How often do you tend to travel in a given year?

Whether it is rarely or you get away quite frequently, saving money should be a priority unless you have a ton of it.

That said there are steps you can put in place to help you come up with savings when you take to the road.

So, has the time come for you to cut down on expensive trips and save a little more green when you travel?

Where Can You Keep More of Your Money?

Short of sitting home all the time other than for work and appointments, don’t you want to get out and see some of the world?

Whether visiting familiar haunts or on first-time adventures, there is much to see. This is likely true both locally and if you travel further from home.

That being the case, you can find savings when you leave your home for travel.

Among the ways to go about this include:

1. Shopping for deals – How good of a shopper would you say you are when it comes to locating deals? Finding such discounts takes on added importance when away from home. Since you are not likely going to know what the costs are in other towns, doing research ahead of times makes sense. From hotels to restaurants and more, go online and do your homework. Whether discount Disney World tickets or tickets for other attractions; research them.

2. Ask those you know – There is a good chance you have family and friends traveling on a semi-regular basis. If they are doing this, tap into their insights on how they find savings when on the road. For example, they may go to various theme parks across the country. If they do, where do they find the best deals for their money? The same could be said if you have friends and family going on cruises. Which ship lines off both the best service and prices? If some outside family and friends are not in constant communication with you, go online. Once there, check out their social media pages if they are open to the public. This is another good means of picking up travel tips if they are discussing them online.

3. Knowing when best to travel – Finally, when it is time for a vacation, do you have some time or times of the year selected? If you have flexibility in your schedule, it may be wise to travel when you can save money and deal with less crowds. As an example, many families wait and travel in the summertime when the kids are out of school. While that is fine, the crowds and costs can also be more intense. If you can travel when there are fewer people and businesses may drop prices to entice folks, you win. Last, if you go on your own and you have flexibility with your work schedule, see when best to travel. You once again might save dollars if you go when it is not as busy.

Put some time and effort into finding ways to keep more money in your wallet while still having fun.

 

 

Whether you’re already the proud owner of a Rolex or you’re looking to invest in your first Rolex, simply continue reading to discover a guide to putting together stylish outfits which will showcase your Rolex. Such as a classic Rolex Submariner. Which is a sopshitcated watch, which is suitable for any occasion.

What to wear with your Rolex:

Chinos:

If you’re curious about how to style yourself for events which call for small casual attire, it’s well worth starting off with a pair of chinos. If in doubt, you can’t go wrong opting for a pair of beige or tan chinos. Although if you enjoy taking fashion risks, you may want to invest in a pair of navy chinos.

A simple button down shirt:

Once you have your trousers picked out, it’s time to pick out a classic button down shirt. If you’re feeling adventurous you may want to select a shirt with a subtle pattern or a pastel coloured shirt. However, if you feel more confident wearing white shirts, you can always opt to wear a freshly pressed white shirt.

A cardigan:

In the weekends you may want to wear a sophisticated Rolex Submariner with a cardigan in a neutral color such as grey, navy or black. Which you can then wear over a button down shirt or a polo shirt.

An off duty blazer:

While you may be used to wearing a blazer to work on a daily basis, it’s also a great idea to purchase a few blazers that are suitable for more casual occasions. Such as having drinks with your friends or going on a romantic date with a partner or spouse. If in doubt, you simply can’t go wrong opting for a navy blue blazer. Which won’t give off businessman vibes. As the last thing you want to do is to dress like you’re heading into the office on the weekend. If you like taking fashion risks, it’s well worth visiting your favorite menswear store to try on a suede blazer. Which will definitely turn heads.

A well-fitted pair of jeans;

A well fitted pair of jeans is a wardrobe essential. As you’ll be able to wear jeans to a wide variety of occasions. You can even pair a well fitted pair of classic blue jeans with a suede blazer for an effortlessly stylish look. Alternatively, you may want to experiment with trying to style black jeans.

A pair of designer sunglasses:

As accessories can make or break an outfit, it’s well worth investing in a pair of go to designer sunglasses, such as aviators, which you’ll be able to use on an everyday basis.

Loafers:

If you’re wondering what type of shoes to wear when you wear your Rolex, it’s a great idea to style some of your outfits with a pair of loafers.

Brown boots:

The last item which you need to appear stylish and chic is to purchase a pair of quality boots, that you’ll be able to wear with chinos or jeans.

So if you’re looking for creative new ways to put together eye catching outfits, that will show off your Rolex, it’s definitely well worth making sure that you own all of the wardrobe essentials which are listed above.

 

 

 

The whole region is filled with glitzy cities, stunning national parks, beautiful drives, and In-N-Out Burgers. The West of the continental United States is made up of two regions. The Mountain states and the Pacific states. Adrenaline lovers can get their kicks by heading to the Rockies to hit the famed slopes, while the traveler looking for the perfect spot to relax can go to sunny California for wine-tasting in Sonoma. We listed the best cities to visit on a trip to the west coast.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas attracts visitors from all corners of the world who are looking to explore the city’s best tourist attractions. From the famous Las Vegas Strip to the wild pool parties, uncover the beauty of Sin City and find out why you should visit Las Vegas at least once in your lifetime. Known as one of the most famous streets in the world, Las Vegas Boulevard is always buzzing. Home to many hotels like the Bellagio, Ceasars Palace and the Stratosphere, the Strip also offers endless food and drink options, not to mention a chance to catch a musical show. It gets hot in Las Vegas – really hot. With temperatures that can reach over 110°F (43.3°C) in the summer, it might seem like the weather in the city would be a drawback to its visitors. However, hotel pools and day clubs draw huge crowds, particularly during summer, turning them into day clubs with water. Temperatures remain mild enough in the winter to enjoy the outdoors, making Las Vegas a great place to visit year-round.

San Francisco

Exploring the City by the Bay reveals an intricate patchwork of cultures and communities. The Chinatown area is almost as old as the city of San Francisco itself. It’s easy to forget that you were ever in a major urban center when you’re strolling through Golden Gate Park. There’s no view of the Bay like the one seen from the middle of the Golden Gate Bridge. Churning water, Alcatraz, the downtown skyline, all of it looks so much more magical when seen from the bridge. The Golden Gate is nearly 9,000 feet long and takes up to two hours for a stroll across and back, taking advantage of the many photo opportunities. San Francisco Houses for Sale offers many beautiful Victorian and Edwardian homes. The most expensive home on the market in San Francisco is listed at $45 million.

California Wine Country

Wine country is ready to welcome you with warm hospitality and life’s simple pleasures. Home to more than 400 wineries, you can indulge in top wineries and restaurants, all without the long wait! Just two hours north of San Francisco lies Mendocino County, the gateway to a myriad of outdoor activities, family fun, and relaxation. While you’re taking a break from wine tasting, you can indulge in the surrounding outdoor beauty by foot, bike or kayak. You can find more than 60 regional and state parks, or discover the arts and culture scene by exploring museums or attending music festivals. There’s something for everyone in the family!

 

Despite the harsh conditions of the most southern continent, tourism has been rising with over 44,000 tourists traveling to Antarctica in 2016/2017.

The risk of the freezing climate in a desolate ice-covered land is outweighed by the wonders to be seen in this region.

A lot of this rise in tourism has to do with ice caps melting, so people believe they must see its preserved state while it lasts.

There are also some of the most interesting facts about Antarctica that keep people ditching the beach for some time on the ice.

Here are some characteristics of Antarctica that will have you booking your next trip there.

1. Antarctica Wasn’t Sighted Until the 19th Century

Traveling through the rough waters leading toward the south pole kept many explorers from reaching its icy mainland. But, this doesn’t mean that they didn’t try for centuries.

Britishman, Captain James Cook discovered several southern islands after being the first to cross the Antarctic Circle but never made it to the continent.

However, it was after Cook’s death that the Russian Czar Alexander I sent an expedition led by Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen to get the first glimpse of Antarctica in 1820.

2. It Contains the World’s Largest Desert

You might think that snow means moisture, but these Antarctica facts about its climate will have you confused.

The valleys have almost no humidity and are not covered by ice or snow. This desert environment is the biggest in the world reaching over 13.8 million square miles. It also gets very little rainfall and produces tremendous wind storms.

Besides the occasional Antarctica tours for enthusiastic explorers, it is also the most deserted place on earth.

3. The Most Fresh Water

Whether in liquid on solid-state, the amount of water on the continent is one of those facts about Antarctica that will make you grateful it exists.

That is because it hosts about 90% of the world’s fresh water supply. However, we should be even more grateful that most of the water is in the form of ice. If it melts, the sea levels would rise over 200 feet throughout the world.

4. There Are Hidden Mountains and Lakes

The ice is so dense in Antarctica that tall mountain peaks and a huge lake are buried beneath it.

You would think that the  9,000-foot Gamburtsev Mountains stretching across 750 miles would be easy to spot, but not when there are 15,000 feet of ice covering them.

Then there is the largest lake on the pole, Lake Vostok, which hides its freshwater under 2.5 miles of ice. Scientists have even found over 3,500 species of bacterium and even possible fish living in this harsh underground environment.

5. It Has an Active Volcano

Cool facts about Antarctica can also be as hot as a volcano. And in this case, Mount Erebus is the most lively volcano in the southern region of the earth.

The volcano is so active that is created one of eight live lava lakes persistent throughout the world. The lake has been active since 1972 and can produce explosions of lava outside the crater.

Where else can you see a frozen glazier volcano spewing liquid hot magma?

6. Born on Ice

The most desolate place on the planet still allows mother nature to thrive. And even though no permanent settlers live on the icy surface, some babies can call it their native land.

In 1978, the first baby, Emilio Marcos Palma, was born in Antarctica, making him the first native-born citizen. His mother gave born to her son at one of Argentina’s large base camps on the continent.

Only 10 other people have been born in the freezing cold of the south pole since then.

7. Complete Sun or Darkness

If you are afraid of the dark or get sunburn then you will love these Antarctica facts and information.

The sun can stay up for months during the summer season when you go past the Antarctic Circle. After that, you won’t see light for another few months.

This can be an unusual experience that some visitors look forward to or it can be torture for researchers who just want to get some shut-eye.

8. The Saltiest Lake

If you travel to east Antarctica you will find a lake that never freezes, Deep Lake. This is due to its high levels of salt. In fact, it is nearly 10 times saltier than the nearby oceans.

It also makes the ecosystem a harsh habitat for life to survive. There are only four species that live in it. These organisms are microbes mainly from the Archaea family.

They are the only ones that love the salt and the temperatures that can reach to -20C.

9. Mingling of Oceans

Since Antarctica lies at the center of the south pole it is surrounded by several of the planets major oceans. And the West Wind Drift makes a westward current that mixes all of these oceans together.

The Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans become indistinguishable as they are constantly moving around Antarctica making one big ocean sometimes called the “Southern Ocean.”

Interesting Facts About Antarctica and Global Warming

The most interesting facts about Antarctica are its vulnerability to climate change. East Antarctica is already starting to change as ice caps melt and leak into the ocean.

If we want to continue to enjoy the beauty of Antarctica and, frankly, keep the planet livable, then we must address the warming climate caused by CO2 levels rising.

Visit the news section of our site to see the latest on the melting ice caps and research being done in Antarctica.

Planning business travels is maybe a really laborious and difficult task. Still having the right travel plans is a requisite for every successful business or company. Here the corporate travel planners come in.

What do they do?

We can say that they are travel agencies but exclusively for business purposes. The basic job of these planners is to design and plan business-related trips that suit travel-policies of respective companies. Their goal is to plan trips for company personnel under the given budget and according to the desire of the company. It’s also their job to consider and maintain safety standards.

Furthermore, these planners are very much familiar with the travel industry. They are aware of recent trends and know what actually companies want. They have links with other travel agencies and transport providers which help them to erect best deals for you. This insight is what makes a planner better than others.

Why do we even need them?

If you are a fast-growing business and traveling to different locations is a basic need of your company then having an experienced corporate travel planner can save you in many ways. For example, to manage a business trip in short time with all the facilities is hard. So, having a travel planner can timely manage an international business trip for you.

Companies throughout the world save millions of dollars annually just by hiring the right planner. Only a planner who has knowledge of the travel market can make the best deal which is also cost-efficient.

There are plenty of planners out there in the market but undoubtedly only the right ones can book the best deals for you. But the question is how to find the best one? What aspects or features should we consider before selecting a travel planner? We have narrowed down some tips to find the right travel planner.

• Have an insight into the travel market

Only an experienced planner who’s connected with the industry knows the range of pricing of travel all around the market. This knowledge can help you find the travel package you require. If your planner has an insight into the travel market then he should be aware of vendors, transport agencies, accommodation possibilities and different services related to it.

• Updates your travel policy

A good travel planner not only reviews your company’s travel policy but also suggests the necessary changes required in it. So, you should select the one who updates your travel policy regularly.

• Avails best travel opportunities

In the market, the price of travel varies a lot. Sometimes even at hourly rate. It is a part of the skill-set of a good travel agent to know when to wait for a reservation or when to hastily reserve a trip. This skill is only gained from experience in the field. So, we should prefer the ones who have years of experience in the industry.

• One who respects privacy policy

An agent has access to some sensitive details related to your company. That sensitive information can prove to be very harmful to the company itself if fallen in the wrong hands. It can be used by other rivals to downgrade your business and nurture their own. To find a trustworthy planner who respects privacy and protects your private data is also necessary.

• One who’s in direct contact with travel agencies and hotels

Instead of referring to you to another party a good travel planner will contact hotels directly to deal with matters of your accommodation. He will contact airlines directly to book reservations or to get information if there is an emergency such as flight delaying. This can save you from many travel-related disasters.

• Puts your interests first

There are some travel planners out here who compel their decisions on your company and sometimes even lie if they have to. But a reliable planner is the one who puts you and your company’s interest first instead of benefitting himself. It’s up to you to ensure that the planner has a clear record.

• Can deal with emergencies efficiently

In case of emergencies such as bad weather, state-level emergencies or sudden change of plans, a good business travel planner will not lose his calm but instead he will work out the best possible way to deal with the situation. And change your reservations to nearest best possible time.

• Doesn’t lose sight of his objective

No matter what the circumstances a good corporate travel planner will not lose sight of his goal and he will put everything in his power to fulfill the travel related objective for your company.

No matter what time it is, a good planner will always be there when you need him the most. Other third-party travel agencies may not care if you miss a flight or there’s an emergency during the trip but your personal travel planner sure will.

• Has the ability to handle multiple projects together

Booking a reservation is not enough. A travel planner should have the ability to handle multiple projects at the same time. For example, to book reservation according to the requirement along with selecting the best hotels in specific locations require serious multi-tasking abilities. Without multi-tasking skills a planner can’t perform well enough.

• Knows how to build a relationship with other agencies?

Networking and relationship building are also very handy skills for travel agents. Select a travel planner who knows how to not only build good relationships with other agencies but also to maintain it. It can prove very good for your company. He will keep track of records and will use it in productive manner in future.

Conclusion

These above-mentioned tips were put together for you to know what features you have to look for in a reliable corporate travel planner. A good one will respect your company’s privacy and security policy and will have a connection with agencies, other companies, and third-party planners. Just take these aspects into consideration and you will be able to find one of the best ones in the market.

 

Traveling offers memories that last a lifetime, but the price tag can make it seem out of reach to many families. In fact, did you know that the average person spends about 10% of the annual income on vacations?

Luckily, there are ways to make your money stretch farther when you travel, particularly if you like to travel internationally. By visiting destinations with a favorable exchange, you can increase the value of your money exponentially.

So where is the dollar strongest? Let’s take a closer look at 10 potential destinations.

1. Ukraine

Most countries in Europe use the Euro, which has been stronger for the dollar for many years. This has made it more expensive for Americans to travel to many European countries.

Ukraine, however, uses its own currency, called the hryvnia. Political circumstances have caused the hryvnia to lose value over the last three years, giving Americans more purchasing power.

While some places in Ukraine have been experiencing unrest, other locations are safe to visit. For instance, Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, offers beautiful architecture and museums.

2. New Zealand

Australia is on the bucket list for many travelers. And, while the Australian dollar does offer a favorable exchange rate for Americans, the New Zealand dollar offers an even better one.

If you’re planning a trip to Australia, it can be a good idea to plan on staying at least part of the time in New Zealand. Not only does New Zealand offer unique, natural beauty, but it will also give your wallet a break. You can also enjoy affordable activities while you’re there, as there are a variety of backpacking and hiking opportunities available.

3. Canada

Finding a country with a favorable exchange rate doesn’t have to involve a long plane flight. Our neighbors to the north in Canada offer a great deal for Americans, with their currency losing nearly 5% to the US dollar in the last three years.

Canada is an excellent destination for nature lovers. In fact, several Canadian national parks are only a short drive from the US border.

4. Mexico

Likewise, Mexico, our neighbor at the southern border, also offers a favorable exchange rate for travelers. Mexico is well-known for its beaches, making it a great destination to visit if you’re looking for warmer temperatures in the winter months. With the purchasing power of the dollar, you can even afford one of Mexico’s many all-inclusive resorts.

5. South Africa

If an African safari is on your bucket list, South Africa is a great location to get this experience affordably. In addition to the natural wonders, you can also enjoy the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town. The city has become increasingly international, and it features a variety of food, museums, and other cultural opportunities.

6. Vietnam

If you’re looking to travel to Asia, Vietnam is a hidden treasure that offers beautiful landscapes, delicious food, adventure opportunities, and a fantastic exchange rate. If you’re willing to stay in hostels, you can cover food, activities, and accommodations for as little as $20 a day.

If you’re looking for the best month to visit Vietnam, there is no single answer. While the weather is extremely pleasant in the winter, summer features the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival, which is the biggest fireworks display in all of Asia.

7. Peru

Peru is a great destination to visit because, in addition to having a great exchange rate, it also offers something for everyone.

History buffs will love visiting the ancient ruins of Machu Pichu. Foodies will enjoy the excellent cuisine at some of the best restaurants in the world made from high-quality, fresh ingredients. And outdoorsy folks will enjoy hiking in a relatively mild climate.

8. Costa Rica

Costa Rica is another excellent destination for travelers who seek adventure. The diverse landscape in this country offers travelers rainforests, mountains, volcanos, and beaches, all within a few minutes’ drive.

The vibrant rain forests also offer access to one of the most unique collections of animals in the world. In addition to the very popular sloths, you will also be able to spot a variety of monkeys and over 100 different species of birds.

9. Dominican Republic

Most thrifty travelers assume that a Caribbean vacation is out of their budget. This may be true if you are staying on an American-style resort in the Bahamas. In the Dominican Republic, however, you can get a much more authentic experience for only a fraction of the price.

The Dominican Republic offers a wide range of all-inclusive resorts. With the purchasing power of the US dollar, you will be able to find affordable accommodations even if you choose one of the higher-end options.

In addition to lying on the beach and drinking by the pool, there are also many activities in the Dominican Republic that are perfect for adventurers. For instance, you can go scuba diving or snorkeling to get a view of the gorgeous wildlife or head out on the open water in some jet skis.

10. Puerto Rico

Technically, Puerto Rico does not belong on this list. Not only is it not a country (Puerto Rico is a US territory), but it also does not have a different currency (Puerto Rico uses the US dollar). That said, it is worth including because the US dollar does have greater purchasing power in Puerto Rico than it does on the mainland. And, Americans enjoy the added benefit of not needing a passport to travel there.

Answering the Question, “Where Is the Dollar Strongest?”

This list begins to answer the question “Where is the dollar strongest?” The truth is, however, that exchange rates fluctuate regularly. As you plan your travel, you should regularly monitor exchange rates to look for trends.

Looking for more travel tips? Check out the rest of our blog for inspiration.