It’s probably pretty obvious that Hipmunk loves animals (I mean, we have one as our mascot. We also boast a dog-friendly office).
And as a travel company, we’re highly sensitive to the conflicts that arise between wanderlust and the love for one’s pet. We’re also pretty good at mitigating the risks when we choose to take our pets on planes.
Following the news of the untimely death of Simon the Giant Rabbit, I asked around the office for tips on keeping your furbaby safe on flights.
Read MoreLos Angeles to Dubai for $260? Chicago to London for $208? It feels as though more and more people are cracking the code for finding cheap flights. And it’s difficult to be happy for your friends who got tickets from Miami to Paris for $79, when you’re secretly thinking “I hate you!“.
But what I’ve realized from chatting with travelers recently, is that it’s not necessarily that they know how to find cheap flights. It’s that they know a guy. Because they know a guy, they save hundreds of dollars on flights, and all they have to do is sit back with a cup of tea, email open, and wait for the travel deals to arrive.
But for fear of missing out on really cheap flights, I finally figured out the identity of this guy! His name is Josh, and he created the Cheap Fly Club for anyone who wants free notifications on stupidly cheap flights.
Read MoreWhat is the one thing that stands in your way of travelling? For many people, it’s not having the finances or freedom to do so. After all, going on a worldwide adventure requires money, which you make through working.
However, it is possible to combine the two. Here are some suggestions on how to sustain yourself while globetrotting to maximise the experience of a lifetime.
Read MoreMost airlines offer frequent flyer programs which allow their passengers to earn miles when flying. These programs work really well for frequent travelers, who are rewarded with points for every flight they take.
But even if you’re not a frequent flyer, a great way to accrue airline rewards is by applying for frequent flyer credit cards. This type of program is geared towards rewarding card holders with miles that they can use for their future travels, earning miles based on the $$$ you spend.
If you’ve made the decision to apply for a frequent flyer credit card, or are interested in how it works, we’ve put together an overview on how to earn miles based on most airline credit cards.
Read MoreOne of the most common anxieties is in-flight nervousness. Whether you can’t stop running horrific crash scenarios through your mind or you fear in-flight turbulence, it’s perfectly normal to feel nervous when you’re about to fly on an airplane.
Though air travel is incredibly safe, it’s still hard to combat nervousness, especially on longer flights. Here are some tips for distracting a nervous flyer so you can fly with ease and confidence!
Read MoreIf you’ve decided to travel abroad, one of the wisest things you can do is immunize. Staying healthy and not picking up a foreign disease is an incredibly important precaution if you don’t want to end up in quarantine.
But there are a huge range of vaccines available nowadays, so how do you know which you actually need?
To make your travel arrangements easier, we’ve outlined the 5 most common vaccines.
Read MoreMillions of travelers around the world already know and love TripAdvisor for its millions of traveler reviews. The platform is a fabulous resource for insights into attractions, restaurants, hotels, and making better decisions when planning a trip.
And a lot of the time, I’ve found that the information on TripAdvisor is often more up to date than a company’s own website. It’s truly become the Google of the travel world. Our ultimate go-to.
It’s no secret that most travelers will eventually end up on TripAdvisor when planning their vacation, but they’ve recently rolled out some pretty incredible features meaning you can book your whole trip too. That’s right – TripAdvisor is now much more than just traveler reviews!
Read MoreThe women in our group had started calling me shoulders – not necessarily because there was anything spectacular about mine, but because they could see them. Which was a novel concept when we were hiking across a continent covered in ice.
In fact, Antarctica is the coldest, windiest and driest continent on earth, and summer temperatures average just above freezing. So stripping off my carefully planned out layers wasn’t something I expected, or originally had in mind.
But the sun was beating down, and I was ridiculously overdressed. I had even started sweating! So there I was, hiking across a glacier, with bare shoulders, now recommending that every traveler to Antarctica packs sunblock. Because the biggest killer in Antarctica is the reflection off the ice.
Read MoreFinding out that your business visa has expired before you’re through with what came for in the country for can be a pretty disturbing case, but that shouldn’t really worry you since the immigration department gives you a chance to extend b2 visa and stay a little longer.
However, it shouldn’t be lost on you that there are a few things you need to keep in mind when you set about extending your stay in the country.
Read MoreIt’s a romantic and wildly adventurous way to travel; to rock up in a new city with no script, and wing it after you arrive. To have the freedom to wander where and when you please, to stay longer in a place that truly intrigues you, or choose to move on when you get bored.
There’s something dangerously thrilling about traveling without a fixed itinerary, and I’ve always fantasized about what it would be like. I envy spontaneous travelers, though OCD means that not having a solid travel plan makes me break out in hives!
But I’ve vowed to to build more spontaneity into our trips for 2018, and pull back from over planning. So if you too are looking to recover some wildness in your trips, the following tips are how to successfully manage travel without a script.
Read MoreWho would’ve ever thought that packing a carbon monoxide detector would be an essential and life-saving item in one’s travel-kit arsenal?
We certainly didn’t until tragedy struck and my husband nearly lost his life to carbon monoxide poisoning at a “boutique hotel” in Central Mexico.
After dropping our twins off at their much-anticipated 6th grade camp in a rural community outside of Guadalajara, Frank and I set out to enjoy our weekend together, knowing that our children would be in good hands in the company of their classmates and the Camp La Cañada counselors, including a medic on staff.
But instead of enjoying a romantic weekend of exploring and relaxing together, we spent it fighting for Frank’s life. So I pen an open letter to all travelers.
Read MoreA quick Google search (or scanning of JK Rowling’s Twitter account) makes it clear that ethical volunteer tourism is a hot topic in today’s travel climate—and for good reason.
It’s important that we, as individuals who want to spend our time and resources in international service, are doing so in a way that is effective, productive, and sustainable. After all, no one “wants to become that volunteer who has just built a bridge where no bridge was needed.” —Lonely Planet.
So, should we write off all volunteer tourism as the wrong way to spend your vacation or extended periods living abroad?
Read MoreWith 6,000 islands and islets scattered across the Aegean and Ionian Seas, island hopping is a popular way to experience Greece.
And as the main characteristic of Greece’s morphology and an integral part of the country’s culture and tradition, this is a great adventure for the people who love discovery.
If you’re dreaming of an island hopping adventure in Greece, the following tips will help you plan it out.
Read MoreIf 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.
If you choose travel insurance that suits your needs, you ensure that you and your family are protected from unprecedented incidents while traveling.
Looking for the best travel insurance can be quite daunting. But if you follow these guidelines, it’ll be easy to find the best travel insurance.
Read MoreThe stay away hens party has become a more common phenomenon in recent years, with many brides opting for a full girls vacation before they say “I do”. And with so many fantastic hotel offers, you can ensure that your hen do is more memorable than just going out for a few drinks.
But whether you choose a spa weekend or have a more energetic celebration planned, there are some essentials you need to ensure you’ve packed. This includes:
Read MoreOne of the essentials we all pack when traveling are our shoes. Whether you’re planning on hiking, nightclubbing, or spending most of your time at the beach, you’ll always pack at least 2 pairs of shoes.
And it’s easy to just toss these in your luggage, without any real concern, but hopefully after this post, you’ll understand the importance of shoe care!
For anyone who has ever ruined the shape of their shoes by packing them haphazardly, had foot odor stink out a suitcase full of clothes, or ended up with sore feet after a day traveling, the following are effective tips for taking care of your shoes while traveling.
Read MoreRoad trips can make for an amazing adventure, even if it’s only for a short amount of time. But have you ever wondered if your car is ok for a road trip? Or what you should check before driving off?
As easy as it is to just jump in the car and drive, road trips do require a little bit of prior planning, and there are some important checks you should run to ensure your safety.
The following are 5 tips on making sure your car is road trip ready; 5 most important vehicle checks before driving off.
Read MoreIf you’re one of those people that always forget something important before they leave on a trip, you’re probably used to having sudden and painful realizations when it’s already too late, and you’re thousands of miles away from home, on your way to some distant land.
It’s human nature to be forgetful at times, but some people push nature to the extreme by always overlooking significant details. Sometimes, people even forget their passport, only to get to the airport and proceed to enter a state of total confusion.
That’s why we thought it would be a good idea to point out some of the most common things that you should do before leaving for a trip that people often fail to remember. These may sound straight forward, but it’s the most common sense tips we often need reminders for.
Read MoreWhether you’ve traveled for an active adventure, or urban exploration, a very common goal among travelers is to get the most out of every day. After-all, you have limited vacation days, and you’ve traveled to an exotic location – you want to experience as much as possible.
But there’s no denying that moving around all day comes with one downside— tired and sore feet. A long day of traveling, sightseeing, and walking will definitely take it’s toll.
Many travelers experience soreness, pain, and foot fatigue overseas, and it can be especially difficult if you’re wondering how you can possibly head out again tomorrow.
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering what to do to alleviate foot pain so you can rise again and be ready for the next day’s adventures, we’ve got you covered. Here are some tips on how to heel that pain!
Read MorePacking for a family holiday doesn’t have to be a chore. With careful planning and preparation you can whiz through the process without any stress or worry, even if you’re a single parent traveling!
Follow these tips and you’ll be fine … use our guide as a holiday checklist for your next family trip.
Read MoreWhen it comes to planning a trip, it’s very rarely easy. What is there to see in the area? What are the cheapest flights? And, if you’re hitting up a number of places in one trip, how do you manage the booking process through so many destinations?
Having a passion for travel is one thing, but a passion for travel planning is an entirely different ball game! You have to be passionate about excel spreadsheets, comparisons, and breaking the record on how many tabs you can have open before your internet decides to crash!
And it’s even more difficult if you’re trying to collaborate and plan a trip with family or friends. Sometimes the planning process is all so overwhelming that you wonder if travel is worth it in the first place.
Though what if planning and booking a trip was genuinely easy to do? We’ll let you in on a secret – it is! For independent travelers who don’t like to use a travel agent, and prefer to set their own itinerary, there’s now an easy way to plan your perfect trip. All of a sudden planning becomes fun, with Relovate.
Read MoreHave you ever visited a city where layers of history, different religions and cultures, modern vibes, and welcoming people mix in a colourful union?
Are you ready to explore the most unexpected sights and activities in the Bulgarian capital? The following are unexpected things to do and see in Sofia.
Read MoreWe’re all familiar with the age-old maxim “it’s the journey that matters, not the destination”, and nothing embodies this more so than a vacation in an RV. You’re unrestrained by tight schedules, you get to see parts of a destination others don’t see, and it’s just you and the open road – you’re totally free.
But after you’ve decided to hit the open road, it’s a little bit more involved than just picking up the keys to an RV. There are quite a number of different classes of vehicle, and many differences are important to note as they make each class unique.
So to help you navigate the world of RV’s, and choose a rental which is right for your journey, Campanda has put together a great infographic to help you make a more informed decision on which one would be the best fit for you and your family.
Read MoreOne of my biggest tips for hearing about cheap flights is to sign up for airline newsletters, as they send deal alerts and information on sales. An issue however with this approach is that the deals are rarely relevant to my location, and between the 50 odd airlines who send me emails, my inbox overflows.
Though after signing up for emails from a newcomer called Next Vacay, I’ve been able to go through my massive list of airline subscriptions and hit unsubscribe.
The subscription economy is booming at the moment, and companies like Netflix, Spotify and Amazon Prime are leaving competitors behind. So the emergence of the subscription model in the travel industry was only a matter of time.
Leading with this idea, NextVacay is an new, online and personalized travel agency that aims to make air travel more affordable. It works off a subscription model of $25 per year and supplies real time sales, deals and error fares (those absurdly cheap flights posted as a mistake by the airline) directly to your inbox, according to your home base airport.
Read MoreIt’s finally time for your next big trip, and you’ve probably spent weeks, if not months, looking forward to it and planning everything you want to do. But have you spent as much time thinking about what you need to bring along?
Somehow, packing always seems to end up as a last-minute rush. Who doesn’t know the nagging feeling of having forgotten something at home just after leaving?
If you’re lucky, it’s only a luggage tag (did you know you can make your own?) or some sun cream; if you’re unlucky, it’s a memory card for your camera, or worse, your passport. Here are some helpful tips to ensure you have everything you need the whole way.
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I am Megan Jerrard, professional travel blogger/journalist with a focus on adventure, discovery, immersion and inspiring you to explore!
