How To Travel Sustainably This Holiday Season

The Holidays are here. And it is a blend of anxiety and excitement as you prepare to take a break from the daily routine and partake in celebratory rituals. Break free from normal traditions and be your progressive plant based self with these vegan tips and trips for a sustainable, vegan holiday season.

Cruelty-Free Carry On

The hustle and bustle of airport travel can mean an increased carbon footprint. Avoid the usual pitfalls by carpooling to the airport booking direct flights and other carbon offsets.

Opt for Vegan luggage such as MOOV, their MOTION Formula Fashion incorporates clear pockets and layout to maximize visualization, enable quick and easy identification of your essentials, and make your travels more efficient.

Cook Holiday Meals With Plant-based Ingredients

The word of vegan cuisine has made astronomical strides over the last few years. Texture and taste incorporate the rainbow of vegetables rich in nutrition and flavor. Here are some classic recipes for a Thanksgiving dinner and a Christmas holiday party.

Skip The Shopping Spree

Marie Kondo taught us to how to organize our closets, and the Minimalist Traveler taught us how to pack for those weekend getaways and short trips. Pro tip: Pick simple lightweight items that look and feel good on your skin. For something extra special look at renting instead of buying.

Ride Share Instead Of Rent

Car Rentals are not only expensive, they create more carbon emissions than a rideshare service. So Uber, Lyft, and Shuttle your way around town. Why not have that long distance friend pick you up from the airport and treat them to a catch up meal afterwards? The holidays mean quality time with those we care about most. So grab your bestie and get in the carpool lane.

Prepare Your Wardrobe With Eco Options

Not all clothes need to be dry cleaned. (Don’t let the label fool you). Professional Wet Cleaning and Other alternatives are better for the planet and your pocketbook.

Pack Earth Friendly Beauty Supplies

Your makeup bag should be full of clean beauty skincare that has sustainable packaging and plant-powered ingredients. Avoid cleansing wipes as they contain irritants for the skin and are not biodegradable.

Plan Your Trip Efficiently

A quick trip to visit with family and friends can be a nightmare if not planned out, with you spending more time on the road instead of using that time wisely. Schedule a group of friends for a spa day or a round of mocktails at one of your old haunts or try out a new restaurant in town. Skip the gift guessing as well, and lug only your luggage on your holiday travels. Instead, treat your friends and family to what they really want this year, the presence of you.

 

 

Things to Pay Attention to when Renting a Car

Renting a car is an awesome opportunity during your travels to enjoy more freedom and more flexibility. Experienced travelers often end up renting a car and enjoying the benefits of having their own set of wheels to rely on. But don’t just rent whichever car you see first! Every rental agency is different and there are a few things to always pay attention to when renting a vehicle:

Pack your paperwork

Your car rental agency will need to see your documents before they let you rent a car and drive it around. And there’s nothing more disappointing than getting to see the cars just to realize you left your license or ID at home. You will most likely need a valid driver’s license, an ID, and a valid credit card in your name in order to rent a car. Why the credit card? Well, the company does need some sort of insurance in case you make any traffic violations, parking tickets, damage to the car, etc. In some cases, you can make an upfront cash deposit as a warranty.

Mind your age

Did you know that in many cases (not valid for all car rental agencies), younger drivers need to pay more than older drivers? No matter how good of a driver you are, at 21, you might be forced to pay an additional fee. Rental companies see younger drivers as a liability so they want to be better insured with higher fees. Some companies also have an Additional Driver fee that might be higher if you register someone under the age of 25.

Size matters

When it comes to cars, size is one of the first things to pay attention to when renting a car. Depending on the number of passengers you’ll drive, you can opt for a two-seater, small car, sedan, 7-seater SUV, or even an 8-seater van. For shorter trips, you can get a small car and save up some money. However, if you’re taking a road trip around Australia, always get a bigger size for your long trip because you’ll definitely need a lot of space during your adventure. Luckily, car hire in Sydney offers all different models, and practical SUVs might be perfect for your off-road trips. SUVs like Mitsubishi Outlander fit seven passengers and come with huge luggage space for all your tents, sleeping bags, and clothing. For example, getting from punta cana airport to hard rock hotel is easier with a bigger car and you’ll be able to store all your bags easily. On the way back, you can even squeeze in all those souvenirs you’ve bought.

Get insurance

Investing in No Excess Full-Damage Waiver insurance is always a smart move. Your regular insurance will cover any damage that happens to your rented car during an accident, of course, up to the deductible amount depending on the vehicle you choose. Usually, deductibles go from $500 to $1000, depending on the model. Usually, damages to car rentals are not accidents, but small scratches, burns, flat tires, and damage to mirrors. Most insurance policies don’t cover the costs of small damages, even though it’s very realistic that you’ll come back from your dinner and find a new ding on the car or notice a missing mirror. But with a No Excess FDW insurance, you’ll always get to enjoy your rental in peace.

Ask about the fuel

Many rental services require you to fill up the tank, otherwise, you might end up paying double or triple the costs of the fuel. If you want to save up, ask at the shop what kind of fuel does your car run on and make sure to visit the petrol station before you return the rental.

Consider the extras

Usually, people just need the car for their trip and that’s it, but not always. You can also rent extras during your vacation and boost the safety and practicality of your car. But these extras cost, well, extra, so if you want to save up, bring them from home. For instance, if you need GPS, don’t rent one from the agency but use your maps on the phone (if you have a local data card). Also, you most likely don’t need a satellite radio—it’s very fun to enjoy goofy local commercials and local music. You can also rent an electronic toll pass. This is great if you want to save time, but unless you’re planning to use it every day, you can risk the traffic a little bit.

Renting a car can improve any vacation and adventure because you’ll get to run at your own pace. If you’re planning to rent a car, use these tips above for your inspiration and you’ll never make another car rental mistake.

5 Top Christmas Travel Destinations

It’s the holiday season when many people start to prepare to host family and friends. If you’re like me, however, I am preparing to get as far away as possible from my family and friends this holiday season.

With these five destinations, there will be plenty of opportunities to get away from the drudgery of hosting and spending time with family while experiencing how other parts of the world celebrate Christmas.

1. Fiji

Fiji is considered a romantic getaway so it’s a great Christmas destination for couples and young families – especially at Christmas. The Fijians party hard at this time of year, with a mixture of celebrations throughout the entire two-week period building up to New Year’s Eve. Communities come together to sing, dance and feast on “lovo” – a variety of dishes that are slow-cooked in banana leaves.

2. New York

First-timers to New York feel as though they are in a film – so you can already imagine that Christmas is a magical time to visit the city that never sleeps. And whilst you’re there, why not take a movie tour and visit the sets of iconic Christmas films including Scrooge, Elf, Home Alone 2 and Miracle on 34th Street. As you would expect from the Americans, New York has the most elaborate decorations, the most lights and the biggest displays including the Lincoln Centre lights, the Rockefeller Tree lights and Bryant Park winter village.

3. Reykjavic Iceland 

Iceland does Christmas like nowhere else; they have 26 days of Christmas, 13 Santas and an irrepressible group of Yule Lads. On top of that, the Christmas markets, ice-skating rinks on frozen ponds and the delicious offerings of Christmas buffets provide a uniquely different Christmas. And with tours to witness the white, pink, green and purple streaks in the night sky provided by the Aurora Borealis, there are no other Christmas lights in the world that compares with this natural light display.

4. Amsterdam, Netherlands

With its awe-inspiring network of canals, Amsterdam is one of the most attractive cities in the world any time of year. At Christmas, the “big village” takes on a truly magical quality that has to be experienced at least once in your lifetime – mainly due to the incredible Light Festival. In addition, you will find an endless chorus of carols, live music shows, sumptuous food, Christmas markets and romantic quality of lights shimmering on the surface of the water. If you want to experience something different this Christmas, Amsterdam is very different!

5. Prague, Czech Republic

Prague’s medieval downtown looks like something straight out of a fairytale. The cobbled streets and gothic architecture around Old Town Square bring the romanticism of Christmas to the surface. Christmas in Prague has a special vibe and is a must for the street food alone – delicious servings of Czech delicacies including deep-fried carp, the mouthwatering winter food, halušky and the sumptuous trdelník, a sweet pastry topped with cream and dressings. Prague is one of the most photogenic cities in the world – at Christmas, it’s even better.

Wherever you decide to go this Christmas and New Year, make sure you have a truly magical experience and hire a local tour guide. The locals know where to go and where to avoid – and with the bustling Christmas crowds, local knowledge is a gift.

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Traveling on New Years? Try These 9 Destinations

Traveling on New Years? Are you planning to ring in the new year in a new place? If so, youre probably searching for the perfect destination to pop champagne and count down to midnight. But what constitutes the perfect destination? 

If youre traveling on new years, consider these nine locales. 

New York 

If you haven’t watched the ball drop in Times Square, you’re missing out on a classic New Year’s Eve tradition. It’s crowded and noisy and messy — everything wonderful about a celebration. 

You don’t have to get down and dirty on the ground. You can book a hip room and watch the festivities from a poolside bar atop a skyscraper. Alternately, you can reserve a spot on a cruise and watch the fireworks from the harbor while you wine and dine. 

London 

Do you want to ring in the new year the English way? Head across the pond to London, where you can watch the New Year’s fireworks illuminate the famous Big Ben. While you’re there, you can tour Windsor Castle or see the sights atop a double-decker bus. 

Itll be chilly, of course, but the jet stream helps to regulate temperatures somewhat. Be sure to bring warm clothing regardless if youre traveling on new years. 

Colorado 

Ah, colorful Colorado. If you’re a skiing enthusiast, you have to head out to the Midwest to ring in the new year the mile-high way. Even if you prefer not to hit the slopes, you can book a snowshoe tour of the majestic Rocky Mountains. 

Downtown Denver looks spectacular in the snow, or you can head north to towns like Estes Park or Breckenridge. You can look for cabin rentals in Estes Park if you want to start the year right – with beautiful mountain views and spectacular outdoor adventures!

Arizona 

Are you convinced you won’t thaw out until July? If you live in a northern climate, why not fly south to sunny Arizona? Winter in this state is like summer everywhere else. Fairs and festivals abound throughout the region, and you’ll find a celebration catered to nearly any interest. 

If you stay in the Phoenix, Sedona or Tucson metro areas, you can wear shorts and flip-flops during the day — but bring an oversized sweatshirt and snuggly socks for the evening hours. The desert cools down at night.

Auckland 

Do you want to get a jumpstart on New Year’s Eve before the rest of the world? Fly down to Auckland, New Zealand, where you’ll find a temperate climate and unbeatable scenery. 

Auckland is the heart of New Zealand’s film industry. You can tour the areas where classics movies came to life, a wonderful experience if youre traveling on new years. 

The Caribbean 

Now that the hurricane season is a thing of the past, head to a Caribbean island to shake your winter blues this new year. You’ll find temperatures in the 80s all year, and you’ll be the envy of the office when you return with a tan. 

You can enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving or kick back on the beach. If you want a more extensive tour of the region, book a cruise to ring in 2020. 

Athens 

Have you ever been to a bouzoukia or a Greek nightclub? These feature stages where bands play the traditional music of the region while the guests sing and dance along. 

The experience of camaraderie — even when you don’t speak the language — is unmatchable. Plus, you can watch the fireworks show light up the Parthenon. It’s an ethereal blend of ancient and new. 

Mt. Kilimanjaro 

If you want to climb every mountain, but you’re not sure about Everest, head to Africa. You can ring in 2020 from the top of the continent’s highest peak. While you’re there, you can view majestic animals like lions and zebras. 

Sydney

Can you imagine watching the fireworks over the famous Sydney Opera House? You might not find Nemo, but you’ll get unforgettable photographs that will make your colleagues swoon. 

Plus, you’ll ring in the new year 12 hours before the folks back in Times Square. 

Make This New Years Memorable With an Amazing Trip  

There’s nothing like travel to broaden your horizons. It’s the perfect way to start 2020.

Happy 2020

If youre traveling on new years, try one of these destinationsYoull have the most memorable celebration to date.

 

Dylan Bartlett writes about a variety of topics on his site, Just a Regular Guide. Check it out for more info on home improvement, DIY projects and remodeling apps. Follow him on Twitter @theregularguide for frequent updates!

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