travel tips

How to go Beyond the Expected on your Next Vacation

Angela Manning Travel , , , ,
How to go Beyond the Expected on your Next Vacation

Traveling is a wonderful way to expand your horizons. A great trip forces you out of your comfort zone and places you face to face with a new culture. That’s why traveling is so rewarding, and people spend months if not years, planning for their “next great vacation.” Unfortunately though, if you’ve traveled enough, you’ve probably had at least one holiday that let you down. A disappointing trip can be heartbreaking; fortunately, though, there are steps you can take to ensure your next vacation avoids the common, touristy pitfalls that can doom even the most meticulously planned trip.

Forget the Hotel

You want to experience a city? Get ingrained in a new way of life? Then don’t book a hotel. A hotel – especially an expensive one – is the antithesis of authentic. It might be nice, but you shouldn’t be traveling to marvel at the inside of your hotel room. Depending on where you’re headed, there are many options superior to the hotel – Airbnb, hostels, or even renting an apartment short term can be a great way to get in tune with the true pulse of a place. You’ll never get that staying in a room where they tuck the sheets in for you.

Plan to Improvise

Having a game plan is a great way to squeeze the most out of a short vacation. But remember that surprise and serendipity are essential to a fulfilling travel experience. The quaint little record shop on the corner, the coffee shop with hand-painted murals along the walls, the mom-and-pop stand with the best shawarma in the city – these places aren’t going to have a fifty-foot banner sign plastered across their business. Their hidden gems because they’re well hidden. Give yourself time to explore and find them. They’ll provide better memories than standing in line at a tourist trap.

Fraternize with the locals

Most people love it when strangers take in an interest in their city and again, most will be more than willing to offer great advice on where to go and what to do. In this endeavor, the local bartender can prove an invaluable asset. They know where the best places are – especially the spots off the beaten track. In fact, anyone in the service industry will likely have a few hot tips on the best spots around town. Make sure to tip them, though! Who knows, you may even make a long-distance friend this way – the ultimate goal of a great trip.

Shahriar Ekbatani on Preparing for a Travel Photography Journey

Angela Manning Travel , , ,
Shahriar Ekbatani on Preparing for a Travel Photography Journey

Travel photography is interesting for both amateurs and professionals alike. However, Shahriar Ekbatani knows like no other how hard it is to travel while also bringing your camera equipment. This is why it is so important to know what everything does, so that you can bring the things that matter, and leave the things you don’t really need at home.

Shahriar Ekbatani on Packing

If you have ever been on a photography trip before, you will know how hectic it is. You probably have a huge list of equipment that you want to bring. This is why you need to start by thinking of a few key things:

  1. What you expect in terms of the type of photographs you want to take.
  2. What the climate will be like where you are.
  3. How long you will be going for.

Equipment Protection

The second thing you need to consider is your protection. You must have a high quality bag in which you can hold your lens, your memory cards, your battery, and your camera. If you can afford it, buy a hard case. They cost a little more, but you can use them again and again and they can withstand harsh climates.

Optional and Not So Optional Extras

There are always a couple of extras you need as a backup. This is where things get complicated, however, because you don’t want to waste space packing things you won need anyway. Usually, your backup will compromise of memory cards, filters, and batteries, but you do need to know how many you need. As such:

  1. Find out how many pictures you can take on one battery and how long it takes you to shoot that much. This will tell you how many batteries you need for one day.
  2. Have two cases with memory cards, one with empty ones and one with used ones. Memory cards don’t take up much space, so you shouldn’t compromise on the quality of your images just so you can shoot more pictures.

Cleaning

You should also have a few cleaning products with you. It is all too easy to have your equipment damaged by moisture, smudges, finger prints, dust, and more. Hence, you must carry:

  • A brush to remove small debris.
  • A hurricane blower to get rid of larger particles.
  • Lens cleaning solution and microfiber cloth to polish the lens.

Shahriar Ekbatani’s Final Tip

While this may not be possible for most people, if you can carry an extra camera, you should. Your camera may be your most expensive piece of equipment, it is also your most expensive one. You can buy extra batteries and memory cards pretty much anywhere. You can even have your equipment cleaned somewhere. But if you’re in the middle of nowhere and your camera suddenly breaks, then your entire trip will be ruined. Investing in an extra camera, even if it is one of slightly less good quality, is always a good idea.

The Best Ways to Travel Around the Caribbean

Angela Manning Travel , , , , ,
The Best Ways to Travel Around the Caribbean

Travelling around the Caribbean and island hopping from one place to another isn’t just for wealthy tourists on a cruise or adventurous gap year students. The beautiful beaches and relaxed culture can be experienced by anyone of any age. You can book one of the best luxury Caribbean homes and spend your time relaxing. Or get out and enjoy what the islands have to offer. But knowing the best ways to get from one place to another can be difficult. You don’t want to spend a fortune trying to visit some of the harder to reach places. And island hopping isn’t as easy or straightforward as people think. This article describes the best ways to travel around the Caribbean.

Before We Start:

Let me make something perfectly clear before we jump into this article. It’s almost impossible to start on one island and then travel around from one to the next to the other side of the Caribbean. The distances between some are large and boats may not pass between places on a regular basis. And you may not be able to find a convenient boat from one place to the next and need a transit. Remember that there are thousands of islands that you can choose from. Not only will you face logistical problems, you also need to factor in meeting the requirements to enter each respective country.

But, don’t let this deter you. There are different regions in the Caribbean that are easy to travel to and you may only get to visit a small number of places. That’s just the reality. Don’t try to visit as many as you possibly can in the shortest amount of time possible. You’re only going to be disappointed and may not be able to get up to date travel information until you have your feet on the ground. The key to travelling around this part of the world is flexibility.

Flying from Island to Island:

Getting into some of the major islands is relatively easy and you can find lots of direct flights from the United States, Canada, and Europe. It’s quite easy to get between the larger islands on budget flights too. But, you may not be able to get everywhere without spending a bit of cash. Some of the harder to reach places may take several days at sea or just an hour or two via plane. However, there may only be one flight each week and you also need to consider how you’re actually going to get back.

You can find a number of budget airlines that will fly around different parts of the Caribbean. And this is the easiest and quickest way to cover larger distances. But, it’s impossible to rely on this method to get to all the islands. Remember, not every island has an airport and when this happens, you need to rely on getting from A to B via the sea.

Island Hopping on Boats and Ferries:

There are several ferries and smaller boats that take visitors between different islands and some operate on an hourly basis during peak season. For example, a regular ferry goes from Trinidad to Tobago. It’s also easy to take a boat between St Kitts and Nevis. However, the further and more off the beaten track you want to go, the harder it is to find a regular service.

You may need to catch a number of boats to get to your destination if it’s particularly far away. And you need to be flexible and have a lot of time on your hands. Some people like the freedom and can do this, for others it’s impossible. You need to consider if it’s really worth the time and effort to get to this one island.

Don’t Write Off a Cruise Just Yet:

Not every cruise costs thousands of dollars and takes you around the Caribbean for two weeks. Most people aren’t aware that you can sometimes find shorter ones for as little as $50 a night from local operators. You shouldn’t expect a high level of comfort and luxury, yet it gives you the opportunity to get around and see more than one place. This is perfect for people who just want to sample the island life or don’t have as much time as others. Check online for local cruise providers and see if you can find a deal or a discount.

Becoming Crew on a Private Boat:

One of the best and more flexible ways to travel from one island to the next is to become part of the crew on a private boat. This may be on someone’s yacht or other vessels that travel on a regular basis from one island to the next. You’ll help out and work in return for transport, food, and a place to stay. And when you arrive at an island, it’s more likely that you’re going to be able to spend at least a few days.

If you do want to use this way to island hop, you need to have some sailing experience and can do what’s expected of you. It’s also worth mentioning that to get this position, it may take several months of planning, preparation, and finding the right boat for you.

The Bottom Line:

There are lots of ways to get around the Caribbean and the exact method of transport will depend on your time and flexibility. The best way is to use a combination of different transport and to always plan whilst at the same time remaining flexible.

6 Business Travel Tips to Help Reduce Headaches During Your Trip

Angela Manning Business, Travel , , ,
6 Business Travel Tips to Help Reduce Headaches During Your Trip

Traveling is fun, but the process can be more annoying than it needs to be, especially if you travel for business a lot. Traveling for business means that you don’t have the luxury of getting to your destination at just any time. As a business traveler, there are things that you learn to do that make your travels more streamlined; here are a few that can help you get through your next business trip without any extra headaches.

1. Make use of travel programs. Only book flights using one or two airlines so that you can stack up your frequent flyer miles quicker and take advantage of free travel and other perks. Keep this in mind when you book a hotel as well. Some hotel chains offer discounts and upgrades to regular customers, which can make your stay more pleasant.

2. Always keep a change of clothes with you. Luggage can be lost when it is stowed away, so you need to make sure that you have a backup outfit to wear to your business meeting. The last thing that you want to do when you arrive at your location is go shopping for some clothing that is business appropriate.

3. Make sure to get plenty of sleep. If you are traveling more than a few hours, staying awake during the entire flight will make you tired and groggy when you land. To make sure that you have had enough rest to be alert during your business meeting; it is a good idea to catch some shuteye while you are on the plane. Dress in something comfortable and try to get some rest as soon as you are in flight so that your rest does not get interrupted. Also, a window seat is best if it is available so that you do not have to get up for fellow passengers to stretch their legs.

4. Be aware of the security line that you choose. The shortest line is not always the best line to go through. A line that has a lot of small children in it is likely to take longer to get through than one without. Remember, that individuals who are used to traveling will go through security much faster than someone who has never stepped foot on an airplane. Also, check to see if there is any unconventional luggage in the line that may be searched.

5. Never travel without making a checklist. Before you begin packing, make a list of everything that you need to take with you. The outfits that you need, toiletries that you will need, chargers for your electronic devices. Also, remember to pack any files that you may need, your laptop, and any confirmations that you may need during your trip. Even though you are on a business trip, you need to remember to pack casual clothes as well so that you don’t have to wear a suit during your entire trip.

6. Do your best to stay healthy. Keep Tylenol or Ibuprofen on hand during your travels in the event that you get a headache or an achy back from the long flight. When you are in flight, make sure to walk around once every 90 minutes so that you can reduce the risk of blood clots. You will also need to drink plenty of water while you are traveling so that you stay hydrated.

Always keep your hands clean so that you can attend all of the meetings that you have planned for the trip. You will encounter a lot of germs during your travels, so you need to wash your hands frequently; in addition, using hand sanitizer can be a great option when there is no running water nearby.

Business travelers are often on the go, which means that they have a lot of experience traveling. The next time you are traveling for business, keep these tips in mind.

Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Documents International LLC, a leading apostille service for individuals and businesses.