10 Tips To Make Every Adventure Memorable

December 22, 2022 By Anne

If you love to travel, you probably have a bucket list as long as an airport runway. It feels like there is so much to see all over the world but not enough time to see it. For the passionate traveler, this can feel overwhelming. You want to see everything but you know that this isn’t possible.

Still, just because you can’t see everything doesn’t mean you can’t make your next adventure memorable. If you haven’t had the chance to get away for a while or you want to take your kids on their first adventure, consider these ideas and tips to make the next one – and every other after that – more memorable.

Go With An Open Mind

Travelers are known for having open minds and this is what initially inspires them to explore the world that lies beyond the end of their driveway. However, as you get older, you may become less ambitious or daring. You might feel like you can’t cope with certain destinations anymore. If you want to make your adventure more memorable, leaving all preconceived notions at the airport is a great place to start. Rather than worry about what could go wrong, focus on the fun experiences you’ll have no matter where you go.

Do Something New

Many travelers have a destination that they visit every year. This place is familiar; they know everyone there; they feel safe. But, as safe as this is, they might also find that it does not inspire the same joy it once did. Seeing the same people and the same sights yearly is bound to get boring, so going somewhere new or doing something different will make your adventure more memorable.

Keep A Record

Many travelers will keep a record of their trips. Some do it with a blog, others do it with holiday photos. If you prefer to keep your records to yourself, a travel journal is a great idea, too. However, you also have the chance to record things in ways that you could never manage before. Miniature drones are available to buy now and can give you a unique perspective on your adventure. This will give you a bird’s eye view of your destination, allowing you to demonstrate the true scope of the landscape that will leave viewers in awe.

Treat Yourself

If you used to live the shoestring travel lifestyle, you are probably sick of sharing hostels and bathrooms. So, why not treat yourself to your next adventure? You must have somewhere you have always wanted to visit, and you can book the fanciest hotel (that you can afford) to ensure you get to enjoy some luxury. Everyone deserves a chance to put their feet up and enjoy some pampering, so treating yourself and the rest of your family is a fantastic idea, especially if your kids are older and it might be the last full vacation you ever take.

Speak to People

You will not get the most out of your travel experience if you don’t get to know those around you/. From fellow hotel guests to the locals and activity leaders, speaking to people is always a rewarding experience. You can find out people’s motivations for travel or discover the circumstances that brought them to this place at the same time as you. Don’t worry about the language barrier, because there are ways you can get around this.

Get Off Your Phone

Although your phone can help you connect with information and people all over the world or let you snap photos of the most exciting places, it can also mean you miss out on everything you could see during your trip. Knowing when to disconnect from home and put your phone away can make your trip more rewarding and memorable. You can see a range of things during your trip, and since you won’t be glued to your screen, you can be more present at any moment.

See Things Differently

Depending on where you go, you may have several options for how you see the country. Some people will take the car, others will fly if they are short on time. But, these are not the only options. From riding a motorbike through Vietnam to volunteering on farms in remote areas, you can see the country entirely differently from how the average traveler does. Of course, this may not be ideal if you have kids, but it is a great way to get more out of your solo travel experience.

Go As Fast Or As Slow As You Want

Everyone has a specific speed they want to take during their trip. Some want to see as much as possible in the shortest amount of time, while others prefer to take it easy and take in everything.v there is no right or wrong answer to this, and you can go as fast or as slow as you want to ensure you get the memorable experience you crave.

Don’t Feel Like You’re Missing Out

Travelers will too often worry about seeing everything, but this affects their overall enjoyment of where they are right now. Most of the time, you can’t squeeze everything in, so you’ll need to make sacrifices. These sacrifices can be upsetting, but it means you can spend as much time in other places. If you stop thinking about what you might miss, you’ll have a greater appreciation for where you are at any moment.

Make Sure Everyone Has Fun

Whether you’re traveling with kids, friends, or your partner, you must make sure everyone has fun. Might have a plan for every hour of your journey, but it is not all about you. Instead, you need to find a balance that allows everyone to see what they want to see and do whatever they want to do. If everyone has fun, it becomes a more rewarding experience for everybody, and you can plan your next trip as soon as you get home.

Adventure Awaits

Adventure is always just around the corner, but if you feel like you haven’t had a proper travel experience in a while, these tips could change that. Sometimes, you need to change your approach to travel and adventure, and this advice can make your next experience more memorable for a wide range of reasons.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

How To Make Money As A Tour Guide

December 14, 2022 By Anne

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Starting a business as a tour guide is great if you enjoy seeing new places, getting to know people, and sharing your personal stories. Due to the overpopulation of the world’s largest cities, many people now find it necessary to learn how to become tour guides to gain money. This article provides advice on pursuing your passion as a source of income.

Obtain your license

Irrespective of your zeal, clients will only patronize you if you have the needed documents to operate. Therefore, obtaining certification from a professional group or tourism board is mandatory. Moreover, you will acquire the abilities and information required to guide tours. The local authorities can also provide you with a license, so feel free to consider this.

Use technology to boost your business

Technology can be an extremely useful tool, as businesses can communicate with customers and employees more efficiently, manage finances and operations more effectively, and create and share content more easily. You can use email, video conferencing, and social media for communication. For financial management, businesses can use API for merchant boarding, online banking, and accounting software. And for content creation and sharing, you can use websites, blogs, and social media. Technology can be a great way for businesses to save time and money.

Develop a niche tour

Creating a specialty tour might be an excellent approach to stand out from the competition and draw in more visitors. Consider what makes your city or region unique when developing your niche tour. Are there any famous landmarks or attractions that tourists typically flock to? Or are there some lesser-known spots that you can showcase? Whatever you choose, make sure your tour is interesting and informative.

Market your tour business

Successfully promoting your business will depend on your target market and digital marketing strategies. For instance, you can maintain an informative and current website, including photos of your tours and a description of what guests can expect. You can also list your tour prices on your website, which can help deter people from trying to haggle with you once they arrive. Showing flyers in well-known tourist areas is a fantastic technique, so keep this in mind. You can also reach out to travel agencies and list your business on travel websites.

Provide pre-tour training

You can benefit from the fact that most tourists to your city aren’t familiar with the specifics of the locations they are seeing. Pre-tour classes can assist you in making sure that your clients are aware of what to anticipate and how to get ready for the tour. You can instruct tourists on the background of your city or favorite locations in these courses or offer advice on the best places to eat or shop. According to the customer’s particular requirements, you, as a tour guide, can offer a variety of pre-tour training.

Work with a tour company or run your own business

The simplest approach to getting paid as a tour guide is in this manner. This is for you if you have a passion for traveling, want to share it with others, and want to earn some extra cash. You can create a tour company or obtain employment as a tour guide. Today’s tour guides point out famous locations, sports, cuisine, history, culture, and other things. All you need is a friendly disposition, teaching abilities, and a love for the work.

Network with other tour operators

To find new tour operators to work with, you can join online industry communities and networking groups or go to industry trade shows. These are great ways to connect with companies that offer similar products and services and to get to know them better. While at it, outline the specific expectations and requirements for the partnership upfront. Networking will help keep any future misunderstandings at bay, so keep this in mind.

Promote a satisfying user experience

It’s critical to remember that your consumers are the heart and soul of your company. You couldn’t survive in business for very long without them. To do this, go above and beyond to fulfill their requirements and above their expectations. It’s also important to be responsive to their feedback. If they have a complaint, address it quickly and effectively. If they have a suggestion, consider it. Always be willing to work with your customers to ensure a positive experience.

Starting a tour company can be beneficial if you enjoy travels. Hopefully, you’ll consider these helpful tips to boost your income.

Anne

Best Things to Do and See in Reykjavik

November 2, 2022 By Anne

Reykjavik is found on Iceland’s West Coast, the capital of Iceland and still its largest city. The city and its environs are exciting and fun for all age groups with its bustling life, culture, and history. Reykjavik and the surrounding area has multiple things to do and a lot to offer, including visiting the world-famous Blue Lagoon spa, just 40 minutes outside of the city.

Here are some of the best things to do and see in Reykjavik:

Reykjavík harbor

A visit along the dockside shows dependence of Iceland on the Atlantic. It has fishing trawlers that are checked and prepared for the battle against the waves. Moreover, by visiting Reykjavik harbour, you will get the chance to enjoy the whale-watching tours, which its departure point is at the harbour.

Hallgrimskirkja Lutheran Church

A great way to see Reykjavik city is by climbing Hallgrimskirkja Church’s tower. that offers a spectacular 360-degree view of Iceland’s capital city. Hallgrimskirkja Lutheran Church is dedicated to Hallgrimur Petursson, a nationally renowned poet. This church is famous for its beautiful organs, art exhibitions and its unique exterior design.

Laugavegur Street

This street is lively and cool, with many popular cafes, stores, restaurants, hotels, and bars. Laugavegur Street is one of Reykjavik’s busiest streets; you can enjoy visiting there if you are on a tight budget and cannot spend a lot of money.

Go on a Helicopter tour

Helicopter tours are one of the popular excursions in Reykjavik. They may not be cheap, but the dramatic scenery and views are unsurpassed.

Hike the Laugavegur Trail

This hiking trail is known to be among the best hiking trails worldwide. Laugavegur trail takes you through hot springs, volcanoes, mountains, and glaciers. On this trek, you will enjoy all the most beautiful landscapes of Iceland. The terrain is challenging, whereby it will push your limits, but at the same time, it is also safe even for solo travellers. The trail is usually open between June and August because of the weather. To hike the trail from the starting point to the end takes anywhere from three to five days.

Perlan Museum

Visiting a museum is a great way to learn about the culture and history of Reykjavik. Iceland is mostly chilly, so museums provide great entertainment that will allow you to enjoy your day indoors and stay warm. Perlan museum is among Iceland’s best museums: it provides an underwater exhibit, a Reykjavik observation deck, interactive exhibits related to Iceland’s geographical components and a Northern Lights planetarium. Enjoy the Perlan museum with the whole family and learn about geothermal energy, earthquakes, tectonic, and volcanoes.

Enjoy the Nightlife

Reykjavik has a unique nightlife experience with venues of a mic of cafes, bars, and dance floors. The venues are a little laid back, but it will be equally fun. People in this city enjoy bar-crawling, moving from venue to venue, which allows you to experience new scenes and meet new people. Whether you go drinking or just club soda, you will have a good time while enjoying the nightlife.

Before you leave Reykjavik, ensure you try out a few cuisines. It is a good way to know a city. Prepare your palate for Icelandic rye bread, horse, lamb, langoustine, and lobster soup. Some of the best restaurants Reykjavik offers are Sjavargrillid, Grillmarkadurinn, Fiskmarkadurinn, Saegreifinn, and Baejarins Beztu Pylsur.

Anne

The Secrets Of Enjoying Miami Like A Local

October 24, 2022 By Anne

Heading to Miami with the family is undeniably one of the most exciting trips you can enjoy with the kids, thanks to its range of beaches, theme parks, and other family-friendly attractions. However, Miami is a city rich in local culture and flavor that can really get lost when you’re hitting up all those family-friendly tourist attractions. It can be all too easy to lose sight of the real city in the process. As such, here are a few tips on how to see Miami like a local.

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Hit up the cultural hub of the city

Miami is a city of beach lovers and high-life enjoyers, it’s true. However, it’s also a city of artists, creatives, and sheer inspiration. One of the areas that are most often missed during those first visits is Wynwood. It’s not just the beating cultural heart of the city, it’s one of the most thriving creative hubs in the whole country, and the best way to see it is with one of the local beer and graffiti art tours. There’s always something new going on here so be sure to ask at your hotel about what the latest happening is in Wynwood. Festivals, gallery openings, and new street art exhibitions happen all year long.

Get your boots on

The city of Miami offers plenty of attractions, eateries, and activities to keep you plenty busy for however long you are there. However, the local landscape is just as much a part of the city’s soul, and, for that reason, you should take a look at some of the hiking routes you can enjoy throughout Miami. This can include the famous Everglades trail, but there are also great coastal hiking routes through Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, as well as some unique views like a historic lighthouse standing tall over the city’s coast. A little adventure can help you see that there’s a lot more to Miami than just the city alone, so go looking for it.

Get a real mix of culinary experiences

Miami is a huge blend of different cultures, which, amongst many things, means a huge mixture of cuisines, as well. There are over five thousand restaurants in the city, and some of them can seem particularly expensive, indeed. However, there are budget-friendly meals to be found. Get out of South Beach or the other high-flying touristy areas for some of the more authentic local dining experiences. There’s nothing more authentic to the city than hitting up a food truck or a stall so be sure to check out some of the best street food in Miami, as well. There are a lot of stall vendors in the city, but these recommendations can help you find the best of the best.

Check out some of the other beaches

South Beach is one of the most popular hotspots in Miami by far, and it is a truly gorgeous beach, even if it can get pretty crowded. However, it should never be the only beach you visit, by any stretch of the imagination. Spending the day at North Beach, you can enjoy a much less stressful afternoon at the beach, with soft sands overlooked by nice vintage rows of houses. Although it’s popular with the locals, it’s not as widely visited by tourists, so you can enjoy a more laid-back and authentic experience relaxing on a Miami beach, with plenty of eateries around so you can get a taste of the local flavor, as well.

Get around a little more smartly

Like many of the great cities of the country, trying to get around by car can be a real hassle. That said, Miami is quite a walkable city, especially if you’re near South Beach or Downtown Miami. However, if you’re not too excited at the prospect of walking just about everywhere, you can take advantage of the decent cycling infrastructure throughout the city, as well. Renting a bike to get through the city gives you access to hundreds of stops and biking lanes, and it’s not very expensive to rent a bike for the entire day, either. Definitely a lot less expensive than renting a car, not to mention a lot less likely to come with the hassles of city traffic and parking.

A great trip to Miami should balance the big touristy hotspots with some of the lesser-known delights and experiences that the city has to offer. Hopefully, the tips above help you see one of the greatest cities in the country like a local would.

Anne

Happy Birthday to Me!

July 17, 2022 By Anne

In January I turned 50. It feels weird to say as I do not feel what I thought 50 would feel like. LOL For my big day my friend, Nikki and I went up to Charlston for a girl’s weekend. We had such a great time. Here are some fun pictures from our trip…

When picking out a card for a special occasion there are so many basic cards. Have you heard of Lovepop cards? No basic cards here. Lovepop is on a mission to create one billion magical moments. Check out their Birthday Card collection page for a creative, meaningful, and fun way for you to share love with the people around you.

Lovepop has a card for every occasion. What’s even better is that you can get 5 beautiful magical cards for only $50. Just look for the 5 for $50 in the top left corner. I was able to pick out 5 cards and I cannot wait to give them to my friends!