Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts


Guest post BY ANDREA SCHLOTTMAN






1. I’m not rich, but I do watch my budget.
Most people think we must be rich to be able to travel so much. Yes we’re definitely fortunate, but we might not be rich. When we’re planning for a trip, whether a short jaunt or slow travel, we watch every dollar before we leave, taking full advantage of the latest budgeting apps. I use similar technologies during my trip, too, to make sure I’m not overspending, and I rely on guides for affordable accommodation and budget-friendly travel tips. Sometimes travel is less trains and planes, and more paper and pen.




2. I get excited but also nervous before travel

What we usually see on social media about travel are beautiful photos, with epic scenery and wide smile. But to be frank, every time before travel, we more or less feel nervous, wondering how things will go on and whether we’ve missed anything very important.



3. I like to spend my money on experiences, not things.
Travel is a choice, one that we prioritize over a million others. To be able to make this choice, we pennypinch until we have enough for the next adventure. Dropped my (still two-generations-old) iPhone? Well, a cracked screen isn’t a huge deal. New restaurant opening? Tempting, but I can eat cheaper at home.



I may not have the nicest things or the latest technology, but I have been able to rock climb in Thailand, learn to cook in Vietnam, and hike through the mountains around Macchu Picchu. Besides, who needs the newest fashion? To me, travel chic is always in.



4. I love to make plans, but I also like to break them.

There are few things more exciting than sitting down to plan our next trip. Where will I go? How I can get there? What can I eat there?

It’s fun to get wrapped up in planning, planning, and more planning. What’s not always so easy is changing those plans. But if the train’s four hours late, my bag got stolen, or I barely missed my flight, I have to. Sometimes it’s scary or frustrating, but by keeping an attitude of adventure and determination, unexpected changes might even become the best part of the trip. Travel is as much about changing plans as it is about making them.



5. I know things can go wrong.
We’ve heard the horror stories about traveling, especially when we travel alone. And that’s the key: research. I look deeply into every place I visit, and if I ever feel unsafe, I leave. No questions asked. Then I refer to Confession #3, embrace my inner last-minute-planner, and do what I can to adapt.

I know that at some point something will go wrong that I can’t anticipate or change. But that’s life, right? We do what we can to plan ahead, but at the end of the day, we know that not everything is in our hands. Relaxing and letting go are two skills not only essential for travel, but for life.



6. I may start my trip alone, but I end up with friends all over the world.
In addition to meeting some really interesting local people, I get to make friends with fellow travelers from around the globe. Fellow travelers teach me about their home countries, share experiences with me, and have some of best and most budget-friendly tips. If I meet the right group of people, I might even drop my plans to head on a new journey with them! Some of these chance encounters have turned into my very best friends.



7. I’m okay with looking a little silly.
Often the best advice comes not from the thousands of reviews on TripAdvisor, but from the people who actually live wherever I’m traveling. This means that I have to put myself out there by learning and speaking some of the local language. I know I’m pronouncing it wrong, and I’m probably using hilariously incorrect words, but hey, I’m trying!

It can be a struggle to communicate, but we learn so much from the local people. Seeing how appreciative people are that I can say “thank you” makes any embarrassment or fear worth it.



8. I’m not just on a vacation.

It may look like I’m on an extended holiday, but traveling is so much more than that. I’ve traveled for vacation, but I’ve also travelled to study or work abroad. Even when it is “just a vacation,” I’m working hard. Every day. Travel is exhilarating and exhausting, always filled with a million things I didn’t think of and things I couldn’t plan for. I’m enjoying every minute of it, but constantly learning, challenging myself, and expanding my worldview is definitely hard work.



9. I love new experiences, but I get homesick sometimes, too.
Even though travel is my passion, I do get lonely sometimes. I miss my best friends, my family, my tex-mex, the smell of my hometown, the feeling of effortless belonging. Some days, like holidays or birthdays, can be really hard. But we’re also fortunate to live in the time of endlessly helpful travel and communication apps like WhatsApp, Viber, Line, and Skype, so I can pick up my phone and instantly connect with anyone. (Unless the 14-plus-hour time difference makes me wait out of compassion for my snoozing parents.)

Like any other emotion, homesickness always passes. And when it does, I’m still so happy to be where I am.



10. I know that I’m privileged.

Travel has opened my eyes to the huge range of lives people lead—and are forced to lead—on this planet. To be able to travel as I have, I know that I am more fortunate than so many others. I may scrounge and save to be able to do it, but knowing how fortunate I am, makes me especially conscious of the choices I make when I travel. I support local, responsible, and sustainable tourism efforts as much as possible.



11. I understand that this lifestyle isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay.

It’s probably pretty clear by now that I love travel. I love the new foods, smells, people, and even those moments when I think, “What did I get myself into?” But at the same time, I know that travel isn’t right for everyone all the time. If you’re even slightly considering traveling, I encourage you to go for it. But if now isn’t the right time for you, that’s okay too.

If travel has taught me anything, it’s that the world is full of people who are similar and yet so astoundingly different, and the key to happiness is, as Joseph Campbell says, to follow your bliss.



12. I’m not sure where my travels will take me, but I know it’ll be worth it.

I saved the most exciting confession for last: Who knows where I’ll end up at the end of these travels? Or what I’ll learn? Or how I’ll change? I certainly can’t anticipate even half of what lays before me, but what an exhilarating thought: to be part of a worldwide community of travelers, of people, all going somewhere with open minds to see and learn something new.








A Guest Post BY JOY MALI





Trips are one of the best ways to spend some memorable times with friends and family members. If you are also planning a trip with your loved ones, then there are a million things you need to do before leaving for the trip. It is very easy to let some of the crucial “to-dos” slip through the cracks which may ruin your tour. Here, we’ll enlist some important things that people often forget to do before they bid adieu to their homes.



1. Pay all your pending bills

You should pay-off all your pending bills before going on a holiday. You can schedule automatic payments for your pending bills. In this way, you can save yourself from any late fees that may be applicable, and you don’t have to worry about these bills during your fun vacation.




2. Remove unnecessary items from your wallet

You should sort through your wallet and remove all the items that would be unnecessary for your trip. Some examples of unnecessary items are extra credit cards, foreign currency from your last trip, and reward cards that can only be used in your own country.




3. Make copies of all your important items
Before going on the trip, you should carry your money and documents carefully. You should have copies of your credit cards and passport with you. If you, unfortunately, lose them on your trip, you can have paper copies or scanned copies in your email.




4. Update your calendar

Be sure to double-check your work calendar in order to see if there are any important commitments that you’ve made while you are gone. You can reschedule your important tasks before you leave. You should also check other non-work related appointments, and postpone or cancel them before leaving for your vacation.




5. Unplug and switch off all your appliances

You should remember to turn off all the appliances, or better yet, unplug all of them. This will conserve energy as well as money. Furthermore, you should clean out all perishables from the fridge so you are not in for a nasty surprise when you get back.




6. Book your hotel in advance

This is one of the most important things that you should do before leaving, as this can make or break your trip. If your tour destination is famous, then there are high chances of non-availability of hotel rooms when you arrive there. You can book a hotel room online in advance through online booking websites which also provide benefits such as discount coupons.




7. Get the kitchen in order

You should wash all the dirty dishes and take out the trash. It is also a nice idea to wipe down the counters with a good anti-bacterial spray so you do not come back to find insects feasting on any crumbs.




8. Pick up snacks, movies and reading material

These are small but important things to take with you on a trip. Don’t blow your budget at a railway station or airport by forgetting to buy these crucial items beforehand. Further, you should also keep a power bank to make sure your phone’s battery is always powered.




9. Take all medicines according to your requirement

It is important to keep all the medicines you need with you. For example, if you are concerned about Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), you should keep stock of some low-dose aspirin before your journey.




10. Request your neighbor to keep an eye
It is essential to inform your neighbors about your departure and request them to keep an eye on your property. You can ask them to help you take care of your plants and pets, to move your valuables, especially cars in event of emergencies, to check doors, the rear of the house occasionally etc.



Wrapping Up:

These are some crucial things to do before you leave home to enjoy your holidays. You should keep above things in mind to make your vacation enjoyable and memorable. If you have a few more tips that aren’t already mentioned here, please feel free to enlighten us with your knowledge in the comments section below.











BY CASEY IMAFIDON


According to a survey of 1,000 couples about understand how important traveling affected their relationship positively, almost two-thirds (63%) of the respondents claimed that traveling has helped them stay together. The truth is not so far-fetched, when you travel together, there are sudden and exciting elements that fire your relationship.



1. A common goal and purpose


They share a common goal and purpose to see the world together. The anticipation and yearning of unraveling destinations, committing themselves to an endless adventure somehow bonds such couples and offers them a reason to always want to be together.



2. Understanding and adjusting to their limitations


Traveling is revealing, not only to the outer world but also to each other. They discover their strengths and weaknesses and find out how to complement each on these roles as they keep on uncovering paths and destinations.



3.They have better communication


According to a survey, it was found out that couples who travel together agree better and have fewer disagreements than couples who don’t travel together. Traveling makes them more understanding and patient for each other.



4.They have a better sexual relationship


According to a survey, couples who travel together have a better sexual relationship than couples who don’t travel together. Traveling together cuts the work and stress into half, enough to spark romance and affection. According to the survey more than three-quarters of those who traveled admitted that they have a good sex life.



5. Experiencing something new together


The indelible treasure engraved in your hearts and minds when experiencing something together can be everlasting. What is new sort of creates a memory that will be forever unique to their relationships.



6. It reveals who they are to each other


Since you are together most of the time, there is a little space for keeping ugly secrets. There are no facades and you have to appreciate your partner the way he or she is. Whether he snores, has his underarm hair unshaved or has her legs unshaved, traveling reveals a bunch of ugly truths. And with this, there is little or nothing to hide.



7.Their sense of humor is built together


You can’t travel together without turning up some humor here and there. There are times when things just go horribly wrong and you have to laugh over it. It could be the horrible food you just bought on the street corner, having your hotel room mixed up or losing a map… something goes wrong and it is enough to have something to laugh at and sustain your happiness along the way.


8. They live the romance


It goes beyond what you watch on cinema screens or read in any book, as a traveling couple you live the romance out of spontaneity and a state of mind that you could be led anywhere and something could sparkle another moment of beauty. It is never about the money but the experience that traveling together could bring. This is why 86% of respondents in a survey of traveling couples said that their relationship still had romance alive in it, compared to 73% of respondents who never traveled together.




9. They live in the moment


While other couples who don’t travel together worry about the future, and build their relationship with doubts, couples who traveled together were not worried about what was going to happen next because they were consumed and captured by the intensity of the wonderful moments experienced with each other. Traveling together didn’t give them the opportunity to over-analyze their situation and be critical on several subjects but made them appreciate the present moment.



10. They have become best friends


Since they have only each other to turn to and fewer disruptions by external bodies or persons they were able to give themselves their all to become better friends. They would stick with each other through challenges and differences to provide each other with the companion they need.



11. They are educated together


Traveling offers an opportunity for learning. And how do you feel with people who you learn a subject with? The learning experience bonds them together and offers them the opportunity to revel in knowledge as they open their minds and hearts to the world before them.


12. They are more forgiving


Traveling together offers room for mistakes to be made and flaws to be revealed. However, there are challenges all along the way and couples who travel together understand the need for forgiving each other quickly and moving on.



13. They experience freedom together


Couples who have traveled together in the past relish the freedom and independence traveling provides. With such understanding, they can find comfort in respecting each other’s solitude, privacy and sense of presence. This provides another healthy angle to the progress of their relationship.
Traveling together excites and offers you amazing reasons to always be together.













Home is nowhere and everywhere! we live in big, vast world that we've seen none of it and we meant to explore it as much as we can. Traveling, might I add, is a great investment because it will get you to be more excited about life, and it will get your mind to be more open. Below are some great tips for first-time travellers:

1- When you're headed to hot places, make sure you have a big hat, sunglasses and a sunscreen on! don't hold yourself from staying out in the sun, but make sure you're well protected!!

2- Don't take pyjamas with you! you're not traveling to stay inside!! so you won't need any homy outfits, you're there to go outside and to explore! 

3- Don't care too much about where you're going to settle down, it doesn't matter the house, or the hotel room you're settling down in! you're only there to sleep the night! 

4- Collect experiencing rather than buying things! you don't need to buy more than souvenirs! 

5- Make sure you take your own pictures,  learn more about photography and enjoy taking your own pictures!

6- Take pictures of you in places, not only you, or only places.

7- You don't need books, since we live in a digital world, you can read from your phone or your tablet!  

8- Don't pack too much and buy what you miss on the road! 

9- Keep yourself safe, don't go alone too far, and try to not go outside on the night! 

10- Travel with mates, it's more fun.


11- It's not about the place, it's about your attitude and what you're going to do in that place, don't expect a place to entertain you, but learn how to entertain yourself by yourself no matter what was the place you're heading to. 

I know that whenever I'm going out, I'll be having fun, because I'll be exploring a new place and try new things there and take some wonderful pictures.














This world is meant to be explored, that's why we don't have roots, to not stay in the same place. Travel can teach us a lot and below are some lessons travel can teach you:

1- Happiness has no price tag.

2- The magic happiness is outside your comfort zone.

3- The world owes you nothing.

4- Get busy living.

5- Every single person is fascinating and can teach you something.

6- It's ok to say I was wrong.

7- The present is what really matters.

8- Be kind and generous to others.

9- We're all making it up as we go.



Ressources:


10 best destinations for solo travel

hardest part long term travel 

safest countries solo travel

expat guide moving new city checklist

12 cities for creative people

the top 25 best destinations in the world

10 inspiring travel quotes encourage pack bags travel world


how to enjoy Quebec city without even trying

visiting Canada for the first-time here's your Canadian bucket-list


- Quebec city guide

free Paris top 20 free activities in Paris


7 travel lessons Australia will teach you

- The happiest countries in the world


Tips

unexpected tips for solo travelers

10 practical tips solo female travelers

perfect road trip

10 biggest best ways save money travel

10 hacks booking flights

top 10 tips travel safe

- 6 things you should take out of your suitcase right now

- 50 essential tips for first-time travellers


- travel habits to start doing right now








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