Tag: travel tips

Guest Post: Tips For Long Train Rides You Didn’t Know

On By TanjaIn Travel2 Comments
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Tips For Long Train Rides You Didn’t Know

People who live in cities where “everyone” takes the train are often amused when they see a person who has no idea what a train ride is like. There are some of us who have never been on a train. There are even people who would have to drive to find a train. Below we will offer some tips that will help you if you happen to be new to train riding.

Luggage

A person new to trains is quickly identified by their luggage. They appear to think that once they board the train, they will need everything they need for the next year of their life. Then once seated, they try to chain their luggage to their body somehow, never thinking that they may need to use the restroom.

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Tip One

You need a good, waterproof bag on wheels, a backpack, and a money belt. Talk to the experts at Unibaggage to guide you through this. If you have these three essentials, you will not have to check your luggage. You can put it overhead, and you can use your backpack as a travel pillow.

Tip Two

This is what goes in your money belt:

  • Identification
  • A small amount of cash (enough for a taxi, hotel room, and meal)
  • Credit cards
  • Passport
  • Visa
  • Emergency medical cards
  • Emergency contact person’s name and phone number

Tip Three

In your backpack or suitcase have a copy of everything that is in your money belt. Copy the front and back of each card. This is so you have the correct information to stop your accounts from being compromised if your money belt is stolen or lost. This will help you get replacements quickly, as well.

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Essential Tips For First Time Travellers

On By TanjaIn Travel7 Comments
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Travelling is one of the greatest joys in life. It allows you to leave your comfortable bubble and explore somewhere totally new and alien to you. You’ll be able to experience temperatures you never did back home, see sights which make you question what is real, and you’ll enjoy the relaxation of sitting by the sea and sleeping your days away.

It can be scary when you have never left the safety of your own country before, and the thought of flying off to a different part of the world might give you major chills. However, travelling is fun! It’s not scary at all, and in fact, it can be one of the most fun experiences of your life. If you need some encouragement or need to know what you can expect going abroad for the first time, here are some tips for you.

Hotel business cards

Always take the business card from the front desk of whichever hotel you are staying in while you are away. This will allow you to call the hotel if you get lost in the foreign country and they will be able to help you. It is also useful for when you’ve been out during the day and you need to get a taxi home. Simply hand the driver the business card and he will know where to take you. It will save you having to struggle with the foreign language. Alternatively you can also think about renting a house or apartment during your stay so that you have the privacy and ability to cook for yourself.  

The six-month passport rule

Although your passport may not have expired yet, it could stop you from entering a country if it expires within six months time. Some countries are a little more stringent than others when it comes to your passport and will not just stick to the date which is inside your cover. This is why if you are planning to go away, you need to make sure that you have a renewed passport to prevent this from happening and causing you to have to turn tail and head home.

Getting cash

Of course, when at home you will get cash from the ATM because it is just easier, however, many other countries will charge you for using cash machines. Instead, you can pay for most things on your card for safety and you can use a checking account to cover the cost of items too.

Credit cards

Like we said above, using your card is often the easiest way to pay for things whilst you are abroad but it is specifically the credit card which is advisable to use when you are away from home. The reason for this is that you will get some great exchange rates using a credit card which you wouldn’t benefit from if you were using your debit card. Also make sure that your hotel or restaurant never converts your bill into dollars before to pay, because you will be getting a bad deal as a result.

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Guest post:Top 11 Ways to Kill Time at the Airport

On By TanjaIn Travel6 Comments

I was 18. Young, carefree, traveling solo, without a worry in the world. And then, I experienced an ordeal that most of the travelers can relate to. I was stranded at an airport for more than 8 hours with nowhere to go and nothing to do. I am sure, you can understand my agony. I didn’t know how to spend those extra hours. Ever since I’ve spent a lot of time at the airports and come up with some nifty ideas so that I don’t have to bow down to boredom again!

Whether you’re waiting in queue to park your car or have to laze around till you get onto the next available flight, don’t let extra time on your hands be a dreary affair. The tips here are sure to inspire you:

1) Go For A Quick Sightseeing Tour

If you’re stranded at an airport, have a little extra time on hands and a transit visa (if applicable), embark on a quick sightseeing tour. You can easily get fast and affordable transportation from most of the airports.

All you need to do is take off in a public transportation to the nearest sightseeing place, a mall or the city center and explore it to bide time.

Don’t forget to come back to the airport for check-in and catch your next flight!

2) Meetup Friends and Relatives

Do you have some or the other acquaintances living close by the airport? What about family or friends? If the answer is affirmative, talk to them in advance and plan an itinerary where you can catch up with them just outside the airport or visit a place nearby together. Since they will be familiar with the place, you will have a smooth sailing in their company.

3) Read A Book

This one’s a no-brainer. If you love reading and have a book/eBook reader with you, get lost in a good book and absorb the goodness. Forgot the book? Purchase a book or a magazine to while away time. Don’t want to spend money? Go online and start reading random blogs on the internet. You never know what you may find!

4) Make Time For Forty Winks

When you travel, sometimes you don’t get to catch up on your sleep.

Make up for the lost sleep by napping at the airport. There are some airports, which have special sleeping sections and chairs.

These are just incredible if you have the ability to sleep just about anywhere. On the other hand, you can even go to a lounge room and stretch out fully. This works well when you have to catch flights at odd times and need to camp at the airport longer than usual.

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4 Things You Must Organize Before International Travel

On By TanjaIn Travel5 Comments

Booking your flight and a place to stay is just one small part of preparing for an overseas vacation. Even the most experienced travelers overlook some of the most important parts of planning a trip. In order to get ready for your next adventure, check out these four things you must organize before international travel.

1. Get Your Paperwork in Order

Image via Flickr by Damian613

While researching destinations for your vacation abroad, be sure to check into the types of paperwork you’ll need for your trip. If you don’t already have a passport, you’ll need to apply for one right away. If you do have one, make sure it has at least six months remaining before it expires.

In addition to having a valid passport, you may need to apply for a visa, a process that can take several weeks and cost a lot of money. Many countries also charge entry and exit fees that can quickly add up. Factor paperwork into your plans, and be sure you have enough time and money to get it all in order before you head out to the airport.

2. Get a Checkup

Image via Flickr by USACE Europe District

It’s always a good idea to visit the doctor before heading overseas to make sure you’re in top shape and to get informed about any special medical requirements for your trip. In most cases, immunizations are optional, but you may need to prove you’ve been vaccinated against specific diseases, such as yellow fever, before entering certain countries.

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Stepping Outside Of Your Comfort Zone When Traveling

On By TanjaIn Travel9 Comments

When it comes to learning about ourselves, travelling is one of the very best ways to do that, as is stepping outside of our comfort zones. Travel is all about experiencing new things and learning about yourself as well as the place that you are exploring. That’s why when it comes to travelling abroad, whether you are heading to France or somewhere a little further afield like Mumbai, it is important to step outside of your comfort zone every so often. Wondering why it’s important to step outside of your comfort zone while travelling? Read on to find out!

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Challenging yourself aids performance

Travel plays a big part in personal growth – there is no getting away from that fact – which is why travelling is such a fantastic thing to spend your time doing. However, that being said, if when you travel you play it safe and do things that don’t require you to step outside of your comfort zone, the chances of your travel aiding your performance is low. To get anything from travelling, you need to be brave and do things that are new to you and require you to leave your comfort zones. For instance, say you love rock climbing, perhaps you could push yourself further and climb a mountain while you are travelling, such as Kilimanjaro. Are you wondering is Kilimanjaro climb difficult? Climbing any mountain is going to be difficult and make you step out of your comfort zone, but it is also an activity that will be incredibly worthwhile. It’s the kind of activity that will show you that you can do anything.

Taking risks helps us grow

Risk taking, when thought about carefully, can help us to grow. When you are travelling, sometimes you have to be willing to take calculated risks, to make the most of your time abroad and grow as a person. If you stay within your comfort zone relaxing and sunbathing while you are away, instead of exploring and trying new things, you won’t make the most of your time travelling. Be brave and do things that scare you, and as a result, you will grow as a person. If you stick to doing things that don’t scare you, you can’t expect to grow or change as a person.

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What To See And Do While In France

On By TanjaIn Travel21 Comments
Paris as seen from the Eiffel tower

If you’re planning a trip around France, there are a lot of things that will tickle your taste buds and manipulate your mind. The country is known for its incredible amount of history, art, and architecture, as well as its Michelin star restaurants and of course – the wine. But if you don’t know where the best-hidden gems are, here’s a list of what you need to look out for while you’re away.

Paris

Probably one of the most famous capitals in the world, Paris is an iconic place to visit if you know you’re going to be in France. It’s known for being the city of love, romance and of course, fashion. You can go and stand right in front of the oh so famous Eiffel Tower, or if you’re brave enough, take a ride all the way to the top so you can capture that perfect selfie. Then cycle along the Seine – or better yet, cruise down it on a bateau to get the whole experience. You can finish off your afternoon by having an espresso at the many different cafes on the strip and people watch until you get hungry.

Paris, France

 Lyon

This is a city in France, about five hours away from Paris, and is, in fact, the biggest in Rhone-Alpes. Lyon is famous for its historical landmarks that were created hundreds of years ago and still stand strong to this day. It was known on the lips of the workers as being one of the most productive cities for weaving silk, which was a rather big deal back in the day, and now the attention has been put onto their reputation for gastronomy in France.

 

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Ultimate Mini Guide: 24 Hours In Bangkok

On By TanjaIn Travel4 Comments

The crowded, bustling city of Bangkok is rarely described as beautiful or scenic, but what it lacks in aesthetics it certainly makes up for in atmosphere, buzz, and thrills. The city is forever moving, with crowds of people adorning every street corner, every bar, and every shop. The hot and stifling nature of the city can be overwhelming at times, which is probably why people spend little more than a couple of days in the city at any one time. Maneuvering around the city, seeing the sights and experiencing the humidity is an experience in itself and will be one that stays with you for many years to come. Take a look at some of the things you might want to do if you find yourself with 24 hours to kill in this eclectic city.

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Grab a Patongo

Nearly every jaunt into the world of Thailand travel begins in Bangkok before you move onto the serene beaches of Koh Samui or the cultural wonders of Wat Rong Khun. Fuel the start of your day in Bangkok with a patongo, a Thai sweet treat to give your body a sugar kick ready for the day ahead. Ensure you’re stocked up on plenty of fluids and head out onto the streets with your trusty itinerary. There’s no excuse not to be prepared.

Head To The Flower Market

To fully immerse yourself in the culture of any city you have to make an effort to travel to a market. The Pak Klong Chalat market sees stallholders opening up before the crack of dawn to await the fresh shipments of exotic flowers of all colors, shapes, and sizes arriving from all over Thailand. You could embark on a mini two-hour tour of the market, learning about its history as you allow the intoxicating aromas of sweet smelling jasmine and roses to invade your senses.

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