Your Guide to Planning and Funding an Epic Road Trip
When done right, road trips can be an economical and much less stressful way to travel. It not only saves a great deal of money and time by not having to purchase and wait for flights, but it also allows couples and families the opportunity to really connect with one another.
Whether you’ve been planning a cross-country road trip for months or just spontaneously decided to drive up the coast for a weekend, there are some important things to consider when preparing for any road trip.
It starts with setting a budget and choosing a route before then thinking about what vehicle you’ll take and what you’ll need to pack. There are then of course precautions you need to take to ensure the safety of you and your fellow road trippers that will be traveling with you.
read moreTravel Insurance is an Essential, Not a Luxury
Planning 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 moreWhat Can the Casino Tourism Industry Do to Bounce Back?
There are many industries that face a tough task to bounce back in 2020 and beyond. One of those is the casino tourism industry.
Most casinos around the world have become an attraction in their own right, so much so that whole cities like Vegas and Macau have become known solely for their casino scene.
So it’s no surprise that casinos have become intricately tied to the tourism fabric, with many doubling as fully integrated resorts, restaurants, concert venues, and playing a vital role within local economies.
The casino industry will likely be one of the last to reopen after the pandemic, which will have a huge impact on the speed of being able to return to jobs, and how quickly tourism to the areas around them flourish.
So, what can this industry do to bounce back and get people on board both this year and beyond? We’ve thrown down some thoughts.
read moreThings You’ll Need When Applying for a Visa
As international travel restrictions begin to ease and we all look to go on a much needed holiday, it’s important to remember that many countries around the world require you to obtain a visa.
Each country has its own unique visa requirements, and whether or not you will need a visa will largely depend on where you are travelling and what nationality you are. A travel visa will allow you to pass through or remain in a country for a set amount of time and for a specific purpose.
The different visas available to travellers include those designed specifically for tourists, journalists, students, doctors, volunteers, and diplomats. Should you wish to work in a foreign country, you will need to make sure your visa allows you to do so.
Whether you need a transit visa or a longer tourist/migration visa, it’s vital to understand the visa process, as you’re not getting into a foreign country without one!
So, let’s take a look at where you can get your visa, when you should get your visa, and what you may need to successfully obtain your required visa.
read moreTrending Travel Destinations for After the Pandemic
It’s true that the way we travel has changed as a direct result of the current pandemic, and will likely continue to change as we navigate the new world of travel post COVID-19.
While future travel is set to see increased safety precautions, social distancing, and face masks become the norm, just as the way we travel will evolve, so to have the destinations which are trending.
Mass tourism has been one of the biggest social and environmental issues of the 21st century, though this has seen a swift death, and where destinations like Venice, Barcelona, and Bali were once constantly at the top of the trending list, post pandemic we’re set to see new front runners.
With a swing towards destinations that can provide you with a bit of distance, we expect these 5 destinations to be topping the list of trending travel once borders reopen.
read moreTips for Maintaining Confidence When Traveling Alone
Traveling alone can be nerve-racking even when you’ve done it many times before, but especially for first time travelers, the one thing that’s most challenging is finding the confidence.
But it’s not only about finding the confidence to book the tickets and get on the plane (of which there has been much written on) – once you’re out there traveling, confidence is something you have to maintain.
Fortunately, confidence is quite like riding a bike – you get better with practice. And even if you’ve fallen out of practice, it’s a skill which naturally comes back to you once you get going.
But like anything in life, you can lay down the groundwork in advance to put yourself in a better position once you’re in the thick of things. So, with that in mind, here are tips for maintaining your confidence when traveling alone.
You’ve already booked your tickets and committed to go. But now how do you ride that wave and keep that surge of confidence going?
read moreTips for Flying With Contact Lenses
It’s estimated that over 150 million people worldwide wear contact lenses. Most people wear contacts to correct impaired vision, but many others do so for aesthetic reasons such as wearing artificially colored lenses.
Unlike eyeglasses, contact lenses make activities like playing sports, snorkeling, and simply wearing sunglasses much easier for those with eyesight problems. We contact lens wearers can, however, run into a few annoyances when flying.
Airplanes present an environment that isn’t the most ideal place for wearing contacts. However, there are several tips you can follow that will allow you to continue wearing your contacts while flying, without suffering from dry and irritated eyes.
If you also wear contacts, check out my top recommendations for things you should do the next time you’re flying.
read moreA Guide to Safe Travel With Your Pets
One of the biggest dilemmas pet-owners face when planning travel is whether you take your beloved pet with you, or if they’re better off left at home.
But for most people these days, pets form an intimate part of our lives, and the latter is simply unthinkable (according to Condor Ferries, 53% of travelers take holidays with their pets).
While it may not be a question of whether or not your pet comes with you, it’s very normal for anxiety to set in once you start planning out your trip; traveling with pets presents a range of challenges, especially when it comes to keeping them safe.
The good news is that regardless of whether you’re traveling by car, plane, bus, or train, there are some very simple and easy steps to ensuring your fur baby’s safety.
read moreHow Timeshare Rentals Can Make Your Next Vacation Substantially Cheaper
In recent years, timesharing (also known as vacation ownership) has become one of the most popular ways to take a holiday. Because ultimately, there are a huge amount of perks.
Yet for many intrepid travelers, a definite downside of investing in a timeshare is being locked to vacation in the same place every year, or, in the instance of a Points-based ownership (more about that below), locked to large resorts, and a specific set of destinations. Depending on the presence of your vacation club, you may not have the option of traveling too far off the beaten path.
But the good news is that it doesn’t have to be that black and white. For those wanting to take advantage of the perks of timeshare accommodation without the long term commitment, timeshare rental sites provide a fantastic solution.
read moreHow to Socialize With Other Travelers in an Age Social Distancing
Many countries are warning that the current social distancing measures are likely to be in place for anywhere between 6 – 18 months; planes are grounded, borders are closed, and the loneliness of being isolated at home is utterly depressing.
One of the best things about travel is the people you meet, and the friendships you make along the way; the characters you bump into in a bar, and the lifelong friendships you make with people who share your addiction. But you can’t go out and meet people right now.
I don’t agree with social distancing. I agree with the concept, but I don’t agree with the terminology. Physical distancing, sure. This is absolutely necessary right now, and I will gladly do my part to stay at home and remain physically separate from other humans. I don’t want the virus anymore than I wish to pass it on.
But I’ll never stop being social. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to stay social within the travel community, and connect with other travelers, while adhering to social distancing.
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