Travel Tips

Everything You Need to Know About Traveling Green

October 23, 2017 by nvshen Leave a Comment

Travel is a great way to see the world but it can also be a great way to hurt the environment. But many travelers now are trying to green their travels so they can visit other places without hurting it. If this is a topic that interests you, here is a look at some of the things you can do yourself.

Travel can expand our minds, promote intercultural understanding, and provide really great content for Instagram. Unfortunately, travel can also do a number on Mother Earth. So we’ve put together a guide to minimizing the environmental impact of our travel — even without cancelling our plans.

“Going” (Literally) Green — The Need-to-Know

Green travel is a broad term with two main branches: It refers first and foremost to responsible travel practices that pay attention to environmental, social, and economic sustainability. It can also refer to eco-tourism, which involves responsible travel specifically to natural areas. And while we love our readers in the Galapagos and the Arabian Desert, for the purposes of this article, we’ll be focusing on the first definition.

Why should we bother greening our travel practices? For starters, the U.S. transportation sector is responsible for about 40 percent of the nation’s fossil-fuel related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions — one of the main gases responsible for climate change. Reducing our collective transportation footprint (aka environmental impact) could significantly lower the amount of CO2 we emit into the atmosphere. But is it possible to add worries about “traveling green” to the stresses of travel and still maintain sanity? Luckily, yes. Not only is it possible (and pretty easy) to keep the environment in mind while traveling, but in a lot of cases green travel practices can save us some, uh, green.

10 Modern Travel Words

October 13, 2017 by nvshen Leave a Comment

Are you confused sometimes about the travel terms that are used by people nowadays? Well you don’t have to be outdated anymore since this article will guide you with modern travel words used in this modern world.

We’ve all heard of the terms globetrotters, day trippers and wanderlust but have you heard of glamping, a solivagant or mancations? I started travel blogging about four months ago and I cherish words in the same way that I love travel. Learning a new word is always thrilling and it would be an absolute dream to make ‘wanderphile’ part of the everyday lexicon.

Below is a glossary of some modern travel words that are unique and inspire travel. A couple of them are not well known but perhaps should be and a couple are well established only in certain countries.

1. Couchsurfing (n)

This term was commonly used to describe the practice of moving from one friend’s house to the other often sleeping on the couch or floor while you were temporarily of no fixed abode. A practice Aussies and Kiwis who found themselves fresh off the plane in London often employed for a few months. More recently couchsurfing is the name of a website where you can organise to stay with a registered user in their houses all around the world without money exchanging hands. This is a great way to meet new and fascinating people while experiencing a cultural exchange. Couchsurfing currently claims it is “a global community of 10 million people in more than 200,000 cities”.

10 Big First-Time Travel Questions Answered

October 13, 2017 by nvshen Leave a Comment

If it’s your first time to travel, don’t worry! This article will help you answer all your questions about first-time traveling. There is no shame in having questions or anxiety the first time you are traveling internationally.

The world is flat. Or so the thinking went, until someone actually went off to circumnavigate it. You may not make such a colossal discovery during your own global journey, but what awaits you “out there” is something only you can find: your very own adventure. Who knows, you may just find a best friend, even the love of your life, along the way.

But before you make your plan to travel around the world, you might need a little advice. Here’s where the Rough Guide to First-Time Around the World comes in, with tips on everything from visas and vaccinations to budgeting and packing.

Here, author Doug Lansky answers some of the most common burning questions.

1. I’ve just got three months. Is that too short to travel around the world?

Well, since the actual flight time to circumnavigate the planet is about 40 hours, no it’s not, but it is too short to try to see most of it. As long as you don’t attempt to visit too many destinations, you’re fine. In fact, you’ll likely have a far more enriching trip than someone who travels for twice as long but tries to see four times as much.

2. I’ve got £4000 ($6160) saved up. Will that get me around the world?

No problem. You can find great deals on round-the-world tickets for about a third of that price, or even hitchhike on yachts for free. The more important question is what kind of trip do you want to take and how long do you want it to last? It’s important to figure out a daily budget that fits your comfort level, and to learn which countries offer the best value.

Surviving a Long-Haul Flight – An Olympic Coach’s Tips

September 22, 2017 by nvshen Leave a Comment

Do you consider long haul flights to be a nightmare? We all love and want to travel, but not many of us like the draining process of getting to our chosen destination. It’s really exhausting but how did this Olympic coach overcame his flight?

A 12-hour flight can make you feel like you’ve gone 12 rounds with a mixed martial artist. That’s a problem if you’re anxious to hit the slopes or the waves on your adventure holiday. So we asked 3-time Olympic volleyball coach Gary Sato for his tips on how elite athletes survive a long-haul flight.

As a longtime coach for the US Men’s National Volleyball team, and now as a coach at the University of Southern California, Gary Sato has logged countless thousands of miles trekking from tournament to tournament, coaxing the best from his teams. Part of a family dynasty of volleyball players (he marched alongside his brother, Eric, and sister, Liane – both players on the US squads – in two Olympic opening ceremonies), he is also a chiropractor with more than 20 years of experience.

So who better to ask: How do you survive a long-haul flight and stay on top of your game?

Here are Gary’s tips:

Compression socks: “You can get them all the way up to your knee or all the way up to your hip. They keep the blood from pooling in your lower leg and your feet, so it prevents some of that swelling and that achiness.”
Noise-canceling headphones: “Those are a godsend; they’re incredible. You’ve got the din of the engine and you put those things on and then you don’t ever take them off. You watch the movies, you listen to the music, or you just sit there and put them on so you don’t have to talk to the person next to you. I highly recommend them.”

Where to Study Abroad if You Love Literature

September 13, 2017 by nvshen Leave a Comment

Looking for an exciting way to see the world while studying Literature as well? Then spending a school semester study abroad is the prefect choice for you. Here is the list of countries you should consider when thinking about studying Literature abroad.

Each year on September 8, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization encourages us to honor literacy through International Literacy Day. Known as UNESCO to most travelers, many of us have visited destinations around the world which have been preserved for their cultural or natural significance. There are over 1000 such UNESCO World Heritage Sites around the world, including well-known ones like the Taj Mahal in India and lesser-known destinations like the Bay and Old Town of Kotor, Montenegro.

UNESCO also honors sites for other reason, including some as Cities of Literature. These cities have an important heritage in encouraging literacy around the world, and some are great destinations to study abroad. If you want to help understand the significance of literature and improve literacy later in your career, consider one of these cities and study abroad programs based there.

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne is a literary hub in Australia; more people rent books from libraries in Australia than anywhere else in the country! The city also hosts four literary festivals each year and is home to the biggest publishing network in Australia.

If you want to study abroad in Melbourne, there are a bunch of providers and universities that offer programs that include a focus on creative writing and literacy. Check out our guide to studying abroad in Melbourne.

Dublin, Ireland

Dublin is famous the world over for its contributions to the annals of literature. Home to famous writers including James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, W.B. Yeats, Samuel Beckett, and Seamus Heaney, the city is obviously inspiring for those who wish to learn more about the literary arts.

2017 Travel Checklist: What To Pack For Every Holiday Type

August 24, 2017 by nvshen Leave a Comment

Do you find that you are always forgetting things when heading off on vacation? A travel checklist is one of the handiest tools you will ever have when it comes to preparing for your vacation. This 2017 there are lots of new things you can bring with you that will surely add fun in your trip!

Whatever holiday you are jetting off to this year, the logistics of packing can be a nightmare. From the very first task of choosing the most suitable bag to take, to the essentials every holiday needs and finally the elements specific to where you are going and what you’ll be doing, packing can be one of the most stressful parts of travelling. Each holiday requires a certain amount of basics for a travel checklist including passports and tickets (if going abroad), medications and of course sun cream, but here The LuxPad takes a look at the special elements various types of holidays require. From active holidays to staycations, discover the 2017 Travel Checklist to ensure your holiday is as fun and hassle-free as possible…

Beach Holiday

A beach or pool holiday can be one of the easiest to pack for as the temperature will likely be soaring and therefore light clothes are a must. For the day a selection of swimwear and cover-ups will be your staple wardrobe, however make sure to pack enough smarter outfits for evenings, especially if your hotel’s restaurants have a dress code. A beach or pool side travel checklist will always include flip flops, beach bag, beach towel and a sun hat, but each year certain trends emerge for the holiday season and in 2017 – it’s all about the inflatable.

From majestic swans and shimmering flamingos, to tropical fruit, pool and sea inflatables have been stepped up this year and are a fun yet still impeccably stylish accessory to take to the water with. The heat and sun which usually (hopefully) goes hand in hand with a beach holiday requires extra care, ensure you always have a high SPF sun cream on hand, along with after sun if you do get burnt. It is also essential to stay hydrated whilst out in the heat so ensure you always have a water bottle with you to refill at every possible opportunity.

How I Saved Money For Travel (You Don’t Need To Be Rich)

August 2, 2017 by nvshen Leave a Comment

Regardless of the duration of your travels it can become quite expensive since both expected and unexpected costs tend to accumulate quickly. You don’t need to be rich to plan for your ultimate vacation. Just save! You’ll never get there if you don’t save for it!

There’s a popular myth floating around that travel is an expensive hobby. Certainly people who travel a lot must have rich parents, lucrative lottery winnings, or work high paying jobs… right?

Normal people can’t afford to travel. It’s far too expensive for the rest of us…

Don’t worry, I understand where you’re coming from. I used to think that way too. As an American who didn’t even know what a hostel or GAP year was, I thought international travel was only for the rich and privileged.

But after traveling the world extensively for the past 6 years, I’m here to tell you world travel is possible for the rest of us too.

How To Save Money For Travel

After countless emails from readers asking about how I’m able to travel the world constantly, I wanted to share some useful tips about how I learned to save money for traveling.

Because in the beginning, before I was earning a living as a blogger, I had to save up on my own. It didn’t come naturally either. In fact I used to be horrible at saving money.

When I quit my job in 2010 to embark on a year long adventure in Central America, I wasn’t rich. I was living in South Florida earning $28,000 a year working as a photographer for used car dealerships and nightclubs in Miami.

Incredibly glamorous, I know…

Wimbledon 2017: How To Get Tickets For Tennis’s Greatest Tournament

July 4, 2017 by nvshen Leave a Comment

Finally Wimbledon is here! For all tennis fans out there I’m sure this all you’ve been waiting for. If it’s your first time to watch the Wimbledon, here are the tips on how you can get your ticket.

The world’s greatest tennis tournament may be known for elite athletes, celebrity spectators and strawberries and cream, but for many Wimbledon is also about queuing, tents and takeaways. It’s one of the few sporting events that holds premium tickets to be sold on the day of play, and a little knowledge and patience can land you a courtside seat for some of the tournament’s biggest matches.

The Championships have been held since 1877, and tennis’s oldest tournament is steeped in history and tradition. The two-week event, hosted by the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, begins this year on Monday July 3. It’s watched by millions around the world, and by up to 38,500 spectators each day. You can become one of the latter by joining a Queue so important it gets its own capital letter, either on the day of play or (for the very best tickets) the day before, or by entering the ballot.

Choosing a day

Every day at the Championships there are thousands of ‘Grounds Admission’ passes available, allowing incredibly close access to all 16 of the non-ticketed ‘outside’ courts. And during each of the first nine days of play, there are also 500 or so of the best courtside seats within the famed Centre Court held for sale (with similar allocations for Court 1 and Court 2). The tickets for these three ‘show’ courts are good for the entire day, which typically means three matches. Unsurprisingly, there is no shortage of interest.

What to Pack for Your Long-Haul Flight

May 31, 2017 by nvshen Leave a Comment

The best thing to do when getting ready for a long flight is to be prepared. I traveled just last month and it was a stressful 18 hrs. I forgot to bring some of the important things needed in a long flight. If you want to avoid an uncomfortable and stressful flight then you probably need this list.

I’ve only had one enjoyable experience on a long-haul flight.

For a 14-hour flight from San Francisco to Sydney, I booked a business class seat because my employer was paying. When I showed up, I was randomly bumped up to First Class.

Qantas’s first class seats fully reclined into a sleep pod. I quickly fell asleep on the late night flight, woke up, ate, watched a movie, and landed. Easy. But not typical for long flights.

I’ve also flown 20+ hours from San Francisco to Hyderabad via Dubai. Flying that far in economy was a totally different experience, even on Emirates, a very good airline.

Long-haul flights are a brutal test of endurance. You really have to love to travel to endure them. How do you survive them without going crazy? With proper preparation.

Below, I’ve outlined the tools that I use to survive long, international flights. Add your recommendations in the comments.

This is my list.

Clothing for Long-Haul Flights

Starting at the bottom, you will want comfortable, slip-on shoes. Slip-ons will get you through security faster and are easy to remove on the plane. Your feet will swell during your flight. Shoes with extra space will be the most comfortable.

Shower before you leave so that you can go shoeless without offending other flyers. We recommend Smartwool socks for any situation, including in-flight. These wool socks will keep your feet warm in a cold airplane. Unlike cotton, they won’t get smelly or soggy. Smartwool socks are snug, don’t droop, and will last because they’re reinforced at the stress points.

The 100 Best Cheap Eats in London: Cheap Breakfasts in London

May 25, 2017 by nvshen Leave a Comment

If you are on a tight budget you can still take vacations and have a great time. All you need is do your research before going to another country especially if it’s your first time. So if you’re planning to go on vacation in London this year, you can still save money for your meals since there are lots of restaurants who serve delicious and affordable breakfast. Let me share with you this top 100 cheap breakfasts in London.

Whether you’re keen on a kipper or pining for porridge, here are our favourite London restaurants from our cheap eats guide that will guarantee you a money-saving breakfast.

Arancini Factory
Kentish Town never knew how much it loved arancini – Sicilian-style deep-fried risotto balls – until this affable caff opened in 2012. Now the place is a firm favourite locally. The arancini are served in several forms: plain (‘naked’), with salad, in wraps, or accompanied by a stew (we like the all-veg version). There are other options too, such as poached eggs, egg wraps and bagels for breakfast, and toasted sandwiches. Try the ‘full breakfast bagel’: ham, onion jam, roast tomato, fried egg and cheese. Note: the small garden eating area at the back is a haven of quiet in good weather.

Meal for two with drinks and service: around £16

Café Below
Café Below first won a loyal following for its vegetarian-centric café food, and its memorable setting – the crypt of a Grade I-listed Wren church. It still serves breakfast and lunch five days a week, but now also offers dinner from Wednesday to Friday. The food tends towards rustic simplicity during the day, getting more ambitious (and pricier) in the evening. The fish pie (£11.50), a long-standing feature, is a hefty, pleasing plateful. Mixed salads, with optional extras such as cheese soufflé or smoked salmon, use excellent ingredients and are dressed with unusual skill. Café Below is always busy at lunchtime, and for good reason.

Meal for two with drinks and service: around £30 (lunch), £45 (dinner)

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