Tag: Vacation

Combining Travel & Social Good - Bronislav Leydiker

Combining Travel and Social Good

On August 1, 2018

Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. It has become a major force for economic and social development. However, only one nickel out of every dollar spent by tourists in developing countries remains in the host region. Conventional tourism has many serious negative effects on local communities as well, such as disruption of local culture and pollution. Fortunately, opportunities are on the rise for travelers to make a positive difference. Check out these platforms that connect you with vetted local organizations to help you maximize your social impact with immersive experiences.

GOOD Travel

Set off with GOOD Travel to visit a trailblazing eco-village in Iceland or work on a solar energy project in Fifi. GOOD Travel hosts trips that make positive impacts in local economies, environments, and communities across the globe. You can join one of their existing trips or ask about building your custom itinerary.

Journey

Journey, offers six- to nine-day social impact excursions to domestic and international destinations. Journeys are comprised of two parts — impact work and cultural immersion — with projects such as school renovations, home construction and coral reef restoration. Each opportunity is a unique adventure into community, service, and self-discovery.

Operation Groundswell

Operation Groundswell is building a movement of “backpacktivists”, backpackers who have a passion for getting involved and giving. This organizations offers programs in 18 countries that are brimming with adventure, cultural education, and opportunities to volunteer. Choose a theme — education, environment, health, or human rights — or create your own topic to explore first-hand.

El Camino Travel

El Camino connects you with true Latin American culture throughout South America, the Caribbean, and Europe. You will interact with local businesses and artisans and let the natives show your their country as only they can. Many of El Camino’s “highly curated” recommendations are so new that they cannot be found on most popular trip planning websites.

For the Love of Travel

For the Love of Travel (FTLO), a boutique travel platform, promotes “slow” sustainable travel for Millennials. FTLO takes young globe trotters away from the hustle and bustle to connect deeply with local cultures around the US and abroad. To offset carbon footprints, FTLO plants 10 trees for each person who joins a trip.

Visit.org

Visit.org is a leading platform for socially responsible travelers. Visit.org offers activities and tours that directly benefit causes such as agriculture, human rights, and education. Choose a destination on any continent to support conservation, attend artisan workshops, or experience daily life in a village.

Understanding What Kind of Traveler You Are

By bronislavleydiker

On July 16, 2018

In Blog, Travel, Vacation

To understand what kind of traveler you are, you need to go on a journey of self-discovery in an effort to find an itinerary to best match your personal preferences. Before you start planning your next major trip, considering these factors will help you to determine the best vacation destination and plan. Here are a few things to consider before planning your next trip:

Busy or Peaceful

Some people prefer an active vacation where every moment is planned while others prefer a more relaxed trip allowing for maximum spontaneity. Knowing your vacationing style can help you plan the ideal trip to meet your needs. If you are looking for peaceful and relaxing, you would be wise to plan a trip to the beach or a secluded mountain cabin. If non-stop action is what you crave, then it would be best to consider a big city trip or theme park visit. Being aware of your energy limits and preferences will help you to decide which route to take.

Great Outdoors or Bustling Streets

Related to the last point is the issue of finding your location sweet spot. If the thought of roughing it in the wilderness for a week is not your cup of tea, then you would be advised to look for something with a little more creature comforts. On the other hand, if the high energy of a city vacation drains your spirit before you even step out of the airport, then a week away camping might be just what you need to recharge your batteries. Practice visualizing yourself in a variety of vacation scenarios to determine which one gives you the most joy to fantasize about. That one is probably your answer.

Body or Mind

The central question to determine this trait is whether you would rather exercise your body or your mind? If trekking through the Andes gives you a rush to just think about, then you probably want to consider a physically demanding trip that will stretch your body to its limits. If experiencing the history and the culture of a new destination is what gets your juices flowing, then it would be in your best interest to look for itineraries that will exercise your brain and feed your soul.

Tips On Going Camping

By bronislavleydiker

On July 10, 2018

In Blog, International, Travel, Vacation

Although camping is a great adventure once you get settled at your campsite, the challenge of planning and implementing a trip to the great outdoors can be tough for rookies. Here are a few tips to help you get started on your camping journey and to ensure that your experience is a great one from start to finish:

Don’t Skimp On A Tent

This is the place you will call home during your adventure so be careful not to underestimate its value to your experience. Make space a priority so that you don’t spend the trip feeling cramped and uncomfortable.

Double Check

Make your list and check it twice. Being organized is half of the battle when preparing to set out for the great outdoors. Savvy campers use their checklists as a planning tool and as a backup check.

Early Bird Gets The Worm

Especially during busy times, arriving at the campground as early as possible is a must-do. Not only will this ensure that you get the best choice of camping spots, but it will also help you to get set up and acquainted with your new surroundings during crucial daylight hours.

Meal Planning

As part of your checklist routine, be sure to plan out all meals so that you know you will arrive with all that you need to make al fresco dining one of the highlights of your trip.

Pack Smart

Don’t be caught wearing inadequate clothing because you did not bother to check all weather conditions. Be prepared for any sort of situation with more clothes than you think you will need. Camping is a dirty activity and you will likely need more than you think you do. Don’t be afraid to overpack for your trip!

Don’t Be A Weather Hero

Camping is supposed to be fun and relaxing. Be careful not to try to outsmart Mother Nature. Avoid severe weather and head home or to safe surroundings at the hint of severe weather.

Stay Close The First Time

If this is your first camping foray, experts advise to stick close to your site. Hedge your bets by choosing a location that you can make a quick escape from if things don’t go your way.

The best tip of all is to have fun and be safe! Enjoy the outdoors.

Creating Your Own Travel Budget

By bronislavleydiker

On June 19, 2018

In Blog, Travel, Vacation

With summer just around the corner, many folks are already gearing up for their annual getaways. Others, meanwhile, may not have anything planned, as they didn’t think they could afford a vacation this year. It’s time to think again. Travel is possible on almost any budget. Creating a budget requires foresight and a bit of discipline. This article will talk about how you can create your own travel budget to satisfy your travel bug.

Research Early

Narrow down the list of possible destinations to four or five. Go online to research travel costs, like accommodations, airfare (if necessary), and area restaurants, as well as any can’t-miss activities. Then choose whichever destination seems like the best value for the time spent there. This will help you create an overall budget with which to work. The website budgetyourtrip.com

is an excellent resource to use as an outline for your budget. The site provides pricing on a number of global destinations, making it easier for travelers to choose the right spot for their individual needs.

Don’t Forget Secondary Expenses

Some destinations require additional travel costs upon arrival. Rental cars, gasoline, bus or rail fare, or subway passes all should be considered as secondary expenses. Be sure to build these into your budget from the beginning, so you aren’t left short-handed.

Be Flexible About Accommodations

Hotels often represent the greatest vacation expense. For people on a strict budget, this is problematic but also easy to get around, depending on the destination. European hostels, for example, are no longer populated solely with backpacking teenagers, and are a clean and affordable choice. Another tip is to look for accommodations with a small fridge or kitchenette, to save on dining costs.

Create A Budget Spreadsheet

This can be as simple as a double-sided list, with income on one side and monthly expenses on the other. If your income is flexible enough to add a little something extra each month, then add a new category called “Travel Savings” and put the bonus income there. Otherwise, find an expense that can be easily trimmed by a few dollars, and put the surplus in the travel column.

Track Spending

Take notes on every travel expense that’s incurred on the trip, to get a sense of where the money is going. This will help to shape the budget for your next vacation, as it will give you a good outlook on your spending habits.

The Best Places To Visit In Europe

By bronislavleydiker

On March 12, 2018

In Blog, International, Travel, Vacation

For many people, the idea of a visit to Europe is a dream come true. When the prospect of an international vacation becomes closer to a reality, the most important topic of discussion becomes which places in Europe to visit. Below are three of the best places to visit during a trip to Europe.

London, England

London leads Europe as one of the most popular tourist destinations due to its accessibility, tourist attractions, and its labyrinthian streets rich in historical lore and unsolved mysteries. London has streets lined with small restaurants that feature British classics such as fish n chips, custard tarts, and, of course, plenty of Earl Grey tea. After delightful treats have been consumed, prepare for a whirlwind adventure as you head off on a London tour to see the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, The Making of Harry Potter Tour, and even a thrilling tour through the streets of London as you and your fellow tourists walk the same back alleys that Jack the Ripper roamed while stalking and mutilating his victims.

Paris, France

Often referred to as the City of Love, Paris boasts a plethora of stunning Gothic architecture blended beautifully with modern conveniences. Although Paris can be easily dismissed as a city that possesses a narrow range of amenities, this is far from true. Paris contains restaurants and gourmet cafes for people who love food. Paris is considered the birthplace of fashion, so there are quality boutiques around every corner. For those who enjoy learning about the history of France and of Europe, Paris is abundantly blessed with museums, churches, and monuments. Regardless of your deepest desires as a tourist, you’ll find it in Paris.

Rome, Italy
When considering a trip to Europe, it would be criminal to neglect the most elegant and ancient city in all of Europe – Rome. Rome has a rustic Old World charm that isn’t found in many other places on the planet. Many ancient buildings that were erected centuries ago, such as St. Peter’s Basilica, still remain intact and open for public tours. One of the things that many people forget is that the city of Rome is actually located inside of Italy. Italy is famous worldwide for its rich and robust cuisine. Before any ancient history site is visited, a trip to a local authentic Italian restaurant must be put at the top of your itinerary.

The Essential Travel Checklist

By bronislavleydiker

On February 6, 2018

In Blog, International, Travel, Vacation

Are you planning on traveling shortly? Feeling overwhelmed with everything you want to bring and think you need? Well, this article will help you sort out the necessary and the unnecessary when it comes to packing your bags for travel.

Luggage

The first thing you want to establish is what kind of luggage you will be taking with you. Your main luggage will hold all of the essential items that you will need on the trip. If you are flying somewhere, make sure you know the size and weight requirements for the airline you will be boarding. Some options for your main luggage are:

Duffel Bag – a duffel bag is simple to use and lightweight. Duffel bags can be stuffed with useful gear to the brim and has options for wheels is needed
Travel Backpack – No wheels for this backpack. Sling it on your back for versatility in any situation.
Rolling Luggage – Recommended for travel to cities and paved roadways. Rolling luggage can help take the stress out of having to carry everything in a backpack or duffel bag.

Basics

Basically, everything you are going to need for your trip. Make sure you are packing your favorite and most useful articles of clothing for your trip! Here are some tips on what to pack and why they are necessary:

Rain jacket, umbrella – You never know when rain will hit, better to be prepared for inclement weather.
Sunglasses – Protect your eyes from the sun and look cool while doing it.
Bandana – A bandana has multiple uses and is always good to have handy
Light clothing – items you can use to layer over things and pack lightly
Pants and shorts – Pants for cold weather and protective clothing, shorts for warm weather and relaxation!
Travel Pillow – If traveling far, it is always important to bring a pillow with you so you can catch some z’s while on the go.
Underwear – This is self-explanatory

Toiletries

Bring along your own toiletries on your trip and avoid using the ones provided by hotels. Here are some basic toiletry items to bring along with you:

Sunscreen – Always bring some with you. Protect your skin from the sun!
Toothbrush/toothpaste – Bring your own toothbrush and toothpaste along with you!
Personal hygiene products – whatever you think you will need along the trip bring with you. It is cheaper to purchase things before getting to the airport!
Moisturize – One of the most significant problems when traveling is your skin dealing with changing climates. Bring a facial moisturizer with you to combat this issue.

Let this list serve as a basic understanding of some items that you need to take with you. Although we did not cover all areas of travel items, this list can serve as a starting point for anyone who is traveling.