Tag: Best Travel Blog

3 Disasters To Avoid When Going Abroad!

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

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Going abroad is a very exciting thing to do. You’re going to be taking a very long trip to get somewhere that you’ve never been to before, getting to experience different cultures and climates, eating new food and visiting new places, it’s a really wonderful time! However there are some really horrendous mistakes that people make when they go abroad, so here’s what they are and how to avoid them!

Not Booking A House To Stay At

When people go on a trip, a lot of us think that it’s okay to not book somewhere to stay because we’re going to be able to find a hotel that will accommodate us, and for small trips this sometimes works! But in other countries, you cannot take this risk, especially if you’re going to a very tourist heavy area! You’ll find that once you get there, everything is going to be booked up and you’re going to have nowhere to stay. This is why it’s a good idea to rent or even buy (if you’ve got the cash) a house before you go over to your holiday destination, and you can do this from companies like alamo homes. By renting out or buying a house where you plan on going then it saves you the hassle of sorting it out, and failing, whilst you’re actually on holiday!

The Plane Doesn’t Land Near Your Destination

Another seemingly simple thing that people overlook a lot of the time is where their flight is actually going to take them. People often just see it as simple as they’re getting a plane from America to say the United Kingdom, but there are loads of different airports that you can land at! If you’re going to stay in London, but end up in Manchester, then you’re going to spend a very long time getting to your destination which could waste a day or two of your holiday time! This is why you need to book your flight and know what airport you’re landing at, ensuring that you land as close to your destination as possible so that you can start enjoying your holiday straight away.

You Haven’t Got Enough Cash

A lot of places around the world haven’t quite caught up yet with technology, or maybe they have chosen not to in order to preserve their feel, but for whatever reason not all places in the world do not accept card, and you’re going to need cash for things. Paying for parking and other things require cash in other countries, so you need to make sure that you have ample amounts of it! You can get foreign currencies from place like Travelex, giving you the ability to pay for the small things that you need to so you’re not going to be caught without it!

You need to make sure you have all of these things checked before you go away. Ensure that you’ve got the right currency for the country just in case you need it, check to see where your plane is landing so it’s as close to your destination as it can be to reduce your travel time and make sure you’ve got dedicated accommodation in advance! There are not only these mistakes to be made, but medical ones too, so check this out to make sure you stay safe abroad.

Avoid These Medical Mistakes When Travelling Abroad

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

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It’s easy to neglect your health when on holiday. Even if you’re not climbing mountains or diving with sharks, you can still pick up a nasty bug or have a drunken accident after a few cocktails by the beach that could result in a need for medical treatment. Preparing for such eventualities could make such a disaster less of a scare – both to your health and your wallet. Here are just a few of the big medical mistakes to avoid when planning your trip and what to do instead.

Not getting insured

Travel insurance is worth taking out to help cover not just medical treatment but events like flight cancellations, baggage loss, delays and personal property damage. Not all travel insurance schemes will cover all these eventualities, so it’s worth always looking into what’s covered. Medical cover can be one of the most important things to look out for as a trip to a hospital abroad could cost thousands in some cases if you’re not insured. Travel insurance is generally cheap and you can sometimes get family deals. Whilst some holiday companies and airlines will try to sell you it as an add-on, shopping around may get you a cheaper price. Print these insurance documents off and take them with you in case a doctor needs proof.

Ignoring vaccination advice

Some areas of the world may be high risk zones for diseases such as malaria or yellow fever. Whilst you don’t have to get vaccinated, you could be putting your health in serious danger by doing so. Vaccinations are costly and can be scary to needle-phobes if they involve jabs, which can lead some people to take a gamble and forgo them. Weigh up the risks and leave yourself enough time to go through the vaccination process.

Not researching local emergency contact details

You should always try and make a record of the local emergency number in case you need to ring an ambulance. If you’re travelling somewhere remote without a local guide – especially if you’re taking part in an extreme sports such as mountaineering or off-piste skiing – it could be worth also researching into medevac services. You don’t want to be in need of medical attention but unable to obtain it simply because you don’t have the contact details.

Forgetting travel meds

Bringing all the right travel meds can also keep you prepared in an emergency. Some may be more important such as insulin, EpiPens for allergies and inhalers for serious asthma. Others may be more of a convenience such as antihistamines for hayfever, Imodium for diarrhoea, tablets for period pains and travel sickness pills. Plasters and bandages can also be handy to have.

Drinking local tap water

In some places in the world, the local tap water may not be as clean as what you’re used to back home. Drinking it may only result in the runs, but in some cases could result in catching more serious diseases. In such locations, always buy bottled water. You should also be wary of buying drinks that contain ice – always ask for drinks without ice cubes just to be safe.

 

Trip Ideas That Everyone In The Family Will Love

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

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There are always squabbles during summer about where the family should go on vacation. The parents want a relaxing trip, but the kids don’t want to be bored out of their minds. Of course, there’s always the factor of money; you don’t want to spend a fortune on a short trip, and you might not be able to afford to do so anyway. Here are some ideas for trips that everyone in the family will love (and you’ll be able to afford them).

A road trip.

As talked about over at ikreatepassions.com, nothing beats a road trip with the family. If there’s one way to compromise and give everybody in the family something they love on your next big trip away then think outside the box. You don’t have to settle on one destination if you can’t find one place that’s everyone’s cup of tea. Head off on a road trip and see several destinations in the space of one day. Give everybody a taste of what they want from a family vacation. It’s the perfect solution. Make sure you’re prepared in every sense. Bring plenty of food and water with you, and create a solid plan for the day (or several days) involved with your trip. If you’re seeing multiple places then you want to make sure there’s time to fit everything into your vacation.

Exploring nature.

Perhaps your family isn’t the wealthiest in the world, but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise and give up on the idea of a vacation this year. A family vacation is all about spending some time together with your loved ones and having a laugh. It might be nice to do that on a sunny beach in some distant, exotic resort, but you don’t have to go somewhere so far away and so expensive to do that.

You could have fun simply by keeping things closer to home and exploring nature in a nearby valley, national park, or trail. You could turn it into a fun camping trip, as suggested over at densonline.com, with fun daytime activities involving seeing the natural sights which surround you. You don’t need to head off on a ten-mile hike; a small walk to admire the natural sights, whether that be a lake or a stunning forest, is enough to get a feel for your surroundings. Better yet, it usually costs next to nothing to hire out a camping site for a night or two.

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Head to the city.

Of course, if you’re really running out of ideas to keep everyone happy then you could go to a place wherein there’s enough to do to keep all people of all preferences happy: the city. You don’t have to spend a fortune going abroad, and you don’t have to worry about running out of things to do. You could check out some options on sites such as familyvacationcritic.com for cities near you that the family may never have visited before. You don’t always have to go to a different country to experience a cultural shift; vacations can be had practically on your doorstep. The world is a diverse place.

 

Essential Guide To Camping For Camping-Haters

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

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Camping is a lot like Marmite. A lot like Marmite. It’s not that you either love it or absolutely loathe it, for those that absolutely loathe it, it’s also the fact you can’t comprehend what there is to like about it. Sleeping is uncomfortable, eating is a challenge, it’s either too hot or too cold and then there is the bathroom situation which, in a nutshell, is not ideal.

Despite all this, we are firmly in the love camp. However, we do sympathise with those that aren’t. We get it. However, it is one of the best ways to get some me time. That is why we have come up with a list of tips and tricks and bits of advice to help you get an enjoyable experience out of it the next time your friends or family convince you to attend such a thing.

Think of this as the essential guide to camping for camp-haters:

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Entertainment Is Essential

One of the reasons why camp-haters detest camping so much is because they miss their creature comforts, which is where entertainment can really help. Bring with you a tablet or a laptop that has a long battery life, such as those new Asus computers, and a bunch of your favourite films too. There is nothing to say you can’t do this. Yes, if you are true camper then you’re going to find this suggest abhorrent, but who cares. You don’t see the chef at a restaurant come out and tell you off putting salt on the meal they’ve just cooked to perfection, and that is because it is a matter of preference. Sam goes here.

Food You Love

It is a big turn off for most camping-haters, which is fair enough. One-pot meals just aren’t to everyone’s fancy. Luckily, it doesn’t say you have to eat stewed roadkill just because you are camping. That’s why we recommend you pack a cooler full of your favourite foods, bring a portable grill with some pans and utensils and cook the foods you like. Want bacon and eggs in the morning instead of cereal bar, then indulge that, especially if it will make your experience more enjoyable.

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Doesn’t Have To Be In-Tents

Just because you are camping, it doesn’t have to mean sleeping in a tent that leaks wind and water and creepy crawlies. You can go with something that is a little more aligned with glamping. Teepees, hammocks, bell tents, campervans with an awning, even a cabin; all of these are totally acceptable, and all of these offer way more space and protection. We’ve seen people with bell tents that have got double beds and sofas in them. Now that’s the life, right there.

Best Bathroom Ever

If you can find a way to enjoy the bathroom experience a bit more then you’ll probably start enjoying the whole camping thing a bit more too. That’s just hard when you have to dig a whole fifteen metres away from your base. However, there are ways to overcome this. First off, take a portable camping toilet with you, and do exactly the same as you do at home, just with a far better view. As for the shower, just grab yourself a solar powered shower with a privacy cubicle and all, which will allow you to enjoy a long warm shower in any secluded spot you fancy.

 

Need Some Me Time? Then A Camping Trip Should Be On The Cards

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

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Do you ever feel like you need to step away from your normal life and just take some time out? Don’t worry, if your answer is yes, then you’re going to agree that you could do with some ‘me time’ sometime soon. It’s not always easy to know how you’re going to get that time to yourself and for a long enough period. But, one of the best ways to stay stress-free is to do something calming and enjoyable, like camping. And although you may feel like camping is a kind of vacation, it’s more than that. Camping is great for calming your lifestyle as well as a break away.

Get Away From The World

The first thing that should entice you about the idea of camping is the way that you can get away from the world in the process. When you go camping, you’re physically heading out into nature. It allows you to remove yourself from your stressful real world situation. And sometimes, that’s all you need. When you can spend a few days away from your real life, you’ll find that you’re able to keep calm and recharge your batteries.

Being Out In The Fresh Air

Then there’s also the fresh air. In today’s society, people just don’t get enough fresh air. We go from home to the office and back home again, then repeat. But, never underestimate the power of some fresh air. When you go out for a walk or head out into nature, you’ll find that fresh air can do you a world of good. So, be sure to take in as much as the outside as you can when you camp, you’ll feel a lot healthier for it.

Enjoy Being Active, Not Passive

We also find that we tend to be a lot more passive in life than generations before us. With TV and the internet, we do a lot less. We find that we’re just consuming information most of the time. But, when you go camping, you have to ‘do’. So, pack up everything you need to fend for yourself. With cooking equipment and survival kit, like this http://best-rechargeable-flashlight.cubereviews.com/, you’ll be able to enjoy being active. You’ll find that being active in nature is a great way to switch off and enjoy being out in the open.

Enjoy The Company Of Others

As well as being active, camping also gives you the opportunity to be social and enjoy the company of others. There are so many reasons why being social is good for you, like these https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/streams-of-consciousness/the-importance-of-being-social/, so now’s the time to reap the benefits. It will save you from being online and allow you to connect deeper with friends or family.

Step Back And Slow Down

And finally, you’re also going to want to enjoy the way that camping allows you to step back and forces you to slow down. You have nowhere to be, you have nothing to do (unless you want to read or explore or something), so just enjoy it. It will also teach you not to take the little things in life for granted and to appreciate what the world has to offer. And what kind of me time could be better than that?

 

 

Planning Your Great American Road Trip

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

A traditional American holiday that more people need to try is the famous road trip. Even if you’re not from America, there are countless reasons why you should do this at least once in your life. Be it a solo adventure or a trip with your friends and family, travelling across this massive country and passing through dozens of states is something that few people have experienced, but everyone that does it comes home with fond memories, plenty of souvenirs, and countless photo albums. But what makes the great American road trip such an attractive holiday, and what does it take to plan one? Read on to find out.

 

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Prepare documentation for your group

If you don’t live in the United States, then get yourself a passport and a visa. Instead of getting a regular visa to enter the United States, you can choose to get an ESTA instead. This is essentially a visa waiver that people can apply for if they come from certain countries. You can use this ESTA application checker to monitor the status of your application if you’re eagerly waiting for it to come. In addition to a visa, you might need to carry your driving license with you if you plan to be the driver. When you rent a vehicle, you might also need further documentation, so be sure to check online because it heavily depends on the state you start your road trip on. It’s preferable if you can connect with Americans to make this step a lot easier since they can rent the car and drive it instead of you jumping through legal issues to rent a vehicle.

Plan a route

Road trips are all about the journey, not the destination. If possible, try and plan your route so that it crosses as many iconic destinations as possible. For instance, the famous Route 66 is one that plenty of road trip enthusiasts have travelled at least once in their lives. It crosses through several different states including Chicago, Texas and California, giving you plenty of varied scenery. Make sure you also plan ahead when it comes to accommodation. Although sleeping in your vehicle is a valid way to spend the night, you only get the full experience if you stay at the various bed & breakfast and motel establishments along the route. You also get to experience classic American dining as you stop off at each city. Just make sure to carry a GPS device with you so you don’t get lost!

Carry essentials

Something that is often forgotten during the road trip is that you pass by countless stores. You don’t really need to carry many things with you. Just a bit of luggage, travel documents and medication is usually enough. You can buy plenty of snacks along the route, there are places to sleep so there’s no need to camp, and there’s plenty of entertainment along the way as well. The most important devices to carry are a GPS unit and a camera to take pictures. Don’t carry too many things. Lighten the car, carry just the essentials, and remember to bring money for gas!

Planning A Long-Haul Vacation

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Planning a vacation is one thing, but going for a long-haul vacation is an entirely separate set of challenges. To be in the position to choose a destination on a far-flung side of the world is a blessed one. Deciding to go on an adventure and trek the foothills of the mountains or ski down the slopes covered in fresh, powdered snow instead of lounging on a beach an hour away is a big decision.

 

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Before you do anything, though, you have to plan. For some, planning is hard and boring and for others, the excitement of an adventure is in the planning. Proper planning is an absolute essential when you have only a week or two to play with for your vacation. You not only have to ensure you have all the right travel documents – including any visas for the place you are going. There are so many websites that can tell you what you will need to have alongside your passport and you can check out FAQs here to see if you will need authorization to travel through Europe. You also need to look up the right insurance cover for your vacation; long haul destinations tend to need better coverage so ensure you look into that.

The absolute first thing you need to decide is what you want from your holiday. Are you looking for lush jungle treks or lounging on the white sandy beaches? Are you aiming to city hop your way around a country or scale to the summit of a mountain? Whatever your tastes, you have to check the local advice with the Foreign Office for travelling to ensure you’re covered for any visas you need and health requirements. Some places require you to have injections before you go to protect against certain diseases, and you don’t want to be turned away at the airport because you didn’t check!

 

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Next, you need to decide if you want to create a package holiday, or if you want to book everything separately. Sometimes, it’s cheaper to book a holiday as a package but for others, it makes more sense to book flights separate from hotel. All-inclusive breaks are easier to come by if you book a full package, and if you want less hassle, a package break is an easy option. There are plenty of travel agencies that offer vacations that are quite specialist, including specific skiing holidays and mountain hikes. Wanderlust is infectious and you should think carefully about exactly what it is you want out of your holiday before you book it.

Be practical about your holiday. We’ve talked about travel documents and the possible need for vaccinations for a holiday. Being practical about timelines before you go on holiday is important, because if certain travel authorizations and visas take a little time, you need to plan ahead so that you don’t lose out on a great holiday deal. There is nothing better than planning a break away, so doing it carefully will get you memories to last a lifetime!

 

Long Flight Coming Up? Here’s How To Make Sure It’s a Breeze

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

With summer nearly upon us, we’re all (hopefully) about to jet off to new and exciting destinations, where we’ll relax, have fun, and broaden our horizons. First, though, there’s a flight to navigate. Some people are natural fliers, while others see it solely as a necessary evil. If you’re in the latter category, then take note, because we’re on hand to make that long journey more comfortable, and – whisper it – but maybe more fun too. Here are five tips to keep in mind before your next journey!

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Wear the Right Clothing

Yes, you have to travel to the airport, and there’ll be a lot of people waiting to check in, so you can’t just wear whatever you want. But on the plane? It’s not a fashion show! You should wear whatever’s most comfortable for you. One neat trick is to have a pair of pajamas (or other comfortable clothing) in your carry-on bag, along with slippers. As soon as you’re on the plane, get changed. You’ll be able to switch back when you land, and no one will be any the wiser that you’ve been wearing some baggy old rags.

Staying Entertained

You’ll need to have all your devices charged and ready to go before the flight. A laptop is a bit much for a flight, but an iPad can make all the difference between boredom and not minding if you have to circle the landing site a couple of times. If possible, book with an airline that offers free (or at least paid) wifi: there’s nothing quite like playing a casino game or scrolling through your newsfeed when you’re high up in the sky. At the very least, a device that plays music (and of course a pair of headphones) can keep you entertained and your mind off the fact that you’re stuck on a plane.

Get Creative

How often do you get the chance to be locked away, with nothing but your mind to keep you company? If you’re of a creative bent, then this a golden opportunity that you need to make the most of. Once the plane has settled into its journey, take a look out at the setting sun as it falls over the earth, and get thinking. It’s an ample time to write, think of new ideas, or just enter a reflective state about your life.

Are You a Talker?

It would be great if you could have three seats to yourself, but in all likelihood, you won’t. There’ll be people next to you. Which gives you a chance to learn about someone new! Your lives will only overlap for a few hours, so get to them, have a nice time, share a drink, and then wave goodbye. There’s something interesting about everyone, if only you take your chance to ask them!

When All Else Fails

If you think there are no circumstances under which you’ll be a happy flier, you can also splash the cash and opt for first class. Trust us; you won’t mind a long flight when you’re traveling in style!

 

Coping With The Top 3 Worst Travel Troubles

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

In an ideal world, every trip will go as smooth as can be. There will be no problems, and we travel with complete confidence and no hiccups. Unfortunately, we don’t live in an ideal world, and things go wrong all the time.

So, here’s my list of the top travel troubles and how you can cope with them:

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Cancelled Flights

When your flights get cancelled, it can ruin your travels. It prevents you from getting somewhere on time and can cause a great deal of stress. Especially if it’s your flight home, as you end up lost in a foreign country with no way of getting home.

It’s hard to cope with this travel trouble, but there are some things you can do. Mainly, try and have a plan B wherever possible. This doesn’t mean you should book multiple flights, but more that you should prepare for the worst. For example, reserve a room at a hotel near the airport for the day of your flight. Then, if your flight gets cancelled, you have somewhere to stay for the night. If your flight isn’t cancelled, you can cancel the reservation free of charge (check with the hotel that you can do this, most allow you to, but some don’t).

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Lost Luggage

Losing your luggage is one of the worst travel troubles out there. When an airline loses your stuff, it can put you in a really bad position. All of your clothes and precious belongings have gone, leaving you stranded with nothing.

Thankfully, you can cope with this problem in two ways. Firstly, you can prevent it from happening by avoiding paying for hold luggage. Try and only use hand luggage, and you can keep your bags with you at all times. This may be hard for some people, but you can always pay for extra hand luggage too if you can’t keep it all in one bag. The second idea is to help you cope with the aftermath of some lost luggage. What you should do is buy travel insurance to protect you when this happens. There are loads of places like GoBear that compare travel insurance so you can find the best one. Once you’ve done this, you’ll be protected if any of your luggage goes missing or gets damaged. You can claim compensation and get replacements or money for anything you lost.

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No Cash

Most of us like bringing foreign money with us when we travel. This is because it can cost a lot to use our cards, and our banks may see activity in a foreign country and block our account as a security measure. This leads to a long phone conversation as you prove who you are and get the account unblocked. So, we use cash, but what happens when we run out? It can cause a big problem for us, particularly if we didn’t bring our card at all.

Well, coping with this issue is easy. First, always bring more than you need, just in case! Secondly, get a travelcard and load it up with money. You can use this card at ATMs to withdraw cash without being charged fees!

There you have it, three travel troubles complete with ideas on how to cope with them. Now, you can travel with confidence this summer.

 

 

A Well-Traveled Life Is A Life Lived Well

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

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Everyone will have their own pleasures in life. Whether you love a hearty plate of food or a fine piece of art, it’s these small luxuries in life that help to keep us alive and kicking. For some, it will always be travel. Travel is one of the few things in life that we spend money on, yet it makes us richer. From experiencing different cultures and meeting new people, to seeing some of the world’s most breathtaking sights and enjoying different climates, travel can really broaden your horizon.

So, it’s not all that surprising that more and more are enjoying a well-traveled life with their children. When you travel as a family, not only are you benefitting from a wealth of experiences, your children are too. You can help to shape their minds, perspectives and even their futures by filling their lives with travel. And, of course, you’re making lots of memories at the same time. If you’re interested in adding a lot more travel into your family life, whether you’re on a tight budget or not, here’s how you can do it and make a life full of travel work for your family.

Pack Well

Firstly, when you’re planning your travels, you’re going to want to be very selective as you pack. Whether you’re going on a summer-long adventure, or on a weekend trip, you want to make every item count. When traveling, it’s always best to pack as little as possible, so that you can get from A to B easily, but you also want to make sure you have all your bases covered. With everything from clothing for the right climate and any survival equipment you may need, you need to pack smart.

Do Your Homework

Alongside packing, you’re also going to want to make sure that you get all of your paperwork and research in order before you leave for your travels. Whether you need to sign up for the Visa Waiver Program before coming to the US, or getting something similar sorted for international travels, or find yourself some insurance, these are the things you should cover off as you plan your journeys.

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Shop Around

When it comes to booking your travels themselves, make sure that you shop around. If you’re on a budget, you want to make sure that you get flights or hotels for the best price possible – especially if you want to travel often. Traveling can cost you as little or as much as you’d like it too. You just have to shop around and be flexible with the places you’d like to stay or see at different times throughout the year. If you can grab a good deal on one place, snap it up now and see somewhere else later.

Make The Most Of Breaks

Another key trick to ensuring that your family can travel as much as possible is to utilize the school breaks well. Not only do you have a whole summer to fill with travels if your schedule permits it, but you can also get a lot done in short week breaks or even in a weekend. By being flexible and even working with plans last minute, you could see a lot more of the world.

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Plan Cultural Experiences

When you start to travel more, you’re opening yourself and your family up to so many incredible cultural experiences. Even if our beautiful United States, there is a lot of heritage to take in – so make sure you see it. It’s a great way for you to boost your kid’s education and ensure that they learn about their history, as well as the history of other cultures around the world. It’s these kinds of experiences that can nourish their little minds as they grow.

Try New Things

It’s always great to open yourself up to new experiences, but the idea can really come alive when you travel. With a wealth of different activities, foods, cultures, experiences and more, available to you, start to say yes to things when you’re traveling. You may find yourself on so many different adventures by just being open to trying new things.

Encourage Exploration

And finally, while you’re traveling with your family, encourage your children as much as you can to embrace every experience. Encourage exploration and curiosity and adventure in them. Not only will this allow them to open up their minds and see things differently, but you’ll also be installing a hunger for travel in them, which they can go on to use in their futures or enjoy with their own families as they grow up.