Transaction Failed
It looks like your transaction failed, please try again or contact site support at megan@mappingmegan.com.
Whether you’re a fan of surfing or sunbathing, visiting a range of beaches can be one of the best things about travelling!
The sandy or pebble-ridden locations are so versatile and can differ between one another in the extreme. Do you prefer a pebble beach with treacherous cliffsides, or are palm trees and white sands more your speed?
We take a look at some of the most beautiful and unique beaches to explore on your travels, so grab your wetsuit and sunscreen to prepare for these must-visit locations!
read moreOne of the joys of travel is being able to directly contribute to the economies of the communities we visit, and shopping locally has always been a great way to do this.
It’s the joy of stumbling across charming little shops selling handmade jewelry and clothing you literally couldn’t find anywhere else. And seeing the joy on the face of the artisan when they make a sale.
There’s nothing quite like buying something directly from the hands that made it, and knowing that the community from which it came will be benefiting from 100% of the profits.
We often associate online shopping with faceless corporations, which is the complete opposite to the concept of buying locally, but given the current pandemic climate, more and more local businesses have started moving online.
While we’ve been forced to cancel our travel plans, and isolate in our own homes, the shopfronts we would have been buying our souvenirs from have been forced to close.
Online shopping has become the solution to supporting the communities we would have been contributing to, and still collecting our souvenirs and taste of other cultures even when we can’t leave home.
read morePlanning a vacation isn’t always easy. There are flights and hotels to book, itineraries to organize, and of course the fun of packing.
While many travelers put a lot of time and energy into planning and preparing for their vacations, they often leave thinking about travel insurance to the end or simply forgo purchasing it altogether.
Life often has a funny way of delivering us the unexpected, and because of this it is imperative that all travelers regardless of age, gender, race, or health consider investing in a travel policy to ensure financial protection should an unfortunate incident occur.
Having a travel insurance policy in place well before your trip can end up saving you thousands of dollars if you sadly need to cancel your trip for an unexpected and covered reason, need costly overseas medical care, or run into instances of lost or stolen bags and cancelled flights.
read moreOne of the world’s most beloved hiking trails just so happens to end at one of the most famous wonders of the world. While many tourists take the train to the ancient Inca citadel Machu Picchu, it’s the 4-5 day hike along the world-renowned Inca Trail through the Andes that allows you to really embrace the region and its culture.
The Inca Trail’s roughly 26-mile-long trek from Cusco to Machu Picchu will introduce you to a range of different natural landscapes including clouds forests and alpine tundra, passing numerous ancient Inca ruins along the way.
Here are a few of the highlights along your journey.
read moreIn 1798, European explorers Bass and Flinders sailed along the northern coast of Van Dieman’s Land, known today as Tasmania. They took a colonial sloop and proved that it was indeed an island, separated from mainland Australia by a strait (today called the Bass Strait).
Rowing up the Tamar River to where Launceston is today, their exploration laid the groundwork for some of the first European settlements in the country, and in 1806 Launceston became a township.
It’s easy to first think of Hobart or Sydney when seeking out colonial heritage in Australia, though Launceston has a rich and vibrant heritage, and one of the finest early cityscapes in the country.
Defined by Georgian buildings and Victorian gardens, Australia’s third oldest city is today a shining example of adaptive reuse; with fashion boutiques, bars, banks, and high-tech offices sitting inside colonial churches, town halls, and towers.
And as far as historic hotels? The Leisure Inn Penny Royal is a boutique, family-friendly apartment hotel, set in an 1840’s corn mill.
read moreMiami’s sun, sand, and surf are enough to lure countless travelers each year, but then you add in fun colorful art deco buildings and an equally vibrant nightlife and you have the perfect getaway destination.
Miami’s art deco and gorgeous sunsets aren’t the only colorful things in Miami though. Scattered around the city are lush subtropical gardens that are as colorful as the many characters that you’ll encounter on South Beach.
You’ll find beautiful green spaces nearly everywhere in Miami, and we’ve partnered with Hotels.com to bring you this list. Many of the most luxurious Miami hotels and resorts even have their own private little gardens wrapped around refreshing pools.
After you’ve had enough tanning and partying on the beach and need to nurse that sunburn or hangover, check out these stunning gardens around the city that will provide you with the perfect detox.
read moreAntalya is a sea-side heaven located on the coast of Mediterrenean Sea in southern Turkey. It is the country’s second biggest tourist draw after Istanbul, and welcomes millions of visitors each year, known as the gateway to the Turkish Riviera.
When it comes to the Mediterranean, Antalya’s Turquoise Coast offers one of the most sensational coastlines in the region, but beyond its beaches and jade water is a classically beautiful city, rich with history (think ancient Roman ruins), bustling with markets, and rich in traditional Turkish food.
Many visit Antalya and set up at their sea-side resort, though for those wanting to balance out their time at the beach, the following are great things to do.
read moreIt’s always been important to be smart about how you withdraw and spend your money when traveling. Though faced with a long road ahead to economic recovery, this is true now more than ever.
read moreBetween trying new foods, staying out late, drinking too many margaritas, and crashing on those fluffy hotel pillows, it’s totally understandable that many of us put a ‘pause’ on worrying about health while we travel.
After-all, travel is supposed to be an escape!
But just because you’re spending time in the sun and maybe eating a bit too much doesn’t mean all health needs to go out the window!
As you find yourself taking more adventurous risks, and spending more time outside, one area of health you shouldn’t neglect are your eyes.
Whether that be with a cap or polarized prescription sunglasses, it is important to care for your sight when you travel. And that’s exactly what you’ll learn to do from this guide.
read moreThe scene is set; a summer’s day, a lush Scottish glen, centuries of history, competitors ready to battle it out … it’s Scotland’s iconic Highland Games – but not as we know it this year.
In 2020, for the first time ever, the Scottish Highland Games have been held virtually, and everyone can have a front row seat to the very best of Scottish culture and competition!
The Highland Games are a traditional feature of summer across Scotland, particularly in rural areas. Dating back over 1,000 years, Highland Games are a celebration of Scottish and Celtic culture, centered around a variety of competitions such as heavy athletics, piping, drumming and Highland dancing.
Whether you want to re-watch the action, find out more about the history behind the games, or stage your own Highland Games from home, there are plenty of ways to get involved this year, albeit in a physically distanced and virtual way!
Here’s how you can be part of the action!
read more