John

The fear of flying is a very common affliction, with studies suggesting that 25% of Americans experience some level of nervousness around flying. Even if you have been an anxious flyer all your life it does not mean that traveling will always be a traumatic experience for you. While you might never learn to love air travel, there are techniques that can be used to help you curb your flying anxieties.

Focus on Your Breathing

One of the best ways to deal with anxiety, on or off the plane, is to practice conscious breathing. Try to breathe in through your nose, for five seconds, hold your breath for five seconds, then release your breath through your mouth for a further five seconds. Breathing is one of the best ways of reducing stress, panic, and anxiety because it increases the supply of oxygen to your brain, stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes calmness. Focusing on your breathing also helps to bring awareness to your body and away from your worries, which quietens the mind. If you struggle to remain focused on your breath you could try a breathing or meditation app like Breathe2Relax, Headspace, or Mayo Clinic Anxiety Coach App.

Make Your Airport Experience as Smooth as Possible

If you are an anxious flyer then you must try to make the airport experience as stress-free as possible. Try to avoid bringing any unnecessary stresses or triggers to your journey by making arrangements before you reach the airport.

Look at America’s busiest airports and take, Atlanta, for example. The congestion on the way to the airport, as well as the business of parking can make driving to such a busy airport a stressful experience. Prepare ahead of time by booking a parking space online to avoid the stress of trying to find a spot. When you book online, you don’t need to worry about Atlanta airport parking cost being surprisingly steep and you can relax with the knowledge that everything has been thought through and considered.

It is always useful to check the status of your flight before you leave to ensure that you are not going to be stuck waiting at the airport for a delayed or canceled flight. You can also check-in online, organize your documentation and your carry-on bag to make sure you go through check-in and security as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Identify Your Fear and Educate Yourself

There are many different reasons why people are anxious flyers, some people fear a plane crash, others will fear having a panic attack on the plane. Try to identify what it is that makes you so nervous about flying and educate yourself about the subject. If you worry about the safety of the plane, educating yourself can help you to rationalize your anxieties. Remember that educating yourself does not mean that you should read up every flight statistic and horror story, just enough for you to be able to remember that flying is by far the safest mode of transport.

Bring Distractions

Before you leave for the airport it is useful to consider what you are going to take with you to keep yourself distracted during the flight. You might want to download some films, music, or audiobooks, bring a novel or a game to play.

Consider the length of the flight and make sure you bring enough to keep you entertained for the duration. Remember that you will be asked to turn off your electronic devices during take-off and landing so bring something to keep you busy at these points too.

They say that a change is as good as a rest and, with travel restrictions still firmly in place, domestic breaks are enjoying unprecedented popularity – but it shouldn’t come as a surprise! The UK has long been home to some of the most beautiful countryside retreats, and it has never been easier to search for your ideal spot.

Fancy a country house with a spa? Easy! Looking for golfing facilities? No problem. There are a number of getaway search tools, and hotels.com is highly recommended among them, so let’s take a look at five of the best retreats that you could book today!

Tyrella House, Downpatrick NI

An amazing country house with a private beach, just three bedrooms and an interesting family at the helm, Tyrella House is particularly pleased to welcome members of the LGBTQ+ community. Large picturesque grounds surround the Jane Austin-esque property, and weddings, conferences or simple retreats are all catered for. There’s free wifi but given the beautiful setting, you might prefer to unplug entirely.

Pendragon Country House, Cornwall

Traditional with a bold dash of colour, Pendragon Country House gives you an authentic taste of the English countryside, complete with open fires, gardens to roam, a library and free breakfasts. Known for its stunning beaches and numerous historical sites, Cornwall has a lot to offer, much of it within walking distance of the Pendragon. Previous guests comment on the particularly professional and friendly hosts who clearly love exceeding expectations, and have made it their life’s work.

Burton Court, Leominster

Despite the grandeur of the house itself, Burton Court offers just two guest rooms, allowing for focussed relaxation and very attentive hosts. Exceptionally upmarket and set in amongst sprawling perfectly manicured grounds, there’s plenty to love about this quietly opulent location – not least the bar! With a golf course a short drive away and multiple local points of interest to visit, you can be as active or as chilled as you like here.

Hawkstone Hall Hotel, Shrewsbury

If you’re looking for somewhere that’s picturesque, nestled into the countryside and the right blend of romantic and stately, take a look at the Hawkstone Hall Hotel. Large and impressive, the property is the image of English upper-class living, complete with a luxurious spa and free use of bicycles. You might need them too, as the grounds are large and the hotel itself delightfully secluded within them. Children are welcome, and there are plenty of golf facilities nearby too.

Panteinion Hall, Fairbourne, Wales

A more lowkey and relaxed countryside retreat here, with a charming guest house close to multiple beaches, each one prettier than the last.

The interior has been decorated in a rustic style, giving you a cosy lodge feeling and, though there is a bar and a television in the communal area, you won’t want to spend too much time indoors. The gardens are idyllic, there is a picnic area outside and the Welsh countryside is just too gorgeous to ignore. How could it not be, when you’re staying in a national park?

Don’t snooze on the potential that the UK has to offer in terms of peaceful, beautiful and memorable countryside breaks. We might not be able to compete with yoga retreats in LA for weather, but when it comes to restorative rolling hills, romantic open fires and hosts that really strive to cater to all of their guests’ needs, the UK is hard to beat.

Many people have a dream of traveling the world or at least seeing some exciting places far away from home. This dream can come true, even if you have a small budget or no idea of where you actually want to go – or why. If you want it badly enough, there are ways you can make it happen.

After you have saved or found a job you can work while you’re traveling, or you’ve put your career on hold so you can go, the last thing you want is for anything to ruin the trip. Packing too much is something that, even if you hadn’t considered it to be a problem at first, can become extremely frustrating and cause you to miss out. Read on to understand more about the benefits of traveling light so you can make the most of your traveling time.

Easy Preparation

Once you’ve found exactly the right trip for you, the next step is preparing everything you need for the trip. If you turn to experts such as the holidayexclusives.com and find deals on everything from eating out to fun-filled activities, this task becomes much easier. For example, pre-booking all of this means you can prepare and better pack as you know what clothing you need to take for what you will be doing.

You will be calm and collected, ready to go, and excited for what lies ahead. You don’t need to be worrying about getting everything right and whether or not you’ve packed correctly.

This is one of the benefits of traveling light. You’ll have a shortlist of what you need to take, and as long as you stick to this list and pack it quickly, you’ll be ready in no time. No stress and no second-guessing; it will take to minutes to pack, and you can be on your way.

Freedom

If you have taken a lot of ‘stuff’ with you on your travels (most of which won’t even be used by the time you get home, and you’ll wonder why you packed it in the first place), you won’t be as free to explore and go new places whenever you feel like it. You’ll (literally) be weighed down by the big bag you have to carry around with you.

If you just have a medium or small backpack, this can be picked up and taken with you at a moment’s notice, allowing you to be spontaneous if you want to be and change your plans whenever you feel you should. It’s so much easier to move around when you have a little backpack as opposed to having a large suitcase that you have to navigate through hotel lobbies, airports, and train stations.

You Can Rest

One of the biggest reasons for going traveling, or even just taking a simple vacation, is to rest. Not necessarily in a physical way, as some trips are going to be active ones, but in a mental way. When you’re away from home, you can stop worrying about the work deadlines you have or the house staying clean and tidy. You can be in the moment, and this is a precious thing.

It’s far easier to be mindful and present if you don’t have a lot of things around you. Firstly, they’ll remind you of what you were trying to leave behind, and secondly, you’ll need to spend at least some of your energy focusing on them, so you don’t leave anything behind.

 

There’s something so relaxing about laying in the warm sun, listening to the waves of the ocean, and feeling a tropical breeze blow through your hair. It’s the perfect way to unwind.

If you’ve been thinking about getting away, you might be wondering where the best beach vacation destinations are found. Look no further because we’ll let you in on the best spots to unwind and soak up some much-needed sun.

Where Are the Best Beach Vacation Destinations?

There are plenty of beaches to choose from on this globe, though we’d venture to say not all are created equal. Take a look at our top picks below to be sure you’ll be lazing around on some of the best beaches known to mankind.

Turks and Caicos

The archipelago that makes up Turks and Caicos Islands is an ideal place to show off your swimsuit and splash in the waves. Whether you’re looking to rest and relax on the beaches or you’re after adventures in the water, Turks and Caicos has something for everyone.

These islands are the perfect place to go diving in the turquoise waters or snorkel around the gorgeous barrier reefs. If laying out in the sun is all you need to enjoy your getaway, there are plenty of beautiful white sand beaches to fall in love with.

Maui

You can’t beat the sunsets on the magnificent island of Maui. While it may not be the most affordable location, the price you pay is more than worth it once you experience a day on the island’s picture-perfect beaches.

There’s something for everyone on the beautiful island, from energetic luaus to breathtaking volcano hikes. There’s so much natural beauty to take in with lush forests and awe-inspiring waterfalls.

Panama

A more affordable option that doesn’t disappoint is the Central American country of Panama. Offering beaches on the Atlantic and Caribbean side, there is plenty to see and do in this heart-warming destination.

Boca del Toros on the Caribbean side offers stunning views, crystal clear waters, and a friendly, laid-back vibe. Stay in bungalows over the water and watch the colorful fish swim by. The best part about these beaches, after the ridiculous beauty, is that the prices here are incredibly reasonable compared to most other tropical locations.

Fiji

Fiji is a magical place with loads of stunning beaches to explore. This archipelago is made up of over 300 different islands, allowing you to find the perfect spot for you and your crew.

Fiji’s rugged landscapes and azure lagoons will give you plenty of jealousy-inducing photo opportunities. Divers can enjoy themselves in the “Soft Coral Capital of the World” with hundreds of different species of sea life.

Pack Your Bags

If you’re dreaming of the best beach vacation destinations, give one of these spots a try. You certainly won’t be disappointed by the gorgeous waters, warm sand, and friendly locals.

Looking for more of the best travel destinations? Check out other helpful articles here on the blog for more of the best spots to explore.

Whether you’re a die-hard Disneyworld veteran or about to embark on your first magical trip, things are a little different than usual.

The dreaded coronavirus has affected us all in 2020 and Disney is no exception to this. Planning a Disney trip is a little different from what it used to entail. But that doesn’t mean you won’t still have the most magical time if you follow our simple tips!

Tips for Planning a Disney Trip

While much of Disney is still operational, some experiences and events have been canceled for the foreseeable future due to crowd restrictions or social distancing measures. These measures are expected to be in place until around 2021 as a minimum.

At the time of writing this article, Florida has no quarantine restrictions in place for visitors. But it’s also worth researching your state or country’s mandatory quarantine rules to ensure you’re complying with all the rules.

Otherwise, just follow our easy tips and have your dream Disney trip!

1. Pack Plenty of Masks

It should be obvious and part of the new normality by now, but you’ll need a mask. In fact, we’d recommend taking at least a couple of masks for each day of your trip.

Disney’s guidelines on masks currently state that masks must tie around the ears or behind the head. Neck gaiters, bandanas, and scarves are not permitted as mask alternatives. Everyone aged over two years old must wear a mask.

Their guidelines also state that masks must be made with at least two layers of material, fully cover the nose, and secure under the chin. Costume masks are not allowed. Masks must be worn at all times, including on rides and in queues.

The only time you are excluded from wearing a mask is when eating, drinking, or swimming. We’d suggest finding a variety of masks that are comfortable for you to wear all day long that fit the guideline requirements. Disney even sells their own holiday-themed masks for you to indulge in!

We advise packing so many masks because they’re bound to get dirty or sweaty, as well as wet on the water rides!

2. Get Technology Friendly

Disney has been making a push towards a seamless app experience for a while now so it makes sense they’re bringing it in full force to help streamline your day and make social distancing easier.

The best app for helping you plan your Disney trip is the “My Disney Experience App”. Simply install it onto your smartphone and create an account. You can use it for a bunch of things like your park pass reservations, dining reservations, and more.

Once you arrive, you can also use your My Disney Experience app to do things like order food, make cashless payments within the park, and even unlock your hotel room door. It’s full of useful information like wait times for rides and bus schedules.

The My Disney Experience app works with Disney’s Magicbands. These are a contactless way to enter the theme parks, further aiding social distancing. Don’t worry if you haven’t got one as part of your package, you can buy them online and at Disney Springs.

3. Prioritize Park Passes

We briefly mentioned park passes above, but as one of Disney’s biggest changes, it’s well worth elaborating on.

Disney introduced Park Passes so they could better keep track of who was in which park and when. You’ll still need your standard theme park tickets, but you now also need a park pass to gain entry.

These need to be made in advance. The best way to do this is as soon as you receive your theme park tickets, link them to your My Disney Experience app. You can then use the app to plan out which theme parks you’re visiting on which day of your stay.

We’d advise against leaving it until the day before to organize your park pass reservations. They can fill up rapidly, just like dining reservations at Disney.

As of the time of writing this, you’re only allowed to visit one park per day. Pick between Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom and plan your days in advance.

4. Amazing Accommodation

This is true of any time you visit Disney, but maybe even more so now. Perfect accommodation will make your trip even more magical. Nobody enjoys traipsing back and forth miles from the theme park.

But especially when public transport options have been reduced and limited in capacity, this may present more problems than usual. In our humble opinion, the best option is to stay within the resort itself. Disney prides itself on great standards of accommodation, with excellent customer service.

You can save yourself a little cash by booking with someone like Disney Vacation Club. They offer great, affordable accommodation within the Disney resort. You can check out DVC confirmed reservations for rent easily and find the perfect accommodation for your trip.

5. Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Similarly as for the park pass reservations, the dining reservations will fill up quickly. Not least because capacity will have been reduced to ensure good social distancing between all guests.

You can’t just walk into a Disney restaurant and eat now. You must have a dining reservation. You can book up to 60 days in advance, so make sure to plan out where you’ll be eating ahead of time.

Character dining experiences are still happening at some of the Disney restaurants. However, cast members aren’t allowed to stop at tables for photos and autographs due to social distancing.

Have the Most Magical Time!

We hope our tips for planning a Disney trip help you have the best trip you can have. It’s worth keeping an eye on the Disneyworld site for any updates, as we all know things can change quickly in 2020!

Make sure to check out the rest of our blog for more amazing travel guides.

Looking for a way to reduce energy costs, make your home more sustainable, and reap many other planet-loving benefits? Then you need to consider going solar this year!

Solar energy is a clean, renewable energy source that has proven time and time again to save households hundreds of dollars each month on their electric bills and to promote a more sustainable environment.

If you’ve toyed with the idea of installing solar panels in your home or business, then you’re probably aware of some of the advantages that come along with solar energy. Here, we’re going to share with you some of our favorite benefits of solar energy and why you should consider adding solar panels to your lifestyle today. Keep on reading!

1. Solar Energy Is Clean Energy

Solar energy is readily available to us anywhere in the world. It is clean and completely renewable, meaning that its energy can never be depleted.

As long as the sun exists, we will have the ability to harness its energy. This cuts out the need for non-renewable energy sources like fossil fuels that are horrible for the earth.

2. Cuts Energy Costs

Want to reduce the cost of your monthly energy bills? Solar panel installation is the ideal way to save money on heating and electricity.

As electricity costs continue to rise, solar energy can save you from spending unnecessary amounts of money every month. In fact, you can save more than $1000 per year by adding solar panels to your home in some states!

3. Low Maintenance

Solar panels, once installed, are generally low maintenance. They’re pretty much a one-and-done!

Besides keeping them clean and free of light-obscuring debris, you won’t have to fuss with your solar panels once they’re installed and working. And even if they get damaged somehow, maintenance is generally inexpensive.

4. Improve Your Home’s Value

Adding solar panels to your home automatically boosts its resale value. After installing solar panels to your roof, you can expect to see an increase of nearly $6,000 per installed kilowatt.

The modern home buyer is interested in energy-efficient, sustainable homes, so solar panels are a sought-after feature in real estate!

5. It’s Cheaper Than Ever

Many people shy away from the idea of solar panel installation because they believe that it’s too expensive. Luckily, this is no longer the case!

There’s never been a cheaper time to get solar panels than now. As electricity costs continue to rise, the cost of solar panels decreases. In the past decade alone, solar panel prices have fallen more than 70 percent.

Now You Know the Benefits of Going Solar

There’s never been a better time to install solar panels into your home than now. And now that you’re aware of these powerful advantages of going solar, you can make the switch and start to enjoy a greener and more sustainable world.

Did you find the information in this article helpful? If you did, make sure to check out our other posts about all things eco-friendly.

It doesn’t matter if you’re just learning to shoot a gun or have been hunting since you were a kid – traveling to new places to hunt is exciting for everyone. Different landscapes offer different cultures, different weather, and you guessed it – different wildlife. There are places to hunt almost everywhere in the world and if you’re planning a trip it can get a little overwhelming.

Take a look at five of the best places on earth for hunters to travel to.

Idaho, United States

If it’s black bear you’re after, the state of Idaho is the place to go. Idaho has the largest population of black bears in the Rocky Mountains, and in the spring time they are fairly easy to spot on the green hills. Of course, with all of the mountainous and heavily wooded areas, bears won’t be the only thing you’re hunting here.

Wyoming, United States

Wyoming has more antelope than human beings, so your odds of having a successful hunt there are pretty good. There is plenty of public land you can legally hunt on, or you have the option to pay a small fee to hunt on private land. Although guides are definitely available, DIY hunts are popular in Wyoming.

Colorado, United States

Aside from bears and various types of deer, Colorado offers a large mountain lion population for those who like an element of danger in their hunt. They also boast a large number of mountain goats, and long hunting seasons.

Go in the winter for the best experience, but pack appropriately! Colorado gets very cold and you wouldn’t want to find yourself with a lack of layers.

Argentina

Large populations of wild boar, red stag, water buffalo, and puma have made Argentina a very popular hunting destination. They are also world famous for their dove and pigeon hunting. With much lesser known game also available to hunt (such as the largest rodent in the world, the capybara), Argentina really has something interesting for every different type of hunter. Not to mention it’s absolutely beautiful.

Namibia

If you’re interested in hunting exotic game, Namibia, in Africa, is the place for you. Here, you can safely and legally hunt elephants, cheetahs, lions, and hippos – among other things. Before traveling to Namibia, just make sure you get your proper vaccinations and are prepared for the elements, which are likely very different from where you live. I recommend going on a professionally guided safari hunt for the safest and most legal experience.

Hunting is a hobby that can take you to your back yard or all over the world, but no matter where you go – remember to have fun, be safe, and shoot well!

According to a report done by the US Department of Transportation, US domestic airlines made over $5 billion in baggage fees just in 2017 alone. Unfortunately, this number keeps going up as they increase the cost of check baggage.

To avoid these excess costs while traveling, the only thing you can do is know how to travel light. This way, not only will you travel with only a carry on bag, but you will also avoid dealing with waiting in long lineups to check your bag and pick it up at the carousel.

The only problem is, do you know how to travel light enough that you can stuff all of your belongings into a carry on sized bag? This is a skill that not many people can achieve.

Thankfully, we’ve created this article to teach you how to travel light, so you can save your back, and your wallet!

1. Start Small

If you have a large suitcase in front of you, you will pack enough items to fill it up. This also means that if you switch it out for a smaller suitcase, you will only pack the number of clothes you need to sustain you for your trip.

No matter the size of the bag, we naturally aim to fill it up. This trick alone is one of the best ways to ensure you pack light.

If you must have a bigger bag, you can always use a left luggage service if you want to explore while at your travel destination.

2. Pack, Then Re-Pack

One of the best travel tips we can give you is to carefully select all of your items that you want to bring with you, lay it all out in front of you, pack it, then take out half of it. Once you have removed half, repack your bag again, and take out even more!

We naturally feel inclined to pack more than we need, so this trick will help you to pack only what is actually needed for your trip.

3. Use Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are god’s gift to travelers! They are easy to pack and they are perfect for helping you to stay organized. Start by organizing your clothes into categories such as underwear and socks, pants, shirts, shorts, and swimsuits. Then arrange each category into its own packing cube for easier storage.

Some packing cubes even have compression zippers, which will help you to decrease the size of your bag by up to half. Make sure you do your research and find packing cubes that are durable enough to handle multiple trips.

4. Limit Your Shoes

Contrary to typical belief, you do not need to take as many shoes as you believe. No matter where you are going, all you need is one pair of comfortable walking shoes (runners will do fine!) one pair of sandals, and one pair of dressy shoes.

This rule will only change if you are planning on going on a hiking trip. In this case, you will need to pack hiking boots and a comfortable pair of sandals for the end of the hike.

5. Ditch the Unnecessary Toiletries

Toiletries add up quickly, up to two extra liters of weight to your carry-on luggage. Many people feel they need to pack everything under the sun for those “just-in-case” moments. However, what they are not aware of is that all of those items you can purchase when you arrive at your destination.

Every country in the world has shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste, so why waste your precious packing space to pack something that you can easily get upon arrival?

If you really want to use the products you have, look for a good set of travel-sized toiletry bottles and fill those up instead. This will cut your weight down tremendously, plus it will allow you to take a carry-on sized bag and avoid those hefty baggage fees.

6. Ditch the Books

This may sound scary, but hear us out on this first. Reading books is one of the best things you can do while traveling, it is a great way to pass time, and zone out from the stimulation of the world around you. However, books are not light, and they can add a ton of weight to your baggage.

Instead, swap your paperback books out for a Kindle or E-reader. This means you can have more books with a smaller size, so you can switch between books whenever you feel like it. You can even have a guidebook such as the Lonely Planet edition on your E-reader, instead of lugging around the giant physical edition.

7. Pack Lightweight Clothing

The travel industry has become so advanced that there are even special lighter clothing options for your packing pleasure. Switch out your heavy, bulky clothing for lighter fabrics such as merino wool, cotton, and linen.

Brands such as Northface may seem expensive, however, they last for a long time and they are extremely packable. If you are traveling to a colder climate, pack some leggings or long-underwear to wear underneath your jeans.

8. Wear Your Bulky Items

If you cannot seem to pack a few of your favorite, heavier items, wear them on the plane instead! If you feel that you cannot go without them, plan your outfits so that you can have more room in your bag. The temperature at the airport is cooler, so you will not feel super uncomfortable wearing boots and jeans, but you may sweat a bit if you have to run to the gate!

9. Remove the Towel

Towels are the bulkiest item you can pack in your suitcase, however, what do you do if you need to have one on your trip? Thankfully, there are incredible inventions called travel towels! Travel towels are lightweight, fold up easily, and dry very fast.

You can also travel with no towel at all because there are will be many places for you to purchase one on your arrival.

Learn More About How to Travel Light

There you have it! By following this guide on how to travel light, you can avoid those pesky baggage fees and feel the freedom of using only a carry-on bag.

To learn more travel tips like these, check out the travel section of our blog!