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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We all hear (constantly!) that travel improves mental health, though with all the stress around planning and spending time in unfamiliar places, many people find themselves susceptible to travel anxiety.
While this isn’t an official mental health condition that can be diagnosed, travel can really exacerbate general anxiety symptoms and can prevent you from enjoying your experience. Some people find it so severe that they avoid travel altogether.
While mental health was once seen as taboo and rarely discussed, today we’ve started to talk about it. Anxiety doesn’t go away because you’re traveling, and dealing with anxiety overseas can be much more distressing than when you experience them at home. So it is important to talk about.
If you suffer from travel anxiety, 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 and tackle your reactions so you can keep yourself in check.
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While Las Vegas may be the most visited casino destination on the planet, why place yourself in the middle of the desert when there are luxurious beach resorts offering up just as much fun gambling action!
Whether you’re into roulette, poker, or slots, you’ll find great beach casinos scattered around America, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and even Australia.
All-inclusive beach resorts with casinos are a winning combination for many travellers; you can enjoy lounging beneath palm trees and swimming with friendly reef sharks by day and then take in non-stop night-time action to compete with poker sharks by night.
If you’re thinking about taking a gambling beach holiday, here are my top five lucky recommendations for beachside casinos. You may just end up winning back your vacation travel costs if you play your cards right, or at the very least, come away with a few sand dollars!
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Known as the “Gateway to Southwest Florida”, Fort Myers makes the perfect base for exploring the many beautiful islands that are easily accessible from the city.
Being lucky enough to have called this subtropical paradise home for two years, Fort Myers is a place packed with excitement. Now a major tourist destination, snowbirds from northern cities choose to overwinter here and more and more people are relocating every year.
Islands around Fort Myers are home to abundant wildlife, loads of outdoor recreation including exceptional golfing, and many of Florida’s most beautiful hidden beaches. So we’ve partnered with Hotels.com to bring you a list of our favorites!
Once you’re finished shopping at the outlets and catching a baseball spring training game, be sure to check out these top nearby islands, each offering their own unique attractions and character.
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If you’re considering hitting the road for the upcoming holidays, you’ll need the perfect road-trip vehicle. The car you choose can make or break your adventure, so it’s important to choose something both comfortable and fun!
Car adventures typically include a lot of time sitting, and you’ll get to know the inside of your car quite intimately! So it’s necessary to invest something safe and comfortable, paying close attention to the interior features and space on offer.
Things like safety basics, fuel estimates, and even acceleration of your car (to know how it will handle the bumps and uneven roads along the way) all play into choosing the perfect vehicle. Amenities like USB ports, infotainment systems, etc. may also be important.
Already overwhelmed by the long list of features you should look for? We’ve saved you the trouble and created a list of the best cars for a road trip for you! You can’t go wrong with one of the following.
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Travel is great for the soul. But it can be an absolute nightmare for your skin. Between switching climates, rapidly changing your diet, flying in dry planes, swimming in saltwater, and so much more, travel can take a huge toll on your look.
But it doesn’t have to! You can’t keep a suitcase’s worth of cosmetics with you when you’re hiking the Himalayas. And would you really want to? All those pharmaceutical chemicals contribute to pollution that makes the world a little less beautiful.
Luckily, there are some natural tricks that will keep your skin glowing while lightening your load and protecting the planet. Who knows? You may never go back to those goops and creams after you see how well these natural skincare hacks work!
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Want to know how I afford to travel the world full time? Thanks to affiliate marketing on my travel blog, I can go anywhere, at any time and still have a steady income no matter my destination.
After implementing affiliate marketing on our travel blog, Adventure in You and creating a strategy where it works around the clock (so that we don’t have to), we actively earn five figures each month passively, allowing us to make money on the go from anywhere in the world.
My partner Tom and I have now been on the road for the past five years, fully supported by our travel blog. In fact, we make more now than we did as a school principal and an engineer… COMBINED!
While we have multiple income streams on our blog, the bulk of the money we earn online is through affiliate marketing, which pads our pockets while providing continuous value to our audience, all while we circle the globe.
Today we’ll talk about the basics of affiliate marketing, some of the best affiliate programs for bloggers, and how this monetization strategy can become your bread and butter, no matter what kind of blog you have.
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There are many ways to make purchases while traveling abroad. You can convert your home currency into local cash, wire money, use a debit card or prepaid travel card, or look into traveler’s checks if you want to go old school (and can still find a company that issues them!).
Most travelers, however, will opt for the easiest and often most economical way to pay for things which is with credit cards.
While it’s always a good idea to have a variety of ways to access your cash while traveling, credit cards will most likely be your go-to when paying for food, transport, admission tickets, and souvenirs. If you plan on using a credit the next time you travel internationally, here are a few important things you should know.
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When one thinks of Anaheim, Disneyland is often the first thing that comes to mind. There are, however, many more reasons why people are finding Anaheim the “happiest place on earth” and are choosing to relocate here.
There has been a large increase in the desire for many resident Californians to migrate out of larger cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego in favor of smaller and safer cities like Anaheim.
California’s larger cities like L.A. are starting to become plagued by unbearable traffic, overcrowding, and homelessness which has only been exacerbated by the current pandemic.
Ask any Anaheim moving company and they will tell you they’ve been working flat out to keep up with the demand for families wanting to relocate to a safer suburban lifestyle. So let’s look at some of the many reasons why Anaheim is an enticing choice for Californians or other Americans looking to escape life in the big city!
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Have you ever watched your favorite action/adventure film, like Indiana Jones or National Treasure, where the heroes hop around the globe, following clues and eventually finding the hidden prize?
What if we told you could do that same thing with just your smartphone and a willingness to travel?
Most people think of their smartphone as a gateway to digital entertainment, and with good reason. One of the main selling points you’re only ever a few taps and swipes away from a host of games, taking in the latest VR experiences, indulging in a rapid-fire game of Zoom Poker, or enjoying your favorite shows on one of the top streaming services.
However, just because these are all activities that can be enjoyed from your favorite comfy chair, doesn’t mean your smartphone can’t help you indulge you love of adventure, exploration, and travel.
Enter Geocaching!
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When done right, road trips can be an economical and much less stressful way to travel. It not only saves a great deal of money and time by not having to purchase and wait for flights, but it also allows couples and families the opportunity to really connect with one another.
Whether you’ve been planning a cross-country road trip for months or just spontaneously decided to drive up the coast for a weekend, there are some important things to consider when preparing for any road trip.
It starts with setting a budget and choosing a route before then thinking about what vehicle you’ll take and what you’ll need to pack. There are then of course precautions you need to take to ensure the safety of you and your fellow road trippers that will be traveling with you.
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There’s no denying the allure of casinos. They can be found on six of the world’s seven continents and the only reason they aren’t in Antarctica is because no one wants to gamble with upsetting its precious ecosystem!
Casinos attract people from all walks of life and for many more reasons than simply gambling. From being pampered in luxury hotels, enjoying elegant dining, shopping, and getting more than your fill of world-class entertainment, casinos often have a lot to offer.
But there’s no need to take a gamble on these top 5 casino destinations in the world, as I’d be willing to bet each will provide you with an exceptional travel experience.
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One of the joys of travel is being able to directly contribute to the economies of the communities we visit, and shopping locally has always been a great way to do this.
It’s the joy of stumbling across charming little shops selling handmade jewelry and clothing you literally couldn’t find anywhere else. And seeing the joy on the face of the artisan when they make a sale.
There’s nothing quite like buying something directly from the hands that made it, and knowing that the community from which it came will be benefiting from 100% of the profits.
We often associate online shopping with faceless corporations, which is the complete opposite to the concept of buying locally, but given the current pandemic climate, more and more local businesses have started moving online.
While we’ve been forced to cancel our travel plans, and isolate in our own homes, the shopfronts we would have been buying our souvenirs from have been forced to close.
Online shopping has become the solution to supporting the communities we would have been contributing to, and still collecting our souvenirs and taste of other cultures even when we can’t leave home.
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Planning a vacation isn’t always easy. There are flights and hotels to book, itineraries to organize, and of course the fun of packing.
While many travelers put a lot of time and energy into planning and preparing for their vacations, they often leave thinking about travel insurance to the end or simply forgo purchasing it altogether.
Life often has a funny way of delivering us the unexpected, and because of this it is imperative that all travelers regardless of age, gender, race, or health consider investing in a travel policy to ensure financial protection should an unfortunate incident occur.
Having a travel insurance policy in place well before your trip can end up saving you thousands of dollars if you sadly need to cancel your trip for an unexpected and covered reason, need costly overseas medical care, or run into instances of lost or stolen bags and cancelled flights.
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One of the world’s most beloved hiking trails just so happens to end at one of the most famous wonders of the world. While many tourists take the train to the ancient Inca citadel Machu Picchu, it’s the 4-5 day hike along the world-renowned Inca Trail through the Andes that allows you to really embrace the region and its culture.
The Inca Trail’s roughly 26-mile-long trek from Cusco to Machu Picchu will introduce you to a range of different natural landscapes including clouds forests and alpine tundra, passing numerous ancient Inca ruins along the way.
Here are a few of the highlights along your journey.
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In 1798, European explorers Bass and Flinders sailed along the northern coast of Van Dieman’s Land, known today as Tasmania. They took a colonial sloop and proved that it was indeed an island, separated from mainland Australia by a strait (today called the Bass Strait).
Rowing up the Tamar River to where Launceston is today, their exploration laid the groundwork for some of the first European settlements in the country, and in 1806 Launceston became a township.
It’s easy to first think of Hobart or Sydney when seeking out colonial heritage in Australia, though Launceston has a rich and vibrant heritage, and one of the finest early cityscapes in the country.
Defined by Georgian buildings and Victorian gardens, Australia’s third oldest city is today a shining example of adaptive reuse; with fashion boutiques, bars, banks, and high-tech offices sitting inside colonial churches, town halls, and towers.
And as far as historic hotels? The Leisure Inn Penny Royal is a boutique, family-friendly apartment hotel, set in an 1840’s corn mill.
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Miami’s sun, sand, and surf are enough to lure countless travelers each year, but then you add in fun colorful art deco buildings and an equally vibrant nightlife and you have the perfect getaway destination.
Miami’s art deco and gorgeous sunsets aren’t the only colorful things in Miami though. Scattered around the city are lush subtropical gardens that are as colorful as the many characters that you’ll encounter on South Beach.
You’ll find beautiful green spaces nearly everywhere in Miami, and we’ve partnered with Hotels.com to bring you this list. Many of the most luxurious Miami hotels and resorts even have their own private little gardens wrapped around refreshing pools.
After you’ve had enough tanning and partying on the beach and need to nurse that sunburn or hangover, check out these stunning gardens around the city that will provide you with the perfect detox.
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It’s always been important to be smart about how you withdraw and spend your money when traveling. Though faced with a long road ahead to economic recovery, this is true now more than ever.
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Between trying new foods, staying out late, drinking too many margaritas, and crashing on those fluffy hotel pillows, it’s totally understandable that many of us put a ‘pause’ on worrying about health while we travel.
After-all, travel is supposed to be an escape!
But just because you’re spending time in the sun and maybe eating a bit too much doesn’t mean all health needs to go out the window!
As you find yourself taking more adventurous risks, and spending more time outside, one area of health you shouldn’t neglect are your eyes.
Whether that be with a cap or polarized prescription sunglasses, it is important to care for your sight when you travel. And that’s exactly what you’ll learn to do from this guide.
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There are many industries that face a tough task to bounce back in 2020 and beyond. One of those is the casino tourism industry.
Most casinos around the world have become an attraction in their own right, so much so that whole cities like Vegas and Macau have become known solely for their casino scene.
So it’s no surprise that casinos have become intricately tied to the tourism fabric, with many doubling as fully integrated resorts, restaurants, concert venues, and playing a vital role within local economies.
The casino industry will likely be one of the last to reopen after the pandemic, which will have a huge impact on the speed of being able to return to jobs, and how quickly tourism to the areas around them flourish.
So, what can this industry do to bounce back and get people on board both this year and beyond? We’ve thrown down some thoughts.
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As international travel restrictions begin to ease and we all look to go on a much needed holiday, it’s important to remember that many countries around the world require you to obtain a visa.
Each country has its own unique visa requirements, and whether or not you will need a visa will largely depend on where you are travelling and what nationality you are. A travel visa will allow you to pass through or remain in a country for a set amount of time and for a specific purpose.
The different visas available to travellers include those designed specifically for tourists, journalists, students, doctors, volunteers, and diplomats. Should you wish to work in a foreign country, you will need to make sure your visa allows you to do so.
Whether you need a transit visa or a longer tourist/migration visa, it’s vital to understand the visa process, as you’re not getting into a foreign country without one!
So, let’s take a look at where you can get your visa, when you should get your visa, and what you may need to successfully obtain your required visa.
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While everybody would like to indulge on a regular vacation, time taken off for a wellness holiday to restore the body and soul calls for a different packing list altogether.
And while we might say we travel to relax, let’s be honest – most of our regular vacations are so jam packed with activities that we end up needing another vacation the minute we’re home! That vacation you always seem to need at the end of your typical vacations to relax and unwind? That’s a wellness break.
Though don’t fall into the trap of thinking that wellness just means sitting at the spa; there are a wide range of holiday types that are considered a health getaway today. Here’s a basic packing list for each of them.
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Self-care has become a part of everyone’s vocabulary recently. But just a few years ago, this act was a revolutionary idea that very few dabbled in – or dared to even indulge in and brag about!
People than ever are prioritizing activities and routines that promote health, happiness, relaxation and excitement now more than ever, though for many people, their preferred self care activity was travel.
Circumstances have obviously changed right now, and for most people travel is off the table. Even after borders re-open the economic impact of the pandemic means travel might be off the cards for a while.
So what are some self-care activities you can practice when you’re not traveling? Things you can do to ignite your energy again, just as travel would usually do.
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It’s true that the way we travel has changed as a direct result of the current pandemic, and will likely continue to change as we navigate the new world of travel post COVID-19.
While future travel is set to see increased safety precautions, social distancing, and face masks become the norm, just as the way we travel will evolve, so to have the destinations which are trending.
Mass tourism has been one of the biggest social and environmental issues of the 21st century, though this has seen a swift death, and where destinations like Venice, Barcelona, and Bali were once constantly at the top of the trending list, post pandemic we’re set to see new front runners.
With a swing towards destinations that can provide you with a bit of distance, we expect these 5 destinations to be topping the list of trending travel once borders reopen.
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Traveling alone can be nerve-racking even when you’ve done it many times before, but especially for first time travelers, the one thing that’s most challenging is finding the confidence.
But it’s not only about finding the confidence to book the tickets and get on the plane (of which there has been much written on) – once you’re out there traveling, confidence is something you have to maintain.
Fortunately, confidence is quite like riding a bike – you get better with practice. And even if you’ve fallen out of practice, it’s a skill which naturally comes back to you once you get going.
But like anything in life, you can lay down the groundwork in advance to put yourself in a better position once you’re in the thick of things. So, with that in mind, here are tips for maintaining your confidence when traveling alone.
You’ve already booked your tickets and committed to go. But now how do you ride that wave and keep that surge of confidence going?
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