Travel insurance is one of the absolute essentials that you need to include on any holiday checklist. Making sure that you have adequate coverage for yourself and each member of your household when you depart is one of the best ways to have peace of mind during your holiday. However, with so many providers offering travel insurance online and offline, it can be tricky to narrow down the options and find the best policy for you.
It is important that you take the time to compare travel insurance policies so that you will be getting the most value for your money. Knowing how to source multiple travel insurance quotes rapidly and efficiently is the easiest way to find a good policy that you can rely on.
A quick scan of sites like CHOICE will allow you to view highly-recommended insurers that are known for their policy, claims, price, and policy age limit. Most of these providers will be able to provide travel insurance quotes quickly for your holidays. Not only will this help speed up the process but you can be more confident that you engaging with a well-known and well-established travel insurance for extra peace of mind.
These days, the easiest way to rapidly determine which travel insurance provider is best for you is to conduct an online search. Typing “travel insurance” into your web browser will provide you with endless options for travel insurance policies. You will be able to sort through the different providers to find one that caters to what you plan to do on your holiday and what activities you have planned for when you arrive.
Clicking on individual provider sites will also allow you to take a closer look at the different policies that a given provider offers. Usually, travel insurance providers offer different tiers of policy, from basic to comprehensive, depending on the level of coverage that is supplied.
Comparing the different levels of coverage and contrasting them with different price points across providers is a good strategy to find the best value.
Rather than spend the time going through competitor websites to determine the details of their travel insurance policies, you can also use unbiased aggregator websites to compare and contrast different policy quotes from numerous different providers. This will give you a quick overview of who to choose if the cost is your biggest concern or where to go if you need a more specific activity or condition covered.
Any travel insurance quote needs to include certain things to be taken seriously. Things like medical expenses coverage, lost baggage coverage, and delayed flight coverage are all important and common elements that must be considered.
Be sure to verify that any pre-existing condition that you might have is covered by the insurance policy that you are considering. With all policies, it is important to read the PDS, but even more so with the more affordable options. Although some cheaper policies do cover pre-existing conditions, it is critical that you make yourself fully aware of exactly what you are covered for and what you aren’t.
Following some of these tips will allow you to rapidly explore the available travel insurance options out there today. Taking the time to do a bit of comparison shopping will allow you to find the most suitable option for your travel budget and will also ensure that you stay protected through many contingencies during your holidays.
We all love to travel, but international travel is more accessible to some than others. Whether it is due to money, geographical location, or restricted time off work, not everyone can travel as much as they want. And sometimes it's just down to the dumb luck of your nationality. You might not realize it, but passport privilege is real.
Your ability to gain entry to other countries depends on international politics. If your nation has good international relations, is powerful, and has a strong economy, more doors will be open for you. This explains why many people acquire dual nationality in countries with highly-rated passports. If you are a frequent traveler, you can apply for dual citizenship and leverage it for easier movement across the globe.
The amount of countries you can visit without a visa or with a visa on arrival is called “passport strength.” Every year, the Henley Passport Index ranks all the world's nationalities by the strength of their passport. They get their data directly from the Air Transport Authority (IATA). They then score each nationality on their visa requirements for entry to other countries. This can be visa-free, visa on arrival, e-visa, and visa required. All those data combined create the Passport Index.
Another popular passport ranking is the Arton Capital’s Passport Index. It differs slightly from the Henley Passport Index because it takes fewer countries into account. Where Arton's only counts the 193 UN member countries and six territories, Henley’s takes 199 passports and 227 travel destinations into consideration. The results are similar, but Henley is a little more extensive and accurate as it is updated throughout the year when visa agreements change.
So, let’s take a closer look at the Henley Passport Index ranking the strongest and weakest passports. These are the best and worst passports to travel on.
These Asian countries tie for first place in the 2019 Global Ranking by Henley Passport Index. All three countries offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 189 countries.
That means people with Japanese, Singaporean, or South Korean passports can travel to almost all countries in the world! All three of these countries are influential in the region, with strong economies and good international political ties.
Germany is also great at international diplomacy, which shows in their ranking at number 2. Out of all the EU countries, Germany has the strongest passport. A German passport can get you visa-free access to 188 countries.
That’s why you are bound to meet many Germans traveling all over the world!
Within the EU, people are free to move wherever they want.
An EU nationality allows you to work and live in all other EU countries. This is why most of Europe scores high on the Passport Index. The countries tied for third place all belong to the Schengen Area as well, an open border agreement. Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, and Sweden all over visa-free entry to 187 countries.
Where some passports allow you to travel all over the world, others limit where you can go without a visa. The Pakistani passport is one of the weakest and takes second to last place in the Henley Passport Index. Pakistani nationals can travel visa-free to a mere 33 countries.
Where some passports allow you to travel all over the world, others limit where you can go without a visa. The Pakistani passport is one of the weakest and takes second to last place in the Henley Passport Index. Pakistani nationals can travel visa-free to a mere 33 countries.
The bottom place in the Henley Passport Index goes to Afghanistan and Iraq. Those countries have the worst passports in the world. Their citizens can travel without a visa to 30 countries.
Let’s hope that international relations improve and they can negotiate better travel opportunities for Afghani and Iraqi passport holders.
In the almost ten years since I left my childhood home in San Diego at 18 to explore our planet, the meaning of travel has changed for me. It is not about being extreme or unconventional like it was in the beginning. It is about exploring myself through the catalyst of new experiences. Through challenging my prior assumptions, travel became more than a break from monotony. It became the only source of constant acceleration to my personal growth. The chaotic path of those early years freed me from the confines of comfort. It shook me violently to my core, forcing me to see the things I had not been willing to accept about myself and the world.
During my three months in Iraq in 2013, I worked at a private educational institution in Erbil in the northern Kurdish region, far from the more violent capital of Baghdad. With traces of civilization dating back to 5,000 B.C. in the citadel, it holds the record as the longest continually habited place on Earth.
As I rode from the airport into the city with the school director, I reminded her that this would be my first time in the middle east. It would be important for her to tell me ahead of time if there were any culturally sensitive behaviors I should avoid. Although Kurdish herself, she had lived many years in the UK, so she understood well how different the world of Iraq could be. She told me there was nothing major to worry about, and she would go over any little things like that in due time.
We pulled into a restaurant and an olive-toned young woman in a hijab took our order. As the director got up from our table, I asked our waiter about life in Erbil. When the director saw me engaged in conversation with this young woman, she grabbed my arm with mouth agape. In a hushed but firm tone, she warned me never to talk to young Iraqi girls in public.
It was at this point that she chose to disclose to me that if word were to get back to that girl’s home that she had been flirting with a white man, it was likely she would be beaten by her brothers and father. In the worst case, it could result in an honor killing, which is their culturally approved way of justifying the murder of family members for the sake of maintaining the family’s honor. It is estimated that at least 1,000 women per year are murdered in this fashion by their own families as a result of having sex outside of marriage, marrying outside their faith, or being the victim of a rape.
In July 2016, honor killings came under greater public scrutiny after model Qandeel Baloch, the “Kim Kardashian of Pakistan”, was strangled to death by her own brother. Her crime? Bringing shame on the family by posting social media photos that were too sexy. Honor killings remain legal or carry meaningless punishments in many Islamic parts of the world. And there I was, wondering why the school director had not bothered to mention that to me as a cultural nuance to be aware of beforehand. I learned to tread lightly in Iraqi society after that incident, though I never did find out if the girl from the restaurant suffered any consequences for my ignorance of their instructions for living.
While I generally faced no hostility as a young American in Iraq, there were countless oddities that betrayed that something was not quite right. The school I taught at was private and expensive to attend. It maintained strict academic standards so that the primary and secondary students would appear impressive enough on an international level after graduation. The student body was composed partially of local Kurdish children, refugees from Syria and other war-torn neighboring nations, and Europeans who had married locally. Police with fully automatic weapons were stationed on major roads leading up to the high walls of the school. Every morning, the school buses were checked underneath for explosives before entering the gates.
During my short time there, a local political election prompted activists to blow up an ambulance in protest. That is the invisible part of a culture that is so difficult to understand until you experience it yourself. It doesn’t show up in the clothes they wear, the design of their homes, or the things they eat. Iraqis inhabit a world where the destruction of public medical services is acceptable and even expected means to express frustration. Beating and murdering your own daughter is considered the responsible way to be a parent. It’s impossible to say what other everyday atrocities I missed in my little window into their world.
Only through the daily micro-interactions with the people there would you begin to see the unspoken limits to their cultural paradigm. You will begin to realize that the limits you inherited in whatever place you came from are just as arbitrary as theirs. You will need to see beyond them if you are going to truly empathize – or you if truly wish to grow. Never in the deepest recesses of my old Californian mind would I arrive at such conclusions, no matter what the situation. But somehow, living under the conditions they do, they develop a completely different schematic for operating in the world. In spite of the obvious unsustainability of these values, major groups continue to learn and act in such overwhelmingly anti-human ways.
Sandwiched along the Mediterranean coast between France and Italy sits a micro-nation less than one square mile in size. Contained within that tiny space are 36,000 residents. Roughly 30% are millionaires, the highest concentration in the world, with the highest per capita income globally. The entire country is practically a resort unto itself, with luxury hotels, casinos, restaurants, and high fashion outlets filling nearly every street. This is Monaco.
Extremes on either end, rich and poor, developed and undeveloped, pleasant and unpleasant, give context to the traveler’s experience of reality. In many parts of the world, you will find the common people sleeping in shacks on the side of a dirt road, if not directly in the dirt itself. These realizations can be challenging to the uninitiated, but the mind eventually adjusts to accept this standard of living as the baseline. Those who live this way have always had it as their conception of normal.
A fast transition from extreme squalor to a place like Monaco – where thousand-euro-a-night palace suites are the norm – is mentally jarring. The mind needs time to adjust its emotional responses to new conditions. Impoverished inhabitants of many African nations have learned to accept hunger and poor sanitation as part of their culture. So too have the millionaires who spend their days dressed to the nines, riding in yachts and helicopters instead of walking barefoot across the hot African asphalt learned to accept theirs.
It’s easy to cast judgment on either of these extremes from the middle, but your criticism is idle. It’s more important for the traveler to realize the full scope of what is possible. Knowing that both extremes exist simultaneously, sometimes even as neighbors sharing a border, promotes genuine empathy. You can remain distant when you are exposed to either side of the spectrum. Or, you can choose to consciously examine what has led to each side’s existence as it presently is.
If you really look at the way each group has been trained to think and the choices they must make to fulfill their needs, you will see that you might have made the same choices they have. In the context they were provided, those are the conclusions they have reached. Few members of any culture ever take the time to step outside of themselves to assess their own behavior. That is what the traveler earns through his or her years of personal expansion.
What matters is the willingness to question life’s arbitrary starting conditions. Whether you come from wealth or poverty, or whatever ways you learned to behave, it is possible to change operating instructions. Travel is just the most rapid way to satisfy that inquiry that some people will ever know. Travel will not only give you the opportunity to ask uncomfortable questions – it will force you to come up with meaningful answers.
Tourist traps are the very antithesis of all that’s good and wholesome about traveling. Whether it’s a tuk-tuk ride via a family jewelry store, a souvenir shop at the foot of an ancient monument, or an all-inclusive beachside resort, they overpromise and underwhelm, overprice and underdeliver.
They can also be the difference between a great trip and a flat-out disaster, and in some cases, they can even influence the way you think about a certain city, country, or culture.
Luckily for you though, most tourist traps are garish and therefore relatively easy to spot.
That is if you know what you’re looking for.
So, if you want to make the most out of your next backpacking adventure, check out our 5 tips for avoiding tourist traps like a pro.
The most common tourist trap you’re likely to encounter is the restaurant with menus in multiple languages and flags adorning every page. Complete with poor translations that leave you wondering whether you can actually order fried baby seals or if what they really mean is fried baby eels.
Not to be defined only by their questionable list of dishes though, these places almost always have a smooth-talking host with a movie star smile stationed out the front, with the goal in mind to catch your eye and shepherd you into the dimly lit establishment with promises of free bread and an endless supply of olives.
Before you even know what’s going on, you’re looking at a menu that’s clearly designed for tourists, with dishes from what appears to be every country in the world… except for the one you’re visiting.
Don’t give in and trade speed and convenience for quality and authenticity. It most definitely ain’t worth it.
If you’re the type of individual who prefers asking for restaurant recommendations in-person, rather than putting your faith in an online review site, here’s a little hack you’re going to love.
The next time you check into your accommodation, ask the employees where they like to eat without actually asking for the ‘best’ place since ‘best’ can mean different things for different people.
Instead, hit up a person working behind the desk or the resident tour guide as to where they’d go if they had to take someone special out for a specific occasion, such as an anniversary dinner, boozy birthday lunch or even breakfast with their beloved mother.
This way you can avoid run-of-the-mill recommendations and quickly find a place to eat you know the locals go to.
Funnily enough, the most famous places in the world don’t advertise themselves as being ‘world-famous’.
You probably won’t run into a hiking company in Nepal that offers tours of the world-famous Mount Everest, nor will you see guided walks around the world-famous Buckingham Palace.
You may, however, eat the worst steak of your life at a world-famous Argentinean restaurant (located in Vietnam), or feel cheated by Mother Nature when you fail to see the world-famous sunset (on the windswept steps of Mongolia).
The best places don’t need to advertise themselves as being ‘world famous’, because the immutable laws of attraction dictate that if something is worth seeing, people will make the effort on their own, hackneyed slogan be damned.
First-time travelers and backpackers may feel daunted by public transport in a foreign country.
Crowded trains in India, for example, can be a nightmare for people who value personal space, and nobody will begrudge you a desperate prayer before boarding a chicken bus in Central America. But the truth is that public transport isn’t so bad in the sense that it offers two distinct advantages.
The first of which is the fact that it’s affordable, which is especially important if plan on staying outside of the main tourist zone, and the second is that it gives you a chance to really immerse yourself in a different culture to the point that you’ll feel like a true local… minus the giant backpack.
Facebook groups can be a powerful tool in helping you peel back the touristy façade and discover where to go for the best food, sights, and things to see.
Expat groups are particularly helpful as they allow you to engage with people in the know who are often ready to share their experiences, given they’ve probably fallen for a few tourist traps themselves.
Asking them what they do on the weekend to pass the time will give you plenty of ideas for your own itinerary, as well as starting a discussion about the places they love to take their out-of-town friends to when they visit. Not to mention local restaurants and businesses will also regularly post in the group, meaning you can keep tabs on upcoming events or special occasions and avoid a serious case of FOMO.
Drones have soared in popularity and quality in the past few years, however, not everyone can fly one! The thought of flying a drone can be overwhelming and if you want to film with one the challenge can increase substantially. Furthermore, drone video editing is not a simple hobby as it requires skill and learning.
You may have experimented with flying a drone as a hobby, perhaps capturing some amazing shots and now you are keen to enhance your skills. If you are serious about drone video editing, you need to be aware it will require research and commitment. This article will offer you some simple editing techniques to make your shots look more dynamic, interesting, and professional.
When using drones in your work, there are a few technical points to consider. The ten tricks below will outline some skills to improve your drone video editing while giving you the ability to capture your exciting adventures from an aerial perspective…
Inexperienced drone users tend to jolt the camera to the left and right attempting to get another shot. This isn’t necessary as during editing you can smooth out movements to create sweeping imagery going from one shot to the next. A professional drone shot should feel natural and organic.
Once your angle has been found, simply do a careful, slow-motion panning action with the drone. By moving the drone instead of the camera, you are on the correct path to capturing your perfect shot.
Natural light is a drone’s best friend. Plan to shoot your video during the “golden hour” (just before sunset) or first light (just after dawn). The light at these times will provide the necessary dramatic contrast to really set your video above the rest, plus the colors will be warm and ethereal, captivating your audience.
During the flight of your drone, aim to map the flight path close to large elements such as rock faces and trees. By doing this, depth and motion will automatically be added to your video.
A common difficulty for drone pilots is when, during shooting, the drone banks a little too much and the blades show up in the frame. Our top tip to avoid this is to fly the drone up until the point you want the shot to end. After this point just fly the drone backward and reverse the video during the editing process.
Maintaining the natural movement in a scene as much as possible is the dream for any videographer. Sometimes however it is necessary to attach a filter to your camera to improve the video quality.
Examples
In the world of drone video shooting, flying backward can modify a shot from an establishing shot to a reveal! When flying backward you should be able to notice details being recorded such as trees, buildings and people from a whole new aspect.
Only once you have found your own unique shooting perspective will you truly separate your drone video editing from the rest. Always be on the lookout for extraordinary opportunities and locations (just be sure to avoid flying above crowded areas).
It is essential to avoid your drone video edit appearing to slow on screen. This commonly happens in shots of large-scale environments. If this occurs it is advisable that when editing the footage, it is sped up, as this adds extra movement to the sequence.
To create a professional edit, you must ensure the frame rate is never at 30 frames per second (as this will make your video look like reality TV)! Your video should always be shooting at 24 fps, assuming you want to shoot in 4K resolution to get that quality movie edit on your video. Shooting in this resolution means you will capture the tiniest details and give you the option to crop the frame during editing.
We all appreciate the beauty of drone shots, however, they can be overused. If you want to succeed in the drone video editing business, you must pick your highest quality, exceptional shots. Only capture your drone footage when it is necessary for your video as this will give it the high impact it deserves.
You have the drone, the camera and your unique vision. Get creative by following these 10 expert tips and you will start to see the results in your footage. Finally, please take care when operating drones, know the laws in the area where you are planning your shoot and remember, drones should be treated as tools, not toys!
The rustle of the wind in the leaves, the crackle of the campfire, the quiet of dawn as the sun rises, nothing compares to the beauty and serenity of camping. It’s no wonder that many of us want to spend more time in nature and less time cooped up in the office. Luckily, we find ways to get away and enjoy nature while we can.
If you’ve ever considered dropping everything and backpacking, car camping, or even hiking across the country, you have probably wondered how others make it work financially. Here are some of them.
For most of us, it comes naturally to want to capture the beauty of our surroundings. If you hike with a camera or a smartphone, don’t forget to take the time to take some photos. Documenting your expedition isn’t just a great way to preserve your favorite memories, it’s a way to share those memories with others.
If you want to make a little extra cash, you can sell your photos to stock photography websites or to campgrounds to use on their websites. Most stock photo sites will pay you a royalty or a percentage of the price of the photo, so you can make anywhere from $3 to $80 per photo.
You can also find little markets to sell your photo prints to when you stop by towns. If you want to take the time, you can also offer your photos to be printed and sold through photographic art websites. They will often buy the rights to your pictures or pay you a commission when one sells.
The latest trend in outdoor gear brands is to show people how durable and helpful their products are through real hikers and campers using their gear to the extreme. They can put a boot in a mechanic step tester non-stop for ten weeks, but nothing beats the real thing. Companies want to show that their products can hold up under real conditions.
Check out some of the big brand’s websites and see if they’re looking for testers. Or try emailing them and asking to test their products. Even if they don’t advertise the need, many will still want you to try out their gear. Even if they don’t pay you, you can often score some free, or highly discounted, merchandise. Most companies want to capture part of the growing outdoor industry.
Share your stories. Share your pictures. Keep your friends and family up-to-date on your progress. As a blogger, you can keep a record of your trip and make a little extra money. All you have to do is register your expedition’s domain name, design your site with a template, and start writing. You can even make a little extra on the same site by selling your photographs.
What should you write about? Write about anything that comes to mind. People want to know what you’re up to. Not many people get to drop everything and getaway. Your experience is unique, so your stories and updates will naturally interest your audience. If you pick up enough followers, you can even find sponsors and affiliate partnerships to help promote the best gear.
If you tend to get lonely out there in the wilderness, you can become a guide temporarily. These jobs allow you to live outside and enjoy nature and the company of like-minded people.
As a guide, you can teach novice campers and hikers how to survive and make an impact on our natural world by sharing sustainable and Earth-friendly practices. Guides need the know-how of camping and hiking, but they also need to have people skills. Some of the best hikes I’ve been on have been with people didn’t know at first. It’s especially exciting to teach kids and young adventures about nature and survival.
Some trail guides are assigned to distribute information and help campers and hikers learn more about the history of the trails. This will help make you more knowledgeable about the history of our outdoors and wildlife, too. If you’re considering a job as a camping guide look into getting a camping survival kit.
Backpacking or camping across the country will take some time. Why rush? You can always take a break and be a campsite host for a while. If you find yourself not wanting to leave a particular camp, ask the park or owner if they’re interested in trying out a host.
As a host, you make sure campers are respectful of the property and safe. You can also help struggling campers be more comfortable and confident. This can be a great way to save money by not paying for a campsite and earn you a little extra for food and supplies.
You’ll meet loads of great people and maybe even learn more about the region.
Properly prepare for your trip with everything you need and nothing you don’t. If you don’t have quite as much time, you can always consider car camping across the country.
Hiking across the country truly is a dream that few people get to live. If you’ve considered letting it all go and getting out there in the wild, learn as much as you can before you go. Prepare for emergencies and have a blast. If you find you need to make a bit of cash, try out of these ideas and be as resourceful as you can. Happy camping. Happy hiking. And happy memories!
Whether you’re traveling for several weeks, or even just a weekend, there’s one thing you don’t want to do: over-pack. It’s a pain to schlep around an oversized bag, and carrying around stuff you don’t actually need is unnecessary! Use these proven tips to travel light (and cheaply) during your next trip.
One of the best ways to prevent over-packing (and overspending) is by planning ahead. Specifically, when it comes to what you’re going to be putting in your suitcase, put in some thought ahead of time and make an actual packing list that will help guide you. A great way to do this is by having a standard list, loaded up with all the basics you’ll need for every trip, saved on your computer that you can use as a reference every time you need to pack for a trip.
For those shorter jaunts or business trips where you only need essentials and a personalized travel wallet to hold your tickets, boarding passes, credit and debit cards, etc., it's often useful to consider smaller luggage options like Eminent mini suitcases or similar compact travel bags. So, such suitcases, by their compact size, naturally encourage you to limit your packing to essentials, in line with the principles of traveling light. Plus, it's much easier to keep track of fewer items in unfamiliar locales, reducing the chances of leaving something behind. They also fit comfortably into overhead compartments, eliminating the hassle of baggage claim.
When you make a list, you put in the extra thought and attention to put together thoughtful well-planned outfits and outfit combinations. This prevents over-packing and throwing last-minute items that you won’t actually need in your suitcase. Another great secret is to pack garments that can easily be color coordinated (try a capsule wardrobe), so you’re maximizing outfit combinations and minimizing the number of packed items.
Think about the last trip you took where you packed more than two pairs of pants. Could you have gotten away with one pair? Chances are, you probably could have! When in doubt, one pair of jeans may be all you need for your trip. Jeans can be dressed up or dressed down, and go through several wears before needing to be washed.
Same thing with shoes – how can you minimize the number of pairs of shoes you plan to pack for your trip? Depending on what your travels have in store for you, you may be able to get away with one pair of sneakers or casual shoes. Although flip-flops or sandals don’t take up that much room in your suitcase either. If you travel in your primary shoes, you may not have to worry about packing shoes in your suitcase at all! As a rule of thumb, you should always wear your heavier shoes on the plane (or in the car).
An easy way to lighten some of your load when packing is by paying close attention to the fabric and materials of the clothes you're packing. Lighter materials will translate to a lighter total weight in your suitcases. When in doubt, opt for cotton, linen, and lightweight athletic gear that’s easy to transport and won’t weigh you down.
You should also take into account fabric when you’re packing your suitcase. Certain materials pack better than others. For example, spandex-based dresses can easily be rolled (without wrinkling easily), which will save space.
If you’re traveling for over a week, it’s in your best interest to plan to do laundry. That way you won’t have to pack over a week’s worth of clothes, which can be heavy and cumbersome. When you plan to do laundry, you take away some of the pressure of making sure you “packed enough clothes.”
Even if you’re traveling to Europe or somewhere else abroad, it’s pretty easy to find either a Laundromat or a laundry service to assist you with doing laundry. Especially if you choose to stay in a hostel, you’ll be able to save a lot of money on lodging, and most hostels come with laundry facilities that you can use as part of your stay. Plus, your body and peace of mind will thank you for not having to lug around two weeks (or more) worth of clothes.
A lighter suitcase will always be less of a hassle when traveling. Plus, it will prevent you from having to check a bag. Or you could avoid that worry completely by opting for a road trip – you can even check out new Hyundai specials.
Armed with these secrets, you’ll be able to travel lightly and cheaply for your next trip, no matter where you happen to be heading. Who knows? With these tips you may even be able to get away with taking just a carry-on suitcase on your next trip overseas!
Some people use traveling as an excuse to just lay on the beach and not lift a finger. Others can’t wait to get active in another country. Whichever side of the fence you’re on, these tips will help you increase your activity levels when you travel. You may even get back home feeling healthier than when you left!
Water acts as an antioxidant and gives your body valuable nutrients and minerals. By ensuring you drink plenty of water each day, you refresh and energize your body, and ensure that you can go for longer. This is even more important if you are traveling to a country that is really hot and humid. One of the best things you can do is invest in a water filtering bottle like the LifeStraw Go, so you can drink water wherever you are.
It’s tempting to think of pampering yourself a little more when you are traveling, but this isn’t necessarily going to help you keep fit and healthy. Got a hotel room on the top floor? It can be tempting to take the elevator. However, taking the stairs as much as you can is one of the best things you can do to remain active and work off some of those calories.
Another of the wonderful ways of keeping fit during your travels is to look at taking up some extreme sports. There are plenty of opportunities for this in the world, and this can give you an exhilarating and active experience. Often, activities like white water rafting and bungee jumping will be covered as part of your insurance plan meaning you can just go ahead and do them! What could be more fun than jumping off a bridge, attached to a bungee cord? The adrenaline is sure to get your heart beating fast.
Sightseeing is one of the best things because it allows you to check out the tourist attractions in the area, and you can also be a little active at the same time. A good example of this would be looking at visiting an active volcano. Climbing an active volcano, such as Mount Etna or Kīlauea, is a breathtaking experience and a great way of staying active. It won’t even feel like exercise when you have those kinds of views.
A good way to keep your active focus is to ensure that you track your movement. Wearing something like a pedometer or Fitbit is one of the best ways of doing this. You can track your progress and see how well you are doing, and know when you need to step it up a bit. This will help put you in the zone and inspired to keep moving.
Try to avoid public transport as much as possible, and instead try to walk or run everywhere. Walking when you travel is a great way to burn a lot of calories, and an even better way to explore your chosen destination. Don’t fancy walking or running? Even dancing around your accommodation will get that blood pumping in the mornings.
As you can see, these are some of the best ways of staying active while you travel, and getting that health kick while you see the world. If there is anything we’ve forgotten to include, please let us know in the comments below.
Packing for a ski holiday can turn out to be a herculean task. You definitely don’t want to leave important items at home. A snow trip means that you’ll be out on the slopes for most of the day so you need to be comfortable and anything less will likely see you racing towards the cabin to save yourself from cold. If you fail to pack the necessary items, the only choice you will be left with is to buy an over-priced outfit from the mountain.
Regardless of whether you’re skiing in North America, Europe, Asia, or South America, you should be warm and comfortable in your gear.
Effective base layers are the best way to keep your core temperature and should be at the top of your clothing packing list. You ought to layer up with thermals., these base layers are usually warm, lightweight, and comfortable. It will serve as a shield against the piercing cold. They can be folded up and squeezed into the tightest corners of your bag. So don’t worry about space.
Make sure that you pack waterproof and warm gloves or mittens and an adaptable pair of glove liners. Gore-tex is one of the industry-standard materials you should keep an eye out for. Your hands and fingers won’t even have a hint that they’re being pelted with chilly air as you ski downhill.
Anti-fog goggles are really important as you will want the clearest visibility possible. Be sure to get a wrap-around design so you don’t have snow entering from the sides. It is also preferable to go for a polarized google lens as this will reduce the glare associated with all that white snow. If not, at least make sure they are UV-rated.
A good quality jacket (and pants) is not only enjoyable to wear but also an extremely essential piece of your attire for a snow adventure. For the ladies, considering a one-piece ski suit for women can offer great warmth and a stylish alternative to the jacket and pants. You will feel a whole lot better after multiple falls when you’re wearing the right outer layers. Breathability is important as is the fit but don’t forget to get some funky bright colors to make it easier for your friends to spot you on the slopes. You should plan on investing a decent portion of your budget on a good jacket and it should last you many seasons.
Uncomfortable feet means less time on the slopes and a major chunk of time in the hotel. Feet get cold easily, and sweaty feet get cold even quicker. Invest in some quality woolen socks as this will keep your feet warm while allowing them to breathe. Your feet will thank you after a long day in boots.
Did you know that you lose most of your body heat through your head? That’s why it’s so important to keep your head nice and warm when out in the snow. A good beanie should be worn snuggly over your ears. If it’s really cold, go for a full-face balaclava.
After spending a few days in the mountains and getting acclimated, it is possible that you will feel comfortable in pants and a shirt or a soft sweater. But remember that temperatures do change a great deal in mountain resorts, so make sure to have more layers accessible.
A great pair of winter boots are also a must that you can use for strolling around the resort. Beyond any doubt, you’ll have your ski or snowboard boots on more often, yet once you’re off the mountain, you need to have comfortable and warm footwear for your leisure time.
Here are some bonus valuable tips on how to get ready for a ski trip. These might just improve your vacation.
Skiing trips require a considerable amount of energy and will leave your muscles sore whether you’re an experienced skier or snowboarder, or a beginner (especially if you’re a beginner as you’ll be falling a LOT).
The better physical fitness you have, the more you’ll have the capacity to keep going up and down the mountain. Squats and other leg intensive exercises will help you prepare. It will also be important to have a good cardio base so you don’t end up too puffed after each run.
If you are taking your own skis or board on the trip, get it tuned up before your first run. This will give you a nice edge to work with and make those turns a whole lot easier. Wax up too as this will see you gliding past everyone on those pesky traverses or flat sections.
Nothing compares to a hike, especially in a mountainous region. There are adventures to be had along the way, and the promise of a gorgeous summit view as a reward. Food tastes better here, and it never feels like a workout at the gym. However, if you consider yourself a newbie and have no idea how your super outdoorsy friends became such experts, remember that when it comes to hiking the safety rules are pretty basic. Once you get those down, you can start expanding into more challenging areas (like snowshoeing in the mountains or overnight camping).
First, remember that how to get there matters. Choosing a vehicle like a Volkswagen Atlas SUV lets you carry all your gear while also allowing you to navigate tough terrain. Few of the best hikes have nicely paved trailheads. And if you do need to car camp? You definitely want a sizable and safe machine. Whether you rent, borrow, or buy, simply getting to the trailhead is the first task. Having chosen a vehicle, here are six ways to stay safe on the trail.
Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post with MJV Media
It sounds pretty basic and like common sense, but it’s astonishing how many people wander. There is a multitude of risks when you do this. Off-trail is where dangerous native animals, from snakes to cougars, call home. It’s easy to get lost. There might be poison oak. If you do get lost, rescue teams are going to be looking on trails well before off of them. Plus, it’s easier to spot people on trails from overhead (i.e. search helicopters) than in the wild. If you can’t tell where a trail ends, it’s best to turn back.
The more people you hike with, the safer it is. Many mountainous regions have no Wi-Fi. If you get hurt, you’re going to be in a sticky situation. Although it can feel great to hike alone, it simply isn’t a safe option. Stick to neighborhood solo walks. If you don’t have friends that hike, that’s okay. There are plenty of open hiking groups always looking for new members. This is also a fantastic way to learn more about hiking skills and expand your social circle.
This amount will depend on you, the length of the hike, and the heat. Higher heat means more water. If you want to minimize the amount of water you carry (it can be heavy!) hike in the early morning and finish before the temperatures peak. A CamelPak can help with carrying water and you’ll always have a straw nearby. You likely already have an idea of your own dehydration schedule but plan for at least eight ounces per hour for challenging hikes.
Mountainous areas get sudden snowfall and fierce weather earlier than valleys. For new hikers, choose the spring and autumn months or early in the morning in the summer. Avoid winter hikes until you get a little more experience. If you do hunger for a snowy hike, join a skilled group and crew that can help you on your first few treks. However, even if you do follow weather reports, there can be surprises. If it looks like the weather is taking a nasty turn for the worst, turn back. You can always try another day.
Even if it’s hot out, long pants might be your only defense from a dangerous bite or poison ivy. Baggy and lightweight pants can actually be more comfortable and keep you cooler than something like Capri yoga pants. Wear socks that can be pulled up high, too. Hiking boots are a must, though you might be able to get away with gym shoes for a short and easier hike.
A simple first-aid kit can be a literal lifesaver. It can also make hikes a lot more comfortable if something like a blister from your new hiking boot happens. But what exactly is meant by defense? The answer to this question depends on where you’ll be hiking. Carrying police-grade mace is always a good idea and can be used on many mammals (besides humans). Consider what kind of risks are in the region you’ll be hiking and plan accordingly. A knife is always a good idea, as well as a whistle.
Finally, make sure you pack protein-rich food and snacks. You need to keep your energy levels up as you hike, and especially so if you get lost. Dress in layers, and even if it’s supposed to be warm out tuck a long-sleeved jacket into your pack. Planning for worst-case scenarios in a reasonable fashion is always a safe bet.
