Posts by : Izy Berry

Moving to the country sounds great in theory. For many people they dream of fresh, GMO-free eggs, organic gardens, and kids running around outside as they explore fields and ponds.

But if, like me, you’ve lived in the city for most of your life, this move probably won’t go as well as you’re expecting.

Here are the main things I would miss if I moved somewhere remote:

People

Nope, not friends and family, just people. Imagine being out in the middle of nowhere, and you hear a weird noise. Every car that goes by late at night could potentially be an intruder, going outside requires a flashlight since you won’t find any street lights if you’re living somewhere super remote, and you also won’t have any neighbours to call on in the event that you need help. No thanks.

Convenience

You know those days when you get home after a long day of work, don’t have the energy to make dinner so you jump online or on the phone and order a pizza? Yeah, that’s not happening if I’m living somewhere remote. Instead, I’d be scheduling meals so that I would only need to buy groceries once a week since the supermarket is unlikely to be five minutes away. I also wouldn’t be enjoying high speed DSL, and sure, I could still get my gas bottles delivered, but what about when the electricity goes out and the water pump stops working? No thanks.

Not to mention, what do you do if you need a plumber or electrician? Trades people may be few and far between, and I would probably end up either having to fix things myself (not a good idea) or paying a premium for someone to come all the way out to the boonies.

Culture

Sure, you can absorb plenty of ideas by reading articles and books, exploring nature, and listening to music, but nothing beats museums, concerts, the theatre, and art galleries. Unfortunately, in the country you’re more likely to run into people who have been living in the area for a long time, and since we’re the average of the 5 people we spend the most time with, it makes sense that people who have all grown up together in the country will probably have pretty similar life experiences (and I appreciate diversity).

Friends and family

When you can simply pick up the phone and be hanging out with friends or visiting family within half an hour, it’s going to be a pretty big adjustment to move somewhere where you can no longer do those things. Personally, I find that everyone is so busy that actually scheduling in visits (and then having to drive) would probably mean that these relationships would suffer.

I’m not sure if the benefits of living somewhere remote would outweigh all of the things I would miss, so it’s a good thing I won’t be moving anytime soon!

One of the hardest parts of travelling is being away from the ones you love. You may be having the time of your life and experiencing things you could only ever dream of, but being apart from the people you care about most in the world is always going to be tough.

The only way to make it a little easier on yourself is by staying connected, and regular phone calls, emails, and Facebook updates can go some way towards sating that ever-present ache inside, so that you can carry on with your journey and not have to cut it short.

Of course, the problem is that most travellers will have a very limited budget, and staying connected can sometimes cost quite a bit. To help you keep your expenses down whilst still staying in touch, here’s what we recommend…

#1: Skype or FaceTime for Free  

When you’re apart from the people you love, there are a lot of things that you will miss about them, from the way they frown when they’re concentrating to the sleepy sound of their voice when they first wake up in the morning. The best way to capture these at once is by video messaging, and this makes Skype and Facetime your new best friends. Reliable, free, and easy to use, they’ll stop you from breaking the bank on those days when you just need to see a familiar face or hear your mum’s dulcet tones.

#2: Install WhatsApp 

When you’re travelling, you won’t always have the time or a strong enough internet connection for lengthy video conversations, so make sure that you and your whole family install WhatsApp as the next best thing. Although you probably have it already, older relatives often won’t, so encourage them to download it onto their phones for the occasions when a quick message is all that’s needed to brighten your day. Once they learn that it’s completely free to use, most will be happy enough spending a little time getting to grips with it.

#3: Choose a Cheap Yet Reliable Courier for Sending Presents Home

Another nice way to stay in touch is by sending the odd present home, especially on your relatives’ birthdays and at Christmas. It doesn’t have to be anything impressive; just something to show the people you love that you’ve been thinking about them and to give them a flavour of where you’ve been. Unfortunately, doing this can be incredibly expensive, which means that it’s important to choose your courier with care. We recommend a company like My Parcel delivery to limit your expenditure whilst still ensuring optimum customer care and a package that will arrive in perfect condition.

Follow these three top tips today to keep your costs down and make it easy to stay connected when you’re travelling abroad.

So, you’re getting ready for your big trip. You’ve booked the plane, know where you’re staying and have looked up places of interest in the area. Hopefully, having sorted travel insurance as well, you will be feeling excited and probably in that space where you’re constantly checking events in the area to find things to do. However, you need to have a think about travel essentials. What should you take with you? We’ve put together an essential selection below.

Footwear

Dependent on where you are going, you might need more than one type of footwear. For example, many countries have beaches and mountains and flip-flops aren’t great for hiking in! It’s worth investing in something that has been built for travel, such as Merrell’s selection. They are sturdy enough to cope with walking, and still look cool for evenings out.

Waterproof phone case

Whether you’re planning a trip to the beach, lake or even just pool, there is likely to be some water on your holiday somewhere. Most good quality phone cases these days will be able to enclose any phone in waterproof plastic that is sealed. It will have the added bonus of also protecting your phone from dirt, sand, and condensation, so even if you’re planning on trekking in the desert, it is a good idea to have some sort of protection for your phone.

Travel diary

From the people you meet to the places to eat, there is always something marvellous to document when you go travelling. Some of the best travel diaries include sealable pockets for tickets and other paraphernalia you might come across on your journey.

Keeping a record of everything in a travel diary will provide you with some amazing memories later down the line. Particularly if you are likely to complete more travels, this is a good way of chronicling events as they happen. Believe me, it can get a little hazy once you’ve been to twenty five countries. Also, if you ever decide to write your memoirs, this will be a nifty reminder!

Good playlist

Music is one of the things that connects us most, and helps to create memories. How often do you find yourself cast back to a different place and time when you hear the opening bars to a certain song? Irrespective of where you’re going and for how long, you will need something to listen to music on, and a decent playlist. These days, our phones tend to be our go-to place for music, photos and everything else at the same time, but it’s good to take something as backup when you’re charging your phone and to entertain you in communal space. Check out HMV’s wide range of CDs to create the soundtrack of your memories.

The best man has numerous responsibilities from giving a speech to remembering the wedding rings. While forgetting the wedding rings would be a catastrophe, there is an even bigger faux pas a best man can commit: a disastrous stag do.

When organising a stag do for the first time, it can be difficult to know where to begin. With so many aspects to plan and a lot of people to mobilise, there are lots of opportunities for things to go wrong. Not to worry, here is how to make sure you plan an unforgettable stag.

Guest Lists and Budgets

These are two of the hardest parts of planning any stag do. When deciding who to invite, talk to the groom. It is always better to ask rather than guess and leave out important friends or family members. In terms of budget, remember that everyone you invite will be in different financial circumstances. As such, aim to keep the price as low as possible, so that all guests can afford to attend.

Choose a Location

To plan the ultimate stag do, you may be tempted to jet off and go abroad. While there are many European destinations perfect for a raucous night out, consider planning your stag do in the UK, instead. As well as being cheaper and less complicated to organise at home, the UK has some amazing stag-worthy cities, from the obvious choices of Blackpool and Newcastle, to surfing in Newquay or camping in the Lake District.

Appoint a Treasurer

As the best man, you have a lot to organise to plan a legendary stag do. The good news is, there is an area in which you can afford to delegate: money. After setting a budget, appoint one sensible person as the treasurer, who will be responsible for collecting money from guests, keeping track of all expenditure and also for paying for the restaurant bill and the numerous rounds of drinks.

Plan a Main Activity

Many stags are moving away from typical all night drinking binges to include numerous day-time activities. Even if you are planning a clubbing marathon, booking an activity can be a great ice breaker for large groups. Before choosing an activity, consider what the groom likes to do. Choices could include anything from paintballing and go-karts to zombie experiences, festivals or even a spa weekend.

Get the Stag a Gift

It is customary to buy the groom a gift for his stag do. Usually, this takes the form of a humiliating and ridiculous costume, or else planning an elaborate prank. However, there are lots of useful items you can buy for the groom, too. You could consider a drinking game, personalised cuff links, a bottle of their favourite whisky, or a homemade hangover kit.

Keep Accommodation Cheap

You may be tempted to book an elaborate suite, but take warning from films like The Hangover. Rather than blowing your budget on an expensive hotel that the guests will spend little time in – or worse – opt for cheaper accommodation and keep some money for the more important things.

Remember the Food

Last but not least, as drinking is usually one of the main activities of stag dos, remember food. It is a well known fact is that drinking on an empty stomach is never a good idea. To avoid having to carry the groom back to the hotel at 10pm, book a table at a restaurant to make sure all of the guests line their stomachs.

If you’re still wondering what to get your loved one for Valentine’s Day, we’ve got your back. It can be tricky figuring out exactly what to get your loved one, and there’s a fine line between thoughtful and romantic and over the top and mushy.

Here are some great ideas for Valentine’s gifts this year:

A new phone case

This is a great gift idea, since it’s both practical and romantic- that special someone will get plenty of use out of it but it’s also a gift that shows you’ve been paying attention to what they really need- especially if their old case has been knocked around and is all scuffed.

Consider the iPhone 7 card holder, which will allow your significant other to leave the house with everything they need held in one hand, or the JimmyCASE which is both attractive and functional. For more great options, check out http://thejimmycase.com/.

Jewellery

Jewellery makes the perfect gift for both girls and guys. Many guys will love a new watch, and if they’ve made you extra happy this year, consider the Apple iWatch to have them bragging about you to all their friends. For girls, Kate Spade New York is a great choice, and the Heart of Gold bangle is a must-have accessory that will have them thinking of you every time they glance at their wrist.

Camera

Sure, most people are taking photos on their phone these days, but for something a little cooler that’s a throwback to a simpler time, take a look at the Polaroid snap. This is the company’s latest spin on the classic Polaroid camera, and you guys are bound to have a great year making and recording your memories with this handy camera.

A trip

What’s better than spending Valentine’s Day together? Spending a few days together somewhere new and exciting. If you’ve been meaning to get away from it all and enjoy some quality time, consider surprising your significant other with a trip away. If you really want to splash out, check with their coworkers to see how long they can take off work and really go to town with international flights to a surprise destination (show them the tickets on Valentine’s Day so they can spend the lead up getting excited), or simply whisk them away for a surprise weekend trip somewhere local, or a staycation in a nice hotel in your town.

A pet

If your favourite person has been dreaming of a ball of fluff, maybe Valentine’s Day is the day to make this dream come true. While you may need to check if they’re allowed pets in their house or apartment, once you’ve sorted out the details you can go to the local shelter and pick out a friend to keep them warm when you’re not around. This is a great way to show that you’ve been listening every time they mention that they’d love to have a cat or dog to look after.

I’ve rarely met anyone who wouldn’t like to visit the Maldives one day, and it’s easy to see why. Jump on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter, and you’ll see millions of photos of aqua seas, white beaches, and delicious food. In fact, on Instagram alone, the Maldives has been hashtagged close to three million times.

The Maldives is located in the middle of the Indian Ocean, and is known around the world for its turquoise waters and immaculate beaches. There are 1,200 islands to choose from, and you’ll find maritime towns, tropical jungles, and even luxurious private islands.

With so many islands to choose from, the hardest part can be deciding exactly where you should spend your holiday. Luckily, there are plenty of reviews and travel blogs available online which will allow you to choose the perfect island based on the type of holiday you’re looking for.

Ja Manafaru is popular, due to its local touches and secluded feel, and you’ll be kept entertained by Boduberu bands and can explore a cellar that’s made up of Indonesian lava rock. Social media is also one of the best ways to find the best holiday destinations, since most of us are likely to take many different photos when we’re on holiday, so you can search for the most instagrammed places in the Maldives and make your decision that way.

Search #wedding while looking at destinations in the Maldives, and you’ll find Kurumba, which is the original private island resort in the Maldives. The resort doesn’t look all that luxurious from afar, but once you arrive you’ll see why so many people are documenting their wedding and honeymoon memories here. This is a place that’s all about romance, and yet indulgent and slow-paced with snorkelling and sunbathing a must.

Niyama is another popular destination, and it’s known as “nature’s play area”. Here, you’ll find a luxury, five-star resort amongst tropical forests, with white and beaches and incredible restaurants- there’s even Subsix, an underwater restaurant where you can watch the ocean while dining on local dishes.

This resort is spread over two separate islands, and one is devoted to families, while the other is just for couples. Be sure to keep an eye out for dolphins, and keep your phone ready for the many Instagram opportunities.

Velassaru is the kind of place where you can hang out in your beachwear all day, and is both opulent and understated. You can get a massage in one of the state-of-the-art spas in the morning, before exploring the mesmerising reefs just a few minutes later. This is a great place for couples, since you’ll have plenty of time for romance, along with many exciting adventures to enjoy.

Baros is a coral island and one of the dream honeymoon destination. You’ll find hand-build villas on the water, with luxury pools and a traditional feel.

As you can see, there are so many amazing places within the Maldives, you’ll be spoiled for choice for your next holiday.

There is no sweeter pleasure in the world than that of traveling. The experience of seeing the world, tasting foods, seeing sights, visiting museums, exposing yourself to new and foreign cultures and making memories is priceless. There is an entire world of pleasure out there, waiting to welcome you.

Each country has something unique to offer. There are the obvious attractions, such as London’s Big Ben, New York’s Times Square, the Colosseum in Rome, the Eiffel Tower in France – these sightseeing attractions draw millions and millions of tourist a year.

We totally understand why students opt to travel the world by backpacking and roughing it out in hostels, just to gain the experience and taste the sweet pleasure of traveling. Whether you plan a trip after saving for years or whether you take off on a whim with the pennies in your pockets, there is no doubt that traveling gives you more education, enjoyment and experience than anything else.

However there are so many more reasons to travel, other than these commercial sightings.

People plan active vacations where they travel to unique and exciting places. Places that are far less ‘commercial’. Places such as Ecuador, where the Amazon jungle meets the Andean highlands and the Galápagos Islands. Ecuador is a country frequently visited specifically for diving and snorkeling.

Others make trips to the glorious Swiss Alps to ski during the peak months of November and December. With ski options for beginners to experts, this is one holiday destination that is both picturesque and practical.

Group activities are another reason for people to travel. Prague holds annual poker tournaments where games take place everyday with between 40 -100 participants. These tournaments attract hundreds of tourists who enjoy playing and watching poker tournaments.

Unique traditions and customs are another attraction for tourists. Brazil is famous for capoeira, which is a form of art that mixes dance, fight, movement and games to create an experience unlike any other. Capoeira is known as the art of liberation, as it originated roughly 500 years ago, during the slave era in Brazil. A melting pot of cultures were forced to live together, combining their traditions of food, dance, art and culture. And hence, capoeira was born.

Besides for some of the world’s best shopping and theatre, England is also well-known for it’s bingo events. The UK version of bingo makes use of 90 balls, as opposed to the American version which uses only 75. The English enjoy playing bingo tournaments and events. Word has it that even England’s Monarch, the Queen, holds family bingo evenings in her palace. We wouldn’t be surprised if she was part of the thousands of people who opt for online bingo games to play in her spare time. The British are bingo lovers. Can we blame them?

Speaking of the European continent, Europeans, -and specifically Italians – enjoy getting together to play bocce. This is a traditional game where metal balls are thrown on grass or into sand – similar to the game of bowls. Bocce is believed to have originated in Egypt, but has come to be the modern day sport as we know it because of the Italians.

Whatever your reasons for traveling, make sure that you make the utmost of your time abroad. See as many sights as you can see, eat as much food as you can eat, go on all the adventures that come your way and try out something new – a little Capoeira never really hurt anybody.

Happy traveling!

Europe is a continent full of wonderful weekend destinations, especially for those celebrating a hen party. What you look for in a hen party location, be it brilliant beaches, amazing food or sensational sights, Europe has such a diverse range of cities that there is somewhere to suit every hen party.

From Lisbon’s idyllic sunsets, sipping champagne in London’s sophisticated hotels or partying hard in Prague, there’s something to suit every brides-to-be’s taste and these are our 5 favourites

London for a champagne afternoon tea

In the UK, there are 222,000 stag and hen parties every year, pouring £60 million into local economies. It’s also why larger cities are such attractive destinations for hen weekends, because the cities make it worth coming.

The wide variety of activities for hen weekends in London makes it ‘the UK’s best hen party city’, according to hen party specialists Maximise. London offers everything from cocktail making on the Thames, the quintessentially British post-lunch activity, afternoon tea, and some of the best museums and galleries in the world.

London is a city that combines the historic and the modern. Here you can sip champagne in the Shard, the UK’s tallest skyscraper before knocking back oysters in the nearby Borough Market, a collection of stalls that dates back to 1851.

The best things in life are cheap and in Budapest

According to Interrail EU, Budapest is one of the cheapest cities in Europe. Yet the price doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the quality of either the accommodation or food.

Budapest is a diverse mix of eastern and western cultures, and it’s cuisine, architecture and culture is testament to this. The result is one of the most intriguing capitals in Europe. Budapest is composed of two main parts: on the hilly west side is historic Buda, and Pest is the city’s cosmopolitan centre of shops, restaurants, markets and nightlife.

There are many things to do on a hen party in Budapest, from a river cruise down the Danube, to touring the city in a Trabant. A classic car that has become the symbol of the old Eastern Bloc.

Life’s a beach in Barcelona

In recent years Barcelona has become an increasingly popular destination for stag and hen party weekends. Its Mediterranean location, warm climate and fantastic nightlife means Barcelona will please all types of hen parties.

From luxurious spa days to vibrant bars and tapas restaurants, Barcelona is a city sure to delight every hen party. Many of Barcelona’s top hotels have spas that are available whether you are staying in the hotel or not.

Additionally, Barceloneta is the city’s main beach, and is walkable from the city centre. Alternatively, if you get bored of the city life, some of Catalonia’s most idyllic beaches are just a short train or car ride away.

Enjoy the world class nightlife of Prague

According to Business Zone, bookings for hen parties in Prague, Riga & Krakow have shot through the roof in recent months, in part as all three are considered cheaper destinations. Although all three are cities worth visiting, Prague is definitely the pick of the bunch.

The Czech capital combines some of the world’s best clubs, luxurious spas and fantastic restaurants with action packed activities such as salsa classes and live music every night of the week.

The city is brimming with culture and history so it`s well worth spending a few days mingling with friendly locals.

Lisbon offers the best sun, sea and seafood in Europe

Lisbon is a city that relaxes by day and parties all night, making it the perfect destination for a hen party. When the sun’s up visitors have the perfect opportunity to enjoy a lazy day walking through Lisbon’s beautiful cobbled streets, and gorge on locally caught seafood and sip pitches of sangria.

Then the sun sets and the quiet backstreets come alive, filled with music, dancing and drinking—lots of drinking. It’s no wonder that Portugal’s tourism industry is booming, with over 10 million foreign tourists heading there in 2015.

If you’re looking for an exciting new destination to visit this year, Kapalai island could be the place for you. If you haven’t yet heard of Kapalai Island, don’t be surprised- this is one of the best kept secrets for beach lovers.

Kapalai Island is located in Malaysia, and if you like the idea of swimming in crystal clear waters and staying in a floating paradise, you’ll be glad you chose Kapalai.

This place is a paradise for those who love scuba diving, and Kapalai Dive Resort offers the most luxurious chalets, gorgeous beaches, and a number of fun recreational activities. Each room is “floating” above the water, giving you the most spectacular views and allowing you to relax and enjoy tropical sunsets from your front door.

Dive enthusiasts will go crazy for this area, and the Kapalai Dive Resort is in the perfect location so you can go diving on Sipadan Island, which is one of the best dive locations in the world. You’ll be diving among more than 3000 species of fish, with coral gardens, sea turtles and more.

Whether you’re a beginner or advanced diver, you’ll be catered to at the dive centre, which has a variety of courses available, including open water and night diving. Here, you’ll be discovering coral reefs, cuttlefish, and a huge variety of marine life.

If you haven’t yet been to Malaysia, Kapalai Island is a great place for meeting locals, eating delicious food, and of course, spending plenty of time diving.

Sometimes we feel like we just need to get away from it all, and this island is the place to do that. Whether you’re looking for a nice beach to read a good book, you’d like to finish writing your own novel, or you plan to be diving all day every day, Kapalai Island truly has something for everyone- making it a good choice for solo travellers, couples, and families.

While this amazing place is known as an island, it’s actually a large sandbar, and is perfectly situated on top of the Ligitan Reef. While the island used to be an actual island and was covered with vegetation, the last few years have reduced it to sea level due to erosion.

While people who love to dive will greatly enjoy the island, the same can be said for those who prefer to snorkel. And for those who enjoy muck diving, you can easily grab a boat from Kapalai to Mabul Island, which is known to be the macro paradise of the world.

You’ll be able to enjoy a chalet with a private balcony, and they’re all built on stilts among the reefs. You can enjoy fresh water, wifi, and for those who are continually getting bitten by mosquitos, you won’t have that problem here- meaning you can leave your balcony doors open without getting eaten alive.

To get to Kapalai, you’ll fly into Tawau, before getting a taxi or bus to Semporna and then a speed boat to the island.

There are many ways of seeing the world. Some people like posh hotels, taking in shows, and fine dining. Others favor going to a large city and going on bus tours around the sights. Then there are the adventurers who love nothing more than putting everything they need in a backpack and communing with the outdoors.

If you enjoy backpacking, you know how amazing it can be to sleep under the stars, find natural beauty in mountains and streams, and generally fend for yourself in the outdoors. You also know that there are some potential downsides to backpacking that can keep you from fully enjoying your vacation. Here are some problems that you can face when on a backpacking vacation, and some advice on how to prepare for and overcome them.

The weather and atmosphere

The biggest variable that you will face is likely the weather. You may track the forecasts for months before, and try to find the perfect weekend to get into the mountains, only to have some weather event scuttle your plans. You may have just one week to get away and trek through a National Park, and you have to take whatever weather comes your way.

If your destination can have low temperatures, pack layers. It certainly beats trying to find a parka once you get to your destination. If you are going to hike through Thailand’s scenery, you’ll face hot and humid climates. You will need to invest in hiking clothes that wick moisture. For your feet, if you are looking to say, “Those will certainly keep my feet dry,” compression socks for women are the perfect choice. Infused with copper and zinc, the socks regulate body temperature and offer anti-odor technology.

Once you arrive at your backpacking destination, you may discover that the atmosphere is quite different from home. For example, the pollution in India’s large cities can be hard to endure, so you may need a mask if you are especially sensitive. In the mountains of Colorado, the altitude can be a hazard, so plan to ascend slowly, or talk to your doctor about altitude medications.

Injuries and other health concerns

If you are traveling to locations that have insects, snakes, and other crawly things, it is a great idea to familiarize yourself with the ones that are poisonous, and pack insect repellent and emergency first aid.

No matter how careful you are, you can still face an injury when backpacking. Your pack must include a first aid kit to attend to cuts, scrapes, sprains, and muscle aches. A multi-tool in your pack can help with many backpacking problems, including opening packaged foods, making minor repairs to equipment, or even hunting.

You can also find yourself ill from local water or food. Be prepared for different food preparation techniques, and pack snacks and bottled water.

Other issues

If you are backpacking with a tour group, be prepared for them to stop at tourist traps designed to get your money. The better companies will avoid this, so do your research. Check online reviews and see what experienced travelers have said about any tours that you are considering.  A tour can be a good option if you are traveling alone, or don’t know the language. If you don’t like the group vibe, it is perfectly fine to backpack alone, as long as you are aware of the cultural expectations where you are traveling, let trusted friends know your itinerary, and keep a cellphone or emergency beacon handy.

If you are flying to get to your backpacking destination, bear in mind that your pack may be checked. While the idea of having all you need to hand is enticing, there are items in your pack that cannot go in the cabin, such as knives or liquids. Since you’ll be carrying everything you need to live outdoors, your bag may be over the weight limits. Be aware of the restrictions of the airlines that you’ll be using, and make sure that if you won’t be checking your bag, your backpack meets the size guide. It will also be important to make sure that you can stock up on any prohibited items once you reach your destination.

Some countries, such as India, require a visa to enter the country. If you want to take in the gorgeous landmarks there, make sure that you apply for a visa well in advance.

Going on a backpacking vacation is a great way to immerse yourself in nature. Whether you strike out to the nearest forest, or travel halfway around the globe, your trip will be better if you plan for all contingencies, good and bad.