Category Archives: Travel

Mar
22
2012

5 Tips for First Time Scuba Divers

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Scuba diving is an amazing sport that can let you have a first-hand view of a whole new world. Whether you want to dive on your honeymoon or turn scuba diving into a lifelong passion, these tips for a first time diver will help you have a great experience on your first time diving.

1. Check Out PADI Diving Courses

PADI is one of the leading organizations in the world for learning how to dive and getting certification. While many diving areas that cater to tourists and first time divers offer courses in scuba diving, you can go through PADI to find a local scuba diving course first. That way, you already have your certification and basic know-how so that you can start diving right away on your first scuba diving vacation.

2. Consider a Travel Credit Card

If diving turns into a long-term passion for you, chances are likely that you’ll always be looking for a new place to dive. There are thousands of great dive locations around the world, and you’ll want to experience many different locations at different times of the year to really make the most of your scuba diving hobby. Travel credit cards can help you build up points towards airfare and other travel necessities during your everyday life so that you can shave money off of your diving trips. Of course, it’s vital to remember to use your travel card responsibly, paying it off each month unless you’re purchasing a big-ticket item so that you don’t end up having to sink all your travel money into credit card payments.

3. Get in Swimming Shape

Before you dive, and any time you’re going diving again after sitting things out for a while, it’s important to make sure you’re in relatively good physical condition. You don’t need to be able to run a marathon, but you should be able to tread water well and swim a couple hundred yards without too much trouble. The Divers Alert Network also says that heart problems are the most common cause of diving-related deaths in divers over the age of forty, so make sure you have a good annual physical and maybe even a stress test to ensure your heart can handle the pressure underwater.

4. Drink Plenty of Water

The Divers Alert Network also says that decompression illness is more common and can be more severe when you’re dehydrated. The problem is that diving in and of itself can contribute to dehydration, since immersion can cause your cells to lose some water, and the dry compressed air from your scuba cylinders can make you dehydrate even more. If you’re getting ready to go on your first real dive, make sure you drink more than your typical eight glasses of water each day.

5. Be Confident

While you’re probably not going to do your first dive all on your own, it’s important that you’re confident for your first dive, even though you’ve never been on a real dive before. Make sure you really understand how to use all of your gear and deal with the potentially dangerous situations that can arise while diving. Diving with another person who is more experienced than you is a good idea, but even then, you need to make sure you can make good diving decisions when it comes to your personal safety.

Diving for the first time is an exciting experience, but you need to be prepared before you dive. Whether you’re diving in the Caribbean on your honeymoon or taking your first adventure to Australia, these tips will make sure your first dive is exciting and safe.

Feb
29
2012

Five of the UK’s Best Hikes

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As Britain is well known for its frequently dull, dreary weather, the prospect of hiking through the British countryside on a grey day may not seem particularly appealing. For those in the know however, Britain is home to a fantastic selection of hiking routes, where you can expect stunning scenery, glimpses of rare wildlife and crisp, fresh air. Here are five of the best hikes to be enjoyed in the British Isles.

On the Border

Offa’s Dyke is a monumental ancient boundary running roughshod along the modern England/Wales border, built by an 8th century Mercian king sharing the Dyke’s name. The northern walk of Offa’s Dyke takes you from the Welsh coast through an open moorland area of outstanding natural beauty called the Vale of Clwyd. This overlooks the impressively large Gop, a Stone Age burial mound, before pressing on to the top of Moel Famau, with impressive views of Snowdonia and Liverpool. A gentle descent returns to the Dee Estuary, inhabited by rare wading birds. Enjoy an ice cream at an impeccably clean Prestatyn Beach, as reward for your exertions.

The Pride of Scotland

Holyrood Park in Edinburgh is, without hesitation, one of the most spectacular parks of any capital city. The short but exerting climb to the top of Arthur’s Seat takes you over 100m above the limestone city below, with the North Sea Coast unfolding behind you. Descend the northern flank to intercept the trail running along the base of a long, horseshoe shaped rock formation called the Crags, famous among geologists as the place where Hutton first distinguished sedimentary from volcanic rock. City views unfold from the Crags, taking in Edinburgh Castle and the elegant New Town. Finish beside Holyrood Palace, the official Queen’s residence.

A Walk on the Wild Side

The Larig Ghru cuts a giant tear through the heart of the Cairngorm Plateux, working its way alongside some of Britain’s tallest mountains, in Scotland’s north east. It climbs to over 800m, picking through a tough, boulder-laden wilderness in the process. Starting in the gentle Caledonian forest of Strath Spey, the trail climbs relentlessly southwards, rising above the tree line before reaching a barren moraine strewn watershed, flanked by 1,000m plus mountains. It then descends through more gentle terrain, back into the Scots pines of Glen Dee. Look out for golden eagles, red deer and maybe even a Scottish wildcat, in one of Britain’s wildest locations.

Colourful Cornwall

The South Cornwall Coast becomes awash with pinks, blues and yellows during the spring, when rare species of flowering plants, found nowhere else, come into view. One of the best ways to enjoy this cornucopia is to walk the coastal trail between Mousehole and Porthcurno. The 15km or so cover smoothed over rocky cliff tops, punctuated by steep descents into tranquil woodland copse and tiny fishing villages, such as Lamorna Cove. On a calm day you will arrive at Porthcurno, overlooking its impossibly white sands and turquoise waters, with the Neo-Classic Minack Theatre perched on the opposite cliff, where you can enjoy coffee with an Atlantic view.

Lakes and Hills

The Coniston Round, in Cumbria’s Lake District, is a 14km circular route taking in some of the best scenery that this part of the world has to offer. Winding above the majestic Coniston, from the village of the same name, the trail rises along Church Beck, over disused copper mines and under rocky crags, before passing alongside the eerie Lever’s Water. It then hooks back around and up toward the 803m summit of the Old Man of Coniston, offering fantastic 360 degree views. The trail then descends back to Coniston village via the sheer drop of Dow Crag. On a clear day it is spectacular and charming and on a cloudy day it is weirdly quiet and engaging.

Aug
08
2011

35 Things That’ll Help You Prepare for Long Journeys

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If you are going on a long journey, you need to put in a number of sensible checks before you leave. These checks depend on whether you plan to travel by car, bus, train, motorcycle or a combination of all of these. We’ve organized 35 things that will help you prepare for long journeys, no matter what mode of travel you choose.

Traveling By Car: General Tips

1. Use satellite navigation along with manual maps and landmarks for navigation.
2. Plan your car journey in such a way as to ensure you don’t pass through busy locations during peak traffic times. This will only add stress to your journey.
3. You have to depend on the conditions of roads, so be prepared to encounter road works and constructions en route. Plan for such delays.
4. Take a break every two hours to avoid tiredness and loss of concentration. If you are traveling with family or partners, take turns driving.
5. Stop your car every few hours on the wayside, open the doors and the trunk and let it air out. This will keep it from stinking up inside.
6. If you have young children, plan on driving through the night as they are more likely to be asleep.
7. Distribute the luggage evenly to prevent listing in the car. Listing on one side or the other can be dangerous if you are traveling steep roads.
8. Make sure that if you have a flat tire, you’re quickly able to retrieve the spare tire. Don’t pile up your entire luggage on the spare tire.

Traveling By Car: Traveling With Kids

9. Ensure that your child seats are securely fastened; fix booster seats children under 12.
10. Turn off the airbag if a baby is traveling in the front in a baby seat, or else put the baby in the back.
11. Don’t forget the entertainment; carry DVDs, plenty of music, headsets, a few card games, puzzle games and handheld game stations for your kids.

Traveling By Car: Prepare Your Car

12. Before traveling, check your car for the proper tire pressures, any tire damage and check if you have a spare tire on board. Maintain tire pressure for the number of people traveling with you.
13. Check if you have your jack and basic car-servicing tools in your trunk.
14. Check the state of your windscreen wipers and carry sufficient screen wash.
15. Give your car a thorough once over at your garage before starting on your journey.
16. Make sure your tire tread is at least 1.6 mm, which is the legal requirement. Worn tires expand in wet weather, which changes your handling and increases your stopping distance.
17. Check your engine and keep an eye on the water and oil levels to avoid overheating or a breakdown.
18. Test your windscreen; your windscreen wiper reservoir should be full and the wipers should not be damaged.

Traveling By Bus Or Train

19. Some trains and buses have luggage restrictions, so always make sure to check. Generally, you can take as many bags and pillows as you want, as long as you don’t encroach on other travelers’ space.
20. Pack sufficient books, toys, music and games to keep young ones occupied, as there’s nothing much to do on bus journeys.
21. Long bus journeys can be hard on your back, so take support pillows for your neck and back.
22. Your feet may swell, so take relaxed rubber footwear and warm socks for bus travel.
23. Carry blankets and sweaters for night travel, since not all buses come with internal heating.
24. Get up from your seat, stretch your legs and move your arms and down when traveling by bus. This will keep your blood circulation going and keep your feet from swelling and cramping.

Research Your Destination

25. Create a map of your route and clearly mark the various temporary destinations on the way.
26. Print out the addresses, phone numbers and names of contact persons of places where you want to stay on the way.
27. If you have friends and contacts on your route, make sure you carry their addresses and phone numbers.
28. Don’t forget to thoroughly research your travel destinations before you set off. You need to know about emergency services, hospitals, recommended and safe accommodations and costs, and other things.
29. Before you leave, look up Google Maps and map gas stations, eateries, rest house points, pubs, and camping spots on your route. Print out the maps you need and mark necessary points clearly using different color pens.

Things To Carry

30. Mobile phone, hands free kit and mobile phone charger
31. Warm clothing, extra blankets, pillows and a rug
32. A couple of torches and torch batteries
33. Vehicle breakdown service telephone number and your membership number

Fight The Fear Factor

34. Many people are scared of taking off on long journeys. Things such as crime, theft, the need for travel immunizations, bad food and traveling alone put them off. Remember that the excitement of the unknown more than makes up for the fear of the unknown.

Don’t Buy Excessively In Preparation

35. New travelers tend to over-organize and buy expensive, unnecessary items for their impending trips. Take only necessities. Don’t load up on luggage or else you’ll be left lugging it everywhere and ruin your trip.

Teena Celis works as content developer for Adrenaline an Australian experience provider company that offers a wide range of experiences like rally car driving, hot air ballooning, helicopter scenic flights and lot more all across Australia.

May
17
2011

If Your Equipment is a Hassle to Haul, Consider Leaving it Behind

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Winter sports and recreation are endlessly exciting, but difficult to suit up for. Each activity has its own set of equipment and attire, which is not only bulky but difficult to take with you, especially if you plan to undertake multiple mountainous adventures on one vacation. Your choices are typically to drive a vehicle with enough space to accommodate the load, rent equipment, or if you’re serious about this kind of stuff, moving to where they’re all accessible from home.

For anyone dedicated to the snowy sports and rugged undertakings of the mountains but not centrally located to such, the first option is standard because nobody wants to rent equipment. It’s typically designed for amateurs, is limited in function, and when safety is an issue nothing is better than a trusted familiar arrangement. Indeed, a staple of any mountain sport enthusiast is a trail ready 4×4 capable of hauling pounds of equipment across the country and beyond.

But this doesn’t have to be the case. If you can’t afford to move your whole house someplace where your favorite activities are readily available, why not look into finding such a place and permanently stowing your equipment there? There’s always warehouse space available even in the most remote of locations. If you make one trip in your big hauler, you can store your equipment and take a flight next time. That way you save precious time otherwise spent driving.

This includes urban areas. Calgary self storage facilities would be a great place to store equipment, especially if you’ve ever been there, because the winter sports possibilities are virtually endless when you’re 50 miles from the Rockies. If you can settle on one place in the world to keep your equipment for consistent future use, Calgary would be it. Flights to and from the United States are typically cheap, and renting a car big enough to stow the equipment that varies day to day is probably cheaper than driving around in your gas guzzler.

Leaving your equipment behind in a safe and secure storage facility is a great way to save money on travel costs and utilize your vacation time more efficiently. It sure beats denying yourself rear-view access for thousands of miles each way.