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May 19, 2017 by Chase Vandros

9 Things You’ll Only See in Antarctica

AntarcticaAre you sick of traveling halfway around the world only to find another t-shirt shop? Feel like if you’ve seen one tourist-oriented port then you’ve seen them all? We hear you. Here’s the solution – book yourself a trip to Antarctica.

An Antarctic cruise is not your typical touristy vacation. It’s an adventure. You’re going to get to experience things unique to the pristine South Pole region, and you’ll avoid the regular tourist shtick that pollutes the usual vacation hotspots. Here are just ten of the captivating wonders you’ll get to experience when you visit our southernmost continent.

1. Penguins.

Penguins are restricted to the southern hemisphere, either on Antarctica itself or the islands lying within the continent’s vicinity. Unlike most other wildlife, penguins get very curious about humans and will sometimes waddle right up to investigate you.

2. Camping out under the Aurora Australis.

Some cruise lines offer you the chance to have a night camping out on the shores of Antarctica. You’ll set up the provided tents far enough away to not disturb the local penguin populations, then kick back and enjoy the lightshow dancing overhead.

3. The Antarctic Marathon.

Do you like running? Do you like running where almost nobody has ever run before? Hop on over to the Antarctic Ice Marathon and test yourself with an average wind-chill of -20°C, ice, snow, and competing penguins, all taking place at 80° south.

4. Southern continent Zodiac tours.

Zodiacs (small rubber outboard-engine boats) are able to zip in close to the coasts and get into nooks and crannies that your mothership cruise liners will be too big to manage. So you’ll be able to sneak past sunning seals, give lovely blue-white icebergs an up-close inspection, and on the best days, get paid a visit by welcoming whales.

5. Send postcards from Port Lockroy.

There’s a working post office in the historic British site of Port Lockroy. How impressed are your friends going to be to be receiving postcards stamped with an Antarctic origin? While you’re there you’ll also be able to visit the museum that highlights just some of the scientific endeavours that have drawn people to the South Pole over the past century or so.

6. Relics of Antarctic whaling history.

Where there were whales there was whaling. The Antarctic is no exception. One hotspot of our whaling past is found on Deception Island. Historic relics (boilers, oil drums, whale skeletons) still sit on the shores as a reminder of how much the industrialized world has changed in the past 100 years.

7. Shackleton’s shack.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s exploration in the name of God and country was all the rage. Common folk would follow the exploits of explorers much the same way some people follow their favourite sports star today.

One such hero of the people was Sir Ernest Shackleton who led not one but three British expeditions in the race to be the first to reach the South Pole. Relics of those expeditions remain to this day including the shack he and his men lived in while enduring the harsh conditions of the Antarctic.

8. Take a look from Observation Hill.

Sitting about 30 minutes away from McMurdo is Observation Hill. Aptly named, Antarctic explorers can climb the hill and treat themselves to a jaw-dropping view (bring your cameras).

9. Antarctica itself.

It’s clean. It’s rugged. It’s blue and white and beautiful. It’s happily lacking throngs of tourists and it’s free from tacky tourist-geared stores. If you’re looking for a trip that’s more an adventure than just a vacation, then you should give an Antarctic cruise a try.

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May 14, 2017 by Chase Vandros

Four One-of-a-Kind Places That You Need To Visit

If you are thinking of planning a once in a lifetime trip, then where do you start? To make an obvious statement, the world is vast with so many amazing places to visit. But I think one way to look at it all is to decide on a vacation destination that is a little unlike any other in the world. For a lot of places, particularly like beach destinations, they can be quite similar. There isn’t anything too unique about them. So if you think along the same lines, where would your next trip be to? Here are some locations that are unlike any other and would be perfect to add to your bucket list.

Finland

One-of-a-kind Places 1

Iceland seems to be ‘the’ place to be at the moment. But Finland, for me, is a much better option. You get the vast land and snowy mountains in Finland, just as you would in Iceland. But there are many more snowy parts of Finland, including things like glass igloo holidays, for example. Pretty unique and special to book a vacation like that. Finland does tend to be cheaper than Iceland too, so that is a good reason to get yourself over there too.

Thailand

There are many Asian countries that have a similar feel to Thailand. But when you break it down, there are actually very different. I like that Thailand has a large variety of places to visit that are all completely different. If one day you’re out in the street markets and bustle of Bangkok, but then the next day you could be out on the calm and relaxing island of Phuket, or taking a boat out to Phi Phi Island. They are completely contrasting but still all in the same country. So for me, Thailand has to be on there.

Alaska, United States

One-of-a-kind Places 2

When you think of the United States and vacations, many people might think of hiking or camping in National Parks, or even hitting the busier cities like New York City or Chicago. But they don’t often think of a vast wilderness like the likes of Alaska, do they? It is a stunning part of the world, with many hiking trails, as well as watersports and fishing. If you want postcard picture perfect of the great outdoors, then Alaska is the place to be. You still get all of the benefits and similarities of any other US state, though. So a win-win.

London, England

You get busy cities in all parts of the world. But the mix of modern and old in London makes it a completely unique place to be. It is vibrant and cultural, as well as full of all things British (and that includes the Royalty). So for people visiting from countries without a Royal family, it can make for a really exciting and unique trip. There are so many different restaurants to eat in too, as well as a complete range of attractions. So there really is something for everyone in the lovely city of London.

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April 10, 2017 by Chase Vandros

Protecting the Oceans on Your Travels

Protecting the OceansSomething that many travelers have in common is an insatiable desire to be beside the ocean. This is fantastic news, as anything which brings you close to nature should always be applauded. However, it’s actually really important to learn a little something about respect along the way. If you’re going to do any harm to the environment, forget about it. It’s all about minimizing our man-made impact on the world around us. Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photos. It’s important!

Save The Reef!

Popular activities whilst traveling so often revolve around being in the sea. From boat trips to snorkellng and diving, the ocean can give us a myriad of fun experiences and breath-taking images to look at in years to come.

When we are adventuring in the oceans, it’s so easy to be egocentric and to forget that the oceans aren’t our homes – in fact, they’re actually the homes of millions of special marine life. The ultimate key to exploring the vastness is to maintain respect. Don’t disturb sea creatures, don’t hurt them, and don’t take them home with you. Coral bleaching is also real (and it’s what’s destroying so many iconic reefs like the Great Barrier Reef in Australia), and you can help matters by not touching any of it, because it’s actually a living organism. 

Sharks Are Our Friends

Yes, sure. They can be deadly. But you know what? There are so many reasons why they should be revered, not feared!  Now, people don’t usually have to be told twice about respecting the likes of, say, dolphins – but when it comes to sharks, it’s often a whole other story.

As travelers, it’s our jobs to look beyond the media’s vilification and not cherry pick the marine creatures we choose as friends. Sharks are actually far less dangerous than people think; they’re just often misunderstood. Regardless of your thoughts on sharks, it’s undeniable that you should admire them, and in fact, they can teach us lessons to bring to our own lives! A shark knows when to strike. It’s a predator, but it’s pretty calculated. Once you know the traits of a shark and how best to apply these to life situations, whether it be in the world of business or even in the world of poker, you can actually often get things to go your own way! All it takes is knowing when to act ruthless and fearless, and when it’s best to be patient. 

Don’t Encourage Captivity!

It’s really important to note that whilst you can – and should – love marine life in its natural habitat, it can often be counterproductive to go and see it in captivity. Whilst there are efforts to conserve and protect and this should be encouraged, many animals from the sea are subject to cruel conditions for the purpose of serving as a tourist attraction. You might remember the storm surrounding SeaWorld and the way it treats its whales. In reality, things are a whole lot worse than they even seemed, with animals essentially living out their days confined unnaturally until the release of (premature) death. You should also consciously consider things like swimming with dolphins, unless it’s in the wild. This is because cetaceans (sea mammals including dolphins, whales, and porpoises), simply do not belong in captivity.

As travelers, it’s our responsibility to think very carefully about our decisions. Whilst photographs are all you should take in theory, it’s about more than that perfect Insta pic. Life lessons can also – and really should – be learned, in order to make us better citizens of the world.

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February 24, 2017 by Chase Vandros

Top 3 Places For a Great British Holiday in 2017

Since the economic crisis of 2008 and the fall out following it, many of us were forced to start pinching the pennies and cut back on many areas of our lives as prices went up, pay failed to rise and many lost jobs. The result of this on the tourist side of things was that far fewer people went abroad and instead chose to holiday right here in the UK. This actually had a beneficial affect in many ways as it did not only give the economy a boos through the increase in tourism, it also helped a lot of people fall back in love with UK holidays.

Liverpool_city_centre

If you want to visit some of Britain’s best landmarks and hottest tourist locations in the UK then we have hand-picked our top 3 places where you can enjoy a great British holiday this year and enjoy all the benefits that come with a domestic trip.

Cornwall

If Cornwall was 5 or 6 degrees hotter then it would be one of the World’s finest holiday destinations, unfortunately, it isn’t but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying one of the most beautiful locations in the United Kingdom. Long-stretching beaches, untouched land, quaint fishing villages like St.Ives and Port Isaac, the surfers paradise of Newquay and some of the friendliest people on Earth, Cornwall is full of possibilities for all different kinds of holiday and if you haven’t been then it is time to head across the Tamar Bridge and enjoy this glorious corner of the island, accommodation is plentiful and varied and companies like Blue Chip holidays offer some outstanding holiday cottages for you and the family.

Liverpool

As far as British cities go, London quite rightfully gets much of the headlines but Liverpool should not be discounted as a great holiday destination. The 2008 European city of culture has so much to enjoy and whilst it is a city which has been profoundly important to the UK for many years, Liverpool manages to avoid the hustle and bustle of city life but still offering the level of culture, art, museums, high-grade restaurants and excitement that a great city can. The Albert Docks is a place that shouldn’t be missed, lively bar and restaurants and the World-famous Beatles museum, Liverpool’s finest ever export.

Pembrokeshire, Wales

Wales doesn’t get nearly enough credit as a holiday location and the beaches around the coast of the country are truly beautiful. Pembrokeshire sits in the south of Wales and offers tourists a really traditional British break, The only coastal national park in Britain, Pembrokeshire gives you the best of the seaside combined with open spaces and forest wilderness settings where you can enjoy sports and backwoods living. Thanks to its popularity of the past, this area of Wales is fully geared up for tourists with them parks, hotels, beachside attractions and plenty of fish and chip shops and places to buy candy rock. If you want a truly British holiday this year then head to south Wales.

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February 24, 2017 by Chase Vandros

The ABCs of A Day In Milan

If you haven’t already, you should make 2017 a year of travels. Take yourself on a journey to see the world and discover new and old cultures, and what better place to do it than in Europe? If you are after a taste of social values of all ages, Italy is the place you need to see: Italy, the country that combines traditional cuisine, historic architecture to make you want to pinch yourself to see if you’re not dreaming, and art of the highest standard, is a place like no other. It may seem difficult to believe at first, but the Italian history is a part of everybody’s culture, since the modern thinking of the Renaissance. While you may not speak the language, or know the story of this country, you will recognize the marks left by generations of people who have helped to make the world a little more open and beautiful. And Milan, the financial hub of Italy that hosts centuries of art and culture is the ideal city to dive into the glorious Italian lifestyle.

Day in Mlian

A Like Architecture

Milan cultivates architectural landmarks like others plant geraniums in their garden: With a facility that makes the envy of many! Renowned for its trendsetting universe, Milan also has beautiful exemplars of classical architectures with il Duomo di Milano and the Santa Maria delle Grazie. Too old? Have a look at the Fondazione Prada that was finished in 2015. The best piece of advice that one could give you when it comes to seeing the Milanese architecture is to pick an accommodation in the town center. This might be difficult to reach with public transport from the airport, especially if you don’t speak Italian, so make sure to get a taxi from the airport – the booktaximilan company is specialized in Milan only transport. Most holidaymakers choose to stay around the Piazza Venezia or the Palestro, as these points are well located for visits.

B Like Buon Appetito

It’s impossible to stay in Milan without enjoying the food culture! So if you want to make the most of it, eat with the locals: They know where the best restaurants are! You will discover that the most authentic food is not in the most touristy restaurants. Traditional Milanese food is everything in town, even next to the big attractions, for those who know where to look. Al Mercante, one of the locals’ favorites, is just next to the Piazza del Duomo with the Cathedral, for example. If you want to see more of the town, try the restaurant tram, the ATMosfera that takes you on a classic ride through the city as you eat.

C Like Cenacolo

Il Cenacolo is the Italian name of the famous Da Vinci’s painting, the Last Supper. You might have seen countless reproductions of this iconic fresco on postcards and in books, but the original one is in the refectory of the monastery next to Santa Maria delle Grazie. Visits only last for 15 minutes, and you are advised to book in advance to see it, but this is worth all the wait in the world.

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