Travel is fun and exciting, and typically increases your happiness levels before, during and after the adventure.
Before your trip, a powerful source of joy is the anticipation in planning your adventure. Booking your trip, purchasing cool travel bags, and thinking about everything you will do has been proven to increase happiness for the days and weeks leading up to a trip through delayed gratification.
And of course there’s no doubt that during your travels you’re naturally excited, appreciative, less stressed, and more present; all emotions and states of being that lead to feelings of happiness.
Though what may surprise you is that it is increasingly noted that the changes experienced while traveling can last far longer than it takes for your tan to fade.
Traveling hаѕ a number of long lasting bеnеfitѕ on mental, emotional and physical health that can increase your overall level of happiness.
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There’s a lot to think about when it comes to planning a holiday, and most people aim to tick off the essentials – tickets, accommodation and itinerary.
However, in order to truly enjoy a smooth and carefree holiday, there’s a lot more prep work that needs to be done prior to the big departure, and a lot of things to keep in mind when it comes to staying safer and more secure on your travels.
If you forget to pack something like your sun cream, it’s no big deal, and you can easily buy what you need on the other side. However if you forget crucial documents or don’t make certain arrangements you could jeopardize your safety and end up with real problems.
The following are four great ways for staying safer when you’re away on holiday. Following this advice will mean you’re much better positioned to enjoy your vacation.
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Living your life on the road is the stuff dreams are made of, but at some point reality has to catch up.
Where does the money come from to keep paying the bills, and how can you ensure a regular cash flow so you never find yourself in a sticky situation?
There are a number of cheap travel hacks to help you get the most out of your money while traveling. However, even living the frugal lifestyle won’t keep you sustained forever.
Finding a job that is as flexible and transportable as you are is important, meaning you have the luxury to take it up whenever funds start to run dry.
Here we take a look at a few of the options open to you, which can help you get the spare cash you need.
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While it’s true that the majority of Australia’s population and tourists can be found along the stunning coastline, you’ll find the nation’s true culture and heart in the Red Centre.
Follow this helpful guide to obtaining frequent flyer points to make your next Outback adventure as affordable as it will be memorable.
I’ll show you how to earn points, use the pay+points option, and even buy points to top up your Qantas or Virgin frequent flyer points.
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Are you looking for an excellent gift to give to your friend who is a photographer? Or perhaps you want to say thank you to the person who captured one of the most important moments in your life?
Photographers make memories, so of course you want to come up with an idea for a memorable gift. But more often than not photographers already have all the gear they need, so you may be wondering what’s left to be gifted!
Well, worry not! We’ve done extensive research to find out what photographers like best, and with the help of some expert camera operators, we came up with this excellent gift list.
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Imagine this: you’re scrolling through Facebook or swiping through your Instagram stories and you see one of your friends bragging about how they just booked a flight from D.C to New Zealand for $327 roundtrip.
You do a double take and wonder “How did they do it? Are fares that low even possible?”
They are indeed, and that’s what you call a mistake fare.
Mistake fares are exactly that – a mistake. It’s when airlines publish incorrect ticket prices like this $327 roundtrip from Washington D.C to New Zealand. They’re great for us as travelers, but not so much for the airlines.
Wondering how to catch these elusive fares? Here is everything you need to know about them if you want to visit your dream destinations for cheap.
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I didn’t exactly know when or where I was going to find my forever partner, but I never could have predicted it would involve a man who lived 15,000km away from me.
Having successfully navigated the 1am phone calls, the miscommunications, the extreme highs of seeing each other after so long, followed by the extreme lows of being kept in immigration limbo, we have compiled our experiences and advice into the ultimate ‘how-to’ guide.
Our ultimate goal with publishing this book? To offer other long distance couples the tools, knowledge, and the hope that your long distance relationship can be just as successful as our own.
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I won’t lie; I wasn’t originally keen on the idea of visiting Bali. I wasn’t interested in nightlife or beach parties, and mistakenly believed that Bali’s fun was limited to the beer cans of the Australian party travelers.
And it’s true that Bali is not exactly a secret paradise – it’s one of the world’s most popular island destinations, and while fifty years ago there were only a very small handful of hotels available, nowadays there are over 5,000 to choose from.
So imagine my surprise when I was told adamantly that being packed into a hotel or resort with a large number of tourists isn’t what Bali is about; when I was told that Bali is actually rich with culture and pristine landscapes that are worlds away from the hectic nightlife and commercialism I had assumed all of the island had become.
Surely we were talking about two different Bali’s. Because what she was describing wasn’t anything close to the drunken Facebook photos I had seen.
But we were. And there are in fact, two very different worlds available for tourists to Bali.
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Our recent week in Strahan saw us hike to thundering waterfalls, take a steam train through tangled forest, and cruise through Tasmania’s World Heritage Wilderness Area.
There were long stretches of wild ocean beach to explore, massive sand dunes to conquer, and ruins of early convict prisons set up in Tasmania’s wild west.
Follow this itinerary to experience it all!
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With Canada’s phenomenal wildlife and bubbling tourism industry, it’s no wonder that countless travelers and residents have chosen this country as their vacation or residential destination.
One of the largest industries, as well as one of the most popular, is the adventure travel and extreme sport industry. People from around the world flock to this country for the wild waters and beautiful scenery, and to enjoy the many exciting adventures it has to offer.
The jagged cliffs and roaring waters give this vast and diverse country its much-deserved reputation for being great for adventure seekers. For those who love being on the water, we’ve assembled a couple of ideas you won’t want to miss out on.
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If your ideal vacation includes stunning views, luxurious overwater bungalows, and adventure opportunities, this gorgeous place is the ultimate traveling destination.
We’re talking about no other than French Polynesia. The place that satisfies both thrill and tranquility seekers. From the turquoise waters of Bora Bora to the magical Tahiti, French Polynesia is a definite bucket list destination.
Set on having the vacation of a lifetime in this gorgeous location? Then check out these three must-do activities for the adventurous traveler!
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Camping is a brilliant way to experience the great outdoors and unplug from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Setting up tents or putting yourself into your unused sleeping bag for a couple of days allows you to reconnect with nature and explore sights that you’ve never seen before.
If you’re traveling as a family, camping is a great option as there is plenty for the kids to enjoy as well. But either way, you want to make the most of your time in the outdoors. Here’s how!
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Solo travel is an incredible, life changing experience, and I look back on my experiences as a solo traveler with extreme fondness. But like anything in life, travel has its ups and downs, and one particular experience that you’re also likely to encounter is loneliness.
Each of us is likely to experience loneliness in everyday life, but we rarely expect it when we’re traveling. Or for those of us who do expect it, the terrifying thought is what keeps you from getting on the plane.
And when the feeling inevitably creeps in, we feel uncomfortable talking about it, almost like it’s ungrateful to feel lonely while you’re on the trip of a lifetime.
I’ve heard travelers say things like they shouldn’t feel lonely because they’re in Paris. Or who wants to hear from a friend who is struggling with depression while vacationing on a gorgeous beach?
But it’s time to put an end to the notion that exciting cities or lovely scenery act as a magical force-field to loneliness, because it’s not true. Acknowledging that you’re allowed to feel lonely when you’re traveling is extremely important, because it then empowers you to beat it.
And you can beat it.
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While we all can do with long vacations to very exotic islands, such vacations can be costly both expense and time wise. However, there are times when all we need is a weekend trip that allows you to rejuvenate, have fun and create memorable moments.
While planning a weekend getaway might seem like an easy task, there’s actually a lot that goes into the planning. You will have to think about budget, accommodation, what to bring, where to eat, and, here’s the killer, how to keep your luggage light!
While it isn’t always easy, it doesn’t mean that it’s not doable. Here are a few handy tips for weekend getaways that anyone looking to plan a weekend should bear in mind.
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If you love photography, many notable sites around the world will quench your thirst. From Paris, to Rome, there are many iconic landmarks worth shooting, though adventure photographers may have a desire to explore destinations that are lesser known.
Malta is a unique island in the Mediterranean Sea that boasts many rich cultural and historic sites. And while it’s a small island, it certainly packs a heavy punch, with plenty of opportunity for unique photography.
Keen photographers will be able to shoot prehistoric temples, some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, fossil studded cliffs, and a food scene which mixes Sicilian and Middle Eastern flavours with local Maltese ingredients.
Both man-made and natural sites make this island a place worth visiting. The following are five locations in Malta worth shooting.
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Road trips can make for an amazing adventure, even if it’s only for a short amount of time. But even short road trips don’t guarantee that you won’t encounter an accident or vehicle damage on the road.
Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend getaway in your local region, or heading overseas to hit the open road, it’s important to be well-prepared with car insurance for the many unexpected things can happen.
And don’t fall into the trap of thinking that if it’s your car you don’t need car insurance! On the contrary, you might actually need it more so.
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Australia is one-of-a-kind country for many reasons. It comprises the entire Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and countless smaller islands. It boasts a wide variety of landscapes, with mountain ranges, tropical rainforests, and a dry desert.
Australia is the smallest and the driest continent on Earth. Fantastic desert or semi-arid land commonly known as the Outback covers most of the land. Nevertheless, the waters that surround the continent feature almost as much variety in landscapes as the surface: vivid corals, tropical fish, massive rock formations, and historic shipwrecks. Nature here is omnipresent and features a diverse range of unique species as well as the most dangerous ones.
Whether you’re looking for a calm spectating experience, heart-pumping adrenaline rush, or maybe something in between – Australia has a lot to offer. The above combination makes the country a real wonder for tourists from all corners of the world looking for an unforgettable adventure.
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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?
Whether you are an already experienced photographer or a beginner looking for ideas on which camera is the best, I see a lot of misguidance when it comes to advice on travel cameras.
A of lot of the time, I see people recommend equipment that would leave any professional photographer envious. And a lot of it. But from my own experience, you don’t need a very complex setup or the most expensive gear.
I traveled with the Fuji X100F through Southeast Asia for a few months and couldn’t be happier with it. For me, this is my ideal travel camera, and I want to share the stories that I was able to capture with that one single camera.
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Almost every traveler packs their phone these days; when you have a GPS, a translator, an entertainment system and a camera all rolled up into one device, your phone becomes an essential part of the travel experience that you can’t afford to lose (with the prices of new phones lately, it’s often literally something you can’t afford to lose).
But every year thousands of smart phones are lost, stolen, or damaged while on vacation. In Australia alone, the AMTA reports more than 100,000 mobile phones are lost or stolen every year. That’s 2,000 each week or one mobile phone handset every six minutes.
And that’s not even considering the phones which are damaged, or hacked as part of cyber-theft.
Considering the expense of phones these days, the inconvenience of losing your boarding passes, photos, and contacts, and the security risks of having your personal data and information available for hack, it’s imperative to protect your phone when you travel overseas.
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Volunteering abroad is an exciting opportunity, but it can be nerve-wracking if it’s your first time. Managing your expectations is important in order to get the most out of the trip, and to do that you need to ask the right questions.
But beyond your own personal expectations, it’s also important that you have the right information to choose a project which makes a genuine difference to the community and society as a whole.
Any good volunteer organisation should be happy to answer anything you want to know, so don’t be shy about asking. And if the answers you’re getting back are evasive or not fully transparent, you may need to consider a new project.
We chatted with volunteer sending organisation Original Volunteers for insight into some of the most important questions you should ask before volunteering abroad.
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Whether you’re angling for fly fishing in the Bahamas, or trying to pin down piranhas in the Amazon, fishing holidays have never been more popular.
From casting for the fattest Atlantic salmon on earth in Russia, to visiting Australia’s Northern Territory where the barramundi are supposed to throw themselves into your boat out of pure politeness, fishing fanatics have begun traveling all over the world with their bait and a hook.
But for amateur fishermen / women, it’s not uncommon to find that you spend more time fishing than actually catching! Which is a shame considering you might have flown halfway across the world for the catching part of the experience.
If you find you’re in this boat (pun intended), it could be due to your technique. The following are 5 things you should be mindful of before taking a fishing holiday overseas.
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Whether you’re renting a car at home for a day trip, or abroad for a longer journey, the numbers can add up really quick. Especially when you consider the daily cost of the car rental, paying for gas, and any extras you may need like the use of a GPS, baby seat, or exceeding your mileage.
While some destinations have great options for public transportation like buses or trains, others leave you with few options but to rent a car. And what are you to do when you’ve already spent so much on a trip and you don’t want to overwhelm your budget even more?
This guide will share the best tips for saving money when renting a car. There are a surprising amount of discounts out there if you know where to look, as well as tricks for saving when you book.
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If you’re planning your next trip, you’ll most likely think about your flight, transfers, and accommodations. However, there is one vital aspect of traveling that you might have forgotten: travel insurance.
Most people don’t think that getting travel insurance is important, but it is highly recommended to do so to mitigate travel risks.
Searching for the best travel insurance in Australia can be quite daunting, however when comparing insurers to find the best possible policy, the following are some of the benefits you should expect.
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Singapore is a spectacular city; a city of sharp and constant contrasts, which perfectly blends old and new. Temples and mosques sit in the shadow of skyscrapers, luxury condos back onto ancient jungles, and wild monkeys roam nature parks and reserves.
There’s no shortage of things to do or places to see in Singapore, and its central location has made it one of the world’s most popular stopovers. It’s one of those places a lot of international flights pass through.
But take our advice: even if Singapore has landed on your itinerary as a layover, stop and spend a couple of days exploring the island. If you think it’s just another boring metropolis, you’ve got another thing coming to you!
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It continually amazes me that Hobart manages to draw all the attention when it comes to Tasmanian travel. Yes, the city boasts the famous Salamanca Market, but try finding a parking spot on a Saturday morning and navigating around the masses of people.
Launceston on the other hand is a hidden gem located in the state’s north that has only recently begun gaining the attention it deserves. As one of Australia’s oldest cities, Launceston oozes historical charm, but blends it harmoniously with modern style and technology. Even a trip to the local post office becomes a treat.
Bringing history alive is central to Launceton’s identity, and the recent launch of Pepper’s Silo Hotel is a great example of this. A luxury hotel on the banks of the scenic Tamar River, the Mantra Group has converted the Kings Wharf grain silos into a work of accommodation art, while keeping the character and heritage of an iconic 1960’s landmark.
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