Travelling is one of the most memorable experiences to have, yet there are some challenges you might face if you’re not prepared before travelling. Factors like unpredictable weather and emergency alarms are not in our control, and when winter arrives, flight delays and cancellations are common. During winter, air travel will be a little challenging, especially if it’s foggy outside. To ensure your vacation takes a good start, here are essential winter travel tips to follow while flying in the winter season.

Make Your Travel Schedule Flexible

Ensure that you’re aware of the possibilities of delays or cancellations of your flights so that you can manage your arrival time. Plan your flights if you can’t miss meetings with family, friends, or any profession-related work. This also means you can travel a day before; an extra day of travel should be kept in mind while booking the flight.

Prefer Non-Stop Flights

Always prefer non-stop flights, especially if it’s winter. If your destination requires connections, then try combining other modes of travel. Suppose you only have the option to travel by connecting flights and prefer to drive to an airport near your current city that has direct flights to your destination. It is one of the must-follow winter travel tips that you shouldn’t avoid.

Visit Airport Earlier than Usual

During winter, heavy fog and traffic jams can delay your travel to the airport, which eventually means you need to stand in the queue to check-in. To avoid this, prefer going to the airport early as it would be already cool so everyone would be wearing multiple layers of clothes, which means more time in security checkings. If you are thinking about what to wear on a long-haul flight in winter, then consider the best woolen clothes.

Check-In Online

Online check-in is helpful as it helps you to skip the check-in lines at the airport and you can also head directly to the security when you arrive if you don’t have check-in bags. Almost every airline allows check-in before 24 hours on the flight timings.

Stay in Touch with Updates

Many winter-related events like fog and freezing rain result in flight delays and cancellations. To avoid waiting at the airport or early arrival, consider checking the flight status updates an hour before starting from your home. Also, keep an eye on the weather forecasts several days in advance for the airport you’re planning to travel to. This will help you spot delays even before your airline officially updates you.

Plan Before to Minimize Risk

Always plan your flight journey according to the weather pattern of the city you stay in to avoid unnecessary delays and cancellations. It is ideal to book your flight tickets as early as possible. It is one of those winter travel tips that you should follow to make your flight journey smoother.

Buy Travel Insurance

Having travel insurance is very important, as many people won’t know, but it offers compensation for weather delays and cancellations. It also includes emergency medical care and much more. These were some of the best travel tips for winter that you must follow to avoid any last-minute hassle and make your journey smoother.

If you’re looking to get away, fall is a perfect time to plan an escape. With smaller crowds at many popular destinations and more comfortable weather, scenic autumn landscapes and cozy hideaways await.

To get your planning started, consider these tips to enjoy a spectacular fall vacation without breaking the bank.

Choose a Destination with Beautiful Scenery
When planning a fall vacation, research the cost of living for potential destinations. Some places may have lower costs for accommodations, dining and attractions, allowing you to stretch your budget further. Considering destinations known for their stunning fall foliage, such as New England, can allow you to take advantage of budget-friendly activities, like nature walks or sightseeing, that capitalize on the beauty and charm of the season.

Time Your Trip to Take Advantage of Deals
Timing is key when it comes to finding the best deals. Consider traveling during the shoulder season, which is the period just before or after peak tourist seasons. During this time, prices for accommodations and attractions are often lower and there are fewer crowds. If you have the freedom to choose when to go on vacation, look for off-peak days or midweek travel. Prices tend to be lower during these times compared to weekends or popular travel holidays.

Pack Essentials to Save on Unnecessary Purchases
Packing strategically can help you save money and avoid unnecessary purchases. Consider packing these essentials:

• Layered clothing: Instead of bulky sweaters or coats, opt for lightweight layers that can be easily combined to keep you warm.
• Reusable water bottles: Bringing a reusable water bottle helps you avoid buying bottled water and reduces waste.
• Snacks: Packing snacks like granola bars or dried fruit can help you reduce food costs while you’re out and about.
• Travel-size toiletries: Transfer your favorite products into smaller containers or purchase travel-size bottles instead of buying pre-packaged versions.

Pick Budget-Friendly Activities and Attractions
Popular destinations often offer a wide range of budget-friendly activities and attractions. Consider these ideas that won’t break the bank:

• Hiking and nature walks: Take advantage of the beautiful fall foliage by exploring hiking trails and nature reserves. Many of these outdoor activities are free or have minimal entrance fees.
• Local festivals and events: Research local festivals and events happening during your trip to immerse yourself in the unique culture and traditions of the area.
• Local markets: Explore farmers markets or craft markets to discover unique products and support local businesses. Often free to enter, these markets offer opportunities to sample local food and purchase souvenirs.
• Museums and galleries: Look for museums and galleries that offer free or discounted admission during certain days or times to explore local art and history without spending a fortune.

Save on Accommodations
Finding affordable accommodations during the peak of fall can be challenging, but with these tips, you can save money while still enjoying a comfortable stay:

• Book in advance: Plan your vacation early and take advantage of early bird discounts or promotional offers.
• Consider alternative accommodations: Instead of traditional hotels, explore options like vacation rentals, hostels or bed and breakfasts, which can be more budget-friendly and provide a unique and personalized experience.
• Stay outside the city center: Accommodations located outside main tourist areas are generally more affordable. Consider staying in nearby suburbs or towns and utilize public transportation to explore the city.
• Use price comparison tools: Take advantage of price comparison websites to compare rates across different accommodations to find the best deals and save money on your stay.

Dream of sparkling turquoise waters and swaying palms? Bali’s beaches are calling! This island paradise offers hidden coves, lively shores, world-class surfing, and stunning sunsets.

The mere mention of Bali conjures up images of sun-kissed beaches, swaying palm trees, and turquoise waters that beckon travellers from around the world. This idyllic Indonesian island is a true paradise for beach lovers, offering a diverse array of coastal gems that cater to every taste and preference.

From secluded coves hidden away from the crowds to lively stretches of sand where the party never stops, Bali’s beaches are a feast for the senses.

As per Travel + Leisure, Bali’s beaches undoubtedly serve as its biggest draw, with white and black sands descending into seas that attract surfers around the world. From hidden coves that require a trek to bustling stretches of coastline where visitors can savour a romantic sunset dinner or catch an outdoor movie right on the sand, the magazine highlights 5 of Bali’s best beaches.

Amed Beach, Bali

Travel + Leisure recommends Amed Beach, which lines the island’s eastern shore, as a hit among divers due to its thriving underwater scene. The surrounding area boasts undisturbed coral and multiple shipwrecks. Unlike some of Bali’s busier beaches, Amed offers an authentic glimpse into local life, where salt mining and fishing remain prevalent, as evidenced by the many outrigger boats dotting the black sand.

Balangan Beach, Bali

According to the magazine, Balangan Beach, nestled between two vegetated limestone cliffs on the island’s southern part, is a popular surf spot with high waves. While swimmers should exercise caution due to the rough waters and sharp ocean floor, beachgoers can relish snacks from local warungs (eateries) and admire the breathtaking views from the golden sand or the cliffs, which offer stunning photo opportunities.

Balian Beach, Bali

Surrounded by rice fields on a quiet and underrated stretch of coast, Balian Beach’s black sand fills the dunes and provides an escape from Bali’s more bustling areas, as stated by Travel + Leisure. Visitors can rent surfboards or ride the gentle waves with their bodies to reach the shore. After a day in the sun, the magazine suggests exploring the nearby village of Medewi or sticking around to watch the sunset, as Balian Beach’s westward orientation is perfect for it.

Bias Tugal Beach, Bali

Travel + Leisure notes that accessing Bias Tugal beach can be a challenge, as it is properly tucked away and reached by following a rugged gravel path through the bushes from the Padangbai ferry port on the island’s eastern side, with a walk of less than a mile. However, the effort is worth it, as visitors can practically have the white sand, coconut trees, and turquoise water all to themselves, savouring the solitude.

Bingin Beach, Bali

According to the magazine, Bingin Beach, located on Bali’s Bukit Peninsula in the south, boasts white limestone cliffs that provide a dramatic contrast to the strikingly blue water. This small surfing beach attracts people from all walks of life, with nearby accommodations ranging from surfing camps to boutique resorts and private villas. Its isolated location makes it an ideal getaway for those seeking to escape the crowds.

Taking a trip might be an investment for your longevity.

A new study published in the Journal of Travel Research suggests that positive travel experiences could help slow biological aging. The researchers used the concept of entropy—a measure of disorder and chaos in physics—to explain how vacations impact health. Higher entropy, or more disorder in the body, can accelerate aging and lead to poor health, while lower entropy could do the opposite.

Travel often involves more socializing or physical activity than usual, both of which can help counter entropy increases and contribute to healthy aging, according to Fangli Hu, lead author of the study and a researcher and PhD candidate at the School of Medical and Health Sciences at Edith Cowan University in Australia.

“Overall, travel might offer a valuable opportunity to nurture both physical and mental health, potentially slowing down the biological aging process,” Hu told Verywell in an email.

Negative travel experiences—such as stress or illness—can lead to poor health outcomes. Finding ways to make travel a positive experience can offer some health benefits.

“Different types of travel might have varying effects on health and aging, and these impacts may differ across diverse populations,” Hu said. “It doesn’t have to be an international trip; local travel or weekend escapes might work well too. The key is to tailor travel plans to what best suits individuals’ lifestyle, personal preferences, and health status.”

Travel Can Teach You How to Relax

Stress can speed up aging, but travel often helps people forget their day-to-day responsibilities temporarily. Research shows that even a short, four-night vacation can help reduce stress.

However, many people experiencing chronic stress—especially due to factors like economic instability— don’t have the opportunity to travel. Even for those who have the means to travel, it’s important to recognize that a vacation won’t undo months or years of accumulated stress.

To make the most out of a vacation, try to immerse yourself in the experience and avoid fixating on the do-to list you left behind.

“Maybe you’ve had this experience where you’re traveling, and it’s kind of ruined by you thinking about all the stuff back home,” William Chopik, PhD, an associate professor of psychology at Michigan State University, told Verywell. “That’s not a travel experience—that’s you just being anxious in a different location.”

Taking a trip may also help you discover new ways to manage stress, Chopik added.

“One useful thing that maybe travel does is it will teach us how to relax,” he said. “Maybe you discover a hobby, or you discover a mindset that helps you deal with stress when you return.”

Staying Active While Traveling

Whether you decide to go hiking, bike, or explore a city on foot, traveling often leads to more physical activity than you might typically get at home. Exercise has many health benefits, including improving bone health, reducing heart disease risk, and lowering the chance of developing dementia.

During your travel, remember to pace yourself, wear appropriate footwear, and listen to your body, said Kristin Weible, PT, MS, ScD, an assistant professor of physical therapy at the University of Arizona College of Health Sciences.

“It’s always important to stay hydrated. We kind of forget that when we’re out and about, seeing new things and having fun. This will help with mental clarity and with your joint function,” Weible said.

Exercising on vacation provides immediate health benefits, even if it’s not as intense as a backpacking trip or yoga retreat. Just one session of physical activity can help you sleep better, feel less anxious, and lower blood pressure.

Regular exercise can help slow biological aging, support the immune system, and delay age-related immune decline. While one active vacation won’t keep you young, maintaining these physical activities after your trip can support healthy aging.

“As far as lasting effects, you’re going to need to come home and build on that. Perhaps you found a new activity that you enjoyed, you might find a club in your hometown that you can join for some accountability,” Weible said.