As exciting as traveling is, airports can be some of the dullest places on Earth (with the exception maybe of Singapore – being in Changi is like discovering wonderland after having fallen down the rabbit hole!) Yes, travel is often about the journey, not the destination, but no one enjoys being trapped in the terminal.
No matter how prepared you are for the airport downtime, armed with a top ten’s worth of airport best sellers and a fully downloaded Netflix hit, it’s still hard to make a layover interesting. Often times it takes all our energy not to fall asleep at the gate!
If you’ve got a long journey coming up, here are a couple of ways you can keep yourself entertained during layovers.
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A Spanish volcanic archipelago of seven major islands, the Canary Islands is one of the world’s most beloved cruise stops. While the Canary Islands may belong to Spain, they sit just off the coast of north-western Africa, geographically part of the African continent.
The largest and most populous of the islands, Tenerife offers up a year-round destination with ideal weather and abundant natural beauty; from the north to south, the island is blessed with diverse landscapes and range of unique micro-climates.
There are readily available direct flights from Europe to the Canary Islands, but the most popular way to travel is by cruise. Luxurious Canary Island Cruises not only take in the islands but also often include incredible destinations such as Portugal’s Madeira archipelago and the stunning Cape Verde islands.
While there are a number of beautiful islands to explore in the Canary Islands including Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and La Palma, Tenerife is often considered the most exciting and beautiful.
Traveling to Tenerife by cruise? Whether you’re into nature, outdoor adrenaline sports, archaeology, or simply relaxing, check out these amazing things to do!
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The cultural shift towards working remotely has been one of the biggest trends of the 21st century. In the 1900’s, people were proud of their traditional office environment, but once the 2000’s hit, we dared to reinvent this.
We dreamed of working from our laptops in Sicily one day, and Switzerland the next. Of filing reports from a villa in Bali, or answering emails from the plane, en route to our next exciting country.
Yes, the concept of remote work has been one of the biggest movements of the century; it’s now incredibly common for entrepreneurs and freelancers to sustain themselves through online income, and more and more companies are offering positions for remote employees.
And while this is exciting; total freedom of movement, and the ability to work from anywhere as long as there’s a laptop with a connection, there’s a lot of work and discipline required to stay on track while traveling.
There are many tools and products that make life easier as a digital nomad, from blue-tooth keyboards, to lap desks, and portable wifi, but today we’re going to look at the apps you need for success.
Covering everything from your accounting, to your diary, and easy-to-use video conferencing, the best thing about the apps in this list is that they’re ALL FREE … keep your business expenses down by using these!
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Look out your window, whether that be your office or your bedroom; what do you see? Is it the same old scene; dreary, boring, cold? Is the nine to five, Monday to Friday ritual just becoming too repetitive, too samey? Wish you could magic yourself away for a while?
If only there was a way to fund your travels whilst gaining valuable work and life experience that would not just bolster your CV, but also your character and social network …
Oh, wait, there is! You can teach English as a foreign language – TEFL for short.
For a while now, people young and old have travelled to other countries to teach English. There are a myriad of reasons why: for the love of teaching, experiencing other cultures, funding globetrotting, gap years, a break from the ordinary… the list goes on.
Fortunately, the demand for English grows as the language solidifies its reputation as the international lingua franca. Business, diplomacy, tourism, trade – all are areas where English is invaluable. All the better for you, an aspiring teacher!
Below is a brief guide on the TEFL industry. Read on if you’re keen to learn more about qualifications, destinations, and valuations!
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Los Angeles is one of those cities known for its wacky and fun places. In a good day of urban exploration, you can find all types of wild and downright weird stores, museums and cultural sites; being quirky is a big part of the LA identity.
Such wackiness may be due to the city’s cultural inclination, or perhaps due to the influence of Hollywood magic seeping into the streets, but no matter where it comes from, it’s worth making space on your itinerary to experience a bit of the oddity.
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Europe is an incredible holiday destination; from stealing a kiss under the Eiffel Tower, to eating your body weight in Spanish tapas, and running scenes from Gladiator in Rome, there’s no continent on earth quite like it.
Whether you stick to the classics like Paris, Rome and Barcelona, or spice it up with some East-meets-West in Istanbul or Russia, there’s literally no end to your options when planning a trip to Europe. So we don’t blame you for not knowing where to start.
Europe is a vast continent, and the logistics involved with planning a trip can feel overwhelming – from hotels to activities, transport, and train tickets; if only there was one site to manage it all.
Spoiler alert: planning a trip to Europe is very easy if you bookmark Klook.com! (worth noting that Klook is for travel all over the world, not just Europe).
If you’re struggling to plan, or wondering about how to start, the following is a step by step guide that covers exactly how to plan a trip to Europe, from setting your budget, to choosing your destinations, planning out your itinerary, and the great news is that you can research, compare, and book everything on ONE website.
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New Zealand (NZ) is in quite a unique position in the world. It is one of the most Southernmost countries that is fully inhabited, yet is almost completely isolated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, some 2,500 miles from it’s nearest neighbor (Australia).
Despite these odds, New Zealand is one of the most popular destinations for tourists the world over, with its enchanted landscapes, breathtaking beaches, incredible glaciers, and a rich and fascinating indigenous culture.
Whether it’s worthwhile to visit New Zealand isn’t a question. It is.
Obviously!
The main question is how to get there.
Given its unusual location and distance from more populous regions, arriving in the country seems trickier than it actually is. But this guide will show you that getting to New Zealand and is easier than many would imagine.
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While France may be among the most popular tourist destinations in the world, what with the lure of Notre-Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre, many travellers sadly don’t venture beyond the nation’s capital.
While it may be easy to fall in love with Paris, France is full of plenty of other worthy destinations; smaller cities and rural towns that are bursting with authentic French culture and intriguing history.
One such city is Metz.
Known as the “Ville d’Art et d’Histoire” (City of Art and History), and named as one of France’s ‘Top French Cities‘ for 2020, Metz is the capital of the Lorraine region in north-eastern France, set along the beautiful Moselle River.
Just three hours by car from Paris, or half that by train, Metz elegantly blends a rich past and priceless monuments with modern innovation, and is especially well suited for pedestrians and bikes. Its lively atmosphere and perfect size makes it ideal for short breaks, though you could easily find more than enough to keep you entertained for weeks.
No idea where to start? Here’s a list of things to do; a full run down of churches, parks, museums, festivals, and food!
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Let’s face it – everyday life can be stressful. So much so that one of the biggest trending issues of the 21st century has been to raise awareness and shine a spotlight on issues surrounding mental health.
One in four people suffer from mental health issues at some point in their lives, whether that’s feeling stuck in life, or battling more severe issues like anxiety and depression. And while traveling may sound at first like you’re running from your problems, the truth can be quite the opposite.
Sometimes all most people need is a simple reset.
Well, travel is a great way to reset the brain!
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Getting that gorgeous snap of the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum in Rome, or of that stunning waterfall by the hot springs, is the epitome of travel photography; epic photos is what we all aim for!
But capturing the beauty that is in front of you can be a bit difficult; the shot may look fantastic in the preview, but as soon as that shutter clicks, you end up with tons of shadows which completely corrupt your photo.
These shadows occur from objects in the background, from people within the shot (or standing just outside the frame), and even from your own photography skills if you haven’t quite mastered your lighting.
While you can always use Photoshop to remove unnecessary shadows (see how to remove shadows from photos in Photoshop), if your subscription has ended or you don’t want the learning curve, there’s a powerful new program called PhotoWorks.
While the program itself has a great guide for how to remove shadows from photos in PhotoWorks, we’ve summarized the process here in 4 easy steps, to show you how simple it is!
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It’s important to have reliable transport when traveling, and those who value their freedom tend to opt for the hire car option.
Renting a car offers one of the most reliable ways to explore a city and its surrounds without having to deal with the tediousness of public transport or the money-draining nature of taxis and day tours. However, many people shy away from overseas car rental, thinking it’s too complicated.
Spoiler alert: it’s not!
Renting a car can be an overwhelming process if you’ve never done it before, so to that end, we’ve put some tips and tricks for renting a car like a pro.
It’s easier than it looks, and the perks are amazing!
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Oman is a country of contrasts, from the steep mountains of Jebel Shams to the clear waters of the Arabian Peninsula, from the dunes of the Wahiba Sands Desert to the azure blue wadis.
The untouched beauty of Oman is only just starting to be recognised by world travellers, and the best way to immerse yourself in this amazing country and its culture is by wild camping on a self drive, cross country adventure.
With savagely beautiful landscapes that are untouched by both modern development and tourism, and laws that mean wild camping is entirely legal anywhere (with a few exceptions), you will likely have these amazing spots to yourself!
The following is everything you need to know about wild camping across Oman, complete with a full 7 day itinerary for a self guided roadtrip, 4WD adventure.
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Internet is something we’ve come to rely on as travelers, and anyone able to venture off the beaten path with absolutely no connection is somewhat of a unicorn and deserves our reverence.
Yes, I’ll admit that I’m addicted. I like having constant online access while traveling; to be able to pull up Google Maps when I’m lost in Venice, to make bookings on the go, and stream Netflix on a long haul bus ride.
It’s not easy to find WiFi when you’re traveling, and all the usual haunts for travelers; the airports, cafes, hotels; these networks aren’t safe (you’re very vulnerable to cyber attack when you connect via open networks). So the prospect of traveling with a reliable device in my pocket, which offers constant 4G WiFi where-ever I go, is password protected, lightweight, has a long battery life, and isn’t expensive, well, that’s just made my day!
A portable WiFi device is exactly that. It goes by many different names; you might have heard it called a portable Wifi hotspot, mobile hotspot, portable WiFi, pocket WiFi, portable WiFi router….the list goes on. But regardless of what you call it, here are 6 solid reasons you need one!
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For many people, travelling is a way to relax and enjoy a break from everyday life. However, for those suffering from mental health issues, travelling can be rather daunting, and certain mental illness may be exacerbated by the stresses associated with travel.
While mental health was once seen as taboo and rarely discussed, today we’ve started to talk about it. We’re recognizing these sometimes debilitating issues so we might offer support and treatment to those in need.
Because mental illness doesn’t go away just because you’re traveling. And having an episode while overseas can be much more distressing than when you experience them at home.
One in four people suffer from mental health issues at some point in their lives, so it’s vital that these issues are addressed. But sadly, the majority of people are still not receiving adequate treatment, whether it’s due to feeling ashamed of their issues or simply not having the means.
If you’re suffering from a mental health condition, it doesn’t mean that you can’t travel the world, but it may mean you have to do a bit more planning to manage your health.
This article will discuss how you can seek help abroad, so that your mental health illness doesn’t prevent you from travelling. It will also detail ways you can help others suffering from mental health issues.
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Over decades spent hiking in snake country, our experience has taught us that the majority of common snakes are generally non-aggressive and won’t cause you any problems. Avoid them, treat them with respect, and it’s actually pretty easy not to get bitten!
That said, you may run into trouble if you disturb a snake while hiking, and this can definitely happen without intention or realizing! So for those instances, it’s essential to make sure you have proper protection from snake bites: Your clothing.
Beyond having a first aid kit and the knowledge of how to treat snakebite, your clothing is your first layer of protection against an encounter; long pants, boots, and gaitors. Fortunately, WildProof Gear has put together a list of everything you should be wearing!
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Beyond Kyrgyzstan and the 3,752 metre high Torugart Pass is China, a country where everything – and I do mean everything – is completely different from what most travellers are accustomed.
Laura and I are so-called “permanent overlanders”. We’ve been non-stop on the road now for many decades; our most recent venture a six-year motorcycle journey from Europe to Australia. And like so many other road-warriors who cross Asia with their own vehicle, we encountered a couple of hurdles along the way.
The greatest logistical challenge, by far, was obtaining legal permission to ride through China without a guide. Very, very few overlanders have managed to achieve this. We may have even been amongst the first, who knows?
But we certainly weren’t the last. A handful of vagabonds on wheels have transited China independently since our crossing in 2014/2015.
This is the story of how we did it …
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Iceland is a breathtaking country, famous for volcanoes, waterfalls, geysers and absolutely stunning nature. And as such, there are a lot of places that are considered a must when you’re visiting.
The Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik, the Golden Circle; if you’ve researched Iceland in the slightest you’ll know the list. But just as there are many incredible ‘musts’, there are also many beautiful spots that are overlooked – undeservedly sacrificed off internet lists!
Granted, you’ll have to step far off the beaten path to find some of the gorgeous places mentioned here, but their beauty will make it definitely worth your time.
From amazing examples of modern architecture to a little known underground cave – here are the best things to see in Iceland, which most other people miss!
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The Vegas Strip runs like a major artery into the gambling and entertainment heart of America. And if you had to describe the city in one word, that word would be ‘extravagance’.
It’s here, in Vegas, where you’ll find some of the largest and most extravagant hotels in the world, and where both prince and pauper can afford to splurge ($150 for a penthouse?!).
Las Vegas is a city which defines the meaning of YOLO; a city where everyday travelers can dream of winning big and living out outlandish fantasies. And it’s the perfect place to be if one of your fantasies is living large in extravagant hotels.
If you’re looking to escape your everyday life to really overindulge in hotel luxuries, Betway Casino has put together a list of the top 10 most extravagant Las Vegas suites on the strip. Spoiler alert: Caesars Palace’s Nobu Villa has topped the list!
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Unique natural wonders, unforgettable terrains, spectacular scenic beauty, and a wealth of outdoor activities bring over 300 million visitors to America’s 61 national parks every year.
While every park is a truly worthy destination, some stand out just a little more than others.
Here are some of the best.
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Despite being Turkey’s first and third largest cities (respectively), the contrast between Istanbul and Izmir couldn’t be more stark or compelling; while Istanbul offers an intense and chaotic energy; a frenetic mix of sights, sounds, tastes, and smells you could easily describe as an assault on the senses, Izmir exudes a more peaceful presence, and an ancient vitality.
It’s only an hour flight from Istanbul, but sheltered by the Gulf of Izmir on the serene coast of the Aegean Sea, the experience is polar opposite, with 8,000 years of history rubbing shoulders with beautiful sandy beaches.
İzmir may be an underrated region, and one of Turkey’s most spectacular hidden gems, but tourism is starting to pick up; rumors have started flying about this buzzing cosmopolitan on the Aegean, with year round sunshine and cheap medical tourism.
So, if you’re planning to visit Turkey, make sure you travel further than Istanbul and Ankаrа. Here are things to do in Turkey’s most westernized and historic city.
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Whether it’s dealing with tummy troubles, annoying bug bites, nasty sunburns from too much fun in the sun, or simply loads of stress brought on by travelling (it happens!), there are many ailments that afflict travelers.
But what if I told you that there’s a natural remedy that could replace the need to visit a chemist, and mean you don’t have to load up on medications?!
Chamomile is one of the world’s most widely used medicinal plants, once used by the ancient Romans to soothe all kinds of ailments.
While you may be familiar with the calming effects of Chamomile tea, you may not be aware that diffusing undiluted Roman Chamomile Essential Oil can be an even more effective treatment for a wide variety of travel troubles.
An immune system boosting plant that can soothe the gastrointestinal system, make those bug bites stop itching, make that sunburn feel less blistering, and help you relax when seated in that middle seat between two obnoxious airline passengers; ‘Roman Chamomile Essential Oil’ are four words every traveler should know!
There are some impressive research findings to back up these claims, so today I want to share how you can benefit from using chamomile essential oil too, and how to use it effectively and safely.
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As tech savvy travelers, we’re constantly stressing the importance of traveling with a good VPN; about the dangers of using public WiFi, why your privacy is otherwise at risk, and the best ways to keep your data safe and protect your tech.
A Virtual Private Network is the most important thing to have for internet use while traveling. It encrypts your traffic and sends it through a secure server, which means you can browse the internet securely and anonymously.
There are many perks of using a VPN, like accessing country-restricted websites (like Netflix), and skirting around Government censorship (like China), though the reason a VPN is actually essential is a matter of safety; using a secure connection means that no-one can hack you to steal data like they could on an open, public network (think free internet in airports, cafes, and hotels).
So, having established that a VPN is right up there with your passport in terms of what not to forget, the following are things you need to know about using one when traveling.
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Solo travel, travel for singles; there’s nothing in the rule book that says singles can’t travel alone. In fact, solo travel is the vacation of choice, even for many married couples I know!
Singles vacations have become one of the biggest trends in travel, and whether you’re single, divorced, widowed, or none of your friends are fun to travel with (it happens!), plenty of people these days travel alone.
Making up around 18% of global bookings, solo travel has increased by 7% in the last year alone. It’s an unstoppable trend, with Google searches for ‘solo travel’ having seen a massive 131% growth!
One in six people now are believed to have travelled alone, and 25% of millennials in the US plan to take a solo trip in the next 12 months (#solotravel is always trending, with more than 5.2 million Instagram posts!)
So, if you’re trying to find singles holidays, the following are a couple of destinations you should know.
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When it comes to the world of beach towels, no two are created equal. And, if you’re planning on hitting the beach this summer, a good quality beach towel is definitely worth the investment.
There are a wide range of great beach towels on the market these days, but one in particular has stood out to us this summer as a cut above the rest.
A sand-free beach towel with thoughtful features like corner sand pockets, and water-resistant hidden pockets to protect your belongings against water damage and beach theft, the following are 10 reasons you need a Sumoii Beach Towel this summer.
It ranks highly in terms of quality, form, function, and appearance, and is a smarter and easier way to spend time at the beach!
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When it comes to food destinations around the world, Portugal is right up there with the best of them; a country where the food scene is just as much part of the cultural experience as it’s history and nature.
While you’ll find most traditional Portuguese dishes served widely across the country, each region has their own specialties, and if we had to choose a favorite, we’d award the title of best foodie experience to Porto.
Porto’s cuisine is defined by its terrain and landscapes; a coastal city in northwest Portugal flanked by mountains, the food scene here is defined by delicious Atlantic seafood, and a hybrid of meats, cheeses and vegetables.
Everything here bursts with character and aroma, and you’ll find hearty meals all over the city. But, if you’re looking to avoid the tourist traps and ensure what you’re eating is truly Portuguese, and authentic to the region, it’s a great idea to take a food tour.
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