Information Blog Regarding Travel & Destinations

Long flights are generally tiring and they can leave you with aching joints. Even with all the entertainment and other specials offered during long haul flights, Austin Simms over at Southwest Appliance Repair says it might not still be easy to evade the boredom and exhaustion. However, there are a few tricks that can help you ensure an enjoyable long flight. The following are 5 useful tips for surviving air travel.

Book Your Seat Early

If you will be spending more than ten hours on a flight, it is important to book a seat that you will feel more comfortable on. Window seats are great for capturing views and leaning whenever you feel tired of sitting upright. Aisle seats are ideal for easy access if you will need to move around the plane during travel. For better comfort during long haul flights, you may also want to book a seat that is not too close to the toilets.

Pack Your Own Devices

Airlines that operate over long distances usually have a variety of in-built entertainment options for passengers. But, you should also carry your own gadgets that can help you pass time much better. Pack a smartphone, tablet, laptop, e-reader or any other device to keep you busy during the flight.

Dress Comfortably

The temperatures in planes are varied so, wear clothes that you feel comfortable in. Besides, you should also carry layers to keep you warm in case it gets cold along the way. The shoes should not be too tight or heavy.

Carry Snacks and Drinking Water

Instead of waiting to eat and drink only during flight schedules, carry your own snacks and drinking water. This will keep the body energized and hydrated to avoid the exhaustion of long haul flights.  

Carry Sleep Assistants

Depending on what works for you, there are many sleep assistants that you can also carry while on a long haul flight. These include sleeping pills, travel pillows, blankets among others. Some flights offer sleep assistants like travel pillows and blankets but, others do not.  So, having your own sleep assistants can be more convenient.

There is no clear cut rule for surviving air travel but, the above tips can help you make the trip more comfortable and enjoyable.

Hiking provides an excellent way to connect with nature. It’s a fantastic way to escape the boring city routines. However, identifying the best hiking trails can make all the difference. So, if you crave a reconnection with nature, the top hiking trails will provide the most memorable experience.

Appalachian Trail, US

The Appalachian Trail takes hikers through 14 US states. This massive trail covers eight national forests and two national parks, boasting 2,200 miles. While hiking, you’ll enjoy the stunning landscape views, comprising rugged ranges and dense woods. Completing the challenging journey takes five to seven months. May is the ideal month to start the adventure since the weather is favorable.

Inca Trail, Peru

The Inca Trail will take you through high mountain passes, lush cloud forests, and the famous Inca ruins. It culminates at the Machi Picchu. It extends about 26 miles, and it’s moderately challenging. The ideal time to go hiking to this place is between May and September.

Dolomites, Italy

The Dolomites is a popular hiking trail for beginners. The mountain range is in Italy’s heart, with countless hiking trails ranging from easy to challenging options. Thus, hikers select their routes based on their skill level. You can trek to alpine meadows with wildflowers within a day. Also, you can travel through the evergreen woods for longer. The best months to explore this hiking trail are between June and September.

Overland Track, Tasmania, Australia

The Overland Track goes through the heart of Cradle Mountain Lake St. Clair National Park in Tasmania. It showcases landscapes, including alpine meadows, rainforests, and glacial lakes. It’s a moderate trail, extending 40 miles. The ideal time to go hiking to this place is between October and May.

Queen Charlotte Track, New Zealand

Queen Charlotte Track is among the best hiking destinations due to its stunning scenery. It’s along the viewpoints that allow you to appreciate the fantastic scenery in New Zealand. For instance, you’ll view crystal-clear waters along the coast, lush flora, and rugged cliffs. You can cover the 45-mile trek over the weekend or 3 to 5 days. The ideal place to go hiking to this place is from September to May.

Any of these hiking trails can allow you to connect with nature. So, pick a hiking trail that attracts you the most for a memorable experience.

The urge to travel may come when you need more money. Does it mean that you cannot travel? While having no money may limit your travel experiences, you can still travel and enjoy the world. It calls for creativity, which is the inspiration behind this simple but practical guide.

Volunteering

Volunteering is among the best ways to travel the world without money. The idea is that you exchange your labor, knowledge, and skills for the travel experience. There are many volunteer opportunities for travelers, and you will be shocked to find somebody who might need your skill set somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit.

House Sitting 

You can also look for families or individuals who need reliable house sitters as they travel. The family or individual may live in an area you have never been to, but it is a great travel destination. So, whether you use social networks to find such as house sitting opportunities or not, this is one way of getting free accommodation.

Working Online

Instead of worrying about having little or no money for your travel, why don’t you earn some money while traveling? Carry your laptop or smartphone and find freelance work online on sites such as Upwork and Fiver. You will get different kinds of work, such as article writing or graphic design, that can add some money to your travel budget.

Find Free Things

You will be surprised that many things are free of charge while traveling. For example, instead of buying expensive branded mineral water, you can use clean water for public use. And this may include going into a hotel and asking to refill your empty water bottle from the tap.

Take Away

Traveling for free requires creativity. Look around for opportunities, and you will find them. Once you’ve found the opportunity to travel without money, take the time to plan to make your trip successful. 

Time is of the essence when traveling. You will find that you have so much to do or accomplish within a short time. Although you may have spent enough time planning your travel, you will realize that time will always be limited. With this in mind, you need to consider applying some valuable tips to ensure that you save time when traveling.

Stick To Your Plan

You will have allocated a specific time for each item in your travel itinerary. You plan to spend a week in South Africa before moving to Brazil the following week. However, South Africa may tempt you to overstay because you discovered a great national park that you can’t miss. So you end up spending another day in South Africa. 

When you get to Brazil, you realize that you have a limited time to cover everything you have in mind. You have two options. Either extend your stay by another day or remove some of the things you had in your program. Either way, you are having time problems.

You can void all that by sticking to your original plan. Do not be tempted to spend more time in a particular place. You may consider cutting some of your time on specific sites you find not too exciting. You can spend the saved time in another more amazing place or for your relaxation.

Use Private Services

Also, you can save a great deal of time by booking a private tour guide and using personal transport services. Private services cater to you alone. You get to determine when and where to go. Rather than spending so much time waiting for the public train, you can book a private car and driver who will not have to wait for a particular time to move.

Take Away

You can save time by sticking to your original travel itinerary and using private services. The idea is to save as much time as possible that you can then use for doing other things that you like.

Now that 2022 is here and with the hope that the pandemic might finally be over, it is time you start packing up that travel suitcase. Whether you are planning for that family road trip or about to venture the globe alone, 2022 presents unique opportunities for you to enjoy your bucket-list adventure. Here are some top tips to help you have the best trip in 2022!

Book Early

Suppose you plan on traveling during a particular holiday season, such as the Easter holidays or during Christmas. It is not too early to place that reservation. Most hotels always ask for a percentage of the total cost of your stay to secure that booking for you. If you book early, prices will be much lower, with some expenses dropping up to 50 percent of the booking. If you are a group, the price will also reduce significantly.

Request for Upgrades on Your Flight Bookings

Booking early using your preferred airline might land you an upgrade! Many leading flight companies offer their customers promotions for various reasons, such as early bookings.

Check All the Documents You Need Before Traveling

It is paramount to get your papers in order. Sit down and have all your documents sorted. Check the visiting country’s requirements before booking that flight and hotel room. Most countries now require people to get fully vaccinated before catching that flight. You do not want to miss entry at the immigration office.

Remember To Pack Snacks

When planning a long road trip, be sure to have your medical cover up to date and all the necessary documents to cross over states. Remember to pack up your coffee, berries, nuts, and lots of water to get those powerful nutrients and hydration you need without having to stop over often as you drive. For flight users, a pack of your favorite chocolate, nuts, and berries will do just fine.

Parting Shot

It has been a hot minute for some of us since we packed our bags and planned to travel! But 2022 is looking up.

Traveling should be pure joy because enjoyment enriches the experience. But, you can enjoy your travel without peace of mind. Lacking some travel essentials can hinder you from enjoying your business or leisure trip. Here are some of the things every traveler should have, whether going on a leisure or business trip.

Travel Suitcase or Backpack

Seasoned travelers have the right suitcase or backpack for every trip. They have invested in a nice bag that’s always on standby to help them leave home at any time and travel to any destination. With a nice travel suitcase or backpack, you can always pack the essentials you need to enjoy every trip, whether short or long.

Packing Cubes

To become a seasoned traveler, you must have packing cubes to organize everything whenever you travel. Whether you use a backpack or a carry-on, you will need packing cubes to organize cosmetics, clothes, and other items. That way, you can save space in your bag and stay organized.

Comfortable Walking Shoes

You will enjoy your holiday when you travel in comfortable shoes. Waterproof shoes can also be an ideal option depending on your travel destination. And you can find trendy, sturdy, and comfortable shoes in the current market. If possible, carry comfortable waterproof shoes as well, regardless of your travel destination.

Lightweight Camera

You could have a good smartphone, but you also need a lightweight camera. That’s because the photos you take when traveling will enable you to capture and preserve your moments away from home. Therefore, invest in a good lightweight camera if you want to become a seasoned traveler.

Multi-port Charging Cables

You will want to charge the electronics you carry in your bag when traveling. Charging cables with multiple ports are ideal for charging cameras, iPhones, Kindle, and battery backup.

Make sure that you have these things when traveling. Depending on your needs, take your time to research and determine what to have whenever you travel.

Most people find traveling abroad tricky. That’s because you don’t want to look like a tourist when traveling abroad. But, you want to be stylishly comfortable throughout the trip. What’s more, you want your trip to be an adventure. And, you don’t want to over-pack. This can make a foreign trip quite challenging. 

Nevertheless, you can choose comfortable clothing for your foreign trip. Here are useful clothing tips for traveling abroad that should guide you. 

Don’t Settle 

Don’t feel pressured to settle for one thing. Essentially, you should not feel pressured to choose between being comfortable and looking chic. You can easily find dual-purpose clothing for your trip. Whether you pick knit blazers, stylish sneakers, jersey dresses, or well-draped tees, make sure that your travel clothing is not dated, solely practical, or frumpy. 

Mix and Match 

Pack items that you can dress up and down. Essentially, carry clothing with multiple purposes. For instance, wear or carry cashmere wrap. You can use it as a blanket on a plane or wrap it when going for dinner. You can also use it as a scarf when going out during the day. A pair of black or dark wash jeans is also a great travel outfit. You can wear this with a tee and cute sneakers during the day. Pair it with a silk blouse or pair it with a heel when going to dinner. 

Plan 

Before you go on a trip, assess your favorite travel items. Find out whether you should replace them with more stylish clothing. This is very important because it enables you to avoid the last-minute rush. Additionally, pick a few clothing items to travel with to avoid over-packing. 

Traveling abroad means you will take several days away. Therefore, plan and carry the right items to wear while away from home.

Traveling alone may seem daunting if you have not started. For instance, what will you do if stranded away from home? What if you need something at night? Will go out alone? These are some of the things that you can be worried about when starting to travel alone. However, traveling alone should be easy. Simply follow these tips to survive solo travel with ease. 

Understand Your Strengths 

Before you start traveling alone, know the kind of person you’re. For instance, if you’re a sociable person, you want to be involved in everything that happens around you. That means you’re likely to go crazy if you don’t have a chance to communicate. Therefore, go to a place where you can speak the same language with the local people. If you’re an introvert, the language barrier shouldn’t be an issue. If your café culture is amazing, head to a vibrant city. 

Don’t Fear Your Company 

Spending a significant amount of time alone may seem daunting. However, you can roll with it. You just need to start loving your company. If you feel social, try to make some friends. For instance, you can offer to take a photo with other travelers at a major sight. You can also seat near a group of the chatty gang at a club. 

Sleep Around 

Try to stay in rented rooms or a home stay to get a connection with the residents. You have many options to consider when it comes to traveling alone. Your landlord may not offer to take you out. However, you can connect with the residents and learn a few tips. Hostels might also be a good option. However, you might end up spending time with travelers like you rather than the locals. 

Solo travel can be a great way to get away from the normal stress and frustrations that come with job and family responsibilities. Follow these tips to travel alone with ease.

Trust is a major issue when traveling alone. You meet strangers everywhere and have trust issues with almost everybody you meet. But, it’s still possible to find and trust some people. The challenge that most solo travelers have is determining whether they can trust an individual. Here are tips to help you identify the people you can trust when traveling alone. 

Activity 

The activity an individual is engaging in can help you determine whether you can trust them or not. The way a person does what they do can also tell you whether trusting them is safe or not. For instance, if a person has a yoga studio that attracts many people, it means they are specialists in that. So, if looking for a place where you can always go for yoga sessions at your travel destination, choose such a person. 

Listen  

If you’re an outgoing person, it’s easy to talk a lot to almost everybody you meet. However, it’s wise to spend more time listening to the people you meet instead of talking. When you listen to other people, you learn about them more. This can help you draw the right conclusion about whether to trust them or not. 

Eye Contact

A trustworthy person maintains eye contact when talking to another person. But, this shouldn’t be the only reason to trust a person. Nevertheless, most untrustworthy people have a hard time maintaining eye contact because they are probably lying. 

Body Language 

A trustworthy person will engage you when talking. They listen, understand, and demonstrate. They use body language cues like smiling, nodding head, and maintain an open body posture when appropriate. Such body language should help you determine whether you can trust an individual. 

Specificity 

A trustworthy person won’t hide anything when talking to you. Their stories are believable and consistent. They speak with energy, specifics, and naturally. Consider such things to determine whether you can trust a person you meet when traveling.

No matter where you go, there will always be good and bad people. Try these tips to identify the individuals to trust when traveling. 

Spring break is the time when college students spend time booze-soaked away from studies. For some students, insuring their spring break travels sounds more of an adult thing. However, nobody wants to come back home with a hefty medical bill. That’s why you should insure your spring break trip. Here are tips to help you get adequate insurance for your spring break travel. 

Select Your Travel Destination Carefully 

Some travel insurance policies exclude spring break trips to some places. It’s therefore important that you choose the destination for your spring break travel carefully. Places where the government has issued travel advisory for may not be covered by most travel insurance plans. 

Be Wary of Illegal Acts 

Most travel insurance policies exclude coverage when the person insured engages in illegal activities. As such, you will pay for the hospital bill for treatment of the injuries you sustain while engaging in illegal activities while traveling during the summer break. Therefore, be careful and avoid crime during your spring break trip. 

Check the Validity of Your Travel Medical Insurance 

Regardless of your travel destination, you will find medical care expensive. However, traveling outside where your travel medical insurance covers means you will pay higher rates. Your travel medical insurance will most likely be invalid in some places. That means you will pay for treatment with your credit card or cash. Therefore, inquire about the network of your insurance before you go on a spring break trip to ensure that you are covered. 

Know How Alcohol Affects Your Coverage 

Many young people consume alcohol when traveling during the spring break. Unfortunately, most travel insurance plans do not cover incidents that happen when the insured person is under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol. If you seek emergency treatment when drunk, your insurance plan may not cover the medical bill because you put yourself at risk willfully. What’s more, being drunk makes you an easy target for criminals. 

Basically, buy travel insurance that covers you when traveling to a specific destination during the spring break. Also consider the activities that you intend to engage in to ensure that you will be covered for the injuries that you may sustain while at your travel destination. 

Children are generally playful and they will not stop just because you are on a trip together. Additionally, the temperature variations and being seated for several hours on long haul flights can easily make toddlers feel exhausted and bored. There are several activities for toddlers on long haul flights that can help with keeping your kids happy and occupied when travelling. Some of the best activities to consider for your toddlers include.

Wipe Off Cards

Wipe off cards are a great way to entertain kids who just started school while on flights. The cards come with pens and erasers so kids can re-use them over and over. Kids can draw, scribble or color the cards as they wish.

Travel Puzzles

Travel puzzles are also incredible for keeping your kids occupied and improving their brain functions. When buying travel puzzles, choose small sizes that will match the abilities of your kid. Since the pieces can be easily lost during travel, it is advisable to avoid those that are too expensive.

Water Painting

While this might seem like a messy activity to some parents, it is totally safe and can keep your kids happy in every flight. The water paints are contained in pens that the kids use to paint on paper. After the paper dries, the paints disappear and kids can start painting onto them again, making it quite economical.

Coloring

Kids are usually fascinated by colors and carrying a coloring book when going on a trip can be a great way to ease the pressure of long haul flights for them. Most coloring books have multiple pages and crayons or colored pencils for the kids to use as they please when traveling.

Kids Tablet Games

In this age, kids tablet is an essential device for every child. One of its unique benefits is that it can store a wide range of games to entertain your kid throughout the trip. Besides, you can also easily download the games that you kid likes from the internet.

There are many other activities for toddlers that you can still add to the above list when on long haul flights. Nevertheless, choose activities that are interesting to your kids and also within their abilities.