Traveling alone and having to eat at restaurants is the worst if you’re a women. At least that’s what CNN and the founder of a new female-only app called “Invite for a Bite” are saying.

This App “solves the problem” of eating out alone when you’re traveling. On the site you can either search for a invite or create one, connecting you with other women in your destination. Now, I’m all for this idea. It’s a great way to meet other travelers or have a local to connect with and learn about a new culture in the process. That’s wonderful.

What isn’t wonderful is how this app depicts women. In the CNN article, founder of another App, called “I Love Your Accent,” Rachelle Peachey says, “When I walk into a restaurant or bar alone, I feel others see me as either a woman out to pick up men or a sad, lonely spinster.” I question if our gender has really advanced when otherwise successful women can’t deal with being out alone. While the App is a good idea — and hey, I might even try it next time I’m traveling along — it does create a crutch.

Eating alone may seem uncomfortable at first, but it doesn’t take long to get used to it. I’m a solo diner if I’m in my home city or if I’m traveling. I like food and I like my independence. Throw the two together and I’m happily sitting alone people watching over dinner by myself. If you’ve ever skipped a meal or felt sad as your crammed McDonald’s into your mouth instead of real food, just because you didn’t want to dine-in alone, I encourage you to try it.

Savour your food, enjoy your own company, and don’t be afraid to order dessert!

Do you like to dine alone? Why or why not?

Leah is just waiting on a piece of paper to say she has her Bachelor of Journalism from Ryerson University in Toronto. She just wrapped up working on the Ryerson Review of Journalism. Now she is spending her obscene amount of free time baking tasty cupcakes and hunting for a job (hopefully that pays). Follow her @Elleandbee.

Coming back from spring break made me realize I wanted to permanently live my life on vacation. I spent last week on a beautiful but trashy Florida beach, and I took a lot of time to think about where I’m going to spend my vacations as an adult (since I’ll never have another spring break).

When I’m on vacation, I’m the happiest I can be, so if anyone wants to offer me a job that allows me to take extended trips to these ten locations, please let me know. I will be able to relocate immediately, and I am willing to do any kind of work (except sexual favors).

initiating the gallery...

[Lead image via Peter Kirillov/Shutterstock]

Ah, spring break. So close yet so far away. Is it bad that the semester just started but I’m already dreaming about it? I can’t wait for a chance to get away. Where will I really be going for spring break? Nowhere. But a girl can dream, right? Here are just a few of the great places I wish I could jet away to.

The Huffington Post recently published a list of 10 places every child must visit. On the list: The Smithsonian, Yellowstone and Ellis Island. I remember when I was a kid and my parents somehow found it in their souls to take to all of those places.  We were a big traveling family and my parents wanted me to see (and learn about) everything. Unfortunately, instead of taking in the beauty of the Grand Canyon, I sat in the dirt and cleaned up my Tamogotchi’s poop.

In a nutshell: I didn’t let it all sink in, learn something or enjoy it.
And I’m sure I wasn’t the only one.

However, now that we’re all grown up in college, we are presented with the perfect opportunity (and maturity) to do some exploring and really experience some cool things.  Some of these things we couldn’t appreciate entirely when we were little munchkins not old enough to play beer pong at a real, living, breathing frat party.  And some of these things we won’t be able to appreciate to the same extent when we’re out of college.

So while our minds are human sponges and we’ve got loads of time, it’s time to explore the top ten places every college student must see.

[Click on ANY image to view the gallery!]

“Eat Pray Love” is a non-fiction book written by Elizabeth Gilbert. Gilbert has found herself with the perfect American life: a gorgeous house, a good husband and a successful career. But, she is consistently unhappy and one day realizes that she just doesn’t want to be married anymore. This “perfect life” is just not for her. So she leaves her husband and after being inspired by three different countries and their cultures, she decides to spend a year traveling to Italy, India and Indonesia. She chooses Italy because she has always wanted to learn Italian, India because she has recently gotten into the yoga lifestyle and Indonesia because she traveled there once and was told by a medicine man that she would return. She uses the advance from this promised book to fund her whirlwind adventure and sets off.

This book was somewhat of a sensation. For a year, it felt like someone I knew was always reading this. So, of course, I resisted, as any good book snob does. I’m really happy that I picked it up though! Gilbert is a charming and hilarious narrator. She’s so open with her experiences and feelings, it seems like I’m reading a letter from an old friend. I constantly found myself smiling while reading this one, that is, when I wasn’t laughing at her quick wit. But, besides being entertaining, I also found this one quite inspiring.

I think most of us dream of taking a year from our hectic lives and going to exotic places simply because we want to. I was so jealous of Gilbert’s trip, but, as I said, also inspired. “Eat Pray Love” really reminds you to be grateful for your life and all the wonderful things you have and to celebrate your blessings. It’s also courageous and, I believe, has probably served as a wake-up call for many people who are just rushing through life, instead of actually living.

I think “Eat Pray Love” is a perfect book to finish off the summer with. Go into your school year with a clear head and your goals set. But most importantly, remember to enjoy yourself and always so something you love!

[While everyone is fabulous in their own right, we thought we should celebrate the campus fashionistas of the world for their continued excellence in not looking like a hot mess for class. So, we started stalking those girls on campus (like Brittany from Northwestern) to get a few pics and get some tips on their personal style.... And maybe a restraining order or two.

But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in. You think you’ve got some major style? Know someone else who’s always looking ferosh? Think the world needs to see what she can do? Send us an email with some photos and she could be the next fashionista celebrated right here.]

At a school where most girls’ wardrobes are dominated by T-shirts and going-out tops, I always find it refreshing to spot a girl who takes her style seriously. So after seeing Brooklyn roaming around campus on multiple occasions, I just had to stop her. She has the uncanny ability to look effortlessly cool in every situation. Whether she’s heading to class or dressing up for a formal event, she manages to achieve that difficult balance of looking polished but still 100 percent original.

Brooklyn is great at pulling together pieces that fit together without being overly matchy. Her style is all her own, a mix of timeless pieces and funky accessories. It’s a look that’s often imitated but never quite duplicated–because the thing about effortless style is that trying to pull it off just doesn’t work. It has to come naturally. And for Brooklyn, it just does.

Name: Brooklyn
Year: Senior
Major: Magazines

1. Describe your personal style.
I’m really drawn to clothes that look vintage, with a unique cut or embroidery. My personal style isn’t over-the-top, but I like to have fun with details that reflect different eras.

2. Complete this sentence: You can’t leave your house without….
My messenger bag I ordered from an artist on Etsy.com. That thing is with me through class, work, and everything in between.

3. What are your favorite stores to shop at?
My favorite thing is to find an incredibly marked-down item at Anthropologie and then mix it with clothes from Target or somewhere else I can actually afford.

4. What/who is the biggest influence on your style?
Traveling and seeing how women from different cultures dress and the way they carry themselves is always inspiring to me. And it’s refreshing.

5. What’s your favorite trend, past or present?
I love jackets, so I play around with different popular styles. But my favorites sometimes get a spot in my closet for years.

On Brooklyn:
Dress: Ann Taylor Loft
Cardigan: Urban Outfitters
Boots: Macy’s
Beaded bracelet: Gap
Flower bracelet: a store in Siena, Italy

For those going abroad for the upcoming semester or planning a trip to Europe anytime soon, here are some helpful tips to get you around:

You are from Canada: Let’s be honest – Americans like to think they rule the world, and sometimes that holier than thou attitude rubs Europeans the wrong way. Don’t go overseas acting like a stereotypical American (you know, the ones that yell loudly when speaking to someone that doesn’t understand English as if the other person is deaf…) It may be hard when adjusting to culture shock, but the best way to get past it is to simply embrace it. If you can’t … just say you’re from Canada and all the questions will go away.

“Tap Water is For The Prisoners”: When I was thirteen, I went to Europe for two weeks on a guided school trip. The tour guide told my class that only prisoners drink tap water, so we shouldn’t order it at a restaurant. Forget that, live like a prisoner. Unlike in the states, restaurants just don’t bring out water for you. They tend to bring out bottled water, and after walking around Amsterdam all day, finishing off one of those babies happens fast…as does racking up a huge bill. Unless you really have a problem drinking tap water, order it. Not only will it save you money, but it will be cold. Most restaurants will serve you room temperature bottled water, but if you want something icy cold … tap water is the only way you’ll get those extra ice cubes. Free, cold water? No complaints there!

Transportation made easy: With an abundance of train services, ferry boats, and cheap flights (EasyJet and Ryan Air – however, beware of extra fees), traveling from one country to the next is affordable and a must for any European experience. If you shop around for the best deals, you can save lots of money hopping from Belgium to France in one weekend. Although taking the train may seem foreign (trains are rarely utilized in the USA as a form of fast, easy transportation), it is the best way to see Europe. Really, how can you complain when you’re on your way to Paris for the weekend with countryside outside your window?

Hold the Anchovies: I ordered a ceasar salad expecting just you’re standard plate of lettuce and ceasar sauce, but instead, I got a plate full of anchovies (complete with their eyeballs still intact) and a mayo sauce. Make sure when ordering at a restaurant you are as specific as can be or else you may be surprised. Also, if you like your meat cooked a certain way, tell your waiter or else you’re “well done” steak may come out bloody and pink. However, if you can get past some food differences, indulge yourself in as much cultural foods as possible, i.e. when in France, live off of croissants and macaroons!

See the sights: While a lot of my study abroad group got wasted every night, a good amount chose to see the sights. You are abroad, so why are you blacked out outside of Big Ben? A big mistake that a lot of abroaders make is mixing culture with fun – they think they can’t. You paid a lot of money to go abroad, so it is important to see everything that you can. No one wants to come back from Europe to say “I skipped out on the Mona Lisa because I was hung over” or “I couldn’t climb to the top of St. Paul’s Cathedral because I was puking in a pub instead.” Party and have a great time, but prioritize what you are going to see. If you can schedule your days ahead, you can save a lot of time for partying and pub crawls later.

Be a local: Instead of eating at restaurants you are familiar with or sticking to simple tourist destinations, expand your travels and pretend you are a local. Ask opinions of the receptionist at your hostel of where to eat. Find out what shopping areas aren’t as famous and go see what you can dig up there. Try new foods and drink. For example, you can’t leave London without at least trying their fish and chips once. Don’t just stick to the same old path everyone else is, explore the beaten path and you will have a much more rewarding experience of culture and understanding of the area along the way.

Happy Traveling!

What’s a girl to do?

A few years ago, I backpacked through Greece with a close friend. We spent eight days traveling throughout the country, taking ferries, visiting the islands, lounging on the beach and shopping. It was a fabulous vacation and we both managed to spend under $1000! How did we save so much money? We didn’t eat huge meals, took transportation during off-peak hours and stayed in hostels.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: hostels are gross! And to tell you the truth, they are. But, if you’re traveling in Europe and want to save a few bucks, you’re going to have to stay in them. Keeping that in mind, here are a few tips for hostel survival and general vacation budgeting from someone who’s been there:

1) Never travel alone- It’s always best to have a buddy with you, especially if you’re staying in large communal rooms. Although I traveled with a girl friend, having a boy around definitely couldn’t hurt.

2) Book ahead for your first night- Even if you’re planning on winging it and staying wherever your feet (or that strange European train) take you, you’re going to want to have a guaranteed bed your first night, so figure out where you’re staying before you leave the country. For the remainder of the trip you can use the hostel’s computer or go to a local Internet cafe to book your stays the day of. By booking last minute, you can choose your next destination based on the price of a room…

3) Think about going suitcase-less- If they’re making me pay $15 a bag just to fly from Boston to Baltimore, I can only imagine how much they’ll charge to bring my suitcase all the way to Europe. Instead, try to consolidate your clothing, toiletries, etc into something you can carry on the plane. Think about it this way: you’ll not only save money but also have less stuff to schlep around from place to place.

4) Bring shower shoes- Even if you’re packing light, you can re-wear them on the beach. Communal showers are disgusting. End of story.

5) Take the top bunk- My second night in the hostel in Athens, I found myself tossing and turning and unable to sleep. I kept having this dream that the guy in the bed next to me was watching me. Well, it wasn’t a dream. When I opened my eyes, the creepy guy was staring at me. Plus, his feet were in my bed. Now, I realize that creepy guys can still watch you sleep when you’re in the top bunk bed, but they’ll definitely be less likely to try to climb in bed with you. Another option would be to ask ahead and see if they have an all female room. Yeah, you could run into some crazy ladies, but they’re a lot less threatening than creepy stalker men!

6) Skip the communal room and “splurge” on a private one- If the above story or that awful movie Hostel (which I refuse to see) freak you out, you should definitely get a private room. The night after the incident, my friend and I opted for a hotel. But honestly, you don’t really have to do that; the price of private rooms is not all that much higher than staying in a communal room, especially if you’re traveling in a big group.

7) Take advantage of the hostel’s knowledgeable staff- Want to find the hottest beach or the best place to get a cheep beer? The people working at the hostel are your best bet. Sometimes they can even give you restaurant coupons; I know we scored 10% off our first Greek meal simply by asking for restaurant recommendations!

8 ) Don’t go to Starbucks- It’s not like you don’t have 5 of them on your campus already. Why spend money on an already overpriced drink at a boring American location, when you can discover a little cafe unique to your destination?

What are your money saving vacation tips?

Fall Break may be over, but those few glorious weeks of winter vacation are so, so tantalizingly close. And while it’s nice to hang out with your family for a little while, let me guess—you want to get away. Far, far away. Preferably somewhere closer to the equator.

Am I right? Yeah, OK.

Even if a vacation isn’t in the cards right now, odds are you’ll be planning some kind of trip in the future. And at first doing all that planning by yourself (or even splitting it up with friends) can seem overwhelming. There are so many logistics to handle… booking, scheduling, packing, etc.

So why do it yourself? Let me help!

1. Booking. If you’re traveling by car or bus or train (or hitchhiking), you can count on prices for gas or tickets to stay nearly constant. Look out for special student deals or travel packages, but you shouldn’t otherwise have to worry about fluctuating fees. If you’re going by air, though, make friends with FareCast, a sweet site that compiles data on changing air prices and will make predictions for you about when are the best times to buy. And triple-check your arrival and departure dates to make SURE you don’t double-book yourself with any other activities.

2. Scheduling. Personality plays into this to a certain degree. Do you like to go with the flow and take things as they come, or are you the type of person who needs to have every hour of your trip planned out? (Hint: If you’re 100% one or the other, don’t travel with someone who’s the opposite.) Even if you’re a more casual traveler, there are still a few things you really should plan in advance of getting your tickets:

- Accommodations. It will suck if you have to spend the night in a park because your friends in the destination city are all on vacation as well and you don’t have enough cash for a hotel.

- Logistics. How are you going to get to and from the airport/station? Do you have a map? Will you need to rent a car? About how expensive is the place you’re going?

- Emergency. If you get lost, who can you call for help? If a sketchy guy starts to follow you around and tries to strike up a looong conversation, do you know someone nearby who can bail you out if needed? If your wallet gets stolen, do you have a backup form of currency?

3. Packing. There are many things you can go without, so try to stay light—you’ll be happy you did. But don’t forget clothes. Plan your outfits so you don’t overpack, and try to reuse key items. Remember the underwear and bras. Pack pads or tampons if you might need them. And medications. And SHOES. No matter where you’re going, pack at least one very comfortable pair. Even if you think you know the weather ahead of time, include one outfit for cooler weather and one outfit for warmer weather. Bring snacks, too. Finally, don’t rely on your cell phone. Make a paper list (yes, paper) of all the numbers in your address book. That way, you can still get out of a tough situation if you happen to lose your phone.

These tips should get you through the planning stages and get you onto that plane to paradise.

From all of us at CC, happy travels!

[Image courtesy of travelindiasmart.com.]

Some of my favorite weekends and least regrettable hangovers are courtesy of long nights spent playing traveling drinking games. Forget laid back games involving ping pong balls or a deck of cards – I’m talking about mobile, interactive drinking games that get you drunk quick and keep you there all night.

Plus you’ll have some fantastic photos of your sloppy buddies in novelty costumes…for better or worse.

My two favorites are Le Tour De Franzia and Liquid Golf. Here the rules:

If you look online, the Tour has a few variations. Here’s how we do it where I come from:

1. Assemble two or three teams of 10-12 people each. Prior to the event, give each team a color or tell everyone to come in cycling/fitness clothes. Helmets are encouraged (and may very well be necessary by the end of the night).

2. When the whistle blows, each team starts drinking a box of the best boxed wine around: Franzia. You can keep things tame, or get rid of the box for increased excitement. “Slapping the bag,” is half the fun of drinking boxed wine. Heaven knows it doesn’t taste very good.

3. Now in some variations of the game, the first team to finish the box wins…but what’s the fun in that? It’s a Tour right? When I’ve played, the first team to finish can run/skip/leapfrog/crab walk/etc. to another house to drink another box. If you don’t have another person willing or able to host, each team can travel around the block and come back inside. The traveling is the best part (it provides endless opportunities for hilarious photos) so don’t leave this part out!

4.The team who finishes the second box first earns the yellow jersey…err wins. You can make the event more official and fun by incorporating a Jock Jams CD, some fun fake medals (think Office Olympics), and posters of Lance Armstrong.

Liquid Golf is also tons of fun. Here’s the breakdown:

1. Liquid Golf involves a bit of set-up. You’ll need a headcount of who’s playing, people to host/bars to go to, and you’ll need to make a score sheet. You can find a few of those online. You’ll also need a little bit of knowledge in golf scoring. Encourage everyone attending to dress in golf apparel. The end results of this are very funny as some people show up looking like extras from The Legend of Bagger Vance, while others wear actual Nike Golf polos. Either way, hilarity ensues. (Editor’s Note: FACEBOOK PIC!!)

2. Once you know who’s playing, pair people up. I like to keep the teams co-ed, or at least combine strong drinkers with weak ones.

3. The game works like this: Each pair is required to take down the drink/s listed at each house or bar. The drinking responsibility doesn’t have to be even, meaning one person can drink the entire hole if they so choose, but they probably wouldn’t be able to keep up the pace for long. If the drink/drinks are consumed within the pre-approved time-limit, the team makes par. The team that finishes first gets to subtract two points. The team that finishes last or any team that doesn’t consume their drinks in the pre-approved time-limit has to add two points to the par.

4. When the time limit is up, teams travel to the next house or bar for a new hole. Game play continues until all the holes are completed (a true rarity) or if they’re the last team to throw-up (much more likely).

Here are our holes from the last time we played: Four beers, two vodka lemonades, a bottle of champagne, three Tequila shots, two screwdrivers and two vodka gimlets. No, this is not 18 holes. Yes, that is still ok; even the strongest teams were brought down after the tequila shots. I don’t even think we made it to the house serving gimlets. 18 holes would have killed someone.

Be advised that neither of these games is for the faint of heart, literally and figuratively. If you’re hosting, encourage challenge by choice, and serve water and a few snacks. If you’re concerned about safety, you can also make the teams larger, as the events are still fun and everyone consumes less booze. It’s also a good idea to have a Sober Referee. Not only does he or she keep things fair, but they can help people navigating streets and let people know when it’s time to call it a night.

Anyone else have any awesome drinking games? I’ve heard of a great one called Beer-A-Thon but can’t find the rules? Any idea ladies?

[Photo: sizzup.com]