5 WAYS TRAVEL CHANGES YOU

Travel has many positives; one of the main things is that it exposes you to new and exciting things you would have never experienced at home. In addition, travel does something more life changing; it has the power to change you as person for the better.

Below are the 5 ways Travel changes you. Enjoy! :-)

(1) Better Perspective

Whatever you are going through. Travel is sure to fix it and give you a little bit more perspective. What may seem like a large challenge will start to look small once you take in your travel experiences and meet more people.

In addition, it’s always great to have your views of the world be challenged and tested. This then makes you more open and more able to see things from another point of view.

(2) Having More Flexibility, Tolerance and Patience

When travelling, things do not always go according to plan. It doesn’t matter how well organised your itinerary may be, things can sometimes go off course. This isn’t always a bad thing. Through such experiences you may discover a new part of a city that you have never heard of. You may even meet and connect with amazing people you would have never met. By having these experiences you will find yourself slowly embracing the spontaneity of life.

Sometimes it is necessary to be taken out of routine and out of your comfort zone. Once you do that, you learn something new and exciting about yourself and the World around you. So try to have patience when things don’t go according to plan. You never know what good fortune may come out of it.

(3) More Knowledgeable

Travel fills in the gaps of knowledge. We all have a deep desire to explore the unknown. Once you begin your journey to explore and get satisfaction from learning something new on your adventure, your thirst for knowledge will grow even more.

If you have always wanted to see an elephant in real life in its habitat, go see it. If you have always wanted to have proper British fish and chips, go do it. It is all part of the learning experience and your personal development.

When you are in a social situation you will be able to confidently share your knowledge with people and maybe inspire someone else to go on an adventure.

(4) Travel Makes Your Happier

Travel makes you a happier person by helping you to start appreciating the little things. When you take in an epic view you start to realise that you play a very small part in the vast universe.  And once you realise that, you will think more about the present and embrace and appreciate the little things.

Travel  also enables you to realise how huge and diverse the World is and reminds us to be grateful for who we are and what we have.

(5) Travel Boosts Confidence

Travel makes you a better person overall. If you struggle with self-confidence you will get a life-long boost of confidence when you go on adventure, face your fears and immerse yourself in the moment. Through this, it puts you on a journey to discovering your true self and achieving self-acceptance.

TOP 10 TIPS FOR FEMALE SOLO TRAVELLERS

More and more people are travelling solo as a way for self-discovery and character development. It's fantastic to explore and see what the World has to offer, but its important to stay safe out there. We know that for some of you, this may be your first time travelling to another country alone. Just to help you out, here are our top 10 tips for female solo travellers. Enjoy! :-)

(1) Only use Official Taxis

Check with the information point, the airport officials or hotel information point and find out where the official taxis are. Do not go into a taxi that you have not called for.

(2) Arrive in the daytime

Arrive in the daytime; there will be a lot more people walking around that can help you.  Also, trying to find your way around a city you have never been to is a lot less scary in the daytime.

(3) Learn the places to avoid

Research the city or country you will be visiting in advance. Find out which parts of the city are safe to stay in. Do not compromise your safety just to save money. Make sure you have travel insurance, take the taxi instead of walking at night. Be very vigilant and aware of your surroundings.

(4) Photocopy your travel documents

Losing your passport or flight tickets is a common problem and can ruin your vacation. To avoid this, make sure to have photocopies of your passport, flight tickets and any other important documentation. Put a copy, in your bag, in your purse, in your hotel room or have it saved in your phone. You never know when you might need it.

(5) Avoid giving away personal information

While travelling solo, you will meet a lot of interesting people. Remember to be vigilant and do not let strangers know what hotel you are staying in. Also, do not tell the person you are alone.

(6) Check out travel alerts

Check for any travel alerts in the country you will be visiting and look out for any alerts on wars or any other state of emergency situations. In addition, research the common crimes and scams in the country so you are well prepared and watchful.

(7) Dressing Requirements

Some countries are a lot stricter than others in terms of dressing. Before you travel check on the dressing requirements for that country or city and dress accordingly.

(8) Listen to the Locals

If locals or hotel staff tells you to not go to a certain area because it is dangerous. Do not go. In more nuanced situations, always follow your gut.

(9) Act Confident

Even though you may be unsure of yourself at times. Always act confident and assertive, it will make you less of a target.

(10) Let people know where you are

Visiting a new country or city is very exciting and you can get so caught up in the fun that you forget to update your

TOP 5 PLACES TO TRAVEL IN 2017

As we are heading into 2017.  We have been hearing that most people's New Year resolutions is to travel more. Here are a few of the destinations that we think will be very popular in 2017. Click the images to find out more. Enjoy! :-)

(1) CANADA

Get ready to explore cities such as Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Ottawa. They all have something unique to offer and there is something for everyone. In 2017, it will be Canada’s 150th birthday. So there will be festivities all year long. In addition to the celebrations, there will be free Discovery passes that will give anyone (especially tourists) free entry into all of the national parks in 2017. This will give visitors the opportunity to explore Canada’s various habitats. Also, its National Heritage sites will be free to all. Canada is truly a budget friendly destination. These are just a few of the perks that will be available to tourists visiting in 2017. 

(2) JAPAN

If you want to party and explore different cultures and interests, Japan is the place to be in 2017. There are so many festivals happening in Japan. You won’t have to wait until spring and summer for the partying to start. In January there will be The Internet Cat Video Festival, the Ice Waterfall Festival, Sapporo Snow Festival and many more. There’s also an opportunity to see a sumo tournament, which is held at the prestigious Ryogoku kokugikan. There are also a lot of attractions such as the Todai-ji Temple, the Fushimi Inari taisha shrine and many more. 

(3) CUBA

In recent months many restrictions have been lifted, and an increasing number of people now have the opportunity to visit Cuba. For the first time in 50 years it will be easier for Americans to go and legally spend money there. It is amazing that Cuba has come a long way. It is now a new frontier in tourism open to learn from and explore.

Cuba has relatively been untouched by globalisation and the country gives you the feeling of stepping into a time capsule surrounded by old cars from the 1950s and old buildings. Cuba is home to nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There are so many things to see and do, such as The Malecón, Old Havana, Varadero Beach, Playa Paraiso just to name a few. You can even visit the home of Ernest Hemingway, which is now a Museum. 

(4) BOTSWANA

Botswana is the destination to visit if you want to get up close and personal with nature and rare wildlife. You should visit the Savute Reserve (Choba National Park) and see the elephants chilling and doing their thing. You can also check out the Rhinos at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. After that, you can get a history lesson at the Three Chief Statues Monument in Gaborone. Also by stepping into a dugout canoe you can explore the Okavango Delta and every now and then you will a see a hippo.

Botswana has a reputation for offering a luxurious experience for its visitors, so it's definitely a great place to check out in 2017.

(5) PORTUGAL

In recent months Portugal has increasingly become a popular holiday destination for tourists and it shows no signs of slowing down. It has the perfect blend of adventure, amazing beaches and vibrant cities. Portugal is also known for its delicious wine. It also has a reputation for providing affordable luxury for its visitors. According to the US News Rankings, Lisbon is one of the least expensive cities on the European continent, so this means you can explore without worrying too much about your pockets.  Places to check out are Algarve, The Azores and many more.  At this rate Portugal is definitely going to be even more popular in 2017.