Category: Travel

Why Travelers need Selfie Sticks

When they first appeared, selfie sticks looked touristy and somehow silly. However, selfie sticks are now widespread and ubiquitous. In fact, it’s hard to visit most tourist destinations without seeing people use selfie sticks. Although some people feel self-conscious while walking around with selfie sticks or taking photos in crowded places, they are worthwhile investments for travelers. Here are the major reasons why travelers need selfie sticks.

No Need for a Tripod

When taking a group photo, you don’t have to bother a stranger. Simply get out your selfie stick to take a group photo. And even if there is no stranger to take the photo, you won’t need a tripod as long as you have a selfie stick. Tripods are not good travel accessories because carting them around throughout the day can be difficult. Setting up tripods is also not allowed in some places.

Getting the Right Photo Angle is Easy

When you request a stranger to take a photo of you and your group, they might not have the right photographic skills. Thus, you might end up with lopsided photos, blurriness, heads cut off, and incorrect framing. Though there are programs for editing photos, your busy schedule can hinder you from perfecting your photos. Selfie sticks enable travelers to take photos with their preferred angles.

Secure Camera

A selfie stick holds the phone firmly. Thus, it’s unlikely that your phone will fall off when taking a photo. Without selfie sticks, travelers risk having their expensive phones fall off and crack their screens or even get lost.

Easy Packing

Selfie sticks are indispensable for solo travelers that spend time in remote places. That’s because they are easy to extend and retract into small sizes. This enables them to fit in backpacks with ease or even carry in pockets. What’s more, selfie sticks are light. Thus, a selfie stick won’t affect your luggage and you can pack it in your checked bag or a carry-on bag.

These are the major reasons why every traveler needs a selfie stick. Having this accessory gives you the freedom to take photos the way you desire without bothering strangers.

How Travel Insurance Can Help You during an Emergency

Whether you travel for pleasure or business, you should take precautions to make your trip worry-free and successful. When you travel abroad, it’s particularly important that you have travel insurance. Different emergencies can happen because there are no sure ways of preventing accidents. However, you can decrease the possibilities of emergencies and prepare for the unexpected. Investing in travel insurance is an ideal way to prepare for any emergency.

Travel Insurance Provides a Safety Net

When you travel to an unfamiliar destination, you may not know the environment. This makes you more vulnerable. In addition to researching your destination, buy travel insurance. An ideal insurance policy will cover you in case of flight delay, cancelled flight, stolen or lost baggage, theft, and personal injury. It serves as a safety net in case you find yourself in a sticky situation. There are also insurance plans that cover financially taxing costs like medical evacuation.

Assistance Services

When you buy your travel insurance before you travel, you feel more confident to travel worry-free and safely. Insurance providers offer emergency services to policy holders. These services are offered round the clock. Thus, you just call the insurance company to get the assistance that you need when traveling regardless of the situation.

In the Event of Theft

Travelers face increased theft risk while away from home. Criminals find tourists easy to target because they mostly carry cash in large amounts. If your credit card, passport, or cash is stolen while traveling, you want to solve the problem immediately. Without the right travel documentation, you may not board a flight back home. Even crossing borders will be a problem. You will be more frustrated without access to your accounts or financial assets. When this happens, call your travel insurance provider immediately to get assistance.

Important Reimbursements

A good travel insurance provider will compensate you in case you lose money. That’s because an ideal travel insurance plan covers losses that arise from cancellation or curtailment of flights, medical bills, emergency evacuation, and loss of baggage or belongings. Additional coverage may be availed in case of other emergencies.

To ensure that you easily get the assistance you need when you travel, take a good travel insurance plan. Know what exactly is covered by the insurance plan that you purchase and situations when the insurance can help you.

 

Simple Weekend Travel Tips

Smiling woman taking self-portrait with digital camera below Big Ben clocktower

Simple Weekend Travel Tips

Weekend travel is tricky for some people. That’s because many travelers don’t know what to pack when going on a short weekend trip. Nevertheless, every traveler must have a go-bag. This enables them to escape their office immediately on a Friday afternoon. Whether it’s exploring a distant city, relaxing on the beaches, or mountain adventure, it is important to be prepared for a weekend getaway.

Invest in the Right Bag

Regardless of the bag that you purchase, ensure that it is light, stylish, and spacious. The market has many bags for weekend travels. Choose a go-to bag that you can use for quick getaways and use it to pack items that you will need when traveling on a weekend. An ideal weekend travel bag is luxurious with an impressive design. It has expendable sides and ample interior to make access and packing easier.

Pack the Right Essentials

For a spontaneous weekend getaway, planning in advance seems counter-intuitive. However, packing your essentials only is important for a short weekend trip. Therefore, think ahead and determine the most crucial items for your trip. Consider weather forecasts for your destination when packing to know the clothes to wear and carry. Also consider the activities that you will engage in to pack the right gear.

Stay Organized

Keep items where you can easily reach them when necessary. For instance, pack headphones, cufflinks, earrings, and cash where you can easily access them. Make sure that you know where every travel essential is including your travel documents. Keeping everything orderly will make your weekend travel easier and enjoyable.

Basically, you don’t need to pack many items when going on a weekend travel. Nevertheless, a properly packed weekend travel bag will make your short getaway more enjoyable. It will also alleviate the stress that is associated with traveling. Therefore, take time to pick the right bag and pack your travel essentials carefully.

Basics of Trip Interruption Insurance and Trip Cancellation Insurance

Basics of Trip Interruption Insurance and Trip Cancellation Insurance

When traveling, a major concern for many people is trip interruption or trip cancellation. That’s why some insurance companies provide trip interruption insurance and trip cancellation insurance. It’s important to note that though some people use the names of these insurance policies interchangeably, they are different.

Trip interruption occurs when you start the trip but something unexpected happens forcing you to cut it short. In such a case, a traveler is reimbursed for the part of the trip that they didn’t complete. On the other hand, trip cancellation occurs when you don’t go on a planned trip. Nevertheless, these insurance policies are used when going on organized cruises and tours or when traveling independently.

When to use trip interruption and trip cancellation insurance policies

When you, a family member, or a travel partner is unable to travel, you can use trip cancellation insurance. Essentially, you can cancel the trip because of a death, sickness, or layoff. Your insurer may include other reasons for which you can be reimbursed if you cancel the trip or fail to travel.

A family member back at home can get sick and compel you to travel back home. In that case, you might be reimbursed for the part of the trip that you didn’t complete. Again, your coverage will be affected by the fine print that your insurer provides on the basis of the pre-existing conditions of your loved one.

If a reason that is beyond your control necessitates taking an emergency flight or make you miss your flight, you might be reimbursed by your insurer. For instance, an inclement weather, a strike, or a car accident can make you miss a flight. Additionally, a travel company or airline can go out of business. It can also fail to perform as expected. In any of these cases, your insurer can compensate you for trip cancellation.

Purchase your insurance carefully

It’s important to note that insurers provide different accepted reasons and conditions under which you can be reimbursed for trip cancellation or interruption. What’s more, some insurers do not cover some tour operators or airlines. Therefore, check the travel insurance that you want to purchase carefully to get comprehensive coverage.

How to Behave when Traveling Abroad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When you travel abroad, you realize that fitting in is not easy. In most cases, you face people that have a different monetary unit, customs, language, and way of life. Nevertheless, if you know how to behave while traveling abroad, you will not have problems.

Here are some of the best ways to behave when traveling abroad:

Maintain a calm voice

Once you arrive in a foreign country, note the volume of the conversations of the locals and keep yours at that level. Make sure that you don’t attract the attention of the locals by speaking loudly. Instead, fade into their scene. This will make the locals want to hold genuine and mature conversations with you.

Handle money wisely

Be careful when paying bills. Be keen to know fair prices of commodities. Make money transactions like locals. Additionally, know how locals call bills or coins in their unit. This will make handling money easier and safer.

Don’t call different things wrong

Instead of referring to one side as the wrong side of a road, call it the other side of a road. Instead of a wrong spelling, refer to it as an alternate spelling. Essentially, don’t assume that your perspective is right and that of the locals wrong.

Seek help from the right sources

Not everybody that you meet has good intentions. Therefore, don’t ask a stranger to direct you. Also don’t assume that a shopkeeper will be ready to help you. If you need assistance, ask a travel agency or hotel staff to help you.

Don’t stand out, fit in

Instead of trying to look like a foreigner or tourist, try to fit in. Mingle with the locals and learn from them. After all, the ultimate reason to travel abroad is to meet different people and learn from them. Therefore, don’t make sure that everybody knows that you are a tourist. Just fit in.

Basically, these are some of the best ways to behave while traveling abroad. Try them out and you will have one of the best experiences during your foreign trip.

How Traveling can Change Your Life

Naturally, humans resist what they don’t comprehend. Unfortunately, many people understand the world on the basis of second-hand information. That means if the information tells them that the world is full of horrors, they understand it that way and live with fear. It’s not surprising that my friend at the Appliance Repair San Antonio says that many people feel threatened because they don’t travel. Essentially, we understand what we perceive. Traveling enables us to see and perceive the world on the basis of first-hand information. Thus, travel is incredibly invaluable and it can transform your life in many ways.

They include:

Providing invaluable information

There is no better source of information than your own eyes. It’s hard to hate a society that you have interacted with and received an awesome treatment from. When you travel, you get an opportunity to see new places and people. You learn the perspectives of the people that live at different places and judge them on the basis of their perceptions.

Traveling changes your perspective

Prejudice is due to ignorance. And, the only way to overcome prejudice is by changing perspectives. Traveling broadens horizons while giving individuals an opportunity to meet new people and try new things. This alters the held perspectives towards those people and places. When you have a changed perspective, you solve problems better since you have a different way of thinking.

Traveling makes you open-minded

When you travel, you mingle with people that have different backgrounds. Regardless of the time that you spend away from your home, you get a different exposure. This exposure can change how you think and do the things that you do. It makes you open to different views and ways of life.

Basically, some people see traveling as an unnecessary expense. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that material things can get you many things but the experience that you get when you travel gets you much more.  

How to Show Respect for Foreign Cultures when Traveling

 

 

 

 

 

 

With so many cultures in the world, it’s easy to offend someone when traveling in a foreign country. Being in a foreign culture for the first time is just overwhelming. Many people cope with the situation by acting completely reserved or totally obnoxious. Nevertheless, you should feel comfortable in the host culture. The best way to do this is to show respect for the foreign culture.

Here are some of the ways to show respect for a foreign culture when traveling abroad:

Learn the basic etiquette and mannerisms

There are etiquette rules and manners in every culture. Although it’s almost impossible to learn them all, you can learn some of them. A simple internet search will provide a foundation of what people in your host country consider rude and courteous. Be careful of the cultural differences in different situations to avoid faux pas. If the web can’t provide the answer that you are looking for, ask the locals.

Avoid taking offensive pictures

You want to document almost everything that you do in a foreign country. However, take photos that are in good taste only. Also be aware of the people around you or the surrounding and what it symbolizes. That’s because taking pictures in some places in some countries may be obviously upsetting. In some cases, ask the locals whether you can take pictures at certain places.

Respect the host country’s religion

Religion is an important aspect of the culture. Therefore, respect the religion of your host country even if you do not observe their religious behavior, rules, or events. Be aware of a public behavior that the locals may consider sacrilegious. Essentially, avoid things that blatantly go against the religious rituals of your hosts.

Strive to do your best

You may not know everything about the etiquette and customs of a foreign culture. However, this is not a reason to behave in a way that offends the locals. Therefore, do your best to show respect for foreign cultures when traveling abroad.

Travel abroad with an open mind and follow these tips, and you won’t have cultural problems.

How to Prepare to Travel Abroad

 

 

 

 

 

Traveling abroad provides an entirely different experience. Even experienced local vacationers are anxious about traveling abroad. That’s because when you travel abroad, you need to keep certain things in mind. For instance, a foreign trip will take a relatively longer period. Nevertheless, you can make the experience better when you take time to prepare for a foreign trip properly.

Here are some of the ways to prepare to travel abroad:

Plan your itinerary

If you don’t have a passport, get one 4 to 6 months before the actual date of traveling. This is the time that passport processing takes in most countries. A passport identifies you as a citizen of your country. Also check the visa requirements of your destination. Find out whether there is a visa waiver plan between your country and the country that you want to travel to. It’s also important that you receive the necessary immunizations some months in advance. Note that, not all countries require immunization. Finally, determine where you will stay in a foreign country and how you will get around. Depending on the country that you visit, you can rent a car, ride a bike, walk, or take a train or a boat. It’s a good idea that you book reservation in a hotel where you will stay in advance and get a driver’s license if you will be driving yourself around.

Study international customs

You need to learn about the people of the country that you are traveling to. For instance, study the language of the people of that country. Make sure that you know the basic phrases and terms of the native language such as “please,” “my name is,” “hello,” and “thank you.” Also learn about the local etiquette. Know the rules of touch, dress, speech, and table manners to avoid embarrassment in a foreign country. Additionally, inquire about the local atmosphere including the weather during the months when you intend to visit. Finally, learn about the local dresses. This is very important because some countries are modest and others less restrictive.

Organize the essentials

Find out about currency exchange rates. Do your calculation on the basis of the current international exchange rates to know what the currency of the country that you want to visit equals to in your country’s currency. Plan to visit a bank, use an ATM, and carry some local cash. Also know the things that you will need while in a foreign country. Conduct some research on things like electrical standards and phone services. Also make copies of your itinerary or travel documents and keep them in your luggage. Pack wisely by considering the terrain, weather, and airline regulations. Additionally, carry the medications that may be necessary while in a foreign country.

Basically, these are the major things to do while preparing to travel abroad. How you prepare may vary but if you follow this guide while planning your trip to a foreign country, you will have a seamless experience. Check out this website I use often to get good packaged rates for your next journey. Click here to visit the website.

5 cities to travel to on a budget

Traveling can be really expensive. Not everyone has the money to travel a lot and to travel to different places all over the world. The one thing that you can know for sure is that there are a couple of cities where you can travel to, in order to have some fun but without spending too much money on the traveling. These are the 5 cities that you can travel to, when you have a tight budget:

Pokhara, Nepal

The first cheap country that you can go to is in Nepal. Pokhara is one of the cheapest cities that you can find in the world. If you are looking for a great holiday that is also cheap, then this is the place to go.

There is a time in the year where the hotels are more expensive, so if you are looking for a cheap holiday, then you should look at the time of year that you are going on holiday to Pokhara.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

In Thailand, you will find the city Chiang Mai. This is the second largest city in Thailand, and knew as one of the cheapest cities in the world.

There is a large amount of hotels to choose from, and even if they are cheap, they are quality hotels where you have lots of fun at.

Delhi, India

Delhi in India is one of the most popular cities in the world, but this city is also one of the cheapest cities that you can choose when you are traveling to India.

There are many activities that you can choose from, and you can try different Indian dishes that are all delicious. The only thing that you need to know about, is that you should make sure that you are prepared for the large city that is crowded with people.

Manila, Philippines

Manila in the Philippines is also a cheap, but great city that you can visit. Especially, if you are considering going to a country that is offering a large variety of activities.

The only thing that you should know, is that there are some really great, cheap hotels but there are also some more expensive hotels that you can book at. If you are looking for a cheap holiday, you should make sure about the type of hotel you are making a booking at.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is known as a country that isn’t really expensive. Depending on the area in Sri Lanka that you are going to. Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka. This is a crowded city, but there are some great hotels and there are also some things that you should like to see and visit.

Traveling all over the world, doesn’t mean that you should have a huge budget. There are some cities in the world, that are really affordable and that you can go to for a cheap holiday or tour. The only thing that you should make sure about, is that you need to do research to make sure that you are going to a place that you will like, but that is still going to be affordable and cheap.