Every year, more and more people are trading in their 9 to 5 office job for a digital nomad lifestyle. Companies are becoming increasingly more flexible in allowing their employees to work from home, especially since the pandemic hit and they were sometimes forced to.
While it may seem like a dream working remotely from home or wherever you decide to set yourself up, there are a few things to consider before ditching the cubicle.
There are all kinds of careers these days which allow you to become a digital nomad. You can be a website developer, online yoga instructor, or e-commerce wizard selling products on Ebay, Amazon, and Etsy.
Being a digital nomad often means you get to set your own hours and work schedule. You can conduct business from the comfort of your couch or while enjoying a view of the beach. So long as you have a computer and an internet signal, you can begin to capitalize on modern technology and potentially earn a lot of money.
If you’re an independent thinker and think you have the drive and commitment to work for yourself from home or simply want to search for an online job offered by a company that allows you to work remotely, there are a number of tips that can help you get started and succeed.
If you’ve ever wanted to relocate to somewhere warm and tropical like Florida as I did, check out my top tips for becoming a digital nomad in Florida.
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Vacations are supposed to be about logging off, but most of us still end up traveling with our laptop.
Whether we need it for business, or checking on emails and loading travel pics to our social media feeds, our laptops can be a lifeline to our life back home, and a valuable tool when booking tours, tickets, looking up directions, and researching things to do in the area you’re visiting.
While most of us check and recheck to make sure we packed our laptop, we often don’t give nearly as much thought into keeping our laptop protected both physically and in terms of making certain our personal data that is stored on it remains secure.
From the moment your laptop leaves the safety of your home, you make it vulnerable to getting damaged or potentially stolen. Thankfully though, there are many ways you can reduce the chances of anything happening to your laptop and the data that’s stored on it.
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Music washes the dust away of everyday life, and provides us with a soundtrack to our travels. It’s also acted to transport us to a different world during the current pandemic while our itchy feet have been grounded.
But sometimes we forget the people who are actually behind the music – the musicians! It takes a lot of talent and hard work to produce music; music which we rely on to stay entertained on road-trips, and to block out the noise of crying babies on planes!
We may not know the complete process, the full story of the hardships, and all the obstacles our beloved musicians went through to get to where they are now, but we know they took a tedious path to becoming an artist.
I’m not talking about Lady Gaga or Rage Against the Machine, because these guys already receive love from their fans. I’m talking about the brilliant talents who don’t get much attention.
If music has made a difference to your life, and you rely on your favorite playlists to get you through your travels, here are some things you can do to show support for your favorite musicians.
Artists might not be considered part of the travel industry, but they’re hurting just as badly due to the current pandemic, and music has, and always will be, central to the travel experience.
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Most of us in 2020 saw our travel plans cancelled or severely disrupted. While we may have lost nearly an entire year of travel experiences, 2021 will hopefully be the year where the travel industry recovers.
We saw many of our most beloved travel destinations descend into lockdowns during 2020. Thankfully, some destinations have already begun to open back up to travel once again and with COVID-19 vaccines beginning to be developed and distributed around the world, hopefully more countries will be able to open back up to travellers soon.
Regulations and restrictions around COVID are constantly changing, making it crucial to stay on top of the latest travel and health information when planning travel in 2021.
No doubt most of us will be looking to make up for the travel opportunities we missed out on during the year of the pandemic, but as we look to travelling once again, many of us will be making safety one of our top priorities when planning our future travel.
As travel begins to rebound, find out what you need to think about before you begin travelling in 2021.
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Have you been using your current PC for longer than you can remember? Has your PC become noticeably slow?
I traveled with my first laptop for 7 years until its untimely death, and have traveled with my second since 2013 to this day! (Admittedly it’s on it’s last legs and held together with duct tape!)
It’s inevitable that, at one point or another, the time will come for us all to get a replacement. Buying a new computer can be a fun yet daunting task. You have to research, scroll through reviews, and potentially try out a few different models.
After doing all of that legwork, the last thing that you want is to get a virus. Especially as electronics can be difficult to replace or take into a shop when you’re on the other side of the world, in a completely different country.
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Our social media feeds constantly bombard us with delicious food images from travelers all around the world; Instagram alone is flooded with more than a half billion food images.
With all this foodporn going around, it’s hard not to be tempted into overindulging in culinary delights when we ourselves go on holiday. However, all this obsessing over food can have negative impacts to our health when we travel if we’re not careful.
Most of us are well aware of the importance of eating healthy. We make New Year’s resolutions to eat fewer calories or reduce our alcohol intake. Many of us are also motivated to look our best in the lead up to vacations, hitting the gym or cutting the carbs in order to get beach body ready.
From day one of our vacation, however, all that hard work and determination to slim down or eat healthier often comes undone as we begin to splurge on exotic flavors that beckon us like sirens.
While tasting foreign food is definitely one of the best parts of travel for many, it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your healthy eating habits. Check out the following top ways you can eat healthier while on vacation.
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New York City saw its tenth consecutive year of tourism growth leading into 2020, and despite a slight hiccup thanks to the pandemic, it will no doubt be at the top of many travelers’ lists once travel returns to normal.
Although international travel is down across the globe, residents of the U.S. are still heading to NYC and are enjoying the city’s many attractions without the usually large tourist crowds.
On a normal year, there would be well over 60 million tourists visiting the city. Now, families are enjoying taking to New York City’s streets to enjoy this once and a lifetime calmer side of the city.
New York City has always been a leader when it comes to art, fashion, food, and theater. It makes a perfect romantic escape, family getaway, or business destination. It’s a city that activates all your senses and has something for everyone.
The city’s businesses and attractions are taking serious steps to ensure visitor safety, encouraging you to come and see for yourself why New York City is still one of the best cities to visit. Here are just some of the reasons why the Big Apple will always be the apple of travelers’ eyes.
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Choosing a water filter for your backpacking adventures can be daunting, and here are multiple factors to take into consideration before making your choice.
You’ll need to decide, for instance, whether to buy a plain water filter or a water purifier (there is a difference). You’ll also need to understand how the different water filter types work, in order to be able to pick the one that suits your specific needs.
Last but not least, you’ll need to ensure the water filter you choose for traveling and backpacking is the right fit for your situation (most people want them compact, durable and lightweight).
There are many different types of water filters you can buy for backpacking and traveling, so this is an overview of what they are, when you would use them, and in which situations they’re best suited.
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Tasmania is world famous for its pure air, clean water, and crisp climate. And if you landed here without context, to our ‘lush crisp landscape battered by chilly seas’, pulled up to an imposing 19th century Coaching Inn, and were handed a single malt whisky, we’d forgive you for drawing parallels to Scotland.
After-all, you need a very stable, cool climate to brew the perfect malt whisky (not even modern climate controlled warehouses are as good as brewing in the perfect natural climate), and some of the purest air and water in the world.
Which is why Scottish Whisky has become so famous.
While both superb locations for making whisky, the difference of Scotland and Tasmania is that the distilling of spirits was outlawed here from 1838 to 1991. Though since the law was overturned Tasmania has experienced a craft malt Whisky revival, and the artisanal Whisky movement has earned the reputation of ‘Scotland Down Under’.
150 years was a long time for Tasmanians to wait between drinks, but the State’s pure ingredients and passionate distillers have more than made up for it since.
And that 19th century Coaching Inn? It exists! It sits at 26 Main St Kempton. 40 minutes from Hobart, the Coaching Inn is now a cellar door, with a distillery you can tour in the convict brick stables.
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Regular readers will know by now that I never leave home without my power station. Whether I’m camping, road-tripping, or on a city-break with my laptop and phone, a reliable source of power comes with me everywhere I go.
And it’s not just because I can’t go a day without my phone (though that’s also true!). It’s also the comfort of camping with a running fridge for keeping food; for air-con when you’re road-tripping through the desert, and for being able to power lights for safety.
It’s also necessity when you have to face severe energy shortages, which many countries around the world, especially developing nations, constantly do.
So I’m not willing to sacrifice electricity when I travel – yes, because of the safety and convenience, but also because you simply don’t have to.
My favorite portable power station to date has been the Bluetti AC200 (I wrote this review), which has now been made even more powerful with its latest product update: now the AC200P.
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Recent stats show that roughly 14 million couples in the U.S. alone are in a long distance relationship. Whether it’s going away to college, military deployment, or simply falling in love while traveling, there are many ways couples are finding themselves in a long distance relationship.
We’ve gathered up the Top Ten Long Distance Relationship Books and Guides that will help you gain insight into the world of long distance relationships. We’ve included some of the latest releases, best-sellers of the past decade, and a few LDR fiction novels.
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When you’re planning on going away, packing can be the most stressful part of preparation.
Packing the right travel essentials can make or break a getaway, but what would it be like to travel like an A-lister? And how can you get the same look for less?
We’ve had a lot of fun this past week playing with the Cashlady travel pack, a handy free online tool that makes it easy to budget and plan the things you need to bring with you.
You set your budget, set your gender, and the tool makes a set of product recommendations for all of the carry-on essentials you’ll need to pack.
And while I’m always traveling on a budget, if you want a glimpse into the lives of the rich & famous, just select ‘Blow The Budget’ and discover a world of eye-watering, diamond-encrusted opulence!
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As travel around Australia begins to open up again and with Christmas just around the corner, you’re probably starting to plan your next adventure.
Whether you’re heading interstate to see family, or you’re planning an overseas trip in the future, there’s a lot you need to consider in the lead up – what to pack, how much money to take, and what to do when you get there.
If you vape, there’s an added stress of whether or not you can take your vape on the plane, or if you can even take it in the first place. The following tips will assist.
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Most people find themselves in a long distance relationship by chance. There are countless long distance relationship stories where couples have fallen in love after meeting while on vacation or during international business meetings. Traditional relationships can be difficult enough, but throw in separation by long distances and you can find yourself in a long uphill struggle to make your long distance relationship successful.
If you find yourself in a new long distance relationship or maybe are even looking to start a long distance relationship because of how adventurous it may sound, read on to see how you can start a long distance relationship yourself.
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There are few events in life which are so impactful that millions of people remember exactly where they were. Princess Diana. September 11. And now, March 2020.
At the beginning of 2020, international borders were suddenly closed, and millions of travellers were stranded, all over world. No flights, no visas, and no options – cruise ships were denied ports of entry, economies froze, and travelers were actually barred from returning home. It was global chaos.
There have been plenty of terrible news stories this year. So we’re here to provide an uplifting one; the story of a group of people who, when faced with hundreds of stranded travelers, went to incredible lengths to organise the first humanitarian flight back into Australia.
The story is told in a free 40 minute documentary, which you can watch on Chimu Adventures website, on YouTube, or right here at the end of this post!
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The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many aspects of culture around the world, and the world of sport is no exception. Major sporting events have faced unprecedented restrictions, including postponements and, in some cases, full cancellations.
The most notable of all – the Tokyo Olympics.
Not since WWII has the world seen so much disruption to sporting events. Very few countries have managed to continue with sports with little or no disruption, and even those that have been able to proceed as normal have most likely gone against health advice in doing so.
Players’ salaries have been cut, and jobs have been lost thanks to restrictions on large gatherings in stadiums. Who would have thought we’d ever see the day when games were played in stadiums with no fans.
All this said, sport has begun to return for many countries and continues to push on. So let’s look at how some of the major sports around the world have been affected by the pandemic, and what we can expect going forward.
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Australia has a long history of sheep farming, and within 50 years of their arrival in 1788, sheep had become the main source of income for Australian industry.
29 sheep arrived in Australia with the British First Fleet. 230 years later, wool markets around the world are dominated by Australian exports, and our country has more than 27 million sheep; raised largely for wool over meat.
Humble farming has defined Australia for centuries, and sheep are considered the iconic Aussie flock; farmers continue to work sheep stations throughout the country to feed and clothe the nation.
A true-blue producing nation, there are now 85,681 farms across Australia, and many sheep properties invite you to stay; to swap those white sneakers for gumboots and experience country life in a real and authentic way.
One such property is Rathmore, an hour from Hobart in Tasmania’s Central Highlands; a historic sheep property settled in 1828, which is unique in offering a choice of accommodation.
Choose to stay in the beautiful sandstone homestead with the land owners, with grand bedrooms and period furniture, or in the historic shearers’ quarters, recently revived to offer a country experience that is rustic chic.
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The phrase “caters to every type of traveler” has become an increasingly overused cliché when it comes to describing destinations. While there may be a number of cities that fulfill the needs of different travel personalities, there are a rather limited number of cities that can really claim to be a leader in so many travel categories.
But whether you’re a business traveler, backpacker, foodie, adventure seeker, eco-tourist, or traveling as a family, you’re guaranteed to love Singapore.
As one of the world’s top 5 most visited cities, Singapore has managed to create a safe, vibrant, and state of the art city. It’s also a “green city” where many of its buildings and skyscrapers have been transformed into living gardens.
This culturally diverse city has become a hub for business travelers, offers plenty of parks and attractions for families, is a melting pot of exotic culinary flavors, offers world-class shopping, and still somehow manages to conserve tracts of nature filled with wildlife.
If you’ve never been to Singapore, check out this Singapore travel guide for first-timers to get the low-down on where to stay, eat, shop, and play (and join this Singapore Facebook Group for travel planning).
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Whether you’re arriving in Dominica by cruise ship, commercial plane, or private jet, this volcanic, rainforest-covered island offers up plenty of ways to simply kick back and relax. It’s Dominica’s adventure scene, however, which makes this a truly unique and rewarding Caribbean holiday.
There’s no shortage of beautiful islands to choose from in the Caribbean, but one gem that is often overlooked in the Windward Islands group is Dominica. Remarkably different than other nearby islands both in terms of culture and natural landscapes, Dominica is finally starting to gain attention as the next hot ecotourism destination.
Having been a filming location for Pirates of the Caribbean, you too can partake in your own exciting adventures including jungle jeep safaris, scuba diving, rowboat river journeys, river tubing, and horseback riding both on the beach and actually in the sea.
Two-thirds of Dominica is covered in rainforest, much of this untouched land home to national parks filled with waterfalls, hot springs, and other natural wonders. While narrowing down the best things to experience in Dominica definitely isn’t easy, here are my top five things not to miss on your next Dominica getaway.
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Restricted to Tasmania during the pandemic, Mike and I have made an effort to explore our home state. Though being ‘confined’ to such a naturally beautiful island with a number of world famous wilderness destinations free of crowds and chaos is far from limiting!
Our experience in the Huon Valley was the perfect balance of wild exploration, while still being able to relax in luxury after days full of dramatic adventure; a balance made possible by checking into the ultra modern Cygnet Retreat.
Nestled in Southern Tasmania just a short drive from Hobart, Cygnet is now known as the place to escape the fast-paced stresses of our modern day to day.
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Growing up in Hobart, I have many fond memories of heading to our family shack along the coast of Southern Tasmania. It had been years since I had returned to this southernmost part of Australia and I was eager to share the area with my American husband.
Basing ourselves in Dover, this region is defined by a culture of holiday homes; you won’t find high-rise cookie-cutter hotels here; it’s authentic living in seaside towns, from cosy waterfront studios, to beach-side bungalows, and locally owned villas in forested surrounds.
Surrounded by wilderness and relaxation, we were fortunate to stay at what must be Dover’s most unique and stunning property, a turn of the 20th century farmhouse that has been very much renovated into a luxury holiday home.
Known as the Peninsula Experience, this unique and secluded property actually boasts two separate houses which includes The Cape House and The Boat House. This is our experience at The Cape House.
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The Huon Valley has long been a popular day trip option from Hobart. After-all, just a 30 minute drive south of the city and you’ll be at the source of some of the finest food and freshest ingredients in the country.
Apple growers, craft cider makers, boutique winemakers, salmon producers, and other homegrown produce means even many locals make the drive just for lunch.
But this is a region defined by more than just its food excellence, and if you’re visiting the State, the traditional day trip from Hobart won’t even come close to doing the region justice.
Because on top of the apple cider, salmon sushi, and mouthwatering apple pie (trust me, you’ll order two servings), the Huon Valley also serves up incredible natural beauty, and a huge range of adventure. And they serve it to you on a platter!
The Huon Valley is full of beaches, caves, thermal springs, and is the gateway to the southern forests and World Heritage Wilderness Walks. You can explore by jet boat, hang glider, foot, or car, and if you’re hungry inbetween, fuel up on produce from local roadside stalls.
The Huon Valley is not a day trip destination. It’s worthy of far more time. We recommend at least four to five days for exploring the region.
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We’re forced to forgo many comforts when we travel, from familiar food to leisurely hot showers (not every country enjoys a seemingly endless supply of hot water!), and sleeping on a comfortable pillow.
But for all the comforts you sacrifice to hit the road, access to power shouldn’t be one of them. After-all, electricity is one of the most important blessings science has given us!
Power is everything when you travel; keeping your phone charged means communication in an emergency; keeping a fridge going means food for off grid trips, or during a natural disaster / power outage.
Keeping a TV in your van means you won’t kill the family you committed to share a confined space with, and keeping lights charged could save your life during night-time adventures.
But how do you guarentee you have constant access to a reliable source of power? The EB240 is a portable solar power station from MAXOAK which has a huge capacity and load, and is super long lasting for travel in the outdoors, an RV, or even for use as emergency backup power at home.
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It only occurred to me recently that I could travel with a portable massage gun. I had always worked the cost of a spa treatment into my budget, knowing I would definitely be in need after adventures like Machu Picchu and Kilimanjaro.
Though I’m starting to crave massage treatments more and more nowadays, even during fairly chilled out styles of travel; whether it’s from exhausted feet after walking a city all day, or pain and soreness during road-trips from driving long distances.
Maybe I’ve finally gotten soft, or maybe it’s the effects of old age (I swear I’m 32 going on 60!), but either way, I’m starting to really value the physical benefits of massage for making the most of my travels.
To date, I’ve just sucked up the high cost and been paying. Though it’s always a tough internal battle when you look at a spa menu and compare that cost to a flight, or a train!
And while there might not be anything which can completely replace a trained professional, why I didn’t realize I could spend the cost of one treatment to buy my own hand-held massage device is beyond me!
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I’m often asked what makes a good travel shoe and my number one response is usually versatility. While it would be nice to pack a dozen different pairs of shoes, this is totally impractical when traveling, and in trying to adhere to luggage size and weight restrictions the goal is pack just one or two pairs of lightweight shoes that you can use for a wide range of activities.
Most versatile shoes are lacking in one particular area though, and that’s in being waterproof. Which is important because, trust me, it rains in pretty much every country! Enter Loom.
Loom Footwear has not only created a highly-versatile sneaker, they’ve gone a step further and made them waterproof. Stylish enough for city walking, they’re also great hiking shoes that can stand up to a number of elements.
Both lightweight and comfortable, they’re easy to pack and can worn all day without suffering from sore feet. All of this adds up to Loom waterproof sneakers being an ideal choice for travel footwear.
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