It can be a pretty terrifying experience. Sitting in a tiny prop plane and watching those in front of you position themselves on the edge of an open door and tumble out into the abyss. At an altitude of 14,000 feet, their screams carried away by the wind.
You follow their lead, of course, and shuffle your way to sit on the edge of that open door while the plane is still in flight. You’re strapped to a beautiful stranger who instructs you to arch your head back on their shoulder, though I haven’t yet figured out if this is for actual safety or merely to ensure you don’t freak out from look down!
When I heard my cousin was visiting Sydney to Skydive in celebration of her 18th there was only one possible reaction. I was driving three hours to Sydney so I could come too!
Read More
Still searching for miss right? Having trouble finding your soulmate? Then, date an adventurous and charming girl who finds joy in visiting exotic destinations, meeting locals and discovering cultures. Whether you’re a casual traveller or a certified travel junkie, dating a globe-trotting girl with a strong sense of wanderlust can be a pretty euphoric and intrinsically romantic ride that will give you tons of sweet and pleasant memories.
From deep and meaningful conversations to mind-blowing adventures, there are plenty of upsides in dating a girl who travels. As matter of fact, she can leave a lasting and positive impact in your life even if things won’t work out.
Don’t get me wrong – I’m no expert as far as relationship and love go, but trust me, having her around can be the best thing that will happen to your life. With her exciting persona, unique charisma and optimistic outlook, she truly is a one-of-a-kind damsel who can mesmerize you in so many different ways.
Read More
Feel like it’s been forever since your last trip? Or are you just itching to hold onto the summer holidays?
March and April can be excellent times to travel, especially with milder weather in many destinations and the Easter break to take advantage of!
But where should you go?
Read More
Adrenaline junkies have always been faced with a problem; the next activity has to be slightly more exciting than the last, or what’s the point?
A decade or so ago, even a humble trip to Las Vegas to blow a month’s wages on the tables would have been the trip of a lifetime. Hardcore thrill-seekers now have to resort to chucking themselves off skyscrapers to scratch the adrenaline itch. Happily, for those of us who aren’t yet completely addicted to this kind of craziness, the world is full of exciting stuff that you don’t need to be clinically mad to want to try!
Here are the top 7 destinations in the world for thrill seekers!
Read More
For those who love to shop, this can be as much an international sport as any you will find in the program at the next Olympic Games.
It’s the thrill of haggling in international markets, the strained faces of people fighting for items in a mall, and the stamina to get up at ungodly hours for a city’s sample sale stampedes. It’s the bragging rights in finding a souvenir or luxury item for so little that you’re the envy of your friends and family on returning home. For some, just the search for that must-have item can be as fun as owning the actual product.
Yes, shopping is a sport. And some cities offer shoppers a variety of options. So, where are the top shopping destinations around the globe?
The following destinations are some of the most fashion-frenzy, shopping capitols of the world. And, if getting paid to shop for people while you’re overseas sounds like the dream, you should set up a free account on Grabr; a peer-to-peer delivery service where travelers get paid to shop for people and bring home hard-to-find items for a sweet delivery fee. Your travels take you to distant places…why not make some extra money shopping for people while you’re there?!
Read More
When people say “Life’s a journey”, some take this aphorism more literally than others. Christopher Many is one of those. Having embarked on an overland trip in 1997, believing he’d spend no more than a year or two on the road, 19 years have passed, and he’s still somewhere out there, doing what he loves most: circumnavigating the globe with vehicles of questionable reliability, in a quest to understand through first-hand experience, how the Earth really “ticks”.
During the eight year period from 2002 – 2010 specifically, he set out with his 30 year old Land Rover on an overland journey to “go where no Landrover had ever gone before”! Traveling over 124,000 miles from a frozen Siberia, to North and South America, across Africa (Mongolia – Somali), and back into Europe, his trip is now documented in a witty travel chronicle “Left Beyond the Horizon“.
We all dream about what life is like “off the grid”, Christopher Many actually did it. This interview is an insight into the eight year Land Rover Odyssey as documented in his latest book.
Read More
When considering a trans Canadian adventure there are lots of possible journey’s, but only one possible response: Wow. No matter which trip you choose, I guarantee you’ll sit nose pressed to the window as you’re transported through a world like no other. A world of magnificent coastal mountains, vibrant canyons, and daring white water rapids. Oh and rest assured, they clean the windows thoroughly after each and every trip!
Our route was to take us through scenic valleys, the Coastal Mountain Range and the Fraser Canyon with its spectacular white water and dramatic landscape. A highlight was to be the majestic Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.
This is an account of our experience exploring the Canadian Rockies by train.
Read More
Belize is paradise for the adventure traveler. There are majestic forests for you to zipline through, spectacular barrier reefs for scuba diving and snorkeling, and ancient Mayan ruins and caves to explore. There is an impressive amount of archaeology and caving, exotic wildlife in some of the most pristine jungles in the world, and plenty of options for fitness, history, and culture too.
Travelers to Belize will find themselves venturing off the beaten path and immersed in natural history, active adventures and unforgettable experiences. And some of the best adventures are easily organized from our favorite resort – Ka’ana Belize.
This is an upscale outpost for exploring, perfectly located in the midst of everything a Central American vacation could possibly offer. All adventure tours are run privately, never shared, and their guides are some of the best in the country. You’ll find that every adventure is a curated experience that is authentically Belize. The following are epic adventures you can take while staying at Ka’ana Belize.
Read More
You can always spot a seasoned traveller from miles away. They’re the ones that know how to move up a class, always pack a portable phone charger and appear immaculate and mighty fresh.
You may not be a frequent flier but we talked to Gordon Bayne, Head of Travel at Scoopon, who has flown the hard miles and is happy to share the ins and outs of travelling like a pro. Keep these tips and tricks handy for your next getaway, to maximise your travelling experience.
Read More
Just like everything in life, there are both pros and cons to taking an all inclusive holiday. Some people love them, some people are vehemently against the thought, and the rest tend to fall somewhere in the middle.
But when it comes down to it, there is no right or wrong way to travel, and an all inclusive holiday could genuinely be for you. Even if you’re a traveler who generally prefers to explore a destination thoroughly, go sightseeing every day, eat street food, meet locals, and discover locations off the beaten path which put you well away from your resort or hotel.
All inclusive holidays are a fabulous choice for the following types of travelers. Are any of these you?
Read More
It may seem a while off right now, but summer isn’t actually too far away, which means that travel plans are already starting to be formulated. Passports need to be checked, tickets booked, accommodation planned, but if you vape there’s another consideration to make which may affect your travel destination.
The following is everything you need to know about vaping and airports.
Read More
It’s hard not to harbor an insane jealously for the likes of Pierce Brosnan or Angelina Jolie. And not because they’re stupidly good looking or married to Brad Pitt (though that too).
As adventure travelers who traverse the globe in search of the most intense thrills on earth, we’re jealous of the Goldeneye Bungee Jump over Contra Dam in Switzerland; of the Tomb Raider scene where Lara Croft leaps from the 84th floor of the under-construction Two International Finance Centre building in Hong Kong wearing a wingsuit.
Though while we may fantasize about action films, it’s not these actors we’re jealous of. It’s their stuntmen. So, to embrace your inner stuntman, the following are the most extreme activities around the world; the most thrilling and frightening experience we can have as human beings! Though you can actually complete all of these … there’s no such thing as a green screen!
Read More
We hear it every year, that now is the best time to travel. And it’s quite often true. Resources to find affordable (and even free) travel options exist these days in droves. The west is benefiting from a strong currency, oil prices are cheap, and with increasing uncertainty in some Middle Eastern and South Asian countries, the geopolitical situation of many nations could deteriorate to the point where you missed your chance to go.
Everything we need in order see the world can now be ours for cheaper than it ever has been before, and there has never been a better time to take time off and explore the globe. There truly are no more excuses that money is an obstacle to experiencing the world, and while it’s an overused cliche, it’s true that if you delay your travels until “someday”, it’s likely that your departure date will never come.
The following are 4 reasons why now is the best time to travel.
Read More
When picturing time spent lazing on a beach, typical travelers visualize a white sand beach with swaying palms set against a sparkling ocean and a searing sun. Many book relaxing retreats and stay in resorts which offer beach access a mere steps from the lobby or your room.
Though not every beach has to serve as just a place to relax. And not every beach is so easily accessible from your front door. Sometimes you have to work to get there, and sometimes you need to have the guts, too!
If a beach day with some added adventure sounds perfect for you, consider the following for your next trip.
Read More
Women from all corners of the world flock to Italy to enjoy Italian art, history, and cuisine. But what they don’t tell their husbands and boyfriends is that a little part of them may secretly lust after the scenario where a Latin lover will conquer them with a smouldering glance and whisk them away on their scooters to woo them in some secluded olive grove! The rest of us? We do our best to resist!
The charms and flirtations of Italian men are well rumored throughout the world to be a feminine vice. Though for the unsuspecting female traveler, well, many before me have found themselves caught in disastrous encounters with Italian flirts.
And that was without advertising that they were ‘single and ready to mingle’! My bad.
Read More
For generations, the Gold Coast has been Australia’s capital of fun, embracing and entertaining travelers with a spectacle of golden beaches, legendary theme parks, iconic rain-forests and lively attractions. Though with opportunities for adventure on land, air, and sea, the most difficult question is actually how to fit it all in!
To help you out, the following is a 4 day Gold Coast itinerary suited to the luxury adventurer; a terrific combination of adrenalin pumping thrills set on one of Australia’s most spectacular natural stages.
Modeled on our recent trip, follow this guide for rainforest glamping, horse back riding, transparent kayaking over sunken shipwrecks, skydiving over the southern beaches, and suiting up in a harness for Australia’s largest and longest zipline.
Read More
For one week every year, Venice transforms itself. It leaves behind the calm atmosphere it is known for and transforms into an explosion of colours and emotions.
I’m talking about the Venetian Carnival.
This recurring holiday is famous all over the world, but to participate can be a little bit tricky. Venice is a labyrinth of small streets and it’s easy to lose your sense of direction if you don’t know what you are doing.
But follow these tips for attending the Venetian Carnival and you’ll be fine. You’re in for an incredibly memorable time!
Read More
When I flew to London in 2007, I had a travel agent take care of my flights. I was bright eyed and naive with no travel experience at 18, and I paid around $3,000 AUD. That’s a lot of money for an economy class flight.
I had been warned about home sickness and culture shock, though the worse shock was arriving at the school and having my peers tell me I had paid far too much for those flights. And when you’re 18 and you’ve spent 12 months scraping together every possible penny from shifts at McDonalds after school, that realization comes as a pretty difficult blow.
Since then I vowed to never again get caught paying for ridiculously overpriced flights. And now that I know about Australian startup Flystein, (a team of flight hacking ninjas who find you a cheaper fare than the best you have found), I never will again!
Read More
A few months ago we told you about an amazing platform called Grabr, where travelers can get paid to shop for people while they’re overseas and bring home hard-to-find goods for a sweet delivery fee. A brilliant concept since everytime I head overseas it seems like my family and friends make me shop for them anyway! May as well get paid!
Though our post really only focused on using the platform from a travelers point of view – why Grabr is fantastic for travelers looking for an added sense of adventure, some extra cash, and a chance to meet new people. We didn’t really touch on the fact that it’s fantastic marketplace if you’re a shopper too!
And by “shopper”, I mean someone searching for hard-to-find goods from an exotic corner of the globe. Authentic goods you can’t get internationally. Perhaps something handcrafted that you saw on a trip to Africa and are kicking yourself for not having brought home.
Read More
If you’ve been following this blog for a while now, I wouldn’t blame you for thinking I have an issue with scenic flights. From the Swiss Alps, to the Blue Mountains, and now Australia’s iconic Gold Coast, I’ve never made it through a whole plane ride. On reaching 12,000 feet I’ve always opted for the quickest route back down to the ground. Free falling at 200 kph after having jumped mid flight.
But I truly can’t stop. The air rushes into your face and your heart starts racing. As the adrenalin rush kicks in, you feel like you’re floating on a cushion of air. The silence is amazing, the view is sensational, and as the initial shock of the free fall quickly wears off your fear disappears, replaced with an intense and exhilarating thrill of soaring through the air.
I’m addicted to the jump. I crave the adrenaline at this point. Skydiving is an electrifying experience far more thrilling and intense than any sort of drug. Though I had never before jumped over the coast and landed on the beach.
Read More
I am admittedly an amateur in the world of international travel. While Europe is on my doorstep as a resident of the UK, my passport holds no more than 20 passport stamps; those which are there due to family holidays, or visiting friends who have made the leap and moved abroad.
A visit to Jordan therefore seemed so off the cards me, an infrequent traveler, and one of the last places to have crossed my mind as a potential destination for tourism. Though a distant relative of my mother based in Amman, Jordan paved the opportunity for my trip.
Amman, the capital of Jordan, is a modern city with numerous ancient ruins. A gateway for reaching the rest of Jordan, those willing to linger awhile before making for Petra, the Dead Sea or Wadi Rum will find it is one of the easiest cities in which to enjoy the Middle East experience.
Read More
We all begin with curiosity, but comfort then ties us down. We’re born with wild imaginations, and spectacular dreams, but as we reach adulthood, far too many of us choose to settle for less.
We choose to settle for an “okay” life instead of one which is extraordinary. We allow ourselves to become slaves to pensions, expectations, and consumerism. We let some faceless person in a human resources department decide how much money we’ll earn, what we’ll do with our days and whether we get to enjoy job security.
Sarah Peterson says you should join the movement and unsettle.
Read More
Let’s face it. London can be an expensive city to tour. Sure, there are plenty of free things to do once you arrive, but when you start adding up hotels, restaurants and shows, you may realize that a visit here can very quickly leave your bank account in a sorry state.
For those of us that live here, we cope by scouring the web for deals, hunting down the best cheap eats, and visiting the city’s free museums way too many times.
But what if you feel like a splurge?
Read More
Looking for a gift which is truly exceptional and unique? Searching for something handcrafted from an exotic corner of the globe but wanting assurance that your money is going directly to the artisan who created it?
Travel is now the world’s largest industry, and as such, we as travelers have real power. We have the power to choose who we open our wallets to, and where we choose to travel has real economic and political significance. Using our power as consumers and economic leverage as travelers, we are able to support the most ethical destinations and organizations and send a message to the rest of the world in doing so.
In a world where there are so many mass produced products, with no record of who made them, organizations like UncommonGoods give us the choice to say no to sweatshops and child labor, and to vote with our wallets for a happier world. They connect local artisans to a global marketplace of socially conscious customers.
Read More
The Crimson Rosella’s are forced to scatter as a pair of Rainbow Lorikeets decide it’s their time to feed. They descend upon the bird feeder we’ve packed with seeds, sending the two Rosella’s into a fast retreat. A sudden burst of vivid plumage and squawking fills the air. The Lorikeets have first pickings here. They have their run of the rainforest and make sure every other bird knows it too.
Over the past few years, Mike and I have been fortunate enough to experience our fair share of sensational accommodation. Think plush penthouse suites in Las Vegas where the range of in room amenities is so excessive it will fulfill every wildest dream. Or an intimate boutique loft apartment in New York. Think a decadent hotel built atop ancient Incan ruins in Peru. We recently also stayed in a room which came with a zoo!
Suffice to say, we have slept around quite extensively when it comes to luxury rooms. And it as such takes something truly exceptional to wow us to our core. Who knew it would be our first experience glamping, in the Australian bush no less, which would leave us both in absolute awe.
Read More
