Travel
What to Do When Travel Turns to Disaster
Laying out on a towel watching the sunset on a private beach with a special someone is what many imagine when booking and planning a relaxing vacation.
Far too often, this scenario doesn’t pan out because of unfortunate events that occur all too often during travel. Oftentimes, instead of beaches or nature hikes, it ends up being hospital bills and lost luggage.
Hopefully, this kind of scenario will never be relatable. Just like fire drills, escape routes, and other emergency procedures that many go through to prepare for the “what if” situation, it is also wise to be prepared to know what to do if a vacation takes a turn for the worst.
In the case of travel, there are three precautions that everyone should take, especially if traveling internationally.
1. Know Your Insurance
Knowing insurance policies is a good practice in general, but especially true when traveling. Traveling creates quite a few unique situations that don’t happen during a typical day. Below are just some of the different scenarios that may need insurance.
- Driving a rental car
- Driving in a different country
- Signing waivers for extreme activities
- Medical needs in a different country
- Medical needs in a different state (out of network)
The list could continue, but the point is clear; traveling creates very unique situations that make otherwise clear resolutions murky.
In the case of driving, some insurances may not want to cover a client if the client is covered for a 2005 Honda Civic and the accident happens in a 2022 Mustang GT. The insurance agency may also hesitate if in a different country or if local laws are different.
Long story short, checking into these unique situations is wise, and it is also a good idea to have an attorney look over anything that seems questionable. The same goes for medical exams, emergency room visits, and any other scenario that gets an insurance agency involved.
2. Take Precautions With Luggage
Nearly 0.5% of all luggage gets lost between check-in and baggage claim. While this seems really low, if on a trip with four others, each with one suitcase, that is a 2.5% of having luggage disappear. Still not a huge percentage, however enough to take precautions.
There are typically four reasons that luggage gets lost, and each one has a simple precaution that can be taken.
- Luggage Receives Incorrect Ticket – Following being scanned, every once in a while, the tag placed on the suitcase is given an incorrect destination. Simply asking to see the tag after being scanned at the desk can prevent this from happening.
- Luggage is Taken by Wrong Person – It is very easy to grab the wrong suitcase, especially if it is a typical sized black suitcase that looks like most of the other luggage. The solution here is simple: either get unique luggage or tie a bright string around the handle of the suitcase.
- Luggage is Lost or Misplaced During Layovers – There isn’t too much that can be done to prevent this, however keeping valuables in a carry-on can help with not losing expensive or invaluable materials such as a laptop, passport, or other legal documents. Clothes can be bought anywhere, but without a passport, you could be in real trouble.
Most of the time, the luggage will find itself back to the owner. However, as mentioned, taking these precautions will save a lot of headache and stress.
3. Get Familiar With Local Laws
This tip is especially true while traveling abroad, but could be the most essential. For example, if traveling in certain parts of the world, it may be illegal to wear a pride flag, a cross, or share a political agenda.
In other parts of the world, if someone gets pulled over in a car, the police can arrest them and they may not have a right to an attorney, speedy trial, or any other rights that many are accustomed to.
Every country is different, and knowing the laws isn’t always fun to research, but it could save you from being in a really tough situation.
By taking all of these precautions, travelers can feel a bit more secure about actually making it to the beach and enjoying the sunset.
Destinations
The Best Tourist Destinations…Period
Checkout our favorite tourist destinations in the entire world that are worth standing in lines all day for.
The world is full of extraordinary tourist destinations but which ones are truly worth the hassle? Some tourist attractions are incredibly busy so what makes them worth the trouble? Sometimes you experience something so amazing that it is worth whatever you had to go through to enjoy it. These top tourist attractions are so special they are worth long lines, expensive fees and headaches. Checkout our favorite tourist destinations in the entire world that are worth standing in lines all day for.
Great Wall of China
The sheer size of the wall can’t be experienced through photographs; you must see it in person. Spanning over 13,000 miles, this man-made structure is such a memorable experience. When you see the wall in person you are taken back and in total awe. It’s an inspiring piece of architecture with interesting twists and turns and uneven steps. The wall was built to keep out ravaging hordes of Mongols but now boasts over 10 million visitors yearly. Tourist are everywhere, the lines are long but it’s all worth it. You won’t be disappointed with this destination and you may return one day.
Petra
The ancient city of Petra is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and truly a special place. The city dates back to 312 B.C. and is preserved immaculately. Take a donkey ride around the ancient city to see more than you could on two feet. The vibrant colors of the surrounding rocks and the incredible details of the 2,000+-year-old city are remarkable.
Blue Lagoon
The Icelandic hot spring has long been a popular tourist destination, but is it worth all the hassles involved? This magical geothermic pool has healing powers because of its high levels of sulfur and silica. Long lines and high entrance fees scare some tourists off but this place is worth the hassle. The one of a kind spa features the incredible milky blue waters and is known to cure people of multiple ailments.
Niagara Falls
One of the busiest tourist attractions in America, Niagara Falls is worth your trouble. The majesty of these falls is best-viewed from the Canadian side, where lines are shorter and the vibe is less touristy. Take the Maid of the Mist boat tour for the best views and most memorable experience.
Machu Picchu
The ancient Incan citadel high in the Andes Mountains is a pain in the butt to get to but worth all the trouble once you reach it. Incredible views mixed with some very cool relics, Machu Picchu is a special place that should be experienced.
Acropolis
The Acropolis is crazy during the peak summer months but even then it’s well worth any trouble. The views alone from its perch above Athens make this attraction so cool. The massive size of the Acropolis and the stunning remains make it a must visit.
Banff National Park
This wonderful example of nature at its most wild is a must see even if it’s near the top of the world. Take in Canada’s oldest National Park and see what the great white North is all about. See glaciers, intricate cave systems and some awesome wildlife.
Destinations
Incredible Vacation Ideas
We compiled the best travel experiences you could ever imagine, so take one of these adventures. Let’s cross some things off our bucket list with these incredible vacation ideas.
Summer vacation is almost here and you are probably mulling over your trip options. Are you tired of the normal vacation destinations and want something more out of your holiday? If so, you are in luck. We compiled the best travel experiences you could ever imagine, so take one of these adventures. Let’s cross some things off our bucket list with these incredible vacation ideas.
Tree Houses Hotel Costa Rica
Who didn’t want an awesome tree house when they were younger? I know I did. Now you can stay in one in this incredibly unique hotel experience in Costa Rica. This seven-room eco resort has high-end style accommodations mixed with rustic jungle designs. Stay in the trees with your new neighbors, a group of howler monkeys and banana trees. This super remote destination is only a 40-minute drive from tourist hub La Fortuna. You won’t find A/C or TVs in your rooms; instead expect bird feeders filled with fruit to entice the humming birds and monkeys to come to your porch.
Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat, Bahamas
Take a yoga adventure at the world renowned Sivananda Yoga Ashram. Don’t expect a high-end resort with yoga mixed in; instead expect yoga on all menus with resort life sprinkled in. Serious yogis only should attend this resort. Take advantage of some of the world’s best yogis and enjoy two two-hour classes each day. Each guest also gets two vegetarian meals a day after their class.
Witch’s Rock Surf camp, Costa Rica
Maybe surfing is more your cup of tea, so check out Costa Rica’s premier surf camp. Witch’s Rock Surf Camp sits on the pristine Tamarindo Beach and is the world’s surfing Mecca. The 18-room resort is more of a camp than hotel, with a bare bones approach to resort life. Guests will enjoy basic rooms with no frills but the best surfing the planet has to offer. You don’t come here to stay in a 5-star hotel; you come to learn to surf in the best waves around.
Elephant Safari & Lodge, Bali
Hang with some elephants at this 25-room safari park. This is a one-of-a-kind resort where the elephants are just as much of a guest as you are. This animal refuge has over 30 Sumatran elephants, a botanical garden and beautiful Balinese-style rooms. Each room has it’s own elephant pick up platform so your elephant chauffeur can take you around without you ever touching the ground. Yes, I said elephant chauffeur, need I say more?
Hidden Beach Resort, Riviera Maya (Nude Hotel)
Take a vacation from your clothes at this all-nude resort in Mexico. Obviously this is an adult only resort, can you imagine children running around with all the trouser snakes swinging to and fro. Warning most guests are over 50, which is odd but hey, don’t hate the player, hate the game.
Okavango Delta Camp, Botswana
Forget your normal resort, and come for the once-in-a-lifetime experience at the Okavango Delta Camp in Botswana. This safari lodge is an all-inclusive resort that will blow you away. Game drives, bush walks and river cruises are all included in the price and are so amazing you won’t want to leave. Located on an island in the Okavango Delta, guests can get close and personal with lions, hippos and giraffes. No hunting is allowed on this animal refuge so you won’t have to worry about being roasted on social media for pictures of you with bug game. This is truly a unique vacation experience.
Travel
Best Apps for Learning a New Language
Check out these incredible applications that can help you master a language or at least learn enough to enjoy a vacation in a foreign land.
Traveling to foreign countries used to be daunting because of the language barriers but not anymore. We used to have to take classes and read textbooks to learn a new language, but boy have times changed. Now with new technology, you can learn a language in no time, all on your smartphone.
Check out these incredible applications that can help you master a language or at least learn enough to enjoy a vacation in a foreign land.
Rosetta Stone
The industry leader in language technology, Rosetta Stone has cornered the market for over a decade. They debuted with CD-rom technology but have evolved to a fully functional app that is easy to use and simple to master. They use technology to immerse you in the language instead of the old way of memorizing terminology and translations.
Now you can learn 24 languages all on your smartphone with ease. They even included a recording feature that allows you to see if you are saying thing s properly by running it through a proprietary TruAccent technology.
Babbel
An old steadfast option is Babbel, which has been around for years. They offer short 15 minute sessions that help you master the language before you know it. They offer speech recognition and is designed for people who come from different mother tongues. This makes it universally accepted all over the world.
Mondly
Mondly has perfected the immersion technique that was first popularized by Rosetta Stone. The app replicates conversational scenarios that would happen in the real world so you can prepare for a trip like no other application on the market. With 33 languages included and fun games and visual tools, this is one of the most popular language apps out there.
Duolingo
Free should be the optimum word associated with Duolingo. The free app has plenty to offer including fun games that make learning easier than most. Check this app out solely for the price; oh did I mention it’s FREE!
Pimsleur Unlimited
The Pimsleur method is nothing new; it’s most likely the style you were taught in school. It’s been around for over 50 years and Simon & Schuster have published this version. For a nominal price you can learn the same way your Spanish teacher taught you.
Lesson plans for everyday usage so the knowledge stays fresh. Broken down into simple 30-minute lesson plans, this application really makes it easy. Included are flash cards, matching games and fun role-playing conversation tools that make learning an experience like going to a class form the comfort of your smart phone.
HiNative
This app works on a shared economy backbone where users from around the globe help each other learn each other’s language. This tool connects people from different countries and allows you to connect on many levels. This app helps you pronounce things the way locals do so you fit in easier and can hold conversations better since you aren’t learning from a book.
Stop language barriers form holding you back from incredible vacations and adventures. The world is your oyster, so get out there and find some pearls.
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