Budget Travel Archives - Page 2 of 8

March 22, 2017 by Jeremy

Leave the Office Behind When You Vacation

Are you one of those individuals who can never quite seem to leave the workload behind when you go on vacation?

If that sounds like you, you are unfortunately one of many millions of people who can’t separate work and taking some time to relax.

Along with the mental wear and tear that such actions can have on your body, there is of course the physical punishment you can take as a result.

With that being the case, what should you be doing in order to get away from it all for a period of time, allowing you to truly get some deserved R&R?

Preparation and Using the Right Resources

Like many other things in life, getting your work done before you hit the beaches, golf courses, mountains, or wherever your vacation takes you is key.

For instance, unless you are just going to throw a few things in your vehicle and get out of town for the weekend, you will need to prepare for where you are going.

Among the things to look at:

Where are you going?
What mode of transportation will you use to get there?
How long will you be gone?
Approximately what will the trip cost you?

Those (and other things) are all important in terms of leaving you with less stress and more enjoyment when all is said and done.

Whether you are thinking about hitting multiple states across the U.S., jetting off to the Far East, touring South America, or taking in as much of Europe as possible, take your preparation planning time seriously.

For starters, use the Internet to look for savings on adventures in Europe, Ecuador travel packages, group tours of Australia and much more. In doing so, you can get your trip planning done faster, leaving you enough time to get your real work out of the way.

Secondly, doing your trip planning (at least a sizable portion of it) on the Internet during work breaks gives you that vacation to look forward to, making you even more motivated to finish your work before you pack your bags and head out.

Bags Packed and Time to Relax

Once your trip is planned and everything is in place, the time has come to put thoughts of work behind you for however long you will be away.

As an example, are you someone who always has that laptop and/or mobile device by your side when you are supposed to be enjoying time away from the office? If so, there are both mental and physical effects that can become troubling.

On the mental side, the possibilities of burnout become very real, especially if you are either running your own business or are responsible for more than your fair share of work in the office.

As for the physical impact, thinking about work too much while vacationing can lead to fatigue, bad eating habits, lack of exercise and more.

Use these tips before you head out on vacation:

Work done in advance – Get as much of your necessary work done in advance, thereby leaving you with little or nothing to worry about while away.
Seek help from others – If you run your own business with employees, ask them to pick up some of the slack for you while you are gone. One of the great things in working with others is pitching in and helping each other when one is out for a period of time.
Alert others of your plans – In the event you are a one-person show, alert clients far enough in advance that you will be away for vacation. This allows them to reschedule and/or plan out in advance if they need you.

By making sure your deserved vacation runs as smoothly as possible, leave the office behind when you go on a personal trip.

Not only will you have memories of a lifetime, but you will come back to work more relaxed and recharged.

As an employee (for someone else or yourself), how do you leave work behind when you go on a vacation?

January 17, 2017 by Jeremy

What to Do when you’re Locked Out of the Car while Travelling

Being Locked Out of the Car while Travelling is just the worst...

Photo by CC user Unsplash on Pixabay

It is one of those things that no one wishes to happen, yet it usually does at some time or another, and when you end up locked out of your vehicle, it always happens when you are in a hurry. The first thing to remember is to stay calm and avoid the temptation to try and break into the car, as this is likely to result in damage. The fact that there are mobile locksmiths that specialise in retrieving keys from inside vehicles is a testament to how often it happens, and if you are unfortunate enough to lock yourself out of your car, here are some tips.

Contact a Locksmith

This is one number you should keep in your phone memory, and if you happen to be in Western Australia, and are looking for a Perth Locksmith, visit www.silverfernlocksmithsperth.com.au/ for more information on the range of services they provide. Some locksmiths have round the clock emergency service, so whether you have lost your keys or they are locked in the vehicle, they can gain access to any vehicle and create a new key if need be.

Transponder Keys

This is the latest anti-theft system and it involves inserting a microchip into the key, without which, the car will not start. If, for example, someone copied your car key with the intention of stealing the vehicle, the car would not start as the key does not contain the vital chip that is necessary to activate the ignition. Most modern vehicles use transponder keys, but this isn’t a problem as a qualified locksmith can cut a new key and program the chip via a port on the vehicle’s dashboard, and you will be up and running within an hour of the locksmith arriving on the scene.

Spare Keys

One could always have a spare key which is kept at home, and in the event you lose your master set, simply call your partner and have them bring the key to you on the road. Of course, this is only practical if you are within a reasonable distance from your home, and failing that, you can call out a mobile locksmith service.

Relax and Take a Break

Once you have called out the mobile locksmith, they will be with you very shortly, and you can find a nearby café and have a coffee while the technician gains access to the vehicle, and you will be on your way within a short time. It is a good idea to anticipate such an event and already have the contact details of a mobile emergency locksmith, as they can also help if you ever get locked out of your home. Should the worst ever happen and you do not have a contact number, you might be in for a long wait, so be prepared and keep the number in your smartphone memory.

Losing your keys is not something you can effectively prevent, so the best solution is to have the contact details of an emergency locksmith service, just in case the worst happens. This way, your travels can go back to running smoothly in no time flat.

January 11, 2017 by Jeremy

How to Ensure Your Travel Plans Run Smoothly

Traveling is by far and away one of the most exciting parts of the year and you have no doubt got plans to take to the skies or the open road in 2017. Generally speaking we are all becoming far more adventurous with our travels than we were in say the 80s as more and more parts of the World have opened up to us as well as more ways and means of getting around. Heading off on vacations usually involves quite a bit of time spent on the traveling itself and the last thing that you need during this time, are problems. To ensure that your trip goes off without a hitch, here are some things that you should be doing.

Pre-Plan Transfers

Unless you are on some kind of package deal or staying with a hotel which offers transfers, you will have to sort out your own airport transfers. Airport taxi services in some places are very expensive or even worse, are cons and you would be best off avoiding this scenario and booking up before you go. There are lots of transportation options available online like reliable airport transfer from Blacklane which you can arrange before you leave in order to give you the peace of mind that when you arrive at your destination, there will be a friendly face waiting to collect you.

Organization App

If your travels comprise of taking various trains, planes or busses then you naturally want to ensure that you have all of your timings absolutely spot on. To help you out you should look to download any one of the great apps that are out there which will organize your trip for you. Many of the apps actually take the information direct from your email so when you receive a confirmation email from the company with whom you are traveling, the app will automatically update your travel plans. Never miss a flight or train again with a handy travel organizing app.

Prepare for the Worst

There is nothing worse than having a long delay on one of your scheduled flights and as much as nobody really wants to consider it, it could happen. In order to avoid this situation becoming any worse than it needs to be, you should plan ahead with movies, TV shows or games downloaded to a computer or tablet which will help you to fill in the time if you are forced to wait additional time in the airport.

Don’t Take Risks

When you book your flights it isn’t worth running any risks in your timings, if you are booking connections then you need to ensure that you leave more than sufficient time in-between each flight in order to give yourself the time to disembark the first flight and go back through security.

Another risk which you should avoid to ensure smooth traveling is with the contents of your case or your hand luggage, make sure you know the rules of security before you leave and pack your cases appropriately.

Finally, check your passport and ensure that it is in date, you’d be surprised how many people need to make a last-minute dash to the passport office when they discover that theirs is out of date.

December 3, 2016 by Jeremy

5 Breath-Taking Beaches to Go to in Vanuatu

Nothing can ever beat the best place to relax and chill with friends and family – definitely, the beach. Think about it: it is mostly free, if it is not a beach resort. You can have a simple picnic and a quick afternoon dip or bring in the grill and treat yourself to the beach the whole day. You can be as lazy as you want or as hyper as you can be. There are simply endless ways to enjoy it.

However, one place provides some of the best the most picturesque beach spots in the world, and that is Vanuatu. It is a South Pacific nation that offers travelers warm waters and near perfect vistas that will make your beach trip simply amazing. If you are still hesitant to look up flights to Vanuatu, here is a list of beaches that will definitely convince you to book that trip now.

Champagne Beach

This beach got its awesome name from the volcanic activity that happens just offshore. Gas bubbles would form and bubble up through the rocks during low tide, and then it pops like a newly opened bottle of champagne. It is a palm-fringed, white-sand beach located 30 minutes away from Port Olry at Espiritu Santo. If you want an intimate location where you and your family or friends can enjoy the beach and its natural setting together, Champagne Beach is the place to be.

Erakor Beach

Located only a little further off Port Vila, Erakor Beach sits on its own island. You can dip your toes in its white, velvety sand and the calm, clear waters of Erakor while enjoying the solitude and the peaceful vibe that seems to surround the island. If you want, you can pamper and treat yourself at the Erakor Island Resort.

Bokissa Beach

We all want to go to a postcard-perfect beach, a place we thought only exists in a graphic designer’s mind. But Bokissa Beach is the very epitome of picturesque beach, beautiful enough to don the cover of a magazine. A white sand beach with an extraordinarily clear blue waters, and palm trees fringing the shoreline. This is a good place to dive and snorkel with friends.

Breakas Beach

A 10-minute drive from Port Vila, just at the Pango peninsula sits Breakas Beach. It is a little crescent bay that has an adults-only area. It has all the works: white and soft sand, film-like palm trees, and a gorgeous beach. This could be the perfect time for parents to take a break, relax, and unwind.

Paradise Cove Beach

The name of Paradise Cove Beach is so appropriate, because it definitely is a paradise on Earth. Take a dive into clear blue lagoons a few meters away from a beach side boutique resort. Surrounding the beach is a tropical garden that creates a very intimate and serene atmosphere on the beach.

The best part about going to the beach is you can do it anytime, at any day of the year. Whether it is in the heat of summer or the breezy winds of winter, there is something totally unique and enchanting about going to a beautiful beach. And Vanuatu is definitely the place where that kind of magic happens.

November 27, 2016 by Jeremy

How to Make Your Vacation Memorable

Vacations are what we look forward to all year when sitting in our cubicle daydreaming. Sadly, our vacations don’t always live up to our expectations. Here are some tips on how to make your vacation memorable. Follow these tips and you will be ensure that your next big trip is like nothing you have every experienced.

Do Something Unexpected
If you want to make your vacation memorable you should do something unexpected, something you have never tried before. This could be taking a class to learn to scuba dive or volunteering working with stray animals in a developing country. While we all love to relax at the beach try to do something unusual or unexpected on your next vacation, not only will this make sure you never forget this trip but it will also allow to learn more about yourself, meet new and interesting people, and maybe develop a new passion. So take some risks and get out there!

Eat Local
Whether you are traveling in America or backpacking around Eastern Europe what you eat can be a big part of your vacation experience. In today’s globalized world you can easily see the 7 wonders of the world and eating nothing but McDonald’s and KFC throughout your trip. But doing this would be a huge mistake! Some of the best ways to experience the culture of a city or country is through their cuisine. This usually means getting out of the hotel and venturing to where the locals eat. Pull up a plastic stool at a Vietnamese noodle shop (even Obama does it!) or grab some pub-grub in London, this is one of the best ways to get a feel for a place and meet some everyday people. Who knows you might just find your new favorite food.

Ditch the Group
While having a tour guide can really add to your experience at many sites, often large tour groups can make for lackluster travel experiences. If you wan to make sure that you have a memorable vacation, plan your own route. The internet is full on resources on what to see and how to get their safely, so you can plan your own trip. Though it may not always go quite as smooth as a group trip, chances are you will have an adventure and meet people that aren’t just tourists; this allows you to meet some locals and really soak in the culture. You can also save some money this may. A memorable vacation involves a bit of adventure and you rarely find this on big tourist groups.

We hope these tips will allow you to plan to make your next vacation memorable. Whether you want to plan your route, eat like a local, try something new and unexpected; your next trip is bound to be one like never before. Once you start traveling using our tips, you will never travel the way you did before. So get out there and start building memories!