Category Archives: Travel Tips

Travel Planning, Travel Tips

What Are Some Unique Activities to Try on Vacation?

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What Are Some Unique Activities to Try on Vacation?

You will soon be saying sayonara to your 9-to-5 and hello to beaches and downtime—for days on end. But although you look forward to some R&R, your inner adventurer is also looking to experience some thrills and frills (and even chills).

The good news? It’s more than possible to find activities that will excite you, stimulate you, and even shock you as you navigate a foreign land or another city in the United States.

Here’s a rundown on the top unique activities to indulge in on your upcoming vacation if you’re serious about creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Sea Turtle Swimming

Headed to Cancun, Mexico? Consider taking time to go swimming with the gorgeous sea turtles there. In addition to swimming with the turtles, you may have the opportunity to go scuba diving, kayaking, or snorkeling with them as well. 
This surreal experience will allow you to get up close and personal with nature’s gentle giants (they can get as big as six feet long and 2,000 pounds). So, it can be both exciting and educational for any turtle lover.

Gel Ball

If you love playing paintball, it’s time to sign up for an experience that will blow paintball out of the water—gel style. The activity is called gel ball, and you can find it in Australia. 

With this activity, you’ll shoot at other people with water-filled balls instead of paintballs—or air pellets that have been compressed. You and your group will be divided into a couple of teams of 6-12 people, and every player will get five balls and plenty of water canisters. Whichever team gets 50 points (from 50 successful shots) first wins.

Whale Watching

Ready to get your heart racing—in a good way—and feel alive again? Book a Dana Point Whale Watching safari the next time you make your way to Southern California. This unique vacation activity will breathe new life into you by giving you an adrenaline rush each time you see the magical 100-foot-long creatures leap out of the water.

In addition to seeing whales, be prepared to see a wide variety of other creatures, too—creatures like birds, sea lions, sharks, and dolphins—during your whale watching safari.

unique activities

Whale Mammal Animal Marine – Free photo on Pixabay

Volcano Visit

Looking for a little sizzle in your vacation experience? Add visiting a volcano to your to-do list. 

For instance, if you’re visiting the Southwest Pacific Ocean island country of Vanuatu, you’ll come across some of the world’s most gorgeous volcanoes. These volcanoes are active and are, in fact, still growing as a result of tectonic movement. So, viewing them couldn’t be a better way to enjoy a unique, enthralling experience—and one you can capture proof of on camera.

Chocolate Factory Visit

Chocolate lovers unite! At an iconic chocolate factory located at your travel destination, such as Peru, you and fellow chocolate connoisseurs can satisfy both your sweet tooth and your curiosity about all things related to confection creation. 

Get ready to learn anything and everything there is to know about the making of chocolate. During your chocolate factory tour, you may learn about the process of roasting cocoa beans, boiling beans, and fermenting beans to remove the bitterness. You’ll also learn about the various types of chocolates made in the past following the discovery of cocoa plants. And the best part? You’ll have the chance to taste some of the chocolates being made—an irresistible way to top off the day.


Food Dessert Pralines – Free photo on Pixabay

Windsurfing

Imagine the feeling of the wind blowing in your face and washing all of your cares and stresses away one breezy gust at a time. This can easily become your reality if you choose to go windsurfing during your next vacation, especially if you’re going to a popular windsurfing destination, like Argentina.

During your excursion, you can take in the picturesque scenery surrounding you—

think shimmery waters and snow-capped mountains—as you unwind and relax. You’ll also simultaneously get a workout. That’s the added bonus you need to feel your best holistically, from a physical, mental, and emotional perspective

Cooking Fun

Want to unleash your inner chef and enjoy high-end cuisine in the process? Sign up for a cooking class during your next vacation, or embark on a food tour. Both of these excursions are excellent alternatives to simply dining at a restaurant yet again.

For instance, take a cooking class in the home of a local chef in countries like Portugal and Thailand, which will add to your local perspective. Meanwhile, on a food tour, you’ll walk to local eateries to indulge in a wide variety of local flavors over a two- to four-hour period. If you’re a libation lover, you can also enjoy paying a visit to a number of local breweries or distilleries to discover some new favorite beers or wines while also enjoying your old favorites.

Water Slide

If water activities are a must for you when you go on vacation, then carve out time for a water slide adventure. For instance, in Brazil, you can try out Agua Park or Beach Park along Rio De Janeiro’s east coast. 

Be prepared (as prepared as you can be) for quick-flowing rapids as well as bubbling pools of warm water. And take a break from the rapids from time to time by relaxing in large hammocks. You’ll feel like you’re living your best life at an oasis—and you’ll enjoy every minute of it.

Take Your Vacation Unique Activities to a Whole New Level Today!

Vacation is more than just an opportunity to break away from the day-to-day. It’s also an opportunity to get your feet wet (so to speak) and experience a range of emotions that have been buried for far too long—feelings like anticipation, excitement, and even stomach knots that come undone through adrenaline-filled moments of ecstasy.

Consider the above-mentioned unique activities on your next trip across the nation or the globe. With the right combination of unique activities, you can easily elevate your travel experience and learn firsthand what it means to live again.

Featured image: https://pixabay.com/photos/map-travel-travel-map-explore-3578213/

Travel Tips

10 Tips on How to Make Great Travel Videos

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10 tips on how to make great travel videos!

If traveling is your passion and you want to share your experiences with the world, starting to make travel videos is a fantastic idea. Video content is not only the most colorful and authentic way to present a destination, but it’s also a sought-after medium nowadays. However, a travel video needs to be very well-made in order to capture attention and create the desired effect. Here are 10 tips that will make your travel videos to the next level!

Prepare your gear

If you are a beginner at video making, you should start by getting the appropriate equipment and, even more importantly, familiarizing yourself with it. Today, smartphones have quite formidable capabilities so don’t feel like you have to immediately invest in an expensive camera for a good video. If you do decide to get a DSLR, make sure you pick a user-friendly one to get started with and study the settings in detail.

Get the technical aspect right

Today, high-definition content is the norm. Therefore, you have to ensure you get the settings right for the most enjoyable video quality. Besides the resolution, which would be optimal to keep at 1080p, you should also mind the frame rate of your video. Depending on the kind of footage you are shooting, you might want to vary between 30 and 60 fps. When there is a lot of motion, 60 fps can really add to the quality, but you should be mindful of the video size.

Keep it steady

No one likes shaky videos. However, you won’t always have the opportunity to use a tripod, nor should you. Your travel video should include dynamic footage in order to be interesting. So, make sure you look into one more piece of equipment which will transform your footage filmed during walks or hikes: a stabilizer. A gimbal stabilizer is a handy tool and it can even be rather compact so it won’t be a hassle to carry along.

Stay authentic

When presenting a place, you want it to look realistic and authentic. Therefore, you may want to skip using strong filters on your production. However, that does not mean you cannot correct your footage so that it gets the atmosphere across. Learn about color grading and keep modifications moderate for the best effect.

Find the perfect length

Pinpointing the ideal length for a travel video is quite tricky. As a general rule of thumb, you can stick to 2 to 3-minute long pieces. This length is ideal for presenting the best of a destination in a concise manner while not risking your viewers getting bored and clicking away. However, it should be noted that today, long-form videos are becoming more and more widespread. On platforms like YouTube, hitting the 10-minute mark can be beneficial depending on your goal.

Get close

You can make your travel video much more interesting by mixing it up a little. Get close to your subject and pique your audience’s interest by zooming in on the details. Show them the vegetation, bring them close to the food, make them appreciate architecture. It will also boost authenticity.

Learn some transitions

The importance of transitions cannot be stressed enough, particularly when you’re working on shorter, more dynamic videos. The right transitions improve the flow and give your video a sense of continuity, so practice some hand motions to get the right footage. Panning, dollying in and out, swiping or tilting the camera; there is a lot of room for creativity. Use these instead of effects on your video as those can make it look less professional.

Consider live

As mentioned earlier, people already consume a lot of long-form videos. Another type of video content that is on a massive rise is live video. High-quality live event streaming has taken the world by storm and the travel industry was not exempt from this. A lot of hospitality businesses adapted to the pandemic by implementing virtual tours but influencers are also finding that their audience likes the real interactions transmitted by such unedited footage, so it might be worth giving it a try.

Mind the audio

Video is a popular content format since it engages several of your senses at the same time. You can take advantage of this by giving ample attention to the auditory aspect of your video. Music plays an important part in setting the atmosphere, but it can even dictate your editing to create a cohesive whole, so pick your song wisely. Besides music, including sound effects will also make your production more immersive.

Stay dedicated!

Finally, making great travel videos is something that requires effort and dedication. You mustn’t let shyness or embarrassment get in your way, but you should also be prepared to go to lengths to get that perfect shot. Once you have a bit more experience, though, you will not hesitate to hike a few extra miles or wait a few extra hours if that means capturing an unrepeatable moment.

Today, anyone has the means to start making videos, but there is certainly a learning curve to making great ones. Hopefully, these tips will help you make your next travel video your best one so far!


North America, Travel Tips

Monument Valley is A ‘Must-see’ for Movie Fans

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Words: Len Rutledge   Images: Phensri Rutledge

Anyone who is a cowboy movie fan has seen pictures of Monument Valley. It was originally shown to the world by Director John Ford who used the location for a number of his best-known films. Now it is a popular feature of Instagram. So, is it worthwhile to visit? My answer is definitely yes but international visitors will have to wait for the country to open up fully after the Covid19 shutdown.

It is located on the Arizona-Utah border in the USA and lies within the territory of the Navajo Nation Reservation. Because of this, it is not officially a National Park but the area that is most visited by tourists is known as Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. The main features are clusters of vast sandstone buttes, the largest reaching 300 m above the valley floor.

Monument Valley isn’t close to anything. The nearest airport is in Flagstaff some 300 km away but most international visitors end up renting a car from Las Vegas (640 km away) or Phoenix (500 km away) and driving to the Valley. Access to the Tribal Park is from US163 and you need to pay an entrance fee.

Monument Valley
The road towards Monument Valley

This takes you to the Visitor Centre and the View Hotel and also allows you to drive Valley Drive. Organised tours, which you pay extra for, provide access to other parts of the park.

Valley Drive

You can access this unpaved road in your own vehicle or take a tour with a Navajo guide. The drive is 27 kilometres long and typical times for the full trip are 2 to 4 hours. The road can become very busy during summer days, with queues at the major overlooks. I recommend early morning at this time of the year as the light is better for photography and there are far fewer people than later in the day. In summer, the park opens at 6 am and at 8 am for the rest of the year.

Monument Valley
Along Valley Drive

There is much to see along the Valley Drive. This part of Monument Valley is one of the most impressive large-scale landscapes anywhere in the Southwest of the USA. The best to photograph are the tall spires and thin buttes, and the contrasting smooth orange sand all around.

The initial descent from the Visitor Centre traverses a steep, rocky hillside via a series of switchbacks, then the road levels out and passes by three of the most famous Monument Valley formations; West Mitten Butte, Merrick Butte and East Mitten Butte. Further on, the Three Sisters are a group of thin pinnacles, eroded remnants of a narrow ridge extending southwards from one corner of Mitchell Mesa.

John Ford’s Point is a promontory at the edge of a plateau overlooking a large area of uneven, undulating desert land with several isolated peaks beyond. This is probably the best overlook in the park and has a large parking area because of its popularity.

Monument Valley
John Ford Point

A permanent Navajo jewelry store is located nearby, and you might be lucky to see an iconic image of a lone rider on a horse standing at the edge of the viewpoint as there are horses stationed here most of the day just for this purpose. This is the site where the famous Marlboro cigarette advertisement was shot.

The road continues from here as a one-way loop past Camel Butte, The Hub, Totem Pole and Yei Bi Chei, Sand Spring, Artist’s Point, North Window, and The Thumb before returning to the crossroads near John Ford’s Point.

Lower Monument Valley tour

This is a popular excursion, recommended for people interested in a thorough visual, historical and cultural insight. As well as the regular scenic wonders, you visit a traditional home where you see a demonstration of traditional Navajo rug weaving.

You also get to experience a traditional music performance with either the traditional drum, customary chant or flute playing in one of the valley’s largest natural arch amphitheatres. Most participants return with a new enlightenment and unforgettable memories.

Mystery Valley tour

If you’re looking for something extra in Monument Valley, you might want to explore Mystery Valley, home to labyrinth canyons, sandstone arches, and ancient ruins. This is only accessible with a Navajo guide who will share an insider perspective of this iconic area and teach you about Navajo culture and tradition.

You visit the ancient Anasazi dwellings and ruins with petroglyphs that look like they could have been scratched into the sandstone yesterday. Another feature is walking under many breathtaking arches.

Eating and staying

Inside the park, The View Hotel has rooms with scenic panoramas and they also have cabins. There are also RV sites or wilderness campsites.

Monument Valley
Through a window at the View Hotel

The hotel’s View Restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with a menu of Navajo inspired dishes and classic American cuisine. The adjacent View Express offers deli sandwiches, hot and cold food to take away, and cold drinks and ice cream.

Guided tours to Monument Valley are available from Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix and some other closer centres.

www.LenRutledge.com

Australia, Travel Tips

Tips to Find an Accommodation in Broken Hill, NSW

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Broken Hill History

To those who want to visit this historic place, let’s get some history about it. Broken Hill is a mining city that is west of outback New South Wales, Australia. It’s known for its mining and other economic histories. It was recognized as a prosperous mining town in the 1990s. Even though they had some hardships through the years it didn’t stop them from being registered in 2015 as the longest-running mining town on the National Heritage List.

Regardless of their decelerated circumstances this town manages to offer outstanding parks, eye-catching gardens and several attractions like their Living Desert Sculptures, Pro Hart’s painted Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow outside the gallery, and the Broken Hill houses with iron walls, which was built in the 1800s and 1900s just to name a few.

Things to do in Broken Hill

This city has a lot to offer not only for the locals but for the tourists. It has a lot of man-made attractions to offer the tourists. Historic buildings, walking trails, arts and galleries, the Silverton Camel Farm and several lakes. You will be able to tour the mining history of the town through their geology displays.

They are known for their Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia which is a medical service that provides medical care to people who live in the country who don’t have access to a hospital or a doctor’s office. It is the largest aeromedical business in the world. School of the Air reaches the school-age children for primary and secondary education who live in secluded areas in Australia.

Tips to Find the Best Accommodation in Broken Hill

Here are several tips to find the best lodging in Broken Hill. Looking for the best place to lodge can be tiresome, frustrating, and sometimes a headache. But here are a few suggestions. First, take a deep breath and dig in.

There are many Broken Hill accommodations in Australia, you do your due diligence. It lists motels, hotels, historic cottages, campgrounds, farm stays, townhouses, roadhouses and outback resorts. This is your choice.

  • You can search the internet by going to the website to check out what lodging they have to offer you in Broken Hill. Because each accommodation has its own special place. It just depends on what you are looking for and willing to pay.
  • You can call the visitors center in Broken Hill, Australia, request a brochure, talk to someone there to find out more information that way.
  • You can reach out to the hotels, motels, cottages, campgrounds, etc., to find out the best accommodation for yourself and your family. Visit the online travel sites that can give you the information you want and the prices of what the cost will be to stay there.
  • Another way to find the best accommodation in Broken Hill NSW is to read the reviews. People who have previously stayed will definitely tell you how their stay was. Believe them, because if a customer is unhappy it reflects badly on the hotel, motel or any lodging.
  • Call your local library if you don’t have access to anything else. You’ll enter a world full of information on every topic, city, state, and town. Basically, you will find what you are looking for.
Travel Tips

Travel Hygiene Tips: How to Stay Germ-Free on the Road

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You’re a passionate traveler and nothing can hold you back – not even the pandemic? Welcome to the club, you aren’t the only one here! Of course, traveling safely should be your top goal, so stay with us and learn how to stay germ-free on the road. Here are five useful travel hygiene tips, so check them out and enjoy!

Wash your hands thoroughly whenever you have a chance

If we’ve learned anything during this pandemic, it’s that we must wash our hands thoroughly and frequently. Needless to say, it gets even more important when you’re on the go. This is simply because you’re exposed to a wide range of bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms while you’re traveling. Did you know that you can catch the majority of infections by touching dirty objects? That’s right, which is exactly why you must wash your hands as often as possible. This is essential after using the toilet, touching an animal, and changing a tampon. You must do it after touching objects such as an ATM, public phone, door handles,  and shopping carts, too. However, if you don’t have an opportunity to wash your hands with water and soap, use a hand sanitizer instead. It’ll do the trick as well!

Keep your nails short and clean

Yes, we know that a lot of ladies love to rock ultra-long nails, but you know what? These are extremely unhygienic if you ask us – especially when you’re hitting the road during the pandemic. The reasons for that are more than good. First of all, it’s highly likely that dirt, bacteria, and grime will get stuck under your nails when they are long. This is exactly what you should avoid – particularly nowadays, when practicing good hand hygiene is more important than ever. Of course, this goes mostly for countries where cleanliness isn’t the rule, such as Ethiopia, India, and Nigeria. However, if you’re traveling to Europe or major urban centers, you won’t have to worry about this issue too much. Of course, it’s always better safe than sorry, so keep your nails short and clean and you won’t make a mistake!

Be very careful about things you share with others

As mentioned above, a large number of infections can be caught by touching dirty objects. These can spread very quickly and wreak havoc on your overall health in the blink of an eye. It is exactly why you should be very careful about things you share with others. This is particularly true for towels – both hand and face towels. So, if you’re staying in a hotel or hostel, stay away from hand towels altogether. Instead, opt for hand dryers that’ll dry your hands in just a few seconds. This is the best way to avoid infections caused by bacteria that were spread by multiple people using the same towel. When it comes to a face towel, be sure to bring your own. You must never share this towel with other people – especially if you suffer from acne or similar skin conditions!

hygiene

Shower every day, if possible

Showering is the most effective way to stay clean and keep body odor at bay while on the road. If possible, do it every day and focus on the parts of your body that sweat the most. The combination of water and soap/body wash is unmatched when it comes to staying fresh. It will get rid of dirt, oil, germs, and dead skin cells, which will leave your skin soft and clean. Also, remember that wearing flip-flops when taking a shower is always a great idea. You can never know who was in that shower before you – especially if you’re staying in a hostel with a shared bathroom. Besides showering, you should wash your hair at least once a week, too. You can do it even more often if necessary. Of course, it depends on your hair type and how quickly it gets greasy!

Make sure to practice good oral hygiene, too

Is there anything worse than bad breath? Many people would agree that there isn’t, and we completely agree with them! Practicing good oral hygiene and keeping your mouth clean is crucial for healthy teeth and fresh breath. Firstly, ensure to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Flossing is another important step that can prevent cavities and gum disease. To keep your mouth free from potentially harmful bacteria, use an anti-bacterial mouth wash as well. Apart from that, you must know that washing your teeth after every meal is a good way to go. However, if that isn’t possible, try to wash them after breakfast and before going to bed. When you’re on the go, carrying a toothbrush and travel-sized toothpaste is a good idea. Use them whenever you have an opportunity and have a fresh breath no matter what!

As you can tell, there are so many travel hygiene tips you should embrace to stay germ-free on the road. Of course, these five are the best ones out there, so stick to them at all times and you’ll see a huge improvement. This is essential these days, when the entire world is in the middle of a pandemic, which is why you should follow our guidelines and make a difference!

Travel Tips

Preparing Your Teen for Their First Trip Without You

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As nice as it is to travel with the family there will come a time when your teenager will want to start travelling on their own. It doesn’t matter if it’s a school field trip, a mission, or just with their friends, it is definitely something that they should experience. In order to get both, you and them ready and comfortable for travelling on their own, you should prepare. If they are travelling with an organisation they will have all the information ready and them prepared, but if they are going on their own here is how you can prepare them. Here are some key points that you must go over with your teen at least for your own peace of mind.

What Do They Need To Pack

One of the first things you need to teach your teen to do is how to pack for where they are going. They need to understand the local climate and think about all the activities they are going to be doing in order to pack proper clothes. Another thing that your teen needs are their electronics. So, if they are travelling out of the state, it is likely that they will need to have adapters for foreign outlets. They should also make sure that they pack medication they need, wet wipes, bug repellents and so on. Something you should look into is if there will be laundry facilities or just a washer in their accommodation so they know how many clothes to pack as well as seeing if they need coins in local currency for the laundromat.

Teach The How To Stay Safe

Travel will increase how mature your teen is, so to prepare them you will need to have some unpleasant and adult conversations with them in order to keep them safe. The best thing that you can do is be honest with them. Ask them questions about how they would react if certain things happened and tell them your opinion on how you would react in that given moment. It is really important what you show your teen that you trust them and believe that they will make the right decision.

Ensure That They Stay Healthy

It is never fun having to think about all the possible medical issues your teen can encounter whilst on their trip. But having them prepared will let you have peace of mind. If they are staying for a longer period of time, make sure that they have access to some form of medical care when they are there. Another thing that you should do is have a small listing of their basic health information that they will keep on them. Make sure that you are including emergency contact, their health insurance number as well as any conditions and allergies that they have. Something that not a lot of people know is that travelling to a foreign country sometimes requires vaccinations, so make sure that you do it in advance as for some you need to get multiple doses. When it comes to keeping your mind at peace, you can get a drug test kit and get your teen tested before they leave so you are sure that they haven’t done any drugs.

Talk About Money

Of course, your teen will be spending money while they are travelling. But the question is how much money will you let them bring. As they are teenagers and they can quickly make stupid decisions, think about providing them with emergency funds on a debit or prepaid card in care there is an incident. Make sure that you teach them how to budget the money you gave them or their own money if they are working a part-time job and saved up. A great way to make them more aware of spending the money is to have them pitch in with their own money. On the other hand, if your teen has their own money, they should know how to budget it.  Make sure that you go over the local currency rates and they learn how to convert their money, so they don’t end up wasting it.

Prepare Them For The Possible “culture shock”

If they haven’t travelled a lot, having a culture shock is something everyone will encounter at some point in life when travelling. One of the best ways you can prepare them for it is to make sure that they do their research on where they are going. That will ensure that they don’t have any uncomfortable encounters. They need to understand their etiquette and social rules before they leave or they can get into some unfortunate situations. 

Create Rules For Staying In Touch

As we live in such a digital era, staying in touch isn’t something that is complicated or expensive. If they have a phone, you will be able to reach them at almost any given moment even if they are on the other side of the world. But as they are still kids in a way, it is important that you put down some ground rules of when they will be calling you to check-in. Another thing that you should do is put your number on a piece of paper that they can carry anywhere in case their phone goes missing. Also, teach them that there is something called roaming and that they shouldn’t be using their data, calling or sending SMSs. Basically, tell them that they shouldn’t be using their phone if it’s not connected to Wi-Fi as the roaming costs a lot of money. And why waste money when there is free Wi-Fi.

Even though there will be so many different challenges involved, every teen needs to have their own first solo-travel experience to become a grown-up. Keep in mind that your teens first trip alone is a big milestone. The better you prepare them for it the better experience they will have. It is essential that you stay calm and give them the freedom that they need.

Travel Planning, Travel Tips

Head Out and Camp! Turn Your Boring Weekend into Adventures

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Head out and camp! Turn your boring weekend into adventures!

“To live is to travel, to love is to breathe in nature, to feel happy is to be far away from city life.”

weekend

What’s your plan for this weekend? Oh! Don’t tell me it’s “laying on your bed the whole weekend, binge-watching series.” It’s boring. Besides, it is bad for your health. If you are asking- how can it be bad? You should know that it leads to:

  • Physical inactivity,
  • Disturbed sleep cycle,
  • Poor eyesight,
  • Poor mental health because of fewer social interactions, and
  • Inadequate diet.

Yes! Those few hours of your “just one more episode” actually affect the body and mind negatively. After sitting for several hours in front of the computers and surviving a stressful week, you should reward yourself with some relaxation. And the best way to relax is to go out for a short trip and enjoy the freshness of nature.

But what is the adventure of going all alone? Especially if I consider your weekend mood, I’m sure that your adventure will include going out to the nearby convenience stores to get the food. And, then you’ll come back home, just to scroll the social media the whole day.

Oh, wait!

While you’ll be scrolling social media, you’ll feel jealous of your friends who are actually out there and “enjoying” their weekend. That’s why rather than planning for your trip all alone, you should include your friends. Trust me; you’ll miss all these moments when you get old.

Not to forget that you might also regret not planning right now. Why? The reason is that once you let an opportunity go, it is almost impossible to get the chance again. So, instead of spending your Saturday/Sunday in your bed, you need to call your friends and plan for a camping trip.

Nonetheless, the crucial question is- how to plan? Going on a trip means you need to pack everything in a small bag so that you don’t face any kind of inconvenience. But, here’s the catch! The camping I am talking about is not like this.

Confused? Alright! Let me explain it in simple terms. For your weekend plan, I am talking about going on camping using the trailers. The trailer includes almost everything that you have in your home. It is like a home on the wheel. Thus, you don’t have to worry about carrying a lot of stuff with you.

Now that you know what we will do let’s create a plan for your weekend trip. Don’t worry! I know you have your office on Monday, so you don’t want to look tired and grumpy. This trip will be filled with adventure but the ones that’ll refresh you. So without further ado, let’s get started with the planning!

Decide the location for your adventure.

The first thing that you have to decide is your destination. Where do you want to go? Is it somewhere near your city or is it at another place? You can look for various unexplored places online and select among them.

Just ensure that your destination is reachable within two days that you have. So that you don’t waste your entire time driving. If you want, you can create your own little picnic/camping spot that is not far away. Remember that it is not about the location but about the people you will be with and the memories you’ll create.

Arrange an off-grid trailer

The next step of the planning process is to get off-grid trailers. However, as it has been mentioned on this website, instead of buying any trailer, you should look for a customizable one. So that you can add all the amenities and features that you want to make your traveling experience unforgettable. 

Moreover, for the days you are not traveling, you can rent it. So it is a beneficial investment for you from which you can get extra rental incomes. Isn’t it amazing?

Pack all your essentials

Now that the two most important tasks are settled, you need to focus on packing. What most people do is that they try to fit in their home in their traveling bag. And that is exactly what you shouldn’t do. Keep your back as lightweight as possible so that it doesn’t become a bother on your trip.

So make a list of all the essentials things. Eliminate the stuff you are sure you can survive without, like that extra pair of jeans. You know that you won’t be wearing them, it is just an addition to your bag. In fact, you divide all the essentials between your friends, so that the overall luggage with you is minimal.

That being said, now let’s talk about the essentials you need to pack:

  • Toiletry kit
  • Track pants
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Socks (keep an extra pair)
  • Portable phone charger
  • Water bottles
  • Music
  • Cameras

If you are planning to go to a cold place, don’t forget about your jacket. Traveling can get very tiring, so carry only comfortable clothes with you. Remember this trip for doing fun and relaxing, so pack your bags accordingly.

Don’t forget about the first aid kit.

I know the first aid kit should be on the essential list I mentioned above because it is crucial. But because it is a crucial thing, I made a separate point for it. So that no matter what, you don’t forget about packing the first aid kit.

Also, ensure that your first aid kit is fully equipped. Keep antiseptic, bandages of different sizes, thermometer, medicines (for cold/fever), and ointments.

Go out and explore

Lastly, hope on the trailer and enjoy your trip. Click pictures, make a vlog, spend time in nature, watch the sunrise/ sunset, make a campfire just like old school days, etc. Believe me, at last; you’ll feel glad that you decided to spend your weekend in the best way possible.

Wrapping up!

When you get busy with life, you tend to forget how to spend quality time. For you, it is all about waiting for the weekend to rest in your room while watching a random series. However, life is a lot more than that. So rather than spending your weekend in a boring way, call your friends and spend some time with nature. I can guarantee that you’ll feel way more relaxed and ready for the Monday blues.

Travel Tips

Travelling and Working in Bangkok: What Digital Nomads Should Know

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It’s no surprise that Thailand has become a hotbed for digital nomads coming from all over the world. With its beautiful beaches, a plethora of islands, delicious foods, choices of co-working spaces, and friendly hosts, Thailand has established itself as one of South East Asia’s most welcoming paradises. The low costs, easy-going lifestyle, and beautiful sights are just a few reasons why the country has attracted so many location-independent professionals. Below is a guide to everything you need to know if you’re working remotely in Bangkok, Thailand.

digital nomads

1. Lifestyle

Bangkok is, for most visitors, the first stop when they enter Thailand. Whether they’re headed north to Chiang Mai or south to the iconic islands, they’ll usually spend at least a day or two in the capital city. What any visitor will soon find is that Bangkok is a versatile city that has something for everyone. It has tropical trees and golden-roofed temples. It has exotic foods and charming, outdoor markets. It also has, however, well-paved roads, efficient public transportation, and refined luxuries like fine dining and impressive shopping malls. It is the perfect mix of an exotic getaway and a well-developed city.

Couple that with warm weather year-round, low living costs, and a booming expat community, and you have yourself one of the most vibrant and growing cities in the world today.

2. Survival Tips

While there isn’t too much to complain about when it comes to the quality of life in Bangkok, no place is perfect. This is especially true when you’re living the life of a digital nomad and are reliant on things like the internet. Depending on your location, wifi in apartments and cafes can be weak. This means you’ll probably have to invest in a solid connection on your own or rent your own workplace.

The issue of getting a visa is always, well, an issue. If you can’t afford a six-month visa, then making frequent visa runs will become an integral part of your life abroad. This also means you’ll have to regularly watch out for your visa status. Most nomads are working in Thailand illegally. And while most people you meet are friendly and genuinely curious about your life and work, it’s better to minimize interactions regarding your work status as it can get you reported. This is, of course, true of anywhere you work without paying taxes.

3. Where to Work

It might be easy for some to work in the comfort of their home or in a cafe. For others, however, proper office space is required to build their business, network, and have a proper workplace environment to rely on.

You can find coworking spaces around you almost anywhere in Bangkok. They not only provide an office space that will anchor your work but are an affordable and flexible resource for networking and community building. They’re great for collaboration, exchanging ideas, and finding work in Bangkok for foreigners. There’s a good chance you’ll find someone in your field considering the limited amount of work being done online.

4. Workshops and Events

A number of nomads have taken the initiative in hosting their own workshops and career-oriented events. Many of these are cheap or free of charge. This is an excellent way to meet other independent professionals in your field of work. As this is becoming more and more popular, locations in Bangkok have been making things easier and more affordable to choose venues for your workshop. Event centers, conference halls, and outdoors summits are becoming the norm and areas accessible to attend as they are to host.

5. Health, Insurance, and Regional Concerns

Be sure to get both vaccinated and insured before arriving to Thailand. Since you’re coming, most likely, on a tourist/temporary visa, getting travel insurance or an alternative option in your own country is a necessary task. You should also take some time to read about food poisoning, water sickness, and other ways that your body might act up as it begins to acclimate to new foods and bacteria.

Thailand also happens to be more conservative on the political spectrum. Knowing what you can and can’t say when it comes to politics can make the difference between time spent in the sun or behind bars. Like visiting any country, do some research on some of the cultural norms, laws, and what is considered taboo before arriving.

Life is a joy for most digital nomads in Bangkok. You can learn more about tips to become digital nomads in Bangkok here. We hope these tips help you in your journey to the land of smiles

Luxury Travel, South America, Travel Planning, Travel Tips

Luxury Destination Travel Post-COVID: 5 Things to Consider

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While many favorite global destinations were off-limits in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 and beyond promises a post-COVID world. Thanks to the steady rollout of vaccinations, we can look forward to travelling in a post-COVID world sooner rather than later. As we plan our future luxury travel trips, it’s important to think about where to go, what to do, how to get there, and more.

  • Where to Go
post-covid

Deciding where to go is the first step in traveling after the virus. You will need to pay attention to what health requirements certain countries require, so as to choose countries with few entry requirements or ensure you’ve taken the correct steps before embarking on your trip.

Some countries will open to tourists earlier than others. In fact, countries such as Costa Rica have already been open to tourists for months—you don’t even need vaccination to take a holiday at a private luxury vacation rental in Costa Rica (at the time of writing). Conversely, other countries and even airlines are likely to require proof of vaccination before you can enter the country or aircraft. So be sure you’re aware of the necessary health requirements for your destination and transportation of choice.

If you’re having trouble deciding where to travel, it might be helpful to consult with a luxury travel expert, whose job it is to stay up-to-date on the latest travel requirements. They also have the connections and experience necessary to plan a customized and seamless vacation for you. If you choose not to consult with a travel professional, ensure you check and double-check the health requirements you’ll need to fulfill before embarking on your trip.

  • What to Do
post-covid

Once you’ve decided where you’re going, it’s time to check out the available activities. If you’re heading to Africa, for example, going on a safari to see the wildlife is an unforgettable experience. Or, if you’re heading to a big city like Paris, consider historical tours or visits to local cafes.

Don’t forget to build time into your schedule to relax. A vacation isn’t really a vacation if you’re stressed about making a bunch of deadlines or adhering to an inflexible plan. Having at least two rest days built into your schedule (depending on how long you’re traveling) can help everyone unwind and enjoy themselves.

  • How to Get There
post-covid

One of the most important considerations for traveling post-COVID is which transportation method is safest and most convenient. No matter whether you’re flying in-country or internationally, you’ll likely need to participate in pre-flight virus testing to make sure you’re clear to travel. It’s crucial to book your flight and your pre-flight test at the required intervals to obey all safety precautions.

If you’re driving, you’re less likely to need a test. However, you should still obey all health and safety protocols of the areas you’re traveling through and traveling to. This is especially true for road trips where you may be crossing multiple borders.

  • What to Eat

Arguably one of the best parts of any luxury vacation is the food. Fine dining can make the difference between an “okay” getaway and one you’ll savor. When you’ve decided where you’re going, search for the best local restaurants and eateries to sample once you’re there.

Don’t rely only on the “big name” restaurants—ask the locals or a coffee shop barista for their favorite recommendations. You can discover hidden gems with truly authentic cuisine when you venture from the well-worn tourist path.

Restaurants and the food industry, in general, were hit hard by the pandemic, so the coming months and years are going to be crucial for keeping smaller restaurants afloat. Next time you travel, forgo eating at international chain restaurants in favor of supporting local establishments.

  • What to Pack

What to put in your suitcase will be even more important in post-COVID times. Whether or not masks are still required at your destination, they’re almost certain to be required on public planes for a while, and it’s still a good idea to take a few masks even if you’re flying private.

Similarly, don’t make the mistake of thinking hand sanitizer and cleaning wipes will no longer be needed post-COVID, these supplies were a good idea before COVID and they’ll continue to be a good idea after the virus is under control. You don’t want to get sick from getting any virus at all during your trip, so it always pays to quickly sanitize often-touched surfaces like light switches, doorknobs, and the toilet handles at your destination. A COVID vaccine doesn’t equal protection from every virus.

Post-pandemic travel is closer than ever since COVID-19 first emerged. While many people are understandably eager to revisit their favorite destinations as soon as feasible, be sure to keep these important tips for traveling in a post-pandemic world in mind before your next trip.

Travel Tips

Your Guide to Find the Best Daintree Treehouse Accommodation

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Can you imagine sleeping nestled in the canopy of the Australian Rainforest? Your dream will come true once you choose wisely according to some traveller’s tips to choosing the best Daintree treehouse accommodation.

Before you get online to book that favourite treehouse accommodation in Daintree rainforest considers a few things first. You’ll want the treehouse accommodation to fit you well. Ask yourself who you are as a traveller? What’s your dynamic? Let the prompts below help you.

Tip One: How are you travelling?

Are you travelling solo or with a partner or family? Certain accommodations may be better for your unique dynamic. Right now it doesn’t seem like a big deal but you don’t want to get there and realize that climbing steps or being too far from civilization is an issue. Make a list of what you need that are deal-breakers and then envision your ideal on paper so you can compare the points to what’s available.

Tip Two: What’s your budget?

You can narrow treehouse accommodation down to a few perfect choices if you have a budget perfected. Some accommodation may include certain things, and amenities and others are all on you.

Tip Three: What do you want to do during your stay?

Make sure you know if you want an itinerary or not. Some people want treehouse accommodation because they want to chill out and do nothing but rest, eat, sleep and a little exploring. Others want a full itinerary of things to do. Each property will have unique offerings, so matching it to your ideal is best.

Tip Four: How to find a choice of properties:

When you want to find an excellent choice of properties all in one space, you can google lists like top 5 or top 10 best for the year you’re in so you get an updated choice. It’s best to look at reputable sites for reviews and the responses from the resort managers should there be less than complimentary reviews. Narrow your choices by the best you find.

Tip Five: You can get more specific:

If you’ve got the first 3 tips down to a science, you can Google the treehouse accommodation in a narrow search. For example: “Family-friendly treehouse accommodation Daintree” or “Economy treehouse accommodation Daintree”. You can then use some filters on some bigger travel sites to narrow pricing and amenities.

Tip Six: Go to the source:

When you’ve followed all the aforementioned tips and you’ve chosen one or a few favourites, we suggest going to those websites for the property. You can then follow the steps below.

Browse the website. Not just for the property, you’re looking for, but to get a good idea about how they run. You’re travelling into a rainforest and want to feel comfortable and safe.

Don’t use forums or go by, just the reviews. Reviews help, but they’re fueled by a lot of subjective factors. We suggest calling the resort to ask important questions that may not get an answer on the website or are not to your satisfaction.

Look for exclusive website deals and offers. Sometimes the property you choose will have great deals to cut your bill, or create a package with all that you want to do, or offer a percentage off if you do something like books a certain amount of nights, travel on a weekend, etc.

Your Guide to Find the Best Daintree Treehouse Accommodation