Posts by : Izy Berry

I have been asked repeatedly about the gear I carry around while traveling the world. To be honest, there is no strict recipe on what your bag should contain once deciding to lead a location independent life. You may decide to leave some items home, and you might also add a series of others you consider essential that didn’t make it on my list. Consider this list not a guide, but an example of what your backpack should contain to be location independent. So, without further ado, here is my list.

1. Technology

Laptop, camera, smartphone and tablet. The last one might come as a surprise – why carry a tablet computer around when you already have a smartphone. Well, the reasons are numerous – and the best answer would be that I use it to fulfill two of my sinful passions on the road: reading books and playing games at the Red Flush online casino.

Red Flush offers its players a cornucopia of games to play when on the road. Its game library of over 100 titles offers passionate players hours after hours of fun and wins. It is also a well written piece of software, which isn’t a huge burden on the device’s battery, running smoothly on any device, from the smallest smartphone to the most powerful tablet computer. Besides – and this is one of the parts I love about it – the Red Flush periodically offers its players some of the best giveaways, promotions and tournaments they can opt into, making their stay not just entertaining, but also worth their while.

And, when it comes to books, I think it doesn’t need any explanation.

One item I always carry around is a “dumb phone”. It is more like an emergency communication device for when my smartphone battery dies. In such cases – when there is no power outlet around – it’s good to have a backup solution with a huge battery life compared to anything with a touchscreen.

2. Personal hygiene

Nothing I can’t buy on the road. This is one category of stuff for which there is no such thing as a standard list, as the needs and preferences of each of us are hugely different. I will include my first aid kit here, with generic and prescription drugs in a separate case. Don’t leave home without them.

3. Apparel

The bare necessities that is – makeup for quick touch-ups if needed, and the mandatory items – clothes, shoes, whatever.

+1 – What not to carry around

Basically, your bag shouldn’t contain anything you can easily come by on the road. Think Aspirin, a raincoat, paper towels and hankies, universal adapters and similar items. And a piece of advice: get familiar with leaving stuff behind / giving stuff away. Be sure to only leave with what you surely need in your next location when you go.

Travel is hard; travel with kids is insufferable. Though the idea of a family getaway always seems pleasant and noble at the outset — you need to get out of the house, you want to expose your little ones to new experiences, etc. — when you are finally on your way to your vacation spot, you will undoubtedly already regret the ill-fated trip.

Kids need endless care and attention at the best of times, and most parents are well-aware of the value of a good routine. However, vacations always deviate from the rigid structure of a child’s everyday experience, which puts that little one on the brink of complete and utter meltdown.

Fortunately, with proper preparation and appropriate responses, parents can prevent disaster on family vacations. Here are the biggest mistakes you’ve made in the past — and what not to do on future family trips.

1. Forgetting In-Flight Entertainment

When kids have to sit still, they get bored. When kids get bored, they get grumpy. When kids get grumpy, you have a problem. Even the shortest flight (or road trip) is enough to make kids and all surrounding adults lose their minds, so you must make sure your little ones have enough toys and games to last from take-off to landing. Here are three cheap and easily transportable entertainment solutions:

• Coloring. Bring a coloring book, printed coloring pages, or just blank paper and some rectangular crayons (or other non-round coloring implements so they don’t slide and roll around in the car or on the plane).
• Beading. For older kids, grab a handful of paperclips to craft simple necklaces and bracelets. Add beads for more variety and fun.
• Storytelling. Pack favorite or new books for your kid to practice reading. When those get old, work together to write your own story on a napkin or extra paper.

2. Booking a Single Room

You may be used to sleeping next to your significant other, but no one in your family is accustomed to sharing a room with so many extra bodies. Even if snoring isn’t an issue, your kids will probably have a hard time drifting off while you are up and about. Though it is slightly more expensive, a suite of rooms allows your family to spread out and have privacy. Plus, they usually come with useful amenities, like a refrigerator for snacks and drinks.

3. Skipping Snacks and Naps

At home, you are sure to keep your kids on a fixed schedule of eating and sleeping, and it is crucial for their little sanity (and yours) that you maintain their snacks and naps while you are away. While it is appropriate to relax timing slightly — for example, they can sleep in later than usual if it fits your itinerary — but you should always have munchies on hand and a way back to the hotel when nap time comes around.

4. Not Budgeting Souvenirs

You don’t need to buy your kids the Taj Mahal, but it is smart to make sure they have a little spending money so they can get something to remember the trip. Whether it is a bag full of sweets from Hershey’s Chocolate World or a snow globe to start a lifelong collection, your kid’s souvenir will make the trip more special for them. If your vacation budget is tight, you can ask friends and family to forego holiday presents and instead give gift cards or cash for your little ones’ souvenir funds.

5. Trying to Do It All

Many people develop a special vacation mentality of seeing and doing as much as possible. For adults, it is possible — though perhaps not enjoyable — to keep going all day without breaks, but so much activity causes kids to meltdown fast. Instead, a trip should contain three or four major events interspersed with plenty of down time.

6. Not Doing Enough

Of course, too much down time is dangerous, as well. While they are in a new place, your kids will want to explore, and keeping them cooped up because you are afraid of a meltdown will likely only cause one. Plus, you should reward your kids for being excited about travel to ensure they look forward to trips in the future.

7. Neglecting Adult Needs

For decades, the focus of parenting has been on raising balanced, healthy kids — but what about keeping yourself balanced and healthy? Because this is your vacation too, you should ensure that you are meeting all of your relaxation needs. If you can, you should bring along a second adult with you can take turns watching the kids. Then, you’ll have some private adult time to mitigate your own mini meltdown.

There are many tributaries to the world-famous Rhine, but the Moselle is probably the most beautiful, originating in the Vosges Mountains and then cutting through France, Germany and Luxembourg before meeting the larger river. If you want an area to explore in the heart of Western Europe, then there are few places more charming and full of history than the Moselle Valley and the river as a whole. Let’s take a look a just some of the things that make this an ideal vacation destination.

Scenery

The scenery is undoubtedly beautiful here, with a mixture of things to see. There’s 339 miles of river, which means that no two trips to this area have to be in any way the same. Along the banks you’ll see pretty little towns, lush green forests and grassland, and dramatic hillsides that plunge down into the valley. Few would disagree that probably the best way to see the Moselle valley is actually from the river itself, and there are a variety of tours and river cruises that you can go on to get the very best out of the area. Try Cruise Deals if you’re looking for a good price.

Cities

Flowing through several countries means that the Moselle also takes visitors through and past some great European cities, most notably the French city of Metz, and the German cities of Trier and Koblenz. There’s also the small village of Schengen in Luxembourg, most notable as the place in which the Schengen agreement was signed in 1985. Architecture is similarly beautiful in these settlements, as they all share a common history, with similar dialects spoken even across borders. Whether you’d like to stay in an authentic chateau or in a city apartment, you’ll be able to do it here and still experience everything the river has to offer.

Attractions

The Mosel wine region surrounds much of the Moselle, and is an area famous for producing some very high quality wines. If you fancy yourself as a bit of a connoisseur, then there are few places better to visit. Visit the little cafes and restaurants that serve local wines, or book a tour through one of the many vineyards in the area. If history is more your thing, then there’s no shortage of castles for you to visit – almost too many to mention. Some are found on hillsides overlooking the river, and other in the centres of towns along the banks.

European cities are great for exploring. From sailing in a Venetian Gondola to              cycling down Amsterdam’s canals or hopping on a Vespa in Italy, there are so many fashionable ways to travel that you’ll never be out of style.

Most cities have a mode of transport synonymous with them but with more and more new methods of transportation being developed each year it’s hard to keep up with the trends. From skateboarding to scootering and children’s trends like Heelys and roller blades, cities have transport fads that come and go.

Currently taking European cities by storm are Swegways. In many places you can now go on Segway led tours which can be really fun, once you master the art of the Segway. They mean the tours are more fun than simply walking around a city and they don’t require a certain level of fitness like say a biking tour might. They are also low emissions and a much trendier alternative to taking a cab.

If you don’t fancy trusting technology you can stick to a more traditional form of transport. Amsterdam is perfect for cycling, in fact it’s one of the most bike friendly cities in the world. You’ll be sure to find hundreds of places to rent bikes from and there are cycle paths and bike racks everywhere so you won’t need to worry about not having anywhere to lock up your bike. Cycling is the preferred Dutch way to get around as the city is quite small and with lots of one way streets so you can avoid the traffic and have an authentic Dutch experience.

Sailing in a Gondola is no longer the traditional Venetian way to travel it’s actually a very expensive luxury mainly used by tourists. It is well worth having a ride through the quiet back street canals away from the main Grand Canal area. Sailing down the canals can be very romantic but they can fit up to 6 people in so a lot of tourists often share with other couples to split the cost.

In Italy the Vespa is one of the fastest ways of getting around. They are hip, quick and considered very cool thanks to their mod reputation but be warned they aren’t for the faint hearted. Italy’s roads can be extremely busy so unless you’re experienced or a very confident driver it’s best to try one outside of the city.

There are so many stylish ways to get around European cities now that anything goes so if you fancy rollerblading through the streets, gliding by on a Swegway or sailing down the canals you’re sure to look very dapper doing it.

If you’re a snow bunny or have always wanted to learn how to ski or snowboard, you may be thinking about where you’ll take your next trip.

Niseko is located in Japan, and is the most famous ski resort, known for its light powder snow, gorgeous back-country and welcoming atmosphere.

Here’s why your next trip should be to this amazing ski area:

Choice

The ski area in Niseko is made up of 4 resorts which are all connected and accessible with a lift pass. This means that regardless of your ski or snowboarding level you’re bound to find a terrain to suit you.

The Japanese

The Japanese are warm, welcoming and polite. They want to help foreigners and talk to them about their lives and home countries, and you’re sure to leave Niseko with a better understanding of the culture. It’s also an excellent opportunity to do some travel through Japan at the same time.

Cost

When you look at traveling to Europe or Japan for a ski trip there’s really no comparison when it comes to cost. Japan is often cheaper, even when taking flights into account due to the value of the Yen.

The Powder

Often people will pre-book their ski trip to Australia, the United States or Europe, only to find that there isn’t enough snow- something which can make the conditions icy, dangerous, and simply not as fun. The geographic location of Niseko means that the Siberian winds bring consistent heavy snow during the winter, making it almost perfect ski and snowboard conditions.

The soft snow means that you’ll get an excellent grip as well as a nice cushion when you fall which is less ear ’n’ tear and impact on your body.

Entertainment

The largest resort is called Grand Hirafu and also has a base at Hanazono. This has a large town around the main base called Hirafun Town which is full of holiday homes, hotels, bars, restaurants and an active nightlife.

Many compare their experience in Niseko as almost like visiting a foreign country inside Japan since there are so many foreigners from all over the world. many of the restaurants and convenience stores sell Western food, but you’ll also find excellent Japanese food throughout Niseko.

Kutchan is another option and is a 15 minute drive from Hirafu. This is the biggest city in the area and you’ll find even more dining and shopping options.

Niseko Village has two main hotels at the base, along with a hot spring for those tired muscles after a day in the snow.

Convenience

Niseko is an easy place to get around, with rapid and local train connections between Kutchan and Sapporo stations, along with a “Niseko Liner” which runs from Otaru. The Japanese have ensured that it’s easy to get around, and they’re famous for their timely trains which run to the minute.

If you’re thinking about a ski or snowboarding trip, Niseko could be the place to go. Consider Vacation Niseko for all your Niseko needs.

When thinking about dream travel destinations, it would be fair to say that Scotland might not necessarily be at the top of everybody’s list. Certainly, the sturdy Scottish weather cannot rival the sun-soaked climates of further afield destinations, but what Scotland lacks in tropical heat it absolutely makes up for in history, traditional culture and stunning country landscapes that will take your breath away and throw you in to the past.

Located in the beating heart of Scotland is Pitlochry, the perfect stop off for tourist travelling from the south to the northern Highlands and beyond. With more than just a hint of fresh Highland air, the popular holiday destination boasts all of the charm and character that you wish to experience in quaint Scottish town, offering a wide range of accommodation, dining and tourist activities for its visitors.

Finding somewhere to stay in Pitlochry is never a problem, as the town boasts a large number of accommodation options from hotels to bed and breakfast to caravan parks. Those seeking five star luxury can’t go wrong with the Fonab Castle Hotel, a stunning 26 room hotel offering all the comforts and spa treatments that one would expect. Those on smaller budgets can opt for Ellangowan House or Rowanlea, two friendly and well placed guest houses that put you on the doorstep of all that Pitlochry has to offer, and Faskally Caravan Park is the perfect choice for visitors who want to immerse themselves in the Scottish nature.

There is no shortage of activities to undertake in Pitlochry, with something for everybody from gentle walkers to extreme sports lovers. Highland Perthshire is a true walker’s haven, with a number of walks beginning and ending in Pitlochry town centre but spanning almost 20 sqaure miles of stunning Scottish scenery. Available too are a number of cycling routes for those who prefer to sight see on two wheels. Fishing and golf are also popular choices for town visitors, who can play a leisurely 18 holes at the Pitlochry golf club or take their chances on the water with salmon and trout fishing on the River Tummel and River Garry. Those tourists who crave something more adventurous can test their nerve with a Highland Fling Bungee or an afternoon of white water rafting at Nae Limits.

No matter your preference in activity, something that can be shared and enjoyed by all is the impressive food and dining in Pitlochry. One of the town’s most revered establishments is the Strathgarry Restaurant and Rooms, famous for it’s expert use of local fresh produce to make some of the best traditional Scottish dishes. For something a little more unusual you can try Fern Cottage, a delightful stone cottage that offers a delicious combination of Scottish ingredients and the moreish, satisfying flavours of the Mediterranean. Other dining highlights that the town has to offer include, Victoria’s Restaurant and Coffee Shop, McKay’s Bar and Restaurant and East Haugh House for a truly memorable and sophisticated evening.

Pitlochry is an ideal base for touring the Trossachs and its lochs and glens. Even famous destinations like Balmoral are just over an hour away. Bike, drive or hire a car to make the most of the area. A 4×4 is a good idea and car rental companies are able to oblige. Just ensure you know what your car hire insurance excess is: you never know when you might bump into a wandering highland cow or a Munroe might decide to shed a rock or two.

Art meets travel – it’s something we see time and time again. From the photos we take on our trips, to stunning paintings we collect of places we visit along the way, art is very intertwined with travel. Recently I saw something very interesting and unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, this travel video by Club Med puts a really fun spin on the way we travel. It takes common travel objects and transforms them into characters, who then go on to experience their own holiday – but using a bag scanning machine to document the trip. It’s funny, fresh and really different.

Frankly I’ve never seen anything like it before and it’s a really fun way to look at how we travel. From the key pieces almost all of us bring alone, such as flip flops and sunscreen, to more obscure things such as what appears to be a ukulele. Our suitcase contents are all as unique as us, and packing for a trip is really half the fun. Not only is the video a very different spin on holidays, but it provides an interesting look at unconventional art. As we develop more and more technology to use in our everyday lives, it’s not surprising that the technology will be used in the art we create too.

If you’re interested in unconventional art, here are some more examples of unconventional art that’s really striking. Anastassia Elias’s Toilet Paper Rolls is a very beautiful an unexpected form of unconventional art. She takes toilet paper rolls, cuts out small scenes from paper, and places them inside the toilet paper. With carefully placed lighting, the scenes just come to life. Using such simple tools and a creative approach she has been able to create a little world of her own and it’s very enchanting.

Interested in more unconventional art? Why not check out this post of 20 Artists who took art to the next level.

Another really interesting video I saw this week was this beautiful video of underwater yoga. Yoga can be exceptionally graceful (it depends on who is doing it, of course), but by placing it underwater in an unfamiliar world, it really changes the perceptive. I would personally LOVE to try underwater yoga, but not sure I can hold my breath for very long. It must be fun doing it when you feel so weightless. Underwater yoga would be particularly useful for those of us with injuries who still want to do yoga but want to start with a much more gentle practice.

When you’re visiting somewhere new, it’s always good to do a little research first, to find out the best things to see and do, so you can focus your time on the things that interest you the most. If you have ever been to Ecuador then you’re in for a treat; full of nature, culture, history, and scenes like they’re out of a travel brochure. Dreaming of this wonderful, exotic destination? You can find affordable flights to Guayaquil with LAN .

If you’re heading to Guayaquil then you have more than enough things to keep you occupied, with some amazing sights to see. If you need a little inspiration, here are ten ideas of must-see things.

Parque Historico Guayaquil

Great for nature lovers, here you can see some of Ecuador’s native wildlife, right in the heart of the city. This is a zoo and botanical garden all within one.

Malecon 2000

A great place to sit and watch the world go by, this is an urban renewal project which gives you a good blend of history and nature. Great for a coffee and people watching, this area stretches along the Rio Guayas and is a great place for foodies.

Cerro Santa Ana

This particular region used to be a very poor area of the city, but it has been regenerated into a beautiful area of the city, containing a 465ft stairway, surrounded by pastel coloured houses, restaurants and galleries. Historic but modern at the same time, basically very pretty.

Head to the Galapagos

A day trip out to the natural wonders of the Galapagos should certainly be done whilst you’re so close. You can see those famous giant turtles, check out the wonder of nature, and basically bask in the fact that you’re in one of the most unspoilt places left on earth.

Hacienda La Danesa

A great place to experience Ecuador’s unique culture, right in the heart of nature. Ecuador is great for outdoor activities, and here you can enjoy horseback riding, traditional cuisine, and culture.

Parque de las Iguanas

Obviously the large lizard known as the iguana is famed in Ecuador, and the chance to touch and feed them in their own habitat is something you shouldn’t be missing out on.

Catedral Metropolitana de Guayaquil

Great for fans of architecture, this is a beautiful building you shouldn’t be missing the chance to explore.

Churute Mangroves Ecological Reserve

Another for fans of nature; basically the area around Guayaquil is stunning, so you should be checking it out.

Iglesia San Jacinto del Morro

The buildings are beautiful around Guayaquil and you should certainly be checking this one out, in traditional colonial style.

Santay Island

A castaway destination which is part of a protected area, you can expect something amazing here. Surrounded by the Guayas River, wildlife is here in abundance, and this is a great place to sit back
and relax.

When it comes to all-inclusive holidays, I used to be a total snob. I figured they were just for old rich white dudes who could afford to throw money around. Turns out, I’m wrong.

When I looked online at the possibilities I was surprised by what I found. A few clicks on the new First Choice All Inclusive Calculator showed me that I could get an incredible all-inclusive holiday for a cheaper price than what I would spend on accommodation, food, transportation and drinks.
If there’s one thing that stresses me out, it’s budgeting for expenses on holiday and forgetting that I need to include tipping, transport, drinks, or something else. I hate going over budget and returning home knowing that I’ll have to live on peanut butter toast in order to pay my rent. As if getting back to the real world after a holiday isn’t bad enough.

It wasn’t as if I hadn’t heard amazing things about all-inclusive holidays. I had listened enviously to people who lay by the beach and pool and got to have drinks bought to them, sit at the buffet and even do activities without having to pay a cent.

The awesome new calculator allows you to choose how many people will be travelling, where you’d like to go, if you want all meals and drinks included or just some of them, and even how many ice creams you think you’ll eat. From there, it calculates whether you should take a self-catering holiday or an all-inclusive one.

I was surprised to see that I could save almost £200 just by choosing all-inclusive, along with a bunch of stress and time that I would probably spend comparing different restaurants and bars in order to get a deal while on holiday.

One of the things that bother me about going on holiday is when I make a budget and somehow end up blowing it, realising that I’ll be lucky if I can afford to feed myself when I get home. Often I don’t even know what I’ve spent the money on until I think about all the small things we often don’t consider, such as transportation, tips, snacks, and even water activities like snorkelling which is often included in all-inclusive prices.

I’m also no good at tipping. I’m not American, so I find it awkward and embarrassing. I never know how much to tip, so end up giving too much or too little, and I’ll often choose countries where tipping isn’t expected just to avoid the awkwardness. However with many all-inclusive resorts, guests don’t need to tip staff as this is included in the price. This is a huge plus for me, as it means guests are usually all treated the same, and not based on what they’ve tipped, and it’s one less thing to worry about when I’m supposed to be relaxing and having a good time.

So the next time you go on holiday, consider choosing the all-inclusive option and saving money, time, and stress.