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It may seem impossible to create memories that will last a lifetime when you’re travelling. But, believe it or not, there are many ways to make your travels more memorable and keep those memories alive for years! 

Here are some of the best ways to make your next trip unforgettable.

Choose the Perfect Destination

The best way to make memories is by choosing destinations that are special and meaningful to you personally. That’s what will stick with you when you look back on your trip in a year, two years or even five! So, choose a destination you love. 

Of course, this doesn’t mean the most popular, but the one that makes your heart sing because it has meaning to you or reminds you of something extraordinary in your life. Travelling to a country that is entirely different from home can be an eye-opening experience. You’ll learn about cultures and traditions that are unique and beautiful in their way. 

When you travel abroad, there’s bound to be some culture shock, but with that comes the opportunity to learn something new! You can get a taste of multiple countries in one adventure, and you’ll be exploring some of the most famous historical sites. However, if travelling internationally isn’t your cup of tea, you can take a trip locally and still see some pretty amazing things.

Take Photos and Videos

It’s easy to get so wrapped up in seeing the sites and experiencing new things that you forget to document your travels. If nothing else, take photos of where you stayed or ate, along with images of what it was like outside when you were there. 

This will help bring back memories long after your trip is over. Even better, add videos of street musicians or the inside of a local bar. Finally, if you have time, send yourself an email with photos and videos so that they get stored in your inbox for safekeeping. If not, save them on cloud. Click here if you want to learn how to upload photos to icloud. 

If possible, take pictures at different times during your trip to document how things change over time – whether it’s the weather, landmarks coming to life as night falls, or the number of people in a public square.

Arrange for the Best Activities

Arrange for the best activities: make sure you’re mindful of what you like and want to do during your travels. If specific things interest or intrigue you, then be willing to spend a little more money on these kinds of experiences; most likely, they will become some of your favourite memories from travelling. 

However, if you’re on a budget, try to get creative. With some research and planning, it is possible to find fun or exciting activities that fit your interests that don’t cost much money. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, arranging for the best activities can make all of the difference.

Get Yourself an Interesting Company

If you are travelling by yourself, it is essential to find a company that can be your friend and provide you with entertainment. You can look for someone with the same interests as yours or chat with strangers in the most unexpected places. It may not happen right away, but before long, you will have formed some friendship which might turn out to be one of the best memories you can get from your trip.

An interesting company can make your travels more memorable because you will have someone to share stories with. Everyone needs a company that they can be comfortable talking about their feelings. Friendships are formed out of the most unexpected things, so do not be surprised if you find your next best friend on a plane.

People make stories about their travels more colourful when they have someone to talk about it with, especially tales that involve some funny incidents, which will get everyone laughing. So, don’t just sit there and wait for something interesting to happen. Instead, you can make one happen by talking to people who seem like they also need someone to share their stories with.

Also, you will know that there is always a place for you in the world because even if friends and family are far away from each other, strangers may be closer than what you think of them.

It is easy to go on a trip and come home without having a lot of good memories. However, if you want your travels to be memorable, you must make them so. Whether this means going somewhere new or doing something different when you’re there, the critical thing is that you do not sit back passively, expecting the trip to do all the work for you.

Sarah x

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Booking a trip to Oahu, Hawaii? Then, your’e in for a treat.

Quarantine has some people going insane as they try to juggle between work, personal and social life, and family. Some refer to IT support services when all goes wrong when working from home, some learn to adapt to this environment, while others plan a deserved vacation to distance themselves from hectic schedules. 

Whether you are visiting the majestic state of Hawaii as a method to escape or re-energize, planning a full vacation can be tricky and confusing if you want to get a complete experience. 

Make the most of your trip by reading this ultimate guide that will help you settle a bucketlist. These are only a few locations and activities that are popular and a sure way to make your trip unforgettable. 

Picture by Troy Squillaci on Pexels 

Make the most of your trip by reading this ultimate guide that will help you settle a bucketlist. These are only a few locations and activities that are popular and a sure way to make your trip unforgettable. 

Hiking 

Hiking is surely not for everyone, but many, if not all, of the trails in the island offer tourists gorgeous views of the beaches, city life, and countryside. However, hiking could be a dangerous activity that requires coordination, stamina, grit, and a strong mindset. 

The good news? 

Picture by Yuma Kim on Pexels

Oahu hiking trails are inclusive. There’s trails that only the bravest and experienced hikers will take on. On the other hand, there’s beginner-friendly hikes that can take one to two hours. 

Moanaloa Valley Trail (Legal Backway To Stairway To Heaven)

All you have to think about during this hike is the end goal. The trail to Haiku stairs is one of top attractions that allures the most courageous hikers. The seven to ten hour hike will lead you to the top of a radio station where you can view the infamous Haiku stairs, but be very careful about your next move. Going down the stairs is illegal due and will cost you a one-thousand dollar fine. 

Diamond Head Crater 

Another great trail to ease your way into hiking, Diamond Head Crater is paved all the way to the top but don’t be fooled, it is a full workout to get to the top. You’ll have the chance to hike a popular trail and mesmerize yourself with the view of Waikiki. Do bring money with you as the admission fee is five dollars. 

Manoa Falls Hike

Short, beautiful, and defined route that will allow you to take pictures, catch a breath, and memorize the adventure. For those who want food and drinks, there’s a visitor’s center at the start where you can treat yourself, rinse off, and go to the restroom. 

Lanikai Pilllbox Hike

If you want an easier hike, Lanikai is a great option. Not only is this hike short, approximately one hour and a half, but it’s also known for it’s amazing views. You’ll get a view of the ocean and have a chance to relax at Lanikai Beach. 

Koko Head Railway Trail 

Possibly the hike that will convince you the stairmaster is a breeze, the 1.6 mile trail leads to Kokohead Lookout and remains busy throughout the year. What makes this hike a challenge is the lack of shade when climbing more than 1,000 steps to the top.  

Memorable Destinations

Consider this a short, but sweet list of destinations to write for your bucketlist. Check out their reviews online and choose which appeals to you. 

Chinatown

Chinatown in Honolulu is bursting with restaurants, Asian marketplaces and antique shops, art galleries, and temples that reflect the culture and history of the community. 

Make sure to stop by and give a restaurant a try. You’ll be pleased to incorporate new flavors to your diet and discover the differences of Honolulu’s Chinatown, versus other locations. 

Aloha Tower 

In Downtown Honolulu, the Aloha Tower is a must-visit destination. Best of all is that you will be inside the Aloha Tower Marketplace full of shops and restaurants reflecting local history and taste. 

SKY Waikiki

Located on the 19th floor of a building, SKY Waikiki Rwa & Bar is an open-lounge restaurant that screams luxury and sophistication. Having a meal won’t be the cheapest, but if it aligns with your budget and you are on your honeymoon, have a date, or are celebrating a birthday, this is an ideal spot. 

With views of Waikiki, Diamond Head, and the city lights, you’ll feel as if you are having dinner on top of the world. 

Pearl Harbor

The list couldn’t be complete without including Pearl Harbor. The memorial captures the attack on Pearl Harbor by Imperial Japan that left a country in utter shock. It’s a top attraction that teaches the history behind the attack, the lives of American soldiers lost, and its aftermath. 

Botanical Gardens 

In the island of Oahu you will find extraordinary botanical gardens located at different ecological settings. The most notorious are the five sites that form the Honolulu Botanical Gardens which includes Foster Botanical Garden, Wahiawa Botanical Garden, Ho`omaluhia Botanical Garden, Koko Crater Botanical Garden, and the Lili`uokalani Botanical Garden. 

Picture by Karyme França on Pexels

All locations have distinct schedules, but all remain closed on January 1st and December 25th. Best of all is that a visit to these botanical gardens is free of charge, except for Foster Botanical Garden that charges tourists an admission fee of five dollars. 

1. Foster Botanical Garden
2. Wahiawa Botanical Garden
3. Ho`omaluhia Botanical Garden
4. Koko Crater Botanical Garden
5. Lili`uokalani Botanical Garden

Don’t limit yourself to just these five. Hawaii has other beautiful picture-worthy gardens. 

Other Activities & Locations

Picture by Jess Loiterton on Pexels

The list above may not be what you have in mind so take a look at other activities and locations worthy of attention. 

• Surf at Waikiki, North Shore
• Kayak
• Snorkel at Haunama Bay, Turtle Beach, Shark’s Cove
• Skydive at North Shore
• Scuba dive
• Visit Ioani Palace
• Try any restaurant on Kings Street
• Don’t leave without having Poke

Sarah x

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For the past year and a half or so, the pandemic has made travel an impossibility for many of us. In a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus and Covid-19 across the world, many countries have closed or limited access across their borders. This is understandable, but it does mean that if you had any trips planned, you’ve probably had them cancelled or postponed. Thankfully, vaccines are now being rolled out across the world and herd immunity is increasing. Travel is back on the horizon and many of us are starting to plan trips that we can enjoy again! If you’re going all out and planning an extended trip, you’re not alone. Many people are booking two week breaks, months-long travel and even worldwide travel that they plan to last a year or more. Of course, if you’re going on a longer break, you’re going to have to pack differently to a weekend or week away. Here are some investments you might want to make to ensure you have everything you need and can genuinely enjoy your time away!

Your Passport

The most important thing you’re going to need to take with you when travelling anywhere outside of your home country is your passport. This is pretty logical, but many people neglect to even think about it until they’re leaving their house to make their flight. When it comes down to it, you’re not getting out of your home country or entering a new country without your passport. So many people miss their flights and have their breaks ruined as a result of not bringing their passport or not having an in date passport. Make sure to store your passport in a secure and accessible part of your luggage, so you can get it out easily, but it has minimal chance of falling out or getting lost.

A Suitcase

When we head away on a trip to a city or another place with roads, paths and smooth flooring, suitcases tend to be our luggage of choice. This makes sense. They’re specially designed for holding clothes and other belongings and provide you with an easy way to carry them around with you. The majority have hard shells which helps to protect their contents when they’re thrown around on conveyor belts and are being placed on and off the plane. The majority have two or four wheels and a handle, allowing you to pull them along easily rather than carrying their weight. Most modern options have locks, which helps you to feel more secure and can prevent others from going through them or taking your belongings. There are countless options out there, so when shopping for a suitcase, make sure to consider factors like size, security and convenience to pull alongside colours, patterns and general design.

A Backpack

If you’re travelling somewhere more rural, or are travelling somewhere where you’re likely to need to keep your luggage on you some of the time, a suitcase isn’t likely to be all too suitable. While they’re great for city breaks, their wheels don’t fare well on rough terrain and they can end up breaking, making them extremely difficult to get about. A backpack, on the other hand, can be carried on your front or back, allowing you to travel anywhere you go with it. Whether you plan to go down dirt tracks, rubbled roads or anywhere else, a good backpack will be entirely suitable. On top of being easily portable, backpacks allow you to navigate your way through crowds more easily in built up urban areas, and can also prevent your chances of leaving it behind anywhere, as it’s literally strapped to you! Now, there are countless backpacks available on the market, so there are a few features that you may want to take into consideration when choosing yours. The following features can come in pretty handy:

• Sleeping bag straps to hold your sleeping bag
• Extra support straps for comfort and to help your posture
• Plenty of compartments for storing all of your belongings neatly
• Zipped pockets to prevent belongings falling out
• Waterproof materials to prevent the contents getting wet in the rain

Clothing

When you’re heading away for a while, you’re going to need clothing that is suitable for the entire trip. Of course, you don’t want your luggage to be too heavy, so it’s best to choose practical options that can be easily cleaned and that you can rewear over and over without problem. If you’re heading to a city, branded clothes that you’d wear at home, like Men’s Moncler, should be fine. If you’re backpacking and heading out into a more rural destination, more practical clothing like cargo shorts, walking boots and fleeces may be more appropriate. You should also consider packing spare glasses if you wear glasses. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where your glasses break and you are unable to see but can’t find a pharmacist. You should also pack sunglasses if you’re healing somewhere with sun and hot weather. This will help to protect your eyes and make you feel more comfortable.

A First Aid Kit

Hopefully, you don’t find yourself in a situation where you need a first aid kit. But if you’re travelling to more rural places or exploring nature, you’re going to need a first aid kit on hand in case of accidents and minor injuries. You can buy pre packed first aid kits that contain everything you need. However, if you want to build your own, you should consider having the following items packed into it:

• Sterile gloves
• Plasters in a variety of shapes and sizes
• Waterproof plasters in a variety of shapes and sizes
• Triangular bandages
• Safety pins
• Gauze dressings
• Small medical scissors
• Tweezers
• Microporous tape
• Sterile eye dressings
• An eye rinse kit
• Anything else you can think of

Medicine

If you have medicine that you take, make sure you have enough to tide you over while you are away. You will be able to talk to your doctor about this. You may also want to stock up on basic medicines that you may need while you’re away, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, antihistamines, eyedrops, heartburn tablets and more.

Sure, you may want to take other things along with you too. But the basics are outlined above. Hopefully, they’ll help get your packing off to the right start!

Sarah x

Vacations are a time when we’re supposed to be able to get away and live a life free of the stress of daily life. Many of us see this as an excuse to let our adventurous streak out. What better time to let ourselves cut loose and have fun than during a vacation? Unfortunately, it can be hard to plan a vacation around the vague idea of ‘adventure,’ so what can you do?

Image credit: Pixabay

Here are the top vacation ideas for anyone who wants more than a simple road trip!

Get To Know National Parks Through Backpacking

Many people think of camping and backpacking as simple, but it can be extremely complicated yet fun if you do it correctly.  Plan a week of backpacking and camping in one of your favorite national parks.  This means following a trail, spending nights roasting fish over a campfire, and plotting out day by day based on how far you want to go.  Be careful; you may fall in love with the park and start looking at Whistler homes for sale.  This plan is best done if you take someone with you; getting lost alone in the woods can be dangerous; there’s safety in numbers with two people.

Travel To A New Country On Your Own

Even if you only speak one or two languages, it’s a good idea to travel to completely foreign countries on your own.  This experience can build up your interest in other cultures, allow you to see your place in the world, and give you daily interactions you could never replicate at home.

Traveling alone takes a lot of nerve, which is why traveling to a foreign country can be so incredibly alone. However, this gives you the chance to get to know yourself through getting to know others.

Take Up An Extreme Hobby

Have you always wanted to swim with sharks?  Are you interested in eventually climbing Mount Everest?  Unfortunately, neither of these hobbies can be achieved overnight. So instead, spend this summer training and learning the ropes.  Building up your skills can be a great plan to spend your summer.

If your goal is mountain climbing, spend your summer and fall climbing new and increasingly difficult mountains.  Eventually, you’ll become prepared for the biggest experience of your life, and it’ll be thanks to this training.

Travel In Interesting and Different Ways

From the Tesla Tunnels in Las Vegas to multiple companies that offer submarine and flight lessons: consider what type of travel interests you.  Taking flying lessons is the end-all-be-all of adrenaline and adventure vacation plans.  Ensure that your studies are from an accredited teacher, and don’t flake on any of your classes.  Most courses are just a couple of months long, and by the end, you’ll be airborne as the only person steering the craft.  Although this might not spark a career with you as a pilot, it will allow you to get out there and try something new.  Of course, if you’re scared of heights, you could always go for the submarine courses instead!

Go for your own level of adventure, don’t push yourself unless you know the payoff is worth it!

Sarah x

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Photo by Tetiana SHYSHKINA on Unsplash

The UK is one of the best places to visit if you’re interested in culture and history. If you’re looking for reasons to visit the UK, gorgeous castles, incredible medieval history, and world-class natural beauty should be at the top of your list. Whatever the reason you’ve decided to book your trip to the United Kingdom, ensuring that you have everything you need should be your priority. Here are three trips for visiting the UK. 

Think About Currency and Payment Methods

There are many different methods that you can use to pay for goods and services in the UK. Cash (British Pounds) is still a popular payment method, and you can get money from a currency exchange help desk at the airport. However, contactless transactions have grown in recent years, with debit cards being used online, over the phone, and at ATMs. A Paypal account lets you send money securely online without entering your bank details or credit card information which is useful if you don’t want someone else accessing your personal data. Mobile payment methods such as Google and Apple Pay also let you pay for items. These methods are the best way to make payments and transactions while visiting the UK. 

Think About Passports and Visas Requirements

While visiting the UK, you must have a valid passport to enter the UK. However, depending on which country you’re from, you may need a visa. This means that you must go through extra steps when entering the country to be granted permission to enter. These countries include Argentina, Ecuador, Ghana, Nigeria, Peru, and China, to name a few.

According to the UK Government website, you may also need a visa if you’re transiting or traveling through the UK. All visitors must have a valid passport for at least three months beyond the period of their intended stay in the UK. In some cases, this may need to be six months. Visitors should also have a return or onward ticket, sufficient funds, and proof of accommodation sorted out. If your visit to the UK prompts you to stay, you’ll need to get in touch with an immigration lawyer who may be able to help you get an indefinite leave to remain card, as well as help you with other immigration and visa requirements.

Be Mindful of Safety and the Law at Home and Abroad

When traveling, it is important to know that you are entering a different culture and society. Therefore, you should take into consideration the culture and customs that are distinct from your own. This will help you to properly behave in a way that will keep you from getting into any difficulties or putting yourself at risk. Also, it is essential to remember that the laws might not be the same as in your country – so it’s vital to know what those laws actually are. Travel insurance is also worth having while traveling, so you are covered if anything unexpected happens, as it can help with medical bills that you would have to pay yourself if you don’t have it. 

Your Trip to the UK is Just a Few Steps Away

Now that you have these tips, you can enjoy your travels, taking in the British culture, enjoy the food and make memories that last a lifetime.

Sarah x