In today’s age of social awareness, travelers are increasingly aware of the environmental impact in tourism.
A recent revolution which prioritizes responsible travel has swept up the travel industry, and it is becoming more and more difficult to ignore that irresponsible travel choices have a long-lasting effect on our planet.
But ecotourism goes beyond taking steps to reduce our carbon footprint, and if you’re truly committed to reducing your environmental impact, this should reflect in more basic choices too; like the fabrics you choose when purchasing travel clothing.
Read More
If you’re someone who travels regularly you’ll know that one of the most important decisions is picking up the right suitcase – after-all you can’t just take it home and switch it!
Today the luggage industry offers variety of different luggage options to suit individual travelers’ preference, though one of the most significant innovations over the past decade has been the hard shell suitcase.
While previously known to crack and fall apart, the travel industry has seen significant innovations in overall quality of the hard shell suitcase. Most companies nowadays use polycarbonate, a softer material that actually flexes a little bit to absorb impact when dropped or thrown onto hard surfaces.
The following are 3 reasons why hard sided polycarbonate luggage is a better choice than opting for a soft case.
Read More
Essential Oils have been used for thousands of years in various cultures as a natural alternative to medicine (an ‘essential oil’ is made from separating the most powerful healing elements of a plant, like eucalyptus or sage, into a single oil that you inhale or rub on your skin).
They are one of the world’s most ancient methods for healing, boosting energy levels, reducing anxiety, and from Egypt to England, from China to the United States, aromatherapy has become the most popular way to treat yourself in a natural, safe and cost-effective way.
Nebulizing deffusers are used in people’s homes, in yoga studios, and in medical centers everyday. It’s a machine that disperses your chosen oil into the room so that you can breathe the healing properties into your blood stream.
Ever instantly felt calm at a luxury spa? Did your mother ever cure your cold with eucalyptus? That’s aromatherapy.
In the context of travel, just because you’re constantly on the move doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from aromatherapy. I’ve recently discovered the mobile-mini nebulizing diffuser from Organic Aromas … it’s compact, portable, wireless, and fabulous for traveling with.
Read More
I don’t know if it’s because I’ve recently turned 30, but I definitely remember a time when I used to have more energy.
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; exhaustion, aches and pains. Long days of traveling, sightseeing, and walking are incredible, but they definitely take their toll.
Many travelers experience soreness, muscle pain, and 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 in this situation, wondering how you’re possibly going to continue with your itinerary, I’ve got you covered. Pranamat ECO is a therapeutic accupressure massage set you can travel with, and a great way to relax and get rid of muscle pain.
Read More
Are you looking for an excellent gift to give to your friend who is a photographer? Or perhaps you want to say thank you to the person who captured one of the most important moments in your life?
Photographers make memories, so of course you want to come up with an idea for a memorable gift. But more often than not photographers already have all the gear they need, so you may be wondering what’s left to be gifted!
Well, worry not! We’ve done extensive research to find out what photographers like best, and with the help of some expert camera operators, we came up with this excellent gift list.
Read More
Almost every traveler packs their phone these days; when you have a GPS, a translator, an entertainment system and a camera all rolled up into one device, your phone becomes an essential part of the travel experience that you can’t afford to lose (with the prices of new phones lately, it’s often literally something you can’t afford to lose).
But every year thousands of smart phones are lost, stolen, or damaged while on vacation. In Australia alone, the AMTA reports more than 100,000 mobile phones are lost or stolen every year. That’s 2,000 each week or one mobile phone handset every six minutes.
And that’s not even considering the phones which are damaged, or hacked as part of cyber-theft.
Considering the expense of phones these days, the inconvenience of losing your boarding passes, photos, and contacts, and the security risks of having your personal data and information available for hack, it’s imperative to protect your phone when you travel overseas.
Read More
If you’re in the market for new luggage this year, choosing a high quality, durable bag is crucial. After-all, most travelers get at least 5 – 10 years out of a good bag, if not finding something they can use for life.
The last thing that you want is for your luggage to get ruined while you’re on the road, and shopping around is not something you want to continually have to do.
Research is crucial to finding a high quality bag, and you should definitely compare the market before deciding to buy. That said, if you’re not a big research person, there are a couple of brands who you can rely on every-time.
After examining the best luggage brands revealed by review sites, the following are the top five luggage brands this year.
Read More
As adventure travellers, Mike and I often find ourselves travelling to off the beaten path destinations. Whether it’s engaging in all day treks in search of wildlife, or biking down the world’s most dangerous road in Bolivia, for some reason we’re drawn to a destination’s less explored places.
Getting off the beaten path has led to some incredibly unique and memorable experiences, but one definite hazard is that once you leave the main tourist route, you do put yourself at a bit of a risk in terms of safety.
It’s often the case that exploring off the beaten path means finding ourselves off the grid, without a means of communicating. But there’s one device that aims to change that, and become the ultimate device for outdoor networking, allowing you to stay in contact with friends and access emergency assistance without needing the internet or a phone signal.
Read More
As I travel around the world, it never ceases to amaze me just how many people are fluent in more than one language. Granted, I am blessed that the only language I can speak is spoken nearly everywhere to at least some degree. Though this isn’t always true once you start travelling off the beaten path, and it is a sign of respect when visiting someone else’s country that you at least attempt to speak in their native tongue.
I am well aware that I should be the one to learn other languages. I don’t expect other cultures to conform to my native language, and I do actually enjoy discovering destinations that haven’t adopted English as an alternate or additional language. Like many frequent travellers though, I don’t have the aptitude to learn16 different languages, but I still want to communicate effectively wherever I go.
Last year I wrote an article about using MESAY, which is a portable language translator that you speak into, and it spits out translations in real time. Though the company has recently developed an upgrade, and will soon be launching MESAY 2.0.
Read More
Travel pillows have become an important aspect of a comfortable trip. Whether you’re taking a flight or simply hitting the road, you’ll find them handy for catching some sleep in otherwise awkward positions.
But with so many travel pillows on the market, finding the perfect one for you can be cumbersome. Because not all travel pillows are created equally – there are many different designs created to suit the needs of different travelers, and they come in many different shapes, sizes, weights, and filling.
With so many things to consider when choosing a travel pillow, we’ve put together five tips to help you find the best one for you.
Read More
Choosing the wrong luggage for a trip leaves you with a cumbersome problem – you can’t just take it home and switch it! But there are so many types of bags available these days, that making an informed decision can be the most difficult part of your trip!
Whether it’s trying to lug a suitcase through the jungle and beating the crap out of your wheels (been there), or throwing everything into a hiking pack for a stay at a luxury hotel, a travel experience is often about choosing the right kind of bag.
The most important thing to remember is that different types of luggage will be suitable for different types of trips. So in this article we’ve broken down four popular styles of travel, and the type of luggage that is best suited to that trip.
Read More
When traveling, the luggage you have can spell a great time or a tiring time. You don’t want to spend the whole of your vacation lugging around a broken suitcase because the wheels snapped, or it couldn’t handle the weight of all your clothes and things.
Traditionally, shoppers have gone to the mall or department store to buy their luggage, and been able to physically inspect a bag before making a purchase. But with the growing trend of buying online, less and less people are making the physical trip.
It’s certainly a lot easier and more convenient to do your shopping online, however make sure you keep the following points in mind to ensure you get your money’s worth.
Read More
Your luggage is your most important travel essential. But there are so many types of bags available these days, that making an informed decision can be the most difficult part of your trip!
Whether it’s trying to lug a suitcase through the jungle and beating the crap out of your wheels (been there), or throwing everything into a hiking pack for a stay at a luxury hotel, a travel experience is often about choosing the right kind of bag.
The most important thing to remember is that different types of luggage will be suitable for different types of trips. So don’t fall into the trap of thinking any bag will do, because you just need something which will transport your things.
The right bag should fit with your travel preferences. So the following are things to consider when choosing the best suitcases, bags and carry on luggage which matches your style and needs.
Read More
Travel is an incredible experience. The sense of freedom is exhilarating as you escape the confinements of your job and monotonous everyday. But unfortunately travel can be just as expensive as it is exciting.
Of course you want to look good as you wander the streets of Paris, or relax on the beach in Phuket, but purchasing high-end designer labels can really eat away at your travel budget, and less budget usually means eating ramen noodles out of a youth hostel!
So we’re in favor of ditching the designer for the destination, and thoroughly enjoying your travel experience. There have been many experiments conducted that prove spending money on experiences instead of things result in more overall happiness. And a great place to start is with your sunglasses.
Read More
Travel is the perfect opportunity to sport fun looks and trendy styles. But when traveling for business, it can be tricky keeping up with the latest trends while still maintaining professionalism. It also depends on the industry you’re in.
Whatever your business is, bonding with colleagues, engaging in business meetings, and impressing clients is a part of all business travel. In order to make a good impression, you have to look good from head to toe.
Choose a suitcase that compliments your style and makes you look put together. From mid-century to sleek, here are some of our favorite catalog finds and brand favorites specifically for trendy business travel.
Read More
Do you have an instant pot? They’re like magic, right? You put ingredients in, head to work, and eight hours later this amazing meal emerges.
Accessories are the instant pot of the fashion world. They can transform ensembles without a ton of time, effort, and often even money. Which is exactly what the savvy traveler needs.
Although comfort is top of the list, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to look stylish too whether you’re heading off to the wilds of Africa, or urban exploration in chic New York.
With this in mind, check out these tips on keeping your style on point, whilst travelling this season. Read on for eight accessories you need in 2018.
Read More
I’m sure every traveler at some stage has found themselves in the situation where they’re stuck traveling with the wrong kind of bag.
Whether it’s trying to lug a suitcase through the jungle and beating the crap out of your wheels (been there), or throwing everything into a hiking pack for a stay at a luxury hotel, a travel experience is often about choosing the right kind of bag.
And there are many different types of bags, which will be suitable for different types of trips. So don’t fall into the trap of thinking any bag will do, because you just need something which will transport your things.
Bags are not sacks. They are not meant to be used as sacks. Bags are painstakingly blueprinted to strike a perfect balance between design and utility, for specific types of trips.
So to avoid committing ‘bags faux pas’, consider the following types of bags, and which will be most suitable for your upcoming trip.
Read More
Forget your passport, when it comes to travel, appropriate underwear is one of the most essential things. (Don’t actually forget your passport, but I’m sure you get what I meant!)
But traditional cotton underwear isn’t always the best option for travel – they’re slow drying and they absorb moisture meaning cotton isn’t the most comfortable or hygienic thing to wear for extended periods of time.
Underwear might be one of those things you don’t think twice about, but purchasing a pair for the practicalities of travel can make or break a trip. There are plenty of options out there for travel-specific underwear, but when it comes to being specifically designed for women, Knixwear is a Canadian based brand you should know.
The following are seven reasons why Knixwear is the greatest travel underwear you’ll own. But the biggest reason? The amount of confidence you gain from wearing them, for all the reasons below.
Read More
If you’re anything like me, you get a headache when it comes to understanding the specs of today’s cameras. I try my hardest to watch YouTube tutorials in an effort to become wiser, but end up frustrated and feeling as though I am that single kid in the back of the class that just doesn’t get it.
Yes I want a camera that records good images and video, I am after all a travel blogger who needs to share my experiences with the world. My goal, however, is to inspire others to travel, not to enter photo competitions or create the next Academy Award winning masterpiece.
We’ve all become so programmed to think we need to keep up with the crowd by shelling out hundreds if not thousands of dollars on the latest well known name brand camera equipment. But there comes a stage where you wonder if we really need all these new fancy camera features and if so, does it really have to cost us an arm and a leg to get it?
Personally, I’ve gotten to the stage where I would rather spend more on adventure travel and less on action camera’s.
Read More
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.
Read More
One of the biggest challenges when traveling is overcoming barriers to communication, and for someone who frequently travels, it’s highly likely you’ll eventually land in a country where you don’t understand a word.
And this can be quite daunting. I’m sure I’m not the only traveler who’s landed abroad and felt like a mute for being unable to speak the native language. Frankly, it’s embarrassing; so you end up taking some pictures, looking at the scenery, and leaving, without having interacted with anyone.
Though as for learning a new language, the brutal truth is that not many people have the time or energy, or even the mental ability to retain a new language, especially when you’re touring multiple countries and need knowledge of several different dialects.
So if you’re wondering how to overcome barriers of communication, you’e not alone. But you don’t need to worry anymore! There’s a new smart voice translator being released which means you can speak 20 languages in 2 seconds! It’s an incredible device, and may just kill the language barrier for good.
Read More
Mike and I recently quit our life of full time travel to buy a house and our previously sold stuff. And one of the first things we did was shop for travel prints for the walls. We wanted something to brighten the house up. And I hate bare walls!
While there are 79 pages of incredible travel photography you can buy as a canvas from Wall Art Prints, it only took me a second to decide. The travel print I wanted was staring at me right there on the third line.
I ordered a huge 150 x 100 cm of Magical Manarola, Italy; a town which, despite not having been able to take pictures myself, left a lasting impression on my mind.
Read More
Earlier this year I had an incredibly busy three-month period during which I was practically forced to find an affordable travel Internet hotspot, and luckily came across TEP Wireless.
I had started a new business, and had to travel to 5 different locations in Europe in order to secure a few valuable partnerships. Failure to do so would have meant that the sizable amount I had invested would likely have evaporated in a flash.
Preparing for such a trip wasn’t easy, especially for a family man. Although I wasn’t going to be away for three months straight, I had to make sure I could communicate with my family at the same time as syncing my schedule with the various appointments and transportation providers I had picked out. It could have been a catastrophe, but it wasn’t – all thanks to TEP Wireless.
Read More
You can pretty much guarantee that every adventure will come with it’s bumps in the road, but with careful planning and a few handy travel accessories you can be prepared for anything.
The accessories you travel with will depend on a variety of different things – the environment you’re heading to, the length of your journey, the type of transit you prefer, and even the weather. And then the rest of the time it comes down to personal preference.
Accessories most commonly found in a travelers bag include a first aid kit, flashlight, camera, headphones, and perhaps a travel hoodie, though to cover all possible bases, we’ve listed and discussed 15 more.
Read More
Traveling the world may sound glamorous, and many moments are indeed. However let’s not pretend that there aren’t just as many moments where you begin questioning whether all the headaches are worth it!
I long for the day when I win the lottery and can fly First Class, with fancy additions like compression socks, slippers, pajamas, and those seemingly much more high tech headphones. Upon seeing them on my last flight I was jealous enough that I finally looked into replacing my free tangled mess given to me by the flight attendant.
I came across Sennheiser’s PXC 550 Wireless noise cancelling headphones. A German based company that specialises in premium audio products, there are headphones, and then there are these.
Read More
