Contact Me
I would love to hear from you whether you have a question you need answered or wish to share your experiences or photos. I also welcome any feedback you may have (constructive of course!!) as I am always looking to improve.
I read all my emails and will respond as quickly as possible, unless I am in the jungles somewhere without access to internet.
If you are reaching out to inquire about a content opportunity let me know the URL of the site you are representing so I can forward my most relevant partnership opportunities. I do not discuss any opportunities for content placement or guest posting unless you are 100% transparent about your affiliation. I will not agree to any form of collaboration until you have fully disclosed your goals and intentions.
Email direct: megan@mappingmegan.com
Have You Read My Most Recent Posts?
Posted by Michael Jerrard on 1:07 pm in Accommodation, Adventure Travel, Blog, Budget Travel, Eco Tourism | 0 comments
We often picture camping as simply pitching a tent in the middle of the woods somewhere, but many of today’s European campsites offer a whole lot more.
Whether you do indeed enjoy roughing it a bit in the wild or are looking for more of a glamping type experience possibly along the Mediterranean with no lack of amenities, there’s a campsite to suit any personality.
From camping on a nearly deserted English island or high in the Swiss Alps to not even having to camp in the great outdoors at all, Europe offers the chance to enjoy some pretty crazy campsites. Here’s a look at some of the most notably beautiful and rather unique campsites worth a visit.
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Posted by Michael Jerrard on 5:22 pm in Blog, Expat Life, Healthy Travel, Student Travel, Travel Tips | 2 comments
Whether you find yourself moving to another country for work, school, volunteering, or to be with your international love, it’s common to feel a sense of homesickness at some point.
Despite the excitement of moving abroad, it’s common to feel a sense of loss being away from home and anxiety from trying to adjust to your new surroundings.
While many expats experience homesickness, the causes and emotional / physical impacts are different for each person; from acute emotional distress all the way to an almost debilitating depression which can impact your health.
Whether you’re taking up a lucrative employment offer in London or Dubai or simply researched incredible Bangkok condos for rent, understand that no one is fully immune to homesickness.
The key to dealing with homesickness is to be able to recognize the feelings and work through them, rather than trying to ignore or prevent them.
Feeling homesick is completely normal and nothing to be ashamed of, and there are a number of strategies that will help you to better cope with the various effects of homesickness.
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Posted by Michael Jerrard on 3:25 pm in Adventure Travel, Blog, Eco Tourism | 0 comments
If you’re thinking about getting your feet wet in the world of scuba diving, it can be tough for beginners to know where to start. Your first challenge is understanding the types of certification you need, and then choosing dive sites that are suitable.
While you may be lured by the many incredible scuba diving sites that show up in your Insta feed, not all dive sites are suitable for beginner divers. Some sites are also much more rewarding in terms of guaranteed marine life along with safe and pleasant diving conditions.
Whether you’re in search of wrecks or reefs, planning your first scuba diving vacation can be quite exciting. Not only will you most likely be heading off to some exotic location, you will also be entering a whole new world.
As a new scuba diver who has recently learned to scuba dive with PADI, SSI, or NAUI, it’s important to realize you will be restricted in terms of what dive sites you will be able to visit as a first timer.
While you may wish to visit that dive site on an Attenborough documentary, it may not make an ideal choice for your first dive or you may simply not have the adequate level of certification that the destination requires.
To better help you get started in the world of scuba diving, I’ve offered a few safety tips, advice for choosing a location for your first dive, and a few of the top scuba diving destinations for beginners around the world.
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Posted by Michael Jerrard on 1:56 pm in Blog, Expat Life, Travel Tips | 0 comments
Travel costs often rank as one of the top five expenses businesses incur each year, with global estimates that businesses spend well over a trillion dollars annually on travel. While the recent pandemic has shown businesses that it is possible to reduce the need with tools like video calls instead of necessarily needing to meet in person, there are of course times when it is absolutely necessary for businesses to have their employees travel.
As business travel begins to get back into gear, businesses are rethinking corporate travel plans and are looking for ways to track their expenses more effectively and reduce costs whenever possible.
Saving money on business travel-related expenses is possible but it requires careful planning and effort from all your employees. While I may not have a large group of employees working under me (yet!) I do have to manage my own business travel expenses as a sole trader and use many of the strategies successful businesses utilize to track and reduce their travel costs.
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Posted by Meg Jerrard on 12:47 pm in Blog, Equipment Reviews, Fashion, Healthy Travel | 22 comments
Whether you’re a light packer or an overpacker (guilty!), underwear is the one thing every traveler needs to pack. And every now and then, it does pay to give your underwear draw a refresh. But instead of buying the same old underwear you previously had (you know – the ones which gave you a wedgie in Morocco, and made you chafe in the Amazon’s humidity), a savvy traveler should aim to improve their underwear choices.
If you’re sick of wedgies, chafing, and odor in your suitcase (though underwear odor is a natural deterrent for having your suitcase hijacked), I have one word for you: Hemp.
Hemp is a cannabis Sativa fibre that is naturally antibacterial, anti-microbial, and a breathable fabric to wear. Hemp garments are not only strong, UV resistant and feel great against your skin, they’re also one of the world’s most sustainable fabrics.
WAMA Underwear specializes in ethical and sustainable hemp underwear, and since realizing the fantastic benefits of hemp undies for travel, I’ve stocked up on their boxers for Mike, and their underwear and bralettes for myself. Here’s why you should switch to WAMA hemp underwear for travel. I haven’t had a wedgie since!
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Posted by Michael Jerrard on 10:50 am in Blog, Technology | 0 comments
Whether you’re a professional gamer en route to an overseas tournament or simply resort to video games to kill the boredom at airports and during long-haul flights, many of us wouldn’t think of leaving our beloved virtual games behind when traveling.
For anxious travelers, video games can help alleviate the many stresses of traveling, and they’ve become so lifelike that many almost make you feel as though you’ve been transported to another world.
For avid travelers who have been restricted during the pandemic, Tomb Raider lets you visit Peru, Assassin’s Creed can transport you to places like London and Egypt, and Microsoft’s Flight Simulator can pretty much take you anywhere in the world.
Thankfully, travel restrictions are beginning to be eased and we can get back to real life travel experiences. While many of us will gladly put down our games in favor of real life hands-on experiences, it’s important to remember that with international travel often comes a lot of downtime.
If your go-to boredom-killer is gaming as opposed to scrolling through social media, here are some of the top gaming gadgets and gear you should pack to enhance your experience and keep your equipment safe while traveling.
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Posted by Michael Jerrard on 4:19 pm in Blog, UK | 0 comments
While London usually grabs most of the attention from tourists who are looking to visit England, the country’s north offers a more relaxing escape with charming villages and plenty of room to spread out.
Offering up three national parks including the much beloved Yorkshire Dales National Park, along with coastal walks and plenty of picturesque countryside, a holiday in Yorkshire may be the perfect choice for those travellers looking to escape the crowds.
So large is the Yorkshire region that it had to be divided up into several administration areas including North, South, East, and West Yorkshire. Come fall in love with Yorkshire’s medieval cities and stone cottages, as well as its castles, numerous gardens, and eccentricities like Brimham Rocks and the giant white horse of Kilburn.
Yorkshire’s most recent tourism campaign sums it up perfectly; a visit to Yorkshire allows you to “Escape the Everyday”. But with an area so large, where does one start when seeking out a perfect holiday destination within Yorkshire?
Because “perfect” is subjective, come on a journey with me from the interior to the coast as I introduce you to some of the best areas in Yorkshire so you’ll better be able to choose which ones might suit you best.
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Posted by Michael Jerrard on 6:13 pm in Blog, Healthy Travel, Travel Tips | 4 comments
Travel is much more than escaping the demands of work and home while we relax on a beach somewhere. There are many life lessons to be had while traveling, many of which you can pick up quite easily without much effort.
Travel exposes you to new cultures and ideas, while often presenting you with many new and unique situations, all of which can collectively help you grow as an individual.
Whether positive or negative, your travel experiences are likely to stay with you a long time and have the ability to shape who you become.
If you found learning in a classroom difficult, fear not, because not all lessons are taught within four walls by a teacher that just doesn’t seem to get you.
Travel may just be one of the world’s greatest teachers, educating you in some of life’s most important lessons. Here are the top 8 life lessons you can gain through traveling the world.
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Posted by Michael Jerrard on 9:31 am in Blog, Budget Travel | 0 comments
While I readily admit I have a preference for international travel, there’s nothing stopping me nor anyone else from experiencing a rewarding vacation right in their own backyard.
Staycations are a great option for travelers who may be short on time, have limited finances, or when there’s a global pandemic that forces a country to ban its citizens from traveling internationally as I’m currently facing.
While a staycation may not seem as exciting as holidaying in a far flung exotic destination, there are a number of benefits from holidaying at home. So why not consider staying within your own locale and take advantage of what your own city or town can offer.
There’s never been a better time to embrace staycations. The current pandemic has seen many countries close their borders to tourists and many of us have taken a financial hit due to ongoing lockdowns and restrictions.
Whether you simply don’t have the means to travel internationally right now or don’t feel motivated to deal with the many Covid-related travel regulations and restrictions that have been imposed around the globe, consider planning a staycation and realize for yourself why it may be a rather enticing idea.
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Posted by Meg Jerrard on 3:31 pm in Adventure Travel, Blog, Equipment Reviews, Technology | 0 comments
There are many portable power stations on the market, and it’s now become an essential for when you’re camping, roadtripping, or embracing vanlife; a guaranteed, reliable source of power even when you’re off grid or traveling remote.
Since writing our original review of the Bluetti AC200P 2000 Wh, we’ve continued to keep an eye on the portable power bank space. I’m a girl who loves remote adventures, though I am equally addicted to my laptop and phone.
Electricity is not something you want to sacrifice on when traveling, and when it comes to portable power stations, this is one area where it pays to invest in the most reliable, highest capacity choice.
Despite new brands and models constantly hitting the market, the Bluetti AC200P 2000Wh is still the most reliable portable power sources. So today we’ll be expanding on my original review, to take a closer look.
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