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February 6, 2019 by Chase Vandros

Winter Driving Tips to Keep You Safe

Driving an automobile is an activity that takes focus and a seriousness to be a good driver. When you drive you, your passengers, others on the road and pedestrians depend on you observing the rules of the road to ensure that you are doing all you can to be safe.

The road is for everyone but only licensed drivers can drive an automobile. When they do, they need to always be aware of how quickly situations on the road can change. It could be an impaired driver, one who is distracted, a faulty automobile or even a natural disaster that occurs and all of a sudden what was true a second ago is no longer the case and there is an emergency.

There are also the road and weather conditions to contend with as well. During the warmer months, road and weather conditions are at their best and unless there is something on the road causing it to be unusually slick or rough or that there is a freak rainstorm, generally the conditions of the road and weather do not impair your ability to drive well.

However the colder months and particularly winter are a different story. In these months weather and road conditions will often drastically modify how you should drive.

Increase Your Stopping Distances

At 30 mph on a normal road, your normal car’s stopping distance is approximately 23 meters. At 50 mph the stopping distance is 53 meters, and at 70 mph the distance is 96 meters. However when the weather turns bad these stopping distances dramatically increase. For instance, in wet weather stopping distances get longer the faster you go. On a wet road the stopping distance at 50 mph is 106 meters and at 70 mph it is 146 meters. Perhaps the most surprising fact is how long it takes to stop on icy roads. In these conditions it can take a car up to ten time the stopping distance for ti to come to a rest. A car going only 20 mph will take only 12 meters to stop on a dry and normal road while one on ice will take 126 meters and astoundingly, a car going 70 mph that takes 96 meters to stop will take approximately 771 meters to stop on an icy and wet road. With these n mind it is very important to slow down and to give yourself vastly increased stopping distances in order to keep yourself and others safe.

Make Sure Your Car is Serviced Properly

Another very important thing for you to do in the winter months is to make sure that your car is serviced properly. During the winter, your car will be called on to perform at its most challenged. You need to make sure that every system and part is in its best condition. You should look to have the battery, electrical system, fluid levels, hoses and brakes checked. And don’t forget to check the types because they are most important on winter roads. Also if your car is 3 years or older it will need to undergo MOT testing. Use one of the top car service center KwikFit for your car MOT. This will insure that your car is prepared for driving on the winter roads.

Be Cautious

One of the most important things you can do when driving in the winter is to remain vigilant and cautious. You should always be safe when there is a question about a particular road situation. Drive slower and do not take any unnecessary chances. This will get you and your passengers to your destination safely.

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February 4, 2019 by Chase Vandros

Best Ways to Discover Rome

The Eternal City is one of the dreamiest destinations on the planet. There is just so much to see and do it’s almost impossible to fully explore everything the city has to offer. There are countless possibilities in Rome, and everything you see is more unique and memorable than the last. It’s a city that’s ripe with history, culture, fashion, architecture, and so much more. If you want to fully discover everything Rome has to offer, then you better be prepared to spend some time in this wonderful city. Not that you’ll complain though, because it’ll be a fantastic time spent.

Take a food tour

A food tour is definitely one of the best ways to discover any place, and Rome is no exception. Italian food is one of the most popular cuisines for a reason, and Rome is its center. There are a lot of food tours you can opt in for to discover the best food places in Rome. You can even fully customize your tour and select exactly what you want to see in the tour. It’s fully private, so it’ll only be you and people you chose to go on the tour with. The tours are always organized by locals, and only they can truly make you appreciate just how wonderful true Italian food really is.

See a 2000 year old pyramid

On first glance it might appear like this pyramid is a fake, and that it’s something much more recent and made to evoke the old ages of Rome. However, the truth is exactly the opposite. Around 2000 years ago Emperor Aurelian built a boundary wall, and it’s on this wall that the pyramid is attached to. It was meant to be a fashionable statement of sorts, and to be used as a resting grounds for Gaius Cestius who was a Roman magistrate at the time. The Egyptian style was entirely deliberate, however, and it was meant to introduce Ancient Romans to Egyptian relics of the time.

Explore the street art

One thing that’s rarely mentioned about Rome is its thriving street art scene. There are so many street artists who have created masterpieces in plain sight that the city is entirely colorful. There is no one single place to view street art in Rome, however, because there are several neighborhoods that are awash with street art. Pigneto and Quadraro are two districts that are slightly away from the general tourist routes that are fully worth the time it takes to explore their street art. Arguably, the most famous spot for street art in Rome is Ostiense. It really looks wonderful, because there’s a lot of wonderful street art on practically every corner. There is even a building entirely covered by street art.

Walk Along the Appian Way

The days of Ancient Rome are definitely the most known thing about the city of today. There are a lot of attractions that are practically entirely intact, but few can match the spirit of Via Appia. It used to be a highway of Ancient Rome that connected it to many of its outer settlements. Although it was used the most by the military, it was still a popular road at the time. Walking along it feels like you’ve been transported back in time, as the highway is surprisingly well preserved. Make sure to experience this road on fine weather, because that’s when it shines the most.

Visit the National Museum of Contemporary Art

Sometimes it’s difficult to separate Ancient Rome from modern Rome. However, Rome of today is just as impressive and wonderful as it was back then. Contemporary art plays a huge role in this, because Rome never stopped creating and producing art in its entire history. Maxxi is the first national museum in Italy dedicated strictly to contemporary art. The building itself is worth just as much as the breathtaking collection of art pieces that are no older than the 1900s. It’s entirely worth a visit, and it’s a spot that just teems with the Roman spirit.

Experience the steps of the Roman Gladiators

Gladiators and their matches are one of the most popular things about Ancient Roman history. They faced perils practically on a daily basis, and all of them hope that once they emerged in the Coliseum they would leave victorious. You can fully explore the passages that led from the Coliseum’s underworks to the main arena, which are some of the most well preserved parts of the entire building. That’s because they were filled in the 5^th century AD, and were unearthed centuries later. It’s one of the most mystical and ominous parts of the Coliseum, and entirely worth a visit.

Rome is a beautiful city, from top to bottom. It’s one of the most visited cities on the planet for a reason. Everyone deserves to be there at least once in their lives, as it’s a very recommended destination for a visit.

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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.