Enjoying a hike in Asia? Kicking back on a beach in the Caribbean? Who has time for taxes? However, reading this can save you thousands of dollars in unwanted penalties and fees.
Being a U.S. citizen or resident alien has its benefits. There is the right to religious freedom, freedom of speech and the right to live permanently in the United States. Those are the positives.
The downside? Well, contrary to what many people believe, U.S. citizens or resident aliens are taxed on their worldwide income regardless of where they live. The typical tax deadline is April 15. However, if you are outside of the country on that date, the IRS will allow a 2-month extension to file your tax return and pay any tax due.
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Flights are one of the most obvious ways to travel throughout Europe, but that doesn’t mean that they’re the most affordable, comfortable, or even the most memorable. In fact, one of the best ways to explore Europe is to drive.
There’s a huge diversity of natural scenery throughout Europe, much of which you miss when you’re flying at 35,000 feet. And with roads which wind directly through some of the world’s most incredible landscapes, if you’re visiting the following European hot spots you should trade in your plane ticket for a set of car keys and drive.
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If you’re looking for a trip outside of the ordinary tourist traps, you should definitely consider giving Antarctica a try. Despite the growing popularity of Antarctica cruises, it’s still a sparsely visited region and offers some of the most pristine stretches of untouched land left for people to explore.
Since Antarctica is so remote, it’s going to require a little more planning on your part to make sure you get the most bang for your exploration buck. After all, it’s not like you can just hop on a flight or train to squeeze in an extra activity or two that you missed the first time around.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some steps you can take to make sure you get as much adventuring awesomeness out of your Antarctic trip as you can.
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The excruciating misery of confined legs and sore necks, lack of sleep and constant anxiety attacks – these are some of the reasons people don’t look forward to long-haul bus rides.
And while some companies have made the experience a lot easier, with facilities like toilets and TV, that doesn’t change how terrible it can be to find yourself stuck on a bus. It’s one of those ideas you can usually file under “seemed like a good idea at the time”.
Most people are happy acknowledging that the long haul bus plain sucks, though there are many reasons people continue to travel this way; they can’t afford or don’t want to spend their money on expensive plane tickets, or, to reach some destinations, there may not be any other choice.
Luckily, there are simple ways to make the experience more comfortable and fun. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you how to survive long-haul bus.
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Budgeting for travel can be one of the most exciting parts of a trip – it’s the first step in the planning process, and a great way to get psyched about your destination as you start your research.
Though it can also be quite intimidating, especially if you’re traveling for the first time. There are a lot of costs involved and can be quite a lot to consider.
But it’s incredibly important to sit down and run numbers before you commit to taking a trip – there’s nothing worse than running out of money halfway through and having to max out your credit card, beg family and friends to send money, or clean toilets to cover the hotel bill (been there, done that, you don’t want to follow in my footsteps).
To help you out, use the following tips to budget for an upcoming trip.
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Every relationship experiences its fair share of highs and lows, and it’s no secret that committing yourself to another person is something you continually work at. For some people, it comes easy. Others have a more difficult time.
Arguments and disputes can become a dividing issue in a relationship, though it has recently come to the attention of psychologists and other medical professionals that traveling with a partner can have significant benefits to renewing your connection.
Here are some tips and examples of how traveling together can be therapeutic and has the potential to save your relationship.
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Travelling is fun but it doesn’t come cheap. If you plan to travel for several months or more, you may need to pick up another job.
Working on the go has never been easier with technology that allows us to communicate from across the globe. Pick up a job that will help you financially and also allow you room to explore.
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The Great Ocean Road is considered to be one of the most scenic drives in the world, and is certainly a jewel in the crown of Australian tourism. Its stunning coastal road hangs precariously on soaring sea cliffs and winds between pretty towns and beaches, all set against the backdrop of the Great Otaway National Park, the site of Australia’s few temperate rainforests.
Though for one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations, most visitors to the area sadly see very little, and most of that through a coach window. But you won’t see the best sights from your car.
Much more than a scenic highway, this region is home to a myriad of coastal tracks, rainforest trails, and hikes which connect historic seaside villages, taking in ocean views and dramatic waterfalls. If there’s one thing for certain, the best way to discover the Great Ocean Road is to walk.
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While Singapore’s iconic Marina Bay Sands’ infinity pool is the epitome of some of the most epic infinity pools in the world, can you imagine a pool which overlooks a safari, wildlife or the Swiss Alps?
Here we bring your 5 of the most jaw-dropping, epic infinity pools around the world.
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If you had to choose only one of the 50 states for an iconic road trip, California would be it. Known for road tripping, California’s byways and highways wind through dramatic scenery and connect some of the biggest cultural hubs in the United States.
From untouched and untamed nature to the concrete jungle of LA, California is a perfect summary of the best of the USA. As always, you’ll need strategic overnight bases during your trip. Book hotels in the following cities along your way.
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Maybe you’ve got tickets to Coachella, or perhaps you’re planning to see the Monaco Grand Prix, or you’ve booked a Ducati Dream Weekend. You might be off to Comic Con San Diego or you’ve won the jackpot and managed to get in to see Hamilton on Broadway.
Trips built around events can be incredible once-in-a-lifetime experiences. They also come with their own special considerations to make sure those experiences are every bit as incredible as you hoped.
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Let’s be honest, it’s a claim that most hotel search engines make, that their prices are the lowest you’ll find anywhere else online. But to date it hasn’t really mattered which search engine you choose – from the Booking.com’s to Agoda and Expedia, it’s much of a muchness, and you usually end up paying the same price.
This is because there’s very little room for hotel search engines to undercut each other; each hotel has an online login and sets their own price. The search engine then gets a small % of the booking, around 10% of the rate. And there are so many websites competing with each other that they’re usually all offering the lowest price.
So when we hear that a hotel search engine claims to offer better prices than other third party booking sites, I’m skeptical. It would take a fresh and creative approach to the established business model to be able to offer big enough savings to pull people away from their already bookmarked sites.
But a company called Sears Vacations has done just that; come up with an original approach which will noticeably save you the most.
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For over 70 years the story of the Battle of Kokoda has been told by survivors, memoirs and war records. The poignant narratives tell a very human story of comradeship and true grit that took place along the formidable Kokoda Trail, the single file trail that links New Guinea’s interior to the coast near Port Moresby.
The fighting there, against a Japanese invasion force, was perhaps the most significant battle fought by Australians in World War II, and now many Australians make the pilgrimage to understand about this extraordinary event: Why it occurred, who was involved and what it was like to face death in the jungled mountains along the Kokoda track.
Following in the footsteps of Australian soldiers remains a physically challenging task, though for those looking to make a difference this year, Alzheimer’s Australia NSW is organizing unique fundraising event, and encouraging anyone up for a challenge to join them to trek the Kokoda Trail.
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As a smartphone user, you already know the importance of mobile security. Your personal data needs to be protected, and without property security applications installed most phones are easily hacked.
But especially for those who travel overseas, it’s more common to connect your phone to unsecured WiFi networks now than any other device, and when you’re on the move you download attachments directly to your phone. But think about the type of information you would lose if you ended up with malware or a virus. Or how this could be used if it fell into the wrong hands.
We store everything on our phones these days, from personal information and emergency contacts, to bank passwords and hotel and flight confirmations. So it’s absolutely essential that you protect your mobile device. And for other android users out there, the easiest way to do this is by downloading the AVG latest antivirus software free option.
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It was a welcome retreat returning to our cabin at Discovery Parks after an exhaustive day of activities. We had traveled for a relaxing break by the lake, however found ourselves seduced by the Snowy Mountains and its wealth of outdoor recreation.
We flicked on the TV and collapsed into the couch – the weather would be sunny tomorrow too. There was the choice of bushwalking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, horse riding, visiting the National Park, or water-sports on the lake.
Personally though, I was keen to dedicate a day to something people don’t often travel to do – searching for relics from the old town of Jindabyne; an alpine town at the bottom of a lake.
Swallowed by flood water in the 1960s when the Snowy River was dammed as part of the Snowy Mountains Scheme, the town was abandoned and rebuilt on higher ground. The ruins have been submerged for over 50 years, though occasionally when lake levels are low, out from the depths comes the remnants of the old Catholic Church. Unbelievable to imagine the remains of a whole town beneath your water skis!
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The great Aussie Barbeque is world famous, and as far as cultural experiences go, nothing says “Australia” like sizzling a snag (sausage) on a barbie.
Much of the challenge is finding the perfect spot and knowing what to serve, but as far as Sydney is concerned, we’ve got the locations covered for you. From beaches to coves, national parks to foreshores, Sydney knows the value of a public BBQ, and this is a great way to enjoy time with family and friends while getting outside and experiencing the city’s local attractions and beautiful parklands.
So the next time you’re in Sydney, pack a picnic and check out some of these fabulous BYO BBQ’s!
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I love Thai food, but then again so does most of the world. Fresh and fragrant, famous for its balance of sweet, sour, bitter and salty, a visit to Thailand is as much about the food as it is about the country.
There is enough variety and food experiences from buzzing local markets to posh culinary schools, restaurants and street markets to keep every kind of person sated. In fact there is a lot of merit in following your nose and the rumbles of your tummy and discovering Thailand through its food.
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With our busy schedules, stressful routines and little time left for self-indulgence, planning for a spa break should be considered for destressing our busy lives. Not only for the luxury that often comes with the package but for health and well-being.
Here are five excellent reasons to indulge on a regular basis, including when you travel overseas.
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In an ideal world, everyone would have enough money to travel. But in reality that’s not the case. And for many people, their best option for travel is taking out a personal loan.
And in many situations there’s nothing wrong with that. Personal loans are a great way to reach a short term goal, and with better interest rates than credit cards, are a much safer way to fund your holiday. However you do need to approach this sensibly. Banks see the yawning gap between reality and aspirations as a tremendous opportunity, and you need to be smart enough to borrow responsibly.
So if you’re considering taking out a personal loan for travel, make sure you’ve understood the following.
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As South East Asia’s biggest international hub, Singapore is an almost inevitable stop for those doing business in the region. It has long played a key role as a central international business hub, and a meeting point for corporate travelers attracted by opportunities in its biggest industries, including shipping, banking, trading, oil and gas, and increasingly, tourism.
As business travel increasingly flows to Singapore, the following are tips every executive should know.
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There’s no worse feeling than booking your flight, getting excited about your trip, and then having an airline rain on your parade by offering everyone else a better price. It obviously happens all the time, but is it just a matter of luck that the person sitting next to you paid half the price?
Chances are that it could have been luck, but it’s more likely that they knew how to find the best travel deals to save on flights.
Flights are often the biggest expense of a trip, so they shouldn’t be something you book blind. Use our following tips to know that what you’re paying is not overpriced.
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Beach bars in the Caribbean have three things in common: “cold beer, a potent rum punch, and a killer view of the sea.” Nothing beats sipping a cocktail with your feet in the sand and a live band competing against the roar of the ocean.
From crowded dive bars where the cocktails are cheap, to the laid back and low-key, these are the Caribbean beach bars we’re raising a glass to. Did someone say cocktails?
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Peru is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise with trails winding through an array of land formations, rivers, jungles and climates. If you are seeking a vacation far from the norm and have a hankering for history and culture with a dash of adventure thrown in, then the hiking treks of Peru are perfect for you.
Most trails will offer a spectacular close-up view of the soaring Andes Mountains, and there are a variety of hiking trails which cater to all, from novices to skilled trekkers.
Before embarking on any trek, make sure you have the best hiking gear you can afford. For example, you’ll need to organize hiking boots, backpacks, tents and look at clothing options such as compression tights for women and men. Once you have your gear ready, take your pick from these top five hiking trails in Peru:
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Traveling with your dog overseas especially in Asian countries is an adventure of a lifetime. Thailand’s rich cultural heritage and hospitality is the reason why tourism is so high. And in this same vein, their pet importation laws are not as strict as those in westernized countries.
Thailand, the door to southeast Asia, is an amazing place to chill and enjoy the ocean with your dog. As long as you meet the qualifications, you can travel with your four-legged friend anywhere within the country.
However, there are some important details every dog owner needs to consider when planning the logistics of your trip. To get you started, here are nine essential tips for navigating Thailand with your dog.
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Cruises are a fantastic way to discover the world, and travelers who haven’t yet tried this form of travel are definitely missing out. Couples cruise for the romance, families for the stress free and family friendly environment for their kids; solo travelers cruise to be social, and others to enjoy excursions in multiple exotic lands in one trip.
Though perhaps one of the best reasons to take a cruise is the value for money. Whether you decide on Europe, or to embark on an Alaskan cruise, everything you could possibly need for a great trip is bundled into the one fare. That’s all meals, accommodation, entertainment and transport between destinations at substantially lower cost than if you were spend the same on land for a hotel, taxi, dinner and a show.
No matter what your reason for taking a cruise, the following are 5 reasons heading on a cruise is fantastic value for money.
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