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3 Tips for Stress-Free Travel
Who doesn’t love the idea of packing their favorite bag, jumping in a taxi for the airport, and catching a plane to a new destination? Travel is something many of us not only look forward to, but often spend months planning for and saving up for. Yet as wonderful as travel can be, it can also come with a lot of stress.
From the stress of finding the best deal on flight prices to rushing to make flight connections, to ensuring you have all the right travel documents, there’s a lot to juggle when you’re traveling! However, with a little planning and foresight, you can make your trip a more enjoyable experience. Here are some of the best tips for stress-free travel.
Pack Wisely
Before you pack a different pair of shoes for every day of the trip, think again. Overpacking won’t just kill your back since you have to haul it all around, but it can also put you at a higher risk of losing your belongings! Not to mention a heavy bag can come with excess baggage fees.
Do yourself a favor and pack light. Create a list of only the things you need, and leave a little room in your bag for items to bring back from your travels. A few methods like rolling your clothes will help you fit more into your bag, and also keep your belongings more organized.
Ideally, you should try to travel with carry-on only, since this can significantly speed up your travel process. You can avoid having to check in at the counter or wait for your luggage on a carousel.
Stay Organized
There’s nothing worse than showing up at the airport ready to take a trip only to find that you’ve forgotten your passport! It’s important that you stay as organized as possible to ensure that all of your important travel documents, tickets, and other important paperwork is all kept in a safe place where you can easily access them at the airport.
Make digital copies of your important documents should you lose them, since this will help you in ordering new ones. You never know when your bag could get stolen or lost when traveling, so keep your travel documents on your body during the flight.
Use Apps
Nowadays, technology can totally simplify your travel experience. There are all sorts of different travel apps available that can help you stay on top of travel alerts, and up to date with any changes on your flights.
There’s an app for just about anything you can think of, which can be incredibly handy when traveling. Whereas once upon a time you had to carry around a language book with handy phrases, now you can translate entire sentences in the palm of your hand, which can be incredibly handy when traveling to a foreign country.
Milky Merrymaking: 5 Festivals Around the World That Are Dedicated to Milk
Whether you are an ice cream lover or a health-conscious fan of a2 protein milk, the dairy-derived products you consume have had a massive impact on the world. Indeed, many cultures celebrate dairy in unique and fascinating ways. Of all this milky merrymaking, the following festivals are perhaps the most interesting.
1. World Milk Day – Global
Let’s kick off with the largest celebration of dairy – World Milk Day. Held on June 1st each year, this event spans North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the South Pacific. It truly is a global event, triggering talks, shows, exhibitions, and events centering around sustainability and environmental protection.
2. Latte in Festa – Trentino, Italy
This celebration of all things dairy takes place in the far north of Italy in the Trentino province. The festival aims to introduce people to the backstory of milk and the environment and conditions that go into getting it from farm to table. During the three-day event, visitors are invited to taste ice cream, engage in fun activities, and learn about everything from haymaking to traditional Italian architecture.
3. Cow parades – Switzerland
Each summer in Switzerland, farmers take their cattle up onto the higher slopes of the mountains to munch on the fresh grass and herbs that thrive during the warmer months of the year. The cows and their herders generally get to enjoy three months of this lushness before the time comes to head back down and avoid the big freeze.
This is where the cow parades come in. Swiss people recognize cows as the bringers of milk, cheese, chocolate – all the finer things in life. So, they dress the creatures in flowered crowns and honor them as they return from the mountains. The exact time of the cow parades will differ depending on climatic conditions, but it’s usually sometime in September or October. Similar cattle-driving parades – known as almabtriebs – are held in Austria each year.
4. Pongal – India and Sri Lanka
Pongal is a general harvest festival. However, cows and dairy are central to the event. Indeed, the word “Pongal” means “to boil and overflow” and comes from the traditional dish prepared for the festival – a blend of rice, raw sugar, and milk.
Pongal is celebrated in January, around the winter solstice, and cows are given plenty of special treats. During the Mattu Pongal phase of the festival, participants will bathe the cows, polish and paint their horns, and place bright flower garlands around their necks. They also get treated to venn pongal, jaggery (raw sugar), honey, banana, and an assortment of fruits, making the festival a brilliant time for all cows lucky enough to be involved.
5. Cow Hug Day – India
This festival created a bit of a kerfuffle in 2023. It was put forward by India’s Animal Welfare Board as an alternative to Valentine’s Day. The idea is both adorable and in line with Hindu beliefs about the sacred nature of cows. However, it was met with mockery, both in India and abroad.
Sadly, the proposal was rolled back, and Cow Hug Day never happened. However, it revealed to the world just how much some Hindu adherents despise Valentine’s Day. There are even anti-Valentine’s Day squads who make it their mission to stamp out the holiday. Cow Hug Day was a gentle way of pushing that mission forward.
Dairy has had a major effect on the development of human society. Nowhere is this fact more evident than in the celebrations held each year in honor of milk and the cows that produce it. Which of these events will you add to your travel itinerary?
Best beaches and secret tips for experiencing Phuket’s hidden gems
As Culture Trip describes Phuket as “Thailand’s largest island”, you might already be pretty confident that the place has no shortage of beaches. You would be right to make that assumption, but you ought to be choosy about which of these beaches you visit.
That’s because, though certain Phuket beaches — like Patong, Karon, and Kata — certainly attract a lot of visitors, there are so many good beaches to go around that you don’t have to settle for one that feels suffocatingly overcrowded. You could, for example, consider…
Freedom Beach
Though situated in the boisterous Patong district, Freedom Beach is much harder to reach than you might have expected. You can only get to this quiet, unspoiled beach by land if you trek through a jungle, though access by boat is also an option.
You are unlikely to be disappointed if you use either means of reaching Freedom Beach, as it is rarely visited and so would allow you to take a dip in the clear, turquoise sea in peace.
Kata Noi Beach
This is not to be confused with the larger and better-known Kata Beach, which is right next to it. Family Destinations Guide explains that the name Kata Noi literally means ‘little Kata’ — and very appropriately too, when you consider how these two strips of sand compare in size.
While Kata Beach is nearly a mile long, Kata Noi Beach still surpasses 2,000 feet in length and benefits from an especially tranquil feel as a result of being overshadowed by its near-namesake.
Kamala Beach
Another relatively quiet beach that happens to be close to a noticeably livelier one — in this instance, Patong Beach, which is sited just south of Kamala Beach.
The latter warrants attention from families due to its calm, shallow waters. Naturally, these could also appeal if you want to try your hand at open water swimming in a environment that doesn’t feel treacherous.
You could actually practice swimming beforehand in a pool on one of the Silversea cruises that stop at Phuket.
Nai Harn Beach
Nai Thon Beach is home to the Phuket Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, but this is far from the only reason for you to drop by what is arguably one of the island’s most underrated beaches.
They say that elephants never forget, and you probably won’t forget time you spend relaxing on this beach’s pristine sand. Also, after you do reach this beach, it might not just be the elephants who sport trunks there, thanks to the clean waters that you could quickly become eager to swim in.
Pansea Beach
This beach is overlooked for several reasons — including that it is fronted by two luxury hotels, while the path leading to Pansea Beach is rather tucked out of sight.
However, this path is easier to trace when you keep in mind that a small, greenery-covered rocky cape separates Pansea Beach from nearby Surin.
Family Destinations Guide reports: “Some found a steep hidden path through this cape, while some rented a boat from Surin or Bangtao to reach Pansea.”
5 Tips For Business Owners Who Would Like To Travel More
If you own your own business, chances are you are extremely busy and have a lot on your plate at any given time. This can make making travel plans very hard because you may not feel you have the time to travel, may not trust anyone else to look after your business while you’re away, and overall just might feel a lot of stress surrounding the idea of going out of town. If this sounds like you, don’t worry!
It’s super common to feel like it’s impossible to travel without sacrificing the success of your business, but that doesn’t have to be the case. There are a lot of small things you can do to ensure that you can do all the traveling you’d like to while simultaneously continuing to take care of your business. Here are 5 travel tips for business owners.
Invest In Quality Software
Having the best quality software set up within your business is one of the best things you can do if you want to be able to step away and take trips. Software will do so much work for you so that you can allow yourself to relax even if you are on vacation. For example, looking into affordable cyber security support will help you to have peace of mind that your business is safe while you are out of town.
Hire People You Can Trust
Hiring the right staff of dependable workers is super important for so many reasons. Not only can it make or break your business and help to boost the success of your business to new levels, but it will also make you feel much more comfortable with traveling.
You can appoint whoever you’d like to be in charge while you’re gone and keep in touch with them on a daily basis so that you are aware of everything that happens. You can help them to troubleshoot if needed, but it is so helpful to have someone who you know will be able to handle things if you are out of town and unreachable. Carefully vet each prospective employee so that you end up with a team you can truly trust.
Use A Business Card
Using a business account to pay for travel expenses is smart because you will be able to write things off and end up saving money. In order to ensure that this is legal, make sure to do things on your trip that have something to do with your business so that it can be considered a business trip if necessary.
Traveling doesn’t have to be out of the question just because you own a business. In fact, you can still do it as much as you’d like if you are willing to make a few careful considerations. Hopefully these tips can help!
How To Plan For Beach Trips And Vacations
The beach is a staple for trips and vacations. It’s one of those things that we can automatically relate to having fun with friends and family. Going to the beach is an excellent way to cool down from the summer heat, to relax and watch sunsets or sunrises, and to hang out with the people that you love. Beach trips are great because they offer great versatility, they are relatively inexpensive, and you have an endless list of options when it comes to places to visit. In this article, we are going to talk about some of the most important things that you need to keep in mind when planning a beach trip or vacation.
This guide will help you ensure that you will have a great time while you’re out and about. By the way, if you’re already planning a beach trip or vacation, check out our recommendation for Solana Beach vacation rentals. Solana Beach is a coastal city in California that features great beaches and amazing scenery.
Location, Time, and Date
These three are pillars of a great beach trip or vacation. First, identify the ideal location. The country is home to thousands and thousands of great beaches to choose from. Some are more accessible, and others are far-flung. Some are cheap, and others require private booking. No matter where you decide to go, be sure to do some research about the place as well as the locality. This will give you a little bit of insight as to what things to prepare and what you should be mindful of during your stay.
Next, the time and date. These two often go hand-in-hand. The time and date of your visit will usually dictate the conditions of the place. Naturally, the best period to visit beaches would be during the summer. This will give you the most ideal conditions when it comes to heat, humidity, breeze, weather, etc. However, you can still go to beaches even if it’s not summer. Just be sure to check weather reports and forecasts to make sure that you’re not going to arrive at the beach just to be poured down by heavy rain.
Supplies
Unlike other outdoor activities like camping or hiking, going to the beach generally does not require a lot in terms of supplies. However, you would still want to bring a couple of important things with you. This includes towels, extra clothes, sunblocks and sunscreens, plastic bags, etc. If you’re planning on going off-road riding on the sand, be sure that your vehicle is set up for the terrain. On top of that, be sure to bring recovery gear with you and have someone on standby to rescue you if anything goes wrong.
Budget
It goes without saying that budgeting is a key component of a good trip or vacation. Generally speaking, beach trips, at least for those usual ones, do not cost a lot in terms of money. You just have to bring some general supplies, keep a little bit of cash around, and not much else. However, if you plan on doing more activities before or after your beach trip, do plan and create a budget for that as well. For example, you might want to go on island trips, buy souvenirs, or try out some local food. Whatever the case may be, it would be nice to have some sort of headroom as regards your budget so you can really get to experience the place to the fullest.
Beach Activities
As we mentioned earlier, the beach is a great option for trips and vacations because it is extremely versatile. You can do a lot of things on the beach aside from just playing on the water. This includes the following: playing beach volleyball, camping by the seaside, grilling food, creating sand castles, sunbathing, riding a jet ski, riding a boat, etc. Try to do as many of these activities as you can so that you can enjoy your beach trip a lot more.
How to Pay for Travel With Bitcoin
Are you itching to take a vacation?
If so, you’re not alone. That’s because when the heat of summer arrives, more and more people are getting anxious to explore fun and exciting destinations.
As you begin planning your upcoming getaway, it’s important to keep your finances in mind. This includes how you’ll pay for things like travel, lodging, food, and general expenses.
When it comes to keeping your money safe, it’s a good idea to pay for travel with crypto. Here we take a look at how to pay for travel with bitcoin so you can enjoy maximum convenience and security. Keep reading to learn more.
Why Should You Travel with Crypto?
When it comes to protecting your money, it’s crucial to find ways to make secure purchases. That’s one of the primary advantages of using Bitcoin for travel. After all, it’s not tied to a central bank, which means it’s not regulated by any type of government body.
Why is this such a big deal? Well, using Bitcoin allows you to remain a bit more anonymous during your travels than traditional banks or credit cards.
Where Can You Make Purchases Using Bitcoin?
In recent years, an increasing number of travelers have discovered the convenience of Bitcoin to book hotels and flights. And yet it’s still not accepted by all retailers.
The key is to research which websites accept Bitcoin payments so that you can make reservations quickly and easily.
Where Can You Get Access to Bitcoin While Traveling?
It’s important to keep in mind that paying with Bitcoin is similar to using traditional credit and debit cards. This is especially true when making online purchases. When you’re ready to check out, you will be redirected to a crypto site where you can complete the transaction.
You’ll need to keep Bitcoin in your digital wallet. This means when you travel with cryptocurrency, you’ll need to visit a Bitcoin ATM. Once you’ve located an ATM, you’ll buy as much Bitcoin as needed, minus a small convenience fee. Be sure to take your receipt for the ATM transaction.
Here’s a resource where you can read up on how to find a bitcoin ATM while traveling.
Crypto Gift Cards
Believe it or not, you can also pay for travel with crypto using Bitcoin gift cards. That’s because an increasing number of companies in the United States and internationally now accept Bitcoin, and yet you won’t have to worry about your digital wallet. Simply use the gift card to complete the transaction in person or online.
Tips On How to Pay for Travel With Bitcoin
There’s nothing more than exploring new places during the summer following a cold winter. Fortunately, understanding how to pay for travel with bitcoin is a great way to experience greater spending flexibility without having to worry about misplaced or stolen money.
Continue scrolling through the list of articles on this blog to find more great content filled with useful travel and lifestyle-oriented tips and advice for your family.
Arlo Hotels insights: Why a hotel is a fantastic option for those working remotely
We at Arlo Hotels believe that if you’re looking for a change of scenery and some peace and quiet while you work, consider heading to the nearest hotel. You might even be pleasantly surprised at how much you can achieve and how productive you can be in such a comfortable and inspiring environment.
People can also do almost anything they want — including work remotely in peace and quiet. Today’s article discusses several incredibly valid reasons why hotels are the best places for people who want to work remotely.
Hotels are ideal places for those who work remotely. Assuming you have a little bit of extra cash, you can stay at almost any hotel, anywhere. That means no cumbersome internet connections or long-term rentals. We at Arlo Hotels also point out that you don’t need to sign up for anything, and the only person keeping track of things is you.
Hotels offer a host of advantages that make them perfect for anyone looking to get work done while on the go. For example, they often come equipped with fast and reliable Wi-Fi, a spacious desk, comfortable seating, and a great view. Moreover, hotels are usually located in prime spots in cities, making it easy for people to get out and explore their surroundings.
Another big advantage of hotels such as Arlo Hotels is that they provide a sense of privacy and isolation that can be hard to find in other public places. This can be a huge plus for people who need to focus on their work and eliminate distractions.
In addition, many hotels offer business centers with printers, scanners, and other office equipment that can come in handy when working remotely.
3 Tips For Taking A Road Trip Through Bad Weather
While road trips can be fun, if you’re having to drive through questionable weather, being behind the wheel can quickly become very scary. But whether you’re driving to get to a destination by a certain time or just hitting the road for fun, there are things you can do that can make driving through bad weather a little more manageable.
To help you see how this can be done, here are three tips for taking a road trip through bad weather.
Know What You’re Driving Into
Before you hit the road for a road trip, it’s wise to know exactly what you’re driving into, especially if bad weather is a concern.
Depending on where you’re going, there are a lot of different apps available to give you up-to-date information about how the roads on your path are looking. You can also subscribe to websites or apps that will give you weather warnings if you’re in the vicinity of bad weather. Additionally, you should do your own research on what the weather is expected to be like and how that forecast might impact driving conditions. The last thing you want to experience during a road trip is a car accident, especially if the weather is bad, so make sure you know what type of weather you’re likely to drive through each and every day.
Give Yourself Ample Time And Space
If you know you’re going to be driving through sketchy weather all day, the best thing you can do for yourself is to give yourself ample time to get to wherever you’re going. If you get in a rush, you’re more likely to speed or take other unnecessary chances, which could put you at further risk for getting in an accident.
Along with this, when you’re on the road, you’ll want to make sure that you’re giving all the other cars around you enough space. This way, if they have to make a sudden movement, you’ll have enough time to react accordingly and not put yourself or others in danger.
Make Sure Your Vehicle Is Safe
Whether you’re driving through bad weather or not, it’s a good idea to only be on the road in a vehicle that’s going to work well and keep you safe. But when you are headed into bad weather, there are additional things you can do to ensure that your car is safe.
For the vehicle itself, you’ll want to have tires with good traction and windshield wipers that are fully functioning. As for what you carry with you, make sure you have things in the car that can keep you safe if you do get in an accident or get stuck, like flares, flashlights, extra food and water, and any additional gear for the exact weather you’re facing.
If you’re planning on taking a road trip and are anticipating heading into some bad weather, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you stay safe while on the road.
Things to Remember When Packing for Holidays
There’s nothing quite like anticipating a holiday. Knowing that you’re in for a stress-free time with family, friends, or your significant other. You hope to have a peaceful time while you’re away anyway. Beforehand though, it could be a different story. Now some people have the art of packing down to a T. Others, however, can’t have a trip away without forgetting something important.
Getting there is the most important thing. Meaning your passport, wallet/purse, phone, and plane ticket are the big things to remember. You do need plenty of other valuable items on your travel through. So it’s always worth triple-checking for these necessary items.
Appropriate Clothes
Sometimes you need to question yourself about the clothes you’re packing in your bag. After all, it’s far too easy to pack two outfits a day just in case. Instead, check the weather of the area you’re staying and start from there. If it’s going to be soaring temperatures with clear blue skies, it might be best to leave the jeans and jackets in your wardrobe. Or if you’re heading somewhere chilly for your getaway, you probably won’t need those sandals you love so much.
Your activity list is something else that needs to be taken into consideration. For example, are you going to be visiting historical monuments or heading to the nightclubs? These very different trips would probably call for some different packing thought process. Likewise, are you going to need comfortable shoes for hiking or something you can lounge around the pool all day?
Take into consideration if you’re going to be washing your clothes while you’re away, or at least have the facilities to do so. If you do, you get the benefit of being able to pack nice and light. But if not, you don’t want to be running low on clothes in the final days of your trip away. Also, be sure to do a background check of the country you’re heading to. Finally, ensure your planned outfits aren’t considered disrespectful in their communities or cultures.
Necessary Electrics
Between entertaining yourself on the plane and accessing necessary information while you’re away, be sure you have all the necessary electrics with you. This includes having your headphones by your side on the plane. Flying can be stressful enough without any music or a movie to watch to pass the time. Or, if you’re a big reader, bring a device that lets you read comfortably. Finally, make sure to check if you require any adapters for your trip away. Your electronics won’t be much good if you can’t plug them in. Any electrical supply shop should be able to provide you with international adapters.
Somewhere for Your Money
Especially if you’re heading to a particularly popular spot for tourists, keeping your money safe is a top priority. In various cities all over the world, pickpockets are notoriously sneaky and slick. So it’s definitely worth considering packing an alternative for your money storage. Your wallet or purse may be the handiest, but are they the safest?
Rose Burillo – Delicious Mexican Dishes to Try
When you get to Mexico the first temptation is of course to go crazy with tacos, and it is certainly something which I would recommend. Once you have had your fill of these delicious little parcels of joy however, there are some truly sensational Mexican dishes which you should look to try. i have spent a lot of time in Mexico and tried just about every dish that I could get my hands on. These are certainly my favorite dishes and they are the choices which I’d recommend to anyone who is looking to spend some time in this amazing country.
Pozole
Pozole is a delicious stew which can be found throughout the country and it is absolutely delicious. The stew is made using a chicken broth in which they cook maize kernels, along with some vegetables and some slow cooked shredded chicken. When you dress the stew you generally add in some lettuce, some radish, some spicy salsa and some lime, and then top it all off with some crumbly white cheese, absolutely delicious.
Enchiladas Suizas
I have tried enchiladas all over the country and they always taste a little bit different, and they always taste absolutely amazing. Basically these are like small tacos which have been covered in a gorgeous tomato sauce, either red or green, and then bathed in gooey cheese. This is comfort food if ever I have tried it and I would certainly recommend that you do too.
Esquites With Tuetano
On an evening throughout Mexico you will find these small little stands that sell corn, both in a single piece and prepared in a small cup. The prepared corn is the best, a cup full of it with mayonnaise, some spicy powder and plenty of lime. The best version of this which I have tried to date features what is called tuetano, which is the marrow of a beef bone. What they do is cook the sweetcorn in the juices of the bone and then when they serve it they scrape out the marrow and add it to the corn. This is delicious and something you will want to keep trying time and time again.
Chiles en Nogada
My friend Rose Burillo gave me my first try of this dish and I have to say that it just blew me away. The flavor profile of this dish is slightly odd but they really do work well together. The dish is a large poblano chili which has been stuffed with beef mince that has been cooked with some veg. On top of the chili you will find pomegranate seeds which are then dressed with some sour cream. Additionally they will put some walnuts in the beef mixture and to dress the plate. The colors are like the Mexican flag and it is a dish which you will never have had before anywhere else in your life.
Delicious dishes which I’d certainly recommend trying out during your time in Mexico.