Show/hide menu

The Smarter Way to Travel™

Category Archive: Elite Membership

  1. The Spookiest Places to Be this Halloween

    Leave a Comment

    Autumn is almost here and you know what that means. The winter chill settles in, the days get shorter and our lattes (and everything else it seems) are filled with pumpkin spice. But, one redeeming feature of this chilly time of the year is the spooks that come with it. While Halloween isn’t as popular in the UK as it is in US, it is still something worth getting excited about.

    Unfortunately, when you are too old for trick or treating, Halloween becomes a time for dressing up and getting drunk. It’s fun, but it’s nothing too special. However, in some parts of the world, Halloween has a lot more to it than just costumes and alcohol. Some countries take this time of the year to the next level and if you’re a Halloween fan you would be crazy to miss those celebrations. Without further ado, here are some of the best places in the world to celebrate Halloween.

    Transylvania, Romania

    Honestly, where could be spookier on Halloween than Dracula’s Castle? Transylvania is a beautiful part of the world – especially during autumn when the forests are painted with dramatic hues of red and orange. Soak up the natural splendour during the day and face your fears in the castle at night. You are guaranteed to have a thrilling time – just try not to scream!

    Mexico City

    Technically, they don’t celebrate Halloween in Mexico City. What they do celebrate, however, is El Dia de los Muertos, which translates as the Day of the Dead in English. This festival is all about paying respects to the dead and is a surprisingly colourful and energetic festival. The streets will be filled with parades and dancers, while street food vendors disperse heavenly scents into the air. It is one of the world’s most exciting spectacles so don’t miss out!

    Salem, USA

    You have probably heard of the Salem witch trials. This was when a group of women were tried and hanged for being witches. When Halloween comes around the town takes on an eerie vibe and the people of Salem pay tribute to the witches that were put to death here all those years ago. On the big day you can expect to see guided tours of infamous spots, fireworks, re-enactments and all kinds of spooky activities.

    Santiago, Chile

    Halloween in Chile is known as la Noche de Brujas (the Night of the Witches). Throughout the capital of Santiago, you will find parties catering to both locals and expats. You’ll even see hordes of zombies trailing through the streets thanks to the zombie walk that takes place every year. While not the spookiest of venues, Santiago is definitely one of the liveliest places to be for Halloween.

    Scotland

    With plenty of creepy old castles and misty fields, Scotland is the perfect destination for someone looking for quality Halloween thrills. A horror film screening in Crathe Castle is the perfect way to start the evening. After that, head out for a ghost tour or to enjoy the costumes and bonfires of the Samhuinn Fire Festival. And, because you’re in Scotland, treat yourself to a big glass of warming whisky while you’re at it.

  2. The 5 Best Winter Sun Destinations

    Leave a Comment

    For many of us, summer is well and truly over – and what a summer it was. Blazing sunshine beat down across the country and record temperatures were hit in some parts of the world. Now, the days are getting longer and there is a definite chill in the air outside. The cold is coming and it is time we start planning our winter getaways. Finding winter sun is a challenge. Europe is out of the question so we need to search further afield to get our much-needed dose of vitamin D. The important thing to remember is that the sun has not forsaken us. It is still out there, we just need to go and find it.

    If you are ready to spend your winter topping up your tan, here are five amazing winter sun destinations to inspire you.

    Morocco

    If you don’t have a lot of time to travel over winter, you don’t want to waste an entire day on a plane. Morocco is just a short flight away and is filled with adventure and excitement – from the vivid blue walls of Chefchaouen to the toppling sand dunes that undulate through the dessert. Spend your days picking out trinkets in the souks of Fes and Marrakech, hiking through the spectacular Atlas mountains, and surfing at Taghazout. When you’re done for the day, feast on a delicious Moroccan tagine.

    Cuba

    Visiting Cuba is like travelling back through time. The vintage cars that you’ve seen in postcards cruise through the streets and the colonial architecture is suitably picturesque. While Cuba is slowly moving forward, it is still a fascinating place to visit. You won’t find much coca cola or WiFi here, but what you will find is a distinct culture unlike anything you’ve ever experienced – oh and lots and lots of sunshine. For beaches and relaxation, beeline straight to the pearly white sands of Varadero.

    Israel

    People are often deterred from visiting Israel based on what they read about in the news and that’s a real shame. This culturally rich gem in the Middle East is filled with energy and beauty. For a varied itinerary, start at the mountains in the North and make your way all the way down to the beaches in the South. Be sure to stop off at the major cities of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv on your way and don’t forget to go for a float in the Dead Sea.

    The Seychelles

    If you’ve got some cash to burn this winter then you could do a lot worse than a trip to the Seychelles. This collection of islands is about as close to paradise as you’re going to find here on earth. With powder soft sand and sparkling turquoise water, you would be forgiven for thinking you’d died and gone to heaven. Throw in some palm trees and a luxury resort or two and you’ve got a winning destination.

    Sri Lanka

    There are few places more beautiful than the tear drop island known as Sri Lanka and winter is the perfect time to visit. From December to February, the monsoons have died down and the sun reliably drenches the land every day. In addition to kicking back at the beach and enjoying the sun’s warm glow, you can search the jungles for elephants, visit Buddhist caves, and hike through the country’s impossibly green tea plantations.

  3. Visiting Capurganá, Colombia’s Most Remote Beach Town

    Leave a Comment

    It was my second trip to Colombia that made me fall in love with it. Of course, you never forget your first time. My first time was filled with salsa in Cali, museums in Medellin, and colonial architecture in Cartagena. I ticked all the tourist boxes and loved every second of it.

    But, my second time was different.

    I had heard people talk about Capurganá. It was completely isolated from the rest of the country, really hard to get to, and more beautiful than you could ever imagine. Naturally, I knew I had to go.

    Ten hours later I was safely in Turbo, my jumping off point.

    To say that Turbo is unattractive is an understatement. It is run-down and uninspiring and I couldn’t wait to leave. Luckily, I didn’t have to wait long. I left the bus terminal at 5:30am and headed straight for the pier. By 8am I was in a boat heading for Capurganá, a small town on Colombia’s border with Panama.

    Three hours and a heavy bout of sea sickness later, I stepped off the boat and set foot in Colombia’s most remote beach town. As I took in my surroundings, the memories of my night bus and morning boat dissolved.

    To the same extent that Turbo was one of the least attractive places I have ever been, Capurganá was among the most attractive. Golden sand, flanked by the lush, virgin canopy of the Darien Jungle, gleamed under the endless sunshine. The sound of engines was replaced by the clip-clopping of horses pulling carts. There was nothing here but a small town surrounded by the most dazzling nature I’d seen in a while.

    I beelined down the road, lined with multi-colored, ramshackle houses, straight to a woman selling empanadas. They were filled with fish and the one I bought was demolished in about 15 seconds. I’ve seen sharks eat more gracefully that I had just done. But, I was super hungry and they were unbelievably good.

    Bright and early the next morning I set off for a two hour hike through the emerald jungle to a tiny village called Sapzurro. Along the way I got some sensational vistas from the top of a hill of the turquoise bay and never-ending jungle that spread out below me in all directions.

    Sapzurro was startlingly beautiful. It had the best beaches I had ever seen, with pearly sand and not a single other person in sight. I kicked back here and drank it all in before carrying over another hill to La Miel, which sits on the other side of the border, in Panama.

    La Miel was yet another breathtakingly beautiful beach town. The sea here was glimmering turquoise and there was a beach bar serving up devilishly strong Coco Loco cocktails. A couple of these certainly made the hike back interesting.

    The next day was dedicated to the water. I strapped on an oxygen tank and was whisked away to Cabo Tiburon (Shark Cape). The coral reef here was untouched and glowing with pink, orange and green plant life. That alone would have made the dive worthwhile. But, it was the nurse sharks that stole the show for me. Toothless, and therefore harmless, several of these majestic creatures swam leisurely past me.

    I take partial responsibility for this. Travel bloggers are constantly exposing hidden gems. The more publicity they get from people like me, the sooner they become un-hidden. But, Capurganá has the blessing of its remote location to protect it from mass-tourism.

    Capurganá is hard to get to.

    No matter how eagerly I urge you to visit, you will still have to spend a significant chunk of your time getting to and from the town. And, it’s not like it is on the way to somewhere else. Only the most dedicated of travelers make it to Capurganá and that is part of what makes it so magical.

    Are you up for the challenge?

  4. Everything You Need to Know Before You Visit Cuba

    Leave a Comment

    To most of the world, Cuba is a mystery. It is one of the last remaining communist states in the world and this alone ignites the curiosity of foreigners. Getting to Cuba is easy. You book a flight, sort out your visa and head off. But, once you are there, things aren’t quite so simple. Cuba has come a long way over the past decade or so, but there are still lots of elements to the country that remain in the past.

    If you are planning a vacation Cuba then make sure you know what to expect when you get there. Here is everything you need to know before you travel to Cuba.

    There are Two Currencies

    There are two different currencies in Cuba: the local peso and the convertible peso. Generally, the local peso is used by Cubans and the convertible peso is used by foreigners. However, using the local peso makes everything a lot cheaper. Food and drinks can usually be paid for with local pesos, and this will make them cheaper than if you paid with convertible pesos. You will still need to use convertible pesos to pay for bigger expenses, such as accommodation and transport. You can exchange your convertible pesos for local pesos in a cadeca, which are found in most towns and cities.

    Most Places Do Not Have WiFi

    If you are expecting to Google things to do in Cuba while you’re there or catch up with friends on Skype, think again. WiFi is hard to find and very few accommodations and restaurants have it. Where you can find WiFi, however, is in the park. This might seem odd, but it’s the truth. You can purchase WiFi cards for around 2-3 convertible pesos. This gives you one hour of WiFi time. You will then need to go to a park with WiFi to log on. It is easy to spot a park with WiFi as it will be full of people staring at their phones.

    There Are No Hostels

    The accommodation situation in Cuba is a little different to what you might be used to in other parts of the world. Backpacker hostels are virtually non-existent. What you have instead are homestays – where you will stay in the spare room of someone’s house. It’s not particularly glamorous, but it is more comfortable than you might imagine. You will be able to tell which houses are homestays by the little symbol of an anchor on the front door.

    There Are Special Tourists Buses

    There are buses that operate specifically for tourists. The company is called Viazul and it services all of the main tourist destinations in the country. Tickets are not expensive, but they are also not as cheap as you might expect, especially if you have ever taken a bus in nearby Mexico. But, they are comfortable and air conditioned, so you get your money’s worth.

    Don’t Have High Hopes for the Food

    Even the least picky of eaters will find Cuban food challenging. Fresh vegetables are hard to come by and your diet will likely consist of oven pizzas, ham and cheese sandwiches and chunks of pork with rice and beans. That’s about it. The food is far from inspiring but the $1 mojitos and piña coladas made with Cuban rum make up for it.

  5. Explore Toronto, off the beaten path

    Leave a Comment

    Toronto is Canada’s largest and one of the most well-known cities. Many tourists flock to the city year-round to explore the urban jungle, or as a starting block for adventures further afield. There’s a little something for everyone in the city and some well known, and well-visited attractions that feature on most tourist’s lists.

    This article takes a look at some of the lesser-known attractions of the city and shows places that will give you the full 416 experience without the crowds.

    Gerrard India Bazaar

    Toronto’s rich and diverse culture is truly on display in the over 125 South-Asian shops and restaurants found in this area of the city, open year-round. Festivals also take place at various times of the year highlighting and showcasing South-Asian culture and traditions.

    Casa Loma

    Located just outside of the downtown core, Casa Loma is Toronto’s very own castle. Popular with locals and tourists alike, this attraction perhaps isn’t so much off the beaten path, but it’s a fun outing for all. Will you find the secret staircases?

    Riverdale Park

    For one of the best views of the city’s skyline, don’t spend your time waiting in line to board the ferry to Centre Island, Take the TTC subway to Broadview Station and head south to Riverdale Park. Located just east of the city’s downtown core, the park offers a prime viewing location as well as great public amenities and recreation areas. Bonus: when you’re done enjoying the outdoors, Greek Town is just a few blocks away!

    Graffiti alley

    If there’s one thing you won’t see much of in Toronto, it’s Graffiti. The city spends a lot of money each year combating the art, much to the delight of some but the dismay of others. One place where you will be able to find graffiti, however, is Toronto’s Graffiti Alley. Nestled between Queen and Richmond Streets just off Spadina Ave. Graffiti Alley is the place to go for some Instagram-worthy street-art.

  6. How to Travel Responsibly

    Leave a Comment

    With more and more people jetting off to foreign lands every day, there is an urgent need for people to be mindful when they travel. This means doing your bit to minimise the impact you have on the environment and the countries to which you travel. Of course, you do not need to stop travelling altogether, but there are ways to make sure that you travel responsibly. If you are ready to step up your travel game and be the ultimate responsible traveller, here is a list of ways you help the cause.

    Stop Using Plastic

    The hot topic in the environmental world is single use plastic. I’m talking plastic straws, cutlery, bags, even tampon applicators. Anything that is made of plastic and gets thrown away straight after being used. If you can find alternatives, such as paper straws and reusable bags you will make a huge difference. So much of the plastic we use ends up in the sea and is swallowed by our precious marine life. Let’s keep our sea creatures alive by scrapping single use plastic altogether.

    Choose an Eco-Friendly Hotel

    It is becoming increasingly common to find eco-friendly hotels and lodges scattered throughout the world. These accommodations make sure that the way they operate leaves their carbon footprint as small as possible. There are some that even manage to be carbon neutral. Collecting rainwater, using locally sourced produce, and generating power with solar panels are all things you should look for to see whether the hotel is eco-friendly or not.

    Limit Your Flying

    Flying is often unavoidable when it comes to travelling to your vacation destination. However, there are still ways you can fly responsibly. If possible, fly direct as this means you only take one flight as opposed to two or even three. If there is no possibility of a direct flight, you could donate money to a carbon mitigation program afterward to offset your carbon footprint.

    Avoid Animal Cruelty Activities

    You know all those photos of people riding elephants and playing with tigers? Often these projects are scams and rather than the sanctuaries they make out to be, they are little more than torturous prisons. Animals are maltreated to the point of exhaustion or even death just so you can have nice Instagram snaps. Say no to riding elephants or anything that involves direct contact with animals in captivity.

    Buy Local

    There are always opportunities when you travel to buy locally. Not only does this give you fantastic local products, be it food, clothes or souvenirs, but you will be putting money straight into the hands of local people. It is tempting to hand over money to corporations you already know and feel comfortable with, but ask yourself: who needs it more?

    Do Not Give Money to Street Children

    I really cannot stress this enough. Children are hard to say no to and trafficking gangs know this. Too many children have been bought by gangs and forced to work in the streets begging for money. If you give them money, you perpetuate this cycle. If no-one gave money to child beggars, the traffickers would have to change tactics. If you have snacks or juice on you then this is a much better thing to hand over.

  7. How to do Long-Term Travel Like a Pro

    Leave a Comment

    Long-term travel is one of the greatest things you will ever choose to do with your life. Taking six months or even a year to go and explore some of the world’s most beautiful and exciting places is never a bad decision. The trick is knowing how to do it well.

    There’s no two ways about it, being on the road for a long time can take its toll both mentally and physically. Constantly changing locations and meeting new people can be exhausting – as can living out of a backpack or suitcase. So, here are some tricks to make sure your long-term travel is nothing but happiness and adventure.

    Don’t Be Afraid to Chill Out

    If you are travelling for a long time then you are going to need entire days where you do nothing but watch Netflix in bed. You need to take that time to recharge your batteries and rest. If you don’t do this, you’re going to burn out fast and end up losing your love for travel. It doesn’t matter if it’s a nice day or if everyone else is going to the beach. If you need to take that time, take it. You’ll thank yourself for it.

    Spend a Long Time in Places You Enjoy

    If you get somewhere and think wow, I could live here – do it. Find an apartment or an AirBnB and set up camp in that place for as long as you want. There’s no rule that says you constantly have to be on the go. In fact, spending a few months in one spot gives you a whole different experience. You become a local rather than a tourist and you learn about all of that town’s hidden gems. You also get the chance to unpack your belongings for a bit, which is a nice bonus.

    Don’t Worry About Being Forgotten

    Your friends back home are not going to forget about you so you don’t need to spend your entire vacation texting them. Sometimes it is refreshing to put down your phone and forget about your life back home. Everything is going to be exactly the same when you get back so you don’t need to worry. In fact, the more you text and call your friends back home, the greater your FOMO is going to be. Be in the present and focus on you and your travel.

    Make Lots of Friends

    Quite often, the experiences you have while you travel are made by the people you meet along the way. Most people choose to long-term travel solo but ask any pro and they will tell you that you cannot do it all alone. Make friends whenever you can and share your experiences with them. Not only will you then have people you can hang out with and talk to, but you’ve got people who will look out for you and have your back if need be.

    Document it All

    This is a tip every pro will give you when it comes to long-term travel. Document your travels as much as you can. Take photos, write in a diary, start a blog – anything. This might just be the best time of your life and you are going to want to remember it. Even if you’re having a bad day, write it down and talk about how you feel. Be descriptive so that future you can really relive the experience when they read back through it in the future.

  8. Where to Eat Street Food in London

    Leave a Comment

    There used to be a time when a greasy hotdog in a stale bun was about as gourmet as you could get when it came to street food in the UK. Nowadays, unless that hot dog is gourmet and topped with caramelised onion or home-made green chilli, they will be sitting there until closing time. Tastes have matured exponentially over the past decade and sophisticated millennials have no time for mediocre street food. The London food scene has recognised this change and stalls have been popping up over the capital to cater to this new demand. You’ll find street food from all over the world for every kind of eater. Along with the usual suspects, you’ll find vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and everything else you could want.

    Box Park

    Situated in the heart of Shoreditch, Box Park is one of the coolest spots in the city. Not only does it have an impressive offering of street food, but it also hosts all kinds of arty events. While you chow down on freshly deep-fried halloumi fries you can check out a spoken word event, watch the football, or just catch up with pals. There are drinks available and when the weather is nice, the roof comes off – perfection.

    KERB Camden

    When it comes to selection, there is nowhere in London that can beat KERB in Camden. This place has everything you could possibly want and more. Think Indian naan wraps, Venezuelan arepas, Korean noodles, and Ethiopian stews. The hard bit is choosing what to spend your money on. Once you’ve got your food, sit by the river and enjoy it. Just make sure you have enough room afterwards for Dutch pancakes for dessert.

    Whitecross Market

    Right at the mid-point between the city and Shoreditch, Whitecross Market has a great selection of international food offerings, all situated on one convenient street. This isn’t the biggest market in London but there is still plenty of choice. Mexican burritos, Turkish wraps, Thai curries, and Korean beef bulgogi are just some of the dishes on the menu. If the sun is nice out there is a park just round the corner where you can sit and eat. If you’d rather sit inside, the Two Brewers pub lets diners take their food in there if they buy a drink.

    Spitalfields

    This iconic Shoreditch location is filled with people, all day, every day. The market is covered, meaning it is perfect for every kind of weather, and it consists of a mixture of stalls and established eateries. You’ll find Bleecker Street Burger, Ahi Poke and Poppie’s fish and chips among the permanent restaurant and all kinds of different world cuisines nestled in the myriad of stalls. The range of choices is fantastic and whatever you pick, you can guarantee it’ll be sublime.

    Borough Market

    Borough Market is a slightly more up-market venue, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty here for everyone. In the main market hall you can purchase home-made and artisanal produce – cheese, oysters, cured meats etc. Out the back are the traditional food stands, along with some fantastic fresh juice and dessert places. With a bit of cash to burn, you can make a day out of your trip to Borough Market.

  9. How to Stay Healthy on Vacation

    Leave a Comment

    It is all too easy to give up your fitness goals the moment you are on vacation and justify it with the old “but I’m on holiday excuse”. You should never stop looking after your body and while you can relax a bit on vacation, you should resist the urge to drop your goals completely. Staying healthy on vacation might seem like an unnecessary burden (you can just burn it all off when you’re home right?) but it is actually a lot easier than you might think.

    We have compiled a list of easy ways you can make sure you don’t let yourself go on vacation. You’ll feel great coming home in even better shape than when you set off.

    Drink Lots of Water

    This one is so simple but also easily overlooked. Most of us spend our vacations in hot countries. We want to get a tan while we sit on the beach and enjoy the sun. The only problem is we often forget to ramp up our water intake to offset this additional heat. If you are going somewhere then you need to make sure you are drinking lots of water all the time. Not only will this keep your skin hydrated and help you tan better, but it will also keep all of your internal systems functioning properly.

    Don’t Go Crazy in Restaurants

    When we are on vacation we eat out a lot more than we usually would at home. Eating in a restaurant is a bit of a treat but when we do it every day we have to be careful not to think of it that way and all ourselves to splurge. Instead, it is a good idea to opt for healthier options on the menu or sharing a meal with someone you’re dining with. If you go for a three course meal every time you eat out on vacation your body will not thank you.

    Walk as Much as You Can

    While keeping an eye on what you eat on vacation is a good idea, you shouldn’t feel like you are depriving yourself. This will detract from the fun of your holiday. If you want to eat all of the local delicacies and still stay healthy then you’re going to need to offset the calories with some extra exercise. When on vacation there is usually ample opportunity for sight seeing and exploring. Walk around the town or find a national park and do some hiking. Staying active will keep you healthy on your vacation and keep your fitness level up.

    Don’t Eat If You’re Not Hungry

    The “but I’m on vacation” mindset is a dangerous one and can lead us to gross overeating. Just because you are at an all-inclusive resort doesn’t mean you have to stuff yourself with twice the amount of food you would usually eat. When you are hungry then eat something and as soon as you are no longer hungry, stop. This goes for snacking too. If you see a stand selling nutella crepes in Paris and you’re hungry then stop and eat one. If you aren’t hungry then walk on by and save yourself for something later. Try not to let the fact that you are on holiday make you forget your fitness and health targets.

  10. How to Be the Best Kind of Tourist

    Leave a Comment

    There is nothing worse than a large group of loud, annoying tourists. You might have seen some in your hometown if you live somewhere noteworthy, or you might have encountered them on the road. Either way, you probably know who I am talking about. They are the kind of people you want to avoid at all costs and the kind of people you definitely don’t want to be mistaken for.

    We all know how to be good tourists, but in case you know someone who needs a reminder, here are some helpful tips. Take careful note and you will navigate your way through foreign lands without a single tut or dirty look and, most importantly, without offending anyone.

    Don’t Photograph Everything

    Honestly, you do not need 50 photos of everything you see. It can be infuriating when you spend hours getting to a famous site only to find you can’t actually see anything because there are so many phones, cameras and iPads in the way. If something is spectacular then by all means take a photo of it. But, once you’re done, put your device away and appreciate it with your own two eyes.

    Try and Learn a Few Local Phrases

    It is so embarrassing watching some red-faced westerner shout English phrases slowly at a confused local. If they don’t speak English then slowing down your sentence and raising your voice is not going to help. No-one expects you to be able to speak fluent Vietnamese before you go on vacation there, but learning a few phrases before you set off will stand you in good stead. Not only will you get your point across better, but you will put a smile on some people’s faces.

    Be Sensitive to Other People’s Cultures

    If you are going to a country in which people dress conservatively then don’t walk down the street wearing hotpants and a crop top. You might not care about dressing modestly but it might be offensive to the local people. If you are in their country you should respect their rules. The same goes for entering religious sites, always cover your shoulders and legs, and even your hair if necessary.

    Try to Blend In

    If you are going to a country that has widespread poverty then don’t wear flashy clothes and jewellery. Not only will it make you stand out and a target for robbery, but it is also just a bit gross. No-one wants to see you flaunt your wealth when people right next to you have so little. You should also try eating where the locals eat and doing what the locals do. This will give you a much more authentic taste of your vacation destination.

    Don’t Turn Your Nose Up at Anything

    People around the world do things differently. In some cultures spitting or farting in public are perfectly acceptable behaviours. Just because some people do things differently to you doesn’t mean that that is wrong. Embrace the little differences you discover between yourself and the people who live in your vacation destination. The more you know about different cultures the more interesting and tolerant you become.