Travelers Will Seek To See Natural Wonders

When it comes to travel, it’s not only about the destination. The travel industry is also undergoing a significant resurgence, with a flurry of innovations, including more tech-savvy travelers and improved airline and hotel standards. This trend will be around for a while. With websites like Viator, you can even have promo codes with your bookings, saving you a lot of money in booking your next trip. 

So, which are the best and most exciting places to visit in 2023? Well, the experts have laid out their top picks. 

For those seeking a place to disconnect, the United States is a natural choice, and there is no better time to get out and see it than the summer months. While there is nothing wrong with a trip to the beach, you’re in for a real treat if you’re willing to venture a bit farther afield.

Travelers Will Seek Unique Vacations That Shock, Surprise, And Astonish

The mood is shifting from hopeful uncertainty to bold adaptability. This is particularly true among travelers who feel swayed by recent political and natural disasters. Many travelers are also turning to less conventional ways to experience bliss.

A new survey by American Express Travel found that travelers’ preferences for traveling in 2023 are becoming more eclectic. They are eager to try wellness getaways and another mind, body, and soul activities. This includes meditation and other mindfulness experiences. In addition, a majority of Americans want to visit exotic destinations that are off the beaten path.

Some travelers are eager to learn survival skills. This includes how to light a fire from scratch, forage for food in the wild, and learn how to source clean water. Some travelers are even curious to explore extra-terrestrial destinations.

In addition to the survival and cultural activities mentioned above, two-fifths of travelers are keen to focus on mental and physical health. In 2023, more people will seek a health hiatus or a wellness retreat.

Social Aspects of Travel Enhance Your Sense of Self

There’s no denying that travel is beneficial to one’s mental health. It helps them to detach themselves from their responsibilities and allows them to think critically. The social aspects of traveling also help to enhance one’s sense of self. For example, a trip to Paris will allow one to experience firsthand the grand scale of France’s capital city. The best part is that you can do so in relative comfort. A vacation in Paris might be the ticket to your heart, but the trip home should be just as rewarding.

The social aspects of traveling also allow one to reflect on relationships. For example, a trip to Paris is a great way to learn how much you care about your spouse. For couples, a visit to the Eiffel Tower might be the perfect opportunity to appreciate how your partner’s personality can affect your mood. Knowing your spouse’s strengths and weaknesses may be the first step to a happy marriage.

Travelers Are No longer Forfeiting Play in Favor of Rest And Relaxation

One of the best parts of traveling to new and exciting locales is being able to sample the local culture without bragging about it to your colleagues and boss. Although, I’m not complaining, as it can be a real pain to do the same at home. When it comes to travel and tourism, there are many kinks in the travel insurance department. But a streamlined approach can go a long way in ensuring the travel experience of the future. A recent study revealed that a sizable portion of the populace has already started their once-in-a-lifetime journey.

Travelers Want to Learn Survival Skills

Travelers are looking for practical skills and new experiences in 2023 and want to learn survival skills while on vacation. Many of these travelers are interested in the outdoors, learning to forage, finding clean water, starting a fire from scratch, and learning about different languages and cultures.

These vacations are not new, but they are becoming more popular in the twenty-first century. Millennials and Generation Z are more likely to opt for these getaways. This pattern is anticipated to persist in the coming years. Several wilderness survival schools are popping up worldwide to teach travelers essential skills.

Some of the most popular destinations for these trips are Thailand, Vietnam, and Colombia. These countries have some of the highest rates of traveler interest in learning basic survival skills. More than half of the global population wants to go on a trip where they learn these skills.

The post Why You Should Travel More in the Year 2023 appeared first on Magali Vaz | Fashion, Lifestyle & Travel Blog.

Start with the People in the Know

If this is a spontaneous idea, it might not be something you’ve thought about during those sessions on learning how to foster. Maybe it just never came up. You never thought about the possibility of going somewhere on holiday, so you don’t even know if it’s allowed and what kinds of permission you would need. The place to get these types of questions answered would be the fostering agency you are working with, like thefca.co.uk.

While it is generally allowed to travel to places close to home, within your own region, travelling to other countries in the UK might need special permissions and arrangements. Then there are those family visits with their birth families. What if a scheduled visit falls within the time you can set aside to travel? Should you change your plans or perhaps have the agency reschedule a family visit? These are things only the agency can answer with any kind of accuracy.

Choose Places Special for Them

One of the things you might want to avoid would be travelling to visit family or friends who live out of your district. If you haven’t seen them in any length of time, there will always be a great deal of catching up to do. Sadly, foster kids can easily get lost in the shuffle. This is even the case with your own children as you’ve probably experienced in the past.

The whole idea of travelling for the holiday was to do something fun and interesting for them. There are plenty of Christmas attractions situated throughout the UK or if you are of a mind for something a bit more entertaining than that, Disneyland Paris is right across the Channel. No matter where you go or what you do, always keep in mind that this is for them. This is something you want to do so that their holiday is special, so your plans should revolve around that.

Ask Them Where They Would Like to Go!

Finally, you might even want to ask them where they would like to go on a Christmas holiday. While some things might be totally impossible like climbing a mountain in Nepal, visiting a Christmas village might not be out of the realm of possibilities.Bear in mind that many of the kids placed in foster care maybe never had a Christmas holiday like the one you want them to enjoy this year. They may have always dreamed of a visit to Disneyland or an overnight stay in a Scottish Castle for Christmas. You never know the dreams they’ve had of where they’d like to spend Christmas, so the only thing left to do is ask them. You just might be surprised at how simple their requests can be.

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Trip #3 is the most recent one, a short getaway with dear friends who moved cities a few months ago. It was something we talked about for months & as the date drew closer, my excitement (& anxiety) mounted! I can’t remember the last time I visited in the rainy season. While I will be sharing some vlogs from the trip, now that a month has passed I thought it’d be a great time to share some memories through a little photo diary (all captured on my phone)

The Idyllic Vistadome Journey

There’s a lot of ways to get to Goa from Mumbai – road (car / van / bus), train, flight. I have definitely tried them all. While a flight is the quickest, the inaccessibility of the airport is the reason I usually chose the overnight bus. Tejas, who I was travelling with suggested travelling by the fancy vistadome coach on the Jan Shatabdi. It was one of the highlights of the trip, with panoramic views of the Konkan (which is so lush at this time of the year!)

I think I packed light for the first time in my life – a simple, streamlined wardrobe that was both location & weather appropriate. I’m wearing a crop top, Fjallraven kanken sling as well as nylon cargo / trackpant hybrid (that have lots of pockets & repel water, double whammy!) I wore Crocs & didn’t carry any spares because they were just the only thing I needed. Accessories were super simple- gold earrings, a couple of my favorite rings & my treasured HMT watch (I should’ve skipped the watch, considering the weather).

Beach Day

Mom hooked us up with amazing rooms at our favorite resort in Benaulim, a village that sorta feels like home. It was nice to take Rydell & Tejas around, to show them my favorite spots & introduce them to the local vendors for kadak chai & freshly made steak pav. We intentionally abstained from planning too much & just decided to take each day as it comes. One of our first major outings was an afternoon at the beach, which is luckily just walking distance away. We settled in at one of the beach shacks & since I was feeling adventurous, I thought it’d be fun to try urrak, a traditional Goan liquor distilled from cashew fruit.

The urrak (with limca) was so refreshing, we had to get a second round! Afterwards, we took a nice little walk on the seashore as the sun set.

Furry Friends

It was my second time at the same resort in just a few months (I was there with mom in the summer) so I had befriended the local cats & dog, & I was delighted to see them remember me so we could pick up where we left off!

The cats are so wonderful (they’re both female, with completely divergent personalities) & the dog is large, brown & extremely friendly! I made regular detours to feed the cats throughout the day. The dog roams where she wants & she would find us outside our rooms or on our walks.

A day trip to the city

On our last full day in Goa, we hired scooters & took a day trip to Margao, the nearest city. It’s customary for non resident Goans to visit the local spots & bring our favorite foods back home with us.

We started the day by heading to the choris stall (local Goan sausages – they’re to die for), dropped by Zantye’s for some cashew nuts & decided to lunch at the iconic Longuinos.

I had taken slightly ill at this time so I decided it’d be a good idea to have a shot of cashew feni (very potent local liquor) which has long been considered a home remedy for cold & cough. Drinking it feels like you’ve set your oesophagus on fire momentarily. I’m not sure if it helped with the cough but it did succeed in get me day drunk, I’m quite the lightweight.

Five days passed by in the blink of an eye, but I’m reviling the trip through the photos & video! All of these were taken on my Pixel 6a. I hope this inspires you to try something different on your next getaway. x

The post Monsoon trip to Goa 🌧️ | photo diary appeared first on Magali Vaz | Fashion, Lifestyle & Travel Blog.

Choose the right destination

When you’re planning your romantic getaway, it’s important to choose the right destination. After all, this trip will set the tone for your entire relationship! So how do you know which destination is right for you? First, think about what kind of trip you want to have. Are you interested in long term rentals tampa fl for a relaxing holiday, or are you more into adventure? Once you’ve decided on the general tone of the trip, you can start narrowing down your options. If you’re still stuck, try thinking about places that are significant to both of you – maybe there’s a city you’ve always dreamed of visiting or a place that holds special meaning for your relationship. By choosing a destination that you’re both excited about, you’re sure to enjoy every minute.

Plan ahead

Once you’ve chosen your destination, it’s time to start planning ahead. This is important for two reasons – first, you want to make sure you’re on the same page about what you’re doing each day. Second, it’ll help you avoid any stressful surprises during the trip. Sit down with your partner and map out a rough plan for each day of the holiday. This doesn’t have to be set in stone – after all, part of the fun of travelling is being spontaneous! It’s helpful, however, to have an idea of what you want to do. Once you’ve planned out your days, you can start booking any activities or making reservations. Just don’t forget to leave some free time in the schedule – you never know when you’ll stumble upon the perfect cafe or want to spend an afternoon exploring a new neighbourhood.

Be flexible

Even if you’ve planned everything to perfection, there’s always a chance that something will come up that you didn’t anticipate. Maybe your flight gets delayed or you can’t get a reservation at the restaurant you wanted. Whatever the situation, it’s important to be flexible and go with the flow. This is where having a flexible schedule comes in handy – if something doesn’t go according to plan, you can always adjust your plans for the day. And who knows, you might even end up having more fun than you expected!

Show your partner how much you care

Your first holiday together is a special occasion, so don’t forget to show your partner how much you care. This can be something as simple as packing their favourite snacks for the journey or taking a stunning photo of them as they run into the sea. Or, if you’re feeling extra-generous, you could surprise them with tickets to a show or a day at the spa. Whatever you do, make sure it’s something that your partner will appreciate – after all, this trip is about making memories together.

What to do if things go wrong

Even if you’ve followed all of these tips, there’s always a chance that something will go wrong. If this happens, don’t panic! The most important thing is to stay calm and communicate with your partner. If you’re both on the same page, you’ll be able to work through any problem that comes up. At worst, you’ll just have a funny story to tell your friends when you get home!

Conclusion

Your first holiday together is sure to be a special one – so make sure you take the time to enjoy it! Take lots of pictures, try new things, and most importantly, make memories that will last a lifetime. After all, this trip is just the beginning of your journey together!

The post How to Ensure Your First Couple’s Holiday Together is Perfect 💕 appeared first on Magali Vaz | Fashion, Lifestyle & Travel Blog.

All my life, I’ve always felt like I was a city-dweller only, but the last year or so I’ve been feeling very disjointed about living in an apartment like I want to grow vegetables & take walks in the sun. Goa trips bring some respite – I find myself savouring every part of farm life – from cooking, to overseeing the animals; I don’t even mind the long walk to the nearest supermarket.

These photos were taken back in the village a few years ago – I spent most of my childhood summers there & got pretty acquainted with the facades of all the nearby homes, most of which were built in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century, and many of them have been unoccupied ever since I can remember (which is the better part of three decades). Some of them are in states of decay even – most suffer from collapsed roofs, which end up being the weakest part of the home (terracotta tiles held up by wooden rafters). The walls are strong – they’re not built with cinderblocks or mud bricks, but laterite stone cut into the shape of bricks.

In the last decade or so, things have been changing somewhat rapidly though – there are a lot of new homes being built, either in previously open spaces or over demolished older Indo Portuguese villas. The new homes are all generic & extremely ugly, but that’s the cost of development I guess. The villas are gorgeous but aren’t too practical to stay in & the cost of restoring or maintaining an old home can be pretty high – they were all built before electricity & running water.

The house from these photos was always a favourite because of the distinctive resting lions on the gate posts – it wasn’t too far from my ancestral home & the sight of it was comforting even if I’d never met the family that once lived there.

But on one trip back home in 2019, we saw signs of an impending demolition & bricks to support a fresh construction. I’d carried one nice dress on the trip, so one afternoon I dressed up a bit & begged mom to take photos by the gate. A few months later, the home (& gate) were torn down & though I haven’t been back since January, I’m sure the new construction is coming along in full swing. I’m very glad I have these, even though they are just slightly vain outfit photos on the surface, they remind me of nice things.

The lesson I take away is that things will always change, & a lot of that change is out of our control. What we can do is savour the experiences we’re having in the moment, & enjoy the memories in the future. x

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A couple of months ago, this space turned 12! I can still remember starting this blog as a way to chronicle interesting happenings in my life during my first year of college. Even though I’m not as regular here as I used to be, I’m grateful to have this space to come back to, to write, document & reflect.

While this space is public, it still feels very much like a diary and reading posts from a decade ago makes me smile & cringe in equal measure. In these last few months, I feel like I’ve made a lot of small changes & set some much larger ones in motion.

Going Home

The year started out quite promising with a trip back home to Goa. I always look forward to these & I hadn’t visited in almost two years. It was dreamy – after many months of being cooped up in a very urban setting, we walked many miles everyday, cooked many fresh amazing meals, visited family, plant spotted & took a lot of great photos.

I wore very little makeup, accessorized with my favorite chain necklace & made sure I wore comfy shoes. My new pair of 90’s style bermuda shorts & me were totally inseparable.

Goa is always fun to visit but this time I found myself considering the viability of staying? I mean sure it’d be a big adjustment, but what if?

Making Ceramics

While on the last days of my trip, I decided to take a course in ceramics. It’s something I’d always wanted to do but kept putting off but after spending months at home consuming pottery videos on youtube (throwing stuff on the wheel can be so calming to watch!) I finally signed up.

It was just a beginner’s course but in a very idyllic setting. I also had the privilege of having an amazing teacher who was both very experienced & extremely patient. Handbuilding my first piece was a thrill & after our ten sessions we over, I made the decision to continue practising at home.

Buying all the necessary tools pinched a bit but it was also quite exciting to commit to this new art form (new to me, at least).

I spent a few weeks in April working on my ‘first collection’ & even set up a new instagram account. I experimented with two clay bodies (an ivory white & a lovely toasted brown) & there were some failures & frustrations but that just made the successes even more special. Pottery does have such a long production cycle though – building may be one of the more laborious steps but there’s also the refining, bisque fire, glazing & glaze fire. My pieces are carefully drying with me & I can’t wait to see them finished! I’ve even made a few small gifts for friends. Here’s hoping that the kiln gods will be on my side.

Moving Forward

Now that you’re up to speed on what I’ve done so far, it’s probably time to discuss my immediate plans. I’ve turned into a total homebody & I’m not complaining. I’ve managed to cut down on buying new clothes & using (or donating) pieces I already own. I’ve taken to needle & thread for the first time since school – just to mend things, but I hope to experiment with embroidery.

Remember when I wrote about getting into houseplants last year? I got a lot more. I did lose a few but most are thriving, & it’s been a very enriching experience. A few days ago I decided to get into growing food. Doing so in an apartment has it’s logistical challenges but I’m starting with onions & it’s fascinating to see how fast they grow.

I hope to knock learn a few new skills in the next couple of months but for now I’m enjoying the stillness at home & the simple routine of watering my plants, playing with the cats & cooking a lot of wholesome meals. I just bought some kimchi so I’m gonna try & make kimchi fried rice tonight! x

The post Summer of Making 🏺 appeared first on Magali Vaz | Fashion, Lifestyle & Travel Blog.

• Switzerland
• Poland
• Estonia
• Finland
• Latvia
• Spain 
• Sweden
• Austria
• Belgium
• Denmark
• Czech Republic
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Slovenia
• Slovakia
• Portugal
• Norway
• Poland
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Malta
• Netherlands

Need for International Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa

Regardless of where you are traveling to, getting an international travel insurance is beneficial as during times of emergencies it ends up covering way more costs than what you pay as the cost of the policy.However, in case of a Schengen Visa, an international travel insurance is not only recommended, it is mandatory. Considering the number of countries, a Schengen visa can get you access to, and the high healthcare costs in Europe, it makes sense that buying an international travel insurance is mandatory to cover your trip. 

Your Schengen Visa requirements for insurance include the following: 

• Minimum coverage of € 30,000
• Cover for all the Schengen member states
• Cover for urgent healthcare, repatriation due to medical reasons, emergency hospitalisation or death

Here are a few reasons why international travel insurance might be mandatory for Schengen Visa:

Coverage for Healthcare Costs

The countries covered under the Schengen area have some of the most expensive healthcare amenities, making it even more important for tourists to be prepared while traveling. International travel insurance for Schengen visa, would ensure that you get complete coverage for emergency healthcare and in case of a hospitalisation. 

Coverage for Losses/Emergencies 

While healthcare is one of the primary emergencies that international travel insurance policies prepare you for, other financial emergencies such as third-party liabilities or losses occurred due to loss of baggage/important documents while you are in a foreign land are covered too. This applies to Schengen visa holders as their travel can involve traveling to multiple countries, making this precaution even more important. 

Protection and Peace of Mind

While traveling, the last thing you want to do is exceed your planned budget because of an unforeseeable delay or emergency. It can especially be daunting when you are a first-time traveller and have been planning this escapade for a long time. To protect your assets and peace of mind, some insurance providers such as Bharti AXA even provide home fire/burglary insurance, taking care of your home while you are away on your vacation. For added peace of mind, you may even wish to install a smart alarm system in your house (more info here) so you can monitor it in your absence. 

Considering all the unpredictable factors associated with traveling abroad, especially on a Schengen Visa, where your itinerary can consist of multiple countries, an international travel insurance can ensure that you and your loved ones are protected at all times.

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The 5-midweek getaways around Bhopal are:

• Ralamandal Wildlife Sanctuary 
• Pachmarhi
• Maheshwar
• Ujjain
• Sanchi

Ralamandal wildlife sanctuary

Distance from Bhopal: 190 km

This place is the perfect place for photographers hoping to click some beautiful shots but tragically no cameras are allowed here. And frankly, it’s good because people can really enjoy the wildlife and natural beauty with their open eyes and mind not just for sharing photos on social media. This place quite a range of rare and beautiful species of flora and fauna. Wildlife safari and trekking are two of the most attractions of this place. The trekking experience becomes more beautiful due to the surrounding of thick and dense forest. The trekking path is 2.5 km up and 2.5km down. You can enjoy all these for just a mere sum of 20 Rs entry fee which is just nothing.

Pachmarhi

Distance from Bhopal: 194 km

This place, also known as the queen of Satpura is the only hill station of Madhya Pradesh. It is a perfect destination for travellers being famous for its mesmerising natural beauty. The place has an altitude of 1067 feet and is also the home of the picturesque beauty of Bee falls. The history of famous Pandava caves and wildlife at Satpura national park are the other attractions of this place. Watching the sunrise from the hilltop is quite the experience which no one wants to miss while travelling at this place. It has also been serving as a cantonment since the British empire.

Maheshwar

Distance from Bhopal: 288 km

This beautiful temple town is situated on the banks of the Narmada river. This place has quite the mythological and historical importance due to its honourable mentions in both the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Some of the places here generating the most number of crowds are Holkar fort, Narmada Ghat, Jaleshwar temple, Ahileswar temple and Omkareshwar temple. The picturesque architectural works of Rajwada will surely leave you in awe of this place. Maheshwar is also well known for exquisite cotton sarees, famous as Maheshwari sarees.

Ujjain:

Distance from Bhopal:192 km

This holy city is situated on the banks of the Shipra river. This place holds quite a lot of historical importance due to its so much mention in the kingdoms of different rulers of different eras. It is considered to be one of the sacred cities of Hinduism and it is full of cultural heritage. Ujjain, was the capital of India’s one of the biggest rulers, King Ashoka’s dynasty. Temples at Ram Ghat and Ved Shala are huge crowd attractions due to their spiritual charm. It serves as one the most famous Hindu pilgrimage points due to the famous Kumbh Mela held here once every 12 years time.

Sanchi

Distance from Bhopal: 48km 

It is probably one of the best places to visit around Bhopal due to its cultural heritage and importance in Buddhist philosophy which is why it is marked as one of the ‘World Heritage Sites ‘ by UNESCO. This place is mostly known for the Buddhist stupas of hemispherical structure containing huge amount of relics of Buddhism. During King Ashoka’s dynasty,  these stupas were made to preserve such wonderful and kind Buddhist philosophy. The architectural beauty of these structures will completely left you bamboozled. The stupas, monasteries, Ashokan pillar and temples are not only huge attractions for Buddhism followers but also for travellers from all around the world.

After going through this article we can have a clear view about why and what to expect during your midweek gateway trip around Bhopal. And if you are looking to do it in a budget without sacrificing the comforts and excitement then websites like Happyeasygo, GoIbibo, Makemytrip are the perfect options for you to book flights or hotels.

The post 5 Midweek Getaways Around Bhopal 🇮🇳 appeared first on Magali Vaz | Fashion, Lifestyle & Travel Blog.

Malaysia has a rich and diverse history too, spending much of its early years under colonial British rule, and this can often be seen in its architecture and its customs. The country has seen huge advancements in the last few decades, making Malaysia a center of commerce, finance, and industry in South East Asia, but it also balances this with areas of beautiful and picturesque landscapes that offer stunning views of nature that you can’t find anywhere else in the world.

Before you take a trip to Malaysia, there are some top tips we think you should know to make your vacation unforgettable.

Plan for the Weather

Malaysia typically has a hot and humid climate, and you should plan to experience a lot of long hot days no matter what time of year you plan to visit. It is also likely you will get stuck in one of the country’s sudden downpours.

If you are traveling in Malaysia, you should always have some sort of waterproof jacket or clothing to help you out if the weather suddenly turns.

Make Sure You Travel Around

Many visitors fail to make the most of their vacation by sticking to one place and not taking the opportunity to get around. There are excellent public transport options in Malaysia, and thanks to its location there are excellent ferry links between Bali, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand letting you see even more of South East Asia if you want to. Traveling by ferry can be a great way to see a lot of South East Asia on a budget.

Don’t Miss the Most Important Sights

Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia’s most popular destination, and the city is a great place to stay to get a sample of Malaysia’s various cultures and cuisines; but don’t stop there.

If you want to get the most from your visit, be sure to include trips to Rawa Island to take in some sand, sun and snorkeling, and visit the city of Penang to see some of the country’s oldest structures and rich history. Malaysia also has a number of smaller islands, that offer the perfect tropical island castaway experience.

Have a Food Plan

One of the country’s biggest tourist attractions is its food, and if you don’t plan ahead you could miss out on some of the nation’s culinary delights.

Try to incorporate your meals into your itinerary so you get to experience some of the amazing cuisine on offer, such as the street food of Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Along the beaches of Rawa Island you will find a range of sweet treats that make the trip to the beach worthwhile for foodies, as well as a range of restaurants that offer traditional Malaysian cuisine while you watch the sunset.

Try to Visit During a Festival or Event

The diverse cultures of Malaysia have many festivals and special events that can help make your vacation even more memorable. If you are planning a trip, take some time to check if there will be any special celebrations during your stay. You won’t regret it!

Malaysia is quickly becoming one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, and with so much on offer it is easy to see why. Before you make your trip, use some of our top tips to make your once-in-a-lifetime trip to Malaysia even more memorable.

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