Can Traveling Benefit Your Career?

Alex and his wife Valerie, owners of a local auto body repair shop called Collision Xperts shared with me their travel story and how it all got started. Once the travel bug catches you, you will explore all that the world offers and never want to stop. If you are in full-time employment and have work-related responsibilities, you have to take some time off to travel. And this can benefit your career life. Here are ways your career will help from traveling

Expanding Your Network

Whether you work at the local food joint or an office, a break from work will expand your network by interacting with professionals in your field of work. Professionally, it is not just about referrals. By meeting other professionals, you establish networks that eventually benefit your career.

Travel Makes You Open-minded

Travel offers you the opportunity to engage in new activities and learn new things. Whether you are learning a new language in Kenya, cooking in Phuket, or spotting whales in Canada, these new skills will give you new ideas.

Travel Teaches You to Communicate

Among the essential aspects of traveling is breaking the language barrier. While visiting a foreign country, you will likely experience communication barriers more often than not. The same can apply when communicating at the office. If you have different native languages with a co-worker or customer, you will likely experience communication difficulties. But you do not give up. Instead, you try to reach out and make them understand. And this teaches you to communicate with people that don’t speak the same language as you. 

You Develop Creative Thinking Skills

There is not much time for activities that exercise our creativity when balancing life and a full-time job. Travel is the best way to exercise your creative thinking skills. It is nearly impossible not to feel inspired to cultivate creating thinking skills when having a full-time job. Nevertheless, traveling allows you to relax and think critically away from job and family responsibilities. And this helps you cultivate critical thinking skills that help you provide better suggestions and innovative ideas at the workplace.

Take Away

Many people associate travel with relaxing and having a good time, but it can be more than that. You see the world differently and realize your hidden potential when you travel more often. Therefore, consider traveling more often to see how your experiences can benefit your career. 

How Can I Save Money on Accommodation While Traveling?

Accommodation is among the significant expenses for most travelers. You want to find the best deal possible while enjoying a comfortable and safe stay. Here are practical tips to help you save money on accommodation while traveling:

Book with Discounted Hotel Websites

Sites such as Hotels.com, Expedia, Kayak, and Trivago offer discounted rates on hotel rooms in many destinations worldwide. Signing up for their email newsletters or loyalty programs can help you stay informed of any special offers they may be running.

Look for Alternate Accommodation Options

Consider looking into options such as Airbnb, VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner), or Couchsurfing for lodging, often more affordable than traditional hotels. Hostels are another great option if traveling solo and wanting to meet other travelers without breaking the bank.

Look into Last-Minute Deals

Hotels often offer last-minute deals to fill their rooms at discounted rates, so be sure to check those out when planning your trip. However, please pay attention to their services to ensure you don’t compromise on quality to save money.

Use Credit Card Rewards Points and Airline Miles

If you travel frequently, use rewards points or airline miles that you may have accumulated from credit cards or frequent flier programs. You can often use these to book accommodations at no extra cost.

Opt for Budget Accommodation Options

Consider budget hotels for lower-priced lodging options to save money while traveling. You can research such hotels at your travel destination before leaving and book in advance. 

By following these tips, you can find affordable accommodations that still provide the comforts and security you need while on vacation without breaking the bank. With some research and planning, saving on lodging is straightforward for travelers.…

How to Prepare RV Road Trip Itineraries

RV road trips can be a great way to explore the open road and see sites you may otherwise miss. Planning an RV road trip requires some preparation and thought but can also be enjoyable. Here are some steps to help plan your RV road trip itinerary:

1. Research Your Route

Start by researching different routes you might take during your RV road trip. Consider looking into the various places along the way that you might want to stop at or visit during your journey. Take time to look over maps and research online for ideas on the area’s scenic roads or attractions.

2. Map Out a Timeline

After deciding on a route, map out a timeline of when you will arrive at each destination, how long you plan to spend there, and any activities you want to do. And this will help you plan out your budget and have an idea of what is realistic for the time frame allotted.

3. Gather Supplies

Please ensure you have the necessary supplies before hitting the road on your RV road trip. Depending on where you are going, it’s always a good idea to stock up on food and drinks, toiletries, camping gear, emergency supplies (like a first-aid kit), and other items that might be useful during your journey.

4. Set Aside Extra Time

No matter how hard you try to stick with the timeline you set out initially, things can take longer than expected, or unplanned events can come up. Leave some extra time in your timeline for unexpected stops or delays.

5. Have Fun

Above all else, remember to have fun and take lots of photos. RV road trips are a great way to explore and make new memories with friends and family. Enjoy the journey. Happy travels!…

Money Saving Tips for Travelers

It is a familiar story for a trip to become more costly than initially budgeted. With some planning, this doesn’t need to be the case. Follow our money-saving tips and enjoy the same experience at no extra cost.

Cook More, Eat Out Less

While eating out in a restaurant now and then may seem tempting, it may be the highest trip cost. Therefore make the most of being outdoors by packing a picnic and eating in whichever park you wish.

Stay in Hostels

Hostels and guesthouses are the cheapest accommodation all over the world. However, they have the most memorable experiences. It is a place where you can access helpful staff, meet new people, make connections, and learn. You can still socialize with other travelers in common hostel areas like the lobby, kitchen rooftops, and patios, even if you are an introvert.

Plan Off-Season Trips

Depending on your travel destination, it is important to research when the high seasons are and try to avoid them. During seasons like Christmas, New year, and spring breaks may be costly; therefore, avoiding those times of the year and finding a good hostel earning discounts to draw visitors may be the best idea to save you money.

Miscellaneous Expenses

While on a trip, spending more money than we realize is straightforward. Therefore, set aside a certain amount in emergencies. Also, we are sure more inclined to treat ourselves when away from home, from drinks and snacks to souvenirs; therefore, setting a budget can help you manage your spending. And when you reach the target, try not to get over it.

The Bottom Line

 Traveling on a budget will be much easier since you have the necessary tools to travel longer without breaking your budget. With the tips discussed above, you will be able to save money while traveling together with your friends and family members.…

Domestic Travel Tips during COVID-19

If planning to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, delay your trip until you receive the complete vaccination. But if you must travel without the full vaccination, follow health experts’ guidelines for people without the complete immunization.

Research Travel Restrictions

Most countries, states, territorial and local governments developed travel restrictions following the COVID-19 outbreak. These restrictions dictate places you can go and where you can’t travel with or without the vaccine. In some areas, you must meet testing and quarantine requirements immediately on arrival. Some states have stay-at-home orders for travelers.

Therefore, take your time to research travel restrictions at your destination. Also, check travel guidance and up-to-date information. It’s also wise to constantly check the local, territorial, or state health department to be up-to-date with possible changes. Ideally, be flexible when traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic because policies and restrictions can change during the trip. Nevertheless, adhere to territorial, local, and state travel restrictions to ensure your safety.

Choose Safe Transportation Method  

Different transport methods have varying safety levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, traveling in a car with your household is safer than using a bus or a train. That’s because you will only carry your household members. However, you can still catch the virus when you stop at a fuel station and interact with others. Also, flying could be better than using a train or bus because airplanes maintain healthy air circulation. Nevertheless, maintaining a safe distance in a plane could still be a challenge.

Final Thoughts

Many people are afraid of traveling outside their countries during the COVID-19 pandemic because they are afraid of getting the virus. However, you can safely travel with careful preparation. Perhaps, the best approach is to get the whole vaccine first before traveling. After that, research the travel restrictions in place and choose a safe transport method.

Essential Things to Do Within 24 Hours of Travel

Upon dropping the bags at a travel destination, the 24 hours that follow can be wholly disorienting or thrilling. Your plans and the things you do upon your arrival will influence this experience. Here are tips to help you get started upon arriving at your travel destination.

Find the Way In and Out

Start by identifying the easiest and safest way in and out of town. Don’t wait until you arrive at your destination to figure out how to enter and leave a city. That’s because doing so might take a lot of time and even make your experience more stressful. Therefore, check the street names and possible exit numbers to help you get to terminals and rental counters. That way, getting to your hotel room will be easier.

Get Some Nourishment

Most travelers look for a place to eat upon arriving at their travel destination. Unfortunately, some travelers go for anything available, whether it’s fast food or room service. An ideal way to get what you want is to research in advance. Use the internet to find the best places to eat and drink at your travel destination.

Reset the Clock

When traveling between countries, you change your time zones. Therefore, reset your clock to avoid staying on the old schedule. And this is particularly essential if you have ingrained habits.

Get Outside

Your travel destination has a different air and light. You will also experience the world differently when traveling. Therefore, take a minute to step outside once you’ve arrived at your destination. Get out and experience the outdoors at your travel destination.

Talk to Loved Ones

Let your friends and family know that you’ve arrived at your travel destination. You can call or chat with them to let them know that you’re safe. Also, check whether everything is okay in your hotel room.

Once you’ve done that, you can go out and have some fun with other travelers. Take pictures and go sightseeing. Do what you wanted to do when planning your trip.

Types of People You Don’t Want to Travel With

Everybody knows that person they don’t want to travel with. Although they don’t want to share details of such people with others, they hate having them as travel companions. Sadly, some of the personalities that most people don’t want to travel with clash whenever they start planning their itinerary. Here are some of the types of people that most people don’t want to travel with. 

Lazy Planners 

Some people are just lazy when it comes to planning trips. You send them links to articles on travel destinations, tourist-friendly countries, and photos of dream vacation but they do nothing with them. These people can’t put the effort into planning a trip. They leave every aspect of planning the trip to you or make excuses to ensure that they don’t participate in trip preparation. 

Last-Minute Flake Out

You know such people. These are people that you prepare the trip with, including choosing the destination, accommodation, date, and making the itinerary. You even pay everything in readiness for the trip. But, the person backs out for having coinciding plans or failing to file for leave at the last minute. Since you don’t want such persons to frustrate you, just leave them out of your travel plans. 

Whiners 

You know people that are always complaining. Instead of focusing on enjoying the trip or having fun, these people are always complaining about minor challenges. For instance, these people won’t stop complaining if they lose something even if it’s not that important. They will also react negatively to something like delayed meals in a restaurant. Such people are not good to have during a trip. 

Other people you don’t want to travel with include those always glued to their phones, those who lose temper with ease, and messy campers. Avoid such people when traveling to make your travel experience better. 

How Travel can be Stressful

For some people, traveling is a great way to avoid or relieve stress. However, traveling induce stress for some people. Travel stress can be described as a feeling of mental pressure and strain that relate to this activity. Travel should generally be beneficial with many positive aspects. However, it can also be a stressful activity. Here’s how travel can be stressful. 

Overwhelming Travel Planning 

Most people are overwhelmed by travel planning. Planning a trip is not easy because it requires extensive research and consideration of many factors. For instance, you have to choose a travel destination that will give you the experience you desire. You also have to decide how you will travel. For instance, do you fly; use your car, bus, or train? Such activities can be overwhelming especially if you have a limited time to do them. 

Safety Concerns

Some people are stressed by security concerns when traveling. Security is a major issue for most people when traveling to places they have not visited before. Essentially, you want to be guaranteed your security when traveling. You also want to be sure that your luggage will be safe when you travel. Unfortunately, the unexpected can happen when you travel and make you feel insecure. For instance, somebody can steal your luggage or documents when traveling and bring you more stress. 

Unexpected Events 

The unexpected can happen when traveling and leave you stressed. For instance, your flight can be delayed or canceled. This can instill unwanted stress when you miss a connecting flight. You may also have unrealistic expectations and feel stressed when the reality dawn on you. 

Things don’t always turn out as expected even for the most careful travelers. As such, travel can be stressful but this shouldn’t make you stop traveling. Instead, take your time to plan for the trip and be ready for anything, including the unexpected.

Top 5 Solo Travel Destinations

When planning a solo trip, the decision on where to visit can sometimes be very overwhelming, especially if you are a beginner solo traveler. Even savvy travelers still find it hard choosing suitable travel destinations from time to time. To help you beat such challenges, the following are the top 5 solo travel destinations. 

Costa Rica 

Costa Rica is one of the places that you should consider visiting when traveling solo. Apart from just the pristine sandy beaches, it boasts great weather, lush landscapes, historical attractions, vibrant culture, wildlife and so much more to make your trip fun and memorable. In Costa Rica, you can also enjoy various activities including swimming, biking, hiking, zip-lining, kayaking, and others. The best places in Costa Rica for solo travels include La Fortuna, Santa Teresa, Tamarindo, and Puerto Viejo. 

Thailand 

The self-proclaimed land of smiles is no doubt a must-visit for solo travelers.  The destination is not only affordable but, also friendly, full of attractions and easier to navigate. Here, there are also lots of things to experience including unique cultures, historical landmarks, wildlife, beaches, and food. In terms of activities, Thailand also has plenty including scuba diving, riding elephants, and hiking among others. As a solo traveler, begin your adventure in Bangkok or Chiang Mai. 

Stockholm, Sweden 

If you are yearning for the Scandinavian weather, Stockholm is a great city to visit. But, it is not just the weather that gives this destination the credit. Stockholm is home to many islands, pristine parks, ancient landmarks and unique beauty that you will truly cherish. Its multicultural metropolis landscape and bursting nightlife are other reasons to visit. Besides, the cuisines will also blow your mind off. 

Iceland 

Iceland is a beautiful destination ideal for solo travelers that love outdoors. Something that many people do not know about Iceland is that it is one of the safest countries in the world. It is also not easy to get lost in Iceland because many travelers use Ring Roads or Golden Circle. The country has a unique sense of intimacy and safety attributed to its small population. Here, you can enjoy some of the most thrilling outdoor activities. 

New York, USA 

New York is a vibrant city with endless attractions and activities for every solo traveler. Due to the expansive nature of the city, there is no chance that you will get bored on the trip. New York boasts unique cultures, world-class attractions, electric nightlife, incredible cuisines, and endless activities to make your trip unforgettable. 

Other great solo travel destinations that should also form part of your to-do list include Canada, Malaysia, Hawaii, and California. 

Most Underrated Destinations for Travelers

While there are numerous travel destinations around the world, some destinations usually receive more love than others. What most people do not realize is that some of the less popular travel destinations also offer incredible experiences, which could make your trips worthwhile. The following are some of the most underrated travel destinations that you should consider when planning your next trips. 

Bolivia 

Bolivia is one of South America’s least visited destinations but, remains a great option for travelers who want to experience natural wonders. Most people flock into Peru and Brazil forgetting the pristine offerings of Bolivia. Some of the unique attractions in Bolivia include the blood-red lake, Amazon forest, salt pan of Salar de Uyuni and smoldering volcanoes. 

Turkey 

Turkey was at some point a favorite destination for British travelers but, the number of visitors has significantly gone down over the years. One of the reasons is due to security concerns. Today, Turkey is a peaceful and quiet destination for beach lovers, offering great spots for water sports and recreation. Turkey is also a cultural hub with a rich historical background and ancient city ruins. Besides the beaches, visitors can also marvel at the magnificent Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and go shopping at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. 

England 

England is another destination that has been underrated over the years but, has a burst of splendor for travelers. Apart from its big cities, England has charming seaside towns and pristine greenery. Most people ignore it because of the lack of sunshine but, England has so much to offer including the Lake District that received UNESCO recognition in 2017, sandy beaches, museums, and historical landmarks. 

Egypt 

The majority of visitors to Egypt over the years are historians and archeologists interested in the ancient ruins. However, there is a fair share of both worlds in Egypt that can appeal to all kinds of travelers. It is home to the Pyramids of Giza, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, old temples and tombs as well as towns. This sun-bathed African nation is a paradise for indulging desert adventures. 

Although the above destinations have not received many visitors in recent years, they are quite rich in terms of attractions and activities. If you are looking for a unique travel experience, they are worth considering.