Journey Around The Globe

The Things Every Modern Traveler Should Do

Posted on September 13, 2016 by Globe Runner

To be a truly modern traveler, there are some things that you definitely need to do. There is no sense in wasting time and money when there are so many contemporary ways to save both of those things. And there are wise ways to use the internet and some prior knowledge to make the most of any trip.

Use Apps to Find Improvised Accommodation

There are so many great apps that can help you out when you’re traveling in a foreign country. Apps like Airbnb can be particularly useful when you are looking for ways to save money on accommodation. Those city hotels can be really expensive, so why not stay somewhere that’s a little more affordable for you? You can find places to stay for the night using these apps, so it makes sense to give them a try. It makes traveling truly affordable for everybody, so that can only be a good thing.

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Research and Discuss Locations Online

It’s always best to make sure that you know as much as possible about the location you’re heading to before you get there. This gives you a head start and helps to ensure you don’t waste time once you get there. Thanks to the internet, there are plenty of ways in which you can research and learn more about a location. You should also use forums to talk to people who have traveled there before. You can often learn a lot from other people. Things like the India travel forum can help a lot when you are heading to a location for the very first time. Take advantage of other people’s knowledge and experience to avoid mistakes.

Go Where Other Tourists Don’t

Real explorers don’t stick to the tourist hotspots. Instead, they take the time to explore the country a bit more than that. You don’t get to see much of a country and the way it works when you stick to the tourist traps too much. So, learn more, use your research, and go to the kinds of places that most tourists don’t. This is the only real way to see the country for what it really is and understand the people’s way of life. If you ask me, that’s what traveling is about. And it’s something that more and more people are now doing as the tourist traps become less interesting to people.

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Use Your Social Media Accounts Wisely

There is a right way and a wrong way to use social media when you’re traveling. The first thing you should do is make sure that you use it in a way that is safe. If you are traveling alone, then you could be at greater risk of being followed because you’re vulnerable. And if you let the whole world know where you are on social media, the risk is even greater. So, you should make sure that your accounts are set to private. This means that you can control who sees what you post on these sites. You can also use social media to stay in contact with everyone back home too.

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Common Travel Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Posted on September 8, 2016 by Globe Runner

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We are only human, and we are prone to make mistakes. When you are traveling, the results can be a little more dramatic than they normally would be, though. We aren’t in our normal environment and don’t have all of our friends and family around us. So if things go wrong, it can prove to be expensive or mean you have to end your travels. So here are some common mistakes that people make when they travel. Then you can know what to look for and make sure you avoid them.

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Not Getting the Right Visas and Travel Documents

One easy mistake people make, is that they don’t get the right travel documents that they will need. Certain countries need certain pieces of information about you before hand, to allow you in. Take the United States of America, for example. You need to get a pre-clearance ‘visa’ if you are going to be there for under 90 days. So you should apply online, somewhere like www.official-esta.com. If you arrive and don’t have this filled in, the chances are very slim that you will be allowed in. So check this kind of thing as soon as you have booked flights.

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Not Having Enough Time Left On Your Passport

A lot of people think that if their passport is in date, then it will all be fine. But some countries require there to be a certain length of time left on your passport. The US needs you to have at least six months left on your passport. Countries like the United Arab Emirates need you to have at least three months left on the passport. So you do need to bear this in mind. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to get a new passport before you travel if needed. You can find more information on a site like www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

Overpacking

When you are traveling, you don’t need to pack as light as possible. There will be certain restrictions on your method of transport. Plus the fact that you will have to take the luggage around with you. So you don’t want it to be too heavy. So only pack what you know you will use. If you’re not sure, then leave it behind. It is always good to have a little extra space in your suitcase to take things back with you.

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Not Using a Budget

When you are planning a trip, you will no doubt have a budget. The worst thing that you can do is to not stick to that budget. If you run out of money, then things can be pretty disastrous. So set a budget before you go and check on how you are doing at the end of each day. You don’t want to miss out on doing something, just because you ran out of money.

Missing a Flight

When you need to catch a flight, you need to allow plenty of time. You need to be at the airport often around two hours ahead of the flight. But you should take into consideration traffic and times of transportation to get you there. If you miss a flight, it can prove rather costly. Not all travel insurers will cover for it either. So plan ahead and allow plenty of time.

Home and Abroad: Bring Father Christmas To Life This Winter

Posted on September 5, 2016 by Globe Runner

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Christmas is always a magical time, and it’s even more exciting when you have children who still believe in Father Christmas. From his jingling bells to his big round belly, and his team of reindeer to his promise of presents, Santa Claus is kids number one favorite man come Christmas! Bring Kriss Kringle to life in as many ways you can this Christmas, and reignite the magical spirit of one of the favorite months of the year. Let’s take a peek at how you can bring Santa into your home both home and abroad.

Picture source: Hu.Wikipedia.Org

Father Christmas In His Own Home

At Journey Around The Globe we love making magical memories, and those that you can share with your children are all the more special. Take your children on a spellbinding trip across the globe to Santa’s workshop, and give them a true winter wonderland experience. If you want to see Father Christmas in the North Pole or in fact in his home in Finnish Lapland, then it’s time to take a winter holiday that will beat all others. In Lapland you’ll be greeted with a bewitching snowy landscape, reindeer sledding and cozy log cabins. All perfect for creating the true spirit of Christmas. In Finnish Lapland, your children will get to make snow sculptures, bake cookies and take snowmobile rides. They can even spend an afternoon searching and visiting Santa in his own home. Nothing beats meeting this magical man more than seeing him in action in his magical winter workshop. For the adults, there are roaring log fires, cross-country skiing and warm Finnish saunas. And for the kids? Copious amounts of snowy fun for an experience of a lifetime! They will be able to take husky rides, join in with Christmas crafts, visit the reindeer farm and eat their dinner in a restaurant made from ice. Take them across the globe this year for a white winter they will treasure forever.

In Your Own Home

Picture source: Pexels

Christmas Eve is always such fun when you have children. As the suspense builds up, they’re barely able to contain their excitement. And they will want to stay up all night waiting for an appearance from Father Christmas. Luckily most will burn out by midnight, and you can get on with the Ho Ho Ho duty of bringing Father Christmas into your home. Be sure to make Christmas cookies with your children on Christmas Eve to leave out for Santa. Let them have fun decorating with glitter and sprinkles too. Make sure you also go shopping for carrots and milk too. Help them pen a letter to Father Christmas to leave out that night. And make sure you have one written by the man himself to leave in return for them. Get your children to make reindeer dust out of glitter and oats and tell them it’s to lure the reindeer into your home. Leave trodden snow footprints outside their bedroom doors and by the Christmas tree. Make these with flour, talcum powder or fake snow. Get some jingle bells and give them a little tinkle just as your children are falling asleep. And make sure to leave half eaten cookies and carrots for them to find in the morning. If you have a fireplace also leave a few coal marks so, they can be sure Santa has been.

The Best National Parks To Go Camping in America

Posted on August 27, 2016 by Globe Runner

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Looking for an amazing adventure? Consider camping in one of America’s breathtaking national parks! There are over four hundred of them dotted around the country. Each of them have completely different landscapes and things to discover. Here are just a few of the national parks to consider for your next camping trip.

California- Yosemite National Park

Expect to see waterfalls, valleys, meadows, woodland and wilderness in California’s incredible Yosemite National Park. You can go hiking, fishing, horseback riding and rock climbing amongst other things. Just the place for action and adventure! There are over thirteen campsites to choose from within the park; some can be booked ahead, but others are first come first served. And so you’ll want to get there early to avoid any disappointment. You could choose to stay in a deluxe lodge, go camping in an RV or simply take a tent. There’s something for everyone.

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Arizona- Grand Canyon National Park

There are two places to camp in Arizona’s breathtaking Grand Canyon National Park. You can take guided tours, see art exhibits and even take part in fitness opportunities. The ‘South Rim’ of the Canyon is open all year. It’s easier to get to since it has good transport links nearby but can become very busy especially in the summer. The North Rim, on the other hand, is wilder and more secluded, it can only be reached by road and is only open for a short season. Therefore if you do want to camp and see the spectacular sights of the Grand Canyon from this direction, be sure to book in advance.

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Colorado- Rocky Mountain National Park

At Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world. The sensational mountain environment gives you the opportunity to overlook alpine woods. You can go on wildlife viewing tours, and ranger led activities. Spend your days hiking, biking and picnicking, and at night camp under the starry sky. There are five different campsites across the park to choose from.

Washington- Kalaloch National Park

With an astounding view of the Pacific ocean, camp on a gorgeous site overlooking a driftwood covered beach. You can buy or hire camping supplies on site and can stay in either your tent or RV- or in one of the amazing lodges or cabins for more of a ‘glamping’ experience. These are stocked with kitchens and essential kitchen supplies. Perfect if you were looking for a slightly more convenient camping experience.

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Utah- Bryce Canyon National Park

See hoodoo rocks in mind-boggling formations along with caves and explore various trails. Visit at the right time of year and you can celebrate Utah Prairie Dog Day or the Annual Astronomy Festival while exploring the park. There are two campgrounds you could choose from, ‘North’ or ‘Sunset.’ There are no hook-ups for RVs here, so you get a true experience of being at one with nature. Both campsites are surrounded by Ponderosa Pine forests giving equal amounts of shade and sun.