Archive for the ‘Resources’ Category

April30

9 Things to Pack for a Hostel Stay

By: JoAnna

9 Things to Pack for a Hostel StayA disclaimer: I make no claims to be an expert in the hostel life. Hostels aren’t my preferred kind of accommodations, though I have stayed in a fair share in my days — in Peru, in Vietnam and even stateside when I was a poor college student.

But a few weeks ago a friend of mine, who was heading to Spain for a solo trip for the very first time, asked my advice about what to pack to stay in a hostel. My initial response was that I certainly wasn’t qualified to answer that question, but then I realized I actually had a bunch of advice on what to pack to stay in a hostel. If you, too, will be staying in a hostel for the very first time, here are a few things you should pack before you check in:

Sleep sack – Some hostels supply sheets, and some do not. In any case, it’s hard to say how clean the sheets might be, so I always pack a compact silk sleep sack, which I sleep in, and then I drape any available sheet over top. You can make your own sleep sack by sewing two twin size sheets together, but these are a bit bulky, so I suggest you invest in one of the compact ones. They’re light and warm, and they don’t take up much space.

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Posted in: Resources, Stay4 comments

March19

What Makes a Hotel Eco-Friendly?

By: JoAnna

What Makes a Hotel Eco Friendly? Being eco-friendly is all the rage these days, but what, exactly, does that mean if you travel? Certainly there are many ways to minimize your eco-footprint in all stages of the travel process, but choosing earth-friendly accommodations is one of the biggest choices you’ll need to make if you want to enjoy an environmentally conscious holiday.

Keep in mind that hotels that are eco-friendly aren’t always easy to spot from the outside. This is because many environmental concerns are managed behind-the-scenes so that guests can have care-free stays, regardless of the carbon footprint. Nonetheless, there are a few telltale signs for how green your hotel is simply by a few design features and service policies that have been put into place.

Many hotels claim to be eco-friendly to get your business because they know that environmental consciousness is an increasing concern with today’s consumers, but this façade (known as greenwashing) often only confuses people. As an eco-conscious consumer, the most important thing you can do is choosing a property that has made a commitment to go green, supporting that property by paying the (possibly) higher price that may be affiliated with it and sharing your findings with others. Only then will all hotels feel the need to take steps to help preserve the environment.

So what should you be looking for in a true eco-friendly hotel? Here are a few signs that your accommodations really are going green:

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Posted in: Contemplation, Resources, Stay4 comments

February27

Tips for Traveling to the Riviera Maya, Mexico

By: JoAnna

Tips for Traveling to the Riviera Maya, MexicoThe Riviera Maya in Mexico is known for its awesome archeological ruins and ecological preservation. Though only just a short drive from Cancun, the vast majority of the Riviera Maya is far less developed. In general, protecting the land takes priority over providing huge oceanfront beaches for tourists. Natural species are allowed to flourish and are replenished when destroyed by Mother Nature. Wildlife (including creepy crawly critters) are allowed to live … and visitors just have to deal with them.

Just like other areas of Mexico, it is unique in its geographic location and local history, and the efforts in retaining its natural beauty make it a worthwhile stop on a trip to Mexico. However, this uniqueness also means that traveling to the Riviera Maya requires some special consideration and planning. If you are planning a trip to the Riviera Maya, here are a few tips to make your travels easier and more enjoyable:

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Posted in: Featured, Go, Resources2 comments

January16

How to Take Travel Home

By: JoAnna

How to Take Travel HomeInstead of planning a new trip, my husband and I are eagerly awaiting a new cultural experience: Our first foreign exchange student. For five months, our exchange student (a 16-year-old girl from Slovakia) will live with us, go to the local high school and immerse herself in American culture. But something tells me she won’t be the only person who will be rewarded with the benefits that come with an exchange like this one. By the end of the year, I’m sure I’ll be much more versed in Slovakian culture than I ever anticipated … and I’m sure I’ll learn a fair amount about the United States as well.

A lot of people lament the fact that they can’t travel as much as they’d like to, but the fact of the matter is that there are lots of ways to enjoy foreign experiences at home. Hosting a foreign exchange student is one way to immerse yourself in a foreign cultural experience at home. Here are a few others:

> Eat at ethnic restaurants, or hold dinner parties featuring foreign food. Whether you’re craving Indian fare or want to try Ethiopian cuisine, involve other people in your flavorful discovery of foreign food. If you choose to prepare it, you also get to embark on the culturally significant act of cooking the food as well. Drinking your way through beers and wines from abroad is also a fun way to experience a new culture.

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Posted in: Inspiration, Resources2 comments

December12

Destination: Wellness Travel

By: JoAnna

Destination: Wellness TravelTraveling doesn’t have to equate to ticking off items on a must-do list. It’s not necessary to hit all the sights, taste all the food and say you’ve “done” a country. It’s not about the passport stamps (though those are pretty cool, I admit).

Sometimes travel should simply be about you. About making you feel good. About making your body feel better. About clearing your mind and refocusing on your priorities.

Though we can do a lot of these things at home, sometimes it takes a trip — a change of scenery — to reground yourself in healthy habits and routines that emphasize wellness.

It hasn’t been until recently that I’ve given thought to what it means to take a trip focused on health and wellness, and the main thing I’ve realized is this: Everyone’s definition of wellness is different. Being “well” generally means a lack of sickness and positive reflections of health and well being, but how this is achieved is subjective. Vacation packages labeled as “wellness trips” are only as authentic and helpful as the people who decide to take them decide they are.

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Posted in: Do, Resources2 comments

November28

How to Stay Healthy When You Travel

By: JoAnna

How to Stay Healthy When You TravelTraveling is the opposite of maintaining a normal routine. We sleep in strange places, eat new foods (possibly at bizarre times of the day) and immerse ourselves in new places surrounded by new experiences. Our senses are heightened and we’re aware of what’s going on around us more so than if we’d stayed home.

Let’s face it: Travel can be exhausting and because it can take a lot of effort, it puts stress on the body. Increased levels of stress can be good in small doses, but constant, high-stress situations leave the immune system weak, and the chances for getting sick increase.

The last thing you want to do on your well-deserved vacation is suffer through a sore throat or deal with a runny nose. You don’t have to … if you proactively do things to stay healthy when you travel:

Eat well. By all means, you should indulge in a flaky pastry for breakfast in Paris, enjoy the street food in Morocco and melt into the rich cheeses of Switzerland, but try to keep at least a small amount of nutritional balance in your diet. Seek out fruits and vegetables that provide the nutrients and vitamins your body needs to ward of germs and stay healthy, and don’t eat a lot of food just because it’s placed in front of you. If you have a long day of travel or are away from a city center, carry a healthy snack with you so you don’t overindulge once dinnertime rolls around.

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