We’ve all seen the images; what was once a pristine coastline, with sugary white sand, dazzling waters, and swaying palms, now littered beyond recognition.
From Hawaii’s Kamilo Beach, to Kuta Beach in Bali, and El Gringo Beach which has been nicknamed the “Dominican Chernobyl”, irresponsible human behavior has turned some of the world’s most beautiful beaches into trash heaps.
If we don’t act soon to curb single-use plastics, we are in danger of losing our coastlines beneath a sea of waste. So Waterlogic has put together the following list of the world’s most idyllic and unspoiled beaches to showcase what we are putting at risk.
Whether you’re visiting for their turquoise waters, bleached-white sand, or mesmerizing marine life, each spot deserves protection. Read on to learn about five remarkably untouched destinations.
And, when you visit, please keep them that way.
Read More
They are some of our closest relatives, yet unlike humanity’s population, which has exploded to well over seven billion people, world gorilla numbers have been drastically declining.
Trekking through the mountainous jungles in search of wild gorillas in countries like Uganda and Rwanda is one of the most memorable travel experiences you can have; standing face to face with living creatures that resemble us in so many ways.
Though this opportunity, to seek out Mountain Gorillas in the wild, may not be possible in the very near future. The consequences of habitat destruction, poaching, human civil wars, and deadly viruses such as Ebola are wiping them out.
But, it’s not all doom and gloom!
Conservation efforts are under way to preserve this species, so in today’s post we plan to introduce you to the world of gorillas: where you can see them in the wild, and what’s being done to ensure these majestic creatures remain for future generations to come.
Read on for tips on what you can expect on a gorilla trekking experience, how to pack for the adventure, and ways to ensure your experience is a success: for both yourself, and the gorillas in the wild.
Read More
Traveling on the Beijing to shanghai train is the quickest and most cost-efficient way to get between these two iconic mega-cities. Because China’s high-speed trains operate at a speed of 350 km/hr, you can travel 819 miles within 4.5 hours.
While this is of course longer than the time it takes to fly (2 hours), there are many perks to train travel, including easier security, the convenient location of stations, comfort of travel, and cheaper cost of ticket.
And, when you consider getting to the airport at least an hour before your flight, and the time it takes you to disembark, collect your bags, and then catch a taxi, train travel actually ends up being around the same amount of time.
So, you’ve decided the book the train between Beijing and Shanghai. What else do you need to know?
Read More
I had never taken a river cruise, and, to be fair, this was my first trip to both Vietnam and Cambodia, though I was fairly certain that a river cruise was the best way to see each country. I had a feeling in my gut that traveling independently by land would mean missing out on half the adventure.
One of the world’s longest rivers, covering 4,000 km from its source high on the Tibetan Plateau, the Mekong River is the lifeblood of Southeast Asia. It flows from China to Vietnam through six countries (China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam), and is key to the survival of some 300 million people.
From fishing boats to floating markets, river life along the Mekong is vibrant, and has been for thousands of years. And it captures a diversity that you wouldn’t experience by land; a juxtaposition of ancient temples with modern palaces, of imperial cities with traditional villages.
I didn’t want an incomplete picture of from my trip to Vietnam and Cambodia. I wanted to see the major tourist sites, sure, but I also wanted to see daily life come alive in undeveloped and unexplored parts of the region. I wanted to immerse myself in new languages and lifestyles, to shake hands with locals who had never seen a foreign tourist, and really witness local life as we drifted along the Mekong Delta to Cambodia.
And one company stood out in particular.
Read More
Running a travel business is exciting; whether you’re selling tours, writing travel guides, or making money as an influencer, carving out a career path that you’re passionate about means you wake up every day loving what you do.
But that doesn’t mean that running a business is easy, in fact, passion and motivation is usually required to be able to pull you through.
Regardless of whether you’re running a multi million dollar travel agency, or you’re an individual packaging travel pillows from home, every business has the same fundamental goals; to make money you need to build a sustainable and loyal base of customers.
There are a lot of places that business owners look for love online; from social media, to SEO (search engine traffic), and using influencers to get their name out there, it can be overwhelming figuring out the best way to go.
But it’s one of the simplest tools for growing your business that is actually the most powerful; a way to connect with your audience in a highly personalized and targeted way, with minimal effort, minimal cost, but maximum ROI (return on interest).
Are you struggling to grow your travel business?
I have two words for you: Email marketing.
Read More
An archipelago made up of 115 islands set in the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles just might be the most relaxing beachside getaway in the world. And all it takes is a quick Google image search for “tropical paradise” before you’re inundated with images of the Seychelles’ many idyllic islands.
Picture this: gently swaying palms, pure white powdery sand, and unrealistic blue seas. Better yet, one of the best things about Seychelles beaches is that they’ve all been made public!
Once a popular hideaway for pirates, where treasure is still said to be buried, many travelers visit the Seychelles to escape reality and lounge on the the world’s most picturesque beaches.
The following is a guide to three of the best, on each of Seychelles’ top 3 islands. I’ll introduce you to the nation’s most popular beaches, as well as those that offer a bit more seclusion.
Read More
If you’re someone who likes to travel for longer than the average 2 week vacation, there’s no doubt that one of the most challenging things you’ll face is staying in touch with people back home.
The simple fact is, to continually travel the world you sacrifice the majority of your pre existing relationships. Even if you’re close with your family and friends, it’s very easy to lose contact when you’re in completely different locations.
After-all, you’re busy traveling, they’re busy with their stuff, and without even realizing it, you end up missing out on milestones and momentous occasions because you’re on the other side of the world, in a different time zone.
But staying in touch doesn’t have to be expensive, and with tech nowadays it’s actually very easy to keep in contact.
Read More
Everyone enjoys some Netflix and chill, and there’s nothing like rolling into a hotel, tired after a long journey, and putting on a couple of shows while you get some rest.
Whether you’ve had a lazy day at the beach, or a dream day between waterfalls and temples in Bali, having access to home comforts while traveling is quite the luxury. However, due to the geo-restrictions imposed on Netflix, your viewing experience is going to vary wildly from one country to the next.
In many nations, you could login to find that your favorite shows are just gone. And, if you think finding a movie is hard back home; imagine suddenly having a catalog that is up to 90% smaller. It happens.
Thankfully, there is a solution!
No matter how small the local catalog is, you can “spoof” your location to another country to increase the number of options. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an online service that permits you to switch your IP address to any country you like.
As soon as you use a VPN to pretend to be in a different country, you can watch the larger Netflix catalog! So, which locations have the smallest catalogs? And where is it a good idea to pretend to be instead?
Read More
Vacation-time is clearly the best time of the year. But there is one constant struggle each traveler has to deal with: what should you bring and what can you leave at home?
Most importantly, does everything you need even fit into your suitcase?!
Regardless of whether you’re trying to cram a few outfits into a small weekender bag, or you’re packing everything + the kitchen sink into your suitcase, the following are 4 useful and creative tricks to making everything fit.
Read More
There’s nothing like having the freedom to travel full-time; cliff jumping into lush, tropical waterfalls and spending afternoons lounging on turquoise waters just watching the waves roll in; every day is truly a dream.
Most people work the entire year to score their two-week vacation just to get a glimpse of what living in paradise is like… but what if I told you that you could travel for longer than two weeks?
That you could travel full-time on a budget and wake up excited to be alive every day? Or that you could spend two weeks on just trying to figure out which is the best Pad Thai in Bangkok?
To travel full-time on a budget, you need to have some insider knowledge, strategy, and gumption. We’ve got the insider knowledge and strategy for you today … do you have the gumption?
Read More
With travel photography becoming increasingly popular, a good quality camera is now a necessity for most travelers. But the biggest question is, what kind of camera should we use?
Bulky DSLR’s were once the go-to, and it was the mark of a photographer to sport a massive zoom. But technology has evolved tremendously, and now that you can take high quality photos with your cell phone, most travelers today are going the portable route.
Also known as compact, or hand-held, portable cameras are preferred among travelers because they are conveniently sized for travel, allow freedom of movement when you’re out. These are often pocket-sized cameras that don’t need to be mounted.
Given this trend towards smaller bodied cameras, the following are 5 reasons to jump on the bandwagon and join those going the portable route.
Read More
There were definitely those who thought my logic was flawed – to try stand-up paddleboarding for the first time in the middle of Tasmanian winter, when the water was well below 0, and no idea if I could balance.
But what better incentive to stay on the board?!
Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is always something I’ve wanted to try, but there are very few opportunities when traveling to find an available board. And I never wanted the hassle of a big, bulky, rigid thing that wouldn’t fit in the car when roadtripping.
But then came Goosehill SUP; a company who make inflatable boards.
An inflatable stand-up paddle board that packs down in to a compact backpack, comes with all the accessories, is light enough to travel with, and doesn’t cost a fortune?! Yes please!
Read More
Taking photos on that fantastic trip is something we all do – but what happens when you get home? Far too many people take stunning pictures on their adventures, yet when they return to daily life those photos just sit forgotten.
They sit in a phone or camera, maybe they’re filed away on your harddrive, waiting to be looked at once every six months then ultimately deleted for more memory space.
It really is a shame. Those photos could be put to much better use, custom printed onto a variety of different ways, and proudly displayed. That way, you remember your journeys every day!
Online printing specialists offer affordable printing on a both common and uncommon items, meaning you can make those memories last a lifetime. But what sort of things can you print onto?
Read More
I genuinely believe that accommodation should be an experience. A culturally immersive and authentic affair, that transcends the idea of being just a place to rest your head.
In Mongolia, that means staying in yurts (portable, round tents covered in skins and felt, still used by Mongolian nomads); in Tunisia, an ancient cave house. From reed houses in South America, to igloos in Scandinavia, and turf houses in Iceland, traditional living has never been cookie cutter.
So why should our hotels?
Hotels in Siem Reap are ridiculously cheap. But I wasn’t looking for something forgettable this time around. I had traveled more than 5,000 miles to immerse myself in ancient temples of the Khmer Empire, and I didn’t want to shatter the experience by returning each night to a bland, generic hotel.
But where do you search for authentic accommodation? Through Glamping Hub we found an eco lodge with Unique Bungalows near Angkor Wat Temple, Cambodia, luxuriously refurbished inside, with perfectly preserved architectural heritage on the out.
We would stay in a traditional Khmer stilt house.
Read More
There’s a certain magic about Siem Reap; as the gateway to Angkor Wat, this small, compact tourist town is where modern and ancient worlds collide.
Cosmopolitan cafes and modern markets form the epicenter of chic Cambodia, though a short tuk-tuk ride and you’ve stepped back in time.
Siem Reap was built around an empire of ancient temples, and from those reclaimed by the roots of enormous banyan trees, to complexes that were once the royal capital city of the Khmer empire, the city of Siem Reap is an incredible base for authentic adventure.
There’s plenty to do in Siem Reap beyond the temples of course; from the Cambodian circus, to Buddhist monasteries, and back country adventures to explore rural villages fringed by endless rice paddies, swaying sugar palms, and water buffaloes.
But before you focus on things to do (and you won’t be short of things to do!), the first thing to figure out is how to get there; by plane, bus, or boat.
Read More
Does a tropical holiday sound good about now? This week long itinerary will take you from your arrival at Faleolo Airport, through many of the natural wonders, fabulous scenery, culture and relaxation that Samoa has on offer.
Explore the two main islands of Upolu and Savaii while experiencing the best of the rainforest, waterfalls, beaches and cultural attractions along the way.
Read More
My love for Japan is well documented, and I’ve traveled here more than I have any other country. It’s a truly timeless destination where ancient traditions, futuristic technology, and modern culture have all been thrown into the same melting pot.
Japan might seem small on a map, but don’t be fooled – it’s a very large country. And the mainland is absolutely jam packed with cultural icons. So I don’t blame you if you initially find it hard to decide which cities you’ll focus your attention on.
Thankfully though, you don’t need to settle on a single destination when visiting Japan, since their extensive railway network means you can explore the whole archipelago in a way that’s easy, fast, cheap, and comfortable.
There’s genuinely no better way to get around Japan than by rail, and thanks to the JR Pass for foreign visitors, you can do so quite economically. Read on for everything you need to know about the JR Passes and traveling around Japan.
Read More
Vacay! V-A-C-A-Y! There’s a smartphone app for everything these days, and when it comes to travel, our phones have become like our own personalized travel agents.
From finding flights, to accessing real time translations, they’ve become a one stop shop for everything we need to search for, book, and enjoy our holidays.
But if you browse through the travel section of the app store, you’ll find thousands of useful apps, and obviously, these aren’t all going to fit on your phone! So, to help you out we’ve narrowed it down to the 7 we find the most useful.
Here are 7 useful travel apps you should download … every traveler should have these on their phone!
Read More
It’s no secret that as Australians, we have a passionate love affair with SE Asia. From the millions of travelers who descend upon Bali, to those who temple hop through Thailand, it’s become almost a rite of passage to visit the region.
And it’s no wonder we’re so addicted; Southeast Asia is a melting pot of vibrant modern cities, and small traditional villages; a crazy juxtaposition of chaos and tranquility, tradition and modernity, religion and commercialism.
You have the chance to taste exotic street food, fail at chopsticks, and ride long-tailed boats to secluded islands so pristine, we couldn’t imagine such beauty in our wildest dreams.
Let’s be honest – the attraction also lies in the fact that it’s often a dirt cheap holiday, and as such, I don’t see our love affair with Southeast Asia dying out anytime soon.
But, whether your ideal holiday consists of relaxing on tropical beaches, visiting temples, or tracking tigers through the jungle, the most important website for organizing your trip is Traveloka.
Here’s why you should bookmark it!
Read More
Finding suitable accommodation is a huge part of travel, and choosing a hotel can be one of the more time consuming parts of our planning. And sometimes we don’t get it right.
But have you ever considered staying in a casino hotel?
Casino hotels have started popping up all over the world, though it’s quite easy to argue that Atlantic City has some of the best. With luxury rooms, cheap rates, and some of the tightest security, booking a luxury hotel attached to a casino is pretty sure bet!
Set on New Jersey’s Atlantic coast, AC is famous for its spectacular beaches, iconic boardwalk and many stunning casinos. As such, these Atlantic City best casino hotels have well and truly become a trend!
Read More
For many people, travel blogging is the ultimate dream; working online as you travel, your office ranging from a cruise ship in Antarctica, to a hammock in the Caribbean.
And with a constantly changing environment, improvising with your work-space is a guarentee. You work from bar stools, futons, and cramped economy seats. You hike 30 minutes with a picnic blanket, in minus 2 degrees, because it’s the only place the WiFi will reach.
Travel blogging means that my office view is constantly changing; it’s exciting, it’s inspiring, and I’m passionate about waking up every day. But, after 5 years of working on the floor in airports, and editing photos on the plane, it’s messed with my posture something shocking.
Without intentionally trying to sound like my mother, I’ve discovered first hand that bad posture leads to spinal problems, including neck and back pain.
The solution?
I now use the VARIDESK Pro Plus 36 and it has saved me; it’s a standing desk solution that converts any regular desk to an adjustable sit to stand desk. And it’s amazing.
Read More
The United Kingdom is nothing short of beautiful; a destination with ancient landscapes that transports you into a real life fairytale, complete with castles, gardens, kings, and princesses.
A land that overflows with natural attractions, many adventurous travelers opt for road tripping around the cluster of countries that are England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.
But the even more adventurous choose to go one step further (literally).
The UK has an amazing selection of long walks; the options are abundant and the places are nothing short of mesmerizing. So, if you’re keen on immersing yourself fully in Britain’s most spectacular landscapes, why not consider walking!
Read More
Pets form a very intimate part of our lives, and for those who like to travel, the idea of leaving your most vulnerable family member at home is often quite unthinkable.
However, travelling with pets is never easy, especially if you’re navigating your way through international flights, cars, and boats!
For those who are anxious about traveling with a pet, the good thing is that as long as you’re prepared, things can go as smoothly as ‘I can’t believe it’s not butter!’, and you won’t have to deal with the anxiety of leaving your fur baby at home.
The following are tips and tricks for navigating the three most common forms of transport with pets; or if you’re undecided about how you’ll be traveling, use this as your guide to choosing the most suitable option.
Read More
While we don’t have a choice over the country we’re born in, these days we often do have control over whether or not we choose to stay.
And one of the most popular countries for expats these days is Spain!
Moving abroad is one of the biggest life choices you can make, so you do need to make sure you’re prepared. From where you’re moving, to making sure you have a work visa, there are plenty of things to consider in the preparation stage.
The following are the most important things to consider once you’ve decided you’re moving to Spain.
Read More
It was 1873, and a spirit of adventure was bubbling throughout Europe. There was a thirst for worldwide adventure, and intrepid explorers were pushing the boundaries to explore unseen worlds.
It was this same year that Jules Verne published his classic adventure novel; a sensational tale of an Englishman named Phileas Fogg, who takes a bet that, with the opening of a new Indian railway, he can circumnavigate the globe in 80 days.
Around the World in 80 Days may have been published almost 150 years ago, but two centuries on, this iconic story is still capturing imaginations, and inspiring new generations to reattempt the challenge.
But what if, with today’s technological advancements, I made you a bet that you could take Jules Verne’s same route in, say 80 hours?!
Around the World in 80 Hours is an interactive guide which plots out realistic routes for those wanting to explore the world by car, train, plane or boat … check it out!
Read More
