The United States is an exciting destination, and almost everyone on the planet can name something they would love to see and do. This is a country which is so diverse that there is enough to fill the itinerary for many trips. Though whether you’re heading to the States for the achingly beautiful landscapes or a mesmerizing metropolis, one thing will always ring true: it’s essential to consider obtaining travel insurance for your trip.
For those who travel without it, you’ll hear things like “I don’t worry about things which haven’t happened yet”, or “it doesn’t matter if you lose your bags, just travel with things you can afford to replace”, or my favourite, “it’s totally fine – I never get sick”.
And thankfully in most cases, yes, travel goes off without a hitch. Hopefully you’ll never have to understand the value of taking out travel insurance. But, if you have to, you don’t want to regret having brushed off its importance. For that alone, travel insurance is worth considering.
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Despite fantasizing about the day I might become a carry on traveler, I’m not willing to sacrifice my luggage. But dealing with luggage at the airport is a huge inconvenience, and that’s obviously why some people only ever travel with carry on.
It would be so lovely if there was someone who could just take our bags for us and make them reappear on the other side!! Someone who would pick up your luggage from your home or office and deliver it wherever you want it to go.
Surprisingly, that’s not a far fetched dream, as I realized when I read Travel With Bender’s review of Luggage Free.
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Many travellers and tourists fall into the trap of thinking that Italy peaks in the summer. However, when winter comes around and the crowds die down there are some truly extraordinary things you can see and do.
Spending winter in Italy may not be something you’ve previously considered, but the country is just as spectacular at this time of year as it is over summer (maybe even more so!). So, take a look at some of the wonderful events and experiences you can attend, making your winter break to Italy unforgettable.
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Many travelers leave home in search of an authentic and immersive experience, and one of the best ways to achieve this is by timing your travel to coincide with local festivals and events.
“Festivals are a living, dancing museum of cultures and traditions in an increasingly globalised world. There is no better place for travelers to understand a country than an event where it proudly celebrates its individuality, whether through music, camel races or monumental food fights.”
Hundreds of small festivals and events take place across the world each year, and our friend Ben Ooi has recently set up a free travel event calendar to ensure you have access to the best information and tips for events all over the world, and never miss out on an important travel event. Check it out and be sure to bookmark this fabulous new travel website now!
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There is always that one person in your family who is incredibly hard to buy for, however it shouldn’t be the traveler!
In the lead up to Christmas, we have compiled a great list of gift ideas for world travelers, though these will work just as well if there is a birthday or other special occasion coming up too.
And, because memorable experiences are the greatest gift of all, Tinggly is gifting one lucky reader their Essential Gift Collection; a one of a kind choice voucher that lets a person choose one activity from 130+ world‘s best experiences in more than 70 countries. The experiences in the collection range from the highest bungee jumps in the world to massages in the most authentic spas, extraordinary day trips and many more that are added every day. Enter at the end of the post for your chance to win!
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As tropical getaways go, you can’t beat a vacation to Hawaii. As a dream destination with a universal appeal, it’s easy to see why the islands have become synonymous with paradise.
From sugary white beaches to Technicolor coral reefs, and a diverse range of hiking trails and volcanoes for the adventurous soul, Hawaii truly has something for everyone. Though with hundreds of miles of coastline, the islands boast some of the most stunning beaches on the planet, and this is a reason to plan a visit alone.
So to help you in your planning, we’ve compiled a list of the best beaches in Hawaii, and also put the information into a free guide on Pearlshare that you can download for offline use onto your phone.
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Let’s face it – many of us would love to quit our jobs, pack it all in, and spend a few months (or years!) travelling the world.
If you’ve got a gap year, a backpacking stint or even just a few months of exploration in mind, here are my tips.
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Best known for its beautiful beaches and parks and its near-perfect weather, San Diego is a popular destination along the southern Californian coast. With opportunities for wildlife viewing as well as a range of cultural, natural, and historic attractions available, you’ll never be at a loss for things to do.
Following are some of the best things to do on a trip to San Diego. The best part is that you won’t have to travel far each day. Each attraction is located near San Diego’s best hotels.
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Travelling can sometimes be a costly affair. Paying for flights, accommodation, insurance, souvenirs, activities it all adds up. But thankfully there are many websites out there that allow us to save money when it comes to booking travel.
Here are just 5 ways you can save money, whether you’re planning your travel route or already on the road.
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If there’s one thing most of us expect nowadays it’s a reliable internet connection, and having access to mobile data is perhaps even more important for those who travel. That connection means access to information, money, and methods of communication when you find yourself in a foreign land. It’s how we organize everything from where to eat to finding a route to the hotel.
Mobile data has become such an integral part of our daily lives that most of us would be lost without it. Though international roaming can be ridiculously expensive, so staying connected overseas usually means hitting up a local café, finding an insecure public hotspot, or buying a local sim.
Thankfully, companies like Flexiroam are starting to step in, offering a data roaming solution that lets you earn free data before you travel, helping to avoid huge roaming fees when you’re overseas.
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Let’s face it. The possibility of Trump being elected as the next President of United States is getting closer to becoming a reality.
Independents tend to sway the outcome of every major election one way or the other, and most Independents may not vote for Clinton. Though some people truly believe Trump will make America great again (as his campaign message states), and believe him to be the best choice to lead the free world.
But for those looking to exit the country because you can’t imagine living under Trump’s presidency, the following are fantastic options for you.
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Over the last year we’ve scrambled through sand dunes in Peru, trekked deep into the Amazon, and hiked through some of the most remote island destinations on earth. We’ve wandered through the desert, rappelled down buildings, and trodden on the ruins of ancient Incan civilizations. So we’re fairly well versed in what to look for in a good travel shoe.
Because let’s face it – flights, accommodation and tours might be the holy trinity of travel planning, but finding, buying and breaking in good shoes is equally as important. No-one has ever enjoyed a trip while their feet were blistering and sore.
So we’ve put together a list to guide you when picking your next pair of travel shoes. You shouldn’t compromise on any of the following features. Over the years we’ve come to realize it’s essential to find a shoe which incorporates them all.
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Winter is a fantastic time of year to travel to Europe, and Europeans believe that winter is truly something to celebrate. During the holiday season they really go all out!
Buildings are lost underneath layers of fairy lights, and ice skating rinks are set up in public areas. Outdoor Christmas markets line main squares in all major cities across Europe, and provide unique shopping opportunities along with a celebratory atmosphere, festive treats and seasonal delicacies you’ll want to write home about!
If you’re planning to be in Europe over Christmas and wondering which markets are the best, you can’t go wrong with any of the following.
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Flights, accommodation and tours. These may be the holy trinity of travel preparation, but sorting out these parts of your vacation is only the beginning of the trip planning process. If you want to achieve a smooth, headache-free trip (and who doesn’t?), making sure you’re prepared for the weather is another essential task you should have on your list.
The weather is the single factor most likely to positively or negatively affect your trip, though it’s also one of the things most travelers take for granted, and people quite often find themselves caught off guard.
So make sure you’re fully prepared for the weather on your next trip. If you’re not sure where to start, utilize the following tips.
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Situated in the Gulf of Thailand, the beautiful island of Koh Samui it is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Chasing a slice of paradise, travelers are flocking here from all over the world, and due to its broad appeal the island attracts everyone from the budget backpacker to the mega famous Hollywood celebrities.
And while famed for its palm tree edged beaches and crystal clear waters, the list of things to see and do here is both varied and interesting. The island is home to an abundance of natural wonders and man-made attractions, from mummified monks and sacred Buddhist temples, to thundering waterfalls and spectacular dive sites.
There really is something for everyone on this paradise island, and you’ll be hard pressed to fit everything into only a few days. We highly recommend spending a week, though don’t worry, the following activities will keep you busy for at least 7 days!
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There’s no doubt that Fiji is one of the most beautiful places in the world. A tropical haven that’s filled with coconut palm trees, sugar white beaches and turquoise blue lagoons.
If this South Pacific archipelago is high on your travel bucket list and you plan on enjoying paradise like the locals do, you’re in luck. Today we speak to International Model and Fiji Airways Ambassador Phillipa Steele (born and raised in Fiji’s Coral Coast) to find out her favourite local spots, including where to stay, play, relax, shop and eat.
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New York City bears a reputation as a pricey destination, which is not wholly undeserved. Recent reports from Statista put the price of an average New York City hotel at $254 per night.
If you’re a budget traveler, the outlook doesn’t have to be grim. You can find great deals on New York City hotels, and if you’re savvy and use the tips below, you can also find cheap rates on comfortable, clean rooms, in prime locations, too.
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With the travel season quickly getting underway, now is the perfect time to address motion sickness. And while you may not have suffered from it in the past, this is a common condition that affects millions of people, and the reality is that motion sickness can ruin anyone’s trip.
Sometimes referred to as car sickness or sea sickness, motion sickness is a disturbance in your inner ear that is caused by repeated motion. Hiking up the highest peaks or cruising across the ocean can easily be derailed. This not only applies to those heading on a cruise, but could develop if you find yourself traveling in countries with poor road systems or stuck on a horribly crowded buses. Even turbulence from a plane could set you off. And unfortunately, many sufferers don’t do anything to treat it, or treat it with the wrong products and ineffective methods.
But for those of us who live our lives in motion, it’s critical that we know how to prevent and deal with motion sickness should it occur. Because it’s something that is easily treatable, and as such shouldn’t ruin anyone’s trip.
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New Orleans is a popular tourist destination year round, and it attracts a wide range of attention for everything from its history and architecture to sports to music and night life to Southern cuisine.
For a destination constantly in the spotlight, there are still a couple of things first-time visitors should know.
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If there’s one thing I’m always on the hunt for, it’s finding a better way to learn a new language.
People learn a language for all different reasons. It’s a great way to get ahead in your professional career, connect with family members, or maybe you met a cute foreign boy. Though my interest lies in speaking with locals while I’m traveling.
Because I hate feeling ashamed that I can’t communicate in another language. We expect tourists visiting English speaking countries to speak English, however 90% of the time don’t reciprocate by making an attempt to speak the local language when traveling through foreign countries ourselves.
Not expecting people to speak to you in English, and making at least an attempt to communicate in the language of the land wherever you go, is a sign of respect for both the locals and their culture. But language learning isn’t for everyone, and surely no-one in the world has mastered over 200 local dialects! So what is a traveler to do?
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It’s every woman’s dream – to be able to travel with a bag with a limitless bottom like the one Hermoine from Harry Potter had. Unfortunately however, that kind of magic isn’t available to those of us from the muggle world, and we must instead carefully choose each item for the journey so it fits in our bag.
It’s a talent to take only the most necessary things with us when we travel, and not every female wanderer is gifted with the skill. Though keeping to the following packing list will rescue your from endless hours of selecting items for your travel bag.
This travel checklist accents on the needs of female travellers who want to travel light and with essentials.
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Of all the amazing experiences you’ve had abroad, which do you remember the most? Do you remember the hotels and hostels? Do you remember the bars? Could you tell me about the trains you took, the medieval churches, or any of the city parks?
And perhaps you do remember the hotels and hostels. Though when you think about these memories, why do they stick out? What’s the common theme? For me at least, my most memorable moments abroad have always been shared with the people I meet.
Let’s be honest, many of the travelers we meet may only be in our lives for a day. But we appreciate these people for the time we shared together. And some of those we meet do stick with us forever. But even if you don’t stay in touch, the best memories in your lives include each other and that’s a bond which ties you together for life.
The following post is about how to connect with travelers abroad, and why the friends you meet traveling are friends for life.
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Paris is a European shopping mecca, and the buzz and hype that surrounds the shopping experience here is like no other. Beautiful neighborhoods are bursting at the seams with designer fashion stores, and stylish people strutting the streets. It’s safe to say that Paris is a shopper’s dream.
Set up with over five major department stores and 17,500 + shops, the shops in Paris don’t sell clothes. They sell lifestyles. Though for those who can’t afford to shop at flagship stores, the city is still packed with an amazing range of discount and outlet stores.
In the lead up to Paris fashion week, the following is a guide for Paris fashion you can afford. For those fond of fashion who don’t want to spend a fortune, these are the best discount stores and factory outlets. You’ll find top international designer brands at prices discounted from 30 to 80%!
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Heading off on holidays is one of life’s great joys but it can also be quite the drain on your hip pocket. It’s no secret that the moment we start travelling it doesn’t take long for the funds to start unravelling. Once we’re abroad, logic goes out the window and the wallet can seriously suffer.
In fact, a recent study by Choosi found that fifty percent of Australians surveyed admit they’re careless with cash when on holidays. So how can we enjoy our time away without breaking the bank?
Read on for some top travel tips that’ll keep you in budget.
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In 2015 my boyfriend Tyler and I traded our stable jobs in South Lake Tahoe for a couple years of hot spring soaked adventures. We hitchhiked through Cuba and Central America, and cycled 1800 miles along the Pacific Coast.
When we loaded up Baby Beluga, a tiny Mazda pickup truck, we figured we’d be exploring North American national parks in luxury compared to the previous months of stuffing our belongings in a backpack or panniers. Au contraire.
For anyone considering the option of traveling and living out of a truck, I hope these tips will allow you to maximize the good, dwindle the bad, and prepare you for the smelly!
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