Jil Eileen: Her life traveling around the world

FIV: As can be seen in your Instagram feed, you have already seen and traveled to many countries. Which of these destinations have been your favorite so far?

Jil: Phew that’s a very difficult question, I’ve already traveled to 63 countries and each one had something special in its own way. I couldn’t decide where I liked it best, I would go to every country I’ve been to again.

FIV: On social media and on your website, you talk almost exclusively about travel. How did you develop this passion? What excites you most about traveling?

Jil: I’ve always been very adventurous and loved getting to know new places, cultures and people. In 2018, I quit my job and set off alone with a backpack to travel the world. Even before that, I had always planned my days off and vacations so that I could travel as much as possible, but once I had traveled full-time, I was hooked. What excites me most about traveling is discovering new places, feeling the freedom and being myself.

Happiness is the only thing that doubles when you share it, so why not share what makes me happy with you!

FIV: You are only 26 years old and still very young. How do you finance your many trips? How frugal are you and do you have any tips for our readers on how to travel the world cheaply?

Jil: I saved well in advance for my year solo trip around the world, I had 3-4 jobs at the same time and was really hard-working. So I was always able to put a lot of money aside. It’s very important to always keep in mind that ‘every little helps’. This applies to saving and spending. Before you save nothing, save at least something. Then it may take longer to reach your target amount, but you will still reach your goal. And when it comes to spending, it’s the other way around, if I think ‘oh, that’s only €5’ for every little thing, then that can be quite a lot at the end of a trip. I always write down every € I spend on my trips to get an idea of how much the trip has cost me so far. If I’ve budgeted well then I can treat myself to something, if I haven’t budgeted well then I can just eat oatmeal for 3 days I’m now self-employed and can live off my travel blog and online store, instead of working hard and saving up in advance I now travel and work in the meantime.

A day with Jil: adventure or relaxation? Mountains or pool?

FIV: What does a perfect day on vacation look like for you? Are you more of an active person or do you prefer to take it slower? Chilling by the pool or climbing in the mountains? What type of vacation are you?

Jil: I am the active traveler, I love hiking, climbing in the mountains, surfing at the sea & have so many ‘bumblebees in my butt’ that I always want to do something. Of course I also like to lie by the pool or the sea, but that tends to happen between activities.

FIV: What has been your most exciting experience on your travels so far? Was there ever a particularly exciting event or did you perhaps undertake an unusual activity? Paragliding, bungee jumping or something like that?

Jil: I have experienced a lot when traveling but the first activity that comes to my mind is a hike in Hawaii. The Olomana Trail, also called ‘Three Peaks’. A very dangerous hike that gave you an absolute adrenaline rush and was just so much fun, even though you were pushed to your limits.

Germany tour: route, tips & what the country has to offer

FIV: A few months ago, you and your boyfriend went on a tour through Germany. How did you come up with this idea and how did you plan the tour? Was there a fixed route or did you set off spontaneously?

Jil: We’ve already seen so much of the world but not yet our own country. We wanted to change that, so we did a lot of research and looked at everything Germany has to offer. We thought about a route in advance and then drove to the places we had picked out. I sometimes went with my boyfriend, but sometimes with friends too.

FIV: Tell us something about this tour. Which destinations did you head for and which sights did you want to visit? Would you have thought that Germany has such beautiful places to offer?

Jil: I have to admit, I underestimated Germany! I never thought I would see such amazing places in my own country. We went hiking on the Moselle, in the Black Forest and in the Palatinate Forest, we discovered stand-up paddle boarding on Lake Constance, we went swimming in the lake at Eibsee in Bavaria and we couldn’t stop being amazed in Saxon Switzerland. At the age of 25, I made it to the German seaside for the first time

FIV: As you can see in your Instagram feed, you went camping and slept together in the car. What was it like for you to live in such a small space? Would you do it again and recommend it to others?

Jil: It wasn’t a problem for me, you just get to know each other better and bond more. We furnished our car a bit with a topper on which we slept, hung curtains on the windows to darken it a bit and have privacy, and decorated it a bit comfortably. Apart from that, we of course had a gas stove and everything we needed for camping In the beginning or to get out spontaneously, the car is the perfect alternative. In the meantime, we have converted a van, moved in and are traveling through Europe.

Insider tips & goals for the future

FIV: Where was the best place? Do you have an absolute insider tip for us? A special place, a sight or perhaps even a secret route?

Jil: I liked Saxon Switzerland best, the landscape there is really breathtaking and you can go hiking for days and always see something new

FIV: What is your absolute dream destination for the future? You’ve already seen a lot of the world. Is there still a country or perhaps even a specific place that you dream of visiting at some point?

Jil: There’s a lot to be honest, but Namibia, the Philippines, Peru and Sweden are at the top of my list.

Vacation in Turkey

Every year, countless German tourists travel to the south. Many of them opt for a vacation in Turkey. Especially the region around Antalya is a popular destination. Not least because of the good flight connections, vacations there are very popular. Airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa or Ryanair fly to the well-known vacation destination. Turkish airlines, such as Turkish Airlines are a popular choice, as they offer flights from all major German cities, such as Berlin and Hamburg. Thus, travelers can arrive at their destination within a few hours with a direct flight. Once arrived, a wide selection of hotels, family accommodations and Airbnb provide the best foundation for a relaxing vacation.

Antalya by the sea from above:

5 hiking trails near Antalya

5 tips for your Antalya vacation:

1. Lycian Way
2. Köprülü Canyon National Park
3. Kemer
4. Kalkan to Patara beach
5. Kurşunlu waterfall

Lycian Way

The most panoramic hike is the long-distance route on the Lycian Way. The 30 kilometers long route is one of the most popular routes in the whole Turkey and offers a unique view on the way from Adrasan, passing the lighthouse of Gelidonya. The historical path ends in Mavikent and is just right for active nature lovers. The best season for the hike is between June and August. However, for the trail you should definitely bring stamina. If you are traveling with your own campervan, you can easily complete the trip with several stops along the way.

• 30 km long long distance hiking route in Turkey
• Offers breathtaking views from Adrasan to Gelidonya Lighthouse
• Best time for the hike: June to August, requires endurance

Köprülü Canyon National Park

Another fantastic route is located in Köprülü Canyon National Park. In the middle of the borders of Antalya province, the trail is considered one of the most popular among Turkish and foreign holidaymakers. The starting point of the hike is the natural houses of Perge, another attraction of the region. Along the nearby gorge, visitors hike past BüÄrüm Köprüsü and back again. The route is also suitable for less experienced hiking enthusiasts. Those who want to stay longer can stay overnight at the campsite of the national park. However, you should bring the appropriate equipment yourself.

• Popular route in Antalya province
• Starting point: Nature houses of Perge, nearby gorge with BüÄrüm Köprüsü
• Suitable for less experienced hikers, camping facilities available, own equipment required.

Kemer

The Kemer – Kuzdere hiking trail is considered a moderately difficult route and is also appreciated by less experienced hikers. The path leads past historical buildings of the region. With a length of only 6.5 kilometers, the route is also ideal for families. Most of the time you move on forest paths and experience nature in its purest form.

Kalkan to Patara beach

Not to be underestimated is also the route from Kalkan to Patara beach. Passing various small villages along a nature trail, you eventually reach the beautiful Patara beach. The path is popular with travelers mainly because of its view of the sea. Starting as a city trail, one quickly reaches the coast and walks along it, climbing GelemiÅ to reach the beach afterwards via Patara’s sand dunes. With a length of about 16 kilometers, hikers also need some stamina here, the best time to explore the route is between May and September.

• Popular route with a view of the sea
• Starts in Kalkan, leads via nature trail to Patara beach
• About 16 km long, best time between May and September, requires endurance

Kurşunlu waterfall

A short but impressive walk is offered by the area around the Kurşunlu Waterfall. Accompanied by the sounds of the waterfall and the diverse sounds of birds, you can enjoy the nature of Antalya. The short and family-friendly trail offers green trees and earthy paths. Locals also like to come here to relax and enjoy the tranquility.

Those who decide to travel to Antalya should, due to the large offer, consider making one or two excursions into nature in addition to the sights of the city and the planned beach vacation. The cheap flight offers also make it quite easy for those on short notice to get to the region quickly. When is your next vacation in Turkey?

• Short impressive walk near KurÅunlu waterfall
• Family friendly, surrounded by nature sounds and green trees
• Ideal for relaxing nature experiences, also popular with locals

Impregnate – with liquid impregnator or impregnation spray

Is your tent and awning already impregnated? Especially before a longer trip it is important to impregnate the tent or renew the impregnation, because sunlight, weather, heavy rain and abrasion make an impregnation useless over time. It is therefore recommended to reimpregnate the tent every few years to avoid having to sleep in a damp sleeping bag when travelling.

Impregnation does not make your tent waterproof!

By the way: Impregnation does not make a tent waterproof. It protects the fabric from getting soaked up with water. If your tent has seams that are permeable to water, impregnation will not save you. A waterproof tent always consists of an outer fabric with a waterproof coating and waterproof seams.

Liquid impregnator, impregnation language, household remedies – what helps?

There are different types of waterproofing options, such as liquid waterproofer, waterproofing spray and there are also a few good home remedies. If you use a spay, you should make sure that the tent is clean and completely closed before spraying it.

You should definitely do the spraying outside and please make sure that nothing of the product is inhaled. With a liquid impregnator, it is either possible to rub the tent with a sponge or brush, or to immerse the tent completely in the liquid in a bathtub or plastic tub. The liquid must be diluted with water, please refer to the package insert and make sure that you have as little contact with the liquid as possible.

After impregnation

With the spray and also with the liquid the tent must dry completely afterwards, if necessary the process can be repeated a second time. If you have to deal with leaking seams, you should try a liquid seam sealer. This is usually applied to the seams with a brush and ensures that it does not rain pure.

This is how you impregnate your tent properly:

1. Pitching up the tent – To make sure you don’t forget a single spot, it makes sense to pitch up the tent.
2. Apply the impregnating agent – No area should be overlooked during application.
3. Work in impregnation agent with a brush – With a brush you can work the impregnation agent correctly into the fabric.
4. Leave to take effect – The exact duration of the effect is stated in the package leaflet.
5. Rinse – All residues of the impregnating agent should be washed off.
6. Let it dry – Before packing the tent away, it must be completely dry.

Household remedy – acetic alumina & candle wax

The most effective household remedy for impregnation is acetic clay. You don’t need to pitch your tent for impregnation with acetic clay, you only need to bathe it in a plastic tub or your bathtub with the household remedy. After that you just need to hang up your tent and let it dry. You can get acetic alumina practically everywhere, you can buy it in your drugstore or order it on the internet. Attention – you should keep your hands off candle wax as an impregnating agent for seams. A tent is usually really expensive and you shouldn’t ruin it with a little do-it-yourself experiment.

• Candle wax – ruins the tent!
• Acetic alumina – works!

Care – Tips for cleaning and protection

You should also remember to clean and maintain your tent regularly. Never wash your tent in the washing machine or with a high-pressure cleaner! You might get the dirt out, but it will quickly damage your tent. Dry dirt like dust or sand can be shaken out easily, more stubborn dirt can be removed with a detergent. To do this, you must dilute the detergent with water as indicated on the package and then remove the dirt with a sponge or brush.

Wash your tent before drying and make sure that there are no more detergent residues on the tent. By the way, you can clean the zipper from dirt and sand with a toothbrush and protect it from wear and tear.

• Remove dirt
• Clean the tent regularly
• protect zipper from wear and tear

Structure and stay: ground, sunlight and shoes

When setting up the tent, make sure that there are no sharp stones or fir cones under the tent. These can make a hole in the floor of the tent. A tent base can be practical, as it protects the tent floor from damage. Avoid direct sunlight. At best, the tent should be in the shade and protected from the sun, as this can quickly cause the delicate tent fabric to become brittle. Different materials are naturally more sensitive than others. If a storm is imminent, you should definitely think about guy ropes. The lines should be pulled tight and re-tensioned when it rains, as many fabrics expand when damp.

Shoes should always be left outside or in the awning. These bring small stones into the tent, which can quickly drill fine holes in the tent floor.

Dismantling: fold up, pack up and moisture

When dismantling it makes sense to turn the tent inside out and shake it out. This way you can be sure that no pine needles or stones can damage the tent. Before packing up, you should also make sure that your tent is dry. Even if it hasn’t rained, it is most likely that some condensation has collected during the night or that the ground on which it stood has released some moisture. It is therefore best to hang the tent over a branch and wait until it is completely dry.

Storage and repair

At home the Zet should be stored well to protect it from moisture, heat and curious rodents. You should also make sure that the tent is 100% dry before you finally put it away. Otherwise it will quickly start to get mouldy! Make sure you use the right cleaning agents and be gentle on the delicate tent fabric. Stick to the package insert to avoid damaging the fabric.

Repair small tears and holes, reseal the seams and test the waterproofness with a watering can at home so that you don’t literally stand in the rain in nature. Nobody likes cold feet!

Protection and care: 9 tips

Here once again summarized, the 9 tips for your tent protection and care:

1. Watch out for stones and pegs on the ground, when erecting a tent
2. Avoid solar radiation (heat generation)
3. guy lines for a firm hold in wind and storm
4. Leave your shoes in the awning
5. Shake out the tent well when taking it down
6. Leave to dry properly before packing
7. Store the tent correctly (no moisture, heat or curious rodents)
8. Correct cleaning agents (observe package insert)
9. Repair small cracks and holes at home