Best Places to Travel Alone for the First Time

The thought of visiting a foreign destination on your own for the first time comes with a lot of anxiety. However, that is a normal experience for beginner travelers. Chris Coker who runs a Glass company in San Antonio shared with me that one of the best ways to reducing the anxiety is choosing a destination with attractions and activities that complement your interests. Nevertheless, below are some of the best places to travel alone for the first time.

Iceland

Iceland is one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the world presently. It boasts black sandy beaches, spectacular waterfalls, hot springs, lagoons, steaming volcanoes and other endless attractions. If you live in the USA, it will only take you about four hours by air to travel from Boston to Iceland. However, the roads are also generally good. The best time to visit is from late September to March.  

Thailand

The self-proclaimed Land of Smiles is also an incredible destination to visit on your first solo adventure. Thailand offers a wide range of attractions including iconic monuments, historic temples, good climate, sumptuous cuisines, beaches, wildlife and tropical landscapes. Besides, it is also quite affordable and has a better transport infrastructure to make your trip truly amazing.  

New Zealand

New Zealand is another beautiful country that you should also add to your list. Some often say it is mainly ideal for travelers on working holidays but, the country has a lot to offer even for first time solo travelers looking to just have a great time. Some of the unique attractions in New Zealand include blue dolphins, glaciers, islands, lakes, hiking and seafood. Flights offer greater value but, there are also plenty of buses and trains that you can use to efficiently and affordably tour the country.

Apart from the destinations discussed above, there are other exciting places for first time solo travelers that you may also want to consider like Malaysia, Mexico, Germany, Ireland, United Kingdom, Japan and Canada.


How to Minimize Stress when Traveling

Travel has always been a stressful experience for some people. This can be attributed to heightened security checks at the airport and other factors. But, whether you travel for vacation, business, or to visit a loved one, there are things you can do to kick stress out of travel. Here are simple tips to help you minimize stress when traveling.

Plan Ahead

Make proper arrangements ahead of your travel time. Check the site of your airline to avoid wasting time at the waiting room in the event of changes in the departure time. Also find out what you should do to avoid wasting time while undergoing security checks. Additionally, consider booking a hotel room online instead of enduring the stress of finding a room upon your arrival.

Pack Smart

Pack only what you will need during the trip. It’s wise to pack early so that you can remember important things that you may forget when packing at first. What’s more, keep the items you will need at the transit in the carry-on bag and the rest in the checked bag to avoid being held up at the security points.

Put On Comfortable Attire

Put on comfortable shoes and clothes. Wear layers when traveling to cold climates. This will keep you warm in the plane and cold on arrival.

Take Care of Yourself

Get enough sleep before you travel and take vitamins. You can carry stress relievers to minimize the possibilities of falling sick when traveling. Additionally, eat well to avoid depending on in-flight meals or purchasing expensive food at the airport.

Leave Early

Leaving early gives you an ample time to find parking, going through security checks, checking bags and other travel aspects that tend to be stressful when rushed. What’s more, you don’t have to worry about missed flights when you leave early.

Be Positive  

Instead of thinking about the stressful hassles, see your trip as an adventure. Proper preparation and the right attitude make travel less stressful.

If you plan to travel, follow these tips to kick stress out of your trip.


How to Minimize Culture Shock when Traveling

Many people see traveling as a chance to expand horizons, learn new cultures, and enjoy new experiences. For some people, traveling is a chance to start a new chapter in life. However, some people face culture shock whenever they travel abroad. This is basically a feeling of disorientation for being in situations that feel unfamiliar. Nevertheless, it’s possible to minimize or avoid culture shock when traveling. Here are tips to help you minimize culture shock when you travel.

Follow a Routine

Come up with a routine upon arrival at your travel destination. A routine enables you to maintain your regular life’s aspects. This enables you to lead your life as usual only that you will be in a different place. Creating a routine brings stability in life despite being at a different location.

Be Patient with Bureaucracy

You are likely to deal with residency and immigration issues when you travel to a new country. However, being frustrated by bureaucracy issues won’t help. It will just ruin your travel experience. Therefore, to avoid frustration, accept the cumbersome bureaucracy at the new country while enjoying other aspects of your trip.

Be Positive and Open-Minded

Maintain a positive mindset and be open-minded to keep culture shock away. Essentially, avoid focusing on negative aspects of travel. If you focus on negatives, bad feelings will pile up in you and this will ruin your travel experience.

Keep in Touch with Family and Friends

You don’t have to abandon everyone and everything back at home when you travel to a foreign country. To reduce culture shock, keep in touch with family and friends back at home. These will act as your support system even when things get extremely difficult for you.

Avoid Stereotypes

Having stereotypes will worsen the experience. Basically, stereotypes are not true. They also do not represent the larger population of a country. To avoid or to reduce culture shock, avoid stereotypes when you travel. Instead, be willing to learn about other people to know the truth about them.

Follow these traveling tips to easily minimize culture shock when traveling.


How to Make Business Travel a Lifetime Vacation

If you are a businessman that is always traveling, you may want to know how to make business travel a lifetime vacation. Basically, this is possible when you have an open mind and the desire to go on vacation. Here are simple tips that will make business travel a lifetime vacation if you follow them wisely.

Feed Your Inner Foodie

Whenever avid eaters visit new destinations, they are determined to find restaurants that are buzz worthy. You may visit a new city on a business trip. Nevertheless, you can find a place that you will fall in love with. Therefore, take time to explore your destination whenever you go on a business trip. For instance, visit the top restaurant in town to find out how its ambience feels like or what the chefs there serve.

Step Outside

Don’t spend all your time in the meeting or conference room and hotel room. Instead, take some time to step outside. Find out more about the most popular destinations for tourists in town. Travel around even if it’s for a workout at the gym. You can also hang out with the local people at a club to enjoy the nightlife of your destination. Stepping outside gives you a chance to mingle with the locals and learn more about the destination.

Book a Cruise or Tour

Before you leave, consider booking a cruise or tour if you still have time. A tour or cruise can take you away from the hotel or conference room even if it’s for three hours. Take photos that will enable you to remember your destination in the years to come. Enjoy the amazing views of the destination and document your experience with great photos.

Business travel should not be boring. Use these tips to make your next business trip a memorable vacation.


Why You Should Take Your Honeymoon To Scotland

With its dramatic landscapes, castles, homely country villages, vibrant cultures and historic cities, Scotland has much in store for the tourists who make it their destination. It also has much to offer to the honeymooners looking for a nest to lay their romance after tying the knot. The following are the reasons why you should head to Scotland for a unique romantic experience:

Romantic Hotels

Scotland has more than enough hotels suitable for love-makers. The moment you step inside, you feel there’s love in the air. For a memorable honeymoon, you need a memorable hotel.

Take Bonham Hotel, for instance. It is located on a quiet street where no noise will distract you from the business of the night. The rooms are large, bright and airy. The decor is nice. The bed is a little hard, just what wise honeymooners should prefer. There are complimentary shampoo, towels, sheets, etc. The staff is warm and offers a kingly reception. The front parking is free.

There is also The Scotsman Hotel, whose rooms and the staffs are as nice; the food is good. If you arrive by train, there is a lift to take you up the reception so do not waste your strength on the stairs. Honeymooners should learn to preserve their strength for what lies ahead. Anyway you will have a wonderful stay, being helped by the professional and cordial staff. The breakfast is fast class. Another good thing about this romantic hotel is that it is located in the middle of everything where you can see beautiful sceneries.

There are other romantic hotels scattered in Scotland and ready to welcome you for a thrilling honeymoon.

Beautiful Sites to Visit

You will want to take a break from the dazzling hotels and celebrate your love out. Fortunately, Scotland is a city with many beautiful sites you can tour. There is the Edinburgh Castle, which is firmly on a hill. A section of the fortress was built in the 12th century. Tourists visit the castle in buses. You will enjoy the trip there, only be prepared to climb the steep hill.

The two of you will also love to shop along Princes Street for gorgeous clothes.

Great Picnic spots

You will also love to have quality time in the fields. A picnic for the two of you is one of the most romantic moments you will ever experience. Let a picnic mark this important occasion of your marriage. Picking a wonderful location is important and luckily Scotland has many spots that suits your need for privacy and quietness.

Sweetheart Abbey, founded in 1273, is one such place. First, it has a charming name that is a promise of what awaits you. There is a captivating, romantic story behind the origin of this place, as you will find out. It is a wonderful place to have your picnic, while whispering your future plans to each other.

You can also visit South Queensferry to have a picnic at the Forth Railway by its shoreline. It makes a striking backdrop. You will be mesmerized by the reflections in the sparkling waters.

Parting Shots

If you want to have the best of Scotland, time your wedding around July and August. These are the best-weather months and when there are several festivals to entertain you. Scotland has a broad network of trains and buses so getting around is easy. The currency used is the British Pound. Enjoy your honeymoon. You will love to return to Scotland for your anniversary.