When you think of Africa, images of wildlife immediately come to mind. And why not, after all, the vast continent is world famous for its wildlife safaris, and is known as the land of big five – the African elephant, African lion, Black rhinoceros, African leopard and Cape buffalo.
The big five are game animals, and the term refers to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot.
Though gone is the day where game hunting is acceptable, and now we load our cameras instead of guns.
The best-known countries for African Safaris are Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. Get ready for the best African safari experience at any one of the following parks.
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Instagram has more than 300 million active users, and is one of the most popular ways avid travelers share and discover new places around the globe. I mean, what is traveling the world if you can’t find a way to share your experiences with others?
But of those 300 million users, there are a select few who always seem to look better and head to more photogenic destinations than the rest of us. Of course this is never the case; usually this is actually the result of a lot of effort and editing, and your favorite traveler knowing how to take better photos than you.
If you’re heading overseas and want to step up your Instagram game, you might be able to benefit from the following tricks and tips. These are strategies that some of the most popular accounts use.
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No-one throws a beach party quite like Thailand, and if you’re thinking about heading to Asia and define yourself as “young”, you’ll probably want to plan your trip to coincide with the full moon.
Happening as you guessed it, on the night of each full moon, Thailand’s Full Moon Party is completely off the charts; an all night beach party which sees up to 40,000 people show up each month.
The party begins at dusk and there are more than a few different bars to dance and party at as you make your way along the beach. The beach explodes into a dancing frenzy as different DJ’s play their mix, drunken backpackers cover their bodies in neon paint, and limbo under kerosene soaked ropes.
Inspired by my friend Dan Sellers’ post about “How to Survive a Full Moon Party“, I compiled a similar list of do’s and don’ts from my experiences at this iconic event.
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We are fortunate to live in an age where travel is cheaper and more accessible than ever before. There are fewer obstacles to experiencing far flung corners of the globe, and resources to find affordable (and even free) travel options exist these days in droves.
Though with practically endless opportunities to travel, one of the hardest parts of organizing the perfect holiday then becomes figuring out where to go.
It can be an overwhelming process wading through information to choose the perfect destination, though there are a couple of key criteria you can apply when planning to ensure you’ve made the right choice. Use the following points as bearings to guide your research when planning the perfect trip. This will ensure you choose a destination you can enjoy.
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How do you organize your undergarments when you travel? Do you place them in zipped bags? Store them in luggage pockets? Or just place them wherever there’s space?
I can organize my clothes to look neat and tidy in a suitcase when I’m packing for a trip, though as soon as the case is zipped and flipped to stand on it’s wheels, there’s always a moment of pause where I cringe. After all that hard work separating your underwear from your shirts, and your shirts from your shoes, you know that after you arrive at your destination everything inside is going to be a hot mess.
And it’s always the little things. The individual toiletries, socks, underwear, and memory cards that disappear among the chaos. And that’s where the TUO by Origami Unicorn comes in – the ultimate travel undergarment organizer that allows travelers to organize their undergarments or small items neatly in a foldable bag which acts as a portable closet throughout their trip. Because a little organization can go a long way to making your life easier when you’re on the move.
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So you’ve booked your flight to Europe, but once there, how do you plan to explore? Flights are one of the most obvious ways to hop between countries, but that doesn’t mean that they’re the most affordable, comfortable, or even the most memorable way to get around.
In fact, there are many other methods of transportation for making your way across Europe, and we’ve come to realize that train travel is the winner.
But why train? When breaking it down, train travel is ultimately much cheaper, easier, flexible, time saving and comfortable than other options. Sounds too good to be true? Let me break us down for you.
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Grand Cayman Island is the biggest of the three Cayman Islands and it is here where you can look for a complete holiday, full of fun and relaxation. Discover untouched nature and awesome underwater sights along with a great dining experience.
The island has long been known for scuba diving, and is a particular favorite among honeymooning couples. Regardless of where you choose to stay, here are some fun things you should do while there.
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A small village in southern Costa Rica, Uvita holds an important place in the map of tourists and travelers. The small town has grown tremendously over the last couple of years and enjoys a massive arrival of tourists. Once considered remote, today it hustles and bustles with grocery stores, Internet cafe’s, annual music events and a lot more.
Read on to learn more about Uvita and the fun things to do there.
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Regarded as one of the most dynamic cosmopolitan cities in the world, Hong Kong’s charm and allure beckons travellers from all around the world. Beyond the towering sky scrapers and bustling crowds lies stunning natural beauty, incredible cuisine and a rich local culture waiting to be explored.
If you have an upcoming weekend trip planned for Hong Kong, read on to get the lowdown on how to maximise your 48 hours in town, including the best places to stay, eat and play.
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Flights are one of the most obvious ways to travel between cities in the United States, but that doesn’t mean that they’re the most affordable, comfortable, or even the most memorable. In fact, there are many other methods of transportation for making your way across the USA which you may find more appealing.
Whether you’re not a fan of flights, or want to take in some of America’s world class scenery along your way, the following are alternative ways to get around when exploring the States.
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There’s a famous saying, “when in Rome, do as the Romans do”. And this is always the goal when traveling; to immerse yourself fully in a new culture, and engage in authentic local interactions and experiences.
With the emergence of local experiences marketplaces that are English-language friendly and offer low-cost travel options, seeking local experiences is easier than it ever has been before. There are friendly locals in every city in the world willing to show you around, and invite you into their home.
Withlocals is one such marketplace, a platform connecting travelers with locals through food and experiences. This eliminates the overcrowded tour buses, cliche dining options, and stereotypical activities by instead offering private tours and dining experiences lead by locals themselves.
For those looking to roam Rome like a local, and literally “do as the Romans do”, the following are some fantastic Withlocals offerings for Rome. 7 ideas for authentic, local Italian experiences available for travelers.
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There are many restrictions in our lives that hold us back from traveling the world. The most common are money and time. Though not having a travel companion ranks pretty highly too. Many people dream of jumping on a plane, though decide that they don’t have the courage to survive as a solo traveler, so the dream trip never goes forward.
However the biggest key to breaking through these barriers is changing your mindset to realize that these aren’t restrictions. They’re excuses. Especially when so many platforms, networks and resources exist these days which will match us with like minded groups of people for a trip, and allow us to travel for free.
Lifekiy is a platform which does both.
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One of the world’s most dazzling natural phenomenons, few travel experiences can top witnessing the Northern Lights. Also known as Aurora Borealis, this is mother nature’s most impressive light show, and something almost every traveler has at the top of their bucketlist.
Though you may not have to travel as remotely as you think in order to catch a glimpse. While most of the following destinations are close to the Arctic, you can often expect sightings as far south as the United Kingdom, or, if you’re in the southern hemisphere, catch the equally as impressive Southern Lights in Australia instead.
It’s important to note that there is no exact science to seeing the Northern Lights, and that there’s never any guarantee. Though from the northernmost fjords of Norway to the snow-enveloped wilderness of Alaska, here are some of your best bets.
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The Sydney Opera House is one of the most iconic, most visited and most photographed landmarks in Australia, and if you love travel photography, getting the perfect shot will most likely be at the top of your list.
Situated on one of the most beautiful harbours in the world, whether you’re on the water, above the water, or even below it, there are a million ways to get a shot of the Sydney Opera House. It’s quite easy to take a great photo here. Though this is one of the most photographed landmarks in the world, so what’s not always easy is taking an interesting one. As a tourist, it’s difficult to capture a unique angle which the world hasn’t already seen.
The following are great photography locations for shooting the Sydney Opera House. Head here if you’re looking to travel like a photographer and not a tourist.
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Feel like it’s been forever since your last trip? Or are you just itching to hold onto the summer holidays?
March and April can be excellent times to travel, especially with milder weather in many destinations and the Easter break to take advantage of!
But where should you go?
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You can always spot a seasoned traveller from miles away. They’re the ones that know how to move up a class, always pack a portable phone charger and appear immaculate and mighty fresh.
You may not be a frequent flier but we talked to Gordon Bayne, Head of Travel at Scoopon, who has flown the hard miles and is happy to share the ins and outs of travelling like a pro. Keep these tips and tricks handy for your next getaway, to maximise your travelling experience.
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It may seem a while off right now, but summer isn’t actually too far away, which means that travel plans are already starting to be formulated. Passports need to be checked, tickets booked, accommodation planned, but if you vape there’s another consideration to make which may affect your travel destination.
The following is everything you need to know about vaping and airports.
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For generations, the Gold Coast has been Australia’s capital of fun, embracing and entertaining travelers with a spectacle of golden beaches, legendary theme parks, iconic rain-forests and lively attractions. Though with opportunities for adventure on land, air, and sea, the most difficult question is actually how to fit it all in!
To help you out, the following is a 4 day Gold Coast itinerary suited to the luxury adventurer; a terrific combination of adrenalin pumping thrills set on one of Australia’s most spectacular natural stages.
Modeled on our recent trip, follow this guide for rainforest glamping, horse back riding, transparent kayaking over sunken shipwrecks, skydiving over the southern beaches, and suiting up in a harness for Australia’s largest and longest zipline.
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For one week every year, Venice transforms itself. It leaves behind the calm atmosphere it is known for and transforms into an explosion of colours and emotions.
I’m talking about the Venetian Carnival.
This recurring holiday is famous all over the world, but to participate can be a little bit tricky. Venice is a labyrinth of small streets and it’s easy to lose your sense of direction if you don’t know what you are doing.
But follow these tips for attending the Venetian Carnival and you’ll be fine. You’re in for an incredibly memorable time!
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When I flew to London in 2007, I had a travel agent take care of my flights. I was bright eyed and naive with no travel experience at 18, and I paid around $3,000 AUD. That’s a lot of money for an economy class flight.
I had been warned about home sickness and culture shock, though the worse shock was arriving at the school and having my peers tell me I had paid far too much for those flights. And when you’re 18 and you’ve spent 12 months scraping together every possible penny from shifts at McDonalds after school, that realization comes as a pretty difficult blow.
Since then I vowed to never again get caught paying for ridiculously overpriced flights. And now that I know about Australian startup Flystein, (a team of flight hacking ninjas who find you a cheaper fare than the best you have found), I never will again!
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Let’s face it. London can be an expensive city to tour. Sure, there are plenty of free things to do once you arrive, but when you start adding up hotels, restaurants and shows, you may realize that a visit here can very quickly leave your bank account in a sorry state.
For those of us that live here, we cope by scouring the web for deals, hunting down the best cheap eats, and visiting the city’s free museums way too many times.
But what if you feel like a splurge?
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Combining volunteerism with travel is one of our favorite ways to explore the globe, though it’s absolutely vital to choose a project which makes a genuine difference to the community and society as a whole.
And while every country needs volunteers equally, there are a number of countries that are notoriously resource strapped, and often overlooked by international volunteers who opt for more popular destinations when choosing their placements.
As such, the following are countries we recommend considering for a volunteer placement in 2016. These choices may mean branching out to a perhaps previously unthought-of destination, though each offers the opportunity to affect real change and impact local lives where help is desperately needed.
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When it comes to planning a trip, it’s very rarely easy. Which destinations do you want to visit? What is the optimal route? How many nights are sufficient to stay in each place? What is there to see in the area? And, if you’re hitting up a number of countries in one trip, how do you manage the booking process through so many destinations?
Usually this is all so overwhelming that the responsibility for planning your trip is handed over to a travel agent. Or you join a bus tour. Though what if you could be your own travel agent? What if planning and booking a multi country trip through Europe 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 to Europe. A free do-it-yourself trip planning tool called RoutePerfect which generates European itineraries based on your travel preferences, budget and personal style.
Planning all of a sudden becomes fun instead of a headache, and without realizing it you’ve become your own travel agent. Planning a trip with RoutePerfect is the perfect way to explore the world – your way.
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Whether it’s helping you with luggage or setting a dinner in front of you, it seems these days almost everyone is eligible for the acceptance of a tip. This seems to become even more evident when it comes to traveling, especially within the U.S.
Though it’s incredibly difficult for even the most avid of travelers to know when it is appropriate to tip, and how much, and foreigners traveling throughout the United States are looked upon as incredibly cheap for not opening their wallets to almost every-one they encounter.
So how does the culture of tipping apply to a valet? If staying in luxury accommodation in America and driving, it’s likely that at some stage, you’ll come into contact with a valet. And regardless of whether or not the hotel gives you the option to self park, if you hand over your keys, you’re expected to give them tip.
Utilize the following tips for a stress free experience, and to know how much is an appropriate tip.
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Whether you’ve been a DIY traveler up until now or you have your travel agent’s number on speed dial, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of booking your flights, hotels, rental cars, and more through a travel agent.
Not only have travel agents been found to save their clients a pretty penny, some only charge a very small commission. Essentially, travel agents are excellent at what they do best. And sometimes, it’s in your best interest to leave travel booking up to the experts. Here are some reasons why.
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