Category Archives: Editor’s Picks

Destinations, Editor's Picks, North America, Sponsored, Sport and Adventure

Heber Valley, Utah: Experience the Dazzling Outdoor Adventure

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Heber valley is the most amazing and beautiful gem of Utah that houses 3 state parks, golf courses, Swiss theme town, fishing and a lot more to do and enjoy. It is indeed the perfect destination for adventure travelers as well as families and friends. I too got to know all this through my neighbor who when returned from the valley convinced me and my family to visit the place soon. We experienced the best of outdoor activities in Heber Valley like biking, fishing, hiking, golfing, snow skiing, water skiing, ATV-ing and a lot more.

Some facts you may not have known before

We were surprised to know that the valley is also called as Utah’s Switzerland due to its rugged beauty. We visited the Provo River on the very first day of our trip. Truly, as believed to be, there are about 45,000 fish per mile of the river and the blue ribbon fishery is famous for its high-quality fish as well as mind boggling surroundings. Our kids enjoyed there a lot and we decided to spend a whole day at the River to enjoy its mesmerizing beauty and surroundings.

Provo River Fishing

Activities for all

The whole area provides amazing outdoor activities for recreation so that everyone can have a gala time. We got this information beforehand from our travel manager and so we tried our hands at water sports, skiing, and fly fishing.

Deer Creek Reservoir by Holly Mair

Prime location, easy access

Situated just 50 minutes from the very popular Salt Lake City and hardly 15 minutes from Park City Home, cool temperature and mind blowing scenery are the watchwords that describe Heber Valley. We completely enjoyed our stay and even experienced golf at a popular golf course that was well maintained and has eye-catching backdrops.

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Activities for all seasons

As we visited the valley during peak summers, we enjoyed hiking, biking, boating and exploring the pristine forests of the area. The neighbour that told us about this place visited there in winters and at that time, the activities that are open to experience are ice skating, ice fishing, snowmobiling, snow shoeing etc. As we did not have much time in winters, we decided to visit it in summers. Surely we would visit again some year in the cold to enjoy all the activities of that season.

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It can be truly said that Heber Valley is the ultimate gateway to some of the best snowmobile areas of Utah including Mirror Lake, Strawberry, and Mill Hollow.

As compelled by my wife and kids, we visited the Daniels Creek as well that is like the popular fishing stream situated just east of the valley in Daniels Canyon. What was great is that the stream had easy access and we enjoyed fishing all day long there.

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Last but not least, some of the best activities of Utah surely lie within boundaries of this Heber Valley. We crossed a lot of dirt as well as paved roads from the valley through forested canyons, alpine meadows, overlooking the meandering streams and rocky ridges and experienced ultimate views. And just don’t forget to take your camera as you will be all busy in capturing spectacular views of the scenic views around. Being an avid photographer, I was engrossed completely in clicking a picture here and there, adding to my collection of beautiful landscapes and nature.

Mt Timp by Mark Anderson

So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and head to Heber Valley with your friends, family or colleagues and you will surely have a great time enjoying in the lap of nature, doing the extraordinary and most enjoyable recreational activities just like we experienced.

For more information go visit www.gohebervalley.com.

Cultural and Historical Heritage, Infographic

6 Ways Travelling Will Make You A Better Entrepreneur [Infographic]

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Before you go to study, or when your studies are behind you and a promising career beckons, the decision to dedicate a serious wedge of time and money to travelling the world can seem counter-intuitive. Many of us entertain the idea of seeing new places for a while before consigning the idea to a drawer marked “I’ll Do It Once I’m Stable” – but in fact, business leaders and thought gurus refute this attitude, pointing out that travel early on in your personal development will equip a rising entrepreneur with all sorts of enviable skills and experiences. Books and exams are, after all, just one small subsection of a complete education.

Travel’s primary benefitting factor is the independence that it fosters. Removed from the security of everyday life, a traveler is forced to think, decide and act for themselves in situations where they would usually default to a cultural convention, habit, – or mum and dad. Not only will you develop serious levels of self-confidence by negotiating day-to-day with strangers from unfamiliar cultures, but the communication skills that you will be forced to learn will prove incredibly helpful in the business world. Learning languages has even been shown to increase the size of the brain – suggesting there’s power there that will go untapped if you never venture beyond your safety zone.

In fact, 95% of students who travelled abroad said that they developed a more sophisticated way of looking at the world, and 89% claim that travelling enabled them to deal with the very uncertainty that the ‘travel question’ poses – and which is a necessary challenge of any entrepreneurial activity. Similarly, 94% of business leaders see a competitive advantage in those that have travelled, suggesting that regardless of the nature of your experiences, travel on your CV sends positive vibes to potential employers. Check out this ace new infographic for even more reasons why travel may be the best investment a young entrepreneur can make.

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Infographic, Travel Planning, Travel Tips

Packing Tips: How to Pack the Right Way [Infographic]

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Packing Tips & Tricks for Travel

Many people like to fantasize about travelling around the world at some point in their life. But, most of them are unable to go beyond fantasizing. There are many reasons for this. The thought of running out of finances along with being on the road in unfamiliar locations is quite terrifying for most people. On the other hand, mankind is paving the way for commercial travel to space. It would require millions of dollars for a single person, and who has that kind of money. But, still the thought that one-day people would be able to go visit the moon and stay there is nothing short of exhilarating.

But, world travel or a trip to the moon is a major commitment, which a majority of people cannot afford. However, what most people can do is visit the wonders of this world, even if just for the weekend. We would suggest The Northern Lights as a starting point, or taking a walk under the midnight sun in the Swedish Lapland. It is a beautiful place and if you think that hiking on a normal trail is awe-inspiring, we would suggest a hike on Mountain Luosavaara in the soft light of the midnight sun. If you are impressed by these but, not really very well equipped to handle the cold and carrying a bag, we would suggest that you practice at home with some gear from Backcountry before starting your trip. Being fit is essential on these excursions.

The most important skill for this type of hike is packing like a pro. Start with a decent backpack, which will distribute the weight evenly. Then prepare a list of the items that you will need on your trip. If camping is involved as well, make sure to choose the appropriate tent and sleeping bags. And of course have some backup for your camera devices; after all, you do want to take some memorable photos back to show the world.

Packing for such a trip can be tough, so we have prepared a detailed infographic about packing tips to make the job easier for you, just read through it and remember to send us a pick or two as a sign of appreciation.
Packing Tips: How To Pack The Right Way

Co-produced by: Rebateszone & Travelfore

Infographic, Travel Tips, Travelling with Kids

12 Tips for Stress-Free Travel with a Baby [Infographic]

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12 Tips for Stress-Free Travel with a Baby

Plane, train, or automobile? However you’re planning to travel with a baby, the thought of hauling baby along with you can be a daunting one. You don’t know how she will react to all the new sights, sounds and smells, and the unfamiliar motion is likely to be disorienting for a little one with no real idea of what’s going on around them. Yet, travelling is a great way to stimulate a developing mind, and in many ways, it is more simple to get around with a babe-in-arms than later on when there are school holidays and competing tastes and desires to be taken into consideration. With a bit of forethought and imagination, travelling with a baby needn’t be the trial that nervous parents foresee.

Air travel, for example, is all about comfort and stimulation. Booking ahead to ensure the family sits together and in close proximity to the bathroom, and creating a space for the little one to kick out her legs on a long trip, can go a long way to making things run smoothly. And here’s a special ‘baby cheat’: feed her on take-off and during landing so that her swallowing motion will naturally clear the discomfort of changing pressure in her ears.

You may have a bit more room to move around on a train or boat ride, but this means it is essential to pack economically. Ditch the pram and use a carrier or foldable pushchair, and make sure you’ve got all the essentials in an easy to access bag – especially if you’re on a boat and planning to leave the luggage downstairs in the car. Don’t, repeat don’t scrimp on baby wipes and motion sickness remedies.

Travelling by car puts your destiny back in your own hands, to the extent that you can even plan travel times around your baby’s sleep pattern. Okay, your spouse may end up grumpy if forced out of bed to drive at 4am, but if that’s the hour that you expect to get most peace from the little one then it can be considered a net gain. Just be sure to strap them (the baby, not the spouse) into a rear-facing baby seat in the back of the car, and you should be good to go.

It can be difficult to think ahead in the chaos of dealing with a newborn, but this handy new infographic puts all the best travel with a baby cheats in one place. Study carefully, and bon voyage!

Travel with a Baby

 

Source

Cultural and Historical Heritage, Editor's Picks, North America, Sponsored, Travel Planning

Cruising Along the Most Fascinating, Loneliest Road in America

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Have you ever thought of cruising along the most fascinating, loneliest road in America? If you nodded a Yes, you have landed on the right page. Just imagine you are in the middle of nowhere- with remote terrain all around, nature at its best and to discover a lot. When you are in that state, just believe that you are on Highway 50, the Loneliest Road in America.

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It is not so long ago that a story showed up in Life magazine that claimed that US 50 via Nevada had no points of interest or tourist attractions. Later it was recommended that the motorists should not drive this highway till the time they are much confident about their survival skills. This year, it’s the 30th anniversary of Life’s Magazine designation of the Loneliest Road to US Highway 50. It is in fact 30th anniversary of the Great Basin National Park near Town Ely which is worth visiting for sure during your tour.

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In fact, the Loneliest Road in America is a very popular one and has been traversed in the history of Nevada. The early explorers of the highway like John C. Fremont and Jedediah Smith travelled through this region just like the Pony Express carriers.

With the Pony Express Carrier, visitors can enjoy and experience the best of history, science, art and nature. The Pony Express Territory has it all and you will be able to enjoy exploring old mines, nature preserves, art sites and ghost towns. What more, under the stars of the sky at night, you can experience open-air observatory. Truly undisturbed, the carrier offers its services in the Pony Express Territory without the need to wait for long.

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The undisturbed and picturesque Pony Express Territory is indeed 1840 miles wide space with rich heritage, black skies and rugged, pious nature. The Territory is the one where Pony Express riders galloped along the main trail; now called as Americas Loneliest Road that has a splendid national park and various adventurous towns. These include Dayton, Fernley, Fallon, Austin, Eureka and Ely from west to east where the travellers can stop and enjoy their scenic beauty.

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With around 17 mountain ranges in 287 miles, the travellers can enjoy desert floors, mountain ranges and what not. There is in fact plenty to do and see while cruising along the loneliest road in America, one can also take the short trips to reveal what Nevada has to offer to its visitors. The towns of the territory span about 300 miles and while Fernley population is 19,000 in total, the other four towns have a total of just 13,000 citizens.

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If you are adamant enough to cruise along US highway 50, then you will be pleased to know that there are a lot of things to do when on the Loneliest Road. The travellers can also access the historical cemeteries and ghost town sites for complete adventure and fun. They can further visit elk view areas as well as the picnic and camping spots that are in plenty on the Loneliest Road.

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Loneliest road is not at all lonely in today’s time, depending on your level of adventure skills and spirit. Though the towns may be small, still they are historic to the core and have many places to visit. If you are interested in cruising along the most fascinating road in America, request the Americas Loneliest Road Hwy 50 Survival Guide at the PonyExpressNevada.com and you can easily start your journey whenever you want. It is as simple as that!

Editor's Picks, Infographic

Which Cities Recycle The Most [Infographic]

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Which Cities Recycle The Most

Travelling abroad is a luxury well-earned, and the ability to share cultural experiences in far-flung corners of the world is a wonderful aspect of modern life. However, for those of us concerned with the toll our trail takes on the environment it can be reassuring to know our destination is not just culturally rich, but ecologically responsible: there’s little more dismaying than having to respectfully watch on as less environmentally-oriented locals dump recyclable trash or drive you from A to B in a fume-chugging jalopy.

A trip to an environmentally progressive city can be as inspiring to the intellect as it is refreshing to the lungs, which is why we’re pleased to present this data-driven infographic which breaks down the eco-achievements of some of the most responsible nations on Earth.

Copenhagen and Stockholm, for example, can each boast fantastic levels of green transport use among their native populations – with neighbouring Oslo at the forefront of the electric car revolution. In Amsterdam, cycling is more popular than driving, so if you favour the pedals around your own home car-clogged town, imagine how liberating it will feel to be in the majority for a few days!

Other cities defy the cliché of the grey metropolis, popping parkland on top of buildings and legislating for serious levels of green space. Surprisingly, it is a Brazilian city – Curitiba – that leads the way, with 52m2 of natural space thanks to a mindful development strategy established as far back as the 1960s.

Meanwhile, San Francisco is the world capital of recycling, nearly doubling the already-impressive U.S. national average by processing 80% of their waste. Charges for throwing non-recyclable garbage keep the city sustainable – and San Francisco also aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% before 2050.

A city trip offers unique opportunities that a more rural eco-excursion cannot, but if you’re set for an urban break your plans needn’t be in conflict with your green ideals.

Cities Recycle The Most

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Europe, Infographic, Travel Tips

8 Travel Scams Happening Right Now in Europe and How to Avoid Them

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8 Travel Scams Happening Right Now in Europe and How to Avoid Them

Falling victim to a scam is something we want to try and avoid in life, but when we’re on our holidays we sometimes tend to be more relaxed and naïve to the local’s way of life. Researching the laws and culture before you venture out is really important, and could potentially stop you from falling victim to many of Europe’s tourism scams.

Being in ‘holiday’ mode is an exciting adventurous feeling often leading us to believe we’re invincible to danger, and not taking into consideration the risk and dangers still surrounding us. In more than enough cases we’ve all seen an intoxicated tourist in an unfit state, wondering down the strip alone – some laugh and others stare, but more freighting is organised scam artists are probably watching their every stumble.

One of the 8 common scams in Europe put together courtesy of AIG ,is the extortionate bill scam and it can start as early as you step of the plane, to adventuring out in search of nightlife entertainment. A few drinks later you look at your bill to see an extortionate surcharge and by the time you know it, your being marched to the cash machine and threatened.

Don’t be put off by these scams, just be wise and use your common sense, you may feel like you’re in paradise but the dark side is just metres away.  Stick to the main bars, but if you want somewhere more local and relaxed check out the reviews, if it doesn’t feel right don’t go in.

Apart from this example there are many other common scams happening right now, from highway pirates to fake taxi drivers. Enjoy your travels but be pre-cautious, take a look at the infographic below and wise up in time for your adventure.

 

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Editor's Picks, Food, Infographic

How People Eat Fries Around The World

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How People Eat Fries Around The World

Whether you consider yourself to be a connoisseur of international cuisine or a microwave maestro with a signature dish you won’t change for anybody, chances are this glance over the diverse world of fries will come as a welcome primer.

Broadly speaking, the art of fry garnishing can be divided into three categories: condiments, additional ingredients, and sauces. It seems that folks at the western end of the Earth prefer a condiment to bring out the flavour, with both the US and Canada opting for a cheesier fry. The Canadians offer a refined dish known as poutine – cheese curds, fries and gravy – while their American counterparts dish up no-nonsense chilli cheese fries. More intriguing still, the Dutch combine peanut sate, mayo and raw onions in a recipe best translated as ‘chips at war’. Sounds irresistible, but I can’t help fear the worst violence will occur when they reach your belly.

To the immediate east of the Netherlands, their German neighbours add bacon, onion and seasoning to their fried potatoes to serve up a winter warmer known as bratkartoffeln. Continue further east, and you’ll find your fries come in the company of a range of esoteric ingredients, from turmeric and chilli powder in India to seaweed, sesame seeds and fish flakes in Japan. What did they do to our junk food?

Sauce-wise, both the Kenyans and the British favour the curry variety, with Kenya’s carefully blended masala sounding even more appealing than the delicious yellow goop to be found in UK chip shops. The Spanish serve fried potato as a tapas dish, under the name of patatas bravas – which, experts agree, is a lovely phrase to say out loud.

With this fine groundwork laid, just three little questions remain: How will you eat yours? Would you have the nerve to ask for peanut sate in a fast food joint? And: is anyone else getting hungry?

how people eat fries around the world

 

Infographic by: Expedia

 

Infographic, Travel Planning, Travel Tips, Travelling with Kids

How To Book The Perfect Accommodation

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How To Book The Perfect Accommodation

Booking a holiday can be an intimidating task, particularly if you’ve taken responsibility for a group to travel together. Needs and tastes can come into conflict, and while internet searches and social trends have widened the options of places to stay, sometimes the choice can be overwhelming. Be it a country cottage or urban hostel, treehouse or penthouse, each comes with its pros and cons, making them dream stays for some – and a nightmare proposition for others.

Help has arrived in the form of this handy flow chart by Wimdu, which breaks down your options by group and by holiday type to suggest the most appropriate category of accommodation, whatever your needs. Travelling alone? Simple. You know your desired level of comfort, your aesthetic values, and the kind of people you want to be around – or to avoid. Taking a romantic break with your S.O.? Decide whether a mellow retreat will rekindle your sense of adventure, or you want to hit the city lights and dance til dawn.

With friends or family, it can be trickier. Pleasing everybody is no mean achievement, and nobody wants to find themselves cooped up with a band of grumpy or unenthusiastic bunkmates. If it’s mates your travelling with, consider what prompted the trip – did the nightlife at home get too sleepy, or are you all in search of some detox and fresh air? If you’ve got kids with you, their needs can take priority. Planning around a fussy eater or an anarchic two-year-old can make the trip smoother for everyone – and tuning in with their current fads can result in an inspiring trip all round.

There’s no shortage of options for the modern holidaymaker searching for somewhere to stay. Whether you know just what kind of break you want or you’re still trying to balance everybody’s preferences, the first step is to point your finger at the top of the chart – and see where it takes you.

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Infographic, Travel Planning, Travel Tips, Travelling with Kids

21 Ways To Beat Travel Sickness

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21 ways to beat travel sickness

So you’ve set out on your travels in search of a tan, a rest, and maybe some adventure. But before you even reach your destination, you find yourself lumbered with pale skin, dizziness and nausea. Of course, you know this feeling from before – it’s the dreaded motion sickness that’s long blighted journeys by road, sea, or air.

Travel sickness is a common condition, though which means friendly advice and folk wisdom abound on the internet. While there’s no universal remedy, there are plenty of effective tips to help you reach your destination before you reach for that paper bag – and with a bit of trial and error, you can soon tailor a travel routine that minimizes suffering.

To start with, you can mount your defences before even leaving home by eating lightly, trying motion sickness tablets or antihistamines, and packing anything that will make the journey more comfortable for you – sucky sweets and gum come highly recommended! During the journey, getting physical can offset the weirdness of travel motion: mindful breathing and a stroll along the deck, aisle or service station forecourt can trick your body into forgetting what’s going on. And try fixing your eyes on the horizon or a distant object – in addition to reducing queasiness, people will think you’re deep in thought and stop pestering you with tiresome observations (okay, that last bit’s my own folk wisdom).

Science isn’t even 100% sure what causes motion sickness – and far less found a cure. But by combining tips from well-wishing travellers who’ve been through the same, you can significantly improve your travel experience. Check out the infographic below by Dive.In: popular solutions from the worldly-wise web have been totted up and cross-referenced to provide a no-nonsense primer for managing the condition – and making it a happy holiday after all.

Travel Sickness