Things to consider before making a Hotel Reservation

When traveling, one of the stresses that most travelers get is getting a hotel that suits their needs while at the same time being pocket-friendly. With the many accommodation options today, you bet that you can have your requirements met. Regardless of how many options you may have, there are several things that you should do before you confirm that hotel room.

·         Consider Their Pet Policy

You probably want to stay at the hotel with your pet. If this is the case, you need to understand whether the hotel allows pets or not. It would be frustrating to pay for accommodation and show up with your pet only to be turned away.

·         Consider the Cancellation Policies

This is paramount when making a hotel reservation and it should be done before you pay. Most of the hotels will have a strict cancellation policy and if anything happens after you pay and you cancel your reservation, you lose the entire amount. If you report to the hotel a day later or you do not show up at all, there are either cancellation fee or you lose the entire amount.

·         Consider Your Travel Window

Most hotels have a check-in window that you must adhere to. You do not want to get to a hotel only to be told that their check-in is already closed. To determine whether you will still be within the timelines, consider how long it takes you to travel and what time you expect to get to the hotel. You can make your reservation based on this.

·         Know Your Most Ideal Room Type

Most if not all hotels have different room categories such as twin rooms, singles, presidential suites and double rooms among others. You can also decide whether to have a pool view, garden or sea view. You must know your requirements to book the most ideal one. Consider the number of people and the amenities that you want to have in the room.

·         Compare Prices

From time to time, hotels offer discounts. You may find two hotels of the same standards offering varying prices. Do proper research, compare the services offered and prices. By doing so, you will be able to save some money somewhere.

Booking a hotel can be stressful but when you know what you need, it will be easy. Compare prices and standards, know your requirements, know your travel-window and consider the cancellation policies.
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Tips for Your First Hot Air Balloon Ride

Hot air balloon is a great way to appreciate the beauty that surrounds you. As you are up in the air with friends, admiring the captivating beauty of the surroundings and watch the world as it goes by, some thoughts may cross your mind. How safe am I? What if something happens what should I do? Hot air balloons are relatively safe but before you get on one, there are several things that you should do.

Be Flexible with the Schedule

The weather determines whether your flight will take off or not and that is the reason you should be flexible. If there are high winds, strong storms or rains, it is highly likely that your hot air balloon ride will be canceled. This is the reason you should go for the ride on the first days of your vacation so that even if you were to reschedule it, you would still have a few more days for the ride.

Dress for the Ride

You dress for two things when going for a hot air balloon ride. You will dress for the weather and for your comfort. Although the balloon has a flame to keep you warm it’s crucial you wear warmly as it can get very cold up there. Wear shorts or pants, comfortable sweaters, and closed shoes. It will be easier for you this way rather than wearing skirts, suits, and heels.

Follow the Instructions Given

The pilot and the staff at large will give you instructions to follow during the ride. There will be taking off, jostling and landing. With these stages and the risk involved, you will be given instructions which you should follow to the letter. When you follow the advice given, you will have a smooth and safe ride.

Be ready for the rates

Going for a hot air balloon is not cheap. The rates can be quite high and thus you should be prepared to pay a higher price than with most other activities. You can pay anything for $250 per person and above but the amount is worth the experience.

Hot air balloon gives an amazing experience even for the first time. As long as you dress appropriately, you are prepared, you follow instructions and you will not experience motion sickness. Since the baskets are large, in most cases you will be other people and this means that you should prepare yourself to be comfortable.

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Ways that you can Maintain Healthy Eating while Traveling

Without a doubt, trying new and different cuisines is an adventure itself. Savoring different delicacies in some instances require courage. It’s important that as you go sightseeing and appreciate what a destination has to offer, you prepare your taste buds.

As you travel across the globe and eat different kinds of foods, it’s possible that you could experience eating problems. You cheat on your diet, you can get food poisoning and you eat a lot of junk. More than you consider it healthy. 

Go for Fresh Produce

You do not have time to prepare your own meals as you are focusing on sightseeing. Anyway, why do you want to cook when you should be having fun? Regardless of the fact that you do not want to cook your own meals, you will need to eat healthy foods. Head to a grocery store and get fresh produce. From fruit salads, healthy snacks to vegetables salads; it is possible to maintain a healthy diet even when you travel abroad. 

Don’t Forget Your Daily Fruits Intake

Your body requires daily intake of veggies and fruits. You can make your own fresh juice and smoothies. One good thing about this is that you can get a travel blender which is portable. It will not add excess weight to your luggage. You can buy fresh veggies and fruits from the local market and make the smoothies in your room.

Drink Plenty of Water

As you go for sightseeing and take long walks, your body becomes dehydrated especially in hot areas. This means that you need more water that you normally take. You tend to go for sugary drinks to quench your thirst.

The thirst will not go away and you take more and more. This is not good to your body and instead, you should drink plenty of water. This will keep your body hydrated and energized. Ensure that you take bottled water.

Maintain Regular Eating Intervals

You need energy to engage in various activities as you travel. Not eating at your regular intervals lead to energy lapses. You tend to feel tired. To avoid this, maintain your eating interval and eat healthy foods. Yes you can have treats such as ice cream and cakes, but limit this. Besides having the three main meals, you can have healthy snacks such as fruits, nuts and protein bars.
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Things to Keep in Mind When going For a Desert Safari

When one thinks about Dubai, the first thing that comes to mind is a desert safari. Desert safaris are fun due to the many activities that are available. From dune bashing, watching belly dancers, quad biking, henna painting for ladies, sand boarding and camel riding are just some of the activities that you can engage in. to ensure you have the best experience, there are things that you should keep in mind.

  • Pack the Useful Items

Whether you are going for a night or a day tour, there are basic things that you need for the safari. You need a light jacket, light shoes, sunglasses to protect your eyes from sun and sand and some light clothes.

A day tour will be slightly different from a night tour when the temperatures are cooler. It is also important that you have sufficient water to keep your body hydrated.

  • Pack a Camera and Extra Battery

You could be forgiven to think that there are no sceneries in a desert. This is not true since there are plenty of sceneries and amazing views that are worth capturing. Sand dunes, the sunset, and the sunrise are views that you should not miss out. This is the reason you should have a fully charged camera and a spare battery.

  • Pack the Right Clothes

You should wear open shoes such as sandals and loose clothes. This is for your comfort. You will feel uncomfortable when you wear tight clothes that cling to your body once you become sweaty or when sand gets into your shoes.

This is general but you should also consider the activities that you will be engaging in. Have the right clothes for your activities.

  • Pack Your Sunscreen

This is actually one of the most important things that you can pack thus you should not forget it. Sunscreen protects your skin against damage whether it’s sunny or cloudy. It’s highly possible that you will get sunburns or tan when you do not wear sunblock.

  • Follow Instructions

During a desert tour, you will have the laid down instructions from an instructor. Some activities can be rough such as dune bashing. It is crucial that you follow the instructions given not only to avoid injuries but also to have fun.

As you get prepared for your desert safari, these are just some of the things that you should keep in mind. It’s an adventure that will give you a unique experience thus you should be ready for it.…

Do You Feel Lonely When Traveling? Learn to Enjoy Your Own Company

Traveling alone can be fun but only when you learn how to enjoy your own company. There are challenges that will come along with it but one thing that should keep you going is knowing that you are alone and you can only rely on yourself.  

 

Whenever you plan to travel to a foreign country, there are things you can do to beat the boredom and loneliness that might come with it.  

 

  • Get the Hotel Room that You Will Love 

 

One reason that you can feel alone and bored is getting a room that you do not like. Probably you prefer a room high up where you can enjoy some natural light and a view of the surroundings, one with a balcony and away from the elevator. Whatever your preferences are, do your best to get it.  

 

  • Embrace Yourself 

 

Self-acceptance has a huge role in how your trip abroad will be. You need to be confident as you stride in the streets of a foreign country. Do what you feel like doing. If you feel like taking public transport, trying out local delicacies, club hopping or dining in an exotic restaurant, do that. You will enjoy every moment if you do what you feel like. 

 

  • Plan Your Days 

 

When you do not plan your schedule properly, you might end up not enjoying your solo trip. Before you embark on your trip, research on the places not to miss out on and plan an itinerary. You can do this through a local tour operator of course at a fee.  

 

With a well planned out itinerary, you will enjoy every moment you are alone and make the best out of your trip.  

 

  • Do Not Allow Challenges to Dampen Your Day 

 

Having challenges such as boarding the wrong bus or taking the wrong route can dampen your day. You should not allow this to happen. Such challenges are inherent to travel and especially when visiting a destination for the first time.  

To avoid this, you can do a proper research to know where to go, at what time and the best way to get there.  

 

  • Let the Area Inspire You 

 

There are many things you will find unique about a place. It could be their culture, the dining experience, how the locals have fun, the must-see places or even how they get around. Do not hold back; be inspired by everything you see around.  

 

There is so much you can do to not feel alone when traveling in a foreign country. It’s a great way to build self-confidence and acceptance. Do not be held back from traveling just because you do not have a company.  …

Places That Female Travelers Should Think Twice Before Visiting

Traveling is indeed a refreshing experience because you will have the opportunity to relax, meet new people and learn about new cultures. As wonderful as traveling may be, it still has its fair share of risks.

Over the years, there have been countless report or women and men who lost their lives during their travels.

As a female traveler, it is important that you have it at the back of your mind that not all countries or areas are friendly to solo women travelers. This does not mean that you should not travel to these areas. But it means that you should take extra caution while you are there.

In this article, we are going to be looking at some countries that solo female travelers should think twice before visiting.

Egypt

The US has warned its citizens about visiting Egypt because there are a lot of terrorist organizations that have carried out a series of deadly attacks there. These terrorist cells target public buildings, Special Forces, government officials, tourist sites and public transportation centers. Female tourists are among the targets of these cells.

The locals in Egypt are not really friendly to female tourists. Going to the market on your own without a guide is not a good idea because you might be harassed by the locals there.

Respecting the norms and avoiding attention is going the reduce the odds of you being singled out. Covering your hair, knees, wrists, and wearing loose clothing will help you blend in with the locals.

Morocco

Morocco is another country that is prone to violence especially against citizens of the United States. The US Department of states warns that there are a lot of cases of pick-pocketing, burglaries and other vices in this region.

In order to prevent yourself from being a victim, you have to avoid wearing flashy valuables on the streets. Never should you were, immodest clothing in Morocco. If you do this you will be attracting unwanted attention to yourself.

Jamaica

The resorts in Jamaica are fairly safe, but beyond their border is a community that is filled with crime. Staying at a resort is not completely safe because you might be sexually assaulted.

Final Note

Doing some research to learn more about the traditions, rules, and regulation of your travel destination will reduce the odds of you making a mistake that could land you in serious trouble.

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Dog Walking Tips when Travelling

Pet owners and pet industry professionals alike know just how much time and energy goes into caring for furry friends. Diets, regular checkups, sleep and interactions all need to be scheduled and followed to keep them healthy and disciplined. A great way to train your dog, bond with them, get in exercise and interact with surrounding is walking.

Dog walking has become a business over the past few years with many claiming the title of dog whisperers as they help train dogs to be good boys. An important trick to dog walking is to first establish dominance over them without resorting to the use of punishments or spiky collars. There are many ethical and kind ways to assert dominance and train your dog to behave well when walking them including:

  1. When entering and exiting a building you always have to lead the way. This reinforces that you are the pack leader and they should follow you instead of the other way around.
  2. Always walk in front of your dog because if you allow him to be in control they will usurp your dominance and it will be chaotic. The correct way to dog walking is to have the dog behind you or beside you at all times.
  3. Keep them close and their leash short. When they start pulling on it make them sit and calm them down before you continue walking.
  4. Maintain your consistency. Some dogs pick things up within one walk while others take a few more sessions before they learn to take instructions and obey.
  5. Set a good example by picking up your dogs’ poop after them. If left around carelessly, it can cause health concerns for other pets and humans alike.
  6. Give the dog enough time to walk as it is a form of exercise. Recommended time is between 30 minutes to an hour. On long walks, come prepared with a collapsible water bowl and sunscreen for exposed areas like the ears and muzzle.
  7. Carry treats with you and reward the dog for good behavior during and after the walk. This will also require consistency as you do not want to give the dog a treat if they misbehave. It will help them associate good behavior with rewards, incentivizing them to be good.
  8. Be mindful of the paths you choose to walk on. Choose calm paths that aren’t crowded to avoid having them panic and reduce mishaps with people passing by. Avoid midday’s during summer and hot pavements as the surroundings will not be kind to either one of you.
  9. Ask the dog to sit when you stop at crossing points and before letting other people pet him; the former to avoid road accidents and the latter to teach him self-control and being calm around humans.
  10. Do not rush your dog during when walking. Take the time to explore different scents and sights, spend time with each other, bond and enjoy each others’ companies as friends would.

Feeling Lazy?

Ok, maybe you are not lazy but just don’t have then time needed in your busy week to take your dog on their daily exercise needs. How about seeking a local dog walking service in Sydney? This is the best option for busy professionals and time poor animal lovers alike.

Give your dog the walking and outdoor experience they need to be happy and healthy.…

Boost Your Confidence and Gain a Few More Amazing Benefits from Travelling

Traveling is one of the best things in life. It’s something that you pay for that actually makes you a richer and much stronger person than before.

When we talk about travelling boosting your confidence we are not talking about limo hire Sydney on your next Australian vacation. Of course we all know the nice ego boost a nice chauffeured limousine trip can give. But this way of travel has a large price tag associated with it. Instead we are talking about the every day, out of your comfort zone, exploration and adventure travel.

There are many things we can learn by exploring nature, different countries, religions, environments, way of life and people’s stories. No matter how you put it, traveling has plenty of benefits for those who are willing to explore.

For example, it boosts your self-confidence by putting you in apparently unsolvable situations. Are you considering to start traveling more intensively?

If yes, these are the few amazing benefits you will gain on your travel. We’re warning you! You will start your travel today once you read the benefits.

Traveling improves your communication skills and makes you sociable

One of the best benefits of traveling is improving your communication skills. How? Well, traveling in different countries where they don’t speak your native language can be a hell of an experience. You will learn a few languages (partially) and you will become more sociable. Travel will ‘force’ you to approach to people and ask for directions or advice. That way, you can gain friends all over the world.

Traveling gives you time and helps you break the routine

We’re all familiar with the modern disease of the 21 century – stress! Stress is actually a state of mind and a feeling we create in our minds. Whenever we feel helpless, tired, broke or annoyed, we call that stress. However, we’re not actually ‘stressed’ but need a vacation. From life. And traveling is the perfect way to escape reality for a while.

On your travel, you will spend some quality time alone or with your close ones and realize that stress is fictional. You will finally find inner peace and break the daily routine that’s been killing you for a long time.

Traveling boosts your creativity and brings out your artistic side

Once you decide to travel and get out of your comfort zone, creativity will strike you! It will boost your mind to produce creative thoughts and gain a profound connection with your artistic side. You will be surprised of the artist hiding inside of you! However, in order to do that – break the habit you’re living!

Traveling will open your eyes and mind

You will see things with different eyes once you chose to travel more. Not only that you will meet people from different cultures but you will also get into their skin. You will notice the lack of importance in the skin color, education, borders, and financial status. You will open your mind by realizing that we are all the same and we are all children of nature. You will learn how to take care of nature and animals. In simple words – you will become a better and more aware person.

Traveling teaches you how to deal with uncertainty and the unexpected

On your travel, you will face many challenges and difficulties that weren’t a part of your plan. However, that will be a good lesson because we people have to learn that sometimes, life doesn’t go as planned. Actually, life is what’s happening while we plan things.…

Want to Travel More? Check Out These Ways

Travel is the movement of individuals and groups of people between the distances from one side of the geographical place to another side. Most people are crazy about traveling; they would like to do different kinds of traveling like road traveling by car, bus or motor bike, water traveling like boating, air traveling like air plane or helicopter and railway traveling by train, etc.

The concept of traveling is, in the sense of enjoyment by cutting of routine life. The motive of traveling is to amuse people. Traveling helps peoples to forget all their tension and give relaxation. Here are few ways you can do more travelling:

The Package Holiday

The package holiday is the best way of traveling. Because you’re all arrangement is made by the agent. He will take to you to other peoples. The agent hires a person as a leader of all the members, which are included in package holiday.

The leader simply picks you, which beautiful beaches you would like to be seeing. The leader looks after all the things about food, hotel arrangement, etc. The value of package holiday is sometimes getting down because of the leader. Although, there is no issue that you are using you’re earning by visiting such kind of beautiful beaches.

Organize a Group Tour

Many travel companies will allow and offer the people to organize a group for the tour. The organizations or companies serve as the group leader. But it does not mean they look after you and guiding about your friends and other people in the group. In fact, the company decided who will be going, which places they are going and when.

These group tours take people to visit different countries and help to meet the people of different countries and also know about their traditions, culture, and religions. These kinds of group tours help to create good relations between countries.

WWOOF

WWOOF is World Wide Organization Organic firm, it helps and allows the people to travel many countries and work for the organic firm. Under this way, people can work for 4 to 6 hours and traveling different places for the exchange of food.

This organization will leave a big part of your day so that you can travel different places with family or friends. During this kind of work, you meet a different kind of people with different nature. It helps to know about their living status, about their work, about their experience and also about their culture, etc.

Peace Corps

Peace crop is considered the way for traveling. These crops consist of a lot of people, in which they work for the development of their country. They work with the agreement in other words commitment, which is round about two years. The member in the Peace Corp work, in different kind of sectors of education, youth benefit, development of a different kind of communities, health benefits department, agricultural growth, and business development, etc. For all these purposes these members travel from one place to another or one country to another country for the betterment of the nation.…

Traveling Alone? Read This First

Traveling solo doesn’t have to be as boring and lonely as it sounds. With the right attitude and outlook, you can make your next trip alone an absolute blast. And who knows, maybe you’ll find out that traveling solo is actually the perfect way to travel for you.

Here are some tips to help you on your next solo trip:

Do Research On The Place You’re Visiting

You can always ask help from a native, but just to be on the safe side, make sure that you find out as much as you can about the place that you’re visiting.

Remember: you won’t have a constant companion by your side helping you decide where to go. Also, don’t settle on the tourism websites. Read blogs or watch Youtube videos of people who have actually been there to avoid the usual tourist traps.

Be Open To Anything

Since you’re alone, you won’t have someone else to consider when making decisions. You should make the most of that. Do whatever you want, whenever you want it, or however, you want.

Be a Responsible Drinker

Remember that you are in an unfamiliar place with no one to carry you back to the hotel if you pass out. If you’re planning to drink, try to look for the bar that’s nearest your hotel. Better yet, try drinking at the bar below your hotel. That way, you wouldn’t have to worry too much about going home.

Stay Online

Update your loved ones about your whereabouts as frequently as you can. This will give them the peace of mind. In the event that something unfortunate does happen to you, at least they’ll know where you are.

Don’t Over Pack

If it’s your first time traveling solo, it would be understandable to worry about the availability of certain things and over pack. Try to fight that urge. Try to pack your bags with just the essentials. Keep in mind that for the most part, no one will be there to help you carry your stuff. If you can’t even carry your own bags to the airport by yourself, then maybe you should consider leaving a few things behind.

Bring Something To Keep You Busy

If the trip includes bus rides that last for hours, it would be great if you have something to do. Bring a book, a video game, or even a laptop filled with movies and TV shows. This will keep you from getting bored and feeling lonely.

Socialize

Being alone for too long can be unbearable for some people, so it would be a good idea to make friends. Maybe strike up a conversation with the barista at the coffee shop near your hotel, or talk to the guy you sit next to in the tour bus. Having a conversation with someone from a different culture can be illuminating, making your trip all the more enriching.…