After a long conversation with a fellow travel pal of mine, James Grana, and also happens to own a successful San Antonio seo company, asks me a random question out fo the blue with, when was the last time you travelled abroad? Maybe you have traveled abroad for business, but have you done it for leisure? Traveling to a foreign country for leisure comes with many health benefits that have been proven scientifically. Here are some of them.
Research has shown that traveling keeps a person healthier. Women that travel at least two times every year have a lower risk of a heart attack compared to females that travel after every 6 years. This is also the case for males. Men that do not travel every year have a 20% death risk and 30% risk of developing heart disease.
Losing your baggage or a connecting flight in a foreign country can cause anxiety. However, scientific evidence shows that traveling can reduce stress levels dramatically. Most people feel less anxious when they travel. They also come back home in a better mood and more rested. And, these benefits can linger even for weeks after traveling.
Foreign experiences can increase the integrativeness and depth of thoughts, as well as, cognitive flexibility. This means traveling can enhance the ability of a person to make better, deeper connections when given disparate forms. Essentially, research has proven the existence of a link between international travel and creativity. But, traveling alone is not enough. A traveler must be purposeful about interacting with and engaging other people.
Most people are happier when they travel. Perhaps, that’s because they don’t have to worry about work when traveling. However, most people report increased happiness from trip planning.
Most people don’t want to talk about depression. However, it’s a major health problem in modern society. It’s not uncommon for doctors to prescribe depression medication to patients. Unfortunately, depression medication is not a healthier option. A healthier alternative is escaping the anxiety and hopelessness of depression. Travel can help you escape this hopelessness and lead a depression-free life.
These are scientifically proven health benefits of foreign travels. Plan more foreign trips to enjoy them.
Most people are concerned about their money when traveling abroad. What would happen if you run out of cash in a foreign country and you can’t access your bank account? What if somebody steals your money? How would you get back home?
These are some of the major concerns that most people have when traveling overseas. Nevertheless, these concerns shouldn’t hinder you from traveling. They should also not prevent you from enjoying your trip. Simply follow these money tips for traveling abroad to ensure a safe and comfortable trip.
Check the money conversion rates before you travel. For instance, find out how much Kenyan shillings you can get for one dollar. Also, check the amount you will be charged to convert your money. Do some mathematics before the trip to determine the right amount of money to carry when traveling abroad.
Before you travel, find out whether you can use your credit card in your destination country. Most banks have switched to chip-and-PIN technology because it’s more secure. Also, know that most businesses are no longer accepting outdated magnetic-stripe cards. Therefore, check whether you can use your credit card in your destination country before you travel.
Airport conversion centers and those in the city are a major rip-off. These will charge you hefty fees to convert your money. To avoid this, use a bank or ATM to get an exact conversion rate.
Don’t travel without cash in the local currency. This is very important because not all places accept credit cards. As such, you may want to use cash in places like buses and trains.
Your credit card provider or bank might think that a transaction that you perform outside the country is a fraud. This can prompt the provider or bank to take security measures like turning off your credit card. To avoid this, inform your bank that you will be traveling to a foreign country and you will be using the card there.
Some countries will charge you to enter or leave their boundaries. Usually, they don’t include this fee in the airline ticket. Therefore, check whether your destination country charges an entrance or exit fee. In most cases, this fee ranges between $25 and $30.
Follow these money tips for traveling abroad to have an enjoyable and comfortable trip abroad.
A backpacking trip is a great adventure that mainly entails camping and hiking. Going on such adventures allows you to expand your horizons as well as enjoy the cleaner and fresh natural outdoor environment. Unlike daily hikes, a backpacking trip requires you to carry a few travel essentials in the backpack. Check out the following guidelines for help on how to prepare for a backpacking trip.
The destination of your trip will no doubt have a significant impact on the overall experience. The adventure could easily become disappointing if you choose a destination that is too hard to hike. To allow you ample time for exploring and enjoying the experience, you should choose a destination with well-traveled trails and camps and, also close to home. You can also consult with experienced backpackers for trip recommendations. The ideal destination should also have a water source and more elevation than your daily hiking spots.
While there are various kinds of backpacking gear and clothing that you can carry on the trip, it is always advisable to stick to the essentials. Since the items should fit into your backpack, you do not need a long list. Nevertheless, the key backpacking items that you should carry include;
With regards to clothing, you should carry hiking boots, socks, sandals, long underwear, hiking pants and shorts, a t-shirt, long sleeve shirt or sweater, an insulated jacket, gloves, and rain jackets. You should also pack sunscreen, bug juice, sunglasses, and lip balm. It is also important to think about your backpacking food based on the duration of the trip.
As you get closer to the departure for your backpacking trip, it is recommended that you take steps to ensure physical, mental, and logistical readiness. Small workouts could help to set up your body in motion for the adventure. Assess your mental state and make sure that all the logistics of the trip are in place ahead of time.
With the endless attractions sites and interesting things to do around the world, travelling is one of those hobbies that you can hardly get off. But, experiencing new cultures can sometimes be scary, especially if you do not know much about the destination. To get through the experience without so much trouble, most travelers opt to hire tour guides. Here’s why it is important to consider hiring a tour guide on your next trip.
One of the aims of travelling is to learn about new cultures and, the best ways to achieving that dream is through the help of a tour guide. Tour guides are often locals who have a better knowledge of the history of the destination and, unique interests of visitors. As a result, having a tour guide by your side enables you to learn more and experience new cultures on a one-on-one basis. A travel guide could inspire you to go further into your adventure, making the trip fun and enjoyable.
When visiting a new destination on your own, there is usually a strong feeling of uncertainty that could badly affect the experience. Having someone from the local area to accompany you to attraction sites will create a sense of confidence that makes you feel safe during the entire excursion.
From bookings to researching about attraction sites and things to do on the trip, putting together a successful trip entails a lot of preparations. While all the processes are crucial to the experience, you could save quite a lot more time with the help of a tour guide. Due to their proper knowledge of the local areas and the trade, a tour guide can recommend the best attractions and activities that would have taken you hours or days to discover. Some can even help with advance bookings for park visits and other attractions so you do not spend hours in queues.
Apart from making your trip more educative, saving you time and creating a sense of safety, a tour guide can still be a great travel companion and friend to cherish. But, you must know how to choose the best tour guide.
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