travel tips – Page 2 – Roaming free – tales of wanderlustbykelley

Three Places 2019 Needs To Hand To You

We all love a bucket list, don’t we? The one thing that nearly everyone has on that list is the destinations across the world that make their souls sing. Finding destinations that you can go to that make you feel like you’ve accomplished something in your life is not always easy, because your choice of destination has to appeal not just to you, but to all those with whom you travel.

2019 is going to be a big year for travel, with more destinations and more innovative travel solutions than ever before, and it’s also going to be a big year if you’ve resolved to do new things and see new places. You should go and capture the world in the best way that you can, and travel is the way to do that. Getting on a plane and seeing new places from a relaxing Caribbean vacation to an adventure in the Galapagos is how you want to make memories in your life. There are hundreds of destinations to watch out for, and we’ve got three places that you want handed to you in 2019, so that you can see the world in a new light.

Plane view

Image Source

The Peloponnese, Greece

The tourism in Greece is always going to be high when you have an islands as beautiful as the ones that make Greece what it is. However, you can head to the go-slow corner of the Mediterranean by discovering the Peloponnese. Heading to the mainland and discovering the wide-open spaces that Greece has to offer in the off-season is the way to go for 2019 with Patras and Pyrgos finally being linked by train again, which means that you can explore the region in the most relaxed way possible.

Egypt

The Grand Egyptian Museum may have been delayed again, but for the first time in eight years, there is a waiting list for city hotels and boat trips along the Nile. There has been a few years of civil unrest in Egypt, and now it’s back on the map and people want to see it all. Nile cruise liner Sanctuary Retreats has now launched weekly sailings of its boutique wooden boats. These are all kit out with leather deck chairs and art deco features to die for.

Matera, Italy

This romantic ravine in Italy attracts those who want a more immersive experience in a new destination. Matera is built into the rocks and it’s a strange city that sits miles from anywhere else. People come from all over to see the sassi, the troglodyte cave dwellings where citizens lived in the dark until it was abandoned. Now? They’re hot property and people come from all over to view them. It’s one of the most romantic places in Italy to go and it’s somewhere that absolutely should be on your bucket list this year.

Taking the time to travel is good for the soul – don’t wait around to book, either, shop for the best deals online today.

Travel Solo Or With Friends: Which Is Best?

Image Credit

Traveling is one of the best things we can ever experience, and we’re so lucky to live in such an innovative time that allows us to travel freely around the world in such a relatively short time span than would have ever been possible 100 or even 50 years ago – and certainly for a lot less money than would have been possible, 20, 30, or 50 years ago.

However, one of the many great things about travel is how it caters to so many different types of people who all like to travel in their own way.

Whilst some people love the complete freedom of solo travel, others want to share the memories they make with those closest to them such as their friends.

There’s certainly no right or wrong option here, and as we said – travel allows us the chance to choose which style we’re best suited to, so if you’re struggling to decide whether you’d like to travel solo or with friends for your next trip, then we’ve got some useful things to consider from each side coming up in this post for you.

Solo Travel:

Freedom to make your own schedule: Solo travelers mainly love to travel this way because they enjoy the freedom to decide how and where they spend their time. If you’re traveling with a friend or group of friends, you may all have different ideas about how you’d like to spend your time during the trip and this can either mean you have to compromise on something you’d like to do, or it can mean you all go your separate ways for a few hours.

It can be more expensive: As much as there are now a lot more tour companies popping up who are focused on solo travelers, there’s still a lot of price discrimination, so if you’re traveling solo and staying in a hotel, for example, you can often expect to pay a surcharge for the fact that you’re on your own.

You’ll meet new people: Traveling solo doesn’t mean being lonely, and in fact solo travelers are some of the best people you’ll meet. It’s a lot easier to meet other solo travelers when you’re traveling solo than if you’re with a group of friends, and you may also not be so motivated to do so if you already have people to hang around with.

Travel With Friends:

It can be a bit cheaper as a group: When traveling with friends, you’ll be able to split things across the group. This is especially useful when it comes to things like accommodation. For example, if you wanted to book a rental house through a company like Drew Fasy, it’s better when you can go as a group and split the cost. You can also find a lot of tour companies offering discounts on group bookings for things like travel and day trips.

You won’t get lonely: Solo travel can definitely get lonely – especially if you’re quite a shy person, so if this is something that can become an issue for you, then traveling with friends could be a good option.

7 Important Ride Share Tips For Travelers

2019 is set to be a big year for ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft, with more and more of us using these instead of other methods of public transport or driving ourselves. They’re fast, they’re cheap, they’re convenient – what else do you need?

Photo credit

It is important to bear a few specific safety pointers in mind to keep yourself safe before, during and after your journey, particularly if you are traveling in a new area, and in this article, we are going to look at a few of those tips.

1) Let someone else know you are traveling.

When traveling alone, especially at night, share your journey with friends or family, so they know exactly where you are. Send a picture of the registration plate to someone, or if you are using Uber, you can hit the ‘share my ETA’ button, or ‘send ETA’ on Lyft, and it will send a notification to the person you designate. They will then be able to follow your journey on GPS.

2) Keep your personal information to yourself

We are not saying sit in silence for your journey, but be mindful of what information you re sharing with your driver. Don’t give out your address or where you are staying, your phone number or how long you are traveling for, and it’s never a bad idea to let them think someone is expecting you at the other end of the journey!

3) Give feedback

While it doesn’t seem particularly relevant to safety, giving feedback after your journey can be the difference between keeping a lousy driver off the road and a good one on the road.

4) Wear your seatbelt

Just because someone else is driving, it doesn’t mean that you are completely immune to an accident. You should always buckle up – in fact, wearing your seatbelt can also improve your passenger rating on Uber. If you did happen to be in an accident when you are ridesharing, it is essential to find a great lawyer for legal advice.

5) Be Aware Of Your Surroundings

If you’re in an unfamiliar city or area, make sure to track your route on your own maps app to ensure the driver is following the correct course. Try to avoid using rideshares on an evening or night, but if you do need to, try to find out beforehand what businesses and stores are open along the route.

6) Confirm Your Driver and Car Before Getting In

Always confirm the license plate and the name of your driver before getting in – this information is clearly laid out in the app and your booking. As well as keeping you safe, it also prevents you from getting into someone else’s ride in a busy area like an airport. It’s also important to ask the driver the name of the passenger rather than say your name first.

7) Don’t pay cash

Uber and Lyft take money directly from your bank, and there is now the option to tip after the journey through the app, so there is no need to have your purse or wallet out during your ride.

Travel Destinations With Public Transport To Die For

While the notion of public transport isn’t the sexiest, it is one of the most helpful, especially when you’re trying to find your way around a new destination. Quality public transport can often mean the difference between getting the most out of your holiday and failing to do so.

According to the World Economic Forum, a kind of inter-government agency that likes to keep score of how well various countries are doing, some places are a heck of a lot better than others when it comes to getting around on the public dime. No, the USA isn’t among them. Let’s take a look at the top travel destinations with public transportation options to die for.

Austria

Austria .JPG

Wikimedia Blog

Austria, that little landlocked country in the heart of Europe, isn’t the first place you’d think of for having great public transportation. But the country needs it, due to the fact that a lot of its land area is right in the heart of the Alps, one of the most inhospitable places on Earth.

Public transport in Austria isn’t the traditional network of buses and trains (although you can still find these in the country), it’s a series of cable cars and gondolas which open up the mountains that set the country apart. Each year millions of tourists flock to destinations like Mayrhofen, and they rely on being able to take the cable car to enjoy their stay.

Netherlands

Wikipedia

The Netherlands is, in many ways, the complete antithesis of Austria – incredibly flat, and not at all landlocked. According to the World Economic Forum, it ranks an impressive third in the world for its public transport. But do people use a lot of bus accident lawyers here? That’s the interesting thing about the Netherlands: its public transportation is based around its industrial canal system and great ports along the coast. You can get to practically all the major cities by boat, both by public barge, ferry, and private boat.

Singapore

DeviantArt

Over the last four decades, Singapore has experienced something of an economic “miracle.” The Asian city-state was once just as poor as surrounding Malaysia, but thanks to some smart investment projects, it’s managed to supercharge its wealth in an unprecedented way, becoming richer on a per-capita basis than most Western countries.

How did it do it? Scholars have asked the question, and many say that it has to do with the country’s efforts to provide incredible public transport. Like many Asian city-states, Singapore’s wealth is built around its port – which, of course, is one of the best in the world. The city is also crisscrossed by rail and bus networks to rival those of New York and London.

Hong Kong

1600px-gloucester_road,_hong_kong_1

Wikimedia Commons

The World Economic Forum says that Hong Kong has the best public transport infrastructure in the world, meaning that people who go there on vacation will have the easiest time getting around. Incidentally, Hong Kong is ranked 11th in the world for tourism, making the island dependency a double-whammy for people who love to travel. Will you visit this vertical city?

Why You Should Leave The Car At Home When Travelling To Atlanta

With the title ‘city in a forest’, it’s no wonder that many people are flocking to Atlanta to experience many of the wonderful things it has to offer. Having a car is a relatively easy and convenient way of travelling. Aside from walking and public transport, it’s much easier to jump into your car and get from a to b. That is, for day to day use. However, some people choose to take their cars on their travels with them, and today we’re going to give you reasons as to why you shouldn’t take your car with you when you’re planning to travel to Atlanta.

Photo by Alessio Lin on Unsplash

It Can Work Out To Be Very Expensive

When you’re travelling to Atlanta, the costs that you will incur can work out to be more expensive than other forms of travel. While you might be avoiding the cost of a plane ticket, you will be incurring charges such as parking, overseas transport for your car, and even tolls that you may encounter along the way. Did you know that per day, the parking at Atlanta airport is at least $36? This can work out to be just as costly, if not more, than taking other forms of travel to get to your destination. Rather than forking out for these charges, why not take an Atlanta airport shuttle to catch your plane, or even travel by train or boat instead? Not only will you be paying the same, if not less, but you also won’t have to worry about finding a parking space.

Taking Your Car Can Be Stressful

Cost aside, taking your car to Atlanta can work out to be very stressful too. Not only do you have to take into considerations charges for tolls and parking spaces, but you’ll also need to consider any changes that you’ll need to make beforehand. Luckily, Atlanta has an extremely convenient way of travelling that’s also cost-effective. Consider using MARTA as a way of getting around and seeing all of the sights rather than having to worry about where your car is going to go and how much you’ll have to pay for it.

Having Your Car Could Be Risky

It’s important to think about whether you can really trust your car to last the distance of your journey. While your car might be working perfectly now, there’s a chance that it could break down along the way and leave you stranded on options. Could you afford to have your car repaired while you’re on the road? And are you confident that you’ll be able to find a garage or mechanic that’s able to do so?

Taking all of these things into consideration, is it really a good idea to take your car with you? Obviously, the outcomes depend on where you’re travelling to and your reasons for doing so, but consider leaving your car at home and using other forms of transport to save the hassles that could come with it!

Expert Advice For An Exceptional International Excursion

Picture Source

Whether you’re new to exploring or you’re planning yet another crazy trip to foreign shores, there’s always more you could do to ensure that you have a fantastic experience. We’re talking about both the boring side of planning ahead and the exciting things you can do on your actual travels. Maybe you and your friends are eager to take another wild trip to a new place or a familiar destination that you need to revisit. However, before you book a spontaneous flight, here’s some expert advice for an exceptional international excursion. Try saying that after a few drinks.

Research the destination (or destinations) in question.

Boring, right? Well, as mentioned in the introduction, planning ahead is still a crucial part of ensuring you have a fantastic trip. Being spontaneous is fun, but it can also lead to disappointment. After all, you can most likely only afford to travel for a certain amount of time (unless you’re rich or you don’t have to go back to your job). So, you want to make sure you see everything that a certain place has to offer. If you do the boring planning before you travel then you’ll be able to relax and have fun on your trip. And you won’t be worrying about whether you can actually see everything in time.

You should do some online research to find any places that you might not have thought to visit in a particular location. You might even find some hidden gems if you look in the right places. You should check out expertvagabond.com for an expert’s opinion on the best things to do in destinations all over the world. You can avoid wasting time traipsing around a new place by simply finding out what you need to see in the cities or towns you’re planning on exploring. Researching the destination or destinations you plan on visiting could really help you to make the most of your time there.

Travel in exciting ways.

Why travel in an ordinary way? If you want an exceptional international excursion then think outside the box. Maybe you’re going on a trip for a friend’s bachelor party, so you could arrange for a limo to pick you up from the airport. If it’s a romantic trip then you could arrange for a hot air balloon ride to really impress your significant other. As suggested on our website, you could even take a helicopter to reach your intended destination. It doesn’t even need to be a trip you take for a practical purpose. You can take helicopter rides through the Grand Canyon and around the city of London. Transport can do more than simply getting you from point A to point B; it can be a fun way to explore an area from a different perspective. Think outside the box if you want to travel in exciting ways. See? Planning ahead doesn’t always have to be boring.

Picture Source

Plan out a travel playlist.

Whether it’s music for the car during a road trip or music to keep you occupied during a long flight, don’t underestimate the power of a great playlist. As mentioned at wikihow.com, it can make the trip particularly special for you and a partner if you compile a playlist of songs that are meaningful to you and your SO. But it can also be particularly fun for you and a group of friends if you create a hype playlist. A road trip down Route 66 sounds fun, but imagine that same road trip with your favorite tunes blasting out of the speakers.

Preparing for a Road Trip Adventure

california-road-highway-mountains-63324

Image Source

Road trips are experiencing a spike in popularity. This isn’t all too surprising. It’s an extremely liberating way to travel the world and allows you to see all sorts of beautiful scenery and landscapes along the way. However, it’s extremely important that you prioritise your health, safety, and wellbeing at all times when you take to the open road. Here are just a few pieces of advice that can help to improve your journey!

Driving Responsibly

Whenever you take to the road, you need to be a responsible driver. But this takes a little more attention when you are driving in unfamiliar territory. When you are traversing long distances on roads that you haven’t travelled on before, you are going to have to be a lot more vigilant with keeping an eye on street signs, road markings, and lanes. When you conduct a road trip, you are also likely to spend longer periods of time than usual behind the wheel. Stay alert by taking breaks as and when needed. You could also consider partnering up with someone else who can drive during your trip, which will allow you to share driving responsibilities with someone else.

Knowing What to Do in an Incident

If you spend more time on the roads, you are more likely to witness or be involved in some sort of road incident. It’s important that you know what to do if you do find yourself in a road accident of any sort. The first step that you need to take is to stop your vehicle. Then check whether you are well and uninjured. If you aren’t injured, check everyone else involved. If you or anyone else is injured, call for medical assistance. You may want to seek legal help for car crash victims down the line. If nobody is injured, exchange insurance details and take photographs of any damage to the vehicles involved.

Avoiding Hitchhikers

It’s relatively easy to understand why some people choose to pick up hitchhikers. They tend to be relatively vulnerable looking individuals who simply want to get from A to B. Generally, they have no other means of getting around and many people consequently take pity on them and take it upon themselves to reduce the distance that they have to walk by picking them up and dropping them off along the route they’re already travelling. If you are travelling alone, a hitchhiker might also seem like welcome company and conversation. However, by picking up hitchhikers, you place yourself in an extremely vulnerable situation. You, too, will be in a confined space with an absolute stranger. You can never truly know that this individual is going to be a good person with no bad intentions. Generally speaking, it’s best to avoid picking up hitchhikers at all costs.

These are just a few different pieces of advice to bear in mind when preparing your next road trip adventure!

Mamma Mia! Fall In Love With Italy

Have you been thinking about taking a European mini break sometime soon? Or maybe you want to spend longer in this part of the world so that you have enough time to explore its wonders?

There are lots of impressive regions and countries to visit in Europe, but there is a reason why Italy is the most-visited one there is – it’s a simply stunning country with a fascinating history and culture. Not only that, though, but it has some truly delicious cuisine and local specialities. Whether you want to enjoy a short city break or spend a couple of weeks lounging by a pool or on the beach, Italy is most certainly the place for you!

Once you’ve made up your mind about an Italian vacation, you need to then whittle down its many areas and cities to decide where you want to go. Unfortunately, there are so many amazing options, you might be a little spoiled for choice! Here are some of Italy’s best destinations; hopefully, this quick roundup can help you decide.

Rome

Rome

There’s no wonder many tourists head straight for Rome, the country’s gorgeous capital city. There are hundreds of historical sights and attractions dotted around the city, including the Roman Forum, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Trevi Fountain. To make sure you see as many as possible, you might want to book a couple of the various Rome tours that take tourists to the main points of interest. When you aren’t doing the sights, you should spend some time wandering around the historic streets of Rome and take in some of the stunning Renaissance architecture.

Milan

Milan

If you love fashion and shopping, then you should spend a few nights in Milan. It’s Italy’s home of fashion, and you will find a lot of trendy independent boutiques as well as big designer brands, such as Gucci and Prada. For the ultimate shopping experience, be sure to visit the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, which is one of the most famous shopping malls in the world. Of course, you don’t have to stick to shopping during your Milan trip. You can also visit the Sforza Castle and the grand Teatro alla Scala theater

Venice

One of the most visited cities in the world, Venice is a favorite of travelers and tourists alike. You will be able to enjoy a lazy day relaxing on a gondola as you sail along one of the city’s many canals. In fact, those canals have been created from the lagoon that the city was originally built upon. Over a hundred islands make up Venice, and it is well worth doing a spot of island hopping to explore as much as possible. Be sure to check out the St. Mark Basilica as it makes a great location for some vacation photos. Doge’s Palace is a gothic-style museum that overlooks the water and is a great way to spend a few hours.

Naples

Naples

If “eating a lot of pizza” is near the top of your Italian to-do list, then you absolutely have to go to the city of Naples. This is the home of the traditional Neapolitan pizza, which is arguably the best kind of pizza you can get in the whole of Italy. Once you’ve had your fill, you could visit the impressive Royal Palace of Naples. It’s also worth taking a day trip out of the city to Mount Vesuvius. Lots of organized tours take tourists to the dormant volcano to hike up to the top. Naples is also quite close to the ancient city of Pompeii. The city was devastated after Mount Vesuvius erupted but it, and most of its inhabitants, have been preserved for hundreds of years under layers of ash.

Lake Como

The Italian Lake District

If you take a trip up to the north of the country, you will come across the Italian Lake District. This is where you will find the famous Lake Como, which is known for its gorgeous crystal-clear waters and mountain views. There will be plenty of hiking opportunities around the lake, and many tourists also choose to take a boat ride out onto the water. While you are in this region, be sure to visit the well-maintained public gardens that line most of the lake. Lake Garda is another popular stop-off for tourists, as this is where you will find fantastic mountain biking opportunities and plenty of water sport activities as well.

Sicily

Sicily is easy to spot on a map as it is the large island that looks like it is being “kicked” by Italy. It’s the biggest Mediterranean island, so you can imagine just how much to see and do there is! You’ll be able to walk to the Valle dei Templi, which is one of the island’s most notable archeological sites. The island is also home to Mount Etna, another volcano that you will be able to hike up to. If you would rather spend your time in Italy relaxing, you will be happy to know that Sicily has some beautiful beaches. To team history and relaxation, you should visit Licata so that you can wander around the historic port when you are bored of sunbathing.

Tuscany

Tuscany

Tuscany is known for its rural areas, but don’t worry if you would rather sample some city living. The capital of this region is Florence, and there’s plenty of culture and fun to be had there! When you are ready to see the gorgeous Tuscan countryside, you should take a trip to Cortona. This small town is situated right on the side of a hill and benefits from some truly inspiring views. You might also want to visit La Verne, which was the quiet retreat of St. Francis. You can pay homage to the saint or simply visit the busy Franciscan monastery that is still present on the site.

As you can see, there are some really fantastic places to visit while you are in Italy. In fact, there are so many, you might want to organize a road trip around the country to fit in as much as possible!

Top US Hiking Destinations For an Outdoor Adventure

If the varied and undulating terrain of the US is calling your name, then you must be a fan of the great outdoors. And from east coast to west of the United States of America, there are a variety of great places to visit for a walking or outdoor adventure vacation. It isn’t all about Route 66 and the ‘typical’ tourist spots. So where will it be to next? Here are some of the best places to take a walking vacation in the good ol’ USA.

image

Glacier National Park, Montana

If you are looking for a place that is pretty far away from the bright lights and busyness of a city, then Glacier National Park is one of the top spots. It has over 700 miles of walking trails, mixed with lakes, glaciers, and everything in between. As such, you’ll need to make sure that you’ve got all of the right equipment for your walk. So it can be worth looking online to find out more about the kind of clothing you’d need to pack for a hiking or climbing trip. The park is full of wildlife as well, and you may spot elk, wild goats, and even grizzly bear.

Yosemite, California

There are plenty of popular trails in the Yosemite Park, but with it being so huge, you are likely to not bump into too many people. So make sure that you have a route planned out or that you bring a map and a compass. It is one of the most stunning places in the us, though, with the famous (and huge) redwood trees. It is breathtaking!

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Can a list about walking trails in the US be complete without the mention of the Grand Canyon? I think not. But it does deserve its place here as it is a fantastic destination for an outdoor adventure or walking vacation. There are miles and miles to hike with varying levels of challenge too. The south rim is simpler and more popular, but the north rim has the more challenging Kaibab Trail.

Lake Tahoe, Nevada/California Border

Lake Tahoe, as the name suggests, is a large lake full of panoramic views and plenty of walks. It is a fairly flat area so is popular with families, beginners to hiking, cyclists, and even runners. There are some treks like Eagle Rock and the Mount Tallac Trail, but they are both pretty steady, with Eagle Rock only being half a mile to the summit. And be sure to visit in the sun for the walks, as it is all about skiing or snowshoeing in the winter months.

Canyonlands National Park, UtahThe red rocks of the Utah based National Park is a must for hikers as it is such a stunning place to walk. There are plenty of National Parks in Utah to choose from, but Canyonlands is one of the top ones. It was made famous by the ‘127 Hours’ book and movie, where a man was trapped in the Blue John Canyon in the Canyonlands National Park.

A Getaway To The Gateway City! Exploring St. Louis

st-louis-996718_1280

Sometimes, with all of the advice out there to live like a local when you head into a specific destination, you actually want to appreciate the amazing aspects of a chosen place only, not the warts and all parts! Sometimes the option to be a tourist can throw up so many wonderful experiences that you’re better off putting your tourist cap on. St. Louis is one of those places that seems purpose-built for tourism, especially when you really delve deep. So, let’s have a look at what we can really do.

Head Up The Gateway Arch

You can’t talk about St. Louis without mentioning this world famous monument. If you’re feeling particularly brave, you can take a ride up this 630-foot structure and look at St. Louis like a bird in the sky. Naturally, if you’re not so keen on heights, this may not be a big draw, but you can head to the nearby Jefferson National Expansion Memorial and see where Lewis and Clark set off on their cruise down the Mississippi river!

Feeling Sociable?

If you’re looking for a night, as with anywhere, you are spoilt for choice. But what do you really want from the tourist side of things? There are plenty of escape rooms in St. Louis, such as Mastermind Room Escape or Escape The Room, but if you’re looking for a more relaxing evening with music and bars, you can head to the ballpark village St. Louis for some sports-themed entertainment. If food and drink is more your style, there are plenty of restaurants that serve fresh Asian cuisine, like Lonas Lil Eats, or if you’re wanting more traditional Italian fare, you can head to the Hill neighborhood which is famous for Italian cuisine. If you’ve got the delectable sweet tooth, frozen custard at Ted Drewes will provide you with the most exquisite brain freeze!

For The People Craving Some Education…

Being a tourist is about learning a little something about the place. Luckily in St. Louis you’ve got plenty of options. You can head to the Museum Of Contemporary Religious Art which, as the name suggests, provides plenty of religious iconography. If you are keen to ingratiate yourself with the religious side of things, you could head to the National Shrine Of Our Lady Of The Snow and attend mass (as well as get something tasty in your stomach). And if religion isn’t your thing, you can head to the Saint Louis Science Center and experience the planetarium and go through time at the Omnimax theater, as well as seeing up close and personal a life-size tyrannosaurus rex. Be careful, this is animatronic and will move, so if you’ve got children of a sensitive disposition, be careful.

For a luxurious experience of Middle America, St. Louis has more than we can list here. But when you are looking to get a feel for the place, you don’t always have to treat it as if you’re a local. Get some knowledge of the big tourist attractions and you will be surprised as to how much you and your family will enjoy the place, and feel none of those famous “Saint Louis Blues”!