Posts by : Izy Berry

Solo travel is growing by leaps and bounds, which should come as no surprise, as it’s one of the best ways you can experience the world and yourself. However, as with all things done alone, it can also come with a hefty dose of loneliness now and again.

Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, flush with expendable cash or somewhat on the poor side, seeing the world’s most stunning sites, encountering amazing cultures, and eating delicious exotic food can all lose their luster if loneliness hits and you let it stick around too long.

Whether you’re new to solo travel or you’ve done it for years, here are a few tricks of the trade to help you combat your loneliness.

Give In and Feel It

It’s a favorite truism of Jungian psychology that “what you resist persists” and “what you fight, you strengthen,” which is why, when loneliness strikes, it’s best to give in and welcome the feeling for a while. No one enjoys loneliness, but pretending it isn’t present or working to keep it at bay will only fuel its fire. Instead, sit down and spend some time with that panging, hollow feeling.

Doing so will provide insight into what you need, whether it’s a friendly conversation with a stranger or a call home to Mom. Only by acknowledging the feeling and getting familiar with it will you find a pathway out. And be willing to book a flight to see a loved one if need be — Flights.com has some great, last-minute options.

Get Out and Meet People

Once loneliness has its hold, one of the best ways to get it to release its grip is to go out and meet people. While this tactic can be challenging in a foreign land — especially if you don’t speak the local language well — there is almost always somewhere you can go where expats, or locals who are likely to speak English, can be found.

From spending some concentrated and daily time in an expatriot coffeehouse to volunteering at a local orphanage, by interacting meaningfully with others, you’ll chase loneliness away

Invite a Friend to Join You for a Time

Do you need a taste of home, but it isn’t yet time for you to go back? Invite a friend to join you for a while. Whether it’s an old roommate from college who lives in a nearby country or that friend of your sister’s you’ve always gotten along well with whose flexible job makes her a jetsetter, reach out to those people who might be able to join you.

It will break up the monotony that can sometimes accompany being alone and kick loneliness to the curb without forcing you to cut short your adventure.

Grab a Challenge

One nearly foolproof way to get back into your solo travel groove is to do some kind of physical challenge. From rock climbing to summiting a mountain, tackle something you’re trained for, but make sure accomplishing it will still be somewhat difficult or taxing.

Not only will it re-focus your energy on something outside of you, but it will also restore your confidence and trust in yourself — two aspects of self esteem that can take a dive when loneliness comes calling.

Write It Out

If you aren’t already traveling with a diary or journal of some kind, go get one. Not only does it help keep your different experiences and thoughts crystal clear when travel days begin to run together, it can help you process feelings, especially those of the lonely variety. Write out the things you’re feeling and thinking, and give in to wishing about how things could be different.

By writing it out, your experience of loneliness can become another part of your journey instead of a regrettable part of your inner life. Loneliness and how you worked it out can become part of the record of your travels that can be instructive and helpful down the line.

Connect With Those Afar

One of the easiest ways to combat loneliness is also one that can backfire the most: Reaching out to loved ones who are far away. While connecting with those afar can lift the sense of separation and loss inside of being lonely, it can also make loneliness worse. If reaching out increases your sense of being all alone, don’t despair. You may just need a change of scenery or a few more phone calls to get back into your rhythm.

However, if you’ve been traveling away from your loved ones for a long time, an increase in loneliness when you connect may also mean you need a fix that only being around those you love can provide.

Solo travel provides a wealth of memorable experiences. Should loneliness find you when you’re out on your travels, try these tricks and you’ll be back to loving the experience of being alone in no time.

Recent research has proven what we’ve known for years, travellers like to tell a few fibs now and then, to make themselves look better to their friends, and other travellers. In fact 17% of people have lied about travel, and that’s just the percentage of people who have admitted it.

What are they lying about? There are plenty of lies which you can tell about travel to make yourself look better, however before lying, it’s important to ask yourself why you feel the need to lie, whether you’re likely to be found out, and if you’re willing to be exposed if someone realises you’re telling a porker.

The most common lies seem to be about traveling “authentically”, and “getting off the beaten path”. No one wants to admit they’ve only had street food once, while they’ve been in Thailand for two weeks, or that they actually prefer Mc Donalds over Pad Thai. Plenty of people also lie about never eating Western food while traveling, in order to “immerse themselves in the culture”, while they’re secretly stocking up on M&M’s and toasties in 7/11.

While backpacking it can be easy to get caught up in the countries game. Someone will casually drop into the conversation that they’ve been to 40 countries, and 6 continents, and all of a sudden you’ll find yourself telling a dirty lie about how you’ve actually been to 50 countries, and found Antarctica to be underwhelming.

It’s also not unheard of for travellers to lie about which countries they’ve been to. After all, Tunisia sounds cooler than Italy, and Kenya has much better bragging rights than South Africa. While you’re fibbing about countries, you’ll want to check if the person you’re lying to has been there, or you’ll quickly give yourself away when they press you for information, or want to compare experiences.

Many of the lies about travel aren’t truly lies at all, they’re just huge exaggerations. Sure, you may not have fought off four muggers single-handedly, and in reality you screamed like a girl and gave them everything you had, but that doesn’t make for a good story.

Exaggerations are especially popular while playing drinking games at hostels, when stories get bigger and bigger the more you tell them. It’s best to leave before fellow travellers begin comparing your stories, and picking holes in them.

Activities are another thing that travellers like to lie about, and these are somewhat easier to get away with, and harder to disprove. Many people like to lie about adventure activities, and claim they’ve been skydiving or bungy jumping to make themselves look more fun, and adventurous.

One of the easiest things travellers lie about are the events they’ve been to. Coachella and Burning Man are so big it’s a simple matter to claim you were there, and major sporting events are also a popular lie, with people saying they’ve been to the Olympics, or Football World Cup.

One of the most common lies is that you’ve been arrested or spent time in a cell while overseas. This is popular because it’s so intriguing, and people immediately want to learn more about what happened.

Many people lie because they feel that they’re not interesting enough by themselves. This is a mistake, and it’s better to be remembered as a genuinely nice person, than someone who couldn’t be trusted.

Having returned from a business trip to Seoul, Jered Anglin recently described his lavish adventure. From what he told me about the city, the nightlife and a visit to a local casino, Seoul is now at the top of my bucket list.

Located on the banks of the Han River, in the northwest region of South Korea, Seoul is approximately 605.25 square kilometres. The Han River separates the city into southern and northern halves. The River originally served as a Chinese trading route. However, since the inlet is situated between North and South Korea, it is no longer used as a civilian port. Nevertheless, the city has been a thriving metropolis for over two millennia. It was one of the original three Korean Kingdoms and today it continues to draw international travellers. Surrounded by eight mountains, including majestic Mt. Bukhan (with some breath-taking hiking trails), Seoul is amongst the most frequently visited regions of the world.

Seoul – Globally Rising

After the Korean War, the city sprang back to life following an economic surge labelled the “Miracle on the Han River.” Next in line after Tokyo, NYC, and Los Angeles, Seoul enjoys its reputation for having the fourth strongest economy of any metropolitan area on the planet. A centre for leading technological development, it hosts a variety of conferences, including the one that Jered attended. It ranks at the top of the list as a city with great potential.

The transportation system is also one the best, providing easy access to the Incheon International Airport. The Lotte World skyscraper is slated to become the tallest skyscraper this year. The observation deck, art gallery and the cinema promise to add to any holiday adventure. Seoul has also earned a reputation as a leading host city. In 2010, the city was designated as the “UNESCO City of Design.” It has hosted a variety of sporting events, including the Asian Games, in 1986. In 1988, the city hosted the Summer Olympics. More recently, in 2002 they hosted the FIFA World Cup, followed by the Summit G-20 Seoul, in 2010, as well as world-place poker events.

World Class Poker

This spring Seoul is hosting one of the world’s largest Poker Tournaments, the Asia Pacific Poker Tour, which will return to the capital of South Korea for the 9th Season from April 6 through the 12th. This year, Seoul welcomes international poker players to the APPT. The KRW three million “buy-in” main events are scheduled to occur within the lavish Paradise Walkerhill. Jered said that he is already planning another luxury holiday and make his return to Paradise.

Welcome to Paradise

In Jered’s opinion the visit to the casino was one of the highlights of the trip. He explained that the Paradise is situated a short distance from downtown Seoul. He pointed out how guests who arrive in the early evening can receive a refund on their taxi receipt by simply checking in at the poker desk. Apparently refunds may aren’t available later on, for whatever reason. From the way he described it, the casino sits on top of a steep grade so taking the subway or walking could be difficult. Jered also mentioned that the casino and the poker area are quite small. Those who are bothered by tight spaces and enjoy the comfort of their own hotel room where they can play the same games on a laptop while sipping on glass of champagne are advised to save themselves the hassle of taking the trip to the casino. These same people might be happy to hear that two very valid accommodation options are within walking distance from the Paradise, that is, the W Seoul Walkerhill and the Sheraton Grande.

Going back to the Paradise, its poker room consists of some tables in the very corner of the WH casino. Typically, the room is open to tourists and foreign visitors, and to Koreans who have foreign residency or foreign citizenship. Smoking is permitted in some areas. My friend appreciated the fact that the cocktail servers and dealers are professional and fast. Drinks were readily available and free, and the place draws in serious as well as more occasional players. All in all, a great atmosphere!

From the way that Jered described his adventures, the sightseeing, gorgeous hiking trails, the Han River, the metropolis, as well as the excitement at the poker table, Seoul sounds like the ideal getaway. This spring, why not plan a luxury holiday to Seoul and discover first-hand just how amazing the city really is!

When you buy a new car, you automatically think of insuring it. When you buy a new all singing, all dancing electrical device, you want to insure it against possible breakages, damage, or even theft, right? So why is a holiday any different?

We save long and hard for an annual two weeks in the sun, and this is just as valuable a part of our lives as our washing machine or mobile phone, in my opinion! Because of this, it’s vitally important you remember to purchase the best travel insurance policy for your needs, and of course your budget, well ahead of time. In fact, as soon as you book your holiday, I’d recommend getting your insurance sorted out. Being on the ball with this not only means you’re covered in the event of an unfortunate cancellation problem, but you’re also not going to forget it if you do it straight away.

Because insurance isn’t something you can touch or feel, or something you need to form part of the logistical side of your travel plans, it’s easy for it to be forgotten, or put on the ‘I’ll do it later’ pile. Don’t fall into this trap – it takes a few minutes out of your day, and if you find the best value policy for you, it won’t cost you the earth.

Loss of luggage, cancellation, medical problems, these are all areas that insurance will help you with in the event of a problem, but the one thing you must do is be 100% honest when you complete the process of organising your policy. You’ve probably heard it before, that you have to declare any pre-existing and current medical problems during the application process, and it’s vitally important that you do this. Why? Well, in the event of a claim due to a medical problem, no matter how serious, if you haven’t declared everything then your policy may not be worth the paper it is printed on. The worst case scenario of this is obviously that you could be stuck abroad with a massive medical bill with your name on it, all because you missed something out. It happens, and it’s something that can be so easily avoided.

Finding the best policy for you only takes an online search, and this is generally where the best deals can be found. Check all the small print, and always make sure your that your destination is covered, by checking the list of countries included in their definition of the geographical area – never assume, always check!

It might sound difficult, but it’s really not, and you’ll be glad you took the time out to insure your holiday. Don’t leave it to chance.

Although our stereotypical image of the South African travel experience will usually consist of safari parks and exotic beaches, there’s much more to the Rainbow Nation than that.

South Africa features a thriving tourism trade that builds on the country’s growing reputation for fine cuisine, vibrant bars and luxurious nightlife.

So if you’re tired of the somewhat generic choice of options facing the modern traveller, then check out these uniquely South African nightlife hotspots!

Fine dining

For starters, visit the award winning Test Kitchen in Cape Town. This was recently announced as the Eat Out Restaurant of the Year, and with renowned British chef Luke Dale-Roberts at the helm, it looks to build upon its brand of combining the best in South African and Asian cuisines.

The Western Cape is also famous for its great seafood cuisine. If you’re looking to sample the best in speciality seafood dishes then you could do worse than head to Die Strandloper seafood restaurant that is beautifully situated on the beach, and has an amazing menu featuring local delicacies such as bokkoms and stompneus!

Casino resorts

Many are also enjoying South Africa’s all-in-one casino resorts. Not only do they provide a top-class gaming environment, but resorts like Gold Reef City in Johannesburg have over 30 roller coasters and a huge range of chic restaurants and bars.

Not that you have to head to one of these resorts to sample South Africa’s gaming boom of course. Now there is a range of impressive online gaming sites such as Black Diamond Casino that you can easily enjoy, thanks to South Africa’s rapid growth in the online domain.

Vibrant bars

For such a diverse nation, South Africa has built a great reputation for its range of bars that display the national character at its best.

Everybody must visit a shebeen at least once whilst visiting South Africa. These were originally illicit bars that existed without a licence, but have now become legitimate and offer the chance to try Umbomqothi, a traditional African beer made from maize and sorghum, and not for the faint of heart!

Another recognisable South African institution is the chain of bars called Café Sofia. These offer a bustling and lively atmosphere that has just the right amount of relaxed attitude to make everyone feel welcome. With a warm and spacious décor, a great range of meze and tapas platters, and some fairly intense cocktails on offer, it’ll get you in the South African spirit in no time!

Per capita, Australians spends more on overseas travel than any other nation, hitting a whopping $1,477 per year. Not surprisingly, due to its geographical location, stunning scenery, and number of Kiwis living in Australia, New Zealand hit number 1 as the most popular destination to visit. Indonesia and Thailand rank at 2 and 4 respectively, probably due to both their proximity and value for money, while the United States and UK come in at number 3 and 5.

Australia is a wealthy nation for its size, often ranking in the top 20 richest countries per capita. So perhaps it’s not too surprising that many are wealthy enough for a holiday or two per year. Over 9 million overseas trips are expected to be taken this year, a 100% increase compared with a decade earlier.

Check out the below travel infographic (courtesy of MyBudget) for more interesting facts about how Aussies like to travel and which other nations spend big on their holidays.

Dubai’s a great place to visit because it’s a true melting pot of culture. Here you can find the super old, and the super new, existing together in the greatest contrast. When you think of modern, flashy cities, there are probably few that top the list as often as Dubai does. While Dubai’s world famous for it’s grand malls and shopping there’s a lot more to see here. From stunning Dubai Marina restaurants to amazing water shows, there’s something for everyone and every budget.

1) Dubai Fountains

I don’t know about you, but I love an amazing fountain show. Dubai and Singapore’s fountain shows have been some of my highlights when traveling. Paired with music, the fountain show in Dubai has lights, water that shoots up some 500 feet and is something that needs to be experienced in person; watching a video clip on Youtube doesn’t do it justice.

2) Burj Khalifa

Yes, this is an obvious choice, but an important one I think. After all, it’s the largest building in the world! It might be hard to grasp how tall it really is until you’re standing beneath it, staring up and up and up… Dubai is a fantastic place for modern architecture, but no building is as important for our generation as the Burj Khalifa.

3) Boat Tour & Desert Tour

Why not hit the harbour and see a different side to Dubai? If you can, get a tour that tells you a little bit of the history. For some contrast, head out to the desert and ride a camel into the sunset. There are some conserved desert areas which are really stunning and free from the growth that the rest of Dubai has seen.

4) Wild Wadi Water Park

Dubai’s hot, and there’s no better way to cool off from the heat than escaping to this water park. Perfect for those traveling as a family, or for those who are still kids at hearts. Be prepared for the fake thunderstorm that happens every hour. There’s more than 30 rides, so you’ll never be bored here.

Dubai is a wonderful destination on its own and as a stop over to various destinations. It’s a city that changes so much and has so much to offer a tourist.

In the past few years, with the recession, we’ve seen a surge in “Staycations” which are basically vacations that you take at home to cut out travel expenses and to still get that recharge that only a holiday can bring. While Staycations are a lot of fun, personally I prefer to get out of my city to really feel like I’m on holiday. For me, there’s an obvious but often overlooked solution to the budget conscious traveller who still wants to enjoy their holiday time: traveling near to home. Devon and Cornwall are two stunning holiday destinations that are often swapped for more exotic locations, which is a big mistake. Continue to read more about what these quirky and historical locations have to offer you on your next holiday:

Beaches, Beaches and Beaches:

You don’t have to go overseas for great beaches. Cornwall alone is home to over three hundred beaches. That’s no typo – three hundred. While I’ve visited Cornwall before I had no idea that there were so many beaches. The beaches are great for a wide range of family activities from watersports, surfing, sunbathing, sand castle building and even walks with the family dog. For me, a beach is an essential part of a summer holiday because they’re such a diverse destination.

It Can be a Budget Friendly Destination:

Depending on where you live, Devon and Cornwall can be a budget friendly destination, especially compared to going far overseas. If you’re traveling with younger members of the family or wanting to bring your pets, it makes sense not to travel so far to ensure the comfort and security of your most vulnerable family members. Sticking closer to home, while still exploring somewhere different, is the perfect way to get a great, memorable family holiday without breaking the bank.

VW Festivals:

Own a VW? Why not head to one of the two festivals specially for VW owners in the region. There’s the Plymouth Volksfest or Devon Dub Fest, so you’ve got options. This is a great family activity and a fun way to see all the VWs in their glory.

For more information on what to do in these fantastic destinations, check out the following infographic on Devon and Cornwell by Blue Chip Holidays.

It’s been said that you can’t earn money at the same time you are spending it. Apply this to travelling and it would stand to reason that there’s no chance of earning an income while gallivanting across the globe, right?

Wrong!

There are countless ways to earn a living while also fulfilling your wanderlust. For those willing to work on the go, travelling the world and earning money at the same time don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Just make sure you keep the appropriate records to fill out your tax returns for the year. These types of jobs can get tricky as far as that is concerned.

Work on a Sailing Boat or Cruise Ship

Probably one of the most dreamt of travel/work arrangements is to work as a deckhand or cook on a sailing yacht around the Caribbean or Mediterranean. Working on a cruise ship is another popular option and typically offers better earning potential than private yachts, as well the chance to network and meet people from around the world. From activity coordinators, photographers, hospitality staff, and housekeeping staff, hundreds of staff make the many services available to passengers and help to make cruise liners function smoothly.

Hostel Work

Most of the staff in hostels are made up of travellers who are passing through as part of their own extended trips abroad. If you work with one of the main hostel networks in Europe or the USA through companies like Hostelling International, it can mean you can arrange a job in a hostel before you arrive in your next destination. Some hostels may not provide much in the way of a paycheque, but they will provide free accommodation and food, which can be almost as good for travellers.

Work Online

A reliable internet connection creates much potential to work remotely from wherever in the world you may be. Whether freelancing through sites like oDesk or working for other clients around the world completing many outsourced tasks, online work allows the flexibility for travellers to schedule their work as they need it and take on as much or as little as they desire. It’s also possible to earn money on the financial markets by trading currencies. There are several reputable companies like Learn To Trade that offer training courses so individuals can arm themselves with the knowledge they need to invest in the foreign exchange market. With the right strategy, there are many secondary income streams that require little more than a computer and internet connection.

Seasonal Work

For those chasing the snow or the sun, fruit picking, farm work, and working in a ski resort all offer the option of short-term work in varied locations across the globe. Many seasonal positions are also a great way to get off the beaten path – something many travellers are striving for. Just remember: the work ends when the season changes, and even though this suits many travellers, it’s always a good idea to have a plan beyond the season.

Teach English or Tutor

Teaching English abroad is one of the most common jobs taken by those who want to live and work abroad. For those who have skills in maths or science, or can play a musical instrument, tutoring or offering private lessons is also a popular option. If you teach via online video link or Skype, it’s possible to tutor people from anywhere in the world.

Of course, this is just a glimpse of the many ways travellers can earn money while on the road. There are always sales, café, and retail positions for travellers to earn money in cities and towns worldwide. If you know any other ways to earn an income while globetrotting, help a fellow traveller out and share your tips below.

If you’re planning a holiday to Spain, it might be worth considering timing your visit to coincide with one of the country’s many, often unique festivals. From flamboyant, fabulous carnivals to street food fights, there’s something to cater to almost any imaginable whim or dabbling. So, before you book your flights, read on for a round-up of its most exciting celebrations.

February: Sitges Carnival

Visit Sitges in February, and you’ll find this beautiful seaside town has been ignited with colour, feathers and eleganza for the Sitges Carnival. A predominantly LGBT event, this extravagant celebration involves a parade, shimmying drag queens, and the sombre ‘burial of the sardine’ ritual which takes place on Ash Wednesday. Loud, proud and wonderful, this epic party is one of Europe’s gay cultural epicentres, so book your visit early to avoid being disappointed.

June: El Colacho Festival

If you find the thought of dressing up as Satan (albeit a yellow jumpsuit wearing iteration) and attempting to jump over newborn babies troubling, seek your kicks somewhere other than El Colacho Festival in Castrillo de Murcia. This religious festival dates back to 1620 and is said to rid the brave babies who volunteer of evil spirits and protect them from illness. If this doesn’t sound wacky enough, if you attend, you might be chased through the streets by a whip-wielding member of the Brotherhood, who will not hesitate to give you a lash. Ouch!

July: Running of the bulls

It came to international attention in 2014 due to a somewhat daring selfie-snapper, but if you’re planning on attending the running of the bulls in Pamplona, taking snapshots is the last thing you’ll be worrying about. As a cavalcade of charging toros is unleashed, you must hotfoot it to the finish line through hazardously cobbled and winding streets. Or you could just show up for the after party.

August: La Tomatina

Have you ever glanced at a jar of ragu and wondered what it would like to be slathered from head to toe in tomato sauce? Then you might want to book a place at La Tomatina, the world’s largest organised food fight, in which truckloads of ripe tomatoes are lobbed in the village of Bunol until the streets resemble the prom scene from Carrie.

While any old city can have a film festival or comic-con it takes a certain level of eccentric allure to attract tens of thousands of people to being doused in tomatoes or potentially gored by a rampaging bull. Spain has this by the bucketload, so don’t neglect to pursue the more alternative aspects of its culture next time you visit. You might just become a regular, catching your flight to Spain to be part of the fun year in, year out.

Images by Oh-Barcelona,com, LpsktLibrarian and fearghalonuallain, used under Creative Commons license