Happy February from the Staff at Traveling Boy
We have designated the month of February to think of those who suffer from great sorry and misfortune. Here are some of our favorite charities.
MOREGender, Age Reveal Travel Safety Concern Differences
By Bill McIntyre, Global Rescue
Gender and age drive the biggest distinction among travelers, according to results of the 2020 Annual Global Rescue Travel Safety Survey. The survey reveals unexpected travel safety concerns between the sexes and among the generations.
Men are about 50% more concerned about family travel than women. Travelers are very concerned about travel to the Middle East, but respondents between the ages of 40-59 are a third more concerned than their younger counterparts. Forty percent of travelers under age 40 believe health/medical issues are the greatest threat while touring and exploring, compared to only 29% of travelers between 40-60 years old.
MOREMore Than One Third Of Americans’ February Resolutions Involve More Traveling
Courtesy Calum McCloskey, www.10yetis.co.uk
- Almost two fifths of Americans have set themselves New Year’s resolutions for 2020
- Slightly over one third of these cite wanting to travel more as one of their resolutions
- 26% of Americans not wanting to travel in 2020 say so because they are fearful
- Japan, Britain and Canada most popular destinations for those wanting to travel this year
Tips from Rick Steves: Defend Yourself Against 21st-Century Travel Scams:
Courtesy USA Today
Europe is a surprisingly creative place when it comes to travel scams. Many of the most successful gambits require a naively trusting tourist, but seasoned travelers can be taken in, too. We should all be wary of the numerous subtle scams – a cabbie pads your fare, a hotel business-center computer records your password, or a waiter offers a special with a “special” increased price. But if you’re cautious and not overly trusting, you should have no problem. Here are some of the latest travel scams I’ve discovered on my travels, and how to skirt them.
MORE7 Secret Amtrak Tips That Could Save You Money
by Ed Perkins
If you’re considering a trip on Amtrak, you could be eligible for a discount you don’t know about. Amtrak routinely gives up to 30 percent off bookings for an array of reasons, some based on status, some on when you buy, and some on short-term promotions. Here are the Amtrak tips you need to know to save money on a rail journey.
How to Avoid the Worst Seat on the Plane
Courtesy Sarah Schlichter, SmarterTravel
We’ve all been there. Make sure it never happens again with these simple tips.
MOREUrban Safaris in Africa? Absolutely. Don’t Skip over Africa’s Best Cities With the Help of Timeless Africa Safaris
From Cape Town to Kigali, Nairobi to Arusha, transformative opportunities for travelers to discover culture and connect with locals.
There is more to an African journey than watching wildlife in the wilderness – and much more to Africa as well. Timeless Africa Safaris, the boutique Cape Town, South Africa-based travel designer has made a specialty of curating Urban Safaris for travelers intrigued by the culture of the continent, with transformative opportunities.
MOREI Accidentally Uncovered a Nationwide Scam on Airbnb
Courtesy Allie Conti
While searching for the person who grifted me in Chicago, I discovered just how easy it is for users of the short-term rental platform to get exploited.
MOREThe Swiss UNESCO World Heritage sites.
UNESCO World Heritage sites are witness to the history of the earth and humanity. Each one of these places embodies authenticity, quality and diversity across generations.
Thanks to Mother Nature and some eminent masterminds, Switzerland is home to no less than 12 wonders, a constellation of cultural and natural sites with the Biosfera Engiadina Val Müstair, the architectural works by Le Corbusier and the Jungfrau-Aletsch Region among others.
On the anniversary of the convention adopted on 16 November 1972 in Paris at the 17th General Conference of UNESCO we pay tribute in this newsletter to our Swiss wonders.
We begin with a selection of our four favorite sites with the promise of more to come in the next few months…however, if you can’t wait, feel free to visit the exhaustive list available on our website: UNESCO World Heritage sites.
7 Hidden Benefits of Cruising That Might Surprise You
Courtesy Albom Adventures
Are you wondering if a cruise holiday is right for you? While there are all the obvious benefits that come from a nearly all-inclusive vacation with a pre-planned destination itinerary, there are also many hidden benefits of cruising that might surprise you.
MORE11 Endangered Bucket List Destinations (And How to Visit Them Responsibly)
Courtesy of Mariana Zapata, SmarterTravel
Climate change and overtourism make daily headlines now and are stark reminders that some of the most beautiful places in the world are at risk of disappearing. For many travelers, the natural response to this is “last chance tourism,” or a rush to see endangered places while they’re still here. But before writing obituaries for these endangered destinations, consider instead taking actionable steps before and during your trip to keep them from disappearing. Here are 11 at-risk destinations and what you can do to help preserve them.
MOREHow to Take Your Own Passport Photo
Courtesy, Caroline Morse Teel, SmarterTravel
After paying $15 to have an awkward photoshoot in the aisle of a CVS, only to have my passport photos rejected twice (once for being too dark and once for being too bright), I decided there had to be a better way to take your own passport photo. Turns out, snapping your own passport photo is easier, cheaper, and much more convenient than going to a “professional” (a.k.a., the cashier at your local drugstore). Here’s a few tips:
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Being on the ground in over 180 countries means you get the full story.
The 12 Best Places to Travel in 2020
Courtesy Avital Andrews, SmarterTravel
From Egypt to the Arctic, get inspired with this month-by-month guide.
MORE17 Ways Flying has Changed Over the Last Decade
Courtesy Sophie-Claire Hoeller, Insider
Between the stringent security, long lines, packed-to-capacity planes, bland meals, and extra fees, flying can be stressful. However, flying today is cheaper, safer, and faster than it has ever been.
MOREDelicious Winter Drinks From Around the World
Bored of eggnog? Sick of cider? Here are nine scrumptious winter beverages to sip on from across the globe
Courtesy Lila Thulin, smithsonianmag.com
In the United States, the winter months might conjure the image of a crackling fire, wrapping paper, lit candles and the taste of warm cider, eggnog or piping-hot chocolate. These libations — iced, boozy or once-a-year delicacies — reflect the culinary traditions, weather, religion and agriculture of the places they originated. Here are nine beverages that will be served at special occasions around the globe this winter.
MORE22 Destinations that Were Ruined by Tourists Over the Past Decade
Courtesy of Ben Mack, Insider
- The 2010s saw more people traveling than ever before, according to The Guardian’s report on recent figures from the World Tourism Organization.
- But millions upon millions of people going on adventures has put pressure on numerous destinations.
- Some, like Venice, have long been affected by overtourism, but others like Dubrovnik, Croatia, are facing new challenges caused by the popularity of TV shows like “Game of Thrones.”
- Here are 22 of the places we’re loving to death.
Why You Should Visit Hamburg in 2020
From Beatles’ Hamburg anniversary, to a new 5-star hotel, to off-beat festivals and culinary stars …. 2020 is the year to visit Germany’s maritime city.
Since the opening of the Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg’s new concert hall, the city has become more popular than ever. If you have not visited this northern German city, 2020 will give you even more reasons to explore this maritime city on the Elbe river, as the coming year has plenty of new discoveries in store.
Come Together – The Hamburg Beatles Experience
March 27-29
It was in 1960, when five young musicians from Liverpool first performed at Hamburg’s Indra club in St Pauli as “The Beatles”. Sixty years later, Hamburg is celebrating the world’s most recognizable band, at the sites where their career started. A weekend of concerts at Indra and Kaiserkeller – both authentic venues where the band performed – as well as other locations, will bring back music history. An interactive Beatles’ tour, exhibitions and talks with Beatles’ experts will broaden the experience. Cometogether-experience.
MOREAncient Jerusalem Maze-of-Tunnels Discovered
Courtesy of National Geographic
A fifth-century church has been uncovered in Jerusalem. Built to commemorate the site where Jesus is said to have cured a blind man, the sanctuary fell out of use, its roof eventually collapsed, and the ancient building over time joined the city’s vast underground realm.Unearthing the 2,000-year-old, 2,000-foot-long street that once conveyed pilgrims, merchants, and other visitors to one of the wonders of ancient Palestine: the Jewish Temple, was one the world’s most expensive archaeological projects. Choked with debris during the fiery destruction of the city by Roman forces in A.D. 70, this monumental path disappeared from view.
MOREHow to Survive Sitting on a Long Flight, According to a Physical Therapist
Courtesy Josh Ocampo, Lifehacker
I can never sit comfortably on a flight; I’ve struggled with lower back pain for years. After emerging from a long flight spent in a middle seat, I have been known to collapse on the floor of the airport like an infant that’s learning to walk.
MOREAncient ‘Lost City’ of the Khmer Empire Discovered in Cambodia
Courtesy Jessie Yeung, CNN
Researchers have identified the elusive ancient “lost city” of Cambodia for the first time.
Mahendraparvata was one of the first capitals in the Khmer Empire, which lasted from the 9th to 15th centuries AD, but much of what we know come from inscriptions recovered from other sites. Scientists theorized that the city was located on the Phnom Kulen plateau, about 48 kilometers (about 30 miles) north of Siem Reap, but it was difficult to find evidence.
MORETogether in Spirit – The Best Friends Animal Society
At the core of Best Friends Animal Society’s work is the dream that one day animals will no longer be killed in America’s shelters.
MOREAmericans Reveal What Makes a ‘Good Tourist’
Going abroad provides the perfect opportunity to relax and get away from the responsibilities/stresses of everyday life. Set in vacation mode, many people sometimes forget that they are a guest in another country and therefore, fail to ensure their behavior as well as actions are always respectful towards the visiting destinations local culture/customs.
MORE12 New UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Courtesy SmarterTravel
This year UNESCO has added 29 new cultural sites to its World Heritage List. Here are 12 wonders to add to your bucket list.
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