Now that we’re allowed to head across the pond to visit our nearest and dearest neighbours, New Zealand, it’s time to reevaluate your travel photography kit to make sure you are ready to capture the best travel photos.
After all, New Zealand has some of the best landscapes in the world!
From the essentials, like the right camera and lenses, to the camera accessories, the expert photographers at Ted’s Cameras are taking us through what photography equipment to pack on your NZ holiday.
Read MorePre-pandemic, land based casinos were among the most popular tourist attractions in most countries; case in point, before lock down, Australia’s most popular casinos attracted more visitors than the Sydney Opera House!
But post pandemic, land based casinos are facing a threat from technology, and as the world of online casinos brings us virtual experiences all the way from Egypt to Italy, gambling tourism is evolving to a virtual space.
Now, you can start your casino experience from the minute you depart, and choose to play Casino Australia from an airport on the other side of the world, even before you’ve arrived in the country.
But despite being able to play from home, travelers who typically engaged in casino tourism are playing online games while traveling, whether to pass the time through boring airport delays, or back in their hotel room at the end of the day.
Whether you’re playing from Vegas, Macau, or in-flight because WiFi is now offered on the plane, keep these tips in mind for traveling and playing online casino games.
Read MoreWhen it comes to basic travel essentials most people have an idea of what to pack, and frequent travelers might not even have to think twice about it.
But the basic travel essentials you’re used to will be very different once travel picks back up again after the pandemic.
Starting to plan your travels again? Here’s a checklist of the travel essentials you’ll need to add into your existing list of basics.
Read MoreThe pandemic has forced us to rethink how we do many things in our lives, from working and schooling remotely to social distancing wherever we go.
Travel too has been greatly impacted and many are now seeking out COVID-friendly holidays as travel restrictions ease; looking to adventurous RV holidays as a way to avoid hotels and public transport, joining the millions who have already embraced vanlife.
Vanlife is the movement that’s rocking social media. It’s about simplifying your life and realizing what’s truly important. It’s easy to see why so many people are embracing the lifestyle as it offers a great deal of freedom, flexibility, and adventure.
Renting an RV is a great way to decide whether you want to commit to vanlife as a lifestyle or simply wish to experience it as a travel break from everyday life. The flexibility allows you to change your plans at a whim; stay an extra day in a place that invigorates you or easily escape somewhere where the weather may not be cooperating.
If you want to experience a holiday where the possibilities are endless, check out these top tips for renting an RV and taking a vanlife holiday around Europe.
Read MoreIf you’re anything like me, one minute you’re typing up that report and the next thing you know you’re staring out the window imagining paddleboarding with sea lions off the Canadian coast or enjoying tapas at an outdoor cafe in Barcelona.
For most of us, making those daydreams come true takes a lot of work. You have to make a plan, figure out what the trip will cost, and then save up enough money to make it happen, all while crossing your fingers your safari money doesn’t end up as “fixing the broken car” money instead.
And then there are those travel hackers – the ones who manage to visit 10 countries every year and post about how awesome and easy it is to pay for first-class flights and 5-star hotels using credit card rewards.
It’s true – you can use credit cards and points and miles to take amazing trips for free, but travel hacking has a steep learning curve. You have to put in a lot of time and pay close attention to detail to consistently earn enough rewards to cover your travels.
In this post, I’ll help with the learning curve by sharing five secrets of successful travel hackers, plus a new app that shortcuts the learning process and instantly travel hacks for you. (Psssttt … that’s the part you really don’t want to miss!)
Read MoreThere’s no denying that smartphones and their handy apps have revolutionized travel. Whether it’s booking flights and hotels, navigating new cities and finding parking, or gaining insight on local attractions, phone apps make many aspects of travel much easier.
With Canadians aiming to be fully vaccinated by September, the easing of border restrictions will hopefully allow vaccinated travelers from around the world to enter Canada without having to get tested or go through quarantine.
To get you ready for your future Canadian holiday, I thought I’d introduce you to some of Canada’s top most useful travel apps. Whether you need a campsite in Banff or want to check the winter ski forecasts, here are ten incredible Canadian travel apps you should download before your trip.
Read MorePopularized by both movies and hit songs ever since its creation, the bright flashing lights of Las Vegas has been tempting travelers from all over the world for decades. In a normal non-COVID year, Vegas welcomes around 40 million tourists.
While it may be one of the world’s most tourist-friendly cities, the mix of craziness, excitement, and sheer amount of choice Vegas presents can prove a bit overwhelming for first-time visitors looking to break their Sin City virginity.
If you’ve always dreamt of visiting the gambling and entertainment capital of America and wish your experience to live up to the fun and magic you had envisioned, I’ve compiled a list of essential Vegas travel tips you need to know as a first-time visitor.
The Vegas Strip may offer something for anyone on nearly any budget, but avoiding rookie Vegas tourist mistakes will ensure your visit is a memorable one for all the right reasons.
Read MoreHaven’t got the time nor patience to wait until 2050 for space travel? The good news is that you don’t have to and can do it right now in the world of gaming!
The original space race which ran from the late 1950’s right through until the culmination of the cold war in 1991, laid the foundations for space exploration and hopefully one day soon, space travel.
The thought and ambition of civilians traveling effortlessly through space, venturing to different planets as if they were just a simple Boeing 747 on a City-hopper journey, let alone inhabiting any of them may seem a bit far-fetched.
However, if history has taught us anything it is that anything is possible and with the rate of technology expansion and development it would be naive to completely rule such occurrences out in the future.
There have been many space theme games that have attempted to shed light on what life would be like if space travel were to become reality. Perhaps, for the time being at least, we’ll have to be content with a continuation of this until the correct advancements are made.
Read MoreIf you’re an avid traveller, collecting souvenirs of the places you visit is a fun way of commemorating your trips. Most people do this by taking photographs of their favourite destinations or saving boarding passes from their journeys.
However, there are times when you’re too busy to take a photo of your destination or even pick a trinket.
That’s when vintage travel posters come in handy.
Besides reminding you of places visited and the people you encounter, vintage travel posters have a truly aesthetic appeal. Photographic ads, banner ads and TV commercial are all the rage, but they can’t replace the rich culture that travel posters embody.
Read MoreWhile winter may limit a number of things you can enjoy around the U.K., the snow and cold offers an excuse to check out some of the more unusual indoor British activities and attractions.
While many use the winter months to catch some West End theatre or explore the many museums, why not use this time to be original and experience something new.
While winter may not offer the warmth and plentiful outdoor activities the warmer months provide, it does present the opportunity to go skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing, and even check out the Cairngorm’s reindeer herd.
But what if you’re not exactly into rugging-up and heading outdoors to brave the cold, snow, and ice? While you could simply snuggle up on the couch and binge The Crown off Netflix, there are endless exciting indoor adventures to be had around the U.K.
Here are just some of the top quirky indoor attractions that will keep you energized and amused as the days grow shorter and spending time outdoors becomes less enticing.
Read MoreBeing that Canada is the second largest country in the world in terms of land area, it should come as no surprise that it’s home to many incredible hotels and resorts.
Whether you’re looking at travelling to Vancouver in the west or Toronto in the east, there are luxurious accommodation options spanning the entire country from coast to coast.
Seclusion in the Canadian wilderness? Fun in the snow at world renowned ski resorts? Or maybe endless entertainment in Canada’s vibrant provincial and territorial capitals? There are hotels and resorts for every interest that easily stand out from the rest.
The following are Canada’s most luxurious hotels and resorts where you’ll be pampered like the many important guests who have stayed, including royalty, world leaders, and movie stars.
Read MoreNepal is a heaven for trekkers with a smorgasbord of trails ranging from world-famous to lesser-known ones. Among those, the Manaslu Circuit Trek has been gaining popularity as one of the best treks in Nepal in recent years.
This 2-week tea-house trek is considered a great alternative to the well-trodden Annapurna Circuit, largely thanks to its beauty and the fact that it does not allow solo trekkers.
If you’re planning a trip to this beautiful region in Northern Central of Nepal, you’re in the right post!
Read MoreWhen it comes to plane etiquette, there’s a lot of debate around things like whether or not you should take off your shoes, and whether reclining your seat makes you a horrible human being (personally I’m on team recline).
Also whether you should sneak off to the bathrooms for … well … you know what I mean.
But beyond what might be faux pas and bad social etiquette, there are a number of things which can actually land you jail, and risk your health and safety.
Far more serious than walking barefoot to the bathrooms (seriously – ew), the following things fall into the camp of landing you in serious trouble on a plane.
Read MorePlanning a safe and carefree road trip during the pandemic is not impossible! Although the thought of leaving your safe bubble sounds scary, there is still an option to travel and be as careful as possible.
While we’re all waiting for things to get back to normal, planning a road trip can be an excellent way to unwind, without risking anyone’s health or safety.
Eliminating physical contact with other people as much as possible, exceptional hygiene, and a few other smart choices can make your trip memorable, even if it’s happening during a pandemic. The seven tips below will keep you safe while you’re on the road.
Read MoreThis past summer I rented an RV from RVezy in San Diego and drove the Pacific Coast Highway up to San Francisco. I spent a week driving Highway 101 along the California coast and saw some of the most beautiful places in the state.
Pristine coastlines, gorgeous beaches, waterfalls, parks, and quaint beach cities all define the Pacific Coast Highway. Spend a morning hiking and the afternoon wine tasting. Or wake up for a sunrise over the ocean and spend your evening in a cute beach town.
With so many beautiful sites and a variety of activities, this is a great option for a California road trip.
Read MoreIt’s no surprise that a large percentage of travelers are drawn to the sea, our human brains hardwired to react positively to water.
Any body of water seems to have the ability to offer us a sense of calm and clarity, but our world’s seas especially seem to have a special ability to relieve stress and provide a number of health benefits for both the body and mind.
While seaside getaways are great, there’s nothing quite like getting out on the actual sea. Thanks to private catamaran charters, you can ditch the often crowded and noisy sea cruise tours and enjoy pure seclusion and bliss.
Many catamaran charter companies don’t require you to have any previous sailing or captaining experience. They’ll often offer a brief training session and you’ll be set free to craft your own personal holiday.
The following are some of the top places around the world where catamaran experiences reign supreme. You’ll be able to snorkel and swim on a whim, suntan on the deck, moor in the bay by day, and still come ashore whenever you wish.
Read MoreGambling is one of the oldest leisure activities in human history, from dicing in the streets of Greece and Rome, to card games in China.
However one country where you haven’t been able to gamble in the past hundred years is Japan. At least, that’s the international perception, but it’s not entirely true.
Gambling has been a taboo subject in Japanese society, and since 1907 most forms of gambling, including casinos, have indeed been illegal. However there are many forms of legal gambling within Japan, including Pachinko, the Lottery, and certain types of sports betting.
With the realization of just how big international casino tourism is (hello Macau tourism dollars), and with COVID moving culture to online entertainment, Japan may just be starting to embrace changes to their century-old gaming laws. Here’s an introduction to Japanese gambling culture.
Read MoreThe Serengeti is an ecosystem in Africa that spans 5,700 miles and is most famous for its vast plains. It’s one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and has the biggest migration in the world, making it one of the most impressive natural events you’ll ever witness.
The Seregneti has become synonymous with Africa, and chances are, if you’ve dreamed about Africa, you’ve dreamed about the Serengeti. The park is so wildlife rich that there are over 4,000 lions, 1,000 leopards, 550 cheetahs and some 500 bird species. In this one National Park (granted, it’s a huge park!).
This is one of the best places on earth to observe African wildlife in their natural habitats, of which include riverine forests, swamps, kopjes, grasslands, and woodlands. So, the main question becomes, how many days do you need for exploring the Serengeti? We recommend four.
Read MoreWhen you think of big gambling destinations, you no doubt envision places like Vegas, Monaco, or Macau. While these destinations may offer up some of the grandest casinos in the world, there are a number of casinos and gambling spots tucked away in spots you may never have imagined.
Casinos have managed to find a home just about everywhere on the planet including into ice castles like the one once found in Sweden, Antarctic research stations like Argentine Esperanza Base, state prisons such as in Nevada, and even in the back of London taxi cabs.
While these unusual gambling spots may not be as gigantic or opulent as the Bellagio or The Venetian, they are far more unique and quirky. If you’re looking for a truly one-of-a-kind gambling experience, take a chance on one of these crazy casinos around the world and I’d be willing to bet you won’t be disappointed.
Read MoreAn exchange program in the United States can be a life-changing experience. You get the opportunity to gain valuable skills and knowledge and get a taste of the American way of life. But there’s also one thing you shouldn’t forget: your J-1 visa tax return.
The Exchange Visitor Program has allowed millions of people from every corner of the world to work, study, and live in the United States. Visitors who enter the U.S. through this program, also known as J-1 visa holders, are subject to federal and state laws – including taxes.
Here’s a quick guide to taxes for J-1 visa holders, including what taxes to pay, what forms to file, and everything in between.
Read MoreThey say travelers should take only photos and leave only footprints, but it may just be our footprints that are doing the most harm to our planet.
Most of us are now aware of our carbon footprint, which is the total amount of greenhouse gases each of us generates. Sadly, our carbon footprints tend to be more damaging when we travel.
While most of us put a lot of time and effort into carefully packing for our vacations in terms of saving on weight and space and only carrying things we’ll actually need, few of us are conscious of how environmentally friendly our travel gear is.
One of the best ways to become a sustainable traveler is to start thinking about what products you take with you traveling. There are now countless eco-friendly travel products on the market made by companies that use organic or recycled materials and in some cases even donate a percentage of their profits to earth-saving initiatives.
After researching sustainable products, you’ll soon discover that items like sunglasses, hats, and suitcases are now being made from recycled materials, and can result in a huge reduction in waste. Here are some great sustainable travel gear items you should think about.
Read MoreAs exciting as travel is, there’s usually a fair share of dull downtime to fill whether it be waiting in a hotel lobby for check-in time or waiting for a flight at the airport.
Sure, you can fill that time with endless scrolling on Facebook , but if you’re without Wi-Fi or data , or simply want to be a bit more social, card games are a great way to pass the time. They’re also a great way to meet new people while travelling, as they can be a great ice breaker when staying in places like hostels.
So, if you’re looking for that ace up your sleeve the next time you’re bored while on holiday, check out one of these top card games for travellers.
Read MoreI think most of us would agree that vacations seem to go by way too fast. As the old saying goes, “time flies when you’re having fun”. But how can you make sure your vacations are indeed enjoyable and even more importantly, memorable?
After many years of continuous travel, I have found there are a number of effective ways you can ensure your travel memories will stay with you for the rest of your life.
And it’s important to note that a trip can be memorable for wrong reasons as well, so let’s just focus on ways you can enjoy positive travel experiences that will bring back many memorable moments.
Read MoreAfter your incredible trip, the last thing you want to do is to clean your floors. You probably just want to take a rest, catch up with friends, or browse through your photos to re-live your adventure. The back-breaking chore of using the good old mop and bucket is always the least of my priorities.
Of all the most disliked household chores, mopping is perhaps the most despised. Even vacuuming doesn’t top that list. From the filthy water to the floors of most homes which are a challenge to mop, I’ve found it’s often easier to simply neglect the task!
Fortunately, technology has evolved and introduced robots, yes, robots! … that can perform almost anything, including household chores while we’re out of the country on an adventure.
If you’ve ever fantasized about having your home cleaned while you’re away on vacation, consider investing in a robot mop. The battery-operated mop can get rid of stains, grime, and dirt from all sorts of flooring surfaces such as wood, tile, and stone. There are even models that can even vacuum your floors first.
With so many out there, it’s vital to do your research (when it comes to reviews, read before you go to the store), and to buy with enough time to test it out around the house before you leave. This guide will help you understand what mopping robots are and which necessary functions and features you need to look for.
Read MoreInternational travel may be coming back soon, but that doesn’t mean your travel fund will necessarily be ready. Many people have seen their finances take a hit and are now looking for ways they can earn extra cash to save up for travel.
Thankfully, there are many side hustle jobs out there that will allow you to earn quick money on a schedule that works for you without having to seek out another constrictive part-time job which may force you to work more than you are willing or able to.
The best part of many side hustle jobs is that they don’t require a degree or very much training if any at all. You may even be able to turn a hobby or something you enjoy into cash.
Whether it’s starting a blog, selling items around your home that are otherwise just collecting dust, or renting out a spare bedroom in your home, there are many easy ways to turn any extra free time into money you can put towards memorable travel experiences. Here are some of my most recommended side hustle jobs.
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I am Megan Jerrard, professional travel blogger/journalist with a focus on adventure, discovery, immersion and inspiring you to explore!
