travel tips

What to Expect on Your First Time Out of the Country

Jessica Lippe

Whether you are heading off on a short family vacation or planning a massive trip around the world, vacations abroad can be amazing. Traveling to other countries gives you a chance to explore new cultures, learn about different ways of life and civilizations. It gives you a chance to meet new people, gain new experiences and see some truly breath-taking sights. It can be nothing short of amazing.

Seasoned travelers think nothing of hopping on a plane and taking their next great trip. Excited about what lies ahead and exhilarated by the mere idea of taking their next journey. But, even for these people, that first time out of the country may have been daunting. Leaving the country can be scary. You don’t know what to expect, you may be afraid of the flying or overwhelmed by the idea of navigating airport security. Simply the idea of traveling to a new country can terrify people that much that they put off even posting their passport application for years, missing out on what the world has to offer.

If you are planning to leave the country for the first time in the new year, here is what you can expect from your trip.

Credit – https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-sign-traveling-blur-2069/

Getting a Passport Might be Harder Than You Think

If you’ve never had a passport before, you may not realize how hard they can be to get. Over the last 20 years, international security has become much tighter, and valid passports are our first line of defense. There are strict rules on how your photo must look and what supporting documents you must send. If you don’t have the right ID, you may have to jump through a few hoops to prove you are who you say you are, perhaps even having to attend an interview. You should check online for current wait times, but it can take up to 12 weeks, and that’s if you fill the form incorrectly on your first try. If you’ve left it a little late or need to make an unplanned trip, read up on how to get a passport fast to hurry your application.

Airport Security is Tough

Airport security can be intimidating if you’ve never seen it before. You’ll see police patrols, sniffer dogs, security officers and maybe even armed force officers and they will all be armed. You’ll also have to pass through scans and multiple security checks.

It’s important to remember that this is all for your own safety and that as long as you stick to the rules, you have nothing to worry about.  

You Won’t Feel the Plane Move

Credit  – https://www.pexels.com/photo/airport-airplane-airport-gate-70955/

During take-off, you can feel the plane moving and the pressure changing quite dramatically. When it comes to landing, you’ll feel large drops, and you may feel some turbulence along the way. But, if your flight is smooth and the weather conditions are good, while you are in the air you won’t feel a thing. You’ll be able to sleep, read a book, watch a movie or even go for a walk in relative comfort.

Foreign Airports Aren’t That Different

Many first-time travelers expect to leave the airplane and immediately find themselves in a totally different world. However, unless you are traveling to somewhere incredibly remote, the airport won’t be too different. Security and checks will be similar, the layout will be similar, and it may even have some of the same shops and displays.

But They Are Hot

One thing you may notice the second you step off the plane is the temperature. If you are traveling to somewhere with a different climate and have just spend a few hours in a pressurized plane with an artificial atmosphere, you will be met by a wall of heat. Traveling in thin, light layers is a great way to be prepared for anything.

It’s Ok to Trust the Locals

You can always tell a first-time traveler from the way they walk around clutching their belongings and avoiding eye contact with anyone. We’ve all heard horror stories about things that have happened to travelers and foreign scams that people have fell victim to. But, to be fair, the same dangers surround us at home.

Keep your belongings safe by keeping your bag close and close and trust your instincts. But, don’t panic. Make eye contact, say hello and ask the locals for advice on places to eat or sights to visit. Chat with people and get to know them. You’ll probably be very pleased to find that places all around the world are filled with friendly local’s keen to show off their businesses or hometowns to equally friendly travelers.

Guidebooks Aren’t Always Right

In the day of the internet and TripAdvisor, we rely on guidebooks much less than previous generations may have. But it’s still important to realize that they’re not always right. Things change and move, businesses close down, people move away, and sometimes the author of the book may just have a differing opinion to you. Read books, look at guides online to prepare, but don’t take it as gospel. Leave room for change and spontaneity.

Not Everyone Speaks English

In the modern world, it’s fair to say that a lot of people speak English. You can probably find someone that knows at least basic English somewhere. But, that doesn’t mean everyone will speak fluent English, as much as we often arrogantly assume they will. It’s always a good idea to learn a little language for anywhere you go.

Money is Different

Credit – https://www.pexels.com/photo/background-bank-banking-banknote-262558/

That one might sound obvious. Different places have different currency. You know that, right? But, it’s not that simple. There are also exchange rates and rates of inflation to think about. You may find that something that’s worth $10 at home may be vastly more or less in another country. This can make it hard to know how much money you need before you arrive and you could easily find yourself hugely overspending.

Do some research online before you go, and try to set yourself a strict budget, remembering that travel doesn’t need to be expensive. If prices are different when you arrive, take another look at your budget and make some changes.

travel tips

Tips on Traveling with a Baby

Jessica Lippe


Image Source

Going on holiday with your baby sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? Travelling can be difficult at the best of times, but when you have a baby travelling with you, it gets even tougher. The key is to be prepared. Here are some tips that will help to make the process a whole lot easier:

Travel light – While it can be tempting to pack endless supplies – after all, you never know what your little one is going to need – it is important to travel light. There are a number of clever changes you can make to reduce the amount of luggage you’re going to be taking with you. For example, consider a travel light crib rather than taking your standard one. You can see an example of one of these cribs here. Also, only take a small amount of the things you will be able to buy as soon as you get there.

Schedule your trip around your child’s sleep time – Of course, this will not be possible in some cases, especially if you are travelling by plane. However, whenever you can, you should try to schedule trip around your child’s sleep time, so your child can get into his or her pajamas and go straight to sleep. Sheer bliss!

Try not to take trips that are longer than six hours – If you are visiting family, this may not be possible. But if you are going away for a vacation simply for some fun and relaxation, try to choose somewhere that is closer to home. It’s not ideal to have your baby confined to a seated position for hours and hours.

Bring your child’s favourite toy, as well as items your baby associates with sleep – When choosing toys for your baby, make sure you choose only soft items. Safety is even more important when travelling, as there can be jolts or turbulence. You should also bring any items that your baby associates with sleep, for example, their favourite pillow and blanket. This will be a good way to encourage your little one to nod off when they are in an environment they are not familiar with.

Bring extra diapers and clothing – While you should travel as light as possible, one area where you shouldn’t cut back too much is with regards to baby clothing and diapers. It is always a good idea to dress your baby in layers if you are travelling by plane. You can easily take these layers off if your baby is too hot, but the last thing you want is for your baby to get too cold. After all, a cold baby is a crying baby!

So there you have it: some top tips for travelling with your baby. Use the suggestions and life should be a lot easier for you when going on vacation. Of course, it’s impossible to prevent a few hiccups that occur along the way, but you can take care of most of them with the advice mentioned above.

backpack, travel tips

6 Things Every Backpacker Needs to Pack

Jessica Lippe

Image via Pixabay

Backpacking is easily one of the greatest and most fulfilling ways to travel; hitting the open road with the wind in your hair and all your worldly possessions for the trip in one bundle slung over your shoulder.

Of course, knowing you should actually put in your pack is pretty important, as it’ll be your lifeline for the duration of the trip, and you won’t have space to spare for all the usual luxuries of home life.

So, to get you started, here’s a checklist of some of the essentials that you should load up on before heading out.

Research and print out location reviews in advance

Although a big part of the pleasure of backpacking is that it allows you to be spontaneous and hit the road as and when you like, and in any direction, it’s still a good idea to have a sense of the areas you’ll be travelling through as well as a more in depth understanding of the big towns or sights you want to check off.

Many exploitative establishments exist in tourist-frequented areas, and rely on the fact that many visitors will be uninformed and so are likely to drop by.

Whether you’re researching something specific such as Lana Thai Villa 5 stars B&B, or something more general about the layout of a particular area, it’s a good idea to print your maps and reviews off and keep them with you as you travel. You can’t rely on your memory for everything, and wifi may not be too easy to come across at certain points along the way.

Pack your own medical supplies

Basic first aid equipment is an absolute must-have addition to your rucksack, as cuts, scrapes, motion sickness, and even food poisoning are all very real possibilities when you’re backpacking through a new country.

Most of the minor injuries and upsets you might experience can be dealt with quickly and easily with an antibacterial gel and an anti-inflammatory, but if you don’t have these basic medical supplies at hand you might find yourself coming down with a bad fever and having to try and navigate the local health system, or find the nearest open pharmacy that sells what you’re after.

Pack your first aid kit as if you were expecting to really need to use it, though, of course you hopefully won’t.

Bring a camera, not a phone, for photos

In the age of advanced camera phones, it can be tempting to try and go the minimalist route and just rely on your phone for all your basic photography needs as you’re hopping from one exciting new locale to the next.

The issue with that is, of course, that phone batteries run out much faster when you’re using them for photography, and you might actually need your phone in order to make an important call at some point during your adventures.

Add to that the fact that you might not always be around a convenient charging port, and the benefits of having a proper camera with you are pretty clear.

Keep some spare cash on you at all times

When you’re travelling light, as all backpackers are in the grand scheme of things, you’ll find yourself needing to pull out your wallet quite often to pay for things ranging from food, to transport, or even just the admission fees which are charged by different historical sites or at various cultural landmarks.

Depending on where you’re travelling to, it’s entirely likely you won’t be able to reach for your credit card every time an expense comes up, and ATMs can be few and far between, or prone to running out of money on certain days or at certain times.

Every backpacker should keep a decent amount of cash on them, plus a hidden bit of emergency cash in case of being pickpocketed or just needing extra funds for an emergency.

Keep an eye mask and earplugs within easy reach

As a backpacker, you can enjoy the luxury of travelling between idyllic mountain glades and bustling party capitals as the mood takes you. Of course, that means that you might not always be able to count on a quiet, dark environment to get a good night’s sleep in.

Sleep is important at the best of times, but especially when you’re out and about, experiencing new things and trying to get the most out of your trip, you don’t want to find yourself feeling like a zombie all day just because there was a bright street light outside your window in the hotel.

Something as straightforward as keeping an an eye mask and a pair of foam earplugs in your bag can allow you to shut the world out when you need to, and get the sleep you’ll need for another packed day.

Pack a notebook and start a travel journal

While a picture may be worth a thousand words, words are still one of the best ways of capturing the finer details of your experiences, and preserving them for years to come.

Packing a sturdy notepad and pen, and keeping a travel journal, is something that every backpacker should try at least once.

Not only does ending each day with a paragraph or two about your experiences help to store away the memories, it also gives you the perfect way of clearing your mind, collecting your thoughts, reflecting on your experiences, and preparing to meet the next day head on.

Don’t feel put off trying a travel journal if you’re not a natural with the written word. Think of it as something you’re doing strictly for yourself, as a way of deepening your appreciation of the trip.

Even if your notes are pretty vague, you’ll catch yourself smiling whenever you look back on them after the trip.

saving money

Being Money-Smart And Efficient: Things To Consider

Jessica Lippe

They say “More money, more problems”, but not having money at all is much more of a problem compared to the alternative. Sure money isn’t everything, but it doesn’t stop it from being something, and in the kind of society we live in, and the way things run, let’s just say a lack of money will not be doing you any favors. There’s no need to tell you this though, if you are over the age of 5 and reading this, you probably know that. The world is brutal in its current form, and unless someone comes and overhauls how everything works in its entirety, this is the kind of thing we have to deal with. So, without further ado, let’s look at some ways  in which you could improve your money management, and make the most of your money and savings.


Image source: Pexels

Always prepare for the worst

As you already know, life is full of twists and turns, working in funny ways and more often than not, throwing several curveballs at you when you least expect it. While living in constant fear of the worst is not the healthiest way of going about life, you should at least be mentally prepared for the worst-case scenario. Living from paycheck to paycheck can only take you so far, and in case some unexpected expenses happen to come your way, you might just find yourself in a rather unfortunate situation. Nothing wrong with splashing out some cash every now and again, without it, the average working person would probably fall into a state of deep depression, but try and leave some money as backup in case anything ever goes wrong. Could be some sudden car repairs, maybe hospital fees, or even a rent increase. You never really know, and spreading your savings thin can prove to be your shortcoming.

Keep tabs on your expenses

If you find yourself broke near the end of the month and without the faintest idea of where your money has disappeared off to, you are probably in the same situation as most of the average working population. It’s easy to suddenly realise that you’ve been spending way more than you should have on minor things like an extra snack for lunch, or just a quick coffee and panini at the coffee shop. At that point, you had some minor comfort food during the month, and not really much else, but you find yourself back at square one on the first of the month, as if you’ve worked the whole month for no reason other than to survive. It might seem somewhat depressing to think about, but if you do not actually gain anything tangible from a working month, that is essentially just a month of your life down the drain. It is a good practice to make yourself a spreadsheet which records all your money coming in and out, showing where your money went. With one of these at your disposal, it is much easier to objectively look at your spendings and see if the random spendings are actually necessary, and if it’s really worth spending over 200 a month on coffee and bagels. Much easier to put things in perspective like that is it not? Look at where most of your money is going, if it’s something which could be considered useless, see if you can cut down on it. If not, go to the next big spender and try the same thing. By the time you go through the whole list, chances are you will have at least a decent chunk of money you know you is actually possible to save next month.


Image source: Pexels

Set goals for yourself

This nicely integrates with the spreadsheet method, making it much easier to find tangible goals to head for. It is easy to get overwhelmed with the sheer amount of things you need to do in order to not overstep your budget. Denying yourself all those things during the month just to save a measly few hundred, might seem rather grim, so let’s just try and set some realistic goals at first. Rather than promising yourself that you will “spend no money at all!”, just try and ease yourself into a slightly more money-efficient lifestyle. Instead of buying lunches every day, try to get packed lunches from home. Get smaller coffees from Starbucks rather than the Grande Latte you are used to, it be better for your wallet and your health. Try to eat out less often, instead, spend on grocery shopping and cook at home, cooking at home is probably better for your health as well. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your savings aren’t going to get better overnight either. Have patience.

Try to deflate your bills

Other than just moving somewhere far out of town where everything is cheaper, there are solutions to this, which do not require you to make up the rent difference with costs of your daily commute. You can try and be a bit more money-smart like in the good ol’ days, fix leaky taps which buff up your water bills. Instead of cranking up the heating, put on a sweater or a few more layers just to be safe. Turn off all electronics for the night rather than leaving them in “standby”, yes keeping them powered even if they do nothing at the time still costs money. Do not leave your lights on when unnecessary, remember to turn them off when going out or just when it’s actually bright out. The sun has been doing a pretty good job of providing light to most of the earth so far and you can safely rely on it, at least for now.

Shopping online

Online shopping has taken civilised world by storm with it’s efficiency and availability of items which might just so happen to be out of stock in your local branch of whatever shop you might want to buy from. This is not limited to extensive online clothes shopping or importing things from overseas, but even your daily grocery shopping from the supermarket. By now, probably all of them have an online counterpart with next-day or even same-day delivery, making it a handy and efficient alternative to standing around in queues waiting to be served by someone while the groceries you bought already defrost in your bag. Of course, if you have a local farmer’s market or something along those lines, then no online supermarket is going to replace that. Getting quality produce and veggies which actually have taste to them is a thing that most large markets seem to be lacking for now, so just stick with going to the market if you want to buy some truly quality products.


Image source: Pexels

Ask the internet for help

It might be a bit weird mentioning this since you are already reading this article, but the internet is a seriously powerful source of knowledge on just about every topic in existence. If you want to further expand your knowledge on money-saving tips or maybe just look for inspiration, it is worth taking a look at blogs which publish content on those exact topics. PersonalFinance-Online.com, much like the name might suggest, provides a series of different articles focused on being money-smart, if you are already reading this, chances are you would be interested. If you want to find something on a more specific topic, then there’s is nothing which can hide from a few searches in your search engine of choice. It’s about time to make use of the internet in a productive fashion as opposed to just watching an endless stream of cat videos online. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, no one said the two are mutually exclusive.


Image source: Pexels

Motivate yourself

If you find it hard to meet your monthly saving goals, it might be due to a lack of motivation. Saving money for the sake of saving money can feel very unrewarding in itself, and unless you have something to put that money towards, you might as well not even have it in the first place. Of course, the security of knowing you have something “just in case” is not to be overlooked, but that’s not how the human mind works for the most part. We seek gratification for our efforts on a regular basis and it might be hard to convince yourself that “It’ll all be worth it in 20 years time”. Think about what you want to accomplish, and work towards that goal, be it buying a house, starting a business, having an amazing wedding, or buying the car of your dreams, we all need that carrot on a stick to keep up going through everyday life. Don’t be afraid of dreaming big either, even if something might seem way too far out of your current saving capabilities, no one is to say that you will not end up with a much better and well-paying job within the foreseeable future. When you look back, you will be thankful to your past self for saving, and making your new and updated goals, which more suited towards your new earnings, much easier to achieve.

travel tips

Petventure: Furry Friends On Your Next Trip

Jessica Lippe

Black dog in red collar looking back at green hills and mountains

(Image Source)

For a lot of pet owners, the idea of going on holiday can be one which feels more like a fantasy than a reality. Unfortunately, having an animal in your life automatically brings with it some drawbacks. Each and every element of your trip will be different. So, to make sure it’s handled smoothly, this post is here to help you out. It will be exploring some of the key areas you’ll need to be organizing if you want your pet on your vacation.

The Medical Side: It makes sense that a country wouldn’t want the animals they have being made sick by a foreign disease they haven’t been exposed to before. Likewise, you probably don’t want your pet to get sick. So, to solve both of these issues, you’ll need to visit the vet before you can do anything else. Along with providing your pet with the vaccines, antibiotics, and other treatments they might need, this sort of professional can also give you loads of advice.

The Documents: As you get the medical side of your trip sorted out, you will be able to start considering the documents you’re going to have to take with you. Although it may seem like a gimmick, a lot of places will expect your pet to have some sort of passport with them. Along with this, you will also need to acquire any permits or licensing your location requires. This is very important when traveling with a pet, and could make or break your whole trip.

The Vacation Bookings: Of course, making sure your pet is healthy and has the right documents is only part of the job. Along with this, you’re also going to need to find somewhere to stay, and a lot of hotels won’t allow pets. Options like beach house rentals and apartment hires are usually the best place to start, as they often won’t expect the same as a normal travel agent. Places like this can be found at real bargains. So, to make sure you get the best deal, it will be worth doing some shopping around.

The Flights: Finally, as the last area to consider, it’s time to think about the flights you’re going to be taking. Flying with an animal takes a lot of care, and you will want to make sure that you’re going with the right airline. To do this, it will be important to research to companies you have available, while also looking for other customer’s experiences with pets on their flights. Most airlines offer pet services, but some will be much better than others.

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to start thinking about the idea of a holiday with your furry friend. A lot of people find themselves struggling when they’re trying to book something like this. But, with the right effort, it should be nice and easy to find options which are designed for animals.

camp, jobs, Nonprofit

Summer Camp: 6 Reasons this is the Ideal Job for Travelers

Jessica Lippe

This may seem like an odd time of year to talk about summer camp, but many camps will open up their summer staff applications soon if they haven’t already. Working at a camp offers plenty of adventures… and can earn you enough money to go on another adventure after the camp season is over!

Why should a traveler work at summer camp?

Experience Once-in-a-Lifetime Events… Every Week!


Riding an airboat! You can find me on the right in the burgundy tee

I love ziplining. But so far, I’ve never paid for a zipline experience. Working at camp has allowed me to enjoy this adrenaline rush for free whenever campers weren’t using it.
The events and experiences you’ll get to enjoy depend on what camp you go to, but here are just a few other things I got to do as part of camp work: play paintball, rock climb, walk high ropes, take the leap of faith, hold an alligator, ride airboats, jump off the high dive, play broomball on a frozen-over pool, and fly on a giant swing, just to name a few.

Shoulder Seasons are Your Vacation Time

Yes, camp work typically means giving up a good chunk of the most popular vacation time: summer. But that means you’ll also be giving up the high prices and large crowds that come with tourist season. Instead, try traveling before or after camp, when you might enjoy prime destinations for less, and maybe even have them all to yourself.

Learn Valuable Travel Skills

Gaining marketing and public relation skills… I’m in the middle

Working at camp doesn’t mean doing the same task all day, every day. You can lead a hike, plunge a toilet, perform a skit, and make a craft… all in the same hour! This means wearing many hats and learning new skills. Some of those skills will be beneficial in travel.

I know I’m a safer, healthier, and all-around more confident traveler because of the first aid and survival skills I was taught at camp. Camp also taught me more about cooking, budgeting, fitness, and getting by with few modern conveniences. All those skills have played a role in some way or another in my travels. Plus, many of my camp coworkers enjoy traveling as well, so we have exchanged some valuable travel tips.

Build that Travel Fund

Be warned, camps aren’t known as being a place that makes their employees rich. Your pay may be equivalent to less than three dollars an hour. However, all that money can go straight into savings. Think about it: at camp, your bed, food, and daily activities are covered. You may have a couple monthly bills to pay, such as for your cell phone or insurance, but those are relatively small compared to your typical monthly expenses. All you have to do is limit your spending at the snack shack and on your days off, and you’ll build a nice nest egg for more adventures (or whatever you want to spend it on)!

Satisfy that Travel Bug

I am furthest to the left, on a staff retreat with camp coworkers

This one may or may not work for you. Sometimes, camp encourages me to travel even more. Other times, it makes me fulfilled enough that I don’t feel the need to travel as much. If this doesn’t work, try exploring the surrounding area on your days off. This works especially well if your camp is far from your home.

Currently, I’m helping out with weekend retreats about twice a month. I still occasionally travel elsewhere, but it’s because I want to, not because I feel pressured to travel. If you work at a summer camp and enjoy it, try coming back throughout the year to work weekend retreats.

Another opportunity that may arise is that you could have the chance to travel with camp as part of your job. There are some adventure camps where staff take campers to all kinds of places. One way I’ve traveled with camp is by visiting other camps as a representative of my own camp, even going to multi-camp conferences in different states. Of course some business or training is involved, but that’s a small price for an all-expense-paid trip!

Inspire Others to Adventure

Camps make a difference. Many camps are also nonprofit organizations, so you can work for a cause you believe in. But you can also make a difference by encouraging the campers you work with to go after adventure. The world could use more travelers like you!

Have you ever worked or volunteered at a camp? (If so, tell me where!) What do you think is the best advantage to working at camp?


Photos were taken during my time at Camp Rivercrest in Nebraska. I’ve worked at 3 other camps and volunteered at countless more, but apparently Rivercrest provided the most photo ops!

Books, film, travel tips

3 Important Travel Lessons We Learned from Harry Potter

Jessica Lippe

Image Credit

There are many reasons why the Harry Potter series has resonated so strongly with fans. Since the first book was published in 1997 who could have foreseen that it would spawn 6 sequels and become revivified by a series of blockbuster films, a sell out West End play and a major tourist attraction just outside of London? There’s no denying that Harry and his world are a cultural phenomenon… But why do we love it so much? Perhaps it’s because it presents us with a painfully accurate depiction of our adolescence, glossed over with a little fairy dust and early 20th century anachronisms? Maybe it’s because it riffs on myths and legends that are part of our unconscious pop culture psyche? Or perhaps it’s because the stories help us to become better people. There are some potent life lessons to be learned from the world of Harry Potter that intrepid wanderers can take with them on their travels, including…

People are not always what they seem

A lot of stories aimed at children deal in fairly two dimensional characters based on mythic archetypes. Hence, the good guys look like bad guys and the bad guys wear their villainy very much on their sleeve. When we travel, it’s all too tempting to be wary of new and unfamiliar people locales and customers, but the saga teaches us the value of taking a closer look. It shows us that when we scratch the surface, we can often find a person to be very different to their outward appearances. Take Scabbers, the cuddly little rat who is later revealed to be the treacherous Peter Pettigrew or the jittery and unassuming Professor Quirrell who turns out to have been osmosed by Voldemort. Of course, there’s no better embodiment of this than Professor Snape who, despite having been depicted as a sneering villain is revealed to have made a series of brave sacrifices to protect Harry out of love for his mother, Lilly. When so much is new and strange, a traveller can see monsters lurking in every corner, but a little understanding can reveal that things are rarely as scary as they appear.

Home isn’t necessarily where you grew up

Harry Potter spent his formative years in an unloving home where he was made to feel unwanted, unloved and like a huge inconvenience. Tragically, this is the reality that millions of real children experience around the world. These stories show them that things do get better and that in time they’ll find a place where they belong. Of course, this applies to adults, too! A big part of why many of us travel is to feel a sense of belonging that we just don’t get at home. A lot of people who put down roots after vacationing abroad just feel that sense of belonging when they find the right place, just like Harry did at Hogwarts. Take yourself to Viaja Compara Vuelo and find your next holiday destination.  You may just find your new home on your next vacation… Even if you don’t you’ll still have a great time.

Image by Flickr

Adventures are always better with friends

The mythology wouldn’t be half so compelling if Harry didn’t have Hermione and Ron at his side to share his adventures; to help him through the tough times and help him celebrate the good times. The same is true of travel. Whether you’re navigating the Canadian rockies or hugging Goofy at Disneyland, adventures are always better with friends.

The world is a big and sometimes scary place and having people you love and trust by your side can help you let go of your fear and trepidation and truly enjoy your travels!

Confession time: I have neither seen nor read a single Harry Potter book/movie in its entirety. So many thanks to my friends more knowledgeable in this subject who collabed on this post! I do enjoy traveling to new places through books and movies though. I took a virtual trip to Mexico by seeing Coco in theaters today. For adventurous book ideas,click here! 

resources, saving money

Travel: It Doesn’t Cost The Earth To See It

Jessica Lippe

Picture Source

Traveling is an experience that everybody should make a priority on their bucket list. And you shouldn’t just go on the same old vacation to some sunny resort at a popular destination. Obviously, relaxing vacations are fun and you should allow yourself the luxury of getting a tan on a lounger from tan to time. But there’s so much to see in the big wide world that it seems a shame not to explore. Of course, your financial situation might be holding you back. But it doesn’t have to cost the earth to see it. Here are some ways to make travel more affordable.

Make a budget.

Before you go on your travels, you need to make a plan. Whilst that may sound boring, it’s important that you’ve thought about the financial element of your proposed trip so that you can be sure you’ve got enough money to cover everything. Once you’ve calculated the costs, you can figure out whether it falls within your affordable limits. But you shouldn’t have to compromise. You might need to raise additional funds if your budget won’t quite cover everything you want to see and do. Perhaps you have family or friends who are willing to help you out (especially if they’re traveling with you).

Of course, the thought of owing money to loved ones might make it hard for you to enjoy your travels even if they’re happy to give you a fair amount of time to pay them back. Whilst your credit score might not be great if you’ve struggled with your finances in the past, that doesn’t mean borrowing money is completely off limits. You could check out companies such as Evolution Money for secured loans that use your house as collateral. There’s always a way to prove you’re financially trustworthy in order to get the funds you need for your travels.

Visit public sites.

Of course, it isn’t too hard to find cheap flights with a quick Google search. If you wait for the right time of year then you’ll be able to find good deals to all those destinations you’re desperate to see. Still, the journey is only part of the cost of a vacation. You have to think about the costs that’ll be incurred whilst you’re traveling. When seeing towns or cities on your travels, you should strive to visit public sites for a free experience. Museums are obviously a good place to start; you’ll get to learn something about the culture and history of the place you visit without putting a dent in your wallet. National parks are also well worth visiting; you can’t put a price on seeing mother nature.

Picture Source

Work on your travels.

Finally, one of the best ways to afford your travels is to make traveling part of your career. You could become a tour guide in one of your favorite cities in the world and you’d never have to leave there. You could even work on a cruise ship if you’d rather be on the move and constantly traveling to new places. Not only do you get to see beautiful countries all over the globe but you get to be part of a friendly family of cruise ship workers who travel with you. Of course, there are numerous career opportunities all over the world; you could even look into volunteering abroad because many charities will cover your travel expenses.


Ednote: Just enjoyed a great, budget-friendly Thanksgiving day trip. Went with my family to snowshoe Crater Lake National Park- can’t wait to tell you about it!

travel tips

5 Vacation Activities You Should Try At Least Once!

Jessica Lippe

Life is all about trying new experiences and getting to know new people. You can’t have a fulfilling life, if you don’t live it in a fulfilling way. This means soaking up every opportunity and every chance you get to do something amazing, something different to the day to day mundane. Going on vacation is a luxury in life that many people never get to experience until adulthood, so when you do get to have the chance to get away, you should say a resounding ‘yes’ to every new experience that comes your way.

The most popular time of year for a vacation is whenever it happens to be warm, and no matter when you go – somewhere in the world will be warm at that point. If you want to go away and really enjoy your vacation, there are some activities you should make a point of seeking out and doing. Call it a vacation bucket list, if you must, but either way, we’ve got five activities that you absolutely have to tick off while you’re on your next sunshine break.

Image Source

Boat Trips. Whether you’re a boat owner who loves the water, or you’re hiring one for the day, you need to get on the ocean and experience the world at a different pace. Take a cooler and a picnic basket and find out where you can buy the best boat umbrellas. Wind-stable Finbrella purchases mean that you can take that boat to the ocean and spend the day out on the water. It’s an experience everyone should have at least once!

Image Source

Open Air Concerts. Going on vacation means trying something new, right? Well, make sure your head somewhere with an open-air concert on offer and dance the night away under a blanket of stars.

Image Source

Sunrise Yoga. Whether you’re on vacation or not, you should still keep up with your health and fitness. Counteract those dancing nights with cocktails and burgers with early morning sunrise yoga. Getting onto the beach when the sunrise peaks over the edge of the ocean, breathing in the clean air and getting in touch with yourself? Yep, that’s what vacations are about.

Image Source

Diving. Above the ocean level is endless blue sky and sunshine. Below? Below is the quiet tranquillity of the sea and all the marine life you could imagine. So, don your diving suit and get under the water for an experience that feels other-worldly.

Image Source

Taste The Rainbow. Whenever you are exploring somewhere new, you need to look at the food on offer. You’ll find far more exotic options on offer on vacation, so you need to get stuck in and try it all! That dish that looks like nothing you’ve ever seen before? Go and buy it. That weird coloured fruit? Take a bite. It’s all about the senses on vacation and you need to indulge yours.

Going away and trying new things gives you the chance to enjoy life from a different angle. That’s an angle you need to learn to enjoy!

 

PS– Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow US readers! How are you celebrating today?

destinations, travel tips

Beaches vs Skiing

Jessica Lippe

Both have their pros and cons depending on what you’re looking for. But whichever one you’re travelling to, you’re in for a good time. A lot of people head for the traditional beach holiday not knowing what they’re missing with a skiing holiday. Yet a lot of people head to the slopes for an action packed holiday, but don’t realize you can have just as much fun on a beach holiday. So which one wins? Is it a beach holiday or a skiing one? Both have their pros and cons depending on what you’re going there for. If you know you prefer one over the other, then let this article open your mind to new possibilities.

Pixabay

Skiing Holidays

Beach lovers listen up, you’re missing a trick if you don’t at least once head to the slopes and experience the thrill of a skiing holiday. Let’s first talk about the destination. There are some really stunning destinations all over the world where ski resorts lie, but if you head to Andorra, Andorra ski holidays will give you an experience like no other. The accommodation is luxurious and so is the location. Imagine yourself in a wooden lodge, the fires roaring away, the snow is trickling down outside, and you’re cuddled up with the fluffiest blanket in front of the fire, drinking hot chocolate after a day on the cold slopes. Does it sound perfect? We think it does! We keep saying skiing, but you can also try your hand at snowboarding if that takes your fancy more. As you head up the slopes there will be a number of different restaurants along the way if you decide you need a break. A lot of people chose to go up on the lifts and stop off at every restaurant along the way. When you do get to the slope you want to go down, the adrenaline rush you’ll have will be insane, plus it is just so much more fun than you realize!


Beach Holidays

Convincing an adrenaline junky to go on a relaxing beach holiday is hard, but we think we know how to do it. Sometimes in life you just need a little relaxation, which a beach holiday does give. But this isn’t all the offer. If you head to islands like Tenerife, you’ll have plenty of action packed things to do to keep you occupied. There’s the buggy experience up Mount Teide which sees you out all day racing round the winding mountain road, or there’s plenty of watersports on the beach to keep you occupied. If you get there and realize the relaxation life is for you, then there’s plenty of beautiful beaches where you can catch some rays. The nightlife in Tenerife is amazing, especially if you head to Playa De Las Americas. There’s tons of amazing restaurants. Some of the beach front hotels are stunning and offer incredible views to wake up to. Whether you head there and still want a bit of adrenaline, or realise you need to relaxation time, Tenerife has it all for you.