Deborah Peniuk aka Dee/TraveliciousDee is an outside the box travel counsellor on a mission to empower people to plan travel less inside the lines & use their senses & imagination. She’s currently living in Ontario, Canada and loves yoga, mediation, and being outside. Be her friend on facebook or follow her on twitter
After many years of travelling solo…I remember my first trip travelling as partner in a relationship and learned some great lessons for future trips and a few from my other friends and travelling companions over the years! Sure the idea of heading off to an exotic local and hiking into unseen splendor, braving the weather conditions and “bathroom” facilities,otherwise known as squatter toilets and eating meals with chopsticks or your fingers seemed like the ultimate shared adventure…the real challenge of vacationing together is spending every minute together for the long periods ahead (7,14, 21 days or for some even 60 to 365 days straight). If you think your relationship is up to the test, do yourselves a favor and take some of my hard-learned and well adhered travel tips.
Before you head off on your own two week foreign trekking together, test the waters first with a much shorter trip much closer to home. If a weekend getaway somewhere not so far together to see a local destination leaves you questioning what you ever saw in each other, you might want to reconsider that African safari or the surfing trip in Waikiki.
Be sure to make the travel arrangements together whether you’re traveling just a couple hours away or heading out to more far-flung destinations, make sure you’re both taking active roles in the planning process. “Blame” and “credit” make strange bedfellows, so do yourself and your partner the grace of sharing the load and leave those two kill joys at home. Ensure you are travelling with a partner with proper travelling identification that is up to date( most countries will require you have a valid passport and some countries will require visitors to have a Visitor’s Visa/Permit). Also having a partner with a driver’s license is a blessing if you are renting a car on your travels as traveling with someone who doesn’t drive is a bit of a drag—especially if you’re not crazy about taking the wheel yourself (literally, not metaphorically).
Application for US Passport // Passport Canada // Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
When it comes to eating when you are travelling together -Pack a few nutritional bars for backup! Seriously, these things can save you even if you aren’t traveling to a location where the food is questionable, chances are your schedule will be, and almost nothing kills a good time—or a romantic mood—faster than low blood sugar. So plan ahead and don’t let it! Sometimes doing things the cheap way is more fun; you see more of life and the tourists around you are younger and/or more interesting. Still, be sure to balance the low-budget buses & tours with indulgences like a nice restaurants or hotels when you can afford it. A little break from culture shock every now and then can be a good thing and luxurious is not always out of reach on a budget and can be arranged with a travel professional with a good knowledge of destinations and suppliers.
Don’t be afraid to bring stuff to entertain yourself – believe it or not, if you’re going on a longer trip together, there are going to be moments, maybe even hours, when the last thing you want to do is talk to, make-out with, or even look at your significant other. Have a good book or a pile of magazines to keep you occupied when those times arise but make sure to put the book down when that something else arises. Take the time to interact with other people -this is essential on those longer trips, too, for obvious reasons, I hope. Hit the hotel bar and mingle, take an afternoon cruise or tour with other travelers. You don’t have to make friends for life, but the company of others for even just a few hours will save you from what is sometimes called couples’ claustrophobia.
Take initiative - sooner or later, realistically something’s going to go wrong – it more than likely isn’t catastrophic! When this happens and one of you inevitably melts under the pressure and stress of it all, it’s essential the other takes the initiative and gives into to back up Plan B. Contact your travel professional immediately as it won’t always have been the “perfect” plan and it doesn’t come down to blaming anyone but it makes the most sense— trust me on this: having your travel professional at the moment when it seems the world is crashing in will save not only your vacation, it could very well save your relationship.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to make a list of all the things you are concerned about and take them to your trusted travel professional…that is what we are here for and will be able to answer a lot of the questions you might have about your destinations of choice. But most of all – be prepared to be flexible and enjoy whatever comes your way – You can have fun in the rain or the snow!
photo by paul l dineen, cc
Read More
Deborah Peniuk aka Dee/TraveliciousDee is an outside the box travel counsellor on a mission to empower people to plan travel less inside the lines & use their senses & imagination. She’s currently living in Ontario, Canada and loves yoga, mediation, and being outside. Be her friend on facebook or follow her on twitter!
Food Glorious Food! Just the thought of tantilizing flavours from far away conjures up the most amazing of sensations. Maybe at this exact moment you are remembering a favourite dish a parent, relative or friend made like Uncle Jim’s perfectly barbequed tasty ribs or Grandma’s expertly rolled homemade cinnamon buns. The thing about food is – it sustains us both emotionally and physically – it’s not just a necessity for living but also a joy and a simple pleasure so let’s discuss the challenges of taking this joy on vacation.
If you’re in a non-English speaking country, it’s a good idea to get referrals from other travellers and your travel agent if possible as well as having a phrase book on hand to help translate the menu and avoid potentially risky dishes. Do some research online or at the library to better understand the cuisine of the location you will be visiting. Make sure that your food is always cooked thoroughly and served hot if that is what the dish is supposed to be. This is not the best time to be super adventurous and have a runny egg huevos rancheros or some prepared tartare in a country not known for its “raw” menu items. It’s also a good idea to see how an eatery runs their clean “ship” as that will usually tell you how clean they might be keeping their kitchen.
One of the best things about travelling is enjoying the tastes and smells, the experience of new cuisine; one of the worst things about travelling is the possibility of food related illnesses. When choosing to place to eat, try to dine in busy tourist destinations, which are more likely to have higher food safety regulations, standards and practices in order to maintain their reputation and the continued return of business.
A new little travel tip I was recently enlightened to has helped to ensure that I don’t create a recipe for disaster and digestive chaos was the following: if the drinking water you will have access to is questionable, simply add 2-5 drops of Grapefruit Seed Extract (otherwise known as GSE) to each glass of water. Be sure to get its full effects by stirring it well and letting it sit for a few moments before you consume it but be forwarned its quite bitter(think citrus on steroids) . As an excellent antimicrobial it’s great to have on hand to keep those digestive complaints at bay while travelling. Most will say that the best advice is to only consume those beverages that are bottled and served to yousealed(it’s not uncommon for bottles to be refilled from a contaminated source and order your drinks without ice,including those ones that are blended- I know- takes away the fun but its about being safe!
Danger Danger …sometimes its only skin deep so only eat fruits such as oranges and other citrus fruits, bananas and mangos that have a protective, peel-able layer of skin. The peel of the fruit acts like a protective barrier to microorganisms that can make you sick. The peel protects the fruit inside but also makes it a net that harbours the growth of bacteria and molds so always make sure you completely wash and peel it first so you don’t tranfer anything.
Wash, Wash, Wash! Don’t forget to wash your own hands many times over! Washing your hands is even more important to travellers in a foreign locale than at home because of the possibility of picking up “little critters” or microbes that you have never been exposed to.
Paying attention to food safety is not just a travelling issue as we are such a global community that comes with a very global food supply. Food is sourced and delivered from multiple sources and your favourite fruits and veggies can travel thousands of miles to grace your table and even our local produce is handled many times over before we pick it up at the supermarket and the local veggie stand.
Read More
Based out of New York City and Canada, Cinny is the mommy to JR and Baby Pom. When not working or studying full time, she can be found working on Whirlwind of Surprises or cuddling with her hubby and playing with her dogs. She shines in the warm company of friends and family and enjoys playing with her 3 little nephews.
When you visit Macau, there are a number of things you want to see and taste. One of these are the infamous pork chop buns. On one early, chilly morning, we did just that! Oh, but you can’t just go to any shop…you have to go to the shop that started it all located near the Galaxy Hotel. There are several options of pork chop buns or pork chop on noodles. However, we were so early that morning that we only had two choices so we ordered both to test it out.
You eat outdoors so the food tastes all the better, steaming hot. And trust me, it was boiling hot. I couldn’t even hold the bowl of noodles when it first got served. We had to borrow their metal trays to bring it outside. We kicked off the day with full and warm bellies, not that you could see mine, because my beautiful Penelope dress hid it all. I love Penelope dresses all the more though because there are pockets!
As we wandered around Macau, we came across this super neat museum…Macau’s Grand Prix Museum. What?! Yes, Macau has a Grand Prix and it has it’s 60th anniversary next year. With free admission, it’s worth checking out, especially for car fans, before our Afternoon Tea reservations at the Sky 360 Restaurant at the Macau Tower.
I’ve been to the Macau Tower once before with the SO but we’ve never eaten up there. As you know from my previous trips, I have fallen in love with Afternoon Tea so this really was quite the pleasant surprise my dad planned. He didn’t even know I liked Afternoon Tea. There’s always some sort of dress code when you eat at these tower restaurants but I wasn’t worried. Karina Dresses always has me covered, whether I’m eating pork chop buns on the street or enjoying afternoon tea and views at top of a tower. You’ll be happy to know I wasn’t stopped at the door and told I couldn’t enter.
The food was just amazing…although it was a modified with Asian touches. I can only say it was well worth the money spent for a wonderful afternoon, spinning on the top of the world with my family and Karina.
Read More
Susan is a working mom who loves to blog, travel, and try new things. You can follow her adventures on Facebook or Twitter.
Karina is introducing a new style to the Karina Dresses line: the Ruby! Ruby is a faux wrap dress that comes with a stylish high collar.
I recently had the chance to attend a fun conference in Cancun, Mexico with a couple of great bloggers. There were plenty of things to do be it meetings or tourist trips into town. All of this running around was a lot easier in my Karina dress!
The dress was amazing, comfortable, and the style and shape was a great addition to the Karina line. The color was a very vibrant blue, that reminded me of an amazing peacock. The high neck is unique, and with the faux wrap dress there is no fear that my dress will fly open, and I will unknowingly show my undergarments to my coworkers! Ugh, that was an experience, not a good one I might add…
I love that this has a faux wrap, you get the great look of a wrap dress without the chance of an embarrassment. You get that great style, and look but you can do just about anything you want in this dress. I was able to go down to the water, and dip my feet in on this hot day, yes, I may have gotten some sand and water on my dress but with Karina dresses, I could just brush the sand off and the dress dried in minutes. I was able to have my fun and still wear the dress out to dinner. Karina dresses are amazing!
Read More
Based out of New York City and Canada, Cinny is the mommy to JR and Baby Pom. When not working or studying full time, she can be found working on Whirlwind of Surprises or cuddling with her hubby and playing with her dogs. She shines in the warm company of friends and family and enjoys playing with her 3 little nephews.
Yes, it’s true and we’ve proved it! Karina dresses are really built for women of all sizes and almost all ages. At Karina Dresses, they are very proud of being dresses for women from ages 18-80. Well, we put that to the test during my recent Hong Kong trip!
No trip to Hong Kong would be complete without a visit to my favorite grandmother. She’s the sweetest little old lady you’ll ever meet. One that would bend over backwards to help complete strangers. My brother and I hadn’t been able to visit and see her in years now. The last time my brother visited Hong Kong was a good 10 years ago.
Get this…to test out Karina dresses’ theory of dresses for anyone ages 18 to 80, we decided to dress up my grandmother, mother, and myself. Yes! All 3 generations in comfortable, easy wear, easy care feminine works of art. How’s that for testing it out? Grandma is 79 this year! 79! So I think she pretty much represents the 80 age range. Despite that, she’s always 18 at heart, equipped with the courage to go on roller coasters and rides with her grandkids.
You know…it was easy to pick out dresses with mom. Actually, I lied. It was kind of difficult since she liked so many of the styles and designs. We ended up just picking a bunch and saying well, you can try them all and take whichever one you like the most. With grandma though, we kind of had to make a decision and decide on a size for her ourselves. After all, I haven’t seen her in awhile and even mom wasn’t too sure on her size.
This is where Karina Dresses comes in so handy! Each size fits a range of sizes. For example, X/S usually fits sizes 0-4 and S/M fits sizes 4-8 (you should check for the different styles though). We ended up choosing a variety of dresses in sizes X/S and S/M. We figured at worst the S/M would just be a slightly looser fit on mom and I, but should be able to extend to fit grandma comfortably. The ease of sizing really helped with our decision making as you can see from my beautiful grandma’s portrait. Everything fit nicely and mom, of course, loved the tummy hiding properties. Grandma is a huge fan of comfy fabrics so I think we did her proud this time! X/S fit both mom and I gorgeously and the S/M was perfect for grandma, although as you can see, we all have different body shapes and sizes. I could wear both grandma’s and mom’s dresses with ease so it’d be easy for us to swap dresses. Karina truly is a company for frockstars, ages 18 to 80.
Read More
Based out of New York City and Canada, Cinny is the mommy to JR and Baby Pom. When not working or studying full time, she can be found working on Whirlwind of Surprises or cuddling with her hubby and playing with her dogs. She shines in the warm company of friends and family and enjoys playing with her 3 little nephews.
While I was in Hong Kong, I was solicited to film a commercial for #KarinaNation. Mmmhmm, this fashionista was in a shampoo commercial! I was the Penelope 3/4 Sleeve in Creme Brullee Puchi size XS and ready to go.
Or so it seemed… Really, it was decent weather that day, at the bottom of The Peak. Unfortunately though, once you reached the top, the wind was blowing every which way and much colder than expected.
With a beautiful views of Hong Kong both before and after sunset, I couldn’t help but want a portrait in my gorgeous dress. I’m not sure if it happened though. My hair had a life of it’s own. Sometimes it was completely straight up…other times, it was just in my face. I think I finally got one where you see my face in it. Haha, it was totally like a shampoo commercial, right?
After that we wandered back to the warmer lower levels and checked out the gorgeous city lights. In my opinion, it’s especially pretty around Christmas with all the Christmas lighting. Dad actually took us to an area where they first took me to see Christmas lights my very first Christmas decades ago. It’s nothing like how it was back then now but there were still fascinating areas nearby.
We walked to the Avenue of Stars, which is kind of like the Chinese Walk of Fame and oh my gosh, there were way too many people. People were jam packed everywhere and you couldn’t move without bumping into someone. At times, you couldn’t move at all! It is, however, the best place to take pictures of the breath taking Christmas lights you see annually across the harbor. Another beautiful memory with Karina…haha, Karina is my favorite travel buddy now.
Read More
Kam is lives in Southern California and is the blogger behind Campfire Chic. She shares her story as a 9-5er looking for adventure and a handmade life. When she’s not blogging, Kam can be found on a trail, reading comic books, or hunting down the perfect breakfast burrito. The posts she shares encourage her readers to take risks and try new things, like camping, rock climbing, and yoga, while maintaining their current interests and responsibilities. Campfire Chic is about accepting challenges, setting achievable goals, and documenting the journey toward the finish line. Connect with Kam via Twitter and Google+.
ONE: A photo of where you lay your head.
I like to take a photo of each campsite or homebase we get to call home for a few nights, whether it be next to a lake, at a busy campground in a National Park, or in my backyard. I think it is fun to see what each spot looked like and what we brought each time. Capturing the scenery around your basecamp is fun to show just how far away from home you may be. Bonus if you can get a photo from a neat angle like the photo above, where my campmate scrambled some rocks to get a shot of my legs peeking out of our tent.
TWO: the scenery. I am surprised at how often I forget to take a shot of what is around me! When it comes to backpacking, you can tell when I get tired because there are no photos between my campsite and the trailhead, but plenty of shots at both the trailhead and the campsite. Take the time to take some photos that remind you of your trip…even if it isn’t the traditional iconic shot of Half Dome or of your family standing near the edge of a mountaintop. There is so much beauty all around, just take a shot (pun!).
THREE: At Signs/Trailheads. There are two reasons for this. 1) So you can show others you were actually at the locations you say you were, and 2) in case you drop your camera somewhere on the trail, other hikers/campers/adventurers can try and find you! It also helps when you get a giant order of photos in the mail and you say, “where the heck did we take this again?”
FOUR: Your food! I don’t have a solid reason other than it is fun to see what people eat. That, and some food really represent where you are in the world…Chicago? I bet you’re taking a photo of your deep dish pizza. Austin? There’s probably a photo of the barbeque platter you ordered. In the backcountry? Take a photo of the trail gourmet you created! Show off your snacks, mishaps with dinner, creative meals, and whatever else you have in store.
FIVE: A Self-Portrait/Couple/Group Shot. There may not always be a friendly traveler around to snap a photo of you and/or of you and your traveling partner. Practice taking shots alone and together so you can capture important moments without stressing about finding somebody to help me capture the moment. Play with shadows and reflections. In the photo above, I leaned over and took a photo of our feet as we sat on a low bridge. This photo, while doesn’t show our faces, shows that it was cold while we sat above the small stream in late fall. Get familiar with your camera (or phone, if that’s what you’re using) and experiment with different things that can be used as a tripod! I’ve used a car hood, tucked my camera into a statue, placed my phone on the floor, and even lashed my camera to a tree in order to get a good shot.
What other types of photos do you make sure to take while out in the world?
Read More
Based out of New York City and Canada, Cinny is the mommy to JR and Baby Pom. When not working or studying full time, she can be found working on Whirlwind of Surprises or cuddling with her hubby and playing with her dogs. She shines in the warm company of friends and family and enjoys playing with her 3 little nephews.
Last month, I finally had a rare opportunity to take a family vacation. It’s been years since my brother was able to get some time off so it made this all the more special.
I usually stress over packing. I always worry about what to pack and if I’ve forgotten anything. It can take me anywhere from a full day to a couple days to pack. This time, I set a new record. It was the first time packing finished so quickly. My secret?
My pal, Karina, helped this Frockstar out. I had a beautiful wardrobe of Karina dresses at my fingertips. Easy dresses that didn’t wrinkle or take up much space.
I balled up my dresses, tossed them in the suitcase and was pretty much ready to go. Even during the trip, laundry was a breeze. My Karina dresses could go in the washer and dryer so I was always looking my best.
It was -15 degrees Celsius (about 5 degrees Farenheit) and stubborn little me was still insisting on wearing my Karina dress with leggings to the airport. Um, well, if I’m going to be travelling for 20+ hours and have 2 different lay overs (each 3+ hours long), I’m going to be comfortable and I don’t care what you say. The brief cold isn’t going to deter me.
I decided to wear the Megan 3/4 Sleeve in Paisley size S/M. Surprisingly, this was still a nice fit on me. The comfort and ease of movement in it is as always, wonderfully smooth. I did notice, however, that the fabric is the type to sometimes snag on velcro. Luckily, with the pattern, those little snags were invisible to the naked eye. So, you see me at one of my lay overs in Shanghai’s Pudong airport above and on the Ngong Ping 360 Sky ride. Ngong Ping 360 takes you to the base of the Big Buddha.
While we were there, Tai O is a relatively short bus ride away so of course, we’d go! It’s an old fishing village that has maintained their traditional ways. They live in these aluminum panel houses built on stilts and throughout the village, you could see all sorts of food items being dried. A beautiful place surrounded by nature…and a place I could pig out on all sorts of local snacks (that cuttlefish had to weigh at least 5+ lbs)! I had a wonderful time travelling with family and guess what, this is only the first of several posts to come!
Read More
Lauren Caselli is a freelance writer and perpetual nomad. After five years working and living in NYC, Lauren had just about enough and hightailed it to Bozeman, MT where she writes copy for small businesses, teaches yoga, dances around her kitchen to Motown, and still tries to get used to the fact that people use horses as a means of transportation. Find her on her website or at her blog.
You’ve done it.
You’ve finally booked your plane/train/bus ticket to a far away land. You’re busy comparing the merits of a Gregory pack vs. a Lowe Alpine. You’ve been reading travel websites, blog posts, and every community board you can find. You have your Lonely Planet: Insert Name of Country Here.
You’re ready.
But! There are a few things that you might not be expecting. Here’s how to deal with those twists and turns that are common in a life on the road.
You get into a fight with your travel companion
It happens. Spending day in and day out with someone who, up until this trip, you couldn’t get enough of can make you go mental. And before you have a dramatic blow up in a fancy English restaurant, try to act like the smart, elegant, mature lady that you are.
How to deal:
Take a big break. Not an I’m-jumping-on-my-motorbike-and-riding-off-into-the-Thai-sunset-so-I-don’t-have-to-look-at-your-face-ever-again break. Be honest and say “Hey girl, it’s not you. It’s me.” And then spend the day sunning at a fancy pool in Vietnam or trolling the archives of the Louvre alone. The space to do the things you like to do without being mindful of someone else’s needs/schedule/hair woes will be enough to keep the cray-cray in check.
You have The Worst Day Ever
You will miss the last bus from Vietnam into Cambodia. You will forget to fuel your rented motorbike and you will run low on gas twenty miles from the closest gas station. You will fall asleep on an overnight train and miss your stop by, oh, fifteen towns. You will want to dissolve into a waterfall of tears while plunked helplessly on your backpack.
How to deal:
Fear not. This happens. To everyone. Cry it out and then pick it on up and start problem solving. You’ve gotten yourself this far; you can get yourself to the next destination by asking for help from other travelers or sympathetic locals. Trust me. They’ve been there and they’ll want to help.
You miss having a routine, having a community, and street signs that are in your native language
The reason we all want to travel is because we like that feeling of newness. We like experiences that bring us out of our comfort zone. We like to know that, when we get home, we’ll be able to regale our family and friends with ‘that one time when I ate sheep brains!’
But then? You want to know what’s up with the Super Bowl. You’ll want PBR in a can and Bud Light on tap. You’ll want fall weather and the option to wear riding boots instead of those grubby flip-flops you’ve been donning since Day 1.
How to deal:
Stay present, my friends. It seems that we are always looking for, striving for, wishing for the other side of the coin. Why, I bet just a few weeks/months ago, when you were at home, sitting at your desk job or cracking those books at 11pm on Sunday night, you were wishing you were lying on the beach in Indonesia, right? Take breaks to do the things that make you feel like you’re at home. Go to that ‘touristy’ sports bar, watch football, and scour the city for the most-Bud-Light-like beer possible. You’re not any less of a traveler if you do these things.
What things did you realize after your first long-term travel experience? Or what things are you nervous about if you have one (real or not-quite-real-yet!) on the horizon?
Read More
Sarah Von Bargen writes a lifestyle blog, Yes and Yes. By day she is a copywriter/blogger-for-hire/internet awesome-i-fier. She wants to see the world, save the dolphins and read The New Yorker while wearing cute outfits and eating bon bons. You too? Be friends on twitter and facebook!
When I headed out on my world ticket, I was vainly aware that the photos I would be taking on this trip would be photos I would be showing for the rest of my life. You only get to Angkor Wat so many times in your life, you don’t want to look all dumpy and blotchy standing in front of those Buddhas! Now, I certainly don’t look great in every travel photo I’m in, but here are the things that work for me:
A low-key makeup regimen
May I point you in the direction of my post on The Traveling Fashionista’s Makeup Bag? Really, just take your daily make-up routine and dial it down a few notches – tinted lip balm instead of lipstick, tinted moisturizer with SPF instead of foundation. If you’re really concerned, you could even get your eyebrows and eyelashes tinted before you left so you wouldn’t have to bother with mascara and eyebrow pencil.
The Power of Headgear
Traveling (and house-building) often result in less than fantastic hair. Just cover that business up! But not with a baseball cap (what’s up, ugly American?) or those all-purpose neck/headband things. I’d go for a cute bandanna, a silky scarf or even a fabric headband. And there are heaps of cute, out-of-your-face hairstyles to be had. Like the side braid, the messy chignon and may I shamelessly plug my own faux-mo?
Find a photo pose that works for you
If you want to take vanity and anal-retentiveness to a whole new level, like I pretty regularly do, find a few photo poses that work for you. It pains me to admit that I have perfected this art, resulting in photos that look damn flattering, though oddly similar. In the event that you’re dying to know, my photo pose of choice usually includes some angling of the face (makes your jawline look better), tilting my head down a bit (because then you can look up through your lashes like a Disney princess), and smiling in a way that creates a dimple. Good lord, can we pretend that I didn’t just tell you all this?
Know good lighting when you see it
Of course, you can’t always plan your visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa to coincide with that flattering afternoon light, but nobody looks great in overly bright, mid-day sun or all washed out by a flash. If you know enough about your camera, you can change the settings to counteract this. Or you can just load up on photos when the sun’s at a more flattering angle. And really, it can make a huge difference. This is one of my all-time favorite pictures – all that good light totally cancels out my total lack of makeup or clean hair!
When all else fails, edit
For real guys. Sometimes the only clean stuff you have to wear to the Eiffel Tower is that awful U of M t-shirt with the gopher and your mesh track pants. It happens. Or maybe you just happened to break out the day before you got to Venice. Don’t delete those photos! Picmonkey is free to download and can remove red eye, unfortunate t-shirt graphics and that weird guy standing behind you.
What are your look-good secrets?
Read More
