Blessed are the Curious

Top Things to do when You Can’t Go on Summer Vacation

It’s true that this year has been a little rough so far. We are only six months in and a lot has happened so far, from pandemics to wildfires there has been a lot going on and with COVID 19 still unleashed on much of the world, summer vacation may be looking a little different this year, or perhaps, just non-existent this year. So, if far off places are not possible this summer then what is there to do? Well, we have you covered with the top things to do for summer vacation that you don’t even have to leave your city, or in some cases even your apartment, to enjoy!

Learn to Paint

If you can’t go exploring distant corners of the world then this is the ultimate time to perfect your angsty artist vibe or carefree artist vibe, or whichever artistic vibe you choose and pull out the old paintbrushes and learn how to paint yourself a masterpiece. Not only will this be a fun skill but you can give your creations to all the people you like. Christmas shopping done.

Call a friend

I know, who actually calls people anymore, it is the age of instant messaging after all. But pretend like its 1989 and give them a call. Once you get used to speaking to another person on the phone, it can actually be kinda fun.

Learn to bake

What fun is a city lock-down without some sweet treats. There is no treat sweeter than the one you just cooked yourself. This one has a double bonus as it is fun to do and you get a treat at the end, you can then also then bring cupcakes to all the future gathering of your family and friends. Its a win, win, win.

Read ‘Catch Me if You Can’

For anyone that doesn’t know this book, I would highly recommend it. It follows the true story of Frank William Abagnale Jr. one of the youngest con men in American history and his story is astounding. If it wasn’t true you would swear that it wouldn’t be possible, and the fact that his escapades took him to many far off corners of the world, it is perfect for the stuck at home traveller.

Watch ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’

As an avid traveller, ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ has to be one of my favourite movies. Complete with stunning scenery and a story that captures the true nature of adventure and what it means to see the world, this movie will have you dreaming of your next adventures

Explore your city or home town

As travellers, we spend so much of our time in distant corners of the world that sometimes we don’t even realise the amazing places on our own doorsteps. Make sure you adhere to social distancing and any health advice your country is giving, but this can be an awesome time to get out and explore a little closer to home. You never know what treasures you might find.

Plan your next adventure

Things will one day all open up again, plan that next adventure, whether that is skiing in the alps, exploring the jungles of South America, swimming the Great Barrier Reef or feeling the warmth of a Mediterranean sun this is your ultimate chance to really think about where you really want to go so you are ready as soon as those borders all open up again.

Songs for When You’re Dreaming of Far Away Places

Quarantine is creating difficult times around the world. It is vitally important to stay inside to help fight the Coronvirus pandemic and to help save lives. For the avid traveller, staying inside in one place can be a challenging time. We have created a traveller’s playlist for you for when you are dreaming of far away places.

Blind Man in Amsterdam
George Ezra

This sweet little number from George Ezra is great for a lazy afternoon or when you need a moment to chill. It tells of the impact a moment of connection with a perfect stranger can have on our lives and how important it is to stop and appreciate a moment.

Come Fly with Me
Frank Sinatra

An all time Sinatra classic. Close your eyes and fly with Sinatra around the globe when you really just need that escape.

I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)
The Proclaimers

No song will pump you up quite like 500 miles. Put on your kilt, find your inner Scot and belt out this classic, not quite as iconic as seeing Loch Ness but in quarantine it is a good substitute

Fast Car
Tracy Chapman

Most people have at least one memory that this classic brings back. For those quarantine days when you feel stuck play this classic and dream with Tracy of that fast car.

On a Coconut Island
Loius Armstrong

Another blast from the past. When you are stuck inside it can be nice to take a mental trip with Louis to that coconut island and dream of those sunny beach days.

Wonders
The Script

This song only came out in the last few years but is a solid choice no matter what your mood is. Highlighting the importance of living life to the fullest and providing the World Wonders for inspo this is an ideal choice for you start planning your post lockdown adventures.

The Explorer’s Survival Guide to Corona Virus and City Lock downs

If you are an avid traveller like me, then Covid_19 may be causing some real problems for you. Self isolation and city lock downs can make your apartment feel more like a prison cell if you are used to exploring far off places. However, it seems for now that Corona virus is here to stay for the foreseeable future, so what do we do and how do we stay sane during this trying time of isolation?

My greatest piece of advice to you is this, use this time. All of those things that you have been meaning to do but simply have not been able to find the time, do them now, you have the time. Learn to draw or sing or paint or cook. Organise your photos or travel journals, this will remind you of the awesome things you have done and give your mind a much needed break from the same four walls you have been staring at.

Languages and Silver Linings

Learn a language. Or two or three. Not only is being able to speak multiple languages an incredibly cool thing to know it will stave off boredom and keep your mind active. It will give you a sense of achievement when other things you have been working towards may have been shut down. Learning a language will also be something that you will find incredibly useful when the Covid_19 storm eventually passes and the borders all reopen again.

Look for the good news. There are always silver linings and amongst all the horrible things that Corona virus has brought there have been positive moments. People singing together from their balconies in Italy was a magical moment, clear skies over some of the world’s biggest cities and crystal clear water in the Venice Canals due to massive drops in pollution levels are wonderful things that once were thought to be unobtainable. On a more personal level, if you are quarantined with family and friends treasure that unexpected time you have with each other. Make time to look for and appreciate the silver linings in these trying times.

Stay Connected, Even When you are Apart

Just because you are socially distancing doesn’t mean you need to be socially isolated, use messaging technology, use Skype and Whatsapp and Facebook. Stay in touch with your friends and family and call your old friends you haven’t talked to in a while. Especially for the avid traveller, we make so many friends around the world, use this time to catch up with them. Celebrate the global community we have and the amazing technology we can use to still access it even if we are stuck indoors.

Covid_19 has wreaked havoc on the world and its effects can be felt in every sector and every corner of the globe. These may be hard times for any of us but remember to always find those positives and to thank those that help get us through until the next adventure can begin.

The Eco Traveller

We all love travelling, it is a life changing, eye opening, wonderful experience. We all love the Earth though too. With less than twelve years left until climate change is irreversible the huge carbon footprint tradiational travel produces creates the question, how can we still travel and care about the environment?

Take the Train

We all know that taking your own private car is harder on mother nature than sharing the bus or the train. Taxis and private hires are just the same. Take the bus or the train and limit the toxins you leave behind. This creates a unique experience as well, on a bus in Edinburgh I met 80 year old Norma who told me a story about every corner of the city. I heard one of the best renditions of Hozier’s Take Me To Church in a tube station in London. You not only help save the planet but see a different side of the city and get a richer experience by taking the train.

Avoid the Plane

As exemplified by Greta Thunberg’s choice to sail to the US, planes are massive pollutants. Avoid them whenever you can. And trust me, you see far more and have a much better experience on the train journey across Europe than you do cramped in a lying metal tube next to a crying baby and a snoring businessman.

Check your Hotels

Some hotels and hostels do better than others on the sustainability front. Before booking check what your accommodations environmental policies are and choose one that is making an effort to care for the beautiful environment they are in.

Bring your Own Stuff

Traditional travelling always seems to end up with an absurd amount of disposable stuff. I get it, it is more convenient to buy a bottle of water or to use the little hotel shampoo. But, times this by every traveller and you end up with a huge amount of trash. Bring a reusable water bottle and your own toiletries and you will be making real difference in the waste you leave behind and saving you a few bucks on bottled water.

Avoid Cheap Souvenirs

You know what is better than a plastic souvenir that will probably break or end up forgotten in the bottom of a drawer when you get home? Photographs. Take as many photos as you can and forget about the cheap nick nacks at every souvenir store you pass. Not only will you save money so you can afford that one quality item you really want in a place but you will have a rich collection of photos to remember your travels by when you get home.

Leave no Trace

This one you should remember anywhere but is particularly important when camping. Anything you bring in with you bring out. You don’t want your camping trash chocking a bird, suffocating a fish or ruining the next person’s camping trip.

Essentials for your Pack

Ah, the age old question of the traveller, what to bring? Now, obviously the things that you need will vary depending on where you are going and when. A bikini might not be necessary in Alaska in December and a puffer jacket may not be needed island hopping in Thailand. But, there are some essentials that I have learnt will be necessary no matter where and when you are going.

A Pen (And a Spare one)

That one thing that, at least in my case, is always overlooked and forgotten until that moment it’s needed. And it will be needed. Whether you need to write down a phone number or address, fill out a customs form or write in a journal, a pen will always come in handy. No one wants to be that guy on the plane asking the people around him if he can borrow their pen for the customs form.

Map of the subway/train system

This one only really applies if you are going to a city. But, a tube map of London or a map of the subway systems of New York or a train map of Tokyo will be a godsend when your phone dies or loses signal and you are stuck on the wrong side of the city with no idea which train to catch back.

Journal

I, for one, am a fan of the travel journal. It is a way to make the intangible tangible, something that you can read and hold onto when you are old and grey. But even if you aren’t a fan of writing about your adventures, still bring a journal. It will come in handy for writing down a hostel address, bus phone number or how to say a particular phrase in the local language.

Hand sanitizer

No one likes to get sick when they are travelling and washing your hands is one of the best ways to keep the little beasties of viruses and bacteria away. Soap and water isn’t always available so a good hand sanitizer is your new best friend.

Jumper/Jacket

Obviously the size of this jacket is a little dependant on where you are going but there is one thing for certain you will need a jacket. I don’t care if you are going to Bali in mid-summer, there will be a moment on a plane, in a hotel room, somewhere, that you will need a jacket.

Water bottle

Everyone gets thirsty. Avoid wasting your money and killing the ocean by buying a water bottle every time you are thirsty and bring a re-useable water bottle. Fill it up before you leave in the morning and during the day a lot of cities now have water fountains or most restaurants will be happy to fill it up for you.

The Best Travel Advice from the Minds of Great People

Live with no excuses and travel with no regrets- Oscar Wilde

Take every chance you get. You never know when you will be back to a place and memories last longer than money and longer than tiredness. Climb the mountains, take the tour or see the great work of art, you won’t regret it.

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page- Saint Augustine

Okay, I know this little piece of advice has been cluttering the internet for a long time now. But, the thing is, it is so true. It is a big, wide world out there full of the most amazing things. If you don’t venture into it you never get to see the whole story.

If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it’s lethal- Paul Coelho

Life is more than a routine. Death by paper cuts is a slow death. You don’t want to wake up one day and realise you never took the chance and saw something new.

Climb the mountain so you can see the world, not so the world can see you- David Mccullough

If you are travelling for an Instragram post then you are not really travelling at all. The best moments will happen when the cameras aren’t rolling, make sure you don’t miss them.

You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore- Christopher Columbus

Travel can be scary but don’t let that fear stop you. What waits on the other side of that ocean is so worth it.

Let us know in the comments what your favourite travel quote is!

Daily Inspiration

The Allure of the Small Town

This weekend I spent some time in St Andrews, a seaside town in Scotland known for golf, castles, cathedral ruins and a beautiful coastline. It is also home to the highly acclaimed St Andrew’s University, with alumni including Prince William and Kate Middleton.

St Andrews definitely lived up to my expectations. With quaint stone streets that looked like they belonged in a painting, a shimmering blue sea, charming people and seaside ruins from centuries ago that were some of the grandest I have seen. The weather as well played its part, switching between glorious sunshine and snow to give the best of both worlds.

St Andrews is the most recent of a collection of small towns I have visited all over the world. I love the pulse and the history and the life of a city. There are very few places that beat a London morning or New York on New Year’s Eve, but whenever I have time I love visit the small towns further out in the countryside.

The Hidden Treasures of Small Towns…

I find in these places I see a side to a country that is often missed. The pace of life is slower, the days are more relaxed and there are hidden treasures that are missed in the city.

These treasures often vary from town to town, in St. Paul in France it was an art gallery/studio/shop that was built into the stone of the mountain underneath the street that had the best paintings of the surrounding olive groves. In Leura in Australia it was takeaway from a bakery next to a fire station and a lookout over the mountains. In Cobh in Ireland it was tiny museum that was last port of call on the ill-fated journey of the Titanic. In Dorking in England it was a hidden courtyard lined with flower boxes with blossoms overflowing in every colour.

In St Andrews it was a café called the Cottage Kitchen and a walkway with the best view of the most stunning coastline that people have looked out over for centuries.

These small towns, I find, give a deeper understanding of a country and a place and a time. I would wholeheartedly recommend London and New York, Paris and Rome and Tokyo. But, if you have time, I would also recommend that you do not pass up finding the art gallery in St Paul or the museum in Cobh or the view of the coast in St Andrews. These places will only add more magic to your view of the world.

Let us know in the comments the best small town you have visited!

Winter Wonderland or Fun in the Sun?

Winter or Summer? This is the question many of us face when deciding to travel, the question is not only where to go but when. Personally, I prefer winter but I can not deny that summer isn’t without its charms. So winter or summer? Here’s the case for both.

Winter

Less Crowds
In most places, winter is the low season for tourism, as such, there are fewer lines and fewer crowds. This means you won’t spend three hours of your twenty four in Paris waiting to get up the Eiffel Tower or be so crowded out on viewing decks you won’t get a decent picture. The lack of tourists I have found also means the locals are often far more welcoming, they aren’t over run with people and as such will enjoy having a chat with you and you will get a far more authentic experience. In addition, there is often more availability in accommodation and transport services, meaning last minute changes and trips are far more possible.

Snow
Those snowy winter wonderlands. The Finnish woodlands silent with falling snow like something out of a fairy tale, you don’t get that in summer and it is an experience I would thoroughly recommend. If you are one for the extreme then winter sports may also be right down your alley for a heart pumping experience.

Less Laundry
Laundry. The bane of every trip. When you have worn the same shirt for two weeks, the hostel washing machine is broken and you can’t put off finding a laundromat any longer. Colder weather means you can wear your clothes longer and stave off that dreaded laundry day.

Travel Chaos and Closures
The biggest downfall of winter travel comes with one of its high points, the weather. The weather can turn to chaos, causing transport to shut down and for anyone who has ever been stuck in an airport or on a train station with six hundred other people because the trains stopped running you will know it isn’t the best experience. In addition, some attractions will be closed over the winter months particularly in more remote areas.

Summer

Fun in the Sun
In the summer time the flowers are blooming, the ocean is turquoise and the sun is shining. Almost everywhere looks good in the summer. The longer days provide endless possibilities for fun and you can almost always count on the weather cooperating.

Less Clothes to Pack
Warmer weather means less packing, a pair of shorts and t-shirt takes up far less space in the limited space of pack than a jumper and jeans. Not only does this make your pack smaller and lighter, you have more room for souvenirs too.

Everything is Open
For most places, summer is the high season. This means that everything is usually open, tours are operating, events are in full swing and attractions have their doors open. The longer days also mean you can often see and do more in the time you have.

Everyone is There
This one is really a double edged sword. Because everyone is there, everything is open and you can meet other travellers. But because everyone is there prices are for accommodation, transport and attractions are through the roof, lines are long and crowds are everywhere. Walking up the Royal Mile in Edinburgh in August you will find yourself in the middle of one tightly packed glob of people and good luck finding a spot for your beach towel at Bondi Beach in Sydney.

Let us know in the comments which you prefer for travelling, summer or winter?

Lessons from the Road Less Travelled

They say that travel is the one thing that you buy that makes you richer. For travelling the road less travelled, the road that is filled with pot holes and winding trails to tiny villages; the road with no money and a backpack, this sentiment is even truer. It will change the way you see the world, the way you value things and will teach you a whole lot of lessons. These are just some of the lessons learnt journeying on the road less travelled.

Always Bring a Book

If there is one certainty in travelling it is that not everything will go to plan, often this creates half the fun. However, there will be times that the delayed flight or cancelled train really could use some more entertainment. Phones can die and Facebook can lose its charm incredibly quickly. A good book will make these moments far more entertaining. As Oscar Wilde said, One should always have something sensational to read on the train.

Getting Lost isn’t Always a Bad Thing

I will start off by saying make sure you stay safe out there, you don’t want to get lost in the middle of the woods in winter at night time. However, some of my greatest discoveries have come from ending up where I didn’t intend to. In trying to find a museum in Aberdeen, I found one of the coolest pieces of street art I have ever seen. In getting lost in Bath I discovered a hidden courtyard with a tiny restaurant and a busker playing the violin that would give the first chair violinist in any symphony orchestra a run for their money. In missing the turn on a hiking trail in Australia I found a front-row view of the most amazing sunset over the mountains. Sometimes getting lost takes us to exactly where we need to be.

Everyone has a Story

I have met people in all corners of the globe and from vast and varying backgrounds, in coffee shops and on buses, in parks and museums and hostel common rooms. One thing every one of them had in common was stories. Everyone has led a life full of twists and turns and through talking to them we hear these fascinating and enchanting tales, in doing so we create a richness and connection in our own lives.

Google Maps Lies

I can not count the amount of times I have been led down dead end alleyways and through parking garages by Google Maps. There are times that I have walked for a half hour in the sun or gotten completely soaked trekking through rainy streets following the wisdom of google maps, only to find out I am in the entirely wrong end of town. Google Maps may be an incredible piece of technology but it will lie to you.

Bring Extra Earphones

Your earphones will break or get lost. This will happen at the start of the eight hour bus journey or just as you are about to board the train or in the middle of your video call. This is a fact of travelling. Always carry a spare pair.

Keep a Journal

Whether this is done with writing, photography or videos or even a collection of ticket stubs and pamphlets, keep a record of where you were and what you did. One day you will look back on it and smile.

We are all different

Every corner of the world has something unique about it, no place has the musical atmosphere of Ireland, you won’t feel the majesty of the mountains of Norway anywhere else in the world, no one has a sense of humour like the Australians. Enjoy the uniqueness, beauty and individuality of each place you come to, you won’t find anywhere else in the world quite like it.

We are all the same

Despite all our uniqueness, our distinctive cultures and the beauty of each hidden corner of the world there is far more that binds us together than divides us. We all laugh the same and cry the same, and we can find something we share no matter where we are in the world. Through travelling it becomes so clear that in this big wide world we all have so much more in common than that which sets us apart.