10. Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a hub of quirky city culture and beauty stretching from mountain to mountain. This city is known for its ability to host many different types of travelers with entertainment on every street. Whether you are looking to get some fresh air in the mountains by hiking a piece of the Appalachian Trail or grab a bite a the Sunset Terrace, this city has it all.
9.Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is a city that has everything you could possibly need to experience a wonderful vacation. This South African peninsula has beaches, hiking, culture and food you must try. If crystal blue water and perfect weather is not enough for you to hop on a plane, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront has restaurants and stores to spend hours at.
8. Portland, Oregon
Portland has been a city on the rise within the past few years. With the attention and growth this Oregon city has experienced, it makes a definite place worth traveling to this summer. Portland’s downtown is easily walkable which allows for simple tax-free shopping!
7.Glasgow, Scotland
Scotland’s biggest city allows for equal amount of fun. From the cafe district to the breath-taking museums this city as to offer, it is definitely worthy of travel this summer. Navigating throughout the city is a breeze due to the city’s open arms to tourism. The Glasgow Cathedral and the City Chambers are spots not to miss. This city has a strong nightlife scene to beautiful history which makes it such a desirable spot to travel to.
6. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Many are calling Pittsburgh the best city to travel to in 2017, and for obvious reasons. Pittsburgh’s downtown is bursting with such strong love for the arts and entertainment. Summer in Pittsburgh is ideal for this east coast city for the best weather. Phipps Conservatory and the Warhol museum are a must see when coming through this iron city. It is a creative hodgepodge of beauty around every corner.
5. Hamburg, Germany
This offbeat but gorgeous city starts with a lake right in the middle of the city surrounded by large beautiful buildings. Ferries and cruises sail with ease in and out of the harbor during the summertime. The Speicherstadt warehouse district is a jaw-dropping sight to see with being the largest warehouse district in the world on timber logs. Hamburg is full of unexpected surprises which makes it a definite place worthy of summer travel.
4. Prince Edward Island, Canada
This island has beauty at every turn. Prince Edward Island is known for their seafood, beaches and farmland. Golfing and fishing are some relaxing things to do during your relaxing stay on the island. This spot is for nothing but relaxation and a great view of the landscape at every moment.
3. Bordeaux, France
Bordeaux is known for its Gothic architecture and its wine. The city has a very modern public transportation system which allows tourists and locals to navigate the city with ease. You can not go to Bordeaux without going to a wine tasting or exploring the city center and the medieval stone towers.
2. Denver, Colorado
Denver has exploded in the past two years in terms of tourism and people moving there. It is the hub of American culture and youth right now. Denver has a great balance of downtown and outdoors which allows tourists to get a great experience from this city.
1. Huế, Vietnam
Known as the most royal city in Vietnam. Huế has a the Perfume River running right through the center of it. This city has Emperor’s Tombs, artifacts and food you can not eat anywhere else which gives this place so much cultural diversity.
James Torpey discusses 10 unique travel destinations to explore this summer.
Often airfare can be the most expensive purchase of a whole trip and often the least fun. Getting to a destination shouldn’t have to cost you massive amounts of money. Saving money on your flight will leave you with more funds to do the fun things you want to do and also make going on vacation more affordable.
Tools
- Leave on a Wednesday – most people book their vacation so that they leave on a Friday or Saturday making these the most popular days to fly. Booking your flight on a Wednesday will normally be a lower cost (unless it’s a holiday) because there is less demand.
- Monitor Social Media – Many airlines will post hot deals on social media, promoting cheap flights. However, these deals often don’t last long so it’s important to jump on them when you see them. Following airlines Facebook and twitter will help you be able to monitor these deals more easily.
- Pick the Layover – Although layovers and plane changes can be annoying, they are likely to save you $50-$100.
- Compare – use sites like expedia.com, Skyscanner, google flights, and more to compare different airlines and see which flights are cheaper. Keep in mind if these airlines have extra baggage costs, etc. because these all can factor into the price
- Get an airline credit card – Fly often? Get an airline credit card that gives you points towards flights every time you use it. You can rack up a lot of miles and get flights for free by buying things you would normally purchase anyway using that card.
- Be Flexible – When planning a vacation be flexible with the days you’re flying out and flying back. Adding a couple days to your travels can save you big bucks. Plus who doesn’t love an extended vacation?
- Don’t Book Roundtrip – Sometimes flights can be cheaper if you book two one-way tickets than if you book a roundtrip flight. Flying to a place with a different airline than you fly home from can definitely save you money.
There are plenty of sites and tips out there that can help you save money on airlines costs. The important thing to do is to research and not book the first slight that you see. This way you can have more funds when you get to your actual destination.
When planning and getting ready for a trip packing is usually procrastinated and then done in a rush. Packing well is essential to a successful trip, for example forgetting sneakers to hike or a bathing suit at the beach can lead to a major vacation inconvenience. Creating a list and making sure you have all the essentials is a great way to make sure you are never in a situation without something. There’s a fine balance between packing everything you need and overpacking as well.
Important Documents
Make sure to pack all important documents including passport, ID, credit cards, cash, tickets, hotel confirmation, and travel itinerary. Nothing can ruin a trip faster than getting to an airport and discovering you forgot your boarding pass or your passport. Not to mention, having no money is certainly no way to spend a vacation. Make sure all the documents are in a safe, secure, easy to find place that can be easily accessed since you’ll most likely need them a lot throughout your travels.
Clothing
It can be easy to overpack in the clothing, shoes, and accessories department when going on vacation. Make sure to plan out your outfits by day and lay them out ahead of time. In addition, make sure to pack a few extra shirts and an extra pair of pants just in case you spill on an outfit or get sweaty. Shoes wise, packing 2 to 3 pairs should be good enough depending on how long you stay. Shoes take up a lot of space and weigh a lot so if you’re traveling via airline it’s best not to add to many. In addition, extra underwear and socks are something you can never go wrong with. Depending on where you are traveling and activities you are doing pack outfits you can layer, bathing suits, etc.
Toiletries
Depending on where you’re traveling, it’s best to buy travel sized bottles once you arrive at your destination. This eliminates the chance of bottles exploding in your bag and also gives you more room for other things. In addition, many travel lines restrict you to only packing a certain amount. Other toiletries that should be brought are basic makeup items, towels, medicine, first aid kit, deodorant, etc.
There are many other things that should be packed for trips but these are a few tips to get you started on sorting out what to bring and what not to bring to have a successful vacation.
Traveling is a great experience for everyone of all ages. It has a tremendous amount of benefits besides being able to see beautiful places and experience a new culture. There is no reason not buy a ticket and hop on a plane.
Keeps The Mind Sharp
Travel has a great affect on keeping the brain and mind sharp. Since your brain is being introduced to new surroundings and new experiences it becomes challenged build a resilience against degenerative diseases. This cognitive stimulation has been shown to improve memory and concentration, especially with people with dementia. Switching up a vacation destination every year will allow the brain to stay sharp and reap the benefits.
Create Meaningful Relationships
Meeting people from different cultures and countries can give you a new perspective on life. You can meet some of the best people that you form lasting bonds with on these trips. It will also help you form better relationships with people in general, and help you open up and be more social. In addition, being away from home helps you realize what great relationships you have with family and friends and make you take them for granted less.
Education
When you are traveling, even if it is to a town over from you, you are learning new things from the places you are going as well as the history and culture. Learning makes our brains more active which increases happiness, especially when it something that we enjoy learning. Learning new languages, customs and cultures, and even trying foods all stimulates the brain.
Fitness Increase
While most people claim that they do nothing on their vacation, in reality you tend to be more active when you are in a new place, sight seeing, walking to restaurants, and being out and about all day instead of sitting in an office chair all day. In places like the beach, Disney World, and Europe, tourists tend to walk around 10 miles a day. Tourists are also more inclined to try new things like kayaking, paddleboarding, and other activities.
Travelling and taking a break from ‘real life’ has many health benefits. From creating meaningful relationships to increasing fitness there’s no reason not to travel.
Need some inspiration to travel? Want to learn more about how to get the best deals? There are many resources out there for you to research the best tips and ideas on travel. There are plenty of different blogs all with different niches to look into.
Budget Traveller
The budget traveller blog is all about how to travel on a budget. Who doesn’t like saving money? Kash Bhattacharya has been exploring the world for six years and has plenty of experience about how to save money without skimping on your experience. His blogs are informative with an emphasis on traveling in Europe, like 50 Free Things To Do In London.
Nomadic Matt
This blog is another great resource for people who want to travel on a budget. The site focuses on articles that surround planning out your trip and finding funds to travel such as cheap flights, getting jobs abroad, and other ways to make money to fund trips. He’s been featured in the NY Times, Guardian UK, BBC, and many more.
Young Adventuress
This blog is written by Liz who is an expert on solo female travel. Having been doing it for 10 years, she shares many insights into how to stay safe, what adventures to go on, as well as her mistakes. In addition she shares witty musings, lifestyle posts, and general knowledge from having traveled to over 50 countries.
Expert Vagabond
This blog emphasizes the need to get out of your comfort zone and live your best life. He gives expert travel tips from around the world as well as discusses unique things to do in countries that you wouldn’t think of trying. He’s been traveling around the world for about 6 years and spreads his advice through blogs and photography.
Wanderlusters
Run by Charli Moore, this is an adventurer blog that shows travel destinations, inspiring tales, and travel photography around the world. Her blog is great for adrenaline junkies looking for a new adventure in another country. She also has helpful guides from places she explored in the past that are great for travelers looking for adventures off the beaten path.
Getting advice and inspiration from travel blogs is a great way to do research and get the most out of your trip by learning from people who have already been where you wanted to go as well as learn from their past mistakes and successes!
