve this by including a thin metallic sheet material in our designs to block the radio waves.
Every bag in our Essentials Collection is equipped with RFID-blocking technology.
Every bag in our Anti-Theft Collection is equipped with RFID-blocking technology (plus more features to guard against other types of theft!).
In Sherpani bags, the RFID blocking runs along the front panel of each design. When you’re wearing a backpack or a crossbody, the back side of your bag sits against your person, so there’s no reason to add RFID blocking to that side. The exception is one of our favorite styles, the Vale, which features a reversible design so is built with RFID blocking on both sides.
More RFID protection from Sherpani:
Sherpani wallets are also equipped with RFID-blocking technology. The Barcelona is a small-sized wallet perfect for minimalist travel, and the Tulum is a larger-sized RFID wallet complete with a wristlet strap. Our wallets help you stay organized and protected.
Recently, we released two more travel accessories equipped with RFID blocking:
Check out our new RFID Blocking Credit Card Sleeve Set:
Check out our new RFID Blocking Passport Sleeve:
Pro Tip: When you're not traveling, use the Passport Sleeve as a holder for your car keys. Especially if you hang your keys by your front door, where someone could scan for their RFID tag from the other side.
Before we go, there is one more FAQ about RFID that we feel we need to address…
Is RFID blocking really necessary?
We get this question a lot, and there is seemingly some debate on the topic throughout the travel world. Now that you know how it works, however, we hope you’re feeling confident enough to answer this question for yourself.
The facts of the matter are that the everyday, we use items like credit cards that have RFID tags. Cyber theft is therefore a potential threat, especially to those who travel often, because all it requires is an RFID reader. Carrying a bag that has RFID blocking will negate this threat, which means one less thing to worry about while you’re out there exploring.
We believe that women deserve to travel with peace of mind. It's why we do what we do! We are proud to cultivate a deeper sense of security among female travelers by providing them with RFID wallets, bags and other travel accessories so that they can explore the world with confidence.
So, let us worry about the technicalities of theft prevention. Travel with Sherpani so that you can turn your attention to what matters most: your life-changing adventures.
Shop all Sherpani travel bags!
Want to learn more about our company? Read How Sherpani Bags Reduce Ocean Plastic
For more on travel safety, try Solo Travel Safety, By Women for Women
How about a travel story? Read Old Friend New Adventure: Peru & Machu Picchu
By women for women, the Sherpani Travel Blog talks about all things travel. With a new post every week on Travel Tuesday, our blog is the go-to place for unique travel guides, general travel tips, personal travel stories from women in our community, and more!
]]>It’s no secret that giving back feels good, and we love how this day is dedicated to spreading that message. So for this Travel Tuesday / Giving Tuesday mash-up, we have rounded up some acts of kindness relevant to female travelers! Read on to discover five ways you can make a positive impact while you travel.
At Sherpani, we believe in supporting the local communities where our company has laid its roots; namely Boulder, Colorado and Ho Chi Mihn City, Vietnam. In each place, we have built relationships with trustworthy organizations we aim to support however we can (read about Sherpani supporting the Brighter Path Scholarship and Heartbeat Vietnam). For Giving Tuesday this year, we are supporting the Emergency Family Assistance Association.
The Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA) works to stabilize and support families in need in our hometown of Boulder, Colorado. Sherpani is proud to have supported EFAA’s noble work for years, mainly through donating Sherpani bags.
In the spirit of Giving Tuesday, we wanted to offer our customers the chance to get involved! From now to December 3, every purchase made on Sherpani.com of over $150 will donate a care kit to EFAA. Each kit is a care package of toiletries and other essentials that elevate the everyday lives of families in need.
Click here to support EFAA by shopping all Sherpani styles!
It doesn’t need to be said that your flight crew is essential to your travel experience, but have you considered how far they go to aid your adventure? Airline workers go to great lengths - literally - to help a traveler on her journey.
The nature of air travel requires its workers to engage in overtime, abnormal work hours and to spend half their time away from home. Especially this time of year, it’s important to recognize what airline workers sacrifice to keep us traveling. Your pilot very well might be missing a holiday with her family to safely deliver you to yours.
So the next time you fly, make your flight crew’s day by bringing them gift bags! A gesture of thanks and recognition for all their hard work. Here are some ideas for items to include: chapstick, face masks, tea bags, cozy socks, gum, snacks, and coffee shop gift cards. (Pro Tip: If you include any homemade goodies, make sure to provide a list of ingredients in case of potential allergies.)
Gift bag or not, remember to always thank the crew when you fly!
Travel often requires purchasing an item or two that is specific to your destination.
Example: If you live in sunny Phoenix, Arizona, with its annual rainfall of fewer than ten inches, but are traveling to the lush and famously rainy cities in the Pacific Northwest, you’ll need to buy a raincoat for your trip.
This practical purchase will serve you well on your adventure, but won’t be of much use back home. So on the final day of your trip, we suggest you seek out someone who could use it and give the raincoat away.
We love the idea of passing along the gently-used things that could make a big difference in someone else’s life. So when it’s time to depart from your destination, think about if there’s something in your suitcase that would be better loved if left behind.
It’s rumored that pro surfer and shark attack survivor Bethany Hamilton once did this, giving away her heavy winter coat to someone on the street of New York City before she returned to her home in Kauai, Hawaii.
Next time you travel, be like Bethany!
Of course, one of the most common ways to give back is with a donation. There are many ways you can take this approach when traveling.
To ensure that your travel leaves a positive economic impact on your destination, we suggest supporting an organization that is local to that community.
Not sure where to start? Dr. Jane Goodall’s youth-led organization, Roots and Shoots, is now in over sixty countries. When you donate to the Roots and Shoots program in your destination, that money goes to supporting a community project chosen by the local youth - how's that for a way to guarantee your positive impact?
If you’d like a cause that supports other travelers, we think the Carabiner Collective, which aims to support diversity in the world of female adventure travel, is a pretty noble cause.
We all know how this works from coffee shop drive-thrus when a generous someone pays for the stranger behind them in the line.
The travel version of this might be picking up someone else’s tab when dining at an airport. Of course, anyone is likely to receive this gesture well, but we suggest finding a solo female traveler to treat because we think that what she’s doing deserves encouragement.
As you make your way to wherever you’re headed, look around for ways to pay it forward to your fellow travelers. Small actions go a long way, so take an extra moment to help that mom pull her luggage off the carousel, or offer the window seat you reserved to the excited child in your row. There’s no shortage of opportunities to show some kindness to someone, and no saying how powerfully it may impact them.
However you’re getting into the spirit of this Giving Tuesday, we hope you’re able to cultivate that warm and fuzzy feeling that comes from doing some good. We’d like to leave you with these two quotes that serve as reminders of the power our actions hold:
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” - Coretta Scott King
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” -Mother Teresa
Happy Giving Tuesday!
Sherpani Team
As we enter a notoriously busy time of year for air travel, you may find yourself hanging out in an airport with time to spare. So for Travel Tuesday this week, we wanted to bring you some fun and creative ways to help those hours tick by.
Here are five ideas for how to kill time at any airport!
If you’re going to be stuck, you might as well make yourself comfortable. Why not start by taking a few minutes for an intentional practice to improve your mood?
Here is an exercise written by a yoga teacher meant to help you push the mental reset button:
Many airports come with abundant shopping opportunities, so getting stuck in one could be a great time to grab a gift for someone back home. We aren’t saying to pick up a silly souvenir from the grab-n-go stand by your gate, either. Try spending your extra airport time searching for the unique surprise that will make the day of someone special. Choose someone you love, and make it an all-out treasure hunt to pick out a beautifully intentional gift!
A novel for your niece, a bottle of perfume for your mother or a little something to say “thank you” to the neighbor who’s checking your mail back home.
No worries if your luggage is packed to the brim and you have no room for a gift. A handwritten letter is an incredible gift that won’t take up precious space. Don’t have any paper? You can even purchase a journal, tear out a couple of pages for your letter, and then give the journal away to a fellow traveler or airport employee!
Here’s a travel hack that helps reframe the airport experience: airports are basically museums.
Looking past the bustling energy of mass-scale public transportation, you’ll find flecks of hometown pride on display. The architects, artists and engineers behind an airport’s design were well aware that they were crafting a first impression of their destination for travelers passing through. In any given airport, there are many travelers who will never step outside the airport doors, their layover serving as the only glimpse they’ll get into the airport’s location.
Many airports even have curated exhibits to explore! While museums are regarded as cultured travel experiences, airports aren’t thought of this way, though they can offer similar spectacles and cultural insights that are well worth your time.
Walk around the airport and look at things through this new lens, you’ll be surprised what a difference it makes. Appreciate the airport experience that was intentionally created to introduce you to your current location. A reframe for finding beauty in unexpected places.
These days, we seem to pay more attention to the people on our phone screens than to those who actually surround us. Instead of turning to the endless scrolling available anywhere, try the long-lost art of people-watching! It often leads to a hilarious, exciting and inspiring experience.
To prove our point, here are the first words from the beloved holiday film, Love Actually. They are bound to make you feel warm and fuzzy about the opportunity to people-watch at an airport.
“Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere.”
Looking to make more of a game out of your people-watching efforts? We’ve got you covered! Try playing Airport People-Watching Bingo with the card below:
Grabbing a bite to eat is a common way to kill time at the airport. If you’re in a large city, chances are good that its airport offers a plethora of options when it comes to dining. Why not make a game out of trying as many as you can?
Course out your airport meal by ordering a single menu item from each place. Take your time to select and enjoy your choice, then move on in search of something different to try next: an order of fries here, a glass of vino there, a unique appetizer from that fancy spot, a soft pretzel from a kiosk, and a something sweet for dessert!
This quirky dining experience is sure to help the time tick by. Bonus points if you post on social media and let your friends follow along with your wacky airport meal!
The next time you’re stuck at an airport, know that a little optimism goes a long way. Lengthy layovers and flight snafus are just a part of travel. Sure, you’d rather spend that time sightseeing outside the airport walls, but that’s no reason to write off the experiences available to you within them.
Have to do more waiting in the sky? Read Travel Tip Tuesday: Will You Survive or Thrive on Your Next Long Flight?
Need to stock up on essentials? Try Product Spotlight: Five New Five Star Travel Accessories from Sherpani
Lost in translation? Check out our Language Translation Wallpapers!
By women for women, the Sherpani Travel Blog talks about all things travel. With a new post every week on Travel Tuesday, our blog is the go-to place for unique travel guides, general travel tips, personal travel stories from women in our community, and more!
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Montreal exudes charm, beauty, and culture. It’s widely recognized for its French influence, evident in its native French speakers, exceptional cuisine, and delectable pastries that rival even those found in Paris. However, what often goes unnoticed is the incredible diversity of the city. According to Statistics Canada, one in three residents of Montreal is an immigrant, resulting in a melting pot of communities, composed of individuals from more than 120 countries across five continents.
Given the rich diversity, it comes as no surprise that Montreal boasts some of the most vibrant cultural, artistic, and culinary scenes in the world. And once you visit, it becomes all the more clear.
Here, the Italian community is almost as ubiquitous as the French, and the Italian Cafés, sandwich shops, and restaurants bring some major competition to the already flavorful Quebecois cuisine. Montreal is also home to one of the largest Jewish communities in North America, giving rise to the famous Montreal-style bagel. Unlike its New York counterpart, the Montreal bagel is smaller, thinner, sweeter, and denser, with a larger hole in the middle, and baked in a wood-fired oven. Renowned bagel shops like Fairmount and St-Viateur Bagel are cherished gems of the Montreal food scene and are always sure to have a line around the corner (even in frigid, 20-degree weather).
But it’s not only the culinary delights that define Montreal; it’s of course, the people. Artistic, outdoorsy, and kind-hearted, the people in Montreal have impeccable style and a taste for the finer things in life. Because this city is steeped in stunning architecture, outdoor scenery, and one of the largest fashion scenes in the world, this metropolis knows how to appreciate life's great luxuries.
Unlike the province of Quebec, Montrealers generally speak in both English and French, a charming trait you’ll discover in any boutique, bar, or bakery, with a greeting that has become synonymous with Montreal: “Bonjour, Hi.” Yes, Montreal is a bilingual city, but don’t be surprised when you run into language barriers. Depending on the area, some speakers may only know traces of English; and that goes for Uber drivers and service providers as well. If safety is a concern, rest assured that Montreal is one of the safest cities in the world. With minimal incidents of violent crime or petty theft, and friendly, welcoming individuals at every turn.
This city fuses the hardworking, hustle lifestyle of New York, with a slower, more bohemian cafe culture, reminiscent of Paris. Yet, what sets Montreal apart is the distinct character found in every corner of the city. You have Little Italy, which offers some of the best local markets on the island and an authentic, “old Italy” aesthetic. There’s Verdun, home to what’s been named the “World’s Coolest Street”, Montreal's famed sandwich shop, Bossa, and a plethora of unique restaurants and summer terraces, boasting specials like dollar oysters and local Quebec wines. Then, of course, is the Old Port—one of the most exciting areas of the city, transporting visitors back to 1611 when the port was first built. This part of town is often the most explored by tourists, as it bubbles over with charm and European flare.
While each neighborhood in Montreal comes with its own special appeal, there is one neighborhood that stands out among the rest. And if you ask any local, they will undoubtedly agree—it’s Mile End.
The Sherpani Unmissable recommendation for visiting Montreal: Mile End!
As per the locals of Montreal, Mile End stands out as the coolest and most happening neighborhood, (even ranking 5th coolest in the World) renowned for its rows of dining establishments, trendy hangouts, and hipster vibe. Not only is this trendy neighborhood famous for its music venues and unique bar scene, but it’s also home to some of the most amazing cafes, French bakeries, and iconic food joints, including mouth-watering Montreal bagels. Whether it's a summer day or a snowy winter evening, Mile End is the best locale to explore and enjoy.
Not to worry—we’ve prepared a comprehensive itinerary for you to make the most of your time in The Mile End. Let's get started!
To kick off your day trip in the Mile End, we recommend stopping by Montreal's most iconic coffee shop, Café Olimpico. This old-fashioned Italian-style cafe is more than just iconic, it's legendary. Coffee aficionados from all over the world flock to Montreal in search of the flavors and atmosphere that can only be found at Café Olimpico. This hotspot is not only famous for its Italian coffee and pastries but it's also considered the heartbeat of the Mile End. Rain or shine, this is where locals congregate, and if you're looking to observe the essence of Mile End, here is where you’ll find it.
Now that you’ve secured a strong cup of coffee, (seriously, we mean strong) it’s time for a bagel. But not just any bagel; a Montreal bagel. There are two renowned bagel shops close by—Fairmount and St-Viateur—but we are partial to the unique experience of the latter. Located just a five-minute walk from Café Olimpico, St-Viateur Bagel is not only popular among locals but also frequented by celebrities. And here, you’ll get the full, hand-made, wood-fired oven experience. Heads up—don’t be shocked when they don’t add cream cheese or bacon, egg, and cheese to your bagel. Here, things work a little differently. You can purchase various toppings while there, but it's customary to dress it yourself.
After enjoying an authentic Montreal breakfast, we recommend exploring the Mile End on foot. As the city's artistic hub, Mile End is adorned with vibrant murals and street art that perfectly encapsulates Montreal's creative identity. Take a stroll down St. Laurent Boulevard, nicknamed "The Main," where you'll discover the pulse of the neighborhood, along with its many eateries. Pop in and out of the vintage shops that pepper the street, or grab some of those Paris-rivaled pastries we mentioned above, from Boulangerie Guillaume.
When it comes to lunch in the Mile End, the best spots are easy to point out, usually marked by packed interiors or lines out the door. If you’re looking for a quick, budget-friendly, and flavorful option, Drogheria Fine’s $5 Gnocchi stand is a fan favorite. And in any case, it’s almost impossible to resist the smell of their signature sauce wafting up your nose from blocks away. In search of a sit-down meal? Larry’s is a classic yet casual Quebecois eatery known and loved by Mile End natives. The menu is made up of locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, and if it’s lunchtime, everyone there will be sipping on a glass of wine. (We recommend joining in on this practice.)
Once your gnocchi or wine-induced coma begins to hit, a stroll through Park Lahaie acts as the perfect remedy. This quaint park is a go-to for relaxing and people-watching in the summer, or ice skating in the winter. On your way there, you may consider stopping at Le Petit Dep for an afternoon pick-me-up espresso.
To end your day on the right note, head West down Laurier Street to Bar Henrietta. This charming, warmly-lit bar serves delicious small plates that are sure to surprise your taste buds, accompanied by an extensive wine list. The atmosphere is relaxed, fun, and inviting, and has the same type of crowd, to boot. (Pro Tip: order the popcorn!)
If you’ve got one last nightcap in you, then right across from Bar Henrietta is Kabinet. This swanky, classic French bar lights up your more luxurious side with ambient lighting, red velvet seating, and stunning chandeliers—all at affordable prices. Every Sunday, Kabinet hosts a special martini and caviar night. Do with that information, what you will.
As your jam-packed and flavor-fueled Mile End experience comes to an end, we hope you’ll take with you lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for the cultural richness and artistic spirit that makes Montreal a truly special city.
Have you eaten at any of the spots mentioned in this Sherpani Unmissable guide? Do you have your own favorite foodie spot to add to our Mile End itinerary? We’d love to hear from fellow admirers of this incredible city.
Emma R
Freelance Writer
The above post is part of an ongoing segment of the Sherpani Travel Blog. We want to give travelers a singular, tangible recommendation for destinations; something we deem truly unmissable. These recommendations are carefully chosen from the personal travels of the Sherpani team.
]]>The holidays are a great reason to celebrate and elevate the women you love!
How many travel bugs are on your holiday shopping list? From granddaughters and nieces, to bosses and assistants, to neighbors and friends, Sherpani has something for every travel enthusiast.
So if your best friend just retired with ambitious travel plans, or your babysitter has hinted about her upcoming trip abroad, you’ve come to the right place.
Our gift guide is broken down by price; whether it’s an upscale travel bag to spoil your nearest and dearest, or a simple stocking stuffer to spread far and wide, read on to discover travel bags and accessories for any budget!
The ultimate travel duo! Our best-selling convertible travel bag, the Camden, is paired with our signature hard-shell luggage, the Meridian, in this holiday bundle. Available in two colors: Classic Black for blending in or Cool Chromatic for standing out.
Camden features include adjustable backpack straps, a removable crossbody strap, a padded laptop sleeve, RFID protection, luggage pass through and three water bottle holders (perfect for holding that holiday wine!). Meridian features include four 360-degree spinner wheels, a retractable luggage handle, TSA-approved locking zippers and a 2-inch zipper expander for built-in extra room when bringing home souvenirs.
This travel bundle will show some love to your bestie with big trip plans, or set up your college student for their semester abroad. Can you think of a better way to spoil a woman with wanderlust?
Note: You must order by 12/13 to receive the Carry-On Bundle before the holidays!
Shop this Style! ✈️
An award-winning Sherpani favorite, the Soleil does it all. This convertible style offers three ways to carry it: backpack, crossbody and tote.
As part of the Sherpani Anti-Theft Collection, the Soleil provides travel peace of mind with innovative Anti-Theft technology: two kinds of locking zippers, a wire-loop chair lock, RFID security, a ReturnMe Tag, a slash-proof bottom and Sherpani’s proprietary wireless slash-proof crossbody strap.
Add on the padded laptop sleeve, adjustable backpack straps, three water bottle holders, and luggage pass through, and this must-have bag is every traveler’s dream!
Shop this Style! 🎒
A new design from Sherpani, the Terra backpack has an insulated cooler compartment on the bottom. The Terra can hold it all with its large capacity (21 liters) and is your go-to bag for food and beverage storage.
Other Terra features include adjustable backpack straps, RFID protection, an ergonomic backpack buckle, and fixed tote bag handles. Grab one for the traveler who meal preps before her long-haul flight, or the dedicated mom who always brings the snacks. Or get yourself an early holiday treat as you prepare for potlucks and other holiday gatherings!
Shop this Style! 🍇
The Vale offers amazing versatility with its reversible design. With removable straps and multiple attachment points, there are many ways to style this Sherpani favorite. When it’s not full, the Vale will adopt a fold-over silhouette, and when packed to the brim, it will stand tall, offering a different look. The Vale is like buying eight bags in one!
The two strap options are a short, fixed-length shoulder strap and an adjustable crossbody strap that is also slash-proof! The Vale is in Sherpani’s Anti-Theft Collection, which is full of security-focused designs that include locking zippers, RFID security, a ReturnMe Tag, a wire-loop chair lock and a slash-proof bottom.
Shop this Style! 🔐
This gorgeous tote is the perfect gift for your maximalist friend with its large capacity of 21 liters. Use the Stride as an everyday large purse or travel bag.
The Stride makes a great personal item for air travel with the luggage pass through feature that has become the envy of airport dwellers. Other features include RFID-blocking technology, two external water bottle holders and a daisy chain.
Just in time for the holidays, the Stride is newly restocked in our best-selling color, Chromatic. Perfect for the fashionista who adores a pop of color!
Shop this Style! 👜
Sherpani Compass Packing Cubes will turn any messy suitcase into a well-organized dream! Available in three sizes: small, medium and large. Besides helping to save room in your luggage, packing cubes make for easier packing and unpacking. Use the cubes for elevated organization, convenience and accessibility. When you buy the bundle, you receive one cube in each size, plus the Compass Shoe Bag.
The Compass Shoe Bag is a stylish, easy way to separate shoes within your luggage. Made to hold one bulky pair or two small ones, you can go ahead and pack that “just in case” pair of vacation shoes.
A great gift for the traveler who is obsessed with organization, or for the one who needs a little help in this area (don’t worry - we won’t tell her that’s why she’s receiving them!).
Shop this Style! 🎁
The Hyk is a belt bag made for hands-free adventure! Festival goers, concert enthusiasts, avid outdoor types and athletes will all benefit from a bag that won’t slow them down. Style the Hyk as a small crossbody or a waist pack, and keep your essentials close. With RFID protection and a hidden pocket on the back, the Hyk offers peace of mind while you dance, hike and play.
How many people on your shopping list would flip over our fanny pack? Grab one in every color for a special way to treat your office, book club or gaggle of grandchildren.
Shop this Style! 🤸🏽♀️
Go Rouge with one of our favorite mini crossbody purses! The Rogue features a stylish but compact design ideal for minimalists and carefree spirits who prefer to travel light. Get a Rogue for your friend who believes less is more, and doesn’t want a large purse to weigh them down.
With two slip pockets for extra organization, RFID security and an adjustable crossbody strap, the Rogue is simple, functional and ready for adventure. What could be better?
Shop this Style! 🍷
A mini wallet with RFID security that will organize and protect in one. Great for travel, the Barcelona is lightweight, has a compact design and is available in two colors.
Barcelona features include a snap closure, zipper pocket, currency pocket, three card slots and two clear ID slots. With a place for everything and everything in its place, you can travel more and worry less, in Barcelona and beyond!
Shop this Style! 💜
A perfect stocking stuffer or small gift, the Jolie is a cute wristlet designed to hold the bare essentials: cards, cash and a sense of adventure! Minimalists rejoice with this Sherpani style.
Jolie features include RFID protection, an internal slip pocket and a wristlet strap for easy carrying. The Jolie is available in several standout colors and two sizes: small and medium. Make the day of an unexpected receiver like your kid’s bus driver or your favorite barista, and spread the holiday cheer!
Shop this Style! 🌸
RFID protection is the best way to block the signals used in cyber theft. Protect your information, identity and passport number with this passport holder designed for safe travel. Everyone with a passport understands the importance of protecting this vital travel document, and a passport sleeve with RFID-blocking technology is the way to do it. Grab one as a thoughtful stocking stuffer for every traveler on your list!
Shop this Style! 🌐
A set of three credit card sleeves equipped with the RFID-blocking technology you need to travel safely. Stop potential hackers who can scan through material and access your credit card numbers. These lightweight and thin credit card sleeves are the best way to safeguard sensitive information, and they likely cost less than your Starbucks order! The ultimate affordable stocking stuffer to support the travel enthusiast.
Shop this Style! 💳
Who do you know that could use a travel upgrade? Go above and beyond this holiday season with a travel bag that will serve them on many adventures to come. Sherpani is for women who live to travel, and the people who want to help them take on the world.
Happy Shopping!
Sherpani Team
A few weeks ago, we started a new segment of the Sherpani Travel Blog: Language Translation Wallpapers. This segment is dedicated to one of our favorite travel hacks: set your cell phone wallpaper to a list of translated words and phrases for travel to a destination with a language barrier.
In our first post, we covered some of the more popular European destinations for US tourists, such as France, Italy and Germany. But what about when your European adventure takes you down the road less traveled? We promised to create more Language Translation Wallpapers for Europe, this time for the wanderlust-stricken women who opt for the more obscure travel experience.
From esteemed Estonia to beautiful Bulgaria, the European countries that are often overlooked by American tourists hold a world of wonder on their own. We at Sherpani know how off-the-beaten-path travel often leads to profound and inspiring experiences abroad, and we want to help you have more of them.
Today, we are pleased to bring you a new set of Language Translation Wallpapers. You can view them in this Google Drive folder, and download them at your leisure. Downloading directly from the Google Drive folder will give you the highest-quality wallpaper.
Another option is to scroll through the wallpapers below and take a screenshot of whichever one(s) you’d like. Please note that this will be easiest if you are reading the mobile version of this post directly on your cell phone.
Are you dreaming of what awaits you in the countries represented above? We hope so! Unsure of what language your destination speaks? This list should help.
Our hope is that between our first batch of European wallpapers and now this one, you can head anywhere in Europe with some basic travel phrases in your pocket. Our blog is dedicated to providing women with relevant travel resources and useful insights each week. Of course, our products do much of the same - shop Sherpani Travel Bags!
Are you a native speaker of one of the languages above? If you can offer a better translation than what is currently displayed, we’d love your help. Please email tess@sherpani.com with your suggested translation. We will continuously update these wallpapers to be as accurate and authentic as possible.
Happy Travels!
The Sherpani Team
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Of course, each country has it’s own unique culture. If you explore them all, you’ll find differences in history, religion, cuisine and lifestyle. Though there are also some things the Southeast Asian countries have in common: they are all coastal destinations, and, seeing as they are geographically close to one another, they share a similar climate.
With so much coastline to explore in Southeast Asia, you’re bound to run into a topic we at Sherpani hold near and dear, ocean plastics and plastic waste. Did you know that Sherpani creates bags made from recycled materials? Our travel bags are made from 100% recycled materials, including ocean-bound plastic!
Over the years, Sherpani has repurposed 4.2 million (and counting!) plastic bottles into beautiful, functional travel bags. Sustainability is a core principle of what we do, and diverting these bottles from landfills and waterways is our solution to the plastic threat our oceans face. As ocean lovers, we aim to protect and preserve these waters so they can be enjoyed for generations to come. With Southeast Asia being home to some of the most pristine, turquoise waters you can imagine, a sustainable travel bag is a must for exploring this part of the map!
As anyone who has been to Southeast Asia knows, the weather can get hot. The humidity is no joke either, so it’s important to consider how to set yourself up for success there. Lightweight is the key to travel in Southeast Asia! This goes for your clothes, your shoes, and, of course, your travel bag. So, our roundup of travel bags for Southeast Asia is focused on some of our lightest designs.
Without further ado, let’s breakdown the styles we’ve selected as the best travel bags for Southeast Asia!
Weight: 8 ounces
Plastic bottles diverted from landfills and waterways: 13!
This Anti-Theft crossbody purse has a compact design for carrying just the essentials: phone, keys, wallet and a sense of adventure! The Prima is the smallest bag in the Sherpani Anti-Theft Collection, making it the lightest by nature, so we think it’s the perfect fit for security-focused travelers who don’t want don’t be weighed down as they explore Southeast Asia.
The Prima includes all of Sherpani’s coveted Anti-Theft technology: locking zippers, RFID protection, a wire-loop chair lock, a ReturnMe tag, a slash-proof bottom and Sherpani’s proprietary wireless slash-proof crossbody strap.
Typically, an Anti-Theft purse strap contains internal wiring to make it slash-proof. However, this adds to the bulk and weight of the bag, plus the wire can get bent out of shape! The Prima features an adjustable crossbody strap that is completely wireless. Comfortable and uncuttable for security that does more than just protect. Functionality is what we do best!
Weight: 8.8 ounces
Plastic bottles diverted from landfills and waterways: 17!
Get ready to flip over our adorable mini travel backpack, the Logan! We know this part of the world well, and backpacks are a super convenient way to travel in Southeast Asia - be it on foot, scooter or tuk tuk! The Logan features comfortable and adjustable backpack straps, as well as tote handles for convenience.
The lightweight design allows for all-day exploration, and the added RFID security will prevent cyber theft in big cities. Go from the quaint Laotian countryside to the decorated city of Kuala Lumpur, with a backpack that does both.
Available in several colors and patterns, you can use the Logan to blend in or stand out! This mini backpack wants to be your new favorite travel buddy.
Weight: 1 pound, 6 ounces
Plastic bottles diverted from landfills and waterways: 35!
The last duffle bag you’ll ever buy. Meet the Sola, our lightweight duffle that is ready for adventure! The Sola features a large capacity of 29 liters and a light-colored interior that makes it easy to see everything inside. It has fixed tote handles and a removable strap that adjusts to be worn over your shoulder or as a large crossbody.
The Sola has two internal zipper pockets for extra organization, and an outside zipper pocket for quick access to items like your passport or ID. Additionally, the Sola has an external compartment for storing toiletries, so you can easily pull them out during airport security. Complete with everyone’s favorite airport feature, the luggage pass through, the Sola is your go-to bag for big trips and long travel days!
Book your ticket to Vietnam, then pack all your tank tops and flowy pants in the Sola, you’re going to need them!
Weight: 1 pound, 2 ounces
Plastic bottles diverted from landfills and waterways: 20!
The Dispatch is about to amaze you with its versatility! This multi-function travel bag offers three ways to wear it: backpack, crossbody and tote. A great medium-sized backpack that is easily convertible when you’re shopping in Singapore and come across a sign that says “no backpacks allowed.” The adjustable, removable straps let you switch up the style in seconds. We chose this style for Southeast Asia because versatility is key when you’re traveling through both urban and rural places, which is often the case in countries like captivating Cambodia.
Another Dispatch favorite is the unique “doctor bag” style opening; the mouth of the bag features a rectangular frame, so you can open it wide and see right to the bottom. Complete with RFID protection, a luggage pass through, a padded laptop sleeve and three water bottle holders, the Dispatch does it all!
Weight: 1.75 ounces (small), 3.2 ounces (medium)
Plastic bottles diverted from landfills and waterways: 3 (small), 5 (medium)
The Jolie is a cute wristlet made for minimalist travel. When you don’t want to be weighed down, throw the bare essentials in the Jolie! This travel pouch is available in two sizes: small and medium. The small size is perfect for carrying cash, your ID and a few cards (don’t forget your hotel key card!), while the medium option offers extra space for items like car keys or mini cosmetics.
The Jolie comes in a variety of fun colors and patterns and features a wristlet strap for easy carrying. With the Jolie, you can wander freely as you chase down the best street food in Bangkok!
Weight: 11 ounces
Plastic bottles diverted from landfills and waterways: 17!
Who doesn’t love a cute sling backpack? We love the Esprit because of its tear-drop shape and fun asymmetrical design. This ergonomic bag is comfortable for all-day wear and has a big enough capacity to carry all you need for a day of exploration. With its smart design, you can spin the bag from your back to your front and quickly access what’s inside - no removal required. To us, the Esprit is the perfect bag for a day at the beach, perhaps on one of the remote islands of the Philippines.
Carry the Esprit on your back for rural adventures, or on your front when you want to keep your belongings close. From the Sherpani Essentials Collection, the Esprit has RFID-blocking technology along the front panel to prevent cyber theft.
Want more security? Sherpani also makes an Anti-Theft version of the Esprit, the Esprit AT. Note: The Anti-Theft features make the bag slightly heavier (a 2-ounce difference), which is why our Southeast Asia list highlights the Esprit and not the Esprit AT.
Which of the countries in Southeast Asia is next on your travel bucket list? Which Sherpani travel bags are going to accompany you there? Whether your destination is Brunei or Bali, we know we have a bag that will be the perfect match for your adventure!
We make bags for sustainably minded women who want to see the world and play their part in protecting it. We believe that travel restores the human spirit, and aim to empower women to boldly explore our planet by providing them with the best (and most sustainable) travel bags around. Browse all Sherpani styles!
Want another buy guide?
Never been abroad?
Heading to a different part of Asia?
Check out our “Unmissable” Sherpani Travel: This Ancient Buddhist Temple is a Tokyo Must
By women for women, the Sherpani Travel Blog talks about all things travel. With a new post every week on Travel Tuesday, our blog is the go-to place for unique travel guides, general travel tips, personal travel stories from women in our community, and more!
]]>If I had a dollar for every time I asked Lynn the question above, I would have enough money to retake this Peru trip - and you better believe I would. But, since nobody will keep me on their payroll for adoring my dear friend, I’ll have to settle for reliving our trip in story form. I’ll do my best, but the thing is, Lynn and I have always been better at making memories than cataloging them.
In the - I can hardly get myself to say it - forty years since our friendship began, Lynn and I have gone through it all. When I made smart comments at boys in our high school hallways, she kept a level head. At my bachelorette party, she made a sneaky deal with the bartender to avoid alcohol. She was newly pregnant with her daughter but didn’t want to steal my wedding thunder with the news. It wasn’t too long after I married my husband (in a dress Lynn made!) that I had a daughter of my own, who calls Lynn her aunt to this day. Now, my daughter is grown and married, and Lynn’s three kids are well out of the house. Somehow, we have gone from mischievous choir kids with bad 80s hairdos to empty nesters who meet on the weekends and walk hills for fun. C’est las vie, I suppose.
When you are a woman, wife, mother and manager, you have to say “no” pretty often. “No, I cannot extend that deadline,” or “No, you cannot get a pony,” or my personal favorite, “No, we already have one kid.”
It can get exhausting, running everything and everyone around, from office errands to airport drop-offs to dance competition after dance competition. Lynn is no stranger to this, and over the years, we have learned to turn to each other when we want to say yes.
“Yes, let’s go line dancing.”
“Yes, I’ll go on that ghost tour with you.”
“Yes, you should buy yourself that pair of shoes.”
So in December of 2019, when Lynn’s pilot brother offered us two buddy passes to go anywhere JetBlue Airlines flew, you can guess what we had to say in response.
I chose Peru because it seemed like the most exotic choice. Also, seeing Machu Picchu was on my bucket list; I was intensely excited about standing in a place that held so much history. In middle age, you realize that your bucket list items won’t cross off themselves, and you need to make the most of opportunities.
Our pilot perk had us flying on standby, which assumes a certain amount of risk. During our Boston layover, only one seat was available on the next plane to Lima. Lynn told me to take it, but I refused to separate. If we didn’t split up when running from the cops after TPing our high school, we certainly weren’t going to now. Luckily, a second seat became available, and we were off to Lima!
I was warned about the safety of Peru’s capital city, but I was pleasantly surprised by how we were received there. We were given the red carpet treatment with friendly service from everyone we met.
Our concierge set us up with a tour guide and driver, with whom we spent our first day in Lima, exploring their recommendations. Our tour guide was female, which was a big deal to me, especially when we landed in what felt like an uneasy part of town. I watched this Peruvian woman confidently walk down an alleyway and up a side staircase to perform a secret knock on an unmarked door. If she had been a man, I can’t say I would have thought it wise to follow him inside.
But inside we went, where we found a pop-up bar and private pisco tasting! Pisco is a South American brandy derived from grapes and the staple liquor in Peru’s national drink, the Pisco Sour. It was tequila-esque in nature, which was plenty good by me, and our comedic bartender had us practice toasting en espanol before each sip.
This kind of quirky, local experience comes with saving room in your itinerary for recommendation. We had told our concierge that we wanted to have fun experiences that were authentic to Lima, then trusted what they set up! A travel tip I highly recommend.
Getting to Machu Picchu is pretty involved. After arrival in Lima, you have to take a domestic flight on a small plane to Cusco. While Lima is on the country’s coast, Cusco sits inland, in the mountains. One of the truly incredible things about Peru is how many different landscapes you can encounter in the country: Peru is home to beaches, mountains, sand dunes, volcanoes, lakes, and part of the freaking Amazon jungle.
Cusco was chillier, with humidity that hung in a cool mist as we strolled through its open-air markets. Merchants pushed alpaca wool sweaters, stray dogs poked about, and people sat on the tall curbsides, wrapped in colorful shawls.
We took a train from Cusco to the smaller mountain town of Aguas Calientes. As someone born and raised in Colorado, I am no stranger to mountainous landscapes. These mountains, however, held a different beauty than my familiar Rockies. Tall and towering, yes, but the Andes are also green and dense. They have a sort of mystical quality. The religious influence in Aguas Calientes perhaps accented this.
Aguas Calientes is small, yet busy. It’s the last real stopping point before Machu Picchu, making it a tourist trap. Things are more expensive there, but we didn’t mind. The other cities were quite affordable, so we felt it balanced out.
After the plane and the train, I was happy to board the final vehicle - a bus - between me and Machu Picchu. It drove up winding mountain switchbacks as we climbed toward colder, thinner air. This bus delivered us right to the ancient city.
It’s no secret that there is world-renowned hiking in this part of the world, but I’d like to note that this isn’t a requirement for seeing Machu Picchu, which I’d call a mostly accessible destination.
It’s a surreal experience to encounter something you’ve long dreamed of. There I was, standing in the remains of Machu Picchu, in the breathtaking Peruvian mountains, with my high school best friend at my side.
Being dropped off in the middle of the action was fine and well, but Lynn and I craved a little more adventure. We decided to hike up Huayna Picchu, the towering peak in the background of all the pictures.
We made the climb steep and steady, step by step. As we did, I found myself deeply grateful for two things: that Lynn and I had been walking hills back home and that my trusty Colorado lungs could handle altitude. Around us, others huffed and puffed. By the end, I could hardly breathe myself. I can only imagine how someone from sea level made that climb, and I want to offer a warning to not underestimate the effects of altitude.
Like all summits, the climb was as rewarding as it was challenging. From the top, I could see Machu Picchu in a whole new way. While the perspective from the drop-off point had me assuming the position of a single Inca citizen, I could now see the picture as a whole. I could imagine the city in its prime, with its inhabitants moving about their daily lives.
Climbing Huayna Picchu felt like hiking to the heavens, which I imagine the Inca people thought they were doing when they first made that climb nearly six hundred years before. Looking around at what they had built up there, I pictured them carrying supplies on their backs as they climbed, only to begin their work at the summit, which tourists now consider a finish line.
After who knows how long of soaking up the view, we put faith in our shaky legs to carry us back down. I should point out that the descent of Huayna Picchu is not for the faint of heart; it requires calculation and a sense of sturdiness. What goes up must come down; some consider this the real challenge of the journey.
We headed back to Cusco that night feeling accomplished. We gratefully tucked ourselves into bed, exhausted. Several minutes later, Lynn whispered something horrible into the darkness: “I think there’s something in my bed.”
I am not squeamish, but this pest threat sounded my alarm! I leaped out of bed and turned on the light. Lynn was sitting by her headboard, her knees curled to her chest, pointing at a terrifying lump in the covers at the foot of her bed.
We looked at each other, horrified. We were certain we were about to encounter a creature and couldn’t decide if we preferred it dead or alive. The only thing we could think to do was prepare for battle. Grabbing whatever was around, we braced ourselves for the worst and ripped off the covers like a Band-Aid.
Tucked under the covers where Lynn’s feet had found it was a hot water bottle. We half gasped, half cried in relief before bursting into a fit of sleepover giggles, taking us right back to our high school days.
By the way, a hot water bottle tucked into a tired tourist’s bed is exactly the type of service you can expect in Peru. Thoughtful touches everywhere, though this one was not received as intended! Those belly laughs were worth the scare, though, and Lynn and I have doubled over laughing about this incident many times since.
The next morning, we flew back to Lima. After more much-needed rest, we walked along the coast to a fine dining restaurant on the water. We toasted to life, travel, friendship, and our bravery in conquering mountaintops and hot water bottles.
The following day was our final one, and I couldn’t believe I had been in Peru for a week before trying ceviche! On our quest to find some (no challenge there, it’s everywhere), we stumbled upon the lovely neighborhood of Barranco, home to a lively art scene with a colorful mural on every corner. We squeezed in a final museum, too. Our tour guide accompanied us but was too embarrassed to go into the room showcasing the Karma Sutra-esque statues, which we thought to be an adorable example of her professionalism.
When I left Peru, I did so with a full heart, cheeks that hurt from smiling, legs that hurt from hiking and a belly that was sore from laughter. As beat-up as this makes me seem, I was happy in every cell. It reminds me of this quote from the late Hunter S. Thompson:
One final note from me. If you have a childhood best friend in your life, and you have not yet traveled together, I highly suggest you give her a call.
Vicki C
Sherpani Guest Author
The above post is part of an ongoing segment of the Sherpani Travel Blog. We want to highlight personal travel stories from the women in our community. Would you like to share your travel story with Sherpani? Email tess@sherpani.com for more information. We can’t wait to read about your adventure!
Of course, this is a travel blog, so our primary focus here is on how to navigate a language barrier while traveling abroad, but we felt this note was an important place to start, as this post might serve you just as well at the grocery store as it does in Mongolia or Mumbai.
Let’s dive in!
English speakers around the globe include you, the person reading these words, me, the person writing them, and another near billion and a half of our fellow humans. That’s right, close to twenty percent of the world population speaks English, making it the most commnly spoken language in the world today (followed by Mandarin, Hindi, Spanish and French respectively).
The amazing part is that if you’re a native English speaker, you’re far outnumbered by people who aren’t. Though a few hundred million people are native speakers; the majority have learned English in addition to their native language(s). English is the most common second language in the world, and that is how it has become the most used overall. This means that many English speakers do not even reside in a country where English is an official language.
All this to say, it’s pretty easy to get by speaking English when you travel. But there’s more to this than meets the eye. While statistics help us understand the scope of English’s reach, our travel experience has taught us a few things about speaking English abroad that shouldn’t be overlooked.
This brings us to our first tip…
Sometimes (alright, usually), it’s more appropriate to assimilate to your destination, rather than asking the people in it to cater to your needs. You wouldn’t accept a dinner party invitation, and then expect your host to cook a recipe of your choosing with ingredients they don’t normally keep. You would politely accept the meal they serve, assimilating to the standards of their home, without imposing your own. Language works just the same way.
Asking the people around you to accommodate your needs by speaking English can be received poorly, depending on where you are. There are even some places around the globe where local people will not want to speak English with you even if they are able to. When a tourist is unwilling to engage in the local language, it can be seen as dismissive of the culture it comes from. This entitled tourist behavior usually results in a lower quality travel experience for everyone. The fix? Assimilate to the local language as much as possible.
It’s no secret that trying goes a long way in all walks of life. Absolutely nothing in the history of humanity has been accomplished without first being tried. Though attempting to speak in an unfamiliar language can feel a bit embarrassing, the effort behind the attempt won’t go unnoticed.
Even if your destination has locals who are openly receptive to speaking English, it is still a kind practice to engage them in their native language at first. Even attempting a “hello” can make a big impact. It shows that you are excited about your destination and are there to experience its culture and way of life.
Simply trying will set you up for positive interactions and ultimately, lead to a better experience for all. Trying will earn you a participation trophy you can be proud of!
Don’t worry, we aren’t about to tell women they need to smile more. This is just a reminder that a smile will set the tone of patience and compassion; two factors that aid communication in all its forms, language barriers included.
Remember that the patience component isn’t there for the local person, it’s there for you as the tourist. Your smile is for asking locals to be patient with you. If you can earn someone’s patience, they will stick with you to ensure you understand what is being discussed. Set the tone well, and you will be rewarded with the help you need to get by when there’s a language barrier.
Fortunately, world travel lends itself to smiling often, so this tip is a pretty natural way to go. 🙂
This is where it starts to get tricky. You may have noticed the theme of respect connecting each of our language barrier tips. With respect as the ultimate goal, it’s important to avoid doing anything blatantly disrespectful, which can require some homework.
Did you know that some hand gestures commonly used in the United States are considered rude in other countries? It’s true. From the “thumbs up” sign to pointing at something directly with one finger, some of our everyday gestures won’t go over well in other places.
Before you take off, research which gestures are considered rude in the culture of your destination. Being respectful requires knowing how to behave, but also knowing how not to.
Besides being potentially offensive, sometimes hand gestures offer more confusion than clarity. In the United States, we commonly represent the number “three” on our hand with the pointer finger, middle finger and ring finger extended. In most places, however, “three” is represented by the thumb, pointer finger and middle finger instead. This is even true for American Sign Language! Awareness of these differences could make or break a successful communication.
Did you know that we have a segment of the Sherpani Travel Blog dedicated to one of our favorite travel hacks? The hack is to change your cell phone wallpaper to helpful words and phrases in an unfamiliar language. From toasting in celebration to asking where you might find the bathroom, our Language Translation Wallpapers are a quick way to cover the travel basics of a new language.
Visit our blog's “Wallpapers” tab for an ever-expanding library of free, downloadable Language Translation Wallpapers. They are especially helpful for solo travel, impulsive travel or situations when you’re only in a new country for the day.
Hopefully, you now feel more confident about how to approach language barriers. Frankly, we aren’t even a big fan of the term “language barrier.” So here is a sixth, bonus tip about that…
Replace “language barrier” with the words “new language opportunity” to reframe this part of travel. To claim it as a barrier or obstacle feels constricting while treating it as an opportunity feels more authentic to the travel experience (which we all know is ripe with opportunity). Barriers hold you back, while opportunities help you grow, and there’s no doubt that world travel goes hand-in-hand with growth, so we don’t feel this reframe is too big a stretch.
It’s no secret that travel comes with a fair amount of the unknown, but that’s all part of the experience! Do you have a favorite travel memory that involved a new language opportunity? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Want more on travel preparation?
Try Your Pre Travel Checklist, the Complete Guide of Things To Remember Before You Go Abroad
Don’t have a travel buddy?
Read our post Solo Travel: The Good, The Bad & The Lonely
If Europe is calling...
By women for women, the Sherpani Travel Blog talks about all things travel. With a new post every week on Travel Tuesday, our blog is the go-to place for unique travel guides, general travel tips, personal travel stories from women in our community, and more!]]>
We have something special in store this week! Today, we are kicking off a brand new segment of the Sherpani Travel Blog: Language Translation Wallpapers.
This idea sprouted from one of our all-time favorite unique travel hacks.
The Hack: When traveling to a destination with a language barrier, you can change your cell phone wallpaper to a list of common words and phrases in the native language!
We’ve used this helpful hack many times on our own travels, but we wanted to bring it to the Sherpani community in a way that is functional and accessible for all.
Today, we are launching our first fifteen Language Translation Wallpapers. They focus on the languages spoken across the most popular European travel destinations.
With over seven thousand spoken dialects around the globe, we had to start somewhere. Why not start with those classic European countries that every traveler must see? From France to Germany to Croatia to Sweden, if you’re heading to Europe soon, chances are good that one of these wallpapers is for you.
You can view the wallpapers in this Google Drive folder, and download them at your leisure. Downloading directly from the Google Drive folder will give you the highest-quality wallpaper.
Another option is to scroll through the wallpapers below and take a screenshot of whichever one(s) you’d like. Please note that this will be easiest if you are reading the mobile version of this post directly on your cell phone.
What do you think? We did the heavy lifting of our favorite travel hack, so you don’t have to! Next time you book a ticket to Europe, these wallpappers will be here to help you travel with ease.
Make sure to save this travel resource for future trips and send it to your friends who are heading to Europe soon. Stay tuned for our next set of Language Translation Wallpapers, which will cover other European destinations that are farther off the beaten path.
Are you a native speaker of one of the languages above? If you can offer a better translation than what is currently displayed, we’d love your help. Please email tess@sherpani.com with your suggested translation. We will continuously update these wallpapers to be as accurate and authentic as possible.
Happy Travels!
The Sherpani Team
]]>My mom and I were already planning on indulging in some European travel that year (2018), so it only made sense to add Bulgaria to our itinerary and pay Cy a visit. To us, when you’re handed an excuse to travel to a new place or have a new experience, there is only one answer - heck yes.
Though the excitement was there, I can’t say I backed it up with much preparation. At the time, I was impulsive and in my early twenties (as opposed to now, when I am impulsive and in my late twenties); doing homework on a destination wasn’t my forte. I arrived in Bulgaria with no idea what language the people spoke or what kind of currency they used (it’s Bulgarian and the lev, by the way). What I lacked in preparedness I made up for in enthusiasm. I was given four days to embrace a place I had never imagined seeing, and I was determined to make them count.
I should point out that our flight from Modlin airport in Poland to Burgas, Bulgaria, cost only nine dollars. Attention budget travelers, this is not a drill. According to Google Flights, I could take the same flight next week for twenty-five dollars. To me, you can’t put a price on seeing a new country, but I’ll also do it for nine dollars! Bulgaria was starting to seem like the best travel decision we had made…
We arrived at night and found our first hotel, which was seemingly in the middle of nowhere. The rickety building sat on a lot next to an abandoned construction sight, and the utter darkness was not helping its ominous nature.
As solo female travelers, intuition is a vital tool. Though our hotel was offputting, we made a calculated decision to see the inside of it before rearranging any plans. Once inside, we found the unexpected: a slew of traveling athletes, filling the lobby with pleasant chatter. The crowd of people eased us a bit, and we decided to follow through with staying the night.
In the light of the next morning, our hotel was looking a lot more charming (though it was still plenty rickety). Gut feelings shouldn’t be taken lightly, but we realized that our internal alarms had more to do with the late hour of our arrival than anything else. Looking around at breakfast, we felt we might have been the only hotel guests who weren’t there to play tennis, though. Unlike our fear, this feeling - of being outsiders - was not misplaced at all. We were about to learn that Bulgaria is a truly rare destination for American tourists.
Burgas is in the eastern part of the country, which runs along the Black Sea. We first drove north up the coast to Nessebar, an ancient city with ruins still standing amidst its modern-day shops. My sister-in-law, Shannon, had come to Bulgaria a few months before us, to spend time with Cy as the newlyweds they were. She had picked out Nessebar as her favorite spot in the country, so naturally, we wanted to check it out.
Shannon’s spot did not disappoint. Nessebar offered a gorgeous view around every bend. The early October weather was truly perfect. We strolled under a sunny sky and alongside a pleasant breeze down the winding cobblestone paths on that dreamy morning.
After soaking up the quaintness of Nessebar, we headed back down the coast to Pomorie. We stopped for a late, leisurely lunch (as one does in Europe) and spent a few hours at an outdoor table next to the welcome waterfront of the Black Sea.
It’s tricky to explain just how delightful that afternoon was. I sipped a beer that served as the perfect solution to the sunny weather and my tired walking legs. The seafood pasta that arrived next was one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten, and the sparkling sunlight on the water had such a magical quality it might as well have been pixie dust.
We were downright giddy to be there. We actually couldn’t stop laughing about how lovely everything was. How was this real life? Was I truly on this sunny patio, in a place I’d never thought to go, laughing with my mom over food and drink by the sparkling sea?
That meal is a top travel memory for me, and I am so grateful to have it cataloged in my heart (and now on a page as well, how about that?).
At our hotel in Pomorie, we learned that we were only the third American tourists the building had seen that year. Again and again, eyes widened in response to hearing our country of residence, including those of a friendly concierge who invited us for coffee the following morning.
This coffee date brought some cultural context I was certainly not anticipating. After an hour or so of easy conversation with our concierge friend, the young woman nervously confessed her desire to move to America. I almost fell out of my chair when her next sentence included the idea of me legally marrying her boyfriend to help him attain a green card. She apologized for the scope of what she was asking but explained how she felt she must, with American tourists being so uncommon.
Now, in case you haven’t been proposed to by a Bulgarian stranger, I can tell you exactly what it feels like - a punch to the gut. I was filled with a combination of shock, guilt and pity. Wrestling with the privilege I hold because of where I was born, the utter boldness of such a request, and the softness I felt for the kind woman before me, who was about my own age, and seemingly desperate.
I won’t speak to life as a Bulgarian local because it is simply not my place. I will only add a reminder that traveling to a destination is far different from living in one. As romantic as I find the idea of life in the place where I ate that seafood pasta, it would be unfair of me to assume that my experience in the country resembled the everyday experience of the people who call Bulgaria home.
Rocked by this unexpected turn in our morning, we declined to marry me off to the concierge’s boyfriend as politely as we could, considering the bizarre circumstances. Then we packed up the rental car and headed inland to collect Cy.
The thirty-six hours we were given with my brother were a whirlwind. We found an affordable room with a rooftop view looking out over the city of Stara Zagora.
Exploring on foot took us to an outdoor market, where we practiced our pantomime skills with the vendors and sampled foods that were as delicious as they were tricky to identify. In central Bulgaria, our language barrier was more evident than it had been on the coast. We made it through our market experience with hand gestures and apologetic smiles, which the local people received warmly.
The real test came at lunch the following day. I headed to the restroom to find two doors marked with the letters D and H. Hm… I thought, was I a D or an H? With no stick-figure icons to guide me, I made my decision at random. Nobody was inside, so to this day, I’m unsure if I chose correctly. This is why you do your travel homework, kids.
We said goodbye to Cy, who thought us equal parts impressive and insane for coming to visit. To offer one last taste of home (and thinking we were funny), we took him to the most American fast-food chain restaurant we could find. And while I hold that first afternoon’s seafood pasta in such high regard, I have to confess that eating Kentucky Fried Chicken with Cy that day was, weirdly, just as special.
In total, we spent time in eight cities as we traversed the country from east to west before flying out of Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital. We had navigated language barriers, foreign highways, military rules, marriage proposals and rental car scams. We encountered street markets and ancient ruins, lively festivals and quaint places to sit by the sea. We tried new food, connected with strangers and attempted to pronounce Bulgarian words. We resisted the urge to pet about a million stray cats - sort of.
I had arrived on the momentum of a whim. I was leaving with revere for a destination I had never even considered. It got me thinking about how big the world is and how many places there are left to explore.
My Bulgarian adventure served not as a travel checkmark, but as an ellipses. I now had a keyhole of understanding into what you may find when you take the road less traveled, and I could imagine a future where I did so more often. Bulgaria had invoked a sense of curiosity in my traveler's heart that sparked a question I want to spend the rest of my life answering: how many more hidden gems are out there?
Tess Victoria
Sherpani Team Member
Since first connecting in 2013, Sherpani has been a supporter of the VinaCapital Foundation. Nestled in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, the VinaCapital Foundation (VCF) strives for equity in Vietnam by uplifting the country’s most marginalized communities. The foundation is home to seven key programs, each with a different focus. All their efforts aim to support financially disadvantaged women and children across the country.
One VCF program that Sherpani supports is Heartbeat Vietnam, which provides life-saving operations to Vietnamese children who were born with congenital heart defects. Another is the Brighter Path Scholarship, which we’d like to highlight today.
The Brighter Path Scholarship program works to identify and support academically talented ethnic minority girls who live at or below the national poverty line. These young women come from disadvantaged family backgrounds where older daughters often drop out of school to help raise younger siblings, work or even marry at a young age.
The Brighter Path Scholarship is changing this narrative by giving ethnic minority girls the chance to continue their education. As the name implies, Brighter Path is a scholarship awarded to young women with academic potential, supporting them through all of high school and university.
Access to higher education is a life-changing experience for young women across the globe. Experts like Sir David Attenborough and Dr. Jane Goodall have identified this as a key component for creating an equitable world (and ultimately, combating climate change). The longer a young woman stays in school, the more likely she is to become self-sufficient and thrive.
The scholarship’s reach goes beyond just the classroom. The program also offers after-school activities like soft skills mentoring, focusing on four knowledge gaps among ethnic minority girls: sexual and reproductive health, leadership skill-building, financial literacy and understanding legal rights.
While correcting each of these gaps is essential for the well-being of these women, the final one - understanding legal rights - is a pivotal piece of the Brighter Path puzzle. Children of all genders have a right to education under Vietnamese law. However, in order to claim this right, young women must first be made aware of it. With scholarship recipients who come from poverty and often live in rural areas of the country, they have little opportunity to learn about their right to education. The VinaCapital Foundation and Brighter Path Scholarship program work tirelessly to overcome the challenge of teaching ethnic minority girls that they have a legal right to stay in school.
The Brighter Path Scholarship program holds an annual event called the Dream Meeting, where scholarship recipients gather each summer and engage in workshops relevant to their personal and academic growth. This event empowers the recipients by increasing their self-esteem and providing resources and opportunities for education and personal development. In addition to furthering their education, these young women are joining a network of like-minded mentors and peers who will support them long after graduation.
Besides financial support, Sherpani donates products to the scholarship recipients, providing them with bags to take to school. The Brighter Path Scholarship program understands that a scholarship alone will only go so far. To truly support these young women, Brighter Path must go above and beyond to provide its recipients with all they need for academic success, including textbooks, supplies and a trusty bag to carry them. It warms us to know that the bright young women supported by the program carry Sherpani bags into their classrooms every day.
One of the challenges that the program must face is in supporting not only the scholarship recipients but also their families. As daughters stay in school for longer, their families need financial support to stay afloat, which the Brighter Path program aims to provide through donations. Donations are the backbone of all the great work that VCF does, and Sherpani will continue to support and encourage their donation efforts. These donations have a real impact, changing and saving lives through the boots-on-the-ground efforts of VCF’s seven key programs.
We’d like to elevate some of the voices of the forty-nine young women who are studying under Brighter Path Scholarships, currently in their third year of university. We are honored to share the following responses from scholarship recipients to this question: How has the Brighter Path Scholarship program impacted your life?
“Since I received the scholarship, my mom didn’t have to work day and night to pay for my school fee. From a shy girl, I have become an active, vibrant, and confident student. I used to think that I might never get the chance to visit a big city, but thanks to the Brighter Path scholarship, I was able to visit Da Nang and Hanoi for the first time and will undoubtedly have many more new experiences in the future.”
-Nong Thi Tiem, Academy of Finance
-Loc Thi Toan, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam
“Over the past years, Brighter Path has been supporting me a lot on my path to study and reach my dream. With practical support and loving care, I have the motivation and confidence to strive for my dreams.”
-BNuoch Thi Diem, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh
“I am very grateful that VCF and VAD have united and coordinated to create Brighter Path and gave me the opportunity to receive a scholarship. This is a great opportunity for me to access quality training programs and change my perception. I have learned many new things, from financial and health knowledge to how to build relationships with people around me. Up to now, the impression of the first lesson about Thank You and Sorry has never faded from my mind. The program not only helps me improve my knowledge and skills, but also gives me the opportunity to learn and be inspired by many entrepreneurs and famous people. I have met and learned from experienced and talented people in many different fields, which has helped me develop myself and expand my knowledge. I also want to thank you for creating a very positive learning and knowledge exchange environment for us. The program team is always ready to help and support me in every situation. I really feel extremely lucky.”
-Le Thi Hieu, FPT Polytechnic College
“Brighter Path has supported us a lot financially, spiritually and intellectually during the past 6 years.”
-To Thi Nhu Y, Ton Duc Thang University
“I am grateful to the VinaCapital Foundation and Brighter Path team for accompanying me along the way. I am much more fortunate than my peers when I am one of the beneficiaries of the scholarship. Brighter Path has given me the opportunity to explore, exchange, and learn many things at a young age. I hope that even though my next journey might be difficult, the Brighter Path will still be there for me. It will be my big motivation to survive hardship and continue to push through.”
-Bui Thi Suong Nhi, The University of Da Nang – University of Science and Education
“For me, Brighter Path is my second home, where I am loved and love others. I feel very happy and grateful. I will try harder, be more independent, confident and mature to help you guys as well as look forward to becoming people like you, working and helping young people like us.”
-Shared in an anonymous survey
Reading the words of these young women has left us inspired and amazed. Sherpani is honored to play a role in supporting their education and setting them up for long-term success throughout their lives.
Would you like to contribute to this incredible cause? Make a donation to the Brighter Path Scholarship program today and help a young woman in Vietnam get closer to achieving her dream.
Sherpani proudly stands by the work of the VinaCaptial Foundation and we look forward to more years of collaboration and support.
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Of course, you must have a valid passport for international travel, but there’s more than meets the eye regarding your passport expiration date. Did you know that some countries will not admit travelers who carry a passport that will expire within six months of their travel? It gets even tricker; sometimes this six-month rule applies to your arrival date within the new country, but sometimes, it’s based on your departure. Here is a list of countries with passport restrictions that will tell you just how far out that expiration date needs to be.
Keep in mind that passport restrictions can change. The safest way to know the current rules for your destination is to contact the embassy of the country you’re traveling to or the airline taking you there.
Imagine arriving in a new country and immediately losing access to your credit card because your bank heroically flagged your international charges as fraudulent. It happens more than you would think.
Before you go abroad, decide which credit and debit cards you’d like to use while you travel. Then, call the number on the back of each card and relay the countries you’re visiting along with the dates you plan to be there. When your bank and credit card company know to expect foreign charges, they are less likely to be flagged as fraud.
Sure, at one point it may have worked out for you to travel without purchasing trip insurance, but those days are no more. After the pandemic rocked the travel industry, we’re all a little hesitant to take the gamble of going uninsured. If you’re traveling with a tour group, chances are good that travel insurance is actually required by the company.
Life and its subsequent curve balls are unpredictable. From cancelations to extensions, there are a million reasons why you may need to rearrange your travel. Plan on purchasing travel insurance and budgeting an extra 6% of your total trip cost to do so.
This recent Forbes article has more information on travel insurance and travel finance.
Not all outlets are created equal; you’ll find different ones all over the world. In fact, there are fifteen types of commonly used domestic outlets around the globe, organized by letter. From A outlets used throughout North America and in Japan to O outlets used exclusively in Thailand, you’ll want to make sure you know what outlets are standard in your destination. This color-coded map shows the standard outlets in every country!
After you know which outlets you will encounter while abroad, it’s time to purchase an adapter. Now, you can choose to “unplug” on vacation - but only if you want to.
Along with knowing which outlet you’ll use to charge your devices, you will want to ensure they work while abroad.
Call your provider and ask about your options for an international phone plan. Depending on your provider and destination, service may even be included. If you need to upgrade to an international phone plan, you can do so indefinitely, or set it up to begin and end on specific dates.
Pro Tip: If you’re going to set specific dates for your international phone plan, we suggest paying for one more day than you plan on being abroad, just in case a flight delay or similar hiccup unexpectedly extends your vacation.
You'll want to exchange your money for the local currency of your destination. A common travel tip is to exchange your currency with your bank or credit union to avoid the fees charged at an airport kiosk. While it’s true that some banks will exchange their customer’s currency for free, this is becoming a less relevant piece of travel advice.
As the world becomes an increasingly cashless place, it’s not always feasible for banks to keep other currencies on hand. They often have to special order foreign currency for customers, resulting in a fee similar to what you’d pay at the airport. At best, exchanging currency through your bank could save you a minimal amount of money.
For example, the World Wide Money Exchange at Denver International Airport is very reasonably priced. Travelers are charged a flat $10 fee to exchange currency valued up to $1,000, after which they are charged an additional 1% of the currency value.
Airport kiosks will carry currencies for popular destinations, but with 162 total currencies across the globe, you’ll want to place your order ahead of time if you’re traveling somewhere off the beaten path.
Of course, we hope your Sherpani suitcase will accompany you on every adventure! Built to last and backed by a ten year guarantee, our carry-on suitcases help you travel light without sacrifice. Whenever you purchase a new suitcase, it’s a good idea to test it out before taking it on the road.
Our signature hard-shell carry-on luggage! The Meridian is available in four chip-proof colors, has an uncrushable exterior and an ultralightweight design. Before you travel, familiarize yourself with the following Meridian features:
For those who prefer a soft-shell suitcase, the Latitude is for you! Made from recycled materials and repurposed plastic bottles, the Latitude is perfect for the sustainably minded traveler. Before take-off, make sure to run through the following:
Save this post to keep your pre-travel checklist all in one place. We want you to travel more and worry less, so we provide you with better travel bags for women and virtual resources to do so. Is it time to treat yourself to a new Sherpani bag? Shop our trending styles!
Want to take your pre-travel checklist to the next level?
Check out our blog post, Four Unique Travel Hacks to Try Before You Leave Town.
Worried about the travel itself?
How about Will You Survive or Thrive on Your Next Long Flight?
Ready to travel but unsure of where to go?
Try Where to Next? Five Creative Ways to Pick Your Next Destination.
By women for women, the Sherpani Travel Blog talks about all things travel. With a new post every week on Travel Tuesday, our blog is the go-to place for unique travel guides, general travel tips, personal travel stories from women in our community, and more!
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As I sit at my desk and begin to liberate the memories I have so carefully stored from my time in Japan, I can’t help but wonder—what is it that makes a memory so powerful? When it comes to travel, I suppose the answer is different for everyone. For some, a significant memory might be tied to a flavor or a particular scent. For others, strong memories may stem from adrenalin-fueled thrills, or perhaps the joy of finally feeling relaxed and stress-free.
It goes without saying that memories can take on many shapes and forms and can be triggered in a multitude of ways. But the one thing that our memories often have in common, is that the most cherished ones are usually made while on a trip—regardless of whether it's been five days or five years since.
Let me take you back a few years to when I just graduated from University. Like most graduates, I was ready for a well-earned break from doing anything remotely serious. I was ready to embrace my newly acquired adulthood (little did I know it would take years before I could entirely embrace "adulting”). Nevertheless, the world was my oyster, and I was determined to learn more about myself and the world around me. What better way to do that than through travel? (That's a rhetorical question.)
So, to my utter delight, a few months after graduating, I found myself on a plane bound for Tokyo. I had absolutely no expectations, and truth be told, I preferred it this way. All I knew was that the sushi was probably incredible and I was determined to try it all. This trip was in fact, a solo one for me. Luckily I received recommendations from family who had visited before, along with some financial backing (as I said, real-life adulting wouldn’t arrive until years later). I knew this was about to be the sojourn of self-discovery I was looking for.
I arrived at Japan's Narita Airport in the evening, with just enough daylight to see out my window on the hour-long bus ride to Tokyo. It feels odd to say, but that bus ride would set the tone for my arrival and the entire trip to come. Unlike Tokyo which is a city that, at times, doesn’t feel too far from home, the bus ride from Narita airport took me through rural Japanese towns which reflected a quieter and incredibly heartwarming side of Japan. I gazed out my window at Minka-filled villages (Minka is the term for traditional Japanese-style homes, meaning “house of the people”), green rice fields, rivers, and a rain-soaked countryside. I watched as farmers worked on their rice paddies and took in the architecture that was so fondly and fundamentally Japanese. Just thinking about it now fills me with feelings of peace.
Recently, we wrote about Tokyo’s Senso-Ji and the paradox that exists between this ancient Buddhist temple and the modern city that surrounds it. Well, it seems that Japan is filled with enigma, as there was nothing more captivating than transitioning from a moment of tranquility directly into a city pulsating with frenzied energy. Upon arrival, the atmosphere was vibrant, the chaos was palpable, and the energy was simply… Tokyo. After stepping off the bus and arriving at my hotel (which happened to be located in the heart of it all: Shibuya crossing), I instantly sensed that I was at the epicenter of everything, and I breathed in every bit of it. How could I not? If you ask me, traveling, especially solo, is all about embracing the unpredictable. Your world can be shaken and stirred from one minute to the next. One moment, you may find yourself immersed in a quiet countryside, and the next, walking among a crowd of thousands.
Just contemplating the unpredictability of travel has unlocked a new memory of mine… what a joy to sit here and relive it all with you. On the day I set out to visit Senso-Ji temple, I was prepared for a spiritual and transcendent experience. I had journeyed all this way, my intentions set on discovering more about myself through the lens of the world, so visiting an ancient temple seemed like a pretty good way to do that. After a quick Uber ride, I was in the Asakusa district where Senso-Ji resides. Looking back, the experience was spiritual not because of the temple, but because of the novelty surrounding me. It was a profound immersion into a culture that was previously unknown to me, encountering people from all corners of the globe, and discovering delectable cuisines that I had never even seen, let alone tasted.
Side note: At times, the thought of finding yourself in the middle of all things unfamiliar can feel unsettling—trust me, I know. However, I've discovered that once you truly embrace the moment and soak up everything around you, feelings of unfamiliarity quickly float away, and joy fills the space where uncertainty used to live. Whenever I jump into a new adventure, I like to make a conscious effort to remind myself to embrace the unfamiliar.
The day I visited Senso-Ji, I could have never anticipated what was waiting there for me. The crowd of people in the area was bewildering… I thought, “Could the temple be this famous?” It turned out all those people weren’t just there for the temple. As I pressed through the crowds, I saw the unexpected: a Brazillian Carnival festival. In a matter of moments, I found myself in the middle of a vibrant Carnival celebration parading through the streets of downtown Tokyo. You can imagine my surprise… Carnival?! Awe and excitement overtook my confusion as I saw dancers in traditional Brazilian Carnival costumes, grand and extravagant floats, Disney characters in costume, marching bands, and more. The energy was intoxicating! I carried my joy with me throughout the day, but my confusion remained… why Carnival? It was later that I discovered the rich history behind this unique samba parade. Since 1981, it’s been an annual tradition held each September, symbolizing the bond and friendship between Japan and Brazil.
I hope that all this talk of moments and memories has started to resonate with you in some small way. Travel can be unpredictable, and at a moment's notice, the atmosphere around you can change completely. What was initially an opportunity for a serene and introspective day had transformed into a vibrant, unforgettable memory, brimming with a fervent appreciation for all that life and its people have to offer.
I went to Japan looking for more than just a travel experience; I went hoping to discover a deeper understanding of myself at the time and the treasures that the world had to offer. I left Japan, however, with something far more precious than any souvenir or insight. I left with cherished memories that to this day, bring me joy when they cross my mind. I expanded my knowledge about the world and its people. And most importantly, I gained the wisdom that everything can change in a single moment.
I encourage you to remember this wisdom as you plan and embark on your own adventures. Embrace all the unfamiliarity that comes with world travel. And when you’re done embracing, we hope you’ll share your experiences with us. We would love to hear all about it.
Emma R
Freelance Writer
The above post is part of an ongoing segment of the Sherpani Travel Blog. We want to highlight personal travel stories from the women in our community. Would you like to share your travel story with Sherpani? Email tess@sherpani.com for more information. We can’t wait to read about your adventure!
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