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How to Take the Stress Out of Travel

Ed Boitano — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 23:20:45 +0000

Season’s Greetings from the Staff at Traveling Boy

We have designated this Holiday Season to think of those who suffer from great sorry and misfortune. Here are some of our favorite charities.

Is Wonder-Lost? How To Take The Stress Out Of Travel

This year, Trafalgar carried out a study to discover what living ‘The Good Life’ meant to you and whether travel contributed to it. To many people, ‘The Good Life’ meant being able to relax and enjoy a time without stress or anxiety.

The study showed that in today’s high pressured and connected world, people are finding it stressful to plan and enjoy their travels, and even struggle to switch off when away from home. Sound familiar? Here’s how to put the wonder back in your wanderlust and travel stress-free with real ease.

Guide to Christmas in London: Festivals, Events, Things to Do

Courtesy Laura Porter

Photo courtesy YouTube

Leave it to London to have one of the most festive atmospheres for Christmas. The British city goes all out with large light displays, towering Christmas trees, pudding races, ballet performances, and cheerful holiday markets selling local handicrafts and treats (including many mulled wines). Make sure to plan your trip in advance to make the most of Christmas with the Queen.

10 Ways to Find Cheap Christmas Flights

Courtesy Johnny Jet

How to Help Southern California Fire Victims, Where to Donate

Photo courtesy Reuters

More than 140 people have died in California over the last 13 months from various calamities, ranging from the fires in wine country to the mudslides in Montecito. In many of these disasters, officials have acknowledged flaws in the evacuation plans, including the failure to use the latest technology to broadcast Amber Alert-style warnings on cellphones ahead of deadly disasters. Experts say more needs to be done to get the word out.

With over 1,000 people still reported as missing, some fear that rain will wash away the remains of loved ones.

Paradise narrowed its main road by two lanes despite past gridlock during a major wildfire. These ashes have a story to tell: Building assessment teams examine the devastation of the Camp fire. California’s costs to fight two deadly wildfires that ignited less than two weeks ago have already topped $118 million — a sizable financial hit to a program that needed a cash infusion just two months ago. Residents of Lincoln, a suburb of Sacramento, are putting aside their own Thanksgiving Day plans to serve meals to those who’ve been displaced by the widespread destruction from the Camp fire. More than 17,000 buildings burned in Northern California. Perspective: Power companies must do more to fireproof their equipment, but it won’t be cheap, and customers may pay.

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The 13 Safest Places in Mexico for Travelers

Courtesy Ed Hewitt, SmarterTravel

The walled city of Campeche is one of the most beautiful Spanish colonial capitals in Mexico. UNESCO named it a model of colonial baroque city planning, and it joined the list of World Heritage Sites in 1999. It’s also one Mexico’s safest places. Photo courtesy Deb Roskamp.

“Is Mexico safe?” It’s a question many American travelers have asked themselves, especially in the wake of a sweeping security alert for Mexico issued by the U.S. State Department in early March 2018. Such travel advisories can be confusing, but this one is pretty clear and even includes a color-coded map revealing the most dangerous (marked in red) and safest places in Mexico (marked in white).

Norway’s Best Kept Secret Revealed in 50 Degrees North’s New Signature Tour for 2019

Nordic Travel Specialist, 50 Degrees North, has introduced an innovative new 8-day tour for 2019: ‘The Western Fjords of Norway’. Although largely unknown to international visitors, the Western fjords are a rare gem: The landscape is pristine and exceptionally beautiful even by Norwegian standards!

How 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:

Countries That Require Visas for Americans

The State Department’s Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management (ACS) administers the Consular Information Program, which informs the public of conditions abroad that may affect their safety and security. Country Specific Information, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings are vital parts of this program.

Together 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.

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Lake Placid is a fairy-tale winter wonderland during the holidays. Photo courtesy: F I N T Partners

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and with it comes the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Get away from it all in one of New York State’s charming small towns this winter. From special events and live performances to fireworks and parades, ring in the holiday season with your loved ones and check out the list below of some of the best small towns to visit in New York.

Rio de Janeiro Named Must-Visit Destination in 2019

Christ the Redeemer. Photo: Pedro Kirilos, Riotur

Rio de Janeiro was named one of the world’s five most cost-effective destinations for 2019. A survey conducted by British air travel website Skyscanner revealed, after analyzing flight and hotel offers, that in addition to being a great cultural experience, visiting the Americas next year could also be an excellent idea for those who want to save money. According to the study, the day rates in four-star hotels in Rio dropped by 20%. The website also bets on the drop in air tickets prices due to the creation of new direct flights from Europe to the city. We list five classic and unforgettable tours for those who arrive in the Marvelous City. Check out:

A Common Mistake to Avoid When Visiting Hawaii

Photo courtesy Deb Roskamp

Don’t Tell a Local or Fellow Visitor You’re From the USA. If someone asks you where you are from, don’t say “the USA.” Hawaii is a US State and has been so since 1959. It is the 50th State in the Union. (Everyone’s heard of Hawaii Five-0.) If someone asks you where you are from you can say either “the mainland” or just specify the city and/or state where you live.

Cunard Cruise Line Partners with English National Ballet

Courtesy Travel News Online

Cunard has announced that the world-renowned English National Ballet will join the Queen Mary 2 for a unique voyage from Southampton to New York from 11-18 August 2019. Guests on the seven-night transatlantic crossing will have the opportunity to meet the leading dancers from the British ballet company, including lead principal, Erina Takahashi, and first soloist, James Streeter, watch their morning ballet class and drop in on afternoon rehearsals.

Guyana Becomes First Country to Adopt International Guide Standards

Courtesy Dan Moore

Several guides in Guyana participated in the five-day training. © Kamrul Baksh, Guyana Tourism Authority

On November 5, 2018, Guyana, a small Caribbean nation in South America, became the first country in the world to commit to to the Adventure Travel Guide Standard (ATGS). Originally called The International Adventure Travel Guide Qualification & Performance Standard, the ATGS was created in 2015 by a cohort of guides and industry professionals from 15 different countries convened by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA).

Cuban Cruise Arrivals Break Record in 2018

Courtesy www.caribbeannewsnow.com

By the end of October, 703,519 cruise passengers had arrived in Cuba, a growth of almost 117,000 compared to the previous year, said Manuel Marrero Cruz, minister of tourism. Despite the achievement, arrivals were affected by the measures adopted by the president of the United States, Donald Trump, and the return of his country to the policy of isolation from Cuba, which has caused a considerable decrease in travelers from the northern nation, he said

12 Things You Should Never Do in an Airport Security Line

Courtesy Neil Gladstone

Photo courtesy: pittaya/Flickr

If you’ve ever wondered whether airport agents perform a necessary function, take a look at the TSA Instagram account. You’ll find a stupefying collection of objects confiscated from passengers, including axes, crossbows, and handguns (and that’s just in the last few days). Acting foolishly, though, can get you delayed from a flight or even detained. To help explain what you shouldn’t do in an airport security line, we tapped Lewis Sage-Passant, a former British infantry officer who is trained in intelligence and has worked in security and crisis management for several corporations, including Goldman-Sachs. These days, he runs How Safe Is My Trip, a company that creates advisory reports for people going to risky destinations.

2018’s Best Frequent Flyer Programs

Delta SkyMiles is the best frequent flyer program for the third straight year

With U.S. airlines expected to carry more than 600 million passengers on domestic flights this year and credit card debt levels exploding, we can expect airfare savings to be increasingly important in the months ahead.

Watch Out for These Tourist Traps in All 50 States

Being on the ground in over 180 countries means you get the full story.

The post How to Take the Stress Out of Travel appeared first on Traveling Archive.

When Arctic Ice Melts, Polluted Destinations

Ed Boitano — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 17:52:05 +0000

Happy November from the Staff at Traveling Boy

We have designated this autumn to think of those who suffer from great sorry and misfortune. Here are some of our favorite charities.

When the Ice Melts, What Will Happen to Arctic Tourism?

Courtesy Mia Bennett Maritime Executive

Glimmering aurora have returned to light up northern night skies, meaning that summer is drawing to a close. With these seasonal changes, as the last berries were picked and the tundra turned to red, Arctic sea ice reached its minimum extent for the year.

Help People Affected by Hurricane Florence and Maria

Your donation enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters.

Photo by Gerald Herbert/AP

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The Best Places to See Fall Foliage in New England

Courtesy Stacey Leasca

As a kid, I measured my summers in corn. Each year, at the beginning of June, we’d ride our bikes down to our neighborhood farm in my small New England town and watch the tractor methodically place the seedlings into the ground. By July, those seedlings would be hip high, and by late August they’d tower over my friends and me. That’s how we knew it was once again time for school. Though the thought of heading back to geometry class wasn’t exactly exciting, there was still one more natural phenomenon worth looking forward to: the leaves changing color.

This Is the Perfect Length of Time to Go on Vacation, According to Science

By Tracy Moore

Photo courtesy of MEL Magazine

You’ve been doing it all wrong — potentially missing out on the happiest trip of your life

The World’s Most-Polluted Destinations, in One Map

Courtesy SmarterTravel & World Health Organization

Air pollution does a lot more than cancel or postpone vacations — it kills millions of people worldwide every year, according to the World Health Organization. Some of the worst places for air pollution are also home to bucket-list-worthy sights. But missing them might be the least of your problems if smog ramps up during your visit: Symptoms of air pollution sickness include nausea, coughing, headache, itchy eyes — and air pollution can cause long-term breathing problems.

Secrets the Cruise Lines Don’t Tell You

Courtesy Cruise Critic

The more you cruise, the more you pick up on the unofficial secrets the cruise lines don’t tell you — which give you more options, let you save money and generally allow you to have a better time on board. Don’t miss out on these hidden gems.

How to Take Your Own Passport Photo

Courtesy, Caroline Morse Teel, SmarterTravel

New Guidebook to Promote Animal-Friendly Tourism

Animal-loving travellers are now able to enjoy their holidays better equipped to avoid accidentally harming wildlife, with a new guidebook published by Horizon Guides in consultation with international wildlife charity Born Free.

10 Countries Where the Dollar Goes Furthest in 2018

Courtesy Jamie Moore, SmarterTravel

Your hard-earned dollar can take you to some incredible places where favorable exchange rates and undervalued currencies get you more bang for your buck in 2018. While the greenback isn’t as strong as it was last year, the dollar goes further in several countries you might not have expected.

Countries That Require Visas for Americans

Top 25 Most Interesting Webcams

Selected from hundreds of nominees by a panel of EarthCam producers, EarthCam announces the most unique and compelling webcams of the year.

TSA says old driver’s licenses OK for air travel until 2020

Transportation Security Administration spokesman Mike England announced that driver’s licenses from all states will be acceptable identification for domestic US air travel until Oct. 1, 2020. Airport signs had previously warned that licenses from some states would no longer be acceptable as of Jan. 22, 2018.

Being on the ground in over 180 countries means you get the full story.

Together 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.

18 Easy Ways to Have a Better Flight

See Article and VIDEO

10 Flytographers Share Their Pro Travel Photography Tips

Courtesy Natalie DiScala, Oh! Travelissima

Photo by Orlando in Barcelona for Flytographer

How do you capture that perfect travel photo? Natalie DiScala asked 10 photographers from Flytographer, the company that offers vacationers professional photographers to capture their travels, for their best travel photography tips. Here’s what they had to say:

What are Your Chances if You Fall From a Cruise Ship?

By Sara Macefield

Each time I step onto a cruise ship with my children, I have an irrational fear that one of them will fall overboard. But this dissipates when I look at the high railings on the decks and realize how difficult it must be to accidentally fall. But it still happens, as evidenced by the plight of British air hostess Kay Longstaff, who was pulled from the Adriatic last week having plunged from the Norwegian Star as it sailed 60 miles (96.5km) off the Croatian coast.

How To Stay Safe and Secure on Your Caribbean Vacation

Courtesy Robert Curley

Photo by Atilin, via Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Safety and security are always a concern when you travel, and a Caribbean vacation is no exception. It’s a fine line between relaxing and letting your guard down, so while it’s fine to chill out and have a good time on your island adventure, there are a few sensible precautions you should take before leaving home and once you arrive at your destination.

Whether it’s Domestic or International Travel in your future always best to consult first with the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE — BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS

UNESCO Designates Japan’s 18th World Cultural Heritage Set

The Hidden Christian Sites of Nagasaki

Remains of semi-underground type huts at ruins of Hara Castle (a picture taken during the excavation process). Photo courtesy of kirishitan.jp

UNESCO has designated a series of sites associated with the checkered history of Christians in 16th- to 19th-century Japan as the country’s 18th World Cultural Heritage Site. The “site” is comprised of 10 villages in northwest Kyushu, as well as the ruins of Hara Castle — originally built by the Portuguese — and St. Mary’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in the city of Nagasaki.

How Cruise Lines Innovate When They Keep Building the Same Type of Ship

Courtesy Hannah Sampson, Skift

Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas inspired awe — and many headlines — when it launched in 2009 as the world’s largest cruise ship with 2,742 staterooms, nearly two dozen restaurants, seven neighborhoods, and a Central Park.

Norwegian Cruise Line expanded the race track on its newest ship, Norwegian Bliss. Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line.

More than eight years later, Royal Caribbean is still launching Oasis-class ships, and still commanding headlines for the latest “world’s largest cruise ship.” That would be Symphony of the Seas, the fourth and slightly larger version of Oasis, which started sailing earlier this year.

The World’s Most Popular Travel Experiences, According to TripAdvisor

Courtesy Carl Unger

TripAdvisor recently released its 2018 Travel Trends Report, naming the most popular travel experiences, tours, and activities booked by its users last year. The data points to a shift toward non-traditional and experiential activities as travelers look to expand their options.

How to Fight Jet Lag

Being outside during daylight, exercising early and avoiding caffeine, alcohol or nicotine before bedtime can help lessen the effects of jet lag after returning home across time zones. Complete recovery can take multiple days.