Travel

Dispelling all the Lies About Traveling in Africa

If you’re traveling or thinking about traveling to Africa, here are some common myths that might deter you which are just not true.

Published

3 months ago

January 5, 2023

Loren Thorn

Africa is the second biggest continent in size, yet people make comments like the whole continent is the same. Does that make any sense? No one makes such declarative statements about Europe, the second smallest continent because it’s so diverse. Well, guess what, so is Africa, it’s a huge continent with 54 countries inside of it. Do you really think these 54 countries are all the same? No, the fact is you can’t really make generalizations about any continent, especially the second biggest one. Well, actually there is one continent you can probably make generalizations about, Antarctica. Antarctica is cold, Antarctica has penguins, those statements are true, but the ones you hear about Africa are not.

So if you’re traveling or thinking about traveling to Africa, here are some common myths that are just not true.

All of Africa is the Same

Well, Africa is a big place, but it’s not all the same. There are thousands of different cultures here and about 2,000 different languages spoken, also the landscapes vary wildly. You can go to the beach, go to the mountains, go to the desert or go to a giant city. Saying Africa is just one big place is like thinking the whole shopping mall sells Cinnabuns. Thinking like that just doesn’t make sense.

Don’t Go to Africa, It’s Scary

Sure there is some conflict and danger in Africa but not in the entire continent. In America, there is conflict and danger as well. Find me a continent that does not have danger or conflict inside of it. Africa gets a bad wrap, it’s the only place where if something bad happens it reflects on the entire continent. That doesn’t happen anywhere else in the world (except maybe Antarctica.) There are many safe places to travel in Africa, some are even safer than the United States.

You Go To Africa To Volunteer or Safari

When people think about going to Africa they think of only two reasons, to volunteer or to go on a safari. No one thinks you can just be a tourist in Africa. But you can totally be a tourist there, it’s an amazing place to tour! Pretty much anything you could want to do is right at your fingertips in Africa, from scuba diving to bungee jumping you can do it all.

Africa is Gross and Dirty

The only thing gross here is this generalization. There are a lot of countries that are doing very well on this continent, like Rwanda, Botswana, and even Tanzania. You will not believe how clean and developed a lot of these countries are. Sure they don’t show this part of Africa on the news but trust us, it’s definitely there.

There’s A Lot of Deadly Diseases There

Sure there have been some scares of diseases like Ebola and malaria a few years ago but those numbers have dropped off dramatically thanks mostly to the major initiatives that have been put in place to eradicate such diseases. You absolutely should still talk to your doctor about any preventative measures before heading to Africa, but you don’t need to be terrified of contracting anything while you’re there.

Traveling Alone There is Nuts!

Traveling alone in Africa is just like traveling anywhere else in the world. You have to be smart and do your best to not take chances but as long as you keep your wits about you, you should be fine. Just trust your gut and do what you think is right and you will be just as safe as you would be if you were anywhere else in the world.

Travel

Protect Your Skin The Next Time You Travel

Travel can be terrible on your skin. So be smart on your next vacation and keep your beautiful skin hydrated and healthy.

Published

17 hours ago

March 30, 2023

Loren Thorn

If you’re anything like me, you spend the entire week after a vacation taking care of your badly damaged skin. Whether it’s the pressure in the plane, the change in climate, or just the overall stress of traveling, vacation can be terrible for your skin!

But have no fear, Jetlaggin is here! And we’ve got all the tips and tricks you need to keep your skin healthy and fresh on your next vacation. So read up, take some notes, and say goodbye to dry and flaky skin the week after a vacation!

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER

Honestly, if you don’t know this by now, I don’t know what to do for you. Obviously, drinking plenty of water is good for your skin regardless of if you’re on vacation or not. But one thing that happens when you travel, you tend to drink more caffeine and alcohol than usual. And they both cause some serious dehydration.

But we wouldn’t dare tell you to stop drinking either! All we’re saying is, just make sure you drink lots and lots of water in addition. Get yourself a cool new water bottle while you’re at it. It will make the whole thing that much more fun for you. And your skin will thank you later!

PACK THAT CARRY-ON WITH SKIN PRODUCTS

While drinking lots of water is good for hydrating internally, you don’t want to forget to hydrate externally. I’m talking moisturizer, people! Those pressurized airplanes can really mess with your skin. So keep some facial mist and some moisturizing cream handy at all times.

And don’t you dare forget about those lips! There are plenty of great lip balms and lip repair products out there for your lip protection needs.

DON’T FORGET THAT ALL-IMPORTANT SPF

When most people think about traveling, they think about airports, airplanes, buses, hotel rooms, saunas, etc, etc. Notice anything similar about all those places? They’re all indoors! But you know what also happens on most vacations? Spending time outside! So don’t make the deadly mistake of forgetting to put on your sunscreen.

In addition to literally protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, it also does wonders for keeping your skin hydrated. Don’t be shy either. Just go for it and get yourself that SPF 50. Your skin deserves it!

Travel

Road Trip! European Edition

Road trips and European vacations are pretty much the two best kinds of vacations out there. So why not combine the two?!

Published

2 days ago

March 29, 2023

Loren Thorn

Everyone loves a good road trip. There’s just something about getting the hell out of town and hitting the open road that makes you feel alive. But it can also be a fun and entertaining element of a European vacation! Here are some of the best road trip options in all of Europe.

GERMAN ALPINE ROAD, GERMANY

If you’ve ever been a fan of The Sound of Music, then this is the European road trip for you! The incredible combination of snow-peaked mountains and lush greenery will have you shaking your head in amazement every mile along the way. Some of the highlights include King Ludwig’s castle, Lake Constance, and Benediktbeuern Abbey.

RING ROAD, ICELAND

Thanks to its breathtaking views and delightfully cold weather, Iceland is quickly becoming one of the hottest vacation destinations in all of Europe. And if you want to get a road trip in while you’re there, Ring Road is the place to go. This whole trip can be done in just about 12-14 hours but has plenty of amazing volcanoes, icebergs, and hot springs along the way.

ITALIAN LAKES AND THE DOLOMITES, ITALY

What else can you say about Italy at this point? It’s just an incredible country that everyone needs to experience at least once. And what better way to do it that with a countryside road trip! This one is best enjoyed when given ample time, even as much as a full week. There are countless perfect lakes and quaint as they come villages along the drive. Just be sure to do it in the summer, and the area starts to see snow in the fall.

RING OF KERRY, IRELAND

Similar to Iceland, Ireland is a very popular vacation destination these days thanks to its incredible views and bundle-up-worthy weather. Sure, there are great Irish cities like Dublin, but if you really want to experience Ireland you should hit the Ring of Kerry in the southern part of the country. It’s only about 180 miles long, but you’ll see enough waterfalls, mountains, and castles to make you feel like you really did Ireland right.

AIX-EN-PROVENCE TO CASTELLANE, FRANCE

It’s no surprise that France is a beautiful and vacation-worthy country. But the drive from Aix-en-Provence to Castellane is rarely talked about as a must-see… and it should be. The incredible fields of lavender alone make it beyond worth it, but then once you’ve made it to the unbelievable beauty of Verdon Gorge you’ll be happy with your choice. Just be prepared, some of the mountain passes include some very narrow and winding roads!

NORTH COAST 500, SCOTLAND

This route is named as such because it covers a whopping 516 miles. But nearly every one of them is worth it if you want to have a great road trip experience during your trip to Scotland. You’ll catch plenty of lochs, mountains, rolling glens, and, of course, a few castles. There are even some amazing whiskey distilleries along the way. But you stop in one of those be sure you’re just grabbing some whiskey for later when you’re not driving.

Travel

Spend a Day With Nature: The Camping Trip Essentials You Should Always Pack

Published

3 days ago

March 28, 2023

Adam T

Getting out into the great outdoors is one of the best ways to become in tune with nature.

Going off the beaten path and finding your own campsite is a great way to unplug and unwind after a stressful week of work.

Although camping is fun, never go unprepared. Keep reading to discover our ultimate list of camping trip essentials you should always pack on your campaign trips.

Bathroom Essentials

No matter where you end up camping you’re going to need to use the bathroom and wash up. Be sure to pack the following:

Toothbrush & toothpaste
Shampoo, conditioner & body wash
Towel & washcloth
Toilet paper
Hand soap

Depending on where you end up camping they may have restrooms, but if not it’s always good to be prepared with extras of everything. This camping towel is great because it dries quickly so you don’t have to worry as much about whether your towel is going to be ready for you when you’re ready for it.

Sleeping and Resting Equipment

If this is your first camping trip you may not be considering where you’re sleeping, but you definitely need to. Do you need a tent or sleeping bag? Are you sleeping in an RV or another camper?

Make sure you pack at least a sleeping bag, a pillow, and maybe even an extra blanket if you expect it to be cold while you’re camping.

Types of Food and Drinks to Bring

Unless you’re truly roughing it and hunting to eat, you should also pack camping trip food essentials. Bring items that don’t have to be heated to eat, and are also non-perishable. Check out these easy camping meals and expect to do some meal prepping before you head out.

Don’t forget your water either. Bringing a case of water bottles would be heavy, and isn’t environmentally friendly. Instead, get a filtered water bottle that you can easily fill up and use over and over again while you’re camping.

Electronic Essentials

While you may be camping to get off the grid it’s important to have safety electronics on hand in case of emergencies. Bring your cell phone with you and grab a solar-powered charger so you can keep it ready to go.

Don’t forget that it’s going to get dark at night too. Get yourself a reliable battery powered lantern with extra batteries. You’ll be happy you did this when you’re walking to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

Depending on where you are you may not have any cell service so it’s also a good idea to bring a set of walkie-talkies. This way you’ll always have a sure way to reach either the people you’re with or emergency services.

Get Your Camping Trip Essentials Today

Now that you know our ultimate list of camping trip essentials plan a trip today! This camping trip essentials list will ensure you have the best camping trip possible.

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