By Jeff from shopnfly
FOMO or “fear of missing out” is a trend taking the world by storm. We all have had this feeling of missing out on a party, a job opportunity, or anything really that you felt you HAD to be a part of. Well shopping is no different. Whether young or old, shopping is a major part of the travel experience….20% of total travel expenses to be exact. Each traveler has his or her own style of unique shopping, but with every style comes different tips and tricks to ensure you are getting the better end of the deal. Never fear on missing out on shopping opportunities again with these three tips to great shopping.

1. Bargaining at the “Tourist Trap”
The “Tourist Trap” is a term travelers are all too familiar with. A witty T-shirt for 20 Euro? A porcelain statue for 35 Euro that will break five minutes after your purchase? Look, no ones judging. We all love those touristy novelties and after all, if you don’t purchase your loved ones something, anything really, you’re coming home to almost certain animosity. So if you absolutely must shop for those “must have” 30 Euro hats, then try to bargain! It is a tip often overlooked by travelers because bartering is always associated with an uncomfortable situation. What most travelers don’t realize is that many of these retailers over-price their products with the expectation that tourists will haggle down the price. Try this line the next time you’re purchasing a novelty item in a tourist shop. “Hey, I saw a shop two blocks over with the same shirt for half the price!” Watch the salesman’s face cringe as he offers you the same item for a “special” discounted price. Worse case scenario he will reject your offer, but from personal experience you have nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain.

2. Boutique Shopping
Before emptying your wallet on the retail items at the hotel gift shop, all travelers must take into account the local market. Jewelry, clothes, beauty products are all popular items that are guaranteed to be available for conservative prices at local boutiques. Every culture has a certain flare that tourists can and should take advantage of. In my recent travels to Mykonos, Greece I was constantly stressed to find my significant other the perfect gift. She loves jewelry but my budget did not allow for extravagant shopping. Experiencing extreme FOMO shopping I took to the streets and was delighted in what I discovered. Local boutique shops offer high quality often hand-made jewelry, clothes, and souvenirs for the price of a pint at the local nightclub. Boutiques pride themselves on their work, so you can be sure the item is of high quality. If for some reason you still find the prices too steep try tip #1 and haggle the price down.

3. Duty Free
Duty Free shopping is quite possibly the most overlooked perk of traveling. For some it is merely “that shopping center” which is quickly dismissed as you sprint to your connecting flight. However smart travelers know that Airport Duty Free offers brand name items for subsidized prices. If a fine bottle of wine, or brand new shoes is on your shopping list, the Duty Free must be made a priority. Thankfully many online shopping platforms such as shopnfly have made travel shopping a breeze by allowing you to scope out your items pre-hand and simply pick up the product upon arrival to your destination. Logging onto www.shopnfly.com allows users to discover great shopping deals while traveling based on their flight itinerary. No haggling or a backbreaking search to find the perfect gift. If using the Duty Free method I recommend setting money aside in the beginning of your travels. This way you can ensure that you stay to your travel budget and ensure you acquire your desired items as you leave in the airport Duty Free.

We look forward to traveling all year long. We slave away at our jobs daydreaming of the perfect vacation. So whether you’re trekking through the third world, or flying to the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, these three tips can help you reach the best balance of the travel shop experience.

By FOMO Girl
If you’re a young person who wishes to explore all the hidden and interesting parts of New Zealand, then the best thing you could do would be to check out the NZ Hop-On Hop-Off Bus specialists, Stray Travel. They are one of the best tour operators to use to explore the best and usually unseen (by tourists) parts of New Zealand. They focus on the things that are usually passed by other operators, and Stray will take you too many interesting destinations that you would never see otherwise.

What they have pioneered is quite unusual, a bus network that is a guided get on get off trip around New Zealand. The passes for the buses are completely flexible, which means that if you are interested in staying anywhere longer or want to see friends then you can get on or off the bus at any point along the route. This is so unconventional that any other kind of trip just seems boring!

The driver or guide is chock full of knowledge of all things kiwi and can assist you to book a place to stay or any activity that you would be interested in doing. But if you want to you can just do your own thing any time it suits you. What other organised trip can offer you that?

As mentioned before, the best part of what they offer is that they deliberately go into the locations that offer something special that are not normally on other operators top tours destinations. So you don't have to find someone else to help you experience things the kiwi way, it's already included.

You can also choose between the hop-on, hop off bus passes or their all-inclusive Stray Journey's, which includes everything from meals, to included activities and accommodation. The Stray Journeys are only small group tours to ensure that you will be a part of the trip experience. Whichever option you choose you will have a completely guided trip of the whole of New Zealand.

Choose which ever trip or route that suits you, they will even guarantee that you will have accommodation on the first night of each location, even in the out of the way places. No matter where you are, you will have the best and most unique trip of this beautiful country.  An immersion in to the Maori culture and typical kiwi life is standard on these trips.

The founder of Stray, Neil Geddes, was a pioneer in the backpacking trips way back when and just wanted tourists to see New Zealand the way he did, down to earth and not just doing the tourist things that every other tour operator does. His vision lead to the birth of Stray and the wonderful and unique trips they organize. This is truly the only way to see this beautiful country for what it really is.

So if you are young and adventurous, and want to see the best parts of the kiwi nation, Stray is where you should go. Go by yourself or with friends, but go!  You can find out more information on all the trips offered by Stray Travel at FOMO Travel.  But you better be careful as travel FOMO is sure to hit as soon as you arrive...

By FOMO Girl
Intreprid Travel is an award-winning company and a very popular choice adventure travel tour operator. What started out as a project between two friends from university, has now grown to become a member of PEAK Adventure Travel Group Limited, and guides hundreds of thousands of travellers every year.

Intrepid has been around since the late 1980s and today has more than 1,000 staff members working around the globe.  With more than 800 trips across each continent, Intrepid has maintained its devotion to the same travel philosophies and grassroot values it started on. With every trip operated, and every relationship it has with locals, suppliers and customers, it follows several core values. There are integrity, passion, fun, innovation, growth and responsibility, with these values still delivering what Intrepid Travel is today.

Group sizes are typically small, which allows individuals to go off the beaten track.  Intrepid employ local transportation services and accommodations, and really integrate with the culture, which also guarantees contribution to the local economy. By choosing suppliers who are local, the company is able to keep millions of dollars in local economies every year. It also strives to reduce carbon footprint and was among the first of its kind to introduce carbon-offset trips. This, as well as the other sustainability activities it practices, makes Intrepid one of the leaders in the industry when it comes to responsible travel.

Travellers are offered three different styles of tour: Comfort, Original and Basix. Each of these has its own set of accommodations and inclusions, but all carry unforgettable experiences. These tours are best for individuals looking for adventure, people who crave a real-life experience in a place that exists outside of the continent, country, state or home they live in.

Basix is for those who are on a budget, as these trips keep the inclusions limited. They are more about value and free time to choose what you want do. Original is the classic style of Intrepid and these adventures include more activities than Basix and are ideal for those interested in trying a little bit of everything. There are also Comfort trips that are designed for those interested in more inclusions. Comfort also offer higher standards for accommodations, such as larger vehicles, bigger rooms and more activities included.

Customers can also select from trips that are themed as well and can choose from food, family, sailing, polar, short breaks, wildlife, walking, cycling, festival and events, and overland. Themed adventures make it easier to enjoy your favorite things and activities that match your likes and needs. Whether you are travelling solo, or with a group, Intrepid has options to make your trip as comfortable as possible.

The world is so large and many people feel naturally inclined to travel around it, exploring what it has to offer. Because it is such a large place, there are many different languages to learn, cultures to witness and borders that must be crossed. When you travel with Intrepid, rather than worrying over these kind of details, you can just focus on the being a part of the experience.

Intrepid Travel has put years of time and research into putting together itineraries, accommodations and operators so that travellers can have a hassle-free adventure. These group adventures are the ideal balance between me time and planned activities. People can facilitate their agenda, guaranteeing the trip is all that they want it to be.

FOMO Travel has excellent information about Intrepid Travel, including their trip themes and destinations.

Check out and Book Intrepid Travel Trips