The small bus with bags on a roof

Road Trips Are Hands Down The Absolute Best Way To Travel

For sure, hopping on a plane and arriving at your destination in just a couple of hours has its advantages. Yet there is something about road trips and the joy that comes from them that can’t be denied. Sometimes you just want to slow down, take the scenic route, enjoy company and take it easy while driving the back roads. Here are some of the reasons why road trips are the best way to travel when you’re going on vacation.

Part of the reason for travelling is the actual trip itself. When you decide to take a road trip, you are allowing yourself to see and do more. Some of the best memories you make when on vacation is while you’re on the road. It’s just like life and how the journey is just as important as the destination.

Are you going to a new place or somewhere you have been before? Whichever is the case, you are certainly going to see new things and have new experiences along the way if you take a road trip. Plus, when on a road trip, you are in control. Isn’t it nice not to have to go through airport security? In all seriousness, airport travel has its clear advantages, but road trips have theirs, too.

One of the great advantages about road trips is you get to eat what you want and when you want. Whether you budget and bring food in a cooler with you or dine out at restaurants, you’re in control again when it comes to the food. When traveling by plane or via bus or train, you don’t have that type of control. If you’re willing to give up some of your time and be the one in charge of driving, then you have quite a few freedoms that you are going to enjoy.

You have an entire trunk at your disposal, too (or even something bigger if you hire from http://www.rentco.com.au/). When you have a trunk for packing your belongings, you are able to bring much more with you. Of course, that doesn’t mean you need to necessarily do that, but it is another one of those freedoms you have. Now let’s talk about another one of those freedoms, a very important one.

While gas prices have been on the rise lately, travelling by vehicle, especially as a family is typically the cheapest way to go. That means you’re going to save money. Perhaps you can do more along the way and while you’re on vacation. Maybe you can buy more souvenirs or stop at some of those restaurants vs packing all your food. You can also just pocket the money so you can take more road trips in the near future.

Road trips certainly come with their advantages. While there are two sides to the coin, there are just too many benefits to ignore. It might not be time for a road trip every time you travel, but they are quite fun indeed. When it’s time for you to be on the road again, why don’t you put yourself in charge?

4 Tips On How To Save For Your Dream Vacation

Have you ever wondered how much it will cost you to go on your dream vacation and where you will get the money for it? Well, I have good news for you. As part of my travel tips, I am going to share with you a few ideas on how you can save for your dream vacation.

#1 You need to learn how to track your expenditure

Many people tend to spend plenty of their money on things that they do not need. Therefore, learning how to track your expenses will enable you to identify all your unnecessary expenditure. Once you have done this, you will be able to cut back and redirect this money to your vacation account. Diligently do this for a couple of months and you will have enough money set aside for that vacation.

#2 You must learn how to budget

A budget will help you know exactly how much money you require for your vacation. Once you know this, it will be much easier for you to figure out how much money you can squeeze out from your income and over what period of time to enable you reach your vacation target.

#3 You must reduce unnecessary expenditure

Here, the bottom line is that you must stop buying things that you do not need. Being able to distinguish between needs and wants is the key to learning how to reduce unnecessary expenditure. Ensure that every coin that is not spent unnecessarily goes into your vacation savings.

#4 You must nurture habits that help save you money

You will be surprised how often we spend money on things we would have otherwise gotten for free if only we put in some extra effort. Having a do-it-yourself mentality will help you cut down your expenses significantly and the money saved can be directed to your vacation kitty.

Travel Tips – 5 Things to Consider When Packing

If you are reading this blog then I bet you are like me therefore I’m sure you enjoy travelling. I have travelled a lot, for work and for vacation, and I feel it’s time I shared a few travel tips especially for anyone going on vacation.

#1 Carry the right bag

Depending on how long your stay is going to be, and how many mementos you intend to bring back with you, the bag you carry matters a lot. My advice is bring both a backpack and a suitcase. Always remember that the suitcase will definitely remain in your hotel room, but you will need a backpack as you move up and about once you get to your destination.

#2 Ensure to pack lightly

When on vacation, do not carry too much clothing. Hotels generally have housekeeping services so it is not necessary to carry two weeks’ worth of clothing. My main reason however for suggesting you pack light is that the fun of travelling, is getting to bring back souvenirs. Therefore, the more space you have in your suitcase and backpack, the more the souvenirs you can bring back home without incurring an extra charge for heavy luggage.

#3 Avoid carrying too many shoes

I personally believe that when it comes to shoes and vacation, three pairs is a crowd even for ladies. One pair of casual shoes and one pair of comfort shoes should be sufficient, and of course one pair of flip flops.

#4 Leave your gadgets at home

Our gadgets tend to be too cumbersome and unnecessary because during vacation we rarely use them. Carry your phone and charger, a camera and headphones. Everything else, leave at home. Vacations are meant for personal interactions so you better limit the tech gadgets.

#5 Your security is your responsibility

When visiting new places especially foreign countries, it is important to ensure that your travel documents are always secure. Make sure your passport, plane tickets and any other identification documents are packed securely at all times.

Dark Tourism – 3 Things You Must Know

There’s a new sensation in the tourism sector, a new kind of experiential tourism referred to as dark tourism. Tourists are increasingly making pilgrimages to battle sites, places that once experienced history altering wars, devastating massacres and even natural disasters. This phenomenon has earned the definition “dark tourism”.

The experience is surreal, standing in a spot where hundreds if not thousands of people were killed by either an act of man or an act of nature. Tourists are travelling thousands of miles across the globe to access these tragedy sites all in the name of experiential tourism. So, what do you need to know before engaging in such escapades? Here are a few travel tips.

#1 You must be aware that these kinds of destinations attract controversy

As a tourist it is natural to want to document your travels. Everybody loves a good selfie. However, it is important to recognize that in dark tourism, you are visiting a somber site therefore smiling in that selfie may not go down well with some people. Always try to avoid entangling yourself in such controversies.

#2 You must be aware of potential dangers

Majority of the spots visited by enthusiasts of dark tourism were once war-torn areas or areas stricken by natural disaster and there is still a high probability of these recurring. As a tourist, you must be aware of the potential dangers and ensure to take all necessary precautions to keep yourself safe.

#3 You may be exposed to PTSD

Some psychology experts are of the opinion that tourists who make visits to sites of death and disaster may end up somehow disturbed by the visitation. Knowing that you are standing right on the spot where hundreds if not thousands of people were killed may end up inflicting some form of trauma. The jury is still out on this, I just thought it would be good to mention.