The holiday season is upon us once again and it’s time for your family vacation. You already have a picture in your mind of a stress free holiday, where the kids are happy, as are mum and dad.
One of the most important elements to ensuring a stress free vacation is knowing everyone is safe. That’s not to say that you should spend the whole trip overly paranoid about “what can go wrong”, but it definitely helps if you’ve put a couple of precautionary measures in place.
Armed with some good organization, and the following advice, you can enjoy your holiday in the knowledge that everyone is safe.
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The Seychelles is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in Africa, which is why it is often perceived as an expensive vacation.
While this isn’t an incorrect observation, it’s not exactly the entire truth either.
The most expensive thing about Seychelles will be your flights and your accommodation. However, with a little planning and research, you can easily visit Seychelles on a more frugal budget as well.
Having recently visited the Seychelles for a solo trip, I was easily able to manage 2 weeks here for 730 USD. Here are a few tips that can help you manage a budget-friendly trip in this exotic location too.
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A fast-paced cosmopolitan city with oodles of glitz, glamour and excitement around every corner, a honeymoon in Dubai is a wonderful way to begin married life. Seeming to effortlessly fuse its native Arabian traditions with all some of the best luxury amenities in the world, this is one of the world’s most exhilarating, luxurious and remarkable destinations, perfect for honeymooners looking to unwind, indulge, and enjoy newly-wedded bliss.
With some of the most tranquil beaches in the Middle East, and the barren beauty of the desert, there are many unforgettable adventures you can experience during your time in the city. Whether you are enjoying a day at the races, going on a desert safari, or watching the exotic shimmies of a belly-dancer, Dubai is the perfect place to celebrate your new life together.
Here are some of the best ways to enjoy a romantic honeymoon in Dubai.
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It can almost seem like gardeners, and their garden, are partners for life. Which can become a problem if your second passion is travel, after-all, who would water the plants, feed them with necessary nutrients, and make sure they are doing alright in your absence?
Unlike other activities like business or construction, where you can easily take a break, gardening is much like childcare. Your plants need the necessary attention and nurturing to get the best out of them.
But can frequent travelers run a successful garden? The answer is absolutely! We have put together some tips for those who have a passion for their garden as well as frequent travel, so you’re able to succeed at them both.
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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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Experiencing underwater life never ceases to inspire and amaze. Offering an entirely different pace, human beings have long been enchanted by the blue silence, surrounded by marine life.
It is true that some of the coolest places on the planet are under water. There are hotels, shipwrecks, temples, museums, restaurants and other underwater sites around the world that are worth diving and snorkeling for.
While the list of exceptional underwater experiences seems as endless as the great depths of the sea, we’ve put together our favorites; some the top sites to don a full face snorkel mask and explore underwater life.
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Set on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, and an easy two hour flight from Los Angeles, Cabo San Lucas has long been the destination of choice for a quintessential Mexican beach vacation.
With white beaches, spectacular arching stone cliffs, and a location where golden desert meets the shimmering sea, Cabo is firm favorite among surfers, divers and hikers. But with a coastline that stretches from the Sea of Cortez to the Pacific Ocean, Los Cabos is tempting a new type of traveler: the foodie.
It’s said that the only word you need to learn to eat well in Los Cabos is mariscos (Spanish for seafood), thanks to the incredible catch that comes straight from the bountiful waters.
Spending two weeks in Cabo San Lucas this past February led me to some truly amazing restaurants. But when it comes to highlighting my favorites, I have to recommend these three.
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Everyone knows that when you bring a dog into your life, you’re not only welcoming a ton of new excitement, but you’re also embracing a substantial amount of new responsibility.
That responsibility, however, doesn’t mean you need to give up your flexibility when it comes to travel, at least not all of it!
It has become quite acceptable in today’s day and age to bring your pet with you, and travel with your dog on the plane. So the following are our trips on flying with your dog; because there’s no reason you should have to choose between your wanderlust and your pet!
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The tag of ‘the most romantic spot on the continent of India’ sits well on Udaipur. Formerly the capital of the Mewar Kingdom, it is known as the city of lakes and palaces; a city in the western Indian state of Rajasthan set around a series of shimmering lakes and known for its lavish royal residences.
It is a city which exudes romance and luxury; majestic palaces sit against a backdrop of craggy green hills, whitewashed havelis and bathing ghats are clustered around the waters of the lake, and bustling bazaars and tempting food only add to the city’s natural charms.
Old-world charm and hospitality make Udaipur one of India’s top destinations for the discerning traveller. The city is “far from unspoilt or undiscovered, though remains a richly rewarding place to visit”. While many people spend at least a week, it is possible to take in the main attractions of Udaipur in just a couple of days. Here are the best places to visit.
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Do you know the best thing about a quote? You can interpret them however you like.
If you’re a fan of travel quotes, you’ve probably heard the same quotes used over and over again. The internet has a small pool of favorites, and they’re all overused!
But if you’re looking for some new inspiration, it can be quite insightful to take quotes from other places, like a list of sports quotes, and see if there are any travel lessons you can find!
The following are seven quotes that I’ve interpreted into travel inspiration. You’ll find four sporting quotes from Lou Piniella, Gift Ngoepe, Shaq and Muhammad Ali, as well as quotes Albert Einstein, Mindy Kaling and the man we’re going to start with, Louis C.K.
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Japan could easily be considered to be among the world’s most desired destinations. I mean, who hasn’t dreamed of watching the sun set over a tori gate, visit the thousands of shrines in Kyoto, or witness dawn from the top of Mt. Fuji?
And in terms of getting around, the country has one of the safest, cleanest, fastest, most efficient, punctual and convenient public transportation networks in the world. But while you might be tempted by the city subways, bullet trains, or even by catching a flight, we opted for an entirely different way of seeing Japan: by bike.
With considerate drivers, great infrastructure, and a well connected network of roads, Japan is a perfect destination for bicycle touring first-timers. We spent 3 months on our bikes exploring Kyushu, Shikoku, and Southern Honsu, but you still can easily cover a wide cross section of Japan in 7 – 10 days.
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A 3 to 4 hour drive from Mumbai, Sula Vineyards is the oldest winery in India. It is a fabulous way to unwind from the hectic bustle of city life, where you can discover the place where Indians first experienced wine.
In 1996, Rajeev Samant planted the first wine grapes in Nashik and today this region is India’s premier wine-growing region, producing 80% of the country’s total wine.
Spread over a total of over 3000 acres, Sula’s vineyards are home to some of India’s finest grapes, so if you’re looking for a place for your next wine tour, you should visit Nashik, in Maharashtra state.
This is India’s Napa Valley; after Sula Vineyards was established in 1999, 35 other wineries followed suit in the region over the next decade. It’s quite incredible how one man paved the way for the emergence of India’s Wine Capital.
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Are you looking for an extreme trekking challenge? Then you’ll love Nepal’s epic 62-kilometer trek to Everest Base Camp which lies 5,365 meters above sea level.
The Mount Everest base camp trek will take you through tiny mountain villages and pine forests, alongside topaz rivers and across staggeringly-high suspension bridges to the foot of the world’s highest mountain. However, with sub-zero temperatures and altitude sickness to contend with this isn’t a challenge for the faint-hearted.
Having completed the trek myself, here are some important tips on how to survive the journey to Everest Base Camp.
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We’ve all seen the obnoxious tourists waddling out of Subway in some beautiful, ancestral city. Chances are, if you catch us on the right day, we’ve all been that tourist.
There is, however, a revolution in tourism that is really starting to take off. A whole new way of thinking which prioritizes responsible travel, and considers the impact we have on the communities and environments we visit abroad.
The negative impacts of tourism are usually pretty clear to the traveler feeling particularly perceptive. But ecotourism is the belief that travel should be ultimately beneficial to both the tourist and the host country.
There is a balance we should all try to find while traveling: remain safe but also truly experience the local scene. Make ripples, but not a splash. Take only memories, leave only footprints. The following are four key things to consider for those looking to travel responsibly in 2018.
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It may be hard to get to Nepal, but you’ll likely find that it’s even harder to leave.
We only stayed 10 days. But in this time we completely fell in love with this wonderful country.
With two days in Kathmandu before hitting the Himalayan trails, ten days is a very short amount of time. But it’s enough to get an idea of the country, discover Kathmandu, see the beauty of the mountains, meet the people, and discover the Nepalese culture.
If you’re working off a similar time-frame, we highly recommend making time for the following.
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Who 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.
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Eastern Europe has a drinking culture which dates back centuries; toasting to another’s health or welfare is a long established custom, and the tradition of clinking glasses when first taking a sip has been passed through generations.
Bordered by Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, Belarus is firmly landlocked within the vodka belt of Eastern Europe. So as you would expect, it’s capitol city Minsk isn’t lacking in authentic bars.
But it’s not common to visit a bar several times a week just to grab a small beer near your home. In Minsk, going to a bar is a special event, where people spend more money and choose the best possible options.
Minsk nightlife isn’t made up of bars which are popular just for being cheap; the scene is very much made up of authentic places to drink, eat tasty food, and socialize. So we’ve put together a list of the 5 most authentic bars in Minsk.
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Whether 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!
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Sharing a 2,000 km border with Sweden, in the northern European region of Scandinavia, Norway is a beautiful Nordic country, and in recent years rumors have begun to spread of it’s insane natural beauty.
A country defined by epic landscapes which rank among the most stunning in the world, the sheer drama of the fjords is alone worth the effort of coming here.
Rumors of this magical place are spreading like wildfire, though what can a traveler actually do? While 98% of its territory is uninhabited and impossible to live in, for those who choose to travel, there are unlimited possibilities for adventure. The following are our 5 favorite choices.
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What is the first thing that comes to mind whenever you think of India? Obviously, you try to picture its varied and diverse culture. But apart from being a land of multilingual and multi-ethnic communities, India has one more feather in its cap: it’s history.
India is probably the only country to boast of a rich and glorious past that spans for more than a 750 centuries. (Almost since the beginning of time!) So it won’t come as a surprise that the country has no less than a 100 monuments in each of its 29 states. You can do the math to arrive at that total!
To visit every single monument is, of course, an impossible task. But the following 7 structures and sites will offer a glimpse into the historical richness of the land.
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About a year ago a message popped up on my Twitter feed. It said that all national parks in Canada will be free in 2017 to mark its 150th anniversary. Home to some of the most incredible scenery in the world, I immediately started planning my trip.
I rented a mid-size car from Edmonton for less than $80 a week. It was about a 4-hour drive to the entrance of Jasper National Park. Now, I’ve done a few amazing scenic drives in my lifetime, like the Pacific Coast Highway along the California coast, Hue to Hoi An in Vietnam, and Lisbon to Algarve in Portugal. But with exhilarating vistas of forest, craig, glacier, ice Fields and wildlife, the drive from Jasper to Banff takes out the top spot on my list. It’s easily one of the most beautiful drives in the world.
The following is a rough 5-day itinerary. If you’re thinking of a self drive adventure through the Canadian rockies, I encourage you to follow this route.
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Having just driven 20,000km around Australia (that’s the same distance as flying London to Sydney) in an battered, old Landrover, I can definitely attest to this country’s Instagrammability … if this is even a word!
Yes when you’re living out of a tent on a roof, surrounded the beauty of Australia every day, you realise just how perfect this place is if you want to snap some amazing travel shots.
With stunning scenery and vibrant visuals, the Land Down Under is so diverse and has so many unique sights, that it really is the most #instaperfect country in my opinion.
So check out these 8 places I’ve selected as the most instagrammable in Australia and start getting your friends jealous now!
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Even if you like traveling alone, or you’re already with a group, that doesn’t exclude the possibility of meeting new people as you’re making your way around the globe.
Travel is all about getting to know a different culture, or different mindsets to enrich your own way of seeing things. That’s why we’ll give you our top tips on how to make new friends wherever you go.
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California is home to some of the most incredible beaches in the US. With its diverse wildlife and landscapes, each coastal area is unique in its own way.
Whether you’re a local or a tourist, adventure is not hard to find in these seaside paradises. We’ve listed some of our favorite beaches on the West Coast to help you plan your next holiday in the Golden State.
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One of the great wonders of the world, no trip to the US is complete without stopping to experience the Grand Canyon. But at almost 450 km long, and over 1,100 km in circumference, how do you even know where to start?!!
There are options to take in the West Rim glass skywalk, and stay overnight at a ranch on native land. You can choose to travel on horseback, and witness the magic of a sunrise which most tourists will never understand.
The following are the pros and cons of visiting each of the Grand Canyon’s 4 available rims. If you can’t make it to Arizona you can take a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon from Vegas too.
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