WiseNomad.com is an exceptionally useful website for backpackers and world travelers looking for the relevant, to the point, information and tools they need. WiseNomad.com gives world travelers everything they need, and nothing they don't... which makes backpacking trips a whole lot easier.

What's the point of WiseNomad.com?

WiseNomad.com is an evolving resource created to promote cross-cultural understanding and unity by bringing the world's youth together through youth hostelling, international backpacking, and adventure travel. Our aspiration is to make youth adventure travel as much a part of the normal transition into adulthood for mankind as formal education is today.

At no time in the history of the world has it been easier, safer, and more financially feasible for youth from all over the globe to enjoy the humanistic benefits and worldly perspective that extended travel to foreign destinations allows. Today's youth are better educated, more affluent, and as a result of the Internet, more connected than ever. Today's youth have the potential to transcend geographically based prejudices and misconceptions brought about by thousands of years of human conflict.

All that's required to overcome this is a willingness to venture beyond one's known borders, beyond one's familiar surroundings, beyond life's conventional path… a willingness to go out and meet the world. Regrettably, many people in the world never reach out beyond these perceived limitations. Our hope here is to help people see beyond the horizon of the spot they came into the world, and to entice them to take a walk in the shoes of their fellow man (or woman) around the globe.

We believe that international youth travel and hostelling provide the ideal venue for open-minded youth from all corners of the world to come together for something as simple as a beer and some stimulating conversation. Foreign acquaintances are made, meaningful experiences are shared, mutual understanding is gained, and a subsequent compassion takes root for people and places different from that which one knows. Our inspiration is that one day, more people than not will realize that we truly are one world, one people.

Articles - Web-publishing site for backpackers and world travelers. Any traveler can submit stories and opinion pieces, and the community votes on which articles get posted. Additionally, users can comment on each other’s stories. New articles are posted frequently, so check back often.

Hostels - A dynamic, and intuitively organized directory of fine hostels worldwide. View reviews, ratings, editorial recommendations, and popularity metrics. This section also includes more detailed reviews of the world's top 20 hostels.

Wisdom - A living, growing resource of accumulated backpacker wisdom, by travelers, for travelers. Backpackers share recommendations on daytime activities, nightlife, food and drink, and accommodation options. Wisdom postings are time-stamped, as well as rated and reviewed by subsequent travelers to enhance the credibility of each recommendation.

Directory - A dynamic, and intuitively organized directory of backpacker and world traveler resources on the web. View reviews, ratings, editorial recommendations, and popularity metrics.

Discussions - Lively destination specific email discussion groups where backpackers and youth travelers ask questions and share their collective wisdom with one another.

Transport - Information on getting there and getting around by planes, trains, autos, and buses. Includes the popular FastTrack Eurail pass guide - a single page that has everything you really need (want) to know about the European rail system.

Destinations - Detailed commentary on the backpacker scene in Europe, Australia, and the USA. Also includes information on the top 25 'round the world (RTW) destinations.

A note from the Founder

I hope you enjoy using WiseNomad.com and traveling the world to expand your horizons as much as I do. I give a great deal of my time to ensure that this site helps to make your backpacking trip a whole lot easier and, most importantly, an extraordinary adventure. The entire site is free for you to use, and new features and new content are added frequently, so visit often… and help us out by telling a friend or two to check us out next time they're on the web!

Regards,

Stephan Aarstol
Stephan(at)wisenomad(dot)com