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February 14, 2019 by Chase Vandros

Preserving Your Travelling Memories

One of the hardest things about coming back from a holiday is that all those great experiences become memories which face all too soon. You can only tell your travel adventure stories so many times before it will start annoying people, so how can you keep all those precious moments fresh in your mind?

To that end we’ve put together a little list of a few possible solutions for exactly that problem, easy ways to insert those memories in your day to day life without being intrusive, but invaluable for beating those post holiday blues. Some suitable for work, some for home, but all of them will be perfect for giving you a little pick me up when it seems like you’ve spent too long on home ground and your feet are starting to get itchy again.

Create a Custom Screensaver

With everyone using digital cameras these days, everything is on your computer. All your images and videos from your trips, waiting to remind you of all the good times. One huge benefit of this is how easily you can then create yourself a custom slideshow screensaver on your computer, at home or at work, of all your favourite holiday shots. Whenever you pop away from the desk for a quick coffee break or lunch, you’ll be greeted by your favourite snaps, which will be a great little reminder of things to come. It can also be a good conversation starter if you’re new in the office or haven’t made any connections yet, as people might see they’ve been to the same place as you and there is nothing quite as good for a conversation as a shared experience.

Go Old School with a Photo Album

The one very small downside to digital, is there is no physical copy of your photos as there used to be with film. You can get past that very easily though with any number of photo printing services. A lot of places do it in store, or you could pick out the shots you like and email them off to a service that will then post the end result to you. Then just find yourself a nice photo album, fill it up with your favourites and you’ve got a great coffee table conversation starter, which also keeps your travel memories fresh.

Create a Canvas Print Collage

Another way to use printed digital photos is to find a few of your best and order a canvas photo collage. You’ll get a super high quality canvas print over a wooden frame, all ready to be hung up on a wall in a visible spot. Hang it somewhere you’ll see it often, and never worry about your holiday memories fading.

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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 5th 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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December 4, 2018 by Chase Vandros

A Guide to Shopping Ethically While Traveling on a Budget

They say to travel is to live because traveling lets us explore the beauty of the world. Traveling is not only about sightseeing, but it’s also a way of life, exploring, finding the missing pieces of your soul and replacing what you thought was a void in there, with the crash course of learning new customs, cultures, people, and places.

Some backpackers find museums, monuments, art, scenic landscapes, and traditional cuisine the best and surest way to experience the true essence of a country, but people who love to shop, find that shopping, especially buying something that’s particular to the local area, a souvenir, is the paramount way of exploring and taking in the core of the place. Whether it be a designer bag from France, a carpet or rug from Turkey, a kimono from Japan, or an oud from Dubai, what is better than bargaining at vendors and stalls in a local bazaar, or browsing and handpicking the famous handicrafts of the particular city of the country?

Shopping for a souvenir

Can you imagine going to Milan, Paris, Dubai, or Singapore and not putting thoughts into shopping for something spectacular that is special about that place, whether it be a keepsake you can hold onto a memory or just a new pair of glasses or shoes for yourself and your family back home? Thousands of people take Dream world Travel flights every year to travel for shopping alone, especially in time for Christmas, and New Year’s etc., shopping can be one of the best parts of a vacation.

These local things bought from famous bazaars or markets will not only remind you the most of your trip once you are back home but also are quite cheaper than going to a retail markup and local brands.

Shopping for a keepsake

More than any other souvenir, keepsakes are what will remind you the most about the trip once you’re back at home. Plus products made locally, especially if bought directly from the artisan, may be much cheaper because of the lack of the import taxes, and retail markups. Where shopping can be quite an exciting experience while traveling, being on a budget and having your heart set out on spending some time shopping can be quite daunting. However, you can make this experience quite exciting and rewarding. Just find cheaper places that aren’t a sea of knock-offs to haul around tourists. Listed down are some great tips on how to shop ethically, exploring and experiencing the essence of the place, while being on a budget.

Ask the locals

The best way of doing it like the locals is by asking the locals how they do it. Whether it be good local food or best shopping places, they know the best of it all.

Say no to chain stores

You have had your eyes on that Mikael Kors bag or a Versace shirt from your bucket list, and you think the best time to buy it is on your vacation in Italy because it is going to be different than in New York or London. However, the prices will be just as high, and, chances are, can be even higher because of the exchange rates. The prices of all the items of a brand are the same everywhere, whether it be in Spain or your hometown.

Do your research

Make sure what you are buying is original and genuine. Even if you have spared some money off your budget to buy those amazing china dinner set or beautiful Turkish handicrafts, how would you know if the market or the stall you are at, are selling the original and genuine items? By spending some time researching, even if that particular market is famous for that particular item. Again, go back to the first tip and ask a local Japanese where can you can get the best kimono and what are the places you should steer clear of?

Local markets and bazaars

Local markets and bazaars are probably the best way to experience the true essence of a particular place without breaking your bank. One of the best local markets are such as souvenirs, however, make sure they aren’t selling knockoffs, and handicrafts markets so you get to learn the culture and traditions of a place by exploring their arts and crafts. For example, some countries are famous for their textile production, some of their incredibly beautiful handwoven or embroidered crafts. In such markets, you will also get to meet people who will tell you historical stories about each item they will show or sell to you, making it one of the best way to immerse in the culture of that particular country.

Don’t be afraid to negotiate

The best thing about these local markets and bazaars is how you can negotiate and bargain your way into no0t exceeding your budget. Learn by watching a local do it!

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November 3, 2018 by Chase Vandros

5 Urban Parks You Need To Explore This Fall

Fall colors aren’t far away, even if your fall travel plans stick to major cities. Across Canada and the U.S., there’s an abundance of urban parks where you can escape into nature and enjoy the sights, smells, and sounds of fall. When you’re traveling this fall, don’t miss five of the best urban parks in North America.

#1 Parc du Mont-Royal, Montreal

If your traveling to Quebec this fall, expect to see the kind of dazzling fall colors that sends thousands of people to Maine. At the heart of Montreal rises an impressive hill called Mont-Royal, topped with an illuminated cross and proudly showing off red, orange, and yellow foliage between the skyscrapers in this time of year. Designed by Frederick Olmsted, the same man who designed New York’s Central Park, Mont-Royal has beautiful wooded foot trails that lead to the hill-top chalet and an impressive promontory where you get a great view of the skyline.

#2 Forest Park, Portland

At over 5,100 acres, Portland, Oregon’s Forest Park is the largest wooded urban park in the U.S.A. There are plenty of great urban parks in Portland, but Forest Park is the crown jewel and a gift to nature lovers in the Pacific Northwest. There are 70 miles of trails, but the park is completely within city limits and located only 10 minutes from downtown Portland. It’s an incredible place to forget you’re in the city at all.

#3 Don Valley Trail, Toronto

Toronto may not have the hills of San Francisco or a mountain in the middle of the city like Montreal but look below street level and you can find wilderness that will make you feel miles away from the subway. A huge system of natural ravines cuts through Toronto. Some are small and hidden away, others occupy huge parts of the city, like the Don Valley Trail. Enter through Chorley Park to see some incredible old trees and dramatic slopes, stop by the Brickworks for a cider, and enjoy Ontario’s rich fall colors.

#4 Griffith Park, Los Angeles

Four times the size of Central Park, Griffith Park offers stunning views of the city of Los Angeles from the Griffith Observatory, not to mention tons of walking paths and even areas where you can go horseback riding. When you’re tired of Hollywood or the sights downtown, head to Griffith Park for a natural adventure.

#5 Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

Between the hills, the ocean views, and the bison wandering around, there’s a lot to see in Golden Gate Park. Make sure you bundle up to stay warm when San Francisco’s oceanside temperatures inevitably take a dip. Fall in San Francisco comes with a lot of ups and downs, and you’ll find yourself taking sweaters and jackets on and off all day. Stay warm when the fogs rolls roll in and get some thermal socks this fall for your travel adventures.

Wherever your travels take you, remember that it can get cold quickly in the fall. While there may be some gorgeous sunny days, a cloudy period, rain, or even just sunset can quickly bring in the cold. Come prepared with jackets, scarves, hats, thermal socks, and proper footwear for enjoying the city and its parks.

When it comes to thermal socks, Heat Holders thermal socks are a great investment. Seven times warmer than ordinary cotton socks, they’ll keep your feet warm when you’re exploring new cities and parks. Have fun exploring some of North America’s best urban parks.

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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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

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