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December 4, 2018 by Chase Vandros

Travel to Learn: What Solo Travel Can Teach Us

Traveling can be pretty daunting as you will be filled with questions and worries being away from the comfort of your home. From you will return alone late at night from a club, or how uneasy will it be to eat alone in a restaurant to how you will pull your car out of the ditch or what if you get lost because two minds indeed work better than one, solo traveling can quite stingingly plague the minds before the first trip.

Is skipping solo travel worth all the worries?

The important question is; are all these questions worrying enough to skip traveling solo because of the lack of a traveling partner. A series of rewarding and life-changing experiences and memories will be bared behind if you do that. Sure, you will have to be extra alert while going out alone at night in a foreign country, or to be safe in an area known for pick-pocketing, but isn’t it good that you be careful even if you are traveling with a friend or a whole group?

Is loneliness even an issue?

Another central stigma around traveling independently is loneliness. Even introverts worry about being homesick, however, traveling alone doesn’t necessarily means you have to be alone or feel lonely. If you are traveling for volunteer work, you can choose to go with a group of participants and make some of the best friends you have ever had, or if you are just traveling to feed your lust for wandering around, you will find so many fellow tourists in your dorm, or even choose to live with locals so you don’t have to be alone and learn the culture, traditions, and religions of your localhost. You can learn to enjoy your own company if you are all by yourself, meditate, let go, be completely and irrevocably free.

Trails and tales of independent travelers

Millions of solo travelers have taken Thailand flights, leaving behind the comforts of their houses to find comfort in the soul by running through running through Thailand’s rainforests or spending early morning meditating in temples. Banana pancake trail is quite a famous backpacker route for all of you who want to loop around the islands, forests, waterfalls, and beaches that have the memories of thousands of independent travelers that have taken steps on the grounds.

You learn to be independent

Even if you are a grown up, how many times can you remember to have taking care of every traveling essential all by yourself? How many times have your mother not asked you if you have your passport and airline ticket with you or your assistant or co-worker have made sure you do have your passport? And you know if they hadn’t asked you or made sure, you might have lost it? Going solo will teach you how to manage the details all by yourself and to be aware of my things you wouldn’t be if you travel with your friends or family because you have them to depend on. The freedom and being independent is a thrill that allows you to do what to do whenever you want to.

You learn the sense of direction

You might be scared to hike through Thailand’s rainforests alone because you are bad at navigating your way. Especially when you are traveling alone, you are put to test is the only navigator. You learn to be a little more alert and aware of your surroundings.

You hear your inner voice in the silence

Imagine all the fans are off in a cold house and you can hear the clock tick-tocking hitting the four wooden walls in the eerie silence. That is exactly how the inner voice work. Being alone in a secluded forest will not only allow you to hear your thoughts but heighten them to the point where you can shut and twist them however you want to. You will understand and learn about the world from a whole another perspective and let you dig deeper into your soul. This can also improve your mental health.

Traveling to countries which focus on meditation and religious rituals such as Thailand, India, and China where Yoga retreats, spiritual healers, massage, hiking, and meditations will all help you relax and open the gateway to the third eye. When your thoughts are racing and you zone out of your physical surroundings, you can’t really command yourself to stop fretting over regrets of past and worries of what is to happen next, but you can tell it to focus on what is in front of you. Positive thoughts are a game-changer and so is breathing out your worries. Especially when you have an amazing mountain view in front of you.

Learn to go with the flow

Your main goal of traveling solo is to establish this connection with nature, God, and inner realm and to search for as many secrets of the world as possible. When you are traveling solo, you are your own decision maker and you don’t have to worry about your friend who doesn’t want to share a hotel bed with you. Alone, you can stay and go anywhere you want to. You can literally sleep a night on a hammock. Meeting people from all phases of life and discovering places and foods tends to relax you in a way no antidepressant can. You will learn to be tolerant and to compromise and accept life throws your way.

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November 17, 2018 by Chase Vandros

3 Holiday Gifts For The Traveller In Your Life

When it comes to holiday shopping, some people can seem to be so difficult to shop for. You look at them, and it seems like they have everything they need or could want. And if you ask them what they would like, they claim that you already know what they want, or to surprise them. Unfortunately, this only makes the decision more difficult.

This holiday season, don’t get caught just buying gift cards for the adventurer in your life, as more often than not they won’t use them. Instead, get them one of these three travel-appropriate gifts.

A First-Aid Kit

What is one thing that everyone – not just travelers – could use? An amazing first-aid kit. Everyone gets a few bumps and bruises just doing everyday normal things, but someone who is exploring the world probably ends up with more scraps then others.

Adventure Medical Kits has some amazing first aid/medical kits that can be used for travelling in North America and abroad, as well as a dental kit in the event that your love one suffers a tooth-related problem on the road. This gift will not only keep your loved one safe in moments of emergency, but also offer them some much needed peace of mind while jet-setting.

Merino Wool Clothing

If your loved one travels to places with varying climates, and could use some multi-purpose clothing, then Merino wool is the perfect holiday gift for them. Merino wool is some of the warmest, most breathable material available, and can go for weeks without being washed, making it incredibly popular with travelers.

In wet or hot climates, the fabric works like gangbusters: it regulates the wearers body temperature in hot or cold weather, and the clothes dry really quickly, so the wearer isn’t stuck in wet, soggy, and uncomfortable clothing. For Merino Wool clothing options, go for the Unbound Merino brand, since they specifically make their clothes for travellers.

Traveler’s Insurance

One present that the traveller in your life may overlook (though will absolutely need) is traveller’s insurance. People don’t really think about needing extra insurance when they are travelling, either because they already have existing health insurance, or they may not even know that insurance for travelers exists.

Traveler’s insurance isn’t only beneficial to the thrill-seeker or extreme traveller – an incident could happen anywhere and a bit of extra insurance could save your loved one from paying a lot extra out of pocket. For a list of reviews and types of travel insurance, check out this website.

Whoever the traveler in your life is, and wherever they allow their adventures to take them, don’t think you can’t give them a gift they will appreciate. An up-to-date medical or first aid kit, comfortable Merino wool clothing or even traveler’s insurance could be the thing they are waiting for, but don’t think to buy for themselves. Next time, hopefully, you won’t be so quick to grab a travel mug, world atlas or gift card for your traveling loved one – you’ll get them one of these thoughtful gifts.

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September 28, 2018 by Chase Vandros

The Best Travel-Friendly Swimwear

Swimsuits are a travel essential- whether you’re traveling in summer or winter you are pretty much guaranteed to need a swimsuit along some leg of your journey. But we don’t want just any swimsuit. It needs to be comfortable, lightweight, and great for tanning and traveling. We think we’ve found the perfect travel-friendly swimwear thanks to the company CoolTanⓇ and their incredible line of TanThrough swimwear.

The secret to getting an amazing tan with CoolTan’s suits is their use of specially formulated Microsol V fabric. This fabric is specially knitted to create millions of tiny pores, which work to let in approximately half the sun’s rays to get you a tan about as fast as you would with a medium level sunscreen. Plus, being able to tan right through your suit means you no longer have to use sticky and streaky tanning lotions, or have to deal with annoying tan lines. Getting a tan can be as easy as walking along the beach, going boating, or even just lazing by the pool. The unique fabric also allows water and air to flow right through the suit, keeping you nice and cool while also drying up to 3x faster than normal fabric. This makes it the perfect option for traveling because you won’t have to wait around for your suit to dry all day before being able to pack it back in your bag. The moisture-wicking fabric is also great at keeping you nice and comfortable throughout your trip, allowing your skin to breathe and making it so you don’t have to sit around in a soaking wet swimsuit.

CoolTan’s swimsuits are machine washable, making them super easy to keep clean and get out all that salt and sand to prolong the life of your suit. They are also durably stitched so they will last longer than normal suits that may fall apart after only a few uses.

CoolTan also has a line of TanThrough shirts available that make it even easier to get a tan when you can’t lay around on the beach all day or are just going about your day or travels. Their TanThrough shirts also contain that Microsol fabric that lets in the sun while functioning like a medium level sunscreen, no more farmer’s tan required.

CoolTan has a variety of colors, sizes, and styles to choose from including monokinis and 1-pieces, string and halter bikinis for women and everything from briefs to board shorts for men. Their line of TanThrough shirts has a variety of styles including polos and V-necks to suit all your activities and make a great option for traveling. We highly recommend checking out CoolTan to see just how easy it is to get a tan and to give the perfect travel-friendly swimsuits and shirts a try!

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September 17, 2018 by Chase Vandros

Managing Flight Delays: What You Need to Know about Compensation

Flight delays are a frustrating experience for anyone to have.

Whether you’re travelling across the world to meet a client and grow your business, or you’re heading out on holiday with your family, the last thing you want to do is spend several hours sitting in a terminal when you’re supposed to be in the air.

Unfortunately, flight delays do happen – and they happen quite regularly. Issues with the weather, problems with staffing and a host of other issues can cause delays to happen on an almost daily basis. The best thing you can do to make sure that you’re prepared is ensure that you know the details on flight delays before you start your trip.

Here’s what you need to know about delays and compensation.

What are the Rules Around Flight Delays

So, what are the rules around getting compensation for your flight delays?

Ultimately, if you’re flying from an EU airport, landing at an EU airport, or travelling with an airline in the European Union, then you should be entitled under compensation according to Regulation 261. However, this rule only applies if you have been delayed by more than 3 hours. Importantly, the time that you arrive at your destination has to be three hours later than it was meant to be.

Simply setting off from your destination three hours after schedule isn’t enough, as some airlines can take shorter routes to reduce the travel time. Additionally, the flight that you are claiming compensation for will also need to have been delayed or cancelled for a reason that wasn’t the fault of the airline.

Keeping you Comfortable: Beyond Compensation

As a passenger on a delayed flight, you’ll be eligible to more than just compensation when you arrive home in the right circumstances. In many cases, the airline must also provide you with drink and food appropriate to the time of day in question. This generally means that you’ll get a voucher for your lunch which you can use to keep your family comfortable, hydrated, and fed while you wait for the next leg of your journey.

For overnight delays, you may also find that your airline can provide you with accommodation at a nearby hotel, as well as transportation to reach your hotel. When there is a major disruption, the staff responsible for serving you might tell you to go and stay at a hotel and claim for compensation when you get back. If this is the case, remember that your airline won’t agree to pay for an expensive hotel, unless you can prove that there was no other alternative available.

Times You Won’t be Eligible for Compensation

There are plenty of instances in which you should be eligible for compensation after a delayed or cancelled flight. However, there are also situations where you’ll simply have to deal with the frustration of your delay. For instance, compensation isn’t payable in the event of an extraordinary circumstance when it comes to flight delays.

In simple terms, this means that if your airline can prove that your delay was caused by something that was outside of their control, like a security issue, a natural disaster or extreme weather conditions, then you won’t get compensation. Ultimately, airlines can’t be expected to pay for problems that they can’t control.

Most things in the control of your airline, including issues with staffing, or technical problems that could have been prevented with better care and attention will not fall into the category of extraordinary circumstances. You can also consider appealing a claim of extraordinary circumstances made by your airline if you believe that the delay was their fault.

Make Sure You’re Informed

Ultimately, while a flight delay or cancellation is always a stressful experience, you’ll find that you have a much better time knowing that you have your rights and opportunities for compensation ahead of you. Before you go on any trip, make sure that you read up on the nature of compensation for your flight, and how you can prepare for a delay.

The more you know about your airline’s policies, the better off you’ll be when something goes wrong. It’s also worth making a note of the airline’s number or downloading any apps it might have so you can contact customer service as quickly as possible when you find out about a delay. Waiting to speak to someone at the airport can be a time-consuming and frustrating process, as there are a lot of passengers to deal with.

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September 7, 2018 by Chase Vandros

4 Family Friendly Places to Visit in New Zealand

New Zealand is the ultimate destination for families. It’s kid-friendly and safe everywhere- which is great since there are tons of attractions for families to choose from. New Zealand has lots of fun activities and once-in-a-lifetime adventures to offer. Though there are plenty of family-friendly places in New Zealand, the following destinations are the most popular ones.

Central North Island

The Central North Island has some of the most picturesque locations in New Zealand. The Hobbiton Movie Set is one of the most popular tourist spots in this area. If you’re a nature lover, you’ll definitely appreciate Rotorua, which is a volcanic playground surrounded with stunning natural hot springs and relaxing mud baths. Various adventure activities are also available at Rotorua. Kids will enjoy a visit to the Agrodome where they can feed different animals and experience what it’s like to work on a real farm. Visiting the Mitai Maori Village can help you learn about the village’s interesting indigenous culture. You’ll be travelling with your family so you must keep all your bags intact, since lost luggage can ruin a vacation.

Auckland

Auckland is New Zealand’s modern paradise. One of the most exciting activities to enjoy in this destination is taking the ferry to experience the beauty of the stunning gulf islands. One of them is the Waiheke Island where you can enjoy stunning beaches that will ease any tension you may be carrying. There are so many cafes to try in this island. Kids will surely enjoy Auckland’s Butterfly Creek where not just butterflies, but different animals can be observed. It also has a Buttermilk Farm and Dinosaur Kingdom for kids to enjoy. Auckland also has lots of beautiful playgrounds where kids can roam around and just experience simple joys all throughout the day. Finally, your family can go on a unique adventure by climbing an inactive volcano in Auckland.

Hokianga

Hokianga is another great destination for your family. Its temperature is perfect for taking a dip on its clear waters and spending the entire day just relaxing on the beach. The giant kauri trees on the west coast are also something to look forward to. One awesome activity in this beach destination is sand boarding the sand dunes that go as high as 300 meters. If you’re lucky, you can even get a glimpse of orcas and dolphins roaming underneath the beach. There are lots of fun activities that you can enjoy in Hokianga. Each member of your family will surely find an activity that is suitable for them. But don’t forget to be responsible while enjoying nature. Wherever you may go, always make it a point to leave no trace behind and protect the ocean.

Queenstown and Arrowtown

Queenstown and Arrowtown are perfect places to take in the beauty of nature and have a relaxing but equally fulfilling adventure in New Zealand. You can take your whole family on a trip to Queenstown’s Gondola to get a phenomenal view of the stunning mountains. The main fun activity in these locations is going on a picnic during a warm, autumn day. There are lots of exciting activities in Queenstown, including going on short hikes, renting a bike, walking by the lakeside, and exploring markets. For sporty people, there’s also a golf course around the area. This place is definitely a perfect destination for families. A relaxing trip with picturesque views is an absolutely great way to bond with your family.

New Zealand is one of the best places to enjoy with your whole family. It’s a beautiful paradise especially for nature lovers. Exploring New Zealand can be a great bonding activity with your family.