Home Articles Posted by Izy Berry (Page 50)
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4 Places to Add to Your California Bucket List
California is one of the most popular travel destinations, with more people visiting each year and tourism seeing growth for seven consecutive years. It’s a state with plenty to see and destinations to suit sunseekers who love the beach and adventure junkies who love the mountains. If you’re looking for some inspiration for your Californian trip, Abercrombie & Kent put together the ultimate guide which should help to inspire you!
San Francisco
San Francisco is a hilly city located in northern California, and definitely worth a visit. The city is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the well-known Bay. Best known for the infamous Golden Gate Bridge, Victorian houses and cable cars – all things to add to your itinerary whilst you’re visiting. Be prepared to do a lot of walking in this city, there’s a lot to see by foot and this is one of the best ways to explore the local cafes, shops and attractions. If you want to make the most of being in the city, you can grab an attraction pass which allows you to experience a lot of what the city has to offer. From unlimited cable car rides (hello!) to museums, bay cruise adventures and more.
Napa Valley
Napa county is north of San Francisco and is home to the infamous wine region. If you’re a fan of fantastic views, great wine and delicious food then this is the destination for you. If you are interested in visiting, then booking onto a winery tour is a great way to explore the area and enjoy some of the local offerings; you can even do it in a hot air balloon! There are plenty of luxury California holidays available for you to explore, including trips to the beautiful vineyards, and beyond.
Yosemite National Park
This famous national park is in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains and is known for its breath-taking landscape and views. One of the most popular view points within the park is the tunnel view, located on state route 41. This is a great location to tick off your bucket list and it’s one iconic view you won’t forget any time soon. If you want to spend some time doing other activities in Yosemite park, there’s plenty on offer to explore. From hiking, tours, wellness, golfing, horse riding and even gold panning if you fancy your hand at finding some treasure. You’ll find plenty to do to keep you occupied throughout your trip!
Santa Monica
Located on the coast, this destination is home to the extremely popular Santa Monica pier which houses the Pacific Park amusement park, aquarium and Looff hippodrome carousel. This is a great destination if you’re a sun seeker and fan of being near the ocean. Why not enjoy a day at the beach and take in some of the local attractions? There are also some great neighbourhoods in the area to visit whilst you’re here, with delicious food spots and quirky shops galore.
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Here’s why lifelong learning is so important
Learning shouldn’t end when you’re done with high school or college. In fact, studies have shown that learning is crucial for our brains at all ages.
There are a few main types of learning to consider over your lifetime. The first is maintenance learning. This is the type of learning that keeps you current in your chosen field. For me, this means reading books about freelancing, honing my writing craft, and taking courses to stay relevant.
This is the type of learning that’s essential for anyone in any field. If you want to score that promotion, show your boss they can’t live without you, or better serve your clients, you’ll need to do plenty of maintenance learning. You can find these types of courses and learning opportunities on websites like Udemy and https://kaplan.co.uk/.
Another type of learning is growth learning. This involves adding skills and knowledge that you haven’t had before. This could be learning a new language, embracing a totally new skill set, picking up a hobby like knitting, or teaching yourself to code. There are many different apps, books, and online resources that can help you with all of the above.
If you haven’t yet heard of shock learning, you’re not alone. I came across this term in a recent book about innovation. The idea is that the biggest sources of innovation in any type of business are the unexpected failures or unexpected successes. This makes sense right? How often has something happened that was completely inconsistent with your ideas and expectations? And how often have these insights led to interesting ideas or a new breakthrough?
Unfortunately, most of us tend to be creatures of habit. This means that we tend to ignore the unexpected and instead rely on the information we’re more comfortable with. Sometimes, learning is about being open to new ideas and information- so you can constantly adapt and change.
We all know how tempting it can be to watch Netflix after a long day. But making the effort to learn is much more rewarding in the long run. That’s because humans need a path and a purpose to feel satisfied with life. It’s when we don’t have either of these things that we feel like we’re stuck in a rut. And it’s why so many companies are now making an effort to provide employees with the ability to make their own decisions and see how their efforts are impacting the company.
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How to increase the chance of meeting your perfect match
Still looking for that special someone? You’re not alone. We’re busier than ever, and it can be extremely difficult to find the time to meet your future spouse. If you’re ready to settle down, here are some ways you can increase the chance of meeting your perfect match:
Know thyself
Before you begin looking for someone to spend the rest of your life with, it’s important that you’re actually ready to find that person. That’s why it’s so important to get to know yourself. Spend time alone. Consider what it is you’re looking for in a relationship. Make a list of the traits your perfect match would have, and highlight the top two or three that are completely non-negotiable. Be willing to compromise. Think about what you bring to the table and your own strengths and weaknesses.
Maximise your chances
You’re unlikely to meet the love of your life while you’re sitting on the couch watching Rachel Ray in your pajamas. That’s why it’s important that you’re making an effort to “get out there” and meet people from all walks of life. Go on a singles cruise holiday. Ask your friends if they know anyone they could set you up on a blind date with. Try a new sport or hobby and make an effort to get to know everyone you can.
Stay positive
How often have you heard someone say something like “all the good men are married or gay?” When you think these thoughts, you create a self-fulfilling prophecy, and make it even less likely that you’ll be open to meeting ‘the one.’ If you believe that meeting people is easy and fun, you’ll find that you begin to naturally attract these types of people as well. If you’re not meeting them, it may be because you’ve created self-limiting beliefs around what is available.
Be open to everything
Still in the mindset that online dating is for losers? Consider where this belief is coming from when there are millions of examples of happy couples who met online and on dating apps. There are now dating websites and apps for everyone- whether you’re hoping for a long-term relationship or a short-term fling. That means that using them will increase your chances of meeting someone who is also looking for their perfect match.
What are your top tips for meeting that special someone? Leave a comment below.
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5 Adventurous Holidays You Wont Want to End
Planning a holiday is one of my favourite things to do – you can even say it’s an addiction! Each year I look forward to all the holidays I have lined up and start counting them down way too far in advance. Sometimes you’re just craving a different type of holiday, something a little more adventurous and that will put you a little outside your comfort zone. I personally love going on adventurous holidays because it brings out other people’s personalities more, you can bond over the challenging thing you did and you often learn or improve new skills. If you’re considering an adventure based holiday, here are my top 5 suggestions that I’m sure you will love!
1. Go on a Sailing Holiday in Greece
There’s something very special about being out on the water. The peaceful sound of the waves crashing around you and the freedom of knowing you can go in any direction you please. Yacht charter holidays in Greece are a wonderful way to explore all the smaller islands, seeing the Greek way of living up close. If you’re not an experienced sailor, I suggest going with a chartered option that will allow you to focus on time with your family and enjoying the natural beauty. The Greek islands are known for having many outstanding things: sunsets, incredible food, some of the world’s best beaches and excellent hospitality. This combination makes for the perfect holiday mix. If you’re a fan of watersports such as diving, snorkelling and paddle boarding, a sailing holiday can be a great way to have ample time to do all of these fun activities. Just be sure to bring along a GoPro or good underwater camera so you can record all the fun you’re having!
2. Head to New Zealand
New Zealand is best known for it’s beautiful scenery, made famous by the Lord of the Rings films. While very deserving of the admiration, there’s more to New Zealand than just beautiful scenery. In the tourist hotspots, such as Rotorua in the North Island and Queenstown in the South Island, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to extreme sports! Whether you want to go white water rafting and have your heart pumping with adrenaline, or if you would prefer to do some Zorbing – you can find almost anything in New Zealand. The bungy jump was actually invented here, and since then more options for extreme sports have been popping up all over the country. Because of the gorgeous natural backdrops that New Zealand provides, it is also one of the most interesting places in the world to Sky Dive. There’s also skiing and snowboarding during the winter which you can make even more extreme by taking a helicopter up to some remote runs. During the warmer months, or all year around if you’re brave enough, there’s also great surfing and paddle boarding all over the country. Fancy a bit of mountain biking or rock climbing? You’ll find plenty of that in New Zealand too. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, this is the place for you!
3. Go Trekking in Vietnam
There are so many places around the world where trekking is absolutely stunning and the scenery is breathtaking. My suggestion for a great place to go trekking is in the Sapa mountains in Northern Vietnam. The rolling rice fields are world famous and offer incredible vistas. Vietnam offers exceptional value for money, is safe, and there’s a large window of dry season where you’ll be comfortable, warm and get to enjoy beautiful sunsets. It’s also very eye opening to see how the local people live off the land in the Sapa mountains. I really enjoy trekking because while it is more adventurous than going on a tour bus, it’s still an easy enough pace that most people can enjoy and participate in. It’s also an opportunity to see more remote places that are simply not open to car or bus travel. There’s also another amazing attraction near to Sapa called Ha Long Bay – you can easily do both in the same trip!
4. Explore Some Ruins in Jordan
If you’re planning a trip to Jordan, I suggest renting a car and budgeting at least a week. There’s so much to do in this friendly, relaxed country that you need a bit of time to fit it all in. While I’ve visited many ruins around the world, such as Tikal in Guatemala, Borbordur in Indonesia, and Angkor Wat in Cambodia, there was something very special about visiting Petra. I think it has to do with the way you’re welcomed into the ruins as you walk through a smaller corridor and all of a sudden the Treasury reveals itself to you. You may think that the Treasury is all that Petra has to offer, but it’s actually a giant assortment of ruins and buildings nestled into the red rocks. It takes days to explore Petra properly – I would suggest at least two days, but three if you have the spare time. This is the perfect place to go if you want to be constantly amazed by the sheer size and grandeur of the ruins. There’s also some more ruins spread across Jordan, I would really suggest visiting Jeresh if you can make it there. It’s a lot less crowded than Petra and shows how important Jordan was throughout history.
5. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride in Myanmar
I think Myanmar is an adventurous trip in itself and it’s worth going now if you can. Myanmar is on the cusp of changing – it’s becoming more and more popular, meaning if you’re thinking of going now is the time to go. Actually it would be better if you could go yesterday, but seeing as that’s not possible, as soon as you can is the best time to go! If you’ve not been in a hot air balloon before, it’s quite an adventure. It’s a very smooth ride and all of a sudden you’re on top of the world with the most incredible views. I did the hot air balloon over Bagan and it was such a fun way to see the gorgeous ruins and the incredible landscape. After the hot air balloon ride we got to sip on champagne – what a great way to start your day. If you’re considering a hot air balloon ride anywhere, just be sure you check what seasons they operate because most are not year round.
No matter which adventurous holiday you choose – from sailing around the beautiful Greek islands, to exploring some ruins in Jordan – you’ll be sure to create priceless memories that you can treasure.
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It Isn’t Hard to Find Luxury in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has long been alluring to backpackers and adventure travelers. The wild juggles, the remote beaches and the Central American location were once turn-offs to all but the bravest of vacationers – but no longer. Over the last decade, Costa Rica has invested heavily in its tourism industry, and today, luxury travelers from around the world find plenty of opportunity for R&R on Costa Rican shores.
In fact, unlike other Caribbean and Central American destinations, there is more than one region of Costa Rica that caters to luxury travelers. Here are the seven top spots offering comfort, class and Costa Rican culture.
Gulf of Papagayo
Perhaps the poshest spot in the country, the Gulf of Papagayo is world-renowned for its pristine beaches and perfect waves. Once the home of wide-open ranches run by Costa Rican cowboys, called sabaneros, Guanacaste Province is now the premiere luxury destination for all of Costa Rica, even boasting its own international airport to service incoming luxury travelers.
Though it is difficult to find accommodations in this area with fewer than four stars, the leader in the region is easily the Four Seasons Papagayo. This resort offers an award-winning spa, a golf course and exclusive white-sand beaches that allow travelers some much-needed R&R.
Santa Teresa
Second only to Papagayo in terms of high class and luxury offerings, Santa Teresa is a well-known vacation spot for the rich and famous. Though much of Costa Rica is navigable by car, Santa Teresa is isolated on the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, which means visitors need a chartered plane or ferry to reach this deluxe region.
Unlike other areas of Costa Rica, Santa Teresa doesn’t attract the big-name hotel chains like Marriot or Westin; instead, travelers should book rooms at Florblanca or Latitude 10, both of which are beachfront resorts with stellar reputations.
Arenal
The Arenal region is known for one of the most dominant features of the Costa Rican landscape: the Arenal Volcano. Though Arenal isn’t nearly as active as it once was – the freely flowing lava is now replaced by meager puffs of smoke. Still, years of volcanic activity have mad the Arenal region flourish with gorgeous rainforest, and luxury visitors have access to some unique features, as well.
For example, the Tabacon Grand Spa and Thermal Resort offers some of the most deluxe lodgings in the country. Here, travelers stay in world-class rooms and have access to award-winning restaurants – but more importantly, they can lounge in natural hot springs. These waters also feed lush gardens and spas, giving guests comprehensive Costa Rican luxury.
Manuel Antonio
Roughly one-quarter of Costa Rica is national park and nature preserves. Manuel Antonio National Park Is among the most beautiful in the country, and it is also among the most glamorous. Here, visitors will have greater opportunities to see some of Costa Rica’s most fascinating wildlife, including sloths, tropical birds, several species of monkeys and even giant cats like the jaguar, ocelot and margay – and even better, they can do so from the comfort of their luxury accommodations.
The best option in this region is Arenas Del Mar Beachfront and Rainforest Resort, which claims several awards for its sustainability efforts and world-class luxury. From the hotel, guests can walk to the park or to one of several top-tier restaurants, art galleries and even nightlife options. Visitors can also find world-class Costa Rica beaches just outside their doorstep.
Tamarindo
Though Tamarindo has long claimed a reputation as a scruffy and cheap beach town, the area is beginning to cater more to luxury tourists. First, the roads have been paved, allowing visitors staying in higher-class regions – like Papagayo or Arenal – easier access to the local flavor. Secondly, new restaurants and high-rise accommodations have appeared, providing more attractive and enticing options to potential guests.
The beach is Tamarindo’s best attraction, so travelers should primarily look to beachfront lodgings like The Westin Resport and Spa Playa Conchal. However, there are smaller, more authentic luxury options, to include Los Altos de Eros and Hacienda Pinilla.
Los Suenos
Just an hour outside Costa Rica’s capital city of San Jose, Los Seunos promises luxury on a budget. Though none of this region’s accommodations and attractions are quite as well-appointed as other posh spots around the country, Los Suenos does provide most of the amenities luxury travelers crave – e.g. spacious rooms, stunning swimming pools, beautiful golf courses, etc. – without the hassle of traveling from one place in Costa Rica to another.
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The top 5 European road trip destinations
America has long been regarded as the number one road trip destination. For many, however, Europe is the destination of choice for experiencing the open road in style. Home to some of the world’s most stunning locations, a driving holiday in Europe is guaranteed to take your breath away. As Europe offers so much choice, it can be tough to decide where to go, so we’ve teamed up with Grange, an award winning Used Aston Martin dealership to give you our guide to the top 5 European road trip destinations:
5. Route Napoleon – France
If you’d like to follow in the footsteps of one of the most iconic historical figures in French history, you can drive along Route Napoleon. In 1815, Napoléon Bonaparte took this route when he marched from Elba to Grenoble to overthrow Louis the 18th. Spanning all the way from Cannes to Grenoble, this picturesque route will take you all the way through the French Alps – so you’re in for a real visual treat.
This rote can also be quite challenging – any thrill seekers out there will be put to the test with a wide variety of cambered corners, hairpin turns and fast straights.
4. Stelvio Pass – Italy
Surrounded by beautiful mountain views as far as the eye can see is Italy’s Stelvio Pass. Located high in the Alps of Eastern Italy, this stunning stretch of road was once voted the best driving road in the world by BBC Top Gear, making it a must for driving enthusiasts.
Even experienced drivers will see their skills tested here, as the roads 48 switchback turns can be hard to handle. It’s recommended that you pull over occasionally to collect your thoughts, take in the sights and enjoy this lovely stretch of road to the fullest.
3. Grossglockner High Alpine Road – Austria
Winding down from the highest mountain in Austria is the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, known locally as the Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse. You won’t be short of impressive mountain views here and at 2,504 meters above sea level, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy them!
A big hit with motorbike fans and sports car enthusiasts all over the world, this mountain route will take you past the Alpine Nature Show Museum, Hohe Tauern National parkand Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe — home to the Pasterze Glacier.
2. Route 500 – Germany
Germany’s route 500 will take you right through the country’s famous Black Forest region. Located between the Swiss border and the town of Baden Baden, this route will take you through a wide range of remarkable scenery, from pine forests to mountains. Drivers taking this route may want to set off early however, as the popularity of this road means that it can be prone to traffic at peak times.
1. Route One – Iceland
Circumnavigating the entire island is Iceland’s impressive Route One – an 800 mile long stretch of road which is guaranteed to impress even the most experienced drivers and travel enthusiasts. Travelling on this route allows you to see everything that makes the country so special and sought after as a holiday destination; including some truly stunning scenery. You’ll encounter everything from geysers, waterfalls and hot springs to ash deserts. You will also encounter some tough gravel terrain on your trip here, so it’s recommended that you choose a sturdy vehicle to travel in, such as a Land Rover or other 4×4.
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Need a holiday? Why you should take a short break in the UK
Need to get away from it all but don’t have the time for a long holiday? It turns out that a short break in the UK could be exactly what you need. Have you ever taken a long holiday, only to return feeling more exhausted than before you left? Yet your weekend trip makes you feel refreshed and ready to hit the ground running at work? This is common, and there are a few good reasons why you should take a short break instead of a long holiday:
Keep the romance alive
One holiday a year is unlikely to help you keep your romance alive, but if you work your short break into your weekend time, you can take plenty of breaks throughout the year. Need some bonding time with your partner? Take them on a romantic break and watch the sparks fly when you’re away from it all.
Be Spontaneous
Planning a long holiday can turn into a chore, especially when you’re working around family and social commitments, annual leave, and work responsibilities. But when you take short breaks, you can easily be a little more spontaneous. Simply choose a UK destination you’ve been wanting to explore, pack your bags, and you’re off.
Refresh your mind
Getting away from your screen gives you more mental space for clearer decision-making and creativity. The more you’re taking mini breaks, especially to new destinations, the more refreshed and challenged your brain will be. This is especially important for creative types who often feel like they’re hitting a wall or dealing with blocks. Take a notebook and make a list of any ideas that may pop into your head, but focus on completely unwinding and enjoying yourself while you’re away.
Cost-effective
Short breaks are often a better option if you’re on a budget, since you’ll be paying for fewer nights of accommodation. When you take a short break in the UK, you’ll often be able to drive, and if you do fly you’ll have much cheaper flights compared to a long vacation on another continent.
Go Carry-on
Not only do airlines charge ridiculous fees for checking luggage, but you’ll end up wasting precious time while waiting for your luggage. When you take a short break, you can fit everything into a carry-on, making it cheaper, easier, and more relaxed.
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Top ideas for a fun vacation this year
When was the last time you went on a vacation? If you can’t remember, or the idea of planning a vacation just seems stressful, this post is for you.
There are plenty of great ideas that will ensure you remove most of the stress associated with traveling and have a great trip. Here are just a few top ideas for a fun vacation this year:
Book a cruise
There’s a reason why so many first-time cruisers go ahead and book their next cruise almost the moment they return back to port. Cruising is incredibly popular because it’s a low-stress way to travel and you get all of the fun experiences you enjoy while travelling solo and exploring multiple destinations, without hours spent in airports or train stations.
One of the great things about cruising is that it’s almost entirely all-inclusive. When you pay for your fare, you’re paying for your accommodation, food, entertainment, and transportation. You can also choose to pre-book your tours at each destination and prepay your gratuities. If you think you’ll be doing some serious drinking, you can also book drinks packages as well. I don’t know about you, but the idea of travelling without having to constantly open my wallet sounds like pure luxury. You can easily find a good deal on a cruise by keeping an eye out for sales and deals, so consider trying out a cruise for your next trip.
Take a tour
Group tours are no longer the typical guided tour where you follow someone around in a group of twenty or more. There are hundreds of different tour companies available based on your level of adventure, comfort preference, and more. Whether you’re a young twenty-something wanting to backpack your way through Europe, you’d like to travel in a small group, or you’re all about eco-friendly adventure travel, there’s guaranteed to be a tour to suit you.
Go all-inclusive
I always sneered at the idea of an all-inclusive vacation until I took one myself. And let me tell you, I still dream about that hotel in Mexico. One of the great things about all-inclusive vacations is that they offer you the chance to truly relax. You’re not stuck in the hotel either, and you can easily go travel through a local town or do some other day trips while you’re on vacation. Many also have free activities like snorkelling, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and more.
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Travel Ennui Is Real – Here’s How To Overcome It
It’s quite common for people to delay travelling or focusing on their exploration of the world out of a sense of ennui. We have previously written about travel anxiety and even being strong despite hard circumstances, but these issues are different from the sense of discomfort and distaste in traveling that can permeate the feeling of ennui. Travel ennui is real. It’s not hard to understand why. Travel is hard. It takes time, effort, investment, energy and a great deal of uncertainty.
If you’re not anxious or apprehensive when entering a completely new country, trying to adapt to a form of accommodation you’re not used to, or meeting people you can barely speak to, you’re likely stronger than Wonder Woman herself. However, these issues are often quite small in comparison to the raw wonder, beauty to experience and curiosity to satiate when you finally arrive at your destination.
But how should you focus on travel ennui? Are there remedies to rectify this? Could someone who has perhaps neglected to head on vacation for the last ten years finally pick up and head somewhere they will cherish?
Of course they can! If you find that you yourself feel this way, it might be worth considering the following actions:
Travel
The act of traveling itself can often be quite a tiring one. Long flights, trains and taxi’s can often lead you to feel much more drained than you might have originally thought. Some people are fearful of planes, meaning that driving to a location or taking other transport could be a much longer affair. However, travel can be a positive experience if you let it. Instead of feeling the rush to head to your new location in a matter of hours, it could be that you make the journey part of the travel, even affording yourself an extra few days or simply making it part of the vacation.
You might decide to head for the more scenic route. It might be you rent a car and drive down the fame highways of the European country you now inhabit. With the right road partner, this could be excellent. It might simply be taking a new form of transport, such as a boat instead of a plane. It might be summing up the courage to travel via plane for the first time in your life, and allowing yourself to feel victory in overcoming that. People often consider traveling to a destination as one of the more boring and challenging parts of a trip. If you plan accordingly, you can make this part of the entire experience, and something to absolutely cherish. So why not try?
Companionship
We all need positive companionship no matter where we go. Without potentially insulting your family or friends, might it be that certain people are less enjoyable to head on vacation with? If you’ve noticed you travel with your extended family and circumstances always seem to devolve into an argument, might you just go with your romantic partner instead?
If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you’ll no doubt understand the beauty of traveling alone, and some of the wonder this could help you experience on a one to one basis. Sometimes, it might be that heading on your own personal adventure, exploring at your own pace in directions you deem suitable, could be your best method of finding an experience you’ll remember for years to come.
Celebrations
Celebrating something can be an excellent motivator to get up and finally travel after some time. For example, it might be that you have recently become engaged, or that you have passed your finals to qualify you for a lucrative job. No matter what you have achieved, or how fortunately fate has shined down upon you, you can bet that you’ll be in the mood to celebrate when that positivity comes to pass.
Starting a new chapter of life or celebrating an achievement can be best done when coupled with adventure, with a new, refreshing experience to tell. Heading abroad, even to well known party locations, can help you break the seal of your lack of travel and help you benefit in the future. This might mean heading to locations you might not have considered, to conduct new activities you might have kept at arms length, among many other things. If you can sum up the bravery to ask someone to marry you, scuba diving is likely no problem at all.
Living
Many people find travel ennui because of the fairly accellerated nature in which it is likely conducted. If it takes a few days to travel somewhere, and then you only have around ten days to experience the location, you are always aware of time slipping before you have to return home to your normal life. This can put people off, especially those who might not want to spend on a temporary experience. Of course, purchasing an experience is perhaps the wisest thing you can do with your money, but some people feel otherwise.
However, travel is not simply a one and done scenario. You can absolutely decide to find a more permanent or semi-permanent solution by orchestrating matters to live abroad for a matter of months or even years.
To do this is more than feasible, as there are amazing properties in areas like Indonesia –https://www.rumah.com/rumah-
Peace & Quiet
It might be that you need a mental refresher. This isn’t a bad thing – more people could absolutely do with one. Traveling to a peaceful location can help you get your thoughts in order, to rectify your understanding of something, to reflect, and to find peace. It might be you travel to a beautiful peaceful temple district in Japan, or even find comfort in fishing in the rural villages of England. If you live in a highly populated country or city, you likely know just how frantic life can get. Consider the opportunity for peace to be one of the main drivers here, and you can potentially experience life at its best – slow, relaxed and observant.
Travel ennui is real, and can sometimes be debilitating. With these simple remedies, you are sure to find a natural solution.
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7 Tips To Write An Extraordinary Best Man Speech
Has your best friend bestowed upon you an incomparable honour? Being a best man ain’t easy, mate!
The responsibilities of a best man are endless. He is not just the right hand of the groom but a part-wedding organiser too. He has to find the best venue for the wedding, help the groom with his clothes and wedding vows, invite the guests and make sure the cake & band reach on time.
The two responsibilities that a best man often forgets are as follows:
- Stag do
He is expected to throw an unforgettable single life farewell party to his mate. Finding the best UK stag do locations is not the only complicated task; booking the right attractions and activities is equally confusing and time-consuming. You need to make sure you don’t mess up the most excited pre-wedding moments of your best mate’s life!
- Best man speech
Writing a speech for your lad requires time and efforts. He should feel special and loved when he listens to the wonderful emotions and memories that you are planning to share on his wedding day.
Read on to know how to write a hilarious, yet emotional speech for your best mate:
Plan ahead
As already mentioned above, you need to allocate a considerable amount of time to write the speech. Plan in advance what you would like to share with everyone because it cannot be something offensive or too personal to him. Writing off the bat might make it either too boring for the guests or too offensive for the bride and groom. Discuss with other lads about the structure and memories to make sure you don’t cross any boundaries. Expert advice- Don’t speak much about the bride or her guests.
Add humour to the recipe
The speech does not have to be all emotional or informative; it needs to entertain the guests as well. You have to remember snippets that you can share with everyone to make them laugh out loud; even the bride and groom. It will lighten up their mood; lowering the stress of their big day. Expert advice- Jokes, old memories and made-up moments should be added to the lot.
Showcase love
Some love should accompany the laughter as well. You know he deserves all the happiness in the world; try to say it out loud too. Don’t feel shy about sharing your love for him in front of everyone. It should be intense enough to make the bride jealous!
Have a killer opening and closing verse
The speech should have a killer opening and closing verse to have maximum impact on the guests. You need to target the groom in every line to keep everyone entertained. Don’t hold back!
Size matters!
Yes, the length of the speech matters! You have to make sure that you don’t bore the audience or delay any other planned activity, like band performance or dinner. Keeping it short and crisp or long and informative is not the right answer. Keep it long enough to entertain everyone and short enough to finish on time.
Practice
Practice multiple times before the actual day to make sure you don’t mumble at the right moment. It will also help you keep a tab on the timing and accordingly, you can adjust the length of the speech. Ask your buds to listen and give inputs to improve the humour in the bit.
Have a plan B
Not everything goes as planned. Better learn it here than to experience at the wrong moment. Always have a contingency plan! Make copies of your speech to avoid forgetting it at your place, and also have some spare lines to add if the moment demands it. In any case, better to be prepared than be sorry later on.
Be it the wedding preps or the speech or even the stag do; your mate relies on you for an unforgettable experience.
Plan it well! Give him your best!
