Travel Advice Archives - Page 12 of 20

Best Places for a Family Trip to the Northern Lights

The Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights is one of nature’s greatest miracles. An extraordinary phenomenon, it lights up the night sky with a vibrant, electric light show of vivid greens, purples, and blues. It is an unforgettable experience, and one that should be experienced at least once by anyone who loves to travel, even if it means forgoing a beach vacation just once.

For families with kids, the Northern Lights is a great experience. It is a truly remarkable, unique thing to see, conjuring up the magic, drama, and power of nature, and cannot fail to amaze even the most jaded and tetchy of younger ones.

That said, planning a Northern Lights family trip does come with its fair share of challenges. The Aurora Borealis appears at night, and is best seen when there is no moon. This tends to mean staying up late, and waiting patiently with nothing much else to do until the Lights put in an appearance. Plus, as it is (almost) always found in the cold, frozen north of the planet, your little ones will have to put up with icy temperatures while they wait. This can lead to boredom and the odd tantrum, even from the most patient of kids.

The key to planning an amazing family trip to see the Northern Lights therefore requires a little planning, and one of the most important things to do is pick the right place to look for them. So to get you started, here are four of the best places to watch the Northern Lights as a family.

Alaska

Cruising to Alaska is a great way to see the Northern Lights with kids. For starters, an Alaska cruise is an incredibly family-friendly experience, with loads of entertainment and activity to keep them busy on board, and loads of amazing wildlife and dramatic landscapes to see ashore. Plus, Alaska’s vast wilderness is one of the best places in the world to view the Aurora Borealis…and what’s not to love about seeing nature’s greatest light show from the comfort of a cruise ship?

Tromso, Norway

Aurora Borealis in Tromso, Norway

When it comes to seeing the Northern Lights as a family trip, Tromso is an absolutely classic destination. Known as the capital of the Arctic, Tromso is a charming city, and its position on the Gulf Stream means that it tends to be a little warmer than other viewing destinations, which will keep the kids happy. Most importantly, Tromso is right at the center of the aurora oval, the area where the lights can be seen, so you have the best possible chance of seeing this extraordinary phenomenon in all its glory.

Rovaniemi, Lapland

Possibly the best Northern Lights family trip location, Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland would be worth a visit even if the Aurora Borealis didn’t exist! Set deep in the Arctic Circle, the town has a great claim to be called ‘the home of Santa Claus’, and you can visit Saint Nick’s workshop at the Santa Claus Village. Outside of town, the Arctic Snow Hotel offers astonishing glass igloos where you can stay and watch the Lights from inside, with a 360 view. You can also take a snowmobile adventure from the Aurora Emotion viewing station, which is guaranteed to thrill older kids.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Northern Lights in Iceland, perfect for a family adventure

Northern Lights in Iceland, perfect for a family trip

Exciting Viking history, ice caves, bubbling thermal caves, AND the Northern Lights? What’s not to love? Reykjavik offers a slightly different Aurora experience, giving you the chance to stay in a city (with all the associated comforts and things for kids to do during the day), while also viewing one of nature’s most beautiful experiences!

September 27, 2022

Don’t Let Dietary Restrictions Get in the Way of Your Backpacking Goals

Travel Advice

Backpacking is a great way to stay active without getting bored — every trail provides something new and exciting. However, it’s easy to burn thousands of calories each day when you’re on the trail, especially if you’re taking on rough terrain.

Needless to say, most backpackers recognize the importance of staying properly fueled. However, if you are backpacking with dietary restrictions, that might seem easier said than done. Things like food allergies or sensitivities can make it hard to get the calories you need to keep going on a long hike.

Thankfully, it’s not impossible to get the right nutrients and fuel your body in healthy, effective, and efficient ways. Learning how to do so can make each experience more fulfilling and enriching, so you can focus on your surroundings instead of your grumbling stomach. Let’s take a look at how you can maintain your strength and energy on long backpacking hikes, even if you have to deal with dietary restrictions.

Plan the Perfect Trip

Packing snacks for the trail can be easy enough, even if you go with the same “stand by” snacks every time. However, unless you’re camping after a hike, the most important way to keep yourself properly fueled is by eating a healthy meal before you hit the trail and after you’re done.

So, it’s a good rule of thumb to choose backpacking locations that are surrounded by places that fit your dietary needs. For example, if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, it’ll be easier for you to find healthy, filling options in trails close to cities that cater to plant-based diets. Some of the best areas in the country for plant-based tourists include:

Portland, Oregon
Austin, Texas
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Phoenix, Arizona
Chicago, Illinois

Backpacking should be fun and exciting. It’s all about exploration and discovery. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some of the perks of “city life” while you’re on your trip. While backpacking, search for local restaurants that cater to your dietary needs, and you’ll have an easier time fueling up and recharging.

Understand Backpacking Food Basics

Whether you’re an experienced hiker or you’re hitting the trail for the first time, you probably understand how important it is to have enough food with you. However, far too many backpackers make the mistake of not packing enough nutrient-dense items. There are some essential rules to follow when it comes to backpacking food basics, including:

Choosing shelf-stable ingredients;
Packing plenty of lightweight food, including freeze-dried and dehydrated items;
Packing calorie-dense items;
Understanding cooking times.

The more you understand how to pack your food efficiently, the easier it will be to pack snacks and meals that meet your caloric needs and take your dietary restrictions into account while backpacking.

Yes, we suggested meals. Sometimes, when you have restrictions that require certain ingredients to be eliminated, small snacks won’t cut it. Thankfully, there are plenty of pre-packaged and even stoveless meals you can take with you on the trail. Nowadays, you can find vegan options and gluten-free options, as well as pre-made meals that will offer warnings and disclaimers about any ingredients that may cause allergic reactions.

It can take a bit of time, research, and even some trial and error to find pre-packaged meals and snacks that meet your needs and taste great. Don’t be afraid to try different brands and options, and you’ll eventually find what works best for you.

Create Your Own Snack Hacks

While there are plenty of pre-packaged snacks and meals on the market, sometimes the easiest way to meet your dietary needs is to make your own. You know your restrictions better than anyone. Sometimes it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to ingredients.

Plus, when you’re in charge of preparing your own snacks and meals, you can choose flavors you love, and you won’t get bored on the trail. Having something delicious and nutritious to look forward to can keep you motivated and energized long before you dig in.

It can take a bit of creativity to prepare meals and snacks, depending on your dietary restrictions. For example, many people take nuts or trail mix with them while backpacking. Nuts are a great source of protein and can provide a quick energy boost. However, if you have a nut allergy, those pre-packaged mixes aren’t an option.

Thankfully, you can create your own with things like seeds, dried fruits, and different spices. Not only will making your own snacks allow you to leave out ingredients you can’t have, but you’ll also be in control of sugar content, fat, and flavor.

You don’t have to be a pro in the kitchen to create snacks and meals that meet your restrictions and taste great. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different foods and flavors. It can end up saving you money and keeping you properly fed and fueled on your trip.

There’s no reason dietary restrictions should get in the way of your backpacking goals. Keep these tips in mind to stay safe, healthy, and energized on the trail.

September 14, 2022

Planning A Trip To France? How To Craft The Perfect Break For You

Travel Advice

Being able to travel and see different countries is an amazing experience. You can learn so much about culture and people by going on holiday and exploring the cities.

One popular place to visit is France as the country is so diverse and offers so many different holiday opportunities. Before you visit a country for the first time, it is always a good idea to do some research and find out a little bit about the country. This gives you a good guideline to work with and it can help you make the most out of your experience.

In this article, we are going to be talking specifically about France, so if you are planning to visit the country soon, then keep on reading to find out our top tips.

Be Prepared

One of the first things you should do before you travel to France is to make a plan. Now, this doesn’t mean you need to make a detailed itinerary or have your whole holiday meticulously planned, but it would be a good idea to have a basic guideline of the things you would like to do.

France is a place that has so much to offer, so depending on what sort of holiday you are after, there are different places to visit. If you are wanting a sunny, beach holiday, then we recommend visiting the south of France as it offers such a wide variety of beaches that you can relax on.

However, if a beach holiday isn’t something you are after, then you can always go for a city break in Paris, or embrace the slopes and go skiing, which we will discuss below.

Go Skiing

As mentioned above, if you are travelling to France for your holidays, then going skiing could be a great opportunity to make the most of your holiday. If you are an adrenaline junkie, then a skiing holiday in France is definitely the right option for you.

In terms of where to ski in France, you have a few options available. Chamonix, Avoriaz, and La Tania are all great places to go whether you are a beginner skier or advanced. If you have never skied before but have always wanted to try it, then France would be a good place to go as you can enjoy some gorgeous views while you ski down the mountain. All resorts in France will offer you induction courses too, so you can learn the basics before you start.

Live Like A Local

Mingle with the locals at a French market

Another good way to make the most of your holiday in France is to simply live like a local. Being a tourist anywhere in the world can be a little daunting, so the best way to enjoy your holiday is to embrace the culture and live like a local.

This is why it is so important to do your research before you go to France as this will help you learn a bit more about the culture and the customs. Different countries will have different ways of living, so if you want to properly fit in and feel comfortable in the country, then you will need to take some time and do some research to find out how you can live like a local.

Learn Some Language Basics

When visiting any country, it is a good idea if you learn some language basics beforehand. While English is spoken all over France, it would still be polite if you knew some basic words and phrases, so that you can ask for things or respond to people in a polite manner.

No one will expect you to be fluent in the language, but it can make a huge difference if you can ask for a drink in French or just simply say ‘please’ and ‘thank-you’. The great thing about learning a language in the modern age, is that there are so many helpful apps available that can teach you the basics beforehand. A lot of the apps may have translators too, so you can use the app while you are exploring.

Explore The History

Explore the history of France with interesting sites like the Catacombs

France is a country that is rich in history, so if you are planning to travel there and you enjoy learning about history, then you should take the time to explore some of its most historic sites. The catacombs in Paris are one of the most popular historical sites to visit as there is still so much mystery surrounding them.

If you want to get the full experience, you can book a 45-minute tour that shows you all of the gruesome and grisly details of the catacombs. This tour is definitely not for the faint-hearted, but if you are into to the macabre, then it could be the perfect way to spend an afternoon in Paris.

September 9, 2022

Safety Considerations for Backpacking with Your Kids

Travel Advice

There are few better gifts to give your child than the gift of the great outdoors. Teaching your children to love and respect nature is a lesson that will enrich them for the rest of their lives.

Backpacking, in particular, can be an ideal way to introduce children to outdoor life while making some extraordinary family memories. However, before you pack up the kids and bring them along on your next great backpacking adventure, there are some important safety considerations to keep in mind.

The Benefits of Starting Early

If you’re an experienced backpacker, then you know it’s nothing to be taken lightly. Backcountry hiking requires planning, skill, and conscientiousness.

However, even the shortest and simplest of excursions, such as the kind you’ll likely undertake with your little one, demands care. What you and your child will get in return for your efforts, though, is an unparalleled bonding experience, as well as the opportunity to show your child a side of life that is unimaginable in our tech-saturated world.

With time, even small children can experience the rewards of primitive camping. By being removed from the modern world of digital screens and creature comforts, children learn the art of self-reliance.

They are called upon to develop their powers of imagination and creative thinking. They learn to entertain themselves rather than being entertained by a gadget. In learning to pitch a tent, start a fire, or keep warm outdoors, they are cultivating essential problem-solving and logical reasoning skills. Best of all, immersion in nature provides them with the opportunity to learn about plants, animals, and the environment in a manner against which the classroom simply can’t compare.

In addition, the skills children develop while backpacking often also pave the way to other highly beneficial activities. Learning to handle and shoot guns safely is a terrific way to help children develop confidence, focus, and responsibility.

Start Small When Backpacking with Your Kids

Because the rewards of backpacking are so great, you are probably eager to jump feet-first. And while you certainly want your little one’s first experience to be an unforgettable one, it’s imperative to start small.

Plan for shorter distances and less demanding trails. If you’re planning to stay overnight with your little one, then you might consider opting for an established campground with easy access to the road.

As your child grows more accustomed to backpacking, you can plan for more ambitious hikes, longer distances, and more challenging terrain. As your child becomes more comfortable and confident in the woods, you can feel more secure in choosing more remote campsites, as it will be less likely that you’ll need to bring your little one out quickly.

Packing the Appropriate Gear while Backpacking with Children

Every backpacker knows that bringing the appropriate gear isn’t just a matter of convenience, it can also be a life or death difference. No hiking trip, regardless of how brief, should be undertaken without a fully-stocked first aid kit, one designed specifically for backpacking in the wilderness.

In addition, your child will need their own pack, but the weight of the child’s pack and its contents will depend largely on the age and size of the child. Toddlers under the age of four generally shouldn’t attempt to carry a pack. Indeed, you may end up spending most of the hike with the baby on your back!

Children who are between the ages of four and seven can usually manage a backpack weighing between two and four pounds. At this stage, kids should learn to make carrying water a habit, even for the shortest hikes. Other than water, some lightweight materials, such as a light blanket or a few snacks, can be included in your young child’s pack. For the most part, however, the greater part of your child’s gear should be included in your pack.

By the age of eight, kids are usually ready to start carrying most, if not all, of their own gear. However, the amount of gear a child can carry safely will depend on a range of factors, including the distance and speed at which you’re traveling, the difficulty of the hike, and the child’s body weight. A good rule of thumb is to limit the backpack to 15-20% of the child’s body weight.

Remember that Backpacking Risks Are Higher with Kids

Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind when you are planning to take our child backpacking is that all the safety risks associated with the sport are amplified for children. Children have less muscle strength, gross motor skills, and hand-eye coordination than adults, making them more susceptible to stumbles and falls. They can also become dehydrated far more quickly than adults.

This makes accident prevention, pacing, and frequent rest periods to eat and drink essential when backpacking with children.

Backpacking with Kids: The Takeaway

Backpacking with your child can engender a love of the outdoors that lasts a lifetime. However, before you embark on your first wilderness adventure with your little one, there are some important safety considerations to keep in mind.

August 18, 2022

The Best Books to Read While Backpacking

Travel Advice

This selection of the top 8 backpacking books will make you want to travel the world, whether you’re just planning your next backpacking trip or an ambitious round-the-world adventure. These are the finest novels to read when traveling if you want to be inspired to go on amazing adventures and explore more. This collection is the best reading list of books for backpackers, with everything from romance to wanderlust novels.

The One Woman By Laura May

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The One Woman, one of Laura May’s books, is a great book to read while backpacking, because it tells the story across multiple countries like Israel, Spain, Ukraine, and the USA. Julie, a graphic artist, is the main heroine of Laura May’s first LGBTQ romance book. Regrettably, we know little about Julie’s life or her partnership with Mark. That is, until she meets Ann. Web developer Ann is a kind and outgoing person. It is obvious that Julie has affections for Ann. The spark is genuine as their history and present converge in Barcelona. Julie will have to choose between her love for Ann and her allegiance to Mark when catastrophe strikes. Will true love last the distance? Read this book by writer Laura May to find out.

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

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A book about pushing one’s boundaries, cutting ties with society, and looking to nature and solitude for enlightenment. These are all the ingredients necessary to make a great book to read while backpacking.

The inquiry into the true tale of Chris McCandless, missing Alaskan wilderness hiker, whose SOS letter and skeletal remains were discovered months later, served as the inspiration for the book’s plot. One of the top books to read while backpacking.

Less by Andrew Sean Greer

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An unsuccessful novelist approaching his 50th birthday is Arthur Less. A nine-year ex-boyfriend who is engaged to another person sends him a wedding invitation in the mail. Both saying yes and saying no are out of the question for Arthur because doing so would be embarrassing and defeatist. So he starts to accept the invites to shoddy literary events that arrive on his desk from all over the world.

Arthur almost falls in love, almost dies, and travels from France to India, Germany to Japan, all the while putting distance between himself and the situation he doesn’t want to face. The book Less is about misunderstandings, accidents, and the depths of the human heart.

Meet Me in Paradise by Libby Hubscher

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Since her mother, a journalist, passed away while on the job, Marin has stayed within Tennessee, playing it safe. Sadie, her rambunctious younger sister, has traveled the world as a photographer while subsisting on art and adrenaline.

Marin reluctantly agrees to a sisters’ spa weekend on the tropical island of Saba after Sadie returns from a challenging job abroad and appears a little worse for wear. But when Sadie misses the flight, Marin’s luggage gets mixed up with another passenger’s, and a turbulence episode sends her crashing into the lap of Lucas Tsai, the attractive stranger who took her sister’s seat. As she and Lucas explore the island, Marin is forced to leave her comfort zone for the first time in a long time and discover what she’s been missing. Marin discovers more about herself, the man she’s falling for, and the agonizing reason she’s there with each breath-taking new encounter.

The Cloud Garden by Paul Winder and Tom Hart Dyke

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The Darien Gap is a legendary location. It’s the lone rest stop along the Pan-American Highway, which connects Alaska with the southernmost point of South America. The gap is frequently portrayed as a nearly impenetrable area of marsh, rainforest, and cloud forest home to FARC guerillas. It is a well known no-go zone for world backpackers everywhere.

This interesting book relates the tale of two unusual travelers who band together and attempt an on-foot crossing from Panama to Colombia. They had endured a difficult journey and are just hours away from victory when they are taken hostage by FARC insurgents and held captive for nine months in the bush.

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

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Alex and Poppy don’t have much in common. He’s dressed in khakis, she’s a free spirit. He loves to stay home with a book, whereas she has an insatiable need to travel. They have been the best of friends ever since a tragic car share from college many years ago. While she lives in New York City and he in the little town for the majority of the year, they have spent one wonderful week of vacation every summer for the past ten years.

Up until they wrecked everything two years ago. Since then, they haven’t spoken.

Poppy is in a rut despite having everything she should want. She is certain that the heartbreaking, last trip she took with Alex was the last time she felt completely content. In order to make everything right, she resolves to persuade her best buddy that they should go on one more vacation together. Amazingly, he consents.

One River By Wade Davis

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This is the epic tale of two generations of South African scientists who have traveled the world. Wade Davis, the protégé of Professor Richard Evan Schultes, and he set out on a trip to study natural history. Schultes left Harvard and spent twelve years living among the locals in the Amazon while charting unexplored rivers. You’ll definitely be on the edge of your seat as you read this tale of devastation, treachery, discovery, and adventure. One of the best non-fiction adventure novels available, you must read this book before backpacking anyplace in the Amazon (Peru, Colombia, or Brazil).

Wild By Cheryl Strayed

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A novel that became well-known as a result of the movie. But the book—trust me—is better. For those who are unaware of the storyline, Cheryl believed she had lost everything when she turned 22. Her family was dispersed, her mother had passed away, and her marriage had failed. She made the rash decision to trek alone on a quest over a thousand miles long because she thought she had nothing left to lose. While maintaining its style and suspense, this backpacking-themed book glistens with love and humor. Everything revolves around a journey that strengthened and healed a broken woman.

What books would you recommend reading while backpacking?

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July 22, 2022